this is bbc news — my name's mike embley — our top stories. india suspends all major exports of the astrazeneca vaccine following a domestic surge in coronavirus infections. with brazil struggling to contain the rapid spread of covid—19, the number of deaths has surpassed 300,000. virginia becomes the first southern us state to sign away the death penalty. democrats say there has been rising opposition to the practice. even just a few years ago, signing this into law would be unthinkable but it is the by—product of a tonne of hard work, and a lot of passion by advocates across the state, and lawmakers, and i think a change in the climate here in virginia and across the country. egypt is due to restart efforts to free a giant container ship that's been wedged across the suez canal for almost 48 hours.

and the tokyo olympic torch relay gets under way injapan. the delayed games are expected to start injuly. welcome to our viewers on pbs in america and around the globe. the global demand for covid vaccines has reached a peak just as the number available appears to running into problems. at least for some countries. joe biden will talk to eu leaders on thursday and they will be hoping to get more cooperation over supplies as the us continues to enforce an export ban. on wednesday, india suspended all major exports of the astrazeneca covid vaccine following a surge in the number of infections there. officials said it was a temporary squeeze to meet domestic demand for the jabs.

the serum institute of india, the world's biggest manufacturer of vaccines, produces the astrazeneca dose under licence. the institute has already delayed shipments to several countries including brazil and the uk. the who— backed covax scheme is also affected. 0ur correspondent nik—hil in—amdar is in mumbai and following developments. this is a temporary squeeze, or a temporary suspension, according to government sources that the bbc has spoken to, because domestic demand for vaccines here in india has shot up because the government is speeding up its inoculation programme, and also because people above the age of 45 are now being allowed to take the vaccine starting next month. it's unclear when these exports will resume, but certainly it's a move that will hit several countries, given that the serum institute of india is the world's largest vaccine manufacturer and india has shipped over 60 million doses. that's more than it has

used to domestically inoculate its own people. clearly, with the country now in the firm grips of a second wave, it does seem like india's vaccine diplomacy is going to have to take a back—seat, at least for now. meanwhile, after weeks of tension between the uk and the european union over the distribution of vaccines — a joint statement has been issued pledging to �*create a win—win situation and expand vaccine supply for all citizens�*. it was a notably different tone to the one struck earlier by the eu, when the commission proposed tougher controls on exports of vaccines. 0ur europe editor, katya adler, spoke to the eu's internal market commissioner thierry breton, who said that whilst the uk was reliant on the bloc for vaccines, its issues were with drugmaker astrazeneca and not the british government. i understand that the uk is heavily, heavily dependent on the eu to get vaccines. probably more than two—thirds of the vaccines to date injected into its citizens are coming from the eu, so, i understand the concern,

because the uk is not at all self—sufficient. but, of course, for us, in the eu, what we want is to have reciprocity and to have clarity. let me give you an example. we have a contract with now four companies and of course everything is going extremely well, except with astrazeneca and with astrazeneca, we have ordered 120 million doses, and so far we receive only 13 million doses. at the same time we understand that astrazeneca, and i don't blame it, they have delivered 100% of what was committed for the british government. we just want to understand why, where does it come from? that is why we need to have reciprocity

and transparency. it seems with the new proposals you're actually penalising countries that have been successful with their vaccine roll—out, unlike the eu. no, i would say that there is nothing against anybody, and especially not the uk, so i want to be very clear on that. we are the largest producer of vaccines for us, and for the world. we know that the us is not exporting anything at all, and we export vaccines already for 32 countries. all of our partners, all of our nato allies, and of course massively for uk. but we just want reciprocity. let me give you an example. for this astrazeneca, in our contract, there are two factories in the uk which were part of our supply chain, and we were expecting them to deliver doses to the eu, so we want them to do it. we want to have an

explanation if, from our side, we deliver massively to the uk. there was nothing to penalise. we just want to have plurality, and to be able to discuss. bloc threatened to take tougher measures to curb the export meanwhile, in brazil, 300,000 people have died from covid—i9. with oxygen running low in some of the busiest icu's. it is the frontline in the battle against the virus at the moment, and it would appear things are going from bad to worse. the bbc�*s mark lobel reports... counting the cost of coronavirus. translation: we are in | a situation that affects the whole world, and so far no one has been able to contain it - because the one . who decides is god. but statistics in brazil are particularly grim. it has the second—largest death toll the world. highly contagious variants are sweeping through the country, creating a tsunami of new infections, and many blame the president for opposing lockdowns and masks. he remains resolute.

translation: i want to reassure the brazilian people and - confirm that vaccines are guaranteed. - by the end of the year. we will have reached 500 million doses to vaccinate the entire population. - we will soon return to normal life. - his optimistic message drummed out by brazilians bashing pots and pans, in several cities. 0utside one of rio dejaneiro's hospitals, a moment to reflect on the huge pressures on beds inside intensive care units. presidentjair bolsonaro has installed a fourth health minister as he attempts to reassert his authority, introducing his new recruit, as he launches a new crisis committee to deal with the surge, promising weekly meetings and coordination with governors. we are talking about a president who after an entire

year announced he is going to create a five strong team. we are by far in their worst moment of the pandemic. we still don't have a decent vaccination plan so far. we have vaccinated only 5% of our population. i am sure that we have lost thousands of lives that could be spared, if we had a president if we had a leader, who takes the whole situation seriously. with thousands dying each day, the outlook remains bleak. mark lobel, bbc news. let's get some of the day's other news. japan says north korea has fired two ballistic missiles into the sea. the japanese prime minister, suga yoshihide, denounced the launches as a threat to peace and security. south korea and the united states confirmed that north korea had fired two projectiles into the sea of japan. facebook says it's blocked a group of hackers in china who used the platform to spy on uighurs overseas by infecting their devices with malicious software. the social media giant said

the group targeted under 500 uighur activists, journalists and dissidents living in the us, canada, australia, turkey and other countries. pope francis has ordered cardinals in the catholic church to take a 10% pay cut, to try to free up money to protectjobs of ordinary employees working in the vatican. a spokesman said the decision was taken after the pandemic affected the income of the holy see. virginia has become the first southern us state to abolish the death penalty.signing the bill into law, governor ralph northam, who's a democrat, said capital punishment had been applied disproportionately to black people, and that a flawed legal system had led, too often, led to mistakes. i spoke just now to jayjones, who is a delegate to the virginia state legislature and was one of the main sponsors of the new law. it is an incredibly big deal.

we are the first southern state to rule out the death penalty. the 23rd in the united states. i thinkjust a few years ago signing this bill into law was unthinkable but it is the by—product of a tonne of hard work and passion by advocates across the state, and lawmakers in a changing climate here in virginia and across the country. virginia and across the country-— virginia and across the count . , ., ., country. there is no way to sugar-coat _ country. there is no way to sugar-coat it, _ country. there is no way to sugar-coat it, is _ country. there is no way to sugar-coat it, is there? - country. there is no way to sugar-coat it, is there? a l sugar—coat it, is there? a penalty that has been applied disproportionately across the country and historically against black people. absolutely. i think this practice has its roots in racism and is the descendant of lynching and state—sponsored murder in a way that we don't want to have in our system any more. it does not reflect our values and that is not who we are and the data speaks for itself. it does disproportionately affect black people especially here in virginia and that is something we can no longer stand for. for a lona we can no longer stand for. for a long time _ we can no longer stand for. for a long time apparently did reflect a significant portion

of the values in the state. was there a particular moment, a particular case that changed a lot of peoples minds? you know, ithink lot of peoples minds? you know, i think it was the by—product of a lot of work. i think— by—product of a lot of work. i think we _ by—product of a lot of work. i think we had got into a point where — think we had got into a point where we _ think we had got into a point where we needed to fully reassess ourjustice system. reassess our justice system. this— reassess our justice system. this was— reassess ourjustice system. this was one of the many things that we were able to do not just in this legislative session in 2021 but even last year during a special session in 2020 and i certainly think that as we move ahead, people will look to virginia for continued reform in ourjustice system and this is one that we will have a lot as a long—term coming and something that will make our commonwealth more equitable and just.— equitable and 'ust. when was the last time — equitable and just. when was the last time virginia - equitable and just. when was l the last time virginia executed somebody and whether people who were very close to going to the death penalty who now will not? we have not executed someone some time. there are two folks on death row in this legislation will make it so that they will not be excluded because it is retroactive in

their execution. they will not be executed by the state. today when the governor signed it it was a powerful moment for us to be there and in that moment knowing that there were two folks who were there who will no longer be subjected to this heinous and barbaric punishment.- heinous and barbaric punishment. heinous and barbaric unishment. ., , punishment. there was a surge of course _ punishment. there was a surge of course on — punishment. there was a surge of course on applications - punishment. there was a surge of course on applications for . of course on applications for the death penaltyjust before mr trump left office but there seems to be a move against it right across the country. what impact do you think virginia's decision will have? i think it is important for folks to understand that this is virginia. this is a place that had challenges with race but i think we have converted that head—on especially in the last couple of years and this is but another step in that process. and i would hope that the other states, the 27 that a lead that still do employ the death penalty will take a really hard to look at that, follow virginia's lead and those who have come before us and say we to engage in this practice any longer. united

states is in then list of countries that still employs this practice and it is not something, as we look ahead, that we would like to be part of. �* , , ., that we would like to be part of. a ., ~ that we would like to be part of. m . ~' ., that we would like to be part of. as you talk to families and friends of _ of. as you talk to families and friends of people _ of. as you talk to families and friends of people who - of. as you talk to families and friends of people who have . of. as you talk to families and i friends of people who have died at the hands of people who might have been executed what direction do you get from the families and friends? i think it is important to know that there were seven legislators in the general assembly in virginia who have family members who have been victims of murder and those who are on death row and they were facing those penalties. and even those folks voted to repeal the death penalty because i think we are now moving into a period, particularly in virginia, where we don't want that to be a part of our system but certainly, in a challenging set of circumstances when you are confronted with heinous crimes. if you commit a terrible crime you will be punished accordingly but we're not going to executed because the should not be in the business of executing its citizens.

stay with us on bbc news, still to come: egyptian authorities try to free a huge container ship that's been wedged across the suez canal for almost 48 hours. i'm so proud of both of you. let there be no more wars or bloodshed between arabs and israelis. with great regret, the committee have decided that south africa be excluded from the 1970 competition. chanting

streaking across the sky, - the white—hot wreckage from mir drew gasps from i onlookers on fiji. this is bbc world news, the latest headlines. india suspends all major exports of the astra—zeneca vaccine following a domestic surge, in coronavirus infections. the number of cornavirus deaths in brazil has surpassed 300—thousand — as the virus continues its rapid spread. the us vice president, kamala harris, is to lead efforts with mexico and some central american countries to try to stem the flow of migrants into the united states. ms harris said there was a huge

problem with a sharp rise in unaccompanied children trying to cross the borderfrom mexico. us government—run detention centres along the southern border currently accommodate more than 5,000 child migrants, and are close to being overwhelmed. there's been a surge in arrivals sincejoe biden reversed several of the trump administration's tough immigration policies. this new surge we are dealing with now, it is our responsibility to deal with it you may need to stop happening so this increase has been consequential but the vice president has agreed, among notable other things, agreed to lead our diplomatic effort and work with those nations. while we are clear — work with those nations. while we are clear that _ work with those nations. while we are clear that people - work with those nations. while | we are clear that people should not come — we are clear that people should not come to the border now we also _ not come to the border now we also understand that we will enforce _ also understand that we will enforce the law and that we also, — enforce the law and that we also, because we can walk at the same _

also, because we can walk at the same time, address the root causes — the same time, address the root causes. that cause people to make — causes. that cause people to make theirtrek causes. that cause people to make their trek that the president has described, to come — president has described, to come here. president has described, to come here. president biden's pick to be assistant us health secretary, rachel levine, has become the first openly transgender person to receive senate approval for a top federaljob. two republicans broke ranks to vote with democrats in her favour. doctor levine will work in washington on combatting covid—19. in a few hours, work will start again to try and dislodge the giant container ship that is currently blocking the suez canal. the giant ever given vessel has been stuck since tuesday, and as more than 10% of global trade passes through the canal. the hold—up has seen oil prices rise on international markets. our global trade correspondent dharshini david has the story. there are bottlenecks on the daily commute, and then there's this — a ship the size of the empire state building blocking one of the busiest shipping lanes, after it was aground by strong

winds, it's claimed. behind the stricken ever given, owned by evergreen, a mounting queue of marine traffic, carrying cargo from oil to clothes and food. whereever they hail from — china, the middle east or south asia — they're going nowhere. seen from above, the problem is clear. ships have grown to match our appetite to consume more, but they are ill—suited to a waterway that's just 205 metres wide. this canal, connecting the red sea and the mediterranean, was originally built 150 years ago. it's still crucial for modern trade. the ever given ran aground at 5:40am on tuesday morning. it's one of 52 ships a day that travel through this passage of water. they carry 12% of global trade, worth over £2 billion per day. there is no easy alternative route, so this disruption could be costly. the suez canal is blocked for, what,

the third time in its history. how damaging could that be to global trade? when we think about exports from china, they will take about 10% longer, in terms of shipping time, to arrive at their destination. and when we think about the importance of chinese products for the production of goods all over the world, we have to be worried that this will have major consequences. they're hoping tug boats, diggers and the tide will refloat the ship. tonight, a side channel has been opened to divert some traffic, but it could take weeks to deal with the consequences of this disruption. however mighty the forces of globalisation, we're all vulnerable to the whims of nature. dharshini david, bbc news. cuba has begun administering its own homegrown covid—19 vaccine. soberana 2, which is still in late—phase trials, has been given to health workers. officials say that havana residents will receive the jab by the end of may.

if successful, it will be latin america's first covid—19 vaccine. 50 years ago, bangladesh, then east pakistan, started a nine—month struggle for independence. the northern village of ataikula endured some of the worst atrocities of the conflict — men were shot and women were raped by pakistani soldiers. decades later, the women have been given the honorary title "war heroine". they were promised financial support that many still haven't recieved. akbar hossain has been talking to survivors. this woman survives by making pottery at her home in northern bangladesh, where she has lived for over 50 years. she was a young woman with a husband and two children when soldiers arrived in her village.

she says the details of what happened to her are too horrific to discuss. 36 women were raped in this village alone. this woman also struggles to describe what happened to her. in this sleepy rural area, one of the worst atrocities of the war took place. the pakistani army and their bengali collaborators attacked fellow muslims across the country. but in this village, the hindu bengalis were singled out, suspected of being pro—india. 52 men from the village were killed, shot by firing squad.

the women were the poorest of the poor in 1971 and still are today. the survivors tell me they struggled to raise a family on their own. they made a huge sacrifice for independence, and the state is yet to recognise it. many years after the war, women who had been raped were told to apply for birangana, or war heroine status. it meant they would be given financial support. but in this village, less than a third of the women were accepted. after 50 years, they're still waiting. akbar hossain, bbc news, northern bangladesh.

the olympic torch is starting its four—month journey around japan, as it heads to tokyo for the delayed opening ceremony of the 2020 summer games. the olympic flame, lit in fukushima. the location is significant, fukushima was of course the site of the devastating tsunami and nuclear disaster in 2011 — with the concept behind the olympic torch relay "hope lights our way". the olympic flame, flown down from greece, will travel through the country's 47 prefectures, carried by some 10,000 runners... starting with members of the japanese national women's football team. it is almost exactly a year since the unprecedented announcement that the tokyo 0lympics would be postponed and since then we have had months of speculation. going to really

go ahead? well, you can see behind me here today in fukushima the start of the torch relay. this is really the point of no return. this is japan saint of the world, this game is going to go ahead this summer regardless of the pandemic. well, the torch is going to travel from here in fukushima for a 121 days right injapan from the fukushima for a 121 days right in japan from the farthest north to the father southern islands and then it is going to arrive at the olympic stadium in tokyo onjuly 23 to the grand opening ceremony. of course, because of pandemic, none of this happening here todayis none of this happening here today is without problems. you can see there are no cheering crowd here in fukushima. there are only invited schoolchildren and the media and we have all had to add health checks in order to come in here. and on the route today and for the next few weeks people are being told not to gather men large crowds. not to cheer the flame. another is the games themselves. we now know the decision has been made that no

international spectators are going to be allowed to come here to japan to watch the games. that is a huge disappointment for olympic fans and forjapan. but it is the reality of holding the olympics during a global pandemic. and before we go, as the temperature warms up in many parts of the world, some people may hope to start sailing — but in the cold of russia, well, they do it a bit differently. ice yachters from around the world gathered on lake baikal, the world's deepest freshwater lake. sailors braving the frigid siberian cold reach speeds up to 62 miles per hour. due to coronavirus restrictions, turnout was lower than usual but the race is open to anyone who has the gear and guts to take on the brutal cold. a reminder of our top story. india has suspended all major exports of the astrazeneca covid vaccine, because of a surge in infections in india. the foreign ministry expects domestic demand to pick up in the coming weeks, and says the doses will be needed for india's own rollout. you can reach me on

twitter — @embleymike. hello there. the weather's looking pretty unsettled over the next few days and it's going to be turning a bit colder as well. before we get there, though, today on the satellite picture, we can see some thick cloud developing to the west of the british isles. and this is going move its way across northern ireland, with a little rain developing over the next few hours. more general rain and cloud heading into western scotland, so wet weather into the highlands, the western isles and perhaps pushing into 0rkney as well, as we head into the first part of thursday morning. so for these northwestern areas of the uk, cloudy with rain at times. now, there will be a few showers elsewhere developing through the day across england, also some spells of sunshine, but towards eastern england, we're going to have a zone of convergence. this is where the winds

bash together and make a line of showers. and if you happen to live in this area, that's where the greatest chance of showers are, whereas across the midlands and across the south coast, your chance of showers is much lower and there should be more in the way of sunshine. in the sunshine, temperatures widely around 13 or 1a degrees across england and wales. a bit cooler across scotland and northern ireland, ten to 12 celsius, ten where it stays cloudy with rain. now, it is going to be turning colder. colder air that's just to the west of greenland at the moment has our name on it, and it's going to be arriving across the british isles as we head into friday behind this stripe of rain, which is our cold front. so, this band of rain, squally winds on it, will push its way eastwards across england — sunshine and showers follow. cold enough for a little bit of snow across some of the higher mountains across the northwest of the uk, and those temperatures really taking a plunge. just seven degrees celsius in both belfast and glasgow through friday afternoon. beyond that, into the weekend, it stays pretty unsettled. often, the weather's going to be quite windy

and there will be some rain around as well. of the two days, probably saturday the better of it, but quite cloudy across western areas with some patches of rain, more general rain spreading to northern ireland. and all the while, we'll have gusty winds. temperatures still below par for the time of year, about nine to 12 celsius on saturday. and on sunday, we've probably got some heavier rain on the way, working into some central portions of the uk. to the south of this area of rain, temperatures not so low. we're looking at highs of around 12 or 13 degrees. but cold still in scotland, about 8—10, below average for the time of year.

this is bbc news,

the headlines: india has suspended all major exports of the astrazeneca covid vaccine, because of a surge in infections in india. the foreign ministry expects domestic demand to pick up in the coming weeks, and says the doses will be needed for india's own rollout. in brazil, the number of deaths from covid—19 has now passed 300,000 with oxygen running low in some of the busiest hospitals. brazil is the second worst affected country in the world after the united states — it has recorded more than 12 million covid cases. virginia has become the first southern us state, the 23rd across the country overall, to abolish the death penalty. signing the bill into law, governor ralph northam, who's a democrat, said capital punishment had been applied disproportionately to black people, and that a flawed legal system had led, too often, to mistakes. now on bbc news, click.