bbc--2020-07-15--Coronavirus: How Covid-19 hit the comedy industry

For comedian Ayo Edebiri the coronavirus pandemic has been no laughing matter - in more ways than one .
People losing their lives to a deadly virus - or Black Lives Matter protests in the wake of the shocking death of George Floyd - hardly provided rich picking for jokes .
And then there was the problem with comedy venues closing en masse during lockdown .
Back in March she correctly predicted to a Los Angeles audience that her stand-up gig that night was likely to be her last for a while .
Lockdowns meant venues around the world where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - thousands of performances were cancelled .
For London-based comedian Kate Smurthwaite , this meant a £16,000 loss in bookings - a mixture of stand-up performances , festivals , teaching and workshops - throughout the year .
Also , many travel and accommodation fees were paid in advance , and it has n't been possible to receive refunds for all of them .
`` In the first part of lockdown I was just in financial freefall and I ended up going online and putting myself forward as a maths tutor because it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do , '' Smurthwaite says .
As well as on-stage comedians , support services such as venue staff , bartenders , sound technicians , festival organisers , and others , are affected .
`` Those folks are responsible for comedy happening and they were hit hard by this - it 's horrible , '' says Caleb Hearon , a Los Angeles-based comedian and writer .
Some comedians have received financial support from their governments , but this has only plugged a small gap - more worrying is the fact that post-pandemic , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Some half ( 49.2 % ) of comedy clubs in the UK say they will definitely face permanent closure without further funding or support , according to a Live Comedy Association ( LCA ) survey .
The UK government is providing £1.5bn emergency arts funding , but comedy was not mentioned in the announcement .
British comedian Mark Watson says this follows a long history of comedy being overlooked , despite playing a big part in UK culture .
`` It does deserve to be regarded in the same way as some of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he says .
• Comedy clubs get serious with funding warning • How stand-up comedians are adapting to online gigs The LCA has called on the government to ensure comedy clubs get a slice of funding .
Otherwise , workers and comedians may need to find new careers .
Comedians have had to find new ways of performing , and virtual versions of existing set-ups have had some success , from acts performing stand-up over Zoom , to the Free Edinburgh Fringe Festival being broadcast live on Twitch .
However , comedians do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Many online shows have been used as a way for viewers to donate to good causes , or to help political fundraising efforts - meaning the money is n't going directly to comedians , who still require their own income .
`` You ca n't make anywhere near as much money as you would have been able to in normal times , and while you still get the peripheral benefits by doing comedy online , you lose the sense of community of everyone converging in a shared space - so we 've @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mark Watson .
More from the BBC 's series taking an international perspective on trade : • US beekeepers fear for their future • Why a recession can be a good time to start a business • Coronavirus may have huge impact on property markets • 'You audition for a show only for it to get cancelled ’ • How coronavirus is changing the adverts you see • The fashion labels whose clothes are made by prisoners • Is rum about to become the new gin ?
And Kate Smurthwaite says that while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gained some new sponsors , it also lost sponsors who could no longer afford to contribute because of the coronavirus crisis .
Social media has been another route comedians have tried to ensure they keep existing audiences , while also extending their number of followers .
But translating stand-up to social media is not always easy .
`` In the first few months there was a big Instagram boom of comedians who were finding ways to harness content in a way that was so impressive but also really intimidating , because I felt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ head are not going to translate to a live performance , '' Ayo Edebiri says .
Edebiri , who also writes for the Netflix show Big Mouth , says it has also been more difficult to know when and what to joke about , given coronavirus and the BLM movement .
However , Brooklyn-based Sarah Cooper has had millions of views on her TikToks in which she lip syncs President Trump , while Elsa Mpho Majimbo , a journalism student from Kenya who aspires to be a comedy actor , has seen traction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Around three months ago one of my videos got super popular , so I just got a bigger audience and my growth has skyrocketed from there , '' Majimbo says .
She has since signed deals with consumer brands MAC Africa beauty products and telecoms firm MTN , and is working on projects with Comedy Central , who has also put her content on its social channels .
Funds can be generated online in other ways : by people buying tickets for Zoom or other online events , post-show donations on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people buying perks - such as preferential ticketing access - from comedians like Eleanor Conway , on Patreon .
Meanwhile , broadcast channels or firms could sponsor a comedian to do an online gig .
When comedy clubs are allowed to open again the numbers allowed in will have to be balanced with health and safety concerns .
`` If there are still coronavirus cases ... in the UK at the time when we get the green light to reopen , I fear audiences are still going to be hesitant to attend comedy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are gathered in one room , '' says Liam Pape , who manages The Covent Garden Comedy Club , the largest independent comedy club in London .
And British comedian Eleanor Conway suggests now is the time `` to innovate '' .
One innovation has come from Mark Watson .
His Carpool Comedy Club will enable people to watch a selection of comics in a drive-in comedy tour .
Comedians will be on stage and on a big screen , and people will be able to listen to them through their car speakers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ something and having that sense of community , so hopefully it will be a stepping stone between to what we had before , '' he says .
Writing has been a more reliable source of revenue for many comics , but as episodes of programmes are pushed back and as competition for jobs intensifies , there is likely to be a bottleneck here .
This is an issue throughout the industry at large , which will favour those who are already at the top - and make it harder for those striving to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` It favours people who are independently wealthy or who have some other sources of income , '' says Watson .
He says the LCA survey found those most likely to drift away from the industry were people from marginalised backgrounds , people who have had to fight their way into the industry .
`` Comedy is only just getting to the stage where diverse talents and voices are recognised so it would be a real shame if that progress was undone . ''

"You can't make anywhere near as much money as you would have been able to in normal times, and while you still get the peripheral benefits by doing comedy online, you lose the sense of community of everyone converging in a shared space - so we've lost something quite fundamental," says Mark Watson.


bbc--2020-07-15--My Money: 'I'm a sucker for a promo sticker'

My Money is a series looking at how people spend their money - and the sometimes tough decisions they have to make .
Here Charmel Flemming from Johannesburg , South Africa takes us through a week in her life during the coronavirus pandemic .
Charmel , 37 , and her husband Michael each run their own businesses from home and have two girls , aged six and three .
Charmel founded her business in 2018 , providing entrepreneurs with accounting and administrative support services .
She only uses cloud accounting via the internet which means she could continue servicing her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic .
She loves the `` magic of baking '' - the planning , preparation , presentation and how it brings people together .
She says baking , cooking and being in the kitchen is where she finds her happy place .
A slower start to my day than what I had hoped for but the girls are on mid-term break , and I get them ready for the day .
The late ( 10:00 ) exercise session adds to the slowness of the day .
Twice a week , my trainer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which is my splurge during lockdown !
When we started lockdown in SA , we were not permitted any form of exercise outside your property , so we had to make do .
Training helps my mentality .
Since lockdown I bumped it up to two sessions a week .
Nothing feels better than when the endorphins kick in , and all is right with the world .
Each session is 225 ZAR or South African Rand ( $ 13.5 , £11 ) .
The mid-term school break for my girls makes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been nagging to decorate the Christmas tree .
Yes , I am aware that it is six months early , but it also gets me 90 minutes relief .
After my gym session , I head to the fuel station to fill up my car for the first time in about 100 days .
After I started working from home , I filled up every four to six weeks .
So 100 days is a new record .
Total cost : ZAR 564.55 .
We try to stock up once a week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plan the week 's meals in advance but always change my mind at the last minute and then realise I do n't have all the ingredients .
My first stop was to get bulk cheese ( two different variants ) , butter and eggs .
Yes , I know we consume way too much cheese and butter , but life is short .
ZAR 344.10 .
Next stop : the spice shop which is around the corner from the cheese place .
My favourite part must be the aroma of the store , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ buying things I do n't need .
But today I am focused : baking supplies and spices .
ZAR 239.10 .
Next was the shopping for the week ahead .
I head to Pick n Pay simply because I need basics , and I know they are well stocked .
During the stringent level five of lockdown , I realised that previously well-stocked stores simply do n't have what I need , not even an alternative .
I end up store-hopping just to make sure I get everything .
Very frustrating .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'm a sucker for a promo sticker ) and some essential foods for our domestic worker to send home .
Her mom lives in Zimbabwe , and she sends supplies to her whenever she can .
It 's cheaper than trying to get it in Zimbabwe .
She sends rice , oil , sugar , maize meal , flour and baking powder .
ZAR 923.40 .
Last stop is the pharmacy to get a zinc supplement for the girls .
ZAR 60 .
Today was a real banger of a spending day .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ pancakes in under 20 minutes , including getting the girls to help .
I have found that adding two drops of food colouring makes any food more appealing to the girls .
Today 's colours reminded me of Avril Lavigne 's Sk8er Boi .
Today was a more productive day , kind of , if you take into account the puzzle building I did before lunch and the bike rides late afternoon .
The welcome distractions were rather pleasant after a frustrating day , which is a whole other story .
Lunch was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had in the fridge and homemade ramen noodles .
For my last birthday , I had been gifted a voucher and indulged myself with a pasta maker .
I would never spend my own money on anything like that .
I also make my yoghurt ( coconut and dairy ) , and bread ( most of the time ) .
It 's not a cost factor but a health one .
My husband owned a bakery a few years ago .
I was shocked at what goes into a loaf of bread .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a name ; only letters and numbers .
I prefer to make it myself when I can .
My insurance policy is due for renewal soon .
The initial increase was ZAR 267.16 per month , which is n't a bad increase , but I do enjoy the challenge of negotiating .
Thirty minutes later , I managed to increase some of my benefits with a decrease of ZAR 55.25 per month on my current premium .
In my corporate job I made really good money and spent it frivolously .
When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my spending habits and cut back .
I thought I was doing well but then Covid hit and I realised that I might have slipped back into some of my lousy spending habits .
My Instagram scrolling also took a turn for the worse but I was introduced to some amazing local brands that I should be supporting .
As a business owner in South Africa I feel obligated to support other local businesses but sometimes it gets expensive .
Let 's take loungewear for example .
ZAR 1,000 for a top and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a bit pricey for glorified pyjamas .
I am still trying to navigate buy local at a premium vs cheaper imports .
# buylessbuylocal I had to replace the gas cylinder for the stove .
Each one lasts about eight to 10 weeks .
So no big hassle .
Total spent ZAR 209 .
My youngest daughter has physio sessions once a week to work on her core instability .
Before Covid-19 it was done at school and that was great because it meant I did n't have to take her to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all changed .
Under Covid threat level five we did Zoom sessions , which as you can imagine was a nightmare .
Under threat level four , we managed to see the physio again .
Each session is ZAR 498 .
We have wooden floors in our house , and after moving in we realised that there was some termite damage .
Besides treating the house itself , we are supposed to treat the garden every three months as a preventative measure .
It does slip my mind , and I only just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last treatment .
Total cost ZAR 1,610 .
I feel guilty about the lack of time I spent with the girls during their mid-term break while I was working .
I booked pony rides for the afternoon .
ZAR 200 per child , ZAR 400 in total .
It was such an excellent outing for us .
The set up was more than merely pony rides , we spent an hour , brushing Joe the pony , getting him strapped in , riding around the garden and playing fun educational games .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back , my car battery is completely flat .
Return trip ZAR 112 .
Decided today was takeout Friday and it did n't go as planned .
Ordered pizza and sushi from different restaurants and the sushi place got our order wrong .
So instead of spending ZAR 529 for both , I only ended up spending ZAR 205 .
Some kind of a saving .
More blogs from the BBC 's My Money Series : • 'UK : 'Instead of the holiday buffet , it 's egg and toast at home' • @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I can get through today' • China : 'People have started leaving their houses again' Today started with a brutal Zoom training session .
At the end of the session , my thighs were in tears .
I come to the realisation that a takeout is the same price as a training session .
ZAR 225 .
Should I skip takeouts completely and increase my training sessions ?
Just a thought .
Most of the day I spent preparing for a board meeting , which was almost as brutal as the training @ @ @ @ @ @ @ equality and diversity , I have appreciated the small things .
I ordered 10 packs of Colour Me crayons .
Each pack contains 12 shades of skin colours that celebrate diversity at ZAR 40 per pack .
Total spent ZAR 400 - merging continuous diversity conversation with local brands : priceless .
We streamed Jungle Beat : The Movie , which is excellent for the kids and entertaining for the adults .
ZAR 35 and it 's available for 48 hours .
To make sure my thighs wo n't hate me forever , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I only do little runs , no more than 10km .
I ended my little run ( 3.44 km ) at the Pick n Pay to get things for the week ahead and to make sure we have everything for the braai ( barbecue ) .
It has become a tradition , either Saturday or Sunday my husband takes over the cooking responsibilities by having a braai .
I got loads of fruit , veg , meat , and lunch supplies for my eldest daughter , who returns to school next Tuesday and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get everything at the one store and had to do two stops .
ZAR 1,143.39 and ZAR 996.09 between the two .
At the end of the shopping trip , my husband picked me up .
The little run was about stretching my legs , not a weightlifting exercise .
The girls watched Jungle Beat again .
At least I get my money 's worth from the BoxOffice movies .
A Sunday breakfast tradition is koe'sisters .
It is prepared from balls of dough flavoured with cinnamon , aniseed , ginger and cardamom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , then cooked for one minute in boiling syrup and rolled in desiccated coconut .
Which is too much work for me !
My mother-in-law makes it in bulk which I can freeze , pop into the syrup , roll in coconut and ta-da !
A dozen koe'sisters would usually cost ZAR 54 .
How does Charmel feel about her week ?
Emotionally each week is entirely different from the next .
This week was filled less with anxiety , probably because of the mid-term school break .
The girls were allowed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time and went to bed way too late .
It is surprising how much angst having to oversee a six-year-old 's schooling brings .
I spent more than an average week because of the one-off costs , but I could n't avoid it .
We 're looking for more people to share what they spend their money on .
If you 're interested , please email my.money @ bbc.co.uk or get in touch via our My Money ( World ) Facebook group , or if you live in the UK , please join @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group and we 'll aim to contact you .

My youngest daughter has physio sessions once a week to work on her core instability. Before Covid-19 it was done at school and that was great because it meant I didn't have to take her to the session. With schools being closed that all changed. Under Covid threat level five we did Zoom sessions, which as you can imagine was a nightmare. Under threat level four, we managed to see the physio again. Each session is ZAR 498.


bbc--2020-07-16--Archer excluded from second Test for breach of bio-secure protocols

England fast bowler Jofra Archer was excluded from the second Test against West Indies after breaching the bio-secure protocols .
The 25-year-old went to his Brighton home between the first Test in Southampton and second in Manchester .
All of England 's matches this summer are being played behind closed doors and in a bio-secure environment .
`` I am extremely sorry for what I have done .
I feel like I have let both teams down , '' said Archer .
With Mark Wood and James Anderson rested , Archer was set to be the only member of England @ @ @ @ @ @ @ retained in the side for the second .
After he was excluded , England opted to include Stuart Broad , Chris Woakes and Sam Curran in their side at Emirates Old Trafford .
He also said any questions over why players made their own way between venues , rather than travelling together , were for those making logistical arrangements , rather than him . '
I have let both teams down' Archer , who made his England debut last summer , said : `` I have put not only myself but the whole @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fully accept the consequences of my actions and I want to apologise to everyone in the bio-secure bubble .
`` It deeply pains me to be missing the Test match , especially with the series poised . ''
Former England captain Michael Vaughan told BBC Test Match Special : `` I would think the management would feel very let down .
He 's a young kid who has made a silly mistake , and England will miss him .
`` I look at the West Indies and what they 've given up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a country that has been hit by Covid more than most .
They 've had to live at Old Trafford for two and a half weeks .
For one England player to break that protocol , when he 's only been away from home a couple of weeks ... '' Former England captain Alastair Cook said : `` It does throw it into a little bit of disarray .
England wanted to have some pace and bounce in their bowling attack throughout the summer but now they 're going to be robbed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jonathan Agnew said : `` They put the trust in the player and 99.9 % of the people involved have done the right thing . ''
West Indies limited-overs all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite told TMS : `` As a personal friend , I 'm disappointed , not only in what Jofra 's done , but the scrutiny you get from the media .
`` That said , it does not excuse what he does .
Without me trying to sound disrespectful or accepting of what he did , there 's a lot worse things @ @ @ @ @ @ @ popping home . ''
How did it happen ?
Cook said all the England players would have known they were not allowed to return home between Tests .
`` He knew what he was doing was wrong , '' said Cook .
`` He will have been briefed ; he 's been in the bubble for long enough .
`` Someone will have questioned 'can we go home ? '
and it would have 'no , this is what we 've agreed to ' .
`` What we do n't know is did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ genuinely needed and it 's just a mistake . ''
Vaughan said : `` I 'm led to believe that ( team manager ) Phil Neale sent a WhatsApp group message to the England players just before 7:50 this morning saying ' I need to see you all ' , before the news about Jofra Archer got out at 8am .
`` One or two of them did n't see it because they were fast asleep and woke up about 8:30-8:45 and were like 'eh what 's going on here ? '
'' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , during which time he will take two coronavirus tests , both of which must return negative results before he can return to the England squad .
West Indies were informed of the sanctions and were satisfied with the restrictions imposed .
An extraordinary amount of planning went into creating the bio-secure environment and the punishment for what some might see as a minor indiscretion from Archer shows just how seriously England are taking the safety protocols .
The England and Wales Cricket Board ( ECB ) had previously acknowledged the need for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to time , but on this occasion they were expected to head straight from Southampton to Manchester .
The experience in Southampton demonstrated just how strict life in the bubble is - regular coronavirus tests , temperature checkpoints , mandatory face masks and hand sanitiser in every location imaginable .
The movement of everyone on site - players , staff , media and hotel workers - is tracked by a fob worn around the neck .
Archer will have known what is expected .
It is a great shame for him and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Football Daily : Reaction to the latest twists in the race for Europe

Jofra Archer has taken 33 wickets in eight Tests for England
England fast bowler Jofra Archer was excluded from the second Test against West Indies after breaching the bio-secure protocols.
The 25-year-old went to his Brighton home between the first Test in Southampton and second in Manchester.
All of England's matches this summer are being played behind closed doors and in a bio-secure environment.
"I am extremely sorry for what I have done. I feel like I have let both teams down," said Archer.
With Mark Wood and James Anderson rested, Archer was set to be the only member of England's pace attack from the first Test retained in the side for the second.
After he was excluded, England opted to include Stuart Broad, Chris Woakes and Sam Curran in their side at Emirates Old Trafford.
England captain Joe Root said Archer's actions were "disappointing".
He also said any questions over why players made their own way between venues, rather than travelling together, were for those making logistical arrangements, rather than him.
'I have let both teams down'
Archer, who made his England debut last summer, said: "I have put not only myself but the whole team and management in danger. I fully accept the consequences of my actions and I want to apologise to everyone in the bio-secure bubble.
"It deeply pains me to be missing the Test match, especially with the series poised."
Former England captain Michael Vaughan told BBC Test Match Special: "I would think the management would feel very let down. He's a young kid who has made a silly mistake, and England will miss him.
"I look at the West Indies and what they've given up to be here.
"They have come to a country that has been hit by Covid more than most. They've had to live at Old Trafford for two and a half weeks. For one England player to break that protocol, when he's only been away from home a couple of weeks..."
Former England captain Alastair Cook said: "It does throw it into a little bit of disarray. England wanted to have some pace and bounce in their bowling attack throughout the summer but now they're going to be robbed of that."
BBC cricket correspondent Jonathan Agnew said: "They put the trust in the player and 99.9% of the people involved have done the right thing."
West Indies limited-overs all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite told TMS: "As a personal friend, I'm disappointed, not only in what Jofra's done, but the scrutiny you get from the media.
"That said, it does not excuse what he does. Without me trying to sound disrespectful or accepting of what he did, there's a lot worse things he could have done, outside of popping home."
How did it happen?
Cook said all the England players would have known they were not allowed to return home between Tests.
"He knew what he was doing was wrong," said Cook. "He will have been briefed; he's been in the bubble for long enough.
"Someone will have questioned 'can we go home?' and it would have 'no, this is what we've agreed to'.
"What we don't know is did he go home to get something he genuinely needed and it's just a mistake."
Vaughan said: "I'm led to believe that (team manager) Phil Neale sent a WhatsApp group message to the England players just before 7:50 this morning saying 'I need to see you all', before the news about Jofra Archer got out at 8am.
"One or two of them didn't see it because they were fast asleep and woke up about 8:30-8:45 and were like 'eh what's going on here?'"
Archer must now isolate for five days, during which time he will take two coronavirus tests, both of which must return negative results before he can return to the England squad.
West Indies were informed of the sanctions and were satisfied with the restrictions imposed.
Analysis
An extraordinary amount of planning went into creating the bio-secure environment and the punishment for what some might see as a minor indiscretion from Archer shows just how seriously England are taking the safety protocols.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) had previously acknowledged the need for players to leave the bubble from time to time, but on this occasion they were expected to head straight from Southampton to Manchester.
The experience in Southampton demonstrated just how strict life in the bubble is - regular coronavirus tests, temperature checkpoints, mandatory face masks and hand sanitiser in every location imaginable. The movement of everyone on site - players, staff, media and hotel workers - is tracked by a fob worn around the neck.
Archer will have known what is expected. It is a great shame for him and the England team that he has erred.


bbc--2020-07-16--Spain's health minister doubts return of fans in La Liga in September

Spain 's health minister says he does not think fans will be able to return to football matches in the country when the new season starts in September .
The government 's department for sport and La Liga had hoped for fans to return at a reduced capacity .
But the threat of a rise in coronavirus infections is set to prevent the move .
`` To be honest , I do n't see it , given the reality we are in , '' health minister Santiago Illa told radio station Cadena Ser .
`` We have seen some clusters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fortunately been able to control them , I still do n't see [ fans returning ] . ''
La Liga resumed this season behind closed doors on 11 June , and plans to start the 2020-21 campaign on 12 September .
`` We 're going to take our time and provide information so the sports department can make the decision when necessary , '' added Illa .
`` We have to step carefully with the virus , and concentrating large numbers of people at this time is not advisable at all . ''

Last updated on .From the section European Football
La Liga returned to action behind closed doors on 11 June and Real Madrid are top of the division
Spain's health minister says he does not think fans will be able to return to football matches in the country when the new season starts in September.
The government's department for sport and La Liga had hoped for fans to return at a reduced capacity.
But the threat of a rise in coronavirus infections is set to prevent the move.
"To be honest, I don't see it, given the reality we are in," health minister Santiago Illa told radio station Cadena Ser.
"We have seen some clusters of infections and, although we have fortunately been able to control them, I still don't see [fans returning]."
La Liga resumed this season behind closed doors on 11 June, and plans to start the 2020-21 campaign on 12 September.
"We're going to take our time and provide information so the sports department can make the decision when necessary," added Illa.
"We have to step carefully with the virus, and concentrating large numbers of people at this time is not advisable at all."


bbc--2020-07-16--England to play Wales in October friendly at Wembley

England will play Wales in a friendly at Wembley Stadium on 8 October .
The match will be played behind @ @ @ @ @ government coronavirus guidelines .
The two nations last met at Euro 2016 , when England @ @ @ @ @ winner from Daniel Sturridge .
England will pay tribute to former players who have died @ @ @ @ @ , including 1966 World Cup winners Jack Charlton , Martin Peters , Norman Hunter and @ @ @ @ @ match will come a month after the start of the 2020-21 Nations League campaign , @ @ @ @ @ Denmark .
Wales will play Finland and Bulgaria in early September .
The Nations League @ @ @ @ @ and 14 October when England play Belgium and Denmark respectively , and Wales face the @ @ @ @ @ .
• Football Daily : Reaction to the latest twists in the race for Europe

Last updated on .From the section Football
England forward Raheem Sterling takes on Wales' Chris Gunter at Euro 2016
England will play Wales in a friendly at Wembley Stadium on 8 October.
The match will be played behind closed doors in keeping with government coronavirus guidelines.
The two nations last met at Euro 2016, when England won 2-1 after an injury-time winner from Daniel Sturridge.
England will pay tribute to former players who have died in the last 12 months, including 1966 World Cup winners Jack Charlton, Martin Peters, Norman Hunter and Peter Bonetti.
October's match will come a month after the start of the 2020-21 Nations League campaign, with England facing Iceland and Denmark. Wales will play Finland and Bulgaria in early September.
The Nations League will then continue on 11 and 14 October when England play Belgium and Denmark respectively, and Wales face the Republic of Ireland and Bulgaria.


bbc--2020-07-16--Rio 200m finalist Stevens banned for Tokyo Olympics after missing three tests

Last updated on .From the section Athletics USA Olympic 200m finalist Deajah Stevens has been banned for the Tokyo Games in 2021 for missing anti-doping tests .
Stevens , seventh in the 2016 200m final , can appeal against the decision .
The Athletics Integrity Unit handed out the ban for missed tests in February , August and November 2019 .
The ruling said that on the first occasion , the doping control officer could not reach the American 's specified location because of restricted access at the given address in Oregon and attempts to reach her by phone were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ test in West Hollywood , Stevens claims her phone had run out of battery overnight and she only saw the five missed calls when she woke up .
Three knocks on her door over a 22-minute span went unanswered .
On the final missed test , Stevens said she was at her residence during the 60-minute window but had changed her phone number to avoid harassment by an unknown individual who had threatened her fiance 's life .
According to the doping control officer , access to the building on the final visit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not on the building directory , which the sprinter said she requested because of the claims of harassment .

Deajah Stevens came seventh in the 200m final at the Rio Olympics
USA Olympic 200m finalist Deajah Stevens has been banned for the Tokyo Games in 2021 for missing anti-doping tests.
The 25-year-old has been banned for 18 months from 17 February to 16 August 2021, eight days after the rearranged Tokyo Olympics are scheduled to finish.
Stevens, seventh in the 2016 200m final, can appeal against the decision.
The Athletics Integrity Unit handed out the ban for missed tests in February, August and November 2019.
The ruling said that on the first occasion, the doping control officer could not reach the American's specified location because of restricted access at the given address in Oregon and attempts to reach her by phone were unsuccessful.
For the early-morning August 2019 test in West Hollywood, Stevens claims her phone had run out of battery overnight and she only saw the five missed calls when she woke up. Three knocks on her door over a 22-minute span went unanswered.
On the final missed test, Stevens said she was at her residence during the 60-minute window but had changed her phone number to avoid harassment by an unknown individual who had threatened her fiance's life.
According to the doping control officer, access to the building on the final visit was restricted as Stevens' name was not on the building directory, which the sprinter said she requested because of the claims of harassment.


bbc--2020-07-16--Alex Zanardi: Doctors begin process of bringing ex-Formula 1 driver out of coma

Last updated on .From the section Formula 1 Doctors at the hospital treating ex-Formula 1 driver Alex Zanardi have begun @ @ @ @ @ out a medically induced coma .
A statement from the Aou Senese Hospital in Siena @ @ @ @ @ said his neurological condition remained “ serious ” and that it would take “ a @ @ @ @ @ “ further evaluation ” .
Zanardi ’ s prognosis remains confidential and a further update @ @ @ @ @ , the statement said .
Zanardi has become a global sporting icon for the resilience @ @ @ @ @ action after losing his legs in an accident in a race in the US-based Champ @ @ @ @ @ s Lausitzring in 2001 .
He returned to motorsport , winning four times for BMW @ @ @ @ @ Championship from 2005-09 and then moved into hand-cycle racing .
In addition to his four @ @ @ @ @ won 12 world championships in the sport , as well as the 2011 New York @ @

Last updated on .From the section Formula 1
Alex Zanardi started 41 Formula 1 races and drove for Jordan, Minardi, Lotus and Williams in the 1990s
Doctors at the hospital treating ex-Formula 1 driver Alex Zanardi have begun the process of bringing him out a medically induced coma.
The 53-year-old Italian, a four-time Paralympic gold medallist, suffered severe head injuries in a crash with a lorry on his hand cycle on 19 June.
A statement from the Aou Senese Hospital in Siena where he is being treated said his neurological condition remained “serious” and that it would take “a few days” to complete “further evaluation”.
Zanardi’s prognosis remains confidential and a further update will be issued next week, the statement said.
Zanardi has become a global sporting icon for the resilience he has shown returning to action after losing his legs in an accident in a race in the US-based Champ Car championship at Germany’s Lausitzring in 2001.
He returned to motorsport, winning four times for BMW in the World Touring Car Championship from 2005-09 and then moved into hand-cycle racing.
In addition to his four gold medals, he has won 12 world championships in the sport, as well as the 2011 New York Marathon.


bbc--2020-07-16--Twitter hack: FBI investigates major attack

The FBI has launched an investigation after hackers hijacked Twitter accounts of a number of high-profile US figures in an apparent Bitcoin scam .
`` The accounts appear to have been compromised in order to perpetuate cryptocurrency fraud , '' said the bureau , urging the public to be vigilant .
Elon Musk , Bill Gates and Joe Biden were among those hit in what Twitter said was a `` co-ordinated '' attack .
Their official accounts requested donations in the cryptocurrency .
`` Everyone is asking me to give back , '' said a tweet from the account of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` You send $ 1,000 , I send you back $ 2,000 . ''
• Twitter hack : What went wrong and why it matters The US Senate Commerce committee has demanded Twitter brief it about Wednesday 's incident by 23 July .
Twitter said the hackers had targeted its employees `` with access to internal systems and tools '' .
`` We know they [ the hackers ] used this access to take control of many highly-visible ( including verified ) accounts and Tweet on their behalf , '' the company said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added that `` significant steps '' had been taken to limit access to such internal systems and tools while the company 's investigation continues .
The tech firm has also blocked users from being able to tweet Bitcoin wallet addresses for the time being .
The UK 's National Cyber Security Centre said its officers had `` reached out '' to the tech firm .
`` We would urge people to treat requests for money or sensitive information on social media with extreme caution , '' it said in a statement .
US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Josh Hawley has written to the company asking if President Trump 's account had been vulnerable .
President Trump 's account was not compromised , the White House said .
The chair of the Senate Commerce committee has also been in contact with Twitter .
`` It can not be overstated how troubling this incident is , both in its effects and in the apparent failure of Twitter 's internal controls to prevent it , '' Senator Roger Wicker wrote to the firm .
One cyber-security expert said that the breach could have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` If you were to have this kind of incident take place in the middle of a crisis , where Twitter was being used to either communicate de-escalatory language or critical information to the public , and suddenly it 's putting out the wrong messages from several verified status accounts - that could be seriously destabilising , '' Dr Alexi Drew from King 's College London told the BBC .
Twitter earlier had to take the extraordinary step of stopping many verified accounts marked with blue ticks from tweeting altogether .
Password @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some other `` account functions '' disabled .
By 20:30 EDT ( 00:30 GMT Thursday ) users with verified account started to be able to send tweets again , but Twitter said it was still working on a fix .
Dmitri Alperovitch , who co-founded cyber-security company CrowdStrike , told Reuters news agency : `` This appears to be the worst hack of a major social media platform yet . ''
On the official account of Mr Musk , the Tesla and SpaceX chief appeared to offer to double any Bitcoin payment sent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` for the next 30 minutes '' .
`` I 'm feeling generous because of Covid-19 , '' the tweet added , along with a Bitcoin link address .
The tweets were deleted just minutes after they were first posted .
But as the first such tweet from Mr Musk 's account was removed , another one appeared , then a third .
The campaign of Joe Biden , who is the current Democratic presidential candidate , said Twitter had `` locked down the account within a few minutes of the breach and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ BBC can report from a security source that a web address - cryptoforhealth.com - to which some hacked tweets directed users was registered by a cyber-attacker using the email address mkeyworth5 @ gmail.com .
The name `` Anthony Elias '' was used to register the website , but may be a pseudonym - it appears to be a play on `` an alias '' .
Cryptoforhealth is also a registered user name on Instagram , apparently set up contemporaneously to the hack .
The description of the profile read `` It was us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emoticon .
The Instagram profile also posted a message that said : `` It was a charity attack .
Your money will find its way to the right place . ''
In any case , the real identities of the perpetrators are as yet unknown .
Cameron Winklevoss , who was declared the world 's first Bitcoin billionaire in 2017 along with his twin brother Tyler , tweeted a message on Wednesday warning people not to participate in the `` scam '' .
In the short time it was online , the link @ @ @ @ @ @ @ received hundreds of contributions totalling more than $ 100,000 ( £80,000 ) , according to publicly available blockchain records .
The Twitter accounts targeted have millions of followers .
Last year , Twitter chief executive Jack Dorsey 's account was hacked , but the company said it had fixed the flaw that left his account vulnerable .
Dr Drew recently co-authored a paper warning about the potential of Twitter being used to sow disinformation .
She said the latest incident highlighted the need for all major social media platforms to check their security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the US presidential vote in November .
`` Social media companies such as Twitter and , Facebook all have a duty to consider the damage and influence their platforms can have on the 2020 election , and I think some companies are taking that more seriously than others , '' she told the BBC .
`` Twitter actually has a good history of being forward-thinking and proactive in this space .
But whatever the source of this attack [ it seems they have ] still not done enough . ''

"If you were to have this kind of incident take place in the middle of a crisis, where Twitter was being used to either communicate de-escalatory language or critical information to the public, and suddenly it's putting out the wrong messages from several verified status accounts - that could be seriously destabilising," Dr Alexi Drew from King's College London told the BBC.


bbc--2020-07-16--In pictures: How coronavirus swept through Brazil

Brazil 's coronavirus outbreak has been one of the world 's most severe , with more than 2m cases recorded since March .
The official total reached 2,012,151 on Thursday , according to Health Ministry figures .
In fact , it is the second worst affected country behind the US .
More than 74,000 people have died with the virus there and , owing to a lack of testing , the true figures are believed to be even higher .
Here , we illustrate how the pandemic has played out in the South American country .
The outbreak took some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Amazonas region which was badly hit by the first wave of cases .
In the state capital Manaus , a man can be seen arranging coffins at a funeral parlour .
Officials warned that the stock of coffins in the region was likely to run out .
They were forced to dig large burial sites as deaths spiked , and poverty and malnutrition made tackling the virus in the heart of the Amazon rainforest a major challenge .
Indigenous communities have been among the worst affected by the virus and Manaus is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Many of their homes are situated far away from health facilities .
On the outskirts of the city , nurse Vanderlecia Ortega dos Santos , responded to the crisis by volunteering to care for her indigenous community of 700 families .
And here , people can be seen moving a coffin in a rural community in the northern state of Pará .
It was later buried in a cemetery at the mouth of the Amazon river .
But it was not long before the virus spread to major cities such as Rio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then began to rise sharply .
In May , São Paulo 's mayor warned that its underfunded health system was on the verge of collapse as it became a new hotspot for Covid-19 .
He said demand for hospital beds had skyrocketed .
This hospital , built inside a sports gym in the city , is one of many makeshift facilities that opened up .
But despite the rise in cases there was still no national lockdown .
States and cities adopted their own measures , but these were met by protests and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time went on .
Stay-at-home orders and other restrictions were criticised by far-right President Jair Bolsonaro , who denounced them as `` dictatorial '' .
He even joined anti-lockdown protests in the capital , Brasilia .
This image shows supporters of the president at a separate demonstration in Rio de Janeiro .
Mr Bolsonaro has repeatedly played down the risks of what he calls `` little flu '' and his response to the pandemic has been heavily criticised .
He has argued that regional lockdowns are having a more damaging effect than the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of spreading panic and paranoia .
The president has also been spotted meeting supporters while not wearing a mask , such as here in Brasilia .
And while many people share his concerns about the economic impact of lockdowns , health officials have disagreed with his approach .
In fact , two doctors have left their posts as health minister since the pandemic began , one was sacked , one resigned .
Mr Bolsonaro also said he would not be seriously affected by the virus .
`` I 'm not going to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he said in March .
That 's been put to the test , as earlier this month he tested positive for Covid-19 .
This image shows the president meeting the US ambassador Todd Chapman the day before he said he started to feel symptoms .
The pair were seen shaking hands , and Mr Chapman later went into quarantine .
On 20 June , Brazil became only the second country to pass one million cases and that number has continued to rise steadily .
Experts say it is likely much higher due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lockdowns were lifted even as cases surged .
In Rio and São Paulo , restaurants and bars were reopened despite the continued increase in transmissions .
The rise in cases and the relaxation of lockdown measures left some Brazilians feeling as though they needed to take matters into their own hands .
And one couple took extreme measures to keep safe .
A chronic lung disease means that accountant Tercio Galdino , 66 , is at high risk from Covid-19 .
He and his wife wear special outfits when out and about in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an added bonus , the outfit lets him celebrate his love of space .
There is some hope , however , two major vaccine tests , in partnership with the pharmaceutical companies AstraZeneca and Sinovac , will soon begin final phase testing on thousands of Brazilian volunteers .
The hope is that a breakthrough on this front could help Brazil reverse its worrying rise in cases and deaths .
This striking image shows a cemetery in Manaus where new graves have been dug during the pandemic .

Mr Bolsonaro also said he would not be seriously affected by the virus. "I'm not going to be brought down by a little flu," he said in March. That's been put to the test, as earlier this month he tested positive for Covid-19.


bbc--2020-07-16--US tech and film 'collaborating' with China - Barr

US Attorney General William Barr has accused Hollywood and US tech firms of `` collaborating '' with the Chinese government to do business there .
Companies like Disney routinely agreed to censor films while Google , Yahoo , Microsoft and Apple were `` all too willing '' to work with Beijing , he said .
His intervention is the latest criticism of China by White House and other US officials .
Tensions between the US and China have been rising over a host of issues .
The US this week removed Hong Kong 's preferential trade status , after China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the territory .
• What might happen next in the South China Sea ?
• The Hong Kong crisis and the new world order President Donald Trump has also criticised China over its handling of the coronavirus pandemic as well as its military build-up in the South China Sea , its treatment of Muslim minorities , and massive trade surpluses .
China has rejected all foreign criticism of its actions .
What did Barr say about US firms ?
Speaking at the Gerald Ford Presidential Museum , he warned that dependence on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US vulnerable and said US firms were giving up secrets and compromising values under Chinese pressure .
`` If Disney and other American corporations continue to bow to Beijing , they risk undermining both their own future competitiveness and prosperity , as well as the classical liberal order that has allowed them to thrive , '' he said .
The justice department had seen growing numbers of cases where Chinese officials were lobbying US bosses to favour Beijing 's policies , he said .
He urged US firms to defy Chinese demands , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ afraid to take a stand , there is strength in numbers . ''
He criticised technology companies , which he said had `` allowed themselves to become pawns of Chinese influence '' .
He also alleged - without providing evidence - that the Chinese government was able to access Apple phones while the company had denied similar access to the US government , and that this was emblematic of a `` double standard that has been emerging among American tech companies '' .
`` Do you think when Apple sells phones in China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impervious to penetration by Chinese authorities ?
They would n't be sold if they were impervious to Chinese authorities , '' he said .
Apple says it does not have a back door into its phones and will not build one .
Mr Barr also praised Facebook , Google , Twitter , and LinkedIn for saying they would not comply with requests for user data under Beijing 's new security law in Hong Kong .
China 's actions showed it did not want to join other industrialised economies but rather wanted to replace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sought to exploit the `` power , productivity and ingenuity '' of China 's people to `` overthrow the rule-based international system and to make the world safe for dictatorship '' .
China was engaged in an `` economic blitzkrieg '' to `` seize the commanding heights of the global economy and to surpass the United States as the world 's preeminent superpower '' , he added .
The Trump administration has long argued that China is taking advantage of America in trade .
Mr Barr 's remarks ramp up the accusation , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doing business with the US is to replace it and to become a world superpower .
`` Win-win in China means China wins twice , '' he said .
Mr Barr 's remarks are among a series of hard-hitting speeches by senior US officials on China , including FBI Director Christopher Wray and National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien , with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo expected to follow .
All advocating for a tougher stance against Beijing , some of these speeches were delivered in key swing states like Michigan and Arizona .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a range of grievances against China during a Rose Garden press conference , which quickly turned into an hour-long monologue attacking his Democratic rival Joe Biden .
Campaign rhetoric and voices advocating for more hawkish policies towards China have become indistinguishable , as Mr Trump seems determined to make China a key pillar of his re-election strategy .
What does China say ?
Beijing has not yet responded to Mr Barr 's criticism , but earlier on Thursday the foreign ministry accused the White House of unfairly targeting China .
`` We know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China and bullying China .
As an independent sovereign state , China must respond to the bullying practices and we must say no , we must ... take reactive moves to it , '' Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said .
She also responded to media reports that the US could ban Chinese Communist Party members from visiting the US , which she said were `` utterly pathetic '' if true .
The Communist Party is the country 's sole , ruling political party .
About 7 % of the population are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is essential for those who want to climb the career ladder - and members include e-commerce giant Alibaba 's Jack Ma , telecomm company Huawei 's founder Ren Zhengfei and actress Fan Bingbing .
What else have US officials been saying ?
Mr Barr 's speech follows similar warnings about the impact of Chinese activity on the US by other US officials .
Earlier this month FBI director Christopher Wray said acts of espionage and theft by China 's government pose the `` greatest long-term threat '' to the future of the US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chinese nationals living abroad , coercing their return , and was working to compromise US coronavirus research .
`` China is engaged in a whole-of-state effort to become the world 's only superpower by any means necessary , '' Mr Wray added .

"We know that some in the US are oppressing China and bullying China. As an independent sovereign state, China must respond to the bullying practices and we must say no, we must... take reactive moves to it," Ms Hua said.


bbc--2020-07-16--EU leaders meet in push for Covid recovery deal

EU leaders meet on Friday for the first face-to-face summit since the coronavirus crisis , with low expectations of a deal on a €750bn ( £670bn ) post-Covid stimulus package .
The main issue is how much of the recovery fund will be handed out in grants and how much in loans .
They also need to agree on a seven-year budget worth another €1.07 trillion .
German Chancellor Angela Merkel warned ahead of the summit that `` the positions are still far apart '' .
The Brussels meeting is due to continue on Saturday but EU leaders may need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ French official said an agreement this weekend was possible but certainly needed to be wrapped up by the end of the summer .
Why is the fund so tricky ?
Southern states including Italy and Spain want an urgent decision `` not weakened by a lesser compromise '' , in the words of Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte .
They need to revive economies battered by a devastating pandemic that claimed 35,000 lives in Italy and a further 28,400 in Spain .
The Frankfurt-based European Central Bank has already forecast an 8.7 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because of the pandemic .
But economies that only recently pulled out of a financial crisis want grants rather than taking on further debt .
The recovery plan , backed by France and Germany , for €500bn in grants and €250bn in loans , is being resisted by several `` frugal '' Northern European countries , led by the Netherlands .
The EU recovery fund is already controversial as the money would be borrowed on the financial markets , to be paid back some time after 2027 .
It 's made up of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the biggest part of it would be geared to supporting green and digital investment and reform .
Some 30 % of the funding could be tied to climate projects .
The frugal states , which include Austria , Sweden , Denmark and to some degree Finland , want some control over how the money is handed out .
The Southern states say that will hold the process back .
There is also pressure to whittle down the size of the €750bn fund , so the solvency instrument devised to revive companies after lockdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been criss-crossing Europe ahead of the summit in a bid to find a solution .
Visiting Sweden , Spain 's Pedro Sánchez warned : `` If we delay the response , we delay the recovery and the crisis could get worse . ''
The head of the European Central Bank , Christine Lagarde , has also urged the EU27 to move quickly on an `` ambitious package '' , warning that uncertainty remains high on the speed and scale of the economic rebound .
If the package of grants or loans is agreed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put €39bn of EU funding towards its own €100bn national recovery plan .
Prime Minister Jean Castex said this week that €20bn of that would go towards insulating buildings , and converting cities to using bicycles .
A group of 150 scientists and celebrities joined climate activist Greta Thunberg on Thursday in signing an open letter urging EU leaders to end `` all investments in fossil fuel exploration and extraction '' .
As eurozone economic activity picks up and lockdowns are lifted , there are fears of a second surge .
The ECB @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is on track to last until June next year , to help governments , banks and businesses .
Are the Dutch out on a limb ?
One of the main issues for EU leaders is whether any country can have a veto over money being handed out to a member state for recovery purposes .
Ahead of the summit , a French official said the Netherlands was the only one of the so-called frugal states seeking strict control of conditions for paying out funds .
Is that true ?
Certainly Dutch Prime Minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , welfare and tax services in return for funding and he wants assurances that the money goes to modernising infrastructure and green investment .
But Finland too wants conditions attached to EU funding , both from the recovery pot and from the wider 2021-27 EU budget .
The task facing EU leaders is to agree not only on the size and terms of the recovery fund , but the overall EU budget too .
And Hungary 's Viktor Orban has threatened to derail both the fund and the budget if any payments are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of law .
His ruling Fidesz party has been suspended by the big European People 's Party bloc for clamping down on media and civil society .
`` We could veto it because it needs a unanimous decision .
Hungary could say no , '' Mr Orban said last week .

The EU recovery fund is already controversial as the money would be borrowed on the financial markets, to be paid back some time after 2027. It's made up of a number of different instruments, but the biggest part of it would be geared to supporting green and digital investment, and reform. Some 30% of the funding could be tied to climate projects.


bbc--2020-07-16--Climate change: Summers could become 'too hot for humans'

Millions of people around the world could be exposed to dangerous levels of heat stress - a dangerous condition which can cause organs to shut down .
Many live in developing countries , and do jobs that expose them to potentially life threatening conditions .
These include being out in the open on farms and building sites or indoors in factories and hospitals .
Global warming will increase the chances of summer conditions that may be `` too hot for humans '' to work in .
When we caught up with Dr Jimmy Lee , his goggles were steamed up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neck .
An emergency medic , he 's labouring in the stifling heat of tropical Singapore to care for patients with Covid-19 .
There 's no air conditioning - a deliberate choice , to prevent the virus being blown around - and he notices that he and his colleagues become `` more irritable , more short with each other '' .
• More than 3bn could live in extreme heat by 2070 And his personal protective equipment , essential for avoiding infection , makes things worse by creating a sweltering 'micro-climate ' under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It really hits you when you first go in there , '' Dr Lee says , `` and it 's really uncomfortable over a whole shift of eight hours - it affects morale . ''
One danger , he realises , is that overheating can slow down their ability to do something that 's vital for medical staff - make quick decisions .
Another is that they may ignore the warning signs of what 's called heat stress - such as faintness and nausea - and keep on working till they collapse .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to cool down properly so its core temperature keeps rising to dangerous levels and key organs can shut down .
It happens when the main technique for getting rid of excess heat - the evaporation of sweat on the skin - ca n't take place because the air is too humid .
And as Dr Lee and other medics have found , the impermeable layers of personal protection equipment ( PPE ) - designed to keep the virus out - have the effect of preventing the sweat from evaporating .
According to Dr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the University of Birmingham , the symptoms can escalate from fainting and disorientation to cramps and failure of the guts and kidneys .
`` It can become very serious as you overheat , and in all areas of the body . ''
How can we spot it ?
A system known as the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature ( WBGT ) measures not only heat but also humidity and other factors to give a more realistic description of the conditions .
Back in the 1950s , the US military used it to work out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the WBGT reaches 29C , for example , the recommendation is to suspend exercise for anyone not acclimatised .
Yet that 's the level Dr Lee and his colleagues are regularly experiencing at Singapore 's Ng Teng Fong General Hospital .
And at the top of the scale - when the WBGT registers 32C - the US says strenuous training should stop because the risk becomes `` extreme '' .
But levels that high have recently been recorded inside hospitals in Chennai in India by Prof Vidhya Venugopal of the Sri Ramachandra University @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a salt pan enduring a WBGT that climbs during the day to 33C - at which point they have to seek shelter .
And in a steel plant , a ferocious level of 41.7C was recorded , the workers being among the most vulnerable to what she calls `` the huge heat '' .
`` If this happens day-in , day-out , people become dehydrated , there are cardiovascular issues , kidney stones , heat exhaustion , '' Prof Venugopal says .
What impact will climate change have ?
As global temperatures rise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well which means more people will be exposed to more days with that hazardous combination of heat and moisture .
Prof Richard Betts of the UK Met Office has run computer models which suggest that the number of days with a WBGT above 32C are set to increase , depending on whether greenhouse gas emissions are cut .
And he spells out the risks for millions of people already having to work in the challenging combination of extreme heat and high humidity .
`` We humans evolved to live in a particular range @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that if we continue to cause temperatures to rise worldwide , sooner or later the hottest parts of the world could start to see conditions that are simply too hot for us . ''
Another study , published earlier this year , warned that heat stress could affect as many as 1.2bn people around the world by 2100 , four times more than now .
What solutions are there ?
According to Dr Jimmy Lee , `` it 's not rocket science '' .
People need to drink plenty of fluid before they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then drink again when they rest .
His hospital has started laying on `` slushie '' semi-frozen drinks to help the staff cool down .
But he admits that avoiding heat stress is easier said than done .
For him and his colleagues , going for rests involves the laborious process of changing out of PPE and then back into a new set of equipment .
There 's a practical problem as well - `` some people do not want to drink so they can avoid having to go to the toilet , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a professional desire to keep working whatever the difficulties so as not to let colleagues and patients down at a time of crisis .
People who are highly motivated can actually be at the greatest risk of heat injury , says Dr Jason Lee , an associate professor in physiology at the National University of Singapore .
He 's a leading member of a group specialising in the dangers of excessive heat , the Global Heat Health Information Network , which has drawn up guidelines to help medics cope with Covid-19 .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( WHO ) , the World Meteorological Organization ( WMO ) and the US weather and climate agency Noaa .
Dr Lee says that as well as measures like rest and fluids - and shade for outdoor workers - a key strategy for resisting heat stress is to be fit .
`` By keeping yourself aerobically fit , you 're also increasing your heat tolerance , and there are so many other benefits too . ''
And he sees the challenge for medics , sweating inside their PPE as they deal with Covid-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dress rehearsal '' for future rises in temperature .
`` This climate change will be a bigger monster and we really need a coordinated effort across nations to prepare for what is to come .
`` If not , '' he says , `` there 'll be a price to be paid . ''

"We humans evolved to live in a particular range of temperatures, so it's clear that if we continue to cause temperatures to rise worldwide, sooner or later the hottest parts of the world could start to see conditions that are simply too hot for us."


bbc--2020-07-16--US farmers' beef with Burger King over cow fart ad

Fast food chain Burger King has released an advertisement encouraging US farmers to change cow diets in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions .
The controversial video ad features children in cowboy hats singing about the impact methane gas emitted due to cow flatulence has on global warming .
Burger King claims adding lemongrass to cow diets could ease digestion and dramatically reduce methane emissions .
But farm leaders say the ad is `` condescending and hypocritical '' .
The ad has been trending on YouTube .
It has so far been watched by more than 2 million people and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the firm 's `` yodelling boy '' marketing gambit , with others swearing to cut ties with the chain .
Some scientists also criticised Burger King 's message and its focus on cow flatulence , instead of belching .
Prof Frank Mitloehner of University of California Davis ( UC Davis ) 's Department of Animal Science wrote on Twitter that it was disappointing to see the company `` drop the ball '' by promoting a study that was still ongoing and focusing on farts , when belching is the bigger problem .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he wrote .
`` Nearly all enteric methane from cattle is from belching .
Suggesting otherwise turns this serious climate topic into a joke . ''
The National Cattlemen 's Beef Association , a lobby group , has also spoken out about the belching issue , saying that Burger King was trying to `` score easy points with consumers by launching a misleading public relations campaign '' .
Burger King said it wanted to `` shine a light on an issue that is important to the business and industry '' and defended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data on a potential solution .
`` [ The campaign ] 'Cows Menu ' is not something that will solve the climate change problem in the short term , but it is a scalable finding that may allow change in the future , '' the fast food chain said in a statement .
`` The majority of conversation around this announcement has been overwhelmingly positive . ''
The ad was released as part of an announcement by Burger King owner Restaurant Brands International ( RBI ) .
Burger King has been under pressure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increasingly look to reduce their beef consumption due to concerns about their health and climate impact .
The fast food chain said it had been trying to find `` scalable solutions to tackle the climate impact '' of the food it produces .
Working together with scientists from Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico and UC Davis to develop a new diet for cattle , RBI said research showed that feeding cows 100g of dried lemongrass over three to four months was able to reduce methane emissions by up to 33 % on average @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diet will be available at Burger King restaurants in certain US cities this month .
• Fast food giants under fire on climate and water usage • Burger King : New plant-based burger 'not for vegans' Cattle farmer and influencer Michelle Miller , who goes by Farm Babe on social media , called on her followers to boycott the fast food chain .
`` Why are you putting me down ? ''
she asked .
`` If it was n't for people like me , you would n't even have a company .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ who has been involved with the lemongrass research , told the BBC the results so far have been promising , but the study is still ongoing .
He said he was shocked by the tone of the video and concerned that it would alienate farmers .
`` The scientific basis of the study actually is sound , but the video that accompanied it is why a lot of people , especially in the farming community were not happy , '' he said .
`` They 're just using some cliche connotations of farming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for about 14.5 % of greenhouse gas emissions caused by humans , with cattle representing the largest share , according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations .
Ms Miller said farmers are committed to doing their part to reduce emissions , but cattle are being used as a scapegoat for bigger problems .
She criticised the gas masks worn by the children in the video as a form of `` fear-mongering '' .
For a company whose business is selling burgers , she added , the concerns seemed out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hypocritical , '' she said .
`` If you really care about the planet , why do n't you focus on reducing food waste , why do n't you focus on reducing plastics and how about all the cars at your drive throughs ? ''
Ms Miller said the firm should focus on promoting the research in other ways and take down video .
`` They act like we 're just a bunch of bumbling hicks and they 're not appreciating what we do , '' she said .
`` Bring us up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ''

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bbc--2020-07-16--Coronavirus: Spain orders culling of almost 100,000 mink

Almost 100,000 mink at a farm in north-eastern Spain are to be culled after many of them tested positive for coronavirus , health authorities say .
The outbreak in Aragon province was discovered after a farm employee 's wife contracted the virus in May .
Her husband and six other farm workers have since tested positive for the disease .
The mink , bred for their prized fur , were isolated and monitored closely after the workers became infected .
But when tests on 13 July showed that 87 % of the mink were infected , health authorities ordered for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be culled .
Authorities said financial compensation will be given to the company that runs the farm , based in a village 200 km ( 125 miles ) east of Madrid .
Along with Madrid and Catalonia , Aragon is one of the coronavirus hotspots in Spain , where more than 250,000 infections and 28,000 deaths have been recorded since the start of the pandemic .
• Why are we catching more diseases from animals ?
Joaquin Olona , Aragon 's minister of agriculture , told reporters on Thursday that the decision to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ avoid the risk of human transmission '' .
Mr Olona stressed that it was not clear if `` transmission was possible from animals to humans and vice versa '' .
But one possibility , he said , was that an infected farm worker unwittingly transmitted the disease to the animals .
Another unsubstantiated theory was that the animals passed on the disease to workers , he said .
What do we know about animal-to-human transmission ?
Studies have shown that the virus is contagious among certain animals , including cats and dogs .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ animal-to-human transmission , however , with researchers studying the risk .
There have been other cases of workers testing positive for coronavirus at mink farms in Denmark and the Netherlands , both major producers of the animal 's fur .
• Calls to shut down 'dirty fur trade ' after mink cases In the Netherlands , tens of thousands of mink have been slaughtered in recent months after outbreaks were discovered at farms across the country .
The move came after the Dutch government said it had found two suspected cases of farm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ May .
The World Health Organization ( WHO ) said the infections could be the `` first known cases of animal-to-human transmission '' since the coronavirus pandemic began in China .
At a news conference in June , WHO epidemiologist Maria van Kerkhove said `` there were individuals who infected the minks , people who infected the mink and in turn some of these mink infected some people '' .
`` We are learning about what this actually means in terms of transmission and what role they [ mink ] may play , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A SIMPLE GUIDE : How do I protect myself ?
• IMPACT : What the virus does to the body • ENDGAME : How do we get out of this mess ?
• WITHOUT SYMPTOMS : The mystery of 'silent spreaders '

Mink farmers were alerted to the problem when their animals fell sick. Conservationists are concerned that if the virus were to cross into wildlife, we might not notice for a while. And Covid-19 could be catastrophic for endangered animals, such as gorillas and chimps.


bbc--2020-07-16--Cédric Chouviat: French police charged over death of delivery driver

Three French police officers have been charged with manslaughter following the death of a delivery driver in Paris after a traffic stop in January .
Cédric Chouviat , a 42-year-old father-of-five , said `` I 'm suffocating '' seven times as officers held him down , still wearing his scooter helmet , for about 20 seconds , footage showed .
His body then went limp and he died in hospital two days later .
A coroner later ruled he had died of asphyxia and a broken larynx .
A fourth officer is being investigated but has not been charged .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ charges are not severe enough `` for the violence and aggressiveness of the police officers '' seen in video footage of the incident .
`` Voluntary blows led to the death of Cedric Chouviat , '' the family said in a statement .
The charge of voluntary violence could lead to a harsher sentence under French law , AFP news agency reported .
His family also want the chokehold used on Mr Chouviat and another technique also used on him , where a person is forced onto the ground face down while pressure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be banned .
In June the former Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said chokeholds would be banned .
However , they reversed this decision just a few days later after a backlash from police unions , who held demonstrations across the country .
Chokeholds - a controversial and potentially deadly form of restraint - are outlawed in many countries .
Mr Chouviat was of Algerian origin .
In France , young Black and Arab men say they are disproportionately the victims of police brutality .
France has seen demonstrations against police violence triggered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the death of Adama Traore , a young back man who died in police custody in 2016 .
One of the officers who arrested Mr Traore has admitted that they used their combined body weight to pin him to the ground .
His death was likened to the police killing of George Floyd in the US , which sparked huge anti-racism protests around the world .

His family also want the chokehold used on Mr Chouviat and another technique also used on him, where a person is forced onto the ground face down while pressure is put on their upper body, to be banned.


bbc--2020-07-16--Real Madrid win La Liga for 34th time

Real Madrid win La Liga for 34th time

Zinedine Zidane says sealing a first La Liga title with Real Madrid in three years has made him happier than winning the Champions League .
Real wrapped up the title with a game to spare as they edged past Villarreal at an empty Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium .
Karim Benzema fired between the legs of Sergio Asenjo and added a controversial second from a retaken penalty .
In bizarre fashion , Sergio Ramos had rolled the first attempt for Benzema to smash in but the effort was disallowed .
Vicente Iborra pulled one back but it mattered little to Real @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Spanish title .
Zidane 's side have won all 10 of their matches since Spanish football restarted in June .
They head into the final day of the season with an unassailable seven-point lead over second-placed Barcelona .
`` This is better than anything .
It takes a tremendous effort to win La Liga , '' said the Real Madrid boss .
`` After 38 matches , you have more points than anyone else .
After lockdown and everything , it 's astonishing . ''
Behind closed doors in a 6,000-seat stadium at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not the stage for the grand crowning Real would have imagined for their first title since 2017 .
But that did not stop Zidane 's squad pulling on shirts with `` Campeones 34 '' printed on the back before lifting the trophy in celebration as ticker tape fell over the pitch .
`` Today is one of the best days for me as a professional , '' said Zidane .
`` After everything that happened , the three-month break , it is fantastic what has been achieved . ''
La Liga titles have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ triumphs for Real this decade , with this only their third in the past nine seasons .
They won three successive European Cups in Zidane 's first tenure but had recorded successive third-place finishes since their previous domestic title , as Barcelona were crowned champions .
Zidane was in charge the last time they won the league and made it his aim to reclaim the title after returning midway through the last campaign - less than a year after his departure .
It looked as if the Frenchman 's side would fail to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Spain was suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic in March , with Barcelona top of the table .
But Real have been in scintillating form since the restart and did not look like losing after Benzema 's opener on Thursday .
His second from the spot put the game beyond Villarreal 's reach , despite a nervy final few minutes .
In the end , Barcelona 's defeat by Osasuna made the victory a little more comfortable but no less significant for Zidane , who was hoisted into the air by his players @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Real 's title-winning moment looked like set to be relatively straightforward .
Step forward Sergio Ramos .
The defender was brought down as he entered the Villarreal box after a marauding run and , after a VAR check , put the ball down on the spot .
The Los Blancos captain has netted 10 times in La Liga this season but , rather than go for his 11th , dummied to strike the ball and instead rolled it to his right for the onrushing Benzema .
The forward fired past an unsuspecting Asenjo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to blow his whistle for infringement - presumably by Benzema .
Real were given the option to take the penalty again and this time Benzema converted to make it 2-0 .
Iborra then headed in seven minutes from time before substitute Marco Asensio thought he had re-established Real 's lead , but Benzema had handled in the build-up .
`` It has been a strange season but our objective was very clear once the league restarted , '' said Ramos afterwards .
`` We wanted to win every game .
This is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 34 leagues , my fifth title .
`` Zidane has been key , he is the captain of the ship and led us from the start of the season - we have always felt protected with Zizou .
He is a unique coach . ''
Zidane 's focus will now switch to Champions League opponents Manchester City .
The La Liga champions travel to Etihad Stadium on 7 August trailing 2-1 from the first leg .
But not until he has savoured the second league win of his managerial career .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ La Liga makes me happier , because La Liga is what it 's all about , '' said Zidane .
`` This is a tremendous feeling because what these players have done is incredible .
I am lost for words because I am too emotional .
`` The players are the ones who have fought for this .
It 's true I 've played my role but they are the ones who believe in what they are doing . ''
Real have been playing at their reserve stadium while the Santiago Bernabeu is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ usual open-top bus parade to the Cibeles fountain in the centre of Madrid because of current safety concerns .
`` It 's strange for everybody , we would have liked to have been with our fans at Cibeles but it 's not meant to be , '' added Zidane .
`` But I 'm sure everyone is happy in their homes tonight .
The fans always love to see the team win and we 've done this for them . ''

Last updated on .From the section European Football
This is Zidane's second La Liga title as Real Madrid boss
Zinedine Zidane says sealing a first La Liga title with Real Madrid in three years has made him happier than winning the Champions League.
Real wrapped up the title with a game to spare as they edged past Villarreal at an empty Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium.
Karim Benzema fired between the legs of Sergio Asenjo and added a controversial second from a retaken penalty.
In bizarre fashion, Sergio Ramos had rolled the first attempt for Benzema to smash in but the effort was disallowed.
Vicente Iborra pulled one back but it mattered little to Real as the club wrapped up their 34th Spanish title.
Zidane's side have won all 10 of their matches since Spanish football restarted in June.
They head into the final day of the season with an unassailable seven-point lead over second-placed Barcelona.
"This is better than anything. It takes a tremendous effort to win La Liga," said the Real Madrid boss.
"After 38 matches, you have more points than anyone else. After lockdown and everything, it's astonishing."
Recharged Real end Barca dominance
Real Madrid secured their 34th Spanish title - eight more than Barcelona have won
Behind closed doors in a 6,000-seat stadium at the club's training complex is perhaps not the stage for the grand crowning Real would have imagined for their first title since 2017.
But that did not stop Zidane's squad pulling on shirts with "Campeones 34" printed on the back before lifting the trophy in celebration as ticker tape fell over the pitch.
"Today is one of the best days for me as a professional," said Zidane. "After everything that happened, the three-month break, it is fantastic what has been achieved."
La Liga titles have been in shorter supply than Champions League triumphs for Real this decade, with this only their third in the past nine seasons.
They won three successive European Cups in Zidane's first tenure but had recorded successive third-place finishes since their previous domestic title, as Barcelona were crowned champions.
Zidane was in charge the last time they won the league and made it his aim to reclaim the title after returning midway through the last campaign - less than a year after his departure.
It looked as if the Frenchman's side would fail to deliver on that objective when football in Spain was suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic in March, with Barcelona top of the table.
But Real have been in scintillating form since the restart and did not look like losing after Benzema's opener on Thursday. His second from the spot put the game beyond Villarreal's reach, despite a nervy final few minutes.
In the end, Barcelona's defeat by Osasuna made the victory a little more comfortable but no less significant for Zidane, who was hoisted into the air by his players.
Scheming Ramos let off the hook
Karim Benzema scored his 20th and 21st La Liga goals of the season
Real's title-winning moment looked like set to be relatively straightforward. Step forward Sergio Ramos.
The defender was brought down as he entered the Villarreal box after a marauding run and, after a VAR check, put the ball down on the spot.
The Los Blancos captain has netted 10 times in La Liga this season but, rather than go for his 11th, dummied to strike the ball and instead rolled it to his right for the onrushing Benzema.
The forward fired past an unsuspecting Asenjo, only to for referee Alejandro Hernandez to blow his whistle for infringement - presumably by Benzema.
Real were given the option to take the penalty again and this time Benzema converted to make it 2-0.
Iborra then headed in seven minutes from time before substitute Marco Asensio thought he had re-established Real's lead, but Benzema had handled in the build-up.
"It has been a strange season but our objective was very clear once the league restarted," said Ramos afterwards.
"We wanted to win every game. This is the reward for all our hard work. 34 leagues, my fifth title.
"Zidane has been key, he is the captain of the ship and led us from the start of the season - we have always felt protected with Zizou. He is a unique coach."
'La Liga makes me happier'
Zidane's focus will now switch to Champions League opponents Manchester City. The La Liga champions travel to Etihad Stadium on 7 August trailing 2-1 from the first leg.
But not until he has savoured the second league win of his managerial career.
"The Champions League is the Champions League but La Liga makes me happier, because La Liga is what it's all about," said Zidane.
"This is a tremendous feeling because what these players have done is incredible. I am lost for words because I am too emotional.
"The players are the ones who have fought for this. It's true I've played my role but they are the ones who believe in what they are doing."
Real have been playing at their reserve stadium while the Santiago Bernabeu is renovated and will not be doing their usual open-top bus parade to the Cibeles fountain in the centre of Madrid because of current safety concerns.
"It's strange for everybody, we would have liked to have been with our fans at Cibeles but it's not meant to be," added Zidane.
"But I'm sure everyone is happy in their homes tonight. The fans always love to see the team win and we've done this for them."


bbc--2020-07-16--Emilio Lozoya: Former Mexican oil boss leaves Spain to face charges

The former boss of Mexican state oil company Pemex has been extradited from Spain to face corruption charges back home in Mexico , police say .
Emilio Lozoya is accused of taking $ 10m ( £8m ) in bribes from a Brazilian construction firm that has admitted paying off Latin American politicians .
Mr Lozoya denies any wrongdoing and has agreed to co-operate with the inquiry .
Spanish police said he boarded a plane that left Madrid-Barajas airport at 17:57 ( 15:57 GMT ) on Thursday .
The aircraft was heading for Mexico with a scheduled stop in Canada , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Manuel Lopez Obrador said Mr Lozoya 's extradition from Spain marked a significant step towards defeating corruption in his country .
`` This voluntary extradition is going to do a lot to help purify public life , to clean up corruption , '' he told a news conference on Thursday .
Mr Lopez Obrador said it was important to dig out as much information as possible and expose corrupt officials in order to prevent them from returning to power .
Mr Lozoya , who was chief executive of Pemex until four years ago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of receiving substantial bribes from construction company Odebrecht .
The 45-year-old was arrested in southern Spain in February .
Founded in the 1940s , Odebrecht was for a while one of Brazil 's most competitive construction companies , winning contracts not just in Latin America but also in the Middle East and Africa .
It won numerous awards and was voted one of the best employers in Brazil .
But in 2015 the arrest of its chief executive , Marcelo Odebrecht , shattered the firm 's image .
Initially he denied all accusations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two years later a plea bargain deal saw him come forward with allegations that are still rocking Latin American politics .
Mr Lozoya was also one of the closest advisers to former President Enrique Pena Nieto , who is not implicated in the scandal .

Founded in the 1940s, Odebrecht was for a while one of Brazil's most competitive construction companies, winning contracts not just in Latin America but also in the Middle East and Africa.


bbc--2020-07-16--Bolivian sex workers using raincoats to keep 'safe'

Many sex workers in Bolivia say they 'll return to work using gloves , bleach and see-through raincoats .
They say these recommendations - suggested by the Organisation of Night Workers of Bolivia ( OTN-B ) - will help keep everyone safe .
Prostitution in the South American country is legal and regulated in licensed brothels .
Restrictions have slightly eased after an early lockdown in March .
But some work - including sex work - is still restricted during the day and a night-time curfew remains in place .
Vanesa is a single mother of two children and says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ studies .
`` Our clients respect the issue of safety , that we are taking these measures for our security , but also for theirs , '' she says .
Another worker , Antonieta , says she is using a paper face mask , plastic visor , gloves and a raincoat .
She also sprays a bleach solution on the pole she uses to dance for clients at her brothel .
`` The biosecurity suit will allow us to work and protect ourselves . ''
The OTN-B met with the health ministry last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guidance to women on how to keep safe .
Bolivia has around 50,000 confirmed coronavirus cases and 1,898 deaths to date .
Last week , the country 's interim president Jeanine Anez Chavez tweeted she had tested positive for Covid-19 .
But there are concerns that not enough testing is being done in Bolivia which is one of the region 's poorest nations .
Data shows it is the country with fewest tests per million population .
It 's incomparable to neighbour Brazil which has been hugely impacted , with 1.97 million people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lily Cortes who is a representative of Bolivia 's sex workers union , says it 's a difficult time for everyone but the restrictions are putting women at huge risk .
`` We are also part of Bolivian society , we are sex workers , women , aunts and grandmothers that also have to worry about our work hours .
`` Unfortunately the sex workers will go out to work the streets and the result will be worse . ''
Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen back @ @

"Our clients respect the issue of safety, that we are taking these measures for our security, but also for theirs," she says.


bbc--2020-07-16--The bilbies ‘thriving’ after a 100-year absence in New South Wales

Populations of the Australian bilby have been devastated over the past 200 years after being hunted by cats and foxes @ @ @ @ @ has helped the species to breed in the wild in New South Wales for the @ @ @ @ @ a century .
Ecologists say it gives hope to the threatened species .

Populations of the Australian bilby have been devastated over the past 200 years after being hunted by cats and foxes.
Now a conservation programme has helped the species to breed in the wild in New South Wales for the first time in more than a century.
Ecologists say it gives hope to the threatened species.
Video by Isabelle Rodd


bbc--2020-07-16--In pictures: Severe floods engulf eastern China

Over the last few days , floods have overwhelmed parts of central and eastern China .
Several dams across the @ @ @ @ @ lake , Poyang , have burst , with the lake reaching record water levels , @ @ @ @ @ 's National Weather Satellite Centre .
Earlier this week , the authorities said 33 rivers @ @ @ @ @ while downpours are continuing to batter regions along the Yangtze River .
On Wednesday , @ @ @ @ @ said the water level of main streams in the middle and lower reaches of the @ @ @ @ @ and Poyang lake was gradually falling .
However , the water level of 98 rivers @ @ @ @ @ alarming level , according to the ministry , which maintains a level-three emergency flood response @ @ @ @ @ seen collapsed into the water .
Some 140 people are reported to have died and @ @ @ @ @ Thousands of soldiers have also been dispatched to shore up the lake 's banks in @ @

On Wednesday, the Ministry of Water Resources said the water level of main streams in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze river, Dongting lake and Poyang lake was gradually falling.


bbc--2020-07-16--Quiz of the week: Which Chicken Run star was 'plucked and stuffed'?

It 's the weekly news quiz - how closely have you been paying attention to what 's been going on @ @ @ @ @ past seven days ?
We are trialling our new look again this week .
If @ @ @ @ @ quiz , follow this link .
Try last week 's quiz via this link .
@ @ @ @ @ from this quiz ?
Privacy notice .

It's the weekly news quiz - how closely have you been paying attention to what's been going on in the world during the past seven days?


bbc--2020-07-16--The Simpsons: The black actor hoping his impressions get him a job

There are jobs up for grabs at one of the biggest TV shows of all all time - and 21-year-old @ @ @ @ @ a chance .
Last month , in the wake of massive Black Lives Matter protests @ @ @ @ @ Simpsons announced it was no longer going to use white actors to voice BAME characters @ @ @ @ @ on his Simpsons impressions since he was 15 and , when the news broke , @ @ @ @ @ on fan websites .
He 's now had loads of fan support , tens of @ @ @ @ @ even a promising message from the show 's creators .
Recorded and edited by Will @ @

There are jobs up for grabs at one of the biggest TV shows of all all time - and 21-year-old Jayden Libran thinks he deserves a chance.
Last month, in the wake of massive Black Lives Matter protests around the world, The Simpsons announced it was no longer going to use white actors to voice black and Asian characters.
Jayden has been working on his Simpsons impressions since he was 15 and, when the news broke, he started posting his videos on fan websites.
He's now had loads of fan support, tens of thousands of views - and even a promising message from the show's creators.
Recorded and edited by Will Chalk.
Follow Newsbeat on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen back here.


bbc--2020-07-16--Africa's week in pictures: 10 - 16 July 2020

A headless bust of British imperialist Cecil Rhodes looks out over Cape Town on Wednesday after it was decapitated .
@ @ @ @ @ defaced across South Africa where activists have long called for them to be removed and @ @ @ @ @ universities , to be `` decolonised '' .

Image caption,
A headless bust of British imperialist Cecil Rhodes looks out over Cape Town on Wednesday after it was decapitated. Monuments glorifying him have been defaced across South Africa where activists have long called for them to be removed and for institutions, in particular universities, to be "decolonised".