bbc--2020-10-06--US Election 2020: Your most pressing questions answered

We 've been asking you , our readers , for your most pressing questions about the upcoming US election .
Thanks to everyone who 's already written in - and we hope to hear from more of you , both in the US and around the world .
Now , it 's our turn to start giving you some answers .
Johnny White , 53 , from Ireland , and Shiv Nair , 68 , from India , asked : Can the president refuse to leave office if he loses the election - and if he claims it was rigged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to leave , but it wo n't do much .
It 's worth noting that many US legal analysts ca n't see him sticking around after a flat-out loss .
But , since we 've gotten quite a few questions on this , let 's play around with this scenario .
Say Trump clearly loses the election , and Biden is the obvious winner .
If Trump refuses to leave the Oval Office on Inauguration Day ( 20 January ) , he wo n't have much power to do anything else but hunker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other officials - including the keeper of the briefcase of nuclear codes - go to the new president at noon , per the US Constitution .
Things get tricky if Trump refuses to leave and he 's not the clear loser .
It 's Congress who declares a winner based on the electoral college votes .
If there 's a tie , or the election is otherwise contested ( like disagreements within a state 's own government about who the electoral college electors should vote for ) , it 's up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wins the presidency and the Senate to declare the vice-president .
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley has already told Congress the military wo n't get involved if the election is contested .
If Congress ca n't point to a clear winner , we 're heading into a rather nightmarish scenario that could end with a Supreme Court verdict , like the Bush v Gore 2000 battle .
With the recent passing of liberal Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg , this is in part why Trump and his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conservative replacement , Amy Coney Barrett , before the election .
Charles Solomon , 68 , from Canada asks : If Biden wins , will Kamala Harris keep her seat ?
Nope !
She 'll give up her California Senate seat for greener pastures , just as Biden did back in 2009 , when he handed over his spot in the upper chamber to join Obama in the White House .
And remember , if the Democrats win , it will be historic .
Harris will be the first black and Indian woman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the US… ever .
And what 's to become of the empty Senate seat ?
If Harris becomes our vice-president-elect , California Governor Gavin Newsom ( also a Democrat ) will choose a lucky lawmaker to replace her .
Macnos Mutano , 23 , from Australia asks : Why can the electoral college override the popular vote ?
Electoral college .
Electoral college .
Electoral college .
We 've received hundreds of questions from all of you , and the most common query is about this controversial part of the US election system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and contention here too .
When US voters go to the polls , they are n't directly voting for the candidates .
They 're voting for `` electors '' - people who represent their candidate 's party .
The number of electors each state gets depends on how many lawmakers it has in Congress - and remember , House of Representatives seats are population-based , while every state gets two Senators .
For example , California has 55 electoral college votes whereas Wyoming only has three , and it all adds up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in this system , not all states are created equal .
Watch this handy video to understand how the electoral college works .
If we assume that states like California go to the Democrats and most southern states , like Georgia , go to the Republicans , the election really comes down to a few battleground or `` swing '' states - like Ohio , Florida , and North Carolina .
After Election Day , Congress counts the electors ' votes and then declares a winner .
If there 's a tie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • A really simple guide to the US election But why come up with this complicated system in the first place ?
Back when the Founding Fathers were figuring out this democracy thing , they needed to come up with a compromise between states rights , Congress and the popular vote .
Why not just go with the popular vote ?
Well for one , it was rather unheard of at the time and some lawmakers felt the uneducated masses were n't best suited to pick their president .
Another reason was linked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of white voters in pro-slavery states .
• If you want all the nitty-gritty details , you can read our full electoral college explainer here : How you can be US president without winning most votes • And if you 're interested in battleground states , try our predict a president quiz here : Who will be the next US president ?
You decide Lindsay Stewart , 37 , from the UK asks : Is the electoral college system still fit for purpose today or does it unfairly skew the result ?
Good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the more populous states ( like California and Texas ) are more underrepresented by the college than lower population states , which some people say is not fair because it gives states where fewer people live more electoral power .
All but two states say it 's winner-take-all for their electoral votes , so whoever gets the most votes gets all the electoral college votes too , whether that 's a difference of one vote or one thousand .
In 2016 , this is how Trump was able to win big hitters in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even though his popular vote margin was slim .
Essentially , this means much of the battle for the White House takes place in a handful of competitive states that could swing either way .
There 's no need for candidates to waste time campaigning in states that will surely go to one party .
( Again , try our predict the president battleground states game .
It 's fun , promise . )
For decades , there 's been a steady amount of support among the public to nix this system , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Right now , around 58 % want to ditch it - but notably , attitudes have grown increasingly partisan since 2016 , with more Republicans saying they support the system just like it is .
• Watch : Who really decides the US election ?
One suggestion that 's been floated to fix this dissonance between the electoral college and popular vote is to award electors proportionally instead .
But any changes to this voting system will need signing off from both two-thirds of Congress and three-fourths of the states - which is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , from India asks : How will a Trump loss affect foreign relationships with countries like India , where Trump has a good relation with leaders like Modi ?
Trump and Modi have certainly been buddy-buddy for the cameras - but Biden 's got a history of supporting US-India relations too from his Obama-era days .
Here 's a look at what the policies of a Biden-Harris administration might be .
It 's likely that the Democrats will be more keen on calling out rights issues with Kashmir - something Trump officials have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agenda specifically says the Indian government ought to restore rights to people in the region .
Kamala Harris ( whose mother was Indian ) has also criticised Modi 's response to Kashmir .
• The good , the bad and the awkward : US presidents in India • What Donald Trump gets out of his trip to India The US-India relationship has had ups and downs in the past , but let 's also recall that during Obama 's visit in 2015 , he and Modi signed a declaration of friendship .
Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , particularly given his running mate 's ties to India .
In general , he 's made rebuilding relationships with allies a key part of his platform .
On a more concrete policy front , Biden has also pledged to revoke the Trump-era restrictions on visas and immigration .
He 's called for strengthening India 's capabilities as a `` counter-terrorism partner '' as well as co-operating in other areas like education , humanitarian goals and space exploration .
What 's all this about ?
The US election is complicated - but if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ find the answers .
We want you , our readers , to help guide our election coverage , and that 's why we 're launching the US Election Your Questions Answered project .
All it takes is filling out a form to send us your queries about anything and everything election-related , from how the electoral college works to the finer points of policy .
We 'll turn your submissions into content that tackles the issues you care about , and at the end of the day , everyone 's learned something new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voter , we also invite you to join our voter panel .
If all this sounds good to you , let 's get started .
Send us your questions using the form below .
If you ca n't see the forms , you may need to view the site on a desktop .
What questions do you have about the US election ?

All but two states say it's winner-take-all for their electoral votes, so whoever gets the most votes gets all the electoral college votes too, whether that's a difference of one vote or one thousand. In 2016, this is how Trump was able to win big hitters in the electoral college like Florida and Wisconsin even though his popular vote margin was slim.


bbc--2020-08-25--Mike Pence: The rare times he made headlines

But there are times when he is very visible , like last week when he did a number of talk @ @ @ @ @ , says Mr Goldstein .
Other vice-presidents have not been so keen to get in @ @ @ @ @

But there are times when he is very visible, like last week when he did a number of talk shows after the Democratic convention, says Mr Goldstein. Other vice-presidents have not been so keen to get in front of the cameras.


bbc--2020-10-06--Kamala Harris: Where does she stand on key issues?

As her big moment in the debate looms , is Democratic vice-presidential candidate Kamala Harris a far-left ideologue or a sober-minded centrist ?
Even President Donald Trump and his Republican allies seem undecided about how to define the California senator ahead of November 's election .
During the Democratic party 's contest to pick its challenger to Mr Trump , Ms Harris ran to the left of the eventual winner Joe Biden , for whom she is now the running mate .
Amid speculation about whether Mr Biden , 77 , could pledge to serve only one term in office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intense scrutiny .
GovTrack , an independent nonpartisan website , lists her as the most liberal of all 100 senators .
The New York Times labels her a pragmatic moderate ; Fox News hosts call her a radical .
Here 's a look at Ms Harris ' stance on five key issues .
• WATCH : A rise from Oakland to the top ticket • What do black voters make of historic VP pick Ms Harris - the only black woman in the US Senate - is broadly aligned with the rest of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But rather than openly call for defunding of police departments , as many liberal Democrats desire , she has spoken of `` reimagining how we do public safety in America '' .
Mr Biden says he does not support defunding police .
Ms Harris has described herself as a `` progressive prosecutor '' and `` top cop '' in her previous roles in California , but her record rankled both liberals and conservatives .
As San Francisco district attorney in 2004 she infuriated police by declining to seek the death penalty for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an officer .
In 2014 , she outraged progressives as state attorney general by appealing against a judge 's ruling that the death penalty was unconstitutional .
In 2015 , she did not support efforts to ensure incidents of police deadly force in California were independently investigated , or that all officers should wear body cameras .
Ms Harris has more recently supported legalising marijuana at the national level - something Mr Biden opposes .
But critics point out her San Francisco office oversaw over 1,900 cannabis convictions .
• How Kamala Harris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden • Where did it go wrong for Kamala Harris ?
Ms Harris ' shifting opinion on this issue damaged her presidential campaign .
She was one of the first top Democrats to join Senator Bernie Sanders ' 2017 Medicare for All bill to provide government-run medical insurance for every American .
But after professing support for eliminating private health insurance companies , she swiftly backtracked .
Mr Biden does not back Medicare for All - and has called instead for bolstering President Barack Obama 's landmark Affordable Care Act .
Ms Harris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Deal , a policy paper that advocates overhauling the US economy to tackle climate change .
Conservatives decry it as a `` socialist manifesto '' .
Recently , Ms Harris introduced a climate equity bill with self-described democratic socialist congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez that seeks to rate how environmental laws affect lower-income communities .
Ms Harris opposes fracking and has called for federal legal action against the fossil fuel industry .
In her presidential campaign , she outlined a $ 10tn climate plan for net-zero emissions by 2045 .
During her White House bid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ action to enact stricter gun control if she became president .
Like most Democrats , she supported more regulation of gun manufacturers , mandatory background checks , tightening loopholes and a ban on assault weapons .
She also said she was open to the idea of going even further and supporting a `` mandatory buyback '' , compelling owners of assault weapons to forfeit those guns .
After her selection as running mate , the National Rifle Association said Ms Harris backed `` extreme gun control agendas '' .
During the Democratic primary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abortions , arguing they would save the lives of lower-income women .
So did all the other contenders ( including Mr Biden after a flip flop - Ms Harris chastised him over the matter in a live TV debate ) .
Ms Harris also proposed providing all workers with six months paid family leave for personal or medical issues , including those related to domestic violence .
It was a far more generous policy than left-wing Democratic contenders Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders , who backed a three-month paid leave bill .
Ms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ large companies should be required to be `` equal pay certified '' to close the gender pay gap , or face fines .
Like all of the other Democratic 2020 contenders , Ms Harris - the child of immigrants herself - pledged to offer a path to citizenship to the millions of undocumented immigrants living in the US .
And like most of the other candidates , she supported decriminalising border crossings by undocumented immigrants and providing taxpayer-funded healthcare for those crossing the US border without papers .
In a 2018 Senate hearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parallels between the Ku Klux Klan and Immigration and Customs Enforcement , an agency within the US Department of Homeland Security .

She has sidestepped questions about whether she favours expanding the size of the Supreme Court, but in her own White House campaign last year said she was "open" to discussing the highly controversial idea.


bbc--2020-10-05--'Now I'm better, and maybe I'm immune'

'Now I'm better, and maybe I'm immune'

After three days in a military hospital being treated for Covid , President Trump returned to the White House with @ @ @ @ @ entrance .
Despite still being contagious , he took off his mask , walked inside @ @ @ @ @ short speech to supporters .
`` Now I 'm better , and maybe I 'm @ @ @ @ @ .
The statement conflicted with what his doctors said about how he will need ongoing @ @

After three days in a military hospital being treated for Covid, President Trump returned to the White House with a highly choreographed and controversial entrance.
Despite still being contagious, he took off his mask, walked inside the residence and delivered a short speech to supporters.
"Now I'm better, and maybe I'm immune," he said. The statement conflicted with what his doctors said about how he will need ongoing treatment.


bbc--2020-10-07--Covid: Trump back at work in Oval Office days after testing positive

Although the names of many people who have interacted with the president and tested positive are now known , it @ @ @ @ @ were exposed at the White House .
At least nine White House employees have tested @ @ @ @ @ be much higher .

Although the names of many people who have interacted with the president and tested positive are now known, it remains unclear just how many were exposed at the White House. At least nine White House employees have tested positive but the cluster could be much higher.


bbc--2020-10-07--Criticism over congressional biopic starring Elisabeth Moss

The initial allegations were soon followed up by a second set of claims , also published in RedState , that @ @ @ @ @ affair with her legislative director .
The purported affair - denied by Ms Hill - @ @ @ @ @ House rules .

The initial allegations were soon followed up by a second set of claims, also published in RedState, that Ms Hill was having an affair with her legislative director. The purported affair - denied by Ms Hill - would be a violation of House rules.


bbc--2020-10-08--Why tonight's VP debate actually matters

It 's time for the supporting cast to bask in the spotlight .
The deputies will have their day in charge .
The number-two figures are stepping out of the shadows .
This promises to be a vice-presidential debate like no other .
Some have even called it the most important in history , since it comes as the US president is ill with Covid 19 , a virus that 's claimed 200,000 Americans and upended 330 million lives .
Plus a Supreme Court fight , racial unrest and , and , and ...
In one corner you have Kamala @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be the first female vice-president in history .
The California senator , 55 , is one of the toughest interrogators in Congress , a hardened former lawyer who has left congressional witnesses bloodied after tearing into them in Senate hearings .
In her sights she has an unflappable Republican vice-president who rarely puts a foot wrong under intense media questioning .
He wo n't just be playing defence , either .
He 'll be looking to exploit his obvious advantage in one area - he 's done it before .
Mr Pence is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man , a Christian from Indiana .
Despite their obvious differences , Mike Pence has been a pillar of loyalty to his boss for four years and they 've walked in lock-step on nearly every issue and through every controversy .
Is n't it usually a non-event ?
Who actually cares ?
Vice-presidential debates do n't usually trouble presidential historians too much , but this year the drama of the election campaign could heighten interest in how the pair fare against each other .
The fact that the president has been seriously ill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two oldest presidential candidates in history .
Being first in the line of succession has never been more significant , and both debaters will be aware they have to present themselves as ready to step into the world 's biggest job .
The first debate between Trump and Biden was also so bereft of serious policy that some have said they 're hoping for a proper discussion about the vision for America being offered by each ticket .
It could even also be the final debate of the campaign , depending on whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wonder the Brookings Institution called it the most important vice-presidential debate ever .
When is it , and how can I watch it ?
It 's on Wednesday at 21:00-22:30ET ( 02:00-03:30BST ) , and will be the only match between the two VP candidates .
The BBC will have a live page and will stream the debate live from Salt Lake City , Utah , with analysis from three of our specialist reporters @ awzurcher , @ tara_mckelvey and @ aleemmaqbool , and reaction from our voter panel .
It will also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( global ) and the BBC News Channel in the UK .
The two remaining presidential debates are : Has Trump 's infection forced any changes ?
Debate organisers are aware that President Trump could have been contagious during the first debate , and potentially infected Joe Biden and moderator Chris Wallace ( though both have tested negative so far ) , so they want to make no mistakes with this one .
The Commission on Presidential Debates has agreed to seat Kamala Harris and Mike Pence 12ft apart - up from 7ft @ @ @ @ @ @ @ simple guide to the US election • How is Donald Trump doing in the polls ?
There will also be a glass shield between each candidate 's side of the stage to diminish infections .
And no more than 200 people on site at the University of Utah 's Kingsbury Hall .
Mr Pence dropped his initial objections to having a Plexiglass barrier on his side of the debate stage .
Will it be as chaotic as the first debate ?
Unlikely .
Mr Pence and Ms Harris are tough but always civil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nasty and disruptive as Cleveland are close to zero .
In 2016 , Mr Pence was very effective in defending Mr Trump and attacking Hillary Clinton .
He was widely credited with coming out of his battle with Democrat VP candidate Tim Kaine with the advantage .
It 's his trademark to be forceful without ever raising his voice .
Ms Harris debates like the lawyer she once was - she 's always controlled .
She demolished Mr Biden in a debate when she was running against him for the presidential nomination by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in his past record on civil rights .
• What does Kamala Harris believe in ?
That should make the moderator 's job a bit easier .
Definitely .
In charge this time is USA Today newspaper Washington bureau chief Susan Page .
Ms Page is a seasoned operator with 10 presidential campaigns under her belt , and she wo n't be intimidated by the occasion - she 's interviewed nine presidents .
So what will they politely debate ?
Covid-19 , and the Trump administration 's handling of it , will clearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mike Pence is in charge of the presidential task force on the pandemic , and he will be pressed to defend the administration 's response .
Kamala Harris will probably be asked about her record on criminal justice as attorney general of California , as well as her shifting positions on healthcare reform .
She ran to the left of Joe Biden during the race for the presidential nomination , so Pence 's debate success may hinge on how well he is able to pin her more liberal views to Biden .
Finally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Harris could be leading their party 's tickets in the general election , so consider this debate a possible sneak preview of political battles to come .
• Why we might not get a result on election night • Where does Donald Trump stand on key issues ?
• What Joe Biden wants to do • Full coverage of the US election The US election is confusing .
What issues are you most concerned about ?
And if you 're not from the US , what questions do you have for American @ @ @ @ @ @

Kamala Harris v Mike Pence: Why this vice-president debate matters Published 8 October 2020
Image source, Getty Images
It's time for the supporting cast to bask in the spotlight. The deputies will have their day in charge. The number-two figures are stepping out of the shadows.
This promises to be a vice-presidential debate like no other.
Some have even called it the most important in history, since it comes as the US president is ill with Covid 19, a virus that's claimed 200,000 Americans and upended 330 million lives. Plus a Supreme Court fight, racial unrest and, and, and...
Wait. Who's in the vice-presidential debate?
In one corner you have Kamala Harris, the woman who aspires to be the first female vice-president in history.
The California senator, 55, is one of the toughest interrogators in Congress, a hardened former lawyer who has left congressional witnesses bloodied after tearing into them in Senate hearings.
In her sights she has an unflappable Republican vice-president who rarely puts a foot wrong under intense media questioning. He won't just be playing defence, either. He'll be looking to exploit his obvious advantage in one area - he's done it before.
Mr Pence is a 61-year-old, softly-spoken, deeply religious man, a Christian from Indiana. Despite their obvious differences, Mike Pence has been a pillar of loyalty to his boss for four years and they've walked in lock-step on nearly every issue and through every controversy.
Isn't it usually a non-event? Who actually cares?
Vice-presidential debates don't usually trouble presidential historians too much, but this year the drama of the election campaign could heighten interest in how the pair fare against each other.
The fact that the president has been seriously ill has reminded the public they have the two oldest presidential candidates in history. Being first in the line of succession has never been more significant, and both debaters will be aware they have to present themselves as ready to step into the world's biggest job.
The first debate between Trump and Biden was also so bereft of serious policy that some have said they're hoping for a proper discussion about the vision for America being offered by each ticket.
It could even also be the final debate of the campaign, depending on whether the president recovers in time.
No wonder the Brookings Institution called it the most important vice-presidential debate ever.
When is it, and how can I watch it?
It's on Wednesday at 21:00-22:30ET (02:00-03:30BST), and will be the only match between the two VP candidates.
The BBC will have a live page and will stream the debate live from Salt Lake City, Utah, with analysis from three of our specialist reporters @awzurcher, @tara_mckelvey and @aleemmaqbool, and reaction from our voter panel.
It will also be covered live on BBC World News (global) and the BBC News Channel in the UK.
The two remaining presidential debates are:
15 October in Miami, Florida
22 October in Nashville, Tennessee
Has Trump's infection forced any changes?
Debate organisers are aware that President Trump could have been contagious during the first debate, and potentially infected Joe Biden and moderator Chris Wallace (though both have tested negative so far), so they want to make no mistakes with this one.
The Commission on Presidential Debates has agreed to seat Kamala Harris and Mike Pence 12ft apart - up from 7ft at the presidential debate.
There will also be a glass shield between each candidate's side of the stage to diminish infections. And no more than 200 people on site at the University of Utah's Kingsbury Hall.
Mr Pence dropped his initial objections to having a Plexiglass barrier on his side of the debate stage.
Will it be as chaotic as the first debate?
Unlikely. Mr Pence and Ms Harris are tough but always civil so the chances of it being as nasty and disruptive as Cleveland are close to zero.
In 2016, Mr Pence was very effective in defending Mr Trump and attacking Hillary Clinton. He was widely credited with coming out of his battle with Democrat VP candidate Tim Kaine with the advantage. It's his trademark to be forceful without ever raising his voice.
Ms Harris debates like the lawyer she once was - she's always controlled. She demolished Mr Biden in a debate when she was running against him for the presidential nomination by focusing laser-like on a vulnerability she identified in his past record on civil rights.
That should make the moderator's job a bit easier.
Definitely. In charge this time is USA Today newspaper Washington bureau chief Susan Page.
Ms Page is a seasoned operator with 10 presidential campaigns under her belt, and she won't be intimidated by the occasion - she's interviewed nine presidents.
So what will they politely debate?
Covid-19, and the Trump administration's handling of it, will clearly be the dominant topic of discussion. Mike Pence is in charge of the presidential task force on the pandemic, and he will be pressed to defend the administration's response.
Kamala Harris will probably be asked about her record on criminal justice as attorney general of California, as well as her shifting positions on healthcare reform. She ran to the left of Joe Biden during the race for the presidential nomination, so Pence's debate success may hinge on how well he is able to pin her more liberal views to Biden.
Finally, four years from now, Pence and Harris could be leading their party's tickets in the general election, so consider this debate a possible sneak preview of political battles to come.
Get in touch
The US election is confusing. What issues are you most concerned about? And if you're not from the US, what questions do you have for American voters or about the election?
If you can't see the form, you may need to view the site on a desktop.


bbc--2020-10-07--VP debate: What young voters want to see from Kamala Harris and Mike Pence

The US vice-presidential TV debate between Kamala Harris and Mike Pence is taking place in Salt Lake City , Utah @ @ @ @ @ Young voters say they are hoping to see more respect and coherent answers than last @ @ @ @ @ Read more : Why this VP debate actually matters

The US vice-presidential TV debate between Kamala Harris and Mike Pence is taking place in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Wednesday evening.
Young voters say they are hoping to see more respect and coherent answers than last week's presidential debate.
Read more: Why this VP debate actually matters


bbc--2020-10-07--How Eddie Van Halen 'scared the hell out of a million guitarists'

Eddie Van Halen , who has died at the age of 65 , opened up dozens of new possibilities for the electric guitar with his wildly inventive , and largely self-taught , techniques .
Combining lightning-quick , two-handed picking techniques with hammer-ons , pull-offs , complex harmonics and an array of innovative devices he patented , the guitarist became a pole star for generations of musicians .
`` Ed 's a once- or twice-in-a-century kind of guy , '' his friend Jerry Cantrell of Alice in Chains said earlier this year .
`` There 's Hendrix , and there 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tilted the world on its axis . ''
Fellow guitar legend Joe Satriani reflected in 2015 : `` Eddie put the smile back in rock guitar at a time when it was all getting a bit broody .
He also scared the hell out of a million guitarists because he was so damn good . ''
The son of a Dutch band leader , Van Halen was originally a pianist , playing at weddings and bar mitzvahs with his family after they emigrated to Pasadena , California , in 1962 .
A prodigious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first prize in a local piano recital for four years in a row , despite being unable to read a note of music .
`` I fooled my teacher for six years , '' he told Rolling Stone magazine in 1995 .
`` He never knew .
I 'd watch his fingers , and I 'd play it . ''
In his teens , he switched to drums , then guitar , and formed his first band with his brother Alex in 1964 .
The Broken Combs made their debut one lunchtime in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ siblings ' desire to become professional musicians .
Eddie started out by imitating UK rock trio Cream , learning Eric Clapton 's solos by note by note .
But it was watching Led Zeppelin at the Los Angeles Forum in the early 1970s that changed his guitar playing forever .
A light bulb went off as Jimmy Page played the solo from Heartbreaker , using both hands to tap out notes on the neck of the guitar .
For Page , it was an opportunity to showboat - but Eddie took the technique @ @ @ @ @ @ @ play a seemingly impossible flurry of notes and pinched harmonics .
`` It 's like having a sixth finger on your left hand , '' he explained in 1978 .
`` Instead of picking , you 're hitting a note on the fretboard . ''
The approach was so revolutionary that Alex encouraged his brother to play with his back to the audience so other bands would n't steal it before Van Halen had a record deal .
Once their self-titled debut album was released in 1978 , however , Eddie 's fellow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beyond mind blowing , '' said Ozzy Osbourne 's guitarist Zakk Wylde .
`` I 'm going , 'That ca n't be a guitar .
What is that ? ''
LA punk musician Phast Phreddie Patterson wrote in a 1978 edition of Waxpaper : `` Edward wails his guitar like his life depended on it .
Boyishly grinning ... like a kid with a new toy , he tries to get as many noises out of his instrument as electronically possible .
The results are unbelievable . ''
Eddie never claimed to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - classical guitarists had been using their picking hands to play notes their fretting hand would normally cover for years - but he did popularise it for the rock audience .
`` And on top of that , I never really heard anyone do with it what I did , '' he said in a 2017 interview .
`` Which was actual pieces of music . ''
That , really , is the key .
Eddie always prioritised melody and feeling over flamboyant technique .
And while Van Halen 's material leaned towards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hooks and memorable riffs .
Some of his best work was his most economical .
On the chorus of Jamie 's Cryin ' , he replies to David Lee Roth 's vocal ( `` Oh-oh-oh , Jamie 's crying '' ) with a simple two-note phrase that has all the taut precision of a Motown backing vocal .
On record , he even kept his solos short , structuring them like mini-movements within songs , with a defined beginning , middle and end .
`` I have n't heard anyone do a long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' he observed .
One exception comes on Eruption , from Van Halen 's debut album , which is simply 102 seconds of molten-hot finger work , as Eddie dive-bombs over the fretboard , incorporating both classical scales and his tapping technique .
The song was originally the guitarist 's warm-up exercise , but when producer Ted Templeman overheard it , he smartly realised it was worth showcasing .
`` I played it two or three times for the record , and we kept the one that seemed to flow , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't even play it right .
There 's a mistake at the top end of it .
Whenever I hear it , I always think , man , I could have played that better . ''
Always a perfectionist , he even outdid Michael Jackson .
After being asked to play on 1983 's Beat It , Eddie not only recorded one of pop 's most memorable solos , he rearranged the song .
`` I did n't know how he would react , '' Eddie told CNN .
`` So I warned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 'Look , I changed the middle section of your song . '
`` Now in my mind , he 's either going to have his bodyguards kick me out for butchering his song , or he 's going to like it .
And so he gave it a listen , and he turned to me and went , 'Wow , thank you so much for having the passion to not just come in and blaze a solo , but to actually care about the song , and make it better . '
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 20-second solo on Beat It was so incendiary the speakers in the studio control room caught fire .
In the heat , the seemingly insurmountable barrier between white rock and black pop was razed to the ground .
By the end of the 1980s , Van Halen 's fingerprints were all over rock music - but the star dismissed many of his acolytes as `` typewriter players '' .
`` They all play as fast as they can , as loud as they can , scream as high as they can .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fast with a unique quality , '' he said in 1985 .
`` It leaves me cold . ''
But while his playing style launched thousands of imitators , it was n't Eddie 's only innovation .
In 1985 , he patented a device that allowed musicians to sling a guitar around their necks and lock it into a horizontal position to `` create new techniques and sounds previously unknown to any player '' .
He also created a new type of guitar head and invented a device , known as the D-Tuna @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alternate tunings on the fly .
Along with guitarist Floyd Rose , he even created a whammy bar that worked without leaving the strings out of tune .
Speaking to Popular Mechanics in 2015 , Eddie said he had `` always been a tinkerer '' and started modifying his own instruments out of necessity .
`` My playing style really grew from the fact that I could n't afford a distortion pedal .
I had to try to squeeze those sounds out of my guitar ... so I started hammering away with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gave Van Halen a unique tone and sound , while his famous Shark - which was cut into a 'Flying V ' with a chainsaw - prompted dozens of aspiring guitarists to vandalise their instruments .
His souped-up `` Frankenstrat '' even featured in an exhibition at New York 's Metropolitan Museum of Art last year .
`` Nobody taught me how to do guitar work : I learned by trial and error , '' he told Guitar Player magazine .
`` I have messed up a lot of good guitars that way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'm doing , and I can do whatever I want to get them the way I want them .
I hate store-bought , off-the-rack guitars . ''
The handicraft was evidence of an almost obsessive drive to conjure up the sounds Eddie Van Halen heard in his head .
It probably did n't make him easy to work with - the band 's internal politics and shifting line-ups were beyond complicated - but his love for , and impact on , rock music are hard to underestimate .
`` When I 'm home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in my room and play guitar , '' he told Guitar World in 1981 .
`` After two or three hours , I start getting into this total meditation .
It 's a feeling few people experience , and that 's usually when I come up with weird stuff .
It just flows .
`` If you 're a musician you just play until you die .
It 's not an ordinary job . ''
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If you have a story suggestion email @ @ @ @

"Now in my mind, he's either going to have his bodyguards kick me out for butchering his song, or he's going to like it. And so he gave it a listen, and he turned to me and went, 'Wow, thank you so much for having the passion to not just come in and blaze a solo, but to actually care about the song, and make it better.'"


bbc--2020-10-07--Islamic State 'Beatles' in court over US hostages' deaths

Two ex-British alleged Islamic State ( IS ) suspects have appeared in a US court charged over the killing of four American hostages .
Alexanda Kotey and El Shafee Elsheikh are accused of belonging to an IS cell dubbed `` The Beatles '' involved in kidnappings in Iraq and Syria .
The pair appeared via video link from prison at a hearing in a federal court in Alexandria , Virginia .
The men , who had been in US custody in Iraq , previously denied the charges .
A detention hearing and arraignment were scheduled for Friday but the lawyer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grew up in London , said he might ask for a delay to allow time to go over the charges with the defendants .
US Assistant Attorney General John Demers told a press conference the charges were `` the result of many years of hard work in pursuit of justice '' for the four Americans who died - James Foley , Steven Sotloff , Kayla Mueller and Peter Kassig .
• Relatives of British IS hostage braced for trial • UK sends US evidence on IS 'Beatles' • Watch : In the Face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ victims , he said : `` Although we can not bring back your children , we will do all that we can do : obtain justice for them , for you , and for all Americans . ''
He added : `` These men will now be brought before a United States court to face justice for the depraved acts alleged against them in the indictment . ''
The charges carry a maximum penalty of life in prison .
The pair are alleged to have been members of an IS gang - nicknamed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due to their British accents - which was responsible for the death of hostages in Iraq and Syria in 2014 .
Some of the victims - who included American journalists and UK and US aid workers - were beheaded and their deaths filmed and broadcast on social media .
James Foley 's mother , Diane Foley , said the charges were `` only a first step '' and that she was `` praying that justice will be served '' .
She added that she hoped the trial might `` implicate others '' and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Elsheikh , originally from west London , were previously stripped of their UK nationality .
The charges they face are : • Conspiracy to murder United States citizens outside of the United States • Conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists - hostage taking and murder - resulting in death • Conspiracy to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organisation resulting in death The IS group 's alleged ringleader , Mohammed Emwazi , known as `` Jihadi John '' died in a drone strike in 2016 .
Referring to his death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faced a different kind of American resolve - the mighty reach of our military , which successfully targeted him in an air strike several years ago '' .
The assistant attorney general was asked by reporters whether the death penalty was not being sought solely because the UK government had made it a requirement in return for its co-operation .
`` The attorney general decided that we should provide the death penalty assurance in order to get the British evidence and see that justice could be done more expeditiously than if we had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the courts in the United Kingdom , '' Mr Demers said .
`` The decision was to try to keep the option ( of seeking the death penalty ) open at first but ultimately that did n't work . ''
Last month the UK sent evidence to the US following assurances the two men would not face the death penalty .
Mr Demers added : `` We decided that if we were going to do this case , we were going to tell the fullest story we could of what these defendants did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the strongest case possible .
And with the British evidence I think we can do that very well . ''
Ms Foley said she was `` hugely grateful '' the death penalty was not being sought , as she wanted alleged IS members to have `` an opportunity to come to terms with what they 've done '' .
FBI director Christopher Wray told the press conference : `` We mourn not only our American victims but also the British victims David Haines and Alan Henning , and victims of all nations who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Isis . ''
Mike Haines , whose aid worker brother David was killed by the IS cell in 2014 , said he was relieved `` the fate of these two men is closer to being decided but this is just the beginning '' .
`` The pain we experienced as families was excruciating when we lost our loved ones and the last three years have been a long , horrible waiting game , '' he said .
`` It was a big win for us knowing that the US courts would be taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years since they were first detained . ''
British photojournalist John Cantlie was kidnapped with Mr Foley , and his fate is still unknown .
It has taken nearly eight years to reach this moment - from the day that James Foley and John Cantlie were taken hostage in Syria to the reading out of the indictment against two of the alleged perpetrators , both now in US custody .
The eight charges against them are so serious that each one carries a maximum sentence of life in prison .
The defendants have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alleged involvement in the murder of US and British hostages .
But both the US and British governments appear confident that there is a strong case for the prosecution .
Over the course of the coming trial the court is likely to hear some harrowing testimony from those who survived IS captivity - men whose freedom was ransomed in exchange for millions of Euros while their fellow prisoners from the US and Britain suffered horrific deaths at the hands of their captors .
IS once controlled 88,000 sq km ( 34,000 sq miles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to eastern Iraq and imposed its brutal rule on almost eight million people .
The liberation of that territory exposed the magnitude of the abuses inflicted by the jihadist group , including summary killings , torture , amputations , ethno-sectarian attacks , rape and sexual slavery imposed on women and girls .
Hundreds of mass graves containing the remains of thousands of people have been discovered .
UN investigators have concluded that IS militants committed acts that may amount to war crimes , crimes against humanity and genocide .

Mr Demers added: "We decided that if we were going to do this case, we were going to tell the fullest story we could of what these defendants did and we were going to put on the strongest case possible. And with the British evidence I think we can do that very well."


bbc--2020-10-07--Derek Chauvin: George Floyd murder suspect released from jail on $1m bail

The former US police officer charged with the murder of unarmed black man George Floyd has been released from prison on bail .
Derek Chauvin posted a $ 1m ( £774,000 ) bond and was released on Wednesday morning , court records show .
The white officer was filmed pressing his knee on Mr Floyd 's neck for almost eight minutes before he died on 25 May .
Mr Floyd 's death led to global protests and calls for police reform , spurred by the Black Lives Matter movement .
Mr Chauvin was fired from his job and now awaits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of second-degree murder and manslaughter .
Three other officers - J Alexander Kueng , Thomas Lane and Tou Thao - were also fired and charged with aiding and abetting murder .
• The last 30 minutes of George Floyd 's life • How are African-Americans treated under the law ?
All four officers accused in connection with the killing of Mr Floyd in Minneapolis , Minnesota , have now posted bail and are free until their trial next year .
Chauvin had been at the maximum-security prison in Oak Park Heights , Minnesota @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a judge set a bail of $ 1.25m with no preconditions , or $ 1m with conditions which include Mr Chauvin not contacting Mr Floyd 's family , surrendering his firearms and not working in law enforcement or security as he awaits trial .
Mr Chauvin was released on conditional bail , which court records showed was guaranteed by a bail-bond agency , CBS Minnesota reported .
In the US , bail-bond agents promise to pay authorities the full bail amount for defendants if they can not afford do so or fail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was released from custody shortly before 11:30 local time ( 17:30 GMT ) on Wednesday , according to the Hennepin County Sheriff 's Office .
Ben Crump , a civil rights lawyer representing Mr Floyd 's family , said Mr Chauvin 's release on bail was a `` painful reminder '' that `` we are still far from achieving justice for George '' .
`` Although George Floyd was denied justice in life , we will not rest until he is afforded full justice in death , '' Mr Crump said .
Currently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to face trial together in March , but a judge is considering trying them separately .
The incident that led to their prosecution highlighted deep wounds over racial inequality in the US .
The Black Lives Matter demonstrations - some of which turned violent - became a central political issue in the run up to November 's presidential election in the US .
You might be interested in watching :

Mr Chauvin was fired from his job and now awaits trial in March next year on charges of second-degree murder and manslaughter. Three other officers - J Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane and Tou Thao - were also fired and charged with aiding and abetting murder.


bbc--2020-10-07--Trudeau government survives key confidence vote

The Liberals survived the vote with the support of the opposition NDP , avoiding a possible snap election .
Parliamentarians voted 177-152 on Tuesday in support of Mr Trudeau 's Throne Speech , which laid out a framework for pandemic recovery .
The NDP had secured an agreement on new Covid relief measures and had been expected to support the Liberals .
The left-leaning New Democrats said they would support the speech after securing from the Liberals new sick leave benefits for Canadians and an extension on coronavirus support benefits .
The Conservative Party , the Bloc Quebecois and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Annamie Paul - all voted against the speech .
It is the second time the Liberals have faced a confidence vote since Parliament returned in late September .
The first vote , on a package of new coronavirus relief measures , past unanimously in the House of Commons last week .
In August , Mr Trudeau made a controversial decision to prorogue - or suspend - parliament and to return on 23 September with a new Throne Speech to address the realities of the pandemic .
A Throne Speech is where a government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parliamentary session begins .
During that prorogation period , coronavirus cases began spiking in parts of Canada , especially in Ontario and Quebec , two of the most populous provinces , leading Mr Trudeau to warn of a `` second wave '' .
There have been over 171,000 cases of Covid-19 in Canada and some 9,530 deaths , according to federal government statistics .
The Throne Speech included commitments to work with Canadian provinces to improve testing capacity , a plan to create more than a million jobs , and support for industries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the travel , tourism and hospitality sectors .

The Throne Speech included commitments to work with Canadian provinces to improve testing capacity, a plan to create more than a million jobs, and support for industries hardest hit by the pandemic, such as the travel, tourism and hospitality sectors.


bbc--2020-10-07--Covid: Brazil's coronavirus cases pass five million

It is another milestone but the picture is not as grim here as it was a few weeks ago .
@ @ @ @ @ deaths have been falling , although we are still talking around 5,000 fatalities a week @ @ @ @ @ at the peak .

It is another milestone but the picture is not as grim here as it was a few weeks ago. The numbers of cases and deaths have been falling, although we are still talking around 5,000 fatalities a week - down from around 7,000 at the peak.


bbc--2020-10-07--Extreme poverty set for first rise since 1998, World Bank warns

Extreme poverty is set to rise this year for the first time in more than two decades , with coronavirus expected to push up to 115 million people into that category , the World Bank has said .
The pandemic is compounding the forces of conflict and climate change , which were already slowing poverty reduction , the bank said .
By 2021 , this could rise to as many as 150 million , it added .
Extreme poverty is defined as living on less than $ 1.90 ( £1.50 ) a day .
The projected increase would be the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ financial crisis shook the global economy .
• Global economy 'will suffer for years to come' Before the pandemic struck , the extreme poverty rate was expected to drop to 7.9 % in 2020 .
But now it is likely to affect between 9.1 % and 9.4 % of the world 's population this year , according to the bank 's biennial Poverty and Shared Prosperity Report .
At the other end of the scale , billionaires have seen their fortunes hit record highs during the pandemic , with top executives from technology @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world 's richest saw their wealth climb 27.5 % to $ 10.2tn ( £7.9tn ) from April to July this year , according to a report from Swiss bank UBS .
Since 2013 , the World Bank has been working towards the target of having no more than 3 % of the world 's population living on just $ 1.90 a day by 2030 .
However , it now says that goal will be beyond reach without `` swift , significant and substantial policy action '' .
The World Bank report found that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in countries that already have high poverty rates , with 82 % of the total expected in what are classed as middle-income countries .
The bank said progress in reducing global poverty was already slowing even before the Covid-19 crisis .
Between 2015 and 2017 , 52 million people rose out of poverty , but the rate of reduction over that period was less than half a percentage point a year .
This was less rapid than in the years between 1990 and 2015 , when global poverty had dropped at the rate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` The pandemic and global recession may cause over 1.4 % of the world 's population to fall into extreme poverty , '' said World Bank Group president David Malpass .
He said that to reverse this `` serious setback '' , countries would need to prepare for a different economy post-Covid , by allowing capital , labour , skills and innovation to move into new businesses and sectors .
However , he pledged that World Bank support would be available to developing countries `` as they work toward a sustainable and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is offering grants and low-interest loans worth $ 160bn to help more than 100 poorer countries tackle the crisis .

Extreme poverty is set to rise this year for the first time in more than two decades, with coronavirus expected to push up to 115 million people into that category, the World Bank has said.


bbc--2020-10-07--Schitt's Creek creator Dan Levy criticises 'censorship' of same-sex kiss

The co-creator of sitcom Schitt 's Creek has criticised Comedy Central India for cutting footage of him kissing another man out of a scene it posted .
Dan Levy said `` the censorship of gay intimacy '' made a `` harmful statement '' against his show 's inclusivity message .
The channel posted the clip on Twitter last March to promote the Housewarming episode of the show 's fifth season .
Comedy Central India has yet to respond , but its US parent company posted a gif of the kiss in question .
The Housewarming episode features a game of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are dared to kiss each other .
In the clip posted on Comedy Central India 's Twitter feed , the moment when Ted ( Dustin Milligan ) kisses Levy 's character David has been cut .
It was the only kiss to have been removed from the scene , which also features two women kissing and a woman kissing a man .
`` You showed the kiss between two women , you showed the kiss between a woman and a man , then removed the kiss between two men ? ''
wrote Levy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show about the power of inclusivity .
The censorship of gay intimacy is making a harmful statement against that message . ''
After posting his initial message , Dan Levy took to Twitter again to add : `` For those who are confused , this is about a channel in India . ''
He said the channel 's US iteration had always been `` lovely and respectful '' .
The row follows the impressive haul of awards that the sixth and final season Schitt 's Creek received at last month 's Emmy Awards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with his actor father Eugene , tells of a family who move to a motel in a small town after losing their fortune .
The Canadian sitcom drew praise for its portrayal of LGBTQ+ people , among them Dan Levy 's character and his boyfriend Patrick .
It has also given a significant boost to the real-life motel that doubles for the show 's fictional Rosebud establishment .
It was reported this week that the owner of the motel is now seeking to sell the seven-acre property in Orangeville , Ontario .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us and I would really like to see it continue on as an homage to the Rosebud and Schitt 's Creek , '' said owner Jesse Tipping .
`` It 's got potential and I want to see this piece of Canadian history have new breath . ''
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If you have a story suggestion email entertainment.news @ bbc.co.uk .

After posting his initial message, Dan Levy took to Twitter again to add: "For those who are confused, this is about a channel in India." He said the channel's US iteration had always been "lovely and respectful".


bbc--2020-10-07--Billionaires see fortunes rise by 27% during the pandemic

Billionaires have seen their fortunes hit record highs during the pandemic , with top executives from technology and industry earning the most .
The world 's richest saw their wealth climb 27.5 % to $ 10.2trn ( £7.9trn ) from April to July this year , according to a report from Swiss bank UBS .
That was up from the previous peak of $ 8.9trn at the end of 2017 and largely due to rising global share prices .
UBS said billionaires had done `` extremely well '' in the Covid crisis .
It also said the number of billionaires @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , up from 2,158 in 2017 .
It comes as a World Bank report on Wednesday showed extreme poverty is set to rise this year for the first time in more than two decades due to the pandemic .
Among the billionaires , the biggest winners this year have been industrialists , whose wealth rose a staggering 44 % in the three months to July .
`` Industrials benefited disproportionately as markets priced in a significant economic recovery [ after lockdowns around the world ] , '' UBS said .
Tech billionaires have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their wealth soar 41 % .
UBS said this was `` due to the corona-induced demand for their goods and services '' and social distancing accelerating `` digital businesses [ and ] compressing several years ' evolution into a few months '' .
Healthcare billionaires also benefited as the crisis put drug makers and medical device companies in the spotlight .
The rise in fortunes reflects the generally strong performance of global stock markets since late March , despite most countries continuing to suffer sharp recessions .
Amazon boss Jeff Bezos and Tesla @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saw their wealth hit new highs this summer thanks to growth in the price of their companies ' stock .
In the last 11 years China 's billionaires have increased their wealth by the biggest percentage , climbing 1,146 % between 2009 and 2020 , according to UBS .
By comparison , over the same period the wealth of British billionaires has risen by just 168 % .
But the biggest accumulation of wealth remains in the US where American billionaires have $ 3.5trn , compared to China 's $ 1.7trn .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , compared to Germany 's $ 595bn and France 's $ 443bn .
UBS said many billionaires had donated some of their wealth to help with the fight against Covid-19 .
`` Our research has identified 209 billionaires who have publicly committed a total equivalent to $ 7.2bn from March to June 2020 , '' the report said .
`` They have reacted quickly , in a way that 's akin to disaster relief , providing unrestricted grants to allow grantees to decide how best to use funds . ''
But it revealed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from other countries .
In the US , 98 billionaires donated $ 4.5bn , in China 12 billionaires gave $ 679m , and in Australia just two billionaires donated $ 324m .
But in the UK , nine billionaires donated just $ 298m .

Tech billionaires have also had a good pandemic, seeing their wealth soar 41%. UBS said this was "due to the corona-induced demand for their goods and services" and social distancing accelerating "digital businesses [and] compressing several years' evolution into a few months".


bbc--2020-10-07--Masks made mandatory outdoors across Italy

`` From now on , masks and protective gear have to be brought with us when we leave our house @ @ @ @ @ to wear them all the time unless we are in a situation of continuous isolation @ @ @ @ @

"From now on, masks and protective gear have to be brought with us when we leave our house and worn. We have to wear them all the time unless we are in a situation of continuous isolation," he said.


bbc--2020-10-07--US election: Long queues as more states start early voting

American voters have been forming long queues , as more US states start early voting for the 3 November presidential @ @ @ @ @ people to vote ahead of election day in person .
All states have mail voting @ @ @ @ @ a reason .
Minnesota , South Dakota , Virginia and Wyoming kicked off early voting @ @ @ @ @ than four million Americans have already cast their ballots , according to the United States @ @ @ @ @ to only 75,000 at this point in 2016 .

American voters have been forming long queues, as more US states start early voting for the 3 November presidential election.
Most states allow people to vote ahead of election day in person. All states have mail voting - but you may need a reason.
Minnesota, South Dakota, Virginia and Wyoming kicked off early voting on 18 September.
More than four million Americans have already cast their ballots, according to the United States Election Project. That compares to only 75,000 at this point in 2016.


bbc--2020-10-07--Are wildfires the end of the Californian dream?

As unprecedented wildfires rage across the Golden State , Californians have been bearing the brunt .
Faced with an uncertain @ @ @ @ @ their life choices .

As unprecedented wildfires rage across the Golden State, Californians have been bearing the brunt. Faced with an uncertain future, some are rethinking their life choices.
Produced by Xinyan Yu and Shrai Popat
Animation by Darren Agnew


bbc--2020-10-07--Giant hogweed: One man's battle against 'toxic invader'

Oskars Mezhniyeks has spent eight years trying to stop the spread of giant hogweed , an invasive toxic weed , @ @ @ @ @ home in Latvia .
The sap can cause severe blistering if it touches skin that @ @ @ @ @ sun .
But Oskars knows how to stop the perennial plant growing back .

Oskars Mezhniyeks has spent eight years trying to stop the spread of giant hogweed, an invasive toxic weed, advancing on land surrounding his home in Latvia.
The sap can cause severe blistering if it touches skin that’s exposed to the sun. But Oskars knows how to stop the perennial plant growing back.


bbc--2020-10-07--Artist Duncan Grant erotic drawings kept under bed worth £2m

For over 70 years the erotic drawings of British artist Duncan Grant have been shrouded in mystery .
It was @ @ @ @ @ has a current value of around £2m , had been destroyed in the 1960s .
@ @ @ @ @ is now being returned to Charleston , the country retreat of the famed artistic set @ @ @ @ @ known as the Bloomsbury Group .
This film was made as part of BBC Arts @ @ @ @ @ is celebrating museums as they emerge from the Covid-19 lockdown .

For over 70 years the erotic drawings of British artist Duncan Grant have been shrouded in mystery.
It was believed the collection, which has a current value of around £2m, had been destroyed in the 1960s.
But it wasn't and is now being returned to Charleston, the country retreat of the famed artistic set of the 1920s and 30s known as the Bloomsbury Group.
This film was made as part of BBC Arts #MuseumPassion week, which is celebrating museums as they emerge from the Covid-19 lockdown.
Video journalist: Alex Stanger
Reporter: Rebecca Jones


bbc--2020-10-07--Sarah Forbes Bonetta: Portrait of Queen Victoria's goddaughter on show

`` Victoria was so affected by this little girl arriving she wrote about it in her diary and took her @ @ @ @ @ for her education and took an interest in her and her daughter for the rest @ @ @ @ @

"Victoria was so affected by this little girl arriving she wrote about it in her diary and took her under her wing, paid for her education and took an interest in her and her daughter for the rest of their lives."


bbc--2020-10-07--Toothless dinosaur with just two fingers discovered

`` But more importantly , its two-fingered hand prompted us to look at the way the hand and forelimb changed @ @ @ @ @ , which had n't been studied before .

"But more importantly, its two-fingered hand prompted us to look at the way the hand and forelimb changed throughout the evolution of oviraptors, which hadn't been studied before.


bbc--2020-10-07--Hathras case: A fatal assault, a cremation and no goodbye

`` That was the last time we saw her body , '' he adds as we sit chatting on the @ @ @ @ @ the wall in the outer area of his home .
The courtyard is overrun with @ @ @ @ @ of all hues , who are visiting the family one by one to offer condolences @

"That was the last time we saw her body," he adds as we sit chatting on the floor, our backs to the wall in the outer area of his home. The courtyard is overrun with dozens of journalists and politicians of all hues, who are visiting the family one by one to offer condolences.


bbc--2020-10-07--The friends who drove a bus behind the Iron Curtain

In the summer of 1968 , a group of friends adapted a double-decker bus and took it on a journey to Eastern Europe .
Sponsored by two Scotch whisky-makers , they encountered Soviet tanks , a Romanian beer shortage and a perilous Yugoslavian mountain pass .
The bus was an old Reading Transport Corporation AEC Regent MkII - a model that now has its own Wikipedia page and a loyal following .
Long past its corporate usefulness , the bus was lined up with an assortment of discarded relics outside a garage in Spittalfield , a small town north of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his friend Dave Stickland had vague plans for some sort of summer road trip .
Driving past the garage one May day in 1968 the students spotted the buses and , on a whim , stopped to price up a single-decker .
Single-deckers turned out to be an impossibly expensive £400 .
But , just as they were leaving , the garage foreman called them back and offered them a less in-demand double-decker for half that .
Buying such a large vehicle was `` a ridiculous idea '' , so they declined and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then we got back to the university and the word got around and all of a sudden people wanted to give me some money to buy it . ''
The trip was on .
The Southall-built gem of British engineering was about to meet continental Europe .
Seats were taken out to make way for mattresses donated by their university , St Andrews .
Pieces of carpet were procured , and Wendy Scott , one of a dozen or so travelling companions , made curtains for the upper deck - both for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarters , to give the five female students on board some privacy .
Sleeping arrangements were something the local press was particularly interested in .
They installed a little cooker and rigged up a makeshift shower using water heated by the engine 's cooling system piped along a sunken walkway to the back of the bus .
There was no loo , just a stockpile of toilet roll and an acceptance that any call of nature would have to be answered al fresco .
`` We tried to make it comfortable , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Newcastle .
`` We tried to make it liveable in , because we knew we were going to have to sleep in it .
You know , no hotels or anything .
We were going to have to sleep in this bus for 10 weeks . ''
Sometimes they 'd sleep outside if the weather allowed .
`` You 'd wake up in the morning at the top of the pass , climb up , and you 'd look down and there would be Ian , playing the pipes - the bagpipes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
What else do you want in this life ? ''
It is n't easy to pin down exactly how many of them there were to start with .
Enough for an eightsome folk dance on the ferry from Dover to Dunkirk , at least .
Wendy remembers 13 , Ian thinks about 15 .
But it hardly matters since they had a habit of picking people up along the way , so their numbers constantly fluctuated .
An American GI , on holiday in Munich , was so distracted by the bus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A couple of Austrians joined them in Vienna and did n't leave for a month .
One - Klem - turned out to be a chef and skilful in the `` kitchen '' at the back of the bus , with its tiny gas cooker .
`` We had mussels and we had chickens and we had - oh - we had wonderful meals , '' says Wendy , looking wistful .
They picked the mussels straight from the sea .
The chickens , bought live from a market , ran wild @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he could n't keep live chickens .
`` Well , they wo n't be live for long , '' he 'd replied .
Two days before they reached Rome , Klem bought some snails as a present for his mother and housed them in a big bucket .
The next morning they were everywhere .
In Cluj , in northern Romania , they were flagged down by a British commercial traveller who turned out to be good at sourcing beer during what was then a national shortage .
When the same problem presented @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bucharest , they were wise to it .
`` By that time we knew that the only way to buy beer here was to wait at the gates of the brewery until a truck came out , then follow it to its destination and produce a little hard currency , '' says Ian .
The group had persuaded the Scotch whisky company Teachers to part with £79 - about £1,400 in today 's money - in return for an advert on the side of the bus and a promise to hand out promotional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ German .
The now defunct whisky-maker Ainslie 's also gave them £10 .
`` I remember going down the autobahn , when we were stuck on the autobahn , handing out leaflets , '' Wendy says .
Some of the traffic hold-ups were self inflicted , however .
In Split they took out a low-hanging overhead power cable , shorting the local transport system .
`` There was a bright flash and a bang and I noticed that the trolley-buses which had been climbing up the road to the left had ground to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` It seemed best not to stop just then . ''
Driving in Istanbul was also a `` nightmare '' of narrow streets clustered with people , wheelbarrows , donkey carts and overhanging balconies .
One street got narrower and narrower until they could go no further .
`` The balconies were right up against the upper deck of the bus , '' Ian remembers .
`` We had to back out - uphill - causing huge traffic perturbations . ''
By this time the bus was already quite battered , having lost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ branches and tunnels of a Europe not yet accustomed to vehicles the height of a double-decker .
The bus had stuck fast under a bridge on the road to Nuremberg , having cleared it in the opposite direction by little more than a centimetre .
They 'd deflated the tyres , backed out and tried again in the middle of the road , with someone walking in front , as `` the bus eased its way through '' , says Ian .
He now drives a more manoeuvrable Peugeot saloon around his home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ August day half way through their trip , Ian and the bus came very close to falling off the side of a mountain .
The road was far too narrow .
Rock protruding from one side forced him so far out the bus wheels skimmed the cliff edge .
`` Locals stood in front of the bus trying to persuade us not to proceed , '' remembers Ian 's friend Margaret Hills , another member of this band of St Andrew 's University students .
`` The track was unmade , rubble limestone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ side and a precipitous drop on the other . ''
But Ian remembers something a little less urgent and clearly it had seemed safe to proceed .
Yes , there was some arm-waving , he says .
`` But this was n't unusual so we thought nothing of it . ''
Wendy got off and watched as Ian inched forwards .
`` It was so scary , '' she says .
She pauses and says it again , because once clearly does n't do it justice .
`` It was SO scary .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the side . ''
This wo n't surprise anyone familiar with the Cakor Pass , a perilous mountain road through Kosovo , then part of Yugoslavia .
But Ian had been lulled into a false sense of security by the road 's name , E27 , which sounded like a major road .
It soon deteriorated into a gravel track with hairpin bends around a steep gorge .
`` Some prayers were said even by the atheistic members of the company , '' Ian says .
`` If I had known any of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I would have dared to attempt E27 . ''
Survival achieved and driving done for the day , they would park up anywhere and everywhere : beaches , lay-bys , and on one occasion a forest outside Munich that turned out to be an army rifle range .
A bridge near the Danube in Vienna seemed nice until the local drug addicts started to congregate .
They visited so many places that Wendy - now a seasoned traveller - ca n't remember them all .
Pondering clear evidence they went to a concert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cathedral , she says she has `` no recollection of it at all '' .
Her diary says they went , `` so I 've definitely been there '' , she says , not sounding particularly convinced .
Ian - the journey 's mastermind - had ridden some of the route the previous year on a motorbike and sidecar with Dave .
He knew all the best places to go , says Margaret , who now lives in Sandhurst in Berkshire .
`` We would be roasting to death in our metal box @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the most beautiful lake where we could jump in and cool off , '' she says .
`` I remember being driven through a city in similar stifling heat and being dropped off at a swimming pool which was the coldest I had ever experienced .
How on earth did he know that was there ?
No wi-fi or Google then . ''
Ian will accept no praise , admitting only to having had `` some reasonable maps '' .
They had to be careful with their hard currency , though .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ at keeping the economy stable meant the maximum sum of money British travellers could take out of the country was £50 .
Western jeans and biros turned out to be a good alternative to cash and the friends discovered a hospital in Kavala in Greece which paid for blood donations .
At £5 and 10 shillings for half a pint - about a tenth of their allowance - it seemed `` an awful lot of money '' , says Wendy .
Also keen not to spend more than they had to , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a tax on passengers travelling into Yugoslavia .
After the Greek border post , they would get off the bus and walk , pretending to be hitchhikers , only getting back on once past the Yugoslav control point .
`` What we did not realise was that there were several kilometres between the two posts , so the hitchhikers got a very rough deal and arrived back at the bus sweaty and in an understandably very bad mood , '' Ian says .
The border crossings were not always easy .
The group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In Bulgaria , officials suspected they were transporting contraband .
`` I was made to drive over an inspection pit which gave me a useful - and the only - opportunity to check out the underside of the bus while the border guards looked for drugs or whatever , '' Ian remembers .
Crossing the Iron Curtain into Hungary was difficult and slow , but for different reasons that only became apparent later , he says .
Seeing large numbers of Russian tank transporters they were `` very aware '' something was brewing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't know what and they did n't stay long .
A few weeks later , on the night of 20-21 August , Hungary joined four other Warsaw Pact countries - Poland , Bulgaria , East Germany and the Soviet Union - in invading Czechoslovakia .
The friends had just avoided Operation Danube , a Soviet military clampdown on the Prague Spring - a four-month attempt by Czechs to take back some control of their country from Moscow .
By the time the tanks were preparing to cross the border Ian and the gang @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Channel on the Dunkirk-to-Dover ferry .
Wendy was soon back in Dundee with sixpence in her pocket and the first 7,500 miles of what was to become a lifetime of travelling .
Ian 's relationship with the bus lasted a little longer .
In early September 1968 he drove it one last time , back over to Aalst in Belgium to a man who 'd wanted to buy it when they 'd first passed through the city two months previously .
It ended up as the winning float in the following year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cliff Richard fans find this whole story reminiscent of his 1963 film Summer Holiday - with the bus , the group of friends , the singing .
the dancing and the occasional perilous Yugoslavian mountain track - Ian does n't .
The film entirely passed him by and he still has n't seen it .
Some of Ian Jack 's recollections have been taken from a talk given by him in 2017 .
Follow BBC North East & Cumbria on Twitter , Facebook and Instagram .
Send your story ideas to northeastandcumbria @ @ @

The bus had stuck fast under a bridge on the road to Nuremberg, having cleared it in the opposite direction by little more than a centimetre. They'd deflated the tyres, backed out and tried again in the middle of the road, with someone walking in front, as "the bus eased its way through", says Ian. He now drives a more manoeuvrable Peugeot saloon around his home city of Cambridge.


bbc--2020-10-07--Coronavirus in Africa: Five reasons why Covid-19 has been less deadly than elsewhere

So , while hospital infrastructure in much of Africa is less developed than in other parts of the world , @ @ @ @ @ in its tried and tested community health systems .

Several West African states - which battled the world's worst ever outbreak of Ebola from 2013-16 - had also mastered the public health measures that have been used to prevent Covid-19, including isolating the infected, tracing their contacts and then getting them quarantined while they get tested.


bbc--2020-10-07--Out-of-sorts Djokovic battles into French Open semi-finals

World number one Novak Djokovic overcame early physical struggles to beat Pablo Carreno Busta and reach the French Open semi-finals .
It was a rematch of September 's US Open encounter where Djokovic was defaulted for hitting a line judge with a ball .
`` I definitely did n't feel great coming into the court today , '' Djokovic , 33 , told a news conference .
`` A few things happened in the warm-up .
I had to deal with those physical issues coming on to the court .
As the match went on , I felt better , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` But , you know , I do n't want to take away anything from his good performance .
Especially for a set and a half he was the better player , dictating the play . ''
Djokovic out of sorts for long spells It was just 31 days since the pair met in the US Open fourth round and the Serb was disqualified after taking an angry swipe at a ball and sending it accidentally into the throat of a line judge .
This time the focus was not on the tennis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first set when Djokovic looked ready to give up - at one point he signalled to his team with a gesture across his throat that suggested he was done with the match and he was clearly uncomfortable .
In between points he pummelled himself on the top of his arm , stretching his arms or whacking his thighs with his racquet , also receiving visits from the physio at the changeovers .
Carreno Busta took full advantage , breaking twice to take the opening set as Djokovic looked increasingly dejected .
After more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sent down from his team and some dates , Djokovic 's level improved as he took the second set in efficient fashion .
`` I did n't have much energy really happening in my legs or movement .
It took me about set and a half to really get comfortable and start really playing the way I should , '' he said .
`` I had some neck issues and some shoulder issues .
I 'll just say that .
I mean , I do n't want to get really too much into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the tournament , so I do n't want to reveal too much . ''
Djokovic looked like he was going to run away with the third when he went 3-0 up but let the 17th seed back in when his first-serve percentages dropped again and the sloppy errors crept back in , allowing Carreno Busta to break back .
There were glimpses of brilliance from Djokovic , who had until now not dropped a set and only lost 25 games in four rounds , and he let out a deafening roar when Carreno @ @ @ @ @ @ @ away a break that left the Serb serving for the third set .
He sealed it with an ace and went on to get a break in the seventh game of the fourth , which proved decisive .
Carreno Busta handed Djokovic a match point that the Serb converted after a beautiful final point where he worked his opponent around the whole court before unleashing a stunning forehand cross-court winner .
Victory puts him into his 10th Roland Garros semi-final and the last four of a Grand Slam for the 38th time .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a blockbuster final against 12-time champion Rafael Nadal , who is chasing a 20th Grand Slam title while the Serb seeks an 18th .
Djokovic , the champion here in 2016 , is seeking to become the first man in the Open era to win all four Grand Slams twice .
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Novak Djokovic was bothered throughout by an issue with the top of his left arm, as well as a neck problem
World number one Novak Djokovic overcame early physical struggles to beat Pablo Carreno Busta and reach the French Open semi-finals.
The Serb arrived on court with tape on his neck, repeatedly massaged his left biceps and grimaced on his way to losing the first set, but went on to win 4-6 6-2 6-3 6-4.
It was a rematch of September's US Open encounter where Djokovic was defaulted for hitting a line judge with a ball.
Djokovic faces Stefanos Tsitsipas next.
"I definitely didn't feel great coming into the court today," Djokovic, 33, told a news conference.
"A few things happened in the warm-up. I had to deal with those physical issues coming on to the court. As the match went on, I felt better, didn't feel as much pain.
"But, you know, I don't want to take away anything from his good performance. Especially for a set and a half he was the better player, dictating the play."
Djokovic out of sorts for long spells
It was just 31 days since the pair met in the US Open fourth round and the Serb was disqualified after taking an angry swipe at a ball and sending it accidentally into the throat of a line judge.
This time the focus was not on the tennis either.
There were times in the first set when Djokovic looked ready to give up - at one point he signalled to his team with a gesture across his throat that suggested he was done with the match and he was clearly uncomfortable.
In between points he pummelled himself on the top of his arm, stretching his arms or whacking his thighs with his racquet, also receiving visits from the physio at the changeovers.
Carreno Busta took full advantage, breaking twice to take the opening set as Djokovic looked increasingly dejected.
After more physio, a swig of a drink sent down from his team and some dates, Djokovic's level improved as he took the second set in efficient fashion.
"I didn't have much energy really happening in my legs or movement. It took me about set and a half to really get comfortable and start really playing the way I should," he said.
"I had some neck issues and some shoulder issues. I'll just say that. I mean, I don't want to get really too much into it. Obviously I'm still in the tournament, so I don't want to reveal too much."
Djokovic looked like he was going to run away with the third when he went 3-0 up but let the 17th seed back in when his first-serve percentages dropped again and the sloppy errors crept back in, allowing Carreno Busta to break back.
There were glimpses of brilliance from Djokovic, who had until now not dropped a set and only lost 25 games in four rounds, and he let out a deafening roar when Carreno Busta swiped a forehand long to give away a break that left the Serb serving for the third set.
He sealed it with an ace and went on to get a break in the seventh game of the fourth, which proved decisive.
Carreno Busta handed Djokovic a match point that the Serb converted after a beautiful final point where he worked his opponent around the whole court before unleashing a stunning forehand cross-court winner.
Victory puts him into his 10th Roland Garros semi-final and the last four of a Grand Slam for the 38th time.
It also keeps Djokovic on course for a blockbuster final against 12-time champion Rafael Nadal, who is chasing a 20th Grand Slam title while the Serb seeks an 18th.
Djokovic, the champion here in 2016, is seeking to become the first man in the Open era to win all four Grand Slams twice.


bbc--2020-10-07--Men's 10,000m and women's 5,000m world records smashed in Valencia

Last updated on .From the section Athletics Uganda 's Joshua Cheptegei smashed the men 's 10,000m world record as Ethiopia 's Letesenbet Gidey broke that of the women 's 5,000m in Valencia .
Gidey , 22 , clocked 14 minutes 6.62 seconds to better the 14mins 11.15secs set by Tirunesh Dibaba in 2008 .
They achieved the feats at the NN Valencia World Record Day , a one-off event taking place in the Spanish city .
`` I 'm happy , '' said Gidey , who won 10,000m silver at the 2019 World Championships in Doha .
`` This has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very big for me . ''
Bekele 's previous world record time of 26mins 17.53secs had been the longest standing men 's 10,000m world record in history .
Cheptegei 's success marks his fourth world record in 10 months , having broken the 10km road best in December and the 5km road record in February .
At the Monaco Diamond League in August , he broke another of Bekele 's world records , beating his 16-year-old mark in the 5,000m by two seconds .
The World Record Day , in which both Cheptegei @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Valencia 's Turia stadium with 400 people present .

Last updated on .From the section Athletics
Uganda's Joshua Cheptegei smashed the men's 10,000m world record as Ethiopia's Letesenbet Gidey broke that of the women's 5,000m in Valencia.
Cheptegei, 24, clocked 26 minutes 11.00 seconds to beat Kenenisa Bekele's 15-year-old time by more than six seconds.
Gidey, 22, clocked 14 minutes 6.62 seconds to better the 14mins 11.15secs set by Tirunesh Dibaba in 2008.
They achieved the feats at the NN Valencia World Record Day, a one-off event taking place in the Spanish city.
"I'm happy," said Gidey, who won 10,000m silver at the 2019 World Championships in Doha. "This has been a long-time dream. It is very big for me."
Bekele's previous world record time of 26mins 17.53secs had been the longest standing men's 10,000m world record in history.
Cheptegei's success marks his fourth world record in 10 months, having broken the 10km road best in December and the 5km road record in February.
At the Monaco Diamond League in August, he broke another of Bekele's world records, beating his 16-year-old mark in the 5,000m by two seconds.
The World Record Day, in which both Cheptegei and Gidey had pacemakers, took place at Valencia's Turia stadium with 400 people present.


bbc--2020-10-07--Scotland trio out of Euro 2020 play-off semi-final after positive Covid-19 test

Last updated on .From the section Scotland Stuart Armstrong , Kieran Tierney and Ryan Christie will all miss Scotland 's Euro 2020 play-off semi-final against Israel on Thursday after the former tested positive for Covid-19 .
But Arsenal defender Tierney and Celtic attacker Christie must self-isolate for 14 days from Tuesday after being identified as close contacts .
They will also miss Nations League ties with Slovakia and the Czech Republic .
Head coach Steve Clarke also revealed that defenders Scott McKenna and Liam Palmer , and attacker Oliver Burke , will be absent for all three matches through injury @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Celtic 's Old Firm meeting with Rangers on 17 October , while Tierney will miss Arsenal 's visit to Manchester City the same day .
Celtic confirmed they intend to speak with the Scottish government to `` fully understand the self-isolation procedures '' for those who test negative .
And Christie says he does not believe he has `` done anything wrong '' , having followed social distancing rules .
In a statement , Arsenal said that Tierney was `` socially distant at all times '' from Armstrong and had not breached @ @ @ @ @ @ @ club said they were `` seeking further advice and clarification of the details '' .
`` I 'm so disappointed and frustrated to be in this situation , '' Tierney added .
`` I have adhered to all regulations and I 've also tested negative . ''
Southampton midfielder Armstrong tested negative after arriving at the Scotland camp on Monday .
However , a subsequent Uefa test came back positive , meaning he must self-isolate for 10 days from Tuesday .
`` While this is obviously disappointing news the most important thing is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ involved and the wider group , '' said head coach Clarke .
`` We have informed the respective clubs from whom we have borrowed the players and backroom staff and we now have to prepare for a huge match ahead tomorrow [ Thursday ] . ''
Scottish FA chief executive Ian Maxwell confirmed that the rest of the squad have `` returned two rounds of negative tests '' and will continue to prepare for the upcoming matches , with Slovakia visiting Hampden on Sunday and the Czechs on Wednesday .
A team masseur @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being deemed as close contacts by the Lothian Health Protection Team .
Former Scotland manager Craig Levein speaking on BBC Scotland 's The Nine I do n't think you hit the panic button , that 's for sure .
It just goes with the territory , I 'm afraid .
I think Christie , Tierney , McKenna might have started the match , maybe Palmer , so there 's four changes that have to be made .
He 'll have to get over the initial disappointment of losing some of his best players @ @ @ @ @ @ @ getting through , they need certain players in the team to play well on this occasion , Lyndon Dykes is one who can make a difference in the match .

Last updated on .From the section Scotland
Ryan Christie, left, and Kieran Tierney, right, are also self-isolating after Stuart Armstrong's positive test
Euro 2020 semi-final play-off: Scotland v Israel Venue: Hampden Park Date: Thursday 8 October Kick-off: 19:45 BST Coverage: Listen live on Radio Scotland & online; text commentary on BBC Sport website & app
Stuart Armstrong, Kieran Tierney and Ryan Christie will all miss Scotland's Euro 2020 play-off semi-final against Israel on Thursday after the former tested positive for Covid-19.
Armstrong was the only member of the squad to return a positive test.
But Arsenal defender Tierney and Celtic attacker Christie must self-isolate for 14 days from Tuesday after being identified as close contacts.
They will also miss Nations League ties with Slovakia and the Czech Republic.
Head coach Steve Clarke also revealed that defenders Scott McKenna and Liam Palmer, and attacker Oliver Burke, will be absent for all three matches through injury.
Furthermore, Christie will be unavailable for Celtic's Old Firm meeting with Rangers on 17 October, while Tierney will miss Arsenal's visit to Manchester City the same day.
Celtic confirmed they intend to speak with the Scottish government to "fully understand the self-isolation procedures" for those who test negative.
And Christie says he does not believe he has "done anything wrong", having followed social distancing rules.
In a statement, Arsenal said that Tierney was "socially distant at all times" from Armstrong and had not breached any Covid-19 protocols.
The Premier League club said they were "seeking further advice and clarification of the details".
"I'm so disappointed and frustrated to be in this situation," Tierney added. "I have adhered to all regulations and I've also tested negative."
Southampton midfielder Armstrong tested negative after arriving at the Scotland camp on Monday.
However, a subsequent Uefa test came back positive, meaning he must self-isolate for 10 days from Tuesday.
"While this is obviously disappointing news the most important thing is the health and safety of the individuals involved and the wider group," said head coach Clarke.
"We have informed the respective clubs from whom we have borrowed the players and backroom staff and we now have to prepare for a huge match ahead tomorrow [Thursday]."
Scottish FA chief executive Ian Maxwell confirmed that the rest of the squad have "returned two rounds of negative tests" and will continue to prepare for the upcoming matches, with Slovakia visiting Hampden on Sunday and the Czechs on Wednesday.
A team masseur and a physiotherapist are also self-isolating after being deemed as close contacts by the Lothian Health Protection Team.
'Clarke won't panic' - analysis
Former Scotland manager Craig Levein speaking on BBC Scotland's The Nine
I don't think you hit the panic button, that's for sure. It just goes with the territory, I'm afraid.
I think Christie, Tierney, McKenna might have started the match, maybe Palmer, so there's four changes that have to be made.
He'll have to get over the initial disappointment of losing some of his best players.
I think they're capable of getting through, they need certain players in the team to play well on this occasion, Lyndon Dykes is one who can make a difference in the match.