this is bbc news. i'm lukwesa burak. the headlines at 7. reaching a milestone — half of all adults in the uk have now had a first dose of a coronavirus vaccine — the health secretary hails �*a phenomenal achievement�*. the vaccination programme is our route out of the pandemic. it will help us to protect people and we know that these vaccines protect you and we also know that they protect those around you. europe braces itself for a third wave of coronavirus infections — with fresh lockdowns in france and poland. government science advisors warn that summer holidays overseas are "extremely unlikely" this year because of the risk of travellers bringing coronavirus variants back to the uk. protesters opposed to the coronavirus lockdown march

through central london. police have made several arrests. a volcano has erupted south—west of iceland's capital reykjavik, the first eruption in that area of iceland for 800 years and coming up in half an hour, mark kermode gives his unique take on the best and worst of the week's film and dvd releases in the film review and... ireland beat england in dublin while scotland run in 50 points in their victory over italy. with wales vs france still to come. sportsday has all the latest from the six nations. good evening and welcome to bbc news.

official figures show that there have been a record number of coronavirus vaccinations in the uk — for a second day in a row. the health secretary has said the uk is on track to ease lockdown measures, after announcing that over half of all adults in the country had now had at least one vaccine dose. in the latest 2a hour period alone — nearly 600,000 people had theirfirstjab bringing the total to more than 26.8 million. and just over 2.1 million have now had both doses of the vaccine. despite these record numbers of vaccinations, a scientist on a government advisory body warns summer holidays overseas are "extremely unlikely" — because of the risk of travellers bringing coronavirus variants — back to the uk. richard galpin reports. here in germany the authorities are warning the country is now

facing a third wave of coronavirus. infections rising exponentially. particularly worrying as just 8% of the population has had a first dose of vaccine. lockdown measures are now expected. the situation also serious here in france as well as poland and other eu countries, with covid cases surging. because of the spread of the uk variant of the virus. infections starting in western europe and moving gradually east and we are seeing this particular variant, being more severe in terms of the clinical picture is leading to bigger pressure on hospitals. europe's problems are in part a result of a faltering vaccine programme and problems with deliveries, made worse by the recent suspension of the astrazeneca vaccine by the eu, but many eu countries are now using it again. the situation in britain is very

different from that in the eu with covid cases right down and people hoping to be able to go on a summer holiday abroad, but will it be possible given the covid situation in the eu and other countries? we have to be vigilant and we have set out the steps in the road map that they should be no international travel unless it is absolutely necessary until the 17th of may and then the global travel taskforce will make a judgment and work with the industry on how quickly and whether we will be able to reopen and how we can reopen. so whether the government will allow holidays abroad this summer remains very uncertain. unless there is a dramatic reversal in the covid situation in europe in the coming months, it may not be possible to travel to the popular european destinations. the situation across the eu in part a result of a faltering vaccination

as we've been hearing, summer holidays overseas are "extremely unlikely" because of the risk of travellers bringing coronavirus variants back to the uk , a scientist on a government advisory body has said. mike tildesley said, the uk faces a "real risk", if people travel abroad. under the current road map for easing restrictions, the earliest date people in england could holiday abroad, would be the 17th may. irene hays, chair of hays travel, the largest independent travel agency in the uk, told us earlier, that the comments weren't a complete surprise. it is not totally unexpected after the news today that has called into question whether or not people will be able to travel immediately following may 17, so it wasn't unexpected at all, so it means two things for us. the first is that obviously we had people who book their holiday in the 2019 and were

not allowed to take it in 2020 and now those people will need to potentially to have their holidays transferred to another date if they are unable to travel this summer. the second thing, and the good news, that 12 of the biggest cruise companies in the world are sending ships across to the uk to help out with staycations. there is limited capacity and the prices are going up for hotels and resorts in this country so it offers a real alternative, so instead of hotels with one bar we will be able to have a choice and entertainment and so on, but it is a real opportunity for british travel agents to actually have something else to sell, and that news will be coming. we have got p handle and we have got cunard who have already said that they will be sailing.

official government data shows there were 5,587 new cases recorded in the latest 24—hour period — two which means on average, the number of new cases reported per day, in the last week is 5,350. the number of patients in hospital with covid—19 continues to fall, it's now down to 6,162. there were 96 deaths reported, of people who died within 28 days of a positive covid—19 test, which means, on average, 94 deaths were reported, every day, in the past week, from coronavirus. that takes the total number of deaths so far to 126,122. measures to help england's retail and hospitality sectors re—open after coronavirus restrictions have been lifted have been announced by the communities secretary, robertjenrick. pubs, restaurants and listed

buildings have been given flexibility to use their land to allow more people to meet up. a �*welcome back fund' of 56 million pounds has also been created to boost high streets and seaside towns. mrjenrick says the money will be distributed through local authorities. we want to do everything that we can to support retailers and councils to reopen safely. we are enabling pubs to erect marquees in their gardens for the whole of the spring and summer so we can enjoy a pint with our family and friends, whatever the weather. we are enabling alfresco dining again this april as we enjoyed last summer and we're giving money to high streets the length and breadth of the country so they can prepare to welcome us this year. and in doing that, is there a fear that by opening up and putting money back into getting people into the high street, we run the risk of increasing cases again?

well, the vaccine roll—out is going incredibly well. we vaccinated almost 26 million people. the road map enables us to cautiously but irreversibly open up again and it's really important that we back hospitality and retail. they've had such a difficult 12 months. so we are cutting red tape so that those businesses can do alfresco dining, can put marquees and pub gardens and can rebuild and prosper once more. and we also want to ensure that high streets like this brilliant one i am in today can spruce themselves up, can market themselves and can invest in festivals and events this summer so people can get back out and support those shops. let's get more on the situation with coronavirus across europe — and france and poland have reintroduced partial lockdowns — as both countries battle a sharp rise in infections in recent weeks.

0ur correspondent hugh schofield gave more detail about the paris lockdown. president macron in particular has been loath to reimpose a lockdown. he's put it off for as long as he could, faced a lot of criticism from doctors who have said they should have been a lockdown way back in january when the british variant first started appearing, but macron has said over and again that they are not there just to administer medicine, or the medical aspect of this, but the political social aspect of it as well, and that is very important because there are breakdowns, there are people suffering severe psychological problems, there are economic consequences as well. he is seeing things in the round and has reluctantly moved to a lockdown and made sure it is a lighter lockdown because ofjust that, because people do need, he would say, some sort of outlet. that means that, if you go out in paris today like i have been, it doesn't look or feel that different.

the park near me has plenty of people in it, all wearing masks and so on, but people bring their children out for walks and so on because there is actually no limit to the amount of time you can spend outside as long as you are taking exercise. what you can't do is go and have a picnic with loads of people on the grass, but you can exercise. so it is unlike a lockdown the last time and schools will remain open as well which means families aren't leaving the city for the country, there is a big incentive to stay put. the fact it was imposed and announced a year to the day after the first lockdown that came in, itjust reinforces that feeling that we are on a kind of terrible treadmill. in poland, health officials have said a three week lockdown is necessary. adam easton is in warsaw.

poland, in terms of the numbers is seeing its third coronavirus wave and it is seeing the infection rate accelerate. we are seeing cases that have reached levels that haven't been seen since the second wave, so i think there is acceptance in society there should be some restrictions. previously we have had regional restrictions and from today they are nationwide. it is partly because of the prevalence of the british variant which is rampant in poland at the moment and is responsible for more than 60% of all cases and soon will be responsible for 80% of cases, so i think there is a feeling among society that we should have some restrictions. at the same time the health industry is warning that there is a feeling that restrictions are not being adhered

to. there is a feeling amongst some people that covid has been tamed to some extent and people have become accustomed to it so you have this double phenomenon going on where people expect to be restrictions with the number being so high but they are not actually adhering to those restrictions. a mass demonstration against lockdown has taken place in central london — as dozens of mps urge the government to change the law to allow peaceful protest. police say thousands have taken to the streets — with some being detained. our home affairs correspondent tom symonds has the story. 0ne one year since the lockdown became a part of our lives. thousands took to the streets to protest against it. they called it a vigil for the voiceless, a loose coalition of people, as many views as there are placards. people, as many views as there are lacards. , ., ., ., placards. there is no more freedom to choose what _ placards. there is no more freedom to choose what is _ placards. there is no more freedom to choose what is being _ placards. there is no more freedom to choose what is being injected - placards. there is no more freedom to choose what is being injected in i to choose what is being injected in your body, there is no freedom to speak.

your body, there is no freedom to seak. , your body, there is no freedom to seak. _ , , speak. there is censorship everywhere- _ speak. there is censorship everywhere. just - speak. there is censorship. everywhere. just everything speak. there is censorship - everywhere. just everything is a hoax _ everywhere. just everything is a hoax and — everywhere. just everything is a hoax and a _ everywhere. just everything is a hoax and a lie so we have had enough — hoax and a lie so we have had enou:h. .,, , hoax and a lie so we have had enou:h. , . ., ., enough. those views include a long list of conspiracy _ enough. those views include a long list of conspiracy theories. - enough. those views include a long list of conspiracy theories. perhaps| list of conspiracy theories. perhaps one thing united them. a feeling that individual rights have been a casualty of the battle against covid including the right to protest. the police commander for the events today told me a feeling weight he had weighed those rules against the blanket ban on gatherings. in his view everyone — blanket ban on gatherings. in his view everyone here _ blanket ban on gatherings. in his view everyone here is _ blanket ban on gatherings. in his view everyone here is breaking i blanket ban on gatherings. in his view everyone here is breaking the law. view everyone here is breaking the law the _ view everyone here is breaking the law. the current health protection coronavirus — law. the current health protection coronavirus regulations are very clear— coronavirus regulations are very clear that — coronavirus regulations are very clear that it is unlawful to meet more _ clear that it is unlawful to meet more than _ clear that it is unlawful to meet more than one person outside or one household _ more than one person outside or one household to another household, which _ household to another household, which you — household to another household, which you can do for recreational purposes— which you can do for recreational purposes and there are some exemptions but protest is not one of those _ exemptions but protest is not one of those exemptions. 0f exemptions but protest is not one of those exemptions. of course everyone has a _ those exemptions. of course everyone has a right— those exemptions. of course everyone has a right to protest and protest is hot _ has a right to protest and protest is not unlawful but gatherings of this size — is not unlawful but gatherings of this size are unsafe.— is not unlawful but gatherings of this size are unsafe. there was not enou:h this size are unsafe. there was not enough officers — this size are unsafe. there was not enough officers to _ this size are unsafe. there was not enough officers to arrest _ this size are unsafe. there was not enough officers to arrest everyone | enough officers to arrest everyone taking part will police watching

from this control room did plan to manage the numbers down. there were protests around the world. this was germany, and people marched in austria. back in london this evening the protesters had broken up into smaller groups. the police say it would have been much better had they not come at all. there were similar protests in germany, where police clashed with protesters in the northern city of kassel. authorities there are battling a sharp rise in infections despite months of shutdowns and strict rules. live now to our correspondent in berlin, damian mcguiness. these protests taking place despite what the numbers are showing, there is real concern in the country. that is real concern in the country. that is riaht, is real concern in the country. that is right. and _ is real concern in the country. that is right, and what _ is real concern in the country. that is right, and what is _ is real concern in the country. twat is right, and what is interesting about these protests very similar to the ones in london as we heard from tom, there is such a broad range of

people. this protest today, 20,000 people, the largest we have heard this year but we have seen throughout last year, last summer there were very large protests in berlin with similar groups, and what they tend to contain our far right groups and far right mps often calling for these protests. also many people who might believe in certain conspiracy theories, anti—vaccination campaigners or simple ordinary voters who don't agree with the government approach, so a broad medley of people. what they all believe is that the lockdown measures have gone too far. i don't think necessarily most people in germany would agree with those protests as we saw today in kassel. the protest started off piste one got out of hand and clashes between demonstrators and counter demonstrators, police are being accused of being heavy—handed, police attacked, so the protest itself parts of it got quite nasty.

the majority of germans would not necessarily agree with those who took to the streets, they would not say that lockdown is our an infringement of their freedom. the feeling in germany right now is one of the satisfaction and it is mainly connected to the vaccination roll—out and the fact it has been so slow. so there is growing frustration in germany that vaccines are being delivered too slowly, and are being delivered too slowly, and are feeling increasingly that the government is losing control, because the lockdown strategy is becoming increasingly unclear and the fact is that the infection numbers are rising and that is really causing a lot of concern here. most people until very recently back to the government approach but that is now changing and it is a very difficult situation for angela merkel�*s conservatives because in six months' time there is an election so the government is losing support because of how it is handling the pandemic right now. how likel is it handling the pandemic right now. how likely is it that angela merkel will carry out her threat of an emergency

brake? i carry out her threat of an emergency brake? ~ , , ., , carry out her threat of an emergency brake? ~ , , .,, , brake? i think it is seen as very likel if brake? i think it is seen as very likely if the _ brake? i think it is seen as very likely if the infection _ brake? i think it is seen as very likely if the infection rates - brake? i think it is seen as veryj likely if the infection rates keep rising. it depends what region you are in but certainly some regions will see further restrictions. 0ther will see further restrictions. other regions might see some listening restrictions because some parts of germany are less affected so we will see a patchwork and more complicated picture which would leave people more confused to the government really has a job on its hands to get voters back on side in the main priority most would say is to get the vaccine is going. brazil has registered nearly 3,000 deaths from coronavirus in the past 2a hours — the second highest daily toll. the country is battling a more contagious variant which is taking a heavy toll on young people. in the latest surge doctors say there's been a rise of deaths in people aged between 30 and 59. freya cole reports. the start of another hectic day for intensive care

workers in sao paulo. the ward is full of covid—19 patients, relying on ventilators and constant monitoring so they can stay alive. for the head of intensive care, the biggest concern now is a sharp rise of younger people being admitted in a serious condition. translation: today we face | the prospect that the situation will get worse because the patients we are witnessing have a slightly different profile than before. we are seeing more younger patients with very serious conditions and no underlying health issues. covid—19 has left a trail of death across brazil. a local variant is highly contagious. in the last 21 hours almost 3000 people died, the second highest daily death toll since the pandemic began. the hospital workers have had no reprieve.

some doctors say the health system is on the brink of collapse. translation: there is a waiting list at practically all— hospitals with icu beds. that creates a problem for us health workers because we are already tired, we have been doing this for a year now and causes it us additional stress because we know we are not helping everyone who needs us. having to hospitalise more young people in brazil only adds to the pressure because young immune systems resist the disease more so than older people. it means beds are taken for longer, creating a backlog which doctors feel is never—ending. freya cole, bbc news. pakistan's prime minister imran khan has tested positive for covid—19. he was vaccinated just two days ago. according to the country's health minister, mr khan is self—isolating at home. pakistan has recently seen a sharp rise in coronavirus infection.

the headlines on bbc news. reaching a milestone — half of all adults in the uk have now had a first dose of a coronavirus vaccine — the health secretary hails �*a phenomenal achievement�*. protesters opposed to the coronavirus lockdown march through central london. scotland yard says london remains in a health crisis and urge people to stay at home. europe braces itself for a third wave of coronavirus infections — with fresh lockdowns in france and poland. emergency authorities in australia are warning of "life—threatening" flash flooding as storms batter parts of the east coast. evacuation orders are in place in many low—lying areas, and residents in sydney, australia's most populous city, have been told to stay home. david campa nale reports? david campa nale reports.

the aftermath of significant record—breaking rainfall in new south wales. across australia's most populous state, dozens of people have been rescued from floodwaters and residents in many low—lying communities ordered to leave. major highways have been closed and wild surf is battering the cost. more storms are forecast in the coming days and parts of eastern australia could receive up to one metre of rain injust could receive up to one metre of rain in just the space of a week. officials say sydney is facing what they call a rain bomb. the main water reservoir has overflowed for the first time in years as the city of 5 million braces for what is coming next. in the suburbs, descriptions of fear is the first

sweeping rain came through the area. and then we saw the tornado form and we saw trees and plants and people's furniture flying in the air, rubbish bins and everyone screamed and ran back inside. i have never been so scared in my life. it felt like a movie. there have been over 500 rescue operations from the rising flood waters. state political leaders said the storms could last for some days yet. and gave a plea to residents to obey evacuation warnings. i to residents to obey evacuation warninus. ., ., , ., ., warnings. i hate to say this again to all the citizens _ warnings. i hate to say this again to all the citizens of _ warnings. i hate to say this again to all the citizens of our - warnings. i hate to say this again to all the citizens of our state - warnings. i hate to say this again | to all the citizens of our state but it will_ to all the citizens of our state but it will not — to all the citizens of our state but it will not be an easy week for us. i it will not be an easy week for us. i know_ it will not be an easy week for us. i know that — it will not be an easy week for us. i know that no matter what comes our way we _ i know that no matter what comes our way we will _ i know that no matter what comes our way we will be able to deal with it. the federal government said the extreme weather had affected its covid—19 vaccine delivery in sydney and throughout the state but said delays should only last a few days. australia plans to deliver the first vaccine doses to almost 6 million people over the next few weeks.

turkey has pulled out of its landmark global convention aimed at combatting violence against women. europe's top human rights body, the council of europe, has called it a huge set back for the protection of women in and outside the country. people have taken to the streets to protest the decision. the istanbul convention requires governments to put in place national laws against abuse including marital rape and female genital mutilation. the main opposition party has said the pullout means "letting women be killed". but turkey's minister for family, labour and social policies, said the country's judicial system is strong enough to implement new regulations. bbc�*s orla guerin reports from istanbul. well, there is plenty of anger among the crowd here. these protesters believe that this change is going to drag them and turkey back in time and deprive them of key rights and freedoms. they have been pledging that they will resist but in turkey

these days there isn't much space for resistance. turkey's main opposition party has some things up like this, saying that women will now be kept as class and will be left to be killed. some of the protesters in the crowd have been carrying photographs of women who have been killed, or placards with the names of women who were victims of violence. and according to one women's rights group, last year alone here in turkey around 300 women were killed and they say the numbers have been increasing. the government has given no explanation for this. it was done by way of a decree issued in the dead of night. one minister has said that turkey's own laws and its constitution are sufficient to protect women. but the reaction to the council of europe has been one of horror. it says that this will set back the cause of women, notjust

in turkey but also in europe. well, there is a considerable security presence here. the police are lined up, water cannon are at the ready. but so far the demonstration has been peaceful, although the feeling, the mood, is very much one of anger. the bbc�*s director—general, tim davie, has suggested that over—75s who do not pay the tv licence fee will not be threatened with legal action. the right to a free tv licence for the elderly ended last august for all except those who receive the pension credit benefit. a volcano in south—west iceland has erupted, releasing streams of lava from under the earth's surface. the fissure — 20 miles from the capital, reykjavik is more than 500 metres long. it's the first eruption in the area in centuries and follows thousands

of small earthquakes over recent weeks. our europe correspondent jean mackenzie visited the volcano last week. the lava bursting through a long crack in the earth's crust, the moment icelanders have been bracing for turns into a spectacle, rather than a threat. translation: the nation has been waiting with bated breath now- for three weeks for this to happen and it's been 15 months since seismic activity began increasing significantly on the peninsula. since the activity ratcheted up three weeks ago, iceland has recorded more than 50,000 earthquakes, assigned this eruption was imminent. we visited the volcanic area just 20 miles from the capital reykjavik last week. the eruption is going to happen most likelyjust beyond that ridge. this island which straddles two tectonic plates is used to eruptions. but not here, because this area has

sat dormant now for centuries. this is very different to the explosive eruption in 2010 that blanketed the skies of europe in ash for weeks. the biggest threat this time is the pollution from the gas is released. with residents being asked to keep their windows shut. translation: people have been growing tired of the significant i earthquakes that are constantly keeping us awake, growing anxiety and some residents said, if there's going to be an eruption, it might as welljust happen. icelanders have nicknamed the pretty eruptions tourist eruptions but with no tourists around to witness this one, it is the locals who get to marvel at their latest geological wonder. jean mackenzie, bbc news. now it's time for a look at the weather with darren bett.

it was a warm day today across parts of the scotland and the north—east of the scotland and the north—east of england in the sunshine, but right now we have got a weak weather front moving across these areas producing a band of thick cloud and a little light rain and drizzle, not much but moving its way southwards into england and wales. clearer skies follow behind away from the north—west of scotland and with clearer skies for longer around lothian, tayside and fife the temperature could be close to freezing but milder elsewhere. for many tomorrow will be dry with spells of sunshine but still cloudy in the morning for south wales and south west of england. we will see more cloud coming into the north—west of scotland as well but otherwise a decent sort of day with cloud coming and going in the wind quite liked but the air cooler so the temperature will be around 10—12 and maybe a touch lower in norfolk as well as the far north of scotland. staying fine and dry through monday and tuesday with the weather fronts coming in from the atlantic and things will turn more

unsettled later next week. hello — this is bbc news. the headlines: reaching a milestone, half of all adults in the uk have had a first dose of the coronavirus vaccine. the health secretary hails a phenomenal achievement. the health secretary hails a phenomenal achievement-— achievement. the vaccination programme _ achievement. the vaccination programme is _ achievement. the vaccination programme is our _ achievement. the vaccination programme is our route - achievement. the vaccination programme is our route out l achievement. the vaccination | programme is our route out of achievement. the vaccination - programme is our route out of the pandemic. it will help us to protect people and we know that these vaccines protect you. we also know that they protect those around you.

europe braces itself for a third