This is BBC News.
It's May - and few things are getting people's
attention like summer holidays.
Which is why Katty and I - and millions of you -
want to know whether the EU really will follow through on its new plan
to welcome back tourists yearning for sun, sand and sangria.
That's the offer to fully vaccinated holiday-makers,
but how will it work in practice?
We'll speak live to the new boss of the International Air
Transport Assocation, Willie Walsh.
When "the Big Lie" means something entirely different.
Donald Trump is bending the Republican Party
and the English language to fit his post-presidential agenda.
Also in the programme....
The US Secretary of State makes his first official visit to Britain.
The G7 countries he says must respond quicker to threats
from Russia and China.
And the stuff of movie magic, in the hands
of the British Royal Navy.
How the latest high-tech - high-price gadgetry could reshape
the fighting at sea.
Hello.
I'm Katty Kay in Washington.
Christian Fraser is in London.
All things seem possible in May.
The warmer months are nearly upon us, the vaccine roll-out
is picking up pace in Europe, and infections are falling.
So, human nature being what it is, our attention is turning
to holidays.
Today the EU commission announced it will ease restrictions for visitors
coming from outside the bloc, so long as they are fully vaccinated
and flying from countries where the pandemic is under control.
Right now, the EU has a ban in place on non-essential
travel for all but seven countries.
Under the new proposed system, travellers who can prove they've
received the full course of an EU-approved vaccine will be
allowed to enter the bloc, we think, from June onwards.
In addition, entry will be permitted to travellers
from countries with a "good epidemiological situation" -
defined by the EU Commission as fewer than 100 positive Covid
cases per 100,000 population.
To put that into some perspective, the EU's own average rate
is 420 postive cases per 100,000 population.
Willie Walsh joins us now from Geneva -
previously CEO of the IAG, British Airways and Air Lingus.
He has just become Director General of the International Air
Transport Association.
Congratulations to you and thanks for being on the programme.
Congratulations to you and thanks for being on the programme. The
reason we've got you on is because right now there seems to be a
platter of ideas and systems in place to process those of us who
have had vaccines and may want to travel. What we don't have is a one
size fits all solution. You might have an answer. Yeah, we don't have
one yet but IATA is working on a travel pass which is designed to
help people who have been vaccinated or people who can demonstrate
evidence of a negative test to be able to integrate that into the
airline that they're flying with, to facilitate back to smooth travel
through the airport and hopefully when you arrive at your destination
as well. That will require the cooperation of governments. I think
there's a good appetite for introducing a digital system to
enable people to get back travelling again. The difficulty is that Cathy
has a repeat -- Cathy has a piece of paper telling her she has a vaccine,
mine is on the NHS, and others will be on other mechanisms in Europe.
How are you going to collate that information into one system that
works when you go through the border? I don't think you need one
system but you need a trust framework that can be accessed in a
safe and secure manner so that people don't have to share their
data, they can control their data. In the EU we will have the digital
green certificate which should be in place by June. This will enable EU
citizens to confirm that they have received their vaccines, are fully
vaccinated. I suspect, indeed, from conversations with governments
around the world, more and more of them are embracing the idea that
they'll need some form of central database because countries are going
to need evidence of vaccination, at least in the short and medium-term,
until we can see greater evidence of this crisis being overcome. Mr
Walsh, how will it work for travellers from the United States?
Do you know? Beyond that piece of paper I have, which is easily
forged, I think it's in a database but I certainly don't have a QR code
or anything like that and the US government say they don't want
vaccine passports. What will happen for American travellers? You're
right, the US government have said they won't make it for -- won't make
it a requirement for travel in the US. As more countries make it a
requirement for people to access their country the US government will
come under pressure from US citizens to be able to demonstrate that
they've been vaccinated. There isn't a central database, a federal
database in the US that says that the vaccine role out has been done
but we are confident systems will be emplaced to enable people to
demonstrate with secure information that they've been vaccinated. I know
I'm making this personal. Everyone wanting to travel to Europe, I would
like to travel to Europe and see my family this summer and lots of
American -based people would as well, do you think there will be a
system in place? I don't know how you are practically going to get
there. It certainly will be there from the European point of view and
as you say from the UK point of view. I think the US is lagging
behind. The difference is that because there are concerns about
internal domestic travel in the US, statements have been made, but I
think to facilitate international travel there is a recognition we
will need a trust framework in place and I know governments are working
at this. Can I ask you about the pending decision in the UK, there is
supposedly going to be a countries that are green, you can fly to but
others that are amber will require quarantine for ten days. It is
complex and I wonder what it means for airlines, which are practically
on their knees. Are people going to book summer holidays if there is a
risk that their country is amber or red? The evidence we have says they
will, there is huge pent-up demand. That was shown when the restrictions
were relaxed. It is complex at the moment. When we understand better
from the government the criteria they intend to use, and like other
countries, give people sufficient notice and warning of potential
changes, then people are definitely going to be booking. The evidence
we've seen is that once restrictions get relaxed or removed, people are
absolutely delighted to be able to travel again. Yeah, we're all
looking forward to that. Good to see you. Thanks for coming on the
programme.
The Maltese MEP Josianne Cutaja sits on the European
Parliament's Tourism task force.
She joins us from Malta.
Thanks for being with us. Let's talk about the EU system you are
developing, a green passport with a QR code in it. How does it work? The
system is very important. It will facilitate travel in the next summer
season and it is something we've been pushing for as a European
Parliament and a tourist state. The importance of better coordination
between member states themselves and these new Covid certificates as the
European Parliament is calling them would be an important milestone. If
we implement them effectively and we scale them towards other countries.
I think this is a very positive development and it's a sign that the
EU is finally putting tourism on the agenda. You heard what Willie Walsh
had to say, from IATA. Do you think your system would be something they
could incorporate in the app that we could all use, those of us who are
not EU citizens? That's important, and technology and digitalisation is
surely important. We need common data. We need to put the traveller's
mind at rest when it comes to certification, that the
certification is not forged. That is something we'll have to put
everyone's mind at rest. The EU has its standards, data privacy
standards and we must ensure them and more so when it comes to
extending cooperation with third countries which is also very
important for maintaining the EU as a world destination in tourism. I
imagine the UK is a very important market for Malta in terms of
tourism. Now it is outside the European Union. How confident are
you that you will be able by this summer to get a system in place that
matches the UK system of vaccination records with your requirements? The
Maltese government has been working from the onset, months back,
regarding reopening for the summer season and it has also been in
bilateral talks with the UK. As everyone knows the UK is also an
important market when it comes to tourism. It is a traditional tourism
market which is important for our islanders and businesses and our
workers are looking forward to welcoming UK tourists as they did in
past summers. I believe this is important. The Maltese government is
making a huge work and huge preparations when it comes to a
reopening, a safe reopening of the summer season for the UK tourists
and beyond. Something important is the stimulus package which the
Maltese government has provided. For sure we look forward to the next
summer season when we need also to have the national authorities on
board to make sure that people's mind is at rest. The US might be a
smaller market for Malta but it's a big market for other European
countries. Are you worried about fraud with those little paper
certificates that we get here in America when we've had a vaccine?
That's why I suggested a common IT system which would be important in
reaching these goals of data privacy, goals of putting one's mind
at rest. Those certificates come from a valid certification centre
that would be recognised by use -- by EU partners. Coordination with
third-party countries is an important step but it needs adequate
resources. OK, thank you for joining us. My brother lives on your island
and it would be nice to visit him. Best regards and you're welcome to
visit. I think we'll come and do the show from there as soon as we can,
Christian? All these places we need to do the show from. The number of
places we want to do the show from. We don't have the budget!
From exile in Florida, the former President Donald Trump
has found ways to exert an almost gravitational hold
on his leaderless party.
And more than that, he demands retribution against any
critics within his party.
Front and centre is Liz Cheney, the number three Republican
in the House, who voted to impeach him and makes no
apology for that decision.
In February, Republican House leader Kevin McCarthy defended Ms Cheney
decision to impeach.
But in recent weeks he won't do much to support her if anyone wants
to get rid of her as a party leader.
And you feel that it is coming to a head.
The GOP congressman from Ohio, Anthony Gonzalez, who also voted
against Mr Trump at the impeachment trial, said in an interview
with the Hill last week, "If a prerequisite for leading our
"conference is continuing to lie to our voters,"
"then Liz is not the best fit."
"Liz isn't going to lie to people."
Donald Trump will go to his grave swearing the election was stolen,
despite the recounts, the court cases, the audits that
have produced zero evidence that it was rigged.
Arizona is auditing the result for a fourth time, just in case.
And here is the former president last week at Mar a Lago.
Let's see what they find.
I wouldn't be surprised if they found thousands and thousands
and thousands of votes.
So we're going to watch that very closely and after that
you watch Pennsylvania, you watch Georgia and you're going
to watch Michigan and Wisconsin.
You're watching New Hampshire.
They've found a lot of votes up in New Hampshire,
because this was a rigged election.
Everybody knows it.
They haven't actually found any rigged votes in any of those places.
That message is heard loud and clear within the Trump base.
55% of Republicans still believe the election was rigged.
On Saturday, Senator Mitt Romney took the stage
at a Republican convention
in his home state of Utah.
And this was the reaction.
You know me as a person who says what he thinks
and I don't hide the fact that
I wasn't a fan of our last president's character issues.
BOOING
And I'm also no fan...
By Monday morning Donald Trump issued this statement.
"The Fraudulent Presidential Election of 2020 will be,
from this day forth, known as THE BIG LIE!"
Quickly followed by an equally uncompromising response
from Liz Cheney.
"The 2020 presidential
"Anyone who claims it was is spreading THE BIG LIE,
"turning their back on the rule of law, and poisoning
"our democratic system."
So where does this leave the Republican Party?
Let's bring in former advisor to President George
W Bush, Ron Christie.
There was a moment, run, after the January six insurgency, whatever you
call it, on Capitol Hill, where Republicans seem to say you know
what, may be our party would be better off if Donald Trump didn't
exert such control over it but those days seem to have gone, don't they?
Good afternoon. I don't know where those days have left us but I'll
tell you where the Republican Party is now. Rudderless and looking for
leadership. Donald Trump, the former president, continues on a nearly
daily basis to spread the big lie, that the election was stolen, that
it was raked and that he was wrong. What does that say for the millions
of people who voted for him, who believed in him, who now go around
and say that we've had the usurpations of the American
presidential election? It worries me. I've been on the scene for 30
years now. When you lose, you go away gracefully, like George HW
Bush, but President Trump seems unwilling or unable to leave the
stage and that's going to be very bad for the Republican Party in the
days to come. Talking of what you are saying, in the last couple of my
printer has been firing out because he's been issuing more statements,
one from him saying, nice to see Mitt Romney booed off the stage at
the state convention, they realise he is a stone cold lose and now he
is taking on your friend Liz Cheney, saying that she is solo her only
chance would be if vast numbers of people run against her which will
never happen. You know, it's sort of comical to have Donald Trump down
their talking on the patio in Florida and sending out statements
in that tone. We haven't had it for a few months. But there's a problem
for the Republican Party. You say they want a new leader but I don't
hear many Republicans beyond Mitt and Liz Cheney standing up and
saying, fact is fact -- beyond Mitt Romney. I can say whatever I want to
you and I don't have to worry about what Donald Trump can say and do to
me but if I'm a Republican in a Republican caucus and I'm looking at
President Trump, if you don't go down to Florida and kiss the ring,
you can kiss your chances of election goodbye because the chances
are they will run someone against you in the primary. I look at Liz
Cheney who I knew for 21 years and she spoke up on principle and her
values. You don't have to agree on how she voted on impeachment or
anything but she voted for the best thing for her constituents. The same
with Mitt Romney, a former governor and now in the Senate for Utah. I
would say to your viewers, the people who go to these state party
conventions tend to be the most Conservative of the Conservative, so
listen to the booing and hissing. It doesn't necessarily represent the
voters of Wyoming or Utah. I think those two will be re-elected. The
puzzling thing it isn't just fealty to him now. It is fealty to the
line. If you don't agree with him that the election was stolen, you
got a problem -- it is fealty to the lie. It's a head splatter when you
consider where the -- a head scratcher when you consider that
Mitch McConnell was critical of the President during the assault on the
capital Mac but now he is blaming Liz Cheney for highlighting what we
all know. This comes from a person I've known for 29 years, Ken
McCarthy. I would say that he is -- I am more Conservative than he has
ever been but he is so anxious to carry favour with Donald Trump that
he would say or do anything to carry that favour and adoration. It makes
no sense to me. You're supposed to be the House Minority Leader and
fighting for Republican principles and values and instead he's spending
more time on Twitter and television, on any platform, getting favour with
the president, rather than doing his job. It would be suitable for him to
do his job rather than, well, you know, I won't say it. I hear you! We
hear you, Ron. We get the message. Thank you for joining us. Such an
important point about the fact this is not conservatism, that the people
who are booing Mitt Romney are not necessarily Conservatives. It is
tribalism, yes. Ron was one of those who said in the election that they
need to expand the tent, Republicans because you can't have everyone
thinking the same way. At least Liz Cheney ironically is talking about
policy and getting on with it. Yeah and look how much it is doing for
her. She's in a struggle. Judging by the amount of statements from Donald
Trump... Key hasn't got Twitter any more but they are making these
statements and it is very targeted against specific people because they
been critical of him. It's also very personal, not justifiable, it is
personal too.
For those watching on BBC World News - we'll be right back.
Premier League clubs will be required to sign up
to a new Owners' Charter, with "significant sanctions"
for breaches of rules, in the wake of the proposed
breakaway European Super League.
Joe Wilson is at Old Trafford.
Condemnation has certainly continued today after decent pitch invasions
Condemnation has certainly continued today after these pitch invasions
we witnessed yesterday.
Manchester United saying they will work with police
to identify those involved in criminal activity.
Also United saying they have no intention of punishing those
involved in peaceful protest.
That's a balance, I think.
Those European Super League proposals set in motion a wave
of protest and anger that will be tough to halt now.
I think a lot of supporters would rather be focusing on fan
ownership of their clubs rather than on a charter.
The Premier League says they will commit owners to its core values,
with the threat of sanctions and rules and regulations.
The details there I think remain to be seen.
What is clear is the background with the Premier League saying
the events of the last two weeks have challenged the foundations
and resolve of English football.
The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in London
today standing shoulder to shoulder, at least metaphorically
speaking, with his British counterpart Dominic Raab.
Tomorrow, there is a ministerial meeting of the G7 foreign
ministers meeting.
And together they will be setting out an agenda for the leaders summit
next month in Cornwall.
Mr Blinken is keen for the United States
to be leading again.
On all the big global issues, climate change, the global
vaccination programme, the economic recovery
post-Covid, and today on press freedom and human rights.
Our Diplomatic Correspondent, James Landale was watching.
This is Antony Blinken, America's new top diplomat, in London to meet
the Foreign Secretary to reaffirm the transatlantic relationship.
With both sides hoping that the only disagreement will be
about who stands where.
After four years when transatlantic relations were ravaged
by early-morning tweets and disagreement over
Iran and climate change, there was a new tone,
reaffirming a relationship that cannot escape
a particular adjective.
That special relationship is enduring, it's effective,
it is dynamic and it is close to the hearts of
the American people.
The work we do together serves our people's interests
across a vast array of issues, many of which Dominic touched on,
including maintaining our national security, rejuvenating our economies
on a sustainable and more equitable basis.
On the table for their talks, all the big geopolitical issues,
the pandemic, climate change, China, Russia, Ukraine,
the meeting of G7 foreign ministers over the next few days
and the decision to withdraw US and all other Nato
troops from Afghanistan.
I welcome the US's firm recommitment to the Nato alliance.
It's only by working together overseas that we can
keep our citizens safe at home, and I think that is true for Nato
and I think it is true on Covid and the various measures
that we are taking to extend and expand and promote COVAX.
The pandemic, of course, will overshadow this meeting,
with delegates talking through masks and screens after
daily on-site tests.
Their focus, not only India but also new ways of getting
vaccines to poor countries.
They will also agree measures to tackle famine and encourage
millions more girls into school.
Just as the British Government cuts funding for both,
prompting accusations of hypocrisy from cross-party critics.
How can Britain claim to show global leadership
at the G7 when it is cutting so much foreign aid?
Even after the cuts that we have had to make, not only
because of the pressing Covid situation, the biggest contraction
of our economy for 300 years, double the budget deficit we faced
after the financial crash, we are still putting £10 billion
in as a proportion of GDP, still the third biggest G7 donor.
At his official country residence, Mr Raab also discussed Britain's
new focus on the Indo-Pacific with his Japanese counterpart,
as well as deeper co-operation on trade.
The next few days will form a key test of Britain's
new foreign policy.
We will be right back.
The highest temperatures were in the south-east but a
The highest temperatures were in the south-east but a far cry from the 25
degrees we had last year. For many with the cloud and rain tumbling
down, temperatures were around 8 degrees. We got the rain earlier in
Northern Ireland, meaning some sunshine between the showers giving
the temperature is a boost but for many under the cloud it was a cold
bank holiday Monday. You can see the clearance around the low pressure
centre, the driver of the weather, which is moving east and taking rain
towards East Anglia and the south-east and strengthening the
wind over parts of Wales and southern England. Around the coast,
gusts over 50 mph. The low pressure moving into the North Sea and more
persistent rain clearing from the south-east. As they went direction
changes we feed in showers overnight, perhaps know in the
Scottish mountains. Not as cold as last night in Scotland and northern
England and it should be frost free given the wind. A windy start
tomorrow especially down the North Sea coasts. The wind gradually
easing. Sunshine and showers, perhaps longer spells of rain in
Northern Ireland, northern England, down in the Midlands. Feeling chilly
in the wind and temperatures in Scotland no better than 8 degrees.
Highest temperatures in the South, 13 degrees, with more sunshine.
Showers following the low pressure. We're still feeding in some cold
wind coming down from the north, maintaining the cold feel into
Wednesday and beyond. Not as windy on Wednesday. More showers, wintry
over the high ground of Scotland. In the afternoon they showers across
eastern England, and it should be drier further west but temperatures
below par for the time of year. It may not feel so cold on Thursday as
the wind eases. More cloud in southern parts of England and Wales.
Rain in the English Channel but they showers moving south over Scotland
into Northern Ireland and also northern England on Thursday.
Temperatures not rising much at all, 9-11.
We will be right back.
You're watching BBC News with me Katty Kay in Washington,
Christian Fraser is in London.
Our top stories...
President Biden tries to boil down his spending plans,
as a choice between tax cuts, or college degrees?
But when it comes to trillions in spending, nothing
is quite that simple.
Experts warn that the US may not be able
to achive herd immunity.
That means Covid could be a reality for years to come.
We'll look at why.
Also coming up in the programme....
Bringing the Covid vaccine to the deepest parts of Brazil.
We have a special report from a remote archipelego
in the heart of the Amazon.
And it's the house of the future, built today.
We take you inside Europe's ground-breaking 3-D printed home.
President Biden visited Virginia today as part of his week-long tour
to try to convince everyday Americans that spending $4 trillion
on a remake of the US economy is a good investment.
If passed, the humungous infrastructure bill would be
the largest overhaul of social benefits since the 1960s, with money
for everything from bridges, to clean energy to childcare.
Earlier today at tide water Community College,
Biden laid out how he plans to pay for it.
I plans to pay for it.
I think plans to pay for it.
I think it's plans to pay for it.
I think it's about plans to pay for it.
I think it's about time plans to pay for it.
I think it's about time we plans to pay for it.
I think it's about time we start plans to pay for it.
I think it's about time we start giving tax breaks on tax credits to
working-class families in middle-class families instead of
just the very wealthy, and here is what the American family plan
doesn't do. It doesn't add a single penny to a deficit. It is paid for
by making sure that corporate America and the wealthiest 1% just
pay their fair share.
Well, Republicans are almost united in their opposition
to the administraion's plans - they've proposed their own
infrasructure initiative, which would cost a fraction of
Mr Biden's.
Any plan would need the support of Congress.
Let's bring in the Democratic Congressman
from Texas, Joaquin Castro.
Congressmen Castro, thank you very much for joining us. Is any passive
you will read that pumping this much money in the could trigger inflation
and be bad for working Americans? Well, as you mentioned, the American
economy is getting buoyed again and we but we are still millions of jobs
down from where we were before the pandemics were economy could
certainly use this post and, again, these are projects that the United
States is but for a long time. Even if we just think in terms of
traditional infrastructure, roads and highways, so to speak, and
public transportation systems, United States ranks somewhere around
13th in the world now in the system, so these kinds of development
projects have been put off an incredibly long time. Can ask about
foreign policy because they know that you are on the Foreign Affairs
Committee and we were talking earlier about secretary Lincoln
being in London. The relationship with the UK is good at the moment
but when secretary Blinken has conversations with the other
leaders, all part of the G7, when it comes to people like Russia there is
quite a lot of tension, and those are countries that don't want to
push the share as much as the US stores. Is America back in Europe in
the way that the US hoped it you US-UK relationship and especially
deep and important historical relationship. That is going to be
true now will be true in the next generation. It is OK, you can use
our special, it's fine! A special relationship. There are are
sometimes issues and how we deal with Russia and Germany has a little
bit of a different posture on some issues with Bush at the United
States and what we have tried to impress on our European allies and
Nato allies is that you have got to build to build to keep Russia in
check when it comes to interfering with, for example, the elections of
other nations. They have done that with not just the United States but
also nations in Eastern Europe and that is where we ask that you have
got to build to keep Russia in check when it comes to interfering with,
for example, the elections of other nations. They have done that with
not just the United States but also nations in Eastern Europe and that
is where we ask the he was asked a question today about whether the G7
is fit for purpose, which is a fair question, because there is a debate
out there that democracies are second-best at the moment, but open
societies are losing the battle. We turn it around?
I disagree with the idea that open open societies are losing the batter
but I do think the G7 is the best place for it. Remember, these are
among the largest economies in the world so the decisions that the
leaders of these economies make have massive impact on the economies of
other nations and, in that way, we can be helpful in creating the rules
of the vote, so I think it's absolutely an appropriate place for
it. Just make the rules of the road. Not the only place for it but a good
one. One of the issues they will discuss next month is a rapid
response mechanism to the disinformation that Russia and China
pumping out. How do you see that working? We have a general
challenge. The United States does, I think he ever does, informing
stronger cyber alliances around the world. Other alliances in cyberspace
and I say this as someone who sits on the Foreign Affairs Committee but
also the intelligence committee, our cyber alliances around the world
have not caught up with the threats out there from places like Russia
and China and also from non-state actors and so I think that is where
we should start. Where can we work together and form stronger bonds as
allied nations in this fight to stave off disinformation and also to
stave off cyber intrusions? Do you have any evidence that the Biden
administration's policy towards China, which seems to be and is what
the president has said, you know, we can work with them on some things
that they are our adversaries on another, I wonder whether that
actually works. I mean, does China put all relationships of the US and
the adversarial category, as you have any evidence that John Kerry
can go to Shanghai and actually come up with something on climate change
at the same time the Biden administration is slamming China on
trade issues and military expansion issues? Yeah, look, there is a
reality. The United States is the largest economy in the world and the
Chinese economy is the second largest economy in the world. We are
each other's largest trading partner is and what you see the Biden
administration doing is doing the work that has not been previously
done by the American Congress or even completely, certainly during
the Trump years before that, which is to make a distinction between
what it means for China to compete fairly around the world, even with
the United States, and what it means for China to cheat, and then coming
up with that demarcation we understand, then, how you respond to
China when it fairly competes this is how you respond to them when they
cheat, so I think it is not only possible to work with them, it is
essential to work with them on the issues that we can agree on, like
climate change. OK. Thank you very much for joining the programme.
Thank you. Well, let's turn out to the medical side of America's battle
against the Covid pandemic. Over half of all adults are perceived at
least one dose of a vaccine against the coronavirus. Good news, but the
latest apps from the Centre for Disease Control shows that the
number of people getting shots has been falling since mid April. The
big vaccination pushes slowing down and that is bad news with new
variants of the disease continuing to circulate and stubborn levels of
vaccine hesitancy experts now say that herd immunity may never be
achieved in America.
Herd imunity requires at least 80%
of the population to be vaccinated, but with 30% of American's hesitant
to take the vaccine, it's unlikely the US
will ever get there.
Experts are now saying that instead of a brisk exit
from the pandemic this summer, the virus is expected
to continue circulating for the forseaable future,
still causing hospitalisations and deaths.
Professor Lauren Meyers is the director of the Covid-19
Modeling Consortium at the University of Texas
at Austin and joins us now
Thanks so much for being here. I must admit, I'm slightly puzzled by
this premise, that we can never get to herd immunity, because if you've
vaccinated, say, 60% of the population, don't those who were not
vaccinated continue to get down might keep getting David and
therefore building immunity, eventually, don't you get there
whether or not they want a vaccine? Yeah, I think the question this is
being discussed is not will we ever get to herd immunity but what is
going to happen in the foreseeable future and we really have to think
about it on a global scale, right? Herd immunity is the idea that if we
vaccinated of people and enough people are immunised around the
globe the virus will have nowhere left to spread anti-pandemic will
fade out but when his think globally or even locally we are really far
from that reality. The virus continues to spread in communities
throughout the United States. Throughout the world, we keep seeing
the emergence of more contagious variants that threaten to break
through the immunity that we achieve through vaccination and infection
and there are many countries that are far, far behind the US in terms
of the roll-out of vaccines and even when you look locally in the United
States, we see, you know, in addition to the hesitancy that you
mentioned, children cannot yet get vaccinated or under 16 and when you
look in a single city like my own city of Austin, Texas, depending on
what neighbourhood you live in, in some neighbourhoods over 80% of
people have been vaccinated and another is less than 40% have been
vaccinated and as long as we have these pockets of low immunity the
virus will continue to spread and we will continue to see the emergence
of variants that threaten all of us and make it very hard to get to a
point whether virus really splayed out on its old. -- the virus really
fades out on its own. I suppose some of us have developed the idea that
it is an on off switch and if we get herd immunity it will just go back
to normal. In the area it does work like that and if you eventually got
to the point where the vast majority of people are immunised to the virus
will fall below one in the virus will fade away but, in reality,
given the complexity of Covid, that won't happen. Think about what we're
trying to achieve. We are trying to immunise people so that not only are
they protected against infection or if they do get infected the
protected against other outcomes, we are also protecting those around
them. If someone doesn't get infected, they can't infect around
them. Does it matter, I mean, I mean, if we don't get to herd
immunity but the health care system survives and people are not dying
because the older people have been vaccinated, does it really matter if
we never get back was positive false promise that was held out for us? --
does it really matter if we never get there? Was it a false promise
that was held out for us? We may never get to herd immunity strictly
speaking and in the foreseeable future we may not completely
eradicate the virus from the US of the globe but that doesn't mean we
will not start to get back to normalcy and private may continue to
spread in the US around the globe for months to come -- Covid-19 may
continue to spread but it will become a more manageable threat and
less severe threat because vaccine seems to substantially lower the
chance that a person will die if they become infected so we may be
looking towards future years whether virus continues to spread and cause
outbreaks but those outbreaks don't cause the same kind of catastrophic
hospitalisation surges and catastrophic numbers of deaths that
we have seen over the last year and a half. OK, a doctor joining as
they're from Austin, Texas. Thank you very much.
Brazil is holding a Senate inquiry into the government's
handling of the pandemic and appearing are the
former ministers fired by President Bolsonaro for not
following his line.
One issue the inquiry will be looking at is the slow procurement
of vaccines.
Only 14% of Brazilians have received
the first dose, with many areas reporting shortages.
Our correspondent Mark Lowen has been investigating the roll out
of the vaccine in one of the most remote
areas of the country - these islands in the Amazon.
As day breaks over the Amazon, it's a race to protect its people.
We are on a journey to one of Brazil's most
remote corners, the Archipelago of Bailique, following healthcare
workers as they deliver Covid vaccines to the isolated
communities, overcoming every obstacle.
Here, close to the equator, this woman
says temperature gauges keeps the AstraZeneca jabs
inside at minus 8 degrees.
Once opened, they must be used within 48 hours.
If you thought rolling out vaccines in cities was
tough, this is Brazil's logistical challenge.
The government is way behind where it should be but reaching
vulnerable communities is a priority.
The archipelago of 13,000 people was already under threat by erosion
before the pandemic struck.
They're in a battle for survival.
The medics land with treasure for the islands, delivering
it to each household.
TRANSLATION: I caught the virus a year ago and I saw death.
I drunk lemon and ginger tea.
We are far from the city and people can't afford to go there by boat.
It's a blessing from God that they come to our homes.
With no hospitals here, this is literally a lifeline
and even though vaccines are scarce across Brazil the medics say these
areas can't be neglected.
Covid stormed through this country, killing more than 400,000. But for
those who will take the shot, Shields has survived, brought along
the mighty Amazon, a source of life. -- a shield has arrived.
Just before we move on breaking news is coming in, bill Gates, the
founder of Microsoft, the billionaire, and Belinda Gates, his
wife, had put out a statement on Monday saying they have made the
decision to end their marriage, Bill Gates and bill indicates getting
their divorce, two of the richest people in the world. Christian, I
think you can move on here. I'm sorry, I was dumbstruck how he
is the second richest man in the world, worth $133 billion...
Do you remember when Jeff Bezos and his wife got divorced and she became
the richest woman in the world when she got divorced then promptly gave
away a huge amount of her fortune, much more than he ever has.
They always seemed a reasonably good terms so less and happen. If not,
the solicitors and lawyers will be lining up to make a lot of money
about it. How to split up $133 billion, discuss. Did you ever see
one of these, though? This is new kit the Royal Navy are trying out.
Royal Marine Commandos have been testing out a new jet suit
that is being developed by Gravity Industries -
a suit that provides an alternative to the traditional landing method
of fast-roping down from a helicopter.
You just press go.
Landing with a jetpack is significantly faster -
and therefore safer for marines - as it leaves you exposed
for a shorter period of time.
It also looks like quite a lot of fun.
I can't decide whether it looks fun or really stupid.
Oh, I'm in the wrong job! Does everybody out there want to do this?
They did this out in the Lake District and the paramedics I have
tried it as well. Can I just say that most women out there as
spanking this looks a little silly. I just know that I would be going
the wrong way! They would say, the voters that way! I would crash into
wrong boat. -- the boat is that way!
Stay with us on BBC News.
Still to come...
We'll take you inside the impressive new home constructed
by a giant printer.
Bet that's something your ink-jet at home can't do.
Coronavirus lockdown restrictions have been further
eased in Wales today.
Swimming pools have reopened - as well as gyms - which are now able
to hold exercise classes of up to 15 people.
Two households are now also allowed to form a bubble and meet indoors,
for the first time this year.
Caroline Evans reports.
Queueing just before midnight, the keen regulars
at Penlan Leisure Centre, in Swansea, couldn't wait
to be back in the water.
In Aberystwyth, too, people were looking forward
to swapping outside for indoors.
Well, it means I can visit my mother indoors.
She's in her 80s, so that's been, obviously...
I'm on holiday, so it would be nice to, for instance,
have a meal with her.
They can come in now and we can have a cup of coffee together,
whereas we haven't been able to do that.
I do a huge amount with Girlguiding Cymru, so meeting...
Brownies and Guides, we can restart meeting indoors,
and you're not depending on the weather.
It can make a huge difference.
From today, two households, plus another living on their own,
can form a bubble to meet and have contact indoors.
As well as swimming pools and children's indoor activities,
gyms can also reopen.
Gym-goers in Wrexham said it felt like Christmas.
You should have been here at nine o'clock when people
were first coming in, the smiles on people's faces.
You could see how much people missed it, how much it meant to them.
Opposition parties had been calling for an earlier
easing of restrictions, and they also say more financial
support should be on offer for businesses hit by the pandemic.
The next relaxation of rules is due on May 17, when all the tourist
accommodation will open up, indoor hospitality -
like cafes and pubs - will resume, along with cinemas,
theatres and children's soft play.
Know it is now the gym is open! Organise children's activities like
sports classes and scouts and guides can now be open for the first time
since lockdown in December. -- no excuse now the gym is open.
You are watching BBC News....
For decades bricks and mortar have been the foundation
of almost every house, but things are changing.
In the Netherlands they have just built Europe's
first 3D-printed house.
It's a two bedroom bungalow - built with very little manpower.
And here's how they create the walls.
A huge robotic arms squirts cement the texture of whipped cream
into a desired shape.
And once the walls are built they are shipped to the site,
where they're locked into place.
The manufacturers say printing a house like this is super quick -
it can take as little as five days.
So, is this the future?
A little earlier we caught up with Bas Huysmans the CEO
of Weber Benelux who built the house and he spoke to us while
This is a fully revolutionary. Can you give us a potted explanation of
how you build a 3D house. Well, it is a challenge, first of all. But,
basically, once you have covered a few issues, it becomes more and more
easy to realise. What we do is stacking layers on top of each
other, and if you position the layers pretty correctly according to
the scheme of the original architect, you get a house like
this. It's pretty straightforward and simple. What I'm kind of
interested to know is, is it as simple as bolting together for
prefabricated walls and putting a roof on top? Is not a very
simplistic way of explaining it? No, no, no, no. What makes this property
unique as it is the first commercially rented out owned by a
housing corporation really 3D printed object. So there is more or
less nothing which is not a three-dimensional or curved in this
house. All the walls have in more than two directions curves and
bends. That is what making this rock looks very specific and special from
the outside. So, what is the point? What is the advantage of building a
house with a 3D printer? 3D printing technology, once you have it under
control, a very simple and efficient technology, and it creates the
freedom to unify products which you produce in a series. So if you look
at modern housing technology, we like to prefabricated houses, but it
only becomes economically interesting if you produce lots of
the same, but we are humans and humans love individuality. With 3D
printing it doesn't matter whether I print something a little bit big of
a little bit small of a little bit wider of a little bit higher or a
little bit more curves because the technology does it automatically. If
I have the design and the drawing I can print. So, I could come to you
and say, I want a three-bedroom house with two stories and I want
the walls to be concrete but nice and soft and I want a guy large and
you can say to me, OK, but is an individual house, but you can have
it fairly cheaply. It is economical. -- I want a garage. You would have
to give a little bit more time but we're definitely getting there and
we started with this project about two years ago and we did that I said
I have intervened, and the dream is that in a years from now, architects
or a potential new house owner will come with a USB stick and he will
come to our installation, pushing the USB stick, push the button and
he goes home, and when he returns the next day or the next morning, he
will be able to find his design printed on the job site. It is the
future. We'll have to leave you there and we wish you all the
success of your project. Thank you very much. It was a pleasure. Can
you imagine having Cathy as a client? I want this world curved,
this bathroom, this bedroom, I want it up, I wanted to walls hi...
I just like what I like, don't you was like they are very good at
building houses and what we got it in this country is drinking. We are
brilliant at it.
Here in the UK, drinking is our national passtime -
we are very good at it.
But for months we have been denied a pub to drink in.
And so for many of us the May bank holiday-weekend was circled
in indelibe ink on the calendar.
We booked tables.
We made plans.
WE DON'T CARE that this is the coldest bank
holiday weekend on record.
We are going to enjoy it.
We will suffer as a nation in silence,
shivering at outside tables,
and we are going to like it, however hard it rains.
Yeah.
Here is a satellite picture taken this
afternoon of Great Britain.
One for the UK tourist board.
9 degrees - that's 9 degrees - widespread rain with winds of up
to 50 miles per hour!
Some of you watching may have already given up.
But judging by these pictures, there are plenty who saw it through.
Like these people in Exeter who stuck it out despite
the torrential conditions.
Yeah, we have got a table, I don't care if it is raining! My wife and I
went out with a hot water bottle this weekend and I must admit I made
fun of it until about an hour in and then I wanted 12, and the blanket.
29 degrees in Washington tomorrow, and, do you know