bbc--2020-02-24--Extinction: Meet the new poster animals of conservation

Ever heard of the gnu goat , the red-eared guenon or the Gila monster ?
They could be the future icons of conservation , according to a study .
Scientists say these little-known animals are key to raising money for protecting vulnerable ecosystems .
The likes of tigers and elephants , which appeal to the masses , are often selected for fundraising campaigns .
But this approach has been criticised for neglecting many other species that need our help .
`` It 's time for us to put some science behind the species we use to market and fundraise for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around what 's popular or seen as 'cute ' by the public , '' said Dr Hugh Possingham , chief scientist at conservation NGO , The Nature Conservancy .
To test whether a more scientific approach could have wider benefits for vulnerable ecosystems , the researchers compiled data on protected areas , human impacts , and the ranges of thousands of animals .
They identified priority places for conservation in the world and suitable `` flagship species '' to fundraise for them .
`` We ca n't afford to waste a single conservation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Australia 's Macquarie University .
`` Given the state of the biodiversity crisis we need to be strategic , effective and efficient with the conservation work that we do . ''
• With a million species at risk , what do we save ?
• 'Last chance saloon ' to save 'rhinos of the oceans ' .
Flagship species are a good way `` to appeal to hearts and minds '' , she said , citing images from the recent wildfires in Australia showing injured koalas .
`` Millions of dollars were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those pictures and not have their hearts break . ''
The study , published in Nature Communications , compiled a list of hundreds of mammals , birds and reptiles that could act as new flagship species .
They are charismatic in their own right , but often overlooked in favour of more iconic alternatives .
• The Andean bear from the Andean mountain forests • The secretary bird of the East African savannahs • The Gila monster , which lives in the deserts of Mexico and the US .
The year 2020 is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a meeting in Kunming , China , in October to define a new global framework for biodiversity .
Governments are meeting in Rome for the first time on Monday to work on a `` Paris-style '' United Nations agreement due to be finalised later in the year .
Last year an intergovernmental panel of scientists said one million animal and plant species are now threatened with extinction .
Recent estimates suggest the annual budget needed to meet global biodiversity goals amounts to at least $ 100bn per year .

"It's time for us to put some science behind the species we use to market and fundraise for conservation - rather than framing our approach around what's popular or seen as 'cute' by the public," said Dr Hugh Possingham, chief scientist at conservation NGO, The Nature Conservancy.


bbc--2020-02-24--Justin Bieber beats Elvis Presley's US chart record

Justin Bieber 's seventh album , Changes , has debuted at the top of the US Billboard chart - beating a record set by Elvis Presley 59 years ago .
The Canadian singer is now the youngest solo artist to achieve seven number one albums , at the age of 25 years .
Elvis was 26 when he scored his seventh chart-topper , with Blue Hawaii in 1961 .
Changes , which is Bieber 's first album in four years , sold 231,000 copies last week to reach number one .
It also topped the UK chart last week .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ teen stardom as he enters adulthood , with many of the tracks dedicated to his new wife , model and actress Hailey Baldwin .
It has enjoyed a warmer reception from US critics than from their UK counterparts ; with the New York Times praising Bieber 's `` soothing , tender '' vocals and `` tonally cool R & B '' .
The Independent newspaper was more scathing , saying that the lyrics about Baldwin `` are so uninspired that [ Bieber ] may as well be declaring his love for a household @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into cliché , '' agreed The Slant , but `` there 's a real charm to the songs that rest so deeply [ on ] trust and commitment . ''
BTS are coming for the crown Billboard , which compiles the US chart , confirmed that Bieber had beaten Elvis 's chart record - but added that , if groups were taken into account , all four members of The Beatles were younger than Bieber when they scored their seventh number one .
The band 's oldest member , Ringo Starr , was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 1966 ; while the youngest member , George Harrison , was just 22 .
Bieber also had a head-start on his competitors .
He released his first number one album when he was 16 , whereas Elvis was 21 and George Harrison was 20 .
Despite his achievement , Bieber is unlikely to enjoy a long reign at the top of the charts .
South Korean pop group BTS unveiled their latest album , Map of the Soul : 7 , last Friday - after amassing pre-orders of 4.02 million copies worldwide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Big Hit .
That was enough to make it the world 's biggest-selling album since Ed Sheeran 's Divide ( 2017 ) before it was even released .
The record has since topped the iTunes download charts worldwide , making it almost certain to reach number one when sales and streams are collated for US and UK charts at the end of the week .
An early sales update from the UK 's Official Chart Company said the album 's lead track , On , was currently on course to be the highest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at number eight ; while the album was outselling its three nearest competitors combined .
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If you have a story suggestion email entertainment.news @ bbc.co.uk .

That was enough to make it the world's biggest-selling album since Ed Sheeran's Divide (2017) before it was even released. The record has since topped the iTunes download charts worldwide, making it almost certain to reach number one when sales and streams are collated for US and UK charts at the end of the week.


bbc--2020-02-24--The most iconic Taj Mahal photos

The most iconic Taj Mahal photos

US President Donald Trump has made what is arguably the `` most important '' pit stop of his state visit to India - the iconic Taj Mahal .
Mr Trump signed the official visitors book at the monument , writing that the `` Taj Mahal inspires awe , a timeless testament to the rich and diverse beauty of Indian culture . ''
The US president and First Lady Melania Trump also received a guided tour of the 17th Century monument , built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife , Mumtaz Mahal , who died in childbirth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ monument of love '' has always been an absolute photo-op for every high-profile visitor .
Here are some of the most memorable ones : This photo - of Princess Diana sitting alone on a marble bench with the Taj towering in the background - is one of the most famous involving the 17th Century marble mausoleum .
She visited the monument in the city of Agra in February 1992 .
She was alone as Prince Charles was on diplomatic work elsewhere in Agra .
As she left , she reportedly told journalists waiting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fascinating experience .
The photo is often seen as a metaphor for the `` loneliness '' she was reportedly feeling in her marriage at the time .
Tourists to the World Heritage Site are still told by their guides about the `` Diana bench '' .
Almost a quarter of a century later , in 2016 , her son , the Duke of Cambridge , Prince William , posed for a photograph on the same bench with his wife , Kate Middleton .
Royal officials said the duke and duchess hoped to forge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Cambridge 's communications secretary Jason Knauf said : `` The Duke of Cambridge is of course aware of the huge esteem his mother , the late Princess of Wales , is held in in India and he appreciates the status of the images that exist of the Princess at the Taj .
`` He feels incredibly lucky to visit a place where his mother 's memory is kept alive by so many who travel there . ''
Zuckerberg 'checks in ' to the Taj In 2015 , Facebook founder , Mark Zuckerberg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ India with a visit to the Taj Mahal , a monument he had `` always wanted to see '' , he wrote in a Facebook post from Agra .
`` It is even more stunning than I expected .
It 's incredible what people can build - and what love can motivate us to build , '' he wrote .
He looked appropriately in awe as he gazed at the monument - he was one of 4.6 million visitors to it that year .
His next stop was Delhi where he met Prime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ college students at a top university - he told them that India would be crucial to getting `` the next billion online '' .
Love in the time of failed talks Former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf and his wife , Sebha , visited the Taj in 2001 , when Gen Musharraf was in Agra for a historic bilateral summit .
The disputed region of Kashmir - which India and Pakistan have fought over since independence from Britain in 1947 - was one of the subjects of discussion .
Both countries claim the region @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parts of it .
`` The Taj Mahal will be an inspiring symbol in the background , '' Pakistan 's high commissioner said before the talks .
Although the summit got off to a positive start , it was not successful .
It 's still considered to be one of `` the greatest missed opportunities '' in bringing peace between India and Pakistan .
But Gen Musharraf found the time to visit Agra 's most famous landmark .
The second test match of the 2001 Australia-India series went down in history as one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of cricket .
Australia had seemed destined to take the match after the first innings .
But India came back from the brink to defeat Australia by 171 runs , ending their record 16 match-winning streak .
But that disappointment did n't stop the touring team from visiting the Taj Mahal .
Nothing like a monument of love to take your mind off a loss on the field .
George Harrison , the guitarist for the Beatles , visited the Taj in 1966 when he was 23 .
He took this photograph of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ selfies were a thing .
According to local reports , Harrison also visited the cities of Mumbai ( then called Bombay ) and Delhi , where he bought himself a traditional Indian sitar .
In October 2000 , Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the Taj Mahal with his wife , Lyudmila .
The two , however , separated in 2013 after 30 years of marriage .
Mr Putin 's visit , where he signed a declaration of a `` strategic partnership '' with India , was hailed as a `` historic step '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Former US President Dwight Eisenhower visited the Taj in December 1959 - he was the first US head of state to visit India , and arrived in the country to a hero 's welcome .
He rode to the monument in an open Cadillac , cheered by crowds in the streets .
Eisenhower 's visit to the monument of love was all the more poignant as then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru declared that he had stolen a `` small piece of India 's heart '' .
In stark contrast , Agra was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ferried around in his armour-laden car nicknamed the Beast .

At the time, the Cambridge's communications secretary Jason Knauf said: "The Duke of Cambridge is of course aware of the huge esteem his mother, the late Princess of Wales, is held in in India and he appreciates the status of the images that exist of the Princess at the Taj.


bbc--2020-02-24--'I'm not leaving China without my dog'

'I'm not leaving China without my dog'

Anastasiya Zinchenko , a Ukrainian model , turned down the offer of evacuation from the coronavirus stricken Chinese city of @ @ @ @ @ her dog Misha could n't leave with her .
Anastasiya 's story has gained international @ @ @ @ @ from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky , who has promised to fly her back to Ukraine @ @ @ @

Anastasiya Zinchenko, a Ukrainian model, turned down the offer of evacuation from the coronavirus stricken Chinese city of Wuhan after she was told her dog Misha couldn't leave with her.
Anastasiya's story has gained international attention, including a call from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has promised to fly her back to Ukraine with her dog.
Video produced by Jonah Fisher and Abdujalil Abdurasulov


bbc--2020-02-24--Niger: What's it like to be a childless woman?

It is estimated that around 50 million couples worldwide experience infertility issues .
In many cultures women are held responsible @ @ @ @ @ to conceive .
This social pressure can often lead to women being shunned , their @ @ @ @ @ even result in divorce .
Childless women , often seen as a burden , are @ @ @ @ @ .
In this film for Africa Eye , Niger filmmaker Aicha Macky , who herself @ @ @ @ @ embarks on an emotional journey to explore the subject of infertility within her community .
@ @ @ @ @ family , friends and several midwives trying to determine her role in the society as @ @ @ @

It is estimated that around 50 million couples worldwide experience infertility issues.
In many cultures women are held responsible when a couple experiences difficulties to conceive. This social pressure can often lead to women being shunned, their husbands taking additional wives or even result in divorce.
Childless women, often seen as a burden, are stigmatised and often face discrimination.
In this film for Africa Eye, Niger filmmaker Aicha Macky, who herself is struggling to conceive, embarks on an emotional journey to explore the subject of infertility within her community.
She interviews members of her family, friends and several midwives trying to determine her role in the society as a childless woman.


bbc--2020-02-24--Trump India visit: Seven claims about India fact-checked

President Trump kicked off a visit to India with an address to tens of thousands of people in a cricket stadium in Ahmedabad , in the state of Gujarat .
The speech praised India 's Prime Minister Narendra Modi and highlighted the success of recent policies to improve the country .
We looked at some of the claims .
Claim 1 : Trump said : `` Since the turn of the century , the size of the Indian economy has grown over six times in size . ''
Reality check : Measured in terms of GDP - the sum of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the economy - President Trump is correct .
In 2000 , India 's GDP was $ 477 billion , according to the International Monetary Fund ( IMF ) .
By 2019 , that figure had risen to an estimated $ 2,940bn .
That 's an increase of 6.2 times over the period 2000-2019 .
Reality Check has previously looked at Prime Minister Modi 's pledge to expand India 's manufacturing sector .
India became the world 's fifth largest economy in 2019 , according to data from the IMF 's World Economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a single decade , India has lifted over 270 million people out of poverty . ''
Reality check : According to a 2018 UN report , there were 271 million fewer people living below the UN-defined poverty index in 2016 , than ten years earlier .
However , this same report notes that despite the gains in reducing poverty `` 364 million Indians continue to experience acute deprivations in health , nutrition , schooling and sanitation . ''
It also notes that about a quarter of all those defined as living in poverty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Claim 3 : `` Under Prime Minister Modi , for the first time , every village in India has access to electricity . ''
Reality check : In 2018 the Indian government announced that it had reached its target of providing every Indian village with electricity .
However , it 's important to know what this actually means .
The government defines a village as fully electrified if 10 % of its households , as well as public places such as schools and health centres , are connected to the grid .
By @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2014 , 96 % of the 600,000 villages in India had already been electrified .
We checked this claim in full during last year 's elections in India .
Claim 4 : `` The pace of highway constructions has more than doubled . ''
Reality check : It 's true that the total length of highways increased significantly after Mr Modi 's BJP party came to power .
The government built about 10,000km of highway in 2018-19 .
This is more than double the amount built in the last year of the previous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set a similar target for this year .
As of November 2019 , 5,958km have been built .
Reality Check has looked in-depth at the BJP 's record on building roads .
Claim 5 : `` 320 million more Indians are right now connected to the internet . ''
Reality check : It 's not entirely clear what internet connection refers to here .
There are now more than 600m internet subscribers in India - a measure of internet use published by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India .
This figure has grown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 320m figure mentioned by President Trump .
However , you 're much more likely to have access to the internet if you live in a city rather than in the countryside - where most Indians live .
There 's also a gender disparity .
Women are 50 % less likely to use mobile internet than men , according to a 2019 study .
Last year , Reality Check found that an ambitious project to establish the internet across rural India made strong progress early on , but was struggling to meet targets .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ people have access to basic sanitation . ''
Reality check : In October 2014 , Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Swachh Bharat or Clean India Mission .
The government built toilets for households with no access to basic sanitation facilities under this scheme .
Latest figures from the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation show that more than 100 million toilets have been built .
We ca n't assess the figure of 600m , but every toilet would probably be used by multiple people .
In April 2018 , the prime minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Check has shown that rates of open defecation have fallen , although UN data indicates that the practice is still widespread .
Claim 7 : `` 70 million more households , think of this , have access to cooking fuel . ''
Reality check : Cooking gas was provided to poor households under a scheme launched by Prime Minister Modi in 2016 .
Under this scheme , 50 million liquefied petroleum gas ( LPG ) connections were to be provided to families below a certain level of income , with additional financial subsidies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
According to the website of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas , the Indian government fulfilled its target , and more than 80 million connections have been established as of September last year .
In our own assessment last year , Reality Check found that the success of the project has been hampered by the high cost of having cylinders refilled .

Trump India visit: Seven claims about India fact-checked Published 24 February 2020
Image source, AFP
President Trump kicked off a visit to India with an address to tens of thousands of people in a cricket stadium in Ahmedabad, in the state of Gujarat.
The speech praised India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi and highlighted the success of recent policies to improve the country.
We looked at some of the claims.
Claim 1: Trump said: "Since the turn of the century, the size of the Indian economy has grown over six times in size."
Reality check: Measured in terms of GDP - the sum of the value of goods and services produced in the economy - President Trump is correct.
In 2000, India's GDP was $477 billion, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). By 2019, that figure had risen to an estimated $2,940bn.
That's an increase of 6.2 times over the period 2000-2019.
Reality Check has previously looked at Prime Minister Modi's pledge to expand India's manufacturing sector.
India became the world's fifth largest economy in 2019, according to data from the IMF's World Economic Outlook.
Claim 2: "In a single decade, India has lifted over 270 million people out of poverty."
Reality check: According to a 2018 UN report, there were 271 million fewer people living below the UN-defined poverty index in 2016, than ten years earlier.
However, this same report notes that despite the gains in reducing poverty "364 million Indians continue to experience acute deprivations in health, nutrition, schooling and sanitation."
It also notes that about a quarter of all those defined as living in poverty are under the age of 10.
Image source, AFP Image caption, In 2018 the Indian government announced that every village had access to electricity
Claim 3: "Under Prime Minister Modi, for the first time, every village in India has access to electricity."
Reality check: In 2018 the Indian government announced that it had reached its target of providing every Indian village with electricity.
However, it's important to know what this actually means.
The government defines a village as fully electrified if 10% of its households, as well as public places such as schools and health centres, are connected to the grid.
By the time Mr Modi took office in 2014, 96% of the 600,000 villages in India had already been electrified.
We checked this claim in full during last year's elections in India.
Claim 4: "The pace of highway constructions has more than doubled."
Reality check: It's true that the total length of highways increased significantly after Mr Modi's BJP party came to power.
The government built about 10,000km of highway in 2018-19. This is more than double the amount built in the last year of the previous Congress administration in 2013-14.
The government set a similar target for this year. As of November 2019, 5,958km have been built.
Reality Check has looked in-depth at the BJP's record on building roads.
Claim 5: "320 million more Indians are right now connected to the internet."
Reality check: It's not entirely clear what internet connection refers to here. There are now more than 600m internet subscribers in India - a measure of internet use published by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India.
This figure has grown enormously in recent years, surpassing the 320m figure mentioned by President Trump.
However, you're much more likely to have access to the internet if you live in a city rather than in the countryside - where most Indians live. There's also a gender disparity.
Women are 50% less likely to use mobile internet than men, according to a 2019 study.
Last year, Reality Check found that an ambitious project to establish the internet across rural India made strong progress early on, but was struggling to meet targets.
Claim 6: "600 million more people have access to basic sanitation."
Reality check: In October 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Swachh Bharat or Clean India Mission.
The government built toilets for households with no access to basic sanitation facilities under this scheme.
Latest figures from the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation show that more than 100 million toilets have been built. We can't assess the figure of 600m, but every toilet would probably be used by multiple people.
In April 2018, the prime minister also declared India open-defecation free.
Reality Check has shown that rates of open defecation have fallen, although UN data indicates that the practice is still widespread.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, The government scheme has encouraged cleaner methods of cooking
Claim 7: "70 million more households, think of this, have access to cooking fuel."
Reality check: Cooking gas was provided to poor households under a scheme launched by Prime Minister Modi in 2016.
Under this scheme, 50 million liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) connections were to be provided to families below a certain level of income, with additional financial subsidies provided to refill cylinders for three years.
According to the website of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, the Indian government fulfilled its target, and more than 80 million connections have been established as of September last year.


bbc--2020-02-24--Julian Assange: What is extradition and how does it work?

The US says he is guilty of hacking into and publishing US military databases , but he says the case is politically motivated .
So , what is extradition and how does it work ?
What is Julian Assange accused of doing ?
Assange is accused of conspiring to hack into US military databases to acquire sensitive secret information , which was then published on the Wikileaks website .
He says the information exposed abuses by the US military .
US prosecutors say the leaks of classified material endangered lives , and so the US is seeking his extradition from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in prison .
Assange had spent almost seven years inside the Ecuadorian embassy in London , saying he was a victim of human-rights abuses and would face a life sentence if extradited .
At the time he fled to the embassy , he had been facing extradition to Sweden on allegations of sexual assault - a case that was later dropped .
Extradition is the internationally recognised legal process under which one country can ask another to hand over a suspect to face trial .
It is one of the cornerstones of justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nations to co-operate in tracking down criminals , and to then send them to face trial in the country where their offences were committed .
How is extradition agreed between countries ?
Extradition is governed by treaties - the legal agreements between states - and then specific laws within each country .
Those treaties and local laws set out the circumstances and rules for extradition .
Some nations have very tight rules - Germany 's constitution , for instance , allows only the extradition of its own citizens to other EU states or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a unique system that means it is really easy and fast for one member state to send a criminal to another to face trial .
The UK remains part of that system until the end of the Brexit transition period on 31 December .
So how does extradition from the UK to the US work ?
Every time the United States wants to put a suspect who is in the UK on trial , its prosecutors ask the British government .
If the request has been made correctly , the home secretary sends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then issue a warrant for the suspect to be found and arrested .
Once the individual has been detained , a judge examines the request .
The judge must be satisfied that the individual is definitely the suspect the US is after and that the alleged crime is an offence that could lead to trial in the UK , had the incident happened on its territory .
The judge must also consider other bars to extradition , such as whether the person has already been prosecuted for the crime or whether the offence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Under UK law , Parliament has banned extraditing anyone to face a trial in a country that has the death penalty unless the requesting nation has promised not to impose it .
Once the judge has reviewed the application , the final decision on extradition to the US is made by the home secretary .
The suspect can , however , appeal against extradition if they believe the process has been flawed - and that could involve hearings lasting more than a year .
They could go all the way to the UK @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rights .
In 2012 , a log-jam on extradition to the US was broken after the European Court ruled that life sentences there in allegedly harsh conditions did not breach human rights .
Do the two countries always approve requests ?
The UK has historically blocked a number of extraditions to the US on human-rights grounds - the most significant case being that of Gary McKinnon .
The self-confessed hacker was wanted for targeting US government computers , but in 2012 the government barred his extradition , saying he was too ill to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the US turned down an extradition request for Anne Sacoolas to face trial in the UK .
She was accused of causing the death of teenage motorcyclist Harry Dunn .
The US said she could not be extradited because she had diplomatic immunity from prosecution for a crime overseas .
Must evidence of guilt be provided for extradition ?
No .
Under British law , many nations do not have to provide our judges with detailed , or `` prima facie '' , evidence that the suspect is guilty .
What this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ judge does not need to be sure that the individual would be convicted at the end of a trial .
The requesting nations in this category are simply required to explain to our courts that there is a case that needs answering - and our judges take their word for it .
That is because the UK has concluded that each of these countries - which includes the US - has laws and safeguards in place that guarantee independent judges and a legal right to a fair trial .
Other nations would have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a British court .
In contrast , the US will not send someone to face trial in the UK before its judges are sure the evidence is strong .
That is because the US Constitution says nobody can be arrested and detained without proof of `` probable cause '' - a standard legal test in all its criminal cases .

Julian Assange: What is extradition and how does it work? Published 1 July 2022
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Media caption, Watch: From 'teenage hacker' to fighting US extradition - the Julian Assange story
Wikileaks founder Julian Assange is seeking permission to appeal a decision to extradite him to the United States.
Mr Assange, whose extradition was approved by UK Home Secretary Priti Patel in June, is wanted in America over the leak of secret military information.
What is Julian Assange accused of?
Assange is accused of conspiring to hack into US military databases to acquire sensitive secret information, which was then published by Wikileaks.
He says the information exposed abuses by the US military and that the case against him is politically motivated.
US prosecutors say the leaks put lives at risk. They requested Assange's extradition from the UK, where he is currently in prison.
For almost seven years - until April 2019 - Assange took refuge inside the Ecuadorian embassy in London, where he sought asylum to avoid extradition. He claimed he was a victim of human-rights abuses and would face a life sentence if extradited.
At the time, he had been facing extradition to Sweden on allegations of sexual assault - a case that was later dropped.
What is extradition?
Extradition allows one country to ask another to hand over a suspect to face trial.
It helps nations co-operate in tracking down criminals, and makes it easier to then send those criminals to face trial in the country where their offences were committed.
How is extradition agreed between countries?
The UK Home Office maintains extraditing Assange would not be "incompatible with his human rights" -and that while in the US "he will be treated appropriately".
Previously UK judges blocked his extradition because of concerns about his mental health.
The circumstances and rules for extradition are set by treaties - legal agreements between states - and laws within each country.
Some nations have very tight rules: Germany's constitution, for instance, allows only the extradition of its own citizens to other European Union (EU) states or international courts.
So how does extradition from the UK to the US work?
Every time the US wants to put a suspect who is in the UK on trial, its prosecutors ask the British government.
If the request has been made correctly, the home secretary sends it on to the courts, which issue a warrant for the suspect to be found and arrested.
Once the individual has been detained, a judge examines the request. The judge must be satisfied that the individual is definitely the suspect the US seeks, and that the alleged crime is an offence that could lead to trial in the UK, had the incident happened on its territory.
The judge must also consider whether the person has already been prosecuted for the crime, or whether the offence happened in a different country entirely.
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Media caption, Julian Assange's father fears 'worried' son's extradition
Under UK law, Parliament has banned extraditing anyone to face trial in a country that has the death penalty, unless the requesting nation has promised not to impose it.
Any final decision on extradition to the US is made by the home secretary.
The suspect can, however, appeal against extradition - a process that can last more than a year. The appeal could go all the way to the UK Supreme Court or European Court of Human Rights.
The UK has previously blocked a number of extraditions to the US on human-rights grounds.
The most significant case was that of Gary McKinnon. The self-confessed hacker was wanted for targeting US government computers, but the UK said he was too ill to face trial abroad.
Must evidence of guilt be provided for extradition?
No. Under British law, many nations do not have to provide our judges with detailed evidence that the suspect is guilty.
What this means in practice is that a British judge does not need to be sure that the individual would be convicted.
The requesting nations are simply required to explain to UK courts that there is a case that needs answering.
This is because the UK has concluded that these countries - which include the US - has laws and safeguards in place which guarantee independent judges and a legal right to a fair trial.
Other nations would have to provide fuller evidence of their case to a British court.


bbc--2020-02-24--'Police let me down after I reported being raped'

A woman who claims she was raped has criticised her treatment by the police and prosecutors .
Lucy Monaghan reported the alleged attack in April 2015 , but no one was ever charged .
The Police Ombudsman later found a number of failings in the investigation into the incident .
The Police Service of Northern Ireland admitted shortcomings , but said it treated all allegations of sexual crime seriously .
Ms Monaghan , 31 , has now waived her right to anonymity to speak to BBC News NI about her experience .
She said that on the night in question @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remembers going to a house and being sick , before falling unconscious for about eight hours .
`` I just woke up in a strange bed like that , to which my response was : 'Why am I here ?
Where are my clothes ? '
'' Believing she had been attacked , Ms Monaghan reported the incident to the police and attended the sexual assault referral centre for intimate forensic examinations .
The PSNI investigated and passed a file to the PPS , but a decision was taken not to prosecute .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' that the man she claimed had assaulted her was not to be charged .
She said : `` I thought with the investigation work that the PSNI would have carried out that he would have been arrested and justice would have been served .
`` However , that did n't happen and once I realised I was getting no prosecution I thought I 'm going to have a look at all the information and see how this went so wrong . ''
Ms Monaghan asked the PPS to reconsider the decision and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ realised that information had been missed .
She told BBC News NI : `` I was n't even angry , I was sad and hurt and crippled at the attack against me , the physical attack , but I was so dumbfounded and I just felt so disappointed in how I 'd been dealt with by both the PSNI and the PPS , especially when they did n't have enough information . ''
In the end , Ms Monaghan made a complaint to the Police Ombudsman and BBC News NI has seen a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found that her interview with police , copies of social media messages between her and the alleged perpetrator and medical reports had not been sent to the PPS .
They also found that the officer in Ms Monaghan 's case did not make arrangements to obtain statements from other witnesses .
Forensic submissions were also not made until after the PPS had made its original decision .
The ombudsman added that when the alleged offender was interviewed by police , 20 pages of Ms Monaghan 's statement , where she described what happened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In conclusion , the ombudsman said that `` the original file submitted to the PPS did not include all the information required for the PPS full consideration of the facts of the case '' .
An officer was disciplined .
Det Ch Supt Paula Hilman said the service accepted that `` the initial investigation was not of a standard we would expect '' .
The senior officer added : `` We understand the enormous physical and emotional impact rape can have on a person , but can provide reassurance that all allegations of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and are thoroughly investigated by trained detectives within the Public Protection Branch who undergo specialist training in order to deal effectively with these sensitive and often complex investigations . ''
Det Chief Supt Hilman urged anyone who has experienced any sort of sexual crime to report their experience to police .
Marianne O'Kane , senior assistant director of the PPS , told the BBC that `` there were some procedural matters that could have been handled differently by the PPS in the early stages of this case in 2015 '' .
`` While @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this evidence available at the time of the initial decision and the review , the case has been formally reviewed on two further occasions and independent counsel has also considered the case .
`` The decision not to prosecute has been confirmed following each review . ''
In particular , Ms Monaghan took issue with one letter she was sent by a senior prosecutor within the PPS which stated : `` If we were to prosecute , the court would note that before sexual intercourse took place , there was evidence that you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ afterwards you were in very good form .
`` This is likely to suggest to the court that you had consented to what took place in the bedroom . ''
Ms Monaghan feels that the way the letter was phrased amounts to victim blaming .
In response , the PPS said : `` The written reference to the term 'flirting ' in this case was not in any way intended to assert that flirting before , or after , a sexual act indicates likely or actual consent to that act .
The word @ @ @ @ @ @ @ given by two witnesses of their observations .
`` I accept that the comment could have been expressed differently , but it was not intended to place any blame on the complainant . ''
Ms O'Kane from the PPS said : `` Lucy Monaghan has raised a number of serious matters , which have been considered carefully at a senior level in the PPS .
`` We take our responsibilities to victims very seriously , and we want to ensure that , whatever the outcome of their case , they feel treated with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ negative experience , Ms Monaghan said she would like to see other victims come forward .
`` The bravery that you 'll accomplish within yourself in coming forward will hopefully contribute to your recovery in the end '' , '' she said .
If you 've been affected by issues raised in this article , there is information and support available on the BBC Action Line .

In particular, Ms Monaghan took issue with one letter she was sent by a senior prosecutor within the PPS which stated: "If we were to prosecute, the court would note that before sexual intercourse took place, there was evidence that you were flirting with him and that immediately afterwards you were in very good form.


bbc--2020-02-24--Mane scores winner as record-equalling Liverpool fight back to beat West Ham

Liverpool survived a rare night of struggle in this stellar season to overcome West Ham United and close to within four wins of the Premier League title as keeper Lukasz Fabianski suffered an Anfield nightmare .
Victory means Liverpool equal the English top-flight record of 18 successive wins , set by Manchester City from August to December 2017 , with Jurgen Klopp 's side last dropping points in a 1-1 draw with Manchester United in October .
The Hammers - whose fans staged protests against the club 's owners throughout - threatened to inflict Liverpool 's first league defeat this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second half .
Liverpool took an early lead when Fabianski failed to deal with a routine Georginio Wijnaldum header but David Moyes ' side showed great character to hit back through Issa Diop 's header , which should also have been kept out by Alisson .
And when substitute Pablo Fornals swept West Ham into the lead nine minutes after the break Liverpool were faced with a fight to preserve their unbeaten 27-match league run .
It had been a poor display by their sky-high standards but their luck was in as Fabianski @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mohamed Salah 's shot to squirm through his legs in the 68th minute .
There was a sense of inevitability as Liverpool went for victory and so it proved as Sadio Mane turned in with nine minutes left after Trent Alexander-Arnold lofted the ball over Fabianski .
It was cruel on West Ham and Moyes , with Liverpool keeper Alisson having to produce a crucial late block from substitute Jarrod Bowen .
Liverpool have restored their 22-point lead at the top and the Hammers are left in the bottom three .
• When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Liverpool have produced months of thrilling football but this inevitable title triumph has also been about winning with narrow margins when just short of their best .
The champions-elect were a long way short of that here and the decisive moment in this match was when Fabianski , who has been a reliable figure for West Ham , compounded his error for Wijnaldum 's goal with a horror moment as Salah 's shot slipped through his legs and into the net in front of an exultant Kop .
Liverpool missed the driving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Henderson and it was no surprise when Naby Keita was substituted after a poor performance .
The great quality of this Liverpool side , and make no mistake they got lucky with Fabianski 's howlers , is that they are currently driven by an unshakeable self-belief and the error for Salah 's goal tipped the balance firmly in their favour .
It is a truly remarkable effort to have dropped only two points after 27 games and Liverpool will happily grab moments of good fortune when they can .
Liverpool 's celebrations were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an acknowledgement of an average display - but this will not matter when in due course they are crowned champions for the first time in 30 years .
Moyes must feel Anfield holds him in a curse - he has never won at Anfield in 16 attempts as a manager with Everton , Manchester United , Sunderland or West Ham .
The Scot 's joyous celebrations when Fornals gave West Ham the lead at a time his side were performing with real heart must have had him believing the drought might be over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Fabianski error .
West Ham 's fans came here to protest against their owners , with black balloons let off and a series of banners unfurled reading `` Karren Brady - You 're Fired .
`` Sullivan This Charmless Man . ''
`` Run Like A Circus Owned By Clowns '' and `` State Of The Art Retractable Promises . ''
If there was discontent off the field , they will have been pleased with what they saw on it as West Ham ran Liverpool as close as just about anyone at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an uphill struggle but he can at least take some encouragement from West Ham 's display once the bitter taste of defeat has eased .
A bad record for Moyes - the best of the stats • West Ham manager David Moyes remains without an away win against Liverpool in all competitions , failing in 16 attempts ( D7 , L9 ) and losing the last four in a row with Man Utd , Sunderland and West Ham .
• Liverpool have won their last 21 home Premier League games , equalling the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , set by the Reds themselves between January and December 1972 under Bill Shankly .
• They have scored 14 headed goals in the Premier League this season , more than any other side .
• Only Cesc Fabregas ( 20y 134d ) and Wayne Rooney ( 21y 63d ) have reached 25 Premier League assists at a younger age than Liverpool 's Trent Alexander-Arnold ( 21y 140d ) .
• Since making his debut for West Ham in February 2017 , Robert Snodgrass has registered 12 assists in the Premier League for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ player .
• Mohamed Salah has been directly involved in eight goals in six Premier League appearances against West Ham ( 6 goals , 2 assists ) .
• Since his Premier League debut in August 2014 , Liverpool 's Andrew Robertson has registered 27 assists in the competition , more than any other defender in that time .
• Sadio Mane has been directly involved in eight goals in his last six Premier League appearances against West Ham ( 5 goals , 3 assists ) , scoring in each of his last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never thought it would be equalled ' - what they said Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp speaking to Sky Sports : `` I liked a lot how we started .
We scored a wonderful first goal .
But then we were n't good in second ball situations .
We have to pick them up much more often .
We struggled in this situation and that gave West Ham a good feeling .
On equalling Manchester City 's record winning run : `` I never thought it would be broken or equalled .
We did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happened to be honest .
I like a lot tonight that everything positive helps .
When we equalised the stadium was rocking and that helps us .
Whatever will happen this season is an effort of all of us .
I could not be more thankful or appreciate the support we get .
So far so good . ''
West Ham manager David Moyes on BBC Radio 5 Live : `` We can take a lot of positives .
Before the game nobody will have given us a great deal of hope .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ game we had a chance .
`` I 'd hate to think my teams would do anything but put a lot of effort in and I 'd be annoyed if anyone else thought otherwise .
The disappointing thing is the individual mistakes .
I thought tonight we did a really good job .
We performed really well as a team but we go away with no points and it 's the points we need .
Liverpool travel to Watford on Saturday , 29 February ( 17:30 GMT kick-off ) , while West Ham @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 15:00 GMT kick-off ) .

Last updated on .From the section Premier League
Sadio Mane scored the winner with less than 10 minutes of normal time remaining
Liverpool survived a rare night of struggle in this stellar season to overcome West Ham United and close to within four wins of the Premier League title as keeper Lukasz Fabianski suffered an Anfield nightmare.
Victory means Liverpool equal the English top-flight record of 18 successive wins, set by Manchester City from August to December 2017, with Jurgen Klopp's side last dropping points in a 1-1 draw with Manchester United in October.
The Hammers - whose fans staged protests against the club's owners throughout - threatened to inflict Liverpool's first league defeat this term when they led midway through the second half.
Liverpool took an early lead when Fabianski failed to deal with a routine Georginio Wijnaldum header but David Moyes' side showed great character to hit back through Issa Diop's header, which should also have been kept out by Alisson.
And when substitute Pablo Fornals swept West Ham into the lead nine minutes after the break Liverpool were faced with a fight to preserve their unbeaten 27-match league run.
It had been a poor display by their sky-high standards but their luck was in as Fabianski was the culprit again, inexplicably allowing Mohamed Salah's shot to squirm through his legs in the 68th minute.
There was a sense of inevitability as Liverpool went for victory and so it proved as Sadio Mane turned in with nine minutes left after Trent Alexander-Arnold lofted the ball over Fabianski.
It was cruel on West Ham and Moyes, with Liverpool keeper Alisson having to produce a crucial late block from substitute Jarrod Bowen.
Liverpool have restored their 22-point lead at the top and the Hammers are left in the bottom three.
Liverpool find a way again
Liverpool have produced months of thrilling football but this inevitable title triumph has also been about winning with narrow margins when just short of their best.
The champions-elect were a long way short of that here and the decisive moment in this match was when Fabianski, who has been a reliable figure for West Ham, compounded his error for Wijnaldum's goal with a horror moment as Salah's shot slipped through his legs and into the net in front of an exultant Kop.
Liverpool missed the driving force and leadership of injured captain Jordan Henderson and it was no surprise when Naby Keita was substituted after a poor performance.
The great quality of this Liverpool side, and make no mistake they got lucky with Fabianski's howlers, is that they are currently driven by an unshakeable self-belief and the error for Salah's goal tipped the balance firmly in their favour.
It is a truly remarkable effort to have dropped only two points after 27 games and Liverpool will happily grab moments of good fortune when they can.
Liverpool's celebrations were subdued at the final whistle, perhaps an acknowledgement of an average display - but this will not matter when in due course they are crowned champions for the first time in 30 years.
West Ham can take heart
West Ham scored two goals against Liverpool for the first time since a 2-2 draw at Anfield on 11 December 2016
Moyes must feel Anfield holds him in a curse - he has never won at Anfield in 16 attempts as a manager with Everton, Manchester United, Sunderland or West Ham.
The Scot's joyous celebrations when Fornals gave West Ham the lead at a time his side were performing with real heart must have had him believing the drought might be over until things took a nasty twist with that Fabianski error.
West Ham's fans came here to protest against their owners, with black balloons let off and a series of banners unfurled reading "Karren Brady - You're Fired. "Sullivan This Charmless Man." "Run Like A Circus Owned By Clowns" and "State Of The Art Retractable Promises."
If there was discontent off the field, they will have been pleased with what they saw on it as West Ham ran Liverpool as close as just about anyone at Anfield this season.
Moyes still faces an uphill struggle but he can at least take some encouragement from West Ham's display once the bitter taste of defeat has eased.
A bad record for Moyes - the best of the stats
West Ham manager David Moyes remains without an away win against Liverpool in all competitions, failing in 16 attempts (D7, L9) and losing the last four in a row with Man Utd, Sunderland and West Ham.
Liverpool have won their last 21 home Premier League games, equalling the English top-flight record for consecutive home wins, set by the Reds themselves between January and December 1972 under Bill Shankly.
They have scored 14 headed goals in the Premier League this season, more than any other side.
Only Cesc Fabregas (20y 134d) and Wayne Rooney (21y 63d) have reached 25 Premier League assists at a younger age than Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold (21y 140d).
Since making his debut for West Ham in February 2017, Robert Snodgrass has registered 12 assists in the Premier League for the Hammers, more than any other player.
Mohamed Salah has been directly involved in eight goals in six Premier League appearances against West Ham (6 goals, 2 assists).
Since his Premier League debut in August 2014, Liverpool's Andrew Robertson has registered 27 assists in the competition, more than any other defender in that time.
Sadio Mane has been directly involved in eight goals in his last six Premier League appearances against West Ham (5 goals, 3 assists), scoring in each of his last four against the Hammers.
Man of the Match - Trent Alexander-Arnold
Trent Alexander-Arnold has provided 25 Premier League assists, the joint-most by a Liverpool defender in the competition along with Stig Inge Bjornebye
'I never thought it would be equalled' - what they said
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp speaking to Sky Sports: "I liked a lot how we started. We scored a wonderful first goal. But then we weren't good in second ball situations. We have to pick them up much more often. We struggled in this situation and that gave West Ham a good feeling.
On equalling Manchester City's record winning run: "I never thought it would be broken or equalled. We did it and I cannot believe it happened to be honest. I like a lot tonight that everything positive helps. When we equalised the stadium was rocking and that helps us. Whatever will happen this season is an effort of all of us. I could not be more thankful or appreciate the support we get. So far so good."
West Ham manager David Moyes on BBC Radio 5 Live: "We can take a lot of positives. Before the game nobody will have given us a great deal of hope. I thought for large periods of the game we had a chance.
"I'd hate to think my teams would do anything but put a lot of effort in and I'd be annoyed if anyone else thought otherwise. The disappointing thing is the individual mistakes. I thought tonight we did a really good job. We performed really well as a team but we go away with no points and it's the points we need.
What's next?
Liverpool are on course to win the title at home to Crystal Palace if they and second-placed Manchester City don't drop points
Liverpool travel to Watford on Saturday, 29 February (17:30 GMT kick-off), while West Ham host Southampton on the same day (15:00 GMT kick-off).


bbc--2020-02-24--Wilder blames elaborate ring-walk costume for Fury defeat

Deontay Wilder has blamed his elaborate ring-walk costume for his WBC heavyweight title defeat by Tyson Fury .
The American , 34 , said his costume was too heavy and as a result he `` did n't have the legs '' for the fight .
Britain 's Fury , 31 , produced a dominant display to win the title in Las Vegas on Saturday when Wilder 's corner threw in the towel in the seventh round .
Wilder also told US media he will exercise his rematch clause for a third fight against Fury .
`` Fury did n't hurt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fact is that my uniform was way too heavy for me , '' Wilder told Yahoo .
Wilder said the costume , which featured armour , a mask and a crown , weighed at least 40 pounds ( 18.1kg ) and was a tribute to Black History Month .
Fury was carried to the ring on a throne , while also wearing a crown .
`` I did n't have no legs from the beginning of the fight - in the third round , my legs were just shot all the way through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was only able to put it on [ for the first time ] the night before but I did n't think it was going to be that heavy .
`` I wanted it to be good and I guess I put that before anything . ''
Fury floored Wilder with a jab and right-hand combination in the third round before a left hand to the body sent the previously unbeaten Wilder down again in the fifth .
Wilder was taken to hospital after the fight but said he did not suffer a concussion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as had been speculated , but did require stitches to close a cut in his ear .
He also criticised assistant trainer Mark Breland for stopping the fight .
`` I am upset with Mark for the simple fact that we 've talked about this many times and it 's not emotional , '' he said .
`` It is not an emotional thing , it 's a principal thing .
We 've talked about this situation many , many years before this even happened .
`` I said as a warrior , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as a ruler , I want to go out on my shield .
`` So I told my team to never , ever , no matter what it may look like , to never throw the towel in with me because I 'm a special kind .
I still had five rounds left .
No matter what it looked like , I was still in the fight . ''
`` I understand he was looking out for me and trying to do what he felt was right , but this is my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to accept my wishes . ''
Wilder has 30 days to invoke the rematch clause in his contract in order to try and reclaim the title from Fury , having drawn their first encounter in December 2018 .

Last updated on .From the section Boxing
Deontay Wilder said his costume was a tribute to Black History Month
Deontay Wilder has blamed his elaborate ring-walk costume for his WBC heavyweight title defeat by Tyson Fury.
The American, 34, said his costume was too heavy and as a result he "didn't have the legs" for the fight.
Britain's Fury, 31, produced a dominant display to win the title in Las Vegas on Saturday when Wilder's corner threw in the towel in the seventh round.
Wilder also told US media he will exercise his rematch clause for a third fight against Fury.
"Fury didn't hurt me at all, but the simple fact is that my uniform was way too heavy for me," Wilder told Yahoo. external-link
Wilder said the costume, which featured armour, a mask and a crown, weighed at least 40 pounds (18.1kg) and was a tribute to Black History Month.
Fury was carried to the ring on a throne, while also wearing a crown.
"I didn't have no legs from the beginning of the fight - in the third round, my legs were just shot all the way through," added Wilder.
"I was only able to put it on [for the first time] the night before but I didn't think it was going to be that heavy.
"I wanted it to be good and I guess I put that before anything."
Fury was carried to the ring on a throne
Fury floored Wilder with a jab and right-hand combination in the third round before a left hand to the body sent the previously unbeaten Wilder down again in the fifth.
Wilder was taken to hospital after the fight but said he did not suffer a concussion, broken ear drum or broken jaw as had been speculated, but did require stitches to close a cut in his ear.
He also criticised assistant trainer Mark Breland for stopping the fight.
"I am upset with Mark for the simple fact that we've talked about this many times and it's not emotional," he said.
"It is not an emotional thing, it's a principle thing. We've talked about this situation many, many years before this even happened.
"I said as a warrior, as a champion, as a leader, as a ruler, I want to go out on my shield.
"So I told my team to never, ever, no matter what it may look like, to never throw the towel in with me because I'm a special kind. I still had five rounds left. No matter what it looked like, I was still in the fight."
"I understand he was looking out for me and trying to do what he felt was right, but this is my life and my career and he has to accept my wishes."
Wilder has 30 days to invoke the rematch clause in his contract in order to try and reclaim the title from Fury, having drawn their first encounter in December 2018.


bbc--2020-02-24--Vanessa Bryant pays tribute to 'soulmate' Kobe at memorial in LA

Vanessa Bryant has given a moving tribute to her late husband , basketball legend Kobe Bryant , and daughter Gianna at a memorial service in Los Angeles .
Former Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Bryant , 41 , and Gianna , 13 , were among nine people killed in a helicopter crash last month .
Thousands of fans , celebrities and basketball stars attended Monday 's ceremony at the Staples Center .
`` Kobe was the MVP of girl dads , '' said Vanessa .
`` He was the most amazing husband - Kobe loved me more than I could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Bryant , a five-time NBA champion , and Vanessa have three other daughters , Natalia , Bianca and Capri .
`` He is n't going to be able to walk our girls down the aisle or spin me around on the dance floor , '' said Vanessa , who was speaking publicly for the first time since the crash .
`` But I want my daughters to know and remember the amazing person , husband and father he was , the kind of man that wanted to teach the future generations to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own mistakes . ''
Vanessa started by remembering her daughter , nicknamed 'Gigi ' , as an `` amazingly sweet and thoughtful soul , '' who loved baking and dancing , as well as being a talented basketball player .
`` Gigi would have most likely become the best player in the WNBA , '' she said .
`` I 'll never get to see my baby girl walk down the aisle , have a father-daughter dance with her daddy , dance on the dance floor with me or have babies of her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an amazing mommy . ''
Vanessa called her late husband , who she had been with since she was 17 , her `` soulmate '' and recalled his love of romantic movies and how he was a `` doting , hands on '' father .
`` Babe , you take care of our Gigi , '' she said , addressing Bryant .
`` We 're still the best team - may you both rest in peace and have fun in heaven until we meet again one day . ''
Beyonce opened the event @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' , by singing XO , during which she said `` I 'm here because I love Kobe and this was one of his favourite songs '' , before also performing Halo .
Basketball legends Michael Jordan , Magic Johnson , Shaquille O'Neal , Jerry West and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar were in the crowd , alongside current stars including Stephen Curry , James Harden and Russell Westbrook .
Celebrities including Jennifer Lopez , Kim Kardashian West and Kanye West were also in attendance .
Chicago Bulls legend Jordan , who won six NBA titles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also giving a tearful speech that referred to how often the two players were compared .
`` When Kobe Bryant died , a piece of me died , '' said Jordan .
`` Everyone always wanted to talk about the comparisons between he and I but I just wanted to talk about Kobe .
• The giant who had his controversies • 'Take the next shot ' - the message from Bryant 's final game O'Neal and Bryant , who was nicknamed 'Black Mamba ' , won three consecutive NBA titles together during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1996 to 2004 .
`` Kobe and I pushed one another to play some of the greatest basketball of all time , '' said O'Neal .
`` Kobe and I always maintained a deep respect and love for one another .
`` Mamba , you were taken away from us way too soon , just know that we got your back , little brother . ''
WNBA great Diana Taurasi , American college star Sabrina Ionescu and Bryant 's former agent and current Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka also shared their memories of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Christina Aguilera also performed songs before the crowd watched Dear Basketball , a five-minute film based on a love letter to the sport Bryant had written in 2015 and for which he won the best short animated film Oscar in 2018 .
The memorial service closed with Nat King Cole 's song Unforgettable as the crowd started chanting `` Kobe , Kobe . ''

Last updated on .From the section Basketball
This video has been removed for rights reasons
Vanessa Bryant has given a moving tribute to her late husband, basketball legend Kobe Bryant, and daughter Gianna at a memorial service in Los Angeles.
Former Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Bryant, 41, and Gianna, 13, were among nine people killed in a helicopter crash last month.
Thousands of fans, celebrities and basketball stars attended Monday's ceremony at the Staples Center.
"Kobe was the MVP of girl dads," said Vanessa.
"He was the most amazing husband - Kobe loved me more than I could ever express or put into words."
Bryant, a five-time NBA champion, and Vanessa have three other daughters, Natalia, Bianca and Capri.
"He isn't going to be able to walk our girls down the aisle or spin me around on the dance floor," said Vanessa, who was speaking publicly for the first time since the crash.
"But I want my daughters to know and remember the amazing person, husband and father he was, the kind of man that wanted to teach the future generations to be better and keep from making his own mistakes."
Vanessa started by remembering her daughter, nicknamed 'Gigi', as an "amazingly sweet and thoughtful soul," who loved baking and dancing, as well as being a talented basketball player.
"Gigi would have most likely become the best player in the WNBA," she said.
"I'll never get to see my baby girl walk down the aisle, have a father-daughter dance with her daddy, dance on the dance floor with me or have babies of her own.
"Gianna would have been an amazing mommy."
Basketball legend Michael Jordan (left) helps Vanessa Bryant (right) from the stage after her moving speech
Vanessa called her late husband, who she had been with since she was 17, her "soulmate" and recalled his love of romantic movies and how he was a "doting, hands on" father.
"Babe, you take care of our Gigi," she said, addressing Bryant.
"We're still the best team - may you both rest in peace and have fun in heaven until we meet again one day."
Beyonce opened the event, called a "celebration of life", by singing XO, during which she said "I'm here because I love Kobe and this was one of his favourite songs", before also performing Halo.
Basketball legends Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Shaquille O'Neal, Jerry West and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar were in the crowd, alongside current stars including Stephen Curry, James Harden and Russell Westbrook.
Celebrities including Jennifer Lopez, Kim Kardashian West and Kanye West were also in attendance.
Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan called Kobe Bryant his "little brother" in a tearful tribute
Chicago Bulls legend Jordan, who won six NBA titles, helped Vanessa from the stage before also giving a tearful speech that referred to how often the two players were compared.
"When Kobe Bryant died, a piece of me died," said Jordan.
"Everyone always wanted to talk about the comparisons between he and I but I just wanted to talk about Kobe.
"Rest in peace, little brother."
O'Neal and Bryant, who was nicknamed 'Black Mamba', won three consecutive NBA titles together during an eight-year spell as Lakers team-mates from 1996 to 2004.
"Kobe and I pushed one another to play some of the greatest basketball of all time," said O'Neal.
"Kobe and I always maintained a deep respect and love for one another.
"Mamba, you were taken away from us way too soon, just know that we got your back, little brother."
WNBA great Diana Taurasi, American college star Sabrina Ionescu and Bryant's former agent and current Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka also shared their memories of Kobe and Gigi.
Alicia Keys and Christina Aguilera also performed songs before the crowd watched Dear Basketball, a five-minute film based on a love letter to the sport Bryant had written in 2015 and for which he won the best short animated film Oscar in 2018.
The memorial service closed with Nat King Cole's song Unforgettable as the crowd started chanting "Kobe, Kobe."
The Staples Center crowd applauded throughout the service
The Los Angeles Lakers have retired both the number eight and number 24 jerseys that Kobe Bryant wore during his career
Shaquille O'Neal reminisced about his time at the Lakers with Kobe Bryant


bbc--2020-02-24--We will make Joshua v Fury happen - Warren

Tyson Fury 's promoter Frank Warren says if fans want to see a unification fight with Anthony Joshua `` we will make it happen '' .
The British heavyweights now hold all of the division 's belts between them , after Fury , 31 , beat Deontay Wilder , 34 , on Sunday to claim the WBC title .
Joshua 's promoter Eddie Hearn said on Monday that `` this fight will happen '' .
`` Of course we want to see the fight , '' Warren told BBC Sport .
`` We 've been trying to make it for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying was it 's got to be 70/30 [ the purse ] in favour of AJ and so on and so fourth .
`` The tables have turned now .
I have no problem with 50/50 .
I think Tyson would deserve more but 50/50 , no problem .
`` This is about the boxers and more importantly the fans .
If they want to see the fight we will make it happen .
`` In the meantime Eddie Hearn is acting like the guy standing outside your house with his nose pressed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off about Tyson . ''
The immediate prospect of the fight hinges on the fact Wilder has the option of a rematch with Fury and has 30 days to invoke a clause in his contract .
Hearn says if that happens then Joshua , 30 , will face Kubrat Pulev in a mandatory IBF bout , with the promoter in talks to hold the fight at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on 20 June .
Speaking earlier on Monday Hearn told Sky Sports : `` We believe we win the fight , they believe they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see it . ''

'This was written in the stars' - Fury on beating Wilder
Tyson Fury's promoter Frank Warren says if fans want to see a unification fight with Anthony Joshua "we will make it happen".
The British heavyweights now hold all of the division's belts between them, after Fury, 31, beat Deontay Wilder, 34, to claim the WBC title.
Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn said "let's give the fans what they want".
"Of course we want to see the fight," Warren told BBC Sport. "We've been trying to make it for two years."
"Hearn kept saying was it's got to be 70/30 [the purse] in favour of AJ and so on and so forth.
"The tables have turned now. I have no problem with 50/50. I think Tyson would deserve more but 50/50, no problem.
"This is about the boxers and more importantly the fans. If they want to see the fight we will make it happen.
"In the meantime Eddie Hearn is acting like the guy standing outside your house with his nose pressed up against the window and keeps spouting off about Tyson."
The immediate prospect of the fight hinges on the fact Wilder has the option of a rematch with Fury and has 30 days to invoke a clause in his contract.
Hearn says if that happens then Joshua, 30, will face Kubrat Pulev in a mandatory IBF bout, with the promoter in talks to hold the fight at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on 20 June.
Hearn told BBC Radio 5 Live: external-link "The fight we want more than anything is the undisputed fight. The person that holds the key to that is Tyson Fury. If we can get that next we are all in on that fight.
"I think 50/50 is a very straightforward deal. Frank's going to have his views but it's a pretty straightforward deal. Joshua is the bigger commercial draw."


bbc--2020-02-24--'England deserved to beat Ireland by 25-30 points'

In the end , a 12-point winning margin flattered defeated Ireland rather than the victors England .
By the final whistle , it felt like England were 25-30 points better than Ireland .
Considering it was their first match back at Twickenham since reaching the Rugby World Cup final the afternoon started with a different dynamic , and not the one you might have expected three months ago .
Instead of a jubilant homecoming , England seemed fuelled by a motivation to show their critics how good they are as a team and how passionate they are to represent England @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a grinding victory against Scotland .
They had the physicality , they had the anger but also , tactically , they were very astute .
• We could have declared at half-time - Jones • I need to look at myself - Ireland coach Farrell Ireland typically defend with 13 men up in the front line and only a couple covering backfield .
That means there are going to be opportunities to kick to exploit space .
England ran France ragged using similar tactics 12 months ago at Twickenham and England 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comparable vulnerability in Ireland 's game .
Even second row George Kruis attempted a grubber kick at one point in the first half .
As the phase started for England 's first try , Ireland had 14 men on their feet with CJ Stander on the floor having made a tackle .
All those standing , except full-back Jordan Larmour , were up flat .
Ben Youngs disguised his kick well , but it was clearly pre-planned with Owen Farrell , George Ford and Kyle Sinckler sprinting into a spirited chase .
By @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the bouncing ball on their own line , they were under heavy pressure from an arrowhead of England players .
Had Sexton gathered it safely , he would have struggled to get away a convincing clearing kick or run out of defence .
As it was he juggled , dropped and George Ford pounced .
England managed to implement their gameplan brilliantly .
It was a tactic they went to again , albeit with a penalty advantage in their back pocket , for the second try when Elliot Daly reached Ford 's chip @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meetings , Ireland 's mastery of the aerial game has been key .
Back in 2015 , Robbie Henshaw soared over Alex Goode to claim a Conor Murray box kick and score the only try in a 19-9 victory .
But Ireland 's forwards never gave them a platform to really test an England back three that included centre Jonathan Joseph on the wing .
England 's ball carriers - the likes of Courtney Lawes , Tom Curry and Jamie George - won the battle of the gain line , making metres on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , relying on slow-moving one-out runners and it is very difficult to kick effectively behind a forward pack that are going nowhere and a scrum-half who seems to have lost the confidence to snipe around the fringes .
Add in England 's dominance at the breakdown and Ireland were a mile away from competing for the victory .
The introduction of the straight-talking , hard-running Ellis Genge off the bench brought a big cheer from the Twickenham crowd in the wake of his match-winning try against Scotland in the last round .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fellow prop Will Stuart , brought an injection of energy and intensity in the front row .
In the scrum , where previously there was parity , England started to get the upper hand .
But I think there is still work to be done to make sure Genge in particularly has the cool head needed for life in an international front row .
There was a lot of whooping , hollering and trash talk around the fringes of the match .
Kyle Sinckler was giving it plenty as the half-time whistle blew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been in the middle of all of that , but he has matured into the guy who is putting his arm around players leading them away from confrontation and getting them to concentrate on making another huge impact , rather than screaming and shouting about the last one .
Cooney deserves his shot at nine Neither of Ireland 's half-backs had a good day .
Johnny Sexton looked rattled from the off .
He made a mistake to allow England to score their first try and was woeful off the tee .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ England 's defensive line off line-outs and at one point lost his right boot for a passage of play and which rather summed up his afternoon .
His leg was heavily strapped up so I do n't know if he was carrying an injury , but he will bounce back .
At scrum-half though , I think John Cooney is getting close to supplanting Conor Murray as the first-choice starter .
His performances , both off the bench for Ireland and for Ulster , merit it .
He is game-changing , scintillating rugby @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ireland 's recent success but players want the best team out there so they have the best opportunity to win .

Last updated on .From the section Rugby Union
In the end, a 12-point winning margin flattered defeated Ireland rather than the victors England.
By the final whistle, it felt like England were 25-30 points better than Ireland.
Considering it was their first match back at Twickenham since reaching the Rugby World Cup final the afternoon started with a different dynamic, and not the one you might have expected three months ago.
Instead of a jubilant homecoming, England seemed fuelled by a motivation to show their critics how good they are as a team and how passionate they are to represent England after defeats by South Africa and France and a grinding victory against Scotland.
They had the physicality, they had the anger but also, tactically, they were very astute.
Ireland typically defend with 13 men up in the front line and only a couple covering backfield. That means there are going to be opportunities to kick to exploit space.
England ran France ragged using similar tactics 12 months ago at Twickenham and England's coaching staff clearly picked up on a comparable vulnerability in Ireland's game.
Even second row George Kruis attempted a grubber kick at one point in the first half.
As the phase started for England's first try, Ireland had 14 men on their feet with CJ Stander on the floor having made a tackle.
All those standing, except full-back Jordan Larmour, were up flat.
Ben Youngs disguised his kick well, but it was clearly pre-planned with Owen Farrell, George Ford and Kyle Sinckler sprinting into a spirited chase.
By the time Sexton and Larmour were fielding the bouncing ball on their own line, they were under heavy pressure from an arrowhead of England players.
Had Sexton gathered it safely, he would have struggled to get away a convincing clearing kick or run out of defence.
As it was he juggled, dropped and George Ford pounced.
England managed to implement their gameplan brilliantly. It was a tactic they went to again, albeit with a penalty advantage in their back pocket, for the second try when Elliot Daly reached Ford's chip ahead of Jacob Stockdale.
In past meetings, Ireland's mastery of the aerial game has been key. Back in 2015, Robbie Henshaw soared over Alex Goode to claim a Conor Murray box kick and score the only try in a 19-9 victory.
But Ireland's forwards never gave them a platform to really test an England back three that included centre Jonathan Joseph on the wing.
England's ball carriers - the likes of Courtney Lawes, Tom Curry and Jamie George - won the battle of the gain line, making metres on every carry.
Top metre-makers of starting forwards 1= Tom Curry (Eng) 17 metres 1= CJ Stander (Ire) 17 3 Jamie George (Eng) 14 4 Courtney Lawes (Eng) 13 5 Sam Underhill (Eng) 8
Ireland offered very little, relying on slow-moving one-out runners and it is very difficult to kick effectively behind a forward pack that are going nowhere and a scrum-half who seems to have lost the confidence to snipe around the fringes.
Add in England's dominance at the breakdown and Ireland were a mile away from competing for the victory.
Itoje keeps the young guns firing straight
Itoje has won 37 caps since making his England debut in February 2016
The introduction of the straight-talking, hard-running Ellis Genge off the bench brought a big cheer from the Twickenham crowd in the wake of his match-winning try against Scotland in the last round.
He, along with hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie and fellow prop Will Stuart, brought an injection of energy and intensity in the front row.
In the scrum, where previously there was parity, England started to get the upper hand.
But I think there is still work to be done to make sure Genge in particularly has the cool head needed for life in an international front row.
There was a lot of whooping, hollering and trash talk around the fringes of the match. Kyle Sinckler was giving it plenty as the half-time whistle blew as well.
Maro Itoje would previously have been in the middle of all of that, but he has matured into the guy who is putting his arm around players leading them away from confrontation and getting them to concentrate on making another huge impact, rather than screaming and shouting about the last one.
Cooney deserves his shot at nine
Cooney, who will turn 30 in May, has made just one start for Ireland
Neither of Ireland's half-backs had a good day.
Johnny Sexton looked rattled from the off. He made a mistake to allow England to score their first try and was woeful off the tee.
He spoke afterwards about the speed of England's defensive line off line-outs and at one point lost his right boot for a passage of play and which rather summed up his afternoon.
His leg was heavily strapped up so I don't know if he was carrying an injury, but he will bounce back.
At scrum-half though, I think John Cooney is getting close to supplanting Conor Murray as the first-choice starter.
His performances, both off the bench for Ireland and for Ulster, merit it. He is game-changing, scintillating rugby.
Murray has been a lynchpin of Ireland's recent success but players want the best team out there so they have the best opportunity to win.
Matt Dawson was speaking to BBC Sport's Mike Henson


bbc--2020-02-24--What is coronavirus and what are the symptoms?

A virus causing severe lung disease that started in China has spread to 27 other countries , including the UK .
The coronavirus had infected 77,234 people in China as of 24 February , with 2,594 of them dying .
What are the symptoms ?
It seems to start with a fever , followed by a dry cough .
After a week , it leads to shortness of breath and some patients require hospital treatment .
Notably , the infection rarely seems to cause a runny nose or sneezing .
The incubation period - between infection and showing any symptoms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to the World Health Organization ( WHO ) .
But some researchers say it may be as long as 24 days .
And Chinese scientists say some people may be infectious even before their symptoms appear .
How deadly is the coronavirus ?
Based on data from 44,000 patients with this coronavirus , the WHO says : The proportion dying from the disease , which has been named Covid-19 , appears low ( between 1 % and 2 % ) - but the figures are unreliable .
Thousands are still being treated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so the death rate could be higher .
But it is also unclear how many mild cases remain unreported - so the death rate could also be lower .
To put this into context , about one billion people catch influenza every year , with between 290,000 and 650,000 deaths .
The severity of flu changes every year .
Can coronavirus be treated or cured ?
Right now , treatment relies on the basics - keeping the patient 's body going , including breathing support , until their immune system can fight off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to develop a vaccine is under way and it is hoped there will be human trials before the end of the year .
Hospitals are also testing anti-viral drugs to see if they have an impact .
How can I protect myself ?
The WHO says : • Wash your hands - soap or hand gel can kill the virus • Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing - ideally with a tissue - and wash your hands afterwards , to prevent the virus spreading • Avoid touching your eyes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ touch a surface contaminated by the virus , this could transfer it into your body • Do n't get too close to people coughing , sneezing or with a fever - they can propel small droplets containing the virus into the air - ideally , keep 1m ( 3ft ) away How fast is it spreading ?
Thousands of new cases are being reported each day .
However , analysts believe the true scale could be 10 times larger than official figures .
Outbreaks have now occurred in South Korea , Italy and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ become a pandemic .
A pandemic is declared when an infectious disease threatens different parts of the world simultaneously .
The WHO has said it is concerned about the number of cases with no clear link to China or other confirmed cases .
It has said the window of opportunity to contain the virus was `` narrowing '' .
With colds and flu tending to spread fastest in the winter , there is hope the turning of the seasons may help stem the outbreak .
However , a different strain of coronavirus - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the summer , in Saudi Arabia , so there 's no guarantee warmer weather will halt the outbreak .
• How a virus reveals the many ways China is feared • Britain 's race to contain the coronavirus • China and the virus that threatens everything How did it start ?
This virus is not really `` new '' - it is just new to humans , having jumped from one species to another .
Many of the early cases were linked to the South China Seafood Wholesale Market , in Wuhan .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ come into close contact with animals harbouring viruses - and the country 's dense urban population means the disease can be easily spread .
Severe acute respiratory syndrome ( Sars ) , which is also caused by a coronavirus , started off in bats and then infected the civet cat , which in turn passed it on to humans .
The Sars outbreak , which started in China in 2002 , killed 774 of the 8,098 people infected .
The current virus - one of seven types of coronavirus - does not seem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while it appears stable , this is something scientists will be watching closely .
This explainer will be regularly updated to reflect the audience 's questions about coronavirus .
Details of how to get in touch are below .
What questions do you have about the coronavirus ?
In some cases your question will be published , displaying your name , age and location as you provide it , unless you state otherwise .
Your contact details will never be published .
Please ensure you have read our terms & conditions and privacy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your question :

Older people, and those with pre-existing medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure), are more likely to become severely ill. Men are at slightly higher risk of dying from the virus than women.


bbc--2020-02-24--A visual guide to the outbreak

A visual guide to the outbreak

A fast-moving virus originating in China and known as the `` new coronavirus '' has infected tens of thousands of Chinese citizens and spread to about 30 countries .
The respiratory infection has claimed more than 2,000 lives so far - many more than the 774 killed in the 2003 Sars epidemic - and has been declared a global emergency by the World Health Organization ( WHO ) .
South Korea has seen the largest number of cases outside China , while Italy has had the highest number in Europe .
These key maps and graphics will help you understand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There have been thousands of cases - the majority are still in China Across China , tens of thousands of people have been infected with the coronavirus - known officially as Covid-19 - which causes pneumonia-like symptoms .
Thousands more are under medical observation .
The number of overall cases in the country has been rising since January , following the virus 's discovery in the city of Wuhan , Hubei province , in December .
China has introduced a number of tight restrictions in a bid to reduce infections , including cancelling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ordering some cities to go into lockdown .
On Monday ( 24 Feb ) , Chinese authorities postponed the country 's annual parliamentary gathering - the National People 's Congress .
Hubei province - the centre of the outbreak - remains the worst affected , seeing by far the biggest number of cases of the virus .
Its capital city of Wuhan , home to 11 million people , has been under lockdown since 23 January , with transport links into and out of the city closed .
The origins of the new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wildlife at Wuhan 's seafood market , which sells live animals including bats , rabbits and marmots .
However , the exact source of the outbreak has not been identified .
Officials in Hubei province have come under fire for their handling of the virus outbreak , including causing confusion by changing the criteria used to count the number of cases .
Changes to the way patients were diagnosed half way through February caused a brief spike in the number of confirmed cases , but this change was later reversed , causing a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the number of daily confirmed cases has been falling , official figures show .
A study of 44,000 coronavirus cases by the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention found that more than 80 % had been mild , with the sick and elderly most at risk , while 4.7 % had been critical .
According to Chinese officials more than 18,500 people have recovered from the virus .
• How worried should we be ?
• Can you get it more than once ?
- and more of your questions The number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chinese authorities has been fairly stable over recent days - following the spike caused by the change in diagnosis criteria in mid-February .
Wuhan continues to account for the majority of new cases and deaths in China .
However , the new coronavirus has now overtaken the 2003 Sars epidemic in both confirmed cases and deaths .
The Sars - severe acute respiratory syndrome - outbreak lasted around eight months and killed 774 people out of around 8,100 confirmed cases .
3 .
South Korea , Italy and Iran are battling to contain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of cases outside China has raised fears the virus outbreak could become a pandemic - when an infectious disease spreads easily from person to person in many parts of the world .
Paul Hunter , professor of health protection at the University of East Anglia in the UK , said the spike in numbers was `` extremely concerning '' .
South Korea has the largest number of confirmed cases outside China - with a rise in reported infections on Monday .
The biggest virus clusters have been linked to a hospital and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Daegu , which has a population of around 2.5m .
Meanwhile , Italy has seen the largest number of cases in Europe , and the country 's authorities have announced a series of measures to try to halt the virus 's spread .
It is not yet clear how it entered the country .
Several small towns in the Italian regions of Lombardy and Veneto have been placed in lockdown , leaving 50,000 residents unable to leave without permission .
Many businesses and schools have also suspended activities , and sporting events @ @ @ @ @ @ @ football matches .
Iran has also confirmed it has seen a number of cases of the virus , most of them in the holy city of Qom , south of capital Tehran .
In response , many of Iran 's neighbours have announced the temporary closure of their borders with the country .
Iraq , Afghanistan , Kuwait and Bahrain have reported their first cases , all involving people who had come from Iran .
4 .
Overall , about 30 countries have cases The WHO declared the crisis a global health emergency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus 's spread .
Infections have now been recorded in about 30 other countries , including Japan , Thailand , the US , Canada , France , Italy , Germany and the UK .
More than 600 of the 3,700 people on board a British-registered Diamond Princess cruise ship docked in the Japanese port of Yokohama have also been diagnosed with the virus .
Three people have died .
Hundreds of foreign nationals have been evacuated from Wuhan by several governments including the US , France and Britain .
A growing number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ avoid all non-essential travel to China and many have announced screening measures for passengers arriving from the country .
The US has declared the outbreak a public health emergency and the UK has declared it a `` serious and imminent threat '' to public health , announcing new powers to fight its spread .
The WHO has warned against closing borders , saying it would accelerate the spread of the virus if travellers started entering countries unofficially .
• US advises against all travel to China Coronaviruses are common , and typically cause @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cough or runny nose .
But some are more serious - such as the deadly Sars and Mers - Middle East respiratory syndrome .
Covid-19 is a new strain not previously identified in humans .
It seems to start with a fever , followed by a dry cough and leads to shortness of breath after a week .
Notably , the infection rarely seems to cause a runny nose or sneezing .
But in more severe cases , infection can cause pneumonia , severe acute respiratory syndrome , kidney failure and even death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the outbreak by the Lancet medical journal said most patients who died from the virus had had pre-existing conditions .
Medical researchers and scientists say it is too early to accurately predict how the virus will spread or calculate the death rate , partly due to mild cases remaining untested and unrecorded and a time lag of reporting infections .
The incubation period - between infection and showing symptoms - lasts up to 14 days , according to the WHO .
However , some researchers say it may be as long as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people may be infectious even before their symptoms appear .
As there is not yet a specific anti-viral treatment for coronavirus , people with the infection are currently being treated for their symptoms .
• What are the symptoms ?
• The Chinese doctor who tried to warn about coronavirus 6 .
You can do things to reduce your chances of catching it The WHO is advising people in affected areas to follow standard procedures to reduce the chance of catching the virus .
They include hand and respiratory hygiene as well as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to avoid close contact with people suffering from acute respiratory infections ; wash hands regularly , especially after direct contact with ill people or their environment ; and avoid unprotected contact with farm or wild animals .
Avoiding eating raw or undercooked animal products is also advised .
According to the WHO , although it may be possible that people with coronavirus may be infectious before showing significant symptoms , people showing symptoms are , so far , causing the majority of virus spread .
Those with symptoms should practise `` cough etiquette @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coughs and sneezes with disposable tissues or the inside of an elbow , and washing hands .
In China , protective face masks are in widespread use - both among the general population and medical staff .
Although virologists are sceptical about their effectiveness against airborne viruses , there is some evidence to suggest the masks can help prevent hand-to-mouth transmissions .
Medical advice in China is to change masks regularly - as often as four times a day for medical teams - and Chinese authorities have appealed to other countries to help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stop the spread of viruses ?
7 .
If a case is suspected , there are processes to follow The Chinese government has classified the outbreak in the same category as the Sars epidemic .
This means people diagnosed with the virus in the country must be isolated and can be placed in quarantine .
Within healthcare facilities , the WHO advises staff to implement enhanced standard infection prevention and control practices , especially in emergency departments .
The WHO advises that patients should be assessed quickly and treated for the level of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mild , moderate , or severe .
It also recommends immediately implementing infection prevention measures .
These include staff wearing protective clothing and limiting patient movement around the hospital .
In the UK , the Department of Health has declared the new coronavirus as a `` serious and imminent threat '' to public health , giving authorities in England new powers to keep people in quarantine .
England 's chief medical officer , Professor Chris Whitty , said the UK strategy was focussed on containment and isolation .
Arrowe Park Hospital , on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conference centre , in Milton Keynes , have been designated `` isolation '' facilities in the UK .
Four UK nationals flown back to Britain from the Diamond Princess liner in Japan have tested positive for the virus , bringing the total number of cases in the UK to 13 .
The four have now been transferred to specialist NHS infection centres .
All but one of the people previously being treated for the coronavirus in the UK have been discharged from hospital .
One of those , British businessman Steve Walsh , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Singapore and unknowingly passed it on to 11 other people - five of whom then returned to the UK .
He has now fully recovered .

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This information is regularly updated but may not reflect the latest totals for each country.
** The past data for new cases is a three day rolling average. Due to revisions in the number of cases, an average cannot be calculated for this date.
Source: Johns Hopkins University and national public health agencies


bbc--2020-02-24--Gold soars and shares plunge over virus fears

Global financial markets saw some of the sharpest falls in years on Monday after a rise in coronavirus cases renewed fears about economic slowdown .
In the US , the Dow Jones and S & P 500 posted their sharpest daily declines since 2018 , with the Dow falling 3.5 % or more than 1,000 points .
The S & P 500 ended the day 3.3 % lower , while the Nasdaq sank 3.7 % .
The UK 's FTSE 100 share index closed 3.3 % lower , the sharpest drop since January 2016 .
In Italy , which has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus , Milan 's stock market plunged nearly 6 % .
In contrast , the price of gold , which is considered less risky , hit its highest level in seven years at one point .
• What is coronavirus and what are the symptoms ?
The moves came as the outbreak continued to spread outside of China , with Iran , South Korea and Italy reporting a surge in cases .
About 77,000 people in China , where the virus emerged last year , have been infected and nearly 2,600 have died @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirmed in about 30 other countries and there have been more than 20 deaths .
Italy reported three more deaths on Monday , raising the total there to six .
`` There has been so much complacency in recent weeks from investors , despite clear signs that China 's economy is facing a large hit and that supply chains around the world were being disrupted , '' said Russ Mould , investment director at AJ Bell .
`` Markets initially wobbled in January , but had quickly bounced back , implying that investors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serious threat to corporate earnings .
They may now be reappraising the situation . ''
The losses on the Dow and S & P 500 in the US wiped out their gains for the year .
Firms such as Nike , Apple and Walt Disney , which do major business in China and rely on it to make goods , were some of the hardest hit , with shares down more than 4 % .
Travel companies also continued to suffer .
In the UK , the biggest faller in the FTSE 100 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , while Tui and British Airways owner IAG were both down by more than 9 % at the close .
Wall Street is spooked .
The massive falls on US financial markets shows that pretty clearly .
But why now ?
Part of the answer can be found in the ballooning number of confirmed cases in China and elsewhere .
Investors worry this could mean a prolonged economic slowdown around the world .
Tech juggernaut Apple has already warned of a shortage of iPhones and other US companies are also starting to break @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as serious as some investors suspect , it could derail the longest economic expansion in America 's history .
That means there are political implications too .
US President Donald Trump has made a roaring economy a central part of his re-election bid .
Any wobbles could make his case for another four years more challenging .
The market moves come as companies continue to warn about the effect of the coronavirus on their supply chains and overall financial health .
Associated British Foods , which owns clothing retailer Primark , warned on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some lines if delays in factory production in China were prolonged because of virus-related shutdowns .
In China itself , officials have said most small businesses have yet to reopen after the authorities extended the Lunar New Year holiday in an effort to contain the spread of the virus .
Only about three out of 10 small and medium-sized enterprises ( SMEs ) were back to work , while transport problems were preventing workers from travelling and disrupting shipments of raw materials , said industry ministry spokesman Tian Yulong .
SMEs make up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Analysts said the gold price - which has risen by more than 10 % since the start of the year - could soon breach the $ 1,700 barrier .
On Monday , prices surged more than 2 % at one point , before retreating .
`` Gold has finally established some serious momentum , '' said Jeffrey Halley , senior market analyst at online trading platform Oanda .
Oil prices fell by about 4 % on Monday , as investors worried about a fall in demand following the temporary factory closures due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brent crude dropped by more than $ 2 to $ 55.55 a barrel .

The losses on the Dow and S&P 500 in the US wiped out their gains for the year. Firms such as Nike, Apple and Walt Disney, which do major business in China and rely on it to make goods, were some of the hardest hit, with shares down more than 4%.