this is bbc news, i'm victoria derbyshire. these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world. borisjohnson insists his four—step plan to ease england's lockdown is a one—way road to freedom, despite criticism from a number of businesses and some of his own mps. the uk government's strategy could see all covid restrictions fully lifted by the 21st ofjune, with parts of the economy being reopened along the way. it isn'tjust on us in government, although we will play our part, it is on everyone to act together to keep doing their bit, to make sure that we can hit these dates and get out of this as soon as we possibly can. president biden leads a vigil to honour the half a million american lives lost to covid—19. facebook is to restore news feeds in australia after the government agreed to amend legislation forcing

social media companies to pay for news content. starving to death — a special report on yemen's 400,000 children, innocent victims of an increasingly brutal conflict. and new views of the martian landscape — nasa releases videos of its perserverance rover landing on the surface of mars. also this hour — the dangers of dating apps. with more people than ever using them, we'll be finding out what warning signs you should look out for. hello and welcome if you're watching in the uk or around the world. the uk's prime minister boris johnson has defended what he says

is a �*cautious�* plan for easing lockdown in england, after facing criticism from some of his own mps and businesses leaders that the pace of change will be too slow. the outcome of a review on international travel is set to be announced by a special �*global travel task—force�* on the 12th of april. but there's already been a surge in bookings for foreign holidays by travellers — with easyjet reporting a 630% increase in enquiries. in the uk, self—catered holiday accommodation, along with shops, hairdressers, gyms and outdoor hospitality could also reopen on the 12th of april. this afternoon, scotland's first minister nicola sturgeon will announce her own plans for easing lockdown when she makes a statement this afternoon. in the us, president biden has led a vigil to honour the 500,000 american lives lost to covid—19. worldwide there have now been more than 2,475,000 deaths from covid. our first report is from iain watson

on the plan for easing covid restrictions in the uk. it's been a long, hard winter, with some of the things we used to take for granted now beyond reach. but the prime minister says, with a successful vaccination programme, the end is in sight. this unparalleled national effort has decisively shifted the odds in our favour. but, with every day that goes by, this programme of vaccination is creating a shield around the entire population. which means that we are now travelling on a one—way road to freedom. and what are the milestones on that road? on march the 8th, all children in england will go back to school. two people from different households will be allowed to socialise together outdoors. care home residents will be allowed one regular visitor. from march 29th, six people or two households can meet outdoors, and outdoor sport facilities will open. from april 12th, at the earliest,

nonessential retail and personal care such as hairdressers will reopen. gyms will be open too, for individual use. 0utdoor hospitality such as beer gardens can open up. and from may 17, at the earliest, most restrictions on meeting outdoors will be lifted. six people or two households will be able to meet indoors and indoor hospitality, yes, pubs and cafes, and hotels will reopen. from june 21st at the earliest, all remaining restrictions would end. some of borisjohnson�*s mps think the pace of change is too slow. he says a cautious approach is more likely to mean that any easing of restrictions won't be reversed. but this can't be absolutely guaranteed. the intention is that it should be irreversible, and that's why we are going in the way that we are, that's why we are taking the steps that we are. and even when existing restrictions end, some familiar paraphernalia of the pandemic might remain.

masks may still be advisable next winter according to the government's chief scientific advisor, and there will be a review into the use of what the government calls covid status certificates. this has raised the prospect of people having to provide proof that they have been vaccinated or have had a recent negative test to access some venues and possibly some workplaces beyond june. so, if a vaccine—busting variant doesn't disrupt things, life is likely to feel a lot more normal by the summer but perhaps not quite as we knew it before covid struck. iain watson, bbc news. 0ur political correspondent jonathan blake is with me. is there tension over whether the space of changes too slow? it is space of changes too slow? it is hard for the _ space of changes too slow? it is hard for the prime _ space of changes too slow? it 3 hard for the prime minister to please everyone but some are unhappy with the pace of the road map out of

lockdown in england and would very much like him to move further and faster. they point to the vaccine programme roll—out proceeding more quickly than many expected and also the date has so far which shows and effectiveness of the vaccines against people becoming seriously ill from coronavirus and being admitted to hospital and also the data on cases in general which are now starting to slow down. but i think the overriding impression we got from the prime minister yesterday is that they should be a cautious approach and the government should not go too fast too soon and enter padding to roll back on the restrictions it has listed when cases go up as a result and secondly that this has to be the last full lockdown in england unless there is some unforeseen event that makes

macro the government go against the strategy it has set so far. but with labour broadly on board there might be dissenting voices within the conservative backbenchers but nowhere near enough to defeat this in parliament when mps vote on it so 18th like this is the plan going forward and the questions as to whether the government should be going faster given the available data at the moment were countered by health secretary matt hancock this morning who has explained the government's thinking. to out what is, broadly speaking, a cautious approach. well, there's a reason for that, and the way that we've structured this with "not—before" dates, and that's so that we have this five weeks in between, four weeks to look at the impact and then one week to make the decision and give people time to prepare.

so that's the reason that we've done it that way, so that we can be cautious and careful and see the data and see the impact of the steps we are taking to make sure we can do that safely, and, as the prime minister says, irreversibly. so this is a one—way route out of lockdown, that is the goal. a one—way route out of lockdown, thatis a one—way route out of lockdown, that is the plan in government and i think there is now a tolerance and acceptance of upsetting some conservative mps who would like the government to go further and faster, but with labour support in the house of commons it looks like these plans will be there to stay, and important reminderfrom the health will be there to stay, and important reminder from the health secretary that the dates we were given by the prime minister yesterday, five weeks apart, are not before dates, so there is a chance that things could slip further and restrictions could be lifted out even slower pace than the prime minister set out

yesterday, so caution is very much the watchword. and coming up we'll be answering your questions on what the easing of restrictions in lockdown mean for you, that's at 3.30 this afternoon. get in touch with the hashtag #bbcyourquestions, or email yourquestions@bbc. co. uk. unemployment in the uk has risen to its highest rate in five years — with young people the worst affected. however, the 0ns said that there were some "tentative early signs" of the labour market stabilising. in the latest three month period — figures from the 0ns show the uk's unemployment rose to 5.1%. the number of redundencies still remains at record levels despite a fall in the latest three month period. and in those last three months, unemployment for those aged between 16 and 2a rose by over 14%. i asked our business presenter ben thompson to assess the figures. as always, good morning to you, the devil is in the detail. you have run through some

of the headline figures telling us the unemployment picture is steadily worsening, no great surprise given the restrictions still in place across many sectors of the economy. what is clear in these figures is that there are 726,000 fewer people in work than before this all began. each of those is an individual story, and individual income and a huge impact on that person's life, there are close to 6 million people still on the government furlough scheme, salary being paid for by taxpayers, and there are huge questions about what happens to the 6 million people if and when the scheme is one term. -- if —— ifand —— if and when the scheme is ended. it is currently due to run out at the end of april and there is mounting pressure on the chancellor to extend right beyond that date because it accounts for about 20% of the workforce currently having their salary paid by the government. we were talking yesterday about the hospitality industry,

the third largest employer in the uk, one of the latest to be able to eat restrictions, according to the timetable you had spoken about this morning, so a lot of uncertainty about theirjobs until we get back to something resembling normality. it is also worth saying in these figures that the average earnings is published alongside the unemployment picture, and those, perversely, have crept up again, suggesting we are earning more, but i think the reality is that it is low paid jobs that are being lost and therefore that skews the overall average for what we are earning a little higher. you had said younger people account for a higher proportion of the job losses and it seems low paid jobs are pretty significant in these job losses. three fifths of the total number ofjobs lost have been lost by those under the age of 25, it is younger people bearing this burden and they potentially might

find it the most difficult to find work if and when this is all over. thank you, ben. the latest figures on excess deaths in the uk show deaths in the week of february the 12th shows death are continuing to fall — but still 26% higher than usual levels. the latest figures also show that deaths of care home residents are falling faster than for the rest of the population. let's speak to our head of statistics, robert cuffe. talk us through the significance of these figures?— talk us through the significance of these figures? come cenation again that thin . s these figures? come cenation again that things are _ these figures? come cenation again that things are moving _ these figures? come cenation again that things are moving in _ these figures? come cenation again that things are moving in the - these figures? come cenation again that things are moving in the right l that things are moving in the right direction across the country and, as you say, particularly in care homes —— consternation again. we have seen sharples in the last couple of weeks in the number of covid deaths —— we had seen shop. around 6000 covid deaths registered in the second week

of surgery, probably down a surge in two weeks ago and the audience could see the big wet area which shows a covid that's getting narrower, quite visible. we had seen the total number of deaths in the uk about a quarter above usual levels, it is still a good deal above the line in the middle which shows where we would expect deaths to be. with covid out of the picture we would be better than usual, but covid is still driving a significant degree of mortality in the uk at the moment. of mortality in the uk at the moment-— of mortality in the uk at the moment. �* , ., , .,, moment. and the number of people d in: in moment. and the number of people dying in care — moment. and the number of people dying in care homes _ moment. and the number of people dying in care homes is _ moment. and the number of people dying in care homes is also - moment. and the number of people dying in care homes is also falling, l dying in care homes is also falling, excellent news?— excellent news? yes, and falling faster. if excellent news? yes, and falling faster- if you _ excellent news? yes, and falling faster. if you look _ excellent news? yes, and falling faster. if you look in _ excellent news? yes, and falling faster. if you look in england - excellent news? yes, and falling | faster. if you look in england and wales where we have data, we can look at people who live in care homes and the number of covid deaths in those people has fallen by about a third in the last week, about a

third in two weeks is the overall picture, certainly much faster in the last week than for everyone else in england and wales where the fall is about 18%, so kidneys in care homes and the hope is that this is evidence of the vaccine a fact that we saw such good data on, showing that vaccinations reduce hospitalisations, your chance of infection, the chance of people dying when they are over 80 and care homes were another priority group for vaccination so there is reason to be helpful that this is notjust safely but a real thing —— this is a reason to be helpful. the headlines on bbc news... borisjohnson insists his four—step plan to ease england's lockdown is a �*one—way road to freedom' despite criticism from a number of businesses and some of his own mps. president biden leads a vigil to honour the half a million american lives lost to covid—19.

facebook is to restore news feeds in australia after the government agreed to amend legislation forcing social media companies to pay for news content. well, airlines and holiday companies say they've seen a surge in bookings in the past 2a hours. borisjohnson said yesterday that a ban on foreign travel will remain in place until at least mid—may. self catering breaks in england will resume on the 12th of april at the earliest. earlier i spoke to the chief executive officer of easyjet, johan lundgren, who told us that booking have soared since yesterday. the response from the customers on the announcement yesterday was quite fantastic to see, we have been up with some 630% of the at easyjet holidays, which continues the morning and shows what we have said all along, morning and shows what we have said allalong, direct morning and shows what we have said

all along, direct and enormous increased pent—up demand for people to make travel arrangements for the summer. ., , . , ., , summer. you expect we will be able to start flying _ summer. you expect we will be able to start flying from _ summer. you expect we will be able to start flying from may _ summer. you expect we will be able to start flying from may the - summer. you expect we will be able to start flying from may the 17th? i to start flying from may the 17th? yes, the government stated that is the intention. we have to wait and see what the global travel task. separating the recommendations to the prime minister on the 12th of april but what we wanted is what we got, a road map with dates on how we could plan in relation to the safe restart of international travel. with me is amrit singh, managing director of transindus, an asia specialist tour operator. also i'm joined by travel blogger camille poire. thank you both. sites, you are a signatory of the save our summer campaign, what was it and why did you put your signature on it? it was a plea for the government to look at

the travel industry, an industry that employs over a billion people and provides a great deal of revenue in terms of overall in excess of £110 billion, and the industry had been ignored for quite some time and this was a plea to government to try to aid and help us and look at a structured direction of how things could open? flan structured direction of how things could open?— structured direction of how things could open?— structured direction of how things could oen? . ~ , ., could open? can you keep going until ma the could open? can you keep going until may the 17th? — could open? can you keep going until may the 17th? we — could open? can you keep going until may the 17th? we have _ could open? can you keep going until may the 17th? we have managed - could open? can you keep going until may the 17th? we have managed this| may the 17th? we have managed this far with a great _ may the 17th? we have managed this far with a great deal _ may the 17th? we have managed this far with a great deal of _ may the 17th? we have managed this far with a great deal of health - may the 17th? we have managed this far with a great deal of health and . far with a great deal of health and support, in terms of the business rate scheme, the furlough scheme, some hmrc referrals. if that continues we can save the jobs that might otherwise be lost, but certainly i think with the pent—up

demand being spoken of in your earlier report and the number of calls we are receiving and the support we are receiving from our clients and customers, we can most certainly keep going until banahan provide a road map for the british people to start booking their holidays, so this gives us direction to start planning our operations and a signal to the british public to pick up the phone and start booking holidays if they so want.— holidays if they so want. camille, ou holidays if they so want. camille, you started _ holidays if they so want. camille, you started a _ holidays if they so want. camille, you started a travel _ holidays if they so want. camille, you started a travel website - holidays if they so want. camille, you started a travel website just. you started a travel website just before the pandemic hits, i assume that never got going? trio. before the pandemic hits, i assume that never got going?— before the pandemic hits, i assume that never got going? no, actually i was already — that never got going? no, actually i was already running _ that never got going? no, actually i was already running a _ that never got going? no, actually i was already running a travel- that never got going? no, actually i was already running a travel blog i was already running a travel blog and safety years ago and just before the pandemic started and got very serious _ the pandemic started and got very serious i _ the pandemic started and got very serious i actually quit myjob,

which — serious i actually quit myjob, which is — serious i actually quit myjob, which is a _ serious i actually quit myjob, which is a remote position with a start-up — which is a remote position with a start-up -- _ which is a remote position with a start-up -- i_ which is a remote position with a start—up —— i was actually running a travel_ start—up —— i was actually running a travel blog — start—up —— i was actually running a travel blog since the pandemic started — travel blog since the pandemic started i_ travel blog since the pandemic started. i was focusing on a new project — started. i was focusing on a new project which was a travel website i bought— project which was a travel website i bought that i was trying to grow and make _ bought that i was trying to grow and make my— bought that i was trying to grow and make my main source of income, i bought— make my main source of income, i bought it _ make my main source of income, i bought it in — make my main source of income, i bought it injanuary 2020, which was very bad _ bought it injanuary 2020, which was very bad timing. i not only lost what _ very bad timing. i not only lost what i — very bad timing. i not only lost what i intended to be myjob and my source _ what i intended to be myjob and my source of— what i intended to be myjob and my source of income for the next few years _ source of income for the next few years but — source of income for the next few years but also my investment in the website, _ years but also my investment in the website, which became nearly worthless almost overnight. i sorry to hearthat- _ worthless almost overnight. i sorry to hear that. what _ worthless almost overnight. i sorry to hear that. what do _ worthless almost overnight. i sorry to hear that. what do you - worthless almost overnight. i sorry to hear that. what do you think- to hear that. what do you think about, certainly in the uk and this timetable, this massive increase in demand for holidays and inquiries for holidays in less than 2a

elephants are prime minister's announcement? i elephants are prime minister's announcement?— elephants are prime minister's announcement? ., ., , , , announcement? i am not surprised, i think what we — announcement? i am not surprised, i think what we are _ announcement? i am not surprised, i think what we are all _ announcement? i am not surprised, i think what we are all hoping - announcement? i am not surprised, i think what we are all hoping for - announcement? i am not surprised, i think what we are all hoping for nowl think what we are all hoping for now is to he _ think what we are all hoping for now is to be able to enjoy the summer, at least _ is to be able to enjoy the summer, at least i— is to be able to enjoy the summer, at least. i know that last year in europe — at least. i know that last year in europe we — at least. i know that last year in europe we had a bit more of a listening — europe we had a bit more of a listening of restrictions about the summer— listening of restrictions about the summer and managed to salvage some of the _ summer and managed to salvage some of the tourism season and have a breather— of the tourism season and have a breather and be able to travel, whether— breather and be able to travel, whether internationally, abroad or within— whether internationally, abroad or within their country and go out in nature, _ within their country and go out in nature, it — within their country and go out in nature, it was a welcome respite and people _ nature, it was a welcome respite and people are _ nature, it was a welcome respite and people are hoping for that. i think governments are aware of that as well so _ governments are aware of that as well so they are trying to have a timetable — well so they are trying to have a timetable that will make that possible. timetable that will make that ossible. �* , . , possible. amrit, since the first lockdown. _ possible. amrit, since the first lockdown, how _ possible. amrit, since the first lockdown, how many - possible. amrit, since the first i lockdown, how many passengers possible. amrit, since the first - lockdown, how many passengers have you had?

lockdown, how many passengers have ou had? ., . g; lockdown, how many passengers have ou had? ., . ,': �* you had? from march 23, we can't passengers _ you had? from march 23, we can't passengers as _ you had? from march 23, we can't passengers as the _ you had? from march 23, we can't passengers as the number- you had? from march 23, we can't passengers as the number of - you had? from march 23, we can't l passengers as the number of people that take off on a flight and arrive at a destination, we have had zero. —— we count passengers. stand at a destination, we have had zero. -- we count passengers.— -- we count passengers. and your income presumably _ -- we count passengers. and your income presumably is _ -- we count passengers. and your income presumably is when - -- we count passengers. and your income presumably is when a - income presumably is when a passenger sits on a flight? yes. income presumably is when a passenger sits on a flight? yes, so we have used _ passenger sits on a flight? yes, so we have used up— passenger sits on a flight? yes, so we have used up all— passenger sits on a flight? yes, so we have used up all of— passenger sits on a flight? yes, so we have used up all of our- passenger sits on a flight? yes, so we have used up all of our ability l we have used up all of our ability to be able to sustain ourselves in the future without government support, so we really, really needs that in the coming weeks and months. and i have been signals from the prime minister that it will be forthcoming, we now look towards the chancellor to provide that. hagar forthcoming, we now look towards the chancellor to provide that.— chancellor to provide that. how many eo - le chancellor to provide that. how many --eole did chancellor to provide that. how many people did you _ chancellor to provide that. how many people did you employ _ chancellor to provide that. how many people did you employ last _ chancellor to provide that. how many people did you employ last year - chancellor to provide that. how many people did you employ last year and l people did you employ last year and how many do you employ now? irate people did you employ last year and how many do you employ now? we had 20 --eole how many do you employ now? we had 20 people in — how many do you employ now? we had 20 people in our— how many do you employ now? we had 20 people in our employment - how many do you employ now? we had 20 people in our employment last - 20 people in our employment last march, we are now down to eight people including myself. haifa march, we are now down to eight people including myself. how long have ou people including myself. how long have you owned _ people including myself. how long have you owned the _

people including myself. how long have you owned the business? - people including myself. how long have you owned the business? 22| have you owned the business? 22 years, so we had survived many previous crises in terms of gulf wars and ash clouds and economic collapses. this has been the most significant because it has been so prolonged, and i think we have possibly could have dealt with eight with just the first lockdown, easing the lockdown last summer possibly did not help, but here we are and we are looking at a way forward and feeling very positive.— feeling very positive. thank you both foretold _ feeling very positive. thank you both foretold to _ feeling very positive. thank you both foretold to us, _ feeling very positive. thank you both foretold to us, travel - feeling very positive. thank you i both foretold to us, travel blogger count and amrit singh, dmd of an asia specialist tour operator, transindus. the united states has become the first country in the world to record more than half a million coronavirus deaths. president biden has described the milestone as "heartbreaking" and held a candle—lit ceremony at the white house to honour

those lost to covid—19. david willis has more. in the nation's capital, washington, dc, the cathedral bell has rung with growing frequency of late, marking each new coronavirus milestone. and, in an address to the nation, a president whose own life has been marked with the loss of loved ones, spoke directly to the relatives and friends of the half a million americans who have lost their lives to covid—19. for the loved ones left behind, i know all too well. i know what it's like to not be there when it happens. i know what it's like when you are there, holding their hand. there is a look in their eye, and they slip away. an erratic response to the pandemic under president biden's predecessor donald trump has been replaced by a ramped up vaccination programme, a significant fall in the average daily death toll,

and talk of getting the country fully vaccinated by the end ofjuly. this country has lost more lives to the coronavirus than any other nation on earth, more than in the first, second and vietnam wars combined and, at the white house, where candles were lit in memory of the dead the president and vice president emerged to observe a moment of silence. flags will remain at half staff here and in public buildings across the country until the end of the week. the chair asks all members in the chamber as well as members and staff throughout the capitol to rise for a moment of silence... the house of representatives also paid tribute to those who have died, democrats and republicans united in solemn reflection. later this week the house is expected to vote on one of president biden's biggest legislative priorities, a nearly $2 trillion coronavirus relief bill. david willis, bbc news, los angeles.

a preliminary assessment of the incident involving a boeing 777 operated by united airlines on saturday has found it was consistent with metal fatigue. the incident prompted dozens of planes to be suspended from service. the aircraft had to make an emergency landing at denver's airport after its right engine failed soon after take—off. metal debris fell from the aircraft near the city but no injuries were reported. it's a row which could yet have global implications over the way we use the internet — but now it seems the disagreement between facebook and the australian government may have come to an end. the social media giant says it will restore news feeds to its site in the country — but it seems it may have got something in return. facebook brought its block in last thursday — in response to australian government plans to make tech companies pay news publishers for content posted or shared on their platforms. it seems there was a bit of give and take on both sides — with some amendments being made to the news laws. here's the australian government

treasurerjosh frydenberg. facebook has re—friended australia. and australian news will be restored to the facebook platform. and facebook has committed to entering into good—faith negotiations with australian news media businesses in seeking to reach agreements to pay for content. this follows a series of intensive negotiations with facebook since their actions last thursday, it involved the minister, the prime minister, the head of the accc treasury and myself. we have agreed to make some clarifications to the code. so, an agreement of sorts. the bbc�*s shaima khalil is in sydney.

we do not know exactly when, but stated has agreed to restore its news feed on the platform here. they have agreed on two main things, something has been bothering stated specifically in the news media bargaining code, the law in front of the senate as we speak that will potentially force tech giants like facebook and google to pay for news content, essentially it is when the government gets involved between the news outlets and facebook. they did not like that at all when it was proposed and now that will be the very last resort, it is that, but it will be a last resort. essentially any digital platform will be given one month notice to say the negotiations, there will be three months negotiation and two additional months of mediation before the government steps in, i think that is key to facebook that

they wanted to do this on their own terms with the news outlets and not the government. the second thing the treasury did not mention in his statement is part of a statement by facebook and they say, going forward, the government has clarified we won't retain the ability to decide if news appears on facebook —— we will retain. we won't automatically before scheduling negotiation, meaning they have the choice to support news outlets, whichever they choose. it is unclear how that will work, it is unclear whether facebook will say we will support abc melbourne and not abc sydney, for example, the national broadcaster. all of that is part of the teething problems which will come into practice when this is put into practice. the headlines on bbc news... borisjohnson insists his four—step plan to ease england's lockdown is a "one—way road to freedom", despite criticism from a number of

businesses and some of his own mps. the uk government's strategy could see all covid restrictions fully lifted by the 21st ofjune, with parts of the economy being reopened along the way. this isn'tjust on us in government, although we will play our part. it is on everyone to act together to keep doing their bit to make sure that we can hit these dates and get out of this as soon as we possibly can. president biden leads a vigil to honour the half a million american lives lost to covid—19. facebook is to restore news feeds in australia after the government agreed to amend legislation forcing social media companies to pay for news content. starving to death — a special report on yemen's 400,000 children, innocent victims of an increasingly brutal conflict. and new views of the martian landscape — nasa releases videos of its perserverance rover landing on the surface of mars.

the united nations say 16 million people in yemen will go hungry this year and the country is at risk of the worst famine in decades. it's projecting that 400,000 children will suffer from severe acute malnutrition, and could die without urgent treatment. 0ur international correspondent 0rla guerin, producer claire read and cameraman goktay koraltan sent this report from southern yemen. you may find some of the scenes distressing. every breath is a struggle, and he is dangerously thin. mohammed is 12 months old, but too weak to hold his head up. he's in the grip severe acute malnutrition. mohammed needs to go to hospital, urgently. his mother knows,

but can do nothing. this rural clinic can't provide transport either. we were able to give mother and baby a lift to the hospital. this was a chance encounter in taiz province, an area ravaged by hunger in one of the world's poorest countries. malnutrition was entrenched in yemen before the war, but has increased every year since. at khalifa hospital, doctors do what they can, but they say mohammed's weight is about half what it should be, and he has a chest infection. he's put on oxygen — a lifeline, for now.

we can help the cases which reach hospital, but there are a lot of babies cannot reach our hospital. so this is the problem. are you afraid that there are children dying at home? yes, there are a lot of cases die at home, from a lot of factors, a lot of causes. those causes are complex, but don't include a lack of food in the markets. there is plenty to buy, but many can't afford it. years of conflict and a saudi blockade have taken their toll. food prices have risen, about 140%, and the yemeni currency has collapsed, along with the economy. the youngest here are heartbreakingly vulnerable. her name is gada. she came because of acute gastroenteritis. she is four months old.

tiny gada is deteriorating rapidly in the southern city of aden. for her mother, ibtida, displaced by the war, seeing her like this, rigid with pain, is another trauma. gada has severe acute malnutrition and is running a high fever. dr maha suleiman tries to cool down her tiny body with a cool cloth. some of gada's test results come back. it's not good news. when i find the really sick children, and they come in and deteriorate, or are not responding to treatment, it's very hard. we even have some sleep disturbance forming. i have sleep disturbance some nights. it's very hard. and painful.

and we have even no time to change the sheet of the bed. just you change the sheets, another patient is just coming. well, doctors are now extremely concerned about gada. they say her case is critical. she needs an x—ray but it's too far away across the hospital and they can't take the chance of moving her now. she's on oxygen at the moment and they're just trying to stabilise her. as the young waste away here, cuts in international donations mean less food aid. the un says yemenis are not starving — they are being starved. since we filmed these pictures, gada has died. 0rla guerin, bbc news, southern yemen. let's bring you this news. it's about the numbers of people who have been claiming universal credit since the pandemic. according to new

figures today, more than a third of claims made since universal credit was introduced have been made during the coronavirus pandemic, perhaps not surprising. these are new figures and show 4.5 million claims for the benefit between march last year and january this year. these figures from the department for work and pensions. so more than a third of claims made since universal credit was introduced has been made —— have been made during the pandemic, according to new figures from the department for work and pensions. 4.5 million claims of the benefit were made between last year and mid january this year. in portugal, the devastating third wave of coronavirus is subsiding and the country now has one of europe's lowest transmission rates. the government is aiming to have 70% of its population vaccinated by some point over summer. just weeks ago, it was one of the world's worst—hit countries, and fellow eu members were despatching emergency medical teams to help portuguese doctors.

south korea's prime minister chung sye—kyun says he's confident the country will achieve herd immunity from covid—19 by the autumn. the country was one of the first outside of china to be hit by the virus, and became a role model for its mass testing and aggressive contact tracing measures. speaking to the bbc�*s seoul correspondent laura bicker, prime minister chung said he was surprised that other wealthy countries had not followed its example. south korea was quick to act when the pandemic kit. the first outbreak was brought under control with a mass testing and aggressive contact tracing. in contrast, the vaccine roll—out has been slow. it will start this week, but only in small numbers. the general population will have to wait until at least july to get the jab. but the prime minister is confident that this country will achieve herd immunity by the autumn.

translation: you know that koreans are the master of speed. _ yes, it's not an easy goal to achieve, but we aim to achieve the first vaccination of 70% of our population by the end of the third quarter in september. i believe it is possible. sure, some might resist getting vaccinated, but this government will encourage more people to get the jab. just over 1,500 people have died from covid in south korea and infection numbers have remained relatively low. there has been genuine surprise here that others failed to follow this country's lead. south korea has learned about democracy and gained technology from advanced countries like europe and the uk. i never would have thought that they would suffer so much from covid. south korea was focused on the three principles of testing,

tracking and tracing the virus, and the three values of democracy, transparency and openness. we didn't realise how well we were doing. it was only later that we learned we were managing better than others around the world. south korea's northern neighbour is struggling with the economic fallout of closing its borders to prevent the spread of coronavirus, and seoul hopes to offer humanitarian aid but it also harbours hopes for more talks. north korea must also be contemplating a variety of options. what has to be done to keep the regime stable? but north korea also has to feed as people. whether the olympics will take place this year injapan depends on the pandemic, but the start of inter—korean talks rose from the last winter olympics. the frozen state of talks can be thawed by these opportunities.

you've said now is not the time to answer whether or not you will run for president, so when will be the time for you? nobody knows. laura bicker, bbc news, seoul. millions of us each year pick up our phone and swipe right in the hope of finding "the one." now, with the pandemic limiting even the most basic of social interactions, statistics suggest more of us are using apps than ever before. in recent years, however, increasing numbers of people have been targeted by fraudsters and sexual predators abusing these apps — and bbc radio 4's file on four has been investigating the dangers these apps can pose. the reporter is livvy haydock, and in a moment we'll talk to by leon kamal, whose best friend

alex davies was murdered after meeting with someone he met on the grindrapp. what have you discovered? we asked all uk police — what have you discovered? we asked all uk police forces _ what have you discovered? we asked all uk police forces for _ what have you discovered? we asked all uk police forces for figures, i all uk police forces for figures, and from the ones that came back to us the figures were really interesting, an increase of 24% in the last three years with crimes associated with dating apps. looking at it on a month by month basis we saw there was an increase when restrictions with lockdown relaxed over the summer months last year, so there is a concern that as we move into spring and summer and we are looking at lockdown restrictions again there could be another wave of crime this time. stand again there could be another wave of crime this time.— crime this time. and what are big tech firms doing _ crime this time. and what are big tech firms doing to _ crime this time. and what are big tech firms doing to protect i crime this time. and what are big tech firms doing to protect their. tech firms doing to protect their users? i tech firms doing to protect their users? ~ , tech firms doing to protect their users? ~' , . ., , tech firms doing to protect their users? ~' , _, , ., tech firms doing to protect their users? ~' , , ., ., users? i think they could be doing a lot more. users? i think they could be doing a lot more- itut _ users? i think they could be doing a lot more. but it _ users? i think they could be doing a lot more. but it is _ users? i think they could be doing a lot more. but it is not _ users? i think they could be doing a lot more. but it is notjust - users? i think they could be doing a lot more. but it is notjust on i lot more. but it is notjust on them. something we explore within them. something we explore within the programmes and legislation about

how how we operate on the online landscape because it is still very much a sort of wild west out there, and legislation, the apps responsibility, there are a lot of things that need to happen. like what specifically? _ things that need to happen. like what specifically? what do you think would make a difference? i what specifically? what do you think would make a difference?— would make a difference? i think verification _ would make a difference? i think verification would _ would make a difference? i think verification would make - would make a difference? i think verification would make a - would make a difference? i think verification would make a huge l verification would make a huge difference. i think we're criminals are very easily, as our programme proves, able to look for victims online, i think we have better verification it would certainly reduce that and then people could be assured they are speaking to who they think they are speaking to, and also people might be more responsible themselves in what they do and how they operate online. what do and how they operate online. what should people — do and how they operate online. what should people do _ do and how they operate online. what should people do to keep themselves safe on the apps? i should people do to keep themselves safe on the apps?— safe on the apps? i think there are a lot of things _ safe on the apps? i think there are a lot of things people _ safe on the apps? i think there are a lot of things people could - safe on the apps? i think there are a lot of things people could do i safe on the apps? i think there are a lot of things people could do and it is something we explore within the programme later tonight. i think ultimately when online use the web

in the same way criminals use it to look for you, so you can do it to check out people you're talking to. but also physically when you do go to meet somebody, please let people know where you are going, meet them in a public space, and let people know how long you're going to be and when you get back. just basic things that could make such a difference. yeah. thank you, livvy. hello, leon. thank you for talking to us. you will talk to us about your friend, alex, who killed after meeting a 17—year—old on grindr who lured him to a remote walking spot before stabbing him many times. tell us about alex. what was he like? mex. about alex. what was he like? alex was 'ust a about alex. what was he like? alex wasjust a great _ about alex. what was he like? alex was just a great friend. i about alex. what was he like? alex wasjust a great friend. i had known him for— wasjust a great friend. i had known him for many years and he was a friend _ him for many years and he was a friend of— him for many years and he was a friend of her family for many years also _ friend of her family for many years also he _ friend of her family for many years also. hejust friend of her family for many years also. he just had such a great presence _ also. he just had such a great presence and he had so many friends,

he was _ presence and he had so many friends, he was very— presence and he had so many friends, he was very well liked. even in his 'ob. he was very well liked. even in his joh he _ he was very well liked. even in his joh he had — he was very well liked. even in his job. he had recently got promoted to a senior— job. he had recently got promoted to a senior management position in his retail— a senior management position in his retailioh, _ a senior management position in his retailjob, and there was a lot going — retailjob, and there was a lot going for— retailjob, and there was a lot going for him, but he wasjust so likeahle. — going for him, but he wasjust so likeable, and i think that's why so many— likeable, and i think that's why so many people enjoyed spending time with him _ many people enjoyed spending time with him. did many people en'oyed spending time with him. , i. ~ ., .,, many people en'oyed spending time with him. , ~ ., , with him. did you know he was using datin: with him. did you know he was using dating apps? — with him. did you know he was using dating apps? i— with him. did you know he was using dating apps? i did. _ with him. did you know he was using dating apps? i did, yes. _ with him. did you know he was using dating apps? i did, yes. initially, i dating apps? i did, yes. initially, i wasn't concerned _ dating apps? i did, yes. initially, i wasn't concerned because i i dating apps? i did, yes. initially, l i wasn't concerned because i think people _ iwasn't concerned because i think people of— i wasn't concerned because i think people of that age, it is a rite of passage — people of that age, it is a rite of passage. alex was 18 at the time as well, _ passage. alex was 18 at the time as well, and _ passage. alex was 18 at the time as well, and i— passage. alex was 18 at the time as well, and i think he wasjust looking _ well, and i think he wasjust looking for some companionship or are looking — looking for some companionship or are looking to maybe form a genuine relationship with someone. and i think— relationship with someone. and i think he — relationship with someone. and i think he just wanted to be happy. i think he just wanted to be happy. think it was think he just wanted to be happy. i think it was when he didn't show up for work that you definitely knew something wasn't right? yes. for work that you definitely knew something wasn't right?- for work that you definitely knew something wasn't right? yes, it was. so he was meant _ something wasn't right? yes, it was. so he was meant to _ something wasn't right? yes, it was. so he was meant to turn _ something wasn't right? yes, it was. so he was meant to turn up - something wasn't right? yes, it was. so he was meant to turn up on i something wasn't right? yes, it was. so he was meant to turn up on the i so he was meant to turn up on the thursday— so he was meant to turn up on the thursday at— so he was meant to turn up on the thursday at work, but when he didn't i thursday at work, but when he didn't i knew _ thursday at work, but when he didn't i knew then, — thursday at work, but when he didn't i knew then, and his mum, beverly,

knew— i knew then, and his mum, beverly, knew from _ i knew then, and his mum, beverly, knew from the onset that something wasn't _ knew from the onset that something wasn't right. and to find out the nature _ wasn't right. and to find out the nature of— wasn't right. and to find out the nature of how he had died as well was really— nature of how he had died as well was really quite difficult to accept _ was really quite difficult to accept. and something even to this day that— accept. and something even to this day that i_ accept. and something even to this day that ijust can't believe. you never. _ day that ijust can't believe. you never. ever— day that ijust can't believe. you never, everthink day that ijust can't believe. you never, ever think it would happen to someone _ never, ever think it would happen to someone you know, let alone your best friend. — someone you know, let alone your best friend, especially in the dreadful— best friend, especially in the dreadful and horrific circumstances. do you _ dreadful and horrific circumstances. do you think the apps could do more to protect the users? yes. do you think the apps could do more to protect the users?— to protect the users? yes, i do. i think from _ to protect the users? yes, i do. i think from what _ to protect the users? yes, i do. i think from what liwy _ to protect the users? yes, i do. i think from what liwy touched i to protect the users? yes, i do. i think from what liwy touched on j think from what livvy touched on before _ think from what livvy touched on before in— think from what livvy touched on before in terms of verification, so ithink— before in terms of verification, so i think they— before in terms of verification, so i think they should have better measures in place to sort of verify someone — measures in place to sort of verify someone plus my age and identity, so then they— someone plus my age and identity, so then they know who they are talking to -- _ then they know who they are talking to —— someone's age and identity, and then— to —— someone's age and identity, and then it — to —— someone's age and identity, and then it is _ to —— someone's age and identity, and then it is behind the screen and not someone who is going to perform a malicious— not someone who is going to perform a malicious act or do something horrible — a malicious act or do something horrible to _ a malicious act or do something horrible to them. also as well, i think— horrible to them. also as well, i think for— horrible to them. also as well, i think for many people being of age as well, _ think for many people being of age as well, because when you are on

such— as well, because when you are on such apps — as well, because when you are on such apps you have to be of age, and it puts _ such apps you have to be of age, and it puts people at risk unnecessarily if they— it puts people at risk unnecessarily if they are — it puts people at risk unnecessarily if they are not of age as well because _ if they are not of age as well because they don't know what could happen, _ because they don't know what could happen, and ifanything because they don't know what could happen, and if anything this story of alex _ happen, and if anything this story of alex shows that dangers can happen— of alex shows that dangers can happen and it can happen to anyone. yeah _ happen and it can happen to anyone. yeah alek— happen and it can happen to anyone. yeah. alex was 18, which you had to be on this particular app, but the man who lured him and killed him was 17, so was under the age he should have been for using that at. yes. thank you _ have been for using that at. yes. thank you very — have been for using that at. yes. thank you very much _ have been for using that at. yes. thank you very much for - have been for using that at. yes. thank you very much for talking to leon —— talking to us, leon. thank you very much for talking to leon -- talking to us, leon. thank ou, leon -- talking to us, leon. thank you. victoria- _ and audiences in the uk can listen to that report, the dangers of dating apps, on file on 4, which is on bbc radio 4 at 8pm tonight. it's also available via the bbc sounds app. close to eight milion people in texas are still struggling to get clean water supplies in the wake of a deadly winter storm last week.

two dozen people died in the storm which caused widespread blackouts across texas — a state unaccustomed to extreme cold. nature conservation organisations have warned that nearly a third of freshwater fish are at risk of extinction. conservation groups say the fish face a number of threats, including pollution, unsustainable fishing, and the damming and draining of rivers and wetlands. they estimate around 80 species were known to have gone extinct — 16 in the last year alone. 15 pilot whales have died, and many more are stranded, after becoming beached on new zealand's south island. volunteers have been trying to help the whales back to sea, after more than 40 became stranded at farewell spit on monday. some were floated out on the high tide, but conservationists say they are worried that they have

remained in the area, and could become beached again. the headlines on bbc news... borisjohnson insists his four—step plan to ease england's lockdown is a "one—way road to freedom" despite criticism from a number of businesses and some of his own mps. president biden leads a vigil to honour the half a million american lives lost to covid—19. facebook is to restore news feeds in australia after the government agreed to amend legislation forcing social media companies to pay for news content. 0n the week where prime minister borisjohnson announced the country's roadmap out of lockdown, we are hosting a series of leaving lockdown interviews. we'll be speaking to a number of high profile names across a variety of sectors, industries and aspects of society to get their thoughts on what we've learnt over the past year and what their hopes are for the future. this morning, i spoke to dr alex george, who was recently appointed by borisjohnson as youth

mental health ambassador for the government — about the importance of looking after our mental health. he's also known from his time on love island, has worked in a&e throughout the pandemic and knows how difficult it is to grieve for a loved one in lockdown after his 19—year—old brother llyr took his own life in july of last year. children have been at home, in a situation that no one would ever have expected them to experience, having to deal with, you know, what they are seeing on the news, the media. various children have their own living situations that are challenging as well, of course. and all of this has an impact on their mental health. of course, going back to school is vital. i love education, you know, i think it's such an incredible part of growing up and becoming an adult and i want children to go back and enjoy their school, but doing it in a way where our focus in the first instance is around settling back at school, getting them back into a routine, back into their friendship circles, and then kind of bringing

the attention to academia, is very important. a lot of the conversations i am having and certainly conversations i'm going to have with government is around how we can try and support children in this transition period. because it's not easy. some children will really relish going back to school, others might find it more challenging. yeah. i get quite a lot of messages on instagram from young teenagers who feel that because of the pandemic, they've missed out, almost as though a year of their life has been taken from them, they've missed out on various opportunities and they are resentful, actually, and feel uncertain about what their future now holds. how can you help young people with that aspect? i completely understand their frustration, and i feel very sorry for the children in many ways, not just students at colleges and schools but also at university as well, because it's an incredible part of your life and i think we need to listen and understand, first of all, and be there. a lot of children i'd spoken to actuallyjust want people to say,

"i understand it's been a hard time. let's hear your story. what are you feeling? what are you experiencing?" so, you know, in the first instance in that kind of time, going back to school, a lot of it is just about being there for kids, trying to support them through what they've experienced, and i think a big part externally is that we need to make sure we are supporting schools and teachers in the way that they need as well. i know that in the green paper a few years ago it was announced that there would be mental health support teams at schools, and one of the things i'm calling for is that we make sure we roll that out as quickly as we can so that actually schools can have support externally as well, because teachers do an incredible job, absolutely incredible, and ijust want to make sure we are actually supporting teachers in doing that as well. that was dr alex george. borisjohnson has boris johnson has been borisjohnson has been out announcing his road map today, visiting a school in south—east london, and he has been asked about

how covid safe schools are. sign at you heard the view of the chief scientific medical officer, chief scientific scientific medical officer, chief scientifi- �* , ., , scientific medical officer, chief scientifi- �* , . , . scientific adviser, and they are absolutely _ scientific adviser, and they are absolutely convinced _ scientific adviser, and they are absolutely convinced this i scientific adviser, and they are absolutely convinced this is i scientific adviser, and they are | absolutely convinced this is the right— absolutely convinced this is the right thing to do to get kids, pupils. — right thing to do to get kids, pupils, back into school in march that -- _ pupils, back into school in march that —— well, you heard the view. and that — that —— well, you heard the view. and that is — that —— well, you heard the view. and that is what we are going to do. -- on _ and that is what we are going to do. -- on march — and that is what we are going to do. —— on march the 8th. i want to thank parents _ —— on march the 8th. i want to thank parents and — —— on march the 8th. i want to thank parents and teachers who have done so much _ parents and teachers who have done so much during the pandemic, not 'ust so much during the pandemic, not just to _ so much during the pandemic, not just to look— so much during the pandemic, not just to look after kids at home, but also teaching them throughout the pandemic, trying to keep them going. and they— pandemic, trying to keep them going. and they know, just talking to teachers — and they know, just talking to teachers here, even to people is here, _ teachers here, even to people is here how— teachers here, even to people is here, how important it is to get back— here, how important it is to get back into — here, how important it is to get back into the classroom, and that is what _ back into the classroom, and that is what we _ back into the classroom, and that is what we are — back into the classroom, and that is what we are going to do. they have done a greatjob in making sure it _ they have done a greatjob in making sure it is _ they have done a greatjob in making sure it is covid secure. you can seat— sure it is covid secure. you can seat the — sure it is covid secure. you can seal the preparations responsible schools _ seal the preparations responsible schools have made across the country and that's _ schools have made across the country and that's fantastic to see —— see all the _ and that's fantastic to see —— see all the preparations. just and that's fantastic to see -- see all the preparations.— all the preparations. just asking about the road _ all the preparations. just asking about the road map _ all the preparations. just asking about the road map last - all the preparations. just asking about the road map last night, l all the preparations. just asking i about the road map last night, there are some who think it is too slow, but a lot of people have been

incredibly cautious for a long period of time and they will say april, can't see anyone else inside, then you get to me and you can see other people inside and you can go to public buildings with 1000 other people. that feels like quite a rapid jump. are you surejumps like that can be done injust a matter of five weeks? that can be done in 'ust a matter of five weeks?— that can be done in 'ust a matter of five weeks? , ., , five weeks? some people will say we are iioin five weeks? some people will say we are going to — five weeks? some people will say we are going to be _ five weeks? some people will say we are going to be going _ five weeks? some people will say we are going to be going too _ five weeks? some people will say we are going to be going too fast, i five weeks? some people will say we are going to be going too fast, some| are going to be going too fast, some people _ are going to be going too fast, some people will— are going to be going too fast, some people will say we are going too slow _ people will say we are going too slow i— people will say we are going too slow. i think the balance people will say we are going too slow. ithink the balance is people will say we are going too slow. i think the balance is right. ithink— slow. i think the balance is right. i think it — slow. i think the balance is right. i think it is — slow. i think the balance is right. i think it is cautious but an irreversible approach, which is what people _ irreversible approach, which is what people want to see. and the reason for the _ people want to see. and the reason for the gap. — people want to see. and the reason for the gap, as you know, it gives us time _ for the gap, as you know, it gives us time to— for the gap, as you know, it gives us time to look at the impact of each _ us time to look at the impact of each of— us time to look at the impact of each of the changes, each of the relaxations, the opening ups we are doing _ relaxations, the opening ups we are doing so _ relaxations, the opening ups we are doing. so getting kids back into school, — doing. so getting kids back into school, massively important for the country _ school, massively important for the country we — school, massively important for the country. we need time to assess what that does— country. we need time to assess what that does to _ country. we need time to assess what that does to the disease, to the prevalence of covid, then again when

you look— prevalence of covid, then again when you look at— prevalence of covid, then again when you look at the april to 12th openings, look at the impact of that, _ openings, look at the impact of that, what— openings, look at the impact of that, what is obviously... what does essential— that, what is obviously... what does essential retail do, outer hospitality and so on, we are adding all the _ hospitality and so on, we are adding all the time — hospitality and so on, we are adding all the time to the budget of risk, but you _ all the time to the budget of risk, but you need time to observe the impact _ but you need time to observe the impact of— but you need time to observe the impact of that. so we think it is a sensible — impact of that. so we think it is a sensible approach, prudent approach, but also, _ sensible approach, prudent approach, but also, as— sensible approach, prudent approach, but also, as i— sensible approach, prudent approach, but also, as i think people can see, it goes— but also, as i think people can see, it goes on— but also, as i think people can see, it goes on irreversibly and we open up it goes on irreversibly and we open up on _ it goes on irreversibly and we open up onjune — it goes on irreversibly and we open up onjune the 215t in a way that i don't _ up onjune the 215t in a way that i don't think— up onjune the 215t in a way that i don't think people would really have thought— don't think people would really have thought possible, had it not been for the _ thought possible, had it not been for the roll—out of the vaccinations. it is those vaccinations, that massive programme, led by the nhs, that has made _ programme, led by the nhs, that has made all— programme, led by the nhs, that has made all the difference. you sounding — made all the difference. you sounding pretty _ made all the difference. gm. sounding pretty confident about the june 21 deadline at the moment. there are some worries from chief medical officers in wales that that is actually a bit rapid. how much confidence should people have about hitting that final deadline of the early summer? i hitting that final deadline of the early summer?— hitting that final deadline of the early summer? i am hopeful, but

obviously nothing _ early summer? i am hopeful, but obviously nothing can _ early summer? i am hopeful, but obviously nothing can be - early summer? i am hopeful, but- obviously nothing can be guaranteed, and it— obviously nothing can be guaranteed, and it all— obviously nothing can be guaranteed, and it all depends on way we continue _ and it all depends on way we continue to be prudent and continue to follow— continue to be prudent and continue to follow the guidance in each stage — to follow the guidance in each stage. that is why it is so important to proceed in the cautious way that— important to proceed in the cautious way that we are. i think people do understand and they can see the logic— understand and they can see the logic of— understand and they can see the logic of what we are trying to do. but, _ logic of what we are trying to do. but, genuinely, because of the immense — but, genuinely, because of the immense possibilities now of the vaccination roll—out, because science — vaccination roll—out, because science has given us this way of creating — science has given us this way of creating a — science has given us this way of creating a whole shield around our population, we can really look at thatjuiie — population, we can really look at thatjune 21 date population, we can really look at that june 21 date with some optimism. i think that that is howl would _ optimism. i think that that is howl would put — optimism. i think that that is howl would put it. i'm very optimistic we will be _ would put it. i'm very optimistic we will be able — would put it. i'm very optimistic we will be able to get there. ijust will be able to get there. i 'ust want to will be able to get there. i 'ust vent to ask i will be able to get there. i 'ust want to ask you i will be able to get there. i 'ust want to ask you about i will be able to get there. ijustl want to ask you about immunity certificates. i think everyone will wind up calling them faxing passports, whatever the government does. you announced a review into that yesterday. can you say a bit more about who's doing it, how long

it will take? is anything off the table as part of that review? act this is an area where we are looking at a novelty— this is an area where we are looking at a novelty for our country. we have _ at a novelty for our country. we have not— at a novelty for our country. we have not had stuff like this for —— this is— have not had stuff like this for —— this is an — have not had stuff like this for —— this is an area. we have never thought— this is an area. we have never thought in— this is an area. we have never thought in terms of having something you have _ thought in terms of having something you have to— thought in terms of having something you have to show to go to, you know, pub or— you have to show to go to, you know, pub or theatre, and so there are deep _ pub or theatre, and so there are deep and — pub or theatre, and so there are deep and complex issues we need to explore _ deep and complex issues we need to explore, and ethical issues about what _ explore, and ethical issues about what the — explore, and ethical issues about what the role for in mandating or people _ what the role for in mandating or peopte to — what the role for in mandating or people to have such things, or indeed — people to have such things, or indeed banning people from doing such a _ indeed banning people from doing such a thing. there are complex issues _ such a thing. there are complex issues we — such a thing. there are complex issues we need to work out. we can't be discriminatory against people who, _ be discriminatory against people who, for— be discriminatory against people who, for whatever reason, can't have the vaccine — who, for whatever reason, can't have the vaccine. they might be medical reasons— the vaccine. they might be medical reasons why people can't have the vaccine _ reasons why people can't have the vaccine or— reasons why people can't have the vaccine, or difficulties that, you know, _ vaccine, or difficulties that, you know, some people may genuinely refuse _ know, some people may genuinely refuse to _ know, some people may genuinely refuse to have one... that know, some people may genuinely refuse to have one. . ._ know, some people may genuinely refuse to have one... that was boris johnson speaking — refuse to have one... that was boris johnson speaking at _ refuse to have one... that was boris johnson speaking at a _ refuse to have one... that was boris johnson speaking at a school - refuse to have one... that was boris johnson speaking at a school in i johnson speaking at a school in south—east london this morning. you are watching bbc news.

now it's time for a look at the weather with carol. hello again. the mild weather continues, notjust today but really as we head towards the end of the week. though it looks like wednesday could see the peak of the highest temperatures. today, though, mild and windy. rain in the north—west, and some of that is likely to be heavy. in fact, the met office has an amber weather warning out for parts of scotland for the heavier rain, and for the risk of flooding because it is falling on already saturated ground, and also the risk of description as well. —— of disruption as well. now, the rain will continue across scotland. we will see that getting on across north—west england. but it is currently the same for northern ireland. at times it will fringing across north—west wales, but generally for the rest of wales in the south—west, cloudy for you with

some drizzle at times. brighter skies as we push down towards the south and east, and the far north—east of scotland. these black circles represent the strength of the wind gusts, so it's going to be windy really wherever you are, but especially so with exposure out towards the west. temperatures, i mentioned it was mild — it is. 9—14 degrees, so still above average for the stage in february. for this stage in february. through this evening and overnight were still very much have our weatherfront, with rain in similar areas. if anything, spreading more across northern england and wales, and it will still be windy as well, but look at the overnight lows. eight to about 12 degrees. they would be good maximum daytime temperatures at this time of year. what we have is this weather front during wednesday, still very much with us, still producing some rain, but it's also the demarcation line between the very mild air in the south and east and the mild air in the north. not quite as potent as today but it will be in similar areas, and on either side of that there will be some sunshine, the winds won't be as strong, and there will be variable amounts of cloud. if that cloud breaks for long enough and the sun comes out for long enough,

we could hit 16 or 17 degrees. but, even in the north, we're looking at 10—13. during thursday, risk of showers across parts of scotland. some of those coming in across northern ireland, wales and west in england. temperatures down a touch with more of a westerly component to our weather. 7—13 is what we are looking at. as we head into the weekend, we hang the drier conditions, lighter winds, mild days but by night it be chilly.

this is bbc news. i'm joanna gosling. the headlines at 11: borisjohnson insists he is "optimistic" but there are "no guarantees" on his four—step plan to ease england's lockdown, amid criticism from some businesses and politicians about the pace of the road map. some people will say that we will be going too fast, some will say to it slow, i think the balance is right. i think it is a cautious but irreversible approach which is i think what people want to see. airlines and holiday companies say they've seen a surge in bookings in the past 24 hours, despite the prime minister insisting a foreign travel ban will remain in place until at least mid—may. we have been up with some 630%

bookings at easyjet holidays and this continues now throughout the morning, so itjust shows what we said all along, that there is an enormous increased pent—up demand for people to make travel arrangements for the summer. and if you want to talk to us about your hopes and plans for booking holidays — whether at home or away — do get in contact with me, directly on twitter @bbcjoannag. the number of deaths involving covid—19 registered each week in england and wales has dropped by nearly a quarter, according to new figures. facebook is to restore news feeds in australia after the government agreed to amend legislation forcing social media companies to pay for news content. and new views of the martian landscape — nasa releases videos of its perseverance rover landing on the surface of mars.

the prime minister says he's very optimistic but that there are no guarantees that england will fully reopen onjune 21. he also defended the government's road map out of lockdown, describing it as a "cautious but balanced approach." the easing of the lockdown in england will start on the 8th march, with a loosening of restrictions in 5 weeks intervals, with the end of legal limits on social contacts towards the end ofjune, should the government's own tests be met. let's take a look at some of today's developments. in england, the outcome of a review on international travel is set to be announced by a special global travel task—force on the 12th of april. but there's already been a surge in bookings for foreign holidays by travellers, with easyjet reporting a 630%

increase in enquiries. self—catered holiday accommodation, along with shops, hairdressers, gyms and outdoor hospitality could also reopen on the 12th of april in england. and this afternoon, scotland's first minister nicola sturgeon will announce her own plans for easing lockdown when she makes a statement this afternoon. our first report is from iain watson on the plan for easing covid restrictions in england. it's been a long, hard winter, with some of the things we used to take for granted now beyond reach. but the prime minister says, with a successful vaccination programme, the end is in sight. this unparalleled national effort has decisively shifted the odds in our favour. but, with every day that goes by, this programme of vaccination is creating a shield around the entire population. which means that we are now travelling on a one—way road to freedom. and what are the milestones on that road? on march the 8th, all children in england will go back to school. two people from different

households will be allowed to socialise together outdoors. care home residents will be allowed one regular visitor. from march 29th, six people or two households can meet outdoors, and outdoor sport facilities will open. from april 12th, at the earliest, nonessential retail and personal care such as hairdressers will reopen. gyms will be open too, for individual use. 0utdoor hospitality such as beer gardens can open up. and from may 17, at the earliest, most restrictions on meeting outdoors will be lifted. six people or two households will be able to meet indoors and indoor hospitality, yes, pubs and cafes, and hotels will reopen. from june 21st at the earliest, all remaining restrictions would end. some of borisjohnson's mps think the pace of change is too slow. he says a cautious approach is more likely to mean that any easing of restrictions won't be reversed. but this can't be absolutely guaranteed. the intention is that it should be

irreversible, and that's why we are going in the way that we are, that's why we are taking the steps that we are. and even when existing restrictions end, some familiar paraphernalia of the pandemic might remain. masks may still be advisable next winter according to the government's chief scientific advisor, and there will be a review into the use of what the government calls covid status certificates. this has raised the prospect of people having to provide proof that they have been vaccinated or have had a recent negative test to access some venues and possibly some workplaces beyond june. so, if a vaccine—busting variant doesn't disrupt things, life is likely to feel a lot more normal by the summer but perhaps not quite as we knew it before covid struck. iain watson, bbc news. 0ur political correspondent jonathan blake is with me. borisjohnson has boris johnson has been borisjohnson has been talking this

morning, what has he been saying? for days, weeks, leading up to the announcement in the house of commons yesterday, there has been endless speculation about what would lift and when in terms of restrictions and when in terms of restrictions and the route out of lockdown. there has been considerable pressure on the prime ministerfrom many of his own backbenchers, a minority, but a significant and vocal one. those saying that the timetable needs to be speeded up. the government needs to move further and faster, because the vaccine roll—out is proceeding more quickly than many had expected and there is encouraging data about the levels of cases and hospital admissions. that said, in the face of that pressure, the prime minister this morning defended what he described as a cautious approach to lifting the lockdown in england. i’m lifting the lockdown in england. i'm hopeful, but obviously nothing can be guaranteed and it all depends on the way— be guaranteed and it all depends on the way we continue to be prudent and continue to follow the guidance in each _ and continue to follow the guidance in each stage and that is why it is

so important to proceed in the cautious— so important to proceed in the cautious way that we are. i think people _ cautious way that we are. i think peopte do— cautious way that we are. i think people do understand that, they can see the _ people do understand that, they can see the logic in what we are trying to do _ see the logic in what we are trying to do but — see the logic in what we are trying to do. but genuinely, because of the immense _ to do. but genuinely, because of the immense possibilities now of the vaccination roll—out, because science — vaccination roll—out, because science has given us this way of creating — science has given us this way of creating a — science has given us this way of creating a whole shield around our population, we can't really look at thatjuiie — population, we can't really look at thatjune 21 date population, we can't really look at that june 21 date with some optimism. —— we can really look at that date — optimism. —— we can really look at that date im— optimism. —— we can really look at that date. i'm very optimistic we will be _ that date. i'm very optimistic we will be able to get that.- that date. i'm very optimistic we will be able to get that. there has been talk for _ will be able to get that. there has been talk for some _ will be able to get that. there has been talk for some time _ will be able to get that. there has been talk for some time of- will be able to get that. there has been talk for some time of having j will be able to get that. there has i been talk for some time of having to present possibly id to prove you have had the vaccine to access certain things and until now the government seems to has been pushing better way but that seemed to change in the news conference yesterday and i know the prime minister has said more this morning, what is he saying? more this morning, what is he sa inf ? , ., ., ., saying? interesting to hear what he had to say this _ saying? interesting to hear what he had to say this morning, _

saying? interesting to hear what he had to say this morning, the - saying? interesting to hear what he had to say this morning, the idea i saying? interesting to hear what he| had to say this morning, the idea of vaccine are passports, which as you say it was raised some time ago, as people think about travelling abroad or opening up society here at home, giving people some way to prove they have had the vaccine and therefore be able to do things they would not do otherwise will stop it was initially dismissed really out of hand by ministers who suggested that is not the way we do things in the uk with an open democracy that we have, possibly for international travel some kind of certification might be necessary because of rules other countries put in place, but it did not seem to be something the government was looking at doing here at home. but the prime minister has given details of a review that the government is going to hold into a covid certification, which it says may be something which people have to in future end up carrying. this will be an exploration of what the prime minister described this morning as difficult, ethical and

moral questions which need to be looked at. he says this was a novelty for this country, not something we would normally ever think about doing, asking people to show a pass to get into the pub or theatre, but i think the fact that theatre, but i think the fact that the government is seriously looking at this, there will be a review are led by michael gove which will report later in the air, the cabinet office minister, just reflects the 0ffice minister, just reflects the seriousness with which ministers are now looking at this. cut later in the year. what it recommends and what will come into place we will have to see, but under serious consideration. later this afternoon, simon mccoy will be joined by public health expert professor sian griffiths and keele university's dr naomi forrester—soto as they try to answer your questions on the government's road map for easing restrictions. get in touch with the hashtag #bbcyourquestions, or email

yourquestions@bbc. co. uk. that's coming up at 3:30pm right here on bbc news. well, airlines and holiday companies say they've seen a surge in bookings in the past 24 hours. borisjohnson said yesterday that a ban on foreign travel will remain in place until at least mid may. self—catering breaks in england will resume on the 12th of april at the earliest. the chief executive officer of easyjetjohan lundgren says bookings have soared since yesterday. the response from the customers on the announcement yesterday was quite fantastic to see. we have been up with some 630% bookings on easyjet holidays and this continues now throughout the morning, so itjust shows what we have said all along, that there is an enormous increased pent—up demand for people to make travel arrangements for the summer, so very pleased with that. let's talk to emma brennan from the travel agent

association abta. has that been the experience of lots of travel operators? what is your understanding of what is going on out there? the understanding of what is going on out there? ,., ., , out there? the report we are seeing at the moment _ out there? the report we are seeing at the moment definitely _ out there? the report we are seeing at the moment definitely reflects i at the moment definitely reflects the pattern we have seen throughout the pattern we have seen throughout the pandemic, when there has been a bit of good news, when we first heard about the div element of the vaccine, that has caused a spike in booking, so it is no surprise that the positive development we had yesterday has once again caused a surge in demand for holidays this year. flirt surge in demand for holidays this ear. . ., , surge in demand for holidays this ear. , , ., surge in demand for holidays this ear. , ., year. of course, backing is not a guarantee _ year. of course, backing is not a guarantee it _ year. of course, backing is not a guarantee it will _ year. of course, backing is not a guarantee it will happen - year. of course, backing is not a guarantee it will happen and i year. of course, backing is not a i guarantee it will happen and there's going to be a global task force to put forward a report on how to return to international travel on the 12th of april, which hopefully will give more clarity to how certain we can be. what would you like to see in that report? what certain we can be. what would you like to see in that report? what we

have said all _ like to see in that report? what we have said all along _ like to see in that report? what we have said all along is _ like to see in that report? what we have said all along is there - like to see in that report? what we have said all along is there needs l have said all along is there needs to be a specific road map for opening international travel and we're really pleased the government announced that was the plan going forward. things that are really important for us is making sure people can travel, even if they have been vaccinated, obviously talking about the development around the vaccine certificate and that is something we would support and that needs to be something which is coordinated internationally, because it may be things other countries will look for us to have, so to have the option of a vaccine certificate will be really important. it certainly cannot be the only route to travel. we need to make sure there is a system in place for anyone who has not been vaccinated or cannot be one reason or another, that they can travel as well and i think testing, a practical and effective and affordable testing regime, that will be really important in terms of helping people travel as well. flirt

important in terms of helping people travel as well.— travel as well. of course, there is a testini travel as well. of course, there is a testing regime _ travel as well. of course, there is a testing regime in _ travel as well. of course, there is a testing regime in place - travel as well. of course, there is| a testing regime in place currently the most countries and it is coupled with quarantine, which when it comes to some holidays would make some holidays just unviable for most travellers. what are your thoughts on quarantine? i travellers. what are your thoughts on quarantine?— on quarantine? i think what we really think— on quarantine? i think what we really think is _ on quarantine? i think what we really think is the _ on quarantine? i think what we really think is the road - on quarantine? i think what we really think is the road map i on quarantine? i think what we | really think is the road map and on quarantine? i think what we i really think is the road map and the conversation through the new global travel taskforce is an opportunity to unpick this. at the moment, travel has never been more restricted, there are so many measures in place that clearly cannot be that when people start travelling in greater numbers, so the government need to use this task force and work with the industry to understand what will work going forward but also consider the other plans countries have in place. we are encouraged to hear from the government yesterday that they are speaking about vaccine certificates and also opening up travel more broadly. in and also opening up travel more broadl . ., ., broadly. in the end, how it “oined u . broadly. in the end, how it “oined u- can a broadly. in the end, how it “oined up can a position i broadly. in the end, how it “oined up can a position to i broadly. in the end, how it “oined up can a position to be i broadly. in the end, how it joined up can a position to be when i broadly. in the end, how it joined up can a position to be when you | up can a position to be when you have individual countries obviously protecting their own interests? i

think the interest for many individual countries is actually a huge economic boost that uk travellers bring. we know that countries like greece and spain have said they are very keen to welcome back uk travellers and so it is really important that the industry and government work with those destinations to make sure that is possible. but what i would say from a foreign travel industry perspective, we had positive news yesterday and it is great with booking and i would encourage people to do that, but we need to recognise that some parts of the sector, the fact that travel will not reopen until mid—may at the earliest, it means holidays this year, a whole part of the sector's income has been wiped out, so it needs to look at how it will support the travel industry in the months ahead. it has obviously been _ industry in the months ahead. it has obviously been a _ industry in the months ahead. it has obviously been a very _ industry in the months ahead. it has obviously been a very difficult i industry in the months ahead. it has obviously been a very difficult time for the travel industry in

particular. yesterday borisjohnson said his view of the high street specifically and the economy is it will bounce back, it has been described this morning as being like a coiled spring. have many companies within the travel sector just a coiled spring. have many companies within the travel sectorjust gone away or is it pretty much dormant, ready to spring back? i away or is it pretty much dormant, ready to spring back?— ready to spring back? i think it is a bit of a mixed _ ready to spring back? i think it is a bit of a mixed picture, - ready to spring back? i think it is a bit of a mixed picture, sadly i ready to spring back? i think it is| a bit of a mixed picture, sadly we have lost a number of businesses and some very well—known travel companies have gone out of business as a result of the pandemic and companies are still struggling now. have not had any income for the last 12 months and it will be particularly challenging for those small to medium sized businesses. so thatis small to medium sized businesses. so that is why it is really important that is why it is really important that the government doesn't think about how it can support the travel industry to make sure that all of those businesses who have been working over the last 12 months or eight months survive the recovery stage and it will be challenging for those companies in particular. thank

ou ve those companies in particular. thank you very much- _ the headlines on bbc news: borisjohnson insists he is �*optimistic�* but there are �*no guarantees' on his four—step plan to ease england's lockdown — amid criticism from some businesses and politicians about the pace of the roadmap. the prime minister confirms there will be a review into whether vaccine passports could be deployed, as airlines and holiday companies say they've seen a surge in bookings in the past 24 hours. the number of deaths involving covid—19 registered each week in england and wales has dropped by nearly a quarter, according to new figures. the latest on excess deaths in the uk show deaths in the week of february the 12th were continuing to fall, but still 26% higher than usual levels. the latest figures also show that deaths of care home residents are falling faster than for the rest of the population. let's speak to our head

of statistics robert cuffe. talk us through the overall picture. 0verall, talk us through the overall picture. overall, it is probably about 17,000 deaths in a week and that is coming down, that is good news, covid death coming down, but still quite a bit above average levels and i think we can show that to the audience. you can show that to the audience. you can see in the graph that you do every week of these are figures that in the most recent data, the total height of the area is coming down pretty sharply, but it is still above what you would expect on the basis of the last five years, that is a dashed line across the middle of the chart. what is driving that fall, a good chunk, is covid death, and you can see that red band has got narrower in recent weeks. in the week to the 12th of february, about 6000 covid registered deaths, that is down probably about a third in the last fortnight. i

is down probably about a third in the last fortnight.— is down probably about a third in the last fortnight. i think we have lost roberts. _ the last fortnight. i think we have lost roberts, unfortunately i the last fortnight. i think we have lost roberts, unfortunately he i the last fortnight. i think we have | lost roberts, unfortunately he has the last fortnight. i think we have i lost roberts, unfortunately he has a frozen. try and defrost him and go back a bit later. unemployment in the uk has risen to its highest rate in five years, with young people the worst affected. however, the 0ns said that there were some "tentative early signs" of the labour market stabilising. in the latest three month period, figures from the 0ns show the uk's unemployment rose to 5.1%. the number of redundancies still remains at record levels despite a fall in the latest three month period. and in those last three months, unemployment for those aged between 16 and 24 rose by over 14%. we can speak now to economist dr hilary ingham of lancaster university. welcome, thank you very much for joining us. what is your reaction to those statistics? i joining us. what is your reaction to those statistics?— those statistics? i think they were more or less _ those statistics? i think they were more or less what _ those statistics? i think they were more or less what we _ those statistics? i think they were more or less what we were - more or less what we were anticipating. as you say,

unemployment, the rate has now gone up unemployment, the rate has now gone up to over 5.1%, quite interestingly it is higherfor men at up to over 5.1%, quite interestingly it is higher for men at 5.4% than it is for women at 4.8%, but what you have just mentioned is that this is not hitting proportionately. these overall figures are hiding the fact that some groups have been very badly hit. in terms of a bit of good news, if you look at payroll figures, the numbers have gone up from 83,000 over december, but if you look back to a year ago, they are down 726,000, so that is almost three quarters of a million jobs and of thosejobs that three quarters of a million jobs and of those jobs that have gone, 58.5% have come from those in the age group 18 to 24, so young people are being very badly hit. truth? group 18 to 24, so young people are being very badly hit.— being very badly hit. why do you think that being very badly hit. why do you thinkthat is? _ being very badly hit. why do you thinkthat is? |_ being very badly hit. why do you think that is? i think— being very badly hit. why do you think that is? i think in - being very badly hit. why do you think that is? i think in some i think that is? i think in some cases, think that is? i think in some cases. if— think that is? i think in some cases. if young _ think that is? i think in some cases, if young people i think that is? i think in some cases, if young people are i think that is? i think in some i cases, if young people are leaving school without very many

qualifications, they are going to find it hard to actually find a job and of course they have also been entering the labour market over the past 12 months where vacancies simply have not been there. this has been going on a long time, so we have had a cohort of school leavers who have come in to the labour market at a time when opportunities are contracting. market at a time when opportunities are contracting-— are contracting. going back to the statistic that _ are contracting. going back to the statistic that you _ are contracting. going back to the statistic that you quoted - are contracting. going back to the statistic that you quoted of i are contracting. going back to the l statistic that you quoted of 83,000 more people in payroll employment in january compared with december, the ons january compared with december, the 0ns says that is a tentative early sign of the labour market stabilising. do you think that that does potentially indicate that we have seen the worst? i does potentially indicate that we have seen the worst?— have seen the worst? i think hopefully — have seen the worst? i think hopefully we _ have seen the worst? i think hopefully we might - have seen the worst? i think hopefully we might be i have seen the worst? i think. hopefully we might be slightly turning a corner. we do have now obviously, as you have been discussing, a road map for how we

can relax restrictions on businesses trading and i think there is a reduction in the number of people that are furloughed, but do not forget, if you look to the arts and entertainment sector, 59% of businesses have still got people furloughed and it is over 50% in accommodation and food. i think some businesses were hoping that the relaxations might have come a bit quicker, so i know some people in self catering accommodation are upset that they will lose bookings for easter that they have already got and i think although pubs will be able to sell out in april, people are worried with the uk weather, can they afford to buy food that might go to waste? but we can now see that things will start to open, so there will be hospitality venues that will eventually open, nonessential retail, hairdressers, also with gyms and other leisure facilities and as

you work reporting in your last item, there has been a tremendous search in the demand for foreign holidays. 50 easyjet etc are doing very well and i think many of the package holidays will do may be even better because there is less risk with buying a package than with individual components separately. what is your view of drawing a direct comparison with unemployment levels at the previously tough times in the economy? looking back specifically to the recession of 2008, the unemployed implement levels going into that recession were 5% and they went up to 10% at their worst, so 5% now, after such a difficult year, does not seem so bad in comparison. difficult year, does not seem so bad in comparison-— in comparison. yes, there is a lot of comparison — in comparison. yes, there is a lot of comparison being _ in comparison. yes, there is a lot of comparison being made, - in comparison. yes, there is a lot of comparison being made, there in comparison. yes, there is a lot - of comparison being made, there are similarities, but there is a big difference because that shock came from one particular sector where this is hitting the economy

worldwide everywhere. but of course what you have to remember is that during this pandemic, the uk, along with a lot of other countries, has extensively used the short time working scheme, by short time can mean anything up to not working at all, and of course at one point we had nearly 10 million people who were furloughed, so a rate of 5.1%, there has got to be here at some element of hidden unemployment. i think it will be the case that the summerjobs will come back and i actually think that boris johnson summerjobs will come back and i actually think that borisjohnson is actually think that boris johnson is very optimistic that people will go back to work in offices and city centres will become buoyant and i think to a degree some people do want to get back to work and meet people, particularly younger people. but i do not think everything will be the same. these furlough schemes will have to come off at some point

and of course this pandemic is also coming at a time when everything is going towards automation, so there is going to be a need for more digital skills, is going to be a need for more digitalskills, more is going to be a need for more digital skills, more engineering skills, so i think there will be a total readjustment in the labour market. i think it will see a lot more flexibility. there is evidence from employers that some are already saying that when the pandemic ends they wouldn't like to retain the opportunity to work at home, certainly for a few days a week. —— they would like to work at home. i think there will be high demand for people with digital skills and an emphasis on providing training programmes for those with lower skills to move into opportunities that become available.— skills to move into opportunities that become available. thank you very much- _ that become available. thank you very much. thank _ that become available. thank you very much. thank you. _ the united states has become the first country in the world to record more than half a million coronavirus deaths.

president biden has described the milestone as "heartbreaking" and held a candle—lit ceremony at the white house to honour those lost to covid—i9. david willis has more. in the nation's capital, washington, dc, the cathedral bell has rung with growing frequency of late, marking each new coronavirus milestone. and, in an address to the nation, a president whose own life has been marked with the loss of loved ones, spoke directly to the relatives and friends of the half a million americans who have lost their lives to covid—i9. for the loved ones left behind, i know all too well. i know what it's like to not be there when it happens. i know what it's like when you are there, holding their hand. there is a look in their eye, and they slip away. an erratic response to the pandemic under president biden�*s predecessor donald trump has been replaced

by a ramped up vaccination programme, a significant fall in the average daily death toll, and talk of getting the country fully vaccinated by the end ofjuly. this country has lost more lives to the coronavirus than any other nation on earth, more than in the first, second and vietnam wars combined and, at the white house, where candles were [it in memory of the dead the president and vice president emerged to observe a moment of silence. flags will remain at half staff here and in public buildings across the country until the end of the week. the chair asks all members in the chamber as well as members and staff throughout the capitol to rise for a moment of silence... the house of representatives also paid tribute to those who have died, democrats and republicans united in solemn reflection. later this week the house is expected to vote on one of president biden�*s biggest

legislative priorities, a nearly $2 trillion coronavirus relief bill. david willis, bbc news, los angeles. we've seen a lot of pictures of freezing scenes across the united states, but take a look at this. this is what weeks of freezing temperatures has done to niagara falls. mounds of snow and ice have formed all along the banks and people visiting the new york side also caught a glimpse of this rainbow while snapping photos. and though it looks like parts of the waterfall have frozen completely, the water actually never stops running beneath the surface. isn't that absolutely stunning? beautiful. it is warming up here, let's get the latest. across the board it will be windy and mild. the met office also has an amber weather warning for parts of scotland with heavy rain and the

risk of flooding and disruption. it is notjust scotland seeing that, it is notjust scotland seeing that, it is across northern ireland, northern england and parts of wales. for the rest of wales and the south—west, quite a bit of cloud with drizzle. south—east seeing brighter skies. it will be windy wherever you are and it will be mild with temperatures nine to iii degrees. tonight we hang on to this band of rain, if anything more of it getting across northern england and wales. still windy but very mild for the time of year, temperatures falling to between eight and i2 temperatures falling to between eight and 12 degrees. tomorrow we still will have this band of rain, but it will not be as potent as today, still windy, but not as windy yesterday. there will be some sunshine and in that sunshine, somewhere in the south and east, whether cloud breaks for long enough, we could see highs up to 16 or 17 degrees.

hello this is bbc news with joanna gosling.

the headlines... borisjohnson insists he is �*optimistic�* but there are �*no guarantees' on his four—step plan to ease england's lockdown, amid criticism from some businesses and politicians about the pace of the roadmap. some people will say that going too fast, some people will say that we are going too slow. i think the balance is right. i think it is a cautious but irreversible approach, which is what i think people want to see. the prime minister confirms there will be a review into whether vaccine passports could be deployed, as airlines and holiday companies say they've seen a surge in bookings in the past 2a hours. we've been up 630% in bookings for easyjet holidays. this continues now throughout the morning. it just shows what we said all along, that there is an enormous increase of pent—up demand for people to make travel arrangements for the summer. the number of deaths involving covid—19 registered each week

in england and wales has dropped by nearly a quarter, according to new figures. facebook is to restore news feeds in australia after the government agreed to amend legislation forcing social media companies to pay for news content. and new views of the martian landscape — nasa releases videos of its perserverance rover landing on the surface of mars. sport and for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre, here's jane dougall. good morning. following the government announcement on plans for lifting lockdown restrictions, we now know when football and golf can resume; when gyms will open; and when crowds could be allowed back into stadiums. with more details, here's patrick geary. it's been a long bleak winterfor when most of us sport has become a

simple, solitary experience. courts, gyms and clubs up close. for england, at least, we got an idea of the path from here... to there. sport at its normal, communal, best. the route, the prime minister says, is cautious. it is divided into full steps, each subject to tasks based on the latest data about the virus. they are divided by five weeks and each could be delayed. when schools return on the 8th of march people will be allowed to take part in sport. then on march the 29th, tennis courts and outdoor pools can reopen. organised team sport can kick off once more. no earlier than april the 12th, gyms can reopen their doors and indoor sports is allowed. step three will begin in may and that could allow the return of fans for the first time this year. a crowd of up to 10,000 could

be allowed into larger stadiums, just in time for the end of the premier league season. turnstiles in our sorts premier league season. turnstiles in our sports stadium _ premier league season. turnstiles in our sports stadium will _ premier league season. turnstiles in our sports stadium will once - premier league season. turnstiles in our sports stadium will once again i our sports stadium will once again rotate subject to capacity limits, depending on the size of the venue. we will pilot larger events using enhanced testing with the ambition of further easing restrictions on the next step. the of further easing restrictions on the next step-— of further easing restrictions on the next ste -. ., , the next step. the government help similar pilots _ the next step. the government help similar pilots last _ the next step. the government help similar pilots last year _ the next step. the government help similar pilots last year and - the next step. the government help similar pilots last year and fans - similar pilots last year and fans were allowed in, but not for long. football clubs have a great deal of work for _ football clubs have a great deal of work for fans to return. i'm sure they— work for fans to return. i'm sure they can — work for fans to return. i'm sure they can rise _ work for fans to return. i'm sure they can rise to the challenge of making — they can rise to the challenge of making this work now. they avoided and a _ making this work now. they avoided and a lot_ making this work now. they avoided and a lot of— making this work now. they avoided and a lot of the homework on it. the ho -e is and a lot of the homework on it. the hope is the — and a lot of the homework on it. tue: hope is the vaccine and a lot of the homework on it. tte: hope is the vaccine will and a lot of the homework on it. tt2 hope is the vaccine will prop the stadium doors open this time round. by stadium doors open this time round. byjune the 21st, the hope is that all restrictions will be gone. you

rose semifinals could be held at the full wembley stadium. some disagree with the speed and direction, but at least now we can see the path. the first game of the hundred this summer will be a women's fixture. the month long tournament will feature double headers with men's and women's teams playing on the same day at the same venue. meanwhile, englands' women have beaten new zealand in christchurch to take a 1—0 lead in their three match one—day international series. nat sciver scored the winning runs as they took victory by eight wickets. scotland's six nations match against france on sunday is in doubt afterfive more french players tested positive for coronavirus. captain charles ollivon is one, taking the total number of cases amongst the players to ten. there's been no more positives in the latest round of testing, and a decision on whether the game can go ahead will be made tomorrow. scottish rugby say they do want the game on, as long as it's medically safe. there was late drama in the premier league last night as crystal palace beat brighton. it was 1—1 in the 95th minute

when a cross went in, and cristian benteke vollyed the winner in for palace. brighton defenderjoel veltman said the defeat felt like a robbery. the club is in danger of being dragged into a relegation battle. england's women play their first competitive match in almost a year a little later today. the pandemic has meant their last international was a defeat to spain in march 2020. they play northern ireland at st george's park at 12:30 and it's live on the bbc sport website and the iplayer. following the departure of phil neville, it's hege riise's first game in charge as interim manager. that's all the sport for now. coming up, we will be talking to deborah newton and her thoughts on

leaving lockdown. . it's a row which could yet have global implications over the way we use the internet — but now it seems the disagreement between facebook and the australian government may have come to an end. the social media giant says it will restore news feeds to its site in the country but it seems it may have got something in return. facebook brought its block in last thursday in response to australian government plans to make tech companies pay news publishers for content posted or shared on their platforms. it seems there was a bit of give and take on both sides — with some amendments being made to the news laws. here's the australian goverment treasurerjosh frydenberg. facebook has re—friended australia. and australian news will be restored to the facebook platform. and facebook has committed to entering into good—faith negotiations with australian news media businesses in seeking to reach agreements to pay for content. this follows a series of intensive negotiations with facebook since their actions last thursday,

it involved the minister, the prime minister, the head of the accc treasury and myself. we have agreed to make some clarifications to the code. so, an agreement of sorts. the bbc�*s shaima khalil is in sydney. facebook has ultimately agreed to restore its news feed on its platform here in australia in the next few days. we don't know exactly when. essentially, what they have agreed on, i think, are two main things. one, it's something that has been bothering facebook specifically in that news—media bargaining, called the law that is in front of the senate as we speak, which will potentially force tech giants like facebook and google to pay for news content, which is the final offer of arbitration. essentially, this is when the government gets involved between the news outlets and facebook to set a price. they didn't like that

at all when it was proposed and now it has been agreed that that is going to be a very last resort. it's there, but it's going to be a last resort. so essentially, any digital platform will be given one month's notice to say that they have to enter into negotiation. there will be three months negotiation and two additional months of mediation before the government steps in. i think that was key to facebook, that they wanted to do this on their own terms with the news outlets, not the government. the second thing that the treasury did not mention is part of a statement by facebook. they say, going forward the government has clarified that we will retain the ability to decide if news appears on facebook so we won't automatically be forced into negotiation, which means that they have the choice to support news outlets which they choose. it is unclear how that is going to work. it is unclear whether,

for example, facebook will say, we are going to support abc melbourne and not abc sydney, for example, the national broadcaster. all of this is still really unclear but i think all of that is part of the teething problems, if you will, that will come in practice, once this is actually put in practice. nature conservation organisations have warned that nearly a third of freshwater fish are at risk of extinction. conservation groups say the fish face a number of threats including pollution, unsustainable fishing, and the damming and draining of rivers and wetlands. they estimate around 80 species were known to have gone extinct, 16 in the last year alone. on the week where prime minister borisjohnson announced the country's road map out of lockdown we are hosting a series of leaving lockdown interviews. we'll be speaking to a number of high profile names across a variety of sectors, industries and aspects of society to get their thoughts on what we've learnt over the past year and what their hopes are for the future. today we're hearing from entrepreneur and star

of dragons den, deborah meaden, who has herself got 19 businesses. deborahjoins us now from somerset. thanks forjoining us. i wonder what you think about the road map, first of all? the government wants it to be seen as a goldilocks road map, just right. do you think it is? the government _ just right. do you think it is? tt2 government have got a really difficult... i've been pretty critical about how they have handled some of the coronavirus issues, but they do have a hard job. they've got to tension between us pushing back to tension between us pushing back to get back to normal but if we open up to get back to normal but if we open up too soon, we could end up with another lockdown. i do think we have to absolutely avoid that. i'm feeling like, and i'm saying to my businesses, let's hang on in there and open up the right time. i think the map is right but there needs to

be, and there will be, flexibility in it. if they can open up sooner, very well. nobody will just stick to it. but we also have to accept that if they will delay it, they have to delay it. quite maximal because the last year be like those 19 businesses?— last year be like those 19 businesses? ~ . ., businesses? we all went into complete _ businesses? we all went into complete panic _ businesses? we all went into complete panic meant - businesses? we all went into complete panic meant to - businesses? we all went into | complete panic meant to start businesses? we all went into - complete panic meant to start off with the _ complete panic meant to start off with the paxil, actually it has been fascinating — with the paxil, actually it has been fascinating to watch. i am working with entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs by nature _ with entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs by nature see a problem, want to get over it _ by nature see a problem, want to get over it every— by nature see a problem, want to get over it. every single one of the businesses that i am working with have found something better about themselves. they have looked at something and thought, we have the space _ something and thought, we have the space to _ something and thought, we have the space to think about this and we can consider— space to think about this and we can consider the — space to think about this and we can consider the way we are doing things — consider the way we are doing things. and we will change forever. all of— things. and we will change forever. all of those — things. and we will change forever. all of those businesses. they are looking _ all of those businesses. they are looking beyond today. they went from panic. _ looking beyond today. they went from panic. how _ looking beyond today. they went from panic, how do we deal with today, now they— panic, how do we deal with today, now they are looking beyond and

thinking, — now they are looking beyond and thinking, actually, we will be different— thinking, actually, we will be different and we will be better conring — different and we will be better coming at the other side. it is said that necessity _ coming at the other side. it is said that necessity is _ coming at the other side. it is said that necessity is the _ coming at the other side. it is said that necessity is the mother - coming at the other side. it is said that necessity is the mother of - that necessity is the mother of invention. do you think entrepreneurship is actually stimulated at times like this? you talk about those specific situations with businesses already up and running, but would also stimulating for those who are perhaps working in a different environment or not even working to think about how they can do something going forward, make the most of our new circumstances? t most of our new circumstances? i hope so and i think so. the truth of the matter— hope so and i think so. the truth of the matter and the sadness of this is that— the matter and the sadness of this is thatiohs— the matter and the sadness of this is thatjobs are the matter and the sadness of this is that jobs are being lost. the matter and the sadness of this is thatjobs are being lost. there is thatjobs are being lost. there is a lot— is thatjobs are being lost. there is a lot of— is thatjobs are being lost. there is a lot of restructuring and people will lose _ is a lot of restructuring and people will lose jobs. is a lot of restructuring and people will losejobs. partly is a lot of restructuring and people will lose jobs. partly because programmes like dragons den, peoples understands that businesses aren't this weird — understands that businesses aren't this weird thing over there that they— this weird thing over there that they know nothing about, but actually, _ they know nothing about, but actually, everyday people can create everyday _ actually, everyday people can create everyday businesses. it is a real

option— everyday businesses. it is a real option for— everyday businesses. it is a real option for people to go into business. and of the online piece, you can _ business. and of the online piece, you can go — business. and of the online piece, you can go into business in set yourself— you can go into business in set yourself up an online site and sell stuff, _ yourself up an online site and sell stuff, something that you love, something that you make. sol stuff, something that you love, something that you make. so i am guitem _ something that you make. so i am quite... looking beyond... i something that you make. so i am quite... looking beyond... lam guite _ quite... looking beyond... lam quite hopeful. quite... looking beyond... iam quite hopeful-— quite... looking beyond... iam quite hopeful. the businesses that can ada -t quite hopeful. the businesses that can adapt and _ quite hopeful. the businesses that can adapt and can _ quite hopeful. the businesses that can adapt and can be _ quite hopeful. the businesses that can adapt and can be creative, - quite hopeful. the businesses that| can adapt and can be creative, they can adapt and can be creative, they can come through, and as you said, perhaps in some cases even strengthen. we have seen examples of some of the really big online businesses absolutely expanding enormously in this time. but there will be businesses that are left behind as well. how much is the landscape going to change going forward, do you think? t landscape going to change going forward, do you think?— forward, do you think? i think it will change _ forward, do you think? i think it will change quite _ forward, do you think? i think it will change quite a _ forward, do you think? i think it will change quite a lot. - forward, do you think? i think it will change quite a lot. there i forward, do you think? i think it| will change quite a lot. there are two things — will change quite a lot. there are two things. there are technical reasons — two things. there are technical reasons i_ two things. there are technical reasons. i have got some events businesses — reasons. i have got some events businesses but theyjust can't operate _ businesses but theyjust can't operate. they've tried online bits of people — operate. they've tried online bits of people are so used to not paying for online _ of people are so used to not paying for online product that it is

difficult _ for online product that it is difficult to get people to put value into that — difficult to get people to put value into that. there's so much in real technical— into that. there's so much in real technical issues which i think the government needs to tackle otherwise we will— government needs to tackle otherwise we will see _ government needs to tackle otherwise we will see industries disappear. there _ we will see industries disappear. there are — we will see industries disappear. there are also some attitude issues. when _ there are also some attitude issues. when i _ there are also some attitude issues. when i hear— there are also some attitude issues. when i hear the words, i can't wait to get— when i hear the words, i can't wait to get back— when i hear the words, i can't wait to get back to normal, i keep saying. — to get back to normal, i keep saying, no, guys, let's look forward to whatever— saying, no, guys, let's look forward to whatever is on the other side. if you can't— to whatever is on the other side. if you can't imagine yourself in a new and changed landscape, then there is and changed landscape, then there is an issue _ and changed landscape, then there is an issue. there's attitudes, but there _ an issue. there's attitudes, but there are — an issue. there's attitudes, but there are some industries that have -ot there are some industries that have got reat— there are some industries that have got real technical issues. theyjust can't _ got real technical issues. theyjust can't operate. got real technical issues. they 'ust can-toperate.�* can't operate. what would you forecast about _ can't operate. what would you forecast about how _ can't operate. what would you forecast about how attitudes l can't operate. what would you i forecast about how attitudes may have changed, whether we actually just snap back into our old ways whether this is over. looking at travel, for instance stop last year when there was the first lockdown, the skies were clear, there was a reduced pollution. there was a lot of talk about ecologically going forward things would be different, people and travel so much. roll on one year and everyone is desperate

to get away this summer and bookings are already going up with the prospect of summer travel. i know that for you personally, you looked at your footprint, in terms of what you buy. this predates lockdown, i think. the whole fast fashion thing, and items going to landfill. to those things stick? or do we just go back? or do wejust those things stick? or do we just go back? or do we just go back? those things stick? or do we just go back? or do wejust go back? tt’s back? or do we 'ust go back? it's been back? or do we 'ust go back? it's back? or do we just go back? it's been rare, not in my lifetime has it ever happened, one of the world has kind of— ever happened, one of the world has kind of stopped. all we have stopped, humans have stopped in it. our activity— stopped, humans have stopped in it. our activity has had to slow right down _ our activity has had to slow right down or— our activity has had to slow right down or stop. but then we have got time to— down or stop. but then we have got time to think about the world, and what _ time to think about the world, and what is _ time to think about the world, and what is happening outside, the impact — what is happening outside, the impact we are having on it. i am ever_ impact we are having on it. i am ever the — impact we are having on it. i am ever the optimist. impact we are having on it. i am everthe optimist. i impact we are having on it. i am ever the optimist. i have never seen so much _ ever the optimist. i have never seen so much conversation about environmental impact. all of my businesses, every single one of my businesses. — businesses, every single one of my businesses, right up there on the agenda — businesses, right up there on the

agenda. the quest or first question we asked _ agenda. the quest or first question we asked about new products is what impact _ we asked about new products is what impact will— we asked about new products is what impact will it have, how can we mitigate — impact will it have, how can we mitigate our impact? i think it is definitely— mitigate our impact? i think it is definitely properly entered our psyche — definitely properly entered our psyche. the environment, social care, _ psyche. the environment, social care, worrying about other people, jobs _ care, worrying about other people, jobs i_ care, worrying about other people, jobs ithink— care, worrying about other people, jobs. i think that has happened. it is true _ jobs. i think that has happened. it is true that— jobs. i think that has happened. it is true that once you get back into busy— is true that once you get back into busy life. — is true that once you get back into busy life. it — is true that once you get back into busy life, it is very easy to slot back— busy life, it is very easy to slot back into — busy life, it is very easy to slot back into the way it was. but we have _ back into the way it was. but we have had — back into the way it was. but we have had quite a gap between us and the way— have had quite a gap between us and the way it— have had quite a gap between us and the way it was. i will like to think that it _ the way it was. i will like to think that it has — the way it was. i will like to think that it has gone into us. i would like to— that it has gone into us. i would like to think that the long—term sustainable changes. i definitely see that — sustainable changes. i definitely see that in my businesses. there is another— see that in my businesses. there is another thing going on here. there is a generational thing. my younger businesses, businesses that are run by younger— businesses, businesses that are run by younger people, absolutely, they have got _ by younger people, absolutely, they have got to the environment, the social— have got to the environment, the social impact. they've got all of that right — social impact. they've got all of that right at the centre of the stuff — that right at the centre of the stuff they do. i find that really

heart—warming. but i am an optimist. that is— heart—warming. but i am an optimist. that is what— heart—warming. but i am an optimist. that is what entrepreneurs are. we are optimistic, we think we can sort everything — are optimistic, we think we can sort everything. for are optimistic, we think we can sort eve hina. ., ,, are optimistic, we think we can sort everything-— everything. for you personally but have been highs _ everything. for you personally but have been highs and _ everything. for you personally but have been highs and lows - everything. for you personally but have been highs and lows of- everything. for you personally but have been highs and lows of this | have been highs and lows of this year? have been highs and lows of this ear? , , ., ., ., have been highs and lows of this ear? i, ., ., ., �* year? very similar to that. i can't remember _ year? very similar to that. i can't remember a _ year? very similar to that. i can't remember a time _ year? very similar to that. i can't remember a time when - year? very similar to that. i can't remember a time when my - year? very similar to that. i can't remember a time when my life . year? very similar to that. i can't l remember a time when my life was year? very similar to that. i can't - remember a time when my life was not running _ remember a time when my life was not running so _ remember a time when my life was not running so fast. i've spent more time _ running so fast. i've spent more time at — running so fast. i've spent more time at home. i'm lucky, i've got space _ time at home. i'm lucky, i've got space we — time at home. i'm lucky, i've got space, i've got animals, i've got a husband — space, i've got animals, i've got a husband. not aspect, order, obviously. i have also been fortunate to have a lot of content to the _ fortunate to have a lot of content to the outside world through my businesses. it has made me think again _ businesses. it has made me think again i— businesses. it has made me think again. i have actually let out my flat in _ again. i have actually let out my flat in london. i can't see that i'm going _ flat in london. i can't see that i'm going to _ flat in london. i can't see that i'm going to be — flat in london. i can't see that i'm going to be spending the time in london — going to be spending the time in london so — going to be spending the time in london so much. i think i will be spending — london so much. i think i will be spending a — london so much. i think i will be spending a lot more time working from _ spending a lot more time working from home, because i can. look at us! were _ from home, because i can. look at us! were doing an interview and i'm sitting _ us! were doing an interview and i'm sitting at— us! were doing an interview and i'm sitting at home in somerset. i think my life _ sitting at home in somerset. i think my life will— sitting at home in somerset. i think my life will have changed long—term. what are _

my life will have changed long—term. what are you most looking forward to once restrictions go away because my code for the 21st ofjune.— code for the 21st ofjune. people. i'm uuite code for the 21st ofjune. people. i'm quite a _ code for the 21st ofjune. people. i'm quite a social... _ code for the 21st ofjune. people. i'm quite a social... social - code for the 21st ofjune. people. i'm quite a social... social and i i'm quite a social... social and business — i'm quite a social... social and business and they actually do believe — business and they actually do believe that a lot of business can believe that a lot of business can be done — believe that a lot of business can be done remotely, but there will always— be done remotely, but there will always be — be done remotely, but there will always be a place for face—to—face because _ always be a place for face—to—face because we're humans. we like social interaction. _ because we're humans. we like social interaction, we like being in front of each _ interaction, we like being in front of each other, laughing, chatting, watching — of each other, laughing, chatting, watching body language. that is what i'm watching body language. that is what i'm most— watching body language. that is what i'm most looking to, just being with people _ i'm most looking to, just being with people we — i'm most looking to, 'ust being with --eole.~ �* i'm most looking to, 'ust being with neale, 2 �* ., i'm most looking to, 'ust being with --eole. ~ �* ., ., i'm most looking to, 'ust being with --eole.~ �* ., ., �*, people. we can't hug over zuma. it's been a long — people. we can't hug over zuma. it's been a long time _ people. we can't hug over zuma. it's been a long time for— people. we can't hug over zuma. it's been a long time for that _ people. we can't hug over zuma. it's been a long time for that physical- been a long time for that physical interaction. thank you so much for joining us. in portugal, the devastating third wave of coronavirus is subsiding and the country now has one of europe's lowest transmission rates. the government is aiming to have 70% of its population vaccinated by some point over summer. just weeks ago, it was one of the world's worst—hit countries and fellow eu members were despatching emergency medical

teams to help portuguese doctors. close to eight milion people in texas are still struggling to get clean water supplies in the wake of a deadly winter storm last week. two dozen people died in the storm which caused widespread blackouts across texas — a state unaccustomed to extreme cold. the united nations say 16 million people in yemen will go hungry this year and the country is at risk of the worst famine in decades. it's projecting that 400,000 children will suffer from severe acute malnutrition, and could die without urgent treatment. our international correspondent 0rla guerin, producer claire read and cameraman goktay koraltan sent this report from southern yemen. you may find some of the scenes distressing. every breath is a struggle,

and he is dangerously thin. mohammed is 12 months old, but too weak to hold his head up. he's in the grip severe acute malnutrition. mohammed needs to go to hospital, urgently. his mother knows, but can do nothing. this rural clinic can't provide transport either. we were able to give mother and baby a lift to the hospital. this was a chance encounter in taiz province, an area ravaged by hunger in one of the world's poorest countries. malnutrition was entrenched in yemen before the war, but has increased every year since.

at khalifa hospital, doctors do what they can, but they say mohammed's weight is about half what it should be, and he has a chest infection. he's put on oxygen — a lifeline, for now. we can help the cases which reach hospital, but there are a lot of babies cannot reach our hospital. so this is the problem. are you afraid that there are children dying at home? yes, there are a lot of cases die at home, from a lot of factors, a lot of causes. those causes are complex, but don't include a lack of food in the markets. there is plenty to buy, but many can't afford it. years of conflict and a saudi blockade have taken their toll. food prices have risen, about 140%, and the yemeni currency has collapsed,

along with the economy. the youngest here are heartbreakingly vulnerable. her name is gada. she came because of acute gastroenteritis. she is four months old. tiny gada is deteriorating rapidly in the southern city of aden. for her mother, ibtida, displaced by the war, seeing her like this, rigid with pain, is another trauma. she has severe acute malnutrition and is running a high fever. dr maha suleiman tries to cool down her tiny body with a cool cloth. some of gada's test results come back. it's not good news. when i find the really sick children, and they come

in and deteriorate, or not responding to treatment, it's very hard. we even have some sleep disturbance forming. i have sleep disturbance some nights. it's very hard. and we have even no time to change the sheet of the bed. just you change the sheets, another patient is just coming. well, doctors are now extremely concerned about gada. they say her case is critical. she needs an x—ray but it's too far away across the hospital and they can't take the chance of moving her now. she's on oxygen at the moment and they are just trying to stabilise her. as the young waste away here, cuts in international donations mean less food aid. the un says yemenis are not starving — they are being starved. since we filmed these pictures, gada has died.

0rla guerin, bbc news, southern yemen. fifteen pilot whales have died, and many more are stranded after becoming beached on new zealand's south island. volunteers have been trying to help the whales back to sea, after more than 40 became stranded at farewell spit on monday. some were floated out on the high tide, but conservationists say they are worried that they have remained in the area, and could become beached again. nasa has released stunning new pictures captured by the perseverance rover after its dramatic touchdown on mars. the footage shows the final minutes of last week's tense descent to the red planet, as our global science correspondent rebecca morelle reports. the parachute has deployed... from the release of a supersonic parachute, to the shedding of a heat shield... first look at the surface. an out of this world view — mars, as never seen before. as the rover nears the surface, the dust is kicked up. then a change of camera,

as perseverance is lowered on ropes, before touchdown. touchdown confirmed! perseverance safely on the surface of mars! and the landing system is jettisoned away. we can't test it on the earth. so this is the first time we've had a chance, as engineers, to actually see what we designed. and ijust can't, it's hard for me to express how emotional it was and how exciting it was. there are new still images, too. a selfie of the rover. and a vista of the alien world it now sits in. providing a glimpse of the terrain it is about to explore. we now have radar lock on the ground. this footage is already providing crucial information to scientists, and they will continue to study it as perseverance gets to work. it's just a taste of what's to come. rebecca morelle, bbc news. now it's time for a look at the weather.

mild weather continues, notjust today, but towards the end of the week. wednesday could see the peak of the highest temperatures. today's mild and windy. we have got rain in the north—west. some of that is likely to be heavy. the met office has an amber weather warning out for parts of scotland. there is a risk of flooding because it is falling on saturated ground. the the risk of disruption. the rain will continue across scotland. that will come into north—west england. same for northern ireland. at times, it will fringing across north—west wales. generally for the rest of wales it is cloudy with some drizzle at times. brighterskies is cloudy with some drizzle at times. brighter skies as we push them towards the south and east on them towards the south and east on the far north—east of scotland. these circles represent the strength of the wind gust. it will be windy wherever you are but especially so with exposure to the west.

temperatures are mild. nine to 1a celsius. these temperatures are above average for this time in february. this evening and overnight were still very much have a weather front. if anything, spending more across northern england and wales. it will still be windy, as well. look at these overnight lows. eight to about 12 celsius. they will be good, maximum daytime temperatures at this time of year. but we have is this by the french during wednesday. still producing rain, but it is also the demarcation line between very mild and in the south and east and the mild air in the north. not quite as potent as today, but it will be in similarareas. as potent as today, but it will be in similar areas. either as potent as today, but it will be in similarareas. eitherside as potent as today, but it will be in similar areas. either side of that there will be some sunshine. the winds won't be as strong and there will be variable amounts of cloud. that cloud breaks for long enough, the sun comes out for long enough, the sun comes out for long enough, we could get 16 or 17 celsius. even in the north, we are looking at plan to 30 celsius. risk

of showers in parts of scotland, coming in across wales and england on thursday. more of a westerly component to our weather. seven to 30 celsius is what we are looking at. on the weekend, hang on to the dry conditions, lighter winds, at. on the weekend, hang on to the dry conditions, lighterwinds, mild days, but by night it will be chilly.

this is bbc news. the headlines: borisjohnson insists he is "optimistic" but there are "no guarantees" on his four—step plan to ease england's lockdown, amid criticism from some businesses and politicians about the pace of the road map. some people say that we are going to be going too fast, some people say we are going too slow, i think the balance is right. i think it is a cautious but irreversible approach which is i think what people want to see. the prime minister confirms there will be a review into whether vaccine passports could be deployed, as airlines and holiday companies say they've seen a surge in bookings in the past 2a hours. we have been up with some 630% bookings at easyjet holidays and this continues now throughout the morning, so itjust shows what we said all along,

that there is an enormous increased pent—up demand for people to make travel arrangements for the summer. scotland's first minister, nicola sturgeon, will later set out her plan for how lockdown there will be eased. the number of deaths involving covid—19 registered each week in england and wales has dropped by nearly a quarter, according to new figures. facebook is to restore news feeds in australia after the government agreed to amend legislation forcing social media companies to pay for news content. and new views of the martian landscape — nasa releases videos of its perseverance rover landing on the surface of mars.

the prime minister says he's "very optimistic" but that there are "no guarantees" that england will fully reopen onjune 21st. he also defended the government's road map out of lockdown describing it as a "cautious but balanced approach." the easing of the lockdown in england will start on the 8th march, with a loosening of restrictions in five—week intervals, with the end of legal limits on social contacts towards the end ofjune, should the government's own tests be met. let's take a look at some of today's developments. in england, the outcome of a review on international travel is set to be announced by a special "global travel task—force" on the 12th of april. but there's already been a surge in bookings for foreign holidays by travellers, with easyjet reporting a 630% increase in enquiries. mrjohnson also said the government will review the possibility of introducing "covid status certificates" to allow, or prohibit, people from places or activities in the future.

the review would consider the ethical complications of any decision. and this afternoon, scotland's first minister nicola sturgeon will announce her own plans for easing lockdown when she makes a statement this afternoon. our political correspondent jonathan blake outlined the pressure borisjohnson is facing over the easing of lockdown. there has been endless speculation about what would lift and when in terms of the restrictions and the route out of lockdown. there has been considerable pressure on the prime minister from many of his own backbenchers, a minority, but a significant and vocal one. those saying that the timetable needs to be speeded up. the government needs to move further and faster, because the vaccine roll—out is proceeding more quickly than many people had expected and there is encouraging data about the levels of cases and hospital admissions. that said, in the face of that pressure, the prime minister this morning defended what he described as a cautious approach to lifting the lockdown in england.

i'm hopeful, but obviously nothing can be guaranteed and it all depends on the way we continue to be prudent and continue to follow the guidance in each stage and that is why it is so important to proceed in the cautious way that we are. i think people do understand it, they can see the logic of what we are trying to do. but genuinely, because of the immense possibilities now of the vaccination roll—out, because science has given us this way of creating a whole shield around our population, we can really look at that june 21st date with some optimism. that is how i put it. i'm very optimistic that we will be able to get that. jonathan, there has been talk for some time of having to present possibly id to prove you have had the vaccine to access certain things and until now the government seemed to be pushing that idea away,

but that seemed to change in the news conference yesterday and i know the prime minister has been talking more about it this morning, what is he saying? yes, very interesting to hear what borisjohnson had to say on this this morning, that idea of vaccine passports, which as you say was raised some time ago. as people think about travelling abroad or opening up society here at home, giving people some way to prove they have had the vaccine and therefore be able to do things they would not do otherwise. it was initially dismissed really out of hand by ministers who suggested that was not the way we do things in the uk with an open democracy that we have, possibly for international travel some sort of certification might be necessary because of rules other countries put in place, but it did not seem to be something the government was looking at doing here at home. but the prime minister, as you say, has given details of a review that the government is going to hold into a covid certification,

which it says may be something which people have to in future end up carrying. this will be an exploration of what the prime minister described this morning as difficult, ethical and moral questions which need to be looked at. he said this was a novelty for this country, it wasn't something that we would normally ever think about doing, asking people to show a pass to get into the pub or to go to the theatre, but i think the fact that the government is seriously looking at this, there will be a review led by michael gove which will report later in the year, the cabinet office minister michael gove, just reflects the seriousness with which ministers are now looking at this. what it ends up recommending and ends up coming into place we will have to see, but certainly this issue now under serious consideration. later this afternoon, simon mccoy will be joined by public health expert professor sian griffiths and keele university's dr naomi forrester—soto

as we try to answer your questions on the government's road map for easing restrictions. get in touch with the hashtag #bbcyourquestions, or email yourquestions@bbc. co. uk. that's coming up at 3:30pm right here on bbc news. some breaking news to bring you from scotland. evidence from former first minister alex salmond will be removed from the scottish parliament website before a redacted version is published later. the change follows concerns raised by scotland's prosecution service after mr salmond's written evidence to the holyrood inquiry into the scottish government's investigation of sexual harassment claims against him was published on monday evening. a scottish parliament spokeswoman said "following representations from the crown office

on monday evening, the scottish parliamentary corporate body agreed collectively this morning that it will remove the alex salmond submission on the ministerial code from its website with immediate effect and republish it later today in a redacted form." we will bring you more on that a little bit later. let's return to the road map of how we get out of lockdown over the next weeks and months. well, airlines and holiday companies say they've seen a surge in bookings in the past 2a hours. borisjohnson said yesterday that a ban on foreign travel will remain in place until at least mid may. self—catering breaks in england will resume on the 12th of april at the earliest. the chief executive officer of easyjet, johan lundgren, says bookings have soared since yesterday. the response from the customers on the announcement yesterday was quite fantastic to see. we have been up with some 630% bookings on easyjet holidays and this continues now throughout the morning, so itjust shows what we have said all along, that there is an enormous increased pent—up demand for people to make travel arrangements for the summer,

so very pleased with that. the hospitality industry have raised concerns about the speed of the prime minister's plan. at the moment, the hospitality industry will not be able to fully reopen until at least the 17th may. i'm joined now by martin greenhow, the managing director of mojo, a bar chain that has five sites across england. welcome, thanks for joining welcome, thanks forjoining us. good welcome, thanks for 'oining us. good afternoon. welcome, thanks for 'oining us. good ftnoon am _ welcome, thanks for 'oining us. good afternoon. am i i welcome, thanks for 'oining us. good afternoon. am i right— welcome, thanks forjoining us. good afternoon. am i right in _ welcome, thanks forjoining us. good afternoon. am i right in thinking i afternoon. am i right in thinking that none of— afternoon. am i right in thinking that none of your _ afternoon. am i right in thinking that none of your bars _ afternoon. am i right in thinking that none of your bars have i afternoon. am i right in thinking i that none of your bars have outdoor space so you will have to wait till the last moment to reopen? taste space so you will have to wait till the last moment to reopen? we have a cou-le of the last moment to reopen? we have a couple of our — the last moment to reopen? we have a couple of our sites _ the last moment to reopen? we have a couple of our sites which _ the last moment to reopen? we have a couple of our sites which have - the last moment to reopen? we have a couple of our sites which have very i couple of our sites which have very modest outdoor space, it is something that we have been looking at the today. we are pretty much on the fence as to whether it will be worthwhile. plus we are in the north of england, it is not the caribbean. the weather would have a large part to play in any decision and at the moment i'm pretty sceptical that it would be worthwhile. haifa moment i'm pretty sceptical that it would be worthwhile.—

moment i'm pretty sceptical that it would be worthwhile. how do you feel about the prospect _ would be worthwhile. how do you feel about the prospect of _ would be worthwhile. how do you feel about the prospect of not _ would be worthwhile. how do you feel about the prospect of not being i would be worthwhile. how do you feel about the prospect of not being able l about the prospect of not being able to open until may? what impact could that have on the business? first off, i that have on the business? first off. i suppose — that have on the business? first off. i suppose it— that have on the business? first off, i suppose it is _ that have on the business? first off, i suppose it is fair _ that have on the business? first off, i suppose it is fair to - that have on the business? f "st off, i suppose it is fair to say that it off, i suppose it is fair to say thatitis off, i suppose it is fair to say that it is a relief to at least see a road map ahead of us with a hopeful date when we can open. i have to say that i am also disappointed at the speed of travel which seems to be slower than we would have liked. i think importantly for ourselves in hospitality but also for other businesses in the aligned sectors, we are talking about hotels, live music venues, event spaces, weddings, all these people who have been literally sat on their hands for 11 months and out looking at another three months before we can get back to meaningful business and so we look to the chancellor and the upcoming budget that really five things. we need to ensure that furlough support remains, so we do

not have people arriving on unemployment lines in droves. we need to see the extension of the s rate holiday, which frankly is a tax on it using property for businesses, which we have not been able to do, so how you can charge it is a mystery to me. —— business rate holiday. we need to look at the methodology of dealing with the repayment of bounce back loans, which are becoming pretty president now. these things are about to come live and we cannot trade yet. we need to also mention that we have seen a ruling from the court to say that people have been lucky enough to have insurance claims ratified, still waiting to be paid out. the government needs to bring pressure to bear on the insurers to actually do this, because it is a very cynical game being played where the

insurers are quite frankly waiting for businesses to go under so they do not have to settle these claims. there is a golf to get across it before we are allowed to trade and we do want to trade. we do not want to be a burden on society, we want to be a burden on society, we want to get back to business and contributing to the government to providing public services to people and give people that break from the monotony we have had a family last year. tt monotony we have had a family last ear. .,, , ., monotony we have had a family last ear. , ., , ., year. if those five things that you outlined do _ year. if those five things that you outlined do not _ year. if those five things that you outlined do not happen _ year. if those five things that you outlined do not happen or - year. if those five things that you outlined do not happen or some. year. if those five things that you | outlined do not happen or some of them do not happen, what impact would that have? are you worried about the survival of the business? i am worried about the survival of the sector. i am worried about the survival of our towns and city centres. it is towns and cities which are made up of three things, office spaces, retail and hospitality. we know it retail is in dire straits and they need assistance. hospitality has been left in a freefall. we were effectively drafted and told to

stand down to help the company... sorry, help the country, but we have been told to pick up the tab for that. that seems wholly unjust to me. we have office workers working from home and have become accustomed to that, and i do not blame them for that, but do we want to see town and city centres left derelict? we could be looking at a situation where we have towns and cities which will resemble mining villages of the late 80s where people simply walk away and abandon them. that has further repercussions where we have landlords and financial institutions that will find themselves in a dire straits. that is not a situation anybody will benefit from. just very briefl , anybody will benefit from. just very briefly, freedom _ anybody will benefit from. just very briefly, freedom date _ anybody will benefit from. just very briefly, freedom date potentially i anybody will benefit from. just very j briefly, freedom date potentially at the 21st ofjune, how much are you looking forward to that? t the 21st ofjune, how much are you looking forward to that?— looking forward to that? i have not heard it called _ looking forward to that? i have not heard it called freedom _ looking forward to that? i have not heard it called freedom day. i looking forward to that? i have not heard it called freedom day. that| looking forward to that? i have not l heard it called freedom day. that is ma be heard it called freedom day. that is maybe excessive. _ heard it called freedom day. that is maybe excessive. i— heard it called freedom day. that is maybe excessive. i am _ heard it called freedom day. that is maybe excessive. i am looking i maybe excessive. i am looking forward to _

maybe excessive. i am looking forward to being _ maybe excessive. i am looking forward to being back- maybe excessive. i am looking forward to being back at i maybe excessive. i am looking forward to being back at work. | maybe excessive. i am looking | forward to being back at work. i struggle to know what day of the week it is that most of the time at the moment. we are a passionate bunch in hospitality, we enjoy what we do and seeing people. i think you had deborah mead and on earlier... t had deborah mead and on earlier... i just had to interrupt you, i have to say goodbye to viewers on bbc two. sorry, you are talking about deborah. sorry, you are talking about deborah-— sorry, you are talking about deborah. , , ., ., deborah. yes, she mentioned earlier and i have said _ deborah. yes, she mentioned earlier and i have said this _ deborah. yes, she mentioned earlier and i have said this many _ deborah. yes, she mentioned earlier and i have said this many times, i deborah. yes, she mentioned earlier and i have said this many times, we | and i have said this many times, we are social animals. millions of years of evolution have gone into the fact that we live in a cohorts of groups. we do not live in a tiny little cells, we need each other�*s interaction, we need that company. we need it for our health, notjust physical but mental and developmental health and the sooner that returns, the better for everybody. that returns, the better for everybody-— that returns, the better for everybody.

an update on the national statistics today. the latest on excess deaths in the uk show deaths in the week of february the 12th are continuing to fall, but still 26% higher than usual levels. the latest figures also show that deaths of care home residents are falling faster than for the rest of the population. let's speak to our head of statistics robert cuffe. a continuing optimistic picture, robert. , ., robert. yes, moving in the right direction, _ robert. yes, moving in the right direction, certainly, _ robert. yes, moving in the right direction, certainly, but - robert. yes, moving in the right| direction, certainly, but probably still a long way to go. i think we can show the figures to the audience. you see that a couple of weeks ago, things were looking pretty bad, overall, the height of this chart shows how the deaths were registered every week in the uk, those were close to the levels we were seeing back at the peak last april. that hasn't come down pretty steeply in the last two or three weeks, driven by steep falls in the number of covid deaths. —— has come down. that is the red area, come

down. that is the red area, come down to about 6000 in the last week compared to 9000 a fortnight ago. the trouble is, as you can see, those deaths are still pushing as above a level we would expect to see, the dash across the centre of the chart, still a quarter above normal levels for this time of year. we are still seeing 850 deaths every day and it will be awhile before that comes down from the hundreds to tens, 30s, 40s. that comes down from the hundreds to tens. 30s. 405.— tens, 30s, 40s. throughout we have looked very — tens, 30s, 40s. throughout we have looked very closely _ tens, 30s, 40s. throughout we have looked very closely at _ tens, 30s, 40s. throughout we have looked very closely at care _ tens, 30s, 40s. throughout we have looked very closely at care homes, l looked very closely at care homes, because the situation in the beginning particularly was so bad. good news today on the care homes front. . , ,., , good news today on the care homes front. . , , ,, front. absolutely. it looks like deaths are _ front. absolutely. it looks like deaths are falling _ front. absolutely. it looks like deaths are falling faster i front. absolutely. it looks like deaths are falling faster in i front. absolutely. it looks like deaths are falling faster in a l front. absolutely. it looks like i deaths are falling faster in a care homes than they are elsewhere. even a couple of weeks ago, the picture probably was not so rosy. we saw in the first wave it took a little longer for the the first wave it took a little longerfor the epidemic the first wave it took a little longer for the epidemic to get into care homes and when it did, it

really took off and they bore a disproportionately heavy brand. we have seen at that stock pattern starts to occur injanuary, it plateaued last week but better news this week. deaths of people in england and wales who live in care homes fell by a third last week, compared to 20% in the rest of the population. we saw data published yesterday for good news in over 80s. that hospitalisation cases are falling thanks to the vaccines and we are seeing that in another priority group, so we can be hopeful that that is another vaccine effect that that is another vaccine effect that will be confirmed too. so positive it needs there. let's go back to the alex salmond inquiry in scotland — we've heard in the last half hour that the scottish parliament has decided to remove from its website

a submission by mr salmond relating to evidence he's expected to give to a committee of msps tomorrow. explain what is going on. this written evidence _ explain what is going on. t't 3 written evidence from alex salmond has been the subject of a lot of legal wrangling over the last few weeks. he submitted it to the holyrood committee that is investigating claims of sexual harassment against them and how the scottish government botched that not in it he lays out his version of events but there were concerns about legal issues and initially it was said it would not be published. in that case, alex salmond said i will not turn up and give evidence in person. last week it was decided it could be published and last night it appeared on the scottish parliament's website so we could all read it, but then the crown office got in touch and said they had grave concerns about some legal issues around this information being in the public domain. this morning, the scottish parliament has decided to take it down of their website, it is

no longer available for you to see that now. they will make some changes to it, some reductions, in other words it takes some bits of evidence out, and say they hope to publish it again later today. we do not know how much they will remove and what we do not know is what implications this might have for alex salmond turning up to give evidence was that he is scheduled to appear in front of the committee tomorrow and we are all anxiously waiting to see his appearance, because he has some explosive allegations to make when he does appear in front of the committee, but if a lot of this evidence is taken out of the public domain, if it is not published, he may refuse to turn up. it is not published, he may refuse to turn up— to turn up. and he has said if he does that _ to turn up. and he has said if he does that previously _ to turn up. and he has said if he does that previously he - to turn up. and he has said if he does that previously he would i to turn up. and he has said if he i does that previously he would give a tell all interview instead? yes. does that previously he would give a tell all interview instead?— tell all interview instead? yes, he could choose _ tell all interview instead? yes, he could choose to _ tell all interview instead? yes, he could choose to give _ tell all interview instead? yes, he could choose to give a _ tell all interview instead? yes, he could choose to give a press i could choose to give a press conference, an interview, because he does want his side of the story out there. when he says he does not want to appear in front of the committee and is this evidence is published it is not because he thinks he has anything to hide, it is because he wants all of what he says on the facts of the story out there in

public so they can be considered by this committee when it puts together its final report. this is information he wants to make short sees the light of day, but because of legal concerns about what it contains, there has been at this back and forward about what can and cannot be published and we see this extraordinary battle going on between the scottish parliament and the prosecuting authorities in scotland, the crown office, at odds at what is and what is not illegal to put out there. ts at what is and what is not illegal to put out there.— to put out there. is this an extraordinary _ to put out there. is this an extraordinary drama i to put out there. is this an extraordinary drama that l to put out there. is this an i extraordinary drama that has to put out there. is this an - extraordinary drama that has been unfolding? nicola sturgeon has obviously been asked again and again about the allegations that are being made and she likewise has said she is looking forward to being able to give her side of the story and put the record straight on her behalf. yes, you have alex salmond making accusations that nicola sturgeon has effectively lied, misled parliament, that she has broken the ministerial code, that is the rules that govern her ministers have to behave and if any of that is true, she would be expected to resign at the first

minister. she vigorously denies all of the allegations that he has laid against her and says she will relish the opportunity to give her evidence and refute some of what he is saying. but in evidence that was published last night, some evidence that has not been taken down, alex salmond makes accusations against other people as well, really astonishing claims, about a conspiracy at the heart of government that a senior government officials, as well as people at the top of the snp, were involved in putting together a plot essentially to destroy his reputation, to remove him from public life, and he says ultimately to have him imprisoned, because remember last year there was a criminal trial, he was accused of 13 counts of sexual assault, although at the end of that he was acquitted on all counts. he says that the conspiracy that was going on it would have seen him jailed if they had had their way. these are allegations which he wants to explore with the committee under oath in person at some point, which may be in his scheduled appearance tomorrow but depending on what

happens today, maybe not. tt tomorrow but depending on what happens today, maybe not. it sounds like the stuff — happens today, maybe not. it sounds like the stuff of _ happens today, maybe not. it sounds like the stuff of a _ happens today, maybe not. it sounds like the stuff of a tv _ happens today, maybe not. it sounds like the stuff of a tv drama, - happens today, maybe not. it sounds like the stuff of a tv drama, all i like the stuff of a tv drama, all the intrigue. it is complicated, is it cutting through in scotland? there are certainly headlines about it on a daily basis at the moment. people say they are aware of the story. they know what is going on and what are some of the accusations art that are being held back and forward between mr salmond and mrs sturgeon. some pollsters have asked photos about what they think and how closely they are following it and a number of people have said they do not really grasp all of the details of it. —— have asked photos. although it seems like a lot of people have already made their mind up people have already made their mind up to who they believe, but the real cut through members will be when they give their evidence in front of they give their evidence in front of the committee for stock we will be able to watch that, it will be in public in front of cameras and that will be box office viewing and at

the point at which voters will see what is going on. that said, there are a lot of people who are worried that this has been turned into a political soap opera, that it is all about what alex salmond says, nicola sturgeon says, i'm really at the heart of this, this is supposed to be about women who complained about the sexual harassment, an investigation which went very badly wrong, and two women who are left without their complaints being thoroughly investigated. this holyrood committee is supposed to make sure this never happens again, that the procedures for people who report any kind of harassment are fit for purpose, but we have moved quite far away from that when we look at the astonishing allegations that are being made by the snp two's best—known politicians. tie is best-known politicians. he is supposed _ best-known politicians. he is supposed to _ best-known politicians. he is supposed to be _ best-known politicians. he is supposed to be giving - best—known politicians. he is supposed to be giving evidence tomorrow, but he may not when we find out? , , . ., ., find out? this is changing all the time, we find out? this is changing all the time. we will — find out? this is changing all the time, we will need _ find out? this is changing all the time, we will need to _ find out? this is changing all the time, we will need to wait i find out? this is changing all the time, we will need to wait and i find out? this is changing all the l time, we will need to wait and see what goes back up on the scottish parliament website today, how much evidence has been removed from

public view. i imagine at that point he and his lawyers and advisers will sit down and work out whether or not there is enough of his story there on the public record for him to be able to talk about it in front of the committee tomorrow or whether he feels that simply he is being prevented from talking about what he thinks art material parts of his version of events.— thinks art material parts of his version of events. thank you very much. version of events. thank you very much- we — version of events. thank you very much. we will— version of events. thank you very much. we will be _ version of events. thank you very much. we will be seeing - version of events. thank you very much. we will be seeing nicola i much. we will be seeing nicola sturgeon, she will give a briefing at 2pm on it's gotten 's road map at out block down. she has been questioned on this and says she looks forward to putting the record straight on this but will not discuss it out of that form. let's get the sport.

up to 10,000 fans will be allowed back into sport stadiums in england by 17th may at the earliest, as the lockdown is eased. that would mean the fa cup final on may the 15th at wembley will be played behind closed doors, but the last matches of the premier league season are on the 23rd of may, so fans could be in attendance for those. gyms and indoor leisure facilities can re—open from mid—april and organised team sports, including football, can re—start at the end of march. before all of that, children will be allowed to play sport at school when they go back on march the 8th. iam i am personally delighted for all the youngsters around the uk and parents and volunteers that will be back on the 29th. personally i would like to see them back aligned with schools on the eighth, but i think olivet dowden promised a grassroots sport would be first out of lockdown. i have been in constant contact with matt hancock and people have been so supportive of grassroots sport and been true to their word. the youngsters are absolutely delighted.

the first game of the hundred this summer will be a women's fixture. the month—long tournament will feature double headers with men's and women's teams playing on the same day at the same venue. we wa nt we want to engage with families on the grounds as best as we can. i think it will be a great show, not just the cricket, but we also expect activities for the families and that will be a fantastic time at the ground. obviously will have to be a bit cautious, assuming people will be able to be there and if they are, put on a fantastic show anyway. scotland's six nations game against with france on sunday is in doubt afterfive more french players tested positive for covid 19. captain charles ollivon is one, taking the total number of cases amongst the players to ten. there's been no more positives in the latest round of testing, and a decision on whether the game can go ahead will be made tomorrow. scottish rugby say they want the game on as long as it's medically safe. and england's women play their first match in almost

a year shortly. they play northern ireland at st george's park, kick—off is at 12:30. you can watch it via the bbc sport website, the app and the iplayer. that's all the sport for now. let's return to the news that travel firms say there has been a surge in overseas holiday bookings following the prime minister's announcement of the road map out of lockdown. despite question marks over the return of international travel, the uk's biggest holiday operator, tui, said bookings jumped 500% overnight. lisa francesca nand hosts the the big travel podcast. she also has elderly parents in spain who she would normally visit every six weeks. welcome, thanks for joining welcome, thanks forjoining us. presumably it has been a long time since you have seen your parents? tt since you have seen your parents? tt has. personally i was lucky, we managed to squeeze in a trip in november which was perfectly legal, but felt a little bit of a risk at the time due to the virus, but they managed to come here and have a few weeks with me isolating and then go

back home. but i think this is the forgotten side of travel. we hear everyone in the past talking about people not being able to go on holiday and you visualise people lying on a beach and drinking a cocktail and think why do they want to do that? there might be good reasons why they want to do that, but so many of us live an international lifestyle these days and we are separated from friends and we are separated from friends and family and loved ones with no real news as to whether we will be able to go and see them in at mid—to—late may at the moment and it is really hard for everyone. that state of the _ is really hard for everyone. that state of the 17th _ is really hard for everyone. that state of the 17th of _ is really hard for everyone. that state of the 17th of may - is really hard for everyone. that state of the 17th of may is the earliest date at which foreign travel would be allowed, but what it will look like, wejust travel would be allowed, but what it will look like, we just do travel would be allowed, but what it will look like, wejust do not travel would be allowed, but what it will look like, we just do not know at this point. there will be a report on how to return to international travel on the 12th of april. what would you anticipate, because obviously so many countries have different restrictions in place, there are testing regimes, vaccination becomes part of the picture, but whether that means that you have it to have had two doses

and whether you are travelling with kids who have not had vaccination, it will be complicated? tt kids who have not had vaccination, it will be complicated?— it will be complicated? it will be very complicated. _ it will be complicated? it will be very complicated. last - it will be complicated? it will be very complicated. last year i it will be complicated? it will be very complicated. last year we | it will be complicated? it will be i very complicated. last year we had travel corridors which white to a certain extent but then kept on being closed. we have a talk of the vaccine are passports. the uk said they did not want them initially, but then if other countries and start asking for them, which they seem to be already, greece for example, then we will have some kind of paperwork or probably an app in place and it is confusing. in defence of the government, they probably do not know themselves what is going on right now and that is what they are doing at the next few weeks will stop there will be some sort of an announcement on the 12th of april and as you said, on the 17th of may, to try and work out how we can indeed travel again. we need the business come into this country as well, it is notjust us wanting to leave and see friends and family and do business, we also need to be money coming here and to sustain the industry as a whole. filth money coming here and to sustain the industry as a whole.— industry as a whole. on that, obviously _ industry as a whole. on that, obviously we _ industry as a whole. on that, obviously we can _ industry as a whole. on that, obviously we can support i industry as a whole. on that, obviously we can support ourj industry as a whole. on that, i obviously we can support our own industry as a whole. on that, - obviously we can support our own as nice as well with staycations and

that will be very much part of the picture as it was last summer. what ended up happening last summer? do you have the figures on how many people did eventually go for it staycations? what was the capacity here? ,, ., , , , here? staycations were very big here last ear here? staycations were very big here last year and — here? staycations were very big here last year and i— here? staycations were very big here last year and i think _ here? staycations were very big here last year and i think they _ here? staycations were very big here last year and i think they will - here? staycations were very big here last year and i think they will be i last year and i think they will be bigger this year, but a lot of people where afraid of travelling at all. people have lived in fear of a long time and you have people like me who want to travel, but there are also people who understandably are very cautious about it. we have heard of people, the allies are saying that figures have doubled overnight, 500% up of people booking. —— the airlines are saying. that is small numbers of the people who are bucking these holidays, 500% of two or three bookings is not enough. i hope personally that more and more people do travel. fithd t and more people do travel. and i cuess and more people do travel. and i guess when _ and more people do travel. and i guess when the _ and more people do travel. and i guess when the message - and more people do travel. and i guess when the message goes out, evenif guess when the message goes out, even if it is small in numbers, when you hear a statistic like bookings

have gone up by 500%, it may be will lead to a bit of a scramble with people worried about losing out, because there is a sense of suddenly there will be that moment when we know what we can do and if you have not got in early you will miss out. yes, i think it does create that panic with people wanting to go at both abroad and in this country and we dizzy all those pictures of cornwall and busy beaches last summer and i think people will be a little worried, but it is not the huge amount of numbers you are thinking of. people are still cautious in booking a trip and hopefully, as things go on and on the 12th of april when we get this news, hopefully that will change. thank you very much forjoining us, happy travels whenever they come. we've seen a lot of pictures of freezing scenes across the united states recently, but these are really special. this is what weeks of freezing temperatures has then to

niagara falls. people also caught a glimpse of a rainbow. it looks like parts of the rainbow and watchful have actually frozen completely. the waterfall never actually stops running beneath the surface. let's catch up with the weather. hello, again. across the board today it is going to be windy and also mild. the met office also has an amber weather warning out for parts of scotland for heavy rain with the risk of flooding and disruption. it is notjust scotland seeing that rain, we have rain across northern ireland, northern england and parts of wales. for the rest of wales and the south—west, quite a bit of cloud for you with some drizzle. the south—east seeing some brighter skies. but it will be windy wherever you are and it will be mild with temperatures nine to 1a degrees. tonight we hang on to this band of rain, if anything more of it getting across northern england and more across wales. it still windy but it is going

to very mild for the time of year overnight, with temperatures falling to between eight and 12 degrees. tomorrow we still will have this band of rain, but it will not be as potent as today, still windy, but not as windy as today. there will be some sunshine and in that sunshine, somewhere in the south or the east, where the cloud breaks for long enough, we could well see highs up to 16 or 17 degrees.

hello this is bbc news with joanna gosling. the headlines... the goverment�*s cosidering the use of covid vaccine certificates borisjohnson insists he is 'optimistic�* but there are 'no guarantees' on his four—step plan to ease england's lockdown — some people will say that we're going too fast, some people will say that we are going too slow. i think the balance is right. i think it is a cautious but irreversible approach, which is what i think people want to see. airlines and holiday companies say they've seen a surge in bookings in the past 2a hours, following the prime minister's announcement on lockdown. we've been up 630% in bookings for easyjet holidays. this continues now throughout the morning. it just shows what we said all along, that there is an enormous increase of pent—up demand for people to make travel arrangements for the summer.

the number of deaths involving covid—19 registered each week in england and wales has dropped by nearly a quarter, according to new figures. facebook is to restore news feeds in australia after the government agreed to amend legislation forcing social media companies to pay for news content. and new views of the martian landscape — nasa releases videos of its perserverance rover landing on the surface of mars. unemployment in the uk has risen to its highest rate in 5 years — with young people the worst affected. however, the ons said that there were some "tentative early signs" of the labour market stabilising. in the latest three month period — figures from the ons show the uk's unemployment rose to 5.1%. the number of redundencies still remains at record levels despite a fall in the latest three month period. and in those last three months — unemployment for those aged

between 16 and 2a rose by over 14%. econimist dr hilary ingham of lancaster university explained in more detail who has been worst affected unemployment rate has now gone up to 5.1%. it is higherfor men than it is to women. but what you have just mentioned is that this is not taking proportionately and these overall figures are hiding the fact that some groups have been very badly hit. in terms of a bit of good news, if you look at payroll figures, then the numbers have gone up around 83,000 over december. if you look back to a year ago, they are down 726,000. that is almost three quarters of a million jobs. of thosejobs almost three quarters of a million jobs. of those jobs that are gone, 58.5% of come from those in the age group 18 to 24. young people are

being very badly hit. igoth? group 18 to 24. young people are being very badly hit.— being very badly hit. why do you think that being very badly hit. why do you thinkthat is? _ being very badly hit. why do you think that is? in _ being very badly hit. why do you think that is? in some _ being very badly hit. why do you think that is? in some cases, i being very badly hit. why do you i think that is? in some cases, young --eole think that is? in some cases, young people are — think that is? in some cases, young people are leaving _ think that is? in some cases, young people are leaving school— think that is? in some cases, young people are leaving school without i people are leaving school without very many qualifications and they are finding it hard to actually find are finding it hard to actually find a job. are finding it hard to actually find ajob. of are finding it hard to actually find a job. of course, they have been entering the labour market of the last 12 months where vacancies have simply not been there. this has been going on a long time. we have had a cohort of school leavers that have come into the labour market at a time when opportunities are contracting. time when opportunities are contracting-— time when opportunities are contracting. going back to the statistic that _ contracting. going back to the statistic that you _ contracting. going back to the statistic that you quoted i contracting. going back to the statistic that you quoted of i contracting. going back to the i statistic that you quoted of 83,000 more people in payroll employment in january compared with december. the 0ns january compared with december. the ons says that is a tentative early sign of the labour market stabilising. do you think that that does potentially indicate that we have seen the worst. ? t

does potentially indicate that we have seen the worst. ?_ does potentially indicate that we have seen the worst. ? i think we miaht be have seen the worst. ? i think we might be turning _ have seen the worst. ? i think we might be turning a _ have seen the worst. ? i think we might be turning a corner- have seen the worst. ? i think we | might be turning a corner slightly. we do have now, obviously, as you have been discussing in your programme, a road map about how we can relax restrictions on businesses trading. i think there is a reduction in the number of people that are furloughed. but if you look to the arts and entertainment sector, 59% of businesses have still got people furlough. over 50% with accommodations and food. i think some businesses were hoping that the relaxations might have come a bit quicker. i know some people with self catering accommodation are up science that they are going to lose bookings for easter that they have already got. i think although pubs can serve at stores in april that some are very worried with the uk weather, can they afford to buy and food that could go to waste? but we can see that things will start to

open. there will be hospitality venues are eventually starting to open. nonessential retail and hairdressers. also with gems and other leisure facilities. of course, as you were reporting in your last item, there was a tremendous surge in the demand for foreign holidays. easyjet, etc, are doing very well. many of the package holiday operators will do may be even better because there is less risk with buying a package than an individual component separately. the united states has become the first country in the world to record more than half a million coronavirus deaths. president biden has described the milestone as "heartbreaking" and held a candle—lit ceremony at the white house to honour those lost to covid—19. david willis has more. bell tolls in the nation's capital, washington, dc, the cathedral bell has rung

with growing frequency of late, marking each new coronavirus milestone. and, in an address to the nation, a president whose own life has been marked with the loss of loved ones, spoke directly to the relatives and friends of the half a million americans who have lost their lives to covid—19. for the loved ones left behind, i know all too well. i know what it's like to not be there when it happens. i know what it's like when you are there, holding their hand. there is a look in your eye, and they slip away. an erratic response to the pandemic under president biden's predecessor donald trump has been replaced by a ramped up vaccination programme, a significant fall in the average daily death toll, and talk of getting the country fully vaccinated by the end ofjuly. this country has lost more lives to the coronavirus than any other nation on earth, more than in the first, second and vietnam wars combined

and, at the white house, where candles were [it in memory of the dead the president and vice president emerged to observe a moment of silence. flags will remain at half staff here and in public buildings across the country until the end of the week. the chair asks all members in the chamber as well as members and staff throughout the capitol to rise for a moment of silence... the house of representatives also paid tribute to those who have died, democrats and republicans united in solemn reflection. later this week the house is expected to vote on one of president biden's biggest legislative priorities, a nearly $2 trillion coronavirus relief bill. david willis, bbc news, los angeles. more than a thousand burmese nationals in malaysia, have been deported back to myanmar

at the request of the militaryjunta. malaysia's immigration department said it had carried out the repatriation, despite a court ordering a stay of deportation, and that the group did not include asylum seekers or ethnic rohingya refugees. but human rights groups have criticised the move, saying the un high commission for refugees has not been able to access the group for over a year, to verifiy their status. it's a row which could yet have global implications over the way we use the internet — but now it seems the disagreement between facebook and the australian government may have come to an end. the social media giant says it will restore news feeds to its site in the country — but it seems it may have got something in return. facebook brought its block in last thursday — in response to australian government plans to make tech companies pay news publishers for content posted or shared on their platforms. it seems there was a bit of give and take on both sides — with some amendments being made to the news laws. here's the australian goverment treasurerjosh frydenberg. facebook has re—friended australia.

and australian news will be restored to the facebook platform. and facebook has committed to entering into good—faith negotiations with australian news media businesses in seeking to reach agreements to pay for content. this follows a series of intensive negotiations with facebook since their actions last thursday, it involved the minister, the prime minister, the head of the accc treasury and myself. we have agreed to make some clarifications to the code. so, an agreement of sorts. the bbc�*s shaima khalil is in sydney. facebook has ultimately agreed to restore its news feed on its platform here in australia in the next few days. we don't know exactly when. essentially, what they have agreed on, i think, are two main things. one, it's something that has been bothering facebook specifically

in that news—media bargaining, called the law that is in front of the senate as we speak, which will potentially force tech giants like facebook and google to pay for news content, which is the final offer of arbitration. essentially, this is when the government gets involved between the news outlets and facebook to set a price. they didn't like that at all when it was proposed and now it has been agreed that that is going to be a very last resort. it's there, but it's going to be a last resort. so essentially, any digital platform will be given one month's notice to say that they have to enter into negotiation. there will be three months negotiation and two additional months of mediation before the government steps in. i think that was key to facebook, that they wanted to do this on their own terms with the news outlets, not the government. the second thing that the treasury did not mention is part of a statement by facebook.

they say, going forward the government has clarified that we will retain the ability to decide if news appears on facebook so we won't automatically be forced into negotiation, which means that they have the choice to support news outlets which they choose. it is unclear how that is going to work. it is unclear whether, for example, facebook will say, we are going to support abc melbourne and not abc sydney, for example, the national broadcaster. all of this is still really unclear but i think all of that is part of the teething problems, if you will, that will come in practice, once this is actually put in practice. the headlines on bbc news... borisjohnson insists he is 'optimistic�* but there are 'no guarantees' on his four—step plan to ease england's lockdown, amid criticism from some businesses and politicians about the pace of the roadmap. airlines and holiday companies say they've seen a surge in bookings in the past 24 hours, following the prime minister's lockdown announcement.

the number of deaths involving covid—19 registered each week in england and wales has dropped by nearly a quarter, according to new figures. nasa has released stunning new pictures captured by the perseverance rover after its dramatic touchdown on mars.the footage shows the final minutes of last week's tense descent to the red planet, as our global science correspondent rebecca morelle reports. the parachute has deployed... from the release of a supersonic parachute, to the shedding of a heat shield... first look at the surface. an out of this world view — mars, as never seen before. as the rover nears the surface, the dust is kicked up. then a change of camera, as perseverance is lowered on ropes, before touchdown. touchdown confirmed! perseverance safely on the surface of mars! and the landing system is jettisoned away. we can't test it on the earth.

so this is the first time we've had a chance, as engineers, to actually see what we designed. and ijust can't, it's hard for me to express how emotional it was and how exciting it was. there are new still images, too. a selfie of the rover. and a vista of the alien world it now sits in. providing a glimpse of the terrain it is about to explore. we now have radar lock on the ground. this footage is already providing crucial information to scientists, and they will continue to study it as perseverance gets to work. it's just a taste of what's to come. rebecca morelle, bbc news. today we're hearing from entrepreneur and star of dragons den, deborah meaden, who has herself got 19 businesses.

for the week where prime minister borisjohnson announced the country's roadmap out of lockdown we are hosting a series of leaving lockdown interviews. we'll be speaking to a number of high profile names across a variety of sectors, industries and aspects of society to get their thoughts on what we've learnt over the past year and what their hopes are for the future. deborah explained to me a little earlier what she thinks about the government's roadmap out of lockdown i'v e i've been pretty critical about what the government has handled coronavirus issues. they do have a pretty difficultjob. if we open up too soon, we could end up with another lockdown, and i think we have to absolutely avoid that. i'm saying to my businesses, let's just hang on in there and open up at the right time. i think the map is right. i think that obviously needs to be, and there will be flexibility in it. if they can open up sooner, they will open up sooner. no one willjust stick to they will open up sooner. no one will just stick to it. they will open up sooner. no one willjust stick to it. but they will open up sooner. no one will just stick to it. but we also have to accept that if they need to delay it, then we will have to delay

it. 50 delay it, then we will have to delay it. ., .,, delay it, then we will have to delay it. so what has the last year been like for those _ it. so what has the last year been like for those 19 _ it. so what has the last year been like for those 19 businesses? i it. so what has the last year been like for those 19 businesses? we | it. so what has the last year been i like for those 19 businesses? we all went into complete _ like for those 19 businesses? we all went into complete panic— like for those 19 businesses? we all went into complete panic mode - like for those 19 businesses? we all went into complete panic mode to l went into complete panic mode to start off with. we all thought, this is it. what we do? but it has been fascinating to watch. i'm working with entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs by nature see a problem, wants to get over it. every single one of the businesses that i am working with have found something better about themselves. they've looked at something and thought, we've got the space to think about this and we can consider the way we are doing things. we will change forever. all of those businesses. they are looking beyond today. they went from panic, they then went to, had revealed today, and now they're looking beyond. they decided they would be different and better coming out the other side. it is would be different and better coming out the other side.— out the other side. it is always said that necessity _ out the other side. it is always said that necessity is - out the other side. it is always said that necessity is the - out the other side. it is always i said that necessity is the mother out the other side. it is always - said that necessity is the mother of invention. do you think that entrepreneurship actually gets stimulated at times like this? you

too much times and there in specific situations, obviously, with businesses up and running, but you think it will be stimulating for those who are working on a different environment or those who may be not even where working, to think about how they can do something going forward, make the most of our new circumstances? i forward, make the most of our new circumstances?— forward, make the most of our new circumstances? i hope so and i think so. the circumstances? i hope so and i think s0- the truth — circumstances? i hope so and i think so. the truth of— circumstances? i hope so and i think so. the truth of the _ circumstances? i hope so and i think so. the truth of the matter - circumstances? i hope so and i think so. the truth of the matter and - circumstances? i hope so and i think so. the truth of the matter and the l so. the truth of the matter and the sadness of this is thatjobs are being lost. there is a lot of restructuring and people are going to lose jobs. restructuring and people are going to losejobs. partly restructuring and people are going to lose jobs. partly because programmes like dragons den, people understand that business is in this weird thing over there that they know nothing about, but actually, every day people can create brilliant businesses. it is a real option for people to go into business. also because of the online piece, going into business could be setting yourself up an online site and selling stuff, selling something you love, or something you can make. i am quite looking beyond all this.

i am quite looking beyond all this. i am quite helpful. like micro businesses that can adapt and be creative, they can come through, and as you said, perhaps even strength and in some cases. we have seen examples of really big online businesses absolutely expanding enormously in this time. there will be businesses who are left behind as well. how much is the landscape going to change going forward? i think it will change quite a lot. there — think it will change quite a lot. there are _ think it will change quite a lot. there are two things. technical reasons — there are two things. technical reasons. i've got some events businesses. theyjust can't operate. they've _ businesses. theyjust can't operate. they've tried online but people are so used _ they've tried online but people are so used to — they've tried online but people are so used to not paying for online products. — so used to not paying for online products, it's really difficult for people — products, it's really difficult for people to put value into that. there are people — people to put value into that. there are people with real technical issues — are people with real technical issues which i think the government needs— issues which i think the government needs to _ issues which i think the government needs to tackle otherwise industries will disappear. there are also summon _ will disappear. there are also summon attitude issues. when i hear the words. _ summon attitude issues. when i hear the words. i— summon attitude issues. when i hear the words, i can't wait to get back to normal, — the words, i can't wait to get back to normal, i—

the words, i can't wait to get back to normal, i keep saying, no, let's forward _ to normal, i keep saying, no, let's forward to— to normal, i keep saying, no, let's forward to whatever is on the other side _ forward to whatever is on the other side if_ forward to whatever is on the other side if you — forward to whatever is on the other side. if you can't imagine yourself in a new_ side. if you can't imagine yourself in a new and — side. if you can't imagine yourself in a new and changed landscape, then there is— in a new and changed landscape, then there is an _ in a new and changed landscape, then there is an issue. so there is attitudes. _ there is an issue. so there is attitudes, but there are some industries that have got real technical issues. theyjust can't operate — technical issues. theyjust can't operate. so technical issues. they 'ust can't oerate. ., ., ., operate. so what would you forecast about how attitudes _ operate. so what would you forecast about how attitudes have _ operate. so what would you forecast about how attitudes have changed? | about how attitudes have changed? will woolly snap back into our old ways once this is over. looking back when there was travel last year —— when there was travel last year —— when there was no travel last year, there is reduced pollution, the skies were clear, there was talk about ecologically going forward, people and travel so much. roll on one year, everyone is desperate to get away this summer and bookings are going up with the prospect of summer travel. are going up with the prospect of summertravel. i are going up with the prospect of summer travel. i know for you personally, you looked at your footprint in terms of what you buy. this predates the lockdown, i think.

the whole fast fashion thing, so many items going to landfill. to those things stick? or do we just go back? it those things stick? or do we 'ust go back? , , ., ., , back? it is been rare... not in my lifetime has _ back? it is been rare... not in my lifetime has it _ back? it is been rare... not in my lifetime has it ever _ back? it is been rare... not in my lifetime has it ever happened, - back? it is been rare... not in my i lifetime has it ever happened, where the world has kind of stopped. we have stopped, humans have stopped in it. our activity has had to slow right down or stop. but then we've got time to think about the world and what is happening outside on the impact we are having on it. i am ever the optimist and i have never seen so much conversation about environmental impact. all of my businesses, every single one of my businesses, every single one of my businesses, right up there on the agenda. the first question we ask about new products is what impact they have? how can we mitigate our impactsls definitely, properly entered our psyche. the environment, social care, worrying about other people, jobs. i think that has

happened. it is true that once you get back into a busy life, it is very easy to slot back into the way it was. but we have had quite a gap between us and the way it was. i would like to think that it has got into us. i would like to think they will be long—term sustainable changes. i definitely see that in my businesses. there is another thing going on here as well. there is a generational thing. going on here as well. there is a generationalthing. my younger generational thing. my younger businesses, generationalthing. my younger businesses, businesses run by younger people, absolutely, they have got the environment, social impact, they've got all of that right at the centre of the stuff they do. ifind right at the centre of the stuff they do. i find that really heart—warming. but i am an eternal optimist. that's what entrepreneurs are. we are optimistic. i think we can sort everything.— can sort everything. that's good. for ou, can sort everything. that's good. for you, personally, _ can sort everything. that's good. for you, personally, what - can sort everything. that's good. for you, personally, what have i can sort everything. that's good. . for you, personally, what have been highs and lows of this year? later?

highs and lows of this year? very similar to that. _ highs and lows of this year? very similar to that. i _ highs and lows of this year? very similar to that. i can't _ highs and lows of this year? - similar to that. i can't remember a time when my life was not sort of running so fast. i have spent more time at home, i'm lucky, i've got space, i've got animals, i've got a husband. not in that order, obviously. i've been really fortunate. i've also been fortunate because i've been able to have contact, a lot of contact with the outside world through my businesses. but it has made me think again. i have actually looked at my flat in london. i can't see that i will be spending the time in london so much. i be spending a lot more time working from home because i can. look at us, we do an interview! i'm sitting at home in somerset and we are doing an interview. i think my life will have changed long term. what you most looking forward to once restrictions go away on hopefully the 21st ofjune? once restrictions go away on hopefully the 21st ofjune? people. i'm uuite a hopefully the 21st ofjune? people. i'm quite a social... _ hopefully the 21st ofjune? people. i'm quite a social... social - hopefully the 21st ofjune? people. i'm quite a social... social and - i'm quite a social... social and business and actually do believe that a lot of business can be done

remotely. but there is going to be a place for face—to—face because we're humans. we like social interaction, we like being in front of each other, watching each other�*s body language, laughing, chatting. i think that's what i'm most looking forward to. just being able to with people. hello again. the mild weather continues, notjust today but really as we head towards the end of the week. though it looks like wednesday could see the peak of the highest temperatures. today, though, mild and windy. rain in the north—west, and some of that is likely to be heavy. in fact, the met office has an amber weather warning out for parts of scotland for the heavier rain, and for the risk of flooding because it is falling on already saturated ground, and also the risk of disruption as well. now, the rain will continue across scotland. we will see that getting on across north—west england. but it is currently the same for northern ireland. at times it will fringing across north—west wales, but generally for the rest of wales in the south—west, cloudy for you with some drizzle at times. brighter skies as we push down towards the south and east, and the far north—east of scotland. these black circles represent

the strength of the wind gusts, so it's going to be windy really wherever you are, but especially so with exposure out towards the west. temperatures, i mentioned it was mild — it is. 9—ili degrees, so still above average for this stage in february. through this evening and overnight were still very much have our weatherfront, with rain in similar areas. if anything, spreading more across northern england and wales, and it will still be windy as well, but look at the overnight lows. eight to about 12 degrees. they would be good maximum daytime temperatures at this time of year. what we have is this weather front during wednesday, still very much with us, still producing some rain, but it's also the demarcation line between the very mild air in the south and east and the mild air in the north. not quite as potent as today but it will be in similar areas, and on either side of that there will be some sunshine, the winds won't be as strong, and there will be variable amounts of cloud.

if that cloud breaks for long enough and the sun comes out for long enough, we could hit 16 or 17 degrees. but, even in the north, we're looking at 10—13. during thursday, risk of showers across parts of scotland. some of those coming in across northern ireland, wales and west in england. temperatures down a touch with more of a westerly component to our weather. 7—13 is what we are looking at. as we head into the weekend, we hang the drier conditions, lighter winds, mild days but by night it be chilly.

the prime minister defends his lockdown roadmap, and says he's confident the country will be able to fully reopen by june zist. to get venues full again, the government's looking at use of covid certificates to demonstrate the receipt of a vaccine or a negative coronavirus test. some people will say that we're going to be going too fast, some people say we're going too slow. i think that the balance is right. i think it's a cautious but irreversible approach, which is i think what people want to see. as the prime minister faces further criticism from some tory mps over the pace of change, we'll be live in westminster. also this lunchtime: scotland's first minister is about to announce her plans for easing lockdown. "get us out of here" — travel firms say there has been a surge in people booking

overseas holidays since the roadmap was published.