bbc--2020-03-17--US funerals move to live-streaming

US funerals move to live-streaming

As the coronavirus crisis escalates the US ’ s health protection agency has urged mourners to change drastically the way they say goodbye to loved ones - by live-streaming their funerals .
In a webinar with the National Funeral Directors Association and funeral homes across the US , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) said funerals should be limited to a small number of mourners physically present , and streamed online for everyone else .
This is not because of a risk of being infected from a deceased person whose cause of death was coronavirus-related - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to suggest this was possible .
Instead , it is so people can adhere to “ social distancing ” advice , not just in the US , but in countries around the world .
Dr David Berendes , an epidemiologist at CDC , told the webinar : “ As you think about planning for the event , limit the number of people if possible , use live-streaming options and perhaps have only immediately family on hand.
” The CDC had earlier recommended limiting gatherings to no more than 50 people , while US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no larger than 10 people .
This is particularly crucial for events where many guests are considered vulnerable , either because they ’ re over 70 years old or because of underlying health conditions .
• EASY STEPS : How to keep safe • A SIMPLE GUIDE : What are the symptoms ?
• TRAVEL PLANS : What are your rights ?
But even before this directive , funeral homes in the US had already started offering to live-stream their services - sometimes out of last-minute necessity .
One funeral director in Syracuse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news site that a pastor had carried out a service over webcam , when travel bans in the state prevented him from holding it in person .
And the US is far from the first country to change funeral arrangements .
In the UK , some funeral homes have pre-empted any official directives by offering live-streaming services .
One funeral director in North Yorkshire told the BBC that although he offered the service before , he would now waive the usual £62 fee .
In Ireland , mourners have been ordered not to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ones , while the Irish Association of Funeral Directors went a step further and suggested all services should be postponed .
But perhaps the most stringent measures are in Italy , the new epicentre of the virus , where funeral services have been banned altogether - restricted instead to a simple blessing .
In Italy , the silent killer is stealing lives – and deaths .
Coronavirus fatalities in Italy have soared to more than 2,000 , the vast majority in small towns in the north that are struggling to cope with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are operating 24 hours a day and mortuaries are being used to store coffins .
And then there are the quarantine restrictions .
On 26 February , Miriam Casali ’ s mother , Giuseppina , fell ill from the virus while on holiday in Genoa .
Miriam , living in the town of Castiglione d ’ Adda , in the locked-down `` red zone '' , was unable to leave .
After five days , she and her son were given special permission to travel to Genoa .
But on the morning of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go , Giuseppina died .
“ What hurts the most is that I couldn ’ t get to her , ” Miriam tells me .
“ It makes you feel powerless .
There 's nothing you can do .
It ’ s devastating .
Surreal.
” Under the restrictions , funerals are banned , to limit public gatherings .
When the body of Giuseppina was brought back , a quick burial was held with a simple blessing from the priest .
“ If she had died in a different way , it would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Miriam tells me , by video phone from her home .
“ She must have felt abandoned and there was nothing I could do .
I ’ m never going to get over this.
” Regardless of faith , culture or tradition , funeral and memorial services are a crucial time for grieving , catharsis and collective remembrance .
So how can people cope emotionally when these are fundamentally changed ?
Lianna Champ , a grief counsellor and funeral director based in the UK , anticipates that “ the way we grieve is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus ” .
“ We have to have a process of closure , of rituals , especially when we ’ re grieving - it requires an intimacy with those we share our lives with and those we love , ” she told the BBC .
“ But I think physical distance from the actual funeral service could actually become quite normal for us moving forward .
We ’ ve got to adjust to this new way of thinking and being .
The world has changed , society has changed - and we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus hits the world , we need to change not just our everyday lives , but how we die as well.
” If you ’ re grieving and unable to attend a loved one ’ s funeral in person , Ms Champ recommended that you “ reach out to people and be honest in your communication , in sharing with people how you feel ” .
“ As human beings we need intimacy , ” she said .
“ And if the coronavirus forces us onto our phones and emails then that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be - but we need to reach out to others and be there for each other .
”

“But I think physical distance from the actual funeral service could actually become quite normal for us moving forward. We’ve got to adjust to this new way of thinking and being. The world has changed, society has changed - and we need to realise that when something like the coronavirus hits the world, we need to change not just our everyday lives, but how we die as well.”


bbc--2020-03-17--US primary elections thrown into uncertainty

Ohio 's governor has ordered polling stations in the state to close as the Covid-19 pandemic disrupts vast swathes of American life .
The state was one of four due to hold Democratic primary votes on Tuesday .
However , Governor Mike DeWine has closed polls following a state supreme court decision allowing the vote to be postponed .
Other Democratic contests to choose a nominee to take on President Donald Trump have also been disrupted .
Mr DeWine made the decision to close in-person voting sites soon after Americans were warned by the White House to avoid groups of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another Republican governor , Larry Hogan of Maryland , said his state 's primary contest would be postponed from 28 April to 2 June .
Millions of people are sheltering in their homes as the Covid-19 transmission rate grows .
The outbreak has interrupted the primary contest season in the US as Democrats hold state-by-state votes to pick a candidate who will challenge Mr Trump in November .
It is now a two-man race between Vice-President Joe Biden and Senator Bernie Sanders .
Four states had been scheduled to vote on Tuesday - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - but now only the first three will go forward as planned .
Georgia , Louisiana and Kentucky have already postponed their contests due to the outbreak .
Wyoming has suspended in-person voting .
The Democratic primary season has crashed headlong into the growing coronavirus pandemic .
This was supposed to be a day of reckoning for Bernie Sanders , when Joe Biden posted dominating wins in a handful of major states - Florida , Ohio , Illinois and Arizona - and effectively secured the Democratic presidential nomination .
It may still end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mike DeWine 's decision to postpone his state 's primary has changed the equation .
The biggest story out of the day may be how the routines of American democracy - in-person ballot-casting , elderly polling-place volunteers and the occasional crowded rooms and long queues - can exist in a time of contagion .
The other states - including those , like Florida , with older populations - have decided to go ahead with their balloting as best they can .
It remains to be seen what turnout will look like and if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidential election looming , however , the challenges and issues being raised now - for example , when and whether a political leader can order voting postponed for public health reasons - could be just a taste of things to come .
The stakes will be even higher in November .
Mr Trump has said the nationwide coronavirus emergency could last until the end of the summer or even longer .
The White House on Monday advised Americans not gather in groups of more than 10 for the next 15 days , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ courts , gyms and crowds .
The country is facing `` an invisible enemy '' that is `` so contagious , '' Mr Trump said .
The US has so far had nearly 6,000 confirmed cases of Covid-19 and about 100 deaths .
There have been nearly 200,000 cases globally and approaching 8,000 deaths , according to a tally from Johns Hopkins University .
How are US states responding ?
At least 40 US states have declared an emergency over the virus , and 29 states are shutting schools .
Millions of Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ centres around the country - including Times Square in New York - are drastically less crowded .
On Monday , officials in the San Francisco Bay area issued a sweeping shelter-in-place order affecting nearly seven million people .
San Francisco is placing itself on lockdown for three weeks from midnight on Tuesday .
The California city will legally ban residents from venturing out of their homes except to meet basic needs including buying groceries or medicine .
New York , New Jersey and Connecticut announced a tri-state approach to closures , with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , casinos and gyms from Monday night for `` as long as necessary '' .
Pennsylvania , the District of Columbia , Ohio , California , Illinois , Michigan , Massachusetts and Washington state have also advised residents to avoid bars and restaurants .
For the first time in over a century , the US Supreme Court postponed oral arguments .
A Kentucky coronavirus patient has meanwhile been placed under police guard after refusing to quarantine himself .
A local judge declared a state of emergency in order to force a `` self-isolation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A Texas person was charged with making a `` false report '' after posting on social media over the weekend that they had tested positive for the virus .
CNN reports that Mr Trump 's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida is closed for deep cleaning after several individuals who visited the golf club tested positive for coronavirus .
• EASY STEPS : How to keep safe • A SIMPLE GUIDE : What are the symptoms ?
• TRAVEL PLANS : What are your rights ?

It may still end up that way, but Ohio governor Mike DeWine's decision to postpone his state's primary has changed the equation. The biggest story out of the day may be how the routines of American democracy - in-person ballot-casting, elderly polling-place volunteers and the occasional crowded rooms and long queues - can exist in a time of contagion.


bbc--2020-03-17--Coronavirus: European Union seals borders to most outsiders

The European Union will ban travellers from outside the bloc for 30 days in an unprecedented move to seal its borders amid the coronavirus crisis .
The measure is expected to apply to 26 EU states as well as Iceland , Liechtenstein , Norway and Switzerland .
UK citizens will be unaffected .
The ban came as deaths continued to soar in Italy and Spain , and France began a strict lockdown .
Europe has been badly hit by the virus , which has killed 7,500 globally .
Meanwhile , the Euro 2020 football competition has been postponed by a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 185,000 people worldwide , according to the World Health Organization .
What are the EU measures ?
The travel ban will affect all non-EU nationals from visiting the bloc , except long-term residents , family members of EU nationals and diplomats , cross-border and healthcare workers , and people transporting goods .
Free travel is a cherished principle within the European border-free Schengen area .
But in recent days many countries have unilaterally imposed full or partial border shutdowns in a bid to stop the spread of the coronavirus .
This prompted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ act in a more unified fashion and restrict entry to the union as a whole , at the urging of French President Emmanuel Macron .
The measures were agreed in a video-summit between EU leaders on Tuesday afternoon and will now have to be implemented by member states .
`` They said they will immediately do that , '' said EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen at a press conference .
`` This is good , so that we have a unanimous and united approach [ where ] the external borders are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republic of Ireland - which is part of the EU but not Schengen - will be invited to join the measure .
It was also crucial that the EU `` unblocks the situation '' with regards to closed internal borders , Mrs Von der Leyen said , because `` too many people are stranded '' .
• EASY STEPS : How to keep safe • A SIMPLE GUIDE : What are the symptoms ?
• NEW MEASURES : What is the UK advice ?
• TRAVEL PLANS : What are your rights ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
In France , citizens who leave home must now carry a document detailing the reasons why , with fines for transgressors to be set at €135 ( $ 150 ; £123 ) .
It comes after President Macron put the country on a war-footing , ordering the population to stay at home and only go out for essential trips .
The number of confirmed cases in France grew by more than 16 % on Tuesday , reaching 7,730 , The death toll rose to 175 , with 7 % of the dead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people are being treated in hospital , including 699 in intensive care .
In Britain , where the death toll is 71 , people have been told to avoid social contact , work from home if they can and avoid all non-essential foreign travel .
The chancellor , Rishi Sunak , has unveiled a financial package worth £330bn ( $ 400bn ) to ease the burden caused by the virus , after Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday urged people to avoid pubs , clubs and cafes .
Meanwhile , the government 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a `` good outcome '' if 20,000 or fewer people died of the virus in the UK .
The latest set of Brexit talks has also been delayed .
The number of confirmed cases in Spain has soared by 2,000 to 11,178 .
Authorities there are maintaining a partial lockdown on 47 million people .
It is now the European country worst-affected after Italy .
At midnight Spain began stopping cars crossing its borders from France and Portugal .
Only Spanish nationals , residents and cross-border workers were being allowed to the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most cases outside China at more than 31,500 , announced another surge in deaths on Tuesday , from 2,150 to 2,503 .
The country remains in lockdown .
The government meanwhile is set to renationalise flag carrier airline Alitalia with a rescue package worth $ 670m ( £550m ) .
Germany , which has had more than 6,000 cases and 13 deaths , banned religious services and told people to cancel any domestic or foreign holiday travel .
Venues including clubs , bars , leisure facilities , zoos and playgrounds will be closed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could have 15,000 cases of coronavirus before the end of March , saidPM Leo Varadkar .
In a St Patrick 's Day address , he warned of `` significant and lasting '' economic damage , and said the emergency could last into the summer .
The government has already closed pubs , schools and universities .
• Belgium 's death toll doubled from five to 10 on on Tuesday • Sweden is to close all high schools and universities from Wednesday • Orthodox priests in Georgia have started blessing the streets of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the latest elsewhere ?
Iran remains the world 's third-worst-affected nation , after China and Italy .
More than 16,000 people are confirmed as infected and 988 have died , although some analysts believe the figures are far higher than officially reported .
A spokesman for the judiciary said on Tuesday that 85,000 prisoners , including political prisoners , had been temporarily released to try to combat the spread .
Gholamhossein Esmaili did not say when or how those freed would be returned to prison , but stressed that only prisoners serving five @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Most shops and restaurants remain open but the health ministry has urged people to stay at home .
In the US , the White House is working on a economic stimulus package reported to be worth some $ 850bn , with Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin saying the administration was `` looking at sending cheques to Americans immediately '' .
The total number of cases has risen to above 4,200 , with 75 deaths , said the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
Most cases are in the states of New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) and California ( 369 ) , The pandemic has disrupted the Democratic primary election season .
• China reported just one new domestic infection on Tuesday - but 20 more from people arriving from abroad .
It also said it `` strongly opposed '' Mr Trump 's reference in a tweet to the `` Chinese virus '' • The Philippines became the first nation to shut its stock exchange indefinitely • Malaysia is barring people crossing the border with Singapore from Wednesday , sparking a rush on food stores in the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supplies • Scientists in Australia say they have identified how the body 's immune system fights the Covid-19 virus Have you been affected by the coronavirus ?
Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay @ bbc.co.uk .
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist .
You can also contact us in the following ways : • Please read our terms & conditions and privacy policy

Ireland could have 15,000 cases of coronavirus before the end of March, said PM Leo Varadkar. In a St Patrick's Day address, he warned of "significant and lasting" economic damage, and said the emergency could last into the summer. The government has already closed pubs, schools and universities.


bbc--2020-03-17--Coronavirus: How are lockdowns and other measures being enforced?

The coronavirus pandemic is prompting unprecedented measures around the world .
From Spain to the US , governments are taking action to try to reduce the spread of the virus .
As well as limiting international travel , some countries are also trying to restrict movement within their own borders and stopping people mixing in public .
Health policy and human rights experts warn countries face a difficult balance between protecting public health and infringing on personal freedoms .
So how are countries enforcing measures including quarantine and lockdown .
• Read more on measures being put in place For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ started , bore the brunt of its spread .
There was widespread criticism of how it handled the virus in the beginning , with some accusing Beijing of playing down the severity of the outbreak .
As the situation deteriorated , a strict lockdown was first implemented in Wuhan , the outbreak 's epicentre and one of the country 's biggest cities .
Transport was shut down in measures then rolled out elsewhere , impacting tens of millions of people .
What do I need to know about the coronavirus ?
• EASY @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • A SIMPLE GUIDE : What are the symptoms ?
• CONTAINMENT : What it means to self-isolate • UK LATEST : What is the 'delay ' phase ?
• MAPS AND CHARTS : Visual guide to the outbreak At least two citizen journalists , who tried to share information about the outbreak online , were reported missing .
Temperature checks were rolled out in the streets and some reported guards at entrances to residence buildings to keep people inside .
China was accused of using its system of mass surveillance to help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
As the situation has eased , there are signs life in China is slowly returning to normal in places .
But some groups , like Human Rights Watch , have been critical of the World Health Organization 's ( WHO ) response to Beijing 's handling of the outbreak - saying praise risks legitimising their curtailment of human rights and censorship .
After a rapid deterioration in recent weeks , Italy is now the second-worst hit country after China .
There has been a gradual squeezing of public life to try to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first implemented in the north , before being rolled out nationally .
The government has asked the 60-million population to stay at home where possible .
Residents can only set foot outside due to an urgent need , like buying necessities , and they are expected to carry a form justifying the reason for travel .
Those in violation face the threat of a €206 ( £179 ; $ 235 ) fine for breaking the rules or even three months in prison .
• 'Italy lockdown cut me off from my husband' People @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of public life .
All non-essential locations have been closed down and people have been told to only leave their homes when necessary .
Spain 's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez declared a public emergency , for only the second time in recent history , telling Spaniards they faced `` very difficult weeks '' of sacrifices ahead .
There have been reports of security officials and the military deployed to monitor and discourage public gatherings .
The armed forces are also stepping in to protect and house the country 's homeless population , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threatened tough punishment in order to stem the spread .
France has said it would issue fines of up to €135 ( £123 ) .
On Monday , French Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said 100,000 police officers were being deployed to enforce stringent new measures to limit social contact .
President Emmanuel Macron earlier ordered people to stay at home and only go out for essential duties .
Mr Macron said : `` We are at war ... we 're fighting neither another army nor our own nation .
But the enemy is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is advancing . ''
Saudi Arabia has announced fines of up to $ 133,000 ( £110,000 ) for people failing to declare correct health-related information and travel details as they enter the country .
Some nations have put bans on arrivals altogether , closing-off their land and air borders .
Others have imposed mandatory 14-day quarantine periods for people flying in , including orders to self-isolate in private accommodation such as hotels .
Anyone not complying with new isolation rules in Australia will face the threat of heavy fines and even jail time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ punishment is in Western Australia , where those in violation could face handing over up to A $ 50,000 ( £25,000 ) .
New Zealand 's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has warned that travellers who fail to adhere to their self-isolation rules could face fines and being kicked out altogether .
`` If you come here and have no intention of following our requests to self-isolate , frankly you are not welcome and out should leave before you are deported , '' she said .
In the United States , officials from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CDC ) have the authority to prevent the entry and spread of communicable diseases from abroad and between states .
This was notably enforced when Americans flown home from Wuhan were subject to mandatory quarantine on a Californian military base on their return .
The CDC points out that state , local and tribal officials also have police power functions to protect the health and wellbeing of citizens within their own borders .
Some states have already implemented additional restrictions on public life , including banning gatherings of more than 50 people .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ has become an issue .
In Kentucky one resident who refused to self-isolate had a police officer stationed outside his home to keep him inside , according to local reports .

New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has warned that travellers who fail to adhere to their self-isolation rules could face fines and being kicked out altogether. "If you come here and have no intention of following our requests to self-isolate, frankly you are not welcome and out should leave before you are deported," she said.


bbc--2020-03-17--Is Latin America prepared to fight coronavirus?

The number of coronavirus cases in Latin America has not reached European proportions yet but judging by decisions taken in the last few days , governments here are not taking any chances .
Venezuela ’ s President Nicolás Maduro announced that the whole country , already suffering from years of economic and political turmoil , would be under quarantine from Tuesday after the number of cases there rose from 16 to 33 in one day .
“ We 're facing a serious pandemic , ” he told the nation in a televised address .
“ If we don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off and control it , it could bring us down.
” He was not alone in declaring drastic restrictions .
Peru had already declared a national emergency , closed its borders and told everybody to self-quarantine for 14 days while Chile said it would close its borders after cases more than doubled there to 155 .
Most of the region is introducing strict measures on movement and schools , shops and flights are shutting down .
Yet coronavirus has only just arrived here - so have countries learned lessons from Europe ?
Or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The sharing of information on coronavirus is a fundamental response to the international crisis but there are differences , ” says Prof Deisy Ventura of São Paulo University ’ s Public Health School .
Brazil , with a population of just over 200 million , is the country with the highest number of confirmed cases in the region , 234 .
It has not shut its borders but in cities like Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo , schools and universities have been told to close and public events have been called off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are the symptoms ?
• HEALTH MYTHS : The fake advice you should ignore • MAPS AND CHARTS : Visual guide to the outbreak “ There is a limit to what we can learn in a continental country that also has important inequalities , ” says Dr Ventura .
“ So , as much as we try to learn , it ’ s unpredictable how this disease will spread.
” Some experts , though , are upbeat .
They point to warmer weather during the southern hemisphere ’ s summer as preventing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Latin America has a young population that can ride out the virus better - the median age in Brazil , for example , is just under 30 ; in Colombia , 27.4 .
Compare that with Italy , the European country worst hit by the coronavirus outbreak , at 44 .
Cross-contamination , too , is less of a concern , according to Prof Manuel Elkin Patarroyo , a Colombian immunology expert .
“ In Latin America , despite the fact there are large cities like Mexico City and São Paulo , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Europe so the possibility of transmission is smaller , ” he says .
But some warn against complacency in such a large and varied region .
“ We need to be prepared for a worst-case scenario , ” says Dr Jarbas Barbosa , Assistant Director of the Pan American Health Organization ( Paho ) .
“ We can not take any kind of benefits from the climate or from the demographic profile we have .
We need to look at what ’ s happening in the countries , assess the weaknesses , assess @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Not all leading by example While Latin American leaders seem to be on top of implementation to stem the rise , not all are leading by example .
Brazil ’ s President Jair Bolsonaro , leader of the region ’ s largest economy , has dismissed precautions against coronavirus as “ hysteria '' and “ fantasy '' .
This even after several members of his team tested positive for coronavirus after travelling to the US to meet President Donald Trump .
Mr Bolsonaro himself is expected to take another precautionary test for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ results showed up as negative .
But he came out of reported self-isolation on Sunday to mingle with thousands of fans who had come to march in protest at Brazil ’ s Congress and judiciary .
Coming in for a great deal of criticism because even his health ministry warned about attending large gatherings , he certainly took a very different approach to his neighbours in the region .
“ The president responded terribly at the weekend , he committed serious acts that went against the national interest and could have very negative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says Dr Ventura .
“ This is a president whose task is essentially to make ideological propaganda.
” Scenes of crowded beaches , bars and restaurants across Brazil on the weekend were also a source of concern for many .
But the country ’ s official response to the outbreak is considered to be in safe hands .
“ The technical area of the government is working well , despite the president , ” says Dr Ventura , pointing to the critical mass of highly-qualified health workers who are leading the way .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the most important point is that the health ministry continues to lead the response.
” The problem , Prof Ventura says , lies in the political nature of responses .
President Maduro of Venezuela reacted in such a way in his Monday night speech , warning that other leaders had not taken the issue seriously enough and announced a nationwide quarantine - a drastic step that some countries have been reluctant to take .
“ Countries need to adopt the measures that relate to their current stage of transmission , ” says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ If they start too early , those measures will last a long time and will have a social and economic impact , ” such as shortages of medical supplies .
And that , for Venezuela ’ s already ailing health system , is a risk .
“ Nobody ’ s capable of completely containing the virus , but in the best of cases , you can stop it spreading quickly and allow the health systems to respond better , ” says Dr Jaime Torres , the head of infectology at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ University of Caracas .
“ The response depends on the strength of a country ’ s health system and as such , a weakened health system , with a lack of human resources , materials and infrastructure will find it much harder to cope.
” While the state of underfunded and overcrowded hospitals is a worry across the region during a pandemic like this , Venezuela ’ s hospitals are on their knees and that will dictate the country ’ s ultimate success in tackling the virus .
Latin America is watching - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tough approach was the right one .

But he came out of reported self-isolation on Sunday to mingle with thousands of fans who had come to march in protest at Brazil’s Congress and judiciary. Coming in for a great deal of criticism because even his health ministry warned about attending large gatherings, he certainly took a very different approach to his neighbours in the region.


bbc--2020-03-17--Coronavirus: A visual guide to the pandemic

Coronavirus has spread to more than 150 countries and claimed more than 7,000 lives .
There are now more cases around the world than there are inside China , where the virus originated .
Italy , so far , has the highest number of confirmed infections outside China .
This series of maps and charts will help you understand what is going on .
A rise in the number of daily confirmed cases internationally has led the World Health Organization ( WHO ) to declare its spread a global pandemic .
This is when an infectious disease is passing easily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the world at the same time .
More than 81,000 people in China have been diagnosed with coronavirus since its emergence in the city of Wuhan , Hubei province , in December .
But there are more than 100,000 confirmed cases outside China , according to the latest figures from John Hopkins University .
However , the actual number of people with coronavirus internationally is thought to be a much higher number - as many of those with mild symptoms have not been tested and counted .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : How to protect your mental health After China , Italy has the highest number of confirmed cases , with almost 28,000. WHO director Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus , has said Europe is now at the centre of the global outbreak .
Iran and South Korea also have significant outbreaks , with more than 14,000 and 9,000 known cases respectively .
In response to the virus 's spread , countries around the world are ramping up measures to try to slow it down .
Governments have halted flights from virus-hit nations , locked down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home , and suspended major sporting and social events .
US President Donald Trump has declared a national emergency , freeing up to $ 50bn ( £40bn ) in relief funds .
He has also announced travel restrictions on European countries .
The measures - originally only applying to non-Americans travelling from countries which are members of the Schengen border-free travel area - have been extended to include the UK and Ireland from Tuesday .
The restrictions are in addition to those applying to China and Iran .
A number of international conferences @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or postponed , including Six Nations rugby matches , Euro 2020 and the Copa America .
2 .
Italy has the most recorded cases outside China Italy currently has the most confirmed cases outside China , having overtaken both South Korea and Iran .
It has almost 28,000 confirmed cases and a death toll of about 2,000 .
Italian authorities have imposed stringent restrictions , closing nearly all shops , bars , hairdressers , restaurants and cafes until 25 March .
Schools , gyms , museums , nightclubs and other venues have also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ordered to stay home and seek permission for essential travel .
A number of airlines , including British Airways , EasyJet and Ryanair , have cancelled Italy flights until the start of April .
3 .
Numbers across Europe are also rising European countries have seen steep rises in infections and deaths , and the region has become the new epicentre of the crisis .
As well as Italy , Spain , France and Germany now have thousands of confirmed cases each .
Germany 's Chancellor Angela Merkel has warned that up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 58 million people - could contract coronavirus .
However , some German virologists dispute the high figure , suggesting a worst-case scenario of 40,000 cases .
In Spain , a state of emergency came into force on Saturday , with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez warning that the number of confirmed cases in the country could top 10,000 next week .
In the UK confirmed cases stand at more than 1,900 .
On Monday Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a shift in strategy , urging everyone in the UK to avoid unnecessary social contact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and stay away from pubs and restaurants .
• UK outbreak in maps and charts : How many cases are in your area.
?
4 .
China still has the most cases The number of overall coronavirus cases in China has been rising since January , but has been levelling off over the last couple of weeks .
The country still has the highest number of confirmed cases of any country and accounts for about 81,000 of the 173,000 global cases .
Government and regional officials have imposed tight restrictions in a bid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , closing schools and workplaces and ordering some cities to go into lockdown .
The origins of the coronavirus have been linked to illegally traded wildlife at the seafood market in Wuhan , capital of Hubei province , where the outbreak began .
The exact source has not yet been identified .

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


bbc--2020-03-18--Coronavirus hits all 50 US states as death toll rises

The deadly coronavirus has now hit all 50 states in the US as West Virginia reported its first case of the infection on Tuesday .
Announcing West Virginia 's first Covid-19 patient , Governor Jim Justice said : `` We knew this was coming . ''
New York City said it was considering a lockdown similar to one in the San Francisco Bay area .
There have so far been 108 deaths in the US from coronavirus and more than 6,300 confirmed cases nationwide .
Globally , there are about 200,000 cases and nearly 8,000 people have died .
• @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ahead ?
• Why US testing failed - and can it catch up now ?
As the Trump administration seeks a $ 1tn economic stimulus package , US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin reportedly warned Republican senators privately on Tuesday evening that if Congress failed to act , US unemployment could hit 20 % - almost double the jobless rate during the Great Recession after the 2008 financial crisis .
What is New York City considering ?
Mayor Bill de Blasio said he would decide within two days whether to order the city 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place '' .
Such a move could largely confine people to their homes , while allowing them to make necessary trips to buy groceries or medicine , walk a dog or exercise as long as they avoid public interaction .
`` It 's a very , very difficult decision , '' Mr de Blasio said .
`` We 've never been here before .
I have never heard of anything like this in the history of New York City . ''
Officials in the San Francisco Bay area have already ordered 6.7 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the most crucial outings until 7 April .
• EASY STEPS : How to keep safe • A SIMPLE GUIDE : What are the symptoms ?
• GETTING READY : How prepared is the UK ?
• TRAVEL PLANS : What are your rights ?
• TOUCHING STUFF : How long does it last on surfaces ?
What role might the US military play ?
US Vice-President Mike Pence said the White House may call on the US military to establish field hospitals in virus hot spots if requested by state governors .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Tuesday that the Army Corps of Engineers could be asked to set up field hospitals , known as Mash ( mobile army surgical hospital ) units , or help expand existing hospitals .
Pentagon chief Mark Esper said the US military would make available five million respirator masks and up to 2,000 ventilators to the US health department .
He said the military would also open its 14 certified coronavirus labs to test non-military personnel .
• Why US could be more at risk from coronavirus What are the other latest US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 11 other states in closing bars and restaurants in one of the most subdued St Patrick 's Day celebrations the US has marked in peacetime .
Organisers of the Kentucky Derby - America 's longest continuously held sports event - postponed the horse race until September .
It was the latest rite of spring to fall from the calendar because of the coronavirus , along with the Masters golf tournament , the March Madness basketball extravaganza and baseball season .
The country 's largest enclosed shopping centre , the Mall of America in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the end of the month .
Los Angeles County sheriff 's deputies were ordered to make fewer arrests to avoid jail crowding where the virus could spread .
Twenty-two people were infected with the respiratory illness at a nursing home in suburban Chicago .
Meanwhile , the US and Canada are reportedly finalising an agreement to suspend non-essential travel between the two countries and are expected to issue a statement in the coming days .
President Donald Trump - who is seeking re-election in November - told a press briefing on Tuesday afternoon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the table .
`` You can do a national lockdown , '' Mr Trump said .
`` Hopefully , we 're not going to need that .
It 's a very big step . ''
He also defended his tweet on Monday calling the infection the `` Chinese virus '' , which his critics said was racist .
`` It did come from China , '' he told reporters .
Mr Trump also said on Tuesday of the outbreak : `` I 've felt that it was a pandemic long before it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month he struck a more optimistic tone , saying the US coronavirus outbreak `` within a couple of days is going to be down to close to zero '' .

"It's a very, very difficult decision," Mr de Blasio said. "We've never been here before. I have never heard of anything like this in the history of New York City."


bbc--2020-03-18--US election 2020: Rampant Biden crushes Sanders in hat-trick

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden has steamrolled rival Bernie Sanders in primary elections in Florida , Illinois and Arizona .
Accelerating his momentum in the race , the former US vice-president made a clean sweep in all three states .
With his hat-trick , Mr Biden took another big stride towards becoming the Democratic candidate who will face President Donald Trump in November .
What are the results so far ?
With most Florida precincts reporting , Mr Biden led Mr Sanders by nearly 62 % to about 23 % , according to the Associated Press news agency .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Biden led the Vermont senator by 59 % to 36 % .
According to partial results from Arizona , Mr Biden had a double-digit lead on Mr Sanders .
In that south-western state , Mr Biden led among white voters by 51 % to 32 % .
Hispanic voters were more equally divided between Mr Biden ( 45 % ) and Mr Sanders ( 44 % ) .
Florida was the biggest prize of the night , awarding 219 of the 1,991 delegates needed to secure the Democratic presidential nomination .
Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1.2 percentage points in the 2016 presidential election .
• Will Joe Biden 's record come back to haunt him ?
On the eve of Tuesday 's vote , Mr Biden was hoping to build on his victories in 16 of the last 21 state contests .
The former US vice-president 's triumph last month in South Carolina - his first ever primary win over three campaigns for president - resuscitated his faltering campaign .
What issues mattered to voters on Tuesday ?
According to opinion polling , most voters said electability was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in four Florida voters said Mr Biden would have a better chance of beating Mr Trump , a Republican .
Just one in five said the same of Mr Sanders .
Older voters were more likely to say they supported Mr Biden .
Nearly half of Florida 's voters said Mr Sanders ' stances were too liberal .
How did the two candidates react ?
In a webcam speech from his home in Wilmington , Delaware , to comply with US anti-coronavirus advice against public gatherings , Mr Biden appealed to Mr Sanders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Let me say , especially to the young voters who have been inspired by Senator Sanders , I hear you , I know what 's at stake , I know what we have to do . ''
But he focused largely on the outbreak sweeping the US , striking a unifying tone as he said : `` The coronavirus does n't care if you 're a Democrat or a Republican ... we 're all in this together . ''
Mr Sanders hosted an online address from Washington DC , but he did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of his campaign .
He instead talked about the coronavirus crisis , outlining proposals to address the pandemic , which he said would cost some $ 2tn .
• How much does Sanders want to spend ?
Democrats in three states have just cemented the presidential nomination for Joe Biden .
Bernie Sanders was soundly defeated in Illinois and Arizona and routed in Florida , where in one county he finished third behind Michael Bloomberg , who dropped out weeks ago .
He will fall even further behind in the national convention delegate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be heading towards suspended animation , with multiple states delaying their contests until June .
Mr Sanders should have a long think about how long he wants to stay in this fight , even if he does have more than enough financial resources to carry on .
He is going to face growing calls from Democrats to gracefully bow out - something he did not do until the eve of the convention four years ago , much to the consternation of many Hillary Clinton supporters .
The bottom line for Mr Sanders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the movement he created .
Will staying in the race give him a continuing platform to talk about his issues and buy him time for a potential comeback ?
Or will hanging around only increase the chances that he is relegated to an electoral afterthought ?
Also on Tuesday night , the US president officially clinched the Republican party nomination with a win in the Illinois primary .
His victory had been a foregone conclusion in a contest where he has faced only nominal opposition from a former Massachusetts Governor , Bill Weld @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the 1,276-delegate threshold required to become the party 's standard-bearer .
Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel congratulated the president on Twitter for `` officially becoming the presumptive Republican nominee '' .
How else is the coronavirus affecting election season ?
Ohio was also due to hold a primary on Tuesday , but it cancelled the vote hours before polls were due to open , putting it off till June .
Voters in the three states that did head to polling stations on Tuesday encountered hand sanitiser dispensers and workers in surgical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their Democratic presidential primaries , including Georgia , Louisiana , Maryland and Kentucky .
The Democratic National Committee blasted Ohio for sowing `` chaos and confusion '' and urged remaining primary states not to follow suit .
But Puerto Rico , which is scheduled to hold the next Democratic primary on 29 March , is also planning to reschedule .
Party grandees are encouraging states and territories instead to extend postal and early voting to reduce public exposure to the virus .
On Tuesday , the US Secret Service said it would this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden .
His codename will be Celtic , the same as when he was vice-president .
Mr Biden requested the security detail after being repeatedly accosted by protesters on the campaign trail .
Two protesters rushed a stage in Los Angeles earlier this month and came within a stride of the candidate as he gave a victory speech .
Mr Sanders has not made a request for Secret Service protection .
• WHO IS HE ?
Third White House run for 'Middle Class Joe Biden' • ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL : Watch Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ HE STANDS : Against other Democrats like Obama • HIS RIVALS : Choose your candidate and filter by category

He is going to face growing calls from Democrats to gracefully bow out - something he did not do until the eve of the convention four years ago, much to the consternation of many Hillary Clinton supporters.


bbc--2020-03-18--Coronavirus: UK stocks fall despite stimulus plans

UK stocks have fallen as major UK and US stimulus plans failed to quell worries about the coronavirus pandemic .
The FTSE 100 index of top UK companies fell more than 4.7 % in early trading , with aerospace firms , travel companies and housing firms leading the declines .
It came after Wall Street 's main indexes rebounded by more than 5 % on Tuesday following Monday 's steep falls .
In the US , the Trump administration outlined a $ 1 trillion ( £830bn ) package to support the world 's biggest economy .
And on Tuesday UK @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for UK firms , including £330bn of business loans .
It includes £20bn in other aid , a business rates holiday , and grants for retailers and pubs .
Help for airlines is also being considered .
Mr Sunak told a news conference that it was an `` economic emergency .
Never in peacetime have we faced an economic fight like this one . ''
However , stimulus measures taken globally failed to buoy up Asian stocks .
Japan 's benchmark Nikkei 225 ended down by 1.7 % , the Hang Seng in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China 's Shanghai Composite closed 1.8 % lower .
US stock market futures were also indicating a weaker open for Wall Street .
Earlier US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said he supports sending money directly to Americans as part of a $ 1tn stimulus aimed at averting an economic crisis caused by the coronavirus .
`` We 're looking at sending cheques to Americans immediately , '' he said .
The $ 250bn in cheques are part of a huge aid package which the White House is discussing with Congress .
A $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the entire UK budget - would be larger than the US response to the 2008 financial crisis , amounting to nearly a quarter of what the US federal government spent last year .
• US plans to pay Americans as part of $ 1tn stimulus In Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is reportedly forming a panel of key economic ministers and Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda to discuss measures to prop up an economy hit by the fallout from the coronavirus epidemic .
The move would put Japan in line with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ combat the impact of the coronavirus that has pushed economies around the world towards recession .
Big shifts in the stock market are often in the news , whether they are booms or falls owing to coronavirus or the financial crisis .
As companies grow , they issue shares .
The largest companies in the UK have shares which are bought and sold on the London Stock Exchange .
Their collective performance is often quoted amid a blizzard of numbers that may feel confusing and irrelevant .
Rarely does anyone mention during a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has dropped well below 7,000 points .
But there are good reasons why this performance affects your life and finances .
Many people 's initial reaction to `` the markets '' is that they are not directly affected , because they do not invest money .
Yet there are millions of people with a pension - either private or through work - who will see their savings ( in what is known as a defined contribution pension ) invested by pension schemes .
The value of their savings pot is influenced by the @ @ @ @ @

"Idiosyncratic factors such as the UK's monetary and fiscal response or Brexit are beside the point: this is about the US dollar, which is proving unstoppable as global financial markets stare into the abyss of crisis-like conditions," he said.


bbc--2020-03-18--Coronavirus: Asian nations face virus battle amid WHO warning

Many Asian nations are facing an increasing battle to stem the spread of coronavirus , amid a World Health Organization warning that some needed to take `` aggressive measures '' .
Malaysia , Sri Lanka and the Philippines are among nations imposing strict border controls .
Cases in the South Asian subcontinent are still below 500 but there are fears a spike could overwhelm health systems .
There are 185,000 cases globally , with 7,500 confirmed deaths .
Some nations and territories that had seen success in controlling the virus or slowing its arrival , including South Korea , Hong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spikes , amid fears people returning from abroad are importing the virus .
• EASY STEPS : How to keep safe • A SIMPLE GUIDE : What are the symptoms ?
• NEW MEASURES : What is the UK advice ?
• TRAVEL PLANS : What are your rights ?
Asian stocks have continued to fall as worries about the coronavirus pandemic eclipsed hopes that major stimulus plans would ease the impact of the outbreak .
What was the WHO warning ?
It was issued for the organisation 's South East Asia region @ @ @ @ @ @ @ widely , including Indonesia , Sri Lanka , Thailand , Bangladesh and North Korea .
Poonam Khetrapal Singh , regional director of the WHO South East Asia region , said on Tuesday that `` more clusters of virus transmission are being confirmed '' .
`` We need to immediately scale up all efforts to prevent the virus from infecting more people , '' Dr Khetrapal Singh said .
`` We clearly need to do more , and urgently . ''
The WHO said the numbers in its South East Asia region showed that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community transmission of Covid-19 '' .
It called for continued efforts to `` detect , test , treat , isolate and trace contacts '' .
Dr Khetrapal Singh said `` practising social distancing [ could ] not be emphasised enough ... this alone has the potential to substantially reduce transmission '' .
`` We need to act now , '' she said .
Many regional countries inside and outside the WHO 's definition of South East Asia have had a slow response to the outbreak , only taking drastic measures in recent weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continue to grow .
Where are the infections increasing ?
Almost all nations are seeing increases , although the rates vary widely .
China still has the highest number of confirmed cases , with more than 80,000 , but its new infections are almost exclusively from people arriving from abroad and are very low .
South Korea has also been praised for its attempts to control the virus and its 8,413 cases have seen it fall below Germany to sixth in the running list of cases compiled by Johns Hopkins University .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing thousands of people and had seen a downward trend in new infections .
But there are now small clusters breaking out across the country , with 93 more cases in the past 24 hours .
Dozens of sick and elderly patients in a hospital in Daegu were infected .
Taiwan announced its largest single-day increase in new cases - 23 - bringing the total to 100 .
The trend was mirrored in Hong Kong - 14 cases in a single day is the highest in the territory , all but one brought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also announced its biggest daily rise , 55 more cases taking the total to 227 , with 19 deaths .
Pakistan 's cases have now risen to 245 , with the total of reported cases for the South Asian subcontinent reaching 482 .
Thailand reported 35 new cases on Wednesday , taking its total infections to 212 , officials said .
Four of the cases were linked to an entertainment venue and 13 to a boxing bout , both in Bangkok .
Malaysia has warned of a fresh spike in cases , saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' of breaking the chain of infections .
A mass Muslim gathering last month is linked to nearly two-thirds of its infections and thousands of attendees are yet to be tested .
Myanmar and Laos have both not reported any cases - though experts have seriously doubted the credibility of this .
A spokesperson for Myanmar 's government claimed that people 's `` lifestyle and diet '' had protected them from the virus .
But it has imposed restrictions on arrivals and the UK government is now advising against all but essential travel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases of the virus in Timor-Leste .
What are the nations doing ?
From Wednesday , Malaysia is preventing citizens from travelling overseas and visitors from entering until 31 March at least .
Many Malaysians who commute to work in Singapore had to queue to cross the border before the midnight deadline , and will have to stay there .
Streets in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur were largely empty and supermarket chains are enforcing limits on purchases of staples .
Thailand has closed schools , bars , cinemas and other entertainment centres @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases and 17 deaths , has imposed some of the toughest movement controls , effectively quarantining about half of its 107 million population .
But it reversed a decision to ban all international flights , and foreign nationals may now fly out , although arrivals will face strict quarantine protocols .
Taiwan will on Thursday ban foreigners from entering , apart from in some exceptional cases .
Everyone arriving , including Taiwanese , will have to go into quarantine for 14 days .
Japanese media report that visas issued to European travellers will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nations will have to self-quarantine .
Pakistan 's Prime Minister Imran Khan urged calm in a TV address , saying : `` There is no need to worry .
We will fight this as a nation .
And God-willing , we will win this war . ''
From the weekend , all air passengers arriving in Pakistan from abroad will need to show a certificate declaring them free of coronavirus .
Sri Lanka is banning all incoming flights for two weeks from Wednesday and will apply price controls on staple products .
India @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases , has shut nearly two dozen long distance train services .
Indonesia has unveiled an $ 8bn ( £6.6bn ) stimulus package to boost economic growth , including tax breaks , and police have ordered shops to ration purchases of staple foods amid reports of panic buying .
President Joko Widodo admitted recently that he had deliberately held back information about the spread of the virus to prevent panic .
A 57-year-old man in Japan who had threatened to `` scatter '' his disease after testing positive has reportedly died .

A spokesperson for Myanmar's government claimed that people's "lifestyle and diet" had protected them from the virus. But it has imposed restrictions on arrivals and the UK government is now advising against all but essential travel there.


bbc--2020-03-18--Coronavirus: Tokyo 2020 Olympic organisers respond to frustrated athletes

Olympic organisers have warned `` no solution will be ideal '' in preparing for Tokyo 2020 after being accused of putting athletes `` in danger '' .
The summer showpiece is scheduled to begin on 24 July despite the relentless cancellation of sporting events as a result of the coronavirus outbreak .
Olympic champion Katerina Stefanidi said the International Olympic Committee was `` risking our health '' .
Britain 's Katarina Johnson-Thompson said training had become `` impossible '' .
The International Olympic Committee ( IOC ) responded , stating : `` This is an exceptional situation which requires exceptional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finding a solution with the least negative impact for the athletes , while protecting the integrity of the competition and the athletes ' health .
`` No solution will be ideal in this situation , and this is why we are counting on the responsibility and solidarity of the athletes . ''
World heptathlon champion Johnson-Thompson , 27 , is returning to the UK from her training base in France as a result of the country being in lockdown .
Tokyo 2020 organisers have pledged to deliver a `` complete '' Games but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Olympic Committee ( IOC ) is confusing .
She said : `` The IOC advice 'encourages athletes to continue to prepare for the Olympics Games as best as they can ' with the Olympics only four months away but the government legislation is enforcing isolation at home , with tracks , gyms and public spaces closed .
`` I feel under pressure to train and keep the same routine , which is impossible .
`` I 'm in a very fortunate place given the circumstances .
I 'm healthy , well supported and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But at this moment it 's difficult to approach the season when everything has changed in the lead up apart from the ultimate deadline . ''
All club training sessions , events , competitions , club committee and face-to-face meetings , athlete camps , running groups and social events have been suspended across England , Scotland and Wales .
'Our health is at risk' Several athletes have joined Johnson-Thompson in pointing to confusion on how they should prepare .
Stefanidi , who won gold for Greece in pole vault at Rio 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about how things will be in four months .
This is about how things are now .
`` The IOC wants us to keep risking our health , our family 's health and public health to train every day ?
You are putting us in danger right now , today , not in four months . ''
Hayley Wickenheiser , a member of the IOC , has said the Olympic governing body 's decision to `` move ahead , with such conviction , is insensitive and irresponsible given the state of humanity .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ set to attend the Games have so far qualified .
On Tuesday , the IOC asked athletes to continue preparations `` as best they can '' .
Jessica Judd , who represented Britain over 5,000m at the 2019 world championships , tweeted : `` How on earth are we meant to carry on preparing best we can ?
`` Will someone share with me what races we can do to get times and whether trials will go ahead and when training can return to normal ? ''
Japan 's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as planned in July .
Events including the handover of the Olympic torch in Athens have faced disruption .
At the time of publishing this article on Wednesday ( 10:30 GMT ) , World Health Organization figures show more than 184,000 people globally have been infected by coronavirus , with more than 7,500 deaths .

Last updated on .From the section Olympics
Heptathlete Johnson-Thompson (left) and pole vault champion Stefanidi have expressed concerns
The International Olympic Committee says it has held "constructive" talks with athlete representatives about the coronavirus crisis.
President Thomas Bach admitted he was "confronted with many questions" over qualification and restrictions.
But he also insisted that "everybody realised that we still have more than four months to go" until Tokyo 2020.
The summer showpiece is still scheduled to begin on 24 July despite the cancellation of other sports events.
There has been mounting criticism from athletes, with the IOC accused of putting them "in danger" by insisting it remains fully committed to the Games.
Olympic champion Katerina Stefanidi said the IOC was "risking our health", while Britain's Katarina Johnson-Thompson said training had become "impossible".
Speaking in an in-house IOC interview, Bach said: "We have just had a really great call with 220 athlete representatives from all around the world, it was very constructive and gave us a lot of insight.
"We aimed to continue being very realistic in our analysis. We will keep acting in a responsible way that is in the interest of the athletes whilst always respecting our two principles - the safeguarding and health of the athletes and contributing to the containment of the virus, and secondly to protect the interest of the athletes and Olympic sport."
British four-time Olympic rowing gold medallist Matthew Pinsent criticised Bach's comments on Twitter, external-link accusing him of not properly listening to athletes' concerns and stating that postponing the Olympics is the best option for all concerned.
"I'm sorry Mr Bach but this is tone deaf. The instinct to keep safe is not compatible with athlete training, travel and focus that a looming Olympics demands of athletes, spectators and organisers," Pinsent wrote.
"Keep them safe. Call it off."
Earlier, in a statement, the IOC had warned "no solution will be ideal" in preparing for Tokyo 2020.
"This is an exceptional situation which requires exceptional solutions," it said.
"The IOC is committed to finding a solution with the least negative impact for the athletes, while protecting the integrity of the competition and the athletes' health.
"No solution will be ideal in this situation, and this is why we are counting on the responsibility and solidarity of the athletes."
KJT feels 'under pressure'
Johnson-Thompson shared this image with the caption "10 minutes left on these streets before France goes into complete lockdown"
World heptathlon champion Johnson-Thompson, 27, is returning to the UK from her training base in France as a result of the country being in lockdown.
Tokyo 2020 organisers have pledged to deliver a "complete" Games but Johnson-Thompson said current guidance from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is confusing.
She said: "The IOC advice 'encourages athletes to continue to prepare for the Olympic Games as best as they can' with the Olympics only four months away but the government legislation is enforcing isolation at home, with tracks, gyms and public spaces closed.
"I feel under pressure to train and keep the same routine, which is impossible.
"I'm in a very fortunate place given the circumstances. I'm healthy, well supported and I have already qualified for the Olympics. But at this moment it's difficult to approach the season when everything has changed in the lead up apart from the ultimate deadline."
All club training sessions, events, competitions, club committee and face-to-face meetings, athlete camps, running groups and social events have been suspended across England, Scotland and Wales.
'Our health is at risk'
Several athletes have joined Johnson-Thompson in pointing to confusion on how they should prepare.
British race walker Tom Bosworth told BBC Sport: "I don't think there is enough time to properly build towards a games, whether that is build athlete profiles, build the teams, allow people to qualify who haven't qualified and celebrate an Olympic Games in an Olympic year as it should be.
"I think for all involved, a slight delay is probably the best option."
Stefanidi, who won gold for Greece in pole vault at Rio 2016, said: "This is not about how things will be in four months. This is about how things are now.
"The IOC wants us to keep risking our health, our family's health and public health to train every day? You are putting us in danger right now, today, not in four months."
Hayley Wickenheiser, a member of the IOC, has said the Olympic governing body's decision to "move ahead, with such conviction, is insensitive and irresponsible given the state of humanity."
Spanish Olympic Committee (COE) president Alejandro Blanco has told Reuters he would prefer this year's Games be postponed. external-link
About 57% of the athletes set to attend the Games have so far qualified.
On Tuesday, the IOC asked athletes to continue preparations "as best they can".
Jessica Judd, who represented Britain over 5,000m at the 2019 World Championships, tweeted: "How on earth are we meant to carry on preparing best we can?
"Will someone share with me what races we can do to get times and whether trials will go ahead and when training can return to normal?"
Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has insisted the Games will go ahead as planned in July.
Events including the handover of the Olympic torch in Athens have faced disruption.


bbc--2020-03-18--Coronavirus: Violinists play Titanic hymn in front of empty toilet paper aisle

Two violinists dressed in lifejackets have put on a widely shared performance in a US supermarket , amid panic-buying over @ @ @ @ @ Duyke and Emer Kinsella performed the 19th Century hymn Nearer My God to Thee , @ @ @ @ @ use in the film Titanic , in a toilet paper aisle .
Video of the @ @ @ @ @ They tell the BBC they hope it may help people cope , and bring some @ @ @

Two violinists dressed in lifejackets have put on a widely shared performance in a US supermarket, amid panic-buying over the coronavirus.
Bonnie Von Duyke and Emer Kinsella performed the 19th Century hymn Nearer My God to Thee, known to many for its use in the film Titanic, in a toilet paper aisle. Video of the performance was posted online.
They tell the BBC they hope it may help people cope, and bring some light-hearted relief.
Produced and edited by Isabelle Rodd


bbc--2020-03-18--Facial recognition: Artists trying to fool cameras

A group of artists called the Dazzle Club paint their faces for monthly walks to protest against surveillance in London @ @ @ @ @ rolled out by the Metropolitan Police for the first time in early 2020 and have @ @ @ @ @ around the UK .
The Met said it would not comment on whether the make-up @ @ @ @ @ facial recognition technology was helping officers track down wanted suspects .
Due to the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ has been turned into a live stream of readings , songs and discussion .

A group of artists called the Dazzle Club paint their faces for monthly walks to protest against surveillance in London.
Facial recognition cameras were rolled out by the Metropolitan Police for the first time in early 2020 and have been trialled in other places around the UK.
The Met said it would not comment on whether the make-up technique works but said the facial recognition technology was helping officers track down wanted suspects.
Due to the coronavirus outbreak, March's walk has been turned into a live stream of readings, songs and discussion.
Video by Megan Fisher, additional filming by Tobias Chapple.


bbc--2020-03-18--Coronavirus: Facebook blames bug for incorrectly marked spam

Facebook has said that a software issue was responsible for posts on topics including coronavirus being wrongly marked as spam .
The social media giant 's head of safety said : `` This is a bug in an anti-spam system . ''
The statement was in response to widespread complaints from Facebook and Instagram users .
It came a day after the firm said contract workers who review content would be sent home due to the outbreak .
`` We 've restored all the posts that were incorrectly removed , which included posts on all topics - not just those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Facebook 's vice president for integrity , said on Twitter .
The post came after complaints from users that they received notifications saying articles from prominent news organisations , including the BBC , Axios and The Atlantic , had violated the company 's community guidelines .
The issue arose a day after Facebook announced that for public health reasons it was sending home all contract workers who perform content review services .
`` We believe the investments we 've made over the past three years have prepared us for this situation , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as it announced the move .
`` That said , there may be some limitations to this approach and we may see some longer response times and make more mistakes as a result , '' it added .
• Google staff to work at home due to coronavirus Separately , Facebook is giving $ 1,000 ( £825 ) bonuses to its employees to support them during the coronavirus pandemic .
Mark Zuckerberg , Facebook 's chief executive , made the announcement in an internal note on Tuesday .
The social media giant employs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with thousands more contract workers .
The firm is also offering $ 100m to help small businesses cope with the economic impact of the outbreak .
As well as the cash bonuses , employees will also get the highest performance review ratings , ensuring they receive their normal twice yearly bonuses .
For small businesses , Facebook has set aside $ 100m for 30,000 eligible firms across the 30-plus countries where Facebook operates .
These will be in the form of `` cash grants and ad credits to help during this challenging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We want to do more , '' said chief operating officer Sheryl Sandberg in a Facebook post .
`` Teams across our company are working every day to help businesses '' .
Along with other tech giants , including Google and Twitter , Facebook has asked staff to work from home .
This includes its Seattle office after the virus spread across the state of Washington .
In February , Facebook cancelled its F8 annual software developers conference and has pulled out of more events this month .

For small businesses, Facebook has set aside $100m for 30,000 eligible firms across the 30-plus countries where Facebook operates. These will be in the form of "cash grants and ad credits to help during this challenging time," it said.


bbc--2020-03-18--Coronavirus: Australia bans 'non-essential' gatherings of over 100 people

Australia has banned `` non-essential '' gatherings of more than 100 people in response to the coronavirus pandemic .
But he said schools , public transport and public squares would remain open , avoiding the kind of shutdown seen in some nations .
Australia has recorded over 450 positive tests and five deaths , with a sharp rise in cases in the past week .
However , the numbers remain lower than in Europe and North America .
• EASY STEPS : How to keep safe • A SIMPLE GUIDE : What are the symptoms ?
• GETTING READY : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • TRAVEL PLANS : What are your rights ?
Following a meeting of cabinet officials on Tuesday night , Mr Morrison said the government had declared a `` biosecurity emergency '' .
He described it as a `` one in a hundred-year event '' but urged the public to remain calm .
`` We have n't seen this sort of thing in Australia since the end of the First World War .
But together , we are up to this challenge , '' he said .
As part of the new restrictions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' places will still operate as normal .
However , other events such as religious gatherings of more than 100 people and concerts in small venues will be prohibited .
Mr Morrison said Australians should not travel abroad anywhere - the first time such advice had been given in the nation 's history .
`` The biggest risk we have had and the biggest incidents of cases we have had ... has been from Australians returning from overseas , '' he said .
On Sunday , Canberra ordered 14-day self-isolation for anyone arriving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been urged to return .
'Keep away from each other' The doubling of Australian case numbers in the past week has sparked public concern , increasing debate about whether schools and other places should shut .
Many office workers have also begun working from home as Australians practice social distancing measures .
• What are social distancing and self-isolation ?
While public health officials have encouraged this , they say they are not looking yet to implement more stringent lockdowns - predicting that the crisis could last about six months .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lock down society and make everyone stay home and then in a month 's time , undo that , because the virus will just flare up again without any real long-term benefit , '' Australia 's chief medical officer , Dr Brendan Murphy , told reporters .
Instead , he urged Australians to exercise caution in social interactions : `` Keep away from each other where possible . ''
Dr Murphy also said the recent escalation in cases was `` obviously concerning '' but noted they were `` largely still fuelled by imported @ @ @

"There is no way that we can lock down society and make everyone stay home and then in a month's time, undo that, because the virus will just flare up again without any real long-term benefit," Australia's chief medical officer, Dr Brendan Murphy, told reporters.


bbc--2020-03-18--Plan to protect UK military veterans from claims

The government is to present new legislation to protect military personnel and veterans from prosecution for alleged historical offences in conflicts overseas .
Veterans Minister Johnny Mercer says the bill will tackle what the government calls `` vexatious claims '' .
But human rights groups said the proposals would undermine international law .
Separate plans are being announced for troops who served in Northern Ireland .
The legislation , which will be introduced on Wednesday , proposes a five year limit on criminal prosecutions from the date of an incident - unless there is compelling new evidence - and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ involving personal injury or death .
The bill will also compel any future government to consider a derogation - effectively opting out - from the European Convention on Human Rights in any conflict overseas .
• New office to improve support for veterans • Major rethink in plan to deal with Troubles killings The Conservatives have previously promised to to end what they call `` vexatious claims '' against serving and former soldiers who they say have been hounded and repeatedly investigated for alleged war crimes such as unlawful killing and the abuse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says many claims have been made without foundation .
In their election manifesto , the party promised action on the issue within 100 days if it was re-elected .
But human rights groups have expressed anger , saying the legislation would place the military above the law and undermine existing international conventions .
Speaking in the Commons on Monday , Defence Secretary Ben Wallace confirmed the bill would `` deal with overseas operations '' only .
However , he said it would be accompanied by a statement from the Northern Ireland Office setting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Northern Ireland veterans .
`` They will be as equal , as similar , to the protections we 're going to look at overseas , '' he added .
The plans for Northern Ireland will see only cases where there is `` new compelling evidence and a realistic prospect of a prosecution '' move to a full-blown investigation .
And once a case has been considered there will be a legal bar on any future investigation , which the Northern Ireland Office said would `` end the cycle of reinvestigations '' .

The Conservatives have previously promised to end what they call "vexatious claims" against serving and former soldiers who they say have been hounded and repeatedly investigated for alleged war crimes such as unlawful killing and the abuse of detainees.


bbc--2020-03-18--Virus could shake up world's most expensive cities

Hong Kong , Singapore and Osaka have just been ranked as the world 's most expensive cities to live in .
But this may not be the case after the full impact of the coronavirus pandemic takes its toll .
Cities that get a large part of their income from tourism could become cheaper as their economies shrink and prices are driven down .
This is one of the predictions made by the Economist Intelligence Unit ( EIU ) , which tracks living costs globally .
Its Worldwide Cost of Living Survey for 2020 was compiled in November 2019 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It 's next survey could look very different .
`` Cities that rely on tourism should see some downward pressure on prices .
So Singapore and Hong Kong might not hold the top spot going forward .
We could see a different city on top , '' said Simon Baptist , the EIU 's chief economist .
The impact of the coronavirus has shaken the world economy , with the travel and tourism industries among the hardest hit .
Hong Kong and Singapore are two of the cities that could see a big @ @ @ @ @ @ @ activities , restaurants and accommodation plummets .
This weaker demand could drive down prices , making these cities cheaper for their inhabitants .
• The city that never sleeps put on lockdown The EIU report saw Osaka knock Paris out of its top three most expensive cities as a stronger yen made Japan 's third biggest city more costly to live in .
The researchers looked at more than 400 prices across 160 products and services .
These included cars and electronic goods , which have seen major supply disruptions in China .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ by China 's factory shutdowns during January and February , production is gradually recovering to pre-coronavirus levels .
This could result in cheaper cars as manufacturers and dealers have surplus stock .
`` Once demand starts to return , we would generally expect vehicle prices to be lower , rather than higher , as carmakers and dealers try to earn back some lost revenues .
In some countries or regions where auto is an important industry , subsidies will further help to lower prices , '' Ana Nicholls , industry director at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brands moving to those that have stronger supply chains and less disruption , she added .
The EIU also predicted that the cost of living in some cities may rise as measures to slow the spread of the virus increase businesses overheads .

The impact of the coronavirus has shaken the world economy, with the travel and tourism industries among the hardest hit. Hong Kong and Singapore are two of the cities that could see a big drop in revenue as demand for leisure activities, restaurants and accommodation plummets. This weaker demand could drive down prices, making these cities cheaper for their inhabitants.


bbc--2020-03-18--Leroy Brewer: South Africa hunt rhino poaching investigator's killers

South African police are hunting the gunmen who killed one of its top rhino poaching investigators in an ambush .
Lt Col Leroy Brewer 's killing was `` senseless '' and a `` huge loss '' , police chief Gen Khehla Sitole said .
He had `` always excelled in cracking complex cases , particularly related to rhino poaching '' , Gen Sithole added .
South Africa has seen a fall in poaching in recent years after stepping up efforts to protect the animals .
A total of 594 rhinos were killed for their horns in 2019 , compared with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , official statistics show .
• Africa Live : More updates from around the continent Rhino horns are in huge demand in Asian states such as China and Vietnam , where they are used in traditional medicines .
Most of the poaching takes place in the world-famous Kruger National Park , which borders Mozambique , according to campaign group Save the Rhino .
He investigated poaching syndicates in Kruger , as well as syndicates involved in ambushing armoured vehicles transporting cash from banks .
He was driving to work when he was shot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday .
He died on the spot .
Gen Sithole had ordered a `` multidisciplinary '' team of investigators `` not to rest until Col Brewer 's killers are brought to book '' , the police chief 's office said in a statement .
Local media reports say that Col Brewer played a key role in the 2018 arrest of two suspected rhino poaching kingpins , and had said in court that he had been assaulted by protesters demanding their release on bail .
His colleagues have described him as a lover of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who was dedicated to his job .

A local newspaper reports that when he arrested two policemen in 2016, he could not take their fingerprints and charge them because other officers refused to co-operate.


bbc--2020-03-17--Coronavirus: How the world's streets are emptying

The outbreak of the coronavirus has led to the emptying of public spaces around the world , whether by government @ @ @ @ @ responses .
A woman walks across an empty Millennium Bridge during London 's rush hour @ @ @ @ @ has said everyone in the UK should avoid `` non-essential '' travel and contact with @ @ @ @ @ man looks at the Mediterranean on the Promenade des Anglais in the French Riviera city @ @ @ @ @ lockdown requiring most people in France to remain at home came into effect on Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ drone shows an empty beach closed to visitors , in Dubai .
The United Arab @ @ @ @ @ and cultural venues , including parks and beaches , until 30 March , in addition @ @ @ @ @ to foreigners In the town of Alcala de Henares , near Madrid , soldiers patrol @ @ @ @ @ Spain , people are banned from leaving home except for buying essential supplies and medicines @ @ @ @ @ work All photographs copyright of the photographers as marked

Image caption,
A man looks at the Mediterranean on the Promenade des Anglais in the French Riviera city of Nice. A strict lockdown requiring most people in France to remain at home came into effect on Tuesday


bbc--2020-03-18--Launching the Hubble Space Telescope: 'Our window into the universe'

In 1990 the Hubble Space Telescope was launched , putting into orbit one of the most remarkable scientific instruments that @ @ @ @ @ initially the mission ran into problems , including a flawed mirror that meant the first @ @ @ @ @ .
Nasa astronaut Kathryn Sullivan was one of the five crew members who launched the @ @ @ @ @ The stories of our times told by the people who were there .

In 1990 the Hubble Space Telescope was launched, putting into orbit one of the most remarkable scientific instruments that has ever existed.
But initially the mission ran into problems, including a flawed mirror that meant the first images from Hubble were blurry.
Nasa astronaut Kathryn Sullivan was one of the five crew members who launched the Hubble.
Witness History: The stories of our times told by the people who were there.


bbc--2020-03-18--JoJo & Gran Gran: 'My grandmother lives on in my stories'

Author Laura Henry grew up in London and had a close connection with her grandmother , who emigrated from St @ @ @ @ @ The role 'Mama ' played in her life is the inspiration behind the characters in @ @ @ @ @ on which the new CBeebies ' series JoJo & Gran Gran is based .

Author Laura Henry grew up in London and had a close connection with her grandmother, who emigrated from St Lucia in the 1950s.
The role 'Mama' played in her life is the inspiration behind the characters in her children's books - on which the new CBeebies' series JoJo & Gran Gran is based.
Edited by Lorna Acquah


bbc--2020-03-18--'They were like: This brown kid, this Asian kid, where is he from?'

In the 1990 's many Bengalis left Bangladesh to start a new life in Italy .
They spent the best @ @ @ @ @ trying to build a better future for their children .
But over the last few @ @ @ @ @ have been leaving Italy behind to start again in the UK .
We went to @ @ @ @ @ dad Harun to learn more about why they decided to leave and find out how @ @ @ @ @ in the UK .
The family reflects on how the three different countries they 've @ @ @ @ @ Bangladesh and the UK - have impacted their identity and their community .

In the 1990's many Bengalis left Bangladesh to start a new life in Italy. They spent the best part of two decades there trying to build a better future for their children. But over the last few years, thousands of Bengalis have been leaving Italy behind to start again in the UK.
We went to meet Salman Khondoker and his dad Harun to learn more about why they decided to leave and find out how they feel about their future in the UK.
The family reflects on how the three different countries they've lived in - Italy, Bangladesh and the UK - have impacted their identity and their community.
Produced, presented and edited by: Ammar Ebrahim
Filmed by: Jade Thompson
Executive Producer: Karlene Pinnock
Commissioning Editor: Kimberley Rowell


bbc--2020-03-18--Coronavirus: German Big Brother cast told about pandemic live on TV

Germany 's Big Brother contestants have been told about the coronavirus pandemic sweeping the world .
It 's been more than a month since the cast first entered the house - when they walked in , the first cases of coronavirus outside of Wuhan were first being reported .
Germany now has more than 6,000 cases and 13 deaths .
Some housemates could be seen crying as they were shown a video that caught them up on the spread of coronavirus .
They then got to ask questions of the show 's resident doctor , who was sat behind a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from relatives .
One contestant , who 's a carer , burst into tears and reportedly said she was worried about her mum , who has a lung condition .
Relatives tried to keep it cheery though , joking that the contestants were probably in the safest place in Germany - and asking whether they could bring some toilet roll back with them .
The decision to tell the housemates came after criticism on social media that the 14 men and women locked inside the house in Cologne had no idea about what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ residents who joined the show on 9 March were told not to talk about coronavirus .
Usually housemates would only be informed about the outside world due to the death of a close relative or friend , according to German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung .
But after `` consultation with relatives '' broadcaster SAT.1 updated its rules .
• EASY STEPS : How to keep safe • A SIMPLE GUIDE : What are the symptoms ?
• CONTAINMENT : What it means to self-isolate • HEALTH MYTHS : The fake advice you should ignore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the outbreak 'Maybe it 's been sound-proofed ? '
The German cast were n't the only Big Brother housemates with no idea about the rate coronavirus is progressing around the world .
On Canadian Big Brother the contestants were wondering why they could n't hear a live audience outside during a recent eviction - with one suggesting the house might 've been sound-proofed .
In reality , audience members have been stopped from attending live shows since 12 March .
`` The health and safety of our staff , crew , houseguests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ utmost importance , '' production company Global TV said in a statement .
`` We will continue to produce the show and monitor the situation closely . ''
The housemates have since been updated `` on the domestic and international status of COVID-19 '' , and been told that all their family members are doing OK .
The Canadian show 's resident doctor also assessed the contestants and `` determined that no houseguests have exhibited any signs or symptoms related to COVID-19 '' .
Since being told , every housemate has chosen to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brother Australia 's contestants were also told about the situation in their country as well as worldwide .
But in Brazil the 20th season of Big Brother has been running since 21 January - and is scheduled to keep going until late April .
The housemates on that iteration of the show have reportedly not been told about coronavirus - although Radio 1 Newsbeat is trying to find out whether that will change .
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has tested negative for coronavirus , but members of the president 's team have tested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen back here .

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bbc--2020-03-18--How do you work out what something is worth?

In the year 211BC , Rome and Carthage were engaged in a long war that was to shape the ancient Mediterranean .
The North African general Hannibal had vanquished Roman legions at will .
As the Romans regrouped and began to fight back , Hannibal decided on a bold plan : he would march on Rome itself .
Although he had little chance of breaching the city 's defences , he hoped the Romans would panic and recall their armies .
Hannibal set up camp on the banks of the Anio , three miles from the city , but quickly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had pitched his tent had been sold for a reasonable price via a public auction .
Rome had seen through the bluff .
If the city rulers were willing to trade at full price the land underneath Hannibal 's army , they did not expect his army to linger .
It did not : Hannibal withdrew in short order .
This may be the only example of an auction being used as an attack on enemy morale , but it is not the first recorded auction .
For example , 300 years earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most attractive wives in Babylon .
`` The rich men who wanted wives bid against each other for the prettiest girls , while the humbler folk , who had no use for good looks in a wife , were actually paid to take the ugly ones . ''
Problematic , yes - but ingenious .
This auction was a community affair in which funds raised from the high bidders were used to compensate the poorer men .
50 Things That Made the Modern Economy highlights the inventions , ideas and innovations that helped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ broadcast on the BBC World Service .
You can find more information about the programme 's sources and listen to all the episodes online or subscribe to the programme podcast .
Auctions seem to be almost as common as the marketplace itself .
You can imagine the idea being endlessly rediscovered around the world , whenever some trader offered to pay three obols per jar for a shipment of olive oil and the man next to him said : `` Do n't take that offer - I 'll pay four '' .
From @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we call the `` open outcry '' auction - a room full of art or antique dealers , millionaire backers submitting bids by phone , and a dapper auctioneer tickling the whole process along .
Going once , going twice ... gone .
By making clear what others are prepared to pay , such auctions make it hard for the unscrupulous to exploit the gullible .
In the early 19th Century , British traders used auctions to offload large volumes of inexpensive British products in the United States .
American consumers were delighted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were outraged .
`` [ Auctions are ] the grand machine by which British agents at once destroy all regularity in the business of American merchants and manufacturers , '' he declared .
An anti-auction committee lobbied Congress , declaring : `` Auctions are a monopoly and like all monopolies are unjust , by giving to a few that which ought to be distributed among the mercantile community generally . ''
That was special pleading - the `` mercantile community '' just wanted to preserve its mark-ups .
Yet there is an important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In any auction , the sellers want to be where the buyers are and the buyers want to be where the sellers are .
That makes auctioneering a natural monopoly - there is always a risk that large auction venues abuse their market power .
While the open-outcry auction is the most famous kind , there are many other ways to design an auction .
The 17th-Century diarist Samuel Pepys describes an auction `` by an inch of candle '' , which ended when the flame of the candle stub flickered out .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to prevent people from using the unpopular tactic of submitting a winning bid at the last second .
If not by candle , what about an auction by clock ?
The `` Dutch clock auction '' is used at the vast flower market of Aalsmeer , with the clock face showing not the time , but the price .
That price ticks down and down , until somebody stops the clock by pressing a button .
Whoever stopped the clock buys the flowers at the price specified .
At first glance , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an open outcry auction .
But in fact the fundamentals are not so very different - and they make the process even faster , as befits a product that will quickly wilt if it can not be sold and shipped .
Then there is the sealed-bid auction , beloved of estate agents : write down your bid , slip it into an envelope and seal it tight .
Highest bid wins the prize .
But here 's a curiosity : under the surface , the sealed-bid auction is exactly the same as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case , you simply need to pick your price .
Unlike in an open outcry auction , you 'll learn nothing about anybody else 's willingness to pay until it 's too late .
The Nobel laureate economist William Vickrey produced a famous theorem demonstrating that under ideal conditions , all auctions can be expected to raise the same amount of revenue .
Like any economic theorem that oversimplifies the case .
Auction details can matter a lot - if an auction opens up a loophole for cheats , or discourages bidders from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ More things that made the modern economy : • How credit cards changed the way we spend • Is it fair to manage demand by charging more ?
• How the smartphone became so smart One might ask why auctions are used in some circumstances , while in other cases sellers post a take-it-or-leave-it price ?
Your local supermarket , for example , does not auction off the cabbages .
The answer is that auctions come into their own when nobody is quite sure of the value of what is being sold .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ obvious example , but there are many others : a permit to drill for oil in unexplored terrain , a painting by Leonardo da Vinci , or a licence to use radio-spectrum to provide mobile phone services .
This common resource - the radio spectrum - used to be handed out to favoured companies for trivial sums .
Now governments auction it off for billions .
Another example is the complex type of auction run by the US Forest Service for the right to conduct logging and remove timber .
These `` incredibly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Susan Athey , the first woman to win the prestigious Bates Clark Medal in economics .
In particular , she and colleagues have explored the importance of the private information held by bidders in shaping the bids made and final prices paid .
After all , in each of these cases , the true value of the item for sale is unknown .
Each bidder makes use of their own information .
The auction brings together all of that data , and transforms it into a price to be paid .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is something the Romans understood when they reported the results of their auction to tell Hannibal that they were not scared .
While auctions may seem reassuringly old-school , they take place at the cutting edge of the modern digital economy , and not just because of the success of internet auction sites like eBay and eBid .
Think about what happens when you type a search term into Google .
Alongside your search results , you 'll see advertisements .
Those adverts are there because they have won a complex and largely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more or less prominent positions depending both on their maximum so-called `` cost-per-click bid '' - how much money a company has offered to pay Google for every person who clicks on its advert - and on how good the algorithm thinks the advert itself is .
For example , an art dealer might offer a high fee to appear next to searches for `` Picasso '' , but an advertiser selling Picasso posters might expect many more clicks - and win top spot in the auction for a lower per-click bid .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ types a search into Google , and their scale is unnerving .
Google 's parent company , Alphabet , makes more than $ 2bn ( £1.56bn ) profit every month .
Most of that is from advertising , and most of the advertising is sold by auction .
In 2019 Google was estimated to have taken more revenue from advertising than its two biggest rivals - Facebook and Alibaba - combined .
Often you see an advert for Google 's own products .
Is it a problem that Google bids in its own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fine from EU over advertising It is hard to be sure .
You can imagine how any company might benefit from intimate knowledge of its rivals ' strategies in bidding for ad space , though Google insists it gets no unfair advantage from its dominant market position .
Henry Niles , the anti-auction activist , would no doubt have had something to say about that .
The author writes the Financial Times 's Undercover Economist column .
50 Things That Made the Modern Economy is broadcast on the BBC World Service .
You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's sources and listen to all the episodes online or subscribe to the programme podcast .

Yet there is an important grain of truth in the complaint. In any auction, the sellers want to be where the buyers are and the buyers want to be where the sellers are. That makes auctioneering a natural monopoly - there is always a risk that large auction venues abuse their market power.