bbc--2020-01-16--Sir David Attenborough warns of climate 'crisis moment'

`` The moment of crisis has come '' in efforts to tackle climate change , Sir David Attenborough has warned .
According to the renowned naturalist and broadcaster , `` we have been putting things off for year after year '' .
`` As I speak , south east Australia is on fire .
Why ?
Because the temperatures of the Earth are increasing , '' he said .
Sir David 's comments came in a BBC News interview to launch a year of special coverage on the subject of climate change .
He told me it was `` palpable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to suggest that the Australian fires were nothing to do with the world becoming warmer .
`` We know perfectly well , '' he said , that human activity is behind the heating of the planet .
• Where we are in seven charts What does Sir David mean by 'the moment of crisis ' ?
He 's highlighting the fact that while climate scientists are becoming clearer about the need for a rapid response , the pace of international negotiations is grindingly slow .
The most recent talks - in Madrid last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the UN Secretary-General , the British government and others .
Decisions on key issues were put off and several countries including Australia and Brazil were accused of trying to dodge their commitments .
`` We have to realise that this is not playing games , '' Sir David said .
`` This is not just having a nice little debate , arguments and then coming away with a compromise .
`` This is an urgent problem that has to be solved and , what 's more , we know how to do it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we 're refusing to take steps that we know have to be taken . ''
What are those steps ?
Back in 2018 , the UN climate science panel spelled out how the world could have a reasonable chance of avoiding the most dangerous temperature rises in future .
It said that emissions of the gases heating the planet - from power stations and factories , vehicles and agriculture - should be almost halved by 2030 .
Instead the opposite is happening .
The release of those gases is still increasing rather @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carbon dioxide , is now in the atmosphere at a level far above anything experienced in human history .
As Sir David put it : `` Every year that passes makes those steps more and more difficult to achieve . ''
Why does this matter right now ?
This year is seen as a vital opportunity to turn the tide on climate change .
The UK is hosting what 's billed as a crucial UN summit , known as COP26 , in Glasgow in November .
Ahead of that gathering , governments worldwide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ targets for cutting emissions .
That 's because their current pledges do not go nearly far enough .
Assuming they are delivered as promised ( and there 's no guarantee of that ) , there could still be a rise in the global average temperature of more than 3C by the end of the century , compared to pre-industrial levels .
The latest assessment by the UN 's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change ( IPCC ) lays bare the dangers of that .
It suggests that a rise of anything above 1.5C would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ damage to coral reefs would become more severe .
And the latest figures show that the world has already warmed by just over 1C .
What happens next ?
As things stand , further heating looks inevitable .
`` We 're already living in a changed world , '' according to Professor Ed Hawkins of the University of Reading , a scientist whose depictions of global warming have often gone viral on social media .
He uses bold coloured stripes to show how much each year 's temperature is above or below average @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and blue for colder .
The designs now adorn T-shirts , scarves and even a tram in Germany .
At the moment , Prof Hawkins uses dark red to denote the highest level of warming , but regions such as the Arctic Ocean have seen that maximum level year after year .
Such is the scale of change that he 's having to search for new colours .
`` I 'm thinking about adding dark purple or even black '' , he told me , to convey future increases in temperature .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distant prospect but we 're seeing so many examples around the world , like in Australia , of new records and new extremes . ''
What else is on the environmental agenda this year ?
The natural world , and whether we can stop harming it .
While most political attention will be on climate change , 2020 is also seen as potentially important for halting the damage human activity is having on ecosystems .
Sir David has a blunt explanation for why this matters : `` We actually depend upon the natural @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take and every mouthful of food that we eat . ''
World leaders are being invited to the Chinese city of Kunming for a major conference on how to safeguard Nature .
A landmark report last year warned that as many as one million species of animals , insects and plants are threatened with extinction in the coming decades .
A more recent study found that the growth of cities , the clearing of forests for farming and the soaring demand for fish had significantly altered nearly three-quarters of the land and more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the scientists involved , Prof Andy Purvis of the Natural History Museum in London , says that by undermining important habitats , `` we 're hacking away at our safety net , we 're trashing environments we depend on '' .
He points to the impact of everything from the use of palm oil in processed food and shampoo to the pressures created by fast fashion .
And while the need for conservation is understood in many developed countries , Prof Purvis says `` we 've exported the damage to countries too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what they 're selling to us '' .
The gathering in Kunming takes place in October , a month before the UN climate summit in Glasgow , confirming this year as crucial for our relations with the planet .
• How much warmer is your city ?
• What is your diet 's carbon footprint ?
• Where we are in seven charts What questions do you have about Sir David Attenborough 's warning about a climate `` crisis moment '' ?
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Sir David Attenborough warns of climate 'crisis moment' Published 16 January 2020
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Media caption, China needs to tackle climate change - Attenborough
"The moment of crisis has come" in efforts to tackle climate change, Sir David Attenborough has warned.
According to the renowned naturalist and broadcaster, "we have been putting things off for year after year".
"As I speak, south east Australia is on fire. Why? Because the temperatures of the Earth are increasing," he said.
Sir David's comments came in a BBC News interview to launch a year of special coverage on the subject of climate change.
Scientists say climate change is one of several factors behind the Australian fires; others include how forests are managed and natural patterns in the weather.
Sir David told me it was "palpable nonsense" for some politicians and commentators to suggest that the Australian fires were nothing to do with the world becoming warmer.
"We know perfectly well," he said, that human activity is behind the heating of the planet.
What does Sir David mean by 'the moment of crisis'?
He's highlighting the fact that while climate scientists are becoming clearer about the need for a rapid response, the pace of international negotiations is grindingly slow.
The most recent talks - in Madrid last month - were branded a disappointment by the UN Secretary-General, the British government and others.
Decisions on key issues were put off and several countries including Australia and Brazil were accused of trying to dodge their commitments.
"We have to realise that this is not playing games," Sir David said.
"This is not just having a nice little debate, arguments and then coming away with a compromise.
"This is an urgent problem that has to be solved and, what's more, we know how to do it - that's the paradoxical thing, that we're refusing to take steps that we know have to be taken."
What are those steps?
Back in 2018, the UN climate science panel spelled out how the world could have a reasonable chance of avoiding the most dangerous temperature rises in future.
It said that emissions of the gases heating the planet - from power stations and factories, vehicles and agriculture - should be almost halved by 2030.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Australia has been badly hit by bushfires
Instead the opposite is happening.
The release of those gases is still increasing rather than falling and the key gas, carbon dioxide, is now in the atmosphere at a level far above anything experienced in human history.
As Sir David put it: "Every year that passes makes those steps more and more difficult to achieve."
Why does this matter right now?
This year is seen as a vital opportunity to turn the tide on climate change.
The UK is hosting what's billed as a crucial UN summit, known as COP26, in Glasgow in November.
Ahead of that gathering, governments worldwide are coming under pressure to toughen their targets for cutting emissions.
That's because their current pledges do not go nearly far enough.
Assuming they are delivered as promised (and there's no guarantee of that), there could still be a rise in the global average temperature of more than 3C by the end of the century, compared to pre-industrial levels.
The latest assessment by the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) lays bare the dangers of that.
It suggests that a rise of anything above 1.5C would mean that coastal flooding, heatwaves and damage to coral reefs would become more severe.
And the latest figures show that the world has already warmed by just over 1C.
What happens next?
As things stand, further heating looks inevitable.
"We're already living in a changed world," according to Professor Ed Hawkins of the University of Reading, a scientist whose depictions of global warming have often gone viral on social media.
He uses bold coloured stripes to show how much each year's temperature is above or below average - different shades of red for warmer and blue for colder.
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Media caption, What is climate change?
The designs now adorn T-shirts, scarves and even a tram in Germany.
At the moment, Prof Hawkins uses dark red to denote the highest level of warming, but regions such as the Arctic Ocean have seen that maximum level year after year.
Such is the scale of change that he's having to search for new colours.
"I'm thinking about adding dark purple or even black", he told me, to convey future increases in temperature.
"People might think climate change is a distant prospect but we're seeing so many examples around the world, like in Australia, of new records and new extremes."
What else is on the environmental agenda this year?
The natural world, and whether we can stop harming it.
While most political attention will be on climate change, 2020 is also seen as potentially important for halting the damage human activity is having on ecosystems.
Sir David has a blunt explanation for why this matters: "We actually depend upon the natural world for every breath of air we take and every mouthful of food that we eat."
World leaders are being invited to the Chinese city of Kunming for a major conference on how to safeguard Nature.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, The northern white rhino (seen here) is down to just two animals, making it "functionally" extinct
A landmark report last year warned that as many as one million species of animals, insects and plants are threatened with extinction in the coming decades.
A more recent study found that the growth of cities, the clearing of forests for farming and the soaring demand for fish had significantly altered nearly three-quarters of the land and more than two-thirds of the oceans.
One of the scientists involved, Prof Andy Purvis of the Natural History Museum in London, says that by undermining important habitats, "we're hacking away at our safety net, we're trashing environments we depend on".
He points to the impact of everything from the use of palm oil in processed food and shampoo to the pressures created by fast fashion.
And while the need for conservation is understood in many developed countries, Prof Purvis says "we've exported the damage to countries too poor to handle the environmental cost of what they're selling to us".
The gathering in Kunming takes place in October, a month before the UN climate summit in Glasgow, confirming this year as crucial for our relations with the planet.


bbc--2020-01-16--Trump 'knew exactly what was going on', Giuliani aide claims

An aide to Donald Trump 's lawyer claims the president `` knew exactly what was going on '' with efforts to pressure Ukraine into investigating former Vice-President Joe Biden and his son .
Lev Parnas told MSNBC he went to Ukraine to put pressure on officials on behalf of Mr Trump and his personal lawyer , Rudy Giuliani .
The alleged intention was to damage Mr Biden , a potential Democratic rival to Mr Trump in next year 's US election .
The US president also says that he does not know Mr Parnas - a Ukrainian-American businessman and Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of campaign finance violations .
The extent of Mr Trump 's involvement in the alleged plan to undermine Mr Biden - whose son Hunter Biden was on the board of a Ukrainian gas firm - will be examined in his impeachment trial , which is due to begin next week in the US Senate .
He is accused of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress .
What did Lev Parnas say ?
In the interview aired on Wednesday , Mr Parnas said Mr Trump was `` aware of all my movements '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without the consent of Rudy Giuliani or the president .
Why would [ Ukrainian ] President Zelensky 's inner circle or [ Interior ] Minister [ Arsen ] Avakov or all these people or [ former ] President [ Petro ] Poroshenko meet with me ?
`` Who am I ?
They were told to meet with me .
And that 's the secret that they 're trying to keep .
I was on the ground doing their work , '' he added .
Mr Trump `` decided to '' increase pressure on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by withholding military aid , Mr Parnas said .
Mr Parnas also said he told a Ukrainian official that US Vice-President Mike Pence would not attend President Zelensky 's inauguration unless there was an investigation into the Bidens .
Other White House officials knew about the alleged campaign against Mr Biden , Mr Parnas alleged .
They included Attorney General William Barr , who Mr Parnas said was `` basically on the team '' , and former national security advisor John Bolton , who Mr Parnas said `` 100 % '' knew about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does not know Mr Parnas .
Referring to photos of himself with Mr Parnas and another Giuliani associate , he said : `` It 's possible I have a picture with them because I have a picture with everybody . ''
But Mr Parnas said Mr Trump `` lied '' .
`` He knew exactly who I was . ''
he said .
What else has Parnas provided ?
Earlier this week , letters , phone records , notes and flash drives were obtained from Mr Parnas in a bid to bolster the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the forthcoming Senate trial .
Documents show that Ukraine-born Mr Parnas was in regular contact with Mr Giuliani as well as Ukrainian officials , and suggest that Mr Parnas was directly involved in trying to have Mr Zelensky look into Mr Biden .
One handwritten note from Mr Parnas states : `` Get Zalensky [ sic ] to Annonce [ sic ] that the Biden case will be investigated . ''
There is also a screenshot of a previously undisclosed letter from Mr Giuliani to Mr Zelensky , in which he asks to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Giuliani describes himself as `` personal counsel to President Trump '' and states that Mr Trump had `` knowledge and consent '' of Mr Giuliani 's actions .
The meeting never took place , as Mr Giuliani eventually cancelled his May trip to Ukraine .
What about the former US ambassador to Ukraine ?
Some of the materials obtained show Mr Parnas and Mr Giuliani discussing the removal of Marie Yovanovitch , the then US ambassador to Ukraine .
Several of the text messages appear to suggest Ms Yovanovitch was placed under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ important to the US • Who 's who in this story ?
In Wednesday 's interview , Mr Parnas claimed the only motivation to have Ms Yovanovitch removed was because she was in the way of the effort to get Ukraine to announce an investigation into Joe Biden .
Mr Parnas was apparently given updates on the ambassador 's location and mobile phone use by a man named Robert F Hyde .
Mr Hyde is a Republican congressional candidate in Connecticut and a Trump campaign donor .
Ms Yovanovitch is calling for an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ notion that American citizens and others were monitoring [ her ] movements ... is disturbing , '' her lawyer said .
Want to find out more ?
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : If you want a basic take , this one 's for you • GO DEEPER : Here 's a 100 , 300 and 800-word summary of the story • A STATE DIVIDED : What New Hampshire makes of it • YOUR QUESTIONS : Will Trump really testify ?
• CASE FOR & AGAINST : What legal scholars say about Trump conduct

Mr Trump has said he does not know Mr Parnas. Referring to photos of himself with Mr Parnas and another Giuliani associate, he said: "It's possible I have a picture with them because I have a picture with everybody."


bbc--2020-01-16--Iran plane downing: Victims' governments to press Tehran for answers

Iran is facing fresh pressure to give a full accounting of what happened to the Ukrainian Airlines plane that was shot down over its capital city last week with 176 people on board .
Ministers from five countries that lost citizens in the crash are due to meet in London later to demand answers .
Ahead of the meeting , Canada 's foreign minister said his country would `` get to the very bottom '' of what happened .
Iran has said the plane was brought down by a missile fired in error .
The plane , travelling to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on their way to Canada , was downed amid escalating tensions between Iran and the US .
There were no survivors .
Hours before , Iranian missiles had targeted two airbases in Iraq housing US forces .
• Plane crash victims 'were the best of us' • What we know about flight PS752 For three days after the tragedy Iran denied any responsibility but after international pressure , the hardline Revolutionary Guards accepted responsibility , saying the plane had been mistaken for a `` cruise missile '' .
The crisis has come at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both in terms of its relationship with the international community and at home , where there have been anti-government protests .
What 's the meeting in London about ?
Five countries who had citizens on the plane - Canada , Britain , Ukraine , Sweden and Afghanistan - have formed a new group to co-ordinate their response as the Iranian-led investigation unfolds .
Their foreign ministers will light memorial candles at the Canadian High Commission in London on Thursday to honour the dead before holding discussions focusing on the need for transparency from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the meeting would aim to `` achieve consensus '' on what to demand from Iran .
`` Canada will not accept a situation where we feel that we 're not being given the information that we 're looking for , '' he said on Wednesday .
`` Make no mistake about it , Canada is going to get to the very bottom of this . ''
The group wants all those responsible for the plane 's downing to be held to account and arrangements made to ensure the dignified repatriation of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world .
Canada is investigating reports that the families of some victims have been harassed by authorities in Iran and urged to keep quiet .
Many of the foreign nationals killed are believed to have held dual nationality and Canada 's government says it is `` deeply concerned '' about alleged pressure on Iranian-Canadian families not to repatriate remains .
The possibility of taking legal action and the issue of compensation will also be discussed at Thursday 's meeting , according to Ukraine 's foreign minister Vadym Prystaiko .
UK Prime Minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he was `` glad '' Iran had acknowledged making a `` terrible mistake '' in shooting down the plane .
`` It 's good that they 've apologised .
The most important thing now is that tensions in the region calm down , '' he added .
What 's going on in Iran ?
On Wednesday , Canadian investigators in Iran visited the site of the crash and examined the plane 's wreckage .
They are expecting to be able to participate in the analysis of the plane 's black box flight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out exactly what happened to the plane and how it crashed .
Iran arrested several people over the incident and President Hassan Rouhani said the investigation would be overseen by a `` special court '' , noting that `` the whole world will be watching '' .
The Revolutionary Guards has said a missile operator acted independently and alone , mistaking the plane for a `` cruise missile '' as there had been reports that such missiles had been fired at Iran after its strikes in Iraq .
But Mr Rouhani has stressed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not be blamed on one individual .
• The US , Iran and Soleimani story explained On Wednesday , in a sign of friction between the government and the armed forces over the incident , he called on Iran 's military to elaborate on how it shot down the plane .
His foreign minister , Mohammad Javad Zarif , acknowledged that Iranians had been `` lied to '' for days but insisted the government was also kept in the dark .
The Revolutionary Guards , a force set up to defend the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government officials were alerted soon after the incident .
The shooting down of the plane and its fall-out led to days of protests in some Iranian cities , with demonstrators condemning the authorities for not telling the truth .
Iran is facing pressures on many fronts - its economy is struggling under US sanctions , its most powerful general was recently killed by a US drone strike , and a nuclear deal it signed with world powers looks close to collapse .

"In the wake of such a horrific tragedy there are many many questions. Families want answers, all of the countries assembled here today want answers, and the international community want answers. The world is waiting for those answers and we will not rest until we get them."


bbc--2020-01-16--Prince Harry on first royal duty since talks with Queen

The Duke of Sussex has met young rugby players at his first public event since he and the Duchess of Sussex said they would step back from royal life .
Prince Harry smiled and shook hands with children in Buckingham Palace 's gardens ahead of the Rugby League World Cup 2021 draw , which he is hosting .
He will later meet representatives of the nations playing in the world cup .
Meghan and the couple 's son Archie are in Canada but Harry will reportedly stay in the UK for meetings next week .
• Why the 2021 Rugby @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Queen , Prince Harry , the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cambridge to discuss the couple 's future were held on Monday at the Queen 's Sandringham estate .
The Queen released a statement agreeing to their wish to step back as senior royals , become financially independent and to split their time between the UK and Canada .
BBC Sport journalist Shamoon Hafez , who was at the palace , said Harry gave `` a loud laugh '' when a reporter asked him how talks on his future were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Buckingham Palace on Thursday is as host of the Rugby League World Cup draws for the men 's , women 's and wheelchair tournaments .
The draw will be streamed live on BBC Sport .
The world cup tournament runs from 23 October to 27 November 2021 in 17 cities across England , with 16 men 's , eight women 's and eight wheelchair teams taking part .
The duke has been patron of the Rugby Football League since December 2016 .
Before the draw , he met two ambassadors for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Leeds Rhino wheelchair rugby league star , and Jodie Cunningham , a rugby league player in the Women 's Super League for St Helens .
He then spoke to 12 young rugby players from St Vincent de Paul Catholic primary school in Westminster .
The school team are Westminster champions in tag rugby for the third year running .
Kevin Sinfield , former rugby league England captain and Leeds Rhinos director of rugby , said Prince Harry has been `` fantastic for the sport '' .
`` His enthusiasm , his energy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ particular , has been outstanding , '' he told BBC Breakfast .
Mr Sinfield said the Royal Family had helped to `` massively '' improve openness about mental health in rugby league , adding that Harry had `` really driven this '' .
In a video message the prince said he was `` proud '' to support the tournament 's decision to adopt a mental fitness charter - a programme including workshops for 8,000 young players and their families .
Mr Sinfield added : `` To have a real figurehead involved in it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ centre is only going to do good things . ''
There has been speculation Prince Harry would travel to Canada after the draw but a source quoted by the Press Association said : `` The duke has some meetings here early next week . ''
Prince Harry 's brother , the Duke of Cambridge , did not mention the talks during his first official engagement of the year , on a visit to Bradford with the Duchess of Cambridge .
Meghan flew to Canada to join eight-month-old Archie ahead of the duke 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On Tuesday the duchess visited a charity in Vancouver which campaigns for teenage girls living in poverty .
Justice for Girls said Meghan visited to `` discuss climate justice for girls and the rights of indigenous peoples '' .
Meghan also visited the Downtown Eastside Women 's Centre in Vancouver .
The centre posted a photograph on Facebook of the duchess with staff and visitors , with a caption which said they had talked about `` issues affecting women in the community '' .
It came as a legal document was submitted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Mail on Sunday , outlining its response to Meghan 's legal action over its publication of extracts from a private letter she wrote to her father .
• Why the Royal Family rarely go to court On Wednesday evening , Prince Harry launched the next leg of his Invictus Games , for wounded and injured service personnel and veterans , with an Instagram video .
The prince said he was looking forward to an `` amazing atmosphere '' in host city Dusseldorf , Germany , at the sixth edition of the tournament @ @ @

"But something like the mental fitness charter will help us make real progress in getting rid of the stigma associated with mental illness, and remind people that it's not just about being physically fit, but more importantly mentally strong."


bbc--2020-01-16--David Bowie: Unseen footage released by De Montfort University

Previously unseen footage of David Bowie recovered from a university archive has been released .
The 30 minutes of experimental @ @ @ @ @ and collaborator Prof Martin Richardson to create a hologram .
The finished product was used @ @ @ @ @ Hours but the film remained in storage at Leicester 's De Montfort University .
`` @ @ @ @ @ this set of amazing iconic movements that he was famous for and all his fans @ @ @ @ @ Richardson said .

Previously unseen footage of David Bowie recovered from a university archive has been released.
The 30 minutes of experimental film was shot by friend and collaborator Prof Martin Richardson to create a hologram.
The finished product was used on artwork on the album Hours but the film remained in storage at Leicester's De Montfort University.
"He... started to do this set of amazing iconic movements that he was famous for and all his fans would recognise", Prof Richardson said.


bbc--2020-01-16--Australia fires: Rain finally falls on some bushfires

Australians are celebrating the arrival of much-needed rain in parts of the nation 's bushfire-ravaged south-east .
Though more wet @ @ @ @ @ the fires , the rain has brought a welcome reprieve to many areas .
Other @ @ @ @ @ not been as lucky .
Storms have also helped disperse smoke in Melbourne , which @ @ @ @ @ in recent days .

Australians are celebrating the arrival of much-needed rain in parts of the nation's bushfire-ravaged south-east.
Though more wet weather is needed to end the fires, the rain has brought a welcome reprieve to many areas. Other parts, however, have not been as lucky.
Storms have also helped disperse smoke in Melbourne, which has endured hazardous air quality in recent days.


bbc--2020-01-16--US lawmakers concerned about facial recognition

US politicians expressed concerns about the accuracy and growing use of facial recognition software , at a hearing on Wednesday .
The technology is being developed by firms including Amazon and Microsoft and increasingly used by law enforcement worldwide .
Some facial recognition technologies misidentify women and people of colour .
Civil liberties and privacy groups have raised concerns about how the data for these programs is being gathered .
`` This is some real-life Black Mirror stuff that we 're seeing here , '' said New York congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , a reference to a science-fiction TV show that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US lawmakers are working on a proposal for a bill to limit the use of facial recognition .
Some tech experts have raised concerned about how growing facial recognition databases- controlled by governments and private companies - are being used .
`` I think we need to pause the technology and let the rest of it catch up , '' said Meredith Whittaker , co-director of New York University 's AI Now Institute and a witness at the hearing .
She argued rules needed to be put in place requiring consent for facial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US it is enough for a person to be able to see the camera to grant consent .
Ms Whittaker said corporate interest should not be allowed to `` race ahead '' and incorporate this technology into their systems without safeguards .
Companies that have said they are working on developing facial recognition programs include Google , Microsoft , Amazon and Facebook .
Companies collect data to build their facial recognition software in multiple ways including through CCTV footage and by scraping websites including photo-sharing sites like Flickr and Facebook .
Photo filters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Snapchat can also be used to hone details of faces .
Police forces in the US have pointed to the successful use of facial recognition technology to identify missing children and criminals .
But biases in the algorithms have led to misidentification .
Those accused of crimes because of facial recognition software are often not told the technology has been used .
There are also concerns the technology could be used by authoritarian regimes to monitor citizens .
Countries like China already have extensive surveillance systems set up .
Facial recognition makes it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
While the technology is not flawless now , some lawmakers wondered about the implications as the technology becomes more accurate .
`` If we only focus on the fact that they 're not getting it right with facial recognition , we missed the whole argument , '' said Rep Mark Meadows , from North Carolina .
`` Irrespective of its accuracy , there are intrinsic concerns with this technology and its use , '' Representative Gerry Connolly from Virginia told the panel .
This was the third hearing the US House of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facial recognition technology in less than a year .

She argued rules needed to be put in place requiring consent for facial recognition software. Currently, in the US it is enough for a person to be able to see the camera to grant consent.


bbc--2020-01-16--Germany agrees plan to phase out coal power by 2038

The German government and regional leaders have agreed on a plan to phase out coal-fired power stations by 2038 , involving compensation of about €40bn ( £34bn ; $ 45bn ) .
The end date for burning brown coal ( lignite ) - the dirtiest type of coal - could be brought forward to 2035 , depending on the progress made .
Germany has more than 250,000 workers in renewable energy sectors - far more than in the coal industry .
The €40bn compensation will target four German states which have lignite mines and coal-fired power plants : Saxony-Anhalt , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Much of the money will go into new infrastructure projects for coal-dependent areas and retraining workers for new jobs there .
Mines and utilities will also get compensation for the lost production .
• Is this the beginning of the end of coal ?
• The coal mine that ate a forest ( and still wants more ) There are some fears that the shutdown could trigger electricity shortfalls , as nuclear power is being phased out within two years .
The government will draft a law this month for exiting from coal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by parliament in mid-2020 .
Coal currently powers about one-third of Germany 's electricity , and more than half of that relies on burning lignite .
Germany is the world 's biggest lignite producer .
In 2017 consumption of lignite in Germany was 44 % of the total in the EU , followed by Poland ( 16 % ) , the Czech Republic and Greece ( both 10 % ) , Bulgaria ( 9 % ) and Romania ( 7 % ) , the EU 's Eurostat agency reports .
In that year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to power plants in the EU , producing electricity and heat , along with 150m tonnes of hard coal .
Germany aims to generate at least 65 % of its electricity from renewables - that is , carbon-neutral sources - by 2030 .
The exit from coal consumption is part of the EU 's drive to cut greenhouse gas emissions , which contribute to global warming .
Most of the 28 EU states aim to become carbon-neutral by 2050 - that is , carbon emissions should be balanced by carbon-reduction measures such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heavily on coal and has a temporary exemption .
Under the 2015 Paris Agreement nearly 200 countries agreed on wide-ranging measures to curb emissions , after scientists warned that global temperatures must not rise more than 2C above pre-industrial levels .

Update 16th June 2020: An earlier version of this article included a video in which the BBC's David Shukman looked at the massive scale of Germany's coal-mining operation. However it was not made clear that this was originally filmed in 2014 and so the video has been removed.


bbc--2020-01-16--Taal: Rescuing animals from a Philippine volcano

Taal volcano in the Philippines erupted on Sunday spewing lava , triggering earthquakes and emitting huge plumes of ash that @ @ @ @ @ of Luzon and beyond .
When some residents left pets behind in their rush to @ @ @ @ @ up a temporary animal shelter in his home to look after the animals .

Taal volcano in the Philippines erupted on Sunday spewing lava, triggering earthquakes and emitting huge plumes of ash that have spread across the island of Luzon and beyond.
When some residents left pets behind in their rush to evacuate, Edsel Paredes set up a temporary animal shelter in his home to look after the animals.
Video produced by Virma Simonette and Howard Johnson


bbc--2020-01-16--Australian Open to go ahead despite air quality

Australian Open organisers are confident the tournament will start and finish on time despite continuing health concerns over Melbourne 's air quality from bushfires in the country .
Some players have complained about having to play qualifying matches in smoky conditions .
`` There is a lot of speculation about the Australian Open not happening , or starting later , '' said tournament director Craig Tiley .
• 'It boils my blood ' : GB 's Broady furious about air quality email • Gauff , 15 , to face Venus Williams again in first round • How to follow the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ & online Slovenia 's Dalila Jakupovic had to be helped off court when she retired from her qualifying match on Tuesday because of the `` unhealthy '' air quality .
British player Liam Broady said having to play his first-round qualifier on the same day `` made his blood boil '' , adding he was `` gasping for air '' as he lost to Belarusian Ilya Ivashka .
People in Melbourne were advised to stay indoors and keep pets inside on Tuesday .
A number of players have also criticised the tournament for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Noah Rubin saying he had `` blood and black stuff '' coming out of his nose following his match on Wednesday .
Tiley says he understands the anger of the players , adding he believes it stems from the confusion of seeing different measurements of air quality depending on the app or website they used .
Rubin , a former Wimbledon junior champion , also told BBC Sport he was unhappy with the communication from tournament officials , saying they were reluctant to explain the figures to the players .
`` Air quality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which relates to a number of different factors , '' said Tiley .
`` There are number of different air quality measures and it is made more complex by going on an app .
There are different apps and websites which give you different readings .
`` This is about trusting the medical advice and trusting the expertise and scientific advice of the people who analyse this every day .
`` The safety , the wellbeing and the health of the players is the priority for us , as with our staff and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tournament decided to use a 'PM2.5 concentrate ' measure to monitor the air quality levels after receiving advice from environmental and medical experts .
A PM2.5 reading is being taken every four minutes at Melbourne Park .
If the reading exceeds 200 , Tiley said it would be deemed hazardous and play would be suspended .
He says no reading has exceeded the 200 mark while matches have been in progress at Melbourne Park .
However , it did exceed that mark - rated as 'very unhealthy ' - on Tuesday , when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If play is suspended , the Tennis Australia chief executive says the tournament will continue indoors under the roofs on Rod Laver Arena , Margaret Court Arena and Melbourne Arena .
`` We do have three indoor arenas in which we can compete .
It may look differently but the tournament will happen , '' Tiley said .
`` We are speculating if that would happen but if we had to work it out we would .
`` We do n't expect that to happen because we have n't yet seen anywhere in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that 200 on the PM2.5 concentrate consecutively over two weeks . ''
The first Grand Slam of the year gets under way on Monday .
• What is being done to fight the bushfires ?

Last updated on .From the section Tennis
Australian Open qualifying was delayed earlier this week because of the poor air quality
2020 Australian Open Venue: Melbourne Park Dates: 20 January to 2 February Coverage: Listen on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra and online; Live text on selected matches on the BBC Sport website and app.
Australian Open organisers are confident the tournament will start and finish on time despite continuing health concerns over Melbourne's air quality from bushfires in the country.
Some players have complained about having to play qualifying matches in smoky conditions.
"There is a lot of speculation about the Australian Open not happening, or starting later," said tournament director Craig Tiley.
"The Australian Open is happening."
Slovenia's Dalila Jakupovic had to be helped off court when she retired from her qualifying match on Tuesday because of the "unhealthy" air quality.
British player Liam Broady said having to play his first-round qualifier on the same day "made his blood boil", adding he was "gasping for air" as he lost to Belarusian Ilya Ivashka.
People in Melbourne were advised to stay indoors external-link and keep pets inside on Tuesday.
A number of players have also criticised the tournament for not postponing the matches, with American Noah Rubin saying he had "blood and black stuff" coming out of his nose following his match on Wednesday.
Tiley says he understands the anger of the players, adding he believes it stems from the confusion of seeing different measurements of air quality depending on the app or website they used.
Dalila Jakupovic said she was "really scared" after she retired from her Australian Open qualifying match because of the "unhealthy" air
Rubin, a former Wimbledon junior champion, also told BBC Sport he was unhappy with the communication from tournament officials, saying they were reluctant to explain the figures to the players.
"Air quality is a very complex and confusing issue which relates to a number of different factors," said Tiley.
"There are number of different air quality measures and it is made more complex by going on an app. There are different apps and websites which give you different readings.
"This is about trusting the medical advice and trusting the expertise and scientific advice of the people who analyse this every day.
"The safety, the wellbeing and the health of the players is the priority for us, as with our staff and our fans."
Tiley said the tournament decided to use a 'PM2.5 concentrate' measure to monitor the air quality levels after receiving advice from environmental and medical experts.
A PM2.5 reading is being taken every four minutes at Melbourne Park. If the reading exceeds 200, Tiley said it would be deemed hazardous and play would be suspended.
He says no reading has exceeded the 200 mark while matches have been in progress at Melbourne Park. However, it did exceed that mark - rated as 'very unhealthy' - on Tuesday, when qualifying was delayed by an hour.
If play is suspended, the Tennis Australia chief executive says the tournament will continue indoors under the roofs on Rod Laver Arena, Margaret Court Arena and Melbourne Arena.
"We do have three indoor arenas in which we can compete. It may look differently but the tournament will happen," Tiley said.
"We are speculating if that would happen but if we had to work it out we would.
"We don't expect that to happen because we haven't yet seen anywhere in the world where there has been above that 200 on the PM2.5 concentrate consecutively over two weeks."
The first Grand Slam of the year gets under way on Monday.
Hear more from Craig Tiley on 5 live Sport from 19:00 GMT on Thursday


bbc--2020-01-16--Man arrested in Peru airport with 20 birds in suitcase

A Belgian man has been arrested at Lima Airport in Peru with 20 live birds stuffed into his suitcase .
Hugo Conings , 54 , was caught trying to smuggle the birds out of the country in small cardboard boxes , officers said .
They added that he was planning to fly to Madrid , Spain , to sell the birds - which were all protected species .
While all of the birds survived , some showed signs of dehydration and stress and had lost part of their plumage after spending hours in the boxes .
Mr Conings was arrested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five years in prison for illegal wildlife trafficking .
The birds are native to the Peruvian jungle , and are also found in Ecuador and Bolivia .
Among them were two toucanets and 16 tanagers - small , brightly-coloured birds that are commonly targeted by traffickers for their vivid plumage .
Peru is home to more than 1,800 species of birds .
But illegal trafficking continues to threaten native species , and is considered one of the main causes of biodiversity loss in the country .
You might also be interested in :

While all of the birds survived, some showed signs of dehydration and stress and had lost part of their plumage after spending hours in the boxes.


bbc--2020-01-16--'OK Boomer': From TikTok meme to the US Supreme Court

You might have seen it as a meme on Twitter or TikTok but now it has made its way to the US Supreme Court .
The catchphrase `` OK Boomer '' went viral last year as a tongue-in-cheek dig by young people at older generations .
In the highest US court , it was heard as part of a case about age discrimination .
Chief Justice John Roberts asked the hypothetical question whether said phrase in a hiring process would indicate discrimination .
`` So calling somebody a 'boomer ' and considering them for a position would be actionable ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ usually sombre courtroom erupting in laughter .
The 64-year-old justice is himself a member of the baby-boomer generation , a term referring to people born between 1946 and 1964 .
• Why is everyone saying 'OK boomer ' ?
• Disney heiress weighs in on 'OK boomer ' debate • I made $ 25,000 out of 'OK Boomer ' craze The Supreme Court case is about whether an older employee of a government department has been discriminated against because of her age .
Despite the amusement over the justice 's question , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a serious point .
Roman Martinez compared the case to `` using ethnic slurs '' or `` saying unflattering things '' about a person , arguing that in a hiring process , it could indeed indicate discrimination .
In internet parlance , `` OK boomer '' is a derogatory phrase used by young people against older generations when encountering attitudes perceived as judgemental , conservative or narrow-minded .
It was first used on the platform TikTok and the hashtag # OKBoomer has since been used hundreds of million times on Twitter as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ November last year , when 25-year-old New Zealand politician Chlöe Swarbrick used it in parliament .
During a speech on climate change , she was interrupted by an older member of parliament .
Ms Swarbrick paused , gestured with her right hand and said : `` OK boomer . ''

You might have seen it as a meme on Twitter or TikTok but now it has made its way to the US Supreme Court.


bbc--2020-01-16--Rocky Johnson, Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson's wrestler father, dies at 75

Rocky Johnson , a former professional wrestler and father of Dwayne `` The Rock '' Johnson , has died aged 75 .
His death was confirmed on Wednesday in a statement released by World Wrestling Entertainment ( WWE ) .
No cause of death was given .
Johnson , whose real name was Wayde Douglas Bowles , rose to fame with WWE in the 1980s .
Known as `` Soul Man '' , he was part of the first black tag team to win a WWE championship .
Following his retirement in 1991 , Johnson helped train his son Dwayne @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a WWE wrestling icon in his own right .
In 2008 , Dwayne inducted him into the WWE Hall of Fame , where `` he will be forever enshrined as one of sports-entertainment 's most influential performers '' , the WWE said .
• Fury set for WWE match - everything you need to know In its statement , WWE said it was `` saddened '' to hear of his death and `` extends its condolences to Johnson 's family , friends and fans '' .
Wrestling stars have paid tribute to Johnson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' by fellow hall of fame member Triple H. Born on 24 August 1944 , Johnson grew up in Amherst , Nova Scotia , Canada before moving to Toronto in his teens , when he began wrestling .
In his teenage years , Johnson trained to be a boxer , sparring with the likes of Muhammad Ali and George Foreman .
But he would choose wrestling as his profession , entering the industry with the National Wrestling Alliance ( NWA ) in the mid-1960s .
Adopting the ring name `` Rocky Johnson '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the NWA , winning tag team championships .
More success would follow when he joined WWE in the 1980s .
`` He found his greatest success when he teamed up with Tony Atlas as The Soul Patrol , '' WWE said in its statement .
`` The two men became the first African-American World Tag Team Champions in WWE history when they defeated The Wild Samoans on 10 December , 1983 . ''
Described as `` physically imposing and wildly charismatic '' by WWE , Johnson was best-known for his high-flying drop kick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , this move would often send Johnson 's opponents hurtling towards the canvas .
In a 2017 interview with Hannibal TV , Johnson said he faced racism during his career .
He said `` there was a lot [ of racism ] '' but he `` would n't be denied '' his place in the ring , adding : `` I was headstrong . ''
You may also be interested in : '' I kept myself in shape and the stuff they were doing in the South , I would n't go for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wanted to whip me on TV , like they used to do with the slaves and all that .
I said : 'No .
I came in as an athlete , and I 'll leave as an athlete . '
And they respected me for that . ''
When Johnson retired from the ring he offered to train his son Dwayne , known as `` The Rock '' during his WWE wrestling career .
His son became a huge success in the sport before becoming an actor , starring in blockbuster movies such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Furious 6 and the Jumanji franchise .
Wrestlers past and present have paid their respects to Johnson on social media .

"I kept myself in shape and the stuff they were doing in the South, I wouldn't go for," Johnson said. "They wanted to whip me on TV, like they used to do with the slaves and all that. I said: 'No. I came in as an athlete, and I'll leave as an athlete.' And they respected me for that."


bbc--2020-01-16--Kashmir avalanche: Girl rescued after 18 hours buried in snow

A 12-year-old girl has been found alive after being buried under snow for 18 hours when an avalanche hit her home in Pakistan-administered Kashmir .
Samina Bibi said she had been `` screaming and shouting for help '' as she lay trapped in a room under the snow , she told Reuters .
She said she thought she would `` die there '' , before she was rescued .
The Neelum Valley has been hit by avalanches and landslides in recent days killing at least 74 people .
While the Himalayan region is prone to weather disasters , the current @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recent history .
India-administered Kashmir and Afghanistan have also been affected .
But Pakistan-administered Kashmir , and Neelum Valley in particular , were the worst hit .
Rescuers there are still searching for missing people .
'It happened in the blink of an eye' Samina was rescued from Bakwali village and taken to a hospital in Muzaffarabad .
However several members of her family were killed .
Her mother , Shahnaz Bibi , said the family had been huddled around a fire in their three-storey house when the avalanche hit .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happened in the blink of an eye , '' she said , telling Reuters she had given up hope of finding her daughter alive .
Samina said she suffered from a leg fracture and that blood had been oozing from her mouth .
She said she could not sleep while she waited to be rescued .
Across Pakistan , at least 100 people have died in snow-hit areas , said the country 's National Disaster Management Authority .
Eight people have also died in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir , according to local media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( 138 sq km ) , and is famed for the beauty of its lakes , meadows and snow-capped mountains .
But it has been locked in a decades-long crisis , and has been divided between India and Pakistan since both countries gained their independence in 1947 .

Samina said she suffered from a leg fracture and that blood had been oozing from her mouth. She said she could not sleep while she waited to be rescued.


bbc--2020-01-16--James Bond: Barbara Broccoli says character 'will remain male'

The producer of the James Bond films has ruled out making the character female after Daniel Craig 's departure .
No Time To Die , which will be released in April , marks Craig 's final outing as 007 , and his replacement has not yet been announced .
`` James Bond can be of any colour , but he is male , '' producer Barbara Broccoli told Variety .
`` I believe we should be creating new characters for women - strong female characters .
`` I 'm not particularly interested in taking a male character and having a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are far more interesting than that . ''
The forthcoming Bond film will see actress Lashana Lynch play a female 00 agent after Craig 's Bond has left active service .
Lynch was seen in character for the first time in the trailer , reigniting the conversation about whether James Bond himself could be re-cast as a woman for the next film .
Broccoli oversees the franchise with her half-brother Michael G Wilson .
`` For better or worse , we are the custodians of this character , '' she said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The pair reflected on how the Craig era has altered the direction of the franchise .
• What we learned from the No Time To Die trailer • Billie Eilish to sing the new James Bond theme Pierce Brosnan 's final Bond film , 2002 's Die Another Day , was a financial success but was criticised for pushing the boundaries of realism .
The film 's plot involved a giant space laser and an invisible car .
`` We got too fantastical , '' says Wilson , referring to the film .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Earth . ''
Craig 's era has , in contrast , more closely resembled the original character Ian Fleming wrote .
Martin Campbell , the director of GoldenEye and Casino Royale , admitted he was not convinced Craig was the correct choice to begin with , but came around with Broccoli 's persuasion .
`` To be honest , it took me a little while to see it , '' he said .
`` Daniel 's acting was terrific , but he was n't a pretty-boy .
Barbara was adamantly in favour of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he would not return to the series , but agreed to film one more after speaking with Broccoli .
`` Barbara does n't take no for an answer , '' said Craig .
`` It 's not in her wheelhouse .
`` I had a nice long break , which I really needed .
And then she was just persistent and came to me with some ideas , which we started formulating , and I got excited again . ''
Follow us on Facebook , or on Twitter @ BBCNewsEnts .
If you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bbc.co.uk .

"To be honest, it took me a little while to see it," he said. "Daniel's acting was terrific, but he wasn't a pretty-boy. Barbara was adamantly in favour of him."


bbc--2020-01-16--Buddha heirloom returned to Sri Lanka by Hampshire family

A Buddha statue from an important religious site has been returned to Sri Lanka , 100 years after it was @ @ @ @ @ .
Members of the Bell family have handed this statue down through the generations after @ @ @ @ @ Purvis Bell , known as HCP Bell , was given the statue during a visit @ @ @ @ @ 19th century , while he was working in Sri Lanka .
Now HCP Bell 's @ @ @ @ @ his daughter Fiona have travelled from their homes in Overton , Hampshire to return the @ @ @ @ @ the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy .

A Buddha statue from an important religious site has been returned to Sri Lanka, 100 years after it was gifted to a British man.
Members of the Bell family have handed this statue down through the generations after archaeologist and explorer Harry Charles Purvis Bell, known as HCP Bell, was given the statue during a visit to a temple in 1919, while he was working in Sri Lanka.
Now HCP Bell's grandson Reverend Kenneth Bell and his daughter Fiona have travelled from their homes in Overton, Hampshire to return the statue to its home inside the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy.
Video by David Allard and Simon Marks


Tokyo at night

Liam Wong is a graphic designer and game developer turned photographer who has captured the nocturnal world of Japan 's capital city , Tokyo .
Wong 's pictures draw on his work as a video game designer and some of his own software techniques , creating an off-world vision of the city .
`` I want to take real moments and transform them into something surreal , to make the viewer question the reality depicted in each photograph , '' says Wong .
Wong grew up in Edinburgh , playing video games before studying his art at Abertay University in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video game in 2009 with some friends .
Some years later , while working on the game Far Cry 4 at the software house Ubisoft , he developed an interest in photography as he travelled to different events .
`` I became fascinated by buildings , shapes , compositions and symmetry , and my initial visits to London and Paris made me increasingly aware of how each city has a different feeling , often dictated by the architecture , '' says Wong .
Ahead of his first visit to Japan in 2014 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to explore the city .
But it was the next year when he found himself in Tokyo during the rain .
`` The city came to life , '' says Wong .
`` It took on a different persona .
It was like being inside the worlds created by Syd Mead and Ridley Scott in Blade Runner or Gaspar Noe in Enter the Void . ''
Since then he has spent a few years capturing the streets of Tokyo at night , the results now published in his first photography book , TO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ © Liam Wong .
TO : KY : OO is published by Thames & Hudson .

Ahead of his first visit to Japan in 2014, Wong purchased a new camera and planned to explore the city. But it was the next year when he found himself in Tokyo during the rain.


bbc--2020-01-16--South Ronaldsay's 'amazing' horse costumes inspire catwalk collection

An island tradition where girls dress as horses in elaborate costumes has inspired the latest collection from an emerging fashion designer .
Charles Jeffrey has taken elements from the outfits that are worn on South Ronaldsay , Orkney , and translated them for the catwalk .
He said he was immediately inspired when a friend showed him pictures of children dressed up for the South Ronaldsay Festival of the Horse and Boys ' Ploughing Match .
During the event , boys on the island compete using miniature ploughs .
They are judged on ploughing straight and even furrows on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wright .
Meanwhile , the girls parade in costumes that are inspired by the decorations worn by heavy horses in the show ring .
Some of their outfits are spectacular , with a collar , hat , belt and feet decorations .
A tail may be fixed to the jacket and pom-poms or fringes sewn onto the cuffs .
Charles Jeffrey , the designer behind the Loverboy label , said he vividly remembered the first time he saw images of the costumes .
`` I was just like : 'This is literally amazing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Scottish .
It looks almost African .
Or Norwegian ' . ''
He told BBC Radio Orkney that he researched the event because he wanted to incorporate as many elements of Scottish culture as possible in his latest collection .
It was unveiled in London earlier this month , and described as his `` most accomplished '' work so far by some critics .
Charles , who is originally from Cumbernauld , moved to London as a teenager to study at Central Saint Martins College .
His Loverboy label grew out of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work has seen comparisons being made to Alexander McQueen .
Charles said the costumes worn during the festival on South Ronaldsay were `` visually rich '' .
He added : `` I was immediately inspired by that , and then started thinking about how they could be translated into pieces which we could put onto a catwalk .
`` I was very much drawn to the idea of replicating the embroidery , but trying to use it in a way that would work for us .
`` I 'm also an illustrator , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ motifs and then rendered them in the same aspects that you would find on the Festival of the Horse costumes . ''
He said the main inspiration for his collection was the theme of giving back to nature , and honouring agricultural tradition .
The history of the South Ronaldsay Festival of the Horse and Boys ' Ploughing Match dates back at least two centuries .
Girls have been able to take part since the 1950s , and wear handmade costumes which have been passed down from previous generations .
Moira Budge , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ committee which runs the event .
She said she could clearly see elements of the traditional designs being incorporated in the label 's cutting-edge collection .
`` In one of his designs he has a hoodie and he 's put ears on it , which is like some of the outfits which have little ears for the horses '' , she said .
`` He 's had feathering on some of the shoes .
Braid , and chains obviously , because the horse has a bridle .
`` And the one dress with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because the horse wore quite elaborate decoration on its breastplate . ''
The Festival of the Horse and Boys ' Ploughing Match takes place every August .

"I'm also an illustrator, so I did some of my own motifs and then rendered them in the same aspects that you would find on the Festival of the Horse costumes."


bbc--2020-01-16--Hip-hop artist: 'I'm called Satan when I rap'

Mocked because of her passion for rap , `` Mina the Veiled '' is fighting against the tide to embody @ @ @ @ @ 's hip-hop in Senegal .
Although she receives insults , she is often encouraged by @ @ @ @ @ .
Mina is also an activist committed to defending women 's rights and against rape @

Mocked because of her passion for rap, ''Mina the Veiled'' is fighting against the tide to embody the new face of women's hip-hop in Senegal. Although she receives insults, she is often encouraged by several people who support her.
Mina is also an activist committed to defending women's rights and against rape.
Video journalist: Late Lawson for BBC Afrique


bbc--2020-01-16--Why are Chinese fishermen finding so many 'submarine spies'?

At first it seems like a quirky , what-are-the-chances-of-that headline : `` China rewards fishers who netted foreign spy devices . ''
But behind that headline in Chinese state media , there is a different - and more intriguing - story .
Firstly , this was n't two or three fishermen receiving awards .
It was 11 - one woman , the rest men - who found seven devices in total .
Secondly , this was n't the first time fishermen from Jiangsu had found `` spy drones '' .
In 2018 , some 18 were rewarded for finding nine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a year earlier .
And thirdly , the rewards were huge - up to 500,000 yuan ( $ 72,000 ; £55,000 ) - around 17 times the average disposable income in China .
So where do the `` submarine spies '' come from ?
What do they do ?
Why are they valuable ?
And why are Chinese fishermen finding so many ?
Jiangsu is a province in eastern China , with a coastline more than 1,000km ( 620 miles ) long .
It faces Japan and South Korea , while Taiwan is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - and the huge US presence in the region - begins to explain why fishermen keep finding these devices .
China has not revealed where the devices came from , merely saying they were `` made in other countries '' .
But regional expert and consultant Alexander Neill says they probably came from `` the US Navy , the Japan Self-Defense Forces , or potentially Taiwan - this is a big area of rivalry '' .
So what are the Americans , the Japanese , or the Taiwanese hoping to learn ?
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into underwater drones , broadly known as `` unmanned undersea vehicles ( UUVs ) '' .
The research recommended seven ways UUVs could be used , including : • Looking for and dealing with underwater bombs - particularly in other countries ' waters The research also highlighted the strengths of UUVs .
Gliders - a smaller UUV , likely to be what the Jiangsu fishermen found - can be deployed for `` months '' and are `` cheap enough to be considered expendable '' .
In this instance , cheap means `` only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Their cost , range , and capability mean `` submarine spies '' are increasingly important - Mr Neill estimates the number worldwide is `` certainly in the upper hundreds '' .
So this explains - in part - why they keep turning up in Chinese nets .
The country has a huge fishing fleet , and the law of averages suggests it will scoop up the occasional drone .
But it 's also true that China 's fleet is different to other countries ' .
Some fishermen , themselves , are part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unique unit works could explain why they keep finding military hardware .
The Chinese Maritime Militia is part of the national militia - that is , the reserve civilian forces .
It is `` virtually unique and publicly obscure '' , according to Professor Andrew S. Erickson from the US Naval War College - but it is well-known to the United States military .
According to a 2017 report by the US Department of Defense , the CMM has played `` significant roles in a number of military campaigns and coercive incidents over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the CMM rented vessels from companies or fishermen .
But now , the DoD says , `` it appears China is building a state-owned fishing fleet for its militia force '' .
• Is the US still Asia 's only military superpower ?
• Chinese province : 0.00002 % of our people are poor Indeed , Mr Neill says many boats are merely `` masquerading as fishing vessels - they 're actually doing naval and maritime surveillance against China 's rivals '' .
`` On paper they look like sophisticated , modern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But they are actually , essentially , military-type vessels - steel-hulled , not wooden-hulled , with increasing tonnage .
`` If you look at photographs , it 's clear they 're networked in - because of their signalling capabilities - with the [ regular navy ] command and control network . ''
In effect , the fishing fleet can provide a low-level , first line of defence or surveillance - a military force working under a civilian cloak .
`` A very significant swathe of China 's fishing fleet is co-opted into the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I would have thought , with a little digging , you would find these guys [ the Jiangsu fishermen ] may well be part of it . ''
China does n't just find underwater drones - it operates them , too .
At the military parade to mark the 70th anniversary of the People 's Republic of China ( PRC ) , the HSU001 was unveiled - a large UUV , possibly capable of launching smaller drones .
And five months earlier , another Chinese UUV was revealed in a less formal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` missile '' with Chinese markings in the Riau Islands .
`` It 's not a missile , but a sea drone , which is usually used for underwater research , '' said police .
Although its origin was not confirmed , experts suspect it was part of China 's vast sub-surface surveillance - the so-called `` Great Underwater Wall of China '' .
So , as UUV technology develops , more fishermen - whether in China , Indonesia , or beyond - can expect to find more drones .
`` They [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surveillance capacity for all of the modern navies in the region , '' says Mr Neill .
And - as the Jiangsu prize-winners discovered - they can be a valuable catch .

But it's also true that China's fleet is different to other countries'. Some fishermen, themselves, are part of the military - and understanding how this unique unit works could explain why they keep finding military hardware.


bbc--2020-01-16--'I was sexually abused by a shaman at an ayahuasca retreat'

The psychedelic powers of a traditional Amazonian plant medicine called ayahuasca are attracting more and more tourists .
It 's said to bring spiritual enlightenment and to help with addiction , depression and trauma .
But a string of allegations suggests there 's a darker side to the ayahuasca scene .
Warning : this article contains details of alleged sexual assaults Rebekah first tried ayahuasca on a `` complete whim '' when she was travelling in Peru in 2015 .
`` I thought it sounded interesting and I thought I might as well give it a try , '' says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 20s who asked the BBC not to use her surname .
`` So I found a retreat centre that I felt was good and I just went for it and it was amazing . ''
Ayahuasca can induce visions of things like serpents , palaces , and alien beings - and bring up long-forgotten memories .
Like many who 've drunk the brew , Rebekah has a wide-eyed distant look as she reminisces about the experience .
`` It was like being guided very gently and very kindly through some really awful experiences @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Rebekah says .
`` And returning back home after that , I felt like my relationships were a lot stronger .
I felt it was a lot easier to share and receive love .
`` They do say that ayahuasca is like 20 years of psychotherapy .
And I completely believe that . ''
Ayahuasca is usually taken in ceremonies at night , led by a healer - sometimes called a shaman .
He or she will drink the sticky brown liquid - a brew of two Amazonian plants - then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It 's been used by tribes in the Amazon region for centuries but now there 's a boom in what 's become known as `` ayahuasca tourism '' , with ever more specialist retreat centres opening .
Travellers often come for help dealing with mental health problems - and a growing body of scientific research suggests ayahuasca could be an effective treatment .
About half an hour or so into a ceremony , the medicine takes its effect and the healer will start singing sacred chants , known as icaros , which guide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ usually `` purge '' during ceremonies too , vomiting and sometimes getting diarrhoea as well .
When Rebekah went on her first ayahuasca retreat , she was the only single woman there and noticed that the male healer was paying her special attention .
`` How he treated me was very different , which I did n't find suspicious at the time .
But upon reflection , now I do . ''
A year later , by now a more experienced ayahuasca drinker , Rebekah returned to the same retreat in Peru .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Once again , she says , she was treated differently from everyone else .
There was a lot of flattery .
Then the healer began confiding in Rebekah .
`` He constantly told me that he had a lot of troubles , '' she says , `` and he said he was having problems with his wife , that he was n't sexually fulfilled , and that I was the one who was able to cure him of that . ''
Rebekah was 20 at the time ; the healer in his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lot of spiritual advancement or a lot of spiritual power , if we had a relationship - while his wife was down the road . ''
• Simon Maybin and Josephine Casserly 's documentary Ayahuasca : Fear and Healing in the Amazon on is broadcast on BBC Radio 4 's Crossing Continents on 16 January 2020 at 11:00 • Or listen again on BBC Sounds Rebekah says the healer sexually abused her , coercing her into sexual acts .
`` It 's disgusting , '' she says .
`` Because he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moral superiority in a sense and I trusted him . ''
After she was abused , Rebekah left the centre - and the country : `` I booked a flight and got the hell out of there . ''
She was left with a tangle of painful emotions : `` Disgust , repulsion , betrayal - confusion , as well as to why a guide would do this , why a teacher would do this and why they would exploit their power like that . ''
Rebekah 's alleged abuser is still the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gets five-star ratings on review sites .
`` He is still there , '' Rebekah says , clearly deeply angered by the situation .
Her hands are visibly shaking .
`` There are other centres that I know of as well that are still operating .
There 've been multiple women that have been sexually abused in these centres . ''
Experiences of sexual abuse seem to be widespread in this world .
We 've heard numerous allegations against numerous healers and read many testimonies of sexual abuse on online forums .
One @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arévalo , a well-known healer who 's been honoured by the Peruvian Congress for his work on sustainable development .
`` He came to Canada many times , '' says a woman in her 40s whom we 're calling Anna .
`` It was quite lucrative - big ceremonies .
They 'd fill up fast , people paying C $ 300 ( £175 ) to come and sit with Guillermo .
He had kind of a status .
It was an honour to sit in ceremony with him . ''
Anna , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , hoped ayahuasca might help her deal with her addiction to heroin .
At first , she was impressed by Arévalo .
`` Like a lot of people , you 're flabbergasted by the man 's presence and power and ability to lead the ceremony - it 's quite profound , '' she says .
`` The chanting .
He is a good healer . ''
But a ceremony about seven years ago dramatically changed Anna 's opinion .
`` It was completely pitch black , the room had no windows .
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I was under the effects of the medicine .
When you 're under the effects there 's lots of different sounds .
People are crying , verbalising things that make no sense at all , purging or moaning .
`` Even if I had been able to say something , nobody would respond . ''
Anna was having a difficult time .
She recalls lying down , moaning and groaning .
`` Guillermo came and he sat with me and at first it was a sense of relief because I think I 'm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she says .
`` He started to chant to me and put his hands on my stomach over my clothing which is normal .
And then he put his hands down my pants .
And there 's this sense of feeling frozen .
I lay there in fear and then he put his hands up my shirt and felt around my breasts . ''
She remembers thinking : `` 'What the heck was that all about ? '
Just a sense of disbelief and confusion . ''
It 's taken six years for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about what happened to her .
`` Women are conditioned to accept this behaviour .
For myself , coming from a history of addiction - and I 've had abusive relationships with men that I 've tolerated in my life - and a history of childhood sexual abuse , there 's a sense of familiarity there , of normalcy .
`` And also this weird co-dependent relationship for me where the medicine was helping me so I did n't want to speak up because I was afraid I would be ostracised from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of cut off from the medicine . ''
While preliminary scientific studies have suggested that ayahuasca could have therapeutic benefits , it contains DMT , which is illegal in the UK , and there are potential risks .
A 2015 report found six volunteers with depression showed a decrease in symptoms after taking it .
A separate study two years later indicated that it held promise as a treatment for eating disorders .
Psychologists have also speculated that it could help those with PTSD .
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office warns that some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in some cases death '' after taking part in ayahuasca ceremonies .
It points out that retreats are typically some distance from populated areas and that while some have basic medical facilities , others do not .
Around the same time , a group calling themselves Ayahuasca Community Awareness Canada - which included senior academics - put their names to a letter about Arévalo 's behaviour and circulated it within the ayahuasca scene .
The letter-writers say they took action because of the number of complaints made against the healer , citing reports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When further named signatories were added to the letter in 2015 and it was made public , Arévalo stopped visiting Canada to lead ayahuasca ceremonies .
But when we track him down it seems he 's been active all around the world in the intervening years and is now based at a retreat centre in Peru .
The place used to be called Anaconda but when we 're there has its first group of foreign guests under a new name , Bena Shinan .
They 're milling around in a dining room behind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sexual abuse to Arévalo , a slight 71-year-old with silver hair and gold teeth .
`` I do n't accept the allegations because they 're not true , '' he says firmly .
`` Because sometimes people just imagine these things . ''
He says he 's heard about the letter by members of the Canadian ayahuasca community , but has never read it .
`` It does n't interest me because the allegations are n't true , '' he says .
`` It does n't bother me because I do n't think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
The claims against him , he says , are `` the imaginings of the unwell person '' .
`` When you touch someone who 's been abused or raped , they think you 're the same .
That 's what happens .
That 's how I make sense of it . ''
• The rapes haunting a community that shuns the 21st Century • Will LSD ever be accepted as mainstream treatment ?
When we put Anna 's specific allegation to him , he says he does n't remember ever touching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , saying she too must have imagined it .
`` What else is he going to do other than just lie and deny it , '' Anna responds .
`` Otherwise he would have to step up and take responsibility and be accountable for the way he has acted . ''
What about his claim that she just imagined the sexual assault ?
`` It sounds like gaslighting to me , really , '' she says .
`` That 's what it feels like . ''
Although Arévalo denies having sexually abused anyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under him have had sex with `` unwell people '' .
He says he no longer works with those healers , but that in some cases it was the patients who initiated the relationships .
`` Western women , when they come , they 're also seeking out healers , '' he says .
Anna 's experience with ayahuasca and abuse does n't end with Guillermo Arévalo .
Despite her experiences with him , she did n't want to give up the benefits she received from the brew and continued taking it under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says that in 2014 she was raped in ayahuasca ceremonies in Peru by a healer who is a member of Arévalo 's extended family .
She says again she `` just froze '' and `` let him do whatever he wanted to me '' .
`` I think he probably raped me four or five times and I noticed he was doing it to other people . ''
Afterwards , Anna says she was in shock .
She does n't remember much about that period of her life .
`` I started to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relapsing and becoming addicted to fentanyl and overdosed and almost died .
I think I really blamed myself for a long time - why I could n't say no , why I could n't move , why I let him do those things .
Those were the things that were going through my mind . ''
We 've spoken to another guest who was at the same retreat as Anna , who says the healer was later sacked from the centre , because of allegations made by other clients .
We 're not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ efforts , we have n't been able to reach him to give him the chance to respond to the allegations .
Emily Sinclair , a British doctoral student researching ayahuasca , is part of a group trying to raise awareness about the problem of sexual abuse in the ayahuasca world .
Working with the Chacruna Institute , an organisation set up to share research on plant medicines and psychedelics , Sinclair has written the Ayahuasca Community Guide for the Awareness of Sexual Abuse .
The guidelines highlight typical scenarios in which abuse happens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with trusted companions and to research retreats by checking out review websites before they visit .
Sinclair has been distributing the little green booklet to cafes , tourism offices and ayahuasca centres in the Iquitos area of Peru , known as the hub of ayahuasca tourism .
`` A lot of abuse we 've found occurs in the context of individual healings where a woman might be asked to remove her clothes unnecessarily , '' she says .
`` And when she 's in this unfamiliar context , she does n't know if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sinclair points out that it 's not just indigenous healers abusing Westerners .
`` Abuse happens across cultures and within them , '' she says .
`` But one of the big problems is that a lot of people who come here romanticise shamans .
So we put them on a pedestal .
And it 's very easy for that image to be taken advantage of .
`` There 's also assumptions that some of the people here may have about Western women and culture . ''
Some of the red flags Sinclair @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rebekah 's experience .
`` If he 's overly touchy with you , he tells you his wife does n't mind him having sex with other women , he encourages pacts of silence and secrecy between you , he says he wants to teach you 'love magic ' .
This kind of thing .
And also that having sex with them will increase their power and energy .
These are all things that have been reported to us as being said to women in this context . ''
Those affected by sexual abuse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ openly .
On top of that , there 's a strong sense within the ayahuasca world that any kind of negative publicity could result in government intervention , which creates an additional pressure to stay silent .
But Rebekah and Anna are speaking out because they hope it will prevent other women being abused .
`` I think the only thing we can do is just speak out about it and talk about it , '' Rebekah says , `` make sure people know that it 's happening . ''
Rebekah says that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` a lot of sadness and a lot of therapy '' .
It 's been hard work for her to trust a healer again , but now she 's back in Peru , taking ayahuasca and researching her master 's thesis on indigenous medicine .
`` Regardless of everything that happened , obviously ayahuasca 's great , '' Rebekah laughs , `` because I keep going back to it . ''

"If he's overly touchy with you, he tells you his wife doesn't mind him having sex with other women, he encourages pacts of silence and secrecy between you, he says he wants to teach you 'love magic'. This kind of thing. And also that having sex with them will increase their power and energy. These are all things that have been reported to us as being said to women in this context."


bbc--2020-01-16--Meet the NASA intern who discovered a new planet on his third day

As far as impressing your potential new boss goes , discovering a planet on day three of your internship at NASA is up there .
That 's what happened to 17-year-old Wolf Cukier while helping out at the space agency in the United States .
He was checking images from its super-strength satellite when he noticed something strange .
It turned out to be a new planet , 1,300 light years away from Earth .
News just confirmed by NASA .
Wolf , who is now back at high school in Scarsdale , New York , has been speaking to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He explains that he landed the two-month placement with NASA 's Goddard Space Flight Center when school finished last summer .
His job ?
To examine data beamed back via their Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite ( TESS ) - a space telescope that looks for planets outside of our solar system .
`` I was searching for a planet that orbits two stars , '' he explains .
He had to look for changes in the brightness of any stars that might suggest the shadow of a planet passing in front .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ most of us would still be making the tea , he was looking at a solar system many light years away from ours and noticed something blocking the light of two stars .
That was when he flagged it .
`` I took it to my mentor , we looked at the data from the stars and noticed two additional dips in light , so we started doing analysis to see if it actually could be a planet . ''
His finding was enough to get other scientists involved .
And further inspection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ times as large as Earth .
It 's name ?
TOI 1338 b .
Not very catchy but Wolf says he was n't asked to help with that .
`` I do n't get to name the planet .
My brother had the idea of calling it Wolftopia but I think TOI 1338 b is sufficient . ''
TOI 1338 b is not just any planet though , it 's a circumbinary planet .
That basically means it is orbiting around two stars , rather than the usual one .
Fans of Star @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fictional home , Tatooine , was a circumbinary planet .
This comparison is not lost on Wolf , who points out that he is actually wearing a Star Wars t-shirt today .
`` It 's very much like Tatooine , at least how the stars would appear in the sky , '' he says .
`` So , it would also have a double sunset . ''
But unlike Tatooine this planet is not habitable .
Wolf explains that it is likely to be extremely hot and probably does n't have a solid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he is guaranteed a job at NASA one day ?
`` I 've no idea about NASA 's hiring practices but it ca n't hurt !
It 's a good thing to have on my CV , '' he says .
He adds that the space agency has been `` impressed '' by what he achieved on his internship though .
`` My mentor has been very supportive and excited .
I think NASA is surprised with the amount of attention this has been getting . ''
Today , he wears his NASA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wars t-shirt of course ) .
Not a gift from the agency to reward him for his achievements , he explains , but bought with a discount in the employee shop .
Worth it though , as according to Wolf it 's a `` nice jacket . ''
The teenager definitely has a future in space in his sights .
After graduating high school he wants to go to university .
`` When I 'm there I 'm planning to study physics and astrophysics , '' he says .
`` From there , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
But for now it 's back to normality for Wolf although he has a little more notoriety among his high school friends .
`` I 've had more congratulations over the past four days , than I 've had over the past couple of years combined .
Everybody is incredibly excited .
It 's a surreal experience . ''
Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen back here .

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bbc--2020-01-16--Iran protests: Who are the opposition in the country?

There have been anti-government protests in the Iranian capital , Tehran , and other cities after the Iranian authorities admitted they had `` unintentionally '' shot down a Ukrainian International Airlines plane .
Some of the protesters have been heard shouting slogans against the leadership .
So how strong is opposition in Iran , and what do the protesters want ?
Who are they protesting against ?
The crowds taking to the streets in recent days have been concentrated in Tehran and other cities such as Isfahan , and comprise mainly university students and others from the middle classes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the plane .
They have condemned the authorities for not initially telling the truth .
But slogans have also been heard against the Supreme Leader , Ayatollah Khamenei , and the Islamic regime .
`` Lots of them will have known people on that plane as they are students who can afford to travel abroad , '' says the BBC 's Rana Rahimpour .
There is also little sign of these protests concentrating around a particular personality .
`` It 's hard to say there 's a single figurehead right now that people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shams , an Iranian professor at the University of Pennsylvania .
Iran 's system allows for elections , but political groups must operate within the strict boundaries of the Islamic Republic .
In the 2016 parliamentary elections , nearly half of the candidates were disqualified by Iran 's Guardian Council , which vets them for their commitment to Iran 's Islamic system .
And for this year 's parliamentary elections , which are due to be held in February , thousands of potential candidates have again been disqualified , including 90 current lawmakers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Islamic Republic , or who want to change the existing system altogether , are not allowed to run .
The Guardian Council can also bar any would-be presidential candidates , and veto any legislation passed by parliament if it is deemed to be inconsistent with Iran 's constitution and Islamic law .
Ayatollah Khamenei , who is positioned at the top of Iran 's political power structure , appoints half of the members of this body .
The Supreme Leader also controls the armed forces and makes decisions on security , defence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in practice , the president and the parliament in Iran - even if they support change - have limited powers .
There are also opposition movements who want greater autonomy for ethnic minorities like the Kurds , Arabs , Baluchis and Azerbaijanis .
Some of these groups - like the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan - are armed and have fought for decades against the Iranian state .
Does the opposition have leaders ?
There has been a movement pushing for reform in Iran for years , with Mohammad Khatami , the former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office from 1997 until 2005 , Mr Khatami brought in limited social and economic reforms , and put out feelers to Western countries .
More extensive changes , however , were blocked by conservative interests , and Mr Khatami himself has been sidelined - with his movements and access to the media restricted .
In 2009 , a major challenge to the regime came after a disputed presidential election , won by hardliner Mahmoud Ahmadinejad .
Defeated candidates Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi challenged the result and became leaders of what was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the streets to demand a re-run of the election , but Ayatollah Khamenei insisted the result was valid .
There was a widespread crackdown against demonstrators that year and dozens of opposition supporters were reportedly killed .
Many of the top opposition figures were detained .
Mr Mousavi and Mr Karroubi remain under house arrest over a decade later .
More recently , there were protests at the end of 2017 and in early 2018 over worsening economic conditions .
High levels of unemployment in some parts of the country had hit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The wealthier middle classes also joined these protests against the handling of the economy by the government of President Hassan Rouhani , who is considered a moderate .
Those taking part shouted slogans against the country 's leaders , and calls were heard for the restoration of the monarchy , overthrown in 1979 .
Protests erupted again in November 2019 after the government announced it was raising petrol prices by 50 % as it struggled to cope with economic sanctions reinstated by the US when it abandoned the nuclear deal the previous year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the security forces .
Amnesty International said more than 304 people were killed , but a Reuters news agency report put the death toll at 1,500 .
The Iranian authorities dismissed both figures .
An internet shutdown lasted for some five days , virtually cutting off the country .
A feature of these more recent protests is that they have often been leaderless , and fuelled by grassroots anger over inflation , unemployment and widening inequality .
However , despite outbreaks of unrest , the government has managed to remain in control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on opposition figures and repressive actions .

The crowds taking to the streets in recent days have been concentrated in Tehran and other cities such as Isfahan, and comprise mainly university students and others from the middle classes, angered by the deaths of those on the plane.


bbc--2020-01-16--Grieving Kenyan grandmother calls for better road safety

Kenyan Mary Wambui is still traumatised by the deaths of her daughter and three-year-old grandson after they were hit by a vehicle in 2016 .
They were trying to cross a busy six-lane highway close to Kenya 's capital , Nairobi , when the accident happened .
Ms Wambui 's daughter , Monicah Nyambura , died on the spot , but her grandchild , Brian , who was badly injured , spent much of the following year in hospital before he too died .
They were just two of the almost 3,000 people who were killed that year on Kenya @ @ @ @ @ @ @ often poorly observed .
Deaths and injuries from traffic accidents across the continent are considered to be a major health issue by the World Health Organization ( WHO ) .
`` I miss them all .
I miss them , '' she told the BBC as she sat by Brian 's grave .
`` He was the grandchild who would stay with me when the rest would leave the house in the morning , '' she said .
The wooden cross on the grave was broken , but the grieving grandmother said she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There was nothing that could assuage her pain .
`` I did n't even cry , '' she said , thinking back to 2016 .
`` I could n't .
I do n't know what to tell you .
I did n't even have tears . ''
The elderly woman said she spent most of the time after the accident by Brian 's bedside in hospital .
She finally cried when he died .
There was a terrible pain in her stomach that would not go away , she said .
Her daughter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crossing the busy highway rather than using a footbridge , as the nearest one was too far away for her .
In response to her death , her mother has asked the authorities to build more footbridges on the roads , so other fatalities can be avoided .
Currently , pedestrians make up the largest number of people killed on Kenya 's roads , accounting for nearly 40 % of the 3,572 road deaths last year , according to the National Transport and Safety Authority ( NTSA ) .
`` You find people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' ex-NTSA chief Francis Meja told the BBC .
`` You ask yourself , really , are people not sensitive to this fact ?
From where we sit , we think this is out of ignorance or impunity . ''
For pedestrians , however , convenience sometimes comes first .
It is not uncommon to find people crossing the wide lanes of Thika highway , the road that claimed Ms Wambui 's daughter and grandson , as well as other major routes in and around Nairobi .
In some places , there is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people from taking the risk , but it is not always effective .
Across University Way , a major route out of the centre of Nairobi , groups of people are constantly hurrying across the six-lane highway , almost oblivious to the lurking danger of the vehicles that speed by .
Crossing the road at this point is the fastest way across , Tiffany Njeri told the BBC .
Her friend Anne Katsutsu agrees , saying they did not notice the footbridge that they are meant to use .
But the safe crossing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pedestrian , Ramadhan Abdallah , said it was a matter of laziness , plus a lack of enforcement of the rules , which meant that people do whatever is convenient for them as long as no-one from the authorities is watching '' I was just calculating ... to walk from here to the footbridge [ is too far ] ... and I can just cross here , '' he said .
`` I 'm not worried about safety… since there are many of us , there is that psyche [ that we 're @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
The high number of pedestrian deaths is similar across sub-Saharan Africa , according to the WHO .
Overall , the region has the highest number of deaths on the road as a proportion of the population , WHO figures show .
This is despite sub-Saharan Africa having the lowest number of motor vehicles .
Suggesting one reason why there are more road deaths in Africa than elsewhere , the WHO said in a 2018 report that there was a significant link between a country 's income level and the level of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ road safety rules and speed limits were not enforced or observed in many poorer countries .
It also said that a lack of child seat belts and drunk driving contribute to the high death toll .
`` Whereas 60 % of countries with laws meeting best practice are from the European region , only 2 % are from the African region , '' the WHO report said .
It added that in many countries , vulnerable road users , such as pedestrians , are largely ignored in the planning , design and operation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is clear that makeshift markets and hawking can block people on foot and encroach on the highway , forcing people to walk on the road .
Mr Meja said the WHO recommends that 10 % of total road construction costs are spent on safety initiatives - but in Kenya the figure is less than 1 % .
He told the BBC there is more the government can do to protect the vulnerable and create awareness .
But a recent study by the Overseas Development Institute said that persuading people to behave more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the underlying causes of incidents , such as road design and better urban planning , need to be addressed .
In the meantime pedestrians , like Ms Wambui 's daughter and grandson , will continue to pay a heavy price because road designs prioritise cars and other motorised transport .

Another pedestrian, Ramadhan Abdallah, said it was a matter of laziness, plus a lack of enforcement of the rules, which meant that people do whatever is convenient for them as long as no-one from the authorities is watching