bbc--2020-05-01--Neutral venues needed to finish Premier League season

Neutral venues will be the only way to complete the season , Premier League clubs were told during a video conference on Friday .
`` Up to 10 stadiums '' would be used to resume the 2019-20 campaign .
The Premier League would also need up to 40,000 tests for players and staff if plans to play the 92 outstanding games behind closed doors are pursued .
Clubs reiterated a commitment to resuming the season `` when safe and appropriate to do so '' .
The conference followed a separate meeting , hosted by culture secretary Oliver Dowden , involving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government and Public Health England , about `` stepping up planning '' for sport 's eventual return .
Representatives from football , rugby union , cricket , racing and funding body UK Sport were present .
Dowden introduced the meeting and said elite sport would return behind closed doors `` when , and only when , it is safe to do so on the basis of expert medical advice '' .
BBC Sport understands that sports have accepted that the return to competition is going to be a `` long , detailed process @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conference were largely based on the resumption of training .
F1 representatives also discussed the prospects for the British Grand Prix .
'No decisions taken ' at Premier League meeting The Premier League said in a statement it would `` only return to training and playing with government guidance '' .
`` No decisions were taken at today 's meeting and clubs exchanged views on the information provided regarding 'Project Restart ' , '' the statement added .
`` It was agreed that the Professional Footballers ' Association ( PFA ) , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , players and managers are key to this process and will be further consulted . ''
A major factor in the decision to use neutral venues is it try to reduce any chance of fans congregating , and the selected grounds will be largely based on a rating from the police and the Sports Grounds Safety Authority .
Clubs will also have to sign up to a medical protocol , put together by the Premier League doctors ' group and the League 's medical adviser , which will be phased in as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been suspended since 13 March but all clubs remain committed to playing the 92 remaining fixtures of 2019-20 and there was no discussion about voiding the season .
It is understood that overall the Project Restart plans were well received by clubs , but elements that were challenged will be worked on .
The PFA and LMA will be tasked with carrying out a consultation of players and managers .
There will be a meeting of clubs following the government 's review of the lockdown restrictions next week , but this will not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is resumed before social distancing rules are relaxed , BBC Sport understands players will be tested for coronavirus twice a week and would be screened for symptoms every day .
All tests would be carried out by health professionals at a drive-through NHS testing facility that each club would have access to .
Training grounds will be optimised for social distancing and high hygiene levels .
• Players must arrive at training grounds in kit and wear masks at all times .
• They must not shower or eat on the premises .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ food , it must be delivered as a takeaway to players ' cars .
• Only essential medical treatment would be allowed , with all medical staff in full PPE .
• All meetings and reviews must take place virtually and off-site .
Friday 's Premier League meeting featured a robust but polite exchange of views over Project Restart .
League bosses will be pleased that the clubs agreed to reconfirm the core objective of playing out the remainder of the season if government deemed it safe to do so .
But I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about playing matches at neutral stadia over a period of just a few weeks and whether that is distorting the format and integrity of the competition too much .
Take a club like Brighton for example .
Rather than playing Liverpool , Man City and Man Utd at home in the run-in , as scheduled , it would now have to face these top teams somewhere else .
What if they then ended up being relegated by a point ?
Some will believe the current circumstances inevitably require flexibility from clubs .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they signed up to .
They are also said to be worried that some players - especially from France , Belgium and the Netherlands where seasons have been cancelled - may refuse to take part on health and safety grounds , and that they could even fake injuries in order to avoid matches .
Divisions could come to head at the end of next week when clubs will meet again to vote on the Premier League 's plan after the government 's review of the lockdown .
The Premier League has been encouraged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can to try and get the season completed , and feels duty-bound to do so , with commercial contracts to honour , jobs on the line , and future payments to the EFL also at stake .
But insiders also recognise that more work needs to be done on the virus transmission risk of playing football when compared to other sports and indeed other jobs that may be granted dispensation by government to return once some social distancing measures are relaxed .
And that will be a focus of the panel of sports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public health and ground safety officials on Friday , as they step up plans for a potential return to full training and then , if government agrees , full competition .
I understand a key figure in that process is renowned orthopaedic surgeon and sports injury specialist Dr James Calder who chaired the discussion and has been asked to provide an independent perspective .
Leading sports lawyer Nick de Marco told BBC Sport any decision made will need to be a `` compromise '' but `` it 's inevitable there will be litigation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's impossible to reach a decision that will please everybody .
The legal issues and of course the health issues are the main determining factors at the moment , '' added De Marco .
He said there are `` four big legal issues '' which would involve broadcasters , sponsors , clubs and individual players .
Those could include disputes over value for money if the season is not completed , as well as disagreements over who is awarded the title , who is relegated and who is promoted .
`` There 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if players do n't feel that it 's safe to return ? ''
he added .
De Marco also said there was a `` very big problem '' regarding player contracts as `` nothing is preventing them '' from walking out if it expires before the season is completed .
`` You could have a player playing for a club one week and a rival the next week , '' he said .
Former Chelsea doctor Eva Carneiro told BBC Radio Four a `` change of behaviour '' is needed when football does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possible to change the culture of the sport and it requires rigorous implementation , '' said Carneiro .
`` In order to do that , you require the support of your governing body and that has historically not always been the case in football . ''
Carneiro said the `` close contact of footballers '' during games , travelling and in training makes them `` so much more prone to developing infection '' .
`` I think there will be a lot of fear .
That wo n't be held by the widely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` The evidence base for this virus is in its infancy .
We know very little about it so to be able to deliver a safe return is going to be a huge challenge and I think we require time . ''
Carneiro added that doctors will need training on infection control while `` rapid and effective testing '' will be `` key '' to a safe return .

The Premier League has been suspended since 13 March
Neutral venues will be the only way to complete the season, Premier League clubs were told during a video conference on Friday.
"Up to 10 stadiums" would be used to resume the 2019-20 campaign.
The Premier League would also need up to 40,000 tests for players and staff if plans to play the 92 outstanding games behind closed doors are pursued.
Clubs reiterated a commitment to resuming the season "when safe and appropriate to do so".
The conference followed a separate meeting, hosted by culture secretary Oliver Dowden, involving medical experts from several sports organisations, government and Public Health England, about "stepping up planning" for sport's eventual return.
Representatives from football, rugby union, cricket, racing and funding body UK Sport were present.
Dowden introduced the meeting and said elite sport would return behind closed doors "when, and only when, it is safe to do so on the basis of expert medical advice".
BBC Sport understands that sports have accepted that the return to competition is going to be a "long, detailed process" and the discussions in Friday's conference were largely based on the resumption of training.
F1 representatives also discussed the prospects for the British Grand Prix.
'No decisions taken' at Premier League meeting
The Premier League said in a statement it would "only return to training and playing with government guidance".
"No decisions were taken at today's meeting and clubs exchanged views on the information provided regarding 'Project Restart'," the statement added.
"It was agreed that the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA), the League Managers' Association (LMA), players and managers are key to this process and will be further consulted."
A major factor in the decision to use neutral venues is it try to reduce any chance of fans congregating, and the selected grounds will be largely based on a rating from the police and the Sports Grounds Safety Authority.
Not all of the proposed eight to 10 neutral venues will necessarily be Premier League grounds, although the vast majority will be.
Clubs will also have to sign up to a medical protocol, put together by the Premier League doctors' group and the League's medical adviser, which will be phased in as the situation changes.
The Premier League has been suspended since 13 March but all clubs remain committed to playing the 92 remaining fixtures of 2019-20 and there was no discussion about voiding the season.
It is understood that overall the Project Restart plans were well received by clubs, but elements that were challenged will be worked on.
The PFA and LMA will be tasked with carrying out a consultation of players and managers.
There will be a meeting of clubs following the government's review of the lockdown restrictions next week, but this will not take place on Thursday.
If training is resumed before social distancing rules are relaxed, BBC Sport understands players will be tested for coronavirus twice a week and would be screened for symptoms every day. All tests would be carried out by health professionals at a drive-through NHS testing facility that each club would have access to. Training grounds will be optimised for social distancing and high hygiene levels.
In addition:
Players must arrive at training grounds in kit and wear masks at all times.
They must not shower or eat on the premises. If clubs want to provide players with food, it must be delivered as a takeaway to players' cars.
Only essential medical treatment would be allowed, with all medical staff in full PPE.
All meetings and reviews must take place virtually and off-site.
Analysis - some clubs harbour misgivings
Dan Roan, BBC sports editor
Friday's Premier League meeting featured a robust but polite exchange of views over Project Restart.
League bosses will be pleased that the clubs agreed to reconfirm the core objective of playing out the remainder of the season if government deemed it safe to do so.
But I understand there are clubs that harbour misgivings about playing matches at neutral stadia over a period of just a few weeks and whether that is distorting the format and integrity of the competition too much.
Take a club like Brighton for example. Rather than playing Liverpool, Man City and Man Utd at home in the run-in, as scheduled, it would now have to face these top teams somewhere else. What if they then ended up being relegated by a point?
Some will believe the current circumstances inevitably require flexibility from clubs. But others feel that this is not what they signed up to. They are also said to be worried that some players - especially from France, Belgium and the Netherlands where seasons have been cancelled - may refuse to take part on health and safety grounds, and that they could even fake injuries in order to avoid matches. Divisions could come to head at the end of next week when clubs will meet again to vote on the Premier League's plan after the government's review of the lockdown.
The Premier League has been encouraged by government to do all that it can to try and get the season completed, and feels duty-bound to do so, with commercial contracts to honour, jobs on the line, and future payments to the EFL also at stake.
But insiders also recognise that more work needs to be done on the virus transmission risk of playing football when compared to other sports and indeed other jobs that may be granted dispensation by government to return once some social distancing measures are relaxed.
And that will be a focus of the panel of sports' medical experts that also met with public health and ground safety officials on Friday, as they step up plans for a potential return to full training and then, if government agrees, full competition.
I understand a key figure in that process is renowned orthopaedic surgeon and sports injury specialist Dr James Calder who chaired the discussion and has been asked to provide an independent perspective.
'Litigation inevitable'
Liverpool are 25 points clear at the top of the Premier League table
Leading sports lawyer Nick de Marco told BBC Sport any decision made will need to be a "compromise" but "it's inevitable there will be litigation arising from it".
"It's impossible to reach a decision that will please everybody. The legal issues and of course the health issues are the main determining factors at the moment," added De Marco.
He said there are "four big legal issues" which would involve broadcasters, sponsors, clubs and individual players.
Those could include disputes over value for money if the season is not completed, as well as disagreements over who is awarded the title, who is relegated and who is promoted.
"There's also the fundamental health problem. What if players don't feel that it's safe to return?" he added.
De Marco also said there was a "very big problem" regarding player contracts as "nothing is preventing them" from walking out if it expires before the season is completed.
"You could have a player playing for a club one week and a rival the next week," he said.
'Change of behaviour needed'
Eva Carneiro while working as Chelsea's first team doctor
Former Chelsea doctor Eva Carneiro told BBC Radio Four a "change of behaviour" is needed when football does return.
"I think it is possible to change the culture of the sport and it requires rigorous implementation," said Carneiro.
"In order to do that, you require the support of your governing body and that has historically not always been the case in football."
Carneiro said the "close contact of footballers" during games, travelling and in training makes them "so much more prone to developing infection".
"I think there will be a lot of fear. That won't be held by the widely varying practices," she added.
"The evidence base for this virus is in its infancy. We know very little about it so to be able to deliver a safe return is going to be a huge challenge and I think we require time."
Carneiro added that doctors will need training on infection control while "rapid and effective testing" will be "key" to a safe return.


bbc--2020-05-01--Anthony Joshua v Tyson Fury talks with interested venues begin

Talks are under way over a historic bout for the undisputed heavyweight championship of the world between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury .
Neither side is negotiating monetary splits or wider demands at this stage .
But Joshua 's promoter Eddie Hearn said they are `` talking '' about how a bout for all the heavyweight belts could happen .
One source close to the discussions told BBC Sport they now believe the fight `` will happen '' and confirmed talks were under way .
Authorities in Saudi Arabia - the country that staged Joshua 's rematch victory over Andy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to secure the bout .
After working closely with Hearn to host Joshua-Ruiz , a member of the country 's royal family sat next to promoter Frank Warren in Las Vegas to watch Fury win the WBC belt from Deontay Wilder in February .
Wilder has a contract to face Fury again , while Joshua - holder of the IBF , WBA and WBO belts - is slated to face Bulgaria 's Kubrat Pulev when sport resumes after the coronavirus shutdown .
At this stage , establishing how much money could be generated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ key as it would allow clarity on what could be offered to Wilder and Pulev in order for them to break the contracts they have in place .
The 'step aside ' money on offer for both men would be several million dollars and there is a feeling privately that Wilder - who has just had surgery - would take it , even though those closest to him have refused to acknowledge the prospect .
Wilder was due to face Fury for a third time but both dates in July and October have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It is not known as to whether the contract in place for the fight could lapse as a result of the delays but if it did , it would free Fury to pursue his fight of choice .
`` Negotiations are n't under way , '' Joshua 's promoter Hearn told Sky Sports on Thursday .
`` What I can tell you is we are talking .
We are all on the same page .
You will get this fight , it 's just a case of where and when .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are both under contract for other fights .
Everything is solvable with money . ''
Delivering the fight - which would create the first heavyweight in history to hold all four belts - faces further hurdles even if Wilder and Pulev step away from their respective bouts .
Promoters Hearn and Warren would need to briefly overcome their rivalry , Fury 's promoter in the US Bob Arum would need to be on board , financial splits would need agreeing and rival television broadcasters would need to work as one .
A source @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for everyone involved to work in harmony , a feat that has at times been hard to achieve in securing the biggest bouts in the sport .
On his podcast , former world super-middleweight champion Carl Froch assured listeners that regardless of politics , bouts at the highest level will happen if the fighters want them .
`` Trust me , the fighter at the top level is the boss , '' said Froch .
`` It 's the fighters that are n't making the fight happen .
If two fighters actually want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , remember that the fight does n't happen without both of you , so then the fight happens . ''
While talks are at a very early stage , any bout would be aimed at late in 2020 or early in 2021 and in the interim , all parties will learn if it would be possible for fans to attend any fight given the current ban on mass gatherings in most countries .

Anthony Joshua holds three of the four major world heavyweight titles, while Tyson Fury has the other
Talks are under way over a historic bout for the undisputed heavyweight championship of the world between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury.
Representatives of the two Britons are in dialogue with venues keen to stage the fight in a bid to make clear how much money the contest could generate.
Neither side is negotiating monetary splits or wider demands at this stage.
But Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn said they are "talking" about how a bout for all the heavyweight belts could happen.
One source close to the discussions told BBC Sport they now believe the fight "will happen" and confirmed talks were under way.
Authorities in Saudi Arabia - the country that staged Joshua's rematch victory over Andy Ruiz Jr in December - are keen to secure the bout.
After working closely with Hearn to host Joshua-Ruiz, a member of the country's royal family sat next to promoter Frank Warren in Las Vegas to watch Fury win the WBC belt from Deontay Wilder in February.
Wilder has a contract to face Fury again, while Joshua - holder of the IBF, WBA and WBO belts - is slated to face Bulgaria's Kubrat Pulev when sport resumes after the coronavirus shutdown.
At this stage, establishing how much money could be generated by a Joshua-Fury bout is seen as key as it would allow clarity on what could be offered to Wilder and Pulev in order for them to break the contracts they have in place.
The 'step aside' money on offer for both men would be several million dollars and there is a feeling privately that Wilder - who has just had surgery - would take it, even though those closest to him have refused to acknowledge the prospect. external-link
Wilder was due to face Fury for a third time but both dates in July and October have been wiped out by the coronavirus outbreak. It is not known as to whether the contract in place for the fight could lapse as a result of the delays but if it did, it would free Fury to pursue his fight of choice.
"Negotiations aren't under way," Joshua's promoter Hearn told Sky Sports on Thursday. "What I can tell you is we are talking. We are all on the same page. You will get this fight, it's just a case of where and when.
"There is the major hurdle that we are both under contract for other fights. Everything is solvable with money."
Delivering the fight - which would create the first heavyweight in history to hold all four belts - faces further hurdles even if Wilder and Pulev step away from their respective bouts.
Promoters Hearn and Warren would need to briefly overcome their rivalry, Fury's promoter in the US Bob Arum would need to be on board, financial splits would need agreeing and rival television broadcasters would need to work as one.
A source close to the talks stressed the need for everyone involved to work in harmony, a feat that has at times been hard to achieve in securing the biggest bouts in the sport.
On his podcast, former world super-middleweight champion Carl Froch assured listeners that regardless of politics, bouts at the highest level will happen if the fighters want them.
"Trust me, the fighter at the top level is the boss," said Froch. "It's the fighters that aren't making the fight happen. If two fighters actually want the fight, have a 50-50 split, remember that the fight doesn't happen without both of you, so then the fight happens."
While talks are at a very early stage, any bout would be aimed at late in 2020 or early in 2021 and in the interim, all parties will learn if it would be possible for fans to attend any fight given the current ban on mass gatherings in most countries.
And the sums that could be earned from the contest after a boxing shutdown that has presented financial challenges for promoters and broadcasters would undoubtedly be welcomed.


bbc--2020-05-01--F1 to create 'biosphere' environment for teams when racing starts

Formula 1 plans to create an isolated environment for competitors when it starts racing again in July .
Managing director Ross Brawn said they are working on a `` kind of biosphere '' in which teams and drivers would operate at races without spectators .
F1 aims to start the championship with consecutive races at the Red Bull Ring in Austria on 5 and 12 July .
`` We 're working our way through all the requirements to make sure we operate in a safe environment , '' Brawn said .
• How F1 wants to put the show back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Guess the memorable F1 quotes Brawn , who was talking on an official F1 podcast , said that re-starting a season that has been thrown into disarray by the coronavirus crisis was a `` massive logistical challenge '' but that `` it is all going to be done properly , there will be no risk taken and it will all be done in the correct way '' .
Brawn said : `` Unfortunately it will be without fans , which is a great shame , but we still feel we can take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who watch us on TV and other means .
`` It 's important for us to try and get the season going .
[ There are ] many reasons for wanting to start the season .
`` One is obviously to excite the fans , who have all been frustrated by the delays .
We 've got a very exciting season in front of us .
But it 's a very important livelihood for thousands of people , it 's another reason for trying to kick-start the season . ''
He said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no added medical risk in running events was one of the issues pushing it towards its current plan to have two races at both Austria and Silverstone on consecutive weekends in July .
`` It 's a real consideration because one of the logistical challenges is getting everyone tested and cleared to enter the paddock and enter the racing environment , '' Brawn said .
`` And I think once we do that , it 's very attractive to keep everyone in that environment , within that kind of biosphere that we want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It 's also pretty challenging to find the right sort of races early on where we can control the environment well enough .
`` Austria fits that bill very well .
It 's got a local airport right next to the circuit , where people can charter planes into .
It 's not too close to a metropolis , it has a great infrastructure around it .
`` There will be no motorhomes , but there will be a full catering facility laid on that the circuit has .
So we can basically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ once we 're there , it 's appealing to have another race the following week . ''
It is unclear to where the season would head next in Europe after the races in Austria and Silverstone .
Spain and Hungary are possible next venues .
The organisers at the Hungaroring announced on Friday that it would not be possible to hold their race without fans .
BBC Sport understands they are confident after conversations with the Hungarian government that the race will be able to go ahead .
Hungary on Thursday banned events @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but current talks have focused on holding the event after that date .
Brawn added : `` It 's been months now of working on the best reaction we can have to this terrible pandemic , the best reaction the sport and business can have .
`` So my days and weeks and months have been full of negotiations with the team and [ governing body ] the FIA on the right way forward and of course the circumstances are changing so frequently and that 's pretty challenging .
So it will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''

The F1 season could begin with a double-header in Austria
Formula 1 plans to create an isolated environment for competitors when it starts racing again in July.
Managing director Ross Brawn said they are working on a "kind of biosphere" in which teams and drivers would operate at races without spectators.
F1 aims to start the championship with consecutive races at the Red Bull Ring in Austria on 5 and 12 July.
"We're working our way through all the requirements to make sure we operate in a safe environment," Brawn said.
Brawn, who was talking on an official F1 podcast, said that re-starting a season that has been thrown into disarray by the coronavirus crisis was a "massive logistical challenge" but that "it is all going to be done properly, there will be no risk taken and it will all be done in the correct way".
Brawn said: "Unfortunately it will be without fans, which is a great shame, but we still feel we can take the race out to all the fans who watch us on TV and other means.
"It's important for us to try and get the season going. [There are] many reasons for wanting to start the season.
"One is obviously to excite the fans, who have all been frustrated by the delays. We've got a very exciting season in front of us. But it's a very important livelihood for thousands of people, it's another reason for trying to kick-start the season."
He said that the need to ensure the sport created no added medical risk in running events was one of the issues pushing it towards its current plan to have two races at both Austria and Silverstone on consecutive weekends in July.
"It's a real consideration because one of the logistical challenges is getting everyone tested and cleared to enter the paddock and enter the racing environment," Brawn said.
"And I think once we do that, it's very attractive to keep everyone in that environment, within that kind of biosphere that we want to create for another race.
"It's also pretty challenging to find the right sort of races early on where we can control the environment well enough.
"Austria fits that bill very well. It's got a local airport right next to the circuit, where people can charter planes into. It's not too close to a metropolis, it has a great infrastructure around it.
"There will be no motorhomes, but there will be a full catering facility laid on that the circuit has. So we can basically contain everyone within that environment. Therefore once we're there, it's appealing to have another race the following week."
It is unclear to where the season would head next in Europe after the races in Austria and Silverstone.
Spain and Hungary are possible next venues.
The organisers at the Hungaroring announced on Friday that it would not be possible to hold their race without fans.
BBC Sport understands they are confident after conversations with the Hungarian government that the race will be able to go ahead.
Hungary on Thursday banned events of more than 500 people until mid-August but current talks have focused on holding the event after that date.
Brawn added: "It's been months now of working on the best reaction we can have to this terrible pandemic, the best reaction the sport and business can have.
"So my days and weeks and months have been full of negotiations with the team and [governing body] the FIA on the right way forward and of course the circumstances are changing so frequently and that's pretty challenging. So it will be great to get back on track again."


bbc--2020-05-01--Premier League great escapes: Which one did you vote the best?

With the Premier League season on hold , the fight to avoid relegation must wait .
With Norwich six points from safety at the bottom , boss Daniel Farke had already said the Canaries need a `` miracle '' to stay up .
We 're yet to find out when - or if - Norwich will resume their battle to beat the drop , but they will be able to take inspiration from previous survival acts .
We took a look back at the Premier League 's great escapes and asked you to vote for which one was the best @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you can still read about the seven contenders below .
Leicester became just the third Premier League side to be bottom at Christmas and avoid relegation - after West Brom ( 2004-05 ) and Sunderland ( 2013-14 ) .
Leicester 's extraordinary title win is even more remarkable when you consider that 29 games into the previous season , they were seven points from safety at the bottom .
And that season was also bonkers .
With Nigel Pearson battling to avoid an immediate return to the Championship , the pressure seemed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a bizarre touchline clash with Crystal Palace midfielder James McArthur .
The club denied rumours that Pearson was sacked and swiftly reinstated , yet the Foxes were still bottom in April .
But a 2-1 home win over West Ham sparked a run of 22 points from 27 , which saw Leicester clinch survival with a game to go and ultimately finish 14th .
The only blip during the run-in was a defeat at champions Chelsea , when Pearson walked out of the post-match news conference after asking a reporter if he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first Premier League side to avoid relegation having been bottom on Christmas Day .
The ultimate nail-biter .
This is the only Premier League campaign where all three relegation places were decided on the final day .
And never mind being bottom at Christmas , West Brom had slipped back there before the last game - and remained bottom for most of the final day .
The Baggies had to beat Portsmouth and hope their three relegation rivals all failed to win .
Norwich were thumped by Fulham and although Southampton took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Red Devils fought back .
So , heading into the closing stages , it was between West Brom and Crystal Palace .
The Baggies won 2-0 , although celebrations for the second goal were muted as Palace had just come from behind to lead at Charlton .
With eight minutes left , Charlton levelled it up again .
Then with their game over , West Brom players and staff waited on the touchline for Palace 's final score : 2-2 - cue pandemonium at The Hawthorns .
Between April and May 2014 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – for the first time since December 2000 .
Boss Gus Poyet said Sunderland needed `` a miracle '' - and it took an unlikely hero to spark this rescue mission .
One point from 24 left the Black Cats seven points adrift with six games left and they still had to visit Manchester City , Chelsea and Manchester United .
Enter Connor Wickham , who had just returned after spending most of the season on loan in the Championship .
The striker scored five in three as Sunderland drew 2-2 at City @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Larsson 's acrobatic volley secured victory at Old Trafford and a 2-0 win over West Brom saw Sunderland stay up with a game to spare .
Fulham won eight league games - four of their first 33 , then four of their last five .
The Cottagers twice came back from the brink in 2008 .
Derby went down with what remains the Premier League 's lowest points total ( 11 ) and with 20 minutes left at Manchester City , Fulham were about to join them .
Roy Hodgson 's men were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ points adrift with two games left .
Surely it was over ?
Diomansy Kamara had other ideas .
Out of nothing , the Senegalese striker pulled one back .
Then Danny Murphy equalised before Kamara lashed in a stoppage-time winner .
Victory over Birmingham put Fulham 's fate in their own hands but with the Blues and Reading both winning on the final day , it was a tense afternoon at Portsmouth .
Fourteen minutes from time , Murphy headed home from a free-kick to keep Fulham up on goal difference .
Portsmouth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 league games ( 20 ) than during their first 28 ( 18 ) .
Sometimes it just takes one goal to turn things around .
With 10 games left , Pompey were eight points from safety when they hosted Manchester City .
They were set to go nine games without a win when City cleared a corner towards Pedro Mendes , who slammed a stoppage-time winner into the top corner .
Portsmouth were a side transformed .
Having scored four goals in their previous 10 games , they scored seven in their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Fulham .
Further victories over Middlesbrough , Sunderland and Wigan saw them secure safety with a game to spare , having claimed 20 points from a possible 27 .
Wigan picked up more points in their last nine games ( 21 ) than any other side - even champions Manchester City ( 20 ) .
With nine games left , Wigan were only three points from safety .
But this survival act was about the volume of points and the quality of the opposition .
After one win in 14 , check @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - Liverpool , Chelsea , Arsenal .
They also had to face leaders Manchester United .
It was all hands up to the pump - and Roberto Martinez 's side had eight different scorers in their last nine games .
The Latics gave themselves hope with a first-ever win at Anfield before Shaun Maloney 's goal gave them a first-ever win over United .
They followed that up with a first-ever win at Arsenal .
And despite losing at Fulham , Wigan sealed the deal in style , winning their last three games @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a combined 137 goals ( 63 for , 74 against ) – more than any other side .
Only Blackburn ( 68 ) and Manchester United ( 67 ) scored more .
Oldham were one of the Premier League 's founder members but to survive for season two they had to pull off some heroics in the final week .
The Latics faced Aston Villa , who were still in the title race , knowing they had to win their last three games - and hope Crystal Palace gained no more than a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joe Royle 's side won 1-0 at Villa before beating Liverpool 3-2 in midweek .
That night Palace drew at Manchester City so it went down to the final day .
Palace fell behind at Arsenal while the Latics romped into a 4-1 lead over Southampton .
And although the Saints made it 4-3 to set up a nervy finish , Oldham held on to stay up on goal difference .

Last updated on .From the section Premier League
With the Premier League season on hold, the fight to avoid relegation must wait.
With Norwich six points from safety at the bottom, boss Daniel Farke had already said the Canaries need a "miracle" to stay up.
We're yet to find out when - or if - Norwich will resume their battle to beat the drop, but they will be able to take inspiration from previous survival acts.
We took a look back at the Premier League's great escapes and asked you to vote for which one was the best.
Here are the results - and you can still read about the seven contenders below.
If you are viewing this page on the BBC News app please click here to vote.
1. Leicester 2014-15 - 34%
Leicester became just the third Premier League side to be bottom at Christmas and avoid relegation - after West Brom (2004-05) and Sunderland (2013-14).
Top league scorer: Leonardo Ulloa (13).
Other key men: Esteban Cambiasso, Andy King, Jamie Vardy.
Leicester's extraordinary title win is even more remarkable when you consider that 29 games into the previous season, they were seven points from safety at the bottom. And that season was also bonkers.
With Nigel Pearson battling to avoid an immediate return to the Championship, the pressure seemed to show in February as he was involved in a bizarre touchline clash with Crystal Palace midfielder James McArthur.
The club denied rumours that Pearson was sacked and swiftly reinstated, yet the Foxes were still bottom in April.
But a 2-1 home win over West Ham sparked a run of 22 points from 27, which saw Leicester clinch survival with a game to go and ultimately finish 14th.
The only blip during the run-in was a defeat at champions Chelsea, when Pearson walked out of the post-match news conference after asking a reporter if he was an ostrich.
2. West Brom 2004-05 - 24%
West Brom became the first Premier League side to avoid relegation having been bottom on Christmas Day.
Top league scorer: Robert Earnshaw (11).
Other key men: Kieran Richardson, Zoltan Gera, Geoff Horsfield.
The ultimate nail-biter. This is the only Premier League campaign where all three relegation places were decided on the final day.
And never mind being bottom at Christmas, West Brom had slipped back there before the last game - and remained bottom for most of the final day. The Baggies had to beat Portsmouth and hope their three relegation rivals all failed to win.
Norwich were thumped by Fulham and although Southampton took the lead against Manchester United, the Red Devils fought back. So, heading into the closing stages, it was between West Brom and Crystal Palace.
The Baggies won 2-0, although celebrations for the second goal were muted as Palace had just come from behind to lead at Charlton.
With eight minutes left, Charlton levelled it up again. Then with their game over, West Brom players and staff waited on the touchline for Palace's final score: 2-2 - cue pandemonium at The Hawthorns.
3. Sunderland 2013-14 - 11%
Between April and May 2014, Sunderland won four straight Premier League games – for the first time since December 2000.
Top league scorer: Adam Johnson (8).
Other key men: Seb Larsson, Fabio Borini, Connor Wickham.
Boss Gus Poyet said Sunderland needed "a miracle" - and it took an unlikely hero to spark this rescue mission.
One point from 24 left the Black Cats seven points adrift with six games left and they still had to visit Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United.
Enter Connor Wickham, who had just returned after spending most of the season on loan in the Championship.
The striker scored five in three as Sunderland drew 2-2 at City before beating Chelsea and Cardiff.
Seb Larsson's acrobatic volley secured victory at Old Trafford and a 2-0 win over West Brom saw Sunderland stay up with a game to spare.
4. Fulham 2007-08 - 9%
Fulham won eight league games - four of their first 33, then four of their last five.
Top league scorer: Clint Dempsey (6).
Other key men: Brian McBride, Diomansy Kamara, Danny Murphy.
The Cottagers twice came back from the brink in 2008. Derby went down with what remains the Premier League's lowest points total (11) and with 20 minutes left at Manchester City, Fulham were about to join them.
Roy Hodgson's men were 2-0 down and set to go six points adrift with two games left. Surely it was over?
Diomansy Kamara had other ideas. Out of nothing, the Senegalese striker pulled one back. Then Danny Murphy equalised before Kamara lashed in a stoppage-time winner.
Victory over Birmingham put Fulham's fate in their own hands but with the Blues and Reading both winning on the final day, it was a tense afternoon at Portsmouth.
Fourteen minutes from time, Murphy headed home from a free-kick to keep Fulham up on goal difference.
5. Portsmouth 2005-06 - 8%
Portsmouth picked up more points in their final 10 league games (20) than during their first 28 (18).
Top league scorer: Lomana LuaLua (7).
Other key men: Pedro Mendes, Gary O'Neill, Svetoslav Todorov.
Sometimes it just takes one goal to turn things around. With 10 games left, Pompey were eight points from safety when they hosted Manchester City.
They were set to go nine games without a win when City cleared a corner towards Pedro Mendes, who slammed a stoppage-time winner into the top corner.
Portsmouth were a side transformed. Having scored four goals in their previous 10 games, they scored seven in their next two, winning at West Ham and Fulham.
Further victories over Middlesbrough, Sunderland and Wigan saw them secure safety with a game to spare, having claimed 20 points from a possible 27.
6. Wigan 2011-12 - 8%
Wigan picked up more points in their last nine games (21) than any other side - even champions Manchester City (20).
Top league scorer: Franco Di Santo (7).
Other key men: Gary Caldwell, Victor Moses, Shaun Maloney.
With nine games left, Wigan were only three points from safety. But this survival act was about the volume of points and the quality of the opposition.
After one win in 14, check out Wigan's next three away games - Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal. They also had to face leaders Manchester United.
It was all hands up to the pump - and Roberto Martinez's side had eight different scorers in their last nine games.
The Latics gave themselves hope with a first-ever win at Anfield before Shaun Maloney's goal gave them a first-ever win over United. They followed that up with a first-ever win at Arsenal.
And despite losing at Fulham, Wigan sealed the deal in style, winning their last three games to finish 15th.
7. Oldham 1992-93 - 6%
Oldham games saw a combined 137 goals (63 for, 74 against) – more than any other side. Only Blackburn (68) and Manchester United (67) scored more.
Top league scorer: Ian Olney (11).
Other key men: Gunnar Halle, Nick Henry, Andy Ritchie.
Oldham were one of the Premier League's founder members but to survive for season two they had to pull off some heroics in the final week.
The Latics faced Aston Villa, who were still in the title race, knowing they had to win their last three games - and hope Crystal Palace gained no more than a point from their last two.
But Joe Royle's side won 1-0 at Villa before beating Liverpool 3-2 in midweek. That night Palace drew at Manchester City so it went down to the final day.
Palace fell behind at Arsenal while the Latics romped into a 4-1 lead over Southampton. And although the Saints made it 4-3 to set up a nervy finish, Oldham held on to stay up on goal difference.


bbc--2020-05-01--Australia replace India at top of Test rankings

Australia have returned to the top of the Test rankings for the first time in four years .
Justin Langer @ @ @ @ @ despite having not won an away series since beating New Zealand in 2016 .
The @ @ @ @ @ second as India slip to third , with England fourth on the International Cricket Council @ @ @ @ @ head the Twenty20 table , while 2019 World Cup winners England remain top in one-day @ @ @ @ @ top of the Test rankings since October 2016 .
`` We recognise how fluid these @ @ @ @ @ this time it was certainly nice to put a smile on our faces , '' @ @ @ @ @ over the past couple of years not only have we performed well on the field @ @ @ @ @ field .
`` You can only judge yourself as being the best if you beat @ @ @ @ @ , we have to beat India in India , and we 've got to beat @ @ @ @ @ [ to Australia ] . ''

Last updated on .From the section Cricket
Australia last won an away Test match in New Zealand in 2016
Australia have returned to the top of the Test rankings for the first time in four years.
Justin Langer's side replace India, despite having not won an away series since beating New Zealand in 2016.
The Black Caps move up to second as India slip to third, with England fourth on the International Cricket Council's list.
Australia also head the Twenty20 table, while 2019 World Cup winners England remain top in one-day cricket.
India had been top of the Test rankings since October 2016.
"We recognise how fluid these rankings are, but at this time it was certainly nice to put a smile on our faces," Langer said. external-link
"Hopefully over the past couple of years not only have we performed well on the field, but also off the field.
"You can only judge yourself as being the best if you beat the best.
"Ultimately, we have to beat India in India, and we've got to beat them when they come back [to Australia]."


bbc--2020-05-01--‘I practised so much my hands hurt!’ - Bertens ‘defends’ Madrid title on the PlayStation

Madrid Open virtual champion Kiki Bertens says her hands were hurting because she practised so much before 'defending ' her title in a PlayStation battle between the world 's leading stars .
Taking on her fellow WTA professionals on a computer game was the nearest the Dutch player could get to returning to the Spanish capital , where she won the biggest event of her career last May .
And the Dutch number seven managed to back up last year 's clay-court win by triumphing in the esports tournament that replaced the real thing because of the coronavirus pandemic .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Madrid Open Virtual Pro , while Britain 's Andy Murray claimed the ATP title .
`` I got the PlayStation about a week and a half before the event and then I played almost every day , '' she told BBC Sport .
`` But my hands were hurting because I was not used to using the game controller !
So some days I could not even play .
`` In the days before the event started we were practising with the girls , playing some matches and I was feeling well .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to playing for real on the court , but when I do something I always want to win , even for a good cause .
That 's how I am , how competitive I am . ''
Each tournament featured 16 of the world 's top players , with Bertens taking the WTA prize after beating France 's Fiona Ferro in Thursday 's final .
Prize money of 60,000 euros ( £52,500 ) was awarded to each winner , with Bertens giving half to the relief fund providing financial assistance to lower-ranked players @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fundraising efforts in the Netherlands .
The nation has almost 40,000 confirmed cases of Covid-19 , according to the Johns Hopkins University , and has recorded 4,795 deaths to date - the seventh highest tally in Europe .
`` I will use this money to help people in our country because I think a lot are struggling here , '' she said .
`` I am still deciding which funds to help exactly , but everything will go to a good cause . ''

Last updated on .From the section Tennis
Kiki Bertens was 'defending' her Madrid Open title, which she won in 2019
Madrid Open virtual champion Kiki Bertens says her hands were hurting because she practised so much before 'defending' her title in a PlayStation battle between the world's leading stars.
Taking on her fellow WTA professionals on a computer game was the nearest the Dutch player could get to returning to the Spanish capital, where she won the biggest event of her career last May.
And the Dutch number seven managed to back up last year's clay-court win by triumphing in the esports tournament that replaced the real thing because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Bertens, 28, won the WTA Madrid Open Virtual Pro, while Britain's Andy Murray claimed the ATP title.
"I got the PlayStation about a week and a half before the event and then I played almost every day," she told BBC Sport.
"But my hands were hurting because I was not used to using the game controller! So some days I could not even play.
"In the days before the event started we were practising with the girls, playing some matches and I was feeling well.
"Of course it doesn't compare to playing for real on the court, but when I do something I always want to win, even for a good cause. That's how I am, how competitive I am."
Each tournament featured 16 of the world's top players, with Bertens taking the WTA prize after beating France's Fiona Ferro in Thursday's final.
Prize money of 60,000 euros (£52,500) was awarded to each winner, with Bertens giving half to the relief fund providing financial assistance to lower-ranked players.
The other half will go towards fundraising efforts in the Netherlands. The nation has almost 40,000 confirmed cases of Covid-19, according to the Johns Hopkins University, and has recorded 4,795 deaths to date - the seventh highest tally in Europe.
"I will use this money to help people in our country because I think a lot are struggling here," she said.
"I am still deciding which funds to help exactly, but everything will go to a good cause."


bbc--2020-04-30--They died together but with a wall between them

People living thousands of miles apart with nothing in common are today united in their struggle against coronavirus .
More than three million people around the world have tested positive for the virus since it first emerged in China late last year .
Close to 230,000 have died .
There are only a handful of countries that have n't been touched by the pandemic .
On Thursday , we told you about the lives of seven people in the UK who died on 12 April , the day the country officially surpassed 10,000 hospital deaths .
These are the stories @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that also happened that day .
Maria Pollidori was admitted to hospital in central Italy in late February for a stomach cancer operation .
Everything seemed to have gone smoothly , and her family looked forward to her return .
But on 9 April they received a call from the hospital saying the 84 year old had tested positive for coronavirus .
Italy is at the epicentre of the global pandemic , recording more coronavirus-related deaths than any other country in the world .
The central region of Marche , where Maria and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of cases .
But Maria 's family had no idea that she had been showing any symptoms .
Three days after they received the call from the hospital , she passed away .
Her son Pierluigi said the hardest thing was not being able to be close to her `` at the time she needed us most '' .
Maria 's death was not only felt by her family .
As a nurse and midwife of 25 years she was well known in and around the small seaside town of Porto Potenza .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ was able to pay their respects to her at a funeral .
It is a story that echoes throughout the country .
Thousands of miles away in the US state of Texas , Phillip Tsai-Brooks and his husband Anthony were both in hospital with Covid-19 on 12 April .
It was love at first sight when the pair were introduced through mutual friends .
They married in 2014 on a cruise ship in San Francisco Bay , and brought Phillip 's widowed mother on their honeymoon to Puerto Rico - as they often @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In a statement to the BBC , Phillip 's brothers said Phillip and Anthony were able to break barriers , and were accepted as a couple in the city of San Antonio , where they were known for the joy they brought to people 's lives .
Phillip , one of five brothers , had always dreamed of being a hair stylist and one day opening his own salon .
His ambitions were realised when he opened the Extreme Opulence Hair Studio .
More recently , he had been teaching others in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Tony , spent several years in the US Air Force before working for his local council , helping with budget planning for the city of Live Oak .
A colleague said he was `` smarter about city budgets than most people '' , and described him as `` one of the nicest guys you 'll ever meet '' .
The charismatic military veteran would regularly bring sweets into work for the local mayor , dropping them in a jar on her desk , he said .
Relatives and friends of the men @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They dreamed of one day adopting their own children .
But their lives and dreams were tragically interrupted by the outbreak of coronavirus .
In a Facebook post in late March , 42-year-old Phillip said he was feeling unwell and had been told to quarantine as a precaution .
Six days later , he said he was in hospital with confirmed coronavirus .
`` Be here for a couple of days… then quarantine , '' he wrote .
Anthony , 52 , was taken to a different hospital , suffering similar symptoms .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the final chapter of their love story , Tony was moved from another healthcare system into the same hospital as Phillip .
As their conditions deteriorated , they lay in rooms next to each other .
Phillip passed away on 12 April after suffering a heart attack as a complication of Covid-19 .
Just two days later , Anthony died .
`` Such a tragic loss but their love will last forever , '' Phillip 's brothers said .
Elsewhere in North America , Victor Batista Falla had recently returned to Cuba , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first time in 60 years .
The 87 year old was born into one of the wealthiest families in the country , with his father 's side founding a bank and his mother descending from rich sugar planters .
He fled the country in 1960 , after Fidel Castro and his revolutionary forces ousted President Fulgencio Batista .
Victor then became a prominent figure of Cuban exile literature , founding the journals Exilio and Escandalar in New York .
After moving to Madrid , he opened the publishing house Colibrí , through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
France-based Cuban writer William Navarrete met Victor in the Spanish capital in 1996 at a cafe popular with Cuban exiles .
After their first meeting , the pair saw each other whenever William was in Madrid .
William described Victor as a man who hated confrontation and gossip , and who was protective of his privacy .
`` He was a bon vivant , but very measured , '' William said of his friend .
`` He never ostentatiously displayed relationships and never boasted about the things he did . ''
Victor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He was the uncle of the Grand Duchess of Luxembourg and a statement from the duke and duchess said his death was a `` great loss '' for the family .
William said Victor never spoke of his connection to the royals and did not like to talk about his family 's vast wealth .
`` Once I asked him if he was nostalgic for the lavish life he had had in Cuba until the age of 27 , '' William recalled .
`` He replied that he was nostalgic for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he had not done . ''
After 60 years away from the country , Victor quietly returned to Cuba in February .
It 's not clear what led him to return .
William did not know anything of the trip until he read a newspaper article telling him that his friend had died there of Covid-19 .
In the early hours of 3 December , 1984 , a valve broke in a storage tank inside a chemical factory in the central Indian city of Bhopal .
Soon after , a deadly cloud of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surrounding neighbourhoods .
It became one of the deadliest industrial disasters in modern history .
Thousands of people died , and tens of thousands more needed treatment .
Among them was Imran Khan , who was just a young boy when the disaster happened .
Two years ago , he developed mouth cancer , believed to be a result of the leak , and had to give up work .
After surviving his initial cancer , it returned again , and he was forced to undergo more chemotherapy .
His condition deteriorated in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ April .
Later tests confirmed that he had contracted coronavirus .
A group representing survivors of the gas tragedy have accused the local government of turning their backs on people like Imran .
They say five gas leak survivors died of coronavirus within days of each other .
A hospital set up for gas victims was converted into a facility for coronavirus patients .
The Bhopal Group for Information and Action says gas victims were then ignored , despite being particularly vulnerable to the virus because of their health conditions .
Imran 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after his wife and son .
`` The wellbeing of his entire family is on my shoulders , '' he told BBC Hindi .

"Once I asked him if he was nostalgic for the lavish life he had had in Cuba until the age of 27," William recalled. "He replied that he was nostalgic for the things he wanted to do and that he had not done."


bbc--2020-05-02--Coronavirus: Trump is selling coronavirus coins and other claims fact-checked

We 're fact-checking the week 's most popular dubious claims and bringing together the work of BBC journalists investigating coronavirus disinformation .
The White House is not selling commemorative coronavirus coins A website called the White House Gift Shop has caused anger by selling coins `` commemorating '' the Covid-19 outbreak for $ 100 ( £80 ) each .
US Senator Bernie Sanders was one of those infuriated by the coins .
But the White House Gift Shop is a privately run online store with no direct connection to the White House or the Trump administration .
Its own website @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US government '' .
The coins , however , do exist and are being sold by the store .
They show a coronavirus germ superimposed over a world map , with slogans such as `` Together we fought the unseen enemy '' and `` Everyday heroes suited up '' .
The site says profits will be donated to hospitals .
Set up by President Harry S Truman in 1946 , the gift shop was transferred to a private company years ago , which now holds the trademark for `` White House Gift Shop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media attention in 2018 when it sold coins commemorating Donald Trump 's Singapore summit meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un .
A video in which two American doctors argue for an end to lockdown measures has sparked controversy .
The video of a press conference , broadcast on a local TV station in California , was viewed millions of times on YouTube and Facebook .
It was Tweeted by Elon Musk , who has 33 million followers and is becoming increasingly vocal in his opposition to shutdown measures .
In the video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ argue for an end to the lockdown based on the data they have collected from their private clinics .
They draw sweeping conclusions from their unrepresentative sample , and claim the flu is similar in prevalence and death rates .
It 's very hard to establish what proportion of people die after catching coronavirus because no country has yet carried out random testing on a scale that could help us understand how many people actually have it .
You certainly ca n't do it from the limited data you get from the people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The best current estimates are that the Covid-19 death rate is just under 1 % and for flu it 's 0.1 % .
These are estimates , which would need large-scale random testing to verify .
On Monday , as the video garnered more views , two professional medical associations , the American College of Emergency Physicians and the American Academy of Emergency Medicine , issued a joint statement condemning the doctors ' `` reckless and untested musings '' .
The medical associations said the conclusions reached in the doctors ' video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regarding Covid-19 , adding : `` It appears these two individuals are releasing biased , non-peer-reviewed data to advance their personal financial interests without regard for the public 's health . ''
YouTube removed the full video because it violated its policies which were tightened last week .
A disinformation campaign against a Chinese businessman who has spoken critically of the Chinese government 's response to the coronavirus outbreak has been uncovered .
The campaign , waged through Twitter and Facebook , uses a network of fake accounts , or bots , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ businessman in the United States .
A large network of bots would then retweet and comment on the posts to give them trending status using the tags # GuoWengui , and his name written in Chinese .
The bots used fake profile pictures and many of them were created on the same day , seemingly with the sole purpose of amplifying the campaign .
Between 27 and 29 April , more than 200 accounts were created on Twitter which only shared media critical of Mr Guo and his views about both China 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the number of fatalities in Wuhan .
This is not the first time a campaign has been launched against Mr Guo .
He has been the target of disinformation campaigns linked to China since 2017 , identified in research from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute .
The discovery of this recent campaign also exposed a large network of multilingual accounts pretending to be Russian , with fake profile photos .
The accounts appeared to be automated to promote a pro-Chinese government agenda and other issues .
Twitter has now suspended many of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Japanese Nobel Prize laureate Tasuku Honjo claims he believes the new coronavirus was `` manufactured '' in a lab in the Chinese city of Wuhan .
The posts have been shared thousands of times on social media in many languages and recently by the high-profile British businessman , Lord Sugar .
We think the first post was in India and then spread to a Nigerian page where it went viral .
But Prof Honjo , 2018 winner of the Nobel Prize for physiology or medicine , has made no such remarks .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kyoto University , he said he was `` greatly saddened '' that his name had been used to spread `` false accusations and misinformation '' .
Scientists say genome sequencing shows that the virus came from animals and was not man-made .

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bbc--2020-05-01--Coronavirus: Immigration detention centres in crisis

As coronavirus continues to spread , a crisis is growing inside ICE immigration detention centres in the US .
Verónica says that for days she has only been fed bread and water because the cooks stopped working due to the coronavirus pandemic .
She is a young Salvadoran asylum seeker who has been detained in an immigration centre in the US since October of last year .
At the centre she is held at in Otay Mesa , in San Diego , California , they were not given any face masks or gloves as protection , despite the fact that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Covid-19 inside the facility , says the 23-year-old .
`` There is no medical assistance here , they do n't take care of us , they tell us to gargle with salt water , that we are fine , that it is just a cold , '' she says in a phone call on 21 April .
So Verónica decided with another colleague to put together pieces of T-shirt fabric and , with daily sanitary pads and hair ties , make protective masks .
Her description is replicated by more immigrants who spoke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mesa but other centres , and by organisations that provide legal advice and that are constantly communicating with detainees .
As of Thursday , the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement Service ( ICE ) confirmed 490 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in an estimated population of 31,000 detainees .
Only 1,030 detainees have been tested up until the same date .
There have been no deaths as a result of Covid-19 , according to information that ICE sent to the BBC .
Despite the fact that ICE assures on its website that the health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` among the highest priorities '' , in recent weeks groups of immigrants have started hunger strikes in protest and several courts have ordered the release of detainees .
Verónica says that she sleeps in a cell `` with eight beds , one on top of the other at a distance of about a metre '' and that she lives with four other women .
`` We use the same bathroom ... we are not in an environment where you can have social distancing '' she says .
The detention centres are managed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and layouts , but the detainees and organizations BBC spoke to agree that there are often spaces where hundreds of people live together and that cells are shared .
In addition , detainees are in charge of cleaning the areas they use , including collective toilets , and do so without protection such as gloves or face masks .
`` ( Detainees ) only have access to one bar of soap for the entire week , '' says Veronica Salama , an immigration attorney at the US human rights organization Southern Poverty Law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warns that her clients `` had no idea of the severity of this disease '' at first and that `` officials did not inform them of anything or gave them any handouts with instructions for hand washing '' .
`` There are officials who enter the units where the detainees are to deliver food without gloves or masks , '' she says .
The situation has led to `` people organising themselves in 30 facilities to demand changes and in 13 of them there has been retaliation '' , says Cynthia Galaz , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which has a direct telephone line to connect with detention centres .
• Immigration to US to be suspended amid pandemic , Trump says Ms Galaz has gathered testimonies from people who say they have received threats that they would be sprayed with pepper spray or transferred to a solitary confinement area , informally called `` el hoyo '' ( the hole ) .
`` They throw people into a room where they are alone for a long time and basically people describe it as psychological torture , '' she points out .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ calling for the release of specific detainees , a federal judge ordered ICE last week to identify and consider releasing those immigrants in their custody whose age or health condition puts them at risk of getting sick with Covid-19 .
Judge Jesús Bernal , from a federal court in Los Angeles , determined that the evidence presented `` suggests a systematic inaction '' by the government `` that goes beyond a mere 'difference of medical opinion or negligence ' '' .
What does ICE say ?
The ICE press office referred BBC to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the pandemic in detention centres .
The agency indicates there that nearly 700 people have been released `` after evaluating their immigration history , police record , and whether they pose a possible threat to public safety , or are at risk of flight , or represent a national security concern '' .
Additionally , they say , they have limited the entry of new detainees .
`` ICE 's detained population has dropped by more than 4,000 individuals '' since 1 March , they said .
In addition to temporarily suspending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reduce the population of all facilities to 70 % or less to increase social distancing '' .
Detainees with symptoms of fever or respiratory problems are `` isolated and monitored '' for a specified period of time .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : What are the symptoms ?
• LEADING THE WAY : How California kept ahead of the curve • ON FRONTLINE : The young doctors being asked to play god • REASON TO HOPE : The good that may come out of this crisis Those who do not have the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are included in the epidemiological risk guidelines '' are monitored for 14 days .
Those with moderate to severe symptoms or those requiring `` higher levels of care or monitoring '' are transferred to hospitals .
The agency , however , did not provide information to the BBC on how many people have been hospitalised .
'They never tested me' Rosmary Freites is one of the immigrants who , due to her medical condition - she is diabetic and asthmatic - was released from the Broward Transitional Center ( BTC ) in Florida @ @ @ @ @ @ @ helped her by filing a petition with more than 1,000 signatures for her release before a judge .
• The effects of a raid on one tiny town • What 's the state of illegal immigration in US ?
Ms Freites , a 23-year-old from Venezuela , describes how she was isolated in a room with five other detainees for a couple of days and that when she asked why , officials told her that a person who was there had contact with a lawyer who tested positive for Covid -19 .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the quarantine and they never tested me or gave me a mask , '' she says .
The SPLC documented that the Krome detention centre in Miami had four spaces set aside for people in quarantine and that `` people are going in and out , it is not really a quarantine '' .
Another reported problem is the transfer of immigrants from one centre to another , which is what happened to Anette Villa 's husband , who is asthmatic .
The Cuban woman says that in recent weeks her husband @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before finally being admitted to Baker , in north-central Florida .
`` The pandemic was already under way and with all the transfers they made him do while they were processing him , he spent two nights sleeping on the floor '' she describes .
Ms Villa , who lives in Florida , says that her husband travelled from Mexico and that he claimed asylum before the border authorities 11 months ago .
`` He knows that if he catches the virus , his lungs are going to collapse .
He is panicking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I am afraid he will die , '' she says .
'They sprayed us with pepper spray' Otay Mesa Detention Center , where Verónica is held , currently has the most confirmed cases of Covid-19 , with 98 detainees and 8 ICE employees infected .
Organisations like the SPLC fear that the number is higher .
`` We do n't know all the details of what is happening inside , the situation is not transparent , '' says lawyer Maia Fleischman , referring to all the centres .
• ' I ca @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was cut off' Otay Mesa made headlines in recent days after audios were released in which a detainee describes the moment when a group of detainees were allegedly pepper sprayed inside their cells .
The incident was reported on 10 April , after a group of detainees refused to sign a document , in which they say the company that manages the detention centre was released from responsibility in the events that anyone caught the virus .
Only after they signed the documents would they would be given masks , they say .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' says Briseida Salazar , a 23-year-old Mexican woman who was released on bail days later .
Ms Salazar , one of the few who spoke English in the group of more than 60 women , helped translate the document for the others and , as a result , they refused to sign it .
`` At one point we got very frustrated and started to protest and the manager who was there told us that we were making a lot of noise and called the emergency team and they came up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who was on the phone at the time with a member of the organisation Pueblos Sin Fronteras ( PSF ) , shouted that they were being pepper sprayed and that they were handcuffing a detainee suffering from mental health issues .
ICE confirmed the facts , but denied that pepper spray had been used .
`` Contrary to numerous reports , there was no use of force or chemical agents dispersed during the incident '' , adding that the allegations were `` simply not true '' .
According to PSF , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mesa , there are more than 100 detainees on hunger strike protesting about the lack of testing and protective measures .
In another part of the facilities , detainee Samuel Gallardo Andara , a 28-year-old Venezuelan nurse , says that in the area where he is being held , of about 100 people , `` half of them have become ill '' .
`` Doctors have monitored us and given us Tylenol , that 's it . ''
Immigrants ' rights organisations have filed lawsuits against ICE detention centres in the past denouncing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The pandemic has highlighted problems that have existed inside these facilities for a long time , these organisations say .
From the phone , Veronica says that she is very stressed and that at the moment she does not see a `` way out of this '' .
`` What we are living here is very difficult , very difficult , '' she says right before the time allowed for her call runs out and the line is down .

"After two days they took us out of the quarantine and they never tested me or gave me a mask," she says. The SPLC documented that the Krome detention centre in Miami had four spaces set aside for people in quarantine and that "people are going in and out, it is not really a quarantine".


bbc--2020-05-02--Coronavirus: Why so many people are dying in Belgium

Belgium is the world 's worst affected country when it comes to the coronavirus mortality rate .
That rate , unlike the total number of fatalities , is a measure of the number of deaths in relation to the size of population .
President Donald Trump pointed to a graph recently , displaying Belgium at the top and the US in seventh place , as a result of the number of deaths relative to population size .
He was suggesting the US was handling the pandemic more effectively .
Belgium has a population of 11.5 million .
That means 66 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Covid-19 .
In the US , with a population of around 330 million , it 's 19 in every 100,000 , according to Johns Hopkins University data .
But those figures are `` faulty comparisons '' that have been `` abused '' , argues Prof Steven Van Gucht , a Belgian virologist and government spokesman .
`` That 's the difference between public health science and political motivation , '' he explains .
`` That 's purely inspired by showing how good you are doing , and it 's wrong .
We are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Belgian officials say they are counting in a way that no other country in the world is currently doing : counting deaths in hospitals and care homes , but including deaths in care homes that are suspected , not confirmed , as Covid-19 cases .
According to Belgium 's latest official figures , out of 7,703 deaths , 53 % have been in care homes .
Some 16 % of deaths in care homes were tested positive for coronavirus .
The rest are suspected .
That means more than 3,500 deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but not confirmed .
How do they work it out ?
`` It 's based on the assessment of the medical doctor , usually taking into account whether the coronavirus is present in the same care home , '' says Prof Van Gucht .
`` For example : if you have one or two confirmed cases , then the week after you have 10 deaths in the same home based on similar symptoms . ''
Prime Minister Sophie Wilmès recently suggested Belgium may be over-reporting the actual number of cases .
However @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of deaths may still be higher than they are reporting , as he believes they may still be missing a few cases .
Is it just down to counting ?
Another factor is that many more people here put loved ones in care homes than elsewhere in Europe .
Only the Netherlands and Luxembourg have a higher rate of care home occupancy , relative to their populations .
Officials also acknowledge mistakes were made at the beginning : poor preparation left care home staff lacking personal protective equipment ( PPE ) .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with devastating effect .
Now all nursing home staff are issued with masks and protective clothing , and nurses from hospitals and the military have been brought in to help .
Epidemiologists say they 've found a `` remarkable '' observation in care homes , that around 10 % of residents have been asymptomatic carriers of the virus and have built up an immunity .
A small comfort , but of important scientific value .
How long has Belgium been in lockdown ?
Since 18 March all non-essential business has been closed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people have been asked to stay at home .
Shopping is limited to one person per family .
You can leave the house for medical reasons , to walk the dog , or for an hour 's exercise with immediate family , or one other person , while maintaining social distancing of at least 1.5m ( 5ft ) .
Belgian police have been enforcing the lockdown , using drones in parks and fines for anyone breaking social distancing rules .
Checkpoints have been set up at the borders with Luxembourg , France and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers , or those with an urgent reason to enter Belgium .
Some cyclists have been fined after taking a ride into the Netherlands , then being stopped by Belgian police on the way back .
All non-food shops have been closed too , which led to a bizarre incident in the neighbouring towns of Baarle Hertog and Baarle Nassau , where the border line runs through a bargain store called Zeemans .
The Dutch half of the shop is open , but the Belgian half has been taped off , with customers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clothing section .
Unlike Belgium 's policy , the Netherlands has what Prime Minister Mark Rutte described as an `` intelligent lockdown '' , with florists , ironmongers , bakeries , clothes and toy stores remaining open .
There have been fewer deaths in the Netherlands , despite having a larger population .
But unlike Belgium , the Netherlands does not count suspected Covid-19 deaths in care homes .
I asked the head of Belgium 's Covid-19 taskforce , Minister Philippe De Backer , if he thought the Belgian confinement method was more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Swedish approaches .
He told me Swedes were renowned for following government advice , while it was `` a bit more difficult in a country like Belgium '' .
However , he was generally `` impressed by how Belgians has dealt with the crisis '' .
• Has Sweden got its coronavirus science right ?
What happens next ?
Belgium will lift its lockdown gradually , in four phases .
From Monday , fabric stores are being opened so people can buy material to make their own face masks .
Masks will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be allowed , too , though no more than two people can play together .
All other shops will open from Monday 11 May .
Schools will restart on 18 May , with a maximum of 10 students per class .
Cafes , restaurants and some tourist attractions will open after 8 June , if there has been no second spike in cases .
Trips abroad may also be allowed in early June .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : How do I protect myself ?
• AVOIDING CONTACT : The rules on self-isolation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get tested for coronavirus ?
Testing for Covid-19 is being done on 10-20,000 people a day , with priority for emergency workers .
The taskforce has also finished screening all 210,000 residents and staff in care homes , discovering that 10 % of people are infected .
There are more than 500 care homes , and roughly half have had an outbreak .
Antibody tests to detect if people have had the virus will start in mid-May .
Not in the short term .
Taskforce head Philippe De Backer tells me it 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , so they will concentrate on the laborious system of tracing manually .
`` When people test positive , it activates a call centre , and our staff ask who they 've been in contact with , and they will be contacted and may have to self-isolate . ''
Mr De Backer says use of an app requires at least 60 % of the nation to take part voluntarily and he believes that is not realistic at the moment .
`` I 've seen reports in Austria where it 's around 9-10 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do 90 % of the tracking in another way , '' he says .
As Belgium gradually lifts its restrictions , 2,000 so-called `` corona detectives '' are being hired , to trace people who have been in contact with confirmed or suspected Covid-19 patients .
Belgian scientists have started to look at lessons that can be learned , including an analysis of why three cities have had the biggest concentration of cases : Charleroi in the south , and Hasselt and Sint-Truiden in the east .
Early indications suggest that local carnivals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may have contributed , along with areas where second-generation Italian populations are high .
In the case of Charleroi , experts are studying whether the spread was linked to issues of poverty and deprivation .
Belgian hospitals have been largely able to cope with the epidemic so far , with a 42 % occupancy rate now , but some hospitals in Brussels have been overwhelmed , and have had to move patients elsewhere .
As the confinement here slowly ends , September is a worry for officials , as Prof Van Gucht makes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are open again after the summer , that 's when the virus risks spreading quickly again .
That 's when I 'm more afraid , with winter coming too . ''

Early indications suggest that local carnivals with big gatherings of people in March may have contributed, along with areas where second-generation Italian populations are high. In the case of Charleroi, experts are studying whether the spread was linked to issues of poverty and deprivation.


bbc--2020-05-02--Gods in face masks: India's folk artists take on Covid-19

India 's prominent folk artists have released a series of paintings to spread the message of social distancing and hygiene to prevent the spreading of coronavirus , writes Sudha G Tilak .
Working during the lockdown , which has now lasted more than a month , a group of folk artists and craftspeople across India have produced these illustrations and paintings in traditional styles .
`` Though many fear the impact of Covid-19 may be the end of craftspeople , it is their creativity and resilience that could save them , '' Laila Tyabji , chairperson of Dastkar , India @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , told the BBC .
Since March , folk artists who work with Dastkar have produced artwork that convey the importance of social distancing , wearing face masks , washing hands with soap and avoiding group travel .
There are also scenes depicting hospitals treating Covid-19 patients .
India 's folk artists have long used traditional art for social messaging .
`` Traditionally many folk art forms in India were made on large scrolls or as murals to share information with the local community .
Artists would hold up scrolls in village squares @ @ @ @ @ @ @ visuals , '' says Rhea Gupta , spokesperson of Dastkar .
Ambika Devi is an artist from Rashidpur village in the northern state of Bihar .
She uses a tribal art form called Madhubani - which takes its name from a district in the state .
The art uses natural pigments for colour and are illustrations on walls of homes and in modern times on handmade paper .
Madhubani painting has a geographical indication status because it has remained confined to a compact geographical area where the skills have been passed on through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ largely remained the same .
Phad painting is native to Rajasthan and dates back to medieval times .
They were traditionally painted on large cloth panels showing royal scenes of festive processions and wars .
Prakash Joshi is a Phad artist from Bhilwara in Rajasthan , an early Covid-19 hotspot .
His paintings carry messages in the local language about maintaining social distancing and wearing face masks .
Apindra Swain is a Pattachitra painter from Raghurajur in the eastern state of Orissa .
This art form dates back to the 5th Century and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faces drawn in profiles using natural colours .
Her paintings show mythological figures wearing face masks .
Kavad art is a 400-year-old colourful storytelling form from the northern state of Rajasthan .
Artists illustrate and paint scenes on wooden panels that look like story boards that carry messages .
Dwarika Prasad , from Chittogarh district has painted a Kavad panel to show scenes in a hospital treating Covid-19 patients .
Tulsidas Nimbark has painted in the 17th Century Rajasthani miniature tradition .
It shows the Hindu deity Krishna dancing in a garden with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and sitting near a bottle of hand washing liquid soap .

"Though many fear the impact of Covid-19 may be the end of craftspeople, it is their creativity and resilience that could save them," Laila Tyabji, chairperson of Dastkar, India's prominent society for crafts and craftspeople, told the BBC.


bbc--2020-05-01--Is there any evidence for virus lab release idea?

In April , US State Department cables came to light showing embassy officials were worried about biosecurity at a virus lab in Wuhan , China .
The lab is in the same city where the coronavirus outbreak was first detected .
The office of the US national intelligence director says that the virus was not man-made or genetically modified .
But intelligence officials are investigating whether the outbreak began through contact with animals or through a laboratory accident .
So what , if anything , does this add to our understanding of the current pandemic ?
What do the cables @ @ @ @ @ @ @ information obtained from diplomatic cables on 14 April .
They show that , in 2018 , US science diplomats were sent on repeated visits to a Chinese research facility .
Officials sent two warnings to Washington about the lab .
The column says the officials were worried about safety and management weaknesses at the Wuhan Institute of Virology ( WIV ) and called for more help .
It also claims diplomats were concerned the lab 's research on bat coronaviruses could risk a new Sars-like pandemic .
The newspaper says the cables fuelled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about whether the WIV or another lab in Wuhan could have been the source of the virus behind the current pandemic .
The outbreak came to light late last year when early cases were linked to a food market in Wuhan .
But despite rampant online speculation , there is no evidence of any kind that the Sars-CoV-2 virus ( which causes Covid-19 ) was released accidentally from a lab .
On 30 April , the US national intelligence director 's office issued a statement rejecting the most extreme of the conspiracy theories @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was conceived as a bioweapon .
It said the intelligence community was still examining whether the outbreak began `` through contact with infected animals or if it was the result of an accident at a laboratory in Wuhan '' .
But President Donald Trump appeared to undercut that statement in a press briefing the same day .
Asked whether he had seen anything to make him think the WIV was the source of the outbreak , he replied : `` Yes , I have .
Yes , I have . ''
China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US response to the crisis .
What kind of security measures do labs use ?
Laboratories studying viruses and bacteria follow a system known as the BSL standards , where BSL stands for Biosafety Level .
There are four levels , which depend on the types of biological agents being studied and the containment precautions needed to isolate them .
Biosafety Level 1 ( BSL-1 ) is the lowest and is used by labs studying well-known biological agents that pose no threat to humans .
The containment precautions increase through the levels until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ BSL-4 ) which is the highest , and reserved for labs dealing with the most dangerous pathogens for which there are few available vaccines or treatments : ebola , Marburg virus and - in the case of just two institutes in the US and Russia - smallpox .
The BSL standards are applied internationally , but with some cosmetic variations .
`` The Russians , for instance , label their highest containment labs as 1 and the lowest containment labs as 4 , so the exact opposite of the standard , but the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' says Dr Filippa Lentzos , a biosecurity expert at King 's College London .
But while the World Health Organization ( WHO ) has published a manual on the different levels , the standards are not enforced by any treaties .
`` They 've been developed to be in the best interest for working safely , for lab workers who do n't want to infect themselves or their community , and for the environment to avoid accidental releases , '' says Dr Lentzos .
But she adds : `` The 'stick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If you want to do projects with international partners they require labs to be operating to certain standards .
Or if you have products to sell in the market , or perform certain services , e.g .
tests , then you are also required to operate to international standards . ''
Indeed , the WIV had received funding from the US , along with assistance from American research institutes .
The cables recommended giving them even more help .
What kinds of security failures were the cables describing ?
The short answer is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provided in the Washington Post .
But , generally speaking , there are multiple ways that safety measures can be breached at labs dealing with biological agents .
According to Dr Lentzos , these include : `` Who has access to the lab , the training and refresher-training of scientists and technicians , procedures for record-keeping , signage , inventory lists of pathogens , accident notification practices , emergency procedures . ''
But how unusual were the concerns expressed in the diplomatic cables ?
Accidents happen .
In 2014 , forgotten vials of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a research centre near Washington .
In 2015 , the US military accidentally shipped live anthrax samples instead of dead spores to as many as nine labs across the country and a military base in South Korea .
There are variations in safety standards across the large number of labs at the lower end of the BSL scale and many lesser breaches do n't make it into the news .
But there are relatively few labs that are designated BSL-4 .
Wikipedia lists over 50 around the world , of which WIV @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authoritative list .
They have to be built to very high specifications because they deal with the most dangerous pathogens known to science .
As a result , they generally have good safety records .
So any concerns about procedures at one of these facilities would be more than noteworthy .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : How do I protect myself ?
• AVOIDING CONTACT : The rules on self-isolation and exercise • STRESS : How to look after your mental health Were n't there previous claims of the virus leaking from a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the novel coronavirus came to light , there was speculation - much of it uninformed - about its origins .
One online theory that surfaced in January suggested the virus could have been engineered in a lab as a bioweapon .
This allegation has been repeatedly dismissed by scientists , who note that studies show the virus originated in animals - most likely in bats .
Viruses can also be engineered for the purposes of fundamental scientific research .
For example , studies may improve the ability of a pathogen to cause @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mutate in future .
But a US study of the coronavirus genome published in March found no signs it had been engineered .
`` By comparing the available genome sequence data for known coronavirus strains , we can firmly determine that SARS-CoV-2 originated through natural processes , '' co-author Kristian Andersen , from Scripps Research in California , said at the time .
Pathogens can be made to mutate in a laboratory without the directed manipulation of their genes .
In so-called `` passage experiments '' , viruses or bacteria are passed from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to study how the agents adapt to their hosts .
Past experiments have succeeded in making viruses more transmissible between animals using this low-tech method .
But , again , there is no evidence that this played any role in the origin of the novel coronavirus .
Then there is the allegation of an accidental release of a natural virus from a lab .
The proximity of the Wuhan seafood market , where the outbreak came to light , to at least two institutes carrying out research on infectious diseases fuelled speculation about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ WIV , the city is home to another centre - the Wuhan Centre for Disease Control and Prevention .
That the WIV had carried out research on bat coronaviruses is a matter of public record .
This work was entirely legitimate and published in international journals .
Given the country 's experience with the Sars outbreak in the early 2000s , this should come as no surprise .
According to the widespread narrative , Sars-CoV-2 spread from the Huanan Seafood and Wildlife Market in Wuhan , where various species of live mammals were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that a bat virus may have been transmitted to humans via an intermediate animal .
Some researchers raised questions about this explanation as early as January , when a paper in The Lancet showed that , while most of the early Covid-19 patients had been directly exposed to the market , many others had no known link .
However , it 's also possible those other patients were connected in some way that is n't yet understood .
Dr Lentzos said the issue of its origin was a `` very difficult question '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been quiet , behind-the-scene discussions ... in the biosecurity expert community , questioning the seafood market origin that has come out very strongly from China '' .
But there is currently no evidence that any research institute in Wuhan was the source of Sars-CoV-2 .
On 16 April , China 's foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian addressed the matter at a news conference , telling journalists the World Health Organization 's officials `` have said multiple times there is no evidence the new coronavirus was created in a laboratory '' .
China has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the early stages of the outbreak , and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said Beijing `` needs to come clean '' on what they know .
Amid this war of words between the countries , the painstaking - and largely unseen - scientific work to trace the origin of the virus will continue .

Pathogens can be made to mutate in a laboratory without the directed manipulation of their genes. In so-called "passage experiments", viruses or bacteria are passed from one lab animal to another in order to study how the agents adapt to their hosts. Past experiments have succeeded in making viruses more transmissible between animals using this low-tech method. But, again, there is no evidence that this played any role in the origin of the novel coronavirus.