let's cross to phil mercer. what do you make of the numbers?g from the recession that was induced by covid—19 at last year. as you say, this is an economy now bigger than it was before the pandemic, but there are serious issues that the australian economy has to deal with, has to negotiate into the future, some of the biggest industries here, tourism and international education, have suffered hugely because of australia's decision to ban foreign nationals for over a year to curb the spread of covid—19, so at the moment, the australian economy is relying on private business investment, and a surge in household spending, mostly or often in car fees and restaurants, and that is because australians cannot easily travel abroad, australian citizens need government permission to go overseas, so money is being spent here rather than overseas. —— cafes and restau ra nts. overseas. —— cafes and restaurants. but as you say, potential problems for the australian economy, this economic recovery could well be destabilised or derailed by further covid—19 outb

from sydney, phil mercer reports.in the latest outbreak. they say the highly contagious delta variant is spreading quickly. if we're going to do this, we need to do it properly. there's no point doing a three—day lockdown and then having the virus continue to bubble away in the community. a few days ago, i said this was the scariest time that i felt since the pandemic started, and that;s proven to be the case. millions of australians in sydney and beyond must now stay home, although they can leave to go to work, buy essential supplies, or exercise. to be honest, i probably think that it should have happened a couple of days ago, because there's been a pretty decent spread for the last few days. it's hard to imagine - how they can go further without completely stifling everything. | they've taken the view that l they want to control the virus above everything else, _ and they've been successful in that. australia has consistently maintained very low rates of coronavirus transmission. it has become a fortress in an atte

phil mercer, bbc news, sydney.mpete with simon olpin�*s horticultural skills. his garden in the suburbs of the northern english city of sheffield is — quite literally — breath—taking. paul hudson reports. i�*ve come to millhouses, it is a suburb in the south of sheffield. i�*m here to meet a family who started on a journey 30 years ago to produce something really rather special. i honestly cannot wait for you to see what lies behind this house. are you ready for this? it is absolutely magnificent. just feast your eyes on this — we have a jungle in the heart sheffield and the creator is simon. simon, this is the first time i have seen it, it is absolutely fantastic. where did you get the idea to plant from scratch, a jungle in sheffield? ever since i have been a child, i was fascinated by small creatures and then plants. the idea that i might be able to go abroad and see those tropical jungles and those animals and plants was a fantastic idea to me. the first time i flew, i was absolutely terrified. it was a terribl

phil mercer, bbc news, sydney. news. large numbers of people have been leaving the bangladeshi capital, dhaka, ahead of a nationwide covid lockdown. from monday, people in bangladesh will be allowed to leave their homes only in an emergency. bangladesh has seen an alarming increase in cases since mid may, many attributed to the delta variant. in iraq the authorities authorities say a third wave of covid infections has started, as the country's case numbers surge. a health ministry spokesman said this latest spike was much worse and more dangerous than the previous two. one of the host cities in the euro 20 20 football tournament, st petersburg, has recorded its highest ever daily death toll from the coronavirus. the russian city reported 100 and eight deaths in the previous 24 hours. it's due to host the first quarterfinal on friday. like many tourist destinations across southeast asia the covid—19 pandemic has had a hugely detrimental impact on cambodia's tourism industry. but, for the temples of angkor, a respite

phil mercer is in sydney for us.t talk us through these latest numbers, they are worrying. latest numbers, they are worrying-— latest numbers, they are wor inc. , ., worrying. they are, in new south wales _ worrying. they are, in new south wales the _ worrying. they are, in new south wales the state - worrying. they are, in new - south wales the state premier gladys berejiklian is reporting 18 new coronavirus infections in the past 2a hours, which means the cluster of infections here in australia's biggest city now sits around 130. these numbers may not be significant compared to other countries but in the australian context, they are significant and alarming. sydney now is into its second full day of a two—week lockdown that was ordered on saturday. awfully —— also locally acquired cases have been reported in western australia, the northern territory and queensland and it's worth pointing out that in those other parts of the country, the numbers at the moment a small but the fear is that an outbreak centred here in

that was phil mercer.bble, with all of australia, for three days. the travel corridor was openedin three days. the travel corridor was opened in april, the first time either country had allowed quarantine three international travels and strutting their borders earlier in the pandemic. travel between new zealand and specifically australian states and territories have been banned for short periods, as covid outbreaks occur, but this is the first time that the bubble has been closed with all of australia since it opened. let's remind you of the headline tale bbc news... the uk health secretary, matt hancock, comes under pressure to resign, after pictures emerged of him kissing an aide in his office, in breach of covid guidelines. the entire city of sydney — and surrounding areas — are under a two—week covid lockdown, after a rise in cases of the delta variant. 159 people remain unaccounted for, after the collapse of an apartment block north of miami beach. rescuers are continuing to search the debris. rescue

phil mercer, bbc news, sydney.fter receiving death threats wants more protection for women in public life. carol monaghan, the snp mp for glasgow north west, says social media companies must take action. a man is awaiting sentencing after admitting causing fear or alarm. wales are preparing to play against denmark later today, in the first of the knock out games in the european football championship. welsh supporters have been told not to travel from the uk for the game in amsterdam because of the risk of spreading coronavirus. our wales correspondent, hywel griffith is in amsterdam. an empty stadium, but were counting down the hours now. yes, absolutely. wales have had to crisscross the continent in this tournament so far. a few hundred fans in the stands in rome, which will probably be down to dozens here in amsterdam for the reasons you said. the dutch authorities said they would turn away anyone travelling from the uk because it is considered a very high risk country. a few thousand danish fans will be allowed

from sydney, phil mercer reports.ce. the march, which forms part of pride month, has not been permitted in turkey since 2015, with the authorities citing security" and "religious sensitivities". attempts to stage the rally in recent years have been met with strong police intervention. like many destinations across southeast asia, the covid—19 pandemic has had a hugely detrimental impact on cambodia's tourism industry. but, for the temples of angkor, a respite from the steady footfall of up to three million tourists a year, has given unobstructed access to the temple's most hard—to—reach corners to a unique band of temple guardians. nick wood has more. they're known as the ninja gardeners of angkor, and their mission, which they readily accept, takes place in a destination unlike any other — cambodian's famed angkorian—era temples. to the untrained eye, these vertiginous daredevils look like regular gardeners, but these guardians of the temples have a unique talent — and responsibility. translation: our team need to cl

absolutely, phil mercer, thank you. stay with us on bbc news.tell us if the truth is out there. members of the neo—nazi resistance movement stormed the world trade centre, armed with pistols and shotguns. we believe that, according to international law, that we have a rightful claim to certain parts of this country as our land. i take pride in the words "ich bin ein berliner". cheering and applause. as the uk woke up to the news that it is to exit the european union, leave campaigners began celebrating. in total, 17.4 million people voted for the uk to leave the eu. the medical research council have now advised the government that the great increase in lung cancer is due mainly to smoking tobacco. it was closing time - for checkpoint charlie which, for 29 years, has stoodi on the border as a mark of allied determination to defend the city. - this is bbc news. the latest headlines: voters in france have delivered a rebuff to both president macron and his far—right rival marine le pen in the first round of regional elections. nine children are amo

phil mercer, bbc news, sydney.rait — was approved by prince philip in 2008 and has been launched on armed forces day. the duke died in april at the age of 99. he was president of the royal mint advisory committee for 47 years. now it's time for a look at the weather with sarah keith lucas. no, there. quite a bit of dry weather out there for some parts of the uk, sunny spells lost in the evening hours too, not everywhere, bit cloudy in the evening for north—east england a decent scotland two, one or two isolated showers for england and wales but more persistent heavy rain that bats and thunderstorms pushing into the south—west of england and the channel islands through the course of tonight and so that is we start sunday morning, heavy rain in the far south—west, dry and fairly clearly elsewhere, quite a bit of dry and sunny weather, though, making clear that i would at times, for much of the uk. away from the south, that is because we have got this slow—moving area of low pressure to the south and app is not going

phil mercer, bbc news, sydney. let's take a look at some of the other stories making the news.a, ahead of a nationwide covid lockdown. from monday, people in bangladesh will be allowed to leave their homes only in an emergency. bangladesh has seen an alarming increase in cases since mid—may, many attributed to the delta variant. in iraq the authorities authorities say a third wave of covid infections has started, as the country's case numbers surge. a health ministry spokesman said this latest spike was much worse and more dangerous than the previous two. were going to start in amsterdam at the euros because denmark have beaten wales in the opening match of the knockout stages of the tournament so they are through to the quarterfinals. in amsterdam, denmark were everywhere, covid restrictions made it all but impossible for wales fans to travel but the few that made it were doing their best to make up for eight but denmark also bring their own emotion, christian eriksen remains in their thoughts as he continues his recovery. 0utnumbered off the field, wayin started stronger, gar

from sydney, phil mercer reports. shark nets can be a graveyard for wildlife.cean, great white, bulland hunters in the ocean, great white, bull and tiger sharks. but the measures in discriminant and kills other animals that pose no threat to beach—goers. animals that pose no threat to beach-goers— animals that pose no threat to beach-aoers. ' ii' ., ., ., , beach-goers. 9096 of the animals cau~ht beach-goers. 9096 of the animals caught were _ beach-goers. 9096 of the animals caught were actually _ beach-goers. 9096 of the animals caught were actually nontarget i caught were actually nontarget species such as turtles, dolphins and adversely affecting threatened and protected species here in new south wales and it has the potential to cause species that are not listed as threatened to become so. are not listed as threatened to become so— become so. shark nets used alon: become so. shark nets used along this — become so. shark nets used along this stretch _ become so. shark nets used along this stretch of- become so. shark nets used l along this stretch of coastli

our correspondent, phil mercer, joins us from sydney. this has been described as a hard lockdown.s latest outbreak? {lin about this latest outbreak? on friday the authorities here in sydney are dead four parts of the city into a lockdown, 2a hours later they say this cluster of infection is growing rapidly and is such great concern that the entire city and surrounding areas to their master, south and west will be subject to very strict lockdown measures for at least two weeks. the authorities believe this delta variant is spreading very quickly through the community, all the way through the pandemic, the australian strategy has been to go hard and to go early and the authorities are hoping that this two week shutdown will be enough to snuff out this particular cluster here in sydney. find enough to snuff out this particular cluster here in sydney.— cluster here in sydney. and very cuickl , cluster here in sydney. and very quickly. there — cluster here in sydney. and very quickly, there are _ cluster here in sydney. and very quickly, there are reports - cluster here in sydney. and v

from sydney, phil mercer reports.delta variant is spreading quickly. ii are variant is spreading quickly. if we are auoin variant is spreading quickly. if we are going to _ variant is spreading quickly. if we are going to do — variant is spreading quickly. if we are going to do this, _ variant is spreading quickly. if we are going to do this, we - variant is spreading quickly. if "as: are going to do this, we need to variant is spreading quickly. if "no2 are going to do this, we need to do it properly. there is no point during a three—day lockdown and then having the virus continue to bubble when the community. a few days ago i said this was the scariest time that i felt since the pandemic started and that has proven to be the case. millions of australia and sydney and beyond must now stay home, although they can leave to go to work, by essential supplies or exercise. t0 essential supplies or exercise. to be essential supplies or exercise. trio be honest, i essential supplies or exercise. tro be honest, i probably thi

here's our correspondent, phil mercer.sgender athlete to compete at the games. she has satisfied domestic and international criteria. she was competing in men's events until she transitioned in 2012. and she's had a pretty decorated career for new zealand. back in 2017, she won a silver medal at the world championships. she thought her career was over at the commonwealth games, a year later in 2018, when she broke her arm. but she's back to full fitness and back in the squad. the new zealand olympic officials are very cognisant of the fact that gender identity, in their words, is a very sensitive and complex issue in sport that requires a balance between human rights and the need for fairness in the field of play. there will be those who disapprove of her selection, but as far as the athlete herself is concerned, she said in a statement that she was humbled and that she was grateful. let's speak to nicola williams from fair play for women — a campaigning and consultancy group which says its working to protect the rights of

here's phil mercer. australia has essentially become a fortress in march of last year. firstly, the border. citizens and permanent residents are allowed to return but they face a mandatory two week stay in hotel isolation. this sydney cluster is linked to a limousine driver who was apparently working with international flight crew at sydney airport. so in some instances, infections have come out of those quarantine facilities into the broader community and that certainly seems to be what has happened here. also, australia's vaccination roll—out has been very slow to compare to other countries, fewer than 5% of australians are fully inoculated. let's take a closer look at australia's strategy to containing the pandemic. we'll start with the hotel quarantine. that has been key. from late march 2020 anyone coming from abroad into australia has had to quarantine for two weeks in an hotel. public support for the borders being closed has always been high — in may 79% of australians supported the policy. the economy is losing an estimated 5.9 billion us dollars a month due to

phil mercer, bbc news, sydney.arning that two police forces have agreed to pay damages to more than 600 people after a cover up following the disaster. the lawyers acting for the disaster. the lawyers acting for the families have said the south yorkshire and west midlands forces agreed the settlement earlier this year, but it is only now being reported. it had to wait until the conclusion of other legal proceedings. so the settlement was agreed earlier this year on behalf of 601 claimants. a spokesman for lawyers said the settlement of these claims marks the end of an unparalleled and extraordinary fight forjustice by the victims and their families. so the south yorkshire and west midlands forces have agreed to pay damages to more than 600 people after a cover—up following the hillsborough disaster in which 96 liverpool fans died. a statue of the slave trader edward colston, toppled during an anti—racism protest in bristol in south—west england, is going on public display. it is in a museum close to where it was th

phil mercer is in sydney for us and talked us through the surge in infections. 130 cases now confirmed deaths remain low and the number of hospitalisations remain low, we are seeing an increase in cases, so we think it is sensible to stick to a plan to have a cautious but irreversible approach, use the next three weeks or so to really complete as much as we can of the vaccine roll—out. another 5 million jobs can get into people by the 19th ofjuly. it is clear to me and my scientific advisers that we are likely to be in advisers that we are likely to be in a position on the 19th ofjuly that is the terminus and we can go back to life before covid as far as possible. the headlines on bbc news: work begins in earnest for the new health secretary after a dramatic weekend. sajid javid will update mps later on when all remaining covid restrictions will be lifted in england. more questions for matt hancock as labour demands an investigation into ministers using private email addresses for government business, following claims the former health secretary breached guidelines. more restrictions o

here's our correspondent, phil mercer.athlete herself is concerned, she said in a statement that she was humbled and that she was grateful. nicola williams from fair play for women — a campaigning and consultancy group which says its working to protect the rights of women and girls in the uk, says laurel hubbard competing in the women's category would be 'unfair�*. we have to think, you know, why do we even have female sports, female weightlifting in the first place? you know, it is because male bodies are different to female bodies and so, you know, someone who is born male has benefited from lifelong testosterone and female people haven't so, you know, when we ask should laurel hubbard complete in women's wait listing because the answer is no because laurel hubbard has been born male and benefited from testosterone so it is unfair fair laurel to be taking the place of a natal born woman who is now not making it to the olympics. that is one site of the argument. let's speak now with skyler bailar, the 1st transgender athl