bbc--2020-05-20--IOC head 'would understand Tokyo cancellation'

International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach says he understands why the rescheduled Tokyo 2020 Games would have to be cancelled if it can not take place next summer .
Local organisers have said they have no back-up plan after the event was postponed by a year because of the coronavirus crisis .
`` You can not forever employ 3,000 to 5,000 people in an organising committee , '' Bach told BBC Sport .
`` You can not have the athletes being in uncertainty . ''
• admitted the job of re-organising the Games was `` a mammoth task '' • @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be different '' with a focus on `` essentials '' • would not be drawn on whether a vaccine for Covid-19 would be needed for the event to take place • insisted staging the Games behind closed doors was `` not what we want '' , but he needs more time to consider whether that was feasible Bach said he hoped the first ever postponed Games , which are due to take place from 23 July to 8 August 2021 , could prove `` unique '' and send `` a message of solidarity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first time together again , and celebrating the triumph over coronavirus '' .
`` There is no blueprint for it so we have to reinvent the wheel day by day .
It 's very challenging and at the same time fascinating . ''
• 2020 Olympics will be 'scrapped ' instead of delayed again , says Games chief Japan 's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has admitted it may be `` difficult '' to stage the Games if the country does not successfully contain the virus , and the head of the Japan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finding a vaccine .
When asked directly if he agreed , Bach said : `` For this question , we are relying on the advice of the World Health Organisation .
`` We have established one principle : to organise these Games in a safe environment for all the participants .
Nobody knows what the world will look like in one year , in two months .
`` So we have to rely on [ experts ] and then take the appropriate decision at the appropriate time based on this advice . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to take place in China just six months after the Tokyo Games , and Bach said that Prime Minister Abe had made it clear to him that , as far as Japan was concerned , next summer was `` the last option '' .
`` Quite frankly , I have some understanding for this , because you can not forever employ 3,000 , or 5,000 , people in an Organising Committee , '' said Bach .
`` You can not every year change the entire sports schedule worldwide of all the major federations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being in uncertainty .
`` You can not have so much overlapping with a future Olympic Games , so I have some understanding for this approach by our Japanese partners . ''
When asked how confident he was that the Games would go ahead , Bach said : `` We have to be prepared for different scenarios .
There is the clear commitment to having these games in July next year .
`` At the same time , looking at the scenarios this may require towards the organisation , with regard to health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the athletes , for part of the athletes , for other participants .
`` What could this mean for the life in an Olympic Village and so on ?
All these different scenarios are under consideration and this is why I 'm saying it 's a mammoth task , because there are so many different options that it 's not easy to address them [ now ] .
When we have a clear view on how the world will look on 23 July , 2021 , then [ we will ] take the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the World Health Organisation ( WHO ) , Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus , has said it is possible but `` not easy '' for 11,000 athletes from more than 200 teams to come together in Tokyo .
Japan has recorded more than 17,100 cases and 797 deaths from the pandemic , but the numbers of infections are falling sharply and it has been affected far less than some other countries .
Could the Games be staged behind closed doors ?
If social distancing restrictions are still in force in Japan next summer , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be staged behind closed doors .
`` This is not what we want , '' he said .
`` Because the Olympic spirit is about also uniting the fans and this is what makes the Games so unique that they 're in an Olympic Stadium , all the fans from all over the world are together .
`` But when it then would come to the decision ...
I would ask you to give me some more time for consultation with the athletes , with the World Health Organisation , with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set aside $ 800m ( £654m ) to help with the financial impact caused by the postponement of Tokyo 2020 .
The total additional cost to Japan has been estimated at between two and six billion dollars .
But Bach said there would also have to be cutbacks to the Games .
`` They will definitely be different , and they have to be different , '' he said .
`` If we all have learned something during this crisis , [ it is ] to look to the essentials and not so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So this concentration on the essentials should be reflected in the organisation of these Games ... there should be no taboo . ''
Why were the Games not postponed sooner ?
Two months ago , Bach faced unprecedented criticism from athletes for not postponing the Games earlier .
`` The developments were so fast that you could not know what would happen tomorrow , '' he said when asked if he would do anything differently now .
'To find the balance between the more optimistic experts , saying , 'wait , you still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months away .
Let 's see how it goes ' , and the others saying , 'this will be a total disaster - why do n't you take this decision right now ? '
This was the challenge every day .
`` And this had to be done in consultation with our Japanese partners , because we could have cancelled the Games alone , without them , and that would have been an easy decision in one way .
`` We could have said , 'OK , this is it . '
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by insurance .
And we could have started to prepare for Paris [ 2024 Games ] .
But this was not a real option because this would have deprived the athletes of this unique Olympic experience . ''
Bach said he was `` happy '' last weekend to see the Bundesliga resume in his native Germany , even though fans were not present .
`` I wish that now all the other sports are coming back , '' he said .
`` On the other hand , I was a little bit feeling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must be for them , playing in these huge stadiums ... '' So I hope now that is the first step .
Sport has to respect the rules , like any other organisation and area of society .
But that slowly , we can come back and then maybe lift these restrictions in a responsible way . ''
Bach appealed to governments around the world to do what they can to help sports deal with the financial crisis caused by the pandemic .
`` There is , first of all , the contribution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ realises that we must concentrate more on health in in the in the future , '' he said .
`` Secondly , sport makes the great contribution to the inclusivity of society ... sport is the best glue for a society .
`` And thirdly , sport is also a very important economic factor .
We had a study that about 3 % of all the jobs being offered in Europe are sports-related .
`` And this is why we are urging the governments to honour and to acknowledge the role of sport @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recovery programmes . ''

'There is no blueprint' - IOC President Thomas Bach talks to BBC sports editor Dan Roan about rescheduling the 2020 Olympic Games
International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach says he understands why the rescheduled Tokyo 2020 Games would have to be cancelled if it cannot take place next summer.
Local organisers have said they have no back-up plan after the event was postponed by a year because of the coronavirus crisis.
"You cannot forever employ 3,000 to 5,000 people in an organising committee," Bach told BBC Sport. "You cannot have the athletes being in uncertainty."
In a wide-ranging interview, Bach also:
admitted the job of re-organising the Games was "a mammoth task"
warned that the event would "definitely be different" with a focus on "essentials"
would not be drawn on whether a vaccine for Covid-19 would be needed for the event to take place
insisted staging the Games behind closed doors was "not what we want", but he needs more time to consider whether that was feasible
Bach said he hoped the first ever postponed Games, which are due to take place from 23 July to 8 August 2021, could prove "unique" and send "a message of solidarity among the entire world, coming for the first time together again, and celebrating the triumph over coronavirus".
"There is no blueprint for it so we have to reinvent the wheel day by day. It's very challenging and at the same time fascinating."
Will a vaccine be found?
Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has admitted it may be "difficult" to stage the Games if the country does not successfully contain the virus, and the head of the Japan Medical Association has suggested it depends on finding a vaccine.
When asked directly if he agreed, Bach said: "For this question, we are relying on the advice of the World Health Organisation.
"We have established one principle: to organise these Games in a safe environment for all the participants. Nobody knows what the world will look like in one year, in two months.
"So we have to rely on [experts] and then take the appropriate decision at the appropriate time based on this advice."
The 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics are due to take place in China just six months after the Tokyo Games, and Bach said that Prime Minister Abe had made it clear to him that, as far as Japan was concerned, next summer was "the last option".
"Quite frankly, I have some understanding for this, because you cannot forever employ 3,000, or 5,000, people in an Organising Committee," said Bach.
"You cannot every year change the entire sports schedule worldwide of all the major federations. You cannot have the athletes being in uncertainty.
"You cannot have so much overlapping with a future Olympic Games, so I have some understanding for this approach by our Japanese partners."
When asked how confident he was that the Games would go ahead, Bach said: "We have to be prepared for different scenarios. There is the clear commitment to having these games in July next year.
"At the same time, looking at the scenarios this may require towards the organisation, with regard to health measures, these maybe need quarantine for the athletes, for part of the athletes, for other participants.
"What could this mean for the life in an Olympic Village and so on? All these different scenarios are under consideration and this is why I'm saying it's a mammoth task, because there are so many different options that it's not easy to address them [now]. When we have a clear view on how the world will look on 23 July, 2021, then [we will] take the appropriate decisions."
The director general of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has said it is possible but "not easy" for 11,000 athletes from more than 200 teams to come together in Tokyo.
Japan has recorded more than 17,100 cases and 797 deaths from the pandemic, but the numbers of infections are falling sharply and it has been affected far less than some other countries.
Could the Games be staged behind closed doors?
IOC president Thomas Bach was speaking to the BBC in his first broadcast interview since Tokyo postponement
If social distancing restrictions are still in force in Japan next summer, some have suggested the Games may have to be staged behind closed doors.
Bach said such a scenario remained "speculation".
"This is not what we want," he said. "Because the Olympic spirit is about also uniting the fans and this is what makes the Games so unique that they're in an Olympic Stadium, all the fans from all over the world are together.
"But when it then would come to the decision... I would ask you to give me some more time for consultation with the athletes, with the World Health Organisation, with the Japanese partners."
The IOC has set aside $800m (£654m) to help with the financial impact caused by the postponement of Tokyo 2020. The total additional cost to Japan has been estimated at between two and six billion dollars.
But Bach said there would also have to be cutbacks to the Games.
"They will definitely be different, and they have to be different," he said. "If we all have learned something during this crisis, [it is] to look to the essentials and not so much on the nice-to-have things.
"So this concentration on the essentials should be reflected in the organisation of these Games... there should be no taboo."
Why were the Games not postponed sooner?
Two months ago, Bach faced unprecedented criticism from athletes for not postponing the Games earlier.
"The developments were so fast that you could not know what would happen tomorrow," he said when asked if he would do anything differently now.
'To find the balance between the more optimistic experts, saying, 'wait, you still have time. It's still some months away. Let's see how it goes', and the others saying, 'this will be a total disaster - why don't you take this decision right now?' This was the challenge every day.
"And this had to be done in consultation with our Japanese partners, because we could have cancelled the Games alone, without them, and that would have been an easy decision in one way.
"We could have said, 'OK, this is it.' We would have got our money being paid by insurance. And we could have started to prepare for Paris [2024 Games]. But this was not a real option because this would have deprived the athletes of this unique Olympic experience."
Bach said he was "happy" last weekend to see the Bundesliga resume in his native Germany, even though fans were not present.
"I wish that now all the other sports are coming back," he said. "On the other hand, I was a little bit feeling for the players, how strange it must be for them, playing in these huge stadiums...
"So I hope now that is the first step. Sport has to respect the rules, like any other organisation and area of society. But that slowly, we can come back and then maybe lift these restrictions in a responsible way."
Bach appealed to governments around the world to do what they can to help sports deal with the financial crisis caused by the pandemic.
"There is, first of all, the contribution of sport to health, and everybody realises that we must concentrate more on health in in the in the future," he said.
"Secondly, sport makes the great contribution to the inclusivity of society... sport is the best glue for a society.
"And thirdly, sport is also a very important economic factor. We had a study that about 3% of all the jobs being offered in Europe are sports-related.
"And this is why we are urging the governments to honour and to acknowledge the role of sport, and to include them in their recovery programmes."


bbc--2020-05-21--Non-EU net migration to UK hits highest level

Net migration to the UK from countries outside the European Union has risen to its highest level for 45 years , the Office for National Statistics says .
Figures show an estimated 282,000 more non-EU citizens came to the UK than left in 2019 , the highest since the information was first gathered in 1975 .
The ONS says a rise in students from China and India has driven this .
In contrast , the number of people arriving from EU countries for work has `` steadily fallen '' .
In 2019 , an estimated 49,000 more EU citizens came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the `` peak levels '' of more than 200,000 in 2015 and early 2016 , the ONS says .
In total , an estimated 270,000 more people moved to the UK with an intention to stay for 12 months or more than left the UK in 2019 .
The ONS says more than 677,000 people moved to the UK and about 407,000 people left .
• EU net migration to UK at lowest for 16 years Jay Lindop , director of the Centre for International Migration at the ONS , said : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stable in recent years , but new patterns have emerged for EU and non-EU migrants since 2016 .
`` For the year ending December 2019 , non-EU migration was at the highest level we have seen , driven by a rise in students from China and India , while the number of people arriving from EU countries for work has steadily fallen .
`` We know the coronavirus pandemic has had a significant impact on travel since December and new analysis today shows how international travel to and from the UK has decreased @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says overall migration levels `` have remained broadly stable '' since the end of 2016 , but patterns for EU and non-EU citizens `` have followed different trends '' .
`` This in part reflects the different trends in immigration for employment and study , with EU migrants predominantly arriving for work-related reasons and non-EU migrants arriving for study , '' its report says .

But he said it was clear that the consequences of coronavirus "already reach right across the immigration system - from workers' inability to travel to take up work and employers' difficulty bringing seasonal workers to British fields, to sharp reductions in the number of people detained and deported".


bbc--2020-05-21--Venezuela's military to escort Iranian tankers bringing petrol

The Venezuelan military will escort Iranian tankers delivering much-needed petrol to the country to prevent any attempt by the US to stop them .
Five vessels are on the high seas and are due to arrive in the coming days .
Venezuela 's defence minister said they would be `` welcomed '' into its exclusive economic zone , which extends 370km ( 200 nautical miles ) from its shores .
The US , which has imposed sanctions on Venezuela and Iran , is reportedly considering steps to deter shipments .
The US-backed Venezuelan opposition leader , Juan Guaidó , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mismanagement of Venezuela 's oil industry by President Nicolás Maduro 's government .
• Why coronavirus could be catastrophic for Venezuela Venezuela has the world 's largest oil reserves , but production has plummeted in the last two decades and the country is in a deep economic crisis .
There have been severe shortages of petrol in recent weeks with people queuing for days to fill up their tanks .
The five Iranian tankers - Fortune , Forest , Petunia , Faxon and Clavel - are carrying about 1.5m barrels of fuel and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month , according to shipping data on Refinitiv Eikon .
`` When they enter our exclusive economic zone , they will be escorted by Bolivarian National Armed Forces boats and planes to welcome them in and thank the Iranian people for their solidarity and co-operation , '' Venezuelan Defence Minister Gen Vladimir Padrino said on state television on Tuesday .
Venezuela 's permanent representative to the UN , Samuel Moncada , stressed that the tankers were `` civilian vessels carrying vital goods for our people '' and were `` coming from a country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mine '' .
`` In the midst of a pandemic , forbidding those vessels from reaching our ports would thus constitute a crime against humanity , '' he told the UN Security Council .
Iran has also warned that it will retaliate if the tankers are blocked .
A flotilla of US Navy and Coast Guard vessels is patrolling the Caribbean Sea on a mission to counter illicit drug trafficking .
But US officials have not announced any plan to stop the Iranian tankers .
On Monday , the head of the US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Faller , said he was following the Iran 's shipments to Venezuela `` with concern '' , but played down the possibility of a confrontation .
`` With respect to Venezuela , our focus has been to share intelligence , trying to figure out what Maduro and his cronies are up to , '' he said .
Earlier this month , President Donald Trump rebuffed suggestions the US was behind what appeared to have been a bungled attempt to overthrow Mr Maduro .

"When they enter our exclusive economic zone, they will be escorted by Bolivarian National Armed Forces boats and planes to welcome them in and thank the Iranian people for their solidarity and co-operation," Venezuelan Defence Minister Gen Vladimir Padrino said on state television on Tuesday.


bbc--2020-05-21--Italy bribery probe nets Sicily coronavirus response chief

Sicily 's coronavirus co-ordinator and nine other healthcare officials have been arrested suspected of taking bribes from equipment and services contracts , Italian police say .
The contracts go as far back as 2016 and total nearly €600m ( £540m ; $ 660m ) .
Palermo Mayor Leoluca Orlando called it `` an extremely serious corruption system '' .
It allegedly involved creaming off 5 % commissions on public contracts .
It is alleged the bribes promised total at least €1.8m , Italian media report .
The head of Sicily 's coronavirus response , Antonio Candela , is now under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heads the Trapani 's health authority ( ASP ) , is among those in police detention .
Italy - especially Lombardy in the north - has been one of Europe 's hardest-hit countries by Covid-19 .
The pandemic has put Italy 's health service under severe strain in terms of staff , equipment and finances .
The Palermo magistrate also ordered the seizure of seven companies , based in Sicily and Lombardy , and of €160,000 in bribes already paid .
Col Gianluca Angelini of the financial police said they had discovered `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dishonest public officials , unscrupulous businessmen and entrepreneurs are willing to do anything to obtain contracts worth millions '' .
• EUROPE 'S EASING : How lockdown is being lifted • ALL OVER THE WORLD : Tracking the global outbreak • FACE MASKS : The advice on wearing them • VACCINE HOPES : But how close are we ?

Col Gianluca Angelini of the financial police said they had discovered "a true centre of power… in which dishonest public officials, unscrupulous businessmen and entrepreneurs are willing to do anything to obtain contracts worth millions".


bbc--2020-05-20--'Dramatic' changes to dating in coronavirus era

Coronavirus has had a `` dramatic '' effect on the way people use the dating app Tinder , its boss has told BBC News , though the changes may suit plans he already had in store for the platform .
The coronavirus outbreak and lockdown conditions have brought mixed fortunes to online-dating platforms like Tinder , according to its chief executive Elie Seidman .
On the one hand , user engagement is up , a trend other dating apps have reported too .
Tinder users made 3 billion swipes worldwide on Sunday 29 March , the most the app has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the UK , daily conversations rose by 12 % between mid-February and the end of March .
There has been a `` dramatic shift '' in behaviour metrics which are normally stable , says Mr Seidman .
However , the economic impact of lockdown means people have less money to spend .
This is not such good news for Tinder , which is free but relies on premium subscriptions for its revenue .
“ The [ US ] unemployment figures are hard to see , ” says Mr Seidman .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economically for our society and the impact it will have on so many of our members . ''
Tinder has been downloaded more than 340 million times since its launch in 2012 .
But the vast majority of its revenues come from just 6 million subscribers who pay for the `` gold '' service .
The rate at which it picked up those precious paying-users declined as lockdown struck .
The company ’ s data show that new sign-ups for premium membership pick up where lockdowns start to ease , says Mr Siedman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comeback on a state by state basis [ in the US ] , as things come out and start to loosen up , as the peak crisis starts to pass.
” Other platforms which offer free sign-up have noticed something similar during lockdown .
“ We ’ ve seen a surge in activity , ” says Charly Lester , dating expert for The Inner Circle platform .
“ Matches have risen by 15 % and the number of messages sent is up by 10 % , but we ’ ve also noticed less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you might have to wait two or three financial quarters to see the full economic impact on Tinder , as the scale of the global crisis becomes clear .
The other issue that will become clear with time is whether the popularity of virtual dating , by video call , is here to stay , once physical meet-ups with strangers become more possible .
Platforms like eHarmony , OKCupid and Match have reported a big rise in video dates .
Tinder is planning to roll out its own video dating function in June @ @ @ @ @ @ @ call service will operate on a double opt-in policy , so both sides of the match would have to agree to it .
It will be free and supported by a team of moderators .
The changes to dating brought in by coronavirus lockdowns have merely accelerated a generational change the company was already tracking in focus groups , says Mr Seidman .
The 18-year-olds joining the app now , unlike their predecessors who joined in 2012 , have grown up immersed in social media apps and see that virtual world as something @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this generation online matches aren ’ t just about organising a meet-up in real life , they are about having fulfilling online experiences too .
For this reason the company has been working on making Tinder less of a place to organise `` hook ups '' offline and more of a place to hang out online , to get to know people .
It is trialling virtual spaces and live events where people can meet and match on the platform , like Swipe Nights and quizzes .
Mr Seidman sums up the creed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ users : “ Your digital life is as important as your social life in the physical world.
” In a world of continued social distancing , this creed may also have to be embraced to some extent by older daters too .
You can follow reporter Dougal on Twitter : @ dougalshawbbc

For this reason the company has been working on making Tinder less of a place to organise "hook ups" offline and more of a place to hang out online, to get to know people. It is trialling virtual spaces and live events where people can meet and match on the platform, like Swipe Nights and quizzes.


bbc--2020-05-21--Impossible comebacks, dramatic finales & record-breaking teams  - vote for the best European Cup fin

Impossible comebacks, dramatic finales & record-breaking teams  - vote for the best European Cup final

Last year ’ s finalists Leinster against English top dogs Exeter ?
Championship-bound defending champions Saracens taking on an Ulster side looking for their first title this millennium ?
A mouth-watering all-French clash between Racing 92 and Toulouse ?
Who knows what storyline this year ’ s Champions Cup final would , maybe still will , throw up .
The final was supposed to be held this Saturday at the atmospheric Stade Velodrome in Marseille .
Instead the coronavirus pandemic , and measures to try and combat it , have left the competition stuck at the quarter-final stage .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take a look back at five classic finals that delivered drama by the bucketload , and vote for the one you think was the best .
Hot on the heels of the game turning professional , the first elite European club competition was launched , although English and Scottish clubs sat out the first season as the wrangling over the new money began .
Some would argue it has not stopped since .
Cardiff ’ s hopes of grabbing the inaugural crown at Arms Park were dented as Toulouse crossed for two tries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the irrepressible Thomas Castaignede , just 20 , and scrum-half Jerome Cazalbou scoring .
Adrian Davies ’ boot gradually brought Cardiff back into the contest however as their forward dominance delivered a string of penalty shots .
Jonathan Davies , recently lured back from rugby league and introduced off the bench at half-time , could not unlock the Toulouse defence , and Cardiff had to rely on Davies landing his fifth penalty in the 83rd minute to finally level things up at 15-15 and extend the match into 30 minutes of extra time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was Davies ' opposite number Christophe Deylaud who landed the decisive kick to make Toulouse the competition ’ s first winners .
`` This is my most important victory .
It makes certain that the European Cup is here to stay and it will be even better next year when England and Scotland are involved , ” said Toulouse wing Emile Ntamack .
For 79 minutes , this seemed to be the Diego Dominguez final .
The diminutive Italy international had landed 10 kicks from all ranges and angles to have his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the final minute .
Leicester , who had already wrapped up a third successive English title and fielded a formidable pack including Martin Johnson , Ben Kay , Graham Rowntree and Martin Corry , were going to come up just short .
But then Austin Healy , switched to fly-half from his customary scrum-half role late in game , seized the match by the scruff .
The England international , who could only play after dosing up with painkillers to ease an injury to his right knee , sliced through the Stade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put centre Leon Lloyd into the corner with a perfectly weighted pass off his weaker hand .
It was a magnificent heist in partisan Paris .
Tigers officials had considered seeking a relocation of the final , which was staged at the Parc de Princes , directly across the street from Stade ’ s own home ground .
As Lloyd celebrated a game-deciding score by shushing the French fans , they may have been pleased they didn ’ t .
Just over two minutes remaining , the two sides locked together at 20-20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 22m… The 2004 final was Le Crunch at club level .
Wasps were in the midst of a period in which they would be crowned English champions four times in six seasons .
Toulouse were defending European champions and aiming to become the first team to lift the trophy three times .
The two line-ups dripped with razzle-dazzle .
Lawrence Dallaglio , Josh Lewsey , Joe Worsley and Simon Shaw had all been part of the England ’ s Rugby World Cup winning effort the previous summer , while Samoan hooker Trevor Leota @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a cult following and fearsome reputation .
Emile Ntamack , Yannick Jauzion , Frederic Michalak were part of a maverick Toulouse backline , with Fabien Pelous , Trevor Brennan and Jean-Baptiste Poux included in a granite-hard pack .
The match lived up to the billing , a nip-and-tuck affair with Toulouse nibbling back from 20-11 adrift early in the second half to tie things up heading into the final few minutes .
But the match was decided by an eyesore of an error .
Rob Howley gathered that late drop-out and punted a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full-back Clement Poitrenaud had it covered but dithered in the hope that the ball would run dead , unaware of Howley closing in fast .
Howley dived on the ball , snatching it from Poitrenaud to score as the French international belatedly attempted to scoop it up .
`` I do not feel for Poitrenaud , '' said Howley .
`` We were playing for the biggest prize in club rugby and you take whatever comes your way.
” When Leinster traipsed back into the changing rooms at the end of the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in Johnny Sexton ’ s words , “ shell-shocked ” .
Northampton had scored three unanswered tries , with number eight Phil Dowson followed over the whitewash by Ben Foden and Dylan Hartley .
Saints were 22-6 up .
Their front row of Soane Tonga ’ uiha , Hartley and Brian Mujati were ruling the scrum .
Leinster were in the mire .
Sexton issued a rallying cry in the bowels of the Millennium Stadium , daring his team to draw on Liverpool ’ s improbable comeback in football ’ s version @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , believe in the impossible and claim immortality .
He backed up his words with deeds as well .
Sexton scuttled over for two quick tries at the start of the second half , converting both , before nailing a long-distance penalty to complete a remarkable turnaround .
Northampton ’ s lead had been whipped from under them in a little over 15 second-half minutes .
They never recovered .
Leinster ran out winners , keeping the bewildered Saints scoreless in the second half .
`` There was a realisation that we 'd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all away , '' said Sexton .
`` We said that if we could get the next score it would really rattle them . ''
Clermont came into the final as every neutral ’ s favourite French side .
Committed to stereotypically expansive running rugby , perhaps best epitomised by their electric English full-back Nick Abendanon , they had lost two Champions Cup finals in the previous four seasons .
Third time lucky ?
Unfortunately for the French side you needed more than luck to beat an expensively-assembled Saracens outfit that , after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was entering the pantheon as one of the greatest club sides ever .
Saracens successfully defended the title and set a new record of 18 successive victories in the competition with a typically clinical performance .
Chris Ashton latched onto an Alex Goode chip ahead to score a record 37th try in the competition after 13 minutes .
George Kruis barged over on 22 minutes .
Alex Goode ghosted through a hole to make sure in the 72nd minute .
Clermont sparkled intermittently , particularly when Abendanon rounded off a sweeping coast-to-coast score @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gap .
Last May , Saracens beat Leinster to make it three European crowns in four seasons , but the salary cap scandal that was to ultimately see the team relegated out of the English top flight was already beginning to emerge .

Johnny Sexton, Row Howley and Thomas Castaignede celebrate becoming champions of Europe
Last year’s finalists Leinster against English top dogs Exeter? Championship-bound defending champions Saracens taking on an Ulster side looking for their first title this millennium? A mouth-watering all-French clash between Racing 92 and Toulouse?
Who knows what storyline this year’s Champions Cup final would, maybe still will, throw up.
The final was supposed to be held this Saturday at the atmospheric Stade Velodrome in Marseille.
Instead the coronavirus pandemic, and measures to try and combat it, have left the competition stuck at the quarter-final stage.
As we wonder what might have been, take a look back at five classic finals that delivered drama by the bucketload, and vote for the one you think was the best.
If you are viewing this page on the BBC News app please click here to vote.
Toulouse first champions after extra-time victory
Toulouse, including Castaignede (far right) and Ntamack (third from right), celebrate their victory
1996 Cardiff 18-21 Toulouse
Hot on the heels of the game turning professional, the first elite European club competition was launched, although English and Scottish clubs sat out the first season as the wrangling over the new money began. Some would argue it has not stopped since.
Cardiff’s hopes of grabbing the inaugural crown at Arms Park were dented as Toulouse crossed for two tries in the opening 10 minutes, with the irrepressible Thomas Castaignede, just 20, and scrum-half Jerome Cazalbou scoring.
Adrian Davies’ boot gradually brought Cardiff back into the contest however as their forward dominance delivered a string of penalty shots.
Jonathan Davies, recently lured back from rugby league and introduced off the bench at half-time, could not unlock the Toulouse defence, and Cardiff had to rely on Davies landing his fifth penalty in the 83rd minute to finally level things up at 15-15 and extend the match into 30 minutes of extra time.
With both teams tiring however, it was Davies' opposite number Christophe Deylaud who landed the decisive kick to make Toulouse the competition’s first winners.
"This is my most important victory. It makes certain that the European Cup is here to stay and it will be even better next year when England and Scotland are involved,” said Toulouse wing Emile Ntamack.
Healy inspires dramatic fightback in Paris
Leicester's Leon Lloyd goes over for the decisive score of the 2001 final
2001 Stade Francais 30-34 Leicester
For 79 minutes, this seemed to be the Diego Dominguez final. The diminutive Italy international had landed 10 kicks from all ranges and angles to have his side 30-27 ahead as the match went into the final minute.
Leicester, who had already wrapped up a third successive English title and fielded a formidable pack including Martin Johnson, Ben Kay, Graham Rowntree and Martin Corry, were going to come up just short.
But then Austin Healy, switched to fly-half from his customary scrum-half role late in game, seized the match by the scruff.
The England international, who could only play after dosing up with painkillers to ease an injury to his right knee, sliced through the Stade midfield, drew the final man and put centre Leon Lloyd into the corner with a perfectly weighted pass off his weaker hand.
It was a magnificent heist in partisan Paris. Tigers officials had considered seeking a relocation of the final, which was staged at the Parc de Princes, directly across the street from Stade’s own home ground.
As Lloyd celebrated a game-deciding score by shushing the French fans, they may have been pleased they didn’t.
Wasps snatch victory after Poitrenaud howler
Rob Howley swoops to score the decisive try of the 2004 final
2004 Wasps 27-20 Toulouse
Just over two minutes remaining, the two sides locked together at 20-20 with Toulouse dropping out from their own 22m…
The 2004 final was Le Crunch at club level. Wasps were in the midst of a period in which they would be crowned English champions four times in six seasons. Toulouse were defending European champions and aiming to become the first team to lift the trophy three times.
The two line-ups dripped with razzle-dazzle. Lawrence Dallaglio, Josh Lewsey, Joe Worsley and Simon Shaw had all been part of the England’s Rugby World Cup winning effort the previous summer, while Samoan hooker Trevor Leota’s destructive tackling had earned him a cult following and fearsome reputation.
Emile Ntamack, Yannick Jauzion, Frederic Michalak were part of a maverick Toulouse backline, with Fabien Pelous, Trevor Brennan and Jean-Baptiste Poux included in a granite-hard pack.
The match lived up to the billing, a nip-and-tuck affair with Toulouse nibbling back from 20-11 adrift early in the second half to tie things up heading into the final few minutes.
But the match was decided by an eyesore of an error. Rob Howley gathered that late drop-out and punted a nothing-much grubber towards the corner. Toulouse full-back Clement Poitrenaud had it covered but dithered in the hope that the ball would run dead, unaware of Howley closing in fast. Howley dived on the ball, snatching it from Poitrenaud to score as the French international belatedly attempted to scoop it up.
"I do not feel for Poitrenaud," said Howley. "We were playing for the biggest prize in club rugby and you take whatever comes your way.”
Leinster's impossible comeback stuns Saints
Johnny Sexton inspired Leinster's astonishing second-half revival
2011 Leinster 33-22 Northampton
When Leinster traipsed back into the changing rooms at the end of the first half of the 2011 final they were, in Johnny Sexton’s words, “shell-shocked”.
Northampton had scored three unanswered tries, with number eight Phil Dowson followed over the whitewash by Ben Foden and Dylan Hartley. Saints were 22-6 up. Their front row of Soane Tonga’uiha, Hartley and Brian Mujati were ruling the scrum. Leinster were in the mire.
Sexton issued a rallying cry in the bowels of the Millennium Stadium, daring his team to draw on Liverpool’s improbable comeback in football’s version of the same final six years before, believe in the impossible and claim immortality.
He backed up his words with deeds as well. Sexton scuttled over for two quick tries at the start of the second half, converting both, before nailing a long-distance penalty to complete a remarkable turnaround.
Northampton’s lead had been whipped from under them in a little over 15 second-half minutes. They never recovered. Leinster ran out winners, keeping the bewildered Saints scoreless in the second half.
"There was a realisation that we'd worked for nine months and given it all away," said Sexton.
"We said that if we could get the next score it would really rattle them."
Record-breaking Saracens defend title
Chris Ashton scored the first try of the final, crossing the line in typically flamboyant style
2017 Clermont 17-28 Saracens
Clermont came into the final as every neutral’s favourite French side. Committed to stereotypically expansive running rugby, perhaps best epitomised by their electric English full-back Nick Abendanon, they had lost two Champions Cup finals in the previous four seasons.
Third time lucky? Unfortunately for the French side you needed more than luck to beat an expensively-assembled Saracens outfit that, after several near misses of its own, was entering the pantheon as one of the greatest club sides ever.
Saracens successfully defended the title and set a new record of 18 successive victories in the competition with a typically clinical performance.
Chris Ashton latched onto an Alex Goode chip ahead to score a record 37th try in the competition after 13 minutes. George Kruis barged over on 22 minutes. Alex Goode ghosted through a hole to make sure in the 72nd minute.
Clermont sparkled intermittently, particularly when Abendanon rounded off a sweeping coast-to-coast score, but could never quite close the gap.


bbc--2020-05-21--Thursday's gossip column: Bayern reserve number 10 shirt for Sane

Manchester City and Germany forward Leroy Sane , 24 , has the number 10 shirt reserved for him at Bayern Munich next season .
( Mirror ) But the German club have told Sane he must take a 30 % pay cut to complete the transfer this summer .
( Bild , via Star ) Chelsea are struggling to offload Victor Moses as Inter Milan refuse to pay the £10.75m asking price for the 29-year-old Nigerian winger .
( Sun ) Jorginho 's agent says the Italy midfielder is happy at Chelsea and that Juventus have not made an approach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants to keep Portuguese full-back Diogo Dalot , 21 , despite interest from Barcelona and Paris St-Germain .
( ESPN ) Liverpool are ready to sell three players this summer to fund a £52m move for 24-year-old RB Leipzig and Germany forward Timo Werner .
( Athletic - subscription required ) Trabzonspor 's Turkish goalkeeper and Leicester City target Ugurcan Cakir , 24 , has been the subject of a 20m euros ( £18m ) bid from Spanish side Sevilla .
( Leicester Mercury ) Manchester United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ighalo , on loan from Shanghai Shenhua , but they are `` relaxed '' over the Nigerian 's future after Marcus Rashford 's return to fitness .
( Sky Sports ) Arsenal are considering a swap deal with Atletico Madrid that would see 28-year-old France striker Alexandre Lacazette moving to Spain , and compatriot Thomas Lemar , 24 , coming the other way .
( AS - in Spanish ) PSG have ended their interest in Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly , 28 , because of his 70m euro ( £63m ) asking price @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Senegal international this summer .
( Le Parisien - in French ) Gareth Bale 's agent has denied reports that the Real Madrid and Wales forward , 30 , has been offered to an MLS club , believed to David Beckham 's Inter Miami .
( ESPN Deportes - in Spanish ) Barcelona and Chile midfielder Arturo Vidal , 32 , will not be part of any deal the Spanish club make with Inter Milan to sign Argentina striker Lautaro Martinez , 22 .
( Marca ) Spain midfielder Dani Ceballos , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his loan spell at Arsenal at the end of the season after saying he wants to see out the final three years of his contract at Real Madrid .
( TVE , via Mirror ) The EFL 's leaders are confident that support for the Championship to restart , even from relegation-threatened clubs such as Middlesbrough , will mean the season resumes next month .
( Times - subscription required ) Early rounds of the Carabao Cup are under threat if next season does not get under way before the beginning of September @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Last updated on .From the section Gossip
Manchester City and Germany forward Leroy Sane, 24, has the number 10 shirt reserved for him at Bayern Munich next season. (Mirror) external-link
But the German club have told Sane he must take a 30% pay cut to complete the transfer this summer. (Bild, via Star) external-link
Chelsea are struggling to offload Victor Moses as Inter Milan refuse to pay the £10.75m asking price for the 29-year-old Nigerian winger. (Sun) external-link
Jorginho's agent says the Italy midfielder is happy at Chelsea and that Juventus have not made an approach for the 28-year-old. (Metro) external-link
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants to keep Portuguese full-back Diogo Dalot, 21, despite interest from Barcelona and Paris St-Germain. (ESPN) external-link
Liverpool are ready to sell three players this summer to fund a £52m move for 24-year-old RB Leipzig and Germany forward Timo Werner. (Athletic - subscription required) external-link
Premier League clubs back in training Liverpool return 'felt like first day at school' - Klopp
Trabzonspor's Turkish goalkeeper and Leicester City target Ugurcan Cakir, 24, has been the subject of a 20m euros (£18m) bid from Spanish side Sevilla. (Leicester Mercury) external-link
Manchester United would like to keep 30-year-old striker Odion Ighalo, on loan from Shanghai Shenhua, but they are "relaxed" over the Nigerian's future after Marcus Rashford's return to fitness. (Sky Sports) external-link
Arsenal are considering a swap deal with Atletico Madrid that would see 28-year-old France striker Alexandre Lacazette moving to Spain, and compatriot Thomas Lemar, 24, coming the other way. (AS - in Spanish) external-link
PSG have ended their interest in Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly, 28, because of his 70m euro (£63m) asking price, leaving Manchester United favourites to sign the Senegal international this summer. (Le Parisien - in French) external-link
Gareth Bale's agent has denied reports that the Real Madrid and Wales forward, 30, has been offered to an MLS club, believed to David Beckham's Inter Miami. (ESPN Deportes - in Spanish) external-link
Barcelona and Chile midfielder Arturo Vidal, 32, will not be part of any deal the Spanish club make with Inter Milan to sign Argentina striker Lautaro Martinez, 22. (Marca) external-link
Spain midfielder Dani Ceballos, 23, has suggested he will end his loan spell at Arsenal at the end of the season after saying he wants to see out the final three years of his contract at Real Madrid. (TVE, via Mirror) external-link
The EFL's leaders are confident that support for the Championship to restart, even from relegation-threatened clubs such as Middlesbrough, will mean the season resumes next month. (Times - subscription required) external-link
Early rounds of the Carabao Cup are under threat if next season does not get under way before the beginning of September. (Telegraph - subscription required) external-link


bbc--2020-05-20--‘I’m very aware of my body changing in lockdown’

Despite the lockdown , you 're probably still seeing photos of perfect manicures , fillers and toned-abs on social media .
The reality for most of us is there 's no access to the gyms and beauty treatments we might usually rely on .
And this can leave people with a totally different image of themselves .
Katy , 23 , tells Radio 1 Newsbeat that it 's taken time to get used to being without the fillers , nails and lash extensions she usually has .
She says lockdown has made her think about why she gets some treatments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Over this time period , you 've got a lot of time to yourself , it makes you think , '' Katy says .
`` Why am I actually doing this - is it for me ?
Is it because I feel like I have to look good to other people ?
What is it I am actually doing it for ? ''
'No choice but get used to it' Katy was due for a top-up of her fillers in March , but her beauty technician in Tamworth stopped working in March because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some parts of the filler break down , which can create an uneven look .
`` I 'm sort-of looking at myself thinking ' I ca n't wait to get this done when lockdown is all over ' , '' she says .
As well the as fillers , Katy gets nails and eyelash extensions .
Usually , she says , she 'd `` never be caught dead without acrylics '' - which make her feel `` more feminine and dainty '' .
The first thing to go was her lashes , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eight months .
`` Without them I just felt so ugly , '' she says .
`` It 's almost like training yourself to get used to what you actually look like . ''
But it 's also given Katy time to reflect .
`` It 's sort of helping me realise that I do n't actually need them as much as I think . ''
To take her mind off the treatments she was missing , Katy stopped following Instagram pages showing fillers or beauty treatments and started following pages about self-love @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of herself has also helped .
`` I did n't have all of the stuff then and nobody thought of me any different , '' she says .
`` I 've had no choice but to get used to it but I 'll definitely be first in line at the nail salon . ''
The gym is my 'therapy' Ursula , 26 , has also had to deal with a major change to her routine .
Before lockdown , she was at the gym five days a week .
`` Not having the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as therapy is really tough , '' she tells Newsbeat .
She ca n't keep to her usual exercise because she is staying in a small house with family .
Ursula 's passion is fitness .
She 's competed as a body-builder and is now studying to be a personal trainer .
Before the lockdown she got to a point where she felt content , healthy and `` light on my feet '' .
Not being able to go to the gym has affected Ursula 's mental health a lot .
She has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caged '' .
She 's been using yoga and meditation to stay calm .
`` I would love to say I 'm still content but I 'm a bit heavier than I want to be .
`` But I also feel very lucky for this time , before this all started I was at a point where I was feeling very burned out . ''
Fortunately , Ursula 's able to spend lockdown completing her personal trainer course . '
I 've learned to love myself beyond measure' Rosy , who lives in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her time in isolation practising self-care .
Going without her fillers , lashes and hair appointments has been `` mildly frustrating '' but she 's `` hyper-aware '' of the situation .
`` I 've learned to love myself beyond measure , it does n't bother me if I have n't got the extras I can cope without , '' she says .
Managing poor mental health in the past has helped Rosy build resilience , so the lockdown has n't affected her too much .
`` I 'm able to use all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ great place I am now . ''
Rosy says she likes getting fillers as a way to change her looks without having to commit to surgical procedures .
`` I love the fact I still have the opportunity to change . ''
Psychotherapist Danielle Sandler explains that the lockdown can bring a lot of conflict in people 's self-image .
She says lockdown has `` stripped back people to their bare essence '' and `` removed their masks '' .
Danielle 's advice for dealing with body image issues is `` not to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unacceptable '' .
`` Whatever you 're feeling is OK and be careful not to minimise it . ''
Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen back here .

‘I’m very aware of my body changing in lockdown’ Published 21 May 2020
Image source, Katy, Ursula and Jo
Despite the lockdown, you're probably still seeing photos of perfect manicures, fillers and toned-abs on social media.
The reality for most of us is there's no access to the gyms and beauty treatments we might usually rely on.
And this can leave people with a totally different image of themselves.
Katy, 23, tells Radio 1 Newsbeat that it's taken time to get used to being without the fillers, nails and lash extensions she usually has.
She says lockdown has made her think about why she gets some treatments done in the first place.
"Over this time period, you've got a lot of time to yourself, it makes you think," Katy says.
"Why am I actually doing this - is it for me? Is it because I feel like I have to look good to other people? What is it I am actually doing it for?"
'No choice but get used to it'
Katy was due for a top-up of her fillers in March, but her beauty technician in Tamworth stopped working in March because of coronavirus.
Without the top-up, some parts of the filler break down, which can create an uneven look.
"I'm sort-of looking at myself thinking 'I can't wait to get this done when lockdown is all over'," she says.
Image source, Katy Image caption, Katy says she'll be first in line to get her nails done when lockdown ends
As well the as fillers, Katy gets nails and eyelash extensions. Usually, she says, she'd "never be caught dead without acrylics" - which make her feel "more feminine and dainty".
The first thing to go was her lashes, which she had done consistently for more than eight months.
"Without them I just felt so ugly," she says. "It's almost like training yourself to get used to what you actually look like."
But it's also given Katy time to reflect.
"It's sort of helping me realise that I don't actually need them as much as I think."
To take her mind off the treatments she was missing, Katy stopped following Instagram pages showing fillers or beauty treatments and started following pages about self-love and self-reflection.
Looking at old photos of herself has also helped.
"I didn't have all of the stuff then and nobody thought of me any different," she says.
"I've had no choice but to get used to it but I'll definitely be first in line at the nail salon."
The gym is my 'therapy'
Ursula, 26, has also had to deal with a major change to her routine. Before lockdown, she was at the gym five days a week.
"Not having the option to do what I usually use as therapy is really tough," she tells Newsbeat.
She can't keep to her usual exercise because she is staying in a small house with family.
Ursula's passion is fitness. She's competed as a body-builder and is now studying to be a personal trainer.
Before the lockdown she got to a point where she felt content, healthy and "light on my feet".
Image source, Ursula Image caption, Ursula has spent lockdown finishing her personal trainer course
Not being able to go to the gym has affected Ursula's mental health a lot. She has struggled with feeling "really stuck and caged".
She's been using yoga and meditation to stay calm.
"I would love to say I'm still content but I'm a bit heavier than I want to be.
"But I also feel very lucky for this time, before this all started I was at a point where I was feeling very burned out."
Fortunately, Ursula's able to spend lockdown completing her personal trainer course.
'I've learned to love myself beyond measure'
Jo says she's been spending her time in isolation practising self-care.
Going without her fillers, lashes and hair appointments has been "mildly frustrating" but she's "hyper-aware" of the situation.
Image source, AP Image caption, Jo says she likes fillers because she can change her appearance without committing to surgery
"I've learned to love myself beyond measure, it doesn't bother me if I haven't got the extras I can cope without," she says.
Managing poor mental health in the past has helped Jo build resilience, so the lockdown hasn't affected her too much.
"I'm able to use all that experience to get into such a great place I am now."
Jo says she likes getting fillers as a way to change her looks without having to commit to surgical procedures.
"I love the fact I still have the opportunity to change."
'Don't judge how you're feeling as wrong'
Psychotherapist Danielle Sandler explains that the lockdown can bring a lot of conflict in people's self-image.
She says lockdown has "stripped back people to their bare essence" and "removed their masks".
Danielle's advice for dealing with body image issues is "not to judge how're feeling as wrong or unacceptable".
"Whatever you're feeling is OK and be careful not to minimise it."
Follow Newsbeat on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.


bbc--2020-05-21--Does chloroquine work against coronavirus?

US President Donald Trump has said he 's taking the malaria drug hydroxychloroquine as a preventative measure against Covid-19 , although scientists have warned about side effects .
Studies are underway to examine if hydroxychloroquine ( and a related drug chloroquine ) are effective against the coronavirus .
We 've looked at what we know so far about these drugs .
Who 's raised concerns about using them ?
The World Health Organization has said it 's concerned by reports of individuals self-medicating and causing themselves serious harm .
These safety concerns have been echoed by a former top US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who was removed from his post in April leading the government 's vaccine development efforts , says President Trump 's focus on these drugs has been `` extremely distracting to dozens of federal scientists '' .
And the US Food and Drugs Administration , which granted emergency approval for using them in certain settings only , has also warned about some possible side effects .
Is there evidence they might treat Covid-19 ?
President Trump has previously referred to the potential of hydroxychloroquine in White House briefings .
At a press conference in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do you have to lose ?
Take it . ''
And Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro claimed in a video that `` hydroxychloroquine is working in all places '' , although that was subsequently removed by Facebook for breaching its misinformation guidelines .
The publicity given to these drugs led to a global surge in demand for them .
• 'Ousted ' vaccine expert says US is facing its 'darkest winter' Following Mr Trump 's comments in late March , there was a sharp increase reported in prescriptions in the US for both chloroquine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long been used in the treatment of malaria to reduce fever and inflammation , and the hope is that they can also work against the virus that causes Covid-19 .
There are ongoing trials in various countries on using the drugs to prevent the illness .
As part of these studies , frontline workers who are highly exposed to the virus are taking it as a prophylactic .
A trial has begun across Europe , Africa , Asia and South America , testing 40,000 people with either hydroxychloroquine , chloroquine or a placebo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those who might be exposed to the virus .
Other studies are looking into whether it can help patients who already have Covid-19 .
In the US , various trials are under way for a combination of drugs including chloroquine , hydroxychloroquine and an antibiotic called azithromycin , for treating Covid-19 patients .
But so far , there is insufficient evidence from these trials as to their effective use in either prevention or in treatment .
`` We need larger , high-quality randomised clinical trials in order to better evaluate their effectiveness , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gbinigie , author of a report on anti-malarial testing for Covid-19 .
There are also risks of serious side effects , including renal and liver damage .
Which countries authorised their use ?
In late March , the US Food and Drugs Administration ( FDA ) has granted `` emergency use '' authorisation for these drugs in the treatment of Covid-19 for a limited number of hospitalised cases .
The FDA is not saying they definitely work .
But it does mean that in specific circumstances , hospitals can request and use the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Covid-19 treatment .
But on 24 April , the FDA also issued a warning about the dangers of using the substances because of reports of heart rhythm problems in patients .
Other countries are also deploying these anti-malarial drugs to varying degrees .
France has authorised doctors to prescribe them for patients with Covid-19 , but the country 's medical watchdog has also warned of side effects .
India 's health ministry recommended the use of hydroxychloroquine as a preventative treatment for healthcare workers , as well as households in contact with confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a doctor .
However , India 's government research body has warned against the unrestricted usage of the anti-malarial drug and said it was `` experimental '' and only for emergency situations .
Several Middle Eastern countries have authorised its use or are conducting trials .
• EASY STEPS : How to keep safe • A SIMPLE GUIDE : What are the symptoms ?
• CONTAINMENT : What it means to self-isolate • HEALTH MYTHS : The fake advice you should ignore • MAPS AND CHARTS : Visual guide to the outbreak Is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these drugs has grown as a potential treatment for Covid-19 , many countries have seen high demand and shortages .
Chloroquine and its derivatives have long been widely available in pharmacies , particularly in developing countries , for the treatment of malaria .
This is despite their declining efficacy against malaria , as the disease has become increasingly resistant .
A number of countries restricted sales so that chloroquine was only available on prescription or in hospitals .
India - a major producer of these anti-malarial drugs - at one point stopped exports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Trump made a personal plea to India 's Prime Minister , Narendra Modi .
In Nigeria , households still regularly use tablets containing chloroquine for treating malaria , even though it was banned in 2005 for first-line use because of its declining effectiveness .
But news of its possible use against Covid-19 led to growing demand , and the Nigerian Centres for Disease Control told people to stop taking it .

There's been some hope that hydroxychloroquine could be effective if used early on when a person gets the virus, before there's a need for them to be hospitalised.


bbc--2020-05-21--Tracking the outbreak in maps and charts

Coronavirus is continuing its spread across the world , with around five million confirmed cases in 188 countries .
More than 320,000 people have lost their lives .
This series of maps and charts tracks the global outbreak of the virus since it emerged in China in December last year .
How many cases and deaths have there been ?
The virus , which causes the respiratory infection Covid-19 , was first detected in the city of Wuhan , China , in late 2019 .
It then spread quickly across the globe in the first months of 2020 .
Note @ @ @ @ @ @ @ page use a different source for figures for France from that used by Johns Hopkins University , which results in a slightly lower overall total .
The US has by far the largest number of cases , around five times as many as any other country according to figures collated by Johns Hopkins University .
With more than 90,000 fatalities , it also has the world 's highest death toll .
The UK , Italy , France and Spain are the worst-hit European countries .
In China , the official death toll is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , although critics have questioned whether the country 's official numbers can be trusted .
The outbreak was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization ( WHO ) on 11 March .
This is when an infectious disease is passing easily from person to person in many parts of the world at the same time .
The true number of cases is thought to be much higher than the reported figures , as many of those with milder symptoms have not been tested and counted .
Globally , more than 4.5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ population - have been living under social distancing measures , according to the AFP news agency 's estimates .
Those restrictions have had a big impact on the global economy , with the International Monetary Fund warning the world faces the worst recession since the Great Depression of the 1930s .
The United Nations World Food Programme has also warned that the pandemic could almost double the number of people suffering acute hunger .
• RISK AT WORK : How exposed is your job ?
• THE R NUMBER : What it means @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : The pitfalls of doing so • R0 , FURLOUGH : The language of the outbreak • RECOVERY : How long does it take to get better ?
Where are coronavirus cases still rising ?
While some countries are starting to see confirmed cases and deaths fall following the introduction of strict lockdown restrictions , others are only now seeing them rise .
A sharp increase in cases in Latin America has led the WHO to say the Americas are currently at the centre of the pandemic .
These charts show four countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - as shown by the red lines .
Brazil now has the third highest number of infections in the world - overtaking the UK , Spain and Italy .
However , the country 's health experts have warned that the real number of confirmed infections could be far higher , due to a lack of testing .
Bruno Covas , mayor of Brazil 's largest city , São Paulo , which is home to 12 million people , has warned its health system could collapse because of the growing demand for emergency beds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in new infections , while Ecuador saw its health system collapse in April .
Outside South America , Russia has seen infections rise rapidly and now has the second highest number worldwide , according to official data .
It has been reporting around 10,000 new cases a day since the beginning of May .
In Africa , Lesotho confirmed its first cases on 13 May , which means coronavirus is now present in all countries on the continent , mainly in urban populations .
Worst-hit are South Africa , Egypt and Algeria .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic `` by the WHO in March , Europe is now slowly beginning to ease restrictions brought in to slow the spread of the virus .
The UK , Italy , Spain and France , along with others , now appear to have passed the peak , with the number of new confirmed cases and deaths falling .
The UK and Italy have seen more than 30,000 deaths , while France and Spain have both recorded about 28,000 .
However , differences in population size and how countries report their figures , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or deaths of those suspected but not confirmed of having the virus , means international comparisons are complicated .
European countries have varied in their plans to ease lockdowns , but the WHO has urged all nations to adopt a `` slow , steady '' approach .
• What are the new lockdown rules in the UK ?
New York the worst-hit in US outbreak With more than 1.5 million cases , the US has the highest number of confirmed infections in the world .
It has also recorded more than 90,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been particularly badly affected , with more than 28,000 deaths , but the number of new cases there has been on a downward trend in recent weeks .
At one point , more than 90 % of the US population was under mandatory lockdown orders , but many states have now begun to loosen their stay-at-home restrictions and allowed some businesses to reopen - a move health officials fear could further spread the virus .
Top US infectious diseases doctor Anthony Fauci has cautioned against opening up public life too soon , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which could become bigger outbreaks .
President Trump , who disagrees with Dr Fauci 's advice , has made it clear he is keen to reopen the US economy `` vaccine or no vaccine '' .
The latest figures show more than 36 million people have lost their jobs since the outbreak hit the US .
That 's nearly a quarter of the American workforce .
The rise means the jobless rate is now worse than at any time since the Great Depression of the 1930s .
• Are US states reopening too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ page comes from a variety of sources .
It includes figures collated by Johns Hopkins University , data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control , national governments and health agencies , as well as UN data on populations .
When comparing figures from different countries it is important to bear in mind that not all governments are recording coronavirus cases and deaths in the same way .
This makes like for like comparisons between countries difficult .
Other factors to consider include : different population sizes , the size of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether a particular country has a large amount of its people living in densely populated areas .
In addition , countries may be in different stages of the pandemic .

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This information is regularly updated but may not reflect the latest totals for each country.
** The past data for new cases is a three day rolling average. Due to revisions in the number of cases, an average cannot be calculated for this date.
Source: Johns Hopkins University and national public health agencies


bbc--2020-05-21--China security law 'could be end of Hong Kong'

Pro-democracy activists say they fear `` the end of Hong Kong '' , after China announced plans for a new security law .
The US said the move could be `` highly destabilising '' and undermine China 's obligations on Hong Kong 's autonomy .
China 's National People 's Congress will on Friday debate the law , aimed at banning sedition and subversion .
Supporters say it is needed to tackle the violence in political protests that erupted last year .
Opponents fear it will be used to remove basic freedoms .
Why has the move caused such a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` one country , two systems '' policy and a `` high degree of autonomy '' since Britain returned sovereignty to China in 1997 .
But activists , and the pro-democracy movement , feel that this is being undermined by Beijing .
• What is the Basic Law and how does it work ?
• Why are there protests in Hong Kong ?
All the context you need Last year , millions took to the streets over seven months to protest against a bill that would have allowed extraditions to mainland China .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ The bill was eventually paused , and then withdrawn .
The security law is more controversial still .
According to the Basic Law , the territory 's mini-constitution , Hong Kong 's government is required to pass national security legislation .
However , an attempt in 2003 failed after 500,000 people took to the streets in opposition .
That is why an attempt now to force through national security legislation - which one legislator on Thursday called `` the most controversial [ issue ] in Hong Kong since the handover '' - has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China correspondent , Robin Brant , says that what makes the situation so incendiary is that Beijing can simply bypass Hong Kong 's elected legislators and impose the changes .
China can place them into Annex III of the Basic Law , which covers national laws that must then be implemented in Hong Kong - either by legislation , or decree .
Pro-democracy activists fear the law will be used to muzzle protests in defiance of the freedoms enshrined in the Basic Law , as similar laws in China are used to silence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have opponents of China 's move said ?
A number of pro-democracy figures in Hong Kong , including Democratic Party leader Wu Chi-wai , said the announcement was the death of `` one country , two systems '' .
Civic Party lawmaker Dennis Kwok said `` if this move takes place , 'one country , two systems ' will be officially erased .
This is the end of Hong Kong . ''
His colleague Tanya Chan added that this was the `` saddest day in Hong Kong history '' .
Student activist and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was an attempt by Beijing to `` silence Hong Kongers ' critical voices with force and fear '' .
Meanwhile , the US state department said that `` any effort to impose national security legislation that does not reflect the will of the people of Hong Kong would be highly destabilising , and would be met with strong condemnation '' .
President Donald Trump said the US would react strongly if China followed through with its proposals , without giving details .
The US is currently considering whether to extend Hong Kong 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must decide by the end of the month .
The last British governor of Hong Kong , Chris Patten , called the move a `` comprehensive assault on the city 's autonomy '' .
A spokesperson for the British Foreign Office said that the UK expected China `` to respect Hong Kong 's rights and freedoms and high degree of autonomy '' .
Sources at the National People 's Congress ( NPC ) have said that Beijing can no longer wait for Hong Kong to pass its own law , nor can it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it sees as a violent anti-government movement .
One source told the South China Morning Post : `` We can no longer allow acts like desecrating national flags or defacing of the national emblem in Hong Kong . ''
Beijing may also fear September 's elections to Hong Kong 's legislature .
If last year 's success for pro-democracy parties in district elections is repeated , government bills could potentially be blocked .
Announcing the move on Thursday , spokesman Zhang Yesui gave little away , saying the measure would `` improve '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Zhang said : `` National security is the bedrock underpinning the stability of the country .
Safeguarding national security serves the fundamental interest of all Chinese , our Hong Kong compatriots included . ''
After debating the issue , the NPC - generally a rubber stamp - will vote on it next week .
The matter would then not advance until June , when it goes before the Standing Committee .
An editorial in the state-run China Daily said the law meant that `` those who challenge national security will necessarily be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In Hong Kong , the pro-Beijing DAB party said it `` fully supported '' the proposals , which were made `` in response to Hong Kong 's rapidly worsening political situation in recent years '' .
Pro-Beijing lawmaker Christopher Cheung told Reuters : `` Legislation is necessary and the sooner the better . ''
Hong Kong was ruled by Britain as a colony for more than 150 years up to 1997 .
The British and Chinese governments signed a treaty - the Sino-British Joint Declaration - that agreed Hong Kong would have `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in foreign and defence affairs '' , for 50 years .
This was enshrined in the Basic Law , which runs out in 2047 .
As a result , Hong Kong 's own legal system , borders , and rights - including freedom of assembly and free speech - are protected .
But Beijing has the ability to veto any changes to the political system and has , for example , ruled out direct election of the chief executive .
Hong Kong saw widespread political protests in 2019 but these became much smaller @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there were chaotic scenes in Hong Kong 's legislative chamber on Monday , when a number of pro-democracy lawmakers were dragged out during a row about a bill that would make it illegal to disrespect the national anthem .
A group of 15 prominent pro-democracy activists also appeared in court on Monday charged with organising and taking part in unlawful assemblies related to last year 's protests .

The notion of "terrorism" also features in this proposed law. That too could encompass wide-ranging acts and activities that the authoritarian rulers on the mainland consider far more menacing than those in Hong Kong, or for that matter elsewhere.


bbc--2020-05-21--US pulling out of 'Open Skies' arms control deal

The US has announced it will withdraw from a major accord that permits unarmed aerial surveillance flights over dozens of participating countries .
The Open Skies Treaty came into force in 2002 and is designed to boost confidence and assure against attacks .
But senior US officials said the country was withdrawing due to repeated Russian violations of its terms .
US President Donald Trump later said there was a `` very good chance we 'll reach a new agreement '' with Russia .
`` I think we have a very good relationship with Russia , but Russia did n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump said on Thursday , adding : `` Until they adhere we will pull out . ''
The US will formally withdraw from the accord in six months , officials said .
`` During the course of this review it has become abundantly clear that it is no longer in America 's interests to remain a party to the Open Skies Treaty , '' one official told Reuters news agency .
Some 35 nations are party to the treaty , including Russia , Canada and the UK .
Russia 's Foreign Ministry insisted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that a US withdrawal would be `` very regrettable '' , adding that the Trump administration was working to `` derail all agreements on arms control '' .
`` We reject any attempts to justify a way out of this fundamental agreement , '' Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko told Russia 's state-owned RIA Novosti news agency .
`` Nothing prevents continuing the discussions over the technical issues , which the US is misrepresenting as violations by Russia , '' he added .
He said that any withdrawal would affect the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ participants , who are also members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation ( Nato ) .
In abandoning the Open Skies Treaty , the Trump Administration is not just renouncing an arms control agreement that was seen as essential for transparency during the Cold War years , but he is also ditching an agreement that many experts believe still retains huge benefits for the US .
The fact it comes at a time when the whole structure of arms control is collapsing and a new era of great power competition beckons is doubly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into force in January 2002 and some 34 countries have ratified the agreement .
It allows for unarmed short-notice reconnaissance flights by specially equipped aircraft , over the entire territory of another country to collect data on troop deployments , military facilities and so on .
There have been some problems in recent years and the US contends - with some justification - that Russia has been preventing access to certain areas .
But critics of the Trump administration 's antipathy towards arms control say this is a reason for fixing the treaty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seems to be holding out at least a chance that the US could stick with Open Skies , but that is clearly going to depend upon talks with Moscow .
The Russian Foreign ministry says that a US withdrawal will affect the interests of all the participants .
While the US can clearly use satellites for its intelligence gathering on Russia , Mr Trump 's decision will cause tensions with Washington 's European allies , few of whom have such satellite access .
Earlier this year , US Defence Secretary Mark Esper accused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flights over the city of Kaliningrad and other areas near Georgia .
`` I have a lot of concerns about the treaty as it stands now , '' he said at the time .
`` This is important to many of our Nato allies , that they have the means to conduct the overflights . ''
• Trump to withdraw US from Arms Trade Treaty It marks the latest effort by President Donald Trump 's administration to withdraw the US from a major global treaty .
Last year , it pulled out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) with Russia .
The INF was signed by the US and the USSR in 1987 , and banned the vast majority of nuclear and non-nuclear missiles with short and medium ranges .

In abandoning the Open Skies Treaty, the Trump Administration is not just renouncing an arms control agreement that was seen as essential for transparency during the Cold War years, but he is also ditching an agreement that many experts believe still retains huge benefits for the US.


bbc--2020-05-21--Ahmaud Arbery: Third man charged over death of black jogger

A man who filmed the fatal shooting of an unarmed black man in the US state of Georgia has been charged with murder .
William Bryan Jr was also charged with criminal attempt to commit false imprisonment on Thursday , said the Georgia Bureau of Investigations ( GBI ) .
Ahmaud Arbery , 25 , was jogging when he was shot dead during a confrontation with a father and son in Brunswick on the afternoon of 23 February .
Gregory McMichael , 64 , and son Travis , 34 , were charged with murder on 7 May .
In the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McMichaels , who are white , armed themselves with a pistol and shotgun and pursued Mr Arbery in a pickup truck in the Satilla Shores neighbourhood .
Gregory McMichael told police he believed that Mr Arbery resembled the suspect in a series of local break-ins .
Mr Bryan 's 36-second video leaked online on 5 May , generating nationwide outcry that was swiftly followed by murder charges .
It was filmed by Mr Bryan from his vehicle while he was driving behind Mr Arbery .
The clip appears to show Mr Arbery running @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wait ahead for him in their vehicle .
A tussle follows and the younger Mr McMichael appears to fire a gun at point blank range at Mr Arbery , who falls to the street .
The Arbery family welcomed Thursday 's arrest , with their lawyer Lee Merritt saying Mr Bryan 's alleged involvement in the killing `` was obvious to us , many around the country and after their thorough investigation , it was clear to the GBI as well '' .
According to the second of four prosecutors to recuse themselves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been following `` in hot pursuit '' of Mr Arbery .
He is also mentioned in the Flynn County police report of the shooting , in which officers noted that Mr Bryan had unsuccessfully tried to block Mr Arbery 's path .
However , Mr Bryan told a local TV station that he `` had nothing to do with it '' and was in `` complete shock '' .
During the interview , he did not answer questions on why he was there or why he started recording , but his lawyer Kevin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responding to what he saw , which was someone in the community he did n't know being followed by a vehicle he recognised . ''
Mr Bryan has since taken a voluntary lie detector test - which law enforcement had not requested , his lawyer said in a statement on Monday .
He added that Mr Bryan had been in hiding with his fiancée because of death threats and accused the Arbery family lawyers of instigating them .
`` Contrary to speculation , the polygraph examination confirms that on 23 Feb 2020 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'Roddie ' Bryan did not have any conversation with either Gregory or Travis McMichael prior to the shooting .
`` Nor did William 'Roddie ' Bryan have any conversation with anyone else that day prior to the shooting about criminal activity in the neighborhood , '' said Mr Gough , using Mr Bryan 's nickname .
In a CNN interview , Mr Bryan said he had been praying for the Arbery family and hoped his tape would help bring closure .
`` If there was n't a tape , then we would n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I hope that it , in the end , brings justice to the family and peace to the family . ''

During the interview, he did not answer questions on why he was there or why he started recording, but his lawyer Kevin Gough said: "My client was responding to what he saw, which was someone in the community he didn't know being followed by a vehicle he recognised."


bbc--2020-05-22--Earlier coronavirus lockdown 'could have saved 36,000 lives'

A study has estimated there may have been 36,000 fewer coronavirus-related deaths had the US entered lockdown a week earlier in March .
The Columbia University research also estimated that around 83 % of deaths could have been avoided if measures had been taken two weeks earlier .
It suggested that 54,000 fewer people would have died had cities begun locking down on 1 March .
The study , which has not been peer reviewed yet , covers data up to 3 May , at which point there had been just over 65,300 coronavirus-related deaths in the US .
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaths in the United States , according to data from Johns Hopkins University .
When did the US go into lockdown ?
The results of the study indicate that stricter measures imposed sooner could have made a dramatic impact .
It said the findings `` underscore the importance of earlier intervention and aggressive response in controlling '' the virus .
Mr Trump urged citizens to limit travel on 16 March , five days after the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak a global pandemic .
Individual states then began lockdown measures at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York state going into lockdown on 19 March and 22 March respectively , while Georgia became one of the last to implement such measures on 3 April .
Critics say the Trump administration 's flawed and delayed rollout of testing meant states had limited information on the extent of the outbreak in February and early March .
The president also downplayed the risk during this period .
What did President Trump say ?
Asked about the research on Thursday before a visit to Michigan , Mr Trump said : `` I was so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thought . ''
Although the president claimed the study was a political attack on him , the findings also raise questions for other politicians about when they enforced stay-at-home orders .
New York was the epicentre of the US outbreak and the state has had more than 28,000 deaths and 360,000 Covid-19 cases .
Although New York City schools shut on 15 March , it was another week before a total lockdown was introduced .
Asked about the new research , Governor Andrew Cuomo conceded : `` If this country knew more and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many more lives . ''
Why is Trump going to Michigan ?
The president was touting the surplus of ventilators during a visit to a Ford plant .
With all 50 US states now reopen to some degree , Mr Trump is keen to show that America is getting back to business .
However , his trip comes as new unemployment data showed that a further 2.4m Americans sought jobless benefits last week .
• Emptier US roads more lethal in coronavirus pandemic , report says • Coronavirus : All 50 US states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the total number of claims since mid-March to roughly 38.6 million - roughly a quarter of the workforce .
Mr Trump has clashed with Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer on several occasions in the past , calling the state 's lockdown measures `` too tough '' in April and writing `` LIBERATE MICHIGAN '' in a tweet alongside two other states .
Michigan is the state with the fourth-highest number of coronavirus-related deaths - more than 5,000 - according to data from Johns Hopkins University .
The president did not wear a mask when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but said he donned one while in another part of the plant .
He told journalists he wore both goggles and a mask , but not in the area where there were media cameras .
He said it was `` not necessary '' to wear one in that section of the plant .
`` I was given a choice and I had one on where they had an area [ where ] they preferred it , '' he said .
He added : `` I did n't want to give the press the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been questions over whether the president would wear a face mask during the visit .
A spokesperson for Ford earlier said all visitors should wear PPE , but that the White House would decide whether Mr Trump complied .
The president 's refusal to commit to wear a mask before the visit drew criticism from Michigan attorney general Dana Nessel , who told CNN `` we are just asking that President Trump comply with the law of our state '' .
She later wrote an open letter which said the president has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but also a social and moral responsibility , to take reasonable precautions '' .
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• THE LOST SIX WEEKS : Missed chances for US to contain outbreak

Earlier coronavirus lockdown 'could have saved 36,000 lives' Published 22 May 2020
Image source, Reuters
A study has estimated there may have been 36,000 fewer coronavirus-related deaths had the US entered lockdown a week earlier in March.
The Columbia University research also estimated that around 83% of deaths could have been avoided if measures had been taken two weeks earlier.
It suggested that 54,000 fewer people would have died had cities begun locking down on 1 March.
President Trump dismissed the report as a "political hit job".
The study, which has not been peer reviewed yet, covers data up to 3 May, at which point there had been just over 65,300 coronavirus-related deaths in the US.
There have now been more than 93,400 coronavirus-related deaths in the United States, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.
When did the US go into lockdown?
The results of the study indicate that stricter measures imposed sooner could have made a dramatic impact.
It said the findings "underscore the importance of earlier intervention and aggressive response in controlling" the virus.
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Media caption, The lost six weeks when the US failed to control the virus
Mr Trump urged citizens to limit travel on 16 March, five days after the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak a global pandemic.
Individual states then began lockdown measures at different times, with California and New York state going into lockdown on 19 March and 22 March respectively, while Georgia became one of the last to implement such measures on 3 April.
Critics say the Trump administration's flawed and delayed rollout of testing meant states had limited information on the extent of the outbreak in February and early March. The president also downplayed the risk during this period.
What did President Trump say?
Asked about the research on Thursday before a visit to Michigan, Mr Trump said: "I was so early - it was earlier than anybody thought."
Although the president claimed the study was a political attack on him, the findings also raise questions for other politicians about when they enforced stay-at-home orders.
New York was the epicentre of the US outbreak and the state has had more than 28,000 deaths and 360,000 Covid-19 cases. Although New York City schools shut on 15 March, it was another week before a total lockdown was introduced.
Asked about the new research, Governor Andrew Cuomo conceded: "If this country knew more and knew it earlier we could have saved many more lives."
Why is Trump going to Michigan?
The president was touting the surplus of ventilators during a visit to a Ford plant.
With all 50 US states now reopen to some degree, Mr Trump is keen to show that America is getting back to business.
However, his trip comes as new unemployment data showed that a further 2.4m Americans sought jobless benefits last week.
The new filings brought the total number of claims since mid-March to roughly 38.6 million - roughly a quarter of the workforce.
Mr Trump has clashed with Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer on several occasions in the past, calling the state's lockdown measures "too tough" in April and writing "LIBERATE MICHIGAN" in a tweet alongside two other states.
Michigan is the state with the fourth-highest number of coronavirus-related deaths - more than 5,000 - according to data from Johns Hopkins University.
Did Trump wear a mask?
The president did not wear a mask when speaking with reporters during the visit, but said he donned one while in another part of the plant.
He told journalists he wore both goggles and a mask, but not in the area where there were media cameras. He said it was "not necessary" to wear one in that section of the plant.
"I was given a choice and I had one on where they had an area [where] they preferred it," he said.
He added: "I didn't want to give the press the pleasure of seeing it."
There had been questions over whether the president would wear a face mask during the visit.
A spokesperson for Ford earlier said all visitors should wear PPE, but that the White House would decide whether Mr Trump complied.
The president's refusal to commit to wear a mask before the visit drew criticism from Michigan attorney general Dana Nessel, who told CNN "we are just asking that President Trump comply with the law of our state".


bbc--2020-05-21--Wilson Jerman: Ex-White House butler dies of coronavirus

A former White House butler , who worked for 11 presidents in a career that spanned five decades , has died of coronavirus aged 91 .
It was Jackie Kennedy who noticed Wilson Roosevelt Jerman while he was working as a cleaner in the White House .
The then First Lady had him promoted , and from then on he worked as a butler .
`` She was instrumental in ensuring that that happened , '' his granddaughter , Jamila Garrett , told Fox 5 .
Decades later Mr Jerman was commemorated by another First Lady , appearing in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Paying tribute after his death , Mrs Obama said her family were `` lucky to have known him '' .
`` With his kindness and care , Wilson Jerman helped make the White House a home for decades of First Families , including ours , '' she said in a statement to NBC News .
`` His service to others - his willingness to go above and beyond for the country he loved and all those whose lives he touched - is a legacy worthy of his generous spirit . ''
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jerman 's family members say he stood out not just to the Kennedys , who were in the White House during 1961-63 , and the Obamas , who lived there from 2009 to 2017 , but others he met in his roles .
Mr Jerman 's career began in 1957 during the Eisenhower administration .
In his last position , he served as a maître d ' in the Obama White House .
He left his position in 2012 , and President Obama honoured him with a series of plaques , one that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ served , Mr Jerman 's granddaughter Shanta Taylor Gay told CNN .
He remains an important figure for those who study the history of African Americans and their role in political life .
Like other African-American men of his generation , he showed dignity while serving in one of the few positions that was available to him at the time , said Ohio State University 's Koritha Mitchell , author of From Slave Cabins to the White House .
She said he must have found it satisfying to end his career in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working for Mr Obama , `` a dignified president who was also African American '' , she said , adding : `` That must have felt like a victory . ''

Mr Jerman's family members say he stood out not just to the Kennedys, who were in the White House during 1961-63, and the Obamas, who lived there from 2009 to 2017, but others he met in his roles.


bbc--2020-05-22--Trump removes mask before facing cameras at car factory

President Donald Trump says he wore a mask in a `` back area '' during a factory tour in Michigan @ @ @ @ @ facing the cameras .
He told reporters he took off the facial covering at the @ @ @ @ @ `` did n't want to give the press the pleasure of seeing it '' , @ @ @ @ @ make a speech .
Despite Michigan 's attorney general urging the president to comply with @ @ @ @ @ insisted it was unnecessary because he is regularly tested for coronavirus .

President Donald Trump says he wore a mask in a "back area" during a factory tour in Michigan, but removed it before facing the cameras.
He told reporters he took off the facial covering at the Ford car plant because he "didn't want to give the press the pleasure of seeing it", and he was about to make a speech.
Despite Michigan's attorney general urging the president to comply with health guidelines, the president insisted it was unnecessary because he is regularly tested for coronavirus.


bbc--2020-05-21--Robot dog tries to herd sheep in New Zealand

A robot dog designed for search and rescue missions has had a go at herding sheep in New Zealand .
@ @ @ @ @ how the Spot robot - made by US-based Boston Dynamics - might be put to @ @ @ @ @ .

A robot dog designed for search and rescue missions has had a go at herding sheep in New Zealand.
Technology company Rocos is exploring how the Spot robot - made by US-based Boston Dynamics - might be put to work in the agricultural industry.


bbc--2020-05-21--Lori Loughlin: US actress to plead guilty in college cheating scam

US actress Lori Loughlin , of the sitcom Full House , and her husband , designer Mossimo Giuannulli , will plead guilty to college admissions scam charges .
They are among 50 people charged in an alleged criminal enterprise to get their children into top US schools .
The couple had initially pleaded not guilty to the fraud charges .
Officials say they have agreed to a plea deal of prison time , a fine and community service under supervised release .
According to the US Attorney 's office in Massachusetts , Ms Loughlin will plead guilty to conspiracy to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Mr Giannulli will plead guilty to the same , plus one count of honest services wire and mail fraud .
Prosecutors had said Ms Loughlin and Mr Giannulli paid $ 500,000 ( £408,000 ) in bribes to have their two daughters admitted into the University of Southern California ( USC ) as fake rowing-team recruits .
Under the terms of the deal , Ms Loughlin will serve two months in prison , pay $ 150,000 in fines , have two years of supervised release and complete 100 hours of community service .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ he will serve five months in prison , pay $ 250,000 and must complete 250 hours of community service .
`` Under the plea agreements filed today , these defendants will serve prison terms reflecting their respective roles in a conspiracy to corrupt the college admissions process and which are consistent with prior sentences in this case , '' Massachusetts US Attorney Andrew Lelling said in a statement on Thursday .
`` We will continue to pursue accountability for undermining the integrity of college admissions . ''
The pair will bring the total @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scam to 24 .
The couple were among the most high-profile suspects to be caught up in the national cheating scandal .
Desperate Housewives actress Felicity Huffman was also charged and pleaded guilty within one month .
She ultimately served 11 days of a two week sentence in a San Francisco-area prison .
Prosecutors in Massachusetts had publicly warned Ms Loughlin that the longer her case dragged on , the longer her sentence would be if she was eventually found guilty at trial rather than plead guilty .
`` If she 's convicted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ giving her any state secrets by saying we would probably ask for a higher sentence for her than we did for Felicity Huffman , '' Mr Lelling told WCVB-TV in Boston in October .
The development comes only two weeks after the couple again moved to have the case dismissed .

"If she's convicted, I don't think I'm giving her any state secrets by saying we would probably ask for a higher sentence for her than we did for Felicity Huffman," Mr Lelling told WCVB-TV in Boston in October.