we start with brexit, and an indication of how much effect the uk leaving the european union has had on trade in both directions across the english channel. figures compiled by the uk government show how british exports to the eu fell byjust over 40% injanuary — the first month when the post—brexit rules came into force. and imports from the eu were down by nearly 30%. there are of course contributing factors, like earlier stockpiling, and pandemic lockdowns. our economics correspondent, andy verity, has the details. this manchester exporter of branded clothing, much of it for corporate events that haven't been happening, has gone through what it describes as a nightmare yearjust staying in business and keeping staff safe. but now, its boss told me, far from the promised frictionless trade, it's become very difficult to export to europe. transporters and couriers are charging big extra fees to cover much more complex paperwork and taxes, pushing costs up so high that it's had to stop exporting to european consumers. we had one order which was a £15 order. the customer contacted us because they were contacted by the post office to say that there were 38 euros of admin charges to pay in order to collect that order. we've tried to deal with it by paying on behalf of the customer. we've taken on the complexity of that, but the cost and the time and the adminjust means it's not viable to ship those orders into europe any more. overall, exports of goods to the eu dropped by 40.7%, the biggest fall on record. by far the hardest hit were exporters of food and live animals, with dairy down by 50%, meat exports down 59% and fish and shellfish exports down by 83%. we are working very closely with the eu. it's in everybody�*s interest that trade is as smooth as possible. we were always clear there would be extra processes that would need to be undertaken, and i'm confident that we will continue to build exports to the eu as well as exports to the rest of the world. while the economy is officially forecast to roar into action next year, growing by 7%, businesses like goodwood still have months to get through, with very little money coming in. now we know over the next few years, we've got to get back to where we were two years ago. but that's going to take another couple of years. after the economy was brought screeching to a halt by the lockdown last spring, it picked up speed in the summerand autumn, only to have the government slam the brakes on again after christmas, leading to a 2.9% drop in activity injanuary. while the office for national statistics said much of the hit to trade was probably temporary as businesses adjust to the new regime, just weeks after the break to the new regime, just weeks after the brexit transition ended, it's still too soon to tell how much of that economic damage might be more lasting. andy verity, bbc news. gunmen in the northern nigerian state of kaduna have attacked a school and abducted about 30 students. armoured vehicles and a helicopter have been deployed to try to rescue them. state authorities say that 180 people were rescued by the nigerian army in the early hours of this morning, but about 30 students are still missing. this is just the latest of kidnappings in the past few months. in february, 279 schoolgirls were abducted in zamfara state, and a further 42 staff, students and family members were taken from kagara, niger state — one was killed. in december, more than 80 schoolchildren were kidnapped from a school in katsina state, and a further 300 boys abducted from another school there. all have since been freed .our correspondent in abuja, ishaq khalid told us more about the rescue effort. well, basically at the moment, the nigerian authorities are saying that troops are trying to rescue the dozens of students who were kidnapped by the gunmen. troops with guns and helicopters have been deployed. and initially, the authorities said that 180 people had been rescued at the initial stage of the abduction, following gunfire with the military. but some sources are saying that those people were actually students and staff who escape during that time. the authorities are saying they were rescued by the military. and now, about 30 people are missing — students, males and females — and the authorities are saying they have launched a search operation. basically, what happened is the gunmen in large numbers stormed the college on the outskirts of the nigerian city of kaduna overnight. they broke the fence and then opened fire within the premises, moved into the dormitories of the students and kidnapped a number of people there. so, this is the latest abduction in a series of such mass kidnappings across nigeria since december. around 700 or so students have been abducted, and all of them have been released after negotiations with the kidnappers. for the moment, there is no clarity as to who carried out the latest attack, but it's believed to be criminal gangs who are kidnapping people for ransom. there's no clarity whether negotiations are going on. joining me now from abuja is buky williams, executive director of education as a vaccine, an organisation which aims to improve the education and health of young nigerians. she is also a malala education champion. thank education champion. you very much forjoining us here thank you very much forjoining us here on bbc news. first off, the impact of these repeated kidnappings and objections across northern nigeria, how is the country as a whole reacting to this?- nigeria, how is the country as a whole reacting to this? there is a lot of frustration, _ whole reacting to this? there is a lot of frustration, there _ whole reacting to this? there is a lot of frustration, there is - whole reacting to this? there is a lot of frustration, there is some l lot of frustration, there is some anger and there is basicallyjust exhaustion as well, feeling like this happens —— keeps happening and there doesn't seem to be a plan, there's no clarity on what's being done, and thenjust not there's no clarity on what's being done, and then just not even sure... who is doing it, sometimes it's bandits, sometimes it's criminal gangs, its terrorists. you know, so there are so many... who is actually doing it? what investigations are taking place? there are a lot of people who have a high level of frustration, and you might also know that the chief of staff was replaced by the president quite recently, so there was hope that may be something to change, something will be done it's leading for people to be feeling frustrated and that nothing is being done in terms of security of this country.— is being done in terms of security of this country. sorry, do you think that the replacement _ of this country. sorry, do you think that the replacement of _ of this country. sorry, do you think that the replacement of those - of this country. sorry, do you think| that the replacement of those fairly senior individuals within the military services was just an act of being seen to do something because mike because some of the reports we are getting, nigerians, particularly across northern niger are not happy with what the government is doing. yeah, i mean, there was some slight optimism because there was an assumption that nothing would happen, that they wouldn't change, that no changes wouldn't change, that no changes would happen, that we would just continue with business as usual, and so there was a little bit of hope with this change, maybe something will be done, some people will be held accountable. but actually you know, a few weeks later, everyone is back to realising that. we haven't really seen the changes we want to see, we haven't seen any clear plans or way forward. also what's happened with the last kidnapping when there was conversations about negotiations, so peoplejust realise, oh, this is now a business. yes, ok. very briefly, when you say it is a business and people are kidnapping these children knowing they are going to get the money because of the media attention, they are soft targets, what do nigerians think about how this should be handled? ., ~ ., think about how this should be handled? ., ~' ., ., handled? you know, the truth of the matter is i don't _ handled? you know, the truth of the matter is i don't think _ handled? you know, the truth of the matter is i don't think i _ handled? you know, the truth of the matter is i don't think i can - handled? you know, the truth of the matter is i don't think i can speak i matter is i don't think i can speak for every nigerian, but i can speak for every nigerian, but i can speak for the parents who have visited community is quite recently because thatis community is quite recently because that is one of the places where we have projects to ensure that girls go back to school. one of the issues parents keep mentioning is the issue of safety, and you have actually seen parents who have come together who have contributed money to be able to post security guards or vigilantes in schools looking for funds to be able to build fences in schools or pushing the government to do so in terms of the workaround advocacy, so they are actually feeling that the security situation in nigeria as currently untenable, and that something needs to be done. we really need to focus on who is investigating, who is actually going to make sure changes have been how are we going to ensure that the kidnappers feel like they can'tjust act with impunity? nigeriansjust really want to plan because we are feeling frustrated on so many ends and we are trying to recover from the impact of covid—i9, the financial impact of it, the health impact of it. we are trying to get back to a new normal, whatever term you have, but not feeling like any of those changes, especially insecurities happening. thank you so much for that — insecurities happening. thank you so much for that perspective, _ much for that perspective, important, thank you very much. london's metropolitan police has confirmed that a body found in woodland on wednesday, is that of sarah everard. she disappeared while walking home from a friend's house in clapham in south london last week. detectives have been given more time to question a serving police officer, on suspicion of the kidnap and murder of the 33 year old marketing executive. the uk police watchdog is investigating a number of issues including how the metropolitan police force responded to two allegations of indecent exposure involving the suspect, three days before ms everard went missing. the world health organization says there is no reason to stop the use of the oxford—astrazeneca coronavirus vaccine. the statement comes after bulgaria, romania, and thailand joined three scandinavian countries in suspending inoculations with the vaccine. they were reacting to reports of blood clots in some people who had received the shot — although there is no evidence of a link. the european medicines agency has also backed the use of the astrazeneca vaccine, saying the benefits outweigh the possible risks. margaret harris from the world health organization said she had no reservations about recommending the astrazeneca vaccine. it's very important to understand that, yes, we should continue using the astrazeneca vaccine, all that we are looking at is what we always look at, any safety signal must be investigated, in fact, it's very important that we are hearing safety signals, because if we were not hearing about any safety signals, then that would suggest that there is not enough review and vigilance. we must always ensure we look for any safety signals when we roll out vaccines, and we must review them, but there is no indication to not use it. margaret harris from the world health organization. the european medicines agency has also backed the use of the astrazeneca vaccine, saying the benefits outweigh the possible risks. today, brazil, which has reported a new daily record of two, 286 covid—i9 deaths, has approved the astrazeneca vaccine for widespread use. on thursday, el salvador received 30,000 doses of the astrazeneca vaccine through the covax programme, which they will start giving to health care workers imminently. and brazil has given final approval for use of the astrazeneca jab. the country, which has seen rapidly increasing rates of infection, and more than 2,000 deaths a day from covid, is also buying additional supplies of russia's sputnik v vaccine. italy is extending its coronavirus restrictions from monday. schools, shops, and restaurants will be closed in most of the country, with the measures extended nationwide for three days over easter. it comes as new covid cases in italy are currently being confirmed in excess of 25,000 a day. joe biden has held the first meeting of the quad — a group of four countries which he seems to hope will be a counterweight to the growing power of china. the group features the us, australia, india, and japan — all of whom have had varying levels of disagreements with china in recent months and years. mr biden and indian prime minister, narendra modi, both said that the group were standing up for universal values. let's take a listen. and in this moment, it's a purpose that i think we all are concerned about, a free and open indo—pacific is essential to each of our futures for our countries. the united states is committed to working with you, our partners, and our allies in the region to achieves debility. ——and our allies in the region to achieve stability. translation: excellencies, i we are united by our democratic values and our commitment to a free, open and inclusive indo pacific. our agenda covering areas like vaccines, climate change and emerging technology makes the quad force for global good. our state department correspondent barbara plett usherjoins me now. barbara, there was china on the agenda as well as vaccine diplomacy. tell us more. agenda as well as vaccine diplomacy. tell us more-— tell us more. yes, the ma'or announcement, i tell us more. yes, the ma'or announcement, the i tell us more. yes, the major announcement, the major. tell us more. yes, the major - announcement, the major concrete announcement, the major concrete announcement out of this meeting was that there was going to be a joint push to produce many, many vaccine doses to be used in southeast asia, a by 2022 combining the money of the united states and japan, the production capacity of india and then australia was going to be playing a role in terms of delivery and shipment. this was presented by us officials as an example of how these four countries have common interests and how they wanted to show this alliance actually has a concrete outcome for people themselves. at the same time, as you said, this is an alliance of countries who all have their own difficulties with china. it's coming at a time when the biden administration is really having a solidify alliances as it looks how it can organise our strategic counterweight to china. although none of the countries actually mention china by name, they mention code language which is a free and open indochina concerns there about the chinese maritime and territorial claims, threatening that in some way, and other issues as well, we were told by us officials, they would have a frank and open discussion about the concerns regarding chinese behaviour and how they can strengthen their alliance. this is a one—day summit, the first time this has been held, what are the hopes for it? is this an indication of future alliances between these countries? this organisation — between these countries? this organisation has _ between these countries? ti 3 organisation has existed in some form since 2004 afterjoint action to deal with the tsunami at the time. it has been used in various ways by administration since then, but since the first time president biden has taken it to the leader level. this is the first time the leaders of the poor countries have met to address common issues it is a thing that biden wants strengthened this alliance has put in place the four of them have put in place structures to do that including the whole project to develop vaccines and working groups and how to combat climate change and also work in groups on how to deal with technology. is another issue that these countries have in mind when they look at china, which is shaping those by the neck cyber field. they want to look at how they can co—ordinate together to develop and promote those standards and design of technology in the future, which would by definition then provide a kind of counterweight to china's actions. �* ., ., kind of counterweight to china's actions. ., ., , kind of counterweight to china's actions. . ., , ., ~ actions. barbara platt usher, thank ou ve actions. barbara platt usher, thank you very much- _ lawyers for george floyd, the african american man who died while being restrained by police officers in minneapolis in may of last year, say the city has agreed a settlement. a payment of $27 millionwill be made to mr floyd's family. a former minneapolis police officer, derek chauvin, is standing trial on charges including third degree murder, following the incident. stay with us on bbc news, still to come — you aren't seeing double after all. researchers revealed there are more twins being born than ever before. the numbers of dead and wounded defied belief. this, the worst terrorist atrocity on european soil in modern times. in less than 24 hours, the soviet union lost an elderly, sick leader and replaced him with a dynamic figure 20 years his junior. we heard these gunshots - from the gym, then he came out and started firing at our hearts. god, we were all petrified. james earl ray, aged 41 — sentenced to 99 years and due for parole when he's 90 — travelled from memphis jail to nashville state prison in an eight—car convoy. paul, what's it feel like to be married at last? it feels fine, thank you. what'll you do now? will it change your life much, do you think? i don't know, really, i've never married before. this is bbc news, the latest headlines... a post—brexit reality check, as exports to the eu from the uk drop by more than 40% injanuary — the largest monthly fall since records began. another kidnapping in northern nigeria — this time, dozens of students are taken from a college in kaduna state at gunpoint. we'll have the latest details. if you have young children, you may have noticed there seem to be quite a lot of twins around. and it turns out, you would be right! researchers have found there are more being born than ever before. here's the maths — about 1.6 million twins are born each year worldwide. that means roughly one in every 42 children born is now a twin. why? factors like fertility treatments, such as ivf, and having children later in life. one of the report authors, professor christiaan monden, explains. the increase is really very clear in europe and a few asian countries, for instance south korea. and those are the countries that have had a real increase in ivf use. to that extent, some countries like greece, for instance, are now quite close in their rate to the central western african countries that traditionally were the twinning champions of the world, had the highest twin rates because of a naturally high chance of twins there. i'm joined now by mother of twins, sarah perris in london, and we can also speak to her identical daughters, georgie and india, too. big hello to the three of you. before we get to its, i want to ask sarah, i'm a mum. what is it like to be pregnant with twins? film. sarah, i'm a mum. what is it like to be pregnant with twins?— be pregnant with twins? oh, god, i can't even begin — be pregnant with twins? oh, god, i can't even begin to _ be pregnant with twins? oh, god, i can't even begin to tell— be pregnant with twins? oh, god, i can't even begin to tell you. - be pregnant with twins? oh, god, i can't even begin to tell you. i - be pregnant with twins? oh, god, i can't even begin to tell you. i had l can't even begin to tell you. i had a mental nightmare. i'm sure some pregnant mums with twins had sailed there it's come i didn't. it was really tough. i was enormous, i was so huge, i could barely walk. it was not the best time in my lifetime i have to say. you know, all a bit of a shock because i was not expecting to be pregnant, let alone pregnant with twins. ., , , with twins. having seen this research. — with twins. having seen this research, what _ with twins. having seen this research, what do _ with twins. having seen this research, what do you - with twins. having seen this| research, what do you make with twins. having seen this i research, what do you make of with twins. having seen this - research, what do you make of it? well, i can understand it way before i had my girls, twins were really quite rare and then when mine were in primary school, there were maybe two sets of twins within the whole school, so they were still quite a rarity, and i was chatting to some of the earlier this week actually and she was saying that in her school now they are ten a penny, there are so many of them. so, yes, it's definitely changing even in this country. bill it's definitely changing even in this country-— it's definitely changing even in this count . �* ., ., ., this country. all right to india and geora ia this country. all right to india and georgia now. _ this country. all right to india and georgia now, very— this country. all right to india and georgia now, very quickly. - this country. all right to india and georgia now, very quickly. being| georgia now, very quickly. being twins, and i apologise for this, because i'm going to... you must get asked endless questions about what it's like. what sort of stuff do you get asked? we it's like. what sort of stuff do you get asked?— it's like. what sort of stuff do you aet asked? ~ ., ., �* . get asked? we do, don't we. we get all sorts, really. _ get asked? we do, don't we. we get all sorts, really. a _ get asked? we do, don't we. we get all sorts, really. a lot _ get asked? we do, don't we. we get all sorts, really. a lot of _ get asked? we do, don't we. we get all sorts, really. a lot of people - all sorts, really. a lot of people tend _ all sorts, really. a lot of people tend to — all sorts, really. a lot of people tend to say how do you tell the difference? which two seems like a silly question because obviously, we know that _ silly question because obviously, we know that we are so different, but people _ know that we are so different, but people struggle to tell the difference between us. it's got a little _ difference between us. it's got a little bit — difference between us. it's got a little bit easier as we've got older. — little bit easier as we've got older, but that's like the most common— older, but that's like the most common thing.— older, but that's like the most common thing. older, but that's like the most common thin. �* , ., ., common thing. also people love to know how we _ common thing. also people love to know how we ever _ common thing. also people love to know how we ever tried _ common thing. also people love to know how we ever tried to - common thing. also people love to know how we ever tried to be - common thing. also people love to know how we ever tried to be each | know how we ever tried to be each other— know how we ever tried to be each other for— know how we ever tried to be each other for a — know how we ever tried to be each other for a day _ know how we ever tried to be each other for a day. that's— know how we ever tried to be each other for a day. that's a _ know how we ever tried to be each other for a day. that's a very - other for a day. that's a very popular— other for a day. that's a very popular question. _ other for a day. that's a very popular question.— other for a day. that's a very | popular question._ i other for a day. that's a very - popular question._ i think popular question. have you? i think we tried to — popular question. have you? i think we tried to trick _ popular question. have you? i think we tried to trick mum _ popular question. have you? i think we tried to trick mum and _ popular question. have you? i think we tried to trick mum and dad - popular question. have you? i think| we tried to trick mum and dad once, dhint— we tried to trick mum and dad once, didn't we? _ we tried to trick mum and dad once, didn't we? by— we tried to trick mum and dad once, didn't we? by switching _ we tried to trick mum and dad once, didn't we? by switching pyjamas, i we tried to trick mum and dad once, l didn't we? by switching pyjamas, but that didntm — didn't we? by switching pyjamas, but that didn't... that _ didn't we? by switching pyjamas, but that didn't... that didn't— didn't we? by switching pyjamas, but that didn't... that didn't work, - didn't we? by switching pyjamas, but that didn't... that didn't work, so- that didn't... that didn't work, so we didn't— that didn't... that didn't work, so we didn't try— that didn't... that didn't work, so we didn't try again. _ that didn't... that didn't work, so we didn't try again. just - that didn't. .. that didn't work, so we didn't try again.— we didn't try again. just went to ick u- we didn't try again. just went to pick on on _ we didn't try again. just went to pick up on something _ we didn't try again. just went to pick up on something you - we didn't try again. just went to pick up on something you said l we didn't try again. just went to - pick up on something you said there about being similar, people make this assumption of treating you as one unit rather than different people. that must get irritating, do they buy identical presence, do they not look at you as different people? i think when we were younger that was probably the case, but definitely as we've gotten older, you know. — definitely as we've gotten older, you know, our good friends know us both inside — you know, our good friends know us both inside out and exactly what to .et both inside out and exactly what to get us _ both inside out and exactly what to get us and — both inside out and exactly what to get us and get a separate presence. so i get us and get a separate presence. so i think— get us and get a separate presence. so i think is_ get us and get a separate presence. so i think is we've got older that's definitely— so i think is we've got older that's definitely true. it so i think is we've got older that's definitely true.— definitely true. it does get easier as ou definitely true. it does get easier as you get _ definitely true. it does get easier as you get older— definitely true. it does get easier as you get older because - definitely true. it does get easier as you get older because you - definitely true. it does get easier as you get older because you can definitely true. it does get easier. as you get older because you can be different— as you get older because you can be different and — as you get older because you can be different and make _ as you get older because you can be different and make your— as you get older because you can be different and make your own - different and make your own decisions, _ different and make your own decisions, like _ different and make your own decisions, like you _ different and make your own decisions, like you can - different and make your own decisions, like you can kind. different and make your own. decisions, like you can kind of dress — decisions, like you can kind of dress differently, _ decisions, like you can kind of dress differently, change - decisions, like you can kind of dress differently, change your decisions, like you can kind of- dress differently, change your looks and stuff _ dress differently, change your looks and stuff a — dress differently, change your looks and stuff a little _ dress differently, change your looks and stuff a little bit, _ dress differently, change your looks and stuff a little bit, so _ dress differently, change your looks and stuff a little bit, so it— dress differently, change your looks and stuff a little bit, so it is- dress differently, change your looks and stuff a little bit, so it is a - and stuff a little bit, so it is a little — and stuff a little bit, so it is a little bit _ and stuff a little bit, so it is a little bit easier— and stuff a little bit, so it is a little bit easier to _ and stuff a little bit, so it is a little bit easier to do - and stuff a little bit, so it is a little bit easier to do things l and stuff a little bit, so it is a . little bit easier to do things like that as — little bit easier to do things like that as you _ little bit easier to do things like that as you get _ little bit easier to do things like that as you get older. _ little bit easier to do things like that as you get older.— little bit easier to do things like that as you get older. mum, sarah, i'm 'ust that as you get older. mum, sarah, i'm just wondering _ that as you get older. mum, sarah, i'm just wondering because - that as you get older. mum, sarah, i'm just wondering because we - that as you get older. mum, sarah, i'm just wondering because we are | i'm just wondering because we are getting more twin pregnancies, do you feel that the right support is there? did you have the right support even when it comes to shopping for twins?— support even when it comes to shopping for twins? well, i could tell ou shopping for twins? well, i could tell you some — shopping for twins? well, i could tell you some horror _ shopping for twins? well, i could tell you some horror stories, - shopping for twins? well, i could tell you some horror stories, but| tell you some horror stories, but one of the things that was a real life—saver for me was the listening service that the twins trust has, which is basically, you know, if you reallyjust need an answer to a question or you are stressed out of your head, you can phone up and ask them a question and they are on—call not to any 47 but every single day. -- 24/7. and i not to any 47 but every single day. —— 24/7. and i was a twin line listening for many years and still a twin line listener because that service had helped me so much when mine were little when i was just at breaking point and wanted to speak to somebody who knew what i was going through because all of the listeners are twin parents themselves.— listeners are twin parents themselves. ., �* , ., themselves. sarah, i'm 'ust when to sto ou themselves. sarah, i'm 'ust when to stop you there. h themselves. sarah, i'mjust when to stop you there, because _ themselves. sarah, i'mjust when to stop you there, because i _ themselves. sarah, i'mjust when to stop you there, because i need - themselves. sarah, i'mjust when to stop you there, because i need to i stop you there, because i need to throw one last question to the twins, and it's basically a yes or no. doesn't matter who was born first, is it a big deal? yes, it is, definitely. it's not a big deal- _ yes, it is, definitely. it's not a big deal. 0k. _ yes, it is, definitely. it's not a big deal. 0k, india, _ yes, it is, definitely. it's not a big deal. 0k, india, georgia., | big deal. 0k, india, georgia., sarah, thank _ big deal. 0k, india, georgia., sarah, thank you _ big deal. 0k, india, georgia., sarah, thank you so _ big deal. 0k, india, georgia., sarah, thank you so much - big deal. 0k, india, georgia., sarah, thank you so much for| big deal. 0k, india, georgia., - sarah, thank you so much for your time. thank you.— time. thank you. thank you. my thinkina. time. thank you. thank you. my thinking. white _ men don't forget, you can get in touch— men don't forget, you can get in touch with — men don't forget, you can get in touch with the _ men don't forget, you can get in touch with the on _ men don't forget, you can get in touch with the on twitter. - i'm @lukwesaburak. ple nty plenty more coming up on bbc news. don't go _ plenty more coming up on bbc news. don't go away — hello there. it's been a pretty changeable story over the last couple of days with sunny spells and scattered sharp showers. that means that we've had a plethora of weather watcher rainbow photographs sent in. this is one of my favourite from loose in kent this afternoon. now, the showers really have been quite frequent the further north and west, and we've seen some wintriness to the tops of the mountains. but we have seen some sun moving through wales across the channel coast and into kent as well. the story through this evening, we'll actually see more wet weather as we see a weather front pushing its way steadily eastwards. that's going to enhance those showers, so longer spells of rain and still plenty of isobars with it. still a very windy night to come. now, where we've got some clearer skies in the far north of scotland, here temperatures perhaps low enough for a touch of light frost in sheltered rural areas, and still, with temperatures close to freezing, those showers here falling as snow. but elsewhere, we start off with sunny spells, scattered showers once again. most frequent showers the further west you are, and they will drift a little but further inland accompanied by a brisk westerly wind. in terms of the feel of things, highs of 7—10 celsius by the middle of the afternoon. moving out of saturday into sunday, we see an area of low pressure is still influencing the story as high—pressure is trying to build in from the southwest. this weather from toppling across that high, still producing more wet weather to come. so that means some rain once, again into northern ireland, gradually pushing its way into western scotland, northwest england and wales. but a relatively dry start for many on sunday, and in eastern areas, it should stay largely dry through much of the day. the winds will ease just a touch as well, and in the sunshine, ii celsius should feel relatively pleasant, but unfortunately, the wet weather will sit out to the west. things are likely to change, though, into next week, as that high—pressure continues to build in from the west, quieting the weather story down, and that will come as welcome news, i suspect. so, there is the potential for some clearer skies to see some early frost, nothing too significant, but certainly worth bearing in mind if you're a gardener or a grower. but as we look ahead, largely fine and dry, on the cool side for the time of year, but some sunny spells to look forward to. this is bbc world news, the headlines... scotland yard confirm the body found hidden in woodland in kent is that of sarah everard. detectives have been given more time to question a serving police officer on suspicion of her kidnap and murder. the former chief doctor of british cycling and team sky, richard freeman, has been found guilty of ordering performance—enhancing testosterone, knowing or believing it was to be given to an unnamed rider. exports of goods to the european union dropped by more than 40% injanuary — the largest monthly fall since records began. the national cyber security centre urges organisations to install the latest microsoft exchange server updates to protect their networks after flaws in the system are detected. london's metropolitan police has confirmed that a body found in woodland on wednesday, is that of sarah everard. she disappeared while walking home from a friend's house in clapham in south london last week. detectives have been given more time to question a serving police officer, on suspicion of the kidnap and murder of the 33—year—old marketing executive. the uk police watchdog is investigating a number of issues including how the metropolitan police force responded to two allegations of indecent exposure involving the suspect, three days before ms everard went missing. in this isolated countryside, the person who murdered sarah everard dumped her body in the woods that surround here. that devastating news confirmed first to her family and then by police this afternoon. on wednesday evening, detectives investigating the disappearance of sarah everard discovered a body and a formal identification procedure has been undertaken. i can now confirm that it is the body of sarah everard, and i just want to pause for a moment and say that my thoughts and prayers and those of the entire organisation remain with her. sarah was, according to herfamily, bright and beautiful, strong and principled, and she brought so much joy to their lives. she was just walking home. there was heavy police activity with forensic teams in the area behind the suspect�*s house in deal today, officers investigating a fellow officer on suspicion of sarah's murder. his home is 30 miles from where her body was found. and in dover, they focused on the garage where the suspect worked and that his family owned. there is a network of old military tuannels on the cliffs behind here. but questions for the metropolitan police. sarah everard disappeared last wednesday in south london. three days before she was last seen, the suspect, a police officer himself, was reported for allegedly exposing himself twice, in a fast—food restaurant also in south london. now two of his police colleagues are being investigated by the police watchdog for how they dealt with this. the metropolitan police is facing another four investigations by the police watchdog. two are connected to the arrest of its own officer on suspicion of murder and indecent exposure. one is about how the force responded when the first reports came in of sarah everard's disappearance, and the final one — how the suspect got a head injury that required hospital treatment when he was in a police cell on his own. for women everywhere, the disappearance of a woman just walking home has galvanised the demand for safer streets and despite covid, they want the right to hold a public vigil in memory and in anger. we have come together as a group of women who feel afraid of some of our public spaces, but also who feel angry that we ought to be afraid of those places. it's awful that it's taken such a tragic, tragic week to remind us that this is not acceptable. it has become notjust a police issue, but a political one. i totally understand why this has triggered such a wave of feeling on this issue, on the issue of safety of women and safety of the streets. a family's tragedy, but one felt by women everywhere. lucy manning reporting there. the latest coronavirus figures show 6,609 new infections were recorded in the latest 24—hour period, which means that on average the number of new cases reported per day in the last week is 5,855. across the uk, the number of patients in hospital with coronavirus is 8,404. there were 175 deaths reported, that's of people who died within 28 days of a positive covid—i9 test. on average, 155 people have died every day in the last were from coronavirus, taking the total across the uk, to 125,343. —— in the last week. over 260,000 people have had their first dose of a covid vaccine in the latest 24—hour period, which means 23.3 million people have had theirfirstjab, and now nearly 1.5 million, have had both doses, of the vaccine. some coronavirus restrictions are lifted in wales from tomorrow, allowing limited mixing of households and certain outdoor sports. from midnight the "stay at home" rule will be replaced by "stay local" and in addition, four people from two households can meet outdoors, including in private gardens. from monday, hairdressing appointments can resume but most nonessential retail will remain closed until 12 april. our wales correspondent, hywel griffith, reports from powys. after 12 weeks of shutdown, 12 weeks of staying at home, wales is at the beginning of the end of its longest lockdown. i look forward to seeing you. thank you, alun. yay! i haven't spoke to him for three months. i've missed my clients. it's the newsjoss and her customers have been waiting for. on monday, her barber shop can open again — next week is already fully booked. absolutely ecstatic. i've missed crickhowell, i've missed my clients, i've missed the banter, i've missed the other shop traders in town. yeah, i'm ecstatic. i can't wait to get back in. not that many of those other traders can open. you can have a haircut here next week, but the bookshop and clothes shop will be closed for a month. richard is annoyed that supermarkets will be allowed to sell non—essential goods in the meantime. it doesn't feel fair in the slightest for all the little independents, including ourselves, missing that opportunity to sell, especially over easter, so we've missed another chunk of key trading time. the welsh government doesn't have a road map out of lockdown or a long list of dates. instead, every three weeks, it suggests the areas — like nonessential retail — it wants to prioritize. that had led a lot of shops across wales to expect today would be the day they'd get the green light to reopen. the first minister insists there hasn't been a u—turn. i completely understand that if you're running such - a business you want to reopen, of course you do _ you want to be trading, _ you want to be with your customers. and i understand, you know, - the huge frustration there must be. there are very few guarantees... pubs, restaurants and cafes like emma's are also anxious for more information. today, she learned that she may be able to trade outdoors from late april. but there's no more detail, or a date. it's really frustrating, it's annoying. we need a road map, you know? we know that things may have to be moved because situations change. that's inevitable, that's life. but we need these dates in place. one day people can now celebrate is mother's day this sunday, as long as it's outdoors and at a distance. hopefully, more of us will be able to see our mums, which has been really difficult. it's difficult to try and keep distance still, but at least it's something. oh, well done! wales was the first of uk nations to enter this lockdown. now it's the first to move this far in easing restrictions, however uncertain that journey may be. hywel griffith, bbc news, crickhowell. scotland's coronavirus rules have been eased today. outdoor non—contact sports for adults in groups of up to 15 can take place, and up to four adults from two different households can meet in any outdoor space. up to four people aged from 12—17 can also all meet up, even if they're from different households. the prime minister has called for "balance" in the post—brexit trade arrangements in northern ireland. he was speaking on a visit to a vaccine centre with northern ireland's first minister, arlene foster. the government has faced criticism from within the eu for unliaterally extending until october, some grace periods of "light touch" regulation on goods arriving in northern ireland from great britain. i think the most important thing about the protocol is that it should guarantee the peace process and the good friday agreement, which we all believe in. everybody in ireland and the uk, and northern ireland has worked so hard to achieve. there's got to be symmetry in that, and what we want to ensure is that the protocol upholds the wishes of all communities, both communities, and has the consent of both. there's got to be in east—west consent to what's going on, as well as north—south. that's what we're doing, just trying to make sure that's built into it. but northern ireland's first minister has encouraged borisjohnson to ditch what she called the "intolerable" protocol altogether. our ireland correspondent emma vardy has given us this update from belfast. well, it was never going to be an easy visit for him, really, because on the one hand, many unionists feel very betrayed by borisjohnson having agreed to those brexit trading arrangements which now treat northern ireland differently from the rest of the uk. so, today, the first minister of northern ireland, arlene foster, reiterated the dup�*s opposition, calling those arrangements intolerable. and on the other hand, sinn fein's michelle o'neill refused to meet with borisjohnson altogether, saying that sinn fein had been long asking for a meeting to discuss brexit and other matters, and the party felt they still hadn't had that opportunityjust yet. now, borisjohnson's visit here today was actually to focus on meeting the medical teams that have been helping in the fight back against covid and to launch the programme of events to mark northern ireland's centenary, 100 years since the formation of this place. but while there's all this uncertainty and division over the irish sea border, relationships with the two biggest parties here will continue to be difficult, and rebuilding trust with unionists is going to be particularly hard. the uk's national cyber security centre has urged organisations to install the latest microsoft exchange server updates after flaws in the system were detected. as our cyber correspondentjoe tidy explains, microsoft says it actually became aware of the security holes earlier this month. microsoft announced last week this bombshell announcement that not only had they found four new flaws that were never before known about — these are called "zero—day exploits" — but also these exploits were being used by hacking groups. one of them was named as the chinese hacking group, this is a chinese state—sponsored group called hafnium. and the call went out to all companies around the world — this is, of course, hundreds of thousands of different organisations using this very popular way to send e—mails, to store e—mails and save them. and the call went out, "you need to patch your systems because these exploits, these vulnerabilities are being used by hacking the macro hacking groups." and then, very quickly it was revealed that it wasn'tjust one group in china using these vulnerabilities to attack companies, it was potentially ten other hacking groups who have somehow got a hold of the vulnerabilities, these techniques — or they've been gifted them, perhaps, that's one of the theories, by the chinese hacking group. of course, china itself will deny this. a planned vigilfor sarah everard hangs in the balance after a high courtjudge refused to make a declaration regarding the right to gather for protest under coronavirus restrictions. the organisers of the proposed reclaim these streets event had hoped to hold the event tomorrow evening. dominic casciani is our home affairs correspondent and was in court today. dominic, this was a unusually complicated ruling. can you talk us through what thejudge said? it is quite a complicated case. in essence, what the protesters were saying was that the metropolitan police had effectively failed to take into account the legally entrenched right to free speech and assembly by saying that any demonstration, any kind of visual to mark the memory of sarah everard would be in breach of the coronavirus lockdown regulations, which currently ban large gatherings. now when we got to court today, what the police said is that their policy didn't ban all gatherings, but they were deeply concerned about the possibility of a large—scale event in london and the health risks in relation to that. but we got to a situation where it effectively, thejustice but we got to a situation where it effectively, the justice said but we got to a situation where it effectively, thejustice said he couldn't make a formal ruling against the metropolitan police and the way they handled this application for a demonstration so far. and in effect, he left the door open for the claimants and the police to sit around a table and consider the human rights obligations the police have to consider whether or not protests can go on ahead. so that means we could potentially eat have some vigil in london... so that looks like it's a bit of a win for protesters. having said that, tonight scotland yard pushed back quite hard, saying the ruling has confirmed that police may conclude their intent to make attendance and the gathering could be unlawful. anyone looking to attend visuals this weekend should stay at home or find a lawful, safer way to express their views. that's the stance which might be held by the stance which might be held by the forces, but at the same time, we know that the organisers are talking, saying, "you've got to come forward now," and they need to reconsider topic where people can exercise their right to protest somewhat dominant, i understand that is difficult. is that likely to happen in terms of what could happen next? it’s happen in terms of what could happen next? �* , . , happen in terms of what could happen next? 3 ._ m happen in terms of what could happen next? �*, ., , '. ., happen in terms of what could happen next? �*, .y '. next? it's really difficult to say what's happening _ next? it's really difficult to say what's happening next. - next? it's really difficult to say what's happening next. the i what's happening next. the metropolitan police have considered that they are still speaking with organisers, but whether or not there will be a meeting of minds is very difficult to say. and critically, if the police actually give some kind of nuanced ruling, saying "we've considered your right to protest, but we still think this is not safe enough and presents a health risk," the question is, where will the organise that dutch organisers then go? would they seek some new court order to allow them to go ahead? would there and another similar protest in the uk? so it's an important moment to understand this difficult balance between the covid regulations and gatherings preventing the spread of virus, but also the right to protest. it looks like the ball is in the metropolitan police's court, but they also say they don't want people to come out somewhat dominant, let's leave it there for now, but thank you for your explanation. anna birley is one of the organisers of tomorrow's vigil. she's from the reclaim these streets group. and i'm alsojoined by dought street chambers barrister, pippa woodrow — she is working on the case. thank you both forjoining her on bbc news. anna, why is the right to hold this vigil so important here? the events of the past week have brought a really tragic spotlight on the fact that women don't feel safe, and that it's not ok. i think, well, i've yet to find a woman who has not experienced some form of harassment and wanted —— unwanted attention, violence or, you know, unpleasantness went out and about from men. and i think that as women, we internalise that, we think it's normal. we routinely rush home with our keys and our fists to make sure that we feel we can protect ourselves if attacked. and what this week has thrown into a really tragic perspective is that that shouldn't be normal, it's not right, and that the answer to violence against women cannot be that women behave differently. what happens— i live in south london, near the root sarah would've taken. around here, police were reportedly knocking on doors, suggesting that women should stay at home for their safety. and that sort of self imposed curfew doesn't sit right. we need to shift the conversation on from what can women do to keep themselves safe to, why do to keep themselves safe to, why do we have a society in which men attack women, and how do we stop that? , _, , ., that? pippa, ifi could 'ust ask ou, that? pippa, ifi could 'ust ask you. wheat that? pippa, ifi could 'ust ask you, where does h that? pippa, ifi could 'ust ask you, where does this _ that? pippa, ifi couldjust ask you, where does this now- that? pippa, ifi couldjust ask. you, where does this now leave that? pippa, ifi couldjust ask- you, where does this now leave you? well, we have been saying all along that protest is not banned. and what police _ that protest is not banned. and what police are _ that protest is not banned. and what police are required to do is to look at the _ police are required to do is to look at the particular circumstances of any given— at the particular circumstances of any given case, including the importance of the reasons that people — importance of the reasons that people are seeking to protest and how safe — people are seeking to protest and how safe it can be, balance that against — how safe it can be, balance that against the potential risk to public health. _ against the potential risk to public health, and decide what is proportionate. but up until the hearing — proportionate. but up until the hearing this afternoon, in effect, the police's position is that protest _ the police's position is that protest is subject to the ban for health— protest is subject to the ban for health reasons. the judge agreed and the metropolitan police and seated in the _ the metropolitan police and seated in the hearing that our position on the law— in the hearing that our position on the law is— in the hearing that our position on the law is right. so your correspondent is absolutely right, the ball— correspondent is absolutely right, the ball is— correspondent is absolutely right, the ball is now effectively in the mets _ the ball is now effectively in the met's court to tell the organisers how this — met's court to tell the organisers how this event can take place lawfully _ how this event can take place lawfully. and i'm aware that those conversations are ongoing. just lookinu conversations are ongoing. just lookin: at conversations are ongoing. just looking at the _ conversations are ongoing. jitst looking at the metropolitan police statement, it does say, "our message to those looking to attend visuals in london this week, including a clapham common, is to stay at home orfind a lawful, safer way to express your views. i understand this ruling will be a disappointment to those hoping to express their strength of feeling, but i ask women and allies across london to find a safe alternative." what are your plans, then? can ijust put that to pippa first, then i'll come back to you? pippa first, then i'll come back to ou? ., , ., , ., you? that statement is rather premature. — you? that statement is rather premature, because - you? that statement is rather premature, because in - you? that statement is rather| premature, because in reality, police — premature, because in reality, police have not yet looked at the facts _ police have not yet looked at the facts of — police have not yet looked at the facts of what is proposed and have not, facts of what is proposed and have not. we _ facts of what is proposed and have not, we say, taken a lawful decision related _ not, we say, taken a lawful decision related to _ not, we say, taken a lawful decision related to what was proposed. the conversation is ongoing as to how this can _ conversation is ongoing as to how this can happen in a safe way that is proportionate and respects the rights _ is proportionate and respects the rights to— is proportionate and respects the rights to make a right to protest for women and anybody else that wants— for women and anybody else that wants to — for women and anybody else that wants to come to this event. so the police _ wants to come to this event. so the police statement is both premature and disappointing in light of the fact that — and disappointing in light of the fact that the only reason we had to id fact that the only reason we had to go to— fact that the only reason we had to go to court— fact that the only reason we had to go to court was their position on the law— go to court was their position on the law thus far had been wrong and we hope _ the law thus far had been wrong and we hope that the conversations that are taking _ we hope that the conversations that are taking place will be cooperative and lead _ are taking place will be cooperative and lead to a event that can take place _ and lead to a event that can take place lawfully. but we'll wait that. anna, _ place lawfully. but we'll wait that. anna. if— place lawfully. but we'll wait that. anna. if i— place lawfully. but we'll wait that. anna, if i could ask you, we heard pippa talk about a safe way to hold the event. what would that look like? ~ the event. what would that look like? . ., , the event. what would that look like? . .,, , the event. what would that look like? well, as pippa said, the ball's in their _ like? well, as pippa said, the ball's in their court, - like? well, as pippa said, the ball's in their court, really. i like? well, as pippa said, the| ball's in their court, really. we have been proactive in reaching out to the police from day one, and we've consistently asked them to tell us what they would deem a safe way to exercise our right to come together in light of the events. and they've consistently not given us what that would look like, and they seemed willing to, and that's the point at which it pippa and her colleagues stepped in to help us. i know the other organisers are sitting through long zoom meetings trying to work out what that would look like with the mat. i think it's worth... just that, you know, the onusis worth... just that, you know, the onus is on the metropolitan police, certainly, but the onus is on every police force, there are at least 40 events that women have tried to plan across the country, probably more, that have just sprung up across the country, probably more, that havejust sprung up in response to this. and i know that the response from police forces in different areas has been very varied, and for some women it's been a much more difficult conversation than for others, and they're finding it very hard to engage with police, for the police to tell them what a safe way of exercising their right would look like. so i think it's worth also thinking outside ofjust the metropolitan police, and how these conversations are happening all over the country.— these conversations are happening all over the country. thank you both ve much all over the country. thank you both very much for— all over the country. thank you both very much for your _ all over the country. thank you both very much for your time. _ all over the country. thank you both very much for your time. you're - very much for your time. you're watching bbc news. the former british cycling and team sky chief doctor, richard freeman, has been found guilty of ordering the banned drug testosterone in 2011, "knowing or believing" it was to help to dope a rider. a medical tribunal here in the uk ruled freeman ordered the substance with the knowledge "it was to be administered to an athlete to improve their athletic performance". the verdict will cast a shadow over a glorious period for british cycling, when riders from the uk dominated the sport. dan roan reports. for a decade, british cycling has enjoyed a period of unprecedented success, dominating on both the road and track. for much of that time, richard freeman was the sport's top doctor, but two years after his medical tribunal began, today he was found to have ordered a banned drug to help to dope a rider. the big question is, which rider was the testosterone ordered for? it's seriously damaging. i'm not sure how british cycling and the sport can recover. the reputation of the sport in terms of management and governance is in tatters. the saga began in 2011 when freeman ordered 30 sachets of testogel to the sport's headquarters. six years later, having already left team sky, the medic resigned from british cycling. in 2019, he admitted to 18 general medical council charges, including initially lying to uk anti—doping, and last month he was charged by the agency with two anti—doping rule violations. freeman, who has been at the centre of a number of controversies in recent years, told the tribunal he ordered the testosterone to treat the erectile dysfunction of this man, former british cycling and team sky technical director shane sutton, who denied the claim. i got myself into an emotional state, because when you know that you're not lying and you are accused of lying, you get yourself worked up. pretty disappointed at the way i have been singled out and feel like i'm on trial. back in 2018, freeman told me he'd clear his name. i can clear everything up, but at the moment i am under investigation about my medicines management policy by the general medical council, and therefore i am not at liberty at the present time, due to respect for them, not to talk about it. but no wrongdoing? no wrongdoing. but today he learned the tribunal panel had found against him. the controversy sparked by the delivery of a banned performance enhancing drug here to the national velodrome, known as the medal factory, almost a decade ago, has hung over british cycling for years. the fear will be that today's ruling does lasting damage to the reputation of one of the country's most successful and best—funded sports. two years ago, amid mounting scrutiny, team sky became team ineos in what was seen as a fresh start, but british cycling's bid to move on from the past has just become harder. dan roan, bbc news. now it's time for a look at the weather with louise lear. hello there. it's been a pretty changeable story over the last couple of days with sunny spells and scattered sharp showers. that means that we've had a plethora of weather watcher rainbow photographs sent in. this is one of my favourite from loose in kent this afternoon. now, the showers really have been quite frequent the further north and west, and we've seen some wintriness to the tops of the mountains. but we have seen some sun moving through wales across the channel coast and into kent as well. the story through this evening, we'll actually see more wet weather as we see a weather front pushing its way steadily eastwards. that's going to enhance those showers, so longer spells of rain and still plenty of isobars with it. still a very windy night to come. now, where we've got some clearer skies in the far north of scotland, here temperatures perhaps low enough for a touch of light frost in sheltered rural areas, and still, with temperatures close to freezing, those showers here falling as snow. but elsewhere, we start off with sunny spells, scattered showers once again. most frequent showers the further west you are, and they will drift a little but further inland accompanied by a brisk westerly wind. in terms of the feel of things, highs of 7—10 celsius by the middle of the afternoon. moving out of saturday into sunday, we see an area of low pressure is still influencing the story as high—pressure is trying to build in from the southwest. this weather front toppling across that high, still producing more wet weather to come. so that means some rain once, again into northern ireland, gradually pushing its way into western scotland, northwest england and wales. but a relatively dry start for many on sunday, and in eastern areas, it should stay largely dry through much of the day. the winds will ease just a touch as well, and in the sunshine, 11 celsius should feel relatively pleasant, but unfortunately, the wet weather will sit out to the west. things are likely to change, though, into next week, as that high—pressure continues to build in from the west, quieting the weather story down, and that will come as welcome news, i suspect. so, there is the potential for some clearer skies to see some early frost, nothing too significant, but certainly worth bearing in mind if you're a gardener or a grower. but as we look ahead, largely fine and dry, on the cool side for the time of year, but some sunny spells to look forward to. this is bbc news with the latest headlines for viewers in the uk and around the world. a post—brexit reality check, as exports to the eu from britain drop by more than 40% injanuary — the largest monthly fall since records began. another kidnapping in northern nigeria, this time dozens of students are taken from a college in kaduna state at gunpoint. we'll have the latest details. the leaders of australia, india, japan and the united states — who call themselves �*the quad' — end their first—ever summit with a pledge to "re—double their commitment" to the alliance. and what's life like at the top of the world? we meet the last of the himalayan shepherds.