bbc--2020-06-29--France municipal elections: Greens score gains in second round

France 's Green party and its left-wing allies have made significant gains in the second round of local elections .
Lyon , Strasbourg , Bordeaux and Besançon all voted for the party on a bad night for President Emmanuel Macron .
His centrist LREM party , which has less support at local level than nationally , failed to win in any major city .
Voters were required to wear face masks under continuing measures to stop the spread of coronavirus and turnout hit a record low .
Only roughly 40 % of the electorate took part in the poll on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Macron had expressed `` concern '' about the low numbers .
The first round of municipal elections was held two days before the government declared a lockdown on 17 March .
The second round , which was due a week later , was postponed until the last Sunday of June .
What were the results ?
Confirming strong showings in the first round , Green candidates or politicians supported by the Greens have won or were poised to win in a string of cities including Lyon , Marseille , Strasbourg , Bordeaux @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said France 's `` whole political landscape has been turned upside down '' , while centre-left paper Le Monde said the party was now `` a major force in opposition '' to President Macron .
In Paris incumbent Mayor Anne Hidalgo - whose Socialist party has been all but wiped out at a national level - won comfortably .
Another prominent Socialist , Martine Aubry , was narrowly re-elected in Lille .
Female mayoral candidates are reportedly now on track to lead half of France 's 10 largest cities , a record for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ development for Mr Macron , his popular Prime Minister Édouard Philippe was elected mayor of the north-western port city of Le Havre .
This could lead to a cabinet reshuffle , although the constitution allows Mr Philippe to name a substitute as mayor while he remains in the government .
It was also a successful night for the far-right National Rally party , led by 2017 presidential candidate Marine Le Pen .
One of their candidates took the city of Perpignan in the south - the largest city the far-right has won since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a `` real victory '' on Sunday .

One of their candidates took the city of Perpignan in the south - the largest city the far-right has won since the 1990s. Ms Le Pen declared a "real victory" on Sunday.


bbc--2020-06-29--Coronavirus: Author Michael Rosen told he 'might not wake up'

Author Michael Rosen has said doctors warned him he `` might not wake up '' shortly before putting him into an induced coma during Covid-19 treatment .
The We 're Going On A Bear Hunt writer , 74 , spent 47 days on a ventilator after being admitted to hospital in March .
He said doctors `` handed me a piece of paper and said you 've got a 50/50 chance '' , to which he asked `` are you telling me I might not wake up ? ''
.
The ex-Children 's Laureate said he was told `` 'Yes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' He recalled : `` I think I was a bit light-headed but I remember thinking 'oh well a 50/50 chance ' .
I was quite sort of flippant to myself about it really . ''
• Vietnam 's British patient : ' I 'd be dead in any other country' Speaking on BBC Radio 4 's Today programme , he said at first he thought he had the flu or a mild form of the disease .
He told presenter Mishal Husain that `` things started moving very , very quickly '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tested the levels of oxygen in his blood and told him `` you 've got to go to A & E now '' .
He later found out his respiratory system , liver and kidneys were failing , and looking back said he was `` probably two or three hours off departing this planet . ''
`` I was so near to going , '' he said .
`` It 's a reminder of how life is very impermanent . ''
Recalling the moment his wife told him how long he had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got quite upset about it ... That 's full of emotion for me , that people were just hanging in there . ''
His wife , radio producer Emma-Louise Williams , is now helping the author recover .
She used Twitter to update fans about her husband 's illness , describing his time on a ventilator as a `` long and difficult '' seven weeks .
Recalling the night she was first told her husband may have to be put on a ventilator , she said : `` My daughter and I came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We did think that Michael might go that night '' .
She said Rosen would spend another eight days breathing with the aid of a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure ( CPAP ) mask but was later readmitted to intensive care .
Rosen has been left with a temporary hole in his neck after doctors performed a tracheostomy to allow the ventilator to supply oxygen to his body via a tube .
He described himself as `` feeble '' and `` lopsided '' after losing some vision and hearing on his left side @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cardboard tubes full of porridge '' and currently uses a hospital-issued walking aid which he has named `` Sticky McStickstick '' .
In a specially recorded message for his young fans , he thanked them for their messages , and told them : `` It does look a little bit as if this illness can be beaten with kindness and care form the NHS . ''
The author , who was Children 's Laureate from 2007 to 2009 , is best known for works including Little Rabbit Foo Foo and Tiny Little Fly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hands was written to mark the 60th anniversary of the NHS .
It is now part of a book that 's being used to raise money for the health service .

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bbc--2020-06-29--In pictures: Huge Nevada wildfire turns Las Vegas sky red

A wildfire raging in Mount Charleston , Nevada , has sent up a large plume of smoke visible from nearby @ @ @ @ @ started as a 10-acre ( four hectares ; 0.04 sq km ) brush fire on @ @ @ @ @ early evening local parks officials said it had engulfed about 5,000 acres ( 20 sq @ @ @ @ @ , US Forest Service fire prevention officer , told the Las Vegas Review-Journal that the @ @ @ @ @ firefighters to work safely .
Crews hope the winds will drop off on Monday so @ @ @ @ @ area .
You may also be interested in : The American Red Cross of Nevada @ @ @ @ @ in a local primary school for residents of Mount Charleston .
It is not known @ @ @ @ @

Crews hope the winds will drop off on Monday so they can travel to the area.


bbc--2020-06-29--'Wait to celebrate together when the time is right' - Klopp plea to Liverpool fans

Liverpool fans must wait until `` the time is right '' to celebrate the club 's first Premier League title together , says manager Jurgen Klopp .
Thousands of people celebrated on the city 's waterfront on Friday , despite restrictions on gatherings because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Firefighters extinguished a small fire at the Liver Building and 34 people were injured , three seriously .
Klopp said he `` did not love '' the scenes at Pier Head .
In an open letter to fans published in the Liverpool Echo , the German said : `` I am @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also my passion , but right now the most important thing is that we do not have these kind of public gatherings .
`` We owe it to the most vulnerable in our community , to the health workers who have given so much and whom we have applauded , and to the police and local authorities who help us as a club not to do this .
`` Please - celebrate - but celebrate in a safe way and in private settings , whereby we do not risk spreading this awful disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ club , who have won the league title for the first time in 30 years , condemned the conduct of some fans who gathered in the city as `` wholly unacceptable '' , and mayor Joe Anderson said the events `` brought Liverpool Football Club and the city of Liverpool into disrepute '' .
Crowds also gathered outside Anfield on Thursday after Manchester City 's defeat by Chelsea ensured Liverpool could not be caught by their nearest challengers .
`` If things were different I would love nothing more than to celebrate together @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be even bigger than the one after we won the Champions League last year , so that we could all share this special moment , but it just is not possible , '' added Klopp .
`` We have all done so much to fight Covid-19 and this effort can not go to waste .
`` When the time is right we will celebrate .
But for now , please stay at home as much as possible . ''
Klopp also praised the `` incredible supporters of an incredible club in an incredible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passion , your songs , your refusal to accept defeat , your commitment , your understanding of the game and your faith in what we are doing , '' he said .
He added that their support was `` the petrol in the tank '' of his players and said it had `` fuelled us every step of the way '' .
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Fire crews extinguished a small blaze at the Liver Building after a firework was set off
Liverpool fans must wait until "the time is right" to celebrate the club's first Premier League title together, says manager Jurgen Klopp.
Thousands of people celebrated on the city's waterfront on Friday, despite restrictions on gatherings because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Firefighters extinguished a small fire at the Liver Building and 34 people were injured, three seriously.
Klopp said he "did not love" the scenes at Pier Head.
In an open letter to fans published in the Liverpool Echo, external-link the German said: "I am a human being and your passion is also my passion, but right now the most important thing is that we do not have these kind of public gatherings.
"We owe it to the most vulnerable in our community, to the health workers who have given so much and whom we have applauded, and to the police and local authorities who help us as a club not to do this.
"Please - celebrate - but celebrate in a safe way and in private settings, whereby we do not risk spreading this awful disease further in our community."
The club, who have won the league title for the first time in 30 years, condemned the conduct of some fans who gathered in the city as "wholly unacceptable", and mayor Joe Anderson said the events "brought Liverpool Football Club and the city of Liverpool into disrepute".
Crowds also gathered outside Anfield on Thursday after Manchester City's defeat by Chelsea ensured Liverpool could not be caught by their nearest challengers.
Klopp 'absolutely overwhelmed' by Liverpool title win
"If things were different I would love nothing more than to celebrate together, to have a parade that would be even bigger than the one after we won the Champions League last year, so that we could all share this special moment, but it just is not possible," added Klopp.
"We have all done so much to fight Covid-19 and this effort cannot go to waste.
"When the time is right we will celebrate. But for now, please stay at home as much as possible."
Klopp also praised the "incredible supporters of an incredible club in an incredible city".
"I love your passion, your songs, your refusal to accept defeat, your commitment, your understanding of the game and your faith in what we are doing," he said.
He added that their support was "the petrol in the tank" of his players and said it had "fuelled us every step of the way".


bbc--2020-06-29--Mercedes to race in new black livery for 2020 F1 season

Mercedes will run a new black livery in Formula 1 in 2020 as a signal of their commitment to greater diversity and inclusion in motorsport .
Mercedes said the Black Lives Matter movement had `` shone a searching light on how much we need new measures and actions in the fight against racism '' .
Lewis Hamilton called it an `` important statement that we are willing to change and improve as a business '' .
Mercedes F1 team said in a statement that `` just 3 % of our workforce identify as belonging to minority ethnic groups and only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` This lack of diversity shows that we need to find new approaches to attract talent from many areas of society we do not currently reach . ''
The team will also launch a diversity and inclusion programme that will include raising awareness , analysis of their recruitment programme , collaboration with F1 stakeholders on accessibility and education initiatives .
Mercedes F1 team principal Toto Wolff said : `` Racism and discrimination have no place in our society , our sport or our team : this is a core belief at Mercedes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the right mindset is n't enough if we remain silent .
`` We wish to use our voice and our global platform to speak up for respect and equality , and the Silver Arrow will race in black for the entire 2020 season to show our commitment to greater diversity within our team and our sport .
`` We will not shy away from our weaknesses in this area , nor from the progress we must still make ; our livery is our public pledge to take positive action . ''
Six-time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ setting up a commission in partnership with the Royal Academy of Engineering to promote black participation in motorsport .
He added : `` It 's so important that we seize this moment and use it to educate ourselves , whether you are an individual , brand or company to make real meaningful changes when it comes to ensuring equality and inclusivity .
`` I have personally experienced racism in my life and seen my family and friends experience racism , and I am speaking from the heart when I appeal for change .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ my hopes for what we could achieve as a team , I said it was so important that we stand united .
`` I would like to say a huge thank you to Toto and the Mercedes board for taking the time to listen , to talk , and to really understand my experiences and passion , and for making this important statement that we are willing to change and improve as a business .
`` We want to build a legacy that goes beyond sport , and if we can be the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ within our own business , it will send such a strong message and give others the confidence to begin a dialogue about how they can implement change . ''

Mercedes will use the new black livery from the first grand prix of the delayed 2020 season in Austria this weekend
Mercedes will run a new black livery in Formula 1 in 2020 as a signal of their commitment to greater diversity and inclusion in motorsport.
Silver had been the company's colour scheme in racing since the 1930s.
Mercedes said the Black Lives Matter movement had "shone a searching light on how much we need new measures and actions in the fight against racism".
World champion Lewis Hamilton called it an "important statement we are willing to change and improve as a business".
Mercedes F1 team said in a statement that "just 3% of our workforce identify as belonging to minority ethnic groups and only 12% of our employees are women.
"This lack of diversity shows that we need to find new approaches to attract talent from many areas of society we do not currently reach."
The team will also launch a diversity and inclusion programme that will include raising awareness, analysis of their recruitment programme, collaboration with F1 stakeholders on accessibility and education initiatives.
Mercedes F1 team principal Toto Wolff said: "Racism and discrimination have no place in our society, our sport or our team: this is a core belief at Mercedes.
"But having the right beliefs and the right mindset isn't enough if we remain silent.
"We wish to use our voice and our global platform to speak up for respect and equality, and the Silver Arrow will race in black for the entire 2020 season to show our commitment to greater diversity within our team and our sport.
"We will not shy away from our weaknesses in this area, nor from the progress we must still make; our livery is our public pledge to take positive action."
F1 Breakdown: Jack Nicholls previews new Formula 1 season
Six-time world champion Hamilton has announced he is setting up a commission in partnership with the Royal Academy of Engineering to promote black participation in motorsport.
He added: "It's so important that we seize this moment and use it to educate ourselves, whether you are an individual, brand or company to make real meaningful changes when it comes to ensuring equality and inclusivity.
"I have personally experienced racism in my life and seen my family and friends experience racism, and I am speaking from the heart when I appeal for change.
"When I spoke to Toto about my hopes for what we could achieve as a team, I said it was so important that we stand united.
"I would like to say a huge thank you to Toto and the Mercedes board for taking the time to listen, to talk, and to really understand my experiences and passion, and for making this important statement that we are willing to change and improve as a business.
"We want to build a legacy that goes beyond sport, and if we can be the leaders and can start building more diversity within our own business, it will send such a strong message and give others the confidence to begin a dialogue about how they can implement change."


bbc--2020-06-30--Coronavirus: What's behind alarming new US outbreaks?

As coronavirus outbreaks are slowly brought to heel in many places around the world , the US is among a handful of countries facing a surge of new infections .
More than two dozen states are now seeing increases in new cases over the last 14 days .
Of these , Texas , Florida , Arizona and California have emerged as the country 's latest virus epicentres .
But while cases are clearly rising , state leaders and health experts are divided on the cause .
Here 's a look at these four US hotspots , the facts and figures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may help explain each surge .
First , it 's important to note that across the US , more efficient testing has played some role in the climbing case count .
The number of Covid-19 tests being administered now is nearly double what it was in April and May .
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But the positive test rate tells us that testing ca n't explain away the rise .
If lots of tests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus has been reduced , then the positive case rate would fall in tandem .
The World Health Organization says that states should have a positive case rate at or below 5 % for two weeks before they loosen restrictions on movement .
Even with testing success stories , it 's clear that the southern and western US are seeing a particularly sharp spike in infections and their rate .
As of 30 June , Texas , Florida , Arizona or California all fall under that category - and all fail to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months of new cases hovering between 1,000 and 2,000 each day - Texas ' infection count has spiked in the last two weeks , with up to 6,000 new illnesses reported in a single day .
The sharp rise in cases has been mirrored by record highs in hospital admissions - reaching at 5,913 on Monday - and stoking fears that the state 's hospitals will soon be overwhelmed .
If this trajectory persists , Houston , the state 's most populous city , `` would become the worst affected city in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happening now in Brazil , wrote Peter Hotez , director of the Center for Vaccine Development at Texas Children 's Hospital , on Twitter .
`` I can not really see how things get better on their own . ''
Why the rise ?
Many point to the south-western state 's leading role peeling back lockdown measures .
Texas Governor Greg Abbott allowed his stay home order to expire on 30 April , with almost all businesses - including bars and restaurants - operating to at least 50 % capacity by early June @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the governor shut down all bars and ordered restaurants to cut down capacity from 75 to 50 % .
`` If I could go back and redo anything , it probably would have been to slow down the opening of bars , '' Mr Abbott said to El Paso station KVIA-TV .
A `` bar setting , in reality , just does n't work with a pandemic '' .
Packed restaurants and bars may also fit with another national trend : the average age of people diagnosed with Covid-19 has decreased gradually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , people under the age 30 make up the majority of Covid patients , Mr Abbott said at a press conference earlier this month , which `` typically results from people going to the bar-type settings '' .
Parts of the state are now also enacting rules on face coverings .
Policies on masks are one of the factors differentiating states like Texas from those seeing lower transmission rates .
In 11 states with mask rules in place - including New York and Illinois - the number of new cases has declined 25 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to an analysis by the Philadelphia Inquirer .
On the other hand , in states where only some employees have to wear masks , new cases have risen by an average of 70 % .
Florida 's stay home order expired shortly after Texas ' , on 4 May .
While the state 's most populous counties , Miami-Dade and Broward , held off until 18 May , Florida still had one of the more aggressive reopening strategies in the US .
Disney properties and beaches began reopening by the end of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country celebrated the Memorial Day holiday .
Days into June , bars , restaurants , gyms , and shops were also resuming business .
Now , the Sunshine State is seeing a surge in Covid-19 - this past weekend saw over 8,500 new cases per day .
In the last two weeks , cases have increased fivefold , according to the New York Times .
Hospitalisations are up as well , but Florida 's death toll has not seen so sharp a rise thus far .
The governor 's answer for why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the White House has said : more testing and more young people with infections .
Republican Governor Ron DeSantis said a backlog `` test dump '' coupled with transmission in the 18 to 35 age range is behind the concerning counts .
He said that 20 % of Floridians aged 25 to 34 are testing positive , and called on younger residents to be more careful , citing graduation parties that ignored social distancing rules .
`` We 've been stressing avoiding the three Cs , which are : closed spaces with poor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearby and close-contact settings , such as close-range conversations , '' Mr DeSantis said .
But some experts say even with testing , the numbers still point to community spread linked to more social contact .
Former CDC Director Tom Frieden told Fox News on Sunday : `` As a doctor , a scientist , an epidemiologist , I can tell you with 100 % certainty that in most states where you 're seeing an increase , it is a real increase .
It is not more tests ; it is more spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has stopped short of enacting any mandatory measures to curb Covid-19 transmission - however , mayors in South Florida , the hardest-hit region of the state , have been discussing next steps .
In Miami , Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach , beaches will be closed for the Fourth of July Independence Day weekend .
Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez will also be limiting gatherings to no more than 50 people , with masks required .
Arizona may be the region with the most concerning surge in America .
In mid-June , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ higher case count and percent positivity rate than Brazil and Peru at the time .
It 's a familiar story here too : the south-western state 's spike follows its reopening timeline .
Republican Governor Doug Ducey lifted Arizona 's stay-at-home order on 15 May .
In the time since , dine-in restaurants , bars , casinos , gyms , golf clubs and swimming pools reopened .
There were health recommendations but no mandate on face coverings or enforcement of social distancing .
As of 30 June , cases have been increasing by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to the Covid Exit Strategy tracker .
Saturday alone saw a new record of over 3,500 new infections reported .
Arizonians between 20- and 44-years-old make up the bulk of the nearly 80,000 confirmed cases , but 1,200 of its 1,600 deaths are from those aged 65 and up , according to state data .
Native Americans make up 18 % of the state 's deaths , but just over 5 % of the state 's population .
In addition to the case counts , it 's the speed at which they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arizona 's summertime climate could be adding to the problem , as many opt for indoor activities thanks to the triple-digit temperatures .
Among indigenous groups , some households are without running water , making frequent hand-washing difficult , and live in areas with limited access to healthcare facilities .
There has also been local pushback to following health guidance , with anti-lockdown and , more recently , anti-mask rallies .
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• THE LOST SIX WEEKS : Missed chances for US to contain outbreak Amid this new outbreak , Arizona 's hospitals - which are in emergency mode - have warned intensive care units ( ICU ) could soon be overwhelmed .
Bed space is already in short supply , with 88 % of ICU beds and 84 % of hospital inpatient beds occupied , according to AZ Central .
The state 's health director on Monday announced hospitals could activate `` crisis care standards '' that would allow them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ factors like likelihood of survival .
Following criticism from public health officials and Democrats over his inaction , Mr Ducey ordered bars , nightclubs , gyms , movie theatres and water parks to shut for at least 30 days to `` relieve stress '' on the healthcare system on 29 June .
Of the four states hit hardest by the resurgence , California is in many ways an outlier .
Its 19 March stay home order - the first in the nation - is widely credited with helping guard against the death tolls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York and New Jersey .
But two months after Governor Gavin Newsom said the Covid curve had `` arguably flattened '' , cases are now sharply on the rise , hitting an all-time single day high of new cases on 30 June , with 8,086 confirmed new cases .
Hospital admissions jumped 43 % in the last two weeks .
Los Angeles County has the most Covid-19 cases confirmed in the nation , at over 100,000 as of 30 June , according to a Johns Hopkins University count .
Local health officials have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unknowingly have the virus - last week , that estimate was one in 400 .
California officials pin the surge in part to a rise in social and family gatherings , particularly among residents in the 18-49 age group , who make up the majority of California 's positive cases .
Easing restrictions on indoor businesses , like gyms and restaurants , likely also played a role .
State leaders have also noted that many bars and restaurants were not following social distancing protocols or requiring face coverings .
Seven counties on Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to shut their bars .
Counties and cities , like San Francisco , have reversed reopening plans .
Disney also delayed plans to reopen , citing a lack of guidance from the state .
Clusters of the virus have emerged in prisons , nursing homes , as well as rural and urban areas .
The San Francisco Bay Area 's San Quentin Prison reported more than 1,000 Covid-19 cases among its 3,500 inmates this week , following a transfer earlier this month from a prison experiencing an outbreak .
State data also shows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been infected : Latinos account for around 39 % of the state 's population , but 56 % of the total positive cases as of 30 June .
California 's big cities , like thousands across the nation , also saw massive protests in the wake of George Floyd 's death - though we still do n't have data on how those gatherings may affect the virus ' spread .

In 11 states with mask rules in place - including New York and Illinois - the number of new cases has declined 25% in the last two weeks, according to an analysis by the Philadelphia Inquirer. On the other hand, in states where only some employees have to wear masks, new cases have risen by an average of 70%.


bbc--2020-07-01--Hong Kong: First arrests under 'anti-protest' law as handover marked

Hong Kong police have made their first arrests under a new `` anti-protest '' law imposed by Beijing , as crowds marked 23 years since the end of British rule .
Nine people were held accused of violating the law , including a man with a pro-independence flag .
More than 300 others were detained at a banned rally .
The national security law targets secession , subversion and terrorism with punishments up to life in prison .
Activists say it erodes freedoms but China has dismissed the criticism .
Hong Kong 's sovereignty was handed back to China by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supposed to be guaranteed for at least 50 years under the `` one country , two systems '' agreement .
The UK has now said up to three million Hong Kong residents will be offered the chance to settle in the UK and ultimately apply for citizenship .
On Wednesday , thousands gathered for the annual pro-democracy rally to mark the handover anniversary , defying a ban by authorities who cited restrictions on gatherings of more than 50 people because of Covid-19 .
Police used water cannon , tear gas and pepper spray @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 300 people had been arrested , nine under the new law , which was adopted in the wake of last year 's widespread unrest .
They included a man who was holding a `` Hong Kong Independence '' flag , though some Twitter users said the picture appeared to show a small `` no to '' written in front of the slogan .
The man has not been identified , and it was not clear whether he would be prosecuted .
Police also said an officer was stabbed in the arm by `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspects fled and bystanders offered no help , they said .
The legislation has been widely condemned by countries including the US and UK as well as human rights activists .
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said : `` [ China ] promised 50 years of freedom to the Hong Kong people , and gave them only 23 . ''
In Beijing , Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian urged countries to look at the situation objectively and said China would not allow foreign interference in its domestic affairs .
Earlier , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Macau Affairs office of the State Council bristled at foreign critics , asking them : `` What 's this got to do with you ? ''
Speaking in the House of Commons , UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab called the measures a `` flagrant assault '' on freedoms of speech and protest , saying China had `` broken '' its international obligations .
Meanwhile , the UK has updated its travel advice on Hong Kong , saying there is an `` increased risk of detention , and deportation for a non-permanent resident '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does the new law say ?
Crimes of secession , subversion , terrorism and collusion with foreign forces are punishable by a minimum sentence of three years , with the maximum being life .
The controversial law also says : • Damaging public transport facilities - which often happened during the 2019 protests - can be considered terrorism • Beijing will establish a new security office in Hong Kong , with its own law enforcement personnel - neither of which would come under the local authority 's jurisdiction • Inciting hatred of China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regional government are now offences under Article 29 • The law can also be broken from abroad by non-residents under Article 38 , and this could mean that foreigners could be arrested on arrival in Hong Kong if they are suspected of breaking the new law • Some trials will be heard behind closed doors Beijing will also have power over how the law should be interpreted , and not any Hong Kong judicial or policy body .
If the law conflicts with any Hong Kong law , the Beijing law takes priority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not be applied retroactively - that is , to offences committed before it was passed - and that suspects arrested in Hong Kong on charges of violating the law may be tried on the mainland .
Chief Executive Carrie Lam , Hong Kong 's pro-Beijing leader , said the law would `` restore stability '' and that it was `` considered the most important development in relations between the central government and Hong Kong since the handover '' .
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Demonstrators in the Causeway Bay district chanted `` resist till the end '' and `` Hong Kong independence '' amid warnings that certain slogans and banners might now constitute serious crimes .
Photos on social media - confirmed by police as genuine - showed a flag being used by officers to warn protesters about the new law .
`` I 'm scared of going to jail but for justice I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to stand up , '' a 35-year-old man who gave his name as Seth told Reuters news agency .
Ahead of the protest , pro-democracy activist Tsang Kin-shing , of the League of Social Democrats , warned there was a `` large chance of our being arrested '' , saying : `` The charges will not be light , please judge for yourself . ''
The law gives Beijing extensive powers to shape life in the territory that it has never had before .
It not only introduces a series of tough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it changes the way justice is administered .
Trials can be held in secret - and without a jury .
Judges can be handpicked .
The law reverses a presumption that suspects will be granted bail .
There appears to be no time limit on how long people can be held .
Crimes are described in vague terms , leading to the possibility of broad interpretation , and the right to interpret lies only in Beijing .
Foreign nationals outside of Hong Kong face prosecution .
Most cases will be handled in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take over `` complex '' , `` serious '' or `` difficult '' cases .
Whether or not you think the legislation was necessary , it is impossible to deny its significance .
As Hong Kong 's leader Carrie Lam put it : this is a turning point .
What reaction has the new law drawn ?
Minutes after the law was passed on Tuesday , pro-democracy activists began to quit , fearful of the punishment the new law allows .
`` With sweeping powers and ill-defined law , the city will turn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Joshua Wong , a key pro-democracy leader .
The political party he co-founded - Demosisto - was disbanded .
Ted Hui , an opposition legislator , told the BBC : `` Our freedom is gone , our rule of law , our judicial independence is gone '' .
Mr Pompeo said the `` draconian '' law `` destroyed Hong Kong 's autonomy '' , adding : `` Beijing 's paranoia and fear of its own people 's aspirations have led it to eviscerate the very foundation of the territory 's success .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' that the law could `` seriously undermine '' the city 's independence .
In the US , lawmakers from both parties have launched a bill to give refugee status to Hong Kong residents at risk of persecution , reported local media outlets .
Taiwan 's government has said it will set up a special office to help those in Hong Kong facing immediate political risks .

One of the 10 arrested under the new law, adopted in the wake of last year's widespread unrest, was holding a "Hong Kong Independence" flag. However, some Twitter users said the picture appeared to show a small "no to" written in front of the slogan. The man has not been identified, and it was not clear whether he would be prosecuted.


bbc--2020-07-01--Coronavirus: Immunity may be more widespread than tests suggest

People testing negative for coronavirus antibodies may still have some immunity , a study has suggested .
For every person testing positive for antibodies , two were found to have specific T-cells which identify and destroy infected cells .
This was seen even in people who had mild or symptomless cases of Covid-19 .
But it 's not yet clear whether this just protects that individual , or if it might also stop them from passing on the infection to others .
Researchers at the Karolinksa Institute in Sweden tested 200 people for both antibodies and T-cells .
Some were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the group of people first infected in Sweden , mainly returning from earlier affected areas like northern Italy .
This could mean a wider group have some level of immunity to Covid-19 than antibody testing figures , like those published as part of the UK Office for National Statistics Infection Survey , suggest .
It 's likely those people did mount an antibody response , but either it had faded or was not detectable by the current tests .
And these people should be protected if they are exposed to the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Altmann at Imperial College London described the study as `` robust , impressive and thorough '' and said it added to a growing body of evidence that `` antibody testing alone underestimates immunity '' .
This does n't necessarily get us any closer to herd immunity , though , according to assistant professor Marcus Buggert , one of the study 's authors .
More analysis needs to be done to understand whether these T-cells provide `` sterilising immunity '' , meaning they completely block the virus , or whether they might protect an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them from carrying the virus and transmitting it .
Much of the discussion around Covid-19 immunity has focused on antibodies - Y-shaped proteins which act like `` missiles shooting down a target '' , assistant Prof Buggert explained .
They bind to the virus before it can enter your cells , and neutralise it .
If antibodies fail to neutralise the virus , it can enter your cells and turn them into virus-making factories .
T-cells , on the other hand , target already-infected cells and completely destroy them , stopping them from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • SOCIAL DISTANCING : What are the rules now ?
• BUBBLES : How do they work and who can be in yours ?
• TESTING : Who can get a test and how ?
• SYMPTOMS : What are they and how to guard against them ?
• 40,000 DEATHS : Could they have been prevented ?
Like antibodies , T-cells are part of the bit of your immune system that has a memory .
Once it recognises a particular virus , it can quickly target cells infected with it and kill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , known to boost T-cell production , is being trialled in the UK to see if it can aid patients ' recovery .
Researchers from the Francis Crick Institute , King 's College London and Guys and St Thomas ' Hospital noticed a group of 60 severely ill patients appeared to experience a crash in their numbers of T-cells .
This was not observed in the Karolinska study , which found the sicker the patient , the higher the level of antibodies and T-cells they appeared to produce .
The team said more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the biggest T-cell study done so far , it still involved a relatively small group of patients .
T-cells are very complex and much harder to identify than antibodies , requiring specialist labs and small batches of samples being tested by hand over the course of days .
This means mass testing for T-cells is not a very likely prospect at the moment .

More analysis needs to be done to understand whether these T-cells provide "sterilising immunity", meaning they completely block the virus, or whether they might protect an individual from getting sick but not stop them from carrying the virus and transmitting it.


bbc--2020-06-30--Coronavirus: Six months that changed our world

On December 31 last year , Chinese media reported for the first time on an outbreak of viral pneumonia in @ @ @ @ @ Six months later , Covid-19 has changed the world .
We look back at its @ @ @ @ @

On December 31 last year, Chinese media reported for the first time on an outbreak of viral pneumonia in the city of Wuhan. Six months later, Covid-19 has changed the world. We look back at its spread across the globe.
Produced and edited by Peter Ball


bbc--2020-07-01--Oscars voting body hits diversity target with 819 new members

The latest batch of actors and film-makers to be invited to vote for the Oscars has been unveiled , exceeding the diversity target that was set for 2020 .
After the # OscarsSoWhite movement of 2016 , the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences promised to double the number of female and BAME members .
Eva Longoria and Cynthia Erivo are among those who have been invited to join the organisation this year .
Of the 819 people invited , 45 % are women and 36 % are non-white .
Figures including Ana de Armas , Zendaya , Awkwafina @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Aparicio have also been invited .
British stars on the list alongside Erivo include 1917 star George MacKay and Little Women 's Florence Pugh .
The Academy said 49 % of the new invitees were from outside the US .
If all 819 accept , it will bring the organisation 's total membership to 9,412 .
They will vote for next year 's Oscars , which will take place two months later than usual as a result of the coronavirus pandemic .
`` Very excited to be a new member of The Academy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tweeted The Farewell director Lulu Wang .
`` Though there is still much work to be done , this class looks more like an actual jury of our PEERS than ever before , so that 's a step in the right direction . ''
Academy president David Rubin said in a statement : `` We have always embraced extraordinary talent that reflects the rich variety of our global film community , and never more so than now . ''
Before the latest invitees were unveiled , The Academy 's overall membership was 32 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2015 .
The number from `` underrepresented ethnic/racial communities '' had also increased , from 8 % in 2015 to 16 % in 2018 .
Diversity at the Oscars has improved in recent years , with films such as Parasite and Moonlight winning best picture in 2017 and 2019 respectively .
Several Parasite actors , including Jang Hye-Jin , Jo Yeo-Jeong , Park So-Dam and Lee Jung-Eun , are among those who have received invitations .
Those on the list also include Nigerian actress and director Genevieve Nnaji , who starred and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the race for best international feature film in 2019 .
The Academy said it would now launch a new scheme , Aperture 2025 , to further increase its diversity over the next five years .
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bbc--2020-06-30--Judge blocks tell-all by Trump niece - for now

A New York judge has temporarily blocked President Donald Trump 's niece from publishing a damning tell-all memoir about the US first family .
Mary Trump 's upcoming book , Too Much and Never Enough , How My Family Created the World 's Most Dangerous Man , is due to be published on 28 July .
But on Tuesday a judge granted a restraining order to Ms Trump 's uncle , the president 's brother , Robert .
Lawyers for Ms Trump say they will immediately appeal against the ruling .
`` The trial court 's temporary restraining order is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prior restraint on core political speech that flatly violates the First Amendment , '' said her lawyer , Ted Boutrous .
`` This book , which addresses matters of great public concern and importance about a sitting president in an election year , should not be supressed even for one day , '' he continued .
The book is being published by Simon & Schuster and has already reached fourth place on Amazon 's best-seller list ahead of its release .
A hearing is scheduled in New York 's Dutchess County for 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ siblings : What do we know of them ?
Ms Trump , 55 , is the daughter of President Trump 's elder brother , Fred Trump Jr , who died in 1981 .
The book claims to reveal `` a nightmare of traumas , destructive relationships , and a tragic combination of neglect and abuse '' .
Robert Trump 's lawyer , Charles Harder , cheered the ruling , saying that `` the actions of Mary Trump and Simon & Schuster are truly reprehensible '' .
`` We look forward to vigorously litigating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remedies available by law for the enormous damages caused by Mary Trump 's breach of contract and Simon & Schuster 's intentional interference with that contract , '' Mr Harder said .
`` Short of corrective action to immediately cease their egregious conduct , we will pursue this case to the very end . ''
Earlier this month , President Trump said that his niece was violating her non-disclosure agreement ( NDA ) by writing a book .
`` She 's not allowed to write a book , '' he told Axios , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reportedly signed following a dispute over her father 's estate after his death in 2001 .
Mr Trump called the NDA a `` very powerful one '' that `` covers everything '' .
What does the book say ?
The book was scheduled to hit shelves only weeks before the Republican National Convention , where Mr Trump will accept his party 's nomination to seek a second term .
The memoir will reportedly reveal how Ms Trump supplied the New York Times with confidential documents to print a sprawling investigation into Mr Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exclusive alleged the president had been involved in `` fraudulent '' tax schemes and received more than $ 400m ( £316m ) in today 's money from his father 's real estate empire .
A lawyer for the president and the White House denied the allegations of fraud and tax evasion made against Mr Trump .
An Amazon blurb for Ms Trump 's book says the author will set out how her uncle `` became the man who now threatens the world 's health , economic security and social fabric '' .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ & Schuster that Mr Trump and his associates are seeking to block .
Earlier this month , the US justice department was denied an injunction to block a memoir by John Bolton , President Trump 's former National Security Adviser .
The Room Where It Happened is due to go on sale later this month .
One of the book 's claims is that Mr Trump `` pleaded '' with the Chinese president to help him win the November 2020 election .

The publisher said in a statement: "We support Mary L Trump's right to tell her story in Too Much and Never Enough, a work of great interest and importance to the national discourse that fully deserves to be published for the benefit of the American public."


bbc--2020-06-30--Russia's Putin appeals to patriotism as key vote reaches climax

All week , millions of Russians have been voting to reform their constitution , many using polling stations set up on tree stumps , park benches and even car boots .
Giant prize draws have helped entice them to the ballot , with the chance of winning everything from shopping vouchers to a car or flat .
Opposition figures have dismissed the whole process as a farce , stretched over seven days with no proper monitoring or independent scrutiny .
But for the Kremlin the amendments are vital .
The vote will clear the way for Vladimir Putin to stay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he chooses .
Not that the president mentioned that in his address to the nation ahead of the final day of voting .
`` We are voting for the country we want to live in… and which we want to hand down to our children , '' Mr Putin declared , standing beneath a giant , ghostly new statue of a Soviet soldier , to underline the `` patriotic '' theme that runs through this process .
The biggest overhaul of the constitution since 1993 , this vote is partly about setting down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spelling out the values and priorities he has established during two decades in the Kremlin .
`` Putin ca n't just say to himself , ' I need to do everything possible to stay in power ! '
, '' argues Tatiana Stanovaya , the head of R.Politik , a political think-tank .
`` People try to hide the low things they 're doing within something more grandiose and positive .
So he says instead , ' I want to create a great Russia , and stay in power too ' . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ new constitution includes articles promoting a patriotic education , reiterating the ban on same-sex marriage and adding explicit mention of God - all in line with the increasing cultural conservatism of Vladimir Putin 's rule .
Those `` ideological '' articles , alongside `` social '' ones like minimum wage guarantees , are the changes actively discussed on state TV and by celebrity endorsers .
By contrast , the amendments allowing Vladimir Putin to restart the clock on his presidency when his current term ends in 2024 - and so run twice more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They were left off the initial information on the vote altogether .
The amendments cover dozens of existing articles , and add several new ones .
They fall broadly into three categories and many enshrine things in the constitution that are already federal law : Banning any action aimed at the `` expropriation '' of Russian territory , or calls for that .
Protecting the `` historical truth '' of the Great Patriotic War ( 1941-1945 ) and banning any `` belittling '' of the feats of those who fought .
Protection of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a man and a woman .
Refers to Russians ' faith in God , as handed down by their ancestors .
Minimum wage no less than subsistence minimum income .
State Council to set `` direction of domestic and foreign policy and socio-economic priorities '' .
A person can only hold the presidency for two terms ( replacing `` two consecutive terms '' ) .
In the case of a person already holding the presidency , previous terms will not count - the so-called `` zeroing '' of Vladimir Putin 's terms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can only select one of two boxes : accepting or rejecting all of the amendments .
Lobbying for either option is officially banned , but fliers posted to Moscow apartment blocks all called on people to vote `` for '' the amendments , rather than `` on '' them .
A much smaller counter-campaign has plastered stickers with Mr Putin 's face around town urging Muscovites to say `` No '' .
Will the pandemic affect the vote ?
A short drive from the capital , on the outskirts of Podolsk , voters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ car park to make their choice .
Election officials in face visors , masks and white suits were a reminder that this nationwide vote was being held in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic .
Postponed from April , the Kremlin was keen to reschedule as soon as possible .
A poll by the independent Levada Centre in early May reported a slide in Mr Putin 's approval rating to 59 % - his lowest ever .
The continuing Covid-19 crisis is unlikely to improve things .
So officials have done their utmost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ An election official in Omsk , Siberia , made national headlines when she won an apartment in the lucky draw .
Her protest that she was `` just another voter '' met with a deeply sceptical response .
There were no prizes in Podolsk , but plenty of enthusiastic pensioners .
`` All the amendments suit me ! ''
Galina said , dropping her voting slip into a transparent plastic briefcase decorated with a double-headed eagle .
`` The index-linking of pensions , the right to study and work and housing , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the latter few are not explicitly covered by this reform .
`` I like the idea that marriage should only be between a man and a woman , '' said Elena , selecting her top amendment .
In her thirties , she also had no problem with Vladimir Putin staying on as president .
`` He suits us for now , '' she said .
Is there much opposition ?
In the town centre , beneath a tower block decorated with Russian flags , some younger voters were scornful of the vote .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ will stay forever in any case , '' one girl flung over her shoulder .
Maxim said he and `` lots of friends '' had voted against .
`` We 've had one president for 20 years , and Putin could do another 16 years ?
I think our country needs something new , '' he said .
Russia 's most prominent opposition figure , Alexei Navalny , has published a stream of posts on social media mocking the makeshift nature of the vote and highlighting irregularities .
They include pressure on some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ballot had already been cast for them .
Influential blogger Yury Dud described the vote as `` shameful '' , in an Instagram post liked by more than a million people .
He quoted Vladimir Putin himself in 2008 insisting that it was `` absolutely unacceptable '' to remain in office for life .
But the blogger had n't decided whether to boycott or tick the `` No '' box .
In fact , this vote is not required by law : the reforms to the constitution were approved by Russia 's parliament @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is said to want a high turnout and 70 % support at this ballot , as a popular mandate to point to in future .
One exit poll already published - something that 's banned at a normal election - suggests it 's well on target .
In any case , the new constitution has already been printed and is on sale in bookshops .

"We are voting for the country we want to live in… and which we want to hand down to our children," Mr Putin declared, standing beneath a giant, ghostly new statue of a Soviet soldier, to underline the "patriotic" theme that runs through this process.


bbc--2020-07-01--Harvey Weinstein: Some accusers denounce $19m 'sellout' settlement

Two lawsuits against Harvey Weinstein are to be settled for a proposed $ 18.9m ( £15.3m ) , the New York Attorney General has announced .
The fund would be distributed between dozens of women who have accused Weinstein of sexual misconduct .
However , lawyers representing six of the women who have accused the disgraced film producer have criticised the proposal as a `` complete sellout '' .
Weinstein is currently serving a 23-year prison sentence for rape .
What is the new settlement ?
The settlement , announced on Tuesday , would resolve a lawsuit filed in 2018 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his brother by the New York Attorney General 's office .
It would also settle a separate class-action lawsuit brought on behalf of women who accused Weinstein of sexual harassment or assault .
`` After all the harassment , threats , and discrimination , these survivors are finally receiving some semblance of justice , '' Attorney General Letitia James said .
`` Women who were forced to sign confidentiality agreements will also be freed from those clauses and finally be able to speak . ''
The proposed settlement will still require approval from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What has the response from accusers been ?
Lawyers Douglas H Wigdor and Kevin Mintzer , who represent six accusers , criticised the proposed settlement because it did not require Weinstein to accept responsibility or personally pay out any money .
`` The proposed settlement is a complete sellout of the Weinstein survivors and we are surprised that the attorney general could somehow boast about a proposal that fails on so many different levels , '' they said .
`` While we do not begrudge any survivor who truly wants to participate in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proposed agreement , it is deeply unfair for many reasons . ''
However , another of Weinstein 's accusers , Louisette Geiss , said : `` This important act of solidarity allowed us to use our collective voice to help those who had been silenced and to give back to the many , many survivors who lost their careers and more .
`` There is no amount of money that can make up for this injustice , but I 'm extremely proud of what we 've accomplished today . ''
In February , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of third-degree rape and first-degree criminal sexual act , and later sentenced to 23 years in jail .
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If you have a story suggestion email entertainment.news @ bbc.co.uk .

However, another of Weinstein's accusers, Louisette Geiss, said: "This important act of solidarity allowed us to use our collective voice to help those who had been silenced and to give back to the many, many survivors who lost their careers and more.


bbc--2020-06-30--Rayshard Brooks: Accused officer bailed despite widow's plea

A judge has granted bail for an ex-Atlanta police officer charged with killing an African-American man in a restaurant car park earlier this month .
Garrett Rolfe , now free on a $ 500,000 ( £403,000 ) bond , faces 11 charges , including murder , for the death of Rayshard Brooks , 27 , on 12 June .
Mr Brooks ' widow implored the judge not to grant bail , arguing Mr Rolfe was a danger to the community .
Mr Brooks ' death fuelled anti-racism protests across the US .
He was shot while fleeing Mr Rolfe and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just failed a sobriety test .
As the officers tried to arrest him , he punched Mr Rolfe , snatched his partner 's Taser and then appeared to fire the stun gun towards Mr Rolfe as he gave chase , according to footage .
Tomika Miller , Mr Brooks ' widow , spoke at the bond hearing on Tuesday via video .
Through tears , she told Fulton County Superior Court Judge Jane Barwick that Mr Rolfe `` has already shown he 's a danger to the community '' .
`` My husband @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I should not live in fear while waiting for the man who killed my husband to be tried in court . ''
Ms Miller said Mr Brooks was a loving father , and that he had died on her daughter 's birthday and a day before the couple 's anniversary .
Judge Barwick thanked Ms Miller for her bravery but said Mr Rolfe was not a flight risk and that she did not believe he posed a danger to the community .
• The struggle that cost Rayshard Brooks his life Prosecutors had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : the passcode to Mr Rolfe 's phone , his passport and firearms , as well as instating a curfew , requiring an ankle monitor and prohibiting contact with Atlanta police , witnesses or victims .
Mr Rolfe 's lawyers , who argue he acted in self-defence , had asked for a $ 50,000 bond .
They also denied prosecutors ' allegation that Mr Rolfe kicked Mr Brooks as he lay on the ground .
Mr Rolfe will not have had to pay half a million dollars to walk free .
Bail in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the total bond amount .
Judge Barwick denied the request for the passcode , but approved the other conditions set by prosecutors .
Mr Rolfe also appeared during the hearing via teleconference but did not speak .
The officers were responding on 12 June to a call from a Wendy 's fast food restaurant employee that an apparently intoxicated customer , Mr Brooks , had fallen asleep in his car , blocking a drive-through lane .
Footage from police body cameras showed Mr Brooks complying with officers for over 40 minutes before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tried to handcuff him .
The other officer at the scene , Devin Brosnan , faces several charges including aggravated assault for allegedly standing on Mr Brooks ' shoulder after the shooting .
Last week a woman referred to by Mr Brooks during the arrest as his girlfriend was charged with an arson attack on the Wendy 's .
The night after Mr Brooks was shot , the restaurant was burned down in alleged retaliation for the 911 call that led to his death .
Natalie White , 29 , did not enter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was placed under house arrest on a $ 10,000 bail bond .

He was shot while fleeing Mr Rolfe and another white officer. Mr Brooks had just failed a sobriety test. As the officers tried to arrest him, he punched Mr Rolfe, snatched his partner's Taser and then appeared to fire the stun gun towards Mr Rolfe as he gave chase, according to footage.


bbc--2020-07-01--Trump approves plan to withdraw 9,500 US troops from Germany

US President Donald Trump has approved a plan to withdraw 9,500 American troops from bases in Germany , the Pentagon says .
The move would reduce the number of US troops stationed in the country from about 34,500 to 25,000 .
President Trump has previously accused Germany of not contributing enough to Nato .
A Pentagon spokesman did not give details on where the troops might be redeployed or when it would happen .
However , last week President Trump said some soldiers would be moved to Poland .
During a visit by his Polish counterpart , Andrzej Duda , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be coming home and some will be going to other places .
Poland would be one of those other places . ''
• What does the US contribute to Nato in Europe ?
Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman said it would brief Congress on the redeployment `` in the coming weeks '' and then consult Nato allies `` on the way forward '' .
The US move - which was first mooted in early June - has caused concern in Germany and among other Nato allies worried over possible Russian expansionism .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president 's directive , it will also enhance Russian deterrence , strengthen Nato , reassure allies , improve US strategic flexibility and US European Command 's operational flexibility , and take care of our service members and their families , '' Mr Hoffman said .
Mr Trump has previously complained that the US is bearing too great a cost for Nato and that other members states should spend more .
He singled out Germany for specific criticism .
The debate focuses around the target agreed by all alliance members that defence spending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gross domestic product , the total value of goods produced and services provided ) by 2024 .
`` Germany is paying a very small fraction of what they 're supposed to be paying , '' Mr Trump said during President Duda 's visit .
`` They should be paying 2 % and they 're paying a little bit more than 1 % , depending on how you calculate .
But if you assume they 're paying 1 % , that 's a tremendous delinquency . ''
The US military presence in Germany is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Allied occupation of the country .
Germany currently hosts by far the largest number of US forces in Europe , followed by Italy , the UK and Spain .
The headquarters for the US European and Africa commands are both currently based in Germany .
• Nato is the world 's most powerful defence alliance • It was set up in 1949 , after World War Two , amid anxiety over Soviet expansion • It was founded on the principle of collective defence between allies

"Germany is paying a very small fraction of what they're supposed to be paying," Mr Trump said during President Duda's visit. "They should be paying 2% and they're paying a little bit more than 1%, depending on how you calculate. But if you assume they're paying 1%, that's a tremendous delinquency."


bbc--2020-07-01--Oklahoma woman shot while trying to remove Nazi flag

A US woman has been shot while trying to remove a Nazi flag from someone 's front yard in the state of Oklahoma .
Garfield County Sheriff 's office said the woman had been at a party nearby when she took one of two flags being flown outside Alexander Feaster 's home .
Mr Feaster , 44 , then reportedly shot her in the back with a semi-automatic rifle as she ran away .
The 26-year-old woman is expected to recover from her injuries and Mr Feaster is being held in custody .
Sherriff Jody Helm said the woman was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gunshot wounds after deputies responded to a call early on Sunday morning .
Sherriff Helm initially suggested the woman had tried to steal the swastika-emblazoned flag for a dare , but in an interview with NBC News she said there was `` conflicting information '' surrounding the woman 's motive .
An affidavit seen by NBC News says `` several '' cameras at Mr Feaster 's home show he fired on the woman `` without warning '' .
A neighbour then moved a red pickup truck near the home to serve as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rifle on the property as a precaution while waiting for deputies to arrive .
Mr Feaster was later taken into custody without incident .
He has been charged with assault and battery with a deadly weapon , and shooting with intent to kill , and is due to appear in court on 9 July .
A neighbour told local radio KFOR that he had been flying the flags for around a year , and they had been snatched from his home a few times in the past .
They added that he would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a red swastika armband - an outfit reminiscent of Nazi SS uniforms .
But he was said to mostly keep to himself .
Another woman and friend of the victim said there had been `` no problems '' with Mr Feaster before , but that his flags were a cause for concern .
`` I feel like these flags are a disaster waiting to happen , '' she told the Enid News and Eagle .

A neighbour told local radio KFOR that he had been flying the flags for around a year, and they had been snatched from his home a few times in the past. They added that he would occasionally dress up in black uniform with a red swastika armband - an outfit reminiscent of Nazi SS uniforms. But he was said to mostly keep to himself.


bbc--2020-07-01--Johnson warns Israel against plans to annex part of West Bank

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has urged Israel not to go ahead with the annexation of part of the occupied West Bank , saying it would be illegal and `` contrary '' to the country 's interests .
His Israeli counterpart , Benjamin Netanyahu , set Wednesday as a possible start date for the process of applying Israeli sovereignty to Jewish settlements and the Jordan Valley .
But that plan seems to have stalled .
The Palestinians say it will destroy their hopes of a viable future state .
The Israeli move would be in line with US President Donald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plan for ending the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict that he unveiled in January .
Some 430,000 Jews live in more than 130 settlements ( and scores of smaller `` outposts '' ) built since Israel occupied the West Bank in the 1967 Middle East war .
The settlements are widely considered illegal under international law , though Israel - and the US under the Trump administration - denies this .
• Travelling the road to Israeli annexation in the West Bank Writing in the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth on Wednesday , Mr Johnson described @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Israel '' but warned that annexation would represent a violation of international law .
`` It would also be a gift to those who want to perpetuate the old stories about Israel . ''
The prime minister added : `` I profoundly hope that annexation does not go ahead .
If it does , the UK will not recognise any changes to the 1967 lines , except those agreed between both parties . ''
Mr Johnson said he was fearful that Mr Netanyahu 's proposals would `` fail in their objective of securing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contrary to Israel 's own long-term interests '' .
They would also `` put in jeopardy the progress that Israel has made in improving relationships with the Arab and Muslim world '' , he added .
The Palestinians want the West Bank as part of a future state and have rejected the Israeli proposals outright as a death blow to their hopes for self-determination .
The United Nations , the European Union and Arab countries have also called on Israel to scrap its annexation plans , saying they would violate international law , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and undercut the possibilities of renewing the Middle East peace process .
The international criticism has so far not deterred Mr Netanyahu .
He has stressed that he is planning to extend Israeli sovereignty only to territory that would remain part of Israel under any realistic peace settlement , and that he will not include territory that the Trump plan has designated for a future Palestinian state .
However , there are signs of rifts within Israel 's governing coalition over the timing of any annexation move , says the BBC 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US envoys on Tuesday , Mr Netanyahu said talks would continue `` in the coming days '' and appeared to play down the importance of Wednesday 's target date .
His former opponent-turned-coalition partner , Alternate Prime Minister Benny Gantz , also does not appear to be fully on board .
Asked if anything would happen on Wednesday , Mr Gantz replied simply that the sun would rise in the east and set in the west .
Earlier this week , he said dealing with the coronavirus pandemic and its socio-economic and health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that needs to be tended to right now '' .

Mr Johnson said he was fearful that Mr Netanyahu's proposals would "fail in their objective of securing Israel's borders" and "be contrary to Israel's own long-term interests". They would also "put in jeopardy the progress that Israel has made in improving relationships with the Arab and Muslim world", he added.


bbc--2020-07-01--Crucible: Amazon pulls 'boring' big-budget video game

Amazon has pulled its first major game release , putting it back into a testing phase after poor feedback from players .
Free-to-play shooter Crucible is now being put back into `` closed beta '' - a pre-release stage with a limited number of players .
Current players will be part of the beta , but new players will be unable to download the game without an invite .
Amazon said it had listened to player feedback and would `` continue to make the game better '' .
In May , when the game was about to be released , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ BBC the company wanted `` to make games that resonate with a very large audience of players '' .
`` Ultimately the players will get to decide whether or not we succeed… ultimately we do n't know how good it is until it gets out there , '' he said .
• Crucible : 'Can games be as fun to watch as they are to play ? '
• Is this the most accessible game ever ?
Crucible is a team-based competitive PC shooter , which entered a crowded market on its release @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which is dominated by Blizzard 's Overwatch , and a third-person viewpoint and free-to-play model similar to Fortnite .
Call of Duty : Warzone has become a major player in recent months , while the much-anticipated Valorant released in June .
And Ubisoft is expected to announced its own contender , a free-to-play battle royale shooter , in the coming days .
IGN 's review began by declaring the game `` like a monster assembled from dismembered design ideas from the world of e-sports '' , criticising its lack of focus .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ game 's technical performance and `` boring '' gameplay .
Weeks after its release , Crucible 's developers published a blog acknowledging some of the negative feedback , and admitting that `` there are features that we need to add as a top priority '' .
That was followed up by the announcement that the team was putting the game back into closed beta .
Deciding to pull the game from general release is rare but not unheard of , and some games have gone on to major success after a rocky launch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ online RPG , famously launched to terrible reviews , and its developers made the unprecedented decision to write a story leading up to an apocalypse which shut the game down .
It later re-released a hugely changed version of the same game to critical success .
And Fortnite began as a mildly successful survival shooter game .
Its landmark Battle Royale mode was added after release , going on to become one of the most popular games of all time .
Amazon is due to release its other tentpole game from another of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ World , in August .
But unlike Crucible , it will not try to attract players by being free-to-play - with the standard edition of the game currently on sale for £35 .

Crucible is a team-based competitive PC shooter, which entered a crowded market on its release. It uses a hero-centred roster concept, which is dominated by Blizzard's Overwatch, and a third-person viewpoint and free-to-play model similar to Fortnite. Call of Duty: Warzone has become a major player in recent months, while the much-anticipated Valorant released in June. And Ubisoft is expected to announced its own contender, a free-to-play battle royale shooter, in the coming days.


bbc--2020-07-01--Hachalu Hundessa: 'Fifty killed' in protests over Ethiopian singer's death

At least 50 people have been killed in Ethiopia after the death of a popular singer sparked huge protests in the Oromia region , a local official has told the BBC .
Thousands of fans had gathered to mourn Hachalu Hundessa , who was shot dead on Monday night while driving .
Police say 35 people , including prominent politician Jawar Mohammed , have been arrested .
But police say they have arrested two people in connection with the killing .
Hachalu , 34 , had recently said that he had received death threats .
He will be buried on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rights of the country 's Oromo ethnic group and became anthems in a wave of protests that led to the downfall of the previous prime minister in 2018 .
• The city cutting long hair and the internet Many people were injured in Tuesday 's protests and there was `` significant destruction to property , '' Getachew Balcha , the spokesperson for the Oromia regional government , told the BBC .
The authorities shut down the internet on Tuesday in parts of the country as the protests against his killing spread across Oromia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unrest on Wednesday .
Trouble started when Hachalu 's body was being transported to his native town of Ambo , west of the capital , Addis Ababa , for burial , but Mr Jawar and his supporters intercepted it and tried to return it to the capital .
Federal Police commissioner , Endeshaw Tassew , said on Tuesday that a stand-off ensued .
`` There was a disturbance between federal security forces and others , and in the process one member of the Oromia special police force was killed , '' Mr Endeshaw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mohammed have been put under arrest .
The security forces have taken eight Kalashnikovs , five pistols and nine radio transmitters from Jawar Mohammed 's car , '' he added .
Tiruneh Gemta , an official from Mr Jawar 's Oromo Federalist Congress party , told the BBC Afaan Oromoo service they were `` concerned '' about his arrest and that they have n't visited `` those who who arrested due to the security situation '' .
Mr Jawar , a media mogul , has led calls for more rights of the Oromo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who have been politically marginalised by previous governments .
He supported reformist Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed , himself an Oromo , but has since become an ardent critic .
'More than an entertainer' Hachalu was more than just a singer and entertainer .
He was a symbol for the Oromo people who spoke up about the political and economic marginalisation that they had suffered under consecutive Ethiopian regimes .
In one of his most famous songs , he sang : `` Do not wait for help to come from outside , a dream @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , make your horse ready and fight , you are the one close to the palace . ''
The musician had also been imprisoned for five years when he was 17 for taking part in protests .
Many like him fled into exile fearing persecution but he remained in the country and encouraged the youth to struggle .
What happened in the protests ?
In Adama , 90km ( 56 miles ) south-east of Addis Ababa , five people died on Tuesday after being shot during demonstrations and 75 others were injured , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ BBC Afaan Aromo .
In the eastern town of Chiro , two people were shot dead during protests , a medic at the local hospital told the BBC .
In the eastern city of Harar , protesters pulled down a statue of a royal prince - Ras Makonnen Wolde Mikael - who was the father of Haile Selassie , Ethiopia 's last emperor .
The statue shows Ras Makonnen , an important military figure and former governor of Harar province in the 19th Century under then-Emperor Menelik II , sitting on a horse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TV station Oromia Media Network , owned by Mr Jawar , Hachalu had said that people should remember that all the horses seen mounted by old leaders belonged to the people .
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed expressed his condolences saying in a tweet that Ethiopia `` lost a precious life today '' and describing the singer as `` marvellous '' .
The musician 's death and the protests come as political tensions rise following the indefinite postponement of elections due in August , on account of the coronavirus pandemic .
They would have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Abiy after he came to power in April 2018 .
Why have Oromos been protesting ?
The Oromo , Ethiopia 's largest ethnic group , have long complained of being sidelined .
Demonstrations erupted in 2016 and pressure built on the government .
He has brought in a series of reforms , which have transformed what was considered a very oppressive state .
He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019 primarily for making peace with long-time foe Eritrea , but his efforts in transforming Ethiopia were also recognised .


bbc--2020-07-01--YouTube cuts off Shane Dawson's ad money

YouTube has stopped allowing Shane Dawson to make money from adverts on his three channels , which have 34 million subscribers between them .
The decision comes after the vlogger apologised for having uploaded multiple offensive videos , including appearing in blackface and using racial slurs .
On Friday , Dawson posted a video titled Taking Accountability , in which he apologised for such content .
`` I should lose everything , '' he said .
`` I have put so much hate on the internet . ''
Dawson became one of the streaming giant 's original stars after launching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as an online shock jock of sorts .
The 31-year-old has 22.4 million subscribers on his main channel , but has lost almost a million subscribers in the past month , according to tracker Socialblade .
In the past , he has also posted videos insulting people living with disabilities , and joked about paedophilia and hypothetically murdering a woman .
YouTube confirmed to the BBC on Wednesday that it had indefinitely suspended monetisation on Dawson 's three channels .
According to the Google-owned platform , the impact and nature of his videos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after US retailer Target announced it was `` in the process of removing '' Dawson 's books , including I Hate Myselfie : A Collection of Essays by Shane Dawson , from its stores .
On Tuesday , fellow YouTuber Tati Westbrook published a video of her own accusing Dawson and another vlogger of having manipulated her .
Dawson was also criticised by actress Jada Pinkett Smith and son Jaden after an inappropriate video resurfaced relating to daughter Willow , made when she was aged 11 .
According to TubeFilter , which first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has taken similar steps in the past against Logan Paul after he posted a video showing an apparent suicide victim in Japan , and after JayStation faked his girlfriend 's death .
Follow us on Facebook , or on Twitter @ BBCNewsEnts .
If you have a story suggestion email entertainment.news @ bbc.co.uk .

According to TubeFilter, which first reported YouTube's action, the platform has taken similar steps in the past against Logan Paul after he posted a video showing an apparent suicide victim in Japan, and after JayStation faked his girlfriend's death.


bbc--2020-06-30--Eight things Will Ferrell's Eurovision movie gets wrong (and two it gets right)

Will Ferrell 's Eurovision movie , The Story of Fire Saga , was only released on Friday , but it 's already leapt to number one on Netflix 's most-watched movies chart .
The comedy follows the fortunes of an inept Icelandic band , Fire Saga - Lars Erickssong ( Will Ferrell ) and Sigrit Ericksdottir ( Rachel McAdams ) - who get the chance to fulfil a lifelong dream when they 're selected to enter the 2020 Eurovision Song Contest .
Written with obvious affection by Ferrell , the film is crammed full of Easter eggs and cameos for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called Moon Fang , whose horrific masks are a call-back to 2006 's Eurovision winners Lordi , while a sing-off in the middle of the film features guest appearances from real-life contestants Alexander Rybak , Conchita Wurst and Netta .
Ferrell 's character even performs inside a giant hamster wheel - just like Ukraine 's entrant in 2014 .
Despite US publications having to explain Eurovision to confused viewers , and reviewers turning up their noses , the film has already picked up a legion of fans .
On review aggregator Metacritic , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 , compared to 4.9 from critics .
But as with all films `` based on true events '' , The Story of Fire Saga takes a certain amount of dramatic licence with the facts .
Just for fun , here are a few moments where the film gets it wrong ... And two where it is surprisingly accurate .
Every film needs an inciting incident that sets the plot wheels turning - and Eurovision : The Story of Fire Saga does n't waste any time in that respect .
The opening scene @ @ @ @ @ @ @ watching Abba performing Waterloo at the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest .
Lars immediately ( and correctly ) falls in love with the band 's glam rock ode to the Napoleonic wars , and sets his sights on winning Eurovision himself one day .
But at that time , Iceland did n't take part in Eurovision .
In fact , they did n't even broadcast the contest live until 1983 , and only entered for the first time in 1986 .
The adults are also seen drinking beer as they watch the contest - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full-strength beer until 1989 .
Another by-product of using Abba 's victory as a framing device is that Fire Saga are in their 50s by the time they finally get to perform at Eurovision ( although Sigrit appears to have aged a lot slower than Lars ) .
That 's perfectly feasible , though : Eurovision 's oldest-ever singer was Natalya Pugacheva from Russia 's Buravno Grannies , who was 77 when she took part in 2012 .
An honourable mention also goes to Emil Ramsauer , who played double bass for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the age of 95 .
2 ) The Netherlands won Eurovision in 2019 , but the contest is being held in Scotland ... Fire Saga meet their competition for the first time at a party hosted by Russian entrant Alexander Lemtov ( Dan Stevens , chewing up the scenery like a particularly hungry sex kitten ) .
`` This Julia Jay , '' he purrs , introducing the UK contender in broken English .
`` She come number one in England 's Got Talent four years ago , so she quite good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ zero points . ''
It 's a well-observed gag - except that the 2020 contest is being held in Scotland meaning that ... er , the UK won Eurovision last year .
There are two ways to explain this one away : First of all , the UK could have stepped in as host if the real winners ( The Netherlands ) had declined to stage the competition .
This has happened six times in the past , although not since 1980 .
Alternatively , Fire Saga are competing in an alternate timeline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the UK , and seen their Eurovision chances recover as a result .
They probably sent The Proclaimers .
3 ) The performers keep breaking the rules Eurovision has a lot of archaic rules , mostly designed to keep an incredibly complex live TV show from going off the rails .
Unencumbered by those constraints , the film takes a few minor liberties when it recreates the contest .
Sweden 's act , Johnny John John , has seven performers on stage when the maximum is six ( gasp ! )
.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and plugged in , so he can play live - which is actually forbidden ( double gasp ! )
.
And most egregiously of all , Fire Saga 's song Double Trouble lasts three minutes and 22 seconds , exceeding the maximum permissible length by almost half-a-minute .
( Mér er ofboðið ! )
4 ) The scoring is all wonky As Eurovision fans know , the contest actually stretches over five days , with two semi-finals preceding the grand finale .
From each of those heats , 10 acts stay in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sent home .
In the film , Fire Saga 's semi-final performance goes disastrously wrong - and they retreat to the backstage area , certain that their dreams are over , to watch the scores coming in .
But in real life , the scores are n't revealed during the semi-final .
Instead , they 're kept secret until the entire contest has ended , to ensure there are no clear favourites going into the final .
In the film-makers ' defence , the voting sequence serves a dramatic purpose - ramping up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fire Saga as the film enters its third act .
But there 's a continuity error that 's illogical at best , and careless at worst ... Every time a country awards points to Iceland , their score is shown to be zero .
But Eurovision points are cumulative , so you would expect to see their total rise as more votes were cast .
What 's more , the scoreboard shows Germany , Spain and the UK taking part in the semi-final when , in reality , all three qualify automatically for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ big five '' financial contributors .
In the screenshot above , you might also notice that The Netherlands appear to have entered the contest twice .
Is that what 's known as `` double Dutch '' ?
Films often take liberties with the layout of a city , but Fire Saga really takes the biscuit ( or in this case the Highland Shortbread ) .
For a start , Dan Stevens ' character owns a lavish Scottish mansion that offers sweeping , panoramic views of Arthur 's Seat and Edinburgh Castle .
To @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the castle would have to be located at the top of Calton Hill in the city centre - which would mean he 'd built his house on a world heritage site , over the top of the Nelson Monument .
( In reality , the mansion was Knebworth House , 367 miles away in Stevenage , and the backdrops were added in post-production . )
Causing more confusion for cartographers everywhere , the film 's performance segments were clearly filmed at Glasgow 's Hydro Arena - which has somehow been picked up and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bridge ( which Ferrell apparently reaches via Edinburgh 's Royal Mile , on the other side of town ) .
It 's almost as bad as the time Thor caught the London Underground .
When Terry Wogan stood down from the commentary box in 2008 , after 35 years , few expected that Graham Norton would fit so snugly into his shoes .
Yet over the last 12 years , the presenter has proved wonderfully adept at guiding us through the night , with his eyebrows permanently set to , `` oh , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to get someone to dress as a gorilla , '' he commented on Italy 's 2017 performance , `` at least get a decent outfit .
That looks like couple of old car seats sewn together . ''
But no matter how dire a performance gets , Norton never talks over it , allowing viewers to absorb every excruciating moment .
The film throws that rule out the window , however , and has Norton providing commentary for every act while they 're on stage .
He even swears , which would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Ofcom .
8 ) The hosts are n't from the host country Each year , the host country chooses two ( or more ) presenters to helm the four-hour Eurovision extravaganza .
Traditionally they are awkward , stilted , cursed with the worst script known to mankind , and completely unknown outside their home country - although honourable exceptions include A-Ha 's Morten Harket , Boyzone 's Ronan Keating and Israeli supermodel Bar Rafaeli .
So it seems unlikely that the BBC would choose the heavily-accented `` Corin Ladvitch '' and `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if it took place in Scotland .
For reference , the last time the UK hosted Eurovision in ( unravels scroll of parchment ) 1998 , the presenters were Terry Wogan and Ulrika Jonsson .
These days , we 'd probably see Graham Norton , Mel Giedroyc or Dermot O'Leary helming the show for the Beeb .
... And two things it gets right In an early scene , Lars and Sigrit are standing on the docks of their hometown of Húsavík in North Iceland , when two humpback whales breach the surface @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the air .
While they 're clearly CGI ( the water would be too shallow ) , humpback and orca whales are common visitors to the area , and regular whale watching trips set sail from the nearby Skjálfandi bay .
You can see footage of humpbacks in Húsavík here and some amazing stills on photographer Daniel Enchev 's Flickr stream .
You might also be surprised to learn that the film 's sub-plot about Elves who assist Fire Saga in their journey to Eurovision has some basis in fact .
According to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iceland , more than 60 % of the nation believes in the existence of Huldufólk , or hidden people , who occasionally lend a helping hand to humans .
You can read more about the phenomenon on the BBC Travel website .
Or maybe you 'd just prefer to watch Ja Ja Ding Dong for the 90th time .
Today .
Follow us on Facebook , or on Twitter @ BBCNewsEnts .
If you have a story suggestion email entertainment.news @ bbc.co.uk .

Eight things Will Ferrell's Eurovision movie gets wrong (and two it gets right) Published 1 July 2020
Image source, Netlfix Image caption, Graham Norton makes a cameo, in his usual role of Eurovision commentator
Will Ferrell's Eurovision movie, The Story of Fire Saga, was only released on Friday, but it's already leapt to number one on Netflix's most-watched movies chart.
The comedy follows the fortunes of an inept Icelandic band, Fire Saga - Lars Erickssong (Will Ferrell) and Sigrit Ericksdottir (Rachel McAdams) - who get the chance to fulfil a lifelong dream when they're selected to enter the 2020 Eurovision Song Contest.
Written with obvious affection by Ferrell, the film is crammed full of Easter eggs and cameos for long-time fans.
It features a band called Moon Fang, whose horrific masks are a call-back to 2006's Eurovision winners Lordi, while a sing-off in the middle of the film features guest appearances from real-life contestants Alexander Rybak, Conchita Wurst and Netta.
Ferrell's character even performs inside a giant hamster wheel - just like Ukraine's entrant in 2014.
Image source, Netflix
Despite US publications having to explain Eurovision to confused viewers, and reviewers turning up their noses, the film has already picked up a legion of fans.
On review aggregator Metacritic, viewers have rated it 7.8 out of 10, compared to 4.9 from critics.
But as with all films "based on true events", The Story of Fire Saga takes a certain amount of dramatic licence with the facts.
Just for fun, here are a few moments where the film gets it wrong... And two where it is surprisingly accurate.
1) The first scene instantly raises questions...
Image source, Netflix
Every film needs an inciting incident that sets the plot wheels turning - and Eurovision: The Story of Fire Saga doesn't waste any time in that respect.
The opening scene finds Lars and Sigrit as children, watching Abba performing Waterloo at the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest.
Lars immediately (and correctly) falls in love with the band's glam rock ode to the Napoleonic wars, and sets his sights on winning Eurovision himself one day.
But at that time, Iceland didn't take part in Eurovision. In fact, they didn't even broadcast the contest live until 1983, and only entered for the first time in 1986.
The adults are also seen drinking beer as they watch the contest - but Iceland had strict prohibition laws outlawing full-strength beer until 1989.
Another by-product of using Abba's victory as a framing device is that Fire Saga are in their 50s by the time they finally get to perform at Eurovision (although Sigrit appears to have aged a lot slower than Lars).
That's perfectly feasible, though: Eurovision's oldest-ever singer was Natalya Pugacheva from Russia's Buravno Grannies, who was 77 when she took part in 2012. An honourable mention also goes to Emil Ramsauer, who played double bass for the Swiss entry, Takasa, in 2013 at the age of 95.
2) The Netherlands won Eurovision in 2019, but the contest is being held in Scotland...
Image source, Netflix
Fire Saga meet their competition for the first time at a party hosted by Russian entrant Alexander Lemtov (Dan Stevens, chewing up the scenery like a particularly hungry sex kitten).
"This Julia Jay," he purrs, introducing the UK contender in broken English.
"She come number one in England's Got Talent four years ago, so she quite good - but everyone hates UK, so zero points."
It's a well-observed gag - except that the 2020 contest is being held in Scotland meaning that... er, the UK won Eurovision last year.
There are two ways to explain this one away: First of all, the UK could have stepped in as host if the real winners (The Netherlands) had declined to stage the competition. This has happened six times in the past, although not since 1980.
Alternatively, Fire Saga are competing in an alternate timeline where Scotland has devolved from the rest of the UK, and seen their Eurovision chances recover as a result. They probably sent The Proclaimers.
3) The performers keep breaking the rules
Image source, Netflix
Eurovision has a lot of archaic rules, mostly designed to keep an incredibly complex live TV show from going off the rails. Unencumbered by those constraints, the film takes a few minor liberties when it recreates the contest.
Sweden's act, Johnny John John, has seven performers on stage when the maximum is six (gasp!).
Lars's piano is actually wired up and plugged in, so he can play live - which is actually forbidden (double gasp!).
And most egregiously of all, Fire Saga's song Double Trouble lasts three minutes and 22 seconds, exceeding the maximum permissible length by almost half-a-minute. (Mér er ofboðið!)
4) The scoring is all wonky
Image source, Netflix
As Eurovision fans know, the contest actually stretches over five days, with two semi-finals preceding the grand finale. From each of those heats, 10 acts stay in the competition, and the rest are unceremoniously sent home.
In the film, Fire Saga's semi-final performance goes disastrously wrong - and they retreat to the backstage area, certain that their dreams are over, to watch the scores coming in.
But in real life, the scores aren't revealed during the semi-final. Instead, they're kept secret until the entire contest has ended, to ensure there are no clear favourites going into the final.
In the film-makers' defence, the voting sequence serves a dramatic purpose - ramping up the tension and raising the stakes for Fire Saga as the film enters its third act.
But there's a continuity error that's illogical at best, and careless at worst...
5) Iceland's score keeps resetting
Image source, Netflix
Every time a country awards points to Iceland, their score is shown to be zero. But Eurovision points are cumulative, so you would expect to see their total rise as more votes were cast.
What's more, the scoreboard shows Germany, Spain and the UK taking part in the semi-final when, in reality, all three qualify automatically for the finale as part of the "big five" financial contributors.
In the screenshot above, you might also notice that The Netherlands appear to have entered the contest twice. Is that what's known as "double Dutch"?
6) Edinburgh's geography makes no sense
Image source, Netflix
Films often take liberties with the layout of a city, but Fire Saga really takes the biscuit (or in this case the Highland Shortbread).
For a start, Dan Stevens' character owns a lavish Scottish mansion that offers sweeping, panoramic views of Arthur's Seat and Edinburgh Castle.
To get those views in real life, the castle would have to be located at the top of Calton Hill in the city centre - which would mean he'd built his house on a world heritage site, over the top of the Nelson Monument. (In reality, the mansion was Knebworth House, 367 miles away in Stevenage, and the backdrops were added in post-production.)
Image source, Netflix
Causing more confusion for cartographers everywhere, the film's performance segments were clearly filmed at Glasgow's Hydro Arena - which has somehow been picked up and deposited at the end of Edinburgh's George IV Bridge.
It's almost as bad as the time Thor caught the London Underground.
7) Graham Norton keeps interrupting the songs
When Terry Wogan stood down from the commentary box in 2008, after 35 years, few expected that Graham Norton would fit so snugly into his shoes.
Yet over the last 12 years, the presenter has proved wonderfully adept at guiding us through the night, with his eyebrows permanently set to, "oh, really?"
"If you're going to get someone to dress as a gorilla," he commented on Italy's 2017 performance, "at least get a decent outfit. That looks like couple of old car seats sewn together."
But no matter how dire a performance gets, Norton never talks over it, allowing viewers to absorb every excruciating moment.
The film throws that rule out the window, however, and has Norton providing commentary for every act while they're on stage. He even swears, which would get him into all sorts of trouble with Ofcom.
8) The hosts aren't from the host country
Image source, Netflix
Each year, the host country chooses two (or more) presenters to helm the four-hour Eurovision extravaganza.
Traditionally they are awkward, stilted, cursed with the worst script known to mankind, and completely unknown outside their home country - although honourable exceptions include A-Ha's Morten Harket, Boyzone's Ronan Keating and Israeli supermodel Bar Rafaeli.
So it seems unlikely that the BBC would choose the heavily-accented "Corin Ladvitch" and "Sasha More" to helm the show if it took place in Scotland.
For reference, the last time the UK hosted Eurovision in (unravels scroll of parchment) 1998, the presenters were Terry Wogan and Ulrika Jonsson. These days, we'd probably see Graham Norton, Mel Giedroyc or Dermot O'Leary helming the show for the Beeb.
...And two things it gets right
Image source, Netflix
In an early scene, Lars and Sigrit are standing on the docks of their hometown of Húsavík in North Iceland, when two humpback whales breach the surface of the Greenland Sea and soar into the air.
While they're clearly CGI (the water would be too shallow), humpback and orca whales are common visitors to the area, and regular whale watching trips set sail from the nearby Skjálfandi bay.
You can see footage of humpbacks in Húsavík here and some amazing stills on photographer Daniel Enchev's Flickr stream.
You might also be surprised to learn that the film's sub-plot about Elves who assist Fire Saga in their journey to Eurovision has some basis in fact.
According to a 2007 study by the University of Iceland, more than 60% of the nation believes in the existence of Huldufólk, or hidden people, who occasionally lend a helping hand to humans.
You can read more about the phenomenon on the BBC Travel website. Or maybe you'd just prefer to watch Ja Ja Ding Dong for the 90th time. Today.
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bbc--2020-06-30--Met Gala challenge paper dress goes viral

For fashion student Karina Bondareva , lockdown couldn ’ t have come at a worse time , as she was @ @ @ @ @ fashion assistant at the prestigious Met Gala in New York .
Instead she ended up @ @ @ @ @ using only red paper and a glue stick , after seeing an online challenge from @ @ @ @

For fashion student Karina Bondareva, lockdown couldn’t have come at a worse time, as she was due to help as a fashion assistant at the prestigious Met Gala in New York.
Instead she ended up recreating a spectacular dress, using only red paper and a glue stick, after seeing an online challenge from fashionista Billy Porter.
Video journalist: Sophie van Brugen.


bbc--2020-07-01--Leon Panetta: Russian bounties close to 'act of war' with US

Trump 's Thanksgiving with US troops in Afghanistan The president paid a surprise visit to US soldiers and said the @ @ @ @ @ been engaged in talks .

'I was with the Taliban for one year' Video, 00:03:24'I was with the Taliban for one year'