this is bbc news. the headlines: the health secretary insists the astrazeneca vaccine remains safe, after experts found a potential link to extremely rare blood clots. we know the roll—out�*s working, we know the safety system is working and we are on track to meet the goal of offering to all adult by the end ofjuly and the speed of the roll—out will not be affected by these decisions, so, you know, when you get the call, get the jab. the sister of a man who died from a blood clot after taking the astrazeneca vaccine urges people to continue having the jab. we will save more lives by people having the vaccine than not. so the risk of clot is very, very small and my brother

was extraordinarily unlucky. political leaders call for peace after another night of violence in belfast. the northern ireland secretary has arrived for urgent talks. the police have condemned the violence. it's sad to see this. the scenes we saw were absolutely disgraceful in terms of the serious criminal_ disgraceful in terms of the serious criminal act— disgraceful in terms of the serious criminal act that were being carried out and _ criminal act that were being carried out and the — criminal act that were being carried out and the violent disorder that was taking place and it needs to be condemned in the strongest possible terms _ after myanmar�*s former uk envoy was locked out of the embassy overnight, the foreign secretary condemns the country's �*bullying' military leaders. back on the buses. as public transport is prepared for next week's lockdown easing in england, the industry tries to reassure travellers that it will be safe.

the health secretary, matt hancock, says the uk has more than enough supply of the pfizer and moderna covid vaccines to treat all adults under the age of 30 after the medicines regulator said people aged 18 to 29 should be offered an alternative to the astrazeneca jab, because of a possible link with rare blood clots. his comments come as scientists tracking covid—19 in england say the vaccination programme is beginning to break the link between cases and deaths. the latest official figures have shown the lowest weekly number of deaths with covid, in england and wales, since mid—october. here's our health correspondentjim reed. in just over 100 days' time, every adult in the uk should have been vaccinated.

the government says it is sticking to that plan, despite growing signs the astrazeneca jab can be linked to a very rare form of blood clot. after the last 2a hours, we now know that the vaccine works and is breaking the chains of... breaking the link from cases to deaths. we know the roll—out is working, we know the safety system is working and we are on track to meet the goal of offering to all adults by the end ofjuly and the speed of the roll—out won't be affected by these decisions. when you get the call, get the jab. 79 people in the uk have now been diagnosed with the blood clot, a fraction of the 20 million given the astrazeneca jab. there is still no proof the vaccine is causing the very rare condition. the regulator said the link is now getting firmer. neil astles died on easter sunday after suffering a blood clot weeks after receiving his vaccine. we cannot know for

sure what caused his death but his family say they were told by doctors a link was likely. despite what has happened to neil and the impact on ourfamily, i still strongly believe that people should go ahead and have the vaccine. if you've had one dose, go ahead and have your second. if you haven't had your dose yet, make sure that you do because overall we will save more lives by people having the vaccine than not. overall, the risk of falling seriously ill with covid is far higher than any risk from the vaccine but data so far suggests the blood clots may tend to affect more younger people who are also far less at risk from the virus itself — that is why those under 30 will now be offered a different type ofjab. there are 10.1 million people in that age group. 1.6 million of those have already had theirfirst dose. the advice there is to continue

with the same second dose. that leaves another 8.5 million who will now be offered a different type of vaccine made by the drugs companies pfizer and moderna. we would still encourage people to have a vaccination against covid because it isn't just about the infection itself, it is about long covid, developing those long—term consequences as well as of course protecting the more vulnerable in the population who can't have the vaccination. ministers said today there is enough supply of alljabs to keep the programme on track, and government advisers say anyone offered the astrazeneca vaccine should still take up the offer. we still feel this is a safe, effective vaccine where the benefits far outweigh the risks to the majority of people. i would encourage anybody who has been offered either their first dose of the oxford astrazeneca vaccine, and certainly their second dose where there have been no cases of the second dose, to receive it today when offered. the roll—out of the vaccine is crucial — and notjust

for these people queueing for theirjabs. keeping the programme on track will be key as more lockdown restrictions are lifted across the uk in the coming weeks. jim reed, bbc news. australia has become the latest country to place restrictions on the astrazeneca vaccine, saying it should only be used on people over the age of 50. let's take a look at what's happening in other countries around the world. many countries have suspended use of the vaccine among young adults while investigations continue. as well as australia, these countries include canada, south korea, the philippines and several eu nations like france, germany, italy, and spain. two scandinavian countries — denmark and norway — have halted use of the vaccine entirely, while other countries have continued to use the vaccine with no restrictions, like in mexico and brazil.

despite the fact that the vaccine is being manufactured in the us, the jab has not yet been approved for use there. karl ekdahl is from the european centre for disease prevention and control — an eu agency aimed at strengthening europe's defences against infectious diseases. a very good afternoon to you, sir. thank you very much, same to you. when people watching here that list of countries and see the different approaches taken in different places, i wonder what that does to public confidence. is that something that concerns you?— that concerns you? well, actually this is more _ that concerns you? well, actually this is more an _ that concerns you? well, actually this is more an issue _ that concerns you? well, actually this is more an issue for- that concerns you? well, actually this is more an issue for the - this is more an issue for the commission and the single member states. where i work, we are doing risk assessments, we are taking up and compiling the facts and also

looking at uptake of vaccines. then it is up to each member state, that is how it works in the eu, to decide for each country how to do it. and, of course, this also depends on the situation in each country, so each country needs to look at what is the situation in their country, their opinion, and then take their decision. {iii opinion, and then take their decision-— opinion, and then take their decision. _, , , ., decision. of course, i understand it is absolutely _ decision. of course, i understand it is absolutely up _ decision. of course, i understand it is absolutely up to _ decision. of course, i understand it is absolutely up to each _ decision. of course, i understand it is absolutely up to each member i is absolutely up to each member state to reach that decision, but i suppose i am getting to the point of the fact that different countries are making different decisions which, of course, is their right, but does that not impact on public confidence? that there is not agreement, it shows how finely balanced these decisions are. i balanced these decisions are. i think that the most important thing there is that each country, the population in each country, has trust in its own government and, of course, as in the uk also in each of

the countries, there are different public debates going on and, of course, in each country, the decision—makers, the policymakers need to take into account both public opinion, the policy in the countries and then base all that on the risk assessments and, again, it it is not easy doing risk assessments with the vaccines, that is where the agency comes in in the netherlands. is where the agency comes in in the netherlands-— netherlands. presumably your organisation _ netherlands. presumably your organisation would _ netherlands. presumably your organisation would want - netherlands. presumably yourl organisation would want people netherlands. presumably your - organisation would want people to take a covid vaccine when it is offered to them? it is an everybody�*s benefits are, whatever your age, to have that vaccine, with that the your position? that your age, to have that vaccine, with that the your position?— that the your position? that is absolutely _ that the your position? that is absolutely the _ that the your position? that is absolutely the case, _ that the your position? that is absolutely the case, yes, - that the your position? that is i absolutely the case, yes, indeed. and therefore what would your organisation like to see? what does

it propose in terms of ensuring that vaccination programmes can continue in countries around the world? again, that is not the role and remit of the organisation. what we can be doing is of course we are following up, we are now starting big studies on the vaccine effectiveness to compare the different vaccines and then, of course, it is an everyone's interest to really reinforce that the vaccines are really important. these might be the way out of the pandemic and everyone that is offered a vaccine should take it and then there might be small variations between the countries, but the basic fact that the vaccines are safe and effective could not be overstated. that said, of course, the vaccines and especially while the roll—out is still going on is not a silver

bullet. i think the biggest challenge we are probably having is not the vaccine hesitancy, i think it is more that people are getting fatigued, pandemic fatigue, and it will be causing increasing difficulties in really ensuring and arguing with the population that social distancing and all the non—pharmaceutical interventions are even more important and, of course, all this is happening in a situation where we have a number of new variants. this is a virus that mutates and the present variance of concern, i mean, you have had your fair share of concern, i mean, you have had your fairshare of it concern, i mean, you have had your fair share of it in the uk and we are now also seeing that in all the other european countries. it is a virus variance that is transmitting more easily between people, so the

interventions, keeping your distance, washing your hands, staying at home, even more important now than ever and this is really important in orderfor us now than ever and this is really important in order for us to now than ever and this is really important in orderfor us to bridge the period between sufficient proportions of the population being vaccinated. that proportions of the population being vaccinated. ., , proportions of the population being vaccinated. . , , vaccinated. that is interesting, thank you _ vaccinated. that is interesting, thank you very _ vaccinated. that is interesting, thank you very much _ vaccinated. that is interesting, thank you very much for - vaccinated. that is interesting, thank you very much for your l vaccinated. that is interesting, - thank you very much for your time. thank you for having me, thank you. and we will talk more about that story over the afternoon, of course. it is 12 minute pass to. 0ur our other main story today is the situation in northern ireland. political leaders in northern ireland have condemned the rioting that's raged in belfast for six nights, but criticised each other about the underlying causes. police were attacked, petrol bombs were thrown and a bus was set on fire last night. in total, 55 police officers have been injured in the violence. the northern ireland secretary brandon lewis says all communities must work together to resolve

tensions and that dialogue is the only way forward. he is to hold talks with political and faith leaders in northern ireland this afternoon. chris page sent this report. sirens the barrier, which is commonly known as a peace line, was anything but peaceful last night. the wall was built 20 years ago to try to stop clashes between politically divided communities in west belfast. but there was trouble on both sides as crowds threw petrol bombs, fireworks and bricks. violence began on the loyalist shankill road where protesters had gathered. a bus was hijacked and set on fire. there were no passengers on board, but the driver was said to be very shaken. then, across the peace wall in the springfield road area, republican youths rioted.

community representatives tried to calm the situation. sad to see this. we are trying to say to these young people that this isn't the answer. they shouldn't be engaging in violence, sectarian violence. it's only a matter of time, i feel, before someone gets seriously hurt. people in northern ireland had hoped that scenes of destruction like this belonged well in the past. but today, as the debris and damage from last night is cleaned up, the question is, does the violence of the past week have the potential to escalate? my appeal to those who whisk the narrow wish to organise the disorder is not to do it. it serves no purpose and nobody wants to see the scenes we have seen last night. we now have a new generation of children and young people who are being exposed to things they won't have seen previously. understanding order11, i have summoned the assembly to meet today. police briefed ministers in the devolved government this

morning, and the stormont assembly returned early from its easter break to discuss the issues. there can be no place in our society for violence, or the threat of violence, and it must stop. just as it was wrong in the past and was neverjustified, so it is wrong now, and cannot be justified. as political leaders, we must stand united in appealing to all concerned to refrain from further threats or use of violence, and recognise that is only through democratic politics that we can solve problems and concerns. both borisjohnson and the irish prime minister micheal martin have condemned the violence. it has been the most sustained level of violence in streets in northern ireland for some time. 0nly small areas have been affected so far, but many people in this part of the uk are feeling a new and yet familiar sense of concern. chris page, bbc news, belfast. let's speak to stephen farry. he is the deputy leader of the alliance party in northern ireland.

good afternoon. what do you say to those people who have been involved in the violence in recent nights? well, they have to stop. you saw a very clear message coming from the northern ireland assembly today. there was a motion proposed by my party leader stressing the importance of support of law, support for condemning the violence. we also have to reach out to people and understand the reasons behind what they are doing. there is, of course, no excuse whatsoever for engaging in that kind of behaviour and, indeed, the very serious incidents that we have seen that put people's lives in danger, but we should recognise that there are underlying causes that we need to address. we underlying causes that we need to address. ~ ., ., ,., . address. we heard from the police force that there _ address. we heard from the police force that there was _ address. we heard from the police force that there was preplanning i address. we heard from the police| force that there was preplanning in all of this. what underlying reasons are there for preplanning attacks, the nature of which we have just been witnessing on our screens? well, clearly, the violence is orchestrated. at the front line, you

are seeing children being used and exploited, people as young as 12 and 13 have been arrested. these are paramilitary organised crime gangs trying to exploit the situation. there are wider tensions and there is a wider context for this which involves the streets over what happened with the bobby storey funeral lastjune and the fallout from that, some very unfair attacks on the cheek and in terms of how he has been trying to manage the situation. and in the background, we have the tensions arising from brexit where brexit has been imposed upon a very fragile society which only really works through sharing and interdependence and the problem of brexit is that there has to be some degree of a border which brings friction and undermines some people's sense of identity. brandon lewis is having _ people's sense of identity. brandon lewis is having talks _ people's sense of identity. brandon lewis is having talks is _ people's sense of identity. brandon lewis is having talks is afternoon. | lewis is having talks is afternoon. what needs to happen? where does the leadership need to come from,

despite all the reasons that you say are there and that you have outlined there, what needs to happen? is a political leadership that can start unlocking this?— political leadership that can start unlocking this? political leadership is crucial. first _ unlocking this? political leadership is crucial. first of— unlocking this? political leadership is crucial. first of all, _ unlocking this? political leadership is crucial. first of all, that - is crucial. first of all, that challenge lies here in northern ireland with the executive. parties need to address their wider differences and they also need to invest in a whole range of social and economic interventions to try to address poverty and lack of opportunity, lack of employment in some of these areas, but frankly, there is a role for the uk government as well and particularly last night, all we saw from the prime minister were platitudes in the form of a tweet. it is good that brandon lewis is here today having meetings, but the government have to recognise that decisions they have taken have contributed to the underlying tensions and they have a role in trying to defuse this, not least in trying to soften some aspects of brexit in particular the protocol. there is no plausible alternative at the moment to the

protocol, but it is a very stark border that has been put in place and more work has to be done in that regard and i would encourage the prime minister to do that if he cares about the union and northern ireland. that is something he has to do. ,, , ., ., ~ ireland. that is something he has to do. ,, , ., ., ,, i. the foreign secretary dominic raab has condemned what he's called the bullying actions of myanmar�*s military leaders, after the country's former ambassador to the uk was locked out of the embassy in london last night. a spokesman for the sacked envoy kyaw zwar minn has asked the british government not to recognise his replacement. myanmar�*s military seized power in a coup in february, sparking widespread protests. 0ur diplomatic correspondent james landale reports. for more than two months now, myanmar has been torn apart by violence as people protested against the army's seizure of power. now this bloody struggle has led

to a diplomatic stand—off on the streets of london. this is kyaw zwar minn. as far as he was concerned, he was myanmar�*s ambassador to britain but last night he was locked out of his embassy by his deputy in the military attache. they occupy my building. the picture on the back of his car explains why. last month he criticised the coup and called for the elected leader, aung san suu kyi, to be released and reinstated. the ambassador was summoned home, but he refused. after a night in his car, the ambassador was still there this morning and, through a spokesman, said he was looking for support from the british government and urged them not to work with the diplomats inside. he is trying to walk in the middle ground, but there is no doubt which is the right side. the military have killed nearly 600 people, including 48 children. in a tweet, the foreign secretary dominic raab did voice his support.

are you still the ambassador? yes, of course. but a foreign office spokesman said it had been formally notified by the myanmar authorities that the position of the ambassador in london had been terminated and the uk had to accept that decision. in recent weeks, the outside of the embassy has become a shrine to those who have died and a focal point for protesters. now it has also become the scene of a diplomatic coup which has effectively forced the uk to recognise the authority of the military regime in myanmar. james landale, bbc news. 0ur reporter charlotte wright is outside the embassy of myanmar in london. certainly, at certain points today,

there have been protesters. what have people been saying to you? the strenath have people been saying to you? tie: strength of feeling have people been saying to you? ti9: strength of feeling has been have people been saying to you? ti9 strength of feeling has been pretty clear to see. earlier, around 40—50 protesters were standing outside the embassy here chanting and singing. they are protesting against the military�*s actions in myanmar and also after what happened with the ambassador this morning. they were chanting and saying free aung san suu kyi and saying, we do not want the military. they have put some of their signs up behind me. some say uk government shutdown the burmese embassy. the battered himself as been coming and going this morning. he spent the night here in his car after not being able to get in last night and he slept in his car when i turned up here at about 730 this morning. he was putting his feet up in the back of his car and he has been coming and going since then speaking to the media. i spoke to him earlier and asked him if he was still the ambassador and he said, yes. that was before his meeting with the foreign office which was

due to take place, he said, at 1pm today. we are yet to hear the outcome from that and examine what happened. they are calling on the uk government to intervene. it puts the uk government in a slightly tricky situation, but we will have to wait and see exactly what the outcome was of that meeting that he was due to have at 1pm today.— of that meeting that he was due to have at 1pm today. yes, as soon as we hear more _ have at 1pm today. yes, as soon as we hear more about _ have at 1pm today. yes, as soon as we hear more about that, - have at 1pm today. yes, as soon as we hear more about that, we - have at 1pm today. yes, as soon as we hear more about that, we will l we hear more about that, we will come back to you. thank you for now. covid—19 has had a profound impact on end—of—life care for millions across the uk, with official figures showing that the number of people dying at home rose by more than 40% in the last year. and a report by the marie curie charity, seen by the bbc, suggests that drug shortages caused by the pandemic meant that some patients suffered unnecessary pain. karen morrison reports. my mum was a really brave and beautiful woman. she loved her

life and she lived it to the full. she really loved playing tennis — she'd play every week up until she became ill with the cancer. sheila lowe was 7a when she died last year from bowel cancer. after deciding to be looked after at home, her daughter susan became her main carer — but the country went into lockdown weeks later. we had a lot of difficulties getting hold of medicine. it would be sent electronically over to the local pharmacy. the pharmacy didn't have stocks. it was so frustrating. i think a couple of times i burst into tears in the... ..in the actual pharmacy. in a new survey of 1,000 unpaid carers, commissioned by marie curie, nearly two thirds of respondents said they didn't get all the support they needed to manage the pain of their loved one. 65% said they needed more respite care, and just over three quarters said they took on more emotional burdens.

we need to make sure now that care that is got right— for people in the future, our loved ones, peoplel who we know and we care for, is available for them - when they need it, and that means us prioritising| end—of—life and palliative care services in the home but also means that as a nation we should _ properly resource that. the elephant in the room - here is there isn't enough resource to make sure all that care is available for people - when they need it. terri was diagnosed with terminal cancer three days before christmas. when michelle received the devastating news about her wife terri, she wanted to ensure she could care for her at home. she said two things when we got back to the hospital car park. the first one was, "i don't want to go because i don't want to leave you." and the second was, "i want to die at home." when i needed respite, they struggled to get me somebody. i was lucky they got me somebody — i had a night sitter for one night.

and on the second night when the sitter arrived, i had to tell her that terri had died. many people, when given the option, will choose to spend their final weeks at home, but these problems were seen in professional settings too. at the start of the pandemic, hospices were not classed as a front—line nhs service, and they experienced shortages of ppe, medicines and staff. the department of health says it has funded support for unpaid carers throughout the pandemic, and that they continue to perform an incredibly important role. my biggest regret is that my mum died in pain — or more pain she needed to be in. karen morrison, bbc news. as england begins to open after lockdown, the public transport system is preparing for an influx of passengers. 0perators are trying to reassure travellers that trains

and buses will be safe, but passenger groups have warned that social distancing won't always be possible. the industry body says bus services in england should be up to 100% of pre—pandemic levels by monday. here's our transport correspondent, caroline davies. empty arrival halls in birmingham, deserted carriages in manchester, and quiet top decks on london buses. please ensure you wear a face covering... - this pandemic has meant many of us have spent months hardly using this network. but as the world begins to venture outside, public transport is once again getting ready to take us there. at this depot in hull, they began fogging their buses 1a months ago. they're planning extra services into the summer to help with social distancing, but there's still some uncertainty from potential passengers. i wouldn't like to use the bus. it can be so busy i wouldn't want to be that close to people, especially if it's so full

you have to sit next to a random person. as long as people wear their mask, i think you can get as many people on as you want. changes are happening around the country. by monday, there'll be 18,000 train services each weekday across britain — that's1,000 more since february. but how many passengers will take rail trips over the next few months is still guesswork. we want people to travel with confidence, so we're making as much space available for people — whether that's extra daily services or longer trains. we're also making sure that those trains are spotlessly clean, but also we're giving better information so that people can find out which services are busier and so they can plan theirjourneys better. while commuter services are likely to be busier, there's also transport to sports events, music festivals — even just trips to the beach that are likely to fill up. while the industry has always said that it will do what it can, it's down to the police to enforce the rules. while most services have been quiet during lockdown, there have been images like this, taken on the london

underground in january. maintaining social distance and wearing a mask will be crucial to getting people back on board confidently. returning to public transport may well feel strange and unsettling after months of keeping apart — the industry know that they need to rebuild that confidence to get passengers on board. caroline davies, bbc news. now it's time for a look at the weather with nick. hello. it is a little less cold out there today, especially where you've been seeing some sunny spells, but arctic air is poised to move in, initially across scotland and the rest of the uk in time for the weekend. it's actually moving in behind this band of rain that's sinking south across scotland today, into northern ireland this evening. ahead of that for england and wales, some sunny spells, some cloud thick enough for some patches of rain or showers. the wind is picking up all the while too, but many places seeing temperatures into double figures, though the cold air is moving in across scotland this evening. strengthening winds, 60—70 mph gusts, in the northern isles could be disruptive. snow showers and icy patches

in northern scotland going into the morning, and a frost too into northern ireland, parts of northern england where it clears up overnight as well. tomorrow's area of cloud and rain will move very slowly further south through wales, the midlands, east anglia, into southern england. northern england, northern ireland and scotland seeing sunny spells. a few wintry showers around, most frequent in northern scotland, though that strong wind easing here. it will feel cold. hello, this is bbc news with jane hill. the headlines: the health secretary has insisted the astrazeneca vaccine remains safe, after experts found a potential link to extremely rare blood clots. the sister of a man who died from a blood clot after taking the astrazeneca vaccine urges people to continue having the jab.

political leaders call for peace after another night of violence in belfast — the northern ireland secretary has arrived for urgent talks. the police have condemned the violence. after myanmar�*s former uk envoy was locked out of the embassy overnight, the foreign secretary condemns the country's �*bullying' military leaders. back on the buses — as public transport is prepared for next week's lockdown easing in england, the industry tries to reassure travellers that it will be safe. sport now, and time for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre. here is 0lly foster. good afternoon. masters golf coming up in a moment, but we'll start with football, as swansea city say they won't post anything on social media for the next seven days, to take a stand against continuing online racist abuse. three of their players have been targetted recently

and the championship club say that the first team squad, academy professionals, women's team and club staff will boycott all channels for the next week. the captain, matt grimes, has called on social media platforms to do more and says: "as a close and diverse group of players, "this is something we all feel extremely passionate about." there's more european football this evening, the quarter—finals of the europa league get under way. arsenal are at home in the first leg against slavia prague, a team who have knocked out both leicester city and rangers this season. mikel arteta's side were heavily criticised after their 3—0 defeat to liverpool on saturday. we have to respect every opinion. and when there is criticism coming after the way we played against liverpool, we have to take it on the chin because it's fully deserved, any criticism we get. it is now time to respond, it is time to talk on the pitch and show what we can do, which when we are at

full gas, which is a lot. manchester united travel to southern spain to face granada, who have been impressive in their first season of european football. 0le gunnar solskajer is still looking for his first trophy as united manager and the europa league looks like the best shot. if you get the chance to play in a quarterfinal in europe for man united, every player knows this is a massive game and it's an important game for you. and for me as well. i'm the manager and i know that, of course, it is just of the first half in a two leg affair, but it is a big for us. the french open will start a week later than scheduled. it will run from the 30th may to the 13th ofjune. tournament organisers at roland garros say they want the largest number of fans to be able to attend, and with france in a third national lockdown, moving the championships will give them the best possible chance. this will impact on the grass court

season in the build up to wimbledon. the lta say they are looking at the implications for their events to see if they need to make changes to the calendar. sarah hunter will play her first england game for 13 months when they face italy on saturday in the women's six nations. she comes straight back into the side and will reclaim the captaincy. she's one of ten changes to the team that beat scotland last weekend. in a revamped format for the six nations, the red roses will reach the final if they beat the italians in parma. hunter has struggled with a hamstring strain and more recently nerve damage in her hand. 0ur england medical team have been absolutely brilliant. they've got me to the best people, they've given me the best programmes and i've been supported so well, that actually we did get to the bottom of it eventually and it took five months to do so, but it has now allowed me

to be back where i am. and, yeah, back in a white shirt, which is everything. like which is everything. my day to day life at the moment like my day to day life at the moment is striving for. the early starters are out augusta national in the first round of the masters, golf�*s first major of the year. it's back in it's original april slot. the course was far more forgiving for the players when it was played in november last year. 2015 championjordan spieth is in the last group out, he broke a four year title drought over the weekend but is being realistic about his chances. ijust i just feel like there's quite a few things that i still need to improve on and get better and ifelt things that i still need to improve on and get better and i felt that over the weekend. ifelt on and get better and i felt that over the weekend. i felt it wasn't the best my swing felt all my stroke felt. there are times and ways that i can take a step forward and feel better and produce better golf shots

consistently and produce better strokes and it was pretty awesome when i look back and think, you know, there is a next level that i've been at that time still searching for right now. you can keep across _ searching for right now. you can keep across the _ searching for right now. you can keep across the masters, - searching for right now. you can keep across the masters, the i searching for right now. you can i keep across the masters, the first round on the bbc sports website. sandy lyle, the former champion has just hit a seven on the par three fourth. i will have an update for you in the next hour. see you then. thank you very much, see you a little later on. lets talk more as promised about covid and the vaccination programme. the health secretary, matt hancock, has tried to reassure people about the safety of the astrazeneca jab, saying there was "no evidence" of rare blood clots after the second dose of the vaccine. he said the uk's vaccination programme was breaking the link between covid cases and deaths — and saving "thousands of lives".

in addition to generally trying to reassure people today, he added that the vaccine programme remains on track and that means all adults should have their first dose by the end ofjuly. many of those helping with the scheme are volunteers, recruited to bolster nhs teams. let's find out what that expeirence has been like. katie noble has been working with stjohn ambulance at a vaccination centre in norwich. hello, good afternoon. hello. how many vaccines _ hello, good afternoon. hello. how many vaccines do _ hello, good afternoon. hello. how many vaccines do you _ hello, good afternoon. hello. how many vaccines do you think- hello, good afternoon. hello. how many vaccines do you think you . hello, good afternoon. ti9ii9. how many vaccines do you think you have administered since you started volunteering? t’m administered since you started volunteering?— administered since you started volunteerin? �* , :, ., ' :: :: volunteering? i'm up to about 1700 now so quite _ volunteering? i'm up to about 1700 now so quite a _ volunteering? i'm up to about 1700 now so quite a few _ volunteering? i'm up to about 1700 now so quite a few under _ volunteering? i'm up to about 1700 now so quite a few under the - volunteering? i'm up to about 1700 now so quite a few under the belt. | now so quite a few under the belt. wow, tell me, start from the beginning, did you have any medical experience or knowledge and if not, what does the training consist of, how does it work? t what does the training consist of,

how does it work?— what does the training consist of, how does it work? i have been with st john ambulance _ how does it work? i have been with st john ambulance for _ how does it work? i have been with st john ambulance for nearly - how does it work? i have been with st john ambulance for nearly four. stjohn ambulance for nearly four years now, volunteering at regular events, sporting things, marathons and so on. i got the call out to potentiallyjoin the and so on. i got the call out to potentially join the vaccination programme towards the end of 2020 last year. all of the volunteers have been through a day of in—person training, we have done online training, we have done online training as well and then been signed off to be vaccinators. we have been in the norwich site since january, 12 weeks strong. henge have been in the norwich site since january, 12 weeks strong. have you en'o ed january, 12 weeks strong. have you enjoyed it? — january, 12 weeks strong. have you enjoyed it? we — january, 12 weeks strong. have you enjoyed it? i've really _ january, 12 weeks strong. have you enjoyed it? i've really enjoyed - january, 12 weeks strong. have you enjoyed it? i've really enjoyed it. . enjoyed it? i've really en'oyed it. it's been lovely * enjoyed it? i've really en'oyed it. it's been lovely to h enjoyed it? i've really en'oyed it. it's been lovely to see _ enjoyed it? i've really enjoyed it. it's been lovely to see so - enjoyed it? i've really enjoyed it. it's been lovely to see so many l it's been lovely to see so many people coming through and work alongside so many different people, from nhs, stjohn volunteers and many other different organisations as well. t’m many other different organisations as well. �* , ., as well. i'm interesting are interested _ as well. i'm interesting are interested in _ as well. i'm interesting are interested in people's - as well. i'm interesting are - interested in people's responses when they get to you. i'm thinking of the time i had my first dose and there was a big sign at the front door of the place where i went. it said, today we are administering the

astrazeneca jab and i laughed and said to them and taking my name, is that because you are sick of answering the question which jab is it? he said, yes, absolutely foster everyone wants to know which one they are getting. have you had to reassure some people? have you had people nervous about it? what have been some of the reactions you have encountered? ladle been some of the reactions you have encountered?— encountered? we have had all sorts of reactions — encountered? we have had all sorts of reactions at _ encountered? we have had all sorts of reactions at the _ encountered? we have had all sorts of reactions at the centre _ encountered? we have had all sorts of reactions at the centre itself. - of reactions at the centre itself. we have had tears ofjoy, people understandably quite nervous about receiving any form of vaccine. it's not natural to like the idea of putting someone —— someone putting a needle in your arm. some very grateful this is the beginning of the end of covid for a lot of people. we have questions like which one of you got? it's interesting to see the different reactions. lots are grateful to get any form of vaccine they can be offered. henge vaccine they can be offered. have ou vaccine they can be offered. have you picked _ vaccine they can be offered. have you picked up _ vaccine they can be offered. have you picked up on _ vaccine they can be offered. have you picked up on a _ vaccine they can be offered. have you picked up on a little - vaccine they can be offered. have you picked up on a little more nervousness in recent weeks about astrazeneca or our people just

asking more questions about it? has there been a shift, in your experience?— there been a shift, in your experience? there been a shift, in your exerience? :, , ., experience? there have been a few more questions _ experience? there have been a few more questions over— experience? there have been a few more questions over the _ experience? there have been a few more questions over the last - experience? there have been a few more questions over the last few i more questions over the last few weeks but they are not questions we don't have answers to. we have health care professionals on site at all times that can answer any of those questions for people and reassure them. at the end of the day, it's everyone's decision whether they want to receive that vaccine today. tell whether they want to receive that vaccine today-— whether they want to receive that vaccine today. whether they want to receive that vaccine toda . , ., :, vaccine today. tell us about some of the other volunteers, _ vaccine today. tell us about some of the other volunteers, who _ vaccine today. tell us about some of the other volunteers, who does - vaccine today. tell us about some of the other volunteers, who does sign| the other volunteers, who does sign up the other volunteers, who does sign up and want to help out on this? because some of them are nhs workers and other medics but lots of people are not. , ,:, ., ., and other medics but lots of people are not. , ., ., ., , are not. yes, so we have a really, really diverse _ are not. yes, so we have a really, really diverse range _ are not. yes, so we have a really, really diverse range of— are not. yes, so we have a really, really diverse range of people - are not. yes, so we have a really, | really diverse range of people with stjohn and the vaccination programme. as you said, a lot of retired health care professionals who already have the skills to virtually walk into the role. we had quite a few students who have a fair amount of time on their hands now things have moved to online learning, like myself. we have quite a few people from the hospitality industry who have been furloughed over the last few months and then we also have people who have

unfortunately lost loved ones to u nfortu nately lost loved ones to covid unfortunately lost loved ones to covid and want to do what they can to help with the vaccine programme to help with the vaccine programme to get us out of things. so to help with the vaccine programme to get us out of things.— to get us out of things. so much more i to get us out of things. so much more i could _ to get us out of things. so much more i could ask _ to get us out of things. so much more i could ask you _ to get us out of things. so much more i could ask you but - to get us out of things. so much more i could ask you but it - to get us out of things. so much more i could ask you but it is . more i could ask you but it is lovely to talk to you. thank you for everything that you and all your team members have been doing. thank you very much for giving up your time in that way, thank you. katie noble, who has volunteered and is still volunteering with stjohn ambulance, working to deliver vaccines in norwich. she thinks she has delivered about 1700 so far. we will talk more about vaccines more broadly across europe, indeed, after 3pm. the time now is to: a1. rioting in west belfast last night was on scale not seen in northern ireland for years, police have said. during several hours of violence, police officers were attacked, petrol bombs were thrown and a bus was burned. northern ireland secretary brandon lewis has urged all communities to work together to end the violence, saying the determination to move on from the troubles cannot be

"crushed by a small minority". speaking at a news conference this afternoon, assistant chief constablejonathan roberts from northern ireland police service said the scenes last night were absolutely disgraceful. he has appealed to anyone who was on a bus which was later set alight, to make contact with police if they haven't already done so. last night, from 5pm onwards, we observed that there was large crowds of several hundred people gathering on both sides of the gates in west belfast at lanark way. 0ver on both sides of the gates in west belfast at lanark way. over the course of the hours after that, the crowds grew in number and attacked each other with multiple petrol bombs, multiple missiles including masonry and fireworks and also

attacked police who were endeavouring to restore order to the area. the scenes that we saw were absolutely disgraceful, in terms of serious criminal acts that were being carried out under violent disorder that was taking place and it needs to be condemned in the strongest possible terms. in the wider area, we also saw a bus being hijacked, which was an extremely distressing incident for the bus driver and the people that were on the bus at the time. i would appeal to anyone who was on the bus who has not yet spoken to police to make contact with police, in order that the incident can be thoroughly investigated. we also had two other vehicles which were set on fire and “p vehicles which were set on fire and up against the gates. the gates at the time were also forced open and crowds from both sides incurred through the gates and attacked each other. : , �*

other. inaudible what we - other. inaudible what we saw - other. inaudible what we saw was | other. inaudible | what we saw was a other. inaudible - what we saw was a mixture other. inaudible _ what we saw was a mixture of other. inaudible — what we saw was a mixture of young people and adults but there were certainly some children present, we would assess as being as young as 13 or 1a, who were encouraged and supported by adults who stood by and clapped and cheered. there were certainly people involved in those who were not part of paramilitary groups. there were children, as i say, who took part in it and there were other adults. i know that what took place does not represent the wider community, either on the springfield road or the shenko road. and whether or not paramilitary groups were involved remains an active line of investigation. there will be a full and thorough investigation into the circumstances of what happened last night and in the previous five nights. we now have a total of 55 police officers injured and it is

very, very lucky that nobody was seriously injured or killed last night given the large volume of... in particular petrol bombs that were thrown during the disorder and all the circumstances will be the subject of a full investigation. anybody who participates in such behaviour can expect to be arrested, can expected to be remanded into custody and can expected to be placed in front of the courts for due process. sorry, i didn't catch the question?— the question? inaudible i cannot confirm - the question? inaudible i cannot confirm the - the question? inaudible - i cannot confirm the involvement of polymeric trees but the orchestration of last night's disorder and the previous night remains the subject of investigation. —— involvement of paramilitary is. investigation. -- involvement of paramilitary is— investigation. -- involvement of aramilita is. :, ,, paramilitary is. who was responsible and was it to — paramilitary is. who was responsible and was it to create _ paramilitary is. who was responsible

and was it to create a _ paramilitary is. who was responsible and was it to create a sectarian... i and was it to create a sectarian... the scale — and was it to create a sectarian... the scale of — and was it to create a sectarian... the scale of the _ and was it to create a sectarian... the scale of the disorder- and was it to create a sectarian... the scale of the disorder last- and was it to create a sectarian... l the scale of the disorder last night was a scale we have not seen in recent years in belfast or further afield. the fact that it was sectarian violence and there was large groups on both sides of the gates at lanark way again is something we have not seen for a number of years. we do believe that there was a level of preplanning. you don't come by such volumes of petrol bombs and missiles and fireworks without preplanning, so there was a scale of planning and orchestration to it.— there was a scale of planning and orchestration to it. assistant chief constable jonathan _ orchestration to it. assistant chief constable jonathan roberts - orchestration to it. assistant chief constable jonathan roberts from | orchestration to it. assistant chief i constable jonathan roberts from the police service of northern ireland, taking to headlines. the health secretary insists the astrazeneca vaccine remains safe, after experts found a potential link to extremely rare blood clots. the sister of a man who died from a blood clot after taking the astrazeneca vaccine urges people to continue having the jab. political leaders call for peace after another night

of violence in belfast — the northern ireland secretary has arrived for urgent talks. the police have condemned the violence. a £15 million government support package has been announced for the expected arrival of thousands of hong kong citizens in the uk. a new visa scheme has been set up in response to china's security clampdown in the former british territory. our home editor mark easton reports. in the seven weeks since the new british national 0verseas visa for hong kong nationals was launched, 27,000 people have already applied to come to the uk. some are understood to be veterans of protests against beijing's decision to restrict democratic freedoms on the previously british—run territory. but, many are expected to be families wanting to take advantage of the uk's offer to start a new life here. we have received quite a lot

of feedback from our hong kong audience that they really hope to be self—sufficient in supporting themselves, as best as they can, when they arrive, so that they do not become a burden on the state and they indeed hope to positively contribute towards the uk economy and society. the home office estimates that up to 154,000 may come in the first year, and a third of a million in the next five years. but, if demand remains at current levels, those forecasts would be easily overtaken. it is absolutely right to be supporting the people of hong kong in their hour of need. i have no problem with that. however, looking at it from an immigration perspective, this is hardly the control of immigration we were promised. the government have given an open ended right to settle to some 5.4 million people. today, the government has announced a £43 million support package, including 12 welcome hubs spread across every region of the uk

to help hundreds of thousands of hong kong citizens gain access to housing, school places and jobs in britain. so, you will be able to go and get practical support for everything from how to get a national insurance number, how to get your children into local schools, who have to transfer your professional qualifications. we are also ensuring that there is support for those who come here, who don't speak fluent english. so they will be able to access english language training. and, if you do fall on hard times, you will be able to access support from your local council. for example, you will be able to access social housing. the government says it has an historical and moral commitment to the people of hong kong and, although elected on a promise to reduce immigration numbers, ministers are determined to lay out the welcome mat to up to 6 million people. mark easton, bbc news. part of an ancient woodland that helped inspire roald dahl to write fantastic mr fox is being cleared to make way for work on the hs2 high speed rail link.

the operation has led to a standoff with protesters. our environment correspondent clare marshall reports. the ancient beech trees ofjones' hill wood. they're said to have helped inspire the author roald dahl to write his story about wily mr fox. but times have changed. it's in the path of the controversial new high—speed line from london to birmingham. protesters have been camped out here for almost a year, but hs2 contractors have now started to fell two thirds of the wood. in its heart, we found an aerial standoff. a young protester. she's getting in the way of the tree cutters, doing what she can to delay the work. a bailiff — part of the national eviction team — climbs up to meet her. there are police present, and paramedics on standby. hs2 say that the train line is going to help make the uk carbon—neutral.

in essence, you're fighting against something that would be good for the environment. it's not encouraging rail travel. if it were, they'd be making it cheaper and more accessible than car travel, say. so, yeah, that whole thing is completely inaccessible. it's quite a big hint that sustainability, isn't their main focus. hs2 say they're planting up to seven million trees — including 22,000 around jones' hill wood. what we are doing through the compensation is to look at the native species that are already within the landscape and design a mitigation scheme that is sympathetic to what is around it. it creates a green corridor along the route. roald dahl�*s fictional farmer boggis, bunce and bean failed to outwit the cunning mr fox.

the real—life bunce family still farm the land. it's just hollow. there's no feeling left. it used to be full up with primroses, foxgloves, bluebells, wood anemones — all sorts of things like that. never will they come back. absolutely disgusting, what they've done. but the law to build the line was scrutinised by mps and passed by parliament. hs2 who could now well cost more than £100 billion. these trees are seen by some to be standing in the way of progress. clare marshall, bbc news, buckinghamshire. almost 100 theatres across france have been occupied by protestors who are calling on the government to do more to support artists during the pandemic. the occupations, which began a month ago at the 0deon theatre in paris, were triggered by planned changes

to unemployment benefits for artists, which are due to take effect this summer. here's our paris correspondent, lucy williamson. this is where we are doing our daily work. france's newest protest movement is held together as much by schedules as slogans. with one shower between 50 people, the 0deon theatre in paris wasn't designed for live—in guests. we also have all of the messages from around the world, from japan, argentina, new zealand... baptiste is a sound engineer when he's not managing an occupation. their deamnds — reopen cultural venues and stop the reforms of planned unemployment benefits, which artists say could reduce their daily payments at a time when they're unable to work. when your message involves the calculation of benefit policies, though, it helps to have a nation of adoring fans. i think there's a place to open our theatre. i know that nothing is easy and all of the decisions are quite

complex but unfortunately there is a choice. 0ur government made a choice and it is not the choice that i would have made. the protests have now spread to 90 theatres across the country where president macron is once again seen as cutting benefits to those already struggling. i think it'sjust a king on his castle, he doesn't want to look down and he is trying to get money from the poor, and just increasing the difference between rich and poor. but feelings of anger and inequality stretch far beyond france's theatres. at the tap theatre here in poitier, the movement has allied with a range of causes, from migrants to palestinians, to yellow vests. this is a fairly low—key protest compared to many that president macron has faced. but it's now a nationwide movement

and it's linking up with other more established protest groups. the yellow vests may have left the headlines but a handful protest each week in towns like poitier. now, they are lending their support to the protest here. "we've kept the flame alive," mohamed told me, "waiting for the time it'll catche fire again." last week, president macron announced a new national lockdown. the government is now spending 11 billion euros a month to support businesses and workers. caught between unsustainable spending and unacceptable reforms, president macron is set to face his critics again. the plays may have stopped here but politics goes on. lucy williamson, bbc news paris. that has prompted a big discussion here now about called my agent.

unfortunately we don't have time for that which is a shame because it was rather good. and, if you can't contain your excitement about the re—opening of shops next week, you're not alone. this monitor lizard was caught ransacking the shelves of a supermarket in bangkok. i feel quite unwell even looking at that, actually! the reptile, which is more than six feet long, was looking for food. it was eventually trapped and removed from the store by local police. 0h, oh, you wouldn't want thatjob, would you? ijust can't look, i actually can't look! as long as the director tells me when the pictures have stopped i will look away. apparently now it is safe to look at the weather with nick miller. hello. it is feeling a little less cold out there today, especially where you've been seeing some sunshine. multiple seasons in a day, though, in scotland. a hint of spring after the past few cold days across eastern areas with some sunny spells.

rain, though, in north—west scotland from this weather front which is moving southwards across scotland today with the rain and the much colder air following on behind. the winds picking up as well, back to winter with arctic air and snow showers in northern scotland tonight and the front with the arctic air following, spreading south across the uk, just in time for the weekend. here is the rain from that weather front moving further south across scotland and into northern ireland by this evening. ahead of that, some patches of rain, more especially towards north—west england. the chance of a few heavier showers running out to south wales and into south—west england, but you can see these temperatures into double figures but also the colder air moving in across scotland behind the rain with the showers turning increasingly to snow across northern scotland into tonight, turning icy in places, too, and very windy. in fact, for the northern isles, some potentially disruptive wind gust of 60 to 70 mph before they slowly ease tomorrow. for the rest of tonight, our cold front will move out of northern ireland, northern england and across parts of the midlands, wales and into east anglia. here, temperatures holding up with the cloud across much of england

and wales but frosty again where it is clear in northern england, northern ireland and scotland to start the day tomorrow. again, icy patches with the snow showers in northern scotland. could be the odd wintry shower elsewhere in northern ireland, in northern england. from wales, the midlands to east anglia southwards, the cloud, some patchy, showery rain spreading a little bit further south and temperatures for some the further south you are still into double figures. now we are into that arctic air over the weekend, but into thatjust this weather system across southern—most parts on saturday clearing on sunday, delivering some outbreaks of rain. still a lot of uncertainty about how far north across southern england and east anglia that is going to get. maybe the potential for a little bit of sleet and snow on the back edge before it clears away going into sunday. but for much of the uk on saturday and, indeed, on sunday, too, it will be sunny spells, there will be a scattering of wintry showers around. what does that mean? it could be some sleet, hail, perhaps some snow out

of these showers at times, but with those sunny spells in between, what is for sure, it's going to be a cold weekend to come with widespread frosty nights.

this is bbc news. i'm jane hill. the headlines: the health secretary insists the astrazeneca vaccine remains safe, after experts found a potential link to extremely rare blood clots. we know the roll—out�*s working, we know the safety system is working and we are on track to meet the goal of offering to all adults by the end ofjuly and the speed of the roll—out won't be affected by these decisions, so, you know, when you get the call, get the jab. the sister of a man who died from a blood clot after taking the astrazeneca vaccine urges people to continue having the jab. we will save more lives by people having the vaccine than not. so the risk of clot is very, very small and my brother was extraordinarily unlucky.

political leaders call for peace after another night of violence in belfast. the northern ireland secretary has arrived for urgent talks. the police have condemned the violence. the scenes we saw were absolutely disgraceful in terms of the serious criminal acts that were being carried out and the violent disorder that was taking place and it needs to be condemned in the strongest possible terms. after myanmar�*s former uk envoy was locked out of the embassy overnight, the foreign secretary condemns the country's �*bullying' military leaders. back on the buses. as public transport is prepared for next week's lockdown easing in england, the industry tries to reassure travellers that it will be safe.

the health secretary, matt hancock, says the uk has more than enough supply of the pfizer and moderna covid vaccines to treat all adults under the age of 30 after the medicines regulator said people aged 18 to 29 should be offered an alternative to the astrazeneca jab, because of a possible link with rare blood clots. his comments come as scientists tracking covid—19 in england say the vaccination programme is beginning to break the link between cases and deaths. the latest official figures have shown the lowest weekly number of deaths with covid, in england and wales, since mid—0ctober. here's our health correspondentjim reed. in just over 100 days' time, every adult in the uk should have been vaccinated.

the government says it is sticking to that plan, despite growing signs the astrazeneca jab can be linked to a very rare form of blood clot. after the last 24 hours, we now know that the vaccine works and is breaking the chains of... breaking the link from cases to deaths. we know the roll—out is working, we know the safety system is working and we are on track to meet the goal of offering to all adults by the end ofjuly and the speed of the roll—out won't be affected by these decisions. when you get the call, get the jab. 79 people in the uk have now been diagnosed with the blood clot, a fraction of the 20 million given the astrazeneca jab. there is still no proof the vaccine is causing the very rare condition. the regulator said the link is now getting firmer. neil astles died on easter sunday after suffering a blood clot weeks after receiving his vaccine. we cannot know for sure what caused his death but his family say they were

told by doctors a link was likely. despite what has happened to neil and the impact on ourfamily, i still strongly believe that people should go ahead and have the vaccine. if you've had one dose, go ahead and have your second. if you haven't had your dose yet, make sure that you do because overall we will save more lives by people having the vaccine than not. overall, the risk of falling seriously ill with covid is far higher than any risk from the vaccine but data so far suggests the blood clots may tend to affect more younger people who are also far less at risk from the virus itself — that is why those under 30 will now be offered a different type ofjab. there are 10.1 million people in that age group. 1.6 million of those have already had theirfirst dose. the advice there is to continue with the same second dose. that leaves another

8.5 million who will now be offered a different type of vaccine made by the drugs companies pfizer and moderna. we would still encourage people to have a vaccination against covid because it isn't just about the infection itself, it is about long covid, developing those long—term consequences as well as of course protecting the more vulnerable in the population who can't have the vaccination. ministers said today there is enough supply of alljabs to keep the programme on track, and government advisers say anyone offered the astrazeneca vaccine should still take up the offer. we still feel this is a safe, effective vaccine where the benefits far outweigh the risks to the majority of people. i would encourage anybody who has been offered either their first dose of the oxford astrazeneca vaccine, and certainly their second dose where there have been no cases of the second dose, to receive it today when offered. the roll—out of the vaccine is crucial — and notjust for these people queueing for theirjabs.

keeping the programme on track will be key as more lockdown restrictions are lifted across the uk in the coming weeks. jim reed, bbc news. australia has become the latest country to place restrictions on the astrazeneca vaccine, saying it should only be used on people over the age of 50. let's take a look at what's happening in other countries around the world. many countries have suspended use of the vaccine among young adults while investigations continue. as well as australia, these countries include canada, south korea, the philippines and several eu nations like france, germany, italy, and spain. two scandinavian countries — denmark and norway — have halted use of the vaccine entirely, while other countries have continued to use the vaccine with no restrictions, like in mexico and brazil. despite the fact that the vaccine is being manufactured in the us, the jab has not yet been approved

for use there. professor anthony harnden is deputy chairman of thejoint committee on vaccination and immunisation, which advises the government on the best strategy for vaccination. he's also a gp and professor of primary care at oxford university. good afternoon. i'm wondering what concerns you have overall aboutjust perhaps the knock in confidence that this might have had, the events of the last few days. t this might have had, the events of the last few days.— this might have had, the events of the last few days. i am concerned, of course i — the last few days. i am concerned, of course i am- _ the last few days. i am concerned, of course i am. this _ the last few days. i am concerned, of course i am. this is _ the last few days. i am concerned, of course i am. this is a _ the last few days. i am concerned, of course i am. this is a small- of course i am. this is a small setback, but we had to get this into context. we have administered 20 million doses of the oxford extra astrazeneca vaccine and seen 79 blood clot cases that might be

linked, so the numbers are very small but they are still very important and i think what we have seen over the last few days is both the regulators, the regulator here, the regulators, the regulator here, the european regulators, working very hard to try to work out what is going on here with this rare but important safety issue and both regulators have said that the vaccine can be used in all age groups. we invert might have looked at all the data carefully and we concur with them but we looked at the risk to benefit ratio in the very young age groups, because there is no doubt about the benefits for outweighing any very small slight risk in older age groups, but as you go down the age groups, the risk from covid is not quite as high, in terms of hospitalisation and death. there is still a long covid, covid is not a very nice illness to have in younger age groups, but we thought the risk—benefit of a

serious event following covid was such that we should probably offer an alternative vaccine were ever available for those under 30—year—olds which are of relatively small group but a very important group. anybody over the age of 18 that has an underlying illness, of course, will be in cohort six of our priority list which ashley means they have a risk the same as a 65—70 year old so they should take the vaccine when they should take the vaccine when they are offered it. there have been no cases reported with the second dose of the oxford astrazeneca vaccine to date, so we are confident that people should go ahead and have the second dose when offered. that is the interesting, actually, the fact that is no evidence of risk after you have the second dose, but what percentage of people have actually had a second dose of the astrazeneca yet because that number

is wb relatively small.— is wb relatively small. there lies the problem- _ is wb relatively small. there lies the problem. we _ is wb relatively small. there lies the problem. we just _ is wb relatively small. there lies the problem. we just do - is wb relatively small. there lies the problem. we just do not - is wb relatively small. there liesl the problem. we just do not know the problem. wejust do not know because they are much smaller numbers than those who have had a first dose, so that is why we will carry on monitoring this with absolute scrutiny. it seems like it is a very rare and unusual idiosyncratic effect where you get a blood clot, low platelets in a particular kind of antibody to those platelets activated within your bloodstream and so it is a very, very unusual effect and it may be that it very unusual effect and it may be thatitis very unusual effect and it may be that it is just with the first dose. we do not know that for definite and we will continue to monitor that. and because, of course, monitoring goes on and the numbers are, i think you use the phrase vanishingly small, could the advice of change in a few months down the line? could you discover so much more over the course of time that you discover there is not quite the need for caution that we think there is

today? caution that we think there is toda ? ~ :, , , ., today? well, all these things are ossible. today? well, all these things are possible- i _ today? well, all these things are possible. i think— today? well, all these things are possible. i think what _ today? well, all these things are possible. i think what we - today? well, all these things are possible. i think what we will. today? well, all these things arej possible. i think what we will do, the public need to be reassured, is be honest, open and transparent with them as we move through and as more information becomes available and we have a better understanding of what is going on here, we may evolve our decision—making process. that is entirely feasible, but that is what we are there to do and we will be prompt with it, but we will not be overreacted with it until we are fairly sure of what we are seeing and i think, you know, the public need to have confidence in our surveillance and our world—class regulatory system and are jcvi surveillance and our world—class regulatory system and arejcvi which has made some bold decisions along the way, as you will remember, with the way, as you will remember, with the delayed second dose and the use in older populations when other european countries were not using it in older populations, so i think we need to make the best advice for citizens and be honest and transparent enough and humble enough

to know that when the decision looks like it should be slightly altered, we will make it. t like it should be slightly altered, we will make it.— like it should be slightly altered, we will make it. i am interested in the way that _ we will make it. i am interested in the way that a _ we will make it. i am interested in the way that a lot _ we will make it. i am interested in the way that a lot of _ we will make it. i am interested in the way that a lot of this _ we will make it. i am interested in the way that a lot of this is - we will make it. i am interested in the way that a lot of this is now i the way that a lot of this is now played out in public. we are all discussing this, we all talk about it, read about it, and yet i assume that the jcvi and others it, read about it, and yet i assume that thejcvi and others make decisions around other vaccines that we all take as routine and we all think of as entirely normal in life and we perhaps do not even know that those things have gone on. i am thinking about something like the flu jab. thinking about something like the flu 'ab. :, �* ., , , flu jab. you're absolutely right. with influenza _ flu jab. you're absolutely right. with influenza immunisation, l flu jab. you're absolutely right. - with influenza immunisation, there are a number of different flu immunisations which the regulators have said can be used in all age groups but we decide for a different one for the over six to five is and a preference for one for the other sexy fives, so we do this all the time onjcvi. we look at the portfolio of vaccines that are available and we make the decision

for any area of the population. the polio virus is another example. you and i probably remember when we were young that we used to have it on a sugar lump and things and it was taken like that, but what happened was, as time moved on, more people seemed to be catching polio from the vaccine than were being prevented, so we changed to an injected polio vaccine which was a slightly less good vaccine, but for that safety reason, so these immunisation programmes evolve all the time and it is ourjob onjcvi to make sure that we provide the best advice at that we provide the best advice at that particular moment for the populations. that particular moment for the populations-— that particular moment for the --oulations. , :, , ., populations. sadly, i do 'ust about remember. — populations. sadly, i do 'ust about remember. so h populations. sadly, i do 'ust about remember, so you _ populations. sadly, i do 'ust about remember, so you are _ populations. sadly, i dojust about remember, so you are on - populations. sadly, i dojust about remember, so you are on the - populations. sadly, i dojust about i remember, so you are on the money there. thank you very much, professor, for now. we are going to talk more

about the various new figures that are out today and the vaccination rates and the extent to which that is impacting on the new death figures suffering and in wales after half past. it is 14 minutes past three and onto our other main story today. political leaders in northern ireland have condemned the rioting that's raged in belfast for six nights, but criticised each other about the underlying causes. police were attacked, petrol bombs were thrown and a bus was set on fire last night. in total, 55 police officers have been injured in the violence. the northern ireland secretary brandon lewis says "all communities must work together to resolve the tensions that we are currently facing. the only way to resolve differences is through dialogue. " he is holding talks with political and faith leaders in northern ireland this afternoon. chris page sent this report.

sirens the barrier, which is commonly known as a peace line, was anything but peaceful last night. the wall was built 20 years ago to try to stop clashes between politically divided communities in west belfast. but there was trouble on both sides as crowds threw petrol bombs, fireworks and bricks. violence began on the loyalist shankill road where protesters had gathered. a bus was hijacked and set on fire. there were no passengers on board, but the driver was said to be very shaken. then, across the peace wall in the springfield road area, republican youths rioted. community representatives tried to calm the situation. sad to see this. we are trying to say to these young people that this isn't the answer. they shouldn't be engaging in violence, sectarian violence. it's only a matter of time, i feel,

before someone gets seriously hurt. people in northern ireland had hoped that scenes of destruction like this belonged well in the past. but today, as the debris and damage from last night is cleaned up, the question is, does the violence of the past week have the potential to escalate? my appeal to those who whisk the narrow wish to organise the disorder is not to do it. it serves no purpose and nobody wants to see the scenes we have seen last night. we now have a new generation of children and young people who are being exposed to things they won't have seen previously. understanding order11, i have summoned the assembly to meet today. police briefed ministers in the devolved government this morning, and the stormont assembly returned early from its easter break to discuss the issues. there can be no place in our society for violence, or the threat of violence, and it must stop. just as it was wrong in the past and was neverjustified, so it is wrong now,

and cannot be justified. as political leaders, we must stand united in appealing to all concerned to refrain from further threats or use of violence, and recognise that is only through democratic politics that we can solve problems and concerns. both borisjohnson and the irish prime minister micheal martin have condemned the violence. it has been the most sustained level of violence in streets in northern ireland for some time. 0nly small areas have been affected so far, but many people in this part of the uk are feeling a new and yet familiar sense of concern. chris page, bbc news, belfast. a short while ago chris sent us this update: the northern ireland secretary, brandon lewis, is coming back to belfast to have talks with political parties about the street violence of recent days. meanwhile, on the ground, the clean—up operation is

continuing. this piece line in west belfast, workers have been repairing the damage to the barrier for most of this morning. the barrier was on fire last night here on both sides, where police came under attack from rioters. at one point, 600 people were here and while most of the violent attacks were carried by young people, adults were also around and even applauding and shearing on the rioters. so, as politicians at stormont have been discussing what has been going on, there has been more analysis of exactly why rioting has broken out in various parts of northern ireland and until last night, the violence was focused in loyalist areas and there has been uneasy in loyalist areas over the last few months over the brexit arrangements for northern ireland, seeing it as a new trade border within the uk which is undermining their sense of britishness. also last week, renewed anger when prosecutors decided not

to take action against sinn fein politicians over alleged breaches of coronavirus restrictions at the funeral of a former leading ira man last summer and police have been cracking down on loyalist paramilitary gangs and the organised crime networks they run, drugs trading, for example, and it is thought that at some point, there would be some kind of backlash against that police action. so number of factors are in play, but what politicians have, i think, been concentrating on today is trying to send out a united message that violence, whatever its cause, is unacceptable and that if this violence does not stop immediately, there is a real danger that lives could be lost. let's now speak to ulster unionist party leader steve aiken. good afternoon. what is your reaction to what we have seen on recent nights? t reaction to what we have seen on recent nights?— reaction to what we have seen on recent nights? i think the violence we have seen _ recent nights? i think the violence we have seen is _ recent nights? i think the violence we have seen is something - recent nights? i think the violence we have seen is something we - recent nights? i think the violence i we have seen is something we never wanted to see back on the streets of

northern ireland. we thought we had put that in the past and the fact that thuggery, violence and attacks on the police and people damaging and attacking their own communities is something that we condemn absolutely. the fact that it is undermining the very message that people are trying to get out there and the concerns that people have is something that must be recognised and i call upon all of those people who are orchestrating that violence to stop it. who are orchestrating that violence to sto it. :, , to stop it. either any genuine reasons. _ to stop it. either any genuine reasons, genuine _ to stop it. either any genuine reasons, genuine grievances| to stop it. either any genuine - reasons, genuine grievances that need to be discussed? where are the balance between people with legitimate concerns versus people who simply want to go out and cause this sort of violence for whatever reason they might have?- this sort of violence for whatever reason they might have? there are ve man reason they might have? there are very many legitimate _ reason they might have? there are very many legitimate concerns. - very many legitimate concerns. concerns about bobby storey�*s funeral when the leadership of sinn fein are completely disregarded their very own rules that they set their very own rules that they set the day before and were seen to get away with it. there is a crisis in people's perception of how policing

has been handled. and obviously there of the air border that has been imposed and we see more and more absurdities of this border, everywhere from supermarkets to small businesses trying to do business across the rest of our nation. all these things are playing out and building up tensions and one of the things that we as political leaders should be doing is realising that these are real issues and they actually need to be dealt with rather than sort of dismissed or, in some cases, just completely sort of taken away and talked over the top of our heads. 50 taken away and talked over the top of our heads-— taken away and talked over the top of our heads. so when you say they need to be — of our heads. so when you say they need to be tackled _ of our heads. so when you say they need to be tackled and _ of our heads. so when you say they need to be tackled and dealt - of our heads. so when you say they need to be tackled and dealt with, | of our heads. so when you say they| need to be tackled and dealt with, i am interested about whether you are particularly talking about some of the brexit related issues you talked about there and whether you will be raising that with brandon lewis. brandon lewis and i talked very regularly and i remember when i told him we are going to have significant problems when the irish sea border has been put in place and i voted

for remain, i did not want to see any borders, but i said there would be serious problems if there is the imposition of an irish sea border and we have been clear about this for the past three years and now we are seeing the result of this and now is the time for the prime minister and the eu to realise that they have created a massive problem here and they need to sort it out. that said, there are people on all sides, there are people who agree with brexit and people who do not, it does not mean you go out and set fire to vehicles.— fire to vehicles. exactly. and that is the point _ fire to vehicles. exactly. and that is the point i _ fire to vehicles. exactly. and that is the point i make _ fire to vehicles. exactly. and that is the point i make to _ fire to vehicles. exactly. and that is the point i make to whichever. is the point i make to whichever organised or non—organised criminality gangs are behind this as well because you are not helping any case whatsoever. violence begets violence and violence affixes absolutely nothing and i had that conversation with the chief can have an hour ago and we express ourfull

support for the psni and the police service and what they are doing and we particularly pass on our regards to the 55 injured officers. but what we do say is we need to be able to deal with this criminality but we have to be able to do that and we have to be able to do that and we have to be able to do that and we have to make sure that all political leaders are out there making sure we address these issues. and leaders are out there making sure we address these issues.— address these issues. and do you feel everyone _ address these issues. and do you feel everyone is? _ address these issues. and do you feel everyone is? so _ address these issues. and do you feel everyone is? so many - address these issues. and do you | feel everyone is? so many people address these issues. and do you i feel everyone is? so many people i have spoken to today say this is about a united political leadership, about a united political leadership, about everyone, unfortunate phrase, singing from the same hymn sheet. this is about people speaking in one voice in terms of what we have witnessed over the past six days. is that achievable, to nip it in the bad at this stage before it goes into days and weeks? tt bad at this stage before it goes into days and weeks?— bad at this stage before it goes into days and weeks? it has to be. because northern _ into days and weeks? it has to be. because northern ireland - into days and weeks? it has to be. because northern ireland cannot l into days and weeks? it has to be. l because northern ireland cannot go back. there is absolutely no reason for northern ireland to go back to its sad past. we are in our 100th year and should be looking brightly into our next 100 years. i am a unionist and believe strongly in the unionist and believe strongly in the union and want to see a peaceful and successful northern ireland for everybody in northern ireland and

rioting and violence and disorder in the streets are not part of that thatis the streets are not part of that that is something we every single political leader should buy into. thank you for now. we will, of course, keep an eye on those talks and events in northern ireland, brandon the risk having talks there at the moment and we will update you if we get more updates. the foreign secretary dominic raab has condemned what he's called the bullying actions of myanmar�*s military leaders, after the country's former ambassador to the uk was locked out of the embassy in london last night. a spokesman for the sacked envoy kyaw zwar minn has asked the british government not to recognise his replacement. myanmar�*s military seized power in a coup in february, sparking widespread protests. 0ur diplomatic correspondent james landale reports. for more than two months now, myanmar has been torn apart by violence as people protested

against the army's seizure of power. now this bloody struggle has led to a diplomatic stand—off on the streets of london. this is kyaw zwar minn. as far as he was concerned, he was myanmar�*s ambassador to britain but last night he was locked out of his embassy by his deputy in the military attache. they occupy my building. the picture on the back of his car explains why. last month he criticised the coup and called for the elected leader, aung san suu kyi, to be released and reinstated. the ambassador was summoned home, but he refused. after a night in his car, the ambassador was still there this morning and, through a spokesman, said he was looking for support from the british government and urged them not to work with the diplomats inside. he is trying to walk in the middle ground, but there is no doubt which is the right side. the military have killed nearly 600 people, including 48 children.

in a tweet, the foreign secretary dominic raab did voice his support. are you still the ambassador? yes, of course. but a foreign office spokesman said it had been formally notified by the myanmar authorities that the position of the ambassador in london had been terminated and the uk had to accept that decision. in recent weeks, the outside of the embassy has become a shrine to those who have died and a focal point for protesters. now it has also become the scene of a diplomatic coup which has effectively forced the uk to recognise the authority of the military regime in myanmar. james landale, bbc news. as england begins to open after lockdown, the public transport system is preparing for an influx of passengers.

0perators are trying to reassure travellers that trains and buses will be safe but passenger groups have warned that social distancing won't always be possible. the industry body says bus services in england should be up to 100% of pre—pandemic levels by monday. here's our transport correspondent, caroline davies. empty arrival halls in birmingham, deserted carriages in manchester, and quiet top decks on london buses. please ensure you wear a face covering... - this pandemic has meant many of us have spent months hardly using this network. but as the world begins to venture outside, public transport is once again getting ready to take us there. at this depot in hull, they began fogging their buses 14 months ago. they're planning extra services into the summer to help with social distancing, but there's still some uncertainty from potential passengers. i wouldn't like to use the bus. it can be so busy i wouldn't

want to be that close to people, especially if it's so full you have to sit next to a random person. as long as people wear their mask, i think you can get as many people on as you want. changes are happening around the country. by monday, there'll be 18,000 train services each weekday across britain — that's1,000 more since february. but how many passengers will take rail trips over the next few months is still guesswork. we want people to travel with confidence, so we're making as much space available for people — whether that's extra daily services or longer trains. we're also making sure that those trains are spotlessly clean, but also we're giving better information so that people can find out which services are busier and so they can plan theirjourneys better. while commuter services are likely to be busier, there's also transport to sports events, music festivals — even just trips to the beach that are likely to fill up. while the industry has always said that it will do what it can, it's down to the police to enforce the rules. while most services have been quiet during lockdown,

there have been images like this, taken on the london underground in january. maintaining social distance and wearing a mask will be crucial to getting people back on board confidently. returning to public transport may well feel strange and unsettling after months of keeping apart — the industry know that they need to rebuild that confidence to get passengers on board. caroline davies, bbc news. now it's time for a look at the weather with nick. hello. it is a little less cold out there today, especially where you've been seeing some sunny spells, but arctic air is poised to move in, initially across scotland and the rest of the uk in time for the weekend. it's actually moving in behind this band of rain that's sinking south across scotland today, into northern ireland this evening. ahead of that for england and wales, some sunny spells, some cloud thick enough for some patches of rain or showers. the wind is picking up all the while too, but many places seeing temperatures into double figures, though the cold air is moving in across scotland this evening. strengthening winds, 60—70 mph gusts, in the northern isles

could be disruptive. snow showers and icy patches in northern scotland going into the morning, and a frost too into northern ireland, parts of northern england where it clears up overnight as well. tomorrow's area of cloud and rain will move very slowly further south through wales, the midlands, east anglia, into southern england. northern england, northern ireland and scotland seeing sunny spells. a few wintry showers around, most frequent in northern scotland, though that strong wind easing here. it will feel cold. hello, this is bbc news, with jane hill. the headlines: the health secretary insists the astrazeneca vaccine remains safe, after experts found a potential link to extremely rare blood clots. the sister of a man, who died from a blood clot after taking the astrazeneca vaccine, urges people to continue having the jab.

political leaders call for peace after another night of violence in belfast — the northern ireland secretary has arrived for urgent talks. the police have condemned the violence. we will talk more about the vaccination programme in this half hour. but now, sport and for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre, here's 0lly. good afternoon, jane. the aintree grand national festival is under way, and what a start for sir alex ferguson, the former manchester united manager. he has a share in each of the winners of the first three races. all eyes were on the two—time national winner tiger roll in the betway bowl chase, but he could only come a very distant fourth as the favourite, clan des 0beaux, part—owned by sir alex, ridden by harry cobden and trained by paul nicholls, came home 26 lengths clear.

two time king george winner as well. swansea city say they won't post anything on social media for the next seven days, to take a stand against continuing online racist abuse. three of their players have been targetted recently and the championship club say the first team squad, academy professionals, their women's team and club staff will boycott all channels for the next week. if this gets people thinking about what else can be done, then good. i think that's really important and we are at a time now of the season where it is the real business end. everybody is fighting for something, for league position etc, but this is a fight that i think we need to do together. we really need to stay strong and if we are helping the cause with the stance we have taken, then i think that can only be a positive thing. the french open will start a week

later than scheduled. it will run from the 30th may to the 13th ofjune. tournament organisers at roland garros say they want the largest number of fans to be able to attend, and with france in a third national lockdown, moving the championships will give them the best possible chance. this will impact on the grass court season in the build up to wimbledon. the lta say they are looking at the implications for their events and might make changes to the calendar. sarah hunter will play her first england game for 13 months when they face italy on saturday in the women's six nations. she comes staright back into the side and will reclaim the captaincy. she's one of 10 changes to the side that beat scotland last weekend. in a revamped format for the six nations, the red roses will reach the final of the tournament if they beat the italians in parma. hunter has struggled with a hamstring strain and more recently nerve damage in her hand. 0ur england medical team have been absolutely brilliant. they've got me to the best people, they've given me the best

programmes and i've been supported so well, that, actually, we did get to the bottom of it eventually and it took five months to do so, but it has now allowed me to be back where i am. and, yeah, back in a white shirt, which is everything, like, my day—to—day life is, at the moment, to strive for. the first round well under way at the masters. the first round of the masters, golf�*s first major of the year. it's back in it's original april slot. it was far more forgiving for the players when it was played in november last year. 2015 championjordan spieth is in the last group out, he broke a four year title drought over the weekend but is being realistic about his chances. i just feel like there's quite a few things that i still need to improve on and get better and i felt that over the weekend. i felt that it wasn't the best my swing felt or the best my stroke felt.

there are times and ways that i can take a step forward and feel better and produce better golf shots consistently and produce better strokes and it was pretty awesome when i look back and think, you know, there is a next level that i've been at that i'm still searching for right now. that's all the sport for now but there's more on the bbc sport website, including all the runners and riders for saturday's grand national — cloth cap leading the field. and the augusta national, seven way tie for the lead. i will have an update for you in the next hour. about the next round. thank you very much. it is 3:35. good afternoon. scientists tracking coronavirus in england say the vaccination programme is beginning to break the link between covid—19 cases and deaths. the latest react study from imperial college london, which involved analysing more than 140,000 people's swab

tests between the 11th and 30th of march, found infections had fallen by roughly two—thirds since february. with me now is paul elliot, professor of epidemiology and public health medicine at imperial college london — he's also the director of the react programme. hello, professor, good afternoon. good afternoon. tatk hello, professor, good afternoon. good afternoon.— hello, professor, good afternoon. good afternoon. talk us through the later figures — good afternoon. talk us through the later figures so _ good afternoon. talk us through the later figures so we _ good afternoon. talk us through the later figures so we are _ good afternoon. talk us through the later figures so we are clear- good afternoon. talk us through the later figures so we are clear on - later figures so we are clear on what it means and the fall since the last time you looked at this, what it all means. as you know, we send out swab tests to a random sample of the population in england, so that we are testing people notjust with symptoms who might present for a test but everyone out there. so we capture

infections generally in the population, notjust in symptomatic people. as you say, since february, when remember, we were coming out of very, very high levels through the end of december, beginning of january, since february, we've seen a 60% reduction. so now on average, around one in 500 people is testing positive for the virus. that was around one in 250 before. , one and 200. so it is a big reduction. clearly, that meant that the virus was on the decline in that period. so that is very positive but i'm interested to try to get to the bottom of how much of that is driven by the way we have all been living recently, because of course that is starting to change now, and the vaccination programme. let's talk about lockdown. i know it varies slightly depending on where you live in the country but as we look to shops reopening in england next week, for example, do you then expect some of those figures to

change? so, clearly, we are in a cautious easing of lockdown. in the period that we were measuring in this most recent period, clearly schools had opened up and we didn't see an increase in infections in that period. in march, we saw a flattening of the rate of infection, not an increase. i think that is really positive news and gratifying, but we do have to monitor very carefully what happens, as you say, from monday, when things open up some more. i'm pleased to say we are backin some more. i'm pleased to say we are back in the field, doing the next round of the react survey. people have been contacted and will be requesting kits. we will be watching this carefully over the next three weeks. and i am struck, we will talk about vaccines but i am struck, correct me if i am wrong, that the r number hasn't shifted much, is that right? the r number between february and

march, because the rate came down so much, was well below one. during march, as you say we were on the field from 11th—30th of march, the r number was around one. it has come down but flattened. we think that reflects, to some extent, the increase in social interactions because of children going back to school and more interactions, not just at school but with parents and so forth. but it didn't go up and thatis so forth. but it didn't go up and that is a really important sign. as i say, we will have to watch this very closely and see what happens to infections, to the prevalence and the r number. absolutely. and what role is the continuing role of the vaccine roll—out having on this? you mention there may be a little diversion. what we did, we mapped our infections and we compared that to mortality rates, with a suitable

delay, because clearly infections occur earlier than people going into hospital, sadly, with severe infection, some of whom died. there is a very close approximation in our data going back to last year. we just saw since january that that close relationship has slightly uncoupled. so it does suggest to us and clearly it is just an indication, that the vaccine programme is now having an effect on those very severe infections. clearly, the vaccine programme has been rolled out to their vulnerable and older people and they are the people most at risk. so we are seeing early signs in our data, indirect evidence that it does appear to be there. and in terms of you saying we have to keep monitoring and looking at things as bees start to open up a little bit more, of course, that is going to be in spring and summer months. so i suppose that is interesting because we hope that

will work in a beneficial way, it is still fair to say, to make that assessment, i think? so, we were in the field back of may last year, towards the end of the first lockdown after the initial first lockdown after the initial first wave and we did see reductions through may, june and july and then the rates picked up. we are in a different situation now because of the vaccine programme. so we are not quite where we were back in may. we are at a slightly higher rate but it is a question of watch and wait and then see where we get to. this cautious approach to easing lockdown, i think, cautious approach to easing lockdown, ithink, is cautious approach to easing lockdown, i think, is a very sensible because it plays into that, that we can just look at each stage, what is happening to the virus. things open up, so there will be more interactions that then there is the roll—out of the vaccine programme which has been very, very successful. as i say, seeing early

indications even now that it is having an effect on the very severe cases. very interesting to talk to you, as ever. thank you very much professor paul elliot, director of the react programme and from imperial college, london. thank you. covid—19 has had a profound impact on end—of—life care for millions across the uk, with official figures showing that the number of people dying at home rose by more than 40% in the last year. and a report by the marie curie charity, seen by the bbc, suggests that drug shortages caused by the pandemic meant that some patients suffered unnecessary pain. karen morrison reports. my mum was a really brave and beautiful woman. she loved her life and she lived it to the full. she really loved playing tennis — she'd play every week up until she became ill with the cancer. sheila lowe was 74 when she died last year from bowel cancer. after deciding to be

looked after at home, her daughter susan became her main carer — but the country went into lockdown weeks later. we had a lot of difficulties getting hold of medicine. it would be sent electronically over to the local pharmacy. the pharmacy didn't have stocks. it was so frustrating. i think a couple of times i burst into tears in the... ..in the actual pharmacy. in a new survey of 1,000 unpaid carers, commissioned by marie curie, nearly two thirds of respondents said they didn't get all the support they needed to manage the pain of their loved one. 65% said they needed more respite care, and just over three quarters said they took on more emotional burdens. we need to make sure now that care that is got right— for people in the future, our loved ones, peoplel who we know and we care for, is available for them - when they need it, and that means us prioritising| end—of—life and palliative care services in the home but also means that as a nation we should _ properly resource that.

the elephant in the room - here is there isn't enough resource to make sure all that care is available for people - when they need it. terri was diagnosed with terminal cancer three days before christmas. when michelle received the devastating news about her wife terri, she wanted to ensure she could care for her at home. she said two things when we got back to the hospital car park. the first one was, "i don't want to go because i don't want to leave you." and the second was, "i want to die at home." when i needed respite, they struggled to get me somebody. i was lucky they got me somebody — i had a night sitter for one night. and on the second night, when the sitter arrived, i had to tell her that terri had died. many people, when given the option, will choose to spend their final weeks at home, but these problems were seen

in professional settings too. at the start of the pandemic, hospices were not classed as a front—line nhs service, and they experienced shortages of ppe, medicines and staff. the department of health says it has funded support for unpaid carers throughout the pandemic, and that they continue to perform an incredibly important role. my biggest regret is that my mum died in pain — or more pain she needed to be in. karen morrison, bbc news. rioting in west belfast last night was on scale not seen in northern ireland for years, police have said. during several hours of violence, police officers were attacked, petrol bombs were thrown and a bus was burned. northern ireland secretary brandon lewis has urged all communities to work together to end the violence, saying the determination to move

on from the troubles cannot be "crushed by a small minority". brandon lewis is having meetings this afternoon with politically leaders so we are keeping an eye on that. speaking at a news conference this afternoon, assistant chief constablejonathan roberts from northern ireland police service said the scenes last night were absolutely disgraceful. he has appealed to anyone who was on a bus which was later set alight to make contact with police if they haven't already done so. last night, from 5pm onwards, we observed that there was large crowds of several hundred people gathering on both sides of the gates at lanark way in west belfast. over the course of the hours after that, the crowds grew in number and attacked each other with multiple petrol bombs, multiple missiles, including masonry and fireworks, and also attacked police who were endeavouring to restore order to the area.

the scenes that we saw were absolutely disgraceful, in terms of the serious criminal acts that were being carried out and the violent disorder that was taking place and it needs to be condemned in the strongest possible terms. in the wider area, we also saw a bus being hijacked on the shankill road, which was an extremely distressing incident for the bus driver and the people that were on the bus at the time. i would appeal to anyone who was on the bus who has not yet spoken to police, to make contact with police, in order that the incident can be thoroughly investigated. we also had two other vehicles that were set on fire and pushed up against the gates. the gates at a time were also forced open and crowds from both sides incurred through the gates and attacked each other.

inaudible question from reporter. so, what we saw was a mixture of young people and adults but there were certainly some children present, who we would assess as being as young as 13 or 14, who were encouraged and supported by adults who stood by and clapped and cheered. there were certainly people involved in this who were not part of paramilitary groups. there were children, as i say, who took part in it and there were other adults. i know that what took place does not represent the wider community, either on the springfield road or the shankill road. and whether or not paramilitary groups were involved remains an active line of investigation. there will be a full and thorough investigation into the circumstances of what happened last night and in the previous five nights. we now have a total of 55 police officers injured and it is very, very lucky that nobody was seriously

injured or killed last night, given the large volume of... in particular petrol bombs that were thrown during the disorder and all of the circumstances will be the subject of a full investigation. anybody who participates in such behaviour can expect to be arrested, can expect to be remanded into custody and they can expect to be placed in front of the courts for due process. so you can't confirm _ the involvement of paramilitaries? sorry, i didn't catch the question? you can't confirm the involvement of paramilitaries? _ i can't confirm the involvement of paramilitaries but the orchestration of last night's disorder and the previous nights' remains the subject of investigation. what's you analysis - of the fact the violence took place at an interface? who was responsible and was this lan attempt to create a sectarianl

dimension to what's - happening on the streets? so, last night, the scale of the disorder last night was a scale that we have not seen in recent years in belfast or further afield. the fact that it was sectarian violence and there was large groups on both sides of the gates at lanark way, again, is something we have not seen for a number of years. we do believe that there was a level of pre—planning. you don't come by such volumes of petrol bombs and missiles and fireworks without pre—planning, so there was a scale of planning and orchestration to it. that was part of the news conference from the psni a little earlier today. we will keep an eye on all the talks going on this afternoon in belfast. a £43 million government support package has been announced for the expected arrival of thousands of hong kong citizens in the uk. a new visa scheme has been set up in response to china's security clamp—down in the former british territory. our home editor mark easton reports.

in the seven weeks since the new british national overseas visa for hong kong nationals was launched, 27,000 people have already applied to come to the uk. some are understood to be veterans of protests against beijing's decision to restrict democratic freedoms on the previously british—run territory. but, many are expected to be families wanting to take advantage of the uk's offer to start a new life here. we have received quite a lot of feedback from our hong kong audience that they really hope to be self—sufficient in supporting themselves, as best as they can, when they arrive, so that they do not become a burden on the state and they indeed hope to positively contribute towards the uk economy and society. the home office estimates that up to 154,000 may come in the first year, and a third of a million in the next five years. but, if demand remains at current levels, those forecasts would be easily overtaken. it's absolutely right to be supporting hong kongers in their hour of need.

i've no problem with that. however, looking at it from an immigration perspective, this is hardly the control of immigration that we were promised. the government have given an open ended right to settle to some 5.4 million people. today, the government has announced a £43 million support package, including 12 welcome hubs spread across every region of the uk to help hundreds of thousands of hong kong citizens gain access to housing, school places and jobs in britain. so, you will be able to go and get practical support for everything from how to get a national insurance number, how to get your children into local schools, to how to transfer your professional qualifications. we are also ensuring that there is support for those who come here, who don't speak fluent english. so they will be able to access english language training. and, if you do fall on hard times, you will be able to access support from your local council. for example, you will be able

to access social housing. the government says it has an historical and moral commitment to the people of hong kong and, although elected on a promise to reduce immigration numbers, ministers are determined to lay out the welcome mat to up to 6 million people. mark easton, bbc news. part of an ancient woodland that helped inspire roald dahl to write fantastic mr fox is being cleared to make way for work on the hs2 high speed rail link. the operation has led to a standoff with protesters. our environment correspondent clare marshall reports. the ancient beech trees ofjones hill wood. they're said to have helped inspire the author roald dahl to write his story about wily mr fox. but times have changed. it's in the path of the controversial new high—speed line from london to birmingham. protesters have been camped out here for almost a year, but hs2 contractors have now started

to fell two thirds of the wood. in its heart, we found an aerial standoff. a young protester. she's getting in the way of the tree cutters, doing what she can to delay the work. a bailiff — part of the national eviction team — climbs up to meet her. there are police present, and paramedics on standby. hs2 say that the train line is going to help make the uk carbon—neutral. in essence, you're fighting against something that would be good for the environment. it's not encouraging rail travel. if it were, they'd be making it cheaper and more accessible than car travel, say. so, yeah, that whole thing is completely inaccessible. it's quite a big hint that sustainability, isn't their main focus. hs2 say they're planting up to seven million trees — including 22,000 around

jones hill wood. what we are doing through the compensation is to look at the native species that are already within the landscape and design a mitigation scheme that is sympathetic to what is around it. it creates a green corridor along the route. roald dahl�*s fictional farmer boggis, bunce and bean failed to outwit the cunning mr fox. the real—life bunce family still farm the land. it's just hollow. there's no feeling left. it used to be full up with primroses, foxgloves, bluebells, wood anemones — all sorts of things like that. never will they come back. absolutely disgusting, what they've done. but the law to build the line was scrutinised by mps and passed by parliament. hs2 who could now well cost more than £100 billion.

these trees are seen by some to be standing in the way of progress. clare marshall, bbc news, buckinghamshire. now it's time for a look at the weather with nick. hello. it is feeling a little less cold out there today, especially where you've been seeing some sunshine. multiple seasons in a day, though, in scotland. a hint of spring after the past few cold days across eastern areas with some sunny spells. rain, though, in north—west scotland from this weather front which is moving southwards across scotland today with the rain and the much colder air following on behind. the winds picking up as well, back to winter with arctic air and snow showers in northern scotland tonight and the front with the arctic air following, spreading south across the uk, just in time for the weekend. here is the rain from that weather front moving further south across scotland and into northern ireland by this evening. ahead of that, some patches of rain, more especially towards north—west england. the chance of a few heavier showers running out to south wales and into south—west england, but you can see these temperatures into double figures but also

the colder air moving in across scotland behind the rain with the showers turning increasingly to snow across northern scotland into tonight, turning icy in places, too, and very windy. in fact, for the northern isles, some potentially disruptive wind gust of 60 to 70 mph before they slowly ease tomorrow. for the rest of tonight, our cold front will move out of northern ireland, northern england and across parts of the midlands, wales and into east anglia. here, temperatures holding up with the cloud across much of england and wales but frosty again where it is clear in northern england, northern ireland and scotland to start the day tomorrow. again, icy patches with the snow showers in northern scotland. could be the odd wintry shower elsewhere in northern ireland, in northern england. from wales, the midlands to east anglia southwards, the cloud, some patchy, showery rain spreading a little bit further south and temperatures for some the further south you are still into double figures. now we are into that arctic air over the weekend, but into thatjust this weather system across southern—most parts on saturday clearing on sunday, delivering some outbreaks of rain.

still a lot of uncertainty about how far north across southern england and east anglia that is going to get. maybe the potential for a little bit of sleet and snow on the back edge before it clears away going into sunday. but for much of the uk on saturday and, indeed, on sunday, too, it will be sunny spells, there will be a scattering of wintry showers around. what does that mean? it could be some sleet, hail, perhaps some snow out of these showers at times, but with those sunny spells in between, what is for sure, it's going to be a cold weekend to come with widespread frosty nights.

this is bbc news. the headlines... the health secretary insists the astrazeneca vaccine remains safe, after experts found a potential link to extremely rare blood clots. we know the roll—out�*s working, we know the safety system is working and we are on track to meet the goal of offering to all adults by the end ofjuly and the speed of the roll—out won't be affected by these decisions, so, you know, when you get the call, get the jab. the sister of a man who died from a blood clot after taking the astrazeneca vaccine urges people to continue having the jab. we will save more lives by people having the vaccine than not. so the risk of clot is very, very small and my brother was extraordinarily unlucky.

political leaders call for peace after another night of violence in belfast — the northern ireland secretary holds urgent talks. the police have condemned the unrest. the scenes we saw were absolutely disgraceful in terms of the serious criminal acts that were being carried out and the violent disorder that was taking place and it needs to be condemned in the strongest possible terms. the mother of 19—year old richard okorogheye says she's broken and devastated after her son's body was found two weeks after being reported missing i never thought i would lose a child, especially at my age. especially, pictured is only 19. child, especially at my age. especially, pictured is only19. he was the only child that i had. —— richard. after myanmar�*s former uk envoy was locked out of the embassy overnight, the foreign secretary condemns the country's

"bullying" military leaders. and why gorillas like to beat their chests — it's all about being male, apparently. we speak to an expert. the health secretary, matt hancock, says the uk has more than enough supply of the pfizer and moderna covid vaccines to treat all adults under the age of 30 — after the medicines regulator said people aged 18 to 29 should be offered an alternative to the astrazeneca jab because of a possible link with rare blood clots. his comments come as scientists tracking covid—19 in england say the vaccination programme is beginning to break the link between cases and deaths. the latest official figures have shown the lowest weekly number of deaths with covid in england

and wales since mid—october. here's our health correspondent, jim reed. in just over 100 days' time, every adult in the uk should have been vaccinated. have you had the covid vaccine at all? the government says it is sticking to that plan, despite growing signs the astrazeneca jab can be linked to a very rare form of blood clot. after the last 24 hours, we now know that the vaccine works and is breaking the chains of... breaking the link from cases to deaths. we know the roll—out is working, we know the safety system is working and we are on track to meet the goal of offering to all adults by the end ofjuly and the speed of the roll—out won't be affected by these decisions. when you get the call, get the jab. 79 people in the uk have now been diagnosed with the blood clot,

a fraction of the 20 million given the astrazeneca jab. there is still no proof the vaccine is causing the very rare condition. the regulator said the link is now getting firmer. neil astles died on easter sunday after suffering a blood clot weeks after receiving his vaccine. we cannot know for sure what caused his death, but his family say they were told by doctors a link was likely. despite what has happened to neil and the impact on ourfamily, i still strongly believe that people should go ahead and have the vaccine. if you've had one dose, go ahead and have your second. if you haven't had your dose yet, make sure that you do because overall we will save more lives by people having the vaccine than not. overall, the risk of falling seriously ill with covid is far higher than any risk from the vaccine but data so far suggests the blood clots may tend to affect more younger people who are also far less at risk from the virus itself — that's why those under 30 will now

be offered a different type ofjab. there are 10.1 million people in that age group. 1.6 million of those have already had theirfirst dose. the advice there is to continue with the same second dose. that leaves another 8.5 million who will now be offered a different type of vaccine made by the drugs companies pfizer and moderna. we would still encourage people to have a vaccination against covid because it isn'tjust about the infection itself, it's about long covid, developing those long—term consequences, as well as of course protecting the more vulnerable in the population who can't have the vaccination. ministers said today there is enough supply of alljabs to keep the programme on track, and government advisers say anyone offered the astrazeneca vaccine should still take up the offer.

we still feel this is a safe, effective vaccine where the benefits far outweigh the risks to the majority of people. i would encourage anybody who's been offered either their first dose of the oxford astrazeneca vaccine, and certainly their second dose where there's been no cases with the second dose, to receive it today when offered. the roll—out of the vaccine is crucial — and notjust for these people queueing for theirjabs. keeping the programme on track will be key as more lockdown restrictions are lifted across the uk in the coming weeks. jim reed, bbc news. we will discuss more about this astrazeneca vaccine in a moment but first i want to bring you the latest coronavirus figures for today. we learn that if 3013 new covid—19 cases reported in the last 24 hours and that compares to 4479 cases last week, so that's down by nearly 1500

cases. and, in terms of deaths, there were 53 new covid—19 deaths within 28 days of a positive test. that's been reported in the last 24 hours and that compares to 51 deaths last week, so roughly the same. australia has become the latest country to place restrictions on the astrazeneca vaccine, saying it should only be used on people over the age of 50. let's take a look at what's happening in other countries around the world. many countries have suspended use of the vaccine among young adults while investigations continue. as well as australia, these countries include canada, south korea, the philippines and several eu nations like france, germany, italy, and spain. two scandinavian countries — denmark and norway — have halted use of the vaccine entirely, while other countries have

continued to use the vaccine with no restrictions, like in mexico and brazil. despite the fact that the vaccine is being manufactured in the us, the jab has not yet been approved for use there. with me now is professor simon kroll from imperial college london. he is also a member of the joint committee on vaccination and immunisation — that's the body which advises the uk government on vaccination schedules and safety. he is speaking this afternoon in a personal capacity. good afternoon to you, professor. going back to the decision about limiting the use of the astrazeneca jab to the over 30s, do you think that's the electrical selection? yes, i think it is a prudent course of action. we have a vaccine to prevent a disease which is very serious but is less likely to cause very serious illness, leading, for example, to intensive care admission or even to death. in the youngest

age group. while this very their side effect does seem to be somewhat more common in younger adults than in older adults. the numbers were so small that this is really making a lot out of a tiny black and —— a tiny amount of data and such that it is suggest that where you can get away with using a different data should be something you can do we are in the fortunate position of being able to do that.- are in the fortunate position of being able to do that. fire to the donor _ being able to do that. fire to the donorjobs _ being able to do that. fire to the donorjobs for _ being able to do that. fire to the donorjobs for that - being able to do that. fire to the donorjobs for that age - being able to do that. fire to i the donorjobs for that age group. —— beat pfizer and moderna jab is for that age group. we don't live there is a group, click between the pfizer in we don't if there is a link between the astrazeneca and blood clots although there is possibly a link

but the european medical agencies seem to be going further. what you think that? tim seem to be going further. what you think that? �* . seem to be going further. what you think that? �* : :, ,, :, think that? i'm inclined to think of it is more semantic— think that? i'm inclined to think of it is more semantic than. .. - think that? i'm inclined to think of it is more semantic than. .. . - think that? i'm inclined to think of it is more semantic than. .. . the i it is more semantic than... . the likelihood is that there is a link. these cases have occurred very much more commonly with the astrazeneca vaccine than with any of the other covid vaccine. i say very much more commonly and do stress that these are five events. it does look increasingly likely that this is a astrazeneca vaccine specific problem. what causes it, exactly, we don't understand the mechanism and without that thief it will be a statistical association and the words that different authorities used reflects that. th words that different authorities used reflects that.— words that different authorities used reflects that. in terms of the ublic used reflects that. in terms of the public health _ used reflects that. in terms of the public health messaging, - used reflects that. in terms of the public health messaging, if - used reflects that. in terms of the public health messaging, if you i public health messaging, if you like? but you think needs to be emphasised given that we are where we are? t emphasised given that we are where we are? ~ , , we are? i think the first thing is that it is really _

we are? i think the first thing is that it is really important - we are? i think the first thing is that it is really important to - we are? i think the first thing is that it is really important to be | that it is really important to be vaccinated against this infection. we have heard how the numbers are falling in as the numbers fall we have heard how the numbers of deaths and failure to very low level and thatis and failure to very low level and that is extremely gratifying. we must not lose the benefit by pulling away from the excellent uptake of vaccines. so, the vaccine programme continues and as long as we have the levels that we do in the vaccine supplies that we do there should not be a problem in those younger individuals those recommendations being accommodated within the product. thank you very much. that is professor simon croll from imperial college london. thank you for your time. scientists tracking coronavirus in england say the vaccination programme is beginning to break

the link between covid—19 cases and deaths. the latest react study from imperial college london, which involved analysing more than 140,000 people's swab tests between the 11th and 30th of march, found infections had fallen by roughly two—thirds since february — while the zoe covid symptom uk infection survey figures show a decrease of 54% from last week. tim spector is a professor of genetic epidemiology at king's college london and the principal investigator of the zoe covid symptom study app. hejoins me now. good afternoon tea professor. this is very encouraging news? tt is is very encouraging news? it is treat is very encouraging news? it is great news- — is very encouraging news? it is great news. you _ is very encouraging news? it 3 great news. you remember she weeks ago we saw a bit of a slowdown in those rates and we are hanging around the 4000—5000 back and a wasting less than 2000 people a day infected with the very latest

results that we had today these are main to drops and we now have the lowest rate in europe. this is reflected in the very low death rate and low admissions. a lot of the gloom that was around a few weeks ago and we are seeing this in all regions of the country. now in all age groups. it is really, totally positive. due to our efforts over the last few months, plus the bonus of these vaccines.— of these vaccines. there is so we are. of these vaccines. there is so we are- which _ of these vaccines. there is so we are- which you — of these vaccines. there is so we are. which you are _ of these vaccines. there is so we are. which you are overseeing i of these vaccines. there is so we i are. which you are overseeing josey decrease of 54% of new infections. —— the app which you are overseeing. do you expect of the decrease to go wrong at this rate? t do you expect of the decrease to go wrong at this rate?— wrong at this rate? i don't think so. we wrong at this rate? i don't think so- we are _ wrong at this rate? i don't think so. we are seeing _ wrong at this rate? i don't think so. we are seeing a _ wrong at this rate? i don't think so. we are seeing a r— wrong at this rate? i don't think so. we are seeing a r value - wrong at this rate? i don't think so. we are seeing a r value of. wrong at this rate? i don't think. so. we are seeing a r value of 0.7

which is quite dramatic. in keep having every week and then we would have no cases. i would think it is definitely going to slow down and slowly drop to between 1000—2000. it is going to be had to get rid of theirs that isjewel is going to be had to get rid of theirs that is jewel cases and that is what we saw last summer. irate theirs that is jewel cases and that is what we saw last summer. we are doinu so is what we saw last summer. we are doing so much _ is what we saw last summer. we are doing so much testing _ is what we saw last summer. we are doing so much testing at _ is what we saw last summer. we are doing so much testing at the - is what we saw last summer. we are | doing so much testing at the moment so some of these cases, when you get the low levels will be false positives. it is never going to get to zero. i think you have got to put this in context. it means that around 1000 —— one in 1400 people have symptomatic covid at the moment and it is less in some parts are more than others and so if you vaccinated you have a 20th of that risk so one in 20, one in 30 type

risk. these risks are getting very manageable. . hopefully life will be getting back to normal pretty soon. that is really interesting, one in 1400 because there was a time that it was one in 30 in certain parts of the country in england. that really is very encouraging. he talks about the potential for false positives is very encouraging. he talks about the potentialforfalse positives in the potentialforfalse positives in the government announced this week plans to make lateral flow tests accessible to people. is that going to be helpful over you will be about the potential for false positives there? t the potential for false positives there? ~ :, the potential for false positives there? ,, :, , ., , there? i think that it is a useful tool, but there? i think that it is a useful tool. but if _ there? i think that it is a useful tool, but if it — there? i think that it is a useful tool, but if it is _ there? i think that it is a useful tool, but if it is misused - there? i think that it is a useful tool, but if it is misused it - there? i think that it is a useful| tool, but if it is misused it could end up with more false epidemics. people have got to realise firstly the test itself has limitations, it does impeccable cases, like number test two, and it always has a 20—30% numbers that will be missed just one test but when rates are low. that it is become more likely and that is

going to be about according to our data from the at about five per 1000. this means that if you were doing 1 million lateral flow tests, you're going to be getting half a percent, winning 200 of those are going to be false positives. so it is important people are testing their in denigrate symptoms and it will get a positive test you repeat it. ithink this will get a positive test you repeat it. i think this is the crucial thing and generally do need to be confirmed by pcr test. people shouldn't forget the 20 symptoms of covid which are actually a better guide probably thanjust covid which are actually a better guide probably than just relying covid which are actually a better guide probably thanjust relying on these test kits. guide probably than 'ust relying on these test kits.— these test kits. sure. and 'ust auoin these test kits. sure. and 'ust going back �* these test kits. sure. and 'ust going back to i these test kits. sure. and 'ust going back to the i these test kits. sure. and just going back to the prevalence i these test kits. sure. and justl going back to the prevalence of covid at the moment, where would you say that we are as a country now, compared to some point in the last 12 months?— compared to some point in the last 12 months? . ,, ,, 12 months? looking back, i think we robabl 12 months? looking back, i think we probably where _ 12 months? looking back, i think we probably where we _ 12 months? looking back, i think we probably where we were _ 12 months? looking back, i think we probably where we were in - 12 months? looking back, i think we probably where we were in about. 12 months? looking back, i think we| probably where we were in about july probably where we were in aboutjuly last summer. if you can rememberfar

back. we were a lot more relaxed because we weren't stressed by new variants then. we may not come back. we have those sort of levels. where numbers of cases are generally pretty low and there will be the odd outbreak but it is not going to take off and i think when we are going to look around in europe we have one of the lowest rates in europe's and we are close to where is whalers who are close to where is whalers who are vaccinated more than us and the other countries that had much higher rates like france and italy, they rates like france and italy, they rates are now looking like they have peaks and are coming down, so this doom about us being overrun by these variants from the continent don't seem to be borne out, so i think that's another reason for good news, it is what looks like is happening on the continent. {etc it is what looks like is happening on the continent.— on the continent. ok. that is happening- _ on the continent. ok. that is happening. good _ on the continent. ok. that is happening. good to -

on the continent. ok. that is happening. good to talk - on the continent. ok. that is happening. good to talk to l on the continent. ok. that is i happening. good to talk to you. on the continent. ok. that is - happening. good to talk to you. that is a professor from happening. good to talk to you. that is a professorfrom king's happening. good to talk to you. that is a professor from king's college london. thank you. the devastated mother of richard okorogheye says she is broken after the student's body was found in a lake in epping forest, in essex. speaking to the bbc, evidencejoel said losing her son "was a big hole that can never be filled". police confirmed yesterday that the body found in a pond in the woodland on monday was that of her 19—year—old, who was reported missing two weeks ago. and a warning, viewers may find the content of this clip distressing. broken. empty. devastated. i'm still expecting richard to walk through the store and say, well, mummy, and sorry, my i'm still expecting richard to walk

through that door and say, well, mummy, and sorry, my phone battery went off, i lost my phone or it doesn't have any money to find his way and somebody helped him to get home. mum, i'm sorry. i'm still expecting that. each morning, when somebody buzzes on the door, i'm like, ok, let's check. it isa it is a big hole. a massive hole that can never be covered again. especially learning that maybe he won't walk through that door any more. he will not work through that door. my baby will not walk through that door again. to see him, to embrace him, to say my mummy. richard has so much to live for. that was evidence joel, the richard has so much to live for. that was evidencejoel, the mother of richard, speaking to the bbc a little earlier.

political leaders in northern ireland have condemned the rioting that's raged in belfast for six nights, but criticised each other about the underlying causes. police were attacked, petrol bombs were thrown and a bus was set on fire last night. in total, 55 police officers have been injured in the violence. the northern ireland secretary brandon lewis says "all communities must work together to resolve the tensions that we are currently facing. the only way to resolve differences is through dialogue." he is holding talks with political and faith leaders in northern ireland this afternoon. chris page sent this report. sirens the barrier, which is commonly known as a peace line, was anything but peaceful last night. the wall was built 20 years ago to try to stop clashes between politically divided communities in west belfast. but there was trouble on both sides as crowds threw petrol bombs, fireworks and bricks. violence began on the loyalist shankill road where protesters had gathered. a bus was hijacked and set on fire. there were no passengers on board, but the driver

was said to be very shaken. then, across the peace wall in the springfield road area, republican youths rioted. community representatives tried to calm the situation. sad to see this. we are trying to say to these young people that this isn't the answer. they shouldn't be engaging in violence. sectarian violence. it's only a matter of time, i feel, before someone gets seriously hurt. people in northern ireland had hoped that scenes of destruction like this belonged well in the past. but today, as the debris and damage from last night is cleaned up, the question is, does the violence of the past week have the potential to escalate? the violence of the last week have the potential to escalate? my appeal to those that wish to organise disorder is not to do it. it will be the subject of an

investigation. it serves no purpose and nobody wants to see the scenes we have seen last night. we now have a new generation of children and young people who are being exposed to things that they won't have seen previously. following standing order 11, i have summoned the assembly to meet today. police briefed ministers in the devolved government this morning, and the stormont assembly returned early from its easter break to discuss the issues. there can be no place in our society for violence, or the threat of violence, and it must stop. just as it was wrong in the past and was neverjustified, so it is wrong now, and cannot be justified. as political leaders, we must stand united in appealing to all concerned to refrain from further threats or use of violence, and recognise that is only through democratic politics that we can solve problems and concerns. borisjohnson and the irish prime minister micheal martin have condemned the violence. it has been a more sustained level of violence in

streets in northern ireland for some time. it has been the most sustained period of unrest on the only small areas have been affected so far, but many people in this part of the uk are feeling a new and yet familiar sense of concern. chris page, bbc news, belfast. a pulmonary expert — giving evidence at the trial of former police officer derek chauvin — has told the jury that george floyd died due to a lack of oxygen reaching his brain and heart. dr martin tobin said that the lack of oxygen was caused by £shallow breathing" or short breaths, that were brought about by a number of factors. that he has a knee on his neck, on his— that he has a knee on his neck, on his back— that he has a knee on his neck, on his back and _ that he has a knee on his neck, on his back and on his side. all of these _ on his back and on his side. all of these four— on his back and on his side. all of these four forces are ultimately going _ these four forces are ultimately going to — these four forces are ultimately going to result in the low tidal volume — going to result in the low tidal volume which gives you the shallow breaths _ volume which gives you the shallow breaths that we saw here.

let's speak to our north america correspondent larry madowo who has been following the trial(os been following the trial. we're well into the prosecution case now. what else stood out during the trial today? this now. what else stood out during the trial toda ? , :, now. what else stood out during the trialtoda ? , :, , ., trial today? this doctor is an exert trial today? this doctor is an expert on — trial today? this doctor is an expert on the _ trial today? this doctor is an expert on the mechanical. trial today? this doctor is an - expert on the mechanical ventilation and wrote a book which is considered and wrote a book which is considered a textbook in that area. he has written eight or nine of the box and has been practising for 40 years and he delivered the centrepiece of the prosecution's argument here, that george floyd died from a lack of oxygen that caused brain damage and caused arrhythmia and it is sometimes called asphyxia. that is what the prosecution is trying to prove in this case and he has delivered that. he is only the first of six medical witnesses we expect to hear from of six medical witnesses we expect to hearfrom in this of six medical witnesses we expect to hear from in this case of six medical witnesses we expect to hearfrom in this case before of six medical witnesses we expect to hear from in this case before the prosecution begins to bring their own medical experts that will dispute that argument. their case is

that george floyd died because he had a history of drug use and had underlying health problems. yesterday, they got investigators to... comment addictive opioids, centre neil, the powerful opioid as well as methamphetamine. —— fentanyl. we're going back now to the protest in northern ireland and we will speak to northern ireland's infrastructure minister, who is also deputy leader of the social democratic and labour party, the sdlp. presumably, you'djoin democratic and labour party, the sdlp. presumably, you'd join other political leaders in condemning this violence? i absolutely condemn the violence? i absolutely condemn the violence that we witnessed on our streets. tote violence that we witnessed on our streets. ~ , , violence that we witnessed on our

streets. . , , ., ., :, streets. we witnessed an escalation of violence last _ streets. we witnessed an escalation of violence last night _ streets. we witnessed an escalation of violence last night here _ streets. we witnessed an escalation of violence last night here in - streets. we witnessed an escalation of violence last night here in our - of violence last night here in our city in belfast. a bus driver has had his bus hijacked on petrol bombed when he was simply his job and serving his community. we had a press photographer out and he was simply out doing his job of trying to capture the truth. press photographer attacked. after consecutive nights of violence we now have 55 that our police officers who have been injured simply doing theirjobs and trying to protect communities here in northern ireland and communities safe. so it is a very difficult situation. we are in a very dangerous situation and it is important today that leaders across all political parties were unequivocal in their condemnation of this violence and that we'll now show leadership, we step up, we de—escalate the situation, and we work together to tackle the root causes that leads to young people, 10-11, 12-13 causes that leads to young people, 10—11, 12—13 —year—olds. throwing petrol bombs and fix of police

officers. ~ :, :, petrol bombs and fix of police officers. . :, ., :,, petrol bombs and fix of police officers. :, ., , , officers. what are those causes then? because _ officers. what are those causes then? because everybody - officers. what are those causes then? because everybody is i officers. what are those causes - then? because everybody is uniting in condemning these actions but they differ enormously in what is cause them? tote differ enormously in what is cause them? ~ :, differ enormously in what is cause them? . :, ., ., differ enormously in what is cause them? . :, :, ., ., :, them? we have had an escalation in tension because _ them? we have had an escalation in tension because some _ them? we have had an escalation in tension because some political - tension because some political parties in northern ireland have framed the potable debate as one of a crisis of identity and they have talked, people in some communities into a crisis of confidence. but we also have to ask ourselves why is it our young people in our working class communities that i use continuously throughout the years in our troubles here in northern ireland as cannon fodder. i would argue that the underlying issue here is one of alienation, it is one of poverty, it is one of the deep sense of hopelessness in our working class communities, particularly among our young people, and that is why today on behalf of the sdlp i called on all parties to work together to reaffirm our commitment to the good friday agreement, the reconciliation, but reaffirm our commitment to transforming lyceum people, particularly those who are living in our working class areas

and feel so alienated —— transforming lives for young people. i wonder how you get from condemning, as you put it, some of the political statements that have been made about the consequences of brexit, on the island of ireland, and young, very young people who are alienated. why should these things be linked? ~ :, ., ., be linked? well, i would argue that if ou be linked? well, i would argue that if you stopped _ be linked? well, i would argue that if you stopped the _ be linked? well, i would argue that if you stopped the 12 _ be linked? well, i would argue that if you stopped the 12 or— be linked? well, i would argue that if you stopped the 12 or 13 - be linked? well, i would argue that if you stopped the 12 or 13 or- if you stopped the 12 or 13 or 14—year—old who was out on the streets of belfast last night writing and you asked him what aspects of the protocol and i am happy with, what goods or services can we not there, they would look at yours if you as if you're an alien? if you spoke to that young person said why are you angry? they would say because i don't have prospects of a job, i live in poverty, that isn't anything to do around here, i don't feel connected people who are meant to be elected to represent us. so the sdlp has been very clear all along on the issue of brexit. i don't need to rehearse the arguments here. people in northern ireland did not vote for brexit. there are

certainly difficulties and challenges with the political and i, on behalf of the sdlp and around our executive, have been arguing that we need to get together, need to find pragmatic solutions to these difficulties but we also need to work together to maximise the opportunities that can be presented to an giving a unique situation. we remain committed to that and also remain committed to that and also remain committed to trying to ensure that every child that is born in northern ireland and put an end finally to our young people being used as cannon fodder by people with more sinister agenda is behind—the—scenes because the young people who have been out rioting, they should be looking to the future excited by that, excited by the career opportunities that are before them, but instead many of those in northern ireland have to live with criminal convictions are all limitations that brings. tote criminal convictions are all limitations that brings. we talk about young — limitations that brings. we talk about young people _ limitations that brings. we talk about young people being - limitations that brings. we talkj about young people being used limitations that brings. we talk i about young people being used as cannon fodder, are you referring them to organised criminal gangs or networks or editing the mum? yes. i met as recently _

networks or editing the mum? yes. i met as recently this _ networks or editing the mum? yes. i met as recently this morning - networks or editing the mum? yes. i met as recently this morning with i networks or editing the mum? yes. i met as recently this morning with a i met as recently this morning with a chief constable of the police force here in northern ireland and it is very clear that there is an organised, sinister element to this. and it is really important that those of us who have elected and have mandates whatever our political differences may be, we absolutely must be united in unequivocal condemnation of the... challenge the economic challenges facing our communities, particularly our working class communities in northern ireland.— working class communities in northern ireland. nichola mallon, there. a £43 million government support package has been announced for the expected arrival of thousands of hong kong citizens in the uk.

a new visa scheme has been set up in response to china's security clampdown in the former british territory. the bigger the gorilla, the better he is at beating his chest, scientists say. the study of adult male mountain gorillas in rwanda confirms that the famous gesture — often portrayed in films — is a measure of size and strength, allowing communication in the dense, tropical forest habitats. in a moment, we can speak to a great ape keeper — but first, let's take a look at a classic gorilla chest beat in action. that was it and suddenly he was shy. let's now speak to clare redfern. she is a great ape keeper at twycross. good afternoon to you. many people will wonder, well, didn't we know this already? is this a surprise to

you? oh, dear. ithink she this already? is this a surprise to you? oh, dear. i think she has frozen, hasn't she? what a pity. we will see if we can go back to her another time. will see if we can go back to her anothertime. forthe will see if we can go back to her another time. for the time being, let's take a look at the weather with nick miller. hello. it is a little less cold out there today, especially where you have been seeing some sunny spells, but arctic air is poised to move in, initially across scotland and the rest of the uk, in time for the weekend. it is actually moving in behind this band of rain that is sinking south across scotland today, into northern ireland this evening. ahead of that, for england and wales, some sunny spells, some cloud thick enough for patches of rain or showers, the wind is picking up all the while, too, but many places seeing temperatures into double figures. though the cold air is moving in across scotland this evening, strengthening wind, 60, 70 miles per hour gusts in the northern isles. could be disruptive. snow showers and icy patches in northern scotland going into the morning and frost, too, into northern ireland, parts of northern england, where it clears up overnight as well.

tomorrow's area of cloud and rain will move very slowly further south through wales, the midlands, east anglia into southern england. northern ireland, northern ireland and scotland seeing sunny spells, a few wintry showers around, most frequent in northern scotland, though that strong wind easing here, but it will feel cold.

hello, this is bbc news with me, reeta chakrabarti. the headlines... the health secretary insists the astrazeneca vaccine remains safe, after experts found a potential link to extremely rare blood clots. political leaders call for peace after another night of violence in belfast, the northern ireland secretary holds urgent talks. the police have condemned the unrest. the scenes we saw were absolutely disgraceful in terms of the serious criminal acts that were being carried out and the violent disorder that was taking place and it needs to be condemned in the strongest possible terms.

the mother of 19—year—old richard okorogheye says she's broken and devastated after her son's body was found two weeks after being reported missing. i never thought i would lose a child, especially at my age. especially, richard is only 19. he was the only child that i had. after myanmar�*s former uk envoy was locked out of the embassy overnight, the foreign secretary condemns the country's �*bullying' military leaders. and why gorillas like to beat their chests — it's all about being male, apparently. we'll speak to an expert. sport and for a full round up from the bbc sport centre, here's olly. good afternoon.

the aintree grand national festival is under way, and what a start for sir alex ferguson, the former manchester united manager. he has a share in each of the winners of the first three races. all eyes were on the two—time national winner tiger roll in the betway bowl chase, but he could only come a very distant fourth as the favourite, clan des 0beaux, part—owned by sir alex, ridden by harry cobden and trained by paul nicholls, came home 26 lengths clear. ferguson said, "that's my first hat—trick in liverpool — "i don't think they'll be too pleased." swansea city say they won't post anything on social media for the next seven days to take a stand against continuing online racist abuse. three of their players have been targeted recently and the championship club say the first team squad, academy professionals, their women's team and club staff will boycott all channels for the next week. we are not doing this and expecting everybody to follow us. if they do,

great, but first and foremost, it is we are looking after our own and showing a united front in what has gone on in our circle, if you like, to help us fight the bigger issues and if people want to follow us, great, but that has to be down to the clubs in particular. there's more european football this evening, the first legs in the quarterfinals of the europa league. manchester united are away to spanish side granada. arsenal are at home against slavia prague. mikel arteta's side were heavily criticised after their 3—0 defeat to liverpool on saturday. we have to respect every opinion. and when there is criticism coming after the way we played against liverpool, we have to take it on the chin because it is fully deserved, any criticism we get. it is now time to respond, it is time to talk on the pitch

and show what we can do, which when we are at full gas, is a lot. the french open will start a week later than scheduled, it will run from the 30th may to the 13th ofjune. tournament organisers at roland garros say they want the largest number of fans to be able to attend, and with france in a third national lockdown, moving the championships will give them the best possible chance. this will impact on the grass court season in the build up to wimbledon. the lta say they are looking at the implications for their events and might make changes to the calendar. sarah hunter will play her first england game for 13 months when they face italy on saturday in the women's six nations. she comes staright back into the side and will reclaim the captaincy. she's one of 10 changes to the side that beat scotland last weekend. in a revamped format for the six nations, the red roses will reach the final of the tournament if they beat the italians in parma. hunter has struggled with a hamstring strain and more

recently nerve damage in her hand. the early starters are out at augusta national in the first round of the masters, golf�*s first major of the year. it's back in its original april slot. it was far more forgiving for the players when it was played in november last year. 2015 championjordan spieth is in the last group out, about 7pm, he broke a four—year title drought over the weekend but is being realistic about his chances i just feel like there's quite a few things that i still need to improve on and get better and i felt that over the weekend. i felt that it wasn't the best my swing felt or the best my stroke felt. there are times and ways that i can take a step forward and feel better and produce better golf shots consistently and produce better strokes and it was pretty awesome when i look back and think, you know, there is a next level that i've been at that i'm

still searching for right now. just having a look on the bbc sport website, you can find the leaderboard therefore the first round of the masters. three way tie for the lead at two under part. rory mcavoy is even par afterjust three holes of his round. along way to go. let's now speak to clare redfern — she is a great ape keeper at twycross. good afternoon to you, claire. a report is out today saying that the bigger out male gorilla, the better he is at beating his chest at signalling to friends and found just how powerful he is. is this a surprise to you?— how powerful he is. is this a surprise to you? how powerful he is. is this a

surrise to ou? :, , surprise to you? no, we see it quite reuularl surprise to you? no, we see it quite regularly at — surprise to you? no, we see it quite regularly at the _ surprise to you? no, we see it quite regularly at the zoo. _ surprise to you? no, we see it quite regularly at the zoo. our— surprise to you? no, we see it quite regularly at the zoo. our adult - regularly at the zoo. our adult male, he does it quite a lot. he is very impressive. he likes to show off to the females. it is a good way off to the females. it is a good way of showing how powerful and strong and dominant you are. ts he of showing how powerful and strong and dominant you are.— of showing how powerful and strong and dominant you are. is he the one male gorilla — and dominant you are. is he the one male gorilla you _ and dominant you are. is he the one male gorilla you have? _ and dominant you are. is he the one male gorilla you have? he _ and dominant you are. is he the one male gorilla you have? he is - and dominant you are. is he the one male gorilla you have? he is our- and dominant you are. is he the one | male gorilla you have? he is our one male, male gorilla you have? he is our one male. adult — male gorilla you have? he is our one male, adult male, _ male gorilla you have? he is our one male, adult male, but _ male gorilla you have? he is our one male, adult male, but we _ male gorilla you have? he is our one male, adult male, but we have - male gorilla you have? he is our one male, adult male, but we have two i male, adult male, but we have two young males as well. they do the same emotions but it is more of a play when they do it. they will run up play when they do it. they will run up to each other, beat their chests, roll around, and then as they get older that changes from play to the more serious, you know, this is me showing you how tough i am. and more serious, you know, this is me showing you how tough i am. and if the are showing you how tough i am. and if they are doing _ showing you how tough i am. and if they are doing it — showing you how tough i am. and if they are doing it to _ showing you how tough i am. and if they are doing it to the _ showing you how tough i am. and if they are doing it to the females, i showing you how tough i am. and if they are doing it to the females, it is always also a way of attracting their mates?— their mates? yes, if you are a female gorilla, _ their mates? yes, if you are a female gorilla, you _ their mates? yes, if you are a female gorilla, you want - their mates? yes, if you are a. female gorilla, you want strong their mates? yes, if you are a - female gorilla, you want strong male who can help look after you say you

have the best genes for your offspring and allowed the chest beats, it shows you it is a better male to mate with.— beats, it shows you it is a better male to mate with. how far does the sound travel? _ male to mate with. how far does the sound travel? it _ male to mate with. how far does the sound travel? it can _ male to mate with. how far does the sound travel? it can be _ male to mate with. how far does the sound travel? it can be quite - male to mate with. how far does the sound travel? it can be quite loud. i sound travel? it can be quite loud. in natural habitats, _ sound travel? it can be quite loud. in natural habitats, it _ sound travel? it can be quite loud. in natural habitats, it goes - sound travel? it can be quite loud. in natural habitats, it goes far- in natural habitats, it goes far through the trees. at the zoo, if you are in close proximity to it, it can take you by surprise if you hear it. it is quite an impressive noise. so it is alpha male behaviour, isn't it? , :, ., ., , , ., it? yes. if the dominant male sees a threat, he it? yes. if the dominant male sees a threat. he will _ it? yes. if the dominant male sees a threat, he will communicate - it? yes. if the dominant male sees a threat, he will communicate it - it? yes. if the dominant male sees a threat, he will communicate it that i threat, he will communicate it that way. if he sees another male coming in the wild into his territory, it is a way of saying, i am not happy with you here, get out of my house. get out of my house. and who would disagree with that? absolutely! very good to talk to you. thank you,

claire. i want to just let you know that in belfast, the northern ireland secretary has been holding talks about the violence we have seen in consecutive nights in various parts of northern ireland. he has been there for urgent talks and we are expecting a statement or a press conference from mr lewis at sometime in the next short while, so will keep on eye on that and be bringing it to you as soon as it happens. bringing it to you as soon as it happens. part of an ancient woodland that helped inspire roald dahl to write fantastic mr fox is being cleared to make way for work on the hs2 high—speed rail link. the operation has led to a standoff with protesters. our environment correspondent clare marshall reports. the ancient beech trees ofjones' hill wood. they're said to have helped inspire the author roald dahl

to write his story about wily mr fox. but times have changed. it's in the path of the controversial new high—speed line from london to birmingham. protesters have been camped out here for almost a year, but hs2 contractors have now started to fell two thirds of the wood. in its heart, we found an aerial standoff. a young protester. she's getting in the way of the tree cutters, doing what she can to delay the work. a bailiff — part of the national eviction team — climbs up to meet her. there are police present, and paramedics on standby. hs2 say that the train line is going to help make the uk carbon—neutral. in essence, you're fighting against something that would be good for the environment. it's not encouraging rail travel. if it were, they'd be making it cheaper and more accessible than car travel, say.

so, yeah, that whole thing is completely inaccessible. it's quite a big hint that sustainability isn't their main focus. hs2 say they're planting up to seven million trees — including 22,000 around jones' hill wood. what we are doing through the compensation is to look at the native species that are already within the landscape and design a mitigation scheme that is sympathetic to what is around it. it creates a green corridor along the route. roald dahl�*s fictionalfarmers — boggis, bunce and bean — failed to outwit the cunning mr fox. the real—life bunce family still farm the land. it's just hollow. there's no feeling left. it used to be full up with primroses, foxgloves,

bluebells, wood anemones — all sorts of things like that. never will they come back. absolutely disgusting, what they've done. but the law to build the line was scrutinised by mps and passed by parliament. hs2 who could now well cost more than £100 billion. these trees are seen by some to be standing in the way of progress. clare marshall, bbc news, buckinghamshire. as england begins to open after lockdown, the public transport system is preparing for visitors. passenger groups have warned that a social distancing will not always be possible on travel. bus travel levels should be up on pre—pandemic levels. empty arrivals in birmingham, deserted carriages in manchester and acquired top decks on

london buses. this pandemic has meant many of us have spent months hardly using this network. but as the world begins to venture outside, public transport is once again getting ready to take us there. at this depot in hull, they began fogging their buses 14 months ago and are planning extra services into the summer to help with social distancing, but there is still uncertainty for some passengers. t uncertainty for some passengers. i wouldn't want to be that close to people, especially if you had to sit next to another person. rats people, especially if you had to sit next to another person.— people, especially if you had to sit next to another person. as long as --eole next to another person. as long as people wear _ next to another person. as long as people wear their _ next to another person. as long as people wear their masks, - next to another person. as long as people wear their masks, you - next to another person. as long as people wear their masks, you can | people wear their masks, you can have _ people wear their masks, you can have as _ people wear their masks, you can have as many people as you want. changes— have as many people as you want. changes are — have as many people as you want. changes are happening around the country, by monday, they will be 18,000 train services each weekday across britain, 1000 more since february. how many passengers will take rail trips over the next few months, though? tote take rail trips over the next few months, though?— take rail trips over the next few months, though? we are making as much space — months, though? we are making as much space available _ months, though? we are making as much space available for— months, though? we are making as much space available for people, i much space available for people, whether it is extra daily services

or longer trains, we are also meetings sure that there trains are spotlessly clean, but we are spotlessly clean, but we are spotlessly clean, but were given better information so people can find out which services are busier so they can plan theirjourneys better. so they can plan their “ourneys better. :, , . , ., so they can plan their “ourneys better. :, , . ,, , better. commuter services are likely to be busier. — better. commuter services are likely to be busier, but _ better. commuter services are likely to be busier, but there _ better. commuter services are likely to be busier, but there is _ better. commuter services are likely to be busier, but there is also - to be busier, but there is also transport to sports events, music festivals and trips to the beach at all likely to fill up. the industry has always said it will be what it can, but it is down to the police to enforce the rules. while most services have been quiet during lockdown, there have been images like this taking on the london underground during january. maintaining social distance and wearing a mask is crucial to getting people back on board confidently. returning to public transport may feel strange and unsettling after you spending months apart, the industry knows that they have to rebuild the confidence to get passengers on board. the foreign secretary dominic raab has condemned what he's called the bullying actions of myanmar�*s military leaders, after the country's former ambassador

to the uk was locked out of the embassy in london last night. a spokesman for the sacked envoy kyaw zwar minn has asked the british government not to recognise his replacement. myanmar�*s military seized power in a coup in february, sparking widespread protests. our diplomatic correspondent james landale reports. for more than two months now, myanmar has been torn apart by violence as people protested against the army's seizure of power. now this bloody struggle has led to a diplomatic stand—off on the streets of london. this is kyaw zwar minn. as far as he was concerned, he was myanmar�*s ambassador to britain but last night he was locked out of his embassy by his deputy in the military attache. they occupy my building. the picture on the back of his car explains why. last month he criticised the coup and called for the elected leader, aung san suu kyi, to be released and reinstated. the ambassador was summoned

home, but he refused. after a night in his car, the ambassador was still there this morning and, through a spokesman, said he was looking for support from the british government and urged them not to work with the diplomats inside. he is trying to walk in the middle ground, but there is no doubt which is the right side. the military have killed nearly 600 people, including 48 children. in a tweet, the foreign secretary dominic raab did voice his support. are you still the ambassador? yes, of course. but a foreign office spokesman said it had been formally notified by the myanmar authorities that the position of the ambassador in london had been terminated and the uk had to accept that decision. in recent weeks, the outside

of the embassy has become a shrine to those who have died and a focal point for protesters. now it has also become the scene of a diplomatic coup which has effectively forced the uk to recognise the authority of the military regime in myanmar. james landale, bbc news. a £43 million government support package has been announced for the expected arrival of thousands of hong kong citizens in the uk. a new visa scheme has been set up in response to china's security clampdown in the former british territory. our home editor mark easton reports. in the seven weeks since the new british national overseas visa for hong kong nationals was launched, 27,000 people have already applied to come to the uk. some are understood to be veterans of protests against beijing's decision to restrict democratic freedoms on the previously british—run territory. but many are expected to be families wanting to take advantage

of the uk's offer to start a new life here. we have received quite a lot of feedback from our hong kong audience that they really hope to be self—sufficient in supporting themselves, as best as they can, when they arrive, so that they do not become a burden on the state and they indeed hope to positively contribute towards the uk economy and society. the home office estimates that up to 154,000 may come in the first year, and a third of a million in the next five years. but, if demand remains at current levels, those forecasts would be easily overtaken. it is absolutely right to be supporting the hong kongers in their hour of need. i have no problem with that, however, looking at it from an immigration perspective, this is hardly the control of immigration that we were promised. the government had given an open—ended right to settle to some 5.4 million people. today, the government has announced

a £43 million support package, including 12 welcome hubs spread across every region of the uk to help hundreds of thousands of hong kong citizens gain access to housing, school places and jobs in britain. so, you will be able to go and get practical support for everything from how to get a national insurance number, how to get your children into local schools, who have to transfer your professional qualifications. we are also ensuring that there is support for those who come here who don't speakfluent english. so they will be able to access english language training. and, if you do fall on hard times, you will be able to access support from your local council. for example, you will be able to access social housing. the government says it has an historical and moral commitment to the people of hong kong and, although elected on a promise to reduce immigration numbers, ministers are determined to lay out the welcome mat to up to 6 million people. mark easton, bbc news. almost 100 theatres across france have been occupied by protestors calling on the government to do more to support artists during the covid crisis.

the occupations, which began a month ago at the 0deon theatre in paris, were triggered by planned changes to unemployment benefits for artists, due to take effect this summer. here's our paris correspondent, lucy williamson. this is where we are doing our daily... france's newest protest movement is held together as much by schedules as slogans. with one shower between 50 people, the 0deon theatre in paris wasn't designed for live—in guests. we have also all the messages from around the world, from japan, argentina, new zealand... baptiste is a sound engineer when he is not managing an occupation. their demands — reopen cultural venues and stop the planned reform of unemployment benefits, which artists say could reduce their daily payments at a time when they are unable to work.

when your message involves the calculation of benefit policies, though, it helps to have a nation of adoring fans. i think there is a place to open our theatre. i know that nothing is easy and all the decisions are quite complex, but unfortunately there is a choice, our government has made a choice, and it is not the choice that i would have made. the protests have now spread to 90 theatres across the country, where president macron is once again seen as cutting benefits to those already struggling. i think it'sjust, little king on his castle, he doesn't want to look down and he's just trying to get money from the poor and isjust increasing the difference between rich and poor. but feelings of anger and inequality stretch far beyond france's theatres. we arejust going we are just going to leave that report and take you to the white housein report and take you to the white house in washington, where the

deputy president kamala harris is speaking ahead of a presidential speech, unveiling new measures aimed at curbing gun violence in the us. t at curbing gun violence in the us. i have seen children who are traumatised by the loss of a parent or sibling and i have thought my entire career to end this violence and to pass reasonable gun safety laws. time and again, as progress has stalled, we have all asked, what are we waiting for? because we are not waiting for a tragedy, i know that. we have had more tragedy than we can bear. we aren't waiting for solutions either, because the solutions either, because the solutions exist, they already exist. people on both sides of the aisle want action, real people on both sides of the aisle want action. so

all that is left is the will and the courage to act. and presidentjoe biden has the will and the courage to act. as a united states senator, joe biden talk on the gun lobby not once, but twice, and he won. —— talk once, but twice, and he won. —— talk on the gun lobby. in 1993, he worked to pass the gun violation act, and this law established a background check system and has kept more than 3 million firearms out of the hands of dangerous people. a year later, he worked to pass another law, to

ban assault weapons and high—capacity magazines the 10—year high—ca pacity magazines the 10—year years. high—capacity magazines the 10—year years. and as vice president, joe biden led the obama— bidenadministration's work to end the violence. we were talking about artwork, because i was an attorney general in california at that time, and his work resulted in nearly two dozen actions from narrowing the loophole, to expanding funding for mental health services. and as you will hear in a moment, presidentjoe biden is a leader with great will, greater termination and even greater empathy. he has seen the grief of all of those who have lost loved ones to gun violence. it is, for them, for all of us, that he will never ever give up on this fight and it is now my great honour to

introduce the president of the united states, joe biden. thank you, thank you very much. you know _ thank you, thank you very much. you know. we _ thank you, thank you very much. you know. we are — thank you, thank you very much. you know, we are joined today by the attorney— know, we are joined today by the attorney general, eric garland, who i attorney general, eric garland, who i have _ attorney general, eric garland, who i have asked — attorney general, eric garland, who i have asked to prioritise gun violence _ i have asked to prioritise gun violence. it is also good to see the second _ violence. it is also good to see the second gentleman who is here and it is good _ second gentleman who is here and it is good to— second gentleman who is here and it is good to see the first lady, doctor— is good to see the first lady, doctorjoe biden, cares deeply about this issue _ doctorjoe biden, cares deeply about this issue as well. —— jill biden. i see so— this issue as well. —— jill biden. i see so many— this issue as well. —— jill biden. i see so many embers of congress who had never— see so many embers of congress who had never given up, so many of you who can— had never given up, so many of you who can absolutely —— are absolutely

determined — who can absolutely —— are absolutely determined to get this done. we've got a _ determined to get this done. we've got a long _ determined to get this done. we've got a long way to go, but also, today— got a long way to go, but also, today we — got a long way to go, but also, today we are taking steps to confront _ today we are taking steps to confront not just the today we are taking steps to confront notjust the gun crisis, but what — confront notjust the gun crisis, but what is _ confront notjust the gun crisis, but what is actually a public health crisis _ but what is actually a public health crisis. nothing i am about to recommend in any way impinges on the second _ recommend in any way impinges on the second amendment. they are phony arguments— second amendment. they are phony arguments which are suggesting these are second _ arguments which are suggesting these are second amendment rights were talking _ are second amendment rights were talking about. but no amendment of the constitution is absolute. you can't _ the constitution is absolute. you can't yell — the constitution is absolute. you can't yell fire in a crowded movie theatre. — can't yell fire in a crowded movie theatre, from the very beginning, you couldn't own any weapon you wanted _ you couldn't own any weapon you wanted to — you couldn't own any weapon you wanted to. from the very beginning the second — wanted to. from the very beginning the second amendment existed some people _ the second amendment existed some people weren't allowed weapons. it is bizarre _ people weren't allowed weapons. it is bizarre to suggest some of the recommendations are contrary to the constitution. gun violence in this country is an

epidemic —