♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ narrator: funding for presentation of this program is provided by.. thfreeman foundation. by judy and peter blum-kovler foundation. pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. and by contributions to this pbs station from viewers like you, thank you. woman: and now, "bbc world news".

washington and this is bbc america. the u.s. is leveling new sanctions against russia after interference in american elections and cyber attacks. moscow says a response will be unavoidable. former police officer derek chauvin please the fifth and does not testify on the final day of evidence in his trial over george floyd's death. more than 1300 babies in brazil have died from covid. we have an exclusive access to a children's icu in the country. undocumented workers and america have suffered from the virus and feared deportation. a brooklyn church is a trusted place to get vaccinated. i will have a special report. ♪ laura: welcome to world ns america on pbs and around the globe. the united states is introducing

sweeping sanctions against russia, expelling 10 diplomats accused of spying or trying to hurt moscow's ability to spend money. the russia has blamed -- the u.s. is concerned by the buildup of russian forces at the ukraine border. running is now is gary o'donoghue. justice: days ago president biden spoke to president putin and they were talking about it possible summit but president biden is chosen sanctions over the summit. reporter: i think this is a dual strategy, pressure, carrot and stick, whatever you want to call it. this is the administration setting out that it will not be pushed around, it will react -- retaliate for those things it believ it as proof or but it will hold the hand of peace out as well to de-escalate the situation. the president saying this is proportionate action he is taking, that he could have gone further, chose not to because he

wanted it to fit what the russians have done, but try and get a relationship going that is more stable and predictable as the white house puts it. anchor: this is a very different tone to that of president with russia. reporter: it is a hugely different tone. if you cast your mind back to that press conference in helsinki with president trump and vladimir putin in which he threw his own intelligent services under the bus saying they were wrong that russia had not interfered in the 2016 election, very much different tone from joe biden and an indication that the norms of great power rivalry are reasserting themselves and pivot away from the war on terrorism back toward a focus on russia and china as the great adversaries and competitors facing america today. anchor: thank you. that is the view from

washington. let's go now to moscow where our correspondent steve rosenberg as more on how these sanctions are received by the kremlin. reporter: there has been an anger response in moscow. the russian foreign ministry h accused america of aggressive behavior and of dangerously raising the temperature of confrontation between the 2 countries. there has been reaction from the russian foreign intelligence service, which washington believes was behind the hacks, and svr describe the accusation as meaningless weather. what did russian state television say tonight? has america gone bananas? how are the 2 presidents going to talk after this? that is a key question, because talks with the prospect of a summit is exactly what joe biden offered vladimir putin earlier this week when the 2 men spoke on the telephone, the chance to sit down in person and discuss what is a difficult relationship.

that is especially important now in the light of east-west tensions build up over ukraine. concern in the west about russian troop build up near ukraine's borders. willie stomach -- will a summit still be possible? it will not be easy and the russians are still furious and almost certainly they will respond with sanctions of their own against america, but is there is still room for dialogue? i think so, forow there is, because for moscow with the idea of a summit, the chance for the russian president to rub shoulders with his american counterpart on the geopolitical stage is something very attractive for vladimir putin, who believes the world should respect russia. anchor: steve rosenberg, our correspondent in moscow. on capitol hill today members of the house intelligence committee held a hearing about the greatest global threat. russian actions are high on that

list. joining us now is a democratic congresswoman from florida on the intelligence committee. thank you for joining us. president biden said he could have gone even further with these sanctions the u.s. as just imposed against russia, but he wanted to be proportionate. is the u.s. waiting to see what happens in ukraine? >> i think there are few people more experienced than president joe biden in terms of foreign afirs and who knows more about russia, and russian president vladimir putin then joe biden. i believe these sanctions imposed on russia are appropriate, and i also know as the president said, the u.s. once a stable relationship with russia. i think we need a functional relationship with russia but russia does not really want conflict with the united states, and i believe there is discussion about with the imposition of the sanctions

whether president putin would still want to meet with the u.s. president? of course he would, because it is to his benefit, but when we look at cyber attacks, potential interference in our election, i believe the economic sanctions and removal of the diplomats who were basically russian spies is an appropriate response. anchor: congresswoman, you sit on the intelligence committee. you are privy to information about what is happening internally and russia. these sanctions targeting ability of russia to borrow money. is that something you think could change the behavior of president putin potentially? >> i certainly think the aggression in crime era -- crimea is a major reason for the sanctions imposed, and economic sanctions could be particularly detrimental to russia. as i said earlier, i do believe

they are significant. i believe the economic sanctions will help to change behavior and also keep it in mind that a functional relationship between russia and the united states is what is necessary, and i do believe that it will get president putin's attention and it will be beneficial. anchor: are you concerned though, congresswoman, that ssia might be trying to draw the united states and nato into some kind of conflict over ukraine? >> you know, let me say this. is difficult i think to be absolutely certain about exactly what president putin is willing to do, but as i also said, russia really does not want conflict with the united states, because it is not really to their benefit, and we see what

the conflict is created, economic sanctions, removal of the diplomats for what i believe are good, appropriate reasons. as i said, there are few people who know more about russia, their leader thna job -- than joe biden, and i believe his response is proportionate and it will be very effective. anchor: congresswoman, if we could briefly turn to policing care in united states. as a former police chief do you see how quickly charges were brought against a former police officer this week after the death of daunte wright. do you think police are now being held accountable in america in a way that were not even one year ago? >> let me say, of course, my heart, my thoughts, my prayers go out to daunte wright's

family. here we are, yet again, and i would just say the police have always been held accountable, but i do believe with the invention of technology, we haven't been able to as a nation to have evidence that we have not been able to have it before, evidence that is indisputable, and with the rest of officer potter, it was obviously timely. one of the things i am particularly interested in, i have heard some discussions about her being a 26 year veteran, but when we think about carrying a taser device, it should not matter whether you are a 26 year veteran or a one year recruit, because the level of training should be the same. it should be extensive before you are able to carry that device, so i am particularly interested in the level of training that the officer and as

a matter of fact all officers across our nation to receive before they are able to deploy the weapon. anchor: congresswoman dennings, thank you so much for joining us. >> thank you. anchor: at the trial over the death of george floyd in minneapolis the prosecution and defense have rested their cases. closing arguments will be made next week. derek chauvin, the police officer being charged with floyd's murder said he would not give evidence. our correspondent reports for minneapolis. reporter: this was the first time in nearly three weeks of evidence derek chauvin spoke in the courtroom. up to the last minute there was speculation about whether she would testify. >> she made the decision about whether you intend to testify or invoke your fifth amendment? >> i will invoke my fifth amendment relates today. >> the decision whether or not testify is entirely yours.

is this your decision not to testify. >> it is, your honor. reporter: the defense argued his knee was not the main cause of george floyd's death but it would have opened about to cross examination. he decided the risk was too great. just a few miles away under the former police officer, kim potter, appeared in court charged with manslaughter after shooting a black over the weekend. as the trial winds down, tensions are growing. security has been tightened. protests that followed george floyd's death led to widespread looting and arson. the city is fortifying itself with the verdict. -- for the verdict. anchor: as minneapolis is dealing with the trial american purchased over the shooting of daunte wright. chicago's mayor is asking for calm. this comes as video has been released of the fatal shooting

last month not to result with the country's senate has launched an investigation into the president's handling of the amendment. babies are dying from covid-19. in brazil 1300 infants under the age of one of died for the virus. our bbc correspondent got exclusive access to a children's icu and the north west of brazil. here is our report. reporter: the touch of a hand, a warm voice, but no familiar faces. with no visits allowed due to the fear of infection, it is the doctors and nurses who offer comfort to the children. the hospital staff have about phones and tablets with their own money so parents can have at least some contact with their children. for now, this is the closest this mother can get to her newborn baby.

>> it has been an immense challenge working in the icu without parents being able to visit. it is just words exchange over the phone. it is so hard for them to understand how their child's case could have become critical, and in some cases unfortunately the child might die. reporter: lucas was just one when he contracted the virus. his mom took himo the spital with a fever and breathing difficulties. worried, she asked for a covid test. >> the doctor said, my dear, do not worry. there is no need for a covid test. it is probably just a minor sore throat. weeks later, his condition worsened. he was finally admitted to nicu, but help came too late. >> i keep thinking, a covid test could have saved my son, because

then he would have received proper trement. but the doctor simply did not want to. he just gave a diagnosis off the top of his head. more young children are known to have died of covid-19 in brazil than anywhere else in the world. the death toll for babies under one is 22 times higher than in the united states. why are there more children dying of covid in brazil than in other parts of the world. >> we have a serious problem detecting cases. we do not have enough tests for the general population. even if you were for children. because there is a delay in the diagnosis, there is a delay for care in the child, so only when they are already seriously ill we get a diagnosis. reporter: the children in this hospital have won their first

battle. they were offered and icu bed and proper treatment, but now they must wait for this moment. of finally being reunited with her parents -- their parents. anchor: you are watching bbc world news america. still to come on tonight's program, after northern ireland see some of the worst unrest since a period known as the troubles, we have a special report from belfast. ♪ anchor: a president as told former u.s. officials that china's activities are threatening regional stability after trying it moves to reassert its claim over taiwan. our correspondent is in taipei with historical context. reporter: [indiscernible] she spent most of her pastor

trying to convince the u.s. that china is the threat that recent tensions are all beijing's fall. the relations between the 2 sides were at their best since the end of the civil war in 1949. what is interesting is president biden seems to be continuing president trump strong support for taiwan. he has sent a warship over here to the taiwan strait basically once a month. that is working to beijing. they are not seeing relief from what happened during the 12 years -- trump years. that is troubling for beijing. ♪ anchor: the goal of america's coronavirus vaccination effort is to vaccinate everyone including those who are undocumented. reaching this group is not easy

because of fear of authority and being deported. it is the undocumented who are so often essential workers in america's economy and they were hit hard by the virus. we are in brooklyn new york where a drive is underway to vaccinate the undocumented. reporter: sunday morning, it is time for vaccinations. people here are mostly undocumented, doing the essential work of new york city at construction sites and cleaning homes. a church set up a food bank for more than 2000 families. a reverent told me when he asked people online for food if they were getting vaccinated, the answer was no. >> i said, what do you mean? i do not trust the hospital. my follow-up question was would you get vaccinated if we have the vaccines at our church? i had a resounding yes. reporter: hundreds have been

vaccinated here over the last three weeks. people without visas or health insurance worry about coming forward, fearing without proper id they could be deported. the church staff were reassuring. >> when we come we explain. you have a right, so you can get it no matter what. reporter: the impact of the pandemic on the hispanic community of new york as been overwhelming. people have lost loved ones and jobs and disproportionate numbers. in this small brooklyn community alone, 150 families or morning those killed by covid -- moruning 2 by covid. the reverend has had to deal with so many grieving families and as he conducts resume worship on sunday, disinformation, fear of the vaccine he is dealing with in his congregation. >> the former administrion did

a good job of injecting fear in people's minds and doubts. we are still dealing with that. misinformation that came from those high echelons of power. at city needs to invt locally on -- the city needs tonvest locally on outreach. reporter: there is much work for the church. it is a place of trust for those who live in the shadows, a vital location for those most at risk on the virus feel safer to get a vaccine. anchor: that church as thou vaccinated over 1000 people in just three weeks. the last few weeks in northern ireland have seen the worst violence since before the signing of the good friday peace agreement more than 20 years ago. officials from the u.k. and irish governments met this afternoon. most unrest took place along the so-called peace line, a set of walls that separate belfast from

protestant parts of the city. reporter: so much of the story of this place changes on these walls -- hinges on these walls, over 20 miles in early. nearly 70% of killings took place within 500 yards of them. amid the 2 decades they have been growing, not shrinking. >> i have 4 children here. reporter: jean has lived on about bay street all her life. even after her family was burned out of their original home in the spot on 1969. this is the view from the rden. >> i know it is terrible, but it is necessary. i could not live here without that here. reporter: what would happen? >> i would be murdered.

reporter: the barriers run through some of the city's most deprived areas. the sectarian interface is so volatile. young protestants rising, because they think nationalist youths like these belong to a community that now has the upper hand. we unionism finds itself reacting, not leading -- where unionism finds itself reacting, not leading. a protestant enclave in north belfast is a microcosm of anxiety. policing issues, intimidation by local nationalist youth. >> we do not want that trouble. we do not want that tension. we were not doing anything to deserve that. >> we would be accepted as

british unionists. [indiscernible] people are going to say enough is enough. reporter it is important to remember the violence is localized. this is not a return to the troubles, certainly not images of gunmen crossing the city to kill, but these enduring barriers remind us after 23 years of the peace agreement sectarianism has not been eroded. these are not just signs of intolerance but of political failure. loyalist feel irish nationalism once victory. nationalist argue they are just asserting their rights. there is little trust. i spoke with 2 politicians who started out as teenagers on opposing sides here. if you put yourself in their shoes, loyalist get away with

everything. >> i can understand that, pbecause there is a shift in relationships. and they need to come to terms with it. that requires leadership. they cannot just shout about. they need to sit down engage. >> i say it is not an agreement. it is a process. that is not with the politics is about. the politics is about stopping division. reporter: the rising across these police lines sought momentum swing to the streets, creating an unpredictable dynamic, dangerous for governments, clinical parties, and the people. -- political parties, and the people. anchor: northern ireland's troubled past continues to define its presence -- present. before we go tonight, in new

york city tonight, there is live music. ♪ the new york philharmonic performed its first indoor concert to an audience of 150 socially distance people after 13 months of silence caused by the pandemic. they were played by a reduced forced of 23 strings, no winds, all best of urse. it is returned to the life. musicians have been hit particularly hard during the pandemic. hopefully this is the start of a pandemic. shakespeare said if music be the food of love, play on. narrator: funding for presentation of this program is provided by.. the freeman foundation. by judy and peter blum-kovler foundation.

pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. and by contributions to this pbs station from viewers like you, thank you. ♪ ♪ man: you're watching pbs. narrator: stream the best of pbs on any device with the pbs video app. all your favorite drama, history, science, news, and documentaries all in one place. watch your pbs station live or catch up on the shows you missed. support your pbs station and you can get "passport" giving your full seasons, early releases, special collections and more. get the pbs video app now and stream the best of pbs anytime. anywhere. is your family ready for an emergency? you can prepare by mapping out two ways to escape your home,

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captioning sponsored by newshour productions, llc >> woodruff: good evening, i'm judy woodruff. on the newshour tonight, message to moscow-- the biden administration imposes a new set of sanctions on russia for election interference, the solar winds hack and more. then, insurrection aftermath-- the inspector general for the u.s. capitol police force testifies on their failure to prepare officers for the violent mob of trump supporters on january 6th. plus, the longest war-- the secretary of state visits afghanistan as the united states prepares to withaw troops from the country after nearly two decades. and, critical care-- we look at how canada's universal health cays