this is bbc news. these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world. the world's leading economies say they're on the brink of announcing a historic deal to tax tech giants during talks in london. g7 finance ministers say it would be a groundbreaking change. we will have an agreement, which will really change the world, and we will really change the world, and we will be able to do what we have to do for people. testing is ramped up as the uk sees the highest number of new covid infections in 2 months, raising more question marks over the further relaxation of restrictions. the devastating conflict in ethiopia — as the un warns that hundreds of thousands could starve.

hello and welcome if you re watching in the uk or around the world. watching in the uk finance ministers of the world's leading economies remain confident of striking an historic deal in london today on taxing tech giants. the agreement by the g7 group of finance ministers is set to include a global minimum rate of corporation tax. the base rate of 15% is seen as a starting point, but is lower than the minimum rate of 21% that had been proposed by president biden. the plans are also set to stop major multinational companies, include apple and microsoft from paying little or no tax in countries where they make money. the uk chancellor, rishi sunak said businesses should pay the right amount of tax in the right place. germany's finance minister olaf

sholz said the deal — if struck — would "�*change the world". it will be very effective, yes. many countries will have higher taxes, but it is helpful that they know that there is a basis. and it will be looked country by country. i am sure that this will be the outcome also. so we will have an agreement which will really change the world. and we will be able to do what we have to do for our people, and this will be a turning point in global cooperation because the last decades going into the other direction, now we are going into the right one. our business correspondent, katy austin has been explaining what obstacles need to be overcome before this landmark agreement can be reached. the context of this is very interesting. the timing of it. we've had the pandemic. covid has wreaked havoc on the finances of many nations. they have had to borrow

hugely to pay for the economic cost, and therefore sources of new revenue, new tax, are very welcome right now. but there are some sticking points to an agreement being reached. although there are optimistic noises coming out of those who are attending the summit. we think the sticking points are mainly exactly what the rates should be, 15% has been talked about. will they agree on that? or will they say they agree on that? or will they say they support the idea of at least 15% being the minimum level. another major sticking point relates to the fact that some countries, including the uk and france, have already introduced their own digital taxes. the us says as part of this deal they should drop that straightaway and instead this global minimum level would come in negating the need for the digital tax. but if that happens straightaway and there is some time before an international

level will have been reached, that would mean these countries are paying less tax for the moment. so that's another sticking point. it looks like we could probably although nothing is certain until we hear the detail, we could probably end up with a new ability to taxes on big companies depending on where their sales are made. so notjust where they have their factories and their patenteds, their ho, if you think of it like that. their patenteds, their hq, if you think of it like that.— think of it like that. could those stickin: think of it like that. could those sticking points _ think of it like that. could those sticking points be _ think of it like that. could those sticking points be enough - think of it like that. could those sticking points be enough to - think of it like that. could those - sticking points be enough to scupper this deal? ., ., , this deal? potentially. untilthere is a deal there _ this deal? potentially. untilthere is a deal there is _ this deal? potentially. untilthere is a deal there is "no _ this deal? potentially. untilthere is a deal there is "no deal". - this deal? potentially. untilthere is a deal there is "no deal". this | is a deal there is "no deal". this sounds like brexit again! nothing is agreed until everything is agreed! chuckles there are optimistic noises from the french and german finance ministers. they spoke to the bbc yesterday and said there would be some sort of agreement today. so we are watching and waiting now.— agreement today. so we are watching and waiting now. we've had an update from the treasury. _ and waiting now. we've had an update from the treasury. they _ and waiting now. we've had an update from the treasury. they put _ and waiting now. we've had an update from the treasury. they put out - and waiting now. we've had an update from the treasury. they put out a - from the treasury. they put out a picture. we can show you that. it's

the g7 finance ministers taking a break. chancellor rishi sunak and fellow g7 finance ministers take a break following a morning of productive discussions in london. there they are, socially distanced in the sunshine. we will keep you updated. more surge testing for covid is set to take place in the uk after the country recorded the highest daily number of coronavirus cases since march. several areas, including parts of berkshire, kent and west yorkshire, are experiencing a rise in infections linked to the variant first detected in india — now known as delta. scientists are urging caution over plans to lift restrictions in england later this month. helena wilkinson reports. come on in. thank you very much. with an increase in infection rates, nhs leaders are continuing to stress the message: come forward to get your vaccine when you're called. it is the delta variant, first detected in india, which is causing problems.

public health england says it's now become the dominant strain in the uk. where it's been detected, surge testing has been taking place. from monday, residents in parts of reading and wokingham in berkshire will be urged to have a test as part of a two—week programme. one of our real concerns about this delta variant is if it keeps circulating, people are not getting sick at the moment, we have virtually no hospital admissions, if it keeps circulating, we might get some more variants, more mutations. that is a concern. we want to try to minimise the number of these variants in the community so that we can get people vaccinated first. the latest figures from across the uk show there were more than 6,200 new coronavirus infections in the last 24—hour period. that is the highest daily number of cases since the end of march. 11 deaths were recorded in the last 2a hours.

although hospital admissions are rising again in areas affected by the delta variant, on the whole they continue to remain low. what we think we can start to say now based on that experience from those who have been right at the front of this wave is that it does look as though the vaccines have kind of broken the chain between catching covid—19 and potentially being very, very seriously ill and potentially dying. as the vaccination rollout continues, the uk regulator has approved the pfizer vaccine for 12—15—year—olds. the uk's vaccine committee will decide whether they should be offered it. we want to be clear the reasons why we are immunising children. we need to be absolutely sure that the benefits to them and potentially to society far outweigh any risks. with a rise in infection rates, many in england are now asking what it means forjune 21.

that's when the government hopes to move to its final stage of its roadmap for lifting lockdown in england. the prime minister and health secretary say more data will be assessed next week before any final decisions will be made about restrictions being lifted in england. helena wilkinson, bbc news. the indian capital delhi has announced a gradual lifting of covid restrictions, weeks after being ravaged by a second wave. markets and malls will partially reopen from monday. despite the move, officials are still warning the country to prepare for a third wave of coronavirus. meanwhile australia's second—most populous state of victoria has reported a small increase in covid cases as authorities try to find the source of the highly infectious delta variant that first emerged in india. a total of seventy new cases have been confirmed. the state capital melbourne entered its second weekend of a hard

lockdown which is due to end in five days. leaders of seven of the world's most powerful countries will meet in the uk next week where coronavirus will, no doubt, be high on the agenda. g7 leaders are facing calls to share vaccine supplies as some developing countries go without. mukesh kapila is professor emeritus of global health at the university of manchester and a former director at the world health organisation. hejoins me from geneva. thank you very much forjoining us. how do you think of vaccine distribution should be prioritised? there is a global shortage of vaccines. that means spreading the word isn't going to solve this problem. therefore, vaccine distribution and its uptake needs to be focused like the way we do surge

testing, do surge vaccinations, focus on areas where the epidemic is spreading fastest. that means using your limited stocks with a priority towards those locations where the virus is spreading fastest. haw virus is spreading fastest. how would you _ virus is spreading fastest. how would you decide _ virus is spreading fastest. how would you decide where to take them from? there have been moves to redistribute vaccines but when you look at the scale of the vaccination programme that is required in india, which has been in such a terrible situation with coronavirus, that the numbers just don't come close to what's required. i numbersjust don't come close to what's required.— numbersjust don't come close to what's required. i don't think there is any answer _ what's required. i don't think there is any answer to _ what's required. i don't think there is any answer to that. _ what's required. i don't think there is any answer to that. there - what's required. i don't think there is any answer to that. there are i is any answer to that. there are calls that the spare vaccines in the west should be shared with the developing countries. well, i don't think there are that many spare vaccines in the western world. leaders of the g7 countries, for

example, have a duty to their own citizens. as soon as the richer countries get vaccinated, the more we can get on with distributing the vaccines and increase production in developing countries. when we talk about vaccine equity, of course nobody can disagree with this, but we have to be realistic that every government has to look after its own citizens first. i think for developing countries, for poor countries, they have to continue with public health precautions, harvest their stocks, make sure the vaccines they have aren't wasted. there have been stories about some countries throwing vaccines away because they haven't been able to distribute them to the population, and that is heartbreaking. you need to improve logistics and make better use of the vaccines, particularly in hot spots in those countries. in the

meantime. — hot spots in those countries. in the meantime, what _ hot spots in those countries. in the meantime, what happens - hot spots in those countries. in the meantime, what happens with - hot spots in those countries. in the meantime, what happens with people in countries who have been double vaccinated? we are still seeing a lot of restrictions on travel because countries, as is clear, are all in different situations regarding covid currently. i think the science _ regarding covid currently. i think the science is _ regarding covid currently. i think the science is reasonably - regarding covid currently. i think the science is reasonably clear. i regarding covid currently. i think| the science is reasonably clear. if you are double vaccinated, then the chances of getting the infection or transmitting the infection, are relatively low. therefore, those people who are vaccinated, they should be allowed to resume a normal life. the sooner we can do that, and open up the world, the better it is for recovery. it's also an incentive that people should take up the vaccine when it is offered. i don't

believe the vaccine restrictions that are being proposed in the uk, for example, recently, or in recent weeks, are making any difference because border closures, border restrictions, don't stop the spread of variants. restrictions, don't stop the spread of variants-— of variants. mukesh kapila, thank ou ve of variants. mukesh kapila, thank you very much — of variants. mukesh kapila, thank you very much for _ of variants. mukesh kapila, thank you very much forjoining - of variants. mukesh kapila, thank you very much forjoining us. - the united nations has issued a stark warning that ethiopia could be heading for a repeat of the deadly famine of 1984, unless a ceasefire is agreed. months of fighting between government forces and the regional authorities in tigray have destroyed crops, leaving hundreds of thousands of people near starvation. now, the government is making it hard for aid agencies to reach those trapped by the fighting. laetitia bader is the horn of africa director at human rights watch. speaking earlier she told me there's a pressing need for more international attention we are talking about a humanitarian

crisis but this is also a human rights crisis. the ethiopian government, the eritrean government forces, and also allies to both of these parties, have directly contributed in their actions and abuses of the civilian population to the humanitarian crisis we are talking about now. i'm talking about targeted attacks and destructions of harvests, burning, occupation of land, destroying infrastructures. hospitals have been destroyed, looted. all of this having an impact. at the same time as there are restrictions on aid agencies. and a lot of the attacks on civilians is having an impact on peoples ability to reach assistance. lots of people are too scared to move right now. one of the big concerns is people are in need of

assistance and aren't receiving it at the moment. the assistance and aren't receiving it at the moment.— at the moment. the ethiopian government _ at the moment. the ethiopian government has _ at the moment. the ethiopian government has so _ at the moment. the ethiopian government has so far - at the moment. the ethiopian | government has so far refused international calls for a ceasefire. it said its forces are close to finalising operations and eliminating all armed opposition. without a ceasefire, what are the prospects of getting aid through to those who need it? what prospects of getting aid through to those who need it?— prospects of getting aid through to those who need it? what is key for the parties — those who need it? what is key for the parties for _ those who need it? what is key for the parties for the _ those who need it? what is key for the parties for the conflict - those who need it? what is key for the parties for the conflict to - those who need it? what is key for the parties for the conflict to stop l the parties for the conflict to stop conducting this abusively. as i mentioned, there are clear rules in conflict as to how behaviour shouldn't target civilians, and one of the big problems right now is the actions of these parties is basically making it very difficult for humanitarian assistance to reach the populations in need. it's clear, international action and pressure needs to continue. it's been very positive to see a much more concerted effort by a lot of western

diplomatic officials in the last ten days, raising concerns about the humanitarian situation. it's essential to underline how this is also a human rights crisis. but there are many voices missing. the african union has been silent about what is the biggest human rights crisis on the continent right now. gulf states who have a lot of links and involvement in the region have also not been pressing foreign parties to treat civilians as they should be. —— warring parties. the pressure needs to continue. it needs to come from many voices which are too silent right now.— too silent right now. laetitia bader talkin: to too silent right now. laetitia bader talking to me _ too silent right now. laetitia bader talking to me earlier. _ the headlines on bbc news... the world's leading economies say they're on the brink of announcing a historic deal to tax tech giants during talks in london. testing is ramped up as the uk sees the highest number of new covid infections in 2 months. the devastating

conflict in ethiopia — as the un warns that hundreds of thousands could starve. visitors may be returning to some of the uk's most popular tourist destinations, but employers are reporting problems recruiting staff. in cumbria, tourism bosses are warning the situation is reaching crisis point, and say the sector has been badly hit by new post—brexit immigration rules. yunus mulla reports. the lake district is looking busy. the lake district is looking busy. the visitors have returned in large numbers. but fewer people are choosing to work here. elle a's deli here is facing a problem. the owner has another cafe in keswick which is down to open in just five days a week. here, the chef retires soon. that position hasn't been filled. when we reopen lastjuly we didn't have a shortage of people coming forward forjobs. something seems to have shifted. it might mean we have

to reduce what we can offer, either in terms of the days we are open or the days we can open for food because we cannot keep up with demand. , , , because we cannot keep up with demand. , ,, .,, ., , demand. this issue has doubled in the area in — demand. this issue has doubled in the area in the _ demand. this issue has doubled in the area in the last _ demand. this issue has doubled in the area in the last month. - demand. this issue has doubled in the area in the last month. the . the area in the last month. the challenges have been highlighted in the lake district. 68% say there is a significant problem recruiting staff, business responses also reveal 73% cite a lack of applicants, and 44% say there is a skills shortage. lack of affordable housing and transport difficulties isn't new, but many businesses weren't expecting the current staff shortages. weren't expecting the current staff shorta . es. �* ., weren't expecting the current staff shortaaes. �* . . , shortages. i've had clients in tears, shortages. i've had clients in tears. ringing _ shortages. i've had clients in tears, ringing me _ shortages. i've had clients in tears, ringing me up- shortages. i've had clients in| tears, ringing me up begging shortages. i've had clients in - tears, ringing me up begging for help. i had a head chef say to me the other day that the hours he is having to work because he is six, seven people down in the kitchen, he

says he will end up in an early grave. says he will end up in an early rave. ~ ., ~' says he will end up in an early wave, . , , . grave. when the lake district country hotel— grave. when the lake district country hotel group _ grave. when the lake district country hotel group opened l grave. when the lake districtl country hotel group opened up grave. when the lake district - country hotel group opened up with the easing of restrictions, 10% of staff didn't return, but brexit and the end of the free movement of people is a bigger problem. fiur people is a bigger problem. our bi est people is a bigger problem. oi" biggest problem in our people is a bigger problem.

is billed as a "playful and engaging" introduction to the city. colleen harris reports. music. it's been a long wait. now coventry is ready. from street theatre to music, pop—up performances are set for today's launch. welcome to coventry. the city will showcase its cultural heritage, from postwar brutalist architecture to the birth of iconicjaguars. # but when i switch on i rotate the dial... breathing new life into coventry�*s two—tone legacy is pauline black, from �*80s band the selecter. # oh, take me back, back to the days... she says the city's year in the cultural spotlight will bring much—needed regeneration and investment. coventry is, if you like, the phoenix rising from the ashes, because of how much it was, you know, it was decimated here by the world war ii bombing. it is the youth that is going to take that forward. but to take it forward,

you need to know about your history, so i'm part of that. hundreds of performers and production teams have been rehearsing for months now, putting finishing touches to moments like this that will move through the city. rather than come to coventry to see it, the message from organisers for now is to stay at home and watch from there. the halo that i have on right now was inspired by the bicycle wheel, it was a manufacturing boom of bicycles here. artist and model daniel lismore uses his body as a living work of art. his career has taken him around the world, but his roots are firmly planted in coventry. to my right is where i used to get bullied at a bus stop. i rememberjust thinking, like, you know, what is there for me? and then coming back later on, and the city is booming, you know, there are so many amazing things.

the legend of lady godiva, who rode naked on a horse to protest against taxes, plays a central role in the opening. this modern—day godiva is an nhs nurse, campaigning for better pay and ppe during the pandemic. for me, it's about empowerment and ensuring that everyday people like the community are empowered to be able to be involved. and helping people, you know? it has been a challenging feat, planning a cultural programme in a pandemic. concerns about crowds have kept announcements low—key in secret. so a city of surprises awaits. let's cross live to colleen harris in coventry. uk city of culture in coventry is under way. street theatre and performance are moving across the city we've already had pauline

black, the singer from the selecter, performing in a residential part of the city so there was an element of surprise there for residents waking up surprise there for residents waking up in the area. organisers have had a challenge trying to get this off the ground and keep things low to avoid attracting mass crowds. but look where we are now in the beautiful coventry cathedral ruins. this is just one of the centrepoint of today's opening event. coventry was bombed in the second world war. out of that the city became a symbol of peace and reconciliation. it's a city that is twinned with dresden in germany. but it also has the rich history of car manufacturing and innovation, and of migration. it is also a useful city. these are the stories which will be reflected in p°p�*up stories which will be reflected in pop—up performances moving through the city. let's have a chat with one of the performers, john barnard, who is a spoken word performer. clearly you've just finished is a spoken word performer. clearly you'vejust finished performing. i you've just finished performing. i have, you can see the orange make

up, but, to be fair, this is a natural look for me stop how are you? natural look for me stop how are ou? �* ., ., ., natural look for me stop how are ou? �* ., i. natural look for me stop how are ou? �* ., ., you? i'm good, and you are representing _ you? i'm good, and you are representing the _ you? i'm good, and you are representing the spirit - you? i'm good, and you are representing the spirit of. representing the spirit of youthfulness for the city, how does that feel questing and it's good. whenever i can represent my city and fly the flag i'm always grateful. as a youth mentor, as well, and to be in energise of that, it's fantastic. tell us about your involvement? first of all people saw me doing graffiti on the floor. if you saw that, that wasn't me! it was somebody else! it was one of those things where it was a piece which was pre—recorded. it was the river running to come and meet me basically who is the youthful energy. and it's a reminderfor people to use their potential, they are young, vibrant, and to utilise their youthfulness to do something amazing for the city and to push forward for the next generation. the ci means forward for the next generation. the city means a — forward for the next generation. the city means a lot to you. what do you want it to mean to other people? it does mean a lot to me. 100%. it's a

does mean a lot to me. ioo%. it's a place where i have learnt so much. it's a place where it has taught me a lot. it's been a home for me. i want people to have that same feeling for the city, for people to know that, you know, coventry is a city where there is a community and everybody rises up for each other when the time is right, so, yeah. that's great. john bernard, one of the performers you will see. this is very much a stay at home event. we need to be covid compliant. they are asking people to watch online. thanks very much. after sniffing more than 70 landmines and dozens of unexploded items in cambodia in his five—year career — this african giant pouched rat has finally retired from duty. quite cute. while some may regard everyday rats as pests, magawa was awarded a gold medalfor his heroism last year.

but his handler says the seven—year—old is "slowing down" and she wants to "respect his needs". magawa isn't quite done with duty yet though. he'll be mentoring new recruits and passing on his life—saving skills. goodbye to you if you are watching on bbc world. now it's time for a look at the weather with owain wyn evans. hello. i hope you are doing well. i think most of us will see some sunny spells today but what i can't promise is wall—to—wall blue sky for everyone. it should be dry for most of us but we do have some detail to pin on that. here is the big picture. high pressure is building to the south. we have some weak weather fronts pushing into northern ireland, western parts of scotland and down towards the south—west, as well. they will not only bring thicker cloud but also some patchy rain, the risk of some showers across western fringes. east of that is looking better. it was a pretty miserable day yesterday across south—eastern parts of england and some mist and fog

will clear through the day. you can see here the weak weather front, south—west of england, through western parts of wales towards the north—west, northern ireland. i think western parts of scotland as well. it curves around towards northern parts of scotland introducing the cloud, some showers with the odd rumble of thunder possible as well. uv levels today are moderate or high for most of us. as we move through this evening, the weather front is moving towards the east, taking the cloud with it and some showers as well. it could turn quite misty and murky. our temperatures tonight are down between nine and 13 degrees. looking up tomorrow, it will be a cloudy start for many of us but western parts will see a bit more of brightness once this weather front clears the south—west.

really, we're flipping things tomorrow because you can see where the weather front is perched as we head through the afternoon. tomorrow's top temperatures reaching about 20 or 21 celsius. as we look at tomorrow and monday, we have another weather front that wants to push in from the west. but high pressure also wants to try and build. you can see this waving weather front here. it will bring some showers and some cloud. the breeze will tend to strengthen along that weather fronts pushing into northern ireland eventually. but sunny spells on offer and top temperatures on monday reaching about 20, 21 degrees. as we look towards the rest of the coming week, temperatures will want to rise a bit. we will see some showers as well. often quite cloudy but there are some sunny spells in the forecast, so fingers crossed that most of us will see that. see you soon.

hello, this is bbc news. the headlines: the world's leading economies say they're on the brink of announcing a historic deal to tax tech giants during talks in london.

g7 finance ministers say it would be a groundbreaking change. we will have an agreement which will really change the world and we will whip be able to do what we have to do for our people. testing is ramped up as the uk sees the highest number of new covid infections in 2 months, raising more question marks over the further relaxation of restrictions. for the first time in nine months, people in glasgow will be able to socialise in each others homes and drink alcohol in pubs & restaurants as parts of scotland move to lower restriction levels from today. the devastating conflict in ethiopia — as the un warns that hundreds of thousands could starve. now on bbc news it's time for dateline london — with ben brown.