dominic hughes with that report.d her son george. we've become used to quiet football grounds over the past year — because of fans having to stay at home — but this week a special tournament took place where players also remained silent. the idea was to show the importance of talking for our mental health, and the event was supported by the former arsenal and england midfielder paul merson, who has been open about his own struggles. graham satchell went to see the teams in action. whistle blows kicks of the ball echo football in silence. it's unnerving, unnatural. these five—a—side games organised by power league and the mental health charity calm. in goal, former and england legend paul merson, who was always vocal in goal, former arsenal and england legend paul merson, who was always vocal when he played. players used to get upset with me because i would always constantly call for the ball, even if i shouldn't be getting it, because i wanted to play football — ijust loved playing. commentator: pass is flicked on. t

dominic hughes with that report.mmer, has set a new record on the high—altitude and chilly lake titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world between bolivia and peru. the 47—year—old swam 20 kilometres across the lake without a wet suit in just over five and a half hours. aruna iyengar has this report. psyching himself up for a record—breaking swim. this is andrea 0riana's third attempt to beat the previous record of 16km across this highest of lakes — over 3,800m above sea level. lake titicaca is a special swimming challenge. translation: the difficulty is the altitude. _ it's hard to swim well and it slows down your strokes due to the cold. you feel 12 celsius without protection, and it feels very, very cold. the only barrier to the cold is paraffin wax, rubbed onto his skin. 47—year—old oriana swam from near the so—called sleeping dragon mountain peak on the east shore to the island of the moon in the middle of the lake, a distance of 20km. it's a dream to swim in this lake because it's one of the most diffic

our health correspondent dominic hughes reports.ntical covid—19 vaccine for their first and second doses. but some experts believe switching to a different brand of vaccine for the second dose might give broader and longer lasting protection against the pandemic virus and new variants of it, as well as offering more flexibility to vaccine roll out. because all of the vaccines that are currently licensed are all directed against the same part of the virus, they are all engineered to target the 5 protein, the spike protein, then they all will elicit a very similar immune response. so it makes a lot of sense to test this combination of vaccines, and we think that we may be able to get an enhanced immune response by combining different types of vaccines. more than 800 people have already signed up to help researchers. they have received two doses of either pfizer, astrazeneca, or a combination of both, to see what works best for immunity. dosing with one, then dosing with the other. and that would give a lot more flexibility if there wa

dominic hughes reports.ted serious illness, hospitalisation and death in thousands of people is strong. and now there's further good news, suggesting vaccines can reduce transmission of the virus, cutting the risk of catching coronavirus for those who live and work with vaccinated people. a study looked at 2a,000 households where someone had a confirmed case of coronavirus but had received vaccination. but had received a vaccination. it found that those given a first dose of either the pfizer or astrazeneca vaccines and who became infected three weeks later were between 38 and 49% less likely to pass the virus on than unvaccinated people. vaccines are not 100% effective, either at preventing severe symptoms or at allowing yourself to be infected, but the evidence is suggesting that they are providing at least some level of protection from passing the virus on if you do get infected. and this morning mps on the science and technology select committee were told this was a significant bonus to the vaccine effec

dominic hughes reports.on't know about covid—19. in particular, what happens when someone is reinfected with the virus for a second time. in what's known as a human challenge trial, using healthy young volunteers, researchers want to find out what dose of virus is needed to reinfect after someeone has already had covid—19, how the immune system responds to a second infection, and what this may mean for developing immunity that can protect against the disease. we control both the time and the dose of exposure. that information about what immune response protects them against infection can then be used to develop better vaccines, to test better vaccines and to test and develop new treatments. this simulation shows how those who take part in the study will be quarantined for 17 days, until they pose no risk of passing on the infection. the chances of participants developing serious complications, or long—covid, are thought to be low, as they came through their first infection unscathed. human challenge trials h

dominic hughes, bbc news.ce to the point of collapse and seen support for the president plummet. tim neilson reports. there are so many to mourn, burials take place under cover of darkness. coronavirus claimed another life in brazil, one of thousands a day, during this worsening crisis. so why is this happening? in addition of the implementation of these public health measures, the circulation of the variant of concern, countrywide in brazil, is clearly contributing to the increase in cases. yet president bolsonaro does not think staying at home is the answer. his attempts to curtail local lockdowns through the courts angered the military, leading to a dramatic changing of the guard, including his defence chief, causing commanders of the army, navy and air force to quit but in this confrontation at the president, a former military man himself, is not standing down. translation: | appeal- to all the authorities in brazil to review this policy and allow the people to go to work. rallying behind him, his supporte

dominic hughes, bbc news.fergus walsh — i asked him to explain the significance of the expansion of this trial. i think it is important because if you can mix the vaccines, it will give more flexibility. we had seen there have been problems with supplies over the last few months and if you get a lot of stock of one vaccine, much easier to safe you can have this one. and i don't think there is going to be any safety concerns but you have to do a trial like this just a rule that out. quite good scientific theoretical evidence that actually it will boost your immunity. i would predict that may be a year for now, the idea of mixing and matching will actually be accepted. i was there in february in london the day these trials began and the huge enthusiasm from the volunteers, so this will be a hot ticket. a lot of people will want to sign up for this trial. that ticket. a lot of people will want to sign up for this trial.— sign up for this trial. that is interesting. _ sign up for this trial. that is interesting. t

dominic hughes, bbc news.ndon after the south african variant of coronavirus was found. from tomorrow, people in parts of the london borough of barnet will be tested for coronavirus. people in the n3 postcode areas — close to finchley central station — and those who shop on the local high street are affected. home testing kits will also be delivered to some residents in southwark, in south london. parts of the se16 postcode area are affected, particularly in the ward of rotherhithe. it's a controversial issue, and now the government is launching a consultation into whether care home staff in england should be required to get a coronavirus vaccine. it's now a year since care homes were struggling to cope with the peak of the first wave. april 12th, 2020 saw a95 deaths of care home residents from covid alone. a further 800 plus residents died from other causes. those combined figures were more than three times the number who died in total from other causes on the same day in 2019. many families and care provider

dominic hughes, bbc news.d of march, according to calculations by the office for national statistics. that means they were either vaccinated, or had recovered from an infection. well let's get more from professor susanna dunachie, nihr global research professor at the university of oxford. hello to you. thanks forjoining us. those figures, do they suggest that we are getting close to herd immunity?— we are getting close to herd immunity? we are getting close to herd immuni ? ~ �*, ., ., , immunity? well, it's great to see that half of— immunity? well, it's great to see that half of people _ immunity? well, it's great to see that half of people have - immunity? well, it's great to see i that half of people have antibodies. that has been the case for the last three weeks in a row with the data. reaching herd immunity is still a whale away, i think we need to be a bit more patient. i think we also need to bear in mind that this is a single measurement commit antibodies and on a single human response to vaccines i

dominic hughes, bbc news.lth secretary matt hancock and he'll be joined by professorjonathan van—tam, deputy chief medical officer for england and dr nikki kanani, medical director of primary care for nhs england and nhs improvement. we'll be covering that live for you here on bbc news. arlene foster's leadership of the dup, and as northern ireland's first minuster, is hanging in the balance this afternoon, after a letter of no—confidence was signed by most of the party's mps and mlas. it's understood there is majority support among the party's stormont and westminster ranks — about 80% — for a change in leadership. she's led the dup, and been first minister, for more than five years. lets get more on this from dr clare rice, a researcher in northern irish politics at newcastle university. wa nts. wants. why does arlene foster find herself in this position, do you believe? aha, herself in this position, do you believe? �* . herself in this position, do you believe? �* , ., ' believe? a number of different elem

our health correspondent dominic hughes reports.tely. the test and trace system has been a key part of the government's strategy in the fight against the coronavirus, and will be equally important in the months to come. but a series of surveys involving more than 50,000 people across the uk reveals some worrying findings. overall, fewer than one—in—five said they would request a test if they developed symptoms of coronavirus. only half could identify the main symptoms of covid—19 — which include a cough, high temperature and a loss of taste or smell. and while 70% of people said if they were to develop symptoms they intended to self—isolate, the reality was that fewer than half reported that they did in fact do so. staying at home and self isolating is a really difficult behaviour to do and there are lots of reasons why people may not be able to do it. it might be they need to go out to work. they need to go out to care for someone, they need to go out to bring their kids to school, they need to go out to get food for their family o

dominic hughes, bbc news.ree weeks as part of a third national lockdown, aimed at reducing a rising number of covid—19 infections. president emmanuel macron announced on national television that restrictions already in place in some regions would be extended elsewhere. let's speak to our paris correspondent hugh schofield, good to see you, good morning. this is a peek at the moment and was this reaction largely welcomed by president macron? welcome, no. i acceted president macron? welcome, no. i accepted with _ president macron? welcome, no. i accepted with resignation, - president macron? welcome, no. i accepted with resignation, maybe l accepted with resignation, maybe yes. i accepted with some hostility, a little bit. the political opposition here feels that macron is vulnerable on this but macron two months ago said he would not have to do this, france is now in a third wave, it would not go into a stiff lockdown, schools will stay open because education was a priority and he really resisted this additiona

dominic hughes, bbc news.tomers outside later in the month. but each stage is dependent on covid cases remaining low. mark drakeford — the first minister of wales — explained what the next stage of easing restrictions will mean. on 12th april, all children and young people will be back in school in wales. all non—essential retail will be able to reopen. all close—contact services will be able to trade again, and if travel restrictions are lifted in england, then we will lift them here in wales so that people will be able to travel across the border. there will be no point in us changing our arrangements if people in england continue to have to remain local. then the english rules would prevent them from travelling to wales. so if the english rules don't change, we will respect that, of course, and our rules will stay as they are today. but the prime minister's road map does suggest that on 12th april, things will change in england and if that is the case, then we will be looking forward to welcoming people fro

dominic hughes, bbc news, macclesfield.are backing the use of "vaccine passports" and covid testing as a way of getting full crowds back. in a joint letter to the leaders of the major political parties, the group says a certification process could allow fans to return as quickly as possible. it warns that the system must not be discriminatory, and should protect privacy. the welsh government is speeding up the easing of its covid restrictions, as infection levels continue to drop. gyms will be allowed to reopen and people from two households can bubble up to meet indoors from 3rd may, instead of 10th may. the dates for reopening the hospitality industry have not changed. muslims who observe the islamic holy month of ramadan are being reassured that receiving a coronavirus vaccination will not break their fast. from monday evening, many will refrain from food and drink during daylight hours. harry farley reports. this islamic centre in birmingham is one of many places of worship that has been converted into a vaccine centre.

dominic hughes, bbc news.break at times. more cloud tomorrow coming down the eastern side of england and we should see a brightening up later but the sunnier skies are further west across northern ireland, wales and the south—west. but temperatures here no better than 13 degrees. it is even colder than that further east. this is bbc news. the headlines. a serving metropolitan police officer has been convicted of membership of a banned neo—nazi terrorist organisation. benjamin hannam is the first british officer to be convicted of a terrorism offence. never before has a serving police officer been prosecuted for being the member of a terrorist group. when we identified the person was a police officer it was of course a shock but we then moved very quickly to arrest ben hannam. why did you join a terrorist organisation and then joined the police? — police? the 22—year—old was also convicted of lying on his met police application and having documents detailing knife combat techniques and making explosive devices,

and melanie and george for sharing their experiences and stories with dominic hughes.et football stadia over the past year because of fans being locked out, but this week a special tournament took place where players also remained silent. the idea was to show the importance of talking for our mental health, and the event was supported by the former arsenal and england midfielder paul merson, who has been open about his own struggles. graham satchell went to see the teams in action. whistle blows. football in silence, it is unnerving, unnatural. these five a games organised by public and mental health charity calm. bingoal, former and england legend paul merson, who was always vocal when he played. merson, who was always vocal when he ala ed. ., , , , merson, who was always vocal when he -la ed. , , ., merson, who was always vocal when he laed. , , ., ,, played. players use to get upset with me because with constantly calling for the ball even if i was not supposed to get it because i wanted to play football, i loved playing. . wanted to play football, i loved -la inc.

dominic hughes reports.covid—19. in particular, what happens when someone is reinfected with the virus for a second time. in what�*s known as a human challenge trial, using healthy young volunteers, researchers want to find out what dose of virus is needed to reinfect after someeone has already had covid—19, how the immune system responds to a second infection, and what this may mean for developing immunity that can protect against the disease. we control both the time and the dose of exposure. that information about what immune response protects them against infection can then be used to develop better vaccines, to test better vaccines and to test and develop new treatments. this simulation shows how those who take part in the study will be quarantined for 17 days, until they pose no risk of passing on the infection. the chances of participants developing serious complications, or long—covid, are thought to be low, as they came through their first infection unscathed. human challenge trials have already pla

hugh pym, there. the prime minister's former chief adviser dominic cummings has launched a blistering attack on borisjohnson played a part in leaking text messages between the prime minister and the businessman sirjames dyson. 0ur deputy political editor vicki young has more. and a warning her report contains flashing images. he left downing street last november, and he hasn't gone quietly. dominic cummings was once the prime minister's closest adviser, but accused by anonymous number 10 sources of leaking sensitive material, he's launched a ferocious attack on his old boss and those around them. earlier this week, the bbc published text messages between borisjohnson and businessman sirjames dyson. in a blog post, mr cummings denied being the leaker and said he'd show senior officials his phone to prove it. this evening, mrjohnson fended off questions. i don't think people care. what they care about is... that's not really an answer. ..what was i doing back in march of last year. and people have attacked me for that. but did you finger him - as the source of that leak? i don't think people give a monkey's,

hughes, at the bbc sport centre. hello, thank you. good evening. cambridge have won both the men's and women's university boat race, continuing their dominance in thed war. our correspondent katie gornall reports. it's one of sport's most traditional showdowns but, this year, nothing about it looks familiar. gone is the river thames lined with fans. in its place, a landscape devoid of all the usual landmarks. here on the banks of the great ouse, the crews had to make their own atmosphere. go! the pandemic — and the closure of hammersmith bridge — had forced the change of scenery, giving cambridge a home advantage. and yet, the women's race was nervily close. sudden movement and clashing, and this can cause all sorts of problems. on a straight course, oxford — on the right — almost veered into cambridge's path, but the light blues fought back and found their rhythm to win for the fourth successive time. and they have that feeling now, cambridge across the finish line! they wore white ribbons to show support for sexual assault victims after allegations recently emerged from oxford. history had been made before the men's race even started, as sarah wi

hughes at the bbc sport centre. thanks, kate. good evening. all the football to come, but on the opening weekend of the women's six nations, powerhouses england and france demonstrated their absolute dominanceing wales 53—0 and england putting eight tries past scotland in a 52—10 victory in doncaster — from where our correspondentjo currie reports. this moment had been a long time coming for these players. covid meant for the first time the women's six nations was being played away from the men's tournament and two months later than planned. england, defending champions, kicked things off at home to scotland. no fans, no problem, as they ran in eight tries. the pick from bryony cleall, claiming her second cap two years after the first. and with fewer matches because of a format change, players will need to make opportunities to score count, and that's exactly whatjess breach did with this solo effort. she that's exactly what jess breach did with this solo effort.— with this solo effort. she will fly over for try _ with this solo effort. she will fly over for try number _ with this solo effort. she will fly over for try number five. - with this solo effort. she will fly| over for try number

hughes at the bbc sport centre. thanks very much. cambridge have won both the men's and women's university boat race, continuing their dominance in thehing is familiar. gone is the river thames lined with hundreds of thousands of fans. in its place, a landscape devoid of all the usual landmarks. here on the banks of the great news, the crews would have to make their own atmosphere. —— the banks of the great 0use. cambridge have a home advantage, and yet the women's race wasn't overly close.— wasn't overly close. some movement and clashing — wasn't overly close. some movement and clashing and _ wasn't overly close. some movement and clashing and this _ wasn't overly close. some movement and clashing and this can _ wasn't overly close. some movement and clashing and this can cause - and clashing and this can cause allsorts of problems. fin and clashing and this can cause allsorts of problems.— and clashing and this can cause allsorts of problems. on a straight course, oxford, _ allsorts of problems. on a straight course, oxford, on _ allsorts of problems. on a straight course, oxford, on the _ allsorts of problems. on a straight course,