nowhere is the more evident than in south africa, the ha rd est than in south africa, the hardest hit nation in africa, now grappling with a highly transmissible new strain of covid—i9 that is causing international concern. my guest is barry, chair of the south african government and advisory committee on covid—i9 vaccines. what does south africa's covid—i9 crisis mean for the world wide effort to in the pandemic? world wide effort to end the pandemic? professor barry schoub in johannesburg, welcome to hardtalk. good afternoon, stephen sackur. how bleak is the covid—i9 picture in your country of south africa right now? it is bleak, we are well into our second wave, which is really manifesting quite more seriously than our first wave. we are averaging about 18 to 20,000 new cases per day. the highest peak in ourfirst 20,000 new cases per day. the highest peak in our first wave was 14,000. so, it gives you some idea that we are on a steep upward trajectory and so it is very worrying and weird moving to our province, which johannesburg is situated and it is probably going to expa

does south africa need to be isolated from the rest of africa right now? i noticed today people are still blowing across the bridge border with zimbabwe. zimbabwe can ill afford to get the kind of infection rate that south africa has today and one would argue many neighbouring countries as well. should south africa be cut off from the rest of the african continent? you know, stephen, the problem with that expression cut off, it doesn't really work. it's been tried with so many infectious diseases. these infections do have a habit of going across the border, no matter what precautions you put in but having said that, there are precautions in place and all the land border crossings so people that go across from, from example, south africa to zimbabwe or mozambique or neighbouring countries, they do have to have a macro test to ensure they are negative and only a day are negative are they allowed across the border which causes problems because there are big on chops and traffic snarl ups but it has beenin traffic snarl ups but it has been in place for a littl

africa because of this i mean there were trials for a lot of these companies in south africa i believe for these vaccines where they're not. and it might be a very large manufacturer of johnson and johnson's vaccine in south africa there's a facility in boatless but that will be churning out on a contract basis for johnson and johnson's. we've had trials we have manufacturing and yet there is no certainty whatsoever that any of those vaccines will be available in south africa we're hearing the leaked rumors of conversations between the likes of pfizer for instance and the government we're hearing that pfizer actually offered a discounted price to the south african government and was perhaps not taken up on that offer so the sense that a lot of south africans are getting now is that the south african government hasn't hasn't managed to do what is necessary and increasingly risky opposition parties civil society organizations and society as a whole bringing a lot of pressure to bear on that already the report of philip divert joining us from south africa thank you very much. it's. over g

has south africa got this wrong? i don't think so. the problem is really balancing keeping the economy going because, as you know, our economy is not in great shape, to put it mildly, and to kind of impose restrictions that would affect the economy would be very, very harmful to the country so the government was really faced with a problem... hang on, hang on, let's stop you right there. are you saying it's more important to keep the restaurant industry alive as opposed to keeping thousands of people alive who are going to die of covid—i9 because they are going to catch it in restaurants in the mid—afternoon and early evening? that's a very tricky question, stephen. no, i think we had to do a calculation, really. how many people would get infected in a restaurant? i don't think there'd be a significant number. i think it's the major gatherings and this has been shown scientifically — a very recent publication showed this, it's the gatherings, festival—type gatherings. restaurants have strict rules about wearing a mask coming i

africa because of this i mean there were trials for a lot of these companies in south africa i believe for these vaccines were there not. and there might be a very large manufacturer of johnson and johnson's vaccine in south africa there's a facility in portland but that will be churning out on a contract basis for johnson and johnson's. we've had trials we have manufacturing and yet there is no certainty whatsoever that any of those vaccines will be available in south africa we're hearing the leaked rumors of conversations between the likes of pfizer for instance and the government we hearing that pfizer actually offered a discounted price to the south african government and was perhaps not taken up on that offer so the sense that a lot of south africans are getting now is that the south african government hasn't hasn't managed to do what is necessary and increasing you are seeing opposition parties civil society organizations and society as a whole bringing a lot of pressure to bear on that already the reporter philip diverge joining us from south africa thank you very much. over ger

does south africa need to be isolated from the rest of africa right now? i noticed today people are still flowing across the bridge border with zimbabwe. zimbabwe can ill afford to get the kind of infection rate that south africa has today and one would argue many neighbouring let's get to the crucial question of vaccines and rolling out the vaccines which is very much your domain, both as a virologist, but also as the guy who is chairing the advisory committee, telling the government how to handle its vaccine strategy. there are many critics in your country who think the government has already bungled this. you only have, as i understand it, one million vials of vaccine that are due to be in south africa through the course of this month and an extra 500,000 coming in february. for a country with a population of some 60 million plus, this is disastrous. no, i think disastrous is a bit of an exaggeration, with all due respect. that one million coming at the end of this month, 500,000 coming, are earmarked for the highest priority, or healthcare workers. the

south africa is struggling to deal with a surge in covert 19 infections caused by a new more infectious variant of the virus earlier this week the government extended restrictions including a ban on alcohol sales and large gatherings the country has recorded more than 1300000 cases of the virus accounting for a 3rd of all registered infections in africa and alcohol ban and compulsory mask wearing was south africa's response to the resurgent corona virus pandemic the regulations were introduced at the end of last year the government in pretoria is still struggling to get this 2nd wave of the virus under control and with over a 1000000 infected the country's president is taking even more extreme countermeasures. to reduce congestion and the high risk of transmission. has decided that the 20 land ports of entry that are currently open would be closed until the 15th of february for general entry and departure. economy is suffering badly under the measures unlist us to make gross domestic product fell by 7 percent last year whereas johannesburg's night life district used to be crowded with p

this is deja news africa on the program today hoping for the best fact preparing for the worst south africa is battling an aggressive 2nd wave of calls at 19 that's being field by a more infectious variant of the virus the country's top scientific advisor ses the 3rd wave could spell even more trouble. if we see a new reality and it's likely to be much worse we are prepared for on the basis of the worst piece of. advice get reaction from kenya where doctors had been forced to drop some of their reproductive services because of a laptop age from. thank you wimps now the new u.s. president has just reversed that policy. plus we've got the story on what is behind the turtle hatchlings in kenya 7 beaches. hello i'm kristie wonder it's good to have your company south africa's chief pandemic advise a say a 3rd wave of covert 19 which is expected in the 2nd half of the year could be even worse than the current to 2nd wave south africa is the worst hit country on the continent with 43000 deaths and 1400000 cases now the number of infections has soared because of the new variant of the virus

to cross to so africa to get jobs some they work in south africa already but they had come for the festive season to zimbabwe but these people most of the them do not have. papers like your immigration papers or payments to aiken south africa they usually just go. but this time around because of 19 so africa is also tight and there are systems for people who are coming in they are requiring all of the tests results and all but some of these people cannot afford to get a test in zimbabwe because their course is also high so that's the reason why you find that the border is now having too much or people who are piling up were trying to write. about that pressure that congestion let's talk about the reasons for that and all the authorities in south africa and zimbabwe are doing anything to diffuse the situation. under suffolk inside so that is tightening its own security. allowing people to come into so they have been instances where people are making the treated us you know cross or. imported by the crocodile infested river some using boats and also makeshift. to cross over there even so you

all right let's bring in our guests in johannesburg south africa helen rees executive director of the with reproductive health and hiv institute and a member of the w.h.o. strategic advisory group of experts on the covert 1900 vaccine in the isle of wight in the u.k. and america health policy manager at oxfam welcome to you both and let me start with you today humanitarians across the globe and in geos have been urging world leaders to urgently make over 1000 vaccinations available to millions of refugees migrants and others displaced by conflict are their calls being heated. well i think as as you rightly point out the momentum is growing so there's calls for of fair and equitable access across the world because we know that no one is safe from this pandemic until we we reach that critical had immunity across the globe and that comp be patchy access in some countries and not end up as that continues to put a dollar risk if that is the sario. so far you know we are staying growing momentum for a people's vaccine for a vaccine for the vaccine science to be shed openly without intellect

this is news africa on the program today the race to bravely in covert 19 in south africa as the country post a record number of cases and dates for here from the scientists who say it has little chance of meeting its vaccination targets in 2021. also in south africa the initiative aimed at building skills and confidence in girls from poor and disadvantaged backgrounds. class will meet the books and taking the latest big name novels from brussels to kinshasa. hello i'm kristie it's good to have your company criticism is mounting on the south african government and what some all calling a failure to secure enough vaccines for the country's population the development comes as the country poses record numbers of infections and deaths and as concerns grow over a new more infectious variant of the virus africa has so far ordered doses for roughly 10 percent of the population through the h o's kovacs program that's aimed at ensuring the nation's also has access to vaccines but delivery is not expected until april and critics say the government should have acted earlier to procure larger amount

this is deja news africa on the program today hoping for the best back preparing for the worst south africa is battling an aggressive 2nd wave of calls at 19 that's being field by a more infectious variant of the virus the country's top scientific adviser saying the 3rd wave could spell even more trouble. if we see a new beginning it's likely to be much worst we're preparing on the basis of the worst case about it. and we'll get reaction from kenya where doctors had been forced to drop some of the reproductive services because of a lack of don't aid from the u.s. now the new u.s. president has just reversed that policy. plus we've got the story on what is behind the church hall had moved in kenya's 7 beecher's. hello i'm christine wonder it's good to have your company south africa's chief pandemic advise a say a 3rd wave of covert 19 which is expected in the 2nd half of the year could be even worse than the current a 2nd wave south africa. is the worst hit country on the continent with 43000 deaths and 1400000 cases now the number of infections has soared because of the new variant o

africa where the south african strain predominates. you'd like to see against severe disease. it's not like there's no protection. i think there is also likely, you know, we're going to have a second generation vaccine out there. i think what we should do right now is deal with the strain that is prevalent in this country, so-called d-614 strain which is the first variant that came out of wuhan. deal with that and then we'll be making vaccines against specifically the south african strain or these other strains as if they come up. and our continued attempt to suppress the spread and dangerousness of this virus. so i think there's a lot of reason for hope here. that's how i see it. >> dr. paul offitt, are we lucky to have you this morning for this breaking news. thank you for helping us work through this because it's a moment people have been waiting for. to reiterate, so people know, johnson & johnson is saying their vaccine 85% effective against severe cases of covid. less so, 66%, about moderate and severe. overall, that's much less,

the left to visit south africa's most profitable industries. and within them line some disturbing secrets. now a team that part french journalist must time to do has uncovered the shocking truth of exactly what's in the mind taps and just how deadly a maybe. sunrise america river basin. one of south africa's largest freshwater reserves. on bridget corrigan is a botanist. and a specialist in the region's biodiversity. this is a very special catchment for a lot of reasons if it's a unique biodiversity from not just the tourist trail but also the 1st one of our diversity is very special it's got about 14 species of fish and a lot of really endemic species of invertebrates and quite insects that contribute to the health of the sort of this river system. there are 200 trees species in america. that's 17 of them. and about $400.00 in a bird species. it is a national treasure and the north west doesn't have a lot of these river systems a lot of the systems in this province are heavily degraded. the crown jewel of this not true treasure lies just a few

up to date back south africa toxicity. hundreds of strange mounds lie scattered around johannesburg south africa's most populous city but they aren't a natural phenomenon they are mine tailings waste heaps left over from south africa's hugely profitable gold industry. many are also said to be dangerously toxic awash with heavy metals and poisons and radioactive debris. with expert help french journalist must time to do is getting that content scientifically analyzed. but one night while he waits for the results he gets a mysterious voicemail message along i heard that your interest. money where your around. in their mind well i would go to a mental geologist me up for a while and i would really much appreciate you you know you're going to come around again i will work about it thank you very much. the message is from a geologist and eagle club chick after a 20 year career in the mining industry has now left it disgusted by the industry's failure to have his warnings about dealing with its waste i'll tell you what i found p

at south africa's vets. joins me now from johannesburg. professor how confident are you that south africa will be able to secure enough vaccines for its people. certainly not confident it would be able to get 67 percent of the population that's an 8 that by the end i think we would be 90 successful you create you've been able to get in 5 to 30 percent of the population but tonight and it's not just about a challenge of being able to gain access to that scene at this late stage but it's also why don't we just exulting able to deploy that seeing in south africa you're going to target one thing to get 67 percent of the population but it's an 8 that and start vaccinating from the 1st of april to make approximately 250000 people a day 7 days a week for the 1st month and a half to that city $100.00 a day book today if we go over to the. professor why can't the government be doing differently in south africa well i just take it it's you know the government can do is to try to pursuit by that sort of premiums but unfortunately and it is that much

there is a variant in south africa moving quickly. what are people saying out there about how tough it can be as we get into winter? hopefully the second wave will have worked its way out by then. vaccine is the all critical important issue. the failure to effectively deliver vaccine product into south africa is very concerning thee, i think it's one of major factors about whether we of the some portion population vaccinated in time for such an outcome. the combination of those politically is very explosive. you have the ruling political , you have these factors like load shedding and the rising anger around the covid situation. these things are quite explosive in terms of where south africa could be headed in the next 12 months. on mr.very heavy burden rama posa -- before the winter wave hits. let's bring you into this. colin is talking about the vaccine story and how important it is to south africa. more broadly, the emerging-market story, but i'm getting back and reports i seeing seem to suggest that the vaccine is going to be posi

we experience the possible football fans in south africa. and he will talk to one of gardner's biggest football star someone john. mccain. we called the shaw. sports love uses and. first it is becoming popular among young people in the country with many of them using words to improve their lives let's find out more in this report. and the best along mentor and also. in the las. so i was so willing to stand. fencing a sport that is still relatively unknown in kenya. and i roby is only practiced by about 75 fences but coach stephen o'connell is on a mission to ensure that this sport is recognized. fancy new comer. you know fencing is a new sport in kenya but now it's slowly becoming widespread and this makes me happy. you know but you can see from my trainees it does help them a lot and that's changed their lives and when we started with them they did not have shoes then but today they do have shoes going on a. run on which he and their behaviors have changed and they've become responsible in what responsible in 2012 stephen started offering h

this is deja news africa out on the program today hoping for the best but preparing for the worst south africa is battling an aggressive 2nd wave of covert 19 that's being field by a more infectious variant of the virus the country's top scientific advisor ses the 3rd wave could spell even more trouble. if. it's likely to be much worse we're hearing on the basis of the worst case about it. we'll get reaction from kenya where doctors had been forced to drop some of their reproductive services because of a lack of age from the us now the new us president has just reversed that policy. plus we've got the story on what is behind the church hall had. been kenya's 7 beaches. hello i'm christine wonder why it's good to have your company south africa's chief pandemic advisors say a 3rd wave of covert 19 which is expected in the 2nd half of the year could be even worse than the current a 2nd wave south africa is the worst hit country on the continent with. 43000 deaths and 1400000 cases now the number of infections has soared because of the new variant of the virus that is say to be 50 percent m

africa especially given the worries over the new strain that's been identified in south africa which appears to be spreading faster than the initial one south africa is now in its 2nd wave that approval has only come through now we are expecting that those vaccinations to be given in the new week that's the indication from the government it's not certain if that plan will stay in place and there really is a worry about the number of deaths that south africa has experienced in january specifically at the height of the 2nd wave south africa saw at least 21000 new cases every day that's now just below 10000 but the concern really is the treatment of south africans and one other development has been the approval of ivermectin the now that's a drug that in south africa is richest and for use by animals for things like parasites and tropical diseases but it's increasingly it's been used to treat people with covert 19 an anecdotal evidence would suggest that it has been quite effective we've had some doctors describe it as a miracle drug now south africa health products or thora he has said

south africa is struggling to deal with a surge in covert 19 infections caused by a new more infectious variant of the virus earlier this week the government extended restrictions including a ban on alcohol sales and large gatherings the country has recorded more than 1300000 cases of the virus accounting for a 3rd of all registered infections in africa. and compulsory mask were in south africa's response to the resurgent corona virus pandemic the regulations were introduced at the end of last year the government in pretoria is still struggling to get this 2nd wave of the virus under control and with over a 1000000 infected the country's president is taking even more extreme counter measures. to reduce congestion and. the 20 ports of entry that are currently open would be closed. until the 15th of february for general entry and departure. decorum is suffering badly under the measures analysts estimate gross domestic product fell by 7 percent last year and whereas johannesburg nightlife district used to be crowded with party goes now it's eerily quiet another measure an early evening cur

this is deja news africa on the program today hoping for the best but for pairing for the worst south africa is battling an aggressive 2nd wave of covert 19 that's being fueled by a more infectious variant of the virus the country's top scientific advisor ses the 3rd wave could spell even more trouble. if we see a new variant it's likely to be much with us we are on the basis of the worst piece of knowledge to. add will get reaction from kenya where doctors had been forced to drop some of their reproductive services because of a lack of don't aid from the u.s. now the new us president has just reversed that policy. plus we've got the story on what is behind the turtle hatchlings in kenya 7 beaches. hello i'm kristie wonder it's good to have your company south africa's chief pandemic advise us say a 3rd wave of covert 19 which is expected in the 2nd half of the year could be even worse than the current to 2nd way south africa is the worst hit country. a continent with 43000 deaths and 1400000 cases now the number of infections has soared because of the new variant of the virus that is

but there are fears in south africa that a variant detected there, could be resistant to vaccines. a court in london rules that wikilea ks founder julian assange cannot be extradited to the united states. thejudge says he is at risk of suicide. hello and welcome to audiences in the uk and around the world. we're covering all the latest coronavirus developments here in britain and globally. first... scotland has largely gone into a national lockdown following a rise in new coronavirus cases. people will have to stay at home for anything other than essential purposes, and schools will have to provide distance learning, until at least the first of february. with me is news reporterjohn mcmanus. john, reporterjohn mcmanus. tell us more about the restriction. john, tell us more about the restriction. james, those restrictions that were announced by the first minister of scotland, nicola sturgeon, on monday, came into force about one minute ago, midnight here in the united kingdom. quite wide ranging as well, it's a legally enforceable stay order. people must remain at home unless they h

africa.— tailor vaccines specifically for south africa. and what you think, you _ for south africa. and what you think, you mentioned - for south africa. and what you think, you mentioned the - for south africa. and what you think, you mentioned the us, | think, you mentioned the us, thatis think, you mentioned the us, that is where you are, what you think the strategy that should be in order to most effectively use the vaccines that are now available?— available? you know, wendy biden administration - available? you know, wendy biden administration got - available? you know, wendy biden administration got upl biden administration got up they had to learn a lot. they didn't have a lot of advanced time unable to plan in place that sounded reasonable, but now with the new variants are rising quickly, the centers for disease control are saying the uk variant may be significant by the spring and now the south african variant. so we are going to have to make adjustments and i had a's come out in the washington post this week that basically sa

hunt for the variant from south africa. they haven't found it yet, but they say it's only a matter of time. >> i think we should assume it's in other places, as well. it may still be still be low in total number of cases, but i do believe it's probably much more widespread than just south carolina. >> reporter: with new variants threatening a fresh surge in cases and more deaths, growing pressure to vaccinate with limited supply. some states like washington cracking down, telling nonresidents there's no vaccine for them. this man drove from oklahoma to get one. >> i set my mileage at zero miles when i left. i drove almost 1,800 miles in two and a half days. >> reporter: in oregon, county health workers stuck in a snow storm managed to save six doses that were about to expire, setting up an impromptu clinic, going car to car, administering shots to thankful drivers stranded on the side of the road. >> it wouldn't have mattered if it was six doses or one or 200. we would have been out going door to door until we couldn't give

africa. south africa both. energy the initiative. to the point environmentally friendly conduct generally katrina energy from florida hydro power. is always energy on. africa. electric emission free the basement this is a noble teacher of mobility the wheel is a. born at least it was 19 appears to be floating in the brakes on this development ordinary cars plans for a big one are back on the block and there are really no alternatives. made in germany. 16. total. young wrong emigrants. going on the police will stop them. they know that the road is not a solution. they know their flight could be fatal. but going back to using not enough. i mun and gravity are stuck in the spanish border area along side other young people there waiting for a chance that will probably never come. shattered dreams starts january 18th on d w. hello and welcome to the environment magazine co-produced by n.t.v. in uganda china's t.v. in nigeria and in germany i am sondra to know if you want with me today i was always a micro presenting new to egg. how are yo

but one of south africa's top scientists has described the move as "silly." our africa correspondent andrew harding reports from johannesburg. live samples of covid—19, handled in a secure south african laboratory. scientists here are racing to understand more about a sudden surge of mutations. the virus has already become far more infectious. there are signs it may also have at least some resistance to current vaccines. when we look at the 501y.v2 variant... but south africa's leading covid expert told me his biggest concern was that the virus is clearly mutating so fast. we are going to see this recurring much more commonly. i think that's the message. and, if it's going to occur more commonly, we are going to have to ensure that our vaccines are able to neutralise them because, if they are not, that means we are back to square one. right now, south african hospitals are battling a huge second wave of infections, a wave driven by the new mutations. but scientists here have criticised today's move by britain, to restrict travellers from south africa, sayin

in south africa shots on the foot sea and gorgeous as a 2nd wave of covert 19 brain shoots in the country. hello i'm christine one day it's good to have your company the ugandan government has deployed a massive military presence across the country ahead of the general election not those days voters comes off to one of the bloodiest election campaign and he is the veteran d.j. un will 70 who's been in polyfill 45 is is seeking a 6th to his main challenger is the singer to make a rabbit known as bobby why as the election draws near they're all growing fear is about escaping violence. violent scenes of become common during the election campaign. and the victims such as just a number. today there was. one neighborhood where 10 but one that. was. number was shortened to buck last year on nov 18th police clashed with supporters of the opposition candidate will be one leaving at least $54.00 people did the policemen came and started shooting. i was in the cluster. suited to behold it. that those people. who live there people who are think. that people who are going home moreover suited. on chri

africa has raised questions about how effective existing vaccines may be as south africa faces a resurgence of covert 19 that is already exceeding the 1st wave experts are worried about a 3rd and 4th wave especially as vaccines for most of the country appear to be a long way off from al-jazeera johannesburg south africa. the u.k. is increasing its capacity to immunize as many people as possible as covert 1000 deaths and infections rise more than 52 and a half 1000 people tested positive for the virus on thursday that's around 10000 fewer than wednesday prime minister boris johnson said almost 1500000 people have now received the 1st dose of a vaccine if all goes well these together should have the capacity to deliver hundreds of thousands of vaccines per day by january the 15th and it is our plan that everyone should have a vaccination available within a radius of 10 miles and it follows from that that the limits will not be on our distribution or power but on the supply of vaccines and i have no doubt that we have enough supply to vaccinate these 4 groups by that they be the 15th deadline

sense through this is to do with the issues we're going to south africa expects to get millions more doses of a vaccine by the 2nd quarter of the year to immunize 10 percent of the population but that still tens of 1000000 short of what's needed to immunize the majority of all 59000000 south africans this is despite running trials for 4 vaccines 4 months and planning to manufacture millions of doses for pharmaceutical companies professorship there marty has been leading one of the trials at the barack one of the hospital in some way to the notion of talk if you could get that's made 67 percent of its population better and of continuing to run unfortunately tests with all due respect very naive for the 1st month we would need to fix an $850000.00 people but day 7 days a week from a 2nd one to $1.00 with 4 it seems that required 2 doses of vaccine we would need to vaccinate $300000.00 people per day every day of the week and political year for us to get to 67 percent of the population the health care system is already overwhelmed and simply doesn't have the resources to cope with an ex

advantage, south africa. we damage. advantage, south africa. - were bought overnight —— brought overnight... were bought overnight -- brought overnight---_ overnight... pakistan, 33 for four. tourists finding _ overnight... pakistan, 33 for four. tourists finding their _ overnight... pakistan, 33 for four. tourists finding their host - overnight... pakistan, 33 for four. tourists finding their host a - overnight... pakistan, 33 for four. tourists finding their host a little l tourists finding their host a little generous after day one. drew savage, bbc news. there was disappoinmtment for ireland, as afghanistan completed a 3—0 clean sweep of their one day series in abu dhabi. the irish were set 267 to win, and despite a century from paul stirling, they lost by 36 runs. with the series part of the world cup super league, that's a big blow to ireland's hopes of making the 2023 tournament. england batsman dawid malan top scored with 3a, but it wasn't enough to stop his hobart hurricanes slipping to a shock defeat aga

first, to the variant found in south africa in a moment. there aremain questions covid allocations for states would increase 15% next week. how is that possible next week when it wasn't possible this week and where is the extra vaccine coming from? >> anderson, it isn't a question of extra vaccine coming from. the flow of vaccine that has have been coming in on what the person responsible for it general guss perna calls it cadence. what we have and what the president is referring to is a steady reliable flow will come in he'd like to get them up to about 10 million per week. it's right now somewhere, i believe, around 8.5 million. he wants to get it up to around 10. you can do that by efficiencies, by paying attention to anything that might get in the way of that and to try to get it smoothly into the flow. so it isn't a question of getting vaccine that wasn't there before that's there now, it's an even flow, which we believe we can accomplish. >> doctor, welcome to our town hall. the latest numbers reported by the cdc say in total more tha

news africa on the program today the race to rein in covert 19 in south africa as the country posed a record number of cases and did fall hear from the scientists who say it has little chance of meeting its vaccination targets in 2021. also in south africa the initiative aimed at building skills and confidence in girls from poor and disadvantaged backgrounds. plus will meet the book sale after taking the latest big name novels from brussels to kinshasa. hello i'm christine it's good to have your company criticism is mounting on the south african government and what some mall calling a failure to secure enough vaccines for the country's population the development comes as the country poses to record numbers of infections and deaths and as concerns grow over a new more infectious variant of the virus of africa has so far ordered doses for roughly 10 percent of the population through the w h o's kovacs program that's aimed at ensuring the nations also have access to vaccines but delivery is not a. accidental april and critics say the government should have acted earlier to procure larger

in the meantime, a second wave of infections continues to spread fast across south africa. andrew harding, bbc news, johannesburg. america's department ofjustice says it is extremely disappointed by a british court ruling which prevents the wikileaks founderjulian assange from being extradited. the us wants him to stand trial for publishing classified documents. but a judge at the old bailey in london said concerns over his mental health meant the extradition could not proceed. our diplomatic correspondent james landale reports. free julian assange! julian assange has long attracted loyal supporters, and this was their reaction outside the old bailey as they heard the news. no extradition — yeah! for more than a decade, the wikilea ks founder has resisted extradition, spending seven years holed up in the ecuadorian embassy in london, before being removed almost two years ago and detained in belmarsh prison. the us authorities want him to face 18 charges, mostly of espionage, relating to his alleged role in the leaking of thousands of secret military documents. many focuse

hello i'm christine wonder why it's good to have your company south africa's chief pandemic advisors say a 3rd wave of covert 19 which is expected in the 2nd half of the year could be even worse than the current a 2nd wave south africa is the worst hit country on the continent with 43000 deaths and 1400000 cases now the number of infections has soared because of the new variant of the virus that is say to be 50 percent more transmissible now the country is expecting its 1st delivery off $1000000.00 doses off the astra zeneca vaccine that's made to arrive on monday i'll be talking to professor sally in a bill karim after this report. health care workers at the frontline of south africa's coronavirus crisis they'll be the 1st to be inoculated when the country starts its vaccination program but the initial delivery of 1000000 doses point even be enough to vaccinate half of south africa's health professionals it's still not clear when more vaccines will arrive and how many south africans will get the jab only 2 thirds want to be inoculated a recent survey found that is far below the glob

to cross to so africa to get jobs some they work in south africa already but they had come for the festive season to zimbabwe but these people most of the them do not have. like immigration they have buzz or payments to aiken south africa they usually just go is casual labor but this time around because of $1000.00 so africa is also tightened their systems for people who are coming in they are requiring all of the tests results and all but some of these people cannot afford to get a test in zimbabwe because their course is also high so that's the reason why you find that the border is now having too much or people who are piling up were trying to write. about that pressure that congestion let's talk about the reasons for that and all the authorities in south africa and zimbabwe doing anything to diffuse the situation. under so that fit inside so that is tightening its own security. allowing people to come into so after they have been instances where people are making the trip that us you know cross or. they limpopo river the crocodile infested river so i'm using boats and also makeshift. t

and soccer culture in south africa you know. this episode is all about sports so let's find out what the 77 percent. next on t.w. . hour need to magic relative. to anderson. the 1st human and all of the amazing. survivor of the ice age. researchers are beginning to discover just how in the lurch the meaning was tied. to me and their souls trying to be hard pressed to explain 45 minutes long t.w. . in the height of climate change. africa's most so what's in store for the past few months to come for the future in the 1st. hi there thanks for joining me on this very sporty edition of the 77 percent sure i am michael and us you can tell from my surroundings this is going to be great to special. so here's what's coming up. we meet one of germany's best female fans and talk to. him pena. we experience the possible football fans in south africa. and he will talk to one of god. save the game. we called the shaw in kenya what their sports love uses and non-conventional with one face is becoming popular among young people in the country w

and another in south africa and now the focus of madonna's efforts to develop a booster injection the company says its original vaccine does fight the u.k. variant of the virus but there are questions about the mutated strain discovered in south africa i'm hearing reports that there may be some concern about the south african variant there's action in the ability of the vaccine to neutralize the virus i'm hearing a 6 fold reduction will see if that's infirm that is some concern but it still will likely cross protect out of an abundance of caution madonna says it's now working on an alternative version of its vaccine the company says its original vaccine does give antibodies above levels that are expected to be protective against a south african variant it's a sign of the shape shifting nature of the virus dr anthony felt she says the entire medical community needs to adapt so even though right now the vaccines seem to be able to work against them we need to be prepared to upgrade in maybe even as a boost lead iran will raise a buy you know investment scene that goes against the one in

in the meantime, a second wave of infections continues to spread fast across south africa. andrew harding, bbc news, johannesburg. and in other developments in the pandemic around the world on monday... the french government has defended its coronavirus vaccination policy after criticism it is going far too slowly. only 516 vaccinations were reported in the first week. so far the strategy has focused on administering vaccines in care homes — which face logistical problems in storing the pfizer jab, and time—consuming processes of consent. germany is expected to extend its lockdown untiljanuary 31st to curb the spread of coronavirus. tight restrictions have been in place since the middle of december, but have so far had little effect. last week, the country reported a record number of daily deaths — over 1,000 — and ballooning infection rates. a hospital in warsaw is being investigated after it let celebrities and a former prime ministerjump the queue to get coronavirus vaccinations. 18 people were reportedly invited to get the jab to promote a vaccination campaign.

we're teeny and south africa. qatar airways gay com and make sure you're not hyping the situation be part of the debate my main characters are women when no topic is off the table the law is in the last allow child marriage to happen legally these are basically archaic walls dads off in the jet minds and legal wise pedophiles on arrow on line jumping to the quick section and the teen to be part of the discussion this stream on out is the era. welcome back a quick recap of the top stories at this hour the process to formally begin an impeachment trial against former u.s. president donald trump is underway the u.s. house of representatives presented its article of impeachment to the senate again from 2nd trial in february. the u.s. pharmaceutical company mcdonough says the lab tests show its code with 1000 vaccine appears to work against new there is none in the u.k. and some of the more studies are needed to confirm the results of the findings yet to be peer reviewed. u.s. president joe biden says he might be able

the concern in south africa is that a variant that has been identified the concern in south africa is that a variant that has been identified has got at least three mutations, which could potentially impact on the antibody that is induced by the vaccine to neutralise the virus. so it's a serious concern. i think it is a theoretical concern at this point in time, and hopefully over the course of the next few weeks will have a clear answer. the good news is that south african scientists are now working fast to get that answer. the bad news is that there is a significant risk that the virus here has changed to give itself at least a partial resistance to the current vaccines. still, experts say adjusting those vaccines should be relatively easy. in the meantime, a second wave of infections continues to spread fast across south africa. andrew harding, bbc news, johannesburg. the kuwaiti foreign minister has said that saudi arabia will reopen its airspace, and land and sea borders, to qatar in a major breakthrough in the long—running dispute between qatar and several of its gulf neighbou

africa when we were communicating with our many scientific and colleagues in south africa they would tell us something strange is going on right now. we have people infected several months ago and now with the new strain getting reinfected. the immune response induce to the first infection was not good enough to prevent the second infection. however, it appears that the vaccine itself appears to be better of inducing that kind of protection because they had anywhere from 50% to 88% severe disease. vaccination appears to be good or better natural infection than preventing further infection >> does this push back the calendar in terms of when life may appear to be normal again. is this putting pressure on your projection of that point >> possibly but not necessarily. i believe if we pay attention to these mutants and adapt the vaccines to upgrade them to do that that we still would be able to get to some form of normality as we get to the mid to late fall as i predicted a few months ago. it is going to require a good and efficient way of vaccinating as many people as possible >> and ou

but south africa's leadin: variant. but south africa's leading covid-19 - variant. but south africa's leading covid-19 expert i variant. but south africa's i leading covid-19 expert has leading covid—19 expert has told me his biggest concern is the virus is mutating so fast. we will see this occurring much more commonly, that's the message, and if it's going to occur more commonly, we're going to have to ensure that our vaccines are able to utilise them because if they are not, that means we are back to square one. are not, that means we are back to square one-— are not, that means we are back to square one. right now, south african hospitals _ to square one. right now, south african hospitals are _ to square one. right now, south african hospitals are battling - african hospitals are battling a huge second wave of infections driven by the new mutations but scientists who have criticised today's move by britain to restrict travellers from south africa, saying there is no point in singling out countries or even regions. t countries or even regions. i find it almo

one of south africa's top scientists described the move as almost silly. our correspondent now reports from johannesburg. reporter: live samples of covid-19 are handled in a secure south african laboratory. scientists are racing to understand more about a sudden surge of mutations. the virus has already become far more infectious. but there are signs it might also have at least some resistance to current vaccines. >> when we look at the variant -- reporter: but south africa's leading covid expert told me his biggest concern was that the virus is clearly mutating so fast. >> we are going to see this occurring much more commonly. i think that is the message. and if it is going to occur more commonly, we are going to have to ensure that our vaccines are able to neutralize them. because if they are not, that means we are back to square one. reporter: right now, south african hospitals are battling a huge second wave of infections, a wave driven by the new mutations. but scientists here have criticized today's news by britain to restrict travelers from south af

we experience the passion of football fans in south africa. and he will talk to one of the biggest football stars. same day came. when he called the shaw was a sports love uses and non-conventional with ferguson is becoming popular among young people in the country with many of them using it. let's find out more in this report. the best long winter and also. a lot. so i was so willing to. fencing a sport that is still relatively unknown in kenya. nairobi is only practiced by about 75 fences but coach stephen o'connell. it's on a mission to ensure that this sport is recognized. fencing come. fencing is a new sport in kenya but now it's slowly becoming widespread and this makes me have to. be more sadia you know but you can see from my trainees it does help them a lot and that's changed their lives and when we started with them they did not have shoes then but today they do have shoes then on a year to. run on may change a key key and their behaviors have changed we do and they've become responsible in what we're responsible. in 2012 steven star