bbc--2020-05-12--India's carbon emissions fall for first time in four decades

India 's CO2 emissions have fallen for the first time in four decades - and not just as a result of the country 's coronavirus lockdown .
Falling electricity use and competition from renewables had weakened the demand for fossil fuels even before the coronavirus hit , according to analysis by the environmental website , Carbon Brief .
However , it was the sudden nationwide lockdown in March that finally tipped the country 's 37-year emissions growth trend into reverse .
The study finds that Indian carbon dioxide emissions fell 15 % in March , and are likely to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Virtually all of the drop-off in power demand has been borne by coal-fired generators , which explains why the emissions reductions have been so dramatic .
Coal-fired power generation was down 15 % in March and 31 % in the first three weeks of April , according to daily data from the Indian national grid .
But even before India 's sudden coronavirus lockdown , the demand for coal was weakening .
The study finds that in the fiscal year ending March 2020 , coal deliveries were down by around 2 % , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against the trend - an increase in thermal power generation of 7.5 % a year set over the previous decade .
It has been slowing since early 2019 .
And , once again , the trend has been compounded by the impact of the Covid-19 lockdown measures on the transport industry .
• Why power theft in India is a complex problem Oil consumption was down 18 % year-on-year in March 2020 .
Meanwhile , the supply of energy from renewables has increased over the year and has held up since the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sector shows in the face of the sudden reduction in demand caused by coronavirus is not confined to India .
According to figures published by the International Energy Agency ( IEA ) at the end of April , the world 's use of coal was down 8 % in the first quarter of the year .
By contrast , wind and solar power saw a slight uptick in demand internationally .
A key reason that coal has taken the brunt of the fall in electricity demand is that it cost more to run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have installed a solar panel or a wind turbine , operating costs are very low and , therefore , tend to get priority on electricity grids .
Thermal power stations - those powered by coal , gas or oil - by contrast , require you to buy fuel in order to generate power .
But analysts warn that the decline in fossil fuel use may not last .
They say when the pandemic subsides , there is a risk that emissions will soar again as countries attempt to kick-start their economies .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regulations and the fear is other nations could follow suit .
However , the analysis from Carbon Brief suggests there are reasons to think India could buck this trend .
The coronavirus crisis has brought the long-brewing financial troubles in the Indian coal sector to a head , and the Indian government is finalising a relief package which could top 900bn rupees ( $ 12bn ; £9.6bn ) .
But , at the same time , the government is talking about supporting renewable energy as part of the recovery .
Renewables have the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cheaper electricity than coal .
The report claims that new solar capacity can cost as little 2.55 rupees per kilowatt hour , while the average cost for electricity generated from coal is 3.38 rupees per hour .
Investing in renewables is also consistent with the country 's National Clean Air Programme , launched in 2019 .
Environmentalists hope the clean air and clear skies Indians have enjoyed since lockdown will increase public pressure on the government to clean up the power sector and improve air quality .

Falling electricity use and competition from renewables had weakened the demand for fossil fuels even before the coronavirus hit, according to analysis by the environmental website, Carbon Brief. However, it was the sudden nationwide lockdown in March that finally tipped the country's 37-year emissions growth trend into reverse.


bbc--2020-05-12--Afghan attack: Children rescued as gunmen storm maternity ward

At least four people have been killed in a militant attack taking place at a hospital in the Afghan capital , Kabul .
Locals heard two blasts , then gunfire .
About 140 staff were inside at the time .
Many are still trapped and children are among the injured .
Part of the hospital is run by the international medical charity , Medicins Sans Frontieres ( MSF ) , and some of those working there are foreigners .
Meanwhile , in the east , an attack at a police funeral has killed at least 21 .
Dozens more were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ numbers in both attacks could rise .
It is not clear who carried out either attack .
In Kabul , special forces and other security personnel have brought 80 people , including women and children , to safety .
At least five people have been injured , including two children , the Interior Ministry said .
Images from the scene of the attack showed soldiers carrying one newborn baby to safety , swaddled in a blood-stained blanket .
It is not clear if the infant had been injured .
It said three attackers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time ( 05:30 GMT ) .
Officials say one attacker has been killed .
The Dasht-e-Barchi Hospital has a maternity wing run by MSF .
Many foreign staff live in a guesthouse behind the hospital building and a doctor who fled the building told the BBC he saw an explosion there too .
The Taliban , who signed a withdrawal agreement with the United States more than two months ago , have denied involvement .
In the past , similar attacks on foreign and other civilians in this mostly Shia area of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State ( IS ) militant group , which has not yet issued a statement .
In 2017 , IS gunmen disguised as medical staff attacked Kabul 's main military hospital , prompting widespread shock and anger and raising questions about security .
The authorities said about 50 people were killed .
But the Taliban also attack hospitals .
Last September , 20 people died after a truck packed with explosives was detonated by militants from the group outside a hospital in southern Zabul province .
In the eastern province of Nangarhar , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those killed in the attack on Tuesday on the funeral procession of a local police commander .
Ataullah Khogyani , a spokesman for the governor , said another 55 people were injured .
The Taliban have denied carrying out the attack , although it remains unclear who was behind it and the group have denied responsibility in the past for attacks they are accused of .
In northern Balkh province , at least 10 people have been killed and as many others injured in an air strike by US forces , reports say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the victims were all civilians .
But the Afghan Defence Ministry said all those killed were militants .
Since the February peace deal , talks have broken down over a prisoner swap agreed between the US and the Taliban and violence has continued unabated .
IS were not part of the negotiations .
The agreement was aimed at ending more than 18 years of war since US-led forces ousted the Taliban from power following the 9/11 attacks on the US , whose mastermind Osama Bin Laden had been given sanctuary by the hardline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people , most of them civilians , have been killed in the conflict .
Many more have been injured or displaced from their homes .

The Islamic State (IS) group said it was behind the attack on a police commander's funeral in Nangarhar, in the east of the country. It is still not clear who carried out the attack on the hospital, and the Taliban have denied any involvement.


bbc--2020-05-12--Czech media name Russian diplomat in 'poison plot' row

Russia 's embassy in Prague has asked for police protection for one of its diplomats , who has been named by Czech media amid allegations of a plot to poison Czech politicians .
It said `` false and unfounded '' allegations had been made against one of its employees and he was now receiving threats .
There has been no confirmation three Czech mayors were the focus of a plot .
But all three - including the Prague city mayor - got police protection .
Last month a Czech weekly , Respekt , alleged that a Russian agent had travelled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ highly potent toxin , ricin .
It suggested the poison might be used to target Czech politicians who had angered Russia .
Who is the man named in Czech media ?
Czech TV has now alleged in a documentary that the reports involved Andrei Konchakov , head of the Russian Centre for Science and Culture in Prague , and suggests he is an undeclared intelligence officer .
Without naming him , the embassy said on its Facebook page that a member of its staff was the target of an `` anti-Russian information campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to apply for police protection for him .
It said the diplomat was the victim of a `` slander campaign '' whipped up by Czech media .
Mr Konchakov told Czech website Seznam Zpravy he had brought `` disinfectant and sweets '' into the country in his suitcase , and not ricin as had been claimed .
Several Russian media have also reported his name .
According to his biography on the Prague Russian centre 's website , he was born in 1986 and given his current job in December 2017 .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for in Moscow dismissed the reports as a `` pure provocation '' , linked to an ongoing row over the removal of a statue of Soviet Marshal Ivan Konev in Prague .
Prague and Moscow are due to start talks in the coming days to try to defuse growing tension in bilateral relations .
• A city watching out for Russian and Chinese spies Who are the three mayors ?
One is Ondrej Kolar , mayor of Prague 's sixth district who ordered the removal of the statue of Marshal Konev .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plot emerged and told the BBC that `` Czech police and the secret service do have some intel that there might be a threat directly from the Russian side '' .
Prague Mayor Zdenek Hrib backed the renaming of a square next to the Russian embassy after Boris Nemtsov , the opposition leader murdered near the Kremlin in 2015 .
The third is another district mayor , Pavel Novotny , who has backed a memorial to the anti-Soviet `` Russian Liberation Army '' .
Historians say the RLA , a division of Soviet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ army , did more to liberate Prague than the Red Army , but Moscow sees them as fascist collaborators .

Without naming him, the embassy said on its Facebook page that a member of its staff was the target of an "anti-Russian information campaign" and that it had been forced to apply for police protection for him. It said the diplomat was the victim of a "slander campaign" whipped up by Czech media.


bbc--2020-05-12--Valéry Giscard d’Estaing accused of sexual harassment

French officials have launched an investigation into former President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing for allegedly groping a journalist .
German reporter Ann-Kathrin Stracke says the former leader touched her buttocks repeatedly during a 2018 interview .
Ms Stracke said the global MeToo movement , which has highlighted sexual harassment and assault against women , inspired her to come forward .
The 94-year-old has denied the charge .
An emailed statement from Mr Giscard d'Estaing 's lawyer reported in the New York Times said he did not remember the incident , was not aware of any complaint , and that he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ undignified and offensive media attack '' .
Ms Stracke filed a report in France about the incident in March .
The German reporter told news agency AFP she decided to tell her story because `` I think that people should know that a former French president harassed me sexually '' .
She has also said the MeToo movement `` showed me how important it is to talk about these matters in the open '' .
What are the allegations ?
French newspaper Le Monde and German paper Sueddeutsche Zeitung first reported the allegations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 37 , travelled to Paris in December 2018 to interview Mr Giscard D'Estaing for German public broadcaster WDR .
After speaking to the former leader the reporter said she asked for a photo with her and the team .
He allegedly put his arm around her waist before moving it down to her buttocks .
She said she was unable to push his hand away .
• One French woman in eight raped - report The ex-president then suggested they look at photos on his office wall .
During this time Ms Stracke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and then followed her and touched her again as she tried to move away .
`` I tried to remove this hand , I did not succeed , and I was surprised by how strong he was , '' she reportedly said , later describing the incident as `` extremely uncomfortable '' .
A cameraman then knocked over a lamp to distract Mr Giscard D'Estaing .
As the team left , the former president allegedly kissed her on the cheek and said `` Sweet dreams '' to Ms Stracke in German .
Ms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few days later about the incident , who then reportedly hired an employment law firm to interview her and the cameraman .
In April 2019 the firm concluded the pair were `` overall credible and suggest that the facts were exactly as described '' .
A spokeswoman for WDR said the company knew of the incident and backs Ms Stracke 's complaint .
According to Suddeutsche Zeitung , Mr Giscard D'Estaing 's office said he did not remember the interview .
Officer manager Olivier Revol reportedly said on the phone the former president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ correct , and he highlighted the former president 's age .
Mr Giscard d'Estaing led his country from 1974 until 1981 and is the longest-living French president in history .
During his term he legalised abortion , simplified divorce and lower the voting age to 18 .
He currently sits on the country 's Constitutional Council , which examines whether new laws abide by the constitution , and the Académie Française , which protects the French language .
The former president has also written two romantic novels .
The second , published in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President , depicted an affair between the French head of state and the fictional Princess of Cardiff - a character many believe was based on Princess Diana .
Mr Giscard d'Estaing has since insisted the allegations against him are entirely made up .
He has two sons with his wife , Anne-Aymone .

According to Süddeutsche Zeitung, Mr Giscard D'Estaing's office said he did not remember the meeting. "If what is alleged were true he would of course be very sorry, but he has no recollection of it," chief of staff Olivier Revol told Le Monde. Mr Revol said he was astonished by the allegation as the former president had never been accused of any such thing before.


bbc--2020-05-12--Bitcoin 'halving': What does the much-hyped event mean?

Bitcoin has just gone through a much-hyped adjustment that reduced the rate at which new coins are created .
The world 's biggest cryptocurrency 's so-called `` halving '' happens roughly every four years .
The digital currency relies on what are known as `` miners '' , who run software that races to solve complex maths puzzles in return for Bitcoins .
Monday 's halving event means that the reward for unlocking a `` block '' has been cut from 12.5 new coins to 6.25 .
Halving was written into the cryptocurrency 's code by its creator , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ control inflation .
This is the third halving since Bitcoin 's creation in 2009 .
The first took place in November , 2012 , and the second in July 2016 .
The next halving is due to take place in May 2024 .
Bitcoin 's code also means that rewards to miners will continue to halve every 210,000 blocks until they reach zero in around two decades ' time , limiting the total number of Bitcoins that will ever exist to 21 million .
This is because - unlike currencies such as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ currencies have no central banks to regulate their supply .
Supporters of the cryptocurrency say that this scarcity is part of what underpins its value and makes it a potential safe haven against currencies that are vulnerable to devaluation during times of economic crisis .
The digital currency has gained more than 20 % since the start of this year , touching $ 10,000 last week .
That came after a report that hedge fund manager Paul Tudor Jones has backed the cryptocurrency as a safeguard against inflation .
However some investors have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ less attractive to miners .
`` The incentive is less for miners now to mine Bitcoin .
Miners will probably switch to more profitable cryptocurrencies , '' Stephen Innes from AXI Corp told the BBC .

This is the third halving since Bitcoin's creation in 2009. The first took place in November, 2012, and the second in July 2016. The next halving is due to take place in May 2024.


bbc--2020-05-12--Learn how to draw Totoro from famed cartoonist

An anime film producer from Japan ’ s Studio Ghibli has given fans a quick lesson on how to draw @ @ @ @ @ characters : Totoro .
According to Toshio Suzuki - the secret lies in the eyes @

An anime film producer from Japan’s Studio Ghibli has given fans a quick lesson on how to draw one of its most famous characters: Totoro.
According to Toshio Suzuki - the secret lies in the eyes.


bbc--2020-05-12--Eurovision tribute by Fizz members and BBC correspondent

The Eurovision Song Contest was cancelled for the first time in its 64-year history because of coronavirus .
It was @ @ @ @ @ the Dutch city of Rotterdam .
To pay tribute , BBC Moscow correspondent Steve Rosenberg @ @ @ @ @ Cheryl Baker , Mike Nolan and Jay Aston , for a rendition of the 1981 @ @ @ @ @ Mind Up .

The Eurovision Song Contest was cancelled for the first time in its 64-year history because of coronavirus. It was due to be held in the Dutch city of Rotterdam.
To pay tribute, BBC Moscow correspondent Steve Rosenberg has joined The Fizz members Cheryl Baker, Mike Nolan and Jay Aston, for a rendition of the 1981 Eurovision winning song Making Your Mind Up.
Producer: Will Vernon
Camera/edit: Matthew Goddard


bbc--2020-05-12--Coronavirus: Josh Frydenberg tested for Covid-19 after coughing fit

Australia 's Federal Treasurer , Josh Frydenberg , was hit with a coughing fit while trying to give an update @ @ @ @ @ in Canberra .
The coughing , which began 15 minutes into a 30 minute speech @ @ @ @ @ temporarily lose his voice .
A joke about the speech being too long prompted laughs @ @ @ @ @ Scott Morrison , who was sitting next to the treasurer .
Josh Frydenberg is now @ @ @ @ @ tested for Covid-19 .

Australia's Federal Treasurer, Josh Frydenberg, was hit with a coughing fit while trying to give an update on the economy in parliament in Canberra. The coughing, which began 15 minutes into a 30 minute speech, caused the politician to temporarily lose his voice.
A joke about the speech being too long prompted laughs from the Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, who was sitting next to the treasurer.
Josh Frydenberg was tested for Covid-19 but said the result came back negative.


bbc--2020-05-11--What do we know about the Ahmaud Arbery case?

Ahmaud Arbery was jogging in February when he was confronted by Gregory and Travis McMichael .
Mr Arbery was fatally shot during the encounter .
Now , over two months later , the pair have been arrested .
Here 's what we know about the case .
What 's the status of the investigation ?
Gregory , 64 , and Travis McMichael , 34 , are in the custody of the Glynn County Sheriff 's Department .
They were detained by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation ( GBI ) on 7 May .
The GBI has said the investigation is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The individual who filmed the video - another local man - is also under investigation .
Tom Durden , the Atlantic Judicial Circuit District Attorney in charge of the case , has called for a grand jury , but they can not convene until Covid-19 restrictions ease in June .
In the afternoon on 23 February , Mr Arbery was out for a jog in the coastal city of Brunswick .
At one point , he entered the Satilla Shores neighbourhood .
A neighbourhood resident , Gregory McMichael , told police he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a series of local break-ins .
Police have said no reports were filed regarding these alleged break-ins .
He and his son , Travis , armed themselves with a pistol and a shotgun and pursued Mr Arbery in a pickup truck through the neighbourhood .
According to the elder Mr McMichael , he and his son had said `` stop , stop , we want to talk to you '' .
He said Mr Arbery then attacked his son .
Lawyers for Mr Arbery 's family have said the 25-year-old was unarmed .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ fell down on the street .
Why did their arrest take so long ?
The delay is in part tied to prosecutor turnover : the case is currently on its third , Tom Durden .
Two local district attorneys recused themselves due to professional connections to the elder Mr McMichael .
Officials have also publicly disagreed over whether there were orders to not arrest the pair .
Brunswick District Attorney Jackie Johnson - whose office initially handled the case - has been accused by two county commissioners of not allowing police to arrest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr McMichael had been previously employed by her office .
But Ms Johnson has denied the claim , and said no prosecutors in her office told law enforcement not to arrest them .
She blamed local police for not deciding what to do .
The second district attorney involved , Waycross Circuit District Attorney George Barnhill , had told police he believed the father and son had used citizen 's arrest rights in confronting the jogger .
Mr Barnhill recused himself , citing concerns raised by the victim 's mother over his ties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family have criticised prosecutors ' handling of the case as a `` cover-up '' and asked for an inquiry .
What are McMichael 's ties to local law enforcement ?
He also worked as an investigator for the local district attorney for years and had retired in 2019 .
A former star high school football player , his father said he often exercised in the area .
His family has described him as a good , generous young man with a big heart .
He would have turned 26 this month .
When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he received five years probation for a first-time weapons charge and in 2018 , was convicted of probation violation for shop lifting according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution newspaper .
Mr McMichael was reportedly involved in that 2018 case .
What are the two videos in the case ?
The first video surfaced publicly on 5 May .
The 36-second clip was filmed from a vehicle following the pickup truck said to be involved in the incident .
It shows a man jogging and approaching the stationary pickup from behind .
He tries to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ struggling with a man carrying a shotgun .
There is muffled shouting and three gunshots are heard .
A second man is standing in the bed of the pickup .
The second man is then shown with a pistol standing alongside the other armed man with the jogger no longer in view .
On 10 May another video emerged , showing a man believed to Mr Arbery at a home construction site shortly before the shooting .
In the footage from a surveillance camera , a black man in a white T-shirt walks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around for a few minutes before leaving and jogging down the street .
Lee Merritt , an attorney for Mr Arbery 's family , said in a statement that it was Mr Arbery in the clip , and that it confirms the young man was out for a jog and did nothing illegal .
Around the time of the incident , a number of emergency calls were made , CBS News had reported earlier .
In one , a neighbour said a black man was seen at a home under construction , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
What do the McMichaels say ?
The McMichaels have not issued a statement to US media .
It remains unclear if they are represented by an attorney at this time .
But in their account to police , Mr McMichael alleges the jogger attacked his son in the road after they tried to stop him , and that they acted out of self-defence .
What does Arbery 's family say ?
His parents said the arrest of the McMichaels was a relief , but they have expressed a distrust of local law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jones , told PBS News : `` I honestly think that if we did n't get national attention to it , my son 's death would have actually been a cover-up . ''
Benjamin Crump , a lawyer for the family , has asked for the same justice for Mr Arbery if the situations were reversed and two black men had attacked an unarmed white man .
`` We know beyond a shadow of a doubt they would 've been arrested on day one , '' Mr Crump said .
Under the citizen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ detain someone they have seen committing a serious crime and if the suspect is trying to escape .
Local media note that the law does not always allow deadly force in carrying out an arrest - that 's limited to self-defense or times where it is absolutely necessary to prevent certain serious crimes .
Will the federal government get involved ?
While Georgia is one of four states that has no hate crime statutes , the federal government can file those charges .
The Department of Justice ( DOJ ) on Monday said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the US Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia have been supporting the state investigation .
`` We are assessing all of the evidence to determine whether federal hate crime charges are appropriate , '' spokeswoman Kerri Kupec said .
Georgia 's Attorney General Chris Carr has also asked the department to investigate the handling of the case .
The DOJ said on Monday it has requested Mr Carr send any information he has to federal authorities .
The case has also prompted members of the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law .

Police bodycam footage showed the encounter with officers, who said he was in a car in an area known for drug use. He said he was on his day off from work. The taser malfunctioned and he was allowed to leave on foot.


bbc--2020-05-12--Coronavirus: How lockdown is being lifted across Europe

After almost seven weeks of lockdown in the UK , Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced the next phase of the country 's response to the coronavirus pandemic .
Across Europe , people are already seeing an easing of lockdown measures , as businesses reopen and children start going back to school .
Here is how Europeans are emerging from life under lockdown .
Germany has begun opening up : control of lifting the lockdown will now be in the hands of Germany 's 16 federal states .
But Chancellor Angela Merkel has stressed that an `` emergency brake '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surge in new infections .
• Shops of all sizes are now allowed to reopen , with extra hygiene and social distancing measures • Shops smaller than 800 m2 have been allowed to open since 20 April , alongside car dealerships , bicycle shops and bookshops • Schools have been partially reopened for young children and those taking exams .
All other classes will return gradually throughout the summer term • Bundesliga football matches resume behind closed doors on Saturday 16 May - the first big European league to do so • Two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up with each other • Big public events like festivals are banned until at least the end of August Germany says football can resume and shops reopen France 's strict lockdown was imposed on 17 March and residents were required to provide a travel permit justifying any trips outside .
From 11 May , those restrictions have been eased and the situation will be reviewed after three weeks .
• Residents no longer have to provide travel certificates , and car journeys within a radius of up to 100km ( 62 miles ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trips still require a certificate and during the rush-hour in Paris you will need your employer 's authorisation or a compelling reason to travel • The lockdown map shows France split in two , with four `` red zones '' including Paris keeping parks , gardens and schools for 11 to 18-year-olds shut for the time being • Primary schools and nurseries can reopen after 11 May , while schools for 11 to 15 year-olds ( collèges ) in `` green zones '' will open on 18 May .
A limit of 15 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ masks will be compulsory for older children .
Schools for 15 to 18-year-olds ( lycées ) are not opening before June • All shops ( bar Paris shopping centres ) can now reopen ; leisure centres and cemeteries can reopen but bars and restaurants will remain closed • Gatherings of fewer than 10 people will also be permitted ; the elderly and vulnerable will be allowed out but must use common sense Ireland has had a stricter lockdown than the UK , with residents only allowed to exercise within 2km ( 1.2 miles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five-stage roadmap to re-open the country starts on 18 May , with restrictions eased every three weeks .
• Schools will remain shut until September , while outdoor workers such as construction workers and gardeners will be allowed to resume activities from May 18 • Creches and nurseries will open for the children of essential workers from 29 June , and this will be extended to the children of other workers from 20 July .
Childcare workers will be sent to the homes of 5,000 essential workers from 18 May • Social visits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 8 June , and from 29 June , people will be allowed to travel within a 20km radius of their homes • Weddings , baptisms and small social gatherings will be allowed from 20 July , but only for family and close friends • Shops selling non-essential items can open from 8 June if the number of staff and customers remain small , and larger premises can open from 29 June Belgium : Four people in your social bubble Restrictions are slowly being lifted in a country that has seen a high number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We will have to resume our social life very gradually , '' said Prime Minister Sophie Wilmès as she detailed Belgium 's exit road-map .
• As of 10 May , people living in the same household are being allowed to receive visits from a group of up to four people .
But these people will not be allowed to visit anywhere else • Fabric shops reopened on 4 May , as new regulations require all Belgians aged 12 or over to wear masks on public transport • Other shops are opening on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social distancing guidelines • Schools will resume classes from 18 May , but no more than 10 children will be allowed in each classroom • Cafes and restaurants will start to open from 8 June • Why so many people are dying in Belgium The Netherlands imposed a far less strict lockdown than its southern neighbour .
Prime Minister Mark Rutte has unveiled a five-phase plan for easing lockdown restrictions that kicks in from 11 May .
• Libraries are opening to visitors and hairdressers , nail bars , beauticians , masseuses and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 11 May .
Primary schools will also partially reopen • Bars and restaurants will be able to open their outdoor spaces to customers from 1 June ; secondary schools will also reopen • Campsites and holiday parks can reopen from 1 July , as can theatres , restaurants and cinemas with up to 100 customers with social distancing • People can play team sports outdoors as long they observe social distancing • Larger events and contact sports may resume in September , along with sex clubs and saunas Austria was one of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The health minister says the reopening of small shops in the middle of April has n't caused a spike in cases , with new infections increasing by just 0.2 % .
But he said May would be the `` decisive month '' .
• Larger shops , shopping centres and hairdressers reopened in early May • Public parks , small shops , DIY stores and garden centres have been allowed to open since 14 April • Outdoor sport that can be socially distanced , such as tennis , golf and athletics is now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people have been allowed since the start of May • Restaurants and cafes will open from the mid-May , while hotels , zoos , swimming pools and tourist attractions will open from the end of the month • Pupils in their final year of school returned to classes at the beginning of May .
Other years will start returning from the middle of the month Denmark , one of the first European countries to announce a lockdown , started to roll back measures in mid-April and is moving ahead with the second phase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care centres and primary schools returned on 14 April , although parents and visitors are not allowed on school premises and children arrive and leave school at different times .
Children aged 12-16 will return from 18 May , as will exam students • Hairdressers , beauty and massage salons , optometrists , podiatrists and chiropractors reopened on 20 April • Professional sport is allowed behind closed doors , along with amateur sport under guidelines • Shopping centres reopen on 11 May with social distancing guidelines • Cafes and restaurants reopen on 18 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do zoos and libraries • Phase 3 starts on 8 June and covers museums , cinemas , indoor sports and colleges • Phase 4 in early August will include gyms , swimming pools and nightclubs Spain outlined a four-stage plan on 4 May to start rolling back one of the strictest lockdowns in Europe , which saw children under 14 confined to their homes for six weeks .
Restrictions will be eased in two-week blocks until 10 June , but only in some parts of the country .
Madrid , Barcelona , Granada @ @ @ @ @ @ @ north-east will stay under full lockdown for the moment .
• Schools will be partially reopened from 26 May .
This will allow for revision classes and state exams but a full reopening is not expected until September • From 11 May , customers can order a beer in a terrace bar but bars and restaurants will not fully reopen until 10 June , adhering to strict social distancing guidelines and only at 50 % capacity • Cinemas , theatres and exhibitions will be allowed to open from 26 May , but will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % capacity .
Outdoor concerts of up to 400 people will be permitted if concert-goers remain at a safe distance from each other • Churches and mosques can reopen from 11 May , but only at partial capacity Italy imposed a strict and lengthy lockdown , with a ban on walking or exercising more than 200m away from home .
In early May , some restrictions were relaxed and people are now able to travel for longer distances , as well as visit their relatives in small numbers .
Visits to other regions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Bars and restaurants , which can offer takeaway services , are expected to fully reopen for dine-in service from 1 June • Hairdressers and beauty salons are due to reopen from 1 June • More shops will reopen on 18 May along with museums and libraries • Sports teams will also be able to hold group training from 18 May • Funerals are now allowed with a maximum of 15 people attending , ideally outdoors • Schools will not reopen until September • The Catholic Church will be allowed to hold masses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Covid-19 case on 26 February and the government acted swiftly to impose a lockdown .
On 28 April , Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced a relaxation of lockdown measures in the weeks ahead .
• Churches opened for individual prayer on 4 May and religious services will be allowed from 17 May • Schools are reopening on 11 May for final year students only , with special measures including students attending classes on different days • Shops are now all able to reopen from 11 May and indoor shopping centres can do so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be allowed to open on 1 June , but only with outdoor seating and clear distance between chairs Greek scientists are working on rules on cleaning , social distancing and testing to open the country to tourists this summer .
Beaches reopened on 4 May .
• Fast on coronavirus , now they need to save summer Russia : Starting to go back to work President Putin announced that Russia 's nationwide lockdown was being eased from 12 May , and that businesses could go back to work to stop unemployment rising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up to individual regions to decide the best policy .
Russia reported at least 10,000 new infections for 10 days in a row up to 12 May .
• Construction and industry are the sectors which should be the first to resume work , according to President Putin • But large public events will still be banned , and those aged over 65 will be urged to stay at home • Moscow , as the worst-hit city , is keeping tough restrictions in place until at least 31 May • From 12 May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ masks in shops and on public transport in Moscow .
• Only food shops and pharmacies are open , schools are shut and many people are working from home .
Poland : Parks and forests first to reopen In Poland , Covid-19 numbers are lower than in many Western European countries - 15,000 confirmed infections and more than 700 deaths , according to America 's Johns Hopkins University .
Most of the new infections have been amongst the country 's coal miners in the southern Silesia region .
Poland began lifting restrictions on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were allowed to reopen .
• Hotels , shops , shopping centres , museums and galleries reopened on 4 May , with one customer per 15 sq m of space allowed • Nurseries were given the option to reopen from 6 May • Face coverings in public will remain obligatory until a vaccine is available Strictly speaking , there was no real lockdown so Sweden does not have much to remove .
It never imposed measures like those seen across the rest of the continent .
• Restaurants , bars , schools and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ban gatherings of more than 50 people and visits to nursing homes for elderly • Sweden has recorded over 3,000 deaths , the highest per capita number compared with the rest of the Nordic countries • Most of the population have taken to voluntary social distancing .
many are working from home , keeping at least a metre away from other people at least some of the time and refraining from travelling .
• Has Sweden got its science right ?

In Poland, Covid-19 numbers are lower than in many Western European countries. Although it largely escaped the worst pandemic, there was an outbreak at coal mines in the industrial heartland of Upper Silesia in early June. Poland began lifting restrictions on 20 April, when parks and forests were allowed to reopen.


bbc--2020-05-12--'Football shouldn't even be spoken about' - Rose criticises restart plans

England and Tottenham defender Danny Rose has criticised the Premier League 's plans to restart the season amid the coronavirus pandemic .
Club officials met on Monday to continue talks on `` Project Restart '' , with the English top flight aiming to resume fixtures on 12 June .
As of 11 May , 32,065 people had died in the UK with coronavirus .
`` Football should n't even be spoken about until the numbers have dropped massively , '' said Rose , 29 .
No professional sport , even behind closed doors , will be staged in England until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the House of Commons on Monday , Prime Minister Boris Johnson said being able to hold sporting events without fans could `` provide a much-needed boost to national morale '' .
Rose , who is on loan at Newcastle United from Spurs this season , responded to the news on social media , using expletives and saying he did not care about the nation 's morale .
Meanwhile , new data from YouGov showed 73 % of 2,098 British adults surveyed would not see the return of football as a boost to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it would .
Players ' safety has to be secure before return - Sterling On Saturday , a third Brighton player tested positive for coronavirus .
Responding to news , Norwich City 's 22-year-old English midfielder Todd Cantwell posted on social media : `` We are just people too . ''
Manchester City and Argentina striker Sergio Aguero has previously said players are `` scared '' about the prospect of returning to action amid the pandemic .
His City team-mate Raheem Sterling shared his concern on his YouTube channel on Monday .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` The moment we do go back it just needs to be a moment where it 's not just for footballing reasons ; it 's safe for not just us footballers but the whole medical staff , referees .
`` I feel like once that side of the people 's safety and the players ' safety is secured , and their wellbeing is looked after , then that 's the right time to go back in .
`` Until then , I 'm .
- how can I say - not scared , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outcome could be .
`` I 've had friends whose grandmas passed away .
I 've had family members as well that have passed away .
You 've got to be wise and take care of yourself and those around you . ''

Danny Rose is on a season-long loan deal at Newcastle United
England and Tottenham defender Danny Rose has criticised the Premier League's plans to restart the season amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Club officials met on Monday to continue talks on "Project Restart", with the English top flight aiming to resume fixtures on 12 June.
As of 11 May, 32,065 people had died in the UK with coronavirus.
"Football shouldn't even be spoken about until the numbers have dropped massively," said Rose, 29.
"People's lives are at risk."
In other developments on Tuesday, the BBC learned the Professional Footballers' Association has heard from a number of players who have "real concerns" about restarting the season, while London mayor Sadiq Khan has said it is "too early" to discuss restarting sport in the capital.
No professional sport, even behind closed doors, will be staged in England until 1 June at the earliest.
'I can't visualise watching my son play during this uncertainty' - Kick It Out's Troy Townsend
Speaking in the House of Commons on Monday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said being able to hold sporting events without fans could "provide a much-needed boost to national morale".
Rose, who is on loan at Newcastle United from Spurs this season, responded to the news on social media, using expletives and saying he did not care about the nation's morale.
Meanwhile, new data from YouGov external-link showed 73% of 2,098 British adults surveyed would not see the return of football as a boost to their morale, with 19% saying it would.
'Some players have real concerns'
Players are being consulted on proposed medical protocols for a return to training by the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA). They have been given a condensed version of a 40 page document for them to digest.
The BBC understands the PFA has heard from a number of players, especially those who have underlying health conditions like asthma or are from black and minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds, that they have real concerns about returning to playing.
Black men and women are nearly twice as likely to die with coronavirus as white people in England and Wales, according to the Office for National Statistics.
On Wednesday, there will be a meeting between players, the Premier League, medical staff and the PFA who will give their concerns and opinions as will the players.
Players' safety has to be secure before return - Sterling
On Saturday, a third Brighton player tested positive for coronavirus.
Responding to news, Norwich City's 22-year-old English midfielder Todd Cantwell posted on social media: "We are just people too."
Manchester City and Argentina striker Sergio Aguero has previously said players are "scared" about the prospect of returning to action amid the pandemic.
His City team-mate Raheem Sterling shared his concern on his YouTube channel on Monday.
The England forward, 25, said: "The moment we do go back it just needs to be a moment where it's not just for footballing reasons; it's safe for not just us footballers but the whole medical staff, referees.
"I feel like once that side of the people's safety and the players' safety is secured, and their wellbeing is looked after, then that's the right time to go back in.
"Until then, I'm. - how can I say - not scared, but reserved and thinking what the worst outcome could be.
"I've had friends whose grandmas passed away. I've had family members as well that have passed away. You've got to be wise and take care of yourself and those around you."
Too early to discuss sport in London - Khan
Two weeks ago clubs were told neutral stadiums were the only way the season could be completed because authorities were concerned about fans congregating outside home grounds and breaching social-distancing rules.
A significant majority of the clubs are understood to be opposed to the proposal, with Watford, Aston Villa and Brighton coming out publicly against it.
On Monday, the Premier League said it had listened to the objections of some clubs to the use of neutral grounds if the season resumes, and will support them in putting those views to the authorities.
Deputy chief constable Mark Roberts, national police chiefs' council football policing lead said on Tuesday that after a meeting between the police, government and football bosses a "range of options" are being explored to "identify a way forward, which minimises any risks to public safety and unnecessary pressure on public services, but facilitates a sensible restart to the season, to support the economic and morale benefits associated with the sport."
While Khan has said it is "too early to discuss resuming the Premier League and top-flight sport in the capital".
A spokesperson for the mayor said: "It can only happen when it is safe to do so - and it cannot place any extra burden on the NHS and emergency services.
"Sadiq is also concerned about the welfare of players competing in all professional sports, not just football. There are huge questions to be asked how players could train safely, how they would travel to matches and how they could play competitive matches without the risk of spreading infection."


bbc--2020-05-12--Sebastian Vettel to leave Ferrari at end of Formula 1 season

Sebastian Vettel is to leave Ferrari at the end of the year after contract talks between the two broke down with no agreement .
Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto said the decision was mutual and was `` not easy to reach , given Sebastian 's worth as a driver and as a person '' .
He added : `` The time had come to go our separate ways in order to reach our respective objectives . ''
Vettel said there was `` no longer a common desire '' to work together .
• Could Vettel 's Ferrari frustration lead to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world champion added : `` In order to get the best possible results in this sport , it 's vital for all parties to work in perfect harmony .
`` Financial matters have played no part in this joint decision .
That 's not the way I think when it comes to making certain choices and it never will be .
`` What 's been happening in these past few months has led many of us to reflect on what are our real priorities in life .
One needs to use one 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a situation that has changed .
I myself will take the time I need to reflect on what really matters when it comes to my future . ''
Vettel 's team-mate Charles Leclerc , whose starring performances in 2019 effectively forced Ferrari and the 32-year-old into this position , said : `` It 's been a huge honour for me to be your team mate .
We 've had some tense moments on tracks .
`` Some very good ones and some others that did n't end as we both wanted , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ though it was n't perceived this way from the outside .
`` I 've never learnt so much as I did with you as my team-mate .
Thank you for everything Seb . ''
Spaniard Carlos Sainz , currently a McLaren driver , is among those who have been linked to Vettel 's seat .
If Sainz leaves McLaren , one option for the team is Renault 's Daniel Ricciardo .
• ' I miss driving ' : kids and bikes are Vettel 's new normal • Aguero stars in Virtual F1 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Australian had serious talks with McLaren in 2018 when he was weighing up whether to leave Red Bull , before finally deciding to move to Renault .
Ricciardo is known to be unsettled at the French team and has talked about moving on .
Vettel could also be an option for McLaren , if he felt he was prepared to move to a team that was going through a restructuring process .
If not , the options for him to continue in F1 are bleak .
The factory Renault outfit might be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McLaren - are in a rebuilding process and may not be attractive to such an illustrious name .
Lewis Hamilton , who is also out of contract at the end of the season , has repeatedly signalled his intention to stay at Mercedes , who are not believed to be considering a move for Vettel .
And Red Bull , where Vettel won his four world titles , have said that they would not partner their star driver Max Verstappen with another top-line driver - nor is Vettel likely to be interested in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ options are Ricciardo or Italian Antonio Giovinazzi , who races for the affiliated Alfa Romeo team .
Hamilton is not considered to be a serious possibility .
Vettel 's departure from Ferrari signals an ignominious end to his career at the Italian team , who he joined in 2015 with the aim of following in the footsteps of his childhood hero Michael Schumacher by winning the title with them .
Vettel said as recently as last month that his intention was to stay with Ferrari beyond the end of his contract this season @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vettel felt unable to accept the offer Ferrari made to him to stay alongside Leclerc , who last winter signed until the end of 2024 .
The exact nature of the disagreement that led to the failure of the talks is not clear , but Ferrari are reported to have offered Vettel a vastly reduced salary and a shorter contract than he desired .
Vettel had been Ferrari 's number one driver since 2015 , when he replaced Fernando Alonso after the Spaniard negotiated an exit from the team at the end of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provide the circumstances in which he would win the world title .
Vettel came closest to winning the championship with the team in 2017 and 2018 , when Ferrari had a faster car than Mercedes for much of both seasons but their challenge faltered after a series of mistakes from driver and team .
That led to the beginning of a loss of faith between the two parties and he lost his position in the team for good with the arrival of Leclerc last season .
The Monegasque was immediately a threat to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ designated number one , and Leclerc ended the season having out-scored his senior team-mate on every metric - wins , poles , points and average qualifying pace .
The tension between the two also led to a series of flashpoints culminating in a crash at the penultimate race of the season in Brazil .
Vettel now heads into his final season with the team - assuming the 2020 championship is able to start amid the coronavirus pandemic - knowing he has lost his status and facing an uncomfortable season in a team whose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ young star .

Vettel won four F1 world titles with Red Bull between 2010 and 2013
Sebastian Vettel is to leave Ferrari at the end of the year after contract talks between the two broke down with no agreement.
Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto said the decision was mutual and was "not easy to reach, given Sebastian's worth as a driver and as a person".
He added: "The time had come to go our separate ways in order to reach our respective objectives."
Vettel said there was "no longer a common desire" to work together.
The German four-time world champion added: "In order to get the best possible results in this sport, it's vital for all parties to work in perfect harmony.
"Financial matters have played no part in this joint decision. That's not the way I think when it comes to making certain choices and it never will be.
"What's been happening in these past few months has led many of us to reflect on what are our real priorities in life. One needs to use one's imagination and to adopt a new approach to a situation that has changed. I myself will take the time I need to reflect on what really matters when it comes to my future."
Vettel's team-mate Charles Leclerc, whose starring performances in 2019 effectively forced Ferrari and the 32-year-old into this position, said: "It's been a huge honour for me to be your team mate. We've had some tense moments on tracks.
"Some very good ones and some others that didn't end as we both wanted, but there was always respect, even though it wasn't perceived this way from the outside.
"I've never learnt so much as I did with you as my team-mate. Thank you for everything Seb."
Who could replace Vettel?
Spaniard Carlos Sainz, currently a McLaren driver, is among those who have been linked to Vettel's seat.
If Sainz leaves McLaren, one option for the team is Renault's Daniel Ricciardo.
The Australian had serious talks with McLaren in 2018 when he was weighing up whether to leave Red Bull, before finally deciding to move to Renault.
Ricciardo is known to be unsettled at the French team and has talked about moving on.
Vettel could also be an option for McLaren, if he felt he was prepared to move to a team that was going through a restructuring process.
If not, the options for him to continue in F1 are bleak.
The factory Renault outfit might be an option, but they - like McLaren - are in a rebuilding process and may not be attractive to such an illustrious name.
Lewis Hamilton, who is also out of contract at the end of the season, has repeatedly signalled his intention to stay at Mercedes, who are not believed to be considering a move for Vettel.
And Red Bull, where Vettel won his four world titles, have said that they would not partner their star driver Max Verstappen with another top-line driver - nor is Vettel likely to be interested in partnering the Dutchman.
Ferrari's other options are Ricciardo or Italian Antonio Giovinazzi, who races for the affiliated Alfa Romeo team.
Hamilton is not considered to be a serious possibility.
Vettel wanted to emulate his hero Michael Schumacher, who won five of his seven F1 world titles with Ferrari between 2000 and 2004
A remarkable fall from grace
Vettel's departure from Ferrari signals an ignominious end to his career at the Italian team, who he joined in 2015 with the aim of following in the footsteps of his childhood hero Michael Schumacher by winning the title with them.
Vettel said as recently as last month that his intention was to stay with Ferrari beyond the end of his contract this season.
But talks have broken down after Vettel felt unable to accept the offer Ferrari made to him to stay alongside Leclerc, who last winter signed until the end of 2024.
The exact nature of the disagreement that led to the failure of the talks is not clear, but Ferrari are reported to have offered Vettel a vastly reduced salary and a shorter contract than he desired.
Vettel had made a series of unforced errors during last season, including crashing into a backmarker whilst returning to the circuit after spinning at Ferrari's home race at Monza
Vettel had been Ferrari's number one driver since 2015, when he replaced Fernando Alonso after the Spaniard negotiated an exit from the team at the end of 2014 having lost faith they could ever provide the circumstances in which he would win the world title.
Vettel came closest to winning the championship with the team in 2017 and 2018, when Ferrari had a faster car than Mercedes for much of both seasons but their challenge faltered after a series of mistakes from driver and team.
That led to the beginning of a loss of faith between the two parties and he lost his position in the team for good with the arrival of Leclerc last season.
The Monegasque was immediately a threat to Vettel, who started 2019 as the designated number one, and Leclerc ended the season having out-scored his senior team-mate on every metric - wins, poles, points and average qualifying pace.
The tension between the two also led to a series of flashpoints culminating in a crash at the penultimate race of the season in Brazil.
Vettel now heads into his final season with the team - assuming the 2020 championship is able to start amid the coronavirus pandemic - knowing he has lost his status and facing an uncomfortable season in a team whose focus will inevitably be on their rising young star.


bbc--2020-05-12--London's Anniversary Games cancelled because of coronavirus

Last updated on .From the section Athletics The Anniversary Games in London have been cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic , UK Athletics has confirmed .
UK Athletics is `` hugely disappointed '' to cancel the Games , its chief executive Joanna Coates said .
`` It will have a significant financial impact on UK Athletics and wider sport , '' Coates added .
`` The revenue we generate from events - through ticketing , broadcast and sponsorship - helps administer the sport and provide the essential governance services that we , as an NGB [ national governing body ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place the safety of the entire athletics family at the forefront of every decision we make during these unprecedented times and ensure we are following government advice . ''
In March , Coates said UK Athletics ' finances would take `` a hefty blow '' if the global pandemic meant it could not be held at London Stadium , which is Premier League club West Ham 's home ground .
UK Athletics modifies the stadium each summer to stage the track and field competition , but there is a possibility West Ham may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if the suspended football season resumes .
Meanwhile , the Diamond League season will now run between August and October .
The shortened calendar - which includes the meet in Gateshead on 16 August - and varying training facilities and opportunities for athletes means the points system has also been revised .
Athletes will not earn points this season and there will not be a single , 24-discipline final in Zurich as originally planned .
Along with the London Diamond League event , Rabat and Zurich have also been cancelled .
• None @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sporting events around the world

Last updated on .From the section Athletics
Jamaica's Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (centre) wins the women's 100m at the 2019 Anniversary Games at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
The Anniversary Games in London have been cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic, UK Athletics has confirmed.
London Stadium had been scheduled to host the event - also part of the Diamond League season - on 4-5 July.
UK Athletics is "hugely disappointed" to cancel the Games, its chief executive Joanna Coates said.
"It will have a significant financial impact on UK Athletics and wider sport," Coates added.
"The revenue we generate from events - through ticketing, broadcast and sponsorship - helps administer the sport and provide the essential governance services that we, as an NGB [national governing body], oversee.
"But we must place the safety of the entire athletics family at the forefront of every decision we make during these unprecedented times and ensure we are following government advice."
In March, Coates said UK Athletics' finances would take "a hefty blow" if the global pandemic meant it could not be held at London Stadium, which is Premier League club West Ham's home ground.
UK Athletics modifies the stadium each summer to stage the track and field competition, but there is a possibility West Ham may still be using the stadium in July if the suspended football season resumes.
Meanwhile, the Diamond League season will now run between August and October.
The shortened calendar - which includes the meet in Gateshead on 16 August - and varying training facilities and opportunities for athletes means the points system has also been revised.
Athletes will not earn points this season and there will not be a single, 24-discipline final in Zurich as originally planned.
Along with the London Diamond League event, Rabat and Zurich have also been cancelled.
Provisional Diamond League dates
14 Aug: Monaco
16 Aug: Gateshead
23 Aug: Stockholm
2 Sep: Lausanne
4 Sep: Brussels
6 Sep: Paris
17 Sep: Rome/Naples
19 Sep: Shanghai
4 Oct: Eugene
9 Oct: Doha
17 Oct: China (venue tbc)


bbc--2020-05-11--Conor McGregor criticises UFC rivals & hints at fighting behind closed doors

Last updated on .From the section Mixed Martial Arts Mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor has suggested he would like to compete in one of the upcoming UFC behind-closed-doors events .
He watched UFC 249 take place without fans in the USA on Saturday from home .
`` The fans make the sport , '' said McGregor .
`` But it will be my pleasure to display the power I possess with zero background noise for them . ''
There has been speculation about an upcoming McGregor fight after he posted a photograph on Instagram with the caption : `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White confirmed he spoke to McGregor before Saturday 's card in Florida - the first major sporting event in the United States since March - and discussed the possibilities of scheduling a bout .
Former UFC lightweight champion McGregor was critical of other competitors at the weight , and suggested the next fight would be him against American Justin Gaethje , who successfully defeated compatriot Tony Ferguson for the interim lightweight title on Saturday .
`` It 's me and Justin next as Khabib is the biggest bottle fighter in the game .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Khabib Nurmagomedov is the UFC lightweight champion and defeated McGregor last year , a contest which was marred by ugly post-fight scenes as the Russian scaled the cage to fight with McGregor 's team .
Nurmagomedov , 31 , was scheduled to face 36-year-old Ferguson for the title , but the fight was cancelled for a fifth time because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Gaethje came in as a replacement to fight Ferguson for the interim title on Saturday , with victory putting the 31-year-old next in line to face Nurmagomedov .
However @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will take place , making a jibe at the Russian for not showing up to face Ferguson this time .
McGregor finished by saying that once he is finished with the lightweight division , he was going to move up to welterweight .
He has experience of the 170lb division , having competed there three times in the UFC - fighting Nate Diaz twice at that weight and , more recently , for his comeback victory over Donald Cerrone .
If he won a title at welterweight , he would become the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three weight divisions in the UFC .
McGregor also was scathing in his criticism of interim champion Gaethje , saying : `` Try and dance around what the real threat is here all you want . ''
The Dubliner also criticised former opponent Dustin Poirier , who sits above McGregor in the lightweight rankings .
`` Dustin , although game , and in the mix , will be fed to the floor again , '' he said .
McGregor previously beat Poirier with a first-round stoppage in 2014 and said Ferguson should fight @ @ @

Last updated on .From the section Mixed Martial Arts
McGregor beat Donald 'Cowboy' Cerrone in his last contest in January
Mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor has suggested he would like to compete in one of the upcoming UFC behind-closed-doors events.
McGregor, 31, was critical of fellow lightweight fighters in a foul-mouthed social media outburst on Monday.
He watched UFC 249 take place without fans in the USA on Saturday from home.
"The fans make the sport," said McGregor. "But it will be my pleasure to display the power I possess with zero background noise for them."
There has been speculation about an upcoming McGregor fight after he posted a photograph on Instagram with the caption: "Stay ready."
UFC president Dana White confirmed he spoke to McGregor before Saturday's card in Florida - the first major sporting event in the United States since March - and discussed the possibilities of scheduling a bout.
Justin Gaethje stopped Tony Ferguson in the fifth round to win the UFC interim lightweight title at UFC 249 on Saturday
Former UFC lightweight champion McGregor was critical of other competitors at the weight, and suggested the next fight would be him against American Justin Gaethje, who successfully defeated compatriot Tony Ferguson for the interim lightweight title on Saturday.
"It's me and Justin next as Khabib is the biggest bottle fighter in the game. Guarantee it," he added.
Khabib Nurmagomedov is the UFC lightweight champion and defeated McGregor last year, a contest which was marred by ugly post-fight scenes as the Russian scaled the cage to fight with McGregor's team.
Nurmagomedov, 31, was scheduled to face 36-year-old Ferguson for the title, but the fight was cancelled for a fifth time because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Gaethje came in as a replacement to fight Ferguson for the interim title on Saturday, with victory putting the 31-year-old next in line to face Nurmagomedov.
However, McGregor does not believe that fight will take place, making a jibe at the Russian for not showing up to face Ferguson this time.
McGregor finished by saying that once he is finished with the lightweight division, he was going to move up to welterweight.
He has experience of the 170lb division, having competed there three times in the UFC - fighting Nate Diaz twice at that weight and, more recently, for his comeback victory over Donald Cerrone.
If he won a title at welterweight, he would become the first man to win a world title in three weight divisions in the UFC.
McGregor also was scathing in his criticism of interim champion Gaethje, saying: "Try and dance around what the real threat is here all you want."
The Dubliner also criticised former opponent Dustin Poirier, who sits above McGregor in the lightweight rankings. "Dustin, although game, and in the mix, will be fed to the floor again," he said.
McGregor previously beat Poirier with a first-round stoppage in 2014 and said Ferguson should fight Poirier next.


bbc--2020-05-12--Women's World Cup qualifying tournament postponed

The qualifying tournament for next year 's Women 's World Cup has been postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic .
The event - featuring 10 teams , including Ireland - was due to take place in Sri Lanka from 3-19 July .
Pakistan , West Indies , Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are also involved .
Three teams will qualify to join England , Australia , South Africa , India and hosts New Zealand in the World Cup , scheduled for February and March 2021 .
The other teams in the Qualifier , who made it through regional qualification tournaments , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Guinea , the Netherlands and the United States .
The International Cricket Council ( ICC ) has also postponed the start of the qualification process for the men 's Under-19 World Cup in 2022 , with regional qualifying set to begin in Denmark in July .
`` We will work in partnership with the members to find an appropriate window to reschedule these events as soon as is safe and practical to do so , '' said ICC head of events Chris Tetley .
`` Our priority during this difficult period is to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , officials , fans and the whole cricket community and we will take well-informed , responsible decisions in relation to both postponing events and resuming international cricket . ''
Ireland head coach Ed Joyce said : `` The chance to qualify for a World Cup is always a big moment in a player 's career .
`` The fixture schedule is going to be busy for all nations given the postponements , and we 'll need to develop a preparation programme in the lead-up to the tournament , so we hope the ICC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dates .
`` It is a challenging time for everyone , but we have a resilient young squad and I know they 'll be dedicated to the task once we 're back under way . ''
There will be no cricket in England and Wales until at least July .

Last updated on .From the section Women's Cricket
The coronavirus pandemic previously forced the cancellation of Ireland's scheduled tour of Thailand in April
The qualifying tournament for next year's Women's World Cup has been postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The event - featuring 10 teams, including Ireland - was due to take place in Sri Lanka from 3-19 July.
Pakistan, West Indies, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are also involved.
Three teams will qualify to join England, Australia, South Africa, India and hosts New Zealand in the World Cup, scheduled for February and March 2021.
The other teams in the Qualifier, who made it through regional qualification tournaments, are Zimbabwe, Thailand, Papua New Guinea, the Netherlands and the United States.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has also postponed the start of the qualification process for the men's Under-19 World Cup in 2022, with regional qualifying set to begin in Denmark in July.
"We will work in partnership with the members to find an appropriate window to reschedule these events as soon as is safe and practical to do so," said ICC head of events Chris Tetley.
"Our priority during this difficult period is to protect the well-being of players, coaches, officials, fans and the whole cricket community and we will take well-informed, responsible decisions in relation to both postponing events and resuming international cricket."
Ireland head coach Ed Joyce said: "The chance to qualify for a World Cup is always a big moment in a player's career.
"The fixture schedule is going to be busy for all nations given the postponements, and we'll need to develop a preparation programme in the lead-up to the tournament, so we hope the ICC can give ample notification of the new dates.
"It is a challenging time for everyone, but we have a resilient young squad and I know they'll be dedicated to the task once we're back under way."
There will be no cricket in England and Wales until at least July.


bbc--2020-05-12--Joy? Drama? Despair? We want your final-day memories

It 's one of those special days in the football calendar .
Sunday was scheduled to be the final day @ @ @ @ @ and it 's normally full of drama , joy and pain - the whole range @ @ @ @ @ forget some of the dramatic final days - at both ends of the table - @ @ @ @ @ and European qualification often up for grabs ?
With football currently suspended because of the @ @ @ @ @ day of the campaign has been put on hold indefinitely , but we want to @ @ @ @ @ .
Let us know the emotions you have been put through on a final day @ @ @ @ @ in any league , and we will look to include some of the best in @ @ @ @ @ emotions on Friday .

What have been your most memorable memories of the final day of a football season?
It's one of those special days in the football calendar.
Sunday was scheduled to be the final day of the Premier League season and it's normally full of drama, joy and pain - the whole range of emotions.
Who could forget some of the dramatic final days - at both ends of the table - with title wins, relegation and European qualification often up for grabs?
With football currently suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic, the final day of the campaign has been put on hold indefinitely, but we want to hear your favourite final-day memories.
Let us know the emotions you have been put through on a final day below, by any team in any league, and we will look to include some of the best in a live text reliving those emotions on Friday.
This page is now closed. You can see the best of the replies in a live text on Friday.


bbc--2020-05-11--India Coronavirus: Pregnant student Safoora Zargar at risk in jail

It was 2:30 in the afternoon when a group of policemen arrived at Safoora Zargar 's home in south-east Delhi .
The 27-year-old sociology student at the prestigious Jamia Milia Islamia university was taking a nap , her husband , who did n't want to be named , told the BBC .
The couple had married 19 months ago , and Ms Zargar had discovered just weeks earlier that she was pregnant .
`` She 'd been suffering from nausea and was generally feeling lethargic , '' he said .
The officers told them they were from the `` special @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Delhi police - and asked her to go with them to their office in central Delhi .
They said they wanted to ask her some questions about her involvement in protests against a controversial citizenship law that critics say is discriminatory towards Muslims .
At the police station Ms Zargar was questioned for several hours , and at 22:30 she was arrested .
That was on Friday 10 April .
So for a month now , she 's been lodged in Delhi 's overcrowded Tihar jail - at a time when India @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus pandemic and the government 's own advisory says pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to infection .
Ms Zargar has been charged under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act ( UAPA ) - a draconian law that makes it nearly impossible for the accused to get bail .
Since her arrest , she 's been allowed to make two five-minute calls each to her husband and her lawyer .
She has been denied both visits and letters on account of Covid-19 restrictions .
Ms Zargar is among a number of Muslim students and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's lockdown began on 25 March , leading to accusations that the government is using the pandemic to crack down on free speech and dissent .
As a member of the Jamia Coordination Committee ( JCC ) , a student group , she had been active in organising peaceful protests against the CAA in north-east Delhi .
Her sister Sameeya describes her as `` very gutsy , unapologetically honest and very opinionated '' .
But police allege she was a `` key conspirator '' in riots that swept the area in February , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , died .
Her family has rubbished the charges - Sameeya says her sister is not a criminal but a student and an activist who was just exercising her democratic right to protest .
`` She was always out there - a student , standing with other students . ''
Delhi police insist they have done their `` job sincerely and impartially '' and that `` all the arrests made have been based on analysis of scientific and forensic evidence '' .
But critics say the authorities are using a false narrative to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` In my view , this is mala fide persecution , '' lawyer and activist Prashant Bhushan told the BBC .
The government , he says , is trying to suppress all dissent , and by arresting the students and activists , they are trying to suppress all future protests .
`` Muslims were at the receiving end of the violence and they are the ones who are being persecuted , '' he said .
From 23 to 25 February , Hindu mobs were seen attacking Muslim neighbourhoods , armed with sticks , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ religious slogans .
Many Muslims were lynched , their homes and businesses were vandalised and set on fire , mosques were gutted and thousands were forced into relief camps .
Although the police denied any wrongdoing , there have been well-documented examples of police complicity , aiding the rioters , or simply looking away .
Prominent members of Prime Minister Narendra Modi 's Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party ( BJP ) were also seen on video making incendiary remarks against the protesters before the violence .
A petition is pending in the Delhi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaders .
And many commentators have described the riots as `` an organised pogrom against Muslims '' .
But , campaigners say , instead of taking action against the BJP politicians and the mobs , police have gone on a witch hunt against Muslim students and protesters , charging them with sedition and throwing them in jail under UAPA , at a time when the courts are hardly functioning because of Covid-19 restrictions .
One report says 800 people have been arrested in connection with the February riots , including dozens who have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The police , who work under the federal home ministry , are working at the behest of Mr Modi 's government , it adds .
Besides Ms Zargar , police have arrested Meeran Haider , a research scholar and member of the Jamia Coordination Committee , Shifa-Ur-Rehman , president of the Jamia Millia Islamia Alumni Association , Gulfisha , an MBA student , and Ishrat Jahan , a former municipal councillor , for participating in anti-CAA protests .
In all the cases , the police have used a similar playbook - accusing them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hate speech and inciting mobs - and throwing them in jail under the repressive UAPA .
The arrests have been condemned by civil society and rights groups who have called them `` illegal '' and a `` grave abuse of state power '' .
• How Muslims ' homes were targeted and burnt Hundreds of feminists from across the country have also issued a statement demanding an end to the `` detention , intimidation and harassment of those who assert their democratic right to protest '' , especially women .
`` False cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all those arrested on fake charges must be released , '' the statement reads .
But it 's Ms Zargar , now four months pregnant , who has emerged as the face of state repression against students and activists .
`` The government of India has been exceedingly intolerant towards free speech and dissent , '' Amnesty International India Executive Director Avinash Kumar said in a statement .
`` But to arrest Safoora who is in the second trimester of her pregnancy and send her to an overcrowded prison during the pandemic highlights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country . ''
The attention on Ms Zargar 's case has not gone down well with the government 's supporters , who have taken to social media in recent days to slander the jailed activist .
Last week , hundreds of right-wing trolls on Twitter tried to slut-shame her , posting vulgar comments suggesting she was unmarried and raising questions over her pregnancy .
And several members of a Facebook group called We Support Narendra Modi shared an image from a porn video falsely claiming it was her .
Altnews , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` is a propaganda tool with most of its posts oscillating between praising the PM and the BJP and criticism of the opposition '' .
Some of the right-wing press , sympathetic to the government , carried reports accusing Ms Zargar of being `` responsible for the deaths of innocent people '' during the riots .
Legal experts say whether she 's guilty or not will only be known once she 's tried in court .
But that 's a long and drawn-out process and it 's the process that 's the punishment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spewed about her have caused immense anguish to Ms Zargar 's family .
But last Tuesday , when her husband spoke to her on the phone , he did not tell her anything about the trolling or abuses .
`` I had a whole list of things , but I could n't check half of them because our calls are timed , '' he told me .
In a call that lasted less than five minutes , the couple talked about her health , the food she 's getting in prison , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to her because due to Covid-19 restrictions , she ca n't receive a money order .
`` She asked about her parents , my parents and our siblings .
She wanted to know if the family is worried about her ?
`` I told her we are counting on you to be the strong one , for us , '' he says .
Read more on the Delhi riots : • Why Delhi violence has echoes of the Gujarat riots

But, campaigners say, instead of taking action against the BJP politicians and the mobs, police have gone on a witch hunt against Muslim students and protesters, charging them with sedition and throwing them in jail under UAPA, at a time when the courts are hardly functioning because of Covid-19 restrictions.


bbc--2020-05-12--Coronavirus: Fauci warns Senate of 'serious consequences'

The top US infectious diseases doctor has warned senators the virus will spread if the country opens up too soon .
Dr Anthony Fauci said if federal guidelines to reopen are not followed , `` little spikes '' will become outbreaks .
He also said the real US death toll is probably higher than the official figure of 80,000 .
His message is at odds with the upbeat tone of President Trump who is keen to get the economy going again .
Dr Fauci was speaking via video to a Republican-led committee of the US Senate .
He was referring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ America Again plan , which includes three 14-day phases that states are urged to consider implementing as they allow schools and businesses to reopen .
Several US states already restarting their economies have infection rates that are rising , not falling .
He warned of the risk of triggering an outbreak that officials would not be able to control , adding that such an outbreak would set back economic recovery and could lead to `` suffering and death '' .
Although the White House has laid out guidelines for reopening , it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the decisions on how to ease the lockdown .
`` There is no doubt , even under the best of circumstances , when you pull back on mitigation you will see some cases appear , '' Dr Fauci warned the US officials .
Questioned about the possibility of a rebound in autumn of the virus , Dr Fauci said one is `` entirely conceivable and possible '' .
`` I hope that if we do have the threat of a second wave we will be able to deal with it very effectively to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dr Fauci also said there are multiple vaccines in development but `` no guarantee '' any will be effective , though based on his knowledge of other viruses , he is `` cautiously optimistic '' .
`` We have many candidates and hope to have multiple winners , '' he said .
`` In other words it 's multiple shots on goal . ''
Witnesses appeared remotely during the over three-hour long hearing , as did some senators on the Senate Committee on Health , Education Labor and Pensions .
• The face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three members of the White House coronavirus task force who testified are self-isolating after possible exposure to the illness , including Dr Fauci .
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director Dr Robert Redfield and Food and Drug Administration commissioner Stephen Hahn are also self-isolating .
Dr Fauci has tested negative but will continue to work from home for the time being , and will be regularly tested .
The hearing was led by Republican Tennessee Senator Lamar Alexander from his home in the Smoky Mountains .
His dog Rufus was occasionally seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conference call .
`` Staying at home indefinitely is not a solution to this pandemic , '' said Mr Alexander , adding : `` There is not enough money available to help all of those hurt by a closed economy . ''
Washington Senator Patty Murray , the highest-ranking Democrat on the committee , charged that Mr Trump is more interested in `` fighting against the truth than fighting the virus '' .
The government can not ask people to restart their lives `` if there is n't clear detailed guidance on how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adds .
Meanwhile , Vice-President Mike Pence is also keeping his distance from the president after his press secretary Katie Miller tested positive last week .
`` The vice-president has made the choice to keep his distance for a few days , '' said White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany .
Anthony Fauci 's testimony before a congressional committee started as a genteel affair , with senators treating him as a long-serving public health official whose advice carries considerable authority and expertise .
When it comes to the coronavirus , the Republican from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made `` wrong prediction after wrong prediction after wrong prediction '' .
`` As much as I respect you , Dr Fauci , '' he continued , `` I do n't think you 're the end-all , I do n't think you 're the one person that gets to make a decision . ''
Mr Paul went on to assert that `` outside of New England '' , the virus has followed a `` relatively benign course '' .
He told Fauci that schools , which have been closed across the US since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as possible .
Mr Paul was giving voice to a growing sentiment among the conservative base that Dr Fauci does not have the nation 's - or the president 's - best interests in mind .
Crowds of anti-lockdown activists in several states have chanted `` fire Fauci '' , and the director has required special protection after receiving death threats .
They , like Mr Paul , have dismissed the spread of the virus beyond the current coastal hotspots , even though data indicates cases are spiking in some areas in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evidence of a growing political divide within the nation over how to respond to the virus and how , and when , to begin easing from existing state-ordered mitigation efforts .
`` I have never made myself out to be the end-all and only voice of this , '' he told Mr Paul .
`` I 'm a scientist , a physician , and a public health official . ''
He added that there is still much that is not known about the virus , and warned not to be `` cavalier '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new evidence that they may not be `` completely immune to the deleterious effects '' of the virus .
Dr Paul , a practising physician , was himself diagnosed with the coronavirus last month and received significant criticism for continuing to work in the Senate after being exposed but before he received his positive diagnosis .
Some US states are beginning to lift lockdown orders .
Georgia , Oklahoma , Alaska and South Carolina have already allowed some businesses to reopen and have issued plans that call for more rules to be relaxed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's first appearance before lawmakers since President Donald Trump declared a state of national emergency in March .
The senior health adviser - who has become the public face of the fight against the virus in the US - was blocked from testifying to a Democratic-led House committee examining the Trump administration 's response to the pandemic on May 6 .
What 's the situation like in the US ?
The United States alone has more than 1.3 million confirmed cases , according to the Johns Hopkins University coronavirus tracker - almost six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
President Trump claimed that the US had `` prevailed '' in testing people for coronavirus infections in a news conference on Monday .
But as of this week , the US has tested only 2.75 % of its 330m population , and no state has tested 10 % of residents .
In a separate development , White House staff have been ordered to wear masks when entering the West Wing after two aides tested positive for coronavirus .
Mr Trump said he did not need to follow the directive as he kept @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • THE R NUMBER : What it means and why it matters • RECOVERY : How long does it take to get better ?
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : What are the symptoms ?

He added that there is still much that is not known about the virus, and warned not to be "cavalier" about the threat to children, given new evidence that they may not be "completely immune to the deleterious effects" of the virus.


bbc--2020-05-12--Afghan attack: US secretary of state condemns shooting at Kabul maternity ward

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has condemned a militant attack on a maternity ward in Kabul , Afghanistan .
Two babies and 12 mothers and nurses were killed when several gunmen stormed the hospital on Tuesday morning .
Meanwhile , in the eastern province of Nangarhar , a bombing at a funeral killed at least 26 people .
Mr Pompeo said : `` Any attack on innocents is unforgiveable , but to attack infants and women in labour ... is an act of sheer evil . ''
`` Terrorists who attack mourners lining up for prayer at a funeral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bonds that hold families and communities together , but they will never succeed . ''
He added : `` During the holy month of Ramadan and amidst the threat of Covid-19 , these dual attacks are particularly appalling . ''
In the wake of the attacks , President Ashraf Ghani said he was ordering the resumption of offensive operations against the Taliban and other groups .
He accused the militants of ignoring repeated calls for a reduction in violence .
The Islamic State ( IS ) group said it was behind the attack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nangarhar , in the east of the country .
It is still not clear who carried out the attack at the Dasht-e-Barchi hospital , and the Taliban have denied any involvement .
What happened at the hospital ?
The Kabul attack began at about 10:00 ( 05:30 GMT ) on Tuesday , and locals described hearing two blasts then gunfire .
One doctor who fled during the assault told the BBC about 140 people were in the hospital when the gunmen attacked .
A maternity ward in the hospital is run by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MSF ) and some of those working there are foreigners .
Another doctor told AFP news agency that `` total panic '' took hold as the assault unfolded .
Ramazan Ali , a vendor who saw the attack begin , told Reuters news agency : `` The attackers were shooting at anyone in this hospital without any reason ...
It 's a government hospital , and a lot of people bring in their women and children for treatment . ''
• The Afghan war : The short and long story Afghan special forces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three foreigners , an official told the BBC .
The attackers , who reportedly had gained access dressed as police officers , were all killed by security personnel after a battle lasting hours .
Images from the scene showed soldiers carrying one newborn baby to safety , swaddled in a blood-stained blanket .
Many foreign staff live in a guesthouse behind the Dasht-e-Barchi Hospital and a doctor who fled the building told the BBC he saw an explosion there too .
In the past , similar attacks in this mostly Shia area of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The group 's leader in South Asia and the Far East was arrested in Kabul on Tuesday , with two other high profile members , Afghan intelligence said .
In 2017 , IS gunmen disguised as medical staff attacked Kabul 's main military hospital , prompting widespread shock and anger and raising questions about security .
The authorities later confirmed about 50 people had been killed .
But the Taliban also attack hospitals .
Last September , 20 people died after a truck packed with explosives was detonated by militants from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ province .
On TV , Mr Ghani said : `` In order to provide security for public places and to thwart attacks and threats from the Taliban and other terrorist groups , I 'm ordering Afghan security forces to switch from an active defence mode to an offensive one and to resume their operations against the enemies . ''
Even in a country which has seen the worst of the worst , this savage attack on newborn babies and their mothers has shocked , and shaken fragile hope this would be the year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ peace .
Images of special forces in bulky body armour , carrying infants to safety , will remain long in the memory of those who have repeatedly called for a ceasefire - especially when Afghans are battling another deadly enemy in Covid-19 .
Despite Taliban denials that this ghastly attack was their work , President Ghani 's denunciation reflects the anger and frustration of many .
Some worry that groups like Islamic State , trying to drive an even greater wedge between Taliban and the government , have also killed for now what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And for those who have never trusted the Taliban 's commitment , this latest attack solidifies their resolve to keep fighting .
What happened at the funeral ?
According to survivors , thousands of people had gathered in Nangarhar province for a local police commander 's funeral , and the bomb detonated about half-way through .
Ataullah Khogyani , a spokesman for the governor , said 68 people were injured .
A member of the provincial council was among the at least 24 killed .
Tuesday 's attacks were widely condemned by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ groups , with Amnesty International saying : `` The unconscionable war crimes in Afghanistan today ... must awaken the world to the horrors civilians continue to face . ''
On Twitter , UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said : `` I 'm horrified by the appalling terrorist attacks in Afghanistan today - including on a maternity hospital .
Targeting mothers , their newborns and medical staff is despicable . ''
Meanwhile , in northern Balkh province , at least 10 people were killed and many others injured in an air strike by US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Taliban claimed the victims were all civilians , but the Afghan Defence Ministry said all those killed were militants .
What 's going on with Afghan peace talks ?
Since a February troop withdrawal agreement signed between the US and the Taliban , talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban have broken down over a prisoner swap and violence has continued unabated .
The agreement was aimed at ending more than 18 years of war since US-led forces ousted the Taliban from power following the 9/11 attacks on the US , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ given sanctuary by the hardline Islamist group .
Tens of thousands of people , most of them civilians , have been killed in the conflict .
Many more have been injured or displaced from their homes .

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bbc--2020-05-12--Coronavirus and tipping: Will the outbreak make us more generous?

When cleaner José Zaragoza finished his job at a home , he was surprised to find he 'd received a $ 100 tip on Venmo .
`` I was like 'hey you made a mistake ' - you sent an extra zero , '' but the customer told him he 'd given him a large tip `` to help you and your family in these tough times . ''
Mr Zaragoza 's business has dropped dramatically since the coronavirus pandemic hit the US .
Right now , he has only had one cleaning job a day , and needs to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ body coverall , a mask and gloves , and washing every piece of his cleaning equipment before starting a job .
He 's noticed his regular customers are tipping him more - something he 's grateful for .
`` Many people tip me the equivalent of an extra hour 's work because they know I do n't have a lot of jobs , '' he says , adding that the tips have helped him pay the rent .
There 've been similar reports of generous tipping - sometimes extremely generous - across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In Austin , Texas , one restaurant reopened on 30 April - and found a customer left $ 1,300 to staff as a `` welcome back '' tip .
Some delivery apps have also noticed an increase in tips since the pandemic began .
`` Diners are being more generous with their tips to drivers , with percent tip across Grubhub and Seamless going up nearly 15 % , '' a spokeswoman for the food delivery service told the BBC .
• Coronavirus : How can I help ?
• Should tips @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Instacart said that customer tips were up 99 % , and shoppers ' earnings from tips had nearly doubled , since the start of the outbreak .
A spokeswoman for grocery delivery service said that by March , 97 % of all orders included a tip - and by May , this had gone up further to 99 % .
The increase could partly be due to larger grocery orders - or people hoping to ensure their orders are fulfilled .
But there are cases of clear altruism too , where people have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anything in return .
Virtual tip jars have been set up in states throughout the US to help service staff who are out of work - with many people pledging to send a tip whenever they make themselves a drink at home .
One virtual tip site , ServiceIndustry.Tips , has over 75,000 service workers in its database .
Volunteers vet applications to ensure they are from service staff , and visitors to the site are given the details of a worker , at random , that they can choose to tip .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ tips have been made since the website launched on 17 March .
While the site does n't formally track tip amounts , `` I think some people are tipping very generously - I 've heard of workers receiving a random $ 100 or $ 50 tip , '' Ms Gregory , who is also a member of the Chattanooga Beverage Alliance , adds .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : What are the symptoms ?
• POST-COVID WORLD : Will we ever shake hands again ?
• THE LOST SIX WEEKS : Missed chances @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's motivating this generosity - and can it last ?
Michael Lynn , a professor of consumer behaviour and expert on tipping at Cornell University , says he is not surprised that people appear to be tipping more than normal .
`` One reason people tip is to financially help the service provider and the pandemic may have increased consumers ' perceptions that service workers need financial assistance , '' he says .
`` Another reason people tip is to compensate people for services - and the increased risk of working during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of what a fair tip is . ''
He adds : `` There 's a lot of motives behind tipping - some people tip out of a sense of duty , as a social obligation , or to get good service in the future - but the biggest motivation is to meet social expectations . ''
Meanwhile , Michael Norton , a professor of behavioural economics at Harvard Business School , says that there are particular triggers that make people tip - and some could be particularly relevant in a pandemic .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 're tipping , and getting credit for being nice… makes people behave generously , '' he says .
This may be less common right now , with most delivery services offering contactless drop off , and much tipping being done remotely .
• Will we ever shake hands again ?
However , there is another powerful factor that affects how people give .
`` We like to feel with our giving that we 're having an impact , '' Prof Norton says .
While donating money to medical research is meaningful , for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does n't feel hugely impactful because the problem is so big '' .
By contrast , `` with small acts of generosity , you see the direct impact - you know what a waiter or waitress makes , and know if you give them a large tip , it does have an impact on their finances . ''
`` You can see why , at a time when people feel powerless and a bit out of control , they 'd like to help in a tangible way . ''
Of course , not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ result of the pandemic - some Instacart shoppers have fallen victim to `` tip-baiting '' - where a customer promises a high tip to increase the chance of their order being taken - and then cancels the tip after the delivery is made .
Instacart has stressed that only about 0.5 % of orders had tips adjusted downwards after delivery - but shoppers have described how disheartening it feels , especially when they 've risked their health for a job .
It 's also difficult to tell whether people will continue to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if the economy continues to decline and their own budgets are squeezed .
And , there 's the risk their attention will eventually go elsewhere .
Ms Gregory from serviceindustry.tips notes that `` we saw much more tipping in the beginning than we do now '' .
When the site launched in March , it had as many as 710,000 views in one day , but traffic has now dropped to about 4,000 daily views .
Still , she thinks the pandemic has shone a light on the `` very thin margins '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the difficulties that many service staff face financially .
`` I think this will affect how tipping happens in the US in the future - and I hope we end up with a much more equitable scenario going forward , where people can make a living wage and tips do n't comprise your main earnings . ''
Meanwhile , Prof Norton argues : `` There 's a cynical view of humans that we 're kind of selfish and self-interested - and of course we can be that way , but humans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Even times of crisis and emergency , when you 'd expect people to be the most selfish , can sometimes `` prompt people to be even more generous '' , he says .
It 's a phenomenon known as `` generalised reciprocity '' , that means people will give to others even when there is n't an obvious direct benefit to themselves .
`` Sometimes we behave in generous ways because we feel that , if we 're living in a community where people help each other , we 'll all be @ @ @ @

Of course, not everyone has become more generous as a result of the pandemic - some Instacart shoppers have fallen victim to "tip-baiting" - where a customer promises a high tip to increase the chance of their order being taken - and then cancels the tip after the delivery is made.