sides in the champions league quarterfinals. chelsea join liverpool and manchester city in the last eight, after a convincing win over the spanish league leaders atletico madrid. keeping beauty spots beautiful when the covid restrictions lift — why landowners want more people to pay attention to the countryside code. good morning. today once again is going to be fairly cloudy for most with some patchy rain coming down the east of the country. the best of the east of the country. the best of the sunshine in the south—west and also central and eastern parts of scotland. i will have all the details later in the programme. it's thursday the 18th of march. our top story. people under the age of 50 are unlikely to get their first dose of a covid vaccine before the end of april — because of what nhs england is calling a "significant reduction" in supply. it's understood to have been caused by a delay in the manufacture of millions of doses of the oxford—astrazeneca vaccine in india. our health reporter jim reed has more. another step closer to normality. afternoon, you all right? at gps like this one in lincolnshire, thousands have been given their vaccines this week. there you go — done. that it? that's it. in total, more than 25 million have now beenjabbed. for the next fortnight, there should be plenty of doses to go round. after that, though, there is more doubt. a letter sent by the nhs to local health services warned of a significant reduction in supply next month, and said no further appointments for first doses should be uploaded to booking systems in april. vaccine supply is always lumpy, and we regularly send out technical letters to the nhs to explain the ups and downs of the supply over the future weeks. it's thought the late delivery of batches of the astrazeneca vaccine manufactured at a plant in india are to blame for the shortfall. nobody who has an appointment should lose their slot, but this may delay the roll—out to the next age group down — those in their 40s — by perhaps as much as a month. it comes as the european commission suggested it could block exports of the pfizer vaccine to the uk, unless otherjabs are sent back across the channel in return. meanwhile, 13 eu states have still suspended the use of the astrazeneca shot over concerns about rare blood clots. an investigation into that by the eu medicines agency is due to report back this afternoon. keeping up the pace of vaccine supply is crucial if the government is going to stick to its roadmap out of lockdown. the recent fall in infections means that almost four million vulnerable people in england have now been told they no longer need to shield from next month. the reason we've done that is because the rates of community infection have now dropped a long way and they've been sustained. and we recognise that actually advising people to shield for more than about 12 weeks can be really quite damaging for their mental health. so i think good news for all of them. as for the vaccine programme, the government said supply of the jabs will vary over time, but it remains on track to offer a first dose to all over—50s in england by mid—april, and all adults by the end ofjuly. jim reed, bbc news. the care regulator for england has said hundreds of people may have been subject to "do not resuscitate" decisions during the early part of the pandemic — without them or their families knowing. a report by the care quality commission found evidence that the dnr decisions — which restrict potentially life—saving treatment — were applied across particular groups, including people with learning difficulties. our social affairs correspondent michael buchanan reports. sonia had an absolute zest for life, loved being with herfamily, you know — always smiling, always laughing. son has got the moves. sonia deleon suffered from schizophrenia and had learning disabilities. but it was only after she died in hospital from a heart attack last april that her family say they discovered her medical notes contained a "do not resuscitate" decision — limiting the treatment that sonia could receive. we'd had no consultation. at no point — at no point — were we told that that had taken place. we would have disputed that and we would have said we don't want that in place. the hospital insists the family consented to the decision — including discussing it with sonia's 85—year—old mother. i can't describe the love that my mum has for so. aww! mum's been waiting to hear your voice. i there is no way that she would agree to that being put in place. absolutely no way at all. southend university hospital were responsible for treating sonia deleon. they say the "do not resuscitate" decision was appropriate, and based on assessments by clinicians. today's report makes no reference to sonia's case, but does find that over 500 people — mainly elderly or disabled — had "do not resuscitate" decisions made for them without their consent or that of their relatives. the true scale of the problem could be much greater, however. any decision that's put in in a blanket fashion or in a way that doesn't take into consideration a person's individual needs is never acceptable. one of the things we found through the review is that trying to quantify this problem has been very difficult because of the lack of oversight and the lack of record—keeping and data. the cqc say the pressure of the pandemic and rapidly developing guidance were to blame for the problems. they want a group of ministers to come together to fully investigate what happened. nhs england say that throughout the pandemic they had repeatedly told those making dnr decisions that that blanket use was unacceptable. sonia deleon�*s family want more safeguards put in place to protect those who can't help themselves. today's report suggests many other families would also benefit from such measures. michael buchanan, bbc news. an inquest into the death of sarah everard will be opened today. the 33—year—old's body was found in kent a week after she went missing while walking home in south london. wayne couzens, who was a serving officer with the metropolitan police, is charged with kidnap and murder. a man has been charged with murder after eight people were killed in shootings at three massage parlours in the us state of georgia. six of the victims were women of asian heritage. robert aaron long, who is 21, has been charged with eight counts of murder. the shootings took place in atlanta. a crowd of more than a thousand people were dispersed by police yesterday after they gathered in a park in liverpool to celebrate st patrick's day. merseyside police made one arrest and issued more than a0 fixed—penalty notices to people who refused to leave the area. abbiejones reports. ta ken late yesterday afternoon by passers—by, video show huge crowds at sefton park during lockdown. police say over a thousand people were at the popular south liverpool beauty spot — some apparently to celebrate st patrick's day. merseyside police condemned the gathering as reckless behaviour. many of those there are believed to be students. people congregated together, drinking and basicallyjust having st patrick's day celebrations that were there. olivia lever is a student herself and filmed the gathering. she's worried it will give all students a bad name. as much as i have sympathy for students, i think it's so close — you know, you don't need to go and recreate woodstock on the park. you can just celebrate with a few friends. a0 police officers broke up the crowds, including the national police air service. merseyside police have issued a dispersal order for sefton park and the area around it. criticising those who gathered, chief inspector karl baldwin said... extra police officers were on patrol around sefton park overnight. abbie jones, bbc news. the rugby league legend rob burrow has added yet another title to his collection — after being awarded an honorary doctorate by leeds beckett university. the former leeds rhino was diagnosed with motor neurone disease just over two years ago — and he has worked tirelessly to raise awareness and funds to support others living with the condition. he described receiving the doctorate was as a "huge honour". you may remember a couple of weeks ago we saw dolly parton launch into song while getting her covid jab. # vaccine, vaccine, vaccine, vaccine. # i'm begging of you, please don't hesitate. # vaccine, vaccine, vaccine, vaccine. # cos once you're dead then that's a bit too late. that was an adaptaiton of her classic song jolene, of course. well, now one of our home—grown stars has followed dolly's lead. # vaccine, i am having my vaccine. # to protect against covid. # make sure you have yours, too. # when you have it you'll understand what happiness is. # look, a new life will begin. that's west end legend elaine page. she received her second jab and took the opportunity to belt out a vaccine—themed version of memory from cats. i don't know which tune i will have in my head more. onlyjust pips it, i think. what about you? i in my head more. onlyjust pips it, i think. what about you?— i think. what about you? i think it's an achievement _ i think. what about you? i think it's an achievement to - i think. what about you? i think it's an achievement to sing - i think. what about you? i think. it's an achievement to sing whilst being vaccinated, that is an achievement in itself a. carol, could you? — achievement in itself a. carol, could you? know, _ achievement in itself a. carol, could you? know, but - achievement in itself a. carol, could you? know, but it - achievement in itself a. carol, | could you? know, but it would achievement in itself a. carol, . could you? know, but it would be achievement in itself a. carol, - could you? know, but it would be a aood could you? know, but it would be a good distraction. _ could you? know, but it would be a good distraction. somebody - could you? know, but it would be a good distraction. somebody told i could you? know, but it would be a | good distraction. somebody told me if you _ good distraction. somebody told me if you are _ good distraction. somebody told me if you are worried about it you can wiggle _ if you are worried about it you can wiggle your— if you are worried about it you can wiggle your toes and that will help, apparently. wiggle your toes and that will help, a- arentl . . g wiggle your toes and that will help, apparently-_ - _ wiggle your toes and that will help, apparently-_ -_ apparently. really?! . . that could in life, if anything _ apparently. really?! . . that could in life, if anything bothers - apparently. really?! . . that could in life, if anything bothers you - in life, if anything bothers you just wiggle your toes and that will distract you. i am actually now wriggling my toes. laughter good morning, everybody. this morning — good morning, everybody. this morning is— good morning, everybody. this morning is chilly for some of us and today— morning is chilly for some of us and today will— morning is chilly for some of us and today will be fairly cloudy more or less across — today will be fairly cloudy more or less across the board with one or two exceptions. patchy rain in the east, _ two exceptions. patchy rain in the east. best— two exceptions. patchy rain in the east, best of the sunshine across centrai— east, best of the sunshine across central and — east, best of the sunshine across central and eastern scotland, north—west england and across the west_ north—west england and across the west country, the west midlands and parts of— west country, the west midlands and parts of south wales. early showers clear but _ parts of south wales. early showers clear but you can see this rain conring — clear but you can see this rain coming south on a weather front and some _ coming south on a weather front and some wiii— coming south on a weather front and some will drift further west, gelling _ some will drift further west, getting into the west midlands, possibly the west country, possibly the channel islands later on. you are in— the channel islands later on. you are in the — the channel islands later on. you are in the sunshine, for example parts _ are in the sunshine, for example parts of— are in the sunshine, for example parts of scotland, central scotland, we could _ parts of scotland, central scotland, we could hit 16 or 17 degrees so that will— we could hit 16 or 17 degrees so that will be very warm for you for this time — that will be very warm for you for this time of— that will be very warm for you for this time of year. we are looking at generativ— this time of year. we are looking at generally ten to about 14 degrees. as we _ generally ten to about 14 degrees. as we head on through the evening and overnight, a fair bit of cloud around, — and overnight, a fair bit of cloud around, rain— and overnight, a fair bit of cloud around, rain pushing steadily southwards, drizzle to the west and like today— southwards, drizzle to the west and like today with vigour cloud across north-west — like today with vigour cloud across north—west scotland and northern ireiand, _ north—west scotland and northern ireland, there could well be some drizzle _ ireland, there could well be some drizzle here, too. around coasts and hills, _ drizzle here, too. around coasts and hills, misty— drizzle here, too. around coasts and hills, misty and murky conditions. these _ hills, misty and murky conditions. these are — hills, misty and murky conditions. these are our temperatures, not particularly cold for the time of year— particularly cold for the time of year except where cloud remains broken — year except where cloud remains broken. tomorrow, still cloud around, — broken. tomorrow, still cloud around, still some shows it parts of england _ around, still some shows it parts of england and wales. some breaks in the cloud, _ england and wales. some breaks in the cloud, where we will see the sunshine — the cloud, where we will see the sunshine across parts of central scotland. — sunshine across parts of central scotland, for example. a subtle change — scotland, for example. a subtle change in — scotland, for example. a subtle change in the wind direction in the south-east— change in the wind direction in the south—east means it will feel chilly but at _ south—east means it will feel chilly but at least it will be drier and we will see _ but at least it will be drier and we will see plenty of spells of sunshine. will see plenty of spells of sunshine-— will see plenty of spells of sunshine. . ~' , ., , . the european medicines agency is expected to deliver its findings on the oxford—astrazeneca vaccine today — it's investigating a small number of blood clots among the millions who of people who've received the jab. germany is one of the eu countries which has temporarily suspended the vaccine. our berlin correspondent jenny hill has been looking into the effects of that decision. is germany playing it too safe? infections spreading faster, cases rising in newly reopened kindergartens. nursery workers have been pushed up the vaccination priority list. isabella and her staff were offered the astrazeneca jab. translation: i think it's devastating. - three of us were vaccinated on sunday. two others would have had it today, but that was cancelled. even if they reapprove it, my colleagues don't want to have it now. germany dismissed concerns about astrazeneca and blood clotting from other countries — it's used 1.6 million doses. but then it emerged seven people here have developed a rare type of blood clot on the brain within days of receiving the jab. experts say, statistically, they'd expect around one. the cases are deemed so severe — three people died — that the government argues it would be irresponsible not to pause the programme. translation: in my view, it's better if we suspend for a few days, - get a better view of the situation, and talk to our european partners. then we can say with certainty how we will proceed. some in germany weren't keen on astrazeneca in the first place — in part because the government initially blocked its use in older people. but this country, which has given just 8% of its population a first dose of vaccine, is relying on it. "there are always risks," he says. "you don't know how many people will die now because they aren't vaccinated." she says, "they've got to check it. the government's trying its best." germany is under pressure, in the grip of a third wave. at this night shelter for homeless people, staff were due to start vaccinating their residents yesterday — with astrazeneca. translation: it is very sad | for the people who live here. many of them are at risk, vulnerable. so it would be good if they could be vaccinated as fast as possible, and the same for the staff. we don't know when or if we can start again, so we're uncertain. it's a shame. the german government says this wasn't a political decision, and it's hard to see what the gain would be. more than 200 people are dying every day here from covid and public dissatisfaction is growing. ministers insist this was about inspiring trust — it may be they've achieved quite the opposite. jenny hill, bbc news, berlin. let's take a look at today's papers. news about a possible vaccine shortage leads the daily telegraph. government sources have told the paper that manufacturing issues mean the existing supply will largely be used for second doses. the guardian also leads on the vaccination shortages, which it says have been branded "disappointing and frustrating" by the royal college of gps. the daily mail reports on plans by the home secretary priti patel to process asylum seekers in special centres overseas — if they "cross the channel illegally". and the new york times takes a detailed look into the murders of eight people in atlanta, georgia. the paper reports the killings have raised fears of hate crimes against american—asians. got a couple of animal stories for you. if you are in rate orme, beware of the kashmiri goats. they are famed to go into the town and because havoc but there was a plan to... there was a slight idea that mass contraception would be applied to keep the numbers down but because of the pandemic... to the goats? yeah, but it hasn't happened. i have been reading like goats. —— they have been reading. when you are allowed, if you get down there, there is a rogue herd that has wandered into the area and drivers come around the corner. did wandered into the area and drivers come around the corner.— wandered into the area and drivers come around the corner. did you say the are come around the corner. did you say they are breeding _ come around the corner. did you say they are breeding like _ come around the corner. did you say they are breeding like goats? - come around the corner. did you say they are breeding like goats? they l they are breeding like goats? they are goats! they are breeding like goats? they are oats! , ., , ., , ., are goats! there is a story about cows. are goats! there is a story about cows they _ are goats! there is a story about cows they are _ are goats! there is a story about cows. they are breeding - are goats! there is a story about cows. they are breeding like - are goats! there is a story about. cows. they are breeding like goats, it was a play on words. craig brown has written this piece in the daily mail and some odd practices have seemed to emerge. in holland, you can do... seemed to emerge. in holland, you cando... , ., .,, , can do... geographically in the world, where _ can do... geographically in the world, where are _ can do... geographically in the world, where are we? - can do... geographically in the | world, where are we? holland, holland. world,