shaimaa khalil reports.undreds of players and officials have spent their day. they'll need a negative coronavirus test before they can get back to the competition, and health officials are optimistic. if competition, and health officials are optimistic.— are optimistic. if there was any exoosure. _ are optimistic. if there was any exoosure. they _ are optimistic. if there was any exposure, they would - are optimistic. if there was any exposure, they would be - are optimistic. if there was any l exposure, they would be coming are optimistic. if there was any - exposure, they would be coming up to that time period now, so we think the risk is relatively low, which is why we're testing them to be sure. again, it's precautionary. aha, why we're testing them to be sure. again, it's precautionary.— again, it's precautionary. a worker in one of the _ again, it's precautionary. a worker in one of the quarantine _ again, it's precautionary. a worker in one of the quarantine hotels - in one of the quarantine hotels te

shaimaa khalil reports from melbourne. it has been a bumpy ride for the australian open.ld—ups, it is finally ready to go. even before the grand slam begins, tennis fans have come for the warm—up events. with the ongoing travel ban most spectators this year are locals, and after melbourne going through one of the longest and strictest lockdowns in the world, they are very excited to be here. the safety is the main thing i think everyone really wanted it to happen, but that it is able to go on like it has and, you know, like we are here, at melbourne park, it is pretty awesome. it's unreal, really. it feels like a new life. melbourne is a huge sporting capital of the world and people _ love this sport here, i it makes them happy. actually you feel maybe more connected with the tennis because you don't have the big crowd. you actually can watch and enjoy the show. literally because this is what it is, it is a big show! getting to this stage has been controversial and often dramatic. hundreds of players flew in from around the world, some under tighter quarantine rules than

i'm shaimaa khalil, and here in melbourne park, there is a real buzz as play gets under way. after a dramatic and challenging buildup, it's all go for the first grand slam of the year. welcome to the programme will. welcome to the programme will. we start in south africa which is suspending its full rollout of the austin —— 0xford astrazeneca vaccine after studies showed disappointing results against the local variant of coronavirus was not last week, south africa received 1 million doses of the astrazeneca jab and had been due to start vaccinating people next week. here's south africa's health minister speaking at a video briefing. 0ur scientists must quickly sit together and figure out what approach we are going to use in order effectively deploy the astrazeneca vaccines. it must be clear when that can be done, what conditions need to be fulfilled, what we need to do about all of that. so that basically is the assignment that has been given to our scientists all together. they'll figure it out, they'll come back to us and say, this is the proposal on the astrazeneca. so it'

shaimaa khalil, bbc news, melbourne. restrictions are needed to bring the virus under control. one thing that's so far been ruled out is axing the bubble system — because, for many, bubbles have represented a lifeline during the pandemic. hope bolger has been taking a look at how they've helped. it's been a lifeline. i don't know how people are doing without it. the difference it has made to our quality of life, and to her quality of life, is huge. it has actually saved my life. coronavirus has caused many of us to feel isolated at times. during the first lockdown, some people spent weeks without any real human contact. alex was one of them. the most meaningful conversation. i had was with the lady in the co—op over the road about eggs. it was incredibly isolating, j it got really, really lonely. when support bubbles were brought in lastjune, they offered people in similar situations a vital chance to reconnect. it has actually saved my life. had the situation of being on my own, being away from people, . gone on for muc

shaimaa khalil, bbc news, melbourne. you're watching bbc news.itterly cold and snow showers, amber weather warning still remains in force across parts of east anglia and the south—east. we have some accumulations causing road closures in kent, as you can see by that picture. we have also had a keen easterly wind whipping up the north sea, making it feel a bitingly cold at times and actually this easterly flow is set to stay with us for the next few days. so yes, it is a beast from the east, the question is how long will it stay? it has been driving in snow showers across eastern scotland and north—east england through the day, more persistent snow across the south—east due to the legacy of a weather front here. that is where the amber weather warning remains throughout the night. and into tomorrow lunchtime. as you can see, plenty of snow showers are set to continue. it will be a cold start to monday as well, with temperatures just below freezing. we will start off monday with plenty of isobars on the chart, that easterly wind a notable feature a

shaimaa khalil, bbc news, kangaroo island.ers in madrid were called to an illegal party and when they arrived it appeared the flat was empty — but like a bad game of hide and seek — they found party goers — hiding under the mattress — and under cushions next to the bed. and of course in the cupboard too. police in the city said more than 200 illegal gatherings were found this weekend. now it's time for a look at the weather with nick miller. hello. it's been a fine day today in scotland and northern ireland. it will be again, tomorrow. whereas there is a weather front in parts of england and wales, which will continue to bring some rain, as it will through the evening and overnight. northern england, wales, the west midlands and the south west in particular. eastern parts of england staying dry. a mild night across england and wales, but temperatures close to freezing in the coldest parts of scotland and northern ireland under largely clear skies. and bar the odd shower approaching north west scotland tomorrow, most here will

i'm shaimaa khalil, and here in melbourne park, there is a real buzz as play gets under way.matic and challenging buildup, it's all go for the first grand slam of the year. hello, welcome to the program. south africa is suspending its full rollout of the oxford—astrazeneca vaccine after a study showed disappointing results against the local variant of coronavirus. it comes less than a week after the country's president and senior ministers agreed to the arrival of a million doses of the jab as they arrived at the airport. it is a setback for inoculation efforts that were due to start in the coming days. here's south africa's health minister speaking at a video briefing. our scientists must quickly sit together and figure out what approach we are going to use in order to effectively deploy the astrazeneca vaccines. it must be clear when that can be done, what conditions need to be fulfilled, what we need to do about all of that. so that basically is the assignment that has been given to our scientists all together. they'll figure it out, they'll come back to us and say, this i

i'm shaimaa khalil, and here in melbourne park, there is a real buzz as play gets under way. a dramatic and challenging buildup, it's all go for the first grand slam of the year. a very warm welcome to the programme. forthe a very warm welcome to the programme. for the third day in a row, people are taken to the streets in myanmar to protest against last week's military coup. thousands are marching in the main city of _ coup. thousands are marching in the main city of young _ coup. thousands are marching in the main city of young gone - the main city of young gone with cars sounding their horns in support. —— yangon. some of the protesters are carrying portraits of the elected leader aung san suu kyi who was detained when the army seized power seven days ago. these are live pictures coming into us now from myanmar. let's now talk to our correspondent who is based in singapore, nick marsh, to get a sense of what's happening. next, these protests have been going on all weekend. what is the latest?— what is the latest? judging by imaaes what is the latest? judging by images on _

shaimaa khalil, bbc news, melbourne. england in the next few hours. an amberwarning — meaning possible travel disruption and power cuts — is in force until monday morning. snow has already fallen elsewhere across the uk, and simonjones such has billie sent us this update from just outside dover. northern england and scotland have already experienced heavy snow in the past week but now it's going to be far more widespread. in parts we could see up to 30 centimetres of snow and the whole of the east of the uk has weather warnings in place for snow and ice from today until wednesday, so this is going to last quite a period of time and it is notjust the snow, we have also got storm darcy blowing through, bringing winds of up to 50 mph and although it says on the thermometer it is around freezing, when you add in the wind chill it is actually feeling more like —7. the advices, don't go out unless you have to do. that really coincides with the government advice to stay at home because of coronavirus, but i think the reality is

shaimaa khalil, bbc news, melbourne.a new project aims to use the energy of football fans to encourage sustainable habits. in planet super league, the greener the fans are, the more points their club gets. a pilot scheme hasjust concluded — and joe wilson has been keeping score. our planet is football—shaped. well, the world's certainly shaped by football. it matters to millions. the english premier league could still be won by various contenders. it remains a race. but there is one title that's been decided already. ok, it's not quite that trophy again. but leicester city have won planet super league, the tournament that rewards sustainable achievements. well, supporters at home won points for their clubs by carrying out various covid—friendly tasks with an environmental angle. for example, make a goalkeeper from the things you find on a walk. make a family meal which is meat—free. or make a football stadium for worms. well, my players were left looking in vain for a ball. so i spoke to the experts, the adatiya family.

shaimaa khalil, bbc news, sydney.ay evening as a precaution due to feeling unwell. 99—year old prince philip is said to be in good spirits after being taken to king edward vii hospital in central london. his stay is not related to coronavirus, and a palace source said the duke walked into the hospital unaided. after a year of lockdowns, what will the high street look like once restrictions are finally lifted? one of britain's top retail bosses is calling on the chancellor to slash business rates to save it. lord wolfson — who runs next — says that rates bills for high street shops should be cut by more than a third to avoid furtherjob losses. it comes as the business rates holiday that has been in place during the pandemic is due to end in april. the bbc�*s business editor, simonjack, looks at the choices facing the chancellor as he prepares his budget due in early march. signs of spring in bedford. but like many towns and cities in the uk, the high street is enduring a winter which saw 175,000 jobs lost last year and

shaimaa khalil, bbc news, sydney.to naomi osaka, who won the title in 2019. serena williams left her post match press conference in tears, after being questioned about a series of unforced errors in the match. katie gornall reports. from the united states, serena williams. it from the united states, serena williams. ., , from the united states, serena williams. ., from the united states, serena williams. . , ., ., . , from the united states, serena williams. ., ., . , ., , ., williams. it was a matchup worthy of a final, the greatest _ williams. it was a matchup worthy of a final, the greatest of— williams. it was a matchup worthy of a final, the greatest of all— williams. it was a matchup worthy of a final, the greatest of all time - a final, the greatest of all time against arguably the greatest right now. serena williams has rediscovered some of her best form in melbourne, in an outfit inspired by track legend flojo, she burst out of the blocks. but naomi osaka, with three grand slam titles of her own, is not one t

shaimaa khalil, bbc news, sydney. about this story after 3pm including the chair of the committee that strike to get mark zuckerberg to appear. nearly 7 million people in the us state of texas have been warned to boil tapwater before drinking it, and nearly two million people are still without power, in the wake of brutal winter weather. a huge storm which is sweeping the south of the country has killed at least 21 people. texas has experienced some of its coldest temperatures in more than 30 years, hitting minus 18 celcius earlier this week. duncan kennedy has the latest. freezing in fort worth. this was one texas suburb looking more like switzerland than the southern united states. nearly 2 million people have had their electricity cut off. this in a state that is the oil and natural gas capital of america. we are hoping the lines will come back soon enough because it's really freezing, it's horrible. power companies have started rolling blackouts to take the strain off the electricity grid. indiana has also been hi

for the latest we can now speak to our correspondent shaimaa khalil whojoins us from melbourne. afternd slam is finally under way here at melbourne park. it has been a tough ride for the australian open with hotel quarantine dramas and just last week more than 500 players, officials and staff were forced back into isolation testing because of the covid—19 case in the hotel. there was fear that this might not go ahead but this is day one and it is very much under way. melbourne park is a real buzz about it this morning and we have seen people coming to the gates all morning. some making their way to the tennis courts to watch the matches and other sexually sitting outside. it is a little bit chilly watching on the big screen and yes, it has been really, really challenging getting to the stage not without its controversy, of course, but some players quarantining with covid 19th positive cases on their planes but i think much of the organisers' relief and thrill, players are now on the courts, fans are trickling in and play is now about to start. what about those fans because many people

for the latest we can now speak to our correspondent shaimaa khalil who joins us from melbourne.ersy though. iirrt without controversy but i must say that this feels like a very different place than we had last week. melbourne park definitely has a bit of a buzz around it this morning. this monday morning. there is music going on, there's a very big screen with today's schedule and also, covid—19 safety rules and measures and it is very loud, bands have started coming up to these areas now with their tickets which areas now with their tickets which are mainly used for contact tracing but as she said, not without drama, not without controversy because only a few days ago, we have a positive covid—19 case in one of the tournaments quarantine hotels and it has sent more than 500 players, officials and staff in isolation and overturn negative tests and here we are on the first day of the first grand slam of the season. i will say though that a few minutes ago, we did get reports of another positive covid—19 case in melbourne and whether quarantine hotels. not linked to the tennis, it

our correspondent shaimaa khalil reports from melbourne.d the metro and is a regular and the metro and dan evans, brought you to play here today. this is a chance was some more practice out of the main event on monday. bad we needed really for many of the players who were cooped up in quarantine when some positive cases were detected on the planes that brought them here to australia. none of that is happening today. with more than 500 players, officials and coaches now having to isolate after a man who was working in one of the tournament�*s quarantine hotels tested positive to covid—19. they now have to return a negative test to be able to get back to the competition. whatever happens with those tests of course will determine how the next few days are going to go for the competition. it is usually frustrating, notjust for competition. it is usually frustrating, not just for the players and officials but also for tennis fans. players and officials but also fortennis fans. remember, for tennis fans. remember, melbourne fortennis fans. rememb

i'm shaimaa khalil, and here in melbourne park, there is a real buzz as play gets under way.

shaimaa khalil, bbc news, sydney.australia is irresponsible. if you think at the moment, what the world differently needs, reliable information during the global pandemic. australia will see on facebook this information, conspiracy sites flourishing. legitimate sources of news and information being denied, and it's important because a growing number of people principally get their news from social media. it's the shared links where they find their news, and that's been denied to them. people like mark zuckerberg go around the world saying set the rules, i think we see a democratic country setting rules in the best interests of free media in society and facebook is deliberately trying to flout them. good evening. as we move out if thursday into friday we are going to see a west east divide developing with our weather. we keep some clear skies across central and eastern half of the uk and that's going to allow the temperatures to fall away by contrast cloud wind and rain gathers out to the west. yes, low single figures,

shaimaa khalil reports from melbourne.is finally ready to go. even before the grand slam begins tennis fans have come for the one up events. most spectators this year are locals. after melbourne going to one of the longest and strictest lockdowns in the world, they are very excited to be here. the safety is the main — very excited to be here. the safety is the main thing _ very excited to be here. the safety is the main thing everyone - very excited to be here. the safety is the main thing everyone wanted| very excited to be here. the safety i is the main thing everyone wanted to happen but it has been able to go on like it has and we are obviously here at melbourne park sits pretty awesome. yeah it is unreal really. it feels like a new life.— it feels like a new life. melbourne is a hue it feels like a new life. melbourne is a huge sporting _ it feels like a new life. melbourne is a huge sporting capital - it feels like a new life. melbourne is a huge sporting capital of - it feels like a new life. melbourne is a huge spo

our correspondent shaimaa khalil has returned there to see what's being done.its most critically endangered. before the january 2020 blazes, is thought fewer than 500 dunnarts lived here. the catastrophic bushfires scorched half of the island, destroying their natural habitat and food research. they lost 93% just like that within a couple of days. for those animals that have survived the fire, they are dealing with a highly modified landscape. it is a huge ask for any species to survive.— landscape. it is a huge ask for any species to survive. ecologists have been working _ species to survive. ecologists have been working for— species to survive. ecologists have been working for months - species to survive. ecologists have been working for months trying i species to survive. ecologists have been working for months trying to | been working for months trying to gauge how many remain. but the small nocturnal marsupials are hard to spot. despite working with them for years, pat has never seen a kangaroo island dunnart in real life. in the aftermath of the fires, th

shaimaa khalil, bbc news, sydney.ng a "moral crusade" to address inequalities exposed by coronavirus. the labour leader also proposed a new bond for savers, allowing millions to invest in the uk's recovery from the pandemic. our deputy political editor vicki young reports he's trying to inspire a party that has got used to being rejected by voters, in a political landscape dominated by a pandemic. labour members can only watch from a distance as sia keir starmer lays out his vision from an empty room. we can go back to the same insecure and unequal economy that has been so cruelly exposed by the virus. we can seize the moment and go forward to a future that will look utterly unlike the past. he said coronavirus had proved the case for government to play a big role in managing the economy, but working alongside business, not attacking it. if we are honest, for too long labour has failed to realise the only way to deliver social justice and equality is through a strong partnership with businesses. under my leadership, t

our correspondent in sydney shaimaa khalil has more on what they've agreed.ch was very important for facebook because it was a big point of contention. it wanted to make deals on its own terms, not the government's. facebook also mentioned in a statement that under the agreement it now has the ability to decide if news content is carried on its platform. there is a lot of detail still needing to be hammered out, and a lot of teething problems of course on the way. but all in all both sides have reached a compromise of some sort, and both can claim victory. government can come out and say that they have convinced facebook to come around and restore news in australia, and facebook can say that it convinced the government to compromise and amend the law. so both sides think they have won. and so have the users. facebook is a major news source in australia. a study by the university of canberra found that 50% of generation z — people aged under 2a — use facebook as their primary news source. and in the last year, 49% of respondents used facebook as a key source o

shaimaa khalil, bbc news, melbourne. counties of england sought still a few hours to come for this snow to pile up. parts of norfolk all away down into kent the amber warning stands on the possibility of 20 centimetres of snow in some areas. it is the snow blowing around and drifting that could be an additional hazard because that is quite a keen wind gusting already across the south—eastern quarter of the uk. further north st nor also most wall street men on the easterly wind —— further north snow showers will stream in an easterly wind and into scotland. some sunny spells but gusty winds affecting all parts of the uk and temperatures are set at three or 4 degrees but factor in the wind and it will feel sub zero. although we have not seen any snow and perhaps want in association with darcy when that system tools further away towards the continent we allow away towards the continent we allow a direct easterly to strengthen more and get these bands of showers that overnight stream westwards, perhaps into wales so covering

shaimaa khalil is in sydney for us now. what deal has been done?y australian treasurerjosh frydenberg who today said that facebook has refunded australia, essentially they have made amendments to the news media law which is to force tech giants like facebook and google to pay for content. the amendments are one crucial point is that facebook has always taken issue with, (inaudible) . when the government potentially get involved between the news outlets and facebook it has become a very last resort, it is still on the table but it is a last resort. digital outputs, let's just say facebook, will get a one—month notice to enter negotiations with news outlets and a three—month negotiation and if that fails, a two month mediation before anything comes from the government. another crucial point made byjosh frydenberg, the treasurer, in a statement, is that crucially they walked away from those talks with the government with an assurance that they can choose if news is put on facebook and which output they plan to support. so this is really not clear, it

our australia correspondent shaimaa khalil can tell us more., others are — to the tennis courts for matches, others are staying outdoors and watching — others are staying outdoors and watching on the big screen. it does feel different this time around with the covid—19 restrictions and safety measures— the covid—19 restrictions and safety measures from hand sanitising to encouraging people to wear masks. and to _ encouraging people to wear masks. and to social distance as well. and of course _ and to social distance as well. and of course the park itself has been divided _ of course the park itself has been divided into three bits, again to help— divided into three bits, again to help with — divided into three bits, again to help with social distancing and in the tracing if a case does emerge. australia — the tracing if a case does emerge. australia wants to send a message that despite the hiccups, despite not everybody being happy this is taking _ not everybody being happy this is taking place, it could arrange and it could _ taking place, it

shaimaa khalil is in melbourne and says anticipation is building at the tournament venue.ng much—needed practice ahead of the opening on monday. and of course none of that was happening yesterday, everything was cancelled because of that covid positive case in a hotel connected to the tournament. the 26—year—old man is now confirmed to have contracted the uk strain of the virus, but no other cases connected to him, and as you say, more than 500 players, officials and coaches have now tested negative and are back. so things are looking quite positive, they are looking like they are back on track for the main event on monday, where we are expecting up to 30,000 spectators here in melbourne park. ,, ., .,., 30,000 spectators here in melbourne park. ,, ., ., now parish councils may been viewed by some as the smallest, least powerful parts of britain's system of government. but it turns out their meetings can be just as dramatic as anything in a national parliament. take, for example, the parish council in the town of handforth in cheshire. the zoom gathering of its planning an

our correspondent shaimaa khalil sent this report from sydney. this is what australian spoke up to.ion. this is an l react. this is an assault on a - sovereign nation. this is an assault on people's freedom and in particular it is an utter abuse of big technology's market power and control over technology. the prime minister slammed _ control over technology. the prime minister slammed the _ control over technology. the prime minister slammed the social - control over technology. the prime minister slammed the social media \ minister slammed the social media company's action as arrogant and disappointing. underthe company's action as arrogant and disappointing. under the proposed legislation, tech giants will be to enter into payment negotiations with news outlets over payment for content that appears on their platforms. if they can't agree, a government arbitrator would get involved. but facebook has criticised the law. saying it does not reflect how the internet works and unfairly penalises it for content it did ask for. this fallout is about facebook— content it did ask for. this

isolation have now all returned negative tests — 160 players amongst them. 0ur correspondent shaimaa khalilow seems to be back on track. we are watching tennis games on the big screen. we have had some high profile warm up events today from ash party, from serena williams. novak djokovic has just lost a doubles. but things seem to be coming back to life. this feels very, very different than it was 24 hours ago when everything was cancelled because of that one covid—19 positive test from one of the workers in the tournament hotel. sorry, lost my train of thought. he was confirmed to have contracted the uk strain of the virus but everyone here tested negative. things are go for the main event on monday. serra; for the main event on monday. sorry for the main event on monday. sorry for 'inxin: for the main event on monday. sorry forjinxing the _ for the main event on monday. sorry forjinxing the weather _ for the main event on monday. sorry forjinxing the weather there in melbourne. hopefully it will improve in time for monday. talking of weather, i know it's rather different here, isn't it? y