bbc--2020-05-26--Haaland & Lewandowski prepare to meet in Bundesliga's Der Klassiker

German football 's biggest names meet on Tuesday evening and to make things even better there 's a title on the line .
A win for second-place Dortmund would move them within a point of leaders Bayern with six games left , while victory for the seven-time reigning champions would put them seven points clear at the top .
This 'Der Klassiker ' also sees Haaland - football 's most exciting young star - go up against Robert Lewandowski - one of the game 's most accomplished strikers - for the first time .
Both men have scored 41 goals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ season , putting them level at the top of the European goal-scoring chart .
Throw in a possible return to the Dortmund starting line-up for England winger Jadon Sancho , and the chance to see Alfonso Davies , Thomas Muller , Serge Gnabry and in-form Julian Brandt on the same pitch , it could be quite the match .
• Could Sancho be the heir to Messi 's crown ?
That said , Bayern coach Hansi Flick has stopped short of calling the game a title decider .
`` Regardless of the result @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Flick whose side , like Dortmund , have won both of their games since the Bundesliga resumed behind closed doors on 16 May , following a two-month break because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Dortmund hope Germany centre-back Mats Hummels is fit enough to play after he went off injured at half-time during Saturday 's 2-0 win at Wolfsburg .
You can follow it all with live-text commentary on the BBC Sport website with kick-of at 17:30 BST .
Elsewhere , Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge says his club have not taken up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loan deal from Barcelona into a permanent deal .
The 27-year-old Brazilian midfielder is on a season-long loan , which included an option for Bayern to buy him for 120m euros ( £109.84m ) .
Coutinho joined Barcelona from Liverpool in a £142m deal in January 2018 and he has been linked with a summer move back to the Premier League .

Last updated on .From the section European Football
Bayern Munich's goal came from Joshua Kimmich just before half-time
Borussia Dortmund head coach Lucien Favre admitted it will be "brutally difficult" to stop Bayern Munich retaining their Bundesliga title after Bayern beat Dortmund on Tuesday.
Joshua Kimmich's wonderful chip from 20 yards just before half-time was the only goal at Signal Iduna Park.
Bayern are seven points clear of their second-placed opponents with six matches to go.
"Seven points in six games - it will be very, very difficult," said Favre.
Bayern are aiming for their eighth successive Bundesliga title but boss Hansi Flick insisted there is still a lot of work to do.
"I don't live in the future, the here and now is important," he said.
"We wanted to win and take a big step forward - we did that. We were focused, decisive and courageous at times. I'm satisfied with my team."
Kimmich's goal came after both sides had efforts cleared off the line.
Dortmund brought on England forward Jadon Sancho in the second half, but he could not inspire a fightback from his side.
Robert Lewandowski nearly doubled Bayern's advantage late on but shot against the post. Minutes later, he and the rest of the Bayern players were celebrating what could prove to be a big three points in the title race.
Resolute Bayern do enough to win
Before the game the build-up focused on Lewandowski and Dortmund's Erling Braut Haaland, with both strikers having scored 41 goals in 35 domestic games this season - putting them level as top goalscorers in Europe.
Haaland nearly got his 42nd domestic goal of the campaign inside the opening 35 seconds when he shot through the legs of Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer - making his 400th Bundesliga appearance - but Jerome Boateng was well placed to hack the ball off the line.
Dortmund then had the ball in the net when Thorgan Hazard headed in, but an offside earlier in the move ruled the effort out.
Bayern got more involved in the game and had a number of chances. Serge Gnabry had an attempt backheeled off the line by the retreating Lukasz Piszczek before Kingsley Coman and Leon Goretzka were both denied by home goalkeeper Roman Burki.
However, Burki will be unhappy that he could not keep out Kimmich's lofted effort just before the break as the Switzerland international got his hand to the ball but it still went in.
Dortmund, despite the introduction of Sancho at half-time, struggled to create clear-cut chances in the second half and Haaland was replaced by Giovanni Reyna with 18 minutes remaining.
But the home side had a chance to grab an equaliser when Raphael Guerreiro had a free-kick just outside the penalty area but could only shoot straight at Neuer. Mahmoud Dahoud also had a late effort saved by Neuer on a frustrating afternoon for the hosts.
Dortmund set to miss out on the title again
Dortmund, under the guidance of now-Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, won the Bundesliga in 2010-11 and again the following season in 2011-12 but Bayern have won the title every year since.
They are now in pole position to become German champions for a 30th time - and will do so if they win four of their final six matches.
This result continued a remarkable unbeaten run in all competitions that now stretches to 18 matches since they lost 2-1 at Borussia Monchengladbach on 7 December.
Bayern, who are also in the semi-finals of the German Cup and hold a 3-0 advantage over Chelsea after the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie, have now won 21 of the 24 matches since Flick moved up from assistant to replace the sacked Niko Kovac in November - when Bayern were fourth in the table.
Before the match, dubbed Der Klassiker and played in front of no spectators because of coronavirus restrictions, he said: "Regardless of the result, nothing will be decided."
However, Kimmich's goal means Bayern have a commanding grip on the Bundesliga and another title is theirs to lose.
Man of the match - Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich)
Joshua Kimmich (number 32) has scored five goals in all competitions this season, with this being his third in the Bundesliga
Just like Guardiola - the stats
Flick has won 15 of his first 18 Bundesliga games in charge of Bayern Munich. The only other manager to do that was Pep Guardiola.
Kimmich has scored three Bundesliga goals this season from outside the penalty area, more than any other Bayern player.
Neuer was making his 400th Bundesliga appearance. Since his debut (matchday two 2006-07), no player has played as many Bundesliga games as him.
'We have to hope they slip up three times' - what they said
Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels: "I think now it is only up to Bayern to decide the title.
"We're seven points behind and can do nothing more than win our games. But we have to hope they slip up three times. We know how good they are."
Bayern goalscorer Joshua Kimmich: "It was maybe the most beautiful goal of my life and also very important.
"I didn't see him off his line but we were told before the game that Burki stands a bit off his line so I went for it and with a bit of luck it went in."
Bayern attacker Thomas Muller: "That was the big step that we wanted to take. It was a bit of a strange game but after Joshua's goal we tried to work a lot. It was important to win here in Dortmund."
What's next?
Bayern Munich entertain relegation-threatened Fortuna Dusseldorf at home on Saturday, before Borussia Dortmund play the following day - away at bottom-of-the-table Paderborn.


bbc--2020-05-26--Four Minnesota cops fired after death of unarmed black man

Four Minnesota police officers have been fired after the death of a black man who was taken into custody and seen on video being pinned down by his neck .
Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo said the four officers were now `` former employees '' .
Footage shows the man , George Floyd , groaning and repeatedly saying `` I ca n't breathe '' to the white officer .
The incident echoed that of Eric Garner , a black man who died being arrested in New York City in 2014 .
The FBI has said it will investigate the Minneapolis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evening .
Minnesota police said Mr Floyd died after a `` medical incident '' in a `` police interaction '' .
They said he had been suspected of committing forgery .
On Tuesday afternoon , Mayor Jacob Frey confirmed the four officers involved in the incident had been `` terminated '' .
`` This is the right call , '' he tweeted .
At a press conference earlier , Mr Frey had described the incident as `` completely and utterly messed up '' .
`` I believe what I saw and what I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he said .
`` Being black in America should not be a death sentence . ''
• Viewpoint : Why racism is worse in the US than Europe • New York police officer in ' I ca n't breathe ' death fired It is the latest accusation of US police brutality against African Americans .
Recent high-profile cases include an officer in Maryland who fatally shot a man inside a patrol car .
The incident in Minneapolis began after officers located the man in his car , police said in a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who has not been identified , was `` sitting on top of a blue car and appeared to be under the influence '' .
After being ordered to step away from the vehicle , the man physically resisted officers , according to police .
`` Officers were able to get the suspect into handcuffs and noted he appeared to be suffering medical distress , '' the statement added .
In the 10-minute video filmed by a witness , the man is kept on the ground by the officer and , at one point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me . ''
Witnesses urged the officer to take his knee off the man 's neck , noting that he was not moving .
One says , `` His nose is bleeding '' , while another pleads , `` Get off his neck . ''
The man then appears motionless before he is put on a stretcher and into an ambulance .
Police said no weapons were used during the incident and that body camera footage had been handed to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension ( BCA ) , which is investigating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , police said in a statement : `` As additional information has been made available , it has been determined that the Federal Bureau of Investigation will be a part of this investigation . ''
Speaking to US media on Tuesday , Chief Arradondo said the force 's policies `` regarding placing someone under control '' will be reviewed as part of the probe .
Asked about the FBI 's involvement , Chief Arradondo said he made the decision to include the agency after receiving `` additional information '' from a community source @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In a statement , a spokesperson for the FBI Minneapolis division said the agency 's investigation will focus on whether the police officers involved `` willfully deprived the individual of a right or privilege protected by the Constitution or laws of the United States '' .
When completed , the agency will present it 's findings to the Minnesota state 's attorney for possible federal charges .
The Minnesota BCA , which investigates most in-custody deaths , will continue to conduct its own investigation , focusing on possible violations of state laws @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has reportedly been shortlisted as Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden 's running mate - issued a statement calling for a `` complete and thorough outside investigation '' .
`` Justice must be served for this man and his family , justice must be served for our community , justice must be served for our country , '' she said .
`` I ca n't breathe '' became a national rallying cry against police brutality in the US after the July 2014 death of Eric Garner .
Garner , an unarmed black man , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ detained by police on suspicion of illegally selling loose cigarettes .
They were the final words of the 43-year-old , who died after a police officer placed him in a chokehold .
A city medical examiner ruled the chokehold contributed to Garner 's death .
The New York City police officer involved in Garner 's deadly arrest was fired from the police force more than five years later , in August 2019 .
No officer was charged in that case .

The officers located the suspect in his car, police said in a statement. They were told the man, who has not been identified, was "sitting on top of a blue car and appeared to be under the influence".


bbc--2020-05-27--Twitter tags Trump tweet with fact-checking warning

A post by US President Donald Trump has been given a fact-check label by Twitter for the first time .
President Trump tweeted : `` There is NO WAY ( ZERO ! )
that Mail-In Ballots will be anything less than substantially fraudulent . ''
Twitter put a warning label under the post and a subsequent tweet under its new policy on misleading information .
Mr Trump responded by tweeting again , saying the social media giant `` is completely stifling free speech '' .
`` And I , as president , will not allow it to happen ! ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the 2020 presidential election in the US .
Twitter 's notification displays a blue exclamation mark underneath the tweets , suggesting readers `` get the facts about mail-in ballots '' .
Mr Trump 's presidential campaign manager Brad Parscale criticised the move by the social media company .
`` Partnering with biased fake news 'fact checkers ' is a smoke screen to lend Twitter 's obvious political tactics false credibility .
There are many reasons we pulled all our advertising from Twitter months ago , and clear political bias is one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What is Twitter saying about Trump 's posts ?
Twitter 's link directs users to a page on which Mr Trump 's claims about mail-in ballots are described as `` unsubstantiated '' .
The social media company cites reporting on the issue by CNN , the Washington Post and others .
This is followed by a `` what you need to know '' section where Twitter corrects what it says are false claims by the US president .
The social media company had pledged to increase the warning labels under false or misleading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been slow to take steps against the US president .
Twitter updated its policies on warning labels early this month .
The move comes on the heels of Twitter 's decision not to remove comment President Trump made about the death of Lori Klausutis in 2001 .
The president has tweeted several messages promoting a conspiracy theory that Ms Klausutis was murdered by MSNBC host Joe Scarborough .
Her widower Timothy Klausutis asked Twitter to remove the post , saying it included `` horrifying lies '' .
The company declined to take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was `` deeply sorry '' about the pain caused by the president 's statements .

His tweet on Wednesday told social media to "clean up your act now" and that he would not let a "more sophisticated version" of what they had "attempted to do, and failed, in 2016" happen again. He did not elaborate.


bbc--2020-05-26--Why the whole of Britain is talking about this man

The UK prime minister 's most senior adviser has come under fire for travelling across the country during the coronavirus lockdown , while he had virus symptoms .
Dominic Cummings drove 260 miles ( 418km ) from London to Durham , and took a 60-mile round trip from Durham to a nearby town on his wife 's birthday - a trip he says he made to test whether his eyesight was good enough to drive .
Mr Cummings is facing calls to resign , both from opposition politicians and members of the governing Conservative Party , whose leader , Boris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ highly unusual move for an adviser , Mr Cummings gave a press conference on Monday .
He said he believed he acted `` reasonably '' and within the law .
He has so far been backed by Mr Johnson and other senior government ministers .
But his actions have raised the question - did one of the government 's most senior employees ignore the rules he had helped set for millions of people across the nation ?
Mr Cummings is Boris Johnson 's chief adviser .
He is not a member of parliament @ @ @ @ @ @ @ current lockdown scandal , he was best known for masterminding the successful Vote Leave campaign in the 2016 Brexit referendum , which saw the UK vote by a narrow majority to leave the European Union .
Mr Cummings was played by actor Benedict Cumberbatch played in Brexit : The Uncivil War - a 2019 drama about the referendum .
Last year , he advised Mr Johnson to call an early election and to fight it on a `` Get Brexit Done '' ticket .
The vote gave the Conservatives their biggest election win @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been a member of the Conservatives and he is seen as a divisive figure within the party .
Former Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron once described him as a `` career psychopath '' .
But he is more than just a run-of-the-mill adviser to Mr Johnson - in many ways , his ideas have forged the government 's agenda .
He has played a key role in advising the government on its coronavirus strategy .
What did he do during lockdown ?
In late March , Mr Cummings drove about 260 miles from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ child to a farm in north-east England owned by his parents .
He says that his wife was unwell at the time and that he got sick soon after , with what they believe was coronavirus .
Then in mid-April Mr Cummings was spotted with his wife and son in a town a 30-minute drive away from his parents ' home .
He has said he made the trip in order to test his eyesight , which he was concerned had been impaired by coronavirus .
The two newspapers that broke the story @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also reported that the adviser returned to northern England a second time - a claim Mr Cummings has denied .
The reports about Mr Cummings have prompted widespread outrage .
The government 's message at the time - a message that Mr Cummings reportedly helped to draft - was `` Stay Home '' .
The British public had been expressly instructed to self-isolate for two weeks after experiencing coronavirus symptoms .
Many avoided travel even at the cost of missing the passing and funerals of loved ones .
One of the British government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medical officer have both been forced to step down in recent weeks for breaking UK lockdown rules .
How have Cummings and the government responded ?
Both Mr Cummings and Mr Johnson insist that the adviser did not break the rules .
In the daily coronavirus briefing on Sunday , Mr Johnson said his chief aide had `` followed the instincts of every father '' and acted responsibly in making the journey .
But his remarks only led to more criticism , with members of the public saying they had ignored their own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need because they felt they had to follow the rules .
Others questioned whether the prime minister was implying they were not acting as responsible parents in following the rules .
On Monday , Mr Cummings made the highly unusual decision to hold a press conference - normally only elected government officials , not the people behind the scenes , publicly speak to the media .
Addressing reporters in the garden of the prime minister 's house , 10 Downing Street , he gave an account of his movements and said he did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said he made the trip to his family farm mainly because he needed back-up care for his four-year-old son in case he and his wife were ill .
He said it was an `` exceptional situation '' he believed was covered by the coronavirus regulations .
He said he stayed in a separate property with his wife and child and followed rules on social distancing .
The rules instructed those with coronavirus symptoms and others in their household to stay at home , but they also made this caveat : `` If you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the best of your ability , however , we are aware that not all these measures will be possible . ''
Mr Cummings did not apologise and said he had not considered resigning .
What has happened since ?
The government had hoped Monday 's press conference would draw a line under the scandal , but it shows no sign of going away .
Some have accused Mr Cummings of breaking the `` spirit '' of the lockdown guidance , even if his actions could be defended legally .
There are also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's coronavirus guidance , encouraging the 66 million people living in the UK to follow their own interpretations of the rules .
`` It really is one rule for him [ Boris Johnson ] and his elite friends and another for the rest of us , '' one member of parliament with the opposition Labour Party wrote on Twitter .
The number of Conservative Party politicians publicly criticising Mr Cummings is growing .
On Tuesday , Junior Minister Douglas Ross became the first person to resign from the government in protest .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government guidance was `` not shared by the vast majority of people '' .
Mr Ross said he could not tell people in the community he represents they were wrong to miss funerals and other family events , and that Mr Cummings was right to drive to his parents ' home .

The government had hoped Monday's press conference would draw a line under the scandal, but it shows no sign of going away. Some have accused Mr Cummings of breaking the "spirit" of the lockdown guidance, even if his actions could be defended legally. There are also worries his actions will undermine the government's coronavirus guidance, encouraging the 66 million people living in the UK to follow their own interpretations of the rules.


bbc--2020-05-26--Canada tow-truck turf wars lead to nearly 200 charges

Toronto-area police have laid nearly 200 charges , including murder and arson , in relation to a violent turf war in the breakdown lorry industry .
Police allege competition for control of the towing market has resulted in a `` scene of violence '' in the region .
Rival lorry companies were allegedly fighting over not just the profits of towing vehicles , but subsequent insurance frauds .
Police say the turf war was connected to several organised crime groups .
`` Their fraudulent billing , fraudulent repairs , [ and ] fraudulent physiotherapy claims have earned them millions in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Police Superintendent Mike Slack said on Tuesday , when announcing the charges .
`` And when these profits were not enough they staged collisions using drivers they recruited '' .
`` As the profits increased , so has the demand for the territory , and the need to control that territory through violence , '' he said .
The region has seen at least 30 arson attacks believed to be connected to the towing industry over the past year , and multiple drivers have been shot at or killed , according to newspaper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spree caught the attention of Ontario Premier Doug Ford .
`` We 're coming for you , and we 're going to catch you .
The party 's over , '' he said last March .
The investigation , which was dubbed Project Platinum because of the high-end lorries being used by the companies , involved law enforcement from three police agencies and the Canada Revenue Agency .
The public learnt of the turf war last summer , when Toronto Police announced they had arrested seven drivers for gun and drug offences .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Regional Police , sheds more light on the inner workings of the industry .
The investigation found that the towing companies worked with complicit auto repair shops , car and truck rental companies , and physiotherapy clinics to defraud insurance companies .
Tow truck companies would hire fake drivers to stage accidents on roads and in parking lots , police claim .
When a group of insurance companies tried to fight the fraudulent claims in court , their law firm , Carr Law , became the target of violence , threats and extortion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ locations in several cities and towns in the Greater Toronto Area , including Hamilton , Brantford , Vaughan , Richmond Hill , Markham , Oakville , Toronto and the towns of Aurora and East Gwillimbury .
Twenty people have been arrested and 191 charges brought forth , including one count of first-degree murder , three counts of attempted murder , and multiple counts of fraud , arson and property damage .
Eight of those arrested remain in custody , including Mohamad El-Zahawi , 38 , of Toronto , who was just charged with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Soheil Rafipour in 2018 .
Mr El-Zahawi 's next court appearance is on 21 July .
A first-degree murder conviction carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years to life in prison .
Police also seized over 40 firearms , 11 tow trucks , and illegal drugs including cocaine , fentanyl and crystal methamphetamine , worth $ 1m Canadian dollars ( £590,000 ) .
`` With the accused facing charges and their assets seen , we expect the extreme level of violence we have seen in our community to diminish , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrests to follow in the coming months , and they have called on governments to pass regulations for the towing industries .
Currently , only 17 of Ontario 's 444 municipalities require towing to be licensed , according to the Globe and Mail .

The region has seen at least 30 arson attacks believed to be connected to the towing industry over the past year, and multiple drivers have been shot at or killed, according to newspaper the Globe and Mail.


bbc--2020-05-26--TV host Jimmy Fallon 'very sorry' for 2000 blackface skit

NBC 's Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon has apologised for wearing blackface in a Saturday Night Live skit from 2000 .
The clip went viral on Monday , and led to calls for Fallon to quit the show .
In his apology on Tuesday , Fallon said there was `` no excuse '' for his actions , and thanked the public `` for holding me accountable '' .
Several politicians and media figures , as well as Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau , have been embroiled in recent blackface scandals .
In the skit , Fallon wore blackface to impersonate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rock , who is African American , making a joke about crack cocaine .
As the hashtag # JimmyFallonIsOverParty trended on Twitter on Tuesday , Fallon released a statement apologising for the 20-year old skit .
`` In 2000 , while on SNL , I made a terrible decision to do an impersonation of Chris Rock while in blackface , '' he wrote .
`` There is no excuse for this .
I am very sorry for making this unquestionably offensive decision and thank all of you for holding me accountable . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ public statement about the sketch .
Saturday Night Live , which has been on air since 1975 , has a history of having non-black actors portray African-Americans .
The LA Times reports other famous black figures impersonated by non-black actors include former President Barack Obama , civil-rights activist Jesse Jackson , Michael Jackson 's doctor Conrad Murray and musician Sammy Davis Jr .
The controversy also drew some social media commentators to point out that other comedians , such as late night host Jimmy Kimmel and Sarah Silverman have also performed televised comedy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ network that employs Fallon , fired news anchor Megyn Kelly in 2018 after she made controversial comments defending the use of blackface .
More recently , the Canadian prime minister and Virginia Governor Ralph Northam have both successfully resisted calls to resign for wearing blackface when they were younger .
Blackface has a history of perpetuating offensive and racist stereotypes of African Americans dating back more than 200 years in the United States .
`` It 's a tradition rooted in racism which is very much about the fear of black people and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dr Kehinde Andrews , Associate Professor in Sociology at Birmingham City University told the BBC in 2017 .
• Behind the legacy of America 's blackface

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bbc--2020-05-26--Coronavirus: One week in one hospital

Coronavirus: One week in one hospital

As the UK begins the slow process of reopening some businesses and returning to work , the BBC has been @ @ @ @ @ hospital in the heart of London , for one week .
Medical staff at the @ @ @ @ @ rise in cases is inevitable as members of the public have more contact with each @ @ @ @ @ the densely-populated area of Tower Hamlets , which has seen hundreds of deaths due to @ @ @ @ @ but with the Asian population being hardest hit .

As the UK begins the slow process of reopening some businesses and returning to work, the BBC has been given unprecedented access to a hospital in the heart of London, for one week.
Medical staff at the Royal London Hospital say a rise in cases is inevitable as members of the public have more contact with each other.
The hospital serves the densely-populated area of Tower Hamlets, which has seen hundreds of deaths due to coronavirus across all communities, but with the Asian population being hardest hit.
Clive Myrie reports.
Cameraman: Dave McIlveen, Producer: Sam Piranty


bbc--2020-05-27--Woman sacked after calling police on black man

A white woman who called the police after a black man asked her to put her dog on a leash in New York City 's Central Park has been fired from her job with an investment firm .
Franklin Templeton announced on Twitter on Tuesday it had sacked an employee , `` effective immediately '' .
`` We do not tolerate racism of any kind at Franklin Templeton , '' the tweet said .
Christian Cooper , a bird watcher , asked the woman to leash her dog because he feared it could endanger wildlife .
Mr Cooper and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no relation ) were in a part of Central Park called the Ramble , a popular area for bird watchers where dogs must be leashed at all times , according to the rules .
Mr Cooper said their exchange began when he noticed Ms Cooper 's dog `` tearing through the plantings '' in the area .
`` Ma'am , dogs in the Ramble have to be on the leash at all times .
The sign is right there , '' Mr Cooper said he told her , but she refused to restrain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Ms Cooper told him she would phone police and tell them `` there 's an African-American man threatening my life '' .
She then called the emergency operator and repeated , `` He 's African-American '' , before pleading for them to send an officer .
A video filmed by Mr Cooper and posted on social media went viral on Monday , drawing tens of millions of views and prompting discussions about the high number of killings of black men by police in the US .
Ms Cooper later apologised , saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I sincerely and humbly apologize to everyone , especially to that man , his family , '' she told NBC News .
Ms Cooper also faced accusations of animal cruelty , after she appeared to choke the animal with its leash while restraining it to call the police .
After the video went viral she returned the dog to a shelter .
`` The dog is now in our rescue 's care and he is safe and in good health , '' the organisation wrote on Facebook .
Her now-deleted LinkedIn and Instagram @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Viewpoint : Why racism is worse in the US than Europe • New York police officer in ' I ca n't breathe ' death fired Franklin Templeton initially suspended Ms Cooper while it investigated the incident , before announcing her sacking .
Speaking to NBC News , Mr Cooper raised the recent high-profile shooting of Ahmaud Arbery , a 25-year-old black man who was out jogging when he was killed by two white men two in February .
`` We live in an age of Ahmaud Arbery , where black men are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about black men , black people , and I 'm just not going to participate in that , '' he said .
• Ahmaud Arbery : What do we know about the case ?


bbc--2020-05-26--Lori Klausutis death: Twitter will not remove Trump's 'horrifying lies'

Twitter has refused to delete tweets by US President Donald Trump after a widower publicly implored the company to remove `` horrifying lies '' about his wife 's death , amplified by Mr Trump .
Twitter did not comment on Timothy Klausutis ' emotional letter , but said it was `` deeply sorry '' about the pain caused by the president 's statements .
Mr Trump has baselessly suggested Lori Klausutis was murdered in 2001 by her boss , MSNBC host Joe Scarborough .
But her death was ruled accidental .
What else did Twitter say ?
`` We are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the attention they are drawing , are causing the family , '' a Twitter spokesperson said .
The statement added : `` We 've been working to expand existing product features and policies so we can more effectively address things like this going forward , and we hope to have those changes in place shortly . ''
The social media giant has a series of rules regulating content on the platform , including policies barring the promotion of violence and `` targeted harassment '' .
The outlined `` enforcement options '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the permanent suspension of offending accounts .
Last week , Mr Scarborough 's wife and co-anchor Mika Brzezinksi furiously rebuked Mr Trump for his tweets on the matter , calling the president `` sick '' .
She also asked Twitter to remove the incendiary tweets .
In a first on Tuesday , Twitter added a `` get the facts '' tab to another of Mr Trump 's tweets about absentee ballots that are sent to voters through the mail .
In the tweet , Mr Trump claimed that mail-in ballots are `` fraudulent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under that message and a subsequent tweet .
How has the White House responded ?
At a Rose Garden news conference on healthcare on Tuesday afternoon , Mr Trump was asked if he had seen the widower 's letter .
`` Yeah , I have , '' he said .
`` I 'm sure that ultimately they want to get to the bottom of it and it 's a very serious situation . ''
He added : `` It 's a very suspicious thing and I hope somebody gets to the bottom of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good thing .
`` As you know there 's no statute of limitations . ''
White House spokesperson Kayleigh McEnany said earlier on Tuesday when asked about Mr Klausutis ' appeal : `` I do n't know if [ Mr Trump ] has seen the letter , but I do know that our hearts are with Lori 's family at this time . ''
What did the widower say ?
Mr Klausutis wrote in a letter to Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey late last week : `` Conspiracy theorists , including most recently the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to spread their bile and misinformation on your platform disparaging the memory of my wife and our marriage .
`` My request is simple : Please delete these tweets . ''
He added : `` In certain past cases , Twitter has removed content and accounts that are inconsistent with your terms of service .
`` I 'm asking you to intervene in this instance because the President of the United States has taken something that does not belong to him - the memory of my dead wife - and perverted it for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Klausutis was found dead in the Florida office of Mr Scarborough , then a Republican congressman .
Authorities determined the 28-year-old died after losing consciousness from an abnormal heart rhythm , before collapsing and striking her head .
Police found no evidence of foul play .
A medical examiner established she had suffered an acute subdural hematoma , or blood clot , and ruled her death an accident .
Mr Scarborough was in Washington , DC at the time of her death .
The MSNBC presenter , his network and Ms Brzezinksi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's handling of the US coronavirus outbreak .

"I'm asking you to intervene in this instance because the President of the United States has taken something that does not belong to him - the memory of my dead wife - and perverted it for perceived political gain.


bbc--2020-05-26--'Deeply disturbing' report into Ontario care homes released

A Canadian province has launched an investigation into five Ontario elder care homes following the release of a `` deeply disturbing '' report .
The Canadian armed forces report found instances of insect infestations , poor hygiene practices , and neglect , among other concerns .
In one home , patients who had tested positive for Covid-19 were able to wander the premises .
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said the document was `` gut-wrenching '' .
Mr Ford said a full investigation has been launched into the allegations , which included claims that facilities smelt of rotten food , infested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elderly people were left for hours `` crying for help with staff not responding '' .
One death has also been referred to the provincial coroner for investigation .
Results of the inquiry will be shared with police in case results lead to criminal charges , Mr Ford said .
• How big is the epidemic in care homes ?
`` There are things in there that are extremely troubling and we need to take action , '' he told journalists during his regular coronavirus briefing on Tuesday .
Canada 's military has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care homes that have been overwhelmed by outbreaks of the virus .
Government statistics suggest that as much as 80 % of all the coronavirus-related deaths in Canada are linked to long-term care homes and residences for the elderly .
There are currently 150 long-term care homes in Ontario experiencing an outbreak , out of over 620 homes .
Some 1,675 troops have been assisting in five care homes in the province , and a further 25 in Quebec , according to CBC News .
People of all ages can be infected by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dangerous for older people and elder care homes in many parts of the world have been especially hard-hit by the pandemic .
Mr Ford said that the pandemic has `` exposed the deep , deep cracks in long-term care homes '' .
Officials have spoken of overworked and poorly paid staff in many facilities across Canada .
What does the report say ?
Canadian military personnel had been in the five care homes - amongst the hardest hit in Ontario with Covid-19 outbreaks - since 22 April .
The report raised numerous concerns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ observations taken over two weeks .
It compiled cases of re-use of unsterile equipment like catheters , of use of expired medications , patients with Covid-19 allowed to interact with healthy residents , abusive behaviour , improper use of personal protective equipment , insect infestations , the delayed changing of soiled or incontinent patients , and forced feedings .
It also documented instances where patients were left calling help with no response for up to two hours .
At one facility , the Eatonville Care Centre , patients who had tested positive for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the military report said .
The care centre has seen at least 42 deaths from Covid this year , according to Canadian media .
Mr Ford said the situation in the five care homes in the military report is stabilising with the support of soldiers and other personnel .
A class action lawsuit was brought against one of the facilities , Orchard Villa , on Monday , alleging deficiencies dating back to 2017 and contributing to the current conditions .

On Wednesday, a day after the Ontario report was released, Quebec released the military's report on their long-term care homes. The report found there was inadequate staffing and personal protective equipment, and that in some homes coronavirus patients were kept in rooms with people who did not have the disease.


bbc--2020-05-26--JK Rowling unveils The Ickabog, her first non-Harry Potter children's book

JK Rowling has surprised fans with the announcement of a brand new children 's book , which she is publishing in daily instalments on her website for free .
The Ickabog is her first children 's story not to be linked to Harry Potter .
She wrote it over a decade ago for her own children and has now dusted it off .
It 's for `` children on lockdown , or even those back at school during these strange , unsettling times '' , she said .
She had previously referred to it only as an unnamed `` political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are being published daily until 10 July on The Ickabog website .
The first two chapters , which went online on Tuesday , introduced King Fred the Fearless , ruler of Cornucopia , and five-year-old Bert Beamish .
Readers also learned about the myth of a fearsome monster called The Ickabog , which is `` said to eat children and sheep '' .
The author said she originally intended to release the story after the seventh and final Harry Potter novel came out in 2007 .
But she decided to take a break @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in her attic .
`` Over time I came to think of it as a story that belonged to my two younger children , because I 'd read it to them in the evenings when they were little , which has always been a happy family memory , '' she wrote on her website .
A few weeks ago , she suggested to her children that she might retrieve it from her loft .
`` My now teenagers were touchingly enthusiastic , so downstairs came the very dusty box , and for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a fictional world I thought I 'd never enter again .
`` As I worked to finish the book , I started reading chapters nightly to the family again .
`` This was one of the most extraordinary experiences of my writing life , as The Ickabog 's first two readers told me what they remember from when they were tiny , and demanded the reinstatement of bits they 'd particularly liked ( I obeyed ) . ''
It was written to be read aloud , but is suitable to be read @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , she said .
It will be published as an actual book in English in November , with all author royalties going `` to help groups who 've been particularly impacted by the pandemic '' .
She has also asked young readers to draw their own illustrations , with the best pictures to be included in the published books .
`` I want to see imaginations run wild ! ''
she wrote .
`` Creativity , inventiveness and effort are the most important things : we are n't necessarily looking for the most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about truth and the abuse of power , Rowling explained .
`` To forestall one obvious question : the idea came to me well over a decade ago , so it is n't intended to be read as a response to anything that 's happening in the world right now .
`` The themes are timeless and could apply to any era or any country . ''
It was in a 2007 interview with Time Magazine that she first said she was writing a `` political fairytale '' .
She later revealed she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dress outfit for her 50th birthday in 2015 - when she went as a lost manuscript .
Tuesday 's announcement is confirmation she was referring to The Ickabog .
A theme of inequality is clear from the story 's first chapter .
Most of Cornucopia was a `` magically rich land '' with happy people and fine , abundant food , readers are told .
But in the northern tip lived the Marshlanders , who scraped by on meagre resources .
They had `` rough voices , which the other Cornucopians imitated '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about `` their manners and their simplicity '' .
Follow us on Facebook , or on Twitter @ BBCNewsEnts .
If you have a story suggestion email entertainment.news @ bbc.co.uk .

"Over time I came to think of it as a story that belonged to my two younger children, because I'd read it to them in the evenings when they were little, which has always been a happy family memory," she wrote on her website.


bbc--2020-05-26--Zambian jailed gay couple pardoned in presidential amnesty

Zambia 's President Edgar Lungu has pardoned two men who were jailed last year for having sex with each other .
Their 15-year sentence triggered a diplomatic row , which ended in the recalling of the US ambassador .
The two men , Japhet Chataba and Steven Samba , were listed among the names of nearly 3,000 prisoners to be pardoned to mark Africa Freedom Day , which fell on Monday .
Zambia is a deeply conservative society where homosexual acts are illegal .
This was legislation inherited from the British colonial era .
• What are the LGBT laws @ @ @ @ @ @ @ High Court in the capital , Lusaka , sentenced the two men for having sex `` against the order of nature '' .
They had booked into a lodge , and a worker peeped through an open window and saw them having sex , the court heard .
At the time , US ambassador Daniel Foote said he was `` horrified '' by the sentencing .
He implored the Zambian government to review the case and its homosexuality laws , but then faced a backlash for his comments .
'We want him gone' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trying to use the aid money that the US gives as leverage .
At the time , Zambia 's Foreign Minister Joseph Malanji told the BBC the government could not be forced to make decisions `` at gunpoint '' because of aid .
In response the diplomat 's comments , President Lungu then said that he did not `` want such people in our midst .
We want him gone '' .
Mr Foote was recalled to Washington in December .
You may also be interested in : • 'Why our fight for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '

In response the diplomat's comments, President Lungu then said that he did not "want such people in our midst. We want him gone".


bbc--2020-05-26--Costa Rica celebrates first same-sex weddings

The first same-sex weddings have taken place in Costa Rica , the first Central American country to equalise its marriage legislation .
A lesbian couple became the first to tie the knot in a ceremony that took place just after the new law came into effect at midnight .
The wedding was shown on national TV .
President Carlos Alvarado said the law change meant Costa Rica now recognised the rights lesbian and gay people had always deserved .
He tweeted ( in Spanish ) that `` empathy and love should from now on be the guiding principles which will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a country where there is room for everyone '' .
The first same-sex marriage ceremony was broadcast as the culmination of a three-hour programme celebrating marriage equality .
Marriage equality came about after the constitutional court declared in August 2018 that a ban on same-sex weddings was unconstitutional and discriminatory .
The court gave Costa Rica 's parliament 18 months to change the law .
Enrique Sánchez , Costa Rica 's first openly gay member of parliament , welcomed the change and praised those who had spent years lobbying for the same-sex marriage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their experience , their struggles ... they have helped build a society where there are no second-class families or second-rate people , '' he told Reuters news agency .
Same-sex marriage is already possible in Argentina , Brazil , Colombia , Ecuador , Uruguay and some parts of Mexico , but Costa Rica is the first country in Central America to allow it .
• Why are some places gay-friendly and not others ?
Some religious groups had opposed the move and more than 20 lawmakers tried to delay the change in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ :

They were wed by notary and human rights lawyer Luis Roberto Zamora, who argued that Costa Rica's marriage ban had become null and void the moment the Inter-American Court of Human Rights had ruled that countries which have signed the American Convention on Human Rights "must recognise and guarantee all the rights that are derived from a family bond between people of the same sex".


bbc--2020-05-26--SpaceX launch: What is SpaceX and why is it working with Nasa?

What is SpaceX ?
How does it make money ?
The company is set to make history as , alongside @ @ @ @ @ astronauts to the International Space Station - the first time a private company has done @ @ @ @ @ the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida is scheduled for 16:33 local time ( 20:33 GMT @ @ @ @ @ correspondent Laura Foster takes a closer look at the company 's aims .

SpaceX made history in 2020 when it teamed up with Nasa and sent two astronauts to the International Space Station and back again - the first time a private company has done this.
Now in April 2021, SpaceX Crew 2 is transporting four crew members to the ISS.
The company is headed up by the billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, but what is his main aim for the company?
Science correspondent Laura Foster takes a closer look.


bbc--2020-05-26--Epic 7,500-mile cuckoo migration wows scientists

One of the longest migrations recorded by any land bird is about to be completed .
Using a satellite tag , scientists have monitored a cuckoo that has just flown more than 7,500 miles ( 12,000km ) from southern Africa to its breeding ground in Mongolia .
The bird has survived ocean crossings and high winds after traversing 16 countries .
It has been , say scientists , `` a mammoth journey '' .
The satellite-tagged common cuckoo ( Cuculus canorus ) , named Onon after a Mongolian river , set off from its winter home in Zambia on 20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cuckoos that were satellite tagged in Mongolia last summer by the Mongolia Cuckoo Project - a joint venture between local scientists and the British Trust for Ornithology ( BTO ) to monitor long-distance migration .
Onon has crossed thousands of kilometres of the Indian Ocean without stopping , flying at an average speed of 60km/h and traversing countries as far apart as Kenya , Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh .
Yet out of the five birds tagged , Onon is the only one to have been recorded as finishing its astonishing return journey .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ which spent part of the winter next to Mt Kilimanjaro in East Africa , got as far as Yunnan in China - but then is believed to have either died from exhaustion or been killed for food .
It flew 10,000km in just two weeks , prompting scientists to believe it would have arrived so hungry and tired it may not have been sufficiently vigilant to stay out of danger .
The BTO 's Dr Chris Hewson says the satellite tagging project has revealed much about long-distance migration .
`` I think the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ able to travel so far and often so fast that they must be able to find suitable conditions for fattening and also know exactly where to go to get favourable wind conditions to help them , for instance , to cross the Indian Ocean , '' he said .
`` So the costs of migration clearly are n't as great as we thought in the past . ''
But the dangers for these migrating birds are ever-present , from predators , including poachers , to storms , to starvation .
Yet - as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time when very few of us are able to fly anywhere due to the coronavirus , there is something reassuring about a bird travelling such huge distances , showing that the globe is still working .
The birds ' journeys have been avidly followed by many on social media .
One user tweeted in response to Onon 's safe arrival in Mongolia : `` Love this… the little guy is doing all the flying we ca n't do !
Bringing us places .
Thanks for sharing ! ''
BBC Security correspondent Frank Gardner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ornithology .
More details of the cuckoos ' journey can be found at www.birdingbeijing.com

"I think the big takeaway is that the birds are able to travel so far and often so fast that they must be able to find suitable conditions for fattening and also know exactly where to go to get favourable wind conditions to help them, for instance, to cross the Indian Ocean," he said.


bbc--2020-05-26--US says Russia sent jets to Libya 'mercenaries'

The US military has accused Russia of sending fighter jets to Libya to support Russian mercenaries there .
There was no immediate response from the Russian Defence Ministry to the US Africa command ( Africom ) allegation .
Earlier this month a leaked UN report spoke of hundreds of mercenaries from the shadowy Wagner Group operating in Libya .
Russia backs renegade Gen Khalifa Haftar 's army .
The country has issued a new call for a Libya ceasefire and political talks .
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov discussed the conflict with an ally of Gen Haftar by phone on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He told Aguila Saleh Issa , a parliament speaker , that `` there needs to be a constructive dialogue involving all the Libyan political forces '' and `` an immediate ceasefire '' .
• Who are Russia 's shadowy mercenaries fighting in Syria ?
• Why is Libya so lawless ?
Russia has not confirmed the presence of Wagner mercenaries in Libya .
There have been many reports - though not from Russian officials - about Wagner deployments in Syria , eastern Ukraine and other hotspots , including the Central African Republic .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the militant group .
On 18 May forces of the UN-recognised Tripoli government , fighting Gen Haftar 's army , were photographed at a captured airbase , al-Watiya , just south of the Libyan capital .
According to the UN-recognised Government of National Accord ( GNA ) , more than 1,000 Wagner fighters fled an area south of Tripoli aboard Russian transport planes , having been pushed back by GNA troops .
That evacuation was not confirmed by Gen Haftar 's eastern-based Libyan National Army ( LNA ) , nor by Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said : `` Moscow recently deployed military fighter aircraft to Libya in order to support Russian state-sponsored private military contractors ( PMCs ) operating on the ground there . ''
`` Russian military aircraft are likely to provide close air support and offensive fires for the Wagner Group PMC that is supporting the Libyan National Army 's fight , '' it said .
`` The Russian fighter aircraft arrived in Libya , from an airbase in Russia , after transiting Syria where it is assessed they were repainted to camouflage their Russian origin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Tripoli , and Turkey 's Sabah newspaper earlier reported that eight Russian MiG-29 and Su-24 warplanes had flown from Syria to Libya to help the LNA .
That report quoted GNA Interior Minister Fathi Bashagha .
US Army Gen Stephen Townsend , commanding Africom , said : `` Russia is clearly trying to tip the scales in its favour in Libya ... using government-supported mercenary groups like Wagner '' .
`` We watched as Russia flew fourth generation jet fighters to Libya - every step of the way .
Neither the LNA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operate and sustain these fighters without state support - support they are getting from Russia . ''


bbc--2020-05-26--UK minister quits over PM aide's lockdown actions

Junior minister Douglas Ross has resigned after Dominic Cummings ' defence of his trip to County Durham during the coronavirus lockdown .
The Scotland Office minister said the senior aide 's view of the government guidance was `` not shared by the vast majority of people '' .
No 10 said the prime minister regretted Mr Ross 's decision to stand down .
It comes as more than 35 Tory MPs have called on Mr Cummings to resign .
Mr Cummings ' decision in March to drive 260 miles from his London home to his parents ' farm with his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ explained on Monday was for childcare purposes - dominated the government 's daily coronavirus press briefing .
Asked by a member of the public whether ministers would review penalty fines imposed on families who travel for childcare , Health Secretary Matt Hancock said : `` I will have to talk to my Treasury colleagues before I can answer [ that ] in full and we will look at it . ''
The BBC 's political editor Laura Kuenssberg , citing a government source , said Mr Hancock did `` not announce a review @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to his colleagues .
Rev Martin Poole , a vicar from Brighton , said he asked the question of Mr Hancock because `` people feel a bit cheated '' and many feel a sense of `` unfairness '' about the story , adding : `` We want to all be treated on a level playing field . ''
During the No 10 briefing , Mr Hancock said he understood the `` anger that some people feel '' over Mr Cummings ' actions , but added : `` My view is that what he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Ross , who remains Conservative MP for Moray , said Mr Cummings ' `` intentions may have been well meaning '' - but that he could not tell constituents who had been unable to visit sick relatives during lockdown that `` they were all wrong and one senior adviser to the government was right '' .
• Timeline : What did Dominic Cummings do ?
Mr Ross ' decision was praised by Labour 's shadow Scottish secretary Ian Murray and the SNP 's Westminster leader Ian Blackford , who called it the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ difficult decision '' respectively .
At a news conference on Monday afternoon , Mr Cummings said he did not regret his actions and believed he acted reasonably and legally .
Asked why , once in County Durham , he drove his family to the town of Barnard Castle - 15 days after he had displayed coronavirus symptoms himself - Mr Cummings said he had experienced vision problems during his illness and was testing his eyesight to see if he could drive back to London .
The drip drip of Conservative MPs calling on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday .
Now surpassing 35 , it is around 10 % of the parliamentary party .
However , what 's notable is that there are those who , even if they 're not calling on Mr Cummings to go , have felt it necessary to write long open letters explaining their thinking to constituents .
Public anger , it seems , has not been put to bed by Monday 's extraordinary rose garden press conference .
The prime minister 's chief aide does , of course , have his backers ; people who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ difficult circumstances .
And one government minister suggested to me that the story has been `` whipped up '' by those who simply do not like Mr Cummings , either politically or as a person .
But this saga is now into its fourth day , in a week when the prime minister wishes to communicate crucial messages about his plans for easing the lockdown .
It is - another minister conceded - a `` problem '' and `` distraction '' .
And on Tuesday , as yesterday , the question remains , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ready to expend on keeping his chief aide ?
Boris Johnson 's spokesman reiterated the prime minister 's support for Mr Cummings on Tuesday , saying the adviser had `` answered questions extensively '' , while Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove said his account was `` exhaustive , detailed and verifiable '' .
Scottish Conservative leader Jackson Carlaw told the BBC Mr Cummings should resign as the row is `` distracting attention '' from efforts to combat the coronavirus .
Among the Tory MPs calling for Mr Cummings ' resignation is former Attorney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus was `` more important than the position of any individual in Downing Street '' .
He is joined by William Wragg , MP for Hazel Grove , who said it was `` humiliating '' to see ministers defending Mr Cummings , and Sir Roger Gale , MP for North Thanet , who said the adviser had sent out a `` dangerous message '' .
Former Conservative health secretary Jeremy Hunt told his South West Surrey constituents that Mr Cummings ' actions were `` a clear breach of the lockdown rules '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and he would not call for his resignation .
Six opposition leaders have said in a letter to the prime minister that removing Mr Cummings from his post `` without further delay '' is the only way to restore trust in public health advice .
The leaders of the SNP , Liberal Democrats , Plaid Cymru , SDLP , Green Party and Alliance Party said the issue `` transcends politics '' .
`` It has united people of every party and political persuasion , who believe strongly that it is now your responsibility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trust in public health messaging , '' the letter read .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : What are the symptoms ?
• RISK AT WORK : How exposed is your job ?
• RECOVERY : How long does it take to get better ?
Meanwhile , the retired chemistry teacher who recognised Mr Cummings in County Durham on 12 April told BBC Radio Newcastle he has some regrets about his involvement .
Robin Lees said he had had a `` difficult few days '' after his account of the encounter was initially rejected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ felt `` vindicated '' by the subsequent admission .
Latest government figures show the number of people to die with coronavirus in the UK rose by 134 to 37,048 on Tuesday .
There were no Covid-19 related deaths reported in Northern Ireland for the first time since 18 March .
• During the daily briefing , Mr Hancock said there will be `` local lockdowns '' for `` local flare-ups '' of coronavirus in the future • He announced that the government has signed contracts to manufacture two billion items of PPE in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voters believe Mr Cummings broke the rules and should resign , according to snap research carried out by polling company YouGov • A drug treatment that appears to shorten recovery time for people with coronavirus is being made available on the NHS • The Scottish government 's new `` test and protect '' strategy will go live on Thursday , First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed • CORONAVIRUS SPECIAL : Take a look behind the scenes of the NHS • ESCAPE WITH NORMAL PEOPLE : The show everyone is talking about

Mr Ross, who remains Conservative MP for Moray, said Mr Cummings' "intentions may have been well meaning" - but that he could not tell constituents who had been unable to visit sick relatives during lockdown that "they were all wrong and one senior adviser to the government was right".


bbc--2020-05-26--Coronavirus: Denmark opens borders to divided lovers

Denmark has opened its borders to couples who were separated from their partners by the coronavirus lockdown .
As of Monday , cross-border couples who reside in the Nordic countries or Germany can now visit Denmark .
Rules currently require people to prove their relationship with photos , text messages and emails .
But the justice minister has announced these regulations will be relaxed in the coming days , so all that is needed is a letter signed by both parties .
`` If you say you are a boyfriend and sign [ the letter ] , we will assume @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Justice minister Nick Hækkerup told broadcaster TV2 .
• ' I moved in with my ex for the lockdown' • Sex and dating while on lockdown • Sex and coronavirus : What you need to know A number of European countries are considering reopening Europe 's internal borders as the outbreak eases .
Germany has proposed allowing travel to all 26 other EU states plus the UK and non-EU countries like Iceland and Norway that are in the border-free Schengen zone from 15 June .
The EU has issued guidance on how best @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many restrictions remain in place .
Several people have told the BBC about their frustration with ongoing rules about partners even as countries ease their lockdown measures .
What are the rules ?
Currently , the authorities say people must give the name , address and contact details of their partner in Denmark , as well as phone records , photos and text histories to prove the relationship .
Permanent residents of Finland , Iceland , Germany , Norway and Sweden all qualify , provided their partner is a resident of Denmark .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ people in serious relationships , which they defined as of roughly six months - with actual face-to-face meetings and not purely online or via the phone .
Opposition parties , however , criticised the stringent rules , prompting a government rethink .
While they are sticking to the guidance about `` serious '' relationships , partners will simply need to sign a piece of paper declaring this is the case , and will be allowed to enter the country .
`` Although the other parties are in opposition , they can sometimes say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the other parties , '' Mr Hækkerup said .
The rules also say anyone from Germany or the Nordic countries who owns a holiday home in Denmark can come to the country .
How will this affect couples ?
The new regulations will be good news for thousands of separated couples .
One pair who caught the world 's attention when the outbreak hit Europe in March were octogenarians Inga Rasmussen from Denmark and Karsten Tüchsen Hansen from Germany .
Both have been travelling to the border town of Aventoft to chat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the recommended safe distance .
But there are many others who remain separated from their partners by borders .
Some in Denmark have created a Facebook group , Girlfriends Separated by Border Closures , for those affected under the lockdown .
Carl Gustav Gylling , a 23-year-old student from Copenhagen , has not seen his Swiss girlfriend since the start of March .
Though he supported the lockdown initially , Mr Gylling told the BBC he was growing frustrated with European governments discussing opening borders to tourists and international business , but not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I 'm more than sure right now that couples would do anything to see each other , '' he said in emailed comments .
`` Even going into a three-week quarantine [ on arrival ] , which would solve basically all problems . ''
Christian Trampedach - separated from his girlfriend , who lives in Brazil - said the government had `` equated couples and tourists '' during discussions about ending the lockdown .
`` I dare to say that being away from your loved ones causes more emotional distress than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' he said .
• Love knows no borders for elderly couple • We will have summer tourist season , promises EU Donny ter Heide is a 24-year-old project engineer living in Enschede in the Netherlands .
His girlfriend Mira lives in Copenhagen , and they have not seen each other since 16 February .
They chat daily on the phone and online , and use Skype at least once a week .
He told the BBC the worst part was not having `` a timeframe '' for things to go back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like to know when we 're able to see each other and what the rules will be if we visit one another , like , do we need to stay in quarantine or anything , '' he said .
`` It is making it very hard on both of us . ''
Laila Svanholmer agrees .
Her boyfriend lives in California in the US , and she told the BBC that not knowing when she might see him again was `` unbearable '' .
`` It 's frustrating , stressful and heartbreaking to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ love , '' she said , describing the border closures as `` entirely political decisions '' , and not medical ones .
She also questioned why tourists with holiday homes could visit and not partners .
`` They come here to spend a week or two at the beach .
How can that be more essential than visiting a loved one ? ''
US President Donald Trump imposed a travel ban on 26 European countries in March , a move met with anger and confusion in the EU .

"We would just like to know when we're able to see each other and what the rules will be if we visit one another, like, do we need to stay in quarantine or anything," he said. "It is making it very hard on both of us."


bbc--2020-05-26--Australia bushfires: Hundreds of deaths linked to smoke, inquiry hears

Smoke from the massive bushfires that hit Australia in the 2019-20 summer was linked to more than 445 deaths , a government inquiry has heard .
More than 4,000 people were admitted to hospital due to the smoke , Associate Prof Fay Johnston from the University of Tasmania told the Royal Commission .
The fires burned for weeks , killed more than 30 people and caused air pollution which can be harmful to health .
The inquiry is due to suggest ways to improve the natural disasters response .
The fires , fuelled by record-breaking temperatures and months of severe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 11 million hectares ( 110,000 sq km or 27.2 million acres ) of bush , forest and parks across Australia .
Residents of Sydney - Australia 's largest city - endured smoke for weeks and the air quality exceeded `` hazardous '' levels on several occasions .
Other major cities , including the capital Canberra and Adelaide , were also shrouded by smoke .
• How bad is bushfire smoke for health ?
Prof Johnston , an environmental health specialist at the University of Tasmania 's Menzies Institute for Medical Research , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about 20 million people , were affected by smoke from the fires .
Some 3,340 hospital admissions and 1,373 emergency room visits were linked to the smoke , she added .
The estimates were based on modelling of the impact of ultrafine particles - referred to as PM2.5 - that are a ninth of the size of a grain of sand .
The health cost associated with premature loss of life and admissions to hospitals was estimated at AUD2bn ( £1.1bn ; $ 1.3bn ) , `` about 10 times higher '' than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This did not include costs associated with ambulance callouts , lost productivity or some diseases where impacts would be difficult to model , including diabetes .
The commission also heard that insurance claims related to the fires totalled AUD2.2bn .
The commission is expected to release its findings by 31 August .
Bushfires are a regular feature in the Australian calendar , but recommendations by dozens of inquiries held in previous decades have still not been implemented .

Some 3,340 hospital admissions and 1,373 emergency room visits were linked to the smoke, she added. The estimates were based on modelling of the impact of ultrafine particles - referred to as PM2.5 - that are a ninth of the size of a grain of sand.


bbc--2020-05-26--French alarm at PPE polluting Mediterranean

Video shot by a French environmental NGO in the Mediterranean Sea shows masks and gloves littering the seabed .
Opération mer propre ( Operation clean sea ) is trying to clean up the coast near the Côte d'Azur resort of Antibes .
It is appalled by this new coronavirus pollution , which adds to the already chronic problem of plastic pollution .
The group says it is sounding the alarm , as Europe slowly emerges from lockdown and people start revisiting beaches in the hot weather .
The group 's founder , Laurent Lombard , who shot the underwater footage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` these masks - we have n't had them for long , and we 're going to have billions , so I say watch out , it 's the beginnings of a new type of pollution '' .
Diving off Golfe-Juan , near Antibes , he found five disposable face masks and four latex gloves on the seabed , along with the usual plastic rubbish such as empty bottles .
Already on 14 May - just three days after the French lockdown was eased - street cleaners in Paris complained on social media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the capital 's pavements .
An MP in the southern Alpes-Maritimes district , Eric Pauget , has put forward a draft law to increase the fine for littering a public place with masks .
It would fine an offender €300 ( £265 ; $ 330 ) instead of the current €68 , news website LCI reports .
• THE R NUMBER : What it means and why it matters • RECOVERY : How long does it take to get better ?
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : What are the symptoms ?

The group's founder, Laurent Lombard, who shot the underwater footage and posted it on Facebook, says "these masks - we haven't had them for long, and we're going to have billions, so I say watch out, it's the beginnings of a new type of pollution".


bbc--2020-05-26--Coronavirus: Why barber shops matter to the community

Dodgy trims , shaved heads… we ’ ve seen the DIY results of being without a barber shop during lockdown @ @ @ @ @ it had on men ’ s mental health ?
For many , especially in the @ @ @ @ @ one of the few spaces where they could open up about their mental health .
@ @ @ @ @ continue when barber shops reopen - but will men feel comfortable opening up about their @ @

Dodgy trims, shaved heads… we’ve seen the DIY results of being without a barber shop during lockdown – but what impact has it had on men’s mental health?
For many, especially in the black community, it was one of the few spaces where they could open up about their mental health.
Social distancing is likely to continue when barber shops reopen - but will men feel comfortable opening up about their feelings?
Produced by Nalini Sivathasan and James Bryant


bbc--2020-05-26--Denmark embraces live music drive-ins

Denmark embraces live music drive-ins

Concerts and music festivals have been cancelled around the world due to measures brought in to fight coronavirus .
So @ @ @ @ @ to reach their fans safely .
Now drive-ins have been revived , to bring live @ @ @ @ @ .
In Denmark , more than 70 shows are planned .
The BBC caught a @ @ @ @ @ musician Mads Langer .

Concerts and music festivals have been cancelled around the world due to measures brought in to fight coronavirus.
So musicians are finding new ways to reach their fans safely. Now drive-ins have been revived, to bring live music back to the stage.
In Denmark, more than 70 shows are planned. The BBC caught a performance in Copenhagen by Danish musician Mads Langer.
Video produced by Adrienne Murray and Peter Harry.


bbc--2020-05-26--Australia's megafauna roamed the tropics with first humans but then disappeared

Giant wombats , six-metre-long goannas and the world 's largest kangaroos are among the enormous megafauna that inhabited Queensland between @ @ @ @ @ , but where did they go ?
Some scientists have argued that hunting by humans @ @ @ @ @ of their extinction , but new evidence suggests it was most likely major climatic and @ @ @

Giant wombats, six-metre-long goannas and the world's largest kangaroos are among the enormous megafauna that inhabited Queensland between 40,000 and 60,000 years ago, but where did they go?
Some scientists have argued that hunting by humans was a possible cause of their extinction, but new evidence suggests it was most likely major climatic and environmental change.


bbc--2020-05-26--Coronavirus: First Google/Apple-based contact-tracing app launched

The team developing Switzerland 's coronavirus contact-tracing app says it has become the first to have launched a product incorporating a technology provided by Apple and Google .
Members of the Swiss army , hospital workers and civil servants can now install the SwissCovid app ahead of a planned wider rollout .
A Latvian coalition says it is running close behind .
But the US tech firms face criticism for their prescriptive approach .
Automated contact tracing involves using smartphones to detect when two people are close to each other for long enough that there is a significant risk of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warned if the other is later diagnosed with having the disease .
To make use of their API ( application programming interface ) - a software tool that gives special access to some features of their iOS and Android mobile operating systems - the two companies have forbidden participants from gathering users ' location data , among other restrictions .
That means that apps that pursue a rival `` centralised '' model will continue to face circumstances when iPhones fail to carry out the required Bluetooth-based `` handshakes '' .
`` The use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such a way that we , as democratically elected governments , evaluate it and judge it acceptable to our citizens and in accordance with our European values , '' wrote digital affairs ministers from the German , French , Italian , Spanish and Portuguese governments in a joint letter published in the press .
`` We believe that challenging this right by imposing technical standards represents a misstep and a missed opportunity for open collaboration between governments and the private sector . ''
The BBC has asked Apple and Google for their response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has welcomed the two firms ' involvement .
`` Bluetooth was not developed for this kind of large-scale distance measurement , '' said Prof Srdjan Capkun from the ETH institute .
`` Making sure that we can use it in this way requires a lot of engineering skill and collaboration , including collaboration with Apple and Google . ''
Apple and Google said last week that 22 countries , as well as some US states , had requested access to its API .
Some , like the UK , are testing it as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , while others are rushing to release apps based on it as soon as possible .
• How does contact tracing work and is my data safe ?
In Switzerland 's case , MPs must first debate and approve the scheme before it is offered to the general public .
The government hopes this can be done by mid-June .
Advocates have highlighted an opinion poll that suggests 70 % of Swiss residents support the initiative .
By contrast , the Latvian team - which has also incorporated the API - is able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and hopes to offer its Apturi Covid app to the public as soon as Thursday .
A spokeswoman told the BBC that Apple had already approved the software to appear on its App Store , but the developers were still waiting for permission to list it on the Google Play marketplace .
`` Of course we would be very happy to be the first [ national launch ] , but the most important thing is to help our inhabitants fights the virus , '' she added .
• health officials in the Chinese @ @ @ @ @ @ @ considering making locals ' use of a contact-tracing app a permanent fixture beyond the current pandemic • fewer Australians are using a local contact-tracing app than officials had hoped , reports the Guardian .
It says the government is still considering whether to switch to the Apple-Google system • Israeli MPs have been told that smartphone surveillance tech used by the country 's security agency Shin Bet helped identify more than 4,000 cases of Covid-19 , according to the Ctech news site .
However , the report says mistakes and malfunctions also occurred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to take into account as it weighs up whether to extend the controversial programme

Automated contact tracing involves using smartphones to detect when two people are close to each other for long enough that there is a significant risk of contagion, so that one can be warned if the other is later diagnosed with having the disease.


bbc--2020-05-27--Coronavirus: The human cost of virus misinformation

A BBC team tracking coronavirus misinformation has found links to assaults , arsons and deaths .
And experts say the potential for indirect harm caused by rumours , conspiracy theories and bad health information could be much bigger .
`` We thought the government was using it to distract us , '' says Brian Lee Hitchens , `` or it was to do with 5G .
So we did n't follow the rules or seek help sooner . ''
Brian , 46 , is talking by phone from his hospital bed in Florida .
His wife is critically ill - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adjacent ward .
`` The battle that they 've been having is with her lungs , '' he says , voice wobbling .
`` They 're inflamed .
Her body just is not responding . ''
After reading online conspiracy theories , they thought the disease was a hoax - or , at the very least , no worse than flu .
But then in early May , the couple caught Covid-19 .
`` And now I realise that coronavirus is definitely not fake , '' he says , running out of breath @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it 's spreading . ''
A BBC team has been tracking the human toll of coronavirus misinformation .
We 've investigated dozens of cases - some previously unreported - speaking to the people affected and medical authorities in an attempt to verify the stories .
The effects have spread all around the world .
Online rumours led to mob attacks in India and mass poisonings in Iran .
Telecommunications engineers have been threatened and attacked and phone masts have been set alight in the UK and other countries - all because of conspiracy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ couple mistakenly thought a bottle of fish tank cleaner contained a preventative medicine .
It was late March when Wanda and Gary Lenius started to hear about hydroxychloroquine .
The couple noticed a similar-sounding ingredient on the label of an old bottle that was lying around their house in Phoenix .
Hydroxychloroquine may have potential to fight the virus - but as research continues , it remains unproven .
On Monday , the World Health Organisation halted its use in trials after a recent study suggested it could actually increase the risk of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its effectiveness started circulating online in China in late January .
Media organisations , including Chinese state outlets , tweeted out old studies where it was tested as an anti-viral medicine .
Then a French doctor claimed encouraging results .
Although doubt was later cast on that study , interest in hydroxychloroquine surged .
It was mentioned , with various degrees of scepticism , by a variety of media outlets and influential people including Tesla chief executive Elon Musk and Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro .
It also found its way into White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Twitter feed .
`` What do you have to lose ? ''
he said on 3 April .
`` Take it . ''
In mid-May , he went further - saying that he 'd been following his own advice .
Each comment resulted in big spikes in social media chatter about the drug , according to data from online monitoring tool CrowdTangle .
Overdoses of the drug are rare , but the anxiety produced by the pandemic has driven people to extreme measures .
In Nigeria , hospital admissions from hydroxychloroquine poisoning provoked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against using the drug .
And in early March , a 43-year-old Vietnamese man was admitted to a poison control clinic in Hanoi after taking a large dose of chloroquine .
He was red , trembling and unable to see straight .
The clinic 's director , Dr Nguyen Trung Nguyen , said the man was lucky he received treatment quickly - or else he might have died .
Gary Lenius was not so fortunate .
The cleaner he and Wanda gulped down contained a different chemical , and was poisonous .
Within @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hot .
They vomited and struggled to breathe .
Gary died , and Wanda was hospitalised .
Wanda later explained why the couple drank the concoction .
`` Trump kept saying it was pretty much a cure , '' she said .
• The people fighting viral fakes from their sofas In Iran , authorities say hundreds have died from alcohol poisoning after viral rumours about its curative effects .
The total was put at 796 by the end of April by Kambiz Soltaninejad , an official from Iran 's Legal Medicine Organisation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of `` fake news on social media . ''
The truth behind the number is murky in a country where alcohol is banned in Iran and bootleg moonshine is routinely contaminated .
However in this case , BBC journalists did see rumours of the supposed `` cure '' spreading on the messaging app Telegram before the official announcement .
Shayan Sardarizadeh of BBC Monitoring 's disinformation team notes that the announcement was potentially embarrassing to the Iranian authorities and , if anything , the number could be an underestimate .
In one case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blind after his parents plied him with illegal booze in an attempt to fight the disease .
`` We know that bad information can ruin lives , '' says Clare Milne , deputy editor of UK fact-checking organisation Full Fact .
`` There 's such great potential for harm . ''
President Trump has speculated on a number of other cures beside hydroxychloroquine .
In late April , he opined that ultraviolet rays could neutralise the virus .
`` And then I see the disinfectant where it knocks it out in a minute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a way we can do something like that , by injection inside or almost a cleaning ? ''
Trump later said his comments were sarcastic .
But some Americans did n't see it that way , and poison control hotlines received calls asking about the advice .
Officials at one in Kansas said they heard from someone who said his friend swallowed disinfectant soap after the president 's briefing .
Dr Duncan Maru , a doctor at Elmhurst Hospital in New York , says his colleagues have treated patients who have become acutely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ingestions also can have long-term consequences , like cancers and gastrointestinal bleeding , '' he says .
Social networks have also been fertile ground for conspiracy theories .
One particular coronavirus-related one - there are many circulating online - has resulted in arsons and assaults .
Across the UK , more than 70 phone masts have been vandalised because of false rumours that 5G mobile phone technology is somehow to blame for the virus .
• Sandy Hook to Trump : 'Help us stop conspiracy theorists' In April , Dylan Farrell , an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ van in Thurmaston near Leicester .
It had been a long day and he was thinking about what he might have for tea as he pulled up to a roundabout .
That 's when he started to hear shouting .
At first , he thought it was directed at someone else .
But when he heard `` 5G ! ''
being screamed through his passenger side window , he realised the shouting was meant for him .
`` You 've got no morals ! ''
a man shouted .
`` 5G is killing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no doubt he would have tried to get inside and physically attack me had I not locked the doors straight away , '' Dylan says .
`` It was so frightening . ''
He drove away quickly .
There have been no arrests in connection with the incident .
`` We 've seen a lot of conspiracies which have been online for a long time now about 5G , '' says Claire Milne of Full Fact .
`` Those have evolved to be connected to the new coronavirus . ''
• No , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned that the pandemic would lead to a flare up of a `` dangerous enemy '' .
He was referring to racism against people from Asia and China , but the virus has exacerbated tensions in several countries .
In April , three Muslim men were violently attacked in separate incidents in Delhi .
They were beaten up after rumours circulated that Muslims were spreading the virus .
In Sisai , a small village in eastern India , rival gangs clashed .
It came after an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ linked to false rumours suggesting Muslims were spreading disease .
One young man lost his life and another was seriously injured .
False reports have circulated within ethnic communities as well .
In Bradford , England , rumours circulated that non-white patients were being left to die .
And in Indore , a city in west-central India , doctors on a mission to track down someone who might have been exposed to the virus were attacked with stones .
Misleading WhatsApp videos claimed that healthy Muslims were being taken away by health care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Two doctors were left with serious injuries after the incident in early April .
Online disinformation can have direct consequences , and social media platforms such as Facebook said they 'll remove coronavirus posts that pose an immediate threat .
But it can also have indirect or delayed effects .
`` I hope she pulls through , '' says Brian Lee Hitchens , the patient in Florida who got sucked in by coronavirus conspiracy theories .
`` But if I do lose her , she 'll be in a better place . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ one firm belief about the disease - instead they oscillated between thinking that the virus was a hoax , linked to 5G , or a real but mild ailment .
So they carried on as normal despite official warnings .
Brian went to work as a taxi driver in his hometown of Jupiter .
He went shopping and picked up his wife 's medications .
Despite his wife 's sleep apnoea and asthma , he did n't bother with social distancing or wearing a mask .
Catching the virus brought Brian back to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , this time to warn people off of misinformation and conspiracy theories .
Experts say posts like Brian 's may be more useful in combating conspiracies than news articles and fact checks .
`` One of the most effective ways of trying to correct the record , '' says Full Fact 's Claire Milne , `` is by getting the person who made the original claim to do it themselves . ''
'We lose so many lives because of misinformation' Brian 's may be an extreme case , but with the sheer amount @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called it an `` infodemic '' - many other people have been misled by what they read online .
They 're not killing themselves by taking fake cures .
Instead , they 're lowering their chances of survival by not thinking coronavirus is real or serious .
On an unusually cold Friday in May , two men in their forties arrived at an emergency hospital in the New York borough of Queens .
They were roommates , working long shifts and sharing a single bed , and both were seriously ill .
Within @ @ @ @ @ @ @ die in front of his eyes .
The other was put on a ventilator .
Dr Fernando asked the men why they had n't come to hospital sooner .
They explained to him that they read somewhere online that the virus was n't very serious .
`` They try alternative therapies , '' Dr Fernando says .
`` They think this is just like the flu . ''
The men were in at-risk groups - but Dr Fernando believes they would have fared better if they had ignored the misleading advice and sought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chair of the Royal College of General Practitioners , says he and his colleagues in the UK have seen patients taking tips from posts they see online - including holding their breath in an attempt to `` diagnose '' themselves or thinking that drinking hot drinks will fight off the virus .
Some have cited President Trump 's statements about disinfectant .
Dr Maru , the doctor at New York 's Elmhurst Hospital , calls the numbers who have potentially delayed treatment `` staggering . ''
He knows of neighbours who have caught @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that social distancing is ineffective or that coronavirus is a hoax .
And he says that he and his colleagues spend precious time trying to debunk misinformation when they could be treating patients .
But as he spoke on the phone , exhausted and preparing to return to Elmhurst for another shift , Dr Maru was also quick to blame away from the patients themselves .
`` Misinformation is a structural problem , '' he says .
`` Blaming somebody for ingesting bleach or for staying at home and dying is akin to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ street and gets hit by a drunk driver . ''
In response to the wave of misinformation , social media companies have drawn up new rules .
In a statement , Facebook said : `` We do n't allow harmful misinformation and have removed hundreds of thousands of posts including false cures , claims that coronavirus does n't exist , that it 's caused by 5G or that social distancing is ineffective . ''
The company also says it has put warning labels on 90 million pieces of content .
YouTube says it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cures and has a range of policies against Covid-19 misinformation , including disputing the existence of the disease or suggesting that it is caused by 5G .
But as research continues into a coronavirus vaccine , many anti-vaccination and conspiracy-minded groups and accounts have seen their numbers swell .
They pose a potential health threat - albeit not an immediate risk .
What some doctors we spoke to fear the most is that the development of a coronavirus vaccine - something that would be a human achievement for the ages - could be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is scary , medical professionals say , because of what they 're seeing right now .
`` We lose so many lives .
They come in very late , '' says Dr Fernando in New York .
He 's just finished a night shift , and as we talk on Skype , a protective mask dangles from his ears .
`` And we just watch them die in front of our eyes . ''
Brian , the coronavirus patient in Florida , has a message for the people who still believe in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days ago .
`` Do n't be foolish like I was , '' he says , `` and the same thing wo n't happen to you like it happened to me and my wife . ''
With reporting by Khue Luu Binh , Flora Carmichael , Alistair Coleman , Shruti Menon , Olga Robinson , Shayan Sardarizadeh , and a BBC Persian journalist .
Is there a story we should be investigating ?
Email Marianna Follow us on Twitter @ BBCtrending or on Facebook .

In response to the wave of misinformation, social media companies have drawn up new rules. In a statement, Facebook said: "We don't allow harmful misinformation and have removed hundreds of thousands of posts including false cures, claims that coronavirus doesn't exist, that it's caused by 5G or that social distancing is ineffective." The company also says it has put warning labels on 90 million pieces of content.


bbc--2020-05-27--Mumbai: How Covid-19 has ravaged India's richest city

With more than 31,000 cases , Mumbai accounts for more than a fifth of India 's coronavirus infections and nearly a quarter of deaths .
The BBC 's Yogita Limaye finds out why India 's financial capital is so badly affected .
Mumbai has long been described as a city always on the run .
It sounds like a cliché , but as someone who has lived here all my life , I can confirm it 's true .
Even during the 2008 attack , on a day when there were active gunmen in south Mumbai , in other parts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , millions went to work , and restaurants and offices remained open .
But Covid-19 has turned the city into a ghost town as a stringent lockdown remains in place with no easing of restrictions .
It has also left its medical infrastructure on the brink of collapse .
`` Last night in just six hours I saw 15 to 18 deaths all from Covid-related causes .
Never before have I seen so many people dying in a single shift , '' a doctor from KEM hospital - one of the many government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He refused to be named for fear of repercussions .
`` It 's a war zone .
There are two to three patients per bed , some on the floor , some in corridors .
We do n't have enough oxygen ports .
So even though some patients need it , they ca n't be given oxygen . ''
• India lockdown 4.0 : What is allowed in your city ?
A doctor at Sion Hospital , another government facility , said they are splitting one oxygen tank between two or three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been reduced to accommodate more people .
He added that there was no proper hygiene in areas where Personal Protection Equipment ( PPEs ) is worn and taken off .
In Mumbai 's hot and humid weather , doctors are drenched in sweat within minutes of wearing the kits .
Videos from both Sion and KEM hospital , showing people being treated next to dead bodies , and wards overflowing with patients , have caused a furore on social media .
`` Mumbai has some of the finest health facilities and doctors .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic , '' Dr Swati Rane , a public health expert in Mumbai , says .
`` The city of dreams has become a city of nightmares . ''
The economic powerhouse of India , a city stitched together from smaller islands , surrounded by the Arabian sea on most sides , Mumbai has attracted millions from all over the country in search of work and opportunities .
One of the reasons it faces such a tough battle against the virus is its population density - the second highest in the world according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conditions highlighted in the videos have existed for years now , '' a doctor at one of the hospitals said .
`` Sadly , it has taken a pandemic for people to realise our healthcare system is bursting at its seams . ''
According to a government report , Mumbai has 70 public hospitals with a capacity of 20,700 and 1,500 private facilities with 20,000 beds .
The city has roughly one bed per 3,000 people , well below the WHO recommendation of a bed per 550 people .
Mumbai 's population has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ago .
But the health infrastructure has not kept pace .
Government doctors have been stretched particularly thin by Covid-19 because they have been bearing a disproportionately large burden .
`` The whole load came on the crippled public sector .
The private sector is hardly involved - only a few of their beds are being used for Covid-19 , '' Dr Rane said .
Last week the government of Maharashtra state , of which Mumbai is the capital , said private hospitals would have to dedicate 80 % of their resources to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be capped .
`` There was some reluctance at the beginning because of the nature of the infection , '' Dr Avinash Bhondwe , the Maharashtra president of the Indian Medical Association , a body that represents many private practitioners , said .
`` Now , around 3,000 independent doctors have signed up so far to help out .
But we need PPE from standardised providers at standardised rates , which has not yet been made available to us . ''
But these private doctors are still to be inducted , and so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government facilities .
`` Help is urgently needed .
We are working without any days off , or any time to quarantine ourselves , '' a Sion hospital doctor said on Monday .
Field hospitals that can accommodate around 4,000 patients are being built in many parts of the city , and a dashboard is being made to show which hospital has free beds .
But these moves are coming too late for some families .
Nithyaganesh Pillai says when his father started getting breathless , more than eight private hospitals , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Finally , he took him to Sion Hospital .
`` There was one stretcher which had blood stains on it .
I somehow found a wheelchair and took my father inside , '' he said .
`` They told me he needed an ICU , but their beds were full .
By the time a doctor examined my father , I was told he was barely alive . ''
A few hours later , 62-year-old Selvaraj Pillai died .
His test result , which came after his death , confirmed Covid-19 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Every day I used to watch the news about coronavirus .
I never imagined in my wildest dreams how it will affect me and my family .
We are an upper middle-class family .
You might have wealth , but it wo n't save the lives of your loved ones , '' he said .
And in slum areas like Dharavi , life is even harder .
Nearly a million people live in less than one square mile , which is more than 10 times the population density of Manhattan , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one bathroom .
Ten to 12 people live , eat and sleep in tiny rooms .
How can there be social distancing ? ''
asked Mohammad Rahman , a resident of Dharavi .
He 's part of an organisation that has been distributing food to thousands of workers in Dharavi left jobless because of the lockdown .
`` I have never worked so hard or felt so exhausted in my life .
Now we have to stop giving food because we have run out of funds .
How long can we sustain it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I used to wake up to the sound of honking from the street below my house , and pass at least two dozen people on my short walk to work .
The emptiness is beautiful , of course .
Every day we have clear , blue skies and there 's been a surge in the number of flamingos visiting the city 's creeks this year .
But the economic reality of the shutdown is terrifying .
The losses are running into billions of dollars .
And with coronavirus cases rising , there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We can keep building new facilities .
They will get full in a day .
Unless we find the source of the spread of the virus and curb it , the city will have to remain under lockdown for months to come , '' warns Dr Rahul Ghule , who has been working with the municipal corporation to conduct door to door thermal screening in congested parts of the city .
Iqbal Chahal , Mumbai 's municipal commissioner , says they 've launched a programme called 'Chase the Virus ' this week , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the infection .
`` In slum areas , we will now be quarantining as many as 15 high risk contacts of a confirmed Covid case .
So far we have screened 4.2 million people in Mumbai . ''
But another threat is looming .
The monsoon is fast approaching , and with it comes the risk of other illnesses including malaria , typhoid , gastric infection and leptospirosis .
The work of essential services will be even harder during the rainy season .

"There was some reluctance at the beginning because of the nature of the infection," Dr Avinash Bhondwe, the Maharashtra president of the Indian Medical Association, a body that represents many private practitioners, said. "Now, around 3,000 independent doctors have signed up so far to help out. But we need PPE from standardised providers at standardised rates, which has not yet been made available to us."