Their lockdowns. Hello and welcome to viewers in the uk and around the world and i want to begin this hour with a quick look at some of the latest developments in the coronavirus pandemic in the uk, new government advice will allow close relatives to say their final goodbyes to dying relatives. In denmark, some positive signs as primary schools are allowed to open again and germany has announced plans to slowly ease some social distancing measures put in place to stop the spread of the virus. Also, a british woman aged 106 believed to be the countrys oldest covid 19 survivor has left hospital after three weeks. But in the us the number of deaths has surged past 30,000, doubling in a week. But beginning his daily News ConferencePresident Trump said the crisis was peaking and under control. While we must remain vigilant, it is clear that our aggressive strategy is working and very strongly working, i might add. New cases are declining throughout the new york metropolitan area. Cases in the detroit and denver metro areas are flat. Washington dc, baltimore, philadelphia and st louis are showing great signs of progress and new cases in houston and new orleans are declining. The battle continues but the data suggests that nationwide we have passed the peak on new cases. Hopefully that will continue and we will continue to make great progress. These encouraging developments have put us in a very strong position to finalise guidelines for states on reopening the country which well be announcing were going to be talking about that tomorrow. Well be having a News Conference tomorrow, sometime during the afternoon. Were going to be announcing guidelines and well be talking about various states and its very exciting. We will cover that News Conference when that happens tomorrow. The governor of new york state andrew cuomo says the Health Care Situation there has stabilised. Officials have recorded another 752 deaths related to coronavirus , but theres been another fall in the number of hospital and intensive care admissions. 0ur correspondent in new york nick bryant sent this report. To a city known for its energy and life, the coronavirus has brought an overriding sense of fear. New yorks number of dead has soared past 10,000. More victims than all but a few countries and three times as many people as were killed in the attacks of september 11th. Sirens. Still we wake to the sound of sirens, still new yorkers worry that the ambulances outside their windows might soon end up outside their doors. But hospital admissions are down and after one of the most awful months in the citys history, the spread of the virus has slowed. Almost everybody is on oxygen and almost everybody is a covid patient. At a hospital in brooklyn, dr Melanie Malloy has been keeping a video diary of life and of death. The wards are crowded still with patients dependent on ventilators. Medics and nurses are physically and emotionally exhausted, but theyre witnessing signs of hope. Today we have 43 people in the department. Thats pretty much full, but i have to say, its doing a lot better than a couple of weeks ago when we had 86 to 96 in the department, a0 people boarding. It was really tough, it was really a bad, bad week. But things are getting a lot better. This is still very much a city at half mast. More than 750 new yorkers have lost their lives in the past 2a hours. But fears that the Health Care System here would be overwhelmed have not been realised and the governor of new york believes the worst is over. The coronavirus hasnt managed to crush the charismatic personality of this city. The coronavirus hasnt managed to crush the charismatic personality of this city. Here outside a hospital in manhattan, the heroes of 9 11 were saluting the new superheroes of covid 19. Applause. And in new york, every night at 7, the same wave of gratitude for medical workers thats swept across the planet. An active civic communion, maybe even a global coming together. In this season of social and national isolation. At times square, we thought these people were tourists, something we havent seen here for weeks. But theyre medics who travel here from all over america to help new york at its time of maximum peril. Hopefully, that moment has passed. Nick bryant, bbc news, new york. The head of the World Health Organisation has said he regrets President Trumps decision to suspend funding from the us. It came after mr trump accused the who of abetting china in a cover up and of mishandling the pandemic. The who head said his organisation would work with its partners to fill any resulting financial gaps. Covid 19 does not discriminate between rich nations and poor, large nations and small. It does not discriminate between nationalities, ethnicities or ideologies. Neither do we. This is a time for all of us to be united in our common struggle against a common threat. A dangerous enemy. When we are divided, the virus exploits the cracks between us. Lets speak to our north america correspondent david willis. Lets start with the who, david, because something of a router now split on party lines about whether mr trump actually has the authority to actually cancel this unilaterally. Yes, indeed and he suggested being from the administration that those funds will go into other sort of health care, International Health provisions but youre absolutely right. President trump has been railing against the World Health Organisation which he believes is biased in favour of china and has dropped to the ball, basically as far as this whole coronavirus issue is concerned. 0f whole coronavirus issue is concerned. Of particular angst as far as the president is concerned was the World Health Organisations crowning, if you like, on his move to close the borders, to visitors from china. Something he did at the end of january. The china. Something he did at the end ofjanuary. The World Health Organisation said that that was unnecessary at the time, President Trump of course has continued to laud it as one of the many achievements of his administration in the fight against the coronavirus. Long list of achievements from the president today in the rose garden as well. Without ventilators, medical equipment airlifted stuff as well, but a Strong Political flavour to this as well, accusing the democrats of frustrating his efforts. Absolutely, and frustrating the appointment of key officials, president saying today that coronavirus outbreak here as he put it past its peak. He said that was very encouraging news and he added that he would be talking to state governors tomorrow before releasing what he called federal guidelines as far as them reopening the United States was concerned. A lot of consternation here in the last few days about how much authority the president of the United States has over individual states, but the president said that he was convinced that it would be totally harmonious and it would be working in unison, he said that some states would be reopening their economies before the 1st of may deadline, the deadline that his administration has set. A lot people urging caution here not least members of the president possibly on Health Advisory tea m possibly on Health Advisory team at the white house who said basically repeatedly now that if you reopen this country too soon run the risk of another surge of coronavirus cases, possibly a second search more deadly than the first. suppose the point is as we heard in the report even the governor there is saying it does seem that the worst is over. Yes, certainly that is the president s belief and thats the belief of Certain Health officials at the white house, there is overfor Health Officials at the white house, there is over for now if you like but the social distancing and stay at home orders they believe have to be keptin orders they believe have to be kept in place for now anyway before any sort of lifting can ta ke before any sort of lifting can take place and the economy can bounce back. Crucial to all this is the amount of testing. The president said today at about 3 Million People in the United States had been tested for the coronavirus so far he held that is a great achievement and a lot of people including Business Leaders with whom the president conferred today believe there has to be a lot more testing done here before any concrete position can be made about safely reopening the United States economy. Thank you very much. Good to speak to you. Lets catch up with the other coronavirus news. The g20 which is being hosted by saudi arabia this year has announced its suspending debt payments owed by the worlds poorest states for the rest of 2020. 77 countries are due to benefit from the agreement which will temporarily delay 12 billion in payments. The us navy has accused iran of carrying out dangerous and provocative actions against several american ships operating in International Waters in the gulf. It says 11 iranian vessels repeatedly harassed six us ships involved in military exercises, passing close to them at high speed. Theres been no word yet from the iranian authorities. The mandate for the israeli Opposition Leader and parliamentary speaker, benny gantz, to form a government has expired. He had been trying to agree a National Unity government with the Prime Minister, benjamin netanyahu, but no announcement has been made since the deadline passed at midnight local time. As the coronavirus pandemic claims hundreds more victims in the uk, the British Government has sought to address the deep concerns around the situation in care homes. Like many other countries around the world the lack of accurate figures about the deaths in care homes is emerging as one of the hidden tragedies behind the pandemic. The uk government has now promised a new testing regime, for both residents and staff, and for anyone being discharged from hospital to a care home. Meanwhile Health Service managers say its increasingly likely they will be able to cope with the peak in cases, expected soon. 0ur Health Editor hugh pym has the latest. It was his lifetime ambition, and graham achieved it last november. Co piloting a plane, a gift from his family. At 77, he was still very active. He recently went to hospital with cancer. The family assumed graham would come back home, but he never returned, having contracted covid 19. His grandsons wife emma, who herself now has coronavirus, spoke of their sadness and frustration. No one was there to hold his hand, and its not a way you want to go. 0nly ten people can go to the funeral, and we have a big family, so we cant go. And he cant get the sendoff he truly deserves. Finding a way out of the Coronavirus Crisis will depend largely on a big increase in testing. Ministers have called on academic and business laboratories to join a National Effort to boost capacity. Some Big Companies have said they will help out, but one Business Manager with laboratories told us how he felt that his offer hadnt been taken up. Understandably frustrated, a little unhappy. I mean, it would be very easy to sit and enjoy the sunshine and wait until things open up again, but i feel like i have a duty to the country, and my team, to keep them busy, to do something worthwhile. The number of tests carried out each day hasnt gone up a lot, although there has been a bank holiday weekend. It stands atjust under 16,000. But that still a long way short of the 100,000 a day target set by the government by the end of this month, just two weeks away. Nhs workers have been told they have access to testing if they need it, including drive through centres like this, allowing them to return to work quickly if they test negative. Thats now been extended to social care staff. Part of a new package of measures for england, it includes testing of more care home residents and those returning from hospitals. We will now ensure that everybody who has symptoms gets tested, and the critical other change is that those leaving hospital will now be tested, and they will be put to isolation until those test results come through. How are you actually going to cover this large number of social care staff and nhs staff and hospital patients . How is it going to be achieved . So now we have Testing Available right across the nhs and social care for all those who need it. And im very pleased weve been able to expand capacity so that can happen. And as we build capacity further, over this month and then beyond to that 100,000 a day target by the end of this month, well expand further. He also said that relatives should be allowed to visit loved ones who are seriously ill with coronavirus for final farewells. The peak of pressure on the nhs was expected about now, with a surge in covid 19 patients. Health leaders say there are Still Critical care beds to spare and most hospitals appear to be coping, but the peak could last some time. We think we can say with increasing confidence that the nhs should be able to cope with this initial peak. The interesting thing, though, is there is now a load of new challenges the nhs faces, of which the very obvious one is if we are going to have this demand spread over a long period of time, how are we going to support our staff . And there was uplifting news when connie aged 106 left hospital in birmingham. She said she felt very lucky to have shaken off the virus. Hugh pym, bbc news. Stay with us on bbc news. Still to come. Elmo, i think i have figured out my phone finally. How do i look now . Social distancing sesame street style. The us tv show is helping kids adapt to these unsettling times. 0ne one of the centurys greatest mass murderers is said died of natural causes. He did the movement he led were responsible for the debts of an estimated 1. 7 million cambodians. There have been violent protests in indonesia where the boy has gone on sale the first time. Traditionalist Muslim Leaders have expressed disgust. The magazines offices have been attacked and its Editorial Staff have gone into hiding. It was clear that paulas only contest was with the clock. And as for a sporting legacy, Paula Radcliffes competitors will be chasing her new world best time for years to come. Quite quietly, but quicker and quicker she seemed just to slide away under the surface and disappear. Quite quietly, but quicker and quicker she seemed just to slide away under the surface and disappear. This is bbc news, the latest headlines. President trump says the us is passing the peak of new Coronavirus Infections. Earlier, his plans to suspend funding for the World Health Organisation were heavily criticised. 2 Million People around the world are now infected with coronavirus, as new york citys death toll reaches 10,000. Africans living in the chinese city of gwang joe have reported being evicted from their apartments and forcefully held under quarantine. Beijing is more and more concerned about imported cases of covid 19 and is stepping up scrutiny of foreigners coming into the country. Danny vincent reports. Today is the second day i have been locked locked in this room in quarantine. For two days, simon, a nigerian national, has been locked in this hospital room against his will. To protect his identity, he asked for his name to be changed. He was evicted from his apartment and forced into quarantine over fears that the African Community in guangzhou was spreading the coronavirus. There are some europeans that are here, but they are not forcefully quarantined. He says hes lived in guangzhou for three years, has no recent travel history, and has not come into contact with anyone with covid 19. He says hes tested negative for the virus yet he remains in quarantine. There are some ugandans and other africans as long as you are black, you are forced to quarantine. So im asking our government to help us, if possible, to send a plane to take us home. The bbc has spoken to dozens who say they were forced into quarantine regardless of whether they had tested negative for the virus. Look at the door they locked it from outside, i cannot go out. Im stuck, i cannot go out. They locked it from outside. Right now, im shaking the door. Thousands of africans live in guangzhou. It has been a hub for traders across the continent for well over a decade. China now fears imported cases of covid 19 could lead to a second outbreak. The guangzhou government says it has tested every african in the city. Community leaders say africans have been evicted from their homes and forced into hotels. Those without funds have been sleeping on the streets. Mcdonalds apologised over this notice, handed out to customers in one of its local branches. The note reads that black people are refused to be served. The United States consulate warned african america ns to avoid the city. The Chinese Government maintains that china has zero tolerance of racism. Translation chinas friendly policy towards africa has not changed. And african countries and peoples friendly feelings towards china will not be shaken. We will not discriminate against african brothers. In fact, during the early days of the outbreak of the epidemic in china, more than 3,000 African Students in hubei and wuhan were safe, except for one person who was infected and quickly cured. As much of china begins to return to normality after months of social isolation, one community in guangzhou remains under lockdown. Danny vincent, bbc news, hong kong. Germany has announced the first easing of measures imposed to contain the spread of covid 19. Chancellor Angela Merkel said that some schools would re open from may the fourth. It comes as the eu has been discussing how to co ordinate strategy for loosening restrictions. 0ur europe editor katya adler reports from brussels. This three days into spains partial lifting of its coronavirus lockdown and theres still a lot of confusion. Police say people are unsure if theyre allowed back to work or not. In fact, spain has only lifted restrictions for factory and construction workers an attempt to kick start this covid 19 battered economy. Many are scared. Translation i feel bad, like im in danger, but what are you going to do . I need to provide for my family, i need to go back to work. Spains Prime Minister hit back at his critics today. He only made decisions after taking scientific advice, he said. Applause. Juggling economic, social and health risks is daunting for every government in this pandemic. Its a big challenge for the eu too. Remember its messy initial response to the crisis . Today, brussels called for a coordinated exit strategy from lockdown measures, but only if. There is a significant decrease in the spread of the virus over a sustained period of time. Sufficient Health System capacity is needed. There needs to be a reserve and you need sufficient surveillance and monitoring capacity in the form of large scale testing. With 27 different Health Care Systems and 27 different economic priorities, the European Commission admits that, in the end, each eu country will decide for itself when to lift restrictions. But its worth noting that no one here or in eu capitals is talking about getting back to normal lifting lockdown altogether. This is a targeted, gradual lifting of the restrictions, which would be reintroduced again if there is another big second wave of infection. Today, the eus biggest economy said shops in germany would our world has been turned upside down by this virus and for children, the loss of routine is especially hard. Enter the iconic tv show sesame street. For50 years, big bird and the gang have been teaching pre schoolers not just their abcs but also how to deal with difficult emotional situations like bullying and divorce. So of course, sesame street has taken on social distancing with a global special called elmos playdate. Elmo i think i have figured out my phone finally, how do i look now . Grover and elmo are having a remote play date. Like many kids are in america that cannot meet up a bursa but trying to stay in touch and the muppets are having technical trouble just like the rest of us. Is my head really that big . Singing celebrities including Anne Hathaway and Lin Manuel Miranda joined elmo and pals for a virtual singsong. Need evolves for kids in this era of coronavirus. Whats your favourite word . Supercalifragilisticexpialidoc ious. I got to hang out with elmo and abby on the stoop at the start of 2019 marking the 50th anniversary of the show. But now we all have to be socially distant, no more playing make believe in person. You are an honourary sesame street chicken. No cuddling but cookies are a substitute. Now the only thing is that to me ate the recipe, so me not know what ingredients to use. Sesame street is rolling with the times showing kids that friendships can be maintained from a distance. You can reach me on twitter im bbc tim willcox. Hello there. Yesterday hello there. Yesterday was a warmer kind of day. Again, plenty of sunshine for most of us, with just a little bit of high Cloud Crossing the skies. We had some rather dramatic skylines, for example in the shropshire area. Now, it was the north east of the uk that had the days highest temperatures. Durham and parts of aberdeenshire seeing highs of 21 degrees, but look at this drop in temperatures on the way through thursday. For some, its going to be around ten or 11 degrees cooler. The cooler weather is arriving with a cold front. Its this stripe of cloud thats sinking its way southwards across scotland right now, leaving the clearest of the skies and the lowest temperatures further south across england and wales, where there could just be a few patches of frost in the countryside. For thursday, well, it gets a little warmer across england and wales, but across the far north of scotland and increasingly into eastern scotland and north east england, weve got the colder air setting its way in. Now, into the afternoon, we may well see a few brighter spells for orkney and shetland, but otherwise for much of scotland, its a cloudy day. The cloud could be thick enough for an occasional spot of rain. Not amounting to too much, mind you. For most, it will stay just about dry. Its going to feel a lot colder, though. Temperatures 9 11 degrees, 11 degrees the high and durham rather than the 21 we had on wednesday. Futher southward across england and wales, again most areas will have lots of dry weather and sunshine. Therell be a little bit more in the way of high cloud moving in, and, yes, we could see just a few isolated showers across south west england, southern wales, but even here the majority will probably stay dry. A little warmer, temperatures into the low 20s more widely. For friday, an area of low pressure thats been affecting spain and portugal wobbles a little bit close to our shores, and it looks increasingly likely that well see some rain arriving. Although the amount of rain you see from place to place across parts of england and wales is going to vary significantly. Still mild, but thosee temperatures are falling back a little bit. Highs of 17 in london, the cold air in scotland tending to seep down some of these eastern areas of england, knocking the temperatures back in norwich to just 12 degrees. Now, the weekend, scotland stays fine and dry throughout, but it looks like we could see a little bit of patchy rain still left over across parts of england, wales and maybe Northern Ireland on saturday. Sunday, for all of us, looks like the driest day of the weekend. Thats your latest weather. This is bbc news. The headlines President Trump says the us is passing the peak of new Coronavirus Infections and that many parts of the country were in a strong position to reopen the economy. Hes been at odds with state governors about the timing for easing restrictions. Earlier, his plans to suspend funding for the World Health Organisation were heavily criticised. 2 Million People around the world are now infected with coronavirus as new york citys death toll reaches 10,000. The governor of new york state andrew cuomo says the Health Care Situation there has stabilised, although officials have recorded another 752 deaths related to coronavirus. A lack of accurate figures about the deaths in uk care homes is emerging as one of the hidden issues when counting the true cost of the pandemic. A new testing regime is promised for both residents and staff, and for anyone being discharged from hospital to a care home