thank you forjoining us professor renos papadopoulos. around the world and across the uk.es making news here in the uk: politicians in northern ireland have once again failed to elect a stormont speaker. it is the seventh recall of the assembly since may 2022. the assembly collapsed almost two years ago due to the democratic unionist party's opposition to post—brexit trade rules for northern ireland. a legal deadline to restore devolved government runs out on thursday. the final report of the public inquiry into the infected blood scandal will be published in late may. the chair of the inquiry, sir brian langstaff, said more time was needed to prepare "a report of this gravity". victims and their families were initially told they would learn the findings in autumn last year. the rate of inflation unexpectedly rose to 4% in december — the first increase in ten months, up from 3.9% in november. the office for national statistics says tobacco and alcohol had the biggest impact on prices. the chancellor insists the government's plan to bring down inflation is working. you're l