as for northern ireland. may have actually helped those who want to see northern ireland cut itself loose from the u.k. so the republican cause may be the winner of bracks and so irish reunification is suddenly not an unrealistic prospect anymore and it's new and it's a direct result of bracks and. there's a real possibility that breaks it could trigger the end of the united kingdom scotland very much has a strong identity and a big part of that is not being english scotland just had an independence referendum just 6 years ago and they voted to actually stay in the u.k. but that was before bracks it many scots really really don't want to leave that up and they resent the english for voting for breakfast. it still gives me shivers when i think about that surely morning last winter we met up with some very brave scottish souls they were when to swim us and they were braving the waters off the coast of fadden bro all year round they are not a political and on the whole never extremely polite but they had very cl

northern ireland effectively won't. and whatever happens with a brexit trade deal, the eu's customs rules will also continue to apply at ports in northern ireland. neither the eu nor the uk wanted to restore a hard border on the island of ireland — given the troubles of the past. at the moment there are hardly any checks on goods travelling between great britain and northern ireland. but from january first there will be new rules governing trade across the irish sea, and additional checks will be required on many goods arriving in to northern ireland from great britain. as emma vardy reports — lots of businesses say they're unprepared for the huge changes ahead. how food gets from great britain to northern ireland is changing. it's the compromise with the eu that was agreed, for northern ireland to continue following a lot of eu rules while for the rest of the uk, that's about to end. food products, particularly of animal origin, like meat, fish and cheese, are going to need new documentation when they come into nor

ireland and the republic of ireland and indeed, the arguably more important border between northern ireland and great britain, in terms of the different arrangements, that it is just possible that they could make a case for not trying to reach any agreement, that they could say, actually, we think there is more room for exploratory work, and that therefore, we kind of push the transition out, effectively, by another few months? it is quite difficult, on the uk side, to find a sort of basis for extending transition now because while the northern ireland protocol set out the rules, if you like, that northern ireland had to observe in the future relationship, that is still not settled, and if you wanted to extend the transition, the eu would insist that it looked pretty much like the transition we are in now, that means the uk would have to stay obeying all eu rules, adopting new ones under the jurisdiction of the european court ofjustice. the uk had that option, remember, back injune. we uk had that option, remember, back in june. we could uk had that option, remember, back injune. we

why northern ireland to stolen a march on scotland but 1st alex that you think emails and messages. well lots of reaction to last week's show or with a professor look at meal of the college dublin and dr chris murphy of cambridge university they were talking about covert vaccines and also about what they call the common sense christmas and that's been drawn into sharp relief this week with the dramatic joint declaration from the british medical journal and the health service journal to politicians about the consequences of the proposed christmas relaxation but on the vaccine issue terry says there would be with these fantastic scientists chris and particular manages to get complicated messages across in a way that's easy to understand norma johnson reminds us that $4000.00 people a day currently dying in the u.s. going up every day i think a vaccine is very unnecessary i'm jordan says now where did you get your loan for norma johnson i'm on the side of the ocean that's about 2300 a day but that is still too many short martin sounds a lot of skepticism he says norma johnson you won't

nd into northern ireland, the rest of scotland throughout the day. there will be showers, a lot of cloud gathering across england and wales. equally, there could be a little bit of sunshine. it's relatively mild. a milder interlude of weather today. and that's because we have got south—westerly winds. they really escalate this evening across scotla nd escalate this evening across scotland and northern ireland, pushing their way southwards. a significant amount of rain falling on other areas. another potential inch. and those winds gusting could easily bring down trees or power lines. very gusty in land as well. some storm forced winds around. but the combination of the winds and the rain making for some treacherous conditions on the roads. but there is -- conditions on the roads. but there is —— some disruption likely. a wild night and is —— some disruption likely. a wild nightand a is —— some disruption likely. a wild night and a wild start to our sunday. but behind the cold air there are some icy patches in the north, and eventually t

accident nobody particular seem to wanted northern ireland and scotland didn't want it and didn't get it and of course course we're both parts of the u.k. that it voted against it but fortunate for northern ireland and unfortunately for us a different the better of the 2 situations and incidentally the worst affected part of all of you to all of europe not just the u.k. is going to the highlands and islands of scotland so sometimes i talk about the reunification of ireland perhaps we should unify scotland into because of the bottle city and decision making someone else better off. and i'm in london of course edinburgh but the best option of all. well that's almost a invitation to new delhi either coming there from angus make me feel like ness but look what you were saying earlier but what is johnson the bust trundling over here are you suggesting that i want to break up one union the european union wallace johnson may be endangering another union the british union. i do of those of the brics it was an existential threat to the union and you know there's a sort of irony there in that f

the northern ireland secretary's decision has infuriated the finucane family and campaigners. this case, it has to be said, is sadlyjust one example of the violence and tragedy experienced by so many individuals and families across northern ireland, the rest of the united kingdom and, indeed, ireland during the troubles. that is why we as a government remain committed to dealing with the legacy of the past in its entirety. the british state murdered pat finucane and the secretary of state has failed miserably to do right by his family today. does he realise that he is sending out a very clear message to all victims, and the message is this... if you want the truth about what happened to your loved ones, don't come looking for it here. clothing and beauty firms have insisted that they don't photoshop their advertising material, telling mps that grey hairs, scars and spots were all included. they were giving evidence to an inquiry into body image. the equalities committee is investigating whether advertisements containing images of beautiful, well—groomed and happy people can

northern ireland is another key point, isn't it? the retailers and hauliers i have spoken to are most concerned about northern ireland trade, we are 20 business days to go now and i have no idea how the trade between great britain and northern ireland within the uk will work. —— and they have no idea. that is because northern ireland is being treated differently under the terms of the brexit which all agreements are there is an entirely new customs it system which nobody has ever yea rs before new customs it system which nobody has ever years before that will be in operation, there will need to be full checks on food consignments. an awful lot of lorries go from great britain to northern ireland everyday for love different food consignments, each will have to be checked for documents and many will have to be checked physically, and lots of business groups in northern ireland are calling for some pride of adjustment period which would give them ineffective and extension to the transition in all but name to give them a bit more ti

ireland, wale5 brighten up across northern ireland, wales and the southwest later as we 5ta rt to wales and the southwest later as we start to see if you 5hower5. sign5 of some milder air here, 11 degrees in plymouth, but had about in the ea5t, it'5 in plymouth, but had about in the ea5t, it's still around six or seven. hello, i'm ro5 atkin5. this is 0ut5ide source. let me take you straight to bloomington and delaware, where president—electjoe biden ‘5 publicly introducing the health team —— wilmington delaware. publicly introducing the health team -- wilmington delaware. as all of you know, i know that out of our collective pain, we're going to find collective pain, we're going to find collective purpo5e collective pain, we're going to find collective purpose to control the pandemic, to save lives and to heal as pandemic, to save lives and to heal a5a pandemic, to save lives and to heal a5 a nation. today, i'm pleased to announce the team members who will doju5t announce the team members who will do just that. a team of

the showers are northern ireland and scotland turning increasingly wintry even to lower levels. that means some icy conditions developing tonight and tomorrow morning in scotland and northern ireland, more likely to have a frost here. not quite settled tonight for england and wales, the cloud increasing through the night, wetter weather pushing back into wales and the south west of england. cloud and rain moving across much of england and wales tomorrow. northern parts of england could be brighter for a time with some wintry showers and the wintry showers in the morning in scotland and northern ireland get pushed away so many areas become dry and sunny. but cold, temperatures only just areas become dry and sunny. but cold, temperatures onlyjust above freezing for the highest temperatures along the south coast of england but we had rain here. we could get heavy rain tomorrow night in the south—east of england and by the time we get to friday wetter weather likely to come in from the north sea and that could bring some snow, quite heavy snow as well particularly in the hills. sn

england, northern ireland and scotla nd england, northern ireland and scotland and they‘ re england, northern ireland and scotland and they're likely to get particularly heavy on into the early hours of monday morning. good afternoon. millions of people are facing stricter covid restrictions as new rule changes have come into force across the uk. lockdowns have started in scotland and northern ireland. measures have also been reimposed in wales after being eased for christmas. around six million more residents in east and south—east england have gone into tierfour, england's highest level. meaning people are being asked to ‘stay at home'. only meet one person outside. and all non—essential retail to close. parts of central england have experienced the highest river levels for a decade causing widespread flooding as storm bella approaches the uk. more than 1000 people in bedfordshire have already been advised to evacuate their homes and the met office is warning of severe gales and more heavy rain to come. people have had had terrible time. we have had all the measures in place

ireland, northern england, heading into northern wales. some showers further south but we will get some sunshine coming through. there won't be as much fog around by the afternoon because the breeze will stir things up. we could be touching gale force in parts of northern ireland and the western isles. if there is anywhere that stays grey and murky through the day it will be towards the fens and east anglia so it will be a chilly day here. into the middle part of the week, the low pressure in scotland weekends but we are pressure in scotland weekends but we a re left pressure in scotland weekends but we are left with showers around on wednesday across northern and eastern scotland, and this time across northern and eastern parts of england, so not completely dry for those areas. out of the west, some sunshine for a few hours, then we will get weather fronts bringing rain towards northern ireland, wales and the south—west by the end of the day, ahead of that temperatures reaching seven celsius. i don't think we will get much rain coming f

in january those special arrangements will kick in for northern ireland where northern ireland has to continue sticking by eu rules because it is effectively becoming a new gateway into the eu. so people are very fond of reminding boris johnson, because companies are having to get ready for those new checks and new paperwork, he told them previously, don't worry, when you get through this you can chuck some of the paperwork into the bin. now we going to find out tomorrow if that's really the case and how much the added burden of red tape on traders is going to be reduced. the reason that's so important is because any added bureaucracy has an implication for the cost of goods that we have on the shelves and of course the range of goods, especially that consumers in northern ireland can buy. thank you. pupils in scotland will not sit either highers or advanced highers next year, after the country's education secretary john swinney announced the exams were being cancelled because of the pandemic. 0ur correspondent alexandra mackenzie has more. so, we get to a stage in maths where we have

scotland, northern ireland by comparison, hazy sunshine to begin with. going to turn a bit sunnier through the day, but a cold day here. winds not too much of an issue to begin with across the country, but they will start to pick up across northern england, wales, the southwest, and it's here where we could see gales developing ahead into the evening and overnight as that rain gradually start to clear its way eastwards as that low pressure departs towards the east of us. as it does, follow the isobars back. they'll be coming down from the north. it's northerly winds which will then introduce much colder air for christmas eve and christmas day. now, we will even see a bit of snow, particularly on christmas eve, mixed in with some showers, they'll be very much hit and miss. snow mainly over the hills, a lot of dry and bright weather. big improvement for england and wales as far as sunshine's concerned on thursday, but down those eastern coasts, 4 degrees, gale force winds. it's going to feel subzero, a really raw feeling day down the eastern half of the co

in northern ireland, one in 215 had the virus, with case rates no longer decreasing. inevitably some of those infected will become seriously ill and need hospital treatment and that is what is putting pressure on the nhs front line. there have been warnings today about the impact on staff. people are still traumatised and fatigued, not only from physical tiredness but the psychological impact of dealing with covid. working in very different ways to usual. now we are looking down the barrel of what looks like a third wave, so, you know, we are very concerned, and the impact of five days over christmas is something we are very concerned about as well. many hospitals across the south—east are under increasing strain. nhs leaders in kent say they will cancel nonurgent operations because of the increasing covid patient numbers and in other areas they need to be ready for a possible surge into the uk. —— into the new year. the latest government figures on coronavirus show there were 28,507 new cases in the latest 24—hour period. the average number of new cases repor

now, he will know the northern ireland office will not accept that as proof. we need to go through the proper processes. part of the point given the example you've given. there are businesses out there who are on their knees and who need the money. they need help. what is your christmas promise to those businesses who are still waiting for help? i am not denying people in need. of course there are people in need. this is been a terrible year for businesses and communities right across northern ireland. in our offices as elected representatives, we must do all we can to help those people recognising that there are systems in place that have to be satisfied as well. and northern ireland is going to be an unique position. no one dies the protocol. ——doubts. it's clear we will have privilege access to the eu single market and to the eu customs area. can i ask her again to make specific representations on behalf of northern ireland businesses in terms of maximising the benefits that we will have, deal or no deal, from our unique access to the uk single market a

ireland, ourfish is steaks come from northern ireland, our fish is locally sourced. we are on theju this, we our fish is locally sourced. we are on the ju this, we are our fish is locally sourced. we are on theju this, we are not our fish is locally sourced. we are on the ju this, we are not that affected by it compared to many other business owners, they would say, it is lucky that you source everything so locally? yes, well, you might call it luck, but i mean, it is part of who we are, it is part of our business model. that is the whole point. when people travel to us whole point. when people travel to us and they come to us to dine, they wa nt to us and they come to us to dine, they want to experience local produce. so it's not really luck, it is part of our business model. well, i hope the christmas period goes well for you, thank you very much, lewis waterworth, in donaghadee. it is time now for a look at the weather forecast with matt taylor. how are things looking? it is looking a bit damp this weekend but there will be some brighter moments. some of the brigh

northern ireland. it is in west belfast and about an hour ago, a nurse, sisterjoanna belfast and about an hour ago, a nurse, sister joanna sloan belfast and about an hour ago, a nurse, sisterjoanna sloan became the first person on the island of ireland to receive the vaccine. she is 28, a mother of one and is from cou nty is 28, a mother of one and is from county down. she is due to get married in april next year and she said just after receiving the covid jab, she felt emotional and also felt proud to be part of a moment of history. so now more of her colleagues lining up in the building behind me to get there jab and a couple of people at the hospital, staff arriving for work said it was a really good feeling just to be driving up the main road and seeing signs, purple signs just driving up the main road and seeing signs, purple signsjust like that one on the front of the building, pointing them towards the covid—19 vaccination centre. 3% of the population of the uk, so they have that proportion of

them as for northern ireland bracks it may have actually helped those who want to see northern ireland cut itself loose from the u.k. so the republican cause may be the winner of rex and so irish reunification is suddenly not an unrealistic prospect anymore and it's new and it's a direct result of bricks and. there's a real possibility that breaks it could trigger the end of the united kingdom scotland very much has a strong identity and a big part of that is not being english scotland just had an independence referendum just 6 years ago and they voted to actually stay in the u.k. but that was before bracks it many scots really really don't want to leave that club and they resent the english for voting for bracks it. it still gives me shivers when i think about that surely morning last winter we met up with some very brave scottish souls they were winter swimmers and they were braving the waters off the coast of fadden bro all year round they are not a political on the whole never extremely polite but they had very clear words for the english who had voted for breaks and. this is what

but that means inspections on certain goods entering northern ireland from the rest of the uk. businesses there have been worried about extra paperwork and the impact on food and medicine supplies. how do you start to unpeeled the complexity that is northern ireland do not create any instability? so, i think if the got some sort of solution today, albeit low, we would welcome it and we would be pleased, and we hope that with the detail come delete comes out, they have listened to our concerns. this has been a hugely complicated and controversial issue where economic considerations have had to be seen in the context of a delicate peace process. positives have been difficult to find in recent days when it comes to brexit negotiations, but this is most certainly a very important positive for the island of ireland as a whole because what this does now ways it provides the guarantee is that ireland was my place in the single market and the issues around the border are now all settled. hopefully this is a signal that the british government is in a deal—making mood. some see today's

ireland won in 180, but in scotla nd northern ireland won in 180, but in scotland won in mo, slightly down on last week. everyone is being asked to stick to social distancing rules. what we need to see is greater compliance with the advice, and to try to remember to carry your mask at all times, where it whenever you are in a crowded place. wear it more often than you might have thought you needed to. it's been two weeks since margaret keenan became the first person to receive the covid vaccine. since then nearly half a million people in the uk have had it, 70% of them over the age of 80 and due back for their second jabs after christmas. laura foster, bbc news. the transport secretary, grant shapps, has promised that ferries will sail from dover on christmas day and boxing day to allow lorry drivers who've been stranded in kent to return home. they need to test negative for covid—i9 before they can cross the channel. with the very latest on the situation in kent, here's simonjones. relief at last for drivers who have tested negative for coronavirus and will now be allowed to leave

ireland, northern england and wales going into monday morning. that could bring some weather disruption. but the focus now is the wet and windy weather from storm the focus now is the wet and windy weatherfrom storm bella, weather warnings and flood warnings in force, look at the latest where you are. there is some uncertainty about exactly where that is going to be sitting on monday so keep checking the forecast for the latest information, but certainly cold on monday and at the start of a cold week. back to storm bella, impacts from wind, rain, ice and snow to follow. flood and weather warnings in force at the moment, check out the details on our website. this is bbc news. i'm lukwesa burak. these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world. millions in the uk faced tougher covid restrictions of roche just come into force. as the uk grapples with the new strain of coronavirus, there are now confirmed cases in more countries, including france, spain and sweden. some eu countries begin vaccinations against covid—19 a day ahead of th

ireland in the troubles and the only diplomatic representative of any country to die in northern ireland and with troubles what also drew me to this story was that it was it was a family tragedy as well as being a tragedy of this close and intimate it was a tragedy for it as well and his 2 daughters and all of them subsequently copayments of some of the aftermath of what is a killer so who was thomas niedermeyer or of the businessman but he was quite often described in their aftermath of his abduction straightlaced which kind of made him sound as if you were some sort of fat cat plutocratic in fact he came from a very humble or modest working class background he had been inducted into the german war economy when it was still a child it was and turned around he was still a child after the war 'd ended most germans at his age he didn't go back to school he went he learned to trade. and but the age of just 18 he'd already become a froman he worked his way up through the ground a company which was then one of the biggest manufacturing companies and europe and he eventually became a manager b

northern ireland has been left in a precarious, —— position. fourth ofjanuary to late, we have freight coming in from january the first or second or third. the memories of last week's cues to dover after the border with france was closed for 48 hours are still fresh. the government says they still do expect adjustment as they adjust to their new relationship and they say that hauliers without correct documentation will be stopped and have their good health. changes start tonight, a new yearand health. changes start tonight, a new year and a new way of trading lie ahead. caroline davies, bbc news. the next 12 months could be truly momentous for science, in particular, efforts to tackle climate change and new missions to mars and could a huge telescope provide insights into the origins of the universe? in our series of films previewing the coming year, the bbc‘s global science correspondent rebecca morelle talks us through her highlights. this is going to be a critical yearfor this is going to be a critical year for climate change. the coronavi

but that means inspections on certain goods entering northern ireland from the rest of the uk. businesses there have been worried about extra paperwork and the impact on food and medicine supplies. how do you start to unpeeled the complexity that is northern ireland do not create any instability? so i think if the got some sort of solution today, albeit low, we would welcome it and we would be pleased, and we hope that with the detail come delete comes out, they have listened to our concerns. this has been a hugely complicated and controversial issue where economic considerations have had to be seen in the context of a delicate peace process. positives have been difficult to find in recent days when it comes to brexit negotiations, but this is most certainly a very important positive for the island of ireland as a whole because what this does now ways it provides the guarantee is that ireland was my place in the single market and the issues around the border are now all settled. hopefully this is a signal that the british government is in deal—making mood. some see today's ag

northern ireland too has seen an easing of restrictions today. we'll be reporting from there and from scotland shortly. but first, hywel griffith is in cardiff for us this evening. the situation here in wales is clearly becoming more serious by the day. the new national covid case rate is now over 400 per 100,000. we are told that hospitals are in a record situation with a record—breaking number of patients and 15,000 nhs staff having to self—isolate. those are the reasons why these new restrictions have been rushed through, closing school sites from today and outdoor attractions like this fare from the weekend. while the welsh government tries to get control, it does feel like we are almost inevitably heading towards another national lockdown. the areas that you have picked up... a final face—to—face for this term. from monday, these pupils in cardiff will be learning online from home, to try to stop the spread of the virus. for 17—year—old tilly, it really doesn't feel like christmas has come early. we should have been told earlier,

behind it, turning colder in scotland, northern ireland and northern england, the chance of icy patches and increasingly wintry showers as well. so, from storm bella, damaging gusts of wind, with the heavy rain bringing further flooding to areas already dealing with flooding overnight and into the first part of sunday. snow for some and icy conditions to follow. the strongest winds likely to be where the met office has an amber warning in force over the coast and hills of southern england, south and west wales, up to 80 mph. potentially damaging, certainly disruptive gusts of wind. the heaviest rain moving south overnight over england and wales. elsewhere, gusts of 50—60 mph. so, the rain bringing a risk of further flooding, and in that colder air following it, icy, and turning wintry into the hills. on sunday, behind the band of rain, the strong wind clearing the far south—east of england quickly in the morning. then it's sunshine and showers, very few reaching the east of england or scotland, but across the west, these showers of rain, sleet, snow and hail, and prolonged snow in n

it is good news for northern ireland and all those who trade to and from northern ireland who can now hope there will be some clarity on the rules that they have to abide by injust over three weeks' time. there is a long way to go to get all the details of those rules, but this is a step forward. and of course, the signal it sends to the european commission and to the biden administration and beyond is that the uk will abide by its international commitments. and that's a very good, indeed. i see this as a necessary step, but not a sufficient step to get a bigger deal done. there is a lot of work still to do, and it will require, as you say, that political intervention to ta ke say, that political intervention to take what the negotiators have managed to do and just nudge it forward to get a deal over the line. far from guaranteed, but the fact that the board dashboardsjohnson is going to brussels, that is the best chance we have of getting this deal in line. philip, what is your reading of the reception he will get in brussels, in terms of how unified the eu members are? michel barnie

brighter for northern ireland and scotland, but staying chilly for all of us. this is bbc world news. the headlines... the uk will complete its brexit transition from the european union in less than two hours, bringing an end to nearly half a century of close political and economic links. the new arrangements come into force at midnight, brussels—time. several hospitals in london and the south—east say they are under extreme pressure because of a surge in coronavirus cases. 0ne senior intensive care doctor said anyone who ignores the rules on social distancing has "blood on their hands". wuhan, china has marked the new year with a mass street party one year after first reporting an unknown pneumonia outbreak to the world health organisation. many global celebrations have been scaled back because of coronavirus. in paris, a curfew is in place and thousands of police officers have been deployed to ensure citizens don't gather in the city to celebrate. now on bbc news, 0ur world's anna holligan travels across europe to see how people are getting on their bikes

ireland, northern england and scotland. the wind is the primary concern, potentially gusting up primary concern, potentially gusting up to 80 mph along the southern coast of england and wales, widely 50 to 60 mph inland across england and wales. they will start to ease as we move through sunday morning and the rain

under the terms of the northern ireland protocol, northern ireland will be treated differently. they are due to come into force on the 1st of january. no delays there at all. at the moment, people trading from great britain into northern ireland within the united kingdom have no idea how that trade will ta ke have no idea how that trade will take place in a month's time. they do not know if they will be tariffs on some of those goods, if they are at risk of moving on into the eu via the republic. they do not know that yet. they know there will be a new it system the customs which none of them have ever used before. i have spoken to a lot of people who are saying they are not ready to use it. the government is setting up an advice scheme to help them but say they are not ready to do it yet because they don't know what they are dealing with. they also know there will be full checks on food of animal origin. huge amounts of food goes across every day from great britain into northern ireland. consignments of sandwiches going to supermarkets and each one of those will have to have th

northern ireland will be going into lockdown from boxing day. and it's really going to be the toughest period of restrictions here since the lockdown back in the spring. it's going to last for six weeks. nonessential retail will close, hospitality businesses will close will close unless they are providing takeaway services. unless they are providing takeaway services. close—contact businesses such as hairdressers and beauticians, they will also have to shut. for the first week of the lockdown, the conditions are going to be all the more strict. for starters, the essential shops — for example, those selling food — that are still allowed to open, well, they're going to have to close at 8pm at night. and also in that week beginning boxing day, all sport will be banned, so that means, for example, traditional boxing day fixtures will not be able to go ahead. announcing these measures tonight, the deputy first minister, michelle o'neill, who jointly leads the power—sharing evolved government at storment. she said she recognised that these mea

. >> anybody in northern ireland including political players in northern ireland, no excuse arguing it is acceptable because of any other issue is a fallacy in the wrong position to take. we have to say, 20 billion pounds between the block grant, on top of financially the biggest growth field in the united kingdom to ensure we are leveling up for the people of northern ireland as we are the united kingdom. >> ceasing engaging on legacy issue, he knows the largest cross community victims express serious concerns and described him as dangerously diluted. how will he present an update on legacy proposals to the house. >> i was surprised, pausing on engagement, it was a reasonable position but as i said is an important issue to put troubles in the pt and put that inrmation to victims, families of victims looking at that information far too long and engaging with northern ireland and the irish government and fiscal policy of northern ireland and come back to the house, this has to be something done with the support and engagement with the engagement of northern ireland. >> that completes th

ireland, and because northern ireland, and because northern ireland, and because northern ireland is in the single market for goods, it can still trade without any checks with the eu and we will hear continually from scotla nd we will hear continually from scotland in this very important year coming upfor scotland in this very important year coming up for scottish politics, if northern ireland can have that, why can't northern ireland can have that, why can't we? huge strains on the union. in terms of practicalities for businesses, in terms of the advice on the computers that the government have been urging businesses to look at on line four months, they have been complaining that they get to a certain part and it says to be decided, it has now been decided but they haven't got long to get their requisite bits in place. they only got the detail on boxing day, 1300 pages for which unique lawyers and technical experts to go through all that so there will be mitigating factors about the fears of disruption at the borders come new year's day. number one is that the uk is delaying checks

some progress, not on the free—trade deal but the special that will apply in northern ireland, the northern ireland protocol. the site had not been able to sort out the detail of how that will work but it has been nailed down, it will work, it will apply whether there is a free tape —— free trade deal or not. the government suggested if this detail the science how with your subconscious proposed laws it was putting to parliament which would have particularly upset the eu, it would have overridden parts of the withdrawal agreement and there was a suggestion it would have broken international goal. now this has been agreed, the government is in a position to overrule some of that, so position to overrule some of that, so there has been progress, if not in trade deal than at least in some of the brexit talks. back now to the coronavirus vaccine being rolled out across the uk. let's hear more from the first person to receive the jab early this morning — 90—year—old margaret keennan — and the matron who vaccinated her. here's damian grammaticas — and a warning his report contains s

northern ireland will begin a strict six—week lockdown from boxing day. similar measures will come into force in wales on the 28th december. coronavirus cases per head in northeren ireland are lower than in the rest of the uk but scientific advisers fear the hospitals will be overwhelmed if drastic action isn't taken now. from belfast, here's our ireland correspondent emma vardy. as the end of 2020 beckons, the new year will see northern ireland under its tightest regulations yet. in the first of six weeks of lockdown, a curfew — people won't be allowed to leave their homes between eight o'clock at night and six in the morning. this time, there will be tighter rules on exactly which shops are deemed essential and no click and collect services from others, which has disappointed some small businesses who've been managing to sustain themselves this way. from my perspective, if you're going to click and collect for me, it's far safer and far less contact than what it is in the likes of a lot of supermarkets in a lot of ways. to me, that's common sense. res

scotland, england, wales and northern ireland. this is a huge achievement, that the prime minister has, had set for himself, his government and achieved. it is a great christmas present for the whole nation. people are delight wed have left the european union and will be leaving the transition period with a sensible deal in place that projects britain's destroys and allows britain to prosper in the world. how convinced are you it is a good deal without seeing the text? look, i have been briefed only in the last couple of hours by the prime minister's team and other collea g u es prime minister's team and other colleagues in government, and what i can say from what i have seen, this isa can say from what i have seen, this is a really good deal. even down to for example in my profession in the legal profession, lawyers will continue to be able to work in the eu practising international law, so evenin eu practising international law, so even in services, i was listening to earlier, even in services it's a good deal. it ticks all the

that is also the case in northern ireland. and they are allowed to meet on one of the days between the 23rd and 27th of december with do just that hassles. in wales, only allowed to meet up to two households, —— households. 0ne allowed to meet up to two households, —— households. one can be an extended bubble household, and in scotland, you are in law allowed to meet with up to three households, but it has to be a limit of eight people not including children so it could be eight adults plus children. i hope that was still clear. it has taken me a while to realise is happening across the uk. taken me a while to realise is happening across the uki taken me a while to realise is happening across the uk. i guess you have done enough of these two have that off pat, buy now! even if the rules and guidance keep evolving. so well done for that. john, depends on where you are, unfortunately don't say, but i hope that answer helps you. let's get through some more questions. stephen, with a huge amount of investment into the covi

but as for northern ireland bracks it may have actually helped those who want to see northern ireland cut itself loose from the u.k. so the republican cause may be the winner reps and so irish reunification is suddenly not an unrealistic prospect anymore and it's new and it's a direct result of bricks and. there's a real possibility that breaks it could trigger the end of the united kingdom scotland very much has a strong identity and a big part of that is not being english scotland just had an independence referendum just 6 years ago and they voted to actually stay in the u.k. but that was before breaks that many scots really really don't want to leave that up and they resent the english for voting for bracks it. it still gives me shivers when i think about that surely morning last winter we met up with some very brave scottish souls they were winter swimmers and they were braving the waters off the coast of fadden bro all year round they are not a political on the whole never extremely polite but they had very clear words for the english who had voted for breaks and. this is what yo

northern ireland, scotland and northern england, temperatures about six celsius. tuesday and wednesday, more rain on the area of low pressure, again england and wales will have the most, which could cause flooding. and then colder air across the north of the country sweeps to the south for christmas eve and christmas day. into the big day, christmas, frost will be widespread and pretty sharp. but a will be widespread and pretty sharp. butafairamount will be widespread and pretty sharp. but a fair amount of dry weather with sunshine through the christmas holiday period. at least we get rid of the unsettled wet weather and replace it with something drier and colder in time for christmas. this is bbc news with the latest headlines... the prime minister is to hold a news conference later this afternoon to announce new tier a restrictions for london and parts the south east — which could include a closure of nonessential retail and a change to household mixing over christmas. it comes amid warnings from england's chief medical officer that a "new variant" of the viru

it is scotland, northern ireland, northern england and northern wales may see some snow to quite low levels, bringing a few centimetres places, turning it icy on sunday night into monday morning. on monday, low—pressure right across us and we expect from that some areas of rain, sleet and cold enough for some snow, notjust on hills. uncertainty about where it's going to be sitting on monday, so keep checking the forecast. certainly cold on monday. starting a cold week. back to storm bella, impacts from the wind, rain, snow and ice to follow. flood and weather warnings are in force. check out the details on our website. this is bbc news. the headlines: millions of people in the uk face tougher covid restrictions, as rule changes come into force. as the uk grapples with the new strain of coronavirus, there are now confirmed cases in france, spain and sweden. former mi6 officer and soviet spy george blake has died, aged 98, in moscow. we'll tell you about the sport that is high speed and environmentally friendly. welcome to the world of extreme e, backed by f1 champion lewis hamilton.

ireland stop snow in scotla nd northern ireland stop snow in scotland could bring early travel disruption, tending to turn to rain, pushing towards northern ireland on stronger winds the rain clears south—east england, up across east anglia and into northern england. there could be some sleet in there. it should turn drier through the midlands and southern england in the afternoon, perhaps some sunshine, but a cold day, feeling colder because the winds will be stronger. over the weekend, it calms down and the winds dropped. gradually turning dry for most on sunday but still cold. this is bbc news. the headlines: the bbc understands that some of the initial delivery of the pfizer coronavirus vaccine is being brought to the uk today, via eurotunnel. scotland's first minister and england's deputy chief medical officer says every effort will be made to get the vaccine into care homes as soon as possible. the top priority that the jcvi has identified our care homes for older people, and also the workers in care homes. the reason for that is the death toll in care homes has been awful. studen

sunshine for scotland and northern ireland, but we will probably see some snow showers pushing in to northern areas of scotland as we go through wednesday, particularly over the higher ground. that colder air is going to be pushing southwards. through christmas eve and christmas day, we'll see some pretty widespread frost. a lot of dry weather with sunshine, but there will be some showers working down the north sea coast. that's your weather. this is bbc news. the headlines at seven: millions of people in england and wales are told to stay at home on the first day of tough, new coronavirus restrictions, as action is taken on a new variant of the virus. the new variant is out of control and we need to bring it under control, and this news about the new variant has been an incredibly difficult end to, frankly, an awful year. the health secretary labels crowded scenes at london stations last night as ‘irresponsible' — the transport secretary says extra police officers will be deployed to enforce the rules. france and germany become the latest countries to ban travel between the uk â

and in northern ireland, it's even worse. it is a complete, i have to say, the northern ireland protocol is a complete shambles. the difficulty is that there is only a certain amount of lipstick that you can apply to the pig if you don't know the answers to the questions. and the problem is, the deal of being negotiated in timely fashion, both the eu and northern ireland, then an information campaign can be incredibly effective, even reaching those small businesses you talked about. if you're still trying to negotiate a deal 14 working days before it's actually supposed to come into effect, even the most brilliant communication is not going to work. you need a vulcan mind meld to make it work if it's going to work in time. motor manufacturers said uk production could drop by as much as half if there were tariffs, and there were worries about border delays. border delays could cost the industry up to £50,000 a minute, which translates into about £70 million a day for the industry, and we run on tight margins, between two and

infection levels are also up in northern ireland. we are going to stay with that story, as the uk reports another 39,036 new cases of covid—i9 and 574 deaths in the past 2a hours. cases have been rising everywhere across the uk — except in scotland. with more, here's our science editor, david shukman. just over a fortnight ago, the inspiring moment of the first vaccination. margaret keenan was delighted. and since then, right across the uk, more than 600,000 others have had their first doses as well. it's an optimistic start to a huge operation, but serious challenges live ahead. it is taking some real planning to make sure that we can scale up and deliver this vaccine at the levels we need to, it really will be a huge effort. all this comes as virtually empty streets in london are about to become a common sight in many other areas as well, as tier 4 restrictions are imposed on them. new measures to try to stop the virus and its new, more infectious strain. the latest estimates say that in england, one in 85 people has the virus.