this is bbc news with the latest headlines for viewers in the uk and around the world. i'm mike embley. president trump halts us funding to the world health organization over its handling of the coronavirus pandemic. the reality is that the who failed to adequately obtain, vet, and share information in a timely and transparent fashion. more than one in five deaths in england and wales is linked to coronavirus, as figures show 6,000 more people died than expected at the beginning of april. polling is under way right now in south korea's parliamentary election. the result is expected to be influenced by the government's handling of the pandemic.

bringing a little music and light into these uncertain times — grammy award winner mary chapin carpenter performs for us from her living room. president trump has announced a suspension of funding of the world health organization. he alleged that the who had failed to show accountability in its response to the coronavirus outbreak. he went on to accuse the un health agency of having failed earlier this year to investigate reports from the chinese city of wuhan that conflicted with official accounts about the virus emerging there. this is what he had to say. today i'm instructing my administration to halt funding of the world health organization, while a review is conducted

to assess the world health organization's role in severely mismanaging and covering up the spread of the coronavirus. one of the most dangerous and costly decisions from the who was its disastrous decision to oppose travel restrictions from china and other nations. they were very much opposed to what we did. fortunately, i was not convinced and suspended travel from china, saving untold numbers of lives. thousands and thousands of people would have died. had other nations likewise suspended travel from china, countless more lives would have been saved. instead, look at the rest of the world, look at parts of europe, other nations and regions who followed who guidelines and kept their borders open to china, accelerated the pandemic all around the world.

president trump there from the white house. earlier i spoke to our north america correspondent peter bowes, and put it to him that president trump's attack on the who is being seen as a way of deflecting criticism for his own handling of the response to the pandemic. that is the main criticism, that president trump is trying to deflect criticism and, especially, criticism based on what he did or didn't do in the month of february. this is after he imposed a ban, effectively a ban on travel from china to the united states, which he has, on many occasions, hailed as a major decision in terms of slowing down the spread of coronavirus in this country. and it seems he was particularly hurt, particularly annoyed by criticism, who criticism of that travel ban at the time. but in terms of withholding funds, $400 million to $500 million, this is a major blow to the who. the us is the major contributor to that organisation.

it isn't a final decision. it is pending a further review. but it does calculate some of the complaints we have heard from donald trump going back several weeks now. i was looking at the timeline. it is absolutely true. when he banned flights from china in late january that was before there were any confirmed virus—related deaths in the us. but i think nearly 400,000 people had travelled to the us from china before that date and many thousands more after that. and as was put to him in a very strange press conference at the white house this week, he bought some time, but he didn't use it to ramp up testing. yes, exactly. there was clearly a very early warning and perhaps he heeded that warning by imposing that travel ban at the end of february. but the main complaint is that nothing seemed to happen during the month of february in terms of preparing this country, preparing hospitals, providing ventilators, facemasks, medical protective clothing for doctors and nurses stop that is the main criticism where people say that

president trump dropped the ball, if you like, that he didn't do enough in the month of february is criticism levelled at the who is that they didn't read the signs coming out of china in the weeks before then. they didn't see what was happening on the ground. they took china's word for what was happening and didn't spread the warning, didn't alert people to the potential of this virus soon enough. president trump said it wouldn't be putting any pressure on any american estate to and it's coronavirus shutdown, let's go live now to washington, dc. kim wehle is legal analyst and a law professor. shejoins us live from washington. thank you very much and it was not what you think about the president's claimed to have

absolute power? it is inconsistent with the basic framework of american democracy, which is that we don't have any one person that has absolute power or entity, we have three branches of government. so it demonstrates a profound misunderstanding of the united states' constitution, the concept of federalism, where states have their own autonomy, and the rule of law, basically. last week he claimed he couldn't tell some other states what to do. it was noticeable they were states that were by and large controlled by republicans. he can't really have it both ways? ina way can't really have it both ways? in a way he can have it both ways in that there is authority from the congress for the president to do more on a national level to protect the public. for example, he could have taken public. for example, he could have ta ken steps to public. for example, he could have taken steps to implement some measure of national quarantine for purposes of protecting public safety. he would have had to have made a

determination these days when i doing enough and some experts believe some states were not doing enough. seven that regard he can have it both ways, but he can have it both ways, but he hasn't utilised that massive power he does have for purposes of protecting the american public. instead, he is claiming he has the inverse, a reciprocal power to actually tamp down efforts by the states to protect the public. that authority he does not have. he does not have it under the constitution, he does not have it from congress and even if congress were to give him that power in theory, i think there would be a rigourous constitutional challenge on the grounds that under the 10th amendment to the constitution, the police power, the basic health and safety power, belongs to the states. so what's really going on here and how is it likely to play out? or is hejust how is it likely to play out? or is he just mouthing how is it likely to play out? or is hejust mouthing off? what is happening in the united states is complete chaos at the federal level. the president because make daily briefings have not been accurate, as a matter of science, as a matter of fa ct.

matter of science, as a matter of fact. he is blinking reality in terms of the federal response, we are hearing testing is going down. he says he wants to reopen the economy as if he has a magic one, he does not. of course, we all know now to do that there needs to be robust testing and contact tracing to identify people who are infected and perhaps people who may have some kind of immunity. but that kind of measured, thought all sort of response at a federal level is just not happening, which is why, by his own decision, really, things are moving to the states and the states are doing their best effo rts states are doing their best efforts to sort of galvanised now, even together, because we don't have any national leadership in the united states, which is deeply, i think traumatising to many americans and to the health of americans. we had 25,000 known deaths and going forward to an organised political environment. the president is very worried about the economy

and worried about the november election. we know from this president that that is pretty much his primary concern. his own political and personal future, not necessarily what is best for the american people. he frankly makes, he doesn't really hide that. that's who he is. it's basically what he was a lack did for. and we will be hearing other points of view on all that. professor wehle, thank you very much indeed. thank you. here in britain, the latest official evidence of the human cost of coronavirus shows a very sharp rise in the number of deaths per week throughout england and wales. it amounts to 6,000 more than would be expected at this time of year. the figures relate to the week leading up to the third april. since then, the numbers have risen again. there's particular concern about the situation in care homes and in the community at large, as our health editor hugh pym reports. my mum, she was my best friend, she was kind, funny... candice remembers her mother,

ann, who died with covid—19. she last saw her when she was in an ambulance on the way to hospital where she died 11 days ago. i'm never going to see my mum again and i'd rather not see the outside again. my mum was only 58 and it just wasn't her time. this is just the worst pain in the world. and i think it's just not worth it, it's just not — going outside and meeting up with your friends. a tragic loss and there are many others suffered by families every day, and now new statistics reveal there are more than we thought. until very recently, all the focus on coronavirus deaths has been on those in hospitals — that's where the daily data comes from. but the latest set of stats shines some light on the spread of the virus in local communities and deaths there which might be directly or indirectly linked to covid—19. weekly deaths in england and wales were at the highest

since records began in 2005, according to the office for national statistics. in the week ending april 3rd, there were more than 16,300 deaths, that's around 6000 more than the average for this time of year. coronavirus cases contributed much of thejump, linked to nearly 3500. but it's not clear what's behind the rest, possibly some could be caused by people not seeking treatment for other conditions. it is possible that there are further deaths that relate to coronavirus that haven't been recorded as that. it is possible there are further deaths that relate to other conditions for which people perhaps have not accessed help in the way that they might have done in the past. the head of nhs england, after a big drop in a&e visits last month, has urged patients not to stay away from hospitals. if you're a parent and you're worried about your child, if you're concerned about maybe having a heart attack or a stroke, any other essential need, please come forward, access the nhs — our staff are here to

look after you. sir simon, who revealed he himself had had coronavirus and self—isolated forjust over a week, was meeting student nurses and doctors who volunteered for front line work. is it a bit daunting when you think about it? yes, it is daunting. obviously i have family and friends that i care about. and my health too, as well. but... ..it‘s an important time for everyone, to be part of it. boosting testing of patients and nhs staff wanting to return to work is an urgent priority. and the government set an ambitious target of 100,000 a day by the end of this month — up from about 15,000 now. and the big pharmaceutical companies say they can help. we'll be fully operational at the end of the month, the beginning of may, and by then, i think that lab's going to be contributing around 30,000 of the target.

and obviously we're delighted to participate, we've got many of our scientists who are very engaged in that and keen to support that aspect of solutions. but supplies of personal protective equipment are still tight and there's been an urgent appeal to businesses to produce whatever they can for front line staff to help save lives for the carers as well as the patients they look after. hugh pym, bbc news. do stay with us on bbc news if you can. much more to come, including this. # from twenty thousand feet i saw the lights below me twinkling just like christmas bringing a little music and light into these uncertain times — grammy award winner mary chapin carpenter performs for the bbc from her home. pol pot, one of the century's greatest mass murderers, is reported to have died of natural causes. he and the khmer rouge movement he led were responsible for the deaths of an estimated

1.7 million cambodians. there have been violent protests in indonesia, where playboy has gone on sale for the first time. traditionalist muslim leaders have expressed disgust. the magazine's offices have been attacked, and its editorial staff have gone into hiding. it was clear that paula's only contest was with the clock, and as for her sporting legacy, paula radcliffe's competitors will be chasing her new world—best time for years to come. quite quietly, but quicker and quicker, she seemed just to slide away under the surface and disappear. this is bbc news.

the latest headline: president trump halts us funding to the world health organization — over its handling of the coronavirus pandemic. while attention is focused on how to contain the coronavirus outbreak, it's easy to forget that this is an election year in the united states. now the former president barack obama has released a video message, officially endorsing joe biden for president. this comes a day after bernie sanders also offered a warm endorsement of biden‘s presidential bid. that kind of leadership that is guided by knowledge and experience, honesty and humility, empathy and grace. that kind of leadership does not just belong in that kind of leadership does notjust belong in our state capital and mayors officers, it belongs in the white house and thatis belongs in the white house and that is why i am so proud to endorsejoe biden that is why i am so proud to endorse joe biden for that is why i am so proud to endorsejoe biden for president of the united states. we can now speak to elie mystal. he's the justice correspondent at the nation magazine, in new york.

i guess it is not a surprise that he would endorsejoe biden but is it significant? i think it is. right now everything is coming together. the democrats seem to have learned something from their bumbling failure of 2016 and that is we all have to get behind the democratic nominee to deal with the person anything white house. that is the message from barack obama's video, which i thought was gracious and casilla treat not just to bernie sanders but all the amazing democrats who rain. —— reconciliation rate. almost the immediate endorsementjoe biden by bernie sanders unlike 2016 where they were sniping at each other throughout the summer. in the middle of this

crisis, the democratic party is coming together. your magazine originally endorsed senator sanders and it is just as significant that he endorsed joe biden much earlier than he endorsed hillary clinton. politically speaking, and a left — right progressive conservative way, joe biden is a moderate candidate and i tend to be more aggressive in my personal politics but i think the message here is that none of that matters right now. if you ask me to choose between joe biden, who is a decent man who i have some policy differences with, and donald trump who is a narcissistic conman who was one of the most dangerous persons on earth, the choice is a pretty easy, right? it is not like choosing between coke and pepsi but broken

glass. it is important forjoe biden to get positive coverage. on the news coverage issue, it might not be bad thatjoe biden does not get news coverage because it is all going to the global pandemic which it should be and also on donald trump is make public is a cystic response to the pandemic so i do not know that it is bad for joe biden that donald trump is looking up all the time with his bumbling inefficiency. what was your second question? essentially, how mr trump feels about facing him? let'sjust remember that donald trump was so scared ofjoe biden that he lodged an international extortion conspiracy that got him impeached by the us

congress so i do not know what is in congress so i do not know what isina congress so i do not know what is in a donald trump's heart but we know what is in his nightmares and that nightmare a p pa re ntly nightmares and that nightmare apparently has beenjoe biden all along. as we should probably say, other opinions are available. the coronavirus pandemic is disrupting political calendars around the world, but in south korea they are pressing ahead with parliamentary elections, despite the risk of infection. polling stations opened a few hours ago and voting is under way. it has involved a lot of preparation to get polling stations ready, but the government is trying to reassure its 44 million eligible voters that it's safe to leave their homes. from seoul, laura bicker reports. this is an election like no other. voters must wear masks, stand at least a metre apart. their temperature is taken, they disinfect their hands and wear plastic gloves. these two days of early voting have seen a record turnout. despite the ongoing pandemic,

people are still coming here in the thousands to cast their vote. they are going into these little booths here with their plastic gloves, they mark their ballot, and then put it in the box. translation: i thought maybe the election should be postponed because people wouldn't turn up. but now i am here and see so many others i'm not worried. translation: i don't think we should be worried. this is about our right to vote. patients with coronavirus are also able to vote. special polling booths have been set up outside treatment centres. this woman told us she was thankful for the opportunity. campaigning during a pandemic requires some thought. gone are the mass rallies, replaced by mostly masked encounters. candidates whose main concern

was once a slowing economy and stalled peace talks with north korea have now had to show they're doing their bit to fight covid—19. south korea controlled the spiralling number of cases quickly and effectively, aggressively tracing and testing infected patients. the widely praised response has given president moon's once embattled demopcratic party a boost. the opposition, however, credit the thousands of health professionals on the front lines. there are fears that holding an election could trigger a second wave of infections. but, for now, south korea is determined to prove what is possible during this pandemic. laura bicker, bbc news, seoul. let's ta ke let's take you away from the horrors of the virus for a moment.

mary chapin carpenter is an american singer songwriter who's been trying to bring a little music and light into these uncertain times whilst everyone is stuck at home. as she expained to us, she's launched a series of songs on facebook, called ‘songs from home' which have attracted around 60 thousand likes and over 2 million views. ijust started doing them to sort of bring a little light and hopefully a smile to folks out there and i had no idea that my animals would pitch in like they have so it has been a realjoy. it is a joy, really, to take people away from some of the horrors of the news. this is a different vibe for you, obviously, from a live gig orfrom a recording studio. how does it feel to be doing it? it is pretty great. it is a first time the bbc has come into my house so i am really excited. i do not have to dress up or anything that it feels pretty great to just play a guitarand making it simple. much more live streaming

since the crisis happened. do you read some of the posts? loads of stuff coming from yourfans. when i first started doing it, i tried to read all of the comments and posts and i was able to do so and then it sort of exploded and i have not been able to keep up and i say that with humility. it is a great problem to have. i have been overwhelmed and overjoyed by people's desired to be connected and that is really what it is about. music is connection, comfort and strength. exactly, it is all of those things. will you play for us? it is called transcendental reunion and i wrote it about taking a trip and flying over to the uk, as i do quite a bit because i like to come there and play and record. it is about feeling a little lost at the beginning of a journey.

but when you get to the other side you realise you are with your tribe and it is a sort of like we are feeling. i do not want to be the guy to cut you off before the end, we would be very happy if you took us to the end of the bulletin. thank you so much. thank you. # from twenty thousand feet i saw the lights below me # twinkling just like christmas # we descended slowly # and the curve of the world passed # with all of that flying # above the mighty ocean # and now we all are arriving # grab the carry—on baggage # join the herd for the mad run

# take a place in the long line # where does everyone come from? # as we shuffle on forward # as we wait for inspection # don't be holding that line up # at the end lies redemption # now i'm stamped and i'm waved through i take up my position # at the mouth of the cannon # saying prayers of contrition # so please deliver my suitcase # from all mischief and peril # now the sight of it circling # is a hymn to the faithful

# forgive me for my staring, for my unconcealed envy # in the hall of arrivals where the great river empties empties...# hello there. well, there's another fine and sunny day on tuesday. not quite as chilly but there was a bit more high cloud in the sky in scotland. then it was picked up by the setting sun in stirling, with a fine end to the day here. now, some of the high cloud is pushing southwards now, which means it could well be quite a nice sunrise across some eastern areas as we start off wednesday morning. other than that, it's going to be a chilly start to the day. you can see the skies for many, apart from the high cloud, staying clear. and that will allow temperatures to dip down, close to orjust below freezing in the countryside, to give some patches of frost up and down the country. an area of high pressure firmly with us then as we get on into wednesday, centred close to the uk — it means there's going to be more fun and dry

weather for the vast majority. remember though, there will be a little bit more in the way of high cloud in the sky, which at times will make the sunshine a little on the hazy side. also thicker cloud working in across the northern and western isles. it could bring an odd light shower and some cloudy weather seeping its way southwards across western scotland. just knocking the edge off the temperatures here. otherwise it's a warmer day. temperatures reaching a high of 18 degrees. now, on into thursday, we're going to see some colder air arriving to the far north of the uk but some warmer air arriving across england and wales. so thursday is a day of increasing contrasts. again, there will be some areas of high cloud around, which will make the sunshine rather hazy at times. we could see some showers arriving towards the south—west of england late in the day, although there is some uncertainty about exactly how many of those are likely to make it down to the ground. and across the north—east of scotland, that's where we've got some cloudy weather, an odd spot of rain, and much cooler conditions but, otherwise, england and wales seeing temperatures into the low 20s. it will feel increasingly warm. for friday's forecast, there is a rather greater threat of seeing some showery bursts of rain,

particularly across parts of southern england, perhaps the midlands and wales as well. turning increasingly heavy perhaps later on in the day but, away from that south—west quarter, it's largely dry but still quite a bit of cloud in scotland and we'll start to see those temperatures cooling off around some of the north sea coasts of england as well. come inland, 17 degrees still not bad for birmingham and for london. now, the weekend, quite cloudy for england and wales. there is the prospect of seeing a little bit of rain for some of us. the driest weather probably in scotland, where it will stay dry and bright.

this is bbc news. the headlines: donald trump has halted us funding to the world health organisation, over its handling of the coronavirus pandemic. the president said the who had "failed in its basic duty and must be held accountable. " he also accused the group of promoting china's "disinformation" about the virus. more than one in five deaths in england and wales are linked to coronavirus. new figures show 6000 more people died than expected at the beginning of april — a record high. but there was also an increase in deaths from causes other than the virus. polling is under way in south korea's parliamentary election. the vote, using paper ballots, is taking place despite concerns that coronavirus will affect the turnout. voters must wear masks and plastic gloves and maintain social distancing. the result is expected to be influenced by the government's handling of the pandemic.