bbc--2020-04-21--Sri Lanka attacks: Easter Sunday bombings marked one year on

Church bells have rung out across Sri Lanka , marking one year since more than 250 people were killed by a group of suicide bombers .
But there are no other large-scale events planned to remember the men , women and children - from worshippers celebrating Easter in church to tourists enjoying breakfast in hotel restaurants - whose lives were ended 12 months ago .
Sri Lanka has been observing a curfew since March , as it tries to contain the spread of coronavirus , which has so far killed seven on the island nation .
But the day is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those whose lives were changed forever by the violence .
Saranya , 25 , was nine months pregnant when a bomb went off at St Anthony 's Church in the capital Colombo last year .
Her husband was killed in the attack .
Just a day later , she gave birth to their son .
`` My husband never saw his son , '' she told AFP news agency .
`` My baby will be one year old on the 22nd , but how can we celebrate .
It is a day after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a sad day for us . ''
• The man who might have stopped Sri Lanka 's Easter bombings Anusha Kumari , whose family were caught up in the attack on St Sebastian 's Church in Negombo near the capital , told the BBC 's Jane Corbin earlier this year : `` My husband and my two children were killed only once .
I die every second . ''
A private ceremony was held on Tuesday for survivors .
All other public ceremonies were cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak .
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to those killed , and to hold a number of church services .
Two minutes of silence were observed countrywide at 08:45 ( 03:15 GMT ) , marking the time of the first report of the six blasts which went off in quick succession .
The country 's television stations also went silent in tribute on Tuesday .
In an anniversary message , Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith said that while the church has `` spiritually forgiven '' the attackers , their supporters should still be brought to justice .
Investigations into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last year that an Indian intelligence warning at the beginning of the month about planned attacks was not properly shared by officials in the previous administration .
`` It is unconscionable that dozens of people in government , the highest senior elected officials , were made aware of warnings and of intelligence reports , and absolutely failed to investigate , '' Dhulsini de Zoysa , whose 11-year-old son Kieran was killed at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel , told the BBC documentary .
`` Kieran 's father and I feel that it is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials .
We have had no acknowledgement that we 've lost the most precious person in our lives - nothing at all ; not even condolences . ''
Nine suicide bombers detonated their devices in six locations around the country on Easter Sunday last year .
Reports of the explosions first came in at about 08:45 ( 03:15 GMT ) on 21 April .
Three blasts were at churches : in the Kochchikade district of Colombo ; in Negombo , to the north of the capital ; and in the eastern city of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worshippers celebrating Easter .
The other three blasts were at three luxury hotels in the capital - the Shangri-La , Kingsbury and Cinnamon Grand .
After those initial blasts , two other explosions were reported as police searched for the suspects .
One was in Dehiwala in southern Colombo , and another one near the Colombo district of Dematagoda .
Later on Easter Sunday 2019 , an improvised device was found and defused close to the country 's main airport , near Colombo .
The following day , another explosion occurred on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Police were attempting to defuse devices in a vehicle used by the attackers when it suddenly blew up .
According to police sources , the attackers had planned an explosion at a fourth hotel but it failed .
Who were the victims ?
At least 253 people were killed in the attacks .
The death toll had climbed to 359 , but it was later revised down by the government which blamed a calculation error .
One of the first victims to be identified was celebrity chef Shantha Mayadunne .
Other Sri Lankans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the church and staff at the hotels .
• Who were the victims of the Sri Lanka attacks ?
• Sri Lanka attacks : What we know One man , Ramesh Raju , was killed at Zion Church after denying the bomber entry to the service .
As he did so , the bomb detonated .
It is said that Ramesh saved hundreds of lives with his actions .
A number of foreigners were also killed in the attack .
They came from the UK , Denmark , Portugal , India , Turkey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Switzerland , Spain , Bangladesh , the US and China .
Who was behind the attacks ?
Shortly after the attacks , authorities in Sri Lanka said local militant group National Thowheed Jamath ( NTJ ) were to blame .
Islamist preacher Zahran Hashim , who founded the NTJ but was reportedly later expelled from the group , is suspected of having been the bombers ' ringleader .
He blew himself up at a hotel in Colombo .
• What is the National Thowheed Jamath ?
However the Islamic State ( IS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attacks .
It released video of men it says were the bombers , pledging allegiance to the group - however all but one of the men have their faces covered in the footage .
A video released by IS showed Hashim pledging allegiance to the group 's then leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi .
UK officials told the BBC last year that it is highly likely that IS was linked to the attack in some way .
Two of the bombers are said to have been the sons of a wealthy and well-known spice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nine bombers came from middle or upper class families .

"My husband never saw his son," she told AFP news agency. "My baby will be one year old on the 22nd, but how can we celebrate. It is a day after his father's death anniversary. It is a sad day for us."


bbc--2020-04-21--Coronavirus: WHO worker killed in Myanmar collecting samples

A World Health Organization ( WHO ) driver has been killed in a conflict-riven region of Myanmar while out collecting Covid-19 monitoring samples .
Pyae Sone Win Maung was driving a well-marked United Nations vehicle when it was hit by gunfire in Rakhine State .
The UN says dozens of civilians have been killed as fighting between the military and the armed ethnic Arakan Army group escalated in recent weeks .
The two sides have blamed each other for the WHO driver 's death on Monday .
Both the military in Myanmar ( also called Burma ) and the Arakan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Maj-Gen Tun Tun Nyi , a military spokesman , said his forces had no reason to attack the UN vehicle .
`` They are working for us , for our country , '' he told Reuters news agency .
`` We have the responsibility for that . ''
• Who are the Arakan Army ?
The UN office in Myanmar said it was `` deeply saddened '' by the 28-year-old driver 's death , near a military checkpoint in Minbya township .
According to a post on Facebook , the marked vehicle was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surveillance samples `` in support of the Ministry of Health and Sports '' .
The UN did not say who carried out the shooting , which also left a government employee injured .
The driver 's father , Htay Win Maung , said his heart was `` broken '' .
`` I am trying to calm myself thinking he died in serving his duty at the frontline , '' he added .
`` He went there in the midst of fighting when many people did n't dare to go . ''
Countries including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for an end to fighting amid the global coronavirus pandemic .
More than 80 cases have been reported in Myanmar , along with four deaths .
The Arakan Army , ethnic Buddhists who have escalated their campaign for self-rule in the last two years , declared a month-long ceasefire , but this was rejected by the government .

"I am trying to calm myself thinking he died in serving his duty at the frontline," he added. "He went there in the midst of fighting when many people didn't dare to go."


bbc--2020-04-21--Photographer Peter Beard: Tributes paid to 'visionary artist'

Sir Mick Jagger and Duran Duran 's Nick Rhodes are among the stars who have paid tribute to photographer Peter Beard , who has died at the age of 82 .
Sir Mick called his close friend a `` visionary artist '' , while Rhodes said Beard 's appreciation of `` beauty and art was an inspiration '' .
Beard was a highly influential photographer , primarily renowned for his daring wildlife shots .
He had dementia and his body was found after he went missing on 31 March .
A hunter found him over the weekend in a remote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Long Island , east of New York City , local police said .
`` We are all heartbroken by the confirmation of our beloved Peter 's death , '' his family said in a statement .
Beard 's career spanned six decades and resulted in a huge body of work that combined photography , collage and scrap books covering wildlife and conservation as well as fashion and fine art .
He was a regular at the iconic Studio 54 disco club and a mainstay in the fashion world , famously discovering the model @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and photographing some of the world 's top supermodels .
Sir Mick took to Instagram to share a memory of his friendship with the photographer .
`` Sad to hear my dear friend Peter Beard has died , he was a visionary artist and photographer , who was n't afraid to take risks , '' he wrote .
`` My thoughts are with his wife Nejma and daughter Zara . ''
Keyboard player Rhodes said on Twitter that Beard was `` one of life 's great adventurers '' .
Musician Nile Rogers also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kind , lovely soul of the highest order '' .
Some of his most famous images were of African fauna , and his text and photo book The End of the Game , published in 1965 , captured the destruction of the region by colonialists .
Beard was also known for being a risk taker in the pursuit of his art .
He had a brush with death when he was trampled by an elephant in the 1990s , and was known to rope rhinoceroses .
His personal life was just as colourful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ publicised love life , mingling with the celebrity elite .
Among his numerous famous friends were Lee Radziwill , Candice Bergen , Cheryl Tiegs , Truman Capote , Francis Bacon , Jacqueline Onassis and Andy Warhol .
His family said : `` Peter was an extraordinary man who led an exceptional life .
He lived life to the fullest ; he squeezed every drop out of every day .
`` He was an intrepid explorer , unfailingly generous , charismatic , and discerning .
Peter defined what it means to be open : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , new people , new ways of living and being .
`` He died where he lived : in nature . ''
Follow us on Facebook or on Twitter @ BBCNewsEnts .
If you have a story suggestion email entertainment.news @ bbc.co.uk .

Allow Instagram content?
This article contains content provided by Instagram. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Meta’s Instagram cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.


bbc--2020-04-21--Planned from scratch: Brasilia at 60 in pictures

The project was highly ambitious but was officially inaugurated just four years after work was started in 1956 and includes @ @ @ @ @ Cathedral - a crown-shaped structure of glass suspended between concrete struts which sweep upwards and @ @ @ @ @ to the heavens .

Image caption,
The project was highly ambitious but was officially inaugurated just four years after work was started in 1956 and includes buildings such as the National Cathedral - a crown-shaped structure of glass suspended between concrete struts which sweep upwards and inwards and then reach out to the heavens.


bbc--2020-04-21--'A lot of people love Trump, right?'

'A lot of people love Trump, right?'

During a White House briefing on Monday , PBS reporter Yamiche Alcindor asked President Trump if more people got sick @ @ @ @ @ perceived to have downplayed the severity of it .
He responded with , `` a @ @ @ @ @ .
A lot of people love me . ''

During a White House briefing on Monday, PBS reporter Yamiche Alcindor asked President Trump if more people got sick from coronavirus because he was perceived to have downplayed the severity of it.
He responded with, "a lot of people love Trump. A lot of people love me."


bbc--2020-04-21--Cartwheels, masks & going berserk -  what are the Premier League's most iconic celebrations?

Since we do not have any football to enjoy at the moment , we thought we would look at 20 classic Premier League goal celebrations .
Have a look and choose your favourite at the bottom .
Nearly every Robbie Keane goal was met with the same celebration - a cartwheel , a forward roll and then pretending his fingers were guns .
Not Olympic standard gymnastics but comforting and familiar like a nice dollop of mashed potatoes .
It ’ s no exaggeration to say this moment changed the way goals were celebrated in England for a while .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a hat-trick on his Premier League debut as Middlesbrough drew with Liverpool and lifted his shirt over his head .
Everyone seemed to celebrate that way - in professional matches and on schoolyards - afterwards , although Fifa making it a bookable offence reduced that fad .
Nowhere near as good as Robbie Keane at football - but a much , much better gymnast .
DR Congo ’ s Lomano LuaLua would do as many as seven backflips after scoring for Newcastle or Portsmouth in the Premier League .
Fulham striker Facundo Sava @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a black Zorro mask from his shin pads and putting it on his face .
Sadly for Fulham fans the Argentine only needed the mask six times in the Premier League in 2002 and 2003 .
He had 250 masks in Argentina but only brought one to England .
Running away with his right arm in the air .
That ’ s it .
That ’ s the celebration .
Daniel Sturridge often marked his goals with a dance involving wriggling his arms .
It wasn ’ t great .
Germany striker Jurgen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for diving and marked a goal on his Tottenham debut - a 4-3 win over Sheffield Wednesday in August 1994 - with an exaggerated dive onto the ground as part of his celebration , as a self-deprecating - and successful - way of getting the fans on board .
Ian Wright and Neil Ruddock recreated an iconic Premier League moment when Wright headed home the only goal in West Ham ’ s win over Southampton in September 1998 .
It came two days after Sheffield Wednesday ’ s Paolo di Canio had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over referee Paul Alcock .
Wright pretended to show Ruddock a red card and the defender shoved him over , with Wright even mimicking Alcock ’ s fall .
Funnily enough Di Canio joined West Ham three months later .
One of the more controversial celebrations on this list .
Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler had been getting abuse from Everton fans - unfounded taunts of taking drugs - during the Merseyside derby in April 1999 .
After scoring , he got down on all fours and sniffed the white line of the penalty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ wages by Liverpool and received a four-game ban from the FA .
Manager Gerard Houllier claimed it was a grass-eating celebration he had picked up from Rigobert Song but nobody was buying that one .
Maybe the most meticulously choreographed goal in our list .
In 2008 , Hull City manager Phil Brown made headlines when he gave his players a half-time team talk on the pitch as they trailed 4-0 to Manchester City .
A year later when Jimmy Bullard scored to make it 1-1 against the same opposition , Hull @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he pretended to give them a team talk .
Brown said afterwards it was a “ fantastic celebration ” , although Bullard revealed years later his manager told him to “ wind his neck in ” in the dressing room afterwards .
Mario Balotelli ’ s bathroom was set alight after a firework was launched in his house in October 2011 , two days before the Manchester derby .
Balotelli scored the opener in City ’ s 6-1 win at Old Trafford and lifted up his jersey to reveal a t-shirt asking ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because you ’ re always doing mad stuff , Mario .
Another diving celebration .
In the build-up to the Merseyside derby in October 2012 , Everton boss David Moyes heavily criticised Luis Suarez for what he said was a dive to get Jack Rodwell sent off the previous year .
Suarez scored… and proceeded to dive right in front of Moyes to celebrate .
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho was caught on camera suggesting his striker Samuel Eto ’ o was 35 instead of 32 - although he claimed he was joking .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a 4-0 win over Tottenham in March 2014 - a couple of weeks later - he held the corner flag and his back pretending to be an old man .
Mourinho said he found the celebration funny .
One Sunday in March 2015 a clip emerged of Wayne Rooney and Phil Bardsley boxing in a kitchen with Rooney appearing to be knocked unconscious .
Later that day after scoring in Manchester United ’ s 3-0 win over Tottenham , he threw a few punches at the air before collapsing dramatically for his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s the main thing Temuri Ketsbaia is known for in England .
After scoring a last-minute winner for Newcastle against Bolton in January 1998 , the Georgian threw his shirt into the crowd and tried to take his boots off before repeatedly kicking the advertising hoardings while shrugging off team-mate Philippe Albert .
Alan Shearer had to get his shirt back from the crowd so he could finish the game .
Probably the angriest goal celebration ever .
The most famous goal in Premier League history - Sergio Aguero ’ s winner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ title .
He celebrated by taking his shirt off and swinging it round over his head .
Like Ryan Giggs ’ FA Cup one against Arsenal - with less chest hair .
Another classic .
Emmanuel Adebayor joined Manchester City from Arsenal in July 2009 and two months later faced his old club in a Premier League game .
After scoring with 10 minutes to go , he ran 90 yards - sprinting past all his celebrating team-mates - to slide on his knees in front of the Arsenal away fans who had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later fined £25,000 and given a suspended two-match ban .
The kind of celebration made for TV montages .
After Steven Gerrard scored a penalty for Liverpool against Manchester United in a 4-1 win at Old Trafford in March 2009 he kissed the badge and then ran over to a camera near the corner flag before kissing the lens .
He repeated the trick five years later in a 3-0 win at United .
A celebration so glorious in its simplicity .
After a magnificent - and iconic in its own regard - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ December 1996 , the Manchester United hero stood nonchalantly puffing his chest out before holding his arms in the air .
Earlier this year he said his celebration was revenge for fellow Frenchman Perez refusing to shake his hand before kick-off .
The ‘ regular ’ celebration which only happened once in the league Ah the iconic Peter Crouch celebration , the robot .
He did it so many times it is hard to count .
Except that he only ever did it three times and once in the Premier League .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Stoke in a 1-1 draw against Everton in February 2017 - with the robot dance .
He had only ever actually done it twice before - in 2006 England World Cup warm-up games with Hungary and Jamaica .

What is your favourite Premier League goal celebration?
Remember the Premier League? Remember goals? Remember goal celebrations?
Since we do not have any football to enjoy at the moment, we thought we would look at 20 classic Premier League goal celebrations.
Have a look and choose your favourite at the bottom.
The regular celebrations
Keane’s cartwheel
Robbie Keane celebrated most of his goals with his trademark cartwheel celebration
Nearly every Robbie Keane goal was met with the same celebration - a cartwheel, a forward roll and then pretending his fingers were guns. Not Olympic standard gymnastics but comforting and familiar like a nice dollop of mashed potatoes.
Ravanelli’s shirt over his head
It’s no exaggeration to say this moment changed the way goals were celebrated in England for a while. In August 1996, Fabrizio Ravanelli scored a hat-trick on his Premier League debut as Middlesbrough drew with Liverpool and lifted his shirt over his head. Everyone seemed to celebrate that way - in professional matches and on schoolyards - afterwards, although Fifa making it a bookable offence reduced that fad.
LuaLua’s somersaults
When it comes to acrobatic celebrations, few could match the efforts of former Portsmouth striker Lomano LuaLua
Nowhere near as good as Robbie Keane at football - but a much, much better gymnast. DR Congo’s Lomano LuaLua would do as many as seven backflips after scoring for Newcastle or Portsmouth in the Premier League.
Sava’s masks
Fulham striker Facundo Sava would celebrate each goal by pulling out a black Zorro mask
Fulham striker Facundo Sava would celebrate each goal by pulling out a black Zorro mask from his shin pads and putting it on his face. Sadly for Fulham fans the Argentine only needed the mask six times in the Premier League in 2002 and 2003. He had 250 masks in Argentina but only brought one to England.
The Shearer classic
Alan Shearer's 'arm in the air' celebration was seen up and down the country
Running away with his right arm in the air. That’s it. That’s the celebration.
Sturridge’s dance
Sturridge dance surprises young fans
Daniel Sturridge often marked his goals with a dance involving wriggling his arms. It wasn’t great.
The topical celebrations
Klinsmann’s dive
Germany striker Jurgen Klinsmann came to England with a reputation for diving and marked a goal on his Tottenham debut - a 4-3 win over Sheffield Wednesday in August 1994 - with an exaggerated dive onto the ground as part of his celebration, as a self-deprecating - and successful - way of getting the fans on board.
Wright and Ruddock mimic Di Canio incident
Ian Wright and Neil Ruddock recreated an iconic Premier League moment when Wright headed home the only goal in West Ham’s win over Southampton in September 1998. It came two days after Sheffield Wednesday’s Paolo di Canio had been sent off for Sheffield Wednesday and shoved over referee Paul Alcock. Wright pretended to show Ruddock a red card and the defender shoved him over, with Wright even mimicking Alcock’s fall. Funnily enough Di Canio joined West Ham three months later.
Fowler sniffs the line
One of the more controversial celebrations on this list. Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler had been getting abuse from Everton fans - unfounded taunts of taking drugs - during the Merseyside derby in April 1999. After scoring, he got down on all fours and sniffed the white line of the penalty area. He was fined two weeks’ wages by Liverpool and received a four-game ban from the FA. Manager Gerard Houllier claimed it was a grass-eating celebration he had picked up from Rigobert Song but nobody was buying that one.
Bullard’s team talk
Jimmy Bullard mimicked Phil Brown's half-time team talk when he scored against an City in 2009
Maybe the most meticulously choreographed goal in our list. In 2008, Hull City manager Phil Brown made headlines when he gave his players a half-time team talk on the pitch as they trailed 4-0 to Manchester City. A year later when Jimmy Bullard scored to make it 1-1 against the same opposition, Hull’s players sat around Bullard while he pretended to give them a team talk. Brown said afterwards it was a “fantastic celebration”, although Bullard revealed years later his manager told him to “wind his neck in” in the dressing room afterwards.
Balotelli’s ‘why always me?’
Mario Balotelli's 'why always me' celebration has gone down in Premier League folklore
Mario Balotelli’s bathroom was set alight after a firework was launched in his house in October 2011, two days before the Manchester derby. Balotelli scored the opener in City’s 6-1 win at Old Trafford and lifted up his jersey to reveal a t-shirt asking ‘Why always me?'. Probably because you’re always doing mad stuff, Mario.
Suarez’s dive
Another diving celebration. In the build-up to the Merseyside derby in October 2012, Everton boss David Moyes heavily criticised Luis Suarez for what he said was a dive to get Jack Rodwell sent off the previous year. Suarez scored… and proceeded to dive right in front of Moyes to celebrate.
‘Old man’ Eto’o
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho was caught on camera suggesting his striker Samuel Eto’o was 35 instead of 32 - although he claimed he was joking. When Eto’o scored the opener in a 4-0 win over Tottenham in March 2014 - a couple of weeks later - he held the corner flag and his back pretending to be an old man. Mourinho said he found the celebration funny.
Rooney boxing
Wayne Rooney pretended to be knocked out after scoring against Tottenham in 2015
One Sunday in March 2015 a clip emerged of Wayne Rooney and Phil Bardsley boxing in a kitchen with Rooney appearing to be knocked unconscious. Later that day after scoring in Manchester United’s 3-0 win over Tottenham, he threw a few punches at the air before collapsing dramatically for his celebration.
The wild celebrations
Ketsbaia goes berserk
A celebration so iconic it’s the main thing Temuri Ketsbaia is known for in England. After scoring a last-minute winner for Newcastle against Bolton in January 1998, the Georgian threw his shirt into the crowd and tried to take his boots off before repeatedly kicking the advertising hoardings while shrugging off team-mate Philippe Albert. Alan Shearer had to get his shirt back from the crowd so he could finish the game. Probably the angriest goal celebration ever.
Agueroooooooo
Few Manchester City fans will forget Sergio Aguero's celebration after scoring the title-winning goal against QPR in 2012
The most famous goal in Premier League history - Sergio Aguero’s winner against QPR in May 2012 clinched the title. He celebrated by taking his shirt off and swinging it round over his head. Like Ryan Giggs’ FA Cup one against Arsenal - with less chest hair.
Adebayor riles up Arsenal fans
Emmanuel Adebayor upset a few Arsenal fans when he scored for Man City against his old club in 2009
Another classic. Emmanuel Adebayor joined Manchester City from Arsenal in July 2009 and two months later faced his old club in a Premier League game. After scoring with 10 minutes to go, he ran 90 yards - sprinting past all his celebrating team-mates - to slide on his knees in front of the Arsenal away fans who had taunted him. He apologised and was later fined £25,000 and given a suspended two-match ban.
Gerrard kissing camera
Steven Gerrard celebrated scoring a penalty against Man Utd in 2009 with a kiss to the camera
The kind of celebration made for TV montages. After Steven Gerrard scored a penalty for Liverpool against Manchester United in a 4-1 win at Old Trafford in March 2009 he kissed the badge and then ran over to a camera near the corner flag before kissing the lens. He repeated the trick five years later in a 3-0 win at United.
The chilled celebration
Cantona nonchalance
A celebration so glorious in its simplicity. After a magnificent - and iconic in its own regard - lob over Sunderland goalkeeper Lionel Perez in December 1996, the Manchester United hero stood nonchalantly puffing his chest out before holding his arms in the air. Earlier this year he said his celebration was revenge for fellow Frenchman Perez refusing to shake his hand before kick-off.
The ‘regular’ celebration which only happened once in the league
Crouch robot
'Give 'em the robot'
Ah the iconic Peter Crouch celebration, the robot. He did it so many times it is hard to count. Except that he only ever did it three times and once in the Premier League. He marked his 100th Premier League goal - for Stoke in a 1-1 draw against Everton in February 2017 - with the robot dance. He had only ever actually done it twice before - in 2006 England World Cup warm-up games with Hungary and Jamaica.
If you are viewing this page on the BBC News app please click here to vote.


bbc--2020-04-21--Fiji stand chairman Kean down from World Rugby council amid homophobia accusations

The Fiji Rugby Union ( FRU ) has stood down its chairman from the World Rugby council amid accusations of homophobia and discrimination .
Francis Kean , who was convicted of manslaughter in 2007 , is under investigation by World Rugby after the Sunday Times revealed the claims .
His bid for the World Rugby executive committee has also been withdrawn .
The FRU is backing Sir Bill Beaumont 's bid for re-election as chairman of World Rugby .
World Rugby said it was `` in the best interests of the sport '' for Kean to stand down .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that is not in keeping with the sport 's strong and inclusive values and bye-laws extremely seriously , '' it said in a statement .
`` While it is important to stress that any allegations must be validated , following dialogue with World Rugby , the Fiji Rugby Union recognises the seriousness of the allegations made and the need for them to be fully investigated . ''
The latest controversy surrounding Kean has threatened to derail Beaumont 's campaign .
The Fiji union seconded the former England captain 's nomination , while Kean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rugby council since May 2019 .
However , World Rugby says that Beaumont is supported by the Fiji union as a whole , rather than any individual , and Beaumont is said to have acted quickly in the last few days to ensure the FRU acted appropriately .
It is understood conversations have taken place between World Rugby representatives and Fiji 's Prime Minister , Frank Bainimarama , who is Kean 's brother-in-law , with the allegations amounting to a breach of the council member code of conduct .
While the fact Kean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ power on the council in the first place is a matter of embarrassment for the game , Beaumont has pledged a full governance review , including a 'fit and proper persons ' test , if he was to be re-elected .
Beaumont is running against Argentina great and current vice-chairman Agustin Pichot , with the voting opening next week before the final decision is ratified on May 12 .
Fiji chief executive John O'Connor will now sit on the World Rugby council in Kean 's place .

Last updated on .From the section Rugby Union
The Fiji Rugby Union has backed Sir Bill Beaumont's bid for re-election as boss of the world game.
The Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) has stood down its chairman from the World Rugby council amid accusations of homophobia and discrimination.
Francis Kean, who was convicted of manslaughter in 2007, is under investigation by World Rugby after the Sunday Times revealed the claims. external-link
His bid for the World Rugby executive committee has also been withdrawn.
The FRU is backing Sir Bill Beaumont's bid for re-election as chairman of World Rugby.
World Rugby said it was "in the best interests of the sport" for Kean to stand down.
"World Rugby takes all allegations of behaviour that is not in keeping with the sport's strong and inclusive values and bye-laws extremely seriously," it said in a statement.
"While it is important to stress that any allegations must be validated, following dialogue with World Rugby, the Fiji Rugby Union recognises the seriousness of the allegations made and the need for them to be fully investigated."
The latest controversy surrounding Kean has threatened to disrupt Beaumont's campaign.
The Fiji union seconded the former England captain's nomination, while Kean has also been sitting on the World Rugby council since May 2019.
However, World Rugby says that Beaumont is supported by the Fiji union as a whole, rather than any individual, and Beaumont is said to have moved quickly in the last few days to ensure the FRU acted appropriately.
It is understood conversations have taken place between World Rugby representatives and Fiji's Prime Minister, Frank Bainimarama, who is Kean's brother-in-law, with the allegations amounting to a breach of the council member code of conduct.
While the fact Kean was able to assume a position of power on the council in the first place is a matter of embarrassment for the game, Beaumont has pledged a full governance review, including a 'fit and proper persons' test, if he was to be re-elected.
Beaumont is running against Argentina great and current vice-chairman Agustin Pichot, with the voting opening next week before the final decision is ratified on May 12.
Fiji chief executive John O'Connor will now sit on the World Rugby council in Kean's place.
However, with Kean out of the running to continue on World Rugby's executive board, the seven existing candidates, including Welsh Rugby Union chairman Gareth Davies, will be elected unopposed.


bbc--2020-04-21--'I'd lost interest in English football' - the Brits aiming to transform Berbatov's hometown team

Ask someone to think of a Bulgarian football club and the names that come to mind might be European regulars CSKA Sofia or Ludogorets Razgrad .
Those two teams have won eight of the country 's past 11 domestic titles , but a group of Britons are aiming to break that dominance by turning around the fortunes of another Bulgarian side - and transforming them into the biggest club in the country .
OFC Pirin Blagoevgrad , the hometown team of former Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur striker Dimitar Berbatov , want to be on an equal footing to CSKA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already in motion to help realise those ambitions .
Pirin were bought by Emirates Wealth in October , with the idea of not just transforming the team , but its whole infrastructure as well .
The club , who currently sit sixth in Bulgaria 's second tier , appointed a technical director in Londoner Graham Warren and a new manager in Northern Irishman Warren Feeney , who was joined by assistant boss , former Derby County defender Andy Todd .
The squad also boasts two Brits in the shape of ex-Arsenal youngster Conor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on loan from Crawley Town .
`` This is not a short-term project where an owner takes over and only puts all his money into the first team , '' Warren tells BBC Sport .
`` That has happened at some Bulgarian clubs but we are aiming to develop the academy to be the best in the country .
`` The whole ethos is not just about the first team , it is about the overall club . ''
Eight of the first-team squad came through Pirin 's academy , whose graduates include @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most famous players who was soon snapped up by CSKA , before signing for Bayer Leverkusen in Germany .
In the past , the academy was known for its reputation as the best in Bulgaria .
And , since Dubai-based Emirates Wealth acquired the club , Pirin have appointed a new head of academy and youth development , bought a building which will become a strength and conditioning facility , and have land to build five football pitches .
They are also constructing a dormitory for up to 100 youngsters , which will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plans to upgrade their Stadion Hristo Bonev ground .
`` With the exception of Ludogorets , we will have the best facilities in the country , '' Warren , whose wife Iva is Pirin 's chairman , says .
`` The academy was the best in Bulgaria and the idea is to make it that way again . ''
It was Warren who led the new owners to Blagoevgrad - an hour 's drive south from the capital Sofia - as the investment company had asked him and his wife about the possibility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ club was experiencing financial difficulties , the couple convinced their bosses about the potential .
Former Newport County boss Feeney was appointed Pirin 's manager in November , having become disillusioned with lower-league football in England .
`` It was an easy decision to come to Bulgaria because I had lost that bit of interest in English football , mainly to do with things going on behind the scenes , '' Feeney , who played for numerous clubs , including Cardiff City and Plymouth Argyle , says .
Capped 46 times for Northern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boss at both Crawley Town and Notts County before returning to his native Belfast in February last year to take charge of Ards FC .
The call came from Bulgaria in October .
`` Graham flew into Belfast and we had a chat , and then I went over to Blagoevgrad and I was blown away by the town and the club 's ambitions , '' Feeney adds .
`` What we want to do here is take the club as far as we can - we want to take this team into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Arsenal academy graduate Henderson first signed for Pirin in the summer of 2017 .
`` The new owners are putting in a lot of investment , which is a massive statement from them , '' the 28-year-old says .
Pirin were relegated from the top flight in his first season and , with his contract expired , he moved to neighbouring Romania to play for FC Dunarea Calarasi .
But , after being relegated there too , he returned to Bulgaria last summer .
`` Bulgaria was definitely not a place I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I was so unhappy back home that it did n't really matter to me which country I went to , '' Henderson adds .
`` I was n't enjoying my football and I was always open to playing abroad .
`` Blagoevgrad is a small place , but it has everything you need , such as restaurants , cinemas and bars .
`` English is a commonly-spoken language here and football is a kind of universal language , anyway . ''
Siducp-raised Henderson , who has been capped by the Republic of Ireland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ game for Arsenal , a 5-0 win against Leyton Orient in an FA Cup fifth-round replay in March 2011 .
Having been released by the Gunners at the end of the 2012-2013 season , he took in spells at numerous clubs , including Hull City , Crawley Town and Grimsby Town .
Henderson was at National League South side Eastbourne Borough when the chance to move to Bulgaria materialised .
Having trawled through the lower leagues , Henderson , who is settled in Blagoevgrad with his partner and baby daughter , has no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I have sort of given up on saying ' I want to play at this level or that level ' , '' he says .
`` I do n't see myself coming back to England at the moment because I am happy here , especially with the way the club wants to progress .
`` I want to stay and be part of it . ''

Last updated on .From the section Football
Warren Feeney and Ibraham Meite are among the Britons involved in transforming Dimitar Berbatov's hometown club
Ask someone to think of a Bulgarian football club and the names that come to mind might be European regulars CSKA Sofia or Ludogorets Razgrad.
Those two teams have won eight of the country's past 11 domestic titles, but a group of Britons are aiming to break that dominance by turning around the fortunes of another Bulgarian side - and transforming them into the biggest club in the country.
OFC Pirin Blagoevgrad, the hometown team of former Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur striker Dimitar Berbatov, want to be on an equal footing to CSKA and Ludogorets.
Dimitar Berbatov was named Bulgaria's footballer of the year a record seven times
And the wheels are already in motion to help realise those ambitions.
Pirin were bought by Emirates Wealth in October, with the idea of not just transforming the team, but its whole infrastructure as well.
The club, who currently sit sixth in Bulgaria's second tier, appointed a technical director in Londoner Graham Warren and a new manager in Northern Irishman Warren Feeney, who was joined by assistant boss, former Derby County defender Andy Todd.
The squad also boasts two Brits in the shape of ex-Arsenal youngster Conor Henderson and Ibrahim Meite, who is on loan from Crawley Town.
"This is not a short-term project where an owner takes over and only puts all his money into the first team," Warren tells BBC Sport.
"That has happened at some Bulgarian clubs but we are aiming to develop the academy to be the best in the country.
"The whole ethos is not just about the first team, it is about the overall club."
Eight of the first-team squad came through Pirin's academy, whose graduates include Berbatov, one of the country's most famous players who was soon snapped up by CSKA, before signing for Bayer Leverkusen in Germany.
In the past, the academy was known for its reputation as the best in Bulgaria.
And, since Dubai-based Emirates Wealth acquired the club, Pirin have appointed a new head of academy and youth development, bought a building which will become a strength and conditioning facility, and have land to build five football pitches.
They are also constructing a dormitory for up to 100 youngsters, which will boast state-of-the-art 5G pitches, and have plans to upgrade their Stadion Hristo Bonev ground.
"With the exception of Ludogorets, we will have the best facilities in the country," Warren, whose wife Iva is Pirin's chairman, says.
"The academy was the best in Bulgaria and the idea is to make it that way again."
It was Warren who led the new owners to Blagoevgrad - an hour's drive south from the capital Sofia - as the investment company had asked him and his wife about the possibility of sponsoring Pirin.
Even though the club was experiencing financial difficulties, the couple convinced their bosses about the potential.
Former Newport County boss Feeney was appointed Pirin's manager in November, having become disillusioned with lower-league football in England.
Feeney won 46 caps for Northern Ireland and has said he is 'flattered' to have been linked with the job as national team manager
"It was an easy decision to come to Bulgaria because I had lost that bit of interest in English football, mainly to do with things going on behind the scenes," Feeney, who played for numerous clubs, including Cardiff City and Plymouth Argyle, says.
Capped 46 times for Northern Ireland, he also served as assistant boss at both Crawley Town and Notts County before returning to his native Belfast in February last year to take charge of Ards FC.
The call came from Bulgaria in October.
"Graham flew into Belfast and we had a chat, and then I went over to Blagoevgrad and I was blown away by the town and the club's ambitions," Feeney adds.
"What we want to do here is take the club as far as we can - we want to take this team into the first division and win trophies."
Arsenal academy graduate Henderson first signed for Pirin in the summer of 2017.
"The new owners are putting in a lot of investment, which is a massive statement from them," the 28-year-old says.
Pirin were relegated from the top flight in his first season and, with his contract expired, he moved to neighbouring Romania to play for FC Dunarea Calarasi.
But, after being relegated there too, he returned to Bulgaria last summer.
"Bulgaria was definitely not a place I imagined I would end up, but I was so unhappy back home that it didn't really matter to me which country I went to," Henderson adds.
"I wasn't enjoying my football and I was always open to playing abroad.
"Blagoevgrad is a small place, but it has everything you need, such as restaurants, cinemas and bars.
"English is a commonly-spoken language here and football is a kind of universal language, anyway."
Siducp-raised Henderson, who has been capped by the Republic of Ireland at youth level, started just one game for Arsenal, a 5-0 win against Leyton Orient in an FA Cup fifth-round replay in March 2011.
Having been released by the Gunners at the end of the 2012-2013 season, he took in spells at numerous clubs, including Hull City, Crawley Town and Grimsby Town.
Henderson was at National League South side Eastbourne Borough when the chance to move to Bulgaria materialised.
Having trawled through the lower leagues, Henderson, who is settled in Blagoevgrad with his partner and baby daughter, has no desire to return to Britain.
"I have sort of given up on saying 'I want to play at this level or that level'," he says.
"I don't see myself coming back to England at the moment because I am happy here, especially with the way the club wants to progress.
"I want to stay and be part of it."


bbc--2020-04-21--Quiz: Who's the best when they stay at home?

You 're supposed to be at home !
In these unprecedented times we all know the best advice is to @ @ @ @ @ safe .
But who has the best home record when it comes to Premier League @ @ @ @ @ struggled in front of their own fans ?
Take our quiz and find out .

Last updated on .From the section Premier League
You're supposed to be at home!
In these unprecedented times we all know the best advice is to stay at home and stay safe.
But who has the best home record when it comes to Premier League history?
And who has struggled in front of their own fans?
Take our quiz and find out.


bbc--2020-04-21--Coronavirus: US green cards to be halted for 60 days, Trump says

President Donald Trump has said his plan to ban immigration into the US will last for 60 days and apply only to those seeking permanent residence .
Mr Trump , who had announced the move in an ambiguous tweet , said the measure would protect Americans who had lost jobs because of the coronavirus .
The decision does not apply to workers entering on a temporary basis .
Critics say he is trying to distract attention away from his handling of the spread .
Immigration has traditionally been a strong campaigning theme for Mr Trump , but has taken a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lead-up to the November election .
Mr Trump said that his executive order was being written and is expected to completed by White House lawyers on Wednesday for him to sign .
The ban could be extended `` much longer '' depending on how the economy is doing , he said .
`` As we all know , millions of Americans sacrificed their jobs in order to battle the virus and save the lives of our fellow citizens , '' he said at a news conference .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ AVOIDING CONTACT : The rules on self-isolation and exercise • STRESS : How to look after your mental health The president said the government has a `` solemn duty '' to ensure Americans regain their jobs .
`` It would be wrong and unjust for Americans laid off by the virus to be replaced with new immigrant labour flown in from abroad , '' he said .
`` We want to protect our US workers and I think as we move forward we will become more and more protective of them '' .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus than anywhere else in the world at more than 820,000 cases , according to the Johns Hopkins University .
How much will this change ?
The ban is watered-down in comparison to the president 's vow to suspend `` all immigration to US '' in a tweet late on Monday .
But while such a move would usually affect millions , travel bans to prevent the spread of Covid-19 has already led to a huge drop in people planning to enter the country .
Last month , the US suspended almost all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because of the pandemic .
The US has already agreed with both Canada and Mexico to extend border restrictions on non-essential travel until at least mid-May .
Travel has also been sharply restricted from hard-hit European countries and China .
In a typical year , nearly one million green cards are issued in the US , granting immigrants legal permanent residence and the opportunity to apply for American citizenship .
The majority of green cards - roughly 70 % - go to those with relatives living in the US , according to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ For employment-based green cards , a common form of the residency status , roughly 80 % are issued to those already in the country , shifting from a temporary visa to permanent residence .

That means the public health rationale for the move is even more tenuous, however. Screening immigrants for the virus would appear to be just as effective as a total halt. As many suspected, the primary justification is economic. In the president's view, permanent workers compete with US citizens for jobs - and in a financial crisis, their presence is neither needed nor desired.


bbc--2020-04-21--Coronavirus protests: The moment a man in scrubs confronts drivers

People protesting against the stay-at-home orders in Colorado were confronted by a man and woman dressed in medical uniforms - apparently issuing a silent rebuke to participants .
Photos of the pair grabbed headlines and were widely shared .
Now the photojournalist behind the images tells the BBC what happened that day when `` two worlds collided '' .
Meanwhile , some states are reopening businesses despite warnings from health experts that infections may spread .
Protestors agitating against state wide shutdown orders gathered in Arizona , Washington , Montana and Colorado over the weekend , trailing earlier gatherings in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ photojournalist Alyson McClaran planned to capture Denver 's protest , where hundreds of people had descended upon the state capitol building to demand an economic reopening .
Protesters in cars honked their horns and clogged streets , while roughly 200 people assembled on the lawn , brandishing signs and American flags .
`` There were a lot of people there not wearing masks , not social distancing , '' Ms McClaran said of the `` overly crowded '' protests .
`` So I decided to leave and capture another part of the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Capitol Hill neighbourhood , Ms McClaran spotted two people dressed in hospital scrubs standing in the middle of the street , preventing cars from moving .
`` I literally just took off running towards them because I knew this was huge .
I basically kind of blacked out a little bit because I knew this was so big , '' she said .
`` I just started firing away with my camera trying to get as much documentation as I could . ''
They `` stood their ground '' , Ms McClaran said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hurled racist comments at the pair .
`` It was honestly heartbreaking to see , '' she said .
`` It just felt like it was two worlds colliding . ''
• Listen to Alyson McClaran 's interview with Outside Source on BBC 's World Service .
Who are the protesters ?
Those protesting say that the strict measures restricting movement and businesses are an overreaction to Covid-19 and unnecessarily hurt citizens .
Christian Yingling , a former commanding officer of the Pennsylvania Light Foot militia , called the protest he attended in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I 'm gon na do what I got to do to feed my family , '' said Mr Yingling , who lives in Virginia .
`` If it means I got to risk my health then so be it… and yes even potentially the health of others .
`` My mortgage payments are late , my truck payment is late and if I lose either of those I 'm dead in the water . ''
When you 're quarantining healthy people , that 's tyranny , he added .
`` Our constitutional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And people are n't going to put up with that for long . ''
• What 's behind the anti-lockdown protests in US ?
• Is Candice a forgotten hero in this crisis ?
But as confirmed cases in the US top 816,000 and the death toll approaches 44,000 , public health experts and many state leaders have urged for continued social distancing to help minimise the virus spread .
What about the states reopening ?
Last week the White House provided three-phase guidance for states which said there should be a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ easing of lockdowns .
At least three states are now moving toward a reopening - without meeting that standard .
In South Carolina , department stores and other retail businesses like florists and furniture stores - previously deemed nonessential - will reopen Tuesday .
Store owners will be tasked with maintaining social distancing inside , said Governor Henry McMaster , who also lifted restrictions on public beaches .
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp said this week that businesses like gyms , tattoo parlours and hair salons could reopen in his state on Friday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Monday as long as social distancing guidelines are followed .
At the helm of Georgia 's largest city , Atlanta mayor Keisha Bottoms said the decision put her `` at a loss '' .
`` As I look at the data and as I talk with our public health officials , I do n't see that it 's based on anything that 's logical , '' she said .
Authorities in Tennessee and Ohio have also indicated their states will be shifting toward a reopening .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : How @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CONTACT : The rules on self-isolation and exercise • STRESS : How to look after your mental health

"I literally just took off running towards them because I knew this was huge. I basically kind of blacked out a little bit because I knew this was so big," she said. "I just started firing away with my camera trying to get as much documentation as I could."


bbc--2020-04-21--Coronavirus: World risks 'biblical' famines due to pandemic - UN

The world is at risk of widespread famines `` of biblical proportions '' caused by the coronavirus pandemic , the UN has warned .
David Beasley , head of the World Food Programme ( WFP ) , said urgent action was needed to avoid a catastrophe .
A report estimates that the number suffering from hunger could go from 135 million to more than 250 million .
Those most at risk are in 10 countries affected by conflict , economic crisis and climate change , the WFP says .
The fourth annual Global Report on Food Crises highlights Yemen , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Afghanistan , Venezuela , Ethiopia , South Sudan , Sudan , Syria , Nigeria and Haiti .
In South Sudan , 61 % of the population was affected by food crisis last year , the report says .
Even before the pandemic hit , parts of East Africa and South Asia were already facing severe food shortages caused by drought and the worst locust infestations for decades .
• Venezuela : The crisis forcing mothers to give away their babies Addressing the UN Security Council during a video conference , Mr Beasley said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and act fast '' .
`` We could be facing multiple famines of biblical proportions within a short few months , '' he said .
`` The truth is we do not have time on our side . ''
In a call to action , he added : `` I do believe that with our expertise and our partnerships , we can bring together the teams and the programmes necessary to make certain the Covid-19 pandemic does not become a human and food crisis catastrophe . ''
The WFP chief - who has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Security Council briefing by saying `` excuse me for speaking bluntly . ''
There is no blunting what could happen in a world facing - even before this global health crisis - what David Beasley called the worst humanitarian catastrophe since the Second World War .
In an interview , he also expressed fear that 30 million people , and possibly more , could die in a matter of months if the UN does not secure more funding and food .
But this is also a world where donors are reeling from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crises .
Mr Beasley says no-one told him they would turn their back on the most vulnerable .
But he admitted they would need to take stock at home first .
He warned that chaos elsewhere could circle back around the world .
His blunt warning : `` One way or another , the world will pay for this . ''
Better to work together , he says , on the basis of facts , not fear .
The WFP 's senior economist , Arif Husain , said the economic impact of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who are already hanging by a thread '' .
`` It is a hammer blow for millions more who can only eat if they earn a wage , '' he said in a statement .
`` Lockdowns and global economic recession have already decimated their nest eggs .
It only takes one more shock - like Covid-19 - to push them over the edge .
We must collectively act now to mitigate the impact of this global catastrophe . ''
Earlier this month , this WFP said it was set to halve aid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Houthi rebels due to a funding crisis .
It said some donors had stopped their aid over concerns that deliveries were being obstructed by Houthi forces .
The WFP feeds more than 12 million Yemenis a month , 80 % of whom are in areas controlled by Houthi forces .
Yemen confirmed its first case of Covid-19 earlier this month , with aid agencies warning that the disease could quickly overwhelm the country 's weakened health systems .

In an interview, he also expressed fear that 30 million people, and possibly more, could die in a matter of months if the UN does not secure more funding and food. But this is also a world where donors are reeling from the steep financial cost of their own Covid-19 crises.


bbc--2020-04-21--UK deaths hit 20-year high - but peak may be over

Deaths in England and Wales have nearly doubled above what would be expected , hitting a 20-year high .
The Office for National Statistics said there were 18,500 deaths in the week up to 10 April - about 8,000 more than is normal at this time of year .
A third were linked to coronavirus , but deaths from other causes also increased , suggesting the lockdown may be having an indirect impact on health .
But experts believe this period could well be when virus deaths peaked .
They point to a separate analysis by NHS England which showed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in hospitals have been falling when you look at the date of death .
The daily figures presented by government just show when hospital deaths are announced - there is often a delay in recording and reporting which masks when a drop in deaths starts happening .
On Tuesday 823 new deaths were announced , but most of these happened in the previous days and weeks .
Some even date back to March .
Prof Sir David Spiegelhalter , of the University of Cambridge , said the NHS England figures suggested we were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ steadily '' albeit slowly improving position .
But he added : `` Judging from the experience in Italy , this could be a lengthy process . ''
Prof Carl Heneghan , from the University of Oxford , said he agreed , saying London , which saw rapid increases earlier than the rest of country , peaked even earlier , suggesting the steps taken before full lockdown had an impact .
But England 's deputy medical officer , Prof Jonathan Van Tam , said : `` We are not out of danger yet .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' How bad was the 'peak ' ?
The figures presented by the ONS are different from those used by the government on a daily basis and the NHS England analysis .
Those rely on hospital cases confirmed by tests , whereas the ONS has used death certificates which show both fatalities in hospital and in the community on a weekly basis .
The figures show that the overall number of deaths topped 18,500 .
That is the highest since January 2000 when there was a bad flu outbreak .
It is also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ season of 2015 .
More than 6,200 of these deaths were linked to coronavirus and Covid-19 , the disease caused by the virus .
One in six of these deaths happened outside hospital .
But the ONS also said deaths from other causes rose too .
Nick Stripe , head of health analysis at ONS , said they were trying to understand and find out why this was .
He said it could be that people with other illnesses were avoiding going to hospital for treatment - visits to A & E have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an under-reporting of coronavirus .
But he added it could `` take years to work out '' .
He also said it was important to remember the human toll in these figures .
`` Each one is a person .
Each one has a family .
We must always remember this . ''
A similar trend is being reported in Scotland where there were nearly 2,000 deaths in the week up to 12 April .
Deaths in Northern Ireland are also up .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : How do I protect myself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on self-isolation and exercise • WHAT WE DO N'T KNOW How to understand the death toll • TESTING : Can I get tested for coronavirus ?
How many are dying outside of hospitals ?
There has been growing concern about the impact of coronavirus outside of hospital .
Care homes have begun reporting outbreaks among residents that have been difficult to control , they say , because of a lack of testing and protective equipment .
The ONS - because it relies on death certificates rather than testing - can capture the scale @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happened in hospital , but since the start of the pandemic more than 1,000 have died in care homes .
More people have died from flu and pneumonia Another way to judge the impact of coronavirus is to look at the overall impact on the numbers dying over the course of the year so far .
The figures show overall number of deaths are up .
Nearly 185,000 people have died in 2020 compared with around 175,000 on average over the past five years at this point of the year .
But the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of flu and pneumonia compared to coronavirus .
The number of deaths from flu and pneumonia - at more than 32,000 - is three times higher than the total number of coronavirus deaths this year .
This difference will obviously narrow in the coming weeks as the flu season is coming to an end and there has been a rapid rise in coronavirus deaths .
Some also believe the number of coronavirus deaths have been under-reported - a lack of testing outside hospital means it is down to doctors to use their clinical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ How have you been affected by the coronavirus pandemic ?
Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay @ bbc.co.uk .
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist .
You can also contact us in the following ways : • Please read our terms & conditions and privacy policy

Another way to judge the impact of coronavirus is to look at the overall impact on the numbers dying over the course of the year so far.


bbc--2020-04-21--Coronavirus: How to combat back pain while working from home

As millions of people are told to work from home and adjust to doing their jobs remotely , there are @ @ @ @ @ set-ups where injuries are more likely .
Alishah Merchant , a physiotherapist at Rebalance Sports @ @ @ @ @ on how to optimise your home workstation .

As millions of people are told to work from home and adjust to doing their jobs remotely, there are likely to be inconsistent desk set-ups where injuries are more likely.
Alishah Merchant, a physiotherapist at Rebalance Sports Medicine, gives some tips on how to optimise your home workstation.
Video journalist: Dan Lytwyn.
Senior producer: Phoebe Frieze.


bbc--2020-04-21--Balancing being a doctor with single parenthood during a pandemic

Dr Melanie Malloy , an intensive care doctor at Mount Sinai hospital in New York City , is also raising @ @ @ @ @ as a widow .
She balances helping patients with Covid-19 and providing her children with @ @ @ @ @ Malloy shows what a typical day is like for her .
New York is the @ @ @ @ @ over 14,600 deaths .

Dr Melanie Malloy, an intensive care doctor at Mount Sinai hospital in New York City, is also raising her children on her own as a widow.
She balances helping patients with Covid-19 and providing her children with a good upbringing.
Dr Malloy shows what a typical day is like for her.
New York is the worst affected US state with over 14,600 deaths.


bbc--2020-04-21--Canada shooting: Death toll in Nova Scotia rises to 23

The toll from the worst mass shooting in Canada 's modern history , a 14-hour rampage over the weekend , has risen to 23 from 19 , police say .
The victims include a 17-year-old not identified by officials who previously believed all those killed in the province of Nova Scotia were adults .
Authorities are yet to determine a motive for the crime .
Police say the gunman knew some of the victims .
The shooter , a 51-year-old man , was killed in a confrontation with police .
Nova Scotia Royal Canadian Mounted Police ( RCMP ) updated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statement on Tuesday along with a rough timeline of the events .
Police had previously warned the number of dead could rise as they searched the 16 separate crime scenes across north and central Nova Scotia .
Their work was also slowed by the fact there were a number of fires started - about five , according to police .
They had to search through the debris of those badly burnt-out homes for remains .
The full investigation is likely take months .
What is know about the rampage ?
The rampage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GMT ) in the rural beachside community of Portapique .
Police received multiple calls to the emergency services reporting gunshots , and responders found `` several casualties inside and outside of a home '' but no suspect .
They also discovered `` multiple sites in the immediate area , including structures and vehicles that were on fire '' .
During at least part of the rampage the gunman used `` a very real look-alike RCMP vehicle '' .
That vehicle was found at the crime scene where 23-year RCMP veteran Const Heidi Stevenson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The gunman was wearing an authentic RCMP police uniform , authorities said on Tuesday .
He did not work for any police force .
Victims were also found in the communities of Wentworth , Debert , Shubenacadie/Milford and Enfield , where police shot the gunman .
Little is known about what motivated the suspect , Gabriel Wortman , or how he chose his victims .
Who were the victims ?
Victims include a teacher , a home care nurse working on the frontlines of the coronavirus pandemic , and an RCMP officer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ held this week to honour the victims of the shooting , as the province is locked-down due to the virus .
Many other virtual vigils have since sprung up on social media as people mourn the tragedy .
The first victim made public was Const Stevenson , a 23-year veteran of the force and a mother of two .
Another was Heather O'Brien , who was caring for the elderly with the non-profit Victorian Order of Nurses ( VON ) , during the provincial-wide lockdown before she was killed near her hometown of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employee , Kristen Beaton , was also killed during the shooting .
Lisa McCully , a mother of two , was among the victims .
McCully had been a school teacher at Debert Elementary School , according to the school 's website .
Not all the victims - both men and women , according to police - have been named .
Sean McLeod and his partner Alanna Jenkins were among those killed .
Their neighbour , Tom Bagley , also died , apparently while checking in on the couple on Sunday morning .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ which if you knew him , you knew that was just who he was all the time .
I know he meant something to so many people , '' his daughter Charlene Bagley said on Facebook .
An online fundraiser has been set up to help pay for the funeral costs of a family of three , Jolene Oliver her husband Aaron ( Friar ) Tuck and their daughter Emily Tuck .
Married couple Jamie Blair and Greg Blair were killed Sunday , according to a relative .
`` My family has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have ever had to deal with this .
I love you both so much , & sending all my love to my family & every other families who lost someone today , '' said Jessica MacBurnie on Facebook .
One police officer - Const Chad Morrison - was injured during the rampage but is recovering .
Police said on Tuesday they have `` information that other members of the public have been injured as well '' but did not offer more details .
What more do we know about the investigation ?
Police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and complex '' .
`` The investigative team is focused on learning more about this very tragic situation , including accurate victim information and whether others may have aided the suspect , '' the RCMP said in its statement on Tuesday .
Police say the hunt for the gunman was hampered by the fact he was driving a vehicle that looked like a police cruiser and was wearing a police uniform .
How he procured both is part of the investigation .
The search ended around midday on Sunday when the suspected shooter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ station in Enfield , north of the provincial capital of Halifax .
He was shot and later died .
Police have faced criticism for failing to issue a province-wide emergency alert to warn residents of the danger during the rampage .
Alerts were issued by the police on Twitter and Facebook during the incident , asking people to stay inside and lock their doors .
Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil said on Tuesday provincial authorities did not receive a request from police for a wider alert .

"My family has been through so much, no one should have ever had to deal with this. I love you both so much, & sending all my love to my family & every other families who lost someone today," said Jessica MacBurnie on Facebook.


bbc--2020-04-21--WW2 veteran in tears after touching gift from carer

A D-Day vet wept after he was given a touching memorial to his late wife by a thoughtful carer at @ @ @ @ @ lives .
Ken Benbow , 94 , who lost his wife Ada last year , @ @ @ @ @ her photo on it at his care home in Preston .
Carer Kia Tobin , @ @ @ @ @ he missed her and wanted to give him a special gift to bring them closer @ @ @ @ @ cushion printed .

A D-Day vet wept after he was given a touching memorial to his late wife by a thoughtful carer at the rest home where he lives.
Ken Benbow, 94, who lost his wife Ada last year, was handed a cushion with her photo on it at his care home in Preston.
Carer Kia Tobin, 17, knew how much he missed her and wanted to give him a special gift to bring them closer, so she had the cushion printed.


bbc--2020-04-21--Netflix sign-ups jump during coronavirus lockdowns

Netflix has seen subscriber numbers surge this year , as lockdowns around the world keep people at home where they want to be entertained .
Almost 16 million people created accounts in the first three months of the year , the firm said .
That is almost double the new sign-ups it saw in the final months of 2019 .
However , the streaming service , which is behind some multi-million dollar productions , said shutdowns have halted `` almost all '' filming around the world .
And sharp declines in the value of many currencies has meant new subscribers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is based , are not worth as much to the company as they would have been before the crisis .
And that has hurt its international revenue growth .
Nevertheless , the home-entertainment giant 's share price has climbed more than 30 % this year as investors bet on on its ability to benefit from people spending more time indoors .
`` Netflix is and will continue to be the media company least impacted by Covid-19 , '' said eMarketer analyst Eric Haggstrom .
`` Their business is a near perfect fit to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Demand for streaming has been so high that Netflix last month said it would reduce the quality of its videos in Europe to ease strain on internet service providers .
The firm also hired an additional 2,000 customer support staff to handle the increased interest .
Netflix said some 85 million people had watched its original movie , Spenser Confidential , for at least two minutes - the cut-off it uses for viewing figures .
Meanwhile , the documentary series Tiger King reached 64 million households .
The firm expected to add @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months to the end of June - above analyst expectations .
But it warned investors that viewers and growth would decline as governments lift lockdowns around the world .
`` Given the uncertainty on home confinement timing this is mostly guesswork , '' it said .
Netflix said it expects to stick to its release schedule through June and has been acquiring other movies to keep its offering fresh .
But it said future membership growth could be hurt by delays to upcoming seasons and shows .
Paolo Pescatore , analyst at PP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ subscriber growth at all streaming companies in coming months .
`` Arguably , Netflix should fare much better with its broad catalogue , '' he said .
Netflix 's early subscriber growth certainly caught the attention of Wall Street investors .
But spectacular growth in a period where most of the world 's internet users are under orders to stay at home is a bit less impressive .
The bigger question for Netflix is can it retain those paying customers after Covid-19 lockdown measures are eased .
The company is facing increasing competition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Amazon Prime , which both boast of large archives of content to attract new subscribers .
Meanwhile , newly-launched short-form streaming service Quibi spent billions to release content with top Hollywood talent .
And later this year HBO Max and NBCUniversal will launch Peacock in the US .
In the streaming world , content is king and more rivals mean Netflix will need to shore up its lineup .
That 's where coronavirus - a positive when it comes to driving subscriber growth - becomes a possible negative .
Netflix had to pause @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lockdown .
Its rivals face the same challenge .
But big brands like NBCUniversal and Disney are also pulling popular shows they had leased to Netflix and showing on their own services instead .
Europe , the Middle East and Africa accounted for the largest number of new members with almost 7 million new subscribers .
Growth in the US and Canada , which has lagged in recent quarters , also jumped , with 2.3 million new members joining the service , compared to just 550,000 in the final months of 2019 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ million subscribers worldwide .
Netflix said revenue increased to $ 5.76 billion , up more than 27 % compared to the same period in 2019 .
Profits almost doubled from $ 344 million in the first quarter of 2019 to $ 709 million .

And sharp declines in the value of many currencies has meant new subscribers outside of the US, where Netflix is based, are not worth as much to the company as they would have been before the crisis. And that has hurt its international revenue growth.


bbc--2020-04-21--'Nobody told us about the coronavirus pandemic'

In 2017 , Elena Manighetti and Ryan Osborne decided to take the plunge many dream of - they quit their jobs , bought a boat and decided to travel around the world .
They asked their families to keep in touch , but with one rule : no bad news .
The couple , who lived in Manchester , were travelling across the Atlantic ocean from the Canary Islands to the Caribbean last month when , unbeknownst to them , a new and deadly coronavirus was spreading across the world .
After 25 days at sea , and with little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ couple planned to dock on a small island in mid-March .
But upon getting phone signal while still off-shore , they discovered the island 's borders were closed and found out the world had been suffering from a global pandemic they 'd heard nothing about .
`` In February we 'd heard there was a virus in China , but with the limited information we had we figured by the time we got to the Caribbean in 25 days it would all be over , '' Elena says .
`` When we arrived @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the whole world had been infected , '' adds Ryan .
The couple had mostly been out at sea when the coronavirus outbreak began .
With limited access to the internet and contact from family and friends , the pair had no idea how serious it had become .
`` We told our shore contacts we did n't want to hear any bad news , which was a difficult job as it was pretty bad news , '' says Elena , whose family is from Lombardy - the worst-hit region in Italy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the French territories in the Caribbean but when we arrived we found all the borders were closed and the islands were closing down , '' Ryan says .
`` Even at that point we assumed it was a preventative measure due to the high season .
We thought the islands did n't want to run the risk of a few tourists infecting the locals . ''
Back on their boat , the couple diverted their travel to Grenada and finally hit an area out at sea where their 4G was good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It was at that point they started to understand the magnitude of the virus .
`` A friend of ours was already in Saint Vincent , which is where we were aiming to head .
We managed to get in contact with her 10 hours before we were due to dock .
`` She told us we were going to be refused entry as I 'm an Italian citizen , even though I had n't been to Italy in months , '' Elena says .
Luckily , the couple had been tracking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They were able to prove their travel history , which showed that not only had they not been to Italy in months , they had also been in isolation for 25 days at sea .
They were finally able to stand on dry land .
'Dad told me not to panic' Both Elena and Ryan have found it difficult to hear how the pandemic has affected their families .
`` My hometown is in the Italian region of Lombardy which has been one of the worst affected in the world , '' she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't realised how it had affected our families until we docked and I managed to call my dad .
`` It was a hard conversation .
He told me to not panic but our town had been one of the worst affected areas globally .
He sent me a New York Times profile on our hometown , which made it all feel suddenly real .
I was shocked .
`` It 's a very macabre picture at home , there are no more coffins , no more cemetery space or room in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at home and have been in lockdown for over six weeks , but people we 've known for years have died . ''
At the moment Elena and Ryan are safe in Bequia , Saint Vincent , but are worried about how long they 'll be able to stay there .
`` We do n't want to leave Saint Vincent for now as nowhere is open , '' says Elena .
`` We 're sitting tight for the time being with the aim of getting out before hurricane season starts at the beginning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to then travel north and continue exploring the Caribbean .
But for now things look uncertain , she says , adding : `` We 're sandwiched between the hurricane season and the virus . ''

They were able to prove their travel history, which showed that not only had they not been to Italy in months, they had also been in isolation for 25 days at sea. They were finally able to stand on dry land.


bbc--2020-04-21--US bodycam footage shows man shooting at police

A man suspected of attempted murder was pulled over in a car park in Sacramento , California , when he @ @ @ @ @ Bodycam footage shows the officers returning fire , resulting in the window of a nearby @ @ @ @ @ - being shattered .
The man with the gun was injured and arrested .
The @ @ @ @ @ and the attempted murder investigation is ongoing .

A man suspected of attempted murder was pulled over in a car park in Sacramento, California, when he started firing at officers.
Bodycam footage shows the officers returning fire, resulting in the window of a nearby car - with passengers inside - being shattered.
The man with the gun was injured and arrested.
The incident happened on 11 April and the attempted murder investigation is ongoing.


bbc--2020-04-21--Coronavirus: Couple celebrate their 'not wedding day'

A couple have held a mock wedding ceremony to mark the day they were meant to get married .
Laura @ @ @ @ @ who live near Falkirk , were due to wed on Saturday in Inverness .
But @ @ @ @ @ are not taking place because of the lockdown .
Laura and Ruaridh held what they @ @ @ @ @ wedding day '' and linked up with family and friends via video calls .
They @ @ @ @ @ day , with Laura using a fitted bed sheet for the veil while Ruaridh wore @ @ @ @ @ kilt .

A couple have held a mock wedding ceremony to mark the day they were meant to get married.
Laura McKinlay and Ruaridh Macmillan, who live near Falkirk, were due to wed on Saturday in Inverness.
But most marriages and civil partnerships are not taking place because of the lockdown.
Laura and Ruaridh held what they called a "not our wedding day" and linked up with family and friends via video calls.
They had fun on their special day, with Laura using a fitted bed sheet for the veil while Ruaridh wore his pyjamas instead of a kilt.
Watch more personal stories during the coronavirus outbreak: Your Coronavirus Stories


bbc--2020-04-21--Coronavirus: Oil price at 18-year low as turmoil persists

The price of a barrel of Brent Crude - the UK benchmark for oil - has slipped below $ 20 , its lowest level since 2002 .
The more than 25 % slump followed negative prices being recorded for a barrel of West Texas Intermediate ( WTI ) , the benchmark for US oil .
The declines are a testament to the sharp decline in energy demand due to coronavirus lockdowns across the world .
Butthe negative oil prices on Monday were a `` quirk '' due to trading deadlines , one market expert said .
`` We do n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ normal , going forward , '' said analyst James Trafford of Fidelity International .
`` Yesterday 's price action is best understood as a quirk or peculiarity of futures trading . ''
Oil prices have weakened sharply because of a combination of oversupply and a collapse in global demand due to the decline in economic activity caused by coronavirus lockdown measures .
The price of oil that we see reported is actually the future price of oil .
Futures are essentially contracts to deliver the physical commodity at a later date .
So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we are actually seeing the market price for future months .
As the delivery date approaches , these contracts need to be rolled over to the subsequent period .
The price of a barrel of West Texas Intermediate ( WTI ) , the benchmark for US oil , fell into negative territory for the first time in history on Monday , dropping to minus $ 37 a barrel .
But that only related to the May contract , which was about to expire .
Traders holding the contract were unable to find buyers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to take delivery wanted it .
`` Nobody wants to take delivery of oil next month because there 's nowhere to store it , so the price dropped below zero , '' explained Rachel Winter , associate investment director at Killik & Co. On Tuesday , May prices remained low but returned to positive territory .
However , the price for June fell dramatically , tumbling 43 % to less than $ 12 per barrel over continued fears about storage capacity .
`` This is an unprecedented demand drop .
Nobody in their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' said James McNally of Third Bridge Group .
The collapse in physical demand for crude products like petrol and jet fuel has left storage hubs at capacity or , as one trader put it : `` They 're close to the brim . ''
Storage at US oil hub Cushing has already grown to more than 15 million barrels in the past month - and is expected to soon be at capacity for the first time ever .
`` Coronavirus is rewriting the rules of the global economy in front of our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , analyst at eToro .
`` With oil demand virtually non-existent , this quite amazing sell-off is almost entirely down to fears over storage . ''
Does that mean oil prices will fall further ?
`` While Monday 's negative WTI futures price might have been a one-off glitch , it does confirm there is trouble ahead , '' said Artur Baluszynski , head of research at Henderson Rowe .
`` The Covid-19 crisis is destroying the global demand for energy and without a timeline on the end of the lockdown in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from chronic oversupply . ''
The Opec group of oil-producing economies recently agreed to historic supply cuts , which were due to come into effect in May .
The group is now is believed to be looking to cut oil output immediately , rather than waiting until next month , to ease the pressure on prices .
Many North American companies have also independently announced plans to cut back their output .
`` The idea of shutting down did n't make sense until prices got really low and now we 've seen announcements @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Producers respond to price signals and it 's taking negative prices to solve the oversupply problem . ''
However analysts say that does not mean the cuts will be sufficient to cause prices to rebound quickly .
Will the price of petrol fall ?
While the price of petrol is linked to the wholesale price of oil , it is driven by competition .
That means that what motorists pay is not directly linked to crude .
Instead , suppliers control the prices they sell petrol at .
Crucially , a key factor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the biggest proportion of the money you hand over for a litre of petrol in the UK goes to the government in the form of tax .
Fuel duty is charged at 57.95p per litre .
On top of that , you have to pay VAT at 20 % on the cost of petrol .
Could this week 's oil price turmoil see prices drift below £1 for the first time since the late 2000s ?
`` In theory , petrol prices could fall below £1 per litre if the lower wholesale costs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the same time , people are driving very few miles , so they 're selling vastly lower quantities of petrol and diesel at the moment , '' pointed out RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams .
This means many forecourts will be reluctant to trim their prices any further , he said .
At the same time , he said , more price pressure on petrol could hit the viability of independent garages , which provided `` a vital service in areas where the supermarkets do n't have a foothold '' .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if these forecourts shut up shop for good . ''
Since the end of March , the wholesale price of petrol has been around the 16p a litre mark , according to the AA .
`` Add fuel duty at 57.95p a litre , a generous 9p a litre supplier/retailer margin , plus VAT and the average pump price of petrol would normally be around £1 a litre , '' said the AA 's fuel spokesperson Luke Bosdet .
Instead , the average pump price is higher because the retailers say they need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offset the lower volumes of fuel they are selling , he pointed out .
Journey levels are at about 40 % of normal during the working week , falling to 20 % by Sunday .
This meant those who were still driving were being `` overcharged on average by more than a fiver a tank '' .
`` I suspect that when the lockdown comes to an end , coronavirus is beaten and driving starts to return to normal , questions will be asked about the fairness of pump prices during the great @ @ @ @ @ @

"In theory, petrol prices could fall below £1 per litre if the lower wholesale costs were reflected at the pumps - but at the same time, people are driving very few miles, so they're selling vastly lower quantities of petrol and diesel at the moment," pointed out RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams.


bbc--2020-04-21--Allergy impact from invasive weed 'underestimated'

Scientists say the impact on human health across Europe of the invasive ragweed plant may be `` seriously underestimated '' .
Allergies caused by common ragweed ( Ambrosia artemisiifolia ) affect around 13.5 million people in Europe , according their study .
This results in €7.4bn ( £6.5bn ) worth of health costs per year .
But the authors say the plant could be controlled by a beetle , which is itself non-native in Europe .
The North American ragweed leaf beetle ( Ophraella communa ) arrived accidentally in Europe in 2013 .
The beetle attacks ragweed foliage ; field @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaf beetle can reduce ragweed pollen by 82 % .
The ragweed also hails from North America and is now established in 30 countries across Europe , from Iberia and the Balkans to Scandinavia and the British Isles in the north .
The pollen from this invasive plant causes a range of symptoms from sneezing to itchy eyes .
It also aggravates conditions such as asthma and eczema .
Urs Schaffner , from the CABI in Delémont , Switzerland , and colleagues quantified the economic benefits of controlling ragweed using the leaf beetle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ study provides evidence that the impacts of common ragweed on human health and the economy are so far highly underestimated , but that biological control by Ophraella communa might mitigate these impacts in parts of Europe . ''
Using data from the European pollen monitoring programme , Dr Schaffner and colleagues mapped total seasonal ragweed pollen in Europe from 2004 to 2012 - prior to the introduction of the beetle .
To arrive at a number of patients suffering from ragweed pollen allergy , the researchers compared their European-wide assessment with detailed healthcare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then able to determine the overall economic costs of healthcare to treat the symptoms and other effects - such as lost work time - of ragweed pollen .
But they also concluded that biological control of the ragweed plant using the leaf beetle could reduce the number of people with an allergy from 13.5 million to approximately 11.2 million and cut the health costs from €7.4bn to €6.4bn per year .
`` At this point in time , biological control of ragweed is already happening in Italy , '' said Dr Schaffner .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ use O. communa for biological control of ragweed would need to go through a risk-benefit assessment and the national authorities must approve the use of this exotic insect for biological control in their country . ''
Dr Schaffner said that some years ago , Australia considered the beetle for release there .
But , he explained , `` they found that under laboratory conditions O. communa can complete its development on sunflowers and thus rejected it as a safe biological control agent .
He told BBC News : `` Then , after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Chinese did a number of field studies and found no evidence that O. communa would actually attack sunflowers under field conditions .
Our studies in Northern Italy revealed very similar findings . ''
In addition , said senior author Prof Heinz Müller-Schärer , the beetle has co-existed with sunflower crops in the US for decades .
`` We found no single report of any damage by this beetle in sunflower in the USA , '' he said .
But the researchers want to carry out further testing before the beetle is deliberately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to warmer temperatures than the colder climates found in Northern Europe .
But there may be a way round this problem .
`` In northern Italy , the climatic conditions allow the beetle to complete four generations within one season , which enables the beetle to build up very high densities , '' said Dr Schaffner .
`` In countries with a cooler climate , this may not be possible ; in those cases , mass releases of the beetle early in the year may be an option to increase the impact of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prof Müller-Schärer told BBC News : `` In addition , experiments are presently underway to select for cold-adapted beetle strains that could then be released in cooler ragweed areas of Europe . ''

"Any other country which wants to use O. communa for biological control of ragweed would need to go through a risk-benefit assessment and the national authorities must approve the use of this exotic insect for biological control in their country."


bbc--2020-04-21--Cameroon admits army's role in civilian killings

Cameroon has admitted that soldiers acting alongside a militia shot dead 13 civilians , including 10 children , in the restive north-west of the country .
Officials had initially denied the army was involved in the killings in Ntumbo in February .
In a statement , Cameroon 's presidency said three soldiers along with members of a vigilante group had stormed a separatist rebel base .
It suggested the deaths were accidental but soldiers tried to cover them up .
Cameroon 's government has been fighting separatists in the region for three years .
At the time of the attack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been killed including 15 children and two pregnant women .
A tally by Human Rights Watch ( HRW ) said 21 civilians were killed , including 13 children and a pregnant woman , and blamed the attack on at least 10 troops from an elite army unit who were backed by `` at least 30 armed Fulani '' militiamen .
BBC World Service Africa editor Will Ross says this is an embarrassing U-turn for the government but there are still doubts about the official version .
• Burning Cameroon : Images you 're @ @ @ @ @ @ @ denied the army was involved but President Paul Biya responded to international pressure by ordering an investigation .
On Tuesday , a statement broadcast on state radio said soldiers and vigilantes stormed the rebel base and then discovered `` that three women and 10 children were killed '' in the gun battle .
`` Overcome with panic , the three soldiers helped by some members of the self-defence group tried to hide the incident by setting fires , '' the statement added .
President Biya has ordered the arrest of the sergeant who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Unrest in Cameroon has been centred in the north-west where most of the population speak English because of colonial-era ties to Britain .
Armed separatist groups began to emerge in 2017 after a government crackdown on protests .
Separatists have declared independence for a new state they call Ambazonia , but President Biya has labelled the groups `` terrorists '' .
More than 3,000 people have died since the outbreak of fighting and at least 70,000 people have also been displaced from their homes .

At the time of the attack, the UN said 23 people had been killed including 15 children and two pregnant women. A tally by Human Rights Watch (HRW) said 21 civilians were killed, including 13 children and a pregnant woman, and blamed the attack on at least 10 troops from an elite army unit who were backed by "at least 30 armed Fulani" militiamen.


bbc--2020-04-21--Euthanasia: Dutch court expands law on dementia cases

Doctors in the Netherlands can no longer be prosecuted for carrying out euthanasia on dementia patients who have previously given written consent .
Previously , patients would need to confirm their request .
But on Tuesday the Dutch Supreme Court ruled this was no longer the case .
The decision comes after a doctor was taken to court for carrying out assisted suicide on a patient with Alzheimer 's , who had previously asked for the procedure in a statement .
Prosecutors said the doctor did not properly consult the unnamed 74-year-old .
But the family supported the doctor 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any wrongdoing last year .
It is a landmark decision in the Netherlands .
The country became the first in the world to legalise euthanasia in 2002 , albeit under strict conditions .
These include that the patients must be enduring `` unbearable and endless suffering '' , and that at least two doctors agree to the procedure .
If these conditions are met , doctors `` may carry out a written request beforehand for euthanasia in people with advanced dementia , '' the court ruled on Tuesday .
Patients must also have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so advanced that they could `` no long express their will '' .
The decision stems from a court case involving a 64-year-old doctor who carried out the assisted suicide in 2016 .
After being diagnosed with Alzheimer 's four years before she died , the unnamed patient wrote a statement saying that she wanted to be euthanised before entering a care home , but adding that she wanted to decide `` while still in my senses and when I think the time is right '' .
Before she was taken into care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should be administered based on her prior statement .
This was confirmed by two separate doctors independently .
When the day came to end the woman 's life , a sedative was put in her coffee and she lost consciousness .
But the woman then woke up and had to be held down by her daughter and husband while the process was finished .

After being diagnosed with Alzheimer's four years before she died, the unnamed patient wrote a statement saying that she wanted to be euthanised before entering a care home, but adding that she wanted to decide "while still in my senses and when I think the time is right".


bbc--2020-04-21--Coronavirus: Ireland bans major mass gatherings until autumn

Major public gatherings of more than 5,000 people have been banned in the Republic of Ireland until at least September due to the Covid-19 pandemic .
It means no major sporting fixtures or concerts will take place in the country this summer ; large gatherings have been restricted since 24 March .
The government said local authorities had been advised not to consider licences for any such major events .
It confirmed 44 more coronavirus-linked deaths , bringing the total to 730 .
Some 388 new cases of the disease have also been confirmed across the Republic of Ireland , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 16,040 .
The advice to ban major events will be `` kept under review '' in line with public health advice on mass gatherings , the government announced on Tuesday ; further health advice on lockdown restrictions will be updated before 5 May .
It comes after the country 's finance minister said Irish GDP is set to fall by 10.5 % this year .
Paschal Donohoe said that both the Irish and global economic landscape have fundamentally changed due to the outbreak of Covid-19 .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : How do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : The rules on self-isolation and exercise • WHAT WE DO N'T KNOW How to understand the death toll • TESTING : Can I get tested for coronavirus ?
He said the labour market is bearing the brunt of the economic shock of the coronavirus outbreak .
The country will go from a state of near full employment to a peak unemployment rate of 22 % in the second quarter and the unemployment rate will then average out at 13.9 % for the year , he said .
Mr Donohoe 's comments came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Programme Update 2020 ( SPU ) .
This sets out an economic scenario for 2020 and 2021 and which now incorporates the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic .
`` The Irish economic landscape , in common with elsewhere , has been turned on its head in recent weeks , '' he said .
`` The necessary restrictions to limit the transmission of the Covid-19 virus have resulted in a severe recession and unprecedented levels of unemployment . ''
He also said the gradual recovery assumed in the second half of the year is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the economy growing by 6 % and unemployment falling to below 10 % next year .
`` It is expected that economic activity will reach its pre-crisis level in 2022 , '' the minister added .
He also said that the country 's budget deficit is expected to be 7.4 % this year , or €23bn ( £20bn ) .

The country will go from a state of near full employment to a peak unemployment rate of 22% in the second quarter and the unemployment rate will then average out at 13.9% for the year, he said.


bbc--2020-04-21--Pescara football club adopts Italian boy's shirt design

A six-year-old boy in Italy is celebrating after his football shirt design was adopted by the professional team Pescara .
Luigi D'Agostino beat other children in a competition , run by the club for young fans , aimed at easing the boredom of being stuck indoors during the country 's coronavirus lockdown .
The competition 's motto was `` give a kick to Covid-19 '' .
The boy 's dolphin design will be worn by the Serie B team next season .
The Pescara club - its full name is Pescara Calcio 1936 - played in the top Italian league @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in its history .
Its mascot is a dolphin - the club plays in an Adriatic resort town famous for its beaches .
The club features Luigi 's triumph on its website .
Italian sports kit supplier Erreà will make the shirts and has invited Luigi to spend a special day at its Parma headquarters , to see the new team strip coming off the production line .
The competition was launched simply as a children 's game , using Erreà graphics , but its popularity on social media turned it into a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Millions of people in Italy have been unable to leave their homes - except for essential reasons - since lockdown measures came into force on 9 March .
You might also like :

Italian sports kit supplier Erreà will make the shirts and has invited Luigi to spend a special day at its Parma headquarters, to see the new team strip coming off the production line.


bbc--2020-04-21--Coronavirus advice ignored by Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro

Brazil 's President Jair Bolsonaro has come under criticism for his response to coronavirus , most recently for attending an @ @ @ @ @ seen coughing without covering his mouth .
The BBC 's South America correspondent Katy Watson @ @ @ @ @ responded to the virus in Brazil .

Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro has come under criticism for his response to coronavirus, most recently for attending an anti-lockdown rally where he was seen coughing without covering his mouth.
The BBC's South America correspondent Katy Watson looks at how Bolsonaro has responded to the virus in Brazil.
Producer: Luciani Gomes