bbc--2020-05-07--Call for credit card freeze on porn sites

Major credit card companies should block payments to pornographic sites , according to a group of international campaigners and campaign groups who say they work to tackle sexual exploitation .
A letter seen by the BBC , signed by 10 campaigners and campaign groups , says porn sites `` eroticise sexual violence , incest , and racism '' and stream content that features child sexual abuse and sex trafficking .
One leading site , Pornhub , said `` the letter [ was ] not only factually wrong but also intentionally misleading . ''
Mastercard told the BBC they were investigating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sites and would `` terminate their connection to our network '' if illegal activity by a cardholder was confirmed .
The letter was sent to 10 major credit card companies , including the `` Big Three '' , Visa , MasterCard and American Express .
The signatories from countries including the UK , US , India , Uganda and Australia have called for the immediate suspension of payments to pornographic sites .
The signatories of the letter include the conservative non-profit group the National Center on Sexual Exploitation ( NCOSE ) in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women and child rights ' advocacy groups .
The letter alleges it is impossible to `` judge or verify consent in any videos on their site , let alone live webcam videos '' which `` inherently makes pornography websites a target for sex traffickers , child abusers , and others sharing predatory nonconsensual videos '' .
`` We 've been seeing an increasingly global outcry about the harms of pornography sharing websites in a number of ways in recent months , '' said Haley McNamara , the director of the UK-based International Centre @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the NCOSE and a signatory of the letter .
`` We in the international child advocacy and anti-sexual exploitation community are demanding financial institutions to critically analyse their supportive role in the pornography industry , and to cut ties with them , '' she told the BBC .
A report on the appetite for child abuse videos on pornography sites was published in April by India Child Protection Fund ( ICPF ) .
The organisation said there had been a steep increase in demand for child abuse searches on pornography sites in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pornhub , the most popular pornography streaming site , is named in the letter .
In 2019 , it registered more than 42 billion visits , the equivalent of 115 million a day .
Pornhub was under scrutiny last year when one of its content providers - Girls Do Porn - became the subject of an FBI investigation .
The FBI charged four people working for the production company that created the channel of coaxing women into making pornographic films under false pretences .
Pornhub removed the Girls Do Porn channel as soon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the BBC in February regarding this case , Pornhub said its policy was to `` remove unauthorised content as soon as we are made aware of it , which is exactly what we did in this case '' .
In October last year a 30-year-old Florida man , Christopher Johnson , faced charges for sexually abusing a 15 year old .
Videos of the alleged attack had been posted on Pornhub .
In the same statement to the BBC in February , Pornhub said its policy was to `` remove unauthorised content @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of it , which is exactly what we did in this case '' .
The Internet Watch Foundation , a UK organisation that specialises in monitoring online sexual abuse - particularly of children - confirmed to the BBC that they had found 118 instances of child sexual abuse and child rape videos on Pornhub between 2017 and 2019 .
The body works in partnership with global police and governments to flag illegal content .
In a statement to the BBC , a spokesperson for Pornhub said they had `` a steadfast commitment to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ content , including non-consensual and under-age material .
Any suggestion otherwise is categorically and factually inaccurate . ''
`` Our content moderation system is at the forefront of the industry , utilising leading technologies and moderation techniques that create a comprehensive process to detect and rid the platform of any illegal content .
Pornhub said the letter was sent by organisations `` who attempt to police people 's sexual orientation and activity - are not only factually wrong but also intentionally misleading . ''
American Express has had a global policy in place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for adult digital content where the risk is deemed unusually high , with a total ban on online pornography .
In an interview with the Smartmoney website in 2011 , a spokesperson for American Express at the time said this was due to high levels of disputes , and an additional safeguard in the fight against child pornography .
Yet , the organisations also sent the letters to American Express , because they say American Express payment options have been offered on pornography sites - including one that specialises in teenage themed content @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the BBC that while the global policy still stood , American Express had a pilot with one company that allowed for payment to certain pornography streaming websites if the payment was made within the US and on a US consumer credit card .
Other major credit card companies , including Visa and MasterCard , do allow both credit and debit card holders to purchase online pornography .
In an email to the BBC , a spokesperson for Mastercard said they were `` currently investigating the claims referred to us in the letter .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that a bank connects a merchant to our network to accept card payments .
`` If we confirm illegal activity or violations of our rules ( by card holders ) , we will work with the merchant 's bank to either bring them into compliance or to terminate their connection to our network .
`` This is consistent with how we have previously worked with law enforcement agencies and groups like National and International Centers for Missing and Exploited Children . ''
Some moves have been made by online payment companies to distance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ November 2019 , Paypal , the global online payment company , announced it would no longer be supporting payments to Pornhub as their policy forbids supporting `` certain sexually oriented materials or services '' .
In a blog on their site , Pornhub said they were `` devastated '' by the decision and the move would leave thousands of Pornhub models and performers who relied on subscription from the premium services without payment .
A pornography performer who shares material on Pornhub , and who asked to remain anonymous , said a payment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earnings .
`` Honestly , it would be a body blow , '' she said .
`` It would wipe out my entire income and I would n't know how to earn money , especially now in lockdown . ''
Following mounting pressure for more accountability from pornographic sites , Senator Ben Sasse of Nebraska sent a letter to the US Department of Justice in March asking Attorney General William Barr to investigate Pornhub for allegedly streaming acts of rape and exploitation .
In the same month , nine Canadian multi-party parliamentarians wrote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an investigation into MindGeek , the parent company of Pornhub , which has its headquarters in Montreal .
African Network for the Prevention and Protection against Child Abuse and Neglect , Liberia

American Express has had a global policy in place since 2000 that says it prohibits transactions for adult digital content where the risk is deemed unusually high, with a total ban on online pornography. In an interview with the Smartmoney website in 2011, a spokesperson for American Express at the time said this was due to high levels of disputes, and an additional safeguard in the fight against child pornography.


bbc--2020-05-07--VE Day: Berlin marks end of WW2 with unprecedented holiday

Berliners have been given an unprecedented public holiday on Friday , to mark the end of World War Two but also liberation from Nazi rule .
Not since reunification has a German city acknowledged 8 May as a day of liberation and some Berliners are unaware of the date 's significances .
A street party and several events have been cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic .
The holiday is one-off and is not being held outside Berlin .
But there are growing calls for a public holiday to be held across Germany .
What does 8 May mean for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ areas of the old West Germany , 8 May has long been associated with defeat in World War Two .
Many families preferred to draw a veil over the period , both those who had suffered persecution as well as those who had n't .
In the areas of the old communist East Germany , 8 May was taught as `` Day of Liberation '' from the Nazi regime by the victorious Red Army .
Post-war Berlin itself was divided into four sectors - the Soviets in the east and the US , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the latter years of the West German state , the date was also seen as marking liberation from the Nazi regime but nowadays more significantly as the rebirth of democracy .
The only national public holiday currently marking German history is 3 October , which celebrates the date of reunification in 1990 .
`` It 's the principles of democracy that we want to get across , '' explains Moritz van Dülmen , whose Kulturprojekte is behind a number of events .
Although many of the plans for Berlin 's public holiday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ party , an open air exhibition and numerous events at museums , some projects will still take place online .
Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Frank-Walter Steinmeier will lay wreaths at Berlin 's memorial for victims of war and tyranny .
`` We are also keen to reach a young audience , particularly those with a migrant background , who have little knowledge of German history , '' Mr van Dülmen explains .
Remembering history , he argues , is more important than ever in light of recent deadly far-right attacks at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a shisha bar at Hanau near Frankfurt .
Talk to Berliners and many will not see the significance of 8 May as the end of the war , or even the surrender of Nazi Germany .
Many only found out this week that Friday was a public holiday .
Hannelore Steer , who grew up in East Germany , sees the holiday as a good idea as she was used to seeing it celebrated many years ago .
• Fall of Berlin Wall was 'worst night of my life' Weng Yuen believes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happened .
`` 17 June used to be a public holiday in West Germany to remind us of the uprising in East Germany in 1953 .
That 's now largely forgotten particularly with a younger generation , '' she told the BBC .
Berliner Tina Michael , who has two teenage sons , says that 's important as the history curriculum has recently been cut in German schools .
`` As history and geography classes have been merged , a lot of material ca n't be covered any more , '' she complains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a subject for political debate .
Holocaust survivor Esther Bejarano , 95 , wrote an open letter to Mrs Merkel and President Steinmeier calling for 8 May to become a lasting and nationwide public holiday .
She believes it could help Germans appreciate that 8 May 1945 was `` a day of liberation and the crushing of the National Socialist regime '' .
Almost 100,000 people have signed a petition supporting the proposal .
Politicians including Katrin Göring-Eckardt from the Greens and Katja Kipping of the left-wing Linke party have backed her proposal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the day to become a public holiday in Berlin .
Not everyone backs the idea .
The far-right AfD party , which is the biggest opposition force in Germany 's Bundestag , is bitterly opposed to the holiday .
• Just how far to the right is AfD ?
• How far right caused earthquake in German politics Co-leader Alexander Gauland sees 8 May as an `` ambivalent '' date , because while it may have meant liberation for some , it also represents the `` absolute defeat '' of Germany and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Germany '' .
The day is being widely covered by German media , in an attempt to portray the broad array of experiences that Germans had as the war came to an end .

For some, particularly in areas of the old West Germany, 8 May has long been associated with defeat in World War Two. Many families preferred to draw a veil over the period, both those who had suffered persecution as well as those who hadn't.


bbc--2020-05-07--Mark Carney: 'We can't self-isolate from climate change'

The former governor of the Bank of England , Mark Carney , has added his voice to calls for industrialised nations to invest in a greener economic recovery from the Covid-19 crisis .
He shared his comments in an online discussion about climate change with the former Prime Minister of Australia , Malcolm Turnbull .
Both called on nations to accelerate a transition to cleaner energy .
The event was organised by the Policy Exchange think tank .
Mr Carney said that the pandemic was `` a terrible situation , but there was also a big opportunity '' at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a situation with climate change which will involve every country in the world and from which we ca n't self-isolate , '' he added .
• What is Mark Carney 's Bank of England legacy ?
As has rapidly become the socially distant norm , both participants joined the discussion via video conference from their respective homes - setting out how they saw ways in which countries could emerge from the crisis with cleaner , more sustainable economies .
Mr Turnbull , who was Australia 's prime minister from 2015-2018 , issued blunt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ failing to take the science of climate change seriously .
Drawing bleak parallels with the pandemic , Mr Turnbull said Covid-19 was a case of `` biology confronting and shaking the complacency of day-to-day politics with a physical reality of sickness and death '' .
`` The question is , when will the physics of climate change mug the complacency and denialism - just as biology has with respect to the virus . ''
Mr Carney , who stepped down as Bank of England governor in March , just before the UK lockdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time when many industries would have to restructure , this would be a chance `` to try not go back to the status quo '' .
As countries re-launched and rebuilt their economies , they `` should try to leapfrog ahead '' , he said .
He recommended regulatory policies that would push economies more quickly towards greener growth - and a more sustainable future - citing the UK 's plan to phase out petrol and diesel cars by 2035 .
Governments , he added , should also take the opportunity to invest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the transition to greener energy .
Many countries would have the opportunity to invest in sustainable infrastructure , Mr Carney said , pointing out that that opportunity was missed after the 2008 financial crisis .
`` You ca n't wish away the systemic risk , '' he said .
`` In the end , a small investment up front can save a tremendous cost down the road . ''

Mr Carney, who stepped down as Bank of England governor in March, just before the UK lockdown began, explained that, at a time when many industries would have to restructure, this would be a chance "to try not go back to the status quo".


bbc--2020-05-07--Coronavirus contact-tracing: World split between two types of app

Countries around the world are developing Covid-19 smartphone apps to limit the spread of coronavirus and relax lockdown restrictions .
It 's hoped the information they gather can be used to alert people whether they pose a risk of spreading the contagion , and need to isolate .
But , over recent weeks , a split has emerged between two different types of app - the so-called centralised and decentralised versions .
Both types use Bluetooth signals to log when smartphone owners are close to each other - so if someone develops Covid-19 symptoms , an alert can be sent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Under the centralised model , the anonymised data gathered is uploaded to a remote server where matches are made with other contacts , should a person start to develop Covid-19 symptoms .
This is the method the UK is pursuing .
By contrast , the decentralised model gives users more control over their information by keeping it on the phone .
It is there that matches are made with people who may have contracted the virus .
This is the model promoted by Google , Apple and an international consortium .
Both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the centralised model say it can give the authorities more insight into the spread of the virus and how well the app is performing .
Supporters of the decentralised approach say it offers users a higher degree of privacy , protecting them from hackers or the state itself revealing their social contacts .
In truth , both are unproven at this stage .
South Korea , seen as one of the most successful countries at tackling Covid-19 , has done it without a contact-tracing app .
It has however used other surveillance methods @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many .
At the start , the centralised approach was seen pioneering .
Singapore 's TraceTogether was widely viewed as the one to emulate .
But that changed after it emerged the app was only being used by about 20 % of the local population , and there had been a resurgence of Covid-19 cases .
Part of the problem is that TraceTogether does not work properly when in the background on iPhones because of the way Apple restricts use of Bluetooth .
The firm has promised to waive these curbs , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its decentralised system .
Singapore has since signalled it will do so as a result .
`` We are working with Apple and Google to make the app more effective , especially for iOS users , '' a spokesman told the BBC .
Australia , another early adopter of the centralised approach , launched its CovidSafe app based on TraceTogether , and faced similar issues as a consequence .
It has said it plans to adopt the Apple-Google framework , citing a `` big shift in performance of Bluetooth connectivity '' .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was considering a switch after having to turn off the contact-tracing feature in its CoronApp .
`` [ We need to ] minimise the risk of generating unnecessary alerts , '' said presidential advisor Victor Munoz .
Others , though , are still forging ahead with the centralised approach .
France 's digital minister has said it intends to launch its StopCovid app by 2 June , and is attempting to press Apple into a U-turn of its own .
`` Apple could have helped us make the application work even better on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cédric O on Tuesday .
`` They have wished not to do so .
I regret this . ''
But he faces internal resistance from one of the government 's own human rights bodies , which has described the design as being `` dangerous '' and warned it may try to block its adoption .
Norway has already adopted a centralised design for its Smittestopp app , which went live last month in three municipalities .
In addition to Bluetooth readings , it also collects GPS location data .
The developer claims that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` very accurate contact tracing results without the need for [ the Google-Apple interface '' .
But this has raised privacy concerns , which may have contributed to a fairly high drop-out rate .
The Norwegian Institute of Public Health said that as of 28 April , 1.5 million people had downloaded the app , but only 899,142 were actively using it - representing just 20.5 % of over-16s in the test zones .
India 's contact-tracing app , Aaroya Setu , takes a similar approach to Norway 's .
To tackle adoption @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and private sector workers must use it .
Until Apple and Google release their interface , known as an API , it 's impossible to be sure their system will be any more successful .
But the list of nations flocking to it keeps growing .
Germany surprised many when it confirmed it had been convinced decentralisation was the way to go - it had previously seemed set to go hand-in-hand with France .
Poland 's forthcoming app may also be about to abandon its centralised plan before launch .
`` We assume @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Apple APIs will be necessary , '' developers ' notes read .
`` We assume that adapting… to Google and Apple APIs will be necessary . ''
Italy 's Immuni announced it too was backing the US tech giants ' initiative on 29 April , praising its stronger guarantee of anonymity .
Other countries set to do likewise include : Luxembourg 's MPs are about to vote on a decentralised approach .
And the BBC has also been told Greece is about to adopt a similar position .
Why does all this matter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make the two different types of system talk to each other .
`` The core reason is that centralised systems ask you to upload the people you have seen , and decentralised systems do n't need that data , so they do n't play well together , '' explained Dr Michael Veale of the DP3T group , which supports a similar system to Apple and Google .
`` So if you see an app as an important part of reducing lockdown , then you remove the ability to trace the virus as it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ respect borders . ''

Until Apple and Google release their interface, known as an API, it's impossible to be sure their system will be any more successful. But the list of nations flocking to it keeps growing. Germany surprised many when it confirmed it had been convinced decentralisation was the way to go - it had previously seemed set to go hand-in-hand with France.


bbc--2020-05-07--Coronavirus: Germany's Bundesliga to resume behind closed doors on 16 May

The Bundesliga will resume behind closed doors on 16 May , becoming the first European league to restart following the coronavirus shutdown .
One of the games on the day of relaunch will be the derby between Schalke and Borussia Dortmund .
Champions Bayern Munich , who are four points clear at the top of the table , travel to Union Berlin on Sunday .
Most teams have nine games to play , with the final weekend of the season rescheduled for 27-28 June .
The German Football Association ( DFB ) said the season would resume under strict health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .
Christian Seifert , chief executive of the German Football League , said `` it was crucial to resume play '' despite empty stands and other restrictions .
• As well as players and coaching staff , referees will also be subject @ @ @ @ @ @ @ -There was no clarification on the issue of matches being available free-to-air in Germany - talks are under way with broadcasters .
• There were 10 positive results from clubs in the top two divisions following the first series of coronavirus tests , and two in the second series .
On Wednesday , German Chancellor Angela Merkel eased some restrictions , allowing shops to reopen after fewer than 7,000 deaths with coronavirus .
Seifert said : `` The matches will feel different .
After the first matchday , we will all know why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that is the framework we have to operate in and I expect the best possible sport within this framework . ''
Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin said he is `` confident that Germany will provide a shining example '' to the world of football on how to return to action .
`` This is a huge and positive step to bringing optimism back to people 's lives .
It is the result of constructive dialogue and careful planning between the football authorities and politicians , '' he said .
Meanwhile , the executive committee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ represents 85,000 players and athletes across world sport , will meet next week to discuss medical protocols around the return to sport .
It said in a statement : `` All proposals need to be calmly and rigorously assessed by relevant experts with a clear commitment that player health and safety is not negotiable . ''
Union Berlin face leaders Bayern on the Sunday when the league returns but defender Neven Subotic has been critical of how the situation has been handled by the footballing authorities .
German football will continue despite France @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Eredivisie and Belgium 's Pro League being called off .
Subotic told BBC 's World Football programme : `` It is a precarious situation for all of us .
It is going to be impossible to come out of the league with positive remarks , it is just going to be a lot of risk management and trying to get to a finished season with the fewest casualties .
`` We are not going to have games with fans and for me that is what makes it special .
Playing football is fun @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exceptional is the community aspect of it .
`` That is gone and I do n't want to pretend like it is not a huge thing .
It is a huge thing and it is what makes it special .
`` Therefore what I will definitely enjoy is the first game back with fans inside the stadium .
I am looking forward to that and that is my end goal . ''
It 's going to look , sound and feel very different but there is something very exciting about finally having a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the best leagues in world football .
The German Football League ( DFL ) boss Christian Seifert sounded a note of caution though at his press conference , reinforcing the fact that this is quite a fragile situation , saying `` we 're playing under probation '' and adding that they almost have to prove that their health and safety concepts are working on every single match day .
A local derby between fierce rivals Schalke and Borussia Dortmund is a great way to start on paper but it will also highlight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these big games and how disgruntled some of the supporters groups in Germany will be about the Bundesliga being able to continue without them .
The eyes of the Premier League , La Liga and Serie A will be firmly fixed on these early games - because if Germany can make it work , maybe Europe 's other major leagues have a stronger chance too .

Champions and league leaders Bayern Munich will be in action on Sunday 17 May
The Bundesliga will resume behind closed doors on 16 May, becoming the first European league to restart following the coronavirus shutdown.
One of the games on the day of relaunch will be the derby between Schalke and Borussia Dortmund (14:30 BST).
Champions Bayern Munich, who are four points clear at the top of the table, travel to Union Berlin on Sunday.
Most teams have nine games to play, with the final weekend of the season rescheduled for 27-28 June.
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.
Christian Seifert, chief executive of the German Football League, said "it was crucial to resume play" despite empty stands and other restrictions.
Other updates include:
As well as players and coaching staff, referees will also be subject to medical and hygiene regulations.
There was no clarification on the issue of matches being available free-to-air in Germany - talks are under way with broadcasters.
There were 10 positive results from clubs in the top two divisions following the first series of coronavirus tests, and two in the second series.
On Wednesday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel eased some restrictions, allowing shops to reopen after fewer than 7,000 deaths with coronavirus.
Seifert said: "The matches will feel different. After the first matchday, we will all know why we prefer games with fans. But that is the framework we have to operate in and I expect the best possible sport within this framework."
Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin said he is "confident that Germany will provide a shining example" to the world of football on how to return to action.
"This is a huge and positive step to bringing optimism back to people's lives. It is the result of constructive dialogue and careful planning between the football authorities and politicians," he said.
Meanwhile, the executive committee of the World Players Association, which represents 85,000 players and athletes across world sport, will meet next week to discuss medical protocols around the return to sport.
It said in a statement: "All proposals need to be calmly and rigorously assessed by relevant experts with a clear commitment that player health and safety is not negotiable."
'Community aspect' has been lost
Union Berlin face leaders Bayern on the Sunday when the league returns but defender Neven Subotic has been critical of how the situation has been handled by the footballing authorities.
German football will continue despite France's Ligue 1, the Netherlands' Eredivisie and Belgium's Pro League being called off.
Subotic told BBC's World Football programme: "It is a precarious situation for all of us. It is going to be impossible to come out of the league with positive remarks, it is just going to be a lot of risk management and trying to get to a finished season with the fewest casualties.
"We are not going to have games with fans and for me that is what makes it special. Playing football is fun and is challenging but what makes it exceptional is the community aspect of it.
"That is gone and I don't want to pretend like it is not a huge thing. It is a huge thing and it is what makes it special.
"Therefore what I will definitely enjoy is the first game back with fans inside the stadium. I am looking forward to that and that is my end goal."
Analysis
BBC World Service Sport's John Bennett
It's going to look, sound and feel very different but there is something very exciting about finally having a start date for the resumption of one of the best leagues in world football.
The German Football League (DFL) boss Christian Seifert sounded a note of caution though at his press conference, reinforcing the fact that this is quite a fragile situation, saying "we're playing under probation" and adding that they almost have to prove that their health and safety concepts are working on every single match day.
A local derby between fierce rivals Schalke and Borussia Dortmund is a great way to start on paper but it will also highlight how much fans will be missed at these big games and how disgruntled some of the supporters groups in Germany will be about the Bundesliga being able to continue without them.
The eyes of the Premier League, La Liga and Serie A will be firmly fixed on these early games - because if Germany can make it work, maybe Europe's other major leagues have a stronger chance too.
Fixtures (all 14:30 BST unless stated)
Saturday 16 May
Augsburg v Wolfsburg
Borussia Dortmund v Schalke
Fortuna Dusseldorf v Paderborn
Hoffenheim v Hertha Berlin
RB Leipzig v Freiburg
Eintracht Frankfurt v Borussia Monchengladbach (17:30 BST)
Sunday 17 May
Cologne v Mainz
Union Berlin v Bayern Munich (17:00 BST)
Monday 18 May
Werder Bremen v Bayer Leverkusen (19:30 BST)


bbc--2020-05-08--Supermoon lights up night skies around the world

Skywatchers around the world have enjoyed stunning views of this month 's Supermoon , when the Moon appears larger and @ @ @ @ @ when the celestial satellite reaches its closest point to Earth - known as a perigee @ @ @ @ @ opposite side of Earth to the sun .
This month 's supermoon - the third @ @ @ @ @ year - is known as the Flower Moon because of its occurrence in Spring .

The phenomenon happens when the celestial satellite reaches its closest point to Earth - known as a perigee - and is on the opposite side of Earth to the sun.


bbc--2020-05-07--Coronavirus: How they tried to curb Spanish flu pandemic in 1918

It is dangerous to draw too many parallels between coronavirus and the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic , that killed at least 50 million people around the world .
Covid-19 is an entirely new disease , which disproportionately affects older people .
The deadly strain of influenza that swept the globe in 1918 tended to strike those aged between 20 and 30 , with strong immune systems .
But the actions taken by governments and individuals to prevent the spread of infection have a familiar ring to them .
Public Health England studied the Spanish flu outbreak to draw up its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ key lesson being that the second wave of the disease , in the autumn of 1918 , proved to be far more deadly than the first .
The country was still at war when the virus claimed its first recorded victim , in May 1918 .
The UK government , like many others , was caught on the hop .
It appears to have decided that the war effort took precedence over preventing flu deaths .
The disease spread like wildfire in crowded troop transports and munitions factories , and on buses and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Sir Arthur Newsholme for the Royal Society of Medicine .
But a `` memorandum for public use '' he had written in July 1918 , that advised people to stay at home if they were sick and to avoid large gatherings , was buried by the government .
Sir Arthur argued that many lives could have been saved if these rules had been followed , but he added : `` There are national circumstances in which the major duty is to 'carry on ' , even when risk to health and life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there were no treatments for influenza and no antibiotics to treat complications such as pneumonia .
Hospitals were quickly overwhelmed .
There was no centrally imposed lockdown to curb the spread of infection , although many theatres , dance halls , cinemas and churches were closed , in some cases for months .
Pubs , which were already subject to wartime restrictions on opening hours , mostly stayed open .
The Football League and the FA Cup had been cancelled for the war , but there was no effort to cancel other matches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teams playing in regional competitions , and women 's football , which attracted large crowds , continuing throughout the pandemic .
Streets in some towns and cities were sprayed with disinfectant and some people wore anti-germ masks , as they went about their daily lives .
Public health messages were confused - and , just like today , fake news and conspiracy theories abounded , although the general level of ignorance about healthy lifestyles did not help .
In some factories , no-smoking rules were relaxed , in the belief that cigarettes would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debate on the pandemic , Conservative MP Claude Lowther asked : `` Is it a fact that a sure preventative against influenza is cocoa taken three times a day ? ''
Publicity campaigns and leaflets warned against spreading disease through coughs and sneezes .
In November 1918 , the News of the World advised its readers to : `` wash inside nose with soap and water each night and morning ; force yourself to sneeze night and morning , then breathe deeply .
Do not wear a muffler ; take sharp walks regularly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plenty of porridge . ''
No country was untouched by the 1918 pandemic , although the scale of its impact , and of government efforts to protect their populations , varied widely .
In the United States , some states imposed quarantines on their citizens , with mixed results , while others tried to make the wearing of face masks compulsory .
Cinemas , theatres and other places of entertainment were closed across the country .
New York was better prepared than most US cities , having already been through a 20-year campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suffered a lower death rate .
Nevertheless , the city 's health commissioner came under pressure from businesses to keep premises open , particularly movie theatres and other places of entertainment .
Then , as now , fresh air was seen as a potential bulwark against the spread of infection , leading to some ingenious solutions to keep society going .
But it proved impossible to prevent mass gatherings in many US cities , particularly at places of worship .
By the end of the pandemic , the death toll in Britain was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ population are thought to have been infected .
Efforts to kill the virus continued for some time , and the population were more aware than ever of the potentially deadly nature of seasonal influenza .

The flu did not originate in Spain, but Spain was the first country to report deaths from it, leading to the assumption that it must have started there. Spain's newspapers were not subject to wartime censorship, because it was a neutral country. News of the epidemic was initially suppressed in other countries to avoid damaging morale.


bbc--2020-05-07--Africa's week in pictures: 1 - 7 May 2020

And on Friday bathers in Mali cool off in the River Niger , which flows through several West African countries @ @ @ @ @ third largest river .

Image caption,
And on Friday bathers in Mali cool off in the River Niger, which flows through several West African countries and is the continent's third largest river.


bbc--2020-05-07--Quiz of the Week: What's in a (baby) name for Elon Musk?

It 's the weekly news quiz - how closely have you been paying attention to what 's been going on @ @ @ @ @ past seven days ?
If you can not see the quiz , follow this link @ @ @ @ @ quiz via this link .

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


bbc--2020-05-07--Coronavirus lockdown sends solo sailor on Pacific odyssey

One man 's dream to spend three years sailing solo around the Pacific nearly turned to disaster after borders started closing around the region , leaving him stranded alone at sea for three months .
While people around the globe were panic buying and stocking up , he was running low on food and fuel as he sailed between islands trying to find somewhere to dock .
Wong - he only wanted to share his surname - set off from his home country Singapore on 2 February .
It was an adventure the 59-year-old experienced sailor had been meticulously planning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amount of fuel he would need to the weather conditions of the places he was intending to visit .
The plan was to sail from Singapore to Polynesia , a journey that would take about four months , in his luxury yacht .
Once there , he would spend time exploring the region by land and sea .
But he would soon learn that even the best laid plans could go awry - especially in the face of a global pandemic .
For the first leg of his journey , Wong was joined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the initial stages of his journey .
In late February , they disembarked in Indonesia as scheduled and Wong headed on alone to his destination of Papua New Guinea ( PNG ) , where he planned to stock up on fuel and food .
But a few days in , his auto-pilot broke .
`` I was still in Indonesian waters then so I wanted to anchor and take a break and repair my boat .
But I was chased away - they said the lockdown had already begun , '' he told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ OK I would just continue on . ''
A broken autopilot meant he needed to man the ship at all times .
At night , he would set his alarm to ring once every hour , so he could wake up to check his whereabouts .
And his luck did not improve .
As he neared PNG , he found out from his family - whom he kept in touch with by satellite phone - that it had also closed its borders .
He decided he would stop at a small island close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ small island , only around 20-30 families lived there .
There was no telephone , no television , nothing , '' he said .
`` But even they had heard of the lockdown , so they chased me away .
I approached several other islands but they all chased me away .
`` It was then that I got news that the South Pacific islands were all in lockdown , but I was already halfway there - I could n't really turn back .
So I decided to just continue to Tuvalu .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ take the next 13 days .
It was 21 April when he reached Tuvalu .
By this time , he had already spent weeks alone on his boat , and his supplies were running dangerously low .
`` My initial plan , if there was no virus , was that I would stop at each country for a while , buy some fuel and food , '' he said .
`` By this time , the vegetables were all spoilt but I still could keep things like meat and things like potatoes as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' He was about two hours from Tuvalu waters when he was discovered by maritime officials - who again , told him to leave .
`` I pleaded with them and said 'Please , I do n't have any more fuel and food .
I wo n't anchor and step on land , just let me stay in your waters , ' '' he said .
But they said no .
`` I said I did n't have anywhere to go and they said to head back to the ocean .
At last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ buy some food and fuel . ''
He passed them nearly US $ 1,400 ( £1,133 ) in exchange for 1,000 litres of diesel and approximately a month 's worth of food .
A boat carrying both these things eventually arrived , but they could n't approach Wong due to social distancing rules .
`` I pulled out my small rubber boat and pushed it their way , and they put the goods there and I would tow it back .
We took a lot of time pulling it back and forth .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ head towards Fiji .
During this time , his family back home in Singapore got in touch with Singapore 's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and tried to secure a place for him to dock in Fiji .
All he could do then was wait and hope for the best .
His options were running low but then he hit a real low point after his boat hit coral .
`` It was sometime in April that my propeller was damaged .
I remember on that day , huge winds started picking up - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
He later found out that he was some 500 nautical miles ( 926 km ) away from Cyclone Harold - the storm that ravaged the Pacific Islands , killing dozens .
`` I was very far away but I still felt it .
The winds blew my boat and it hit something , causing one of my propellers to spoil , '' he said .
But thankfully , he soon received word that the Fiji government had agreed to take him in .
`` I was so happy and relieved when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really thankful to the Fijian government and to Singapore 's Ministry of Foreign Affairs for co-ordinating , '' he said .
A navy boat was sent out to tow him in and he eventually docked in Fiji on 29 April - after almost three months of wandering the sea .
`` Mr Wong was fatigued after incurring damages to his yacht and had minimal rest and [ was ] running short of food supplies , '' Commander Tim Natuva of the Fiji Navy told BBC News .
Cmdr Natuva said the rescue effort @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Fiji including customs , immigration , navy and the ministry of health .
Fiji , which has a population of about 880,000 , currently has 18 confirmed cases of the virus - one of the few nations in the South Pacific to have any reported virus cases .
Cmdr Natuva said the rescue itself was `` fairly simple '' but `` needed some adjustments '' because of the virus restrictions .
• How do you stay at home if your home is destroyed ?
But it was a success - Wong eventually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to hospital where he had to undergo a swab test .
The test , of course , came back negative .
`` If it had come back positive - I really do n't know how that would have happened !
I had n't seen anyone for months at that point ! ''
he joked .
When asked how he felt about being rejected from every country , his tone remained upbeat , saying : `` Those countries did what they had to do .
If they had let me in and someone had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could they explain the incident to their citizens ?
`` One thing that surprised me was that even those small islands with no wifi and television , even they felt the effects of the virus so strongly .
I really felt for them . ''
Wong has since been discharged but remains in Fiji working on repairing his yacht , waiting for the chance to resume his trip .
`` I hope this is outbreak is something we 'll all be able to get through , '' he said .
`` And after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my voyage . ''

"It was sometime in April that my propeller was damaged. I remember on that day, huge winds started picking up - they were really strong," he said. He later found out that he was some 500 nautical miles (926 km) away from Cyclone Harold - the storm that ravaged the Pacific Islands, killing dozens.


bbc--2020-05-07--India coronavirus: Why celebrating Covid-19 'success models' is dangerous

As India continues to fight the spread of coronavirus , a few 'successful ' efforts at containing the infection have been touted as 'models ' , celebrated and mimicked across the country .
But experts say such premature euphoria can be dangerous .
The BBC 's Vikas Pandey reports .
The northern Indian city of Agra , home to the iconic Taj Mahal , was one of the first Indian cities to report a positive case of coronavirus back in early March .
It continued to report cases throughout the month but managed to slow down the spread - and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' was born .
It trended as a hashtag on social media , the federal government was full of praise and Uttar Pradesh state chief minister Yogi Adityanath was credited for its success .
But things changed within days .
As the month of April started , the number of cases started doubling quickly and the early success started to unravel .
The model had relied heavily on strictly containing affected areas and isolating suspected cases .
But as the virus spread to newer areas , authorities had to look for other options @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now has more than 600 cases - more than any other city in the state and the much-feted Agra model disappeared from the news cycle .
It just goes to prove such early celebrations involve `` great risks '' , says prominent virologist Dr Shahid Jameel .
`` Such euphoria makes people let their guard down and that can be dangerous , '' he says .
Several experts , including Dr Jameel , point out that there is so little known about the novel coronavirus , the existence of which was only discovered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't had enough time to study it properly .
`` That makes Covid-19 so dangerous , '' he adds .
Take , for example , the discovery that `` the virus can be found in the sputum '' of those affected for up to 30 days .
`` So you ca n't feel victorious even after you have successfully treated all your patients .
Being vigilant is the only option . ''
In Agra , authorities were quick to define containment zones and they went for aggressive contact tracing .
`` But it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ran the risk of undoing all the good work authorities had done , '' Dr Jameel adds .
Another problem of celebrating such models is that other states and districts rush to replicate it .
`` Such models are area specific and can not be replicated .
One size does n't fit all .
We can of course learn from different models , '' he adds .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : How do I protect myself ?
• CONTACT-TRACING APPS : Why are there doubts ?
Take the example of Kerala @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in its healthcare network for years .
When coronavirus hit the state , it was well prepared .
Officials were quick to identify , isolate and treat patients .
It also used technology in contact tracing and also in finding suspected hotspots quickly to halt the spread .
But does that make Kerala a success model ?
Dr A Fathahudeen , who is the nodal officer for COVID-19 treatment in Ernakulam district , is against the idea of calling any place a success model yet .
`` We have seen resurgence of cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are some cases where we have n't been able to find the source of the infection , '' he says .
He argues that things change `` so fast with this virus '' that nobody can afford to relax .
`` If you celebrate such models , then you will have dead bodies to answer for . ''
Dr Fathahudeen says such models should be studied by scientists but they have n't had enough time to do that .
The problem starts , he adds , when `` politicians start declaring successes without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( politicians ) often do n't realise that what worked in Kerala will not work in a densely populated slum like Dharawi in Mumbai , '' he said .
Indeed , Dr Kant believes that most of these models rely on `` containing people from going out '' , but we are still `` far away from containing the virus '' .
`` So that distinction has to be made , '' he says .
`` Behaviour of individuals , population density , travel history and health infrastructure - all these factors come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be adapted , but not adopted . ''
Public health expert Anant Bhan agrees .
He believes that each state , and possibly each district , needs to evaluate its own response .
`` There ca n't be a uniform model in such a diverse country like India , '' he adds .
Mr Bhan says that euphoria over such success models can also put frontline workers at risk .
`` The possibility of complacency become real when people , including frontline workers , get false hope of a success , '' he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to acknowledge and learn from the positives when any place does well , but `` definitely not celebrate it as an end '' .
The state of Rajasthan is an example that shows why one model can not be applied in two places .
While the state government has been able to contain the spread in the town of Bhilwara , it has struggled to do the same in the capital Jaipur , which has been ravaged by the virus .
And then there are global models that have also been celebrated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Headlines across the world congratulated Singapore for containing the spread .
But the country saw a second wave and had to announce a lockdown .
Dr Leong Hoe Nam , an infectious diseases expert at Singapore 's Mount Elizabeth Novena hospital , says Singapore did well with measures like social distancing .
`` But this virus is sneaky , the risk was always there and it made a comeback , '' he adds .
He adds that `` shortcuts or celebrations '' can quickly come back to haunt you .
`` All @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your success and no country in the world can afford to do that . ''

The state of Rajasthan is an example that shows why one model cannot be applied in two places. While the state government has been able to contain the spread in the town of Bhilwara, it has struggled to do the same in the capital Jaipur, which has been ravaged by the virus.


bbc--2020-05-07--Coronavirus: Seed sales soar as more of us become budding gardeners

Jere Gettle 's garden seeds company had n't seen anything like it before .
`` The biggest day we 've had in our 22-year history was Monday , 30 March , '' says the owner of Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds in Mansfield , Missouri .
`` We had over 10,000 orders , up 10 times on what our normal would be .
It was totally overwhelming . ''
When most of the world went into lockdown in March , in response to the coronavirus pandemic , the fear of food shortages was an immediate concern for many of us .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ into supermarkets , and when you finally got inside it was only to find that shelves had been stripped bare by panic buyers .
For a great many people it appears that their reaction was to decide to start growing their own vegetables .
Helpfully , it was the start of spring planting season in the northern hemisphere .
Mr Gettle 's company , the largest seller of heritage variety vegetable and flower seeds in the US , ran out of half of its stock , as buyers rushed to its website so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ potatoes , and spinach to corn .
`` The whole seed industry has n't seen anything like this since the Great Depression , '' he explains .
He says that the last time his business saw a similar , but smaller , spike in sales was after the 2008 recession , and following the 1999 `` millennium bug '' fears .
`` And it 's not just food [ this time ] .
It 's flowers , herbs , everything is selling at unbelievable rates . ''
In the UK it is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a business that is owned and run by its members .
Due to what it says is `` exceptional demand '' , at a time when staffing numbers are lower , it is having to limit the time its website is open for online sales to a window of just two hours every Sunday evening .
David Price , the Seed Co-operative 's managing director , says that orders had been as much as six times higher than a year ago .
`` We 've had good levels of stock , but lots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' says Mr Price .
He is concerned that current demand for seeds could mean that supplies are limited in the coming years .
`` We 're running on multi-annual production schedules , so it could become a real issue in a few years , when seed supply has n't had time to replenish . ''
While the UK historically had hundreds of farming companies that specialised in seed production , the industry has dwindled .
As a result , Mr Price says UK firms like his have to source most of their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Netherlands is , in fact , the world 's largest exporter of seeds for cultivation , followed by the US , France and Germany .
While people who have their own gardens obviously have an advantage when it comes to growing their own crops , windowsills can work fine for smaller plants and vegetables .
In Berlin , Alica Ferrer and her friend Lena Müller launched their indoor gardening box business Gruneo just two weeks before coronavirus hit Europe .
A fortnight later they saw online interest soar for their herb and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plant , lettuce and cherry tomatoes .
Ms Ferrer says she came up with the idea for the start-up after she started to grow her own food inside her Berlin apartment .
Gini , one of Gruneo 's first customers , bought a herb box as a gift to her grandfather Bernd , who previously had a big garden , before he eventually had to downsize .
`` He is not the guy for buying salad at a grocery store , '' says Gini .
`` But home-grown lettuce and tomatoes are a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of us are growing vegetables at home as a result of coronavirus , online sales of flower seeds have also soared , as both the Seed Co-operative and Baker Creek Seeds confirm .
More from the BBC 's series taking an international perspective on trade : • How will airlines get flying again ?
• Will we ever take cruise holidays again ?
Perhaps people stuck at home simply have more time on their hands , and are therefore focusing more on their gardens .
Or maybe the continuing pandemic is making people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Scottish firm Kabloom , which sells wildflower `` seedboms '' , says it has seen its sales soar tenfold since the end of March .
Its starch-based , compostable , hand-grenade shaped plantable containers are full of compost and seeds .
In the Dyfi Valley , in mid Wales , sisters Tala Sutton , eight , and Sirena , five , have joined a community-wide scheme to grow more flowers .
`` I quite like watching the plants grow , '' says Tala .
`` I ca n't wait to see how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Baker Creek , Mr Gettle now plans to source a five-year supply of seeds rather than his previous two years .
He says that the global seed industry `` needs to build a bigger safety net '' .
Getting seeds to farmers is obviously most vital , and the International Seed Federation , which represents the industry , says its members are continuing to work hard to make sure supplies are uninterrupted as the pandemic continues .
`` The seed sector belongs to the category of essential services , and continues [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of seed to farmers , '' it says .
But if you are n't a farmer , and you fancy trying your hand at growing your own vegetables , what should you try first ?
`` Start with beets , which are fun , and easy to grow , '' he says .
`` You may have bad results [ to begin with ] , but do n't give up . ''

Getting seeds to farmers is obviously most vital, and the International Seed Federation, which represents the industry, says its members are continuing to work hard to make sure supplies are uninterrupted as the pandemic continues. "The seed sector belongs to the category of essential services, and continues [to] work to sustain the delivery of seed to farmers," it says.


bbc--2020-05-07--Coronavirus bailouts: Which country has the most generous deal?

Coronavirus shutdowns around the world have pushed countries into crisis-mode , prompting a massive rescue spending in an effort to soften the blow from what is expected to be the worst economic contraction since the 1930s .
As of 7 April , countries around the world had approved more than $ 4.5tn worth of emergency measures , according to the IMF .
That figure has only grown in the weeks since .
So how do the responses compare ?
Columbia economics professor Ceyhun Elgin has been working with colleagues around the world to track the responses in 166 countries .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been among the most aggressive , with a spending package estimated at roughly 20 % of the country 's economy .
( It is topped only by Malta , which benefits from European Union funds . )
That compares to rescue spending estimated at roughly 14 % of GDP in the US , 11 % in Australia , 8.4 % in Canada , 5 % in the UK , 1.5 % in Colombia and 0.6 % in Gambia .
But that ranking looks different if measures beyond spending , such as central @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the biggest European countries , for example , government pledges to guarantee new loans provided to businesses hurt by the shutdowns - a move meant to keep banks lending and stave off bankruptcies - has accounted for a major part of the response .
America 's central bank has also stepped in with lending programmes with a similar aim .
Factoring in those kinds of actions puts France at the top of the pack and moves the UK into fifth place , instead of 47th .
• Coronavirus : India 's bailout may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Elgin says the biggest responses have occurred in countries that are richer , older - and have fewer hospital beds .
Countries like the US and Japan are also in a better position to finance new spending , since investor willingness to buy their bonds means they benefit from low borrowing costs .
However Prof Elgin says size should n't be mistaken for effectiveness , noting that countries are deploying funds differently .
`` All the different contents in these packages , they might have different multiplier effects , creating different outcomes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ companies tends to be a phenomenon of `` advanced economies '' , says Paolo Mauro , deputy director of the IMF 's fiscal affairs department .
While the sums involved are potentially significant , he says such programmes tend to be relatively low risk , since many firms will be able to repay the loans as planned .
Meanwhile , some poorer countries have prepared responses , but will need to get money from international organisations and other donors to execute .
Some strategies can be found in relief plans around the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many countries , the aid is targeted at the poor or people working in the informal economy and unlikely to get assistance through other programmes ; or else conditioned on a person 's job having been affected by shutdowns .
Canada , for example , is providing CAD 2,000 ( £1,150 ; $ 1,400 ) per month for up to four months to those who have lost income due to the pandemic , while Costa Rica is funding a monthly allowance of $ 220 ( £177 ) for people who have lost their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US and some countries in Asia have taken an even broader approach .
All Americans earning under $ 99,000 - an estimated 90 % of households - are due to receive as much as $ 1,200 ( £964 ) per adult , while South Korea 's central government is sending cheques of up to KRW 1 million ( £659 ; $ 820 ) to families in the bottom 70 % income bracket .
Hong Kong in February announced a handout of $ 10,000 Hong Kong dollar ( $ 1,280 ; £985 ) per @ @ @ @ @ @ @ JPY 100,000 ( £752 ; $ 931 ) per person , and Singapore $ S600 ( £340 ; $ 422 ) .
• Where America 's $ 1,200 payments are going - food , bidets , guns • Hong Kong to give cash gift of $ 1,200 to residents In Europe , in contrast , many countries have opted against one-off bonuses and are relying on relatively strong existing safety net programmes , like the UK 's Universal Credit , to meet the increased needs .
`` The difference is in what economists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Mauro of the IMF .
`` The discretionary response is very large in the United States but when you 're comparing you need to take into account that actually more needs to be done in the US because the social safety nets are smaller . ''
Another common strategy has been government programmes that help cover payrolls for companies suffering from lockdown measures .
The hope is that if firms retain staff it will help the economy bounce back more quickly once the restrictions are lifted .
The Netherlands has put forward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pledging to replace up to 90 % of wage costs for eligible companies , while France is offering to cover 84 % of the gross wage - and up to 100 % if a worker makes minimum wage .
The UK 's scheme will pay 80 % of earnings of furloughed staff up to £2,500 per employee per month , for at least three months , while Canada will cover 75 % of wages for up to three months .
• Will government rescue package be enough for firms ?
• 'What I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to survive' Many of these plans build on existing `` short-term work '' programmes .
The US , where such programmes were not already widespread , has taken a less direct approach , dedicating more than $ 650bn to business loans , which do not have to be repaid if firms maintain staffing levels and spend the majority on wages within two months .
The so-called the Paycheck Protection Program has been overwhelmed by demand but it has also been roiled in controversy .
There has been widespread outcry about large companies sucking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been pitched as relief for small businesses .
Other firms have criticised the rules focusing the spending on payrolls , arguing that it is other expenses that threaten their survival , while low-wage staff may be better off receiving newly expanded unemployment benefits .
Providing wage subsidies makes sense if the shutdowns are brief , says Daniel Bunn , vice-president of global projects at the Tax Foundation , a Washington think tank .
But they are likely to be less effective if they persist , and significantly alter the contours of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knowing how long the economic shutdown is going to last or what position businesses or families or workers will be in on the other side of this , '' he says .
For now , he says many countries with the funds on hand have decided to err on the side of doing too much - and it 's too early to tell whether even that will be enough .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : How do I protect myself ?
• AVOIDING CONTACT : The rules on self-isolation and exercise • TESTING @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?

"The difference is in what economists call the automatic stabilisers," says Mr Mauro of the IMF. "The discretionary response is very large in the United States but when you're comparing you need to take into account that actually more needs to be done in the US because the social safety nets are smaller."


bbc--2020-05-07--Clubs discuss variety of kick-off times and free-to-air options

Premier League clubs have discussed increasing the variety of kick-off times if the season resumes .
Project Restart involves the league returning in June and finishing at the end of July to fit in with Uefa 's European competition plans .
The Premier League is also in talks with broadcasters , the government and clubs about showing some behind-closed-doors games on free-to-air television .
Of the 92 matches left this season , 47 will be available on Sky or BT .
But there are discussions with the Premier League 's broadcast partners about what would be reasonable in making the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mean games being streamed live on the Premier League 's or a broadcaster 's YouTube channel .
Last month , Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden told a Department for Digital , Culture , Media and Sport select committee : `` I have said to the Premier League it would n't send the best signal if they were one of the first major sports to resume behind closed doors and the public at large could n't have access to it . ''
In early April , Uefa lifted the ban on showing games starting at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TV in England and Scotland following requests from the Football Association and the Scottish Football Association .
The blackout has long been in place during the English and Scottish season to protect attendances .

Last updated on .From the section Premier League
The Premier League hopes to resume action in June
Premier League clubs have discussed increasing the variety of kick-off times if the season resumes.
Project Restart involves the league returning in June and finishing at the end of July to fit in with Uefa's European competition plans.
The Premier League is also in talks with broadcasters, the government and clubs about showing some behind-closed-doors games on free-to-air television.
Of the 92 matches left this season, 47 will be available on Sky or BT.
But there are discussions with the Premier League's broadcast partners about what would be reasonable in making the other 45 games free-to-air. That could mean games being streamed live on the Premier League's or a broadcaster's YouTube channel.
Last month, Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden told a Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport select committee: "I have said to the Premier League it wouldn't send the best signal if they were one of the first major sports to resume behind closed doors and the public at large couldn't have access to it."
Changing kick-off times was discussed at Friday's shareholders meeting.
In early April, Uefa lifted the ban on showing games starting at 15:00 BST on a Saturday live on TV in England and Scotland following requests from the Football Association and the Scottish Football Association.
The blackout has long been in place during the English and Scottish season to protect attendances.


bbc--2020-05-07--F1 may not race in 2020, say bosses, as sport reports losses

Formula 1 chairman Chase Carey has admitted that the sport 's owners are preparing for `` the remote possibility of no racing in 2020 '' .
He said they discussed with lenders how to handle the loss of income involved in not being able to run a season .
But he emphasised : `` We are increasingly confident - although there are no guarantees - that we will have a 2020 championship season . ''
F1 released figures showing income fell by 84 % in the first quarter of 2020 .
Owner Liberty Media said F1 's revenue in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( £31.6m ) compared to $ 246m ( £199m ) in the same period in 2019 .
• ' I 'm more sociable now than I 've ever been ' - Jamie Chadwick column The records do not include any income received for the two races called off in that period in Australia and Bahrain , or any revenue from broadcasting rights .
Carey , who was speaking on a conference call with investors after the release of the first-quarter results , said the coronavirus crisis had had `` a significant impact on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ways '' .
The figures reflect the difficulty created for F1 by the lack of racing , with all the sport 's main revenue streams facing disruption , and the importance of running a season this year .
Carey said the `` goal '' remained to start the season in Austria on the first weekend in July , and that it was `` likely '' this would be followed by a second race at the Red Bull Ring the on 11-12 July .
He said he believed it would be possible to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the plan was for a series of European races through August and into September , before heading to Eurasia , Asia , the Americas and the Middle East , finishing on 13 December .
`` We expect the European races to be without fans , '' Carey said , adding that he was working through the methods by which teams could get to the races without adding to the risk of spreading coronavirus .
`` We are making good headway on having races that can be secure and safe for everyone , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We hope to be able to allow fans to attend in the latter part of the year '' and that he was `` increasingly positive about the number of locations that will be able and want to host a race this year '' .
A series of internal transactions at F1 owner the Liberty Media Group gave the sport an extra $ 1.4bn of liquidity to deal with the effects of the coronavirus crisis .
Carey said : `` We expect the impact of the coronavirus on the wider world will continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ return to the growth curve we were on a few months ago . ''
The sport has made a series of moves in recent weeks to reduce costs for teams in the wake of the coronavirus crisis .
These include delaying a major regulation change planned for 2021 until 2022 , forcing teams to use their 2020 cars next season and a move to lower the budget cap that is planned to be introduced next year .

Testing times: will February's test sessions in Barcelona be the only on-track action we will see this year?
Formula 1 chairman Chase Carey has admitted that the sport's owners are preparing for "the remote possibility of no racing in 2020".
He said they discussed with lenders how to handle the loss of income involved in not being able to run a season.
But he emphasised: "We are increasingly confident - although there are no guarantees - that we will have a 2020 championship season."
F1 released figures showing income fell by 84% in the first quarter of 2020.
Owner Liberty Media said F1's revenue in the first quarter of 2020 was $39m (£31.6m) compared to $246m (£199m) in the same period in 2019.
The records do not include any income received for the two races called off in that period in Australia and Bahrain, or any revenue from broadcasting rights.
Carey, who was speaking on a conference call with investors after the release of the first-quarter results, said the coronavirus crisis had had "a significant impact on F1 and we are adjusting in numerous ways".
The figures reflect the difficulty created for F1 by the lack of racing, with all the sport's main revenue streams facing disruption, and the importance of running a season this year.
Carey said the "goal" remained to start the season in Austria on the first weekend in July, and that it was "likely" this would be followed by a second race at the Red Bull Ring the on 11-12 July.
He said he believed it would be possible to have a championship of 15-18 races, and that the plan was for a series of European races through August and into September, before heading to Eurasia, Asia, the Americas and the Middle East, finishing on 13 December.
"We expect the European races to be without fans," Carey said, adding that he was working through the methods by which teams could get to the races without adding to the risk of spreading coronavirus.
"We are making good headway on having races that can be secure and safe for everyone," he said.
Carey added: "We hope to be able to allow fans to attend in the latter part of the year" and that he was "increasingly positive about the number of locations that will be able and want to host a race this year".
A series of internal transactions at F1 owner the Liberty Media Group gave the sport an extra $1.4bn of liquidity to deal with the effects of the coronavirus crisis.
Carey said: "We expect the impact of the coronavirus on the wider world will continue, but we feel well positioned to return to the growth curve we were on a few months ago."
The sport has made a series of moves in recent weeks to reduce costs for teams in the wake of the coronavirus crisis.
These include delaying a major regulation change planned for 2021 until 2022, forcing teams to use their 2020 cars next season and a move to lower the budget cap that is planned to be introduced next year.


bbc--2020-05-07--Saracens players apologise for lockdown breach

A group of Saracens players have apologised after breaking the coronavirus lockdown regulations .
England 's Billy Vunipola , Alex Goode and Nick Isiekwe , Scotland back Sean Maitland and prop Josh Ibuanokpe were reportedly spotted in St Albans .
The Premiership season is currently suspended because of the pandemic .
`` Management has spoken to the players involved , all of whom accept that they made an error in judgement , '' said a Saracens statement .
`` The club has reminded these players as well as the whole Saracens squad of their responsibilities to themselves and the community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this will not happen again . ''
Although the Premiership season has yet to be concluded , reigning champions Saracens have already been relegated following a 70-point deduction for persistent breaches of salary cap regulations .
Their place in the top flight has been awarded to runaway Championship leaders Newcastle Falcons , despite their season being ended prematurely .
Vunipola 's season has been punctuated by injuries , which forced him to miss all of England 's Six Nations campaign so far .
The tournament has yet to be concluded because the final @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be postponed because of coronavirus .

Last updated on .From the section Rugby Union
Alex Goode and Billy Vunipola were reportedly among the group photographed having coffee together
A group of Saracens players have apologised after breaking the coronavirus lockdown regulations.
England's Billy Vunipola, Alex Goode and Nick Isiekwe, Scotland back Sean Maitland and prop Josh Ibuanokpe were reportedly spotted in St Albans.
The Premiership season is currently suspended because of the pandemic.
"Management has spoken to the players involved, all of whom accept that they made an error in judgement," said a Saracens statement.
"The club has reminded these players as well as the whole Saracens squad of their responsibilities to themselves and the community around them and we are confident that this will not happen again."
Although the Premiership season has yet to be concluded, reigning champions Saracens have already been relegated following a 70-point deduction for persistent breaches of salary cap regulations.
Their place in the top flight has been awarded to runaway Championship leaders Newcastle Falcons, despite their season being ended prematurely.
Vunipola's season has been punctuated by injuries, which forced him to miss all of England's Six Nations campaign so far.
The tournament has yet to be concluded because the final round of fixtures in March had to be postponed because of coronavirus.


bbc--2020-05-07--Newcastle will pay £70m for Coutinho - gossip

Newcastle will spend 80m euros ( £70m ) on Barcelona and Brazil midfielder Philippe Coutinho if the club 's proposed takeover goes through .
The 27-year-old is currently on loan at Bayern Munich .
( Mundo Deportivo - in Spanish ) Newcastle 's potential new owners also want to sign Napoli and Senegal centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly .
The 28-year-old is expected to leave the Italian club this summer for around £69.8m .
( Sky Sports via Star ) However , Koulibaly is also considering a move to Liverpool .
( Calciomercato - in Italian ) Borussia Dortmund expect England winger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the club , despite continued interest from Manchester United .
( Sky Sports ) Arsenal could be given the chance to sign Inter Milan striker Mauro Icardi , 27 , as a direct replacement for Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang .
Aubameyang , 30 , is out of contract next season , while Argentine Icardi is currently on loan at Paris St-Germain .
( Tuttosport via Teamtalk ) The Gunners are also close to securing an agreement with free agent George Lewis .
The Norwegian winger , 19 , was previously at Tromso @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teenager Marc Jurado , 16 , has turned down an offer of a professional contract with the Spanish club .
The right-back is set to join Manchester United in the summer .
( ESPN ) Chelsea target Dries Mertens has yet to agree a contract extension with Napoli .
The Belgian forward , 33 , is out of contract in the summer .
( Calciomercato - in Italian ) Chelsea , Manchester United and Tottenham are all interested in Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic .
The Serbian , 25 , will be allowed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
( Mail ) Kosovo and Wolfsburg winger Milot Rashica , 23 , is a transfer target for Liverpool , the president of the Kosovo football federation has said .
( Standard ) Championship leaders Leeds United are the favourites to sign Linfield midfielder Charlie Allen .
The Northern Irishman , 17 , has attracted interest from Chelsea , Tottenham and Liverpool .
( Yorkshire Post ) Chelsea are interested in Monaco defender Fode Ballo Toure .
The Frenchman , 23 , is under contract until 2023 .
( Foot Mercato - in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ denied that Arsenal want to sell the Armenian .
Mino Raiola said the rumours about the midfielder , 31 , were `` fake news '' .
( Express ) Barcelona 's Croatian midfielder Ivan Rakitic , 32 , says he is not thinking about leaving the club , despite his contract expiring in 2021 .
( Sky Germany - in German )

Last updated on .From the section Gossip
Newcastle United will spend 80m euros (£70m) on Barcelona and Brazil midfielder Philippe Coutinho if the club's proposed takeover goes through. The 27-year-old is on loan at Bayern Munich. (Mundo Deportivo - in Spanish) external-link
Newcastle's potential new owners also want to sign Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly. The 28-year-old is expected to leave the Italian club this summer for about £69.8m. (Sky Sports via Star) external-link
However, Senegal international Koulibaly is also considering a move to Liverpool. (Calciomercato - in Italian) external-link
Borussia Dortmund expect England winger Jadon Sancho, 20, to remain at the club, despite continued interest from Manchester United. (Sky Sports) external-link
Arsenal could be given the chance to sign Inter Milan forward Mauro Icardi, 27, as a direct replacement for Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Aubameyang, 30, is out of contract next season, while Argentine Icardi is on loan at Paris St-Germain. (Tuttosport, via Teamtalk) external-link
The Gunners are also close to securing an agreement with free agent George Lewis. The Norwegian winger, 19, was previously at Tromso. (Goal, via Metro) external-link
Manchester United are stepping up their pursuit of Aston Villa's English midfielder Jack Grealish, 24, in what could be a £50m move. (Sun) external-link
Barcelona defender Marc Jurado, 16, has turned down an offer of a professional contract with the Spanish giant and is set to join Manchester United in the summer. (ESPN) external-link
Leicester City's England left-back Ben Chilwell, 23, is a top target for Tottenham Hotspur as manager Jose Mourinho plans an overhaul of his defence. (Foot Mercato) external-link
Chelsea target Dries Mertens has yet to agree a contract extension with Napoli. The Belgian forward, 33, is out of contract in the summer. (Calciomercato - in Italian) external-link
Chelsea, Manchester United and Spurs are all interested in Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. The Serb, 25, will be allowed to leave the club for upwards of £80m. (Mail) external-link
Kosovo and Wolfsburg winger Milot Rashica, 23, is a transfer target for Liverpool, the president of Kosovo's football federation has said.(Standard) external-link
Championship leaders Leeds United are the favourites to sign Linfield midfielder Charlie Allen. The Northern Irishman, 17, has attracted interest from Chelsea, Tottenham and Liverpool. (Yorkshire Post) external-link
Aston Villa and Newcastle want Al-Nassr and Morrocco striker Abderrazak Hamdallah, 29. (Foot Mercato - in French) external-link
Monaco's French winger Samuel Grandsir, 23, has attracted the interest of Burnley. (TF1, via Get French Football) external-link
Henrikh Mkhitaryan's agent has denied that Arsenal want to sell the Armenian. Mino Raiola said the rumours about the midfielder, 31, were "fake news". (Express) external-link
Barcelona's Croatia midfielder Ivan Rakitic, 32, says he is not thinking about leaving the club, despite his contract expiring in 2021. (Sky Germany - in German) external-link


bbc--2020-05-07--Joshua's next fight could be in Roman amphitheatre, says Pulev's manager

Last updated on .From the section Boxing Anthony Joshua 's next bout could take place in a Roman amphitheatre in Croatia , says the manager of mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev .
The fight was postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic and no alternative date or venue has since been set .
`` We are discussing Croatia , '' said Pulev 's manager Ivaylo Gotsev .
`` There is a unique Roman stadium - Pula Arena - and we are in active talks . ''
Gotsev claims both camps have set aside four weeks to find a new venue if coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change , with targets set to deliver the bout in August or September .
Boxing is currently shut down in the UK and the British Boxing Board of Control is preparing for bouts to return behind closed doors in July .
Joshua 's promoter Eddie Hearn has said staging the world title bout behind closed doors was only going to be considered a `` last resort '' .
And Gotsev believes the Croatia venue would allow fans to attend if the necessary safety measures were in place .
`` We like this option @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the middle of the continent , '' Gotsev added .
`` There will also be an opportunity for spectators with the right measures taken .
`` There needs to be a mutual agreement .
We want the terms and conditions to be beneficial for both parties .
They ca n't meet in Bulgaria because Joshua will not agree . ''
Joshua was initially scheduled to fight Pulev at Cardiff 's Principality Stadium in October 2017 but the 34-year-old Bulgarian , known as `` The Cobra '' , withdrew after suffering a shoulder injury @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bulgaria 's most popular sportsmen , suffered his only career defeat when he challenged for the IBF world heavyweight title in 2014 , losing to Wladimir Klitschko in Hamburg on a fifth-round knockout .
His record stands at 28 wins from 29 bouts , while Joshua has 23 wins from 24 .

Last updated on .From the section Boxing
Pula Arena has staged big-name concerts
Anthony Joshua's next bout could take place in a Roman amphitheatre in Croatia, says the manager of mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev.
Briton Joshua, 30, was meant to defend his IBF, WBA and WBO world heavyweight titles against Bulgaria's Pulev at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on 20 June.
The fight was postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic and no alternative date or venue has since been set.
"We are discussing Croatia," said Pulev's manager Ivaylo Gotsev.
"There is a unique Roman stadium - Pula Arena - and we are in active talks."
Gotsev claims both camps have set aside four weeks to find a new venue if coronavirus measures in place in England do not change, with targets set to deliver the bout in August or September.
Joshua was meant to fight Pulev in 2017 and on 20 June but both were called off
Boxing is currently shut down in the UK and the British Boxing Board of Control is preparing for bouts to return behind closed doors in July.
Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn has said staging the world title bout behind closed doors was only going to be considered a "last resort".
And Gotsev believes the Croatia venue would allow fans to attend if the necessary safety measures were in place.
"We like this option because it is in Europe, in the middle of the continent," Gotsev added. "There will also be an opportunity for spectators with the right measures taken.
"There needs to be a mutual agreement. We want the terms and conditions to be beneficial for both parties. They can't meet in Bulgaria because Joshua will not agree."
Pula Arena has staged notable concerts featuring Foo Fighters, Luciano Pavarotti and Elton John.
Joshua was initially scheduled to fight Pulev at Cardiff's Principality Stadium in October 2017 but the 34-year-old Bulgarian, known as "The Cobra", withdrew after suffering a shoulder injury in sparring.
Pulev, one of Bulgaria's most popular sportsmen, suffered his only career defeat when he challenged for the IBF world heavyweight title in 2014, losing to Wladimir Klitschko in Hamburg on a fifth-round knockout.
His record stands at 28 wins from 29 bouts, while Joshua has 23 wins from 24.


bbc--2020-05-06--Malls re-open: 'We were dying to get out of the house'

In states like Texas , shopping centres can currently operate at a 25 % capacity .
For some shoppers , @ @ @ @ @ get out of the house .
Throughout the United States , lockdown restrictions are being @ @ @ @

In states like Texas, shopping centres can currently operate at a 25% capacity. For some shoppers, it's a reason to get out of the house.
Throughout the United States, lockdown restrictions are being lifted in phases.
Video by Angélica M Casas. Produced by Samantha Granville.


bbc--2020-05-07--Tracking the global outbreak

Tracking the global outbreak

Coronavirus is continuing its spread across the world , with more than three and a half million confirmed cases in 187 countries .
More than 250,000 people have lost their lives .
The United States alone has more than one million confirmed cases - five times as many as any other country .
This series of maps and charts tracks the global outbreak of the virus since it emerged in China in December last year .
How many cases and deaths have there been ?
The virus , which causes the respiratory infection Covid-19 , was first detected in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ late 2019 .
It is spreading rapidly in many countries and the number of deaths is still climbing .
Note : The map and table in this page uses a different source for figures for France from that used by Johns Hopkins University which results in a slightly lower overall total .
The US has by far the largest number of cases , with more than one million confirmed infections , according to figures collated by Johns Hopkins University .
With more than 70,000 fatalities , it also has the world 's highest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Spain and the UK - the worst-hit European countries - have all recorded more than 25,000 deaths .
In China , the official death toll is some 4,600 from about 84,000 confirmed cases .
Numbers for deaths jumped on 17 April after what officials called `` a statistical review '' and critics have questioned whether the country 's official numbers can be trusted .
On 11 March , the outbreak was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization ( WHO ) .
This is when an infectious disease is passing easily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the world at the same time .
More than three million people are known to have been infected worldwide , but the true figure is thought to be much higher as many of those with milder symptoms have not been tested and counted .
Globally , more than 4.5 billion people - half the world 's population - have been living under social distancing measures , according to the AFP news agency 's estimates .
Those restrictions have had a big impact on the global economy , with the International Monetary Fund @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since the Great Depression of the 1930s .
The United Nations World Food Programme has also warned that the pandemic could almost double the number of people suffering acute hunger and the UN has appealed for $ 6.7bn ( £5.4bn ) in funding .
UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Mark Lowcock said , `` Unless we take action now , we should be prepared for a significant rise in conflict , hunger and poverty .
The spectre of multiple famines looms . ''
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : What are the symptoms ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ self-isolation and exercise • STRESS : How to protect your mental health • WHAT WE DO N'T KNOW : How to understand UK death toll Where are coronavirus cases still rising ?
While some regions are now starting to see confirmed cases and deaths fall following the introduction of strict lockdown restrictions , others are only now seeing them rise .
Russia 's latest official data shows it now has the fifth highest number of infections worldwide .
The country has reported more than 10,000 new cases for five consecutive days and Moscow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases in his city is far higher than the official figure .
These charts show four countries where deaths are on an upward trajectory as shown by the red lines which each follow a similar pattern .
Across Latin America , where many economies are already struggling and millions live on what they can earn day-to-day , there are concerns about the strain coronavirus could put on health care systems .
On Thursday , Brazil saw the the daily total of coronavirus deaths exceed 600 for the the second day in a row @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system collapse - thousands have died from the virus and other conditions that could not be treated because of the crisis .
The country 's official number of coronavirus deaths is around 1,500 , but the government said 6,700 people died in Guayas province in the first two weeks of April - far more than the usual 1,000 deaths there in the same period .
For this reason , the virus death toll is thought to be much higher than official figures suggest .
The growing threat in South America and elsewhere comes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measures brought in to slow the spread of the virus .
Much of Europe , the US , New Zealand and Australia , among others , have started to relax some of their strict lockdown restrictions .
Some US states are doing so despite still seeing new confirmed cases and deaths increasing .
New Zealand says it has effectively eliminated the threat posed by the virus after fewer than 1,500 confirmed cases and just 20 deaths .
Its authorities had brought in some of the toughest restrictions on travel and activity early in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to review its lockdown having curbed the spread of the virus .
• Three continents , four lives , one day • 'We 'll starve to death if this continues' In Europe , the UK has become the first country to record more than 30,000 coronavirus deaths .
Italy , which was the first country in the region to see a rapid increase in deaths in early March , is not far behind .
Spain and France have also recorded more than 25,000 deaths .
Differences in population size and how countries report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in care homes , or deaths of those suspected but not confirmed of having the virus , means international comparisons are complicated .
However , all four countries appear to have passed through the peak of the virus and the number of reported cases and deaths is falling .
Germany and Belgium have also recorded a relatively high number of deaths and are now seeing those numbers decrease , though as Belgium has a far smaller population than Germany the number of deaths per capita there has been higher .
How countries across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lockdown varies , with the EU saying there is `` no one-size-fits-all approach '' to lifting containment measures .
Spain has announced a four-phase plan to lift its lockdown and return to a `` new normality '' by the end of June .
In Italy , some shops and factories have now reopened and bars and cafes are being allowed to offer takeaway services .
Germany has announced that all shops will be allowed to reopen , schools will begin to open again over the summer term and , in some regions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from this weekend .
In France , non-essential shops and markets are to open again from Monday , but not bars and restaurants .
Schools will also be reopened gradually .
However , stricter restrictions will remain in Paris and the neighbouring regions .
Other European countries easing restrictions include Austria , Denmark , Switzerland and the Czech Republic .
In the UK , lockdown measures are still in full effect .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has promised to reveal a `` comprehensive plan '' on Sunday for how the country will get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ epicentre of the US outbreak With more than one million cases , the US has the highest number of confirmed infections in the world .
The country has also recorded more than 70,000 deaths - and on Monday President Donald Trump warned that the death toll may reach 100,000 , though two weeks earlier he had claimed it would be fewer than 60,000 .
The state of New York has been particularly badly affected , with more than 20,000 deaths in New York City alone .
At one point , more than 90 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mandatory lockdown orders , but around half of the states have now begun to loosen their stay-at-home restrictions and allowed some businesses to reopen .
Official unemployment figures show that more than 33 million Americans have lost their jobs since mid-March .
On Wednesday , President Trump said the government 's coronavirus task force would shift its focus to reopening the economy .
He acknowledged that lifting lockdowns could lead to an increase in deaths , but added : `` Hopefully that wo n't be the case . ''
Public health authorities have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ activity could spark a fresh surge of infections just as the number of new cases is beginning to ease off .

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