bbc--2020-03-08--'My search for the boy in a child abuse video'

One day , just after I had dropped my son off at school , I was sent a horrific video on WhatsApp .
It made me question how images and videos of child sex abuse come to be made , and how they can be openly circulated on social media .
And I wanted one answer above all - what happened to the boy in the video ?
It may sound strange , but the woman who sent me the video was a fellow mum at the school gates .
A group of us had set up a WhatsApp group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ illnesses .
Then one morning , out of the blue , one of these mums sent a video to the group , with two crying-face emojis underneath it .
It was just a black box , no thumbnail , and we all pressed play without thinking .
Maybe it would be a meme or a news story .
Maybe one of the `` stranger danger '' videos some of the mums had started to share .
The video starts with a shot of a man and a baby , about 18 months old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ baby smiles at the man .
If I tell you what I saw in the 10 seconds it took to grasp what was happening , and press stop , you 'll have the image in your head too .
And you do n't want it .
It 's a video of child sex abuse .
It 's nine minutes long .
I screamed , and threw my phone across the room .
It was pinging with messages from distraught members of the group .
I took my phone to the police station .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ I told them I believed the woman had sent it to us as a warning , and that I hoped they would investigate where the video came from .
Was it new , or one they 'd already come across ?
Was this little boy still in danger ?
Could this evidence help save him , or catch the abuser ?
The police had my phone for two weeks .
I found out the next day that they arrested the woman who sent it and visited other members of the group .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about it .
But one question stayed with me .
What happened to the boy in the video ?
And so , a few months later , once I could read my own kids a bedtime story without thinking of him and life had got back to normal , I began to look for answers .
I started by trying to speak to the police officer investigating the video on my phone .
But every time I called Wembley CID to speak to him , he 'd just gone out .
He did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I checked with Alan Collins , a lawyer who specialises in child sex abuse , to see if any of the things I might normally do to track down people would work .
Could I , for example , send former police officers a copy of the video to see if they recognised it ?
`` You could be looking at a prison sentence of 10 years , '' he told me .
Same goes for taking a still and sending that .
Just possessing an image like this on my phone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I called a friend of a friend who used to work for the police .
He told me Wembley CID would have sent my phone off to one of the digital forensics labs spread across the city .
The labs list all the illegal content , and when it 's child sex abuse they grade it : Category A for the most serious , Cat B , Cat C. This WhatsApp video was Cat A .
Next , the file goes to victim identification and my case was passed to the Metropolitan Police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Command .
An officer there , Det Sgt Lindsay Dick , agreed to talk to me , but he did n't want to say much about the techniques used in case it helped offenders work out how to evade capture .
• An estimated 100,000 men in the UK regularly view child sex abuse • Police arrest between 400 and 450 people a month , men mostly , for viewing or downloading these files • WhatsApp takes down 250,000 accounts every month suspected of spreading child sex abuse material , based on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did tell me about one case , where an officer had got hold of a phone that had images of a boy being abused on it , along with images of the same boy not being abused .
In one , he 's standing at a bus stop in school uniform .
An officer recognised the bus stop as a Mersey Transport sign , and put a call in to the Merseyside team .
They recognised the school uniform .
The boy was identified , his parents arrested , and social services took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world rely on little clues like this .
Lindsay Dick would n't discuss the details of what I 'd been sent , even though he had investigated the case .
Then , when I asked him about a suggestion from an editor to take a still from the video of the perpetrator 's face , to help identify him , I started to feel some heat .
`` Do you still have a copy of that video ? ''
he asked me , sternly .
`` No , '' I replied .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's server , and because I was still a member of the group , it was still showing on my phone .
Even though I 'd done nothing wrong , I realised how seriously the police took this kind of thing .
This hit home late last year when a senior Metropolitan Police officer , Supt Novlett Robyn Williams , was given 200 community hours ' unpaid work and threatened with losing her job for failing to report a video of child sex abuse her sister had sent her on WhatsApp .
( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . )
The Metropolitan Police refused to help me any further in my search for the boy in the video .
At one point they even told officers in another part of the country , incorrectly , that I 'd been cautioned for sharing the video .
I found out later from the woman who sent the video to me that she had been given three years on the sex offenders register .
But the investigating officers at Wembley CID took the case no further - they did n't arrest the friend who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they did n't even try to find out who had sent it to her friend .
Further up that chain of people sharing the video must be some dangerous people , perhaps an abuser .
But nothing was done to follow the trail .
The Metropolitan Police says : `` The scale of child abuse and sexual exploitation offending online has grown in recent years .
This increased demand on police , coupled with the need to keep up with advancement of technology and adapt our methods to detect and identify offenders , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Met and police forces nationally .
However , we remain committed to bringing those who commit child abuse offences online to justice , and safeguarding victims and young people at risk .
`` We encourage anyone concerned about a child at risk of abuse or a possible victim , to contact police immediately .
Anyone who receives an unsolicited message which depicts child abuse should report it to police immediately so action can be taken .
Images of this nature should not be shared under any circumstances . ''
I needed someone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to give me some more clues about where this file I 'd been sent might have come from .
So I started searching , and I came across news articles about a team in Queensland , Australia with a reputation for infiltrating child abuse video-sharing sites .
Their head of victim identification , former Greater Manchester Police detective Paul Griffiths , told me the file I 'd been sent had probably started life on one of these sites .
`` What tends to happen is that when a file gets produced like that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under wraps , circulating amongst a fairly small , tight network .
Very often people who would know that they need to keep it safe and not distribute it widely , '' he said .
These networks of paedophiles use the dark web , a part of the internet that is n't indexed readily by search engines such as Google .
They access sites through a connection called TOR , or the onion router .
They use a fake IP address , connected to several other servers dotted around the globe , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these dark web sites are like sick stamp collectors - they post thumbnails of what they have on dedicated online forums , and look to complete series , usually of a particular child .
Some of them are `` producers '' - they abuse the children , or film them being abused .
A couple of years ago Paul Griffiths ' team was watching one site called Child 's Play .
They had intelligence that two of the site 's leaders were meeting up in the US .
Officers intercepted them , arrested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Now they could see everything - each and every video - and they could get to work finding children and perpetrators .
They made hundreds of arrests worldwide , and 200 children have been saved so far .
`` It 's Sherlock Holmes stuff , it 's following little clues and seeing what you can piece together to try and find a needle in a haystack , '' says Griffiths .
The big worry now is live-streaming , where adults can pay to watch children being abused in real time .
It 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ file containing clues circulates , and the platforms are all encrypted .
Just as the police and technology get better at finding victims in stills or videos , another threat emerges .
`` There 's a famous story and it often gets told in relation to this area of crime , in relation to the young girl walking on the beach and there 's starfish all over the beach and she 's picking the starfish up and putting them back into the sea and a guy says to her , 'Little girl , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never gon na be able to save all of these starfish . '
And she says , 'No , but I 'll save that one . '
And that 's really what we 're doing , '' says Griffiths .
`` You know , we 're saving the ones we can save .
And if some magical solution appears somewhere in the future that 's going to save all of them , that 's going to stop this happening , then that 'll be wonderful .
But in the meantime , we ca @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we know is happening . ''
Listen to Lucy Proctor 's Radio 4 documentary , The Boy in the Video , on BBC Sounds Paul Griffiths is part of a small network of people who travel the globe for meetings and conferences on what to do about the huge numbers of videos and images circulating online .
He told me to contact Maggie Brennan , a lecturer in clinical forensic psychology at the University of Plymouth , who has been studying child-sex-abuse material for years .
Between 2016 and 2018 she combed through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Interpol , to build up a profile of victims .
She found a chilling pattern that suggested the age of the boy in the video I saw is not that unusual .
`` Concerningly , there is a substantive , small , but important proportion of those images that do depict infants and toddlers .
And we found a significant result in terms of the association between very extreme forms of sexual violence and very young children . ''
Like the boy in the video I was sent , most children on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a reflection of the fact that the police forces contributing to it are from majority-white countries .
There 's constant pressure , Brennan says , to quantify the numbers of images or videos that are in existence , and the numbers of victims who are being sexually exploited .
But it 's impossible .
Databases only hold the images that have been found , through police raids or reports .
Who knows how many are circulating out there ?
Paul Griffiths says it only takes one person to bring a video out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unleash it on the general population .
`` Sooner or later it comes into the possession of someone who either does n't know how to keep it safe and hidden , or does n't really care .
And they spread it wider .
It can take a few hours , and it 's all over the internet . ''
I spoke to one offender who served seven months in prison for viewing child abuse images .
He had been offered the files on Skype during an adult online sexual meet-up .
He 'd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was of a child - and carried on opening all 20 .
Then he tried to share them with someone else .
Eventually , the man who sent him the files sent them to someone who told the police .
But it 's a telling example of how easily files like the one I was sent spread , from the depths of the dark web , on to platforms like Skype , and then to people 's phones .
Despite the lack of action taken on my case , the UK policing response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the most robust in the world .
The Child Abuse Image Database ( CAID ) has seen huge investment over the last five years .
When detectives receive the phone or laptop of a suspect , they can run images on it through state-of-the-art software that checks whether images are new , or already known to police .
All police forces are linked up , and the database talks to others around the world .
In the 1990s the Home Office undertook a study of the proliferation of indecent imagery of children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in circulation then .
Now there are almost 14 million images on the UK database .
The levels of depravity in videos and images are getting worse , Chief Constable Simon Bailey tells me .
He 's been the National Police Chief Council 's lead for child protection and abuse investigations for the last five years .
I am expecting a forbidding character when I go to interview him at his Norfolk HQ .
What I find is a man at the end of his tether .
`` It just keeps growing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he says .
`` And there is an element of , 'These figures are just so huge that just ca n't be right . '
Well trust me , it is right .
And if I have one really significant regret around my leadership and our response to this it 's that we have struggled to land with the public the true scale of what we are dealing with , the horrors of what we are dealing with .
Most people , I would like to think , would be mortified that this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Last year , Simon Bailey called for a boycott of tech companies , such as Google and Facebook , until they invest in technology to filter and block these images and videos .
The public , including myself , took little notice .
Last year , the robots Facebook deploys to sift through its Messenger service reported 12 million posts containing images of child abuse to the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children , which runs the US database .
So child protection campaigners are horrified at Facebook 's decision to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , because it will mean the platform effectively goes `` dark '' and abusers will be able to share material with impunity .
It will become more like WhatsApp , where end-to-end encryption means no-one except the sender and receiver knows anything about what 's in a message .
WhatsApp 's encryption works because your phone and the phone of the person you 're messaging generate the encryption codes and keys .
When the message leaves your phone , it does travel through WhatsApp 's servers - but they do n't have the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way robots or artificial intelligence could scan the message would be if it was encrypted after it left your phone .
But that would give prying regimes , law enforcement or the tech firms themselves a window into our messages .
WhatsApp thinks it would lose customers as a result .
• Online sexual abuse : 'Do n't do what I did' • Record number of images dealt with , charity says • One in five adults experienced abuse as children - report The solution is to do the scanning on our phones @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be for everyone to download software with a list of all the unique codes of all the known child abuse images and videos .
But this would still raise privacy concerns .
The tech firms could fiddle with the list of codes to include non-child-abuse images - censorship in other words .
So it would be better if phones could run an algorithm to generate the codes themselves , completely independently from any government or tech company .
This is the tricky bit though .
No one 's invented that algorithm yet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it like this : `` I would n't call it impossible , I 'd call it unknown how to do it today . ''
It would take huge amounts of research and development - but it could probably be done .
The failure by Big Tech to invest in this angers Simon Bailey .
`` They hold the key to so much of this .
Their duty of care I think to children , they have completely absolved themselves of that .
`` The reaction is always , 'Well we 're doing our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
You need to do more .
You 're making billions of pounds in profit .
Invest . ''
There are high hopes for the UK government 's Online Harms White Paper published in April 2019 - a radical proposal for legislation that would see tech firms held responsible for the harm they do .
It proposes a new regulator and campaigners hope the resulting bill will include mandatory reporting of any child sex abuse .
The results of a public consultation are due soon .
At the moment , the tech firms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knows , for example , how much Facebook or WhatsApp spend on child protection .
Facebook says it has the best artificial intelligence on the market trying to block and filter messages .
But the company wo n't reveal how it works , or how much it costs .
John Carr , who advises governments on child safety online , says this lack of transparency has to end .
`` I work with people in these companies all the time , they agree with me on most stuff , they care passionately about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the decisions .
It 's their bosses , typically in California , that decide what happens .
People high up in those companies need to feel the heat , they need to feel that their feet are being brought to the fire . ''
Of course , I ask to speak to WhatsApp .
They say no .
One bright summer day , I finally get a breakthrough in my search for the boy in the video .
Simon Bailey 's assistant puts me in touch with a senior police officer who opens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ call .
I 'm told the boy is alive .
He 's one of the lucky minority who have been identified and rescued .
The video I was sent is an old one , from America .
There are already three versions of it on the UK 's CAID database - mine makes it four .
Police ca n't tell me where he is , or what his name is .
But they do tell me his abuser is serving a long jail term .
It 's the news I was hoping for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it at that .
There 's one word that has stuck in mind over the months that I 've tried to find out more about this case - `` revictimisation '' .
Each time anybody watches or shares a video of a child being abused , that child is revictimised .
And as I get closer to finding the boy , I realise I could end up making a phone call to tell him , out of the blue , that I 've seen the video of him .
He 'd be reminded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ humiliated .
I should just leave him in peace .
But I 've learned about a campaign group in the US made up of victims - people filmed by abusers - who want to be found , and heard .
James Marsh , a lawyer who has been representing and campaigning for victims of child sex abuse for 14 years , recently spearheaded a change to the law in America that gives victims a right to a minimum of $ 3,000 compensation from everyone convicted of viewing or sharing a video of their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Vicky , and Andy Child Pornography Victim Assistance Act of 2018 , after the three young victims who backed it by writing impact statements for the courts .
`` It 's only been really very recently that victims have become more empowered to reclaim that space , really trying to assert that this is not a victimless crime , that these are not harmless pictures , and that they have voices that deserve to be heard , '' he tells me .
A set of `` voluntary principles '' for the tech @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sexual exploitation and abuse was published this week by the governments of the UK , the US , Australia , Canada and New Zealand , after consultations with six leading tech companies .
An accompanying letter acknowledged the industry 's efforts , but said there was `` much more to be done to strengthen existing efforts '' .
It added that the initiative was intended to `` drive collective action '' .
The principles include preventing dissemination of child sex abuse material , targeting online grooming , preventing search results from surfacing child @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the evolving threat .
Recently a seasoned journalist called him for details about what happened to one of his clients .
She was expecting to hear that the abuse involved naked photos .
When he told her of the reality of the content of these films - the rape of a small child - she was horrified , and did n't publish the details .
`` I think as a journalist you 're turning off your readership by including these graphic descriptions .
And yet , how else can you accurately report what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ? ''
He says his clients , as they get older , have become frustrated by this squeamishness .
`` This is our lived experience , '' they say .
`` Face up to it . ''
I ask him if he thinks the young man , Andy , from the Amy and Vicky and Andy Act , would be up for talking to me .
He agrees to connect us on Facebook Messenger .
And with that , I had found a boy in a video .
One who had suffered the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the video I was sent .
Whatever I might have wanted to ask that boy , I could ask Andy .
Did he have somewhere safe to sleep at night ?
Had he managed to stay safe ?
Andy has a warm voice .
He 's eager to talk , candid and hugely likeable .
It 's strange , but our conversation is not a miserable one .
He tells me he is in his early 20s .
He 's been out of jail for six months , which is the longest he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Fighting mainly , and robbery .
When he was younger he was into drugs - meth , heroin and weed .
He 's doing well at staying off them now .
And he has two children , who he adores .
But he lives in a kind of prison .
`` I 'm kind of a boring person .
I do n't really go out much , I stay at home , I kind of live just with my kids , and that 's about it . ''
Andy lives in constant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the videos his abuser made of him , as the abuse continued until he was 13 .
If someone so much as looks at him in the street , he worries .
His story starts with his parents ' divorce .
His mother wanted a male figure in his life , and so when Andy was around seven years old she sent him to a youth programme .
The `` mentor '' allocated by the organisation groomed Andy and his family for a few months and took Andy on trips to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anyone when the sexual abuse started , because he did n't want to upset his mother .
`` I did n't know how my mom would act about it .
I did n't want her to be embarrassed because something had happened to me .
I did n't know if it was normal .
That 's kind of how he made it seem . ''
How to get help If you 've been affected by the issues touched on in this story , you can find sources of support on the BBC Action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prevent and tackle child sexual abuse and exploitation When Andy grew old enough he confronted his abuser , who soon afterwards went on the run to Mexico .
Then , one day , the FBI turned up at Andy 's high school and knocked on his classroom door .
The abuser had got sloppy - he 'd sent a video to someone he did n't know , who 'd reported him .
`` And then they tell me that there 's hundreds of thousands of videos and pictures of me out on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Andy had no idea his abuse had been shared at all , let alone with thousands of people .
But despite this shocking news , and the difficulty of telling his mother the truth , Andy agreed to help the FBI lure his abuser back across the border .
`` We coaxed him back with a birthday party of mine .
`` It was a whole three months , all the way up until my birthday .
I talked with him on the phone , like nothing was wrong .
He sent me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officers set up the sting .
They showed Andy the route they thought his abuser would take and the location of the planned arrest .
`` It was really cool .
They caught him a couple blocks from my grandmother 's house , pulled him over and arrested him . ''
It was one of the best moments of Andy 's life .
Like other identified victims in the US , Andy gets a letter every time someone is convicted of viewing or sharing a video of him .
He has thousands of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to rebuild his life .
When he can afford therapy , things are better .
His lawyers are working on some big cases , which should bring him more compensation .
But it 's tough .
`` Work is really hard for me .
And it 's not because I 'm lazy or anything .
It 's mainly the mentality of not being able to trust somebody .
I ca n't let this person in .
So I 'm really anti-social . ''
Andy , like all victims , was incredibly unlucky to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Had he not , he thinks he would by now have been the CEO of his father 's business .
He is finding purpose and solace in his involvement with Amy , Vicky and Andy 's law .
The three young campaigners hope to meet up in person soon .
In the future , Andy wants to give up his anonymity and go into schools to teach children how to stay safe , and how to tell someone if they are not .
He feels an obligation to do it he says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people to know my story . ''
I will never get to talk to the other boy in the video .
I hope he 's OK .
I hope he can rebuild his life - however slowly and imperfectly - like Andy .
I 've been able to give you a happy ending .
Both Andy and the little boy in the video I was sent have been identified and their abusers are in prison .
But this is wildly misleading .
Most of the boys and girls in videos wo n't be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the way we manage technology and privacy , videos like the one I saw will keep circulating , and new children will be abused to feed the demand .
You may also be interested in : Last year Rose Kalemba wrote a blog post explaining how hard it had been - when she was raped as a 14-year-old girl - to get a video of the attack removed from a popular porn website .
Dozens of people then contacted her to say that they were facing the same problem today . '
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ended up on a porn site '

"It just keeps growing, and growing, and growing," he says. "And there is an element of, 'These figures are just so huge that just can't be right.' Well trust me, it is right. And if I have one really significant regret around my leadership and our response to this it's that we have struggled to land with the public the true scale of what we are dealing with, the horrors of what we are dealing with. Most people, I would like to think, would be mortified that this type of abuse is taking place."


bbc--2020-03-09--Vardy scores twice as Leicester thrash Villa

Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers thought his side looked back to their best as Jamie Vardy ended his goal drought in their convincing win over Aston Villa .
The Foxes had only picked up two wins in their past eight Premier League games - and two points in their past four matches .
They led through Harvey Barnes ' goal after the winger took advantage of visiting keeper Pepe Reina 's baffling decision to run out of his box .
Vardy 's first touch after coming on was to score a penalty after Tyrone Mings ' handball , before he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his first goal in 10 games .
Barnes scored his second from a Marc Albrighton cross .
`` It was a very , very good win .
An important win , '' said Rodgers .
`` The past few games we have n't been at our level .
In terms of attacking , we were much better this evening .
After the first goal we went on and played very well .
`` We want to win and early on you could see our confidence was n't where it has been .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hard work and these players have been brilliant .
Tonight the intensity was there and we did n't give away too much . ''
Dean Smith 's Villa remain in the relegation zone after a fourth consecutive league defeat , and a fifth in all competitions .
`` Individual mistakes are costing us .
We need to get better at it .
Teams capitalise on our errors , '' said Smith .
• Relive the action from the King Power Stadium • Premier League predictions : How did singer Tom Grennan get on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a couple of weeks with a calf injury , but really they had been missing his goals since 21 December when he last scored against Manchester City .
Since then he had gone nine games in league and cup without scoring - although he remains the top scorer in the Premier League , now with 19 goals .
Foxes manager Brendan Rodgers said it was no coincidence their recent blip - two points from four games - came during midfielder Wilfried Ndidi 's absence .
Ndidi was back , and so too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when the 33-year-old Englishman replaced Kelechi Iheanacho after 59 minutes .
The first thing he did was slot a spot-kick down the centre after Mings had been penalised for handball .
The ball appeared to hit centre-back Mings ' shoulder - but the decision stood after a check by the video assistant referee .
Smith fumed afterwards at a `` very , very harsh '' decision that killed the game .
Vardy only had seven touches of the ball - but two of them were goals .
His second arrived after his attempted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allowing him to rifle past Reina at his near post .
That was a particularly impressive goal , starting with defender Jonny Evans winning the ball outside his own box before he played it forward to Barnes , who found Vardy .
`` Vardy looked bright in his running and his movement was very good , '' said Rodgers .
`` He 's struggled since December with injuries , but he looked all over it . ''
Leicester 's fourth gave them a scoreline their performance deserved - Barnes , who merited his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blasting home from Albrighton 's cross .
Rodgers said : `` Harvey has got a very bright future .
He 's been getting better , his intensity and hunger to get in and score is what we 've spoken about , and now he gets in there regularly and he 's getting goals .
I 'm delighted for him . ''
The result boosts Leicester 's Champions League chances , with the 2016 title-winners sitting eight points above fifth-placed Manchester United with nine matches remaining .
Villa 's cup keeper Orjan Nyland played @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Manchester City last Sunday and there was some talk that he could keep his place instead of Reina being recalled .
Manager Smith may wish he had done just that .
Leicester were already on top without finding the breakthrough when Reina decided to run about 20 yards outside his penalty area in an attempt to cut out Albrighton 's long ball to Barnes .
Why he did so was a mystery , with several defenders running back into position .
Barnes took advantage by nipping the ball past the Spaniard - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leading to a goal in the Premier League this season - before scoring past two defenders on the line from 20 yards .
`` Pepe came out for a ball he was n't going to get and made Barnes ' goal easy , '' said Smith .
`` One of my biggest regrets was how we gave the ball away so cheaply against a team who want the football .
`` We 've probably made more individual errors than anyone his season . ''
Villa had a glorious chance to move out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five teams above them winning this weekend .
They had a bright start at the King Power Stadium with Conor Hourihane and Mbwana Samatta going close to getting on the end of set-pieces .
But that was their best spell of the game and Frederic Guilbert 's 78th-minute effort , which was easily held by Kasper Schmeichel , was their only shot on target .
Villa have lost all five games since beating Leicester in the EFL Cup semi-finals .
They will need to improve drastically if they are to stay in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four games are against sides currently in the top six - Chelsea , Wolves , Liverpool and Manchester City .
• Leicester have scored four or more goals home and away against the same side in a top-flight season for the first time since 1967-68 against Southampton .
• Villa remain the only side in this Premier League season yet to register an away clean sheet .
• The Foxes secured their first win in five league games ( D2 L2 ) , their last victory coming on 22 January against West Ham @ @ @ @ @ @ @ errors leading to goals in the Premier League this season - more than any other side in the competition .
• Kasper Schmeichel became only the fourth Danish player to hit the 200-game mark in the Premier League , after Thomas Soensen ( 364 ) , his father Peter Schmeichel ( 310 ) and Christian Eriksen ( 226 ) .
• Marc Albrighton now has as many Premier League assists as Riyad Mahrez for Leicester City ( 27 ) .
Only Jamie Vardy ( 28 ) and Steve Guppy ( 34 ) have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is now the division 's outright top scorer this season ( 19 ) after ending a run of 644 minutes without finding the net in the league .
Leicester visit Watford in the league for the 12:30 GMT kick-off on Saturday , with Aston Villa hosting Chelsea at 17:30 .

Last updated on .From the section Premier League
Jamie Vardy had not scored since 21 December
Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers thought his side looked back to their best as Jamie Vardy ended his goal drought in their convincing win over Aston Villa.
The Foxes had only picked up two wins in their past eight Premier League games - and two points in their past four matches.
They led through Harvey Barnes' goal after the winger took advantage of visiting keeper Pepe Reina's baffling decision to run out of his box.
Vardy's first touch after coming on was to score a penalty after Tyrone Mings' handball, before he smashed in at the near post - his first goal in 10 games.
Barnes scored his second from a Marc Albrighton cross.
"It was a very, very good win. An important win," said Rodgers. "The past few games we haven't been at our level. In terms of attacking, we were much better this evening. After the first goal we went on and played very well.
"We want to win and early on you could see our confidence wasn't where it has been. The only way you regain that confidence is hard work and these players have been brilliant. Tonight the intensity was there and we didn't give away too much."
Dean Smith's Villa remain in the relegation zone after a fourth consecutive league defeat, and a fifth in all competitions.
"Individual mistakes are costing us. We need to get better at it. Teams capitalise on our errors," said Smith.
Leicester 4-0 Aston Villa: Brendan Rodgers hails "important" win as Foxes end winless run
Vardy back with a bang
Leicester had missed Vardy for a couple of weeks with a calf injury, but really they had been missing his goals since 21 December when he last scored against Manchester City.
Since then he had gone nine games in league and cup without scoring - although he remains the top scorer in the Premier League, now with 19 goals.
Foxes manager Brendan Rodgers said it was no coincidence their recent blip - two points from four games - came during midfielder Wilfried Ndidi's absence. Ndidi was back, and so too is Vardy.
Leicester were already ahead when the 33-year-old Englishman replaced Kelechi Iheanacho after 59 minutes. The first thing he did was slot a spot-kick down the centre after Mings had been penalised for handball.
The ball appeared to hit centre-back Mings' shoulder - but the decision stood after a check by the video assistant referee. Smith fumed afterwards at a "very, very harsh" decision that killed the game.
Vardy only had seven touches of the ball - but two of them were goals. His second arrived after his attempted cross had come back to him, allowing him to rifle past Reina at his near post.
That was a particularly impressive goal, starting with defender Jonny Evans winning the ball outside his own box before he played it forward to Barnes, who found Vardy.
"Vardy looked bright in his running and his movement was very good," said Rodgers. "He's struggled since December with injuries, but he looked all over it."
Leicester's fourth gave them a scoreline their performance deserved - Barnes, who merited his second goal for an industrious performance, blasting home from Albrighton's cross.
Rodgers said: "Harvey has got a very bright future. He's been getting better, his intensity and hunger to get in and score is what we've spoken about, and now he gets in there regularly and he's getting goals. I'm delighted for him."
The result boosts Leicester's Champions League chances, with the 2016 title-winners sitting eight points above fifth-placed Manchester United with nine matches remaining.
Leicester 4-0 Aston Villa: VAR "got it wrong" on Leicester penalty - Villa boss Dean Smith
Reina error increases Villa's problems
Villa's cup keeper Orjan Nyland played well in their Carabao Cup final defeat by Manchester City last Sunday and there was some talk that he could keep his place instead of Reina being recalled. Manager Smith may wish he had done just that.
Leicester were already on top without finding the breakthrough when Reina decided to run about 20 yards outside his penalty area in an attempt to cut out Albrighton's long ball to Barnes. Why he did so was a mystery, with several defenders running back into position.
Barnes took advantage by nipping the ball past the Spaniard - the oldest player to make an error leading to a goal in the Premier League this season - before scoring past two defenders on the line from 20 yards.
"Pepe came out for a ball he wasn't going to get and made Barnes' goal easy," said Smith. "One of my biggest regrets was how we gave the ball away so cheaply against a team who want the football.
"We've probably made more individual errors than anyone his season."
Pepe Reina was a long way off his line when Harvey Barnes beat him to the ball to score the opener
Villa had a glorious chance to move out of the relegation zone with none of the five teams above them winning this weekend. They had a bright start at the King Power Stadium with Conor Hourihane and Mbwana Samatta going close to getting on the end of set-pieces.
But that was their best spell of the game and Frederic Guilbert's 78th-minute effort, which was easily held by Kasper Schmeichel, was their only shot on target.
Villa have lost all five games since beating Leicester in the EFL Cup semi-finals. They will need to improve drastically if they are to stay in the Premier League, especially as their next four games are against sides currently in the top six - Chelsea, Wolves, Liverpool and Manchester City.
Man of the match - Harvey Barnes (Leicester)
Leicester's Harvey Barnes has netted four goals in his past four home Premier League games, after failing to find the back of the net in any of the 22 before that
Albrighton matches Mahrez total - match stats
Leicester have scored four or more goals home and away against the same side in a top-flight season for the first time since 1967-68 against Southampton.
Villa remain the only side in this Premier League season yet to register an away clean sheet.
The Foxes secured their first win in five league games (D2 L2), their last victory coming on 22 January against West Ham
Aston Villa players have made 10 errors leading to goals in the Premier League this season - more than any other side in the competition.
Kasper Schmeichel became only the fourth Danish player to hit the 200-game mark in the Premier League, after Thomas Soensen (364), his father Peter Schmeichel (310) and Christian Eriksen (226).
Marc Albrighton now has as many Premier League assists as Riyad Mahrez for Leicester City (27). Only Jamie Vardy (28) and Steve Guppy (34) have more for the club.
Vardy is now the division's outright top scorer this season (19) after ending a run of 644 minutes without finding the net in the league.
What's next?
Leicester visit Watford in the league for the 12:30 GMT kick-off on Saturday, with Aston Villa hosting Chelsea at 17:30.


bbc--2020-03-09--All sport in Italy suspended because of coronavirus

All sport in Italy has been suspended until at least 3 April because of coronavirus , the country 's prime minister Giuseppe Conte has announced .
This includes Serie A but not Italian clubs or national teams participating in international competitions .
Serie A - Italy 's top flight - had already said all games would be played behind closed doors until 3 April .
Conte extended a series of strict quarantine measures , including a ban on public gatherings , to all of Italy .
Earlier , Italy 's Olympic committee ( CONI ) recommended the move to suspend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a special meeting of sporting federations on Monday .
Italy has been the European country worst hit by coronavirus so far , with over 7,000 confirmed cases and more than 450 deaths .
`` This situation has no precedent in history , '' a CONI statement said .
The announcement from CONI came just after Sassuolo v Brescia kicked off in Serie A .
The game carried on and Sassuolo won 3-0 .
It was also confirmed on Monday that Serie A side Roma 's Europa League tie at Sevilla on Thursday will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Timeline of how coronavirus has affected sport • The latest news about the coronavirus outbreak In rugby union , England 's men 's and women 's Six Nations matches against Italy , which were scheduled to take place on 14 March and 15 March respectively , were postponed last week .
At the weekend , Italy 's sports minister Vincenzo Spadafora accused Serie A of being `` irresponsible '' for ignoring his calls for football to be suspended because of the outbreak .
He said it made `` no sense '' for football @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , up to 16 million people had been placed in quarantine in northern Italy in a bid to contain the spread of the virus - but the weekend 's games all took place behind closed doors .
Parma 's fixture against SPAL on Sunday kicked off 75 minutes late as they awaited a decision on whether the match would go ahead after Spadafora 's comments .
There have been reports on Monday that the French sports ministry had decided matches in Ligue 1 - the country 's top-flight football competition - should be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of no more than 1,000 spectators as a measure to limit the spread of the virus .
Paris St-Germain 's Champions League last-16 match against Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday will be played without fans because of coronavirus .
• 'No rationale ' for cancelling sport events in the UK • France v Ireland in the Six Nations postponed

Last updated on .From the section Sport
Juventus had no fans to celebrate with when they scored against Inter Milan at the weekend
All sport in Italy has been suspended until at least 3 April because of coronavirus, the country's prime minister Giuseppe Conte has announced.
This includes Serie A but not Italian clubs or national teams participating in international competitions.
Serie A - Italy's top flight - had already said all games would be played behind closed doors until 3 April.
Conte extended a series of strict quarantine measures, including a ban on public gatherings, to all of Italy.
Earlier, Italy's Olympic committee (CONI) recommended the move to suspend all sport at all levels after hosting a special meeting of sporting federations on Monday.
Italy has been the European country worst hit by coronavirus so far, with over 9,000 confirmed cases and more than 450 deaths.
"This situation has no precedent in history," a CONI statement said. external-link
The announcement from CONI came just after Sassuolo v Brescia kicked off in Serie A. The game carried on and Sassuolo won 3-0.
Sassuolo's Francesco Caputo held up a note to a TV camera after scoring against Brescia on Monday. It read: "Everything will be OK. Stay at home"
It was also confirmed on Monday that Serie A side Roma's Europa League tie at Sevilla on Thursday will be played behind closed doors.
In rugby union, England's men's and women's Six Nations matches against Italy, which were scheduled to take place on 14 March and 15 March respectively, were postponed last week.
At the weekend, Italy's sports minister Vincenzo Spadafora accused Serie A of being "irresponsible" for ignoring his calls for football to be suspended because of the outbreak.
He said it made "no sense" for football to continue when, at that stage, up to 16 million people had been placed in quarantine in northern Italy in a bid to contain the spread of the virus - but the weekend's games all took place behind closed doors.
Parma's fixture against SPAL on Sunday kicked off 75 minutes late as they awaited a decision on whether the match would go ahead after Spadafora's comments.
There have been reports on Monday that the French sports ministry had decided matches in Ligue 1 - the country's top-flight football competition - should be played behind closed doors or in front of no more than 1,000 spectators as a measure to limit the spread of the virus.
Paris St-Germain's Champions League last-16 match against Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday will be played without fans because of coronavirus.


bbc--2020-03-09--Coronavirus - what lies ahead for the Premier League?

British sport remains open for business - but it seems to be just a matter of time before the need to protect the public from the coronavirus outbreak causes major disruption to the Premier League .
Until government advice changes , the English top flight will carry on as normal , starting with Wednesday 's rearranged game between Manchester City and Arsenal at Etihad Stadium .
But if the trend in Italy , Greece and France is followed , matches behind closed doors are on their way .
BBC Sport looks at the key questions about what lies ahead .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ deadly illness , the English football calendar is packed .
From now until the final day of the season on 17 May , there are just two midweek dates not being used for European matches that postponed games can fit into , the weeks including 22 April and 12 May .
And those dates are required for matches rearranged because of FA Cup quarter-finals and semi-finals .
The FA Cup final is scheduled for 23 May and the Champions League final in Istanbul is due to be played seven days after that .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Unless matches are allowed to be played behind closed doors , it is impossible to see how the season can finish .
That would raise all kinds of issues .
Everyone knows Liverpool are going to be Premier League champions .
But what about the top four , relegation and promotion from the Championship ?
If the season does not end , how would these matters be decided ?
The legal implications of relegating a team from a campaign that has not reached its conclusion are mind-blowing given the finances involved .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And scrapping the whole thing and starting again is impossible to conceive of - imagine the outcry on Merseyside for a start .
Tranmere Rovers chairman Mark Palios , a former chief executive of the Football Association , believes clubs will not mount legal challenges if the league is suspended .
He told BBC Sport : `` If they do , they have to mount legal challenges against the government .
I think it 's the wrong road .
I do n't think any sensible person will look at that . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ sporting events around the world • The latest news about the coronavirus outbreak How much will it cost ?
To an extent , Premier League clubs are insured against this - at least if it is a temporary measure - because of their enormous broadcasting contracts .
In their accounts to 30 June 2018 , Bournemouth 's £5.29m total gate receipts accounted for only 4 % of total turnover .
That works out at about £240,000 a game , or a month 's wages for striker Callum Wilson .
At Leicester , gate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their turnover in the financial year that ended on 31 May 2019 .
At Manchester United , the figure is 18.75 % - matchday income for 2018-19 was £112.33m , or just over £4m a match .
It is estimated Juventus lost over 3m euros by having to play their match against Inter Milan behind closed doors .
While these figures are substantial , it will only start to have an impact if the situation remains unresolved after a month or so .
Earlier this season , Wolverhampton Wanderers played a Europa League @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but there was a crowd of 20,333 .
This was because European football 's governing body Uefa refused to let Slovan sell tickets for the fixture as punishment for racism by their supporters - but they were allowed to give them away to children .
That is not what we are talking about here .
Inter Milan 's Europa League tie against Ludogorets at the San Siro in February was watched only by the support staff and senior executives of both clubs .
The host broadcasters and one cameraman from each club @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The situation was slightly more relaxed at Juventus ' Serie A game against Inter .
League officials decided to cap media numbers at 50 , plus rights holders and production staff .
Again , senior executives were allowed into the Allianz Arena in Turin but no relatives of the players .
It would be down to the Premier League to decide acceptable numbers once a closed doors game was confirmed .
How would the practicalities be dealt with ?
Premier League matches are big business .
For the biggest clubs , fans fly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If tickets are paid for and travel booked , what is to stop fans coming to the grounds anyway and standing outside while the matches take place ?
After all , fan parks at major tournaments are often made up of people who have gone to host cities even though they are not actually getting in to see any football .
One weapon that could be used to combat this is TV .
Would Sky and BT make their games available free-to-air in an effort to discourage supporters from going to stadiums ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ broadcasting fixtures at 15:00 be lifted temporarily so matches could be seen whenever they are played ?
There has also been a suggestion fixtures may not be broadcast in pubs and bars to try to limit the numbers watching games in one place .
When Manchester United ended their 26-year wait for a league title in 1993 , they did so as a consequence of Aston Villa failing to beat Oldham Athletic .
Thousands descended on Old Trafford to celebrate after the final whistle had sounded .
It is impossible not to imagine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ point when their 30-year wait reaches its end , which could be as soon as Saturday .
The fact Liverpool could achieve the feat inside their own - closed - stadium , with fans outside waiting to celebrate is surreal .
One could forgive the Premier League , police , local council and anyone else who would have to deal with this situation wanting it wrapped up very quickly before the present advice changes .
And what about news conferences ?
It may seem like a bit of an irrelevance but pre-match news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ League theatre .
If matches were played behind closed doors , would external media still be allowed into training grounds to put questions to managers and players ?
Or would internal media ask questions , which would then be distributed more widely - a scenario Sir Alex Ferguson predicted when he was Manchester United manager , although that was because he did not like dealing with external press .
Already clubs are guiding players not to sign autographs or pose for selfies with supporters .

Fans wear disposable face masks prior to the Premier League match between Burnley and Tottenham at Turf Moor
British sport remains open for business - but it seems to be just a matter of time before the need to protect the public from the coronavirus outbreak causes major disruption to the Premier League.
Until government advice changes, the English top flight will carry on as normal, starting with Wednesday's rearranged game between Manchester City and Arsenal at Etihad Stadium.
But if the trend in Italy, Greece and France is followed, matches behind closed doors are on their way.
BBC Sport looks at the key questions about what lies ahead.
Why closed doors?
Even without the outbreak of a potentially deadly illness, the English football calendar is packed. From now until the final day of the season on 17 May, there are just two midweek dates not being used for European matches that postponed games can fit into, the weeks including 22 April and 12 May. And those dates are required for matches rearranged because of FA Cup quarter-finals and semi-finals. The FA Cup final is scheduled for 23 May and the Champions League final in Istanbul is due to be played seven days after that. Euro 2020 starts on 12 June.
Unless matches are allowed to be played behind closed doors, it is impossible to see how the season can finish. That would raise all kinds of issues. Everyone knows Liverpool are going to be Premier League champions. But what about the top four, relegation and promotion from the Championship?
If the season does not end, how would these matters be decided? The legal implications of relegating a team from a campaign that has not reached its conclusion are mind-blowing given the finances involved. The same is true of denying sides promotion. And scrapping the whole thing and starting again is impossible to conceive of - imagine the outcry on Merseyside for a start.
Tranmere Rovers chairman Mark Palios, a former chief executive of the Football Association, believes clubs will not mount legal challenges if the league is suspended.
He told BBC Sport: "If they do, they have to mount legal challenges against the government. I think it's the wrong road. I don't think any sensible person will look at that."
How much will it cost?
To an extent, Premier League clubs are insured against this - at least if it is a temporary measure - because of their enormous broadcasting contracts.
In their accounts to 30 June 2018, Bournemouth's £5.29m total gate receipts accounted for only 4% of total turnover. That works out at about £240,000 a game, or a month's wages for striker Callum Wilson.
At Leicester, gate receipts of £14.69m represented 8.2% of their turnover in the financial year that ended on 31 May 2019. At Manchester United, the figure is 18.75% - matchday income for 2018-19 was £112.33m, or just over £4m a match.
It is estimated Juventus lost over 3m euros by having to play their match against Inter Milan behind closed doors.
While these figures are substantial, it will only start to have an impact if the situation remains unresolved after a month or so.
What is closed doors?
Juventus beat Inter Milan 2-0 in Serie A on Sunday - but no fans were in the stadium to witness it
Earlier this season, Wolverhampton Wanderers played a Europa League tie against Slovan Bratislava behind closed doors, but there was a crowd of 20,333. This was because European football's governing body Uefa refused to let Slovan sell tickets for the fixture as punishment for racism by their supporters - but they were allowed to give them away to children.
That is not what we are talking about here.
Inter Milan's Europa League tie against Ludogorets at the San Siro in February was watched only by the support staff and senior executives of both clubs. The host broadcasters and one cameraman from each club were the only media allowed in. The situation was slightly more relaxed at Juventus' Serie A game against Inter. League officials decided to cap media numbers at 50, plus rights holders and production staff. Again, senior executives were allowed into the Allianz Arena in Turin but no relatives of the players.
It would be down to the Premier League to decide acceptable numbers once a closed doors game was confirmed.
How would the practicalities be dealt with?
Premier League matches are big business. For the biggest clubs, fans fly in from all over the world. If tickets are paid for and travel booked, what is to stop fans coming to the grounds anyway and standing outside while the matches take place? After all, fan parks at major tournaments are often made up of people who have gone to host cities even though they are not actually getting in to see any football.
One weapon that could be used to combat this is TV.
Would Sky and BT make their games available free-to-air in an effort to discourage supporters from going to stadiums? In addition, would the ban on broadcasting fixtures at 15:00 be lifted temporarily so matches could be seen whenever they are played? There has also been a suggestion fixtures may not be broadcast in pubs and bars to try to limit the numbers watching games in one place.
What about Liverpool's title celebration?
Police estimated that more than 750,000 fans lined the streets of Liverpool when the club paraded the Champions League trophy in 2019
When Manchester United ended their 26-year wait for a league title in 1993, they did so as a consequence of Aston Villa failing to beat Oldham Athletic. Thousands descended on Old Trafford to celebrate after the final whistle had sounded. It is impossible not to imagine Liverpool fans doing the same at the point when their 30-year wait reaches its end, which could be as soon as Saturday.
The fact Liverpool could achieve the feat inside their own - closed - stadium, with fans outside waiting to celebrate is surreal. One could forgive the Premier League, police, local council and anyone else who would have to deal with this situation wanting it wrapped up very quickly before the present advice changes.
And what about news conferences?
It may seem like a bit of an irrelevance but pre-match news conferences have become part of the Premier League theatre. If matches were played behind closed doors, would external media still be allowed into training grounds to put questions to managers and players? Or would internal media ask questions, which would then be distributed more widely - a scenario Sir Alex Ferguson predicted when he was Manchester United manager, although that was because he did not like dealing with external press.
Already clubs are guiding players not to sign autographs or pose for selfies with supporters.


bbc--2020-03-09--England in Sri Lanka: Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope hit half-centuries in warm-up draw

Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope both scored half-centuries as England drew with Sri Lanka Cricket XI in their first warm-up match in Katunayake .
Crawley hit 91 and Pope 77 as England reached 320-7 in their second innings - a lead of 391 - before both sides shook hands on a draw .
Ben Stokes , out for three in the first innings , returned to form with 43 from just 42 deliveries .
They continue their preparations with a four-day first-class match against a President 's XI in Colombo starting on Thursday .
With both sides able to pick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Root and wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler did not bat again in the second innings .
They began on 39-1 but lost Joe Denly for 27 just nine overs into the day .
That brought Stokes , promoted to number four , to the crease and he helped put on 92 with Crawley for the third wicket before both batsman fell either side of lunch .
Keaton Jennings , back in the squad for the first time in a year , was trapped lbw for 23 , having been dismissed in the same way for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Curran was the final man out for 26 , with Ben Foakes unbeaten on 24 .
Crawley , who averages 27 from his first four Tests , hopes he has done enough to earn a place in the side for the first Test in Galle .
`` It 's always been my goal .
Every time I 've gone to practice it 's been with the ambition of playing for England , '' he said .
`` I was disappointed with the way I got out first ball after lunch , but it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the middle and face a few balls .
`` If the people above think I 'm ready to go I 'll play in Galle , hopefully I can do there as well . ''

Last updated on .From the section Cricket
Zak Crawley averages 27.33 from his first four Test matches for England, with a high score of 66
Tour match, FTZ Sports Complex, Katunayake (day three of three) England 316 & 320-7: Crawley 91, Pope 77, Stokes 43 SLC XI 245: Priyanjan 77, Sarathchandra 35, Parkinson 4-68 Match drawn Scorecard
Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope both scored half-centuries as England drew with Sri Lanka Cricket XI in their first warm-up match in Katunayake.
Crawley hit 91 and Pope 77 as England reached 320-7 in their second innings - a lead of 391 - before both sides shook hands on a draw.
Ben Stokes, out for three in the first innings, returned to form with 43 from just 42 deliveries.
England face Sri Lanka in a two-Test series, starting on 19 March.
They continue their preparations with a four-day first-class match against a President's XI in Colombo starting on Thursday.
With both sides able to pick from 16 players, England captain Joe Root and wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler did not bat again in the second innings.
They began on 39-1 but lost Joe Denly for 27 just nine overs into the day.
That brought Stokes, promoted to number four, to the crease and he helped put on 92 with Crawley for the third wicket before both batsman fell either side of lunch.
Keaton Jennings, back in the squad for the first time in a year, was trapped lbw for 23, having been dismissed in the same way for 19 in the first innings.
Sam Curran was the final man out for 26, with Ben Foakes unbeaten on 24.
Crawley, who averages 27 from his first four Tests, hopes he has done enough to earn a place in the side for the first Test in Galle.
"It's always been my goal. Every time I've gone to practice it's been with the ambition of playing for England," he said.
"I was disappointed with the way I got out first ball after lunch, but it was nice to spend some time in the middle and face a few balls.
"If the people above think I'm ready to go I'll play in Galle, hopefully I can do there as well."


bbc--2020-03-09--Birmingham teenager Bellingham visits Man Utd training ground

Bellingham , 16 , has attracted interest from clubs domestically and abroad , including United and Borussia Dortmund .
Blues @ @ @ @ @ they can keep Bellingham , who is not allowed to sign a professional contract until @ @ @ @ @ 17 .
However , that seems unlikely given the status of the interested clubs .
@ @ @ @ @ there to watch him ' - why Bellingham is attracting so much interest The England @ @ @ @ @ youngest player when he made his debut for them in August .
Dortmund , in @ @ @ @ @ use England international Jadon Sancho as an example of the development Bellingham could make if @ @ @ @ @ .
Sancho left Manchester City for Germany at the age of 17 , and has @ @ @ @ @ and scored 31 goals in 89 matches for Dortmund .
Bellingham was pictured leaving Carrington @ @ @ @ @ executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward departed shortly afterwards .

Last updated on .From the section Birmingham
Jude Bellingham has played 35 games for Birmingham this season, scoring four goals
Birmingham City's teenage midfielder Jude Bellingham made a visit to Manchester United's Carrington training ground on Monday.
Bellingham, 16, has attracted interest from clubs domestically and abroad, including United and Borussia Dortmund.
Blues have expressed the hope that they can keep Bellingham, who is not allowed to sign a professional contract until June, when he turns 17.
However, that seems unlikely given the status of the interested clubs.
The England Under-17 international became Birmingham's youngest player when he made his debut for them in August.
Dortmund, in particular, are hoping to use England international Jadon Sancho as an example of the development Bellingham could make if he moved to the Bundesliga.
Sancho left Manchester City for Germany at the age of 17, and has since won 11 England caps and scored 31 goals in 89 matches for Dortmund.
Bellingham was pictured leaving Carrington with his parents and United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward departed shortly afterwards.


bbc--2020-03-09--American in Italy: 'Lockdown cut me off from my husband'

Kaila Haines is a US citizen married to an Italian man and has been living in Italy for 30 years .
She lives in Monfalcone , east of Venice , where her husband is undergoing self-imposed quarantine after exhibiting flu-like symptoms , but is currently stuck in Milan , where she was working when the quarantine came into force .
Here she describes the situation : I work in Milan Monday to Friday and go back on the weekend .
My husband is a university professor in Venice .
In recent months we 've been hearing about these cases but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ usual .
About one in 10 people have been in masks , but it 's been very laid-back despite all the hype and doom and gloom on the news .
But then at the beginning of last week , my husband came down with the fever .
• EASY STEPS : What can I do ?
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : What are the symptoms ?
• IMMUNITY : Are women and children less affected ?
• MAPS AND CHARTS : Visual guide to the outbreak The health ministry has asked anybody who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to isolate themselves .
Let 's not take any chances , stay home for 20 days .
So that 's what he did .
I was supposed to be going home this past weekend and did not because he was sick and in isolation .
Then I got stuck here in Milan because over the weekend they imposed this shutdown in the Lombardy region .
So I 'm here until 3 April but he 'll come out of isolation on 20 March .
It 's very surreal .
I went out yesterday morning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kind of curious to see if everyone was making a run on pasta and things like that .
You read the newspapers and that 's what everyone is saying .
The situation was quite tense because there was a person on the loudspeaker who was reminding everyone in the store every 30 seconds that they had to keep their one-metre distance from each other .
They were quite aggressively inviting everyone to keep their distance .
That was quite an unusual feeling .
But overall there was no run on the supermarket .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of milk and getting a few things they needed for the weekend .
From that respect it was pretty relaxed .
Then I walked down one of the main shopping roads and about 70 % of the stores were closed .
The bars were open .
It was a gorgeous day so everyone was out on their bicycles .
Most of the bars have tables outside and I could see they had distanced the tables , so there are less tables than there used to be .
There were people having their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cafe , so it was very relaxed .
There was n't a sense of panic or urgency .
I think it might take a while for people to realise they need to be a little more careful in keeping their distance and things like that .
This week I 'm on vacation but I will have to work from home .
I 'm taking it in my stride .
My husband only had a fever for a few days .
He has a little bit of a cough and he 's going a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who are doing the grocery shopping and leaving it at the door for him .
He said he 's going to have to learn how to cook - he does n't know how to cook .
We celebrated our 30th anniversary in September .
It 's not been easy .
It 's been a challenging year for us in general because I got a promotion and now we see each other on the weekends , but now it 's tough .

Most of the bars have tables outside and I could see they had distanced the tables, so there are less tables than there used to be. There were people having their coffee on the sidewalk at their little cafe, so it was very relaxed.


bbc--2020-03-09--Coronavirus: Israel to bring in 14-day quarantine for all arrivals

Everyone arriving in Israel will be required to self-quarantine for 14 days to prevent the spread of coronavirus , Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says .
`` All those coming to Israel from abroad will be placed in isolation , '' he said in a video address posted to Twitter .
Israeli Interior Minister Aryeh Deri said the measure would be effective immediately for all Israelis returning to the country .
It will apply to foreign citizens from Thursday , he added .
The move means that foreign arrivals will have to prove that they have adequate accommodation to be quarantined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • EASY STEPS : What can I do ?
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : What are the symptoms ?
• IMMUNITY : Are women and children less affected ?
• MAPS AND CHARTS : Visual guide to the outbreak '' After a day of complex discussions , we made a decision : everyone who comes to Israel from abroad will enter the 14-day isolation , '' Mr Netanyahu said in a statement .
`` This is a tough decision , but it is essential to maintain public health - and public health precedes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ruling would be valid for two weeks .
The measure means that about 268,000 Israelis who are currently abroad would need to quarantine themselves on their return , Israeli media report .
Israel , a country with a population of about nine million , has so far recorded 42 cases of Covid-19 , but no deaths .
The country has already imposed restrictions on travellers arriving from several countries including Italy , the worst-hit European country .
• The World Health Organization ( WHO ) has warned that the threat of a pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has confirmed the first death related to the virus - an elderly male patient in a care home in Vancouver , British Columbia • In France , Culture Minister Franck Riester has become the first member of the government to be infected with the virus .
His team said he had spent several days of the past week in parliament , where a number of other cases have been confirmed • In the US , the number of confirmed cases now exceeds 500 • A cruise ship carrying thousands of people who were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreak is reported to have docked at the port of Oakland , near San Francisco What is the situation elsewhere ?
The number of infections worldwide is now more than 111,000 , with about 3,890 deaths .
It Italy , the coronavirus death toll jumped on Monday by 97 to 463 .
Infections in the country also increased to 9,172 , up from 7,375 on Sunday , as Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte described the outbreak as the country 's `` darkest hour '' .
Iran also reported 43 new deaths related to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ At least 237 people have died and 7,161 have been infected across the country since mid-February , although the real figures are believed to be far higher .
China , which has recorded the highest number of fatalities , reported just 40 new cases of Covid-19 , the lowest since 20 January .
Although this indicates that the spread there is slowing , senior officials warned against reducing vigilance .

Iran also reported 43 new deaths related to the disease in the past 24 hours. At least 237 people have died and 7,161 have been infected across the country since mid-February, although the real figures are believed to be far higher.


What are the symptoms?

Coronavirus has spread to more than 80 countries , including the UK .
So , what is the disease and how does it spread ?
How do I protect myself ?
The best thing is regular and thorough hand washing , preferably with soap and water .
Coronavirus spreads when an infected person coughs small droplets - packed with the virus - into the air .
These can be breathed in , or cause an infection if you touch a surface they have landed on then your eyes , nose or mouth .
So , coughing and sneezing into tissues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hands , and avoiding close contact with infected people are important for limiting the spread .
Face masks do not provide effective protection , according to medical experts .
What are the coronavirus symptoms ?
Coronavirus infects the lungs .
The symptoms start with a fever followed by a dry cough .
After a week , it can lead to shortness of breath and some people need hospital treatment .
The early symptoms can easily be confused with other winter bugs including colds and flu .
The incubation period - between infection and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days , the World Health Organization ( WHO ) says .
Some researchers say it may be up to 24 days .
People will be most infectious when they have symptoms , but there have been suggestions some can spread the virus even before they are sick .
The proportion dying from the disease appears low ( between 1 % and 2 % ) - but the figures are unreliable .
Thousands being treated but may go on to die - so the death rate could be higher .
But it may also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are unreported .
• 6 % become critically ill - lung failure , septic shock , organ failure and risk of death • 80 % develop mild symptoms - fever and cough and some may have pneumonia Older people , and those with pre-existing medical conditions ( such as asthma , diabetes , heart disease ) , are more likely to become severely ill .
Treatment relies on keeping the patient 's body going , including breathing support , until their immune system can fight off the virus .
Work to develop a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close are we to a coronavirus vaccine ?
• Coronavirus : Can it harm breastfed babies , and other questions What should I do if I think I have coronavirus ?
The NHS says an epidemic in the UK is `` likely '' .
People who think they may be affected by coronavirus need to call the NHS 111 phone service for further advice .
They should not go to their GP , or A & E .
In Scotland , check NHS inform , then ring your GP in office hours , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wales where 111 is not available , call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 .
In Northern Ireland , call your GP .
If you have come into contact with somebody who may be infected , you may be told to self-isolate .
People needing to do so should take `` common-sense '' steps to avoid close contact with other people , says Public Health England .
Advice for people who have travelled back to the UK from affected areas and who may need to self-isolate , has been issued .
Other countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention advises people showing symptoms to call their healthcare provider , and those who are mildly ill to self-isolate .
The World Health Organization has also issued advice for the public .
What do I need to know about the coronavirus ?
• EASY STEPS : What can I do ?
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : What are the symptoms ?
• GETTING READY : How prepared is the UK ?
• MAPS AND CHARTS : Visual guide to the outbreak Will I be tested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing in the UK , you may have to give samples of mucus , blood or faeces .
These will be tested and results may be available on the same day .
While you await your test results , you may be asked to stay at home and self-isolate .
How fast is it spreading ?
Hundreds of new cases are being reported worldwide each day .
However , it is thought health agencies may be unaware of many cases .
After starting in China , coronavirus is now spreading fast in countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This explainer will be regularly updated to reflect the audience 's questions about coronavirus .
Details of how to get in touch are below .
What questions do you have about the coronavirus ?
In some cases your question will be published , displaying your name , age and location as you provide it , unless you state otherwise .
Your contact details will never be published .
Please ensure you have read our terms & conditions and privacy policy .
Use this form to ask your question :

Older people, and those with pre-existing medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure), are more likely to become severely ill. Men are at slightly higher risk of dying from the virus than women.


bbc--2020-03-10--Coronavirus: President Xi visits Wuhan to signal control of outbreak

President Xi Jinping has visited Wuhan , the centre of the coronavirus outbreak , sending a message that Beijing has the situation under control .
His visit comes as China records its lowest number of infections , just 19 on Tuesday , all in Wuhan apart from two who had arrived from overseas .
There have been 80,754 confirmed cases in mainland China and 3,136 people have died .
The visit was Mr Xi 's first trip to Wuhan since the outbreak began .
According to state media , Mr Xi arrived in the city on Tuesday to inspect epidemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Wuhan and its province , Hubei , have been on lockdown in order to prevent the spread of the disease .
The president visited a community in the city currently in self-quarantine .
Global Times quoted analysts as saying Mr Xi 's visit sent a `` strong signal to the entire country and the world that China is ascending out of the darkest moment amid the outbreak '' .
• EASY STEPS : What can I do ?
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : What are the symptoms ?
• IMMUNITY : Are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MAPS AND CHARTS : Visual guide to the outbreak The president also visited Huoshenshan Hospital , a temporary facility that was completed in 10 days .
During his visit to the hospital , he learned about the facility 's operations , treatment of patients and protection for medical workers and scientific research there .
Images from his visit show the president speaking to staff and patients via video link .
Shortly after his visit , state media confirmed that all 14 of the temporary hospitals in China have now been closed .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stay in the city .
Zhang Ming , a professor at Renmin University told Reuters news agency : `` He is there now to reap the harvest .
His being there means the Communist Party of China ( CCP ) may declare victory against the virus soon . ''
Images of Communist Party General Secretary Xi Jinping visiting Wuhan will be seen as more than just reassuring to the people of China that the coronavirus emergency is now pretty much under control .
It is also like a nationwide green light .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signal that the return to `` normality '' should carry on apace .
After all , if the most important person in the country now feels that it is safe enough to enter the belly of the monster then surely others can return to work in their own cities , most of which have seen zero new infections recently .
True , when Xi Jinping `` visited '' patients at the newly built Huoshenshan quarantine ward this was done via video link .
However , you would hardly expect the country 's leader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hug .
To see him just being in the city probably means that parts of Hubei will be opened up very soon with a resumption of transport links at least within the province , along with more shops opening their doors .
Elsewhere in China things are going to start moving much more quickly .
Mr Xi has been notably absent from Chinese state media coverage of the virus .
However , CGTN said on Tuesday that Mr Xi has been `` personally directing the disease prevention and control work '' .
His @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wuhan in January .
Last week , Vice Premier Sun Chunlan visited a Wuhan housing community where she received a hostile reception from residents who claimed the area had been cleaned up for her visit .
As the number of infections rapidly decreases , there are signs that life in China is slowly returning to normal .
In Qinghai province , the first batch of 144 senior schools and secondary vocational schools opened on Monday .
On Monday , Global Times said Tianhe Airport in Wuhan was preparing to reopen but no official @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says it has partially reopened .
The main theme park is still closed but the shops and restaurants have reopened .

To see him just being in the city probably means that parts of Hubei will be opened up very soon with a resumption of transport links at least within the province, along with more shops opening their doors. Elsewhere in China, things are going to start moving much more quickly.


bbc--2020-03-10--Coronavirus: US Republicans self-quarantine amid outbreak

Five senior US Republicans have quarantined themselves after coming into contact with a person who tested positive for coronavirus .
The members of Congress , who include Texas Senator Ted Cruz , self-isolated after they shook hands with an infected individual at a conference .
President Donald Trump , who was also at the event last month , insists he is in good health and has not taken a test .
One Democrat has also self-isolated after she met someone with the virus .
There are more than 700 confirmed cases in the US and 26 people have died so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Paul Gosar , Georgia Congressman Doug Collins and Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz are all self-quarantining for the recommended 14-days after they met the same infected person at CPAC , a conservative political conference , at the end of February .
Republican Representative Mark Meadows , President Donald Trump 's newly appointed chief of staff , also met the person and is in self-quarantine .
He is not exhibiting any symptoms and a precautionary test came back negative , a spokesman said .
• EASY STEPS : What can I do ?
• A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
• IMMUNITY : Coronavirus : Are women and children less affected ?
• MAPS AND CHARTS : Visual guide to the outbreak Mr Trump and Vice-President Mike Pence attended the same event in Maryland but neither of them interacted with the individual .
Mr Trump did shake hands with the conference chairman who had had contact with the patient .
But , on Monday , the White House announced that Mr Trump had not been tested for the virus .
`` He has neither had prolonged close contact with any known confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any symptoms , '' a spokeswoman said .
`` President Trump remains in excellent health , and his physician will continue to closely monitor him , '' she added .
What else did the White House say ?
The White House announcement came as it warned the number of cases in the US was likely to rise .
`` There will be more cases , '' Mr Pence told reporters .
`` But we simply ask today for the American people to engage in the common sense practices . ''
• Live updates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who also confirmed he had not been tested for the virus , said the administration was consulting Congress on providing paid sick leave to workers .
Separately , in brief remarks , Mr Trump said he would take `` major '' steps to protect the economy against the impact of the outbreak .
`` We 'll be discussing a possible payroll tax cut or relief , substantial relief , '' he told reporters .
He did not provide further details on his plans , but said there would be a news conference on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and I think we 've handled it very , very well , '' he said of the virus .
The president 's comments came as stock markets plunged .
Shares around the world had their worst day since the financial crisis on Monday , and analysts described the market reaction to the coronavirus as `` utter carnage '' .
What 's the latest in the US ?
Cases of the virus have been recorded in 34 states plus Washington DC .
There have been 738 confirmed cases and 26 deaths , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passengers aboard a virus-hit cruise liner in California have begun disembarking after being kept off the coast of San Francisco for five days .
Nineteen crew members and two passengers on the Grand Princess have tested positive for Covid-19 .
Most of the passengers will go into quarantine at military bases or , if they require more immediate medical attention , nearby hospitals .
Several hundred foreign passengers , including 140 Britons , will be repatriated to their home countries .
The ship 's crew members will remain quarantined on board , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the passengers have disembarked , officials said .
The cruise ship came to the attention of the authorities when a previous voyager on the vessel died last week after being stricken by the coronavirus .
The 71-year-old , who had an underlying health condition , had been on a round trip from San Francisco to Mexico .
What about elsewhere ?
In neighbouring Canada , as of Monday morning , there were 76 confirmed or presumptive cases of people carrying the coronavirus disease .
There was one confirmed death in North Vancouver , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are in the provinces of Ontario and British Columbia , though some have also been discovered in Quebec and Alberta .
Canadian public health officials are advising against all cruise ship travel .
Just last week , Canadian passengers of the Diamond Princess cruise ship were released from quarantine .
Italy now has the highest number of confirmed infections outside China , where the outbreak originated in December .
It has confirmed 7,375 cases and overtaken South Korea , where the total number is 7,313 .
Some 16 million people - a quarter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strict quarantine measures .

The White House announcement came as it warned the number of cases in the US was likely to rise. "There will be more cases," Mr Pence told reporters. "But we simply ask today for the American people to engage in the common sense practices."


bbc--2020-03-10--Calm returns to markets after share turmoil

Stock markets in Europe have opened higher following Monday 's plunge , when shares saw the biggest falls since the 2008 financial crisis .
London 's FTSE 100 share index rose more than 3 % after having sunk 7.7 % in the previous session .
Markets were battered on Monday in reaction to the threat of an oil price war between Russia and Saudi Arabia .
But after falling as much as 30 % on Monday , oil prices also saw some recovery , with Brent crude rising 8 % .
The main share indexes in France and Germany were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Tuesday morning .
The response has been a fairly standard one when it comes to stock market behaviour , said Kathleen Brooks , director at Minerva Analysis .
`` Markets are so emotional , it 's unbelievable , '' she said .
`` Act first , think later .
This was the same in 2008 , you have these massive declines and then the market is on pause . ''
She said she thought markets would recover eventually , as `` if you look at long-term charts they always recover '' .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` we could see another decline if we do n't see the stimulus that 's required .
We need to hear more positive things because that 's when stock markets go up . ''
On Monday , US President Donald Trump said he would be taking `` major '' steps to strengthen the US economy against the impact of the coronavirus outbreak , and analysts said this had helped to lift markets .
The rebound has also been helped by a slowdown in reported cases of coronavirus in China , according to Michael @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Markets UK .
`` This optimism , along with expectations around further central bank actions is , for now , offsetting the news that the whole of Italy has gone into lockdown and the Spanish government has taken the decision to close all schools and universities in Madrid , '' he said .
Some investors will think that yesterday 's panic was an over-reaction , and that some shares now look cheap .
That would explain the rise this morning of Tui , the holiday company , and the small gains shown by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seesaw pattern of trading is nothing new .
One of the curious features of bear markets , where prices fall more than 20 % from their peak , is that they normally contain several one-day rallies within the overall fall .
That has been a feature of US and UK bear markets since the crash of 1929 , and has already been part of the pattern of trading since the coronavirus struck .
Today 's rally could easily be followed by another fall .
In Asia , shares in Japan rose after Prime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work closely with the central bank to boost the economy .
Japan 's benchmark index , the Nikkei 225 , had started Tuesday more than 3 % down but bounced back following Mr Abe 's comments to stand 1 % higher .
In Hong Kong , the main Hang Seng market rose 1.4 % buoyed by Japan 's moves to calm investors .
The index had fallen more than 4 % on Monday .
Why should I care if stock markets fall ?
Many people 's initial reaction to `` the markets '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , because they do not invest money .
Yet there are millions of people with a pension - either private or through work - who will see their savings ( in what is known as a defined contribution pension ) invested by pension schemes .
The value of their savings pot is influenced by the performance of these investments .
So big rises or falls can affect your pension , but the advice is to remember that pension savings , like any investments , are usually a long-term bet .
Monday 's market @ @ @ @ @ @ @ major oil exporters Russia and Saudi Arabia over output levels .
On Friday , Russia had rejected a proposal by oil exporting group Opec to cut supply to cope with lower demand due to the coronavirus outbreak .
In response , Saudi Arabia said it would slash prices and pump more oil , sparking fears of a price war .
As a result , the price of international oil benchmark Brent fell by as much as a third on Monday in its biggest drop since the Gulf War in 1991. taking the price @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The sharp drop in oil prices unsettled investors already reeling from a global economic slowdown caused by quarantine measures to fight the spread of the coronavirus .
On Tuesday , the price of Brent crude regained some ground , rising about 8 % to around $ 37 a barrel .
Major central banks have pledged to pump cash into the financial system while governments are mulling stimulus measures to tackle the economic hit .
These include cuts to interest rates to encourage companies to borrow money and expand .
However , former Bank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5 live 's Wake Up to Money : `` I do n't think that a cut in interest rates now is actually going to do a great deal to help the situation , it maybe a sign of reassurance but it is not more than that .
`` What is needed now are targeted measures to help business deal with a short-term crisis and collapse of their cash flow , and I think the Bank of England understands that very well . ''
Reflecting jittery markets , gold prices crossed $ 1,700 per @ @ @ @ @ @ @ December 2012 .
Gold is often seen as a safer asset in times of economic and political uncertainty , along with government bonds .

"This optimism, along with expectations around further central bank actions is, for now, offsetting the news that the whole of Italy has gone into lockdown and the Spanish government has taken the decision to close all schools and universities in Madrid," he said.


bbc--2020-03-10--Inside a dangerously divided 'city of snipers'

Taiz , in Yemen 's south-west , is home to one of the longest-running battles of the country 's civil @ @ @ @ @ city of snipers , Taiz - divided between the Houthi rebels and forces loyal to @ @ @ @ @ under siege .
Saudi air-strikes have continued since the start of the war in 2015 @ @ @ @ @ say they feel forgotten .
The BBC gained exclusive access to see what life is @ @ @ @ @ the government controlled side of this divided city .

Taiz, in Yemen's south-west, is home to one of the longest-running battles of the country's civil war.
Known as the city of snipers, Taiz - divided between the Houthi rebels and forces loyal to the government - is constantly under siege.
Saudi air-strikes have continued since the start of the war in 2015 and the people of Taiz say they feel forgotten.
The BBC gained exclusive access to see what life is like for those living on the government controlled side of this divided city.
Produced by Lyse Doucet and Tony Brown
Filmed by Dave Bull


bbc--2020-03-10--Billie Eilish tackles body shaming as her world tour kicks off in Miami

Pop star Billie Eilish delivered a powerful message about body shaming as she kicked off her world tour in Miami on Tuesday night .
The 18-year-old has previously said she wears baggy clothes to avoid being sexualised , and addressed criticism of that choice during a video interlude .
`` If what I wear is comfortable , I am not a woman , '' she said .
`` If I shed the layers , I am a slut '' .
`` Though you 've never seen my body , you still judge me for it .
Why ? ''
she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ big winner at the Grammys The two-minute video was played towards the end of Eilish 's 22-song set , immediately before the song All The Good Girls Go To Hell .
In the visual , Eilish was seen removing several layers of clothing until she was only wearing a bra , before sinking symbolically under the surface of a black , tar-like liquid .
At the end of the clip , she warned against making `` assumptions about people based on their size '' .
`` We decide who they are .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said .
`` If I wear more , if I wear less , who decides what that makes me ?
`` Is my value based only on your perception ?
Or is your opinion of me not my responsibility ? ''
The interlude was just one element of a spectacular live show which began Poltergeist-style , with Eilish dangling on wires underneath a floating bed .
After falling through the stage , she emerged on a riser at the end of a catwalk to perform Bury A Friend , before running through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A Crown , Ocean Eyes and her Bond theme No Time To Die .
She played Copycat from a floating walkway above the stage , and showcased her piano skills during a brief instrumental at the keyboard .
During the concert , the five time Grammy-winner dressed in her traditional baggy clothes - with a green sequinned shirt that matched her shorts and black Nike high-top trainers .
For the uptempo songs , she bounded up and down the catwalk , her vocals frequently drowned out by the crowd .
Coronavirus permitting , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after a 38-date trek across North and South America ; with dates scheduled in Manchester , Birmingham and Manchester .
The full text of Eilish 's body shaming speech is below : Do you really know me ?
You have opinions about my opinions , about my music , about my clothes , about my body .
Some people hate what I wear , some people praise it .
Some people use it to shame others , some people use it to shame me .
But I feel you watching ... always .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ So while I feel your stares , your disapproval or your sighs of relief , if I lived by them , I 'd never be able to move .
Would you like me to be smaller ?
Weaker ?
Softer ?
Taller ?
Would you like me to be quiet ?
Do my shoulders provoke you ?
Does my chest ?
Am I my stomach ?
My hips ?
The body I was born with , is it not what you wanted ?
If what I wear is comfortable , I am not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ layers , I am a slut .
Though you 've never seen my body , you still judge it and judge me for it .
Why ?
You make assumptions about people based on their size .
We decide who they are .
We decide what they 're worth .
If I wear more , if I wear less , who decides what that makes me ?
What that means ?
Is my value based only on your perception ?
Or is your opinion of me not my responsibility ?
Follow us on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If you have a story suggestion email entertainment.news @ bbc.co.uk .

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bbc--2020-03-10--Coronavirus: Virgin Atlantic admits flying near-empty planes

Virgin Atlantic has confirmed it has been forced to operate some near-empty flights after bookings were dented by the coronavirus outbreak .
It is operating the flights to try to retain take-off and landing slots at major airports such as Heathrow .
Under European law , if flights are not operated , slots have to be forfeited .
UK Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has written to the European Commission , asking for rules on slot allocation to be relaxed during the outbreak .
Other carriers are thought to be taking similar steps - even reportedly flying so-called `` ghost planes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all in order to safeguard their presence at major hubs .
'Use it or lose it' Airline passenger numbers have fallen dramatically in recent weeks due to the coronavirus outbreak .
On some routes they have halved and carriers have been cancelling services .
However , this could cause them a serious problem , particularly if they fly out of large or heavily congested airports .
Under international guidelines , which are enshrined in European law , take-off and landing slots at these airports are limited .
In the UK , the rules @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Manchester , London Luton and London City .
Slots are granted according to historical rights at these airports .
If , for example , a carrier operated a particular schedule through the summer season last year , it retains the right to those same slots this summer .
• EASY STEPS : How to keep safe • A SIMPLE GUIDE : What are the symptoms ?
• GETTING READY : How prepared is the UK ?
• MAPS AND CHARTS : Visual guide to the outbreak But there is a catch .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ it '' rule , slots have to be used at least 80 % of the time .
If an airline fails to reach that threshold , the slots are put back into a pool and allocated to other carriers .
Although they are technically granted for free , there is a thriving secondary market on which the most desirable slots can change hands for significant sums - tens of millions of pounds across a season .
So airlines are very reluctant to lose them .
The rule has already been suspended on routes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still applies elsewhere .
`` Passenger demand for air travel has dramatically fallen due to Covid-19 and in some instances we are being forced to fly almost empty planes or lose our valuable slots '' , said Shai Weiss , chief executive of Virgin Atlantic .
One UK carrier has said that unless the rules change , it will have to operate 32 flights over the next two weeks with only 40 % of the aircraft occupied .
That would leave more than 5,000 seats empty .
Airlines are now lobbying hard for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alderslade , chief executive of the industry body Airlines UK , said : `` It makes no sense whatsoever under these unique and challenging circumstances to force airlines to fly empty aircraft , wasting money and fuel and creating carbon emissions '' .
He added : `` We urgently need a temporary suspension of the rule - as happened during the financial crisis - to allow airlines to respond to demand and use their aircraft efficiently . ''
However , if the rules are to be relaxed , the decision will have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has officially withdrawn from the European Union ( EU ) , an EU regulation on slot allocation still applies .
On Monday the Transport Secretary Grant Shapps wrote to the European Commission .
He asked it to introduce `` practical and proportionate measures '' to address the situation , possibly including `` flexibility with the 80 % threshold , implemented on a market-by-market basis or more broadly '' .
The body directly responsible for slot allocation in the UK , Airport Coordination Limited , has joined other organisations from across Europe in calling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it '' measure to be suspended from mid-February until the end of June .

But there is a catch. Under the "use it or lose it" rule, slots have to be used at least 80% of the time. If an airline fails to reach that threshold, the slots are put back into a pool and allocated to other carriers.