hello, i'm ros atkins, welcome to outside source. the un says 38 people have been killed in anti—coup protests in myanmar. today was the bloodiest day since the coup happened on the 1st of february. they started using, i believe, a sound bomb before they fired a shot, so we just ran away. deaths have been reported in at least three cities, and videos showed soldiers allegedly beating medics who were trying to treat injured protesters. german media are reporting the country's main opposition, buckingham palance says it's concerned by allegations meghan bullied staff reported in the times, and will look into the circumstances around the article.

german media are reporting the country's main opposition, the right wing afd, has been designated as a suspected extremist organisation and put under state surveillance. and the european union and the uk are rowing again over brexit and northern ireland. we'll explain the latest disagreement. it's been the deadliest day in myanmar since the military coup last month. these are pictures from today's protests. the un says 38 protestors were killed by security forces on wednesday. 60 have died in total. here's more from the un. today was the bloodiest day since the coup happened on the 1st of february. we had today, only today, 38 people died. we have now more than 50 people that

died since the coup started, the bbc�*s south east asia correspondent, jonathan head, has been reporting on the violence, and i should warn you, these next clips contain upsetting scenes. this was 19—year—old kyel sin at a protest today in mandalay. her t—shirt says "everything will be ok," but she was also carrying a label with her blood group with instructions for what to do if she died. she was struck in the head by a bullet like others who were killed today. here in the city of monywa, the police were filmed dragging away another victim. large numbers of people are being arrested, too, every day. in this neighbourhood, it seemed every resident who was caught was lined up to be taken into custody. and the police are exercising little restraint with those they catch. this security camera video showed three protesters being savagely beaten.

if there is a strategy visible in these shocking scenes, it is perhaps to try to crush a movement which has spread right across the country through fear and brutality in the hope that the international community eventually accepts the reality of military rule once more in myanmar. jonathan head, bbc news. well, to understand the experience of being in these demonstrations, the bbc has talked to one protestor in mandalay. i was actually at the same demonstration that the 19—year—old girl died. i did not witness the murder itself, but i was there with a group of my friends. they started using, i believe, a sound bomb before they fired a shot, so we just ran away, started to run.

the crowd started to disperse after hearing that sound bomb. we went into a home that sheltered us and was kind enough to shelter us, basically, a group of 50 or 100 protesters. we frankly don't have any other choice. we have to keep going and we have to keep protesting. we have to keep showing our dissent towards the military. they are not our government. we have our own elected government and they need to respect our vote. it's a similar picture in other cities, too, and the protestors are using different methods to try and protect themselves. our correspondent nyein chan aye has more on this from yangon. people at the front, they call themselves front line defence, are wearing fully protective gear, like concussion helmets and using shields. they are also making makeshift barricades in the neighbourhood.

to stop or slow the movement of the military or police vehicles. just an hour ago, the police used stun guns and tear gas in the main road just over there, about 500 yards away. i spoke to two people who were in the same area who told me they had been attacked. the police also fired rubber bullets on protesters without any warning. german media are reporting that the main opposition party, alternative for deutschland, has been designated as a suspected right wing extremist organisation. it would mean members could be spied on by the intelligence services. the party is anti—islam, anti—immigration and anti—establishment.

its popularity surged in 2015 after over a million migrants entered germany, and in 2017, it became the first far—right party to win seats in parliament since the second world war. the party has faced criticism for some of its rhetoric. this campaign ad from the 2017 election was hostile to gay rights, calling them �*gender madness'. and this says �*we want bikinis, not burkas'. and inevitably, the relative popularity of the afd has caused much concern within the political mainstream. one of the highest guys in the afd, he said the germans have to be proud of what they did in the first and second world war, and i mean what did germany do? they slaughtered jews and homosexuals, this is nothing you can be proud of. we should be clear — while the afd are the main opposition in germany, they only got 13% of the vote

in the 2017 election, seen here in blue. the cdu and spd, shown here in black and red, govern in a coalition. hence the afd being the opposition. they represent 54% of the electorate. here's more from damien mcguinness in berlin. this party is accused of being potentially dangerous for the german democratic system, and that means that intelligence officers are now allowed legally to tap e—mails and phone calls and electronic communications of members, some politicians in the party. it means that the party has now been branded, effectively, as a party that could be dangerous for german democracy. and that's a major step because that hasn't happened to any party within the national parliament in modern german political history. so it does mean that for many moderate voters who might be considering voting for the afd over the next year in a number of key regional elections and also the big

parliamentary election in september, that it would make some more moderate voters think twice about it. what it will also do, though, this is clear from comments from afd today, it will also rally round the party. what you could really identify as potentially more extremist members and more extreme and supporters, that hard core of people who are being told by leaders that their party is now being victimised and targeted, and that does play into a narrative that does work for a small percentage of the electorate. we've heard some reaction from the afd. here's the head of the party in the german parliament. translation: the aim is clearly to we can before the elections _ the aim is clearly to we can before the elections. —— _ the aim is clearly to we can before the elections. —— we _ the aim is clearly to we can before the elections. —— we can _ the aim is clearly to we can before the elections. —— we can us. - anna saurbrey an editor and writer at german daily newspaper der tagesspiegel.

what's your reaction to the story? i think it's a necessary step because we have seen that the afd has been radicalising, and it's not... it has come as something that was expected because of some parties, some parts of the party, both groups within the party and regional sections have already been put under the same surveillance, and it was expected for some time that the party as a whole would be under surveillance too. so it's whole would be under surveillance too. so its expected and i think it necessary. too. so it's expected and i think it necessary-— necessary. does that open up the ossibili necessary. does that open up the possibility of _ necessary. does that open up the possibility of the _ necessary. does that open up the possibility of the afd _ necessary. does that open up the possibility of the afd not - necessary. does that open up the possibility of the afd not being . possibility of the afd not being able to exist as a party? could there be a circumstance in which the state says this is no longer acceptable?— state says this is no longer acceptable? state says this is no longer accetable? ., ~ �*, ., , acceptable? no, i think it's a very lona wa acceptable? no, i think it's a very long way from _ acceptable? no, i think it's a very long way from being _ acceptable? no, i think it's a very long way from being put - acceptable? no, i think it's a very long way from being put under i long way from being put under surveillance by the secret service. it opens up a range of ways to

observe the party, but it's still far away from being banned as a party. it has very high constitutional hurdles in germany, and the constitutional court has been very strict on such attempt to ban parties as a whole. so, i don't think we are close to that. i ban parties as a whole. so, i don't think we are close to that.- think we are close to that. i was mentioning _ think we are close to that. i was mentioning how _ think we are close to that. i was mentioning how it _ think we are close to that. i was mentioning how it did _ think we are close to that. i was mentioning how it did in - think we are close to that. i was mentioning how it did in the - think we are close to that. i was mentioning how it did in the 2017 election, but more recently, how is it performing in polls? it election, but more recently, how is it performing in polls?— it performing in polls? it has stagnated- _ it performing in polls? it has stagnated. i— it performing in polls? it has stagnated. ithink— it performing in polls? it has stagnated. i think this - it performing in polls? it has stagnated. i think this is - it performing in polls? it has| stagnated. i think this is also it performing in polls? it has - stagnated. i think this is also part of the development that we have seen. we know from surveys in germany that there is a great potential for a germany that there is a great potentialfor a populist germany that there is a great potential for a populist party and the afd has been able to mobilise their potential during the immigration crisis. but now that this issue is not so high on the

political agenda, the issue had vanished before that, it is sort of losing that common denominator to hold its coalition of voters together which range from conservatives to write ring extremes —— to right wing extremes. they don't have that any more. they are now about two percentage points. it doesn't seem like they can get out of there, and i think this now is sort of the official seal to its extremism, and it will cost them. thanks forjoining us. the fallout from brexit continues. to delay bringing in full checks on goods

entering northern ireland from mainland britain. let's bring in kevin connolly. tell us more about this, please. kevin connolly. tell us more about this. please-— this, please. one of the great stickin: this, please. one of the great sticking points _ this, please. one of the great sticking points in _ this, please. one of the great sticking points in the - this, please. one of the great sticking points in the brexit i sticking points in the brexit negotiations, how to avoid having a hard border on the island of ireland. that was a great negotiating aim of the european union, by the united kingdom too. the result, you will remember, was a deal where you don't have a hard border on the island of ireland. that makes the ports of entry into northern ireland effectively, the border of the european union single market, northern ireland is in the single market of the eu and in the british customs area. that means quite complicated rules about moving goods backwards and forwards. the uk is now saying the delay... until october. the eu quite simply is

angry. it says that the violation of the good voice clause of the withdrawal agreement —— good faith clause. is withdrawal agreement -- good faith clause. , . , withdrawal agreement -- good faith clause. , ., , ., withdrawal agreement -- good faith clause. , . , ., clause. is there anything that you can do beyond — clause. is there anything that you can do beyond strong _ clause. is there anything that you can do beyond strong language i clause. is there anything that you can do beyond strong language in response? can do beyond strong language in resonse? . v can do beyond strong language in resonse? ., �*, ., , can do beyond strong language in resonse? . v . , response? that's a very good question- _ response? that's a very good question- i — response? that's a very good question. i think— response? that's a very good question. i think one - response? that's a very good question. i think one of - response? that's a very good question. i think one of the l question. i think one of the interesting things is what's going to be the nature of the relationship. after brexit between the eu and uk. will it settle down into something more constructive? this looks a little fractious, frankly. it's going to make negotiations difficult. i suppose the eu will respond to tough measures from the uk with tough measures from the uk with tough measures itself, but the problem is the mechanism of international laws. when political situations need fixings in days or weeks or months,

so in concrete terms, there's not much that you can do beyond expressing anger, but it will matter when it comes to negotiation —— not much the eu can do. when it comes to negotiation -- not much the eu can do.— much the eu can do. during the brexit process, _ much the eu can do. during the brexit process, there _ much the eu can do. during the brexit process, there were - much the eu can do. during the l brexit process, there were formal moments to negotiate set out by both sides. there was an arena in which to talk on a regular basis. when these problems arise now, what's in place to facilitate resolving these problems? place to facilitate resolving these roblems? ., ., ,., , , problems? one of the reasons why there surprise _ problems? one of the reasons why there surprise as _ problems? one of the reasons why there surprise as well _ problems? one of the reasons why there surprise as well as _ problems? one of the reasons why there surprise as well as anger - problems? one of the reasons why| there surprise as well as anger over this is because there is what's called an implementation committee. it's chaired on the eu side by a very senior member of the european commission. he's able to get things done. last week, as recently as last week, a brussels —— brussels felt there was process on the problems of northern ireland. the feeling here was there was another deal where the

intensified talks involving brussels and london and businesses in northern ireland would drill into what's actually going wrong and find a way to fix it. so, they feel the british side has very quickly changed its position and change the whole atmosphere surrounding the northern ireland question. i think they were surprised. this is a city a bureaucracy administration, they don't like being surprised.- don't like being surprised. kevin, thank ou don't like being surprised. kevin, thank you very — don't like being surprised. kevin, thank you very much. _ next we turn to texas. the us state of texas is lifting its requirement to wear a mask. it's the largest state to do this. businesses will also reopen at full capacity next week. here's the governor. i'm ending the state—wide mask mandate. i'm ending the state-wide mask mandate. �* �* ,,

despite these changes, remember this. removing state mandates does not end personal responsibility. that highlights the focus in the us on individual decision—making. not everyone is persuaded that the good thing. ijust believe that we haven't reached the level where it's safe to let down our guard just yet. we still need to have more people vaccinated and fewer people in the hospitals before it's safe to do so — i think the announcement was fantastic. _ let people make their own decisions. this does not need to be mandated. you know? it's not... the governor is not l my mom, you know? health experts in the us are warning that the pandemic is far from over, but several states have been easing restrictions. the governor of texas says "it is now time to open the state 100%".

and we know that infections are falling in the us. this is daily confirmed cases for the whole country. you can see a steep fall since the peak injanuary, but there are still more than 50,000 new cases every day. and look at this — the data for texas. cases were falling, but you can see them beginning to rise again in recent weeks. there's about 7,000 new cases there every day. professor lauren meyers is a covid—19 modeller at the university of texas in austin. this is coming from a place of having seen a tremendous surge and hospitalisations that peaked in january and seen the numbers come down really dramatically over the last few weeks. the hospitalisation is down, we don't have nearly as many be agent and icu. things are looking betterfrom a looking better from a hospitalisation perspective, but on the other hand, we still have very high risk of viral transmission,

infection, hospitalisations, deaths infection, hospitalisations, deaths in our community. the virus is still spreading. depending on where you are and test this, the prevalence of the virus is somewhere between one of a thousand people —— where you are in texas. looking ahead, we have events coming up in the us, holidays coming up that could exacerbate that risk, including st. patrick's day, spring break and easter. do risk, including st. patrick's day, spring break and easter.- spring break and easter. do you think it's a _ spring break and easter. do you think it's a mistake _ spring break and easter. do you think it's a mistake to _ spring break and easter. do you think it's a mistake to look - spring break and easter. do you think it's a mistake to look to i spring break and easter. do you i think it's a mistake to look to open up think it's a mistake to look to open up the state 100%? i think it's a mistake to look to open up the state 100%?— up the state 100%? i may 'ust say that sta . e up the state 100%? i may 'ust say that stage policies fi up the state 100%? i may 'ust say that stage policies make _ up the state 100%? i mayjust say that stage policies make sense. i up the state 100%? i mayjust say | that stage policies make sense. as things look worse, we enact stricter measures to slow transmission and i think start to look better, we can relax those measures. we are not yet at a point where we should be relaxing all of the measures, and really importantly, wearing facemasks is a free option that can save a lot of lives. facemasks prevent transmission, they are not a

burden and by wearing them, we can lift these other burdens and get back to school and get back to work and get back to our daily social commercial recreational activities. bearing everything that you've had in mind, please help us understand where the new variance of covid—19 fit into your calculations —— variants. fit into your calculations -- variants-— variants. they are another uncertainty- _ variants. they are another uncertainty. certainly, - variants. they are another uncertainty. certainly, we| variants. they are another- uncertainty. certainly, we have quite a bit of the b117 variant spreading throughout texas. it's been estimated to spread more quickly, so it'sjust another been estimated to spread more quickly, so it's just another reason for us to still be cautious, to still be wearing facemasks, still be taking measures to protect ourselves and those around us when we do go out in public. we and those around us when we do go out in public— out in public. we turn to india now. thousands — out in public. we turn to india now. thousands of _ out in public. we turn to india now. thousands of people _ out in public. we turn to india now. thousands of people have - out in public. we turn to india now. thousands of people have signed i out in public. we turn to india now. thousands of people have signed a| thousands of people have signed a petition calling for the chief justice to resign. that's after he told an accused rapist he could

avoid a sentence to —— if he married his victim who was 16 at the time. this happened during a hearing for a government employee who was accused of stalking _ government employee who was accused of stalking and repeatedly raping a minor_ of stalking and repeatedly raping a minor schoolgirl. during that period. — minor schoolgirl. during that period, india's supreme court chief judges _ period, india's supreme court chief judges asked the accused whether he was willing to marry the victim in order— was willing to marry the victim in order to — was willing to marry the victim in order to escape a potentialjail sentence _ order to escape a potentialjail sentence. he asked the accused through— sentence. he asked the accused through his lawyer, who responded saying _ through his lawyer, who responded saying he _ through his lawyer, who responded saying he was unable to do so because — saying he was unable to do so because he was already married and the chief— because he was already married and the chiefjustice stressed he wasn't forcing _ the chiefjustice stressed he wasn't forcing this man to do so. but the very fact — forcing this man to do so. but the very fact is — forcing this man to do so. but the very fact is he did ask him. whether he was _ very fact is he did ask him. whether he was willing to. those comments have angered and frustrated a lot of

women _ have angered and frustrated a lot of women across india. thousands of people _ women across india. thousands of people have signed a petition and the letter— people have signed a petition and the letter has been written by a number— the letter has been written by a number of women's rights activists, and they— number of women's rights activists, and they are — number of women's rights activists, and they are calling for the chief justice _ and they are calling for the chief justice of— and they are calling for the chief justice of india to not only apologise, but also to step down. in the letter, _ apologise, but also to step down. in the letter, they say "your words scandatise — the letter, they say "your words scandalise us and lower the authority of law, they fill us with wage _ authority of law, they fill us with wage that — authority of law, they fill us with wage that women have to explain the meaning _ wage that women have to explain the meaning of— wage that women have to explain the meaning of seduction, rape and marriage, — meaning of seduction, rape and marriage, even to the chiefjustice who cattsm — marriage, even to the chiefjustice who cattsm " _ marriage, even to the chiefjustice who calls... " it also raises track record _ who calls... " it also raises track record when— who calls... " it also raises track record when it comes to dealing with crimes— record when it comes to dealing with crimes against women and says enough and is _ crimes against women and says enough and is a _ crimes against women and says enough and is a tough —— enough is enough. we've_ and is a tough —— enough is enough. we've reported repeatedly on violence — we've reported repeatedly on violence against women in india, and one thing _ violence against women in india, and one thing that does keep coming up as well— one thing that does keep coming up as well as _ one thing that does keep coming up as well as the fact that conviction rates _ as well as the fact that conviction rates are — as well as the fact that conviction rates are low is that attitudes are still not _ rates are low is that attitudes are still not changing towards women in

this country. what many activists say is _ this country. what many activists say is that — this country. what many activists say is that these remarks from someone — say is that these remarks from someone so senior and so powerful in india someone so senior and so powerful in india just _ someone so senior and so powerful in india just underscores the fact that aptitudes _ india just underscores the fact that aptitudes towards women still haven't— aptitudes towards women still haven't changed.— aptitudes towards women still haven't chanced. �* . , ., ., . haven't changed. afghanistan now, an u date on a haven't changed. afghanistan now, an update on a story _ haven't changed. afghanistan now, an update on a story we _ haven't changed. afghanistan now, an update on a story we covered - update on a story we covered yesterday. the islamic state group �*s responsibility for killing three female employees at a tv station in the east of afghanistan on tuesday. the women were killed as they made their way home in the city, more broadly being hit by a series of assassinations. the bbc�*s suck under her money has more. they were on their way home from work and now they're being buried —— secunder kermani. all three young women worked at a tv channel based in the city ofjalalabad.

translation: today was another terrible date for our channel. - we have lost three of our colleagues. i am very sad. in december, a female presenterfrom the same station was also killed. the islamic state group has claimed responsibility for both attacks. journalists, human rights activists and judges, many of them women, are amongst the victims of a spate of targeted attacks that has left afghan civil society shaken and wondering who will be next. translation: these kinds of- assassinations are happening a lot. my sister was clearly innocent but she was killed. they were shot and killed in public place and they managed to escape. this is the weakness of our security forces. the taliban and are believed to be behind many of the incidents. officials say the mastermind of this

attack has been arrested and is linked to the group. but they deny that. i asked is also have a presence in afghanistan, particularly here in the east of the country. the ongoing violence and slow—moving talks within the tele— afghan officials are raising fears about what could happen if all remaining foreign forces are withdrawn from the country by may the 1st, as agreed between the us and taliban negotiators last year. —— talks within the taliban. american officials are now reviewing that deal, but the taliban could respond violently to any changes. many fear the coming spring will see even more bloodshed. secunder karmani, bbc news. a formal investigation was opened into war crimes in the palestinian territories. this follows an investigation. the course is based

investigation. the course is based in the hague ruled last month that it does have jurisdiction over the occupied west bank, allowing it to proceed with this investigation. in response, the palestinian authority has welcomed the news. the israeli government has not. his prime minister tweeted "in the face of an anti—semitic decision by the international court ofjustice, there is only one answer, to fight for the truth with all our might and to protect our soldiers." tom bateman has more on this from jerusalem. bateman has more on this from jerusalem-— jerusalem. the israeli prime minister was _ jerusalem. the israeli prime minister was actually - jerusalem. the israeli prime - minister was actually announcing tonight or launching his party's election campaign, and it wasjust tonight or launching his party's election campaign, and it was just a few moments before the prosecutor released this statement, which is of great significance. mr netanyahu has called the decision to launch an investigation of pure anti—cynicism. he says israel is under to attack

tonight. —— anti—semitism. of course, this is simply the decision to launch a formal inquiry and the prosecutor said during the statement that there would be or there should be a discussion about this, and is the beginning of what would be a painstaking protest. —— process. but they will fight the legitimate see of this at every order it believes that it of this at every order it believes thatitis of this at every order it believes that it is politically motivated. the allegations were reported in the times and megan had driven to

assistance from the household and undermine the confidence of the third member. she said she is saddened by the complaint and here is the statement from buckingham palace. we need to consider. here's our royal correspondentjonny dymond. wouldn't the palace have known about this anyway prior to this story in the times?_ the times? yes, because we understand _ the times? yes, because we understand that _ the times? yes, because we understand that one - the times? yes, because we understand that one official. the times? yes, because we | understand that one official in the times? yes, because we - understand that one official in the palace wrote to another official, outlining these claims. but they also understand that once that e—mail had been sent, it really progressed no further because no formal complaint was made by the

members of staff involved about the behaviour of the duchess. of course, a source close to the duchess told me these people left for reasons entirely unconnected with what the duchess did or didn't do with her behaviour. buckingham palace seems to think otherwise, or at least a theme —— it seems to think there is enoughin theme —— it seems to think there is enough in these allegations to warrant what is in effect an inquiry into the behaviour of the duke and duchess towards their staff. i should say, in that time after —— in that times article, they were all saying numerous sources alleging poor behaviour by meghan in particular, but also by harry. so, what is a pretty startling story has taken up u—turn with this announcement from buckingham palace. presumably, we have to see all of this in the context of the pact that we have this huge interview coming

up we have this huge interview coming up with oprah winfrey and a few days. up with oprah winfrey and a few da s. ., days. the timing of it in the context- — days. the timing of it in the context. rumours - days. the timing of it in the context. rumours about. days. the timing of it in the| context. rumours about the days. the timing of it in the _ context. rumours about the duchess's behaviour towards her staff were swirling around the place in the months after her wedding, as a staff member after staff member left their household. that settled down and stories went elsewhere about harry and meghan. we know they left as members of the royal family last year. that's always been knocking around, but it is the timing of this that's so noticeable. this big interview coming up injust that's so noticeable. this big interview coming up in just four days' time with the us tv host oprah winfrey, but before that, palace staff who i know have been chaffing at the bit somewhat at the fact that they stayed silent i've decided to break their silence and put their side of the story out. mr; break their silence and put their side of the story out. my goodness. thank ou side of the story out. my goodness. thank you very _ side of the story out. my goodness. thank you very much _ side of the story out. my goodness. thank you very much indeed - side of the story out. my goodness. thank you very much indeed and i thank you very much indeed and there's more analysis from the other royals on —— the royal

correspondence on bbc website. you can get exactly the same online contact through the website and through the bbc news app as well. hello, i'm ros atkins, this is outside source. today was the bloodiest day since the coup happened. thea;r today was the bloodiest day since the coup happened.— the coup happened. they started usin: i the coup happened. they started using i believe _ the coup happened. they started using i believe sun _ the coup happened. they started using i believe sun block - the coup happened. they started using i believe sun block for - the coup happened. they started using i believe sun block for the | using i believe sun block for the fire the — using i believe sun block for the fire the shot. so we just ran away. deaths have been reported in at least three cities, and videos showed soldiers allegedly beating medics who were trying to treat injured protesters.

he scotland's first minister, nicola sturgeon, has dismissed claims of a "plot" against her predecessor alex salmond as "absurd." she said the scottish government had "nothing to hide" in her appearance before the inquiry investigating how it handled allegations of sexual harassment against him. our scotland editor sarah smith reports. the stakes could not be higher, but nicola sturgeon says she is relieved to finally get the chance to answer all the charges made against her. i solemny, sincerely and truly declare...

and apologised to the women who made complaints and who were let down by government mistakes. in sorrow and anger, she denied there was ever a plot to destroy alex salmond. alex salmond has been, for most of my life, since i was about 20, 21 years old, notjust a very close political colleague, a friend and somebody i looked up to in my younger days, you know, i looked up to and revered. i had no motive and intention or desire to get alex salmond. nicola sturgeon originally told parliament the first she knew of complaints against alex salmond was on the 2nd of april when he told her about it in a meeting at her home. and she later had to admit she had forgotten about a meeting of the 29th of march with his former chief of staff in which he said the complaints were discussed. i would have been shocked and appalled by news like that. i wouldn't have slept a wink last night, it would not have gone out of my mind,

so that is why we are struggling to believe the story that you just forgot about this meeting. people can be sceptical about that, but i hadn't remembered the 29th as being the big significant factor in this. in many ways, i really wish i had because if i had, i would not be sitting here and i would be sitting here answering these questions but not trying to explain that to you, and i'm trying to explain it to the best of my ability and the best my recollection. alex salmond won a court battle with the scottish government over how they mishandled the investigation of complaints against him, and the legal advice given to the government in that case was made public last night, and shows its external boys were very concerned. the charge that has been made against me is that i wilfully allowed a judicial review to proceed against the legal advice and therefore i broke the ministerial code. with respect, as you now know, i was acting in accordance with the views of the law officers and not acting against the views

of the law officers. was alex salmond's former chief of staff, geoff aberdein, given the name of one of the women who had complained by a senior government official? it's a serious charge. mr salmond has lodged a formal complaint today, but nicola sturgeon does not accept that is what happened. why would geoff aberdein, a senior person in the history of the snp, pursuing a career now in financial services, in financial services, as you are aware, why would he give evidence that was not true? there are differing recollections and differing accounts. i can think of why the name of a complainant might have been known at that time. that does not mean it was revealed or identified in the way that has been said, and i'm not going to repeat everything i've said about the 2nd of april, but mr salmond knew the identity of the complainers in one case because he told me he had apologised to her. that is my recollection of how

he knew that complainer and the other because he had done his own investigations to find out. last week, alex salmond sat here accusing nicola sturgeon and her allies of turning against him. i don't know whether he ever reflects on the fact that many of us including me feel very let down by him, and that is a matter of deep personal pain and regret for me. i probably should stop there. nicola sturgeon is under intense political pressure. facing the prospect of a vote of no confidence in the scottish parliament, today she laid out in great detail the case for her defence. next we go to new york and in the

past half— next we go to new york and in the past half an— next we go to new york and in the past half an hour the new york goverhor— past half an hour the new york governor andrew cuomo has addressed the sexual— governor andrew cuomo has addressed the sexual harassment claims against him he _ the sexual harassment claims against him he will— the sexual harassment claims against him he will not resign but will co—operate with the review led by the attorney general. | co-operate with the review led by the attorney general.— the attorney general. i now understand _ the attorney general. i now understand that _ the attorney general. i now understand that i _ the attorney general. i now understand that i acted - the attorney general. i now understand that i acted in l the attorney general. i now understand that i acted in a j the attorney general. i now- understand that i acted in a way that made people feel uncomfortable. it was unintentional. and i truly and deeply apologise for it. i feel awful about it. and frankly i am embarrassed by it. and that's not easy to say. but that's the truth. listening to all of that was our new york correspondent. what listening to all of that was our new york correspondent.— listening to all of that was our new york correspondent. what else lisee? essentially he — york correspondent. what else lisee? essentially he used _ york correspondent. what else lisee? essentially he used this _ york correspondent. what else lisee? essentially he used this briefing - york correspondent. what else lisee? essentially he used this briefing to - essentially he used this briefing to new yorkers where he would normally talk about _ new yorkers where he would normally talk about coronavirus, infection numbers— talk about coronavirus, infection numbers and rates and where he had seen his— numbers and rates and where he had seen his star— numbers and rates and where he had

seen his star rise as a politician during — seen his star rise as a politician during the _ seen his star rise as a politician during the pandemic to really confront— during the pandemic to really confront these allegations against him and _ confront these allegations against him and it is the first time that the governor has spoken on camera about— the governor has spoken on camera about this _ the governor has spoken on camera about this in — the governor has spoken on camera about this in a significant way because — about this in a significant way because there has been so much pressure — because there has been so much pressure mounting is notjust one or two but _ pressure mounting is notjust one or two but now— pressure mounting is notjust one or two but now three women have accused him of— two but now three women have accused him of sexual harassment. and what he essentially said is he never touched — he essentially said is he never touched anyone, that he wanted new yorkers _ touched anyone, that he wanted new yorkers to _ touched anyone, that he wanted new yorkers to hear that directly from him but _ yorkers to hear that directly from him but that he did acknowledge that he made _ him but that he did acknowledge that he made people feel uncomfortable and for— he made people feel uncomfortable and for that he was sorry. he also asked _ and for that he was sorry. he also asked new— and for that he was sorry. he also asked new yorkers to wait until the facts of— asked new yorkers to wait until the facts of the attorney general's investigation were in. those are going _ investigation were in. those are going to — investigation were in. those are going to be made public when that is concluded, _ going to be made public when that is concluded, and so he asked new yorkers— concluded, and so he asked new yorkers to — concluded, and so he asked new yorkers to wait for those facts before — yorkers to wait for those facts before making any conclusions of their— before making any conclusions of their own — before making any conclusions of their own or opinions of their own, so it— their own or opinions of their own, so it really— their own or opinions of their own, so it really was here the governor trying _ so it really was here the governor trying to — so it really was here the governor trying to do— so it really was here the governor trying to do damage control for someone — trying to do damage control for someone who is falsely or not accused — someone who is falsely or not accused of being a bully, as being a

tough _ accused of being a bully, as being a tough leader in new york, for him to acknowledge that he was embarrassed by these _ acknowledge that he was embarrassed by these allegations really show that he — by these allegations really show that he was trying to put them behind — that he was trying to put them behind him as much as he could come in to get— behind him as much as he could come in to get on— behind him as much as he could come in to get on with the rest of the work— in to get on with the rest of the work of— in to get on with the rest of the work of the state.— in to get on with the rest of the work of the state. have a put this in a national _ work of the state. have a put this in a national context. _ work of the state. have a put this in a national context. i _ work of the state. have a put this in a national context. i know- work of the state. have a put this in a national context. i know he's| in a national context. i know he's resenting new york but he has become a national political figure during the pandemic.— a national political figure during the pandemic. a national political figure during the andemic. ~ , . the pandemic. absolutely. when new york was the — the pandemic. absolutely. when new york was the epicentre _ the pandemic. absolutely. when new york was the epicentre of _ the pandemic. absolutely. when new york was the epicentre of the - york was the epicentre of the coronavirus epidemic, he was on tv every— coronavirus epidemic, he was on tv every day, — coronavirus epidemic, he was on tv every day, really seeing it as a foil to — every day, really seeing it as a foil to donald trump, giving fact—based information, releasing an informed _ fact—based information, releasing an informed and on top of things. now fast forward where we are today, not only is _ fast forward where we are today, not only is he _ fast forward where we are today, not only is he being investigated for downplaying the number of nursing home _ downplaying the number of nursing home desk during the pandemic, but now you _ home desk during the pandemic, but now you are — home desk during the pandemic, but now you are having many women come forward _ now you are having many women come forward and _ now you are having many women come forward and this woman charlotte bennett. — forward and this woman charlotte bennett, a former aide, forward and this woman charlotte bennett, a formeraide, said in june, _ bennett, a formeraide, said in june, during the coronavirus response. _ june, during the coronavirus response, that he had asked her uncomfortable questions it made her feel horribly embarrassed and she

wanted _ feel horribly embarrassed and she wanted women to come out and speak about— wanted women to come out and speak about their— wanted women to come out and speak about their own interactions with the governor because she felt that he was _ the governor because she felt that he was using his celebrity, his rising — he was using his celebrity, his rising star— he was using his celebrity, his rising star power to really hide behind — rising star power to really hide behind some of the abusive behaviour. as we heard from the governor, — behaviour. as we heard from the governor, he said he never touched anyone _ governor, he said he never touched anyone and — governor, he said he never touched anyone and everyone and anyone to feel that _ anyone and everyone and anyone to feel that way and that he and his father, _ feel that way and that he and his father, a — feel that way and that he and his father, a former governor, actually express— father, a former governor, actually express themselves with constituents and others _ express themselves with constituents and others by hugging them and giving _ and others by hugging them and giving them kisses and that that was 'ust giving them kisses and that that was just his _ giving them kisses and that that was just his way to drop to the people feel connected to him.— feel connected to him. thank you very much- _ let's turn to chile. at least 140 women are believed to have become pregnant by accident after taking defective birth control pills distributed by the government. according to this new york times article, the problem first came to attention in march last year, when chile went into lockdown. it tells us some active birth control pills were mixed with placebo pills while other packets had missing or crushed pills. the government has since recalled over 276,000 packets.

ernesto londono wrote that article for the new york times. hejoins me from rio de janeiro. thank you forjoining us. how can a mix—up like that happen? it is still a big mystery exactly what went wrong but there was a big production error with these pills. these appeals can in packages of 20 pills and some of them would be placebo slots to my pills women usually take when they are having their period. apparently what happened in at least some cases, the placebo pills were put in the active slots so women who were taking them thought it would be protected and were not protected by the window of time that was crucial in wound up getting pregnant in the middle of an epidemic. you've spoken to some of the women in your article. what have they said and what are their next steps?

i spoke to woman who is 20 and 11 with her boyfriend six months and worked at a fast food restaurant. she said she was stunned. her boyfriend did not even think he could have babies because of a previous ailment. so this really left her in a bind. she said she considered having an abortion which is not legal in chile but you could not find any safe means so ultimately, with the band, she had the baby. and many other women have frequently had learned she was pregnant and was devastated. this was at a time when her marriage is falling apart so i think across the board many women were already low income communities to begin with and they now find themselves having to scramble to find money to raise another child at a time when the economy is in pretty rough shape and jobs are not easy to come by. {fluid

jobs are not easy to come by. could the government _ jobs are not easy to come by. could the government offer— jobs are not easy to come by. could the government offer some - jobs are not easy to come by. could the government offer some additional support given this is not entirely their fall? ,., , ., their fall? the government is not s-ueakin their fall? the government is not speaking about — their fall? the government is not speaking about this _ their fall? the government is not speaking about this at _ their fall? the government is not speaking about this at all - their fall? the government is not speaking about this at all even i speaking about this at all even though they were the ones providing these pills to the women. they have chosen not to answer any questions about their role and they have taken no responsibility. however reproductive rights activists in chile intend to file lawsuits on behalf of the women and intend to bring the government to court and hold them to account. in this it is women do deserve compensation and that this was not their fault and that this was not their fault and that they were doing everything they were told to do to be responsible, to be careful with their reproductive health. so i think these women and some of the lawyers will be representing them do hope the government is forced to answer for this and to provide compensation. for this and to provide comensation. �* ,, . . compensation. appreciate you telling us about the — compensation. appreciate you telling us about the story _ compensation. appreciate you telling us about the story and _ compensation. appreciate you telling us about the story and thank - compensation. appreciate you telling us about the story and thank you - us about the story and thank you very much indeed.

back to our top story with the deadliest day of the coup in at me and mark. let's speak to freya who is in covering for the last month. what even hearing today? i think the with the words that stand out are i feel hopeless and helpless as of the situation in myanmar is as great as ever. i think sunday was a turning point in this civil disobedience movement. we saw violent crackdowns on sunday and today we are seeing it again as you mentioned 38 —— according to the un. that is at least 60 people who have been killed in this sense the military took over on february the 1st. so it is certainly cause for alarm and the calls within myanmar from the young people is to please help them and

please help them confront the military, who are much more equipped when it comes to weapons. what military, who are much more equipped when it comes to weapons.— when it comes to weapons. what kind of su- ort when it comes to weapons. what kind of support of — when it comes to weapons. what kind of support of the _ when it comes to weapons. what kind of support of the looking _ when it comes to weapons. what kind of support of the looking for - when it comes to weapons. what kind of support of the looking for from - of support of the looking for from regional powers or indeed international powers? it is international powers? it is difficult- — international powers? it is difficult. they _ international powers? it is difficult. they met - international powers? it 3 difficult. they met yesterday to find a solution to the situation in myanmar but that body representing southeast asia were unable to reach a united response. there were only four nations, indonesia, singapore, malaysia in the philippines, who agree that it is a right call to release the president from house arrest and restore them critically elected government. so what people are really wanting is some kind of intervention to stop the military and its violent crackdown. as to what that is, nobody really knows at this stage. what that is, nobody really knows at this stare. ., �* ,. , , this stage. you've described this sharp escalation _ this stage. you've described this sharp escalation in _ this stage. you've described this sharp escalation in terms - this stage. you've described this sharp escalation in terms of - this stage. you've described this sharp escalation in terms of the | sharp escalation in terms of the number of lives being lost in the last few days and people you are in touch with him are any of them suggesting they no longer want to protest or no longer want to go out?

i am starting to hear that a little bit, people who may have posted a video on social media and that video has since been shared thousands of times. they have said to me that it is best that they remain indoors for their safety because they know there is a chance they could be tracked down by the military and arrested. these young people are doing things like writing their mobile phone numbers on their arms. their blood types on their arms in case of a abbasid info some other they know just how grave the situation is now but as i said, there is no end in sight and the protesters know that. they are beginning to get exhausted. they are beginning to get exhausted. they have been out of the streets is february the 6th protesting this military coup, so it is certainly an ongoing situation and we just need to watch and continue watching what happens. to watch and continue watching what ha ens. . ~' ,. , to watch and continue watching what hauens. . ~ , . happens. thank you very much indeed, fre a. in a happens. thank you very much indeed, freya- in a few— happens. thank you very much indeed, freya. in a few minutes _ happens. thank you very much indeed, freya. in a few minutes we _ happens. thank you very much indeed, freya. in a few minutes we will - happens. thank you very much indeed, freya. in a few minutes we will turn . freya. in a few minutes we will turn our attention to brazil. back to brazil because it has recorded its

highest daily death total since the pandemic started and will talk to katy watson there. the uk government has extended support for the economy with the chancellor saying he would do whatever it takes to protectjobs and livelihoods through the pandemic. this is what that means in practice. if furlough scheme which pays 80% of wages for the hours he cannot work in the pandemic, that will be extended until september. a further 600,000 self—employed people will become eligible for help with grants. corporation tax will be raised from 19% to 25% by 2023. here's how rishi sunak introduced his economic plan to mps. we are building ourfuture economy by doing things that have not been done before and giving them for

everyone, everywhere. 0ur done before and giving them for everyone, everywhere. our success with the vaccine has shown us this country can be a scientific superpower, leading the world through the coming technological and scientific revolutions. towards a future where growth and jobs go hand—in—hand with tackling climate change, where we are known around the world as the best place to invest and do business and where we redraw the economic map with decent jobs in every corner of our country. to do that, this budget is helping people develop new skills, start an apprenticeship and get better paid jobs. this budget is helping small business owners get the training, skills and technology they need to compete with bigger firms and become the high—growth companies of the future. and this budget is bringing prosperity to the whole united kingdom with a new free ports around

the country and the largest pro—investment tax cut in modern british history. making the time to invest right now and the place to invest right now and the place to invest right now and the place to invest right here. this is outside source live from the bbc newsroom. our lead story is — the un says 38 people have been killed in anti—coup protests in myanmar. videos showed soldiers allegedly beating medics who were trying to treat injured protesters. let's turn to brazil, which has had its deadliest day since the start of pandemic. 1641 people died in 2a hours on tuesday. last week, the country averaged 1200 confirmed deaths a day. that was its deadliest week yet. already brazil has the second highest death toll in the world behind the us. over quarter of a million people have been lost. here's a health professor at sao paulo university.

translation: we are going through | the worst scenario of the pandemic| since it started. you just have to look at the trend of the average number of deaths. we have seen days when there is an above average number of deaths. this could have been avoid and the most important factor is gatherings. doctors are blaming the new brazilian strain of the virus, called p1. the variant was discovered in the amazon region late last year. these are burials taking place in the regional capital manaus. many here had hoped they'd seen the worst of the virus. this is from last year. rows upon rows of graves for coronavirus victims from the first wave. scientists believe the new variant is more contagious and may evade immunity from past infection, which may be why manaus has been hit badly twice. the new strain is putting pressure on the already stretched health system. we're told these intensive care units are at criticial capacity levels, levels which haven't been

reached since the first peak of infections in july. in fact, icus are at 80% capacity in nearly two thirds of brazil's states. one epidemiologist has told the wall streetjournal. .. katy watson is in sao paulo. help us understand the response of government is putting together to these pressures.— these pressures. good question. hearin: these pressures. good question. hearing for _ these pressures. good question. hearing forjair_ these pressures. good question. hearing forjair bolsonaro, - these pressures. good question. hearing forjair bolsonaro, he i these pressures. good question. i hearing forjair bolsonaro, he said earlier the media had created panic. people cannot stay at home. they would die of hunger, they would die of depression. so he is going down

the same route he has been going down from the very beginning, that he is anti—down. the capital locked down earlier this week and he criticised that decision as well. but here in sao paulo which is the most populist and wealthy estate in brazil, the governor had tough words to say about jair bolsonaro. a previous ally of jair bolsonaro, he is now his biggest rival and said thatjair is now his biggest rival and said that jair bolsonaro's responsible for the deaths that we have seen here in brazil. he thought of the fact that five planes a day are going down because of what is happening in terms of the death toll. so he had very sharp words to say againstjair toll. so he had very sharp words to say against jair bolsonaro at a press conference earlier. 50 say against jair bolsonaro at a press conference earlier. so we have these immediate _ press conference earlier. so we have these immediate pressures - press conference earlier. so we have these immediate pressures on i these immediate pressures on hospitals and we have a death toll going up, one of the vaccine rolled out? where it has brazil got to there? ~ ., . . .,

out? where it has brazil got to there? ~ ., .. ., ., there? with the vaccine rolled out, that is still also _ there? with the vaccine rolled out, that is still also heavily _ that is still also heavily criticised was a bit is been very slow to roll out. there have been shortages, rio dejaneiro a couple of weeks ago had to haul its vaccination programme because they were in sao paulo, again, the governor here has backed the chinese vaccine. and he is trying to push that vaccine but still across the country, we are talking just over 3% of people in the country have been given their first dose of the vaccine so it is still a very slow roll—out and it is one of the things that science and health specialist here are concerned about with a new variant and the fact that so few people have been vaccinated, that brazil has become this hotbed of coronavirus and we are now seen the pandemic at its worst situation so far. . ~' , ., pandemic at its worst situation so far. . ~' ,. ~ pandemic at its worst situation so far. . ,, . ., pandemic at its worst situation so far. . . ., far. thank you. we always appreciate ou cominu far. thank you. we always appreciate you coming on- _ by now, many of you will already have seen dolly parton's viral vaccine celebrations today,

but she's not the only one who's been celebrating the vaccination roll—out. that has been widely seen and we will not show it to you again. some other things that have been done. take a look at this flight path. pilot sammy kramer took to the skies and flew over 200 kilometres to remind people of the importance of germany's vaccine programme. in india, this effigy of the coronavirus was set on fire with a syringe torch to celebrate the vaccine. in kentucky, a woman congratulated her parents with this giant "we've been vaccinated" sign on their front lawn. others have tweeted pictures of family reunions. this california grandmother is hugging her granddaughters for the first time in almost a year. and there have been plenty of celabratory dances. here are some of our favourites from health care workers and people who have been vaccinated around the world.

# celebrate vaccination day, come on! # i got that sunshine and my pocket. # got that good soul in my feet. # feel that happening and it drops. # i can't take my eyes u( off it. # i like what we rock it, so don't stop. music.

? hair tossed him a check my nails. 7 ? hair tossed him a check my nails. ? how you feeling as help! # feeling good as help. # feeling good as help. # kick off your shoes take a deep breath... and if that hasn't put you in a good mood, take a look at this performance from the ndlovu youth choir in south africa, which is encouraging people to get the jab and to do thejaba jaba. music. # to get the party going strong. the dancing all night long, get vaccinated. # you can learn the groove if the lock down got you down. # get vaccinated!

knees. good evening. wednesday brought a largely dried, settled spell for many areas. we had a lot of low cloud, mist and fog around and some sharp showers, too, across parts of southern england and wales. this was the picture in llandudno earlier on on wednesday. quite a lot of low cloud around there. and as we head through the course of the rest of this evening and overnight, too, we'll keep quite a bit of cloud. in fact, over the next few days, a cloudy outlook. isolated showers here and there, but many of us staying predominantly dry and things turning a little bit colder as well. where you've still got this little frontal system across parts of eastern england, it will tend to clear away as we head through into thursday. and then a weak cold front starts to push in from the north. so, what that means is we head through this evening and overnight, still some sharp showers across east anglia, parts of south east england, could be the odd rumble of thunder. they slowly ease through thursday morning. we've also got a few showers working in across the northern half

of scotland on that weak cold front there. the odd flurry of snow over the very highest mountains there. but temperatures for most of us between about 2—6 degrees overnight, so it certainly won't be a widespread frost first thing thursday. that's because we've got quite a lot of cloud and some mist and some fog patches to stop those temperatures dropping too low. first thing in the morning, then, we are likely to see this cold front that's going to moving its way south, bringing some light showery rain or even the odd flurry of snow over the higher ground of scotland. those showers initially across eastern england should start to clear away. some mist and some fog elsewhere, some low cloud, it's quite murky first thing. but the fog not quite as extensive as it has been over the past couple of days. so, that rain moving into parts of northern england during the afternoon, it will be quite light and patchy. not a bad day for parts of the north east of england, for instance. a little bit more brightness than recent days, but towards the south, it'll be colder than it has been recently. temperatures 6—7 degrees away from the far south west, which stays a little bit milder. now, moving through into friday, and high pressure very much still in charge of our weather, so another dry day. light winds for most of us, too.

a little bit breezier perhaps down around the east coast and through the english channel as well. but cloud will tend to bubble up and build through the day and then spread out, so things will become a little bit cloudier, i think, during the course of the afternoon. but still a few bright spells out there. temperatures not great for this stage in march, about 5—8 degrees, but there will be a little bit of sunshine around here and there. into the weekend, high pressure holds on, bringing a largely dry spell of weather through the weekend, but things will turn increasingly unsettled for the north west into next week. bye for now.

this is bbc news. the headlines. a budget for the pandemic — rishi sunak says he will continue to protectjobs and livelihoods but he wants to be honest about what it's costing. an important moment is upon us. a moment of challenge and of change, of difficulties, yes, but of possibilities, too. this is a budget that meets that moment. this is a budget that papered over the cracks rather than rebuilding the foundations. a budget which shows the government does not understand what went wrong in the last decade or what is needed in the next. the furlough scheme and grants for the self employed are extended — and there's more help with business

rates for retail and hospitality. but all that costs billions — corporation tax will go up —