president biden is hosting a virtual climate summit, with a pledge to cut america's its carbon emissions by at least half. the us climate envoyjohn kerry hails the involvement of the world's other major polluter. the united states and china will work together to address the climate crisis. i think this is the first time china hasjoined in saying it's a crisis. we'll ask what the climate summit might achieve. also this lunchtime... the government has apologised for the failure to properly commemorate black and asian soldiers who died fighting for britain. and the nairobi commonwealth were

sanitary, dozens of soldiers buried here, only a handful of black africans. —— war cemetery. driving tests get the green light in england and wales — but there's a backlog of hundreds of thousands. and the footballer marcus rashford gets on side with michelin starred chef tom kerridge — to create cheap, healthy family meals. and coming up on the bbc news channel... real madrid president florentino perez is insisting the idea of a european super league is not over, merely on standby, with some clubs still involved in trying to find a solution. good afternoon and welcome to the bbc news at one. president biden has pledged

that the us will aim to at least halve its greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, compared with 2005 levels. the president is hosting 42 global leaders at a two day virtual summit aimed at tackling climate change — his adminstration is hoping that other big polluters will follow its lead. 0ur chief environment correspondent justin rowlatt reports. is this the moment the world comes together and begins to take climate change seriously? that's certainly whatjoe biden is hoping as he welcomes world leaders to his virtual summit. since his inauguration, president biden�*s climate envoy john kerry has been elbow bumping his way around the world in an effort to raise global ambition on the issue. the united states and china will work together to address the climate crisis. i think this is the first time china hasjoined in saying it's a crisis. the us president kick—started the talks today with ambitious new targets for cutting carbon.

he said the us will cut emissions in half by the end of this decade as part of its efforts to reach net zero by 2050. that means cutting emissions as much as possible and capturing those that can't be prevented by planting trees or through engineering solutions. the fact the chinese leader xi jinping will be attending is very significant. china and the us don't agree on much at the moment, but have said they will work together on the climate issue. the uk, which also upped ambition on carbon cuts this week, says the world is moving on climate. when we were announced as the cop 26 president, less than 30% of the world economy was covered by a net zero target. we're now at 70%, so we have seen some progress. but what we need to do is to get more progress in terms of near—term emission targets to 2030. but, as greta thunberg says,

ambitious targets need to be backed up with policies that will actually lead to significant emissions reductions. of course it's a step in the right direction, but if only it was that simple, that we could just invest and put money in things and that would solve the problem. of course that will be required as well but it will take so much more than that. we need to be realistic and see the whole picture. today's meeting is designed to get the world on the right track in the run—up to the big un climate conference the uk is due to host in glasgow in november. the hope is that by getting leaders talking now we're more likely to get really bold commitments from them in november. justin rowlatt, bbc news. rising temperatures are having a direct impact on marine life. 0ur correspondent sophie long has been to visit an ocean community on the california coast, which has seen and felt the impact of climate change.

this surprise visit by a young white shark to the cold waters of the central california coast brought a clear message. things are changing, fast. about 2014, we started to see juveniles in monterey bay and we were very surprised. what we didn't know then what we know now is that 2014 ushered in a series of marine heatwaves, so that was an astounding result of oceanic changes caused by climate change and what impact they have on species. whales are also changing their migration habits, which means fishermen have had to cut their season short to avoid entanglements. this year we didn't open up until well after the new year, and in the future, we're going to have to have to deal with this every year, we're going to have to wait for the whales to migrate south and when they begin to migrate north, we're going to have to end our season early also. so that has a financial impact? yeah, it has a direct financial impact, cos the season used to be eight months out of the year,

and now, realistically, you have a one or two—month season. the amount of wildlife in the water can distract from the threat they face. those that work on it welcome the fact they have a president who is listening, but they want to make sure their voice is heard. there's just a lot of uncertainty and a lot of unknowns around the future of our oceans, and i think from a commercial fisherman perspective, we don't want to be forgotten in the conversations around the future of our ocean. we want to make sure that we have a seat at the table in terms of those conversations, and also know that we have a lot to contribute. we spend more time on the water than anyone else. barking. while there are vocal members of this ocean community, others adopt a wait—and—see policy. what people feel passionately here is that if the oceans are properly protected, they can stop suffering from climate change, and start supplying more solutions to it.

when it comes to global warming, the ocean and its inhabitants have literally been taking the heat. which is fine for hardy generalists like jellyfish. they may be beautiful and important, but they're not good to eat. the united states no longer has a leader determined to go against the flow on environment issues. now it's retaking its seat at the head of the summit table, people here are optimistic that they'll be able to leave an ocean in which future generations can prosper. sophie long, bbc news, monterey bay. justin rowlatt is here now. it's a two—day virtual summit. what could it achieve? this it's a two-day virtual summit. what could it achieve?— could it achieve? this is a staging ost could it achieve? this is a staging post towards _ could it achieve? this is a staging post towards the _ could it achieve? this is a staging post towards the really _ could it achieve? this is a staging post towards the really importantj post towards the really important climate change conference which is the one being held and hosted by the uk and glasgow in november. this is going to solve the issue of climate change? no, but it is an opportunity

for president biden to get the world leaders together and say to them, this is an issue we really need to engage in and this is the kind of ambition we want to see so in that senseit ambition we want to see so in that sense it is very important. you have to remember, we have got this really quite optimistic moment in climate policy. we have got china saying it is serious about reducing carbon emissions, the eu saying it is serious and now president biden. these are the three biggest economies in the world and if they start to reduce emissions that has an immediate impact on emissions worldwide but they are also in a really influential position to cite other countries, listen, you don't follow our lead and reduce emissions as well we may make trade a little bit more difficult, so there is the potential, slightly worried to say it, this is a moment where we could be cautiously optimistic about the possibilities.— possibilities. thank you, justin rowlatt. the government has made a formal apology for the failure to properly commemorate the deaths of tens of thousands of black

and asian troops who fought for the british empire during the first world war. the commonwealth war graves commission found that more than 115,000 casualties weren't given headstones, because of "pervasive racism". paul adams reports. at cemeteries and plots around the world their sacrifice is commemorated with dignity and attention. names inscribed so that we may remember. but not all names. tens of thousands of black and asian soldiers fought and died for britain, but when it came to marking their sacrifice it was done differently, or collectively, or not at all. it was, says the government, a terrible mistake. mr speaker, on behalf of the commonwealth war graves commission and the government both of the time and today, i want to apologise for the failures to live up to their founding principles all those years ago and express deep regret that it's taken so long

to rectify the situation. more than a year after setting up a special committee, the organisation responsible for maintaining war graves has issued a formal apology. it's found that entrenched prejudices and the pervasive racism of imperial attitudes were to blame. the committee's report found that at least 116,000, and perhaps as many as 350,000 of those who died serving the forces of the then british empire, remain un—commemorated. the vast majority of african, indian or egyptian origin. the commonwealth war graves commission says it's taking action to correct the wrongs of the past. this research report is welcome. it's sober, very, very disappointing reading, but actually it gives us the ability now, now we know the numbers and the areas to look, we can start the searches properly and we can pick up on the failings

of the past and ensure that we act today to put those right. the commission says it will implement all ten of the committee's detailed recommendations. it will search for more names, adopt third—party memorials, and build new commemorative structures in collaboration with communities involved. the mp david lammy presented the channel a documentary that triggered the commission's report. it's right and proper that the commonwealth war graves commission and the ministry of defence consult appropriately in situ in those countries and ask those countries and those communities what they would like to see properly commemorate their war dead. at the chattri memorial in sussex, the names of fallen indian soldiers are recorded. these men were not forgotten. the commission says it's determined to fulfil its original promise, to commemorate equally all those who died in both world wars. paul adams, bbc news.

india has reported the biggest daily rise in coronavirus infections of any country since the pandemic began. nearly 315,000 new cases have been registered. 0ur correspondent nikhil inamdar is in maharashtra state. we have been reporting repeatedly of massive problems for hospitals, a lack of beds and oxygen, bring us up—to—date. lack of beds and oxygen, bring us up-to-date-_ up-to-date. that's right. this is “ust one up-to-date. that's right. this is just one more — up-to-date. that's right. this is just one more grim _ up-to-date. that's right. this is just one more grim milestone . up-to-date. that's right. this is i just one more grim milestone that up-to-date. that's right. this is - just one more grim milestone that we have reached, 315,000 new cases, the worst notjust in india but the world in terms of the fresh new infections being seen in the last 2a hours. we have also seen an excess of 2000 deaths and the total tally now hitting close to 16 million

people, the absolute scenes of devastation that are played out across hospitals in india where people are unable to get beds, they are lying outside hospitals bleeding literally in many parts for their loved ones —— bleeding. the hospital infrastructure inundated. there is a huge crisis of oxygen supplied with states fighting with one another per oxygen and several hospitals reporting they have just a few hours of oxygen left and also we are seeing shortages of critical medicines for the treatment of coronavirus such as... clearly at this point in time india's medical infrastructure crumbling under the weight of the second wave of the covid—19 crisis we are seeing. weight of the second wave of the covid-19 crisis we are seeing. thank ou. coronavirus was not the the leading cause of death in england and wales last month for the first time since october, according to the latest figures from the office for national statistics.

0ur health correspondent catherine burns is with me. she has been looking through the figures. what more do they what is not of that noticeable is how sharply covered decorator phone. in january the office for national statistics registered 27,000 deaths caused by covered. it dropped in february to 17000 and march it is closer to 4000. a fall of about 85% injust a few closer to 4000. a fall of about 85% in just a few months which is obviously brilliant news. it is also not that surprising because what we are seeing is the combined impact of lockdown and also more and more people getting their vaccine. one thing we do need to think about now is the other conditions that are killing people, so according to the ons right now the leading causes of death are alzheimer's, dementia and then heart disease and that is followed by covid. after that things like strokes and lung cancer. across the course of the pandemic these conditions have actually been killing slightly fewer people than usual each month, but as things get

closer to normal, what we can expect probably is these conditions will kill about 10,000 people between kill about 10 , 000 people between them kill about 10,000 people between them every single month.- kill about 10,000 people between them every single month. thank you. carrot -- catherine _ them every single month. thank you. carrot -- catherine burns, _ them every single month. thank you. carrot -- catherine burns, our- carrot —— catherine burns, our health correspondent. we will talk more about the apology for the failure to commemorate black and military personnel who gave their lives in the first and second world wars. let's go to our correspondent catherine meyer is ata is at a cemetery. good afternoon. i am speaking to you from the nairobi south world war i commonwealth cemetery right in the heart of kenya capital nairobi. just before we came on there i had the opportunity of walking through these grants and between 150 and 200 graves here, only three headstones bear the names of black africans. a five hour drive

south of nairobi is another cemetery in a town. there there is another cemetery that commemorates white soldiers who fought during world war |, soldiers who fought during world war i, butjust outside the perimeter fence locals say they are essentially mass graves with hundreds of african soldiers buried there. the commonwealth war graves commission has unreservedly apologised today and promised to right the wrongs of the past. but the question is how are they going to do that, possibly talking of thousands of african soldiers who have been buried in unmarked graves who are not returned from the battlefield. so how will you bring their bodies back and give their loved ones the opportunity to commemorate them.- loved ones the opportunity to commemorate them. thank you. the time is 16 minutes _ commemorate them. thank you. the time is 16 minutes past _ commemorate them. thank you. the time is 16 minutes past one. -

our top story this lunchtime... president biden hosts a virtual climate summit, with a pledge to cut america's carbon emissions by at least half. coming up... 4,000 fans and no social distancing — the brit awards will be the first major indoor music event to trial the return of audiences. coming up on the bbc news channel... arsenal manager mikel arteta says the owner and ceo of the club have apologised to him over the aborted european super league plans. the premier league has confirmed they'll ask senior executives from the six english sides to stand down from various league working groups. the church of england has been told to include at least one candidate from a black or minority ethnic background whenever it shortlists for bishops or other senior roles. it's one of nearly 50 recommendations made by the archbishops�* anti—racism taskforce, which was set up last year. its report concludes that failing to act would have a devastating

effect on the future of the church. harry farley reports. the history of the church of england is tied up in the history of empire and colonialism. many black and ethnic minority people in the church feel that baggage. things began to be said to me in a one—to—one situation such as, "your english is not very good." "i don't like your preaching." justin welby himself has admitted the church has a race issue. there is no doubt when we look at our own church that we are deeply institutionally racist. let's just be clear about that. it was said to the bishops a couple of years ago and it's true. but this report says the church has alarmingly moved backwards in some areas. nowjohn sentamu has retired, dr guli francis—dehqani is the only ethnic minority senior bishop. the report recommends that all shortlists for seniorjobs

should include at least one ethnic minority candidate. decisive steps should be taken to tackle a legacy of the church's role in the slave trade. and there should be racialjustice officers in every diocese to oversee the report's implementation. i think there's a real appetite for change. i think people are wanting to stop this broken record and to start again. and that's what our christian hope is, isn't it? that is what we as christians believe, yes, there was good friday there is easter. there is resurrection. there is hope. but the church — is resurrection. there is hope. but the church has been apologising for racism for 30 years, with little change. some fear this report will be no different. in change. some fear this report will be no different.— be no different. in the bible it sa s ou be no different. in the bible it says you judge _ be no different. in the bible it says you judge people - be no different. in the bible it says you judge people by - be no different. in the bible it| says you judge people by their fruits, right? and when they produce. and actually for over 100

years it hasn't produced any fruit when it comes to race relations. there are similar challenges for other faiths. there are similar challenges for otherfaiths. the board of deputies published its report today on the experiences of black and minority jews. it makes 119 recommendations and the chief rabbi says the exclusion of anyone because of the colour of their skin was a collective failure for which we all must take responsibility. harry farley, bbc news. the most senior civil servant at the treasury, sir tom scholar, has told mps that he received text messages and a phone call from the former prime minister david cameron about the company greensill capital. his comments come as the row about lobbying continues. our political correspondent leila nathoo is in westminster. it's the first time i think we've heard publicly from civil servants

about their connections with greensill?— about their connections with greensill? . �* , . , . , greensill? that's right and this was the first in a _ greensill? that's right and this was the first in a series _ greensill? that's right and this was the first in a series of _ greensill? that's right and this was the first in a series of what - greensill? that's right and this was the first in a series of what are - the first in a series of what are going to be a few parliamentary inquiries into greensill capital and wider issues of lobbying and influence in westminster. greensill capital are now a collapsed financial firm, capital are now a collapsed financialfirm, were capital are now a collapsed financial firm, were seeking access to government support schemes for firms through the coronavirus pandemic. the former prime minister david cameron was employed by the company to lobby on their behalf and today, sirtom company to lobby on their behalf and today, sir tom scholar, the top official at the treasury, confirmed that david cameron personally got in touch with him last march as well as also contacting other ministers and officials remember, saying, sir tom saying he engaged with david cameron because they used to work together. now, ultimately the treasury didn't decide to give greensill the go—ahead to be involved in these government schemes, sirtom go—ahead to be involved in these government schemes, sir tom said that they had persistent approaches from the company but defended officials' dealings with the company is entirely appropriate. remember, borisjohnson has also launched his

own enquiry into greensill and david cameron's activities too band we've heard in the last half an hour that the cabinet office is looking into the cabinet office is looking into the leak of the prime minister's private communications with the businessman sirjames dyson after we reported yesterday on texts between the two around tax issues and the production of ventilators at the start of the pandemic.- production of ventilators at the start of the pandemic. leila nathoo, thank ou. scottish labour has launched its manifesto for the holyrood election next month. the party is pledging to increase free childcare to 50 hours a week for every youngster. labour also says it will guarantee a job for every young scot. focusing on the impact of covid, the party's leader anas sarwar called for scotland to unite behind a national recovery plan. imagine what we could achieve if we put aside those things that we disagree on and focused on the things we agree on. imagine if we obsessed about education in the next parliament. the nhs in the next parliament.

imagine if we obsessed aboutjobs and the economy in the next parliament. imagine we obsessed about eradicating child poverty in the next parliament. imagine we obsessed about challenging the climate emergency in the next parliament. just imagine the kind of scotland we could build together. just imagine what we could achieve — the best of devolution, anas sarwar. driving tests have resumed today in england and wales, after being parked in december because of the pandemic. anyone taking their test might feel under extra pressure to pass, because the backlog that's built up means it could be many months before they get another chance. here's our transport correspondent caroline davies. sometimes, it takes a few attempts before things line up. but learner drivers have rarely had to wait this long to get a test. i've had my test cancelled i think eight times by this point, but i've kind of lost count. i live quite literally in the middle

of nowhere with the nearest bus station being about a mile or two away. it's almost impossible to get around or go anywhere without asking someone else to give me a lift. the last car driving tests for non—key workers was before christmas. the delay has had an impact on instructors too, many of whom haven't been able to work. you've still got overheads to cover for the cars, you've got to pay for the cars and the insurances and all that sort of stuff. and also, it's been very frustrating for a lot of the pupils that you teach. effectively, it's three and a half, four months since they've last been in a car. and to have that break when you're a fairly inexperienced driver is quite difficult for a lot of them. but the wait is almost over. there are currently over 400,000 people waiting for a car test in britain. more examiners are now working weekends, extra people have been recruited, and some have been brought back out of retirement. even the boss is now taking some of the tests. waiting time varies around the country, because it depends

on how many other people are in the queue, and how many examiners we've got in any given location. so it can vary quite a bit. i think the key thing there is that we will add more test appointments each week as time moves on. no one knows how long it will take to clear the backlog, so l plates may need to stay on far longer than many would like. caroline davies, bbc news. the brit awards are to go ahead with a live audience of 4,000 people. the music awards next month will be the first major test event in the government's programme looking into how large scale events can welcome back crowds. people won't have to socially distance, but will have to provide proof of a negative coronavirus test. our entertainment correspondent colin paterson explains how it will all work. # i was getting kind of used to being someone you loved # but now the day bleeds # lewis capaldi at last year's brit awards

at london's o2 arena. when the 2021 event happens next month at the same venue, an audience of 4000 people will be allowed in to watch the likes of dua lipa... and arlo parks. she is delighted at getting the chance to perform in front of a live crowd. , , . . . , , crowd. every musician has been in the same boat _ crowd. every musician has been in the same boat and _ crowd. every musician has been in the same boat and when - crowd. every musician has been in the same boat and when we - crowd. every musician has been in the same boat and when we do i crowd. every musician has been ml the same boat and when we do get crowd. every musician has been in - the same boat and when we do get out there and play at events such as these it's going to be either more monumentally special. 2,500 tickets will be given to front line key workers from the greater london area. the ballot for these opens at midday today. those in the crowd will not have to socially distance or wear a mask once in the venue. alcohol and food will be sold.

everyone will have to provide a negative lateral float test before being let in and one afterwards. when you come onto music that's about being a social human being. you are getting close to people, the dancing, the sweating, is it going on people's shoulders, that's part of life, that's part of the fun of being. of life, that's part of the fun of beinu. �* ., , ., , of life, that's part of the fun of beinu. �* ., i. , . being. but not everyone feels that enou:h is being. but not everyone feels that enough is being — being. but not everyone feels that enough is being done _ being. but not everyone feels that enough is being done to _ being. but not everyone feels that enough is being done to ensure i being. but not everyone feels that | enough is being done to ensure the grass roots music venues will be able to open onjune the 21st, according to the government road map. irate according to the government road ma -. ~ . , according to the government road ma. . , . map. we are very happy that the brits are taking _ map. we are very happy that the brits are taking place, _ map. we are very happy that the brits are taking place, it's - map. we are very happy that the brits are taking place, it's a - map. we are very happy that the brits are taking place, it's a key| brits are taking place, it's a key eventin brits are taking place, it's a key event in the calendar for artists, but the issue is for us at the grass roots music venue level there isn't a great deal we might learn from that event that will enable us to open small venues for sigh as for the brits, this will be the first live music performed at the o2 the brits, this will be the first live music performed at the 02 for more than a year. the ceremony is always a showcase for british music. this year it has a whole added level of importance. colin paterson, bbc news.

he's the world class footballer who changed the government's mind about the importance of school meals. now marcus rashford wants to help families with cheap and simple recipe ideas, in the hope that nobody "goes to bed hungry". he's teamed up with the chef tom kerridge, and he's been speaking to sally nugent about the project. i remember coming to your house a year ago and asking for a cup of tea and i can remember you looking around for all the bits and pieces to make the cup of tea. would you say that maybe the kitchen has not always been your favourite place? it's not like it's not my favourite place, it'sjust not... my most familiar environment! but since then, i'm glad to say i've been in there a bit more. i've learnt a few new skills in there. for me, it's just been a journey. and also, i suppose a lot of it is about gaining confidence in the kitchen and then gaining life skills. yeah, exactly, that's the end goal. the end goal is for, i don't know, maybe an 11—year—old kid,

if he moves out of his parents�* home when he's 18 years old, 19 years old, he can know how to cook for himself and eat the right meals. he knows affordable meals, and it will be one less thing he has to stress about because he's been doing it for five or six years already. i always go back to my experiences. if i could literally go back as a kid, this is the thing i'd learn to do, as well as doing what i was doing with my football and stuff, when i went home, i would have loved to have been able to sit down and just learn to cook. so, you've been cooking with tom kerridge. what are your favourite recipes so far, what have you learnt? my favourite recipes to cook were hashbrowns. 0h. and i'd say the stir—fry one. the chicken stir—fry? yeah. i always thought with stir—fries, cos it looks like there's so much going on, it'sjust going to be a nightmare to try and cook, but it was actually really fun. and how did it taste? it tasted all right. if i did it again, it

would taste better. i think i'd give it a seven out of ten or something, but if i cooked it properly it would be an eight. marcus is very much this kind of wanting to learn life skills and new things to put together for him personally, but then, look, we can share that, so it helps so many children learn a life skill, which is cooking. you're going to start putting these recipes out online, aren't you, but also in supermarkets. why was that important? a lot of people that we are trying to reach, they don't have access to things like social media and stuff like that, so the smartest way to do it was to make sure that they are in local supermarkets that people go to every day. we just wanted to make sure we are hitting as many people and the right people as possible. sally nugent reporting. time for a look at the weather. here's nick miller.