qm. gas contracts to europe. 0k, thank you — gas contracts to europe. 0k, thank you very _ gas contracts to europe. 0k, thank you very much - gas contracts to europe. 0k, thank you very much for - gas contracts to europe. 0k, thank you very much for your time and your contributions today. time and your contributions toda . . ~ time and your contributions toda . ., ,, today. thank you. let's _ today. thank you. let's head - today. thank you. let's head over i today. thank you. let's head over toj today. thank you. - let's head over to the today. thank you. _ let's head over to the united states because financial markets are breathing quite a sigh of relief after the senate moved to head off a looming debt default. it reaches limit of $28.4 trillion and red—faced running out of money next week. thursday senators voted to temporarily raise the debt ceiling to keep the country going until december. is shoring up more trouble for later. according to the treasury department, the united states would have cash money to pay its debts by october 18, so the deal reached by congress was 11 days to

and europe and the united states, never mind joe biden�*s presidency, europe and the united states are not in lockstep as they used to be. certainly, i'm worried, but i would challenge your assertion that all of europe no longer trusts the united states. germany, france, maybe some other western european countries, that might be the case, but i think the uk and the united states certainly still retain great trust and confidence in each other. and our allies in central and eastern europe still have great confidence in the united states and, frankly, high expectations. but the burden is on us. the burden is on the united states to regain the trust and confidence of our german allies, of our french allies, recognising that throughout the history of the alliance, there has always been friction. i mean, i was a lieutenant in germany when there were hundreds of thousands of german protesters out on the street because of the deployment of pershing ii and the french kicked nato out of france, back in the �*60s. so this is... it's never been a bed of roses, but it has been shared values. and

in europe, 20% of all the cars are electric cars. and this would mean that we are going to see soon oil demand peak and slowly decline. those countries better prepare themselves for the next chapter of the energy world. otherwise, they may well be left behind and not ready for the next chapter of the global energy economy. so when, for example, australia's resources minister, keith pitt, says, "coal, oil and gas are going to continue to be a big part of australia's energy mix," when the energy and oil ministries in saudi arabia make it clear that they are going to continue to invest and develop their oil resources, you say they're swimming against the tide of history, do you? i believe that a new global energy economy is emerging around the world. it is not only driven by the wish of saving the planet, because technology is going in that way, and those countries who are investing in coal or other fossil fuels may well be taking a big risk, in my view. how much does american leadership matter in all of this? we haven't discussed ameri

look at one government in europe. — extent. look at one government in europe. the — extent. look at one government in europe, the french _ in europe, the french government is now passing a law to say that any journey which can be done by train within france of two and a half hours no longer can be served by flights. it has to be a train journey or of course a car journey. that model, if it is copied throughout europe, again, is going to fundamentally threaten your business model.— fundamentally threaten your business model. absolutely not. we fl in business model. absolutely not. we fly in significant _ business model. absolutely not. we fly in significant route - we fly in significant route where there is a train comparable 2.5 hourjourney. comparable 2.5 hour journey. (crosstalk) as comparable 2.5 hourjourney. (crosstalk) as a responsible citizen, never mind the man who makes his money out of easyjet, as a responsible citizen, should you be encouraging people to fly when they can make a journey by train which is, according to all of the sticks, going to be much less dama

it supplies 40% of the natural gas going into europe. there's deep concern in europe about the leverage that gives moscow. are you prepared right now to alleviate those concerns? very much so. in fact, this is exactly what we have done in recent days and weeks, including with direct and personal involvement of president putin, who spoke very forcefully in favour of doing maximum on the part of russia to stabilise this market. we are the most secure, reliable and forward—looking supplier of natural energy to europe. we have always been such a supplier and we will continuously work to this end. we invite all the colleagues in the european union and beyond, including our neighbours, to recognise this simple fact — we favour energy security of europe. we want to work collaboratively with them, with countries in europe, and with the european union for that case in order to ensure that there will be no jumps like the current one. but if you're so determined to send that message, why is it that, according to the international energy agency,

do you think europe's doing enough, yes or no? europe could do more. so, what we see in our intelligence reports is that the sanctions really work. but the problem with europe is sometimes that europe is too impatient. you put down the sanctions, and in six months�* time you want to lift the sanctions because, of course, they hurt also the other part or other sides. but, yes, we could do more in europe. i'm just mindful of one particular area where estonia suffered in the past. i believe as long ago as 2007, there was a very disturbing cyber attack on estonia, which everybody in your country believes came from russia and involved the russian state, and it closed down key bits of infrastructure. it was a real problem. now russia's cyber capability is much greater. how worried are you about the vulnerability of your country to cyber warfare instigated from moscow? i think everybody should be worried about this because of our systems, and that's why we have the nato cyber security centre here in tallinn. we do constantly these kind of exercises. we just

we favour energy security of europe. we want to work collaboratively with them, with countries in europe, and with the european union for that case in order to ensure that there would be no jumps like the current one... if you are so determined to send that message, why is it that according to the international energy agency, russia is providing less gas to europe today than it did before the coronavirus pandemic, and the iea believes russia could "definitely do more to increase gas availability to europe." why aren't you? gazprom have in fact started pumping out from its reserves into the pipelines to stabilise the market. i believe the demand skyrocketed against the background of very slow winds that, in many ways, negatively affected renewables, especially in northern europe and in great britain, for that case, in the uk. i am not an expert here. i do recognise that there are such sentiments widely spread out, but i would also refer to it as an element of what we believe is an in—and—out information war that west

former chief economist _ europe lags. former chief economist as _ europe lags. former chief economist as i _ europe lags. former chief economist as i said - europe lags. former chief economist as i said in - europe lags. former chief economist as i said in my| economist as i said in my introduction, known in the press as the godfather of austerity. now looking at a joe biden administration that is pumping, let's say if they get their infrastructure spending plan through the congress, looking at injecting around 4 trillion us dollars into the economy over the next few years will as a direct result of their rescue and recovery of covid—19 plan. godfather of austerity, do you approve? i have never written about austerity and my work. the word does not appear in my 500 page book nor the concept, we are concerned about very high debt levels, but you can raise taxes and i've never written anything about taxing the rich more. but thatis about taxing the rich more. but that is thejoe biden propose to do. the initial stuff he is doing that is catastrophe relief. he is

if it is, why does it only apply to europe? if we want to | apply to europe? if we want to operate — apply to europe? if we want to operate in _ apply to europe? if we want to operate in that _ apply to europe? if we want to operate in that market, - apply to europe? if we want to operate in that market, then. apply to europe? if we want to. operate in that market, then we apply to europe? if we want to - operate in that market, then we have to open— operate in that market, then we have to open a _ operate in that market, then we have to open a plant— operate in that market, then we have to open a plant somewhere _ operate in that market, then we have to open a plant somewhere on - operate in that market, then we have to open a plant somewhere on the i to open a plant somewhere on the continent? — to open a plant somewhere on the continent? . , ., to open a plant somewhere on the continent? ., , ., ., to open a plant somewhere on the continent?— to open a plant somewhere on the continent? ., , ., ., continent? had you have the same tradin: continent?

one of many interesting — europe. exactly. one of many interesting issues _ europe. exactly. one of many interesting issues raised - europe. exactly. one of many interesting issues raised by i europe. exactly. one of many i interesting issues raised by this europe. exactly. one of many - interesting issues raised by this is that the _ interesting issues raised by this is that the key relationship for britain _ that the key relationship for britain is actually not america, it is with— britain is actually not america, it is with france, and it is disastrous at the _ is with france, and it is disastrous at the moment for the relationship, but this— at the moment for the relationship, but this is— at the moment for the relationship, but this is the geographical neighbour to the uk. this is the country— neighbour to the uk. this is the country with many common interests in terms _ country with many common interests in terms of— country with many common interests in terms of security, similar size, economy, — in terms of security, similar size, economy, etc. and yet the

champions of europe! that's who we are! champions of europe? brilliant, absolutely... look, it's brought us all back together. covid has gone out the window. it's just been amazing. amazing. well, that's not quite true. coronavirus meant only a limited crowd was allowed into the stadium in porto. witnessing a game where the rich boys of europe would play the even richer boys. and in the end, only a single goal would separate them. kai havertz doing the honours just before half—time. what a night for thomas tuchel. he only took over at chelsea injanuary, and now he's a champions league—winning manager. it's a huge step to arrive in the final. it's an even bigger one to fight your way through and make it all the way to the cup. it's a fantastic achievement, congratulations to everybody. some commiserations for manchester city. they've spent fortunes reaching their first champions league final, but still the big prize eludes them. for now, the european cup is heading back to england and to chelsea. blue really is the colour. 0ur sport correspondent 0lly foster is in p

perceptions of europe. no, i mean, it is very true that we have had a very rigorous debate about the quality of these particular vaccines that we had the very sort of thorough examination of them. i think that's right, because the credibility of this particular approach is this is extremely important. but now the vaccine roll—out is going on in the different countries, it's accelerating. and i think we're ahead of russia, by the way, if we look at the numbers, but that is not significant. and we hope that there will be further vaccines available as well. in addition to the ones that we have at the moment. i mean, the russian vaccine has not been, they haven't applied for being able to distribute it in europe, but i hope they do that as well as well as others. i've got to ask you very quickly, carl, before i go to you, john. i mean, really, europe's not had a very good vaccine campaign. they went for this kind of collective procurement, even, you know, technically advanced. germany has to date only vaccina

europe is no longer a i superpower. europe is no longer a superpower— superpower. europe is no longer a superpower because _ superpower. europe is no longer a superpower because it _ superpower. europe is no longer a superpower because it doesn't i superpower. europe is no longer a. superpower because it doesn't have superpower. europe is no longer a i superpower because it doesn't have a defence _ superpower because it doesn't have a defence policy~ — superpower because it doesn't have a defence policy. so— superpower because it doesn't have a defence policy. so definitely- superpower because it doesn't have a defence policy. so definitely the i defence policy. so definitely the ball is _ defence policy. so definitely the ball is in— defence policy. so definitely the ball is in the _ defence policy. so definitely the ball is in the us _ defence policy. so definitely the ball is in the us camp, - defence policy. so definitely the ball is in the us camp, and i- defence policy. so definitely the i ball is in the us camp, and i think the us— ball is in the us

there are attempts to destabilise europe. and this is where poland is not only a very solid member of the european union, but we have somehow better knowledge about what is going on in belarus, ukraine, russia. and we can be a kind of warning, we can create a better understanding for our friends in western europe, about what is gathering around us. because we mightjust be entering a new era of destabilisation, and it is better to make a where all your friends about this. j make a where all your friends about this. , , ,.,, ., make a where all your friends about this. , ., this. i suppose the eu would say treat us more _ this. i suppose the eu would say treat us more as _ this. i suppose the eu would say treat us more as a _ this. i suppose the eu would say treat us more as a friend - this. i suppose the eu would say treat us more as a friend ratherl treat us more as a friend rather than an adversity.— than an adversity. absolutely, i treat the european _ than an adversity. absolutely, i | treat the european commission, than

the us has been in western europe for much longer. so it is incorrect to say, i think, biden will be challenged fairly in his assumption and his declaration that the us had to get out. in the question did it have to be this messy? probably a bit of yes and a bit of no. i mean, the idea that anyone could leave afghanistan, if you are going to leave, and have a clean exit is naive. it was simply not going to happen. and i think that on the inside of the us government they knew that the afghan army was feeble at best. they didn't obviously see that it was going to just simply put down its weapons and run, which happened with astonishing speed. so some serious miscalculations. i think in biden's defence there was no good time to do this and it is true. he could have muddled on, he could have just let this continue. but i think he also calculated that america's appetite for supporting this mission had diminished. so something had to be done. he is in the first year of his term, it was a political risk but he is still a long way from electi

the vaccine which in europe is branded as jansen was approved in the us in late february. since then, there have been six incidents of very rare clots in the brain out of 6.8 million doses. so less than one case per million people immunised. all were women under 50, one of them died and the one is critically ill. that issue of the possible links between very rare blood clots and vaccine such as those produced byjohnson &johnson and astrazeneca is an acutely difficult one forjournalists and rouses strong emotions in the audience. some viewers feel the bbc has made too much of the possible connection. and a similar concern after seeing this story online a couple of weeks ago. but others find fault in the opposite direction. carrie marsh wasn't accusing bbc news of being on the wrong side of the fence but wondered... well, i'mjoined now via webcam by fergus wells who is the bbc�*s medical editor. thank you for coming on newswatch. let's start with the issue of different vaccines, differing regulatory authorities around the world and then changing reports of possible risks.

this is a particularly- vulnerable time in europe and the west. angela merkel is handing over power, france is heading - into an election, joe biden is yet to assert a russia i doctrine which shows where he stands. - he says he's hawkish, it's not clear. - putin is having a lot- of fun testing and pushing and conspiring, and this is what he does well. i he still feels, as do a lot- of russians of his generation, a sense of bitternessl about the break—up of the soviet union, _ the annexation of former soviet states into nato, and this. is just that continued poking, ribbing, provoking, testing of nato and of the west. . steve, we heard from president lukashenko of belarus at last on friday, speaking to the bbc and he basically said "i did not invite these migrants, but it is absolutely possible my troops were helping them over the border or trying to get over the border into poland". the fact is it's now a humanitarian tragedy that is unfolding, and the poles don't seem to be helping very much because they are banning ngos, banning people from pr

dan kemp is chief investment 0fficerfor europe at morningstar investment management. good morning to you. so, talk us through a reaction to all of this. how did markets diejust the news? this. how did markets die 'ust the news?�* this. how did markets die 'ust the newsvfi this. how did markets die 'ust the news? ., . the news? good morning. well, i don't think— the news? good morning. well, i don't think it _ the news? good morning. well, i don't think it was _ the news? good morning. well, i don't think it was that _ the news? good morning. well, i don't think it was that much - the news? good morning. well, i don't think it was that much of i don't think it was that much of a surprise to people, what we have already seen actually is the feds selling some of its less liquid holdings in corporate bond, and we had quite high inflation numbers of people expected the fed to do something and normally it takes hours and days for the market todayjust hours and days for the market today just all of the news, hours and days for the market todayjust all of the news, and f

that is the reaction in europe to what is happening. yeah, that's the reaction of somebody who is no longer in politics. i don't think... i think it's very excessive, if i can say very politely my reaction to such declarations, because i think that there is a path that georgia is following that has seen many progress. i don't think that georgia can be discarded just for one event, which has its background also, that there was storming of the parliament. there were different provocations, as i said. i don't think, again, i will balance and i will say that i don't think that maybe the timing and the forum was actually the best, but that doesn't mean that georgia has suddenly become an authoritarian country. and i think that the fact that charles michel came to georgia means that there is a crisis, but that means that nobody has discarded georgia. to the contrary, i think that the eu is back, that the american and the eu ambassadors have done their work before. and i think that it means that georgia counts for the european union and that t

is russia holding europe to ransom? the? holding europe to ransom? they have said they _ holding europe to ransom? they have said they would _ holding europe to ransom? they have said they would ask - holding europe to ransom? tte: have said they would ask to increase supplies but there is little evidence they have. there are some severe concerns that he is holding out for zero stream, a new pipeline to be a proved. —— nordestream bypasses crane so they could lose out. where are we at with regards to nordestream two and its approval?— nordestream two and its approval? nordestream two and its a- roval? ~ . ., ., approval? we are waiting on germany _ approval? we are waiting on germany and _ approval? we are waiting on germany and others - approval? we are waiting on germany and others to - approval? we are waiting on i germany and others to approve it and this is part of the dangerous situation we are in because it is key for the european countries which have low levels of gas storage. we still do not know what the winter is going to be like. if

decision making in europe. and that will be all for the good and will be quite a warning sign for boris johnson, i quite agree. our last topic we have touched on — the current petrol crisis. and the labour shortages. it is extraordinary that we are in this moment and yet the conservatives are still polling very well. what does that tell us? i think it takes a while for polls to come through. i it depends on how long this crisis goes on for. but you can't have our country brought to a halt by lack- of petrol for very long . without the government getting severe penalties. it's not clear the government is going to escape from this. | a lack of drivers and - a pathetic offer was made so we can of european drivers| back forjust three months set back on christmas eve. there are conditions here for lorry drivers are appalling. . they're not likely to come. meanwhile our agriculture . is in a very bad state for lack of workers in our| meat processing. i think this crisis is going to last and in the end - governments

europe _ part of it. how different is again to be a? europe competing - part of it. how different is again to be a? europe competing for. part of it. how different is again - to be a? europe competing for team gb in tokyo, you're going to be competing against some of your team—mates who you are alongside their in tokyo as you can pay or to compete for team england in the commonwealth goes back at him like he said, the home crowd isjust so exciting and i can't wait to be a part of it. exciting and i can't wait to be a part of it— exciting and i can't wait to be a art of it. ., ' , ., ., part of it. how different is again to be a? europe _ part of it. how different is again to be a? europe competing for. part of it. how different is again - to be a? europe competing for team gb in tokyo, you're going to be competing against some of your team—mates who you are alongside their in tokyo as you can pay or to compete for team england in the commonwealth goes back to my closest competitor is duncan scott. picked when gold silver and the winning relay together but were

lots of factors — but no doubt, europe's reserves and supply are down. that's gas. but electricty is a factor too. this ceo of an energy company explains. this is driven by a shortage of electricity in our country. our nuclear fleet is out of operation. we've just had the lowest wind summer in 60 years, so our wind fleet is down, as well. and one of our interconnectors to europe just caught fire, so we can't bring electricity in as we used to from france was up that's caused us to return to gas to make power. the problem being that when these pressures develop on traditional energy sources develop — there's a lack of alternatives. that renewables just aren't ready yet to fill the gap. the uk government acknowledges this. the uk is still too - reliant on fossil fuels. our exposure to volatile global gas prices underscores the importancel of our plan to build a strong, - home—grown renewable energy sector to strengthen our energy security into the future. i those are some factors. there's something some people are asking about — brexit. is this a factor in expla

and on that of europe with the benchmark. and on than , , ., , of europe with the benchmark. and on than , , that there will be people across euro -e that there will be people across europe thinking _ that there will be people across europe thinking is _ that there will be people across europe thinking is there - that there will be people across europe thinking is there any - that there will be people across - europe thinking is there any respite coming? there might be in the medium—term? i coming? there might be in the medium-term?— coming? there might be in the medium-term? ~ , ., , medium-term? i think if you see some sianals in medium-term? i think if you see some signals in the — medium-term? i think if you see some signals in the next _ medium-term? i think if you see some signals in the next week, _ medium-term? i think if you see some signals in the next week, that - medium-term? i think if you see some signals in the next week, that these i signals in the next week, that these will be used more than they already are, then that will bring down the whole price an

in europe, we have countries such as i europe, we have countries such as poland. _ europe, we have countries such as poland. the — europe, we have countries such as poland, the baltic— europe, we have countries such as poland, the baltic states - europe, we have countries such as poland, the baltic states on - europe, we have countries such as poland, the baltic states on the i europe, we have countries such as. poland, the baltic states on the one hand _ poland, the baltic states on the one hand the _ poland, the baltic states on the one hand. the european _ poland, the baltic states on the one hand. the european institutions, i poland, the baltic states on the onel hand. the european institutions, the european _ hand. the european institutions, the european commission— hand. the european institutions, the european commission is— hand. the european institutions, the european commission is very - european commission is very sceptical— european commission is very sceptical about— european commission is very sceptical about the _ european commission is very sceptical about the proj

. 50. pressure on health care systems across europe.— across europe. so, do you think government _ across europe. so, do you think government messaging - across europe. so, do you think government messaging shouldl across europe. so, do you think- government messaging should change, when it comes to wearing facemasks? because any body who goes out and about at the moment, we'll see decreasing number of people wearing facemasks, certainly on public transport here in the south—east of england, what is your view of that? i think we should do as much as possible to encourage people. it is difficult because when you release restrictions, the genie is out of the bottle and getting people to comply is tricky. we have seen real—world evidence in a study looking at 30 different studies around the world showing that facemasks are really effective and can reduce infection and the spread of infection by over 50%, so they do work. i think it is encouraging people to think about themselves and others in the way that facemasks can help along with the vaccines. va

europe. we have long been concerned about russia using energy as a tool of coercion and a political weapon. we've seen it happen before and we see it happen again. us senators agree to extend the country's ceiling for two months, avoiding a possible default on the country's national debt. the un secretary general called vaccine in equity immoral and stupid and calls for a 40% of people in all countries to be vaccinated by the end of the year. newcastle united fans celebrate a takeover by a saudi lead consortium in a deal worth more than $400 million. and after ten novels and praise for his uncompromising work on the effects of colonialism, tanzania's abdul razat gurnah is shocked to win the 2021 nobel prize for literature. you know, these days you get these cold calls, i thought, this is another one of them. and i picked it up and this guy said, "hello, you have won the nobel prize for literature." and i said, "come on, get out of here!" hello, a very warm welcome in america and around the gl

it was a move widely condemned in europe and the united states. it was seen as an effort to intimidate, to send a signal that russia might be prepared to invade through the ukrainian border. can you explain to me, what was the motivation? well, i'm sure that those definitions that you have been quoting were deliberately used to... ..to describe the situation in the wrong way, because i'm sure that intelligence services of western countries must have known better than to make such claims on what was really happening. actually, what we are talking about was an annual military exercise which did not cover only areas close to the ukrainian border, but many other regions of russia. actually, all across the country, the armed forces were engaged in a major exercise, which is a regular... ..thing that takes place every spring. so, i do not see any particular grounds for anybody to be particularly worried. why? well, i'll tell you who is worried. the president of ukraine, mr zelensky, is worried. i interviewed him not so long ago, and he discussed with me

borisjohnson europe's reliance on russian gas. boris johnson that europe's reliance on russian gas. borisjohnson that is a problem. the boris johnson that is a problem. the choice is borisjohnson that is a problem. tue: choice is shortly borisjohnson that is a problem. tte: choice is shortly coming. borisjohnson that is a problem. t"te: choice is shortly coming. between mainlining ever more russian hydrocarbons in giant new pipelines or sticking up for ukraine and championing the cause of peace and stability. championing the cause of peace and stabili . . . championing the cause of peace and stabili . ., . ., , , ., ., , stability. reliance on russian gas is one security — stability. reliance on russian gas is one security concern. - stability. reliance on russian gas is one security concern. but - stability. reliance on russian gas l is one security concern. but there's another, northe is one security concern. but there's another, nor the stream to will reduce the volume of gas it's delivered by or ukraine. and ukraine believes that's dangerous. as we are hearing most issues in t

lip similar results, the uk is no longer a standout in europe.— a standout in europe. up while we look at these _ a standout in europe. up while we look at these numbers, _ a standout in europe. up while we look at these numbers, we - a standout in europe. up while we look at these numbers, we are - look at these numbers, we are talking about rates rather than absolute numbers? this talking about rates rather than absolute numbers? this business of comarin: absolute numbers? this business of comparing countries _ absolute numbers? this business of comparing countries has _ absolute numbers? this business of comparing countries has been - comparing countries has been difficult but this is the analysis you were to comet since the start of the epidemic, experts have said look at age—adjusted all caused mortality rates, and this is that analysis. so you would pay more attention to that rather than the daily numbers and going on websites and comparing one country against another. but doesn't tell the whole story because 2020 is at the whole epidemic. authority the covid d

so you talk about disarray in europe. and i would add to that the fact that countries like hungary and poland and slovakia and the czech republic are now going to get their vaccines from china and/or russia. the austrians and the danes are talking about vaccine partnerships with israel. so much for the solidarity of the eu dealing with this crisis cohesively and together. it'sjust not happening any more. the disarray is getting worse. yes, but the european solidarity is weakening. why is it weakening? because the european union, as such, is unable to manage at the request, the extent, the response to the covid crisis. and so member states are trying to have the vaccine wherever they can get it. of course, covid has created a massive economic challenge for the european union. there is a recovery plan which involves more than 700 billion euros of new debt taken on by the commission to be spread out across the worst—affected areas and to be tied to the forthcoming eu budget. but there are many governments in europe who are

he saying that europe and the _ vaccine as well. he saying that europe and the us _ vaccine as well. he saying that europe and the us need - vaccine as well. he saying that europe and the us need to - vaccine as well. he saying that. europe and the us need to send vaccines to developing countries. in this interview with the ft he says that african nations are sometimes buying western vaccines for three times the price paid by the eu. and they are often being offered chinese and russian vaccines that have not even been proved to work properly. it's in the developed world of public interest to make sure the developing world is getting the vaccine. we can't return to normal until that is the case, and that's the point. the director general of the point. the director general of the wto has been hammering throughout her campaign. and you know some people have said that this is emmanuel macron trying to steal the moral high ground after the embarrassment of the eu falling behind brexit, britain and the roll—out of the vaccine. he says t

were ou on in europe right now. were you embarrassed _ on in europe right now. were you embarrassed when - on in europe right now. were you embarrassed when the l on in europe right now. were you embarrassed when the nobel committee awarded, jointly awarded the nobel peace prize this year to a senior russian independentjournalist because of his courageous stand of the principal of free expression in the most challenging and difficult of circumstances. was that embarrassing to you? he. that embarrassing to you? no, not at all- _ that embarrassing to you? no, not at all. it _ that embarrassing to you? no, not at all. it is _ that embarrassing to you? no, not at all. it isjust _ that embarrassing to you? no, not at all. it isjust a _ that embarrassing to you? iifr, not at all. it is just a sign on how the nobel prize committee slowly degenerates into a body that is driven by the idea of political correctness as understood by the board of that committee. and soon we will also see how these people would judge on physics, chemistry, healthcare and everything else base

in western europe. ourfriends on nearest neighbours in western europe. our friends on the continent have been forced to respond with various degrees of new restrictions, from full lockdowns, two lockdowns for the unvaccinated to restrictions on business opening hours, restrictions on social gatherings. we don't yet know the extent to which this new wave will wash up on our shores. which this new wave will wash up on ourshores. but which this new wave will wash up on our shores. but history shows that we cannot afford to be complacent. indeed, in recent days, there have been raising cases here in the uk. so we must remain vigilant, because there is one lesson we can draw from there is one lesson we can draw from the current situation in europe. those countries with lower vaccination rates have tended to see bigger surges in infection, and in turn been forced to respond with harsher measures, while those countries with higher vaccination rates have so far fared better. and this shows us once again that if

the situation in europe. i wonder what people in brussels will make of that comment. but he said do not get complacent here come he mentioned the ath of july saying this to be a moment work and have some independence but not yet. and he kept referring to the mask and the social distancing and kept referring to washing hands. that is the president in american god talking about the pandemic there. let's turn back to europe. our lead story is an assurance coming from the european medicines agency, the ema that the astrazeneca vaccine is that i quote safe and effective. in response to that news, most of the countries that had suspended use of the astrazeneca vaccine have now confirmed that they will resume. germany, france, spain, italy, portugal, latvia, and the netherlands have all confirmed they will resume the use of the astrazeneca vaccine. ireland and sweden say they will review the new advice. let's bring in damien mcginnis from berlin. it does beg the question why the countries could have waited three day

cloud5 gathering across europe amid a surge in infections. irate amid a surge in infections. we don't need _ amid a surge in infections. - don't need know the extent to which this new wave will wa5h up which this new wave will wa5h up on our shores, but history shows that we cannot afford to be complacent. can shows that we cannot afford to be complacent.— be complacent. can you categorically _ be complacent. can you categorically rule - be complacent. can you categorically rule out i be complacent. can you categorically rule out a| categorically rule out a christmas lockdown, and how chri5tmas lockdown, and how dependent i5 chri5tmas lockdown, and how dependent is that on booster jabs? dependent is that on booster “abs? ~ ., �* dependent is that on booster “abs? ., �* , dependent is that on booster “abs? , ._ jabs? we don't see anything in the data that _ jabs? we don't see anything in the data that says _ jabs? we don't see anything in the data that says we - jabs? we don't see anything in the data that says we have - the data that says we have to go now to plan

we causing a shortage of gas across europe.— causing a shortage of gas across europe. we have long been concerned _ across europe. we have long been concerned about - across europe. we have long| been concerned about russia using energy as a tool of coercion and a political weapon. we've seen it happen before and we see it happen again. l115 before and we see it happen aain, ., ., , before and we see it happen aaain. ., ., , ., before and we see it happen aaain. ,, , ., ., , ., ., again. us senators agreed to extend the — again. us senators agreed to extend the country's - again. us senators agreed to extend the country's ceiling i extend the country's ceiling for two months, avoiding a possible default on the country's national debt. the un secretary general calls a vaccine in equity immoral and stupid, and calls for 40% of all countries to be vaccinated by the end of the year. newcastle united fans celebrate a takeover by a saudi—led consortium in a deal worth more than $400 million. and after ten novels and praise for his uncompromising work on the effects of co

europe's football's - party. a load of codswallop. | europe's football's governing bodies have also report responded. as well as many of said continental counterparts. they call such plans are cynical and founded on the self—interest of a few clubs. this persistent self—interest of a few has been going on for too long, they say. enough is enough. even the prime minister has got involved, tweeting, plans for european super league would be very damaging for football and we support football and we support football authorities in taking action. they would strike at the heart of the domestic game and will concerned fans across the country. the founding clubs behind the new super league claim they now want to work with the game's current governing bodies. in turn, they have already warned those taking part may be banned from other competitions and players forbidden from representing national sides. negotiations will not be easy. adam wild, bbc news. they certainly won't be. so many have strong views on this story.

so, why is the us involved in whether or not a gas pipeline in europe goes ahead? the bbc�*s david willis explains. the last three american administrations have all expressed their dislike of the nord stream 2 gas pipeline. they believe it potentially gives russia too much leverage, too much control over european energy supply, for the simple reason that it will take gas directly from russia to germany, bypassing ukraine and poland. well, now, in an act of pragmatism, i think you could say, president biden has said that he is willing to waive sanctions that have been imposed on the people, on the german company constructing this pipeline, because it's virtually built. 98% of it has already been constructed, the biden administration believes there's nothing really they can do now to prevent it from coming into use. so it's better to leverage its relationship with germany, the biggest ally in europe, of course, and this follows chancellor angela merkel�*s visit to washington, dc, last week at which the subject was raised. so the biden administration, believes it