Youre going to see very different presidency for america. Wanted to worry about me throwing out flat capital messages on twitter every five minutes to you. Hello, im Laura Trevelyan in new york, James Reynolds is in london. Were in danger of becoming numb to the staggering covid 19 death toll here in the us. More than three hundred thousand American Families will mark the holidays without a loved one. The holiday at thanksgiving is behind the latest surge in cases with christmas and new year coming up fast. It was a recording breaking day on wednesday the largest single day numbers for deaths, new cases, and hospitalisations since the pandemic began. And it ended with 3656 people dead due to covid. In california 60 refrigerated trailers standing by as makeshift morgues. The governor of new york warns that hospitals in parts of the state could become overwhelmed byjanuary. If we slow the spread, we can avoid any more economic shutdowns. And thatis any more economic shutdowns. And that is the number one goal. Save lives and avoid economic shutdowns. Just, wejust lives and avoid economic shutdowns. Just, we just have to make lives and avoid economic shutdowns. Just, wejust have to make it lives and avoid economic shutdowns. Just, we just have to make it to the point where the vaccine hits Critical Mass and we are working like mad to get that vaccine out there. Were joined now by andy slavitt the former administrator of the centers for medicare and Medicaid Services under president obama. Thank you so much for being with us. Its quite extraordinary, 3600 people died of covid i9 yesterday in the United States. Just overwhelming, the level of creep and and loss in america right now grief. It is incredibly sad. Yet, i cant help but feel that there are number of people in the country that arejust so number of people in the country that are just so tired of thinking about covid i9 that it is, they are no longer paying as much attention as they once were. Even in the governors remarks, youll notice he had to speak to the Economic Issues because it no longer feels like it is enough for americans to even hear these large death toll numbers. And yet, this comes were about to have a second front of our sexy not the rest. I was seeing the worse if not the rest. The virus cannot be approved too soon and considering the mistake the Trump Administration made in not purchasing as much of the Pfizer Vaccine is they need, we need as much as we can meet the demand we are going to have to the first 2021. I think theyre doing a good job, its very clearly people in Long Term Care facilities and Health Care Workers and it is just so Health Care Workers and it is just so encouraging and quite moving as it has been in the uk to see those people getting those shots. After that, there is a large list of people who are deemed essential workers who are at higher risk and they are going to be more interesting decisions. The prioritise teachers, particularly given the fact that the young people we re given the fact that the young people were not yet be receiving the vaccine. How do you counter misinformation about vaccines . Vaccine. How do you counter misinformation about vaccine57m vaccine. How do you counter misinformation about vaccines . It is interesting. The way you counter misinformation is actually not with this accurate information, although thatis this accurate information, although that is a part of it. Its listening to people and building trust. There are people that are zealously anti vaccine, but there people who have questions about the vaccine that have very valid questions. What will it do to me . As the long term effects 7 h ow will it do to me . As the long term effects . How does it work . And so forth. We should be patient and reasonable because those are not people who are, they may be subject to misinformation, but having people who trust them, who they trust, communicating with them is also the best answer. The current president of the United States is silent at this moment. Can President Joe Biden make a difference . Yes a couple of tools as you pointed out, he, asking americans to step up and sacrifice and to do things one another, we have not done that yet and youre in a year of this crisis without a call to unite in the call of the call to sacrifice. Not saying that it will be easy, but it will be important. Given that president Electjoe Biden asked to do to convince congress is to support all of the people who are facing financial hardships, whether they are people who are unemployed oi they are people who are unemployed or Small Businesses because it is very ha rd to or Small Businesses because it is very hard to sacrifice when theyre not getting any Financial Support and that is the shame of what is been going on in the us. We will have more on that in a moment. But for the moment, thank you so much. The vaccination effort is already under way. Part of the uk strategy is to get really well known faces who may be over 80 to take the shot. So, we had the start of the lord of the rings, sir ian mckellen happily getting the first of his two doses that he said afterwards, i feel very lucky to have had the vaccine, i had no problem recommending it to anyone. Not really celebrities here, james. The nearest will be the Vice President mike pence. He is going to be vaccinated live on tv at the white house tomorrow morning he and his wife and also the Surgeon General and that is the way its going on here. A definite difference. As we have been discussing. As weve been discussing, covid cases are hitting daily records large parts of the us economy are suffering and millions could soon lose their unemployment benefits. It seems that congress may be finally be about to agree a second Coronavirus Relief package. After months of wrangling, congressional negotiators are sounding more optimistic that they could reach a deal. Senate majority Mitch Mcconnell even suggested a deal could come later on thursday 0peration warp speed is going to give us vaccines in record time. The American People need another bridge to those better days that are not so far off. The country Needs Congress to come through with another targeted rescue package. They have waited months, they have waited and suffered. And some have died but need needless political games been played out. The American People wait for more Emergency Assistance and ought to be over. In a bipartisan agreement appears to be close at hand. We can speak now to congressman dusty johnson of south dakota, who helped frame the original Coronavirus Relief package. Will would it mean to the people of south dakota if you could agree some kind of relief package now . Clearly, a package is needed and we are going to get it done in the next few days and there are higher unemployment numbers in south dakotas in good shape from an unemployment perspective but america could be in better shape. This package would also make an investment in vaccine deployment, critically important as you deployment, critically important as you were deployment, critically important as you were just talking about, as well as increasing the number of tests, making sure he can keep her kids in school safe and making sure Small Businesses have the ability to pay their employees. Of the President Trump lost the election, republicans made against on the ballot, do you think the American People are sending you a message that is compromise and get things done after all this division . Well, i dont know if thats what the American People intended, the message, but thatis people intended, the message, but that is the message that so many of us are that is the message that so many of us are going to have to take to heart because the reality is, the margin in the house is much more narrow than it was before, the margin and the senate is going to be more narrow than it is before, this is going to have to be a time for congress is to step up. Winston churchill said, you can always count on americans to do the right thing after theyve exhausted all other options and i think now is the time in the american system or may be, this is going to have to be a time for congress is to step up. Winston churchill said, you can always count on americans to do the right thing after theyve exhausted all other options and i think now is the time in the american system or maybe, just maybe, we can put on, where are you willing to give way. The problem solvers, we have been here for months, we have brought up the package in september, its driving me crazy that leadership could not get you before now. If we do not do something, were going to have a government shutdown, which isjust insanity, other countries in the world dont do this and it is in the this is in the uniquely american version of self harm. So if we get this done, have got to get the spending package done to government and the give and ta ke spending package done to government and the give and take is part of the process of the Problem Solvers Caucus engaged in and what i was willing to give up is frankly more spending than i think is necessary and im happy to invest in Small Businesses and schools and health ca re businesses and schools and health care facilities, but some of the welfare spending i think goes above and beyond what is may be most strictly needed but that being said, we are one country, we clearly have Economic Injury out there if we need to spend a little more than i think is necessary to get the deal done, listen, ive been married for more than 20 years, i understand the nature of compromise. That was the end of the beginning. Thank you so much. Lets get some of the days other news more than 300 schoolboys kidnapped by boko haram militants in nigeria have been released, according to the govenor of katsina state. The boys, who were abducted last friday, are expected to arrive in katsina city in the early hours of the morning according to local officials. They say theyre in good health and no boys have been killed. A host of european leaders are self isolating after the french president , emmanuel macron, tested positive for covid i9. The elysee palace said that mr macron would self isolate for seven days while working remotely. Last week the french president attended a summit in brussels along with almost every other eu leader. Us president Electjoe Biden has vowed to make combatting Cyber Security an imperative when he takes office next month. Mr bidens statement comes comes days after revelations of a massive hack on a number of major Us Government agencies. Us media have said russia was behind the attack. In a statement, mr biden warned of substantial costs for those repsonsible. Tens of millions of americans woke up to a blanket of snow this morning and here in new york city, we saw the biggest snowfall since 2016. I should know i was watching mesmerized as the snow i should know i was watching mesmerized as the snow arrived last night and today were digging out. This was the scene first thing this morning in times square, motorists had been warned to stay off the roads, after ten inches of snow fell in a few hours. Thats more than the citys entire snow fall last winter. But its notjust new york which has been hit, in pennsylvania, meteorologists recorded up to a0 inches of snow, thats just over a metre deep. And in baltimore, more than 100 passengers had a lucky escape when the aircraft they were in, skidded off the runway just after landing in the snowstorm. Fortunately, no one was hurt. Its really been like a snow globe pure new york city. 0nce its really been like a snow globe pure new york city. Once we can get rid of the pandemic, it is so pretty and in my neighbourhood, in brooklyn this morning, it was really quite stunning and my dog absolutely adored playing in the snow. Alfie is just two years old, so he is not old enough to remember the last snowfall, but he was looking for his beloved ball, james. Ill hope he founded, you look so happy there. Have a question about the snow. Do you have to shovel it out if it arrives at your doorstep by law in new york . And did so, within 2a hours of the last snowfall, you must have your sidewalk in front of your apartment as well as your steps clear, so i got a very frumpy 18 year old middle sun out there at ten to seven this morning to do some shoveling and he said are you going to pay me . Did he get paid . He is 18 yea rs to pay me . Did he get paid . He is 18 years old, he is on our dime so, yes, he was not playing a video game for once. Watching on bbc road news. We will be right back. More than two thirds of englands population will be living under the toughest covid 19 rules from saturday. Theres better news for bristol, North Somerset and herefordshire which have all moved down a tier. Health secretary matt hancock says the cases are rising in the areas moving into tier 3. It is therefore necessary to apply tier 3 measures across a much wider area of the east to southeast of england, including bedfordshire, buckinghamshire, berkshire, peterborough, the whole of hertfordshire surrey, with the exception of waverley, hastings and rauf are on the canada border of east sussex and portsmouth, gosport and hampshire. These changes would ta ke and hampshire. These changes would take effect from one minute past midnight on saturday morning and i know the tier 3 measures are tough but the best way for everyone to get out of them is to pull together, not just to follow the rules, but to do everything they possibly can to stop the spread of the virus. As we mentioned earlier in the programme the American Food and Drug Administration panel has been discussing whether to authorise a second vaccine from moderna. It follows the roll out this week of the Pfizer Vaccine. And while some have welcomed the vaccines with literal dancing in the streets, others are not so sure. Particularly among the nations African American communities, as Aleem Maqbool reports. A black doctor inoculating a black nurse. The first us coronavirus vaccination in front of the cameras is also clearly a message to African Americans that the vaccine is safe. The vaccine that you are going to be taking was developed by an African American woman. Some feel this need to convince black people in the us to get immunised, and for good reason. Surveys show nearly 60 of african america ns say they are unlikely to get the vaccine, even though black people have died from the coronavirus at a rate nearly three times that of white people in the us. This man lost a cousin to covid but still says he wont take the vaccine. I dont think it has reached the level of confidence for me to overlook the history and apprehensiveness of my communitys concerns with vaccines. What does that mean . That means that america doesnt have a good track record in the black community of being concerned about our health and wellbeing. The massive disparity in coronavirus deaths has exacerbated mistrust, but it is mistrust that is deep rooted. One of the most shameful chapters in american medical history was a syphilis study, carried out over a0 years on hundreds of poor black men without their knowledge, in alabama. It came to an end in the 1970s but still has reverberations today and is the reason many give for why they dont want the vaccine. Weve got to think first, its a trick. Is this a trick or population control . Do you think a lot of people feel that way . Yeah, man population control, all those kinds of things. You dont have to go all the way back to alabama, so many years ago, to understand why people are distrustful of the healthca re system. You can go sit in an emergency room or a Doctors Office today and see how someone who is poor, someone who is black, might be treated differently than someone who is not. Consequences of not being able to turn around that mistrust now are grave. Low uptake of a vaccine by African Americans will inevitably mean many more deaths in some of americas most vulnerable communities. For 20 years the cast of the bbcs comedy giant dead ringers have been mercilessly driving a stake of satire through those in power with their eerily accurate impressions. From donald trump, tojoe biden, to Boris Johnson no one is safe. The rich and powerful are no doubt quaking in the boots as the programme is back for a series of christmas specials on bbc radio 4 and the bbc sounds app. Jon culshaw is the man of a million voices and earlier he sat down with us to talk about satire, the us election and finding humour in the bleakest of times. Dead wranglers is doing christmas specials looking at 2020. Is this that you might prefer to cast into oblivion as opposed remember . Yes, we are all ready to move forward and said he would 2021 will bring us, but what i think is that humour has been a very important cathartic way to distract us and inspire us through this year. Weve needed something to latch onto and something to latch onto and something to latch onto and something tojust find something to latch onto and something to just find the ridicule and all sorts of situations. I think thatis and all sorts of situations. I think that is what keeps us sane and comedy has been very important part in the year weve had. But was the funniest part, if any of 2020 . |j think it is a very difficult question, very difficult question. I think weve focused on the politicians. Certainly, Boris Johnson tried to very often make noises and grunts and take the place of words when it comes to Boris Johnson. A dead ringers to her good bores and bad boris trying to make sense of everything i play the good side of Boris Johnson sense of everything i play the good side of borisjohnson and the other one plays the more mischievous side and still interesting to see that one cannot talk for too long in the state like fashion without ever trying to root resist the temptation of doubt and going into that higher mode. And trying to sift through this year, and ive been completely oblivious to everything and just basically carrying that and that usual way the we are so familiar with and its been the job of satire to unpick all of that, really. So, are you working on the borisjohnson impression for later . Yes, it is very interesting thing. We become so familiar with the characters of eve known and the boys stir in the very familiar style that weve had for four years, its a long time to be talking in this way, very long time. And she always welcome a new style when it comes along and joe biden, and a sense, his vocal rhythms remind me of a george bush senior, read my lips, but the voices somewhere along here. You are going to see a very different presidency for america. Youre not going to have to worry about me hammering out black capital messages on twitter every five minutes. Im nearly 80, i cant even figure out how to unmute myself on zoom. This a different style of the comes with them. In the very comedy sketches centred around joe biden will probably be hinged on other politicians trying to get into his good books and trying to get him on side, trying to see him favourably. Theyll be a very good comic narratives in the weeks and months ahead. Donald trump is a bit ofa hammer months ahead. Donald trump is a bit of a hammer performer, have you enjoyed that aspect of him . Of a hammer performer, have you enjoyed that aspect of him7m of a hammer performer, have you enjoyed that aspect of him . It is enjoyable, gives you instantly recognisable comedy. A cloud was certainly, all you have to do is just to the petulant face. In the cloud will react to that straightaway. Its a useful comic device. It gives you an instant reaction. But after four years, device. It gives you an instant reaction. But afterfouryears, i think that is plenty now, i think. That really is plenty. I will visit the uk again we can, i will visit the uk again we can, i will visit the birthplace of william shatner. This merry little jacks to be had around the way. Its probably my favourite one. But for years probably plenty, time to reboot now. Were lucky to have sharon 0sborne, how do you think her husband has been handling blocked on . |j how do you think her husband has been handling blocked on . I couldnt tell any difference, to be honest. I was just chill at the whole time. It is been quite, it is been quite inspiring watching donald trump of the president forfour years, inspiring watching donald trump of the president for four years, hes made me think that i can probably do a betterjob, you know. Sojust randomly, i might run. In 2024, i might give it a go. Sometimes, certain characters, they are very reassuring to do. 0zzy certain characters, they are very reassuring to do. Ozzy osbourne is almost always been one of those. Hgppy almost always been one of those. Happy christmas to you. Thank you so much. It was really so fabulous, wasnt it . And finally, something good has happened in 2020. Apart from satire then, 2020 has been a pretty gloomy year. No matter your politics, no matter where in the world you live, im sure that on this we can all agree. So, it is only fitting, we learned today that 2020 also happens to be the year of discovery for this toadstool. The gastrodia agni cellus has a unique beauty that only someone who spent most of 2020 shut inside could love. It is a species of orchid, discovered earlier this year at heathrow airport. Laura, it looks like something out of day of the triffids. Jy joy unconfined. Hello there. Earlier on today, we had a refreshed pay from this wet and windy theme, but we have seen the cloud increasing, thickening up, moving and very rapidly from the atlantic, it brought rain in some places. These weather fronts will take the rain across Northern Ireland, scotland and push it further into england and wales. For a while, that rain will be heavy as well. It will eventually push down towards the southeast of england, other areas away from here becoming drier later on in the night. But there is a lot of cloud around, and its quite blowy out there as well. So, its going to be very mild to start friday, with temperatures in double figures. But more rain to come on friday, and the focus of the heavier rain is now across south wales with this amber rain warning from the met office. Flooding and travel disruption is likely as much as 100 mm of rain, four inches of rain, in the hills. Not only wet here, but we will find the threat of flooding rains in the southwest of england that heavier rain moves across wales, Northern Ireland, and it gets much wetter through the day in scotland. Probably to too much rain for east anglia and the southeast, but all areas will have a windier day. Gales are likely in the southwest, but because its southerly wind, it is unusually mild for this time of year. Temperatures hitting 13 14 celsius. The rain and potential flooding is the story, and that rain continues in the same sort of areas during friday evening before pushing into Eastern England during friday night, to be followed by this area of low pressure. Now, the very mild air and the more persistent rain will move away by the weekend, but we draw in slightly cooler air coming in from the atlantic around that area of low pressure. So, temperatures are going to drop away through this weekend, and essentially, were left with a mixture of sunshine and scattered showers. Now, on saturday, the bulk of the showers will be across western parts of scotland, wales, and western england. There will be a few showers around elsewhere, perhaps, but probably more in the way of sunshine. Temperatures still in double figures on saturday not quite as mild as friday, and the winds will still be strong, as well. It stays quite windy, actually, right the way through the weekend. Theres more showers in the same sort of areas, perhaps some longer spells of rain in the northwest of scotland. Again, more sheltered eastern areas missing the bulk of those showers with more in the way of sunshine. But on sunday, it will be a little bit cooler than on saturday. Youre watching bbc news with me, Laura Trevelyan, in new york. James reynolds is in london. Our top stories how many ways can leaders say brexit talk are on the brink . After another phone call tonight, Boris Johnson and ursula von der leyen say they are in a serious situation. You dont say a surprising advocate emerges for the wearing of face masks. Former trump ally and covid sufferer himself Chris Christie tells the world why we should all cover up. Also in the programme playing the pardon game. Donald trump is being asked to pardon julian assange. But the wikileaks founder is hardly the only one seeking a president ial favour. And bark the herald angels sing we meet the singing dog whos going viral online by howling the christmas classics. Cant wait for the singing dog, is what someone just told me. First of all, were going to do brexit. The uk prime minister, borisjohnson, says trade talks with the eu are in a serious situation, and tonight claimed that unless the bloc budges substantially, the negotiations would end in failure. Mrjohnson made the remarks after a phone call with Eu Commission president ursula von der leyen, with two weeks until the brexit transition period is due to expire. If a deal between the two sides isnt reached, from january 1, tariffs will be levied on trade between the eu and uk. Today, uk cabinet minister michael gove also struck a downbeat tone, predicting at least a 50 chance the uk would leave without a deal. I think, regrettably, the changes are more likely that we wont secure an agreement. So, at the moment, less than 50 . Speaking after todays call, the Eu Commission president welcomed the substantial progress both sides had made, although not enough for a deal. Take two of the remaining issues how trade disputes are resolved and the level playing field. On these, ursula von der leyen said there had been a big step forward. But on fishing rights, the eu chief says big differences remain to be bridged. Lets speak now to the dutch mep liesje schreinemacher, in the liberal renew europe grouping, who sits on the parliaments International Trade committee. She joins us from the hague. Thanks so much for being with us. Forget all that talk from both sides. When is your deadline . Today, the European Parliament has communicated that we really need something, if we want to properly scrutinise the deal, text by sunday, so we scrutinise the deal, text by sunday, so we put the deadline, yeah, as you can say is, on sunday. Is it all going to fail because of fish . think there is a lot that has been said. The agreement i think now comes for 800 pages, with a thousand pages of comes for 800 pages, with a thousand pages of annexes, so comes for 800 pages, with a thousand pages of annexes, so there is more than fish when it comes to this agreement. I heard you in the introduction, and it was said that there has been some concerning sticking points, there also has been good progress, sol sticking points, there also has been good progress, so i really hope that both parties can really come to a good agreement because it would be in the best interest of our citizens and our businesses on both sides of the channel. Tell us a little bit more about that. How important is it for the netherlands to get a post brexit trade deal with britain . Obviously, the netherlands is really close to the uk and the uk is second largest trading partner, so we have a lot of interest. We have fishermen fishing in your watchers, but i think it goes for all the member states, everyone has different interests, and i think is really important that the European Union has estate in such unity this past year because the interests are everyones has stayed in such. The uk wants access to the Single Market after brexit, but is the feeling there in the netherlands and in the eu more generally that britain needs to pay a price for leaving . I think what has been said from the beginning is that, when youre a member state and you leave the European Union, obviously you cannot have the same rights as a member state and cannot have the same rights as a memberstate andl cannot have the same rights as a member state and i think that is something that has been repeatedly said and that it is felt throughout the member states. What do you say about the uk when you close the doors and their negotiators have left the room . I think we say that our relationship goes way back, hundreds of years, and we would really. I think the entire European Union really wants a good deal with the uk that profits and is in the interest of both sides, because the European Union also has interests in a thriving uk economy, so interests in a thriving uk economy, so it is not about making it difficult for one another, is about having the best deal for both parties. Liesje schreinemacher, thank you so much forjoining us. Youre welcome. Note that down but then, deadline sunday according to an mep. As covid 19 vaccines emerge, we are now in a global waiting game trying to get innoculations into peoples arms and keeping people healthy in order to buy time. Were waiting to hear whether the Advisory Committee to the food and Drug Administration will give its 0k to modernas vaccine. It would then join the one already approved made by Pfizer Biontech and give the us two viable vaccine options. Thats right, james. As the future slowly starts to look much brighter, there are many questions about how the pandemic has been handled. In sweden, the countrys king says his nation failed to save lives with its relaxed approach. Swedens king rarely gives interviews and its even less common for him to Say Something controversial but he did say this has been a terrible year. Translation i think we have failed. We have a large number of people who have died and its awful. Its something we all suffer from, that we have not been able to help them, and its sad. Its terribly sad. Former republican newjersey governor Chris Christie has expressed regret about his own approach to the coronavirus. Hes just released a National Television ad, urging people to wear a mask. Christie spent a week in Emergency Care with covid related symptoms. He now admits he should have kept his mask on when he attended a white house event earlier this year a gathering which turned out to be a superspreader event. This message isnt for everyone. Its for all those people who refuse to wear a mask. You know, lying in isolation in icu for seven days, i thought about how wrong i was to remove my mask at the white house. Today, i think about how wrong it is to let mask wearing divide us, especially as we now know youre twice as likely to get covid 19 if you dont wear a mask because if you dont do the right thing, we could all end up on the wrong side of history. Lets talk now to angela kender, whos been campaigning for mask mandates since she lost her mother to covid in june. Thank you so much forjoining us, angela, and we are so sorry for your loss. It must be so difficult, especially now with the holidays just around the corner, but when you hear Chris Christie saying that, where a mask, do you issue at her that earlier from our National Leaders . Absolutely. Yeah, its something that should have been being sent for many months at this point, and by not only him but his colleagues as well. And, angela, even within your extended family after the loss of your mother, is it still controversial, everybody wearing a mask yes a mask . Yes a mask . Yes, yes it is, and in the state that i live in, i have seen in the state that i live in, i have seena in the state that i live in, i have seen a lot of controversy about wearing a mask, it has become very much so a political issue, and my state is not unique in that. Its common throughout the states. And its sad. It should not be that way. And if we had had our elected officials speaking the way that Chris Christie has decided to speak now, earlier, ithink Chris Christie has decided to speak now, earlier, i think that a lot of that would have been avoided and a lot of lives could have been saved. If you go to the store and the person next to you, standing, buying their things, and they are not wearing a mask, do you consider saying something to them . wearing a mask, do you consider saying something to them . I live in a county that has enacted a mask mandate in our county, so i have not experienced that, but i do experienced that, but i do experience people who very clearly are not wearing them correctly. And i absolutely want to Say Something, but im also very scared of the backlash. When my mother died and i started speaking out about the need for a mask mandate and the need to protect our communities and our families, i got a lot of attacks from people that did not believe that this virus was real and it was very painful and very scary, and so i dont approach people in public, when i know, i can tell, that they arent doing what theyre supposed to do intentionally, because i am scared of the backlash. And, angela, you set up the missouri covid memorial after your mother died. Do you think that were at the staggering figure of 3008000 people in america who have died covid 19, should there be a National Memorial like there is for the victims of the vietnam war 300 800,000. There should be Something Like that that exist. I work with a group, and one of the items we are working on currently is trying to create a covid memorial day, so every year in the beginning of march, a day of recognition for what we have lost and what we have experienced. And i completely believe that in addition to the yearly recognition that we should also have a physical memorial where people can go and have community and more the losses, because the losses are great. Angela kender, we really appreciate you coming on to speak to us, and we really do wish you a safe 2021. Thank you, i wish you that as well. Moving day for President Trump is the 20th of january. Instead of a return to new york, its thought that donald trump plans to spend most of his post presidency at his florida retreat, mar a lago. But his neighbours are hoping to halt his efforts to make it his personal home. Indeed, when he turned the property into a members club in 1993, donald trump signed an agreement with the town promising guests wouldnt stay at the property more than 21 nights a year. Now, lawyers for his neighbours have sent a threatening letter, claiming the president cant live there permanently. Less a case of mar a lago and more a case of mar a la no boom isnt it interesting . He is not going to come here to new york city, to his trump tower apartment, because he is not that popular here. In florida, there is talk about him building this moral lago mar a lago. Building this moral lago maralago. Where building this moral lago maralago. Where should he building this moral lago maralago. Where should he go, las vegas . May be so, but he did win the swing state of florida, so that is somewhere he is beloved. Mar a lago it will be, if you can sort out that many of the speed with his neighbours. And many dispute with. Stay with us on bbc news. Still to come its been a ruff year, so well un leash a little joy, when the singing dog taking the internet by storm joins us next to sing some of your favourite christmas classics. To sing some of your favourite yes to sing some of your favourite the Northern Ireland executive has agreed a six week lockdown starting on boxing day. Nonessential shops will close in a bid to stop the spread of covid 19. Close in a bid to stop close contact services, such as hairdressers, will have to shut, and hospitality businesses will be able to provide only takeaways. Chris page has more. Northern ireland will be going into lockdown from boxing day. And its really going to be the toughest period of restrictions here since the lockdown back in the spring. Its 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, theyre 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 oneill, who jointly leads the power sharing evolved government at storment. She said she recognised that these measures were draconian, they were desperate, but she said the situation in Northern Ireland was now known, as with regards to the coronavirus, was the most serious it had everfaced. The Health Service was in danger of being overwhelmed. Today, more than 600 new cases were recorded. That is a substantial increase on yesterday, signs that things are going in the wrong direction, signs that hospitals are under immense pressure. So many people had expected that it would be a new lockdown announcement today. It has now, and its going to take Northern Ireland, that lockdown, into the month of february. Infection rates here Northern Ireland are significantly higher than in the republic of ireland because. Well, many would say the reason is because the republic of ireland had a more substantial lockdown during the month of november. It will soon be christmas in washington and you can only asssume the white house will be overflowing with exquisitely packaged presents, festive garlands and, of course, requests for president ial pardons hidden in the holiday cards. Were at that point in the cycle of an administration the final few weeks when those who have fallen foul of the law and their allies petition the president in the hope of being granted forgiveness at the Eleventh Hour and avoiding punishment. The list of hopefuls is long and appears to include wikileaks founderjulian assange. Last night, his fiance Stella Morris was given a slot on Tucker Carlsons fox news show to make her case. The president has to think about what his legacy will be. Julian is the foremost, perhaps the foremost free speech campaigner alive in the west, and hes imprisoned. And does the president want that to be his legacy . Youre making a powerful case. Stella morris, i appreciate your coming on tonight. For what its worth, i think the president probably does want to pardon him. I think there are a lot of sinister people who dont want the pardon to happen. Well see. Laura, tis the season to be pardoned do you remember 20 years ago, clinton which on this pardoned bonanza, even the last morning. Might trump do the same . Absolutely for some talk in washington is the trump and ko are having to keep spreadsheet. Youre kidding currently, brock 0bama has barack 0bama has pardoned more people then trump has, because he pardoned low level drug offenders, but President Trump has more things in mind and let us see. There are even speculations this is why attorney general bill barr quit, because he did not like what was coming down the track when he came to the fountains of president ial pardons. Right up until the last day. We will keep not on that. New york city was the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak in the spring. Ido i do not know why im telling you this, you know this more than 22,000 people died of covid 19 there. Just as the economy was starting to come back, cases spiked and now Indoor Dining has been closed again. And new yorks mayor says there may be another shutdown after the holidays to contain the spread of the virus. But despite all the difficulties, its not all gloom and doom here in new york, as ive been finding out. The bustling city is quieter these days. But here in the Brooklyn Navy yard, which once built aircraft carriers, another industry is thriving. Welcome to steiner studios, where theyre getting the eighth different tv production thats being filmed here right now. Doug steiner, the chairman of the studios, explains how the pandemic has affected business. Tv and film production, particularly series and streaming series, is one of the few bright spots in the economy anywhere. Its a business that likes to be in new york, that can be in new york. We call it manufacturing for the 21st century. And the demand for content just keeps going up. And covid has fuelled even further growth. In better times, brooklyn florist estela supply flowers to the studio. After a tough year, the arrival of the Coronavirus Vaccine is beginning to change the mood of the city. I can feel it with our own customers, that theyre more confident now, they have high hopes, they see that its a good sign of notjust us, the florist, but all the businesses in the neighbourhood improving. Broadways usually jam packed in december, full of people seeing holiday shows, but all the theatres are closed due to coronavirus. So, new yorks performing Arts Community is finding new ways of reaching the audience. I will honour christmas in my heart john kevinjones usually performs a Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens to a Live Audience at this manhattan town house. This year, the show will be online, but hes still seeing a big demand for tickets. Were all wanting so badly to have a moment to remind us of the joys that covid and politics and poverty and Food Insecurity cannot take away from this season, and so i think were all looking for that, and i think Christmas Carol has always provided that beacon of hope. Its been a hard year for new yorkers, but as the american poet Dorothy Parker wrote, the citys always hopeful, always hurrying to meet the good thats about to come off. And so, james, the online Christmas Carol is the hot ticket here in new york city. I am really looking forward to seeing the real thing again next year. But when you think of christmas songs, mariah carey and bing crosby come to mind. A new star has joined the festive galaxy, though, with her unique version of classics, from rockin around the Christmas Tree to 0 little town of bethlehem. Thats right. On this programme, weve brought you interviews with cher, boy george and mick fleetwood, but this artist is set to define ember the singing dog and her owner, composer nick harvey, have been going viral online with their unique take on christmas classics. So whats next for them a series of gigs at the 02 . So whats next for them a series of gigs at the 02 . A residency in vegas . A walk in the park . All we know is that fame is coming her way and well remember her name joining us now for a World Exclusive is nick harvey and ember the singing dog. Hello to you both. Nick, i will start with you. How did you discover that ember was a crooner . My wife bought me this melodica last year, i started playing along with it, and ember started accompanying me with her beautiful howling, and i thought it would be quite fun this christmas doa it would be quite fun this christmas do a little Advent Calendar featuring her portable vocals. Yeah, they seem to have been doing pretty well. We have got to hear those wonderful vocals. Would she like to sing something christmasy . How about we do whams last christmas . Here we go. Come on, amber. Dont let me down music last christmas we heard that yelp of singing joy at the end that was a great chorus. Which do you think is embers favourite song to sing or how . We did one earlier today, little town of bethlehem, but she got that one out of. Which is the one she would complain about the most . Probably death metal. She is not into death metal death metal, she actually abhors. Tell us about the reaction to performances. From the reaction to performances. From the first one, i think the first one had more than 100,000 views on twitter, and people seem to be. The thing is, who doesnt love a dog, who doesnt love a Christmas Carol . 2020 come lets face it, has beena carol . 2020 come lets face it, has been a bit rubbish. Carols and a singing dog, in a variety of locations around east sussex, it is a win locations around east sussex, it is awin locations around east sussex, it is a win win, isnt it . Locations around east sussex, it is a win win, isnt it . It certainly is. Nick, i have to say, this is our last show of the year, and on behalf of the entire team, on behalf of katty, christian, all of us, its been one heck of a year. Do you think that you would do us the honour with ember of singing us out tonight with little town of bethlehem . That would be a lovely idea, andl bethlehem . That would be a lovely idea, and i hope amber. Here we go. Music 0 little town of bethelem ember howls hello there. Thursday was a much quieter day across the uk. There was even some sunshine, for most of it, for easternmost parts. But the weather is changing again, the wind is arriving, and increasing, and weve got numerous weather fronts on the scene, as we head in to friday, and that means more rain, especially for the western side of the uk. It will quickly turn wetter in the south west of england and wales, that heavy rain could lead to localised flooding, the rain moving into Northern Ireland for a while, across northern england, then turning wetter through the day in scotland. Not only are we seeing rain pushing in, but the winds will be stronger, perhaps gales in the south west, but its a southerly wind, so hence those very high temperatures, it will be a very mild day on friday. Dry for most of it towards the south east and east anglia, perhaps even into the evening, but that band of rain is still around, and it is starting to move more towards the midlands, into Eastern England, where we will see some wetter weather actually overnight into saturday morning. Once that clears through, then were dominated by low pressure that will feed in the showers. But weve still got some rain to clear away from east anglia and the south east first thing on saturday, and then its sunny spells, scattered showers, more frequent and heavy showers for western parts of the uk, and driving through the English Channel. So drierfurther east, with more sunshine, temperatures still in double figures, but it will be a windy day still, on saturday. Those temperatures will continue to drop away during the second half of the weekend. Weve still got some stronger winds, low pressure to the north west, and yet more showers. And those showers in the same sort of areas, really. Pushing inland off the English Channel into western parts of england and wales, perhaps Northern Ireland, and more widespread showers in the north west of scotland. As the wind eases down later in the day, so the showers may become fewer, those temperatures not quite as high on sunday, but still not cold, by any means, for this time of the year. So, for the beginning of christmas week, we look ahead to monday, and weve got another area of low pressure weather fronts. More wind and rain. It will turn pretty windy, actually, across southern parts of the uk, especially in the English Channel, and weve got cloud, weve got rain spreading to most parts of the country. It will be heavy for a while, and with the air a bit colder in scotland, we could see some sleet and snow over the higher ground, but still mild air, double figures to the south, where its windy as well as wet. And that wet and windy weather does move away, actually, overnight. We wait for the next area of low pressure to arrive later on tuesday. For much of the day, were in between, really. For northern parts of the uk, it will start off colder, sunny, the winds wont be as strong. Further south, well see the cloud still around, thickening to bring more rain steadily through the day, and it may well turn wetter in Northern Ireland later, as well. Six, seven degrees in scotland, 12 degrees in the south east of england. Whats happening is thejet stream is further south. Thats steering areas of low pressure, bringing wind and rain further south across the uk. And thats where we are on tuesday, into wednesday. Another area of low pressure, more wet and windy weather. Thursday, it starts to pull away. That takes us into friday, christmas day, of course. Now, theres still a lot to play for were not sure how wet its going to be. Many places look like being dry, there could be some showers across northern scotland and down those north sea coasts, and they may be wintry. The thing that were more certain about is that it will be colder, with northerly, or north easterly winds heading our way. Perhaps only briefly, because after christmas day, we may start to bring in some atlantic air and slowly lift the temperatures. Tonight at ten more than two thirds of england will be living under the tightest coronavirus restrictions from saturday, amid a continued rise in infections. Large parts of southern england will move into tier three and theres no easing up for much of the north of england, despite a fall in new cases. I know that tier three measures are tough, but the best way for everyone to get out of them is to pull together, not just to follow the rules, but do everything they possibly can to stop the spread of the virus. Only a handful of areas are having restrictions eased, as concern mounts about the months ahead. Northern ireland is plunged into a six week lockdown starting on boxing day non essential shops will be forced to close. A surprise move from the chancellor, as he extends the furlough scheme until the end of april a move that underlines