widespread condemnation after violence breaks out in bristol at a protest against the new police and crime bill. 20 police officers were injured, two of them seriously, as demonstrators hurled bricks and set fire to police vans. they were there with anti—police rhetoric, they were there with violence and threats and graffiti and damage and violence. so there could be as many as 400 people we want to speak to. we'll be live in bristol, where the protests have been described as "shameful" and "completely unacceptable". also this lunchtime... borisjohnson is expected to ask european leaders to dismiss any proposals to block coronavirus vaccine exports to the uk. a vaccinanation campaign, developing vaccines, rolling them out, these are international projects, and they require international co—operation.

research in the us shows the oxford—astrazeneca vaccine is 100% effective at preventing severe covid—19 and keeping people out of hospital. fewer soldiers but more and better kit — the defence review is expected to herald biggest changes in defence since the end of the cold war. thousands are evacuated in australia as flooding on the east coast is forecast to get even worse. and coming up in sport on bbc news... a game—changing deal for women's football, a multi—million pound three—year agreement will see live super league games shown on bbc one and bbc two. good afternoon and welcome to the bbc news at one.

a clean—up operation is under way after violent clashes that have been described as shameful broke out last night between protesters and police at a demonstration against new powers for the policing of protests. 20 officers were injured, two seriously, and police vans were set alight after the kill the bill protests turned violent. seven people have been arrested. the scenes have been condemned as completely unacceptable. john maguire reports. determined to reclaim the streets, an army of cleaners was deployed overnight sweeping up classic from the broken windows at the police station, removing graffiti from walls and clearing up hundreds of stones that had been thrown during the unrest. there has been a huge clean—up operation taking place this morning. bristol city council have clean the payments, when i arrived there was broken bottles, and the most sinister element, the stones were everywhere, hundreds of them

spread across clearly used as missiles. targeted at the buildings, just look at the broken windows. they were also used to target police officers themselves. sunday had started peacefully as thousands attended a rally against the new police and crime bill that would restrict some protest. but as the evening came, events turned violent. i am incredibly saddened. i am saddened that so many of my brave police officers, our officers have been injured doing theirjob. i am saddened for bristol because bristol is much better than this, this is a fantastic city to live in and work and be part. but i am committed to roll up my sleeves with my officers to catch the people responsible and stop them it again. 2c! to catch the people responsible and stop them it again.— to catch the people responsible and stop them it again. 20 officers were assaulted, stop them it again. 20 officers were assaulted. two _ stop them it again. 20 officers were assaulted, two suffering _ stop them it again. 20 officers were assaulted, two suffering broken - assaulted, two suffering broken bones and there were several arrests, but the police are promising more. i arrests, but the police are promising more.— arrests, but the police are promising more. arrests, but the police are ”romisin more. ., ~ ., promising more. i would think all that kind of _ promising more. i would think all that kind of thing _ promising more. i would think all that kind of thing is _ promising more. i would think all that kind of thing is unacceptable and i_ that kind of thing is unacceptable and i think people obviously have a

film and i think people obviously have a right to _ and i think people obviously have a right to protest in this country, but they— right to protest in this country, but they should protest peacefully and legally. but they should protest peacefully and leuall. �* ,., �*, but they should protest peacefully andleuall.�* , . and legally. bristol's elected mayor is adamant that _ and legally. bristol's elected mayor is adamant that the _ and legally. bristol's elected mayor is adamant that the violence - and legally. bristol's elected mayor is adamant that the violence was i is adamant that the violence was perpetrated by people who effectively hijacked an otherwise peaceful protest.— effectively hijacked an otherwise peaceful protest. these people here last niuht peaceful protest. these people here last night had _ peaceful protest. these people here last night had nothing _ peaceful protest. these people here last night had nothing to _ peaceful protest. these people here last night had nothing to do - peaceful protest. these people here last night had nothing to do with - last night had nothing to do with the real challenges of real people in bristol. it is about them, about their self—indulgence and their desire to play out their fantasies of being some kind of revolutionaries. nothing revolutionary about what they did. some who were there last night, whilst not condoning the injuries to the police argued the disaffection and mistrust had fuelled the anger. if we are making peaceful protest illegal, _ if we are making peaceful protest illegal, how else are you going to protest? — illegal, how else are you going to protest? even a one—man protest, if i was _ protest? even a one—man protest, if lwas to— protest? even a one—man protest, if i was to stand out there with a sign, — i was to stand out there with a sign, i— i was to stand out there with a sign, i could get up to ten years in prison _ sign, i could get up to ten years in prison its — sign, i could get up to ten years in rison. �* , ., ., prison. as the in'ured are treated and the damage—

prison. as the injured are treated and the damage assessed, - prison. as the injured are treated and the damage assessed, the i and the damage assessed, the question remains, just how a day that was designed to send a peaceful message of protest could descend into such wilful destruction and violence? john maguire, bbc news, bristol. andrew plant is outside the bridewell police station in bristol. a lot of people are asking, how did this happen?— this happen? yes, we didn't leave those protests _ this happen? yes, we didn't leave those protests last _ this happen? yes, we didn't leave those protests last night - this happen? yes, we didn't leave those protests last night until- this happen? yes, we didn't leave| those protests last night until well after midnight. it was a lot smaller but there were still plenty of people here, maybe 50 or so, many wearing masks and a line of riot police on this road and they were still taking bottles against their riot shields. still lots of stuff being thrown. this is the central police station in bristol, bridewell police station in bristol, bridewell police station in bristol, bridewell police station where riot police formed a barrier against those attacks. you can see they have been cleaning up graffiti. lots of windows smashed, that one behind me is full of tiny holes, caused by the small stones that were being thrown.

by small stones that were being thrown. by one point, i saw a fire extinguisher being thrown through the air. you couldn't walk on the ground without hearing glass crunching beneath your feet. ground without hearing glass crunching beneath yourfeet. they have cleared up pretty quickly, road sweepers out from early on and they have taken away the burnt out vans that were on fire until after we left last night. the clean—up operation has been quick, but now is the fallout. police say more than 20 officers were injured, some of them with broken bones. some very serious injuries and they say they are going through cctv and those body cameras as well to try to find out who was involved. they say this is the worst violence bristol has seen in more than 20 years and those protests yesterday were effectively hijacked by people hell—bent on attacking the police. by people hell-bent on attacking the olice. �* ., by people hell-bent on attacking the olice. �* . �* , ., police. andrew plant in bristol, thank you _ police. andrew plant in bristol, thank you very _ police. andrew plant in bristol, thank you very much. - borisjohnson is expected to speak to european leaders this week in an attempt to persuade them not to ban astrazeneca vaccine exports to the uk. the european commission has criticised the company for failing to deliver enough doses to the eu while providing regular shipments

to the uk from its plants in europe. eu leaders will meet on thursday to consider an export ban. speaking this lunchtime, the prime minister warned the uk could soon feel the effects of the surge in infections seen in europe. our political correspondent iain watson reports. a further shot in the arm for the vaccination programme, a record number ofjabs were delivered at the weekend. four out of ten of the uk population have been vaccinated compared with just over one in ten across the eu. on thursday, european leaders will discuss how vaccine supplies can be improved on the continent and they haven't completely ruled out a ban on the export of vaccines from the eu. but at a brussels briefing, a spokesman said eu leaders were more likely to focus on how to boost imports. this is not about — focus on how to boost imports. ti 3 is not about banning vaccine exports, it is about making sure companies deliver on their

commitments to the member states and the european union that are inscribed in the contracts they have with us. it is the give and take, if you wish. we will be exporting and the companies that are situated to which those countries re—export, it will be exporting to europe. you'll have to wait for more specifics on this, but clearly this is the direction that we are going on. the current focus _ direction that we are going on. the current focus is on this factory in the netherlands. the eu are expected to use the approved the use of vaccines manufactured here soon. some european leaders want to ensure supplies here are not sent to the uk first. they say astrazeneca still hasn't fulfilled its obligations to the eu. today the prime minister stressed mutual cooperation with brussels on vaccines, but emphasised there was a good reason why the

vaccination programme he it needed to continue apace. fin vaccination programme he it needed to continue apace.— to continue apace. on the continent riaht now to continue apace. on the continent right now you _ to continue apace. on the continent right now you can — to continue apace. on the continent right now you can see _ to continue apace. on the continent right now you can see that - to continue apace. on the continent right now you can see that sadly - right now you can see that sadly there is a third wave under way and people in this country should be under no illusions that previous experience has taught us that when a wave hits our friends, experience has taught us that when a wave hits ourfriends, i am experience has taught us that when a wave hits our friends, i am afraid it washes up on our shores as well. i expect that we will feel those effects in due course, that is why we are getting on with our vaccination programme as fast as we can. vaccination programme as fast as we can, ., ., , ., can. relations with the eu are rickl can. relations with the eu are prickly but _ can. relations with the eu are prickly but government - can. relations with the eu are prickly but government and i prickly but government and opposition are united in calling for the uk's vaccine contracts to be fulfilled unhindered. i the uk's vaccine contracts to be fulfilled unhindered.— the uk's vaccine contracts to be fulfilled unhindered. i don't think the eu is helping _ fulfilled unhindered. i don't think the eu is helping itself, - fulfilled unhindered. i don't think the eu is helping itself, i- fulfilled unhindered. i don't think the eu is helping itself, i don't i the eu is helping itself, idon't think— the eu is helping itself, i don't think it — the eu is helping itself, i don't think it has helped itself on the whole — think it has helped itself on the whole question of vaccines and i don't _ whole question of vaccines and i don't think— whole question of vaccines and i don't think they should go down this road of— don't think they should go down this road of banning exports. what we want _ road of banning exports. what we want is _ road of banning exports. what we want is this— road of banning exports. what we want is this resolved as quickly as possible _ want is this resolved as quickly as possible because we don't want any shortage _ possible because we don't want any shortage of vaccines to interrupt the roll—out in this country. but

shortage of vaccines to interrupt the roll-out in this country. but we know vaccine _ the roll-out in this country. but we know vaccine supplies _ the roll-out in this country. but we know vaccine supplies will - the roll-out in this country. but we know vaccine supplies will slow i the roll-out in this country. but we l know vaccine supplies will slow down next month even with no further restrictions from the eu, so what would this mean for the government's route out of lockdown in england? ministers have been keen to reassure as any shutdown slowdown will not make as wait any longer for a haircut or a make as wait any longer for a haircut ora drink make as wait any longer for a haircut or a drink in a beer garden because the nhs is still on track to offer vaccinations to all those over 50s and those at serious risk from illness by next month, and restriction should be further eased in england from april if you thought brexit would see the end of difficult talks with the eu, think again. ministers want to avoid a full—blown row and hope vaccine supply doesn't become a toxic issue. iain watson, bbc news, westminster. these difficulties with the eu, what is the prime minister expected to say to european leaders? he is the prime minister expected to say to european leaders?- is the prime minister expected to say to european leaders? he said he has already — say to european leaders? he said he has already been _ say to european leaders? he said he has already been talking _ say to european leaders? he said he has already been talking to - say to european leaders? he said he has already been talking to them i say to european leaders? he said he| has already been talking to them and in terms of good news, he stresses

he doesn't think they will impose a blockade. that doesn't mean to say on thursday they will decide there has to be some restrictions on vaccines and try to make sure that if the eu has fallen behind other countries, they will try to boost supply from eu manufactures rather than see some of those vaccines exported. rather more worryingly is what the prime minister said about the potential third wave of infections, as we see some of the cases surging on the continent, one of the reasons why they are keen to get their hands on some more vaccine supplies. on the continent right now, sadly there is a third wave under way and i expect we will feel these effects in due course, is what borisjohnson said. certainly downing street sources are not guiding us away from an increase in coronavirus cases. the clashes with ministers over the past few days that the lockdown and the road map out of lockdown is very much on

track. ., ., out of lockdown is very much on track. ., ~' , ., , . our europe correspondent nick beake is in brussels. what sort of response can boris johnson expect? it is what sort of response can boris johnson exam?— johnson expect? it is worth stressing — johnson expect? it is worth stressing we _ johnson expect? it is worth stressing we don't - johnson expect? it is worth stressing we don't know i johnson expect? it is worth l stressing we don't know what johnson expect? it is worth i stressing we don't know what the european commission is proposing, but certainly they have not ruled out using emergency powers, which haven't been used for more than a0 years. this is because they feel very strongly that astrazeneca has let down the european union by sending tens of million fewer doses than have been promised. the company says it is doing all it can to boost production rates. as we were hearing there, the commission said it is not about blocking exports to the uk for the sake of it, but making sure astrazeneca delivers on its contract. but interestingly, some eu countries are worried about how this row could really escalate and possibly affect global supplies of vaccines, and also the ingredients within them. it is worth looking at the bigger picture, covid cases are on the right cases. in poland,

france and other places bringing in tighter measures to deal with this. we need to remind ourselves, even though the eu is talking tough on getting more vaccines, the latest polling shows lots of people in the bigger eu countries are very sceptical about taking the astrazeneca product. so even if they get millions more doses, there is no guarantee people will want to take it, simon. ., , guarantee people will want to take it, simon. . , . the diplomatic row comes as there's further evidence that the oxford—astrazeneca vaccine is both safe and highly effective. a us trial of more than 32,000 volunteers said it was 79% effective at stopping symptomatic covid disease and 100% effective at preventing people from falling seriously ill and there were no safety issues regarding blood clots. our health correspondent dominic hughes reports. with the vaccination programme now well underway in the united states, a new trial has cleared the way for the astrazeneca jab to be added to the armoury. it confirms it is safe and effective, especially for older people. that adds to the growing body

of evidence from the use of the jab in millions of patients in the uk. we do, of course, have a lot of data now coming through from the uk on the use of the vaccine in older people, in people over 70 and people over 80, and showing that in real—world use of the vaccine, there is very high effectiveness of the vaccine, it is keeping people out of hospital, it is stopping them getting infected even in these age groups. but these empty chairs at a german vaccination centre back a new survey suggesting many in europe have lost confidence in the astrazeneca jab following a scare over blood clots, even though the vaccine is now being given the all clear by the eu medicines regulator. it shows just how easily faith in vaccines can be undermined. and a rising wave of infections across the continent throws into doubt the hopes of so many people of filling up these empty beaches this summer. if those breaks can go ahead, vaccination and testing will be crucial. vaccination non—stop, this is where the efforts

of the spanish government are at the moment, and i am sure that with this, the summer will look brighter, and of course, we will be more than glad to receive our tourists from the uk, as we always have. but the prospect of holidaymakers returning from countries currently in the middle of a fresh outbreak is causing concern. when there is high prevalence of the virus, there is more risk of mutations, and the big fear here is that a resistance virus, one of the new variants, if you like, will be brought back into the uk. keeping track of those new variants will be one of the biggest challenges for the coming months. a new process of genetic screening that could halve the time it takes to detect known variants is now undergoing trials. it's another weapon in what will be a long fight against coronavirus. dominic hughes, bbc news. our medical editor, fergus walsh, is here.

this remarkable research, the results from the united states, will they help to ease the fears that we have been reporting on in europe? one would hope so, but it is such a shame, simon, that this data didn't come out, say, injanuary, before france, germany and other countries decided they didn't want to use the astrazeneca vaccine in the elderly, whereas this research shows very clearly that in all age groups, in all adults, clearly that in all age groups, in alladults, it clearly that in all age groups, in all adults, it is highly effective, and 100% effective at preventing really severe covid. that ship has sailed, and since then, of course, then we had the pause for suspected blood clots, despite the fact that the european medicines agency, and the european medicines agency, and the who, and regulators here, said that was not necessary. we had the review by regulators saying the vaccine was safe and effective, and yet still now, there are some nordic countries who still haven't we started using the astrazeneca vaccine. and although the eu is arguing for more doses, they have

stockpiles that they haven't used, so it is a great shame, and were saying that astrazeneca is producing this vaccine not—for—profit —— worth saying —— whereas pfizer, which is that vaccine that many europeans would prefer to have, comes at a much higher price, and will make billions for pfizer this year. so, the one that is being done not—for—profit, that company is getting all the flak. not-for-profit, that company is getting all the flak.— not-for-profit, that company is getting all the flak. fergus, thank ou ve getting all the flak. fergus, thank you very much- — garden centres in wales are welcoming customers today for the first time since the current lockdown began in december. supermarkets and other shops that have remained open but were required to cordon off non—essential aisles, can now sell those products. all other shops in wales are expected to re—open on 12th april. the size of the army is expected to be reduced by about 10,000 soldiers as part of a move towards robots, drones, and cyber warfare. the defence review due to be announced later is likely to see the loss of some tanks and aircraft, but the government said there would be "more ships, submarines and sailors". our defence correspondent

jonathan beale reports. the prime minister this morning visited a factory in lancashire to highlight investment in developing a new british fighterjet. part of the modernisation of the armed forces which the government says will strengthen britain's sovereignty, security and prosperity. it’s strengthen britain's sovereignty, security and prosperity.— security and prosperity. it's the bi est security and prosperity. it's the biggest spend _ security and prosperity. it's the biggest spend on _ security and prosperity. it's the biggest spend on the _ security and prosperity. it's the biggest spend on the armed i security and prosperity. it's the i biggest spend on the armed forces since the end of the cold war, and what it is doing is, it is enabling us to modernise our armed services, to give them the kit that they are going to need for 21st century conflict. ., , conflict. the government says the armed forces _ conflict. the government says the armed forces of _ conflict. the government says the armed forces of the _ conflict. the government says the armed forces of the future i conflict. the government says the armed forces of the future will i conflict. the government says the | armed forces of the future will be better equipped, with royal marines and troops supported by robots and drones and sent to operate in a small team is to train and fight with allies all over the government's mantra of global britain. it says they will be backed up britain. it says they will be backed up by new kind of army, skilled in

information, electronic and cyber warfare. but it will also be smaller. the size of the regular army is expected to be cut by 10,000 to just over army is expected to be cut by 10,000 tojust over 70,000 army is expected to be cut by 10,000 to just over 70,000 soldiers. quantity has a quality all its own, as stalin taught us, and we are concerned about the shrinking size of britain's military. but i would rather have a fully capable, fully resourced, smaller british force than i would have a larger, less capable one. i than i would have a larger, less capable one-— than i would have a larger, less capable one. i am very concerned about these _ capable one. i am very concerned about these cuts. _ capable one. i am very concerned about these cuts. the _ capable one. i am very concerned about these cuts. the prime i capable one. i am very concerned i about these cuts. the prime minister at the _ about these cuts. the prime minister at the tail— about these cuts. the prime minister at the tail end of last year was saying. — at the tail end of last year was saying, there won't be cut to the military — saying, there won't be cut to the military. now we know there will. and it's _ military. now we know there will. and it's another cut, and i think that— and it's another cut, and i think that will— and it's another cut, and i think that will have an impact.- that will have an impact. extra investment — that will have an impact. extra investment is _ that will have an impact. extra investment is going _ that will have an impact. extra investment is going into i that will have an impact. extra investment is going into the i that will have an impact. exits. investment is going into the royal navy, with new warships being ordered. but it is still expected to retire two older frigates early, seeing a reduction in its service fleet before it increases later this

decade. the government has already named russia as the greatest threat, but the decision to send the navy�*s new aircraft carrier to the pacific later this year is a sign of concerns about the rise of china. but it is still not clear how many of these f—35 jets but it is still not clear how many of these f—35jets the uk can afford, beyond the a8 already ordered. jonathan beale, bbc news. our top story this lunchtime... widespread condemnation after violence breaks out in bristol at a protest against the new police and crime bill — twenty police officers were injured. and still to come... the cleaner that is out of this world — the mission to collect the space junk orbiting the planet. coming up in the sport... aiming to leave india on a high. england's one—day cricket captain says they will rotate the squad again for the three match series that starts

tomorrow. this is miami beach in florida, and these are scenes which have caused consternation. thousands of people descended on the city for the annual college spring break holiday, risking a further spread of coronavirus there. florida has had fairly relaxed restrictions up until now, but miami beach is now under a state of emergency for up to three weeks. our north america correspondent peter bowes reports. party time in miami. spring break, when students traditionally descend on florida to let off steam. the bars, beaches and restaurants are packed. but this is no time to party. the city of miami beach is currently under a state of emergency there is a curfew in effect. these extraordinary scenes have shocked local officials who say they have been overwhelmed by the number of revellers. there is little sign of social distancing and few people wearing masks. fights have broken out and businesses have been forced to close down.

at one point, the police shot pepper balls into the crowd, urging people to leave after an 8pm curfew came into effect. i think it is a good idea. even though it is fun out here, we want to be out here and have fun. no—one is doing anything, people are just out here, enjoying the beach and it is a good vibe. but they want to shut it down at 8 o'clock, people will go somewhere else and take their money somewhere else and it is what it is. people want to live. corona is over, winter is over, get the vaccine, get back to business. am i worried because of covid? i mean, i'm not really worried about that. i you know what i'm saying, like... you just got to be cautious, that's all, you know what i'm saying? i it's no guarantees with the covid thing, you can get the covid i from your neighbourhood, your block, your building. | it don't matter. you out somewhere else, like, we chilling. - music plays. florida is one of the few us states now fully open during the pandemic. last month, the republican governor ron desantis declared the state

an oasis of freedom from coronavirus restrictions. tourists have descended on the area in large numbers over the past few weeks. boston, you got to wear masks everywhere you go. i had the vaccine, so i don't care. i go home, i get tested, for myself, i don't really care but i wouldn't- want to get my parents sick, you know? - officials have blamed adults rather than college students for much of the chaos. the state of emergency and night—time curfew has now been extended for up to three weeks. many people are coming here right now and too many people are coming here with bad intentions. last week, florida recorded more than a,000 new covid—19 infections a day. this is a crisis that is far from over. peter bowes, bbc news, los angeles. this is a big week for scotland's first minister, nicola sturgeon. with just days to go before the holyrood election campaign, it's thought she'll find out this afternoon the results of an independent review into her handling of harassment

complaints against her predecessor, alex salmond. if it rules she has broken the ministerial code by knowingly misleading parliament, then her political career would be in serious trouble. our political correspondent nick eardley is at holyrood. nick? simon, in just nick? simon, injust over nick? simon, in just over 48 hours, nick? simon, in 'ust over ab hours, hol rood nick? simon, in 'ust over 48 hours, holyrood wru— nick? simon, in just over 48 hours, holyrood will break— nick? simon, in just over 48 hours, holyrood will break up _ nick? simon, in just over 48 hours, holyrood will break up for— nick? simon, in just over 48 hours, holyrood will break up for the i holyrood will break up for the scottish parliament election, but it is going to be a really dramatic couple of days because in a few hours' time, we are going to see that report from nicola sturgeon's independent adviser on the ministerial code. he has been looking into whether the first minister followed the rules which ministers are bound by. that process has been taking place very much behind closed doors, we don't know what he is going to say. but ms sturgeon's litigant opponents say that if he finds that she broke the ministerial code, she would have to resign. i think we will see that report later this afternoon. —— political opponents. the scottish

government have it at the moment and it is going through some legal checks before being published. but there is also another report coming tomorrow, which is from a committee of msps looking at how the scottish government dealt with harassment allegations made against alex salmond. we know some of what it is going to say because it leaked out. they think ms sturgeon misled them in evidence she gave earlier this month. but that full report will come out tomorrow morning. and then on wednesday, it is possible that there could be a confidence vote in there could be a confidence vote in the first minister, as the last item of business of the scottish parliament before breaking up for the election. that election really matters, because it could be pivotal as to whether or not there is another independence referendum. the stakes are high. ihlick another independence referendum. the stakes are high-— stakes are high. nick eardley, thank ou ve stakes are high. nick eardley, thank you very much- _ thousands of people have been evacuated from their homes across new south wales in australia as heavy rains continue to batter the east coast of the country causing severe flooding. torrential downpours have caused rivers and dams to overflow around

sydney and it's forecast that the rains will last for several more days. shaimaa khalil reports. this is what days of relentless downpour looks like — a deluge not seen in five decades here in new south wales. emergency services have been inundated with nearly 10,000 calls, and have conducted more than 500 rescues so far. and this is what they're up against, water so high and forceful, a three—bedroomed cottage was seen floating through. crews have also been called in to get stranded cattle to safety. in the town of windsor, north—west of sydney, residents are used to floods this time of year. but nothing like this. it's very shocking, because i haven't seen it like this before. in 1990 was the last time that i remember having a really big flood. it is hard to tell. this is the newly built windsor bridge.

it's barely a year old, and was meant to withstand heavy flooding. this is how swollen the hawkesbury river got, you can hardly make out the windsor bridge. and with more rain forecast over the next few days, things are set to get much worse before they get better. thousands of families have already evacuated, with many more ready to go. for days now, this family have been on alert. they tell me they hardly slept in the past 2a hours, as they watched the waters inch ever closer to their property, and submerge the whole of their back garden. it's normally completely green, and it slopes down to a dam, but now it's completely inundated. in the distance, we can just see farmland, but now we just see water. it's not the first natural disaster to hit these areas in the past year. some communities who were battered by the bushfires are now

being battered by the floods, and a deep drought prior to that. and i don't know any time in our state's history when we've had these extreme weather conditions. many families will spend the night in evacuation centres, and with the rainfall showing no sign of letting up, there is no telling when they will be able to get back to their homes. shaimaa khalil, bbc news, windsor, new south wales. now, the prospect of a good spring—clean is daunting enough for any of us, but in space? well, a british company is involved in the latest mission to clear up tonnes of debris that's floating in orbit around the earth. a vacuum cleaner won't cut it — they're going to be using huge magnets instead. our science correspondent jonathan amos reports. is this the start of a new era? a russian rocket flies skyward on a mission to showcase how the space industry can finally start to deal with its dirty secret — orbital debris.

more than 60 years of space activity have left millions of discarded pieces of metal and other materials littering the skies overhead. everything from old rocket segments to accidentally dropped astronaut tools, even flecks of paint. the space industry is finally realising that unless we start removing some of the biggerjunk items, we run the risk of collisions that will destroy the active satellites that provide our communications and weather forecasts. enter the astroscale company, with a division in the uk, which launched its clean—up demonstration on monday's rocket. it'll use one satellite to magnetically grab another, a dummy in this instance, and pull it down to earth. the manoeuvres involved will be complex. the key bit is to capture a tumbling object. so if a satellite fails it can quite easily start tumbling and that makes it considerably harder to capture it.

so, that is our key technology. astroscale believes a vibrant market will emerge this decade in which spacecraft owners contract other operators to either service and repair hardware in orbit, or tow it out of harm's way. this should keep orbits free and safe for everyone to continue using. jonathan amos, bbc news. time for a look at the weather, here's louise lear. hello, simon, good afternoon, everybody, what a beautiful out there for many of us. lots of sunshine, and quite calm as well. you can see the best of the sunshine is in eastern scotland, to the used of the pennines, thicker cloud further to the north and west. that cloud is thick enough for a couple of spots of drizzle at the moment as you can see in the highlands this morning. not much snow on the mountain is at the moment, but there could be some more snow to come later in the week. for the rest of today, enjoy what you've got, it is

quite quiet out there, and even with