bbc--2020-04-28--Police protecting Prague mayor after 'Russian murder plot'

The mayor of Prague has confirmed he is under police protection , days after a news report suggested he was the target of an assassination plot .
Czech newspaper Respekt alleges a Russian agent carrying the poison ricin arrived in the country three weeks ago .
Mayor Zdenek Hrib refused to say why he was under protection but said he had told police he was being followed .
Dmitry Peskov , a spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin , dismissed the news report as fake .
Czech law enforcement and politicians have not confirmed there was a plot .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not been verified .
Speaking to BBC Russian , Mr Hrib said he could not say why he was under police protection .
He did say he had filed a report to the authorities after noticing he was being followed close to his home , and had seen the same person `` multiple times '' , but he added that he could not confirm if the protection was related to this report .
Mr Hrib also said if he had been killed , `` this would mean that Russian agencies had crossed a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say whether such a plot existed or was connected to Russia .
The mayor of Prague recently backed a decision to change the name of the square outside the Russian embassy to that of a murdered Russian opposition leader , Boris Nemtsov .
The Czech capital also removed the statue of Russian World War Two military hero Marshal Ivan Konev this month , angering Moscow .
What does the report allege ?
The extraordinary report appeared in Czech weekly investigative news magazine Respekt on Monday .
According to the publication , a Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Czech capital three weeks ago , carrying a suitcase containing the deadly poison ricin .
He was then taken to the Russian embassy in a diplomatic vehicle , Respekt says , citing unnamed intelligence sources .
• A city watching out for Russian and Chinese spies Ondrej Kundra , the article 's author , told BBC Russian the man had been `` working for one of Russia 's intelligence agencies '' .
`` Czech police got concrete information about him and he was found to be a real threat for ... @ @ @ @ @ @ @ critical of Kremlin , '' he said .
The report says both Zdenek Hrib , the mayor of Prague , and Ondrej Kolar , the mayor of the Prague 6 municipality , are now under police protection .
John Le Carré does most of his writing in Cornwall , but if he 's looking for inspiration perhaps he might consider a few months in Prague .
When the lockdown lifts , of course .
This extraordinary story of espionage and intrigue could easily provide inspiration for his next novel .
I 've written @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A black Mercedes with Russian diplomatic plates sweeps up to the concourse of Prague Airport ; a fit , muscular man carrying a briefcase jumps in .
It drives off just as quickly , throwing up a small cloud of dust .
An officer of the Security Information Service crumples up a paper coffee cup and throws it into a bin .
Squinting at the retreating limousine , the man lifts his sleeve to his face and says a few words in Czech .
But is this story - like these paragraphs - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would assassinate the mayor of a European capital is surely fantasy .
Calls to various high-level sources yielded nothing .
Everyone had heard something .
No-one could confirm it .
But neither would anyone dismiss it out of hand .
Czech daily newspaper Denik N says three intelligence sources have told them counter-intelligence workers warned the government the man posed a clear danger to local politicians - including a third mayor , Pavel Novotny in the nearby town of Reporyje .
The newspaper also alleges that the matter came up at a meeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian Ambassador Alexander Zmeyevsky .
Zuzana Stichova , Czech foreign ministry spokeswoman , told the BBC they would `` not comment on the leaks published in the media '' , adding that they worked with the security services and `` react adequately to all advice and information we receive about potential threats '' .
`` The fact remains that several weeks ago an appropriately accredited Russian diplomat returned to Prague from a business trip and he was met at the airport by his colleagues , '' she said .
Who are the politicians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have spoken out against Mr Putin 's government in recent months .
Mr Hrib backed plans to rename the square outside the Russian embassy to honour Boris Nemtsov , a Russian opposition leader who was killed near the Kremlin in 2015 .
Russia has since changed the address of its embassy to nearby Korunovacni Street , Czech media reports .
Several other cities - including Washington DC in the US and Vilnius in Lithuania - have renamed areas outside Russian embassies after Nemtsov .
Asked if he regretted the decision to support the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian : `` I would n't change anything . ''
He also refused to comment on how this could affect relations between the Czech Republic and Russia .
`` Here in Prague we do n't do foreign politics , '' he said , adding diplomacy was `` outside the scope of the mayor of Prague '' .
Mr Kolar meanwhile prominently backed efforts to remove a statue of Soviet Marshal Konev from Prague .
Konev is regarded as a war hero in Russia , and was the first Allied commander to enter the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left the city .
But a statue to Konev erected in Prague in 1980 proved controversial , due to Konev 's role in the suppression of the Hungarian Revolution in 1956 and his actions during the Prague Spring in 1968 .
The monument was eventually removed this month during the coronavirus lockdown - a move condemned by the Czech president as `` an abuse of the state of emergency '' .
Russia has since announced an investigation into the removal of the Konev statue .
Mr Kolar was previously forced to leave Prague @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the debate about the statue .
The USSR controlled Communist-run Czechoslovakia for four decades .
Soviet-led forces invaded Czechoslovakia in 1968 after the government there passed a series of reforms to liberalise the Communist nation .
Communist control of the country ended in 1989 .
The Czech Republic amicably split with Slovakia in January 1993 .

He did say he had filed a report to the authorities after noticing he was being followed close to his home, and had seen the same person "multiple times", but he added that he could not confirm if the protection was related to this report.


bbc--2020-04-28--Disney sparks backlash with #MayThe4th tweet

Disney has been accused of trying to claim media ownership of popular hashtag `` MayThe4th '' on Twitter .
The company 's streaming service , Disney Plus , encouraged fans to share their favourite Star Wars memories using the hashtag on Monday .
It followed up with a legal warning suggesting any user who tweeted the hashtag was agreeing to Disney 's terms and letting it use their content .
It backtracked after a huge protest by fans and widespread mockery .
The hashtag - a play on the franchise 's phrase , `` May the force be with you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to coincide with the made-up fan holiday .
`` Reply with your favourite # Star Wars memory and you may see it somewhere special # MayThe4th , '' the company said in a tweet .
`` By sharing your message with us during # MayThe4th , you agree to our use of the message and your account name in all media and our terms of use . ''
Many fans rushed to share their confusion over Disney 's tweet .
“ You ca n't just scream a terms of service agreement into the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ something falling in line has seen it and agreed , ” replied one user .
Another user joked : `` By having my tweet in your thread you hereby waive all your copyright to the public domain . ''
Disney later added that the wording applied only to specific tweets in the original thread .
“ The above legal language applies ONLY to replies to this tweet using # MayThe4th and mentioning @ DisneyPlus .
These replies may appear in something special on May the 4th !
” • Disney Plus racks up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , IP lawyer at Keystone Law , said due to the popularity of the hashtag , it was unlikely Disney 's tweet would have been seen by everyone who used it .
`` It is a little risky and presumptuous that all tweets copying them in with the hashtag will have read their terms , or know about them , '' he told the BBC .
Twitter 's policy states that users own the unique content they post on the social media service .
`` A user can give permission to someone else @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Wood .
`` However , Disney ’ s risk is whether users who simply use the hashtag are really giving them that permission . ''

Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.


bbc--2020-04-28--Coronavirus: 'One billion' could become infected worldwide - report

One billion people could become infected with the coronavirus worldwide unless vulnerable countries are given urgent help , an aid group has warned .
The International Rescue Committee ( IRC ) said financial and humanitarian aid were needed to help slow the global spread of the virus .
It said `` fragile countries '' such as Afghanistan and Syria needed `` urgent funding '' to avoid a major outbreak .
`` There remains a small window of time to mount a robust response , '' it warned .
There have been more than three million confirmed cases of Covid-19 worldwide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Johns Hopkins University in the US .
The IRC 's report , which is based on models and data from the World Health Organization ( WHO ) and Imperial College London , estimated there could be between 500 million and one billion infections globally .
It also said there could be more than three million deaths across dozens of conflict-affected and unstable countries .
• Live updates from around the world • 'Without food , we 'll die inside out homes' '' These numbers should serve as a wake-up call , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ David Miliband .
`` The full , devastating and disproportionate weight of this pandemic has yet to be felt in the world 's most fragile and war-torn countries , '' he added .
`` The key now is for donors to urgently put flexible funding behind frontline efforts .
`` Governments must work together to remove any impediment to humanitarian assistance . ''
The US-based group , which responds to humanitarian crises around the world , said factors such as household size , population density , healthcare capacity and pre-existing conflicts could all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Many countries in the developing world have low official infection rates or death tolls - but the actual numbers are believed to be much higher .
Caroline Seguin , who manages programmes in Yemen for the medical charity Doctors Without Borders ( MSF ) , said the organisation believed people there were already dying from Covid 19 - just not in hospitals .
`` We are convinced that there is local transmission ongoing but the capacity of testing is very , very low , '' she told the BBC .
Ms Seguin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the IRC report as being particularly vulnerable to coronavirus , said the country had been weakened by recent outbreaks of cholera and measles .
`` The health system is collapsing ... and for sure the ministry of health is not able to cope with this disease , '' she said .
A major issue facing developing or unstable countries is a lack of suitable medical equipment for treating patients with Covid-19 .
In Afghanistan and Pakistan , there are fewer than ten ventilators for every one million people .
In Nigeria , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ventilators per million .
For context , Italy , which has one of the highest death tolls from the virus in the world , had 80 ventilators per one million people at the start of the crisis .
What 's the latest around the world ?
• New Zealand has begun easing some of its lockdown measures .
With new cases in single figures for several days , the government says the virus is `` currently '' eliminated • Japan 's coronavirus hotspot Tokyo had only 39 new cases on Monday , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump says he `` ca n't imagine why '' states have seen a spike in people using disinfectant , after he suggested injecting the substance to treat coronavirus • US states including Georgia , Oklahoma , Alaska and South Carolina are re-opening their economies , despite infections continuing to rise • UK figures suggest deaths in care homes from the virus are continuing to rise • France and Spain are set to unveil plans to relax lockdowns that have been in place for several weeks • Nigeria will begin a `` gradual easing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people in its largest cities • India has cancelled orders for about half a million coronavirus rapid testing kits from China after they were found to be `` faulty '' • A SIMPLE GUIDE : How do I protect myself ?
• AVOIDING CONTACT : The rules on self-isolation and exercise • STRESS : How to look after your mental health

"The full, devastating and disproportionate weight of this pandemic has yet to be felt in the world's most fragile and war-torn countries," he added. "The key now is for donors to urgently put flexible funding behind frontline efforts.


bbc--2020-04-28--Norway tycoon Tom Hagen held over wife's disappearance

Norwegian police have arrested a millionaire , Tom Hagen , over the disappearance of his wife 18 months ago .
Mr Hagen , a 70-year-old property and energy magnate , is suspected of `` murder or conspiracy to murder '' , police said .
His wife Anne-Elisabeth Hagen vanished amid claims she had been kidnapped .
Police say ransom demands for her release that appeared in 2018 were probably fake , and it was likely she had been killed .
Mr Hagen was picked up near the family home in Lorenskog , east of the capital Oslo .
He was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and has not yet been formally charged .
There was no immediate statement from his lawyer .
The Hagen family had said it had received demands for ransom to secure Anne-Elisabeth 's release .
Norwegian media reported the ransom to be some $ 10m ( £8m ) in a cryptocurrency known as Monero .
But Police Inspector Tommy Broeske told a news conference on Tuesday : `` There was no kidnapping , no real negotiating counterpart or real negotiations .
`` There are indications of a will to sidetrack ( investigators ) .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ kidnappings and murders are relatively rare .
According to Norwegian business magazine Kapital , Tom Hagen 's fortune is about $ 200m .

Mr Hagen was picked up near the family home in Lorenskog, east of the capital Oslo. He was remanded in custody for four weeks, and has not yet been formally charged.


bbc--2020-04-28--Coronavirus: Hairdresser makes 'emergency' colour drop-offs

Hairdressing salon owner Debony Diehl has been helping clients get the products they need to do their own hair at @ @ @ @ @ to also keep her business afloat by selling the hair treatments usually on sale in @ @ @ @ @ by bicycle to her customers in Jackson , New Hampshire .
Governor Chris Sununu 's @ @ @ @ @ due to expire on May 4 but he says that may be partly extended .
@ @ @ @ @ petitioning Mr Sununu to be able to start working again on May 5 .

Hairdressing salon owner Debony Diehl has been helping clients get the products they need to do their own hair at home.
She is trying to also keep her business afloat by selling the hair treatments usually on sale in her salon and delivering them by bicycle to her customers in Jackson, New Hampshire.
Governor Chris Sununu's stay at home order is due to expire on May 4 but he says that may be partly extended. Some hair salons have been petitioning Mr Sununu to be able to start working again on May 5.


bbc--2020-04-28--Coronavirus: The hospice staff working through a pandemic

The coronavirus crisis has dramatically changed how hospices operate - including visitor restrictions and social distancing rules , to minimise @ @ @ @ @ being passed on .
The BBC 's Ed Thomas finds out the impact on staff @ @ @ @ @ East Cheshire Hospice , which thinks hospices like them have been forgotten about in the @ @

The coronavirus crisis has dramatically changed how hospices operate - including visitor restrictions and social distancing rules, to minimise the risk of the virus being passed on.
The BBC's Ed Thomas finds out the impact on staff, patients and families at East Cheshire Hospice, which thinks hospices like them have been forgotten about in the pandemic.


bbc--2020-04-28--Stars sing out for Sondheim's birthday concert

Stars including Meryl Streep , Jake Gyllenhaal , Neil Patrick Harris and Patti LuPone all performed in a virtual concert @ @ @ @ @ of the legendary composer and lyricist , Stephen Sondheim .
Heavyweights from across the entertainment @ @ @ @ @ 's most beloved work , featuring numbers from musicals like Into the Woods , Company @ @ @ @ @ Little Night Music .
The concert also raised money for the arts charity , ASTEP @ @ @ @ @ Poverty ) , which seeks to helps underserved communities in the US access the performing @ @

Stars including Meryl Streep, Jake Gyllenhaal, Neil Patrick Harris and Patti LuPone all performed in a virtual concert to celebrate the 90th birthday of the legendary composer and lyricist, Stephen Sondheim.
Heavyweights from across the entertainment industry performed some of Sondheim's most beloved work, featuring numbers from musicals like Into the Woods, Company, Sweeney Todd and A Little Night Music.
The concert also raised money for the arts charity, ASTEP (Artists Striving to End Poverty), which seeks to helps underserved communities in the US access the performing arts.


bbc--2020-04-28--Refugee camp image wins food photo contest

K M Asad has been named Pink Lady Food Photographer of the Year 2020 for her image of children queuing for food at a vast Rohingya refugee camp in Cox 's Bazar , Bangladesh .
More than one million people live in the refugee camp , recently been placed in lockdown amid the Coronavirus pandemic .
`` This moving image really speaks to our times , '' awards founder and director Caroline Kenyon says .
`` The world is in the grip of Covid-19 - and normal life , whatever that may be , has stopped for all of us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us of the fragility of life , that our need for food for survival connects us all around the world - we are all the same . ''
After judges sifted through 9,000 entries from more than 70 countries the winners , were announced online via a livestream event .
Here are some of the competition category winners , with descriptions by the photographers .
Bring Home the Harvest : The Morning Catch , by Zay Yar Lin , Myanmar Food for the Family : Olek Eating Pancakes , by Anna Włodarczyk , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Hive is Filled , by Xiaodong Sun , China InterContinental Food at the Table : Looking Too Good to Eat ( Just Yet ) , by Sandy Wood , UK On the Phone : Hilsa , by Azim Khan Ronnie , Bangladesh One Vision Imaging Cream of the Crop : Vinaigrette , by Kai Stiepel , Germany All photographs courtesy Food Photographer of the Year 2020 .

Refugee camp image wins food photo contest Published 29 April 2020
A photo of Rohingya refugee children queuing with empty plates in Bangladesh has won a major food photography award.
K M Asad has been named Pink Lady Food Photographer of the Year 2020 for his image from a sprawling refugee camp at Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh.
Image source, K M ASAD
More than one million people live in the refugee camp, recently been placed in lockdown amid the Coronavirus pandemic.
"This moving image really speaks to our times," awards founder and director Caroline Kenyon says.
"The world is in the grip of Covid-19 - and normal life, whatever that may be, has stopped for all of us.
"These Rohingya refugee children remind us of the fragility of life, that our need for food for survival connects us all around the world - we are all the same."
After judges sifted through 9,000 entries from more than 70 countries the winners, were announced online via a livestream event.
Here are some of the competition category winners, with descriptions by the photographers.
Bring Home the Harvest: The Morning Catch, by Zay Yar Lin, Myanmar
Image source, Zay Yar Lin Image caption, "Three fishermen throwing their fishing nets in the lake near U Bein Bridge, in Mandalay, Myanmar[, also known as Burma]."
Food Bloggers: Bowl of Squash, by Aimee Twigger, UK
Image source, Aimee Twigger Image caption, "A bowl of autumn squash, inspired by Vermeer. We had left them in a bowl by the window before a shoot and I loved the light and the colours."
Food for the Family: Olek Eating Pancakes, by Anna Włodarczyk, Poland
Image source, Anna Włodarczyk Image caption, "My son Olek eating pancakes in our summer Kashubian house."
Food in the Field: When the Hive is Filled, by Xiaodong Sun, China
Image source, Sun Xiaodong Image caption, "Before harvesting the honey, the bee-keeper carefully removes the bees from their hives."
Food Stylist: Halibut and Radish, by Nicole Herft, UK
Image source, Nicole Herft Image caption, "This was another play on keeping the shapes round. Cured fish underneath, radish on top - I piped yoghurt and prawn oil around the outside and garnished with micro-herbs."
InterContinental Food at the Table: Looking Too Good to Eat (Just Yet), by Sandy Wood, UK
Image source, Sandy Wood Image caption, "Who will get the best shot? Three Instagrammer capturing the food at a social-media event."
Young aged 15-17: Believers Sharing a Meal, by Sangjun Lee, India
Image source, Sangjun Lee Image caption, People share a meal during a Hindu ritual called Shraaddha in which they give thanks to deceased parents and relatives.
Marks & Spencer Food Portraiture: Baked Figs, by Liam Desbois, UK
Image source, Liam Desbois Image caption, "Baked figs with walnut, honey and fresh thyme."
Young aged under 10: Apples, by Scarlett Blanch, UK
Image source, Scarlett Blanch Image caption, "Apples for sale at a market stall."
Champagne Taittinger Wedding Food Photographer: Just Desserts, by Thomas Alexander, UK
Image source, Thomas Alexander Image caption, "A waitress delivers desert to the happy couple at this wedding feast."
On the Phone: Hilsa, by Azim Khan Ronnie, Bangladesh
Image source, Azim Khan Ronnie Image caption, "Hilsa, a type of herring, for sale in Bangladesh."
One Vision Imaging Cream of the Crop: Vinaigrette, by Kai Stiepel, Germany
Image source, Kai Stiepel Image caption, "To make a vinaigrette, you have to mix ingredients that sometimes don't want to be mixed together."
Pink Lady Apple a Day: Caramel Lady, by Diana Kowalczyk, Poland
Image source, Diana Kowalczyk Image caption, "The moment of sweetness is worth it."


bbc--2020-04-28--The trees that survived the bombing of Hiroshima

When an atomic bomb was detonated over the Japanese city of Hiroshima in 1945 , hundreds of thousands of people @ @ @ @ @ Despite many survivors believing nothing would grow in the city for decades , 170 trees @ @ @ @ @ 75 years later .
Green Legacy Hiroshima is a project which sends seedlings from those @ @ @ @ @ spreading a message of hope .
Tomoko Watanabe is a co-founder of the project and @ @ @ @ @ Witness History : The stories of our times told by the people who were there @

When an atomic bomb was detonated over the Japanese city of Hiroshima in 1945, hundreds of thousands of people were killed and injured.
Despite many survivors believing nothing would grow in the city for decades, 170 trees survived and are still growing 75 years later.
Green Legacy Hiroshima is a project that sends seedlings from those trees around the world, spreading a message of hope.
Tomoko Watanabe is a co-founder of the project and spoke to Witness History.
Witness History: The stories of our times told by the people who were there.
This video was originally published in April 2020.


bbc--2020-04-28--Tara Reade: What are the sex attack allegations against Joe Biden?

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden faces mounting calls to respond to a sexual assault allegation against him by a former employee .
Tara Reade , who worked for the former US vice-president nearly 30 years ago , says he sexually assaulted her in the halls of Congress .
Mr Biden has been accused of being `` touchy feely '' by multiple women , but this is the first public accusation of serious sexual misconduct against him .
The White House hopeful 's camp has denied it , but acquaintances of Ms Reade have confirmed she confided in them about her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during a presidential election year - the first such vote since the emergence of the # MeToo movement - let 's take a look at what exactly Mr Biden is accused of and how he has responded .
What is the accusation ?
Tara Reade , 56 , worked as a staff assistant to Mr Biden from 1992-93 when he was a senator for the US state of Delaware .
In recent interviews , she has said that in 1993 her former boss forced her against a wall and put his hands under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him his gym bag .
`` There was no exchange , really , he just had me up against the wall , '' she said to podcast host Katie Halper in March 2020 .
`` I remember it happened all at once ... his hands were on me and underneath my clothes . ''
He then penetrated her with his fingers , she said .
`` I remember him saying , first , as he was doing it 'Do you want to go somewhere else ? '
and then him saying to me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said 'Come on man , I heard you liked me , ' '' she said .
`` That phrase stayed with me . ''
Ms Reade filed a criminal complaint on 9 April 2020 with police , saying she was a victim of sexual assault but did not name Mr Biden .
She said in a tweet that she filed the complaint `` for safety reasons only '' , as the statute of limitations for her claim have expired and she had begun to receive online threats .
Ms Reade was one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accuse Mr Biden of inappropriate touching , hugging or kissing , though none described his actions as sexual assault at the time .
Three people have now backed her account of being assaulted , although none say they were witnesses to it .
Her brother , former neighbour and former colleague have said that they heard her describe the accusation against her boss shortly after the alleged incident .
Lynda LaCasse , who lived next door to Ms Reade after she left Washington in 1993 , told Business Insider : `` This happened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I remember talking about it . ''
She recalled Ms Reade crying while describing her experience as they both shared stories of violence in their lives sometime in 1995 or 1996 .
`` I remember her saying , here was this person that she was working for and she idolised him , '' Ms LaCasse said .
`` I remember the skirt .
I remember the fingers , '' she said .
`` I remember she was devastated . ''
`` I have to support her just because that 's what happened , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she felt compelled to support Ms Reade because `` we need to stand up and tell the truth . ''
However , she still plans to vote for Mr Biden in the November presidential election .
Lorraine Sanchez , a former legislative aide who worked with Ms Reade in the office of a California lawmaker from 1994-96 , told Business Insider that she also heard Ms Reade 's account shortly after she left Mr Biden 's office in Washington .
Ms Reade said `` she had been sexually harassed by her former boss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to Ms Sanchez .
The records of Mr Biden 's 36-year career as a US senator are being held at the University of Delaware , which says it will not release any papers until two years after Mr Biden leaves public life .
Ms Reade claims the records will contain evidence that she complained to her superiors about Mr Biden , and perhaps that other members of his staff may have made similar accusations .
The candidate has yet to comment himself on Ms Reade 's allegation .
But his campaign said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` absolutely did not happen '' .
Mr Biden , 78 , `` firmly believes that women have a right to be heard - and heard respectfully '' , said his campaign spokeswoman .
`` Such claims should also be diligently reviewed by an independent press .
What is clear about this claim : It is untrue . ''
No senior aides to Mr Biden say they can recall overhearing a complaint from Ms Reade .
`` I have absolutely no knowledge or memory of Ms Reade 's accounting of events , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me as a woman professional , and as a manager , '' Mr Biden 's executive assistant Marrianne Baker said .
There have been no other allegations of serious assault made against Mr Biden .
In an investigation into Ms Reade 's account by the New York Times , two friends and Ms Reade 's brother said she described the details of a traumatic sexual attack involving the former vice-president .
But the newspaper found no corroboration from any former staff members of Mr Biden and found `` no pattern of sexual misconduct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hurt Biden 's presidential bid ?
Probably not It 's possible that Tara Reade 's accusation of sexual assault against Joe Biden could derail his campaign , but it seems unlikely .
Here 's why .
Americans already know about the `` touchy feely-ness '' of the former VP and they factored that in as they chose him to be their nominee .
He put out a video saying he 'd learned from # MeToo that times have changed and that his history of rubbing women 's shoulders , kissing their heads , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that was seen as apology enough by most primary voters .
An accusation of sexual assault is of course more serious but the criteria for judging whether someone is a sexual abuser is looking at a consistent story from the accuser and a pattern of behaviour in the accused .
Ms Reade is so far the only woman to accuse Mr Biden of sexual assault .
If no others emerge , Democrats may be inclined to believe their candidate over her .
Joe Biden is running against Donald Trump , who has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 25 women .
That may not stop the President using it as an attack line ( he 's hinted at it before ) , but it does diminish the credibility of the attack .
In the midst of this pandemic , almost no other news is breaking through .
In a normal cycle this story would be getting a lot more attention in newspaper headlines and on cable TV .
Today it barely registers .
That 's helpful for Mr Biden .
The Democratic Party does hold itself to a higher standard on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican Party does , so this accusation is uncomfortable .
But this year , the standard that matters most to Democrats is getting Mr Trump out of the White House .
They believe Mr Biden has the best shot at doing that .
Ms Reade was one of over half a dozen women who have forward over the last year to accuse Mr Biden of inappropriate touching , hugging or kissing , though none described his actions as sexual assault at the time .
In response , Mr Biden pledged to be `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ms Reade was among those to speak out earlier , saying that he had touched her several times on her shoulder and neck .
In an interview with Nevada newspaper The Union in April 2019 , she claimed that her career was sidelined after she refused to serve drinks at an event .
She said Biden had requested that she serve because he liked her legs .
She told the paper that she did not feel like the alleged acts toward her were about sex but rather `` power and control '' .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In interviews with the Washington Post last year , she made no mention of the assault , and said she blamed Biden 's staff for `` bullying '' her more than Biden .
`` This is what I want to emphasise : It 's not him .
It 's the people around him who keep covering for him , '' she said at the time .

Americans already know about the "touchy feely-ness" of the former VP and they factored that in as they chose him to be their nominee. He put out a video saying he'd learned from #MeToo that times have changed and that his history of rubbing women's shoulders, kissing their heads, etc, was not appropriate. Evidently, that was seen as apology enough by most primary voters.


bbc--2020-04-28--The Valentine's Day snake puzzle

The Valentine's Day snake puzzle

The search for a culprit who abandoned 29 valuable snakes in February is continuing , but it 's a case that has everyone mystified , reports Chris Stokel-Walker .
The wriggling inside the pillowcase signalled that something was n't right .
The evening before Valentine 's Day , firefighters working at Farringdon Community Fire Station , a modern , two-storey building in Sunderland , were asked to deal with an unusual incident .
The location was a bin around the back of their station , where Buzz Lightyear bedding hid 13 royal python snakes , each between two and four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fire Service were approached for this story , but declined to participate . )
The RSPCA was called and the officer who arrived at the scene took the cold and already lethargic animals home to warm them up .
The following morning , 14 February , a local vet found that all were in good condition except one , which later died .
It was at this point that RSPCA inspector Trevor Walker was called in .
Though he works in nearby Newcastle , he 's a Yorkshire lad and was due to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
As the snakes needed to be moved to a specialist RSPCA holding centre in Yorkshire , he volunteered to carry them in the boot of his Volvo hatchback .
`` We had 12 snake bags , each one containing one snake , laid in the boot where it was nice and warm , '' he says .
`` I did n't mention it to the wife until we were halfway there .
I do n't think she 'd have been happy if she 'd known . ''
Having safely deposited the snakes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But as he was looking at his iPad the next day , he received a fresh alert .
Another set of snakes had been abandoned in exactly the same place .
This time , one more royal python and 15 corn snakes , left in two taped and ziplocked pink pillowcases .
`` Any normal decent person has a mix of horror and shock , '' says Alec Wood of North East Reptile Rescue , which regularly rehouses reptiles whose owners are unable to continue keeping their pets .
`` It 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of us like to see that happen to any animal .
It paints the hobby in a bad light , '' he adds .
`` A very bad light . ''
The twin findings captured the imagination of local and national media .
`` It 's really unusual to see this kind of volume of snakes , '' says Walker .
`` There 'll always be the occasional snake that has escaped his vivarium , and you find him basking in the sun the following day . ''
But this was different .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ it must have been some kind of a trade , possibly some kind of pet shop , '' he adds .
`` Though why would a pet shop abandon these snakes which are quite valuable to them and are a source of money ? ''
The RSPCA 's inquiries are continuing , hampered by the fact that there was n't any CCTV footage of the area .
Peta , an animal rights campaign group , offered a £2,500 reward for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever left the snakes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dangerous lack of empathy to dump so many animals , '' said Peta director Elisa Allen .
Though an estimated 400,000 snakes are kept as pets in homes across the UK , keeping pythons and corn snakes is n't cheap .
The RSPCA recommends housing each in a separate vivarium , large enough for the animal to stretch out , with one end warmer and lighter than the other .
The space must be well ventilated , but humidity levels must also be carefully controlled to resemble West Africa , in the case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scrubland or forest in the case of the corn snakes .
`` There 's a lot of money that has to be tied up in looking after these kinds of snakes , which leads us away from the odd house that 's got a vivarium with one snake in , '' says Walker .
`` Very unusual . ''
But specialist snake keepers ca n't think who the reptiles would have belonged to either .
`` If somebody was trying to get rid of a collection that big , people would know about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anything , '' says Alec Wood .
`` If you talk to people in the reptile community around here , if you talk to people who run shops and everything , there has n't been somebody looking to get rid of a large collection like that recently . ''
He points out that some of the royal pythons were varieties with rare colours or patterns , known as `` morphs '' .
One was a spider morph - yellow with very fine black lines .
`` They 're fairly expensive , or have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says .
This suggests to him that it was n't the owner who got rid of the snakes .
Perhaps a tragedy occurred , he suggests - a sudden domestic break-up , an unexpected serious illness or a death , as a result of which a friend or relative was left with a large collection they had no idea how to look after or offload ?
`` If your circumstances changed incredibly suddenly , you might not have the time it takes to get rid of such a large collection through normal routes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the National Centre for Reptile Welfare ( NCRW ) , based in Tonbridge , Kent , agrees that the sudden appearance of the snakes out of the blue is odd .
Hobbyists are a tight-knit community , he says , so one of them should surely have known who the snakes belonged to .
And there is another thing that does n't add up , from his perspective : `` Typically , people who keep corn snakes keep corn snakes , and people who keep royal pythons keep royal pythons . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ play - a deliberate attempt to stain the reputation of the reptile community .
`` Reptiles have always attracted lots of negative publicity from animal rights groups , and one ca n't help thinking that there 's something behind this , '' he says .
`` If your intention was to develop publicity , then dumping them would work . ''
Asked who would want to do such a thing , Newman says he does n't know .
But Alec Wood says some are uneasy about the RSPCA 's involvement in the case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the keeping of all exotic pets .
When the Animal Welfare Act , which governs how people can keep animals in the UK , was being drawn up in the early 2000s , there was a campaign to ban ownership of reptiles .
It was n't successful , but snake hobbyists have n't forgotten .
`` It 's very easy to become paranoid , but I do like to try and understand what 's going on , how these things have happened and what 's driving them , '' Newman says .
An @ @ @ @ @ @ @ common misconception among reptile owners that the organisation was against the keeping of snakes , pointing out that the RSPCA published care information to help owners do their best for the animals .
A statement continued : `` The RSPCA does have concerns about the trade and keeping of reptiles as pets , and meeting the needs of some species will be very difficult , if not impossible , in a typical household ...
There are some species , for example , which grow very large , such as reticulated pythons which can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; it would be very difficult for owners to provide an enclosure with sufficient space for these animals in a typical home environment . ''
Peta still argues that snakes suffer in private ownership .
`` Many are torn away from their natural homes and shipped hundreds or thousands of miles in appalling conditions , only to be shoved into a small tank and later dumped , as these animals were , '' the organisation says .
It recently launched a campaign demanding legislation to ensure snakes are given space to stretch out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an animal rights group could have dumped the 29 pythons and corn snakes , a Peta press officer said : `` Please know that at Peta we respect snakes and we protect snakes .
To suggest otherwise is to slander us . ''
In the meantime , the RSPCA investigation goes on .
`` We 've put out an appeal for anyone who noticed anything that happened over those two nights , particularly whether any vehicles were seen in the area , '' says Trevor Walker .
There are `` a couple of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but which it is n't willing to disclose .
So far , Walker says , the police have not been asked for help .
`` As and when the investigation proceeds , if there 's any time we need to get access into a building , a property , or a domesticated area , that 's when we 'll involve the police and ask for their assistance . ''
You may also be interested in : A herd of hippopotamuses once owned by the late Colombian drug baron Pablo Escobar has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ranch - and no-one quite knows what to do with them .

A statement continued: "The RSPCA does have concerns about the trade and keeping of reptiles as pets, and meeting the needs of some species will be very difficult, if not impossible, in a typical household... There are some species, for example, which grow very large, such as reticulated pythons which can grow up to 30ft long in captivity; it would be very difficult for owners to provide an enclosure with sufficient space for these animals in a typical home environment."


bbc--2020-04-28--'I wanted doors I could slam': Growing up in a see-through house

As a child , Shelley Klein envied her friends ' more traditional homes .
She grew up in a `` see-through '' house in the Scottish Borders , designed by leading modernist architect Peter Womersley .
Her father was influential designer Bernat Klein , and their home regularly hosted catwalk shows for fashion editors who were flown up from London .
`` It was lovely , but I do n't think as a child I kind of recognised that it was not the norm , it was just home , '' Shelley said .
`` Friends loved the house ... @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exceptional .
`` I know I was far more jealous of them living in their more traditional houses . ''
Shelley has now written a book about living in High Sunderland , near Selkirk .
The building - which has been A-listed by Historic Environment Scotland - has been described as a `` signature work '' of Peter Womersley .
The Borders-based architect designed the geometric modular building in the late 1950s .
Shelley said the thought of the house as being `` beautiful and fun '' when she was a little girl @ @ @ @ @ @ @ older .
`` As a teenager I wanted doors that I could slam , and also just places that you could go and hide and be by yourself , '' she explained .
`` In a very open-planned glass house , that 's not so easy .
`` I did n't have a bedroom door until I was about 13 - when I demanded that my dad put one in because I did want some privacy . ''
She said the design , while beautiful , was not always easy to live with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when you do n't feel quite as private from the outside world , '' she said .
`` It was more the idea that people could look in , even though we were n't overlooked or anything , but people would suddenly appear at the window .
`` As a very little child I think I got quite scared about people looking in at night . ''
The journey of her father , Bernat Klein , to the Borders was a long one .
He was born in what was then Yugoslavia , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to study textiles at Leeds University in 1945 .
He eventually ended up working in Edinburgh before being transferred to southern Scotland , which was initially `` a bit of a shock '' .
But he and his wife Margaret , who was known as Peggy , came to love the area and chose it as the location for their unique home .
The property was also at the heart of the fashion industry , as Mr Klein worked with the likes of Chanel , Dior , Pierre Cardin and Yves Saint Laurent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shows in the house , '' recalled Shelley .
`` All the fashion editors would be flown up from London and we 'd have catwalk shows in the house and things , which was great fun . ''
However , as a child Shelley was more interested in friends who came from a farming background than she was in clothes .
She left the Borders in her late teens and worked in publishing in London , before living in Cornwall .
She returned to Scotland to look after her father following her mother @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was in my 50s and that was quite difficult because he was very purist about what could and could n't come into the house , '' she said .
`` I had a lot of Victorian furniture which he threw his hands up in horror at .
`` So we had our little battles in later life with me looking after him . ''
She described it as a good relationship , if occasionally fiery .
`` We both gave as good as we got , '' she said .
`` He was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things looked and it made him very uncomfortable if things did n't look right .
`` His immediate environment was very important to him but he was an incredibly generous , funny man - and then also very difficult because of this single-minded vision . ''
Shelley said there was one trait in particular she had not inherited .
`` I am not the most neat person and he was fastidiously tidy , so living with me was quite difficult for him in his house because I do seem to leave trails of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' she said .
`` He found it very difficult - we both had to learn patience .
`` He would drive me insane tidying up immediately after me if I was cooking or something .
I would turn round and the thing I was looking for was gone . ''
When her father died in 2014 , the family realised the house was too big for Ms Klein to stay in alone and , eventually , decided to part company with their `` see-through '' home .
`` It took me about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to put it on the market and saying goodbye to it was heart-breaking , I ca n't put it any other way , '' said Shelley .
`` But we have found some wonderful people who have bought it , hopefully they are enjoying it as much as we did . ''

"I am not the most neat person and he was fastidiously tidy, so living with me was quite difficult for him in his house because I do seem to leave trails of destruction behind me wherever I go," she said.


bbc--2020-04-28--Jumia: The e-commerce start-up that fell from grace

A year after its debut on the New York Stock Exchange , e-commerce start-up Jumia has shut down in three African states , struggled to turn a profit and got dumped by its original owners , writes former BBC Africa Business editor Larry Madowo .
The two CEOs of Jumia announced earlier this month that they were taking a 25 % pay cut to support the online retailer manage costs during the coronavirus pandemic .
In 2019 , the duo and the company 's chief financial officer collectively earned $ 5.3m ( £4.27m ) in base salaries and one-time bonuses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % to $ 246m , the eighth straight year without profits .
A silver lining arrived with lockdowns that shut down much economic activity but led to a surge in online shopping .
Before the rush , the African online retailer had ended last year with 6.1 million active consumers on its websites , up from 4 million previously .
As the virus spread , Jumia expanded grocery and sanitary offerings , introduced contactless delivery options and promoted cashless payments .
It also started selling essential items in South Africa using its fashion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two Frenchmen who run Jumia as co-CEOs , Jeremy Hodara and Sacha Poignonnec , reduced their salaries just days before the first anniversary of its initial public offering ( IPO ) on the New York Stock Exchange ( NYSE ) .
When it listed last April , Juliet Anammah walked up to the security check-in tent outside the world 's most famous stock trading venue .
Another woman standing nearby snapped a photo of a large banner draped over the front of the iconic building emblazoned with the Jumia logo reading : `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ listed on the NYSE . ''
`` I 've worked on Wall Street for 25 years and I 've never seen an African banner there , '' she told Ms Annamah , then the firm 's country CEO in Nigeria .
Jumia is a three-headed online giant : a marketplace with one billion annual visits largely dominated by third-party sellers , a logistics arm that handles shipments and deliveries , and a payments platform .
Ms Anammah led her colleagues in ringing the bell above the trading floor of the stock exchange at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` There was no champagne later to celebrate .
We 're still a start-up , '' she remembered recently at her office Lagos .
Jumia listed at $ 14.50 a share , valuing the company at $ 1.1bn .
Just four days later , its stock hit $ 49.77 , raising its value to an African startup record of $ 3.8bn .
It would not last .
Within a few weeks , Jumia 's stock suffered a spectacular decline , weighed down by allegations of fraud and concealed losses , a scathing report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawsuits in New York courts and a public relations disaster over its identity .
The share price sunk to an all-time low of $ 2.15 last August and has not budged .
The company exited three of its 14 country markets - Rwanda , Tanzania and Cameroon - in quick succession and tried to chart a path to profitability .
A week before its first birthday on the stock market , its original owner , German technology investor Rocket Internet , dumped its entire 11 % stake , further knocking the wind off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first year on the NYSE is a proper reflection of the value of the company , '' says Rebecca Enonchong , a Cameroonian tech entrepreneur and a critic of the firm .
`` The hubris of the IPO has led way to the reality of a bad business model .
The stock price , hovering under $ 3 , is a reflection of that . ''
Jumia 's IPO was billed as a coming of age story for the continent 's nascent start-ups , but it arrived on Wall Street just as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wearing out .
The American e-commerce giant Amazon , to which it is often compared , took six years to become profitable , but eight years after its launch , Jumia is still struggling .
That bad news capped a tumultuous year for the company , praised and derided as `` the Amazon of Africa '' .
`` Their business is still fundamentally broken , they have no way out , '' says Olumide Olusanya , an early competitor of Jumia 's in Lagos .
The entrepreneur , who went into business after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thinks it is burning too much cash too fast in a low-margin market .
`` It is practically impossible to work .
I do n't envy the guy running the business . ''
You may also be interested in : • Why motorbike apps are scrambling for Africa • Why African millennials ca n't get enough of Bitcoin In 2019 , Jumia 's fulfilment expenses were $ 1.6m higher than gross profit .
That means Jumia paid more to ship and deliver to buyers than it earned .
Dr Olusanya suggests the main @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to allow its investors to cash out .
`` They collected money .
After several years , you 're thinking of how to return the money to them .
If I had an outlet , I would also do the same , '' he says .
Mr Hodara scoffs at that , saying that the company needed to raise money .
`` This is called capital markets for a reason , '' he responded in an interview in New York recently .
`` It was the right time and the right place to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next level , bring more visibility and give access to a new set of shareholders and investors , '' he added .
But Jumia 's public claim to African-ness is tenuous because its headquarters are in Berlin , Germany , its Technology and Product Team in Porto , Portugal , and its senior leadership in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates ( UAE ) .
Critics see it as an exploitative Western company that conveniently co-opted an African identity to extract as much value as possible and profit off the continent .
Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ major storm when he claimed in a post-listing interview on pay television station CNBC that Jumia 's engineering team is based in Portugal because Africa lacks the talent .
`` The reality is that in Africa there are not enough developers .
We know that .
And we need to collectively address that , '' he said last April .
And Mr Hodara , answering the now obligatory questions regarding its distributed workforce , says : `` We have our tech team in Portugal because this is where we have a good set-up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in one place so very practical because we 're on the same time zone . ''
`` We are one among many companies to have a few people in Dubai because of ease of travel .
There is no African city that is as connected to the rest of Africa as Dubai , '' adds Mr Hodara .
Jumia 's country leaders insist that it is an African company and the majority of its employees are in fact African .
`` For me , it 's about who was this company set up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who is now chairwoman of Jumia Nigeria .
`` It 's completely African , look here , these are all Africans here , '' she says , pointing to the large open workspace outside her office .
But the leadership at country and group levels was mostly made up of Westerners , some of whom were completely new to Africa .
`` The truth is that the people at the top are definitely not African in any shape or form , '' admits Akua Nyame-Mensah , a former managing director of Jumia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But that 's not a bad thing .
There are a lot of companies on the continent that are doing amazing things and have an impact that are not led by Africans . ''
She is now an executive coach and strategic adviser but still holds Jumia stock options .
For Mr Hodara , a German base made sense because a European corporate structure could attract funding from investors more easily than an African one .
`` What matters is where our consumers and sellers are , '' he says .
`` Personally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here in 50 , 100 years to continue to be part of the life of our consumers and sellers every day , make them successful and make more money .
We want to build a lasting business . ''
However , Ms Enonchong does not see a profitable future for Jumia .
`` Their real founders , that is Rocket Internet , do n't see one either apparently , since they sold all their shares . ''
Dr Olusanya expresses a similar view , but credits it with making history in Africa 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the map .
Nobody ever thought that you could build a business in five to six years that could get listed on the NYSE , '' he says .

And Mr Hodara, answering the now obligatory questions regarding its distributed workforce, says: "We have our tech team in Portugal because this is where we have a good set-up with hundreds and hundreds of developers all in one place so very practical because we're on the same time zone."


bbc--2020-04-28--Coronavirus: Transgender people 'extremely vulnerable' during lockdown

International transgender rights groups are warning global coronavirus lockdown restrictions have led to trans people being denied healthcare .
Many have had surgeries delayed , and some are struggling to access hormone therapy and counselling services .
Gender reassignment surgeries have been delayed globally as a result of coronavirus - with elective procedures stopped to expand capacity for intensive care because of the pandemic .
Although hormone treatments are still available to many in the West , trans-rights groups in East Africa warn that may not be the case for transgender people in other continents .
`` Transgender people are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says Barbra Wangare , the Executive Director of East Africa Trans Health & Advocacy Network ( EATHAN ) , `` and support has historically never been a priority - even among the LGBT community .
Coronavirus will only expose more of these vulnerabilities .
`` We are hearing from people who say they fear they are detransitioning due to lack of access to medical care .
This puts them in an extremely fragile emotional state . ''
Transgender people are about twice as likely to take their own lives as other LGBT people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ study , 'Suicide in Trans Populations ' .
The paper , which looked at several peer reviewed studies , suggests lack of health access adds particular pressure to the trans community .
The BBC has spoken to two transitioning men in Kenya and in the US about what coronavirus lockdown has meant to their transitions .
Mauricio travels seven hours on a bus to Nairobi to collect his testosterone injections .
It 's a journey he 's been making for over a year .
It 's worth it .
`` With the injections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ look less 'feminine ' , my voice is deeper and I 'm growing a beard , '' he says .
`` I was finally on the way to becoming myself .
I am a man .
I was never a woman . ''
Growing up in rural Kenya , about 350km from the capital Nairobi , Mauricio knew he was different .
He has more than 150 cousins and could n't relate to any of them .
`` I was the black sheep of the family . ''
He knew that he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
His parents believed he was a lesbian .
That was bad enough , they said , but it was something they understood .
When he told them that he was a man in a woman 's body , they made him leave the family home .
Mauricio was 16 and homeless .
He was sexually assaulted multiple times .
Just over a year later , he fell pregnant from one of the rapes .
People called him a `` chkora '' , a slur for a street beggar .
He went to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Please do n't make me give birth in the street like a dog . ''
She let him come home .
Mauricio 's daughter was born in 2007 .
He worked at the local market , buying and selling shoes .
In 2018 he decided to begin his transition .
Testosterone injections cost around 1,200 shilling per dose ( about £9 ) - which is a day 's work .
The 14-hour round trip each month to collect his medication felt like a huge achievement .
Mauricio was saving up for top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Then coronavirus reached Kenya , and soon lockdown restrictions followed .
Mauricio does not have his next supply of testosterone .
`` I 'm having sleepless nights , depression , '' he says .
`` What will happen if I can not have access to my medication ?
What will all this pain have been for ?
`` I am a trans man in a transphobic country .
If I do n't get my medication what will happen to my body - it is already changing .
Will I look abnormal ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be heard in this chaos ? ''
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : What are the symptoms ?
• STRESS : How to protect your mental health • MAPS AND CHARTS : Visual guide to the outbreak Liam T Papworth , 30 , Chicago US , was the first openly transgender man to recruit into the US army 2020 was going to be the year that Liam had his phalloplasty - and completed his transition to a male body .
`` A phalloplasty is essentially the surgery where a female to male trans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he says , jokingly flippant , to temper the years of frustration , `` to put it in the most watered down way . ''
The coronavirus pandemic delayed Liam 's surgery until at least the end of 2021 , as he is no longer seen as a medical priority .
`` It 's a major blow because I had put my entire life on hold to get this surgery .
`` I was supposed to be going back to school and I decided not to so that I could get my surgery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operation in an arduous transition for Liam that began when he was 19 .
As a child , Liam did n't feel like a girl .
He remembers arguing with his aunt at his father 's funeral - insisting that he should be able to wear `` boy 's clothes '' and not the dress they had chosen .
After three psychological therapy sessions , at 19 , Liam was prescribed testosterone injections .
His periods stopped , his body felt more like a home .
But it was still a long , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Gender reassignment varies state to state in the US .
Doctors can refuse patients based on private medical insurance conditions .
In 2016 , age 25 , Liam had a bilateral mastectomy - both his breasts removed .
It was day surgery , and he was out of hospital within 12 hours .
Life changed .
Liam could finally go to the swimming pool with trunks , his shirt off .
He competed in triathlons , ran 15km races .
It was liberating .
Despite a 2017 policy by the White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lower courts placed injunctions on the ban , meaning that on 23 February 2018 Liam became the first openly transgender recruit to enlist into the US army .
Liam 's name was not released to the press at the time .
He was discharged on medical grounds the same year - after a severe injury .
By 2019 , the rules changed again , when the US Supreme Court lifted some of the injunctions .
Liam felt he could n't rejoin .
That 's when Liam decided to proceed to the next stage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he had a total laparoscopic hysterectomy , where both his ovaries were removed .
Liam had to stop testosterone injections for weeks beforehand .
The surgery meant he stopped producing oestrogen .
Liam became depressed , feeling his life plans were on hold .
Yet hope was still there , he was only months away from the final procedure : the phalloplasty .
`` It meant everything to me , '' he says .
`` I could put all this behind me .
I could actually move on . ''
There were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Liam 's insurance did not cover a phalloplasty .
Illinois state representative Greg Harris intervened to ensure Liam was eligible for the procedure .
But now the insurers say the pandemic means Liam needs to reapply when a new surgery date is set .
`` Trans medical rights have never been a priority in the medical world , '' Liam says , `` which can be incredibly frustrating .
`` Yes , coronavirus is a global health crisis .
But the mental health of trans people is too .
`` I understand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make tough calls and prioritise during this time .
It would be nice to be a priority , just once . ''

He knew that he was not a girl, despite his body. His parents believed he was a lesbian. That was bad enough, they said, but it was something they understood. When he told them that he was a man in a woman's body, they made him leave the family home.


bbc--2020-04-28--Ligue 1 & 2: France's top two divisions will not resume this season

The Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 seasons will not resume after France banned all sporting events , including behind closed doors , until September .
Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said the 2019-20 sporting season was over as he announced plans to ease France 's coronavirus lockdown on 11 May .
French football 's governing body had hoped to resume the season on 17 June and finish the campaign on 25 July .
Football was suspended indefinitely in France on 13 March .
It is not yet known whether Ligue de Football Professional ( LFP ) will choose to abandon the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no champions or base the outcome of the campaign on current standings .
Defending champions Paris St-Germain are 12 points clear of Marseille at the top of Ligue 1 , with 10 rounds of matches and one outstanding fixture left to play .
Toulouse are bottom of the table , 17 points from safety , and 10 points behind Amiens .
Nimes are 18th and in the relegation play-off spot , three points behind St Etienne in 17th .
PSG chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi said after the announcement : `` We respect of course @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on competing in the Champions League with Uefa agreement - wherever and whenever it is held .
`` If it is not possible to play in France we will play our matches abroad subject to the best conditions for our players and the safety of all our staff . ''
The top five sides in Ligue 2 are separated by just four points , with Lorient and Lens currently occupying the automatic promotion spots .
The LFP had previously met on 10 April and voted to resume the Ligue 1 season .
However @ @ @ @ @ @ @ season of professional sports , including football , will not be able to resume .
`` It will be possible , on sunny days , to practice an individual sporting activity outdoors , obviously respecting the rules of social distancing .
`` It will not be possible , neither to practice sport in covered places , nor team or contact sports . ''
European leagues have until 25 May to tell European football 's governing body Uefa whether they want to complete or cancel their seasons .
Javier Tebas , president of Spain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announcement in France : `` I do not understand why there would more danger in playing football behind closed doors , with all precautionary measures , than working on an assembly line , being on a fishing boat on the high seas , etc .
`` If important economic sectors can not restart , in a safe and controlled manner , they could end up disappearing .
That could happen to professional football .
In other countries teams are already training , that 's the example to follow .
`` In Spain , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we need to reactivate like many others .
We continue to focus on this reactivation , in a responsible manner and adhering to health recommendations , as soon as possible . ''
The Dutch top flight was abandoned on Friday with no promotion or relegation and no champions , while on Monday Belgian clubs postponed a vote on confirming the cancellation of their top flight until next week .
The head of the Dutch FA told BBC Sport he thinks it is `` very doubtful '' the Premier League will be able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said it will use on-field performance to determine which clubs make up next season 's European club competitions .
If league seasons can not be finished , it said national associations would need to select clubs to qualify for Europe .
What the prime minster announced came as a bit of a shock .
Our league had a plan in pace with resuming training in May and playing behind closed doors in June .
This afternoon , we were briefed that he would announce something big and perhaps there would be no football @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a bit of hope .
But now it will end the season .
Although it is the right decision it is still a bit of a shock to know there will be no football until September in France .
We do n't know yet whether there will be relegation or promotion because not playing any games was not in anybody 's mind .
Financially , it is going to be a disaster , so now all the top-two tier clubs will vote in May .
What looks most likely is PSG will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ table as its stands , although for Lyon with a game in hand - who were fifth after matchday 27 and seventh after matchday 28 - it makes a huge difference .
For relegation and promotion it is not very clear .
Maybe the bottom two will go down because it was not tight , but promotion from Ligue 2 is much tighter .
The last thing Uefa wanted was for one of the five big leagues not to continue but the prime minister said it is just not safe enough to play @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not sure it will be safe enough for football to resume .

PSG are 12 points clear at the top of Ligue 1, with a game in hand
The Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 seasons will not resume after France banned all sporting events, including behind closed doors, until September.
Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said the 2019-20 sporting season was over as he announced plans to ease France's coronavirus lockdown on 11 May.
French football's governing body had hoped to resume the season on 17 June and finish the campaign on 25 July.
Football was suspended indefinitely in France on 13 March.
It is not yet known whether Ligue de Football Professional (LFP) will choose to abandon the season with no promotion or relegation and no champions or base the outcome of the campaign on current standings.
Defending champions Paris St-Germain are 12 points clear of Marseille at the top of Ligue 1, with 10 rounds of matches and one outstanding fixture left to play.
Toulouse are bottom of the table, 17 points from safety, and 10 points behind Amiens. Nimes are 18th and in the relegation play-off spot, three points behind St Etienne in 17th.
PSG chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi said after the announcement: "We respect of course the French government decision - we plan on competing in the Champions League with Uefa agreement - wherever and whenever it is held.
"If it is not possible to play in France we will play our matches abroad subject to the best conditions for our players and the safety of all our staff."
The top five sides in Ligue 2 are separated by just four points, with Lorient and Lens currently occupying the automatic promotion spots.
The LFP had previously met on 10 April and voted to resume the Ligue 1 season.
However, Philippe said: "The 2019-20 season of professional sports, including football, will not be able to resume.
"It will be possible, on sunny days, to practice an individual sporting activity outdoors, obviously respecting the rules of social distancing.
"It will not be possible, neither to practice sport in covered places, nor team or contact sports."
European leagues have until 25 May to tell European football's governing body Uefa whether they want to complete or cancel their seasons.
Javier Tebas, president of Spain's La Liga, said after the announcement in France: "I do not understand why there would more danger in playing football behind closed doors, with all precautionary measures, than working on an assembly line, being on a fishing boat on the high seas, etc.
"If important economic sectors cannot restart, in a safe and controlled manner, they could end up disappearing. That could happen to professional football. In other countries teams are already training, that's the example to follow.
"In Spain, football is an important economic driver that we need to reactivate like many others. We continue to focus on this reactivation, in a responsible manner and adhering to health recommendations, as soon as possible."
The Dutch top flight was abandoned on Friday with no promotion or relegation and no champions, while on Monday Belgian clubs postponed a vote on confirming the cancellation of their top flight until next week.
The head of the Dutch FA told BBC Sport he thinks it is "very doubtful" the Premier League will be able to complete the 2019-20 campaign.
Uefa has said it will use on-field performance to determine which clubs make up next season's European club competitions.
If league seasons cannot be finished, it said national associations would need to select clubs to qualify for Europe.
Analysis
French football expert Julien Laurens on BBC Radio 5 Live
What the prime minster announced came as a bit of a shock.
Our league had a plan in pace with resuming training in May and playing behind closed doors in June. This afternoon, we were briefed that he would announce something big and perhaps there would be no football until August, so there was still a bit of hope. But now it will end the season.
Although it is the right decision it is still a bit of a shock to know there will be no football until September in France. We don't know yet whether there will be relegation or promotion because not playing any games was not in anybody's mind.
Financially, it is going to be a disaster, so now all the top-two tier clubs will vote in May. What looks most likely is PSG will be crowned champions and you will take the table as its stands, although for Lyon with a game in hand - who were fifth after matchday 27 and seventh after matchday 28 - it makes a huge difference.
For relegation and promotion it is not very clear. Maybe the bottom two will go down because it was not tight, but promotion from Ligue 2 is much tighter.
The last thing Uefa wanted was for one of the five big leagues not to continue but the prime minister said it is just not safe enough to play. Even in September, I am not sure it will be safe enough for football to resume.


bbc--2020-04-28--Don't restart season but be ready for new campaign - Fifa medical chief

Fifa 's chief doctor has warned against restarting the interrupted 2019-20 campaign and suggested governing bodies prepare for action next season instead .
Michel d'Hooghe said `` as a doctor '' he would be `` sceptical '' about continuing leagues amid the coronavirus pandemic .
The chair of Fifa 's medical committee told BBC Sport : `` My proposal is if it is possible , avoid playing competitive football in the coming weeks .
`` Try to be prepared for the start of good competition next season . ''
European leagues have until 25 May to tell European governing body @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cancel their seasons .
`` There is a risk and it is not a risk that has small consequences , '' continued D'Hooghe .
`` It can have consequences of life and death and that is why I am so careful and I ask everyone to be very careful before deciding to play again .
`` I speak as a medical doctor , I do n't have to speak as an organiser of matches , but for the moment from my medical standpoint I would be very sceptical . ''
Belgian D'Hooghe added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social distancing if football matches were to resume and believes some `` hygienic rules '' would have to be put in place if seasons were to continue .
`` How will you avoid direct contact ? ''
he said .
`` That is my question .
`` For the moment the criteria means it is absolutely difficult to say that we can play competitive football and believe me I regret it profoundly because I am a football man .
`` I am a little bit afraid that to have a complete solution we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a vaccination programme , but I think the time has come now to think of some hygienic rules .
`` For instance to avoid spitting - why do we have to see that in football and not in other sports ?
This is one of the things we have to consider because this is a real danger in the future . ''
On Tuesday it was announced that the French Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 seasons will not resume .
It is not yet known whether the Ligue de Football Professional ( LFP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with no promotion or relegation and no champions , or base the outcome of the campaign on current standings .
The Dutch top flight was abandoned on Friday with no promotion or relegation and no champions , while on Monday Belgian clubs postponed a vote on confirming the cancellation of their top flight until next week .
Plans to resume the Premier League season will step up this week in what has been labelled `` Project Restart '' .
Arsenal , Brighton and West Ham opened their training grounds to players for individual @ @ @ @

Last updated on .From the section Football
'Avoid playing competitive football' - Fifa's medical committee chair
Fifa's chief doctor has warned against restarting the interrupted 2019-20 campaign and suggested governing bodies prepare for action next season instead.
Michel d'Hooghe said "as a doctor" he would be "sceptical" about continuing leagues amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The chair of Fifa's medical committee told BBC Sport: "My proposal is if it is possible, avoid playing competitive football in the coming weeks.
"Try to be prepared for the start of good competition next season."
European leagues have until 25 May to tell European governing body Uefa whether they want to complete or cancel their seasons.
"There is a risk and it is not a risk that has small consequences," continued D'Hooghe.
"It can have consequences of life and death and that is why I am so careful and I ask everyone to be very careful before deciding to play again.
"I speak as a medical doctor, I don't have to speak as an organiser of matches, but for the moment from my medical standpoint I would be very sceptical."
Belgian D'Hooghe added it would be extremely difficult to continue social distancing if football matches were to resume and believes some "hygienic rules" would have to be put in place if seasons were to continue.
"How will you avoid direct contact?" he said. "That is my question.
"For the moment the criteria means it is absolutely difficult to say that we can play competitive football and believe me I regret it profoundly because I am a football man.
"I am a little bit afraid that to have a complete solution we will have to wait until we have a vaccination programme, but I think the time has come now to think of some hygienic rules.
"For instance to avoid spitting - why do we have to see that in football and not in other sports? This is one of the things we have to consider because this is a real danger in the future."
On Tuesday it was announced that the French Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 seasons will not resume.
It is not yet known whether the Ligue de Football Professional (LFP) will choose to abandon the season with no promotion or relegation and no champions, or base the outcome of the campaign on current standings.
The Dutch top flight was abandoned on Friday with no promotion or relegation and no champions, while on Monday Belgian clubs postponed a vote on confirming the cancellation of their top flight until next week.
Plans to resume the Premier League season will step up this week in what has been labelled "Project Restart".
Arsenal, Brighton and West Ham opened their training grounds to players for individual work on Monday.


bbc--2020-04-28--Gossip: Man Utd may be forced to accept cut-price deal for Pogba

Manchester United may be pushed into selling France midfielder Paul Pogba , 27 , for a cut-price deal because of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on football finances .
( Goal ) Arsenal will sell Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang , 30 , for £30m as they do not want him to leave on a free transfer .
( Sun ) The Gunners have yet to offer a contract extension to German midfielder Mesut Ozil , 31 .
( ESPN ) West Ham will refuse any offer made by Chelsea for England midfielder Declan Rice , 21 .
( Goal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surprise contenders for the signature of Ajax and Netherlands midfielder Donny van de Beek .
Manchester United and Real Madrid have also been linked with the 23-year-old .
( Le10 Sport - in French ) Everton have offered a four-year deal to Real Madrid and Colombia midfielder James Rodriguez , 28 .
( Mundo Deportivo - in Spanish ) Arsenal and Manchester United are both interested in signing Monaco and France striker Wissam Ben Yedder , 29 .
( L'Equipe - in French ) Everton have held talks with Barcelona over 20-year-old centre @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is currently on loan at Schalke .
( Mail ) Liverpool have opened talks with the representatives of Lille and Nigeria forward Victor Osimhen , 21 .
( Le10 Sport - in French ) Newcastle are considering replacing manager Steve Bruce with Flamengo boss Jorge Jesus , who led the Brazilian club to the 2019 Copa Libertadores title .
( Goal ) Arsenal will have to pay Real Madrid 50m euros ( £44m ) if they want to sign on-loan Spain midfielder Dani Ceballos , 23 , on a permanent deal .
( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ struggling to tie 18-year-old English winger Bukayo Saka down to a new contract with other Premier League clubs interested .
( 90min ) Chelsea want to sign Paris St-Germain 's 17-year-old French midfielder Kays Ruiz-Atil , who is out of contract in 2021 .
( L'Equipe - in French )

Last updated on .From the section Gossip
Manchester United may be pushed into selling France midfielder Paul Pogba, 27, for a cut-price deal because of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on football finances. (Goal) external-link
Arsenal will sell Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, 30, for £30m as they do not want him to leave on a free transfer. (Sun) external-link
The Gunners have yet to offer a contract extension to German midfielder Mesut Ozil, 31. (ESPN) external-link
West Ham will refuse any offer made by Chelsea for England midfielder Declan Rice, 21. (Goal) external-link
Newcastle and Everton have emerged as surprise contenders for the signature of Ajax and Netherlands midfielder Donny van de Beek. Manchester United and Real Madrid have also been linked with the 23-year-old. (Le10 Sport - in French) external-link
Everton have offered a four-year deal to Real Madrid and Colombia midfielder James Rodriguez, 28. (Mundo Deportivo - in Spanish) external-link
Arsenal and Manchester United are both interested in signing Monaco and France striker Wissam Ben Yedder, 29. (L'Equipe - in French) external-link
Everton have held talks with Barcelona over 20-year-old centre back Jean-Clair Todibo. The French youngster is currently on loan at Schalke. (Mail) external-link
Liverpool have opened talks with the representatives of Lille and Nigeria forward Victor Osimhen, 21. (Le10 Sport - in French) external-link
Who has scored the most headers? Which keeper has made the most errors? How much can you remember about the Premier League season so far?
Newcastle are considering replacing manager Steve Bruce with Flamengo boss Jorge Jesus, who led the Brazilian club to the 2019 Copa Libertadores title. (Goal) external-link
Arsenal will have to pay Real Madrid 50m euros (£44m) if they want to sign on-loan Spain midfielder Dani Ceballos, 23, on a permanent deal. (AS - in Spanish) external-link
Arsenal are struggling to tie 18-year-old English winger Bukayo Saka down to a new contract with other Premier League clubs interested. (90min) external-link


bbc--2020-04-28--Uefa wants leagues to decide by 25 May whether they will complete season

European leagues have until 25 May to tell Uefa whether they want to complete or cancel their seasons .
Football is suspended in all European countries apart from Belarus because of the coronavirus pandemic .
The Premier League has this week stepped up its plans to resume the season in what has been labelled 'Project Restart ' .
Arsenal , Tottenham , Brighton and West Ham have opened their training grounds to players for individual work .
The Premier League league is hopeful of a potential 8 June restart and finishing at the end of July to fit in with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would require full training to begin by 18 May .
Top-flight clubs will meet on Friday to discuss options for the restart .
• Top two French leagues will not resume Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said he had been in contact with clubs about restarting the Premier League `` as soon as possible '' .
Professional Footballers ' Association deputy chief executive Bobby Barnes said : `` We have been assured of the intentions of all that there would be no resumption unless guarantees of safety could be given to the players .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the health and safety of all participants on and off the field , and of course the wider public . ''
The Scottish Premiership is suspended indefinitely and the season could yet be declared over , a move already taken with the second , third and fourth tiers north of the border .
On Tuesday , the French government banned all sporting events , even without spectators , until September , signalling the end of the season for the top two divisions in the country , Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday with no promotion or relegation and no champions , while on Monday Belgian clubs postponed a vote on confirming the cancellation of their top flight until next week .
The deadline set by Uefa is referred to in a set of guidelines on 'eligibility principles ' for European competitions that the governing body 's president and general secretary have sent out to football bodies .
`` Given the unforeseen and unprecedented situation [ ... ] national associations and leagues are facing a situation whereby the completion of their domestic competitions may be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stakeholders are told they `` should be in a position to communicate to Uefa by 25 May the planned restart of their domestic competitions , including the date of restart and the relevant competition format '' .
It adds : `` In the event that a domestic competition is to be prematurely terminated for legitimate reasons [ … ] Uefa would require the national association to explain by 25 May . ''
Uefa is understood to have set the date because of its next executive committee meeting two days later , when decisions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Europa League may be reached .
It is viewed as flexible guidance , rather than a rigid deadline .
Last week , after a video call meeting of all 55 national associations , Uefa made clear it wants on-field performance to determine which clubs make up next season 's European club competitions , despite the current shutdown .
Uefa urged clubs to `` explore all possible options '' to finish their seasons .
It accepted that in `` special cases '' some could be cancelled , but asked authorities to use `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order for teams to qualify for European competitions .
If league seasons can not be finished , it said national associations would need to select clubs to qualify for Europe .
Uefa said it could `` refuse or evaluate '' selected teams if necessary .

Last updated on .From the section European Football
Arsenal's training ground opens to players for individual work
European leagues have until 25 May to tell Uefa whether they want to complete or cancel their seasons.
Football is suspended in all European countries apart from Belarus because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Premier League has this week stepped up its plans to resume the season in what has been labelled 'Project Restart'.
Arsenal, Tottenham, Brighton and West Ham have opened their training grounds to players for individual work.
The Premier League league is hopeful of a potential 8 June restart and finishing at the end of July to fit in with Uefa's European competition plans. This would require full training to begin by 18 May.
Top-flight clubs will meet on Friday to discuss options for the restart.
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said he had been in contact with clubs about restarting the Premier League "as soon as possible".
Professional Footballers' Association deputy chief executive Bobby Barnes said: "We have been assured of the intentions of all that there would be no resumption unless guarantees of safety could be given to the players.
"The overriding principle for all parties is the health and safety of all participants on and off the field, and of course the wider public."
The Scottish Premiership is suspended indefinitely and the season could yet be declared over, a move already taken with the second, third and fourth tiers north of the border.
On Tuesday, the French government banned all sporting events, even without spectators, until September, signalling the end of the season for the top two divisions in the country, Ligue 1 and Ligue 2.
The Dutch top flight was abandoned on Friday with no promotion or relegation and no champions, while on Monday Belgian clubs postponed a vote on confirming the cancellation of their top flight until next week.
The deadline set by Uefa is referred to in a set of guidelines on 'eligibility principles' for European competitions that the governing body's president and general secretary have sent out to football bodies.
"Given the unforeseen and unprecedented situation [...] national associations and leagues are facing a situation whereby the completion of their domestic competitions may be at risk," they write.
Stakeholders are told they "should be in a position to communicate to Uefa by 25 May the planned restart of their domestic competitions, including the date of restart and the relevant competition format".
It adds: "In the event that a domestic competition is to be prematurely terminated for legitimate reasons […] Uefa would require the national association to explain by 25 May."
Uefa is understood to have set the date because of its next executive committee meeting two days later, when decisions on the restarting of the Champions League and Europa League may be reached. It is viewed as flexible guidance, rather than a rigid deadline.
Last week, after a video call meeting of all 55 national associations, Uefa made clear it wants on-field performance to determine which clubs make up next season's European club competitions, despite the current shutdown.
Uefa urged clubs to "explore all possible options" to finish their seasons.
It accepted that in "special cases" some could be cancelled, but asked authorities to use "a different format" if needed in order for teams to qualify for European competitions.
If league seasons cannot be finished, it said national associations would need to select clubs to qualify for Europe.
Uefa said it could "refuse or evaluate" selected teams if necessary.


bbc--2020-04-28--Beckenbauer corruption trial ends without verdict

The trial of German football legend Franz Beckenbauer on corruption charges has been ended without a verdict .
The five-year long trial , held in Switzerland , had been suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic and the statute of limitations has now expired .
Beckenbauer was one of four men investigated over suspected corruption linked to the 2006 World Cup .
The 74-year-old , who won the World Cup as a player in 1974 , and manager in 1990 , had denied the allegations .
World football 's governing body Fifa said it was `` deeply disappointed '' that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's statement added : `` The fact that the case has now ended without a result of any kind is very worrying , not only for football , but for the administration of justice in Switzerland . ''
In Switzerland , the maximum time in which criminal proceedings can be carried out on a fraud allegation is 15 years .
The courts no longer have jurisdiction over Beckenbauer 's case as it relates to an incident in 2005 .
Beckenbaur was the head of the World Cup organising committee when Germany were named @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He was accused of making two payments totalling £8.4m to former Fifa executive Mohamed bin Hammam in 2005 .
In October 2015 , Beckenbauer said he did not give `` money to anyone in order to buy votes '' .
Germany beat South Africa 12-11 in the World Cup vote , which took place in July 2000 .

Last updated on .From the section Football
Franz Beckenbauer played in three World Cups for West Germany and was captain when they won the trophy in 1974
The trial of German football legend Franz Beckenbauer on corruption charges has been ended without a verdict.
The five-year long trial, held in Switzerland, had been suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic and the statute of limitations has now expired.
Beckenbauer was one of four men investigated over suspected corruption linked to the 2006 World Cup.
The 74-year-old, who won the World Cup as a player in 1974, and manager in 1990, had denied the allegations.
World football's governing body Fifa said it was "deeply disappointed" that the trial would not go ahead.
Fifa's statement added: "The fact that the case has now ended without a result of any kind is very worrying, not only for football, but for the administration of justice in Switzerland."
In Switzerland, the maximum time in which criminal proceedings can be carried out on a fraud allegation is 15 years.
The courts no longer have jurisdiction over Beckenbauer's case as it relates to an incident in 2005.
Beckenbaur was the head of the World Cup organising committee when Germany were named hosts for the 2006 World Cup.
He was accused of making two payments totalling £8.4m to former Fifa executive Mohamed bin Hammam in 2005.
In October 2015, Beckenbauer said he did not give "money to anyone in order to buy votes".
Germany beat South Africa 12-11 in the World Cup vote, which took place in July 2000.


bbc--2020-04-28--Coronavirus: This is what reopening in US looks like

'We are not happy with China ' - Trump The US president says he is not happy with China and @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus outbreak .

Barber shops, tattoo parlours, beaches and restaurants reopen in Georgia as the governor lifts coronavirus restrictions.
BBC Newsnight's David Grossman travelled across the state to see what life looks like as the state emerges from economic hibernation.


bbc--2020-04-28--Coronavirus: Flyover tribute to frontline medical workers

The US 's Navy Blue Angels and Air Force Thunderbirds flew over the New York and Philadelphia area to salute @ @ @ @ @ .
To adhere to social distancing guidelines , residents were told to watch the spectacle @ @ @ @

The US's Navy Blue Angels and Air Force Thunderbirds flew over the New York and Philadelphia area on Tuesday to salute the medical teams fighting coronavirus.
To adhere to social distancing guidelines, residents were advised to watch the spectacle from their homes.


bbc--2020-04-28--Coronavirus: Lockdown on a deserted Australian Island

Kevin and Adele Hockey came to Fraser Island to work as caretakers for a group of holiday homes .
One @ @ @ @ @ locked down with no guests to look after , miles from civilization and are fishing @ @ @ @

Kevin and Adele Hockey came to Fraser Island to work as caretakers for a group of holiday homes.
One month later they have been locked down with no guests to look after, miles from civilization and are fishing for their food.
Edited by Isabelle Rodd
Watch more personal stories during the coronavirus outbreak: Your Coronavirus Stories


bbc--2020-04-28--Coronavirus: Two million Bangladesh jobs 'at risk' as clothes orders dry up

High Street fashion emporiums around the world have closed their doors for lockdowns , but the largely forgotten victims are thousands of miles from the glass and steel-fronted shopping arcades .
Sabina Akhter is one of them .
She works in a garment factory on the outskirts of Dhaka in Bangladesh making shirts for the European market .
A few days ago , her boss announced he would not be able to keep the factory running as all his buyers in Europe have cancelled their orders due to the coronavirus outbreak .
`` I do n't know how I 'll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my job , and I do n't know how I 'll be able to buy food , '' she said .
Anisa Begum has also been laid off .
She is at home with her family of seven on the outskirts of Dhaka .
She says she and her husband could survive on one meal a day , but not with children .
`` If the government does n't come forward with help , we have no way to survive . ''
Khaleda Parvin says the owner of the factory where she worked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I went home to my village because it was a national holiday , '' Khaleda said .
`` Our factory was supposed to reopen on the 5th of April .
When I went back to work on that day , someone had put up a sign saying that all the workers had been laid off . ''
Bangladesh is the top garment exporter in the world after China and is heavily reliant on European and American orders .
Some 83 % of the revenue that Bangladesh makes through exports are linked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of more than $ 32 billion every year .
The sector employs more than four million workers , most of them women .
With shops shut across large parts of Europe and the United States , global retail brands have taken fright and cancelled orders worth more than $ 3 billion .
The Bangladeshi government has announced a $ 588 million stimulus package for the sector to pay wages .
It will charge 2 % interest on the loan to factory owners .
Dividing the sum by the number of workers , this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one month .
If factories remain shut , Anisa , Khalida and Sabina know they have no social safety net to fall back on .
Human Rights Watch has condemned the attitude of some Western clothing brands .
It accused scores of retailers of cancelling orders without taking any financial or moral responsibility , even though workers had finished making many of the products .
After growing criticism and pressure , some brands including H & M and Zara-owner Inditex have committed to paying in full for existing orders from clothing manufacturers .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ impact on businesses and workers , according to a recent survey by the Centre for Global Workers ' Rights .
The study said that when orders were cancelled , 72.1 % of buyers refused to pay for raw materials ( fabric , etc ) already purchased by the supplier , and 91.3 % of buyers refused to pay for the `` cut-make-trim '' cost - or production cost - of the supplier .
As a result , 58 % of factories surveyed reported having to shut down most or all of their operations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ factory workers might lose their jobs , '' Rubana Huq , president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association ( BGMEA ) , has warned .
`` No consumer will buy shirts and trousers now .
They are more focused on increasing their expenditure on food and medicine due to the pandemic , '' she said .
After the Rana Plaza factory collapse in 2013 which killed more than 1,000 workers , global efforts to raise safety standards were successful , as well as making supply chains more transparent .
But there is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a global fashion industry which records annual revenues of $ 2.5 trillion while the average worker in Bangladesh earns just over $ 100 a month .
The International Labour Organization , a UN body , has set up a working group bringing together retailers , factory owners and workers to try and find a solution to the current crisis .
`` Jobs , incomes and social protection are the dividends of business continuity and this statement calls for emergency funds and social protection for workers to guarantee industry survival in the poorest of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Union Congress ( ITUC ) Sharan Burrow in a statement .
Both Inditex and H & M are committed to this process .
`` We are fulfilling all our responsibilities to our suppliers by ensuring that all orders that have been produced or are currently in production are completely paid for according to the original payment terms , '' said Zara-owned Inditex in a statement .
H & M said it would `` stand by '' its commitments to garment manufacturing suppliers in all countries `` by taking delivery of already produced garments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if delivered within a reasonable timeframe '' .
But time and speed is of the essence for factory owners in Bangladesh .
Miran Ali is the managing director of Misami Garments Ltd. His factory makes clothes for H & M and has been in operation since 1991 .
`` We are facing massive financial difficulty , '' he says .
`` We are facing almost certain ruin . ''
He employs about 16,000 workers .
He would like to re-open soon but social distancing will be hard when people normally work very closely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since 26 March when transport was shut down and businesses closed .
As of Tuesday , 28 April , there were 6,462 confirmed cases of coronavirus and 155 deaths .
The garment industry was given an exemption from the lockdown .
While some factories stayed open to make PPE , it is now estimated that about 200,000 garment workers are back at work .
The sector has been urged to enforce social distancing as well as raise hygiene standards but workers say some factories are ignoring this .
`` I 'm going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of fear , '' one garment factory worker told the BBC .
`` In my factory , there are so many of us working in such a small place , which increases the risk of coronavirus infection .
I 'm scared for my life . ''

"We are fulfilling all our responsibilities to our suppliers by ensuring that all orders that have been produced or are currently in production are completely paid for according to the original payment terms," said Zara-owned Inditex in a statement.