Transcripts For BBCNEWS BBC World News 20200529

Of furloughed workers, affected by the coronavirus lockdown businesses and, hallelujah, handels messiah, will have to start paying gets an outing, as thousands contributions, from august. And spains left wing cabinet has of choirs, beat the lockdown. Approved a Flagship National plan to pay the poorest households a basic income. The amount will range from just over 500 dollars a month for People Living alone to more than 11 hundred dollars for households hello and welcome to our viewers in the uk and around the world, two big stories on either side of the atlantic. In minneapolis, a former Police Officer, who detained george floyd an unarmed black man who later died has been arrested and charged with third degree murder. It follows another day of unrest during which a Police Station was set on fire and tear gas was used on protestors. Here in the uk the government has confirmed it will continue to pay 80 of the wages of millions of workers well into the summer, to protect those furloughed who are affected by the coronavirus lockdown. But by september, employees will need to pay 10 of wages rising to around 20 , before the scheme runs out at the end of october. Well have more details from our economics editor shortly. But first the governor of minnesota says the rioting in his city is preventing his team from beginning the work on institutionalised racism. Tim walz was responding to the death of george floyd in minneapolis on monday and a third successive night of rioting and looting. Mr floyd died while in the custody of a Police Officer who knelt on his neck for more than five minutes. Four Police Officers were fired. Overnight thousands of demonstrators took to the streets, surrounding then setting fire to the to the third precinct headquarters of the Minneapolis Police, which has been the focus for so much of the anger. Many demanded the officer stand trial for murder and, a short time ago, the county attorney, mike freeman, responded. He has been charged with third degree murder. We are in the process of continuing review the evidence, there may be subsequent charges later. Ive failed to share with you a detailed complaint will be made available to you this afternoon. I didnt want to wait any longer to share the news that he is in custody and is been charged with murder. There have also been demonstrations overnight in other us cities. This was the scene in columbus, ohio. Protests also in new york, los angeles, louisville, chicago, denver, phoenix and memphis. And this is the scene right now of a rally in houston, texas, the home town of george floyd. Joining me now from new york city is samuel sinyangwe, a black activist, Data Scientist and co founder of campaign zero, a data informed platform aimed at presenting solutions to ending Police Violence in america. What do you make of these charges brought against this Police Officer . Well, its good to see that the officer has finally been charged. It camea officer has finally been charged. It came a little bit late. However, its important to note that this is extremely rare for an officer to be charged with a crime following a Police Shooting or other incident of deadly force. Only 1 of officers who kill somebody in the United States are ever charged with crime. So this is a stark but ultimately, a charge is not mean a conviction so we have a long way to go. What do you make of the charges that its for third degree murder . There is some speculation that that will cause some speculation that that will ca use c0 ntrove isy some speculation that that will cause controversy that enough itself . It is indeed and even beyond that thinking about the three other officers who stood by and watched as george floyd was choked to death. Over several minutes. And none of them have been charged, yet. So i believe this is a start but indeed i believe this is a start but indeed i believe we must go a lot further to in order to getjustice in this case. In order to hold those officers accountable, four of them which is clearly murder. Barack obama the countries first black president has weighed in today saying racism cannot be normal and the country must do better. What do you make of his words of intervention . Do you think you have any impact . I think nationwide this isnt the first time that we have gone through this. In 2014 protesters took to the streets demanding justice for mike brown when he was shot and killed by police in ferguson. Its been nearly six years since then. And every single year since sent the police have killed more than 1000 people in the United States between three and for people each day. So i believe but we need is a fundamental structural and systemic change and when we get that type of change, when we get that type of change, when we get that type of change, when we see the rates of Police Shootings and killings actually going down as they are in almost every other developed country, then i believe we will be in a place where we can actually say, look back and say weve made progress. That we need to make. Yeah, youre focusing on ending Police Violence in america not just black people on ending Police Violence in america notjust black people but against all people with many hundreds of People Killed every year by Police Officers in the United States. What can be done . We heard from the state governor of minnesota saying that their work and now theyre focuses on tackling institutionalized racism. Is he getting the tone it right, is the work that needs to be done going to be done, do you think . I hope it is done. Because this isnt the first time that Minneapolis Police have killed a black man. Jamar clark in 2015 was killed by Minneapolis Police there we re killed by Minneapolis Police there were demands for accountability the city said it would take action, it implemented a few policies were clearly not enough in this to prevent this from happening again for the top when you look at the data black people in minneapolis are 13 times more likely to be killed by police than white people. There is a huge Racial Disparity one of the largest in the nation right there that helped explain much of this crisis. In terms of solutions, there area crisis. In terms of solutions, there are a set of Research Based practices and policies that are associated with significantly reducing Police Shootings in the United States was in cities that implement them. Look at oakland, california, even cities like San Francisco or la that have adopted policies requiring officers to use de escalation. Banning officers from using choke holds and stranglehold, requiring officers to exhaust all other alternatives available to them prior to using deadly force. Those Police Departments have seen significant reductions in Police Shootings. A 90 reduction has happened in oakland. Since 2013. Because of the implementation of those policies which were started because of community demand and protests or accountability there. There is a road map for how we can solve this issue. Its about having the political will to do it. Thank you very much forjoining us from new york city. Asi as i said protests have been taking place across the country. This is the view now in new york city demanding justice there after the death of mr floyd. In the last hour President Trump has said the us will break ties with the World Health Organization over its handling of the coronavirus pandemic. At the same News Conference at the white house, he announced the us will begin the process of ending preferential treatment for hong kong in trade, travel and other areas. President trumps announcement comes in response to chinas plans for a controversial new security law which will apply to hong kong, which he said was a tragedy for the territory. Chinas latest incursion along with other that degraded the territories freedoms it makes clear that hong kong is no longer officially autonomous to warrant the special treatment that we have afforded the territory since the handover. China has replaced this promised formula of one country, two systems with one country, one system. Therefore i am directing my administration to begin the process of eliminating policy exemptions that give hong kong different and special treatment. For more on this heres zhoayin feng who works for the bbc Chinese Service in washington. President trump today announced that he will direct his administration to remove Hong Kong Special status and as we discussed in the past few days, this is going to have a huge Economic Impact on hong kong as well as china top and us businesses in hong kong also not being spared. At the same time its important to note that the geopolitical impacts of President Trump announcement will be even larger then the Economic Impact. We all know that the us china relations have been quite u nsta ble china relations have been quite unstable in the past few months. During the Global Pandemic and trump today also mentioned the phrase wuhan virus. Which is a term that has angered beijing repeatedly because its very controversial and some people even say it might be racist. And hes announcement today with further anger beijing and jeopardise the already fragile relationship with beijing and weve seen many relationship with beijing and weve seen many flashpoints between the two countries right now. Im sure the also remarking to his statements negatively because the world is trying to recover from the pandemic while the two largest economies of the world are locked into this fight. Of the world are locked into this fight. Joining me from fairfax, virginia isjeff moon a former us trade negotiator. What do you think theres ending of hong kongs special treatment will actually mean in practice . Welll think you need to look very carefully at trump statement today. He read his statement, he did not ta ke he read his statement, he did not take any questions and he did not ad lib. Which is rare for him. So you need to look at the text. The text mentioned a wide variety of issues and possible steps but said Nothing Specific and he cited no action thats going to be taken immediately. We are beginning a process here. So i think there are a variety of things i could happen in the future. I think that the most likely reaction is symbolic of things. Perhaps he talked about a state travel warning or sanctions against chinese officials. There will be some steps that defend american interests without harming hong kong. Here and thinking about his reference to our export controls agreement, our extradition agreement, our extradition agreement, he may be thinking about the delisting issue. But he did not mention the phase one trade agreement in this context. And he did not specifically say that he was going to be ending all of the trading relationship of the trading benefits that hong kong gets. So the bottom line here is that trump is saying everything is on the table but he put Nothing Specific on the table thats going into effect today. So it will heat used as then asa today. So it will heat used as then as a stick when it goes towards looking at the continued trade word between the two countries . looking at the continued trade word between the two countries . I think thats absolutely a part of this. I think the us election is a part of this. I dont think that us policymakers think that china is going to back down. Off of these measures but i think there is hope by reacting and calling this out that it may temper chinese behaviour somewhat. And i think the real impact is in the long term. But the prints this impact here that rule of law is very much in question in china right now. Rule, hong kong was the only place in china where rule of law is more than a slogan. And i think the companies are looking for certainty and the ability to do business will start looking elsewhere. I think singapore benefits from this quite a bit. Well they though . Will hong kong remain extremely attractive for many global countries that want to serve very lucrative in normal times at Chinese Market . While there are 1300 canadian eight American Companies that are in hong kong and they are directly related to the Chinese Market. People arent going to pull up market. People arent going to pull u p sta kes market. People arent going to pull up stakes and leave hong kong. Only respectively as Companies Think about, where should i put my regional headquarters, or where should i put on my commitments and place . There are going to be less likely to do that in hong kong. Interesting to get your thoughts. Thank you very much for joining us. Here in the uk the government has confirmed it will continue to pay 80 of the wages of millions of workers well into the summer, to protect those furloughed who are affected by the coronavirus lockdown. The chancellor rishi sunak, said the scheme, introduced to prevent mass redundancies, needed to adapt, as the economy reopens. Employers will have to contribute towards pensions and National Insurance from august. By september they will need to pay 10 of wages rising to around 20 , before the scheme runs out at the end of october. The Programme Currently supports more than 8. 5 million workers, with the chancellor also pledging to extend support for the 2. 5 million self employed who now receive grants, through to august. The estimated cost of both schemes stands in the region of £100 billion. Our economics editor faisal islam has the latest. When the pub dont open, neither the burros. Brewers the government wasnt new scheme has helped keep eight and a half million any change to that generosity might push some over the edge. It wouldnt be enough for us for the scheme to diminish and us to contribute more if we dont have clarity as to what is going on, because at the end of the day, if our bars close and there is no money coming in, how are we supposed to financially contribute to that . That willjust mean lots and lots of people out of work. At least those eight and a half million workers will now continue to get the bulk of their wages paid for by the taxpayer. Injuly, this can now be on a part time basis, offering flexibility to companies phasing workers back to work. In august, the government will continue to pay 80 of salary. In september, the taxpayer contribution will go down to 70 and then 60 in october. Workers will have to get at least 80 of their wages. A further two and a half million self employed workers at least will be eligible for a slightly less generous grant. At six and a desk six and a half thousand pounds. A 99. 7 slump and sailed in april. Thats one reason both these unprecedented schemes is heading towards 100 billion pounds. Of essentially borrowed money. The same thing to spent of the eight month period is the nhs. The chancellor says its still value. The scheme is i think very generous. Eight months is a long time to have the support. If you look at the total employer contribution over that entire period on a typical employee average, it will amount to the employer making a 5 contribution. The opposition says its taking risks with unemployment. Some sectors like hospitality look like they could be locked down for quite a long time. They will not have the cash flow necessary to have employers coming into support staff. This could lead potentially to major job losses the government says a three way balancing act between the cost of the taxpayer. Its essential judgement today is to carry on spending generously more than expected, and that means a third of the workforce, 11 million workers, will continue to have their wages funded by the taxpayer for most of the year. It is the self employed, like this folk singer, who feel relieved by the announcement but still concerned about future. I very much appreciate that we will be supported until august. I worry about my ability to keep touring and being a musician, especially after years and years of training with a degree in music. Its very heartbreaking. But the treasury say that the self employed were treated differently. The chancellor says his spending will continue through the summer, but as the economy reopens, it should come to an end. Faisal islam, bbc news. Stay with us on news, still to come, and an hours long virtual meetig with difference. Thousands of singers come together for a singalong of handels messiah an hour long meeting with a difference. This is news, the latest headlines. A former Police Officer in the us city of minneapolis has been charged with murder after the death of the unarmed black man george floyd, who died on monday. The city has seen three nights of rioting. The uk government announces changes to the scheme that covers the wages, of furloughed workers, affected by the coronavirus lockdown businesses will have to start paying contributions, from august. With hundreds of thousands of spaniards losing jobs in the coronavirus crisis, the countrys socialist led government has today approved a basic income for those hardest hit. A guaranteed monthly basic income of 462 euros, thats 500 will be paid to 100 thousand families initially, to be extended eventually to a million households. Such a scheme has rarely been implemented in europe before and some are welcoming it as a new type of universal basic income. A three year pilot study in finland concluded that giving jobless people a basic income of e560 or 634 there for two years improved Mental Wellbeing but didnt lead them to find work. For more on this lets speak now to melissa kitson, a reporter for el pais who joins us from madrid. Costing welcome. From madrid. Costing how is this scheme going to be welcome. How is this scheme going to be implemented . Well from june 15 people eligible candidates will be able to apply for the scheme. And the payment will be monthly and it will be backdated up until september. So those who have their claims approved in august for instance, will be paid from june. And could it be more widely its extended then . At the moment the plan is to help the neediest. So the families who meet the, fall into the category of extreme poverty. There are hopes to extend it further but at this particular point in time its not sort of, financially or politically viable. And its going to cost the country a huge amount, 3 billion euros a year. How are they going to fund it was so many people unemployed . Going to fund it was so many people unemployed . The idea at the moment is to find it by a government transit through Social Security sent him. Which is really champion the basic income scheme has proposed a new tax on the top earners in the country. The tax system is quite an equal so households which have the top earners actually receive more benefits from the state than the last, low income families. So this particular tax made it to raise around 11 billion which would cover the 3 billion cost of the minimum income scheme. Are they any other wider economic benefits are introducing the scheme . The idea is first and foremost to give people a lifeline who have really been struggling. Spain has one of the worst rates of extreme poverty in europe. Some 1. 6 Million People are said to benefit from this scheme. This money is going directly into the public. The leader said this is not going to an offshore bank account. This is money that will be redirected into consumption, to school fees, basic goods. And so that will hopefully have a an event on the overall estate of the economy. Thank you very much for explaining that scheme to us. Weve all missed being with friends, families and colleagues over the last few weeks, but the two Million People in the uk who belong to choirs, have missed the experience of singing together. This weekend thousands of them will gather online for a singalong of handels messiah, which lasts hours. Jon kay has the story. If i could ask everybody if possible to stand up for me. What would handel have made of this . Hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah. It was mark strachans idea. Missing his friends in a dorset choir during lockdown, he suggested singing online. Music is more thanjust notes on a piece of paper. The feeling of singing with your friends, theres a feeling of going to the same place to be together. Theres a feeling of the performance where youre doing it together with other people. This virus has taken all that away. Meet choirmaster ben england. Just make sure. He agreed to lead nightly rehearsals of the messiah. Hello to andrew. He expected a couple of dozen to sign in. But soon, there were three and a half thousand. Andrew and nora are twins. Hes in berkshire, shes in yorkshire. But the choir means they can be together, despite lockdown. Whats it like singing on your own with headphones on a computer . It might be a little bit odd, but knowing that andrew might be 300 miles away but hes singing at the same time as me and three and a half thousand other people just makes it good. This has just been a fantastic way of still getting that togetherness and still getting the fun that you get from singing the messiah. Its a plus, you know, in the middle of a very big minus. The self isolation choir is now so big its not technically possible to stream the final performance live. Hallelujah. So on sunday night, theyll all sing along to this three hour backing track. Isolated no more. John kay, bbc news. Thank you, everybody. Im sure of big quite glorious. Activists rally in the home town of george floyd, black man killed by Minneapolis Police these protesters a re these protesters are they are demanding justice for the past three hours. We know that one former Police Officer Derek Chauvin has been charged with murder. More on that gestate with us. Good evening. We literally have had sunshine topping and tailing the country today. Some beautiful pictures have been sent in. Hardly a cloud in the sky. Looks gorgeous. But further north there was a veil of high cloud but thats where we see some of the warmest of the weather across highland scotland a stunning weather watcher scented. Probably come as no surprise to hear that it looks likely that spring 2020 will be confirmed as the sunniest on record. We are to close out the month with more sunshine to come this weekend. So if you like the dry, sunny and pretty warm weather thats exactly what we are going to get. Through the evening tonight with those clearer skies and stilled the breeze coming in off the north sea the temperatures will fall down into single figures. A co mforta ble down into single figures. A comfortable night for getting a good night sleep and starting our weekend hopefully on a refreshed note. Saturday morning plenty of sunshine because of High Pressure stays with us. Because of High Pressure stays with us. We still got the breeze circulating in a clockwise direction so circulating in a clockwise direction so coming in off the chilly north sea. Always unexposed east coast it will be that bit cooler. With more shelter away from that west where we will likely to see the best of the sunshine. Wall to wall sunshine yet again across the country. Temperatures arent likely to peek at highs of 25 degrees in a few places. 18 to 20 on that east coast was up sunshine out pretty strong at this time of year its worth bearing in mind that we are likely to see some high uv levels quite widely across the country. Sunday is almost across the country. Sunday is almost a repeat performance. Little bit of Early Morning cloud may be drifting in off the north sea. That should ease away. More sunshine coming through with a lighter breeze a little warmer. 21 across the east may be highs of 27. At 18df. The High Pressure slowly starting to ease the way into next week. This but if i could introduce some cloud and shower re outbrea ks but if i could introduce some cloud and shower re outbreaks of rain. One thing more noticeable is behind that front we are going to see the winds of change direction to more of a northerly. That is going to allow a fresher feel as we go through the week next week. We start off warm and sunny but noticeably cooler from 00 28 36,465 4294966103 13 29,430 wednesday onward