Hello and welcome to audiences in the uk and around the world. Were covering all the latest Coronavirus Developments in a moment. But first, bill and Melinda Gates, the couple who founded the Worlds Largest Charitable Foundation, have announced they are to divorce after 27 years of marriage. In a joint statement posted on twitter, the couple said they would continue to Work Together at the foundation that bears their name. But that they could no longer Grow Together as a couple in the next phase of their lives. Our correspondent in los angeles, peter bowes, says this news has come as quite the shock to many. I think this is come as a shock to a lot of people, certainly that one of the worlds wealthiest couples, best known couples in the Charity World now and of course bill gates with microsoft that he founded in 1975, they should be going their separate ways, significant from the statement you read a little passage from that they will continue to Work Together. They have put a lot of effort into their relationship, and decided to go separate ways as a couple because they do not believe, just paraphrasing, but they have a future together, at least in a romantic sense. But they will continue that charitable work which really has been the emphasis for both of them since they started in the year 2000, and the Charitable Foundation benefiting hugely from the Financial Success of microsoft and the sums of money in stocks the bill gates transferred into the bill gates transferred into the foundation. Together they are worth billions of dollars. We are not ready to any financial relationship they have, any prenuptial agreements they might have, its always they might have, its always the subject of considerable speculation when wealthy couples decide they are separating but clearly it will be an issue and something for them perhaps to sort out privately if they can but there will be a lot of focus on what they do next and perhaps their relationship together, but in terms of their business relationship, perhaps you could almost talk about their Celebrity Personas as well. This is going to be a big story for a few days. Theres a lot of money at play here. Bill gates is currently the fourth richest man in the world with a net worth of 124 billion, the bill and Melinda Gates foundation that the couple set up in 2000 and have co chaired has drawn 49. 8 billion in endowments. Im joined now by ben soskis, a Senior Research associate at the urban institute a Research Organisation and an expert on philanthropy, who has previously received funding from the Gates Foundation he joins us from dc. Does this come as a surprise . Thank you for coming on the programme. What was your reaction to this announcement . I cant say to an hour. I was very surprised. I cant say to an hour. I was very surprised. And what you think the very surprised. And what you think the implications very surprised. And what you think the implications of very surprised. And what you think the implications of this | think the implications of this be now . �. , ~ be now . Im not sure, i think it is too be now . Im not sure, i think it is too early be now . Im not sure, i think it is too early to be now . Im not sure, i think it is too early to say. Be now . Im not sure, i think it is too early to say. As be now . Im not sure, i think it is too early to say. As you | it is too early to say. As you noted already, bill and melinda have stated that they will remain as part of the dates foundation and i think its entirely possible that they will continue as they have before. They already had been developing this kind of philanthropic persona in a very public sense. With a focus on global health, and climate change, with a kind of technocratic approach. Melinda with a focus on gender equity, kind of more community centred, and so in a sense, their decoupling had already occurred. So you could make the argument that they will continue as two separate but closely related individuals, and work in cooperation with the foundation. 0n the other hand, i think you cant ignore the fact that the relationship they did have in which melinda very publicly buffered those very publicly buffered those very rough edges, the rub rough edges of a technocratic approach, take on a very different meaning in their current relationship that in the past. 50 current relationship that in the past current relationship that in the ast. ,. , the past. So we will see. That is really interesting the past. So we will see. That is really interesting on the past. So we will see. That is really interesting on the is really interesting on the differences in approach and style and priorities. We will have to see how the lays out. Something like this focuses attention again on the organisation itself and the vast sums of money. I suppose the moral arguments about whether its right for an individual or a couple to have so much money and therefore so much power in society. Its much power in society. Its interesting, much power in society. Its interesting, i much power in society. It� s interesting, i think we all have level of discomfort we are focusing on the private Relationship Status of two individuals yet what this really is is a kind of amplification of the general State Of Affairs in which to very private people have immense public power and so its really the kind of, the State Of Affairs now that living donors have engaged in philanthropy with huge sums of money, which happens to intersect with major life events. Birth, marriage and divorce. flit events. Birth, marriage and divorce. , divorce. Of course, there is immensely divorce. Of course, there is immensely popular divorce. Of course, there is immensely popular and divorce. Of course, there is immensely popular and important work and lots of areas, not many would disagree with that but what they have done is raise the profile of philanthropy and a prjob raise the profile of philanthropy and a pr job for philanthropy. There is another part where people who believe philanthropy, although it sounds nice, its a very destructive way of Organising Society and it should be based on taxes and that way we have accountability in how money is spent. Accountability in how money is sent. �. ,. , ~. , spent. Bill, more than melinda, is the public spent. Bill, more than melinda, is the public face spent. Bill, more than melinda, is the public face of spent. Bill, more than melinda, is the public face of the is the public face of the current dispensation of philanthropy, enormous private power concentrated in a single individual who often assumes roles that otherwise would be assumed by democratically accountable institutions. And so, again, this kind of conflation between the private and public, which really has defined many of the critiques of large scale philanthropy, is now refract did in this very public and private affair. Absolutely fascinating issues to talk about. Thank you for coming on and talking to others. Lets get some of the days other news. President biden says his administration will allow almost 63,000 refugees into the United States this year. Last month mr biden said he would stick to an annual limit of 15,000 brought in under president trump. That decision was widely condemned by Many Democrats and refugee aid groups. The charity Save The Children says almost 5,000 children displaced by the fighting in the Tigray Region of Northern Ethiopia have been separated from their parents. Many have been arriving at displaced peoples camps or informal shelters. Save the children says theyre vulnerable to hunger as well as physical and sexual violence. Days of protests against planned tax reforms in colombia have left at least 19 people dead, including one police officer. The tax reform proposals, which have now been withdrawn, triggered widespread demonstrations across the country. Police responded forcefully after shops were looted and vandalised in several cities. The army has been deployed. The us Secretary Of State Anthony Blinken says americas relationship with britain is vital in addressing the most urgent global issues. After talks with his british counterpart dominic raab, mr blinken said the us had no closer ally and partner in tackling the key issues. The pair will attend an in person g7 Foreign Ministers meeting this week. The European Union has outlined plans to significantly reduce Travel Restrictions in the hope of salvaging a Summer Season for the continent. With Vaccination Campaigns picking up and covid infections starting to fall, several countries are beginning to lift lockdowns following a devastating second wave of the pandemic. Willie walsh previously ceo of the iag, British Airways and Air Lingus Hasjust become Director General of the International Air transport association. He says a system to process vaccinated travellers is being developed, and the eus Traffic Light System should make things smoother. Iata is working with what we call the double pass, which is designed to enable people who have been vaccinated or indeed people who can demonstrate evidence of a negative test to be able to integrate that into the airline they are flying with, and facilitate Smooth Travel through the airport and hopefully when you arrive at your destination as well, that will require the cooperation of governments. But i think there is a good appetite for introducing a digital system to enable people to get back travelling. Enable people to get back travellinu. ~. ,. ,. , travelling. What you do need is a Trust Framework travelling. What you do need is a Trust Framework that travelling. What you do need is a Trust Framework that can travelling. What you do need is a Trust Framework that can be i a Trust Framework that can be accessed in a safe and secure manner so that people dont have to share their data, they can control their data so in the eu, we have the digital green certificate, which should be in place byjune, and this will enable eu citizens to be able to confirm they have received their vaccines. And i suspect from conversations with had from governments around the world, more of them are based on the idea that they will need some sort of central database because countries whether we like it or not i going to require evidence of vaccination, at least in the short and medium term. For american travellers, it may be more complicated. The United States government has opposed the idea for Vaccine Documentation for Domestic Travel and so far not announced plans for Vaccine Passports for international travel. Heres willie walsh again. The Us Government had said that they will not make it a requirement for travel within the United States. I think is more and more countries make it a requirement for people to access their country, i think the Us Government will be under pressure from us citizens to be able to demonstrate that they have been vaccinated. There isnt a central database, a federal database in the us, because as you know, the Vaccine Rollout has been done on a state by state basis but we are confident systems will be put in place to enable people to demonstrate with secure information that they have been vaccinated. Stay with us on bbc news, still to come we hear from victims of racist abuse following a significant rise in the number of hate fuelled attacks against people of asian backgrounds. I, Nelson Rolihlahla mandela, do hereby swear to be faithful to the republic of south africa. After six years of construction and numerous delays, the Channel Tunnel has been formally opened by the queen and president mitterand. The tunnel is not yet ready for passengers and Freight Services to begin. For centuries, christianity and i islam struggled for supremacy. Now the popes visit symbolises their willingness to coexist. Roger bannister became the first man in the world to run a mile in underfour minutes. Memories of victory as the Ve Celebrations reach their climax. This night is dedicated i to everyone who believes in a future of peace and freedom. This is bbc news. Iam i am Lewis Vaughanjones. The latest headlines bill and Melinda Gates one of the worlds richest couples have announced their divorce after nearly three decades of marriage. The European Commission recommends Easing Restrictions on travel to the eu as parts of europe relax covid rules. Now, during the pandemic, abuse towards people of asian backgrounds has increased dramatically. In new york city, for instance, hate fueled attacks against Asian Americans rose by more than 800 last year. And in london, the figure has more than tripled. The bbc� s special correspondent, fergal keane, has been meeting victims of these attacks. 0ne old white lady, she uses herfinger, points out to me and screams at me, saying, you bleep chinese, you have the chinese virus, just go back to your country. Translation when the train | was approaching camden road station, the tall, Young White Man who was sat next to me started making a noise, trying to get phlegm up from his throat. And when the train stopped at the station, he spat at me. I was On My Way Home and this kid shouted coronavirus at me. There was no one else in the street| and it was directed at me, and this happened at the start of the pandemic. Anti asian racism didnt begin with the pandemic, but victims say it has escalated dramatically. This has exploded since the beginning of the virus. This really affects both the emotions and Mental Health and the whole atmosphere in the community. Dr pong wang was jogging near his home in southampton when racist comments were shouted from a car. They punched me on my face and my nose was badly hit. The physical injury can be healed very easily, but most importantly, it is the inner side, right . How do you restore yourfaith in humans . Notjust your nose but your mouth, your eyes, your hair, your voice. The fear around coronavirus has helped inflame xenophobic attitudes around the world. Conspiracy theories have spread online. And victims told us the rhetoric of some leaders caused enduring harm. Donald trump the chinese virus. Kung flu. The nation which unleashed this plague onto the world, china. The issues in america transfer themselves over to the uk quite regularly, and obviously, that is in the media regularly as well. So, it gives a voice to people and somebody as powerful as trump, with his views, emboldened the racists. It is an atmosphere in which older prejudices have revived. Dan sus supermarket symbolises a korean family thats fully integrated into british society. But recently, his wife and baby daughter were racially abused in an affluent west london suburb. I remember very clearly feeling how sad i was. Because this is the country that i was born in and i grew up in, and i love. Everything about this country. Communities long established in britain, part of the countrys culturalfabric, are being targeted. The sense of belonging, reflected in londons Chinese New Year celebrations, is challenged by racism. Now, an opposition mp of chinese descent wants tougher policing of hate crime. Weve got to get really tough with social media sites that allow and spread hatred online, and as well as that dehumanising kind of rhetoric and racism, there is, on the other hand as well, this racism that is a conspiracy theory, that we are trying to take over the world. In these and many other lives, the politics of the pandemic and superpower rivalries have unleashed fear. But also, a determination to confront prejudice. Translation i am not a virus. Why did he spit at me and discriminate against me . Just because i look asian, it doesnt mean im a virus. Fergal keane, bbc news. Next, A Landmark Trial has begun in the United States that could have major implications for the future of the technology giant, apple. The case is being brought by epic games, which makes the hugely popular fortnite franchise. It accuses apple of stifling competition by charging Developers Unfairfees for being on its app store. Apple insists the rates are standard for the industry. The trial in california is Hearing Testimony from both firms chief executives. Our north America Technology correspondent James Clayton reports on the background to the case. Apples app store and Googles Google play are the dominant global app stores outside of china. If you want to make games for smartphones, you pretty much have to play by apple and googles rules. Epic calls that a duopoly and that if there was more competition, those fees might be lower. Their argument is a Pretty Simple antitrust one, that no one company should have so much Market Dominance in one sector. Apples argument is Pretty Simple, it invented the app store, so it should get to charge what it likes. It also says that a majority of apps dont pay anything at all to apple. Its reasoning for charging 30 on some developers . Well, it says it needs to vet and check apps that come onto the app store to protect the apple ecosystem. Im joined by erin griffith, a Reporter Times who was at the trial on monday. What did we hear from what did we hearfrom epic games . What did we hear from epic ames . ,. , games . Essentially, in their oenin games . Essentially, in their Opening Arguments cycled i games . Essentially, in theirj Opening Arguments cycled is there a series of e mails they plan to present as evidence from apple, internally, from the beginning of the app store, and how apple created a Walled Garden and hook them in there. And then abused their Monopoly Power by charging this 30 tax or commission on any in our payment while also restricting the kind of choices that certain Application Makers have. That was the broad, overall Opening Argument for epic, they use the wild garden metaphor a lot, the Walled Garden Walled Garden, like a car dealer taking a commission every time you buy gas. I car dealer taking a commission every time you buy gas. Every time you buy gas. I can see their every time you buy gas. I can see their argument. Every time you buy gas. I can see their argument. What every time you buy gas. I can i see their argument. What about apple was my Point Of View . What would there be more detailed response . What would there be more detailed response . Apple did make their detailed response . Apple did make their opening detailed response . Apple did| make their Opening Argument today as well, and they had a few different arguments, but they essentially said there is no precedent for apple to be considered a monopolist, there is a thriving ecosystem of apps. If apple had not created the app store, this hundred billion Dollar Company might not even exist, and it is very competitive, there are many platforms for companies to publish their apps. They are trying to frame this is a gaming issue, pointing Notjust A Google Play but also for xbox, playstation, all of the different places you can access games. Epic is trying to frame it as an app specific being which goes beyond the Gaming Industry but the effects of app makers, they are trying to broaden it. Makers, they are trying to broaden it. , ,. , broaden it. Very briefly, i am afraid we broaden it. Very briefly, i am afraid we are broaden it. Very briefly, i am afraid we are running broaden it. Very briefly, i am afraid we are running out broaden it. Very briefly, i am afraid we are running out of i afraid we are running out of time and only at the start of this trial. If it goes against and two, what other possible consequences . It and two, what other possible consequences . Consequences . It is a single udae, consequences . It is a single judge. Not consequences . It is a single judge. Not a consequences . It is a single judge. Not ajury consequences . It is a single judge, not ajury. If consequences . It is a single judge, not a jury. If the consequences . It is a single. Judge, not ajury. If thejudge judge, not a jury. If Thejudge Rules against apple, it would be monumental, he could change the way we access apps and white the people who make them unable to do. The same judge white the people who make them unable to do. The samejudge is also ruling on apples lawsuit on google, this year, and it could have a big impact on the many antitrust cases that are being brought against them two and its app store around the world. Apps an app store around the world. If they win, that reinforces the power they have and emboldens them on the fees they are able to charge the app store. The app store. Erin griffith. That was the app store. Erin griffith. That was brilliant. The app store. Erin griffith. That was brilliant. Thank i the app store. Erin griffith. L that was brilliant. Thank you. Conservationists in kenya have rescued nine endangered giraffes from an island threatened by rising flood waters. The Baringo Giraffe also known as the rothschild giraffe is close to extinction. Conservationists have been using a database of Satellite Images going back several decades to plan the relocation of the giraffes to a new sanctuary. Emmanuel igunza has more. Its an audacious rescue mission. The Baringo Giraffe is being carefully ferried to a new home in a custom made barge. Shes one ofjust 3,000 Baringo Giraffes that remain in the world. The local community decided to act when a herd became trapped on a disappearing island. Decades of rising water in lake baringo meant the island was getting smaller every year. The Food Availability on the island is highly fluctuating and insufficient, so it is justifying in supporting the need for the translocation of the giraffe to the mainland. He speaks his own language the team has been using Satellite Images to plan the move. The digital africa platform contains data that until recently was only available to a handful of people. Now the team can see changes in water levels and vegetation cover in the region going back several decades. Its a new tool for conservationists responding to africas increasingly unpredictable weather. These erratic patterns means that we have to deploy Real Time Data and information to support Conservation Efforts both by citizens and governments to ensure that they plan effectively and try to mitigate the devastating impacts of these climatic changes. To the shore. The rest of the herd have already made this perilous journey and they are waiting for her in the new giraffe sanctuary. The long term aim is to introduce more giraffes from other parts of the country and build up kenyas population of Baringo Giraffes. Emmanuelle igunza, bbc news, kenya. Some good news from kenya. And, before we go, take a look at this amazing video involving the royal marines. This soldier is strapped into a jetpack, developed by the company gravity industries. Looks pretty impressive. You can reach me on twitter im lvaughanjones. Im Lewis Vaughan jones. Im Lewis Vaughanjones. This is bbc news. Hello. When it comes to Bank Holiday Weather, our expectations are normally low, but even they were undercut by what just happened. Up to two inches of rain in the wettest parts of scotland, but very few avoided a spell of lashing rain. A wind gust over 90mph off the south coast of england. Even where the rain held off until late in the day, the temperature only reached 1a celsius, and thats the lowest High Temperature the uk has had on the Early May Bank holiday, so that makes it the coldest Early May Bank holiday on record. Its not going to feel any warmer during tuesday. Itll still be windy, though not quite as windy, and therell be showers around as the area of low pressure that did for the Bank Holiday Weather pulls away into the north sea. The flow of air behind that, though, coming down from the north, that means temperatures below average for the time of year, feeling colder in the wind and the showers around of which there will be plenty from the word go though not much in the way of frost to start the day. That is going to change, though, as we go through the week ahead, so back to a risk of overnight frost. Gales close to these north sea coasts where its been windiest overnight in Southern England and south wales. Wont be as windy by the time we get to mid morning. There are areas with showers moving south, perhaps some longer spells of rain in parts of Northern England. Brightening up later in north east scotland. Not many showers in Southern England and south wales. The winds at their strongest along the north sea coasts and across parts of eastern england. Very gusty, but again easing later. Catch a shower, hail, thunder with temperatures like this, itll be wintry over the hills in scotland. Some places will not get into double figures. Now, on through tuesday evening and night, some showers continue to feed south. Its where it gets clearest overnight Northern England and parts of scotland were going to have frost going into wednesday morning, so it will be a cold start. And wednesday will be a day of sunshine and showers. Again, there will be a wintry flavour to these showers in places with hail and some snow on the higher hills in scotland, Northern England, perhaps into wales as well. Its not going to feel any warmer. Were back to the risk of overnight frost. A similar picture on thursday further showers, wintry on hills moving south and maybe a spell of Rain Flirting with the south coast of england, so were going to keep a close eye on that. Friday will be another chilly day of sunshine and showers and going into the weekend, here comes another area of low pressure. More wind and rain, though as the wind changes direction to a southerly, it may turn much warmerfor a time, especially in parts of england. This is bbc news, the headlines one of the worlds richest couples bill and Melinda Gates have announced that they are divorcing after 27 years of marriage. Their Charitable Foundation has spent billions fighting causes such as Infectious Diseases and encouraging vaccinations in children. In a joint statement, the pair said they would continue to Work Together. The European Union has outlined plans to significantly ease Travel Restrictions in time for the summer. Under the proposals, anyone who has received the last dose of an eu approved vaccine at least two weeks beforehand will be permitted to travel. Discussions on the plans will begin on tuesday. A landmark trial has begun in the us against apple, accusing the tech giant of abusing its Market Dominance. Epic games, which makes fortnite, says game and App Developers have no choice but to use the Technology Giants app store, where theyre charged large fees on transactions