the trouble has been brewing within the dup ever since the - within the dup ever since the arrival ofter by borisjohnson concluding a deal that did involve a border down the irish sea so the perception for some within the dup is that she had been hoodwinked by the prime minister and that she placed too much faith in borisjohnson and that she had been attracted by the stardust around boris johnson, inviting stardust around borisjohnson, inviting him to stardust around boris johnson, inviting him to the party conference, to leave the dash to lead the dup up the garden path, and i don't think she could have recovered from that. she started well as the dup leader, and of course a very strong westminster election result in 2017 which gave the dup the balance of power at westminster but for critics of arlene foster within her party, that was a balance of power that was granted and i don't think her position ever recovered from that. added to that, the things chris page has talked about, the renewable heat incentive scheme, and a section of her party that never quite took to her party that n

but i gay rights then some dup members. but i think— gay rights then some dup members. were perhaps not instinctively in keeping with her— perhaps not instinctively in keeping with her own views but which created an image _ with her own views but which created an image of— with her own views but which created an image of her which was not quite in keeping _ an image of her which was not quite in keeping with what she actually believed — in keeping with what she actually believed herself. we in keeping with what she actually believed herself.— in keeping with what she actually believed herself. we will see who the dup chooses _ believed herself. we will see who the dup chooses next. _ believed herself. we will see who the dup chooses next. arlene - believed herself. we will see who i the dup chooses next. arlene foster talked about how difficult it was being a woman in public life. thank you very much. " arlene is a truly dedicated public servant... " that's the statement from the northern ireland secretary, brandon lewis. in a moment, the health secretary will lead a do

she let the dup down. why is she getting the blame? ., . let the dup down.ng the plane artl the blame? she is getting the plane partly because _ the blame? she is getting the plane partly because her— the blame? she is getting the plane partly because her primary - partly because her primary responsibility as a leader of unionist_ responsibility as a leader of unionist is to protect the union and however_ unionist is to protect the union and however you pushing the blame for this, she _ however you pushing the blame for this, she has failed in that regard. she has_ this, she has failed in that regard. she has not— this, she has failed in that regard. she has not been able to protect the union _ she has not been able to protect the union in_ she has not been able to protect the union. in normaltimes she has not been able to protect the union. in normal times i think i might— union. in normal times i think i might have _ union. in normal times i think i might have been something she could have dismissed and said i'm a regional— have dismissed and said i'm a re

borisjohnson made a promise to the dup that _ borisjohnson made a promise to the dup that his brexitorthern ireland. this deal has passed — northern ireland. this deal has passed. the reason that is causing so much _ passed. the reason that is causing so much angst for unionist in northern— so much angst for unionist in northern ireland is that the whole point _ northern ireland is that the whole point of— northern ireland is that the whole point of the dup is that northern ireland _ point of the dup is that northern ireland is— point of the dup is that northern ireland is an integral intrinsic part— ireland is an integral intrinsic part of— ireland is an integral intrinsic part of the uk, and a border between great _ part of the uk, and a border between great britain and northern ireland contradicts that entire philosophy. thats— contradicts that entire philosophy. that's why— contradicts that entire philosophy. that's why there's been this revolt against _ that's why there's been this revolt against arlene foster. there's also been _ against arlene foster. there's also been decisio

the leadership, brexit has been a disasterforthe dup. the border which _ disasterforthe dup. they lobbied for brexit and also, _ though they lobbied for brexit and also, in _ though they lobbied for brexit and also, in the light of the recent riots— also, in the light of the recent riots as — also, in the light of the recent riots as well, she has not shown excellent — riots as well, she has not shown excellent leadership there and it is difficult _ excellent leadership there and it is difficult to see how she's going to survive _ difficult to see how she's going to survive this. and difficult to see how she's going to survive this-— survive this. and if she is suffering _ survive this. and if she is suffering the _ survive this. and if she is l suffering the consequences survive this. and if she is - suffering the consequences of survive this. and if she is _ suffering the consequences of boris johnson again in terms of consistency because she had supported the prime minister and had got their party confidences, i'll get rid of that wretched northern ireland back backstop an

he has been prominent in the dup's opposition to the irish sea border.rey donaldson and gavin robinson. this is not a contest where hundreds of people will make the decision. the choice of leader will be decided by 41 people, all the party's mlas, the party's mps and their five peers. that's the only group of people that will make this decision. the dup's main partner in the power—sharing stormont executive is the irish republican party sinn fein. it said the main priority should be making sure the coalition works. we all have a job here. politics must deliver for everybody and power—sharing must deliver for everybody. i will play my part in that, i hope that the dup find a partner that's also willing to do the same. no one has officially declared themselves as running just yet, but whoever takes over as the leader of unionism will have a defining role in shaping its future. emma vardy, bbc news, belfast. president biden has announced huge spending plans in a speech to a joint session of congress, saying america needs a "once in a generation" investment

in its 50—year history, arlene foster is only the third leader of the dup.y now at a rare crossroads. a short time ago, i called my party chairman to inform him that i intend to step down as leader of the democratic unionist party. it has been the privilege of my life to serve the people of northern ireland as their first minister. mrs fosterformed her political ideals growing up during the years of violence in northern ireland. the ira tried to kill her father when she was a child, and a bomb exploded under her school bus in fermanagh in 1988. i closed my eyes because ijust didn't know what was going on. as a law student, arlene foster joined the youth wing of the more moderate ulster unionists before defecting to the dup. i believe that the democratic unionist party is now the mainstream unionist party in northern ireland. she rose quickly through its ranks, becoming one of the party's most popular and unwavering politicians. when you think about bullying me, think again. before replacing peter robinson to become first minister in 2016. chanting. it meant

if signed this letter of no confidence -- dup assembly matters.- -- dup assembly matters.if she would say no confidence bow, i -- dup assembly matters. if she i would say no confidence bow, who might replace? with the automatically become first minister? and if it is someone more socially conservative, what impact without having the workings of the devolved government?— government? there's very little exoeetation _ government? there's very little expectation are _ government? there's very little expectation are told _ government? there's very little expectation are told that - government? there's very little expectation are told that mrs i expectation are told that mrs foster's leadership will survive this. already turning to other candidates. it doesn't necessarily follow that whoever leads the party should be the first minister here, but certainly arlene foster will be able to continue if she is ousted as dup leader or has to resign. you could have a situation where an mp at westminster as the party leader and there is a separate party leader here at stormont who becomes

— way the dup is? that could be --erhas way the dup is?ould be perhaps where the _ way the dup is? that could be perhaps where the role - way the dup is? that could be perhaps where the role gets i way the dup is? that could be i perhaps where the role gets split into two. the one thing that unites unionism at the moment is their hatred of the brexit protocol, so that will not be an issue that will come from anyone who is in charge and be united on. but what you heard michelle 0'neill saying was essentially you have to be realistic about what comes next. you might not be necessarily aware that while northern ireland has a first minister and deputy first minister, it is a joint office and one cannot exist without the other. whoever is elected will find that sinn fein will have a list of demands around we want all of our previous agreements implemented before we progress with this. that might be where we find that we get an early assembly election. it has been an unstable time, because we have only had devolved government back for a year. it

in its 50—year history, arlene foster is only the third leader of the dup.d—line brand of unionism and staunch british identity now at a rare crossroads. a short time ago, i called my party chairman to inform him that i intend to step down as leader of the democratic unionist party. it has been the privilege of my life to serve the people of northern ireland as their first minister. mrs fosterformed her political ideals growing up during the years of violence in northern ireland. the ira tried to kill her father when she was a child, and a bomb exploded under her school bus in fermanagh in 1988. and i closed my eyes cos ijust didn't know what was going on. as a law student, arlene foster joined the youth wing of the more moderate ulster unionists before defecting to the dup. i believe that the democratic unionist party is now the mainstream unionist party in northern ireland. she rose quickly through its ranks, becoming one of the party's most popular and unwavering politicians. when you think about bullying me, think again. ..before replacing peter robinson

i think there is a desire for the dup to take a stronger stance on the protocol.ol, maybe be disruptive. but a harder line approach risks losing more moderate unionist voters. elise is 18. i come from a very unionist background and so there would be no other party that i would feel would be able to represent me. what do you think about the idea of edwin poots being the next first minister? he is very kind of olden times and would not maybe appeal to younger voters such as myself who would be more inclined to vote for someone a wee bit more open and, like, less religious. whoever succeeds arlene foster, the tensions over brexit remain. how they deal with them will be the first test for the new leader of unionism in northern ireland, with implications for the whole of the uk. emma vardy, bbc news, belfast. patients with a rare inherited eye condition, which causes gradual sight loss — have said they are astonished and delighted by the success of a new form of gene therapy. the treatment is intended to halt further loss of sight, but has actually improved their visio

i think there is a desire for the dup to take a stronger stance on the protocol.l, maybe be disruptive. but a harder line approach risks losing more moderate unionist voters. elise is 18. i come from a very unionist background and so there would be no other party that i would feel would be able to represent me. what do you think about the idea of edwin poots being the next first minister? he is very kind of olden times and would not maybe appeal to younger voters such as myself who would be more inclined to vote for someone a wee bit more open and, like, less religious. whoever succeeds arlene foster, the tensions over brexit remain. how they deal with them will be the first test for the new leader of unionism in northern ireland, with implications for the whole of the uk. emma vardy, bbc news, belfast. with just over a week to go before elections for welsh parliament, the leaders of five political parties vying for votes have been taking part in tv debates this evening. the welsh government's handling of the pandemic, and the state of the economy, are among the i

in its 50—year history, arlene foster is only the third leader of the dup. hard—line brand of unionism and staunch british identity now at a rare crossroads. a short time ago, i called my party chairman to inform him that i intend to step down as leader of the democratic unionist party. it has been the privilege of my life to serve the people of northern ireland as their first minister. mrs fosterformed her political ideals growing up during the years of violence in northern ireland. the ira tried to kill her father when she was a child, and a bomb exploded under her school bus in fermanagh in 1988. and i closed my eyes cos ijust didn't know what was going on... as a law student, arlene foster joined the youth wing of the more moderate ulster unionists before defecting to the dup. i believe that the democratic unionist party is now the mainstream unionist party in northern ireland. she rose quickly through its ranks, becoming one of the party's most popular and unwavering politicians... when you think about bullying me, think again. ..before replacing peter

more than 20 dup assembly members at stormont, and four mps at westminster, signed a letter saying theyrty in december 2015, and was the first woman and the youngest person to hold both jobs. our ireland correspondent emma vardy reports. a warning, it contains some flash photography. applause. in its 50—year history, arlene foster is only the third leader of the dup — a party known for its hard—line brand of unionism and staunch british identity, now at a rare crossroads. a short time ago, i called my party chairman to inform him that i intend to step down as leader of the democratic unionist party. it has been the privilege of my life to serve the people of northern ireland as their first minister. mrs fosterformed her political ideals growing up during the years of violence in northern ireland. the ira tried to kill her father when she was a child, and a bomb exploded under her school bus in fermanagh in 1988. and i closed my eyes, cos ijust didn't know what was going on... as a law student, arlene foster joined the youth wing of the more moderate ulster unionists before defecting to

it is an unprecedented moment for the normally disciplined dup, now turning on its own.es at stormont and westminster have signed this, which represents a pretty dramatic collapse of confidence in arlene foster's leadership. certainly, the party has one eye on the stormont elections coming up next year and wants to shore up its support ahead of this but at the same time, don't forget, power—sharing at stormont is fragile and there will be those who worry that any change in leadership could be particularly destabilising at what is already a difficult time for northern ireland. emma vardy with the latest in northern ireland, there, thank you. an inquest into the deaths of the two people killed by the convicted terrorist usman khan near london bridge in 2019 has heard how he'd been involved in "extremist bullying" in prison. it also emerged that khan had been allowed to travel unaccompanied on the day of the attack from stafford to london, despite the fact he was meant to be monitored by a government agency. our home affairs correspondent daniel sandford has more details. m

the dup�*s main partner in the power—sharing stormont the dup�*s main partner in the power—sharing stormontefining role in shaping its future. emma vardy, bbc news, belfast. boosterjabs against covid will be available from the autumn, after the government ordered a batch of 60—million more doses of the pfizer vaccine. ministers say the most vulnerable groups will be offered the 'top up' jab, but it's unclear when the roll—out will begin. and today, the health secretary, matt hancock, received his first vaccination, with the government saying it's 'on track�* with its road map out of lockdown. our health correspondent, catherine burns, has this report which contains some flash photography. anyone who is 42 or older... it's fair to say he was excited. in last night's press conference, matt hancock mentioned a few times that his turn had come for the vaccine. and i'm also delighted because it means i can get myjab too. and i'm looking forward to getting myjab first thing tomorrow morning. join me and get the jab. this is my firstjab, first one. this morning he found out who was going to bejoin

the dup have a l replace her with?s available, don't the ? . . a vacancy becomes available, don't the ? . , ., ., ., they? that is the million dollar question- _ they? that is the million dollar question. that _ they? that is the million dollar question. that is _ they? that is the million dollar question. that is the _ they? that is the million dollar question. that is the normal. they? that is the million dollar - question. that is the normal sense with the dup, on this occasion, it is anybody�*s guess what's going to happen, and the dup itself is playing their cards very close to its chest on this matter. even the letter itself that has been circulated has been kept quiet and any effort to extract some further detail from the party is any effort to extract some further detailfrom the party is being deflected with the line that it is an in party matter and that is being dealt with in line with the party structure and governance rules. really it is anyone's guess. i would say there are a few larger figures within the

mrs foster is to resign as dup leader on the 28th of may, next month. unionism and its most recent leader. sky tv says the actor and director, noel clark, will not be involved in any of its future productions, after multiple accusations of sexual harassment. he�*s already been suspended by bafta, just three weeks after he received one of the film academy�*s top awards for outstanding british contribution to cinema. mr clarke says he vehemently denies any sexual misconduct or wrongdoing. this report from lizo mzimba contains flash photography. applause. earlier this month, noel clarke received one of bafta�*s highest honours. hopefully people see that i have tried to elicit change in the industry. outstanding british contribution to cinema. so, this is for the underrepresented. in recognition of his successful career. according to the guardian, 20 women have now accused clarke, seen here with his wife, of verbal abuse, bullying and sexual harassment over a period of 15 years. the allegations reported in the newspapers say that clarke used his power in th

betrayed them in the _ government in the dup betrayed them in the end _ government in the dup betrayed are furious. a lot of hours were probably are happy with the _ lot of hours were probably are happy with the eu. that's a lot of the irish~ — with the eu. that's a lot of the irish~ no — with the eu. that's a lot of the irish. no more business people in northern— irish. no more business people in northern ireland are doing that make these _ northern ireland are doing that make these tensions have been boiling over~ _ these tensions have been boiling over the — these tensions have been boiling over. the buck did stop with olly foster. _ over. the buck did stop with olly foster, that is a big part of it. —— arlene _ foster, that is a big part of it. —— arlene foster. it will be quite a problem — arlene foster. it will be quite a problem for the government. she excepts _ problem for the government. she excepts the northern isla protocol as awareness and there is no guarantee that the next excess exit will do _ guarantee that the next excess exit will do the — guarantee that the next exce

northern ireland's first minister arlene foster faces pressure over her leadership of the dup.eads the way in the bafta tv nominations with 15 for sir steve mcqueen�*s series for the bbc. hello and welcome if you're watching in the uk or around the world. a second wave of coronavirus is wreaking havoc across india — cases are rising sharply, hospital beds are filling up fast, and the country's health care system is crumbing. the government is considering a recommendation to introduce lockdowns in 150 of the worst—hit districts. a recent surge of infections has brought the country to its knees and the death toll is rising. the total number of deaths now stands at more than 200,000 since the pandemic began, with a seven—day average of 2,480. two million infections were recorded in just one week. crematoriums are overwhelmed — running day and night in several cities. experts say this shows that the actual number of deaths could be much higher. big recent religious gatherings, election rallies and the reopening of public places as well as new variants are being blamed for the rapid

we understand that a majority of the dup's assembly members and its mps have signed this motion of no of the blue. it comes off the back of months of rising pressures here. there is particular angen pressures here. there is particular anger, of course, overthe pressures here. there is particular anger, of course, over the northern ireland protocol, the part of the brexit deal that relates to northern ireland and has left northern ireland and has left northern ireland in a different set of rules from the rest of the uk. that has sparked a lot of fury among unionists here. another issue causing anger is abortion, the fact that westminster intervened to legalise abortion in northern ireland, something the dup had strongly opposed. so there is this sense among some in the party that the dup hasn't been strong and robust enough in holding on to its core ideals in recent months and a sense that unionism as a whole has been left in a weakened position under arlene foster's leadership. and of course, the party also has one eye on who is going to lead them into the assembly elections next year

and it is also why the dup problems and the developing political crisis in northern ireland don't end think both are bigger now. olivia, do ou think both are bigger now. olivia, do you want _ think both are bigger now. olivia, do you want to — think both are bigger now. olivia, do you want to take _ think both are bigger now. olivia, do you want to take us _ think both are bigger now. olivia, do you want to take us through i think both are bigger now. olivia, l do you want to take us through the rather gloomy story on the front of the guardian, the context of environmental prospects for the planet about the melting glaciers in the rapidity processes it is now reaching? the rapidity processes it is now reachin: ? . the rapidity processes it is now reachin: ? , ., , the rapidity processes it is now reachina? , ., , ., ., reaching? yes. really alarming. over the last coople _ reaching? yes. really alarming. over the last couple of— reaching? yes. really alarming. over the last couple of decades _ reaching? yes. really alarming. over the last couple of decades and - reaching? yes. really

try 3 week arlene foster has experienced politics at its most painful with a big majority of the dup'she was preparing to leave the political stage. now sources close to mrs foster have told the bbc that when she leaves a first minister's office here at stormont at the end ofjune, she will also be leaving the dup. those same sources say that she thinks it isn't the same party that she joined and that it is taking a different direction. now the background to that, a number of politicians involved in removing mrs foster essentially thought she was being too moderate. they believe she should take a more socially conservative position on matters such as lgbt issues and thought she should be more strong and strategic in opposing the brexit arrangements for northern ireland that have created a trade border between here and the rest of the uk. today, mrs foster spoke to reporters. she said she would not be publicly revealing her intentions until she formally left government but none of the people who signed the letter of no confidence have yet spoken to her. so far the only dup politician to

— executive seemed to be constantly, the dup and sinn fein, seemed to be constantly— the dup and sinn. i think there has to be real leadership now, shown, at the minute, — leadership now, shown, at the minute, to— leadership now, shown, at the minute, to really promote community relations— minute, to really promote community relations otherwise i fear the violence _ relations otherwise i fear the violence will continue. gn relations otherwise i fear the violence will continue. on that oint, violence will continue. on that point. your— violence will continue. on that point, your thoughts, - violence will continue. on that point, your thoughts, both - violence will continue. on that point, your thoughts, both ofl violence will continue. on that i point, your thoughts, both of you come on the future, hopes for the future. do you think this can be contained, that a stop can be put to it and northern ireland can continue to focus on making progress whether thatis to focus on making progress whether that is at a community level, a political level or otherwise? ellie joe? i political level o

he is a controversialfigure for some, from the conservative wing of the dup.he is now the first person to throw their hat in the ring to replace arlene foster as leader of the democratic unionist party. let's return to the elections in holyrood which will be closely watched in westminster. if pro—independence parties win a majority, they could use it to demand another referendum. nick eardley is at aberdeen harbour this afternoon. hello. the parties all afternoon of what they are _ hello. the parties all afternoon of what they are offering. _ hello. the parties all afternoon of what they are offering. i - hello. the parties all afternoon of what they are offering. i wanted l hello. the parties all afternoon of| what they are offering. i wanted to finish up by speaking to someone who knows more about what businesses here are talking about. last year has been extremely tough for a lot of businesses. how do you feel the city is doing?— city is doing? always optimistic, but they have — city is doing? always optimistic, but they have of _ city is doing? always opti

there is now massive pressure on the dup.t�*s very hard to work out exactly what�*s going on but real tensions. some port officials were withdrawn from one shift over safety concerns. there�*s been suggestions of kind of uptick — real uptick in tensions — and the government in westminster is very, very worried about the politics of all of this. and we can�*t also mention — forget to mention as well that the eu pressed the nuclear button... right, yeah. oh, no — hovered over the nuclear button. well, 0k. well, they did not go through with it... it was a bit of spunk! so, right. so adam, article 16, explain to people — because this was a hugely — seen in westminster as a hugely aggressive move from the eu very early on — it was the end of january, wasn�*t it? yeah, so article 16 is the bit of the northern ireland protocol in the brexit deal — and remember, this is the brexit deal, the divorce deal, not the trade treaty, which came later — and it�*s article 16, it�*s called the safeguarding clause, and lots of treaties have thes

you have sinn fein who are irish republicans and the dup.a rainbow coalition that involve nigel farage and jeremy corbyn and everyone in between. that is not a recipe, that hasn't been an easy thing over the last 23 years and there have been lots of crises. but certainly brexit and i don't say this by taking a position of progressive or anti—brexit, but there is no doubt that brexit has been a very source of division of this resulting irish sea border has been a huge issue, and then sinn fein brought down stormont over an energy scandal three years ago but did not come back up until after they got a number of things they wanted including an irish language act and they are now wanting delivery on that and that is a big culture of battle, unionists are very concerned about that. that isn't going to be an easy thing for arlene foster to deliver in the circumstances. it is not easy to see how stormont itself is going to survive all of these tensions at the moment. even if the trouble which everybody will be hoping does die down a little bit. {li

this story and that story, over the next few months, how it works, and how the economy revives and the dup has been on the wrong side for a long time. talking to guests who know northern ireland politics, the newsletters and political editors saying it doesn't matter was a westminster, the question the mps near malays and they said running foster could be coming back and who could be defending this and saying that they are already assuming there is going to be in all ireland referendum whether northern ireland joins the republic, that is astonishing to reach so soon. we've been focusing on scotland whether or not it will have a vote may be the next few years, but ireland can be every bit as a crisis for the uk.— years, but ireland can be every bit as a crisis for the uk. everyone who knows about — as a crisis for the uk. everyone who knows about the _ as a crisis for the uk. everyone who knows about the irish _ as a crisis for the uk. everyone who knows about the irish problem, - as a crisis for the uk. everyone who knows about the irish problem, the | knows about the irish problem, the wh

the dup which of course right now is part of the power—sharing agreement at stormont which, remember,nd it is hard to work categorically what is going on but real tensions, some port officials were withdrawn from one shift over safety concerns, there has been suggestions of an uptick in tensions and the government in westminster is very, very worried about the politics of this and we can also forget to mention that the eu pressed the nuclear button... mention that the eu pressed the nuclear button. . ._ nuclear button... hovered over the nuclear button. .. hovered over the nuclear— nuclear button... hovered over the nuclear button. _ nuclear button... hovered over the nuclear button. ok, - nuclear button... hovered over the nuclear button. ok, well, i the nuclear button. ok, well, the nuclear button. ok, well, the did the nuclear button. ok, well, they did not _ they did not go through with it... it they did not go through with it... ., , they did not go through with it... . , ., , they did not go through with it... , ., ,, so it... it was a bit of spun. so adam, _ it... it was a bit

foster has led the dup and ben northern ireland's first ministerfor more than ben northern ireland'srritory's chief executive, carrie lam, will present her own programme about recent changes to the electoral system. they are expected to be 40 episodes of the chinese language show in which she will speak to guests about the controversial reforms imposed by china. searches in spain say that they found no sign of high levels of infection in people who attended a ladder church concert last month. 5000 music fans are part of the experiment after having previously tested negative for covid—i9. audience members wore masks but did not have to socially distance. six people tested positive after the gig, the others have been infected elsewhere. black women face a significantly higher risk of suffering a miscarriage during pregnancy than white women — that's according to a new global study published in the respected medical journal, the lancet. in the uk, it's estimated that at least one in five women miscarry at some point in their lifetime. but the likelihood varies according to race. the bbc

in his tweet, drjessen made reference to those rumours and he wrote that dup had been preaching the sanctityore than 300,000 followers, the tweet was we shared many times before it was taken down a couple of weeks later and arlene foster said how humiliating it was and how upsetting it was to speak to her family and husband about this, and said the rumours were completely untrue. we heard that drjessen had not apologised or corrected the tweet and the court was told that he did not agree with the suggestion that the tweet was defamatory. thank ou. voters across scotland will go to the polls on the 6th may to elect members of the parliament at holyrood. today the scottish greens unveiled their election manifesto, with plans for a "green economic recovery" from the pandemic, and "a millionaire's tax" on the very rich. 0ur scotland editor sarah smith has more details. as well as their obvious focus on environmental issues, the scottish greens are the only major political party, other than the snp, who support independence for scotland. now is the time to be bold. how they perform in this electi

chancellor and get america's dup to a meeting of hope the situation in germany remains serious with daily kovan 1000 cases still alarmingly high and the number of coronavirus patients in intensive care still growing but the vaccination drive is picking up speed so much so that germany may soon be able to offer vaccines to everyone not only those that high risk. on the whole we expect the people in the high priority group will be vaccinated by the end of may. that means that depending on how many vaccine doses we get we can abandon the priority list as of june at the latest. this is not mean that everyone can be vaccinated immediately but that everyone can make an appointment. after a slow start during the 1st few months of the year now around 23 percent of germany's population has received the 1st dose that's thanks to an increase in deliveries more reliable supply chains and family doctors now also administering the shot. with more and more people vaccinated the debate on whether they should enjoy more freedom from restrictions is also mounting chancellor merkel said the government is pr

as the the first minister, the dup�*s arlene foster, praised "a life well lived, to the full".hich you and the parties have responded to the passing of his royal highness the duke of edinburgh. i think the unity of spirit has been evident. so let's all harness and channel that spirit moving head as the assembly and executive work through the very real and significant challenges that face us. significantly, there were also warm words from sinn fein. over the past two decades there have been significant interventions by the british royal family to assist in the building of relationships between britain and ireland. it's appropriate this contribution to the advancement of peace and is rightly recognised. the duke of edinburgh had, of course, a long association with scotland. he was educated at gordonstoun school on the moray murray coast. and at their home at balmoral, the queen has regularly hosted prime ministers and first ministers. i always enjoyed my conversations with the duke of edinburgh on these visits, indeed, on all of the occasions that i met him, and i was struck by h

the bbc understands that at least three quarters of the dup and half of that mps have signed a motion party leader. mrs foster has led the party for more than five years. hong kong's public broadcaster says the territory chief executive carrie lam is to present a programme about recent changes to the electoral system. there are expected to be a0 episodes that will feature her speaking to guests about the controversial changes imposed by beijing. britney spears is to address essential scott regarding her father's control of her career. they have been well—documented mental healthcare issues but she now wants to remove him from orders. the hearing is likely to be held onjune 23. the upper house of the brazillian congress has opened an inquiry into the government's handling of the coronavirus pandemic — a move that could prove politically damaging for presidentjair bolsonaro as he seeks re—election next year. brazil has recorded the world's second—highest number of deaths fom the pandemic. but the president has attempted to stop state governors from imposing lockdowns and mandating the u

dubnation can return to chase center to cheer on the dup's yet first time since early last march thatm has been able to play in front of a home crowd kron 4 sports director jason dumas joining us live from chase jason, as you know, oracle in oakland was one of the best home-court advantages in all of basketball and then it's like we barely got to know chase last year before it was taken away. i know you're a who pay. this has to be a really exciting night for everybody. >> yeah. grant to be exact. there was only 34 games in this building behind me last year before covid shut it down. so i've been in the building all year this season. we have to go through our own protocols as media. but it still has that new building smell and the warriors haven't been able to play in front of dubnation get this 409 days. so both the players and the fans are just chomping at the bit for this to happen tonight. but there are some precautions that everyone has to take all fans have to either prove that they've been fully vaccinated or show a negative covid test within the past 48 hours there will be jus

mrs foster has led the dup and been northern ireland's first ministerfor more than five years.ritory's chief executive, carrie lam, will present her own programme about recent changes to the electoral system. there are expected to be forty episodes of the chinese language show that will feature ms lam speaking to guests about the controversial changes imposed by china. the upper house of the brazillian congress has opened an inquiry into the government's handling of the coronavirus pandemic — a move that could prove politically damaging for presidentjair bolsonaro as he seeks re—election next year. brazil has recorded the world's second—highest number of deaths fom the pandemic. from the pandemic. but the president has attempted to stop state governors from imposing lockdowns and mandating the use of masks. 0ur correspondent mark lowen is in sao paulo well, president bolsonaro was sounding very bullish about this commission of inquiry when he spoke to reporters, saying that he had nothing to fear and that he owed nothing to the commission of inquiry. but when you read the list

the letter being passed around a dup team. today, ms.efore next year's stormont elections. the first uk medical supplies have arrived in india, as the country struggles with an unprecedented surge in coronavirus infections and deaths. the uk has airlifted ventilators and oxygen equipment, but much more is needed. there have been more than 320,000 new infections today, and the world health organization says three variants of the virus have contributed to the spread, along with a failure to stop recent large gatherings. rajini vaidyanathan with this report. a collective loss that's hard to process as the pyres keep burning. there's a tragic inevitability in india, because tomorrow these scenes will be the same. round the clock, volunteers have been helping to cremate those who have died. translation: 5096 of deaths are not registered by - the government as covid—i9. our ngo brings bodies to be cremated directly from homes of victims. the government only counts related deaths of victims who die in a hospital. he believes the actual death to

may is that it might even mccall and his minister of education and the minister of interior all again dup in order to have a court reelected to the of the next and elections the problem is that they claim to unite of france against an enemy with then but they are actually targeting the very foundations of france one just 11 sentence article one of the french constitution the republic respects all religions where is that constitution today and where is its occupation under anybody when michael. we're i'd love for you to listen to some of the french women that we spoke to a little bit earlier and their reaction to this and to separate a spell of us and other countries approaches in freshening recent people rise makes them feel more and more excluded and marginalized then a longer fevered village french estates i respect you now as they can drive the fashion model who are the works in france the only thing this bill will separate is the muslim woman from the public space between freedom and liberation for our believe it's clear that someone more free and another is it is a totally when she w

i may is that emanuel mccall and he's a minister of education and a minister of interior all again dup in order to have luck or we elected them and of the next and elections the problem is that they can aim to the night of france against an enemy with then but they are actually targeting the very front de chanst of france one just 11 sentence article one of the french constitution the republic respects religion's well as a constitution today it worries its occupation under anybody when michael. i'd love for you to listen to some of. that we spoke to a little bit earlier and their reaction to this separatist spell of innocent havoc just approaches him threatening recent people to rise makes them feel more and more excluded marginalized in the longer feelings french estates i am speaking now as a huge army fashion model who are the works in france the only doing this doing some great is the muslim woman from the public space between freedom and liberation florida it's clear that someone more free and another is a totally different queen who and the more public among them and probably mak

but a letter of no confidence has attracted a large measure of support in the dup.rough the covid pandemic. later today the european parliament will announce the result of a vote on tuesday over whether or not to ratify the eu uk post brexit trade deal. it's likely it will be approved, but the president of the parliament has said the eu would not accept any backsliding from britain. the bloc is already taking legal action against london over its unilateral decision to delay implementing customs checks in northern ireland. my colleague ros atkins has been looking at whether promises made to northern ireland during the brexit referendum have been met. borisjohnson made this promise on brexit and northern ireland. we will respect the peace process and the good friday agreement entered but northern ireland's violent past remains clear in the memory and this month we have seen reminders of that violence did have the most serious for years to but where, if at all, does accept fit in? to answer that we need to understand what was promised and what has happened to the start

mrs foster is to resign as dup leader on may the 28th, and cease being first minister at the end ofjunentry's parliament at holyrood. five years ago, the first minister nicola sturgeon said she would put her neck on the line when it came to improving education — in particular, closing the gap between pupils from the most and least deprived areas. our scotland editor sarah smith looks now at how successful her government has been. education, particularly narrowing the gap between the attainment of students from the poorest and the most affluent parts of the country, was to be the defining mission of the last snp government. five years on, experts say the gap remains wide. even students who have got good grades themselves believe there should be a level playing field. people should be looking at the difference between schools that are doing better and schools that are doing worse. if it's to do with support, what is it to do with, where people stay? because honestly, i don't think that's true. i don't think where you stay or where your house is and you were brought up has got anything to

on wednesday arlene foster announced she was standing down from both of the jobs after most of the dupatives said they wanted her to quit. here's our ireland correspondent chris page. arlene foster began her leadership with enthusiastic allies and electoral success, but yesterday, with her support base all but gone, she conceded her time at the top was over. for me, the decision to enter politics was never about parties or a person, it was about speaking up for the voiceless and building a northern ireland which could could prosper and be at peace within the united kingdom. unionists have felt that northern ireland's place in the uk has been threatened from the fallout from brexit, a new trade border meaning that there are steps on goods arriving from the rest of the uk. her critics felt that she should have opposed the arrangements more strongly and strategically. and early favourite to replace her as first minister is currently in charge of agriculture in the devolved government. 0thers devolved government. others that are linked to the position of uup leader i'd jeffrey donaldson an

mrs foster has led dup and the northern ireland's first minister for and the northern ireland's first broadcaster cis territories chief executive, carrie lam, will present a rome programme about changes to the electoral system. there are expected to be a0 episodes of the chinese language show that features miss lamb speaking to guests about the changes imposed by ageing. —— miscarry lamb. speaking to guests about the changes imposed by beijing. —— miss carrie lam. the queen has been photographed for the first time carrying out an official engagement since the funeral of prince philip. she held audiences with foreign diplomats via videolink. meanwhile the duke and duchess of cambridge have been visiting a family farm in county durham two days before their 10th wedding anniversary. 0ur royal correspondent nicholas witchell reports. can it really be ten years? yes, it can. ten years ago this week they were on the balcony of buckingham their wedding at westminster abbey. now, one decade later, william and catherine are more heavily committed than ever to the demands of royal duty. today w