this is bbc news. i'm clive myrie. our top stories for you: no let up for the prime minister — more questions over who paid to renovate his flat. downing street denies conservative party funds are being used to cover the refurbishments and ministers back borisjohnson. the only information i have is that the prime minister has paid for this, and he's made that very clear. boris johnson has to offer a full and frank explanation. he has to be transparent. if he's got nothing to hide, he has nothing to fear. the first shipment of uk medical aid arrives in india, as coronavirus infections and deaths reach record highs. thanks to the uk and everyone else, we too are sending thousands of oxidant conservators and field hospitals and people, but it is

wonderful to see the world standing up wonderful to see the world standing up and helping. wejust need wonderful to see the world standing up and helping. we just need to wonderful to see the world standing up and helping. wejust need to keep that spirit going throughout this pandemic. people over the age of 42 in england are now able to book their coronavirus vaccine. it's the second time this week the roll—out�*s been extended to the over—40s. researchers say lockdowns and other covid measures adversely affect the speech development of young children. some schools are now offering additional support. and the queen carries out her first official public engagement since the death of her husband, the duke of edinburgh. hello there. the prime minister is coming under increasing pressure,

after several allegations over his personal conduct in office. there are renewed questions this afternoon over who paid for the redecoration of his downing street flat. a spokesman has again declined to say whether boris johnson received a loan from the conservative party to cover the costs but insisted he has fully complied with all guidance. the prime minister chaired a cabinet meeting this morning as he attempted to shift the focus, away from personal controversies. here's our political correspondent, helen catt. the government is keen to dismiss a number of rows, including how borisjohnson funded a revamp of his home in downing street, asjust a bit of westminster curtain twitching that doesn't interest the world outside. this morning, he urged cabinet ministers to focus on jabs and jobs. the only information i have is that the prime minister has paid for this, and he's made that very clear in his own words, so it's a case of... there's a lot of discussion, perhaps, that really interests people particularly in westminster and the media about aspects of redecoration, whether it's

wallpaper or armchairs or whatever it is, but i think the vast majority of people in this country are very keen about what it is we are doing in order to protect livelihoods. most prime ministers do up the downing street flat to suit their tastes, but this isn't a row about soft furnishings or wallpaper. it's about having a clear public record of who is interacting with the people who run the country. the suggestion is that a donation or a loan was made to borisjohnson to help him pay for his redecoration costs. now, that in itself wouldn't be likely to break the rules, as long as it is properly declared. so far, no declaration has been made. labour says if there is nothing to hide, borisjohnson should just be clear. there's a reason why we have rules around donations and loans to government ministers, why they have to be declared, because ministers have to be beyond — they have to be above reproach — and we don't know the situation here. so, again, borisjohnson has to offer a full and frank explanation. he has to be transparent. if he has nothing to hide,

he has nothing to fear. but so far, his behaviour suggests something fishy is going on. that's not good enough. downing street says if a loan or donation was made, it will be declared in due course, probably in the register of ministers�* interests. the cabinet secretary is reviewing how the flat refurbishment was funded. the reason why we have these rules around transparency is so that the public know who decision—makers, up to and including the prime minister, what their interests are, and to be clear they are acting on behalf of the people, on behalf of citizens, on behalf of taxpayers, and that they're not overly influenced by donations or loans or private interest from anybody else. reporter: has the prime minister broken the rules, mr raab? - no, says the foreign secretary. but all the time there remain answers that are unclear, the questions will keep on coming. helen catt, bbc news. we can now speak to our political correspondentjonathan blake.

jonathan, let's begin with the interior decorations, curtains and soft furnishings and so on. why is that still a big deal?— that still a big deal? well, the amount of— that still a big deal? well, the amount of money _ that still a big deal? well, the amount of money to _ that still a big deal? well, the amount of money to print - that still a big deal? well, the - amount of money to print minister spent on refurbishing the flat above number 11 downing st, where he and his fiancee carrie simons live, and where the knee comes from her still key questions. weather is a big deal or not, it comes down to perhaps a matter ofjudgment, but downing matter of judgment, but downing street matter ofjudgment, but downing street having insisted from the prime minister has not broken any rules. at the end of last week we learned that he had covered the wider cost of those refurbishments himself, but there are questions remain about where the money came from and whether there was a loan by a political donor perhaps, through conservative party central office to the prime minister, to pay for that also buys that important? as you heard in the report there, it possibly raises questions about where the prime minister is getting donations from and who he may be beholding to or influenced by as a

result, in all those claims were supercharged by dominic cummings, the prime minister's senior adviser —— for adviser, saying last week there was a secret plan to get people to pay for the refurbishment work, which he said was foolish. today the prime minister's spokesman told us this. well, those appropriate codes of conduct and electoral lot relate to carmen by mps to publish donations every 28 days, whether pertaining to whether they can be influenced by those donations or not, and ministers, government ministers, theirfinancial ministers, government ministers, their financial interests are published twice yearly in the last time the government did that was backin time the government did that was back injuly last year, so it could be that when that updated list of financial interests are published,

that we get some more details about possibly where some of this money came from. there was a new statement just to bring you in the last hour from a number 10 spokesman, which was very similar to the previous one, but i'll give it to you anyway. it's at any cost of water refurbishment this year provided by something other than the annual allowance, taxpayers money the government gets to spend on down the street, has been met by the prime minister personally. conservative party funds, the statement said, is not being used for this. does not necessarily rule out they have not been part of the funding process previously. been part of the funding process previously-— been part of the funding process previously. been part of the funding process reviousl . , , , ., previously. indeed, rightful subs of the second point _ previously. indeed, rightful subs of the second point of— previously. indeed, rightful subs of the second point of controversy - previously. indeed, rightful subs of the second point of controversy for| the second point of controversy for mrjohnson are these supposed comments attributed to him about another possible lockdown, which she is supposed to of made last october. now, he categorically states he did not say these particular words. yes. not say these particular words. yes, this is comments _ not say these particular words. yes, this is comments by _ not say these particular words. yes, this is comments by the _ not say these particular words. 1&1: this is comments by the prime minister which is reported to have said, and we heard the bbc are among

those reported that he did use the phrase "the bodies could pile up" and that that would be preferable to launching or imposing another lockdown in the future, this is that a time less autumn of a heated debate in government about what the right of action would be —— last autumn. as you say, the pregnant streams of has denied using that language, and again today his spokesman denied it too, saying he did not say that and this is untrue. the cabinet minister, the transport secretary grant shapps has been speaking this afternoon about this. he was asked about the prime minister's denial, which he said was good enough for him, so that is one thing that people are going to have to make up their own minds up about. 0k, to make up their own minds up about. ok, and a third point of controversy, jonathan, is the suggestion that the prime minister may have tried to halt an inquiry into leaks may have tried to halt an inquiry into lea ks for may have tried to halt an inquiry into leaks for the proposed second lockdown last year because that might have incriminated someone

close to carrie symonds. now, are we getting any closer to a resolution over that one? flat getting any closer to a resolution over that one?— getting any closer to a resolution over that one? not yet, and there are doubts — over that one? not yet, and there are doubts about _ over that one? not yet, and there are doubts about whether - over that one? not yet, and there are doubts about whether there i over that one? not yet, and there i are doubts about whether there will be a resolution to that inquiry at all and answers, definitive to that question at office to him as you say it goes back to that same period last autumn when it was leaks to the media that another lockdown was highly likely, and the government was about to announce it before mps were told, before the government made any official announcements. speculation at the time that i was done by someone in government to force the prime minister's hand into doing it, because he himself had doubts, so in the meantime, the government's most senior civil servant, the cavern minister —— cabinet minster has been passed with fighting of who it was lifted to the media, but yesterday

we heard from simon case that given time has passed, it is likely we will not hear from who it was. given all these cases altogether, it is about transparency and trust for the critics. many in westminster, particular conservatives, unsurprisingly, you say none of this really is so important from voters who really want to hear what the government has got to say but how they're going to prove their lives. one conservative and pete put it to me earlier, they had not had any single phone call or e—mail from their constituents on any of this —— conservative mp. as i say, for boris johnson's critics and supporters, i suppose none of this would do anything to shift the dial, the question is whether does to shift the minds of any of those wavering in the middle. qm. the minds of any of those wavering in the middle.— the minds of any of those wavering in the middle. 0k, jonathan, thank ou for in the middle. 0k, jonathan, thank you for walking _ in the middle. 0k, jonathan, thank you for walking us _ in the middle. 0k, jonathan, thank you for walking us through - in the middle. 0k, jonathan, thank you for walking us through all - in the middle. 0k, jonathan, thank you for walking us through all of i you for walking us through all of that. jonathan blake at westminster.

got some breaking news for you that has come in and the last half an hour, and the bbc understands the dup members of the northern ireland and stanley are being asked to sign and stanley are being asked to sign a letter of no confidence in their leader, arlene foster, who is also the first minister. the letter being passed around a dup team. today, ms. foster said there was a big job to work to do before next year's stormont elections. the first uk medical supplies have arrived in india, as the country struggles with an unprecedented surge in coronavirus infections and deaths. the uk has airlifted ventilators and oxygen equipment, but much more is needed. there have been more than 320,000 new infections today, and the world health organization says three variants of the virus have contributed to the spread, along with a failure to stop recent large gatherings.

rajini vaidyanathan with this report. a collective loss that's hard to process as the pyres keep burning. there's a tragic inevitability in india, because tomorrow these scenes will be the same. round the clock, volunteers have been helping to cremate those who have died. translation: 5096 of deaths are not registered by - the government as covid—i9. our ngo brings bodies to be cremated directly from homes of victims. the government only counts related deaths of victims who die in a hospital. he believes the actual death toll is far higher than the official numbers. and in a country dubbed the pharmacy of the world, because it produces so many medicines, there isn't enough to go around. police guard the limited supplies. families forced to wait for whatever they can. many feel abandoned

by those in power. translation: the government has failed us so much, - that those who can normally survive would also die. so many people are dying because they are unable to get the most basic services. this kind of disaster i'm witnessing, i've never seen this level of crisis before. and in this crisis, help from further afield. ventilators and oxygen concentrators sent by the uk government arrived in delhi last night. it's a start, but with the surge in cases, nothing is enough. there's also been offers of help from other countries, too. even regional rivals like china and pakistan have pledged support. the us is also looking at supplying oxygen, covid tests and ppe to india. it's also announced it'll share up to 60 million doses of the astrazeneca vaccine with other countries as they become available. but for so many families, it's all too late.

no cry for help can save what india has already lost. as thousands die every day, more families bear the pain. and they're not alone in their grief. india is a nation in mourning. rajini vaidyanathan, bbc news. and tomorrow, the bbc is bringing you a special day of coverage on the deepening coronavirus crisis in india and its significance for the globalfight against the pandemic. we'll have reports, interviews and analysis across tv, radio and digital throughout the day. and we will be getting an update from a senior critical care consultant in the eastern city of kolkata and then later in the programme. —— a little later. let's just bring you the latest coronavirus figures for the uk released in the past hour.

there were 2,685 new infections recorded in the latest 24—hour period. a further 17 people have died within 28 days of receiving a positive test result. and 33.8 million first doses have now been given — the equivalent of nearly 65% of adults in the uk. people aged 42 and over in england are now able to book their coronavirus jab. more than 33.7 million people in the uk have now received their first dose and almost 12.9 million have had two. it's just 2a hours since the vaccine roll—out was opened up to anyone in england over the age of 1m. every lockdown fine handed out should be reviewed, according to a committee of mps. they say the system is "muddled, discriminatory and unfair". more than 85,000 fixed penalty notices have been issued in england since the pandemic began, with 8,000 in wales. our home affairs correspondent june kelly explained the background. now, this committee of mps is made up of notjust mps but members of the house of lords, all parties, so it's

a real cross—section. they say one of the basic problems is that the system is not clear legally, which poses difficulties for the police, and then they say... the system has been in place for about a year, and they say it is prejudiced, they believe, against certain groups, notably the poor, the young and some ethnic minorities, and they say the reason why they're saying that is because if you don't or can't pay the fine, you then have to go to court and they are saying that's how people are ending up in the court system. they are also quoting stats that say those who have ended up in the court system, a quarter of those cases have been thrown out of court, which the peers and mps would say underlines the fact that there are problems with the system — that, basically, people are having action taken against them when they shouldn't be, so that's why they see the whole system is completely wrong and needs a review. what are the government saying in response to that? is there likely to be any review of all these fines? the mood music is no. the government say they worked

closely with the police throughout the pandemic to get the system going, and they say it is right that those who are very obviously breaching the rules should face the consequences. their point is that most people have been following the rules, why should people who have been following the rules be punished? let's return to the dire situation in india. dr saswati sinha is a senior critical care consultant in the amri hospital in the eastern city of kolkata. thank you forjoining us, it's good to see you. just describe the situation for me if you could in your hospital, how difficult is it dealing with the numbers of infections and deaths from covid? it's extremely difficult dealing with those situation which we are faced with at the moment. there has been an expert initial surge in the number of cases. there are people

crowding the emergency wards, all article care units are full, our staff is completely exhausted, there stretched to their full capacity, and it is absolutely terrible, the situation that we are faced with as of now. ., situation that we are faced with as of now. . ., ., , ., ., ,., of now. yeah, i mean, are you also havin: of now. yeah, i mean, are you also having difficulties _ of now. yeah, i mean, are you also having difficulties sourcing, - having difficulties sourcing, getting enough supplies of oxygen? not yet come and in the city of kolkata, we are fortunately dominic we have not faced a scarcity of oxygen which is been reported from the other cities. —— we have not faced. that is a life—saver as of now. faced. that is a life-saver as of now. , , . ., ., now. just tell me, the world health organization _ now. just tell me, the world health organization is _ now. just tell me, the world health organization is saying _ now. just tell me, the world health organization is saying the _ now. just tell me, the world health organization is saying the marked l organization is saying the marked increase in infections and debts is the result of new variants. is that your experience? —— infection and

deaths? can you hear because net i think we have lost a line there to kolkata. we were hearing from the cricket care consultant dr saswati i , who was telling us about their difficult situation there —— critical care consultant. there's growing evidence that the coronavirus lockdowns have adversely affected the language skills of young children. a study has found that reduced social interaction, and the wearing of face coverings in public, have deprived youngsters of experiences essential for increasing vocabulary. of 58 primary schools surveyed across england, 76% said pupils starting school in september 2020 needed more support with communication than in previous years, 96% said they were concerned about pupils' speech—and—language development and 56% of parents were concerned about their child starting at school following the lockdown in the spring and summer. let's speak to dr bernadka dubicka, chair of the child & adolescent faculty at the royal college of psychiatrists.

hello to you. thanks very much indeed forjoining us. are these figures any surprise to you, given what lockdowns entail, which is a lack of social interaction for people, obviously, and also the difficulty of younger people being able to see the mouths of people behind masks? it’s able to see the mouths of people behind masks?— behind masks? it's not at all surprising — behind masks? it's not at all surprising to _ behind masks? it's not at all surprising to hear— behind masks? it's not at all surprising to hear that - behind masks? it's not at all surprising to hear that so - behind masks? it's not at all i surprising to hear that so many parents and professionals are concerned about young children, but i think the first thing to say is that it i think the first thing to say is thatitis i think the first thing to say is that it is likely that most children are very resilient and most children will catch up, so ijust want to reassure most pears out there who may be worried. and we have had technology during the pandemic and during lockdown and that has been hugely helpful for many children, they've been able to interact with their families, they've been able to interact with theirfamilies, with they've been able to interact with their families, with their friends. of course is not the same as face—to—face interaction, again i think that what we do need to remember is the most vulnerable children of society, and so in terms of technology, there is a huge

divide, so many children and young people have not had that same access to technology as may be some better off children have had, and of course the children that were most concerned about is those very vulnerable, with perhaps out —— perhaps autism were learning his abilities. it is important to see those young children to have intervention very early, so those are the children that really concern me, and it is so important to invest in those early years because they are the foundations of later in life. and we know that there is lots of really good interventions that can help very young children, so for example we know that parenting interventions can have effects for many years later. also interventions of children with autism, if they get in the young age coastal see those positive effects years later, so it is so important we invest early on, and it's been very concerning that there has been so much disinvestment in the early years, particular and

social care. we know programmes are shut down. i hope now is that how we can reinvest in those early years, and the lasting only to say, we need to look after parents too, so i'm really pleased there's more support announce for parents and mothers, but parents do need that help, and particular parents with mental health problems because we know their particular struggling to care for their children. we neither cares met as most of they can look after their children is.— their children is. going back to mm: their children is. going back to young children, _ their children is. going back to young children, your— their children is. going back to young children, your sake - their children is. going back to young children, your sake we i their children is. going back to i young children, your sake we are seeing the same kind of social and economic device that a been exacerbated by the pandemic in other areas, being played out in this field as well? it is the poorest, the most vulnerable children and youngsters that are being affected? absolutely. so those children come for much federal pack runs and parents are able to give and the assessment, may be or not having to hold down severaljobs or have lost

theirjobs, who are not suffering theirjobs, who are not suffering their own mental health problems, those are the children that are going to struggle in the parents struggle to meet their needs, so in terms of trying to improve that divide, really do have to focus on the most vulnerable children and young people, and is really important to reassure most parents that most children will do 0k. parents able to offer that time and input into their lives and be there for them. figs input into their lives and be there for them. �* , ., input into their lives and be there forthem. a. , input into their lives and be there forthem. , ., , for them. as a society, do we invest enou:h in for them. as a society, do we invest enough in early _ for them. as a society, do we invest enough in early years _ for them. as a society, do we invest enough in early years developmentl for them. as a society, do we invest. enough in early years development in the best of times?— the best of times? know, and that's been a concern _ the best of times? know, and that's been a concern here _ the best of times? know, and that's been a concern here at _ the best of times? know, and that's been a concern here at the - the best of times? know, and that's been a concern here at the royal. been a concern here at the royal couege been a concern here at the royal college for many years. we know many short start centres shut down many years ago, and those type of centres are a lifeline for parents struggling in the early years, and it is something where we will reap the rewards to invest many years down the length of time that was a time to reappraise how we are investing in young children because they have been forgotten about, and particular those with particular

needs, such as autism or learning difficulties or those in poverty. 0k, dr bernadka dubicka, thank you forjoining us. thank you. an inquest into the deaths of jack merrit and saskia jones at fishmongers' hall in london has been told that their killer was involved in "extremist bullying" in prison. convicted terrorist usman khan attacked the two graduates at an educational event in november 2019. our correspondent zoe conway is following the story and joins us now. zoe, just bring us up—to—date with what happened today. the zoe, just bring us up-to-date with what happened today.— what happened today. the inquest heard evidence _ what happened today. the inquest heard evidence from _ what happened today. the inquest heard evidence from detective - what happened today. the inquest i heard evidence from detective chief inspector dan brown, who is leading an investigation into the attack for the metropolitan police, and he's been looking into background of usman khan and in particular usman khan's time in prison. usman khan was a convicted terrorist who spent eight years inside and what the jury was told was that throughout his time in prison, he was a category a

high risk prisoner. to put that into context, there are fewer than 100 prisoners at that categorisation that are considered to be that dangerous. thejury that are considered to be that dangerous. the jury was told that he had associated with high—profile terrorists, including the murder of fusiliers lee rigby, and the two of them had discussed their muslim faith. he was also involved in violence assaults, in one case the assault involved a christian prisoner who had refused to convert to islam. thejury was prisoner who had refused to convert to islam. the jury was also told that there was intelligence that usman khan had deliberately lied in order to fully prison authorities into thinking he had changed his ways. dci dan brown also talked about how usman khan had been managed in the community, and there are number of agencies involved in managing him in the months leading up managing him in the months leading up to the attack, including the probation service and the police. and there are number of meetings in

those months held to discuss usman khan, and in particular what was raised at those meetings was that usman khan wanted to attend this event at fishmongers' hall, this prisoner education event, but the minutes show that what they talked about were the logistics — how would usman khan travel from stafford to london and back again. the minutes show that what was not discussed was the level of risk involved, the risk associated with him attending the event. now, we now know is that he travelled down unescorted, there were no police office with him, and what we also know is that the police, the metropolitan police, suspect that it is on the train that usman khan put on that what they describe as convincing but fake suicide belt. zoe, thank you for that zoe conway at the inquest. nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe's local mp has criticised what she's called the prime minister's

"dismal failure" that has led to the british—iranian aid worker facing more time injail. a month ago, she completed a five yearjail sentence, but yesterday mrs zaghari was sentenced to a further 12 months in prison. labour's tulip siddiq made her comments following a statement in the commons by the foreign office minister, james cleverly. mr speaker, as the news unfolded yesterday, i watched with great interest as the prime minister talked about redoubling his efforts to get nazanin home and how he was working as hard as he possibly could to secure her release. if the prime minister is watching now, i would like to ask him, what efforts has he put into trying to release nazanin in the first place? because from where i'm standing, i've seen no evidence on the part of the prime minister so far. at the heart of this tragic case is the prime minister's dismal failure to release my constituent and to stand up for her and his devastating blundering in 2017, when he was foreign secretary, when he exposed his complete ignorance of this tragic case and put more harm in nazanin's way.

the prime minister did not even arrange uk officials to attend nazanin's recent court hearing, which might have ensured she got a free and fair trial. i completely understand the passion with which the honourable lady speaks and i can hear the anger and frustration in her voice. however, her anger and frustration is misdirected because nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe and the other british nationals held in arbitrary detention are being held by iran. it is on them. james cleverly there, responding to questions and comments made by tulip siddiq, nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe's mp in london. much more coming up. now, though, time for the weather with louise. hello there. our weather story has changed. yes, there's a rare sighting of april showers out

there at the moment, and as we go through the afternoon, maybe even the odd rumble of thunder and a little bit of hail. this was north yorkshire just a few hours ago. most of the showers so far have been to the north across eastern scotland, eastern england. some are drifting their way into northern ireland, northwest england and north wales, with the best of the sunshine across the south coast into the southeast corner. that's where we'll have the best of the warmth, but noticeably cooler, particularly when you factor in the showers and the blustery wind as well. those showers will drift their way steadily south and west overnight tonight, so we start the day off tomorrow with a different emphasis. more cloud, more showers through wales, the midlands and down into southern england. there'll be some sunshine through northern ireland and scotland along with northern england, but those temperatures pretty disappointing for this time of year, a maximum ofjust 8—14 celsius, and that cool trend continues for the rest of the week.

hello this is bbc news. the headlines. no let up for the prime minister — more questions over who paid to renovate his flat. downing street denies conservative party funds are being used to cover the refurbishments and ministers back borisjohnson. the only information i have that the prime minister has paid for this and he's made that very clear. borisjohnson has to boris johnson has to offer a borisjohnson has to offer a clear

and frank— borisjohnson has to offer a clear and frank explanation. a has to be transparent— and frank explanation. a has to be transparent if he has nothing to hide _ transparent if he has nothing to hide he — transparent if he has nothing to hide he has nothing to pharaoh. the first shipment of uk medical aid arrives in india, as coronavirus infections and deaths, reach record highs. people over the age of 42 in england are now able to book their coronavirus vaccine. it's the second time this week the rollout�*s been extended, to the over 40s. in the queen carries out her first officiai— in the queen carries out her first official engagement since the death official engagement since the death of her— official engagement since the death of her husband. cassette tapes are making a comeback. sales are estimated to have doubled during the pandemic. sport and for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre, hi clive after nine to you. the head of the footballers association has denied the organisation has been too slow to act over increasing evidence that concussion in sport is linked to neurological conditions like team—mate did not dementia. step

down after a0 years in charge. he was speaking to a parliamentary committee after being accused of having blood on his hands by campaigners. there are many within the game who appears as focused on any of the things of the game have been asleep at the wheel. this things of the game have been asleep at the wheel-— at the wheel. as far as the skull. because we _ at the wheel. as far as the skull. because we have _ at the wheel. as far as the skull. because we have 19 _ at the wheel. as far as the skull. because we have 19 years - at the wheel. as far as the skull. l because we have 19 years since... at the wheel. as far as the skull. i because we have 19 years since... i can do it, i can do it. i could do a timetable — can do it, i can do it. i could do a timetable really of all that has happened, we've never been asleep on it. i happened, we've never been asleep on it. ~' happened, we've never been asleep on it. ~ �* , ., happened, we've never been asleep on it. ~ 2 ., . . , it. i think it's unfair criticism because i— it. i think it's unfair criticism because i know _ it. i think it's unfair criticism because i know what - it. i think it's unfair criticism because i know what we - it. i think it's unfair criticism because i know what we do. | it. i think it's unfair criticism - because i know what we do. and erfectl because i know what we do. and perfectly happy _ because i know what we do. and perfectly happy but we haven't done and what we have a data what we intend to do _ what we have a data what we intend to do. staying on the topic of head injuries, a new study has found that teenage girls are almost twice as likely to suffer concussion playing football than teenage boys. researchers at the university of glasgow and in the us are now calling for more work to be done looking at the risks to girls, who are less likely to be

subbed off and take longer to recover than boys. the study identified heading the ball as a specific risk to young female players. this is a controversial thing to suggest maybe we need to extensions and engagement of the game. maybe if girls are getting concussed more regularly by heading the ball or a collision with about which think about should adolescent females actually beheading the ball at all? with they think of differences in the heading approach of young athletes. uefa have announced they'll be distributing more money to the women's champions league 2a million euros — that's more than four times the current amount. the winner could earn 1.a million euros depending on their results across the competition. it's being hailed as a huge boost for the women's game. but it is worth noting the winner of the men's champions league can earn up to 82.a5 million euros over the tournament. speaking of the men's competition, chelsea play their first champions league semifinal in seven years this evening. they are in spain to take on real madrid in the first leg. last week, they were facing calls from across football for them to be

banned because of their involvement in the failed european super league bid. chelsea boss thomas tuchel naturally believes that kind of punishment would be unfair. we deserve to be in the semifinal like a real madrid deserve to be in the semifinal. and we don't deserve because of political position because of political position because of political position because of our local because we came a long way. of course we deserve to play a semifinal. if problems exist on the sports political level it has to be solved on this level. the all england club has announced that it hopes to welcome at least 25% of its usual crowds to wimbledon for the tournament, which starts at the end ofjune. they've said they hope henman hill will be open for business — with social distancing in place. and next year, there'll be a change to the schedule — from 2022, there will always be play on the middle sunday of the tournament. previously, that day has only been used to accommodate a backlog of matches from the first week, but improvements in technology, they say, mean the grass courts

no longer need a day of rest. geraint thomas is in second place, after the prologue of the tour de romandie in switzerland. the opening stage was a short two and a half mile time trial before the first full—length stage tomorrow, and the welshman was on good form. he's building up to leading the ineos grenadiers at this year's tour de france and finished todayjust nine seconds behind the leader, his team—mate, the australian time trial specialist rohan dennis. the england one day cricket captain eoin morgan says it's "hard to watch" the unfolding covid crisis in india, as he and some of his international team mates compete in the indian premier league. the tournament continues despite soaring numbers of infections in the country. three australian players left india early to make sure they got home before australia shut it's borders. one of those players, aj tye, gives his thoughts on the competition continuing. i still feel it's a safe environment

for the players. now it'sjust i still feel it's a safe environment for the players. now it's just down to the fact that the aussies are really stuck there. they may so stay in play. yeah, just the fact of whether or not they can play there safely and possibly get over it at this stage. the afternoon session is over at the world snooker champioship are taking place in sheffield. we've had two matches featuring former world champions and a close contest between world number onejudd trump and 2005 champion shaun murphy. neither man has been ahead by more than one frame. murphy won the last frame with a break of 67 to square it at a—a. on the other table, mark selby leads mark williams 6—2. the evening session starts at 7pm, there's coverage across the bbc. if snooker is your thing. more for you and sport stay at half past six. it might have been my thing in the 80s. hurricane higgins, rememberall that? {371

80s. hurricane higgins, remember all that? , ., , �*, that? of course, of course. there's still some — that? of course, of course. there's still some good _ that? of course, of course. there's still some good action _ that? of course, of course. there's still some good action to _ that? of course, of course. there's still some good action to be - that? of course, of course. there's still some good action to be seen i that? of course, of course. there's| still some good action to be seen in modern snooker, give it a try. absolutely i take your word for it because i know you're a demon with a pool you. the queen has been photographed carrying out an official public engagement, the first since the death of her husband the duke of edinburgh earlier this month. the monarch, who's 95, held virtual audiences at windsor castle via video—link earlier today with the ambassadors of latvia and the ivory coast. our royal correspondent daniela relphjoins me now. it's back to work, not that long since her husband died but there was always i suppose a sense that throwing yourself back into official engagements would be partly how she would cope with her loss. yes. engagements would be partly how she would cope with her loss.— would cope with her loss. yes, i think so- _ would cope with her loss. yes, i think so- as _ would cope with her loss. yes, i think so. as you _ would cope with her loss. yes, i think so. as you say, _ would cope with her loss. yes, i think so. as you say, ten - would cope with her loss. yes, i think so. as you say, ten days i would cope with her loss. yes, i. think so. as you say, ten days after his funeral is quite quick to come back to official royal duties. i think perhaps many thought she would

have a little longer time for a private morning. but no, it was back to business and back to normality today for the queen at windsor castle. and buckingham palace has released these three photographs from the engagement that she carried out today. the first images of the queen herself at windsor castle. these were virtual online engagements. i think the first thing to notice about the photo of the queen is that she's no longer wearing black. that official period of royal morning is over. as much as you can tell from the photographs he appears to be relaxed, she is in good spirits. the message from that photograph is very much that she wants to return to royal duties to official engagement and does not want any kind of extended time of personal morning. what he was doing today at windsor wasn't meeting to new incoming ambassadors. they were at buckingham palace, the first new ambassador she met today was a uk ambassador she met today was a uk ambassadorfrom latvia. she had a short meeting with her. they

would've discussed her new role here in the uk and any issues around her home country. they met a second ambassador here another woman the new ambassadorfrom ambassador here another woman the new ambassador from the ivory coast. again the queen will have been briefed by a private secretary and her team on any issues about the ivory coast was that they would've had a short meeting, after 20 minutes virtually about the new role and again, her home country. it's very much the kind of engagement i think we can expect the queen to be carrying out over the weeks and months ahead. it is very much a message of the business as usual and getting back to royal engagements in her royal diary. in a getting back to royal engagements in her royal diary-— her royal diary. in a significant moment for— her royal diary. in a significant moment for all— her royal diary. in a significant moment for all the _ her royal diary. in a significant i moment for all the ambassadors getting their audience with the queen as well. feeling very relaxed in those photos with william and kate, they are also back at work. a bit of golfing, bit of farming? that's right. they been on an informal day out to the northeast today. getting back to royal business for them. in darlington first they visited a farm they are.

a family farm and they chatted to some of the children on the farm, people working there. they learned about sustainable farming, but new technology and various issues around agriculture. in issue that william himself is pretty knowledgeable plead not knowledgeable about. they visited the cheesy waffles project was a charity that helps children with additional special needs try their hand it a bit of golf there. some of it better than others. what's interesting about them visiting that charity as it benefits from donations that were made after they are a wedding back in 2011. that particular charity benefited from donations and is used that money on this particular project will stop the couple chose to make this visit to that particular project the week of their tenth wedding anniversary. which they will celebrate on thursday. caters wedding anniversary. which they will celebrate on thursday.— celebrate on thursday. cates golf swin: celebrate on thursday. cates golf swing there- _ celebrate on thursday. cates golf swing there. almost _ celebrate on thursday. cates golf swing there. almost as _ celebrate on thursday. cates golf. swing there. almost as lamentable celebrate on thursday. cates golf- swing there. almost as lamentable as mine.

voters in scotland head to the polls for the holyrood elections next week, and the issue of independence will be high on the agenda. the snp and the scottish greens are among those calling for another referendum, while the conservatives, labour and the lib dems, are against it. our political correspondent, nick eardley, has the latest from glasgow. here in glasgow, there are some pretty imposing reminders of its past as the second city of the british empire. these days, though, the economy looks a bit different. in normal times, a bigger focus on gigs and events, less on shipyards. senses of identity have changed, too. in the last referendum, glasgow backed independence and, ahead of the election next week, people are talking about scotland's future again. for me, personally, scottish independence is the main thing in this election. it's a chance for. ..0bviously for scotland to get a say again, it's a chance for a new fresh start, which everybody wants after covid. i would say independence is quite high up there, but i also want a decent recovery.

independence should not be the most important issue at this election. - it should be kind of building back better with a green recovery. - scotland's control of big pandemic decisions is playing a role in the debate. nicola sturgeon and her party ran a country through a global—wide pandemic. why can't she run everything else — the furlough scheme and the vaccines and stuff like that? we could have made that decision, too, if we were independent. the snp haven't been fantastic but because independence - is still on the cards, - it's essentially a free pass for them for this election. some argue a referendum would be a distraction. by saying that we can't focus on two things, it's kind of insulting our own intelligence and the people's intelligence, the fact that we're a smart nation — i'm sure we can multitask. can borisjohnson just keep saying no if the scottish people are voting for pro—independence parties? no, i don't think so. if there's a pro—independence majority in holyrood, - they'll have a mandate - to have a second referendum. that's not the view in downing street, though.

the uk government has made it pretty clear it'll say no to another referendum, even if there's a pro—independence majority — which raises the possibility of a pretty tense stand—off over the next few years in which independence continues to be a key issue. as the parties line up their arguments, businesses wonder what it all means for them. here at shearer�*s candles the boss thinks the economy should be the focus, and that the scottish and uk governments should work together. it would mean they're not wasting time arguing with each other. we might get a little bit there a little bit quicker and a little bit better and a little bit faster. is it likely? he laughs. is it possible? ..have my doubts. independence isn't the only thing for voters here to weigh up — there's a lot at stake in these elections — but the debate over scotland's future is hard to avoid. nick eardley, bbc news, glasgow.

you can get more information about the all candidates and policies of the parties running in the scottish elections, on the bbc news website. (pres) miscarriage can be a devastating trauma and now for million has it unearth alarming information. data suggest black women face a significantly higher risk of having a miscarriage than white women. and losing a pregnancy can leave all women vulnerable to long—term health problems. with one and seven pregnancies ending in a miscarriage there now calls for more specialist support to be offered. in a constant has a story. in a constant has a story. people don't talk about miscarriages that much, so i really had no experience of what happens when somebody has a miscarriage. in 2018, nana—adwoa mbeutcha lost her fourth baby at 18 weeks. as a black woman, research suggests she is more at risk of miscarrying. what happened going through labour was worse than knowing that my baby

died, because with my previous pregnancies going through labour is painful, it's horrible, but you have a living baby at the end of it. this time i knew it was going to be painful, it was going to be horrible and i was going to be presented with my baby that had died. a new report published in the lancet has studied more than four million pregnancies across seven countries. it says around one in seven pregnancies end in miscarriage. and around one and 100 women suffer three or more losses in a row. crucially, it suggests miscarriage rates among black women are a3% higher compared to white women. researchers are now calling for further studies to work out why this group may be more at risk. there are several possible reasons. one is that they are more susceptible to diabetes and hypertension, and those conditions need to be well controlled. another is they more likely to have fibroids, and we are not sure how they contribute to miscarriage. and the other reason is social. it's possible that black

women are less keen to access medical care. losing a baby in pregnancy can have a devastating impact, with today's report estimating that it almost quadruples the risk of suicide and doubles the risk of depression. most women who miscarry go on to have a healthy pregnancy, so couples are usually encouraged to try again without further investigation. but experts argue special support should be offered after one loss instead of three, which is often the case. eastenders actor lacey turner says she kept the pain of her two miscarriages to herself for a long time. for me, i think you become a mother the minute you're pregnant. and for that to be taken away, that's another loss. you sort of, you grieve the fact that you aren't going to be a mother, as well as losing a baby. it was a loss, you know, at seven weeks. lacey now has two young children and hopes speaking about her experiences will let

others know they are not alone. anna collinson, bbc news. the top story in the increasing pressure boris johnson finds the top story in the increasing pressure borisjohnson finds himself under after several allegations of his personal conduct in office. he is also the former critical of the head of the civil service. hello to you thanks very much for being with us. i'm wondering if you can explain why all this matters or should matter in your estimation for the public. for some people and this is obviously the conservative narrative, we are having a spot in the discussion about loose furnishing and cartons. yes, it matters because _ furnishing and cartons. yes, it matters because we _ furnishing and cartons. yes, it matters because we and - furnishing and cartons. yes, it matters because we and the i furnishing and cartons. yes, it - matters because we and the public, whether they're interested or not deserve to know that their leaders,

ministers, prime ministers are making decisions based on their best judgment about policy and government outcomes. and not being influenced by personal interests for loans or debts or obligations that they might have. that's the reason why we have transparency rules for ministers, mps, for political parties. it's about being clear on where money is coming from, what interest people have and ultimately they are taking decisions based on their best judgment rather than on some of the factor. ., . ., , judgment rather than on some of the factor. . .. i, _ judgment rather than on some of the factor. . i, ,_ judgment rather than on some of the factor. . i, _ , ., factor. that clarity simply is not here in this _ factor. that clarity simply is not here in this particular— factor. that clarity simply is not here in this particular instance, | here in this particular instance, you are staying at the moment? it certainly quite murky at the moment. i think one of the main moments is that the transparency returned late or haven't existed there are number of obligations that the prime minister are under. one is to declare the ministerial interest.

that happens about every six months and that is laid at the moment. and the other is by virtue of being a member of parliament they have to declare their financial interest every month. and certainly at the moment and going back over the last. the prime minister hasn't declared a loan in those returns. so there, it's good that number ten are reassuring as i think, no wrong as they are and that's fair enough. but in order to demonstrate that, that needs to be accompanied by relevant documentation and specific assurances about what loans were or weren't taken out. there's still quite a lot bit that is murky about this. �* , . ., , quite a lot bit that is murky about this. �*, . ., , ., quite a lot bit that is murky about this. .,, ., this. let's cut him a bit of slack. he is the — this. let's cut him a bit of slack. he is the prime _ this. let's cut him a bit of slack. he is the prime minister, - this. let's cut him a bit of slack. he is the prime minister, he's i this. let's cut him a bit of slack. i he is the prime minister, he's got this. let's cut him a bit of slack. . he is the prime minister, he's got a lot on his plate not least the coronavirus pandemic. by all accounts he is a bit scary anyway. he's been late ten or 11 time registering this kind of stuff in the past. are you saying there is no place for app absentmindedness? {iii

place for app absentmindedness? of course there is a different type of sanction for absentmindedness or a deliberately not declaring things. i think a course there's a sense of proportionality about theirs. and of course people would cut a prime minister slack for being incredibly busy. but ijust suspect minister slack for being incredibly busy. but i just suspect that all of this is taking up more of the prime time that it would have done otherwise had he followed the rules which are there a reason. it's not that this stuff is trivial. a ministers personal interests are relevant. the decisions that they might or might not make. leaks. secial might or might not make. leaks. special advisers _ might or might not make. leaks. special advisers coming - might or might not make. leaks. special advisers coming out - might or might not make. leaks. special advisers coming out and l special advisers coming out and writing all kinds of stuff online. would you say that this government is functioning well at the moment? how would you characterise a? certainly there are obviously tensions and pressures at the centre

of government. obviously, most of the focus at the moment is around for a special adviser who is no longer in government. my senses the government is a bit cohesive sense last autumn when some of the sound and fury left number ten unit. it's obviously a huge distraction. fall governmentally, all governments have factions in them. that is the stuff of politics. but it's for a prime minister and a leader to impose discipline on that team and set a sense of direction. and when things go too far to call people in and calm everything down. i don't know about the effectiveness in how it's affected every day decision making but it's certainly a huge distraction from the kind of normal, sober business of government. find sober business of government. and what would — sober business of government. and what would your advice be to this government to give more of a dent of

cohesion, more of a sense that they're actually on top of things? it's about setting a clear direction and the successes that the government has had. going much more broadly now. the vaccine roll—out and the gradual unlocking around the coronavirus restrictions that were sitting at the moment. in my view are when they've taken that kind of karma, clearer, they've had a plan and they've executed it. that tends to make for good government. it's not always dramatic, exciting but it sort of study implementation is what voters want. and with the prime minister was talking about this morning about getting on with the job. but it's important it's done in an environment of trust, transparency and where the public can have confidence decisions are being made in their best interest. thank you. now something for music fans.

hot on the heels of the vinyl revival is the �*cassette comeback�*. tape sales are actually estimated to have doubled in the uk last year compared to 2019. ian haslam has been looking into the retro format�*s unlikely resurrection. music: pass the dutchie by musical youth. forget 21st—century streaming. in this part of central manchester it�*s all about cassette tapes — if you can find something to play it on, that is. # pass the dutchie �*pon the left hand side. basically, we started as a record label and, as a record label starting out, we didn�*t have a lot of money, so we found the best physical format was cassette tape and that kind of mutated and turned into a shop. i think people also like the idea that streaming isn�*t giving enough money to artists, so by having smaller artists having cassette releases they get a bit more money. i decided to seek out some old tapes at my parents�* house, with mixed results. this is the jam, can�*t go wrong with that, still good, stand by that one. this was the first album i ever got — rick astley, 1987. how much would you buy that for?

damaged box. er, damaged, i�*ll give you a couple of quid. if it was better i�*d give you more. sentimental value — i probably won�*t part with it. then it went on to the london boys in 1989. but should you wish to revisit questionable old musical choices, they�*ve got the equipment to hear it. i feel like when you own a cassette and you can listen to it many times, you really appreciate what's in the cassette and the music. i feel like that now, having rediscovered my london boys cassette! the tape revival�*s certainly a curiosity. i think it�*s quite good. i like all the record shops and cassette tapes, i think it�*s really interesting. do you remember cassettes? yeah. yes, yeah. i had the spice girls on cassette. did you? s club seven. it's kind of like records, i guess. it�*s, like, nostalgic, as well, isn�*t it? some, like me, used tapes for low—level chart recording piracy in the �*80s. the first new entry on this week's chart is at number two — - rick astley, when i fall in love. what�*s number one? and for the fifth week.

sound cuts out. 0h. ..new entry at. number39. see? things like that could happen — you could make mistakes taping over things. not forgetting this. well, we�*ve all had this nightmare, haven�*t we? we spend hours trying to get it in, then it go in too baggy. but it�*s not putting off big bands from releasing cassettes. soon as the cassette revival, big record labels as well, like universal records, have starting to release tape again and this is from a big record label — it's a manchester band called blossoms, from stockport, and they've sent the copies. all of which has given me confidence to play that london boys cassette one last time. # you�*re the love of my life. # my life, my life. # i won�*t let you go now. ian haslam, bbc news. george alagiah is coming up with the bbc news at six. now it�*s time for a look at the weather with louise lear. it�*s the 27th of april but i can�*t believe this is the first time this month i�*m using the phrase "april showers". yes, there are some with this weatherfront, slowly sinking its way south

and west today. to the north of that front, we have got a few more isobars on the chart, that is where the strongest of the winds are going to be, gusts perhaps in the sharper showers of 30 to a0 mph. so we have seen some weather watcher pictures sent in — showers. this was edinburgh just a few hours ago. and you can see how extensive the cloud and the showers are, not too intense at the moment but there is a rash driving in off the north sea coast and they will filter a little bit further west. now, there is a decent break in the clouds through bristol over towards suffolk, that is where the best of the sunshine is likely to be. those showers continuing through this afternoon, maybe one or two heavier ones with the odd rumble of thunder and hail mix in there. so the best of the sunshine, obviously, brings the best of the warmth, 16 degrees. but on that north—east exposed coast, once again, the temperature struggling, 7—9 celsius. these temperatures generally down on where they should be for this time of year. now, our showers and our cloud sink their way steadily south through the night tonight. some clearer skies in scotland and that is where we will see

the lowest of the temperatures, but still holding up above freezing quite widely across the country. so not quite as chilly a start to wednesday morning, but once again there is going to be some cloud and some showers around. this time that front will be sitting through central and southern wales, along with the midlands and down across the south coast. the isobars open up further north. that means that lighter winds, but that could mean that some of those showers mayjust linger across the far north—east of scotland. so, nevertheless, it could be a little bit disappointing tomorrow and those temperature struggling, again for this time of year, way below par. we are going to see a maximum of 8—1a celsius. as we move out of wednesday and into thursday, we even start to lose some of that warmth into the south east corner as the colder air starts to sink its way south, so once again, the british isles is underneath that blue, the cooler air mass. and that has an impact to the feel of the weather, particularly out to the east. there will be some showers, a cool north to north—easterly breeze, meaning temperature struggling to get into double figures.

so therefore the best of the sunshine and the best of the warmth, even though it will be a little bit disappointing, will certainly be further west. take care.

today at six, boris johnson and his downing street flat — the questions thatjust will not go away. where exactly did the prime minister get the tens of thousands he spent doing it up? labour accuse him of being dishonest. we haven�*t had that full and frank explanation from the prime minister so far. to be honest, he lied yesterday. that�*s not good enough. it's all been done absolutely correctly. there'll be a cabinet office report when they put out theie annual accounts, and everyone will be able to see exactly what happened. also on tonight�*sprogramme: lost for words — a new report on the effect of successive lockdowns on the language skills of four and five—year—olds.