bbc--2020-12-25--Christmas cards: You won't believe the effort this family goes to!

From the moment the last card has gone out , the Boggio-Derbyshires are already thinking ahead to what they might @ @ @ @ @ .
Their themed Christmas cards have become a bigger and more creative production each year @ @ @ @ @ on roles from their favourite films and TV shows like Game of Thrones , Home @ @ @ @ @ Julia Boggio speaks to the BBC about creating the cards , and how this year @ @ @ @ @ special 2020 theme - is extra important to their friends and family .

From the moment the last card has gone out, the Boggio-Derbyshires are already thinking ahead to what they might do for their next one.
Their themed Christmas cards have become a bigger and more creative production each year, as the family take on roles from their favourite films and TV shows like Game of Thrones, Home Alone and Die Hard.
Julia Boggio speaks to the BBC about creating the cards, and how this year's card - with a special 2020 theme - is extra important to their friends and family.
Video by Larissa Kennelly


bbc--2020-12-25--How delivery drivers became vital in the pandemic

In the early stages of the pandemic , delivery drivers made sure no-one had to leave the house for food @ @ @ @ @ they are taking on an even more important role as the last link in the @ @ @ @ @ Speaking to the BBC , Regina Byron , who delivered the first doses of the @ @ @ @ @ Michigan Hospital , said `` it 's very fulfilling to know that I make a @ @ @

In the early stages of the pandemic, delivery drivers made sure no-one had to leave the house for food or supplies, but now they are taking on an even more important role as the last link in the Covid-19 vaccine supply chain.
Speaking to the BBC, Regina Byron, who delivered the first doses of the vaccine to the University of Michigan Hospital, said "it's very fulfilling to know that I make a difference".


bbc--2020-12-25--'White Christmas': The biggest selling single of all time

American entertainer Bing Crosby made 'White Christmas ' by Irving Berlin , one of the defining songs of World War @ @ @ @ @ Crosby spoke to Witness History about the song and what it meant to his uncle @ @ @ @ @ stories of our times told by the people who were there

American entertainer Bing Crosby made 'White Christmas' by Irving Berlin, one of the defining songs of World War Two.
His nephew Howard Crosby spoke to Witness History about the song and what it meant to his uncle.
Witness History: The stories of our times told by the people who were there


bbc--2020-12-25--In pictures: Christmas celebrations around the world

People across the world are celebrating one of the holiest times in the Christian calendar .
But this year 's @ @ @ @ @ Christmas Day is celebrated by western churches on 25 December but by eastern churches on @ @ @ @ @ attended by far fewer people because of the coronavirus outbreak .
Social distancing and wearing @ @ @ @ @ must in many places .

People across the world are celebrating one of the holiest times in the Christian calendar. But this year's church services and events (Christmas Day is celebrated by western churches on 25 December but by eastern churches on 7 January) are being attended by far fewer people because of the coronavirus outbreak. Social distancing and wearing masks are now the new must in many places.


bbc--2020-12-25--Bridgerton: Everything you need to know about the Netflix drama

And you can see why .
It 's narrated by the mysterious Lady Whistledown , who writes regular newsletters full of tittle-tattle about the dating exploits of high society .
Everyone reads her well-informed takes with fascination - but nobody knows who she is .
The year is 1813 , and Daphne Bridgerton is making her debut in London in the hope of finding a suitable husband .
Things are made challenging by her older brother , whose discerning eye stops most male candidates from getting very far .
`` She 's the eldest daughter of the Bridgerton family , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and she conforms to all these crazy social rules and expectations which are placed on women , but also men , in those times .
But she 's very young and naive , and she 's about to find out that the world is n't quite as she imagined it to be . ''
1 .
It 's based on the best-selling romance novels The eight-part drama has been adapted from Julia Quinn 's series of Bridgerton novels .
They 've sold more than 10 million copies in the US alone and been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think that 's a common thought , that people look down their noses at romance novels , '' says showrunner Chris Van Dusen .
`` I personally do n't understand why that is .
I do n't think that it 's the same with other genres .
But at the end of the day , these books are filled with compelling characters and interesting stories . ''
Derry Girls star Nicola Coughlan , who plays Penelope Featherington , agrees : `` I think they definitely can be [ looked down upon ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show 's secret power in a way , because it 's a genre that has n't been explored much on television . ''
2 .
It 's produced by one of the biggest names in TV Shonda Rhimes is n't hugely well-known in the UK , but she 's one of the most powerful execs in the US TV landscape , having created medical drama Grey 's Anatomy and political thriller Scandal .
She also wrote the Britney Spears film Crossroads , but nobody 's perfect .
The deal was seen as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close ties to ABC .
Extraordinarily , the move came about because of a dispute Rhimes had with ABC 's parent company Disney over some free family passes to Disneyland , according to The Hollywood Reporter .
`` We do , yes .
I worked in Shondaland pretty much my entire writing career , since Grey 's Anatomy , '' explains Van Dusen .
`` Prior to Bridgerton I was working on Scandal , and as that show was coming to an end , I was looking for what to do next .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ completely different to modern-day political intrigue in Washington DC , and that 's when Shonda told me about Bridgerton . ''
3 .
The critical reception has been largely positive But the show 's diverse cast was applauded by Vulture 's Kathryn VanArendonk , who wrote : `` Bridgerton a beguiling example of what can happen when romance is allowed to belong to characters who are n't all straight and white , and a fanfare-and-confetti reminder of what the genre can be at its best . ''
4 .
The 'Bridgerstans ' are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was cast in the show , she `` went lurking on the fan forums online '' , which is something only the bravest of actors would do .
`` And I realised that the fans really loved Penelope , so I felt a lot of pressure and like I did n't want to let them down , '' she explains .
`` They really wanted Emma Stone to be cast , so I was like ' I 'm really sorry that it 's me ! '
'' Fortunately , they gave Coughlan the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been so lovely , when the casting got announced they could n't be more sweet , '' she says .
`` But there 's a huge fandom behind the series . ''
Indeed , Coughlan 's forum-mining came in rather useful to the other cast members .
`` I think Nicola was definitely the spokesperson for the Brigerstans , as they call themselves , '' says Dynevor .
`` We 'd go to Nicola if we had any fan questions . ''
Dynevor , though , chose to avoid the forums ( `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , adding : `` There is quite a lot of pressure when there is already such a following . ''
`` It was over the top .
And I think that is why audiences love it so much .
You have the dancing , the costumes , the jewels , the country homes , the glittering ballrooms , and I think all of that works to provide us an escape . ''
Coughlan says she 's pleased such a `` colourful and exciting '' show is coming out at the end an otherwise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need a drab , grey period drama , '' she says , `` Bridgerton is in full technicolour , so I think that will be nice for people . ''
`` The fitting process was a lot , '' admits Dynevor .
`` I had 104 dresses , all handmade from scratch which is pretty unheard of , the costume department was incredible .
But also having to be fitted into the costumes - whenever I was n't filming I was in a fitting . ''
But that was n't the only time-consuming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ preparation for shooting .
Dynevor also had `` horse riding lessons , dance lessons and etiquette lessons '' , in addition to learning all the lines .
`` But you had to throw yourself into it , '' she says .
6 .
There are parallels to today 's dating culture '' We explore things like family , sexuality , dating , they had courtship in Regency times , and instead of those dating apps like Tinder , they were effectively swiping left and right in ballrooms all night .
Finding those modern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of fun with . ''

Bridgerton: Everything you need to know about the Netflix drama Published 25 December 2020
Image source, NETFLIX Image caption, Derry Girls star Nicola Coughlan (left) as Penelope Featherington, and Claudia Jessie as Eloise Bridgerton
Netflix's new period drama Bridgerton, which launches on Christmas Day, has been described as a Regency-era Gossip Girl.
And you can see why. It's narrated by the mysterious Lady Whistledown, who writes regular newsletters full of tittle-tattle about the dating exploits of high society. Everyone reads her well-informed takes with fascination - but nobody knows who she is.
The year is 1813, and Daphne Bridgerton is making her debut in London in the hope of finding a suitable husband. Things are made challenging by her older brother, whose discerning eye stops most male candidates from getting very far.
"She's the eldest daughter of the Bridgerton family," explains actress Phoebe Dynevor, "and she conforms to all these crazy social rules and expectations which are placed on women, but also men, in those times. But she's very young and naive, and she's about to find out that the world isn't quite as she imagined it to be."
So, that's the premise. Here's everything else you need to know:
1. It's based on the best-selling romance novels
Image source, NETFLIX Image caption, Adjoa Andoh stars as Lady Danbury while Regé-Jean Page plays Simon Bassett
The eight-part drama has been adapted from Julia Quinn's series of Bridgerton novels. They've sold more than 10 million copies in the US alone and been translated into 32 languages worldwide.
But there's a decent chance you've never heard of them, which could partly be due to a certain snobbery that exists towards the genre.
"I think that's a common thought, that people look down their noses at romance novels," says showrunner Chris Van Dusen. "I personally don't understand why that is. I don't think that it's the same with other genres. But at the end of the day, these books are filled with compelling characters and interesting stories."
Derry Girls star Nicola Coughlan, who plays Penelope Featherington, agrees: "I think they definitely can be [looked down upon], but that's part of the show's secret power in a way, because it's a genre that hasn't been explored much on television."
2. It's produced by one of the biggest names in TV
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Shonda Rhimes previously created Grey's Anatomy and Scandal
Shonda Rhimes isn't hugely well-known in the UK, but she's one of the most powerful execs in the US TV landscape, having created medical drama Grey's Anatomy and political thriller Scandal. She also wrote the Britney Spears film Crossroads, but nobody's perfect.
In 2017, Netflix signed Rhimes and her production company Shondaland to an exclusive deal worth a reported $150m (£110m), which has so far seen her develop Bridgerton and the forthcoming series Inventing Anna.
The deal was seen as a coup for Netflix due to Rhimes' close ties to ABC. Extraordinarily, the move came about because of a dispute Rhimes had with ABC's parent company Disney over some free family passes to Disneyland, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Anyway, Rhimes has brought Van Dusen with her to oversee Bridgerton, because the pair go way back.
"We do, yes. I worked in Shondaland pretty much my entire writing career, since Grey's Anatomy," explains Van Dusen. "Prior to Bridgerton I was working on Scandal, and as that show was coming to an end, I was looking for what to do next. I knew I wanted to do something completely different to modern-day political intrigue in Washington DC, and that's when Shonda told me about Bridgerton."
3. The critical reception has been largely positive
Image source, NETFLIX Image caption, Phoebe Dynevor is the daughter of actress Sally Dynevor, who has been in Coronation Street for over 30 years
Nearly every critic has noted that Bridgerton's release is well-timed, arriving at the end of a ghastly 2020.
Vanity Fair's Sonia Saraiya described it as "frothy, silly escapism - the perfect Christmas offering for a craptastic year".
"It's a fun show, for a while at least; the escapism quotient is high," agreed Time's Judy Berman. But, she added: "If only the writing matched the production values."
Aja Romano of Vox was more critical, saying the show "comes off like many of the aristocrats it's skewering: soulless and vapid".
But the show's diverse cast was applauded by Vulture's Kathryn VanArendonk, who wrote: "Bridgerton a beguiling example of what can happen when romance is allowed to belong to characters who aren't all straight and white, and a fanfare-and-confetti reminder of what the genre can be at its best."
4. The 'Bridgerstans' are not to be messed with
Image source, NETFLIX Image caption, Coughlan (right) became the unofficial Bridgerstan representative
After Coughlan was cast in the show, she "went lurking on the fan forums online", which is something only the bravest of actors would do.
"And I realised that the fans really loved Penelope, so I felt a lot of pressure and like I didn't want to let them down," she explains. "They really wanted Emma Stone to be cast, so I was like 'I'm really sorry that it's me!'"
Fortunately, they gave Coughlan the seal of approval. "They've been so lovely, when the casting got announced they couldn't be more sweet," she says. "But there's a huge fandom behind the series." Indeed, Coughlan's forum-mining came in rather useful to the other cast members.
"I think Nicola was definitely the spokesperson for the Brigerstans, as they call themselves," says Dynevor. "We'd go to Nicola if we had any fan questions." Dynevor, though, chose to avoid the forums ("for my own mental health"), adding: "There is quite a lot of pressure when there is already such a following."
5. The series is pure eye candy
Image source, NETFLIX
British and American viewers are partial to a period drama, and the Regency period especially, because "it was a time of excess, beauty and decadence," according to Van Dusen.
"It was over the top. And I think that is why audiences love it so much. You have the dancing, the costumes, the jewels, the country homes, the glittering ballrooms, and I think all of that works to provide us an escape."
Coughlan says she's pleased such a "colourful and exciting" show is coming out at the end an otherwise miserable year. "We don't need a drab, grey period drama," she says, "Bridgerton is in full technicolour, so I think that will be nice for people."
Image source, NETFLIX Image caption, Dynevor said she wore 104 different handmade dresses throughout the filming of Bridgerton
It's clear from the first few minutes of Bridgerton that a lot of time and effort went into the costumes, hair and make-up.
"The fitting process was a lot," admits Dynevor. "I had 104 dresses, all handmade from scratch which is pretty unheard of, the costume department was incredible. But also having to be fitted into the costumes - whenever I wasn't filming I was in a fitting."
But that wasn't the only time-consuming thing the stars had to do in preparation for shooting. Dynevor also had "horse riding lessons, dance lessons and etiquette lessons", in addition to learning all the lines. "But you had to throw yourself into it," she says.
6. There are parallels to today's dating culture
Image source, NETFLIX Image caption, Chris Van Dusen [L] previously worked with Shonda Rhimes on Scandal and Grey's Anatomy
Coughlan notes today's audience may feel a new appreciation for how far society as come since the 19th Century. "Eloise and Penelope are virgins who can't drive," she points out. "But it wasn't that long ago that young women still weren't told all of the facts of life.
"It's fascinating to see, even though times have changed, how much human nature persists. The same pressure applies in different ways. You see the pressure upon women to get married, and that's still around. You see the pressure on men to fulfil these stereotypical male roles within society and how people don't want to be part of that."
Van Dusen concludes: "Underneath all the glamour and the lavishness, there is this running modern commentary on the show about how, in the last 200 years, everything has changed but nothing has changed, I think that's true for both men and women.


bbc--2020-12-22--Nick Butter: The man who ran a marathon in every country in the world

`` All of a sudden , I had this horrendous pain in my shoulder and chest .
You know what the tell-tale signs are , but when you feel it yourself , it 's very certain what 's going on . ''
By this stage of the challenge , he 'd already been shot at , mugged at gunpoint and attacked by dogs .
It was one more obstacle to overcome .
And the way it came about is quite typical of his habit of , well , taking a lot on .
Butter often had a taxi driver , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would provide help with navigation , water and safety .
On this occasion , a man from his hotel , Sani , had volunteered .
Unfortunately , it turned out that Sani had n't ridden a bike for 20 years .
With eight miles left for Butter to run , Sani was in some pain and had to dismount .
Rather than stop , or ask for help , Butter decided to run the rest of the marathon while pushing the bike and water himself .
`` It was uphill , in 45C-plus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this pain , '' Butter says .
Without anyone around and no phone signal , he took a break by the side of the road and waited it out .
Eventually , Sani caught up and took the bike back so that Butter , determined to finish , could hobble through the last section .
Afterwards he spoke to doctors and family friends who worked as medics .
They all confirmed the symptoms of a heart attack .
That did n't stop him flying to New Zealand to run another marathon just two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mentioning he has a family history of heart problems .
`` The medical answer is that I should have slowed down after that , but the actual answer is that I did n't , '' says Butter .
He completed 211 consecutive marathons around the world - 193 in member countries of the United Nations , plus 18 more for `` future-proofing '' .
It was in 2016 that a 26-year-old Butter had the idea .
The goal was to raise money for Prostate Cancer UK .
Inspiration had come in the April @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out in the Sahara Desert for the Marathon des Sables , which many describe as one of the world 's toughest events .
Those competing run up to 156 miles , over six days , in temperatures above 50C .
He met someone who changed his life .
Kevin Webber , then 51 , was one of his tent-mates on the run .
He revealed to Butter that he 'd been diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer in 2014 and told he had potentially two years to live .
`` There was this disconnect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the whole thing , '' says Butter .
`` It confused me for a while but then I realised why .
It was because he fundamentally understood the value of life . ''
After the race was complete , Butter got in touch with Webber and told him he wanted to do something to help raise money for prostate cancer research and treatment .
He set a target of raising £250,000 .
He just did n't yet know how he was going to do it .
`` I wanted it to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It had to involve running and travel and it had to invoke something that Kev had said to me , which was 'do n't wait for a diagnosis ' . ''
A simple internet search for 'has anyone ever run a marathon in every country ? '
brought a negative answer .
`` I could n't believe it , '' he says .
`` We 've put people on the moon !
Of course , now I know why it 's not been done before - it 's very , very difficult .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Butter started planning .
`` I registered with Guinness World Records , spoke with some adventurer and runner friends and then I started to understand that I needed to contact media outlets , embassies , running clubs around the world .
Hotels , people to do my safety , people to do my visas , working out a route , understanding the weather conditions , what my body would need to go through . ''
By the time he told Webber , Butter had a lot of things in place .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way as his family - he was encouraging , but not convinced it would be feasible .
Butter was serious , though .
The planning took two years .
Even then , he underestimated what was coming next .
On 7 January 2018 , Butter was finally on the start line , in Toronto , Canada .
Day one had not started well .
Halfway to Gatwick , news broke of a collision between two planes on the runway at his destination airport in Toronto .
When they finally did arrive , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expected .
What 's more , Butter did n't feel physically ready .
With all of the work that went into planning , he had actually neglected to prepare his body .
`` I was running in Canada and I realised I had n't actually done any training for about six months , '' he says .
He had done 450 marathons and nearly 100 ultra marathons before the trip .
But the scale of what he had taken on would soon hit home .
`` Physically , illness was the biggest challenge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had 22 different bouts of food poisoning , which meant several weeks and months having horrendous illness .
I was peeing blood at times because of dehydration .
`` During the first couple of weeks of Africa I lost 12kg . ''
Rest was another major issue , especially in areas with unreliable flights and long lay-overs .
But that was nothing compared to several moments of real danger .
`` I was mugged at knife and gunpoint by a group of attackers in Lagos , Nigeria , '' Butter says .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being kicked .
`` I was hit by a car in central Africa while I was running and broke some bones in my elbow .
I was attacked by dogs in Tunisia and had to get a rabies jab , which meant flying back to the UK , because the place I was about to fly to did n't have the vaccine . ''
He and his team were also shot at in Guinea-Bissau .
`` We were due to go on a night crossing on a rickety old boat .
A rebel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ post where we were parked overnight , '' Butter says .
`` I was sleeping in the back of the taxi and we heard gunfire and rattling on the metal canisters and porta-cabins nearby .
We realised these gunshots were aimed our way . ''
Having survived all of this , with 12 days of the journey left , a border check on the passage between Oman and Yemen almost tripped him up , with the finishing line in sight .
`` We had this horrible situation where it turned out that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goods and drugs into the country , using me as a mule effectively , '' Butter says .
`` I was stuck in the passenger seat , none the wiser , until the border police dragged us into a van .
`` There were lots of men with AK47s and lots of shouting .
Eventually , the driver handed everything over and we were let out . ''
Of course , it was n't all just one big ordeal .
There were some beautiful moments too .
`` On the coast of South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of the water .
I had a very close encounter with a cheetah in Namibia .
I ran around an erupting volcano in Guatemala in a city called Antigua .
I dangled my legs over the lip of a volcano in Nicaragua and watched the lava bubble several feet below .
`` In Liberia , I ran through this gorgeous forest which was absolutely swarming with frogs .
All you could hear for miles and miles was these frogs .
You do n't imagine that when you 're in the planning stages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of different people - from families who put him up to presidents and prime ministers .
`` I was sat next to a guy in a hotel in DR Congo , without realising he was the president of Zambia , '' Butter says , adding , `` The president of Slovenia happened to be a very good runner and met me and had some lunch with me . ''
Then there were countless others around the world who showed exceptional kindness - hosting him , feeding him and ferrying him around .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the whole trip was to raise money .
Did he meet his original fundraising target of £250,000 ?
At the time of interview , Butter said the JustGiving page that he had set up was at £120,000 , but , from outside donations , he believed the team had raised over £200,000 , with the number still rising .
He says that beyond raising money , the goal was to spread awareness .
`` I did something like 140 live TV appearances in different countries , '' Butter says .
There were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people come to us who previously had n't any idea of prostate cancer , but , after speaking to us , got tested and discovered that they had it .
Because they caught it early , they were fine . ''
Since finishing the trip , he has been doing speaking tours ( lockdowns permitting ) , using his story to help educate .
He 's also published a book , Running The World .
Butter , writing in the closing chapter about his final leg of the 196-marathon trip , which began @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turning up to run with him .
Five years on from Webber 's terminal prostate cancer diagnosis , in which he was given an estimated two years to live , he and Butter crossed the finish line in Athens hand-in-hand .
The pair still talk regularly , and Butter says his friend is still running and still smiling .

Butter actually ran marathons in 211 different territories - to 'future proof' his record
"All of a sudden, I had this horrendous pain in my shoulder and chest. You know what the tell-tale signs are, but when you feel it yourself, it's very certain what's going on."
Nick Butter suffered a minor heart attack two miles from the finish line of a marathon on the Polynesian island of Samoa. This was the 182nd marathon of a trip in which, over the course of 674 days, he ran one in every country in the world. He's the first person to achieve such a feat.
By this stage of the challenge, he'd already been shot at, mugged at gunpoint and attacked by dogs. It was one more obstacle to overcome. And the way it came about is quite typical of his habit of, well, taking a lot on.
Butter often had a taxi driver, motorcyclist or cyclist with him, who would provide help with navigation, water and safety. On this occasion, a man from his hotel, Sani, had volunteered.
Unfortunately, it turned out that Sani hadn't ridden a bike for 20 years.
With eight miles left for Butter to run, Sani was in some pain and had to dismount. Rather than stop, or ask for help, Butter decided to run the rest of the marathon while pushing the bike and water himself.
"It was uphill, in 45C-plus heat, when I suddenly I had this pain," Butter says.
Without anyone around and no phone signal, he took a break by the side of the road and waited it out. Eventually, Sani caught up and took the bike back so that Butter, determined to finish, could hobble through the last section.
Afterwards he spoke to doctors and family friends who worked as medics. They all confirmed the symptoms of a heart attack. That didn't stop him flying to New Zealand to run another marathon just two days later. It's also worth mentioning he has a family history of heart problems.
"The medical answer is that I should have slowed down after that, but the actual answer is that I didn't," says Butter. He completed 211 consecutive marathons around the world - 193 in member countries of the United Nations, plus 18 more for "future-proofing".
Running on the road in Namibia, south west Africa
It was in 2016 that a 26-year-old Butter had the idea. The goal was to raise money for Prostate Cancer UK.
Inspiration had come in the April of that year, when he was out in the Sahara Desert for the Marathon des Sables, which many describe as one of the world's toughest events. Those competing run up to 156 miles, over six days, in temperatures above 50C.
He met someone who changed his life. Kevin Webber, then 51, was one of his tent-mates on the run. He revealed to Butter that he'd been diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer in 2014 and told he had potentially two years to live.
"There was this disconnect because he was incredibly happy and smiley about the whole thing," says Butter. "It confused me for a while but then I realised why. It was because he fundamentally understood the value of life."
After the race was complete, Butter got in touch with Webber and told him he wanted to do something to help raise money for prostate cancer research and treatment. He set a target of raising £250,000. He just didn't yet know how he was going to do it.
"I wanted it to be big," Butter says. "It had to involve running and travel and it had to invoke something that Kev had said to me, which was 'don't wait for a diagnosis'."
A simple internet search for 'has anyone ever run a marathon in every country?' brought a negative answer.
"I couldn't believe it," he says. "We've put people on the moon! Of course, now I know why it's not been done before - it's very, very difficult."
After telling his family and friends, Butter started planning.
"I registered with Guinness World Records, spoke with some adventurer and runner friends and then I started to understand that I needed to contact media outlets, embassies, running clubs around the world. Hotels, people to do my safety, people to do my visas, working out a route, understanding the weather conditions, what my body would need to go through."
By the time he told Webber, Butter had a lot of things in place. He says Webber reacted in much the same way as his family - he was encouraging, but not convinced it would be feasible.
Butter was serious, though. The planning took two years. Even then, he underestimated what was coming next.
Butter's trip was almost derailed by a problematic border crossing between Oman and Yemen
On 7 January 2018, Butter was finally on the start line, in Toronto, Canada.
Day one had not started well. Halfway to Gatwick, news broke of a collision between two planes on the runway at his destination airport in Toronto. When they finally did arrive, it was -25C, 20 degrees colder than expected.
What's more, Butter didn't feel physically ready. With all of the work that went into planning, he had actually neglected to prepare his body.
"I was running in Canada and I realised I hadn't actually done any training for about six months," he says. He had done 450 marathons and nearly 100 ultra marathons before the trip. But the scale of what he had taken on would soon hit home.
"Physically, illness was the biggest challenge," Butter says.
"I had 22 different bouts of food poisoning, which meant several weeks and months having horrendous illness. I was peeing blood at times because of dehydration.
"During the first couple of weeks of Africa I lost 12kg."
Rest was another major issue, especially in areas with unreliable flights and long lay-overs. But that was nothing compared to several moments of real danger.
"I was mugged at knife and gunpoint by a group of attackers in Lagos, Nigeria," Butter says. That incident left him with fractured ribs from being kicked.
"I was hit by a car in central Africa while I was running and broke some bones in my elbow. I was attacked by dogs in Tunisia and had to get a rabies jab, which meant flying back to the UK, because the place I was about to fly to didn't have the vaccine."
He and his team were also shot at in Guinea-Bissau.
"We were due to go on a night crossing on a rickety old boat. A rebel force made a move on a border post where we were parked overnight," Butter says.
"I was sleeping in the back of the taxi and we heard gunfire and rattling on the metal canisters and porta-cabins nearby. We realised these gunshots were aimed our way."
Having survived all of this, with 12 days of the journey left, a border check on the passage between Oman and Yemen almost tripped him up, with the finishing line in sight.
"We had this horrible situation where it turned out that the driver I'd hired was smuggling counterfeit goods and drugs into the country, using me as a mule effectively," Butter says.
"I was stuck in the passenger seat, none the wiser, until the border police dragged us into a van.
"There were lots of men with AK47s and lots of shouting. Eventually, the driver handed everything over and we were let out."
The view in Antigua, Guatemala
Of course, it wasn't all just one big ordeal. There were some beautiful moments too.
"On the coast of South Africa I saw these beautiful humpbacks reaching out of the water. I had a very close encounter with a cheetah in Namibia. I ran around an erupting volcano in Guatemala in a city called Antigua. I dangled my legs over the lip of a volcano in Nicaragua and watched the lava bubble several feet below.
"In Liberia, I ran through this gorgeous forest which was absolutely swarming with frogs. All you could hear for miles and miles was these frogs. You don't imagine that when you're in the planning stages."
He also met a lot of different people - from families who put him up to presidents and prime ministers.
"I was sat next to a guy in a hotel in DR Congo, without realising he was the president of Zambia," Butter says, adding, "The president of Slovenia happened to be a very good runner and met me and had some lunch with me."
Then there were countless others around the world who showed exceptional kindness - hosting him, feeding him and ferrying him around.
And, of course, the big purpose for the whole trip was to raise money. Did he meet his original fundraising target of £250,000?
At the time of interview, Butter said the JustGiving page that he had set up was at £120,000, but, from outside donations, he believed the team had raised over £200,000, with the number still rising.
He says that beyond raising money, the goal was to spread awareness.
"I did something like 140 live TV appearances in different countries," Butter says. There were personal testimonies too.
"We had people come to us who previously hadn't any idea of prostate cancer, but, after speaking to us, got tested and discovered that they had it. Because they caught it early, they were fine."
Since finishing the trip, he has been doing speaking tours (lockdowns permitting), using his story to help educate. He's also published a book, Running The World.
Butter, writing in the closing chapter about his final leg of the 196-marathon trip, which began in Marathon, Greece, describes Webber turning up to run with him.
Five years on from Webber's terminal prostate cancer diagnosis, in which he was given an estimated two years to live, he and Butter crossed the finish line in Athens hand-in-hand.
The pair still talk regularly, and Butter says his friend is still running and still smiling.


bbc--2020-12-25--Coronavirus doctor's diary: 'We turned 90, moved in together - then got the vaccine'

`` Trevor said he 'd come and live here because both my children and his wanted us to do that @ @ @ @ @ my fall and he came here and I said , 'You might as well stay @ @ @ @ @ at night , ' '' says Lily .
Now they are `` living over the @ @ @ @ @ puts it .
`` It 's just worked out great and we are so compatible @ @

"Trevor said he'd come and live here because both my children and his wanted us to do that - I was frightened by my fall and he came here and I said, 'You might as well stay, rather than go home at night,'" says Lily. Now they are "living over the brush", as Lily puts it. "It's just worked out great and we are so compatible."


bbc--2020-12-25--Christmas: The mail order pioneer who started a billion-pound industry

A third of all Christmas shopping is forecast to have been done online this year as coronavirus lockdowns across the @ @ @ @ @ globe - made many shoppers decide getting gifts delivered to the front door is safer @ @ @ @ @ the High Street .

A third of all Christmas shopping is forecast to have been done online this year as coronavirus lockdowns across the UK - and across the globe - made many shoppers decide getting gifts delivered to the front door is safer and easier than buying on the High Street.


bbc--2020-12-25--John Edrich: Former England batsman dies aged 83

Last updated on .From the section Cricket Former England batsman John Edrich has died at the age of 83 .
A Surrey legend , he made 39,790 first-class runs overall from 564 matches , including 103 centuries - one of only 25 men to compile 100 first-class tons .
He was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2000 but lived long past the seven years he was given at that time and died of natural causes at his home in Scotland .
Edrich believed injections of mistletoe he received from 2005 extended his life and enabled him to cope with a rare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made his Test debut against West Indies at Old Trafford in 1963 and finished against the same opposition on the same ground 13 years later .
The opener top scored with 24 in the second innings of his final Test in 1976 as England were bowled out for 126 by West Indies ' formidable pace bowlers and lost by 425 runs .
Edrich , awarded a MBE for services to cricket in 1977 , compiled his career-high innings of 310 not out against New Zealand at Headingley in 1965 .
One of Wisden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he was renowned for his cut shot and was prolific through the mid-wicket area .
He captained Surrey for five seasons and led England once , when Mike Denness dropped himself on the 1974-75 tour of Australia .
His unbeaten 33 in that Test was particularly impressive given he had ribs broken by the first ball he faced from Australia fast bowler Dennis Lillee .
`` With John 's passing , we 've lost a prolific and fearless batsman - one of the select few who have scored more than 5,000 runs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , chief executive of the England and Wales Cricket Board .
`` His duels with some of the world 's best fast bowlers were legendary , and it 's a testament to his ability that his 310 not out against New Zealand in 1965 remains the fifth-highest Test score by an English batsman . ''
He played for Surrey for 20 years from 1958 and his 29,305 runs is the fourth-highest total in the history of the county .
Surrey fans voted for Edrich to open the batting alongside Sir Jack Hobbs in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Edrich Gates at the Pavilion End of the Kia Oval is a permanent reminder of his service to the county .
`` John Edrich was truly one of the greatest players to ever play for our club and his passing is an incredibly sad moment for us all , '' said Surrey chairman Richard Thompson .
`` From watching his brave and charismatic batting to sitting alongside him in our committee room and learning about the game , to have been able to call John a friend was a high honour . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the limit for Romesh Ranganathan

John Edrich (centre) was England batting coach when his former Test captain Raymond Illingworth (left) was in charge during the 1990s
Former England batsman John Edrich has died at the age of 83.
The left-hander played 77 Tests for England, making 12 centuries and finishing with an average of 43.54.
A Surrey legend, he made 39,790 first-class runs overall from 564 matches, including 103 centuries - one of only 25 men to compile 100 first-class tons.
He was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2000 but lived long past the seven years he was given at that time and died of natural causes at his home in Scotland.
Edrich believed injections of mistletoe external-link which he received from 2005 extended his life and enabled him to cope with a rare form of the blood cancer.
He made his Test debut against West Indies at Old Trafford in 1963 and finished against the same opposition on the same ground 13 years later.
The opener top scored with 24 in the second innings of his last Test in 1976 as England were bowled out for 126 by West Indies' formidable pace attack on an uneven pitch to lose by 425 runs.
His characteristic bravery was illustrated in that final Test innings at the age of 39 as he and opening partner Brian Close, 45, stoically defended for 80 minutes at the end of Saturday's play in the face of fearsome bowling by Andy Roberts, Wayne Daniel and Michael Holding.
Batting without helmets or chest protectors, Edrich was unbeaten on 10 and Close on one at the close and they took the score to 54 in the next day's play before the former was out for the final time in a Test - bowled by Daniel.
Close, bowled by Roberts for 20 soon after, also did not play for England again. They were the only England players to reach 20 in the innings.
Edrich made his 100th first-class century in 1977, against Derbyshire at The Oval
Edrich, awarded a MBE for services to cricket in 1977, compiled his career-high innings of 310 not out against New Zealand at Headingley in 1965.
He hit 52 fours - the highest number in any Test innings - as well as five sixes in an innings that lasted eight minutes short of nine hours and is the fifth-highest score by an England player.
Named one of Wisden's Cricketers of the Year in 1966, Edrich was admired for his defence and temperament but was also renowned for his cut shot and was prolific through the mid-wicket area.
He captained Surrey for five seasons and led England once, when Mike Denness dropped himself for the fourth Test on the 1974-75 tour of Australia.
Edrich's unbeaten 33 in his Test as captain was notable for the fact he had two ribs broken by the first ball he faced from Australia fast bowler Dennis Lillee but returned from hospital to resume his innings with the Ashes on the line.
Edrich repelled Lillee and Jeff Thomson for nearly four hours but ran out of partners at the other end with the draw that would have kept the series alive in sight.
That innings in Sydney was an example of his ability to excel against the era's premier pace attacks from West Indies and especially Australia, against whom seven of his dozen Test centuries were made.
He averaged 48.96 in 32 matches against England's fiercest rival and that figure rose to 55.78 in Ashes Tests on Australian soil.
His opening partnership with the similarly doughty Geoffrey Boycott - a classic right-and-left combination at the top of the order - was one of the key reasons England regained the Ashes in 1971-72.
"With John's passing, we've lost a prolific and fearless batsman - one of the select few who have scored more than 5,000 runs for England," said Tom Harrison, chief executive of the England and Wales Cricket Board.
"His duels with some of the world's best fast bowlers were legendary, and it's a testament to his ability that his 310 not out against New Zealand in 1965 remains the fifth-highest Test score by an English batsman."
Edrich played in the first one-day international, opening the batting with regular Test partner Boycott against Australia at the MCG in January 1971.
He hit the first boundary in the new format, a trademark clip through mid-wicket, on the way to a man-of-the-match innings of 82 off 119 balls as England made 190 from 39.4 overs.
Edrich played in a further six ODIs, averaging 37.16 with a highest score of 90 and a strike rate of 68.61.
John Edrich flanked by Ray Illingworth and Geoffrey Boycott as England prepared to record 'The Ashes Song' in 1971
Born in Norfolk, the cousin of former England batsman Bill, he played for Surrey for 20 years from 1958 and his 29,305 runs is the fourth-highest total in the history of the county.
Surrey fans voted for Edrich to open the batting alongside Sir Jack Hobbs in their 'Greatest XI' and the John Edrich Gates at the Pavilion End of the Kia Oval is a permanent reminder of his loyal service to the county.
"John Edrich was truly one of the greatest players to ever play for our club and his passing is an incredibly sad moment for us all," said Surrey chairman Richard Thompson.
"From watching his brave and charismatic batting to sitting alongside him in our committee room and learning about the game, to have been able to call John a friend was a high honour."


bbc--2020-12-24--Test your knowledge of the key events of the sporting year

Last updated on .From the section Sport Despite the coronavirus pandemic it has still been another astonishing year of sporting @ @ @ @ @ for Liverpool and Lewis Hamilton to Novak Djokovic 's US Open disqualification and a virtual @ @ @ @ @ time to reflect on the highs - and possibly a few lows - over the @ @ @ @ @ your knowledge on some of the key events of 2020 in our Christmas quiz .
@ @ @ @ @ Skye is the limit for Romesh Ranganathan

Last updated on .From the section Sport
Despite the coronavirus pandemic it has still been another astonishing year of sporting drama, from title triumphs for Liverpool and Lewis Hamilton to Novak Djokovic's US Open disqualification and a virtual Grand National.
It is time to reflect on the highs - and possibly a few lows - over the past 12 months.
Test your knowledge on some of the key sport events of 2020 in our Christmas quiz.


bbc--2020-12-24--From mourning Maradona to a famous punch, 10 memorable images of 2020

Last updated on .From the section Sport And then in 2020 , it stopped .
The bells and whistles fell quiet , the lights turned off .
The coronavirus pandemic halted events around the world .
Sport lost its shape and structure .
All the usual landmarks went missing .
Spring arrived without the London Marathon .
High summer came and went without Wimbledon .
In place of the two-week whirlwind of the Olympics was eerie calm .
But sport still moved in 2020 .
Even with a shortage of action and crowds , it moved people .
There was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , fear and , this year more than ever , reflection .
These are some of the photos that captured all of that .
The biggest crowd in women 's cricket history - 86,174 - packed the Melbourne Cricket Ground to watch hosts Australia defeat India in the final of the Women 's T20 World Cup .
The match was staged on International Women 's Day .
While Australia key all-rounder Ellyse Perry was missing through injury , Katy Perry was there .
The pop supernova , wearing a top and earrings featuring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and after the match .
`` I was a bit shocked .
I must have one of those faces . ''
Scotland flanker James Ritchie copped the full force of French prop Mohamed Haouas ' frustration in the teams ' Six Nations match .
Haouas was shown a red card .
Ritchie won man of the match in a Scotland victory .
It was the fourth of five rounds of the Six Nations .
The final set of matches was played nearly eight months later .
Since the start of the modern Olympics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caused the Olympics to be postponed or cancelled .
But once an epidemic became a pandemic , Tokyo 2020 's organisers opted to delay the summer Games 12 months to summer 2021 at an estimated cost of more than £2bn .
They have warned that the Games will be scrapped altogether rather than delayed a second time .
When the Premier League returned after a three-month break in play , things were very different .
Players were subject to regular testing , asked not to spit or clear nostrils on the pitch and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the summer heat .
The fans were out of the stands and onto pitchside screens .
Players from across sport took the knee to show their opposition to racial violence and discrimination in the wake of George Floyd 's death in police custody in Minneapolis in May .
International cricket resumed in England as the West Indies travelled from the Caribbean , relatively unaffected by coronavirus at the time , to play a three-Test series in a unique bio-bubble environment .
Lyon 's supreme dominance of the Women 's Champions League continued as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with victory over Wolfsburg .
England stars Lucy Bronze , Jodie Taylor and Alex Greenwood lent an Anglo edge to the French side with Bronze going on to be named best women 's player at Fifa 's 2020 awards .
As she walked onto court before each of her matches at the US Open , Naomi Osaka , whose father is Haitian and mother is Japanese , wore a face mask emblazoned with the name of a different black American killed by the police or a fellow civilian .
`` It 's quite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the amount of names , '' she told the Washington Post .
For her champion 's photoshoot , she wore a kente cloth headwrap in a nod to her west African ancestry .
Never mind the Spring Classics , how about the Autumn Grands ?
The compressed cycling calendar delivered a triple shot of excitement in the latter half of the year as Tour de France , Vuelta a Espana and Giro d'Italia were all switched to later dates .
The biggest race of them all - the Tour - produced the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pulled off a spectacular time-trial heist on the penultimate stage to leapfrog Primoz Roglic in the yellow-jersey standings .
The Los Angeles Lakers had n't won an NBA title in 10 years .
They had n't made the play-off for six .
But with star player LeBron James motivated by Michael Jordan 's record and a desire to honour the late Kobe Bryant 's memory , the Lakers beat the Miami Heat in game six to end the wait .
Diego Maradona , the scamp king of Argentine football , died in November @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abilities were matched by his appetite for excess off the pitch .
Aged 60 , he was particularly revered in the southern Italian city of Naples , where he lifted Napoli to their first Serie A titles at a time of bitter rivalry with the comparatively well-off north of the country .
In the wake of his death , Napoli renamed their stadium in his honour .
• None The Isle of Skye is the limit for Romesh Ranganathan

Last updated on .From the section Sport
Social distancing slips as Liverpool fans celebrate their first league title in 30 years outside an empty Anfield
Sport is always moving.
An endless treadmill of trophies to be chased, a carousel of seasons spinning into each other. Relentless churning, always with something to look forward to.
And then in 2020, it stopped. The bells and whistles fell quiet, the lights turned off.
The coronavirus pandemic halted events around the world. Sport lost its shape and structure. All the usual landmarks went missing.
Spring arrived without the London Marathon. High summer came and went without Wimbledon. In place of the two-week whirlwind of the Olympics was eerie calm.
But sport still moved in 2020. Even with a shortage of action and crowds, it moved people. There was delight, wonder, misery, astonishment, fear and, this year more than ever, reflection.
These are some of the photos that captured all of that.
March
The biggest crowd in women's cricket history - 86,174 - packed the Melbourne Cricket Ground to watch hosts Australia defeat India in the final of the Women's T20 World Cup.
The match was staged on International Women's Day. While Australia key all-rounder Ellyse Perry was missing through injury, Katy Perry was there. The pop supernova, wearing a top and earrings featuring the female gender symbol, performed before and after the match.
"I was a bit shocked. I must have one of those faces."
Scotland flanker James Ritchie copped the full force of French prop Mohamed Haouas' frustration in the teams' Six Nations match.
Haouas was shown a red card. Ritchie won man of the match in a Scotland victory.
It was the fourth of five rounds of the Six Nations. The final set of matches was played nearly eight months later.
Since the start of the modern Olympics in 1896, only world wars have caused the Olympics to be postponed or cancelled.
But once an epidemic became a pandemic, Tokyo 2020's organisers opted to delay the summer Games 12 months to summer 2021 at an estimated cost of more than £2bn.
They have warned that the Games will be scrapped altogether rather than delayed a second time.
July
When the Premier League returned after a three-month break in play, things were very different.
Players were subject to regular testing, asked not to spit or clear nostrils on the pitch and given extra drinks breaks in consideration of the summer heat.
The fans were out of the stands and onto pitchside screens.
Players from across sport took the knee to show their opposition to racial violence and discrimination in the wake of George Floyd's death in police custody in Minneapolis in May.
International cricket resumed in England as the West Indies travelled from the Caribbean, relatively unaffected by coronavirus at the time, to play a three-Test series in a unique bio-bubble environment.
August
Lyon's supreme dominance of the Women's Champions League continued as they claimed their fifth successive European crown with victory over Wolfsburg.
England stars Lucy Bronze, Jodie Taylor and Alex Greenwood lent an Anglo edge to the French side with Bronze going on to be named best women's player at Fifa's 2020 awards.
September
As she walked onto court before each of her matches at the US Open, Naomi Osaka, whose father is Haitian and mother is Japanese, wore a face mask emblazoned with the name of a different black American killed by the police or a fellow civilian.
"It's quite sad that seven masks isn't enough for the amount of names," she told the Washington Post. external-link
For her champion's photoshoot, she wore a kente cloth headwrap in a nod to her west African ancestry.
Never mind the Spring Classics, how about the Autumn Grands?
The compressed cycling calendar delivered a triple shot of excitement in the latter half of the year as Tour de France, Vuelta a Espana and Giro d'Italia were all switched to later dates.
The biggest race of them all - the Tour - produced the highest drama as Slovenia's Tadej Pogacar pulled off a spectacular time-trial heist on the penultimate stage to leapfrog Primoz Roglic in the yellow-jersey standings.
October
The Los Angeles Lakers hadn't won an NBA title in 10 years. They hadn't made the play-off for six.
But with star player LeBron James motivated by Michael Jordan's record and a desire to honour the late Kobe Bryant's memory, the Lakers beat the Miami Heat in game six to end the wait.
November
Diego Maradona, the scamp king of Argentine football, died in November after a life in which his gargantuan abilities were matched by his appetite for excess off the pitch.
Aged 60, he was particularly revered in the southern Italian city of Naples, where he lifted Napoli to their first Serie A titles at a time of bitter rivalry with the comparatively well-off north of the country.
In the wake of his death, Napoli renamed their stadium in his honour.


bbc--2020-12-24--Is Escape to Victory the best football film ever made?

It is tense inside Paris ' Colombes Stadium .
The score is 4-3 to a villainous , cheating Germany but our brave lads , with a rousing half-time team-talk from Russell Osman still ringing in their ears , are on the charge .
His cross loops into the box in glorious slow motion where Pele ... sorry , Luis Fernandez , rises to connect with a stunning overhead kick that flies past the helpless German keeper .
`` Victoire ! ''
chant the French crowd .
Even Nazi officer Major Von Steiner rises to applaud .
Football films get a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it right , as in this standout moment from the big Nazis v Allied soldiers match at the end of 1981 war-time flick Escape to Victory , it is thrilling .
In the near 40 years since the release of John Huston 's bank holiday classic , only a few films have braved taking on the sport , with mixed results .
Some shine , more do n't and others seemingly exist purely to remind us just how tough it is to portray the beautiful game on the big screen .
'But we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been attempts to harness football 's popularity on film before Escape to Victory .
In 1939 , the Arsenal Stadium Mystery did exactly what it said on the tin , with a murder plot at Highbury that featured Gunners and England stars Cliff Bastin and Eddie Hapgood , and then manager George Allison .
Brentford players of the time stood in for Arsenal 's fictitious opponents , The Trojans , during action sequences , which are accompanied by a Cholmondley-Warner-esque commentary to keep everyone up to speed and interspersed with cutaways to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you 'll ever hear .
Huston 's Escape to Victory , though , would be the first to really succeed at harnessing the game 's global appeal , specifically through the casting of Pele , Moore , Ossie Ardiles and members of the then successful Ipswich Town side in speaking roles alongside Hollywood heavyweights Michael Caine and Sylvester Stallone .
Thanks to the professionals involved the match action has an air of authenticity , although it still ca n't avoid the regular pitfall of defenders offering non-existent , choreographed challenges and too much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Ardiles ' famous flick looks great in slow motion , but there 's no way he 'd get away with it in a real match without being clattered , especially one where the opposition midfield is comprised entirely of dastardly Nazi prison guards .
The casting also provides one of the big hurdles football films still struggle to clear - footballers are not actors and thespians rarely have the skills to convince as players , even when you stick the American in net .
After all , the audiences at which these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ football to spot an imposter and as iconic as his `` but we can win this '' line is , Osman is no Marlon Brando .
The producers of the Goal !
films at least learnt from this and opted for an amalgamation of real game footage , interspersed sparingly with inserted close-ups of the actors in action , like a bigger budget version of Sky 's Dream Team , with Martin Tyler as Basil Exposition on commentary .
They even had the sense to have Laurent Robert as an in-game body double @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all makes for a fun rags to riches tale , albeit one that may set some eyeballs rolling with its Hollywood narrative cheesiness , which includes the kind of improbable last-act goalscoring feat that might even top Sean Bean 's in When Saturday Comes .
One thing it does confirm , though , is that 30-odd years after Escape to Victory , footballers still ca n't act .
'England will be playing four-four- @ * & ~ # $ !
two' Many of the most successful football films are those that tap into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the game .
The Damned United , an adaptation of David Peace 's novel , mythologises one of English football 's most revered figures , Brian Clough , during his ill-fated 44-day stint as Leeds manager in the mid-70s .
Grey , gritty and spattered with mud , the match action is smartly kept to a minimum , with the little bits on display serving to tap into the psyche of a fascinating and complex man , not least of all in a scene which sees Clough follow an entire game from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the noise of the crowd .
Inspired principally by the documentary 'The Impossible Job ' , which charts England 's failure to qualify for the 1994 World Cup , it is a love letter to the nation 's miserable and often hapless attempts to recapture the glory of 1966 , with the titular character its beating heart .
Decent and honourable but way out of his depth , Bassett , played by Ricky Tomlinson , is an archetypal English football managerial figure - a bit of Ron Greenwood , a dash of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Graham Taylor - in a tale that taps straight to the core of what it is like to follow the Three Lions .
`` I am a passionate England fan and have been to World Cups , '' Bassett creator and writer Rob Sprackling tells BBC Sport .
`` It is an experience born out of hope , brought down by huge disappointment .
`` The film grew out of this sense that we were never as good as a Germany or Italy .
And it was the frustration of years of seeing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our manager - well intentioned , passionate and patriotic - but never good enough to do what is a really hard job .
`` Bassett is a hero to me .
He is an eternal optimist who wants to create something good and make people happy but is ultimately destined to fail .
`` All those familiar forces start to rain against him - the FA not really having his back , the fans going on the rampage , the players trying to jump ship and losing faith and the press turning on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a man who wants to build something brilliant being slowly killed by a thousand cuts . ''
'If it was only a game do you honestly think I 'd care this much ? '
Bassett has its glory moment , but does so in a ridiculously apt way , with the film 's Paul Gascoigne analogue , Kevin Tonkinson , exorcising a few national demons by punching the winner into the net against Argentina .
Bassett 's side are eventually knocked out in the semi-finals , but are heralded as heroes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ laugh at a subject so dear to the heart is a big reason it works so well as a football film , especially to an English fan sensibility so cynically conditioned to things going wrong .
`` If you take it all too seriously and dress is up as something too important it can sink under its own weight , '' says Sprackling .
`` In the same way that Spinal Tap managed to capture everything that is ridiculous but also brilliant about rock and roll , that is what we tried to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ why Bassett - or indeed any film , sporting or not - is effective is that we become invested in the people involved and their story .
Bend It Like Beckham works as we root for central character Jess and her quest to overcome culture , class and gender barriers through her love for the game , Fever Pitch is good not because we care about football but because we care that Paul cares about football .
If you can find an affinity with a character - be it Gregory Underwood , Jimmy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3 : World Pup - then no football film is truly bad .
Apart from United Passions .
That is awful .
• None The Isle of Skye is the limit for Romesh Ranganathan

Michael Caine (third from right) and Pele. The greatest footballer of all time... and Pele.
It is tense inside Paris' Colombes Stadium. The score is 4-3 to a villainous, cheating Germany but our brave lads, with a rousing half-time team-talk from Russell Osman still ringing in their ears, are on the charge.
Pele... sorry, Luis Fernandez, still nursing broken ribs, spreads the ball to the right for Terry Brady, who bears a striking resemblance to England World Cup winning captain Bobby Moore.
His cross loops into the box in glorious slow motion where Pele... sorry, Luis Fernandez, rises to connect with a stunning overhead kick that flies past the helpless German keeper. "Victoire!" chant the French crowd. Even Nazi officer Major Von Steiner rises to applaud.
Football films get a bad rap, but when they get it right, as in this standout moment from the big Nazis v Allied soldiers match at the end of 1981 war-time flick Escape to Victory, it is thrilling.
In the near 40 years since the release of John Huston's bank holiday classic, only a few films have braved taking on the sport, with mixed results.
Some shine, more don't and others seemingly exist purely to remind us just how tough it is to portray the beautiful game on the big screen.
'But we can win this!'
The Escape to Victory team featured actors Sylvester Stallone (goalkeeper), Michael Caine (front, third left) as well as footballers Pele (front, third right), Bobby Moore (front, second right), Ossie Ardiles (front, second left), John Wark (back, third right, Mike Summerbee (back, third left) and Russell Osman (back, first left)
There had been attempts to harness football's popularity on film before Escape to Victory.
In 1939, the Arsenal Stadium Mystery did exactly what it said on the tin, with a murder plot at Highbury that featured Gunners and England stars Cliff Bastin and Eddie Hapgood, and then manager George Allison.
Brentford players of the time stood in for Arsenal's fictitious opponents, The Trojans, during action sequences, which are accompanied by a Cholmondley-Warner-esque commentary to keep everyone up to speed and interspersed with cutaways to the most PC fan abuse of a referee you'll ever hear.
Huston's Escape to Victory, though, would be the first to really succeed at harnessing the game's global appeal, specifically through the casting of Pele, Moore, Ossie Ardiles and members of the then successful Ipswich Town side in speaking roles alongside Hollywood heavyweights Michael Caine and Sylvester Stallone.
Thanks to the professionals involved the match action has an air of authenticity, although it still can't avoid the regular pitfall of defenders offering non-existent, choreographed challenges and too much reliance on unrealistically showy bits of skill.
Ardiles' famous flick looks great in slow motion, but there's no way he'd get away with it in a real match without being clattered, especially one where the opposition midfield is comprised entirely of dastardly Nazi prison guards.
The casting also provides one of the big hurdles football films still struggle to clear - footballers are not actors and thespians rarely have the skills to convince as players, even when you stick the American in net.
After all, the audiences at which these films are mainly aimed have seen enough football to spot an imposter and as iconic as his "but we can win this" line is, Osman is no Marlon Brando.
The producers of the Goal! films at least learnt from this and opted for an amalgamation of real game footage, interspersed sparingly with inserted close-ups of the actors in action, like a bigger budget version of Sky's Dream Team, with Martin Tyler as Basil Exposition on commentary.
They even had the sense to have Laurent Robert as an in-game body double for lead actor Kuno Becker.
It all makes for a fun rags to riches tale, albeit one that may set some eyeballs rolling with its Hollywood narrative cheesiness, which includes the kind of improbable last-act goalscoring feat that might even top Sean Bean's in When Saturday Comes.
One thing it does confirm, though, is that 30-odd years after Escape to Victory, footballers still can't act.
'England will be playing four-four-@*&~#$! two'
The Damned United was met with criticism from some of the figures it portrays for its historical inaccuracy, but Michael Sheen is utterly convincing as Brian Clough
Many of the most successful football films are those that tap into the history, culture and legend of the game.
The Damned United, an adaptation of David Peace's novel, mythologises one of English football's most revered figures, Brian Clough, during his ill-fated 44-day stint as Leeds manager in the mid-70s.
Grey, gritty and spattered with mud, the match action is smartly kept to a minimum, with the little bits on display serving to tap into the psyche of a fascinating and complex man, not least of all in a scene which sees Clough follow an entire game from the confines of his office, reacting only to the noise of the crowd.
Playing a similar theme for laughs is Mike Bassett: England Manager.
Inspired principally by the documentary 'The Impossible Job', which charts England's failure to qualify for the 1994 World Cup, it is a love letter to the nation's miserable and often hapless attempts to recapture the glory of 1966, with the titular character its beating heart.
Decent and honourable but way out of his depth, Bassett, played by Ricky Tomlinson, is an archetypal English football managerial figure - a bit of Ron Greenwood, a dash of Bobby Robson and a big dollop of Graham Taylor - in a tale that taps straight to the core of what it is like to follow the Three Lions.
"I am a passionate England fan and have been to World Cups," Bassett creator and writer Rob Sprackling tells BBC Sport. "It is an experience born out of hope, brought down by huge disappointment.
"The film grew out of this sense that we were never as good as a Germany or Italy. And it was the frustration of years of seeing us continually pick the nice guy as our manager - well intentioned, passionate and patriotic - but never good enough to do what is a really hard job.
"Bassett is a hero to me. He is an eternal optimist who wants to create something good and make people happy but is ultimately destined to fail.
"All those familiar forces start to rain against him - the FA not really having his back, the fans going on the rampage, the players trying to jump ship and losing faith and the press turning on him.
"It is a tragedy of a man who wants to build something brilliant being slowly killed by a thousand cuts."
Scenes for Mike Bassett were filmed at the old Wembley shortly before it was torn down and rebuilt. Sprackling: "We had a game between the stars, who were all useful, and the crew, who were all fat and useless and we somehow won. Director Steve Barron, who is a Man Utd fan, scored a Bobby Charlton-esque winner and we went up the steps to hold up a coffee mug or something. The last team to pick up a trophy at the old Wembley."
'If it was only a game do you honestly think I'd care this much?'
Bassett has its glory moment, but does so in a ridiculously apt way, with the film's Paul Gascoigne analogue, Kevin Tonkinson, exorcising a few national demons by punching the winner into the net against Argentina.
Bassett's side are eventually knocked out in the semi-finals, but are heralded as heroes.
This eulogising of failure and ability to laugh at a subject so dear to the heart is a big reason it works so well as a football film, especially to an English fan sensibility so cynically conditioned to things going wrong.
"If you take it all too seriously and dress is up as something too important it can sink under its own weight," says Sprackling. "In the same way that Spinal Tap managed to capture everything that is ridiculous but also brilliant about rock and roll, that is what we tried to do."
Fundamentally, though, why Bassett - or indeed any film, sporting or not - is effective is that we become invested in the people involved and their story.
Bend It Like Beckham works as we root for central character Jess and her quest to overcome culture, class and gender barriers through her love for the game, Fever Pitch is good not because we care about football but because we care that Paul cares about football.
If you can find an affinity with a character - be it Gregory Underwood, Jimmy Grimble or the dog from Air Bud 3: World Pup - then no football film is truly bad.
Apart from United Passions. That is awful.


bbc--2020-12-24--Cricket quiz: What can you remember from the iconic Boxing Day Tests?

Last updated on .From the section Cricket Ah , 26 December : a day of family time , leftover turkey @ @ @ @ @ exchange unwanted gifts .
But down under , a Boxing Day tradition for Australians is @ @ @ @ @ Test cricket .
Each year , Australia host a touring team at the 100,000-capacity Melbourne @ @ @ @ @ the visitors this year .
But how much can you remember from Boxing Day Tests @ @ @ @ @ Have a go at the 10 questions below and share your results using # bbccricket @ @ @ @

Last updated on .From the section Cricket
Ah, 26 December: a day of family time, leftover turkey sarnies and frantically trying to exchange unwanted gifts.
But down under, a Boxing Day tradition for Australians is to settle back and enjoy Test cricket.
Each year, Australia host a touring team at the 100,000-capacity Melbourne Cricket Ground, with India the visitors this year.
But how much can you remember from Boxing Day Tests in years gone by? Have a go at the 10 questions below and share your results using #bbccricket external-link on social media.


bbc--2020-12-26--Coronavirus: France finds first case of new variant

What more do we know about France 's first case ?
According to data from Nextstrain , which has been monitoring the genetic codes of viral samples around the world , cases in Denmark and Australia also came from the UK .
The Netherlands also reported cases .
This means theatres and cinemas remain shut as do bars and restaurants .
A nationwide curfew is also effective from 20:00 to 06:00 .
The curfew was lifted for Christmas Eve - but will remain for New Year 's Eve .
What is the new variant ?
The new variant first detected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sharp rises in levels of positive tests in recent weeks in London , the east of England and the South East .
About two-thirds of people testing positive in these areas could have the new variant - but this is only an estimate , the Office for National Statistics ( ONS ) says .
All of these come together to build a case for a virus that can spread more easily , says the BBC 's health and science correspondent , James Gallagher .
However , there is no evidence that the new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leading vaccines developed in recent months should still work , experts say .
How did the world respond to the UK 's new variant crisis ?

Coronavirus: France finds first case of new variant Published 26 December 2020
Image source, Reuters Image caption, A French health worker holds a test tube after administering a nasal swab (file image)
France has confirmed the first case in the country of the more contagious coronavirus variant recently identified in the UK.
The French health ministry said the person was a French citizen in the central town of Tours who had arrived from London on 19 December.
The ministry said he was asymptomatic, and currently self-isolating at home.
The appearance of the new coronavirus variant in England triggered travel curbs with dozens of countries.
France closed its border but ended its ban on Wednesday, providing people tested negative before travelling. Thousands of lorry drivers spent Christmas Day in their cabs in Kent waiting to cross the English Channel.
What more do we know about France's first case?
It was confirmed after the man was tested in hospital on 21 December, the health ministry said.
The infected person, a French national living in the UK, was feeling all right, it added without providing further details.
Other countries have also reported cases of the new variant: on Friday, Japan confirmed five infections in passengers who had all arrived from the UK, while cases in Denmark, Australia and the Netherlands were reported earlier.
Last week, France lifted its national lockdown, but the government said the infection rate had not fallen sufficiently for a further easing.
This means theatres and cinemas remain shut as do bars and restaurants. A nationwide curfew is also effective from 20:00 to 06:00. The curfew was lifted for Christmas Eve - but will remain for New Year's Eve.
France has reported more than 2.5 million confirmed Covid infections since the start of the outbreak, with more than 62,000 deaths - the seventh highest total deaths in the world.
The country's first batch of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccinations meanwhile were delivered from Belgium to the health system's central pharmacy just outside Paris on Saturday, AFP news agency reports.
The first shots are due to be administered to patients at two facilities for the elderly - in Sevran and Dijon - on Sunday.
What is the new variant?
The new variant first detected in England in September is blamed for sharp rises in levels of positive tests in recent weeks in London, the east of England and the South East.
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Media caption, Covid symptoms: What are they and how long should I self-isolate for?
About two-thirds of people testing positive in these areas could have the new variant - but this is only an estimate, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) says.
Three things are coming together that mean the new variant is attracting attention:
It is rapidly replacing other versions of the virus
It has mutations that affect part of the virus likely to be important
Some of those mutations have already been shown in the lab to increase the ability of the virus to infect cells
All of these come together to build a case for a virus that can spread more easily, says the BBC's health and science correspondent, James Gallagher.
However, there is no evidence that the new variant is more dangerous, and the leading vaccines developed in recent months should still work, experts say.
How did the world respond to the UK's new variant crisis?
More than 40 countries banned all UK arrivals earlier this month.
Flights from the UK were suspended to territories across the world including Spain, India and Hong Kong.
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Media caption, Isabella Hussell was onboard a ferry from Portsmouth to France when it was cancelled
Hundreds of people were stranded for hours as a result of the travel curbs.
Saudi Arabia, Oman and Kuwait went even further, closing their borders completely for a week.


bbc--2020-12-26--Nashville explosion: Camper van blows up in 'intentional act' on Christmas morning

BREAKING : This is the RV that exploded on 2nd Ave N this morning .
It arrived on 2nd Ave @ @ @ @ @ seen this vehicle in our area or do you have information about it ?
Please @ @ @ @ @ at 615-742-7463 or online via https : //t.co/dVGS7o0m4v .
@ ATFHQ pic.twitter.com/JNx9sDinAH

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bbc--2020-12-25--Brexit deal: What is in it?

Brexit deal: What is in it?

Answer : The value of the fish caught by the EU in UK waters will be cut by 25 % @ @ @ @ @ less than the UK initially asked for .
The cut will be phased in over @ @ @ @ @ and a half years - which is a lot shorter than the EU initially asked @ @ @ @ @ period is over , the UK will fully control access to its waters , and @ @ @ @ @ If it decides to exclude EU fishing boats they can be compensated for their losses @ @ @ @ @ UK fishing products or by preventing UK boats from fishing in EU waters .

Answer: The value of the fish caught by the EU in UK waters will be cut by 25% - which is a lot less than the UK initially asked for. The cut will be phased in over a transition period lasting five-and-a-half years - which is a lot shorter than the EU initially asked for. Once the transition period is over, the UK will fully control access to its waters, and could make much deeper cuts. If it decides to exclude EU fishing boats they can be compensated for their losses, either through tariffs on UK fishing products (or other goods) exported to the EU, or by preventing UK boats from fishing in EU waters.


bbc--2020-12-25--Queen's Christmas speech: 'You are not alone'

This Christmas our thoughts are with those of you who are spending today alone , those of you who are @ @ @ @ @ loved one , and those of you on the frontline who are still mustering the @ @ @ @ @ lives on hold to look after the rest of us .
pic.twitter.com/VvW3rV4fRz

"Of course for many, this time of year will be tinged with sadness - some mourning the loss of those dear to them and others missing friends and family members distanced for safety, when all they really want for Christmas is a simple hug or a squeeze of the hand," she added.


bbc--2020-12-25--Australian expeditioner evacuated from Antarctica in five-day mission

The AAD said that `` fortunately for the operation '' a Chinese icebreaker happened to pass by .
It dispatched @ @ @ @ @ team of Australians to a site some 40km ( 25 miles ) inland , so @ @ @ @ @ ski-way for a US aircraft to land on and pick up the patient .

The AAD said that "fortunately for the operation" a Chinese icebreaker happened to pass by. It dispatched its helicopters to transfer a team of Australians to a site some 40km (25 miles) inland, so that they could build a ski-way for a US aircraft to land on and pick up the patient.


bbc--2020-12-25--Uganda Lake Albert boat accident leaves many dead

One official said that many of the victims were trying to return illegally to the Democratic Republic Congo ( DRC @ @ @ @ @ restrictions that have stopped most traffic between the DRC and Uganda , according to the @ @ @ @ @

One official said that many of the victims were trying to return illegally to the Democratic Republic Congo (DRC) to avoid the coronavirus restrictions that have stopped most traffic between the DRC and Uganda, according to the Associated Press news agency.


bbc--2020-12-25--Covid: Millions of Americans face unemployment benefits lapse

On the same day , the House is also expected to vote on an unrelated , $ 740bn defence spending @ @ @ @ @ vetoed on Wednesday instead of signing into law .
Lawmakers plan to override the president @ @ @ @ @ legislation anyway , but to do so they need two-thirds of votes in both the @ @ @ @

On the same day, the House is also expected to vote on an unrelated, $740bn defence spending bill, which Mr Trump vetoed on Wednesday instead of signing into law. Lawmakers plan to override the president's veto and enact the legislation anyway, but to do so they need two-thirds of votes in both the House and Senate.


bbc--2020-12-25--Russian historian jailed for dismembering partner

Sokolov had been living with Ms Yeshchenko for at least three years .
He organised Napoleonic re-enactments - in which @ @ @ @ @ Napoleon and she also took part .

Sokolov had been living with Ms Yeshchenko for at least three years. He organised Napoleonic re-enactments - in which he played the part of Napoleon and she also took part.


bbc--2020-12-25--Boko Haram kill villagers in Christmas Eve attack

They promote a version of Islam that forbids Muslims from taking part in activity not derived from Islamic tradition .
@ @ @ @ @ mean `` western education is forbidden '' .
The group 's most infamous attack targeted @ @ @ @ @ and held many captive for years .

They promote a version of Islam that forbids Muslims from taking part in activity not derived from Islamic tradition. Boko Haram loosely translates to mean "western education is forbidden". The group's most infamous attack targeted schoolgirls in Chibok in 2014 and held many captive for years.


bbc--2020-12-25--Rags to riches for cat rescued by waste worker

Do cats really do have nine lives ?
Well this cat rescued by a waste plant worker in Ulyanovsk , @ @ @ @ @ pulled from the conveyor belt at the factory 700 miles southeast of Moscow , the @ @ @ @ @ a local celebrity and has since been adopted by the Ulyanovsk region 's environment ministry @ @ @ @ @ of deputy environment minister .

Do cats really do have nine lives? Well this cat rescued by a waste plant worker in Ulyanovsk, Russia does.
Since being pulled from the conveyor belt at the factory 700 miles southeast of Moscow, the cat went on to become a local celebrity and has since been adopted by the Ulyanovsk region's environment ministry and unofficially given the position of deputy environment minister.


bbc--2020-12-26--Extreme E: Lewis Hamilton helping make racing environmentally friendly

Lewis Hamilton is n't just the world 's most successful Formula One driver ever , he 's also a key @ @ @ @ @ electric vehicle racing series called Extreme E. The plan is that super-powered electric cars will @ @ @ @ @ most remote locations on earth in an effort to - the organisers say - promote @ @ @ @ @ of electric vehicles .
Our chief environment correspondent Justin Rowlatt has been sizing up the @ @ @

Lewis Hamilton isn't just the world's most successful Formula One driver ever, he's also a key backer of a new off-road electric vehicle racing series called Extreme E.
The plan is that super-powered electric cars will race in some of the most remote locations on earth in an effort to - the organisers say - promote sustainability and encourage the take-up of electric vehicles.
Our chief environment correspondent Justin Rowlatt has been sizing up the new series.


bbc--2020-12-26--The family with no fingerprints

The family with no fingerprints

In 2010 , fingerprints became mandatory for passports and driver 's licences .
After several attempts , Amal was able @ @ @ @ @ showing a certificate from a medical board .
He has never used it though , @ @ @ @ @ problems he may face at the airport .
And though riding a motorbike is essential @ @ @ @ @ he has never obtained a driving licence .
`` I paid the fee , passed @ @ @ @ @ did not issue a licence because I could n't provide fingerprint , '' he said @

In 2010, fingerprints became mandatory for passports and driver's licences. After several attempts, Amal was able to obtain a passport by showing a certificate from a medical board. He has never used it though, partly because he fears the problems he may face at the airport. And though riding a motorbike is essential to his farming work, he has never obtained a driving licence. "I paid the fee, passed the exam, but they did not issue a licence because I couldn't provide fingerprint," he said.


bbc--2020-12-26--The casualties of this year's viral conspiracy theories

In response to her son 's interview at the time , Kate Shemirani told us : `` From what I @ @ @ @ @ … a `` conspiracy theorist '' is actually now anyone who believes something other than @ @ @ @ @ to believe .
I find this deeply disturbing . ''

In response to her son's interview at the time, Kate Shemirani told us: "From what I can see it would appear … a "conspiracy theorist" is actually now anyone who believes something other than what your controllers want them to believe. I find this deeply disturbing."


bbc--2020-12-25--Man City pair Walker & Jesus test positive for Covid-19

Last updated on .From the section Man City Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus and defender Kyle Walker have tested positive @ @ @ @ @ likely be without the duo for Premier League games against Newcastle United on December 26 @ @ @ @ @ and Chelsea on January 3 .
Jesus ' obvious replacement Sergio Aguero is being eased @ @ @ @ @ and played 16 minutes on Tuesday .
Brazil forward Jesus , 23 , has scored @ @ @ @ @ was missing through injury for a month while 30-year-old Walker has been a virtual ever @ @ @ @ @ side .
England right-back Walker apologised in May for breaking coronavirus lockdown guidelines twice .
@ @ @ @ @ behind Premier League leaders Liverpool with a game in hand .
• None The Isle @ @ @ @ @ for Romesh Ranganathan

Last updated on .From the section Man City
Gabriel Jesus scored his first goal since 8 November when he put City in front against Arsenal in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday
Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus and defender Kyle Walker have tested positive for Covid-19.
The players, along with two members of staff, will isolate in accordance with Premier League and government protocol.
City will likely be without the duo for Premier League games against Newcastle United on December 26, Everton two days later and Chelsea on January 3.
Jesus' obvious replacement Sergio Aguero is being eased back after a knee issue and played 16 minutes on Tuesday.
Brazil forward Jesus, 23, has scored four times this season but was missing through injury for a month while 30-year-old Walker has been a virtual ever present for Pep Guardiola's side.
England right-back Walker apologised in May for breaking coronavirus lockdown guidelines twice.
Manchester City are eight points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool with a game in hand.


bbc--2020-12-25--Ex-England and Surrey bowler Jackman dies aged 75

Last updated on .From the section Cricket Former England seamer Robin Jackman , who took 1,402 first-class wickets at an average of 22 , has died aged 75 .
His 11 winters coaching and playing in apartheid South Africa led to a Test in West Indies being cancelled in 1980-81 .
The Guyana government withheld his visa and as a result England 's management decided not to play the Test .
Jackman finally made his Test debut at the age of 35 later in the tour , with Gordon Greenidge his first wicket as he took 3-65 in Barbados .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ England , Jackman also played in 15 one-day internationals for England over the course of nine years , taking 19 wickets .
He made his debut for Surrey in 1966 and played for the county for 16 years , taking 50 wickets or more for nine successive seasons .
Jackman also played for Western Province in 1971-72 as well as Rhodesia - before it was recognised by the International Cricket Council as Zimbabwe - between 1972-73 and 1979-80 .
After retiring he became a familiar and highly regarded voice on South African television @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Isle of Skye is the limit for Romesh Ranganathan

Last updated on .From the section Cricket
Robin Jackman (right) became a popular commentator after his playing career finished
Former England seamer Robin Jackman, who took 1,402 first-class wickets at an average of 22, has died aged 75.
He played four Tests in the twilight of his career, taking 14 wickets with a best of 4-110, and was a respected commentator after retiring as a player.
His 11 winters coaching and playing in apartheid South Africa led to a Test in West Indies being cancelled in 1980-81.
The Guyana government withheld his visa and as a result England's management decided not to play the Test.
Jackman finally made his Test debut at the age of 35 later in the tour, with Gordon Greenidge his first wicket as he took 3-65 in Barbados.
Born in India but brought up in England, Jackman also played in 15 one-day internationals for England over the course of nine years, taking 19 wickets.
He made his debut for Surrey in 1966 and played for the county for 16 years, taking 50 wickets or more for nine successive seasons.
Jackman also played for Western Province in 1971-72 as well as Rhodesia - before it was recognised by the International Cricket Council as Zimbabwe - between 1972-73 and 1979-80.
After retiring he became a familiar and highly regarded voice on South African television coverage of the game.
His long-time Surrey team-mate John Edrich died over Christmas, aged 83.


bbc--2020-12-25--Covid: Post-exposure antibody protection trialled

`` We know that this antibody combination can neutralise the virus , so we hope to find that giving this @ @ @ @ @ to immediate protection against the development of Covid-19 in people who have been exposed - @ @ @ @ @ late to offer a vaccine . ''

"We know that this antibody combination can neutralise the virus, so we hope to find that giving this treatment via injection can lead to immediate protection against the development of Covid-19 in people who have been exposed - when it would be too late to offer a vaccine."


bbc--2020-12-26--Brexit deal: What is in it?

Brexit deal: What is in it?


bbc--2020-12-26--737 Max: Air Canada flight in unscheduled landing after engine issue

In a statement , Air Canada said the pilots `` received an engine notification and , according to the standard @ @ @ @ @ situation , they decided to shut down an engine '' before rerouting to Tuscon , @ @

In a statement, Air Canada said the pilots "received an engine notification and, according to the standard operating procedure for such a situation, they decided to shut down an engine" before rerouting to Tucson, Arizona.


bbc--2020-12-26--George Blake: Soviet Cold War spy and former MI6 officer dies in Russia

Part of the problem for him was that he had chosen communism but lived to see its collapse and the @ @ @ @ @ , living out his days in Russia , where he was still seen as a @ @ @ @ @ the KGB .

Part of the problem for him was that he had chosen communism but lived to see its collapse and the end of the Soviet Union, living out his days in Russia, where he was still seen as a hero by the successors to the KGB.


bbc--2020-12-25--What a pandemic Christmas looked like around the world

What a pandemic Christmas looked like around the world. Video, 00:01:36What a pandemic Christmas looked like around the world


bbc--2020-12-26--UK minister sees 'special relationship' with EU

`` The greatest prize , however , is the chance now to renew our country and help it to recover @ @ @ @ @ Covid-19 pandemic in a spirit of shared endeavour and solidarity .
We have a duty @ @ @ @ @ across the UK .
Outside the EU , with a good trade deal in place @ @ @ @ @ injustices and inequalities that have held Britain back . ''

"The greatest prize, however, is the chance now to renew our country and help it to recover from the ravages of the Covid-19 pandemic in a spirit of shared endeavour and solidarity. We have a duty to spread opportunity more equally across the UK. Outside the EU, with a good trade deal in place, we can tackle the injustices and inequalities that have held Britain back."


bbc--2020-12-26--UN peacekeepers killed in Central African Republic on eve of election

The CAR is one of Africa 's poorest and most unstable countries , even though it is rich in resources @ @ @ @ @ The UN estimates that half of the population are dependent on humanitarian assistance and up @ @ @ @ @ displaced .

The CAR is one of Africa's poorest and most unstable countries, even though it is rich in resources like diamonds and uranium. The UN estimates that half of the population are dependent on humanitarian assistance and up to a fifth have been displaced.


bbc--2020-12-26--Several injured after shooting in Berlin

The background to the shooting is not yet known , a police spokesperson said .
There was no suggestion of @ @ @ @

The four injured were aged between 30 and 42. One man was pulled from the Landwehr canal, reportedly with a gunshot wound to the leg.


bbc--2020-12-26--Covid-19: Tougher Covid rules begin for millions in UK

`` I think that 's where it 's heading and it 's better to be honest with people so they @ @ @ @ @ weeks to understand what might be coming , '' she said , adding : `` @ @ @ @ @ on these numbers , you need to move early . ''

"I think that's where it's heading and it's better to be honest with people so they can plan the next few weeks to understand what might be coming," she said, adding: "To really keep a handle on these numbers, you need to move early."


bbc--2020-12-26--Fur-st Family: The long history of US presidents and pets

From Socks the cat to Macaroni the pony , it 's a long-running tradition for US presidents to have pets @ @ @ @ @ the first president in more than 100 years to not have a pet at the @ @ @ @ @ will be reinstated when President-elect Joe Biden moves in with his German shepherds Champ and @ @ @ @ @ making history as the first presidential rescue dog .
Reporting by Barbara Plett Usher , @ @ @ @ @ edited by Joaquim Salles

From Socks the cat to Macaroni the pony, it's a long-running tradition for US presidents to have pets.
Donald Trump is actually the first president in more than 100 years to not have a pet at the White House.
But the tradition will be reinstated when President-elect Joe Biden moves in with his German shepherds Champ and Major - with the latter making history as the first presidential rescue dog.
Reporting by Barbara Plett Usher, produced by Samantha Granville, edited by Joaquim Salles


bbc--2020-12-26--'The year city-dwellers needed my photos of country life'

I do n't begrudge anyone else their freedom to roam or get out into the open spaces - we all @ @ @ @ @ air , and feel free to wander and reconnect with the elemental things that matter @ @ @ @ @ glad when tourists go home again in the winter , and we get the valley @ @ @ @ @ quiet roads and empty fellsides .
And for all my farmer grumbling , I would @ @ @ @ @ else .
I love this place .

I don't begrudge anyone else their freedom to roam or get out into the open spaces - we all need places to breathe fresh air, and feel free to wander and reconnect with the elemental things that matter. But we are also glad when tourists go home again in the winter, and we get the valley back to ourselves, with quiet roads and empty fellsides. And for all my farmer grumbling, I wouldn't leave and be anywhere else. I love this place.


bbc--2020-12-26--Covid-19: Sri Lanka forcibly cremates Muslim baby sparking anger

`` I could n't quite make out what the mother was trying to say at first because we all had @ @ @ @ @ she said , 'The baby was only two-days-old no ?
Sin .
This way at @ @ @ @ @ satisfied ' . ''

"Everybody has to make some kind of sacrifices during this Covid pandemic. I understand this is a very sensitive issue. Even my Muslim friends are calling me and asking me to help them. But as a government we have to take the decisions based on science for the sake of all concerned."


bbc--2020-12-26--Letter from Africa: Somalia's Christmas birthdays and lost memories

Christmas Day , New Year 's Day and Valentine 's Day are dates you 'll find many Somalis celebrating their @ @ @ @ @ as surprising as it sounds , it is just that very few Somalis know when @ @ @ @ @ so opt for more memorable dates .

Painted in seemed to be the UN colours of blue and white, there was a stench of decay and goat dung as it was occupied by animals belonging to Sahra's family, who had once lived in Wajale on the Somali-side of the border, but now farmed here.


bbc--2020-12-26--Business review of 2020: Covid-19 and Trump

He argues that technology has been improving for many years to enable more homeworking to take place , `` but @ @ @ @ @ what was technologically possible and what businesses felt they were able to do or wanted @ @ @ @

He argues that technology has been improving for many years to enable more homeworking to take place, "but there was a lag between what was technologically possible and what businesses felt they were able to do or wanted to do".