this is bbc news with the latest headlines for viewers in the uk and around the world. several western governments impose sanctions on china because of alleged human rights abuses against ethnic uighurs in xinjiang. the uk is warned that because of the sharp rise in coronavirus cases in parts of the eu, it will not escape the effects of a third wave. homes, roads and livestock are washed away or cut off in australia as it faces its worst flooding in decades. music. in iceland, they're celebrating victory over the virus. we report on the successful measures that the country has adopted.

several western countries have announced sanctions targeted at chinese officials over alleged human rights abuses against the uighurs, a mostly—muslim minority. the sanctions are directed at senior officials in the north—west region of xinjiang accused of responsibility for abuses against uighurs detained in camps there. bbc investigations have gathered first—hand testimony of forced labour and allegations of rape and torture of detainees. the sanctions were announced as a coordinated effort by the european union, the uk, canada and the us. our diplomatic correspondent james landale has more details. allegations of rape and torture. translation: they did whatever evil their mind could think of, - and they didn't spare any part

of my body. the forced sterilisation of women. the so—called re—education centres. the arbitrary detention of more thani million people. the forced labour camps, the suppression of language and culture. for months, the bbc and others have reported on the abuses meted out on the uighur people in north—west china. western governments have criticised, but only now are they acting against what's some in china wish to hide. by acting with our partners, 30 of us in total, we're sending the clearest message to the chinese government that the international community will not turn a blind eye to such serious and systematic violations of basic human rights. these are the sorts of camps where the foreign secretary says industrial—scale abuse is taking place, and the four top chinese officials that britain says is responsible will now be subject to travel bans and asset freezes.

the state organisation in charge of security and policing in the region is also sanctioned. european ministers meeting in brussels imposed similar measures, as did canada and united states. china retaliated immediately by sanctioning ten european political figures and four organisations. and the country's top diplomat in britain was not impressed. they are trying to impose on china's internal affairs. and the sanction is based on unfounded accusations. you say these are unfounded allegations, but how can you deny the sheer weight of the evidence from survivors, from first—hand reporting, from satellite imagery, from official documentation? so far, the satellite images are not true and the pictures and videos, they are concocted. what we are doing in xinjiang isjust a precautionary measure in anti—terrorism, and that is to safeguard our national interest.

in practice, these sanctions are going to affect only a handful of people, but they are significant because it is so unusual for the west to take such collective action against china. what diplomats here want to know is what impact this is all going to have on discussions with china about other issues, like trade or climate change. james landale, bbc news, outside the foreign office. joining me now is winnie king, a china expert at the university of bristol. the rhetoric is heating up as we saw in that first meeting between the us and china in alaska just a few days ago. we seem a long way from teddy roosevelt's speak softly but carry a big stick. what is the relationship now with the sort of sanction diplomacy?— diplomacy? welcome of the relationship _ diplomacy? welcome of the relationship between - diplomacy? welcome of the relationship between the i diplomacy? welcome of the| relationship between the us diplomacy? welcome of the - relationship between the us with china with regards to the us, canada, the eu in the uk are clearly heating up in the form of tensions.

the i did that we might see the rise of a potential hot war is nothing thatis of a potential hot war is nothing that is increasingly being discussed in the community with regards chinese colours. but in regards to what we mean for economics, that's a whole other story. we what we mean for economics, that's a whole other story.— whole other story. we took about hot wars, is sanction _ whole other story. we took about hot wars, is sanction to _ whole other story. we took about hot wars, is sanction to pharmacy - wars, is sanction to pharmacy perhaps one way of avoiding a hot war and in the bypassing or taking the main focus off the economics as well? in other words it's a pressure valve. to well? in other words it's a pressure valve. ., . . . , valve. to a certain extent, but i think we don't _ valve. to a certain extent, but i think we don't want _ valve. to a certain extent, but i think we don't want to - valve. to a certain extent, but i | think we don't want to overstate valve. to a certain extent, but i - think we don't want to overstate the significance of what the sections actually represent. i think it's important to note that the top party member of the communist party in the region with regards to xinjiang has not been included in the sanctions by the eu, canada or the uk and dominic raab has actually been called as to why the uk is not willing to point out the point of

whether or not this is actually a genocide. and so there is a lot of symbolic value that these sanctions hold, particularly for the british government in terms of its position right now in walking a tight rope in a post—brexit era, but as to what this means in terms of trying to be a valve to release the pressure with regard to the potential of a hot war, i think we don't want to actually overstate it.- war, i think we don't want to actually overstate it. ok, and is it the uk in a _ actually overstate it. ok, and is it the uk in a you — actually overstate it. ok, and is it the uk in a you -- _ actually overstate it. ok, and is it the uk in a you -- unique - actually overstate it. ok, and is it| the uk in a you -- unique position the uk in a you —— unique position about this by being critical but also in the same breath thing we want to carry on trading with you? the uk is not alone in this. the eu just signed an agreement, investment agreement with the chinese at the end of 2020. in the post—brexit era, we are trying to see is boris johnson stated in february that they want and we want to restart

negotiations for trade with the chinese. so the economic side is all important. chinese. so the economic side is all im ortant. �* chinese. so the economic side is all imortant. �* , , ., , chinese. so the economic side is all imortant. �* , , , ., important. and presumably also the world needs — important. and presumably also the world needs china _ important. and presumably also the world needs china on _ important. and presumably also the world needs china on environmental issues as well?— issues as well? absolutely. climate chance issues as well? absolutely. climate change agenda _ issues as well? absolutely. climate change agenda now— issues as well? absolutely. climate change agenda now that _ issues as well? absolutely. climate change agenda now that joe - issues as well? absolutely. climate change agenda now that joe bidenl issues as well? absolutely. climate i change agenda now that joe biden has change agenda now thatjoe biden has rejoined the paris accord makes it absolutely fundamental to have the chinese on the team. qm. absolutely fundamental to have the chinese on the team.— chinese on the team. 0k, we must leave it there _ chinese on the team. 0k, we must leave it there but _ chinese on the team. 0k, we must leave it there but very _ chinese on the team. 0k, we must leave it there but very good - chinese on the team. 0k, we must leave it there but very good have i leave it there but very good have you on the programme, thank you very much indeed. the united kingdom will not escape the effects of a third wave of the pandemic given the sharp rise in cases in parts of the european union. that's the warning from the prime minister, borisjohnson. it comes as the row between the uk and the eu over vaccine supplies intensified with a threat that eu could block doses of vaccines manufactured in the eu from being exported to the uk. 0ur political editor

laura kuenssberg reports. france tonight, quiet paris, back in lockdown, the disease double where it was last week. on one side of the channel, the number of cases higher and higher, take—up of the vaccine stubbornly low. but on the other... ..the opposite, the disease falling back and vaccines rising. you can see, sadly, there is a third wave under way. when a wave hits our friends, it, i'm afraid, washes up on our shores as well. and i expect that we will feel those effects in due course. that's why we're getting on with our vaccination programme as fast as we can. monsieur! much quicker here than on the continent, where countries are closing their doors again, but there've been public doubts from politicians about the safety of the jabs and significant shortfalls in the astrazeneca vaccines the eu ordered. and in the last few days, brussels has dangled the prospect of blocking exports.

nothing is off the table. it is entirely legitimate _ for the european union to be looking at the different tools that it has at its disposal or could - have at its disposal. getting the vaccine here isn't always smooth or straightforward, but a big majority of the 100 million astrazeneca jabs on order are being made in the uk. a small amount�*s due from a factory in the netherlands, and there are suggestions that could be shared with the eu. 10 million doses are expected from india, five already here and five held up. but there are a0 million of the pfizerjab on order. it's mainly made in belgium, but relies on a component made here. first off, there's no immediate threat to the vaccine programme here. the government's adamant contracts signed months ago will be honoured, and although borisjohnson's talked on the phone to eu leaders, there's no desire in downing street to get sucked into a diplomatic screaming match. but the eu is so far behind, they're likely to keep pushing hard

for a way to catch up. but many of its members might resist something as blunt or dramatic as stopping vaccines crossing the channel. i think it would be a very retrograde step. it would, in my view, be counter—productive. i understand the issues with astrazeneca. there's huge tension there between astrazeneca and the european union. they have not fulfilled their contracts. but there is no point in undermining the other companies. while vaccinations break records here, a brand—new centre in middlesbrough can give 1000 injections a day, travel to our neighbours could be limited even further. in this pandemic, vaccines have a high practical and political price. laura kuenssberg, bbc news, westminster. results from the long—awaited us trial of the oxford/astrazeneca covid vaccine are out and confirm that the shot is both safe and highly effective. more than 32,000 volunteers took part, mostly in the united states, but also in chile and peru.

the vaccine 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, fears of which have led to temporary suspensions in some countries. the vaccine also gave the same amount of protection to both those over 65 and younger people. the results mean the us is highly likely to approve the vaccine's use. american health officials wanted to wait for their own study before making a decision. torrential downpours continue to lash australia's east coast, forcing thousands to flee the worst flooding in decades. thousands of residents have been told to evacuate their homes after days of relentless rainfall caused rivers in australia's most populous state, new south wales, to rise to their highest levels in 30 years.

emergency warnings are in place across the state. heavy rains are expected to continue until wednesday, especially in the worst—hit areas near sydney and along the coast, including port macquarie. emily schofield is a british expat who is living in the town of port macquarie. shejoins us now. my goodness, 18 months after the bushfires, you have been hit so hard. what is it like where you are? we been hit so hard. what is it like where you are?— been hit so hard. what is it like where you are? been hit so hard. what is it like where ou are? . ., ., ., ., where you are? we have had a lot of accident -- — where you are? we have had a lot of accident -- evacuations. _ where you are? we have had a lot of accident -- evacuations. on - where you are? we have had a lot of accident -- evacuations. on friday i accident —— evacuations. on friday night we all had messages to come through to our phones saying if we were in low—lying areas we needed to a banquet by eight p:m.. i'm very fortunate as i live upon a hill. so i'm not at risk of that. but the devastation has been huge, even with the highest streets in the middle of town flooded. just

the highest streets in the middle of town flooded.— town flooded. just describe what it's like in town _ town flooded. just describe what it's like in town then. _ town flooded. just describe what it's like in town then. have - town flooded. just describe what it's like in town then. have you l it's like in town then. have you managed to venture out? yeah, so we went to our — managed to venture out? yeah, so we went to our local— managed to venture out? yeah, so we went to our local supermarket - managed to venture out? yeah, so we went to our local supermarket on - managed to venture out? yeah, so we went to our local supermarket on the l went to our local supermarket on the top car park. to stay high up. and overlook the highest history and it was just covered in water and you could see the cars that had got stuck in there. the amount of debris thatis stuck in there. the amount of debris that is washing up on our beaches and our river out there. particularly the devastation to livestock. we have had some animals, i don't know if you have seen, being pulled out alive into people's gardens in tampa unfortunately we have also had deceased livestock that had been washed out of their farms, down the river, out to the ocean and back onto the beaches,

which for the farmers that have had to suffer through the bushfires and they are just starting to recover from that, to now be hit by this is heartbreaking. the hardship that they are going through. i heartbreaking. the hardship that they are going through.- they are going through. i think i was reading _ they are going through. i think i was reading 100 _ they are going through. i think i was reading 100 l— they are going through. i think i was reading 100 l of _ they are going through. i think i was reading 100 l of rain - they are going through. i think i was reading 100 l of rain in - they are going through. i think i was reading 100 l of rain in the| was reading 100 l of rain in the past week alone. what about the utilities and the support for those who have not been able to evacuate? -- 800 who have not been able to evacuate? —— 800 mm. the who have not been able to evacuate? -- 800 mm— who have not been able to evacuate? -- 800 mm. , ,, -- 800 mm. the community spirit here has been incredible. _ -- 800 mm. the community spirit here has been incredible. everyone's - -- 800 mm. the community spirit here has been incredible. everyone's that . has been incredible. everyone's that can do so offers to help. i know our kayak was used to evacuate someone over the weekend and get their possessions out of their home. find possessions out of their home. and ou have possessions out of their home. and you have got _ possessions out of their home. and you have got power, have you? i i possessions out of their home. and i you have got power, have you? i have at the moment- _ you have got power, have you? i have at the moment. it _ you have got power, have you? i have at the moment. it has _ you have got power, have you? i have at the moment. it has been _ you have got power, have you? i have at the moment. it has been on - you have got power, have you? i have at the moment. it has been on at - at the moment. it has been on at all. it flips off and on. i know a lot of businesses have lost power, a

lot of businesses have lost power, a lot of businesses have lost power, a lot of supermarkets have lost power so they have had to throw a lot of food out. i have got powerfor the moment but many do not. find food out. i have got power for the moment but many do not.- food out. i have got power for the moment but many do not. and in terms of casualties. — moment but many do not. and in terms of casualties, how _ moment but many do not. and in terms of casualties, how serious _ moment but many do not. and in terms of casualties, how serious is _ moment but many do not. and in terms of casualties, how serious is it, - of casualties, how serious is it, fatalities, casualties? i of casualties, how serious is it, fatalities, casualties?— of casualties, how serious is it, fatalities, casualties? i have not personally _ fatalities, casualties? i have not personally heard _ fatalities, casualties? i have not personally heard of— fatalities, casualties? i have not personally heard of any - fatalities, casualties? i have not| personally heard of any fatalities to human life. like i have said cam of the fatalities to livestock has been high. of the fatalities to livestock has been hirh. ., of the fatalities to livestock has been high-— of the fatalities to livestock has been hirh. ., , , , ., been high. ok, look at my best of luck because _ been high. ok, look at my best of luck because you _ been high. ok, look at my best of luck because you still— been high. ok, look at my best of luck because you still have - been high. ok, look at my best of luck because you still have a - been high. ok, look at my best of luck because you still have a few. luck because you still have a few days i think of more rain to come. emily schofield in port macquarie in new south wales, thank you for joining us on the programme. thank ou. stay with us on bbc news. still to come, a huge fire sweeps through a rohingya refugee camp in bangladesh, destroying thousands of homes. music.

i'm so proud of both of you. let there be no more wars or bloodshed between arabs and israelis. with great regret, the committee have decided that south africa be excluded from the 1970 competition. singing. streaking across the sky, _ the white—hot wreckage from mir drew gasps from onlookers on fiji.

this is bbc news. the latest headlines — several western governments impose sanctions on china because of alleged human rights abuses against ethnic uighurs in xinjiang. the uk is warned that because of the sharp rise in coronavirus cases in parts of the eu, it will not escape the effects of a third wave. thousands of rohingya refugees living in a migrant camp in bangladesh have been forced to flee after a fire broke out. the blaze, in the cox's bazaar camps, has spread rapidly, destroying hundreds of shelters. it's part of a network of camps that are home to over a million refugees who have fled myanmar since 2017. 0ur south east asia editor anbarasan ethirajan reports.

a raging inferno in one of the world's largest refugee camps in southeastern bangladesh. the bamboo huts of the rohingya refugees were no match for the intense blaze. black smoke billowed over burning shanties, triggering panic among residents. it was the worst place to the settlement in recent years. translation:— translation: today i lost my shelter, translation: today i lost my shelter. my — translation: today i lost my shelter, my money, _ translation: today i lost my shelter, my money, my - translation: today i lost my shelter, my money, my relief, j translation: today | lost my . shelter, my money, my relief, my clothes, everything i lost, really. this man is from the camp destroyed by the fires. he has taken refuge at an emergency shelter. thousands like him from the camp have become homeless, and the real damage is thought to be —— yet to be ascertained. emergency services battled for seven hours to control the fire. translation: ,, . translation: since we reached here, we have been — translation: since we reached here, we have been trying _ translation: since we reached here, we have been trying to _ translation: since we reached here, we have been trying to douse - translation: since we reached here, we have been trying to douse the - we have been trying to douse the fire.

we have been trying to douse the fire there — we have been trying to douse the fire. there are numerous cylinders for cooking — fire. there are numerous cylinders for cooking gas and we are trying to overcome _ for cooking gas and we are trying to overcome that problem to fight the fire. . ., , ., overcome that problem to fight the fire. .. , ., , ., , fire. the cause of the blaze is still not known. _ fire. the cause of the blaze is still not known. nearly - fire. the cause of the blaze is still not known. nearly 1 - fire. the cause of the blaze is l still not known. nearly1 million rohingya muslims live in cramped conditions in the camps in cox's bazaar district. while the majority fled in myanmarfrom a military lead crack now in 2017 in which many homes and villages were torched. these people, the rohingya refugees, they have _ these people, the rohingya refugees, they have already— these people, the rohingya refugees, they have already gone _ these people, the rohingya refugees, they have already gone through - these people, the rohingya refugees, they have already gone through a - they have already gone through a very traumatising _ they have already gone through a very traumatising events - they have already gone through a very traumatising events over- they have already gone through a j very traumatising events over the last couple — very traumatising events over the last couple of— very traumatising events over the last couple of years. _ very traumatising events over the last couple of years. and - very traumatising events over the last couple of years. and they. very traumatising events over thej last couple of years. and they are obviously — last couple of years. and they are obviously living _ last couple of years. and they are obviously living under— last couple of years. and they are obviously living under very, - last couple of years. and they are obviously living under very, very. obviously living under very, very challenging _ obviously living under very, very challenging conditions, - obviously living under very, very challenging conditions, as - obviously living under very, very challenging conditions, as you . obviously living under very, very. challenging conditions, as you can imagine _ challenging conditions, as you can imagine that — challenging conditions, as you can imagine that they— challenging conditions, as you can imagine that they are _ challenging conditions, as you can imagine that they are already- imagine that they are already dealing — imagine that they are already dealing with _ imagine that they are already dealing with a _ imagine that they are already dealing with a lot _ imagine that they are already dealing with a lot of- imagine that they are already dealing with a lot of stress. l imagine that they are already. dealing with a lot of stress. and that is— dealing with a lot of stress. and that is certainly, _ dealing with a lot of stress. and that is certainly, this _ dealing with a lot of stress. and that is certainly, this event - dealing with a lot of stress. and that is certainly, this event is i that is certainly, this event is only— that is certainly, this event is only going _ that is certainly, this event is only going to _ that is certainly, this event is only going to further- that is certainly, this event is only going to further affect i that is certainly, this event is i only going to further affect them. with the — only going to further affect them. with the sunset, _ only going to further affect them. with the sunset, a _ only going to further affect them. with the sunset, a sense - only going to further affect them. with the sunset, a sense of- only going to further affect them. | with the sunset, a sense of gloom amongst the rohingya. despite the

smoldering ash, the residents tried to collect the remaining possessions for the they can recover from the trauma of the violence in myanmar, yet another tragedy has struck the rohingya. let's get some of the day's other news. the head of the world health organization, tedros adhanom ghebreyesus, has called on more producers of coronavirus vaccines to follow astrazeneca's example and licence their technology to other manufacturers. he said the growing gap in supply between rich and poor countries was "grotesque". saudi arabia has proposed a new plan to end the six—year—long war in yemen. they've suggested a un—supervised ceasefire between yemen's saudi—backed government and the houthi rebels, who are supported by iran. the initiative also includes the reopening of vital air and sea links and the start of political negotiations. yemen's government and the un both welcomed the plan. the houthi rebels reportedly called it "nothing new".

the united states government says it will ask the authorities in mexico and guatemala to find ways of reducing the flow of migrants and asylum—seekers reaching its southern border. the white house press secretary, jen psaki, said the us wanted to help address the root causes. she said unaccompanied children were a particular concern. facebook says it disabled more than 1.3 billion fake accounts in the final three months of last year. the social media network said it had also deleted 12 million pieces of misinformation about covid—19 and vaccines. the statement comes days before the company's chief executive, along with executives of google and twitter, testify at a us congressional committee hearing on misinformation. while countries across europe are struggling with rising cases of coronavirus, iceland has largely managed to eradicate the virus. it has a handful of cases most of which have come from people

entering the country. it's become europe's first and only green—zone country, allowing it to open up again with very few restrictions on daily life. our europe correspondent jean mackenzie has been to find out what's behind its success. the storm has passed. hibernation is over. celebrations have begun. this feels so amazing. just to let loose a little. see friends, sing a little, why not? with the virus under control, all generations are rediscovering their moments ofjoy. having this warm water in iceland, it's a priority.

to get here, iceland acted fast and began aggressively testing and contact tracing from day one. within months, every arriving passenger was made to quarantine. i will take this sample from your throat and then your nose. now, mandatory tests at the border catch new cases before they enter the country. welcome to the isolation hotel. anyone who tests positive is kept here in total isolation. gylfi has now cared for more patients than the hospitals. what's given iceland the edge? it was the scientists that made up the rules, not the politics. that matters. they know what they are talking about. the politicians, they don't. laughter. well, i think it's important for a politician to realise what's politics and... ..what's reallyjust something that needs to be solved by the use

of scientific means. iceland is a sparsely—populated island. i'm sure a lot of countries look at iceland and think you've had it easy. obviously, it's been very beneficial to iceland that we are small and there are so few of us, and that obviously makes testing, intensive testing and tr,acing easier. iceland has been dealt another helping hand. this world—leading genetics company has handed over its laboratories to analyse every single positive case. but after months of keeping the british variant out of the country, they notice a case has slipped through the border. there were two cases diagnosed yesterday, and he is sequencing them now. so, you'll be able to know today if it's the british variant that's spread. that's what you're fearing? yes. the results confirm the british variant has spread but over the next

few days, more than 1000 people are tracked down and tested and the virus is contained. and so, the party continues. this last week has shown that it is impossible for a country to shut the virus out, but iceland is proving that with the right measures, it can be effectively contained. hi! and life can look like this again. jean mackenzie, bbc news, reykjavik. and staying in iceland, scientists at the foot of a volcano in the south—west of the country used its lava as a giant grill to cook up a sausage snack as they studied the eruption on sunday. spectators and scientists flocked to the area near fagradalsfjall, a mountain on the reykjanes peninsula, around 30 kilometres south—west of iceland's capital reykjavik to closer study

the environmental phenomenon. that is that is it from the team. see you soon. hello there. many of us started the week dry with some spring sunshine. but things aren't going to change over the next few days. it's already turning cloudier. it will turn wetter and windier, and briefly for the end of the week, it will turn quite a bit colder. now, on the satellite picture, you can see a lot of cloud out west. this cloud being brought in our direction on a a south—westerly breeze. as that breeze sets in, it is laden with moisture. so, that is going to deliver a lot of cloud through tuesday, especially across western parts of the uk, where the cloud will squeeze out some spots of light rain and drizzle. we'll see some more persistent rain pushing into northern ireland and western scotland later in the day, where it will also be turning quite windy. breezy elsewhere, the best of any sunshine across north east scotland, central and eastern parts

of england, but generally speaking, it will be cloudier than it was on monday. top temperatures for most between 9—13 degrees. now, through tuesday night, this band of cloud and rain will push south—eastwards out of scotland and northern ireland down into england and wales. clearer spells and some showers following on behind. our band of cloud and patchy rain comes courtesy of a weather front, and this weather front is developing something of a wave. you can see this kink on the weather front here. so, instead of clearing through quickly, the front hangs back across england and wales for a time. cloud and patchy rain, which will only slowly slide south—eastwards. brightening up for wales and northern england throughout the day. northern ireland and scotland will see sunshine and a scattering of heavy showers, perhaps becoming more widespread late in the day. temperatures between 10—13 degrees in most places. now, thursday is a sunshine and showers day. some of the showers will be heavy, possibly thundery, most plentiful across northern and western areas, where we could see them joining together to give a spell of more persistent rain later in the day. again, those temperatures around

10—13, maybe 1a degrees. but those temperatures are set to fall. this cold front pushing through as we head into friday, and behind it, you can see showers which could start to turn wintry over higher ground because there will be some much colder air bringing its way in. it's not going to last too long, but friday is going to be a chilly—feeling day. some spells of sunshine, but some showers which could be heavy and wintry over high ground in the north and west. and those temperatures quite a bit lower, 7—10 degrees.

this is bbc world news.

the headlines: several western countries have announced sanctions against officials in china — over human rights abuses against the uighur population in xinjiang. the sanctions were announced as part of a coordinated effort by the european union, uk, canada and the us. safe and highly effective — that's the verdict from a large us trial of the oxford, astrazeneca vaccine. it shows it is 79% effective at stopping symptomatic disease — and 100% at preventing serious illness. parts of new south wales in australia are suffering their worst floods in 60 years. more torrential rains are expected until wednesday. saudi arabia has proposed a plan to end the conflict in yemen. it includes a nationwide ceasefire supervised by the un — as well as restarting negotiations between the saudi—backed yemeni government and houthi rebels — who are backed by iran.