nick eardley at holyrood.dence to the holyrood inquiry. that's here on the bbc news channel. it's expected to start after about 12:30 this lunchtime. the headlines on bbc news. health leaders have welcomed the queen's comments urging the public to "think about other people" and get a covid jab when they are offered one. alex salmond will be questioned by members of the scottish parliament today. the former scottish first minister claims there was a conspiracy against him over sexual harassment claims. and the supreme court will today rule on whether runaway schoolgirl shamima begum can return to the uk to appeal against the removal of her british citizenship. prince harry has said the british press was "destroying" his mental health, in an interview with the late late show host james corden. he said the pressure he was under meant he had to move his family away. the interview was recorded earlier this month — before he and his wife meghan lost their royal patronages. our royal correspondent sarah campbelljoins

nick eardley, bbc news.arnival — a vivid display of light, sound and colour that attracts thousands of tourists each year — but it's been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. the canals and streets of the city are now almost empty. here's tim allman. what a difference a year makes. this was venice at the beginning of 2020. the usual mix of the spectacular and the slightly surreal. this is venice in 2021. almost a ghost town. when it's carnival time, you would normally expect to see sites like this, saint marks square full of gothic costumes. but 12 months later, it is practically deserted. for this city, like so many cities around the world, it has been a tough, tough year. it is like the plague, that this man. maybe it is even worse. the war is worth, lived through war and it was worse. the irony is that italy as a whole, things are slowly beginning to improve. restrictions are being eased as the vaccine rollout continues. restaurants and cafes will be able to open their doors and not a moment too soo

here's our political correspondent, nick eardley.r in which optimism has been in short supply, a dose of hope. the vaccine roll—out continues here in epsom and across the uk this morning. ministers are confident that, by the end of the weekend, those most at risk from covid — 15 million people — will have been offered the first jab of the vaccine. we're on target to meet the goal by monday, of offering a vaccine to everybody in group 1—4, and then by may, offering the vaccine to everybody in groups 1—9. we have a high degree of confidence in the supply we've got to meet those goals, but, of course, the exact speed of the supply is the limiting factor on how quickly we can vaccinate right across the uk. with the vaccine and better treatment for those who do fall ill, the health secretary has said covid could become like flu — still there, but manageable. but some experts advising the government warn that may take time. i'm not sure that covid settles down to look like flu quite so quickly, and i think there's quite a long way to go be

nick eardley, bbc news.hinted he could return to politics, after being acquitted in his second impeachment trial in the us senate. only seven republicans joined the democrats in voting to convict the former president, meaning the vote fell short of the two—thirds majority required. after the vote, mr trump said he plans to put forward what he called a, "vision fora bright, radiant "and limitless american future." nomia iqbal reports from washington. ..donald john trump, former president of the united states, is not guilty as charged in the article of impeachment. this wasn't a typical trial, but it had an ending we all saw coming. nearly half of the jurors, the republican senators, had voted unsuccessfully to stopthe trialfrom happening. had voted unsuccessfully to stop the trial from happening. the motion as agreed to... there was a plot twist when it looked like witnesses may have been called, but soon the drama concluded, making it the fastest impeachment trial in history. at the heart of it all was the q

nick eardley, bbc news. let's get some of the day's other news.tack on a hotel near the airport. al—shabaab says it carried out the attack, which began with a car bomb. so far, two civilians and a guard are known to have died, but the number of casualties may rise further. close to 200 bars and restaurants in hungary have said they will reopen on monday in protest against what they argue are unfair restrictions, while also accusing the government of failing to honour its promise of assistance. the prime minister has offered to speed up overdue payments, but also threatened draconian punishments for any restaurants that break the law. sir tom moore, the 100—year—old british army captain who raised tens of millions of pounds for the national health service, is being treated in hospital for breathing difficulties. sir tom was knighted by the queen after being sponsored to walk laps around his garden last year. his family say he's been treated for pneumonia after testing positive for coronavirus, but is not in intensive care. let's ta ke let's take yo

nick eardley is here.question for so many people, isn't it, what impact will this have on how soon and in what form the lockdown can be eased? that is exactly what — lockdown can be eased? that is exactly what the _ lockdown can be eased? that is exactly what the government i lockdown can be eased? that is i exactly what the government will lockdown can be eased? that is - exactly what the government will be looking out over the next few days. we know that the prime minister wants to analyse some of the data on how the vaccine roll—out is going, how the vaccine roll—out is going, how the vaccine roll—out is going, how the lockdown is impacting the amount of people in hospital, the new cases and deaths as well and he will in the week beginning the 22nd give us more of an idea about what's coming out of lockdown in england will look like. we know that the first thing the government wants to do is open schools, perhaps as soon as the 8th of march. there is talk that the next months, potentially april, you sta

nick eardley, bbc news. military coup in myanmar. well it's just approaching 9 in the morning in myanmar now and these are some pictures we've had come in injust the last half hour. this is the centre of the country's main city yangon and specifically the city hall, where you can see soldiers on the grounds of the building there. soldiers on the street across the country. they have detained the country. they have detained the de facto leader aung san suu kyi, and just the de facto leader aung san suu kyi, andjust in the de facto leader aung san suu kyi, and just in the last few minutes we have heard from the us secretary of state, calling on myanmar, military leaders to release aung san suu kyi. as well as other myanmar officials that were detained in the military takeover. plenty more, stay with us. hello. it may be a new month but the weather pattern, for now, is staying the same. so in the week ahead, there will be low pressure systems coming our way, there will be more rain to flood—affected areas, some

nick eardley, bbc news. hello.ll be low pressure systems coming our way. there will be more rain to flood—affected areas, some snow as the wet weather pushes north causing some disruption, and although milder for some of us, that's not going to last. a damp start for some to the south close to this area of low pressure for monday morning. this is a much more vigorous weather system coming our way with that rain and snow monday night and into tuesday. monday not starting as cold as sunday morning. still the coldest parts of scotland close to minus double figures. quite sharp frost in scotland and northern england under clear skies but with some sunshine for monday morning, icy where we're still seeing some wintry showers towards the north and east of scotland. damp and drizzly with plenty of misty, murky conditions across parts of southern england and wales — perhaps in the midlands here — and east anglia may brighten up into the afternoon. and rain and hill snow spreading north across northern ireland during the af

nick eardley, bbc news.nesses have written to the prime minister asking for more support to help their industry survive the pandemic. among their demands, to extend the current vat reduction and business rates relief and a proposal to renew the eat out to help out scheme when it's safe to do so. mandana kalati is the business owner of the wild bunchjuicery in london. she signed the letter and joins me now. thanks forjoining us on bbc news. how tough has it been for you? what changes have you had to make over the last few months? film. changes have you had to make over the last few months?— the last few months? oh, it's very difficult, i have _ the last few months? oh, it's very difficult, i have to _ the last few months? oh, it's very difficult, i have to say, _ the last few months? oh, it's very difficult, i have to say, is - the last few months? oh, it's very difficult, i have to say, is a - the last few months? oh, it's very difficult, i have to say, is a small. difficult, i have to say, is a small busines

nick eardley, thank you.rates are one fifth of the rate here, and some countries are now reporting a reluctance to take the astrazeneca vaccine, after countries, including france and germany, made the decision not to use it on older patients. here's our europe correspondentjean mackenzie. none of the queues they planned for. inside, chairs sit empty. belgium's largest vaccination centre finally opened last week, but there's barely a person in sight. they have the capacity to vaccinate 5,000 people a day, but today they say they have only done 200, and in the hour that we've been here, we've seen just one person arrive for their vaccination. no, it is a pity that there are not many people. this afternoon it is very quiet, because there are not enough vaccines at this moment in time. it is quite shocking to arrive and see such a huge vaccination centre, and to see it totally empty. is that not disappointing for you? yes, of course it is, but what do you want me to say? of course it's disappointing, but i cannot

nick eardley, bbc news.f the disease. middlesbrough currently has the fifth highest covid infection rate in england at 596 per 100,000. we can now speak to the mayor of middlesbrough — andy preston. thank you forjoining us. search testing where you are, you had one or two cases a few days ago, where are you at the moment?— or two cases a few days ago, where are you at the moment? good evening. just to be are you at the moment? good evening. just to be clear. — are you at the moment? good evening. just to be clear, our _ are you at the moment? good evening. just to be clear, our rate _ are you at the moment? good evening. just to be clear, our rate is _ just to be clear, our rate is currently _ just to be clear, our rate is currently at 312. so just to be clear, our rate is currently at 312.— just to be clear, our rate is currently at 312. so that has reduced quite _ currently at 312. so that has| reduced quite considerably? currently at 312. so that has - reduced quite considerably? exactly. it has fallen re

nick eardley there.astrazeneca vaccine in children is set to be tested in a new clinical trial. researchers will use 300 volunteers to test whether the jab will produce a strong immune response in children aged between six and 17. the university of oxford said theirs was the first trial in the six to 17 age group. it said other trials had gone but only measured efficacy in those aged 16 and 17. let us talk now to a doctorfrom the aged 16 and 17. let us talk now to a doctor from the university who has been involved, i should say is involved, with those clinical trials. thank you very much for spending some time this weekend to talk to bbc news. what has prompted the decision to try this age group, a relatively young age group, given that so far, at least, thankfully, the number of cases affecting that age group has been very small? 50. age group has been very small? so, it has been — age group has been very small? srr, it has been almost age group has been very small? 557, it has been almost 12 age group

nick eardley, bbc news. the headlines on bbc news.et a day early. the prime minister is under pressure from some of his own mps to end covid restrictions by the end of april. government ministers however urge caution. president trump suggests he could make a political comeback after he's cleared of his second impeachment trial. donald trump has hinted he could return to politics, after being acquitted in his second impeachment trial in the us senate. only 7 republicansjoined the democrats in voting to convict the former president, meaning the vote fell short of the two—thirds majority required. after the vote, mr trump said he plans to put forward what he called a �*vision fora bright, radiant and limitless american future�*. nomia iqbal reports from washington. ..donald john trump, former president of the united states, is not guilty as charged in the article of impeachment. this wasn�*t a typical trial, but it had an ending we all saw coming. nearly half of the jurors, the republican senators, had voted unsuccessfully to stop the tr

here's our political correspondent nick eardley.

nick eardley, bbc news, holyrood. and we can speak to nick eardley now — he's at holyrood.a broader scottish politics, that although alex salmond has made explosive allegations of a conspiracy against him, there isn't much evidence. i suspect wanted big questions he is going to be asked by msps is whether there is evidence. but more broadly than not, it isjust going to be an extraordinary moment in scottish politics. it feels to me like one of the biggest crisis that scottish politics has faced since devolution set up in 22 years ago. with one first minister accusing another of lying to parliament, the other saying that the other is living in a parallel universe. it saying that the other is living in a parallel universe.— parallel universe. it has become extremely _ parallel universe. it has become extremely personal. _ parallel universe. it has become extremely personal. just - parallel universe. it has become extremely personal. just to - parallel universe. it has become j extremely personal. just to help guide us through this evidence that we are going to see in the sess

our political correspondent, nick eardley, joins me now.overnment, as it tries to finalise its programme for coming under lockdown is under pressure from its own mps and from government scientist, saying, do not go too quickly, too soon. the vaccination programme _ quickly, too soon. the vaccination programme in _ quickly, too soon. the vaccination programme in the _ quickly, too soon. the vaccination programme in the uk _ quickly, too soon. the vaccination programme in the uk has - quickly, too soon. the vaccination programme in the uk has gone i quickly, too soon. the vaccination i programme in the uk has gone well. the government is likely to announce tomorrow it has met its target of vaccinating and offering doses to 50 million of the most at risk people by built as that happens, understandably, there are more questions about what it means to be open society, getting children back in school. there are tory mps knocking on the door of boris johnson, saying, you need to do it quickly. the vaccination programme is working, death numbers ar

remove all coronavirus restrictions in england by the end of april. 0ur political correspondent, nick eardley now. i suppose he is under pressure from his own backbenchers on the one side and scientists advising him on the other. ., , ~ other. that is right. when the government _ other. that is right. when the government and _ other. that is right. when the government and tomorrow i other. that is right. when the government and tomorrow it | other. that is right. when the i government and tomorrow it has other. that is right. when the - government and tomorrow it has met its first target to vaccinate or give a first dose to 50 million people, the most at risk groups in society, you will start to hear more pressure from conservative mps to outline what that means for reopening society. some lockdown sceptic mps have been pretty quiet over the last couple of months, the simple reason being the virus was in such a bad way in the uk. giving he had deaths going down, hospitalisations going down, infection rates going down, you will be hearing more and more from them. a letterfrom 60 plus be hearin

first here's nick eardley with some of the background. her house. whether they were a government or party business. and how it contributed to the radio to the way that her government ultimately botched the investigation into it and allegations of harassment. you heard ruth davidson alleging — a moment ago — that there had been a cover up. that allegation refers to the scottish government's decision to publish an incomplete version of written evidence mr salmond gave to parliament. the conservatives allege if the whole of mr salmond's evidence was published it would show nicola sturgeon lied to parliament. this is how the first minister described anyone taking that view. notjust not just wrong and notjust wrong and notjust completely lacking in a single shred of evidence to back that came up, but i would also suggest that they are signing up to dangerous and quite deluded conspiracy theories. there's a lot of backstory to this — this was two years ago, alex salmond went on trial in a criminal court, he was eventually cleared of 13 charges

let's speak to our political correspondent nick eardley who's in westminster. about the vaccines. how much is all of this putting pressure on the prime minister over this issue of easing lockdown?— prime minister over this issue of easing lockdown? well, we have erha -s easing lockdown? well, we have perhaps heard — easing lockdown? well, we have perhaps heard less _ easing lockdown? well, we have perhaps heard less from - easing lockdown? well, we have perhaps heard less from some i easing lockdown? well, we have| perhaps heard less from some of those in borisjohnson's party who want him to move more swiftly over the last few weeks, just because the data was so bad. but as the number of cases comes down, as the vaccine roll—out continues to go pretty well, there are those influential backbenchers in borisjohnson's party who are increasingly knocking on his door and saying, we need to think about trying to get part of society open again. they are looking, for example, to the announcement in scotland, seeing the possibility of schools opening there on the 22nd o

theo leggett, bbc news. 0ur political correspondent nick eardley is at westminster.nment �*s border policy, and we heard some of it there but the government is getting tough. i think that's riuht. government is getting tough. i think that's right. for _ government is getting tough. i think that's right. for months _ government is getting tough. i think that's right. for months we've - government is getting tough. i think that's right. for months we've been| that's right. for months we've been asking questions about whether tougher measures should have been brought in earlier, whether the restrictions in place go far enough and as you heard at the end of that piece, whether they are being enforced strictly enough. i think we are starting to see some pretty strict rules being brought in by ministers. the possibility of a ten yearjail ministers. the possibility of a ten year jail sentence ministers. the possibility of a ten yearjail sentence for ministers. the possibility of a ten year jail sentence for not following the quarantine rules is quite significant. the view i

our political correspondent, nick eardley, joins me now. welcome back.british health secretary matt hancock said in a newspaper interview on saturday about learning to live with this virus. 1 interview on saturday about learning to live with this virus.— to live with this virus. i think there is increasing _ to live with this virus. i think there is increasing optimism| to live with this virus. i think l there is increasing optimism in to live with this virus. i think - there is increasing optimism in the uk government about the way things are going in the argument the secretary is making is the of the vaccines with the roll—out going well and targets being met, that plus new treatments for people who do still get ill with coronavirus gives the uk government some hope that this pandemic is going to be more treatable in the next few months and really interestingly matt hancock making the comparison to the flu and saying that he hopes that the uk can be in a situation where coronavirus is treated like the flu by the end of this year. but matter so much bec

let's go to our political correspondent nick eardley.rgument again?— and it is the health versus wealth argument again? absolutely, simon, and we have — argument again? absolutely, simon, and we have seen _ argument again? absolutely, simon, and we have seen that _ argument again? absolutely, simon, and we have seen that playing - argument again? absolutely, simon, and we have seen that playing out. and we have seen that playing out pretty publicly in the last few days with some tory mps saying to the prime minister, lift all restrictions by may. some scientists warning borisjohnson that if he moves to quickly and unlocks too fast, then he could risk another spike in the virus. i've got to say, listening to the prime minister over the last few days, it doesn't sound like in some ways, he is erring towards the latter argument. he has been saying this morning he very much agrees with those advisers who are telling the government that the unlocking has to be based on data and not dates. and it is that data that boris johnson and not dates.

our political correspondent nick eardley has the latest from edinburgh.nister, his protege, breaking the ministerial code, the rules by which ministers have to abide. normally that would be a resignation matter, but mr salmond is alleging a lot more, he is saying that some people around nicola sturgeon were part of a malicious campaign against him to remove him from public life and possibly even to have him jailed. we are going to hear from mr salmond tomorrow. he is pencilled in for a mammoth session before a committee that is looking into how the scottish government has dealt with complaints against mr salmond, but today at first minister's questions there was an extraordinary exchange, where different parties in holyrood were accusing each other of undermining scottish democracy. firstly, we had ruth davidson, who is the scottish tory leader at holyrood, saying that ms sturgeon had tried to cover up what had gone on. a culture of secrets and cover—up that is only growing, and it is all taking place on nicola sturgeon's watch. and there'sjust one furthe

crown 0ffice ordered written evidence from mr salmond to be edited. 0ur political correspondent nick eardleyexactly is going on. alex salmond was sunposed _ exactly is going on. alex salmond was sunposed to _ exactly is going on. alex salmond was supposed to be _ exactly is going on. alex salmond was supposed to be appearing i exactly is going on. alex salmond i was supposed to be appearing before msps right now and at that hearing he was expected to sate nicola sturgeon broke the ministerial code and that he believes there was a malicious campaign involving people around her to get him. she denies that completely. but alex salmond is not here because he pulled out, his evidence which had been published by the scottish parliament, parts of it were taken down because the crown 0ffice were taken down because the crown office which is the prosecution body in scotland, said it could be in contempt of court that caused a furious row and big questions about the way holyrood is operating at the moment. alex salmond has suggested the head of the crown 0ffice, moment. alex salmond has suggested the h

nick eardley, our political correspondent. thank you very much.e warning that the i in my reef along is if poorer countries including the vaccine roll—out. this had billions of people may not get inoculated this year and that might allow the virus to mutate further and eventually become resistant to their axial together. eventually become resistant to their axialtogether. is eventually become resistant to their axial together. is that production has to be ramped and vaccines have to be priced accordingly. the smack priced affordably. how will by the state of play at the moment? vaccines are there but they have a long way from being being there for everybody. —— how worried are you by the state of play at the moment? if are you by the state of play at the moment? ., ., ., , ., , ., moment? if we do not treat this as a ulobal moment? if we do not treat this as a global problem _ moment? if we do not treat this as a global problem and _ moment? if we do not treat this as a global problem and if _ moment? if we do not treat this as a global problem an

our correspondent, nick eardley, is in edinburgh. it was a fiery session.ry session. i've seldom seen anything like it _ it was a fiery session. i've seldom seen anything like it in _ it was a fiery session. i've seldom seen anything like it in holyrood. | seen anything like it in holyrood. this story is really calling eruptions in scottish politics. alex salmond around this time tomorrow will be appearing before a committee of msps claiming that his former protege nicola sturgeon misled parliament, something that in normal time she would have to resign for. also accusing of people around her of being part of a malicious campaign to remove him from public life. she denies that and says it is a conspiracy theory about this row is running on and on. there are big questions for nicola sturgeon about when she knew about allegations against mr salmond and they really matter because it's all about the chain of events and how conversations with mr salmond happened at her house, whether they were government or party business and how it contributed to the way her go

nick eardley, thank you.ald trump's second impeachment trial. the former president has been charged with "incitement of insurrection" following the riot at the capitol building last month. 0ur washington correspondent barbara plett usher reports. chanting: fight for trump! fight for trump! donald trump told his supporters to fight like hell. but did he really mean it? nothing in the text could ever be construed as encouraging, condoning, or enticing unlawful activity of any kind. of course he did not, his lawyers argued, in a combative and brief defence. this was ordinary political rhetoric. to make its point, the defence produced a selectively edited video of democrats uttering the same word. fight that fight. we have been fighting... i was fighting very hard... time is of the essence both in terms of the fight... i think we should be fighting... there was no attempt to play down the horror of the violence, but mr trump's lawyers argued that those responsible had hijacked the event for their own purposes. th

nick eardley, bbc news.urtles that were left cold—stunned by a winter storm in texas — well we�*ve got an update for you this morning. thousands of them have been released back into the sea via a slide. the rehabilitation centre said more than 2,000 were returned to the wild over the weekend after an "exhaustive 24—hour effort". the team say they are still rescuing hundreds a day from the cold weather. it is just absolutely wonderful. they seem to know exactly what to do on the slide, to get ready for the dive in. you think that they are taking a pose? it looks like they are ready to plunge. aren�*t the people just placing them in the right place? we will have a look next time! now the weather with carol. looks like it might be an interesting day.— looks like it might be an interesting day. looks like it might be an interestin: da . . �*, ., interesting day. that's right, for man of interesting day. that's right, for many of us _ interesting day. that's right, for many of us it — interesting day. that's righ

we can speak to nick eardley now — he's at holyrood.but he said the civil service, the prosecution service, the government and its leadership. i think we will hear more from him on that over the course of the afternoon. a lot of what we have heard so far as been about how the scottish government keep up on this new policy for dealing with harassment come plaints. the reason this was so controversial, the complaints made against mr salmond, he took the government to court for the way they had handled them, and the way they had handled them, and the process was found to be unlawful and tainted by a parent backs. the government has put its hand up and said they got it wrong. quite a lot of it so far has been quite a bit of detail about how the policy was constructed. this afternoon we will probably get to more of the stuff we have been talking about over the last few days. mr salman's extraordinary claims that nicola sturgeon, once his greatest political ally has mid—late —— has misled parliament. the first minister has husband, the snp ch

our political correspondent nick eardley is at holyrood for us. on down. i will try to explain a bit more. for years, this was the closest relationship in scottish politics, alex salmond and his protege, nicola sturgeon. now, though, they're bitter enemies. he accuses her of failing to tell the truth. she says he is living in an alternative reality. this is mr salmond outside the high court in edinburgh last year. he had just been cleared of sexual assault. there is certain evidence that i would have liked to have seen led in this trial, but for a variety of reasons we were not able to do so. at some point, that information, that facts and that evidence, will see the light of day. now it's nicola sturgeon and her government that's under the spotlight. its investigation into mr salmond was found to be unlawful and tainted by apparent bias. mr salmond is coming here to the scottish parliament to make some extraordinary claims. mr salmond claims nicola sturgeon has misled the scottish parliament. that she's guilty of several breaches of the ministeria

let's speak to our political correspondent nick eardley who is in westminster.scinating and fraught. it is. the issue of easing lockdown is so fascinating and fraught.— fascinating and fraught. it is. it is interesting, _ fascinating and fraught. it is. it is interesting, because - fascinating and fraught. it is. iti is interesting, because towards fascinating and fraught. it is. it - is interesting, because towards the tail end of last year we were talking about it all the time. boris johnson was under intense pressure from some of his own party to think about listening some of the restrictions. that has kind of gone away for the last few weeks, such as been the severity of the outbreak, the number of cases, the number of deaths and the impact of the new variant. i think we are starting to hear more and more tory mps talking, again, but how lockdown can be lifted. in particular, they are looking to scotland and seeing the plan to maybe allow schoolchildren to start returning any faced away from the 22nd of february, they are saying why can't we do the same in e

our political correspondent nick eardley has the latest.edit it. ithink evidence was being, as he saw it, edit it. i think it's possible we will still hear from mr salmond edit it. i think it's possible we will still hearfrom mr salmond on friday. the committee investigating this is invited him again and i think he still wants to appear. we are waiting for some sort of confirmation from his end. however, there are big questions being asked about the way this has panned out, because there is real frustration about the way this has panned out, because there is realfrustration in the scottish parliament that this not only looks awful but it raises big questions about democratic accountability and how it is working in scotland. have a listen to the scottish conservative leader at holyrood, ruth davidson, speaking to the world at one. irate holyrood, ruth davidson, speaking to the world at one.— the world at one. we need a full, independent. _ the world at one. we need a full, independent, judge _ the world at one. we need a full, independent, j

he faces a difficult balancing act. 0ur political correspondent nick eardley explained the prime minister'sestrictions by may." some scientists warning boris johnson that if he moves too quickly and unlocks too fast, then he could risk another spike in the virus. and i've got to say, listening to the prime minister over the last few days, it does sound like, in some ways, he's erring towards the latter argument. he's been saying this morning he very much agrees with those advisers who are telling the government that the unlocking has to be based on data and not dates. and it's that data that borisjohnson is poring over at the moment. every time we hear from him at the moment, he's being extremely cautious. in part, that's because downing street has been stung in the past by the fact it has over—promised and perhaps under—delivered by having to reimpose some restrictions. but i also think the prime minister is wanting to make sure that this is definitely the last lockdown. he keeps using this phrase that the restrictions when they're lifted, that process has to be irreversible. he doesn't wa

he faces a difficult balancing act. 0ur political correspondent, nick eardley, explained the prime minister'sy cautious. in part, that's because downing street has been stung in the past by the fact it has over—promised and perhaps under—delivered by having to re—impose some restrictions. but i also think the prime minister is wanting to make sure that this is definitely the last lockdown. he keeps using this phrase that when the restrictions are lifted that process has to be irreversible. he doesn't want to be back in a place where schools are being reopened, only to close again a few weeks later. so, absolutely a lot for the prime minister to weigh up over the next few days, but i don't think next monday we're necessarily going to have a calendar that gives us a definitive run—through of what the next few months are going to look like. a lot of this is going to be conditional on the virus. the organisation which represents hospital managers in england says the nhs is likely to remain "at full stretch" for at least another six weeks. chris hopson, the chief executive of nhs providers, has wr

our political correpondent nick eardley is at westminster. you're absolutely _ hearing at westminster? you're absolutely right. _ hearing at westminster? you're absolutely right. there's - hearing at westminster? you're absolutely right. there's a - hearing at westminster? you're absolutely right. there's a ways j absolutely right. there's a ways been tension between some of the scientists who are saying this needs to be a slow process coming out of lockdown, and some of boris johnson's own party who were knocking on his door regularly saying, we need to get out of lockdown. as soon as possible. we had that yesterday from the coronavirus research group saying that england should try and resume schools earlier than the target date of march, following the example of scotland, where some schools are going back on the 22nd of february. so borisjohnson is going to see some more pressure in the next few weeks to spell out how he is going to get things back to normal, given that the vaccine roll—out seems to be going extremely well, given that those

nick eardley, bbc news. ruling by a court in beijing is the first of its kind following the introduction of a new marriage law in china. the woman will receive the equivalent ofjust under £5,500 for five years' worth of work. the case has generated significant online debate about the value of domestic work. the bbc�*s stephen mcdonell is in beijing and gave us more details. ican hear i can hear women around the world, notjust in china, cheering at this result after a judge ordered this husband to pay his ex—wife thousands of dollars, the equivalent of thousands of dollars, in extra compensation in their divorce settlement. this has been possible because of new regulations which were brought in only last month, here. it is the first time we have seen it used. under the new law, people are able to argue, when everything is divided up as part of a divorce, "i did more work looking after the kids, i did more housework or care for elderly relatives". and then when everything else is calculated, if there is not en

our political correspondent nick eardley is at westminster.— us what is expected. i think it will get a lot more complicated. - us what is expected. i think it will get a lot more complicated. we i us what is expected. i think it will. get a lot more complicated. we know the vast majority of people are not allowed to travel at the moment. there are only a few exemptions allowed as things stand. but for those who are travelling into the country, the main concern that ministers have is making sure some of the variance we have been talking about that are not really in the uk yet but are in other countries are not brought in. we already know that from next week, if you come from some of those red listed countries, you will have to quarantine in a hotel, designated by the government. more details on the one that means from the health secretary in a couple of hours. we'll also hear of more restrictions for more people as well. you have to take a test to get on a plane to the uk and show that within 72 hours before getting a flight that you have had