this is bbc news with the latest headlines for viewers in the uk and around the world. i'm david eades. the death toll in the united states from the coronavirus pandemic has now officially passed 100,000. test and trace, the system to find people who come into contact with those infected with coronavirus, starts in england today. thousands of protesters fill the streets in minneapollis and police fire tear gas after the death of an unarmed black man whilst in police custody. and professional rugby league is kicking off in australia after being forced to shut down because of covid—19.

hello and welcome. the number of people who have died from covid—19 in the united states has now officially exceeded 100,000. the actual numbers are likely to be higher than that, but it is clear that in the past three months, more americans have died from infection than during the korean war, the vietnam war and the conflict in iraq combined. well, let's take a look at how the us got to this point: the first death was reported on february 29. on march 13, president trump declared a national emergency as schools were closed. stay—at—home orders were issued in california, new york and washington. within a month, the us passed italy's death toll withjust over 20,000, now the highest death rate in the world.

then, president trump released his guidelines for reopening the country, as anti—lockdown protests broke out. into may, and the president said his task force would continue indefinitely, 2a hours after announcing it would close. the death toll stood at 71,000. and, now, just three months on from the first death, 100 thousand deaths, officially. 0ur north america correspondent, aleem maqbool, reports from washington. # happy birthday to you... friends and relatives of more than 100,000 people in america can nowjust cling to the memories of happier times before the coronavirus. my father was a really caring person. he just wanted to help people and he was really outgoing. he thought he was really funny. doug was one of the first confirmed deaths back on the first of march.

as somebody who lost someone so close to them and was someone obviously very, very dear to you so early on, when you saw the way this was going in the country, how has it made you feel over the last couple months? it's scary. it's sad. i feel angry. we should have been listening to the doctors and the scientists. we should not have been listening to people talking about the stock market. it's natural that people are reaching for answers, for someone to be accountable after scenes like mass graves being dug in new york and refrigerated trucks lining up to receive the dead once the morgues were full. i'll see you saturday. we now know that african—americans, like rhoda hatch, are still dying in disproportionate numbers. i think 100,000 is an extraordinary number. it means that there's a lot of pain and grief. some of us in the black

community are very concerned that as the narrative became that african—america ns were disproportionately impacted by the virus, that there was also a push to open up the country and made many of us think prematurely that suggested the devaluation of black lives. those calls to reopen go on, even as the number of dead continues to mount and as the nation mourns. well, flags have been lowered here after tragedies like mass shootings, and even then, it's been difficult to grapple with the scale of loss after sometimes dozens of people have been killed. but how then does america even began to count the emotional cost of such a staggering number of deaths that have happened in fewer than 90 devastating days? to really do justice to the stories of those lost would take many lifetimes.

for people left behind, the question lingers — could more have been done so these americans and tens of thousands of others might still be around? aleem maqbool, bbc news, in washington. doctor rishi desai is chief medical officer for the healthcare education platform 0smosis and a former epidemic intelligence officer. he's in oakland, california. that figure, 100,000, is just a punctuation point for reflection, isn't it? there we re reflection, isn't it? there were 4000 dying in california gci’oss were 4000 dying in california across the united states but what impact do you think a number can have on people?” think that it is time for reflection, i think many people did not think they would be dead here, 200,000, here we. i certainly don't think we're

done yet, i think everyone realises that, so, everyone is trying to slow the momentum of covid—19 and this tragic number is chance for us to stop and reflect on what we have done so farand reflect on what we have done so far and figure out what has worked, what has not and what we need to do next. it is a horrible dilemma for so many people, not least among the 40 million who have lostjobs, for example, who feel we have to go out and work. we cannotjust sit down in lockdown. i mean, what you say to that number of people who know that they are in the of circumstances? yeah, it isa in the of circumstances? yeah, it is a hard situation that we have gotte n it is a hard situation that we have gotten ourselves into and let's be clear, we got ourselves here. covid—19 affected many countries are not all countries are in this situation. we are, and that is because of many poor choices we have made up until now. what we need to do is figure out how to navigate the coming months very carefully by essentially trying

harder to follow the science and not kind of listening to the noise out there. we can get the noise out there. we can get the economy and health back on track if we do that. it is worst pointing out that this is a country significantly larger than others who have had effectively, proportionately, a greater per capita loss then the united states, even. let me ask you, doctor desai, what is your message in the simplest of terms to people who were still trying to work out what they should be doing? well, we still, i will say this buzzword of testing, we still have not forget that our to get it to the point we need to be. we are roughly 30% of where we need to be. it is good, we are not 3% but we are not at 100%, not even halfway where we need to go and that is still key and while we do not figure that out, we still need to aggressively socially distance we know that is the only other thing that works. that is key.

the other issue is we cannot go around talking about things that do not make sense. that is a distraction, for example, we know that hydroxychloroquine is not the answer. we know there are other answers that look much more promising, things like remdesivir. they are not here yet at the scale that we need them to be but i want to point out there is reason for optimism, right? we have testing better now than where we were. we understand as a society the importance of social distancing and face masks, we did not know that a few months ago. as a group, we have the chance to continue doing these things are not get distracted by the noise out there. we hold onto hope and optimism in difficult times. doctor desai, thank you. here, the british government launches its test and trace programme this morning, marking a significant shift in its approach to containing the spread of coronavirus. anyone who's been in close contact with an infected person

will be told to self—isolate. the government says the system will change people's lives, but scientists are warning it is not a magic bullet. charlotte rose reports. we have all got used to the slogans and rules for tackling covid—19 but from today, there isa covid—19 but from today, there is a further change as parts of the uk move into the test and trace phase. the aim is to start to ease the nationwide lockdown and bring it back only where places there is an outbreak. how will test and trace work in england? if you get symptoms, a high fever, persistent cough or loss of taste and smell, you must self isolate and order a test. if you test positive, the contact chaser will identify people who have been close enough to pass the virus do. those contacts will be classed as either low 01’ will be classed as either low or high risk. contact choices will then get in touch with people who may be at risk stop they will be asked to isolate

for 14 days or get tested themselves if they develop symptoms. you may remember an app child on the isle of wight. that is not yet ready to be launched across england so it is not part of government plans. the new system will be dependent on people following the rules around self isolation. if you are contacted by nhs test and trace, instructing you to isolate, you must. it is your civic duty. so you avoid unknowingly spreading the virus and you helped to break the chain of transmission. some remain cautious about how well the system will cope. we absolutely need rapid test turnaround. the international standard is if you get results back within 24—hour. there you get results back within 24— hour. there are you get results back within 24—hour. there are far too many places in terms of our trust and care homes who are saying that they cannot get results back any quicker than for

example an average of 3— five days quite later today, scotland's first minister nicola sturgeon is set to announce plans of easing of lockdown measures, meaning restrictions will be similar to those in england and wales. from tomorrow, people north of the border could be allowed to meet with one another household ata time, meet with one another household at a time, so long as they maintain social distancing. sunbathing in parks and noncontact outdoor sports may also be allowed. the first minister has already announced plans for a scottish test and protect system but says that although people will be isolating, they will not be alone. we are in ongoing discussions with the uk government around changes that may be needed to benefit people and make sure they do not lose income and issue guidance to individuals about what they could perhaps due to prepare in advance for a potential phase of isolation but also on the support that will be available to them. northern ireland has also launched its tracing system and wealth are set to

follow next week. it comes as a further 412 people died with coronavirus yesterday, taking the total number of deaths 237,460. -- and the total number of deaths 237,460. —— and wales. the total number of deaths 237,460. -- and wales. 117,013 tests were done yesterday, with 2013 testing positive. those people living in england will be the first to be contacted today as the new system launches. the government hopes these new measures will start to allow the economic and social recovery from the virus. charlotte rose, bbc news. large protests and looting have taken place in minneapolis after the latest death of an unarmed black man in police custody. president trump has tweeted that he's asked the fbi and department of justice to investigate the incident. george floyd died in minneapolis. he'd been arrested and pinned down in the street, an officer kneeling on his neck.

four officers have been sacked, george floyd's family have called for them to be charged with murder. i am nowjoined by civil rights activist and broadcaster roland martin. thank you forjoining us. i just wonder, obviously in what isa just wonder, obviously in what is a very febrile atmosphere once again, your response to president trump, pretty quick to say i want a full investigation carried out by the fbi and the department of justice. does that reassure you? it was not quick and rapid, two hours earlier he was asked about any gave this answer, nonanswer, and it was two hours later when he actually tweeted back when asked about it by reporters. so, frankly, you know, his perspective on this, to be perfectly honest, is irrelevant because he has supported a lack of police decrees, supported the department ofjustice not taking a hard stance against police departments and so, really, the other piece is the federal government comes in

after—the—fact and i mean by that, typically the federal government waits until after the state prosecutes a case before they actually pursue any civil rights violations in this case. bottom line is the real issueis case. bottom line is the real issue is whether or not the district attorney in minneapolis, whether he is going to actually charge these offices. that is the issue. they have been fired but not charged with murder. know, and the message coming from protesters, one said that they are sick and tired of being sick and tired! as you point out, the minneapolis may has fired four offices. do you see that as a positive step forward —— mayor. what is your message to the protesters because we also get pictures, as you know, roland, of trashing police cars and a police station which perhaps does not help the cause. people are still pit stop because minnesota has one of the highest rates of, in terms of gaps between police killing a black man, our blacks

and whites, one of the highest in the country. this is the same area where philando castile was shot and killed by police officer and yet when it was a white woman killed by a muslim cop, the cop was prosecuted and convicted and the family received a higher pay—out than the family of philando castile. you still have an issue of race here. this is the deal. people do not wa nt this is the deal. people do not want reactions to police murders, do not murder people! -if murders, do not murder people! — if you do not want reactions to police murders, do not murder people! people are sick and tired of having to deal with it. if i have to say all these names, chameera rice, and ican go these names, chameera rice, and i can go on and on, naming you 20,30, i can go on and on, naming you 20, 30, 40 people and black folks are saying enough with these police departments being

lawless! roland martin, thank you for sharing your views here on bbc news. i appreciate it. thank you very much. our main headline this hour: the death toll in the united states due to the coronavirus pandemic has now passed 100,000. focus on china and hong kong now. members of the chinese parliament, the national people's congress, are expected to vote in the coming hours on the hong kong security law. now, that proposed legislation would make it a crime to undermine beijing's authority and could see china's national intelligence agencies set up offices in hong kong for the first time. the bill has triggered renewed street protests and the us secretary of state, mike pompeo, has said that hong kong no longer qualifies for special us trade status because it has ceased to maintain a high degree of autonomy from china. and in just the last few hours,

hong kong's legislative council had to be adjourned due to tense exchanges between the pro—democracy and establishment camps. two pro—democracy lawmakers had to be removed during a debate on a bill that would make it a criminal offence to disrespect china's national anthem. let's get more on this withjimmy lai. he's the founder of hong kong newspaper the apple daily, one of the new legislation's most vocal critics. thank you very much indeed for joining us. ijust wonder, i am sure you have no doubt that this law, the security law is going to be voted through sooner or later. how do you feel, though, about mike pompeo in particular coming out, saying the us stands with the people of hong kong, and is that enough? no, that is not enough. but i think they will have more sanctions against the chinese because now rhetoric is

not enough. action is what will make the chinese impose these draconian laws on us because if this law is imposed on us, that will be the end of hong kong. because this would destroy the rule of law and freedom of hong kong. without that, we will not have the international financial centre as it is because without the rule of law, there will not be protection for people who do business here. the only way they can do business here is to break the officials who have the power to control them. without the rule of law, we will lose the trust in the business community and making the transaction because a lot more costly. right. is there anything the likes of carrie lam, the chief executive, or

the secretary for security? he says this is to protect the overwhelming majority of the public who are law—abiding citizens. carrie lam says this is just about a small number of potentially terrorist act. it is not across—the—board legislation. well, it is only a very small number of so—called terrorists, why go nuclear on it? you have 30,000 policeman. ten 30,000 policeman control a small amount of people? well, thatis small amount of people? well, that is certainly a question out there. and i don't disputed. there an international outcry from many quarters about this legislation, but an outcry is one thing, isn't it? action that supports that disapproval is difficult to find at the moment. well, i don't think it is difficult to find. the most important action is from

president donald trump. he says that if china imposes the law on hong kong, there will be serious consequences. i believe president trump is a man of his word. mostly he does what he says. so we are expecting really serious and draconian sentence from the us. we have to wait and see if that will emerge —— sanctions. thank you for joining emerge —— sanctions. thank you forjoining us here on bbc news. thank you. across europe, life for many is gradually returning to normal as countries ease restrictions on movement, which have been in place in some areas for almost three months. rich preston has this look at a continent coming out of lockdown. in italy, a visit to an ice cream parlour. after almost three months under an intense state of lockdown, this simple pleasure stands for so much. translation: i missed it a lot, especially from this

ice cream shop. i think it's one of the best you can find in rome. just a few months ago, the world's focus was on italy as the centre of the coronavirus outbreak. now, with its infection rate slowing by the day, the lives of italians are being allowed to return to normal. translation: we've been coming since day one of the reopening. we've been passing every day to check out if it was open. we have literally circled it. when coronavirus first hit switzerland, the country's military reserves were called to action, supporting hospitals and emergency services to contain the pandemic. now, a demobilisation ceremony. these soldiers are being stood down. with the situation deemed under control, they've been told they can return to civilian life. for many countries, the worry now is over the long—term impact of the virus, particularly on essential tourism industries. cyprus has taken a novel approach

to try and win back business. it's promised to cover the costs of the holiday, as well as the medical treatment of anyone who falls ill with the virus after visiting the island, a measure it hopes will reassure potential visitors that a trip to cyprus is safe from both a health and financial point of view. on wednesday, the european commission announced plans for an $825 billion fund to help countries whose economies had been hit by the pandemic. not all member states agree on the method of this kind of financial rescue, but few disagree with its motive. after asia, europe was the heart of the coronavirus pandemic. now, as other regions see their death tolls continue to rise at dramatic rates, the sights of italians eating ice cream or the swiss army being stood down may provide a much—needed glimmer of hope for the future, though governments around the world are clear the fight against the virus is still not over. rich preston, bbc news.

here is another sign of the times. another professional sport emerges from a hibernation enforced by coronavirus. rugby league is kicking off again in australia, along with tackles, scrums and no social distancing. now, there's been criticism of the move with many in australia thinking the political clout of rugby league, the big sport, really, has meant it's got special treatment. but the sport's authorities say adequate precautions have been taken with players and staff required to stay home unless playing or training, and the matches being played in a handful of empty stadiums. simon atkinson reports. it doesn't really lend itself to social distancing, but this will be australia's first major sport back after the covid—19 shutdown. rugby league's nrl wanted to return fast. now, its biggest hurdle is winning public confidence. starting it up again this quickly seems to me ridiculously risky. if there was no such thing as rugby league and you had

to invent a game whereby coronavirus could be transmitted in the quickest manner possible, as wide as possible among a group of two or three dozen men, you'd come up with rugby league. to try and make sure that doesn't happen, there are dozens of measures to minimise risk from daily health checks and cleaning match balls to keeping outsiders well back. and for those at the heart of the game, tight restrictions on and off the pitch. the players and officials have to make sacrifices, they have to self—isolate. they have to keep away from the community. so they go to the ground and go home again and that's all they should be doing. well, there is very little risk when you do that. it's a good example for all sports around the world that if you have the proper biosecurity measures in place, you can get sports going as long as everyone abides by the biosecurity measures. that's not guaranteed. these three high—profile players were fined

after going on a camping trip, and there are plenty of other controversies. this new zealand team has been allowed in to play even though international travel is effectively banned for everyone else. only six grounds are being used for the tournament's restart, so that means for most clubs, no home matches. it might not be as big a disadvantage as it sounds, though, because one of the key conditions of the nrl coming back is that games are played in empty stadiums. iam quite i am quite lucky to be out here. for the players at least, that's a price with paying to resume their careers. obviously, it's a shame and we love having all the fans there, but they are going to watch from their homes anyway, so even though we don't have that personal contact with them, we are going to try to do a good job for them. if the first few weeks of the season are trouble—free and if australia's coronavirus infection rates stay low, the league hopes there will be some spectators allowed byjuly. another big step for the sport's remarkable return here. simon atkinson,

bbc news, sydney. we have the business ramifications of coronavirus coming up injust a moment. stay with us. hello again. wednesday brought us more sunshine across the country. the highest temperature was again around the greater london area, this time in heathrow, 26 degrees celsius. and a bit further north in suffolk, that's how we ended the day. now, over recent days, the warmth that has mainly been concentrated across south—east england has been spreading into wales, south—west england, and for thursday, the heat is more widespread across the uk. so most areas will have warmer weather, one exception really — east anglia and south—east england where it is going to be getting a little bit fresher and temperatures coming down just a few degrees, but still warm. we'll take a look at why. 0n the satellite picture, we've got this area of cloud working into northern scotland, bringing a bit of rain. and a very weak cold front diving southwards

across the north sea — that is introducing fresher air to east anglia and south—east england and, ultimately, will knock the temperatures down by a few degrees. this is how the weather looks at the moment, though. it's cloudy for northern scotland, still got some rain around at the moment, but that will tend to ease over the coming hours. elsewhere, it's a largely dry picture, a little bit of low cloud, a lot of mist and fog patches towards coastal areas of lincolnshire. but otherwise, clear spells for most and a fresher feel to the weather across some of these eastern areas of scotland, eastern areas of england as that cooler airworks in. now, for thursday, most of us will have sunshine from dawn till dusk. any low cloud and mist clearing away very quickly. and the rain also clearing from northern scotland. it should brighten up in the northern isles later in the day. a warmer day for most then. 23 degrees or so in edinburgh. probably about 23, 24 for western counties of northern ireland. but cooler in london — instead of around 26 or 27 it has been over recent days, it will be about 22. still warm in the sunshine and we've got more of the same to come on friday. most of us will have sunshine from dawn till dusk again with very little in the way of cloud.

the highest temperatures always likely across more northern and western areas of the uk. 25 or so in the glasgow area. now, how's the weekend shaping up? 0ur area of high pressure is still in charge, still keeping these atlantic weather fronts at bay, and that means we've got more of the same. that said, it will turn quite breezy for some of us, but nevertheless, we do have more of that warm sunshine to come. temperatures in glasgow peeking around 24 degrees celsius. enneskillen, 23, maybe a 24 through the weekend, and further south, quite widely we'll see temperatures in the mid—20s. some of the warmest weather in cardiff, 27 on saturday. that's your weather.

this is bbc news with the latest headlines for viewers in the uk and around the world. the road gets rougher. thousands more jobs to go at nissan as the pandemic piles pressure on the struggling auto industry. plus, quarantine quandary — britain's travel industry begs the government to reconsider its plans for travellers to isolate for 14 days. hello and welcome to audiences in the uk and around the world. we're covering all the latest coronavirus developments here in britain and globally.

first, we start with nissan, the japanese car giant is expected to announce as many as 20,000 job cuts as well as its first annual loss for more than a decade. the global auto industry has been sent reeling by the coronavirus pandemic. but even before that, nissan and its partners renault and mitsubishi were battling to re—organise their huge alliance following the arrest of boss carlos ghosn. on wednesday, the companies revealed plans to save billions through much closer co—operation. all leaders and followers vehicles for all brands will be produced in the most competitive set up, including grouping older production, if releva nt. grouping older production, if relevant. compared to our current performance, this scheme will reduce by 40% our model investment. this is

around 2 billion euros savings on the future renewable of our suv models. joining me now is anna—marie baisden, head of autos research at fitch solutions, here in london. thank you forjoining us. we got this figure of up to 20,000 jobs to go. would you concur with that? yes. nissan, even before the coronavirus, was in a difficult financial position and the coronavirus in the last quarter of the financial year has made it much worse. we've also seen renault talking about the need to restructure on the back of its first loss so it will take wide spread job cuts and with a strategy the alliance is talking about and the fact that each brand will focus on the different geographical vehicle or vehicle segmentation, then there will be the need to cut back. right, and it looks like it could be black — bad news for the plant

in barcelona but it is a dog eat dog world at the moment and possibly for the north—east of england, sunderland, a fresh opportunity? absolutely. it will require a lot of moving around of production for each different model and that does look like if the deal comes off it could pay off for sunderland. they already have that electric vehicle expertise and bringing in extra models will help them use some of the underutilised capacity, safeguard some of the jobs and it is the best news that plant has had, really. do you think nissan in the alliance has the wherewithal. we have just nissan in the alliance has the wherewithal. we havejust been hearing about the massive savings required but also massive advancement is needed, isn't it, for the next part of the story, the electric story. nissan got off on a good footing with the leaf, for example, but have they got the money at the time when all the automakers are suffering? this

is the problem all automakers have been having for the last year also, south of been weakening, not to the extent they are at the moment but even last year, global sales awakening but they were needing to invest heavily in rnd for things like vehicles, autonomous vehicles and they we re autonomous vehicles and they were talked a lot about last year and things not getting a return on investment at the moment. a difficult time for them. even if companies outside them. even if companies outside the alliance, we would expect to see more cooperation on things like this. on the bigger picture, the decision to integrate further but not merging, this is pandemic induced, isn't it? they do not have a choice about splitting up have a choice about splitting up and going their own separate ways at the moment? no, this is when the alliance is really going to pay off for them, that they can share platforms, they can share sourcing but without moving towards a full merger until that relationship is really settled then. thank you

so much. the european union has unveiled a plan worth three—quarters of a trillion euros to bail out the region's slumping economies. it would borrow the money on financial markets and give two—thirds out as grants and the rest in loans. italy and spain would get most of the cash, as the two eu nations worst affected by the coronavirus pandemic. if agreed by member states, it would be a milestone in economic integration for the eu, which has long been divided over the issue of sharing debt. today, we face our very own defining moment. what started with a virus so small your eyes could not see it, has become an economic crisis so big that you simply cannot miss it. in total, the commission will

raise 750 billion euros for next—generation eu. 0f raise 750 billion euros for next—generation eu. of that total, 500 billion euros will be distributed in grants and 250 billion euros in loans, passed on to member states. joining me now is kathleen brooks, director of minerva analysis. she's in london. it all sounds so easy coming from the president of the european commission, this is what we will do, but as we know, plenty of states with saying, "0h know, plenty of states with saying, "oh no, you will not!" that is a frugal fourth, the netherlands, austria, norway and denmark thank they do not wa nt to and denmark thank they do not want to think increases in the contributions to the eu. i think there have been quite, she has mentioned is quite interestingly, because it is all going through the eu's budgets are how they want to recoup the money is through levies and taxes so a green tax

and that digital tax we have been hearing so much about for many years, and that can be a real attack on the tech giants to pay for the money. in your view, what will be the upshot of all of this then because as you say, we know those states that do not want it and there are the likes of france and germany who have now pinned their colours to the mast and say they will have to go through with it. do we end up with a typical eu fudge which is just less money, with a typical eu fudge which isjust less money, or with a typical eu fudge which is just less money, or what? with a typical eu fudge which isjust less money, or what?” think that is probably quite a good idea. ithink think that is probably quite a good idea. i think it is important that germany is onside, of course, being the largest contributor to the eu budget. they are saying they agree and they would get about $40 billion worth of euro gra nts $40 billion worth of euro grants as well, about 70— 80 billion to italy are not an insignificant sum that germany and france and those more frugal nor nations would get. 0bviously, frugal nor nations would get. obviously, it has to be ratified first but none of this money will come through until

next year, so this is in the next year, so this is in the next year, so this is in the next year eu budget, nothing to do with us. we are out of the eu. butl do with us. we are out of the eu. but i think the big problem is whether or not it will be enough because a lot of these really stricken countries, italy, spain, they need money now and all these grants actually go to the high polluting industry, tourism, for example, italy, spain, they rely on terrorism so much we need to hear more detail. will the grants actually help the people on the ground that need it now? i'm sure shall be pushing for it to go towards the green deal. we get a lot of cataclysmic talk, don't we, this is the moment to define the eu. this is the moment to end the eu. where does this huge issue fit on that spectrum? this is a step in integration, particularly closer financial integration and integration on financial and integration on financial and capital markets, which there has been so pushback on this over the years. however,

it is only 500 billion in grants, and these kind of mutual borrowing, if you like. not a huge amount. if anything, it isa not a huge amount. if anything, it is a small step. 500 billion sound like a lot but for countries that make up all of europe and have over 300 billion people, it is not that much, compared to what the us is doing. it is a small step in the direction of debt neutralisation, debt being paid by the eu but it is only a small step. this will not do everything. this does not mean it isa everything. this does not mean it is a free for all even for states have been hard—hit by coronavirus. it is bigger than that. thank you very much indeed. the heads of 70 british travel companies have today written to the government asking it to withdraw plans to impose a 14—day quarantine on people arriving in the uk. from june 8, new arrivals must self—isolate for two weeks to help slow the spread of coronavirus. travellers will need to tell the government

where they will stay, with enforcement through random spot checks and £1,000 fines in england. joining me now is george morgan—grenville, ceo of the uk tour operator red savannah, which is one of the signatories of the letter. thank you forjoining us. the measures that are put in place to keep us safe, why won't you accept that? well, george, he has frozen on us. we hope we can get him back in a moment. we will try to re—establish georgia before we do that, we will go on to the other news. a court in canada has ruled that huawei's chief financial officer can be extradited to the us. meng wanzhou has been held in canada on suspicion of fraud and breaching us sanctions on iran. she's denied all accusations against her and has been out on bail but under house arrest in vancouver since being

detained in december 2018. zoe thomas has been following the latest developments from san francisco. wednesday is ruling is likely to increase the pressure on the already tense relationship between washington and beijing. since her arrest, her case has become a focal point in us—china trade talks and in us effo rts us—china trade talks and in us efforts to prevent huawei from preventing and participating in a global high—speed 5g network. the charges against meng wanzhou are the charges against meng wa nzhou are connected the charges against meng wanzhou are connected to neither. the us alleges that she lied about the huawei connection to an iranians firm and thejudges connection to an iranians firm and the judges decision on duality crimes in canada and she will be eligible for extradition. while she will not be walking through do not expect to see meng wanzhou walking in the us anytime soon. her team has launched several appeals and expect this case to stretch on for several more yea rs.

zoe thomas, bbc news. we are having another bite at the travel agencies, a letter has been put to travel companies, asking to scrap the 14 day quarantine to visitors of the uk. joining me now is george morgan—grenville, ceo of the uk tour operator red savannah, and thank you for being with us and obviously it is frustrating for your industry in particular but those measures are therefore a reason and they are about people safe? i think we would all agree to keep people safe but i think you also have to ask the question at what point does the needs of the economy get put before the need to be cautious. in our view, the quarantine have to be scrapped... we have clearly got

a problem with the line to george. the message was clear, the quarantine has to be scrapped, as we head there. u nfortu nately, we scrapped, as we head there. unfortunately, we have had two goes and i don't think we will have a better signal at the moment. we will move on. moving on to one of the bigger issues at the moment. personal protective equipment, or ppe, like masks and gloves are essential in the fight against the spread of coronavirus. but getting hold of the right equipment from testing kits to ventilators to gowns and gloves is a huge challenge for poorer countries in particular. the prices are greatly inflated and the availability is limited. 0ne organisation is working directly with these countries to get them what they need and at a price they can afford is crown agents. fergus drake is the ceo

of crown agents. ina in a nutshell, what do you do? we area in a nutshell, what do you do? we are a not—for—profit international development company with over 187 years of experience working with governments and multilateral organisations like the united nations and currently working across 60 countries, programmes reaching 120 million people every year. for the covid—19 response as of yesterday, we processed 309 shipments, including 625,000 kg of medical equipment, ppa and drugs around the globe. huge numbers. where are they going, you say around the globe but in particular where? -- ppe. we are working with the ministry of health in the ukraine, the foreign commonwealth office to respond to overseas territories like gibraltar and cyprus and the falkland islands and is focusing on africa as well and responding to needs and south

sudan, zimbabwe and syria and working with the caribbean development bank across the caribbean, responding to needs in barbados and jamaica as well. when you mention countries like sierra leone, south sudan, you realise what they are up against compared to they are up against compared to the united states or germany? huge economies and presumably thatis huge economies and presumably that is one of the great challenges for you, getting a fair deal for those challenges for you, getting a fair dealfor those at the bottom of the economic rung? that is right. there are massive challenges. it feels like the wild west of the market at the moment, those with the deepest pockets going to the front of the queue. it is very much to leave no—one behind. we are working with a network of suppliers around the world to make sure that countries can only place smaller orders as well are able to get the vital personal protective equipment that they need. even so, and even now, some of the pressure is off in

terms of the desperate urge to get kickback with china starting to manufacture again. presumably, you are still faced with what would seem a group of plotjudgement prices for some of the kit you need to get. that's right. it is a triple whammy of scarcity, some hoarding that has gone on and the scale. the mask of choice for many frontline health workers is this, and back in january, that was £1. it is now retailing at £5. also, protective equipment live gloves, a box of 100 of these gloves, a box of 100 of these gloves were £8. they are now retailing for £14. so that is a really large challenge for the ones you purchase the goods, you then need freight them quickly around the world. a charter of an aeroplane used to cost £300,000. it can now cost up cost £300,000. it can now cost up to £1.2 million. also, in march and april with or issues

of export bands and issues of hoarding as well from certain countries. thankfully, in may we have seen some of those taps turned back on. out of interest, as you say, some of the taps have been turned back on, some of the pressure seems to be easing. do you see, do you have a timeline now where you have a timeline now where you can wind down and get back to all the medical challenges and issues and supply chains that used to deal with? not yet, u nfortu nately. that used to deal with? not yet, unfortunately. is felt africa is about three to six months behind europe, so that it that is the case, we expect peaks across the continent in the next six to eight weeks. we are also very concerned about rising caseload in latin america. and also, overall, we are hugely worried about second spikes. we have ramped up, we have got procurement agents, inspections agents across the world from ukraine to japan to singapore to australia. we are

planning to work at this level of response for at least the next 18 months. that says something, doesn't it? thank you very much. minority groups continue to be disproportionately affected by the pandemic. in the east end of london, for example, which has a large south asian community, the bbc‘s clive myrie has spent time with those serving on the frontline. in his latest report from the royal london hospital, clive looks at those doing their best to treat both body and soul. it's hard to comprehend how historic these times are when you're living them. it's distance that will aid clarity. the lives and jobs lost because of coronavirus are destined to become chapter headings, not footnotes, in the public record.

and in one corner of the east end, the work of a tiny morgue will become part of london's narrative. but this place, up and running in a matter of days, serves the desperate burial needs of the muslim asian community, hit hardest by the disease. some of the victims come from the nearby royal london hospital. the leadership of the east london mosque felt it had a duty to intervene when muslim dead began to pile up. it's beyond, really, comprehension. you know, people would have this guilt inside the family and the community that we couldn't do the right thing for our deceased. it's often when we feel helpless that some turn to faith. while the royal london may be one of the leading teaching hospitals in the world,

there's always a little corner for what's important. the muslim chaplain here is imam faruq siddiqi. and he's proud of the royal london's links to one of the biggest muslim communities in britain. he's about to see a patient whose underlying health conditions were complicated by covid—19. we were given permission to film. she's clinging on to life, but has refused any final medical intervention to save her. meanwhile, death appears two floors above, on the coronavirus wards. it's been a difficult night for the team here. they lost four patients. every one, a tragedy. and at the height of the pandemic,

on one night, 11 people died. now, this is one of the vacant, empty beds left behind. machine beeps we'd seen how medics battle to save the life of one man... go, go, go. ready, steady, go. ..ravaged by covid—19. and sister becky smith told as a heartbreaking verdict loomed. well, the patient‘s name was krishnapillai yogan, and the decision was made to stop his life—saving drugs. a white partition was placed around his bed and becky's face was the last one he saw. take us into the cubicle at that moment. ijust sat on a chair and just held his hand, to be with him in that time.

it was a very quick experience, in that way. we give the patient a full wash together, so two nurses will always give them a warm wash. put them in some new clothes, so that they can be sent away with a lot of dignity and respect for their body and for their life. do you take any of this home? i think, in these current times, with covid, it's a lot harder to separate things because you feel like it could be your dad, it could be your mum, because it's so close to home for everybody in the world at the moment. it's difficult, because it's happening every day. so, you do definitely take it home. we'd all like to leave behind more than an empty bed for the shadow we cast to be benign. but those who chronicle this time of coronavirus will record that this hospital and the community it served tried to work together, to leave

a legacy of which both could be proud. let's get some of the day's other news. boeing is cutting 12,000 jobs in the us as the pandemic continues to wreak havoc across the airline industry. the plane—maker says more than half of those are involuntary lay—offs. boeing announced in april that it would shed 10% of its workforce by the end of the year to cut costs. the american playwright and aids activist larry kramer has died at the age of 84. he wrote the landmark 1985 play the normal heart about the early days of the epidemic. he helped found the gay men's health crisis after a meeting of about 80 people in his apartment in 1982. kramer himself tested hiv—positive in 1989, and suffered liver damage. the first private sector mission to the international space station, the first launch with a crew from us soil

in nine years, has been postponed due to bad weather. the launch of the spacex rocket from florida's famed cape canaveral was years in the making. if successful, it would be the first time a commercial aircraft put people into orbit, bound for the international space station. it's now thought that the spacex rocket will be launched on saturday. before we go, i always thought the prospect of finding treasure hidden in the garden was an exciting one. so imagine how one group of surveyors felt about coming across a roman mosaic floor concealed under an italian vineya rd. after decades of searching, experts in verona finally unearthed the well—preserved tiles buried under tonnes of earth. apparently, scholars first found evidence of a roman villa there more than a century ago. technicians are still excavating the site to see the full extent of the ancient building.

quite something, isn't it? you are up to date. thank you for being with us here on bbc news. hello again. wednesday brought us more sunshine across the country. the highest temperature was again around the greater london area, this time in heathrow, 26 degrees celsius. and a bit further north in suffolk, that's how we ended the day. now, over recent days, the warmth that has mainly been concentrated across south—east england has been spreading into wales, south—west england, and for thursday, the heat is more widespread across the uk. so most areas will have warmer weather, one exception really — east anglia and south—east england where it is going to be getting a little bit fresher and temperatures coming down just a few degrees, but still warm. we'll take a look at why. 0n the satellite picture, we've got this area of cloud working into northern scotland, bringing a bit of rain. and a very weak cold front diving southwards across the north sea — that is introducing fresher air to east anglia and south—east england and, ultimately, will knock the temperatures

down by a few degrees. this is how the weather looks at the moment, though. it's cloudy for northern scotland, still got some rain around at the moment, but that will tend to ease over the coming hours. elsewhere, it's a largely dry picture, a little bit of low cloud, a lot of mist and fog patches towards coastal areas of lincolnshire. but otherwise, clear spells for most and a fresher feel to the weather across some of these eastern areas of scotland, eastern areas of england as that cooler airworks in. now, for thursday, most of us will have sunshine from dawn till dusk. any low cloud and mist clearing away very quickly. and the rain also clearing from northern scotland. it should brighten up in the northern isles later in the day. a warmer day for most then. 23 degrees or so in edinburgh. probably about 23, 24 for western counties of northern ireland. but cooler in london — instead of around 26 or 27 it has been over recent days, it will be about 22. still warm in the sunshine and we've got more of the same to come on friday. most of us will have sunshine from dawn till dusk again with very little in the way of cloud. the highest temperatures always likely across more northern and western areas of the uk.

25 or so in the glasgow area. now, how's the weekend shaping up? 0ur area of high pressure is still in charge, still keeping these atlantic weather fronts at bay, and that means we've got more of the same. that said, it will turn quite breezy for some of us, but nevertheless, we do have more of that warm sunshine to come. temperatures in glasgow peeking around 24 degrees celsius. enneskillen, 23, maybe a 24 through the weekend, and further south, quite widely we'll see temperatures in the mid—20s. some of the warmest weather in cardiff, 27 on saturday. that's your weather.

good morning. welcome to breakfast with naga munchetty and charlie stayt. 0ur headlines today: tracing systems to find people who come into close contact with those infected with coronavirus start in england and scotland this morning. ministers hope it will allow the nationwide lockdown to be replaced with localised restrictions. but scientists say it's not a magic bullet. in the united states, more than 100,000 people have died from the virus in less than four months. the future for our biggest carfactory, nissan,