bbc--2020-05-09--Coronavirus: Chinese official admits health system weaknesses

The coronavirus pandemic is a `` big test '' that has exposed weaknesses in China 's public health system , a senior official has told Chinese media .
The rare admission , from Director of China 's National Health Commission Li Bin , comes after sustained criticism abroad of China 's early response .
The country will now improve its disease prevention , public health system and data collection , he says .
China has offered to help North Korea fight the pandemic there .
Mr Li told journalists the pandemic was a significant challenge for China 's governance , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ links in how we address major epidemic and the public health system . ''
China has been accused of responding too slowly to early signs of the virus in Wuhan , where the outbreak began , and failing to quickly alert the international community of the outbreak .
China has rejected calls for an independent international investigation into the origins of the virus .
In April an EU report accused China of spreading misinformation about the crisis .
A doctor who tried to alert authorities about the virus in December was told to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Li Wenliang later died from Covid-19 in hospital in Wuhan .
China has 4,637 deaths from coronavirus , according to a tally by Johns Hopkins university , and nearly 84,000 cases .
Globally more than 275,000 people have died , with nearly 4m confirmed cases .
It 's rare for Chinese leaders to admit wrongdoing .
Li Bin said the commission would fix the problems by centralising its systems and making better use of big data and artificial intelligence , building on many of the leadership 's longstanding objectives .
China has faced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over its early handling of the virus .
Several provincial and local officials from the ruling Communist Party have been sacked but no senior member of the Party has been punished .
Beijing has not responded to calls to ease censorship and state control of the media .
China has now offered to help North Korea , after North Korean leader Jim Jong-un congratulated Xi Jinping on its success in fighting Covid-19 , Chinese state media report .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : How do I protect myself ?
• AVOIDING CONTACT : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CRISIS BAILOUTS : What countries are doing • TESTING : Can I get tested for coronavirus ?
North Korea says it has had no confirmed cases of coronavirus , something that is questioned by experts .
The country has a fragile health system that would likely become overwhelmed in a serious outbreak .

China has faced tough criticism, domestically and abroad, over its early handling of the virus. Several provincial and local officials from the ruling Communist Party have been sacked but no senior member of the Party has been punished.


bbc--2020-05-09--Coronavirus: Russia marks WW2 Victory Day with subdued celebrations

Russia has marked 75 years since victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two despite cancelling its traditional military parade because of the coronavirus outbreak .
In a subdued celebration , President Vladimir Putin laid roses at the Eternal Flame war memorial .
Unable to attend public processions , people uploaded pictures of family members and told war stories online .
On Saturday Russia recorded another rise of 10,000 cases of coronavirus .
The huge commemorations are important features of the calendars of former Soviet countries , which together lost around 26 million people in World War Two .
Fighter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trail of colours of the Russian flag , and a column of soldiers marched past President Putin at the walls of the Kremlin .
But in Belarus , where President Alexander Lukashenko has denied coronavirus is a national threat , crowds of thousands attended Victory Day events .
Mr Lukashenko attended a parade in Minsk wearing a military uniform and said it was unacceptable for the country to think about cancelling the event .
Last month President Putin cancelled the huge Victory Day parade that sees columns of soldiers , veterans , historical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hardware parade through Moscow 's Red Square .
On Saturday Mr Putin said Russia will `` certainly celebrate this anniversary extensively and solemnly , as usual '' , pledging the processions will be held at a later date .
Parts of Russia have been on lockdown since late March but the country now has the fifth-highest rate of infections in the world with almost 200,000 confirmed cases .
A rise of 10,000 cases has been reported daily in the past week .
In a televised address on Saturday Mr Putin said , `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death .
And we will always be equal to their unity and endurance '' '' We know and firmly believe that we are invincible when we stand together . ''
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : How do I protect myself ?
• AVOIDING CONTACT : The rules on self-isolation and exercise • CRISIS BAILOUTS : What countries are doing • TESTING : Can I get tested for coronavirus ?

Parts of Russia have been on lockdown since late March but the country now has the fifth-highest rate of infections in the world with almost 200,000 confirmed cases.


bbc--2020-05-09--Coronavirus: Six killed in clashes at Afghanistan food aid protest

At least six people were killed when protesters angry at the distribution of food aid clashed with security forces in western Afghanistan , officials say .
The violence began after demonstrators gathered in Firozkoh , the capital of Ghor province , to complain about the perceived failure to help the poor during the coronavirus pandemic .
Gunmen in the crowd attacked a government office , prompting security forces to open fire , the interior ministry says .
Two policemen and four civilians died .
Local volunteer radio presenter Ahmadkhan Nawid was among those killed , according to the Afghanistan Journalists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police officers were also injured , the interior ministry said .
The human rights group Amnesty International called for an independent and effective investigation into what it said was the `` use of unnecessary and excessive force '' that led to the killing of the civilians .
• The porous borders where the virus can not be controlled • Five of the countries most at risk from famine in 2020 Vice-President Amrullah Saleh wrote on Facebook that the incident was `` shocking '' and announced that the government was `` seriously investigating '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no-one would miss out on the food aid being distributed to help those plunged further into poverty as a result of the restrictions imposed to prevent the spread of Covid-19 .
`` We will reach in support every single inhabitant of this country who has been affected economically by the coronavirus , '' he added .
The chairwoman of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission told Reuters news agency that in the past week it had received complaints that food aid was being distributed unfairly .
`` We hear repeated complaints from people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ limited aid that is there are not the ones that are most deserving , they are the ones who have connections to local authorities or local officials , '' Shaharzad Akbar said .

"We hear repeated complaints from people that the ones who are receiving the limited aid that is there are not the ones that are most deserving, they are the ones who have connections to local authorities or local officials," Shaharzad Akbar said.


bbc--2020-05-09--The 1957 flu that killed one million people

In 1957 a new strain of avian flu emerged in East Asia and quickly spread around the world , killing @ @ @ @ @ .
Sumi Krishna was nine years old when she caught the virus in India .
@ @ @ @ @ of our times told by the people who were there .

In 1957 a new strain of avian flu emerged in East Asia and quickly spread around the world, killing at least one million people.
Sumi Krishna was nine years old when she caught the virus in India.
Witness History: The stories of our times told by the people who were there.


bbc--2020-05-09--The 18-year-old volunteering at Calais' camps

18-year-old Tia decided not to return to her family home to isolate during the coronavirus lockdown .
Instead , she @ @ @ @ @ few volunteers who 've stayed in Calais to work at the migrant camps .
Speaking @ @ @ @ @ she says there 's not enough space for migrants to practice social distancing , and @ @ @ @ @ But the Calais local government say they 're finding suitable alternative shelter for the migrants @ @ @ @ @ the camps have access to soap , water and showers .

18-year-old Tia decided not to return to her family home to isolate during the coronavirus lockdown.
Instead, she's one of only a few volunteers who've stayed in Calais to work at the migrant camps.
Speaking to File on 4, she says there's not enough space for migrants to practise social distancing, and hygiene facilities are poor.
But the Calais local government say they're finding suitable alternative shelter for the migrants, while those remaining in the camps have access to soap, water and showers.
Produced and Edited by: Eleanor Layhe
Executive Producer: Kimberley Rowell


bbc--2020-05-09--The flamboyant life of 'King and Queen of rock 'n' roll'

Little Richard , who has died at the age of 87 , was the self-styled `` king and queen of rock ' n ' roll '' .
Off stage , he set the benchmark for wild and debauched behaviour .
He was the devout believer in God who indulged freely in the lurid temptations of fame .
On stage , he was a one-man hurricane , the manic piano playing and raspy voice appealing across the racial divides of segregated America .
He lit the beacon of a revolution in music in the late 1950s and inspired a legion who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used to watch my act , '' he would boast .
`` Where do you think he got that walk ? ''
• What did ' A-wop-bop-a-loo-bop ' actually mean ?
Richard Wayne Penniman was born in Macon , Georgia , on 5 December 1932 .
His mother was a devout Baptist with 11 other children .
She had meant to call him Ricardo but somehow a spelling error crept in .
His father was a preacher , albeit one who ran a nightclub and sold moonshine .
Richard 's early musical influence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the wild dancing in the Holy Spirit and the speaking in tongues .
As a child he put on his mother 's lipstick and dress to entertain his sisters - a crime for which his father tied him to the bed and made hideous use of a whip .
He was the butt of homophobic jokes at school and walked with a limp due to a birth defect .
When Richard was 15 , his father kicked him out .
`` My daddy wanted seven boys , and I had spoiled it , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later said .
He began singing rhythm and blues , which his parents saw as `` the devil 's music '' .
He adopted on stage his childhood nickname - Little Richard - despite being 5ft10 ( 1.77m ) without his heels or bouffant hair .
He became a drag act - often forced by the police to wash the make-up off his face - and spent time in prison when a gas station attendant saw sexual activity in the back of a car .
At 18 , he was spotted in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contract with RCA Victor .
The resulting single - a ballad called Every Hour - sold well and improved his relationship with his father , who put it on his nightclub jukebox .
But a year later , his father was shot dead outside a local bar .
`` My best friend Frank shot him , '' the singer later claimed .
`` He was out of jail in a week .
We never quite found out what really happened . ''
Richard returned home and worked washing dishes in a Greyhound bus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a peacock .
`` Can you imagine beautiful hands like these , '' he would later ask , `` messing with pots of rice and beans ? ''
The way out was music .
He developed a wild piano style in the manner of Esquerita , a gay New Orleans performer he 'd met at the bus station .
Richard began hitting the keys hard , often breaking the strings .
In 1955 , he auditioned for a Los Angeles-based label , Speciality Records .
Richard was vocally powerful but somehow rather @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , abandoned the studio and , in a moment of rock ' n ' roll history , suggested a trip to a Dew Drop Inn .
Richard spotted a piano and , more importantly , an audience .
He leapt up and crashed out a new number : Tutti Frutti .
`` A-wop-boppa-loo-bop-alop-bam-boom . ''
It is a series of explosive yelps that capture the lightning bolts of love .
It speaks of the joys of sex with an accuracy that proper words can not express .
Richard delivers it fully charged with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ join the party which can not be refused .
But the rest of the lyrics were filthy .
A songwriter , Dorothy LaBostrie , was scrambled to write with a cleaner version - stripped of explicit descriptions of gay sex .
By this time , their studio booking was running out .
`` In 15 minutes , we did two cuts , '' said Blackwell .
`` It 's been history ever since . ''
Tutti Frutti sold more than a million records .
His next release , Long Tall Sally , did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years , Richard recorded 18 hit singles , including Good Golly Miss Molly and Lucille .
He began touring with his band , The Upsetters .
Richard was outrageously camp and tremendously popular .
His lyrics were suggestive and the concerts often ended with black and white youths dancing together .
In segregated America , this was dangerous stuff .
Now rich , he bought a mansion in Hollywood .
He was openly gay but also had relationships with women .
He even married Ernestine Harvin , a fellow Evangelical , and later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on drugs , booze and sex parties .
Even by rock star standards , his thirst for depravity was high .
But it jarred with his Old Testament morality .
He would take his Bible to orgies and later condemn his own `` satanic '' behaviour .
It was n't a lifestyle to last .
In 1957 , Richard - literally - saw the light .
During a concert in Sydney , he saw a fireball in the sky above him .
He took it as an instruction from God to repent .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Earth .
But Richard threw his diamond rings into the water , gave up sin and popular music , and pledged himself to the Almighty .
A few days later , his original return flight to America crashed into the sea .
It was a sign , he said , that God was watching and had taken him under his wing .
Richard began recording gospel records - some produced by a young Quincy Jones - and signed up at Bible college in Alabama .
He was soon asked to leave after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fellow student .
And , within five years , he was back touring .
The music promoter Don Arden - father of Sharon Osbourne - convinced him to come to Europe .
Richard sang gospel to a lukewarm reception .
Then he suddenly let rip .
The crowds loved the old hits .
Brian Epstein persuaded him to let a young band from Liverpool support him in Hamburg , where Richard taught The Beatles how to emulate his vocal gymnastics .
A year later , it was The Rolling Stones ' turn to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drove the whole house into a complete frenzy , '' said Mick Jagger .
`` There is no single phrase to describe his hold on the audience . ''
In 1965 , his band hired a new musician .
`` I want to do with my guitar what he does with his voice , '' said Jimi Hendrix .
But Hendrix had his own brand of stage theatrics and , inevitably , the two of them clashed .
But Richard was n't writing new hits .
Instead , he was drinking heavily and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Religious leaders , disappointed at the abandonment of his ministry , told American radio stations to ignore him .
He concentrated on live performance , slipping down the bill as his protégés eclipsed him .
But , as John Lennon complained to Rolling Stone magazine , it was risky going on stage after Little Richard .
`` I threw up for hours before I went on , '' said Lennon .
`` I could hardly sing any of the numbers . ''
In the 1970s , Richard recorded a bewildering range of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' n ' roll .
He had little commercial success .
He was held at gunpoint over drug debts and saw his brother die from cocaine abuse .
Deeply shocked , Richard turned back to religion .
He spent the next seven years selling bibles .
In 1984 , he checked into a hotel on Sunset Boulevard and stayed for 22 years .
He recorded the odd gospel album , officiated at celebrity weddings and was re-baptised as a Seventh Day Adventist .
Richard 's glory days were over but , in those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recorded a catalogue of era-defining tracks that helped redefine social attitudes and change the course of musical history .
He was an electric live performer - with an energy and command of the stage which was often imitated but never bettered .
He was a pivotal musical figure in the late 1950s .
Elvis called him the greatest , his androgyny inspired the likes of David Bowie and the diamond-studded outfits were snapped up by Elton John .
Richard Penniman came to popular music when it was dominated by gentle crooners .
Little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new and more exciting path .

In 1965, his band hired a new musician. "I want to do with my guitar what he does with his voice," said Jimi Hendrix. But Hendrix had his own brand of stage theatrics and, inevitably, the two of them clashed.


bbc--2020-05-09--OCD: 'I spent 20 years preparing for the coronavirus pandemic'

Coping with a life-long phobia of germs meant Peter Goffin was ready for the coronavirus pandemic .
He knew how to observe hygiene rules , and he had the skills needed to prevent his anxieties growing out of control .
I was sitting on my kitchen floor , using disinfectant to wipe down a bag of cereal , when I had a revelation : I 've spent almost 20 years practising for the coronavirus pandemic .
In my early teens , I was diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ( OCD ) .
For nearly two-thirds of my life , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can be transferred , and how I can keep them at bay .
And that puts me ahead of the curve when it comes to the types of precautions the world is now being told to observe .
Avoiding physical contact with people outside my household , washing my hands after touching anything that anyone else has touched , disinfecting groceries when I bring them back from the supermarket - I 've done them all , at various points in my life .
And I 've perfected my technique .
I recognise a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new global culture of coronavirus .
But what I recognise most of all is the constant , unquenchable anxiety that comes from never really being satisfied that you 're safe from infection .
Thousands , maybe millions of people around the world are now asking themselves : '' Did that person in the shop get too close to me ? ''
`` Did I wash my hands for long enough ? ''
`` Will this soap kill all the germs ? ''
In the mid-19th Century , French doctors writing early studies of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - the madness of doubt .
That 's the best description I 've ever seen for the way that I 've felt in my darkest moments .
And many of us seem to be experiencing something like it now , in the face of the pandemic .
We may be pretty sure that if we maintain distance , and wash our hands , and follow the lockdown rules , we can protect ourselves .
But there 's always that nagging bit of uncertainty and doubt , and the anxiety that comes with it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In small doses , they 're what keep us vigilant .
The problem is , they can spiral out of control .
As I know all too well , the doubt starts as , `` Am I clean enough ? ''
But grows into , `` Will I ever be able to have a normal life again ? ''
And ultimately , `` Why even try ? ''
Growing up in Canada , I had problems controlling worry and fear from a very young age - maybe five or six .
By @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feelings had narrowed , mostly to concerns about cleanliness and contamination , especially with regards to other people 's bodily fluids : spit expelled when they speak , germs spread when they do n't wash their hands after using the toilet , and all the dangerous bacteria that I imagined were lurking all around me .
Eventually my family noticed I was trying to avoid touching things like door knobs and light switches , and scrubbing my hands red-raw .
I was fortunate to have accepting and supportive parents , who always had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who helped me navigate the often confusing and bureaucratic mental healthcare system .
I got into therapy and was prescribed anti-depressants , which I take to this day .
These treatments , and the OCD itself , just became parts of what I considered my normal life .
But they did disrupt my teens and early 20s in a major way .
When I got home from my lessons at high school and university , I was more concerned with washing off the day 's germs than with studying .
There were times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or showering a second or third time because I just could n't get `` clean enough '' .
I kept a lot of friends at a distance , partly because I was worried about contamination - but mostly because I was terrified they would discover I was different from them .
In the past five years or so , I 've got my OCD anxieties mostly under control .
I 've become more diligent about confronting and fighting my fears .
I try hard to differentiate between helpful worries , and worries that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ benefited immensely from having a patient and understanding partner , who holds me accountable when I need it most .
Anecdotally , many people with pre-existing anxiety or germ issues have said they are experiencing less worry during the pandemic .
Maybe because other people have adopted their worldview , are taking the same precautions , and are also now learning to manage high stress on a regular basis .
This is true for me , to some extent .
But the pandemic has also thrown up - or revived - some unique @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have reinforced the fact that germs are easily transferred from person to person , even as we pass each other in the street .
Hand-washing guidance has made me wonder how often I 've left the sink without truly being clean .
And groceries have presented one of the great re-emerging problems of my life .
Wasteful though it may be , I 've always preferred to buy packaged food instead of loose items that may have been pawed by other people .
But beyond that , I 'm relatively unconcerned about my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , though , I 've returned to the extreme caution I used at the peak of my mental health problems about a decade ago .
Now , when I bring my groceries home from the shop , I set them all down in a little-used corner of my flat , the same way I might carefully set aside a pair of shoes after stepping on a discarded plaster or a wad of chewing gum .
I wash my hands .
Anything that can be shaken free from its protective packaging , I set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already .
Then , methodically , I clean the remaining items with household disinfectant or washing up liquid and water , placing the finished ones down in a new pile .
I wash my hands again , and put my purchases in the cupboard or fridge .
None of these are new habits , but they 're ones I hoped I had buried forever .
And I 'm not the only one experiencing new , or more intense , mental health troubles .
Around the world , crisis counselling phone lines have reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic began .
In the US , some professionals have warned the mental health care system does not have the capacity to keep up with growing demand .
And that 's to say nothing of countries with even less developed systems of care .
As the discussion surrounding coronavirus turns more and more to easing the lockdowns , keeping a cool , calm head may be more important and more challenging than ever .
No matter how soon the shops and offices and schools start to re-open , the spectre of Covid-19 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go with it , are bound to hang over the world for months to come .
But , as I 've learned from years of self-examination and multiple stints of therapy , anxiety can be controlled .
In my experience , it 's been incredibly helpful to talk about my feelings calmly and openly with people I trust , whether they 're a qualified professional or a loved one .
I 've undergone a form of treatment called Cognitive Behavioural Therapy , first in Canada as a teenager and again in the UK @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this fixed-term counselling is , essentially , to give patients the skills they need to recognise , challenge and replace thoughts or actions that have stretched beyond the logical or helpful , and into the realm of harm or disruption .
It 's best to learn CBT with the help of a professional counsellor .
But there are elements of the technique that could be tried on your own , and might be helpful to anyone .
Like making a list of all the things that are worrying you , detailing in each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it makes you feel .
Then you can look at the list , and try to come up with fact-based reasons why some of your worries may be unfounded , exaggerated , or solvable .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : How do I protect myself ?
• AVOIDING CONTACT : The rules on self-isolation and exercise • WHAT WE DO N'T KNOW How to understand the death toll • TESTING : Can I get tested for coronavirus ?
For people under lockdown , anxiety could be a complex mix of health concerns , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ isolation , and missing out on the more joyful aspects of life .
By identifying each of those worries individually , you may decide you can mitigate some of the stress - fighting isolation by scheduling regular video calls with family or friends , for instance .
Or planning a big summer holiday or party for whenever the world has safely opened back up .
You might find solace in the advice of experts , who have emphasised that the majority of people who contract Covid-19 will survive it .
You might be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soap or washing up liquid is enough to clean your skin , and doing your laundry in the usual way will remove the virus from your clothes .
Above all else , you must remember that none of us are experiencing this pandemic alone .
On my worst days , my doubt and anxiety can grind my self-esteem into a fine powder .
I see myself as strange and foolish , like I 'm the only person on Earth feeling the way I do .
But , right now , we all feel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or another .
We may be self-isolating to get through this crisis .
But we 're doing it together .
• This is how depression feels in lockdown • How to protect your mental health If you or someone you know needs support for issues about emotional distress , these organisations may be able to help .

These treatments, and the OCD itself, just became parts of what I considered my normal life. But they did disrupt my teens and early 20s in a major way. When I got home from my lessons at high school and university, I was more concerned with washing off the day's germs than with studying. There were times I stayed up all night doing laundry or showering a second or third time because I just couldn't get "clean enough". I kept a lot of friends at a distance, partly because I was worried about contamination - but mostly because I was terrified they would discover I was different from them.


bbc--2020-05-10--Anna Jarvis: The woman who regretted creating Mother's Day

The woman responsible for the creation of Mother 's Day , marked in the many countries on the second Sunday in May , would have approved of the modest celebrations likely to take place this year .
The commercialisation of the day horrified her - to the extent that she even campaigned to have it rescinded .
When Elizabeth Burr received a phone call a few days ago from someone asking about her family history , she initially thought she had been scammed .
`` I thought , 'OK , my identity has been stolen , I 'll never see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says .
In fact the call came from a family history researcher looking for living relatives of Anna Jarvis , the woman who founded Mother 's Day in the US over a century ago .
Anna Jarvis was one of 13 children , only four of whom lived to adulthood .
Her older brother was the only one to have children of his own , but many died young from tuberculosis and his last direct descendant died in the 1980s .
So Elizabeth Zetland of MyHeritage decided to look for first cousins , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Elizabeth Burr .
When Elizabeth had been reassured that her savings were safe , she gave MyHeritage the surprising news that her father and aunts had n't celebrated Mother 's Day when they were growing up - out of respect for Anna , and her feeling that her idea had been hijacked by commercial interests and debased .
Anna Jarvis 's campaign for a special day to celebrate mothers was one she inherited from her own mother , Ann Reeves Jarvis .
Mrs Jarvis had spent her life mobilising mothers to care for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and she wanted mothers ' work to be recognised .
`` I hope and pray that someone , sometime , will found a memorial mothers ' day commemorating her for the matchless service she renders to humanity in every field of life .
She is entitled to it , '' Mrs Jarvis said .
She was very active in the Methodist Episcopal Church , where , from 1858 , she ran Mothers ' Day Work Clubs to combat high infant and child mortality rates , mostly due to diseases that ravaged their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the work clubs mothers learned about hygiene and sanitation , such as the vital importance of boiling drinking water .
The organisers provided medicine and supplies to sick families and , when necessary , quarantined entire households to prevent epidemics .
Mrs Jarvis herself lost nine children , including five during the American Civil War ( 1861-1865 ) who most likely succumbed to disease , says Antolini , a professor at West Virginia Wesleyan College .
When Mrs Jarvis died in 1905 , surrounded by her four surviving children , a grief-stricken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dream , though her approach to the memorial day was quite different , Antolini says .
Whereas Mrs Jarvis wanted to celebrate the work done by mothers to improve the lives of others , Anna 's perspective was that of a devoted daughter .
Her motto for Mother 's Day was `` For the Best Mother who Ever Lived—Your Mother . ''
This was why the apostrophe had to be singular , not plural .
`` Anna envisioned the holiday as a home-coming , a day to honour your mother , the one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' says Antolini .
• In the UK the fourth Sunday in Lent has long been celebrated as Mothering Sunday - originally a day when people who had left home returned to their `` mother church '' and were reunited with their parents • A movement to revive Mothering Sunday traditions was launched in 1920 by a Nottinghamshire woman , Constance Penswick Smith , out of concern that the secular US Mother 's Day would displace the Christian Mothering Sunday • Anna Jarvis 's chosen day , the second Sunday in May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but a wide variety of other dates are also used around the world This message was something everyone could get behind , and also appealed to churches - Anna 's decision to have the holiday on a Sunday was a smart move , says Antolini .
Three years after Mrs Jarvis 's death , the first Mother 's Day was celebrated in the Andrews Methodist Church in Grafton - Anna Jarvis chose the second Sunday in May because it would always be close to 9 May , the day her mother had died @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carnations , her mother 's favourite flower , to the mothers who attended .
The popularity of the celebration grew and grew - the Philadelphia Enquirer reports that soon you could not `` beg , borrow or steal a carnation '' .
In 1910 Mother 's Day became a West Virginia state holiday and in 1914 it was designated a national holiday by President Woodrow Wilson .
A huge factor in the day 's success was its commercial appeal .
`` Even though Anna never wanted the day to become commercialised , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ industry , greeting card industry and candy industry deserve some of the credit for the day 's promotion , '' says Antolini .
But this was absolutely not what Anna wanted .
When the price of carnations rocketed , she released a press release condemning florists : `` WHAT WILL YOU DO to rout charlatans , bandits , pirates , racketeers , kidnappers and other termites that would undermine with their greed one of the finest , noblest and truest movements and celebrations ? ''
By 1920 , she was urging people not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was upset with any organisation that used her day for anything but her original , sentimental , design , says Antolini .
This included charities that used the holiday for fund-raising , even if they meant to help poor mothers .
`` It was a day meant to celebrate mothers , not pity them because they were poor , '' explains Antolini .
`` Plus some charities were not using the money for poor mothers like they claimed . ''
Mother 's Day was even dragged into the debate over women 's votes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ true place was in the home and that she was too busy as a wife and mother to be involved in politics .
For their part , suffrage groups would argue , `` If she is good enough to be the mother of your children , she is good enough to vote . ''
And they stressed the need for women to have a say in the future well-being of their children .
The only one not to take advantage of Mother 's Day , it seems , was Anna herself .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ florist industry .
`` She never profited from the day and she could easily have done so .
I admire her for that , '' says Antolini .
Anna and her sister Lillian , who was visually impaired , survived on the inheritance from their father and their brother Claude , who ran a taxi business in Philadelphia before dying of a heart attack .
But Anna went on to spend every penny fighting the commercialisation of Mother 's Day .
Even before it became a national holiday she had claimed copyright on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Mother 's Day '' , and threatened to sue anyone who marketed it without permission .
`` Sometimes groups or industries would purposely use the possessive plural spelling 'Mothers ' Day ' in order to get around Anna 's copyright claims , '' says Antolini .
A Newsweek article written in 1944 claimed she had 33 pending lawsuits .
By then she was 80 and almost blind , deaf and destitute , and being cared for in a sanatorium in Philadelphia .
There have long been claims that the floral and card @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care , but Antolini has never been able to verify this .
`` I would like to think that they did , but it just may be a good story and not true , '' she says .
One of Anna 's final acts , while still living with her sister , was to go door-to-door in Philadelphia asking for signatures to back an appeal for Mother 's Day to be rescinded .
Once she had been admitted to the sanatorium , Lillian soon died of carbon monoxide poisoning while trying to heat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that icicles hung from the ceiling because it was so cold , '' says Antolini .
Anna herself died of heart failure in November 1948 .
Jane Unkefer , 86 , another of Anna 's first cousins ( and Elizabeth Burr 's aunt ) , thinks Anna Jarvis became obsessed with her anti-commercialisation crusade .
`` I do n't think they were very wealthy , but she totally ran through whatever money she had , '' she says .
`` It 's embarrassing .
I would n't want people to think the family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she ended up in the equivalent of a pauper 's grave . ''
They may not have been able to help her at the end of her life , but the family did honour Anna 's memory in another way - by not celebrating Mother 's Day for several generations .
`` We really did n't like Mother 's Day , '' says Jane Unkefer .
`` And the reason we did n't is that my mother , as a child , had heard a lot of negative things said about Mother 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nice sentiment , but we did n't go in for the fancy dinner or the bouquets of flowers . ''
As a young mother Jane used to stop in front of a plaque honouring Mother 's Day in Philadelphia and think about Anna .
`` It 's a sort of a poignant story because there 's so much love in it , '' says Jane .
`` And I think what has come out of it is a nice thing .
People do remember their mom , just the way she would have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she has changed her mind about the celebration now .
`` Many generations later , I 've forgotten all the negative things my mother ever said about it , and I get very angry if I do n't hear from my children .
I want them to honour me and my day , '' she says .
Jane 's younger sister , Emily d'Aulaire , has also found her attitude to Mother 's Day altering over time .
`` I did n't even really know about it until my own child was in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Day gift , '' she says .
`` Our mother used to say something like , 'Every day is Mother 's Day . '
'' For a long time Emily was sad that Anna 's original intention for the day was thwarted , but these days she sends a card to her daughter-in-law , the mother of her grandchildren .
This year many families wo n't be able to treat their mothers to flowers or a day out and instead will celebrate Mother 's Day via a video link , because of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and her mother would have been pleased with such pared-down celebrations .
She imagines that Mrs Jarvis , a veteran of many epidemics , would resurrect the Mother 's Day Clubs to help others .
And Anna would be delighted with the lack of shopping opportunities , which she felt clouded the purity of her original vision .
You may also be interested in : It 's 50 years since photographer Moneta Sleet became the first African American to win a Pulitzer prize for journalism .
Has his work received the recognition it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have never heard of

Mother's Day was even dragged into the debate over women's votes. Anti-suffragists said that a woman's true place was in the home and that she was too busy as a wife and mother to be involved in politics. For their part, suffrage groups would argue, "If she is good enough to be the mother of your children, she is good enough to vote." And they stressed the need for women to have a say in the future well-being of their children.


bbc--2020-05-10--Hisham Selim, famed Egyptian actor, praised over transgender son

A leading Egyptian actor who revealed on TV that his daughter had transitioned to become a man has been widely applauded on social media .
Last Sunday , Hisham Selim took viewers by surprise when he spoke openly about 26-year-old Nour 's step - a rare occurrence in the conservative country .
Two days later , Selim was again interviewed on TV , this time accompanied by Nour - previously Noura .
It prompted a wave of support , with LGBT activists seeing it as a boost .
In Egypt , a religiously conservative society , the LGBT community is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are comparatively more accepted by society and government in Egypt than homosexuals .
Although homosexuality is not explicitly criminalised under Egyptian law , LGBT people are periodically subjected to crackdowns and arrests on the grounds of `` debauchery '' . '
I must help him' In the first interview , on the privately-owned channel Al-Qahira Wa al-Nas , Selim revealed how his son - then aged 18 - first told him about feeling uncomfortable with the gender he was assigned at birth .
`` I am living in a body other than my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying .
`` I was not surprised ... because from the day [ he ] was born I felt [ his ] body was a boy 's body .
I always suspected this , '' Selim said .
Selim , 62 , praised Nour for being `` courageous '' , especially as `` we live in a society where these things are difficult ... very difficult '' .
He also spoke about the challenges his son was facing in getting his gender reflected on his national ID - which expired two years ago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complete .
`` The problem in Egypt is that we have either female or male ; we do n't have anything in-between to refer to the transitional stage , '' Selim said .
Although transitioning is legal in Egypt , the process is long and complex .
It involves medical tests , psychological treatment and approval from both doctors and religious clerics .
Only 48 hours later , Selim and Nour were interviewed together by DW Arabic on a yacht moored at the Red Sea resort city of Hurghada .
Nour said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before talking to his father about transitioning .
`` I did n't feel I was normal .
I did n't feel I could live like that .
I did n't see a future for myself , '' he said .
`` If I had n't done this , I would have killed myself . ''
`` I do n't think anyone will see me now and say 'no , he should have stayed as Noura ' , '' he added .
Clips from both interviews were widely shared on Egyptian social media , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Hisham Selim 's openness was celebrated by fellow celebrities , LGBT activists and others .
• The Egyptian girl who became a Scottish man Transgender woman and human rights defender Malak El-Kashif - whose detention at an all-male prison for three months last year on what Amnesty International called `` trumped up charges '' sparked an international outcry - described the actor 's statements `` a step forward for the social acceptance of transgender people '' .
Film director Amr Salama tweeted : `` Of course Hisham Salim 's position should be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the support from most people for his son . ''
But Hisham Selim 's confession that his reaction might not have been the same if his son had wanted to identify as a woman disappointed some people .
`` Honestly , when thinking about it I thought , 'Thank God , it 's not the other way around , ' '' he told DW Arabic .
`` Although I believe both are the same , as an Arab and an Egyptian who 's raised believing that men are stronger or have higher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been different for me . ''
BBC Monitoring reports and analyses news from TV , radio , web and print media around the world .
You can follow BBC Monitoring on Twitter and Facebook .

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bbc--2020-05-09--A Bundesliga beginners' guide

A Bundesliga beginners' guide

It 's been two long months without football .
By now we fully expected Liverpool to have been crowned Premier League champions for the first time in their history , Leeds to have guaranteed their return to the top division for the first time since 2004 , and attention to be turning towards Euro 2020 .
But as lockdown restrictions begin to lift , Germany 's Bundesliga will be the first major European football league to return ( probably around 16 May ) - and surely with a few more eyes on it .
We spoke to Derek Rae - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ covers European football with Lee Dixon on Fifa - to get you up to speed .
What you need to know about this season Derek says before lockdown this Bundesliga season was one of the most competitive in a while .
`` Bayern Munich are the big favourites , they 're always the big favourites , but they have actually been pursued this season on a couple of fronts . ''
They 're currently four points clear of Borussia Dortmund , who have been pushing them close .
RB Leipzig - who Derek @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the league '' ( and others have described as Germany 's `` most-hated club '' ) - are also making it interesting .
Borussia Mönchengladbach `` made a very early push '' and Bayer Leverkusen have been part of the story too .
Ahead of the season restarting there are eight points between Mönchengladbach in fifth and Bayern at the top of the table .
Derek says Bayern are favourites to take the title again - they finished two points ahead of Dortmund last season - after stabilising under their second manager of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ big clashes to come and Derek `` expects this to be close '' .
Who should you be backing ?
We 've mentioned a few of the big hitters already .
Bayern Munich are the nation 's powerhouses and wrestling the title from them is the challenge at the beginning of every season .
They 've won more league titles , cups and international trophies than any other team in Germany .
So if you 're in it for the glory , look no further .
Borussia Dortmund usually find a way to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Leipzig , their football has been among the most eye-catching this season .
Their yellow and black kits , the passion of their fans , their absolutely massive stadium - there are plenty of reasons Dortmund are well respected within world football .
If you 're a supporter of England , the fact south London 's Jadon Sancho wears their number seven shirt - and has scored 14 goals this season while recording 15 assists - might be reason enough to back Dortmund .
`` He has been absolutely one of the standouts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of years .
He 's dynamic , he can really do a lot in an attacking sense - and his value is not lost on Dortmund . ''
As mentioned , Leipzig are a controversial team in Germany - a decade ago they were playing in the fifth tier but this season they made their Champions League debut , largely thanks to their backing from Red Bull .
A big conglomerate or businessman owning a football club is pretty common in British football , but in Germany fans have to own the majority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can influence decisions .
Some feel Leipzig exploited the system .
Controversies aside though Leipzig play exciting football and have some of the league 's most exciting young talents - most notably Timo Werner , who 's behind only Bayern 's Robert Lewandowski in the goal-scoring charts .
They also have British representation in the form of Wales ' former Exeter and Chelsea defender Ethan Ampadu and England 's former Charlton and Everton forward Ademola Lookman .
Bayer Leverkusen are another with an attractive style of play , according to Derek , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clubs to choose from .
`` I 'm a keen follower of Köln - Cologne , as you would say in English .
And they are a bit of a cult club , certainly in the Rhineland .
`` But you can take your pick really - there are so many good teams .
Find one that appeals to you in terms of the mantra , in terms of the way they go about their business , and you wo n't go wrong . ''
Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Bundesliga: Derek Rae's guide to the German league Published 10 May 2020
Image source, Getty Images
It's been two long months without football.
By now we fully expected Liverpool to have been crowned Premier League champions for the first time in their history, Leeds to have guaranteed their return to the top division for the first time since 2004, and attention to be turning towards Euro 2020.
Instead, we've been watching pop star James Arthur play Fifa.
But as lockdown restrictions begin to lift, Germany's Bundesliga will be the first major European football league to return this weekend and surely with a few more eyes on it.
We spoke to Derek Rae - Bundesliga commentator and the familiar voice who covers European football with Lee Dixon on Fifa - to get you up to speed.
This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser. View original content on Twitter The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Skip twitter post by Derek Rae Allow Twitter content? This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’. Accept and continue The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. End of twitter post by Derek Rae
What you need to know about this season
Derek says before lockdown this Bundesliga season was one of the most competitive in a while.
"Bayern Munich are the big favourites, they're always the big favourites, but they have actually been pursued this season on a couple of fronts."
They're currently four points clear of Borussia Dortmund, who have been pushing them close. RB Leipzig - who Derek describes as the "new boys to the league" (and others have described as Germany's "most-hated club") - are also making it interesting.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Lewandowski has been banging in Bundesliga goals since 2010 and is third in the all-time charts
Borussia Mönchengladbach "made a very early push" and Bayer Leverkusen have been part of the story too.
Ahead of the season restarting there are eight points between Mönchengladbach in fifth and Bayern at the top of the table.
Derek says Bayern are favourites to take the title again - they finished two points ahead of Dortmund last season - after stabilising under their second manager of the season.
But there are still big clashes to come and Derek "expects this to be close".
Who should you be backing?
We've mentioned a few of the big hitters already.
Bayern Munich are the nation's powerhouses and wrestling the title from them is the challenge at the beginning of every season. They've won more league titles, cups and international trophies than any other team in Germany. So if you're in it for the glory, look no further.
Borussia Dortmund usually find a way to test Bayern and Derek says along with Leipzig, their football has been among the most eye-catching this season. Their yellow and black kits, the passion of their fans, their absolutely massive stadium - there are plenty of reasons Dortmund are well respected within world football.
If you're a supporter of England, the fact south London's Jadon Sancho wears their number seven shirt - and has scored 14 goals this season while recording 15 assists - might be reason enough to back Dortmund.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Sancho joined Dortmund from Manchester City's academy
"He has been absolutely one of the standouts in the Bundesliga in the last couple of years. He's dynamic, he can really do a lot in an attacking sense - and his value is not lost on Dortmund."
As mentioned, Leipzig are a controversial team in Germany - a decade ago they were playing in the fifth tier but this season they made their Champions League debut, largely thanks to their backing from Red Bull.
A big conglomerate or businessman owning a football club is pretty common in British football, but in Germany fans have to own the majority of their clubs' shares so they can influence decisions. Some feel Leipzig exploited the system.
Controversies aside though Leipzig play exciting football and have some of the league's most exciting young talents - most notably Timo Werner, who's behind only Bayern's Robert Lewandowski in the goal-scoring charts.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Werner has been linked with a move to Liverpool this summer
They also have British representation in the form of Wales' former Exeter and Chelsea defender Ethan Ampadu and England's former Charlton and Everton forward Ademola Lookman.
Bayer Leverkusen are another with an attractive style of play, according to Derek, but he stresses there are so many great clubs to choose from.
"I'm a keen follower of Köln - Cologne, as you would say in English. And they are a bit of a cult club, certainly in the Rhineland.
"But you can take your pick really - there are so many good teams. Find one that appeals to you in terms of the mantra, in terms of the way they go about their business, and you won't go wrong."
Follow Newsbeat on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.


bbc--2020-05-10--Fontaines DC confront second album curse

For the last 12 months , Fontaines DC have been on an unstoppable rise .
Their debut album Dogrel , a vivid and raucous portrait of growing up in Dublin , landed on the Mercury Prize list ; while all of its singles made the A-list at BBC 6 Music .
By the end of 2019 , they were celebrating several `` album of the year '' accolades with a sold-out UK tour , culminating in two triumphant homecoming shows at Dublin 's Vicar Street .
Not bad considering that , a year earlier , the band were still playing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lost its ability to blow me away , but I tried not to let it , '' says frontman Grian Chatten .
`` We did our best to bury our heads in the sand and not take too much notice of any of the reviews - and luckily enough , we came out of the first album still ourselves .
`` That 's why I can proudly say about our second album : It 's written by the same [ expletive ] people . ''
That album was written and recorded with almost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Los Angeles last October , just six months after Dogrel 's release .
The sun-soaked Californian vibes inevitably seeped into the recordings , and the quartet 's scrappy riffs are newly decorated with surprising ( but welcome ) bursts of Laurel Canyon harmonies .
`` We really got into harmonising when we were doing these long drives across America , '' says Chatten .
`` We 'd always tried to figure out exactly what the Beach Boys were doing on their tunes .
We wanted to be able to sing so we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wherever we were , we could have a few drinks in the pub and just go for it . ''
Practicing harmonies also turned out to be a lifeline for the five-piece , as life on the road took its toll .
The band had to cancel several gigs last summer for unspecified `` health issues '' , and Chatten now admits he 'd accessed some `` dark places '' in his psyche as the tour progressed .
`` Our schedule was pretty badly-organised , '' he says , `` to the extent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rostered in .
`` If you 're on your hundredth gig of the year and you have n't slept much , the worst thing you could possibly do for your own head is do a bad gig .
`` So in order to feel some sort of connection , what I do is I often bring myself to places mentally when I 'm playing a song that are actually quite toxic .
`` Sometimes it can be quite affecting because you find yourself in a very uncomfortable place , out of pure desperation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` But sometimes it overflows and it becomes a bit too much .
I 've definitely gone too far in what I 've made myself think about on stage . ''
And that 's where the harmonies came in .
`` I think subconsciously we were reaching out to each other while we were practicing and writing little harmony parts in the back of the van , '' the singer says .
`` It 's an amazing feeling .
It gives you a great sense of community - maybe because the singing culture @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Dubliner-style pub singing , was so familiar . ''
You can hear the band 's vocal prowess on their new single , A Hero 's Death , where staccato `` bah bah bahs '' swirl dreamily around a slashing guitar riff .
The song is simultaneously uplifting and sinister , as Chatten delivers some life advice ( `` tell your mother that you love her , and go out of your way for others '' ) before returning to the same , insistent phrase : `` Life ai n't always empty '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ repeating the mantra as a statement of fact , or an attempt to convince himself of its truth .
`` I 'm not sure myself , '' he confesses .
`` I purposefully keep the things I write open to interpretation , even to myself . ''
Still , the fact that the chorus was inspired by the `` terrifying '' repetition of advertising slogans gives you a small clue about his intentions .
The song was released last week , accompanied by a video starring Aiden Gillen - aka Game Of Thrones @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a charismatic chat show host whose life spirals out of control when he finds himself overshadowed by his puppet side-kick .
But his presence is n't the result of some marketing-driven record label spending spree , Chatten says .
`` I 'd heard he was a fan .
He 'd come to see us once or twice , so we asked him to do it .
`` We did n't have much of a budget , but he just said we could buy him a pint . ''
The video kicks off the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out in July , which is also called A Hero 's Death .
The title is a tongue-in-cheek way of acknowledging the `` difficult second album syndrome '' that 's derailed countless bands over the years .
`` I found the idea quite funny - because I 'm half-expecting people to dislike [ the album ] , '' says Chatten .
`` So the idea of calling it A Hero 's Death is kind of laughing about that and setting people up for disappointment . ''
In fact , the title track was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the record : He wrote the lyrics the very first time he listened to their debut , `` just to allay any fears of not being able to do it again '' .
The rest of the album came just as easily , leaving the band in the unusual-for-2020 position of having the sequel to a hit record ready in less than 12 months .
`` It 's easier to write than not to write , '' says Chatten , matter-of-factly .
`` There was no careerist element to it .
We were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ album .
`` If we 'd said everything that we had to say in one album , then we would n't have bothered making a second . ''
Despite the quick turnaround , the band have evolved over the last year - and not just by adding harmonies .
Because while Dogrel was a scabrous , if romantic , portrayal of Dublin - `` a pregnant city with a catholic mind '' - the follow-up has broader horizons , a decision borne of necessity , rather than choice .
`` I would have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Chatten admits .
`` I love living in Dublin and I think Dublin is an incredibly inspiring place - but I do n't have the licence to write about it , because I have n't really been there for nearly two years now .
`` So I wrote about my own experiences , the things that happen in my imagination and vignettes of other people , with maybe more exacerbated situations than the ones I 'm going through . ''
The album is destined for release in July , and the band @ @ @ @ @ @ @ songs at festivals around Europe .
Of course , that 's now on hold - but Chatten is philosophical about releasing the album during the lockdown .
`` It is kind of strange it coming out now , when there 's not much face-to-face contact , '' he says .
`` Last time , we were half-way through a tour when the album came out , and this time we 're at home .
`` It 's kind of like being around for the second kid and not being there for the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due out on 31 July via Partisan Records .
Follow us on Facebook , or on Twitter @ BBCNewsEnts .
If you have a story suggestion email entertainment.news @ bbc.co.uk .

"We'd always tried to figure out exactly what the Beach Boys were doing on their tunes. We wanted to be able to sing so we didn't need instruments. Then, wherever we were, we could have a few drinks in the pub and just go for it."


bbc--2020-05-09--'Moral values should prevail on Newcastle takeover'

Newcastle United and the Premier League must put moral values ahead of financial gains , says the fiancee of murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi .
Saudi Arabia 's Public Investment Fund looks set to finance 80 % of a £300m takeover of the club .
Khashoggi was killed in 2018 with Western intelligence agencies believing that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered the murder - which he denies .
`` My message would be to the management of Newcastle United and to the decision makers .
`` We should consider ethical values , not just financial or political ones .
Money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
So the message that will be given to people like Crown Prince is extremely important .
`` There should be no place in English football for those credibly accused of atrocities and murder '' .
• Fans vow to raise Saudi issues despite support for deal Khashoggi - a dissident Saudi columnist living in self-exile in the United States - had gone to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on 2 October 2018 , seeking papers to marry Cengiz .
Investigators believe that as she waited outside , the 59-year-old was murdered and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been found .
UN Special Rapporteur Agnes Callamard said there was credible evidence that Crown Prince Mohammed and other high-level Saudi officials were individually liable .
A court in Saudi Arabia last year sentenced five people to death and jailed three others over his murder , while Turkey has separately charged 20 suspects over the murder .
`` We do n't want this deal to go ahead , '' Cengiz added .
`` We are not just talking about the murder of a human being but the efforts to keep all hopes regarding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alive , to support justice and to start a transformation in the Middle East .
`` This deal seems to be about buying something .
But there is a wider picture .
Saudi Arabia shows the world its face of reform .
But it has another face where the reality is far from what is shown to the world .
This is why we want this ( deal ) to be stopped and not be completed . ''
What do we know about the takeover ?
Mike Ashley has owned Newcastle since 2007 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2017 .
The proposed Saudi takeover is thought to be worth some £300 million .
But it has already caused much controversy .
• Who are the main people involved in the potential deal ?
The Saudi government has been accused of facilitating the theft of Premier League commercial rights , while Amnesty International has criticised the potential deal due to the country 's dire human rights record .
The country has also been accused of `` sportswashing '' , a term used to describe countries that try to improve their international @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hosting big sporting events .
But these accusations have been rebuffed by the Saudi government , which claims it wants to get more of its people engaged in sport .
Cengiz has written to the Premier League to state the takeover should be blocked .
In a reply to her letter from chief executive Richard Masters , seen by BBC Sport , he says the Premier League are following `` due processes required by UK law and by the Premier League 's own rules '' , which `` go beyond those required by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ applied with rigour '' .
But he says he `` appreciates the strength of feeling '' from her and reiterated his condolences .
Last month , the Premier League was urged by one of its largest overseas broadcast partners to `` fully interrogate '' Newcastle United 's proposed £300m takeover .
The chief executive of the Qatar-based TV giant beIN Sport , Yousef al-Obaidly , has written to the chairs of top-flight clubs about the deal , which could see the Magpies bought by a Saudi-backed consortium .
In the letter , Al-Obaidly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` facilitation of the near three-year theft of the Premier League 's commercial rights - and in turn your club 's commercial revenues - through its backing of the huge-scale beoutQ pirate service '' .

Newcastle United sat 13th in the Premier League when the season was suspended in March
Newcastle United and the Premier League must put moral values ahead of financial gains, says the fiancee of murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund looks set to finance 80% of a £300m takeover of the club.
Khashoggi was killed in 2018 with Western intelligence agencies believing that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered the murder - which he denies.
"Moral values should prevail," Hatice Cengiz told BBC 5 Live.
"My message would be to the management of Newcastle United and to the decision makers.
"We should consider ethical values, not just financial or political ones. Money cannot buy everything in the world. So the message that will be given to people like Crown Prince is extremely important.
"There should be no place in English football for those credibly accused of atrocities and murder".
The Premier League declined to comment.
Background
Khashoggi - a dissident Saudi columnist living in self-exile in the United States - had gone to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on 2 October 2018, seeking papers to marry Cengiz.
Investigators believe that as she waited outside, the 59-year-old was murdered and then dismembered. His remains have never been found.
UN Special Rapporteur Agnes Callamard said there was credible evidence that Crown Prince Mohammed and other high-level Saudi officials were individually liable.
A court in Saudi Arabia last year sentenced five people to death and jailed three others over his murder, while Turkey has separately charged 20 suspects over the murder.
"We don't want this deal to go ahead," Cengiz added. "We are not just talking about the murder of a human being but the efforts to keep all hopes regarding the future, to keep human rights alive, to support justice and to start a transformation in the Middle East.
"This deal seems to be about buying something. But there is a wider picture. Saudi Arabia shows the world its face of reform. But it has another face where the reality is far from what is shown to the world. This is why we want this (deal) to be stopped and not be completed."
What do we know about the takeover?
Mike Ashley has owned Newcastle since 2007 and put the club up for sale in 2017. The proposed Saudi takeover is thought to be worth some £300 million.
But it has already caused much controversy.
The Saudi government has been accused of facilitating the theft of Premier League commercial rights, while Amnesty International has criticised the potential deal due to the country's dire human rights record.
The country has also been accused of "sportswashing", a term used to describe countries that try to improve their international reputation by investing in major teams or hosting big sporting events.
But these accusations have been rebuffed by the Saudi government, which claims it wants to get more of its people engaged in sport.
Hatice Cengiz has called on the Premier League to block the takeover
Complaints to the Premier League
Cengiz has written to the Premier League to state the takeover should be blocked. In a reply to her letter from chief executive Richard Masters, seen by BBC Sport, he says the Premier League are following "due processes required by UK law and by the Premier League's own rules", which "go beyond those required by UK company law" and are "applied with rigour". But he says he "appreciates the strength of feeling" from her and reiterated his condolences.
Last month, the Premier League was urged by one of its largest overseas broadcast partners to "fully interrogate" Newcastle United's proposed £300m takeover.
The chief executive of the Qatar-based TV giant beIN Sport, Yousef al-Obaidly, has written to the chairs of top-flight clubs about the deal, which could see the Magpies bought by a Saudi-backed consortium.
In the letter, Al-Obaidly accused the Saudi Arabian government of the "facilitation of the near three-year theft of the Premier League's commercial rights - and in turn your club's commercial revenues - through its backing of the huge-scale beoutQ pirate service".
Analysis
Dan Roan, BBC sports editor
It should be decided soon, possibly this week, and yes it will go through. Certainly speak to those close to the consortium and they don't sound too concerned.
They can point to the fact that Britain's been happy to do billions of pounds-worth of arms deals with the Saudis over recent years and I think it's significant that the British government the other day did make it clear that it wouldn't stand in the way of this deal, saying it was a matter for the Premier League.
The PIF, the Saudi sovereign wealth fund, has declined to comment but it's understood its position is that although the Crown Prince is chair of the organisation, he is not involved with it in the day-to-day running so the accusations against him are not directly relevant to this bid.
And the owners' and directors' tests the Premier League will be looking at now doesn't appear to have much to say about character. It refers to unspent convictions, but unless there is an obvious and clear link between a person and an offence or that person has been convicted in a court of law, it's difficult to see how they could fail the test.


bbc--2020-05-09--Dresden put entire squad in isolation - a week before German football restarts

Dynamo Dresden , who play in the second tier of German football , have put their entire squad and coaching staff into two-week isolation after two players tested positive for coronavirus .
The Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 are due to restart on Saturday , 16 May .
It is set to be the first European league to restart following the coronavirus shutdown .
`` The fact is that we can neither train nor participate in a game in the next 14 days , '' said Dynamo .
On Thursday , the German Football Association ( DFB ) said the season @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ban fans from the stadium and require players to have Covid-19 testing .
About 300 people , including players , staff and officials , will be in or around the stadiums during match days .
The league has been suspended since 13 March .
Clubs returned to training in mid-April , with players working in groups .
But on Saturday Dresden , who are bottom of Bundesliga 2 , said they would be unable to fulfil the initial fixtures .
`` In the past few weeks , we have made enormous efforts in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to strictly implement all the prescribed medical and hygienic measures , `` said Dynamo sports manager Ralf Minge .
`` We are in contact with the responsible health authority and the DFL ( German Football League ) to coordinate all further steps . ''
Dresden were due to resume the season on 17 May at Hannover 96 .
The Dynamo Dresden situation proves that any league will be balanced on a knife edge when football resumes , even with all the planning and all the expertise that has gone into the Bundesliga restart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much on Friday when he said that they are `` playing under probation '' .
The truth for football authorities everywhere is that there are no certainties at the moment and there will be setbacks .
The only good news is that although there are a lot of fixtures to pack in , time is relatively on German football 's side compared to the other big European leagues , who are still wondering if and when they 'll be able to return .
Now the DFL will be hoping that this will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ postpone on their high profile re-opening weekend .

Last updated on .From the section European Football
Dresden won their last match before the league's shutdown - 2-1 on 8 March against Erzgebirge Aue
Dynamo Dresden, who play in the second tier of German football, have put their entire squad and coaching staff into two-week isolation after two players tested positive for coronavirus.
The Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 are due to restart on Saturday, 16 May.
It is set to be the first European league to restart following the coronavirus shutdown.
"The fact is that we can neither train nor participate in a game in the next 14 days," said Dynamo.
On Thursday, the German Football Association (DFB) said the season would resume under strict health protocols that ban fans from the stadium and require players to have Covid-19 testing.
About 300 people, including players, staff and officials, will be in or around the stadiums during match days.
The league has been suspended since 13 March. Clubs returned to training in mid-April, with players working in groups.
But on Saturday Dresden, who are bottom of Bundesliga 2, said they would be unable to fulfil the initial fixtures.
"In the past few weeks, we have made enormous efforts in terms of personnel and logistics in order to strictly implement all the prescribed medical and hygienic measures, "said Dynamo sports manager Ralf Minge .
"We are in contact with the responsible health authority and the DFL (German Football League) to coordinate all further steps."
Dresden were due to resume the season on 17 May at Hannover 96.
Analysis
John Bennett, BBC World Service
The Dynamo Dresden situation proves that any league will be balanced on a knife edge when football resumes, even with all the planning and all the expertise that has gone into the Bundesliga restart.
DFL boss Christian Seifert admitted as much on Friday when he said that they are "playing under probation".
The truth for football authorities everywhere is that there are no certainties at the moment and there will be setbacks.
The only good news is that although there are a lot of fixtures to pack in, time is relatively on German football's side compared to the other big European leagues, who are still wondering if and when they'll be able to return.
Now the DFL will be hoping that this will be the only fixture they'll have to postpone on their high profile re-opening weekend.


bbc--2020-05-09--'I feel fresher and healthier' - Hamilton enjoying parts of F1 break

Lewis Hamilton says he is `` enjoying '' some aspects of Formula 1 's enforced break because it has given him time to refresh and revitalise himself .
The 2020 season is on hold until July because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Hamilton , said : `` There have been times in the past five years that I thought a rest would be good for body and mind .
`` For an athlete in their prime , it 's never a good thing to step away for a year but we have been handed a part-sabbatical , which I am @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I feel fresher and healthier than ever . ''
• 'Definitely not the real thing ' : why eracers ca n't go from the bedroom to the cockpit The world drivers ' champion , who will be bidding for a record-equalling seventh title once the season starts up , said not racing had been `` a shock to the system '' but that the lockdown was `` almost a blessing on one side because it gives you even more appreciation for the things you love and do '' .
He added : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ energy and inspiration and determination to keep delivering and keep working with this great team .
So I 'm excited for the future . ''
Hamilton , who was speaking in a video interview published by his Mercedes team , added that he had been using the unusual amount of free time to have long conversations with friends , to try to learn French and to focus on honing his fitness .
`` The struggle for everyone I think is keeping your mind clear .
Some days you 're sluggish and other days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` But the key is trying to remain centred , find things you enjoy doing that you perhaps have n't had time to do in the past .
`` Do n't waste this time .
That 's a really important thing - not to waste this time . ''
He added : `` I miss driving .
But you have to look at the positives .
And if you look around the world , the skies are clearer , people are probably appreciating this time and their families and relationships more .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ come out of this and I really hope we can all grow from this experience and that it passes soon . ''
Hamilton has not been joining his colleagues in online racing , saying he is `` not really interested in the driving-simulator racing '' and that he `` does n't find it personally of any benefit whatsoever '' .
But he said he had been trying to beat his own lap times on a racing simulator game and that he had played Call of Duty online with fellow F1 drivers Pierre Gasly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to resume the season in Austria on the first weekend in July , then stage a series of races in Europe , all behind closed doors , before moving on to Asia , the Americas and the Middle East .
Hamilton said the idea of racing with no crowds `` gave me a really empty feeling because the fans make the race '' .
But he said he accepted that a return to action would be a boost for people at a difficult time .
`` What 's great is I 'm getting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are struggling during this period because they 're not getting to watch sport , '' Hamilton said .
`` And it just shows how significant sport is in people 's lives .
It brings us all together and it 's so exciting and captivating .
`` I do n't know how exciting it 's going to be for people watching it on TV but it 'll be better than nothing .
`` For us , it 's going to be like a test day , probably even worse than a test day in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day there are not a huge amount of people come to watch in Barcelona but there are still some , and here you 're going to have no-one in the crowd .
`` But racing is racing and I do n't think any of us have had enough time to really truly unleash the potential of our cars so I 'm excited to get back in . ''

Hamilton says it is important not to waste the time the coronavirus lockdown creates
Lewis Hamilton says he is "enjoying" some aspects of Formula 1's enforced break because it has given him time to refresh and revitalise himself.
The 2020 season is on hold until July because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Hamilton, said: "There have been times in the past five years that I thought a rest would be good for body and mind.
"For an athlete in their prime, it's never a good thing to step away for a year but we have been handed a part-sabbatical, which I am enjoying."
The 35-year-old added: "I feel fresher and healthier than ever."
The world drivers' champion, who will be bidding for a record-equalling seventh title once the season starts up, said not racing had been "a shock to the system" but that the lockdown was "almost a blessing on one side because it gives you even more appreciation for the things you love and do".
He added: "And it has given me more energy and inspiration and determination to keep delivering and keep working with this great team. So I'm excited for the future."
Hamilton, who was speaking in a video interview external-link published by his Mercedes team, added that he had been using the unusual amount of free time to have long conversations with friends, to try to learn French and to focus on honing his fitness.
"The struggle for everyone I think is keeping your mind clear. Some days you're sluggish and other days you're positive," he said.
"But the key is trying to remain centred, find things you enjoy doing that you perhaps haven't had time to do in the past.
"Don't waste this time. That's a really important thing - not to waste this time."
He added: "I miss driving. But you have to look at the positives. And if you look around the world, the skies are clearer, people are probably appreciating this time and their families and relationships more.
"There are so many things to come out of this and I really hope we can all grow from this experience and that it passes soon."
Hamilton has not been joining his colleagues in online racing, saying he is "not really interested in the driving-simulator racing" and that he "doesn't find it personally of any benefit whatsoever".
But he said he had been trying to beat his own lap times on a racing simulator game and that he had played Call of Duty online with fellow F1 drivers Pierre Gasly and Charles Leclerc.
'Empty stands leave an empty feeling'
F1 is planning to resume the season in Austria on the first weekend in July, then stage a series of races in Europe, all behind closed doors, before moving on to Asia, the Americas and the Middle East.
Hamilton said the idea of racing with no crowds "gave me a really empty feeling because the fans make the race".
But he said he accepted that a return to action would be a boost for people at a difficult time.
"What's great is I'm getting messages from people around the world who are struggling during this period because they're not getting to watch sport," Hamilton said.
"And it just shows how significant sport is in people's lives. It brings us all together and it's so exciting and captivating.
"I don't know how exciting it's going to be for people watching it on TV but it'll be better than nothing.
"For us, it's going to be like a test day, probably even worse than a test day in a sense, because on a test day there are not a huge amount of people come to watch in Barcelona but there are still some, and here you're going to have no-one in the crowd.
"But racing is racing and I don't think any of us have had enough time to really truly unleash the potential of our cars so I'm excited to get back in."


bbc--2020-05-09--Atletico Ottawa - how the Canadian club conceived in Spain is preparing to make its debut

Fans who have never seen their team play , a manager holding virtual coaching sessions and a squad in lockdown across the globe - it has been an unusual start to life for one of the world 's newest football clubs .
Atletico Ottawa , a franchise of Spanish side Atletico Madrid , were revealed in February as the latest addition to the Canadian Premier League .
But they are yet to play a game , with the eight-team competition - due to begin its second season on 11 April - put on hold because of the coronavirus pandemic .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ professional club in the Canadian capital has a supporter group eager to don Atletico colours , a former Spain striker Mista as manager and a set of players trying to keep sharp through online sessions .
It began with dinner after the Champions League final in Madrid last summer and a friendship struck between Canadian Premier League commissioner David Clanachan and Atletico Madrid chief executive Miguel Angel Gil Marin .
Within nine months the Spanish club had announced a franchise in North America .
`` Ottawa was n't initially part of the equation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I said 'you 're in the capital of Spain , you might as well be in the capital of Canada as well ' .
From there it steamrolled . ''
It was a huge coup for the league , off the back of its inaugural season , to attract one of the world 's biggest clubs but also for Ottawa after the city 's most high-profile club - Ottawa Fury , who played in the American second-tier USL Championship - folded last year .
It proved a perfect fit for Atletico Madrid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a portfolio that already included clubs in Mexico and India .
`` It 's a stamp of approval if you have a club like that , that believes in what you 're doing and the innovative way you approach the game , '' said Clanachan , who hopes to expand the league to at least 14 teams by the time Canada co-hosts the 2026 World Cup .
Ultras , podcasts and homemade tifos… but no football For fans in Ottawa , Atletico 's interest came as a shock .
`` We went from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ having one of the biggest clubs in the world investing , '' said filmmaker Aaron Hooper .
`` It was super exciting .
Honestly , we thought it was a practical joke - how do they know of our beautiful city ?
It caught a lot of us off guard . ''
A hardcore group of fans has existed in Ottawa for about a decade as clubs playing further down the North American pyramid have come and gone , but Hooper hopes Atletico 's arrival , and participation in the Canadian top flight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` They 're bringing a level of awareness , '' he said .
`` The casual fans have been electric .
A lot of youths want to go to games .
Some people did n't know a team existed prior to this .
`` I do n't see why the goal ca n't be to sell out our 24,000-seat stadium .
`` The league is here - we have something to support .
This is history .
We 'll be talking to our grandkids about this . ''
Supporters began to rally with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Stony Monday Riot and Capital Ultras , meeting in pubs and planning away days .
Now in lockdown , the focus has switched to podcasts , quizzes , painting tifos and encouraging fans to work on their terrace chants .
`` The supporter culture here is pretty tight knit , '' said Hooper .
`` We tried to get organised and prepared for this - we want to put a best foot forward with this fresh new start . ''
Ice hockey team Ottawa Senators , who play in the NHL , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city but Ottawa could soon witness a new Atletico flavour .
`` I hope Atletico will push fan culture to another level and we 'll see a presence around the city , '' said Hooper .
`` People have been blown away so far and we 're buzzing to see this finally start . ''
It has been some job for Atletico Ottawa chief executive Fernando Lopez , who was tasked with assembling a roster , appointing backroom staff and getting the club up and running .
He would still like to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are lifted .
Lopez is living in a house in Ottawa with Mista and other coaching staff , having cut short the team 's pre-season training camp to catch one of the last flights back to Canada .
Mista , the former Atletico Madrid and Valencia forward , had only thee days to work with his players in Spain before they had to rush back because the border was closing .
The 41-year-old was introduced to a squad that was compiled through Atletico 's extensive scouting network and an initiative set up by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company 21st Club , that helps create a worldwide database of young players .
`` We believe there is talent and we will be able to work with them once we resume practice , '' Mista said .
They may have spent only a few days together , but chief executive Lopez expects the squad to all have one thing in common - the Atletico DNA .
`` It 's important to bring players who know the club , represent our values of hard work , courage , '' he said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the same profile .
`` Players have different abilities , skills , behaviours , but we always ask the same of them : commitment , hard work , effort , run , pressure .
`` If you see all the Atletico teams , the coaches are different , they all have their own style , but they share all the same philosophy of Atletico Madrid - courage , sacrifice , commitment to the team , work as one . ''
'They really want to raise Canadian football' So is Mista a Diego @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have 100-plus years of philosophy to bring from Atletico Madrid , '' Mista said .
`` We believe these values will be identifiable in the players .
`` Our team will be characterised by defensive excellence and tactical discipline - building a solid base at the foundation of the team , aggressive pressure on the rival , trying to recover balls and control the game as much as possible , impose our philosophy and generate goal locations , keep the ball , have the ball . ''
At the moment , Mista is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ online - their running stats are tracked by fitness coaches on Strava with strength and conditioning sessions carried out on Zoom .
Players are spread across Canada , with others having returned home to Jamaica and Ghana .
Two of those players , Vashon Neufville and Malyk Hamilton , both spent their youth careers at West Ham and are now enjoying being part of the `` Atletico family '' .
`` To have Atletico behind you is a good feeling , '' said 20-year-old Neufville , a former England youth international who is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Acuna .
`` Everyone is really nice here .
They treat you like their family and you 're all as one .
Me being young , coming so far away from home , they look after me and talk to me all the time . ''
Hamilton , who moved to England aged 11 to join West Ham , played in the inaugural Canadian Premier League season last year for Cavalry FC in his home province of Alberta , but has been sold on the Atletico Ottawa project .
`` If you hear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and their aspirations for the club , you can tell they really want to raise Canadian football and help it grow as a brand , '' he said .
`` It will definitely draw more eyes to the league and the fact they 're willing to invest shows what we have going here . ''

Former Atletico Madrid and Valencia forward Mista is Ottawa boss
Fans who have never seen their team play, a manager holding virtual coaching sessions and a squad in lockdown across the globe - it has been an unusual start to life for one of the world's newest football clubs.
Atletico Ottawa, a franchise of Spanish side Atletico Madrid, were revealed in February as the latest addition to the Canadian Premier League.
But they are yet to play a game, with the eight-team competition - due to begin its second season on 11 April - put on hold because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Despite the unprecedented circumstances, the only professional club in the Canadian capital has a supporter group eager to don Atletico colours, a former Spain striker Mista as manager and a set of players trying to keep sharp through online sessions.
It began with dinner after the Champions League final in Madrid last summer and a friendship struck between Canadian Premier League commissioner David Clanachan and Atletico Madrid chief executive Miguel Angel Gil Marin.
Within nine months the Spanish club had announced a franchise in North America.
"Ottawa wasn't initially part of the equation," Clanachan told BBC Sport. "I said 'you're in the capital of Spain, you might as well be in the capital of Canada as well'. From there it steamrolled."
It was a huge coup for the league, off the back of its inaugural season, to attract one of the world's biggest clubs but also for Ottawa after the city's most high-profile club - Ottawa Fury, who played in the American second-tier USL Championship - folded last year.
It proved a perfect fit for Atletico Madrid, who had planned to add to a portfolio that already included clubs in Mexico and India.
"It's a stamp of approval if you have a club like that, that believes in what you're doing and the innovative way you approach the game," said Clanachan, who hopes to expand the league to at least 14 teams by the time Canada co-hosts the 2026 World Cup.
Ultras, podcasts and homemade tifos… but no football
Fans of Ottawa Fury, who folded last year, will be backing Atletico once the season gets under way
For fans in Ottawa, Atletico's interest came as a shock.
"We went from the heartbreak of losing a team to having one of the biggest clubs in the world investing," said filmmaker Aaron Hooper.
"It was super exciting. Honestly, we thought it was a practical joke - how do they know of our beautiful city? It caught a lot of us off guard."
A hardcore group of fans has existed in Ottawa for about a decade as clubs playing further down the North American pyramid have come and gone, but Hooper hopes Atletico's arrival, and participation in the Canadian top flight, unlocks a much wider audience.
"They're bringing a level of awareness," he said. "The casual fans have been electric. A lot of youths want to go to games. Some people didn't know a team existed prior to this.
"I don't see why the goal can't be to sell out our 24,000-seat stadium.
"The league is here - we have something to support. This is history. We'll be talking to our grandkids about this."
Supporters began to rally with fan groups, including the Bytown Boys, Stony Monday Riot and Capital Ultras, meeting in pubs and planning away days.
Now in lockdown, the focus has switched to podcasts, quizzes, painting tifos and encouraging fans to work on their terrace chants.
"The supporter culture here is pretty tight knit," said Hooper. "We tried to get organised and prepared for this - we want to put a best foot forward with this fresh new start."
Ice hockey team Ottawa Senators, who play in the NHL, are the highest profile sports team in the city but Ottawa could soon witness a new Atletico flavour.
"I hope Atletico will push fan culture to another level and we'll see a presence around the city," said Hooper.
"People have been blown away so far and we're buzzing to see this finally start."
The Atletico project
It has been some job for Atletico Ottawa chief executive Fernando Lopez, who was tasked with assembling a roster, appointing backroom staff and getting the club up and running. He would still like to sign six or seven players once restrictions are lifted.
Lopez is living in a house in Ottawa with Mista and other coaching staff, having cut short the team's pre-season training camp to catch one of the last flights back to Canada.
Mista, the former Atletico Madrid and Valencia forward, had only thee days to work with his players in Spain before they had to rush back because the border was closing.
The 41-year-old was introduced to a squad that was compiled through Atletico's extensive scouting network and an initiative set up by the league, in partnership with analytics company 21st Club, that helps create a worldwide database of young players.
"We believe there is talent and we will be able to work with them once we resume practice," Mista said.
They may have spent only a few days together, but chief executive Lopez expects the squad to all have one thing in common - the Atletico DNA.
"It's important to bring players who know the club, represent our values of hard work, courage," he said. "In most cases we are building teams with the same profile.
"Players have different abilities, skills, behaviours, but we always ask the same of them: commitment, hard work, effort, run, pressure.
"If you see all the Atletico teams, the coaches are different, they all have their own style, but they share all the same philosophy of Atletico Madrid - courage, sacrifice, commitment to the team, work as one."
'They really want to raise Canadian football'
So is Mista a Diego Simeone in the making?
"We have 100-plus years of philosophy to bring from Atletico Madrid," Mista said. "We believe these values will be identifiable in the players.
"Our team will be characterised by defensive excellence and tactical discipline - building a solid base at the foundation of the team, aggressive pressure on the rival, trying to recover balls and control the game as much as possible, impose our philosophy and generate goal locations, keep the ball, have the ball."
At the moment, Mista is having to follow his players' progress online - their running stats are tracked by fitness coaches on Strava with strength and conditioning sessions carried out on Zoom. Players are spread across Canada, with others having returned home to Jamaica and Ghana.
Two of those players, Vashon Neufville and Malyk Hamilton, both spent their youth careers at West Ham and are now enjoying being part of the "Atletico family".
"To have Atletico behind you is a good feeling," said 20-year-old Neufville, a former England youth international who is living in Ottawa with Mexican team-mate Francisco Acuna.
"Everyone is really nice here. They treat you like their family and you're all as one. Me being young, coming so far away from home, they look after me and talk to me all the time."
Hamilton, who moved to England aged 11 to join West Ham, played in the inaugural Canadian Premier League season last year for Cavalry FC in his home province of Alberta, but has been sold on the Atletico Ottawa project.
"If you hear the way they speak about the league and their aspirations for the club, you can tell they really want to raise Canadian football and help it grow as a brand," he said.
"It will definitely draw more eyes to the league and the fact they're willing to invest shows what we have going here."