bbc--2020-06-05--Patrick Mahomes & Odell Beckham Jr among NFL players calling on league to condemn racism

Last updated on .From the section American Football NFL stars including Patrick Mahomes and Odell Beckham Jr have called on the league to `` condemn racism and the systemic oppression of black people '' .
Many athletes have shown support for ex-San Francisco 49er Kaepernick amid the global protests held since the death of George Floyd , saying in a video : `` What will it take ?
For one of us to be murdered by police brutality ? ''
It comes in the wake of the death of Floyd , an unarmed black man , while being restrained by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 25 May .
In the video , the players list black men and women who have also been killed .
It adds : `` So , on behalf of the National Football League this is what we , the players , would like to hear you state : 'We the National Football League condemn racism and the systematic oppression of black people .
We the National Football League admit wrong in silencing our players from peacefully protesting .
We the National Football League believe Black Lives Matter . ''
The NFL posted its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement on social media , it said : `` This is a time of self-reflection for all - the NFL is no exception .
We stand with the black community because Black Lives Matter . ''
On Thursday , New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees posted a statement asking for forgiveness after he was criticised for saying kneeling protests would be `` disrespecting the flag '' .
`` I made comments that were insensitive and completely missed the mark on the issues we are facing right now as a country , '' said @ @ @ @ @ @ @

NFL players have called on the league to "condemn racism and the systemic oppression of black people"
NFL stars including Patrick Mahomes and Odell Beckham Jr have called on the league to "condemn racism and the systemic oppression of black people".
Colin Kaepernick began kneeling during the US national anthem in 2016 and has not played in the league since becoming a free agent in 2017.
Many athletes have shown support for ex-San Francisco 49er Kaepernick amid the global protests held since the death of George Floyd, saying in a video: "What will it take? For one of us to be murdered by police brutality?"
It comes in the wake of the death of Floyd, an unarmed black man, while being restrained by a white police officer in Minneapolis on 25 May.
Sadness, anger and isolation - athletes on racism
In the video, the players list black men and women who have also been killed.
It adds: "So, on behalf of the National Football League this is what we, the players, would like to hear you state: 'We the National Football League condemn racism and the systematic oppression of black people. We the National Football League admit wrong in silencing our players from peacefully protesting. We the National Football League believe Black Lives Matter."
The NFL posted its own statement on Thursday.
In a statement on social media, it said: "This is a time of self-reflection for all - the NFL is no exception. We stand with the black community because Black Lives Matter."
On Thursday, New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees posted a statement asking for forgiveness after he was criticised for saying kneeling protests would be "disrespecting the flag".


bbc--2020-06-05--Chelsea agree deal with RB Leipzig forward Werner

Reports suggest the 24-year-old , who has scored 25 goals in the Bundesliga this season , has a release clause @ @ @ @ @ Germany international had been linked with Liverpool and said he was `` proud '' of @ @ @ @ @ Sport understands Liverpool are not interested in signing Werner , who has has netted 11 @ @ @ @ @ his country .
Last month , French striker Olivier Giroud extended his contract by a @ @ @ @ @ Chelsea 's second signing for next season after already completing a £37m deal for Ajax @ @ @ @ @ .
He has impressed at Leipzig following his 2016 transfer from hometown club Stuttgart .
@ @ @ @ @ Leipzig 's recent 5-0 victory over Mainz and he also netted three times against the @ @ @ @ @ win before Christmas .
In January , Chelsea head coach Frank Lampard was linked with @ @ @ @ @ and Napoli 's Dries Mertens but neither deal materialised .

Last updated on .From the section European Football
Chelsea have agreed a deal with RB Leipzig forward Timo Werner.
Reports external-link suggest the 24-year-old, who has scored 25 goals in the Bundesliga this season, has a release clause of about £54m.
The Germany international had been linked with Liverpool and said he was "proud" of that association.
But BBC Sport understands Liverpool are not interested in signing Werner, who has has netted 11 times in 29 games for his country.
The Reds have no plans to sign anyone during the next transfer window.
Last month, French striker Olivier Giroud extended his contract by a year.
Werner would be Chelsea's second signing for next season after already completing a £37m deal for Ajax winger Hakim Ziyech in February.
He has impressed at Leipzig following his 2016 transfer from hometown club Stuttgart.
Werner scored a hat-trick in Leipzig's recent 5-0 victory over Mainz and he also netted three times against the same opposition in an 8-0 win before Christmas.
In January, Chelsea head coach Frank Lampard was linked with Paris St-Germain forward Edinson Cavani and Napoli's Dries Mertens but neither deal materialised.


bbc--2020-06-05--Two players injured after Benfica bus attack

Two Benfica players have been taken to hospital after their team bus was attacked following their first behind-closed-doors match .
@ @ @ @ @ Andrija Zivkovic were hit with shrapnel and taken to hospital as a precaution .
Portuguese @ @ @ @ @ to move clear of title rivals Porto at the top of the table after being @ @ @ @ @ Fans had gathered to support the team outside Benfica 's Estadio da Luz .
The @ @ @ @ @ motorway between the stadium and training ground .
`` Benfica denounce and lament the criminal @ @ @ @ @ players was victim to , '' a Benfica club statement read .
`` We guarantee @ @ @ @ @ whom we appeal for the greatest effort to be made in identifying the delinquents responsible @ @ @ @ @ '' The top two in the primeira liga table are now level on 60 points @ @ @ @ @ remaining .

Last updated on .From the section European Football
Julian Wiegl in action against Tondela, who are 13th in the table
Two Benfica players have been taken to hospital after their team bus was attacked following their first behind-closed-doors match.
German Julian Weigl and Serbian Andrija Zivkovic were hit with shrapnel and taken to hospital as a precaution.
Portuguese champions Benfica missed the chance to move clear of title rivals Porto at the top of the table after being held 0-0 by Tondela.
Fans had gathered to support the team outside Benfica's Estadio da Luz.
The attack occurred on a major motorway between the stadium and training ground.
"Benfica denounce and lament the criminal stoning the bus of its players was victim to," a Benfica club statement read.
"We guarantee total collaboration with authorities to whom we appeal for the greatest effort to be made in identifying the delinquents responsible for these criminal acts."
The top two in the primeira liga table are now level on 60 points with nine rounds of matches remaining.


bbc--2020-06-05--Mark Wood column: Face masks and 5am wake-ups - the new normal in training

It seems people have got through the tough times in lockdown by getting themselves into a routine .
'The new normal ' is the phrase we often hear .
That 's certainly been the case for me .
I get up early with my son Harry , letting my wife Sarah stay in bed because she 's been with him in the night .
At 5am I 'm in a zombified state , like most parents .
When she gets up , I do my fitness work , then we have the rest of the day together .
Once a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the rest of the time I 'm trying to keep myself in shape with long runs , sprints and weights .
Like everyone else , I 've been worried .
Are my parents OK ?
Is my grandad , who has some health issues , going to be alright ?
Have we been washing our hands enough , wiping things down , or keeping our distance from others when we 've been out and about ?
Sometimes the mind can wander to things you ca n't control , but when you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the things you can control , that helps .
In that sense , getting back into training brings another layer of normality .
Some players have managed to do some bowling at home - Ben Stokes on his driveway , or Stuart Broad with a net in his garden - but I have n't been able to .
Not only do I not have the facilities , but I also wanted to take this opportunity to have time away from the game and be with my family .
Having said that , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which starts on 8 July - now a goal to aim for , it flicks a switch in the mind .
You think 'here we go ' and you start focusing on cricket .
Can I get back to my absolute best in training ?
What tricks can I add to my game ?
• BBC to show highlights of England Tests and ODIs • Three West Indies players opt out of England tour • Root would miss Test for birth of child There 's no other way to describe it - the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Me and Stokesy both go to Durham , but because our slots are an hour apart , we never see each other .
The only other people at the ground are Durham director of cricket Marcus North , bowling coach Neil Killeen , England coach Paul Collingwood , Susan the physio and a security man to open the gates .
Whereas Stokesy gets out of his car and heads straight for the middle , I have to spend some time in the gym and with the physio .
When I get to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I do n't have to touch anything .
I 'll disinfect my hands , use the equipment , then rub it clean when I 'm done .
When I go to see Susan , I have to wear a face mask and she is in full PPE gear .
When I started bowling , it was literally from a standing position - the sort of thing you see kids doing when they 're learning the game .
Now I 've built it up to being off my full run .
It 's probably @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get used to , not picking the ball up to throw it back to Colly .
When you knock it back with your bat , it feels really disrespectful to an England legend .
A couple of times I 've forgotten , and accidentally picked the ball up .
Straight away it 's `` oh no '' .
You have to wipe the ball , change your gloves and wash your hands .
The measures in place really are that strict .
I also want to make sure I keep up the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tour of South Africa .
That came on the back of some net sessions with my dad and my wife feeding the bowling machine , so we 'll have to see if Colly and his throwing stick are as good as my personal coaching team .
I do n't know how the other lads are coping with the training restrictions , but I do know that having 55 players back in practice means there is some healthy competition , not least in the fitness stakes .
We 've been doing 3km runs and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it in 10 minutes and 30 seconds , while Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow are impossible to catch too - it must be something in the Yorkshire water .
We 're all building up to those international matches , when we know there is likely to be a period of isolation .
Yes , we are used to leaving our families for tours , and on some of those tours you might not venture very far from the hotel , but this is going to be different .
It will be hard to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ little world for the past couple of months , and I 'll be hoping that it is not too difficult for Sarah and Harry .
However , once we 're in that team environment , I know all the lads will dive into it .
One interesting part of it will be if we have all of the fast bowlers fit and firing .
Broad , James Anderson , Chris Woakes , Jofra Archer , Sam Curran , myself and maybe some others all competing for what is likely to be three spots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fantastic depth for England to have .
I 'm honest enough to admit I might not be the first name on the team sheet in English conditions , but I took nine wickets in the last Test we played , so I 'd like to think that keeps me there or thereabouts .
Not only that , but Joe Root , the captain , says the noise I make might make up for playing games in empty grounds .
I 'll take being cheerleader if it keeps my place in the side .

It seems people have got through the tough times in lockdown by getting themselves into a routine.
'The new normal' is the phrase we often hear. That's certainly been the case for me.
I get up early with my son Harry, letting my wife Sarah stay in bed because she's been with him in the night. At 5am I'm in a zombified state, like most parents. When she gets up, I do my fitness work, then we have the rest of the day together.
Once a week I'll go to the shops, and the rest of the time I'm trying to keep myself in shape with long runs, sprints and weights.
Like everyone else, I've been worried. Are my parents OK? Is my grandad, who has some health issues, going to be alright? Have we been washing our hands enough, wiping things down, or keeping our distance from others when we've been out and about?
Sometimes the mind can wander to things you can't control, but when you're in a routine, looking after the things you can control, that helps.
In that sense, getting back into training brings another layer of normality. Some players have managed to do some bowling at home - Ben Stokes on his driveway, or Stuart Broad with a net in his garden - but I haven't been able to. Not only do I not have the facilities, but I also wanted to take this opportunity to have time away from the game and be with my family.
Having said that, with the Test series against West Indies - which starts on 8 July - now a goal to aim for, it flicks a switch in the mind. You think 'here we go' and you start focusing on cricket. Can I get back to my absolute best in training? What tricks can I add to my game?
There's no other way to describe it - the new way of training is weird.
Me and Stokesy both go to Durham, but because our slots are an hour apart, we never see each other.
The only other people at the ground are Durham director of cricket Marcus North, bowling coach Neil Killeen, England coach Paul Collingwood, Susan the physio and a security man to open the gates.
Whereas Stokesy gets out of his car and heads straight for the middle, I have to spend some time in the gym and with the physio.
When I get to the gym, the doors are open so I don't have to touch anything. I'll disinfect my hands, use the equipment, then rub it clean when I'm done. When I go to see Susan, I have to wear a face mask and she is in full PPE gear.
When I started bowling, it was literally from a standing position - the sort of thing you see kids doing when they're learning the game. Now I've built it up to being off my full run.
It's probably batting practice that is the hardest thing to get used to, not picking the ball up to throw it back to Colly. When you knock it back with your bat, it feels really disrespectful to an England legend.
A couple of times I've forgotten, and accidentally picked the ball up. Straight away it's "oh no". You have to wipe the ball, change your gloves and wash your hands. The measures in place really are that strict.
I also want to make sure I keep up the batting form that I found on the tour of South Africa. That came on the back of some net sessions with my dad and my wife feeding the bowling machine, so we'll have to see if Colly and his throwing stick are as good as my personal coaching team.
Wood returned career-best match figures of 9-100 in England's most recent Test, a 191-run win over South Africa in Johannesburg
I don't know how the other lads are coping with the training restrictions, but I do know that having 55 players back in practice means there is some healthy competition, not least in the fitness stakes.
We've been doing 3km runs and comparing times. Jos Buttler can do it in 10 minutes and 30 seconds, while Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow are impossible to catch too - it must be something in the Yorkshire water.
We're all building up to those international matches, when we know there is likely to be a period of isolation.
Yes, we are used to leaving our families for tours, and on some of those tours you might not venture very far from the hotel, but this is going to be different. It will be hard to leave home after living in our own little world for the past couple of months, and I'll be hoping that it is not too difficult for Sarah and Harry.
However, once we're in that team environment, I know all the lads will dive into it.
One interesting part of it will be if we have all of the fast bowlers fit and firing. Broad, James Anderson, Chris Woakes, Jofra Archer, Sam Curran, myself and maybe some others all competing for what is likely to be three spots in the Test team. That is fantastic depth for England to have.
I'm honest enough to admit I might not be the first name on the team sheet in English conditions, but I took nine wickets in the last Test we played, so I'd like to think that keeps me there or thereabouts.
Not only that, but Joe Root, the captain, says the noise I make might make up for playing games in empty grounds.
I'll take being cheerleader if it keeps my place in the side.
Mark Wood was speaking to BBC Sport's Stephan Shemilt.


bbc--2020-06-05--George Floyd death: Michael Johnson hopeful that protests will spark change

American four-time Olympic champion Michael Johnson says current protests following the death of George Floyd have produced `` the most momentum around this issue I 've seen in my lifetime '' .
Floyd , an unarmed black man , died while being restrained by a white Minneapolis police officer on 25 May .
Protests have been held across the US .
`` I 'm hopeful that a year from now we are not looking back at this time and nothing has happened , I 'm hopeful that change truly does come , '' Johnson said .
Speaking to BBC Radio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : `` We 've seen black men killed by police before , we 've seen those police convicted and sent to prison , that 's happened and it still did n't change anything .
`` The difference this time is that you have so many people talking about this issue , the protests continue , the conversation is only about this issue , and the momentum continues to grow .
`` This is not only black people who are sounding this alarm , everyone who understands and appreciates fairness is fed up and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ An athlete , friend and father - who was George Floyd ?
Floyd 's death has caused outrage and sparked a wave of protests against racial discrimination and police treatment of African Americans in cities across the US and the world .
Derek Chauvin , the police officer who knelt on Floyd 's neck , has been charged with second-degree murder .
Three other officers present face counts of aiding and abetting murder .
`` It 's the most momentum around this decades-old issue that I 've ever seen in my lifetime , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ perspective , I 've found it hopeful and promising that this murder of George Floyd has highlighted an issue that has been with us in this country and something that we have been dealing with as a country for over 50 years now .
`` That is the systemic and institutionalised racism that happens every single day in this country . ''
He added that he hopes Americans will use their vote to bring about change at the November elections .
`` I 'm hopeful that we can sustain this through the November @ @ @ @ @ @ @ typically support this type of movement have not voted , and that 's a problem , '' he said .
`` I 'm hopeful that they understand that the biggest hammer you can swing at this is going to the ballot box and voting . ''

Last updated on .From the section Sport
Everyone who understands fairness is fed up - Michael Johnson
American four-time Olympic champion Michael Johnson says current protests following the death of George Floyd have produced "the most momentum around this issue I've seen in my lifetime".
Floyd, an unarmed black man, died while being restrained by a white Minneapolis police officer on 25 May.
Protests have been held across the US.
"I'm hopeful that a year from now we are not looking back at this time and nothing has happened, I'm hopeful that change truly does come," Johnson said.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast, the 52-year-old added: "We've seen black men killed by police before, we've seen those police convicted and sent to prison, that's happened and it still didn't change anything.
"The difference this time is that you have so many people talking about this issue, the protests continue, the conversation is only about this issue, and the momentum continues to grow.
"This is not only black people who are sounding this alarm, everyone who understands and appreciates fairness is fed up and they are demanding change."
Floyd's death has caused outrage and sparked a wave of protests against racial discrimination and police treatment of African Americans in cities across the US and the world.
Derek Chauvin, the police officer who knelt on Floyd's neck, has been charged with second-degree murder. Three other officers present face counts of aiding and abetting murder.
"It's the most momentum around this decades-old issue that I've ever seen in my lifetime," said Johnson.
"From that perspective, I've found it hopeful and promising that this murder of George Floyd has highlighted an issue that has been with us in this country and something that we have been dealing with as a country for over 50 years now.
"That is the systemic and institutionalised racism that happens every single day in this country."
He added that he hopes Americans will use their vote to bring about change at the November elections.
"I'm hopeful that we can sustain this through the November elections when a lot of people who typically support this type of movement have not voted, and that's a problem," he said.
"I'm hopeful that they understand that the biggest hammer you can swing at this is going to the ballot box and voting."


bbc--2020-06-04--George Floyd: How the USA's history has shaped today's police brutality

George Floyd 's name is the latest in a long list of African Americans to die as a result of @ @ @ @ @ the history of the United States .
The BBC 's Clive Myrie , who has @ @ @ @ @ nearly 25 years , looks at how a toxic mix of racism and bad policing @ @ @ @ @ serious racial unrest in the US for many years .

George Floyd's name is the latest in a long list of African Americans to die as a result of racism and police brutality throughout the history of the United States.
The BBC's Clive Myrie, who has reported from the US for nearly 25 years, looks at how a toxic mix of racism and bad policing has led to the most serious racial unrest in the US for many years.


bbc--2020-06-05--Biden: Trump 'despicable' for invoking George Floyd

US President Donald Trump has been condemned by his likely Democratic challenger for invoking George Floyd 's name as he touted US jobs figures .
Mr Trump said Mr Floyd , an unarmed black man allegedly murdered by a Minneapolis police officer , is `` looking down '' and `` saying this a great day '' .
Former US Vice-President Joe Biden said the remark was `` despicable '' .
Mr Trump spoke while celebrating a surprise US jobs rebound and calling for `` equal justice under the law '' .
Mr Floyd , who was unarmed and in handcuffs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policeman knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes .
The officer involved was charged with murder and three colleagues stand accused of aiding and abetting .
The death triggered protests against racial discrimination across the US and world .
On Friday , Minneapolis banned the police neck restraint allegedly used on Mr Floyd , and California pledged to follow suit .
What did Trump say ?
Speaking in the White House Rose Garden on Friday , Mr Trump said : `` Equal justice under the law must mean that every American receives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enforcement regardless of race , colour , gender or creed .
`` They have to receive fair treatment from law enforcement .
They have to receive it .
`` We all saw what happened last week .
We ca n't let that happen .
`` Hopefully George is looking down and saying this is a great thing that 's happening for our country .
A great day for him .
It 's a great day for everybody . ''
Mr Trump , a Republican , added : `` This is a great , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' The president 's critics said he was crassly suggesting Mr Floyd would be posthumously celebrating positive jobs figures .
Mr Trump 's defenders said the context of his comments make clear he was referring to his call for equal treatment of all Americans by police .
• WATCH : 'This is why we are protesting' • BACKGROUND : Five pieces of context to understand the protests • CRIME AND JUSTICE : How are African Americans treated ?
What did Biden say ?
The Democratic presidential candidate hit back during a campaign speech @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : `` George Floyd 's last words , ' I ca n't breathe , I ca n't breathe ' echoed all across this nation and quite frankly around the world .
`` For the president to try to put any other words in the mouth of George Floyd I frankly think is despicable . ''
Mr Biden has been sharpening his attacks on the president as the 3 November White House election looms .
While campaigning in his home state of Delaware on Thursday night , he said Mr Trump brings out the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` there are probably anywhere from 10 to 15 percent of the people out there , they 're just not very good people '' .
What do the job figures show ?
The latest US monthly jobs report on Friday showed employers added 2.5 million jobs , defying economists ' predictions of further decline .
For black workers , however , the unemployment rate crept upwards from 16.7 % to 16.8 % .
The losses from the coronavirus pandemic have hit minority and low-wage workers hardest .
The Hispanic unemployment rate declined in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And it fell among white workers to 12.4 % from 13.8 % .
The Minneapolis City Council and the Minnesota Department of Human Rights on Friday agreed to ban police neck restraints and chokeholds .
The new policy , which will be enforceable in court , requires any officer regardless of rank to verbally and physically intervene if they witness a colleague using such unauthorised force .
California 's Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom said on Friday he would move to end state police training in the use of the `` carotid restraint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the technique this week in response to the nationwide uproar over events in Minneapolis .
Officials in New York , San Francisco , Chicago and Los Angeles have all previously taken steps to ban or limit the use of chokeholds by members of their police departments .

George Floyd dies after police arrest Image caption Tributes to George Floyd at a makeshift memorial Image copyright by Getty Images George Floyd dies after being arrested by police outside a shop in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Footage shows a white officer, Derek Chauvin, kneeling on Mr Floyd’s neck for several minutes while he is pinned to the floor. Mr Floyd is heard repeatedly saying "I can’t breathe". He is pronounced dead later in hospital.
Protests begin Image caption Demonstrators in Minneapolis Image copyright by AFP Four officers involved in the arrest of George Floyd are fired. Protests begin as the video of the arrest is shared widely on social media. Hundreds of demonstrators take to the streets of Minneapolis and vandalise police cars and the police station with graffiti.
Protests spread Image caption Protesters lie on the streets in Portland, Oregon Image copyright by Reuters Protests spread to other cities including Memphis and Los Angeles. In some places, like Portland, Oregon, protesters lie in the road, chanting "I can’t breathe". Demonstrators again gather around the police station in Minneapolis where the officers involved in George Floyd’s arrest were based and set fire to it. The building is evacuated and police retreat.
Trump tweets Image caption President Trump tweets about the unrest Image copyright by Reuters President Trump blames the violence on a lack of leadership in Minneapolis and threatens to send in the National Guard in a tweet. He follows it up in a second tweet with a warning "when the looting starts, the shooting starts". The second tweet is hidden by Twitter for "glorifying violence".
CNN reporter arrested Image caption Members of a CNN crew are arrested at a protest Image copyright by Reuters A CNN reporter, Omar Jimenez, is arrested while covering the Minneapolis protest. Mr Jimenez was reporting live when police officers handcuffed him. A few minutes later several of his colleagues are also arrested. They are all later released once they are confirmed to be members of the media. Derek Chauvin charged with murder Image caption Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin after being charged over the death of George Floyd Image copyright by Getty Images Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, 44, is charged with murder and manslaughter. The charges carry a combined maximum 35-year sentence.
Sixth night of protests Image caption Demonstrators set fire to rubbish in New York Image copyright by Reuters Violence spreads across the US on the sixth night of protests. A total of at least five people are reported killed in protests from Indianapolis to Chicago. More than 75 cities have seen protests. At least 4,400 people have been arrested. Curfews are imposed across the US to try to stem the unrest.
Trump threatens military response Image caption Trump posing with a Bible outside a boarded-up church Image copyright by EPA President Trump threatens to send in the military to quell growing civil unrest. He says if cities and states fail to control the protests and "defend their residents" he will deploy the army and "quickly solve the problem for them". Mr Trump poses in front of a damaged church shortly after police used tear gas to disperse peaceful protesters nearby.
Eighth night of protests Image caption George Floyd’s family joined protesters in Houston Image copyright by Getty Tens of thousands of protesters again take to the streets. One of the biggest protests is in George Floyd’s hometown of Houston, Texas. Many defy curfews in several cities, but the demonstrations are largely peaceful.
Memorial service for George Floyd Image caption Mourners gather to remember George Floyd Image copyright by Getty A memorial service for George Floyd is held in Minneapolis. Those gathered in tribute stand in silence for eight minutes, 46 seconds, the amount of time Mr Floyd is alleged to have been on the ground under arrest. Hundreds attended the service, which heard a eulogy from civil rights activist Rev Al Sharpton.
International protests Image caption Protester addresses crowds in Australia Image copyright by Getty As the US saw another weekend of protests, with tens of thousands marching in Washington DC, anti-racism demonstrations were held around the world. In Australia, there were major protests in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane that focused on the treatment of indigenous Australians. There were also demonstrations in France, Germany, Spain and the UK. In Bristol, protesters tore down the statue of a 17th century slave trader and threw it into the harbour.


bbc--2020-06-05--Buffalo police riot squad quit to back officers who shoved man

An entire tactical unit of a US police department has quit after two officers accused of brutality were placed on unpaid leave , reports local media .
In a video that went viral on Thursday , officers in the city of Buffalo , New York , were seen shoving an elderly man to the ground .
The 75-year-old was seriously injured , and taken to hospital .
All 57 officers in the riot squad have now reportedly resigned in protest at their two colleagues ' suspension .
According to the Buffalo News , the members have stepped down from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police department itself .
John Evans , president of the local police union , told the newspaper : `` Our position is these officers were simply following orders from Deputy Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia to clear the square .
`` It does n't specify clear the square of men , 50 and under or 15 to 40 .
They were simply doing their job .
I do n't know how much contact was made .
He did slip in my estimation .
He fell backwards . ''
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fired , and called for the incident to be investigated for `` possible criminal charges '' .
In a statement , Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown said : `` We can confirm that contingency plans are in place to maintain police services and ensure public safety within our community . ''
He added that Buffalo police are continuing to work with other law enforcement agencies .
The officers were enforcing a curfew as a result of protests that have spread nationwide since the death in Minneapolis last month of an unarmed black man , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on his neck for nearly nine minutes .
What does the Buffalo video show ?
The man is seen approaching a group of riot police as they advance .
Two of the officers appear to push the 75-year-old , causing him to fall backwards and hit his head .
An initial statement from Buffalo Police Department said the man had `` tripped '' and fallen during a `` skirmish involving protesters '' .
Police spokesman Jeff Rinaldo later attributed the statement to officers not directly involved in the incident .
Who is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gugino , and authorities said he was taken to hospital , where he was in a stable but serious condition on Friday .
Mr Gugino is a longtime social justice activist in Buffalo , according to advocacy group Push ( People United for Sustainable Housing ) .
He `` has been a tireless fighter against injustice of all types for many years in our city both with Push and other grassroots organisations , '' they said in a statement , condemning police for his treatment .

"It doesn't specify clear the square of men, 50 and under or 15 to 40. They were simply doing their job. I don't know how much contact was made. He did slip in my estimation. He fell backwards."


bbc--2020-06-05--Coronavirus: WHO advises to wear masks in public areas

The World Health Organization ( WHO ) has changed its advice on face masks , saying they should be worn in public to help stop the spread of coronavirus .
The global body said new information showed they could provide `` a barrier for potentially infectious droplets '' .
Some countries around the world already recommend or mandate the wearing of face coverings in public .
The WHO had previously argued there was not enough evidence to say that healthy people should wear masks .
Dr Maria Van Kerkhove , the WHO 's technical lead expert on Covid-19 , told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people to wear a `` fabric mask - that is , a non-medical mask '' .
• The new rules for face coverings in England explained The organisation had always advised that medical face masks should be worn by people who are sick and those caring for them .
Globally , there have been 6.7 million confirmed coronavirus cases and nearly 400,000 deaths since the outbreak began late last year , according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University .
What is the WHO 's advice ?
The organisation said its new guidance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks .
`` We are advising governments to encourage that the general public wear a mask , '' Dr Van Kerkhove said .
At the same time , the WHO stressed that face masks were just one of a range of tools that could be used to reduce the risk of transmission - and that they should not give people a false sense of protection .
`` Masks on their own will not protect you from Covid-19 , '' said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus .
This is a big shift in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should cover their faces .
For months , the organisation 's experts stuck to the line that masks would encourage a false sense of security and would deprive medical professionals of badly needed protective equipment .
Those arguments have not gone away but at the same time the WHO acknowledges that new evidence has emerged on the risks of transmission .
It points to recent research that people can be highly infectious in the few days before they show symptoms and that some people catch the virus but never show symptoms at all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So where distancing is not possible , such as on public transport and in locations as varied as shops and refugee camps , it is suggested that faces are covered with homemade masks to avoid passing on the infection .
Over 60s with underlying health conditions should go further , the WHO said , and wear medical-grade masks to give themselves better protection .
• LOOK-UP TOOL : How many cases in your area ?
What are the latest key developments globally ?
In the UK , the government announced on Friday that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to wear face coverings , and that hospital staff would have to wear medical masks , even if they were not in a clinical setting .
The guidance will come into force on 15 June , as more businesses open up and more pupils return to school .
Also on Friday the UK became the second country to record more than 40,000 coronavirus-related deaths , after the US .
In other developments around the world : • With more than 34,000 deaths , Brazil overtookItaly to become the country with the third-highest death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home affairs said member states should reopen their internal borders by end of June • Portugal will start reopening its beaches later on Saturday • Meanwhile in Poland , gyms , swimming pools and amusement parks will be reopened

In Brazil, President Jair Bolsonaro threatened to pull the country out of the WHO unless it ceased to be a "partisan political organisation". The leader, who had initially dismissed the virus as a "little flu", has been critical of the lockdown policies recommended by the agency to tackle the spread of the disease.


bbc--2020-06-05--Washington Monument struck by lightning

Washington Monument struck by lightning

Lightning struck the Washington DC on Thursday night as the city was under a flash flood warning .
One bolt @ @ @ @ @ Washington Monument .
Two national guard troops were seriously injured by the lightning .

Lightning struck the Washington DC on Thursday night as the city was under a flash flood warning.
One bolt from the storm hit the Washington Monument.
Two national guard troops were seriously injured by the lightning.


bbc--2020-06-05--Al-Qaeda chief in north Africa Abdelmalek Droukdel killed - France

France says it has killed the leader of al-Qaeda in north Africa , Abdelmalek Droukdel , in an operation in Mali .
Defence Minister Florence Parly said Droukdel along with members of his inner circle had been killed in the north of the country on Wednesday .
French forces had also captured a senior Islamic State group commander in Mali in an operation in May , she said .
The `` daring operations '' had dealt `` severe blows to the terrorist groups '' , she said .
`` Our forces , in co-operation with their partners in the Sahel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' she said .
What is the context ?
As head of Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb ( AQIM ) , Droukdel was in charge of all affiliates in north Africa and also commanded al-Qaeda 's Sahel affiliate , Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin ( JNIM ) .
The captured Islamic State group commander , Mohamed Mrabat , was a veteran jihadist and had a senior role in the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara ( ISGS ) group , Ms Parly said .
He was caught on 19 May , she added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fighting jihadists in Mali On 7 May IS revealed its militants had been engaged in fierce clashes with Al-Qaeda in Mali and Burkina Faso .
It accused JNIM of attacking its positions , blocking fuel supplies and detaining IS supporters .
ISGS has quickly established a foothold in the Sahel countries after announcing a presence in March last year .
Aged in his late 40s , Droukdel fought against Soviet troops in Afghanistan , and was thought to regard the former leader of al-Qaeda in Iraq , Abu Musab al-Zarqawi , as his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out numerous deadly attacks , including a 2016 assault on a hotel in the Burkina Faso capital Ouagadougou that left 30 dead and 150 injured .
In 2012 he was sentenced to death by a court in Algeria after being convicted in absentia of murder , membership of a terrorist organisation and attacks using explosives .
The charges related to three bomb attacks in the capital Algiers in April 2007 which killed 22 people and wounded more than 200 others .
This veteran Algerian jihadist was one of the most notorious commanders in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaigns first in Algeria then later against French and other forces in Mali .
According to the UN Security Council , which sanctioned him in 2007 , Droukdel was an explosives expert who built devices that killed hundreds of civilians in public places .
As leader of Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb ( AQIM ) he was instrumental in the kidnap of both local and western nationals in attacks as far apart as Tunisia , Niger and Mali .
He also helped the group expand its area of activities deep into Mali where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he met his end .
Jihadist groups are usually quick to announce a successor to killed or captured leaders but in north Africa there are signs of increasing tension between Al-Qaeda and its more recent rival , Islamic State and its affiliates .
What is France doing in the Sahel ?
Thousands of French troops have been deployed in Mali since 2013 .
France , the former colonial power , became involved after Islamist militants overran parts of the north .
With French help , Mali 's army has recaptured the territory , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to neighbouring countries .
More than 5,000 French troops have been serving as part of Operation Barkhane in support of the forces of Mali , Mauritania , Niger , Burkina Faso and Chad .
However they face a growing insurgency by jihadist groups , which have significantly stepped up their attacks in the Sahel countries since last year .

According to the UN Security Council, which sanctioned him in 2007, Droukdel was an explosives expert who built devices that killed hundreds of civilians in public places. As leader of Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) he was instrumental in the kidnap of both local and western nationals in attacks as far apart as Tunisia, Niger and Mali.


bbc--2020-06-05--Coronavirus: Is China bolder in the wake of the pandemic?

While much of the world grapples with the medical , social and economic fallout from Covid-19 , China - the @ @ @ @ @ began - says it now has the virus well under control .
From Hong Kong @ @ @ @ @ , China is once again pushing ahead with what it sees as the pursuit of @ @ @ @ @ emerges from the crisis .
The BBC ’ s Paul Adams looks at why China @ @ @ @ @ .

While much of the world grapples with the medical, social and economic fallout from Covid-19, China - the country where the global pandemic began - says it now has the virus well under control.
From Hong Kong to the South China Sea, China is once again pushing ahead with what it sees as the pursuit of its national interest as it emerges from the crisis.
The BBC’s Paul Adams looks at why China might be taking action now.
Video: Olivia Lace-Evans
Graphics: Parveen Virdi


bbc--2020-06-05--Arctic Circle oil spill: Russian prosecutors order checks at permafrost sites

Russian prosecutors have ordered checks at `` particularly dangerous installations '' built on permafrost after a huge oil spill in the Arctic .
An emergency was declared after 20,000 tonnes of diesel leaked into a river when a tank at a power plant near the city of Norilsk collapsed last Friday .
Initial Russian inquiries suggest ground subsidence as the cause .
The plant is owned by a subsidiary of Norilsk Nickel , which is the world 's leading nickel and palladium producer .
• Eye in the sky leaves polluters nowhere to hide • The journey to the 'doomsday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criticism from President Vladimir Putin and the power plant 's director , Vyacheslav Starostin , has been taken into custody .
The Russian Investigative Committee has launched a criminal case over pollution and alleged negligence .
Arctic permafrost has been melting in exceptionally warm weather for this time of year .
What checks have been ordered exactly ?
Russia 's chief prosecutor , Igor Krasnov , gave orders for regional and environmental prosecutors to conduct a `` thorough check '' of `` particularly dangerous installations '' located on `` territories exposed to permafrost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prevent a repeat of the incident at the plant near Norilsk .
A spokesman for Mr Krasnov 's department told Russian media prosecutors would assess companies ' adherence to safety laws , environmental monitoring and measures to prevent emergencies .
The effectiveness of state monitoring would also be assessed , he said .
The term is used for ground that is frozen continuously for two or more years .
Some 55 % of Russia 's territory , predominantly Siberia , is permafrost and home to its main oil and gas fields .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an international forum which includes Russia , warned that because of global warming and melting ice , foundations in permafrost regions could no longer support the loads they did as recently as the 1980s .
A recent report by Bloomberg news agency points out that Russia 's newer oil infrastructure takes account of the changing climate : storage tanks on the Yamal Peninsula , for instance , are mounted on piles .
How bad was the spill ?
The leaked oil drifted some 12km ( 7.5 miles ) from the site , turning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ red .
In a statement , Norilsk Nickel said the incident had been reported in a `` timely and proper '' way .
The state of emergency means extra forces are going to the area to assist with the clean-up operation .
The accident is believed to be the second largest in modern Russian history in terms of volume , an expert from the World Wildlife Fund , Alexei Knizhnikov , told the AFP news agency .
What can be done to clear up the damage ?
The incident has prompted stark warnings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scale of the spill and geography of the river mean it will be difficult to clean up .
Greenpeace has compared it to the 1989 Exxon Valdez disaster in Alaska .
Oleg Mitvol , former deputy head of Russia 's environmental watchdog Rosprirodnadzor , said there had `` never been such an accident in the Arctic zone '' .
He said the clean-up could cost 100bn roubles ( £1.2bn ; $ 1.5bn ) and take between five and 10 years .
It is not the first time Norilsk Nickel has been involved in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ admitted that an accident at one of its plants was responsible for turning a nearby river red .
Minister of Natural Resources Dmitry Kobylkin warned against trying to burn off such a vast quantity of fuel oil and has proposed trying to dilute the oil with reagents .

A 2017 report to the Arctic Council, an international forum which includes Russia, warned that because of global warming and melting ice, foundations in permafrost regions could no longer support the loads they did as recently as the 1980s.


bbc--2020-06-05--Defiant DC mayor names plaza 'Black Lives Matter'

The Washington DC mayor has changed the name of a plaza outside the White House to `` Black Lives Matter Plaza '' in a rebuke to President Trump .
Mayor Muriel Bowser , a Democrat , also unveiled a two-block long mural painted onto the street leading up to the White House declaring `` Black Lives Matter '' .
She also demanded that Mr Trump remove federal soldiers from Washington .
The mayor 's defiant , but largely symbolic , acts come as more protests are expected in DC at the weekend .
The demonstrations staged over the past week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House , with Mr Trump ordering thousands of federal troops into the city .
The president was criticised for ordering authorities to forcibly remove peaceful protesters from a square outside the White House so he could cross the street to take a photo in front of a church .
Marking the square in front of St John 's Church with the new `` Black Lives Matter Plaza '' sign on Friday , Ms Bowser said : `` As Washingtonians , we simply all want to be here together in peace to demonstrate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assemble , you can bring grievances to your government , and you can demand change '' .
The mayor also tweeted a video clip of the giant `` Black Lives Matter '' street mural emblazoned on the road in front of the White House in bright yellow paint .
`` There was a dispute this week about whose street this is , '' the mayor 's chief of staff John Falcicchio tweeted as the mural was unveiled .
`` Mayor Bowser wanted to make it abundantly clear that this is DC 's street @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Monday evening . ''
But the move by the mayor was panned by the local chapter of the Black Lives Matter Global Network , which called it `` a performative distraction from real policy changes '' and a way `` to appease white liberals while ignoring our demands '' .
More black residents live in Washington than white residents , but the city has some of the highest levels of economic disparity between black and white households in the US .
On Twitter , Mr Trump threatened to `` bring in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to DC if Ms Bowser does n't treat federal National Guard troops `` well '' , though it was unclear to whom he was referring .
What else has the mayor done ?
Ms Bowser wrote on Thursday to Mr Trump , asking him to `` withdraw all extraordinary federal law enforcement and military presence from Washington DC . ''
Her letter notes that the curfew in Washington has been lifted as of Friday morning , and that the city police are capable of dealing with the remaining peaceful protests .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ equipment are inflaming demonstrators and adding to the grievances of those who , by and large , are peacefully protesting for change and for reforms to the racist and broken systems that are killing Black Americans , '' Ms Bowser wrote .
She also criticised troops for not wearing any identification , allowing them operate outside `` established chains of commands , '' she said .
`` This multiplicity of forces can breed dangerous confusion , such as when helicopters are used in a war-like tactic to frighten and disperse peaceful protestors , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ view is that law enforcement should be in place to protect the rights of American citizens , not restrict them . ''
Ms Bowser has repeatedly clashed with the White House since peaceful protesters were cleared from Lafayette Square Park - outside the White House - on Monday so Mr Trump could visit a church .
She called the decision to use violence on the protesters `` shameful '' .
She also threatened to take legal action against his administration his week after Trump officials floated the idea of taking control of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Washington Post , at least 16 law enforcement and military agencies have sent armed personnel to Washington .
Troops from the Department of Homeland Security , the FBI , Immigration and Customs Enforcement ( Ice ) , the Army and National Guard are among those who have faced off with protesters in the past week .
Washington DC is not a state , and the mayor does not have the same power as a state governor who can decide when and how to deploy National Guard troops .
The Washington DC National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Army .
Mayor Bowser has taken a strong stance against the president , denouncing his decision to bring National Guard units into Washington .
In a letter to the president , she described federal law-enforcement officers and the National Guard units in the city as `` extraordinary '' and demanded that they leave .
She has also said there is a `` legal question '' about whether the president can deploy the troops here .
However , it was unclear whether there really is legal backing to her claim .
She is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city , and she is popular among her constituents .
When she says the troops should not be on Washington streets , she is expressing an opinion held by many of the people who live here .
Washington is a federal city , though , and federal authorities have significant power in this town .
For that reason , she does not have much legal recourse .
In truth , she has little power and most likely she will have to stand by and watch the president 's plans unfold - like the @ @ @ @ @

Marking the square in front of St John's Church with the new "Black Lives Matter Plaza" sign on Friday, Ms Bowser said: "As Washingtonians, we simply all want to be here together in peace to demonstrate that in America, you can peacefully assemble, you can bring grievances to your government, and you can demand change".


bbc--2020-06-05--Reddit co-founder quits board over Floyd

Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian has resigned from the tech firm 's board and urged the company to replace him with a black candidate .
The tech entrepreneur has also pledged to use future gains on his Reddit stock to `` serve the black community . ''
In a series of tweets , he said he was doing it `` as a father who needs to be able to answer his black daughter when she asks : 'What did you do ? '
'' It follows days of US protests against police brutality and racial inequality .
Mr Ohanian , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Williams , said he would be donating $ 1m ( £800,000 ) to Know Your Rights Camp , a non-profit started by former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick .
`` I believe resignation can actually be an act of leadership from people in power right now , '' he said in a video .
`` To everyone fighting to fix our broken nation : do not stop . ''
Mr Ohanian founded social media website Reddit 15 years ago with his college roommates Aaron Swartz and Steve Huffman .
He stepped down from daily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seat on the company 's board until now .
Reddit promoted its first female board member , Porter Gale , last year .
But the website has come under fire for hosting forums that promote racist content .
The company has banned groups like r/blackpeoplehate and alt-right r/MillionDollarExtreme .
It has also `` quarantined '' a pro-Trump forum , r/TheDonald , ensuring that its content does not appear in website searches or recommendations .
Earlier this week , several popular Reddit forums switched their access rights to private , or banned new posts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's hate speech policies .
Ex-chief executive Ellen K Pao also lambasted her former employer in a tweet , saying : `` You do n't get to say [ Black Lives Matter ] when reddit nurtures and monetizes white supremacy and hate all day long . ''
• WATCH : 'This is why we are protesting' • BACKGROUND : Five pieces of context to understand the protests • CRIME AND JUSTICE : How are African Americans treated ?

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bbc--2020-06-05--Combat drone to compete against piloted plane

The US Air Force will pit an advanced autonomous aircraft against a piloted plane in a challenge set for July 2021 .
The project could eventually lead to unpiloted fighter aircraft that use artificial intelligence ( AI ) .
Lt Gen Jack Shanahan , head of the Pentagon 's Joint Artificial Intelligence Center , called the test a `` bold , bold idea '' .
Air Force Magazine also described the development of autonomous fighter jets as a `` big Moonshot '' for the military .
At a briefing organised by the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies , Lt Gen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weekend with the team leader on the project , Capt Steve Rogers of the Air Force Research Laboratory ( AFRL ) .
He said the AFRL team would attempt to field `` an autonomous system to go up against a human , manned system in some sort of air-to-air '' .
Shanahan said that , at this stage , it may not use `` a lot of AI '' , but in time , humans and machines working together would make a `` big difference '' .
When announced in 2018 , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fighter jet .
Asked by Air Force Magazine whether this was still the objective , Lt Gen Shanahan said he did not know but added that AI-enabled systems could be used in other ways .
`` Maybe I should n't be thinking about a 65ft-wingspan , maybe it is a small autonomous swarming capability , '' he explained .
Such swarms of drone aircraft could be deployed under a pilot 's control or operate autonomously .
A US military project called Skyborg will explore how the pilot of a fighter jet could control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as airborne sidekicks .
These projects feed into an ongoing effort to explore ways of using artificial intelligence ( AI ) to enhance the American military 's capabilities .
But Shahahan said legacy systems would not `` go away overnight '' and that it was a question of finding a balance and using AI where it could make things more efficient .
`` The last thing I would claim is that carriers and fighters and satellites are going away in the next couple of years , '' he said .
Earlier this year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , telling the audience at a military conference in Orlando , Florida , that the `` fighter-jet era has passed '' .
Mr Musk said the F-35 fighter jet 's competition should be a drone , remotely-controlled by a human with manoeuvres augmented by autonomy .
`` The F-35 would have no chance against it , '' he tweeted .
Lt Gen Shanahan said that the military should be absorbing the best lessons from work on autonomous cars in the commercial sector .
But he warned that among manufacturers , 10 companies spending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decade had still not developed a Level 4 autonomous vehicle .
Level 4 vehicles are those that no longer require a human driver 's attention for safety .

Asked by Air Force Magazine whether this was still the objective, Lt Gen Shanahan said he did not know but added that AI-enabled systems could be used in other ways.


bbc--2020-06-05--Lady Gaga's Chromatica is the fastest-selling album of 2020

Lady Gaga 's new album , Chromatica , has entered the UK charts at number one , after outselling the rest of the top 10 combined .
The record , which sees Gaga return to the rocket-powered pop of her debut , sold 53,000 copies , the biggest opening week of the year so far .
It is also the star 's fastest-selling album since 2013 's Artpop .
The album follows Gaga 's performance in A Star Is Born , for which she won an Oscar for best song in 2019 .
Critics have called the record a return @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of her fifth album Joanne and the misfiring experiments of her Artpop project .
`` Song for song , it 's her best yet , '' wrote Variety magazine , adding : `` She sounds like she knows exactly who she is , what she wants to say and how she wants to say it . ''
`` Her pop renaissance could n't come at a better time , '' agreed Rolling Stone , while The Independent praised the star 's `` anthems of self-doubt , self-reflection , self-destruction and self-reclamation '' .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ illness and depression , said the record was intended to be an antidote to hard times .
`` I 'm making a dance record again and this dance floor… it 's mine , I earned it , and all that stuff that I went through , '' she told Zane Lowe in a recent interview .
`` The beginning of the album really symbolises , for me , what I would call the beginning of my journey to healing , '' she added , `` and what I would hope would be an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of healing through happiness , through dance . ''
According to the Official Charts Company , Chromatica was the week 's most popular album in every format - physical , streaming and downloads - as well as the year 's fastest-seller on vinyl , with 8,500 copies sold .
Three of the tracks also made it into the singles chart , led by the Ariana Grande duet Rain On Me at number two .
Sour Candy , a collaboration with K-pop band Blackpink , debuted at 17 ; while Alice , inspired by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was at 29 .
Gaga is also expected to top the US Billboard charts next week , with projected sales of 250,000 .
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If you have a story suggestion email entertainment.news @ bbc.co.uk .

"The beginning of the album really symbolises, for me, what I would call the beginning of my journey to healing," she added, "and what I would hope would be an inspiration for people that are in need of healing through happiness, through dance."


bbc--2020-06-05--Coronavirus: Madagascar minister fired over $2m lollipop order

Madagascar 's education minister has been fired over plans to order more than $ 2m ( £1.6m ) worth of sweets for schoolchildren .
Rijasoa Andriamanana said pupils would be given three lollipops each to mask the `` bitter '' aftertaste of an untested herbal remedy for coronavirus .
The plan was called off after objections from Madagascar 's president .
President Andry Rajoelina is promoting the herbal tonic Covid-Organics as a coronavirus cure .
Several African countries continue to import Covid-Organics believing it will help combat the virus , but the World Health Organization has warned that no proven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Academy has also cast doubt on the efficacy of the artemisia-based drink , saying it had the potential to damage people 's health .
President Rajoelina has dismissed criticism of the tonic , saying it is evidence of the West 's condescending attitude towards Africa .
`` If it was a European country that had actually discovered this remedy , would there be so much doubt ?
I do n't think so , '' he told French news channel France 24 .
Nearly 1,000 cases of coronavirus have been reported in the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lockdown measures have been in place around the country but President Rajoelina has faced criticism for his response to the outbreak .
Clashes erupted earlier this week in the eastern town of Toamasina , where soldiers have been deployed to ensure compliance with health measures .
The unrest was sparked after a street vendor was allegedly beaten by security forces .
The officers have denied committing any violence .
You may also be interested in : • A SIMPLE GUIDE : How do I protect myself ?
• FACE MASKS : Should I @ @ @ @

Clashes erupted earlier this week in the eastern town of Toamasina, where soldiers have been deployed to ensure compliance with health measures. The unrest was sparked after a street vendor was allegedly beaten by security forces. The officers have denied committing any violence.


bbc--2020-06-05--US unemployment sees surprise improvement in May

The US labour market improved unexpectedly in May raising hopes that economic damage tied to the pandemic will be less harmful than feared .
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 % , down from 14.7 % in April , as businesses started hiring again .
Firms in the food , construction and health care sectors took on staff .
In total , employers added 2.5 million jobs , with the education and retail sectors also recruiting .
It came as US states started rolling back some of the tough measures put in place to control the spread of the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are beginning to rehire their employees .
The job gains surprised economists , many of whom had warned the country could see the unemployment rate rise past 20 % to a post-World War Two high .
Economist Justin Wolfers , a professor at the University of Michigan , tweeted : `` It 's hard to escape the conclusion that the economy bottomed in early/mid May , '' he said .
`` We 're in a massive and deep hole , and it 'll take a while to climb out , but at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
President Donald Trump , who has maintained the economic rebound will be swift , immediately took to Twitter to celebrate the numbers and claim credit .
`` Really Big Jobs Report .
Great going President Trump ( kidding but true ) ! ''
he wrote .
The gains go only a small way towards making up for the more than 21 million jobs US employers cut in March and April , as lockdowns forced many businesses to shut their doors .
In April , the unemployment rate hit 14.7 % , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the 1930s .
But Labor Secretary Eugene Scalia said the report showed that the economic re-opening has been more robust than thought .
`` It appears that the worst of the coronavirus 's impact on the nation 's job markets is behind us , '' he said .
The news cheered investors , sending the Dow Jones Industrial Average and S & P 500 up more than 2 % , continuing a recovery in share prices from their March lows .
The job gains were not limited to the US .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far more than expected .
However , the unemployment rate shot to 13.7 % - the highest level on record in data back to 1976 .
As recently as February , the jobless rate in the US was hovering at 50-year lows of 3.5 % .
On Friday , economists warned the path of the economic recovery still remained uncertain .
They pointed out that the hiring in May came as the government released billions of dollars in emergency aid to businesses to cover wages for employees , encouraging recipients to recall staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for roughly half of the jobs created last month .
Dentist offices accounted for another 10 % .
Many of the gains also came from individuals who had told surveyors that their layoffs were temporary .
`` This means this was all the easy part of the recovery , '' said economist Jason Furman , a top economic advisor to President Barack Obama .
The losses have hit minority and low-wage workers hardest , a trend that continued in May .
Among white workers , the unemployment rate fell to 12.4 % from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declined among Hispanic workers , from 18.9 % to 17.6 % .
For black workers , however , the unemployment rate ticked up from 16.7 % to 16.8 % .
The US Labor Department has warned that the headline figures in recent months may underestimate the true jobless rate , due to discrepancies in how people describe their out-of-work status .
Economists say the unemployment rate is likely to still be about 10 % at the end of the year - still quite high , and comparable to the peak following the financial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be a long time before the labour market is anywhere near back to its pre-virus state , '' said Michael Pearce , senior US economist at Capital Economics .
But at a press conference on Friday , Mr Trump rejected those forecasts .
`` We 'll go back to having the greatest economy anywhere in the world , '' he said .
`` This is a rocket ship . ''

Economist Justin Wolfers, a professor at the University of Michigan, tweeted: "It's hard to escape the conclusion that the economy bottomed in early/mid May," he said. "We're in a massive and deep hole, and it'll take a while to climb out, but at least the hole isn't getting any deeper."


bbc--2020-06-05--Czechs expel two Russian diplomats over hoax poison plot

Two Russian diplomats are being expelled by the Czech government amid a hoax poison plot against three Prague politicians .
The government in Prague says infighting between Russian embassy staff resulted in one of them sending details of the fictitious plot to Czech intelligence .
In response , the three mayors were initially given police protection .
Russia condemned the expulsions as an `` unfriendly act '' .
The expulsions would deal a serious blow to relations and would receive an `` adequate response '' , the foreign ministry warned .
Details of an apparent plot first emerged in Czech @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Russian agent had travelled to Prague with a suitcase containing the highly potent toxin , ricin .
It claimed the poison might be used to target Czech politicians who had angered Russia .
At the time Russia condemned the reports as `` misinformation '' and `` sick fantasies '' .
Czech TV then named the man involved as Andrei Konchakov , head of the Russian Centre for Science and Culture in Prague , and he rubbished the story saying he had merely brought `` disinfectant and sweets '' in his suitcase .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ diplomats ordered to leave , along with his deputy , Igor Rybakov , an official has told Ria Novosti .
The reports were taken seriously enough to send Ondrej Kolar , mayor of Prague 's sixth district , into hiding .
He had ordered the removal of a statue of Soviet Marshal Ivan Konev in Prague , angering Russia .
Prague Mayor Zdenek Hrib had also annoyed Moscow by renaming a square next to the Russian embassy after murdered Russia opposition politician Boris Nemtsov .
Another mayor had backed a memorial to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What has the Czech PM said ?
`` The whole case arose as a result of an internal struggle between employees of the Russian embassy in Prague , when one of them sent deliberately made-up information to the Security Information Service ( BIS ) about a planned attack against Czech politicians , '' he said .
Two diplomats had been declared persona non grata and were being ordered to leave , he added .
The `` fabricated report '' had placed further strain on the BIS , harmed relations with Russia and tarnished @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
An indication of just how far relations have soured came from Foreign Minister Tomas Petricek , who said they had tried to resolve the spat diplomatically but Russia 's approach had made that impossible .
Russia 's embassy in Prague condemned the expulsions as a `` fabricated provocation '' and said it was based `` since the start on unfounded media allegations '' .
The embassy accused Prague of having no interest in `` normalising Russian-Czech relations , which have deteriorated lately and this has not been our fault '' .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prague 's actions would be considered by Russia with a view to future relations too .

The embassy accused Prague of having no interest in "normalising Russian-Czech relations, which have deteriorated lately and this has not been our fault". The foreign ministry went further, warning that Prague's actions would be considered by Russia with a view to future relations too.


bbc--2020-06-05--Madeleine McCann: New suspect also investigated over missing German girl - reports

The new suspect in the Madeleine McCann case has also been investigated over the disappearance of a German girl , according to German media reports .
The 43-year-old German man , named in reports as Christian B , is currently serving a prison sentence .
He is believed to have been in the area where Madeleine , three , went missing while on holiday in Portugal in 2007 .
A source told the BBC an investigation into the suspect began after a tip-off in Germany in 2017 .
Meanwhile , a spokesman for the McCanns said they would be `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ latest appeal for information .
The UK 's Metropolitan Police said it had received more than 270 calls and emails since revealing details of the new suspect on Wednesday .
German prosecutors have said they are assuming Madeleine is dead and that the suspect is being investigated on suspicion of murder .
• In pictures : The search for Madeleine McCann A number of German media reports said the suspect had been investigated over the disappearance of a five-year-old German girl - named only as Inga .
She went missing from a family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and has never been found .
Police have refused to confirm the investigation or comment on a report which says officers searched an area of nearby land belonging to Christian B in February 2016 .
A senior judicial source in Portugal has told the BBC the joint investigation into the new suspect began after a tip-off in Germany in 2017 .
The source said German investigators informed their Portuguese counterparts and British officials three years ago that they received a tip-off from a friend of Christian B , after the suspect had made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bar in Germany , as they were watching TV news coverage of the 10th anniversary of Madeleine going missing .
Since that time , the official said Portuguese police have been making house-to-house enquiries speaking to those that knew him between 1996 and 2007 .
Christian B was later extradited from Portugal to Germany on drugs charges .
While he was in Germany , he was convicted of the rape of a 72-year-old woman which took place in Praia da Luz in 2005 .
The official added that the investigation linking Christian B @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reliant on the help of the public to find clear evidence .
On Thursday , German prosecutors said the suspect was `` a sexual predator who has already been convicted of crimes against little girls '' and was `` serving a long sentence '' .
Hans Christian Wolters , from the Braunschweig Public Prosecutor 's Office , said the suspect was regularly living in the Algarve between 1995 and 2007 and had jobs in the area , including in catering , but also committed burglaries in hotels and dealt drugs .
The Met @ @ @ @ @ @ @ German and Portuguese counterparts , said the case remained a `` missing persons '' investigation in the UK because it does not have `` definitive evidence '' as to whether Madeleine is alive or not .
Clarence Mitchell , a spokesman for Madeleine 's family , said her parents , Kate and Gerry McCann , from Rothley , Leicestershire , are `` trying to maintain as normal a life as possible '' and awaiting updates from police .
`` Two-hundred-and-seventy calls and emails is n't a bad result , given it was 13 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` They certainly will be encouraged to know the appeal is yielding results already and hopefully within that there will be crucial bits of information the police can act upon . ''
Det Ch Insp Mark Cranwell , who is leading the Met 's investigation , known as Operation Grange , said he was `` pleased '' with information coming in after receiving more than 270 calls and emails by 16:00 GMT on Thursday .
Police have also released photos of two vehicles - a VW camper van and a Jaguar car - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the man , as well as a house in Portugal .
The day after Madeleine vanished in 2007 , the suspect transferred the Jaguar to someone else 's name .
He was in the Praia da Luz area where the McCann family was staying when she disappeared and received a phone call at 19:32 , which ended at 20:02 .
Madeleine is believed to have disappeared between 21:10 and 22:00 that evening .
Police have released details of the suspect 's phone number ( +351 912 730 680 ) and the number which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , and said any information about these numbers could be `` critical '' .
Madeleine went missing shortly before her fourth birthday from an apartment in Praia da Luz on the evening of 3 May 2007 while her parents were with friends at a nearby tapas bar .
Her disappearance sparked a huge and costly police hunt across much of Europe - the most recent Metropolitan Police investigation , which began in 2011 , has cost more than £11m .
• 3 May 2007 : Alarm is raised after Madeleine is found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kate and Gerry McCann are made `` arguidos '' - formal suspects - in their daughter 's disappearance • July 2008 : Portuguese police halt their investigation and lift the `` arguido '' status of the McCanns and another man , Robert Murat • May 2011 : Prime Minister David Cameron asks the Metropolitan Police to help investigate .
A two-year review follows • July 2013 : Scotland Yard says it has `` new evidence and new witnesses '' in the case and opens a formal investigation into Madeleine 's disappearance • October @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigation , citing `` new lines of inquiry '' • January 2014 : British detectives fly to Portugal amid claims they are planning to make arrests • December 2014 : Detectives question 11 people who it was thought may have information on the case • September 2015 : The British government discloses that the investigation has cost more than £10m • February 2017 : Portugal 's Supreme Court dismisses a long-running libel case against Goncalo Amaral , former head of the local police investigation , ruling that his book , which alleged the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is protected by freedom of expression laws • April 2017 : The only four official suspects investigated by police are ruled out of the investigation but senior officers say they are pursuing a `` significant line of inquiry '' • November 2018 : An extra £150,000 is granted to continue the investigation .
It is the latest in a series of six-month extensions which take the cost of Operation Grange to an estimated £11.75m • March 2019 : Netflix screens an eight-part documentary about Madeleine 's disappearance .
Her parents , who did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it could `` potentially hinder '' the police investigation • June 2019 : The UK government says it will fund the Met Police inquiry , which began in 2011 , until March 2020 • June 2020 : Police reveal that a 43-year-old German prisoner has been identified as a suspect in Madeleine 's disappearance

The source said German investigators informed their Portuguese counterparts and British officials three years ago that they received a tip-off from a friend of Christian B, after the suspect had made a "disturbing comment" in a bar in Germany, as they were watching TV news coverage of the 10th anniversary of Madeleine going missing.


bbc--2020-06-06--Week in pictures: 30 May - 5 June 2020

Week in pictures: 30 May - 5 June 2020

A woman at a demonstration in Atlanta , Georgia .
Across the US , protests erupted following the death of @ @ @ @ @ custody in Minneapolis .
Police vehicles were set on fire and shops were looted in @ @ @

Image caption,
A woman at a demonstration in Atlanta, Georgia. Across the US, protests erupted following the death of George Floyd while in police custody in Minneapolis. Police vehicles were set on fire and shops were looted in several cities.


bbc--2020-06-05--Safaris go virtual as coronavirus hits tourism

As coronavirus continues to hit the tourist industry , some companies are coming up with new solutions .
Millions usually @ @ @ @ @ on safari .
But as lockdown stops people from travelling , technology means people are @ @ @ @ @ wildlife .

As coronavirus continues to hit the tourist industry, some companies are coming up with new solutions.
Millions usually visit the Kalahari to go on safari. But as lockdown stops people from travelling, technology means people are still able to enjoy the wildlife.


bbc--2020-06-06--On patrol with Kenya's locust hunters

On patrol with Kenya's locust hunters

Desert locusts in their millions are devouring their body weight in vegetation every day in Kenya .
As spring breeding draws to a close it is now a race against time to kill their eggs before they hatch .
Tracking the insects is an art in itself , with daily surveillance operations across the country scrambling to confirm the latest coordinates of swarms before deploying spray planes to destroy them with pesticide .
Every morning , Ambrose Ng'etich ( left ) from the UN 's Food and Agriculture Organization ( FAO ) boards a helicopter with Captain Iltasayon Neepe to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The migratory pests , which carried on the wind can cover 150km ( 95 miles ) a day , have devastated crops , pasture for livestock and livelihoods in recent months .
Mr Ng'etich 's job is to manage desert locust control efforts over the vast plains of Samburu , Isiolo , Laikipia and Meru .
The sandy soils in this area are ideal for desert locusts to lay their eggs .
`` When the sun is warm enough , then you will know the quantity you are dealing with , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even have swarms covering up to 100km , '' says the FAO official .
Before the coronavirus pandemic struck , it estimated that locust invasions would push more than 25 million people across East Africa into food insecurity .
Last month , emergency financing to the tune of $ 43m ( £34m ) was approved by the World Bank for Kenya 's desert locust response .
On their daily rounds , Captain Neepe and Mr Ng'etich land the helicopter and talk to community members , gathering information about the locusts ' possible whereabouts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of scouts that are going to help the community understand , '' says Mr Ng'etich .
Residents are to identify the size of swarms and relay this information back to FAO surveillance teams .
The next step in `` recovery efforts and building resilience '' will include cash transfer schemes when families are expected to be worst hit by food shortages .
Standing outside his empty goat pen in Samburu County , a three-hour drive north-east of Isiolo town , 32-year-old Tiampati Leletit explains that he lost 80 of his goats after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four remaining goats to a neighbour , so they could be part of a herd .
Mr Leletit had planted some maize , beans and other crops to feed his family in the meantime , but the locusts ate them too .
`` They cleared everything , '' he says .
He has planted yet more crops , and hopes the locusts will not come back .
But now the fear is that a new wave could hit this month , when crops are ready for harvest .
`` With the desert locust @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are anticipating higher levels of food insecurity in the coming months , '' says Lane Bunkers , of Catholic Relief Services , working on acute malnutrition with mostly pastoralist communities in northern Kenya .
Erupe Lobun , a 40-year-old Turkana herder and father of 13 , says the recent wave of desert locusts has decimated the amount of food available for his herd of 60 goats .
He believes pesticides have also affected his animals , but with Covid-19 restricting people 's movements , he can not summon the vet .
Underfed mother @ @ @ @ @ @ @ young because they do n't have enough milk to suckle them .
`` It means we have nothing to eat , '' Mr Lobun says .
`` Livestock are our strength . ''
Grazing land is also under strain .
`` This is my first time to see the locusts .
My father used to tell me stories about the locusts a long time ago , '' says Moses Lomooria , 34 .
`` What we are used to is drought , '' he says , which has reduced his herd of cattle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are worried , '' he says , adding that if herders on the other side of the mountain also run out of food , they will start coming for their pasture .
`` Resource-based conflict will increase , '' warns Josephine Ekiru , a peace-building co-ordinator for the Northern Rangelands Trust and herself a member of northern Kenya 's Turkana pastoralist community .
`` Our people - we only depend on livestock , '' she says .
`` When there is no pasture , there is conflict . ''
Her advice is that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may also be interested in : • How do you fight a locust invasion amid coronavirus ?

"When the sun is warm enough, then you will know the quantity you are dealing with, they are spread all over. You can even have swarms covering up to 100km," says the FAO official.


bbc--2020-06-05--Greek Orthodox Church rules yoga is 'incompatible' with Christianity

Downward dog , sun salutations and all other yoga practices are `` absolutely incompatible '' with the Christian faith , the powerful Greek Orthodox Church has said .
Yoga has no place `` in the life of Christians , '' the governing body of the Church has ruled .
It said it intervened after Greek media recommended yoga as a way to combat stress during coronavirus quarantine .
Other religions have also advised against the practice in the past .
The Orthodox Church is an influential organisation in Greece , and 90 % of Greeks identify as Orthodox , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` [ Yoga ] is a fundamental chapter in Hindu religion ... it is not a 'kind of physical exercise ' , '' the Holy Synod said in its statement on Wednesday .
Although it is not unheard of for religious authorities to criticise yoga , correspondents say it is unusual for the Orthodox Holy Synod to issue a public statement on the matter .
Appearing on a Greek TV network on Thursday , an Orthodox priest defended the Synod 's statement .
The church 's opposition is based on the `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Father Michael Konstantinidis said , explaining that `` if yoga offered what man wanted , we would be happy '' .
The ancient spiritual practice has connections to Hinduism and Buddhism .
It is referenced in Indian texts from 2,500 years ago and has evolved over time , according to Dr Mark Singleton , who has researched the history of yoga .
• Yoga : How did it conquer the world and what 's changed ?
• Greece to reopen tourism season in June , says PM In recent decades it has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ huge industry , often advertised as beneficial for stress-relief , mental wellbeing or physical strength .
Yoga has been recommended in countries around the world as a way to keep fit and combat stress during the Covid-19 pandemic .
Greece avoided the worst of the coronavirus outbreak in Europe by introducing a lockdown early in March .
It has registered fewer than 3,000 cases and only 180 deaths in a population of 11 million .
The Orthodox Church was criticised for suggesting that the ritual of sharing a cup amongst a congregation for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
What do other religions say ?
The Greek Orthodox Church is n't the only faith to have frowned upon yoga .
Last year a church hall in Devon , England , barred a yoga class .
`` Some will say at its root it is an eastern spirituality which they would not feel sits well with Christian spirituality , '' said the Venerable Mark Butchers , Archdeacon of Barnstaple .
In 2010 a pastor in Seattle , US , called the practice `` demonic '' .
And in 2008 Malaysia 's leading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but backed down from issuing a fatwa after a backlash .

Last year a church hall in Devon, England, barred a yoga class. "Some will say at its root it is an eastern spirituality which they would not feel sits well with Christian spirituality," said the Venerable Mark Butchers, Archdeacon of Barnstaple.


bbc--2020-06-05--The influencers trampling nature - and the man who's trying to stop them

The influencers trampling nature - and the man who 's trying to stop them One man has made it his mission to stop bad behaviour by social media stars in national parks and public spaces .
But not everyone 's happy with his methods .
`` There 's a picture of me just a few months old and in a backpack , with my parents taking me for a hike through a national forest where I grew up , '' says Steve .
`` And as I 've grown , my love of the outdoors has grown . ''
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ influencers trampling over his beloved open spaces to get that perfect photograph .
`` I drew the conclusion between the rise of this disrespect and the rise of Instagram and social media , '' he says , speaking to the BBC from a mostly rural area in the western US .
`` So I decided to start an Instagram account , to fight fire with fire . ''
Steve - we 've agreed not to use his real name because of threats he 's received - started an account called Public Lands Hate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long before it went viral .
In early 2019 , heavy rains came to southern California , including Walker Canyon , a chunk of public land an hour 's drive east of Los Angeles .
`` It was a wet year for us , '' recalls Brian Tisdale , mayor of the nearby city of Lake Elsinore .
`` And when you get rain , it creates the perfect conditions . ''
Perfect conditions , that is , for an explosion of wildflowers .
`` It was a sea of orange .
Just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It was absolutely stunning , '' says Mayor Tisdale .
`` People started pulling off the road to come and look at the flowers .
`` It started this social media frenzy , '' he says .
Download the Trending podcast from the BBC World Service The hashtag was # Superbloom .
Attracted by social media - and old-school media as well - Walker Canyon became a tourist attraction , causing queues on the nearby highway and gridlock in Lake Elsinore itself .
Influencers - and some unfamous social media users as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , going off the trail and picking the blooming poppies , all of which are against the park 's rules .
At one point , authorities were even forced to temporarily close Walker Canyon .
The crowds kept coming until the flowers faded away into summer .
His fans sent in dozens of photos of people in Walker Canyon breaking the rules .
He now has more than 75,000 followers - ironically making him something of an influencer himself .
He 's not alone .
Other accounts do similar work - they have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You and Keeping Iceland Beautiful .
Steve emphasises that he always tries to work with people rather than against them .
He says he first tries to approach Instagrammers privately , to get them to add educational captions to their photos or take down particularly egregious shots .
He has won some converts .
Jae Fusz is an Instagrammer who flocked to another California superbloom this year - in Antelope Valley , north of LA .
`` I was like , 'This is amazing .
It 's so pretty , like it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he says .
He posted a few shots on Instagram , including this one : The backlash was immediate .
Steve got in touch in the comments section , calling him up on picking and walking over the flowers .
Jae thought about it - and posted an apology .
`` Each year hundreds of people come and destroy these flowers , '' he wrote .
`` I 'm posting this in hopes of educating the next person who goes to take photos near them and not trample over the flowers like I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accommodating .
If Steve is blocked or ignored , he reposts the photo , and contacts companies who sponsor the offending Instagrammer .
`` The most efficient tool in our faced-paced and ever-evolving social media culture is calling out illegal and harmful behaviour , '' he argues .
And , unsurprisingly , that 's earned him a few opponents .
Ania Bonyetska works with her husband to post stunning images from all across the globe .
She has over 100,000 Instagram followers .
`` A lot of our work revolves around travel and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she explains .
Walker Canyon 's 2019 superbloom was , she says , a `` must see '' .
She visited and shared three posts including this one : They got the attention of Steve 's fans .
While Ania says she never got a message from him , Steve says he did try to get in touch .
Ania 's photo went up on Public Lands Hate You .
`` As soon as they posted , '' Ania recalls , `` we got a flood of incoming hate . ''
She is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and she filed a copyright complaint to Instagram to get her photo taken down from Public Lands Hate You .
`` As much as I agree with the underlying message , I do n't think that they are effective , '' she contends .
`` I think that they create insane division of opinions . ''
Steve says he discourages harassment and tells his followers to stay respectful .
But when it comes to his core mission , he 's not backing down .
His latest project is a `` bad influencer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ repeat offenders .
`` The idea is for it to be a resource to companies , as well as a deterrent to influencers who use our public lands in illegal and harmful ways , '' he says .
`` Word is getting around in influencer circles that there 's this grassroots group… who are fed up with their behaviour , '' he notes .
`` The tide is still headed in the wrong direction , but it is starting to turn . ''
Is there a story we should be investigating ?
Email @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or on Facebook .

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bbc--2020-06-05--How Bill Gates became the voodoo doll of Covid conspiracies

In 2015 , an unassuming-looking Bill Gates came on stage at the TED conference in Vancouver to issue a dire warning .
`` If anything kills over 10 million people over the next few decades , it is likely to be a highly infectious virus rather than war , '' he told the audience .
His prescient words picked up some coverage at the time , including from the BBC - but largely went unheeded .
But now , the video of this talk has now been viewed more than 64 million times - with many people more interested in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talk itself .
Some accuse of him of leading a class of global elites .
Others believe he is leading efforts to depopulate the world .
Still more accuse him of making vaccines mandatory , or even attempting to implant microchips into people .
`` There are myriad conspiracies surrounding Bill Gates , '' said Rory Smith , from fact-checkers First Draft News .
`` He is this kind of voodoo doll that all these communities are pricking with their own conspiracies .
And it is unsurprising he has become the voodoo doll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face of public health . ''
Theories falsely linking Bill Gates to the coronavirus were mentioned 1.2 million times on television or social media between February and April , according to a study by The New York Times and Zignal Labs .
Much of the content is posted to public Facebook groups , from where it is shared millions of times .
First Draft News has also found that Chinese viral video site TikTok is becoming a new home for such conspiracies .
The BBC 's anti-disinformation team has been researching some of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ include claims that the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has tested vaccines on children in Africa and India , leading to thousands of deaths and irreversible injuries .
One post even suggested he is facing trial in India .
• He is accused of rolling out a tetanus vaccine in Kenya that includes abortion drugs • A video on the website of The New American Magazine 's Facebook page continues with the theme of mass depopulation via vaccines and abortion , and also links Mr Gates to China 's Communist Party .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ times .
• Meanwhile a video accusing Gates of wanting to microchip people has garnered nearly two million views on YouTube .
So how did the founder of Microsoft , who has poured billions into global healthcare from the philanthropic foundation he runs with his wife Melinda , become the bogeyman of Covid-19 conspiracy theorists ?
Prof Joseph Uscinski , a political scientist at the University of Miami and author of books on conspiracy theories , believes it is simply because he is rich and famous .
`` Conspiracy theories are about accusing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he told the BBC .
`` The theories are basically the same , just the names change .
`` Before Bill Gates , it was George Soros and the Koch brothers and the Rothchilds and the Rockefellers . ''
And while the majority of conspiracy theories `` die on the vine '' , the ones that endure are those that offer `` big villains and address issues that people care about '' .
`` It should come as no surprise that rich people and big corporations are being accused of conspiring to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a thing we fear , '' he said .
`` This has been the ammo of conspiracy theories for a long , long time . ''
While he thinks such conspiracies have `` no tether to the truth whatsoever '' , people still seem to be falling for them .
More than a quarter of all Americans and 44 % of Republicans believe that Bill Gates wants to use a Covid-19 vaccine to implant microchips under people 's skin , according to a survey from Yahoo News and YouGov .
Mr Smith @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kernel of truth '' which is taken `` way out of context '' .
So , for example , the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation did fund a study , conducted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology last year , which looked at the possibility of storing a patient 's vaccination history in a pattern of dye .
It would be invisible to the naked eye , and could be delivered under the skin at the same time as a vaccine .
It is difficult to ascertain the root of conspiracy theories - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ making them spread further .
`` Before the internet , they were self-contained and existed only in their own echo chambers or bubbles within certain communities , but the internet allows them to travel across political lines , between communities , so I think there is much more scope to mainstream conspiracy theories than before the internet , '' said Mr Smith .
And , he added , conspiracy theories had particularly flourished during this global pandemic because people were `` psychologically vulnerable '' .
`` This crisis is unprecedented in size and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ studies are published .
There are large areas of uncertainty and humans abhor uncertainty , '' he said .
To deal with it , individuals resort to something he calls collective sense-making .
`` We grab onto any information to inject some sort of sense and order and that is when the rumour mill starts .
Conspiracy theories - and notably Bill Gates conspiracy theories - fill these informational vacuums . ''
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation , which has committed $ 300m ( £240m ) to combat Covid-19 , has remained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In a statement to the BBC it said : `` We 're concerned about the conspiracy theories being spread online and the damage they could cause to public health .
`` At a time like this , when the the world is facing an unprecedented health and economic crisis , it 's distressing that there are people spreading misinformation when we we should all be looking for ways to collaborate and save lives .
Right now , one the best things we can do to stop the spread of Covid-19 is spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the BBC , Bill Gates expressed surprise that he had become the figurehead of such theories .
`` It is troubling that there is so much craziness .
When we develop the vaccine we will want 80 percent of the population to take it and if they have heard it is a plot and we do n't have people willing to take the vaccine that will let the disease continue to kill people . ''
I 'm kind of surprised some of it is focused on me .
We are just giving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and yes we do think about let 's protect children against disease but it is nothing to do with chips and that type of stuff .
You almost have to laugh sometimes . ''

"At a time like this, when the the world is facing an unprecedented health and economic crisis, it's distressing that there are people spreading misinformation when we we should all be looking for ways to collaborate and save lives. Right now, one the best things we can do to stop the spread of Covid-19 is spread the facts."