this is bbc news. the headlines at 8pm — the health secretary says the delta variant of the coronavirus is 40% more transmissible and the government is "open" to delaying the lifting of coronavirus restrictions in england due onjune the 21st. that does make life more challenging for everybody. and you've seen that the case rates have risen a little. but the good news is that hospitalisations, the number of people arriving at hospital, is broadly flat. coronavirus cases in the uk rise by 49% in one week. 5341 new covid cases were recorded in the last 2a hours. vaccinations are being opened up

to the under—30s this week in the drive to offer covid jabs to all adults in england. the duke and duchess of sussex announce the birth of a baby daughter, who they have named lilibet diana. she was born on friday in california. cuts to uk foreign aid could harm schooling and health in poorer countries — a warning from hundreds of charities and business leaders. a memorial honouring soldiers who died under british command on d—day has been unveiled in france on the 77th anniversary of the landings. good afternoon. the health secretary, matt hancock, says the new delta

variant of coronavirus, first recorded in india, is about 40% more infectious than the version detected in kent. he said the increased transmissibility is making "more difficult" the decision on whether to lift all remaining restrictions in england on thejune the 21st. he stated that the government is "open" to a delay if needed. but mr hancock told the bbc that the number of people needing hospital treatment was "broadly flat", which means the vaccines are working. here's our medical editor fergus walsh. everyjab in every arm is another brick in a wall of immunity. but will it hold back the delta variant, which has led to a sharp increase in cases?

it is severely more traversable than previous strings and this led to a sharp increase in cases. ministers have just eight days before they must decide whether to lift all remaining restrictions in england. the good news is that the hospitalisations, the number of people arriving at hospital, is broadly flat and the majority appear to be those who have not had a vaccine at all, and only a small minority are people who have had both jabs. around three quarters of all cases caused by the delta variant are in unvaccinated people. just one in 25 are in those who've had both doses. and although the variant seems more likely to cause severe illness, those in hospital are generally younger and recovering more quickly than patients admitted overwinter. scientists advising government are uncertain about what the weeks may bring in terms of the impact on the nhs.

if hospitalisation rates remain flat, then i think there will be a further easing of restrictions, possibly retaining the need to wear face coverings on public transport, maybe still encouraging people to work from home. and there were mixed views in london today about whether all remaining restrictions should be lifted on 21stjune. i would say yes, but if you're not vaccinated, i could understand . not being comfortable. i would sit next to someone as long as they were wearing a mask. but social distancing and masks going at the same time could be a bit much. it wouldn't bother me if we waited untiljuly, because of the indian variant. i think that element of caution might be worthwhile in the long run. bolton, which was the area worst hit by the new variant, is now seeing a decline in cases and more importantly a fall in the number of covid hospital patients, which remained lower

than in previous peaks. in england, booking will open this week for the under 30s to get their first dose of vaccine. public support for immunisation remains very high in the uk. with 27 million people now fully immunised, many of those will be wondering when legal restrictions on their freedoms to meet and travel will be lifted. well, our medical editor fergus walsh explained why the so—called delta variant was causing concern. is it going to be a wave this summer orjust a ripple? now, wat we didn't know three weeks ago is the good news that the vaccine does work and give strong protection against the delta variant. two doses, not 100%, but very high protection. and ministers and scientists are going to need every scrap

of data in the coming week before they make a decision on further unlocking. and it is finely balanced. so, although it is more transmissible, the vaccine is building this wall of immunity. we may get an autumn immunisation campaign for children, but scientists are divided about whether that will be needed. and we'll find out how this story and many others are covered in tomorrow's front pages at 10:30pm and 11:30pm this evening in the papers. joining me tonight are parliamentary journalist tony grew and the journalist and broadcaster caroline frost. the government has published its latest coronavirus figures. the number of infections across the uk are continuing to rise, with a further 5341

confirmed cases of the virus. but the number of daily deaths remains low, with another four people who have died within 28 days of testing positive for covid—i9. on the vaccine front, over 27.6 million people have now received both doses of a coronavirus vaccine, which means 52.5% of the uk adult population are now fully vaccinated. the prime minister, borisjohnson, will urge leaders at the upcoming g7 summit to commit to vaccinating the whole world against coronavirus by the end of next year. mrjohnson will lay out his plan at a summit of advanced economies in cornwall on friday, the first face—to—face meeting of the g7 since the start of the pandemic.

the duke and duchess of sussex have announced the birth of their second child, a daughter, on friday. the couple, who have not released any photos of the new baby, have named her lilibet or "lili" diana mountbatten—windsor after her grandmother and great—grandmother. buckingham palace has released a statement about the birth. it says... earlier, i spoke to the bbc�*s david willis in los angeles and asked him how people over there are welcoming the news of the royal baby. well, it is still fairly early in the morning here, about 11 o'clock on a sunday morning, and the news broke

in the last couple of hours courtesy of harry and meghan�*s website. and that said that this little baby girl was born on friday at 11:1i0am in the morning local time at the santa barbara cottage hospital, which is very close to their home in the plush resort of montecito. mother and child are doing well, they are now back at home we're told, and the couple issued a statement saying, "onjune the 4th we were blessed with the arrival of our daughter lili. she is more than we could ever imagined, and we remain grateful for the love and prayers that we've felt from across the globe." a word about the name, she's to be known as lili, with an i rather than a y at the end. lilibet was apparently

the nickname for the queen. herfather, king george v, gave her that the nickname as she was struggling as a toddler to pronounce her own name elizabeth, and it was later adopted somewhat affectionately i'm told by prince philip after they got married. lili diana mountbatten—windsor, born into this world on friday and now back home with mum and dad. obviously, david, when we have a royal birth here, we have the cameras camped outside of the hospitals and we know them very well in the uk. i understand the santa barbara cottage hospital was founded by 50 women. this would've really appealed to meghan. what can you tell us about it? oh, my goodness, you have been doing your research! i've been under a mountain of baby facts. i'm sure you're absolutely right about that one.

it's been a tumultuous year for this couple, going back of course to march when they gave that interview to oprah winfrey in which it was revealed amongst other things that depression amongst them, that there had been consternation even in the royalfamily about the complexion of the skin of baby archie, all sorts of things. that interview, of course, opened up a can of worms. since then, of course, prince harry has gone on to team up with oprah winfrey again on a series for apple tv about mental health, but it's also been revealed of course that meghan suffered a miscarriage a year ago. and she wrote subsequently in the new york times about that. she said the grief that comes with losing a child was, she put it, "almost unbearable". we've yet to see a photo of the new royal baby. earlier, i spoke to duncan larcombe,

former royal editor of the sun and author of prince harry: the inside story, and asked him when we might see one. they're probably going to try and do exactly the same thing they have done with baby archie. i think people will remember recently they released a picture to mark his birthday and a picture of his foot — we don't know how many different parts of this baby we'll see before they reveal her no doubt beautiful face to the world, but, no, there will be concern. harry and meghan are fiercely private in an incredibly public way. i'm rather confused about the move for privacy in america, but they will bring this child up, at the moment, where they're living in the paparazzi capital of the world, so i don't think it was the best place if they really are concerned about being pictured out and about. duncan, what did you make of the names? look, i mean, this

is very significant. i think there is no doubt that the choice of name for harry and meghan's first daughter is the first significant, possibly the only olive branch that the sussexes as a couple have offered to the british royal family since they left the country and they walked away from the family, so it's very significant in that respect. but also i think this will also be interpreted by some of meghan's harshest critics as... it's the most royal name you could give. that was the name that queen elizabeth's father used for his daughter as a sign of affection. we saw the handwritten note the queen left on prince philip's coffin, signed off "lilibet". this was a name she's always had since childhood. so, it's a very royal name, and critics might say that this is ensuring that that link, that hugely lucrative link for brand harry and meghan,

to have that link to the royal family, it'll be continued with the most royal name, but personally i think that is a cynical view to take. i think this is a genuine potential major step forward in the thawing of this dreadful rift that has plagued the entire family for coming up for a year and a half. and what do you think about titles? because obviously this is one of the subjects that came up in that interview. how do you think this is going to be discussed? well, i can tell you now that the royal family will be extremely keen to ensure that there are no careless mentions, careless flippant remarks or downright racist remarks from the... let's not forget, harry and meghan have told the world the royal family is shielding a racist amongst its ranks. that's their claim. so, yes, they will be very,

very keen to ensure that there's no suggestion that the reason this new arrival into the royal family isn't necessarily being endowed with all the titles that maybe possibly prince harry might have hoped, but i think it's a very sensitive issue over baby archie, and the royals will be very keen not to give them any more ammunition to fire back at them across the atlantic. it's interesting you say that because you mentioned about the importance of how the relationship between the sussexes and the royal family will be viewed, vis—a—vis the names that have been given. itappears, though, duncan, it might be fair to say that anything that couple do will be criticised. do you think this happy news now will quieten down the critics? well, i hope so. because actually until the whole tone of this rather unpleasant series of events, with them quitting the royal family and being so open in their criticism

of what life is like inside that family, you'd really hope that that is not going to continue. so, maybe a baby is the perfect chance... as many of us will know from families, when a new baby comes along, it can bring families closer together. if nothing else, it can get them talking. and frankly, that would be an improvement from where we were last week. the headlines on bbc news — the health secretary says the delta variant of the coronavirus is 40% more transmissible and the government is "open" to delaying the lifting of coronavirus restrictions in england due onjune the 21st. vaccinations are being opened up to the under—30s this week in the drive to offer covid jabs to all adults in england. the duke and duchess of sussex announce the birth of a baby daughter, who they have named lilibet diana. she was born on friday in california.

the british normandy memorial for those who died in the d—day campaign during world war ii has been officially opened on the 77th anniversary of the allied invasion of nazi—occupied france. the names of nearly 22,500 servicemen and women are inscribed on 160 columns overlooking gold beach, one of the three british landing sites in france. hugh schofield reports now from ver—sur—mer. at last the veterans have a focal points where future generations can come to learn of d—day and to honour the names of thousands who sacrificed their lives. the ceremony was simple and attended

by only a small number of people. because of covid, there were virtually no veterans in france. instead, in rather less clement weather, many of them gathered in britain and watched proceedings by a live transmission. i can only hope that this serves to commemorate all those whose lives were lost during the events ofjune 19114 and between d—day and the liberation of paris at the end of august 19114. there was a two—minute silence to honour the 22,000 names on the columns of memorial. and then the uk's ambassador in paris declared the memorial open. the memorial was only completed a few weeks ago, and there are few visitors at the moment.

as a result, the scale and the beauty of this place have come to many as a monumental surprise. it's set on a hill looking down on gold beach, where thousands came ashore on d—day. built in pale burgundy limestone, there is a central temple—like structure with a statue of three infrantrymen and the cloister of pillars with the names of the dead and the dates they died as the normandy campaign progressed. for the veterans watching in england today, a fit place to remember their friends and comrades. it should have been done years ago while a lot of us were still alive. i'm in me 100th year, i'm lucky to keep going. i think it is wonderful, _ it is marvellous they can put this show on like this 77 years after. in france, the red arrows flew past

in homage to the dead and then the memorial became what it's destined to remain, a place of contemplation and quiet memory. as we heard, many of the veterans and their families couldn't make the journey over to northern france this year because of the pandemic. some of them watched today's ceremony at the national memorial arboretum in staffordshire. graham satchell was there. we've seen a poignant service here at the national memorial arboretum this morning. more than 100 veterans of d—day here, along with families of those who died in normandy, to see the unveiling of the new memorial in normandy, something that they have long campaigned for and long fought for, and finally has come to pass. with me now is the veterans minister, leo docherty. leo, what did you make of the ceremony today? well, it was a really moving ceremony. it was great, as you say, to see so many veterans here today.

and reallyjust to be reminded of the scale of sacrifice, really, there are more than 22,000 names on the memorial in normandy. and it will be a permanent reminder of the sacrifice of the normandy generation. it's important, isn't it, to not just remember this generation, but that we never forget? indeed, and i think it's also an inspiration... it's a commemoration, but also an inspiration to young servicepeople that actually that's the gold standard of sacrifice and courage. that example lives on in the way they will do their business, and i think people will make reference and bear their amazing example in mind. so, whilst it's a historic event, there's also a very living and very contemporary relevance to the actions that took place 77 summers ago. interesting when you talk to the veterans how hard they had to fight for this memorial. is that a source of some regret

for you, do you think? no, i think today is very much a celebration. i think it took a while because, whilst there was a larger living cohort of veterans, it was less on the agenda. but i think it's absolutely right and proper that it is in place now. i think what's also very special is the way it's very much an anglo—french endeavour. it was excellent to see the french defence attache here awarding the legion d'honneur to nine different veterans, and also in normandy, it was lovely to see the red arrows flying over the memorial, trailing a smoke screen of the tricolore flag, which is a really fitting and moving reminder of the deep between our two countries and the very long—lasting defence and security relationship that we still have to this day. why do you think it is that the americans have had their memorial on the beach of normandy, the canadians theirs, for years and years now, and it's taken us 77 years to get the british memorial? well, obviously it took us a bit longer to get round to it,

but i don't think that's a reflection of any sort of disinterest, i think we can celebrate the fact that now it will be a permanent reminder of something very, very special, so i think we should celebrate that. yes, minister, thank you very much indeed. no worries, no worries. and as the minister said, it will be a permanent reminder, something that will be there for generations to come. more than 1700 charities, business leaders and academics have signed a letter warning that government cuts to foreign aid of almost £4 billion a year will hit the world's poorest communities and mean families go hungry. conservative mps are threatening a rebellion in the commons tomorrow. ministers say the pandemic means spending has to be temporarily cut and it will still spend more than £10 billion this year on aid. here's our political correspondent chris mason. scrubbing floors, struggling

to reach the shelves. sayuida is nine years old and works as a servant to earn money for herfamily in bangladesh. these pictures were given to us by a charity which secured permission to do this filming. sayida would love to go to school. the uk—bangladesh education trust applied for government funding to expand its programme to help girls working as domestic servants learn to read, write and count, but it was told the fund from which it hoped to get a grant had closed because of cuts to the foreign aid budget. over 1700 charities, business leaders and academics have now signed a letter pleading with the government to change its mind. in it they write that without an about turn,

"the uk's credibility and voice on the international stage will be undermined." we don't snatch the one textbook it's ever had in its life from its only tin shack school. more than 30 conservative mps, including the former prime minister theresa may, hope to secure and win a vote in the commons tomorrow to compel the government to change tack. to go back on our commitments, these are legal commitments as well as manifesto commitments, in the middle of a pandemic where none of us will be safe from covid until all of us are safe and where britain's about to lead the g7 conference this week in cornwall, it's a terrible error ofjudgment. but ministers insist... well, i think it is reasonable at a time of this enormous l economic challenge _ as well as of course the health challenge, to take this action. and if you think about it... really?

we've had a once in 300 years economic interruption. - the government's supporters argue that you would never recommend a neighbour went into debt to donate to charity and the same logic holds true for the country. chris mason, bbc news. two teenage boys have been charged with the murder of dea—john reid who was stabbed on monday. in total, five people have now been charged in connection with his death. the 14—year—old was killed in the kingstanding area of birmingham. west midlands police are appealing for more information from the public. kent county council says child migrants arriving at dover may be turned away within days because its services are being overwhelmed. the council has taken the first steps of legal action against the home secretary, priti patel, saying other local authorities should take "their fair share". according to the council, 2112 child migrants have arrived on kent shores this year, but only 52 have been moved to other

local authorities under a voluntary transfer scheme. as the covid wave intensifies in india, even children are at risk. in the southern state of karnataka, over 140,000 children have been reportedly infected between march and may. in some cases where family members have been hospitalised as well, children are struggling to get even basic care. bbc�*s devina gupta reports. a father's heartbreaking moment. his ten—year—old daughter was in the covid ward here. she was hospitalised after her diabetes got worse. he is not allowed to meet her.

in another covid ward here, a nurse is trying to feed a four—year—old. his parents tested positive and are admitted to a different hospital. as more families get infected, health workers are becoming caretaker of some children as well. in the last three months, over 140,000 children have been infected because of covid in the state of karnataka alone. doctors here have told me most have not required hospitalisation and are only exhibiting milder symptoms, but the real challenge

in such cases is when parents or guardians are hospitalised, then even their own extended family members or members from the community do not want to take care of the children because of the fear of transmission of the virus. and that's where a group of volunteers are trying to lend a helping hand. this covid care centre is only for children in bangalore, an option that didn't exist for parents until now. paediatric nurses and doctors here not only monitor children's health, but they also engage them in different activities to overcome their covid anxiety. this centre looks like a hospital, but the children feel very happy because they watch movies and play a lot of games, so the children are feeling very much at home. for 32 children here, this place is becoming an emotional sanctuary, but this is a small start. experts say paediatric facilities in india are woefully short for covid emergencies.

there are 70 paediatric icu units. we need to train adult physicians how to look after paediatric patients. that is where more funding is required for india to save the future of this and the next generations to come. now to something that's captured the imagination of millions of people across china — a herd of wild elephants that has been moving northwards over the course of several months. they began theirjourney in a nature reserve in yunnan province, and after over 300 miles, they've now reached the outskirts of the city of kunming. tim allman reports. day after day, week after week, month after month, the elephants are on the march. 15 of them, heading northwards for reasons known only to themselves.

occasionally, the smaller members of the group need a helping hand, or trunk, to get them on the way.