you're watching bbc news with me tim willcox. the headlines at 8pm... new data shows how the uk's vaccination programme is dramatically cutting hospital admissions for people with covid. the problem isn't fixed yet, but we definitely have identified a way of fixing the problem, and the early data shows how to do that. the hunt for the person carrying the new brazilian variant of covid continues. the prime minister defends the government's policy on protecting borders. in the next 15 minutes, we'll speak to leading scientists about both vaccine efficacy and the brazilian variant. tonight's other headline stories: the duke of edinburgh is transferred to a leading london cardiac hospital for tests for a heart condition. the former french president

nicolas sarkozy is sentenced to three years in jail after being found guilty of corruption. lessons in yemen — the blind nine—year—old taking classes near the front line as an entire generation faces losing an education. and before nine o'clock — there may not be gold in them hills — but there might be fragments of meteorite somewhere in gloucestershire. good evening, there's fresh evidence that the vaccination programme is having a dramatic effect on the numbers of people being admitted to hospital or dying. in the government's daily briefing,

the health secretary matt hancock hailed as "seriously encouraging". data that shows that a single dose of the pfizer or astrazeneca vaccine works against severe infection with a more than 80% reduction in hospitalisations of older patients. the news comes as almost 20.3 million people in the uk have had their first dose of a vaccine. and public health england data showed the effect kicked in around 35 days after vaccination. our medical editor fergus walsh has more. a few seconds and it's done. more than 20 million of us have rolled up our sleeves, and confidence in covid vaccines is soaring here, with good reason. data are released in the past hour shows that a single dose of the pfizer or oxford astrazeneca vaccine is more than 80% effective at preventing hospitalisation among the over—80s, 3—4 weeks after the jab.

there's a lot to look forward to. it's very tempting to just go, @right, we've seen the results, "that means the problem's fixed." the problem isn't fixed yet, but we definitely have identified a way of fixing the problem, and the early data show us how to do that. hospital admissions are falling fastest among the over 65s, among the first to get immunised, down by 48% since the start of the year. compare that to a 35% drop among the under 65s, most of whom have yet to have a jab. and deaths among the over 65s are down by 57% in the same period, compared to a 47% decline in younger ages, clear evidence that vaccines offer strong protection. but could that be undermined by the emergence of new variants? a nationwide search is under way

to try to track down a person infected with a mutated variant from brazil. viruses mutate all the time, but only a handful of new coronavirus variants are of potential concern. they involve changes to the spike protein on the surface. the brazilian p1 variant has several changes, including a mutation that is also found in the south african variant. it appears to make the virus less visible to antibodies, a key part of the immune system, which could make vaccines less effective, but scientists are confident they would still protect against severe disease. we've only had a handful of cases of the brazil variant in this country, and we don't anticipate that this is going to seriously affect how well the vaccine works, but we do need to keep a close eye on it and try and stop it getting a hold in the uk, in case it makes those

vaccines less efficacious. the kent variant appears so dominant in the uk that at present there may be a little competitive advantage for other mutated versions. this is the first pandemic where viral evolution can be tracked in real time. nearly half of all coronaviruses sequenced worldwide have been done here in the uk. a quarter of all positive swabs are now sequenced, and the more cases are brought down, the easier it will be to keep on top of new variants as they emerge. fergus walsh, bbc news. with me now is professor simon kroll from imperial college london — he is also a member of thejoint committee on vaccination and immunisation — that's the body which advises the uk government on vaccination schedules and safety. he is speaking this evening in a personal capacity. thank in a personal capacity. you forjoining us. to the layman thank you forjoining us. to the layman like me, the vaccine roll—out

seems truly remarkable. is this data better than perhaps people like you would even expect at this stage? it's absolutely marvellous data. it's absolutely marvellous data. it's absolutely marvellous data. it's a justification for him if i can put it like that, for the approach that was taken at the beginning of the vaccination period when we decided in the face of so many cases and such rapid increases in cases that we should go for a single dose. because this is single—dose data, and before the study came out, what we had was the results of the phase three studies, the carefully controlled studies which the intention was to give two doses. so there was relatively little data that could be taken from that relating to people for one reason or another had only had one dose for a while before they got

their second dose. and that gave us their second dose. and that gave us the reason to hope or to expect that one dose would provide good short—term protection. at this study now, which reports on more than 7 million individuals over the age of 70 who have had a dose of vaccine, but that was correct, and just how effective the vaccine has been. so it's a really excellent results. does that mean that you might be advising the government for people to not go for a second dose? thank ou for to not go for a second dose? thank you for saying _ to not go for a second dose? thank you for saying that _ to not go for a second dose? thank you for saying that because - to not go for a second dose? thank you for saying that because the - you for saying that because the answer is absolutely no. the second doseis answer is absolutely no. the second dose is going to be really important. the first dose is giving us short—term protection and very effective short—term protection, but we don't know how long that's going to last. there is every reason to suppose that with a second dose, you are going to get a stronger and more durable immunity. so the second dose is really important,, and we heard earlier today when the secretary of

state was addressing us from downing street with jonathan van tam, stressing home port that second dose was going to be. stressing home port that second dose was going to be-_ stressing home port that second dose was going to loo-— stressing home port that second dose was going to be. when the government initially instigated _ was going to be. when the government initially instigated lockdowns, - was going to be. when the government initially instigated lockdowns, they - initially instigated lockdowns, they said that the aim was to protect the nhs, make sure the nhs wasn't overwhelmed. now, looking at the data of the people who have had these vaccinations, the death rate has gone down from hospitalisations have gone down, does that mean to say that people aren't still suffering quite badly from the virus, or have they had some quite painful times with its? doesn't preclude that's?— painful times with its? doesn't preclude that's? that is difficult to answer- _ preclude that's? that is difficult to answer. we _ preclude that's? that is difficult to answer. we set _ preclude that's? that is difficult to answer. we set out - preclude that's? that is difficult to answer. we set out at - preclude that's? that is difficult to answer. we set out at the i to answer. we set out at the beginning, like you said, with the goal of preventing serious disease and fatal disease. and we are interpreting serious teas two disease to mean that it's bad enough to have you admitted to hospital. and what we have learned about this

infection over the past year is that infection over the past year is that infection doesn'tjust give rise to an acute and very unpleasant illness and sometimes with terrible consequences, but that there is also this other condition called long covid which we don't fully understand and which we can say at this time whether the vaccine is going to make a difference. so, no, we can't say that the vaccination will stop people getting any kind of oven unpleasant illness, but what we can say is it's preventing the very acute and severe illness and fatal illness which was looming as a disaster that seemed to be coming towards us at the start of all of the. . . . . ., towards us at the start of all of the. . . . ., ., , , the. the vaccination minister this mornin: the. the vaccination minister this morning was _ the. the vaccination minister this morning was saying _ the. the vaccination minister this morning was saying that - the. the vaccination minister this morning was saying that they - the. the vaccination minister this i morning was saying that they hope the. the vaccination minister this - morning was saying that they hope to double the vaccination rate over the next month or so, which is, again, extraordinary, considering common people have been vaccinated so far. with the new vaccines coming onto the scene now, how quickly will people be being offered, for

example, maternal orjohnson & johnson? i example, maternal orjohnson & johnson? �* ., , example, maternal orjohnson & johnson? �* . , ., johnson? i can't answer that question. — johnson? i can't answer that question, that's _ johnson? i can't answer that question, that's essentiallyl question, that's essentially operational issues which will depend on the regulators and the suppliers. but we are assured that as soon thoseissues but we are assured that as soon those issues are resolved, that the vaccine will appear. and until then, we also have the information that there are adequate doses and adequate supplies, i should say, of both the pfizer biotech vaccine and the oxford astrazeneca vaccine to keep the schedule going. of course, it has to speed up because we are just beginning to get into second dose territory. i2 just beginning to get into second dose territory. 12 weeks, we are now at about 12 weeks after those first doses went in, and it will be time to be giving second doses, and i stress again from a second doses will be important and people should go for one as soon as they are called. ., , ,., go for one as soon as they are called. ., ,,., ., ., ., go for one as soon as they are called. ., ,,., ., , , ., ~ called. 0k, professor, good to speak to ou. called. ok, professor, good to speak to you- thank— called. 0k, professor, good to speak to you- thank you — called. 0k, professor, good to speak to you. thank you very _ called. 0k, professor, good to speak to you. thank you very much - called. 0k, professor, good to speak to you. thank you very much indeed. j

the prime minister has defended the uk's border controls as health officials try to trace one person in england who's been infected with the brazil variant — to try to stop it spreading into the community. it's one of six cases of the variant, found in the uk in february before the introduction of mandatory hotel quarantine. our political editor laura kuenssberg has more. an unwelcome arrival. a new variant of coronavirus has landed on uk soil. with two cases near bristol and three in aberdeen, extra tests are being used to track any spread, but the urgent hunt is for a sixth person with a positive test who can't be found. i look at what we have done in the case of the south african variant, a massive effort went in there, and the same is going on now to contain any spread of the brazilian variant. it's caused concern, notjust because there was chaos in brazil where it was first found, but the risk is that it spreads more easily and responds less well

to the vaccine, too. the mystery patient carrying the variant hasn't been traced because they didn't fill in their paper work properly. the variant was detected on the other side of the world — injapan — in earlyjanuary. on the 15th, the government banned travel to the uk from brazil and other south american countries, but british nationals were still allowed to fly back as long as they isolated at home for ten days. after weeks of discussions, the government then changed the policy, deciding on the 27th that brits coming home from countries at risk would be quarantined in hotels as soon as they arrived. but before that plan came into force, on the 10th of february, the as yet unidentified individual came back from brazil. five days later, passengers started having to stay in hotels for quarantine. government measures at the border have been too little, too late. they've been behind the curve. the government was warned about putting the hotel quarantine system into place as soon as possible.

someone carrying the brazilian variant was able to disappear weeks after the variant was first detected because the government hadn't got round to introducing quarantine hotels. do you believe that that delay will have put people at risk? no. we had already quarantine in place, and in fact, we'd already put in place a ban on direct travel from brazil. also, this positive test was on the 12th or 13th of february, we think, and that was obviously over two weeks ago, and we haven't seen any further knock—on transmissions in the data. this is more thanjust a political "i told you so" moment for the opposition. it's a reminder of the threat from new forms of the virus that will continue to emerge. and the government isn't willing to cut off the country from the rest of the world completely, so it is a risk that won't be straightforward to manage. # west virginia, mountain mama #.

last night, london's heathrow looked as if they were struggling even to manage social distancing in long queues. as the search for the patient with the variant continues, the dilemma is stopping the disease coming in without stopping everything taking off. laura kuenssberg, bbc news. i'm joined now by professor ravi gupta from the university of cambridge. he's a professor of clinical microbiology and has been researching the evolution of covid—19, including new strains. when coronavirus hit this area in brazil, it overwhelmed the region, didn't it? worryingly, people who suffered the first time around caught it again. how alarmed should we be that it's here?— we be that it's here? well, it's interesting _ we be that it's here? well, it's interesting to _ we be that it's here? well, it's interesting to note _ we be that it's here? well, it's interesting to note the - we be that it's here? well, it's interesting to note the origin l we be that it's here? well, it's| interesting to note the origin of this p1 variant, and you describe this p1 variant, and you describe this situation, and the worry about

reinfection really came from the observation that there was a lot of, or a high prevalence of antibodies to sars in coronavirus two after their first wave, and the estimates ranged in the region of 50%. but on the other hand, if a new variant emerged, it could've been infecting the other 50%, and we are really not sure how many of those infections were re—infections. so that's still an open question. we don't think it's more dangerous, but it is a variant of concern because it carries some of the signature mutations that have been shown in vitro by a number of groups and in terms of vaccine responses to be a bit of a problem. do terms of vaccine responses to be a bit of a problem.— bit of a problem. do we know how significantly _ bit of a problem. do we know how significantly it _ bit of a problem. do we know how significantly it hampers _ bit of a problem. do we know how significantly it hampers a - significantly it hampers a vaccination programme? we significantly it hampers a vaccination programme? significantly it hampers a vaccination roaramme? ~ ., �* ~' ., vaccination programme? we don't know the answer to — vaccination programme? we don't know the answer to that _ vaccination programme? we don't know the answer to that question. _ vaccination programme? we don't know the answer to that question. all- vaccination programme? we don't know the answer to that question. all we - the answer to that question. all we know is that if you put e4 84 k mutation which is one of the key mutations in the spikes that the brazil variant has as long as the south african variant, we could see something like a tenfold shift into

the amount of antibody required to neutralise or to block that virus from infecting cells. tenfold sounds like a lot, but actually, we make huge amount of antibody after vaccination, and so for most people, that want to be a problem. so you will still limit severity, you will still prevent death, but there may be a small chance of transmission, and that is what we are worried about here is the public health implications of the. qm. about here is the public health implications of the.— about here is the public health implications of the. 0k, and in terms of mutation, _ implications of the. 0k, and in terms of mutation, forgive - implications of the. 0k, and in terms of mutation, forgive me j implications of the. 0k, and in i terms of mutation, forgive me if implications of the. 0k, and in - terms of mutation, forgive me if i'm mixing up a scientific terms, but maybe help me out on this, is there a risk of mutation becoming a dominant strain? 50. a risk of mutation becoming a dominant strain?— a risk of mutation becoming a dominant strain? so, for that to ha en, dominant strain? so, for that to happen. the _ dominant strain? so, for that to happen, the virus _ dominant strain? so, for that to happen, the virus would - dominant strain? so, for that to happen, the virus would need i dominant strain? so, for that to | happen, the virus would need an advantage over whatever circulating now. one of the advantages of having that bu 117, of course, is that it spreads very rapidly. and it does confirm a small reduction in the efficacy of our antibodies to the previous strain. so it's got to

outcompete in all already very successful virus, and that will be challenging for any new strain coming into the country. this is on the backdrop of increasing vaccination and, of course, the increase in, you know, the prevalence of people who have had coronavirus, something like 20% or even greater, so it has quite a few hurdles to overcome. so i don't think p1 or the south african variant will take off in this country, but that's because of the timing, really. shill country, but that's because of the timing. really-— timing, really. all rights and approaching _ timing, really. all rights and approaching spring. - timing, really. all rights and approaching spring. but - timing, really. all rights and - approaching spring. but potentially, is this something that could affect road map, in other words, is this something that could affect road map, in otherwords, it is this something that could affect road map, in other words, it could delay the road map, and i'm thinking in fact, week today, schools go back, so the r number is something thatis back, so the r number is something that is expected to be impacted by that is expected to be impacted by that as well, aren't they? absolutely. we are in one of the most critical periods that we have known, which is the fact that we have an intervention that works, which is the vaccine on the back of a lockdown, and we are seeing

variance coming, so we really are in a tight spot, but a positive spot. i think the key to this is going to be really good surveillance. we have heard that we are sequencing anywhere between a quarter and a third of cases. that's really good, because when things happen, we should be able to find that relatively quickly. we have real—time data on positive tests, and so, i think we need to be cautious and take one step at a time. �* ., , ,., cautious and take one step at a time. �* ., ,,., time. all right, 0k, professor, good to seak time. all right, 0k, professor, good to speakto- — time. all right, 0k, professor, good to speak to. thank _ time. all right, 0k, professor, good to speak to. thank you _ time. all right, 0k, professor, good to speak to. thank you much - time. all right, 0k, professor, good| to speak to. thank you much indeed. the latest official figures show there were 5,455 new coronavirus infections recorded in the latest 24—hour period. that's the lowest since september. it means an average of 7,980 new cases were recorded per day in the last week. across the uk 14,808 people are in hospital with coronavirus in the last 24 hours 104 deaths have been recorded, that's people

who died within 28 days of a positive covid test. on average, 314 deaths were announced every day in the past week. bringing the total number of people who've died to 122,953. on to vaccinations now and 185,900 people had their first dose of a vaccine in the latest 24 hour period. in total, 20,275,451 people have now had theirfirstjab — that's more than 38 % of the adult population in the uk. on that good news, let's see what's happening with sports. here's tulsen tollett. good evening. the british horseracing authority says it won't allow leading racehorse trainer gordon elliott

to race horses in britain while irish authorities conduct an investigation into him sitting on a dead horse. elliott, who has trained the winner of the grand national three times, has admitted a photograph circulating on social media is genuine and has apologised, stating the picture was taken "some time ago." a statement released this evening says... the eight—times champion jump jockey peter scudamore has told bbc sport he's very sad about the incident and believes that elliott is likely to face some form of sanction. it was an act of crass stupidity, but there is some things that you just can't do. you know, i can't think of examples, but unfortunately, for him, he has to be made an example of. we just can't,

we can't stand here and say that we are looking after horses, and we are giving them dignity when we are clearly not. so, you know... i don't want revenge or anything, ijust, you know, there are people out there that don't like the sport and i can't argue with them when i see a picture like that. catalan police say they've made several arrests after searching the offices of spanish football side barcelona. the number of arrests made and the identity of those involved have not yet been confirmed. the operation was related to last year's barcagate, in which club officials were accused of launching a smear campaign against current and former players who were critical of the club and then—president josep maria bartomeu. there's one match in the premier league this evening with everton hosting southampton at goodison park. the toffees could move level with liverpool in 6th place with a win while southampton who haven't won in their past eight everton is leading southampton 1—0.

the french sports minister has threatened to withdraw france from the six nations, if the country's rugby federation doesn't get to the bottom of a covid—19 outbreak within the wider group. they're due to travel to england a week on wednesday, for their next game. their game against scotland was postponed after 11 players tested positive, as well as staff members including head coach fabien galthie. it's emerged he left the squad bubble, to watch his son play rugby after the first round of matches — but the federation has backed him, saying he was allowed to leave as long as he wore a mask. england spinnerjack leach says there's been more talk from the media about the pitches in india than in the england dressing room. england were bowled out for a combined total ofjust 193 as they were beaten by 10 wickets in the third test in ahmedebad. 28 of the 30 wickets in the match fell to spinners, but indian bowler ravichandran ashwin says "we need to get over talking about pitches" and leach agrees with his opponent. asl as i was watching a test match, i would _ as i was watching a test match, i

would probably wanted to go longer than two _ would probably wanted to go longer than two days. so that's my only, kind of. _ than two days. so that's my only, kind of. i— than two days. so that's my only, kind of, i guess, viewing it from being _ kind of, i guess, viewing it from being a — kind of, i guess, viewing it from being a cricket fan, it's that may being a cricket fan, it's that may he a _ being a cricket fan, it's that may he a test — being a cricket fan, it's that may be a test match should go longer than that, — be a test match should go longer than that, and whether that stands the pitch— than that, and whether that stands the pitch or skills are what, for me, _ the pitch or skills are what, for me, playing is i'm fully concentrating on howl me, playing is i'm fully concentrating on how i can best do on every— concentrating on how i can best do on every wicked that i play on and they outpolled us on that wicket. tennis news now. andy murray is taking on robin in the opening round of the rotterdam open. the dutchman haase eased through the first set claiming it 6—2 before murray responded. murray has one in the last few minutes. it's once i thought the present time in that one. andy murray looking to overcome robin hoss. tim, i don't know how your tennis game is, minds not too bad, but that's all your support for now. you say not too bad, you are former

professional sportsman. my you say not too bad, you are former professionalsportsman. my tennis you say not too bad, you are former professional sportsman. my tennis is appalling. the professional sportsman. my tennis is appalling- the— appalling. the practice, practice. an a , appalling. the practice, practice. anyway. that's — appalling. the practice, practice. anyway, that's another - appalling. the practice, practice. anyway, that's another story. . appalling. the practice, practice. anyway, that's another story. i l appalling. the practice, practice. l anyway, that's another story. i will play you one day. you are watching bbc news. the duke of edinburgh has been transferred to bart's hospital in london to treat an infection — having already spent 13 nights doctors revealed that prince philip, who is 99, will also undergo testing for a pre—existing heart condition. here's our royal correspondent nicholas witchell. king edward vii hospital this morning, an ambulance had been reversed up to a rear entrance. umbrellas were raised by staff to shield the view of a patient who has been placed into the ambulance. it's believed the patient was the duke of edinburgh. as the ambulance departed, it was assumed he was leaving after 13 nights in the hospital to be taken home to windsor castle. but at 12:30pm, this statement was issued by buckingham palace. the duke of edinburgh was today transferred from king edward vii's hospital

to saint bartholomew's hospital, where doctors will continue to treat him for an infection, the journey across london was a short one. saint bartholomew's or bart's, is britain's oldest hospital, but it has some of the most modern and extensive facilities for cardiac care. it's a recognised centre of excellence. it's the largest specialist centre for this type of condition in the uk, and one of the largest in europe, and so you can see all of the subspecialists, whether it's a problem with the heart rhythm, a problem with the blood supply to the heart, or the heart muscle, all under one roof and delivering care at the same time. the duke has suffered heart issues in the past. in 2011, there was an emergency admission to papworth hospital in cambridgeshire. he had suffered chest pains at sandringham. the queen and his immediate family all went to his bedside. a blocked coronary

artery was diagnosed. it had been a close call. yet there has been no suggestion until today of any recurrence of any heart problems. for a man approaching his 100th birthday, the duke has seemed in generally good health, yet his hospital stay is now longer than any previous one. it's unclear whether the duke will require any surgical procedure on his heart, such as occurred in 2011. on that occasion, he had a stent inserted to relieve the blocked coronary artery. on this occasion, all the palace will say is that he's comfortable and responding to treatment. nicholas witchell, bbc news. our health editor hugh pym explained the significance of the duke's move. we don't know the nature of the pre—existing heart condition referred to by buckingham palace. as requiring these further tests and observations of the duke, could it be linked back

to the blocked coronary artery in 2011 and the duke having a stint put in? we just don't know. although, sometimes patients who have that procedure experience further problems. could it be the infection he has is somehow linked and exacerbated an existing heart condition, for example, heart rhythm issues? certainly, he will be monitored extensively with some of the best specialists in the country at the heart centre. 24/7 ecgs to measure heart rhythm, blood pressure and so on. but i think probably, it's more than just monitoring, certainly that will be involved. i think he's gone to this specialist centre because of the possibility, no more than that, the doctors feel, that there may be a need for an intervention or procedure to be carried out. on wednesday, the chancellor rishi sunak will unveil his latest budget. top of the agenda will be getting the economy back on track after a year of lockdowns and severe disruption. he is under pressure from mps not to raise taxes for fear it could undermine the recovery.

our economics editor faisal islam has been looking at what to expect from the chancellor's red box. this week's budget will be historic in terms of the numbers. the chancellor will hope to make it historic in terms of policy, both to support the rescue from crisis, but also to lay the long—term foundations of a post—pandemic, post—brexit, green recovery. support forjobs, wages and the economy will continue, and you can see why. during the extraordinary economic hit from the pandemic, unemployment did go up, but rather modestly. but if you add in the number of people supported by the government's furlough scheme, and the number of people supported by the self—employment scheme, you get this picture. and this is why support will be extended also for business cash flow, because not to do so risks a really rather rapid rise

in official unemployment. but the budget will also have to look beyond the immediate rescue to the future recovery of an economy that's undergone a type of heart attack. the current lockdown has again hit the economy hard, but less hard than last year. there will be a rebound, perhaps a little later than expected, but that rebound is not a recovery. and the uk has lost more ground to recover than most. the recovery will have to reflect a changed, greener economic future. the chancellor will use the successful vaccine roll—out as a blueprint for this recovery. government spending supporting partnership between scientists and companies, fast tracking regulations, the uk as a testing bed for new science. the point of a budget is to balance, tax and spend. that is not going to happen immediately, but the chancellor promises to be honest with the public about the scale of the challenge over the next few years, and this is why. last year, at his pre—pandemic budget, he anticipated this year

borrowing about £54 billion. he ended up borrowing that injust over one month. so, total borrowing, we think, is going to come in at over £350 billion, and the key thing is that the bulk of that came out of decisions to choose to spend more money to support the economy rather than just taxes falling. that pattern will persist for longer. general tax hikes are for another day, as the nation can still borrow very cheaply. the budget challenge — getting the economy firing again. faisal islam, bbc news. peeked back in a couple of minutes. now it's time for a look at the weather with louise lear hello there. early—morning murkiness for many dominating the story over the next couple of days. that's because the high—pressure that brought us the settled spring

sunshine at the weekend is starting to lose its grip, and a light southeasterly wind is driving in more cloud and more moisture off the north sea. so away from that southeast wind, spots like western scotland, northwest england, western fringes of wales faring quite nicely, but it will be a cloudy, murky start for many. eventually, that fog will thin and lift, and burn back to north sea coasts, potentially. so as we go into the afternoon, it's a slow improvement, but if you are caught underneath the cloud, the temperatures are likely to stay on the disappointing side — 6—7 celsius at the very best. but we should see temperatures peaking at 14 celsiusas a high. now, as we move out of tuesday, it looks likely we could see a few showers around on wednesday, but high—pressure tends to build from the north. that changes the wind direction yet again. they swing round to a northeasterly, and it means cooler for all as we go through the week. hello this is bbc news. the headlines.

new data shows how the uk's vaccination programme is dramatically cutting hospital admissions for people with covid. the problem isn't fixed yet but we definitely have identified a way of fixing the problem and the early data shows how to do that. the hunt for the person carrying the new brazilian variant of covid continues. the prime minister defends the government's policy on protecting borders. the duke of edinburgh is transferred to a leading london cardiac hospital for tests for a heart condition. the former french president nicolas sarkozy is sentenced to three years in jail after being found guilty of corruption. and coming up in the next half hour — there may not be gold in them hills but there might be fragments of meteorite somewhere in gloucestershire.

six years of civil war in yemen means an entire generation of children risks missing an education with one in five schools unusable. and the uk government has just announced it's cutting its aid budget to yemen by more than 50%. our international correspondent orla guerin has been to the remains of one bombed out school near the front line where hundreds of children come for lessons every day. she met ahmed, nine years old and blind since birth. he steps in to take classes when the teachers can't. it's a hard road for little feet. but in the early morning on the outskirts of taiz, they flock here across the rubble. this is their prize equipment, stored nearby under lock and key. time for morning assembly.

leading the drill, ahmed, who is nine. the primary school was the pride of the district until 2016, when it was occupied by houthi rebels and became a battleground. it has been reclaimed, such as it is, but some days, pupils sit and wait for teachers. the government hasn't paid many of them in years. so in this class, there's a substitute. ahmed, who has been blind from birth, is the best student here. in the meantime,

he's got a wish list.

front line or not, classes continue here. down below, it's mathematics. over here, it's arabic language. teachers tell us the war has already taught these children to be resilient. they say the pupils rarely miss a day. now, more than ever, they're hungry for education. school's out and this is the journey home for ahmed and his sister, fatima, who is also blind. a friend leads the way. ahmed calls him his car. a stumble doesn't stop ahmed, he's a study in determination. orla guerin, bbc news, taiz. let's speak now to david miliband, president and ceo of the international rescue committee.

your staff witnessing first—hand what's been happening during the civil war in yemen for the past six years. all of us talking about these children being hungry for education. that's the least of their problems. there is famine, disease and everything else as well. is this humans worst crisis yet do you think? , , ., ., y humans worst crisis yet do you think? , , ., ., , .,, humans worst crisis yet do you think? , , ., ., , ., think? yes definitely. not only as a ounu think? yes definitely. not only as a young men's— think? yes definitely. not only as a young men's worst _ think? yes definitely. not only as a young men's worst crisis _ think? yes definitely. not only as a young men's worst crisis since - think? yes definitely. not only as a young men's worst crisis since the l young men's worst crisis since the worlds worst humanitarian crisis. at a time when there are too many crises to choose from. just remember, 80% of the population depend on humanitarian aid. that's 18 million people. and the un says that for 8 million people have important to fight it starvation. because of cuts and last years aid budget. were talking about yemen today because the pledging conference, the moment of the year when countries come together to make that humanitarian aid pledges together has taken place today. there's been a further reduction in the amount of aid to yemen. less than half of what the un site is necessary. and even less than what the food programme says is necessary

just to keep people alive of the next year. so hungry is the right word but in a terrible way. notjust hungry for education. the word but in a terrible way. not 'ust hungry for education.i hungry for education. the british government _ hungry for education. the british government has _ hungry for education. the british government has dropped - hungry for education. the british government has dropped its - hungry for education. the british i government has dropped its pledge hungry for education. the british - government has dropped its pledge by 50%. what would that mean in practical terms on the ground? honestly, it's inexplicable to hear that the uk has cut its aid for yemen. at a time when the uk has a globalfamine envoy and has made famine a priority for his presidency on the group of seven leading industrialised countries. the organisation that is not the closest to the front line when it comes to doing food deliveries it would be the world food program. organisations like mine or the international rescue committee, we work on the wider nutrition agenda. we work on health. so were treating the victims of malnutrition. that's different from about a down to £87 million. that is literally miles being fed through the world food program. because these are people

who are literally facing starvation because of a combination of conflict which is cutting off aid, lack of money, the number getting humanitarian aid in the form of food support was cut from 13 million to 9 million last year. in a commercial economy whichjust million last year. in a commercial economy which just doesn't work because of the consequences of the war. i because of the consequences of the war. ., because of the consequences of the war. . j~ :: z: ' z: war. i figured i hundred and 8700 90 million. war. i figured i hundred and 8700 90 million- itut— war. i figured i hundred and 8700 90 million. but the _ war. i figured i hundred and 8700 90 million. but the war _ war. i figured i hundred and 8700 90 million. but the war is _ war. i figured i hundred and 8700 90 million. but the war is the _ war. i figured i hundred and 8700 90 million. but the war is the problem, | million. but the war is the problem, obviously. britain, us involved in the arms trade for saudi arabia. it doesn't necessarily follow doesn't that whatjoe biden has done with a reset in terms of the relationship with saudi arabia and the supply of arms for the war here is necessarily having a desired effect. only a few days ago of rebels attacked a saudi stronghold. what are the options there? a lot of it doesn't necessarily seem to be going according to plan.—

necessarily seem to be going according to plan. very good point. the us have _ according to plan. very good point. the us have taken _ according to plan. very good point. the us have taken the _ according to plan. very good point. the us have taken the first - according to plan. very good point. the us have taken the first steps i the us have taken the first steps was up two of them in particular, they've stopped support for the of they've stopped support for the of the saudi led coalition. obviously the saudi led coalition. obviously the british government are out of step at the moment because they haven't seized that support. i'll be at its a lower level. the second thing the biden administration done is stop the designation of the who the movement is a global terrorist entity. which would have really torpedoed humanitarian aid but further torpedoed the commercial economy. when needs to happen now is first of all a proper cease—fire across the country. because all parties have been flouting international humanitarian law. the second the eight needs to flow as discussed. thirdly the un envoy who is charged with bringing political settlement to the war in yemen, he needs to he's a british diplomat, he needs to he's a british diplomat, he needs to he's a british diplomat, he needs to be able to get on with his business with proper support with the americans pressuring this

salaries, europeans like germany pressuring iran. which has the influence over the who these. at the moment the situation is fragmenting very badly and south of the country with 20% of the population live. and the rebel movement is stronger across 80% the population. the iranian faction of course is key to theirs. but do you see any movement on that front? at the moment it's really dire. we are seeing quite intense fighting in different parts of the country. but we do know that griffiths has now taken up the challenge that's been laid down by president biden. i would argue that we need a un security council resolution to help him with the resolution to help him with the resolution of 2015 did not set a level playing field for the negotiations. as it happens, britain is the so—called pen holder, in charge of the yemen file at the un security council. we need a new un security council. we need a new un security council. we need a new un security council resolution that would have the benefit of being the equivalent of international law and

with the shift in the biden administration away from the policies of president trump. there's no one going to veto a resolution on yemen. it needs to go through and give martin griffith the kind of support that he needs to move forward politically. so the challenge for the uk government is first how on earth could they be cutting aid when it is famine stocking for million people. secondly get moving at the un so we can get some political progress from this misbegotten war that cause not just humanity to look back humanitarian cartilage but also destabilised a part of the middle east heretofore not been subject to the kind of war with seat over the last five years. thank you for joining us. the former french president, nicolas sarkozy, has been sentenced to three years in jail for corruption, for attempting to bribe a magistrate. a court in paris has suspended two years of his jail term, with sarkozy expected to serve the remaining year outside prison, with an electronic tag. the 66—year—old is the first former

french president to receive a custodial sentence. our correspondent hugh schofield has the latest from the paris courthouse. he went into this court fairly confident that he had put up a very strong defence in the trial which ended at the end of last year. but thejudge in her summing up was damning. she said that he and his lawyer had colluded with seniorjudge to pass on secret information and with the promise of a promotion for thatjudge to a post in monaco. the defence had said throughout this case that whatever conversations had been had they were antidotal, did not amount to conspiracy. in any case nothing ever happened. the judge did not this preferential post in monaco. nothing happened at the court which particularly was in his way. he didn't get anything

out of this conspiracy. but the case against him in order for them to be a conspiracy to corrupt or peddling influence, there does not have to be a result, it doesn't have to end with success. it could still be conspiracy. thejudge and her summing up was quite damning that they knew sarkozy he and his lawyer, they knew that they were trying to subvert and to sell influence to a secure early next senior figure in the justice system and therefore they were guilty. the guilty verdict is notjust that, comes with a sentence of three years, two years suspended but one year of prison which carries an electronic tag at home. but nonetheless it's for sarkozy, he'll definitely see this as a highly shaming moment in his career. there is no question he will appeal so that he won't leave this court hasn't changed.

——chains. but it is nonetheless deeply embarrassing moment for him. one which no doubt will confirm for him and his many, many supporters on the right that there is at the heart of the justice system a kind of cabal, a left wing conspiracy that are trying to get him. because that's very much the conviction that the sarkozy camp has. the duke of sussex has said he feared "history repeating itself" in an apparent reference to his mother's death — in a trailerfor his upcoming interview with oprah winfrey. he and his wife meghan appear in the adverts for the show, which will be broadcast in the us this coming weekend. for me i am relieved to be happy and sitting here and talking to you with my wife by my side. because i cannot begin to imagine what it must have been like for her going through this process herself all those years ago, because it has been unbelievably tough for the two of us,

but at least we have each other. the headlines on bbc news... new data shows how the uk's vaccination programme is dramatically cutting hospital admissions for people with covid. the hunt for the person carrying the new brazilian variant of covid continues. the prime minister defends the government's policy on protecting borders. the duke of edinburgh is transferred to a leading london cardiac hospital for tests for a heart condition. as we begin to see a path out of lockdown, over a year into the coronavirus pandemic, what effect has it had on the four nations of the uk? the first minister of wales says it has polarised views on the country's future. a poll for the bbc suggests that while only a minority want welsh independence, support for it has grown to the highest level in a decade. more from our wales correspondent hywel griffith. has the pandemic set wales

on a different course? from staying at home to being free to roam, here it has been the welsh government, not uk ministers, deciding how fast to lock down and went to ease off the brakes. gwenda and david both say it has made them think about whether wales should go further. if we can make decisions for ourselves in something like a pandemic and hopefully come through it successfully, then why not extend those powers and take more control of our own destiny? if scotland goes for independence, then i could see there being a massive change in people's views in wales. if it wasjust england and wales, that would be even more catastrophic for the people of wales. a poll for the bbc of a thousand people in wales show support for independence is at its highest for a decade, but at 14% it is still a minority view. the same proportion of people, 15%, favour getting rid of devolution by abolishing the welsh parliament. most people are

somewhere in between. 35% want some more powers for the parliament, but that is down in recent years, while around a quarter want things to stay as they are. most people want to stick to this middle path, but where exactly does it lead? the welsh labour government says it wants to take control of policing and the courts in wales and has called for a radical redrawing of the united kingdom. we have now had a government that has matched up to that. for some that is the wrong direction. rachel has campaigned against greater devolution and with rather see the senate abolished. because there are so many power battles, what we have seen over the pandemic is political vanity getting in the way over clear policy. nationalistic attitude, even within the welsh labour government, which have created hostility, and we really need to be united coming out of the pandemic across the uk. but the union harms wales, according

to those who want independence. they say it is a nation that could thrive on its natural resources. the fact that we have some of the poorest regions in europe, the fact a third of our children live in poverty, that is because of, not in spite of, the fact we have a government in westminster which is focused on the south—east of england. with elections ahead in may, wales is approaching another crossroads and a choice of how the nation should be run. and you can see more on the results of that poll on the bbc wales politics website. the hunt is on for meteorite fragments that are likely to have fallen to earth over southern england last night. and as they close in on its precise location, scientists are urging anyone who finds what they think may but the meteorite not to directly handle it — but to photograph and bag it up.

the streak of light was visibile in the sky shortly before 10pm last night — seen here from somerset. a lot of the images capturing it came from door bell and security cameras. viewers from around the uk have been sharing footage of the fireball, from manchester to bath and cardiff to milton keynes. and a computer model which analysed the camera data has given some clues as to the likely location. in a moment we will hear from dr ashley king from uk fireball alliance, who has some more practical advice for anyone who may find it. but first let's look at the projected impact site. the alliance believe fragments could be just north of cheltenham on the western edge of the cotswolds after studying the trajectory by using six specialised cameras located across the country. with me now is dr. ashley king from the department of earth sciences at the natural history museum —

which is part of the uk fireball alliance — the team who has been working to construct the trajectory of the meteor and work out where any possible meteorites may have landed. also joined by astronomy journalist, author and presenter will gater. if you're a meteorite hunter you should be in south london surely, you should be somewhere close to cheltenham. i you should be somewhere close to cheltenham-— you should be somewhere close to cheltenham. i like being called the alliance, is very _ cheltenham. i like being called the alliance, is very exciting _ cheltenham. i like being called the alliance, is very exciting for - cheltenham. i like being called the alliance, is very exciting for me. i alliance, is very exciting for me. absolutely right. last night we had this bright fireball. that travelled across the uk, it was picked up on a lot of cameras, we've got hundreds of eyewitness accounts. we think potentially there are some meteorites that actually made it down onto the ground just north of cheltenham. we are looking for rocks that are probably on the order of the size, quite small. we might imagine it's like looking for a needle in a haystack. before we go out hunting ourselves we want to make sure we really can refine that

search area. make sure we really can refine that search area-— make sure we really can refine that search area. ., ,., , ., search area. there are some dues and donts search area. there are some dues and don'ts that find _ search area. there are some dues and don'ts that find these _ search area. there are some dues and don'ts that find these shiny _ search area. there are some dues and don'ts that find these shiny rocks - don'ts that find these shiny rocks that will come to that in a minute. how rare is there is and how fast would this have been travelling as it came down?— would this have been travelling as it came down? literally thousands of kilos of space _ it came down? literally thousands of kilos of space rocks _ it came down? literally thousands of kilos of space rocks entered - it came down? literally thousands of kilos of space rocks entered the - kilos of space rocks entered the earths _ kilos of space rocks entered the earths atmosphere every year. but most _ earths atmosphere every year. but most of _ earths atmosphere every year. but most of it — earths atmosphere every year. but most of it is— earths atmosphere every year. but most of it is dust, it's the stuff that— most of it is dust, it's the stuff that creates shooting stars. those beautiful — that creates shooting stars. those beautiful meteors we see most clear nights— beautiful meteors we see most clear nights when you stand out under a starry— nights when you stand out under a starry sky— nights when you stand out under a starry sky for 20 or 30 minutes. that's_ starry sky for 20 or 30 minutes. that's sort— starry sky for 20 or 30 minutes. that's sort of stuff is coming through— that's sort of stuff is coming through the atmosphere probably as we speak _ through the atmosphere probably as we speak. but these larger fragments, these things that actually— fragments, these things that actually was talking about these larger _ actually was talking about these larger meteoroids. when they come through— larger meteoroids. when they come through they are much rarer. enter create _ through they are much rarer. enter create these fantastic shows like we saw in _ create these fantastic shows like we saw in this— create these fantastic shows like we saw in this fantastic footage last night _ saw in this fantastic footage last night. that's a little bit special. in night. that's a little bit special. in terms— night. that's a little bit special. in terms of— night. that's a little bit special. in terms of the speed, this i think, the analysis — in terms of the speed, this i think, the analysis shows that hit the atmosphere at something at 13 km per 2nd. atmosphere at something at 13 km per 2nd that's _ atmosphere at something at 13 km per 2nd. that's what caused it to glow

and heat — 2nd. that's what caused it to glow and heat up like a bat. as it hits the atmosphere it compresses the air ahead _ the atmosphere it compresses the air ahead of— the atmosphere it compresses the air ahead of it _ the atmosphere it compresses the air ahead of it and causes the rock to actually— ahead of it and causes the rock to actually vaporise as the air around it gets _ actually vaporise as the air around it gets super heated. it's, spectacular part of physics that creates — spectacular part of physics that creates this event.— spectacular part of physics that creates this event. pictures are fantastic- _ creates this event. pictures are fantastic. where _ creates this event. pictures are fantastic. where would - creates this event. pictures are fantastic. where would this - creates this event. pictures are l fantastic. where would this have come from?— come from? nearly all of the extraterrestrial _ come from? nearly all of the extraterrestrial material - come from? nearly all of the extraterrestrial material that j come from? nearly all of the - extraterrestrial material that hits the earth atmosphere comes to us from asteroids and comets. so these are the leftover building blocks in our solar system. there all the material that didn't go into making the planets. so studying asteroids and comets in the meteorites that come to us from them can tell us about what was there at the kind of birth of our solar system and filling it years ago. for this one because we've got all these fantastic videos and all these eyewitness accounts we can actually work out where it may have landed in the uk. we can also work out the pre—atmospheric orbit. we can work out whereabouts in the solar system it was coming from. the three met at

the minute we think it they origins was in the main asteroid belt. it's this belt of rocky asteroid material between mars and jupiter. ida this belt of rocky asteroid material between mars and jupiter. no water or an hint between mars and jupiter. no water or anything on _ between mars and jupiter. no water or anything on it? _ between mars and jupiter. no water or anything on it? i _ between mars and jupiter. no water or anything on it? ithink— between mars and jupiter. no water or anything on it? i think that's - or anything on it? i think that's reall u- or anything on it? i think that's really up to _ or anything on it? i think that's really up to ashley _ or anything on it? i think that's really up to ashley and - or anything on it? i think that's really up to ashley and his - or anything on it? i think that'sl really up to ashley and his team or anything on it? i think that's - really up to ashley and his team to actually _ really up to ashley and his team to actually go — really up to ashley and his team to actually go out and find those meteorites. because we really don't know_ meteorites. because we really don't know what _ meteorites. because we really don't know what those meteorites might be made of _ know what those meteorites might be made of if _ know what those meteorites might be made of if they can be recovered at all. made of if they can be recovered at all i_ made of if they can be recovered at all ithink— made of if they can be recovered at all. i think that is what so excited about— all. i think that is what so excited about this — all. i think that is what so excited about this. this is what happens in astronomy — about this. this is what happens in astronomy. this is why i find it such— astronomy. this is why i find it such an — astronomy. this is why i find it such an exciting subject. last night no one _ such an exciting subject. last night no one knew this was can happen. you can't predict _ no one knew this was can happen. you can't predict this it's totally random _ can't predict this it's totally random. but it's thanks to people like ashley and his team that uk fireball— like ashley and his team that uk fireball alliance and the network of cameras _ fireball alliance and the network of cameras across the country that took these _ cameras across the country that took these pictures and were able to locate — these pictures and were able to locate this stream where potentially there may— locate this stream where potentially there may be space rocks is thanks to that _ there may be space rocks is thanks to that sort — there may be space rocks is thanks to that sort of collaboration and teamwork that you can actually get this amazing science out of something that is really quite random — something that is really quite random yet spectacular. potentially this could be _ random yet spectacular. potentially this could be quite _ random yet spectacular. potentially this could be quite dangerous, - random yet spectacular. potentially| this could be quite dangerous, could nick was not the last time somebody

found a meteorite was a man tending his onions in his garden and it landed in the head next to him. maybe that was one of your teams discoveries in the end. if you were sending out tending your onions and this came down from space it would kill you, would nick? 50 this came down from space it would kill you, would nick?— kill you, would nick? so that's not aood for kill you, would nick? so that's not good for you- _ kill you, would nick? so that's not good for you- if— kill you, would nick? so that's not good for you. if a _ kill you, would nick? so that's not good for you. if a meteorite - kill you, would nick? so that's not good for you. if a meteorite falls l good for you. if a meteorite falls it's incredibly rare event. we get worldwide may be ten to 20 that come over each year. most rocks actually come down and up in the ocean. so whenever you can get a chance to look at them. 50 whenever you can get a chance to look at them-— look at them. so lucky he is somebody _ look at them. so lucky he is somebody perhaps - look at them. so lucky he is somebody perhaps in - look at them. so lucky he is somebody perhaps in the i look at them. so lucky he is i somebody perhaps in the world look at them. so lucky he is - somebody perhaps in the world or north of cheltenham. a final thought or question, i was reading that of the dues and don'ts if you find it don't touch it too much and don't put a magnet next to it. why is that? ~ ., �* ., ., .,

that? we don't want to handle it because as _ that? we don't want to handle it because as you _ that? we don't want to handle it because as you say _ that? we don't want to handle it because as you say we _ that? we don't want to handle it because as you say we might i that? we don't want to handle it i because as you say we might have things like water and organic materials and eric, we don't want to contaminate those. i want to avoid putting magnets on it because that's actually a little bit like putting a magnet on a credit card. it completely wipes the magnetic record that the media racket contains. and i could tell us a lot about how and when that rock formed in solar system. ii when that rock formed in solar s stem. , when that rock formed in solar sstem. , , ., system. if somebody finds it and thinks it valuable _ system. if somebody finds it and thinks it valuable and _ system. if somebody finds it and thinks it valuable and doesn't i system. if somebody finds it and l thinks it valuable and doesn't want to hand it in are they? i thinks it valuable and doesn't want to hand it in are they?— to hand it in are they? i think the thing that's _ to hand it in are they? i think the thing that's exciting _ to hand it in are they? i think the thing that's exciting about - to hand it in are they? i think the thing that's exciting about them i to hand it in are they? i think the | thing that's exciting about them is the fact— thing that's exciting about them is the fact that all these hundreds of people _ the fact that all these hundreds of people come together to observe this event _ people come together to observe this event sending reports and of course teams _ event sending reports and of course teams like — event sending reports and of course teams like ashley is our working together— teams like ashley is our working together to do the science was up it so scientifically valuable to have this material. it so rare to get and be able _ this material. it so rare to get and be able to— this material. it so rare to get and be able to study for that i think if anybody— be able to study for that i think if anybody does finally do get in touch with a _ anybody does finally do get in touch with a scientist because these sort of, scientific rewards are amazing and potentially quite extraordinary and potentially quite extraordinary and profound. it and potentially quite extraordinary and profound-— and profound. it sounds very exciting- _ and profound. it sounds very exciting. there _ and profound. it sounds very exciting. there was - and profound. it sounds very exciting. there was a - and profound. it sounds very exciting. there was a sonic. and profound. it sounds very - exciting. there was a sonic boom, as

well. thank you both very much. if anyone is watching get in touch with ashley or will. time for us to see if the night skies are going to be clear enough for meteors to come crashing through. got the details. got the details. hello there. get some sunshine with some light winds at this time of year, you'll start to notice the difference. but if the cloud lingers, a cool story for many. that's exactly what we've had today — just look along the south coast, highs of 14 celsius and not a cloud in the sky in hampshire. different story in north yorkshire, in scarborough this afternoon, temperatures really struggled. it stayed cloudy and murky for much of the day. now we can see quite clearly the winners and losers on today's satellite picture — most of the sunshine the further north and west, along the south coast, as well, but that fog and cloud was stubborn throughout the day. and actually, we'll see more returning, and it may well become more widespread as we go through the night tonight. the high pressure losing its grip, we have this moist southeasterly feed driving in cloud off the north sea. a lot a fog forming, as well.

into western scotland and northwest england, we might see temperatures just dipping below freezing, but in towns and city centres, perhaps temperatures will hover a couple of degrees above freezing. but it will be a grey start with some of that fog lingering for much of the morning. slowly lifting back towards north sea coasts perhaps by the afternoon, and allowing for some sunshine — again northwest england, across wales and southern england, an improving story into the afternoon. again, highs of 14 celsius quite possible, but not where the cloud and fog lingers. as we move out of tuesday into wednesday, this weather front could enhance the risk of showers developing across southwest england into parts of south wales, and maybe parts of the south midlands as well through the day. now, if we manage to dodge then into the southeast corner, sunshine will develop. and as we go through the day on wednesday, we will start to see a contrast with the feel of the weather. so 10—15 celsius across england

and wales, but further north, despite some sunshine, a cold air mass is taking over and the temperatures are likely to struggle, 5—7 celsius. that's because we've got a new area of high—pressure in from iceland, and the wind direction is changing somewhat to a northeasterly flow. this high pressure will stay with us towards the end of this week. it will keep things relatively quiet, but noticeably cooler for all of us, with temperatures struggling to get into double figures — just a maximum of eight celsius. take care.

this is bbc news — stark warnings from the white house — covid cases aren't falling as fast as they were. and here in the uk a search is under way for a missing person thought to be carrying the highly transmissable variant from brazil. the new head of the cdc is very concerned that the gains america has made in recent months could stall. 2,000 cases a day are too many. the duke of edinburgh has been transferred to a top london hospital for further tests on an existing heart condition. the duke, who's 99, has already spent almost a fortnight in hospital. also in the programme.... the new york governor andrew cuomo is now facing a second sexual assault allegation, he denies any wrong doing and has ordered an inquiry. and same doctor, same laugh, different actor.