political correspondent simon young is in central berlin and joins us now so simon berlin traditionally holding huge may day rallies what's going on where you are now. rally where i've been the soft news not a may day rally it's really a protest by lockdown opponents seem particularly people who are really skeptical that the government and the police is well using the virus in the pandemic situation to clamp down and extend their oath or achieve their very mistrustful of the people here having said that this has been a very small one currently only allows for 20 people to get together for. demonstrations of political protests of this kind so the police as i think you can probably see behind me have been stepping in the soft in a pretty robust and taking people away taking down their details locking down the streets around here and really they're out in force in some ways or confirming some of the suspicions that the protesters here have because i mean the usual progression simon is that as the day goes on and then into the night these sorts of demonstrations ask what do you think we can

simon young is covering the anniversary for us here in berlin and he's down at the side of the ceremony in the german capital simon how is this day being remembered here in germany. well terry the 8th of may is referred to in germany is the day of liberation the day when germany was liberated from the not see the dictatorship that's how it's that's how it's framed now and as you mentioned here in berlin a unusually for the 1st time in fact of the day has been declared a public holiday i think that was in advance of the expectation of this major event that was going to be held as you said 1600 guests from within germany and other countries as well were expected here dignitaries politicians ambassadors and so on to mark this occasion because of the coronavirus it's all been scaled very very much back and what we're going to see over the next hour he's just a wreath laying ceremony really here at the noise behind me which is the central memorial in germany for the victims of war and dictatorship and chancellor merkel and president. and the heads of the other key institutions of the german

brent: simon young on the story for us tonight. simon, thank you.ho is in the mood to go shopping? not many. and we have the coronavirus pandemic to thank for that. that is according to the german retail trade association who says fewer shoppers will have many consequences. 1 in 3 retailers are currently struggling to survive in the country. reporter: saturday used to be shopping day. that does not seem to be the case anymore. >> it is eerie here. everything has changed. few people, few potential customers. reporter: mark is touring the shoe stores belonging to his family. they have come back since the shutdown, but the customers have not. >> we have done 40% to 90% less business in the same time last year depending on n the locatio. that is a very dramatic drop. reporter: not having enough customers is just one problem. but the whole atmosphere is poor. social distancing measures, blocked off areas, and lines outside of stores all discouraging visitors from shopping. even if money is not the problem. >> we have the money, but we are not spending it

us here in our studio and on the ground in central and following the commemorations for us is a simon young and simon i want to start with you tell us more about how this day is being remembered in germany. well as you mentioned the 8th of may is the day of liberation in germany as it's now referred to this year it's been made for the 1st time a bank holiday here in laden and there were hopes of holding a major state ceremony a very rare event the highest level of sort of protocol for a big public occasions at state level but that's all been canceled of course because of the corona pandemic so what's been happening there's been a communicable church service in berlin's cathedral and in the next few minutes the 5 heads of the 5 major state organizations are going to lay wreaths here at the memorial to the victims of war and dictatorship that will be president frank back to steinmeyer chancellor merkel the heads of both houses of parliament and also the president of germany's highest court the constitutional court and then the president will make a speech i think in which he'll try to draw to

let's get more from political correspondent simon young welcome simon remind us of the background to these allegations here it was in april and may of 2015 that computer systems in the german parliament were hacked the computers of many members of the parliament were infected with spy software including in the office of angle americal herself and there were suggestions at the time that this hack came from russia and now german prosecutors say that they got the evidence they have identified the ringleader behind this and indeed they've just issued a warrant for his arrest and so this was 5 years ago people going to look at this and think well why is this taking so long. yeah well this investigation has of course been ongoing and it's one thing to identify that a computer hack has taken place but i think it's probably much more difficult to identify particular members of a foreign intelligence agency and that is what prosecutors are now saying they've named the ringleader they meet 3 by dean is name they say and they believe that he was a member at the time of the hack of the g.o.u. ru

let's bring in our correspondent simon young he's covering this anniversary for us here in berlin he's standing just where the ceremony took place a little earlier hi simon we heard that the commemorations have been scaled back of course because of the pandemic how did it affect the ceremony. where so many originally the german authorities the german president well being to hold a major state ceremony here with 1600 invited guests from germany and abroad dignitaries and to people from political life and so on so mark the solemn occasion it's a level of protocol that is very rarely done here in germany the last time it was done on the 8th of may to mark the end of world war 2 was back in 1905 for the 50th anniversary so it was hard to repeat that and to show that germany is still very much understands the lessons of history if you like and to send that signal around the world but of course the corona pandemic meant that that couldn't happen this whole area was pretty much cordoned off a few 1000000000 as he turned out so really weren't able to get very close in the rather disappointed a

are for more now let's pull in our political correspondent simon young good evening to you simon so we've got germany debating how fast these lockdown measures should be reduced some of the state leaders they want to move faster than what we're hearing from the national government so who's in charge here . yes right you know germany's states are insisting that they should control the details of what easing is done and how quickly it's done and because of that possibility that they have on the germany's federal system you know you we are seeing different states moving at different speeds so we've got the state premier in the ranges saying that he wants to return his state to what he called normal mode which effectively means no longer telling people what they can't do just requiring them to sort of that here to the guidelines and on the other hand you've got a state like bavaria where the where the leader there is very aware of that kind of course and he wants to proceed much more cautiously so the states are required as they have done to sort of agree a general line with the central gover

political correspondent simon young. as mentioned earlier next weekend will mark the restart of the german professional soccer season it's a controversial step the bonus league is the 1st major sports league to resume play during the global pandemic professional athletes and sports franchises around the world will be watching very closely through the german football league has been plotting its return to the pitch with assistance from doctors and politicians for months now the but his league is in pole position to show the rest of the world how german football strategy worked to get the green light from the state. doesn't turn sunday's in concert the interest in our concept is huge i don't know if it's possible to apply this concept to other countries one to one but we are going to share the knowledge and how we work with it also the mistakes we make of course we are going to make mistakes we want to contribute to the rebound of sports across the world by showing solidarity. by new combed the world players' association i

political correspondent simon young is there where i wonder if the people appear to be influencing the social distancing rules welcome simon what's going on. well that's right feel and it's a pretty aggressive atmosphere i should say on the streets of quite spare gear the seating but that's nothing unusual on the 1st of may the revolutionary 1st of may as they call it when there are often clashes between demonstrators and police but the whole context of the coronavirus i think makes the situation that much less controllable and the police have been making announcements to the crowds of been gathered here saying you know you can't possibly be observing social distancing when people are just milling around waiting for something to happen here and that's what's been going on for the last few hours we've got helicopters circling above us the police trying to appeal to people to separate not to gather in groups of more than. a few up to 20 is what's allowed under the current rules here in berlin but people aren't doing that some people are waiting for their opportunity i think to face off a

phil: thank you for that, political correspondent simon young. traditionally, german units have marked mayday with marches, but this year, events have been small-scale because of coronavirus. some have moved to social media. >> three union reps carry three flags and maintain social distance. the first mayday demo in hamburg looks a little different this year. >> when i got here, i thought, the fish market doesn't look great. but i understand what's happening. i think it is important to let people know that we are active and approachable for our colleagues. >> finally, a bus with 25 demonstrators of eyes -- arrives. that is the legal limit, according to police. the german federation originally counted on 600,000 people showing up. >> it is a little spooky. nevertheless, it is an important sign f e everyone e out there. nextxt the officicial mayday -- >> the official m mayday declararionn wille given online, threree hours of talks. demandnds are beieing made thate people now considered corona heroes be better paid. >> we need a european investment

the production manager is simon a young woman who earlier organized the auditions for the t.v. show. the premiere of the play generation 25 will take place at the genocide memorial in could only 250000 victims are buried here that this is a place that forceful i want to buy detention this is split a special place that speaks to us so you if you're going to excel fuse and branded as a role and it's not going to be if you want connect with the space with your help with this business press is a very special space heaters i suppose that those who are here for me are you listening to. i you i would together. it's more like that yeah well yes but more than a 1000 people come to see the play most of them are actually part of generation 25 . it's only 6 and extended to set aside to some like the nasa may have experienced the horrors of the genocide firsthand others like the x. rebels may feel guilty about the crimes committed by their parents' generation. that. was not sure about it but said. what's what's left. but this play is just part of a long and difficult process of reconciliati

simon lost family members in the genocide in rwanda as young people know the history of the massacre but on days like this they try to forget about it for a while still you know what i just said. that we're moving on we're moving along we don't want to be held by what's happened in the past we want to move on we want to look for the future and it doesn't but the odds you all know we are in the period of $100.00 days of calm the ritual and just this thing is part of it so we remember we are night and then wouldn't you so we have a new law serves and this is part of the new york about what what what what one of my one people are called up to audition. and this one was a has come here with a friend who is an aspiring singer. for nasa herself is too shy to sign up for the show she's a survivor of the genocide. and what that. new via email and i think this show is great there aren't many jobs for young people in rwanda but they all want to blacken make their dreams come true well this might give them a chance. that he could wind up what we would have won by new. and simon 1st met at a sup

and when young is covering the anniversary for us simon how is this day being remembered in germany what area the 8th of may is referred to in germany at 2 as the day of liberation and this year for the 1st time it's been declared a bank holiday here in berlin so the official ceremonies will get underway at 10 o'clock this morning with any key many cool church service in the cathedral and then at 12 noon they'll be a wreath laying at the noise that's a building which is germany's central memorial for the victims of war and to shape and rains will be laid by the president the chancellor and the presidents of the been this route the chambers of parliament as well as germany's highest court the constitutional court and after that we'll have a speech from federal president. so this is a solemn ceremony but but somewhat pared down from what was originally planned the coronavirus pandemic is forcing many countries to scale back world war 2 commemoration ceremonies isn't it. yeah that's right and originally the german authorities had wanted to hold a full state ceremony here which is a relative

young. girls would you. recently she was on the oldest you tube. that was simon is on the grounds of the research. i have heard and. push myself to do for me in the 58 i'm going to. go. he's. been murdered before. he can prove. that she said that's. clear definitely walking into words all in all we no longer know what we're walking into i had said on march 19th. which is uniquely steve ritchie when a look at that. who shakes but also whole sensible. they corona virus outbreak has changed the world no one can say for sure when it might end for now news bulletins look more like dispatches from the front lines some countries have run out of coffins and others to digging mass graves doctors and nurses are the heroes of the day so we approach some to ask how they're coping with the outbreak and what to expect. just a monolithic a very.

simon jones, bbc news. our chief political correspondent, vicki young, is outside the prime minister's office at downing streeton. vicki, the dominic cummings row continuing to overshadow everything else. yes and i think it will because i think people feel that there are still some unanswered questions. particularly about whether he made a trip to a castle on easter sunday when the guidelines clearly said that you should be staying at home, that the only travel if that journey staying at home, that the only travel if thatjourney is essential. of course, i think people looking at this and people have listened to that over the last couple of days will think, yes, you can of course go through these pages and pages of guidelines — like there is a lot of them— mike and there is exemptions, you could do that, but in the end most people know what they were being asked to do in that time and it was to stay at home. the other interesting thing is that the fact that people are now talking about the prime minister's judgment that people are now talking about the prime minister'sjudgment by standing up and defending his a

simon jones, bbc news. our chief political correspondent, vicki young, is outside the prime minister's office at downing streetthis is just continuing and overshadowing everything, isn't it? yes and i think that a final point there are people thinking it is one rule for them and one for people here in downing street is a very damaging one. i think downing street will be aware of that, but they insist that dominic cummings has done nothing wrong. the danger, of course, is that it undermines the m essa 9 es course, is that it undermines the messages coming from the government. at the moment, the cabinet will be meeting at around 1pm to discuss more measures to ease the lockdown, maybe it doesn't matter as much at the moment, but it could come a time when there will need to be more instructions put out to people and they may have to reimpose in some areas. the danger is that it undermines all of that in this fight against coronavirus and for the prime minister too, he has decided to back his adviser and so, of course some questions are being asked about the prime minister pass my ownjudgment asked about the prime

young women look too old you. recently she you know sometimes she's old just used to. simon is on the grounds of the research. i have to confess losing myself how close are they for me in the 580 got to. go. i don't want to be used well but to get an excuse to write you i don't want to buy these passports on such. a consistent and that's what i show them my dad asked us not just the missions 'd if you change there's no ship stanchest by next most last year can you mine mine who generous so. that i was in the castro or the starbucks at my chain. you know it and soon you meet. them. it's something special for alexander is an intensive care unit physician you new york many now describe his job as working on the front line all stars question has a question as i she cannot shy so young leader. and i just wish oh. i should work in months a career he said socially still from shooting up to their dreams 3 syllable 4 day chest meaning if i'm cracking to get sick the media doesn't take welcome in my me i'm too young i believe he should just leave me free money loose if. there's. something that was just money to me she

young women. would you. recently she goes on the old days you do. not want simon to song around the word search. i have heard an. illusion myself how close are they for me in the 5 years ago to. go. we go to work so you straight home. time after time called her ration to repeat the same mantra sustainability it's very important it's accelerating the transition to sustainable transport sustainability stay in her manner the more equitable and sustainable well. they claim their production is completely hama's. you dumbass. companies want us to feel good about buying their products while the damage is being done far away and this is something i'll just keep pointing even as i'm skipping the sun moves and news let me do me man i'm strong theme that may be best understood look to what is going. on. welcome back to crossfire we're all things are considered i'm peter lavelle to remind you we're discussing the fall of the berlin wall 30 years ago. ok john i had to go to a hard break there are you back on would you like to finish your point go ahead so what i was saying was that they could fall of the ber

young women or girls would you. recently she had most of the old world just used to. that was simon is on the grounds of the research. i have heard and. push myself to do for me in the 5 years ago to. go. is your media a reflection of reality. in a world transformed. what will make you feel safer. by salacious or community. are you going the right way or are you being led. away. what is true what is fake. in a world corrupted you need to descend. to join us on the death. or inmate in the shallows. of the us economy was booming growing numbers of people were made homeless. you can work 40 hours 'd in a week and still not have enough to get housing everybody believes america still has the lead up to the reality of those who were not financially quality and the lack of affordable housing for a living minimum wage gave many people new choice. that's been a problem with the city knows turn the temperature in told me stay away almost. half the food if there is no answer because yes that requires resources the most vulnerable are abandoned on the streets to become the invisible comes. hell

really appreciated that it could have such a devastating effect on someone he was young, fit and well, and i think simon'sy be helped you along the way. yeah, if it wasn't forjosh, he did say to me that if you didn't text me that morning and i hadn't gone in, i probably wouldn't be here to tell the story, so i want to say tojosh, massive thank you, i owe you my life, and all my friends who have supported me along the way, it has been truly humbling. ijust want supported me along the way, it has been truly humbling. i just want to say a massive thank you to everybody who has sent goodwill messages. no—one could come and see me because of the lockdown, but i had so many m essa g es of the lockdown, but i had so many messages from all over the world, truly humbling, so thank you. josh? yes. i think simon is a genuinely nice person, and i think the biggest thank you that anyone could have as a doctor or medical professional is to be able to use your skills to help someone you know. so for me, it was so fulfilling to be able to actually save someone's life that you actually know, a friend of mine, andl you act

every day on the alex simon show and i'll be speaking to guest of the world of politics sports business i'm showbusiness i'll see if. you are no offense but you no longer a young woman in fact you are one of the last living survivors of the not just asked i'm aware of it. all your life. and you can never forget there can now. well. it's really like to be in hell because you would never believe it was a human can do to as an operating cost for 33 years and know if it can be compared with it at all seem so a lot to offer viable decide to make it right when i get out on the farm saw you don't want to take my son to their next meal so he can listen and hopefully bless her experience. 54 jets and more than 1300 military personnel are headed to air force base in alaska where is that to say come on i'll show you what's the reason for any type of enhanced u.s. military presence in this area russia. what is it suddenly about the south china sea that makes it so the did 11000000000 barrels of oil. take a look at this map who really owns what kind of says no it belongs to us india says no we claim that that belongs to us both of these countries have nuclear weapons capab

simon clarke mp, the minister for regional growth and local government... well, let's get some analysis from our chief political correspondent, vicki young, who is at downinghe prime minister giving a very long, detailed statement in the garden of downing street and really being interrogated by the journalists? yes, something i'm sure he would have hated having to do, and the fa ct have hated having to do, and the fact that he has had to explain himself i think is recognition that there is a problem here. so, he has had to give more detail, but i think striking that overall, he says he has no regrets about what he did, that he hasn't considered resigning, he accused the media of fuelling anger by printing and talking about false stories, although a lot of what was in the public domain he has confirmed today. and saying that he thinks he acted reasonably and sensibly and used hisjudgment. and i think that is the core here, to all of this. he talked about the reams of guidelines but said people have to use their common sense, suggesting that they have to exercise theirjudgment. i think a lot of people watching this might accept that he hasn't broken the law

simon jack visits one simonjack visits one manufacturer to see how their planning to return to see how their planning to return to work with strict social distancing measures in place. we'll also hear from youngtaken china in the number of confirmed cases and deaths from coronavirus. but experts warn the true picture is far worse than the official total. in the country's amazon region the fear is that the virus could devastate the indigenous population, as the bbc‘s south america corresponding katy watson reports. in the middle of the rainforest, the virus has taken hold. this is the biggest city in the emmers on, where they are digging mass graves known as strangers. —— amazon. how else can overwhelmed authorities cope with the numbers of people dying? it is at breaking point. it has one of the highest infection rates in the country and one of the most underfunded health systems. this video, shot inside one of the hospital shows body bags lying next to those gravely ill. it is home to many indigenous communities where poverty, malnutrition and displacement make tackling the virus in even bigger challenge. this is an indigenous health system supporting residents who are sick. history has taug