Coronavirus conversations: English businesses prepare for end of Covid restrictions

South Africa has announced a tenfold increase in the number of troops to be deployed in response to widespread violence sparked by the jailing of the former president, Jacob Zuma. KwaZulu-Nata province has seen some of the worst violence, particularly in the town of Phoenix - where police say at least 15 people have been killed as a result of violence between Indian and black communities. We hear from a reporter on the ground as well as from voices in the community.

And we continue our Coronavirus conversations series: As England prepares for so-called “Freedom Day” on 19th July - when most Covid restrictions will be eased – the last remaining businesses that are still closed, will be allowed to finally reopen. But excitement is mixed by concern about rising cases. We speak to two business owners, to hear how they have been preparing.

And a record number of Americans died of drug overdoses last year. Officials said the increase was driven by the lethal prevalence of fentanyl, as well as pandemic-related stressors and problems in accessing care. We speak to a reporter who has been investigating the numbers.

(Photo: People at Oxford Circus underground station, London, Britain, July 4, 2021. Reuters/Henry Nicholls)