hello, i'm ros atkins, this is outside source. the duke of edinburgh has been taken to hospital in london after feeling unwell. prince philip was driven from windsor last night. buckingham palace say his admission is not covid—related, it is precautionary. these are life pictures coming in from the hospital will cross to our live correspondence there shortly. after nearly 20 years of bitter conflict in afghanistan, nato leaders must decide whether to stick to a may deadline to pull out thousands of troops. the promise to leave afghanistan is conditions—based. our presence in afghanistan is conditions—based.

the uk is to be the first country in the world to deliberately infect volunteers with covid—19 in a human vaccine trial. and we'll bring you the latest on the coronavirus pandemic from across europe. in some countries, cases continue to rise alarmingly. queen elizabeth's husband, the duke of edinburgh, has been admitted to hospital as a precautionary measure. buckingham palace says the prince, who will be 100 years old this year, is expected to remain there for a few days. here's the bbc�*s royal correspondent nicolas witchell. fanfare plays. he's been retired for more than three years now, and he's remained largely out of public sight during the lockdown. this was an exception. july last year, when he took his leave from the rifles,

one of the regiments of which he'd been honorary colonel in chief for many years. the most recent image of him is this, at windsor castle with the queen, a photograph released by the palace last november to mark their 73rd wedding anniversary. prior to that, there was a photograph of the couple together lastjune on the occasion of the duke's 99th birthday. and for the royal doctors, it will no doubt have been his age as much as anything which will have persuaded them to err on the side of caution. the duke has apparently been feeling unwell for several days, so, last night at windsor castle, his doctors decided to admit him to hospital. sarah campbell is in windsor. what can you tell? i am at windsor castle and the _ what can you tell? i am at windsor castle and the queen _ what can you tell? i am at windsor castle and the queen is _ what can you tell? i am at windsor castle and the queen is here - what can you tell? i am at windsor castle and the queen is here this l castle and the queen is here this has been the permanent home for the queen and duke of edinburgh for the

last 12 months. they had been shielding here and looked after by a small number of rural staff. let's have a look at that statement which again was issued earlier today with again was issued earlier today with a bit of guidance with it. basically he was admitted to king edward vii hospital in central london yesterday evening. it was a precautionary measure. he had been feeling ill we understand for several days and they had called in the doctor and the doctor decided he should be taken in. as i say as a precautionary measure. he travelled by car so this was not an emergency admission. and he walked into the hospital unaided. and importantly the hospital and palace have been keen to say that this was not covid—i9 related and of course we know last month it was revealed that both the queen and the duke of edinburgh had had their covid—i9 vaccination. so the queen is here this evening and for social media it would appear that she has been working as normal. the royal family account tweeted that she had

spoken by phone to the first sea lord inquiring about the real navy today and ask about members of personnel and members of the family have been out and about as usual as anything is in these times. prince charles and the duchess of cornwall have been at the hospital in birmingham today and hearing about vaccine trials and speaking to some of those people who are taking part in those vaccine trials. so as i say business as usual but despite those positive messages we understand the duke is in good spirits but he is 99 years old and it will be —— he will be 100 injune. so of course there will be concerns and no doubt the queen is being kept fully up on the condition of her husband of 73 years. condition of her husband of 73 ears. . ~' condition of her husband of 73 ears. . ~ , ., y condition of her husband of 73 ears. . ~ ,, , . years. thank you very much indeed for that update, _ years. thank you very much indeed for that update, sarah _ years. thank you very much indeed for that update, sarah campbell. years. thank you very much indeed | for that update, sarah campbell live with us from windsor. aruna iyengar is outside the king edward vii hospital in central london. what he tells about what you are

hearing their pleas?— what he tells about what you are hearing their pleas? what we are heafina hearing their pleas? what we are hearing here _ hearing their pleas? what we are hearing here is _ hearing their pleas? what we are hearing here is that _ hearing their pleas? what we are hearing here is that prince - hearing their pleas? what we are hearing here is that prince philip| hearing here is that prince philip is sitting — hearing here is that prince philip is sitting up and in good spirits apparently. he was admitted to this hospital— apparently. he was admitted to this hospital last night after a short period — hospital last night after a short period of— hospital last night after a short period of illness. he was advised by his doctor_ period of illness. he was advised by his doctor to come in the hospital and he _ his doctor to come in the hospital and he walked in unaided. the palace have said _ and he walked in unaided. the palace have said is _ and he walked in unaided. the palace have said is a — and he walked in unaided. the palace have said is a precautionary measure and that_ have said is a precautionary measure and that he _ have said is a precautionary measure and that he is here for observation and that he is here for observation and treatment. both the queen and prince _ and treatment. both the queen and prince philip have both had their coronavirus jabs prince philip have both had their coronavirusjabs this is not prince philip have both had their coronavirus jabs this is not to do with— coronavirus jabs this is not to do with covid—19. and they had their 'abs with covid—19. and they had their jabs earlier — with covid—19. and they had their jabs earlier injanuary. with covid—19. and they had their jabs earlier in january. the prince has been — jabs earlier in january. the prince has been iii— jabs earlier in january. the prince has been ill in the past although possibly— has been ill in the past although possibly not as a surprise to someone _ possibly not as a surprise to someone who was about to have their 100th _ someone who was about to have their 100th birthday. he was in 2019, and then it _ 100th birthday. he was in 2019, and then it was — 100th birthday. he was in 2019, and then it was to do with a conditioned pre—existing and was precautionary. before _ pre—existing and was precautionary. before that — pre—existing and was precautionary. before that in 2018 he had hip surgery— before that in 2018 he had hip surgery and in 2017 he was in for an infection _ surgery and in 2017 he was in for an infection. before that he had had abdominal surgery back in 2013. so

at the _ abdominal surgery back in 2013. so at the moment the palace was trying to plate _ at the moment the palace was trying to plate and the seriousness of this and say— to plate and the seriousness of this and say it— to plate and the seriousness of this and say it is— to plate and the seriousness of this and say it isjust a precautionary measure — and say it isjust a precautionary measure and that the prince is doing well and _ measure and that the prince is doing well and is _ measure and that the prince is doing well and is in good spirits at the moment — well and is in good spirits at the moment. ., ~ well and is in good spirits at the moment. ., ,, , ., ., , ., let's update you on an important meeting for the nato military alliance. it's important for two reasons. it's the first time the defence ministers from nato's european and north american members have met sincejoe biden took office. and what's at stake is a deal the trump administration struck with the taliban in afghanistan. let's begin by hearing from nato's secretary generaljens stoltenberg. the promise to leave afghanistan is conditions—based. 0ur presence in afghanistan is conditions—based. and taliban has to meet their commitments, and what nato does now is that we first of all do

whatever we can to support the peace process and the full implementation of the deal. we will only leave when the time is right. i think the main issue is that taliban has to reduce violence, taliban has to negotiate in good faith and taliban has to break all ties as to stop supporting international terrorist groups like al-qaeda. the virtual nato meeting will last two days, and some of it will look back to this moment last year. this was the then us secretary of state mike pompeo, the united states' special envoy and the taliban political chief in qatar. they'd just signed a deal to bring about peace and end 18 years of war. under the deal, which was called the agreement for bringing peace, the us and nato agreed to withdraw all 9600 troops by may the 1st this year. in turn, the taliban promised to cut

ties with al-qaeda and end all violence in afghanistan. a year on, that deal is on shaky ground, not least because violence in afghanistan has surged. 0ur chief international correspondent lyse doucet is in kabul. here she describes what is at stake. explosion. blasting their way in... ..to a besieged building. explosions. afghan police on the hunt for suicide bombers and civilians trapped inside. it's a training exercise, but it's all too real. the government gave us access to film this. as taliban warn if the us deal breaks down, there'll be more of this.

the interior minister thanks his men and a few women. afghan police often come under criticism — ineffective, corrupt. these are the elite. like soldiers, they're on front lines as peace talks stall. if president biden called you and said, "minister, what should american nato forces do? should we leave by may the 1st, or should we delay a bit?" what would you say? i would say let's review what the taliban agreed to. did the taliban cut their relationship with the terrorists? did the taliban respect that? are the taliban willing to peace? if not, then taliban should know that the international community will remain beside the afghans as long as it's needed. a taliban call to arms. they insist they've kept their commitments, that foreign forces must be out

by may lest this war get worse. kabul, january 2018 — one of the last large—scale attacks the taliban claimed. an ambulance packed with explosives. hundreds dead and injured. ramin was 15 then. translation: when i came out, i could see every body part. - i could see arms, hands. it was a really bad attack. i was so scared. the biggest threat now — targeted killings. every day, a blast or more. no—one claims them. many blame the taliban. translation: so, now, when i leave i home, i say goodbye to my family. i we don't know if we're going to make it home alive or dead each day. these kind of large—scale attacks in the heart of kabul have stopped because of the us—taliban deal, but now the taliban are threatening

that if the united states doesn't pull out its troops on time, that this kind of devastating assault could happen again. and that's creating even more fear among the afghans in this city. we wa nt we want to speak with her in the next hour on outside source. the uk is to be the first country in the world to deliberately infect volunteers with covid—19. it's called a human challenge trial, and this is how it works. 90 people aged 18—30 will be infected by having some of the virus squirted up their nose. they'll be kept in a hospital room for at least two weeks with their health monitored. this is to find out how much virus is needed to cause symptoms in healthy adults. here's one 18—year—old who's taking part in the trial. for me, challenge trials, human challenge trials, were just something that

made instant sense. i think they're something really definable that i can do to help out in this pandemic. and i think that without challenge trials, we're going to struggle to vaccinate particularly lower and mid—income countries as quickly as we possibly can. and i think that without challenge trials, the pandemic is going to drag on for longer than it needs to. this trial is just the first step in a bigger project. here's our medical editor fergus walsh. this is all preliminary to what will happen later, probably in a couple of months' time, when they will start to do what they call vaccine challenge trials. and the vaccine challenge trials, in those ones, half the volunteers will be given a vaccine and half a dummy or placebo injection. and then they'll be, two weeks later, infected with the virus to see how well the vaccines work. but before you do any of that, you have to find out how much coronavirus you need to infect someone. so, this is all being done to help the development of future vaccines. here's one of the people

involved in the research. human viral challenge models, because they directly _ inoculate volunteers, are able to establishl whether the vaccines - are working extremely quickly. much less volunteers involved, therefore much quicker- responses to determine - if the vaccines are working. one question about this might be why you would focus on young, healthy people? they are after all much less likely to get seriously ill from coronavirus. this is why. there's no doubt that the immune system of a younger person is very different from the immune system of an older person, so you will get slightly different responses in younger people. having said that, we can learn an awful lot about how the virus acts by tracking it from sort of the very beginning of infection minute by minute to see what those responses are. and we can use that information to design better therapies and vaccines. this type of human challenge trial isn't unusual. they're done every year for flu. here's fergus walsh again.

these things are very well—established with healthy volunteers to find out whether vaccines work. and they're a very good way of fast—tracking which vaccines in development, so this is unlikely to be for current vaccines, which of the future vaccines may be important. and that could be crucial because with new variants and with the virus mutating in years to come, we may need to continually find and update vaccines. next, let's look at the global roll—out of the coronavirus vaccines and the issue of the fair distribution ofjabs. they're issues that have dominated the un security council. first, let's hear from antonio guterres. just ten countries have administered 75% of all covid—19 vaccines. - meanwhile, more than 170 countries have not received a single dose. - and those affected by conflictl and insecurity are at particular risk of being left behind.

the british government agrees with this sentiment. it wants to focus on the 160 million people in conflict zones such as yemen, south sudan, somalia and ethiopia. here's the foreign secretary. what we are seeking to achieve is bring countries together to make sure two things. first of all, that there can be a cease—fire to allow the vaccine that we now have to get to those most vulnerable people. i think that's absolutely crucial, and international community should come together on that. and secondly, we're encouraging support for what's called the covax amc mechanism. but basically what it allows is the most vulnerable people to get distributed the vaccine. so, why is this intervention so desperately needed? here's the head of the covid crisis team with the international committee of the red cross. delivering health care in war zones affected by violence and high levels of conflict is very challenging, so we are seeing a breakdown of health facilities, health care workers that have basically left or have been killed and the infrastructure is really not there.

so it's quite challenging to run essential health services, and vaccination programmes in itself have suffered a lot. routine administration of the vaccine is one of the lowest in areas affected by war. global health correspondent naomi grimleyjoins me. from what we have spoken a few times in recent months about an ambition to avoid vaccine skewing to the wealthiest and most powerful countries in the world but yet it seems to be happening exactly as some feared. seems to be happening exactly as some feared-— seems to be happening exactly as some feared. yes, that's right, and this because _ some feared. yes, that's right, and this because really _ some feared. yes, that's right, and this because really it _ some feared. yes, that's right, and this because really it is _ this because really it is insurmountable. - this because really it is insurmountable. of- this because really it is| insurmountable. of the this because really it is- insurmountable. of the problem this because really it is— insurmountable. of the problem is that countries _ insurmountable. of the problem is that countries like _ insurmountable. of the problem is that countries like the _ insurmountable. of the problem is that countries like the uk - insurmountable. of the problem is that countries like the uk end - insurmountable. of the problem is that countries like the uk end up l that countries like the uk end up wanting — that countries like the uk end up wanting to — that countries like the uk end up wanting to do _ that countries like the uk end up wanting to do their— that countries like the uk end up wanting to do their own - that countries like the uk end up wanting to do their own bilateral| wanting to do their own bilateral deals— wanting to do their own bilateral deals at— wanting to do their own bilateral deals at the _ wanting to do their own bilateral deals at the same _ wanting to do their own bilateral deals at the same time - wanting to do their own bilateral deals at the same time as - wanting to do their own bilateral| deals at the same time as talking about— deals at the same time as talking about approaching _ deals at the same time as talking about approaching this _ deals at the same time as talking about approaching this in - deals at the same time as talking about approaching this in a - about approaching this in a multilateral— about approaching this in a multilateral situation. - about approaching this in a multilateral situation. so l about approaching this in ai multilateral situation. so to about approaching this in a - multilateral situation. so to take for example _ multilateral situation. so to take for example the _ multilateral situation. so to take for example the uk, _ multilateral situation. so to take for example the uk, its- multilateral situation. so to take l for example the uk, its population of 66 _ for example the uk, its population of 66 million — for example the uk, its population of 66 million but _ for example the uk, its population of 66 million but he _ for example the uk, its population of 66 million but he has _ for example the uk, its population of 66 million but he has bought. for example the uk, its populationl of 66 million but he has bought 247 million _ of 66 million but he has bought 247 million doses — of 66 million but he has bought 247 million doses of—

of 66 million but he has bought 247 million doses of vaccine. _ of 66 million but he has bought 247 million doses of vaccine. now- of 66 million but he has bought 247 million doses of vaccine. now evenl million doses of vaccine. now even aiiowing _ million doses of vaccine. now even allowing for— million doses of vaccine. now even allowing for some _ million doses of vaccine. now even allowing for some of _ million doses of vaccine. now even allowing for some of those - million doses of vaccine. now even allowing for some of those doses l allowing for some of those doses will have — allowing for some of those doses will have to — allowing for some of those doses will have to be _ allowing for some of those doses will have to be given _ allowing for some of those doses will have to be given into - allowing for some of those doses will have to be given into shots, i will have to be given into shots, nevertheless _ will have to be given into shots, nevertheless you _ will have to be given into shots, nevertheless you can _ will have to be given into shots, nevertheless you can see - will have to be given into shots, nevertheless you can see the i nevertheless you can see the problem _ nevertheless you can see the problem. they— nevertheless you can see the problem. they have - nevertheless you can see the problem. they have over- nevertheless you can see the problem. they have over a l nevertheless you can see the i problem. they have over a ball nevertheless you can see the - problem. they have over a ball and that makes— problem. they have over a ball and that makes it — problem. they have over a ball and that makes it much _ problem. they have over a ball and that makes it much harder- problem. they have over a ball and that makes it much harder for- problem. they have over a ball andl that makes it much harder for covax to do— that makes it much harder for covax to do its— that makes it much harder for covax to do itsjoh, — that makes it much harder for covax to do itsjob, this— that makes it much harder for covax to do itsjob, this multilateral- to do itsjob, this multilateral hody~ — to do its “ob, this multilateral bod . , ., ., to do its “ob, this multilateral bod. , ., ., ., ., body. tell us more about covax. it was billed — body. tell us more about covax. it was billed widely _ body. tell us more about covax. it was billed widely as _ body. tell us more about covax. it was billed widely as the _ body. tell us more about covax. it was billed widely as the company | was billed widely as the company that would help poor countries get access to vaccines. when might that kick in and help? that access to vaccines. when might that kick in and help?— kick in and help? that the extraordinary _ kick in and help? that the extraordinary thing. - kick in and help? that the| extraordinary thing. we're kick in and help? that the - extraordinary thing. we're not looking — extraordinary thing. we're not looking to _ extraordinary thing. we're not looking to the _ extraordinary thing. we're not looking to the first _ extraordinary thing. we're not looking to the first shot - extraordinary thing. we're not looking to the first shot are i looking to the first shot are ministered _ looking to the first shot are ministered in— looking to the first shot are ministered in this - looking to the first shot are . ministered in this programme looking to the first shot are - ministered in this programme until the end _ ministered in this programme until the end of— ministered in this programme until the end of this _ ministered in this programme until the end of this month— ministered in this programme until the end of this month impossible l ministered in this programme until. the end of this month impossible the beginning _ the end of this month impossible the beginning of— the end of this month impossible the beginning of next— the end of this month impossible the beginning of next month. _ the end of this month impossible the beginning of next month. one - the end of this month impossible the beginning of next month. one of- the end of this month impossible the beginning of next month. one of the| beginning of next month. one of the problems— beginning of next month. one of the problems has— beginning of next month. one of the problems has been— beginning of next month. one of the problems has been to _ beginning of next month. one of the problems has been to shore - beginning of next month. one of the problems has been to shore up - problems has been to shore up different— problems has been to shore up different supplies _ problems has been to shore up different supplies in _ problems has been to shore up different supplies in his- problems has been to shore up. different supplies in his portfolio and if— different supplies in his portfolio and if he — different supplies in his portfolio and if he mentioned _ different supplies in his portfolio and if he mentioned vaccine - and if he mentioned vaccine nationalism _ and if he mentioned vaccine nationalism is _ and if he mentioned vaccine nationalism is a _ and if he mentioned vaccine nationalism is a problem. . and if he mentioned vaccine - nationalism is a problem. there has also been _ nationalism is a problem. there has also been worried _ nationalism is a problem. there has also been worried that _ nationalism is a problem. there has also been worried that some - also been worried that some countries _ also been worried that some countries will— also been worried that some countries will be _ also been worried that some countries will be left - also been worried that some countries will be left without enough _ countries will be left without enough doses _ countries will be left without enough doses and _ countries will be left without enough doses and so - countries will be left without enough doses and so so - countries will be left withoutj enough doses and so so that countries will be left without. enough doses and so so that i countries will be left without - enough doses and so so that i forgot for exampie — enough doses and so so that i forgot for exampie has— enough doses and so so that i forgot for example has gone _ enough doses and so so that i forgot for example has gone on— enough doses and so so that i forgot for example has gone on its- enough doses and so so that i forgot for example has gone on its own - enough doses and so so that i forgot for example has gone on its own to. for example has gone on its own to do its _

for example has gone on its own to do its own— for example has gone on its own to do its own bilateral— for example has gone on its own to do its own bilateral deals— for example has gone on its own to do its own bilateral deals with - do its own bilateral deals with ostrich — do its own bilateral deals with ostrich and _ do its own bilateral deals with ostrich and also _ do its own bilateral deals with ostrich and also johnson - do its own bilateral deals with ostrich and also johnson & - do its own bilateral deals with - ostrich and also johnson & johnson. -- south _ ostrich and also johnson & johnson. -- south africa _ ostrich and also johnson & johnson. —— south africa. because _ ostrich and also johnson & johnson. —— south africa. because it - ostrich and also johnson & johnson. —— south africa. because it thought| —— south africa. because it thought it would _ —— south africa. because it thought it would not— —— south africa. because it thought it would not get— —— south africa. because it thought it would not get enough _ —— south africa. because it thought it would not get enough doses - —— south africa. because it thought it would not get enough doses for i it would not get enough doses for covax _ it would not get enough doses for covax at — it would not get enough doses for covax at the _ it would not get enough doses for covax. at the end _ it would not get enough doses for covax. at the end of— it would not get enough doses for covax. at the end of the - it would not get enough doses for covax. at the end of the day- it would not get enough doses for| covax. at the end of the day came with the _ covax. at the end of the day came with the covax _ covax. at the end of the day came with the covax initiative _ covax. at the end of the day came with the covax initiative is - covax. at the end of the day came with the covax initiative is only. with the covax initiative is only planning — with the covax initiative is only planning to— with the covax initiative is only planning to vaccinate - with the covax initiative is only planning to vaccinate about. with the covax initiative is only. planning to vaccinate about 20% of each country~ — planning to vaccinate about 20% of each country. that's _ planning to vaccinate about 20% of each country. that's way _ planning to vaccinate about 20% of each country. that's way short - planning to vaccinate about 20% of each country. that's way short of. each country. that's way short of herd _ each country. that's way short of herd immunity~ _ each country. that's way short of herd immunity.— each country. that's way short of herd immunity. each country. that's way short of herd immuni . �* ., ., ., herd immunity. and so again today we heard antonio — herd immunity. and so again today we heard antonio geter _ herd immunity. and so again today we heard antonio geter terrace _ herd immunity. and so again today we heard antonio geter terrace and - heard antonio geter terrace and other seniorfigures of heard antonio geter terrace and other senior figures of the un emphasising work needs to be done in the developing world with reference to vaccines in practical terms what can the un do to exert its own pressure to make sure actually happens? i pressure to make sure actually ha ens? ~' ., pressure to make sure actually ha ens? ~ ., ., pressure to make sure actually ha ens? ~' ., ., , happens? i think one of the things is auoin to happens? i think one of the things is going to have — happens? i think one of the things is going to have to _ happens? i think one of the things is going to have to try _ happens? i think one of the things is going to have to try and - happens? i think one of the things| is going to have to try and organise is going to have to try and organise is some _ is going to have to try and organise is some system _ is going to have to try and organise is some system whereby— is going to have to try and organise is some system whereby countriesl is some system whereby countries that have — is some system whereby countries that have bought— is some system whereby countries that have bought too _ is some system whereby countries that have bought too many- is some system whereby countries that have bought too many dosesl is some system whereby countries i that have bought too many doses can then donate — that have bought too many doses can then donate them _ that have bought too many doses can then donate them to _ that have bought too many doses can then donate them to countries - that have bought too many doses can then donate them to countries whichl then donate them to countries which don't _ then donate them to countries which don't have _ then donate them to countries which don't have enough. _ then donate them to countries which don't have enough. now— then donate them to countries which don't have enough. now some - don't have enough. now some countries _ don't have enough. now some countries have _ don't have enough. now some countries have already - don't have enough. now some i countries have already signalled they want— countries have already signalled they want to _ countries have already signalled they want to do _ countries have already signalled they want to do this. _ countries have already signalled they want to do this. canada - countries have already signalled | they want to do this. canada has come _ they want to do this. canada has come in — they want to do this. canada has come in norway— they want to do this. canada has come in norway has _ they want to do this. canada has come in norway has britain - they want to do this. canada has come in norway has britain has. come in norway has britain has talked — come in norway has britain has talked about _ come in norway has britain has talked about in _ come in norway has britain has talked about in vague - come in norway has britain has talked about in vague terms . come in norway has britain hasl talked about in vague terms but come in norway has britain has i talked about in vague terms but at the moment— talked about in vague terms but at the moment that _ talked about in vague terms but at the moment that does _ talked about in vague terms but at the moment that does not - talked about in vague terms but at the moment that does not seem . talked about in vague terms but at| the moment that does not seem to talked about in vague terms but at - the moment that does not seem to be a proper—

the moment that does not seem to be a proper mechanism _ the moment that does not seem to be a proper mechanism to _ the moment that does not seem to be a proper mechanism to do _ the moment that does not seem to be a proper mechanism to do that, - the moment that does not seem to be a proper mechanism to do that, and l a proper mechanism to do that, and clearly— a proper mechanism to do that, and clearly that — a proper mechanism to do that, and clearly that is — a proper mechanism to do that, and clearly that is going _ a proper mechanism to do that, and clearly that is going to _ a proper mechanism to do that, and clearly that is going to have - a proper mechanism to do that, and clearly that is going to have to - a proper mechanism to do that, and clearly that is going to have to go i clearly that is going to have to go some _ clearly that is going to have to go some way— clearly that is going to have to go some way to _ clearly that is going to have to go some way to allow _ clearly that is going to have to go some way to allow for _ clearly that is going to have to go some way to allow for sort - clearly that is going to have to go some way to allow for sort of - clearly that is going to have to go i some way to allow for sort of more equal— some way to allow for sort of more equal distribution _ some way to allow for sort of more equal distribution across _ some way to allow for sort of more equal distribution across the - some way to allow for sort of more | equal distribution across the world. thank— equal distribution across the world. thank you — equal distribution across the world. thank you very _ equal distribution across the world. thank you very much _ equal distribution across the world. thank you very much indeed, - equal distribution across the world. l thank you very much indeed, naomi. the united nations has said it will raise the detention of princess latifa, the daughter of dubai's ruler, with the united arab emirates. yesterday, we told you about the secret videos she recorded saying she feared for her life. here's our diplomatic correspondent james landale. i'm a hostage, and this villa has been converted into a jail. this is sheikha latifa, an emirati princess, but also a prisoner, held, she says, in solitary confinement in dubai, guarded by police, with no access to fresh air. she says she's a hostage of this man, herfather, the ruler of dubai, sheikh mohammed bin rashid al maktoum, one of the most powerful men in the middle east, who happens to share a passion

for horses with the queen and owns huge swathes of land across britain. friends campaigning for latifa have released videos of her plight to the bbc to try to rouse international support. the foreign secretary said the case was deeply troubling and people would want to see if she was alive and well. well, we don't really have a direct locus in this case, there's not a british national, there's not a particular british link. i think the right mechanism is via the un, which is already underway, and we obviously support that and watch what they find and what we see further in the developments on that very closely. that un process will be led by the office of the high commissionerfor human rights. its spokesman, rupert colville, said... forfriends of latifa,

this is a moment of hope. i was incredibly happy to wake up this morning with this news, - listening and that the likes - of dominic raab is getting involved. knowing that finally— the international community's listening and that the likes - of dominic raab is getting involved. it makes me feel more reassured j that we made the right decision. | i don't wantjust pictures to show us a sign of life or, you know... it just seems that everything they're doing is to keep us quiet in some ways orjust to keep us happy. but we need to see her free, we need to see her well, we need to see her looked after. but if latifa is not freed soon, then some supporters believe britain and other countries should go further. the uk government and other governments should look to impose sanctions on the uae authorities if they don't uphold human rights. we have the laws in our country and in other countries to do that, to impose sanctions,

to prevent people from moving around, to ensure that their assets are not misused. so, those measures should be taken. the un has, however, raised the case of princess latifa before, to no avail. and the foreign secretary played down the prospect of sanctions, saying they needed a very strict legal threshold. james landale, bbc news. let's turn to myanmar which has seen some of its biggest protests yet against the military coup. hundreds of thousands of people have rallied, and there's lots of picture to show you. this was yangon. crowds carried a banner with the words "we will never kneel down under the military boots". this is also yangon. here the slogan "we want democracy, save myanmar" has been physically painted

on to the road by protestors. and here a protesters carrying "free our leader�* placards, showing the face of civillian leader aung san suu kyi. in yangon, drivers also blocked roads with their cars, telling security forces that they'd broken down. for more on that here's phil robertson from human rights watch. they are going to continue this. they are going to continue this. they are going to continue this. they are gather momentum and will pressure the military to stand out. this new tactic of gathering cars to block rose has perplexed the police. the military cannot roll their armoured carriers around in the area in the last few days to show force. the protests today were mostly peaceful. but we know the situation is tense, and that there's a heavy security presence. here's our south east asia correspondentjonathan head. people are very well—equipped in nicely— people are very well—equipped in nicely printed posters with lots of colours _ nicely printed posters with lots of colours all — nicely printed posters with lots of colours all in the english language knowing _ colours all in the english language knowing they are filmed. these have

all been _ knowing they are filmed. these have all been life streams and the military— all been life streams and the military is shutting down the internet _ military is shutting down the internet at night and we are not quite _ internet at night and we are not quite sure — internet at night and we are not quite sure why but it tries to shut it down— quite sure why but it tries to shut it down because of the effect it has on normal— it down because of the effect it has on normal economic activity so they are getting — on normal economic activity so they are getting these images out. we saw drivers— are getting these images out. we saw drivers forcible blocking the roads with our— drivers forcible blocking the roads with our cars and lifting their bonnets _ with our cars and lifting their bonnets up as though they were broken — bonnets up as though they were broken down. they were amusing using exchange _ broken down. they were amusing using exchange of— broken down. they were amusing using exchange of who were trying to hurry them _ exchange of who were trying to hurry them on _ exchange of who were trying to hurry them on but — exchange of who were trying to hurry them on but it was a deliberate strategy— them on but it was a deliberate strategy full so that mentally blocked on the main roads in that some _ blocked on the main roads in that some people trying to get to work both of— some people trying to get to work both of us— some people trying to get to work both of us as a boycott and the idea is to withdraw all cooperation with the government and of course to stop any police _ the government and of course to stop any police and military vehicles from _ any police and military vehicles from getting in and it gave these protesters the whole of young gone to themselves. live protesters the whole of young gone to themselves.— to themselves. live pictures from madrid with _ to themselves. live pictures from madrid with hundreds _ to themselves. live pictures from madrid with hundreds rallying - to themselves. live pictures from madrid with hundreds rallying in l madrid with hundreds rallying in support of a cattle and communist radical. —— kata land. he is being arrested over social media post and

rights broke out in barcelona over his attention and people are out on the streets again. there sometimes seem to be commotions but largely it appears to be peaceful. last night, shop windows were smashed in at least 20 cars were set on fire and disturbances across catalonia left dozens injured, including police officers. police made 15 arrests and this is all from last night. the rapper has been charged with glorifying terrorism and insulting royalty in his songs so we are keeping a very close eye on that and of course the fear from the authorities of these protests could turn violent once more in the moment no repeat of what we saw last night, though the night is young. remind you of our top story, buckingham palace is the duke of edinburgh is in good spirits after being taken to hospital in london last night an official say he was admitted as a precautionary step after feeling unwell for a few days and our royal biographer access the prince would not want any fuss.

we will look in detail into the state of the pandemic in europe as well as other stories coming up in the next half—hour. hello there. the rest of the week may well be dominated by clouds, wind and rain, but we've had a little midweek window of sunny spells for many of us today. just take a look at this amazing weather watcher picture earlier on today. and you can see where the window has been of the brighter weather, sunny spells for many. more persistent rain now starting to drift its way steadily northwards, and that's going to be the story as we close out wednesday. in fact, that rain will push its way across the scottish borders into central scotland through the night. some heavier pulses into northern ireland and southern scotland for a time. quite a lot of cloud around, and still with the southerly wind, it's going to be a relatively mild start to thursday, with temperatures

around 6—9 degrees. but there will be some wet weather to follow on, and that rain is coming from this weather front here. it's a cold front, so once it's cleared through, it will actually produce slightly cooler air than of late. so they'll be some heavier pulses moving out of devon and cornwall, pushing towards the bristol channel and up through wales into north west england. a few isolated showers ahead of it across east anglia and the south east. that weather front sitting through scotland as well, and the hook of the front will bring more persistent rain to the north—west of the great glen and a few scattered showers as that low pressure sits out to the west through the rest of the afternoon. but there should be some finer weather through the middle part of the day, but still noticeably windy out there. gusts of winds in excess of 40 mph quite widely. top temperaratures, as i say, not quite as mild as recent days, 7—9 degrees the high. the milder air is set to return, but unfortunately that moisture will bring quite a lot of rain and some of it really quite persistent. a significant low arrives. gale—force gusts of winds expected along west—facing coasts,

and some of that rain really could be quite persistent for a time as it moves its way steadily northwards on friday. sheltered eastern areas should escape the worst. it may well stay dry for much of the day. top temperatures of 8—11 degrees. now, this feed of wet weather is going to continue to be the story as we move into the weekend. the heaviest of the rain will always be the further west you go, but it will continue to push up some southerly warm air across the country. so, as you can see, quite an unsettled start to the weekend, but in the south east on sunday, it may be drier and warmer.

hello, i'm ros atkins, this is outside source. the duke of edinburgh has been taken to hospital in london after feeling unwell. prince philip was driven from windsor last night — buckingham palace say his admission is not covid related it is precautionary. after 18 years of conflict in afghanistan — nato leaders are deciding whether to stick to a may deadline to pull out thousands of troops. the promise to leave afghanistan is conditions—based. our presence in afghanistan is conditions—based. and rush limbaugh, the highly provocative american talk show host, has died at the age of 70.

lets return to one of our top stories — nato defence ministers have been discussing what to do with troops in afghanistan. it's a subject they know well. the conflict there began in 2001 — and more than 150,000 people have been killed since. it began when the us invaded afghanistan in response to the 9/11 attacks in new york and washington. the taliban had been ruling afghanistan since the early 90's — and had been shielding the leader of al-qaeda — osama bin laden — who had planned the 9/11 attacks. the us—led invasions removed the taliban from power. in 2002, we saw the first deployment of foreign peacekeepers, the nato—led �*international security assistance force'. the aim of the foreign troops was to defeat the taliban in the long—term

and rebuild core institutions. what's followed has been a long fight between the taliban and the afghan government along with its foreign backers. by october 2006 nato had assumed responsibility for security across the whole of the country. and in 2008 the us temporarily increased its troop presence in afghanistan, to further protect the population from taliban attacks. by the end of 2018, nato formally ended its 13—year combat mission. but nato troops stayed in place, but with security leadership handed to afghan forces. at the end of last year president trump said the us was to withdraw further troops from afghaninstan, leaving just 2,500 there. ben hodges is a retired lieutenant general who served as commanding general of the united states army in europe. hejojns me from frankfurt. thank you very much indeed for your time. if you were deciding, would you leave the troops they are beyond

may? i you leave the troops they are beyond ma ? ~ �* , , you leave the troops they are beyond ma? ~ �*, , ., may? i think it's very important that what the _ may? i think it's very important| that what the secretary-general that what the secretary—general said, conditions have to be met. i don't believe the conditions will be met as of one may for a proper withdrawal. forsure met as of one may for a proper withdrawal. for sure where all going to have to do this together. we went in together we've got to come out together. the secretary austin emphasise consulting together. secretary also emphasise the importance of consulting together. i think the decision is going to be made later about who allowed. isn’t made later about who allowed. isn't there a risk — made later about who allowed. isn't there a risk you _ made later about who allowed. isn't there a risk you went in together almost 20 years together and you can end up staying there indefinitely? you make a great point. certainly nobody things we should stay there indefinitely. but i think number one, needing the condition and all of us agree on that number two, we've got to do it in a way that does not expose the afghan government. and especially afghan

women and girls whose lives have changed with, thanks to nato's intervention they are. third, we've got to address pakistan. pakistan, as long as pakistan provide safe haven for the caliban we will be there a thousand years and will never solve it. all these things have to be taken into consideration. but if you take all those things into consideration, i don't understand how you avoid endless conflict which is something in the past years that the us should definitely avoid. but there is no option apart from tuesday with the teledyne not sticking to the deal. —— caliban. no at some point and i don't know what that point is all the members of the alliance and coalition and working with our afghan hose will decide that we have to continue to hand over to the afghans. the taliban have a role here. this is why i think you need a

regional approach that includes pakistan, and india. to help create those conditions. that would allow a proper withdrawal. the worst thing would be a unilateral american withdrawal. and i think that the administration has made that clear that we won't make eight unilateral withdrawal. and i think even though the secretary—general will have preferred to make an announcement about a one may departure one—way or the other. i think they are happy to see the united states is not going to do something unilaterally. but ou surel to do something unilaterally. but you surely can understand why some people watching this may be scriptable click back sceptical about what you've described. the idea of a regional approach was described as far back as 2001. that's also been discussed for close to 20 years. all of the things you've outlined we've heard before with all due respect was up what i'm trying to understand is why would

this be any different? it’s trying to understand is why would this be any different?— this be any different? it's a fair oint this be any different? it's a fair point and _ this be any different? it's a fair point and a _ this be any different? it's a fair point and a great _ this be any different? it's a fair point and a great point. - this be any different? it's a fair point and a great point. we - this be any different? it's a fair i point and a great point. we never did really try the full regional approach. i disagree with you there. a real emphasis on pakistan, putting pressure on pakistan it so that they stop giving and take. we never did do that. secondly i have to tell you, i was in kandahar part of regional command 2009, 2010 general nick carter was my commander. exceptional officer. i was sure it was all going to be over by 2000 and 2011. so it's very frustrating to me as well knowing that ten years after i thought we were done we are still there. �* ., ,., ., , ., , there. but the reason that ten years after ou there. but the reason that ten years after you thought — there. but the reason that ten years after you thought you _ there. but the reason that ten years after you thought you were - there. but the reason that ten years after you thought you were done - there. but the reason that ten years | after you thought you were done you are not is at least in part because the organisation that trying to defeat the taliban. it is not been defeated. how do you analyse the failure to do that given the strength of nato versus an operation

which is based in perhaps not one country but to?— country but to? within insurgency ou have country but to? within insurgency you have to _ country but to? within insurgency you have to eliminate _ country but to? within insurgency you have to eliminate safe - country but to? within insurgencyj you have to eliminate safe haven. you have to eliminate the place from which they get support. and we just have not done, i know i sound like a scratch record but we have not put the necessary pressure on pakistan to deny safe haven. i think this has to deny safe haven. i think this has to do with the very unique sort of power arrangements that they have in pakistan with the isi. i need for a light up communication. in the concern about nuclear weapons in pakistan falling into the hands of extremists. it was easy obviously it would have been solved long ago. but i don't think any administration in the united states has put the necessary pressure on pakistan. that means you have to work with india so that pakistan is not concerned about india on one side and in india and finally afghanistan on the other

side. �* ., _ finally afghanistan on the other side. �* ., .y side. before we say goodbye, in the aftermath of— side. before we say goodbye, in the aftermath of the _ side. before we say goodbye, in the aftermath of the 9/11 _ side. before we say goodbye, in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks - side. before we say goodbye, in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks that i aftermath of the 9/11 attacks that was optimism from the american military and government that this could be resolved relatively swiftly. you've talked about the optimism you felt ten years on that the solution was close. harry are 20 years on and you are again sounding optimistic this can be resolved. do you think there is a possibility i may be interviewing you in 30 years and were still talking about american troops in afghanistan? ross, i hope i'm around in 30 years and i'd love to speak to you if i was. i was sure it way back in 2003, 2004 when i was brigade commander i was sure that we were done then. it's difficult to understand how we are still there all these years later as well as in afghanistan. i certainly don't want to come across as overly optimistic about what's got to be done. the key is that all

of the allies, all the members of the coalition have got to work on this together. and come up with a solution together. some were going to leave. we know that for a fact. i think we still want to make sure that al-qaeda and other extremist organisations are not able to use afghanistan to attack our european airlines or north america again. thank you very much. very interesting to talk. been saying we will leave at some point the big discussion for nato's defences will that be made made the first that was put in by the trump administration or will that be revised because of american concerns and nato concerns that the caliban is not sticking to its part of the bargain. we will of course keep a close eye on that. we're going to spend the next ten minutes looking at the coronavirus pandemic in europe.

in a moment we'll look at the current virus hotspots. first — the eu has ramped up its procurement of vaccines. as you might remember — the eu was having major problems with it's roll—out — and got into a row with manufacturer astrazeneca. we'll have an update on that a bit later. but to help fill boost supplies — it's ordered a further 150 million doses of the moderna jab — which will arrive in the second half of the year. and the eu has stressed that the vaccines its ordering must adapt to new strains of the virus. here's president of the european commission, ursula von der leyen. it's not the vaccine is there and were over with the whole story, but that we'll go into a race against that virus. we will always have to be vigilant to be able, if there is a mutation to fight them with improved vaccines. next, let's look at the state

of the outbreak in europe. overall — cases are going down according to the world health organisation case numbers across the continent dropped 18% in the last week. deaths are also down by 19%. and look at this graph. this shows new cases — in the green bars and deaths which are marked by the black line which peaked at record highs in in earlyjanuary have fallen since then. but that isn't the full picture. we know several countries are particularly struggling. we're going to look at spikes in germany, portugal and the czech republic and first poland. last week the government eased restrictions. since then cases have risen sharply. nearly 8700 new cases were recorded on wednesday, the highest daily figure for a month. officials fear the situation could worsen. that's because of events like this. this was the scene at one ski resort over the weekend. more than 20,000 people rushed to visit as it reopened.

and as you can see — there wasn't much social distancing and not many wore facemasks — despite them being mandatory. next, to neighbouring czech republic. it's seeing a spike in cases linked to the spread of the more contagious uk variant. and that's putting the health system under huge pressure. in the capital prague there's are only four intensive care beds left available in covid wards. here's the prime minister. translation: the l situation is not good. it has worsened again. yesterday's figure is 12,500 cases. we already have only a few icu beds available. so of course will have to decide which way to go next. next portugal. this time two weeks ago, it was struggling. injanuary alone, portugal recorded almost half its overall total death toll of 12,000 people. the capital lisbon had even run out of intensive care beds.

a handful of patients had to be airlifted from the mainland to the island of madeira to receive treatment. well, this news has got better. this graph shows the number of daily cases. they've more than halved from where they were two weeks ago. and it's a similar picture with deaths. the country recorded 90 deaths on tuesday, their lowest figure since january the 5th. and then there's germany — during the first wave — the country was deemed a success story as italy, spain, france and the uk saw high deaths tolls, it did not. the story is different with this second wave. the vaccine roll—out has been slow. case numbers, hospitalisations and deaths are all causing concern. injanuary, angela merkel admitted "we have lost control of this thing. well lots of restrictions are in place in germany — and the number of cases is decreasing slowly but there's are still concerns, in particular around the uk variant. here's the german health minister.

translation: the statistics show | that the mutations are spreading| significantly in germany. and the variant first discovered in the uk worries us. two weeks ago this variant made up 6% of testing samples. now it's over 22%. matina stevis—gridneff — brussels correspondent for the new york times. thank you very much for your time. can we focus on germany why is it struggling with the second wave in a way it didn't with the first? actually engler merkel was quite honest right at the onset of the second wave of lockdown and restrictive measures, she felt that it had been too late. and a fat face resistance internally from regional leaders and going ahead with these measures earlier. there is a sense they are that perhaps they move too slowly. remember, they only stepped up slowly. remember, they only stepped up their measures and extended them

until march just last week. that's not just until march just last week. that's notjust in germany. there is a sense that there was a real reluctance to go to lockdown the way several countries have done in the first way. and some of them may be paying for that. in combination with obvious measures, fatigued by cuisine across the world. as well is a bit of complacency because of some age groups in particularfield that they are determined to be vaccinated is just around the corner. if not isjust around the corner. if not that's germany _ isjust around the corner. if not that's germany can _ isjust around the corner. if not that's germany can you - isjust around the corner. if not that's germany can you update | isjust around the corner. if not i that's germany can you update us isjust around the corner. if not - that's germany can you update us on belgian particularly brussels which was a focus in the autumn. it was a focus in the autumn. it certainly was. here in brussels we had a terrible first wave and a terrible second wave. we've had fairly strong restrictions in place since the third week of october. i'm happy to report that they've largely been working. we have had pockets of spikes in those case numbers and

parts of the country. particularly flanders, more recently. but brussels, the capital of belgium and also the seat of the european union and belgian more broadly have really brought those case numbers down. unfortunately however, at the picture is really very poor when it comes to vaccination rollout. because remember, those measures are not supposed to be indefinite. they are supposed to be there to support the population and support the health care systems. keep death slows as their vaccinations have rolled out. that's happening painfully slowly in belgium in most parts of europe, actually. who; painfully slowly in belgium in most parts of europe, actually.— parts of europe, actually. why is it aoian parts of europe, actually. why is it aoain so parts of europe, actually. why is it going so slowly? — parts of europe, actually. why is it going so slowly? we _ parts of europe, actually. why is it going so slowly? we know - parts of europe, actually. why is it going so slowly? we know there i parts of europe, actually. why is it l going so slowly? we know there was this huge row with astrazeneca, is that not even edged toward any form of resolution?— of resolution? frankly the situation with astrazeneca _ of resolution? frankly the situation with astrazeneca is _ of resolution? frankly the situation with astrazeneca is not _ of resolution? frankly the situation with astrazeneca is not going - of resolution? frankly the situation with astrazeneca is not going to i of resolution? frankly the situation with astrazeneca is not going to be resolved in the first quarter of the year. whether tones have become a bit gentler and milder and there is been a desire to find common ground

sends the worst of that spat in late january. the reality is the company cannot produce and deliver it what it had said it would. at the same time we had a temporary setback in deliveries by pfizer which was also slowing down its supply in order to upgrade its facilities. that being said, there are promising signs for the second and third quarter of the year. but we can definitely be sure that the first quarter of the year, we are halfway through it now, it's going to be much, much lower in terms of rolling out those vaccines in the european union. and that can be partly put down to a slower start in the eu. remember the eu was behind with the authorisation and roll—out behind both united kingdom and the united states was up also beyond the joint procurement effort and the flaws of the approach they are also logistical, practical problems in every single country

that's responsible for its own rollout. even germany, they are competent administration we are seeing completely dysfunctional phone line systems to book appointments. people complaining that it's impossible to get an appointment. i know someone who called a times in berlin to get an appointment for an 85—year—old. in other parts of the eu there are problems like needles shortages. in general admin issues. you can't really blame think european commission for those. always appreciate _ commission for those. always appreciate you _ commission for those. always appreciate you coming - commission for those. always appreciate you coming on. - commission for those. always - appreciate you coming on. please join us again soon. let's bring you some live pcitures from madrid, where hundreds of people are rallying in support of a catalan communist rapper pablo hasel, who has been arrested over his social media posts and lyrics. in the past few minutes, we've seen clashes between demonstraters and police

and some smoke. last night, rioting broke out at a protest in barcelona. inafew in a few minutes. few minutes. still to come, japan's olympics minister, seiko hashimoto, looks set to take charge of this summer's tokyo olympics after her male predecessor quit for saying women talk too much. almost a year after our lives changed dramatically from coronavirus, our business correspondent emma simpson has been talking people about their lockdown experiences and what may lie ahead. for so many in this pandemic, where we live has become where we work. not easy if you're home—schooling as well. tori is a single mother in hull. i wish to have more flexibility to work from home but i didn't wish it in this way!

get your foot off the wire! try to get your foot off the wire, please. yeah, i'm all right. she is a project manager for a heating business, working until 10:30pm to keep up. i've been quite emotional today, i've had a cry. um. it's just really overwhelming, balancing everything. stephen manages this supermarket in livingston, the biggest asda in scotland. the role of the store manager is completely different. in fact, i've also had to be a psychologist, i've also had to be a counsellor, i've had to be a health and safety expert, a crowd manager, you know, there's many, many different strings to the bow that i've had to pick up very, very quickly. and in this pandemic, there have been plenty of workers forced to change jobs, like mark, a comedian who is now tiling walls and floors. i used to hate leaving a room flat — now i love it!

get it? when the venues closed, mark went on a course to brush up his skills and is now doing good business. the change of direction, it was almost forced upon me. just needed some sort of income coming in. in a strange way, i think i might carry on doing a dual life, comedy works in the evenings but going out and doing tiling jobs, it's like, actually that's nice, it's something different. when the dust eventually settles, many of us will want to work in a different way than we did before this pandemic. emma simpson, bbc news. this is outside source live from the bbc newsroom. our lead story is... the duke of edinburgh has been taken to hospital in london. buckingham palace say his admission is not covid—related, but precautionary. rush limbaugh, the highly influential american talk show host, has died. he was 70 and had been

suffering from cancer. a combative conservative, rush limbaugh was a staunch supporter of donald trump, who awarded him the presidential medal of freedom when he was in office. well, in the past few hours, we've heard from donald trump directly. he's phoned in to fox news. nick bryant is our correspondnet in new york. i wonder what the former president said. well, he paid tribute to rush limbaugh who was one of the most influential americans not to become president in the past 50 years. a man who not only transform that media landscape of this country but also a lot of the political landscape as well. donald trump was especially grateful because in his role as kingmaker of the conservative movement, rush limbaugh was very influential in the rise of donald trump. he took them seriously when a lot of people in the media regarded him as a friend and frivolous figure who stood no chance of becoming the president. rush

limbaugh saw him something very different, and kindred conservative spirit. and his support for donald trump ahead of 2016 was one of the key reasons why he want the republican nomination and then won the presidency. is it republican nomination and then won the presidency-— the presidency. is it reasonable to sa that the presidency. is it reasonable to say that rush _ the presidency. is it reasonable to say that rush limbaugh _ the presidency. is it reasonable to - say that rush limbaugh mainstreamed some political ideas, some analysis of the state of america until he came along was very much outside of the political mainstream? he came along was very much outside of the political mainstream?— the political mainstream? he really took u- the political mainstream? he really took pp where _ the political mainstream? he really took up where ronald _ the political mainstream? he really took up where ronald reagan - the political mainstream? he really took up where ronald reagan had l the political mainstream? he really. took up where ronald reagan had left off. ronald reagan help the rise ronald reagan got rid of the fairness doctrine which was this regulation that meant that radio stations had to have a balance of use. there couldn't be a right wing talk show house while that doctrine was in place was not donald trump got rid of that rush limbaugh lost her show in 1988just as got rid of that rush limbaugh lost her show in 1988 just as the reagan years are coming to an end. he really gave voice to a lot of those reaganite ideas that low taxation, the right to bear arms, their shrill antigovernment rhetoric. he really was an influential figure antigovernment rhetoric. he really was an influentialfigure in antigovernment rhetoric. he really

was an influential figure in the conservative movement in a far more concerted direction. he thought a lot of cultural battles. he was a key competent in the culture war is it that america has wage for 70 years. and he was such a polarising figure. beloved on the right. he was followed by the dittoheads they were called dittoheads because they said ditto after echoing so many of his right wing views. he was hated by liberals. all that hatred frankly it was a badge of honor.— liberals. all that hatred frankly it was a badge of honor. japan has nominated a woman to lead this summer's olympic games in tokyo after its former head was forced to step down for making sexist remarks. this is seiko hashimoto, who's a former olympic speed skater and currently minister for the games. she's also a cyclist and has represented japan at seven winter and summer games. it's expected that she will formally accept her new role on thursday. this is japan's former olympic president, yoshiro mori, for more on the challenges that lie ahead for ms hashimoto,

here's rupert wingfield hayes in tokyo. she has a big job ahead of her because it's now only about five months until the olympics is supposed to open here. the covid pandemic is still going on around the world, and today we had some good news — japan has finally started covid vaccinations. the first 40,000 doses have arrived and started to be put into people's arms today. those are all medical workers. that will be completed over the next two weeks. but i have to sayjapan is way, way behind many other countries on this, the last of the g7 countries to start vaccinating. and the minister in charge of this programme admitted yesterday that they now have no hope of achieving a significant majority ofjapanese people being vaccinated before the july opening of the olympic games. so japan really has no hope of achieving herd immunity before the olympic games opens, and of course that would be the thing that they want to achieve if they're going to hold the olympics in a more open, more inclusive way.

don't forget you can get in touch with me and some of the team on twitter. i'm @rosatkins. hello there. the rest of the week may well be dominated by clouds, wind and rain, but we've had a little midweek window of sunny spells for many of us today. just take a look at this amazing weather watcher picture earlier on today. and you can see where the window has been of the brighter weather, sunny spells for many. more persistent rain now starting to drift its way steadily northwards, and that's going to be the story as we close out wednesday. in fact, that rain will push its way across the scottish borders into central scotland through the night. some heavier pulses into northern ireland and southern scotland for a time. quite a lot of cloud around, and still with the southerly wind, it's going to be a relatively mild

start to thursday, with temperatures around 6—9 degrees. but there will be some wet weather to follow on, and that rain is coming from this weather front here. it's a cold front, so once it's cleared through, it will actually produce slightly cooler air than of late. so they'll be some heavier pulses moving out of devon and cornwall, pushing towards the bristol channel and up through wales into north west england. a few isolated showers ahead of it across east anglia and the south east. that weather front sitting through scotland as well, and the hook of the front will bring more persistent rain to the north—west of the great glen and a few scattered showers as that low pressure sits out to the west through the rest of the afternoon. but there should be some finer weather through the middle part of the day, but still noticeably windy out there. gusts of winds in excess of 40 mph quite widely. top temperaratures, as i say, not quite as mild as recent days, 7—9 degrees the high. the milder air is set to return, but unfortunately that moisture will bring quite a lot of rain and some of it really

quite persistent. a significant low arrives. gale—force gusts of winds expected along west—facing coasts, and some of that rain really could be quite persistent for a time as it moves its way steadily northwards on friday. sheltered eastern areas should escape the worst. it may well stay dry for much of the day. top temperatures of 8—11 degrees. now, this feed of wet weather is going to continue to be the story as we move into the weekend. the heaviest of the rain will always be the further west you go, but it will continue to push up some southerly warm air across the country. so, as you can see, quite an unsettled start to the weekend, but in the south east on sunday, it may be drier and warmer.

this is bbc news. i'm kasia madera. the headlines at eight... buckingham palace says the duke of edinburgh is in "good spirits" after being taken to hospital last night. officials say he was admitted as a "precautionary" step after feeling unwell for a few days. as he prepares to lay out a road map for easing restrictions in england, the prime minister says it's right to focus on data, not dates. par cautious and prudent approach to coming out of lockdown. we want to be going one way from now on. the healthy young people volunteering to be deliberately infected with coronavirus in the uk

for the world's first human trials. the united nations says it will raise the detention of princess latifa, daughter of the ruler of dubai,