this is bbc news. our top stories... us regulators become the first in the world to approve the single dosejohnson &johnson covid vaccine for everyone aged 18 and over. a £5 billion boost for pubs, shops and restaurants in england worst—hit by the pandemic. police in hong kong say they have charged a group of 47 activists with conspiracy to commit subversion under a new security law. myanmar security forces use tear—gas and rubber bullets to disperse crowds — in the biggest crackdown yet on protests against the military coup.

and the stars come out for the virtual golden globes — mank, nomadland and promising young woman are among the most nominated films. hello and welcome to bbc news. us regulators have authorised the use of the johnson and johnson covid vaccine. it's the first time this vaccine — which only needs one dose to be effective — has been approved for use anywhere. the us food and drug agency will allow the drug to be shipped out to vaccine centres immediately. because this drug only needs one dose it's likely to be more cost effective and easier to administer. it can be stored in a refrigerator rather than a freezer. the world health organisation's

covax scheme has ordered 500 million doses, while the uk has bought 30 million. 0ur north american correspondent david willis told us more about the advantages of the new vaccine. it doesn't have to be kept in a freezer unlike the pfizer and moderna vaccine is. that makes it transportation and storage easier. it is a one—shot deal. that means it's a lot easier for mobile vaccination centres, for homeless shelters and people who can't guarantee they will be able to come back for a second shot in three to four weeks�* time. back for a second shot in three to four weeks' time.— back for a second shot in three to four weeks' time. sailors, people at sea, that four weeks' time. sailors, people at sea. that sort _ four weeks' time. sailors, people at sea, that sort of— four weeks' time. sailors, people at sea, that sort of thing. _ four weeks' time. sailors, people at sea, that sort of thing. as _ four weeks' time. sailors, people at sea, that sort of thing. as you - sea, that sort of thing. as you mentioned. — sea, that sort of thing. as you mentioned, these _ sea, that sort of thing. as you mentioned, these first - sea, that sort of thing. as you mentioned, these first dosesl sea, that sort of thing. as you - mentioned, these first doses should be available at the start of next week and altogether the us government has ordered 100 million doses of this new vaccine. they are

hoping it will make a significant contribution combined with the 600 million doses of the pfizer and madonna vaccines are expected to be available here by the summer. —— moderna vaccine. dr peter chin—hong is a professor of medicine at the university of california san francisco. he explained the current state of the vaccination programme in america. the vaccination in the us has been targeted at the most vulnerable patients, those above 65 and those in nursing homes. i would say that our deaths have already declined or are stable, mainly because of the targeting of this vulnerable group. of course, health care workers have of course, health care workers have been vaccinated pretty much universally say they are able to stay healthy to take care of our community. the first shipment is about 4 million doses. that will increase to about 20 million by the end of the month and will reach 100

million additional doses byjuly, to add to the pfizer and moderna that have increased in production, we hope most of the us will actually be vaccinated by the summer. a senior german immunologist has urged his country to change course, and allow people over the age of 65 to receive the oxford astrazeneca coronavirus vaccine. in an interview with the bbc, the head of the german society for immunology, carsten watzl, said misinformation had led to a poor uptake, across all ages, of the astrazeneca jab, despite the country having large quantities of it. the british government is planning a £5 billion grant scheme, to help pubs, restaurants, shops, and other businesses in england to re—open safely when lockdown is eased. the details will be announced in the budget on wednesday. business groups have broadly welcomed the move but say more support will be needed. our business correspondent,

katie prescott, reports. the first signs of spring and with them hope of new beginnings for businesses as lockdown eases but it has not been an easy ride. despite government support, salons like this one still have rents and overheads. we can't do takeaway haircuts, we can't go into people's homes. there is no way a hair salon or beauty salon can pivot or make any income during these lockdowns so when we are shut, we are losing money every day. to help reopen their doors, the government is offering new one—off grants to businesses that have been forced to close by covid, replacing the current monthly grant scheme. nonessential retailers will receive up to £6,000 for each shop they own. hospitality, gyms and beauty businesses will get up to £18,000 per premises as they're due to open

with more restrictions or later in the year. 0verall, 700,000 businesses will be eligible and they will be distributed by local authorities in england from april. some businesses say it is not enough. although the £18,000 is fantastic, it is certainly something and it will help a lot of people, it is not going to help me very much. the larger salons, many of us are losing over £1,000 a day. that will not cover half of a month we are closing down. these little crumbs of acknowledgement and grants that come out really probably less than cover the cost of shutting for one month. that might be some help for some businesses but the truth is the damage done to balance sheets is very severe and will need a much more substantial package than this.

in that package, businesses are hoping for an extension to the business rates holiday, the furlough scheme and the lower rate of vat. but the chancellor is treading a difficult path. between spending to support companies like this and borrowing to pay for it means for the future of the country's finances. katie prescott, bbc news. and katie is here with me now. the chancellor has got quite a lot of problems, huge black hole of 43 billion and get a promise in the tory manifesto not to raise taxes. if you look at the number of zeros floating around it is staggering. the country's debt is the same as our economic output. the chancellor will borrow 350 billion this year, that compares to 50 billion last year. but he hasn't had much of a choice. in order to keep the economy going and support businesses, he's had to spend. what we will see in this budget is that he will continue

to do so. if you look at key pillars of support for businesses, for example the furlough scheme, it has been tremendously expensive but it has stopped spiking unemployment. i don't think in the immediate term, certainly, we are going to see anyone turning the taps of that spending. anyone turning the taps of that sendina. ~ .,, ., anyone turning the taps of that sendina. ~ .,, . ., ., anyone turning the taps of that shendin, . ., ., ., ., ~' anyone turning the taps of that s-uendin. . ., ., ., ., ~ ., spending. was a lot of talk about stealth taxes _ spending. was a lot of talk about stealth taxes he _ spending. was a lot of talk about stealth taxes he could _ spending. was a lot of talk about stealth taxes he could do - spending. was a lot of talk about stealth taxes he could do on - spending. was a lot of talk about stealth taxes he could do on the | stealth taxes he could do on the quiet, possibly increasing corporation tax. i quiet, possibly increasing corporation tax.— quiet, possibly increasing corporation tax. quiet, possibly increasing cororation tax. ~ ., , corporation tax. i think that is the wa he corporation tax. i think that is the way he will _ corporation tax. i think that is the way he will go. — corporation tax. i think that is the way he will go, because _ corporation tax. i think that is the way he will go, because the - way he will go, because the conservative government has pledged not to raise income tax, vat and national insurance, so he will be looking to businesses in the wayjoe biden is in the states. we have a very low rate of corporation tax in the uk and i think that is one thing he will look at. although businesses are saying, you want to tax our profits, what profits have we had in the pandemic? find profits, what profits have we had in the pandemic?— the pandemic? and of course the andemic the pandemic? and of course the pandemic has _ the pandemic? and of course the pandemic has gone _ the pandemic? and of course the pandemic has gone on _ the pandemic? and of course the pandemic has gone on longer- the pandemic? and of course the l pandemic has gone on longer than anyone expected so it's been harder and harderfor him to try and give

support to businesses like the ones you were talking about in your report and to try not to balance the books but to stop the pics from going into tailspin. the books but to stop the pics from going into tailspin.— books but to stop the pics from going into tailspin. the idea is not to ull out going into tailspin. the idea is not to pull out the _ going into tailspin. the idea is not to pull out the support _ going into tailspin. the idea is not to pull out the support too - going into tailspin. the idea is not to pull out the support too quickly because we want to grow our way out of this economic disaster as well. that's one reason why you want to support businesses. it is also looking at the future bill this leaves the country with and how we deal with that. borrowing has been very cheap up until now and most economists agree that the best way to support the economy is to borrow when rates are low. what we started to see is those creeping up and that is what the chancellor has been warning about, if that keeps creeping up it could leave us in a difficult situation in the future. thank you. police in hong kong have charged 47 pro—democracy activists

and opposition figures with conspiracy to commit subversion. it's the biggest single use so far of the controversial security law introduced by beijing last year. the law was widely condemned for giving china wide ranging powers to control protest and free speech. the charges are in relation to attempts lastjuly to organise unofficial primary votes to select opposition candidates ahead of legislative elections. the authorities said the accused had aimed to "paralyse the government". let's speak to danny vincent, who's in hong kong. the very controversial, much criticised security law is really being used now.— criticised security law is really bein: used now. . �*, ,, . being used now. that's right. since this law was _ being used now. that's right. since this law was introduced _ being used now. that's right. since this law was introduced in - being used now. that's right. since this law was introduced in june, - being used now. that's right. since this law was introduced in june, it i this law was introduced injune, it was imposed on hong kong by beijing, many fear the wide—ranging nature of the law means it could be used as a type of political weapon against the political opposition in the city. in

january, 53 activists were arrested in what the police described as a 1000 man operation to arrest these people under suspicion of breaking the national security law. earlier this week, a number of those activists arrested were told they needed to report to the police station and they suspected they may be charged for violating the national security law and that is what has happened. they have been detained at least until tomorrow when they will stand in front of a court in hong kong. many activists feel this is another example of the wide—ranging nature of the national security law and the authorities efforts to single out the entire pro—democracy movement and try to crack down on it. pro-democracy movement and try to crack down on it.— crack down on it. what do pro-democracy _

crack down on it. what do - pro-democracy demonstrators crack down on it. what do _ pro-democracy demonstrators make of pro—democracy demonstrators make of it? are some thinking there's no point in continuing, let's just get out if we can't, let's just leave hong kong? out if we can't, let's 'ust leave nong «mph out if we can't, let's 'ust leave hong kong? since the national security law — hong kong? since the national security law was _ hong kong? since the national security law was introduced - hong kong? since the national security law was introduced we | hong kong? since the national- security law was introduced we know that around 2% of the population have already left the city. the city has transformed quite dramatically. there were a number of street protests almost back to back throughout 2019 since the law was introduced. we've seen an almost complete silencing of that street demonstration movement. the significance of what happened today means that not only the unofficial political pro—democracy camp have been targeted, those are the people protesting in 2019, the official pro—democracy camp have been targeted, in fact the entire opposition lawmakers have essentially resigned. even the potential, the future of the pro—democracy camp, that is what is

represented today by the 47 people that have been charged. they attempted to take part in a primary election because they have plans to stand in the election and it seems that even those, the potential future of the pro—democracy camp have been charged and they face potential imprisonment too. thank ou. twice—weekly rapid coronavirus tests are to be made available to families in england when children return to school. adults working with children — such as bus drivers and after—school club leaders — will also be offered them. it's hoped the programme will reduce the chances of cases increasing when pupils return to classrooms on the 8th of march. 0ur health correspondent, naomi grimley, reports. if you live with a school—age child in england, get ready to start using these — the 30—minute tests also called lateral flow tests are already used in universities and by key workers.

and secondary schools will be supplied with them as they open their doors again. but this latest announcement means all children and anyone who lives with them, as well as people like bus drivers and carers, will be offered two tests per person each week. health officials hope it will uncover hidden cases of the virus and break the chains of transmission. testing has expanded greatly over the last few months and it is one important component of our battle against coronavirus. if anyone tests positive, they will need a laboratory—checked test to double—check the result. naomi grimley, bbc news. nearly two million people aged 60 to 63 in england are being invited to book a coronavirus vaccine. nhs england says people in that age bracket will start receiving letters explaining how to book a jab. nearly 20 million people in the uk have now received their first dose, with the government aiming to offer a first dose to all adults

by the end ofjuly. there have been clashes in the irish capital between police police in myanmar have moved swiftly to suppress new protests on city streets, firing live rounds and rubber bullets at demonstrators. there are reports that at least three people have been killed. in the largest city, yangon, police have taken up positions at main protest sites. they're trying to contain demonstrators within small areas. the bbc�*s nick marsh is following developments from singapore. what are the tactics of the security forces as they tried to crush these protests? forces as they tried to crush these rotests? ., , forces as they tried to crush these rotests? , w . , ., forces as they tried to crush these rotests? ., ., , protests? those tactics are becoming increasinul protests? those tactics are becoming increasingly harsh. _ protests? those tactics are becoming increasingly harsh. it _ protests? those tactics are becoming increasingly harsh. it is _ protests? those tactics are becoming increasingly harsh. it is becoming - increasingly harsh. it is becoming quite clear that this will be the most violent day since these protests began. they began three weeks ago after that february the 1st cave. it is quite hard to keep track of how many protesters have been shot by security forces —— february the 1st coup. local news is

reporting that at least three people have died. we cannot substantiate that in any concrete way at the moment but what is definitely clear is that security forces are stepping up is that security forces are stepping up their response in a harsh way. not that that is deterring protesters, however. hundreds of thousands coming out onto the streets across several cities in myanmar, demonstrators from the countrysidejoining city myanmar, demonstrators from the countryside joining city protests and they continue to demand the end to this coup. if they want democracy restored. aung san suu kyi to be released from detention. judging by what we've seen today, it doesn't seem like the military command is in any mood to start listening. the military don't — any mood to start listening. the military don't seem to care at all about international worldwide condemnation. h0. about international worldwide condemnation.— about international worldwide condemnation. ., ., . condemnation. no, not really. we sou~ht condemnation. no, not really. we sought myanmar's _ condemnation. no, not really. we sought myanmar's former - condemnation. no, not really. we - sought myanmar's former ambassador to the un may quite an emotional

plea to the assembly on friday. he basically begged other countries to use any means necessary to do anything that was in their power to end this coup and to restore democracy. they saw that has a huge betrayal and he's been fired. what happens now is we have to see whether there could be any kind of dialogue fostered, but that prospect looks quite unlikely at the moment. thank you. the leaders of 60 black—majority churches are joining forces today, to support the uk's coronavirus vaccination programme. they'll be urging their congregations to seek out the facts about the vaccine from trusted sources. vaccination rates are significantly lower in black, asian and minority ethnic communities than among white people. here's our religion reporter, harry farley. in east london, one of the first pop—up vaccination centres in a black majority church. we've got about 145 people coming in the next two hours...

scientists, health leaders and government ministers have all raised concerns that those from ethnic minority communities are significantly less likely to get the coronavirus vaccine than white people. but black people are up to four times more likely to die from covid—19 than white people. if we look at our white population in general, the overall uptake is about 70%. we have a big ethnic minority population here, so in our pakistani community it is between 45% and 50%. but when we look at the black african community, it is closer to 36%, 38%. so the uptake has been really low. places of worship around the country have been turned into vaccine centres in an effort to counter hesitancy. now 60 influential black church leaders are telling their congregation that if they want to love their neighbour they should get the jab. this is the best and fastest route out of this terrible pandemic.

i am going to take the vaccine i myself, so is my wife, so are my children and because it is notjust about you, it is about _ protecting others. i believe also that it is part. of the answer to our prayers. i said to my congregation, _ we have been praying for god to give the scientific community wisdom, for them to get a vaccine. - there's a vaccine now _ so prayers have been answered, why don't you go ahead and take the vaccine? i he says churches can play a key role in driving uptake. it has already made a difference, i can tell you that — _ that quite a number of people that |were not going to take the vaccine j are now going to take it. quite a number who were sitting on the fence who have been - assured by this campaign. harry farley, bbc news. there have been clashes in the irish capital between police and protesters angry at coronavirus restrictions. crowds gathered in a central dublin park to protest against the third national lockdown. a total of 23 arrests were made.

donald trump will make his first big speech since leaving office, later today, at a gathering of conservative republicans in florida. the annual c—pac event is the first big gathering of republican party supporters since the presidential election. it's thought mr trump might indicate whether he's planning to run again in 2024. hollywood is preparing for the golden globe awards, which will be given out at a virtual ceremony later. it's the first major event of the awards season, and is often a good indicator for the oscars. 0ur los angeles correspondent sophie long reports. well, we're two months into the year and so far everything appears to be just as strange as it was for the vast majority of last year. the golden globes will be no exception. this was last year, all the stars crammed onto one carpet. the excitement was palpable. brad!

as sequins and smiles sparkled in the sunshine, it all seems like some kind of golden yesteryear. now, instead of queueing for passes that could grant you access to some of the hottest people on the planet, we queue for three separate covid tests so we can stand outside an event that we'd normally be inside. but, hey, that's ok, because who wants to hang out with a—list celebrities anyway? luckily, the people who run these kind of things in hollywood are totally down with the fact that the show must go on. what a year for movies! these two are back to offer some comic relief. a year for movies? it's hollywood's most glamorous night. they will be on different coasts of the continent, but what's 3,000 miles if not a safe social distance? in terms of potential winners, mank, a tale of old hollywood and all its glamour and sleaze is the most nominated movie. season four of the crown, the very british portrayal of strange royal relations, is likely to reign once again in the television categories.

preparations have been made for a socially distanced ceremony, but the golden globes will be the same celebration of creativity and talent on and behind the screens both big and small. or rather small and smaller, given that most cinemas have been closed. you were one of those lucky people... but there will be some notable differences. for the first time, more women than men have been nominated for best director. chloe zhao for nomadland, a very real human journey through the american west. emerald fennell for promising young woman, a feminist film full of vengeance and payback. and regina king for her historical fiction, one night in miami. there's no guarantee of course that any of them will win. i don't see your name in lights. chadwick boseman has been nominated posthumously for his final acting role in ma rainey�*s black bottom. i got talent. what is problem, officer? borat is back, and his creator

sacha baron cohen is a double globe nominee this year. he could also be recognised for his rather different role in the trial of the chicago 7. there may be no red carpet and far fewer champagne corks will pop, but despite the same criticism of the obscure voting body's practices, the golden globes will still be the opening ceremony of the award season, and they could still give some indication as to who is in pole position for those coveted academy awards. sophie long, bbc news, hollywood. archaeologists in italy have unveiled a roman chariot they discovered near the buried city of pompeii. they've called the find "exceptional" because it's so well preserved. mark lobel takes a look. pompeii by bastille plays. dusting off history — archaeologists say this is a first ceremonial chariot find of its kind, a short horse ride from the ancient

roman city of pompeii. discovered on the porch of a large suburban villa, civita giuliana, preserved in a thick layer of ash after a volcanic eruption almost 2,000 years ago, incredibly, almost entirely intact! note the high iron wheels, metal arms and backrest to seat one 01’ two passengers. look even closer, and on the sides, engraved in bronze sheets and painted wooden panels featuring cupid. speaking of which, on the rear, bronze and tin medallions depicting sensual scenes — all pointing towards the real purpose of this stunning, uniquely italian discovery, which archaeologists deduce would priestesses and ladies. ——which archaeologists deduce would taxi priestesses and ladies.

this one imagined to lead a bride to her new household. translation: pompeii continues to amaze us with its discoveries. l it will be like this for many years to come, with another 20 hectares to excavate. moreover, it shows one can enhance the site and attract tourists from all over the world. and at the same time, that one can do research. this excavation site, where the yellow dot is, here, just north of the much—visited city of pompeii, could have been part of a crime scene. look how close looters dug one of their illegal tunnels — marked in yellow here — to the chariot. excavators worked nonstop since it was first discovered in earlyjanuary to ensure no—one else got their hands on this exceptional find. now they can present to the world this chariot — a survivor of molten rock and attempted robbery, soon on show for over 2 million visitors a year —

in normal times — who come to see for themselves the saved sacred secrets of this ancient city. mark lobel, bbc news. you may have seen lots of birds on your lockdown walks but have you spotted a macaw? heads have been turning in the derbyshire peak district after a multi—coloured motley was spotted flying over the hills. its owner chloe brown has trained him to fly freely in the wild and then return to her, turning motley into a local sensation. ian white reports. this is motley, a 2.5—year—old hybrid macaw who is fast becoming an internet sensation. he's a blue and gold crossed with a green—wing macaw. so he has the very gentle giant

nature from the green—wing but he's also got the very clownish personality from the blue and gold. motley started to get famous when his owner, chloe, decided to take him free flying, training him to fly in the wild over the peak district and then return to her. birds aren't meant to be kept in cages. in the wild, they would fly on average 15—17 miles a day so we have to give them exercise. they've got very complex respiratory systems and they need the exercise to keep fit and healthy. also mental stimulation as well. it might look fun but free flying can be dangerous. you've got risks that are involved. there will be birds of prey, the wind, just different obstacles, roads. so do macaws make good pets? i've had a lot of people when we've been out and about saying, i want one i want one — it is an 80—90—year commitment. he will be going into my will.

i would never say to anyone, just go out and get a macaw. flying free, this bird has become a celebrity. everybody takes photos of him, videos. we found him in somebody�*s music video yesterday. so he gets absolutely everywhere. so if you're in the peak district, keep an eye out, you mightjust spot motley on the wing. ian white, bbc news. the italian city of venice has been experiencing an exceptionally low tide — which has left its famous canals almost dry. gondolas and other boats were left beached as the water levels fell almost half a metre below usual. that's still a long way short of the lowest on record — 121 centimetres, back in 1934. local experts say the canals will return to normal once the tides change. now it's time for a look at the weather with ben. it's turning into a fine and sunny sunday in many places but there is a bit of mist and fog lingering for a

few spots, especially for eastern and southern coasts of england. more generally cloudy conditions of pus parts of western scotland. the winds will be light foremost but breezy for southern counties of england. temperature is doing nicely in the sunshine with highs between ten and 13. staying cooler than that if it remains cloudy. as we head through tonight we will see a big lump of low cloud, mist and fog rolling in across a big part of england and wales as well. where we have the clearest of the skies, northern england and southern scotland, temperatures will get down to freezing or maybe a touch below. plenty of dry weather to come in the week ahead, some spells of sunshine and areas of cloud as well. turning to let late in the week. —— turning cooler later in the week.

this is bbc world news, i'm ben brown, the headlines: us regulators approve the use of the johnson and johnson covid vaccine for everyone aged 18 and over.