finland's leaders announce they will apply for nato membership without delay. they will apply to join the military alliance of the delay. abandoning the policy of neutrality it has had for decades. moscow says it will take steps to retaliate. and while, inside ukraine, they see evidence of alleged war crimes committed by russian forces with unarmed civilians shot dead near kyiv. as they passed 1 million covid—19 related deaths, joe biden says that each death is an irreplaceable loss.

this pandemic is not over. today, we marked a tragic milestone here the united states. covid—19 deaths. 1 million empty chairs around the family dinner table. in million empty chairs around the family dinner table.— family dinner table. in the first-ever— family dinner table. in the first-ever image - family dinner table. in the first-ever image of - family dinner table. in the first-ever image of the . family dinner table. in the i first-ever image of the black family dinner table. in the - first-ever image of the black hole first—ever image of the black hole of the centre of our galaxy. it is almost 16 million km across. welcome. finland has announced it wants to join nato as quickly as possible. russia's invasion of ukraine was the turning point, with popularity for the military alliance rising sharply among the finnish people. ever since the cold war, finland has remained neutral between its russian neighbour and the west. so this is a huge shift, as our europe editor katya adler explains from helsinki.

this is a massive move for finland. militarily, it has been working alongside nato rather than insight nato and its military is modern and we have heard from the president and prime minister that they've believe finland would be an asset to nato if and when. but finland shares that 1300 km border with russia and russia has made no secret of the fact that it preferred finland not to join nato fact that it preferred finland not tojoin nato but good neighbourly relations, the country did not apply for nato membership by russia's invasion of ukraine really changed all of that and it has changed the post cold war security order and all of europe and nowhere more so than in the eastern countries in europe really do feel exposed and he finland in neighbouring sweden to what is expected and asked to join the military alliance, it will be a

goal and that will really bolster nato�*s presence read on their doorstep at. this was the joint statement, released by finland's president and its prime minister. "finland must apply for nato membership without delay." "we hope that the national steps still needed to make this decision will be taken rapidly within the next few days." katya's been speaking to the finnish foreign minister. 0ur our understanding of this response is that russia may have more military equipment and this will be a nato border and of course russia will guarded and another way than previously and an announcement from the former president who said that the former president who said that the baltic c will be a nuclear area and we have seen these other missiles and also nuclear warheads

can be used. so, the nuclear risks have always been there. we know that public support for finland joining nato has shot up since the start of the war in ukraine. before the invasion, around 25% of the population wanted tojoin nato. but now it's gone up to a record high, 76% according to the latest opinion poll. this was the view of some people living in the finnish capital. it is really important that the leaders of our country are on the same page and i think it was a good decision. yes. it same page and i think it was a good decision. yes.— decision. yes. it will give us security and _ decision. yes. it will give us security and that's - decision. yes. it will give us security and that's what - decision. yes. it will give us security and that's what i i decision. yes. it will give us i security and that's what i want. decision. yes. it will give us - security and that's what i want. we stood security and that's what i want. stood alone security and that's what i want. we stood alone in the 1939, we don't want _ stood alone in the 1939, we don't want to— stood alone in the 1939, we don't want to stand _ stood alone in the 1939, we don't want to stand alone _ stood alone in the 1939, we don't want to stand alone again. - stood alone in the 1939, we don't want to stand alone again. everyl want to stand alone again. every veteran who— want to stand alone again. every veteran who fought _ want to stand alone again. every veteran who fought and - want to stand alone again. every veteran who fought and survived i want to stand alone again. every- veteran who fought and survived and went to _ veteran who fought and survived and went to war — veteran who fought and survived and went to war said _ veteran who fought and survived and went to war said never, _ veteran who fought and survived and went to war said never, ever, - veteran who fought and survived and went to war said never, ever, stand i went to war said never, ever, stand alone _ went to war said never, ever, stand alone again — went to war said never, ever, stand alone again i— went to war said never, ever, stand alone again-— alone again. i have read the news uuite a alone again. i have read the news quite a lot — alone again. i have read the news quite a lot these _ alone again. i have read the news quite a lot these days _ alone again. i have read the news quite a lot these days and - alone again. i have read the news quite a lot these days and i - alone again. i have read the news quite a lot these days and i know| quite a lot these days and i know what nato is about and i think it is

a security that we can afford. as you can see finland shares a very long border with russia. byjoining the alliance it would more than double the land border that russia shares with nato countries. russia already has land borders five nato members: latvia, estonia, lithuania, poland and norway. sweden, situated between norway and finland, is also considering membership. well the kremlin is very clear about what this nato expansion means. we have said many times that nato's expansion and bringing its military infrastructure closer to our borders will not make the world and most of the larger asian continent more stable and secure. let's get more on russia's response from our moscow correspondent, jenny hill. i think it is inevitable that vladimir putin will do as he has been doing for weeks, if not months now and use this as an excuse to

tell the russian people that they are increasingly under attack from the west. you've heard this from politicians, pundits, tv presenters, vladimir putin himself in recent weeks that nato is waging a proxy war in ukraine and undoubtedly today's decision will be framed within that. the big question is what can russia do given that so many of its resources are currently tied up in ukraine, will have to wait and see but one thing is absolutely certain. vladimir putin will be furious. you never liked nato or its expansion eastwards, the reasons he attacked ukraine in the first place is because he was concerned that it wanted to join nato and get as a result of vladimir putin's war, his potentially now looked at a vastly enlarged alliance ran on his doorstep. right on his doorstep. 0riginally finland and sweden were strictly neutral.

they adopted that policy after the cold war. then, they became nato partners. that means that they're officially �*non—aligned'. but they can take part in military exercises like this as well as exchange intelligence. let's hearfrom one historian on what would change if they became fully fledged members. finland and certainly sweden as nato members would have a huge military boost with notjust military establishments, but also with their territory, the fact that they are physically big territories and involvement in sweden and finland and nato would give us estonia, latvia and other places out on a limb which would be very defensible. it makes the baltic sea a need to see, not that nato is to compete over it, it becomes a lake for nato states and so militarily, this is a pretty big shift. big

states and so militarily, this is a pretty big shift-— pretty big shift. big implications there. james reynolds is in finland, just 30 kilometres from the border with russia, in the town of lappeen—ranta. james, so much has changed since the 24th of february, not least the popularity ofjoining nato among the people of finland? i'm hearing almost unanimous support for that decision tojoin i'm hearing almost unanimous support for that decision to join nato and i was struck by speaking to people here, my colleagues been doing so almost everybody has said that they support nato and some say that they actually were going to sleep better tonight knowing that they're going tonight knowing that they're going to be part of nato than they did last night but they did not know for sure if there will be part of nato. 0ne sure if there will be part of nato. one person passed her camera position a bit earlier on and said nato and put his thumbs up. so far, this pretty widespread support for nato what this may mean on a practical level, we are not yet sure. if you came here, you could

come here and take a drive to the border, only around 20 minutes, 30 minutes drive away. but nobody knows what would be on the border, that 1300 km long border, potentially if them men felt threatened, you could call and support from the study countries to reinforce that border but that border to remain roughly the same for the time being. it is the same for the time being. it is a hue the same for the time being. it is a huge border— the same for the time being. it is a huge border in _ the same for the time being. it is a huge border in terms _ the same for the time being. it is a huge border in terms of the - the same for the time being. it is a huge border in terms of the process itself, it won't happen overnight, there's that ratification process, what about the interim period before finland becomes a nato member? that is that rather — finland becomes a nato member? twat is that rather grey zone that i think is the one thing that slightly would worry finland and sweden which may be around the same time, but they would do is they willjoin nato, but they don't actually have that formal process of collective security and it may well be my boris johnson, the british prime minister

was in finland and it may will be nato countries will try to offer some security guarantees and that interim period to try to treat them as if they are nato countries from this particular moment.— as if they are nato countries from this particular moment. james, as alwa s, this particular moment. james, as always. my _ this particular moment. james, as always, my colleague _ this particular moment. james, as always, my colleague joining - this particular moment. james, as always, my colleague joining us i this particular moment. james, as i always, my colleague joining us live always, my colleaguejoining us live not far from what they are describing as the border between finland and russia. a lot of interest and what happens next. the un human rights council has voted overwhelmingly in favour of launching an inquiry into alleged war crimes by russian troops at the start of the conflict in ukraine. out of the 47 member states, china and eritrea were the only countries to vote against the resolution, which was brought by ukraine. this is the un high commissionerfor human rights addressing the council. the scale of unlawful killings, including several executions and areas to the north and what we have

information on this, this will continue to increase as new evidence becomes available. these killings of civilians appear to be intentional, carried out by snipers and soldiers. civilians were killed and crossing that road leaving their shelters to seek food and water. and others were killed as they ate their meals. some were suspected of supporting ukrainian forces or otherwise being a potential threat. as some were tortured before being killed. ukraine's deputy foreign minister also addressed the special session. the areas of kyiv and others that have been under russian occupation in late february or march have experienced the most gruesome human rights violations on the european side. 0leksandra matvii—chuk is the head of the ukrainian center for civil liberties,

a human rights group investigating war crimes. we have plenty of evidence because russia is war crimes as a matter to promote fear. but when we have deliberate killings of civilians or disappearances, abductions, illegal arrest, sexual violence, at the current moment, ukrainian national system is not prepared to tackle such enormous amounts of war crimes and we need international assistance. the bbc has found clear evidence of possible war crimes committed by russian soldiers close to kyiv. in shocking images caught on cctv, two unarmed civilians are shot in cold blood. there was intense fighting in region at the time, with russian forces trying to advance on ukraine's capital. police have told the bbc that the bodies of dozens of civilians who'd been shot, were discovered after

the russians retreated. 0ur eastern europe correspondent sarah rainsford sent this report, which contains some flashing images. these are russian soldiers on their way to loot and to kill. but their every move is caught on multiple cameras. and so is leonid, the security guard, as he approaches them. the men talk, even smoke. and then the soldiers leave. but suddenly two turn back. they shoot leonid and a second man multiple times in their backs. leonid somehow survives. his boss dead, the guard staggers back to his hut and starts phoning for help. the russians drove a stolen van daubed with their v symbol and the words "russian tank special forces". and this is the man we saw shooting,

now helping himself to a drink. he has no idea he's being filmed. no—one does until it's too late. and all this time, leonid is hiding in here, bleeding heavily. weeks later, we found his clothes and mattress bundled up outside. he died before help could reach him. i met the men who'd tried to save leonid. sasha and kostya, who sold air conditioning before the war. translation: we tried to calm him down. - we're coming, you'll live. maybe it helped him. maybe. they show me how the nearby road looked in those days, with russian tanks rolling past their positions. it's notjust the burnt—out buildings and businesses along this road that you see, but things like this. two russian tanks just lodged in the forest. and you can see the vs painted on the front. and it's a really stark reminder of just how fierce the fighting

was all along these roads into kyiv, and how terrified leonid must have been as he was lying there bleeding and calling for help. leonid's daughter shared this image of her dad as she'd like him remembered. yulia is abroad now. she tells me she wants her father's killers to face justice. translation: they| killed a 65-year-old. what for? i'm not so much furious as full of grief and fear. these damn russians are so out of control that i'm afraid of what they might do next. leonid never returned to his home or his pets. another life stolen by russian troops, now notorious for their brutality.

sarah rainsford, bbc news, kyiv. 0ur chief international correspondent lyse doucet is in dnipro. every day, there are small shifts in the balance in eastern ukraine in the two provinces. to remind our viewers that when the invasion began on the 24th, russian and russian backed separatist control of the third of this area and are looking at the maps, it is clear that russia has made any territorial advance in this war, it is in this region where it has almost all of the donetsk and luhansk area in some parts of the donetsk area. and they're saying

that it donetsk area. and they're saying thatitis donetsk area. and they're saying that it is incremental to use the phrase, it was the single digits since president putin is making it absolutely clear that he's in for the long haul, it seems that every day, his forces, his firepower is concentrating on making advances there, although to the north, northeast area of kharkiv, russia is suffering setbacks. you northeast area of kharkiv, russia is suffering setbacks.— northeast area of kharkiv, russia is suffering setbacks. you talked to an adviser to president _ suffering setbacks. you talked to an adviser to president zelensky - suffering setbacks. you talked to an adviser to president zelensky in - suffering setbacks. you talked to an adviser to president zelensky in he l adviser to president zelensky in he talked about the potential evacuation of wounded soldiers from the steel plant. fine evacuation of wounded soldiers from the steel plant-— the steel plant. one part of the donbas, it _ the steel plant. one part of the donbas, it is — the steel plant. one part of the donbas, it is attracted - the steel plant. one part of the | donbas, it is attracted attention notjust because of how shocking the situation is been, that is maripuol with the last of the regiment is making a last stand at the bunkers

and labyrinth of steel works in europe. and we understand that there are many wounded fighters and 38 are in critical conditions and medical supplies are running out. so president zelenskyjust supplies are running out. so president zelensky just confirmed supplies are running out. so president zelenskyjust confirmed to us that the report that they are going to train to engage in discussions to allow those 38 to leave. they have put up photographs earlier this week to try to sway public opinion to say we are no longerfighters, we are public opinion to say we are no longer fighters, we are just the wounded and the broader issue of what happens to the rest of the fighters and we also understood that despite initial reports, that all of the civilians, women and children had left, there is still possibly 100 civilians still trapped inside.

let's turn to a big story here in the uk, where the economy shrank in march as households began to feel the impact of rising prices. the latest gdp figures are a measure of all the activity of companies, governments and individuals in an economy. although the figures show the economy contracted in march, it grew by 0.8% overall in the first three months of the year. let's compare that to the growth of 1.3% that we saw in the final three months of 2021. the bank of england has warned the uk faces a "sharp economic slowdown" and forecasts that price rises could reach more than 10% by the end of the year. here's the chancellor, rishi sunak. i'm completely aware of the challenges where people are facing are. we have taken significant action already but what i have already said is i stand ready to do more and every week that has gone on since the spring statement, we are

learning more about what's happening in the economy and with energy prices in particular, it is important for people to remember that energy presses are capped at these levels through to the autumn. but as we know more, as weak, that is why we provided £9 billion to support them with that increase in energy press but as you said, i stand ready to do more as we learn more about the situation. putting the questions to the chancellor was our economics editor faisal islam. he spoke to us earlier. the first thing to say is being struck by these gdp figures which show in the first three months, it will take any growth we can get it given the global situation in march, with some of the economy fell back a bit and you can pay and a lot of that on the expected weakness of the consumer by big ticket items in the office can see in the stat that

people facing very large petrol fuel bills cut back on some of their journeys too. these are some the signs the economy is slowing and other we've had forecasts in the bank of england that we could be in recession territory at the next year ljy recession territory at the next year by the end of the year, this shows a weak economy even before the full impact of the russian invasion on ukraine energy prices and food prices has been hitting home. if there any forecasters who are worried about this quarter and england injune, the press impact is hitting home hard and terms of the elegy tidy make energy bills going up so so much northern ireland protocol, the uk foreign _ so much northern ireland protocol, the uk foreign secretary _ so much northern ireland protocol, the uk foreign secretary has - so much northern ireland protocol, l the uk foreign secretary has warned that the uk will have no choice but to act unless the eu shows

flexibility over border checks. it comes after the government receives legal advice suggesting he could override parts of the post breaks treaty that agreement has set in that agreement has set and placed the checks to ensure that goods arriving in northern ireland from the rest of the uk met eu standards because northern ireland shares a land border with the eu. and now the eu has warned that it could retaliate by introducing trade sanctions and our discussions between the various signs of continued today but seems little progress is being made. as chris explains from belfast. the phone call that happened _ explains from belfast. the phone call that happened between - explains from belfast. the phone call that happened between the l explains from belfast. the phone i call that happened between the uk foreign secretary in the european commission or vice president was described by one source as touchy and if you look at the statements that both sites issued following that both sites issued following that phone call, it would seem the conversation was touchy at the very least. the uk foreign secretary said

that the trade border known as the northern ireland protocol was now the greatest obstacle to power—sharing here in northern ireland and that it was not serving its original objectives. her partner brussels pointed to the fact that the protocol is part of the treaty designed by london and brussels in the run—up to britain leaving the european union around 18 months ago and he suggested that if the uk was to take action on its own to override parts of the treaty, that would be a very serious matter and in effect he said to the breaking of an international agreement. certainly no sign that the two sides are coming together to find some sort of solution here and that still has major implications for the future of politics and the regional government here in northern ireland. huge implications, the uk government pointing to new legal advice that it

is received in terms of overwriting parts of the protocol to help us understand what that advice is? legal advice that the uk government has received really seems to focus on provisions in the existing brexit treaty which says that parts of the protocol can be suspended if it's causing difficulties in society here in northern ireland. so when seems to be leading towards is a sense that there could be an upsurge in street violence, paramilitary violence in northern ireland as a result of the protocol. little paramilitary groups want to maintain their place in the uk have recently for example caused a hoax bomb alert from the irish foreign minister here in belfast and so, loyalist and unionists politicians who want to keep the link between northern ireland and great britain as it is, they are opposed to the northern

ireland protocol because they say it amounts to an economic barrier between scotland and wales that undermines their place in the united kingdom. so, it does a very serious ramifications potentially for northern ireland, brexit since it was for us for the fourth of brexit have caused disruptions in northern ireland which is very much defined by identity politics and people since of britishness and irishness, so now turning to the first meeting of the assembly, the northern ireland assembly which will be sitting tomorrow for the first time since elections last week.- sitting tomorrow for the first time since elections last week. much more on a website — since elections last week. much more on a website and _ since elections last week. much more on a website and is _ since elections last week. much more on a website and is a _ since elections last week. much more on a website and is a complicated - on a website and is a complicated issue as chris was explaining in here an outside source, russ adkins will have an explainer of the northern ireland protocol. to stay with us and why this is been such a difficult issue to resolve. we will also be looking at the us recording 1 million covid—19 deaths since the

start of the pandemic. stay with us here on outside source. as he moved to the weekend and much of next week, things will be warming up of next week, things will be warming up with high—pressure taking over and to see how it's coming up from the south but i will import some warmer and humid the south but i will import some warmerand humid airand the south but i will import some warmer and humid air and could see an increasing chance of heavy thundershowers in places. low—pressure cutting to the north of the and will see most of the showers and strengths of the wind will be largely drive us any spells after tonight, most of the showers from northern areas will be confined to the north of scotland and a bit drier for parts of northern england in northern ireland and with more of a breeze around, it will be a less chilly night, we had the previous night with lows around nine to 11 degrees. for friday it's can be a dry story for most of us in high

pressure continuing to build the south and low pressure building some windy weather across much of scotland and plenty of showers here especially for the north of scotland in the northern isles and a breezy day for the south but not as windy as will be further north in a field warmer across the board 1a to 16 degrees in the north could see 18 in belfast in 21 or 22 degrees on southeast england. 0ur area of high pressure builds and on the weekend will be a lot of sunshine and feel increasingly humid as the splendour of the plume starts to build up from the south as well through saturday night into sunday in some areas could catch a downpour. saturday starts off find and train with a lot of sunshine around and we lose the showers in the north of scotland and the winds turn light is high pressure builds and by the afternoon and it's going to turn warmer and more humid across the south and temptress on 22, 23 or even 2a degrees and around the showers pushing up across the channel into southern england and then spreading across into the mittens and into the

southeast and we move towards the southeast into the first part of sunday. we'll continue to head northwards into northern england in southern scotland as you move through the day on sunday and start to pick up a strong easterly wind across eastern areas they'll make you feel a bit cooler for some eastern counties but for the south and west, it's going be another one fairly muggy day with temperatures at 22 degrees. the image next week it's going to stay warm particularly across the south and feel quite humid is a bit pressure try a from the west lawyers introduce the threat of some showers continue to be heavy and thundering. —— showers.

hello, welcome, this is 0utside source. finland wants to join nato as protection from russia. while findon �*s move means abandoning the puzzled ceo of neutrality is has for decades, moscow says it will take steps to be italianate. in other news, the us passes1 million covid—related deaths, joe biden says everyone is an irreplaceable loss. the first ever image of the monster black hole at the centre of our galaxy —— it is 60 million

kilometres across. this welcome back. we're going to turn to the us now, because it says it has recorded 1 million covid—19 deaths since the start of the pandemic. that's the highest national total in the world. officials say the number is likely even higher. us presidentjoe biden made this statement. this pandemic isn't over. today, we mark a tragic milestone here in the united states. one million covid deaths. one million empty chairs around the family dinner table. each irreplaceable. irreplaceable losses. my heart goes out to all those who are struggling.

asking themselves, how do i go on without him? how do i go on without her? what will we do without them? it's grief shared by people across all of our nations. also across all of our nations. today president biden ho: summit also today president biden hosted a summit at the white house. the secretary who went there and spoke to bbc and he was asked what lessons america needs to learn since the pandemic. here is his answer. we are seeinr the pandemic. here is his answer. we are seeing the porous _ pandemic. here is his answer. we are seeing the porous nature, _ pandemic. here is his answer. we are seeing the porous nature, we - pandemic. here is his answer. we are seeing the porous nature, we see - pandemic. here is his answer. we are seeing the porous nature, we see a i seeing the porous nature, we see a thing people dying because our health system is based on a state —based system. 0nly health system is based on a state —based system. only in some cases to be have a national system, for example seniors and our medicaid programme which is to people with

low income, but there are people who full through the cracks. you cannot have that in the pandemic. i think what we'd need to strive for is universal health care so that everyone knows that pandemic and up your do we need to do. the other thing we have learned is that misinformation and disinformation is going to be there from now on, and somehow we have to cut through that and get the american people in the world the information that is accurate and can save lives. you might remember the first us covid infection was reported in this care home in the state of seattle, back injanuary 2020. the man had flown home from wuhan in china — where as we know the outbreak began. and you might remember that shortly after, new york became the epicentre of america's covid pandemic. from there nada tawfik sent this report. more than a million lives cut short across america — this, the only way to

visit them now. laura's father alfredo caught covid—19 while in a nursing and rehabilitation facilityjust as the pandemic was ripping through new york. for three weeks, he battled to stay alive, but the virus proved too tough an opponent. my dad is leaning in and holding my hand, just about to blow out birthday candles. laura had to say goodbye wearing a hazmat suit. two years later, she says she misses hisjokes and pranks and hasn't healed from his sudden death. i feel like i don't want to. like i'm pretending that he's still around. because his presence was so ginormous that i still feel it, it is hard to accept that he is actually not here. more than 40,000 people have died in the city, the scene of the first major outbreak in the states. during the scariest months, morgues couldn't keep up with the fatalities. bodies were buried in mass graves.

nothing ever paralysed the city in this way. new york is looking more like its old self, but it has not completely recovered. and while it is possible to try and count the death toll from covid, it is impossible to know how many lives have been forever changed by the loss of a loved one orfriend. this used to be my bed for almost a year during the covid, because i didn't want to get my family sick. this nurse was acutely aware of the risks of herjob. it hit home harder after her close colleague became the first nurse to die in new york's public hospitals from covid—19. she says even though covid cases are now manageable, they are facing another crisis, a shortage of staff. we are supposed to have one or two patients, we're taking care of five patients. in an intensive care unit, it's unheard—of. i've been a nurse for over 35 years, and i've never, ever seen that in my lifetime.

covid's tragic legacy will be felt for generations. 1 million dead is an incomprehensible number, but will it be a catalyst for change to prepare the us for the next outbreak? as the us now to covid in north korea. the country has announced its first—ever cases. state media reported an 0micron outbreak in the capital, pyongyang. kimjong—un, north korea's supreme leader, made the announcement wearing a mask for the first time since the pandemic. he ordered "all cities and counties across the country to thoroughly lock down their areas" to "completely block the transmission of malicious virus". authorities then released these pictures of people spraying disinfectant in hazmat suits in the capital pyongyang. just hours after that announcement, south korea said north korea had

fired three short—range ballistic missiles towards the sea of japan. that's its 15th banned missile test. the japan times said its purpose was a "show of strength after its covid admission" because for more than 2 years, north korea has claimed not to have a single case of covid. experts have said it's likely that's not true. so why admit it now, and move to lockdown? here's our correspondent in seoul, jean mackenzie. they haven't told us how many cases have been confirmed. what we can take away from it, though, is that this is pretty serious because first of all, they have ordered a national lockdown, which we haven't seen before. secondly, they've told us what's going on and they've told the people what's going on. it's possible, as you say, that we have had potential cases before, even though they have denied it. so this is clearly on a different scale, something they feel that they cannot manage and cannot

control without letting people know. they have tried so hard to prevent covid from entering the country, but now it has entered, their challenge is going to be to control it from spreading. and asjean says — north korea has done everything it can to keep out covid—19 since the pandemic began. for two years there's been a strict zero—covid policy — all borders closed. and because of that, kim jong—un has called this outbreak a "severe national emergency" that had breached the country's "quarantine front". for more on that quarantine front, here's a professor of korean studies. north korea, early on in 2020, injanuary, sealed the border, quite literally. later in the year, kim jong—un ordered even cats and dogs and birds to be shot if they were found to be entering north korea from china. and now north korea does have the virus — there's another issue here and that's vaccines.

as the bbc reported in september last year — north korea asked that almost three million covid—19 jabs offered to it be redirected elsewhere — that was according to the un. and their position didn't change. north korea also refused vaccines from china and russia. in other words, it has no vaccines. here's jean mackenzie again. they have been suspicious of vaccines, they have been suspicious of chinese vaccines and even astrazeneca, and very reluctant to let anything cross the border, so it means that as far as we know no one in the country is vaccinated, which of course makes them incredibly vulnerable. this is a dangerous situation. you add on top of that that this is a country with poor health care where many people are severely malnourished, and they also don't have adequate or a test and trace system that is capable of the sort of mass testing that you need in order to be able to control the spread of this virus, which leaves them with very limited options, and which is why we see them opting, i assume, for this national lockdown.

you know, going back to the measures that many of us were using in the beginning of this pandemic. so north korea doesn't have the health care infrastructure in place to deal with covid—19 — and that's a particular issue for north koreans living outside the capital, as this journalist explains. the hospitals outside the country's capital, they are very poorly managed and it would be very difficult for them to handle if this becomes a widespread infection across the country. scientists have made the first ever picture of the supermassive black hole at the centre of our galaxy. astronomers have long believed that such an object existed at the heart of the milky way but today's announcement puts that beyond doubt.

observations of stars around it revealed the presence of an object thatis revealed the presence of an object that is very massive. three times the size of the sun, but also very faint. for me personally, i met it 20 years ago and have loved it and tried to understand it since. but until now, we didn't have the direct picture confirming the star was indeed a black hole. today, we are delighted to share with you the first direct image of the gentle giant in the centre of our galaxy, sagittarius a start.— sagittarius a start. here is the rentle sagittarius a start. here is the gentle giant. _ the image revealed to the world shows a bright ring surrounded by darkness. the light comes from from hot gas swirling around the black hole.

any light close enough gets swallowed by the black hole — leaving behind just that dark void in the centre. the object, "sagittarius a—star" is located 26,000 light—years from earth. it's incredibly dense — four million times the mass of our sun. so, what exactly is a black hole? here's one astro—physicist, with the answer. black holes are objects that are so dense that nothing can escape from them, not even light, so they are where space and time of literally collapsing on themselves, so we are really breaking the laws physics as we know, so these are really extreme objects that provide brilliant test—beds for our understanding of the whole universe, and there's just something quite cool about an object thatis something quite cool about an object that is so dense that not even light can escape from it, so the featuring

science fiction i think are naturally fascinating, but i think they really fundamental to our understanding of the whole universe. actually getting the image is also fascinating. this scientific achievement was truly international. no single telescope was able to see the black hole on its own — so eight different telescopes on four continents were linked together, combining their powers to create one giant observatory. capturing and processing the image took five years. here's one of the team behind the event horizon telescope on why that effort was worthwhile. at the centre of our galaxy it is one of the best studied regions in all of astrophysics, so they're looking across the entire electromagnetic spectrum, but now if resolve the core of the galaxy, we call it the central engine, every galaxy, we believe, has a supermassive black hole, now we can see our own, sometime we will understand the dynamics, we will

understand the dynamics, we will understand why we don't see a large scale jet understand why we don't see a large scalejet in our galaxy understand why we don't see a large scale jet in our galaxy that we see in others. it is like looking at the sun, in a way, we have studied it in such detail that we can use it to predict weather and so on, we observe it all the time. they will come a point i think one day when we are studying our collective centre black hole regularly, and understand how it connects on different scales in the galaxy, this is important because black holes of the gravitational glue that holds galaxies together, so understanding how they are connected and they are connected very much intimately with the galaxy tells us about how we came to be, we live at the edge of the galaxy, maybe there is a reason for that, the galaxy, maybe there is a reason forthat, maybe the galaxy, maybe there is a reason for that, maybe life can only really, i'm being speculative here, but the theory is that they are at the centre of our understanding of our galaxies, they are at the centre of the universe, and it gives us a handle on trying to address those sorts of questions. the handle on trying to address those sorts of questions.— handle on trying to address those sorts of questions. the big question truly mesmerising. _

sorts of questions. the big question truly mesmerising. stay _ sorts of questions. the big question truly mesmerising. stay with - sorts of questions. the big question truly mesmerising. stay with us, . truly mesmerising. stay with us, there's the border row in northern ireland and we will have an explainer. the metropolitan police have issued more than 50 new fines for breaches of covid rules in downing street and other government buildings. 0ur political correspondent ben wright reports. are you shocked at the scale of lawbreaking and number ten, prime minister? how could you let that happen under your watch? the fallout from whitehall rule breaking has followed the prime minister to stoke, for a cabinet away day also attended by the uk's top civil servant, simon case. cabinet secretary, can you confirm whether you have been fined by the police? the police have now issued more than 100 fines to people who partied during number ten and government offices during lockdown. the met says it will not name those who have been fined as it investigates a dozen events that happened when covid restrictions were in force.

we do know that boris johnson, his wife carrie and chancellor rishi sunak were given fixed penalty notices last month over a birthday party held for the prime minister at number ten injune 2020. the ballooning list of party fines means tory mps cannot escape the scandal. the prime minister was not present at this event, this latest event, that we are hearing about, but it is quite clear that the prime minister has apologised, he has already changed a lot of senior staff at downing street, i think that is absolutely what is needed to happen, and i am glad that culture shift has happened. this fictional party was a business meeting. and it was not socially distanced. the leaked video of the prime minister's then press secretary joking about a party ignited the scandal, and fines were given to some of the people who attended the do in december 2020. of course, a labour event is also being investigated by durham police, and the party's leader

sir keir starmer has said he will resign if he receives a fixed penalty notice. mps will investigate whether borisjohnson misled parliament about all this, and a full report will eventually be published by the civil servant sue gray. stay with us on 0utside source — still to come: finland source — still to come: is leaders say they should join finland is leaders say they should join nato without delay for security after russia invaded ukraine. no sign there is no sign of a breakthrough over the protocol in northern ireland. issues surrounding

the protocol are not a new thing. in 2019, borisjohnson made a deal with the un made this assurance. there its full compatibility _ the un made this assurance. there its full compatibility with _ the un made this assurance. there its full compatibility with the - the un made this assurance. ii—urr its full compatibility with the good friday agreement. tiara its full compatibility with the good friday agreement.— friday agreement. now the uk government — friday agreement. now the uk government says _ friday agreement. now the uk government says the - friday agreement. now the uk i government says the agreement friday agreement. now the uk - government says the agreement to be my protocol is fundamentally overwrite remote undermining the agreement. overwrite remote undermining the agreement-— overwrite remote undermining the aareement. ., ., �* , , agreement. come on, let's get things done, we agreement. come on, let's get things done. we have _ agreement. come on, let's get things done, we have an _ agreement. come on, let's get things done, we have an oven _ agreement. come on, let's get things done, we have an oven ready - agreement. come on, let's get things done, we have an oven ready deal, i done, we have an oven ready deal, get in the microwave. the done, we have an oven ready deal, get in the microwave.— get in the microwave. the key element was _ get in the microwave. the key element was the _ get in the microwave. the key element was the northern - get in the microwave. the key - element was the northern ireland protocol, now mrjohnson wants to change it. let protocol, now mrjohnson wants to chan . e it. , , protocol, now mrjohnson wants to chance it. , , ._ change it. let me put it this way, doesnt change it. let me put it this way, doesn't is — change it. let me put it this way, doesn't is any — change it. let me put it this way, doesn't is any need _ change it. let me put it this way, doesn't is any need for _ change it. let me put it this way, doesn't is any need for drama, i change it. let me put it this way, i doesn't is any need for drama, this is something thatjust needs to be done. is something that “ust needs to be done. ., , ., ., is something that “ust needs to be done. .,, ., ., ., , �* done. the european union doesn't auree. done. the european union doesn't agree- our— done. the european union doesn't agree. our message _ done. the european union doesn't agree. our message is _ done. the european union doesn't agree. our message is quite - done. the european union doesn't| agree. our message is quite clear, don't touch — agree. our message is quite clear, don't touch this. _ agree. our message is quite clear, don't touch this. this _ agree. our message is quite clear, don't touch this. this is _ agree. our message is quite clear, don't touch this. this is something | don't touch this. this is something we agreed — don't touch this. this is something we agreed on and agreement needs to be respected. it is we agreed on and agreement needs to be respected-— be respected. it is something that was agreed _ be respected. it is something that was agreed on- —

be respected. it is something that was agreed on. it's _ be respected. it is something that was agreed on. it's in _ be respected. it is something that was agreed on. it's in the - be respected. it is something that was agreed on. it's in the deal. i be respected. it is something that. was agreed on. it's in the deal. the protocol with the answer to this brexit conundrum. you protocol with the answer to this brexit conundrum.— protocol with the answer to this brexit conundrum. you got to have a border somewhere. _ brexit conundrum. you got to have a border somewhere. if _ brexit conundrum. you got to have a border somewhere. if we _ brexit conundrum. you got to have a border somewhere. if we leave - brexit conundrum. you got to have a border somewhere. if we leave the i border somewhere. if we leave the customs union and the single market has to be a border. it can be on the island of ireland or it could be in the sea, but you cannot magic it away. tt the sea, but you cannot magic it awa . . , ., ., away. it itches to leave the eu customs union _ away. it itches to leave the eu customs union on _ away. it itches to leave the eu customs union on the - away. it itches to leave the eu customs union on the single i away. it itches to leave the eu - customs union on the single market. during that means there would be checks on goods movement in the uk and eu. they could be in the land border between the north of ireland in the uk or of the republic of into the new year, but that was ruled out. neitherside the new year, but that was ruled out. neither side wanted checks on the land border, so it's not there, perhaps between northern ireland and the rest of uk. in 2018, the then prime minister theresa may was clear on that idea. trio prime minister theresa may was clear on that idea-— on that idea. no uk prime minister could ever agree _ on that idea. no uk prime minister could ever agree to _ on that idea. no uk prime minister could ever agree to it. _ on that idea. no uk prime minister could ever agree to it. then, - on that idea. no uk prime minister could ever agree to it. then, in - could ever agree to it. then, in july 2019. _ could ever agree to it. then, in july 2019. not _ could ever agree to it. then, in july 2019, not long _ could ever agree to it. then, in july 2019, not long before - could ever agree to it. then, in july 2019, not long before it i could ever agree to it. then, in i july 2019, not long before it became prime minister, borisjohnson ruled it out, too. prime minister, boris johnson ruled it out, too. ., . . , ., . ,

it out, too. under no circumstances, whatever happens, _ it out, too. under no circumstances, whatever happens, will— it out, too. under no circumstances, whatever happens, will there - it out, too. under no circumstances, whatever happens, will there be, i whatever happens, will there be, will i allow the eu or anyone else to create any kind of division down the irish sea.— the irish sea. three months later, boris the irish sea. three months later, itoris johnson _ the irish sea. three months later, boris johnson agreed _ the irish sea. three months later, boris johnson agreed to _ the irish sea. three months later, boris johnson agreed to checks i the irish sea. three months later, boris johnson agreed to checks in | borisjohnson agreed to checks in the irish sea as part of his deal with the eu, northern ireland stayed in the eu to be my you mixing among the goods, newbie checks on those goods arriving in northern ireland from the rest of the uk. boris johnson had changed his position. the original proposal from the eu was to— the original proposal from the eu was to have a northern ireland only backs _ was to have a northern ireland only backs up. _ was to have a northern ireland only backs up, and then there is this idea _ backs up, and then there is this idea that — backs up, and then there is this idea that this cannot happen because we conduct _ idea that this cannot happen because we conduct have northern ireland been _ we conduct have northern ireland been treated differently from the rest of _ been treated differently from the rest of the uk. that is exact what is now— rest of the uk. that is exact what is now happen. rest of the uk. that is exact what is now happen-— rest of the uk. that is exact what is now happen. that is exactly what ha ened. is now happen. that is exactly what happened- when — is now happen. that is exactly what happened. when the _ is now happen. that is exactly what happened. when the protocol i is now happen. that is exactly what happened. when the protocol came into force in 2021, there were issues. we saw empty shelves and northern irish supermarkets, there is new paperwork, new customer suppliers. these difficulties were not a surprise. in 2019, british civil service servants produced a

study, and rob a shortage of the cost arrived. soon borisjohnson was saying this. we cost arrived. soon boris johnson was sa in: this. ~ ., cost arrived. soon boris johnson was saying this-— saying this. we will do everything we need to _ saying this. we will do everything we need to do, _ saying this. we will do everything we need to do, mr— saying this. we will do everything we need to do, mr speaker, i saying this. we will do everything| we need to do, mr speaker, when saying this. we will do everything i we need to do, mr speaker, when the or by invoking article 16 the protocol to ensure that there is no barrier down the irish sea. the checks and _ barrier down the irish sea. the checks and the _ barrier down the irish sea. the checks and the irish sea had been agreed by the prime minister. the government pose my complaint is how they were implemented. this government pose my complaint is how they were implemented.— they were implemented. this is the bundle of documents _ they were implemented. this is the bundle of documents that - they were implemented. this is the bundle of documents that has i they were implemented. this is the bundle of documents that has to i they were implemented. this is the bundle of documents that has to be filled out _ bundle of documents that has to be filled out by companies moving goods within— filled out by companies moving goods within our— filled out by companies moving goods within our own country. the argument bein: that within our own country. the argument being that the — within our own country. the argument being that the level— within our own country. the argument being that the level of _ being that the level of administration is out of proportion are not necessary, and this former brexit minister goes further. t brexit minister goes further. 1 think the uk government are brexit minister goes further. u think the uk government are trying to be pragmatic. i think in reality the european union are using ireland as a bargaining chip, which are somewhat seedy. the as a bargaining chip, which are somewhat seedy.—

as a bargaining chip, which are somewhat seedy. as a bargaining chip, which are somewhat seed . ., , somewhat seedy. the eu would deny doinu an somewhat seedy. the eu would deny doing any such _ somewhat seedy. the eu would deny doing any such thing, _ somewhat seedy. the eu would deny doing any such thing, and _ somewhat seedy. the eu would deny doing any such thing, and james i doing any such thing, and james duddridge has a second point. allowing british sovereign territory is to be governed by british sovereign law is pretty non—negotiable. it's pretty obvious. independence and sovereignty were two big themes are brexit, despite the deal treating northern ireland differently, the ideal of treating northern ireland differently remained unacceptable to some brexiteers, as we heard in parliament.— brexiteers, as we heard in parliament. ., ., , parliament. northern ireland is as much a part _ parliament. northern ireland is as much a part of— parliament. northern ireland is as much a part of the _ parliament. northern ireland is as much a part of the united - parliament. northern ireland is as| much a part of the united kingdom and somerset. all much a part of the united kingdom and somerset-— much a part of the united kingdom and somerset. all this may leave you wonderin: and somerset. all this may leave you wondering why _ and somerset. all this may leave you wondering why the _ and somerset. all this may leave you wondering why the government i and somerset. all this may leave you. wondering why the government signed up wondering why the government signed up to the protocol. well, this is lord ross, who led the negotiations. we had to take the decision as we did back in 2019, because parliament had removed the option of leaving without a deal. the constitution was being shattered, we had to deliver the referendum result.— the referendum result. parliament did ass a the referendum result. parliament did pass a law _ the referendum result. parliament did pass a law to _

the referendum result. parliament did pass a law to stop _ the referendum result. parliament did pass a law to stop a _ the referendum result. parliament did pass a law to stop a major- did pass a law to stop a major brexit. did pass a law to stop a ma'or brexit. ~ ., ., ., ~' brexit. we thought it would work, we served it was — brexit. we thought it would work, we served it was a _ brexit. we thought it would work, we served it was a risk, _ brexit. we thought it would work, we served it was a risk, there _ brexit. we thought it would work, we served it was a risk, there is - brexit. we thought it would work, we served it was a risk, there is a - brexit. we thought it would work, we served it was a risk, there is a lot i served it was a risk, there is a lot we didn't want, but it was imposed on us. ., we didn't want, but it was imposed on us. . ., , on us. the deal was under negotiation, _ on us. the deal was under negotiation, and - on us. the deal was under negotiation, and at - on us. the deal was under negotiation, and at the i on us. the deal was under. negotiation, and at the time on us. the deal was under- negotiation, and at the time of it all this. t negotiation, and at the time of it all this. ., ~' negotiation, and at the time of it all this. ., ~ ., , ., all this. i do think that this deal represents _ all this. i do think that this deal represents a — all this. i do think that this deal represents a very _ all this. i do think that this deal represents a very good - all this. i do think that this deal represents a very good deal i all this. i do think that this dealj represents a very good deal but all this. i do think that this deal- represents a very good deal but with the eu _ represents a very good deal but with the eu and _ represents a very good deal but with the eu and for the uk.— the eu and for the uk. european union welcomed _ the eu and for the uk. european union welcomed the _ the eu and for the uk. european union welcomed the deal- the eu and for the uk. european union welcomed the deal too, i the eu and for the uk. european i union welcomed the deal too, but since as acknowledge the impact on businesses in northern ireland. last 0ctober offered what it called a robust package of creative practical solutions, that the uk was not commenced and went far enough. this week it rejected the plan, saying it would worsen the current trading arrangements, which brings us back to right now, because the protocol is back in the spotlight. in recent election results in ourfor the first time sinn fein came top, and those except the proxy treatment protocol, but northern ireland has a system of power sharing between republicans and unionists, and is

the second—largest party in these elections, well, that is the democratic unionist, that does not accept the protocol. tt democratic unionist, that does not accept the protocol.— accept the protocol. it needs to be dealt with- — accept the protocol. it needs to be dealt with. n — accept the protocol. it needs to be dealt with. it is _ accept the protocol. it needs to be dealt with. it is harming _ accept the protocol. it needs to be dealt with. it is harming our i dealt with. it is harming our economy, it is driving up the cost of living, it is undermining political stability in northern ireland, it threatens a good friday agreement, it has to be dealt with. through these reasons the db is now blocking the formation of a new executive, because of that boris johnson says there protocol has to change. johnson says there protocol has to chan . e. ., , johnson says there protocol has to chance. .,, ,., ., johnson says there protocol has to chance. ., ., change. the most important agreement is the 25-year-old _ change. the most important agreement is the 25-year-old belfast _ is the 25—year—old belfast good friday agreement. that means that things have got a command across communities support plainly the protocol failed to do that. we need to sort it out. protocol failed to do that. we need to sort it out-— to sort it out. again, the lack of sort is to sort it out. again, the lack of sport is not _ to sort it out. again, the lack of sport is not a — to sort it out. again, the lack of sport is not a surprise. - to sort it out. again, the lack of sport is not a surprise. we i to sort it out. again, the lack of| sport is not a surprise. we know checks in the irish sea are an issue for unions. they said so in the deal was done. �* . �* ., , was done. brexit agreement the boris johnson has secured _ was done. brexit agreement the boris johnson has secured now _ was done. brexit agreement the boris johnson has secured now with - was done. brexit agreement the boris johnson has secured now with the i johnson has secured now with the european — johnson has secured now with the european union does not protect the

union— european union does not protect the union and _ european union does not protect the union and the way i would like to see it. _ union and the way i would like to see it. and — union and the way i would like to see it, and has actually goes against — see it, and has actually goes against the very fundamental of the act of— against the very fundamental of the act of union. the against the very fundamental of the act of union-— act of union. the dup did not like it then, doesn't _ act of union. the dup did not like it then, doesn't like _ act of union. the dup did not like it then, doesn't like it _ act of union. the dup did not like it then, doesn't like it now. i act of union. the dup did not like it then, doesn't like it now. so, i it then, doesn't like it now. so, with power—sharing estate, uk is now threatening to pull the plug on the protocol. the foreign secretary told the eu that this is now a matter of internal security, and is if they don't show the requisite flexibility will have to act. and said that it simply not acceptable. to the uk, it is well within its rights.— is well within its rights. there comes a point _ is well within its rights. there comes a point at _ is well within its rights. there comes a point at which - is well within its rights. there comes a point at which you i is well within its rights. there i comes a point at which you say you have not reformed enough, so we are reforming it ourselves. united kingdom is much more important than any agreement that we have with any foreign power, that must be the case. ., ., , , , case. northern ireland is the issue that has so — case. northern ireland is the issue that has so far _ case. northern ireland is the issue that has so far foiled _ case. northern ireland is the issue that has so far foiled to _ case. northern ireland is the issue that has so far foiled to be - that has so far foiled to be resolved, and we still see how the uk address attention it sees between

70 and in fermentation of the deal are that side. ross atkins, there, explaining the northern ireland protocol, thanks for watching. hello there. as we move into this weekend, and indeed into much of next week, things will be warming up. high pressure will take over, we'll start to see our winds coming up from the south, but that will import some warm and humid air at times, so we could see an increasing chance of heavy, thundery showers in places. now, today, we've had low pressure anchored to the north of the uk. that's where we've seen most of the showers, the strongest of the winds. higher pressure further south, so it's been largely dry with good sunny spells. now, through tonight, most of the showers across northern areas will become confined to the north of scotland, so it'll turn a little bit drier, i think, for parts of northern england and northern ireland. and with more of a breeze around, its going to be a less chilly night than what we had the previous night, lows of 9—11 degrees. so, for friday, then, it's going to be a dry story for most of us. high pressure will continue

to build in the south. low pressure continues to bring some windy weather across much of scotland. plenty of showers here, especially for the north of scotland, into the northern isles. a breezy day as well further south and not as windy as what it'll be further north. it's going to feel warmer across the board, 14—16 in the north. could see 18 in belfast, 21 or 22 degrees in southeast england. now, our area of high pressure builds in for the weekend. there will be a lot of sunshine and it feel increasingly humid as this thundery plume starts to move over from the south as well, through saturday night and into sunday, so some areas could catch a downpour. saturday starts off fine and dry with a lot of sunshine around. we lose the showers in the north of scotland. the winds turn light as that high pressure builds in. by the afternoon, it's going to turn warm, a bit more humid across the south — top temperatures 22, 23, maybe 2a degrees in the warmest spots. we start to see these thundery showers popping up across the channel, into southern england and then spreading across into the midlands and the southeast as we move

through saturday night into the first part of sunday. now, they'll continue to channel their way northwards into northern england, southern scotland, as we move through the day on sunday. we'll start to pick up a stronger easterly wind across eastern areas, so that'll make you feel a little bit cooler for some eastern counties. but further south and west, it's going to be another warm, fairly muggy day — top temperatures 22 degrees. and like i mentioned, into next week, it's going to stay warm, particularly across the south. feeling quite humid as well, but low pressure trying to push in from the west will always introduce the threat of some showers. some of them could continue to be heavy and thundery.

this is bbc news. the headlines: police say they have now issued more than 100 partygate finds following investigations into breaches of covid—19 regulations and down the street and whitehall. britain's economy grew at the slowest pace for a year at the start of 2022, with mounting fears that the cost of living crisis may plunge the uk into recession. the government won't release security advice on a peerage on national security grounds. it is amid claims secured his services had raised concerns about the russian born mogul. rebekah vardy denies workers reading a photograph of football as wives and girlfriends at the 2018 world cup. she was giving evidence in her high court label

trial against coleen rooney.