bbc--2020-02-23--'Mad' Mike Hughes dies after crash-landing homemade rocket

A US daredevil pilot has been killed during an attempted launch of a homemade rocket in the Californian desert .
`` Mad '' Mike Hughes , 64 , crash-landed his steam-powered rocket shortly after take-off near Barstow on Saturday .
A video on social media shows a rocket being fired into the sky before plummeting to the ground nearby .
Hughes was well-known for his belief that the Earth was flat .
He hoped to prove his theory by going to space .
• 'Mad ' Mike 's rocket mission to check if Earth is flat • BBC Earth : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday 's launch was reportedly filmed as part of Homemade Astronauts , a new TV series about amateur rocket makers to be aired on the US Science Channel .
The project had to be carried out on a tight budget .
With the help of his partner Waldo Stakes , Hughes was trying to reach an altitude of 5,000ft ( 1,525m ) while riding his steam-powered rocket , according to Space.com .
In the video of the launch , a parachute can be seen trailing behind the rocket , apparently deployed too early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tweet , the Science Channel said Hughes had died pursuing his dream .
San Bernardino County Sheriff 's Department said its officers were called to a rocket launch event at around 14:00 local time ( 22:00 GMT ) on Saturday .
The sheriff 's office said `` a man was pronounced deceased after the rocket crashed in the open desert '' .
Hughes ' publicist confirmed to US media outlets that it was the pilot who had been killed .
Darren Shuster , a former representative for Hughes , told TMZ the daredevil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ God made Mike he broke the mould .
The man was the real deal and lived to push the edge .
He would n't have gone out any other way !
RIP '' he said .
Mad Mike and his assistants built the homemade rocket in his backyard , spending around $ 18,000 ( £14,000 ) .
The rocket uses steam ejected through a nozzle for propulsion .
The daredevil , who lived in Apple Valley , made headlines internationally when he announced his intention to prove his theory that the Earth was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hughes managed an altitude of 1,870ft ( 570m ) before deploying his parachutes and landing with a bump .
Speaking afterwards , Hughes said : `` Am I glad I did it ?
Yeah , I guess .
I 'll feel it in the morning .
I wo n't be able to get out of bed .
At least I can go home and have dinner and see my cats tonight . ''
He set a Guinness World Record in 2002 for the longest limousine jump - over 31 metres ( 103 ft @ @ @ @ @ @ @ limo .


bbc--2020-02-23--Tyson Fury beats Deontay Wilder in world title fight in Las Vegas

Tyson Fury produced the most destructive performance of his boxing life to end Deontay Wilder 's five-year reign as WBC heavyweight world champion in seven thrilling rounds of their Las Vegas rematch .
The Briton , 31 , pummelled his rival in a way few could have imagined following their 2018 draw , flooring him in the third and fifth rounds while constantly backing up the most-feared puncher in the division in a way no-one has done before .
A jab and right hand - the combination with which Wilder has wiped men out repeatedly - sent the American down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Grand Arena .
Wilder , making his 11th defence , fell again before the round was out - this time a slip - and looked ragged under the pressure , before a right and left hand to the body sent the 34-year-old down in the fifth .
Fury delivered everything he had promised , transitioning from his hit-and-move style to overpower , outwork and bully his previously undefeated rival until the towel came in during the seventh round .
This was more than a world title win , it was a statement - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his corner after victory was sealed , the days of depression , weight gain and despair that cost him the belts he claimed in 2015 seemed a lifetime away .
• Relive Fury v Wilder II - from the ring walks to the winning moment • 'There 's a fella across the pond who might want a tickle ' - Fury says Joshua bout will 'complete ' career • 'Living legend ' Fury shines bright in Vegas - but did he lick Wilder 's blood ?
• Podcast : Costello & Bunce on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thousands of British fans who had descended on Vegas saw their hero take an age to arrive at the ring on a throne , sporting a golden crown .
It was the only time Fury moved slowly all night .
He hit pads in the ring as Wilder made his ring walk - just as he did 15 months earlier in Los Angeles - and his start was rapid , a flurry of hooks prompting chants of `` there 's only one Tyson Fury '' from the crowd .
Actors Michael J Fox @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Super Bowl winner Patrick Mahomes , watched as Fury raised his hand at the end of the opening three-minute round and things began to feel markedly different to their first meeting .
He simply did not take a backward step , forcing Wilder to the ropes and ensuring the champion had no say in the pace of proceedings .
And in the third round , those who had paid the kind of ticket prices that made this the highest gate ever in Nevada , rose to their feet at the sight of Wilder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his career .
A right hand behind Wilder 's ear - the same shot with which the American had floored Fury nine rounds into their first fight - did the damage .
Wilder then fell again as Fury bulldozed him .
At the bell , the pair glared at one another and Wilder knew he was in a place no fighter wants to be .
The Britons sitting ringside did not want to be anywhere else .
Was the weight Fury had gained making the difference ?
Was it the new training set-up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He was putting on a boxing clinic and a right-left combination to the body dropped the stunned Wilder once more in the fifth .
Fury was docked a point for punching on the break but he did not seem to care or blink at the punishment , instead continuing to feint and twitch to set shots up before unloading on a man who had started a slight favourite .
He led 59-52 59-52 and 58-53 on the cards when the towel came in .
Fight week had seen repeated debate over where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the greatest nights of heavyweight action , but little consensus .
What we can say with certainty is that this was a masterclass .
Wilder flounders as Fury reaches the summit ( again ) Wilder , under-appreciated through half a decade as a champion , knew this was the night he could fully silence doubters .
Some 43 fights into an undefeated career his ability was still questioned by many , and scorned by some .
Wilder 's fabled right hand never showed up .
It was telegraphed time and again and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close to his left ear - quickly left the arena to go to hospital for stitches on the damage .
Coming in at the highest weight of his career may be offered up as an explanation for his shortcomings , but the gulf between the fighters was huge .
In the years since Wilder first won the title , Fury has claimed three world belts , lost them without fighting amid problems with drugs , alcohol and depression , and gained the kind of weight that meant many assumed his boxing career was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the top , with a back-story that has helped shape cult-hero status in the UK and now a burgeoning profile in the US .
He may flippantly say this title means little to him .
He may continue to threaten to walk away from boxing .
We can be certain he will lead us all a merry dance until the day it is all over .
But when it is , this win will be remembered .
There will be talk of a third Wilder fight and talk of a historic all-British meeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moves can wait for now as here , on a Vegas Strip where dreams are so often dashed , Fury completed his journey from personal despair to sporting glory .
What a ride it has been .
Hopefully he is now better placed than the first time around to live with one of sport 's sweetest of introductions - heavyweight champion of the world .
'Not bad for someone with pillow fists ' - what they said Tyson Fury speaking to BT Sport Box Office : `` I told everybody with a pair @ @ @ @ @ @ @ return to the throne .
My last fight everybody wrote me off .
I was underweight and over-trained .
I 'm a destroyer .
Not bad for someone with pillow fists .
`` I 'm a man of my word .
I told Wilder , his team , the world .
We trained for a knockout ; we was n't tapping around in that gym .
`` I talk like this because I can back it up .
People write me off , they look at my fat belly and bald head and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fought the best Tyson Fury , we 're both in our primes .
`` I expect him to ask for the third fight .
I know he 's a warrior and I 'll be waiting . ''
Promoter Frank Warren , speaking to the 5 Live Boxing podcast : `` I have been doing this a long time and that was the best performance I have seen from a British boxer in the ring .
`` I always believed Tyson would stop him and it is the best moment for me , selfishly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and his family .
`` It is the best comeback in sport , not boxing .
He was in the depths of despair and to pull himself back from that is the most amazing thing .
It is special . ''
Deontay Wilder : `` The best man won on the night .
My coach threw in the towel but I 'm ready to go out on my shield .
`` I had a lot of things going on coming into this fight but it is what it is .
`` I just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go out on my shield , I 'm a warrior .
But [ Fury ] did what he did and there 's no excuses . ''
Former world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis : `` Congratulations to Tyson Fury on a huge win and bossing his way to the WBC and Ring heavyweight straps .
Once again you showed up big .
`` The best fighters solve puzzles .
Tonight Fury solved the puzzle that was Wilder by making him fight going backwards where he 's not as explosive .
Big-manned him . ''

'Not bad for an old fat guy who can't punch' - best of Fury's post-fight news conference
Tyson Fury produced the most destructive performance of his boxing life to end Deontay Wilder's five-year reign as WBC heavyweight world champion in seven thrilling rounds of their Las Vegas rematch.
The Briton, 31, pummelled his rival in a way few could have imagined following their 2018 draw, flooring him in the third and fifth rounds while constantly backing up the most-feared puncher in the division in a way no-one has done before.
A jab and right hand - the combination with which Wilder has wiped men out repeatedly - sent the American down in the third, stunning the MGM Grand Arena.
Wilder, making his 11th defence, fell again before the round was out - this time a slip - and looked ragged under the pressure, before a left hand to the body sent the 34-year-old down in the fifth.
Fury delivered everything he had promised, transitioning from his hit-and-move style to overpower, outwork and bully his previously undefeated rival until the towel came in during the seventh round.
This was more than a world title win, it was a statement - and as Fury was held aloft by his corner after victory was sealed, the days of depression, weight gain and despair that cost him the belts he claimed in 2015 seemed a lifetime away.
Britons treated to a masterclass
Tyson Fury was carried to the ring on a throne
Thousands of British fans who had descended on Vegas saw their hero take an age to arrive at the ring on a throne, sporting a golden crown. It was the only time Fury moved slowly all night.
He hit pads in the ring as Wilder made his ring walk - just as he did 15 months earlier in Los Angeles - and his start was rapid, a flurry of hooks prompting chants of "there's only one Tyson Fury" from the crowd.
Actors Michael J Fox and Jason Statham, as well as Super Bowl winner Patrick Mahomes, watched as Fury raised his hand at the end of the opening three-minute round and things began to feel markedly different to their first meeting.
He simply did not take a backward step, forcing Wilder to the ropes and ensuring the champion had no say in the pace of proceedings. And in the third round, those who had paid the kind of ticket prices that made this the highest gate ever for a heavyweight bout in Nevada, rose to their feet at the sight of Wilder floored for only the second time in his career.
A right hand behind Wilder's ear - the same shot with which the American had floored Fury nine rounds into their first fight - did the damage. Wilder then fell again as Fury bulldozed him. At the bell, the pair glared at one another and Wilder knew he was in a place no fighter wants to be. The Britons sitting ringside did not want to be anywhere else.
Wilder was taken to hospital after the fight and didn't appear at the news conference
Was the weight Fury had gained making the difference? Was it the new training set-up? Whatever it was worked to perfection. He was putting on a boxing clinic and a body shot dropped the stunned Wilder once more in the fifth.
Fury was docked a point for punching on the break but he did not seem to care or blink at the punishment, instead continuing to feint and twitch to set shots up before unloading on a man who had started a slight favourite. He led 59-52 59-52 and 58-53 on the cards when the towel came in.
Fight week had seen repeated debate over where this meeting ranked in the pecking order of the greatest nights of heavyweight action, but little consensus. What we can say with certainty is that this was a masterclass.
'This was written in the stars' - Fury on beating Wilder
Wilder flounders as Fury reaches the summit (again)
Fury owned the centre of the ring and dictated the fight from the opening bell
Wilder, under-appreciated through half a decade as a champion, knew this was the night he could fully silence doubters. Some 43 fights into an undefeated career his ability was still questioned by many, and scorned by some.
Wilder's fabled right hand never showed up. It was telegraphed time and again and the Alabama fighter - who was cut close to his left ear - quickly left the arena to go to hospital for stitches on the damage.
Coming in at the highest weight of his career may be offered up as an explanation for his shortcomings, but the gulf between the fighters was huge.
In the years since Wilder first won the title, Fury has claimed three world belts, lost them without fighting amid problems with drugs, alcohol and depression, and gained the kind of weight that meant many assumed his boxing career was over.
Now he is back at the top, with a back-story that has helped shape cult-hero status in the UK and now a burgeoning profile in the US.
Tyson Fury sang to his wife after the fight
He may flippantly say this title means little to him. He may continue to threaten to walk away from boxing. We can be certain he will lead us all a merry dance until the day it is all over. But when it is, this win will be remembered.
There will be talk of a third Wilder fight and talk of a historic all-British meeting with Anthony Joshua.
But the next moves can wait for now as here, on a Vegas Strip where dreams are so often dashed, Fury completed his journey from personal despair to sporting glory.
What a ride it has been. Hopefully he is now better placed than the first time around to live with one of sport's sweetest of introductions - heavyweight champion of the world.
'Not bad for someone with pillow fists' - what they said
Tyson Fury speaking to BT Sport Box Office: "I told everybody with a pair of ears that the Gypsy King would return to the throne. My last fight everybody wrote me off. I was underweight and over-trained. I'm a destroyer. Not bad for someone with pillow fists.
"I'm a man of my word. I told Wilder, his team, the world. We trained for a knockout; we wasn't tapping around in that gym.
"I talk like this because I can back it up. People write me off, they look at my fat belly and bald head and think I can't fight. He fought the best Tyson Fury, we're both in our primes.
"I expect him to ask for the third fight. I know he's a warrior and I'll be waiting."
Tyson Fury wore a trademark patterned suit to the post-fight news conference
Promoter Frank Warren, speaking to the 5 Live Boxing podcast: "I have been doing this a long time and that was the best performance I have seen from a British boxer in the ring.
"I always believed Tyson would stop him and it is the best moment for me, selfishly, but it is also for him and his family.
"It is the best comeback in sport, not boxing. He was in the depths of despair and to pull himself back from that is the most amazing thing. It is special."
Deontay Wilder: "The best man won on the night. My coach threw in the towel but I'm ready to go out on my shield.
"I had a lot of things going on coming into this fight but it is what it is.
"I just wish my corner would have let me go out on my shield, I'm a warrior. But [Fury] did what he did and there's no excuses."
Former world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis: "Congratulations to Tyson Fury on a huge win and bossing his way to the WBC and Ring heavyweight straps. Once again you showed up big.
"The best fighters solve puzzles. Tonight Fury solved the puzzle that was Wilder by making him fight going backwards where he's not as explosive. Big-manned him."


bbc--2020-02-23--Hip-hop's iconic photos go on display

Hip-hop's iconic photos go on display

The International Center of Photography in New York is showcasing photos of hip-hop 's greatest stars .
The ICP 's @ @ @ @ @ as watching your favourite musical icons grow up in front of your eyes .
Included @ @ @ @ @ photographer behind the famous image of The Notorious B.I.G wearing a crown .

The International Center of Photography in New York is showcasing photos of hip-hop's greatest stars.
Curator Vikki Tobak describes the exhibition as watching your favourite musical icons grow up in front of your eyes.
Included in the project is the photographer behind the famous image of The Notorious B.I.G. wearing a crown.
Producer: Mat Morrison


bbc--2020-02-23--Earthquake kills at least 8 in Turkey, injuries many in Iran

At least eight people including three children are dead in eastern Turkey after an earthquake with its epicentre in neighbouring Iran .
At least 21 people were injured after houses collapsed , Turkey 's interior minister said .
The magnitude-5.7 quake centred on the Iranian border village of Habash-e Olya .
At least 40 were injured and houses damaged in 43 villages in Iran 's West Azerbaijan province .
The quake struck at 09:23 ( 05:53 GMT ) in Iran and had a 6km ( 3.7 miles ) depth .
Turkish media showed video of rescuers digging and families waiting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Van province .
`` There were children under the debris .
We thought we heard their voices .
`` Then something happened .
We did n't understand what happened exactly and we pulled out three bodies , '' a villager told Reuters news agency .
Governor of Van Mehmet Emin Bilmez said no more people were trapped under rubble .
Last month two avalanches in Van province killed at least 39 people including rescue workers , while in the provinces of Elazig and Malatya at least 31 people died and more than 1,600 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1,066 buildings collapsed in Sunday 's quake , Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said .
Earthquakes are common in the region .
In 1999 about 17,000 people died in an earthquake in the western Turkish city of Izmit .
Iran 's deadliest earthquake was in 1990 when 40,000 people died and half a million were left homeless .
You may also be interested in : • The Documentary : Life on the world 's fault lines

Last month two avalanches in Van province killed at least 39 people including rescue workers, while in the provinces of Elazig and Malatya at least 31 people died and more than 1,600 injured in a powerful quake.


bbc--2020-02-23--Brexit: Emmanuel Macron 'not sure' of UK-EU trade deal by end of year

French President Emmanuel Macron has said he is `` not sure '' a UK-EU trade deal will be struck by 31 December , the end of the Brexit transition period .
Mr Macron said negotiations starting in March will be `` tense '' , with fishing rights a key point of contention .
It comes as the UK government signalled it would publish its mandate for the trade deal later this week .
In the document , ministers are expected to reiterate their desire for a Canada-style deal with few tariffs on goods .
While a trade deal is hammered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is following the majority of the bloc 's rules .
The UK is in this transition period until 31 December following its departure from the EU on 31 January .
`` I am not sure that an agreement will be reached between now and the end of the year , '' Mr Macron said at a meeting with fishermen in Paris on Saturday .
`` Anyway , it is going to become more tense because [ the British ] are very hard . ''
• What is the transition period ?
Mr Macron @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sticking point in negotiations .
The UK has said it will consider a deal on fisheries but it must be based on the notion that `` British fishing grounds are first and foremost for British boats '' .
The EU has different ideas about an agreement on fisheries .
Mr Macron 's comments come as the UK government signalled it would publish detailed demands for a trade deal .
The mandate is due to be signed off on Tuesday and will be published online and in Parliament on Thursday , the BBC 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Johnson 's chief Brexit negotiator , David Frost , called for a `` Canada-Free Trade Agreement-type relationship '' with the EU in a speech in Brussels earlier this month - and the mandate will repeat these demands .
But EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier has said such a deal can not happen .
Mr Barnier said the EU was ready to offer an `` ambitious partnership '' with the UK post-Brexit , but its `` particular proximity '' meant it would be different .
Under Canada 's agreement with the EU , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tariffs on most goods have been eliminated between the two countries , though there are still customs and VAT checks .
• Is fishing the next big argument in Brexit talks ?
• How do you negotiate a trade agreement ?
The EU has repeatedly warned that the UK can not expect to enjoy continued `` high-quality '' market access if it insists on diverging from EU social and environmental standards .
UK-EU trade negotiations , led by Mr Barnier and Mr Frost , are due to begin in Brussels on 2 March @

Under Canada's agreement with the EU, which took seven years to negotiate, import tariffs on most goods have been eliminated between the two countries, though there are still customs and VAT checks.


bbc--2020-02-23--Coronavirus: Russia denies spreading US conspiracy on social media

Russia has flatly denied allegations that it is spreading disinformation about the new coronavirus outbreak on social media .
US officials said Russian-linked accounts were making unfounded claims that America started the outbreak .
Thousands of profiles on Twitter , Facebook and Instagram were peddling the theory , the officials said .
Responding to the allegations on Saturday , the Russian foreign ministry dismissed them as `` fake '' .
• Coronavirus cases double in one day in South Korea • Coronavirus : What you need to know Over 2,000 people have died , mostly in China , and more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the new coronavirus .
The virus , which originated last year in Hubei province in China , causes a respiratory disease called Covid-19 .
Earlier , a senior US State Department official , Philip Reeker , said `` malign '' Russian actors were attempting to sow disinformation about origin of the coronavirus .
One conspiracy theory - circulating online in several languages - alleges the virus is an attempt to wage `` economic war on China '' .
`` By spreading disinformation about coronavirus , Russian malign actors are once again choosing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ global health response , '' Phillip Reeker , acting assistant secretary of state for Europe and Eurasia , told AFP news agency .
The posts also accused Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates of involvement in the outbreak .
According to AFP news agency , the disinformation campaign was identified by US monitors in mid-January , shortly after the third death from the new coronavirus was announced .
`` In this case , we were able to see their full disinformation ecosystem in effect , including state TV , proxy web sites and thousands of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same themes , '' said Lea Gabrielle , the head of the State Department 's Global Engagement Centre .
The accounts had been previously identified for sharing Russian-backed messages on events such as demonstrations in Chile and the war in Syria .
It is alleged that the accounts are run by humans .
The US State Department said the claims were making some countries in Africa and Asia suspicious of the Western response .
Russian TV has also been reporting that Western elites , especially the US , are to blame .
One @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Channel One , has launched a regular slot devoted to coronavirus conspiracy theories on its main evening news programme .
Conspiracy theories have also featured heavily on the Channel One 's main political talk show .
It suggested that various Western actors - pharmaceutical companies , the US or its agencies - are somehow involved in helping to create or spread the virus , or at least in spreading panic about it .

Conspiracy theories have also featured heavily on the Channel One's main political talk show. It suggested that various Western actors - pharmaceutical companies, the US or its agencies - are somehow involved in helping to create or spread the virus, or at least in spreading panic about it.


bbc--2020-02-23--Simone Biles on abuse, race and life after gymnastics

Simone Biles took time out of training in Texas to answer questions from young fans around the world .
The @ @ @ @ @ discusses her experience of racism and her hopes for the future .
After the Larry @ @ @ @ @ gymnastics she tells My World : `` I ca n't blame the sport '' .
@ @ @ @ @ brand new programme for teenagers who want to know about the issues shaping our world @

Simone Biles took time out of training in Texas to answer questions from young fans around the world.
The greatest gymnast of all time speaks about her career so far, and her hopes for the future.
BBC My World is a brand new programme for teenagers who want to know about the issues shaping our world.


bbc--2020-02-22--Swipe right! Ways to get young voters to turn out

The race to decide which Democrat will take on Donald Trump in November 's US presidential election resumes on Saturday @ @ @ @ @ decide who they want to be their nominee .
Moderate former mayor Pete Buttigieg and @ @ @ @ @ present front-runners .
The final candidate will not be known until July .
Voters born @ @ @ @ @ voting block but had the lowest turnout rate in 2016 .
What will get them @ @ @ @

The race to decide which Democrat will take on Donald Trump in November's US presidential election resumes on Saturday.
Democrats in Nevada will decide who they want to be their nominee.
Moderate former mayor Pete Buttigieg and left-wing Bernie Sanders are the present front-runners. The final candidate will not be known until July.
Voters born after 1980 are the largest voting block but had the lowest turnout rate in 2016. What will get them to the polls?
Video shot by Helier Cheung


bbc--2020-02-23--Amani Festival: The DR Congo music festival celebrating life

In a field in central Goma , in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo , 36,000 people last weekend got the chance to forget fears about insecurity and enjoy some top African music acts at the Amani Festival .
The annual festival , named after the Swahili word for peace , is a rare time for such large numbers to come together in one place here .
Goma is the biggest city in a region that has seen an upsurge of violence in recent months .
Attacks by the Allied Democratic Forces rebel group and army attempts to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of civilian deaths .
The three-day event started with a performance of a requiem - or prayer for the dead - based on Mozart 's Requiem but given a Congolese interpretation through local performers .
The living were also remembered .
`` We are coming together… to show the world that life still exists , that we are aware that a better future depends on all of us and that we must work together to build it , '' organiser Guillaume Bisimwa said .
Queen of Congolese rumba Mbilia Bel , who is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with her beautiful and powerful voice .
Her set included hits from the 1980s , Mpeve ya Longo and Yamba Nga .
Some festival-goers saw the event as an opportunity to dress up and show off .
Nineteen-year-old visual artist Kasiski Vaillant wore a hat , a pair of glasses and braces that he had designed and made himself .
Others struck a cool pose with sunglasses and face paint .
Local hero Innoss ' B , one of the festival headliners , played as the sun went down on Saturday night .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ which has become a huge hit in the region after he teamed up with Tanzanian star Diamond Platnumz .
Senegalese soul and gospel singer Faada Freddy , who was once part of the rap duo Daara J , was one of the big international artists to perform .
Another Senegalese artist , hip hop performer Didier Awadi , paid tribute to the victims of killings just to the north of Goma and said they should not be forgotten .
As the festival was promoting peace across the region , it also featured traditional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across the border .
A troupe came to show the Intore dance , which is performed at family celebrations as well as at big national events .
There was also the chance to taste a local favourite , grilled meat , known here as nyama choma .
Dieume and Pedjos teamed up to provide the gourmet pleasures .
There was a very relaxed and happy atmosphere and it felt like a great way to bring communities together .
The organisers wanted to show that the east of the country was not just a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to provide an escape from that , but the bad news has not gone away .

"We are coming together… to show the world that life still exists, that we are aware that a better future depends on all of us and that we must work together to build it," organiser Guillaume Bisimwa said.


bbc--2020-02-20--Your pictures on the theme of 'uphill'

Your pictures on the theme of 'uphill'

And finally Jason Shrubb sent in this picture of Glastonbury Tor .
The next theme is `` railways '' and @ @ @ @ @ 25 February 2020 .
Send pictures to yourpics @ bbc.co.uk or follow the link to @ @ @ @ @ '' below .
Further details and terms can be found by following the link to @ @ @ @ @ , you take the pictures , '' at the bottom of the page .

Image caption,
And finally Jason Shrubb sent in this picture of Glastonbury Tor. The next theme is "railways" and the deadline for entries is 25 February 2020. Send pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or follow the link to "Upload your pictures here" below. Further details and terms can be found by following the link to "We set the theme, you take the pictures," at the bottom of the page.


bbc--2020-02-23--Dead within three hours of arrival at a Russian prison

Earlier this year , two guards who worked at a prison in Yaroslavl , north-east of Moscow , were jailed for abusing an inmate .
Despite official claims that Russian penitentiaries are cleaning up their act , prisoners , their relatives and human rights activists tell a very different story .
The BBC 's Oleg Boldyrev investigated one recent case .
I have n't seen the room where Roman Sarychev was beaten .
Beaten so badly that he died three hours later .
No , this is not lazy reporting .
The room is inaccessible - behind barbed wire and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ penal colony number six in the Bryansk region , south-west of Moscow , is known to many people .
Some former inmates and even a current one told me exactly what this room looks like and what happens there .
It 's windowless , with a low ceiling and walls of glossy yellowish paint .
New inmates enter this narrow room through an even narrower corridor leading from the prison entrance .
They have to move fast , almost running , bodies bent , handcuffed arms behind their backs .
As they move @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sworn at by guards while a heavy metal track - Du Hast , by German band Rammstein - plays at ear-splitting volume .
This ritual is called intake .
It is designed to frighten and humiliate the new arrivals .
Exactly why 32-year-old Sarychev was kicked so hard that his spleen ruptured , is still unknown - an investigation is now under way .
But the beating itself is no surprise for those who are familiar with colony number six , or with many other Russian prisons .
The prison service officially reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The assumption is that many were from natural causes , but accusations of beatings and torture are commonplace .
A notorious video emerged in 2018 of guards beating an inmate in a prison in Yaroslavl while he was pinned face down to a table .
A year later , several inmates in a prison in Karelia , near the Finnish border , told of beatings and abuse which resulted in at least one death .
The prison 's former director was jailed last year for torturing inmates .
In 2015 , five young @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other then beaten in a prison in Krasnodar , in the south of Russia .
One of them died .
• From Our Own Correspondent has insight and analysis from BBC journalists , correspondents and writers from around the world • Listen on iPlayer , get the podcast or listen on the BBC World Service , or on Radio 4 on Saturdays at 11:30 These and many other stories often only become public months or years later , once the witnesses have been released .
If there 's a really big scandal , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court .
Authorities say lessons have been learned , but similar incidents keep happening .
The incident from Yaroslavl was unusual because there was footage from cameras that are supposed to be worn by guards on duty .
Most of the time , though , something happens with the cameras - they just stop working , as indeed was the case with the attack on Roman Sarychev in penal colony number six .
Sarychev had been found guilty of organising a string of illegal internet casinos in Bryansk .
He 'd hoped to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was sentenced to two-and-a-half years instead .
He appealed , hoping that his severe liver condition might mean a non-custodial sentence , but no such luck .
Sarychev was transferred to the penal colony at 19:40 on 8 December last year .
An ambulance was called an hour later .
He then died on the operating table at 22:40 .
The following morning Sarychev 's mother , Elena , called the prison service , expecting to get the results of his blood tests .
Instead a clerk informed her that her son was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sister made another call .
She was told there had been `` an incident '' .
Soon after Sarychev died , one guard , Maj Sergei Shevtsov , was arrested .
He remains in custody while the investigation continues .
Activists who monitor cases of prison violence say it 's unlikely that this officer was acting alone .
I talked to the mother of another inmate from the same prison who had arrived just a few hours before Sarychev .
She told me that her son , too , was made to run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and kicked him to the sound of that same heavy metal tune .
Other former inmates know Maj Shevtsov well .
One ex-prisoner told me : `` He and another guard , nicknamed Smetana , just liked thrashing people .
Not to discipline them or to extort money but just because they could . ''
In July 2018 Smetana , whose nickname means `` sour cream '' and whose real name is Ivan Marshalko , strangled an inmate with a bed sheet .
He is now serving 12 years in prison for this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Andrei Yakubov , repeatedly slammed a big stack of books into the head of a prisoner .
His victim died a week later from a brain haemorrhage .
Yakubov is serving a 10-year jail term .
Penal colony number six has a long history of violence - twice in recent years its prisoners have rioted , protesting against torture and extortion , which was carried out by select gangs of inmates on behalf of the prison administration .
People who have done time there told me dozens of deaths were never investigated .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ family that he 'd been thrown around `` like a rubber toy '' .
His relatives could n't turn him over to see the other side of his body .
But they saw strange round bruises on his legs .
They published the pictures online , hoping to shock the public and put pressure on the investigation .
The sad reality , though , is that penal colony number six is far from unique - it 's just one prison among hundreds that may hide similar grim secrets .
On the day of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home Sarychev had shared with his partner , Maria , and their children .
Roman had written it from a remand centre , before he was transferred to the penal colony .
Their five-year-old son dictated a reply .
`` We also deeply-deeply love you , and we miss our handsome and clever papa , '' he said .
`` You were a good papa . ''
You may also be interested in : Two years ago , many Russians were shocked when the parliament significantly reduced penalties for domestic violence .
Since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - demanding new legislation to restrain abusers , demonstrating in support of three sisters who took the law into their own hands , and finding new ways of tackling outdated attitudes on gender .

I haven't seen the room where Roman Sarychev was beaten. Beaten so badly that he died three hours later. No, this is not lazy reporting. The room is inaccessible - behind barbed wire and high walls. But that prison, penal colony number six in the Bryansk region, south-west of Moscow, is known to many people. Some former inmates and even a current one told me exactly what this room looks like and what happens there.


bbc--2020-02-23--Dubs or subs? Parasite renews debate on how to watch foreign films

The South Korean dark comedy film Parasite had a historic awards season sweep - and in the process , reignited the debate over whether subtitles or dubbing is the best way to watch a movie that is n't in your native language .
As director Bong Joon Ho accepted the first-ever best foreign language picture Golden Globe for a South Korean film , he said : `` Once you overcome the one-inch tall barrier of subtitles , you will be introduced to so many more amazing films . ''
Fast forward a month , and he was making history again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more at the Oscars .
Parasite 's Oscar win introduced it to a broad US audience - but not everyone was in favour of watching the award winner in its original language .
Dubbing takes the stress out of enjoying a foreign film , some argued , and performances are meant to be heard , not read .
The angered response from subtitle fans ranged from accusations of racism to pointing out the needs of deaf viewers .
How you watch a foreign film is a clearly personal matter , tangled in pet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flicks are gaining more screen time before American audiences , here 's a deeper dive into how we got here , and where the industry is headed .
In the early days of film , on-screen text was far from a `` one-inch barrier '' - it was the only way to express dialogue .
Title cards were the precursor to subtitles , and they , too , were controversial in a way that mirrors the modern debate .
Stage actors would try to hide their work in silent film as many felt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the performance , Professor Marsha McKeever , academic director of New York University 's Tisch School of the Arts , told the BBC .
But when conversations took place through cards instead of sound , adapting films to other languages was straightforward .
As `` movies '' turned into `` talkies '' , subtitling emerged as a way to hold onto a lucrative foreign market .
It has since become the preferred way for film critics and connoisseurs to view foreign language features .
NYU faculty , for example , would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the university 's graduate film department said .
For Prof McKeever , who is also a sound and picture editor , much of enjoying a movie boils down to what you hear .
`` We react so emotionally to sound .
That 's why films are scored , that 's why dialogue is important . ''
If a dub has sub-par voice acting or does n't properly sync with what you see on screen , it can negatively affect your perception , Prof McKeever says .
With subtitles , the audience both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ original emotion .
`` Your brain is so used to hearing emotion in language that it will get the meaning behind the subtitle through the performance by the actor in the original language .
You hear if they 're sad , if they 're happy . ''
Regardless of what film purists say , however , dubbing is on the rise .
For that , you can blame Netflix .
In October , Netflix reported it had more subscribers outside the US - nearly 100 million - than domestically , where just over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The streaming giant is driving the dubbing business by producing content around the world and localising it for a number of markets , says Jeff Howell , a vocal coach and director who works with Netflix .
To `` localise '' a production , the original studio hires professionals to analyse scenes and translate them to a new language .
Mr Howell has worked both as a vocal director and an `` adapter '' who works on casting and direction .
`` We spend quite a bit of time casting , sometimes we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voice sounds like it 's coming out of that mouth , '' he says .
Dubbing has a bad reputation because , for years , it was badly done , he says - there was a lack of attention to detail to the voice acting and post-production processes .
But today , professionals are focusing on ways to make it better , carefully interpreting scripts and taking into consideration things like `` lip flap '' - when the mouth movement and dubbed-over voice do not sync up .
Dubbing defenders say that modern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Mr Howell argues that dubbing is better for audiences as they increasingly view films and series on small , portable screens .
`` You ca n't read subtitles on a phone or iPad , really , '' he says .
And dubbing is easier on the brain .
Getting information from a caption requires eye movements across a screen , cognitive input to interpret the words while also paying attention to the action on the screen .
An educated US adult can do all three fluently , says Prof Charles Perfetti , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Pittsburgh , but a less skilled reader will find it taxing .
For viewers with visual impairments , those can not read or have conditions like dyslexia , dubbing is the only way they can enjoy media in non-native languages .
Outside the English-speaking world , dubbing has been less controversial .
Much of Europe opts for dubbing in lieu of subtitles , though the latter is cheaper .
Germany , Italy and France have dubbed foreign films since the 1930s - even as early critics blasted the process as `` witchcraft @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the original .
China has also consistently dubbed films into Standard Mandarin .
Netflix 's dubbing efforts seem to be converting some Americans to the cause .
Most US viewers preferred the dubbed versions of its most popular foreign shows , the streaming service told the New York Times .
As a dubbing director in this new streaming-heavy world , Mr Howell emphasises that he works to respect the original content - `` to protect it '' , not change it- though he admits some alterations are unavoidable .
`` There are cultural @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possibly recreate , '' he says .
`` We can have the greatest adaptation and it could line up almost perfectly but there are going to be subtle differences that do n't translate .
`` It 's not 100 % but I 'd say we get as close as we possibly can , directing it in such a way that we 're protecting the creative integrity of the culture that created the material . ''
And to be fair , alterations happen with subtitles too - language can be simplified to allow for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on screen .
Debates aside , outside of the streaming realm , foreign-language films still struggle to reach US markets .
As of 2020 , only 12 have ever been released in more than 1,000 American theatres , according to data viewed by Quartz .
Before Parasite , the last was Jet Li 's Fearless in 2006 .
When it debuted in October , the 2020 Best Picture Oscar winner was screened in only three theatres .
Yet , as its awards success has shown , a good film will captivate audiences no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have rarely grossed over $ 100m ( £77m ) , but Parasite has already surpassed $ 200m worldwide .
The biggest foreign language film to find success in the US to date is the Chinese drama Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon , which grossed $ 128m in 2000 and won the Oscar and Golden Globe awards for best foreign language film .
`` What it speaks to more than anything is we 're looking at filmmaking as the craft , not being bogged down in where it 's made and who is saying what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McKeever .
`` Is it a good story , is it done well , are we there emotionally with the actors ?
`` Regardless of language , that 's the heart of moviemaking . ''

Outside the English-speaking world, dubbing has been less controversial. Much of Europe opts for dubbing in lieu of subtitles, though the latter is cheaper. Germany, Italy and France have dubbed foreign films since the 1930s - even as early critics blasted the process as "witchcraft" and an "amputation" of the original. China has also dubbed films into Standard Mandarin.


bbc--2020-02-23--We will 'fight to the death' to save the Amazon rainforest

Deforestation in the Amazon rainforest is advancing at worrying levels .
In January , the area lost was double that in the same month in 2019 , according to official figures .
This after a catastrophic dry season last year in which fires destroyed large swathes of the rainforest , a carbon store which is seen as key in slowing down the pace of global warming .
There was outrage around the world as fire destroyed trees and killed wildlife at a rate not seen in years .
Six months on , Nomia Iqbal went to the Brazilian Amazon for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to ask young people how they see the future of this crucial region .
'We will fight to the death' Maristela Clediane Uapa Arara is 14 years old and a member of the Arara-Karo indigenous group .
The hunter-gatherers are one of about 900,000 groups which have lived in the rainforest for thousands of years .
But now their specially protected territories are under threat from loggers and miners .
`` We are worried because the forest is very important to us , '' Maristela says .
• 'They are invaders ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ giant • Claudia Andujar : A glimpse of Yanomami life in the jungle • Old enemies unite to save their land '' The forest is our mother , she takes care of us , so we must take care of her because that 's where everything comes from . ''
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has said that indigenous people 's special land and cultural rights should be scrapped .
He has promised to `` integrate '' them into the rest of the population and open some of their lands to agriculture and mining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Maristela : `` This new government hates indigenous people but I am really proud to be indigenous , and as women it is our role to fight for our land . ''
Maristela 's cousin , 22-year-old Juliana Tuiti Arara , says it is not just the president and his plans that concerns them but also attacks on the forest by fellow indigenous people .
`` It was very sad for us , people from outside are co-opting our indigenous people to log the forest , '' she explains as she fights back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we saw our relatives killing the trees , they came in with bulldozers . ''
Both girls say it has strengthened their determination to protect the land which their ancestors fought for .
`` 'Act ' for me is a very strong word .
We must act , we can not stop and stand with our arms crossed . ''
How far will they go to fight for their lands ?
Without missing a beat , Maristela and Juliana both say `` até à morte '' ( to the death ) .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ use the land' It is not just the indigenous people that believe the land is theirs .
In a different region , 16-year-old Carina de Faria and her brother Rodrigo , 18 , are the next generation of farmers .
They are spending the day herding cattle with their father Gerson leading the way .
They want to follow in his footsteps .
`` Everyone , absolutely everyone , needs the land , '' says Carina .
`` Many farmers need the land to produce for themselves and for others , globally or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that right and it should just be divided equally . ''
They have 100 hectares ( 1 sq km ) of farmland , which used to be rainforest , where they grow much of their own vegetables and rear cattle .
But they are also worried about the effects of deforestation .
`` I think that enough has been destroyed and what remains , should be left alone , '' says Rodrigo .
`` Many of the people who are deforesting the woods are much older , but us young people realise that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Carina adds .
`` Young people are very connected through technology so we should work together .
And also it is government 's duty to find a solution for everyone . ''
A few minutes ' car drive away lives 18-year-old Gustavo , who is good friends with Rodrigo .
Last August his family farm was hit by a fire .
Fires are common during the dry season and often caused by naturally occurring events , but this time it was different .
`` We are very sad with this situation because someone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clear it for himself , '' he says .
`` We had 70 % of the property burned and we had to treat our cattle , we lost animals too ... .
we lost a lot . ''
Even though Gustavo is from a farming family himself , he says it is other farmers who are putting the Amazon 's future at risk .
`` The rainforest wo n't survive - many farmers are closed-minded about environmental issues .
They just want to clear the land for more profit . ''
'What do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do we want it ?
Now ! '
These are the chants that can be heard on the busy streets of Manaus , the capital of Brazil 's Amazonas state .
In this city of two million people , right in the middle of the rainforest , 15-year-old Bruno Rodrigues and his classmates have started a group called Conscious Next .
They stop strangers to highlight the dangers of climate change .
`` We tell them why it is so urgent , '' Bruno explains , adding that not all of those they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some people that will never want to listen to what young activists are saying , '' he says .
They are part of a movement of young people which gets together every Friday to protest , under the `` Fridays For Future '' banner launched by teenaged climate activist Greta Thunberg .
Fifteen-year-old Ana Beatriz says her family was affected by the Amazon fires .
Her sister has breathing problems and had to be taken to hospital because of the smog caused by the fires .
`` I was also very sad because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there , it was shocking to me , '' she recalls .
The Amazon is home to one in 10 species on earth and experts say the fires killed more than two million creatures , including jaguars , snakes , sloths and insects .
Despite the devastation caused by the fires , Bruno remains optimistic .
`` There is still hope in us - we live in action .
The politicians need to take practical action and with thousands of us young people on the streets , it will be impossible for them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Can the Amazon Rainforest Survive ?
on BBC My World - a brand new programme for teenagers who want to know about the issues shaping our world .
You may also be interested in :

We will 'fight to the death' to save the Amazon rainforest Published 23 February 2020
Deforestation in the Amazon rainforest is advancing at worrying levels. In January, the area lost was double that in the same month in 2019, according to official figures.
This after a catastrophic dry season last year in which fires destroyed large swathes of the rainforest, a carbon store which is seen as key in slowing down the pace of global warming.
There was outrage around the world as fire destroyed trees and killed wildlife at a rate not seen in years.
Six months on, Nomia Iqbal went to the Brazilian Amazon for a new BBC programme, My World, to ask young people how they see the future of this crucial region.
'We will fight to the death'
Image caption, Maristela is a member of the Arara-Karo indigenous community in the Amazon rainforest
Maristela Clediane Uapa Arara is 14 years old and a member of the Arara-Karo indigenous group. The hunter-gatherers are one of about 900,000 groups which have lived in the rainforest for thousands of years.
But now their specially protected territories are under threat from loggers and miners. "We are worried because the forest is very important to us," Maristela says.
Read more:
"The forest is our mother, she takes care of us, so we must take care of her because that's where everything comes from."
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has said that indigenous people's special land and cultural rights should be scrapped.
He has promised to "integrate" them into the rest of the population and open some of their lands to agriculture and mining.
It is a policy which worries Maristela: "This new government hates indigenous people but I am really proud to be indigenous, and as women it is our role to fight for our land."
Image caption, Maristela and her cousin Juliana Tuiti Arara are worried about their future
Maristela's cousin, 22-year-old Juliana Tuiti Arara, says it is not just the president and his plans that concerns them but also attacks on the forest by fellow indigenous people.
"It was very sad for us, people from outside are co-opting our indigenous people to log the forest," she explains as she fights back tears. "In the last years, we saw our relatives killing the trees, they came in with bulldozers."
Both girls say it has strengthened their determination to protect the land which their ancestors fought for. "'Act' for me is a very strong word. We must act, we cannot stop and stand with our arms crossed."
How far will they go to fight for their lands? Without missing a beat, Maristela and Juliana both say "até à morte" (to the death).
'We all have the same rights to use the land'
Image caption, Carina and Rodrigo and their father Gerson are farmers
It is not just the indigenous people that believe the land is theirs. In a different region, 16-year-old Carina de Faria and her brother Rodrigo, 18, are the next generation of farmers.
They are spending the day herding cattle with their father Gerson leading the way. They want to follow in his footsteps.
"Everyone, absolutely everyone, needs the land," says Carina. "Many farmers need the land to produce for themselves and for others, globally or locally. So I think everyone has that right and it should just be divided equally."
They have 100 hectares (1 sq km) of farmland, which used to be rainforest, where they grow much of their own vegetables and rear cattle.
But they are also worried about the effects of deforestation. "I think that enough has been destroyed and what remains, should be left alone," says Rodrigo.
"Many of the people who are deforesting the woods are much older, but us young people realise that climate change is already happening," Carina adds.
"Young people are very connected through technology so we should work together. And also it is government's duty to find a solution for everyone."
'Many farmers are close-minded'
Image caption, Gustavo's family farm was hit by an illegally-set fire last August
A few minutes' car drive away lives 18-year-old Gustavo, who is good friends with Rodrigo. Last August his family farm was hit by a fire.
Fires are common during the dry season and often caused by naturally occurring events, but this time it was different. "We are very sad with this situation because someone illegally set fire to the land to clear it for himself," he says.
"We had 70% of the property burned and we had to treat our cattle, we lost animals too.... we lost a lot."
Even though Gustavo is from a farming family himself, he says it is other farmers who are putting the Amazon's future at risk.
"The rainforest won't survive - many farmers are closed-minded about environmental issues. They just want to clear the land for more profit."
'What do we want? Climate justice! When do we want it? Now!'
Image caption, Ana (middle) and Bruno (right) with a sign that reads "There is hope in us"
These are the chants that can be heard on the busy streets of Manaus, the capital of Brazil's Amazonas state. In this city of two million people, right in the middle of the rainforest, 15-year-old Bruno Rodrigues and his classmates have started a group called Conscious Next.
They stop strangers to highlight the dangers of climate change. "We tell them why it is so urgent," Bruno explains, adding that not all of those they stop approve. "There will be some people that will never want to listen to what young activists are saying," he says.
They are part of a movement of young people which gets together every Friday to protest, under the "Fridays For Future" banner launched by teenaged climate activist Greta Thunberg.
Fifteen-year-old Ana Beatriz says her family was affected by the Amazon fires. Her sister has breathing problems and had to be taken to hospital because of the smog caused by the fires.
"I was also very sad because of the trees and the animals burned there, it was shocking to me," she recalls. The Amazon is home to one in 10 species on earth and experts say the fires killed more than two million creatures, including jaguars, snakes, sloths and insects.
Despite the devastation caused by the fires, Bruno remains optimistic. "There is still hope in us - we live in action. The politicians need to take practical action and with thousands of us young people on the streets, it will be impossible for them to ignore us."
Watch: Can the Amazon Rainforest Survive? on BBC My World - a brand new programme for teenagers who want to know about the issues shaping our world.
You may also be interested in:


bbc--2020-02-23--What will Trump's visit do for US-India ties?

US President Donald Trump will begin his maiden trip to India on Monday , becoming the seventh American president to visit the country .
Rudra Chaudhuri , who writes about diplomacy and security , explains the significance of the trip .
Mr Trump 's two-day visit is designed to partially tickle his vanity , but , as importantly , it is to boost his chances of returning to office in the 2020 US general election .
He will visit three cities in India : the national capital , Delhi ; Agra , where he will see the Taj Mahal ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the western state of Gujarat , where he is expected to address an audience of more than 100,000 people in an event aptly called `` Namaste Trump '' .
This is an unmistakeable public diplomacy response to the `` Howdy , Modi ! ''
extravaganza in Houston last year , where Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mr Trump addressed an audience of 50,000 Indians living in the US .
But these visits are not just about theatrics and atmospherics .
They are also about forcing a change in American leaders ' general @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it 's about convincing Mr Trump of the imperative of India , while helping him with the 2.4 million-strong Indian-American voter base in the US .
And there is at least one reason to appeal to his ego : stronger , strategic ties .
It 's unlikely that a much debated but slim trade agreement between the US and India will be inked during this visit .
Disagreements over the price of apples , walnuts , and medical devices ; the US 's demands for greater access to India 's dairy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discussions over lowering Indian tariffs on American-made Harley Davidson motorcycles , remain unresolved .
And speculation about whether or not Robert Lighthizer , the uncompromising US Trade Representative , will skip the trip suggests that a deal is off the table , at least for the time being .
In Trump speak , there is no `` deal '' for the dealmaker .
Trade between the US and India grew from $ 66bn ( £51bn ) in 2008 to $ 142.6bn in 2018 .
In part , trade grew as a result of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ India 's GDP was growing at more than 7-8 % every year .
But the sharp drop in India 's growth figures ( an estimated 5 % in 2019-2020 ) , the introduction of increasingly protectionist economic policies , coupled with Mr Trump 's fixation on balancing a trade deficit that currently favours India , has exhausted the scope of the relationship between the two countries .
In these circumstances , it will be incumbent on Mr Modi 's government to woo Mr Trump in a manner that will side-step the US President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his attention on the strategic potential in the US-India relationship .
India is , after all , the largest open data market in the universe .
Per capita , more data is consumed in India than anywhere else in the world .
For American `` big tech '' firms , India provides a scale for their products unavailable in any other country .
Despite current economic woes , this will continue to be the largest growing and relatively open consumer market for American products and business .
India is also a large arms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the silver-lining in this relationship - US-India defence deals have ballooned in the past decade , from nearly zero in 2008 to a little more than $ 15bn in 2019 .
A select range of defence-related agreements - including the Indian purchase of 24 multi-role helicopters manufactured by the American arms giant , Lockheed Martin - are likely to be completed during Mr Trump 's time in India .
While officials fixate on more granular details around defence pacts and associated contracts , and as cities and a giant cricket stadium are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this unique relationship ought to be more than appealing to Mr Trump 's love for pomp and ostentation .
This is a time of geopolitical disorder .
The post-1945 architecture of global politics stands challenged : America 's partial retrenchment from international commitments , evident in the withdrawal from hard-fought climate change agreements to undoing multilateral trade deals ; China 's trillion-dollar gamble through the Belt and Road initiative ( BRI ) ; the return of Russia ; Brexit ; and disunity in Europe in dealing with new technologies such as 5G .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and messiest democracies to return a degree of enthusiasm to wider concerns and challenges .
It can only be hoped that between dance performances in Ahmedabad and long walks up to the Taj , Mr Modi and Mr Trump find time to discuss the world as it is , and the real potential in the US-India relationship .
There is scope and a need for a serious discussion on establishing and strengthening international alliances to prevent and deal with the outbreak of pandemics , especially on the back of the Coronavirus outbreak .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the challenges to the cross-border flow of data will require much thinking about the creation of new international structures ( such as a partnership of like-minded countries ) or the renewal of older ones ( through the G20 for instance ) to address these new-age concerns .
Despite Mr Trump 's addiction for trade and deals , and notwithstanding the need in India to dazzle him with concerts and performances , there is a genuine opportunity for two world leaders to find space for a conversation on how two outsized democracies can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chaudhuri is the director of Carnegie India , a think tank , and author of Forged in Crisis : India and the United States Since 1947 .
• New York gives star treatment to Indian PM Modi • The Indian woman who 'stood up ' to Donald Trump • How Trump got his wall - in India - BBC News

There is scope and a need for a serious discussion on establishing and strengthening international alliances to prevent and deal with the outbreak of pandemics, especially on the back of the Coronavirus outbreak. Disputes about the use of emerging technologies and the challenges to the cross-border flow of data will require much thinking about the creation of new international structures (such as a partnership of like-minded countries) or the renewal of older ones (through the G20 for instance) to address these new-age concerns.


bbc--2020-02-23--'There's a fella across the pond who might want a tickle' - Fury says Joshua bout will 'complete' ca

'There's a fella across the pond who might want a tickle' - Fury says Joshua bout will 'complete' career

Tyson Fury said his career would be `` completed '' if he faced fellow Briton Anthony Joshua after becoming a two-time world heavyweight champion with a stunning win over Deontay Wilder .
Fury , 31 , stopped Wilder in seven rounds of their Las Vegas rematch to claim the WBC title four years on from giving up the IBF , WBO and WBA belts now held by Joshua .
Wilder can request a rematch but Fury pointed to a meeting with Joshua if that does not happen .
He said : `` I 've got another old fella across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Then that is it then .
It 's completed .
Done . ''
• Relive Fury v Wilder II - from the ring walks to the winning moment • 'Living legend ' Fury shines bright in Vegas - but did he lick Wilder 's blood ?
• Podcast : Costello & Bunce on Tyson Fury 's night for the ages Fury said his win felt like `` the icing on the cake '' after well-publicised personal issues saw him give up the titles - won in 2015 by stunning another long-time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30-month break from the sport .
Announcing himself at his post-fight media conference by screaming `` are you not entertained ?
`` , Fury then promised reporters his recent switch to American trainer SugarHill Steward will produce even greater results than this one .
`` I have only just started with this style , '' Fury said .
`` We will be putting people to sleep right , left and centre .
`` I need to enjoy this .
Deontay will need time to recover .
I am sure he will take a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and with that you are always in the fight .
Whoever is next will get the same treatment , that is for sure .
`` This was written in the stars a million miles away - before I was born I was destined to do what I do . ''
Wilder , who was taken to hospital after the fight to have stitches in a cut , has 30 days to request a third bout but was well beaten in a contest nowhere near as competitive as their 2018 draw .
If he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joshua 's promoter Eddie Hearn says he will do `` everything '' to make a match with Fury that could lead to one man holding all four heavyweight titles for the first time .
Hearn 's Matchroom Boxing colleague Frank Smith and Joshua 's manager Freddie Cunningham were in Las Vegas to see Fury win .
`` I have said and I will make this clear , we have to make this fight happen , '' Hearn told Talksport .
`` We will never get the chance for two Brits to fight for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The first thing is that Wilder has the rematch clause .
I do n't think anyone wants to see a third fight - it was that conclusive - but we will see if he wants to exercise that .
`` Our mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev is also promoted by Bob Arum , Tyson Fury 's promoter , so there is a very easy manoeuvre there if Wilder does n't want the rematch to go straight into this undisputed fight in the summer .
`` I have already spoken to Joshua .
He wants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of fighting Tyson Fury and he wants to be undisputed . ''
' I felt like a beast in there - this is my weight' Fury knocked Wilder down in rounds three and five - only the second and third times the former champion has been on the canvas - in a dominant display .
Wilder 's trainer Jay Deas said he did not want his colleague Mark Breland to throw in the towel in the seventh round , given their fighter carries the kind of one-punch power that can turn a fight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been the right call as it was `` only a matter of time '' before his rival `` got seriously hurt '' - and Wilder conceded `` the best man won on the night '' .
The new champion said the manner of his display vindicated his decision to part with former trainer Ben Davison and bulk his 6ft 9in frame up to 273lbs from the 254 he scaled in his win over Otto Wallin in September .
`` When I left Ben people said it was a bad move but it worked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the style SugarHill teaches , '' Fury added .
`` Everything I did in the ring tonight we had worked on in the gym .
`` I felt like a beast in there .
This is my weight for sure . ''
Tyson Fury did what he said he would do and what so many doubted he would do .
He dominated on the front foot , showed why he decided to put on so much weight and why he decided to change trainers .
It was a masterful , controlled display , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operate at his best at 19st 7lbs .

'Not bad for an old fat guy who can't punch' - best of Fury's post-fight news conference
Tyson Fury said his career would be "completed" if he faced fellow Briton Anthony Joshua after becoming a two-time world heavyweight champion with a stunning win over Deontay Wilder.
Fury, 31, stopped Wilder in seven rounds of their Las Vegas rematch to claim the WBC title four years on from giving up the IBF, WBO and WBA belts now held by Joshua.
Wilder can request a rematch but Fury pointed to a meeting with Joshua if that does not happen.
He said: "I've got another old fella across the pond who might want a little tickle.
"Then that is it then. It's completed. Done."
'AJ wants Fury next'
Fury said his win felt like "the icing on the cake" after well-publicised personal issues saw him give up the titles - won in 2015 by stunning another long-time champion, Wladimir Klitschko - during a 30-month break from the sport.
Announcing himself at his post-fight media conference by screaming "are you not entertained?", Fury then promised reporters his recent switch to American trainer SugarHill Steward will produce even greater results than this one.
'This was written in the stars' - Fury on beating Wilder
"I have only just started with this style," Fury said. "We will be putting people to sleep right, left and centre.
"I need to enjoy this. Deontay will need time to recover. I am sure he will take a rematch as he is a dynamite puncher and with that you are always in the fight. Whoever is next will get the same treatment, that is for sure.
"This was written in the stars a million miles away - before I was born I was destined to do what I do."
Wilder, who was taken to hospital after the fight to have stitches in a cut, has 30 days to request a third bout but was well beaten in a contest nowhere near as competitive as their 2018 draw.
If he does not take up the option, Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn says he will do "everything" to make a match with Fury that could lead to one man holding all four heavyweight titles for the first time.
Hearn's Matchroom Boxing colleague Frank Smith and Joshua's manager Freddie Cunningham were in Las Vegas to see Fury win.
"I have said and I will make this clear, we have to make this fight happen," Hearn told Talksport.
"We will never get the chance for two Brits to fight for an undisputed heavyweight world championship.
"The first thing is that Wilder has the rematch clause. I don't think anyone wants to see a third fight - it was that conclusive - but we will see if he wants to exercise that.
"Our mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev is also promoted by Bob Arum, Tyson Fury's promoter, so there is a very easy manoeuvre there if Wilder doesn't want the rematch to go straight into this undisputed fight in the summer.
"I have already spoken to Joshua. He wants this fight. He has zero fear of fighting Tyson Fury and he wants to be undisputed."
'I felt like a beast in there - this is my weight'
Fury knocked Wilder down in rounds three and five - only the second and third times the former champion has been on the canvas - in a dominant display.
Wilder's trainer Jay Deas said he did not want his colleague Mark Breland to throw in the towel in the seventh round, given their fighter carries the kind of one-punch power that can turn a fight instantly.
But Fury insisted it had been the right call as it was "only a matter of time" before his rival "got seriously hurt" - and Wilder conceded "the best man won on the night".
The new champion said the manner of his display vindicated his decision to part with former trainer Ben Davison and bulk his 6ft 9in frame up to 273lbs from the 254 he scaled in his win over Otto Wallin in September.
"When I left Ben people said it was a bad move but it worked for the best and I believed in the style SugarHill teaches," Fury added.
"Everything I did in the ring tonight we had worked on in the gym.
"I felt like a beast in there. This is my weight for sure."
'It was masterful' - analysis
BBC Sport boxing correspondent Mike Costello
Tyson Fury did what he said he would do and what so many doubted he would do.
He dominated on the front foot, showed why he decided to put on so much weight and why he decided to change trainers.
It was a masterful, controlled display, swiftly dispelling fears about his ability to operate at his best at 19st 7lbs.


bbc--2020-02-23--Inter v Sampdoria in Serie A & Italy v Scotland in Women's Six Nations among games off over coronavi

Inter v Sampdoria in Serie A & Italy v Scotland in Women's Six Nations among games off over coronavirus

Inter Milan 's home game against Sampdoria is among four Serie A fixtures on Sunday postponed over fears of the spread of coronavirus .
The suspension was announced by Italian prime minister Giuseppe Conte at a news conference on Saturday .
`` Minister of Sport [ Vincenzo ] Spadafora intends to suspend all sporting events planned for Sunday in the Veneto and Lombardy regions , '' Conte said .
Torino v Parma , Verona v Cagliari and Atalanta v Sassuolo are also suspended .
Antonio Conte 's side , who are third in Serie A , are due to host @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of their Europa League last-32 tie on Thursday .
More than 600 Ludogorets fans are expected to travel to Milan for the game and the club say they have made a formal enquiry to Uefa and Inter about the situation in the region .
Torino , who play in Turin , which is in the north-west region of Piedmont , announced their cancellation just hours before the match was due to kick off at 14:00 GMT .
AC Milan Women 's Serie A home game against Fiorentina and Italy v Scotland in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also been called off .
Earlier on Saturday , a number of other football matches had been postponed .
The action was taken as a woman from the northern region of Lombardy became the second person in Italy to die from the virus in 24 hours .
Cremonese 's Serie B match against Ascoli and Piacenza v Sambenedettese in Serie C were among those fixtures postponed .
Serie D matches and a number of amateur and youth games in the Lombardy and Veneto regions were also called off .
Several towns in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with schools and offices closed and residents urged to stay away from accident and emergency departments .
The new virus , which originated last year in the Hubei province in China , causes a respiratory disease called Covid-19 .
China has reported 75,567 cases of the virus , including 2,239 deaths .
Outside China , more than 1,200 cases of the virus have been confirmed in 26 countries and there have been at least eight deaths , according to the World Health Organization .
• Coronavirus : What you need to know

Last updated on .From the section European Football
An Italian municipal information sign urging residents to read Ministry of Health advice regarding coronavirus
Inter Milan's home game against Sampdoria is among four Serie A fixtures on Sunday postponed over fears of the spread of coronavirus.
The suspension was announced by Italian prime minister Giuseppe Conte at a news conference on Saturday.
"Minister of Sport [Vincenzo] Spadafora intends to suspend all sporting events planned for Sunday in the Veneto and Lombardy regions," Conte said.
Torino v Parma, Verona v Cagliari and Atalanta v Sassuolo are also suspended.
Antonio Conte's side, who are third in Serie A, are due to host Bulgarian side Ludogorets in the return leg of their Europa League last-32 tie on Thursday.
More than 600 Ludogorets fans are expected to travel to Milan for the game and the club say they have made a formal enquiry to Uefa and Inter about the situation in the region.
In a statement, European football's governing body Uefa said it is "in touch with Inter and with local authorities on the matter and there is no further comment to be made at this stage".
Torino, who play in Turin, which is in the north-west region of Piedmont, announced their cancellation just hours before the match was due to kick off at 14:00 GMT.
AC Milan Women's Serie A home game against Fiorentina and Italy v Scotland in the Women's Six Nations on Sunday have also been called off.
Earlier on Saturday, a number of other football matches had been postponed.
The action was taken after a woman from the northern region of Lombardy became the second person in Italy to die from the virus in 24 hours. A third person in Italy has subsequently died from the virus.
Cremonese's Serie B match against Ascoli and Piacenza v Sambenedettese in Serie C were among those fixtures postponed.
Serie D matches and a number of amateur and youth games in the Lombardy and Veneto regions were also called off.
Several towns in the Lombardy region have been placed on lockdown, with schools and offices closed and residents urged to stay away from accident and emergency departments.
The new virus, which originated last year in the Hubei province in China, causes a respiratory disease called Covid-19.
China has reported 75,567 cases of the virus, including 2,239 deaths.
Outside China, more than 1,200 cases of the virus have been confirmed in 26 countries and there have been at least eight deaths, according to the World Health Organization.


bbc--2020-02-23--Coronavirus: Venice Carnival closes as Italy imposes lockdown

Italian officials have cut short the Venice Carnival as they try to control what is now the worst outbreak of the coronavirus in Europe .
Authorities in the Veneto region said the event would end later on Sunday , two days earlier than scheduled .
Italy has by far the highest number of coronavirus cases in Europe , with 152 .
Three people have died .
Italy has imposed strict quarantine restrictions in two northern `` hotspot '' regions close to Milan and Venice .
About 50,000 people can not enter or leave several towns in Veneto and Lombardy for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Even outside the zone , many businesses and schools have suspended activities , and sporting events have been cancelled including several top-flight football matches .
The BBC 's Mark Lowen described the situation just outside the zone .
In neighbouring Austria , a train from Venice was stopped at the Austrian border after it emerged that two passengers had fever symptoms .
Austria 's Interior Minister Karl Nehammer later confirmed to the BBC that the pair tested negative for coronavirus .
`` All authorities have acted quickly and with great caution in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a statement .
`` The reporting chain worked without delay . ''
• What you need to know about the virus Elsewhere , authorities in South Korea and Iran are battling to control rising numbers of infections .
South Korea has raised its coronavirus alert to the `` highest level '' .
In the UK , four passengers recently returned from quarantine on the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan have tested positive for the virus .
The new strain of coronavirus , which originated last year in Hubei province in China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
China has seen more than 76,000 infections and 2,442 deaths .
What is happening in Italy ?
Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte announced on Saturday that `` extraordinary measures '' would come into force to try to stem the rising number of coronavirus cases .
He said the quarantine restrictions could last for weeks .
Police , and if necessary the armed forces , will have the authority to ensure the regulations are enforced .
Angelo Borrelli , the head of Italy 's Civil Protection Department , told reporters that 110 of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 21 in Veneto with others in Emilia-Romagna and Lazio .
Officials reported a third death on Sunday , an elderly woman from the town of Crema suffering from cancer .
• Four new UK coronavirus cases among ship evacuees Italian officials say they are still trying to trace the source of the outbreak .
The Venice Carnival had been due to close on Tuesday but regional president Luca Zaia told Sky TG24 television on Sunday that it would be suspended , along with other events , in a bid to combat the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plan to stop carnival and all sporting activities until 1 March , '' he said .
Universities in Milan have been closed and the city 's mayor , Giuseppe Sala , said schools would also close their doors while the outbreak continued .
`` As a precaution I think that the schools have to be closed in Milan .
I will propose to the president of the region to enlarge the precaution to the entire metropolitan city area .
It is just a precaution , we do n't want to create panic , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an English teacher living in the town of Lissone , told the BBC that supermarket shelves were empty as people were panic-buying .
`` It 's surreal , I have never seen anything like it , '' she said .
Meanwhile Giorgio Armani 's fashion show , scheduled to be held in Milan on Sunday , went ahead but without any media or buyers present .
The show was livestreamed on its website , Instagram and Facebook pages .
Dolce & Gabbana 's fashion week show went ahead as normal , though , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What is happening in South Korea ?
On Sunday , South Korean President Moon Jae-in said the country faced `` a grave turning point '' , and the next few days would be crucial in the battle to contain the outbreak .
South Korea has reported six deaths and more than 600 confirmed infections - the highest number outside China , although an outbreak of coronavirus on the Diamond Princess cruise ship docked in Yokohama , Japan , has also seen more than 600 cases .
`` The government will raise the alert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experts ' recommendations , '' Mr Moon said .
Health officials revealed a further leap in the number of coronavirus cases with a cluster of infections linked to a hospital and to a religious group near the south-eastern city of Daegu .
My phone kept screeching at me as we approached Daegu .
Several emergency alert messages flashed up on it .
It 's an annoying and alarming sound , but it can be useful .
The messages tell you where a nearby confirmed coronavirus patient has been and at what time .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ times , dates , exact locations .
For instance , one patient was in a Korean pool hall until 1.30am !
We were shown one of the newly designated coronavirus hospitals .
Dozens of ambulances were lined up outside , being sprayed with disinfectant .
In each one was a patient with coronavirus waiting to be admitted .
They are kept inside a plastic tunnel and transferred by staff who are head-to-toe in white protective clothing .
Medics and staff rush in and out of the crisis centre , prioritising patients who need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patients in hospital have mild symptoms .
Chi-Heum Cho , the director of the Keimyung University Dongsan Hospital , told me he hoped they could get this outbreak under control in the next week .
But he knows a lot will depend on how far it has spread .
As you head outside , the streets of South Korea 's fourth largest city feel almost abandoned .
One or two people , with their heads down and mask on , walk purposefully past the shuttered shops .
Most appear to be staying indoors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jewellery stores still had 50 hopeful staff sitting at their counters .
A couple of them told me how worried they were about this virus spreading , mostly for their elderly parents or young children .
They do n't have the hospital director 's confidence that this will be under control soon .
Of the 169 new cases announced in South Korea on Sunday , 95 of them are linked to a Christian sect in Daegu called the Shincheonji Church of Jesus , the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( KCDC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases connected to the church stands at 329 .
Iran said on Sunday it had 43 confirmed cases of the virus , most of them in the holy city of Qom .
Eight of those infected have died , the highest number of deaths outside China .
Iraq , Pakistan , Armenia and Turkey have closed their borders with Iran , and Afghanistan has suspended air and road travel to and from Iran .
What about China , where the outbreak started ?
On Sunday , China 's President Xi Jinping described the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emergency '' in the country 's recent history .
He acknowledged `` shortcomings '' in China 's response and said lessons must be learned .
On Saturday , Chinese authorities reported a decrease in the rate of deaths and new cases of the coronavirus .
But outside China , cases with no clear link to that country or other confirmed cases continue to rise , prompting concern from the World Health Organization ( WHO ) .
Are you in Italy ?
Have you been affected by the closures ?
Share your experiences by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist .
You can also contact us in the following ways : • Please read our terms & conditions and privacy policy

One of the region's leading jewellery stores still had 50 hopeful staff sitting at their counters. A couple of them told me how worried they were about this virus spreading, mostly for their elderly parents or young children. They don't have the hospital director's confidence that this will be under control soon.


bbc--2020-02-23--Medical masks at Philippines mass wedding

An annual mass wedding ceremony in the Philippines saw face masks and health checks included in the proceedings this year @ @ @ @ @ brought in due to the threat of coronavirus .
The city of Bacolod , Philippines @ @ @ @ @ the government-sponsored event .

An annual mass wedding ceremony in the Philippines saw face masks and health checks included in the proceedings this year.
The precautions have been brought in due to the threat of coronavirus.
The city of Bacolod, Philippines saw 220 couples married in the government-sponsored event.


bbc--2020-02-24--Trump in India: US president due to begin first official trip

US President Donald Trump is due to begin his first official trip of India with a focus on deepening ties between the world 's two largest democracies .
Mr Trump will arrive in Gujarat , home state of India 's Prime Minister Narendra Modi , where he is expected to address a rally at a cricket stadium .
He will then travel to Agra to see the Taj Mahal , before arriving in the capital Delhi for talks with Mr Modi .
But amid the fanfare , a much-talked about trade deal is unlikely to happen .
The US is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with bilateral trade totalling $ 142.6bn ( £110.3bn ) in 2018 .
The US had a $ 25.2bn goods and services trade deficit with India , its 9th largest trading partner in goods .
Despite growing political and strategic ties , there 's been tension over trade issues .
Mr Trump has said India 's tariffs - taxes on imports - are `` unacceptable '' , and has described India as the `` king '' of tariffs .
In June 2019 , the US ended preferential trade status for India , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Preferences ( GSP ) - a scheme that allows some goods to enter the US duty-free .
The move caused a diplomatic riff between the two countries after India imposed retaliatory tariffs on 28 US products .
An official US report last year said India 's tariff rates on other members of the World Trade Organization ( WTO ) remain `` the highest of any major economy '' .
The two sides have also differed over price controls on medical equipment and India 's new rules on data storage .
The trade deal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issues .
But just days before the visit , Mr Trump announced that he was `` saving the big deal for later on '' .
Reports say negotiations continued between the two sides until last week , but they were not able to reach a consensus on issues like the restoration of the GSP for Indian goods , and India agreeing to open some of its key markets for US goods .
• The Indian woman who 'stood up ' to Donald Trump • How Trump got his wall - in India - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Mr Modi appear to have forged a good personal relationship : the two leaders addressed a rare mass rally for a foreign leader billed as `` Howdy , Modi ! ''
which was attended by 50,000 Indians living in Houston last year .
This time , Mr Modi is pulling out all the stops to fete the US president at a similar public extravaganza - a `` Hello Trump '' reception in a cricket stadium in Ahmedabad , the main city in Gujarat .
`` We 're not treated very well by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prime Minister Modi a lot .
And he told me we 'll have seven million people between the airport and the event , '' Mr Trump has said , referring to the planned reception .
Indian officials say Mr Trump 's visit would be `` brief but intense '' during which the two sides are expected sign a clutch of other agreements relating to intellectual property rights , trade and homeland security .
In a clear sign of increasing defence relations , India is expected to sign two big deals with the US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MH-60R Seahawk and AH-64E Apache - worth more than $ 2.6bn .
Also , the US energy firm Westinghouse is expected to sign a new agreement with state-run Nuclear Power Corporation of India for the supply of six nuclear reactors , according to Reuters news agency .
The US has been discussing the sale of nuclear reactors to India since a 2008 landmark civil nuclear energy deal .
Analysis : What the Trump visit mean By Rudra Chaudhuri , author of Forged in Crisis : India and the United States Since 1947 While @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defence pacts and associated contracts , and as cities and a giant cricket stadium are being readied to dazzle Mr Trump , this unique relationship ought to be more than appealing to Mr Trump 's love for pomp and ostentation .
This is a time of geopolitical disorder .
The post-1945 architecture of global politics stands challenged .
America 's partial retrenchment from international commitments , evident in the withdrawal from hard-fought climate change agreements to undoing multilateral trade deals , China 's trillion-dollar gamble through the Belt and Road initiative ( BRI @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brexit , and disunity in Europe in dealing with new technologies such as 5G ; requires the world 's two largest and messiest democracies to return a degree of enthusiasm to wider concerns and challenges .
It can only be hoped that between dance performances in Ahmedabad and long walks up to the Taj , Mr Modi and Mr Trump find time to discuss the world as it is , and the real potential in the US-India relationship .

He also had words of praise for Mr Modi: "Everybody loves him but I will tell you this, he is very tough. You are not just the pride of Gujarat, you are living proof that with hard work, Indians can accomplish anything they want."


bbc--2020-02-23--Canary Island sandstorm: Flights cancelled due to Saharan sand

Strong winds carrying sand from the Sahara have affected airports in the Canary Islands .
The country 's national weather @ @ @ @ @ of up to 120km/h ( 75mph ) could hit the Canaries until Monday .
The @ @ @ @ @ services , and hampered efforts to fight a wildfire in Tasarte , Gran Canaria .

Strong winds carrying sand from the Sahara have affected airports in the Canary Islands.
Poor visibility led to AENA, Spain's airport operator, cancelling, suspending or diverting flights.
The country's national weather service has warned that winds of up to 120km/h (75mph) could hit the Canaries until Monday.
The winds have also affected ferry services, and hampered efforts to fight a wildfire in Tasarte, Gran Canaria.


bbc--2020-02-23--Hamburg election: Merkel party 'slumps as Greens surge'

German Chancellor Angela Merkel 's party has suffered its worst-ever result in regional elections in the city state of Hamburg , preliminary results say .
The conservative CDU is suffering a leadership crisis after party leader Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer announced her resignation earlier this month .
The Greens made big gains , while the centre-left SPD is set to remain the largest party .
The far-right AfD lost ground but may just qualify for seats .
The party is currently represented in all 16 German state legislatures and in some parts of the country polls in double digits .
The vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nine people in shisha bars in the western city of Hanau .
• Why far right is blamed for Hanau shooting The result , if confirmed by final vote figures , will most likely lead to a continuation of the red-green coalition in the left-leaning northern port city .
The Christian Democrats ( CDU ) have slipped into third place with little more than 11 % .
Party general secretary Paul Ziemiak said it was a `` bitter day '' , and acknowledged that Ms Kramp-Karrenbauer 's resignation announcement following a scandal in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the party .
The CDU there caused consternation by voting with the AfD to elect a regional leader , a move Ms Merkel described as `` unforgiveable '' and against the CDU 's values .
• How far right caused earthquake in German politics • Just how far to the right is AfD ?
The AfD has grown in popularity in recent years but has been condemned for its extreme views on immigration , freedom of speech and the press .
Meanwhile Greens national co-leader Robert Habeck told German TV the party 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ preliminary results gave them 24.1 % , almost twice as many votes as five years ago .
`` We have a very challenging situation for democracy in Germany , and the CDU is tied up in its own problems ...
It will be up to us to give the land direction and trust , '' Mr Habeck said .
The party may have benefited from the presence of climate activist Greta Thunberg , who joined thousands of people in a demonstration in the city on Friday .
The Social Democrats ( SPD ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national level - received 39.1 % , down about six percentage points from the 2015 election but enough for incumbent Mayor Peter Tschentscher to hold onto power .

"We have a very challenging situation for democracy in Germany, and the CDU is tied up in its own problems... It will be up to us to give the land direction and trust," Mr Habeck said.


bbc--2020-02-23--Hunters: Jewish groups criticise Holocaust portrayal in Amazon show

Several Jewish groups have criticised Amazon for fictitious depictions of the Holocaust in its new series Hunters .
The online retail giant has also been denounced for allowing the sale of anti-Semitic propaganda books .
Amazon did respond immediately to criticism of Hunters but told the BBC it was `` listening to feedback '' about controversial book sales .
Hunters , a 10-part drama series , follows a team of Nazi hunters in 1970s America .
The show , starring Al Pacino , has been accused of bad taste and `` Jewsploitation '' for its depiction of fictional atrocities during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were killed across Nazi-occupied Europe during the period from 1941-45 .
In one scene , inmates of Auschwitz concentration camp are forced to kill each other while being used in a game of human chess .
Auschwitz Memorial , a charity that maintains the former camp as a historical site , accused the programme makers of `` inventing a fake game of human chess '' in an act of `` dangerous foolishness '' .
Karen Pollack , chief executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust , told the BBC such portrayals risked fuelling Holocaust @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` flippant entertainment '' to the programme .
`` We have a real responsibility to protect the truth of the Holocaust , '' said Mrs Pollack , `` particularly as we 're moving away from living history , the survivors are few and frailer . ''
`` We ca n't do this alone , '' she added .
`` We have to rely on other people in society who want to do good . ''
About 1.1 million people , most of them Jews , were murdered at Auschwitz .
Read more about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ centre of Nazi Holocaust Survivors and international leaders gathered at the former camp last month to celebrate the 75th anniversary of its liberation by Soviet forces .
Amazon has recently come under fire for selling anti-Semitic books , including The Jewish Question in the Classroom by Nazi propagandist Julius Streicher .
On Friday , Auschwitz Memorial retweeted a letter , written by the Holocaust Educational Trust , asking Amazon to remove books by Streicher from sale .
`` When you decide to make a profit on selling vicious antisemitic Nazi propaganda published without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to remember that those words led not only to the # Holocaust but also many other hate crimes , '' it said .
`` As a bookseller , we are mindful of book censorship throughout history , and we do not take this lightly , '' Amazon said in response .
It added that it was investing `` significant time and resources '' in ensuring products on sale met its guidelines .
In December , after complaints by Auschwitz Memorial , Amazon withdrew several items from its website , including Christmas decorations @ @ @

"When you decide to make a profit on selling vicious antisemitic Nazi propaganda published without any critical comment or context, you need to remember that those words led not only to the #Holocaust but also many other hate crimes," it said.