Britain's meat industry is still coming to terms with new trade regulations and systems after the end of the Brexit transition period. While exporters have felt the impact immediately, new rules for importers are being phased in. Natalie Powell has more.

#UKmeat #Brexit #Importers

It's something of a blow to national pride in France, that the country has failed to produce its own vaccine for COVID-19. There may be one by the end of the year but questions are already being raised about the state of medical research in the country that was once world leader in the field. Francis Collings reports from Paris.

#France #MedicalResearch #CoronavirusVaccine

Social distancing measures have been relaxed as Hong Kong finally gets a handle on the fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Restaurants will be allowed to open later and serve larger groups. But technology designed to try and keep track of potential virus outbreaks, has sparked worry among some about privacy, just as more pro-democracy figures go to trial over protests in the city. Joel Flynn sent us this update.

#HongKong #COVID19 #HKeconomy

The outbreak of COVID-19 is the most severe global health and economic crisis in decades. So it's no surprise that the pandemic has resulted in an unprecedented accumulation of debt for governments and the private sector. And, as Paolo Montecillo reports, the world will be paying that back long after the pandemic is over.

#GlobalDebt #Pandemic #EconomicStimulus

Facebook has blocked all Australian news websites ahead of a government plan to order Big Tech companies to pay for local news content that appears on their platforms. Australian lawmakers have condemned the move, calling it an attack on a sovereign nation and its freedom of speech. And as Rahul Radhakrishnan reports, other countries are also considering a tougher stance towards tech giants. For more on this, let's go to Angela Daly. She's a Senior Lecturer in Law and Technology at the University of Strathclyde in Scotland and joins us from Glasgow.

#TechGiants #Australia #FacebookNewsBlockade

As couples around the world celebrate Valentine's Day this weekend, singles are crossing fingers that they'll find love. According to a recent survey conducted by dating app Plenty of Fish, 57- percent of singles are hopeful they'll find "the One" this year. Despite limitations to in-person interactions, the COVID-19 pandemic has sparked a surge in user engagement on dating apps, which have adapted to the changing circumstances. Albert Han takes a closer look at the business of love during the pandemic, and the outlook for the dating app industry.

#Pandemic #DatingApps #SocialMedia

Imagine a world where autonomous robots move freely around towns and cities to serve the demands of humans. Well, in some parts of the UK not only has this become reality but it’s now commonplace. And the pandemic has only accelerated the trend. Natalie Powell has more.

#DeliveryRobots #HighTech #AI

As the pandemic continues to cause misery around the world, the worst hit nation - the United States - is rapidly approaching another grim milestone. Nearly half a million Americans have now died from COVID-19. Our North America Correspondent Jon Brain examines why the US has been so badly affected.

#COVID19 #UScoronavirations #Deaths

South Africa has launched its coronavirus vaccination drive with the roll-out of the injection made by Johnson & Johnson. It's the first country to distribute the innoculation, which is easier to store and offers more protection after just one dose. The vaccination effort had suffered a setback when authorities decided not to roll-out the AstraZeneca vaccines it received, because of concerns it wasn't effective against the variant found in South Africa. As Paolo Montecillo reports, other countries are eager to get their hands on the latest weapon to fight the pandemic. Our correspondent Ntshepeng Motema has been following the story. She joins us now from Johannesburg.

#JohnsonandJohnson #Vaccination #SouthAfrica

As couples around the world celebrate Valentine's Day this weekend, singles are crossing fingers that they'll find love. According to a recent survey conducted by dating app Plenty of Fish, 57- percent of singles are hopeful they'll find "the One" this year. Despite limitations to in-person interactions, the COVID-19 pandemic has sparked a surge in user engagement on dating apps, which have adapted to the changing circumstances. Albert Han takes a closer look at the business of love during the pandemic, and the outlook for the dating app industry.

#ValentinesDay #DatingApps #Pandemic