north korean state media report kim jong—un attending an official event, apparently quashing rumours of his ill—health. and britain's farmers fear the consequences of a labour shortage, as european labourers stay away and not enough britons step in.

hello and welcome to bbc news. president trump has confirmed that the us food and drug administration — the fda — has authorised the emergency use of an experimental anti—viral drug, remdesivir, as a treatment for coronavirus. a recent clinical trial suggested the drug shortened recovery time for people who fall seriously ill with the virus. as we head into the weekend, more than 30 us states are at least partially re—opening their economies. president trump, who is keen on getting the us economy started again, insists the drug will make a difference. i am pleased to announce that gilead now has a eua from the fda for remdesivir, you know what that is because that has been a hot thing also in the papers and media for the last little while. an important treatment for hospitalised coronavirus patients, and something i spoke with the doctors and deborah about it.

it is really a very promising situation. we have been doing work with the teams at the fda, nih and gilead for spearheadhing this private—public partnership to make this happen very quickly. we will be getting more from oui’ correspondence we will be getting more from our correspondence david willis shortly. there are growing reports from the us that the trump administration is formulating a plan to punish china on multiple fronts for the coronavirus pandemic, further damaging a relationship already on a steep downward slide. with an election just six months away, some of the president's critics believe a campaign strategy of blaming beijing is emerging, to divert attention from president trump's handling of the crisis. danny russel is the vice—president at the asia society policy institute. he was the us assistant secretary of state for east asian and pacific affairs under the obama administration and joins me now from new york. thank you for your time for

being with us. a fascinating issue, what do you think the trump administration is going to do to china, what options does it have? well look, donald trump is treating china like he isa trump is treating china like he is a matador with a red flag, he is involved in an version of attention, a distraction strategy to try and refocus attention on the problems that china had early on, and away from the problems that he had. but even if, even if that is true, aren't there legitimate questions for china to answer? absolutely, absolutely. and the sad thing is that the trump administration is undermining the effort to get real accountability from china by politicising the issue and making it so obvious that this is really motivated by his own

political agenda. the chinese have an awful lot to account for in terms of their mishandling of the early stages of the virus. cover—up, failure to be transparent and share real information. but that is not why the united states has had such a catastrophic experience with the virus, and thatis experience with the virus, and that is not, no amount of accountability on the chinese side is going to make up for the problems that the trump administration has caused in oui’ administration has caused in our own country. that is fascinating, so you actually think that these efforts by the politicisation of it by donald trump will undermine eventually the accountability on the chinese side? let's take this politicisation by donald trump, what do you think that will take, do you think that is sanctions, trade deals, what will happen? donald trump's weapons of choice is tariffs, the problem with tariffs is,

you know, the burden of the tariff is borne by the american consumer, not by the chinese. so it is kind of foot shot style of punishment. it has already been a number of effo rts already been a number of efforts by individual states to bring legal action against china, but even the principle of sovereign immunity that is unlikely to go anywhere. you see in australia for example, where there was a government proposalfor a where there was a government proposal for a deliberate international objective investigation into the origins of the virus in wuhan, that is very different than what the trump administration is trying to do. but the australians have not been able to either enlist other countries or to link themselves to the trump initiative, because it is very punitive, not an effort at a

real accountability. but there is talk also of seizing or defaulting on chinese holdings of american treasury bonds. but ina of american treasury bonds. but in a moment where the us economy, let alone the global economy, let alone the global economy is so battered, the economic consequences of that kind of move could be absolutely devastating, not to mention the destruction it would do to the credibility of the united states and the us dollar. so there are plenty of hawks in the trump administration, there are lots of tough measures that are in the pipeline, but it doesn't appear that there is real retaliation to be had. 0k, fascinating insight and perspective, thank you very much for your time, danny russel. i promised we would get more from our north america correspondent david willis who is love for us and i am pleased

to say i can speak to him now. let's go back to our top story. that new drug that has been given approval, tell us what is and what kind of approval has got? well donald trump in the oval office today said that this drug, remdesivir had been approved or had been granted authorisation for emergency use, to treat coronavirus outbreak, president trump said it was a "very promising situation". this drug is an antiviral, which means that it doesn't directly attack the pathogen in question, but it does prevent that pathogen from spreading. and there was a trial done involving about 1000 different patients, and what it did was it basically shortened the recovery time from 15 days to 11 days, and doctor anthony

faucl to 11 days, and doctor anthony fauci, the us government's top infectious diseases experts said the findings of that trial we re said the findings of that trial were significant in his view, and now it has been approved and now it has been approved and will be used on people who are actually suffering from the coronavirus. it is not a cure, it is not a treatment, but in the absence of absolutely anything else, it is the best hope at this time. that is interesting, because as you say it is not a vaccine, it doesn't help anyone with mild symptoms, it doesn't stop you going into hospital, it is for people very seriously ill in hospital. but donald trump is framing it as a way, one of the tools in his armoury to get the us economy open, back up and running, and of course we have lots of states doing just that. we have indeed. in fact more than 30

states have made cautious moves, or are states have made cautious moves, orare in states have made cautious moves, or are in the process of making cautious moves to reopening their economies. for example in texas, places like restau ra nts a nd example in texas, places like restaurants and cinemas and museums can reopen, but only at 2596 museums can reopen, but only at 25% capacity for the next two weeks. in the state of ohio, some businesses can resume, and the health arena for example, dentists, vets and so on, but some states are reopening without meeting the prescribed federal government guidelines, thatis federal government guidelines, that is a reduction in cases for 1h days on the trot, and that has worried medical officials here, i mentioned doctor fauci just a short while ago, he has said that this could basically pave the way to a second surge in coronavirus cases, if these estates do not

be very careful about the way that they reopen their economies. good to talk to you, thank you david. there's a growing crisis in the aviation industry. ryanair, one of the world's largest budget carriers, has become the latest to announce job losses. the dublin—based airline says it may cut 3000 positions over the next few months, to help stem losses linked to the coronavirus outbreak. other airlines like lufthansa and british airways are also warning of big cuts to their workforces — as theo leggett reports. just a few weeks ago, the airline industry was booming. the future looked bright. but now ryanair has been the latest carrier to say it will make thousands of people redundant. we announced this morning we are going to have to cut 15% of staff. that is, we think, the minimum we need, just to survive the next 12 months. if a vaccine is found, then clearly the recovery will be stronger. if a vaccine isn't found, we may have to announce more cuts, and deeper cuts into the future. unions insist that all this is premature, and that there

is no need to make such deep cuts so soon. ryanair is not in financial difficulty, it's one of the wealthiest airlines within europe. it should be be able to ride out the storm, and it should be be able to take a more measured view. some employees say airlines are taking advantage of the covid—19 crisis to dry through job and pay cuts and reduce costs in a way they could never normally manage. it's not simply as binary as that, that airlines are just taking advantage of a bleak situation. the reality is, there are hardly any planes flying and therefore airlines now are waking up to this new reality and they are making long—term decisions now, it is like a pre—emptive strike. this is clearly an unprecedented situation, and you can see that from where i am standing. the skies behind me are normally full of planes — that's one of the major routes into heathrow airport, the busiest airport in the country. yet at the moment, nothing. no planes, no

contrails, and it has been like that for several weeks. globally, 80% of flights have been grounded. 17,000 aircraft are sitting unused on the tarmac, and the cost to airlines is expected to reach £250 billion this year. once the outbreak is over, things certainly won't be getting back to normal quickly. although you can currently fly if you want to, restrictions are expected to increase. it's been suggested that passengers could be forced to wear protective gear, as already happens in certain countries, or practise social distancing on aircraft. but the head of heathrow thinks such measures would be wholly impractical. if you can imagine going on your last summer holiday, if you were flying somewhere, can you imagine social distancing in that kind of circumstance? we are just not designed for that. and that is why we need to have a way of making sure

that only people who are very low—risk a re allowed into the airport and can travel through the journey. yet airlines remain determined to get back in the skies as soon as possible. today, hungarian carrier wizz air did just that, starting to fly a small number of services in and out of luton. the north korean leader kimjong—un is reported to have appeared in public for the first time in nearly three weeks. the country's official news agency said he had opened a fertiliser plant near the capital pyongyang. let's get more on this with alistair coleman, he's a north korea media analyst from bbc monitoring. so this news was breaking in the last hour or so, we didn't have any pictures but now we do, you have been tweeting them out. yes, they have appeared in the north korean newspaper, there is 21 of them, most of them have kim jong—un there is 21 of them, most of them have kimjong—un in some way or another, he is shown cutting a ribbon at the factory which he visited back in january, he has returned to

open the factory on international workers day and he is there with his sister come kim yo—jong. he is there with his sister come kim yo-jong. and remind us why this is significant, because him going out on a normal occasion would not be particularly newsworthy. it is a lwa ys particularly newsworthy. it is always headline news in north korea but he missed his grandfather kim il—sung's birthday in april and that is one of the most important days one of the most important days on the north korean calendar and he did not show for that and he did not show for that and it started the rumour mill which went so far as people saying he was dead. and that obviously doesn't seem to be the case now with these photos of him up and about, but it doesn't answer the questions of what has actually been happening over the last three weeks? no it doesn't, the rumours that he was on the east coast, he had actually showed up coast, he had actually showed up 50 kilometres north of pyongyang, so we have no idea where he has been, he could

have been anywhere in the country but here he is near the capital. this is probably a good lesson that caution is a lwa ys good lesson that caution is always the best approach when dealing with any kind of news from north korea. 0h dealing with any kind of news from north korea. oh yes, because the media is so tightly controlled, they have onlyjust sent out pictures of this thing that happened in the first, it is the second now, we won't see video for another 2a hours so we won't really be able to tell how fit and well he is until then. so things happen slowly and we do have to be cautious with north korea. obviously pa rt with north korea. obviously part of your role, a fascinating job having eyes on this secretive state, a pretty frustrating job i would imagine at times, butjust give us a glimpse of what other kind of things you are looking for when you are looking to evidence and things to back up claims that are circulating? you always have to check background details, you have to check who is there, they're all of things especially on the missile tests

which we are seeing what kind of missiles they are using, and what their behaviour is. we a lwa ys what their behaviour is. we always have to wait 2a hours until we see video and that is when all the real observations happen. but you have to be careful, you cannot second—guess north korea, i have been caught up with them so many times, it happens to the best of us in korea watching. we appreciate your korea watching and bringing us that this evening, thank you very much. you're watching bbc news. the headlines: us health authorities have given emergency authorization for use of the experimental antiviral drug remdesivir as a treatment for covid—19. the north korean leader, kim jong—un, is reported to have made his first public appearance in almost a month, but no pictures have been released. the been released. report can't be independently the report can't be independently verified. the role of paramedics has

become increasingly dangerous in recent months. they are the first point income tax for patients who are seriously ill with the virus. our correspondent emma vardy has spent a day with paramedics in northern ireland, where many are now living in hotels to keep theirfamilies safe. covid positive. it's a covid positive. in the battle against the virus, these are the emergency responders when symptoms become too much. they never know quite what they're heading towards and saving lives now carries its own risk. the first call is to a care home. it's a rush to put on protective equipment when every second counts. we know it's a 93—year—old male who has taken unwell. he is covid positive. that's really, unfortunately, all we know right now until we go in. every day, paramedics have to make difficult decisions about who they take to hospital. this time, the patient remains at the home. he's nine days positive.

with dementia, it's hard, as well, because they don't understand. what's covid to a 93—year—old? paramedics now carry a heavier burden than ever. because of the pandemic, they're often the last people families see when loved ones are taken away. a sad situation. no matter what you go into hospital with, you're going in on your own. it may be covid, it may be a heart attack, a stroke, it may be an accident. you're going in on your own. in northern ireland alone, the ambulance service is receiving up to 300 covid related calls each day. your chest and your breathing. yeah. a lady with covid symptoms, managing at home. just felt this morning maybe a wee bit short of breath.

while our health services attempt to weather the storm of coronavirus, other hazards in life continue too. we're going to a 25—year—old rtc down a ditch. it makes it a wee bit different. you're actually happy to see a different type of call, compared to... bear with me, we're round here somewhere. here we go, we're right on it. wow! i was slamming on the horn and shouting and nobody can hear me. darling, you're very lucky to have got out of there. she somehow managed to crawl out through the front windscreen and got herself to the verge. she's very settled, honestly she is. yeah, yeah, yeah. normally, family would travel in the ambulance. but, despite the ordeal, they must go home. unfortunately, you cannot go to the hospital. it's hard.

i appreciate it's hard. 0k? listen, take care, all right? her phone is in that car, so even she is anxious. she's down here on her own. being strapped up, it gets scary. the virus is an ever present fear. 27 front line ambulance staff in northern ireland have tested positive for coronavirus and hundreds more off work with suspected cases across the uk. i think they're absolutely amazing. i don't know how they do it. especially now more than ever, putting their own health at risk and their family's health at risk. for today, the pa ramedics' work is over. it's draining, a 12—hour shift. what's striking is the personal sacrifices many are making to keep going. to protect her family, tina has moved into a hotel. i miss my daughter.

and i miss my parents who live across the street. i miss home. yeah. emma vardy there. in the uk, a shortage of seasonal workers to help pick crops has led to a boost in british workers applying for those jobs. usually european labourers are hired, but the coronavirus outbreak has cut off the flow of those coming to do the hard, physical labour needed to deliver the season's harvest. the bbc‘s sarah corker has more. they answered the call from farmers for a modern—day land army. laid—off and furloughed staff up at dawn picking vegetables near thirsk in north yorkshire. in this group, there's a cleaner, a landscape gardener, an outdoor sports teacher, and nathan, a ski instructor, all out of work. it is physical, it hurts your back. i think you get used to it the more you do it. i mean, i definitely recommend it to anyone sitting at home watching netflix. this is nathanjust six

weeks ago in the alps. when the ski resorts closed, his income disappeared. he was forced to swap his skis for this. if someone had told you that you'd be in a field in yorkshire picking asparagus, what would you have said to them? i would have said, "no, thanks!" but no, honestly, it's fine. it's probably one of the best things going right now. coronavirus restrictions have almost cut off the supply of workers from eastern europe, and most brits haven't previously wanted to do this tough work. but, for sixth—former charles, this is his firstjob. it's a huge difference — to gojust from having easy school life, straight into this sort of work. it's definitely a lot more difficult. i prefer this to working in a shop or something, because it's more active, obviously. across the uk, there is an acute shortage of more than 70,000 farm workers,

and some of those who are packing asparagus here in north yorkshire responded to a post on social media. i quite enjoy it, coming out of the house to a different place, a different environment that is not with my brothers and sisters and just at home fighting. so far, recruiters say the appeal for workers has only resulted in hundreds ofjobs rather than the thousands needed later in the season. many more must sign up to stop the crops rotting in the field. sarah corker, bbc news, north yorkshire. the music of oscar winner ar rahman has been the backdrop to hundreds of films including slumdog millionaire. with lockdown in india causing economic hardship india's most famous composer has gathered some of the country's biggest musicians for a charity single. take a listen.

hum har nahin mengay plays that is hum har nahin mengay, it translates to ‘we will not give up'. it's composed by ar rahman with lyrics by prasoonjoshi. proceeds will go to charity. ar rahman told us more about what lockdown in india was like. it is extraordinary, but i am happy. bad way because you see even the idea of seeing some millions of poor people suffering, because some cannot eat tomorrow. but for people who are privileged, they are inside almost like a holiday because you are getting food and getting rest and don't have tension of work, so i have been living that life with family but the idea of seeing people suffering like migrant workers and everyone is doing their bits,

the front—line workers and health officials, it's amazing so i do not want to belittle anyone, the government is doing theirjob i think. i have been doing songs for many occasions, it is extraordinary. here we are dealing with human emotions and also concern about humanity because the mind is the main thing. the mind decides if he can do anything and it has to be kept well and focusing on that hope. there's been a reported public appearance by the north korean leader kim jong—un. he appearance by the north korean leader kimjong—un. he has visited a newly completed fertiliser plant near the capital, pyongyang. you can get me on social media any time. you can reach me on twitter, i'm @lvauganjones.

this is bbc news. goodbye. hello there. well, you probably noticed over the last couple of days the weather has been a bit unsettled with lots of showers. certainly friday no exceptiont to that. you can see the extent of all those showers moving across the uk, and they brought with it some dramatic skies. a double rainbow spotted around the southend—on—sea area of essex, and a little bit further south in sussex we have this dramatic bolt of lightning with some hail mixed in as well. over the next few hours, showers moving eastwards across england, only slowly clearing here. the showers will then tend confined to the north—east of scotland, where it will stay cloudy all night. temperatures 3—7 degrees.

now, as far as the weekend goes, we are going to see an improvement in the weather. spells of sunshine and for quite a few of us, it will stay dry. showers around, particularly across the north and east, but with lighter winds, it will feel a little bit warmer. the area of low pressure that has been bringing the showery weather over the last couple of days is tending to move its way further eastwards, but we start off with an area of cloud and a bit of rain tied in with a very weak low. as we go into the afternoon we start to see some cloud develop and the cloud will tend to develop where we see north—westerly winds bashed together with more northerly winds. this is a convergent zone. across eastern areas of scotland and england, that is the area you are most likely to see showers popping up during the afternoon. elsewhere, it is a largely dry picture. as i say, with lighter winds and more sunshine to go around, it will feel warmer. temperatures for most of us around 1a and 18 celsius. in many respects, sunday looks like a similar kind of day.

a dry morning foremost with some sunshine. perhaps cloudier towards the south—west and in the afternoon we could start to see some showers developing and if they do pop up they can be slow—moving in nature and some can be on the heavy side as well. temperatures for most between 1a and 18 celsius. heading into next week, well, high pressure is set to take up residence for the north—east of the british isles but the low pressure lyrics and we will have a north—east/south—west split of weather. cloud increasing probably rain as well. but the further it north—east to get the drier the weather stays.

this is bbc news, the headlines:

the united states government has authorised the emergency use of an experimental anti—viral drug, remdesivir, as a treatment for the coronavirus. the food and drug administration said it was reasonable to believe that the benefits of the treatment outweighed the risks for patients hospitalised with severe covid—19. ryanair, one of the world's largest budget airlines, has become the latest carrier to announce job losses. the ireland—based company says it may cut 3000 positions, to help stem losses linked to the outbreak. lufthansa and british airways are also warning of big cuts to their workforces. the north korean leader kimjong—un has appeared in public for the first time in nearly three weeks, ending an absence that prompted rumours about his health. the country's official news agency said he'd opened a fertiliser plant.