hello, i'm ros atkins, this is outside source. it's one year since the global pandemic was declared. two and a half million people have died, economies are shattered — and ground—breaking vaccines have been developed. but there are more problems with the roll—out of the astrazeneca covid jab — as several european countries put a temporary ban on its use as they investigate claims of serious side—effects. another 11 pro—democracy protestors are killed in myanmar — the un's investigator calls for sanctions over crimes against humanity. the people of myanmar need not only words of support but supportive action. they need the help of the international community and they need it now.

prince william breaks his silence after harry and meghan�*s interview — with a direct challenge to their most explosive claim. is the royalfamily a racist family sir? we are very much not a racist family. it's one year since the world health organisation declared coronavirus a global pandemic. since it first emerged in china, 118 million people have been infected. and 2.6 million people have died. the united states is the worst affected country, with more than half a million deaths. in the uk, the death toll has passed 125,000. anne marie rafferty is president of the uk's royal college of nursing. it's a sense of shock and it was quite profound and i think that continues to some extent although people

have attuned to the pandemic, no one hoped it would last this long i think the psychological consequences of this have yet to completely unfurl. the great success of the last year has been the development of vaccines. more than 300 million doses have been administered worldwide. and the pace is accelerating, but as this graph shows there are big differences globally. chile and israel are vaccinating up to 1% of their population every day. brazil, russia and china for example are distributing jabs much more slowly. several european countries have temporarily halted use of the astrazeneca vaccine, after reports a small number of people out several million experienced blood clots. norway and iceland announced their decision, folllowing denmark pausing its rollout for 14 days. here's denmark's prime minister.

damn will suspend the use of the astrazeneca vaccine until authorities have made the risks clear. that is always a risk connected to vaccines, although things have gone let them denmark, there are links risk to astrazeneca that we need to investigate further and i think it's the right way to approach this. 5 million people have received the astrazeneca vaccine in europe so far. the european medicines agency today reiterated it is still safe to use. and it pointed out that "the number of thrombo—embolic events in vaccinated people is no higher than the number seen in the general population". to be clear, they're saying if you take a group of 5 million people, you would expect some of them would experience blood clots, without having a vaccine. the number of vaccinated people who have reported blood clots is 30. the regulator said, "there is currently no indication that vaccination has caused these conditions, which are not listed as side effects". one british epidemiologist described halting the rollout as "a super—cautious approach" based on some "isolated reports". professor steven evans said

"the risk and benefit balance is still very much in favour of the vaccine". astrazeneca's vaccine was developed in the uk — and the uk's foreign secretary was among those backing it again today. we very confident as a result of rigorous domestic checks he had that the vaccine is safe to take but of course at the same time we respect that each country wants to follow their regulatory processes very carefully. astrazeneca's vaccine has now been paused in some other countries however — including estonia, lithuania, latvia and luxembourg. they're focusing on one particular batch ofi million doses. the alert was triggered when a woman in austria died from blood clots days after being vaccinated. italy meanwhile has banned doses from a different batch — after a soldier in sicily suffered a cardiac arrest. the italian regulator stressed the decision was a precaution, and there is no evidence that the vaccine was to blame. we will now speak to a professor. thank you forjoining us. what are your thoughts as you hear me listing all of these countries causing the use of this vaccine. fine

all of these countries causing the use of this vaccine.— use of this vaccine. one of my colleagues — use of this vaccine. one of my colleagues today _ use of this vaccine. one of my colleagues today pointed - use of this vaccine. one of my colleagues today pointed out. use of this vaccine. one of my . colleagues today pointed out four months ago i said this is exactly what we should expect. we get coincidentally —— coincidentally events that are nothing to do it and asked the man sometimes they are very unusual events. in 2009 a young woman in coventry died shortly after having the hpv vaccine and the media went crazy. but it turned out that she had a very rare tumour in her heart and so when we vaccinate as you said elderly people particularly we are going to get blood clots and some of them may be fatal i'm afraid. , ., some of them may be fatal i'm afraid, , ., ., some of them may be fatal i'm afraid. , ., ., ., some of them may be fatal i'm afraid. ., ., , , ., afraid. so you are not persuaded that there _ afraid. so you are not persuaded that there is _ afraid. so you are not persuaded that there is any _ afraid. so you are not persuaded that there is any connection - afraid. so you are not persuaded - that there is any connection between the astrazeneca vaccine and the cases being reported? i the astrazeneca vaccine and the cases being reported?— the astrazeneca vaccine and the cases being reported? i think it is very unlikely- _ cases being reported? i think it is very unlikely. what _ cases being reported? i think it is very unlikely. what we _ cases being reported? i think it is very unlikely. what we know - cases being reported? i think it is very unlikely. what we know is i cases being reported? i think it is. very unlikely. what we know is that the disease itself, covid—i9 that we are trying to prevent is definitely associated with blood clots and many of those are fatal and we have had

thousands of people dying from dallas and so unless you are really, really sure that somebody had not got covid—i9 when they revaccinated you really can't be sure that it's the vaccine and not the disease which is very prevalent in all parts of europe at the moment. can which is very prevalent in all parts of europe at the moment.- which is very prevalent in all parts of europe at the moment. can i ask ou about of europe at the moment. can i ask you about the _ of europe at the moment. can i ask you about the idea _ of europe at the moment. can i ask you about the idea that _ of europe at the moment. can i ask you about the idea that there - of europe at the moment. can i ask you about the idea that there is - you about the idea that there is concerns around a certain batch? is there a problem where some are problematic and some are not? it is extremely rare. _ problematic and some are not? it is extremely rare. i _ problematic and some are not? it 3 extremely rare. i do not know about an incident since 2009 but what tends to happen is you get bacterial contamination before you get something like fragments of glass in a batch and so the manufacturer usually detects those and withdraws the batch. having an effect like a blood clot is totally unprecedented as happening with a batch to my knowledge. i don't think the batch

is anything to do with it. i am thinkin: is anything to do with it. i am thinking back— is anything to do with it. i am thinking back to _ is anything to do with it. i am thinking back to a _ is anything to do with it. i am thinking back to a german - is anything to do with it. i am thinking back to a german doctor we heard from last weekly step astrazeneca vaccine does not have a science problem, it has a pr problem. would you agree with that? i would and the public is politicians get involved. which oliticians politicians get involved. which politicians do _ politicians get involved. which politicians do you _ politicians get involved. which politicians do you have - politicians get involved. which politicians do you have in - politicians get involved. which l politicians do you have in mind? politicians get involved. which - politicians do you have in mind? we had politicians do you have in mind? - had various politicians who make statements about the efficacy of the vaccine in the elderly and that has happened in various countries in europe and we have had the danish prime minister making remarks. the responsible agency for this is that european medicines agency and they do not have concerns. it is reasonable to investigate it. but you can do a proper study and you should not raise concerns based on things that are only happening at a rate that you would expect. isn’t things that are only happening at a rate that you would expect.- rate that you would expect. isn't it true that there _ rate that you would expect. isn't it true that there is _ rate that you would expect. isn't it true that there is some _ rate that you would expect. isn't it true that there is some research . true that there is some research which shows that blood clots may be

caused by the virus itself and as such does that open up the possibility that a vaccine could enter and create that issue? i don't think so with _ enter and create that issue? i don't think so with this _ enter and create that issue? i don't think so with this sort _ enter and create that issue? i don't think so with this sort of— enter and create that issue? i don't think so with this sort of vaccine. . think so with this sort of vaccine. it is not a life vaccine. so i don't think there is any suggestion that that they sell. previous suggestions have been the opposite. that is that there were issues of bleeding and somebody died with one of these vaccines, not the astrazeneca vaccines, not the astrazeneca vaccine in florida. but it is more likely that the way that the immune system response, that it would be in reducing platelet counts which lead to beating. —— bleeding. a fourth vaccine has been approved for use in europe. it's the single—dose jab made byjohnson and johnson. this follows the pfizer, moderna and astrazeneca ones.

and this johnson and johnson vaccine was approved by the united states last month. it's one of the cheaper options — not least because doses can be stored at fridge temperature, similar to astrazeneca. and the european union has already ordered 200 million doses. paul stoffels isjohnson & johnson's chief scientific officer. especially a game changer that it's easy to administer and also the stability and it's easy to distribute and efficacy if you focus on the most sever parts of the disease which is severe disease hospitalisation and death and we showed 85% efficacy across the different strains and populations so high efficacy to prevent disease death, and hospitalisation. we have a life picture is coming in from washington. we almost missed the president. he walked out of the

oval office with his vice president, harris and he had just signed 1.9 trillion covid—19 ready for bail. he knew this would happen because yesterday we saw it being voted through the house of representatives and it had already gone to the us senate over the weekend. this is a formality although a mythic and formatted fee with the president releasing $1.9 trillion in a number of different directions into the us economy. it has got to gold. the primary one is to address the impact of the pandemic on the us economy but there is an important second one which the democrats are also placing which the democrats are also placing which is it's designed to dearly longer—term inequality and poverty within american society and the democrats are saying this is our commitment to looking after all americans. the president has signed that and the process of the bill being implemented will now follow. as i mentioned before it's exactly one year since this happened. we have therefore made the assessment that

covid—19 can be characterised as a pandemic. we're going to take a look at where were are, 12 months into the pandemic. first here's robin brant in shanghai. this is the place where it all began and it started as an outbreak in a small part of the city. it went on to become an epidemic and now it's a global pandemic. but here, 15 months on from that in a country where it all started, things are pretty much normal. in shanghai, everyone wears a mask but the buses are running on the banks are open and the restaurants are doing business. china is a country shut off from the rest of the world. almost no one is allowed in internationally. china's official version of how we dealt with coronavirus is one of success and look at the official numbers. in a country of 1.4 billion people, 15 months on from the outbreak they have had 108,000 cases. according to the official numbers and just under 5000 deaths.

from shanghai in china let's go to rome in italy, the first country in the world to impose a nationwide lockdown. here's mark lowen. one year on the situation is again not looking good. with the infection curve rising here and the r value, the spread of the virus going back above one again within the last week italy is thought to be in a third wave. it has become a second country in europe to surpass 100,000 deaths, after the uk and fatalities remain high at three or 400 a day. the government of the new prime minister is tightening restrictions with different regions and different tiers, and yellow, orange and red and he is under pressure to tighten further and faster with support growing for a more stringent lockdown. the us is the country hardest hit by the pandemic. as you can see from the graph more than half a million people have died of covid—19 and at the height of its second wave this winter, it was recording more than 4,000 deaths a day. now though the us vaccine

rollout is going well — and cases and hospital admissions are starting to fall. in response to that the governors of texas and mississippi have lifted all compulsory covid restrictions. president biden has called that a big mistake. his reasoning is that texas has recorded the second—highest number of cases and deaths across the us in the past week — and although rates are dropping, the state is still recording about as many cases per day as the uk, despite having a population less than half the size. let's hear the reaction of dr natasha kathuria — she's a doctor working in the emergency department in texas. we are very concerned. we only have about 8—9% of our population that's been vaccinated. so to open up our economyjust yesterday to 100% and removed the mask mandate is very terrifying to us. it happened earlier in the year and we are one of the most aggressive states and reopening our economy

and then our surge hit in the summer and wejust got over our second surge this winter. we have very nervous of what is to come. we are hopeful that we have vaccine rates that act at remarkable rates right now and in texas so, we are hopeful to catch up but we cannot slow down this is the time where we really need globally to run faster than ever. we are in the last stretch of the marathon. this is not the time to slow down. so people in texas are no longer required to wear masks, although businesses such as shops and restaurants can still demand that customers wear them. hospitals can do the same. here's dr kathuria again. i think a lot of hospitals are referring to this as we do not allow patients to come into our hospitals with weapons to me for coming with a within committee cannot coming to the hospital. if the thinking right now with masks. if a patient wants to come into the hospital to be treated, the hospital to be treated, we cannot allow them to come in without voluntarily wearing a mask

because they are putting our patients at risk and us at risk. and so we have to be really cautious right even though the state is lifting the restrictions, our hospitals and emergency departments cannot because that would just put all of our at—risk patients and patients with cancer at risk of dying from covid—19. let's go to brazil which has exceeded 2,000 covid deaths in a single day for the first time. it has the second highest death toll in the world behind the us, and the current surge is exerting extreme pressure on the health system. camilla mota in sao paulo— whats the situation there— how did it get to this point— how's the vaccine rollout going? different factors explain how we got here. there is a new variance identifying —— identified injanuary as p1 with several mutations that make the virus more transmissible but that is not the only reason. brazil never really tried to contain the virus. never tested enough,

never a big enough contact tracing and brazilians have been disregarding social distancing recommendations for a long time now. many of them stimulated by their own president. he was always against social distancing. he was very outspoken about this since the beginning saying that we could not afford checking down the economy. not only that, he always kept pushing untruth —— unproven treatment measures and some say even spreading fake music instead of focusing on a robust communication plan. so we gave plenty of room for the virus to spread and mutate and become more dangerous here. talking about texas where _ become more dangerous here. talking about texas where they _ become more dangerous here. talking about texas where they are _ become more dangerous here. talking about texas where they are eating - about texas where they are eating restrictions. what is the status of covid—19 restrictions in brazil? has covid-19 restrictions in brazil? as the covid—19 restrictions in brazil? sis the situation covid—19 restrictions in brazil? s the situation worsened, covid—19 restrictions in brazil? sis the situation worsened, different cities and states have tough and

social distancing recommendations and restrictions but experts argue that it's been too little too late. for example in sao paulo where i am right now for the restrictions were announced today but experts say that it took too long for that government to act and cities and states governors and mayors have the prerogative to implement these measures but there are always very reticent to do it because they don't want to deal with the economic fallout nor the political burden because they do not have the back—up from the federal government so that is the current situation we are living in right now.— is the current situation we are living in right now. thank you for brinuain living in right now. thank you for bringing us _ living in right now. thank you for bringing us up-to-date. - here in the uk a major study is underway to determine the long term health effects of covid—19. scientists are scanning thousands of people to see how their organs may have been affected by the virus. here's our science

correspondent rebecca morelle. searching for the after effects of covid. these scans are part of the world's biggest imaging study. shedding light on the long—term impact of infection. this is brian sheppard who is taking part in the research. the 71—year—old lives in gateshead with his wife. in november, he was taken to hospital with covid—19. when i got in the ambulance my wife standing on the pavement and... i thought that i see her again you know? after five days of treatment, he was allowed home but months later he still feeling the effects and helps the scans could explain why. we're all very proud to have taken part in it. and feel that's how it's a bit can help somewhere along the way for the rest of the world. the scans are being carried out by bio bank uk. it is a huge study that holds medical images and genetic data and health information on half a million people.

now, it is imaging 1500 of these participants who have had coronavirus. they range from asymptomatic cases to those with long covid—19 who still little long after infection. having the standardised scans before and after infection and researchers will able to investigate the direct effects of coronavirus infection on changes in both the structure and the function of organs which is obviously what we all want to know. these scans can provide vital clues about the impact of covid—19 on different organs. the virus infects the respiratory system and damage cells in the lungs. the scientists will be searching for any scarring. they will examining the hearts for information or muscle damage and see if this is worse after severe infection. the virus also affects the brain and this study could pinpoint where in the nervous system these changes are happening. their brain scan can tell us whether there is evidence for

inflammation in the brain that may be persisting and whether there has been damage enough to actually kill nerve cells in the brain that may cause some trinkets. shrinkage. these scans will be repeated over the coming years and made available to researchers all around the world. our understanding of the pandemic�*s health legacy is just beginning. we begin once again with the fallout from the harry and meghan interview with oprah winfrey broadcast at the weekend. prince william was asked about it — here's what he said. sir, have you spoken to your brother since the interview? no, i have not spoken to him yet but i will do. can you let me know is the royal family a racist family? we are very much not a racist family. the second in line to the british throne was visiting a school in london with his wife catherine. it's very rare for a senior royal

to make such public comments — and it was a very direct reply to what the duchess of sussex said in her interview. here's some of it. so we had informed tandem the conversation of he will not be given for character, he will not be getting a title, and also concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he was born. that's the bbc�*s royal correspondent sarah campbell. prince charles was out and about for the first engagement a couple of days ago and he was asked a question about the interview and he declined to give a response at that point but clearly and prince williams decided that he did want to address it and he would have known obviously that those comments would have been picked up and no doubt will be listened to around the world. as you say, it is a different tone from that statement which was released on tuesday. it's just worth looking back at that

statement and this was released on behalf of her majesty the queen. they said the issues raised particularly of race are concerning and while some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by family privately. so what did prince william say today, he was asked whether he spoke his brother and he said no, i not spoken to him yet but i will and when asked whether they were are very much not a racist family. so a much more direct challenge to what was perhaps said during the interview. we'll have in—depth analysis at the royal crisis later on in the programme. here in the uk, the metropolitan police officer who's been arrested on suspicion of the murder of sarah everard has been treated in hospitalfor a head injury. he was injured while in custody but is now back at a police station. detectives investigating the disappearance of 33—year—old sarah everard found human remains in woodland in ashford

in kent yesterday. this afternoon, a police diving unit and sniffer dogs arrived at the scene. our special correspondent, lucy manning is at new scotland yard. police officers bring flowers to the gates wearing their colleagues are searching. as another policeman sits in custody still being questioned about kidnapping and murder. the flowers from the public, an attempt to give some comfort to sarah everard's family. they are still waiting for answers about what happened to the popular 33—year—old from york after she disappeared last week walking to her house in south london. how could this simple act of a woman walking home bring a massive police investigation to their remote countryside of kent where human remains were discovered yesterday. this quiet rural road in ashford was the scene

of intense police activity. forensic teams spread out across a wider area, divers and their equipment were brought in in this truvk to help the search and portable offices brought in suggesting this would be a lengthy investigation. the suspect lived 30 miles away from where police are searching. a diplomatic protection officer in his 40s, and arrest that sent shock waves through the force. an old garage in dover where he used to work and that his family used to own was cordoned off and searched by officers. the police are determined to do everything they can to find out what happened to sarah everard from the moment she went missing. not just for her family sake but for all the women who feel unsafe walking alone at night. it is a disappearance that has touched many. the prime minister said he was shocked and deeply saddened,

the home secretary added that every woman should feel safe to walk the streets without fear. but the reality is that many don't. a private ambulance came on to the search site. removing their caps, the officers gave their utmost respect. for sarah's parents, sister, brother, and partner it is as the head of the metropolitan police said, every family's worst nightmare. we will bring you up—to—date on the situation in myanmar a bit because the ousted leader, bear in mind it was a military coup last month a facing new charges. if she were to be found guilty of them could prevent her from be found guilty of them could prevent herfrom running be found guilty of them could prevent her from running for office in the future where she to have the chance which of course at the moment she very much does not do. bear in mind she won an election a few months ago. we would update you on that. we will look in depth at the

crisis via the interview with megan and harry. good evening. thursday brought us a windy day right across the uk, with a mix of some sunshine and some blustery showers too. lots of rainbows sent in by our weather watcher, this was the picture in county down on thursday afternoon. blue sky there, sunshine in shorter supply here, this was the picture in twickenham early on on thursday. so shower clouds aplenty and over the next few days, that story is going to remain with us. still some strong, blustery winds, probably not quite as windy as it has been, and also some scattered heavy showers too. now, more showers to come, particularly across the western half of the uk through the course of tonight. some hail and some thunder mixed in with these showers. drier for much of eastern england towards parts of eastern scotland as well. but some of those showers across the highlands will be falling as sleet and snow. so some icy conditions here to start your friday morning. quite a chilly start,

temperatures around two celsius first thing. so, with the strength of the wind, it's going to feel quite chilly once again with plenty more showers. the showers in the east will ease away, so the afternoon looks mostly dry, i think, for parts of eastern england, far east of scotland as well. but plenty more showers packing in from the west, and again, it could bring some hail and some thunder. temperatures not great for the time of year, around about 6—11 degrees. the winds, once again, a real feature of the weather with gusts about 30—40 mph, even stronger than that around some exposed coasts in the west. it will be particularly windy and wet friday into saturday. so more heavy showers and thunderstorms rattling through on that breeze. temperatures to start your weekend between about 1—6 celsius, so still fairly chilly conditions out there through saturday, particularly when you add on, again, the wind. it is going to be another blustery sort of day. into sunday, things will settle down a little bit, but certainly another day of sunny spells and blustery, heavy showers on saturday, could be particularly windy through the english channel.

and those showers could merge into longer spells of rain in the northwest later on. temperatures only about 7—10 celsius, quite a cool feel, another windy day. into sunday, probaby looking at the quiter day of the weekend as high—pressure tries to build infrom the southwest. a few showers moving in from the northwest, but towards the south—southeast, you should stay predominantly dry. temperatures up a degree compared to saturday, 8—11 celsius. as high—pressure builds into next week things will turn quieter with some sunshine, but do watch over strong winds over the next few days. bye— bye.

hello, i'm ros atkins, this is outside source. it's one year since the global pandemic was declared. two and a half million people have died, economies are shattered — but ground—breaking vaccines have also been developed. but there are more problems with the rollout of the astrazeneca covid jab — as several european countries put a temporary ban on its use as they investigate claims of serious side—effects. another 11 pro—democracy protestors are killed in myanmar — the un's investigator calls for sanctions over crimes against humanity. the people of myanmar need not only words of support, but supportive action. they need the help of the international community and they need it now. also coming up in the programme,

as the fallout continues over harry and meghan's interview on oprah winfrey. we'll look at why the institution meghan called "the firm" is full of contradictions: the private, public, traditional, modern royal family. we will explore what led up to this moment. every down outside source, we update you on the situation in myanmar. the death toll of protesters is increasing and as it does — the international condemnation of the coup leaders is growing. also, there are new allegations being aimed at the ousted leader aung san suu kyi. she's accused of taking an illegal payment of $600,000 dollars and 11 kilograms of gold as a bribe. here's the moment those allegations were made. translation: former yangon regional minister said he himself gave _ aung san suu kyi 600,000 us dollars and seven kilograms of gold between december

2017 and march 2018. this is the most serious allegation levelled at ms su kyi since the coup last month. and if found guilty, she would be barred from running for office. bear in mind she won the last election in 2020 — and if she ran again would be the overwhelming favourite. here's the analysis of thin lay win — a burmesejournalist based in rome. these charges are not unexpected. since day one, we have expected that they are going to try and decimate the nld and aung san suu kyi. originally the coup, you know, the justification for the coup was that there was widespread electoral fraud, and now this is being charged. it's ridiculous. even if that was true, that is not an excuse for a coup. a lot of people's take is that what they are trying to do is to decimate the nld

as well as her political career. because like you just said you know, they have absolutely zero chance, the military and its proxy political party to win any elections as long as the nld runs these elections. as the militaryjunta tightens its grip on the country — protesters are continuing to fight back — but at a huge risk. according to the united nations, more than 70 people have now been killed during protests. at least 11 were killed on thursday alone. six of those were in myaing a small township in the centre of the country. these pictures show people running through the streets of the town as the military closed in firing live rounds of ammunition. and there was also clashes in the south of the country — in the coastal city of daweihere you can see the military used tear gas to try and disper groups of protesters and there's been more violence in yangon — myanmar�*s biggest city. another protester was shot and killed by the military on thursday. nyein chan aye from

bbc burmese is there. one protester was killed earlier today, and based on the images from the scene, it appears to be another headshot, and also another protester got shot in his thigh, lower part of the body. so footage, even though their military counsel is denying police forces are not allowed to shoot the lower part of the body. anyway, the footage and images show that even the rescue ambulances who are carrying the injured people from the scenes were also hit by the bullets. the violence and level of force from the military has attracted global attention. and amnesty international has released a report today. its experts have analysed more than 50 videos from myanmar that they claim show — the military engaging in "systematic and premeditated killings" and that the military is using weaponry normally reserved for the battlefield including light machine guns, sniper rifles and submachine guns amnesty also claim that among the military officers in the cities are "soldiers who were implicated

in past atrocity crimes against ethnic minorities" like the rohingya muslims. here's kayleigh long — the researcher behind the report. it's a horrific situation and the footage that's emerging from there every day is just a fraction of what's going on, really, and it's certainly difficult to keep up with. in the ethnic minority states, we are very concerned about the potential for the resumption of conflict there, as well as the large vulnerable population of internally displaced people. there's over 300,000 people who we hope there will be humanitarian access for. so it's a full—blown crisis in every part of the country, really. the militaryjunta have claimed that the protests are not an international affair. and despite those new allegations against aun san suu kyi and the growing death toll it still claims that "myanmar is on the path to democracy". not that it's looking that way.

the united nations disagrees. its special rapporteur on human rights in myanmar — told a un meeting on thursday that the military is murdering protesters and that it's likely that its actions amount to "crimes against humanity". and he called for the un nations to take strong action including imposing sanctions on all military junta leaders and also sanctions against the myanmar oil and gas enterprise, which is owned by the military and brings in around $1 billion a year. and he's also called for a complete trade embargo on all arms and military technology. here he is addressing the un earlier the people of myanmar need not only words of support, but supportive action. they need the help of the international community and they need it now. the nonviolent civil disobedience movement or cdm is effective and growing. drawing its organic power from the unflinching commitment of the myanmar people. myanmar has never appeared to be more unified. but they need our help, and they need it now. that call for action will likely be

met with support from most of the un member countries. but support won't be unanimous. we know it's very likely that china and russia won't adopt sanctions — last month they blocked the un from officially condemning the coup. well kelley currie is a former diplomat for the us state department on myanmar policy. she told the bbc the un can't let a few countries get in the way of action. i think that what needs to happen right now is that the us, uk and others who believe that this is an illegal coup, that the military has gone beyond the bounds of any normal behaviour, and this is the crisis of international security. you need to put china and russia and other member states that are on the security council on the spot. make them choose. the chinese hated when they are forced to make a decision. right now, they would rather sit on the sidelines and we and see who heads up on top and deal with that government.

so the military is increasing its crackdown on protests — the un is increasing its crackdown on the military. one final thing on myanmar. amidst the protests — you might have seen this footage online — of a catholic nun kneeling in front a group of heavily armed military officers — her name is sister ann rose — and she was pleading for the officers to spare a group of protestors. its gone viral in myanmar and around the world. and she's told the bbc her story.

today was the final day of china's annual national people's congress — that's china's annual sitting of its parliament. one of the most significant votes was cast on the draft hong kong electoral reform bill. this will see the one—country two systems that has applied to hong kong — move far closer to one country, one system. this bill will give china much more

control over hong kong. now this is the chinese premier — so the most senior official after the president. translation: as for congress's decision on improving the electoral system in hong kong, the purpose is clear. it's to adhere to in improved systemic structure, one country, two systems. uphold the principle of patriots administering hong kong and ensure a steady implementation of one country, two systems. so what do the changes really mean to how hong kong is governed? our correspondent stephen macdonnell in in beijing. now, what they have done in that final session is overwhelmingly rubber—stamped through, changes developed by the communist party, the leadership to overhaul the electoral system in hong kong, changes— electoral system in hong kong, changes which will mean that there will he _ changes which will mean that there

will he no _ changes which will mean that there will be no official political opposition in hong kong's many parliament any more. they do this by basically— parliament any more. they do this by basically vetting all candidates standing in hong kong, also enabling a probation committee to directly appoint— a probation committee to directly appoint members of the legislative countil— appoint members of the legislative council there. appoint members of the legislative councilthere. forthose appoint members of the legislative council there. for those going on about— council there. for those going on about the — council there. for those going on about the boat. here we go. in terms of what _ about the boat. here we go. in terms of what people were asked what do you think— of what people were asked what do you think about this proposal to change — you think about this proposal to change hong kong's electoral system? 2000, _ change hong kong's electoral system? 2000, 895, zero against, and when extension — essentially, the proposed rules will now mean anyone who wants hong kong to have more autonomy from china will find it pretty much impossible to become an electoral comittee member. willy lam is a journalist, political scientist, and commentator on chinese politics. here's his view. i initially... broad spectrum of politicians from the left, centre,

right into a team for the new hong kong, but now, beijing has changed its mind. it has been up and down with the fact that only patriots, politicians who have sworn allegiance to the central government as well as the communist party can be candidates. there will be more members of the national people congress, china's legislator as well as political confidence top co nstellated as political confidence top constellated body being given seats on both the electoral committee to select the chief executive as well as the legislative council, hong kong's parliament.— as the legislative council, hong kong's parliament. more background for -- for more _ kong's parliament. more background for -- for more background - kong's parliament. more background for -- for more background on - kong's parliament. more background for -- for more background on hong| for —— for more background on hong kong, check out the bbc news website. stay with us on outside source — still to come... harry and meghan's wedding was less

than three years ago. we'll look at how things went so wrong so fast for brtain's royal family. ididn't i didn't know this until today, but lockdown has brought with it a puppy boom. as demand soared, so did prices. and fraudsters quickly spotted an opportunity. more than 6000 people have been become victims of pet scammers in the past year. most paid a deposit for puppies adverties online, and then never heard from the so—called seller again. angus crawford reports. we were going to call him humphrey. it's just awful. the scammer was totally believable, sent video and pictures. the price was good too — £1000. ashley even agreed a time to pick up humphrey, sent £200 as a deposit, then the messages stopped. since the first lockdown last year, there have been 6,366 reports of pet scams. costing victims more than £2.4 million. in just a couple of days, we've managed to contact scores of scammers selling puppies for up

to £1200 each. some use really basic instagram or facebook accounts, others, much more sophisticated websites like this one. they claim they are in leeds, and susie is still for sale, but it's all fake. we think he's outside the uk, and there is little chance the police will ever track him down. say hi to rhubarb and her owner mandy who is also a breeder. it's gut wrenching. she found pictures of rhubarb and herfather on pet scam sites, stolen by criminals and used to trick buyers. it's happening to other breeders across the country.

the most talked about story in the world — for the wrong reasons. back in 2018, it was different. applause

the wedding of harry and megan was a moment ofjoy. it was also a moment of change, a moment of difference and diversity for the royalfamily. the guests come into the performers come into the service. the? the guests come into the performers come into the service.— come into the service. they are auoin to come into the service. they are going to have — come into the service. they are going to have an _ come into the service. they are going to have an impact - come into the service. they are going to have an impact long i come into the service. they are i going to have an impact long after i've flown back to the us. they are going to have an impact through their lives. in going to have an impact through their lives-_ their lives. in the difference was noticed and _ their lives. in the difference was noticed and celebrated. - their lives. in the difference was noticed and celebrated. it's i their lives. in the difference was noticed and celebrated. it's kind their lives. in the difference was i noticed and celebrated. it's kind of a big moment _ noticed and celebrated. it's kind of a big moment because _ noticed and celebrated. it's kind of a big moment because we've i noticed and celebrated. it's kind of| a big moment because we've never seen _ a big moment because we've never seen anyone like her in the royal familx _ seen anyone like her in the royal famil . �* ., , , ., family. but now, less than three ears family. but now, less than three years later. _ family. but now, less than three years later, harry _ family. but now, less than three years later, harry and _ family. but now, less than three years later, harry and meghan l family. but now, less than three i years later, harry and meghan have stepped back from royal duties. they live in california and they have been interviewed by oprah winfrey. and relations with the rest of the royal family are strained. race is still part of the equation, but for very different reasons. yelena quit meghan told oprah winfrey that she considered . ., , ., ,, ., considered consider taking her own life. she also spoke about conversations in the household about how dark their unborn son archie's skin might

be. we their unborn son archie's skin might be. ~ �* their unborn son archie's skin might be.~ �* ~' ., their unborn son archie's skin might be. ~ �* ,, ., ., their unborn son archie's skin might be. we can't know what happened in that conversation, _ be. we can't know what happened in that conversation, and _ be. we can't know what happened in that conversation, and the _ be. we can't know what happened in that conversation, and the words i be. we can't know what happened in that conversation, and the words of| that conversation, and the words of the palace, recollections may vary. this is prince william's response... is the royal family raises family sir? ~ ., , . ., is the royal family raises family sir? . . , . ., ., is the royal family raises family sir? . , . ., ., sir? we are very much not a racist famil . sir? we are very much not a racist family- what _ sir? we are very much not a racist family. what is _ sir? we are very much not a racist family. what is certain _ sir? we are very much not a racist family. what is certain is- sir? we are very much not a racist family. what is certain is that i sir? we are very much not a racist family. what is certain is that the | family. what is certain is that the u set and family. what is certain is that the upset and the _ family. what is certain is that the upset and the division _ family. what is certain is that the upset and the division within i family. what is certain is that the upset and the division within this | upset and the division within this family is real. in the eyes of many, this is a last chance to change and stay relevant. i this is a last chance to change and stay relevant-— this is a last chance to change and stay relevant. i think meghan was a hue stay relevant. i think meghan was a huge missed _ stay relevant. i think meghan was a huge missed opportunity _ stay relevant. i think meghan was a huge missed opportunity because l huge missed opportunity because harry— huge missed opportunity because harry and — huge missed opportunity because harry and meghan _ huge missed opportunity because harry and meghan were _ huge missed opportunity because harry and meghan were obviously screaming — harry and meghan were obviously screaming into _ harry and meghan were obviously screaming into their— harry and meghan were obviously screaming into their pillows, i harry and meghan were obviously screaming into their pillows, youi screaming into their pillows, you know, _ screaming into their pillows, you know. not — screaming into their pillows, you know. not to _ screaming into their pillows, you know, not to be _ screaming into their pillows, you know, not to be heard. - screaming into their pillows, you know, not to be heard. after- screaming into their pillows, you know, not to be heard. after thej know, not to be heard. after the interview. — know, not to be heard. after the interview, that _ know, not to be heard. after the interview, that oh, _ know, not to be heard. after the interview, that oh, that's- know, not to be heard. after the interview, that oh, that's it, i know, not to be heard. after the interview, that oh, that's it, the| interview, that oh, that's it, the royal— interview, that oh, that's it, the royal family— interview, that oh, that's it, the royal family are _ interview, that oh, that's it, the royal family are really _ interview, that oh, that's it, the royal family are really quite i interview, that oh, that's it, the l royal family are really quite blown it. , , , it. the independent put it this way- -- here — it. the independent put it this way... here is— it. the independent put it this way... here is the _ it. the independent put it this way... here is the former i it. the independent put it thisj way... here is the former bbc it. the independent put it this i way... here is the former bbc royal correspondent...

while the royal family would not accept that description, this definitely wasn't the plan. thea;r definitely wasn't the plan. they really wanted _ definitely wasn't the plan. they really wanted this _ definitely wasn't the plan. they really wanted this to _ definitely wasn't the plan. they really wanted this to work, i definitely wasn't the plan. iie: really wanted this to work, and definitely wasn't the plan. tie: really wanted this to work, and they will be looking very closely now at the reasons why it didn't. thea;r will be looking very closely now at the reasons why it didn't. they are lookin: the reasons why it didn't. they are looking closely. — the reasons why it didn't. they are looking closely, so _ the reasons why it didn't. they are looking closely, so is _ the reasons why it didn't. they are looking closely, so is a _ the reasons why it didn't. they are looking closely, so is a watching . looking closely, so is a watching world. so why didn't it work? why did this chance pass by? that, of course, is very hard to answer. but there are three apparent contradictions within the british monarchy that may help us understand. the first is how a very public family can lead a very private life. that's long been the royals goal, and it's long looked near to impossible. let's go back to 1936. the british empire faces an extra ordinary crisis, not for centuries have these houses of parliament witness so dangerous a political struggle. king edward viii should he married... white mickey abdicated to dojust married... white mickey abdicated to do just that. married... white mickey abdicated to dojust that. king married... white mickey abdicated to

do just that. king agreed the eighth decision to marry the american divorcee, wallis simpson, mattered in part because it changed the head of state , .., , in part because it changed the head of state , , ., in part because it changed the head ofstate , . , ,. of state because also the public with consumers _ of state because also the public with consumers of— of state because also the public with consumers of the - of state because also the public with consumers of the royal- of state because also the public. with consumers of the royal soap opera. and that public glare has continued. in 1981, prince charles spoke about it. i continued. in 1981, prince charles spoke about it.— continued. in 1981, prince charles spoke about it. i don't know about diana, spoke about it. i don't know about diana. but — spoke about it. i don't know about diana. but i'm _ spoke about it. i don't know about diana, but i'm more _ spoke about it. i don't know about diana, but i'm more used - spoke about it. i don't know about diana, but i'm more used to i spoke about it. i don't know about diana, but i'm more used to it, i l diana, but i'm more used to it, i think. _ diana, but i'm more used to it, i think. to — diana, but i'm more used to it, i think, to knowing for years that the cameras _ think, to knowing for years that the cameras are — think, to knowing for years that the cameras are poking at you from every quarter— cameras are poking at you from every quarter and _ cameras are poking at you from every quarter and recording every twitch you make — quarter and recording every twitch you make. so it can be reduced to a certain— you make. so it can be reduced to a certain extent, and on some occasions _ certain extent, and on some occasions camille except that that's part of— occasions camille except that that's part of it. _ occasions camille except that that's part of it. if— occasions camille except that that's part of it, if you don't try to work it out— part of it, if you don't try to work it out of— part of it, if you don't try to work it out of your _ part of it, if you don't try to work it out of your mind, some kind of method — it out of your mind, some kind of method for— it out of your mind, some kind of method for existing, and surviving this kind _ method for existing, and surviving this kind of— method for existing, and surviving this kind of thing, you would go mad. _ this kind of thing, you would go mad. i— this kind of thing, you would go mad, i think. this kind of thing, you would go mad, ithink-— this kind of thing, you would go mad, i think. ., .,, mad, i think. each royal has defined their own method, _ mad, i think. each royal has defined their own method, says _ mad, i think. each royal has defined their own method, says charles. i mad, i think. each royal has defined| their own method, says charles. this current split connects to a disagreement over what method that should be. for harry and megan, the method was simply to leave.

prince harry revealed that the pressure from newspaper reports damaged mental health, and the prince said his decision to move to the united states was wet any husband and father would do. from 1936 to 1981 — husband and father would do. from 1936 to 1981 to — husband and father would do. from 1936 to 1981 to 2021, _ husband and father would do. from 1936 to 1981 to 2021, we _ husband and father would do. from 1936 to 1981 to 2021, we see the same tension, private versus public. but the idea that everything has to be kept in—house risks looking out of date. this is hillary clinton this week. of date. this is hillary clinton this week-— of date. this is hillary clinton this week. , , ., ., ., ., , of date. this is hillary clinton this week. , ., ., ., this week. this young woman was not about to keep — this week. this young woman was not about to keep her— this week. this young woman was not about to keep her head _ this week. this young woman was not about to keep her head down. - this week. this young woman was not about to keep her head down. this i this week. this young woman was not about to keep her head down. this is| about to keep her head down. this is 202i _ about to keep her head down. this is 2021. , , ., _, . ., about to keep her head down. this is 2021. , , ., . ., ., 2021. this is all connected to at the bbc royal — 2021. this is all connected to at the bbc royal spine _ 2021. this is all connected to at the bbc royal spine didn't i 2021. this is all connected to at i the bbc royal spine didn't cause... —— royal correspondent. and that last point from johnny leads us to a second related contradiction, how the british monarchy manages its global reputation and stays relevant while saying to nothing. bear mind, the queen is head of state to 16 commonwealth countries, and that number is going to go down. our

beto's in the caribbean will leave the commonwealth later this year, and its former high commissioner explains how this week's plays directly into that decision. it represents notjust a symbol of historic— represents notjust a symbol of historic oppression, but as you see with harry— historic oppression, but as you see with harry and megan the continued messaging of the discrimination and racism _ messaging of the discrimination and racism that— messaging of the discrimination and racism that made the british empire. history— racism that made the british empire. history has _ racism that made the british empire. history has been and is part of the royal— history has been and is part of the royal family's selling point. it's a symbol— royal family's selling point. it's a symbol of— royal family's selling point. it's a symbol of a long connection between britain _ symbol of a long connection between britain and _ symbol of a long connection between britain and other countries. but in some _ britain and other countries. but in some places, that connection is being _ some places, that connection is being reappraised because of shifting — being reappraised because of shifting views of colonialism and because — shifting views of colonialism and because of this week shifting views of colonialism and because of this weei_ shifting views of colonialism and because of this week news america ublishes because of this week news america publishes across _ because of this week news america publishes across the _ because of this week news america publishes across the caribbean i because of this week news america publishes across the caribbean and | publishes across the caribbean and latin america, they ran this editorial which asks... the article goes on...

now, as we heard some of the royal family denies there is racism, but this illustrates the challenge, to our harry and meghan interview is a powerful impression, this short statement is the palace's response come of these different approaches are relevant because of debates already under way. for example, are relevant because of debates already underway. for example, in australia... it's our country commits our constitution, you know, and our head of state should be an australian citizen, should be one of us, not the queen or king of the united kingdom. the queen or king of the united kinudom. ., �* , the queen or king of the united kinudom. ., �*, , . ., kingdom. now, let's be clear, there is no sin kingdom. now, let's be clear, there is no sign australia _ kingdom. now, let's be clear, there is no sign australia is _ kingdom. now, let's be clear, there is no sign australia is about - kingdom. now, let's be clear, there is no sign australia is about to i is no sign australia is about to become a republic, the point is though that the story of harry and meghan is in part the story of the royal family's future role in the world. it's a point we have heard throughout the week. the royalfamily, they are part of the commonwealth, they lead the commonwealth, you know, they are leading a diverse country, so i think there are issues that were raised to affect us, they do affect more than just their family. thea;r more than 'ust their family. they do, and more than just their family. they do. and the _ more than just their family. they do, and the split _

more than just their family. they do, and the split with _ more thanjust their family. they do, and the split with harry and megan is connected to different views of where the royal family fits into the world. also, crucially, how and if to talk about that. and if thatis and if to talk about that. and if that is the family, my third point concerns the uk itself. if there is such a thing as a brand, if you _ if there is such a thing as a brand, if you are — if there is such a thing as a brand, if you are talking about in relation to a country, this country's brand has been — to a country, this country's brand has been tarnished. into to a country, this country's brand has been tarnished.— to a country, this country's brand has been tarnished. into use bonnie greer's where. _ has been tarnished. into use bonnie greer's where, the _ has been tarnished. into use bonnie greer's where, the royal— has been tarnished. into use bonnie greer's where, the royal family i has been tarnished. into use bonnie greer's where, the royal family as l greer's where, the royal family as part of the uk's brand. it's also central to the uk's sense of self, the british are enthusiastic royalists. recent polls show that every age group supports the monarchy being the head of state, and looking back to that sunny spring day in 2018 and the girl we heard from earlier, the possibilities for the uk and the royalfamily were possibilities for the uk and the royal family were palpable. of ruin from different nationalities just sitting together and i was like, even though there is so much going on in our world this has brought us together, this wedding. the historian has written...

well, perhaps for the royalfamily, for parts of the british press, even for parts of the british press, even for parts of the british press, even for parts of the country, the answer is yes. perhaps there is an unresolved contradiction in trying to reshape a hereditary monarchy to fit into a modern multicultural 21st—century democracy. it is at the very least hard. we have seen that this week. it's also no surprise that an institution steeped in tradition moves at its own pace. the risk though is that it gets left behind. that's all for this week. get plenty more of analysis elsewhere on the bbc. you can see our videos on the bc news website, each week and as you know, we tackle a different subject. if you are in the cake to can watch them on iplayer in the news category. or if you prefer to listen, we are on the sounds out. he can hear audio reversions of our reports there. lots of ways to find them, just search my name on the bbc sounds apt

or the bbc news app. that's it. thanks for watching. see you next week. bye—bye. good evening. thursday brought us a windy day right across the uk, with a mix of some sunshine and some blustery showers too. lots of rainbows sent in by our weather watcher, this was the picture in county down on thursday afternoon. blue sky there, sunshine in shorter supply here, this was the picture in twickenham early on on thursday. so shower clouds aplenty and over the next few days, that story is going to remain with us. still some strong, blustery winds, probably not quite as windy as it has been, and also some scattered heavy showers too. now, more showers to come, particularly across the western half of the uk through the course of tonight. some hail and some thunder mixed in with these showers. drier for much of eastern england towards parts of eastern scotland as well. but some of those showers across the highlands will be falling as sleet and snow.

so some icy conditions here to start your friday morning. quite a chilly start, temperatures around two celsius first thing. so, with the strength of the wind, it's going to feel quite chilly once again with plenty more showers. the showers in the east will ease away, so the afternoon looks mostly dry, i think, for parts of eastern england, far east of scotland as well. but plenty more showers packing in from the west, and again, it could bring some hail and some thunder. temperatures not great for the time of year, around about 6—11 degrees. the winds, once again, a real feature of the weather with gusts about 30—40 mph, even stronger than that around some exposed coasts in the west. it will be particularly windy and wet friday into saturday. so more heavy showers and thunderstorms rattling through on that breeze. temperatures to start your weekend between about 1—6 celsius, so still fairly chilly conditions out there through saturday, particularly when you add on, again, the wind. it is going to be another blustery sort of day. into sunday, things will settle down a little bit, but certainly another day of sunny spells and blustery, heavy showers on saturday, could be particularly windy through the english channel. and those showers could merge

into longer spells of rain in the northwest later on. temperatures only about 7—10 celsius, quite a cool feel, another windy day. into sunday, probaby looking at the quiter day of the weekend as high—pressure tries to build infrom the southwest. a few showers moving in from the northwest, but towards the south—southeast, you should stay predominantly dry. temperatures up a degree compared to saturday, 8—11 celsius. as high—pressure builds into next week things will turn quieter with some sunshine, but do watch over strong winds over the next few days. bye— bye.

this is bbc news. the headlines... prince william says the royal family isn't racist — following accusations made by prince harry and meghan during their explosive interview with oprah winfrey. have you spoken to your brother? i haven't spoken to yet but i will do. can you _ haven't spoken to yet but i will do. can you let— haven't spoken to yet but i will do. can you let me know, is the family a racist family?— racist family? very much not a racist family? very much not a racist family. _ the family of sarah everard pay tribute to her, saying she "brought so much joy to our lives". a serving police officer — who has been arrested on supsicion of her murder — remains in custody. more than 4.5 million people in england are now waiting to start hospital treatment — a record number the boom in lockdown puppies prompts a sharp rise in the number of people falling victim to pet scammers.