bbc--2020-03-02--Arsenal beat Portsmouth to reach FA Cup quarter-finals

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said the club 's young players are `` worth the risk '' after his youthful team beat League One Portsmouth at a noisy Fratton Park to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals .
The Gunners boss named a side with six players aged 20 or under and they looked in control , especially in the second half , as they beat a team which had not lost in 19 home games and had won their previous 10 .
Pompey played well in the first half but trailed to Sokratis Papastathopoulos ' volley from Reiss Nelson 's cross @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bundled home from close range from another Nelson cross to wrap up the victory six minutes after the restart .
Pompey 's only shot on target came in the second half , with substitute Ronan Curtis ' effort saved .
`` I 'm really pleased with them [ the youngsters ] , '' Arteta told BBC Sport .
`` I 'm enjoying working with the players .
They deserve a chance .
It 's always a risk but they 're worth the risk .
`` It was a great atmosphere and Portsmouth made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have moments we could suffer but we reacted and got control of the game .
We got two goals and could have had a few more . ''
The other fifth-round ties are on Tuesday , Wednesday and Thursday .
The quarter-final draw is on BBC One on Wednesday at 21:50 GMT after Sheffield Wednesday v Manchester City .
• Reaction to Portsmouth v Arsenal in the FA Cup fifth round Arsenal came into this game on the back of their shock Europa League exit to Olympiakos on Thursday .
Arteta - slightly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several fringe players starting , and defender Pablo Mari making his debut , despite the FA Cup being the only hope of silverware for the record 13-time winners .
They lost Lucas Torreira to injury in the first half , the midfielder taken off on a stretcher after a tough but fair sliding tackle by James Bolton .
That was their only negative from the game at Fratton Park though .
Left-back Bukayo Saka - one of the two to keep their place from Thursday 's defeat - forced a save and Gabriel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the bar .
Sokratis opened the scoring with a wonderful volley from Nelson 's right-wing cross .
And Nketiah scored his third goal since his loan spell at Leeds was cut short when he controlled Nelson 's cross before rifling into the roof of the net from close range .
From that point on Arsenal looked comfortable - they extended their unbeaten run against Portsmouth to 22 games and have not lost to them since 1958 .
`` There is a long way to go [ in the FA Cup ] , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the right path .
We 'll see what happens in the draw .
We 'll keep going because we love this competition . ''
This was something of a bonus match for Portsmouth , who are third in League One and pushing for promotion .
That was reflected by their starting line-up with their two top scorers - Curtis and John Marquis - and captain Tom Naylor on the bench .
They played well in the first half , with eight shots - but Curtis ' 73rd-minute effort from the corner of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ target .
Arguably this was not even their biggest game of the week - they go to seventh-placed Peterborough on Saturday , with the clubs separated by only three points .
They also have a Wembley trip to come - Kenny Jackett 's side face Salford in the Leasing.com Trophy final on Sunday , 5 April .
`` In terms of winning the game , getting the first goal would have been key and with the pressure we had , we needed one , '' said Jackett .
`` But after their second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a goal out of nothing from us .
Then realistically we were playing damage limitation , my players did n't buckle , kept going and that was good . ''
• Arsenal have gone 11 games without defeat on the road since a 2-0 loss at Leicester in Unai Emery 's last away game in charge .
• The Gunners have reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup in five of the past seven seasons but for the first time since 2016-17 , when they won the cup .
• This was Portsmouth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ September 2019 against Southampton in the Carabao Cup ( 4-0 ) , ending their 19-game unbeaten run at home .
• Sokratis is the first Greek to score in the FA Cup since Apostolos Vellios for Nottingham Forest against Hull in January 2018 .
• Sokratis has scored with all three of his shots on target for Arsenal this season .
• Eddie Nketiah has scored three goals in his past four starts for Arsenal , with two of those coming in the FA Cup .
• Reiss Nelson has been directly involved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ starts for Arsenal ( two goals and three assists ) .

Last updated on .From the section FA Cup
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said the club's young players are "worth the risk" after his youthful team beat League One Portsmouth at a noisy Fratton Park to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals.
Arteta named a side with six players aged 20 or under and they looked in control, especially in the second half, as they beat a team which had not lost in 19 home games and had won their previous 10.
Pompey played well in the first half but trailed to Sokratis Papastathopoulos' volley from Reiss Nelson's cross just before the break.
Eddie Nketiah bundled home from close range from another Nelson cross to wrap up the victory six minutes after the restart.
Pompey's only shot on target came in the second half, with substitute Ronan Curtis' effort saved.
"I'm really pleased with them," Arteta told BBC Sport. "I'm enjoying working with the players. They deserve a chance. It's always a risk but they're worth the risk.
"It was a great atmosphere and Portsmouth made it difficult. We knew we'd have moments we could suffer but we reacted and got control of the game. We got two goals and could have had a few more."
The other fifth-round ties are on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The quarter-final draw is on BBC One on Wednesday at 21:50 GMT after Sheffield Wednesday v Manchester City.
Gunners keep trophy hopes alive
Arsenal came into this game on the back of their shock Europa League exit to Olympiakos on Thursday.
Arteta - slightly surprisingly - made nine changes, with several fringe players starting, and defender Pablo Mari making his debut, despite the FA Cup being the only hope of silverware for the record 13-time winners.
They lost Lucas Torreira to injury in the first half, the midfielder taken off on a stretcher after a tough but fair sliding tackle by James Bolton.
That was their only negative from the game at Fratton Park, though.
Left-back Bukayo Saka - one of the two players to keep their place from Thursday's defeat - forced a save and Gabriel Martinelli, also 18, headed over the bar.
Sokratis opened the scoring with a wonderful volley from Nelson's right-wing cross.
And Nketiah scored his third goal since his loan spell at Leeds was cut short when he controlled Nelson's cross before rifling into the roof of the net from close range.
From that point on Arsenal looked comfortable. They extended their unbeaten run against Portsmouth to 22 games and have not lost to them since 1958.
"There is a long way to go [in the FA Cup]," said Arteta. "But we're on the right path. We'll see what happens in the draw. We'll keep going because we love this competition."
Portsmouth can focus on promotion
This was something of a bonus match for Portsmouth, who are third in League One and pushing for promotion.
That was reflected by their starting line-up with their two top scorers - Curtis and John Marquis - and captain Tom Naylor on the bench.
Kenny Jackett's side played well in the first half, with eight shots - but Curtis' 73rd-minute effort from the corner of the box was their only one on target.
Arguably this was not even their biggest game of the week - they go to seventh-placed Peterborough on Saturday, with the clubs separated by only three points.
They also have a Wembley trip to come, against Salford City in the EFL Trophy final on 5 April.
"In terms of winning the game, getting the first goal would have been key and with the pressure we had, we needed one," said Jackett.
"But after their second they dominated and it would have been a goal out of nothing from us. Then realistically we were playing damage limitation. My players didn't buckle, kept going and that was good."
Match stats - Arsenal unbeaten away under Arteta
Arsenal have gone 11 games without defeat on the road since a 2-0 loss at Leicester in Unai Emery's last away game in charge.
The Gunners have reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup in five of the past seven seasons but for the first time since 2016-17, when they won the cup.
This was Portsmouth's first defeat at Fratton Park since September 2019 against Southampton in the Carabao Cup (4-0), ending their 19-game unbeaten run at home.
Sokratis is the first Greek to score in the FA Cup since Apostolos Vellios for Nottingham Forest against Hull in January 2018.
Sokratis has scored with all three of his shots on target for Arsenal this season.
Eddie Nketiah has scored three goals in his past four starts for Arsenal, with two of those coming in the FA Cup.
Reiss Nelson has been directly involved in five goals in his last eight starts for Arsenal (two goals and three assists).


bbc--2020-03-02--Sturridge 'devastated' by four-month ban for betting offences

Former Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge says he is `` devastated '' after being banned from football for four months for breaching betting rules .
He was originally given a six-week ban last summer , four of them suspended , but the FA appealed against the findings of an independent commission .
An appeal board also doubled the 30-year-old 's fine to £150,000 .
Sturridge 's contract with Turkish side Trabzonspor had been terminated by mutual agreement earlier on Monday .
In a video posted on his YouTube account Sturridge said it had been `` a crazy few days '' after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ended his season .
He added : `` I just want to say it 's been a very long and drawn out process over the last couple of years and difficult to concentrate on my football .
`` I 'm going to continue to campaign for professional footballers to be able to speak to their families and close friends freely , without the real risk of being charged .
`` I feel the betting companies and the practice and process of people placing bets on players moving clubs has to be stopped .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ felt `` uncomfortable '' continuing to receive wages from the club due to being unable to `` contribute '' .
Sturridge had faced various charges alleging he passed on inside information over a potential transfer in January 2018 .
A statement from the FA said the appeal board had ruled the commission `` misapplied rules in relation to the use of inside information and made findings of fact which could not be sustained '' .
As a result , the board found proven two further charges that had originally been dismissed .
Liverpool @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who scored eight times in 26 appearances for England - would be leaving the club that summer at the end of his contract .
He went on to score seven goals in 16 appearances for six-time Turkish champions Trabzonspor .
The former Manchester City and Chelsea forward 's most recent England appearance came as a substitute in a World Cup qualifier against Lithuania in October 2017 .
Sturridge has been suspended from all football and football-related activity until the end of 17 June .
The commission found he had instructed his brother Leon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Spanish side Sevilla , and that he had given him inside information during the January 2018 transfer window .
Sturridge said the FA 's case was `` overblown and misconceived '' and that he gave an innocent explanation for text messages to his brother .
Submissions on his behalf said he did not have the type of personality that is drawn to adrenaline or the risk of wrongdoing , and had no real interest in gambling .

Last updated on .From the section Football
Sturridge's contract with Turkish side Trabzonspor has been terminated by mutual agreement
Former Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge says he is "devastated" after being banned from football for four months for breaching betting rules.
He was originally given a six-week ban last summer, four of them suspended, but the FA appealed against the findings of an independent commission.
An appeal board also doubled the 30-year-old's fine to £150,000.
Sturridge's contract with Turkish side Trabzonspor had been terminated by mutual agreement earlier on Monday.
In a video posted on his YouTube account external-link Sturridge said it had been "a crazy few days" after the "disappointing and upsetting" decision ended his season.
He added: "I just want to say it's been a very long and drawn-out process over the last couple of years and difficult to concentrate on my football.
"I'm going to continue to campaign for professional footballers to be able to speak to their families and close friends freely, without the real risk of being charged.
"I feel the betting companies and the practice and process of people placing bets on players moving clubs has to be stopped."
He thanked Trabzonspor but said he felt "uncomfortable" continuing to receive wages from the club because he was not able to "contribute".
Sturridge had faced various charges alleging he passed on inside information over a potential transfer in January 2018.
A statement from the FA said the appeal board had ruled the commission "misapplied rules in relation to the use of inside information and made findings of fact which could not be sustained".
As a result, the board found proven two further charges that had originally been dismissed.
Liverpool announced in June 2019 that Sturridge, who scored eight times in 26 appearances for England, would be leaving the club that summer at the end of his contract.
He went on to score seven goals in 16 appearances for six-time Turkish champions Trabzonspor.
The former Manchester City and Chelsea forward's most recent England appearance came as a substitute in a World Cup qualifier against Lithuania in October 2017.
Sturridge has been suspended from all football and football-related activity until 18 June.
The commission found he had instructed his brother Leon to bet on a possible move to Spanish side Sevilla, and that he had given him inside information during the January 2018 transfer window.
Sturridge said the FA's case was "overblown and misconceived" and that he gave an innocent explanation for text messages to his brother.
Submissions on his behalf said he did not have the type of personality that is drawn to adrenaline or the risk of wrongdoing, and had no real interest in gambling.


bbc--2020-03-02--Joshua to fight Pulev at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in June

British world champion Anthony Joshua will fight Kubrat Pulev at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday , 20 June .
Bulgarian Pulev , 38 , is the mandatory IBF challenger to take on Joshua , who holds the WBA , IBF and WBO titles .
Joshua won back the belts with a unanimous points victory over Andy Ruiz Jr in December .
`` I am happy to have the opportunity to show the world how strong I really am , '' said Pulev .
It will be Joshua 's first fight in the UK since beating Alexander Povetkin at Wembley in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to fight Pulev at Cardiff 's Principality Stadium in October 2017 but the Bulgarian withdrew after suffering a shoulder injury in sparring , with Carlos Takam stepping in to replace him at 12 days ' notice .
Promoter Eddie Hearn said last week that talks were also under way for an all-British unification fight between Joshua and Tyson Fury .
Fury beat Deontay Wilder to claim the WBC title last month , meaning the British heavyweights now hold all of the division 's belts between them .
However , American Wilder has triggered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fury vs Wilder contest will take place before any potential bout between Fury and Joshua .
Pulev , a former European heavyweight champion , has suffered just one defeat in 29 bouts , a fifth-round knockout by Wladimir Klitschko in November 2015 .
He beat Britain 's Hughie Fury on points in an IBF final eliminator in Bulgaria in October 2018 , his first fight since pulling out of his original meeting with Joshua .
His last bout was another unanimous points victory , against American Rydell Booker , in November .
Two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sat in Bob Arum 's office and , unprompted , he started telling us how his fighter Kubrat Pulev `` will knock out Joshua '' .
I guess he would say that , but there is no doubt Joshua 's humbling at the hands of Andy Ruiz Jr on 1 June has drastically changed how he is viewed .
There are questions to answer still .
Joshua boxed beautifully in his rematch but looked a little uneasy whenever he was pressed .
Will Pulev 's team go in on the front foot in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pulev could ultimately wreck the dreams of British boxing fans who have now been promised a Fury-Joshua bout for all the belts .
There are so many agreements needed before that becomes a reality .
In many ways , a Pulev win would make a bout for all four belts far easier to arrange .
Arum would control Fury and the Bulgarian , so he would only need to strike deals within his own Top Rank office to secure the historic contest .

Last updated on .From the section Boxing
Anthony Joshua regained the WBA, IBF and WBO titles with victory over Andy Ruiz Jr. in Saudi Arabia in December
British world champion Anthony Joshua will fight Kubrat Pulev at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday, 20 June.
Bulgarian Pulev, 38, is the mandatory IBF challenger to take on Joshua, who holds the WBA, IBF and WBO titles.
Joshua won back the belts with a unanimous points victory over Andy Ruiz Jr in December.
"I am happy to have the opportunity to show the world how strong I really am," said Pulev.
It will be Joshua's first fight in the UK since beating Alexander Povetkin at Wembley in September 2018.
He was initially due to fight Pulev at Cardiff's Principality Stadium in October 2017 but the Bulgarian withdrew after suffering a shoulder injury in sparring, with Carlos Takam stepping in to replace him at 12 days' notice.
Promoter Eddie Hearn said last week that talks were also under way for an all-British unification fight between Joshua and Tyson Fury.
Fury beat Deontay Wilder to claim the WBC title last month, meaning the British heavyweights now hold all of the division's belts between them.
However, American Wilder has triggered a rematch clause, meaning a third Fury vs Wilder contest will take place before any potential bout between Fury and Joshua.
Pulev, a former European heavyweight champion, has suffered just one defeat in 29 bouts, a fifth-round knockout by Wladimir Klitschko in November 2015.
He beat Britain's Hughie Fury on points in an IBF final eliminator in Bulgaria in October 2018, his first fight since pulling out of his original meeting with Joshua.
His last bout was another unanimous points victory, against American Rydell Booker, in November.
A Pulev win makes unification easier - Analysis
BBC Sport boxing reporter Luke Reddy
Two weeks ago the BBC Sport boxing team sat in Bob Arum's office and, unprompted, he started telling us how his fighter Kubrat Pulev "will knock out Joshua".
I guess he would say that, but there is no doubt Joshua's humbling at the hands of Andy Ruiz Jr on 1 June has drastically changed how he is viewed.
There are questions to answer still. Joshua boxed beautifully in his rematch but looked a little uneasy whenever he was pressed. Will Pulev's team go in on the front foot in a bid to upset the odds?
Pulev could ultimately wreck the dreams of British boxing fans who have now been promised a Fury-Joshua bout for all the belts. There are so many agreements needed before that becomes a reality.
In many ways, a Pulev win would make a bout for all four belts far easier to arrange. Arum would control Fury and the Bulgarian, so he would only need to strike deals within his own Top Rank office to secure the historic contest.


bbc--2020-03-02--Late Forest equaliser keeps Boro in relegation zone

Middlesbrough remain in the Championship 's relegation zone after Lewis Grabban 's late equaliser for Nottingham Forest denied Jonathan Woodgate 's side their first win for two months .
Boro goalkeeper Aynsley Pears claimed Grabban had fouled him as Forest 's top scorer poked in the leveller from close range with four minutes remaining , but referee Darren England waved away the hosts ' protests .
Ryan Yates ' low 20-yard shot put promotion-chasing Forest in front but Boro produced a stirring comeback before half-time .
Rudy Gestede nodded in Harold Moukoudi 's header back across goal from a set-piece @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a swift counter-attack to give Boro a 2-1 lead - a scoreline which would have been enough to lift them out of the bottom three .
After Grabban 's 17th league goal of the season , the visitors almost grabbed a stoppage-time winner but Adama Diakhaby 's shot from the edge of the box was blocked away to safety by Ryan Shotton .
A play-off spot now looks most likely for Sabri Lamouchi 's team , who have a six-point advantage over seventh-placed Bristol City but are eight points behind second-placed Leeds with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only six points from the five games since they beat Leeds on 8 February to catapult themselves into serious contention for a top-two finish .
Public backing , but no win for Woodgate Wigan 's surprise success at leaders West Bromwich Albion on Saturday had left Boro third from bottom and brought more scrutiny to the position of head coach Woodgate , whose side have now gone 12 games without a win in all competitions .
However , in an interview with Teesside Live on Monday , chairman Steve Gibson said Woodgate had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' and the club 's current predicament was `` not the fault '' of the former England centre-back .
After a tepid opening 30 minutes , Boro responded brightly to falling behind , with wide midfielder Hayden Coulson the catalyst for their fightback in the closing stages of the first period .
Coulson 's effort from the edge of the box almost produced an immediate equaliser and , after striker Gestede had levelled for the hosts , he was pivotal in the move that gave them the lead .
Pears claimed a cross @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Coulson , whose driving run down the right touchline swept Boro up the pitch quickly before his square pass found Wing .
Forest keeper Brice Samba got a strong hand to Wing 's first-time attempt but there was enough power on the shot for it to cross the line .
There is sure to be disappointment at failing to hang on to all three points , but there were enough positives in their display to give Boro supporters hope of survival in the final weeks of the campaign .
Middlesbrough have not played @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and they have 10 games to ensure they do not drop to that level again next term .
`` I thought the decision at the end by the referee was the wrong decision .
Nine out of 10 times , that gets given as a foul , but against us it does n't get given .
`` I 'm really frustrated because I thought we deserved the win .
The players played well , at times we lacked a little bit of quality , but the fight was there .
`` On another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ All I want is a bit of consistency .
Sometimes you need a rub of the green at times and we did n't get it . ''
`` We are happy with this point but the way we played , the organisation , the mistakes , simple things , I 'm not totally satisfied .
`` It was the worst game away , because we never controlled the game , never .
We started better than them but we never made the difference , with our quality .
`` I do n't know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are happy with a point , I 'm happy with a point , but I 'm not happy with the way we played .
`` We need more character , more personality .
Technically it was a very bad game and a very bad performance .
We need more concentration and more focus . ''

Last updated on .From the section Championship
Lewis Grabban's goal was awarded despite claims for a foul against Middlesbrough goalkeeper Aynsley Pears
Middlesbrough remain in the Championship's relegation zone after Lewis Grabban's late equaliser for Nottingham Forest denied Jonathan Woodgate's side their first win for two months.
Boro goalkeeper Aynsley Pears claimed Grabban had fouled him as Forest's top scorer poked in the leveller from close range with four minutes remaining, but referee Darren England waved away the hosts' protests.
Ryan Yates' low 20-yard shot put promotion-chasing Forest in front but Boro produced a stirring comeback before half-time.
Rudy Gestede nodded in Harold Moukoudi's header back across goal from a set-piece to equalise and Lewis Wing finished off a swift counter-attack to give Boro a 2-1 lead - a scoreline which would have been enough to lift them out of the bottom three.
After Grabban's 17th league goal of the season, the visitors almost grabbed a stoppage-time winner when Adama Diakhaby's shot from the edge of the box was blocked to safety by Ryan Shotton.
A play-off spot now looks most likely for Sabri Lamouchi's team, who have a six-point advantage over seventh-placed Bristol City but are eight points behind second-placed Leeds with 10 games remaining.
Forest have taken only six points from the five games since they beat Leeds on 8 February to catapult themselves into serious contention for a top-two finish.
Public backing, but no win for Woodgate
Wigan's surprise success at leaders West Brom on Saturday left Boro third from bottom and brought more scrutiny to the position of head coach Woodgate, whose side have now gone 12 games without a win in all competitions.
However, in an interview with Teesside Live on Monday, chairman Steve Gibson said Woodgate had his support "no matter what happens" and the club's current predicament was "not the fault" of the former England centre-back.
After a tepid opening 30 minutes, Boro responded brightly to falling behind, with wide midfielder Hayden Coulson the catalyst for their fightback in the closing stages of the first period.
Coulson's effort from the edge of the box almost produced an immediate equaliser and, after striker Gestede levelled for the hosts, he was pivotal in the move that gave them the lead.
Pears claimed a cross and threw the ball out quickly to Coulson, whose driving run down the right touchline swept Boro up the pitch quickly before his square pass found Wing.
Forest keeper Brice Samba got a strong hand to Wing's first-time attempt but could not prevent it from crossing the line.
There is sure to be disappointment among Boro fans at failing to hang on to all three points, but there were enough positives in their display to give them hope of survival.
Boro have not played in England's third tier since 1986-87 and they have 10 games to ensure they do not drop to that level next term.
Jonathan Woodgate's Middlesbrough have drawn five and lost five of their past 10 Championship matches
Middlesbrough head coach Jonathan Woodgate told BBC Tees:
"I thought the decision at the end by the referee was the wrong decision. Nine out of 10 times, that gets given as a foul, but against us it doesn't get given.
"On another day, we get that decision. All I want is a bit of consistency. Sometimes you need a rub of the green at times and we didn't get it.
"I'm really frustrated because I thought we deserved the win. The players played well. At times we lacked a little bit of quality, but the fight was there."
Nottingham Forest head coach Sabri Lamouchi told BBC Radio Nottingham:
"We are happy with this point but the way we played, the organisation, the mistakes, simple things, I'm not totally satisfied.
"It was the worst game away because we never controlled the game, never. We started better than them but we never made the difference with our quality.
"I don't know what was wrong but if the fans are happy with a point, I'm happy with a point. But I'm not happy with the way we played.
"We need more character, more personality. Technically it was a very bad game and a very bad performance. We need more concentration and more focus."


bbc--2020-03-02--Six Nations 2020: Ireland v Italy is only postponed fixture amid coronavirus worries

Six Nations organisers say Ireland v Italy remains the only postponed fixture this weekend after a meeting to address the coronavirus outbreak .
England v Wales and Scotland v France are set to go ahead .
England women 's game in northern Italy on 15 March could be moved to a different location , but the men 's game in Rome is set to go ahead .
`` As it stands today , all Six Nations matches currently scheduled are set to go ahead , '' a statement said .
The statement added that organisers intend all remaining games in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not make rescheduling announcements for postponed games yet as they `` keep assessing the situation '' .
`` Six Nations and its six unions and federations are following the situation very closely with their respective governments and relevant health authorities and will strictly follow any directive given that would impact sporting events , '' the statement added .
• Six Nations organisers will 'not rule anything out ' after paywall reports • England 's Mako Vunipola and Luke Cowan-Dickie available for Wales game • Six Nations : Wales must 'wait and see ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Boyd England U20s ' match against Italy in Verona could also be moved to a different city , with northern Italy one of the areas worst affected by coronavirus outside of China .
The tournament promised a further announcement on this and the Red Roses ' game scheduled to take place in Padua `` in due course '' .
Ireland 's men 's and women 's Six Nations games against Italy in Dublin on 7 and 8 March , as well as an under-20s game on 6 March , had already been postponed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ third-round game against Scotland was postponed on 23 February and is yet to be rescheduled .
England 's men and women host Wales in Twickenham on Saturday , while Scotland 's women are due to host France in Glasgow on Saturday with the men 's game in Edinburgh on Sunday .

Last updated on .From the section Rugby Union
Ireland's Six Nations game against Italy was postponed on 26 February, 10 days before it was scheduled to be played
Guinness Six Nations: England v Wales Venue: Twickenham Stadium Date: Saturday, 7 March Kick-off: 16:45 GMT Coverage: Live on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports, BBC Radio Wales & Radio Cymru, with text commentary on BBC Sport website and app.
England's game against Wales on Saturday and Scotland's match against France on Sunday will go ahead despite the coronavirus outbreak, say Six Nations organisers.
Ireland's encounter with Italy on Saturday and the women's game on Sunday were postponed last week over health concerns.
After a meeting to address the outbreak, the Six Nations said in a statement: "As it stands today, all Six Nations matches currently scheduled are set to go ahead."
England host Wales at Twickenham and Scotland entertain France at Murrayfield.
England women's match in Padua in northern Italy on 15 March could be moved to a different location, but the men's game in Rome on 14 March is set to go ahead.
Six Nations organisers said they have not rescheduled postponed games as they "keep assessing the situation".
The statement read: "Six Nations and its six unions and federations are following the situation very closely with their respective governments and relevant health authorities and will strictly follow any directive given that would impact sporting events."
England Under-20s' match against Italy in Verona on 15 March could be moved to a different city, with northern Italy one of the areas worst affected by coronavirus outside of China.
Tournament organisers said they would make an announcement on the U20 match and the women's game "in due course".
Ireland's men's and women's Six Nations games against Italy in Dublin on 7 and 8 March respectively, as well as an U20 game on 6 March, were postponed.
Italy women's third-round game against Scotland on 23 February was postponed and is yet to be rescheduled.
Analysis
BBC rugby union correspondent Chris Jones on the Rugby Union Weekly podcast
As much as the Six Nations can try and get a plan together going forward, it is going to be the governments who decide whether these games go on.
The reason everything escalated around the Ireland v Italy games is that the Irish health minister said the games could not go ahead.
Rearrangements are in the hands of the unions but that is up in the air at the moment. There are Champions Cup quarter-finals in April. I cannot see rearranged Six Nations games taking place before or immediately after that.
Then you are getting into the business end of the season. There is a possibility it could be in the autumn, like 2001 when games were postponed because of foot and mouth disease.
We have no idea how things are moving when it comes to this virus.
Remaining Men's Six Nations fixtures Round Four Ireland v Italy postponed England v Wales, 16:45 GMT, Saturday, 7 March, Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham Scotland v France, 15:00 GMT, Sunday, 8 March, Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh Round Five Wales v Scotland, 14:15 GMT, Saturday, 14 March, Principality Stadium, Cardiff Italy v England, 16:45 GMT, Saturday, 14 March, Stadio Olimpico, Rome France v Ireland, 20:00 GMT, Saturday, 14 March, Stade de France, Paris


bbc--2020-03-02--Coronavirus: US couple's four-week quarantine extended

Cheryl and Paul Molesky have spent four weeks in quarantine - two on a cruise ship and two more at @ @ @ @ @ They were due to go home on Monday , then officials told them they had @ @ @ @ @ spoke to them from their room at the air base about the emotional rollercoaster of @ @ @ @

Cheryl and Paul Molesky were passengers on board the Diamond Princess cruise ship when their holiday was interrupted by news of the coronavirus outbreak.
Over the next month, they kept their friends and family updated through a video diary, which charted the highs and lows of life on lockdown.
The BBC followed their journey from Japan to their home in Syracuse, New York.
Video by Shrai Popat


bbc--2020-03-02--US election 2020: Five charts on the Democratic race to take on Trump

Voters have begun the process of choosing which Democratic candidate will go up against Donald Trump on 3 November .
But who is leading the pack ?
Bernie Sanders has become the frontrunner in recent weeks , but Joe Biden will hoping his victory in South Carolina can help him regain the initiative .
Billionaire Michael Bloomberg has also steamrolled his way into the race , splashing his cash on a huge advertising campaign despite not standing in February 's contests .
We 've taken an in-depth look at the polls , the fundraising numbers and a few other things @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the current state of play .
There were nearly 30 Democrats running just a few months ago , but the field has narrowed to just five candidates now .
• Meet the candidates vying to take on Trump Only twice since 1976 has the Democrat who won the Iowa caucuses not gone on to become the party 's presidential nominee .
This time , however , the winner was Pete Buttigieg by just 0.1 % and he 's now dropped out of the race .
Sanders , who came a close second in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Hampshire , but it was nowhere near the 60 % he won against Hillary Clinton in 2016 , albeit in a far less crowded field .
He won by a bigger margin in Nevada , thanks in part to support from the Hispanic community .
Joe Biden , however , launched his comeback in South Carolina with a resounding win in the first state to vote that has a significant African American population .
It was Biden 's first-ever victory in a primary in what is his third attempt to become president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sanders is ahead in the measure that matters - national delegates - but just 3.9 % of the 3,979 delegates on offer have been awarded so far .
To put that into context , 34 % of delegates will be awarded on Super Tuesday when 14 states hold their nominating contests on 3 March .
So we 'll have a much clearer picture of how the race is going after that .
• What are primaries and caucuses and how do they work ?
Is a Biden comeback under way ?
Joe Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his lead crumbled in 2020 , with Bernie Sanders taking over at the front of the pack .
The former vice-president had a poor showing in the early states to vote but following a huge South Carolina win he now has some momentum on his side .
Whether he can challenge Sanders again depends a lot upon how well Michael Bloomberg does on Super Tuesday .
The billionaire will be on ballots for the first time on 3 March but he too has failed to impress in debates .
Regardless of the battle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bernie Sanders is the one with the momentum .
His numbers were on an upward trajectory even before contests began and they have continued to grow .
For a while , it looked like Elizabeth Warren had taken on the mantle of the progressive Democratic leader but her support has dwindled and her campaign appears to be on life support .
If you look at the chart below , it shows the latest polling averages for candidates in the five Super Tuesday states with the highest number of delegates on offer - California @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Massachusetts .
Bernie Sanders is ahead in four of them at the moment , with Joe Biden just ahead of him in North Carolina .
If the polls are correct , Sanders could have the nomination sewn up after Super Tuesday .
But Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar dropping out of the race is bad news for Sanders .
Up until now , the moderate vote has been split between Biden , Buttigieg and Klobuchar .
If Biden can attract their former supporters , he will make up some ground on Sanders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another candidate who could end up taking delegates away from Biden .
• US election : All you need to know The amount a candidate raises is no firm sign of their eventual success - Jeb Bush , for example , led the Republican money race in 2016 , but was still beaten by Donald Trump .
It is , however , a useful guide to how much enthusiasm there is for their candidacy and in Bernie Sanders ' case , there is still an awful lot of energy behind him .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the most money from individual donors in January , with his $ 25.1m haul more than double the amount brought in by his nearest rival , Elizabeth Warren .
Much of Sanders ' power comes from the network of supporters he built during his battle with Hillary Clinton in 2016 .
A detailed analysis by the New York Times found the network stretched across the US - whereas most candidates get the majority of their support from the areas they have represented .
• Could it be Bernie Sanders v Donald Trump ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , candidates and their campaigns have to file monthly reports on their finances to the Federal Election Commission , so we 'll continue to get a detailed look at their numbers .
One other thing to note from January 's numbers is that a lot of the candidates ended the month with a worryingly low bank balance .
Elizabeth Warren , for example , spent more than double what she raised and her campaign was forced to take out a $ 3m loan .
They did , however , have their best fundraising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Nevada debate .
• Warren goes on the attack in Nevada debate One candidate who is n't struggling for money is Michael Bloomberg .
The former New York mayor is not accepting donations to his campaign - hence why he 's at the bottom on $ 0 in the chart above - but that is n't affecting his spending power .
Along with Tom Steyer , the billionaire who was in the race until after South Carolina , he has spent huge sums of money on an advertising campaign that included @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that reportedly cost around $ 10 million .
There are signs the Bloomberg campaign is having some success , most notably his climb in the national polls , but his poor debate performances may have hurt his prospects .
Even if he does well on Super Tuesday , it 's hard to imagine him winning enough delegates to become the Democratic nominee .
If , however , we get to July and there is still no clear winner , there would be a `` contested '' convention where `` superdelegates '' could break @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are senior party officials past and present and may look kindly on a moderate candidate like Bloomberg who has donated millions to the Democratic Party in the past .
The party convention is a long way off yet though .
• What is Super Tuesday and how does it work ?

Sanders, who came a close second in Iowa, did top the bill in New Hampshire, but it was nowhere near the 60% he won against Hillary Clinton in 2016, albeit in a far less crowded field. He won by a bigger margin in Nevada, thanks in part to support from the Hispanic community.


bbc--2020-02-28--18 things Bernie Sanders believes

18 things Bernie Sanders believes

Bernie Sanders is the national frontrunner for the Democratic presidential nomination .
The Vermont senator has promised a political revolution , but what does that mean ?
What does he actually stand for ?
1 .
He 's a democratic socialist - Sanders is a self-described `` democratic socialist '' , but in his long political career he became comfortable with just `` socialist '' ( `` I am a socialist and everyone knows it , '' he once said , reports the Washington Post . )
In 2015 , he framed his political ideology this way : `` Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economy that works for all , not just the very wealthy . ''
2 .
Climate change is real - Sanders proposes a $ 16.3tn ( £12.5tn ) `` Green New Deal '' that he says would create 20 million jobs and pay for itself over 15 years , including through $ 3tn of taxes on oil companies .
He has generated controversy by supporting the idea of population control through widening access to abortion and contraception for women in poor countries and last year tweeted : `` Fossil fuel executives should be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knowingly caused . ''
3 .
College should be free - `` Education must be an economic right for all , not a privilege for the few , '' Sanders wrote in an opinion piece last year .
His $ 2.2tn plan to make college free is , like much of his policy platform , the most far-reaching in the Democratic field .
It would include paying off all student loans for some 45 million Americans , regardless of their income or assets , leading some critics to portray it as an unlikely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Background checks on gun ownership - `` The world has changed , and my views have changed , '' Sanders said at this year 's New Hampshire presidential debate .
Gun control used to be a rare sore point on his left flank .
Now the senator from firearms-friendly Vermont wholly endorses such measures as expanded background checks for gun transactions , something he voted against in Congress back in 1993 .
5 .
Black lives matter - Sanders was shouted down by members of the Black Lives Matter group in Seattle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He was accused of viewing the problems facing African-Americans through the prism of class , rather than race .
This time around he 's been endorsed by one of Black Lives Matter 's founders .
Sanders once dismissed out of hand the idea of reparations for the descendants of African-American slaves , but last year backed the idea of a commission to study the issue .
6 .
No to Super PAC money , kinda - Sanders prides himself on his grassroots-funded campaign .
But while he denounces billionaire-funded Super Pacs ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contributions , he does have a non-profit political organisation , Our Revolution , that operates similarly to a Super Pac .
The Sanders group , however , wo n't have to disclose its donors during this election year , prompting criticism over so-called dark money , reports AP .
7 .
Double the federal minimum wage - It should be $ 15 per hour , up from $ 7.25 , Sanders argues , though some economists have warned such a dramatic increase could harm poorer cities and struggling businesses .
After the Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ less than $ 13 an hour , the campaign pledged to rectify the situation by adjusting their hours .
8 .
The two-party system is broken - Sanders - one of two independent US senators - has been at times as unsparing in his criticism of the Democratic party he hopes to lead into this election as he is of the Republicans .
He has long condemned the Washington duopoly , saying both parties are beholden to corporate money .
Some say Sanders ' rejection of both congressional parties has left him politically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the touchstone of his appeal to supporters .
9 .
Fly economy , mostly - Photos of Sanders flying coach class on commercial airline flights have been held up by supporters as evidence that he 's a humble everyman .
But a recent picture of him apparently flying first class triggered conservative cries of hypocrisy .
10 .
Universal healthcare - Sanders proposes that all Americans would receive government-run health insurance , which he says would cost about $ 30tn over a decade , though his costing for the policy , Medicare for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sanders ' idea to nationalise US health coverage was as recently as 2016 dismissed out of hand within the Democratic party as too far-left .
What was once a pipe dream is now mainstream .
• How Bernie Sanders always beats the odds • Five charts that explain the Democratic race 11 .
Invest in infrastructure - A rare policy overlap between President Trump and Sanders , both have called for $ 1tn to be spent on infrastructure .
Sanders , however , says the president 's stalled proposal is a `` sham @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Much has been made of Sanders ' aim to introduce taxes on Wall Street stock transactions and raise them for millionaires ( with a net worth exceeding $ 32m ) .
His critics say that 's a bit rich , considering Sanders himself is worth $ 2.5m , according to Forbes .
But the candidate also acknowledges planning to raise taxes for working families in order to fund Medicare for All .
However much extra the federal government deducts from Americans ' payroll , he argues , would be more than offset by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - `` The American people are sick and tired of endless wars , which have cost us trillions of dollars , '' Sanders said during a TV debate in Iowa in January .
It 's a sentiment President Trump has often echoed .
But unlike Trump , Sanders was against the US invasion of Iraq from the outset back in 2002 .
Sanders stands by that decision today , calling the conflict the `` worst foreign policy blunder in the history of this country '' .
14 .
Personal style is a waste @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jane O'Meara , once quipped that if her husband has `` seven sweaters , that 's three too many for him '' .
When questioned about his frequently-rumpled coiffure , Sanders was brusque : `` The media will very often spend more time worrying about hair than the fact that we 're the only major country on earth that does n't guarantee healthcare to all people . ''
15 .
Call me Bernie - While campaigning in his home state of Vermont , Sanders ' bumper stickers said simply `` Bernie '' .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ exulted [ sic ] status in politics to be referred to only by your first name , '' Senator Patrick Leahy told the New York Times in 2007 .
16 .
Sometimes , dictators can do good things - Sanders told CBS in February it would be `` unfair '' to say `` everything is bad '' about Cuba 's communist revolution .
Critics then brought up how as mayor of Burlington , Vermont , in 1985 , Sanders praised Nicaraguan left-wing Sandinistas strongman Daniel Ortega as `` an impressive guy '' , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sanders ' fans are sometimes dubbed `` Sandernistas '' .
17 .
Break up Big Tech - `` These corporate giants control too much , '' Sanders has said of tech companies such as Amazon , Facebook and Google .
Like rival Democratic candidate Elizabeth Warren , he wants to break up the firms ' `` monopoly '' and subject them to anti-trust enforcement .
18 .
Critical of Israel - but also `` very proud of being Jewish '' , he has said .
At a Democratic debate Sanders said : `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reactionary racist who is now running that country . ''
In response , Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would not intervene in the US election .
Sanders would be the first Jewish US president if victorious .
• SANDERS PROFILE : Why he likes beating the odds • HIS RIVALS : Choose your candidate and filter by category • A SIMPLE GUIDE : All you need to know about the presidential race • ANALYSIS : Could it be Bernie Sanders v Donald Trump ?

3. College should be free - "Education must be an economic right for all, not a privilege for the few," Sanders wrote in an opinion piece last year. His $2.2tn plan to make college free is, like much of his policy platform, the most far-reaching in the Democratic field. It would include paying off all student loans for some 45 million Americans, regardless of their income or assets, leading some critics to portray it as an unlikely socialist giveaway to the rich.


bbc--2020-03-03--Coronavirus: China orders travellers quarantined amid outbreak

Travellers from countries with severe coronavirus outbreaks who arrive in some parts of China will have to undergo a 14-day quarantine , state media say .
Travellers from the virus hotspots of South Korea , Japan , Iran and Italy arriving in the capital will have to be isolated , a Beijing official has said .
Authorities are worried the virus might be imported back into the country .
Although most virus deaths have been in China , Monday saw nine times more new infections outside China than in .
What do I need to know about the coronavirus ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ simple guide • WAYS TO PREVENT CATCHING IT : How to wash your hands • WHERE ARE WE WITH A VACCINE ?
Progress so far • A VISUAL GUIDE TO THE OUTBREAK : Virus maps and charts Shanghai said it would require new arrivals from countries with `` relatively serious virus conditions '' to be isolated , without naming the countries .
Authorities are also asking overseas Chinese to reconsider travel plans .
`` For the sake of your family 's health and safety , please strengthen your precautions , carefully decide on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' officials in one southern Chinese province said .
China reported 125 new virus cases on Tuesday - the lowest number of new daily infections in six weeks .
There were also 31 more deaths - all in Hubei province , where the virus emerged .
• Finance ministers from the G7 countries are to have a conference call at 12:00 GMT to discuss the economic impact of coronavirus • The Pope , who had cancelled a Lent retreat for the first time in his papacy because he was suffering from a cold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Italian media report • South Korean President Moon Jae-in has put the country into what he calls a `` state of war '' to tackle the spread of the virus .
He has ordered all government departments to shift to a 24-hour emergency system to handle the outbreak • Jailed British-Iranian woman Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe is in good health , a spokesman for Iran 's judiciary has said .
She was assessed after her husband said she was showing symptoms of the coronavirus • Japan 's Olympic minister says the Tokyo 2020 Games @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later in the year amid fears over the outbreak .
BBC Sport is keeping track of all events that are affected .
• In the UK , where there are 39 confirmed cases , the government has warned that up to a fifth of the workforce may be off sick during the peak of a coronavirus epidemic There are now almost 90,000 cases worldwide in about 70 countries , although the vast majority - just under 90 % - remain in China , and most of those are in Hubei province where the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the nearly 8,800 cases outside China , 81 % are in four countries - Iran , South Korea , Italy and Japan .
One of the countries worst affected outside China - Italy - said on Monday that the death toll there had risen by 18 to 52 .
There are 1,835 confirmed cases , most of them in the Lombardy and Veneto areas of the north .
Nearly 150 people are said to have recovered .
However , the country is seeing a slowdown in new cases .
On Monday , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the virus - a 16 % increase on the previous day - after new cases spiked by 50 % on Sunday .
Iran reported another 12 deaths on Monday , taking the total there to 66 .
Health officials in the US state of Washington said on Monday that four more people had died , bringing the total there to six .
They are the only deaths in the US so far .
Local officials say they are buying a hotel to convert it into an isolation hospital .
On Tuesday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , while Portugal , Iceland , Jordan , Tunisia , Armenia , Latvia , Senegal , Morocco and Andorra confirmed their first cases on Monday .
The WHO says the virus appears to particularly affect those over 60 , and people already ill .
In the first large analysis of more than 44,000 cases from China , the death rate was 10 times higher in the very elderly compared to the middle-aged .
Most patients have only mild symptoms and the death rate appears to be between 2 % and 5 % , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seasonal flu has an average mortality rate of about 0.1 % , but is highly infectious - with up to 400,000 people dying from it each year .
Other strains of coronavirus , such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ( Sars ) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome ( Mers ) , have much higher death rates than Covid-19 .

Coronavirus: China orders travellers quarantined amid outbreak Published 3 March 2020
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Authorities are also asking overseas Chinese to reconsider travel plans
Travellers from countries with severe coronavirus outbreaks who arrive in some parts of China will have to undergo a 14-day quarantine, state media say.
Travellers from the virus hotspots of South Korea, Japan, Iran and Italy arriving in the capital will have to be isolated, a Beijing official has said.
Shanghai and Guangdong announced similar restrictions earlier.
Authorities are worried the virus might be imported back into the country.
Although most virus deaths have been in China, Monday saw nine times more new infections outside China than in.
Shanghai said it would require new arrivals from countries with "relatively serious virus conditions" to be isolated, without naming the countries.
What do I need to know about the coronavirus?
Authorities are also asking overseas Chinese to reconsider travel plans.
"For the sake of your family's health and safety, please strengthen your precautions, carefully decide on your travel plans and minimise mobility," officials in one southern Chinese province said.
China reported 125 new virus cases on Tuesday - the lowest number of new daily infections in six weeks. There were also 31 more deaths - all in Hubei province, where the virus emerged.
In other developments:
Iran has temporarily released more than 54,000 prisoners in an effort to combat the spread in crowded jails
Finance ministers from the G7 countries have said they are "ready to take action", including fiscal measures to aid the response to the virus and support the global economy
US stocks have risen after the Federal Reserve made a rare emergency move to cut interest rates by 0.5%
The Pope, who had cancelled a Lent retreat for the first time in his papacy because he was suffering from a cold, has tested negative for the virus, Italian media report
Jailed British-Iranian woman Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe is in good health, Iran's judiciary has said. She was assessed after her husband said she was showing symptoms of Covid-19
Japan's Olympic minister says the Tokyo 2020 Games could be postponed until later in the year. BBC Sport is keeping track of all events that are affected
Follow the latest updates as they happen in our live page.
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Media caption, Julie, who lives in Singapore, was diagnosed with coronavirus and then put into isolation
How are different countries affected?
There are now more than 92,000 cases worldwide in about 70 countries, although the vast majority - about 87% - remain in China, and most of those are in Hubei province where the virus originated late last year.
Of the roughly 12,000 cases outside mainland China, 81% are in four countries - Iran, South Korea, Italy and Japan.
One of the countries worst affected outside China - Italy - said on Monday that the death toll there had risen by 18 to 52. There are 2,036 confirmed cases, most of them in the Lombardy and Veneto areas of the north. About 150 people are said to have recovered.
However, the country is seeing a slowdown in new cases. On Monday, the authorities said there were 258 new cases of the virus - a 16% increase on the previous day - after new cases spiked by 50% on Sunday.
On Tuesday, Iran said the latest death toll from the virus was 77 - although the real figure is believed to be much higher. More than 2,300 people are said to be infected, including senior political figures. The head of Iran's emergency medical services, Pirhossein Kolivand, was one of them, the Ilna news agency reported on Tuesday.
Some 23 MPs are also reported to have tested positive for the virus, and an official close to the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was reported on Monday to have died of the disease.
Health officials in the US state of Washington said on Monday that four more people had died, bringing the total there to six. They are the only deaths in the US so far. Local officials say they are buying a hotel to convert it into an isolation hospital.
How deadly is Covid-19?
The WHO says the virus appears to particularly affect those over 60, and people already ill.
In the first large analysis of more than 44,000 cases from China, the death rate was 10 times higher in the very elderly compared to the middle-aged.
Most patients have only mild symptoms, the WHO says.
By comparison, seasonal flu has an average mortality rate of about 0.1%, but is highly infectious - with up to 400,000 people dying from it each year.
Health experts believe Covid-19 does not transmit as efficiently and, unlike flu, it is not generally passed on by people who have no symptoms.


bbc--2020-03-03--'How I recovered from coronavirus and isolation'

As the new coronavirus continues to spread around the world , some medical experts say it could become as widespread @ @ @ @ @ But as the number of casualties rise , thousands have also recovered .
Few want @ @ @ @ @ publicly , because of the discrimination and stigma they could face .
However , one @ @ @ @ @ there have been more than 100 cases , decided it was time to speak out @ @ @ @ @ Jone Chang and Muhammad Fahmi Bin Jamal .

As the new coronavirus continues to spread around the world, some medical experts say it could become as widespread as the common flu. But as the number of casualties rise, thousands have also recovered.
Few want to talk about their experience publicly, because of the discrimination and stigma they could face. However, one woman in Singapore, where there have been more than 100 cases, decided it was time to speak out.
Here’s Julie's story.
Reporting by Karishma Vaswani and Christine Hah.
Filmed and edited by Jone Chang and Muhammad Fahmi Bin Jamal.


bbc--2020-03-03--US election 2020: Joe Biden boosted on Super Tuesday

US Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden has picked up three endorsements from former rivals on the eve of the most important day in the 2020 White House race so far .
Amy Klobuchar , Pete Buttigieg and Beto O'Rourke all campaigned with the former US vice-president in Dallas , Texas .
On Super Tuesday , voters in 14 states will pick their preferred Democratic candidate for November 's election .
Democratic centrists have been calling on party figures to urgently unite to try and stop Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders , a self-described democratic socialist , from becoming the party 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a Republican .
Mr Sanders , meanwhile , has been steadily picking up endorsements from left-leaning Democrats , activist groups and high-profile celebrities , • What to expect on Super Tuesday • What are primaries and how do they work ?
The other candidates still in the race are Elizabeth Warren , Michael Bloomberg and Tulsi Gabbard .
With the exception of Ms Gabbard , a Hawaii congresswoman , all of the Democratic hopefuls are septuagenarians .
What did Biden 's new backers say ?
Ms Klobuchar , a Minnesota senator , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Monday .
Appearing alongside Mr Biden on Monday night , she said : `` If we spend the next four months dividing our party and going at each other , we will spend the next four year watching Donald Trump tear apart our country . ''
Mr Buttigieg , a former mayor from Indiana who dropped out of the race on Sunday , said at another event with Mr Biden : `` I 'm looking for a leader , I 'm looking for a president , who will draw out what 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Biden , 77 , told reporters that Mr Buttigieg , 38 , `` reminds me of my son Beau '' , who died in 2015 .
Former US congressman Mr O'Rourke , who dropped out of the race last November , also appeared on stage with Mr Biden .
Ms Klobuchar and Mr Buttigieg had both been competing with Mr Biden for the same pool of centrist Democratic voters .
Both stepped aside following Mr Biden 's overwhelming victory in South Carolina at the weekend , which came after he struggled in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year .
Earlier on Monday , Mr Biden also picked up endorsements from former Obama National Security Adviser Susan Rice , former Senate leader Harry Reid and several members of Congress .
• Choose your candidate and filter by category • Five charts that explain the Democratic race Who else is still in the race ?
Five contenders remain out of a Democratic field that once featured more than two dozen .
Among them is New York billionaire Mike Bloomberg , who is also pitching to moderate Democratic voters .
The former mayor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appear on a 2020 ballot for the first time on Tuesday - has invested more than a half billion dollars in his presidential bid .
Mr Bloomberg told a Fox News town hall on Monday that the nominee could ultimately be chosen through `` horse-trading '' at the Democratic convention in Milwaukee , Wisconsin , in July .
Also still in the race are Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren and US congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii .
How did Sanders react to the Biden endorsements ?
Campaigning in Minnesota on Monday night , Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ join his campaign .
`` To all of Amy and Pete 's millions of supporters , the door is open .
Come on in , '' Mr Sanders said .
His campaign suggested the party 's big money donors wanted to stop the Vermont senator .
`` The establishment is nervous , not because we ca n't beat Trump , but because we will , '' said Sanders ' campaign manager , Faiz Shakir .
Mr Sanders is promising to target US income inequality with a multi-trillion dollar policy blueprint on everything from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ centrists are now rallying behind Mr Biden , Mr Sanders has been endorsed by a number of progressive Democrats - including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib , known for being part of `` the squad '' of left-wing congresswomen .
The Sunrise Movement - a coalition of young climate activists in the US - has also endorsed Mr Sanders , as have activist groups People 's Action and the Democratic Socialists of America ( DSA ) .
Businessmen Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield , co-founders of the ice cream company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voiced their support for Mr Sanders .
The socialist candidate has also amassed an extremely long list of celebrity supporters .
Actors including Danny Devito , Susan Sarandon and Jack Nicholson have thrown their weight behind him , as has model Emily Ratajkowski , and pop stars Cardi B , Ariana Grande and Miley Cyrus .
At a campaign rally in North Carolina on Monday night , Mr Trump sought to raise doubts about Biden 's mental acuity by highlighting the former vice-president 's gaffes .
He mentioned that Mr Biden had referred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' and asserted in a TV debate that 150 million people had been killed by guns since 2007 .
Mr Trump said that if Mr Biden wins the White House , `` they 're going to put him into a home , and other people are going to be running the country , and they 're going to be super-left radical crazies '' .
After the first four primary contests , Mr Sanders is in the lead with 60 of the delegates needed to win the Democratic White House nomination .
Mr Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On Super Tuesday , 1,344 delegates will be up for grabs .
California , Texas , Virginia , Massachusetts , Tennessee , Alabama , Arkansas , Oklahoma , Minnesota , Vermont , Colorado , Utah , North Carolina and Maine - as well as American Samoa , cast ballots on Tuesday .
• WHO HE IS : Third White House run for 'Middle Class Joe' • ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL : Watch Biden on 'No Malarkey ' tour • WHERE HE STANDS : Against other Democrats like Obama • HIS RIVALS : Choose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A SIMPLE GUIDE : All you need to know about the presidential race

US election 2020: Joe Biden boosted on Super Tuesday Published 3 March 2020
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Media caption, Amy Klobuchar endorses Joe Biden as she drops out of the race
US Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden has picked up three endorsements from former rivals on the eve of the most important day in the 2020 White House race so far.
Amy Klobuchar, Pete Buttigieg and Beto O'Rourke all campaigned with the former US vice-president in Dallas, Texas.
On Super Tuesday, voters in 14 states will pick their preferred Democratic candidate for November's election.
The Democratic frontrunner remains the left-wing senator, Bernie Sanders.
Democratic centrists have been calling on party figures to urgently unite to try and stop Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, a self-described democratic socialist, from becoming the party's nominee to take on President Donald Trump, a Republican.
Mr Sanders, meanwhile, has been steadily picking up endorsements from left-leaning Democrats, activist groups and high-profile celebrities.
The other candidates still in the race are Elizabeth Warren, Michael Bloomberg and Tulsi Gabbard. With the exception of Ms Gabbard, a Hawaii congresswoman, all of the Democratic hopefuls are septuagenarians.
What did Biden's new backers say?
Ms Klobuchar, a Minnesota senator, suspended her campaign and endorsed Mr Biden on Monday.
Appearing alongside Mr Biden on Monday night, she said: "If we spend the next four months dividing our party and going at each other, we will spend the next four year watching Donald Trump tear apart our country."
Mr Buttigieg, a former mayor from Indiana who dropped out of the race on Sunday, said at another event with Mr Biden: "I'm looking for a leader, I'm looking for a president, who will draw out what's best in each of us."
Ask me
Mr Biden, 77, told reporters that Mr Buttigieg, 38, "reminds me of my son Beau", who died in 2015.
Former US congressman Mr O'Rourke, who dropped out of the race last November, also appeared on stage with Mr Biden.
Ms Klobuchar and Mr Buttigieg had both been competing with Mr Biden for the same pool of centrist Democratic voters.
Both stepped aside following Mr Biden's overwhelming victory in South Carolina at the weekend, which came after he struggled in the first three Democratic leadership contests this year.
Earlier on Monday, Mr Biden also picked up endorsements from former Obama National Security Adviser Susan Rice, former Senate leader Harry Reid and several members of Congress.
Who else is still in the race?
Five contenders remain out of a Democratic field that once featured more than two dozen.
Among them is New York billionaire Mike Bloomberg, who is also pitching to moderate Democratic voters.
Image source, Empics
The former mayor of New York City - who will appear on a 2020 ballot for the first time on Tuesday - has invested more than a half billion dollars in his presidential bid.
Mr Bloomberg told a Fox News town hall on Monday that the nominee could ultimately be chosen through "horse-trading" at the Democratic convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in July.
Also still in the race are Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren and US congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii.
How did Sanders react to the Biden endorsements?
Campaigning in Minnesota on Monday night, Mr Sanders invited his rivals' supporters to join his campaign.
"To all of Amy and Pete's millions of supporters, the door is open. Come on in," Mr Sanders said.
His campaign suggested the party's big money donors wanted to stop the Vermont senator.
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Media caption, Why Alexis and Amira could help decide the US election
"The establishment is nervous, not because we can't beat Trump, but because we will," said Sanders' campaign manager, Faiz Shakir.
Mr Sanders is promising to target US income inequality with a multi-trillion dollar policy blueprint on everything from healthcare to taxation and education.
While centrists are now rallying behind Mr Biden, Mr Sanders has been endorsed by a number of progressive Democrats - including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, known for being part of "the squad" of left-wing congresswomen.
The Sunrise Movement - a coalition of young climate activists in the US - has also endorsed Mr Sanders, as have activist groups People's Action and the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA).
Businessmen Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, co-founders of the ice cream company Ben & Jerry's, have also voiced their support for Mr Sanders.
The socialist candidate has also amassed an extremely long list of celebrity supporters.
Actors including Danny Devito, Susan Sarandon and Jack Nicholson have thrown their weight behind him, as has model Emily Ratajkowski, and pop stars Cardi B, Ariana Grande and Miley Cyrus.
How has Trump responded?
At a campaign rally in North Carolina on Monday night, Mr Trump sought to raise doubts about Biden's mental acuity by highlighting the former vice-president's gaffes.
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Media caption, The biggest myth about the 'black vote'
He mentioned that Mr Biden had referred to Super Tuesday as "Super Thursday" and asserted in a TV debate that 150 million people had been killed by guns since 2007.
Mr Trump said that if Mr Biden wins the White House, "they're going to put him into a home, and other people are going to be running the country, and they're going to be super-left radical crazies".
What next?
After the first four primary contests, Mr Sanders is in the lead with 60 of the delegates needed to win the Democratic White House nomination.
Mr Biden has 54 and Ms Warren eight.
On Super Tuesday, 1,344 delegates will be up for grabs.
California, Texas, Virginia, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Alabama, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Minnesota, Vermont, Colorado, Utah, North Carolina and Maine - as well as American Samoa, cast ballots on Tuesday.
Read more on Joe Biden


bbc--2020-03-02--What is Super Tuesday and why does it matter?

Voters across America are preparing to take part in the biggest day of the 2020 election so far .
More than a year after the first Democratic candidates joined the race to take on Donald Trump , we 've now reached Super Tuesday .
Fourteen states will vote on which Democrat they want to run in November 's election .
Bernie Sanders is in the lead after the early contests .
By Wednesday , we could have a clearer picture of who the nominee will be .
Democrats across the US have been taking part in a series of caucuses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote publicly at the end ) or primaries ( secret ballots ) to pick their preferred candidate .
Bernie Sanders 's success has come as a bit of a surprise .
The Vermont senator lost out to Hillary Clinton in the 2016 race , but he is n't a typical Democrat by any means ( in fact , he sits as an Independent in the Senate ) .
He 's a staunch left-winger , so may struggle to convince the party 's moderates if he becomes the candidate .
He 's also 78 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the autumn .
But he 's proven extremely popular in the primaries so far across many age groups and ethnicities , and all the momentum is on his side .
The handful of moderate Democrats running have split the vote , so it 's made it hard for any of them to break out ( and this has helped Sanders build up a lead ) .
One of them , former vice-president and early favourite Joe Biden , underwhelmed before winning convincingly in South Carolina on Saturday .
Pete Buttigieg , the former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did n't build on his early momentum before dropping out on Sunday .
His voters may now turn to Biden , whose chances of becoming the nominee appear to have improved hugely in recent days .
Sanders does not have the left lane to himself either - Elizabeth Warren , the experienced Massachusetts senator , shares several of his policy objectives but has not lived up to expectations .
So might any of these candidates win the election in November ?
Honestly , it 's too close to call , and there are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all about the delegates .
Let 's say Candidate A gets the most support in one state .
Candidate B does OK , but not as well .
Candidate A is then awarded the most delegates , and Candidate B fewer .
The number of delegates available differs in each state .
Later in the summer , those delegates will then vote for their candidate to become the Democratic nominee .
The target for any candidate is to reach an unbeatable majority of 1,990 delegates .
This is where Super Tuesday comes in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delegates have been awarded in four states .
On Super Tuesday , a massive 1,357 delegates will be distributed , and 14 states are voting .
The two most populous , California and Texas , will take part - the former for the first time on Super Tuesday .
Here 's what is at stake in each state - the smallest to the largest - with some bonus nuggets of trivia thrown in .
Who will do best ?
A no-brainer : Bernie Sanders .
He is one of the state 's senators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well ?
Honestly ?
There 's a chance no-one except Sanders will cross the 15 % threshold of votes and get any delegates .
He is extremely popular in his home state and won the 2016 primary here with 86 % of the vote ( though he eventually lost the nomination to Hillary Clinton ) .
We could see the first results from here at about 19:00 local time ( midnight GMT ) .
One piece of context In a poll by Vermont Public Radio in February , almost a third of people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of living were among the main issues on their minds - although Vermont has the joint-lowest unemployment rate in the country , at 2.3 % .
Who will do best ?
We 're going to start sounding repetitive , but polls point to Bernie Sanders .
In 2016 , he won more than double the number of delegates claimed by Hillary Clinton here .
Who could do well ?
There are more contenders than in 2016 which means Sanders ' lead wo n't be as large .
But billionaire Michael Bloomberg and Joe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ piece of context This is n't the only thing on the ballot on Super Tuesday in Maine .
There 's also a referendum on whether to reject a law that would block religious and philosophical objections to vaccinations .
Who will do best ?
Clue : his name is an anagram of Desire Banners .
Sanders won here convincingly in 2016. Who could do well ?
It 's unlikely anyone will challenge Sanders .
The most recent poll put Bloomberg in a distant second and former Indiana mayor Pete Buttigieg in third , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ win votes that might have gone to Buttigieg , and tighten the gap on Sanders ?
One piece of context No candidate who has won Utah has then gone on to become the Democratic nominee since since Lyndon B Johnson in 1964 , so if Sanders was to win and become the nominee , he might help make history .
• A simple guide to US primaries and caucuses • Five charts that explain the Democratic race Who will do best ?
A recent poll by Hendrix College in Arkansas suggested Bloomberg 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could pay off here .
Who could do well ?
Biden and Sanders possibly , although it 's a close-run thing .
Forecasting site FiveThirtyEight gives Biden a stronger chance - the vote could be split fairly evenly .
One piece of context It might not matter who Democrats pick : Arkansas has opted for a Democrat in a presidential election only twice in 40 years ( and even then , it was local boy Bill Clinton , twice ) .
Who will do best ?
It 's tough to say .
Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well ?
Bloomberg and Sanders , according to Oklahoma polling group Sooner last week .
One piece of context Fracking is a big issue here , and Sanders and Warren ( who was born in Oklahoma City ) have both proposed measures to ban it .
The underground disposal of waste water used in fracking has led to a rise in earthquakes in this part of the US .
Who will do best ?
We 're in safe Biden territory .
He has the support of plenty of senior Democrats in Alabama , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there .
Who could do well ?
Biden 's lead in the polls looks fairly comfortable , but Bloomberg and Sanders appear most likely to challenge him .
One piece of context Republicans are also deciding who will run in November 's Senate race , where they are very hopeful of ousting Democrat Doug Jones ( and making it harder for Democrats to win the Senate later this year ) .
The favourite right now is Jeff Sessions , Donald Trump 's former attorney general .
• Which celebrity has endorsed whom ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ close .
FiveThirtyEight suggests Biden 's chances here have improved a lot over the past few days .
Who could do well ?
There has been very little polling here , but it could well be Sanders , who was a distant second to Hillary Clinton here in 2016 .
One piece of context In Tennessee , who votes may be a bigger issue than who wins - it has one of the worst voter turnout rates in the US .
In the last presidential election , just over half of registered voters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national average .
Who will do best ?
FiveThirtyEight gives Sanders a seven in eight chance of winning most votes here .
You may notice that a picture is starting to form .
Who could do well ?
The site puts Biden in a distant second , with Elizabeth Warren just behind him .
One piece of context Once a Republican stronghold , out-of-state migration and population growth has turned Colorado increasingly `` blue '' - a Democratic tilt that extends down the ballot .
In its latest predictions , election forecaster Sabato @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state 's US Senate race from `` toss up '' to `` leans Democratic '' .
• How Bernie Sanders always beats the odds Who will do best ?
It was all set to be Minnesota senator Amy Klobuchar until she withdrew on Monday .
She has now endorsed Biden , so ... maybe Biden ?
Who could do well ?
Sanders had been close behind Klobuchar in second , and is likely to pick up a decent amount of delegates here .
One piece of context This part of the US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trade war with China - advocacy group Tariffs Hurt The Heartland said businesses in Minnesota had to pay $ 797m ( £604m ) more in tariffs as a result .
Will that translate into more support for Democrats in this election ?
Who will do best ?
Sanders , maybe .
But it will be close .
Who could do well ?
Elizabeth Warren , but it might be embarrassing if she does n't win , given she is the senior senator for the state .
Buttigieg 's withdrawal may help her .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ % of the candidates left in the race ( two people ) live in Massachusetts - as well as Warren , the other is Michael Bloomberg , who lives in Medford .
Despite actor Michael Douglas campaigning for him there , he is not expected to do especially well here .
Who will do best ?
This will be a really interesting one to follow .
The vote could be split fairly evenly between Sanders , Bloomberg and Biden .
Who could do well ?
See above .
One piece of context Watch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This suburban vote will be crucial across the country in November 's election ( as it was in the 2018 mid-terms ) .
How will the nationwide favourite , Bernie Sanders , perform there ?
Will moderates in the suburbs warm to him ?
Who will do best ?
It 's quite a similar picture to neighbouring Virginia , and will also be worth following - it 's close between Sanders and Biden .
Who could do well ?
Bloomberg was polling well here at one point , but is drifting behind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of context This will also be a battleground state in November .
As with Virginia , watch the crucially important suburbs of cities like Charlotte and Raleigh .
But watch who they vote for , and whether that person ends up becoming the nominee .
The way the votes go here in November might help decide the election .
Who will do best ?
We 're into the big league now .
It 's very close between Sanders and Biden here .
Either way , it looks likely Sanders will claim a large @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the results come in from Texas , his lead could be big .
Who could do well ?
It is likely to be a good night for Biden here too .
Elizabeth Warren is third or fourth in most polls .
One piece of context There 's reason to think that the so-called sleeping giant of the Texas Hispanic vote - now almost two million voters - is about to wake up .
In the 2018 midterms , 46.9 % of registered Hispanic voters turned out , a leap from 24.4 % in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sanders really does have an eight in nine chance of winning most votes here , as FiveThirtyEight predicts , you might as well call him the nominee .
This is where Sanders ' appeal to his `` multiracial coalition '' pays off - he looks like he could do well with African Americans , Latinos and Asian Americans here .
Who could do well ?
Right now , Biden looks like being a distant second .
One piece of context This will be a Super Tuesday debut for California .
Lawmakers moved the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its traditional spot in June in an effort to increase California 's impact .
The shift could matter : the country 's most populous state will award 30 % of the delegates on Super Tuesday .
*American Samoa ( six delegates ) and Democrats Abroad ( 13 ) are also voting on Super Tuesday

Who will do best? If Sanders really does have an eight in nine chance of winning most votes here, as FiveThirtyEight predicts, you might as well call him the nominee. This is where Sanders' appeal to his "multiracial coalition" pays off - he looks like he could do well with African Americans, Latinos and Asian Americans here.


bbc--2020-03-03--Kobe Bryant: LA sheriff says deputies took graphic crash-scene photos

The sheriff of Los Angeles County has said eight deputies have admitted possessing graphic photos of Kobe Bryant 's helicopter crash site .
Alex Villanueva said he was `` devastated and heartbroken '' by the conduct of those responsible .
The sheriff told US media on Monday that the deputies involved had deleted the images on his direction .
The basketball legend and his 13-year-old daughter were among nine who died in the crash on 26 January .
The circulation of photos from the crash site and victims ' remains was first reported by the Los Angeles Times last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bryant 's wife , Vanessa , said she was `` absolutely devastated '' by the `` inexcusable and deplorable '' actions of first responders .
A lawyer for Bryant 's widow said Mr Villanueva had assured her that `` all measures would be put in place to protect the families ' privacy '' .
`` This is an unspeakable violation of human decency , respect , and of the privacy rights of the victims and their families , '' the lawyer 's statement said .
`` We are demanding that those responsible for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discipline , and that their identities be brought to light , to ensure that the photos are not further disseminated . ''
In an interview with NBC News , Mr Villanueva said the photos were brought to his attention by someone who had overheard a trainee deputy discussing them at a bar .
`` That was my number one priority , to make sure those photos no longer exist , '' Mr Villanueva said .
`` We identified the deputies involved , they came to the station on their own and had admitted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deleted them .
And we 're content that those involved did that . ''
• Giant who had his controversies • Petition calls for Bryant to be on NBA logo Mr Villanueva told KABC-TV that the deputies were under investigation and could face disciplinary action .
Only personnel from the National Transportation Safety Board ( NTSB ) and the coroner 's office were authorised to take photos of the crash scene , Mr Villanueva said .
At least two LA County Fire Department firefighters also took photos and were ordered to delete them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the crash in foggy weather west of Los Angeles , California , is still being investigated .
Bryant was on his way to coach his daughter Gianna 's basketball team in a local youth tournament at the Mamba Sports Academy .
Lawyers for Vanessa Bryant have filed a lawsuit against the company that operated the helicopter , accusing the pilot of negligence .
Bryant was a five-time NBA champion for his only team , the Los Angeles Lakers , and a double Olympic gold medallist .
After a 20-year career with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @

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bbc--2020-03-03--Israel election: Netanyahu claims 'biggest win' amid vote count

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed victory in Israel 's general election , with partial results putting him ahead of main rival Benny Gantz .
Exit polls suggest his right-wing bloc is on course to win 59 seats to become the biggest group but will still be short of a majority by two seats .
Nevertheless , Mr Netanyahu declared the outcome `` the biggest win of my life '' .
Monday 's election was Israel 's third in less than a year , after neither leader was able to form a government .
• The ex-military chief trying to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Middle East plan say on key issues ?
With 90 % of votes counted , Mr Netanyahu 's Likud party has won 29.3 % , compared to 26.3 % for Mr Gantz 's centrist Blue and White party .
Israel 's longest-serving prime minister , Mr Netanyahu , 70 , is seeking a record fifth term , having been in office from 1996 to 1999 and again from 2009 .
The election took place two weeks before Mr Netanyahu is due in court to face corruption charges , which he denies .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ projections after voting ended forecast 60 seats for the right-wing bloc , but this was later revised down to 59 .
The opposition centre and centre-left parties are on course to win 54-55 seats , according to the exit polls .
The Joint List alliance , representing Israel 's large Arab minority , is projected to get 14 or 15 seats .
Final results are not due out until Tuesday afternoon at the earliest .
But with most of the votes counted Benjamin Netanyahu 's Likud is the largest party .
The opposition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his upcoming trial on corruption charges .
Likud and its right-wing allies need to muster 61 parliamentary seats for Mr Netanyahu to form a majority government .
Projections suggest his right-wing bloc will need defections from other parties - quite possible in Israel 's fluid party system - to pass the all-important threshold .
But Mr Netanyahu will take a majority of one as a mandate for his agenda .
That includes the annexation of parts of the occupied West Bank that Palestinians want for a future state , as laid out in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the century '' .
Mr Netanyahu hailed a `` huge victory '' .
But the results show that Israel remains deeply divided about the future and his controversial , populist leadership .
Despite the shortfall , Mr Netanyahu promised to build `` a strong national government '' .
`` We must avoid any more elections .
It 's time to heal the rifts .
It 's time for reconciliation , '' he told supporters in Tel Aviv .
Benny Gantz did not immediately admit defeat , but accepted that the exit polls did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and share your feelings of disappointment and pain , for this is n't the result that we wanted to happen , '' he said .
Israel , he added , `` needs unity , it needs conciliation , it yearns for a leadership that unites , and that is something that we will continue to offer the Israeli public '' .
Yisrael Beiteinu leader Avigdor Lieberman , who was in the position of kingmaker after the last two elections , said it would keep its campaign promise not to join a coalition with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ party with an orderly worldview , with principles , '' he said .
In the coming days , President Reuven Rivlin will officially hand a mandate to form a government to the party which stands the best chance .
What could this mean for Palestinians ?
The secretary general of the Palestine Liberation Organisation ( PLO ) , Saeb Erekat , tweeted after the exit polls were published that it was `` obvious that settlement , occupation and apartheid have won the Israeli elections '' .
During the campaign , Mr Netanyahu vowed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jordan Valley in the occupied West Bank if he won a fifth term .
Such a move was made more possible after US President Donald Trump released his Middle East peace plan in January .
Mr Trump said the US would `` recognise Israeli sovereignty over the territory that my vision provides to be part of the State of Israel '' , including parts of the West Bank - a departure from past US positions .
The Palestinians , who have rejected Mr Trump 's plan as one-sided , insist that all the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be final peace deal .
More than 600,000 Jews live in about 140 settlements built since Israel 's 1967 occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem .
The settlements are considered illegal under international law , though Israel disputes this .
The US has also declared it no longer sees the settlements as illegal .
A wily political operator , Mr Netanyahu is known to his supporters as `` the magician '' for his ability to defy sceptics .
He fought this election under the cloud of criminal proceedings , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March to face charges of bribery , fraud and breach of trust in connection with three separate cases .
He is alleged to have accepted gifts from wealthy businessmen and dispensed favours to try to get more positive press coverage .
Mr Netanyahu has strongly denied any wrongdoing , saying he is the victim of a politically motivated `` witch hunt '' .
Even if convicted , Mr Netanyahu would not be required to step down as prime minister until the appeals process was exhausted .

"We are committed to the State of Israel and the society in Israel, and we certainly respect the voters' decision. We will follow the developments regarding the actual results, and will see where we take it from there."


bbc--2020-03-03--Russia's Putin wants traditional marriage and God in constitution

Russian President Vladimir Putin wants marriage to be defined as the union of a man and woman in a revised constitution , ruling out gay marriage .
It is among several constitutional amendments proposed by Mr Putin , which are set to be put to a public vote .
Critics see the proposals as a move by Mr Putin to keep a hold on power after his presidential term ends in 2024 .
The package includes a proclamation of Russians ' faith in God and a ban on giving away any Russian territory .
The territorial amendment would strengthen Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ region it annexed in 2014 - and the Kuril Islands , disputed with Japan since World War Two , according to Vladimir Mashkov , a renowned actor-director involved in drafting the new constitution .
Mr Putin also proposed an amendment on `` historical truth '' , to protect `` the great achievement of the people in their defence of the Fatherland '' .
He has railed against what he sees as foreign attempts to diminish the enormous sacrifice made by the USSR in World War Two .
The defeat of Nazi Germany cost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • What Putin 's plans mean for Russia • Do Russians care what Putin does next ?
Mr Putin is in his fourth presidential term ; he has been the dominant figure in Russian politics for 20 years .
His presidency has been marked by a revival of Soviet-era symbols , conservative values and the influence of the Russian Orthodox Church .
He surprised the nation in January with plans for constitutional changes that include transferring some powers from the presidency to parliament .
• What is Russia 's Putin up to ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the state is officially secular .
The current constitution dates from 1993 , when then President Boris Yeltsin was embracing Western democracy and capitalism .
Mr Putin 's drive against Western liberalism has included a controversial ban on disseminating `` gay propaganda '' among young Russians .
The ban - condemned by many liberals and the European Court of Human Rights - has been used to harass gay rights activists .
The constitutional reform bill was approved by the Russian parliament 's lower house - the State Duma - in January , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in time for a second reading next week .
The Russian legislature is dominated by Putin supporters .
A public vote on the constitutional revision is scheduled for 22 April , but before then it has to get final approval from parliament and the Constitutional Court .
A Russian political analyst , Konstantin Kalachev , told BBC Russian that the proposals were `` a mixed bag '' .
`` It turns out that our forefathers gave us faith in God and the ideas of communism , '' he commented , but added : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ majority of Russians '' .
Many of the amendments were submitted to Mr Putin by prominent social and cultural figures appointed to a constitutional working group .
Political scientist Grigory Golosov criticised the changes as `` political '' .
`` The constitution we have indicates that the state should be free of ideology .
So I think these changes are inappropriate . ''

But since Mr Putin has decided he wants Russians to vote on the proposals, he needs to find a way of getting people excited about the changes - and getting them to the ballot boxes on 22 April. That's where the populist slogans come in - and subjects like God, family and marriage - as well as promises to include in the constitution support for wages and pensions.


bbc--2020-03-03--Mexican YouTuber sentenced to 50 years over kidnap

A YouTuber who kidnapped a woman in the Mexican state of Chihuahua in February 2018 has been sentenced to 50 years in prison .
Germán Abraham Loera Acosta was one of six men who seized a 33-year-old lawyer and forced her into a car .
Loera Acosta rented the house where the victim was held captive and demanded a ransom of 2 million pesos ( £80,500 ; $ 103,000 ) in Bitcoins for her release .
The woman was rescued by police two days later .
Four of the group were apprehended by the police in the same operation .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the group will have to pay a 500,000 peso ( £20,000 ; $ 25,730 ) fine .
Chihuahua district attorney Cesar Peniche described Loera Acosta at the time as `` a very experienced person in internet communication '' , who tried to use the internet to establish the conditions of the kidnap .
But he added that Bitcoins were `` traceable at the end of the day '' .
Loera Acosta , 25 , is formerly an influencer and director of a marketing and design company , posting about marketing and business .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ as an entrepreneur , bears the tagline : `` I think the mind is the only thing that limits us . ''
Prior to his arrest , he also shared motivational messages with his followers with advice on how to improve their professional and personal lives .
`` You are not the future , you are the present , live and act like it , we are going to make this country and this world into something special '' , read one .
He also gave speeches and took part in the World @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reports the El Pais newspaper .
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Prior to his arrest, he also shared motivational messages with his followers with advice on how to improve their professional and personal lives. "You are not the future, you are the present, live and act like it, we are going to make this country and this world into something special", read one.


bbc--2020-03-03--Chris Matthews: TV host quits with apology for 'compliments'

One of America 's most famous news anchors has abruptly quit days after a female guest on his show alleged he made inappropriate remarks .
Chris Matthews , a veteran host at liberal cable channel MSNBC , said Monday 's Hardball show was his last .
Last month he apologised after likening a Democratic presidential contender 's victory to the Nazi invasion of Europe .
Once a speechwriter for President Jimmy Carter , Mr Matthews launched his political talk show in 1997 .
The 74-year-old said on Monday that `` compliments on a woman 's appearance that some men , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were OK were never OK. '' Not then , and certainly not today , and for making such comments in the past , I 'm sorry . ''
Mr Matthews , who underwent prostate surgery last year , said he came to his decision after talks with MSNBC .
Last Friday a journalist , Laura Bassett , wrote a first-person cover story for GQ magazine in which she alleged Chris Matthews had made remarks that made her uncomfortable when she was a guest on his show back in 2016 .
She wrote that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Mr Matthews looked at her and said : `` Why have n't I fallen in love with you yet ? ''
Ms Bassett wrote : `` When I laughed nervously and said nothing , he followed up to the make-up artist .
'Keep putting makeup on her , I 'll fall in love with her . '
`` Another time , he stood between me and the mirror and complimented the red dress I was wearing for the segment .
'You going out tonight ? '
he asked . ''
It was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been accused of making inappropriate comments about women .
In 2016 , a hot mic picked up his remarks about Melania Trump as she took to the stage at a rally for her husband in Indiana .
The MSNBC host was heard saying of the former model : `` Did you see her walk ?
Runway walk .
My God , is that good ! ''
In 2011 , Mr Matthews raised eyebrows for saying that Republican vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin `` could not be hotter as a candidate '' .
Last month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ network 's coverage of left-wing Democratic presidential contender Bernie Sanders ' victory in the Nevada caucuses when he said : `` I was reading last night about the fall of France in the summer of 1940 .
`` And the general calls up Churchill and says , 'It 's over , ' and Churchill says , 'How can it be ?
You got the greatest army in Europe .
How can it be over ? '
He said , 'It 's over . '
'' Supporters of Mr Sanders , a Jewish candidate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Holocaust , said the analogy was deeply offensive .
Mr Matthews went on his show two days later to apologise to Mr Sanders and promised he would `` strive to do a better job myself of elevating the political discussion '' .
But last Friday , the TV host caused further embarrassment when he confused the identities of two black men , Senator Tim Scott and a South Carolina Senate candidate , Jaime Harrison .

"And the general calls up Churchill and says, 'It's over,' and Churchill says, 'How can it be? You got the greatest army in Europe. How can it be over?' He said, 'It's over.'"