Newscast

How worried should we be about the Brazilian Covid variant? Well, the government is concerned enough to ban travel to the UK from South America and Portugal. But there's some good news on immunity if you’ve had Covid, and evidence that the vaccine may also stop you passing it on to others.

And the new boss of Unison, Christina McAnea, drops in for a chat.

Studio Director: Michael Regaard

On the day that hundreds of alleged members of Italy's most powerful mafia group go on trial, Adam is joined by documentary filmmaker, Tobias Jones, to explain how the mobsters may be taking advantage of the pandemic. And we talk to Marcel Levi, Chief Executive of University College London Hospitals, about the mental health of NHS workers at the moment.

Hugh, Vicki and Adam are joined by the charismatic Bishop of Liverpool, Paul Bayes, after many churches close to prevent the transmission of the virus during group worship. And head teacher at St. George’s Community Primary School in Gainsborough, Katie Barry, explains how free school meals are being provided with more children now at home.

Studio Director: Emma Crowe

Adam is joined by Happy Mondays star, Bez, who’s planning on launching his own “buzzin’” online fitness classes.

Studio Director: Emma Crowe

Adam is joined by Nathaniel Popper, author of the book Digital Gold, to explain Bitcoin's latest boom. And on the day the UK reported the biggest daily death toll since the pandemic began, Fergus tells us about the latest vaccine to be approved and we hear how the new "Test and Fly" scheme will work for travellers, with John Holland-Kaye, the Heathrow Airport boss.

Studio Director: Emma Crowe

James and Adam hear dramatic tales from GP Silvana McCaffrey about her part in delivering the Covid-19 vaccine. And after a troubling week for America we speak with Republican Congresswoman Nancy Mace about the future of her party following the Washington riots.

Studio Direction: Emma Crowe

Fergus takes us inside the intensive care unit at University College Hospital in London for the third time since the pandemic started. With three times as many critically ill patients in the hospital as normal, how much longer can staff keep going like this? And the BBC's Branwen Jeffreys explains why teacher grades are going to be used to replace cancelled GCSEs and A-levels in England this summer.

Studio Director: Emma Crowe

As the UK’s Covid cases top 60,000 for the first time, and Professor Whitty says one in 50 people now have the virus, our Health Editor Hugh Pym joins us to go through the latest numbers. Our Business Editor Simon Jack fills us in on the latest business grants announced by the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, and our Asia Correspondent Karishma Vaswani tells us the story of Jack Ma, a Chinese tycoon who has gone missing without a trace.

Studio Director: Emma Crowe

As Boris Johnson announces another national lockdown for England, Laura, Adam and Fergus discuss the latest measures, the impact on schools, and the new vaccine.

Studio Director: Emma Crowe

Adam, Chris, Laura and Katya weigh up the UK's post-Brexit trade deal after MPs approve it in a parliamentary vote. And Fergus joins us, on the day the UK approves the vaccine developed by the University of Oxford.

Producer: Rick Kelsey