learning languages in lockdown — the boom in the number of people learning welsh notjust in the uk, but around the world and in half an hour — the media show — the bbc�*s media editor, amol rajan looks at the state of good afternoon. iam i am sorry for sneezing during the headlines. i i am sorry for sneezing during the headlines. ., �* ~' , i am sorry for sneezing during the headlines. ., �* ~ , ., headlines. i don't think it is a side effect — headlines. i don't think it is a side effect of _ headlines. i don't think it is a side effect of the _ headlines. i don't think it is a side effect of the vaccine, - headlines. i don't think it is a side effect of the vaccine, i i headlines. i don't think it is a l side effect of the vaccine, i had headlines. i don't think it is a - side effect of the vaccine, i had my jab this morning. it is more likely to be the dust in here! the health secretary matt hancock has announced that more than half of adults in the uk have now had a first dose of covid vaccine. more people received the jab yesterday than on any other day. despite this, 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. it comes as france and poland have reintroduced partial lockdowns as both countries battle a sharp rise in infections in recent weeks. richard galpin reports. here in germany the authorities are warning that the country is now facing a third wave of coronavirus. programme and delays in deliveries. and this not helped by the eu's recent suspension of supplies of the astrazeneca vaccine at this critical time. italy, though, is now moving ahead, with the astrazeneca vaccine. translation: the whole government, i and i must say the whole of italy, i is very active in ensuring that the vaccination campaign proceeds at the greatest possible speed, with the greatest possible capacity. in contrast, back here in britain, where coronavirus cases are much lower than in the european union, summer holidays are now on the minds of many. but will it be possible to travel abroad, given the covid situation in the eu and other countries? i'm going to reporting the upshot of the global travel task force on 12th april, and of course that will need to take into account notjust vaccination rates here and infection rates, but what is happening elsewhere in destination countries. if travel is allowed, testing for covid and vaccinations will be required. the earliest date of departure would be mid—may. richard galpin, bbc news. earlier i spoke to ricardo mexia, vice president of the european public health association's infectious disease control department. he told me what's driving this rise. well, i believe that the fact that we are trying to get back to normality in some of the activities that have now been taking place, that probably accounts for some of the increase in the numbers. and also the fact that people are somehow tired of all the covid—i9 stress over the last year, that probably tends to get them to have different approaches and eventually not implement fully the recommendations of social distancing and all the others that somehow we have been having to deal with over the course of this. so i guess it is happening more or less across europe and hopefully we will manage to control it over the next couple of weeks. it is a different setting in different countries, but still there has been somehow this fourth wave that several countries are now facing. and what about the new variants? how much are they a factor in all of this? we believe that the variants can play some part in increasing transmission, but we still have a significant amount of cases that are, let's say, from the older variants of the outbreak. indeed, there's an increase in the spread of the disease due to these variants, but it does not account for all the transmission, and therefore we are very concerned over the biological surveillance to be able to detect as early as we can those different variants so that we can adjust policies in order to contain the transmission. what is the picture where you are in portugal? in portugal, things have evolved quite quickly over the last couple of months. during january, we had an absolutely dramatic situation and were the worst in the world with very high incidence and a very high mortality, but during february numbers have tended to go down. this was due to very strict lockdowns, which were only lifted earlier this week on monday, which was when schools started back, and several activities are starting, and we have a plan to implement other activities over every fortnight. but things are still quite restricted here. but now the incidents are low, and transmissibility of the disease is also low. so we hope we manage over the next few weeks, while the increase the number of activities that are working, we managed to contain the numbers in a manageable size. 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—i9 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 admitting have a slightly different profile than before. we are seeing more younger patients with very serious conditions and no underlying health issues. covid—i9 has left a trail of death across brazil. a local variant, pi, is highly contagious. in the last 21 hours almost 3,000 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—i9. he was vaccinated just two days ago. according to the country's health minister, mr khan is self—isolating at home. he arranged to be photographed receiving the vaccine to try to encourage people to take it up. pakistan has recently seen a sharp rise in coronavirus infection. now, let's bring you the latest coronavirus figures that we have from the uk government. these have just come into us here at bbc news. they are reporting that they were 5587 new cases in the 2a hours to saturday. in the same period, 96 deaths were recorded. that people who tested positive for coronavirus in the previous 28 days. bear in mind, they may not have died from coronavirus itself, it's impossible to get those figures. the only statistically accurate one, in other words where you can compare the nations is this measure of died within 28 days of receiving a positive test for coronavirus. just to give you the brighter news now, the number of people who have received at least the first dose of the vaccine has reached 26.9 million people. that's over half of the uk population. they have had at least the first days of the coronavirus vaccine. protesters opposed to the coronavirus lockdown are gathering in london ahead of a planned march to westminster. there's a heavy police presence along the route, as scotland yard urge people to stay at home. this is trafalgar square, where people are gathering. there has been a heavy police presence, but little sign of people being actively moved on. our correspondence can tell us more about that. you are suggesting, john, that police were suggesting that small groups move on. is there any sign of more active police engagement with the protesters? hat engagement with the protesters? not reall . engagement with the protesters? iirrt really. we saw one person being detained by police, but certainly things have changed since i last spoke to you. much, much larger crowds. we have actually stepped back because it was simply too crowded to operate safely with covid—i9 restrictions, but we saw thousands of people walking up whitehall, and then down the mall towards buckingham palace. some were chanting freedom, some were bearing placards saying nhs and government lies. so things have certainly changed in terms of numbers. the police for the moment, i think they are taking very much a hands off approach, and i think the police are saying simply they can't do mass arrests because it takes too many officers to arrest one person, so that's simply not possible. you think of the — that's simply not possible. you think of the contrast _ that's simply not possible. you think of the contrast with events in clapham a week ago when there was the vigilfor sarah clapham a week ago when there was the vigil for sarah everard, clapham a week ago when there was the vigilfor sarah everard, who clapham a week ago when there was the vigil for sarah everard, who was killed and some days earlier, and the police in the end decided to break that up because it was in breach of covid—i9 restrictions. they took a lot of flak as a result of doing so. presumably, that will undoubtedly have had some impact on the decision—making this week. yes. the decision-making this week. yes, and i think you _ the decision—making this week. yes and i think you probably highlight there a dilemma the police have been facing. on the one hand, they don't want to face the same criticism they got last week in clapham for being heavy—handed, but at the same time some are going to accuse them of showing a lack of consistency. why were they breaking up and detaining a group of women protesting one thing, or holding a vigil last week, when they were doing less it would seem today here in central london for a different group of protesters. we have heard from the senior metropolitan police officer in charge of events here today, assistant deputy commissioner lawrence taylor, and he said that these protests were clearly illegal, and given the numbers which have surprised police, there's no way that they can be done safely. as i say, simply making mass arrests is just not possible. this say, simply making mass arrests is just not possible.— just not possible. as you were speaking. _ just not possible. as you were speaking. we _ just not possible. as you were speaking, we could _ just not possible. as you were speaking, we could see - just not possible. as you were speaking, we could see from | just not possible. as you were i speaking, we could see from the helicopter, which is broadcasting pictures for us live from central london above trafalgar square, it was following a chain of about eight officers in fluorescent tabard is, who arrived in the southern part of the square around the statue, and were then starting to split off and talk to people and engage them and signalling them to move on. you could argue this is quite clever of the organisers, if this is organised, it must be in some form, they are not actually having an assembly anywhere. you could, i suppose, if the police asked you what you were doing so you lived locally and you are out for your afternoon exercise. it is hard for the police to say, no, you are intent on causing a disruption, you are intent on breaking the law. i think that's a fair point, but i think that's a fair point, but i think for the police the problem is just the sheer number of people. there was absolutely no attempt at social distancing, i saw very few people wearing masks amongst the cloud. it'sjust people wearing masks amongst the cloud. it's just very, people wearing masks amongst the cloud. it'sjust very, very difficult for the police to deal with that number of people. here in trafalgar square, you are right, they have been asking people to move on. some of them protesters, but some of them just visitors or people walking around london. discouraging people from assembling or sitting down, but i think in terms of the tactics of these demonstrators, you are right, they are not gathering in one particular place. we thought they might come here and settle in trafalgar square, but if they did that, then it's much easierfor the police to move in but if they keep moving, so they started in hyde park this morning, they move down along the embankment, they have just come up the embankment, they have just come up whitehall and are now heading towards parliament square, meaning it's very difficult for the police to do anything when there's so many people who are on the move all the time. , ., ., ., ., ,, ., time. john in trafalgar square, thank yon _ time. john in trafalgar square, thank you. we _ time. john in trafalgar square, thank you. we will _ time. john in trafalgar square, thank you. we will check - time. john in trafalgar square, thank you. we will check in - time. john in trafalgar square, | thank you. we will check in with time. john in trafalgar square, - thank you. we will check in with you again in the next hour here on the bbc news channel. we are just giving you a sense of some of the pictures. you can see police are engaging with different groups of people in the square. i hesitate to say different groups of demonstrators because we don't know if any of them are demonstrators, or if they are just milling around in central london on a dry, relatively mild spring day. i think that will be a difficulty for the police, unless they demand proof of some addresses, but i think they will be anxious to avoid disruption. you can see the line going under admiralty arch, going towards buckingham palace. it is a relatively significant number of people, maybe 100 or so in that group alone. there is a difficulty for the police in handling this since there is no assembly as such, so it clearly is in breach of covid—19 regulations, but is it worth the potential trouble if they confront it? last weekend might have caused them to think twice, even if that had been an option, given the very strong public reaction of what happened at the vigil. organisers today have described it as a vigil over covid—19 restrictions. moving on, it is for 17 p the headlines: reaching a milestone — half of all adults in the uk have now had a first dose of a coronavirus vaccine. europe braces itself for a third wave of coronavirus infections — with fresh lockdowns in france and poland. protesters opposed to the lockdown gather in central london to march to westminster. scotland yard urge people to stay at home saying london remains in a health crisis. scotla nd scotland yard has urged people to remain at home. now, i think the six nations match has come to an end. sarah will explain the very latest. is it good news for italy, or not? flat explain the very latest. is it good news for italy, or not? not quite, they don't — news for italy, or not? not quite, they don't have _ news for italy, or not? not quite, they don't have the _ news for italy, or not? not quite, they don't have the best - news for italy, or not? not quite, they don't have the best of- news for italy, or not? not quite, they don't have the best of times | news for italy, or not? not quite, i they don't have the best of times at they don't have the best of times at the six nations, but very good news for scotland fans because we know it is a huge day of six nations rugby later on. while they're looking to win the grand slam in paris, but that first game of the day has just wrapped up at murrayfield in scotland. scotland beat italy by 52-10. it is scotland �*s biggest win in their history against italy. there is half an hour to go until kick off in dublin when ireland will play england. ollie lawrence will now take the spot. laterwe ollie lawrence will now take the spot. later we know that wales can win the grand slam with the victory against france in paris. a win would also see captainjones become the first welshman to win four of six nations and slam titles, but he is not thinking about that just yet. the privilege and the sense of pride we have in representing wales has been accentuated by the situation that is going on off the field. the privilege and the sense of pride we have in representing wales has i as an individual, and the team, needed reminding of what we are representing. southampton are through to the semi—finals of the fa cup after a comfortable 3—0 win over south coast rivals bournemouth. nathan redmond had a big part to play in all three goals, setting up moussa djenepo for the first. a brilliant solo run and finish put the premier league side firmly in control before half time. redmond then made the game safe with his second goal, reacting well to seal saints place at wembley. peter lorimer, one of leeds united's greatest players, has died at the age of 7a, after a long illness. he was famed as a ferocious striker of the ball, and after making his debut aged just 15, he became their leading scorer with 238 goals — a record that stands to this day. he was part of the team that won two league titles, the fa cup and league cup under legendary manager don revie in the late 60s and early 70s. lorimer also won 21 caps for scotland and played in all three of their matches at the 1974 world cup. the club said his passing left a huge hole in the leeds united family and his legacy at elland road would live on. peter lorimer, who has died at the age of 7a. to cricket, and england won the toss and put india into bat in their fifth and deciding t20 match in abmedabad. and it's been a great batting show from the hosts — rohit sharma hit 64 off 3a balls before being bowled by ben stokes. india made 224 for 2 from their 20 overs. 225 is now the target for england to chase. they are now at the crease. it looks like it will be close. britain �*s tom king cockjust missed out on one of cycling �*s most prestigious cycling races, a distance of 229 kilometres, about 185 miles of racing. the grenadiers rider was battling for the lead untiljust rider was battling for the lead until just three rider was battling for the lead untiljust three kilometres to go when an opponent surged away. the chasing pack caught up toward the finish line, but the belgian held on after more than 6.5 hours in the saddle to claim victory. that's all the sport for now. i'll have more for you in the next hour. good news for scotland fans, as you say. it will be fascinating to see that match. we were speculating as to why it is such a late start and we wondered if it was because of the curfew in paris meaning there would not be any fans hanging around outside the stadium. so, that wales match is at 8p an hour time. half of all adults in the uk have now had the first dose of a covid vaccine. the health secretary matt hancock has welcomed the news and hailed the milestone as a huge success. well, we are committed that all adults will be offered their first dose of the vaccine byjuly. we are on track to deliver that and i am delighted that today half of all adults have now been vaccinated, including the prime minister yesterday, and yesterday was, in fact, the biggest day of vaccinations in this country's history. the team are doing an amazing job. 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 and they make it less likely that others, your loved ones, will catch coronavirus, too. and, of course, for all of us they are our route out so i am delighted that so many people are coming forward and getting thejob. matt many people are coming forward and getting the job-— getting the 'ob. matt hancock, the health getting the job. matt hancock, the health secretary. _ 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 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 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. the communities secretary for england. learning a language might have been an aspiration for many of us in lockdown, but now new figures here in the uk show there's been a boom in people learning one in particular — welsh. and notjust in the uk — people have been learning it all over the world too. tomos morgan meets some of the people in far flung places who've taken it up. i ddysgu cymraeg nawr, to learn welsh now, the classroom's gone online, just like everything else over the last year. since i was a baby. but these classes aren't just for those living here in wales that can't speak the language. they're full of learners from all over the world. i will give you an eight out of ten for that, that's pretty good. people like student nicole gallegos who lives in, yes, you guessed it, costa rica. not your usual hotbed for celtic languages, i'lladmit. she began studying in october on a language app after realising that her surname has a welsh connection. i heard that the gallegos people are like a compilation of spanish and welsh people that came to the land many years ago, so gallegos kind of has a little bit of welsh in it. and heraim? to be fluent and to come and study in cardiff in the future. it would be super, super cool if i could go and study there after i finish studying here. the royal welsh college of music and drama in cardiff, is it? yes, that's right. i wasn't quite good enough to get in there, so if you do, you'll have done very doing well. thank you. last year, welsh was the fastest—growing language in the uk on duolingo, and the number of users worldwide learning welsh has increased by 100,000 since october, with a fifth of all students based in america and even someone in antarctica. so we're here just outside doorn in the netherlands... back to a more familiar time zone in holland and jen bailey, an australian music conductor, has also taken to studying one of the oldest languages in in europe over the pandemic. without the social interaction of the orchestra over the last year, the added interaction online, on facebook, has been a huge relief for her. some people live in wales and some of them like me, come from across the world, no particular family connection, no reason whatsoever to learn welsh, and that gave a tribe and it gave validation, it's not completely weird to learn welsh. but this increased interest has meant that online classes have been overwhelmed with a lack of teachers to meet the demand. we were surprised initially that anyone would be interested in wanting to learn online. i've been running online chat clubs all over the world, people from all over the world connecting and ijust put up the chat club and it fills up within a few hours and then i have to turn people away. as face—to face socialising begins again, will welsh continue to flourish as the pandemic eases? for now, there's still plenty of grammar yet to be learned. tomos morgan, bbc news, cardiff. let's ta ke let's take you back to the pictures of protest in central london. this is the scene outside the building i am broadcasting to you from. you can see a line of police officers just up see a line of police officers just up on the side of the building there. it looks to me like they are restraining one, or maybe a couple of protesters. there was briefly while we were listening to thomas morgan a few fisticuffs, it has to say. a fracker of some kind as police formed a line to resist protesters. i assume they were planning to walk around the front of broadcasting house into the area in front of new broadcasting house, the building to the right of the one you see at the moment. that is old broadcasting house, where radio programmes were first produced from. new broadcasting house is to the right of it at the top of portland place in central london, just above oxford circus, for those of you who have been shopping in central london. that is a building which is perhaps more easily accessed because there is a pedestrian area, which would give you room for a significant number of people. i may be wrong, but my impression is that the police would have been determined to prevent that happening. they formed a line very quickly to restrain the protesters. they were, as i say, a view skirmishes and you can see at the centre of the picture a group of police officers, who appeared to be restraining some of the protesters. it looks like most of the other protesters have quickly melted away. you can see there the pedestrianised area in the centre of the horseshoe. that's in front of the new broadcasting house, and there is the church just blow it with the police vans blocking portland place itself to make sure nobody else can get through. it looks like