bbc--2020-02-05--Trump acquitted by Senate in impeachment trial

President Donald Trump has been cleared in his impeachment trial , ending a congressional bid to oust him from office that bitterly divided the US .
The Senate , run by the president 's fellow Republicans , voted to acquit him 52-48 on charges of abuse of power and 53-47 on obstruction of Congress .
Democrats charged Mr Trump in December with pressuring Ukraine to smear a potential White House rival .
In November , Mr Trump will be the first impeached president to go for election .
• All the reaction to Trump impeachment acquittal • Four numbers that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ historic vote on Wednesday , the Senate decided not to remove America 's 45th president from office on charges arising from his dealings with Ukraine .
If convicted on either charge , Mr Trump would have had to turn over his office to Vice-President Mike Pence .
The Democratic-led House of Representatives approved the articles of impeachment on 18 December .
Mr Trump , who is seeking a second four-year term in the 3 November election , always denied wrongdoing .
His re-election campaign said in a statement : `` President Trump has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time to get back to the business of the American people .
`` The do-nothing Democrats know they ca n't beat him , so they had to impeach him . ''
It said `` this terrible ordeal '' and `` nonsense '' was merely a Democratic campaign tactic .
The statement added : `` This impeachment hoax will go down as the worst miscalculation in American political history . ''
Mr Trump - whose personal approval rating with American voters hit a personal best of 49 % this week , according to Gallup @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday about the case .
How did the impeachment vote play out ?
Mitt Romney of Utah was the only Republican senator to cross the aisle and convict Mr Trump , on the first charge of abuse of power .
Despite Democratic hopes , two other moderate Republicans , Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska , did not join Mr Romney in voting to convict the president .
Some Republican senators criticised Mr Trump 's behaviour in recent days , but said it did not rise to the level of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republicans had hoped would side with them instead voted to convict Mr Trump .
They were Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona , Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Doug Jones of Alabama .
A two-thirds majority vote was needed to remove Mr Trump , which was always going to be a long shot in a 100-seat chamber controlled by his party .
What was Trump accused of ?
The impeachment charges focused on Mr Trump 's request that Kyiv announce a corruption investigation into Joe Biden , a Democratic White House candidate , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has argued that the younger Biden improperly held a board position with a Ukrainian natural gas firm while his father was US vice-president and in charge of American-Ukrainian relations .
Democrats accused Mr Trump of abusing his power by withholding $ 391m ( £300m ) in security aid to prod Ukraine 's president into digging up dirt on the Bidens .
• The story in 100 , 300 and 800 words They also charged Mr Trump with obstruction of Congress after the White House blocked testimony and documents sought by the House impeachment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Trump 's phone call on 25 July this year in which he asked Ukraine 's President Volodymyr Zelensky to `` do us a favour '' .
Following a complaint from an anonymous government whistleblower , Democrats launched their investigation in September , compiling a 28,000-page report .
What is the historical precedent ?
Mr Trump is the third US president to have been impeached .
The two others , Bill Clinton in 1999 and Andrew Johnson in 1868 , were left in power by the Senate and did not seek re-election .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ be impeached .
Democrats expressed concern that acquittal would further embolden a president whom they depict as a demagogue .
• House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Mr Trump remains `` an ongoing threat to American democracy '' and that Senate Republicans had `` normalised lawlessness '' • Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said there will always be `` a giant asterisk next to the president 's acquittal '' • `` No doubt , the president will boast he received total exoneration , '' said the New York senator .
`` But we know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say ?
• Senator Lamar Alexander of Tennessee warned before he voted to acquit that a guilty verdict would `` pour gasoline on the fire '' of the nation 's divisions and `` rip the country apart '' • Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said the entire case against Mr Trump had been a `` circus '' and `` a colossal political mistake '' • Lindsey Graham of South Carolina said the proceedings were a `` sham '' designed to destroy a presidency • Mr Romney , the 2012 Republican presidential nominee , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he explained his decision to convict the president • He said Mr Trump had been `` guilty of an appalling abuse of public trust '' and `` a flagrant assault on our electoral rights , our national security and our fundamental values '' .
Is this the end of the matter ?
Mr Trump has probably not heard the last of the Ukraine investigation .
Jerry Nadler , the Democratic chairman of the House Judiciary Committee , said on Wednesday the chamber would `` likely '' issue a subpoena to Mr Trump 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Senate Republicans ultimately declined to seek Mr Bolton 's testimony during the president 's impeachment trial , provoking uproar from Democrats .
A manuscript of a forthcoming Bolton memoir reportedly alleges Mr Trump told his former national security adviser to help him pressure Ukraine .

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bbc--2020-02-06--Kirk Douglas, Hollywood legend, dies at 103

The stage and screen actor was well-known for a range of roles , including the 1960 classic Spartacus , in which he played the titular character .
Born in New York in 1916 , he rose to prominence during Hollywood 's `` golden age '' , earning his first Oscar nomination for the 1949 boxing story Champion .
He was also the father of Oscar-winning actor Michael Douglas .
Michael said in a statement : `` It is with tremendous sadness that my brothers and I announce that Kirk Douglas left us today . ''
`` To the world , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the golden age of movies ... but to me and my brothers Joel and Peter he was simply Dad , '' it read in part .
`` Let me end with the words I told him on his last birthday and which will always remain true .
Dad - I love you so much and I am so proud to be your son . ''
Kirk Douglas was prolific as a film actor , with more than 90 credits to his name - ranging over six decades from the 1940s to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Spartacus , a Stanley Kubrick film which won four Oscars and was so popular that its iconic `` I am Spartacus '' scene entered the pop culture lexicon .
Douglas was himself nominated for an Oscar three times - for Champion ( 1949 ) , The Bad and the Beautiful ( 1952 ) , and Lust for Life ( 1956 ) .
He eventually won the honorary award in 1996 in recognition of his 50 years in the industry .

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bbc--2020-02-05--Joe Biden: 'We took a gut punch in Iowa' caucus

Joe Biden said the results of the first Democratic primary , where he came fourth , were a `` gut punch '' .
Mr Biden failed to secure a single delegate in the first vote to choose the Democratic presidential candidate .
`` I 'm not going to sugarcoat it , '' Biden said .
`` This is n't the first time in my life I 've been knocked down . ''
But the former vice-president vowed : `` I 'm not going anywhere '' and told an audience in New Hampshire he was counting on them for their support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state to vote on 11 February , and several candidates are actively campaigning there to drum up support .
Iowa , which has long defended its position as the first race in of the election year , has been beset by problems after its app for reporting results failed , leading to lengthy delays in delivering even the first preliminary results .
• A simple guide to US primaries and caucuses Mr Biden 's supporters were disappointed by the early results in the state , which is widely viewed as an opportunity for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two days after results were expected , 86 % of precincts have reported : • Pete Buttigieg has 26.7 % of the vote , awarding him 11 delegates • Bernie Sanders has 25.4 % , also with 11 delegates • Elizabeth Warren has 18.3 % and five delegates • Joe Biden has 15.9 % , which leaves him with zero delegates Those delegates will eventually represent these candidates when the Democratic nominee is chosen later this year .
Other candidates who failed to secure a single delegate include Amy Klobuchar ( 12.1 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) .
Officials said a `` coding error '' in the system caused the delay in Iowa , firmly rejecting speculation that something more sinister , such as a hack , might have affected the results .

And Republicans have been hammering away at him for his son's lucrative board position with a Ukrainian natural gas firm at the time his father was US vice-president and in charge of American-Ukrainian relations, which came up in the Trump impeachment case.


bbc--2020-02-05--Turkey plane: One dead, 150 hurt as jet skids off runway in Istanbul

A passenger plane landing at an airport in Istanbul has skidded off the runway and broken into three parts , killing one person and injuring more than 150 , officials say .
The Pegasus Airlines jet was carrying 171 passengers and six crew members from Izmir province in the west when it crashed at Sabiha Gokcen airport .
The Boeing 737 was trying to land in heavy tailwinds and rain .
The airport was closed and flights diverted after the accident .
Turkish media said the majority of people on board were Turkish but there were also about 20 foreign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : `` Unfortunately , the Pegasus Airlines plane could n't hold on the runway due to poor weather conditions and skidded for around 50-60m [ 164-196ft ] . ''
He said the plane then fell between 30 and 40 metres off the end of the runway .
Health Minister Fahrettin Koca confirmed a Turkish citizen had died and 157 other people had been injured .
He said none of the wounded people were in a critical condition .
Video footage showed passengers climbing through one of the large cracks to escape via one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rescuers working around the jet .
Other footage on social media showed a blaze inside the aircraft , which was later put out by firefighters .
Transport Minister Mehmet Cahit Turhan said authorities had not yet been able to speak to the pilots , a Turkish national and a South Korean , who were believed to have been injured in the accident .
The low-cost Pegasus Airlines has a fleet of 83 aircraft - 47 Boeings and 36 Airbus planes - and has been flying for 20 years .
A Pegasus Boeing 737 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arab Emirates skidded off the runway at the same airport on 7 January .
There were no casualties but the airport had to be temporarily closed .
And a Pegasus Boeing 737 also skidded off the runway at Trabzon airport in January 2018 , plunging down the side of a cliff overlooking the sea .
There were no casualties .

The majority of people on board were Turkish, but local media quoted the airline's records as saying there were 22 foreign passengers from 12 other countries. A small number of children are believed to have been on board.


bbc--2020-02-05--World's biggest iceberg makes a run for it

The world 's biggest iceberg is about to enter the open ocean .
A68 , a colossus that broke free from the Antarctic in 2017 , has pushed so far north it is now at the limit of the continent 's perennial sea-ice .
When it calved , the berg had an area close to 6,000 sq km ( 2,300 sq mi ) and has lost very little of its bulk over the past two and a half years .
But scientists say A68 will struggle to maintain its integrity when it reaches the Southern Ocean 's rougher waters .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ akin to five sheets of A4 , I am astonished that the ocean waves have n't already made ice cubes out of A68 , '' said Prof Adrian Luckman from Swansea University , UK .
`` If it survives for long as one piece when it moves beyond the edge of the sea-ice , I will be very surprised , '' he told BBC News .
• World 's biggest iceberg is on the move • 'No role ' for climate in Halley iceberg A68 split from the Larsen C Ice Shelf in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it hardly moved , its keel apparently grounded on the seafloor .
But the prevailing winds and currents eventually began to push it northwards along the eastern coast of the Antarctic Peninsula , and during this summer season the drift has undergone a rapid acceleration .
The iceberg , currently at 63 degrees South latitude , is following a very predictable course .
When it pops above the tip of the peninsula , the massive block should be swept northwards towards the Atlantic - a path researchers refer to as `` Iceberg Alley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bergs even make it as far - and beyond - the British Overseas Territory of South Georgia at roughly 54 degrees South .
The biggest ever recorded iceberg in the modern era was the 11,000-sq-km block called B15 , which calved from the Ross Ice Shelf in 2000 .
One of its last remnants , now measuring `` just '' 200 sq km , is halfway to the South Sandwich Islands , east of South Georgia .
Objects this big have to be constantly monitored because they pose a risk to shipping .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on this page , are the obvious way to do this .
While they keep an eye on A68 , scientists are also watching for two other , soon-to-birth bergs .
One is about to come off the front of Pine Island Glacier in the West Antarctic .
This will be a little over 300 sq km when it calves .
The block is already riven with many cracks .
`` I expect that the new iceberg will break into many pieces soon after it calves , '' said Prof Luckman .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eastern Antarctica , on the edge of the Brunt Ice Shelf .
This should be about 1,500 sq km - roughly the area of Greater London .
The putative berg has garnered a lot of attention because Britain 's Halley research station had to be moved to make sure it was n't in harm 's way .
The berg will calve when a big rift , dubbed Chasm 1 , finally slices through a section of ice measuring less than 10km in length .
Precisely when , no-one can say .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a steady rate , and the rift tip is hardly advancing , '' Prof Luckman told BBC News .
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One is about to come off the front of Pine Island Glacier in the West Antarctic. This will be a little over 300 sq km when it calves. The block is already riven with many cracks.


bbc--2020-02-05--Coronavirus: Hong Kong to quarantine visitors from mainland China

Hong Kong is to impose a mandatory 14-day quarantine on all visitors from mainland China as it battles to prevent the spread of a coronavirus outbreak .
The policy comes into effect on Saturday but officials refused to close the border entirely , as demanded by medical staff who have gone on strike .
Hong Kong , which has 21 confirmed cases and one fatality , suffered 300 deaths in the Sars outbreak in 2002-03 .
There are 24,300 confirmed coronavirus cases and 490 deaths on the mainland .
Those figures included an additional 4,000 cases and 65 deaths on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ latest report says .
However , a new report from the health commission for the worst-affected Hubei province said there were 70 more deaths in the province on Wednesday which have yet to be reflected in the national figures .
• Could it become pandemic ?
The virus has spread overseas , with 25 nations confirming a total of 191 cases , although there has so far been only one death , in the Philippines .
The World Health Organization ( WHO ) has declared the outbreak a global health emergency .
Its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday appealed for $ 675m ( £520m ) to fund a three-month response plan .
• The Chinese doctor who tried to warn others • The coronavirus will finally get a proper name Meanwhile , at least 10 people on board a cruise ship docked in the Japanese port of Yokohama have tested positive for the virus .
The coronavirus causes severe acute respiratory infection and symptoms usually start with a fever , followed by a dry cough .
Most people infected are likely to fully recover - just as they would from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kong taken ?
Chief Executive Carrie Lam said anyone arriving from the mainland , including foreigners , would be quarantined for 14 days from Saturday , although she did not say how this would be imposed .
It is unclear where the quarantines would take place or whether Hong Kong residents could spend the time at home .
Tens of thousands of people arrived from the mainland on Tuesday .
Ms Lam has not moved to close the border entirely , although thousands of medical staff on Wednesday entered the third day of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threatened to escalate their action .
Hong Kong will , however , close the Ocean and Kai Tak cruise terminals .
Some 3,600 passengers and crew on the World Dream , docked at Kai Tak , are being tested for the virus after three Chinese passengers who were on the ship between 19 and 24 January tested positive after disembarking .
Hong Kong remains concerned about a repeat of the deadly Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ( Sars ) outbreak , although the mortality rate of the new virus is much lower than that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % .
There have been massive queues for masks which are in short supply and are selling at inflated prices .
Separately , the Hong Kong-based airline Cathay Pacific is asking 27,000 staff to take three weeks unpaid leave over the coming months as it deals with the impact of the outbreak .
What are the mainland 's latest measures ?
Officials say they have stepped up efforts to control the outbreak , particularly in its epicentre , Hubei province and its capital , Wuhan , where two hospitals have been speedily built @ @ @ @ @ @ @ makeshift wards .
Millions in Hubei and Zhejiang provinces have been told only one person per household can go outside every two days .
Chinese health authorities insist suspected cases are falling , because of better testing .
Foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying urged other nations to be objective in their assessment of the virus and support China 's efforts .
`` Fear is worse than any virus , '' she said .
State broadcaster CCTV quoted doctors in Wuhan as saying it appeared that pregnant women could pass the virus to their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positive after being born to an infected mother in the city .
What has the WHO said ?
Announcing the appeal for $ 675m , Dr Tedros said : `` Our message to the international community is invest today or pay more later . ''
The vast majority of the funds would go to nations needing help to protect against the virus .
Some 500,000 masks and 40,000 respirators would be sent to 24 countries .
Dr Tedros said a `` window of opportunity '' existed to bring the virus under control and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation announced on Wednesday .
The WHO also played down reports from Chinese TV that researchers at Zhejiang University had found an effective drug , saying there were still `` no known effective therapeutics '' In other developments on Wednesday : • Malaysian journalist Wan Noor Hayati faces charges of causing public fear over a Facebook post expressing alarm at the arrival of a cruise ship with 1,000 Chinese tourists in northern Penang state • Thousands of Chinese visitors to the island of Bali could be stranded there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and from mainland China • Organisers of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics say they are `` seriously concerned '' about the spread of the virus and its possible impact on the Games • Russian President Vladimir Putin said pharmacies that ramped up the price of masks should be stripped of their licences What is happening on the cruise ship in Yokohama ?
Almost 300 of the 3,700 people on the ship , the Diamond Princess , have been tested so far .
The number of infected could rise from the 10 so far confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospitals but the rest of the crew and passengers on board are in quarantine .
The checks began after an 80-year-old Hong Kong man who had been on the ship last month fell ill with the virus .
British tourist David Abel , who is on board , told the BBC he was supposed to return to the UK on Tuesday .
`` We had a flight booked with BA on Tuesday morning and that has had to be cancelled .
We 've got no idea when we are going to be allowed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We 've got no interaction with other passengers , food is brought to the room .
It 's really basic food , nothing like we 've enjoyed on the cruise at all . ''
Learn more about the new virus • How worried should we be ?
• The city now in lockdown • Can wearing masks stop the spread of viruses ?

"We had a flight booked with BA on Tuesday morning and that has had to be cancelled. We've got no idea when we are going to be allowed off the ship," he said.


bbc--2020-02-05--Bare shoulder MP shrugs off critics

Bare shoulder MP shrugs off critics

A Labour MP who faced criticism on social media for her off-the-shoulder dress said people needed to `` listen to what we say not what we wear '' .
Tracy Brabin , the shadow culture secretary , said she had been `` startled by the vitriolic nature '' of some comments .
She told BBC Breakfast it was her responsibility to `` call it out '' .
`` Women around the world ... are being demeaned everyday because of what they wear , '' she said .
The Batley and Spen MP had been raising a point of order in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ journalists being asked to leave a Downing Street press briefing on the next stage of Brexit talks , when her shoulder appeared .
She said her slightly off-the-shoulder dress had slipped a little as she leant forward to speak .
Ms Brabin said she had been to a music event earlier in the day and was not expecting to be called to the dispatch box .
`` But , the context of this is frankly pretty absurd , '' she said .
`` I am here talking about a shoulder when it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' she told viewers to BBC Breakfast .
Ms Brabin , who played Tricia Armstrong in Coronation Street for three years in the 1990s , said she tried not to take the comments too seriously , especially as they were likely from `` keyboard warriors sat in their mum 's back bedroom eating Pot Noodles and having a pop at people they do n't know anything about '' .
However , she said : `` This is everyday sexism where women are continually judged for what they wear , how they look and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Why is that ?
It 's a way to silence us , '' she told BBC Radio Leeds .
She said there were examples of things that happened in the Commons that were worthy of discussion , including Jacob Rees Mogg `` asleep on the front benches with his legs up '' .
`` That is disrespectful , '' she added .
She said she was also thankful for the many positive comments she had received .
Stacey Dooley , the TV presenter and journalist , was among those supporting Ms Brabin on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Women 's Equality Party , said the focus should be on Ms Brabin calling out the prime minister for `` trying to block out the media '' .
`` That 's what we need to be concentrating on , [ and ] frankly , I do n't really care what she was wearing . ''
`` We 've seen female MPs leaving because they have suffered harassment and death threats - they have suffered incredible abuse , and that 's the context these comments are being made in , '' she added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ better to do with their time '' .
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Ms Brabin, who played Tricia Armstrong in Coronation Street for three years in the 1990s, said she tried not to take the comments too seriously, especially as they were likely from "keyboard warriors sat in their mum's back bedroom eating Pot Noodles and having a pop at people they don't know anything about".


bbc--2020-02-05--Mass drug rape charges to be dropped against US surgeon and girlfriend

Charges against a California couple accused of sexually assaulting `` hundreds '' of women will be dropped due to lack of evidence , officials said .
Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer accused his predecessor of mishandling the case and using it to aid his re-election bid .
In 2018 , prosecutors said they found proof that Grant Robicheaux and Cerissa Riley drugged and raped victims .
Mr Spitzer said the case was `` manufactured '' .
He accused his predecessor of misleading the public , as a review of the case found `` not a single video or photograph @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the former district attorney , had claimed .
The couple had denied the charges against them .
Mr Rackauckas , alleged the couple `` used their good looks and charm '' to lure and drug victims .
He brought charges on behalf of seven unnamed women who said they were assaulted by Dr Robicheaux , 39 , and Ms Riley , 32 .
He said investigators had found `` thousands '' of videos and images on their mobile phones that showed vulnerable women `` barely responsive to the defendants ' sexual advances @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women could have been assaulted .
However , Mr Rackauckas admitted in a deposition last summer that he used the case to garner media attention and help his re-election effort , according to the statement from the district attorney 's office .
He lost his re-election bid in November 2018 .
Mr Spitzer will open an internal investigation to review Mr Rackauckas ' handling of the case , US media report .
On Tuesday , Mr Rackauckas defended his handling of the case , saying he felt for `` the women who had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Any prosecutor should think long and hard before dismissing such a case where multiple women have independently come forward and subjected themselves to the hard process of baring their souls to the authorities , '' he told local media .
`` I just hope they 're not being sold down the river for some twisted political motive . ''
Dr Robicheaux is a well-known orthopaedic surgeon and once appeared on the cable reality TV show Online Dating Rituals of the American Male .
He and Ms Riley were arrested in September 2018 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rape and sexual assault after meeting them at a bar and a restaurant in Newport Beach , 45 miles ( 72km ) south of Los Angeles .
As more accusers came forth following media coverage , Dr Robicheaux was charged with 17 felonies , and Ms Riley with 13 , both including drug rape and assault charges .
They faced a maximum of 40 and 30 years in prison respectively .
The couple had pleaded not guilty to all counts .
Their lawyers said Mr Rackauckas ' statements to media `` set off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' of the case and damaged the couple 's chance at a fair trial .

However, Mr Rackauckas admitted in a deposition last summer that he used the case to garner media attention and help his re-election effort, according to the statement from the district attorney's office. He lost his re-election bid in November 2018.


bbc--2020-02-05--World-renowned HIV researcher Frank Plummer, 67, dies

Frank Plummer , a `` scientific maverick '' whose research had a profound impact on global public health , has died .
The world-renowned microbiologist was most widely recognised for his ground-breaking work on understanding HIV transmission .
Dr Plummer , 67 , was also recognised for leadership roles in the Sars , H1N1 flu and Ebola epidemics .
He had recently spoken publicly about undergoing experimental brain surgery to treat alcoholism .
The researcher died while in Kenya to celebrate the 40th anniversary of a research collaboration between the University of Manitoba and University of Nairobi , reportedly of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lost a giant , '' said Dr Brian Postl , a former classmate of Dr Plummer 's at the University of Manitoba .
`` Back in medical school , Frank was clearly a creative thinker and amongst our accomplished MD Class of 1976 , distinguished himself as a true leader and visionary . ''
Dr Digvir Jayas , of the University of Manitoba , said Dr Plummer 's `` contributions have had a cumulative global impact on saving the lives of tens of thousands of people for decades and also improving the lives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Among his findings was that HIV could be transmitted between mothers and babies through breast milk .
He also did work with Nairobi sex workers , showing that a small percentage of them showed an immunity to the disease .
`` Frank is one of Canada 's top scientists and his impact and legacy has reached all around the world , '' his former student , Dr Keith Fowke , told the BBC via email .
`` The world is a far better place for the contributions Frank made and he will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Just over a year ago , Dr Plummer had chosen to participate in a surgical trial for experimental brain surgery to treat his alcoholism and had spoken about the positive results .
The procedure , called deep brain stimulation ( DBS ) , was being conducted in North America for the first time for otherwise untreatable alcohol addiction at Toronto 's Sunnybrook Hospital .
Dr Plummer said the surgery had given him a new lease on life after a series of health problems had forced him to confront his battle with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ HIV research with the hopes of developing a vaccine for the disease and had begun writing a book about his experience in Kenya working on the frontlines of the Aids crisis .
When he returned from working in Kenya , he had served a senior scientific advisor of the Public Health Agency of Canada and as scientific director general of the National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg , one of a handful of laboratories in the world with the capacity to work with highly pathogenic viruses like Ebola .
He received numerous accolades for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Canada , one of the country 's highest honours , and the Canada Gairdner Wightman Award , which recognises scientists whose work has had a significant impact on health outcomes in the developing world .

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bbc--2020-02-05--Germany AfD: Outrage as far right helps oust Thuringia PM Ramelow

Protests have broken out in the eastern German state of Thuringia after the far-right AfD party helped oust state premier Bodo Ramelow , replacing him with another candidate .
Mr Ramelow 's Die Linke ( Left ) won Thuringia 's state elections in October and agreed a coalition deal on Tuesday .
But , in what is being described as an earthquake in German politics , he then lost the vote for state premier .
The AfD unexpectedly threw its weight behind another party 's candidate .
For mainstream parties to collaborate with the AfD is considered a taboo , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CDU and the liberal FDP ended up on the same side , backing the liberal candidate , Thomas Kemmerich .
No state premier has ever taken office before with the aid of the AfD .
The anti-immigration party is the biggest opposition force in Germany 's national parliament , the Bundestag .
Thuringia is one of its heartlands and the regional AfD is seen as even more extreme there , because it is led by Björn Höcke , one of its most controversial figures .
Mr Höcke sparked an outcry when he condemned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the heart of Berlin , describing it as a `` memorial of shame '' .
Critics were appalled that the two centre-right parties had apparently made a pact with a party that holds extreme views on immigration , freedom of speech and the press .
Mr Kemmerich 's FDP had barely scraped into the local parliament in Erfurt with just 5 % of the vote last October , and his success in the vote in parliament came as a shock to Bodo Ramelow 's supporters .
• Far right overtakes Merkel party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been ?
Mr Kemmerich told the parliament in Erfurt that he was against all forms of fascism - `` I 'm anti-AfD and anti-Höcke '' - but local reports said he was interrupted by shouts of `` charlatan '' and `` hypocrite '' .
Over 1,000 protesters took to the streets of Erfurt and other demonstrations were held in Thuringia 's other main cities - Weimar , Jena and Gera - , public broadcaster MDR reported .
Hundreds of people protested in front of Mr Kemmerich 's party headquarters in Berlin , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) was trending on Wednesday evening in Germany .
Mr Ramelow himself said what had happened was a `` disgusting charade '' .
He pointed out that it was in Thuringia 90 years ago that the first National Socialist government in Germany had been elected .
There was also anger from the CDU 's national leader , Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer , who called for new elections , describing what had happened as `` a bad day for Thuringia , a bad day for Germany '' .
The leader of Mr Kemmerich 's own party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the far right .


bbc--2020-02-05--Australia launches inquiry into military veteran suicides

Australia is to set up an independent body to investigate military veteran suicides , Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced .
The body , led by a permanent commissioner , will review more than 400 known cases of suicide since 2001 .
The commissioner , who has not yet been named , will also explore and recommend ways to boost mental health within Australia 's armed forces .
It comes after years of campaigning by bereaved family members .
`` Those veterans and all serving men and women protect our community and our freedoms .
It is our duty to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Morrison said in a statement .
`` I believe what we have developed addresses the needs of those veterans , their families and our serving men and women , '' he added .
`` We will be permanently vigilant about their welfare . ''
The suicide rate for ex-servicemen is nearly 20 % higher than the national average , while ex-servicewomen are twice as likely to take their own lives compared with other Australian women .
David Finney , a former naval petty officer , was among those who took their own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discharged in 2017 with post-traumatic stress disorder ( PTSD ) .
Since his death , his mother Julie-Ann has called for the creation of a Royal Commission - Australia 's highest form of public inquiry - into veteran suicides , and her online petition has collected nearly 300,000 signatures .
She told Australian broadcaster ABC that she was happy to hear about the new commission , but said she did not want to take all the credit .
`` This was not me , this was all of Australia backing this , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make absolutely sure that this works for veteran wellbeing . ''
The new body will have similar powers to a Royal Commission , including the ability to call witnesses , compel evidence and take action against people who do not cooperate with investigations .
It is will also be backed by AU $ 40m ( $ 27m ) of government funding , which may be increased if necessary .
The commissioner will be expected to deliver an interim report to Australia 's parliament within 12 months , and further reports every subsequent year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be appointed to represent the views of veterans and their families , shape policy and advocate for changes to veteran services and benefits .
Labor Party leader Anthony Albanese told parliament on Wednesday that he supported the new inquiry , though he would have preferred a Royal Commission .
`` We called for a royal commission last year , '' he said .
`` But we are not going to let the perfect be the enemy of the good .
We will support what the Prime Minister has announced and we will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resourced . ''
If you are depressed and need to ask for help , there 's advice on who to contact at BBC Action Line .
Outside of the UK , visit Befrienders International for more information about support services .
If you are in Australia , you can call Lifeline on 131114 .

"We called for a royal commission last year," he said. "But we are not going to let the perfect be the enemy of the good. We will support what the Prime Minister has announced and we will be vigilant to make sure it is properly resourced."


bbc--2020-02-06--Turkey avalanche rescue operation put on hold by government

Rescue efforts have been put on hold after two avalanches killed at least 38 people in eastern Turkey .
Most of the dead were hit by an avalanche on Wednesday while trying to recover the victims of another downslide which happened a day earlier .
Further rescue work continued but was paused because of concerns about a possible third avalanche .
The operation , involving more than 700 personnel , is expected to continue on Thursday after inspections .
Images from Wednesday showed dozens of people using shovels and sticks to dig people out from under the snow .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Disaster and Emergency Management Authority ( Afad ) .
But conditions hampered the recovery , with one rescue vehicle having to be pulled out from under 5m ( 16ft ) of snow .
Van province governor Mehmet Emin Bilmez said police officers , firefighters and volunteer rescuers were among the dead .
There are fears the death toll may rise further .
A further 75 people have also been injured , according to Health Minister Fahrettin Kocaaso .
The head of Afad 's Van office , Osman Ucar , was one of those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I was halfway buried , '' he told Ihlas News Agency .
`` I got out by my own means . ''
Officials were alerted to the first avalanche by a man who escaped after his snow-clearing vehicle was buried under snow .
You may also be interested in : • 'My baby 's toy torch saved me from an avalanche '

Most of the dead were hit by an avalanche on Wednesday while trying to recover the victims of another downslide which happened a day earlier.


bbc--2020-02-05--Finland to give dads same parental leave as mums

Finland 's new government has announced plans to give all parents the same parental leave , in a push to get fathers to spend more time with their children .
Paid allowance will increase to a combined 14 months , which works out as 164 days per parent .
Neighbouring Sweden has Europe 's most generous system of parental leave with 240 days each after a baby 's birth .
Finland says it wants to `` promote wellbeing and gender equality '' .
Health and social affairs minister Aino-Kaisa Pekonen told reporters that `` a radical reform of family benefits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of strengthening the relationship of parents from the start .
Pushing fathers to take their leave Under the current system in Finland , maternity leave is 4.2 months , while fathers are given 2.2 months until the child turns two .
On top of that , another six months ' parental leave can be shared .
However , on average only one in four fathers take what they are given .
The current plans now talk only of parental leave .
Each parent would receive 6.6 months ' leave ( 164 days under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pregnant women would get an additional month 's allowance .
Parents would be allowed to transfer 69 days of their quota .
Single parents would be allowed to use both allowances .
Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin said last month that her country still had some way to go to achieve gender equality , and complained that too few fathers were spending time with their children when they were young .
Rest of Europe heading the same way Anne Lise Ellingsaeter , a University of Oslo professor who led a Nordic inquiry into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Nordic countries had been leading the way on giving fathers entitlement that could not be transferred to the mother .
The EU is also heading that way , with a 2019 directive giving member states three years to provide each parent with at least four months ' leave , including two months that can not be transferred .
• The rising star who is the world 's youngest PM • How the wealthiest countries compare on parental leave Portugal already has a gender-neutral system , with 120 days paid at 100 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at 80 % of salary .
Prof Ellingsaeter said giving fathers increased rights had not been a complete success in the Nordic countries .
`` Norway was the first country in 1993 to have non-transferable leave for fathers and then Sweden followed suit .
But Denmark instituted a father quota in 1998 and abolished it later , and it has n't been re-introduced , '' she said .
Fathers in Denmark get two weeks after a birth and the mother and father can share a further 32 weeks between them .
Since December @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five-party coalition and each party is led by a woman .
Ms Marin , 34 , has said it is `` not that big a deal '' in Finnish terms to have women in power .
The government estimates that the changes will cost an extra €100m ( £84m ; $ 110m ) .
Sweden , Norway , Iceland , Estonia and Portugal were praised in a Unicef report last year for offering the best family-friendly policies .
It ranked the UK , Ireland , Greece , Cyprus and Switzerland the lowest of @ @ @ @ @ @

Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin said last month that her country still had some way to go to achieve gender equality, and complained that too few fathers were spending time with their children when they were young.


bbc--2020-02-05--One of Kenya's last big 'tusker' elephants dies aged 50

One of the last remaining great `` tusker '' elephants in Kenya has died aged 50 .
Tim died in Amboseli National Park on Tuesday , according to the Kenya Wildlife Service ( KWS ) .
He died of natural causes .
The animal 's body will be sent to a taxidermist in Nairobi so that it can go on display , KWS said in a statement .
African elephants are referred as `` tuskers '' when their tusks grow so long that they reach the ground .
KWS said Tim was `` well known and loved throughout the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to weigh more than 45kg ( 100lbs ) each .
• Do elephants risk their lives to save each other ?
He was well-known in the area due to his crop-raiding habits .
During his lifetime , he was speared three times .
In an effort to keep him safe and protect locals ' crops , a team comprised of animal protection groups and KWS placed a collar on him .
They were able to monitor him more closely and send a team to try and stop his crop raiding habit .
Once @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they would attempt to intercept him , although he quickly learnt to bypass them .
During the first year , he made 183 attempts to enter farmlands and raid crops .
The monitoring team were able to stop around 50 % of these from going any further , Save the Elephants said .
In February last year , Tim nearly died after he became trapped in a muddy swamp .
However was later rescued by KWS and animal protection groups .
Former Save the Elephants field assistant Ryan Wilkie said : `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just to me but to hundreds , thousands of people who would flock to Amboseli just for the chance to see him .
`` He was so incredibly intelligent , mischievous , yes , but also a truly gentle giant and in that way a real ambassador for his species . ''

In an effort to keep him safe and protect locals' crops, a team comprised of animal protection groups and KWS placed a collar on him. They were able to monitor him more closely and send a team to try and stop his crop raiding habit.


bbc--2020-02-05--Landmark study to transform cancer treatment

More than a thousand scientists have built the most detailed picture of cancer ever in a landmark study .
They said cancer was like a 100,000-piece jigsaw , and that until today , 99 % of the pieces were missing .
Their studies , published in the journal Nature , provide an almost complete picture of all cancers .
They could allow treatment to be tailored to each patient 's unique tumour , or develop ways of finding cancer earlier .
The Pan-Cancer Analysis of Whole Genomes Consortium analysed the whole genetic code of 2,658 cancers .
A cancer is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cells - mutations to our DNA change our cells until eventually they grow and divide uncontrollably .
Most of our understanding of this process comes from the sets of genetic instructions for building the body 's proteins .
`` That 's a mere 1 % of the whole genome , '' said Dr Lincoln Stein from the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research .
He said doctors would be `` in the dark '' when treating around a third of patients , as it was impossible to tell why their cells had become cancerous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries more than a decade to figure out what the 99 % were doing .
The work , which took 22 scientific journal papers to describe , shows that cancer is massively complex , with thousands of different combinations of mutations able to cause cancer .
The project found people 's cancers contain , on average , between four and five fundamental mutations that drive a cancer 's growth .
These are potential weak-spots that can be exploited with treatments that attack these `` driver mutations '' .
`` Ultimately , what we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ technologies to identify treatments that are tailored to each individual patient , '' said Dr Peter Campbell , from the Wellcome Sanger Institute .
However , 5 % of cancers appear to have no driver mutations at all , showing there is still more work to do .
Scientists also developed a way of `` carbon dating '' mutations .
They showed that more than a fifth of them occurred years or even decades before a cancer is found .
`` We 've developed the first timelines of genetic mutations across the spectrum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Peter Van Loo from the Francis Crick Institute .
He added : `` Unlocking these patterns means it should now be possible to develop new diagnostic tests , that pick up signs of cancer much earlier . ''
The challenge will be knowing which of these mutations will go on to become cancer and which can be safely ignored .

He said doctors would be "in the dark" when treating around a third of patients, as it was impossible to tell why their cells had become cancerous.


bbc--2020-02-05--Trump impeachment trial: Four numbers that explain why he was cleared

After an impeachment trial that lasted barely two weeks , US President Donald Trump has been cleared and he can now concentrate on running for re-election .
It was always the likely outcome , but the path of how we got to this conclusion was what made this trial interesting .
Here are four numbers that explain the story - and what happens now .
Mr Trump 's acquittal in the Senate is a reflection of his popularity among Republicans .
If it was n't clear before the trial that he had the support of the rank and file of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clear now .
He has never been more popular with Republicans ( or more unpopular with Democrats ) .
According to a poll by Gallup this week , 94 % of Republicans approve of Mr Trump 's performance in office .
This figure has kept on rising despite his impeachment trial .
Gallup also reported that 89 % of Republicans approved of Mr Trump during his third year in office - this made him the second most popular president of all time among his own party members .
It was n't always like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republicans were lining up to condemn Mr Trump , the man who would unexpectedly end up becoming their party 's nominee for president .
In 2016 , Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowksi vowed not to vote for him .
`` If we nominate Trump , we will get destroyed , '' South Carolina senator Lindsey Graham said in 2016 , `` and we will deserve it . ''
Mr Trump became the nominee , then the president , and both Ms Murkowski and Mr Graham were there on the Senate floor during his trial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proven during the 2018 mid-term elections , when several Republican members of Congress who did not fully support Mr Trump lost their races , Republican voters may not forgive anyone who is not loyal to the president .
The president 's popularity does n't mean his supporters believe he is blameless in the impeachment saga .
In a poll conducted by the Associated Press and the NORC Center for Public Affairs Research last week , only 54 % of Republicans believed he had done nothing wrong .
Republicans in the Senate have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they control the chamber and were able to direct the terms of the trial .
That small majority mattered .
During the trial , senators had to vote on whether to admit witnesses , and the majority opted not to .
Had only four Republicans gone the other way , witnesses may have been allowed - not least former national security adviser John Bolton , whose evidence may well have undermined Mr Trump 's case .
Four Republican senators did indeed waver , Utah senator Mitt Romney among them .
At one point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alongside Democrats and independent senators and agree to allow witnesses .
But in the end , all Republicans but Mr Romney voted with their party , no witnesses were called and the trial wrapped after only 11 days .
This is the number that ensured Mr Trump was always going to get off .
A conviction would have happened only had two-thirds of senators - 67 - supported it .
This would have required 20 Republican senators to vote for their president 's conviction .
In the end , only one - Mitt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amount of money the Trump campaign said it raised in the last quarter of 2019 , a huge figure it said was down largely to Trump supporters reacting to the impeachment proceedings .
`` The President 's war chest and grassroots army make his re-election campaign an unstoppable juggernaut , '' his campaign manager Brad Parscale said .
With the trial behind him , Mr Trump is now free to concentrate on his campaign for re-election ( although in truth , he never let it interrupt his campaign in the first place ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supporters even more ?
Or will it have tainted the president 's image , despite his acquittal ?
We 'll find out on 3 November .

Mr Trump became the nominee, then the president, and both Ms Murkowski and Mr Graham were there on the Senate floor during his trial to stand by their man. As proven during the 2018 mid-term elections, when several Republican members of Congress who did not fully support Mr Trump lost their races, Republican voters may not forgive anyone who is not loyal to the president.


bbc--2020-02-05--Trump 'guilty of appalling abuse of public trust'

Senator Mitt Romney said that President Trump `` did commit high crimes and misdemeanours '' , in a break with @ @ @ @ @ .
Mr Romney added , `` corrupting an election to keep oneself in office is @ @ @ @ @ .

Senator Mitt Romney said that President Trump "did commit high crimes and misdemeanours", in a break with his Republican colleagues and party.
Mr Romney added, "corrupting an election to keep oneself in office is perhaps the most abusive".


bbc--2020-02-05--Hang on, why was Trump impeached again?

Hang on, why was Trump impeached again?

You may have heard this one before : a controversy involving a foreign power that threatened the future of the Trump presidency .
Donald Trump was impeached over allegations he improperly sought help from Ukraine to boost his chances of re-election .
In the end , he was cleared on two charges by a majority of senators at this trial .
How did we get here ?
Let 's break it down .
President Trump was accused of breaking the law by pressuring Ukraine 's leader to dig up damaging information on a political rival .
In July 2019 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the frontrunners to take him on in the 2020 presidential election .
This mattered , opposition Democrats said , because it is illegal to ask foreign entities for help in winning a US election .
He says he has done nothing wrong .
After Mr Trump was impeached in December , a trial took place that could have led to the president being removed .
In the end , he was cleared .
At the heart of this story was a complaint from an unknown whistleblower .
In August 2019 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expressing concern over President Trump 's 25 July phone conversation with Ukraine 's president .
The official spoke of an `` urgent concern '' that Mr Trump had used his office to `` solicit interference from a foreign country '' in the 2020 election .
A rough transcript of the call later revealed Mr Trump had urged President Volodymyr Zelensky to investigate former US Vice-President Joe Biden , the frontrunner to take on Mr Trump in the 2020 election , as well as Mr Biden 's son .
The call came shortly after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military aid to Ukraine .
A senior official later testified the president had made clear the release of this aid was conditional on Mr Biden being investigated .
The White House denies this .
Mr Trump and his supporters alleged Mr Biden abused his power to pressure Ukraine to back away from a criminal investigation that could implicate his son , Hunter , who worked for a Ukrainian energy company .
But these allegations were widely discredited .
There is no evidence that Mr Biden took any action to intentionally benefit his son @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrongdoing by Hunter Biden .
Congressional Democrats said the phone call was proof Mr Trump broke the law by seeking foreign help to try to smear Mr Biden .
But there was debate over whether soliciting opposition research from a foreign government constituted an impeachable offence .
President Trump says it 's a `` witch hunt '' .
The Democrat-held House of Representatives impeached him on two charges - abuse of power and the obstruction of Congress .
But to remove Mr Trump , senators from his own Republican Party would have needed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which did n't happen .
President Trump says he called his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky on 25 July 2019 to congratulate him on his election victory .
Mr Zelensky , a former TV star with no political experience , had been elected president three months earlier .
But an anonymous whistleblower , reported to be a CIA official , felt there was something more serious in their exchange , and explained why in a formal complaint on 12 August .
The whistleblower admitted having not directly heard the call but said accounts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consistent picture .
For context , about a dozen people are reported to have listened in on the conversation , including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo .
The call occurred days after Mr Trump blocked $ 391m ( £316m ) in military aid to Ukraine .
Critics argued this was used as a bargaining chip , but Mr Trump denied this .
The whistleblower alleged the president used `` the power of his office to solicit interference from a foreign country '' in the 2020 presidential election , adding that White House officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ call and had acted to `` lock down '' all details of it .
As the controversy grew , Mr Trump promised to release a `` complete , fully declassified and unredacted transcript '' he said would prove the call had been `` totally appropriate '' .
But details disclosed by the White House were notes of the conversation and not a full , verbatim account .
It did little to quell the spiralling controversy .
The notes showed Mr Trump had urged Mr Zelensky to investigate discredited corruption allegations against former Vice-President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic presidential nomination in the 2020 election , as well as Mr Biden 's son .
Mr Trump and his allies suggested that Mr Biden , as Barack Obama 's vice-president , encouraged the firing of Ukraine 's top prosecutor in 2015 because he had been investigating an energy company which employed Hunter Biden .
At the time , by working closely with foreign-owned entities while his father was in the White House , Hunter Biden was criticised for leaving his father exposed to suggestions of a possible conflict of interest .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anything to intentionally benefit his son .
Hunter Biden denied wrongdoing and officials in Kiev said there was no evidence to support the allegations .
Mr Trump pressing a foreign leader to investigate discredited allegations against Mr Biden was significant .
If he wins the Democratic nomination , Mr Biden would be the man facing Mr Trump for the presidency in November 2020 .
As Mr Biden is a leading rival for the presidency , it opened Mr Trump up to claims he was working with a foreign power to influence the election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the law .
This was not the first time Mr Trump has been scrutinised over his foreign connections .
His 2016 election campaign was investigated over its alleged ties to Russia .
The inquiry did n't establish a criminal conspiracy to influence the election , but it also did n't exonerate the president of obstructing justice .
The Democrats launched a formal inquiry into the Ukraine affair and a number of officials were called to testify .
They included the US government 's special envoy to Ukraine , Kurt Volker , who turned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other communications .
• Who listens in on a president 's phone call ?
• Ukraine has 'no jurisdiction ' to investigate Bidens • How easy is it to impeach a president ?
The acting ambassador to Ukraine , Bill Taylor , told the inquiry that Mr Trump had made the release of the military aid conditional on Ukraine opening an investigation into the Bidens ' dealings .
He also said there was `` an irregular , informal channel of US policymaking '' in the country more generally .
The White House denied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's personal lawyer , Rudy Giuliani , was subpoenaed for documents relating to Ukraine .
He has been central in pushing the allegations against the Bidens .
Mr Pompeo has also been served with a subpoena .
But the most dramatic testimony came from Gordon Sondland , the US ambassador to the European Union .
He told Congress that he was working at the `` express direction '' of the president when pressure was put on Ukraine to investigate the Bidens .
Mr Sondland added that an offer of a White House visit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country publicly announcing a probe .
He also implicated Mr Pompeo and former National Security Adviser John Bolton in the Ukraine dealings .
In December , Democratic leaders in the US House of Representatives unveiled two impeachment charges - abuse of power and the obstruction of Congress .
Then , a week before Christmas , the House voted to impeach Mr Trump , ensuring he became only the third US president to suffer the same fate ( after Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton ) .
Over two weeks in January and February @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A Senate vote requires a two-thirds majority to convict , so a guilty verdict was always unlikely given that Mr Trump 's party controls the chamber .
And this is how it came to pass .
Mr Trump was cleared - by 52 votes to 48 on one count , and 53 votes to 47 on the other .
Learn more about Trump and impeachment inquiry • SIMPLE GUIDE : A basic take on what 's going on • WHO 'S WHO : Meet the cast of characters involved • VIEW FROM @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a West Virginia town • ON THE DOORSTEP : A Democrat sells impeachment to voters

In July 2019, he urged his Ukrainian counterpart to investigate one of the frontrunners to take him on in the 2020 presidential election. This mattered, opposition Democrats said, because it is illegal to ask foreign entities for help in winning a US election. He says he has done nothing wrong.


bbc--2020-01-20--Trump impeachment: Who's who in the Ukraine story?

A mystery whistleblower , a former comedian and the president of the United States .
These are some of the main players in a story that is becoming ever more complex , and has now led to the president 's impeachment trial .
Who is he ?
The president of the United States of America .
Without him , there would be no story .
Here 's what we know about his involvement : • Mr Trump himself has acknowledged that he personally blocked nearly $ 400m in military aid to Ukraine in July 2019 • At about the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ukraine 's new president • In the call , Mr Trump pushed Ukraine 's president to investigate a leading domestic political rival , Joe Biden • A complaint by a whistleblower in the intelligence community , who spoke with White House sources about the call , alleges Mr Trump used `` the power of his office to solicit interference from a foreign country in the US 2020 election '' Mr Trump says the investigation is part of a `` witch hunt '' against him , and he denies that military aid was withheld @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He has also demanded to know who gave information to the whistleblower , saying the source was `` close to a spy '' .
After his impeachment , his trial in the Senate begins on Tuesday .
Who is he ?
Like Mr Trump , he 's a former TV star .
A one-time comedian with more than nine million Instagram followers ( who now see fewer of his exercise videos , but more photos of him meeting world leaders ) , he was elected president of Ukraine in a landslide win @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the other end of that 25 July phone call .
As our man in Kiev explains , the contents of the call proved to be a bit embarrassing for Mr Zelensky when they were released .
Not only were there a number of attempts to flatter Mr Trump , but it appeared that Mr Zelensky was willing to open an investigation into Mr Biden 's son , at Mr Trump 's request .
The big question - and one US investigators may be keen to ask Mr Zelensky and his associates - is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' first detailed conversation since the Ukraine election ) took place with a pre-condition that the Biden case be discussed .
Who is he ?
The vice-president during Barack Obama 's presidency for eight years , he is now one of the frontrunners for the Democratic nomination for the 2020 presidential election .
The fact that Mr Biden was , at the time of the Trump-Zelensky call , leading polls to be the Democratic candidate is the most relevant detail here .
If chosen , he will be the man facing Mr Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Polls have suggested Mr Biden would win in this scenario .
In brief : Mr Trump alleges Mr Biden abused his power while in office .
He suggests Mr Biden put pressure on Ukraine to back away from a criminal investigation that could implicate his son , Hunter ( more on him later ) .
The issue is that if Mr Biden was just a retired member of society right now , Mr Trump 's request to Ukraine would be of little consequence .
But because Mr Biden is ( for now , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rivals for the presidency , it opens Mr Trump up to claims he was working with a foreign power to influence the election .
`` This is n't about me , '' Mr Biden said in September .
`` It 's a tactic that 's used by this president to try to hijack an election so we do not focus on the issues that matter in our lives . ''
Who is he ?
Mr Biden 's 49-year-old son , who has worked as a lawyer and lobbyist .
His part in this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the board of Burisma , a Ukrainian gas company , which he held for almost five years from 2014 .
While Joe Biden was vice-president , Ukraine 's most senior prosecutor was investigating the company but was then dismissed .
Mr Trump and his allies have suggested that Joe Biden encouraged the prosecutor to be fired .
But there has been no evidence of wrongdoing by Hunter Biden .
The Ukrainian prosecutor who replaced the one who was fired ( and continued his investigation into Burisma ) told the BBC there was no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that any corruption within Burisma happened before Hunter Biden joined the board .
Who are they ?
What is their role ?
The whistleblower first wrote to the chairmen of Senate committees on 12 August expressing concern over Mr Trump 's phone call with the Ukrainian president on 25 July .
They also alleged that the White House had acted to `` lock down '' all details of the phone call between Mr Trump and Mr Zelensky , and that the call transcript was not stored in the usual computer system .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that they are a US intelligence officer - or at least were , when they wrote their letter .
They specify in their letter to Senate officials that they do not work in the White House , but it is clear they are well connected to people who do .
US media have reported they are a CIA officer who once worked at the White House .
Their lawyers then said a second whistleblower from the intelligence community had come forward ( reportedly with direct knowledge of the allegations related to the Trump-Zelensky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ multiple '' whistleblowers had emerged , though little has been heard about them since then .
Who is she ?
The woman who , as the Speaker of the House of Representatives , holds the key to Donald Trump 's future in her hands .
After Democrats retook control of the House last November , Ms Pelosi resisted calls by some within her party to start impeachment proceedings against Mr Trump .
That changed on 24 September , when she announced the opening of a formal impeachment inquiry , saying the president `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early December , she led the impeachment of the president .
• Why has Nancy Pelosi made her move now ?
Impeachment is n't the same as a criminal conviction , and it does n't necessarily mean Mr Trump would be removed from office .
Mr Trump was formally impeached in mid-December , becoming only the third US president to suffer the same fate .
He next faces a trial in the Senate .
But the proceedings are expected to stall there , where the president 's Republican Party holds enough seats to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by a two-thirds majority .
Who is he ?
The former mayor of New York and , most relevantly to this story , President Trump 's personal lawyer .
Mr Giuliani , one of Mr Trump 's most vocal cheerleaders , has been central in pushing the suggestion that the Bidens were involved in wrongdoing in Ukraine .
He has been speaking to Ukraine 's prosecutors - past and present - about the case since late 2018 .
In an interview with the Atlantic , Mr Giuliani said he was simply `` straightening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the Bidens .
`` It is impossible that the whistleblower is a hero and I 'm not , '' he said .
`` And I will be the hero !
These morons - when this is over , I will be the hero . ''
Who is he ?
The prosecutor fired by Ukraine 's former government .
Joe Biden has been quite open about the role he played in getting Viktor Shokin dismissed , saying there were concerns he was not doing enough against corruption .
Mr Biden even said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Ukraine unless Mr Shokin ( the man who , at the time , was investigating his son 's company ) was fired .
In January 2018 , he recounted a conversation with Ukraine 's government .
`` I said , you 're not getting the billion , '' Mr Biden said .
`` I 'm going to be leaving here in , I think it was about six hours .
I looked at them and said : ' I 'm leaving in six hours .
If the prosecutor is not fired , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ...
He got fired . ''
Mr Biden was not the only political figure to demand Mr Shokin be dismissed , however , and other Western nations and the International Monetary Fund had criticised the prosecutor 's inaction on corruption .
Who is he ?
Until recently , he was the US government 's special envoy to Ukraine .
He was the middleman between the White House and Zelensky 's government , and appears to have helped urge the Ukrainians to investigate the Bidens .
After Mr Volker gave evidence to lawyers in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of text messages ( some of which involved Mr Volker ) were released .
In one , he indicates a visit by Mr Zelensky to Washington would happen only if he agreed to an investigation into the Bidens .
`` Heard from White House - assuming President Z convinces Trump he will investigate / `` get to the bottom of what happened '' in 2016 , we will nail down date for visit to Washington , '' the message said .
Another message shows he suggested what Mr Zelensky should say in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The US ambassador to the European Union , appointed by President Trump .
Mr Sondland , a hotelier who donated $ 1m to the president 's inauguration committee , was appointed EU ambassador in 2018 .
He first came under scrutiny after text messages surfaced that showed him discussing an effort to put pressure on Ukraine .
Mr Sondland gave closed-door testimony to Congress in which he denied that military aid was withheld from Ukraine for political reasons .
But , in a major reversal , he later revised his testimony and said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the aid `` likely '' hinged on the country opening a political inquiry .
It was a significant revelation given that Mr Trump has denied using the aid as a bargaining chip .
• Trump ’ s man in Brussels in eye of the storm On 20 November , in televised testimony to Congress , Mr Sondland said he was working at the `` express direction '' of Mr Trump when pressure was put on Ukraine to investigate the Bidens .
He added that the president and Mr Giuliani had sought to link @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Ukraine publicly announcing a probe .
Who is he ?
A senior diplomat and the acting US ambassador to Ukraine .
Mr Taylor told a private hearing that it was his `` clear understanding '' that the president had withheld military aid because he wanted Ukraine to investigate the Bidens .
He also said that Mr Trump 's personal lawyer , Rudy Giuliani , was behind the drive to get Ukraine to announce an investigation .
Mr Taylor was the first official to testify in public televised hearings in Congress .
Learn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • SIMPLE GUIDE : A basic take on what 's going on • GO DEEPER : Here 's a 100 , 300 and 800-word summary of the story • VIEW FROM TRUMP COUNTRY : Hear from residents of a West Virginia town • ON THE DOORSTEP : A Democrat sells impeachment to voters

All we know about the whistleblower is that they are a US intelligence officer - or at least were, when they wrote their letter. They specify in their letter to Senate officials that they do not work in the White House, but it is clear they are well connected to people who do. US media have reported they are a CIA officer who once worked at the White House.


bbc--2020-02-05--Almost 200 dogs rescued from Mississippi puppy farm

The Tunica Humane Society found 102 dogs in a building and 90 more dogs outside in makeshift cages after a @ @ @ @ @ Rescuers say it was some of the worst animal living conditions they had ever seen @ @ @ @ @ were blind , matted and in need of urgent medical attention .

The Tunica Humane Society found 102 dogs in a building and 90 more dogs outside in makeshift cages after a tip-off from the public.
Rescuers say it was some of the worst animal living conditions they had ever seen.
Some of the animals were blind, matted and in need of urgent medical attention.


bbc--2020-02-05--Styling Messi, Kaepernick and Jay-Z

Styling Messi, Kaepernick and Jay-Z

Fashion stylist Rachel Johnson gives a makeover to Barcelona forward Lionel Messi and explains how she has styled Colin Kaepernick @ @ @ @ @ .
Player Makers USA is a six-part series of amazing stories from people who work @ @ @ @ @ of the biggest names in American and global sport .
WATCH MORE : The artist @ @ @ @ @ Hamilton and Henry

Colin Kaepernick's stylist, Rachel Johnson, explains how she supports the American Football player's fight against racial injustice through fashion.
She also gives a makeover to Barcelona forward Lionel Messi and explains how she has styled LeBron James and Jay-Z.
Player Makers USA is a six-part series of amazing stories from people who work in the background for some of the biggest names in American and global sport.
WATCH MORE: Beckham, LeBron & Bieber - Meet 'the GOAT' of hat making


bbc--2020-02-05--Irish election: Will Sinn Féin redefine Irish politics?

A cosy old establishment .
A growing gap between elites and governed .
Inequality worsening .
Populism on the rise .
It might be a familiar song across Europe and the West - but in Ireland these tunes are brand new .
Sinn Féin , an old party , seems to have a new mission .
After years of life at the political fringes , it leads the latest Irish general election polling .
Though well known in the UK , `` the Shinners '' have had a minor role in the political life of the Republic .
Politics south @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outlier in European terms .
Dominated by two hegemonic centre right parties , Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael , who , frankly , do n't really disagree about very much .
They 've alternated in power for decades .
Political life has therefore been , though increasingly economically liberal , conservative too .
There has been little space for the left , or equivalent radical force to break through .
• Who will be the next taoiseach ?
• Issues at the heart of Irish general election In some senses , this is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that a crucial underpinning of the populist waves we 've seen in other countries has been a rejection of globalisation , then on the surface Ireland should have been at the front of the queue .
Arguably going all the way back to Seán Lemass in the 1970s , successive Irish leaders have sought to place the `` Celtic Tiger '' at the heart of the global economy , slash corporate tax rates and become one of the most open globalised economies on earth .
In many ways it has been a remarkable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most backward economies , turned into a powerhouse , with many of the world 's biggest companies headquartered in Dublin or Cork .
But it 's come at a cost .
Increasingly , thousands of Irish feel left out .
Rocketing rents , creaking social services and rampant inequality have made their mark .
Sinn Féin 's new voters are the young and Dublin based , suffering from housing problems in every direction .
Brexit too , though absent from the campaign , has made Irish politics `` greener '' , in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , just at the moment a generation of voters come of age who remember little or nothing of the Troubles , the IRA and Sinn Féin 's association with them .
In a peculiar way , this is both the normalisation and denormalisation of Irish politics at the same time .
If Sinn Féin does become a prominent player in the Dáil , then a more typical European left-right politics will have emerged at last .
But equally , Ireland and Irish politics will , to some extent at least , have its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have so marked the early 21st Century , albeit an unusual populism of the left .
A party which says that they , not the long-time cosy duopoly of FF and FG , are the true guardians of the people 's interests .
As one leading Irish politician put it to me : `` The Sinn Féin rise is real .
It 's our Trump , Brexit , Lega , Le Pen or even our Corbyn .
Everything is changing .
There 's a global theme . ''
The consequences of a radical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if not in government , will be felt not only in Dublin - but Belfast , London and perhaps Brussels too .
The two main parties will do everything they can to keep SF out and refuse to work with them .
But perhaps , in the long term , that will prove impossible .
Sooner or later , the great Irishman WB Yeats once said , `` things fall apart- the centre can not hold '' .

Brexit too, though absent from the campaign, has made Irish politics "greener", in the old sense, reactivating certain Republican instincts, just at the moment a generation of voters come of age who remember little or nothing of the Troubles, the IRA and Sinn Féin's association with them.


bbc--2020-02-05--The characters at the heart of Lesotho's murder drama

The wife of the prime minister of Lesotho has been formally charged in court with murdering his previous wife .
It is the latest twist in a story that has garnered huge international interest with its mix of power and intrigue .
But who are the four characters at the centre of this drama ?
Many years ago , she gave up a village life to go and find work in the capital , Maseru .
This is where the 42-year-old met her future husband , Prime Minister Thomas Thabane , who is nearly twice her age .
Sometime after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lipolelo Thabane in 2012 , Maesaiah began living with him and took on the duties of a first lady .
In 2017 , she accompanied him to his inauguration for a second term as prime minister .
This was just two days after Lipolelo was gunned down .
Two months later she became Mr Thabane 's third wife , marrying the prime minister in a Catholic ceremony held at a packed stadium in the capital , Maseru .
Since then , Maesaiah has been repeatedly accused of having undue influence over the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Last month , her fortunes changed dramatically .
She became a fugitive from justice , wanted in connection with the murder of Lipolelo .
Maesaiah had gone into hiding , and was believed to have spent most of her time in neighbouring South Africa , which completely surrounds Lesotho .
She eventually surrendered to police , and appeared in court on Wednesday .
She has not yet been asked to plead to the murder charge , and has been granted bail .
According to a friend , she was the exact opposite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - a quiet and unassuming woman who played the role of a traditional housewife .
`` She accommodated all the Thabane clan and family , and adopted the four children from the prime minister 's first marriage .
One child was autistic .
She raised all of them and gave them the best schooling , '' said the friend , who spoke to the BBC on condition of anonymity .
Lipolelo proved to be a fighter when Mr Thabane filed for divorce , challenging the decision in court .
`` She was prepared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but divorce was out of the question because she did not want to lose the benefits that come with being a first lady , '' the friend added .
Her life ended brutally on 14 June 2017 at the age of 58 .
She was shot dead at close range on the side of a dirt road while returning to her home in a small village of Ha'Masana on the outskirts of Maseru .
At the time of her death , she was still fighting divorce proceedings , even though she had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five years .
Two years earlier , she had won a court battle to continue to be recognised as Lesotho 's first lady .
A court overturned an instruction Mr Thabane gave his officials to cancel Lipolelo 's spousal benefits and instead offer them to Maesaiah , who had been living with the prime minster as if she was his wife .
Prime Minister Thabane , 80 , is known as a strategic operator but did not anticipate this scandal that may spell the end of his political career .
He has also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ murder but has made no comment on the case .
In 2017 , he described it as a `` senseless killing '' .
He divorced his first wife , Yayi , before marrying Lipolelo and then Maesaiah .
Mr Thabane is one of the continent 's oldest leaders and has spent most of his working life as a politician .
No stranger to political rivalry , Mr Thabane once fled to South Africa , alleging a coup plot by the military and had to be escorted back by the police to the mountain-kingdom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ All Basotho Convention , has called on him to step down in the wake of the murder investigation .
Mr Thabane has agreed to resign but said it was because of his age and made no link with the investigation .
The BBC contacted government officials for comment but they were unwilling to take questions on the matter .
A spokesman for the prime minister 's party said : `` The matter has not been addressed '' .
He is Lesotho 's most senior policeman , and it his investigation that has placed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the centre of a murder case that could bring about their downfall .
He implicated the couple in court papers filed to stop Mr Thabane from removing him from his post .
Court documents seen by the AFP news agency contained a letter from Mr Molibeli to the prime minister dated 23 December 2019 .
In it he wrote : `` The investigations [ into the murder ] reveal that there was a telephonic communication at the scene of the crime in question ... with another cell phone ...
The cell phone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Thabane has in turn accused Mr Molibeli presiding over a brutal police force saying that was the reason he wanted him gone .
The court ruled in the commissioner 's favour .
Mr Molibeli has described the murder case as one of the most dangerous and complex he has worked on in his 30 years of policing .
He said his life had been threatened .

"She accommodated all the Thabane clan and family, and adopted the four children from the prime minister's first marriage. One child was autistic. She raised all of them and gave them the best schooling," said the friend, who spoke to the BBC on condition of anonymity.


bbc--2020-02-05--All in good time: Why Brazil wants its teens not to have sex

In Brazil , the country with the highest teenage pregnancy rate in Latin America , the government is trying to send out a new message : stop , reflect , enjoy your teens - and do not get pregnant .
It is a novel approach , but one they hope will bring down the rate once and for all .
The campaign is called `` Adolescence first , pregnancy after '' .
It is jointly run by the health ministry and the ministry of women , family and human rights .
And they are targeting their audience on social media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in good time ) .
`` It did n't come from an insight , from a moment of madness from a fundamentalist minister , '' says Damares Alves , the minister for women , family and human rights who is also an evangelical pastor .
• Sex Education : ' I wish I knew sex could be fun growing up' '' It 's been a year of talking because we need to bring the numbers down .
We had the courage to say we are going to talk about delaying the start of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ growing number of evangelicals , this is welcome news .
Fifteen-year-old Isabela Brito is part of a youth group at Paz Church in Tatuape , a district of São Paulo .
`` When you have a relationship before getting married , you 're connecting with that person and it can come with consequences like pregnancy and illness , '' she says .
`` So I think you 're saving that moment for when you marry , when it 's very important . ''
Although the ministers did not use the word `` abstinence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the organisations Ms Alves consulted was Eu Escolhi Esperar ( I decided to wait ) , a Brazilian abstinence group that was started by evangelical pastor Nelson Junior .
Nelson Junior explains that Ms Alves spoke to him about trying to bring similar organisations over from the United States but that it had never worked out .
Now - as a minister - she saw her chance and the evangelical pastor could not be happier .
`` Why not tell people to wait ?
, '' he asks .
`` It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
One thing we need to overcome here in Brazil is this new debate that everything that comes from religion is bad . ''
Danie Sampaio feels strongly that religion is part of the problem .
She is a doula and birth-support activist who works with teenage girls in some of São Paulo 's poorest suburbs .
She introduces me to 20-year-old Vitoria Maria de Oliveira who , at 36 weeks pregnant with her first child , is the last of her friends to have a baby .
`` I started having sex @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , explaining that she was not given much sex education until she was 16 or 17 .
Her family does not like to talk about sex .
When she found out she was pregnant , Vitória was shocked .
She starts off by saying that she thinks abstinence sounds like a wise idea - but then adds that being told how to avoid getting pregnant would have been more useful to her .
She would not consider abortion and thinks there is no place for condoms .
`` They 're monsters , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like to use them .
She even suggests girls sometimes think their partners are being presumptuous if they are carrying condoms and that can start an argument .
`` We need to talk more with women to break down taboos and beliefs that constrain women , beliefs that are just passed on by their mothers and grandmothers , '' says Danie Sampaio , adding that a macho culture and hyper-sexualisation of women in Brazil are the biggest obstacles to bringing teenage pregnancies down .
`` Abstinence is not the path , information is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' . ''
The government says they will continue to give out information on contraceptives , encourage teens to talk to their families and seek out health advice .
But critics say more needs to be done in improving sex education in schools .
Helena Bertho , editorial director of Azmina feminist magazine , is one of those critics .
`` The focus should be on making sex education work better but it 's going in the other direction , '' she says .
`` They [ the government ] will not have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because having both would mean making sex education better .
Abstinence is something that you believe in .
You should n't run a campaign for young people not to have sex , you should educate them to say it 's one of the options . ''
Experts also cite research showing the failure of abstinence campaigns .
Beliefs , and even religions are being confused with scientific evidence , '' says Rossana Francisco , president of the Association of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in São Paulo state .
`` Health is determined by scientific @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a focus on religion should not come as a surprise but it is cause for concern for some .
`` There 's a myth that when you offer sex education , you increase the interest in sex but we need to seize all the opportunities for adolescents to be able to talk about life choices , contraceptive methods and choosing the moment to be a mother . ''
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"They [the government] will not have both [abstinence and sex education] because having both would mean making sex education better. Abstinence is something that you believe in. You shouldn't run a campaign for young people not to have sex, you should educate them to say it's one of the options."