this is bbc news. i'm sally bundock with the latest headlines for viewers in the uk and around the world. as european countries wait to hear if experts declare that astrazeneca's vaccine is safe two prime ministers vow to have the jab as soon as it gets the green light. the dutch go to the polls for an election set to be dominated by the fight against coronavirsus — the netherlands continues to suffer over 5000 new cases a day the religious leaders tackling vaccine hesistancy — and those undermining the message, by spreading misinformation. and robots that are indistinguishable from humans — we meet the russian scientists developing the next breed of androids.

the eu's medicines regulator says there's no indication that the oxford astrazeneca coronavirus vaccine causes blood clots. lithuania has become the latest of 1a countries to suspend its use. but both the french and italian prime ministers have said they would be vaccinated "very quickly" with the astrazeneca vaccine to give the public confidence in the jab if it is ruled as safe by the eu medicines agency on thursday. bethany bell reports from vienna. in italy, vaccination centres are shut after the oxford

astrazeneca was suspended after reports of blood clots.— reports of blood clots. country sa the reports of blood clots. country say they are — reports of blood clots. country say they are acting _ reports of blood clots. country say they are acting as - reports of blood clots. country say they are acting as a - say they are acting as a precaution. the world health organization has urged countries not to pause the vaccinations. the eu's medicines regulator says the benefits of oxford astrazeneca outweigh the risks.— outweigh the risks. there is no indication _ outweigh the risks. there is no indication that _ outweigh the risks. there is no indication that vaccines - outweigh the risks. there is no indication that vaccines have i indication that vaccines have caused these conditions. not come up in the clinical trials or, as expected side effects with this vaccine. in belgium the are with this vaccine. in belgium they are continuing - with this vaccine. in belgium they are continuing to - with this vaccine. in belgium they are continuing to give i with this vaccine. in belgium i they are continuing to give out they are continuing to give out the vaccine. scientists say the number of blood clots reported in vaccinated people is no higher than population. here in austria they suspended one batch of the vaccine last week while they investigate the death of a nurse who died a few

days after being vaccinated. the health minister has called for a swift european solution instead of individual national decisions. in vienna, there are mixed feelings about oxford astrazeneca. this woman said she is pre—she had her shop first week. it is better to take it than to not have any of it. but this man says he is suspicious. i it. but this man says he is suspicious.— suspicious. iwould not recommend _ suspicious. iwould not recommend to - suspicious. iwould not recommend to get - suspicious. iwould not recommend to get it i suspicious. i would not i recommend to get it now suspicious. i would not - recommend to get it now for suspicious. i would not _ recommend to get it now for me. because of the serious adverse events now, i am a bit scared to get ill from the vaccine. fist to get ill from the vaccine. at a time in _ to get ill from the vaccine. at a time in many european countries are facing a third wave of coronavirus infections, this is another setback for europe's vaccine roll—out. dutch voters head to the polls today in what's being

seen as a major test of the government's handling of the pandemic. special measures have been put in place — including cycle—through polling stations complete with personal red pencils and plastic screens — to try to minimise the spread of the virus, in a country still seeing an average of 5000 new cases every day. anna holligan reports from the hague. ten yea rs ten years at the top. now the message to voters as he is the steady pair of hands to steer the dutch through the storm. he is the dutch through the storm. he: is doing a greatjob and he is our leader and he can do it for the next three years again. but he is going _ the next three years again. but he is going into the election bruised by a slow vaccine roll—out, a prolonged lockdown and two ago his government had to resign over child benefits scandal. this woman was

preceded by tax officials by thousands of euros she did not owe. she took on the prime minister in what was seen by many as the most effective challenges faced in his campaign. the selection debate the talk of the netherlands. you hurt my kids. i will never forgive him for that. i wanted to shout at him, listen to us. he doesn't listen. and always when they are debating in the government he's on the phone smiling that he doesn't care and that's what i hate about him. let someone else do it, not him. him. let someone else do it, not him-— not him. with 37 parties competing. _ not him. with 37 parties competing, voters - not him. with 37 parties competing, voters are l not him. with 37 parties - competing, voters are spoilt for choice. that also means their votes are more thinly spread. coalitions are the norm for the netherlands and the centre right liberals are

performing well in the polls are the biggest source of intrigue at the moment is who might govern alongside him. aiming for a place in the coalition, the green left leader. �* , ., leader. built in the division is to focus _ leader. built in the division is to focus on _ leader. built in the division is to focus on going - leader. built in the division is to focus on going back. leader. built in the division| is to focus on going back to normal but we don't have to go back to normal, we have to go to a better future back to normal, we have to go to a betterfuture in back to normal, we have to go to a better future in this future should be a green future. . ., ., future. the anti immigration leader who _ future. the anti immigration leader who is _ future. the anti immigration leader who is second - future. the anti immigration leader who is second in - future. the anti immigration leader who is second in the l leader who is second in the polls has also been shifted away from his usual territory to focus on the pandemic. he is calling for an easing of the lockdown and more support for health workers. polling stations opened two days early for vulnerable voters. cycle through booths and plastic screens and personal red pencils are here to reduce the risks. with around half of dutch voters undecided many will make up their minds as they enter the booths. will make up their minds

as they enter the booths. the respected public health institution in brazil, fiocruz, is reporting that the country is experiencing the collapse of its hospitals and health service — theworst in the country's history. brazil reported a record number of deaths from coronavirus on tuesday. covid— 19 units in most states are now 80 % full. that figure goes up to 90 % in 19 state capitals. (gfx nearly 3000 deaths were recorded in the country as brazil's health system struggles to fight the pandemic. the country's largest city sao paulo is particulary affected. the area reported 679 deaths tuesday... while across the country nearly 84 thousand people became infected. cases are being driven up by a more contagiuous variant of the virus. in sao paulo, the head of the state's pandemic emergency organisation has called on the country's new health minister to consider imposing a national lockdown.

now all of this is taking place while bolsonaro appointed his fourth health minister since the start of the pandemic... marcelo queiroga is the president of the brazilian cardiology society. he has spoken in favour of vaccinations and has asked brazilians to wear masks and wash their hands. but he stressed he would follow presidentjair bolsonaro's lead. the health ministry executes the government's policy. michael fox is an independent journalist based in brazil. i asked him what brazilians are hoping to expect from this new new health minister. it is definitely an improvement. the man had no health experience before becoming health minister. so it is a step up. as you said, this man is the president of brazil's cardiology association and that is huge. he has supported science and he has supported vaccines, like you said.

so there are big expectations because that is really what the brazilian government now in the brazilian people want to focus on is this question of vaccines. there are still many, many questions. he said yesterday that he is going to defer to bowl scenario and his policies. he said hisjob is not the policies. that is his territory. is a little concerning but we are going to see how these roll—out in the coming weeks. particularly because of this variant from the amazon which is ten times the viral load and his two times as contagious and thatis his two times as contagious and that is spreading around the country here in the south 80% of the current cases are that amazon variant so that is extremely concerning. we know

that he only has 18% of the population's support. his policies around the pandemic and 61% of the country are adamantly against him and his policies around the pandemic so i think you're seeing those figures and trying to shift a little bit. the overall, he is setting the tone and that is what this health minister is coming in to do. he would be built on if he was not willing to follow the line of the direction. police in the us state of georgia are investigating whether shootings at two spas and a massage parlour that left at least eight people dead are connected. a 21 —year—old man, named as robert long, has been arrested after the attacks in and around atlanta. at least four victims are believed to have been asian women. our north america correspondent, peter bowes has the latest details. this started in cherokee county which is just to the north of

atlanta. the police were called to the spa, to a massage parlour they discovered five people that had been shot. two died at the scene and two died later in hospital. the fit was injured. about one hour later the police were called to a suspected robbery in the city of atlanta at another massage parlour where they found three people dead and then they were told of the shooting across the road at yet another spa, another massage parlour for one person had been killed. a total of eight people have lost their lives and as you said, for those, for women are believed to be asian. we understand that at least two others from the first shooting were quite, a man and a woman. the police say that there is some video evidence to suggest that these three shootings were indeed connected. the man he was arrested was actually held after a police chase. he was

apparently identified, his vehicle was identified through some security camera footage from the first shooting and he was eventually arrested about two hours south of atalanta. so quite a distance away. and as you said he has been named as 21—year—old robert long. no word yet of any charges or any first court appearance. stay with us on bbc news, still to come: (00v + vamp we have all the latest sports news for you.

this is bbc news, the latest headlines . as european countries wait to hear if experts declare that astrazeneca's vaccine is safe, two prime ministers vow to have the jab as soon as it gets the green light. the dutch go to the polls for an election set to be

dominated by the fight against coronavirsus — the netherlands continues to suffer over 5000 new cases a day. the us secretary of state, antony blinken, is due in south korea shortly for talks on the biden administration's approach to north korea. he is arriving from japan, where in talks with the government he reiterated washington's committment to the complete denuclearisation of the korean peninsula. let's get more on this from our correspondent, laura bicker in seoul tell us more about the agenda. he is due to arrive in the next 30 minutes. the secretary of defence is already here and they will meet their counterparts here and hold discussions and then again we will hearfrom them discussions and then again we will hear from them tomorrow

where they will come up with somejoint statement and where they will come up with some joint statement and then meet the president. all of this is to come up with several agendas. first as she talked about, north korea. we've had a warning from kim jong lends a sister as she issued a statement warning the us not to kick up a stink if it wanted to sleep peacefully for the next four years. sleep peacefully for the next fouryears. it sleep peacefully for the next four years. it appears to be a warning of some sort the united states about their policy on north korea. so far, much of what they are trying to get north korea to give up nuclear weapons has involved sanctions. under donald trump was maximum pressure including help from china. china is no longer taking part in that maximum pressure although covid—i9 pandemic and the blockades at the north korean border have meant that very few supplies are getting into the country at all. it is likely north korea won some kind of sanctions lifted but what are they

prepared to do to get it if at all and are they even prepared to talk to the united states. that is something that we do not know because recently the white house has announced it tried several back channels to reach out to the capital but got no response. over the next few days we will see some kind of policy trying to form within the biden administration which they will announce in the coming weeks. what are the south korean government hopes with regards to the biden administration because under donald trump was a roller—coaster ride in terms of the the relationship with north korea. it was a real roller—coaster ride and from what we are seeing from the biden administration i'm hearing disappointment so far. what they were hoping for was some kind of engagement policy. they would like to see, as you have seen, outreach but some kind of offer to north korea perhaps even going back to the previous agreements made between donald trump and north

korea. south korea would like to do some kind of trade with north korea or work on tourism projects that they cannot do that without breaking sanctions and that would involve the us. for the vaccine rollout to be successful around the world, individuals have to agree to have the jab. religious leaders in particular will play a crucial role in convincing people to vaccinate. many are working hard to spread the news that vaccines are safe and effective, but in almost every faith there are also those who are undermining that message, with some spreading misinformation which could lead to vaccine hesitancy. stephanie hegarty reports. you get your chip when you get your covid vaccination. they want to alter us. they are

sharing. rumours and lies about covid—i9 vaccines. this is a form of enslavement. and they have influence because they are religious leaders. i have influence because they are religious leaders.— religious leaders. i look at anti-vaccine _ religious leaders. i look at anti-vaccine content - religious leaders. i look at anti-vaccine content every religious leaders. i look at - anti-vaccine content every day. anti—vaccine content every day. so these figureheads who have a large platform and sties and are respected and have the cultural competency to understand what is important, what are the values and what is necessary to make that information powerful and resonate. it information powerful and resonate.— information powerful and resonate. it is a minority. most leaders _ resonate. it is a minority. most leaders in _ resonate. it is a minority. most leaders in every - resonate. it is a minority. | most leaders in every faith resonate. it is a minority. - most leaders in every faith are trying to do the opposite. but when religious leaders spread the wrong information about vaccines it can be powerful. in india this month suggest the vaccine is an international conspiracy to feed cows blood to hindus. but there is no cows blood in the vaccines. a greek

orthodox bishop said foetuses are used to make vaccines this emotive language is extremely misleading. emotive language is extremely misleading-— misleading. there were two foetuses deported - misleading. there were two foetuses deported in - misleading. there were two foetuses deported in the . misleading. there were two i foetuses deported in the 1960s that were used to produce something which is still used today but that does not mean that they are taking babies and putting them in your vaccines. this claim is that the vaccine will make you gay, which is nonsensical. and in the us some evangelical christians are debating whether vaccines and the mac of the beast, the sign of the devil and the end of times. social media companies find it difficult to figure out where the appropriate limiters when it comes to religious content. it when it comes to religious content. , when it comes to religious content-— content. it is crucial that religious _ content. it is crucial that religious leaders - content. it is crucial that religious leaders get - content. it is crucial that - religious leaders get vaccine messaging right. in 2018 the

highest muslim clerical counsel in indonesia said measles vaccine wasn't allowed. they said then it was not allow what it could be used. that mixed message meant many parents refuse to vaccinate their children. now they said the covid—19 vaccine is allowed. it is important for religious leaders to spread accurate and up—to—date information about vaccines and making sure that information that they are spreading is relevant to their congregation. the delay in vaccinating means more lives lost. we will look at the vaccine roll—out and vaccine passports roll—out and vaccine

time now for the latest sport: we start with football. manchester city and real madrid played a draw after both scored. for one aggregate victory. manchester city are playing their home leg in budapest due to covid restrictions and went into the match 2—0 up and had a 4—0 aggregate win. match 2-0 up and had a 4-0 aggregate win-— aggregate win. being in the premier league and playing in the quarterfinals, it can be better. �* quarterfinals, it can be better-— quarterfinals, it can be better. ~ . ., better. bayer munich are in action as — better. bayer munich are in action as they _ better. bayer munich are in action as they host - better. bayer munich are in action as they host and - better. bayer munich are in action as they host and it . action as they host and it should be a mere formality leading 4—1 from the opening leg. chelsea are hosting leading 1—0 as they hope to

make it past the last 16 of the first time in seven years. the unbeaten maine will be tested as he prepares. manchester united women are set to play their first match at old trafford. the clash will be played in a historic step for the club. they will take advantage of a gap in the schedule at old trafford. a fantastic opportunity to showcase the women's game and a special moment in the history of the team. england will head into thursday's for the 2020 international against india with renewed enthusiasm. there was a victory on tuesday and an unbeaten 83. 2—1 lead in the best—of—5 series. it unbeaten 83. 2-1 lead in the best-of-5 series.— best-of-5 series. it was different _ best-of-5 series. it was different from _ best-of-5 series. it was different from the - best-of-5 series. it was different from the ones| best-of-5 series. it was i different from the ones we best-of-5 series. it was - different from the ones we had. there was no balance and

actually a little bit of a play—off but i think a lot of credit has to go. taking three wickets is fantastic and sets the game up from there. team who is the _ the game up from there. team who is the reigning _ the game up from there. team who is the reigning us - the game up from there. team who is the reigning us open i who is the reigning us open championship it was beaten in straight sets. the south african qualifier is ranked 81 in the world 16—3, 6—4. he will face a serbian player. history was made in cheltenham. rachel blackmore became the first female jockey to win the champion hurdle. she was riding honeysuckle. it was the 11th successive victory for honeysuckle and a fourth win at

cheltenham for blackmore. to be ridin: the cheltenham for blackmore. to be riding the one _ cheltenham for blackmore. to be riding the one of _ cheltenham for blackmore. to be riding the one of was _ cheltenham for blackmore. to be riding the one of was so - cheltenham for blackmore. to be riding the one of was so far- riding the one of was so far removed from anything ever possible so maybe there is a lesson in that for everyone out there but it is incredible. that is your sports news for now. that is your sports news for now. are we one step closer to walking, talking robots indistinguishable from their human creators? designers in russia are using polymers and 3d printing to make human attributes on our next breed of androids mark lobel takes a look. with an eye to the future, 3d modeller, sculptor and designer petr chegodaev uses art to humanise robots. translation: i plan to make a 3d modelling centre, - where we developed artificial skin, eyes and teeth for our. hyperrealistic robots, in this rapidly developing market. i

this lab, in the far eastern russian city of vladivostok, is developing a prototype of a male humanoid robot called alexia. mass production is scheduled to start by the end of the year. eventually, these robots are intended to have a full body and legs and be able to move. right now we supply robots to the government centresl in moscow and various - russian medical universities. there is also a large i and promising market in the united states, - where universities are also interested, and we have already signed some contracts. - some fear a time when robots overtake humans. this combination of art and technology may hasten the day. right now, they are doing well to be getting haircuts, quite frankly, with so many of us humans in lockdown! but, if one day the mask does slip, perhaps they will at least console us with that very human of sayings, that imitation is indeed the sincerest form of flattery. mark lobel, bbc news.

business is next. hello. tuesday brought us a very mild day across the uk. in fact, for wales and scotland, it was the warmest day of the year so far, and widely, we had temperatures in the mid to high teens. this is how we ended the day in north somerset. the warmeest spot was in worchestershired where temperatures gotjust shy of 18 celsius. now, it won't be quite as mild as we look through the course of wednesday, but another largely dry settled day for many of us. there will be some spells of sunshine around on wednesday, still a few spots of showery rain, mainly for parts of eastern england. high—pressure is dominating our weather at the moment, but we have got a couple of weather fronts that will be working their way south down the north sea over the next couple of days. so, for wednesday morning, then, we start off on a chilly

note, some mist and some4 fog patches possible for parts of midlands, perhaps wales as well. through the day, the cloud will thicken bringing a few splashes of rain, particularly for parts of east anglia, the southeast, but there could be a few showers towards the east midlands as well. now, these northerly winds in the east are blowing over fairly cold sea surface temperatures, only about 6 celsius in the north sea at the moment. so where you are exposed to that wind coming off the chilly sea, temperatures only about 9—10 celsius around that east coast, but away from the east coast, most of us up to about 111—15 celsius. so, anotherfairly mild day. fast forward into thursday, a fairly similar story once again, quite cloudy skies, but there will be some sunshine breaking through. and again, it's across parts of eastern england that we we'll have a few showers. those fairly cool northerly winds keeping temperatures here around 9—10 celsius, but elsewhere, 13—14 celsius once again on thursday. now, as we look towards the end of the week, we have that high—pressure still out towards the west with the winds rotating. they're going to start to come in from a northeasterly direction.

you can see those blue colours just pushing in across parts of southern and eastern england, so a bit of a change as we look towards the end of the week, a change in wind direction draws that colder air in across really the southeastern third of the uk. but elsewhere, we have still got a fair amount of cloud, quite a lot of dry weather, we could see temperatures about 13 degrees for the likes of glasgow, but for norwich, stuck at only around about 8 celsius. and it's going to be a southeast—northwest split into the weekend too, where you are exposed to that northerly breeze, it's going to feel quite chilly for the likes of dover, for instance, but it's looking mild or towards the northwest with highs of around 11 celsius. bye for now.

this is bbc news with the latest headlines for viewers in the uk and around the world. uber says it will give its uk drivers employee status, with benefits including a minimum wage. they get paid leave and the pension also. with vaccinations against covid—19 accelerating, will we soon be able to travel freely? we examine tha plans for so called "covid passports". no luck of the irish this year. it's st patrick's day, celebrated worldwide, but with covid keeping pubs closed the usual big money—spinner is not what it used to be.