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. a portion of students in england really receiving first—class degrees has doubled in a decade. the very first picture of the enormous black hole at the centre of our galaxy. also, before 9pm, we are off to the south coast of england, spotting dolphins. hello and welcome to the programme. police have issued more than 50 fines after parties in downing street and other government buildings breached coronavirus rules at the height of lockdown. the new fines are on top of 50 already issued, including to the prime minister and the chancellor. it's thought at least some of the latest fines relate

to a christmas party which borisjohnson did not attend. the metropolitan police says their inquiries are continuing. labour say it's evidence of "industrial scale" partying at number 10. here's our political editor chris mason. it's long been suspected. today, further confirmation. covid lawbreaking was happening, involving loads of people, for months on end, right at the heart of the government led by boris johnson. police offered a few words, but they did have a big number — more than 100 fines. and they're not finished yet. the prime minister's been in staffordshire — happy to pose for pictures, less keen to talk about covid partying. look, as soon as i have any more to say on this subject, i will make sure that you, sam, are amongst the very first to know. but what we're doing here in stoke is making sure that we focus

on the thing, i think, that matters the most of the people of this country right now, and that is getting us through the post—covid after—shock. this is a list of the potential post—covid political after—shocks, the events in and around downing street now under investigation. a christmas do on the 18th of december 2020 is thought to have led to a big chunk of this latest batch of fines. there was a downing street christmas party on friday night. do you recognise those reports? i went home! it was a partyjoked about by downing street staff at the time in a mocked up news conference, later leaked. this fictional party was a business meeting! and it was not socially distanced! down the road in stoke from where the prime minister had taken his cabinet, news of the new fines had reached natasha, a student nurse during covid. i think they owe everybody an apology, really. they definitely need to just own up to what they've done, more than anything else, and give people a reason to respect them again.

and rosalind's not happy, either. it's affected me because i've worked all the way through the lockdowns, and it shouldn't have happened. they're hypocrites, basically. double standards, as far as i'm concerned. but others are unsurprised and not much fussed. i think they're alli at it, aren't they? obviously it is a problem, but it's the tip of the iceberg, isn't it? i but, yeah, i'm not. really too bothered. labour's leader keir starmer and his deputy are under police investigation themselves over beer and curry in an mp's office just over a year ago, but the party's still calling for the prime minister to resign. he's in a position of senior leadership at 10 downing street, he has already been fined. keir starmer, in contrast, has already said that if he were to be fined, he would of course resign from his position as leader of the opposition. there's simply no comparison with the industrial scale partying that's been happening at number 10.

crucially, too, this is not yet over. of the 12 gatherings the police are investigating, just four or so, we think, have led to fines so far, so there's plenty of potential for more to come, including for the prime minister. few can be certain what is around the corner and how much more serious it could get. chris mason, bbc news, at westminster. the government is withholding security advice on a peerage, on national security grounds. mps voted backin national security grounds. mps voted back in march to force the publication of secret documents, amid claims the secret service had raised concerns about the russian burn mogul. —— russian born. 0ur political correspondent helen catt nowjoins me from westminster. can you talk us through what is happening here? this can you talk us through what is happening here?— can you talk us through what is happening here? this all relates to the conservative _ happening here? this all relates to the conservative peer, _ happening here? this all relates to the conservative peer, key - happening here? this all relates to the conservative peer, key on - happening here? this all relates to the conservative peer, key on the. the conservative peer, key on the evening standard newspaper, he was

born in russia but he holds dual russian and traditional nationality. his dad was a former kgb agent. he entered the house of lords, lord lebedev, in 2020, he was nominated by borisjohnson for his services to philanthropy and the media, but there have been claims since that originally advice had been given to the committee which advises on peerage is that it would be a risk to national security to appoint them to national security to appoint them to the lords and the secret service then changed that advice after boris johnson had got involved. that has been denied by downing street and lord lebedev, who himself has said he is not a security risk. as you said, in march, parliament had voted for the government to publish that security advice that was given to the committee. the government missed the committee. the government missed the original deadline to do that, and today it has published some documents but not that advice. instead, it has publish things like the form lord lebedev had to fill in and the letter congratulating him on

obtaining his peerage. the government has made another disclosure to a committee of mps, and that has been a bit of controversial in and of itself, in that ministers have appeared to revealed they asked for that, and usually that sort of request is classified. the government has said he could make this available more widely, because he needed to protect the integrity and confidential at the integrity and confidential at the process of appointing lords. they have been backed up on that, actually, by the chair of the committee, but also for reasons of national security. labour has accused the government of the cover—up of. is accused the government of the cover-up of-— accused the government of the cover-up of. is that it, then? if they have _ cover-up of. is that it, then? if they have said, _ cover-up of. is that it, then? if they have said, that _ cover-up of. is that it, then? if they have said, that is - cover-up of. is that it, then? if they have said, that is it, - cover-up of. is that it, then? if i they have said, that is it, national security, does that mean we are never going to hear about that? we know never going to hear about that? - know the disclosure has gone to the intelligence and security committee, who will look at that. it is very unlikely that we'll end up being published, but we may hear more about this further down the line. 0k, helen, thanks very much for talking us through that. thank you.

the uk economy shrank in march as households began to feel the impact of rising prices and cut back on spending. the office for national statistics says although the economy grew by 0.8% in the first three months of the year, growth stalled in february and the risk of recession has risen. 0ur economics editor faisal islam has the latest. in cheshire, the small town of middlewich — squeezed middlewich right now. costs here are only going one way. at the local cafe, new menus arrive, reprinted with rising prices, reflecting rising costs. like the economy generally, they had been recovering strongly out of the depths of covid, but now the clouds of inflation loom. it is part of a growing economy, but at the moment, it feels like absolutely everything is going up. like, there's no relief. and a big amount, rapidly. i'm sure before, you never really

notice the jump, jump, jump, but now it seems to be... this week, the week after... that reflects this morning's economic data, showing the good news that the economy grew over the first quarter of the year, finally making up all the lost economic ground during the pandemic. but dig down into the start of this year, and all that growth happened in january. february was flat, and by march, the economy was shrinking, as consumers held back from big ticket purchases and making journeys using increasingly pricey fuel. and that has further raised recession fears amongst economists and calls for further and faster support. i'm completely aware of what the challenges that people are facing... you say you're aware. but are you really taking the action right now that's needed by so many millions of households? we've taken significant action already, but what i've always said is i stand ready to do more. and every week that's gone on since the spring statement, we're learning more about what's going on in the economy...

you've got enough information now, chancellor. you know it's going to goal of £500 or £600. —— you know it's going to go up £500 or £600. plus, direct debits are already going up. and that's why we provided £9 billion to support them with that increase in the energy price. but, look, this is really important. i've always said i stand ready to do more as we learn more about the situation. as you learn more, are you looking again at the case for a windfall tax on the oil and energy companies? what i want to see is significant investment back into the uk economy, to supportjobs, to support energy security, and i want to see that investment soon. and if that doesn't happen, then no options are off the table. if only the growth we've seen in the first three months of this year could extend to the whole of 2022. but this covers russia's invasion of ukraine, the latest major economic shock to be layered upon others, such as the hangoverfrom the pandemic, now a fall in sterling and the possibility of a trade war between the united kingdom and the european union over northern ireland.

0n the outskirts of this town and industrial estate, another small family business trades dinosaur toys and models with the world. we're trying not to go extinct! but sue and mike's business — like the uk economy — facing a series of shocks at the same time. it's taking twice as long to get goods as it used to. it's costing twice as much to actually get them here. at the moment, it's difficult to sell into europe, but not impossible. but if we have issues and we enter a trade war with europe, for example, and they put on more tariffs or financial barriers, then that will have a significant impact on our business. and whether we can continue to sell into the eu, that is a question that we'll have to ask ourselves very seriously. the chancellor is saying today, "no government economic package "can make all these inflationary pressures disappear." they will continue to cast a dark shadow over the economy. faisal islam, bbc news, in cheshire. let's hear some of that interview

between the bbc economics editor, faisal islam, and the chancellor, rishi sunak. we've already put a lot in place. together with the fuel freeze, that saves families hundreds of pounds this year. in weeks' time, we will be raising the national insurance threshold... for the vast majority of people in work, that present a tax cut — that is 30 million people in work, and just a week's time, are going to see a tax cut worth £330. it is very soon to begin. it cut worth £330. it is very soon to beuin. . , ~ cut worth £330. it is very soon to beuin. . , . ~ ., begin. it means... we know it you've done so far. — begin. it means... we know it you've done so far, but _ begin. it means... we know it you've done so far, butjust. .. _ begin. it means... we know it you've done so far, butjust. .. the - begin. it means... we know it you've done so far, butjust. .. the message j done so far, butjust... the message from the voted last thursday and the message from these numbers, whatever you have done so far may not be enough? you are notching this as an emergency as you did during the pandemic. emergency as you did during the andemic. ~ ., ., ._ , emergency as you did during the andemic. ~ ., ., , ., pandemic. what i would say is, i am communally —

pandemic. what i would say is, i am communally aware _ pandemic. what i would say is, i am communally aware of _ pandemic. what i would say is, i am communally aware of the _ pandemic. what i would say is, i am | communally aware of the challenged people are facing... you say you're aware. but are you really taking the action right now that's needed by so many millions of households? we've taken significant action already, but what i've always said is i stand ready to do more. and every week that's gone on since the spring statement, we're learning more about what's going on in the economy... you've got enough information now, chancellor. you know it's going to go up £500 or £600. it is important for people to remember that energy caps... debits are already going _ remember that energy caps... debits are already going up. _ and that's why we provided £9 billion to support them with that increase in the energy price. iam going i am going out, hearing what people are facing to figure what the right way for us to help them is. that is something we are spending a lot of time we are thinking about, and as i said, we are continuing to learn

more. as you learn more, are you looking again at the case for a windfall tax on the oil and energy companies? iam not i am not naturally attracted to windfall taxes in general. there are two cans of people. there are people who think when fall taxes can never be the answer and others who think wenzel taxes are a quick, easy to solving a problem. —— windfall. i am not in either of them. i am not naturally attracted to them, but what i do know is these companies are making a significant amount of profit at the moment because of these very elevated prices. what i want to see is significant investment back into the uk economy, to supportjobs, to support energy security, and i want to see that investment soon. and if that doesn't happen, then no options are off the table. that was the chancellor rishi sunak there. you are watching bbc news. let's take it with the headlines. police say they have now issued more than 100 partygate finds, following investigations into breaches of covid—19 regulations in downing and whitehall. britain cosmic economy

grew at the slowest pace for a year at the sarrm 2022 with mounting fears that the cost of living crisis may plunge the uk into recession. in the government won't release security advice on avenue guinea lebedev cosmic peerage. —— you have danny... sport, and for a full round—up from the bbc sport centre, here's tulson. good evening to you. good evening to everyone watching on. brendon mccullum said he's looking to move the england test team into a more successful era as he's appointed head coach. he's got a big job on his hands, with england winless in nine tests, but his first crack will be against his home country new zealand next month in a three—test series. it's all subject to the former kiwi captain getting a work visa. he transformed the mood and culture around the new zealand team. he began the resurgence that ultimately led to them winning

the world test championship last year. there is one caveat, perhaps — he has only ever coached in limited overs cricket, never in the more traditional form of the game, so in that sense, it is a little bit of a gamble. now to football and the small matter of spurs and arsenal playing this evening. it hasjust of spurs and arsenal playing this evening. it has just gone of spurs and arsenal playing this evening. it hasjust gone past evening. it has just gone past half an hour in what might be one of the most important london derbies in recent memory. the two teams are fighting it out for the final champions league spot. the gunners are in the driving seat. they're four points clear of spurs, and a win tonight would guarantee them a place in next season's competition. but it is harry kane, after the 20 minute mark, who has penalty to give spurs a 1—0 advantage. all the latest on the bbc sport website. —— who escorted penalty. aston villa have signed philippe coutinho on a permanent transfer from barcelona. barca say the deal is

worth 20 million euros, around £17 million. coutinho arrived on loan injanuary to link up with head coach steven gerrard, who he played with at liverpool. since then, he's scored four times and made three assists. his new contract will last until 2026. staying with football, juventus defender giorgio chiellini confirmed he'll leavejuventus at the end of the season. the 37—year—old is third onjuventus' all—time appearances list behind alessandro del piero and gianluigi buffon and has been at the club for 17 years. hejoined from fiorentina and has won nine serie a titles and five coppa italias. england have been named hosts of the 2025 women's rugby world cup. the rfu have said they want 2025 to be the best—attended women's tournament. they're looking to fill twickenham's 82,000 seats for the final, while in the men's game, australia were unanimously voted the hosts for 2027, and it'll be a debut for the united states as they get set to host the 2031 tournament for the first time.

now to tennis, and it's 25 wins and counting for world number one iga swiatek. she beat victoria azarenka in the second round of the italian 0pen — 6—4, 6—1 — joining an elite list. 0nly nine players since 2000 have won 25 consecutive matches, including the williams sisters, roger federer, rafael nadal and andy murray. french sprinter arnaud demare beat mark cavendish to win stage 6 of the giro d'italia, his second successive stage win. it came down to a photo finish with cavendish, on the right of the screen, who led out the sprint. but caleb ewan and demare both outpaced him to the line. demare has now won more stages at the giro, seven, than any other french rider. spain'sjuan pedro lopez keeps the overall race lead. it's been announced that bt sport and eurosport will merge as part of a new venture between bt and warner bros discovery. the companies have struck a joint deal which could in the longer—term bring big changes to the uk tv sports market. events such as the olympics,

premier league football and cycling grand tours could all come together on one platform. the deal is subject to regulatory review, but could go through by the end of the year. and just to let you know, it is 1—0 to tottenham, afterjust and just to let you know, it is 1—0 to tottenham, after just over and just to let you know, it is 1—0 to tottenham, afterjust over half an hour played. arsenal, they had a player sent off. i will let you know a little bit later who that was! all the latest on the bbc sport website. thank you. rebekah vardy has broken down in tears while giving evidence for a third day in her libel trial at the high court. she's suing her former friend coleen rooney, who claimed mrs vardy had leaked private information about her to the sun newspaper. rebekah vardy denies the allegations. 0ur correspondent colin paterson has been following the trial. coleen rooney arrived at the high court once again with her husband, the former england footballer wayne rooney.

rebekah vardy was without her husband, jamie vardy, who had scored twice for leicester city last night. today was all about coleen rooney's legal team trying to establish links between rebekah vardy, paparazzi photographers and journalists at the sun newspaper. during the world cup in russia in 2018, their wives and girlfriends were photographed at matches, but in court, rebekah vardy was said to have tipped off photographers where they would be in the evenings. she denied this. rebekah vardy was accused of lying under oath when she said she couldn't remember details as she had been drinking. she faced questions about leaking many stories from coleen rooney's private instagram account to news the sun. 0ne one said the burning went to mexico to look at baby girls. —— the

roomies wins two. another said their basement had flooded in a storm, false stories planted by coleen rooney to find out who was tipping off the sun. it was while rebekah vardy was being accused of having changed her evidence as to whether she had seen the posts on coleen rooney's private account that she broke down in tears, slumping forward, putting her head on her hands, and twice thejudge had to suspend proceedings to give her time to recover. a tough day for rebekah vardy, who has now spent 11 hours in the witness box. colin paterson, bbc news, the high court. the proportion of students in england awarded first—class degrees has more than doubled in a decade, according to the office for national statistics. about 38% of students left university with the top grade in the years 2020—2021. with me now is conor ryan from the office for students. which works with higher education providers to make sure that students succeed in higher education. good evening to you. what is going on, this huge increase in the number of

firsts being awarded? why is this happening? but firsts being awarded? why is this ha enin: ? �* firsts being awarded? why is this happening?— firsts being awarded? why is this haueninu? �* ., ., , , happening? but we have done is try to din into happening? but we have done is try to dig into those _ happening? but we have done is try to dig into those figures _ happening? but we have done is try to dig into those figures and, - happening? but we have done is try to dig into those figures and, in - to dig into those figures and, in 2011, there were 16% of students getting firsts, 38% in 2021. we could not find expeditions and changes in the student leading population to a whole range of different demographic factors, there may be an degree of improved learning, but we do nothing that is going to be anything significant enough to explain such a large increase in grade inflation, and what we fear is there is a degree of grade inflation taking place because of a sort of competition for greater numbers. we want to ensure, as the regulator, that grade inflation does not get baked into the system. there were further increases during the pandemic. we want to make sure that where students are getting degrees, those degrees are representing the standards and expectations that they

should have, and that employers can have confidence in those degrees. we should be clear of that, because people want to have trust and cut ability in the system. do you think thatis ability in the system. do you think that is being eroded here? —— accountability? that is being eroded here? -- accountability?— that is being eroded here? -- accountability? that is being eroded here? -- accountabili ? . , ., ., accountability? that is what we are concerned about _ accountability? that is what we are concerned about as _ accountability? that is what we are concerned about as a _ accountability? that is what we are concerned about as a regulator, i accountability? that is what we are l concerned about as a regulator, and we will be investigating some of the more egregious examples and we will have more to say about that in the coming weeks. but we want to see universities, and to an extent the sector is begin to recognise this, is seen having such significant grade inflation is not doing students any favours, it is not helping employers to get a sense of who are the most able students and it is not actually doing the sector he favours as well, because it is not helping the reputation. given all that, how _ not helping the reputation. given all that, how do _ not helping the reputation. given all that, how do you _ not helping the reputation. given all that, how do you stop - not helping the reputation. given all that, how do you stop it, - not helping the reputation. given all that, how do you stop it, how| not helping the reputation. given all that, how do you stop it, how do you reverse it? we all that, how do you stop it, how do you reverse it?— you reverse it? we have put in place. as _ you reverse it? we have put in place. as the _ you reverse it? we have put in place, as the regulator, - place, as the regulator, different... every one has to

readily with us if they want to oversee loans or students —— every has to register with us. we are investigating the extent to which those registrations are being met and where there are significant examples, we have the powers to take action, including fines. interesting. i want to go back to something you said there, about the universities themselves competing, and therefore there being an incentive to get out the top awards. you can see that make sense. but isn't the problem, surely, that that always would have happened? i think we have seen. _ always would have happened? i think we have seen, looking _ always would have happened? i think we have seen, looking at _ always would have happened? i think we have seen, looking at the - we have seen, looking at the figures, you had 16% of students getting firsts ten years ago and we have not got 38% —— now got 38%. what we have been having is far more significant grade inflation over the last decade. there is an extent,

evenif last decade. there is an extent, even if there was a degree of grade inflation any past, it has become much more significant in recent years. much more significant in recent ears. �* ., ., years. and what role has the pandemic— years. and what role has the pandemic played _ years. and what role has the pandemic played in - years. and what role has the pandemic played in this? - years. and what role has thej pandemic played in this? we years. and what role has the - pandemic played in this? we did see in the first year— pandemic played in this? we did see in the first year of _ pandemic played in this? we did see in the first year of the _ pandemic played in this? we did see in the first year of the pandemic - in the first year of the pandemic significant further increase in the number of firsts. it has not increased on much in the second year, between 2020 and 2021, so what we are particular concerned about is that the grade inflation we have had over the last ten years, any grade inflation related to the pandemic, does not get baked to the system. we to make sure he put a stop to the success of grade inflation, because as i said, it not doing any favours for the students.— as i said, it not doing any favours for the students. conor ryan, from office for students, _ for the students. conor ryan, from office for students, thank - for the students. conor ryan, from office for students, thank you. - time for a look at the weather now. here's stav.

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 hello there. it's going to be warming up to end the week, certainly for the weekend. into next week, it stays warm as well but quite humid. there's an increasing chance of some thundery downpours, particularly through saturday night into sunday and again at times into next week. now, we've had low pressure to the north of the uk. that's brought most of the showers, the strongest of the winds, again, to the north of the country, and these showers will continue on through the evening for the first part of the night, although much of northern england, northern ireland will become a bit drier by the end of the night. and lengthy clear spells and dry weather are across most of england and wales. in fact, temperatures falling to lows of 9—11 degrees. that is a little bit milder than the previous night. friday, again, we see windy weather with plenty of showers across mainly the northern half of scotland. southern scotland, northern ireland,

most of england and wales will be dry, plenty of sunshine. it's going to be a little bit warmer, 18 degrees in belfast, 21 or 22 across the southeast. and it warms up still into the weekend. there will be quite a bit of sunshine around, bringing an increasing threat of some thundery downpours across southern areas saturday night into sunday.

the headlines on bbc news — police said they have introduced a number of party gate finds involving violence —— lockdown violations in whitehall. a mounting fear is the cost of may plunge the country into a recession. the government will not release security advice on the peerage on national security grounds amid claims security services raise concerns about the russian born mobile. rebecca vardy denies orchestrating a photograph of footballer wives and girlfriends at the 2018 world cup as she was giving evidence in her high court libel trial against colleen rooney. a proportion of students awarded first—class degrees has more than doubled in a decade according to the office for students. and the very first picture of the enormous black hole at the centre of our galaxy.

doctors and paramedics have told the bbc that long waits for ambulances are having a dangerous impact on patient safety. bbc analysis found a 77% rise in the most serious safety incidents logged by paramedics in england over the past year, compared to before the pandemic. and nhs england said there were more life—threatening ambulance call—outs last month than in any previous april. 0ur health editor hugh pym has the story. i was certainly more traumatised than i should have been. it was raining, it was cold and i was in a lot of pain. penny, who lives in south devon, broke her leg badly but was told the ambulance would take up to four hours. it was first aider is from a lifeboat crew who got her onto a stretcher and gave her pain relief, and her daughter who drove her to hospital. i was so grateful. for penny, a former nurse, it was a sad reflection

on the condition of the nhs. we are in a state whereby we cannot rely on these services, and it's very frightening. so that trust has gone, and to be landed in that situation was really horrible. the south western ambulance service said because of sustained pressure, patients are having to wait longer. penny then endured an eight—hour wait in a&e. the hospital trust in plymouth apologised and said on the day there was a high level of staff absence because of covid. there are stresses across the system — ambulances waiting to handover to handover patients, crowded a&e units, and with gps more people are coming forward, some with conditions that got worse during the pandemic, and that adds to the strain on hospitals. 23 ambulances with patients... scenes like these can happen in the depths of winter,

but this is late spring. paramedics say it's deeply frustrating. you're stood there with a patient whoj you need to hand over in the - emergency department, and you are unable to help your colleagues, - those doctors and nurses and other professionals in the emergency. department who are run ragged. robert collapsed in the bathroom after a stroke. it took the ambulance service more than two hours to get to him. it should be a0 minutes at most. two months on, he's still in hospital and cannot communicate. his wife sue describes how she felt waiting with him. angry, isuppose, that i had to wait that long knowing that my husband needed urgent treatment, and just it seemed like eternity. robert's son simon says he got home from london quicker than the local ambulance team in essex. it feels like the ambulance service is failing as an emergency service if i can get back...

i got a phone call from my mum after the ambulance had been called, i was in bed in west london, and i managed to get home to chelmsford on public transport before an ambulance got here. the east of england ambulance service apologised, but said demand had been very high. nhs england said it was one of the busiest ever months for a&e units and ambulance call—outs. and the pressures of act all the uk's nations, with more patients to get to and services struggling to keep up. hugh pym, bbc news. spain is planning to introduce medical leave for women who suffer from severe period pain, media reports suggest. a draught bill says women could have three days of leave a month, extended to five in some circumstances. if passed, it would be the first such legal entitlement in europe. it's already allowed in countries like japan and indonesia. bex baxter introduced menstrual leave to her enterprise

coexist in bristol in 2016. good evening to you. why did you want to introduce this? i good evening to you. why did you want to introduce this?— want to introduce this? i myself suffered from _ want to introduce this? i myself suffered from a _ want to introduce this? i myself suffered from a condition - want to introduce this? i myself suffered from a condition where women experience quite intense cramps, and i had that for a good 25 years of my adult life. and that was not an issue. it did not initiate the policy until i saw one of my members of staff bent double and did not want me to acknowledge there was something wrong because it was their period. and it sort of welcoming up in me, kind ofa period. and it sort of welcoming up in me, kind of a human rights issue that needed to be addressed. and we were quite forward thinking, an open organisation so i brought it to the directors and they were really open for me to explore it. and directors and they were really open for me to explore it.— for me to explore it. and you have obviously been _ for me to explore it. and you have obviously been doing _ for me to explore it. and you have obviously been doing it _ for me to explore it. and you have obviously been doing it for - for me to explore it. and you have obviously been doing it for a - for me to explore it. and you have obviously been doing it for a while j

obviously been doing it for a while and it clearly works there. are there any challenges that it does throw up? there any challenges that it does throw u - ? ., , there any challenges that it does throw u? ., , ., there any challenges that it does throwu? throw up? there was a huge backlash because the — throw up? there was a huge backlash because the policy — throw up? there was a huge backlash because the policy was _ throw up? there was a huge backlash because the policy was probably - throw up? there was a huge backlash because the policy was probably one | because the policy was probably one of the first in the west that got kind of recognised, and so it went on international media and there was a huge backlash mainly and understandably from women. more from the women than it was from the men. and i think that came from the idea that this was going to come of the statement was a real concern for women around promotion, around being seen as weak in all these different things. so our response to that in our response to our team has very much be in a bespoke menstrual policy that is a flexible time policy, and that allowed, there was an allowance of one day's paid mistral leave if women wanted to take it if they opted into the policy but it also let women a number of different choices so they could maybe go to a quiet room or use the well—being space or they

could work from home. but it depended on the department because each department had a different team and different requirements. carry—on. and different requirements. carry-om— and different requirements. car -on. ., ~' , , ., carry-on. one of the key elements of the oli carry-on. one of the key elements of the policy was — carry-on. one of the key elements of the policy was rrot — carry-on. one of the key elements of the policy was not just _ carry-on. one of the key elements of the policy was not just the _ the policy was notjust the organisation just adapting but also asking the women to be responsible for their menstrual needs, so asking them to educate themselves and learn to track their cycle so they could learn what their patterns were and they could therefore take time off and put it back in if they wanted to. and this really mitigated the stigma for a lot of the women in the company. i stigma for a lot of the women in the com an . , . stigma for a lot of the women in the coman. , . ., �*, company. i see, and given that's uuite an company. i see, and given that's quite an interesting _ company. i see, and given that's quite an interesting level - company. i see, and given that's quite an interesting level of - company. i see, and given that's i quite an interesting level of nuance and flexibility you were talking about they are, do you think every single business can happen like this? i single business can happen like this? ., single business can happen like this? ~ �* , ., this? i think it's not 1-size-fits-all. - this? i think it's not 1-size-fits-all. it i this? i think it's not 1-size-fits-all. it is| this? | think it's not. 1-size-fits-all. it is not 1—size—fits—all. it is not 1—size—fits—all. it is not 1—size—fits—all for an individual and is not 1—size—fits—all for an organisation, it's an inquiry in my

recommendation to organisations is to talk to your staff and find out what their needs are. i think this is keep that inequality is not about being the same as men which is what a lot of the concerns are from women, it's about valuing the difference and that is what equity actually is. it's about creating the conditions and the resources that allow people to optimise their well—being and happiness in the workplace. well-being and happiness in the worklace. �* ., i. well-being and happiness in the workplace-— well-being and happiness in the worklace. �* ., , ~ workplace. and do you see last week before i let workplace. and do you see last week before i let you _ workplace. and do you see last week before i let you go _ workplace. and do you see last week before i let you go not _ workplace. and do you see last week before i let you go not clearly - workplace. and do you see last week before i let you go not clearly that i before i let you go not clearly that you would like to see businesses across europe have something similar to what you have set up but do you think it's actually going to happen? i think what spain has done is incredible and i love that they are acknowledging especially women that suffer with quite intense symptoms, so in dimitrios is an even something called pmdd which is not very known. and so some women do really suffer and it's really important but what i

found was once the policy was in place, when i went home and other members of staff fed back was the permission field of being allowed to rest when they had their pain or their experience of menstruation, it actually reduced in i know for myself and i can speak for myself that my symptoms are much more reduced, they are not stressed, which intensifies what you are feeling shame or wanting to hide it or not want people to know because you don't want to be stigmatized. 0k, great to talk to you, thank you for coming on the programme. thank ou so for coming on the programme. thank you so much- — russia has said it will be forced to take retaliatory steps after finland's president and prime minister said they're in favour of their country applying tojoin nato immediately, abandoning the nation's traditionally neutral stance. moscow claims that further expansion of the military alliance will make europe less stable and secure. public support forjoining nato has increased in finland since the invasion of ukraine. finland shares an 800—mile

border with russia. finland's foreign minister says russia's invasion of ukraine has changed public opinion. we have had this kind of nato option in our security white papers to the parliament for years, i think 18 years we have been mentioning that if security situation changes in the vicinity of finland or in the baltic sea region, we are ready to consider nato membership. so mentally we be prepared for that but there has not been any need for improved security, no feeling of the threat earlier. but i think looking at the february russian as against ukraine change the mindset of many finnish people and we are very security oriented to people. we ask what if this happens to us and what if this happens on our border as it might have already happened with belarus and they organised this migrants to the

border of poland and latvia and lithuania and we were asking what if it happens on our border? 0ur europe editor katya adler is in helsinki. she's been telling us this shift of attitude is quite a change for the country. up up until now, fill and preferred to work_ up until now, fill and preferred to work alongside but not inside nato and it_ work alongside but not inside nato and it did — work alongside but not inside nato and it did not want to it's very large — and it did not want to it's very large neighbour russia, but that all changed _ large neighbour russia, but that all changed after russia invaded ukraine _ changed after russia invaded ukraine. finland's for ministry said to me _ ukraine. finland's for ministry said to me today it made russia a very comfortable and dangerous neighbour and the _ comfortable and dangerous neighbour and the fence here, in this public opinion— and the fence here, in this public opinion polls, before the invasion there _ opinion polls, before the invasion there was— opinion polls, before the invasion there was about 20% support for membership in nato and now it is a whopping _ membership in nato and now it is a whopping 76% support. neighbouring sweden _ whopping 76% support. neighbouring sweden has also thought to make a bid for— sweden has also thought to make a bid for membership next week in the countries think it will be mutual beneficial— countries think it will be mutual beneficial agreements because on the one hand. _ beneficial agreements because on the one hand, they will benefit from natc's _ one hand, they will benefit from nato's security number that were as a gift— nato's security number that were as a gift one _ nato's security number that were as a gift one is — nato's security number that were as a gift one is seen as an attack

against — a gift one is seen as an attack against all, but with her membership, nato and the presence in the east _ membership, nato and the presence in the east will be hugely bolstered, including — the east will be hugely bolstered, including in the baltic sea, arriving _ including in the baltic sea, arriving on russia's doorstep and thals— arriving on russia's doorstep and that's why— arriving on russia's doorstep and that's why it worn today of unspecified retaliatory measures it says if_ unspecified retaliatory measures it says if finland and swedenjoined nato, _ says if finland and swedenjoined nato, that will not make europe more secure _ russia has made it clear it opposes nato expansion, and the kremlin has said it will take reciprocal steps after finland's announcement. here's our security correspondent frank gardner reporting from narva, on the estonia—russia border. this is the nato russian border. 0ver— this is the nato russian border. over on— this is the nato russian border. over on the _ this is the nato russian border. over on the side, _ this is the nato russian border. over on the side, you've - this is the nato russian border. over on the side, you've got- this is the nato russian border. over on the side, you've got a l over on the side, you've got a castle and _ over on the side, you've got a castle and on _ over on the side, you've got a castle and on the _ 0ver on the side, you've got a castle and on the other- over on the side, you've got a castle and on the other side . over on the side, you've got a - castle and on the other side you've -ot castle and on the other side you've got a _ castle and on the other side you've got a fortress — castle and on the other side you've got a fortress and _ castle and on the other side you've got a fortress and that _ castle and on the other side you've got a fortress and that is _ castle and on the other side you've got a fortress and that is on - castle and on the other side you've got a fortress and that is on the i got a fortress and that is on the russian — got a fortress and that is on the russian side _ got a fortress and that is on the russian side. there _ got a fortress and that is on the russian side. there is - got a fortress and that is on the russian side. there is a - got a fortress and that is on the russian side. there is a river. got a fortress and that is on the i russian side. there is a river that divides— russian side. there is a river that divides the — russian side. there is a river that divides the two _ russian side. there is a river that divides the two countries - russian side. there is a river that divides the two countries and - divides the two countries and despite — divides the two countries and despite the _ divides the two countries and despite the poor— divides the two countries and despite the poor relations . divides the two countries and - despite the poor relations between estonia _ despite the poor relations between estonia and — despite the poor relations between estonia and russia, _ despite the poor relations between estonia and russia, the _ despite the poor relations between estonia and russia, the border- estonia and russia, the border crossing — estonia and russia, the border crossing here _ estonia and russia, the border crossing here that _ estonia and russia, the border crossing here that runs - estonia and russia, the border crossing here that runs acrossl estonia and russia, the borderl crossing here that runs across a bridge _ crossing here that runs across a bridge is— crossing here that runs across a bridge is surprisingly _ crossing here that runs across a bridge is surprisingly normal. i crossing here that runs across a - bridge is surprisingly normal. there is a lot— bridge is surprisingly normal. there is a lot of— bridge is surprisingly normal. there is a lot of two—way _ bridge is surprisingly normal. there is a lot of two—way traffic— bridge is surprisingly normal. there is a lot of two—way traffic and - is a lot of two—way traffic and before — is a lot of two—way traffic and before covid—19— is a lot of two—way traffic and before covid—19 they - is a lot of two—way traffic and before covid—19 they had - is a lot of two—way traffic and before covid—19 they had a i

is a lot of two—way traffic and i before covid—19 they had a ramp is a lot of two—way traffic and - before covid—19 they had a ramp 4 million _ before covid—19 they had a ramp 4 million visitors going _ before covid—19 they had a ramp 4 million visitors going both - before covid—19 they had a ramp 4 million visitors going both ways i before covid—19 they had a ramp 4. million visitors going both ways and in an average — million visitors going both ways and in an average year. _ million visitors going both ways and in an average year. that _ million visitors going both ways and in an average year. that all- million visitors going both ways and| in an average year. that all dropped off and _ in an average year. that all dropped off and weirdly _ in an average year. that all dropped off and weirdly picked _ in an average year. that all dropped off and weirdly picked up _ in an average year. that all dropped off and weirdly picked up again - off and weirdly picked up again since _ off and weirdly picked up again since the — off and weirdly picked up again since the ukrainian _ off and weirdly picked up again since the ukrainian invasion, . off and weirdly picked up again i since the ukrainian invasion, with ”p since the ukrainian invasion, with up to— since the ukrainian invasion, with up to 300 — since the ukrainian invasion, with up to 300 ukrainians _ since the ukrainian invasion, with up to 300 ukrainians crossing - since the ukrainian invasion, with . up to 300 ukrainians crossing every day and _ up to 300 ukrainians crossing every day and a _ up to 300 ukrainians crossing every day and a lot— up to 300 ukrainians crossing every day and a lot of— up to 300 ukrainians crossing every day and a lot of them _ up to 300 ukrainians crossing every day and a lot of them refugees - day and a lot of them refugees coming — day and a lot of them refugees coming out _ day and a lot of them refugees coming out of— day and a lot of them refugees coming out of places _ day and a lot of them refugees coming out of places like - day and a lot of them refugees - coming out of places like mariupol with terrible — coming out of places like mariupol with terrible stories. _ in ukraine, the bbc has found clear evidence of alleged 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 the 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 said, it's all 0k. 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. the headlines on bbc news. police and they have now issued more than 100 party gate finds following investigations into breaches of covid—19 regulations in downing

street and whitehall. the british economy grew at the slowest pace for a year after 2022, mounting fears the cause of the crisis may plunge the cause of the crisis may plunge the uk into recession. the government won't release security advice on the peerage of former russian mogul with claims of security services had raised concerns about him. they are calling it a grubber kick discovery. the team of astronomers have taken the first ever image of the black hole would you be the centre of our galaxy and this is the picture and the orange area shows light orbiting the edges and at the numbers believe this achievement will allow them to learn more about how the galaxy was created and how gravity works. for decades, astronomers have been on a quest, searching the skies and into the very heart

of our galaxy for a mysterious and elusive black hole. now they've found it and taken this picture. the black hole is at the centre of the image. it's revealed by swirling hot matter pulled in by powerful gravitational forces. it's dark. you're not meant to see a black hole, it traps light. and yet here we are, capturing something that's meant to be invisible, seeing at the literal edge of space and time. i think that's truly remarkable. a black hole is created by a dead star collapsing in on itself. it has such strong gravity, not even light can escape its incredible pull. black hole is the glue which binds our galaxy together. it's part of the evolution of our galaxy. it explains where we came from. it will explain where we're going to. more than half a million computer simulations have been run and compared to the actual image. scientists believe that this video

reconstruction is the closest to what the black hole in our galaxy looks like. no single telescope can see the object, so several have been linked together to create a giant observatory on earth. here, high in the mountains of southern spain, scientists have been part of that search. we're in the heart of a telescope that's 40 years old. inside is the man who came up with the idea of photographing a black hole when he was a student in the 1990s. it's a fulfillment of a dream and the beginning of a new chapter actually. studying black holes in great detail. they're no longer fantasy. we can test all our understanding and our models, we can do precision astrophysics. how does it make you feel now that you've finally produced this image? it's, you know, it's wonderful. for researchers, this is just the beginning. theory has now become reality, and they can now kick on to find out

how this black hole really works and even how our own galaxy came to be. pallab ghosh, bbc news. and enough visitjoins us from the university of accident and member of the event horizon collaboration. thank you for coming on the programme. what was your reaction with mike how excited were you when he saw? i with mike how excited were you when he saw? . , . , , with mike how excited were you when hesaw? . _ . he saw? i was incredibly excited. incredibl he saw? i was incredibly excited. incredibly happy _ he saw? i was incredibly excited. incredibly happy and _ he saw? i was incredibly excited. incredibly happy and proud - he saw? i was incredibly excited. incredibly happy and proud to - he saw? i was incredibly excited. incredibly happy and proud to be| incredibly happy and proud to be part of such an amazing discovery. talk us through why this is such a significant thing. it is incredibly si . nificant significant thing. it is incredibly significant because _ significant thing. it is incredibly significant because this - significant thing. it is incredibly significant because this is - significant thing. it is incredibly significant because this is our l significant thing. it is incredibly i significant because this is our own black hole in the first direct visual evidence of this black hole lying in the centre of our own galaxy, the milky way. even though our black hole and m 87, the first black hole that we announce a 2019,

have different masses, we still see this doughnut shaped structure which confirms that black holes behave according to the einstein theory of relativity and this is a good thing. please he said that because in my eara please he said that because in my ear a little earlier, our director described it as an out of focus doughnut. and it turns out now that thatis doughnut. and it turns out now that that is actually an einstein type principle he was referring to so he will be very pleased with that. how difficult is it to try and get a photo like this? it difficult is it to try and get a photo like this?— difficult is it to try and get a photo like this? it was quite difficult. capturing - photo like this? it was quite difficult. capturing a - photo like this? it was quite difficult. capturing a picturej photo like this? it was quite i difficult. capturing a picture of this black hole, is even more difficult than it was for m 87 and this is because we are to try to take a still image of all a matter of swirling around the black hole which for the tereus is moving quite rapidly and require the hard work of over 300 people across the world dealing with over three and a half petabytes of dealing with over three and a half peta bytes of data dealing with over three and a half petabytes of data or 100 million tick—tock the videos with the data and also doing this during the

pandemic so it is an intense few years. i pandemic so it is an intense few ears. ., ., ., , , years. i have to ask, does this black hole _ years. i have to ask, does this black hole pose _ years. i have to ask, does this black hole pose any _ years. i have to ask, does this black hole pose any threat i years. i have to ask, does this black hole pose any threat to l years. i have to ask, does this i black hole pose any threat to us? no, no threat to us as the black hole is really too far away from earth. �* . , ., , earth. and what is next for this enterprise _ earth. and what is next for this enterprise with _ earth. and what is next for this enterprise with this _ earth. and what is next for this enterprise with this big - earth. and what is next for this| enterprise with this big amazing photos of what is next? we enterprise with this big amazing photos of what is next? we want to do with the — photos of what is next? we want to do with the event _ photos of what is next? we want to do with the event horizon _ photos of what is next? we want to j do with the event horizon telescope is to make multiple observations about him 87 and sagittarius a* in order to create movies of the black holes whether just order to create movies of the black holes whetherjust having the single snapshots that we have. it will make these movies you can see how these black holes evolve and can start to see how big in their lives. fantastic stuck thank you for coming on and talking us through that discovery, thank you.- on and talking us through that discovery, thank you. the discovery, thank you. thank you. the number of dolphins _ discovery, thank you. thank you. the number of dolphins being _ discovery, thank you. thank you. the number of dolphins being seen - discovery, thank you. thank you. the number of dolphins being seen off. number of dolphins being seen off the coast of the southeast of england is increasing according volunteers based in sussex.

bottlenose dolphins, common dolphins and white beat dolphins are among those increasing in number, as james done reports from pacific coast. it's a joyful sight and an increasingly common one. that may mean a rising population. it may be because there are more people looking for them than ever before. but with most of these people in brighton and hove, the sussex dolphin project is looking for more citizen scientists to the east in places like newhaven and beachy head so they can learn more about these amazing creatures. we are trying to capture dorsal fin images, so pictures of the fin they have on their back, and you can identify individual dolphins from these, like fingerprints. we can use that to match up with catalogues from other organisations around the country to track where these dolphins are going.

despite the numbers of cetaceans, things like dolphins, whales and porpoises, there have never been any studies of them here on the sussex coast. so the project are calling for citizen science, that is normal people, volunteers make reports when they see them. at the moment, it is people who walk along the beach, but the majority of their data comes from people who are regularly out on boats. this company takes charters from the project for marine wildlife tours. but the crew are also some of their most prolific spotters. i would like to consider myself someone who likes to help good causes. when i came across the volunteers from the sussex dolphin project, it became apparent they were highly motivated, underfunded individuals. all with a common aim of trying to protect what's out there in the seas. from a personal point of view, a huge fan of that. from a commercial point of view, the more sightings we have, the more people will want to come on the tours as well. people have reported everything from seals to basking

sharks to the project. the hope is by widening the net of watchers, they'll get new insight into marine life here on the sussex coast. south of the plot of a hollywood film but an air passenger would note flying experience had to land the plane when the pilot fell ill. all too real for a plane when the pilot fell ill. all too realfor a man who landed an aircraft in florida after the pilot passed out. when the pilot of this florida bound cessna fell ill mid air, he fell against the controls if aircraft into a nosedive and sharp turn, leading the passenger darren harrison on a wing and a prayer 2750 metres high. but despite having no experience of piloting a plane, he pulled it out of its nosedive

and radioed air traffic control. with just the florida coast for reference, mr harrison was then given step—by—step instructions of what to do next. at this point, formerflight instructor robert morgan was pulled off his break to help guide the plane down. when somebodyjust drops that bomb on you that you're not expecting, like, this is the situation, you're just like, whoa. ifelt like i was in a movie. but he wasn't. morgan'sjob now, to keep the passenger turned pilot calm and point him to a longer runway

so he could land safely. he was calm all the way in. how am i looking? your altitude is good, you're 1000 feet, your 600 feet, your 300 feet, and then he disappeared off the radar stuff, so i was kind of like, "uh—oh, what do i do now?" so i wasjust like, "hey, i don't see you any more on my radar. ijust want to make sure you are still there, can you still hear me?" "yeah, i still hear you." after a bouncy landing, the plane was towed away. the man who put the plane down safely hugged his unexpected instructor on the tarmac before rushing home to see his pregnant wife. the original pilot was taken to hospital. his condition remains unknown. mark lobel, bbc news. now time for a look at the weather. 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, it's 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.

hello, i'm maryam moshiri. you're watching the context on bbc news. the number of fines for breaking covid rules in downing street and whitehall has now topped 100. the metropolitan police says the investigation is continuing. the prime minister — who took his top team for a regional cabinet meeting in stoke—on—trent — has not been fined again. the cabinet discussed ways to tackle the cost of living crisis, as the uk economy contracts. could a windfall tax on energy companies help? that's been suggested by the chancellor, rishi sunak. we'll discuss the pros and cons and how it might work. finland prepares to apply for nato membership because of fears sparked by russian's invasion of ukraine. moscow says it will be forced to take steps to respond.

tonight with the context, political sketch writer for the independent, tom peck, and the republican