bbc--2020-08-11--Is Biden or Trump ahead in the polls?

Is Biden or Trump ahead in the polls?

Voters in America will decide on 3 November whether Donald Trump remains in the White House for another four years .
The Republican president is being challenged by Democratic Party nominee Joe Biden , who is best known as Barack Obama 's vice-president but has been in US politics since the 1970s .
As election day approaches , polling companies will be trying to gauge the mood of the nation by asking voters which candidate they prefer .
We 'll be keeping track of those polls here and trying to work out what they can and ca n't tell us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ How are the presidential candidates doing nationally ?
National polls are a good guide as to how popular a candidate is across the country as a whole , but they 're not necessarily a good way to predict the result of the election .
In 2016 , for example , Hillary Clinton led in the polls and won nearly three million more votes than Donald Trump , but she still lost - that 's because the US uses an electoral college system , so winning the most votes does n't always win you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Joe Biden has been ahead of Donald Trump in national polls for most of the year .
He has hovered around 50 % in recent weeks and has had a 10-point lead on occasions .
By contrast , in 2016 the polls were far less clear and just a couple of percentage points separated Mr Trump and his then-rival Hillary Clinton at several points as election day neared .
• Does Trump have the power to delay the election ?
Which states will decide this election ?
As Mrs Clinton discovered in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ win is less important than where you win them .
Most states nearly always vote the same way , meaning that in reality there are just a handful of states where both candidates stand a chance of winning .
These are the places where the election will be won and lost and are known as battleground states .
In the electoral college system the US uses to elect its president , each state is given a number of votes based on its population .
A total of 538 electoral college votes are up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to hit 270 to win .
As the map above shows , some battleground states have a lot more electoral college votes on offer than others so candidates often spend a lot more time campaigning in them .
• What is the electoral college ?
At the moment , polls in the battleground states look good for Joe Biden , but there 's a long way to go and things can change very quickly , especially when Donald Trump 's involved .
The polls suggest Mr Biden has big leads in Michigan , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his Republican rival won by margins of less than 1 % to clinch victory in 2016 .
But it 's the battleground states where Mr Trump won big in 2016 that his campaign team will be most worried about .
His winning margin in Iowa , Ohio and Texas was between 8-10 % back then but he 's neck-and-neck with Mr Biden in all three at the moment .
Those poll numbers may help explain his decision to replace his re-election campaign manager in July and his regular references to `` fake polls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are certainly not writing Mr Trump off just yet .
The latest odds still give him about a one in three chance of winning on 3 November .
The coronavirus pandemic has dominated headlines in the US since the start of the year and the response to President Trump 's actions has been split predictably along party lines .
Support for his approach peaked in mid-March after he declared a national emergency and made $ 50 billion available to states to stop the spread of the virus .
At this point , 55 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to data from Ipsos , a leading polling company .
But any support he had from Democrats disappeared after that , while Republicans continued to back their president .
The most recent data , however , suggests even his own supporters have begun to question his response as states in the south and the west of the country have dealt with renewed outbreaks of the virus .
Republican support had fallen to 78 % by early July .
This may explain why he has been less optimistic about coronavirus recently , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worse before it gets better '' He also donned a face mask for the first time recently and called on Americans to wear them , saying `` they 'll have an effect '' and show `` patriotism '' .
One leading model produced by experts at the University of Washington predicts the death toll will have passed 250,000 by election day .
• Why are Americans so angry about masks ?
Can we trust the polls ?
It 's easy to dismiss the polls by saying they got it wrong in 2016 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But it 's not entirely true .
Most national polls did have Hillary Clinton ahead by a few percentage points , but that does n't mean they were wrong , since she won three million more votes than her rival .
Pollsters did have some problems in 2016 - notably a failure to properly represent voters without a college degree - meaning Mr Trump 's advantage in some key battleground states was n't spotted until late in the race , if at all .
Most polling companies have corrected this now .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than normal due to the coronavirus pandemic and the effect it 's having on both the economy and how people will vote in November , so all polls should be read with some scepticism , especially this far out from election day .
• What to expect at Biden 's Democratic convention

On his own health, 72% of respondents said that Mr Trump did not take the "risk of contracting the virus seriously enough," while the same number said he failed to take "the appropriate precautions when it came to his personal health".


bbc--2020-08-12--Joe Biden and Kamala Harris say Trump has left US 'in tatters'

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden and running mate Kamala Harris have attacked `` whining '' President Donald Trump as an incompetent leader who has left the US `` in tatters '' .
The pair held their first campaign event together , a day after Mr Biden unveiled Ms Harris as his number two .
President Trump hit back , saying Ms Harris had `` dropped like a rock '' in her own presidential bid .
What did Biden say ?
Wednesday 's event in Wilmington , Delaware , was not open to the public , with Mr Biden , 77 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidates walked on stage wearing masks to address a socially distanced group of masked journalists .
About 75 people gathered outside in a light rain before the event to catch a glimpse of the two candidates , according to Reuters news agency , although some of the crowd were critics of Mr Biden .
Speaking from the gymnasium of the Alexis I DuPont High School , Mr Biden noted that Ms Harris , a California senator , is the first woman of colour to serve as a presidential running mate for a major @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` The choice we make this November is going to decide the future of America for a very , very long time . ''
He continued : `` Donald Trump has already started his attacks , calling Kamala , quote , nasty , whining about how she is , quote , mean to his appointees .
`` It 's not a surprise because whining is what Donald Trump does best , better than any president in American history .
`` Is anybody surprised that Donald Trump has a problem with a strong woman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ? ''
He also attacked Mr Trump 's handling of the coronavirus pandemic , climate change , the unemployment rate and `` his politics of racist rhetoric that appeals to division '' .
What did Harris say ?
Coming to the podium next , Ms Harris said : `` I am ready to get to work . ''
The 55-year-old former prosecutor told reporters : `` This is a moment of real consequence for America .
Everything we care about , our economy , our health , our children , the kind of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all on the line . ''
Ms Harris - the daughter of immigrants from India and Jamaica - continued : `` America is crying out for leadership , yet we have a president who cares more about himself than the people who elected him . ''
She continued : `` He [ Mr Trump ] inherited the longest economic expansion in history from Barack Obama and Joe Biden .
`` And then , like everything else he inherited , he ran it straight into the ground . ''
Ms Harris added : `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a guy who just is n't up to the job - our country ends up in tatters , and so does our reputation around the world . ''
Much has been made of the differences between Joe Biden and Kamala Harris since he announced her as his running mate on Tuesday afternoon .
Biden is more than 20 years her senior .
He 's a white man , son of working-class parents in Pennsylvania .
She 's a multiracial woman from California , daughter of immigrants from Jamaica and India .
In their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they both spoke about what they had in common .
`` Her story is America 's story , '' Mr Biden said .
`` Different from mine in many particulars , but also not so different in the essentials . ''
Ms Harris echoed this , saying that the two candidates are `` cut from the same cloth '' .
It 's the kind of message you 'd imagine would come from a campaign that 's calling for national healing and unity .
Of course , that did n't stop either candidate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ general election opponents .
It 's the first salvo for this ticket in what is sure to be a bare-knuckle fight for the White House .
• How Kamala Harris could help - or hurt - Joe Biden At a White House press conference on Wednesday , Mr Trump disparaged Ms Harris ' failed bid for the Democratic party 's presidential nomination , during which she fiercely attacked Mr Biden 's record on race .
Mr Trump said : `` I watched her poll numbers go boom , boom , boom , down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ angry , she left mad .
`` There was nobody more insulting to Biden than she was .
She said horrible things about him , including accusations made about him by a woman , where she , I guess , believed the woman .
`` Now all of a sudden she 's running to be vice-president saying how wonderful he is . ''
Mr Biden has previously been accused by a number of women of unwelcome contact , including touching and kissing .
Ms Harris told reporters in April 2019 of the allegations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Biden acknowledged at the time that he must respect personal space .
A more serious allegation surfaced this year from a former Senate aide who accused Mr Biden of sexually assaulting her in the halls of Congress in 1993 .
He denied the claim .
Ms Harris , who had dropped out of the presidential race at the point , said Ms Reade `` has a right to tell her story '' .
Mr Trump has himself been accused by a number of women of sexual assaults , all of which he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ event , Mr Trump goaded Mr Biden for remaining at home for much of the campaign so far amid the pandemic lockdown .
The president asked a group of teachers at a White House event whether it was healthy for students to be learning in isolation at home .
He then asked : `` So if you 're a presidential candidate and you 're sitting in a basement and you 're looking at a computer , that 's not a good thing ? ''
He also tweeted an attack on the Biden-Harris ticket @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Booker , who is black , in charge of low-income housing in the suburbs .
Critics said the tweet was racist .
What happens next ?
Mr Biden will formally accept the Democratic presidential nomination at next week 's party convention , which will largely be a virtual event because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Mr Trump will be nominated for a second four-year term in the White House by his fellow Republicans at their party convention a week later .
A 10-week campaign will follow before voters deliver their verdict in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump and Mr Biden are scheduled to hold three debates in Cleveland , Ohio , on 29 September , Miami , Florida , on 15 October , and Nashville , Tennessee , on 22 October .
Ms Harris will hold a debate with Mr Trump 's running mate , Vice-President Mike Pence , in Salt Lake City , Utah , on 7 October .

In their first joint appearance on Wednesday, however, they both spoke about what they had in common. "Her story is America's story," Mr Biden said. "Different from mine in many particulars, but also not so different in the essentials."


bbc--2020-08-12--Jimmy Lai: Arrested Hong Kong tycoon tells protesters to be 'careful'

Hong Kong tycoon Jimmy Lai - the most high-profile person to be detained under a controversial new security law - has warned young protesters they need to be `` more cautious '' now .
Mr Lai was arrested on Monday , and his newspaper offices raided by hundreds of police , in scenes that shocked many .
Speaking after his release on bail , Mr Lai told the BBC he believed his arrest was `` just the beginning '' .
There will be `` a long fight '' ahead for Hong Kong 's freedoms , he added .
Mr Lai @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voice and a supporter of protests that erupted last year , owns Apple Daily , one of Hong Kong 's most-read newspapers .
He and nine other activists were detained on Monday over allegations including collusion with foreign forces , under a national security law imposed by China in June .
The sweep of arrests has raised fears that China will use the new law to undertake a broad crackdown on Hong Kong 's pro-democracy activists and media figures .
Speaking to Newshour on the BBC World Service , Mr Lai said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at his home on Monday morning .
While he had been arrested before , this was `` more scary '' because it came under the national security law imposed by China , he said .
Both his sons were also arrested on `` bogus charges '' , he said , although he added that he had no regrets about his pro-democracy activism .
`` When I was in custody I could not sleep ...
I was thinking , if I knew that was going to happen to me now , [ with ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] , would I have done the same thing ?
`` I would not have [ done things ] another way - this is my character , '' he added .
However , he warned protesters that they would now have to be `` more cautious in our resistance to preserve our rule of law and freedom '' , as the sweeping new security law made the environment more dangerous for activists .
`` We have to be more careful and creative in [ our ] resistance ... we ca n't be as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - because the more radical [ we are ] the shorter lifespan we have in our fighting .
`` We have to really use our brain and patience , because this is a long fight . ''
• The Hong Kong paper that pushed the boundary Mr Lai 's arrest has been welcomed by Chinese state media , who have described him as a `` riot supporter '' and his publications as having been `` instigating hatred , spreading rumours and smearing Hong Kong authorities and the mainland for years '' .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than $ 1bn ( £766m ) .
Having made his initial fortune in the clothing industry , he later ventured into media and founded Apple Daily , which is frequently critical of Hong Kong and mainland Chinese leadership .
In 2019 the daily was the most-read paid newspaper in the territory , both in print and online , according to the Chinese University of Hong Kong .
Mr Lai has also been an activist against Beijing 's increasingly tight grip on Hong Kong .
In 2019 he supported and participated in pro-democracy protests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On Tuesday , the holding company of Apple Daily newspaper saw its stock rise fourfold , as Hong Kongers rallied behind the newspaper and bought stocks in the company following Mr Lai 's arrest .
Who else was arrested ?
Mr Lai 's colleagues and two of his sons were among those arrested on Monday .
Separately , prominent youth activist Agnes Chow was arrested , as were Wilson Li , who works as a freelance journalist with UK-based ITV News , and activist Andy Li .
Ms Chow was released on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reporters : `` It 's very obvious that the regime is using the national security law to suppress political dissidents . ''
What is the new security law ?
Hong Kong has had a high degree of autonomy since it was returned from British to Chinese rule in 1997 , and its residents have had a far higher level of freedom of speech and media than people on the mainland .
But the new law 's key provisions include that crimes of secession , subversion , terrorism and collusion with foreign forces are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in prison .
It makes it easier to punish protesters , and reduces Hong Kong 's autonomy .
The law also gives Beijing powers to shape life in the former British colony in a way it never has before .
Critics say it effectively curtails protest and freedom of speech .
China has said the new law will return stability to the territory after a year of unrest .
• Hong Kong security law : What is it and is it worrying ?
• The Hong Kong residents ready to leave for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hong Kong 's new law

"When I was in custody I could not sleep... I was thinking, if I knew that was going to happen to me now, [with] even more hardship [on the way], would I have done the same thing?


bbc--2020-08-12--Americans, go home: Tension at Canada-US border

Grades will be higher but there are questions about the fairness of estimated A-level results .

"Most recently this weekend, there was a gentleman up towards Huntsville getting gas in his vehicle, and two gentlemen approached him and said, 'you're American go home.' And he said, 'I'm Canadian. I live here.' And they literally said, no, we don't believe you show us your passport," Phil Harding, the mayor of nearby Muskoka Lakes, told CP24.


bbc--2020-08-12--Beirut blast: WHO warns dozens of health facilities 'non-functional'

The damage caused by last week 's deadly explosion in Beirut continues to hamper healthcare in the Lebanese capital .
The World Health Organization ( WHO ) assessed 55 healthcare facilities in the city and found that half of them were `` non-functional '' .
Three major hospitals had to close and three more had to reduce their capacity following the blast .
The WHO also warned that in some facilities Covid-19 prevention measures were not being adhered to .
More than 200 people died and more than 6,000 were injured in the blast , according to the city 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caused by more than 2,700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate stored unsafely at the city 's port .
On Tuesday , people in Beirut marked the moment the blast hit exactly a week earlier .
There has been outrage that so much explosive material was allowed to be stored in the port .
The government resigned on Monday following angry street protests .
What 's the state of the hospitals ?
Dr Richard Brennan , the WHO 's regional emergency director in the Eastern Mediterranean , said that they had assessed 55 primary healthcare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just over half were found to be `` non functional '' , leaving Beirut short of 500 hospital beds as it continues to deal with thousands of injured residents .
More on the explosion in Beirut • The inferno and the mystery ship • 'We do n't have dreams any more' • What we know about the blast The WHO said its priority was to get those hospitals and clinics that had closed , up and running as fast as possible .
Dr Brennan said that to ensure supplies got to those who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them directly to health facilities it had identified in its own assessments .
He stressed the importance of restoring health facilities to their full capacity both to treat those injured and to deal with a recent surge in daily coronavirus cases .
Lebanon has had 7,121 confirmed cases of coronavirus , according to health ministry figures released on Tuesday .
There have been 87 Covid-related deaths .
Dr Brennan praised Lebanon 's response to the pandemic , saying it had done an `` impressive job '' tackling it .
But he warned that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the number of cases prior to the blast '' .
He added that the country had registered its highest number of daily cases on Tuesday .
`` While we have to still continue to respond to the consequences of the blast , we also need to stay vigilant with respect to Covid , '' he urged .
He said he thought it was possible to `` get on top '' of the recent acceleration in cases if the response was stepped up .
What 's the damage in the city ?
Hundreds of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaving parts of the city looking like a war zone .
Many historical buildings are among those damaged .
On Wednesday , the authorities announced a ban on the sale of these old buildings to prevent several historical districts from being gutted by developers seeking profits .
The fear is that these traditional homes could be torn down and replaced by high-rise apartment blocks as has happened in other parts of Beirut in the past .
There have also been concerns that Lebanon could soon run low on bread as the silos in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the brunt of the blast .
But the Lebanese economy minister , Raoul Nehme , tweeted that the country had enough supplies of flour for the next four months .

The WHO said its priority was to get those hospitals and clinics that had closed, up and running as fast as possible. Dr Brennan said that to ensure supplies got to those who needed them, the WHO was distributing them directly to health facilities it had identified in its own assessments.


bbc--2020-08-12--Dolphin stampede wows whale watchers

Dolphin stampede wows whale watchers

Around 300 dolphins were caught on camera as they travelled at rapid speeds near Dana Point in southern California .
@ @ @ @ @ the dolphins leap so fast they spend more time in the air than in the @ @

Around 300 dolphins were caught on camera as they travelled at rapid speeds near Dana Point in southern California.
Also known as porpoising, the dolphins leap so fast they spend more time in the air than in the water.
Video produced by Mattea Bubalo


bbc--2020-08-12--Three dead after passenger train derails near Stonehaven

Three people , including the driver and a conductor , have died after a passenger train derailed in Aberdeenshire .
The third victim was a passenger , ScotRail has confirmed .
It is thought the train hit a landslide after heavy rain and thunderstorms which caused flooding and travel disruption across Scotland .
A major incident was declared and about 30 emergency service vehicles were called to the scene .
It involved the 06:38 ScotRail service from Aberdeen to Glasgow Queen Street .
Six people have been taken to hospital but their injuries are not believed to be serious .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the driver and the conductor had been informed and were being supported by specially-trained liaison officers .
Ch Supt Eddie Wylie said it was believed that all passengers had been accounted for .
He added : `` Once the area has been made safe then a full and thorough search will be conducted , which is likely to take some time .
`` I know many people will understandably have questions and we will be working closely alongside the Rail Accident Investigation Branch and the Office of Rail and Road to establish the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to derail . ''
The RMT union said that confirmation of the three deaths , including one of its conductor members , was `` the most dreadful news '' .
Senior assistant general secretary Mick Lynch added the union 's thoughts `` were with the families , colleagues and friends of those who have lost their lives in this tragedy . ''
Early indications are that the heavy rain could have been the main factor in causing today 's crash in Aberdeenshire .
One rail industry source says the 06:38 service from Aberdeen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flooding on the line .
The driver apparently contacted control to ask permission to switch tracks .
It 's believed the train reversed and switched to clearer tracks and then continued on its route to Glasgow .
Then it is thought the train hit a landslide and derailed .
However , this initial , unconfirmed version of events should now be closely examined by the UK 's Rail Accident Investigation Branch .
Its job is to establish all the facts .
The train 's computer systems should show key indicators like the speed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the track .
In recent years incidents like this on the UK 's railways have become incredibly rare .
The last major derailment was in 2007 in Cumbria .
The Queen issued a message of condolence following the crash , saying `` it was with great sadness that I heard of the train derailment '' .
Her Majesty said the entire Royal Family `` join me in sending our thoughts and prayers to the families of those who have died and those who have been injured '' .
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon expressed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loved ones of those who lost their lives in the `` tragic incident '' .
`` My thoughts remain with everyone affected , '' she said .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson told the BBC the crash was especially shocking because `` these accidents on the railways are thankfully so rare '' .
`` Our thoughts are very much with those who have lost their lives and their families and , of course , those that have been injured in the derailment , '' he added .
`` Clearly the most important thing now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who are in charge of the investigation , find out exactly what happened and we all work together to make sure nothing like this ever happens again . ''
The train which derailed was made up of two locomotives - at the front and back - and four carriages .
Network Rail has reviewed CCTV footage from the stations at which the service stopped and it 's believed there were nine people , including crew , on the train .
British Transport Police said its officers had been called to the scene at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Network Rail tweeted that there had been reports of a landslip at Carmont and that services between Dundee and Aberdeen had been halted .
The chief executive of Network Rail , Andrew Haines , is cutting short his family holiday in Italy to fly back to the UK .
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said he would visit the site on Thursday `` to try to understand the situation first hand and offer every possible assistance '' .
NHS Grampian confirmed it was on a `` major incident footing '' , and ScotRail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The RMT union 's Mick Lynch said : `` The facts behind this incident will need to be established in due course , but at this stage we are focussed on support and assistance and our thoughts are with all those impacted by this tragedy . ''
Kevin Lindsay , Scotland organiser for the Aslef train drivers union , said : `` Our thoughts tonight are with all those who died , and who were injured , in the tragic accident .
`` While it is too early to speculate about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seem that the appalling weather conditions in the area - the torrential rain - resulted in a landslip which , in turn , caused the train to derail . ''
He added that the train had caught fire after rolling down a steep embankment .
Aberdeenshire Provost and Mearns councillor Bill Howatson said : `` Our thoughts and prayers are with everybody involved .
This is a harrowing time for all concerned . ''
Meanwhile four firefighters were injured while responding the derailment .
BBC Scotland understands they suffered minor injuries after a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the firefighters were admitted to hospital as a precautionary measure but were released shortly afterwards .
It 's long been recognised that landslips are one of the greatest risks to Britain 's railways and that a changing climate will make them more likely .
Heatwaves and droughts can dry out the steep embankments beside the tracks , and over the years will start to weaken them .
Add to that the effects of heavy rain , of the kind seen just now in Scotland , saturating and eroding the soil , and undermining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ temperatures set to bring extremes of weather never anticipated by the Victorian engineers who built the lines , Network Rail has been studying how best to keep the tracks safe .
But it admits that `` we know we ca n't rebuild every mile of railway '' .
The most recent multiple fatalities on the UK 's railways were in South Wales in 2019 , when two railway workers died after being struck by a Great Western train near Port Talbot .
They were working without a lookout .
In November 2004 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Taunton line hit a car on a level crossing , derailing a train and killing seven people and injuring more than 70 others .
In May 2002 , an east coast main line train derailed because of an undetected points failure .
Coaches rolled and came to rest on platforms .
Seven people were killed and 76 injured .
In February 2001 , 10 people were killed in the Great Heck Rail Crash near Selby when a train struck a Land Rover that had rolled onto the track because the driver had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the path of another train .
In October 1999 , at Ladbroke Grove in London , 31 people were killed in a head-on collision after a driver passed a signal .
Are you in the area ?
Did you witness the incident ?
If it is safe to do so please share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay @ bbc.co.uk .
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• Please read our terms & conditions and privacy policy

"Clearly the most important thing now is that the British Transport Police, who are in charge of the investigation, find out exactly what happened and we all work together to make sure nothing like this ever happens again."


bbc--2020-08-12--Coronavirus in Europe: Infections surge in France, Germany and Spain

Germany has recorded its biggest daily increase in coronavirus cases in more than three months as European countries struggle to curb a surge in infections .
More than 1,200 cases were reported in Germany in the past 24 hours .
Officials said the rise was due , in part , to people returning from holidays .
It came as Germany warned against non-essential trips to parts of Spain .
Meanwhile , France had 2,524 new cases in 24 hours , the highest daily rise since its lockdown was lifted in May .
The German foreign ministry said it had added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capital Madrid and the Basque region on Tuesday amid rising infections there .
Warnings were already in place for the regions of Aragon , Catalonia and Navarra .
Germany has recorded more than 9,000 coronavirus-related deaths since the pandemic began .
Spain is facing the worst coronavirus infection rate in Western Europe .
It recorded 1,418 new infections in its latest daily count on Tuesday and said there were 675 `` active outbreaks '' in the country .
Salvador Macip , an expert in health sciences at Catalonia 's Open University , told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a `` critical moment '' .
• Where are the world 's coronavirus hotspots ?
• What are the rules in France and other parts of Europe ?
`` We are right at a point where things can get better or worse .
This means we have to pull out all the stops to curb outbreaks before they become more serious , '' he said .
In total , Spain has recorded more than 326,000 cases - the highest number in Western Europe and the 11th highest in the world .
Wearing a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ areas in Brussels on Wednesday amid a rise in cases .
The order applies to those aged 12 and above .
People were previously only required to wear masks in crowded public spaces and enclosed areas of the Belgian capital , such as shopping centres .
Authorities said the enhanced rules were introduced because of a rise in infections , with Brussels recording an average of 50 new cases per 100,000 inhabitants per day over the past week .
Police checks are being ramped up to ensure that people follow the new rules @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the strictest currently in place in Europe .
Belgium has recorded more than 75,000 cases of coronavirus and more than 9,800 deaths , according to data collated by Johns Hopkins University .
This year 's Paris marathon has been cancelled as France battles a spike in coronavirus cases , organisers said on Wednesday .
The marathon was originally due to take place on 5 April but was then postponed to 15 November because of the pandemic .
Organisers said they had `` tried everything to maintain the event '' but felt `` obliged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There will be great disappointment among those who have sacrificed time training for what had become an autumn marathon , '' they said .
Organisers are now working on the 2021 marathon .
The announcement came after Paris became the latest French city to make face masks compulsory in busy outdoor areas .
Face masks were already compulsory nationwide in enclosed public spaces .
A government spokesman on Wednesday said France would gradually ramp up police checks to ensure that people were respecting social distancing and wearing masks where required .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 're going to mobilise polices forces to make checks , '' Gabriel Attal told journalists .
France has now recorded a total of 206,696 cases of the virus .
On Wednesday Greece reported 262 new cases of coronavirus , its highest daily tally since the start of the pandemic .
The country has now had 216 deaths and 6,177 cases in total .
As a result of the increase in infections in recent weeks , authorities have introduced a curfew for restaurants and bars in some of the country 's top tourist destinations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the tourism season .
They have also enforced restrictions on arrivals from several EU countries and Balkans nations .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : How do I protect myself ?
• IMPACT : What the virus does to the body • COMPARING COUNTRIES : Why it is not straightforward

"We are right at a point where things can get better or worse. This means we have to pull out all the stops to curb outbreaks before they become more serious," he said.


bbc--2020-08-12--US holds off on threatened tariff hike in EU Airbus fight

The US has said it will hold off an a threatened hike in tariffs on $ 7.5bn ( £5.75bn ) worth of European and UK goods that it imposed as punishment for subsidies for plane-maker Airbus .
The move comes as the two sides wrestle to put to an end their 16-year trade battle over state aid for Airbus and American rival Boeing .
The US last year raised border taxes on more than 100 items , including jumpers , single-malt whiskies and cheese .
It has said the EU has not done enough .
`` The EU and member @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to come into compliance with WTO decisions , '' America 's top trade official , Robert Lighthizer , said on Wednesday .
`` The United States , however , is committed to obtaining a long-term resolution to this dispute .
The European Union cautiously welcomed the US decision not to increase the amount of goods subject to tariffs .
`` The Commission acknowledges the decision of the US not to exacerbate the ongoing aircraft dispute by increasing tariffs on European products , '' an EU spokesperson said .
Airbus last month said it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dispute , saying the changes , including increasing its interest rates on loans with France and Spain , eliminated `` any justification '' for the US border taxes .
The move prompted EU officials to call for an end to `` unjustified '' tariffs .
Many American businesses have also protested the duties , which raise prices for American buyers .
On Wednesday Airbus spokesman Clay McConnell said in a statement the company `` profoundly regrets that , despite Europe 's recent actions to achieve full compliance , USTR [ US Trade Representative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Airbus aircraft - especially at a time when aviation and other sectors are going through an unprecedented crisis . ''
When did the tariffs start ?
The US announced tariffs on $ 7.5bn worth of goods last year after the World Trade Organization ruled that state aid provided to Airbus to launch its A380 and A350 jets was illegal and authorised American retaliation .
In February , the US raised the rates being charged on aircraft from 10 % to 15 % , leaving the 25 % duty on other items unchanged .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to raise tariff rates or make new items subject to the import tax .
The items threatened with new duties included salmon fillets , gin and olives .
The US is required by law to review the tariffs periodically .
On Wednesday it announced minor tweaks to the list , for example , removing sweet biscuits made in the UK and adding jams from France and Germany .
Trade lawyer Jamieson Greer , former chief of staff to US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer , told the BBC : `` The reality is that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took some action to provide restitution '' .
The European Union , which brought its own case challenging American subsidies for Boeing , has threatened to hit the US with tariffs of its own .
It is waiting for the World Trade Organization to decide how big such a punishment might be .
The US in May said it had eliminated the benefits in dispute .
That WTO ruling is expected later this year .
`` In the absence of a settlement , the EU will be ready to fully avail itself of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Commissioner Phil Hogan said last month .
The issue has also complicated trade talks between the US and the UK .
UK Trade Secretary Liz Truss raised the matter in talks with Mr Lighthizer this month , as the two sides held a third round of negotiations .
The secretary `` was clear that the UK considers these tariffs to be unacceptable and continued to push for their immediate removal , '' the Department for International Trade said .

The European Union, which brought its own case challenging American subsidies for Boeing, has threatened to hit the US with tariffs of its own. It is waiting for the World Trade Organization to decide how big such a punishment might be.


bbc--2020-08-12--Coronavirus: Russia calls international concern over vaccine 'groundless'

Russia has dismissed mounting international concern over the safety of its locally developed Covid-19 vaccine as `` absolutely groundless '' .
On Tuesday , it said a vaccine had been given regulatory approval after less than two months of testing on humans .
But experts were quick to raise concerns about the speed of Russia 's work , and a growing list of countries have expressed scepticism .
Scientists in Germany , France , Spain and the US have all urged caution .
`` It seems our foreign colleagues are sensing the specific competitive advantages of the Russian drug and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are absolutely groundless , '' Russia 's Health Minister Mikhail Murashko told the Interfax news agency on Wednesday .
He added that the vaccine would be available soon .
`` The first packages of the medical vaccine ... will be received within the next two weeks , primarily for doctors , '' Mr Murashko said .
• Coronavirus vaccine : When will we have one ?
Russian officials have said they plan to start mass vaccination in October .
The announcement on Tuesday was made by President Vladimir Putin , who said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and his daughter had already been given it .
But the World Health Organization ( WHO ) said it was in talks with Russian authorities about undertaking a review of the vaccine , which has been named Sputnik-V .
It is not among the organisation 's list of six vaccines that have reached phase three clinical trials , which involve more widespread testing in humans .
What has the reaction been ?
The progress Russia says it has made on a coronavirus vaccine has been met with scepticism by health officials and media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On Wednesday , Germany 's health minister expressed concern that it had not been properly tested .
`` It can be dangerous to start vaccinating millions ... of people too early because it could pretty much kill the acceptance of vaccination if it goes wrong , '' Jens Spahn told local media .
`` Based on everything we know ... this has not been sufficiently tested , '' he added .
`` It 's not about being first somehow - it 's about having a safe vaccine . ''
Elsewhere in Europe , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ French National Centre for Scientific Research in Marseille , said promising a cure too early could be `` very dangerous '' .
`` We do not know the methodology or the results of their clinical trials , '' she told Le Parisien .
And in the US , the country 's top virus expert , Dr Anthony Fauci , said he doubted Russia 's claims .
`` I hope that the Russians have actually definitively proven that the vaccine is safe and effective , '' he told National Geographic .
`` I seriously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Meanwhile the Moscow-based Association of Clinical Trials Organizations ( Acto ) , which represents the world 's top drug companies in Russia , urged the health ministry to postpone approval until after phase-three trials .
Acto executive director Svetlana Zavidova told the Russian MedPortal site that a decision on mass vaccination had been carried out after combined first- and second-phase tests on 76 people , and that it was impossible to confirm the efficacy of a drug on this basis .
But some countries have reacted more positively to Moscow 's announcement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Duterte offered to test the vaccine himself .
`` I believe the vaccine that you have produced is really good for humanity , '' he said .
`` I will be the first one to be experimented on . ''
And Israel said it would enter negotiations to buy it if it is found to be a `` serious product '' .
What do we know about the vaccine ?
Russian scientists said early-stage trials of the vaccine had been completed and the results were a success .
The Russian vaccine uses adapted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that usually causes the common cold , to trigger an immune response .
But the vaccine 's approval by Russian regulators comes before the completion of a larger study involving thousands of people , known as a phase-three trial .
Experts consider these trials an essential part of the testing process .
Despite this , Mr Murashko said on Tuesday the vaccine had `` proven to be highly effective and safe '' , hailing it as a big step towards `` humankind 's victory '' over Covid-19 .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ IMPACT : What the virus does to the body • ENDGAME : How do we get out of this mess ?
• WITHOUT SYMPTOMS : The mystery of 'silent spreaders' Russia has likened the search for a vaccine to the space race contested by the Soviet Union and the US during the Cold War .
Russia has previously been accused by the UK , US and Canada of seeking to steal research related to Covid-19 .
More than 100 vaccines around the world are in early development , with some of those being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Despite rapid progress , most experts think any vaccine would not become widely available until mid-2021 .

Acto executive director Svetlana Zavidova told the Russian MedPortal site that a decision on mass vaccination had been carried out after combined first- and second-phase tests on 76 people, and that it was impossible to confirm the efficacy of a drug on this basis.


bbc--2020-08-12--Belarus election: Second Belarus protester dies as UN sounds alarm

A protester has died in Belarus in police custody , the second death since clashes with police erupted on Sunday over a disputed presidential election .
Officials say the cause of death of the 25-year-old man in Gomel is unclear .
His mother says he had heart problems and was kept for hours in a police van .
In Brest , police said they used live bullets when they came under attack .
The UN has condemned the use of violence by authorities , as protests continued for a fourth night .
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported to have used excessive force , firing rubber bullets and water cannons , and also throwing stun grenades .
`` Reports suggest that more [ than ] approximately 6,000 people have been detained in the last three days , including bystanders , as well as minors , suggesting a trend of massive arrests in clear violation of international human rights standards , '' Ms Bachelet said in a statement .
`` Even more disturbing are the reports of ill-treatment during and after detention '' , she added , calling for the release @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least 200 protesters have been wounded , some seriously .
A BBC crew was also attacked by police on Tuesday evening .
The Belarusian interior ministry had previously said one demonstrator died when an explosive device went off in his hand in the capital Minsk on Monday .
On Wednesday evening , more clashes were reported as protesters were again rallying in Minsk and other Belarusian cities .
The numbers on the streets appear to be smaller that during previous nights .
• Five things you might not know about Belarus The protests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in power since 1994 , was declared the winner of Sunday 's vote , which has been condemned by the EU as `` neither free nor fair '' .
The main opposition contender , Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , was then briefly held before fleeing to neighbouring Lithuania .
What is known about the protester 's death in Gomel ?
The 25-year-old man died on Wednesday in the south-eastern city , the Belarusian Investigative Committee was quoted as saying by Belta 's news agency .
The committee said the man had been arrested on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in prison for taking part in an illegal protest .
He was taken to hospital when he started feeling unwell - but later died , the committee said .
The incident is being investigated .
The protester 's mother told by Radio Free Europe that her son had not taken part in any protests and was arrested as he was going to see his girlfriend .
How has the world reacted ?
Mr Lukashenko won 80 % of Sunday 's vote , according to election officials , but there were widespread allegations of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Josep Borrell said Belarusians had shown `` the desire for democratic change '' in the election campaign .
• How protests shook up the election Sweden 's foreign minister said EU foreign ministers would meet on Friday to discuss imposing sanctions on Belarus .
Lithuania , Poland and Latvia said they were prepared to mediate , provided Belarusian authorities stopped violence against protesters , release detained demonstrators and form a national council with members of civil society .
They warned that the alternative was sanctions .
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo agreed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fair '' , adding that the people `` should be given the freedoms that they are demanding '' .
Meanwhile , Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier congratulated Mr Lukashenko on his victory , despite friction over accusations of a Russian plot which Mr Lukashenko has tried to link to the opposition .
The leaders of China , Kazakhstan , Uzbekistan , Moldova and Azerbaijan have sent messages of support .
What has happened to the opposition ?
When Ms Tikhanovskaya , 37 , went to the electoral committee on Monday evening to complain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 % of the vote , she was detained for seven hours .
By Tuesday morning she had arrived in Lithuania .
She was a stay-at-home mother until she entered the race after her husband was arrested and blocked from registering for the vote .
She was one of three women who pooled their resources to spearhead the opposition .
Veronika Tsepkalo fled Belarus on the day of the vote and Maria Kolesnikova remains in Belarus .
According to an associate , Ms Tikhanovskaya had been escorted from the country by the authorities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the release of her campaign manager .
A second video later emerged that appeared to have been made during her detention .
The images show her , head lowered , reading nervously from a script as she urges her supporters to `` obey the law '' and stay away from street protests .
Ahead of Sunday 's election , crowds flocked to opposition rallies , with Belarusians angered in part by the Lukashenko government 's response to coronavirus .
The president has downplayed the outbreak , advising citizens to drink vodka and use @ @ @ @ @ @

Belarus election: Second protester dies as UN sounds alarm Published 13 August 2020
Image source, EPA Image caption, Belarusian police have been accused of using violence against protesters
A protester has died in Belarus in police custody, the second death since clashes with police erupted on Sunday over a disputed presidential election.
Officials say the cause of death of the 25-year-old man in Gomel is unclear. His mother says he had heart problems and was kept for hours in a police van.
In Brest, police said they used live bullets when they came under attack.
The UN has condemned the use of violence by authorities, as protests continued for a fourth night.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, said police officers were reported to have used excessive force, firing rubber bullets and water cannons, and also throwing stun grenades.
"Reports suggest that more [than] approximately 6,000 people have been detained in the last three days, including bystanders, as well as minors, suggesting a trend of massive arrests in clear violation of international human rights standards," Ms Bachelet said in a statement.
"Even more disturbing are the reports of ill-treatment during and after detention", she added, calling for the release of all those unlawfully detained. State TV has shown some bruised detainees lined up and being asked if they intend to continue "making revolution".
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Media caption, A BBC team in Minsk encountered violent scenes on Monday night
At least 200 protesters have been wounded, some seriously. A BBC crew was also attacked by police on Tuesday evening.
A demonstrator died during a protest in the capital Minsk on Monday. The Belarusian interior ministry alleged an explosive device had gone off in his hand.
On Wednesday evening, more clashes were reported as protesters rallied again in Minsk and other Belarusian cities. The numbers on the streets appeared to be smaller that during previous nights.
The protests erupted hours after Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, in power since 1994, was declared the winner of Sunday's vote, which has been condemned by the EU as "neither free nor fair".
The main opposition contender, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, was then briefly held before being forced to leave for neighbouring Lithuania.
What is known about the protester's death in Gomel?
The 25-year-old man died on Wednesday in the south-eastern city, the Belarusian Investigative Committee was quoted as saying by Belta news agency.
Image source, EPA Image caption, Women in Minsk rallied on Wednesday in support of detained protesters
The committee said the man had been arrested on Sunday and later sentenced to 10 days in prison for taking part in an illegal protest.
He was taken to hospital when he started feeling unwell - but later died, the committee said. The incident is being investigated.
The protester's mother told Radio Free Europe that her son had not taken part in any protests and was arrested as he was going to see his girlfriend.
How has the world reacted?
Mr Lukashenko won 80% of Sunday's vote, according to election officials, but there were widespread allegations of vote rigging.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said Belarusians had shown "the desire for democratic change" in the election campaign.
Sweden's foreign minister said EU foreign ministers would meet on Friday to discuss imposing sanctions on Belarus.
Lithuania, Poland and Latvia said they were prepared to mediate, provided Belarusian authorities stopped violence against protesters, release detained demonstrators and form a national council with members of civil society. They warned that the alternative was sanctions.
Image source, EPA Image caption, Alexander Lukashenko has been in power since 1994
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo agreed the vote "was not free and fair", adding that the people "should be given the freedoms that they are demanding".
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier congratulated Mr Lukashenko on his victory, despite friction over accusations of a Russian plot which Mr Lukashenko has tried to link to the opposition.
The leaders of China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Moldova and Azerbaijan have sent messages of support.
What has happened to the opposition?
When Ms Tikhanovskaya, 37, went to the electoral committee on Monday evening to complain about the results that gave her just 10% of the vote, she was detained for seven hours. By Tuesday morning she had arrived in Lithuania.
She was a stay-at-home mother until she entered the race after her husband was arrested and blocked from registering for the vote.
She was one of three women who pooled their resources to spearhead the opposition. Veronika Tsepkalo fled Belarus on the day of the vote and Maria Kolesnikova remains in Belarus.
According to an associate, Ms Tikhanovskaya had been escorted from the country by the authorities as part of a deal to allow the release of her campaign manager.
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Media caption, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya: "Not one life is worth what is happening now"
A second video later emerged that appeared to have been made during her detention. The images show her, head lowered, reading nervously from a script as she urges her supporters to "obey the law" and stay away from street protests.
Ahead of Sunday's election, crowds flocked to opposition rallies, with Belarusians angered in part by the Lukashenko government's response to coronavirus.


bbc--2020-08-12--Officers point guns at black teenagers in Santa Clarita

The teenagers were reportedly attacked by a homeless man with a knife .
Several people called the police for help @ @ @ @ @ weapons once at the scene .
The incident is under investigation .

The teenagers were reportedly attacked by a homeless man with a knife. Several people called the police for help. Multiple officers drew their weapons once at the scene. The incident is under investigation.


bbc--2020-08-12--'Hundreds dead' because of Covid-19 misinformation

At least 800 people died around the world because of coronavirus-related misinformation in the first three months of this year , researchers say .
A study published in the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene says about 5,800 people were admitted to hospital as a result of false information on social media .
Many died from drinking methanol or alcohol-based cleaning products .
They wrongly believed the products to be a cure for the virus .
The World Health Organization ( WHO ) has previously said that the `` infodemic '' surrounding Covid-19 spread just as quickly as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rumours and cultural stigma all contributing to deaths and injuries .
• Coronavirus vaccine : When will we have one ?
Many of the victims had followed advice resembling credible medical information - such as eating large amounts of garlic or ingesting large quantities of vitamins - as a way of preventing infection , the study 's authors say .
Others drank substances such as cow urine .
These actions all had `` potentially serious implications '' on their health , the researchers say .
The paper concludes that it is the responsibility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media platforms to fight back against this `` infodemic '' , but tech companies have been criticised for their slow and patchy response .
In the UK , laws to regulate online harm might be several years away .
The BBC 's own investigations found links to assaults , arson and deaths as a result of misinformation about the virus , and spoke to doctors , experts and victims about their experiences .
Online rumours led to mob attacks in India and mass poisonings in Iran .
Telecommunications engineers have been threatened and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alight in the UK and other countries because of conspiracy theories that have been incubated and amplified online .
Social media also helps scammers to take advantage of the pandemic , selling ineffective badges that claim to ward off the virus , and urging followers to part with money in exchange for a `` mineral miracle supplement '' , which is - in reality - diluted bleach .
As vaccines emerge , there is the further threat that anti-vaccine campaigners will use the platform provided by social media to persuade people not to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ removing or labelling misleading information about vaccines , recent polling in the United States showed that 28 % of Americans believe that Bill Gates wants to use vaccines to implant microchips in people .
The achievement of an effective coronavirus vaccine could be completely undermined by misinformation , doctors told the BBC 's anti-disinformation team .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : How do I protect myself ?
• IMPACT : What the virus does to the body • ENDGAME : How do we get out of this mess ?
• WITHOUT SYMPTOMS : @ @ @ @ @ @

The paper concludes that it is the responsibility of international agencies, governments and social media platforms to fight back against this "infodemic", but tech companies have been criticised for their slow and patchy response. In the UK, laws to regulate online harm might be several years away.


bbc--2020-08-12--Nigeria court fines pirates for seizing ship in Gulf of Guinea

A court in Nigeria has fined three men $ 52,000 ( £40,000 ) each for hijacking a ship in March and securing a ransom of $ 200,000 for the release of its crew .
These are the first convictions in the West African state since a new anti-piracy law came into force last year .
Nigeria has been under pressure from the shipping industry to curb piracy in the Gulf of Guinea .
It accounts for more than 80 % of maritime kidnappings globally , the International Maritime Bureau says .
The three , who are believed to include two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guilty to two counts of piracy during their trial in the High Court in the oil hub of Port Harcourt .
• The day the pirates came The director-general of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency , Bashir Jamoh , welcomed the verdict .
`` This will serve as a deterrent to other criminal elements who are still engaged in the nefarious activities on our waterways , '' he said .
Asked whether financial penalties alone were enough of a deterrent , he told the BBC : '' Absolutely - now we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and put the pirates out of business legally speaking . ''
The International Maritime Bureau ( IMB ) also welcomed the men 's conviction .
`` It is the deterrent which was lacking , '' IMB spokesman Cyrus Moody told the BBC .
Another six men pleaded not guilty and their trial continues .
They are accused of being part of a gang that seized a vessel off Equatorial Guinea 's coast in March .
They are alleged to have demanded a $ 2m ransom for the crew 's release , but were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were kidnapped in the Gulf of Guinea in the first half of this year , compared with 27 last year , according to the IMB .

The three, who are believed to include two Nigerians and a foreign national, pleaded guilty to two counts of piracy during their trial in the High Court in the oil hub of Port Harcourt.


bbc--2020-08-12--Mocimboa da Praia: Key Mozambique port 'seized by IS'

Militants linked to the Islamic State group have seized a heavily-defended port in Mozambique after days of fighting , according to reports .
Local media say government forces that were in the far northern town of Mocimboa da Praia fled , many by boat , after Islamists stormed the port .
The town is close to the site of natural gas projects worth $ 60m ( £46m ) .
In recent months militants have taken a number of northern towns , displacing tens of thousands of people .
This was also one of several attacks on Mocimboa da Praia this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stepped up attacks in the region .
The port is used for cargo deliveries to the oil projects about 60km ( 37 miles ) away , which are being developed by oil giants including Total .
This is a heavy blow for Mozambique 's security forces .
Low on ammunition , and facing a large , well-coordinated rebel attack , government troops are reported to have abandoned the port city of Mocimboa da Praia , with many soldiers fleeing by boat .
The question now is whether the rebels will - as they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to this strategic city .
That would mark a new escalation in a shadowy conflict that represents a major threat to Mozambique and to international plans to develop vast off-shore gas fields .
The rebels have formal ties to IS , but are also feeding on local grievances in a long-neglected corner of the country .
Mozambique 's neighbours are watching with growing anxiety .
A private security contractor based in South Africa is supplying helicopter support to the army .
But this latest attack appears to show the rebellion is still gaining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2017 in the northern province of Cabo Delgado , but escalated this year after the group responsible , Ahlu Sunnah Wa-Jama , pledged allegiance to IS .
• Is Mozambique the latest outpost of Islamic State ?
• Will Mozambique end up like Nigeria or Norway ?
Earlier this week IS claimed , though its own media channels , that it had taken over two military bases near Mocimboa da Praia , killed Mozambique soldiers and captured weaponry , including machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades .
Tanzania has said it is launching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the border with Mozambique .

The question now is whether the rebels will - as they have hinted - try to hold on to this strategic city. That would mark a new escalation in a shadowy conflict that represents a major threat to Mozambique and to international plans to develop vast off-shore gas fields.


bbc--2020-08-12--US mother killed while daughter takes first day of Zoom lessons

The mother of a Florida pupil taking her first day of online lessons was killed while her 10-year-old was doing a Zoom call with her class , police say .
The shooting occurred on Tuesday at 08:00 local time ( 13:00 GMT ) in Indiantown , Florida , and was witnessed by five other children in the home .
According to investigators the girl 's teacher heard arguing and was able to mute before the fatal shots were fired .
The suspect , Donald Williams , 27 , was arrested after fleeing on a bicycle .
Maribel Rosado Morales , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four of her own children and two young cousins , according to the Martin County Sheriff 's Office .
The girl , who attends Warfield Elementary School , was taking her first day of online classes after the coronavirus pandemic forced schools in the area to turn to online learning .
Florida is one of the worst hit states in the US with over 542,000 infections .
In a press conference , Sheriff William Snyder said Mr Williams had gone to the home to confront his ex-girlfriend about a Facebook video .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a commotion , heard profanity , realised it was some sort of domestic altercation '' .
`` The teacher said she mutes her button [ so ] nobody has to hear it , and then she sees the 10-year-old put her hands up to her ears , '' he continued , adding that the screen immediately went black after the child 's reaction .
He added that a bullet was found to have struck the computer .
Mr Williams fled by bicycle before boarding a city bus .
After demanding that the driver @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her route , the driver called police .
Mr Williams was arrested by a Swat team who happened to be training the area at the time .
According to the sheriff , he has already given a `` full confession '' .
He has been charged with murder , as well as several other felony charges including being a convicted felon in possession of a gun .
The sheriff said that he will also be charged with armed burglary and armed home invasion , and that there may be additional penalties due to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crime .
The Florida Department of Children and Families will be tasked with finding new homes for the victim 's children , who are all between the ages of 10 to 17 , investigators say .
`` Our deepest sympathies and condolences go out to the victim 's family , including the children present in the home who were witnesses to this heart-breaking and senseless tragedy , '' the Warfield Elementary School and the Martin County School District said a statement .
`` We have our grief team deployed to assist students and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of this horrible incident .
We stand ready to assist and offer support in any way we can . ''

He has been charged with murder, as well as several other felony charges including being a convicted felon in possession of a gun. The sheriff said that he will also be charged with armed burglary and armed home invasion, and that there may be additional penalties due to the presence of children during the alleged crime.


bbc--2020-08-12--Mauritius oil spill: Almost all fuel oil pumped out of MV Wakashio

Almost all the fuel oil from the Japanese-owned ship that has caused a huge oil spill off the coast of Mauritius has been pumped out , Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth has said .
The operation had been a race against time , he added , amid fears that the MV Wakashio would break up .
The ship , believed to have been carrying 4,000 tonnes of fuel oil , ran aground on a coral reef on 25 July .
Mauritius is home to world-renowned coral reefs , and popular with tourists .
• Africa Live : News and views from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
The fuel has been transferred to shore by helicopter and to another ship owned by the same Japanese firm , Nagashiki Shipping .
France has sent a military aircraft with pollution-control equipment from its nearby island of Réunion , while Japan has sent a six-member team to assist the French efforts .
The Mauritius coast guard and several police units are also at the site in the south-east of the island .
Mr Jugnauth said more than 3,000 of the 4,000 tonnes of oil from the ship 's fuel reservoirs had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on board elsewhere .
Police spokesperson Shiva Cooten said they `` still have work to do but the situation is all under control '' .
Earlier , police chief Khemraj Servansing said that cracks in the ship `` keep increasing '' .
`` It is difficult to say when it will break but we have a boom deployment plan with the French Navy helping and we have made provisions for high sea booms , '' he said .
The MV Wakashio ran aground at Pointe d'Esny , a known sanctuary for rare wildlife @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a site of international importance by the Ramsar convention on wetlands .
How bad is the spillage ?
On Friday , Mr Jugnauth declared a state of emergency and appealed for international help .
Since then , volunteers have also been collecting straw from fields and filling sacks to make barriers against the oil .
Others have made their own tubes with tights and hair to add to the effort , and some have been cleaning up the island 's beaches .
Their actions went against an order from the government asking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities .
Greenpeace Africa has warned that `` thousands '' of animal species were `` at risk of drowning in a sea of pollution , with dire consequences for Mauritius ' economy , food security and health '' .
An oceanographer and environmental engineer in Mauritius , Vassen Kauppaymuthoo , told the BBC that local residents were now `` breathing heavy vapours of oil '' , and there was a `` mixture of sadness and anger '' over the spill .
One of the best immediate assessments of the spill has come via @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company Ursa Space Systems has looked at the situation using radar data from the Finnish Iceye satellites , which are especially effective at picking out oil on water .
`` On 6 August , we detected a spill size of roughly 3.3 sq km surrounding the Wakashio , '' said Ursa 's Paul Frey .
`` We released another detection on 11 August for the same area showing a near 10-times increase ( roughly 27 sq km ) , '' he told BBC News .
The Mauritian prime minister 's announcement that almost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ship has been pumped out certainly comes as good news .
The simple reason : the super-sensitive marine environment has now avoided suffering an oil spill three times worse than it has seen in the past few days .
But , averted loss is one thing - the damage already done is another .
The fact remains that this uniquely biodiversity-rich marine ecosystem - one of the few left on Earth - has already been polluted by nearly 1,000 tonnes of fuel oil .
Marine biologists say that is enough for the long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - from coral reefs , to mangroves to endangered animals and birds .
And the Mauritian economy is all about them .
Akihiko Ono , the executive vice-president of the ship 's operator , Mitsui OSK Lines , has `` profusely '' apologised for the spill and for `` the great trouble we have caused '' .
He has vowed that the company would do `` everything in their power to resolve the issue '' .
Police in Mauritius say they have been granted a search warrant , allowing them to board the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the ship 's log book in order to help with an investigation .
The ship 's captain will assist officers with their search .

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bbc--2020-08-12--Kamala Harris: 'America is crying out for leadership'

Will it be third time lucky for Joe Biden ?
The former US vice-president announces that he 's running for @ @ @ @ @ .

Up Next. Watch: Scare as child plays on high-rise window ledge. Video, 00:00:18Watch: Scare as child plays on high-rise window ledge


bbc--2020-08-12--Rapper who refused Bollywood to become voice of poor

Dule , from the Dalit community , formerly known as `` untouchables '' and considered at the bottom of India @ @ @ @ @ he has finally found his calling in rap music .
But he is not interested @ @ @ @ @ write about the daily struggles of India 's poor .
Born to a poor family @ @ @ @ @ Orissa , also called Odisha , Dule studied hard to become a college graduate .
@ @ @ @ @ available , he turned to daily-wage jobs in cities .
And now his raw videos @ @ @ @ @ a lot of attention online , including from Bollywood music producers and successful Indian rappers @

Dule, from the Dalit community, formerly known as "untouchables" and considered at the bottom of India's caste hierarchy, says he has finally found his calling in rap music.
But he is not interested in Bollywood and wants to write about the daily struggles of India's poor.
Born to a poor family in the eastern state of Orissa, also called Odisha, Dule studied hard to become a college graduate. But with few job opportunities available, he turned to daily-wage jobs in cities.
And now his raw videos and gritty lyrics are attracting a lot of attention online, including from Bollywood music producers and successful Indian rappers.
Video by Vandana Vijay


bbc--2020-08-12--Viewpoint: Kamala Harris VP pick 'symbolic and substantive'

Kamala Harris ' selection as Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden 's running mate could mean substantive change that Americans need right now , writes Dr Nadia E Brown .
It is necessary to take a look the political moment in which California Senator Kamala Harris becomes Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden 's running mate .
The political times have changed .
Average Americans are having conversations about systemic racism and gender-based violence .
The Black Lives Matter movement , most notably the sustained protests around George Floyd 's killing and calls for justice for Breonna Taylor , have left many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ justice and racial equity .
The MeToo Movement - started by Tarana Burke , a black American activist , over a decade ago to call attention to sexual harm done to women and girls on the margins of our society - has found a national spotlight as white women embrace the phrase to address their own experiences with sexual misconduct , harassment , and violence .
Furthermore , the global pandemic and the federal government 's failure to provide national leadership on curtailing the spread of the coronavirus has highlighted persistent racial disparities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
• Why are African Americans hit so hard by virus ?
In particular , the coronavirus has hurt black women at disproportionate rates .
The pandemic-induced recession has placed black women in precarious employment positions and have exasperated economic inequalities .
Then there has been the rash of anti-Asian and xenophobic attacks linked to the pandemic .
• ' I 'm Asian , so I can never be American' Enter Senator Kamala Harris to the bottom of the ticket .
Society has long seen women as moral crusaders who can best clean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ male ) politicians .
Indeed , as we celebrate the 100th anniversary of women 's suffrage in the United States , historic tropes of why women should be given the vote are eerily familiar .
Gendered stereotypes mean women are ( incorrectly ) seen as less corrupt .
Thus , selecting a woman to be his pick for vice-president was a logical choice for Biden given the some of the country 's views on the Trump administration .
Kamala Harris as a vice-presidential pick also mirrors an optimism for a woman president - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the primary ( including Ms Harris ) .
While there is much to note about her , much more attention is needed on the factors that got us to this point .
Placing her historic candidacy in context allows us to see why this pick is just as substantive as it is symbolic .
Symbolically , women , communities of colour , immigrants , and women of colour are all seeing themselves reflected for the first time on a major presidential ticket .
Senator Harris ' origin story is inclusive , diverse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In a growing multi-racial America , she represents the future of the Democratic Party .
Asian-American communities have been discussing seeing themselves in their political representation .
She also represents black women , a group who have long been the backbone of the Democratic party and have been calling on the party to be more responsive to their policy needs .
Groups such as Higher Heights for America and the Black Women 's PAC - organisations that both seek to increase the number of black women in politics - have called on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a vice-presidential candidate as an acknowledgment of black women voters ' steadfast support and work for the party .
The hashtag # BlackWomenLead was a viral reminder of the power of black women voters and political elites .
This groundswell of support for a potential black woman VP nominee demonstrates years of that group 's organising and advocacy .
So Harris was the right choice for today 's political moment .
As a member of black networks like the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority , the first black sorority - and The Links , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on strengthening African-American communities - she has chosen to identify herself with institutional legacies of black political empowerment .
My forthcoming research on black women 's politics demonstrates the importance of these organisations in shaping both the national black political agenda and the civic skills of their members .
Harris will potentially bring this lineage with her to the White House .
She also brings black women staffers - a long underrepresented population on Capitol Hill - who have a considerable amount of influence on shaping policy .
This is more than symbols @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need right now .
She will bring groups to the table who were previously marginalised and unheard .
As a senator , Kamala Harris championed a ban on evictions during the pandemic , universal healthcare , black maternal health , creating a path for citizenship for Dreamers , and using anti-trust measures to regulate big tech .
These are in step with the type of policies that black women political elites have long supported .
My research into black women and gender in politics demonstrates that black women bring their whole identity to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that in Kamala Harris .
Dr Nadia E Brown is an associate professor of political science and African-American studies at Purdue University , in West Lafayette , Indiana .

While there is much to note about her, much more attention is needed on the factors that got us to this point. Placing her historic candidacy in context allows us to see why this pick is just as substantive as it is symbolic.


bbc--2020-08-12--Livestreaming in Asia: Meet the stars of 'shoppertainment'

As Covid-19 keeps millions of people at home , the popularity of `` shoppertainment '' has skyrocketed in Asia .
@ @ @ @ @ growth is livestreaming , where influential sellers host online product demonstrations .
Companies are now @ @ @ @ @ and training a new generation of stars who use their charm to sell everything from @ @ @ @

As Covid-19 keeps millions of people at home, the popularity of "shoppertainment" has skyrocketed in Asia. A key part of that growth is livestreaming, where influential sellers host online product demonstrations.
Companies are now investing big money into finding and training a new generation of stars who use their charm to sell everything from makeup to shoes.
Producer: Lucy Martin. Editor: Joshua Lim


bbc--2020-08-12--Beirut blast: The other countries with dangerous dumps of explosives

The devastating explosion in Beirut is a grim reminder of a deeply troubling fact : the thousands of tonnes of ammonium nitrate unsafely stored in that city 's port is not the only site at risk of spontaneous detonation .
In the Philippines , Ukraine , Georgia , Libya and Guinea-Bissau there are dangerous dumps of munitions left over from both past and present conflicts , some of them perilously close to residential areas .
According to the Swiss-based monitoring agency Small Arms Survey , between 1979 and August last year almost 30,000 people across 101 countries were killed or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( UEMS ) .
Of the 606 recorded incidents , nearly three quarters involved state-owned stockpiles .
One of the worst explosions took place at Brazzaville in the Republic of Congo in 2012 , killing more than 500 people .
Simon Conway , a senior director with the British mine-clearing charity Halo Trust , says the first step needed is to get governments to admit that these arms depots are unsafe .
`` They are not considered to be a problem until they explode , '' he says .
The next step is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expertise to move the explosive stores away from residential areas and then destroy them .
`` Often these sites have poor security and it would be all too easy for ingredients to go missing that later turn up in an IED [ improvised explosive device ] , '' says Mr Conway .
So after Beirut , where else should we be worried about today ?
Which other sites are what munitions experts consider to be potential ticking time bombs ?
On an overgrown snake-infested island in Manila Bay sits a store of deteriorating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Two .
Rusting shells , depth charges , mortar bombs and other projectiles litter the floor of a bunker while crates of explosives and propellant charges are stacked all the way up to the ceiling .
The Halo Trust estimates that on Caballo Island and at another site nearby there are a total of 1.6 million explosive items - enough , it is feared , to potentially destroy the local airport at Corregidor and threaten passing ships in Manila Bay .
Mr Conway , who has inspected the site with the Philippine military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 200,000 anti-aircraft rounds .
`` If those sheds went up it would definitely affect the nearby airport , '' he says .
There are more World War Two munitions stored at a naval base close to the capital , Manila , where Mr Conway says they are dangerously stored next to modern artillery rounds .
The horror of what happened in Beirut port has not been lost on local authorities there .
Within days the Philippines Navy called Halo to discuss how best to dispose of all this ammunition safely .
More on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : The inferno and the mystery ship • LETTER FROM BEIRUT : 'We do n't have dreams any more' • IN PICTURES : Before and after • AMMONIUM NITRATE : Where else is it being stored ?
One of the most concerning sites is in the West African state of Guinea-Bissau where an unknown quantity of Soviet-era aircraft bombs are corroding in the heat and humidity in several sheds , close to centres of population .
Some of the bombs date back to the 1950s and are thought highly unstable .
The site @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country 's second city of Bafata with a population of 22,500 .
Talks with the government on how to safely dispose of it have been under way since 2005 but have been slowed by local politics .
The Halo Trust says they have begun building safer depots but as yet , nothing has been destroyed .
Libya has been awash with weapons and munitions ever since the revolution of 2011 that overthrew the regime of Muammar Gaddafi .
The UN estimates there are more than 200,000 tonnes of munitions unaccounted for , beyond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ easily trafficked down to the Sahel countries or elsewhere , '' says Mr Conway .
On 6 May there was an initial explosion at an ammunition store outside the town of Misrata , followed by days more of subsequent explosions as missiles , rockets and aircraft bombs blew up , scattering shrapnel over a wide area and causing an unknown number of casualties .
Halo has been working to make safe the remaining unexploded ordnance .
Today one of the sites of most concern is the large Gaddafi-era arms depot at Mizdah which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 20,000 people .
Those trying to clear up these hazards are not only having to cope with the restrictions caused by Covid-19 but also with the perpetual dangers of Libya 's ongoing civil war .
Like several of the former Soviet republics , Ukraine has a number of arms dumps left over from when it was part of the USSR .
In 2017 two of these exploded .
One in eastern Ukraine blew up a huge store of missiles and artillery shells , prompting the evacuation of more than 20,000 residents living within @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dump .
Later that year another arms dump explosion caused a giant fireball , visible from a great distance , destroying an estimated 32,000 tonnes of munitions and again sending projectiles high into the air .
Both Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have also suffered from unplanned explosions at arms dumps .
In August 2017 an unplanned explosion at a warehouse on the Black Sea storing more than 2,000 tonnes of high explosive ammunition sent missiles and other projectiles up into the air that landed up to 12km away .
The Halo Trust has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ destroying more than 90,000 items but a third of the affected area has still to be made safe .
For all of these countries the explosion in the Lebanese capital is a terrifying reminder of what can happen when unstable explosive material is unsafely stored .
Munitions experts are now hoping that if anything positive can possibly come out of the tragedy in Beirut , it will be a renewed global urgency to make these stockpiles safe , before it is too late .

Talks with the government on how to safely dispose of it have been under way since 2005 but have been slowed by local politics. The Halo Trust says they have begun building safer depots but as yet, nothing has been destroyed.


bbc--2020-08-12--'Why I stopped hiding my scars'

'Why I stopped hiding my scars'

Jayne , Emily and Laura have one thing in common - they all have scars .
Aimee , for her part , has flare-ups of psoriasis that can leave her face covered in red patches .
But all four have come to feel comfortable in their own skin .
'My legs looked like I 'd come straight from The Walking Dead' Following surgery , I got a flesh-eating bug ( necrotising fasciitis ) which ate away at my legs from my mid-thigh down to my feet .
Initially , there was no flesh on my bones from my leg down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , my bottom , and my stomach and they 've replaced all the skin from my thigh down , which looks a bit like reptilian skin .
To get the amount of skin they needed , they had to stretch it like a web to make the skin bigger - like through a pasta machine .
I had a condition called lipoedema .
It 's predominantly women that get it and it 's abnormal fat cells from the waist down .
I was on top about a size eight to 10 and then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time .
I lost a lot of weight , but it does n't diet or exercise away and it 's very painful .
I started going back and forth to the GP about eight years ago , and then was told that this condition was n't treatable on the NHS .
In 2017 I got the courage to go and have some surgery on it .
I 'd gone into it so excited about having this great life , being able to just wear normal clothes , which I had n't been able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days after I had the second surgery , I became very , very ill .
The next thing I remember , I woke up to find that I 'd been in a coma and I was totally delirious and I had psychosis and I thought everybody was robots .
I thought I was in the hospital for medical experiments and it was just absolutely terrifying .
My family had been there , they did n't think I was going to survive the night , and they 'd had to sign a consent , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to amputate both of my legs .
It was a very scary time .
It was about six-seven weeks in before I actually saw what my legs looked like and it was a huge shock .
They just looked like two pipe cleaners .
For somebody that wanted to have slim legs , my legs looked like I 'd come straight from The Walking Dead .
In some ways , mentally , it 's been really tough because I 've got PTSD ( post-traumatic stress disorder ) , especially to do with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has done is it 's really made me appreciate my life more .
I 've gone through a spell of trying really hard to do lots of things in case one day something happens and I 'm not here any more .
I want to tick as many things off that bucket list as I can .
I have n't been to the Moulin Rouge in Paris , or the Orient Express .
I want to visit Petra , want to go to Amsterdam .
I 'm not sure about the mile-high club @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's up for that one , but it 's on there regardless .
It is n't always easy .
I 'm not always happy and it 's changed my personality .
Then I just dust myself off and I go into the next day with a `` Right that 's it , we 're going to do this . ''
'It represents a lot of pain , but also a lot of overcoming' My scar 's on my right hand , quite close to my wrist .
It 's a bit raised off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it feels a bit hard , a bit lumpy in some areas , soft in areas , and in terms of its colour , it 's a bit darker than my shade .
In my life I have self-harmed three times on my arm and it 's all been on the same area .
It 's because I did n't want to get any more scars on a different part of my body .
The last time I self-harmed was a year and a bit ago .
I 've had this scar since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's been 10 years .
It represents a lot of pain , but it also represents a lot of overcoming , because I think why I can smile now is because I 'm not in the place I used to be .
I 'm in therapy at the moment and self-harm is something that we talk about .
It was inflicted , but I do n't see it as I harmed myself .
I see it as I had a lot of pain inside and I did n't know how to deal with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first time is because I did something really bad .
I shoplifted here and there , and of course the day I steal the most things is the day I get caught .
I thought I need to get punished for it .
• Jayne , Emily , Laura and Aimee spoke to reporter Ena Miller , for Woman 's Hour on BBC Radio 4 • Listen to Aimee on Thursday 13 August at 10:00 , catch up later online or download the Woman 's Hour podcast When I first got my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effort to hide it , wearing long-sleeved skin-tight tops in the summer , and it 's boiling and you 're sweating and you 're so uncomfortable .
The reason why I hid it is I thought everyone 's going to look at it , people think they 're entitled to touch , and ask intrusive questions .
I 'd essentially be telling every stranger that asks me about my mental health and self-harm , I just would n't want to do that .
I think especially with the stigma of self-harm , you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and its either disgust or it 's someone feeling incredible pity for you .
Both reactions I completely hate , so for me it 's just easier to say , `` Yeah , I got burnt . ''
The shift for me happened a few years back and I think it coincided with me just getting tired of being so hard on myself .
My needs mattered more than what other people might say .
I feel like I started becoming more honest , knocking down that stigma from within .
Then it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where I was like , `` Actually , I 'm going to show my scar , it 's going to be out there . ''
And if people look at it , and if people say something , that 's OK. ' I 've always said that my scars look like crumpled up tights' From my bellybutton down to my toes , I 've always said that my scars look like crumpled up tights .
It does make me feel uncomfortable sometimes , because you think people are going to notice because you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to Cardiff shopping , people will stare at you .
I like to be labelled as a burns survivor , because you 're not a victim , but you are a survivor of what happened in the accident , and you 've come out stronger .
When I was about one , a non-member of my birth family put me in the bath , and my birth mum came in and saw what happened .
She dialled 999 .
It was scalding water .
I got removed from my birth family and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As a child , it was hard because you get children who will be nasty .
I remember this one lad and he said I had zombie legs and that basically I should have died in the bath .
I remember my first day of high school , I wore a skirt with high socks and these horrible little clodhoppers .
At the age of 15-16 years I started wearing trousers , so I just hid it all .
I went really quiet .
I did n't have the confidence to talk to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and that 's the way I dealt with it .
I hid myself as well from the world and then at about 18-21 years I decided , `` I 'm me . ''
I had a lot of talks with people at this adult burns club , and the children 's burns club as well , and I heard a story from somebody else and I thought , `` My life 's not that bad . ''
Everybody accepted you for who you are , and that was really nice because then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you could tell your stories , encourage each other .
I was about 25 and there was about eight of us in a row on a beach in swimsuits , all with different burns and from all walks of life , and we thought , `` We 're going to post this on Instagram , because we 're going to show people that we 're brave , and that it 's all right to talk about your burns and open up . ''
I was in a beauty pageant .
It was the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 've got differences and uniqueness .
I want young people to look up to me as a role model and think , `` If she can do it , I can do it , I can get out of my shell . ''
Explaining to my partner that I 'm with now was hard .
I was nervous .
When he first saw my scars he was a bit shocked , and he thought , `` How can somebody do this to a person ? ''
He has n't asked any questions since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ago .
So it is all normal , but because the skin on my belly is so skin-tight , I 'm afraid to have kids because of it .
He wants kids in the future , and I was scared that I could n't give it to him .
It may be possible , but we 'll have to wait and see .
One day I 'm hoping to have kids , but at the moment I 've got my dogs . '
I could n't cope with that feeling in the morning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It 's been a few weeks since I 've had a psoriasis flare up .
My skin 's looking really great at the moment .
I still have patches on other bits of my body .
Strangely , I 've taken lots of photos of my skin during a major flare up and I have had those photos even printed .
It 's just to remind myself of what my skin can be .
During a severe flare up , the psoriasis started on my forehead .
First it was just small spot-sized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Eventually , each patch merged with each other , creating much larger patches of dry skin crossing my entire forehead .
Both eyebrows were completely affected , and then it spread down the sides of my nose , around my mouth , until , it was pretty much dotted all over my face , neck and body .
I constantly had this tingling , burning sensation on all of the patches that covered my face and my body , and it affects my scalp the most .
During my flare up , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loss .
At one point my hair was so fine , it was a few strands that I could just hold together .
What I ended up doing was buying wigs to make myself feel better .
Sometimes it would get bad enough that it would feel like an open wound .
Even the feeling of my clothing touching my psoriasis would be completely unbearable .
I love all my clothes and I love fashion .
I could only wear fleece-lined leggings and big baggy jumpers that were fleece-lined .
I could n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so I had to wear cycling shorts so that the elastic did n't cut into my skin .
When I first got guttate psoriasis ( which causes small spots or papules ) , I was misdiagnosed with chicken pox .
Over the next few weeks , I ended up staying at my mum 's .
She set me up a little bed in her room .
What I could n't cope with the most was that initial feeling in the morning of remembering how I now looked and having to accept it all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ready , bless her , always at my side , waiting for me to wake up .
I would just burst into tears and she would comfort me and tell me I was beautiful .
Remind me that she would get me all the help that she could get me .
You are aware of other people 's reactions .
At work , customers would say to me , `` Can I not be served by you , because you 've probably got something contagious . ''
I work in retail , so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found myself initially saying , `` Yes , that 's fine .
I 'll get someone else to serve you . ''
It did n't take me long to be able to say to people , `` I 'm not contagious , I 'm absolutely fine , and so either you 're served by me or you wo n't get served . ''
All of my friends and family were really supportive .
I was single at the time .
I did n't expect to meet anyone during a flare up until I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ met him , he had absolutely no questions about my skin at all .
He did n't query it , did n't look at me any differently , just approached me and said , `` Wow , you 're beautiful . ''
People started to contact me once I had my initial photo on social media and say , `` You 're really inspirational . ''
That was when I had to embrace it and I thought , `` Wow I do n't think I would ever have considered myself an inspiration to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Miller for Woman 's Hour , broadcast on 4 August , 6 August , 11 August and 13 August .
Text interviews shortened and edited for clarity by Lucy Wallis .
You may also be interested in : Sylvia Mac has spent most of her life trying to conceal the extensive scars which cover her body - the legacy of a childhood accident .
Here she explains why , at the age of 48 , she decided it was time to stop hiding and come out into the open .
Me and my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to love my body

I'd gone into it so excited about having this great life, being able to just wear normal clothes, which I hadn't been able to before, and then about five days after I had the second surgery, I became very, very ill. The next thing I remember, I woke up to find that I'd been in a coma and I was totally delirious and I had psychosis and I thought everybody was robots. I thought I was in the hospital for medical experiments and it was just absolutely terrifying. My family had been there, they didn't think I was going to survive the night, and they'd had to sign a consent, because they thought they were going to have to amputate both of my legs. It was a very scary time.