shaimaa khalil in sydney.w and presidentjoe biden has signed into law a short—term spending bill after successfully passing us congress earlier. the bill is aimed at avoiding a government shutdown and keeping the lights on but only for another two months. president biden public problems they have not gone away with fellow democrats struggling to agree a plan to vote on his trillion dollar infrastructure proposal for bridges, roads, broadband and electric vehicles. this vote has been postponed because progressive members of the democratic party are refusing to vote for it until a much bigger bell which could inject $3.5 trillion into america's post pandemic economy and kick—start the president's vast climate change reforms passes the senate. hugo lyle is a congressional reporter for the guardian's us newspaper and joined me a short time ago to explain the shape —— state of play. explain the shape -- state of -la . , explain the shape -- state of play. they managed to government _ play. they managed to governmen

shaimaa khalil, bbc news, the hunter valley.usic world. 24—year—old randall goosby is a violinist who's determined to make classical music more inclusive. born to african—american and korean parents, his focus is on works that reflect black culture. earlier this month, he performed at the 20th anniversary of 9/11 at ground zero. now he's touring britain. mark savage has been to meet him. you violin prodigy randall goosby, in the welsh capital for the first show of his uk tour. his playing has been called profound, stylish, illuminating — not bad for someone who chose his instrument at random. i chose violin having not really seen or heard one before, to my memory. and did you find that you just understood the instrument instantly? i probably felt that way when i was a kid. of course, everyone learning to start the violin probably sounds a bit like a sick cat or something. at 13, he was the youngest ever winner of the prestigious sphinx prize, then studied under the renowned violinist itzhak perlman. but the music he's playing no

shaimaa khalil, bbc news, sydney.blic to trust in the police but admits there are issues that need addressing after the death of sarah everard. get set for a hike in your energy bills, why15 million households in britain will have to pay more for gas and electricity from today. cut off from the world since the start of the pandemic, next month australia reopens its international borders, but only for fully vaccinated australians. todayis today is the start of black history month with events taking place throughout october celebrating black culture and heritage. the annual commemoration was first held in the uk in 1987 to recognise the contribution that african and caribbean people had made to this country over many generations. this year's theme is temporary, and we can speak to marvin harrison, the founder of dope black dads, a support group for black fathers. he has also been picked by 1xtra as one of the future figures to look out for, and hejoins us from central london. thank you so much for your time, what does b

shaimaa khalil reports from sydney. cheering.d the surrounding areas. after more than 100 days of lockdown, cafes, restaurants and bars have finally reopened. it's a massive relief, you know, to see the smiles on these guys' faces. i literally took the day off work tomorrowjust so i can stay out late tonight! yeah, finally. - couldn't wait for that. there will still be covid—19 rules in place. inside venues, social distancing and masks are mandatory. and the main feature of this reopening is that businesses will be responsible for making sure customers provide proof of vaccination. it has been a difficult 100 days, but the efforts that people have made right across the state to go out, to get vaccinated, has enabled this great day to occur. there are going to be challenges, we know that. i ask, again, everybody right across our state to treat everybody with kindness and respect. this is the first step out of lockdown. with new south wales reaching 70% vaccination rate. and with many restrictions eased, life is looking quite diffe

shaimaa khalil, bbc news, the hunter valley.in the uk, according to the police, and more than a third are girls. in the last decade more and more have become caught up in gangs, often as a result of grooming or blackmail on social media. some say their involvement can become life threatening, and lead to a range of mental health problems. with more, here's amanda kirton. in cities across the uk, children are being exploited. thousands of them end upjoining gangs. over a third are girls. we hear about the boys in the news, we see them on the streets, but the girls are hidden. aliyah was a gang member. she grew up in a difficult home. so, my mum met someone, a friend of a friend. he started coming to my house, and then his friend came. they ask you, can you hold this for me, please? and give you some money. they want you to hold drugs or weapons. three floors of people selling drugs from my house, and using my house as a trap house. 0ur life was basicallyjust survival mode at that point. so, home is not always a safe place. kendra

let's cross to sydney now and speak to the bbc�*s shaimaa khalil.ing to be welcoming this news, lots of people have waited a long time for this, people have waited a long time forthis, but people have waited a long time for this, but what exactly has been announced here? because there has been a bit of confusion.— there has been a bit of confusion. ., , , there has been a bit of confusion. . , , ., confusion. there has been a little bit of _ confusion. there has been a little bit of confusion - confusion. there has been a little bit of confusion aboutl little bit of confusion about who — little bit of confusion about who is _ little bit of confusion about who is allowed to come into australia _ who is allowed to come into australia quarantine free, whether it is australian citizens and residents, or tourists— citizens and residents, or tourists as well. the prime minisier— tourists as well. the prime minister has made it very clear that the — minister has made it very clear that the new rules in new south wales— that the new rules in new south wales

our australia correspondent shaimaa khalil is in sydney and has| shaimaa khalil is in sydney and hasby this relaxation of travel restrictions.— this relaxation of travel restrictions. ., ' . ., restrictions. the office of the prime minister _ restrictions. the office of the prime minister has _ restrictions. the office of the prime minister has said - restrictions. the office of the prime minister has said that l restrictions. the office of the l prime minister has said that as restrictions. the office of the - prime minister has said that as it stands this announcement will include australian citizens or australian permanent residents, non—australians not included in those plans just yet. non—australians not included in those plansjust yet. but non—australians not included in those plans just yet. but to say it is highly anticipated is really an understatement. this has been a very, very emotional moment for thousands and thousands of australians here and of course abroad. essentially what it means. you can travel abroad and be guaranteed to come back, or if you have been stranded a

shaimaa khalil reports from sydney. a decision millions have been waiting for.c. now, it is finally reopening. we will be able to open those international borders again, and that will enable australians who are fully vaccinated. it's an emotional moment for many, including amy hayes, who currently lives in reading and hasn't seen herfamily in brisbane in nearly three years. there isjust so much you miss out on day—to—day, friends and family have had babies, there have been really tough times for friends back home as well, and you just miss out on that. but ultimately, i think the thing i'm most upset about it all with is really the feeling of abandonment and betrayal by the collective state and federal governments in australia. but so much is still unclear, including the rules on proof of vaccination, which could be a potential headache for both airlines and border authorities. there are still many details to iron out, especially that parts of australia have approached the pandemic differently. here in new south wales, an outbreak of covid—19 has stabilised and

let's cross live to sydney and speak to our correspondent shaimaa khalil.ly by many as a step forward but i think scott morrison is really spelling out the dilemma that he faces in pushing anything through. the fact that it _ pushing anything through. the fact that it is _ pushing anything through. tue: fact that it is taken pushing anything through. tte: fact that it is taken so long and it is so close to the wire with only days before he heads to the summit and now he's able to the summit and now he's able to take that commitmentjust shows you that this is not smooth sailing. this is a very politically divisive here in australia and has only been achieved after months of political wrangling with the government's junior coalition partner. they are the ones representing the mining industry. and many of the carbon intensive industries are and they needed their support to be able to to commit to net zero. but yes, the fact that he can now stand and publicly and for the first time, no uncertain say that australia is committed to net zero x 2050 is a step forwa

shaimaa khalil, in sydney, thank you very much.les are to face higher energy bills as the increased price cap comes into effect from today. a typical bill for those on a default tariff will rise by around £140 a year, with those on prepayment meters expected to pay even more. our personal finance correspondent kevin peachey reports. as the temperature dips, so our energy bills rise. the cost of heating and lighting our homes is limited by the price cap, but this is the biggest ever increase at a time when many household budgets are being squeezed. it affects people on standard tariffs in england, wales and scotland and generally those who haven't switched for a long time, or whose time—limited tariffs have expired. the new cap means they will now pay £1,277 a year if they use an average amount of gas and electricity — that's £139 a year more on their bill than under the previous cap. prepayment—meter customers face a higher typical bill of £1,309 a year — that's an increase of £153 on the previous time. those who use more than the

that is shaimaa khalil.under pressure to announce the next steps of its new resettlement scheme for afghan refugees. former officials and women�*s rights activists have told the bbc that they�*re in hiding in afghanistan, waiting to hear if they�*re eligible and worried for their lives under taliban rule. britain unveiled the scheme in august and promised to rehouse 5,000 vulnerable refugees in the first year. one man, amad, whose identity we are protecting, worked for the afghan government security services and is in hiding. he told the bbc that the uk government contacted him about the resettlement scheme in august, but he hasn�*t heard anything since. currently, our main fear is that one of the taliban group or party started secret killing of government former employees in kabul, kandahar, and some other provinces. no—one is taking action to stop this game. i thought the people like me that worked closely with the us, uk, eu should be very important for them. but, no, i was wrong. caroline lucas is the gr

here's our correspondent shaimaa khalil in sydney.eads to the summit and now he is able to take that commitment to them just shows you that this is not smooth sailing. this is a very politically divisive issue here in australia and this has only been achieved after months of political wrangling with the government's junior coalition partner, the nationals that appeared and representing electrics in regional and rural australia where the remaining industries work. they needed their support to be able to commit to net zero x 2050 but i think, yes, the fact that scott morrison can now stand and publicly and for the first time in no uncertain terms say that australia is committed to net zero x 2050 is of course forward but all the while i think it was interesting that he was talking about the australian way of life. this is going to be done the australian way. addressing rural and regional australia directly and saying this will not mean closing down coal or gas production or exports. this is going to be done to technology, not taxes. all

shaimaa khalil reports from sydney. cheering.onight! there will still be covid—19 rules in place. inside venues, social distancing and masks are mandatory. the main feature of this reopening is that businesses will be responsible for making sure customers provide proof of vaccination. it has been a difficult 100 days, but the efforts that people have made right across the state to go out and get vaccinated has enabled this great day to occur. there are going to be challenges — we know that — i ask again, everybody right across the state, to treat everybody with kindness and respect. this is the first step out of lockdown, with new south wales reaching a 70% vaccination rate, and with many restrictions eased, life is looking quite different for those who have had their double jabs. many have started their day in the gym — something they have not been able to do for more than three months now. it's been a bit tricky to stay motivated but coming back to the gym with all this equipment, it's so much better. looking at the rest of the

let's cross to our australia correspondent, shaimaa khalil, in sydney.t night! sorry, es! they hit the bar last night! sorry, yes! some _ they hit the bar last night! sorry, yes! some of— they hit the bar last night! sorry, yes! some of the _ they hit the bar last night! sorry, yes! some of the venues, - they hit the bar last night! sorry, yes! some of the venues, bars i they hit the bar last night! sorry, l yes! some of the venues, bars and restaurants — yes! some of the venues, bars and restaurants or _ yes! some of the venues, bars and restaurants or even _ yes! some of the venues, bars and restaurants or even hairdressers, i restaurants or even hairdressers, they were open at 12 o'clock sharp and let people were lining up outside to be the first to get into these places on monday, the start of monday. blue was excited, especially in sydney and the surrounding areas after more than days of lockdown, inching out of those a stay at home or just. inching out of those a stay at home orjust. it was quite a day for many. i must say, it was nice this morning

our correspondent in sydney is shaimaa khalil. explain what the new rules will be.ntially, the rules mean australia is officially shifting its policy from elimination as it chases zero covid—19 cases, in order to ramp as it chases zero covid—19 cases, in orderto ramp up as it chases zero covid—19 cases, in order to ramp up vaccination rates to be able to open the borders. the prime minister scott morrison announced today that fully vaccinated travellers will be able to come back to states that have reached 80% full vaccination. as it stands, new south wales for i am is said to be the first state to do so, to be able to open its international borders for a seven day home quarantine forfully borders for a seven day home quarantine for fully vaccinated travellers. as of now, this is going to apply only to australian citizens and permanent residents. there are some details that have come out, for example we know the vaccinations have to be, some of those that are approved by the medical associations and the medical authorities here, but we also know that some other vacc

we can cross live to sydney airport and the bbc�*s australia correspondent shaimaa khalil.osphere, i imagine, behind you at sydney airport. what's the mood like? ~ sydney airport. what's the mood like? . ., ., sydney airport. what's the mood like? e ., ., ., ., sydney airport. what's the mood like? ., ., ., ., ., ., like? we are at one of the arrival ates and like? we are at one of the arrival gates and it's _ like? we are at one of the arrival gates and it's been _ like? we are at one of the arrival gates and it's been very, - like? we are at one of the arrival gates and it's been very, very - like? we are at one of the arrival i gates and it's been very, very busy from very early in the morning. quite an emotional day here at sydney airport, many cheers, many embraces, a lot tearful reunions as fully vaccinated australians were able for the first to return home quarantine free from overseas. fine quarantine free from overseas. one ofthe quarantine free from overseas. one of the lucky — quarantine free from overseas. one of the lucky ones _ quarantine free from overseas. on

shaimaa khalil reports from sydney. a decision millions have been waiting for.finally reopening. taste beginning of the pandemic. now, it is finally reopening.— is finally reopening. we will be able to open — is finally reopening. we will be able to open those _ is finally reopening. we will be l able to open those international borders again, and that will enable australians who are fully vaccinated dot—mac it's an emotional moment for many, including amy hayes, who currently lives in reading and hasn't seen her family in currently lives in reading and hasn't seen herfamily in brisbane in nearly three years. hasn't seen her family in brisbane in nearly three years.— hasn't seen her family in brisbane in nearly three years. there is 'ust so much you fl in nearly three years. there is 'ust so much you miss i in nearly three years. there is 'ust so much you miss out i in nearly three years. there is 'ust so much you miss out on i in nearly three years. there is just . so much you miss out on day-to-day, so much you miss out on day—to—day, friends _ so much you miss

shaimaa khalil, bbc news, sydney. the absence of that, we've got paul mccartney's testimony. we've got paul mccartney's testimony-— we've got paul mccartney's testimon . . 3 ~ testimony. that's right, i think what happened _ testimony. that's right, i think what happened is _ testimony. that's right, i think what happened is over - testimony. that's right, i think what happened is over the - testimony. that's right, i think. what happened is over the years testimony. that's right, i think - what happened is over the years paul mccartney has kind of been cast as the villain of the piece, we know there were tensions between the beatles when recording their final two albums but it was really paul who hammered the final nail in the coffin in april 1970 he issued a press release for his debut solo album that basically said the beatles were over and he said in that he had no intention of working with john that he had no intention of working withjohn lennon ever again. later that year he sued the rest of the band to dissolve

shaimaa khalil, bbc news, sydney.e atmosphere has been like. some of the venues, whether it was bars or restaurants or even hairdressers, they were open at 12 o'clock sharp and people were lining up o'clock sharp and people were lining up outside to be the first to get in to these places on monday, or the start of monday. everybody was really excited, especially in sydney and the surrounding areas, after more than 100 days of lockdown, inching out of those stay at home orders was quite a day for many. i must say, it was really nice this morning, taking a walk around my neighbourhood, getting a morning coffee and seeing a local cafe is with tables and chairs for a change, getting ready to welcome customers. people hitting the gym at six o'clock in the morning. ijust watched, i won't be doing that anytime soon but i did get a hair appointment which is very exciting! and all of this is great, but it's not the end of restrictions. for example, inside venues, people have to be wearing masks, there is a social distancing bu

shaimaa khalil, thank ou ve people soon. do everything he could to cut nhs waiting lists and the new diagnostic helps would play a key part. there will be a one—stop shop, let's call it, where people can get the scans they need — the mri scans, the ct scans and others — and the tests all in one place, in a convenient location like a shopping centre or a local football club. they'll be open seven days a week and we believe that the 40 of them in their first year of operation can get through another 2.8 million scans and checks and it's going to make a huge difference. the time is 7:12am. we need to show you some pictures this morning. lucky residents in parts of northern scotland were treated to this spectacular site last night. it 'ust doesnt seem fl spectacular site last night. it 'ust doesn't seem real. i spectacular site last night. it 'ust doesn't seem real. these i spectacular site last night. iiiijigii doesn't seem real. these photographs are real and this happened last night. the aurora borealis lit up the skies over t

shaimaa khalil has the details. road from the king of the pandemic is gone months and months with zero covid—19. notjust a record number, but is very worrying development, especially of those case numbers are likely to rise in the coming days and weeks because health authorities have not yet been able to link at least half of those new cases with existing infections. the main concern around this outbreak is the pressure on the health resources and things like isolation, testing be very hurt experts say that the contact trace and capacity is reaching its limit in new zealand has been battling with the delta strain outbreak that his men in the bed and some larger city of oakland and they have gone for the elimination policy. zero covid—19, any outbreak wherever it is happened. and they've been quite successful so far but with the delta strain, this is proving nearly impossible and so, the government conceded that the way to go was to mmp conceded that the way to go was to ramp up vaccination numbers. as it stands, rou

here's our correspondent, shaimaa khalil, in sydney. the fact that it has taken so long, the fact that it is so close to the wire with only days before he heads to the cop26 and now he is able to take that commitment to them just shows you that this is not smooth sailing, that this is a very politically divisive issue here in australia and this has only been achieved after months of political wrangling with the government's junior coalition partner the nationals. they are the ones representing electorates in regional and rural australia, this is where the mining industry is, where many of the carbon intensive industries are, and they needed their support to be able to commit to net zero by 2050. but i think, yes, the fact that scott morrison can now stand publicly and for the first time in no uncertain terms say that australia is committed to net zero by 2050 is of course a step forward, but all the while i think it was interesting that he was talking about the australian way of life, that this is going to be done the australian way, ad

our correspondent in sydney is shaimaa khalil.ccinated travellers will be able to come back to state that have reached 80% full vaccination. as it stands, new south wales where i am is set to be the first state to do so, to be able to open its international borders for a seven—day home quarantine for fully vaccinated travellers. as of now, this is going to apply only to australian citizens and permanent residents. there are some details that have come out. for example, we know that the vaccinations have to be some of those who are approved by the medical associations and medical authorities here. but we also know that some other vaccinations have been added from china and india. we also now different parts of australia are handling this differently as well. with how they have dealt with covid—19 pandemic so far. no doubt, there is a huge deal of excitement about the prospect of international travel being available and being an option for so many people after nearly two years of isolation from the world. five years after 15—year—ol

we're joined now from sydney by our australia correspondent shaimaa khalil.big day for millions of peeple there?— of people there? morning. yes, very excitin: of people there? morning. yes, very exciting day- — of people there? morning. yes, very exciting day- it _ of people there? morning. yes, very exciting day. it is _ of people there? morning. yes, very exciting day. it is the _ of people there? morning. yes, very exciting day. it is the first _ of people there? morning. yes, very exciting day. it is the first step - exciting day. it is the first step out of — exciting day. it is the first step out of the _ exciting day. it is the first step out of the lockdown after more than 100 days _ out of the lockdown after more than 100 days of almost four months. yes there _ 100 days of almost four months. yes there are _ 100 days of almost four months. yes there are going to be limitations still in _ there are going to be limitations still in place, but for those residents of new south wales have been double jabbed, life will look a lot different. now the state h

shaimaa khalil has the details.ain concern, really, around this outbreak growing is the pressure on the health resources, things like isolation, like testing. we�*ve already heard experts say that the contract tracing capacity is reaching its limits. new zealand has been battling with a delta strain outbreak that has centred mainly in its largest city of auckland, and since the beginning of the pandemic, they�*ve gone for the elimination policy — they�*ve gone for zero covid, any outbreak has been tightly controlled with very strict lockdowns wherever it happened. and they have been quite successful so far, but with the delta strain, this has proven nearly impossible, so the government conceded that the way to go is to ramp up vaccination numbers. as it stands, around 66% of eligible population have been fully vaccinated. the headlines on bbc news... the government sets out its plans for cutting carbon emissions to zero by 2050 — including a big push towards electric vehicles. plans to end the sale of new gas boiler

the things that have been taken from them throughout this pandemic. 0ur sydney correspondent shaimaa khalile—free travel for australians, which means that if you are a fully vaccinated australian citizen, australian permanent resident and immediate family including parents, you can come into sydney and not be required to quarantine in a hotel or at home. what you will be required to do is present proof of vaccination and that this jab is approved by the australian medical authorities. you will also be required to have returned a negative covid—19 test before you get on your plane. the prime minister, as we heard there, welcomed the news. he also did clarify that this does not yet include non—australians, it does not yet include tourists. he said the government has not made a decision on when tourists will be allowed back in australia — there was a bit of confusion over that. but generally, i think, for australians overseas, it now means that they can reunite with their families and not have to think about quarantine. that is a huge deal. it will also mean that airlines will have to ramp up