how to address the low conviction rates for rape and domestic abuse incidents? let me know your experiences and your solutions. email victoria@bbc.co.uk. coming up... every day this week, we are featuring some of the winning stories from the bbc young reporter competition. today we'll hear from 17—year—old hannah from south lanarkshire, who has been working in a care home during lockdown and reflects on the importance of helping others. and in half an hour... having a faulty gene that can lead breast cancer means many women and some men have to have mastectomoies to avoid the risk — now researchers have made a breakthrough that they hope could one day could save women from that unnecessary surgery. —— save people from that unnecessary surgery. hello and welcome if you're watching in the uk or around the world. the biggest member states of the eu have nowjoined the growing list of nations suspending use of the oxford astrazeneca vaccine because of worries about possible side—effects including blood clots. 17 million people have had the vaccine across the eu — just 37 of those have had blood clots. the world health organization, and the eu's own medicines regulator, say there is no justification for the temporary ban. germany, france, spain and italy are all taking the precautionary measure. and they nowjoin portugal, denmark, norway, bulgaria, iceland and slovenia. this morning sweden has also decided to pause jabs using the vaccine. the european medicines agency is reviewing information on the astrazeneca vaccine today, and holding another meeting on thursday. meanwhile, british scientists say the vaccine is safe. astrazeneca has also run its own tests and found no evidence of any issues. jim reed reports. 11 million people in the uk have already been given their first dose of the astrazeneca vaccine without any serious side effects emerging — but a growing number of other countries have now suspended its use after a small number of cases of blood clotting were recorded. medical regulators in both the uk and eu had said there is no evidence the clots were the result of being given the vaccine itself. manufacturer astrazeneca said the number of cases of blood clotting so far is no higher than doctors would expect in the general population in normal times. the government's scientific advisers say there is no reason to pause the roll—out in this country. reason to pause the roll-out in this count . , ., reason to pause the roll-out in this count . ., ., country. the message for analysis vaccine is safe _ country. the message for analysis vaccine is safe and _ country. the message for analysis vaccine is safe and effective, - country. the message for analysis vaccine is safe and effective, it. vaccine is safe and effective, it has saved thousands of elderly and vulnerable people's lights, we are determined to press on unless we see nature statistics suggesting otherwise, in which case we would be open and transparent with the public. open and transparent with the ublic. . ., , open and transparent with the ublic. . ., ._ , public. later today the safety committee — public. later today the safety committee of _ public. later today the safety committee of the _ public. later today the safety committee of the eu - public. later today the safety committee of the eu drugs i public. later today the safety - committee of the eu drugs agency will meet to review all the cases that have come to light so far. if it gives the green light, then other countries are likely to resume their vaccination programmes quickly. in the uk, the message from scientists is to take any coronavirus jab if offered as all the data so far show the risks of catching covid far outweigh the risks of a side effect from any vaccine. jim reed, bbc news. the foreign secretary dominic raab said british and eu regulators don't agree with suspending the vaccine. he says you should carry on getting the jab. it is safe, people should get the vaccine, and it's been very clear, both from the mhra — the uk regulator — that the risks of taking the vaccine are no more, in terms of, for example, for blood clots, than the population at large. there is no extra risk in the evidence that we have seen, which is why they have authorised the vaccine and haven't taken any further action. also replicated at the european level. the eu's own regulator has said there is no reason, no reason, no grounds to suspend taking the vaccine or the roll—out, and that is itself backed up by the world health organization, so this vaccine is safe. we respect the processes and procedures that some other countries may need to go through, but the vaccine is safe and people should certainly continue to take it to protect themselves and protect their friends and family. the eu's ambassador to the uk, joao vale de almeida, has said that the decision pause the vaccine is one for individual countries to make governments are worried, concerned and focused on the health and safety of citizens. and when doubts appear for whatever reason, i think the principle of precaution prevails. and some governments have decided to take action. i understand the european agency, the regulator, will come back to this issue in the light of concerns expressed by governments and citizens. so i think we should be very humble about this virus, and no one has the silver bullet and no one has the magic formula that will solve all these problems so we need to approach it in a very reasonable way. and when there are doubts i think the principle of precaution prevails. but i am hopeful that with a thorough assessment of risks we can evolve on this. our europe correspondent nick beake is following developments from brussels. we heard from the eu ambassador to london who addressed that criticism or that concern that maybe there were political implications behind some of these decisions which frankly have been quite baffling, i think, to astrazeneca and some other regulators, who insist this jab is completely safe. this morning the british foreign secretary has said it's crystal clear there is no substantial risk, but the eu ambassador to the uk was saying that if there are doubts then it's only right that precaution should prevail. but it is a really messy picture, isn't it? if you look around different european countries, in france on sunday, the prime minister was saying it is safe. yesterday president macron said it had been suspended. this morning, the health minister there saying that actually it is safe and people shouldn't have concerns. if you look at italy, where they have got a rise in the number of covid cases, they have also suspended the astrazeneca jab. this is a vaccine thatjust a couple of weeks ago they stopped 200,000 doses of it going to australia because they wanted to hold onto it for italian citizens, so it's a really messy picture. and coming up at 11:30 we'll be answering your questions on the astrazeneca vaccines with our health correspondent anna collinson. get in touch with the hashtag #bbcyourquestions, or you can email yourquestions@bbc.co.uk. borisjohnson will announce today how the uk will reshape its international priorities as it seeks to chart a course outside the european union. he'll unveil the detail of what's called the integrated review that's been going on for the past year into the uk's security, defence, development and foreign policy, including his vision for a post—brexit "global britain" and major changes to the uk's role in the world for the next decade. many things will be on the agenda, such as the uk's cyber ability money that is being invested in our military and britain's relations with china and russia. this morning, the foreign secretary dominic raab said we would be looking at the opportunities the uk will have as a liberal free trading nation. this will look at everything, from the £24 billion we are investing in our military, through our nuclear defences, right the way through to the new threats we face, whether it's climate change, pandemics, or the gangs and hostile states using cyber against us. it also looks at the opportunities we've got as a liberal, free trading nation with our tech and science base to create the jobs of the future for young people. it's a forward—looking approach and i think as we start to come through this pandemic, with the chancellor's budget, an opportunity notjust to manage the terrible threats we face with the pandemic but also to look at the enormous opportunities that the uk has in the world. the former mi6 chief sir alex younger told the today programme on radio 4 that china poses a generational threat. well, i'm not wanting to put this list in order, but there is no doubt that china represents a generational threat. and the reason for that is that the idea that china would become more like us as it got richer or as its economy matured is clearly for the birds, that is not going to happen. on the contrary, i expect the chinese communist party to double down on its ideology in the future, and there is going to be an ideological diversions between us. we can already see, and incidents in places like hong kong make it really vivid. and that's going to generate rivalry and reduce trust, and in that environment it's important that we stand up for what we believe in and we generate strength, most importantly, through sustaining our mastery of the key emerging technologies. with me now is our diplomatic correspondent james landale. what is all this about? if you think about it, britain's place in the world for many decades has been based on its relationship with the european union and united states. that is all changing because of brexit, to the government has said, what is the role of global britain now? one idea is geographical, we need to look elsewhere for new alliances, let's go to the indo pacific, whether fastest economies are growing, it is the geopolitical centre of the world, lots of opportunities for trade and diplomacy, security. and china is the big country, for good or ill, the big country, for good or ill, the uk has to address it. british foreign—policy has relied on the international system, the un until these organisations for many years, it needs to be punchier, have more self interest, british interests around the world, meaning beefing up its military, a theme or nukes, more spending on drones and cyber, and also the reason we are in countries like africa for example, trying to solve conflicts and spending age, it's because if you do not sort that you get failed state, meaning more jihadism and terrorism in the streets of the uk, more migration, people coming in from the boats across the channel. the government has put out a big report trying to explain how it will do that. i think viewers in the _ explain how it will do that. i think viewers in the uk _ explain how it will do that. i think viewers in the uk will _ explain how it will do that. i think viewers in the uk will be - explain how it will do that. i think viewers in the uk will be able - explain how it will do that. i think viewers in the uk will be able to i viewers in the uk will be able to see some of borisjohnson�*s speech this lunchtime on bbc news. the headlines on bbc news... european medical experts will meet today to discuss the oxford astrazeneca vaccine, after its rollout is halted across ten eu countries. the jab is safe according to the world health organisation and the british goverment. the prime minister will announce major changes to the uk's international priorities today, including moves to increase the size of britain's nuclear arsenal. more cctv, better street lighting and plain clothes police officers will be used to help improve safety in england for women and girls, after the killing of sarah everard. downing street has announced a series of measures aimed at improving safety in england for women and girls after the killing of sarah everard. ms everard went missing while walking home from a friend's house, and metropolitan police officer wayne couzens is due to appear in court today by videolink charged with her murder. the safeguarding minister said one of the government's proposals was called project vigilant, involving undercover police. dan johnson reports. chanting this reaction, this strength of feeling, isn'tjust about sarah everard's death, but the wider questions that have been raised about women's safety and the response of the police. yesterday, officers kept a low profile and a mostly hands—off approach, at the start of this gathering in parliament square. it went ahead despite the home secretary urging people to stick to covid regulations, and in defiance of the government's new policing bill, part of which will limit future protests. last night, the home office said it was already increasing the amount spent making our streets safer, from £20 million to £16 million. this investment will go on practical measures like increased and better lighting, more cctv, to try to give people that confidence that we really, really want to instil after last week's terribly, terribly sad events. labour says this extra money does not even cover the cuts made in the last decade, other groups say the funding is welcome but there are cultural issues to address, that there is misogyny in the policing, the courts, the criminaljustice system. last night's vigil moved to westminster bridge, downing street and the headquarters of london's metropolitan police. the organisation reclaim these streets says it has lost faith in the leadership of the force. officers did step in, telling people to keep moving and head home, orface fines for breaching lockdown rules. at the centre of all this, we cannot forget an innocent young woman, who was just walking home. sarah everard's death has already shaken this country, making us question how society works and whether it fairly protects everyone. danjohnson, bbc news, central london. a probationary met officer involved in the search for sarah everard has been removed from duties for allegedly sharing an "inappropriate graphic". the force said a graphic was shared via social media on friday and was reported by a number of officers who were concerned by its content. the constable had been deployed as a cordon officer supporting the search operation in kent, but they have been placed in a non—public facing role while inquiries continue. the met said it expected officers to behave professionally at all times, and a referral to the independent office for police conduct has been made. let's speak now to maya tutton, co—founder of our streets now, which campaigns for street harassment to be a criminal offence as well as for the issue to be part of the secondary school curriculum. maya, thank you for talking to us. your reaction to the measures announced by downing street last night? we announced by downing street last niuht? ~ . , u, night? we really welcome the recognition — night? we really welcome the recognition that _ night? we really welcome the recognition that public- night? we really welcome the recognition that public spaces| night? we really welcome the - recognition that public spaces are not safe and more needs to be done, and the recommendation that we cannot return to the new normal, as restrictions will start lifting, i think that this week and the wider conversation around #metoo has taught us that we deserve to be safe and feel safe in public space. but i think our streets now and plan uk, the campaign is about longer term legislative measures, we will be looking to the new violence against women and girls strategy to hopefully see longer term structural changes being implemented, because i think we can all recognise the problem here is not that streets are not well lit enough.— not well lit enough. there is much motivated. _ not well lit enough. there is much motivated, yes. _ not well lit enough. there is much motivated, yes. if _ not well lit enough. there is much motivated, yes. if street - not well lit enough. there is much l motivated, yes. if street assonance was made a criminal offence, why did you think that would reduce the level of street harassment towards women? i level of street harassment towards women? ~ , ., , women? i think it is really important _ women? i think it is really important to _ women? i think it is really important to highlight - women? i think it is really| important to highlight that women? i think it is really - important to highlight that there is no current legislation in place, what that means symbolically, the fact i cannot go to the police and there is not clear legislation in place for me to report this is really symbolic that public harassment is trivialised and normalised. i think for people of both genders to seekjustice is really important, which is why we think the current piecemeal and fragmented approach which often draws on antiquated laws to keep women safe in a public space is not enough, and on top of that we think that education is crucial, legislation can only be so effective without the tackling of the root of the problem, male violence against women, so at our streets now we are emphasising that cultural and legislative change must go together. when you say cultural change, what you mean? there are plenty of parents bringing up boys to be respectful, to understand the meaning of consent, what you mean by cultural change?— cultural change? some research was done which found _ cultural change? some research was done which found that _ cultural change? some research was done which found that one _ cultural change? some research was done which found that one in - cultural change? some research was done which found that one in three l done which found that one in three men had made sexually harassing comments at women, online or offline, in the last month, and that speaks to help reverse the sexual harassment is. although, yes, of course, many parents raise their children and their boys particularly to be kind and respectful, we need this reflected in the curriculum, we welcome the fact that sex education has been made compulsory in schools but we need public sexual harassment to be taught in those schools and taught as part of the problem. we did a survey which found only 14% of students had been taught about public sexual harassment, despite the fact that 97% of young women are sexually harassed, and i think everything is correct between the support students are getting in schools, the lessons they are being taught and what the reality of dinners on the way to school. plan international uk did a study which suggested a third of schoolgirls had been harassed in their school uniform, this is an ever present problem in schools need to support students through that experience and help us in the fight to prevent boys from other becoming perpetrators, because violence against women and girls is bad for all of society. what you think about the fact that, for example, in this country at some point in the future, you could get up point in the future, you could get up to ten years for damaging a statute but last month a man was jailed for five years. find statute but last month a man was jailed for five years.— jailed for five years. and his wife to death? i _ jailed for five years. and his wife to death? | think _ jailed for five years. and his wife to death? i think we _ jailed for five years. and his wife to death? i think we can - jailed for five years. and his wife to death? i think we can all- jailed for five years. and his wife | to death? i think we can all agree in the first week, we have been working on highlighting that violence against women and girls is not a priority. == violence against women and girls is not a priority-— not a priority. -- for strangling his wife to _ not a priority. -- for strangling his wife to death? _ not a priority. -- for strangling his wife to death? male - not a priority. -- for strangling l his wife to death? male violence not a priority. -- for strangling - his wife to death? male violence is not a priority _ his wife to death? male violence is not a priority for _ his wife to death? male violence is not a priority for parliament, - his wife to death? male violence is not a priority for parliament, our l not a priority for parliament, our laws, ourfunding. this is the time due to a line under that and say we cannot continue to excuse male violence, we cannot continue to have 97% of young women being sexually harassed. that is an outrageous figure. we are in the 23rd century, how can it be the case that i have a 3% chance of a 22—year—old woman of not being sexually harassed? == 3% chance of a 22-year-old woman of not being sexually harassed?- not being sexually harassed? -- we are in the 21st-century. _ not being sexually harassed? -- we are in the 21st-century. thank- not being sexually harassed? -- we are in the 21st-century. thank you, | are in the 21st—century. thank you, maya tutton, co—founder of our streets now. an old baileyjudge has set a traditional trial date of october 25 for the trial of pc wayne couzens, charged in connection with the kidnap and murder of sarah everard. his trial is due to go ahead at the old bailey on the 25th of october. more on coronavirus now, and new figures from the office for national statistics in the uk show deaths in the week ending march 5th were 3% above usual levels. there were 13,107 deaths registered — and a total of 2,279 involved covid—19. but that figure for covid was down by 920 on the previous week. statisticians advise that the weekly death figures can rise and fall by 5% due to chance variation — so this is within the "normal range" of deaths for early march in a non—pandemic year. and more figures from the ons — the number of people with covid antibodies has nearly doubled in the month to 3rd of march. about one—in—three people in the uk are estimated by the ons to have antibodies to coronavirus — evidence of recent immunisation or an infection. a month ago, the figure was about 18%. in france, the number of people in intensive care with covid—19 is at its highest level since late november. patients in the capital paris have been sent to other parts of the country to relieve the pressure on hospitals there, as france's prime minister says a third national lockdown remains a possibility. mark lobel reports. airborne assistance. a patient from paris touches down for life—saving treatment. one of dozens admitted here. translation: they arrived by special trains in the spring, - by helicopter in autumn, and each time, it is- a big mobilisation. inside this hospital in western france, things are feeling precarious. translation: it's| a duty of solidarity. right now, it's not very easy because since we are nearlyl saturated, or even already saturated, we have to find j solutions to increase our care capacity in intensive care. - the number of people in intensive care across france has reached its highest level since november. cases are rising once again, testing the limits of a 6pm nationwide curfew and closed restaurants and businesses. translation: we will likely have to make new decisions | in the coming days, based on those developments, l and i asked the governmentl to get to work so we can give citizens a timeframe - within the next few days. there are already weekend lockdowns in nice, and several towns along the french riviera. and restrictions further north in dunkirk, and pas de calais. there have been two national lockdowns — one a year ago last march, and a second in december. could there be a third in paris and the surrounding area? translation: i believe that we must not resort| to a lockdown, which is not out of the question. _ i say clearly, it is not out of the question, i but we must use all the weapons at our disposal to avoid - another lockdown. french pharmacies — the latest frontier in the fight against coronavirus — now opening their doors as vaccination centres. but, with a slow start, there are fears the country's death toll may begin to rise again soon, prompting the pressure for locking down again. mark lobel, bbc news. our paris correspondent hugh schofield has more on the possibility of more measures being introduced. for the paris area, there are grave forebodings about what might be announced in the coming days. the government has been walking this tight rope. it doesn't want general lockdowns any more. we've got this regional approach, as we reported. and the next bit of france in the firing line is definitely the paris area. the critical bed situation is getting very serious. they are having to move critical patients for other illnesses out of the paris region and the pressure, therefore, is on for measures here which might be comparable to those in nice. i wouldn't say we are waiting expectantly but we wouldn't be surprised if later this week there is either a weekend lockdown here in paris or maybe an earlier curfew, that's what people are talking about. but i don't think we are on the verge of a national lockdown, and that's not what they want. the government's policy is to walk this very fine crest between imposing measures on the one hand and bringing up vaccinations on the other, in the hope that in a month or so we will start moving into a downward phase of the virus. one of the countries which has suspended its use of the oxford astrazeneca vaccine is germany, and while other vaccines are in use there, that decision comes as the number of infections continues to rise. the latest daily figure shows an increase of nearly 5,500 on a week ago. a leading virologist has said that covid—19 cases are growing exponentially. germany has been relatively slow in getting its vaccination programme up and running, and, so far, has only given just over 3% of the population a jab. it's thought that more than 40,000 people across the uk should have started cancer treatment last year, but didn't because of the pandemic. now 47 leading charities have come together to tell radio one's newsbeat that the backlog needs to be cleared quickly — or the cancer survival rate could fall for the first time in decades. the department of health and social care says the treatment of cancer remains a "top priority", as christian hewgill reports. singing. george is a musical theatre student, thought to be the youngest person in the uk ever to be diagnosed with oesophageal cancer. like many, he saw his treatment options limited by the pandemic. we were considering surgery at one point because i was doing so well. because of the pandemic, they didn't want to operate and put me in intensive care or anything like that, and put me at higher risk of catching covid and getting extremely ill from it. so it's upsetting that something that is completely out of your control and that affected the whole world, just affected you in that slight bit, and you do have that slight bit of, what if the pandemic wasn't around? how seriously have cancer patients like yourself been affected by this pandemic? when you have cancer, especially when, in my situation, where everything is unknown and they don't really have a set treatment plan and they don't know how long i will be on treatment for or need treatment for, having lots of options is your positive thing, and suddenly when one gets taken away it's a bit... it's quite worrying, yeah. the warnings from the 47 cancer charities is that it could take months, if not years, to clear what they are calling the cancer backlog. that's helping people like george, who have had their treatment options defected or limited by the pandemic, but also reaching out to the potentially thousands of people who might be living with cancer without even realising it, because it's not even been diagnosed yet. we face a backlog of 41,000 people who have not had the treatment they would have got in a normal year. it's a terribly serious problem because we could have the prospect of cancer survival reducing for the first time in decades here in the uk. the charities want to see more money spent on cancer care in the uk and an increase in staff to tackle the backlog, which doesn't just refer to people who still have cancer. there are also those whose lives are being affected despite being given the all clear. the cancer treatment i've had over the years has caused a condition called avascular necrosis, which is essentially bone death. i am very restricted in mobility, i sufferfrom horrendous pain and it does affect my day to day life. i'm not a normal 24—year—old by any means. normally the treatment for this would joint replacement surgery as soon as possible, but because of the pandemic i've been unable to have those operations. the government says cancer diagnosis and treatment has been a top priority during the pandemic and it has referred nearly 2 million people for urgent treatment between march of last year and january. just a heart full of dreams and a body full of chemo. there you go! with me, unfortunately, it's kind of see how we go. see how we go on chemotherapy, if chemotherapy stops working or slows down or anything like that, we have a few other options. there is another type of chemotherapy i can go on. the pandemic has made george's situation more complicated and while surgery isn't an option for now, he is still full of hope. we just take every day as it comes and make the plan as we go along, really. christian hewgill, bbc news. the headlines on bbc news... european medical experts will meet today to discuss the oxford/astrazeneca vaccine after its rollout is halted across some eu countries. the jab is safe according to the world health organisation and the uk government. this vaccine is safe. we respect the processes and procedures that some other countries may need to go through, but the vaccine is safe and people should certainly continue to take it. we are taking you to the king edward vii hospital in london, where the duke of edinburgh is leaving after 28 nights in hospital. our reporter helena wilkinson is there. what can you tell us?— you tell us? yes, victoria. in the last couple _ you tell us? yes, victoria. in the last couple of— you tell us? yes, victoria. in the last couple of moments, - you tell us? yes, victoria. in the last couple of moments, a - you tell us? yes, victoria. in the last couple of moments, a car. you tell us? yes, victoria. in the last couple of moments, a car is| last couple of moments, a car is leaving right now from this hospital in central london, where the duke of edinburgh has spent the last month. we haven't seen him in the car but there has been a huge police presence here just after nine o'clock. police outriders arrived at the hospital. there have been police officers dotted around at various corners on the streets around the hospital. what we saw in the last half an hour or so, down the rear entrance to the hospital, down the mews, where prince philip was taken in when he arrived a month or so ago, some screens were put up to obscure the view. as you can well imagine, a huge number of photographers were waiting to see if they could get a glimpse of prince philip leaving the hospital. he was not seen as far as we know beyond those screens, so whether he was taken into the car in a wheelchair perhaps, we don't know that at this stage. i think we can expect a palace statement at some point in the next hour or so. the expectation is that if it is the duke of edinburgh that has left a hospital then he will go back to windsor castle, which is where he has been isolating with the queen for the past year or so. in the last couple of minutes we have seen a car leaving the hospital. i think we can assume it would have been the duke of edinburgh, given the increased police presence here at the hospital and those screens going up to stop photographers getting a glimpse of prince philip. but we have not had any formal confirmation from the palace. i think if he goes back to windsor castle, which is the expectation, i think when he arrives back there then perhaps we will get some confirmation from buckingham palace. the duke of a neighbour has spent one month here at the hospital. you will remember he went on on february 16, originally going on on february 16, originally going on as a precaution because he was feeling a little unwell. we were told he was brought to the hospital for tests and was expected initially to stay for a couple of days but that extended and he was then, we are told the following week, being treated for an infection. he was then transferred to a specialist nhs cardiac hospital, which had an excellent cardiac department, saint bartholomew is, which is where the duke of edinburgh had a successful procedure to do with a pre—existing heart condition, and he was also continued to be treated for an infection. after that he was brought back here to the king edward vii hospital here in central london and we were told he would only stay for a number of days but that extended somewhat. but in the last couple of minutes or so we now understand the duke of edinburgh has left the king edward vii hospital here in central london after spending a month here, expected to go back to windsor castle, where the queen is, where they have been isolating for the past year. but we have not had official confirmation from the palace yet. official confirmation from the palace yet-— official confirmation from the alace et. ,, ., ., palace yet. we can speak to our ro al palace yet. we can speak to our royal correspondence _ palace yet. we can speak to our royal correspondence nicholas l royal correspondence nicholas witchell. we haven't seen him in the car leaving but we would assume that was him leaving on the treatment has been successful. i was him leaving on the treatment has been successful.— been successful. i think we can assume it _ been successful. i think we can assume it was _ been successful. i think we can assume it was him. _ been successful. i think we can assume it was him. but - been successful. i think we can assume it was him. but it - been successful. i think we can assume it was him. but it is . been successful. i think we can | assume it was him. but it is not confirmed by buckingham palace and i'm sure it will be half an hour or so until they get him safely back to windsor castle before they confirm that. but all the evidence, the special escort, the police outriders, the royal vehicles, the fact a screen was put up, you can just see the top of a head rather slowly going across into one of those vehicles, which then departed from the hospital. and yes, i think its reassuring news. he is clearly well enough now after 28 nights in hospital since admission on 16th february, went in originally feeling unwell on the advice of doctors. four nights at saint barts operable for an unspecified surgical procedure, treatment for an unspecified pre—existing heart condition. we know more than that —— like we know no more than that. what happened evidently appears to have been successful and we think, not confirmed, but we think he is now back to windsor where in just about 12 weeks he will celebrate his 100th birthday. 12 weeks he will celebrate his 100th birthda . . �* , g birthday. that's right, in june. the queen has — birthday. that's right, in june. the queen has not _ birthday. that's right, in june. the queen has not seen _ birthday. that's right, in june. the queen has not seen him _ birthday. that's right, in june. the queen has not seen him face - birthday. that's right, in june. the queen has not seen him face to i birthday. that's right, in june. the l queen has not seen him face to face for a month. queen has not seen him face to face fora month. prince queen has not seen him face to face for a month. prince charles was the only visitor stop yo that's right for. ., , . ., ., only visitor stop yo that's right for. . . . . ., , for. has carried on. the thing is that at no _ for. has carried on. the thing is that at no stage _ for. has carried on. the thing is that at no stage has _ for. has carried on. the thing is that at no stage has there - for. has carried on. the thing is that at no stage has there been| that at no stage has there been serious concern. obviously with someone being so close to 100, there would be some concern, but there has been no outward sign of sharp concern. there was no outward sign this showed a sharp decline in his health. we believe this to be the car into which the duke of edinburgh stepped from the hospitaljust a few moments ago and one must assume that that vehicle is now on its way to windsor castle where the queen has been, throughout these 28 days since he was first admitted on the 16th of february. just a glimpse of one of the motorcycle outriders at the end. white make some good news, thank you to nicholas witchell, royal correspondent. let's get more now on the story that 11 countries — including france and germany — have suspended the use of the oxford/astrazeneca coronavirus vaccine. the world health organisation says there's no link between the jab and blood clots. so is the vaccine unsafe? earlier i spoke to natasha loder, health policy editor at the economist who was adamant it is safe to use. there is no problem with the vaccine had no problem with blood clots. that's what the data is telling us. so why are all of these european countries pausing the roll—out? i feel there is a social contagion, because there were some blood clots seen in one or two countries they felt the need to suspend it in those countries, and then other countries looked at their neighbours and thought, maybe we should the same, but i do not think these decisions are based on reality. the person you just spoke to was talking about the precautionary principle, which in itself i do not think applies in this instance. so social contagion rather than actual data to support what they are doing? yes, absolutely. the guy you interviewed said we are taking this precautionary principle even though there is no data to support it. we are just being careful. well, what it means is, to avoid doing harm when you are uncertain. but we are certain the pandemic is killing people and harming people, any move to suspend the vaccine will not only stop people from getting vaccines that will save their lives but will also undermine confidence in the vaccine. people take vaccines when they are confident in them, so the very act of suspending them, even though i am sure it will be reversed, will cause damage. the figures are extraordinary, 17 million people across the eu have had the oxford astrazeneca vaccine, there have been 37 reports of blood clots. i can see you smiling, you think that is absurd? it isa it is a massive eye roll. what on earth are these countries thinking? this is going to be refuted at some point and then they will have a mountain to climb, there is already a miasma of uncertainty around the vaccine in europe because of very foolish comments made about whether it worked in the elderly in one newspaper, and even though the comments were completely untrue it created a climate of uncertainty about the vaccine, and now we have this story too. we know what happens when people lose confidence in vaccines, japan is a great example, in 2013 there were reported side—effects, widely reported in the media, the japanese government withdrew its support for the vaccine and girls have not been getting vaccines since then, and you can count the number of dead women that will cause. this is the problem you have when governments do not support a vaccine when there is no evidence to suggest they should change their views. so leaders who are opposing the use of this vaccine, are they risking lives? absolutely, because when they change their mind, what will they say? "we investigated and found no relationship." but forever there will be the connection between blood clots at astrazeneca, we saw this with autism and mmr, there are still outbreaks of measles to this day in parts of europe by people who start getting worried again that it causes autism. it doesn't. but you can't eradicate these stories as easily as you can create these connections. we know this. and coming up at 11:30 we'll be answering your questions on the astrazeneca vaccines with our health correspondent anna collinson. get in touch with the hashtag #bbcyourquestions — or you can email yourquestions@bbc.co.uk any moment we will talk to a young woman who had to make a really difficult decision about whether to have a mastectomy because she has what is described as a faulty brca gene, which can lead to many women and some men getting breast cancer. there is some new research being donein there is some new research being done in cambridge, which hopefully could mean some people could avoid such unnecessary surgery. here is richard wescott. it's research that could one day help spot which women are most at risk of breast cancer. we all have brca genes in our bodies, but if they are faulty in a woman, they are much more likely to get the disease. these cambridge scientists have found what may be the earliest sign things are going wrong. if you look at the tissue when it is normal, you can see the branching is quite bare. that's healthy breast tissue? that is healthy breast tissue. whereas if you have the faulty gene then all of a sudden you can see the appearance of all these blobs in the tissue. this is not supposed to be there. it does look totally different. so that blotchiness is effectively the beginnings of cancer? yes, these are the structures that will develop towards cancer. five in every 1000 people have this faulty gene. finding out leaves women with a binary choice — risk getting ill or have your breasts removed. eleanor had a preventative double mastectomy after her mum and aunt got cancer in their 30s. she set up a lingerie business in kings lynn for cancer survivors. i really felt at the time, given that there was no realistic screening for me, that my option really was to go ahead and take preventative measures. if the landscape is different and if women had access to a reliable way of screening, and catching precancerous changes, then i think that may well change decisions for people. funded by cancer research uk, the long—term goal here is a blood test giving women much better information. not everyone goes on to develop breast cancer. and some only develop breast cancer very late in their life. if we had a way of monitoring women over their life span, and tell them, now is a good time to take surgery, then this would obviously allow women to make much more choice. women to make s much more informed choice. women to make a much more informed choice. interestingly, similar changes happen in the breast when you are pregnant to help you make milk, but that's healthy. outside of pregnancy, though, it can be dangerous. a revelation they were not expecting. it actually makes sense when you think about it that these cells are specialised to go down that road. it's possible just a mutation pushes them that way in the absence of a normal pregnancy, so it's an exciting find and it's telling us something about the biology. lots more research is still needed but by finding these early signs they hope thousands of women could one day be spared unnecessary surgery. well, in a moment we'll be speaking to lana sophie, who tested positive for the brca gene earlier this year — but first let's take a look at a video lana posted on her social media accounts to raise awareness of the difficult decision she and many other women face. as a lot of you know, my mum is currently undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer and, honestly, she is doing so fantastically. better than i could have ever hoped. so when i shared the news on breast cancer awareness month, i told you all a little about the brca gene that is very prevalent in the ashkenazi jewish gene pool. usually i would be far too young to be tested at only 25, as testing usually isn't done until your mid to late 30s. but since my mum has a positive cancer diagnosis, i was a special case. it wasn't as straightforward as just wham, bam, put a needle in my arm. you have to go through a full psychological evaluation, because the results can obviously have a huge impact on your life, knowing one way or the other. but, in my mind, knowledge is power. and we can speak to lana now. good morning, hello. hello, how are ou? ve good morning, hello. hello, how are you? very well. _ good morning, hello. hello, how are you? very well, thank _ good morning, hello. hello, how are you? very well, thank you _ good morning, hello. hello, how are you? very well, thank you for- you? very well, thank you for talkin: you? very well, thank you for talking to _ you? very well, thank you for talking to us. _ you? very well, thank you for talking to us. where - you? very well, thank you for talking to us. where are - you? very well, thank you for talking to us. where are you. you? very well, thank you for i talking to us. where are you out with your testing? i talking to us. where are you out with your testing?— talking to us. where are you out with your testing? i have done all my evaluations. _ with your testing? i have done all my evaluations. i— with your testing? i have done all my evaluations. i have _ with your testing? i have done all my evaluations. i have had - with your testing? i have done all my evaluations. i have had my i with your testing? i have done all. my evaluations. i have had my test results and spoken to my genetics counsellor, who has been fantastic throughout the whole thing. i am currently in the process ofjust waiting for the go ahead with the surgery to get the double mastectomy. due to the coronavirus pandemic, the waiting list is a bit longer than usual but it's fine, and we will move. longer than usual but it's fine, and we will move-— longer than usual but it's fine, and we will move. ~ . , ., , we will move. what gene did you test ositive we will move. what gene did you test positive for? — we will move. what gene did you test positive for? i — we will move. what gene did you test positive for? i was _ we will move. what gene did you test positive for? i was positive _ we will move. what gene did you test positive for? i was positive for - we will move. what gene did you test positive for? i was positive for the - positive for? i was positive for the brca-2 gene _ positive for? i was positive for the brca-2 gene which _ positive for? i was positive for the brca-2 gene which is _ positive for? i was positive for the brca-2 gene which is pretty - brca—2 gene which is pretty prevalent in the ashkenazi gene pool prevalent in the ashkenazi gene ool. ., . pool. how are you feeling about the --rosect pool. how are you feeling about the prospect of — pool. how are you feeling about the prospect of a _ pool. how are you feeling about the prospect of a double _ pool. how are you feeling about the prospect of a double mastectomy? | pool. how are you feeling about the | prospect of a double mastectomy? i definitely went through some phases. i myself am super body positive and without sounding conceited, i like how i look, i love how i look naked. it took me a long time to get to that point. i think growing up we are surrounded by so much body positivity and sex positivity, when i first got the news i was quite heartbroken, notjust because it was my health at risk, but it was almost like i had to lose quite a large part of my identity that had taken me a long time to learn to love. you said the ashkenazi gene pool, what do you mean by that? in said the ashkenazi gene pool, what do you mean by that?— do you mean by that? in judaism there are two — do you mean by that? in judaism there are two different _ do you mean by that? in judaism there are two different sectors. i there are two different sectors. ashkenazi is one of them, which is more eastern european. thousands of years ago, the ashkenazi jewish people were everything from germany, poland, russia and things like that. there is a higher prevalence of brca genes in ashkenazi jewish there is a higher prevalence of brca genes in ashkenazijewish people? yes, i believe so. tell genes in ashkenazi jewish people? yes, i believe so.— yes, i believe so. tell us about our yes, i believe so. tell us about your mother — yes, i believe so. tell us about your mother first _ yes, i believe so. tell us about your mother first being - yes, i believe so. tell us about i your mother first being diagnosed yes, i believe so. tell us about - your mother first being diagnosed in your motherfirst being diagnosed in 2014 and how it led to you the decision to take the test for you? it was actually my grandfather, we found it by mistake the test for you? it was actually my grandfather, we found it by mistake was that it as a man, and ashkenazijewish man, with breast cancer, that was a very high chance that he was positive for brca. his mother actually passed away from i believe breast cancer when she was quite young, so because of that my mum, my aunties and uncle were all tested. a few of them came back positive and a few of them negative. with the negative, the line does end but with a positive diagnosis it can be passed down to children. my mum had the preventative data but i apologise, the cervical preventative operation pretty much straightaway. but the breast surgery, the mastectomy, is a much larger and much more invasive procedure, shows she didn't really want to go into something so invasive. it's almost like we are kicking ourselves, why didn't you when you had the chance because several years later she was diagnosed positive for breast cancer. but i can honestly say she has had to the breast removed and she has done, i can't even begin to tell you how fantastically she is doing. she looks absolutely amazing, she is coping so well with the chemotherapy.— she is coping so well with the chemotherapy. that's brilliant to hean chemotherapy. that's brilliant to hear- when _ chemotherapy. that's brilliant to hear. when you _ chemotherapy. that's brilliant to hear. when you first _ chemotherapy. that's brilliant to hear. when you first found - chemotherapy. that's brilliant to hear. when you first found out i chemotherapy. that's brilliant to l hear. when you first found out you had the gene, how did it feel? were you trying to psychologically prepare for it being a yes? i very much believe _ prepare for it being a yes? i very much believe in _ prepare for it being a yes? i very much believe in manifestation, l prepare for it being a yes? i very. much believe in manifestation, so prepare for it being a yes? i very i much believe in manifestation, so if i believe i tell myself something off then it's true. i thought, everything will be fine, but i guess ijust got everything will be fine, but i guess i just got unlucky this time because normally i'm quite good at those things. when i got it, it was almost matter—of—fact. i read it off a piece of paper and it was a fact. it took a little bit of time to process. that's kind of why i made the video. i disappeared for months because i needed the time to not only work out what i want to do and what the next logical step to work for me but to ensure i had time to process mentally, physically and emotionally. process mentally, physically and emotionally-— emotionally. what have you considered _ emotionally. what have you considered when _ emotionally. what have you considered when it - emotionally. what have you considered when it comes l emotionally. what have you| considered when it comes to emotionally. what have you - considered when it comes to you having your own children because obviously there is the possibility you could pass the gene on to them. of course. in my opinion, knowledge is power, 100%. if i can prevent that happening to someone else then why wouldn't i? i understand that it's not a super easy situation there is something called pdg, similar to ivf, there is something called pdg, similarto ivf, but there is something called pdg, similar to ivf, but they take the eggs out and find out whether they are brca positive or negative and then re—implant them. again, it is a bit gruelling on the body, it is not sunshine and daisies, it's not the most pleasant thing in the whole world, but if i can give my child or my future children the best opportunities then i think everyone would do the same thing. why wouldn't i? would do the same thing. why wouldn't i?— wouldn't i? you are doing an incredible — wouldn't i? you are doing an incredible job _ wouldn't i? you are doing an incredible job of _ wouldn't i? you are doing an incredible job of raising - wouldn't i? you are doing an - incredible job of raising awareness on this, absolutely brilliant. i know you have had so much support after posting your video on social media, so good luck and thank you so much. thank you and take care. german car—maker volkswagen is the latest to commit to an all—electric future, as it competes with newer rivals like tesla. the firm — whose brands also include audi, bentley and porsche — says it will invest 35 billion euros into electrification over the next five years and another 37 billion euros into new software and battery technology. our buessines presenter has the details on all of this now. ben thompson? good morning to you. volkswagen are the latest to join that battle for electric supremacy, as our habits change and more of us look to electric vehicles in the future. a big commitment on their part after what has been a very tough time for volkswagen. it was involved in that diesel scandal, but also the last year has been pretty tough for all car—makers with showrooms closed and factories shut down, struggling to make much profit. because they are a global brand with so many different brands under the volkswagen umbrella, they have been perhaps a little less exposed than others. we can get the thoughts ofjim holder, the editorial director of what car and auto car magazines. electric is the future, we know that from all the future, we know that from all the big car—makers. a lot of them having to contend with this and there is a lot of competition so where is volkswagen? it's taking some of the traditional firm is quite a up to speed. absolutely. the established car-makers _ quite a up to speed. absolutely. the established car-makers have - quite a up to speed. absolutely. the| established car-makers have perhaps established car—makers have perhaps been left _ established car—makers have perhaps been left in _ established car—makers have perhaps been left in the wake of the likes of tesla — been left in the wake of the likes of tesla over recent years but what's — of tesla over recent years but what's clear now is they are accelerating and looking to come through — accelerating and looking to come through. the whole car market is moving _ through. the whole car market is moving towards electrification. it is probably on a ten or 15 year glide — is probably on a ten or 15 year glide path _ is probably on a ten or 15 year glide path to full electrification. what _ glide path to full electrification. what volkswagen is betting big on, and perhaps bigger than many of its significant _ and perhaps bigger than many of its significant rivals, is getting leadership in electrification and getting — leadership in electrification and getting cars out onto the market. to -ive getting cars out onto the market. to give you _ getting cars out onto the market. to give you an — getting cars out onto the market. to give you an idea of the scale of their— give you an idea of the scale of their investment, 35 billion euros over five — their investment, 35 billion euros over five years. tesla, regarded as a leader. _ over five years. tesla, regarded as a leader. are — over five years. tesla, regarded as a leader, are spending around 1.5 billion_ a leader, are spending around 1.5 billion every year in research and development, so it dwarfs their ambitions. they look set to ensure a place _ ambitions. they look set to ensure a place at _ ambitions. they look set to ensure a place at the — ambitions. they look set to ensure a place at the top table when it comes to electrification. we place at the top table when it comes to electrification.— to electrification. we mentioned in the introduction, _ to electrification. we mentioned in the introduction, a _ to electrification. we mentioned in the introduction, a lot _ to electrification. we mentioned in the introduction, a lot of— the introduction, a lot of investment in things like battery technology. for many consumers, they will look at cars and think, they are quite expensive right now because they have batteries in and that's what's expensive. but also how far the battery will get you. can we do long journeys on batteries or will i have to charge every... halfway up the country will i have to plug in and wait? brute halfway up the country will i have to plug in and wait?— halfway up the country will i have to plug in and wait? we are waiting for significant _ to plug in and wait? we are waiting for significant announcements. - to plug in and wait? we are waiting | for significant announcements. they are looking — for significant announcements. they are looking at a whole new concept of battery— are looking at a whole new concept of battery production and recycling. they are _ of battery production and recycling. they are looking at to reduce costs by half _ they are looking at to reduce costs by half within the next 5—10 years. at the _ by half within the next 5—10 years. at the moment a battery costs around 10,000 _ at the moment a battery costs around 10,000 euros in a car. if they can -et 10,000 euros in a car. if they can get that— 10,000 euros in a car. if they can get that down to 5000 then you are looking _ get that down to 5000 then you are looking at— get that down to 5000 then you are looking at a point where it is probably— looking at a point where it is probably priced with parity of a combustion engine car today, wiping out the _ combustion engine car today, wiping out the premium people have to buy at the _ out the premium people have to buy at the moment for an electric vehicle — at the moment for an electric vehicle. they also in infrastructure. they have put money infrastructure. they have put money in for— infrastructure. they have put money in for 18,000 fast electric charges which _ in for 18,000 fast electric charges which will— in for 18,000 fast electric charges which will significantly open up the number— which will significantly open up the number of— which will significantly open up the number of people who can use electric— number of people who can use electric cars.— number of people who can use electric cars. that charging issue is such a big _ electric cars. that charging issue is such a big one. _ electric cars. that charging issue is such a big one. we _ electric cars. that charging issue is such a big one. we have - electric cars. that charging issue | is such a big one. we have talked about this before, it is a bit of a chicken and egg thing, who is responsible for putting in charging points and is there enough demand for them and what happens when there is so much demand you will have to be queueing to get to one? i is so much demand you will have to be queueing to get to one?- be queueing to get to one? i think volkswagen _ be queueing to get to one? i think volkswagen are _ be queueing to get to one? i think volkswagen are taking _ be queueing to get to one? i think volkswagen are taking initiative. l volkswagen are taking initiative. 0ther— volkswagen are taking initiative. other car—makers volkswagen are taking initiative. other car— makers have volkswagen are taking initiative. other car—makers have done similar things— other car—makers have done similar things but— other car—makers have done similar things but volkswagen are looking to move even— things but volkswagen are looking to move even faster. they are not going to rely— move even faster. they are not going to rely on— move even faster. they are not going to rely on governments or infrastructure providers to fund these _ infrastructure providers to fund these charging points. they will act to put _ these charging points. they will act to put their— these charging points. they will act to put their own money in, with association _ to put their own money in, with association with other big players like bp, _ association with other big players like bp, and in orderto try association with other big players like bp, and in order to try to short— like bp, and in order to try to short cut _ like bp, and in order to try to short cut that, to ensure when they build _ short cut that, to ensure when they build cars— short cut that, to ensure when they build cars customers will come to them _ build cars customers will come to them. ., , ., ., build cars customers will come to them. . , ., them. really good to get your thou . hts them. really good to get your thoughts this _ them. really good to get your thoughts this morning - them. really good to get your thoughts this morning to - them. really good to get your thoughts this morning to stop| them. really good to get your - thoughts this morning to stop thank you tojim holder, editorial director at what car and auto car magazines. so it seems the future is electric. ., ., magazines. so it seems the future is electric. . ,, , ., ., electric. thank you. on the oxford astrazeneca _ electric. thank you. on the oxford astrazeneca vaccine, _ electric. thank you. on the oxford astrazeneca vaccine, the - electric. thank you. on the oxford astrazeneca vaccine, the advisory| astrazeneca vaccine, the advisory panel will release a statement after it has reviewed its data. in the last 20 minutes the duke of edinburgh, prince philip, left the private hospital where he has spent some of the last 28 nights, across to hospitals, treated for an infection and had a heart procedure, which was successful. he is now leaving, and on his way back to windsor castle. you are watching bbc news. let's bring you a look at the weather with matt taylor. hello. the skies may remain a little bit on the grey side for one or two of you this afternoon, but the vast majority, we should all see some sunshine, much like we did, developed this morning across parts of scotland. it has been one of those brightening up days, i think, for many. out there, though, at the moment, we still have plenty of cloud across the southern half of england and wales, the odd spot of light rain and drizzle, which has become confined to southernmost counties and the channel islands, but even here, there could be some breaks. but longerskies, longer spells of blue skies across the rest of the country. a bit of a blustery wind, but it is a reasonably mild wind compared to what we have been used to of late. and just take a note of these temperatures this afternoon, above where we should be for the time of year by some margin, 16 degrees in parts of south—east wales and to the south and east of the lake district. 16 is 61 in fahrenheit. it will turn chilly again this evening under clear skies and light winds for many. a bit more cloud towards east anglia and the south—east, a tiny bit more cloud in the north of scotland. that stops temperatures dropping away too much. but with clear skies elsewhere, some mist and fog patches and temperatures only a few degrees above freezing for some. so there could be a bit of frost on the ground and the cars first thing. high pressure, though, is still always dominating things. it is a little bit further westwards as we going to wednesday, but it is close enough to keep just about all dry. on the fringes of our high—pressure system we will see clouds float down east anglia and the south—east, one or two passing showers, and more cloud tomorrow for scotland and northern ireland compared to today. but still a dry day for the majority, sunny spells, not feeling as warm, although 14, 15 is still possible for south wales and south—west england. now, as you go through into thursday, high—pressure moves further west a little bit more. so more of a breeze developing again, north to north—easterly breeze eventually, and that will be most noticeable down these eastern coasts where we will see more cloud for eastern england, some outbreaks of rain along coastal counties as well. further west you are, you will stay dry through the day and some breaks in the cloud, shelter from that breeze with a bit of sunshine. it is going to stay cool, though, down those eastern coasts, and as we go into the end of the week into the weekend, it is a near miss for the real cold weather, the blues showing well below—average temperatures across much of europe, really only parts of norway, scotland and ireland will see above—average temperatures towards the end of the week. and here we should stay dry, by and large. in fact, for most of us, friday, saturday and sunday, we will hold on to predominantly dry conditions. fair amounts of cloud and a little bit of sunshine too. bye for now. this is bbc news. i'm joanna gosling. the headlines at 11.00am: the duke of edinburgh leaves hospital in central london, four weeks after being admitted for an infection and undergoing a heart procedure. european medical experts are meeting today to discuss the oxford/astrazeneca vaccine after its roll—out is halted across some eu countries. the jab is safe, according to the world health organization and the uk government. this vaccine is safe. we respect the processes and the procedures that some other countries may need to go through, but the vaccine is safe and people should certainly continue to take it. at 11.30am we'll be answering your questions on the astrazeneca vaccines with our health correspondent anna collinson. do get in touch. the prime minister will announce major changes to the uk's international priorities today, including moves to increase the size of britain's nuclear arsenal. more cctv, better street lighting and plain clothes police officers will be used to help improve safety in england for women and girls after the killing of sarah everard. in the last half—hour, the duke of edinburgh has left king edward vii hospital in central london after a month of treatment — his longest ever hospital stay. he had undergone a successful procedure for a pre—existing heart condition at another london hospital, st bartholomew's, before being transferred back. let's talk to our correspondent helena wilkinson outside the hospital. what can you tell us? this central london hospital is where the duke of edinburgh has spent the last month, and at the second hospital, being treated. there was a lot of police activity, police out writers who arrived here, officers on corners of the streets around here, so it was clear there was something going on. we then saw a car pull up into the news at the rear entrance, just around the corner from where we are. that is where the duke of edinburgh was brought when he came to hospital on 16th february. we saw some screens being picked up, clearly being picked up to block the view from the photographers and camera crews on the opposite side of the road. in the opposite side of the road. in the last 30 minutes, at 10:30am are just after, we saw a car leave, the duke of edinburgh in the back of that car looking reasonably well, for a man who is 99 years old, not far off his 100th birthday, having spent a month in hospital, wearing a shirt, sitting up in the back of the car. we don't know whether he walked into the car himself from the hospital, but the expectation is that he is now on his way back to windsor castle, that is where he and the queen have been isolating for much of the past year, since the pandemic began to unravel. we expect him to be back on his way to windsor castle, but we haven't yet had official confirmation from the palace that he has left the hospital, although we have clearly seen him leave. that confirmation probably won't come until he is safely back at windsor castle. going back to when the duke came to the hospital, he came in as a precaution, feeling a little unwell. he was expected to stayjust a couple of days here at the hospital, but the following week the palace confirmed that he was being treated for an infection. he was transferred about three miles away to saint bartholomew is hospital, where he was treated for that infection, and also had a successful procedure for also had a successful procedure for a pre—existing heart condition. he was then brought back here, where he stayed for a number of days, but now after a month in hospital, the duke of edinburgh has now left and we expect him to be back on his way to winter. huge relief, because he is 99 years old, not far off his 100th birthday, and there was clearly concerned about his extended stay in hospital. the biggest member states of the eu havejoined a growing list of nations suspending the use of the oxford astrazeneca vaccine because of worries about possible side—effects. it follows 37 reported cases of blood clots out of 17 million doses. the eu's own medicines regulator has said there's no justification for the move, and the world health organization has echoed that. however the who vaccine panel is discussing it today, and a statement may be issued, we are told, after that meeting. so the latest is that germany, france, spain and italy are all taking the precautionary measure. and theyjoin portugal, denmark, norway, bulgaria as well as iceland and slovenia. this morning sweden also decided to pause its rollout. british scientists say the vaccine is safe. astrazeneca has also run its own tests and found no evidence of any issues. jim reed reports. 11 million people in the uk have already been given their first dose of the astrazeneca vaccine without any serious side effects emerging — but a growing number of other countries have now suspended its use after a small number of cases of blood clotting were recorded. medical regulators have said there is no evidence of clots of... astrazeneca have said that the number of blood clotting so far is no higher than you would expect to see in the general popular in normal times. the message for now is this vaccine is safe and effective. it's saved thousands and thousands of elderly and vulnerable people's lives and we're determined to press on with it unless we see a major safety signal to suggest otherwise — in which case we will be open and transparent with the public. later today, the safety committee of the eu drugs agency will meet to review all the cases that have come to light so far. if it gives the green light, then other countries are likely to resume their vaccination programmes quickly. in the uk, the message from scientists is to take any coronavirus jab if offered as all the data so far show the risks of catching covid far outweigh the risks of a side effect from any vaccine. jim reed, bbc news. the foreign secretary, dominic raab, said british and eu regulators don't support the decision to suspend the vaccine. it is safe, people should get the vaccine, and it's been very clear, both from the mhra — the uk regulator — that the risks of taking the vaccine are no more, in terms of, for example, for blood clots, than the population at large. there is no extra risk in the evidence that we have seen, which is why they have authorised the vaccine and haven't taken any further action. also replicated at the european level. the eu's own regulator has said there is no reason, no reason, no grounds to suspend taking the vaccine or the roll—out, and that is itself backed up by the world health organization, so this vaccine is safe. we respect the processes and procedures that some other countries may need to go through, but the vaccine is safe and people should certainly continue to take it to protect themselves and protect their friends and family. the eu's ambassador to the uk has said that the decision pause the vaccine is one for individual countries to make. governments are worried, concerned and focused on the health and safety of citizens. and when doubts appear for whatever reason, i think the principle of precaution prevails. and some governments have decided to take action. i understand the european agency, the regulator, will come back to this issue in the light of concerns expressed by governments and citizens. so i think we should be very humble about this virus, and no one has the silver bullet and no one has the magic formula that will solve all these problems so we need to approach it in a very reasonable way. and when there are doubts i think the principle of precaution prevails. but i am hopeful that with a thorough assessment of risks we can evolve on this. dr veronique trillet—lenoir is an oncologist and mep from presidernt macron's en marche party and a member of the european parliament's committee on public health. shejoins me now. thank you forjoining us. 37 blood clots out of 17 million vaccinated, the number of clots is vanishingly small and that population, so why suspend the use of the vaccine? $5 suspend the use of the vaccine? as it suspend the use of the vaccine? sis it was suspend the use of the vaccine? is it was said previously, the principle of precaution is very important to our eyes. we are vaccinating safe people, and we need to be as cautious as possible in terms of transparency. these measures are transitory. they occur with a temporary authorisation and they could very well be changed within three days when we have the proof that there is no additional risk linked to the vaccine. i agree that this risk was not discovered in any of the clinical trials, but again we have to be cautious. for the pfizer vaccine, there have been 22 cases of blood clots out of 11 million doses, so the statistics are very different, why is that vaccine not suspended? it is very different, why is that vaccine not suspended?— very different, why is that vaccine not suspended? it is not suspended, but the ema — not suspended? it is not suspended, but the ema is _ not suspended? it is not suspended, but the ema is doing _ not suspended? it is not suspended, but the ema is doing an _ not suspended? it is not suspended, but the ema is doing an evaluation i but the ema is doing an evaluation of all authorised vaccines and this will include the pfizer vaccine as well. 50 will include the pfizer vaccine as well. , will include the pfizer vaccine as well, , ., will include the pfizer vaccine as well. , ., , ,, will include the pfizer vaccine as well. , ., . ,, ., well. so why not suspend pfizer now thou~h, if well. so why not suspend pfizer now though. if the _ well. so why not suspend pfizer now though, if the decision _ well. so why not suspend pfizer now though, if the decision has - well. so why not suspend pfizer now though, if the decision has been - though, if the decision has been taken to suspend astrazeneca against the advice of the world health organization and the international society on thrombosis? irate organization and the international society on thrombosis?— organization and the international society on thrombosis? we have may be as specific — society on thrombosis? we have may be as specific regard _ society on thrombosis? we have may be as specific regard on _ be as specific regard on astrazeneca. as you note, the firm probably did not fulfil all of the commitments she made into contracts with the eu. the vaccine is not that effective on the south african variant, so there are some warnings on this vaccine, which probably led the government is to be even more cautious on eight than on the various other vaccines. br; cautious on eight than on the various other vaccines. by linking the astrazeneca _ various other vaccines. by linking the astrazeneca vaccine - various other vaccines. by linking the astrazeneca vaccine and - various other vaccines. by linking i the astrazeneca vaccine and current issues with the contractual issues, it will leave many people to think that this is politics at play. itrefoil that this is politics at play. well olitics, that this is politics at play. well politics. you — that this is politics at play. well politics. you may _ that this is politics at play. well politics, you may have - that this is politics at play. -ii politics, you may have noticed plays a very important role in this crisis. as a medical doctor, i try to stick to scientific evidences. my hope is that the vaccine will not be suspended again, if we have the feeling and demonstration that a small category of populations or patients or situations should have to be particularly protected and in these once, maybe this vaccine should be avoided. i cannot figure out now what will be that decision and proposal by the ema. he out now what will be that decision and proposal by the ema.- and proposal by the ema. he said that as a medical— and proposal by the ema. he said that as a medical doctor - and proposal by the ema. he said that as a medical doctor you - and proposal by the ema. he said that as a medical doctor you try i and proposal by the ema. he said| that as a medical doctor you try to stick to the scientific evidence. in that case did the risk of catching covid not far outweighed the risks of any complications with a blood clot arising from the use of astrazeneca? on that basis, why suspend? astrazeneca? on that basis, why susend? ., . ., . suspend? you are right to say that. riuht suspend? you are right to say that. right now. — suspend? you are right to say that. right now. the _ suspend? you are right to say that. right now, the benefit _ suspend? you are right to say that. right now, the benefit risk- suspend? you are right to say that. right now, the benefit risk of- suspend? you are right to say that. right now, the benefit risk of the i right now, the benefit risk of the vaccine is still in favour of vaccination. remember, that in the case of my country, france, we have decided to wait until a decision that will be made in the coming hours. if ever we take a risk, it is really very small because it is on a small period of time and again we have the possibility to vaccinate now with other vaccines, and the good news of the day is that pfizer is proposing offering to increase its delivery to europe, probably to help if ever astrazeneca is less used or maybe not used any more. the lanaruae used or maybe not used any more. the language around astrazeneca in france from the has created concern around amongst the population, particularly after emmanuel macron said it was not clear at all that it was effective in the over 65 is. in polling, the french are the most sceptical when it comes to taking up the vaccination, 44% of the french. from what you have just sat there, it sounds like the mood music is shifting to a situation where perhaps the population, perhaps the politician says they simply don't want to use astrazeneca. what do you say to that is? i do want to use astrazeneca. what do you say to that is?— say to that is? i do not agree. it is true that _ say to that is? i do not agree. it is true that vaccine _ say to that is? i do not agree. it is true that vaccine hesitancy . say to that is? i do not agree. it is true that vaccine hesitancy is| is true that vaccine hesitancy is high in france, but the first week of astrazeneca use has shown that french people were very attracted by vaccinations. there are long waiting list to be vaccinated. i disagree on the facts that politicians do not want to vaccinate with astrazeneca. the ministry of health showed the example by being vaccinated itself. this is not the mood. the mood is to be humble, to be transparent and to be humble, to be transparent and to be reasonable in our decisions. he did mention the alternatives to astrazeneca and raised the prospect of possibly astrazeneca not being used. do you think that is likely? i think that if ema considers that there is an increased risk for the overall population, it might very well recommend to suspend. i do not hope so. i hope that we get the reassurance that the vaccine is safe and we continue. i cannot guess what is going to be said because the ema is going to be said because the ema is looking very cautiously to individual data, trying to figure out whether some predisposed people could be protected from the astrazeneca vaccine. this is my guess, but i cannot be sure. dr veronique trillet—lenoir, thank you very much forjoining us. veronique trillet-lenoir, thank you very much forjoining us.— veronique trillet-lenoir, thank you very much forjoining us. coming up at 11.30am, we'll be answering your questions on the astrazeneca vaccines with our health correspondent anna collinson. get in touch with the hashtag #bbcyourquestions, or you can email yourquestions@bbc. co. uk. downing street has announced a series of measures aimed at improving safety in england for women and girls after the killing of sarah everard. the safeguarding minister says one of the government's proposals is a so—called �*project vigilant�* involving undercover police. dan johnson reports. chanting this reaction, this strength of feeling, isn'tjust about sarah everard's death, but the wider questions that have been raised about women's safety and the response of the police. yesterday, officers kept a low profile and a mostly hands—off approach, at the start of this gathering in parliament square. it went ahead despite the home secretary urging people to stick to covid regulations, and in defiance of the government's new policing bill, part of which will limit future protests. last night, the home office said it was already increasing the amount spent making our streets safer, from £20 million to £45 million. this investment will go on practical measures like increased and better lighting, more cctv, to try to give people that confidence that we really, really want to instil after last week's terribly, terribly sad events. labour says this extra money does not even cover the cuts made in the last decade, other groups say the funding is welcome but there are cultural issues to address, that there is misogyny in the policing, the courts, the criminaljustice system. last night's vigil moved to westminster bridge, downing street and the headquarters of london's metropolitan police. the organisation reclaim these streets says it has lost faith in the leadership of the force. officers did step in, telling people to keep moving and head home, orface fines for breaching lockdown rules. at the centre of all this, we cannot forget an innocent young woman, who was just walking home. sarah everard's death has already shaken this country, making us question how society works and whether it fairly protects everyone. danjohnson, bbc news, central london. a provisional trial date has been set for pc wayne couzens, who has been charged with the murder and kidnapping of sarah everard. the trial is set to start on 25th october this year. the judge said the trial could last up to four weeks. the prime minister will announce today how the uk will reshape its international priorities, as it seeks to chart a course outside the european union. details of a year—long review of security, defence, development and foreign policy will be outlined by boris johnson this lunchtime. many things will be on the agenda, such as the uk's cyber ability money that is being invested in our military and britain's relations with china and russia. i'm joined by tom tugendhat, who is the chair of the foreign affairs committee. thank you very much indeed for joining us. russia, we understand, is described as enemy number one in this analysis, and china the bigger state —based threat to the uk's economic security. would you agree with those two assessments? i certainly think the both of them pose very real challenges. the reality is that russia is an increasingly broken state robbed blind by obsolete and turned into a shadow of his former self, which is a tragedy for one of the great countries of the world. the real challenge comes from the systemic threat that china offers. i don't just mean in terms of the mass human rights violations, but in the way that china is seeking to subvert and change the international order that we have built up with great care alongside allies in the last seven decades, that is kept as peaceful and prosperous for most of the last 70 years. that is why i hope that this integrated review will tell us how we work with allies, how we trade, we cooperate in order to defend our interests and i hope we cooperate with china where we can and where we can, where we ship to our interests. the and where we can, where we ship to our interests-— and where we can, where we ship to our interests. the message from the lea . ue our interests. the message from the leauue so our interests. the message from the league so far— our interests. the message from the league so far indicates _ our interests. the message from the league so far indicates a _ our interests. the message from the league so far indicates a really - league so far indicates a really strong pursuing of the economic relationship with china, with deeper trade links and more chinese investment. how do you feel about that? �* ., ., ., that? i'm not going to comment too much until i — that? i'm not going to comment too much until i hear— that? i'm not going to comment too much until i hear what _ that? i'm not going to comment too much until i hear what the - that? i'm not going to comment too much until i hear what the prime . much until i hear what the prime minister has to say in about an hour. i don't know any more about this report and you do. but hour. i don't know any more about this report and you do.— this report and you do. but the premise. _ this report and you do. but the premise. that _ this report and you do. but the premise, that idea, _ this report and you do. but the premise, that idea, what - this report and you do. but the premise, that idea, what do i this report and you do. but the l premise, that idea, what do you think about that suggestion? the reali is think about that suggestion? tii: reality is china is already the second economy in the world, and possibly even differs depending on how you count, so some sort of economic relationship are simply necessary. what i hope to see in a report like this is how we manage to increase our resilience by deepening our connections to other countries and remove our dependence on a country that so clearly does not share our values, as it has demonstrated in the way treats countries like australia, that it will use trade as a lever to exert control over free and democratic countries. ., , control over free and democratic countries-— control over free and democratic countries. ., , . , , countries. the tone very much seems to be about — countries. the tone very much seems to be about this _ countries. the tone very much seems to be about this shift _ countries. the tone very much seems to be about this shift to _ countries. the tone very much seems to be about this shift to the _ countries. the tone very much seems to be about this shift to the indo - to be about this shift to the indo pacific, which really raises questions about where does that leave the traditional alliances. where does it leave our relations with the eu? it where does it leave our relations with the eu?— where does it leave our relations with the eu? , ,, . with the eu? it sounds like you want thins to with the eu? it sounds like you want things to be — with the eu? it sounds like you want things to be balanced, _ with the eu? it sounds like you want things to be balanced, but _ with the eu? it sounds like you want things to be balanced, but what - with the eu? it sounds like you want things to be balanced, but what do | things to be balanced, but what do you think about the future relations with the eu? the reason i am cautious about saying too much is i don't know what is in the reports. the european union represents about 45% of our trade. it represents the essential part of security partnership. after all, our security is based on europe and the north atlantic, the united states and canada and in france and germany. if you are identifying russia as a security threat, then you not only need allies in nato, but the economy that pays for their defence, too, that pays for their defence, too, thatis that pays for their defence, too, that is where you need union cooperation, those mechanism to support the economies of those border states. support the economies of those borderstates. let's support the economies of those border states. let's see with this report says. i hope it recognises that important element, but also recognises that the indo pacific is the fastest growing region in the world, that we don't have very much choice as to whether we invest there, we need to be part of it. i hope this will be drawing a lot of our report of a few weeks, i go, about which we spoke about having a stable platform in europe, a cooperative relationship with many of old friends, and one that allows us to build a bridge to new areas, new partners and very old friends, like india, japan, indonesia and australia. in like india, japan, indonesia and australia. ., , like india, japan, indonesia and australia. . , ., , australia. in a sign of shifting dynamics. — australia. in a sign of shifting dynamics, one _ australia. in a sign of shifting dynamics, one of _ australia. in a sign of shifting dynamics, one of main - australia. in a sign of shifting dynamics, one of main terror| australia. in a sign of shifting - dynamics, one of main terror threats is highlighted to be northern ireland. along with islamic terrorism. is that a side effect of brexit? ih terrorism. is that a side effect of brexit? ., , terrorism. is that a side effect of brexit? . , ._ , terrorism. is that a side effect of brexit? . , , . , �* terrorism. is that a side effect of brexit? . , , �* ., brexit? in many ways it hasn't gone awa , as brexit? in many ways it hasn't gone away. as gerry _ brexit? in many ways it hasn't gone away, as gerry adams _ brexit? in many ways it hasn't gone away, as gerry adams so _ brexit? in many ways it hasn't gone away, as gerry adams so famously | brexit? in many ways it hasn't gone i away, as gerry adams so famously put it only a few years ago. it away, as gerry adams so famously put it only a few years ago.— it only a few years ago. it didn't no it only a few years ago. it didn't go away. _ it only a few years ago. it didn't go away. but — it only a few years ago. it didn't go away. but it _ it only a few years ago. it didn't go away, but it wasn't - it only a few years ago. it didn't| go away, but it wasn't described it only a few years ago. it didn't i go away, but it wasn't described as one of the main terror threats. again, i haven't read the report so i don't know how this report describes it, but i think it is important that we identify the threats that we face in the united kingdom, and that we realise that terror is sadly likely to come in different forms as well, including cyber, including different forms of dirty weapon or whatever. we have to realise that terrorism is now, frankly, a multifaceted game, just as any other form of conflict is. i have another specific fact that you will want to comment on specifically, but the idea of increasing the number of nuclear warheads for 180 up to 260. would you like to see the number of nuclear warheads increase for this country? i nuclear warheads increase for this count ? ., nuclear warheads increase for this count ? ~' ., . , country? i think it would raise questions _ country? i think it would raise questions about _ country? i think it would raise questions about our— country? i think it would raise i questions about our commitment to nonproliferation treaties, but let's hear what the government says about it, because it may simply be an accounting trick rather than an actual increase. irate accounting trick rather than an actual increase.— accounting trick rather than an actual increase. we will talk to you later after the _ actual increase. we will talk to you later after the reporters _ actual increase. we will talk to you later after the reporters out! i actual increase. we will talk to you later after the reporters out! your| later after the reporters out! your thoughts are very welcome, tom tugendhat, thank you very much. your thoughts are very welcome, tom tugendhat, thank you very much. nicola sturgeon is to reveal her latest plan to ease lockdown restrictions in scotland later. it's thought the first minister will give more detail on when shops and hospitality will be able to open. she's previously said her government will be led by "data, not dates". in northern ireland, ministers are alos meeting to review lockdown restrictions — they're expected to provide further clarity on when all school children will return to classes. exactly one year ago today, the pandemic forced theatres to bring down their curtains indefinitely. many of them have been plunged into economic turmoil by the shutdown, with some smaller theatres warning that they may never reopen. our reporter ben boulos is at the apollo theatre in london's west end. good morning. yes, it is a year to the day exactly sense theatres like this one went dark. they were told to close on the 16th of march, 2020, because of the pandemic. in a normal year, something like 34 million people would visit at theatre, spat —— packing out stalls like these. through ticket sales, coach trips, restaurant sales would raise £1 billion in vat for the government. in a moment we plan to hear how they start —— will hear how they plan to reopen things. theatres as they're meant to be. but for a year, uk theatres have been deserted, suddenly told to close on the 16th of march, 2020, leaving empty chairs and empty stages, and empty order books, at this props maker and supplier. the week before the theatres closed we'd just opened phantom of the opera and we'd just opened the back to the future musical in manchester. we'd just got back to london and we had this crazy, busy time planned. and itjust all stopped. i mean, everything stopped. we told our guys that we would stop for two weeks and see what happened. then it was seven months before we came back here. during that long interval the workshop became a hub for the show must go on campaign, raising £800,000 to support theatre workers who'd lost theirjobs, and nhs charities. during lockdown the national theatre streamed 16 shows online, watched by millions around the world. the industry welcomed the government's £1.5 billion emergency support for arts venues like this one. but some fear the effects of the long shutdown on the industry's many freelance workers. the impact has been, uh, most harshly felt by the freelancers who we work with. the vast majority, 70% of the theatre industry, are freelancers. and i think almost 40% of them have not been eligible for any government support. and as you can imagine, there's been no work at all. the impact on their lives has been chronic. at the time i was living with some housemates who were technicians. and we got the text like one after the other, like, you've lost your work, you've lost your work. harri marshall is a freelance theatre maker in york who's deaf. her furlough ended after three months, and she had to find other work. my steady income job at the minute is, i'm a ward clerk at the nhs. so i work on the labour ward, which is really, really busy at the minute, as you can imagine. like, it's so nice to see a lot of people having families, but it's also like, why are there so many? i'd really love to resume being a freelancer again. picking up where i kind of left of almost exactly a year ago. so i'd love to continue nerding out with the lights and the programming. i'd love to keep making work with young people and vulnerable adults. and i'd really love to keep directing and writing my own shows. but we'll all have to wait and see. # one more look and iforget everything. # mamma mia...# uk theatres could start to reopen from the 17th of may, albeit with social distancing and limited audience numbers. it won't be scenes like this right away. but it's certainly something to sing about. it is hard not tojoin in when you hear that and you are on the stage acts like les pick up on that point that theatres could reopen. let's speak to the owner of imax theatres which include this one. how are you going to do it?— going to do it? first of all, he will be booking _ going to do it? first of all, he will be booking your- going to do it? first of all, he will be booking your tickets i going to do it? first of all, he| will be booking your tickets on going to do it? first of all, he i will be booking your tickets on your phone because they are contactless. you will receive a questionnaire 48 hours before you come, you have to reply to it saying no one in your bubble has had covid or has been in contact with it. at that point, you get your tickets on your phone. if you are not well on the day you will e—mail us and we will exchange your tickets. when you arrive, the key will be socially distanced, he will be wearing your mask as well our staff, you will have your temperature taken and hand sanitiser waiting for you. the theatre is socially distanced, we have reconfigured our seats and the computer algorithm will take out a seat either side of your booking. it has been very effective. iltrui’ith has been very effective. with limited capacity _ has been very effective. with limited capacity for _ has been very effective. with limited capacity for numbers, does that make putting on a big show financially viable?— that make putting on a big show financially viable? know, it is not viable. financially viable? know, it is not viable- you _ financially viable? know, it is not viable. you simply _ financially viable? know, it is not viable. you simply can't - financially viable? know, it is not viable. you simply can't do it i financially viable? know, it is not viable. you simply can't do it on | financially viable? know, it is not| viable. you simply can't do it on a reduced capacity, 50%. in my theatres we putting our smaller shoes which are much cheaper and thatis shoes which are much cheaper and that is why we are to open with social distancing in place. some eo - le social distancing in place. some people won't — social distancing in place. some people won't be _ social distancing in place. some people won't be comfortable i social distancing in place. some people won't be comfortable though, evenif people won't be comfortable though, even if the lockdown rules are relaxed, people won't feel comfortable being in a space around other people and some people would say, actually, just because you can open maybe it is not the time to do it. ., , ., , ., open maybe it is not the time to do it. ., , .,, ., ., open maybe it is not the time to do it. for people who are worried about the sace, it. for people who are worried about the space, theatre _ it. for people who are worried about the space, theatre is _ it. for people who are worried about the space, theatre is a _ it. for people who are worried about the space, theatre is a very - the space, theatre is a very organised experience, it is easy to manage how you walk through the building, we found audiences were happy to comply and both the staff and the audience work together to make it safe. we've got some good news because we had 25,000 people through in december before we were locked down again. we had an audience survey and 95% of people surveyed said they felt safe, the measures were really good, they would come back and recommend it to a friend. ., ., would come back and recommend it to a friend. . ,, ,., would come back and recommend it to a friend. . ,, y., , . a friend. thank you very much. owner ofthe a friend. thank you very much. owner of the theatres. _ a friend. thank you very much. owner of the theatres. that _ a friend. thank you very much. owner of the theatres. that is _ a friend. thank you very much. owner of the theatres. that is it _ a friend. thank you very much. owner of the theatres. that is it from - a friend. thank you very much. owner of the theatres. that is it from me i of the theatres. that is it from me here, live at the apollo. i always wanted to say that! we won't look at what he will do on the state after we have gone but you can sing your heart out. let's catch up with the sport. here'sjon watson. the biggest festival in the british horse racing calendar gets underway today but unlike last year, there will be no fans at cheltenham. and it's not only the stands that are usually packed with race—goers, the town of cheltenham is transformed in festival week with around 250,000 fans visiting across the four days so local businesses will really be missing out this year. all the bars and restaurants in the town itself will be massively hit by the fact there won't be any crowds there. it is one of the biggest things that happen in the town in the whole year. there is a massive knock—on effect for the local economy and cheltenham is an integral part of that. it willjust be for this year and we will be back safely next year. ireland forward cj stander has announced he will retire from all forms of rugby at the end of ths season. the 30—year—old won his 50th cap during sunday's six nations win over scotland. he has been a mainstay in the ireland side since making his debut back in 2016. born in south africa he qualified to play under residency rules and went on to win the grand slam with ireland back in 2018. world rugby have announced a new women's international tournament, to start in 2023. it will be called wxv, and the aim is to increase competitiveness, in the build—up to an expanded world cup two years later. as six nations champions, england would be in the top of three tiers, alongwith the next two sides in the table, plus qualifiers from the southern hemisphere and north america. world rugby have invested £6.4 million to cover the first two years of the tournament, which will include 16 teams. chelsea's women will play both legs of their champions league quarter—final against wolfsburg in budapest, because of covid restrictions. the hungarian capital has become a popular venue for european games, involving teams from certain countries, who're not allowed to travel to others. chelsea's games are on the 24th and 31st of march. there'll be no crowd for the rest of england's t20 series in india. over 60,000 fans were allowed in for the first two but there's been a covid—19 outbreak in the ahmedabad area. it's1—1 going into today's game. jason roy has top scored for england in both matches so far but he's still searching for his first international t20 century. to score 120 20 format you have two address, you are facing 60 balls really. you have to be pretty aggressive to score 100. but you've got to go up gears and start in sixth gear and go down the gears and then you've got to go up a gear. it is a mixture of aggression and calculated stuff if you want those big scores. a venue for anthonyjoshua and tyson fury�*s world heavyweight unification bout will be confirmed within the next month, that's according tojoshua's promoter, eddie hearn, after the pair signed a two—fight deal to meet in an all—british showdown this year with all four of the division's major titles on the line. according to boxing commentator steve bunce, saudi arabia, wherejoshua won a rematch against andy ruinunior, is the front runner. the venue is going to be outside of great _ the venue is going to be outside of great britain. it is properly going to be _ great britain. it is properly going to be outside america. eddie hearn would _ to be outside america. eddie hearn would love — to be outside america. eddie hearn would love it in wembley late may, gorgeous _ would love it in wembley late may, gorgeous night, 90,000, can't happeh — gorgeous night, 90,000, can't happen. my money is on saudi arabia, they don't— happen. my money is on saudi arabia, they don't need to take any money at they don't need to take any money at the door, _ they don't need to take any money at the door, they don't need 90,000 fans roasting in hundred and 10 degrees, — fans roasting in hundred and 10 degrees, it could be indoors. they will pay— degrees, it could be indoors. they will pay their money in euphemistically in boxing, as site fee, euphemistically in boxing, as site fee that — euphemistically in boxing, as site fee, that could be a lot of money. that's all the sport for now. next on bbc news it's your questions answered. no we've received lots of questions on the oxford—astra zeneca vaccine and here to answer some of them is our health correspondent, anna collinson. dog asks, what is the risk of developing a class with the astrazeneca vaccine? astrazeneca vaccine ? it astrazeneca vaccine ? it is — astrazeneca vaccine? it is understandable that people are asking this question, waking up to this news. 11 european countries have announced they are suspending the use of astrazeneca vaccine, it must be a concern. there are always a risk with vaccine, always the risk of side effects of from the data we have seen the chance of a blood clot after vaccination appears to be a very low. if you compare that to the risk of covid, that risk is very real. 125,000 deaths in the uk in the past year alone and hundreds of thousands more serious illnesses and hospitalisations. vaccinations save lives. the message from the regulators, from the who and from many, many scientists is clear, the risks outweigh the benefits, get yourjab. risks outweigh the benefits, get our 'ab. . ., , ., , risks outweigh the benefits, get our'ab. ., , ., , . yourjab. another question is, have there been — yourjab. another question is, have there been any _ yourjab. another question is, have there been any uk _ yourjab. another question is, have there been any uk cases _ yourjab. another question is, have there been any uk cases of - yourjab. another question is, have there been any uk cases of blood i there been any uk cases of blood clotting after people have received the astrazeneca vaccine? yes. clotting after people have received the astrazeneca vaccine?— clotting after people have received the astrazeneca vaccine? yes, it has but it isn't seen _ the astrazeneca vaccine? yes, it has but it isn't seen as _ the astrazeneca vaccine? yes, it has but it isn't seen as a _ the astrazeneca vaccine? yes, it has but it isn't seen as a cause _ the astrazeneca vaccine? yes, it has but it isn't seen as a cause for- but it isn't seen as a cause for concern. these class can happen in the leg, the lungs are the brain and it is, and blood clots in the uk in the general population affecting one in 1000 people aged over 80. more than 11 million doses of the astrazeneca vaccine have been administered across the uk but the number of blood clots report it is no greater than what we would expect to see in the unvaccinated population. those cases are seen as a coincidence rather than a cause. you mentioned the stats for over 80 is, do we know the age of the people who have reported blood clots. irate who have reported blood clots. we are not who have reported blood clots. - are not sure. the rulers will target, age was the biggest factor, so the number of people being targeted were those of the older patients. if you tie that in with a number of people who are no likely to get blood clots they would be an increase risk.— increase risk. josie asks, this is a ruestion increase risk. josie asks, this is a question lots _ increase risk. josie asks, this is a question lots of _ increase risk. josie asks, this is a question lots of people _ increase risk. josie asks, this is a question lots of people are i increase risk. josie asks, this is a i question lots of people are asking, have any similar cases been reported of people receiving the pfizer vaccine? i of people receiving the pfizer vaccine? , , ., , . of people receiving the pfizer vaccine? , , . . vaccine? i get why people are asking it. there vaccine? i get why people are asking it- there have _ vaccine? i get why people are asking it. there have been _ vaccine? i get why people are asking it. there have been reports - vaccine? i get why people are asking it. there have been reports of i vaccine? i get why people are asking it. there have been reports of blood| it. there have been reports of blood clots in both as to find seneca and the pfizerjabs. —— astrazeneca. basically, yes, we are seeing that but there is no cause for concern. it is just astrazeneca that has been suspended in european countries. ths, suspended in european countries. lot of people are questioning why astrazeneca is being so much focus is being targeted on astrazeneca when we are seeing similar things with pfizer. , . when we are seeing similar things with pfizer. . . ., when we are seeing similar things with pfizer. . . . ., when we are seeing similar things with pfizer. . . . . .., with pfizer. diane, i have a medical condition that _ with pfizer. diane, i have a medical condition that increases _ with pfizer. diane, i have a medical condition that increases my - with pfizer. diane, i have a medical condition that increases my risk- with pfizer. diane, i have a medical condition that increases my risk ofl condition that increases my risk of blood clots following the reports of class with the vaccine will advice be updated to include more of us who already have a risk of higher clots? waking up at hearing this news story this morning, that must be scary. at the moment that is no reason or indication that diane shouldn't get her vaccination. the advices, she should speak to her doctorjust to be doubly sure. one thing to be aware of is we know blood clots are the most common consequences are a series covid—19 illness. that is the argument for having the vaccination, you are potentially more likely to get blood clots.— get blood clots. christine, is it safe to have _ get blood clots. christine, is it safe to have a _ get blood clots. christine, is it safe to have a second - get blood clots. christine, is it safe to have a second dose i get blood clots. christine, is it safe to have a second dose of| get blood clots. christine, is it i safe to have a second dose of the vaccine? how concerned should people be? for vaccine? how concerned should people be? ., ., . . ., vaccine? how concerned should people be? ., ., .. ., ., 4' vaccine? how concerned should people be? ., ., .,~ , , be? for the vaccine to work properly eo - le be? for the vaccine to work properly people need — be? for the vaccine to work properly people need to _ be? for the vaccine to work properly people need to have _ be? for the vaccine to work properly people need to have not _ be? for the vaccine to work properly people need to have notjust - be? for the vaccine to work properly people need to have notjust their. people need to have notjust their first dose but their second dose which happens 12 weeks after. it is important for people to keep going and get their second dose. as for being concerned, experts are reviewing these handful of reports of blood clots. today, your�*s regulator is meeting to discuss this and we add expecting to hear their findings on thursday. the message has been pretty resounding, the evidence available does not suggest blood clots are being caused by the vaccine. ., , . , ., vaccine. how unusual it is for the vaccine. how unusual it is for the vaccine that _ vaccine. how unusual it is for the vaccine that has _ vaccine. how unusual it is for the vaccine that has been _ vaccine. how unusual it is for the vaccine that has been this - vaccine. how unusual it is for the vaccine that has been this way i vaccine. how unusual it is for the vaccine that has been this way to j vaccine that has been this way to administer to have newly discovered side effects? iila administer to have newly discovered side effects?— side effects? no vaccine is going to be completely _ side effects? no vaccine is going to be completely free _ side effects? no vaccine is going to be completely free of _ side effects? no vaccine is going to be completely free of side-effects. | be completely free of side—effects. last year we were hearing about how these vaccines were performing in clinical trials when they were tested on thousands of people and both pfizer and astrazeneca had positive results. since december we have been seeing how the vaccine has been working in the real world and it has been successful. astrazeneca says about 70 million people in the eu and uk have received theirfirst dose of their vaccine and i have been fewer than 40 cases of blood clots reported. it is a handful of cases. i5 clots reported. it is a handful of cases. , ., , clots reported. it is a handful of cases. . . , . ., cases. is there any evidence that the questions — cases. is there any evidence that the questions that _ cases. is there any evidence that the questions that are _ cases. is there any evidence that the questions that are being i cases. is there any evidence that i the questions that are being raised around astrazeneca are putting people off getting it?— around astrazeneca are putting people off getting it? there are serious concerns _ people off getting it? there are serious concerns people - people off getting it? there are serious concerns people may i people off getting it? there are | serious concerns people may be people off getting it? there are i serious concerns people may be put off when they hear this because it is scary. overall, the reaction to the vaccine has been overwhelmingly positive. the government couldn't have hoped for it to go as far as it did. but! have hoped for it to go as far as it did. but i can say is when the stories came out it is going to scare people. all sciences would say any concern should be properly investigated and they are concerned it has been played out in such a public forum.— public forum. and it's not possible for somebody _ public forum. and it's not possible for somebody who _ public forum. and it's not possible for somebody who wants - public forum. and it's not possible for somebody who wants the i public forum. and it's not possible i for somebody who wants the vaccine but may be having questions around astrazeneca to choose which they get? astrazeneca to choose which they net? ., . astrazeneca to choose which they i et? ., ., ., , astrazeneca to choose which they iet? ., ., .,y ., ., astrazeneca to choose which they et? ., . ., ., get? no. that way the roll-out has been going. _ get? no. that way the roll-out has been going, based _ get? no. that way the roll-out has been going, based on _ get? no. that way the roll-out has been going, based on advice i get? no. that way the roll-out has been going, based on advice froml get? no. that way the roll-out has i been going, based on advice from the joint committee on immunisation, both vaccines offer a high level of protection. which vaccine you get will be based on supply and it is just important to remember that the uk is one of the most biggest rollers so far, there are many counties where the roll—out hasn't even begun in the uk is seen as privileged to have the amount of vaccine it has.— the headlines on bbc news: the duke of edinburgh leaves hospital in central london, four weeks after being admitted for an infection and undergoing a heart procedure. european medical experts are meeting today to discuss the oxford/astrazeneca vaccine after its rollout is halted across some eu countries. the jab is safe, according to the world health organization and the uk government. more cctv, better street lighting and plain clothes police officers will be used to help improve safety in england for women and girls after the killing of sarah everard. every year many young women face a difficult decision, risk getting breast cancer or have life changing surgery to remove their breasts. these women have been told they have a faulty brca gene, which makes them more prone to the illness. angelina jolie underwent a preventive double mastectomy and helped raise awareness of the issue. but now cambridge researchers have made a breakthrough that they hope could save women from unnecessary surgery. here's our science correspondent richard westcott. it's research that one day could help spot which women are most at risk of breast cancer. we all have brca genes in our bodies but if they are faulty in a woman they are much more likely to get the disease. these cambridge scientists have found what may be the earliest sign things are going wrong. if you look at the tissue when it is normal, you can see that the branching is quite bare. so that's like healthy breast tissue. this is healthy breast tissue. whereas, if you have the faulty gene then all of a sudden you can see appearance of these blobs in the tissue. this is not supposed to be there. it does look totally different. so that blotchiness is effectively the beginnings of cancer? yes, these structures that will develop towards cancer. five in every thousand people have this faulty gene, finding out leaves women with a binary choice, risk getting ill or have your breasts removed. eleanor howie had a preventative double mastectomy after her mum and aunt got cancer in their 30s. she has set up a lingerie business in kings lynn for cancer survivors. i really felt at the time, given there was no realistic screening for me, that my option really was to go ahead and take preventative measures. if the landscape is different and if women have access to reliable way of screening, and catching precancerous changes then i think that may well change decisions for people. funded by cancer research uk the long—term goal here is a blood test giving women much better information. not everyone goes on to develop breast cancer and some only develop breast cancer very late in their life. if we have a way of monitoring the women over the life span and tell them now is a good time to take the surgery, then this will obviously allow the women to make much more informed choices. interestingly, similar changes happening the breast when you are pregnant to help you make milk but that is healthy. outside of pregnancy though it can be dangerous, a revelation they were not expecting. it actually makes sense when you think about it. these cells are a specialised. it is possible that it's just a mutation pushes them that way in the absence of a normal pregnancy. it is an exciting finding and is telling us about the biology. lots more research is still needed but by finding these early signs, they hope thousands of women could one day be spared unnecessary surgery. well, we can speak now to a gillian luis—ravelo who tested positive for the brca 1 gene in 2007, after she had been treated for breast and ovarian cancer. and i am alsojoined by drjodie moffat, head of early diagnosis at cancer research uk. welcome, thank you both forjoining us. gillian,, sorry, jodie, tell us more about the situation currently on testing for the brca gene. who gets tested for it and what are the statistics on what it says about the likelihood of getting cancer? women who have a strong _ likelihood of getting cancer? women who have a strong family _ likelihood of getting cancer? women who have a strong family history i likelihood of getting cancer? women who have a strong family history of l who have a strong family history of breast cancer can go to their gp. a gp will ask them questions about who in theirfamily has gp will ask them questions about who in their family has developed cancer, which are types and how old they were. they may make a referral to a genetic service for testing for brca which is a big decision. if that person is found to have brca and we heard in the film, between three and five in a thousand people have a fault in the brca gene, it will be at an increased risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer. there will be steps for helping those women, put them in a surveillance programme, perhaps a yearly mra or monogram. they may be considerations about offering surgery and that is what the hopers, this research if we see a bear fruits, it could make informed decisions for women whether surgery is right for them.— is right for them. gillian, i mentioned _ is right for them. gillian, i mentioned that _ is right for them. gillian, i mentioned that you i is right for them. gillian, i mentioned that you have i is right for them. gillian, i i mentioned that you have had is right for them. gillian, i - mentioned that you have had breast cancer and also ovarian cancer separately. after having gone through those who tested positive for the brca gene. why did you have the test after nude type the cancers? ~ ,. the test after nude type the cancers? . .. , . , cancers? when i pad the breast cancers? when i pad the breast cancer and _ cancers? when i pad the breast cancer and i _ cancers? when i pad the breast cancer and i had _ cancers? when i pad the breast cancer and i had gone - cancers? when i pad the breast cancer and i had gone five i cancers? when i pad the breast| cancer and i had gone five years cancers? when i pad the breast i cancer and i had gone five years and i'd cancer and i had gone five years and i'd been _ cancer and i had gone five years and i'd been discharged, i have a daughter— i'd been discharged, i have a daughter who is now 26 and at the time i_ daughter who is now 26 and at the time i was — daughter who is now 26 and at the time i was very keen to do everything i could possible about how it _ everything i could possible about how it would effect my daughter. at the time _ how it would effect my daughter. at the time i— how it would effect my daughter. at the time, i saw a genetic specialist locally— the time, i saw a genetic specialist locally to— the time, i saw a genetic specialist locally to me and she took my family history _ locally to me and she took my family history. because my female relatives, my mum and both grandmothers, had had breast cancer and my— grandmothers, had had breast cancer and my mum and paternal grandmother died with— and my mum and paternal grandmother died with it. _ and my mum and paternal grandmother died with it, all from its, apparently, because they were past the age _ apparently, because they were past the age of— apparently, because they were past the age of menopause i wasn't as much _ the age of menopause i wasn't as much risk— the age of menopause i wasn't as much risk as i thought. i had to accept — much risk as i thought. i had to accept that. when i got the ovarian cancer— accept that. when i got the ovarian cancer i _ accept that. when i got the ovarian cancer i asked again and i was told there _ cancer i asked again and i was told there was— cancer i asked again and i was told there was a — cancer i asked again and i was told there was a link between the two. then, _ there was a link between the two. then, the — there was a link between the two. then, the hospital arranged for the geneticist— then, the hospital arranged for the geneticist from guy's hospital to come _ geneticist from guy's hospital to come down to the royal sussex hospital— come down to the royal sussex hospital to speak to me and my father— hospital to speak to me and my father because my mother had sadly passed _ father because my mother had sadly passed away. we were both able to take the _ passed away. we were both able to take the test and it had come down from my— take the test and it had come down from my father's side of the family which _ from my father's side of the family which was — from my father's side of the family which was a surprise. you mentioned our which was a surprise. you mentioned your motivation _ which was a surprise. you mentioned your motivation was _ which was a surprise. you mentioned your motivation was your _ which was a surprise. you mentioned your motivation was your daughter, i your motivation was your daughter, when somebody in the family test positive for brca, as we have been hearing, it opens a can of worms and what conversations did you end up having with her around it. i don't mind if you were to tell us. she has not been tested _ mind if you were to tell us. she has not been tested yet, _ mind if you were to tell us. she has not been tested yet, she _ mind if you were to tell us. she has not been tested yet, she can i mind if you were to tell us. she has not been tested yet, she can be i not been tested yet, she can be tested _ not been tested yet, she can be tested at — not been tested yet, she can be tested at any point. we talk about it very— tested at any point. we talk about it very often, obviously, with covid coming _ it very often, obviously, with covid coming online it was probably one of her priorities for last year. now, it has— her priorities for last year. now, it has become a priority for this year~ _ it has become a priority for this year~ what— it has become a priority for this year. what the people were saying early, _ year. what the people were saying early. you — year. what the people were saying early, you want to be as informed as you can _ early, you want to be as informed as you can to— early, you want to be as informed as you can to make the right decision. it you can to make the right decision. it isn't _ you can to make the right decision. it isn'tiust— you can to make the right decision. it isn'tjust about health issues, there _ it isn'tjust about health issues, there are — it isn'tjust about health issues, there are implications with insurance for example. they can't ask if— insurance for example. they can't ask if you — insurance for example. they can't ask if you have the gene that they can ask— ask if you have the gene that they can ask about your family history. it's can ask about your family history. it's not _ can ask about your family history. it's not a — can ask about your family history. it's not a simple straightforward decision— it's not a simple straightforward decision wherever you go, really. we often _ decision wherever you go, really. we often talk— decision wherever you go, really. we often talk about it. i understand she will— often talk about it. i understand she will be monitored from the age of 30 _ she will be monitored from the age of 30 in _ she will be monitored from the age of 30 in any— she will be monitored from the age of 30 in any case. yes, that was one of 30 in any case. yes, that was one of my— of 30 in any case. yes, that was one of my main— of 30 in any case. yes, that was one of my main motivations, you try to protect— of my main motivations, you try to protect your — of my main motivations, you try to protect your children as much as you can. s . ,., y g ., can. absolutely. jodie, the difference _ can. absolutely. jodie, the difference with _ can. absolutely. jodie, the difference with the - can. absolutely. jodie, the difference with the blood i can. absolutely. jodie, the i difference with the blood testing that can come through this cambridge research with the current screening thatis research with the current screening that is available to guide women who are brca positive through the subsequent positive diagnosis, how much of a difference will it make? is it because it is a less invasive procedure or more accurate? the research is _ procedure or more accurate? tii: research is exciting because it gives us a better insight into the changes happening on a cellular level. if the leases can be built on and we could get into a position of and we could get into a position of a blood test which will allow clinicians and women to make more closely monitored status of the cells and make more informed decisions about what the next steps would be best suited to that particular woman, and whether, for example, surgery, preventative surgery, is necessary or whether it's mighty possible to just afford to wait because there is no evidence of changes happening. we hope is that in the future if this research bears fruits, it will mean that those who need surgery have it and those who need surgery have it and those who need surgery have it and those who can get away with either having or delaying surgery have that as well. ., ., having or delaying surgery have that as well. . ,, , ., having or delaying surgery have that as well. . ,, ,., ,., having or delaying surgery have that as well. ., ~' ,., .., , . as well. thank you both very much for “oinin as well. thank you both very much forjoining us- _ the duke of edinburgh has today been discharged from king edward vii's hospital and has returned to windsor castle, following treatment for an infection and a successful procedure for a pre—existing condition. his royal highness wishes to thank all the medical staff who looked after him at both king edward vii's hospital and st bartholomew's hospital, and everyone who has sent their good wishes. these are pictures that were taken of him leaving the hospital a little bit earlier. greggs slumped to its first loss in 36 years last year as the pandemic hit demand in town and city centres. but the firm says it will push ahead with plans to open another 100 shops on top of the more than 2,000 it already runs across the country. our business presenter ben thompson is looking at the details and he's also joined by paul davies, an interesting one this one. greggs not the first to tell us how badly affected it was by this pandemic. with many others working at home, shops like greggs suffered, sales were down by 36%. nonetheless, it is pressing ahead with plans to open 100 more stores. it says it will grow out of this crisis rather than shrinking the business. let's get the thoughts of paul davis who is a food service researcher. their strategy is team is to open more stores together through the worst of this crisis.— more stores together through the worst of this crisis. good morning. none of this _ worst of this crisis. good morning. none of this comes _ worst of this crisis. good morning. none of this comes as _ worst of this crisis. good morning. none of this comes as a _ worst of this crisis. good morning. none of this comes as a great i none of this comes as a great surprise _ none of this comes as a great surprise. it has been pretty unique trading _ surprise. it has been pretty unique trading conditions. i think it is clearly— trading conditions. i think it is clearly looking ahead to the long term, _ clearly looking ahead to the long term, it — clearly looking ahead to the long term, it is — clearly looking ahead to the long term, it is looking at new avenues of growth — term, it is looking at new avenues of growth to help it recover over the next — of growth to help it recover over the next couple of years. they— the next couple of years. they have said it won't be until 2022 the things get back to something resembling normal. that is the same for so many towns and city centres, retailers, particularly when we talk about hospitality because if we are not working in the office we are less likely to be nipping to a greggs or any other sorts of retailers to grab something quickly for lunch. the definition of convenient food and drink— the definition of convenient food and drink has changed as a result of the pandemic. before, my crew to enter— the pandemic. before, my crew to enter the — the pandemic. before, my crew to enter the food service brands were reliant _ enter the food service brands were reliant on— enter the food service brands were reliant on people grabbing a quick bite _ reliant on people grabbing a quick bite now. — reliant on people grabbing a quick bite. now, convenience means getting a bi- bite. now, convenience means getting a big supermarket shop in and getting — a big supermarket shop in and getting everything done in one trip. that is— getting everything done in one trip. that is a _ getting everything done in one trip. that is a huge challenge for greggs to adapt— that is a huge challenge for greggs to adapt to. some of the things that many retailers have learned during lockdown, they will continue to do later on. we know things like click and collect or home delivery or online ordering, all those sorts of things have grown in the pandemic. i wonder whether for firms like greggs, they have to be adaptable and go where the businesses. perhaps less in towns and city centres and may be on local high streets. thea;r may be on local high streets. they will have to _ may be on local high streets. they will have to adapt _ may be on local high streets. they will have to adapt what _ may be on local high streets. they will have to adapt what they sell, the healthy eating turned and where they eat _ the healthy eating turned and where they eat it _ the healthy eating turned and where they eat it —— sell it. we will see more _ they eat it —— sell it. we will see more collaboration with supermarkets. looking at destinations outside the city centres _ destinations outside the city centres and stores that are easy to drive _ centres and stores that are easy to drive to _ centres and stores that are easy to drive to. seeing good sales at its stores _ drive to. seeing good sales at its stores that are on petrol forecourt, click and _ stores that are on petrol forecourt, click and collect locations. looking ahead, _ click and collect locations. looking ahead, greggs will look to broaden their reach— ahead, greggs will look to broaden their reach and go to moortown and rural areas — rural areas. paul, good to talk to you. it really does prove that businesses that have been able to adapt, to change how they do things during this pandemic are the ones that have managed to survive intact but in greggs case, they have fallen to their first loss in 36 years. they say they are pretty resilient and optimistic about the future. it has been proved by plans to open more 100 stores. flexibility, adaptability is key to business in all of this pandemic. now it's time for a look at the weather with matt taylor. sunny skies for many this afternoon. they will be a few that stay and one or two quite done. the cloud and confined to southernmost counties of england and into the channel islands. but elsewhere, even if you start the afternoon with cloud a lot of sunshine will develop. a bit of a blustery wind but it is a mild winter coming in off the atlantic and bringing temperatures above where they should be. widely into the double figures. for some across south—east wales, the south—east of the lake district, you could see 16 degrees celsius. but it will turn cool again tonight, a chilly night, a touch of frost, a touch of frost fob parts of the west midlands and wales. a bit cloudy in the south—east. most will go into tomorrow's dry and a lot of dry weather to come over the next few days and turning colder in the south. this is bbc news. the headlines: the duke of edinburgh leaves hospital in central london, four weeks after being admitted for an infection and undergoing a heart procedure. prince philip is said to be in good spirits after returning to windsor castle and has thanked all who looked after him. the prime minister will announce major changes to the uk's international priorities today, including moves to increase the size of britain's nuclear arsenal. european medical experts are meeting today to discuss the oxford/astrazeneca vaccine after its roll—out is halted across some eu countries. the jab is safe, according to the world health organization and the uk government. this vaccine is safe. we respect the processes and the procedures that some other countries may need to go through, but the vaccine is safe and people should certainly continue to take it. more cctv, better street lighting and plain clothes police officers will be used to help improve safety in england for women and girls, after the killing of sarah everard. in the last hour, the duke of edinburgh has left king edward vii hospital in central london after a month of treatment — his longest ever hospital stay. he had undergone a successful procedure for a pre—existing heart condition at another london hospital, st bartholomew's, before being transferred back. buckingham palace hasjust released a statement saying, "the duke of edinburgh has today been discharged from king edward vii's hospital and has returned to windsor castle, following treatment for an infection and a successful procedure for a pre—existing condition. his royal highness wishes to thank all the medical staff who looked after him at both king edward vii's hospital and st bartholomew's hospital, and everyone who has sent their good wishes." our correspondent helena wilkinson gave us this update from outside the hospital. this central london hospital is where the duke of edinburgh has spent the last month, and at a second hospital, being treated. there was a lot of police activity, police out—riders who arrived here, officers on corners of the streets around here, so it was clear there was something going on. we then saw a car pull up into the mews at the rear entrance, just around the corner from where we are. that is where the duke of edinburgh was brought when he came to hospital on 16th february. we saw some screens being put up, clearly being put up to block the view from the photographers and camera crews on the opposite side of the road. in the last 30 minutes, at 10:30am orjust after, we saw a car leave, the duke of edinburgh in the back of that car looking reasonably well, for a man who is 99—years—old, not far off his 100th birthday, having spent a month in hospital, wearing a shirt, sitting up in the back of the car. we don't know whether he walked into the car himself from the hospital, but the expectation is that he is now on his way back to windsor castle, that is where he and the queen have been isolating for much of the past year, since the pandemic began to unravel. we expect him to be back on his way to windsor castle, but we haven't yet had official confirmation from the palace that he has left the hospital, although we have clearly seen him leave. that confirmation probably won't come until he is safely back at windsor castle. going back to when the duke came to the hospital, year, since the pandemic began to unravel. going back to when the duke came to the hospital, he came in as a precaution, feeling a little unwell. he was expected to stay just a couple of days here at the hospital, but the following week the palace confirmed that he was being treated for an infection. he was transferred about three miles away to saint bartholomew's to saint bartholomew's hospital, where he was treated for that infection, and also had a successful procedure for a pre—existing heart condition. he was then brought back here, where he stayed for a number of days, but now, after a month in hospital, the duke of edinburgh has now left and we expect him to be back on his way to windsor. huge relief, because he is 99—years—old, not far off his 100th birthday, and there was clearly concern about his extended stay in hospital. let's talk to our royal correspondentjonny dymond. a brief statement from the palace saying he is in good spirits. i wouldn't really expect much more. they hate talking about the travel plan of the royals, which is generally why they only talk about travel plans after their home. you have the traditional formulation of good spirits, which has been used three times, i think. this is clearly a long stay for the duke, five weeks give or take 12 hours. everyone clearly is aware of that and there was a state of some concern, i think, and there was a state of some concern, ithink, although and there was a state of some concern, i think, although some who were observing the process... he is now heading home. he looked tired, understandably, but alert as he made his way back to windsor. he is now by his wife's the queen's, side. iie by his wife's the queen's, side. he is a 99—year—old man. by his wife's the queen's, side. he is a 99-year-old man. that - by his wife's the queen's, side. he is a 99-year-old man. that he i by his wife's the queen's, side. he is a 99-year-old man. that he is, l is a 99-year-old man. that he is, but he is a _ is a 99-year-old man. that he is, but he is a remarkably _ is a 99-year-old man. that he is, but he is a remarkably robust i is a 99-year-old man. that he is, but he is a remarkably robust 99' but he is a remarkably robust 99 year man. he was last in public in july last year and he looked pretty good for 99! i wouldn't mind that if i was 99! previous to that, he has been a whirlwind for such a long time, and fascinated by the outdoors and by exercise and its virtues really since he was 18 or 19 at school. he is in remarkable shape. he walked unaided after having flipped his car a couple of years ago, and just walked away. he is in pretty good shape. it is a long stay in hospitalfor a man of his age, and no doubt it will be very reassuring for everyone at the palace and beyond that he is back at home. . ~ palace and beyond that he is back at home. ., ~ ,., details have begun to emerge of a key government review into how the uk is reshaping its international priorities after brexit, and they include an increase in our stockpile of nuclear weapons. in just under half—an—hour, the prime minister will unveil to mps the findings of the so—called �*integrated review�* of security, defence, development and foreign policy. so far, it's emerged that the uk is to bolster the number of warheads in its nuclear arsenal to 260. the uk sees russia as a continuing threat and will "actively�* deter and defend against it borisjohnson will say that the uk must itself shape the new global order, not relying on the status quo. but with the united states as our most important relationship. meanwhile, as china's importance expands, the prime minister will insist the uk will continue to adapt to its growing influence. this morning, the foreign secretary dominic raab said we would be looking at the opportunities the uk will have as a liberal free trading nation. this will look at everything, from the £24 billion we are investing in our military, through our nuclear defences, right the way through to the new threats we face, whether it's climate change, pandemics, or the gangs and hostile states using cyber against us. it also looks at the opportunities we've got as a liberal, free—trading nation with our tech and science base to create the jobs of the future for young people. it's a forward—looking approach and i think as we start to come through this pandemic, with the chancellor's budget, an opportunity notjust to manage the terrible threats we face with the pandemic but also to look at the enormous opportunities that the uk has in the world. earlier, the former m16 chief sir alex younger told the today programme, china poses a generational threat. well, i'm not wanting to put this list in order, but there is no doubt that china represents a generational threat. and the reason for that is that the idea that china would become more like us as it got richer or as its economy matured is clearly for the birds, that is not going to happen. on the contrary, i expect the chinese communist party to double down on its ideology in the future, and there is going to be an ideological diversions between us. we can already see, and incidents in places like hong kong make it really vivid. and that's going to generate rivalry and reduce trust, and in that environment it's important that we stand up for what we believe in and we generate strength, most importantly, through sustaining our mastery of the key emerging technologies. i'm nowjoined by our political correspondent damian grammaticas. where does this leave our relations with the eu? it sounds like a really significant shift.— significant shift. that will be one ofthe significant shift. that will be one of the central _ significant shift. that will be one of the central questions - significant shift. that will be one of the central questions that - of the central questions that emerges from this because this review comes at a moment when the uk has exited the eu, completed its transition, now stands at a point when it is at a crossroads. what direction does the uk go in here? one of the key issues will be having identified, as distributors, these key threats, key issues that the uk has to face, particularly russia and china, and the review talks about a tilt to the indo pacific, working with india, australia, japan, countries like that, the relationship with the us. where in thatis relationship with the us. where in that is the relationship with the eu? when you're talking about russia, the eu forms a huge part of the relationship with russia and the security relationship through nato, the geographical relationship, many eu countries bordering russia's see themselves as front line states with russia, so what will they say, where will it take a relationship with the eu, particularly at a time when that relationship appears to be under real stress? relationship appears to be under realstress? equally, relationship appears to be under real stress? equally, with china, one of the issues in the review will be talking about building international alliances. how is that going to be worked as an overarching relationship? how is the uk going to balance the need for trade with china at the same time as dealing with the systemic rivals you are hearing about there. china is an authoritarian state trying to spread its influence around the world. where does the relationship with like—minded allies that this review wants to promote set when it talks about the eu and the role that it can play there?— can play there? many, many questions- — can play there? many, many questions. i— can play there? many, many questions. i am _ can play there? many, many questions. i am going - can play there? many, many questions. i am going to - can play there? many, many. questions. i am going to speak can play there? many, many- questions. i am going to speak to the shadow foreign secretary in a moment, but recently, what would be the thinking behind the increase in the thinking behind the increase in the number of nuclear warheads? it is not clear, but i think this may be to do with the development of a future generation of nuclear weapons and the need, as you cross over from older weapons to newer technologies, to have both in old and some of the kneein to have both in old and some of the knee in your stockpile. it may be that that's a question of balancing as you move from one technology to another, therefore you need to keep your old stockpiles while adding new ones. we will wait to see the explanations on that. i think the important question in this is going to be is there a sort ofjoined up strategy? will there be a vision in this of how the uk can deal with, say, russia, is it going to have an overarching strategy? the opposition have been calling for a number of things to be done to russia, to do with threats to the uk democracy, dealing with inflows of russian money to the uk, to deal with russian influence in the uk. how is that going to be addressed in this? equally, questions about the uk, which says it wants to defend actively democracies, the liberal order. how does that square with the uk whose neighbour's in the eu are currently saying that the uk in their view is breaching its international commitments made recently under the uk withdrawal agreement is? many, many questions about the consistencies or inconsistencies that may arise in this. a, inconsistencies that may arise in this. �* , ., ., . this. a question on reducing investment _ this. a question on reducing investment to _ this. a question on reducing investment to the _ this. a question on reducing investment to the ministry | this. a question on reducing | investment to the ministry of defence, or, more money for some defence, or, more money forsome things, less for others? defence, or, more money for some things, less for others? this defence, or, more money for some things, less for others?— things, less for others? this will be one of the — things, less for others? this will be one of the things _ things, less for others? this will be one of the things that - things, less for others? this will be one of the things that people j be one of the things that people will pore over. we have seen already late last year the announcements about spending, increase spending on future equipment for the mod, increased investment in the british military. how will that be balanced with the ongoing budgets? there is obviously lots to discuss. let's talk to the shadow foreign secretary, lisa nandy. what do you think about the suggestion that the overall shifts is going to be facing a very different direction to where we are? we have been eagerly awaiting this review for some time. it has been delayed several times because of covid. the world that we operate in is very different to the world we have operated in the past. we have seen the rise of china, the use of new forms of warfare from our adversaries, as well as traditional state warfare, as well. what we got in this document, a document riddled with inconsistencies about the government's approach. on the one hand they say russia is the greatest threat, but on the other hand there is no timeline for implementing the 21 recommendations in the russia report that would safeguard us against russian interference in the united kingdom. they say they want to prioritise counterterror initiatives, but are cutting those very initiatives in syria and iraq. they say they want to show global leadership on climate change, yet there is no plan to achieve net zero here in the united kingdom. there are serious problems with this approach. essentially, their stated ambitions and their actions, there is a yawning chasm between them, and that has left us woefully unprepared for the challenges we face. when the government — for the challenges we face. when the government talks _ for the challenges we face. when the government talks about _ for the challenges we face. when the government talks about looking - for the challenges we face. when the government talks about looking at i government talks about looking at china for britain's economic growth, it also talk of security being very important in that france, with technology to be made is more secure in order to enable to steeper trade links and more chinese investment. does that reassure you? the government's approach to china has been naive and blind to the challenges that we face. there is a blatant recognition of that, not just because across the houses of parliament there is a growing consensus from labour, from other opposition parties and the conservative's and backbenchers, that the government needs to take a more strategic approach to this. we still have these inconsistencies. only last month the foreign secretary was talking up the prospects of doing a trade deal with china. we still have the government considering handing over a stake in some other critical national infrastructure to china. they rowed back on 56, but are still talking about the potential of investment in nuclear. we have to get a much more consistent approach to china that allows us to have a constructive level of engagement with the chinese government on shared challenges like covid and climate change that allows us to speak from a position of strategic independence. when we have a government that is whipping its own mps should continue to try to do trade deals with countries like china who are engaged in acts that look very much like genocide, we have got a real problem. there is nothing in this document today that we have seen so far that changes that. and gives us a proper strategy in relation to china. i hope there will be something different when the prime minister addresses the comments in a few moments, but i don't think there will be.— don't think there will be. where does this labour _ don't think there will be. where does this labour relations - don't think there will be. where does this labour relations with i don't think there will be. where i does this labour relations with the there is an eu size: this document. the government talks of the threat of russia, and i think they are right to do so. they said that russia is the number one threat we face at home and abroad. only have to look at the use of chemical weapons abroad. in order to deal with russia, we have to have good relationships and inner own... after what happened in salisbury, theresa may went to a friend in the european union and they gave us their support. we can only deal with the threat the russia proposes that we are in step with their allies. this documents goes out of its way to not talk about the eu. we now have the united states, which is heavily involved with the eu in issues like climate change, but we are not talking to our closest allies. if the government is serious about repairing our defences at home, it has to start by repairing those alliances on our own doorstep. some news 'ust alliances on our own doorstep. some news just through _ alliances on our own doorstep. some news just through about _ alliances on our own doorstep. some news just through about the - alliances on our own doorstep. some news just through about the decision by labour mp mike kills to stand down in his seat, which would trigger a by—election. down in his seat, which would triggera by—election. how down in his seat, which would trigger a by—election. how much of a test for labour will it be to hold onto that seat, the hartlepool seat, writes in the red wall? i am determined _ writes in the red wall? i am determined that _ writes in the red wall? i am determined that we - writes in the red wall? i am determined that we will. writes in the red wall? i am determined that we will go | writes in the red wall? i am i determined that we will go out writes in the red wall? u.” determined that we will go out and fight for every single vote. i can't comment on what has happened with the decision of my kilt to step down, except to say there is an ongoing investigation into that and it is something we take seriously. i represent a constituency, lives in a constituency that is in the so—called red wall. i genuinely believe that people in our communities are absolutely desperate for a country in which we support and reward those people who have got us through the most difficult year. on the look at issues like to pay for nurses, they can't understand why the very people delivering the vaccine, keeping us safe and alive, are being denied what they were promised from the government. we will go out and fight for that country we in hartlepool and other communities around the country. thank you. this statement from boris johnson starts in ten minutes and we will bring that to you when it happens. time now for a sports update. we start with rugby. news first on the ireland forward cj stander who's announced he'll retire from all forms of rugby at the end of ths season. the 30—year—old won his 50th cap during sunday's six nations win over scotland. he has been a mainstay in the ireland side since making his debut back in 2016. born in south africa, he qualified to play under residency rules and went on to win the grand slam with ireland back in 2018. world rugby have announced a new women's international tournament, to start in 2023. it will be called wxv, and the aim is to increase competitiveness, in the build—up to an expanded world cup two years later. as six nations champions, england would be in the top of three tiers, along with the next two sides in the table, plus qualifiers from the southern hemisphere and north america. world rugby have invested £6.11 million to cover the first two years of the tournament, which will involve 16 teams. england's footballers will play two friendies next month, to be shown live on bbc four. they'll face the world's third—ranked side france in caen on the 9th, before taking on canada four days later at stoke city's bet365 stadium. the lionesses have played only once in the past 12 months a 6—0 win over northern ireland, in hege riise's first match in charge. british number one dan evans has been knocked out in the second round of the dubai championships. he lost in three sets to rising star aslan karatsev. evans is ranked 28th in the world, that's1li places higher than the russian, who was a surprise semi—finalist at last month's australian open. the biggest festival in the british horse racing calendar gets under way today but unlike last year, there will be no fans at cheltenham. and it's not only the stands that are usually packed with race—goers, the town of cheltenham is transformed in festival week with around 250,000 fans visiting across the four days so local businesses will really be missing out this year. all the bars and restaurants in the town itself will be massively hit by the fact that there are no crowds there because it is one of the biggest things that happens to the town in the whole year. there is a massive effect to local economy and cheltenham is an integral part of that, hopefully it willjust be for this year and we will all be back safely next year. that's all the sport for now. i'll have more for you in the next hour. downing street has announced a series of measures aimed at improving safety in england for women and girls after the killing of sarah everard. the safeguarding minister says one of the government's proposals is a so—called �*project vigilant�* involving undercover police. dan johnson reports. chanting this reaction, this strength of feeling, isn�*tjust about sarah everard�*s death, but the wider questions that have been raised about women�*s safety and the response of the police. yesterday, officers kept a low profile and a mostly hands—off approach, at the start of this gathering in parliament square. it went ahead despite the home secretary urging people to stick to covid regulations, and in defiance of the government�*s new policing bill, part of which will limit future protests. last night, the home office said it was already increasing the amount spent making our streets safer, from £20 million to £16 million. this investment will go on practical measures like increased and better lighting, more cctv, to try to give people that confidence that we really, really want to instil after last week�*s terribly, terribly sad events. labour says this extra money does not even cover the cuts made in the last decade, other groups say the funding is welcome but there are cultural issues to address, that there is misogyny in the policing, the courts, the criminaljustice system. last night�*s vigil moved to westminster bridge, downing street and the headquarters of london�*s metropolitan police. the organisation reclaim these streets says it has lost faith in the leadership of the force. officers did step in, telling people to keep moving and head home, orface fines for breaching lockdown rules. at the centre of all this, we cannot forget an innocent young woman, who was just walking home. sarah everard�*s death has already shaken this country, making us question how society works and whether it fairly protects everyone. danjohnson, bbc news, central london. a provisional trial date has been set for pc wayne couzens, who has been charged with the murder and kidnapping of sarah everard. the trial is set to start on 25th october this year. the judge said the trial could last up to four weeks. he appeared at the central criminal court by video link. the biggest member states of the eu havejoined a growing list of nations suspending the use of the oxford astrazeneca vaccine because of worries about possible side—effects. it follows 37 reported cases of blood clots out of 17 million doses. the eu�*s own medicines regulator has said there�*s no justification for the move, and the world health organization has echoed that. however, the who vaccine panel is discussing it today, and a statement may be issued, we are told, after that meeting. so the latest is that germany, france, spain and italy are all taking the precautionary measure. and theyjoin portugal, denmark, norway, bulgaria... as well as iceland, and slovenia. this morning, sweden also decided to pause its roll—out. the european medicines agency is meeting on thursday to discuss the issues. meanwhile, british scientists say the vaccine is safe. astrazeneca has also run its own tests and found no evidence of any issues. jim reed reports. 11 million people in the uk have already been given their first dose of the astrazeneca vaccine without any serious side effects emerging — but a growing number of other countries have now suspended its use after a small number of cases of blood clotting were recorded. medical regulators in both the uk and the eu have said there is no evidence the clots were the result of being given the vaccine itself. manufacturer astrazeneca said the number of cases of blood clotting so far is no higher than doctors would expect to see in the general population in normal times. and the government�*s scientific advisers say there is no reason to pause the rollout in this country. the message for now is this vaccine is safe and effective. it�*s saved thousands and thousands of elderly and vulnerable people�*s lives and we�*re determined to press on with it unless we see a major safety signal to suggest otherwise — in which case we will be open and transparent with the public. later today, the safety committee of the eu drugs agency will meet to review all the cases that have come to light so far. if it gives the green light, then other countries are likely to resume their vaccination programmes quickly. in the uk, the message from scientists is to take any coronavirus jab if offered as all the data so far show the risks of catching covid far outweigh the risks of a side effect from any vaccine. jim reed, bbc news. more on coronavirus now and new figures from the office for national statistics in the uk show deaths in the week ending 5th march were 3% above usual levels. there were 13,107 deaths registered, and a total of 2,279 involved covid—19. but that figure for covid was down by 920 on the previous week. statisticians advise that the weekly death figures can rise and fall by 5% due to chance variation, so this is within the "normal range" of deaths for early march in a non—pandemic year. nicola sturgeon is to reveal her latest plan to ease lockdown restrictions in scotland later. it�*s thought the first minister will give more detail on when shops and hospitality will be able to open. she�*s previously said her government will be led by "data, not dates". in northern ireland, ministers are alos meeting to review lockdown restrictions — they�*re expected to provide further clarity on when all school children will return to classes. the city watchdog has launched criminal proceedings against taxpayer—backed natwest group for alleged failures under money—laundering rules. the financial conduct authority alleges that "increasingly large cash deposits" were made into a natwest customer�*s account. it also says natwest�*s systems and controls failed to properly monitor and scrutinise this activity. natwest is due to appear at westminster magistrates�* court on 14th april. now it�*s time for a look at the weather with matt. hello. fairly sunny skies for many as we go through this afternoon. there will be a few though that stay, a bit cloudy and for one or two, a little bit damp. most of the cloud at the moment across england and wales, becoming confined to southernmost counties of england into the channel islands this afternoon. some splashes of light rain and drizzle from that. elsewhere, even if you start the afternoon with some cloud a lot of sunshine will develop. a bit of a blustery wind but it is a mild one. coming off the atlantic, it is bringing in temperatures above where they should be for the time of year, widely into the double figures, if not in the low teens. and for some across parts of east, south—east wales, the south—east of the lake district, we could hit around 16 celsius, 61 fahrenheit. despite that, it will turn cool again tonight, a cool night, a touch of frost here and there. some mist and fog patches through the midlands, parts of wales, south—east england, maybe even north west england as well with clear skies overhead initially. bit more cloudy east anglia, south—east and the far north of scotland but most will go into tomorrow dry, and a lot of dry weather to come over the next few days but turning colder and windier in the south. hello, this is bbc news with joanna gosling. the headlines — the duke of edinburgh leaves hospital in central london four weeks after being admitted for an infection and undergoing a heart procedure. prince philip is said to be in good spirits after returning to windsor castle and has thanked all who looked after him. european medical experts are meeting today to discuss the oxford/astrazeneca vaccine after its rollout is halted across some eu countries. the jab is safe according to the world health organisation and the uk government. this vaccine is safe. we respect the processes and the procedures that some other countries may need to go through, but the vaccine is safe and people should certainly continue to take it. the prime minister will announce major changes to the uk�*s international priorities today, including moves to increase the size of britain�*s nuclear arsenal. more cctv, better street lighting and plain clothes police officers will be used to help improve safety in england for women and girls after the killing of sarah everard. we were reporting early on the number of european countries who�*ve temporaily suspended use of the astrazeneca vaccine. well in france, the number of people in intensive care with covid—19 is at its highest level since late november. patients in the capital paris have been sent to other parts of the country to relieve the pressure on hospitals there, as france�*s prime minister says a third national lockdown remains a possibility. mark lobel reports. airborne assistance. a patient from paris touches down for life—saving treatment. translation: they arrived by special trains in the spring, - by helicopter in autumn, and each time, it is- a big mobilisation. inside this hospital in western france, things are feeling precarious. translation: it's| a duty of solidarity. right now, it's not very easy because since we are nearlyl saturated, or even already saturated, we have to find j solutions to increase our care capacity in intensive care. - the number of people in intensive care across france has reached its highest level since november. cases are rising once again, testing the limits of a 6pm nationwide curfew and closed restaurants and businesses. translation: we will likely have to make new decisions | in the coming days, based on those developments, l and i asked the governmentl to get to work so we can give citizens a timeframe - within the next few days. there are already weekend lockdowns in nice, and several towns along the french riviera. and restrictions further north in dunkirk, and pas de calais. there have been two national lockdowns — one a year ago last march, and a second in december. could there be a third in paris and the surrounding area? translation: i believe that we must not resort| to a lockdown, which is not out of the question. _ i say clearly, it is not out of the question, i but we must use all the weapons at our disposal to avoid - another lockdown. french pharmacies — the latest frontier in the fight against coronavirus — now opening their doors as vaccination centres. but, with a slow start, there are fears the country�*s death toll may begin to rise again soon, prompting the pressure for locking down again. mark lobel, bbc news. let�*s get more now on the decision by several european countries to suspend the rollout of the astrazeneca vaccine. the foreign secretary dominic raab said british and eu regulators don�*t support the decision to suspend the vaccine. it is to suspend the vaccine. safe, people should get th vaccine it is safe, people should get the vaccine and has been clear both run the nhra, the uk regulator, that the risks of taking the vaccine are no more than come in terms of blood clots than the population at large. there is no extra risk on the evidence we have seen which is why they have authorised the vaccine and haven�*t taken any further action. that is replicated that the european level, the eu regulator has said there is no reason to suspend taking there is no reason to suspend taking the vaccine all the roll—out. that is echoed by the who. the vaccine is safe. let�*s go straight to the house of commons where the prime minister is unveiling the findings of a key government review into how the uk is reshaping its international priorities after brexit. our international policy is a vital instrument for fulfilling this government is�*s visit of uniting and levelling up across our country, reinforcing the union and securing britain�*s place as a science superpower and a hub of innovation and research. the review describes how we will bolster our capabilities, find new ways of finding solutions and relearn the art of competing against states with opposing values. we will be more than i make a broader and more focused on delivering for our citizens at home. i begin with the essential fact the fortunes of the british people are almost uniquely interlinked with events on the far side. we have earned our living as a maritime trading nation. in 2019, the uk sold goods and services overseas with £690 billion, fully a third of our gdp sustaining millions ofjobs everywhere from stranraer to st ives and making a look into the fifth biggest exporter in the world. so, a crisis in any of those regions or in the trade routes connecting them would be a crisis for us from them would be a crisis for us from the very beginning. the truth is evenif the very beginning. the truth is even if we wished it and of course we don�*t, the uk could never turn inwards all be content with the cramped horizons of their regional foreign policy. for us, that i know far away countries of which we know little. global britain is not a reflection of old obligations, still a vainglorious jester, reflection of old obligations, still a vaingloriousjester, but reflection of old obligations, still a vainglorious jester, but really the safeguarding of people. i am determined that the uk willjoin our friends to ensure that a free societies flourish after the pandemic. sharing the risks and burdens of addressing the wealth was �*5 toughest problems. the uk �*s toughest problems. the uk presidency of the g7 has already produced a global treaty on pandemic preparedness, working through the who, the world health organisation, to enshrine the steps counties will need to take, prevent another covid. we will host the meeting in glasgow in november and rally as many nations as possible to net zero. we are leading by example because the uk was the first major economy to accept this obligation in law. britain will remain unswervingly committed to nato and preserving peace and security in europe. and from the secure basis we will seek out friends and partners wherever they can be found building a coalition for openness and innovation. and engaging more deeply innovation. and engaging more deeply in the indo pacific. i�*ve invited the leaders of australia, south korea and india to attend the g7 summit injune. i am delighted to announce i will visit india next month to strengthen our friendship with the world�*s biggest democracy. our approach will place diplomacy first and the uk has applied to become a dialogue partner of the association of southeast asian nations, and we will seek to join the transpacific free trade agreement. but all our international goal arrest upon keeping our people safe at home and deterring those who would do us harm. we will create a counterterrorism operation centre bringing together our ability to thwart the designs of terrorists while dealing with the actions of hostile states. it is exactly three years since the russian state used a chemical weapon in salisbury, killing an innocent mother, and bringing fear to killing an innocent mother, and bringing fearto a killing an innocent mother, and bringing fear to a tranquil city. i can announce the national cyber force which conducts offensive cyber operations against terrorists hostile states and criminal gangs will in future be located in a cyber corridor in the north west of england. we will also... we will also have across centre, learning the lessons of the pandemic and improving our use of data to anticipate and respond to future crises. the first outcome of the integrated review was the government�*s decision to invest an extra £24 billion in defence. allowing the wholesale modernisation of our armed forces and taking forward the renewal of nuclear deterrent. the new mini will be focused on mastering the emerging technologies that are transforming warfare and deflecting the premium placed on the speed and deployment and technical skill. my right honourable friend the defence secretary will set out the details next week. later this year, hms queen elizabeth will embark on her maiden deployment leading a carrier strike group on a 20,000 mile voyage to the indo pacific and back. exercising with britain�*s allies on the way, and expressing the importance we attach to the freedom of the seas. we will extend british influence while simultaneous creating jobs across the united kingdom, reinforcing the union and maximising our advantage in science and to. this government will invest more in research and development than any of our predecessors. innovation is key to our success at home and abroad. from speeding our economic recovery to shaping emerging technologies in accordance with freedom and openness. we will better protect ourselves against threats to our economic security. our newly independent a policy would be an instrument for ensuring that the rules and standards in future trade agreements reflect our values. our newly independent sanctions policy already allows the uk to act swiftly and robustly wherever necessary, and we were the first european country to sanction the generals in my in march after the coup last words. in all our endeavours, the united states will be our greatest ally and a uniquely close pan in defence intelligence and security. britain�*s commitment to the security of our european home will remain unconditional and immovable incarnated by our leadership of nato�*s deployment in estonia. we will stand up for our values as well as for our interests, and here i commend the dedication of honourable members from all parties because the uk with a wholehearted support of this whole house, mr speaker, has led the international community in expressing our deep concern over china�*s mass detention. in giving nearly 3 million of hong kong�*s people a route to british citizenship. there is no question that china will pose a great challenge for an open society such as ours. but we will also work with china where that is consistent with our values and interests, including building a strong and positive economic relationship and in addressing climate change. the greater our unity at home, the stronger our influence abroad. it will in turn open up new markets and create jobs will in turn open up new markets and createjobs in every will in turn open up new markets and create jobs in every corner of the uk. not only maximising opportunities for the british people but also i hope inspiring a sense of pride that they can to is willing to follow in its finest traditions and stand up for what is right. with the extra investment and new capabilities of the integrated review i believe the united kingdom can thrive in an ever more competitive world and fulfil our historic mission as a force for the good. i commend this statement to the house. i now call the leader of the opposition, keir starmer. thank you. we want this integrated review to work. threats to our national security are increasing, they are becoming more complex and less predictable so the government has to get this right. but this review is built on foundations that have been weakened over the last decade. the prime minister has spoken of an era of retreat, he is right. in the last decade of conservative government defence spending and pay for the armed forces both fell in real terms. our armed forces members have been cut by 45,000. there is still a black hole of 17 million in the defence equipment plan. once we do welcome the long overdue increase in capital funding, we do welcome the creation of a counterterrorism operation centre and new investments in cyber. the prime minister can�*t avoid the question that everyone in our armed forces and their families will be asking today. prime minister, will there be further cost of the stain —— the strength of our army and armed forces? the british army is 6000 below the minimum level set out in the last review. it�*s been cut every year for the last decade and it is being reported that the army will see a further reduction of 10,000 alongside fewer tanks, fewer jets for the raf and fewer frigates for the royal navy. prime minister, if those reports are owned through, cannot said today? mr speaker, successive conservative prime ministers have cut the armed forces but at least they have had the courage to come to this house and say so. this statement was silent on the issue. after everything the armed forces have done for us, the prime minister has a duty to be straight with them today. mr speaker, turning to foreign policy, britain needs to be a moralforce for good in the world once again. leading the fight against climate change, strengthening multinational alliances including nato, championing human rights, valuing international development, and ensuring trade deals protect high standards and public services. but there is a huge gap between that and there is a huge gap between that and the government�*s actions. the review, the review rightly concludes, the review rightly concludes, the review rightly concludes that russia remains the most acute threat to our security. that is not new, 18 months ago the russian review concluded that the threat was urgent and immediate. why have none of its recommendations been implemented? the integrated review talks about the importance of upholding international law. i agree. but from europe to the indian ocean, this government has a reputation for breaking international law, not defending it. we welcome the deepening of engagement in the indo pacific region. this comes on the back of an inconsistent policy towards china for a decade. conservative governments have spent ten years turning a blind aye to human rights abuses while inviting china to help build our infrastructure. that inconsistency is catching up with them. the review also talks of conflict resolution. yet, there is nothing about updating our arms export regime. the prime minister is a statement didn�*t mention international development once and i wonder why? international development once and i wonderwhy? he international development once and i wonder why? he is cutting development spending for the first time in decades and denying this house a vote on it. if global britain is to mean anything, it cannot mean selling arms to saudi arabia and cutting aid to yemen. mr speaker, i voted for the renewal of trident and the labour party�*s support for nuclear deterrence is non—negotiable. but this review breaks the girl of successive prime ministers and cross—party efforts. —— goal. it doesn�*t explain when, why offer what strategic purpose so the prime minister needs to answer that question today. on trade, we recognise the need for new and ambitious trade deals, there needs to be a major boost in uk exports over the next decade. but that has to start with making a success of the brexit deal and that won�*t happen unless we remove the new red tape that is holding british businesses back. mr speaker, britain should and could be a moralforce for good in the world after a decade of neglect, this review was the chance to turn a corner. but that is now a very real risk that our armed forces will be stripped back even further and this review won�*t end the era of retreat. in fact, it will extend it. thank you, mr speaker. prime minister. we have one of the toughest arms export regimes in the world. anyone listening to him would not realise where the second international donor of aid in the g7. it is preposterous to hear the labour leader calling for more investment in our armed forces when it is the biggest investment in our armed forces since the cold war. it wasn�*t so long ago, £24 million, he was campaigning very hard without dissent to install a leader of the labour party as prime minister who wanted to withdraw from nato and disband our armed forces. the right honourable lady heckles me but it is ridiculous for him to talk about our nuclear defences. the reality is, labour is all over the place. the shadow foreign secretary, the last time the house voted on our nuclear defences, the shadow foreign secretary voted against it. so did their parent labour deputy leader. they want to talk about standing up for our armed forcesjust they want to talk about standing up for our armed forces just in the last year the labour party have been given the opportunity to back our armed services, our armed forces, our troops, armed services, our armed forces, ourtroops, oursoldiers armed services, our armed forces, our troops, our soldiers in the overseas operations bill. they have the chance to stand up for veterans, they voted against it on a three line whip. those are the instincts of the labour party, we and supporting our troops, we come back in britain when it matters and weak on defence. in britain when it matters and weak on defence-— in britain when it matters and weak on defence. �* , _, ., . on defence. let's come to the father ofthe on defence. let's come to the father of the house- — of the house. my of the house. my right honourable friend, the prime _ my right honourable friend, the prime minister has pointed out the present— prime minister has pointed out the present labour leadership is more on the side _ present labour leadership is more on the side ofm — present labour leadership is more on the side of... that is a sign of some — the side of... that is a sign of some kind _ the side of... that is a sign of some kind of unity. prime minister, didn't_ some kind of unity. prime minister, didn't mention development is much in his_ didn't mention development is much in his statement. i would ask whether_ in his statement. i would ask whether he would meet is to have discussions on it. the question of meeting — discussions on it. the question of meeting the .7% has been agreed. the government— meeting the .7% has been agreed. the government said it would be maintained, it now says that they will be _ maintained, it now says that they will be a — maintained, it now says that they will be a gap and it'll be restored. want _ will be a gap and it'll be restored. want that— will be a gap and it'll be restored. want that gap to be evaporated, to id want that gap to be evaporated, to go awax _ want that gap to be evaporated, to go away. not to happen. aid shouldnt— go away. not to happen. aid shouldn't go down, it should go up. i shouldn't go down, it should go up. iwouid _ shouldn't go down, it should go up. i would leave it in the prime minister— i would leave it in the prime minister to say when it is those who are concerned about aid for yemen will get _ are concerned about aid for yemen will get the — are concerned about aid for yemen will get the answers to whether they are going _ will get the answers to whether they are going to be cut as well. i want to stand _ are going to be cut as well. i want to stand beside a prime minister as well as_ to stand beside a prime minister as well as behind him and we want to meet _ well as behind him and we want to meet the — well as behind him and we want to meet the commitment he wrote in the manifesto _ meet the commitment he wrote in the manifesto and meeting that commitment. | manifesto and meeting that commitment.— manifesto and meeting that commitment. . . ., , commitment. i am gratefulto my riaht commitment. i am gratefulto my right honourable _ commitment. i am gratefulto my right honourable friend. - commitment. i am gratefulto my right honourable friend. people i commitment. i am gratefulto my. right honourable friend. people are listening to this debate might not grasp this country is the biggest european donor to yemen, given a billion over the last six years. 87 million this year. they don�*t grasp we are giving £10 billion in international aid. we could be proud of what we�*re doing and we were returned to the north .7% target when circumstances allow. let�*s returned to the north .7% target when circumstances allow. let's go to the leader _ when circumstances allow. let's go to the leader of _ when circumstances allow. let's go to the leader of the _ when circumstances allow. let's go to the leader of the snp, _ when circumstances allow. let's go to the leader of the snp, ian - to the leader of the snp, ian blackford. let me thank the prime minister for advance _ let me thank the prime minister for advance copy of his statement and let me _ advance copy of his statement and let me also begin by thanking my snp colleagues led by the member for glasgow— colleagues led by the member for glasgow south in sterling who compiled the substantial submission on behalf— compiled the substantial submission on behalf of the snp during the review— on behalf of the snp during the review is— on behalf of the snp during the review is consultation. mr speaker, today's— review is consultation. mr speaker, today's statement is one more insight — today's statement is one more insight intojust how hollow the brand _ insight intojust how hollow the brand of— insight intojust how hollow the brand of global britain actually is. the prime — brand of global britain actually is. the prime minister's rhetoric also fails to _ the prime minister's rhetoric also fails to come close to reality. today. — fails to come close to reality. today, the prime minister preaches about— today, the prime minister preaches about international obligation but only yesterday our closest partners in the _ only yesterday our closest partners in the eu _ only yesterday our closest partners in the eu are bringing his government to court for breaking international law. the prime minister— international law. the prime minister talks about a partnership with nations across the world. in the very— with nations across the world. in the very week that the most senior figures _ the very week that the most senior figures in _ the very week that the most senior figures in the us, including the speaker— figures in the us, including the speaker of congress, warned against the uk's _ speaker of congress, warned against the uk's increasingly unilateralist approach — the uk's increasingly unilateralist approach. the chasm between the prime _ approach. the chasm between the prime minister rhetoric and reality of his— prime minister rhetoric and reality of his actions deeply damaging. just because _ of his actions deeply damaging. just because he wastes {2.6 million desperately trying to copy the white house's _ desperately trying to copy the white house's press briefing room doesn't hide the _ house's press briefing room doesn't hide the reality of the uk's weakening global influence. we are _ weakening global influence. we are leaving the commons. if you want to carry on watching a get the answer to ian blackford�*s questions, you can carry on watching a bbc parliament. we will have bbc news and one. let�*s have a look at the weather first. hello. the skies may remain a little bit on the grey side for one or two of you this afternoon, but the vast majority, we should all see some sunshine, much like we did, developed this morning across parts of scotland. we are going to see plenty of sunshine but out in the atlantic with better weather system that is going to be pushing for a club back towards scotland over the next 24 hours as we will see and if in a moment has to grab the sunshine whilst it�*s there. in the sunshine today, quite warm for march. notice it on the coastline, same green tinge is on the map. the air is cold there with winds coming in off the sea. the north sea is only 6 degrees at the moment. overnight tonight, we�*ll keep the dry weather and largely clear sky so it�*ll be cold enough for an odd nip of frost in the coldest locations. it is a chilly night in the nightjust passed. high pressure remains with us but remember the cloud we saw, it is working towards scotland. they will also be cloud coming into the north sea with a weather system here. it could bring a few showers to was nice —— eastern areas of england. that still leaves a lot of icy england. that still leaves a lot of joy and reasonably sunny weather for most of us. the best of ascension in the south—western areas, southern way is properly having some of the highest temperatures, about 14 in cardiff. forthursday, highest temperatures, about 14 in cardiff. for thursday, another week weather system pushing across the north sea bringing the threat of names to the south—east of england. a lot of dry weather, turning flower temperatures about 10—12 celsius. looking at the chance for friday, we have got high pressure to the west of the uk and we will see some of his colder airjust spilling in parts of southern and eastern england. we�*re not talking about arctic blast but if you are exposed to some of those onshore winds, for example in kent, temperatures will struggle on the winds will become gusty. a lot of cloud that mainly drive and persisting in double figures. the duke of edinburgh has been discharged from hospital a month after being admitted, after undergoing a successful heart procedure. prince philip, who is 99, returned to windsor castle after his longest—ever stay in hospital. we�*ll bring you the latest from our correspondent in windsor. also this lunchtime... borisjohnson unveils a new vision for the uk�*s place in the world — less europe, more asia. global britain is not a reflection of old obligations, still less a vainglorious gesture, but a necessity for the safety and prosperity of the british people in the decades ahead. germany, france and some other eu countries await confirmation from europe�*s medicines regulator that the oxford astrazeneca vaccine is safe. the police officer accused of the kidnap and murder of sarah everard is due to go on trial in late october.