bbc--2020-04-15--Coronavirus: Trump's WHO de-funding 'as dangerous as it sounds'

US President Donald Trump has been heavily criticised for halting funding for the World Health Organization ( WHO ) amid the global coronavirus pandemic .
Philanthropist Bill Gates , a major funder of the WHO , said it was `` as dangerous as it sounds '' .
President Trump said on Tuesday that the body had `` failed in its basic duty '' in its response to coronavirus .
The head of the WHO said it was reviewing the cuts ' impact `` to ensure our work continues uninterrupted '' .
`` We regret the decision of the President of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the funding to the WHO , '' Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a press conference , adding that the US has been `` a long-standing and generous friend ... and we hope it will continue to be so '' .
Earlier on Twitter he said the agency 's `` singular focus '' was to stop the outbreak .
UN Secretary General António Guterres said it was `` not the time '' to cut funds to the WHO , which `` is absolutely critical to the world 's efforts to win the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Trump right to criticise the WHO ?
Mr Trump has accused the WHO of making deadly mistakes and overly trusting China .
`` I am directing my administration to halt funding while a review is conducted to assess the World Health Organization 's role in severely mismanaging and covering up the spread of the coronavirus , '' Mr Trump told reporters on Tuesday .
A White House statement on Wednesday said the agency had `` failed '' the US people .
`` The American people deserve better from the WHO , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its mismanagement , cover-ups and failures can be investigated , '' it read .
Mr Trump has been under fire for his own handling of the pandemic .
He has sought to deflect persistent criticism that he acted too slowly to stop the virus 's spread by pointing to his decision in late January to place restrictions on travel from China .
He has accused the WHO of having `` criticised '' that decision , an apparent reference to general advice from the agency against travel restrictions .
The US is the global @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gave it more than $ 400m in 2019 .
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation , which is funding Covid-19 treatment and vaccine research , is the second-largest funder .
A decision on whether the US resumes funding will be made after the review , which Mr Trump said would last 60 to 90 days .
• A spokesman for UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said there were `` no plans '' to halt funding and said the WHO had `` an important role to play in leading the global health response '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country apart from the US • Germany 's foreign minister Heiko Mass tweeted that strengthening the `` under-funded '' WHO was one of the best investments that could be made at this time • Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said that the decision would `` undermine international co-operation '' in fighting the virus • The American Medical Association said it was a `` dangerous step in the wrong direction '' • There was no justification for the move at a time when the WHO was `` needed more than ever '' , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Josep Borrell • Australian PM Scott Morrison said he sympathised with Mr Trump 's criticisms but that the WHO also does `` a lot of important work '' • New Zealand leader Jacinda Ardern said the WHO had provided `` advice we can rely on '' • The president was doing `` whatever it takes to deflect from the fact that his administration mismanaged this crisis '' , said Democratic representative Eliot Engel • The decision was `` exactly right '' , said US Senator Josh Hawley , among many Republicans who share @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The US has by far the highest number of coronavirus cases and deaths worldwide - with more than 600,000 cases and 26,000 deaths .
Mr Trump accused the WHO of having failed to adequately assess the outbreak when it first emerged in the city of Wuhan , losing precious time .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : How do I protect myself ?
• AVOIDING CONTACT : The rules on self-isolation and exercise • STRESS : How to look after your mental health '' Had the WHO done its job to get medical experts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the ground and to call out China 's lack of transparency , the outbreak could have been contained at its source with very little death , '' he told reporters .
`` This would have saved thousands of lives and avoided worldwide economic damage .
Instead , the WHO willingly took China 's assurances to face value ... and defended the actions of the Chinese government . ''
What is the WHO - and who funds it ?
• Founded in 1948 and based in Geneva , Switzerland , it is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Has 194 member states , and aims to `` promote health , keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable '' • Involved in vaccination campaigns , health emergencies and supporting countries in primary care • Funded by a combination of members ' fees based on wealth and population , and voluntary contributions • US provided 15 % of its 2018-19 budget - with more than $ 400m Chinese officials initially covered up the outbreak of the virus in Wuhan , and punished whistleblowers who tried to raise the alarm .
Beijing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ zones on an unprecedented scale , drawing effusive praise from the WHO and Mr Tedros .
But WHO experts were only allowed to visit China and investigate the outbreak on 10 February , by which time the country had more than 40,000 cases .
White House reporters pointed out , however , that Mr Trump himself had praised China 's response to the outbreak and downplayed the danger of the virus at home long after the WHO had declared a `` public health emergency of international concern '' .
Why has the WHO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first time the WHO 's response to the outbreak has come under scrutiny .
On 14 January , the organisation tweeted that preliminary Chinese investigations had found `` no clear evidence of human-to-human transmission '' of the new virus .
Mr Trump and others have used the tweet to attack the WHO for simply believing China , despite evidence to the contrary .
But about a week after that tweet , on 22 January , the agency released a public statement saying that human-to-human transmission did appear to be taking place in Wuhan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the same day it declared a public health emergency , the WHO said that travel restrictions were not needed to stop the spread of Covid-19 - advice that was eventually ignored by most countries , including by the Trump administration the next day .
• The man leading the fight against the coronavirus In March , the UN agency was also accused of being unduly influenced by China after a senior official refused to discuss Taiwan 's response to the outbreak .
Meanwhile , some health experts also say that the WHO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to public confusion .
Other frequently-made criticisms of the WHO more generally are that it is constrained by politics and a sprawling bureaucracy .
It came under particular fire for its response to the 2014-16 Ebola outbreak in West Africa and how long it took to declare a public health emergency , leading the organisation to announce reforms in response .

Coronavirus: Trump's WHO de-funding 'as dangerous as it sounds' Published 15 April 2020
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Media caption, "When we are divided, the virus exploits the cracks between us," the WHO director-general said
US President Donald Trump has been heavily criticised for halting funding for the World Health Organization (WHO) amid the global coronavirus pandemic.
Philanthropist Bill Gates, a major funder of the WHO, said it was "as dangerous as it sounds".
President Trump said on Tuesday that the body had "failed in its basic duty" in its response to coronavirus.
The head of the WHO said it was reviewing the cuts' impact "to ensure our work continues uninterrupted".
"We regret the decision of the President of the United States to order a halt in the funding to the WHO," Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a press conference, adding that the US has been "a long-standing and generous friend... and we hope it will continue to be so".
Earlier on Twitter he said the agency's "singular focus" was to stop the outbreak.
UN Secretary General António Guterres said it was "not the time" to cut funds to the WHO, which "is absolutely critical to the world's efforts to win the war against Covid-19".
Mr Trump has accused the WHO of making deadly mistakes and overly trusting China.
"I am directing my administration to halt funding while a review is conducted to assess the World Health Organization's role in severely mismanaging and covering up the spread of the coronavirus," Mr Trump told reporters on Tuesday.
A White House statement on Wednesday said the agency had "failed" the US people.
"The American people deserve better from the WHO, and no more funding will be provided until its mismanagement, cover-ups and failures can be investigated," it read.
Mr Trump has been under fire for his own handling of the pandemic. He has sought to deflect persistent criticism that he acted too slowly to stop the virus's spread by pointing to his decision in late January to place restrictions on travel from China.
He has accused the WHO of having "criticised" that decision, an apparent reference to general advice from the agency against travel restrictions.
The US is the global health body's largest single funder and gave it more than $400m in 2019. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which is funding Covid-19 treatment and vaccine research, is the second-largest funder.
This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser. View original content on Twitter The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Skip twitter post by Bill Gates Allow Twitter content? This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’. Accept and continue The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. End of twitter post by Bill Gates
A decision on whether the US resumes funding will be made after the review, which Mr Trump said would last 60 to 90 days.
In other reaction:
A spokesman for UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said there were "no plans" to halt funding and said the WHO had "an important role to play in leading the global health response". The UK gives most of any country apart from the US
Germany's foreign minister Heiko Mass tweeted that strengthening the "under-funded" WHO was one of the best investments that could be made at this time
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said that the decision would "undermine international co-operation" in fighting the virus
The American Medical Association said it was a "dangerous step in the wrong direction"
There was no justification for the move at a time when the WHO was "needed more than ever", said the EU's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell
Australian PM Scott Morrison said he sympathised with Mr Trump's criticisms but that the WHO also does "a lot of important work"
New Zealand leader Jacinda Ardern said the WHO had provided "advice we can rely on"
The president was doing "whatever it takes to deflect from the fact that his administration mismanaged this crisis", said Democratic representative Eliot Engel
The decision was "exactly right", said US Senator Josh Hawley, among many Republicans who share Mr Trump's views on the WHO
What is Donald Trump's argument?
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Media caption, Trump said the WHO had "failed in its basic duty"
The US has by far the highest number of coronavirus cases and deaths worldwide - with more than 600,000 cases and 26,000 deaths.
Mr Trump accused the WHO of having failed to adequately assess the outbreak when it first emerged in the city of Wuhan, losing precious time.
"Had the WHO done its job to get medical experts into China to objectively assess the situation on the ground and to call out China's lack of transparency, the outbreak could have been contained at its source with very little death," he told reporters.
"This would have saved thousands of lives and avoided worldwide economic damage. Instead, the WHO willingly took China's assurances to face value... and defended the actions of the Chinese government."
What is the WHO - and who funds it?
Founded in 1948 and based in Geneva, Switzerland, it is the UN agency responsible for global public health
Has 194 member states, and aims to "promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable"
Involved in vaccination campaigns, health emergencies and supporting countries in primary care
Funded by a combination of members' fees based on wealth and population, and voluntary contributions
US provided 15% of its 2018-19 budget - with more than $400m
China gave about $86m in 2018-19
Chinese officials initially covered up the outbreak of the virus in Wuhan, and punished whistleblowers who tried to raise the alarm. Beijing later imposed draconian restrictions, including quarantine zones on an unprecedented scale, drawing effusive praise from the WHO and Mr Tedros.
But WHO experts were only allowed to visit China and investigate the outbreak on 10 February, by which time the country had more than 40,000 cases.
White House reporters pointed out, however, that Mr Trump himself had praised China's response to the outbreak and downplayed the danger of the virus at home long after the WHO had declared a "public health emergency of international concern".
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Why has the WHO faced criticism?
It is not the first time the WHO's response to the outbreak has come under scrutiny.
On 14 January, the organisation tweeted that preliminary Chinese investigations had found "no clear evidence of human-to-human transmission" of the new virus.
Mr Trump and others have used the tweet to attack the WHO for simply believing China, despite evidence to the contrary. But about a week after that tweet, on 22 January, the agency released a public statement saying that human-to-human transmission did appear to be taking place in Wuhan.
At the end of January, on the same day it declared a public health emergency, the WHO said that travel restrictions were not needed to stop the spread of Covid-19 - advice that was eventually ignored by most countries, including by the Trump administration the next day.
In March, the UN agency was also accused of being unduly influenced by China after a senior official refused to discuss Taiwan's response to the outbreak.
Meanwhile, some health experts also say that the WHO's guidance on face masks has led to public confusion.


bbc--2020-04-15--Coronavirus: Is President Trump right to criticise the WHO?

US President Donald Trump has accused the World Health Organization ( WHO ) of mismanaging and covering up the spread of the coronavirus after it emerged in China .
He added he would halt WHO funding while his administration reviewed its actions .
Peter Piot , from London 's School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine , said this would be `` dangerous and short-sighted '' But does Mr Trump have a point about the WHO 's response to the virus ?
What does the WHO do ?
Set up in 1948 , it is the part of the UN responsible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaigns , health emergencies and supporting countries with primary healthcare .
It is funded by fees and voluntary contributions from its 194 member states , with the US the largest single contributor .
Did the WHO fail to challenge China ?
President Trump has accused the WHO of failing to challenge China 's early assertion there was no evidence of human-to-human transmission of the coronavirus .
China first informed the WHO of `` a pneumonia of an unknown cause , on 31 December '' .
On 5 January , the organisation said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time showed there was `` no evidence of significant human-to-human transmission '' .
And on 14 January , it tweeted preliminary Chinese investigations had found `` no clear evidence of human-to-human transmission '' of the new virus .
The same day , however , the Wuhan Health Commission said the possibility of limited human-to-human transmission could not be excluded , although the risk of sustained transmission was low .
Around the same time , other WHO statements raised the possibility of some human-to-human transmission , referring to what was known about other coronaviruses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sars ) .
And on 22 January , the WHO , following a brief field visit , made a much clearer statement human-to-human transmission was happening in Wuhan .
Although , it 's worth saying a full delegation with international experts did not visit China until the second week of February .
Then at the end of January , the WHO praised China for its efforts to contain the virus , including its `` commitment to transparency '' .
Did the WHO ignore experts from Taiwan ?
Mr Trump said there was `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ December '' , an apparent reference to a warning Taiwan says it sent to the WHO .
Taiwanese scientists had visited Wuhan shortly after the virus first emerged .
But the evidence published so far shows Taiwan 's exchanges with the WHO did not mention human-to-human transmission .
• Why Taiwan has become a problem for WHO Taiwan is not one of the WHO 's members as the territory is not recognised by the UN .
The WHO says it has been sharing all information with Taiwanese health experts .
But last month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discuss Taiwan 's response to the outbreak , the WHO was accused of being unduly influenced by China .
`` Constructive criticism of the WHO 's effusive praise for China is warranted , '' public health expert Lawrence Gostin told BBC News .
`` The WHO should have been more critical and looked more closely at the situation . ''
But he added President Trump 's remarks were an attempt to shift blame for the US 's own lack of preparedness .
The WHO has said in response to Mr Trump that it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that all its guidance was intended to limit human transmission .
And although the WHO has been criticised for praising China 's initial response to the virus , Mr Trump himself praised the Chinese , in a tweet , on 24 January .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : How do I protect myself ?
• AVOIDING CONTACT : The rules on self-isolation and exercise • STRESS : How to look after your mental health However , Chinese officials did initially try to cover up the outbreak in Wuhan and silence those raising concerns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bans ?
Mr Trump said the WHO had misadvised `` there was no need for travel bans '' and `` fought '' with the US over banning travel from China and other countries .
The WHO has never directly criticised the US approach and it is up to national governments to implement border or travel restrictions .
But it did publish initial advice , on 10 January , recommending no international restrictions and repeated this the same day it declared a public health emergency , in late January .
The WHO has said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and goods during public health emergencies is ineffective in most situations . ''
It believes closing borders could lead to a rise in people trying to travel illegally and so possibly spread rather than stop infection .
But this advice was eventually ignored by most countries , including the US , where Mr Trump stopped all foreign nationals who had been in China in the 14 days prior from entering the US from 2 February .
Mr Trump has said this reduced the spread in the US .
And the White House 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , has said : `` Our shutting off travel from China and , more recently , travel from Europe has gone a long way to not seeding very , very intensively the virus in our country . ''
But a study published in February by the Journal of Emergency Management found travel bans had been effective in decreasing the spread of previous viruses , such as Ebola and Sars , in the short term only .

And this was reconfirmed in a statement at the end of February, saying travel bans were not usually that effective and could have an adverse social and economic impact, although they might be justified for a short period of time at the start of an outbreak.


bbc--2020-04-15--Coronavirus: Why has NYC death toll suddenly surged?

New York City 's death count has spiked to more than 10,000 after adding 3,778 people who likely had Covid-19 , but died without being tested .
Firefighters and paramedics had been recording drastic increases in deaths at home around the city , assumed to be caused by the virus .
The new figures , from the city 's Health Department , mark a 60 % rise in deaths .
In terms of per-capita death rate , New York City has now outpaced Italy - home to the highest death toll in Europe .
`` Behind every death is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loved one .
We are focused on ensuring that every New Yorker who died because of Covid-19 gets counted , '' said the city 's health commissioner , Dr Oxiris Barbot .
The revised count brings New York 's total virus fatalities to 10,367 .
Why has this happened ?
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday said that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) had changed guidelines for how coronavirus deaths were to be recorded .
`` They want deaths , and then another category of probable deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be administered by local health departments or coroners .
He added that people who passed away outside of a hospital or nursing home may have been missed in previous counts .
Mark Levine , chair of the city 's Heath Council that even these adjusted numbers were likely an undercount .
• The young doctors being asked to play god • 'Like 9/11 every day ' : A New York paramedic 's diary '' There were an additional 3,017 deaths above normal levels in past month , not known to be connected to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` There is only one explanation for this increase : direct & indirect victims of the pandemic . ''
How does this affect the official death toll ?
It 's unclear .
Mr Cuomo said the state will work with local agencies to publish revised numbers `` as soon as we can '' .
As of yet , the coronavirus database from Johns Hopkins University - used as the definitive count by many US states and news outlets , including the BBC - has not changed its tally to include `` presumed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reflect the tragic impact that the virus has had on our city , they will also help us to determine the scale and scope of the epidemic and guide us in our decisions , '' Dr Barbot said .
What are other states doing ?
Since the start of March - before New York City reported its first death - the CDC asked local governments to record `` assumed '' coronavirus infections on death certificates .
But so far , the application has been inconsistent .
Municipalities in Connecticut , Ohio and Delaware @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infection is assumed but not confirmed with a test , Dr Barbot told the New York Times , while officials in California and Seattle only count virus deaths if proven with a positive test .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : How do I protect myself ?
• AVOIDING CONTACT : The rules on self-isolation and exercise • STRESS : How to look after your mental health

"While these data reflect the tragic impact that the virus has had on our city, they will also help us to determine the scale and scope of the epidemic and guide us in our decisions," Dr Barbot said.


bbc--2020-04-15--Do celebrities still matter in a crisis?

Why we touch our faces and how to stop doing it We speak to a psychologist about the habit at @ @ @ @ @ spread .

Psychologist Donna Rockwell is an expert on celebrity culture and she takes us through the good and bad.
Video by Hannah Long-Higgins


bbc--2020-04-15--Coronavirus: Captain Tom Moore's NHS fundraiser tops £10m

A 99-year-old war veteran who is walking 100 laps of his garden before he turns 100 has raised more than £10m for the NHS .
Tom Moore originally wanted to raise £1,000 for NHS Charities Together by completing laps of his garden .
But he has now topped 10,000 times his initial target thanks to donations from nearly 500,000 people online .
Health Secretary Matt Hancock earlier thanked Mr Moore for his efforts and said he was `` an inspiration to us all '' .
Mr Moore began raising funds to thank the `` magnificent '' NHS staff who helped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ broken hip .
With the aid of a walking frame , he aimed to walk 100 laps of the 25-metre ( 82ft ) loop in his garden in Marston Moretaine , Bedfordshire , in 10-lap chunks , before his 100th birthday .
`` Every penny that we get , they [ the NHS ] deserve every one of it , '' he said , as the total exceeded the £5m mark earlier .
NHS Charities Together , which support health service charities and will benefit from the funds , said it was `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 490,000 people from around the world have donated money to his fundraising page since it was set up last week .
Mr Moore , who is originally from Keighley in West Yorkshire , trained as a civil engineer before enlisting in the Army for World War Two , rising to captain and serving in India and Burma .
When the fund hit £5m earlier Mr Moore 's daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore told the BBC the amount raised was `` beyond our wildest expectations '' .
At the government 's daily press conference the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , you 're an inspiration to us all , and we thank you . ''
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : How do I protect myself ?
• AVOIDING CONTACT : The rules on self-isolation and exercise • MAPS AND CHARTS : Visual guide to the outbreak • STRESS : How to look after your mental health Find BBC News : East of England on Facebook , Instagram and Twitter .
If you have a story suggestion email eastofenglandnews @ bbc.co.uk

The veteran said plans for his 100th birthday party in two weeks' time have been affected by the pandemic but that the national outpouring of love and support for him was "a party enough for me".


bbc--2020-04-15--Biden campaign denies ex-aide's sexual assault allegation

Former Vice-President Joe Biden has denied an allegation that he sexually assaulted a former aide nearly 30 years ago as a US senator .
Tara Reade , who worked briefly as a staff assistant in Mr Biden 's office , has said that her former boss forced her against a wall , putting his hands under her shirt and skirt .
`` This absolutely did not happen , '' Mr Biden 's campaign said this week .
Mr Biden , 77 , is now the presumptive Democratic nominee for president .
`` He firmly believes that women have a right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' said his campaign spokeswoman .
`` Such claims should also be diligently reviewed by an independent press .
What is clear about this claim : It is untrue . ''
Ms Reade , 56 , described the allegation in an interview with podcast host Katie Halper in March .
She was asked to deliver a gym bag to the senator in the spring of 1993 , she said , and found herself alone with Mr Biden .
`` There was no exchange , really , he just had me up against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ms Halper .
`` I remember it happened all at once ... his hands were on me and underneath my clothes . ''
He then penetrated her with his fingers , she said .
`` I remember him saying , first , as he was doing it 'Do you want to go somewhere else ? '
and then him saying to me , when I pulled away ... he said 'Come on man , I heard you liked me , ' '' she said .
`` That phrase stayed with me . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ women 's rights in her eyes made the experience all the more shattering , she said .
Ms Reade filed a criminal complaint on 9 April with police , saying she was a victim of sexual assault but did not name Mr Biden .
She said in a tweet that she filed the complained `` for safety reasons only '' , as the statute of limitations for her claim have expired .
Ms Reade was one of eight women who came forward last year to accuse the candidate of inappropriate touching , hugging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actions as sexual assault at the time .
In response , Mr Biden pledged to be `` more mindful '' in his interactions .
Will this hurt Biden 's presidential bid ?
Probably not It 's possible that Tara Reade 's accusation of sexual assault against Joe Biden could derail his campaign , but it seems unlikely .
Here 's why .
Americans already know about the `` touchy feely-ness '' of the former Vice President and they factored that in as they chose him to be their nominee .
He put out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ # metoo that times have changed and that his history of rubbing women 's shoulders , kissing their heads etc was not appropriate .
Evidently , that was seen as apology enough by most primary voters .
An accusation of sexual assault is of course more serious but the criteria for judging whether someone is a sexual abuser is looking at a consistent story from the accuser and a pattern of behaviour in the accused .
Ms Reade told different versions of her story to the New York Times and so far she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of sexual assault .
If no others emerge , Democrats may be inclined to believe their candidate over her .
Joe Biden is running against Donald Trump , who has been accused of sexual misconduct by some 25 women .
That may not stop the President using it as an attack line ( he 's hinted at it before , ) but it does diminish the credibility of the attack .
In the midst of this pandemic , almost no other news is breaking through .
In a normal cycle this story would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ newspaper headlines and on cable TV .
Today it barely registers .
That 's helpful for Biden .
The Democratic Party does hold itself to a higher standard on inclusivity of race and gender than the Republican Party does , so this accusation is uncomfortable .
But this year , the standard that matters most to Democrats is getting Trump out of the White House .
They believe Biden has the best shot at doing that .
In an investigation into Ms Reade 's account by the New York Times , two friends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ described the details of a traumatic sexual attack involving the former vice-president .
But the newspaper found no corroboration from any former staff members of Mr Biden and found `` no pattern of sexual misconduct by Mr Biden '' .
Ms Reade said she reported harassment by Mr Biden - without mentioning the alleged assault - to several senior members of Mr Biden 's staff , including Mr Biden 's executive assistant , Marianne Baker .
`` I have absolutely no knowledge or memory of Ms Reade 's accounting of events , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me as a woman professional , and as a manager . ''
After the staff declined to respond to her reports of harassment , Ms Reade says she filed a complaint with the Senate .
No record of a complaint has been located .
Soon after , Ms Reade said office staff took away most of her duties before ultimately dismissing her .
Ms Reade has since moved to the US West Coast where she has worked for a state senator , an advocate for domestic assault survivors and for animal rescue organisations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senator Bernie Sanders has quit the White House race , making Mr Biden , in all likelihood , the Democratic nominee for president .
He is expected to take on Donald Trump in the US election in November .

An accusation of sexual assault is of course more serious but the criteria for judging whether someone is a sexual abuser is looking at a consistent story from the accuser and a pattern of behaviour in the accused. Ms Reade told different versions of her story to the New York Times and so far she is the only woman to accuse Biden of sexual assault. If no others emerge, Democrats may be inclined to believe their candidate over her.


bbc--2020-04-15--Pregnant UK nurse dies from virus but baby 'well'

The baby of a `` highly valued and loved '' nurse has been delivered successfully after she died from Covid-19 .
Mary Agyeiwaa Agyapong , 28 , had worked for five years at Luton and Dunstable University Hospital , where she died on Sunday .
A hospital trust spokeswoman said the nurse 's `` child was doing very well '' but could give no further information .
Ms Agyapong was admitted to hospital on 7 April , having tested positive for Covid-19 two days previously .
David Carter , chief executive of Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust , said she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ great example of what we stand for in this trust '' .
`` Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Mary 's family and friends at this sad time , '' he said .
Ms Agyapong 's husband is currently self-isolating and has been tested for Covid-19 .
Colleagues have paid tribute to Ms Agyapong , who also went by her married name Mary Boateng , on a fundraising page set up to support her family .
The page has already raised almost £4,500 since it was set up on Wednesday morning .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` devoted her life to the NHS as a nurse '' .
Renai Mcinerney wrote : `` Sister Mary was my colleague , I worked alongside her for a few years .
`` She deserves her family to be looked after , after she devoted her life to the NHS as a nurse .
`` It 's time to look out/after our own and return the selflessness persona Mary carried and give something so small , but so big to her family in this time of need .
RIP sister Mary ! ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Mary 's family and friends for her loss . ''
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : How do I protect myself ?
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If you have a story suggestion email eastofenglandnews @ bbc.co.uk

"It's time to look out/after our own and return the selflessness persona Mary carried and give something so small, but so big to her family in this time of need. RIP sister Mary!"


bbc--2020-04-15--Mumbai: Frantic migrants throng Bandra station as India extends lockdown

Police in the Indian city of Mumbai forcibly dispersed thousands of migrants who gathered at the city 's Bandra station @ @ @ @ @ Modi announced the extension of a nationwide lockdown .
Authorities said many of them had @ @ @ @ @ resume services , as the lockdown to stop the spread of the coronavirus was originally @ @ @ @ @ April .
However , it will now end only on 3 May .

Police in the Indian city of Mumbai forcibly dispersed thousands of migrants who gathered at the city's Bandra station hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the extension of a nationwide lockdown.
Authorities said many of them had been expecting the trains to resume services, as the lockdown to stop the spread of the coronavirus was originally supposed to end on 15 April.
However, it will now end only on 3 May.
Video by the BBC Marathi team.


bbc--2020-04-15--Army veteran, 99, raises £4m for UK nurses

A 99-year-old army veteran who has raised more than £4m to help the NHS in the fight against Covid-19 has vowed to keep going even though he has smashed his original £1,000 target .
Tom Moore aimed to complete 100 laps of his Bedfordshire garden by Thursday , walking with the aid of a frame .
However he has now said he will not stop and hopes to do another 100 .
NHS Charities Together , which will benefit from the funds , said it was `` truly inspired and humbled '' .
Nearly 170,000 people from around the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since it was set up last week .
Mr Moore began raising funds to thank the `` magnificent '' NHS staff who helped him with treatment for cancer and a broken hip .
He hoped to walk 100 laps of the 25-metre ( 82ft ) loop in his garden in Marston Moretaine , in 10-lap chunks , before his 100th birthday at the end of the month .
As funds topped the £1m mark earlier , `` Captain Tom '' , as he is known , described it as `` almost unbelievable '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is all for - all those brave and super doctors and nurses we have got - I think they deserve every penny , and I hope we get some more for them too . ''
Ellie Orton , chief executive of the charity on the receiving end of Mr Moore 's fundraising , said : `` I think I absolutely join the rest of the country in being truly inspired and profoundly humbled by Captain Tom and what he has achieved .
`` Thank you for being an inspiration and a role @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and others for the charity is being spent on well-being packs for NHS staff , rest and recuperation rooms , electronic devices to enable hospital patients to keep in contact with loved ones , and working with community groups to support patients once they have been discharged from hospitals .
Mr Moore was born in Keighley , West Yorkshire and trained as a civil engineer before enlisting in the army for World War Two .
He rose to captain and served in India and Burma .
`` I do [ laps ] each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get to 100 , then after that I shall continue and do some more , '' he said .
The support so far had been `` absolutely fabulous '' , he added .
`` Let 's all carry on and remember that things will get better , '' Mr Moore said .
`` We have had problems before - we have overcome them - and we shall all overcome the same thing again . ''
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"When you think of who it is all for - all those brave and super doctors and nurses we have got - I think they deserve every penny, and I hope we get some more for them too."


bbc--2020-04-15--Coronavirus: Trump’s name to appear on US relief cheques

President Donald Trump ’ s name will be printed on paper cheques being sent to millions of Americans struggling financially because of coronavirus .
It is the first time a US president 's name will appear on a federal government handout .
Treasury officials have denied claims that the decision could delay delivery of the aid .
The assistance is part of a $ 2 trillion financial relief package approved by the US Congress in March .
Some 16m lost their jobs in the past month alone .
More than 80 million Americans are expected to receive payments of up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Wednesday , according to the Treasury Department But for those who did not provide banking details , they will receive a cheque with `` President Donald J. Trump '' printed on the left-hand side .
“ It ’ s absolutely unprecedented , ” Nina Olson , a former senior official in the Internal Revenue Service , told the Washington Post .
`` Taxes are supposed to be nonpolitical , and it 's that simple . ''
Two senior IRS officials told the Washington Post the move would probably lead to a delay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Treasury Department denied this .
• Why are African-Americans so hard-hit by the virus ?
Critics are accusing the president of playing politics , using the financial aid to boost his reputation in an election year .
`` You are getting your money late because the President thinks it is more important that his name be on the cheque than that you are able to pay your bills on time , '' tweeted Democatic Senator Brian Schatz .
And Senator Chris Murphy from Connecticut , which has around 3,500 COVID-19 cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ first ” and “ America second ” .
Computer code must be changed to include the president ’ s name , US Treasury officials were quoted as saying .
The cheques need to be printed and sent for postal delivery in a process that should begin on Thursday .
If there 's one thing Donald Trump , the real-estate and entertainment mogul , has always had a knack for , it 's self-promotion .
So it 's not at all surprising that he would take the opportunity to order his name printed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ millions of Americans .
A month ago , after all , the US Centers for Disease sent a mailing to Americans detailed `` President Trump 's coronavirus guidelines for America '' .
Given the enormity of the economic devastation that has hit the US economy , however , the cash payments - which were actually the result of negotiations between the Trump administration and Congress - may end up a minimal financial salve for most Americans .
The political benefits for the president could be slim , given the circumstances .
Just a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a re-election campaign based on his stewardship of a booming economy .
Now he 's facing a massive downturn .
A cash infusion seven months before the November balloting will probably be quickly forgotten , even if it does come with the president 's name attached .
It will irk the president 's political opponents to no end , however .
And for Trump and his supporters , that is always a welcome bonus .
What is the situation in the US ?
The US coronavirus outbreak has quickly become one of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toll has doubled in one week , reaching more than 25,000 , and the number of infections is approaching 610,000 .
New York state has been particularly badly affected , with almost 190,000 cases and more than 10,000 deaths .
But the number of people requiring hospital treatment there fell this week , giving possible signs of improvement .
On Tuesday , American broadcaster Oprah Winfrey warned African Americans to take the coronavirus outbreak seriously , saying the disease is `` taking people out '' .
African Americans make up a disproportionate number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US .
• Coronavirus is 'taking us out ' warns Oprah Meanwhile , Mr Trump , as well as state governors , are discussing when the US lockdown may end , as fears grow about the severe economic impact of the virus .
On Tuesday President Trump said that plans to reopen the country were `` close to being finalised '' .
He caused a furore the day before when he said that he , and not state governors , had the authority to lift lockdowns and restart the economy .
But on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying : `` The governors are responsible .
They have to take charge . ''
Earlier on Tuesday , New York Governor Andrew Cuomo accused President Trump of `` spoiling for a fight '' .
`` We do n't have a king , we have a president , '' he said .

Given the enormity of the economic devastation that has hit the US economy, however, the cash payments - which were actually the result of negotiations between the Trump administration and Congress - may end up a minimal financial salve for most Americans. The political benefits for the president could be slim, given the circumstances.


bbc--2020-04-15--Coronavirus: Amazon boss Jeff Bezos adds $24bn to fortune

The founder and boss of Amazon has seen his wealth swell by $ 24bn ( £19bn ) after soaring demand for online shopping sent the firm 's share price to a new high .
Jeff Bezos now has a fortune of $ 138bn , according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index , cementing his position as the world 's richest man .
Amazon has benefited from surging internet shopping by people forced to stay home during the Covid-19 outbreak .
The firm has been recruiting thousands of workers to cope with demand .
However , Amazon has also been criticised by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against the coronavirus .
Mr Bezos owns an 11 % stake in Amazon and on Tuesday , the firm 's shares rose by 5.3 % .
The family behind retail giant Wal-Mart , which owns Asda in the UK , have also gained during the lockdown .
The Waltons saw their net worth rise 5 % this year to $ 169bn , making them the world 's richest family , according to Bloomberg .
With millions now working from home , online meeting site Zoom has seen founder Eric Yuan 's fortune more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bloomberg Billionaires Index said the world 's 500 richest people lost $ 553bn so far this year .
Investors in the global oil and gas industries have seen sharp drops in net worth as crude prices plunged on reduced global demand and a row - now resolved - about oil production between Saudi Arabia and Russia .
Mr Bezos started Amazon in 1995 with about $ 100,000 in personal and family money .
He quit a hedge fund job at the age of 30 after coming across a statistic about the rapid growth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by his wife , MacKenzie , whom he met while they were both working at the New York hedge fund , DE Shaw .
They have four children .
The couple were divorced in 2019 in a split widely covered by the business media .
MacKenzie 's $ 38bn settlement included a 4 % stake in Amazon .
Within a month of the launch , he had already shipped orders to all 50 states and 45 countries , according to a 2013 biography by Brad Stone entitled The Everything Store : Jeff Bezos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Amazon 's first five years , customer accounts jumped from 180,000 to 17 million .
Sales skyrocketed from $ 511,000 to more than $ 1.6bn .
Big-name investors flocked to the company amid the first wave of dotcom enthusiasm .
It went public in 1997 , raising $ 54m and turning Mr Bezos , who once helped to box up the book orders , into one of the world 's richest men before the age of 35 .
In 1999 , Time Magazine named him one of its youngest People of the Year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ king of cybercommerce '' .

Within a month of the launch, he had already shipped orders to all 50 states and 45 countries, according to a 2013 biography by Brad Stone entitled The Everything Store: Jeff Bezos and the Age of Amazon.


bbc--2020-04-15--Coronavirus: Trudeau rebuffs calls to reopen economy

Canada 's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau warned that current social distancing measures would have been for nothing if the economy @ @ @ @ @ Covid-19 outbreak occurs .
He said it would `` be damaging to how Canadians feel @ @ @ @ @ .
In March , more than one million Canadians lost their jobs , driving the @ @ @ @ @ % from 2.2 % .
There have been over 27,000 confirmed cases in Canada so @ @

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau warned that current social distancing measures would have been for nothing if the economy opens too early and another Covid-19 outbreak occurs.
He said it would "be damaging to how Canadians feel and to the economy".
In March, more than one million Canadians lost their jobs, driving the unemployment rate up to 7.8% from 2.2%.
There have been over 27,000 confirmed cases in Canada so far.


bbc--2020-04-15--Poland abortion: Protesters against ban defy coronavirus lockdown

Protesters in Poland have defied the coronavirus lockdown to oppose a proposal that would almost completely ban abortion .
Public gatherings are banned , but videos show people in the streets of Warsaw and Poznan on Tuesday standing around 2m apart and holding placards .
Others hung posters on bikes or posted videos online in a `` virtual protest '' .
On Wednesday parliament will debate the ban on abortions of foetuses with serious abnormalities .
Poland ’ s abortion laws are among the strictest in Europe - it is only allowed in cases of rape or incest , if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk , or if the foetus is seriously compromised .
The draft legislation would ban terminations of a foetus if tests show it to be irreversibly damaged .
Currently that accounts for around 98 % of legal abortions in the country .
Another bill up for debate would criminalise `` the promotion of underage sex '' , which women ’ s rights groups say in effect bans sex education in schools .
It states that people who encourage anyone under the age of 18 to have sex could face a maximum three years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ politicians could take advantage of the coronavirus lockdown preventing opponents from organising large street protests .
Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have called on politicians to reject the bills , which were first put forward in 2016 by the ruling nationalist Law and Justice party .
But huge street protests in which people wore black caused the government to withdraw the proposals .
“ The Polish government ’ s focus during the pandemic should be to protect people ’ s health and rights , not diminish them , ” said Hillary Margolis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s rights researcher .
The bills began as a citizens ’ initiative that enables groups to propose legislation if they collect 100,000 signatures .
It is unclear if the Law and Justice party will support the bill .
An online petition opposing the bills has gained more than 700,000 signatures and people shared videos using the hashtag # ProtestAtHome .
Adam Szlapka posted a picture of protesters observing social distancing outside the Polish parliament .
And Franek Sterczewski criticised the government ( in Polish ) for approving the debate during the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Polish ) : “ The government is calculating that in the middle of a pandemic they can start discussing the draft bill for tightening the anti-abortion law .
We can not gather , but we can still protest and say a firm no.
” Poland is n't alone in considering changing its abortion laws during the coronavirus pandemic .
In at least seven US states , politicians introduced bans on abortion citing public health concerns .
Conservative governors including Texas Governor Greg Abbott argued that abortion is a non-essential medical procedure that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ equipment for doctors treating coronavirus patients .
Bans on abortion have been enacted in Alaska , Indiana and Kentucky , and introduced but later blocked by courts in Alabama , Ohio and Oklahoma , according to the news website Politico .

Poland’s abortion laws are among the strictest in Europe - it is only allowed in cases of rape or incest, if the mother’s life is at risk, or if the foetus is seriously compromised.


bbc--2020-04-15--Coronavirus: Amazon shuts French warehouses after court ruling

Amazon is going to temporarily close its six warehouses in France after a court ordered it to stop all but essential deliveries .
An internal document sent to unions on Wednesday said the closures would last from Thursday until at least 20 April .
It added that it will use a state partial-unemployment scheme to pay the 10,000 workers employed at the warehouses , Reuters reported .
The company had been taken to court by a group of French trade unions .
On Tuesday a court in Nanterre ordered Amazon to limit deliveries to allow a thorough inspection into whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its staff .
The court said Amazon had “ failed to recognise its obligations regarding the security and health of its workers ” .
The company could have been fined €1m ( $ 1.1m ; £0.87m ) per day if it had failed to comply .
In a statement released after the ruling , Amazon said : `` We ’ re puzzled by the court ruling given the hard evidence brought forward regarding security measures put in place to protect our employees . ''
The company added that it would appeal against the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to unions on Wednesday , it added : `` The company is forced to suspend all production activities in all of its distribution centres in order to assess the inherent risks in the Covid-19 epidemic and take the necessary measures to ensure the safety of its employees . ''
What were the allegations against Amazon ?
Amazon has experienced a surge in online orders globally as a result of the coronavirus pandemic - leading to increased scrutiny of its treatment of workers .
In France , labour inspectors had previously ordered Amazon to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sites .
A legal complaint was filed against the company ’ s French subsidiary by a group of trade unions in the country , which claimed that more than 100 workers were being forced to work in close proximity to one another .
Some of them called for the complete closure of the company ’ s business in France .
Failing that , they had asked for stricter restrictions on what kind of deliveries it could carry out .
Last month , French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said Amazon was putting “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ refusing to pay them if they didn ’ t go into work .
And earlier in March , several hundred Amazon workers in France held a walk-out in protest against the company .
Unions argued that Amazon delivers very few groceries , while many of its deliveries are non-essential .
Richard Vives , from the CAT union , told Reuters last month : “ We feel really unsafe and I ’ ve got colleagues who are coming to work feeling fearful.
” Amazon has repeatedly denied claims it is not taking sufficient measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it has brought in stricter cleaning protocols and has ensured that `` employees can keep the necessary distance from one another '' .
It has also said it will introduce temperature checks and face masks for staff at all of its US and European warehouses .

In the internal document sent to unions on Wednesday, it added: "The company is forced to suspend all production activities in all of its distribution centres in order to assess the inherent risks in the Covid-19 epidemic and take the necessary measures to ensure the safety of its employees."


bbc--2020-04-15--Coronavirus: G20 delays poor nations' debt payments

Nations belonging to the G20 group of leading economies have agreed to suspend debt payments owed to them by some of the world 's poorest countries .
The agreement covers money that is due to be paid to G20 governments up to the end of 2020 .
The aim is to help countries deal with the health and economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic .
The Jubilee Debt Campaign group has described the move as a first step , but called for much more .
The UK-based charity estimates that the delay will cover $ 12bn ( £9.6bn ) of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delay and the campaign group understands that the payments will instead have to be made between 2022 and 2024 , along with interest accrued in the meantime .
In all , 77 countries are due to benefit from the agreement .
The plan was provisionally agreed on Tuesday by the G7 leading developed countries , but it was conditional on support from the wider G20 .
Some countries , notably China and Saudi Arabia , which are in the G20 but not the G7 , are significant lenders to developing countries .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ payment suspension from those nations .
The move reflects the widely shared view that low-income countries face an especially severe challenge in coping with both the health and economic consequences of the pandemic .
The G20 has also called for private lenders to take similar steps for debts owed to them by the poorest countries .
However , the G20 suggested this could be done on a voluntary basis .
The Jubilee Debt Campaign has said that is not enough .
It wants to see legal changes to ensure that private creditors can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries if they miss payments .
That is particularly relevant to the UK and New York , because most developing-country debt agreements use those jurisdictions ' laws .
The campaigners also say that the payments should be cancelled outright rather than merely deferred .
That was in effect done earlier this week for a more limited amount of debt payments owed to the International Monetary Fund .
It decided to use its own resources to make the payments due in the next six months from 25 low-income countries , mainly in Africa .

That was in effect done earlier this week for a more limited amount of debt payments owed to the International Monetary Fund. It decided to use its own resources to make the payments due in the next six months from 25 low-income countries, mainly in Africa.


bbc--2020-04-15--Greece relocates unaccompanied migrant children to Luxembourg

Greece has begun relocating unaccompanied minors from overcrowded migrant camps in the country .
The first 12 children , aged between 11 and 15 , were moved to Luxembourg from camps on the islands of Lesbos , Samos and Chios .
Greece plans to relocate about 1,600 vulnerable children to other European countries that volunteer to host them , amid the coronavirus outbreak .
There are more than 5,000 unaccompanied children in Greek camps .
Advocacy groups have argued that leaving vulnerable minors in the camps heightens the risk of them contracting Covid-19 .
The dozen children relocated , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had a send-off on Wednesday at Athens airport , where a Greek migration minister gave them souvenirs .
They were greeted by Luxembourg ’ s foreign minister at the other end .
Because of the coronavirus , the children will need to spend their first two weeks in Luxembourg in quarantine .
Greece ’ s deputy migration minister Giorgos Koumoutsakos said that although the number of children being relocated was small , it sent a message to other countries to follow Luxembourg ’ s example .
“ Greece faces a crisis within a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he told state broadcaster ERT .
“ The combination makes an already difficult situation even more so , and more complex.
” He added that a second group of 50 would fly to Germany on Saturday , and 20 more would fly to Switzerland .
• Lesbos migrant camp children 'say they want to die' • Greek clashes break out over new migrant camps Earlier this week Human Rights Watch had called on Greece to release all unaccompanied minors in the country , saying that keeping them in “ unhygienic police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk of them catching the virus .
“ Keeping children locked up in filthy police cells was always wrong , but now it also exposes them to the risk of Covid-19 infection , ” the advocacy group ’ s Greece researcher Eva Cosse said in a statement .
There are about 100,000 asylum seekers in Greece , most of whom are in camps , hotel rooms and flats .
So far there have been two outbreaks in camps on the Greek mainland .
Camps on the Aegean islands suffer the worst overcrowding , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 36,000 people .

There are about 100,000 asylum seekers in Greece, most of whom are in camps, hotel rooms and flats. So far there have been two outbreaks in camps on the Greek mainland.


bbc--2020-04-15--Lagos unrest: The mystery of Nigeria's fake gangster attacks

Hundreds of gang members , mostly teenagers , fleeing police in two Nigerian states under a coronavirus lockdown hoaxed residents into believing that coordinated armed robbery attacks were underway .
Police say the gangsters achieved their intention of creating panic .
Residents set up makeshift checkpoints with burning tyres in border communities between Lagos and Ogun states after forming vigilante groups to protect themselves from the imaginary armed robbers .
For days , groups of anxious residents - young and old , and mostly male - kept night vigils on their streets , armed with machetes , bottles and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an attack that never came .
There were rumours that a group of up to 200 armed robbers were on the rampage .
But the police have told the BBC that it was a widespread hoax by gangsters to create panic before attacking residents and that people had unwittingly assisted them by posting messages on social media .
However , the police insist that no-one was actually attacked .
Nigeria 's President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday announced a two-week extension of a lockdown in three states , including the capital Abuja , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made no mention of the security situation in states where residents are concerned that the economic hardship caused by the lockdown has led to an escalation in crime .
How did the rumours start ?
Pictures and videos of residents bracing for attacks started surfacing last Thursday with the hashtags # OgunUnrest and # LagosUnrest trending for days on Twitter .
But there was no proof of armed robbery attacks in the neighbourhoods , according to the police .
The first wave of reports said there were attacks around the Agbado , Sango @ @ @ @ @ @ @ borders Lagos .
On social media some residents claimed they had heard gunshots and others said they had seen people breaking into homes and in some cases maiming occupants .
This user said she was not able to sleep as her `` hood was being robbed . ''
This video showed residents of a community sharpening their machetes and `` preparing for battle '' .
Ogun state police spokesman Abimbola Oyeyemi told the BBC that they received more than 300 calls of `` fake attacks '' on Saturday .
`` On one occasion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of seven people but when police got there , there was nothing .
`` The caller was miles away from the purported incident he was reporting , '' he said .
He said a gang war had started in Ogun state after the death of one of the leaders in a fight , leading to the arrest of 150 gang members , while hundreds of them fled into Lagos state .
Rumours of armed attacks spread to Lagos by Friday and there were videos and photos online , some showing bloodied `` gangsters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them of being robbers .
Things further escalated on Sunday as there were reports of daytime attacks in the Ogba area of Lagos , a popular neighbourhood for middle-class workers .
So were there armed robbery attacks ?
The police say there have been no armed robbery attacks , at least on the scale that has been reported on social media .
Lagos police spokesman Elkana Bala told the BBC that they had arrested 100 gang members who came into the state from Ogun following the gang war .
He said that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to frighten people .
`` They know it is difficult to hit an organised community so they [ gangsters ] want to first disorganise them [ residents ] , '' he said .
He said the vigilante groups compounded the problem as their weapons and the tyres they burnt let to further panic , with some residents mistaking them for robbers .
What did residents say ?
On social media , the reaction has been almost hysterical , with one resident claiming she had gone into a dog 's cage to hide from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deleted as she said it was a joke .
Others said the robbers were either at their doorsteps or at the neighbours and that the police had not responded to calls .
On the streets the rumour-mill was in full flow .
Everyone had heard about attacks in other streets , but not at theirs .
No-one had witnessed a robbery incident .
Jamiu Ayofalaji , who lives in the Ogba area of Lagos , said he heard gunshots and mobilised other residents to burn tyres to let the `` robbers know that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said he did not see any armed robbers in his three days of keeping a night-vigil .
Deji Francis also heard gunshots and that `` some guys were robbing in the area so there was panicking , '' but he did not see anything .
`` We heard from reliable sources that the gangsters were in a neighbouring street so we came out to protect themselves , '' said Olajide Boladale at Ogba , as a group of men scrummed around him .
`` We are with sticks and other things to defend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may also like : • Lagos lockdown : 'How will my children survive ? '
• How the spread of coronavirus is testing Africa Who are the gangsters ?
Lagos has long had a problem with organised youths called agberos , or area boys , who extort levies from businesses and residents .
Their petty thievery are generally ignored by authorities in a state struggling with high youth unemployment .
But the recent `` attacks '' were allegedly masterminded by more organised gangs with a militia-styled chain of command .
These gangs , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diabolic initiation processes and body scars , seek to control territories and commit crime .

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bbc--2020-04-15--Apple announces new iPhone SE to target mid-range market

Apple has announced a new iPhone SE , reviving a mid-market brand it had discontinued in 2018 .
It resembles the form of 2016 's iPhone 7 with a 4.7in screen , and a fingerprint ID sensor but not a depth camera for facial recognition .
It is powered by the same processor as the flagship iPhone 11 Pro , but lacks multiple rear cameras .
The handset costs the same as the original SE in the US , but is more expensive in other markets .
The iPhone SE is priced at $ 399 in the US and £419 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that having a mid-range phone again could help Apple compete for new customers against rivals such as Samsung and Google , which have a strong presence in that market sector .
`` Once you buy an iPhone you are more likely to buy another one , '' said Dan Iver from Wedbush Securities .
Despite Covid-19 causing lower demand , smartphone makers continue to release models .
Earlier this week , OnePlus unveiled new models , and last month Huawei launched its flagship P40 range .
In February , Apple warned that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ production and lower sales .
But Mr Iver expects the phone to sell between 20 million and 25 million units in the first six to nine months .
`` Apple 's hands are almost being forced to bring this out because from a supply chain perspective it was ready , '' he said .
But he added that while competitors might be similarly priced , `` Apple is this golden brand '' .
The device supports wireless charging .
Its rear-facing camera 's resolution is 12 megapixels and can still create background blur @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second lens .
The selfie camera is 7MP .
Mobile analyst Carolina Milanesi also said Apple 's brand appeal would help it in this price range .
`` The second-hand market is pretty vibrant for Apple so are there users who have never have a new iPhone that will want one , and can afford it at this price , '' said the Creative Strategies consultant .
But she also warned : `` I think the phone has to have some compromises .
It ca n't be too close to the iPhone 11 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the point ? ''
The iPhone SE goes on sale on 24 April .

"The second-hand market is pretty vibrant for Apple so are there users who have never have a new iPhone that will want one, and can afford it at this price," said the Creative Strategies consultant.


bbc--2020-04-15--Tour de France to go ahead at end of August after coronavirus delay

The postponed 2020 Tour de France will now start on 29 August , following the French government 's extension of a ban on mass gatherings to mid-July because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Cycling 's biggest event , won by Team Ineos ' Egan Bernal last year , was originally scheduled to run from 27 June to 19 July .
`` Holding this event in the best conditions possible is judged essential given its central place in cycling 's economy , '' said the UCI , the sport 's governing body .
Many large-scale sporting events scheduled to take place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , such as Wimbledon , or pushed back by a year , such as football 's European Championship and the summer Olympics .
Four-time winner Chris Froome is set to return at this year 's Tour , which is set to start in Nice , after he missed the 2019 race following a high-speed accident in which he broke his neck , femur , elbow , hip and ribs .
He tweeted : `` The news many of us have been waiting for .
Some light at the end of the tunnel .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ won the Tour de France in 2018 , told BBC Radio 5 Live : `` Hopefully those dates can go ahead .
I 'm super excited about that .
`` The Tour is the pinnacle of the sport .
If you ask anyone in the UK for three words to do with cycling , they would be : Tour de France .
It would be great for the riders and the teams if it can go ahead .
This is why teams exist and that 's why sponsorship comes into the sport .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ needs to be ironed out .
Once we know that we can get back racing again then talks can get under way between everyone .
The Tour has to take priority .
That 's the main event in cycling and then hopefully we can fit other races in around it . ''
Cycling 's two other three-week Grand Tour races have also been rescheduled for later this year , as part of a plan by the UCI to stage all major cycling races this season .
The Giro d'Italia - which was scheduled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Vuelta a Espana , originally set for September , will now be raced after September 's World Championships .
The championships , which will be held in Switzerland , remain in their 20-27 September slot , which means the Tour de France will finish on the same day the week-long championships begin .
That means the men 's World Championship road race will take place one week after the final day of the Tour .
The postponed 'monument ' one-day races - Milan-San Remo , Liege-Bastonge-Liege , Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix @ @ @ @ @ @ @ season , at dates still to be defined '' , added the statement .
The UCI cautioned that the calendar will remain dependant on the `` world health situation '' , with the body 's president David Lappartient saying `` we still have work to do to finalise the establishment of an entirely revised calendar '' .
On 10 April , the UCI furloughed staff and cut the salaries of senior employees as a result of the coronavirus pandemic .
The women 's version of the Tour , La Course by le Tour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take place over one day on 19 July on the Champs Elysees in Paris .
But Tour organiser ASO said it will also be postponed and instead take place `` during the Tour de France 2020 '' .
As determined as the UCI is , it is hard to see how cycling 's governing body is going to fit all these races into this season .
It appears officials believe the financial implications for cancelling races in 2020 could be so detrimental - to teams and organisers - that they will instead try @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far as they can .
But what is realistic in such an unpredictable situation as the coronavirus crisis evolves ?
Cycling could yet benefit commercially from being one of the few major sports not to call off much of its 2020 schedule until next year .
However , if those events - having been moved - are then cancelled at a later date , there must be further financial implications .
And there is already much to sort out on the calendar , so when does the UCI think it can fit in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ competition and five 'monument ' one-day races around October and November , when most of Europe gets seriously cold and wet ?

The 107th edition of the Tour will start in Nice and finish in Paris
The postponed 2020 Tour de France will now start on 29 August, following the French government's extension of a ban on mass gatherings to mid-July because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Cycling's biggest event, won by Team Ineos' Egan Bernal last year, was originally scheduled to run from 27 June to 19 July.
"Holding this event in the best conditions possible is judged essential given its central place in cycling's economy," said the UCI, the sport's governing body.
Many large-scale sporting events scheduled to take place this summer have either been called off, such as Wimbledon, or pushed back by a year, such as football's European Championship and the summer Olympics.
Four-time winner Chris Froome is set to return at this year's Tour, which is set to start in Nice, after he missed the 2019 race following a high-speed accident in which he broke his neck, femur, elbow, hip and ribs.
He tweeted: external-link "The news many of us have been waiting for. Some light at the end of the tunnel."
Geraint Thomas, the Briton who won the Tour de France in 2018, told BBC Radio 5 Live: "Hopefully those dates can go ahead. I'm super excited about that.
"The Tour is the pinnacle of the sport. If you ask anyone in the UK for three words to do with cycling, they would be: Tour de France. It would be great for the riders and the teams if it can go ahead. This is why teams exist and that's why sponsorship comes into the sport."
He added: "The calendar needs to be ironed out. Once we know that we can get back racing again then talks can get under way between everyone. The Tour has to take priority. That's the main event in cycling and then hopefully we can fit other races in around it."
Cycling's two other three-week Grand Tour races have also been rescheduled for later this year, as part of a plan by the UCI to stage all major cycling races this season.
The Giro d'Italia - which was scheduled to take place in May - and the Vuelta a Espana, originally set for September, will now be raced after September's World Championships.
The championships, which will be held in Switzerland, remain in their 20-27 September slot, which means the Tour de France will finish on the same day the week-long championships begin.
That means the men's World Championship road race will take place one week after the final day of the Tour.
The postponed 'monument' one-day races - Milan-San Remo, Liege-Bastonge-Liege, Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix - "will all take place this season, at dates still to be defined", added the statement.
The UCI cautioned that the calendar will remain dependant on the "world health situation", with the body's president David Lappartient saying "we still have work to do to finalise the establishment of an entirely revised calendar".
On 10 April, the UCI furloughed staff and cut the salaries of senior employees as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
The women's version of the Tour, La Course by le Tour de France, was initially scheduled to take place over one day on 19 July on the Champs Elysees in Paris.
But Tour organiser ASO said it will also be postponed and instead take place "during the Tour de France 2020".
Analysis
Matt Warwick, BBC Sport
As determined as the UCI is, it is hard to see how cycling's governing body is going to fit all these races into this season.
It appears officials believe the financial implications for cancelling races in 2020 could be so detrimental - to teams and organisers - that they will instead try to push all major events back as far as they can.
But what is realistic in such an unpredictable situation as the coronavirus crisis evolves? Cycling could yet benefit commercially from being one of the few major sports not to call off much of its 2020 schedule until next year. However, if those events - having been moved - are then cancelled at a later date, there must be further financial implications.
And there is already much to sort out on the calendar, so when does the UCI think it can fit in a further six weeks of Grand Tour competition and five 'monument' one-day races around October and November, when most of Europe gets seriously cold and wet?


bbc--2020-04-14--Jacinda Ardern impressionist: 'I'm trying to be her because she's cool'

When comedian Melanie Bracewell found herself facing weeks of self-isolation as New Zealand went into a coronavirus lockdown , she @ @ @ @ @ herself doing impressions of the country 's prime minister .
Her clips on TikTok have @ @ @ @ @ across the world , and garnered her many fans - including Ms Ardern herself .
@ @ @ @ @ are not parody - but a homage to someone `` she 's very proud of @ @ @ @ @ through a pandemic .
New Zealand and Ms Ardern 's government have been praised for @ @ @ @ @ , with relatively few cases and deaths .

When comedian Melanie Bracewell found herself facing weeks of self-isolation as New Zealand went into a coronavirus lockdown, she decided to make videos of herself doing impressions of the country's prime minister.
Her clips on TikTok have now been watched by thousands across the world, and garnered her many fans - including Ms Ardern herself.
Ms Bracewell says her impressions are not parody - but a homage to someone "she's very proud of" for steering the country through a pandemic.
New Zealand and Ms Ardern's government have been praised for swiftly stemming the coronavirus outbreak, with relatively few cases and deaths.
Video by Tessa Wong


bbc--2020-04-14--Coronavirus: The stars holding online reunions under lockdown

With the coronavirus pandemic cancelling concerts , festivals , and film and TV production around the world , its stars are still finding ways to perform - and the crisis has even spurred some reunions .
Here are a few of the artists getting together again .
We 're All In This Together More than a decade since the release of the franchise 's last film , the cast of High School Musical are coming back together for a special reunion later this week .
Director Kenny Ortega has confirmed that the cast will be joining Disney 's Family Singalong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Deadline .
Stars Vanessa Hudgens and Ashley Tisdale are among those taking part from the comfort of their own homes , while Zac Effron is set to send a video message .
`` We have reunited for a special night just for you guys ! ''
Tisdale wrote on Instagram .
Ariane Grande and Christina Aguilera - both former stars for the entertainment firm - will also be performing classic Disney hits .
Hudgens last month apologised for comments she made on Instagram about the coronavirus crisis , in which she said : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like yeah , people are going to die , which is terrible ... but inevitable ? ''
She said her words were `` not at all appropriate '' .
`` The dynamic duo return '' , singer Gary Barlow announced in an Instagram post on Monday , as he sat down for a virtual duet with his former Take That bandmate Robbie Williams .
Over a quarter of a million people have already seen their latest rendition of their 2010 hit Shame , and fans were overjoyed .
`` So worth the wait @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been posting regular online collaborations on his Instagram account , including groups such as ... JLS Beat Again ( and again ) While JLS had already announced they were getting back together before the coronavirus outbreak , their comeback tour is n't due to kick off until November .
And so the band 's four singers also joined Gary Barlow in a virtual concert last week , singing the Take That hit Back For Good .
Over the Easter weekend , Sean `` Diddy '' Combs held a dance party on Instagram @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He was joined by celebrities including Drake - but it was his dance with his ex , Jennifer Lopez , that got the biggest reaction .
It may have been more than 20 years since their hit song I Want It That Way , but that did n't stop the Backstreet Boys from taking part in the iHeart Living Room Concert For America at the end of last month .
Each member sang from their own home , with children popping in and out of the recording .
The band joined host Elton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cabello , Billie Eilish , Mariah Carey and Sam Smith , in the hour-long charity concert .
The one that still has n't happened In February , it was announced that Friends would be revived for a reunion special .
The series , which ended in 2004 , is still extremely popular but the pandemic has pushed filming back until May at the earliest , according to reports .
Fans of Friends are n't the only ones hoping for a reunion soon .
While the group have n't announced anything just yet , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cards for later this year .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : How do I protect myself ?
• AVOIDING CONTACT : How to self-isolate and exercise • MAPS AND CHARTS : Visual guide to the outbreak • STRESS : How to look after your mental health


bbc--2020-04-15--'Everybody knows what's going on there'

'Everybody knows what's going on there'

US President Donald Trump says his administration will halt funding to the World Health Organization ( WHO ) .
He @ @ @ @ @ failed in its basic duty '' in its response to the coronavirus outbreak .
Mr @ @ @ @ @ criticism at home over his handling of the outbreak .

US President Donald Trump says his administration will halt funding to the World Health Organization (WHO).
He said the WHO had "failed in its basic duty" in its response to the coronavirus outbreak.
Mr Trump has himself come under criticism at home over his handling of the outbreak.


bbc--2020-04-14--Barack Obama endorses Joe Biden for president in video

Former US President Barack Obama has announced his endorsement of Joe Biden for president in a video message .
He @ @ @ @ @ was his vice-president , could unify and `` heal '' a nation struggling through some @ @ @ @ @

Former US President Barack Obama has announced his endorsement of Joe Biden for president in a video message.
He said Mr Biden, who was his vice-president, could unify and "heal" a nation struggling through some of its darkest moments.


bbc--2020-04-14--Coronavirus: Life on Estonia's 'corona island', Saaremaa

An island off the coast of Estonia has been labelled by locals as `` corona island '' after becoming the @ @ @ @ @ being placed into strict quarantine .
The first Covid-19 cases on the island of Saaremaa @ @ @ @ @ a sports event was held there with a team from Italy .
Now health officials @ @ @ @ @ island 's population have contracted the virus .
This is the story of what 's @ @ @ @ @ the island is responding .

An island off the coast of Estonia has been labelled by locals as "corona island" after becoming the hotspot for the virus and being placed into strict quarantine.
The first Covid-19 cases on the island of Saaremaa emerged a month ago after a sports event was held there with a team from Italy.
Now health officials estimate that half of the island's population have contracted the virus.
This is the story of what's going on, and how the island is responding.
Reporter: Gavin Lee
Produced by: Sira Thierij and Xavier Vanpevenaege
Drone Camera: Valmar Voolaid


bbc--2020-04-14--Coronavirus: The wildlife species enjoying lockdown

As the UK enters it fourth week of lockdown , conservationists say they have seen some hidden benefits of the @ @ @ @ @ .
With fewer people in urban environments and much less traffic on the roads , @ @ @ @ @ gains particularly for our native mammals .

As the UK enters it fourth week of lockdown, conservationists say they have seen some hidden benefits of the restrictions in the natural world.
With fewer people in urban environments and much less traffic on the roads, scientists say there could be gains particularly for our native mammals.
The BBC's Victoria Gill explains.


bbc--2020-04-14--'Black Saturday' fires: 'Absolute freak of nature'

In 2009 a series of bushfires swept across the state of Victoria in Australia .
At the time it was @ @ @ @ @ country had ever seen .
`` Black Saturday '' saw 173 people die and over @ @ @ @ @ destroyed .
Nicki Lund was one of the firefighters in rural Victoria who tried to @ @ @ @ @ Witness History : The stories of our times told by the people who were there @

In 2009 a series of bushfires swept across the state of Victoria in Australia.
At the time it was the worst bushfire emergency the country had ever seen.
"Black Saturday" saw 173 people die and over a million acres of land destroyed.
Nicki Lund was one of the firefighters in rural Victoria who tried to tackle the enormous blaze.
Witness History: The stories of our times told by the people who were there.


bbc--2020-04-13--Coronavirus: Health workers around the world on fears and fighting virus

Impossible decisions , lack of personal protective equipment and mental health concerns .
These are some of the challenges doctors @ @ @ @ @ they 're facing .
BBC Minute has been speaking to doctors and nurses on the @ @ @ @ @ , Iraqi Kurdistan , Ecuador and the US .
Watch more personal stories during the @ @ @ @

Impossible decisions, lack of personal protective equipment and mental health concerns. These are some of the challenges doctors around the world tell us they're facing.
BBC Minute has been speaking to doctors and nurses on the frontline against coronavirus in Italy, Iraqi Kurdistan, Ecuador and the US.
Video journalist: Olivia Le Poidevin, BBC Minute.
Watch more personal stories during the coronavirus outbreak: bbc.in/YourCoronavirusStories


bbc--2020-04-13--Coronavirus: Italian tenor Bocelli sings at Milan's empty cathedral

Coronavirus : 'Having no school is boring' Evie explains what it 's like not being able to go to school @ @ @ @ @ the new rules brought in by the Italian government .

Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli performed an online concert at Milan's empty cathedral with a message of hope to those in lockdown around the globe because of the coronavirus pandemic.


bbc--2020-04-15--Belsen 1945: Remembering the medical students who saved lives

`` It deeply affected him and his trust in human nature , '' says Anne Stephenson of her father John Reynolds , one of 95 London medical students who arrived at the notorious Belsen concentration camp in May 1945 to help care for survivors wracked by disease and starvation .
The camp had been captured on 15 April by British troops who had no idea of the horrors they would find inside when the first tank pushed open the gates .
For the BBC 's Richard Dimbleby , the first broadcaster to enter the camp , it was `` the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were 43,000 prisoners still alive , about two-thirds of them women , many so weak from starvation and disease they were unable to move from the huts where they were held and they were dying at a rate of about 500 a day .
• The tank driver who opened the gates at Bergen-Belsen The medical students , average age 21 , were volunteers , recruited initially to help care for starving Dutch children but who found , just before they were due to travel , their destination had been changed to Belsen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the beginning of May , most of the bodies had been removed but thousands of sick and dying people still languished in the huts .
`` People in all stages of disease .
Many were dead .
Practically all were emaciated , '' John Reynolds , then a 23-year-old student at St Thomas 's medical school , wrote later .
`` Nearly all the internees had violent colic or diarrhoea . ''
They were suffering from a range of diseases including cholera , typhus , tuberculosis , sores , boils and gangrene .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the whole , hopelessly filthy with no sense of decency or pride in themselves , treating the dead as furniture and their beds as latrines . ''
He carried these experiences with him for the rest of his life , says Anne , herself a doctor and a member of the academic staff at King 's College Medical School of which St Thomas 's is now part .
`` I remember once , we were all sitting having dinner and he suddenly said : ' I remember a blonde woman and they shot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her in the leg . '
`` He had post-traumatic stress disorder , honestly .
He had terrible PTSD that was never treated . ''
Led by senior military medical staff , the students helped halve the death rate within a month .
It tested both their medical skills and their personal stamina to an unimaginable degree , according to Westminster student Michael Hargrave , in his diary .
A major puzzle was what to feed the internees .
British army rations were indigestible to starving people and could kill them , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unpalatably sweet , and intravenous feeding threw some , who feared fatal injections , into panic .
In pairs , the medical students were allocated to huts where each morning they would separate the living from those who had died overnight .
`` The bodies are dragged out by those who can walk and then the Wehrmacht load them on to massive lorry trailers , guarded all the while , and bury them in immense graves , '' wrote Guy 's student John Kilby in a letter to his mother .
Those needing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ makeshift hospital for 7,000 housed in a military barracks camp .
John Reynolds recounts how the huts were burned down one-by-one until only one was left .
On 21 May 1945 `` an official ceremony of the burning of this last hut was attended by all those who worked in the camp ... a volley was fired , the Union Jack unfurled and then the hut was burned to the ground by flamethrowers . ''
A week later , the students ' month at Belsen was over and they were sent back to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , of course , you would have a debrief and you 'd have post-traumatic stress disorder counselling , '' says Prof Stephen Challacombe , a professor of oral medicine at King 's and a medical historian .
`` It was so stark , just , 'Give up your uniforms , you 're back in civilian life ' . ''
Of the 95 , despite being inoculated , two returned with tuberculosis and seven with typhus .
DDT was used liberally to kill lice and Anne Stephenson says her father always wondered whether the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ connected with the pesticide .
In their later careers as doctors and academics `` all the reports , to a person , talk about how magnificent they were '' , says Prof Challacombe who has delivered a series of lectures on their story .
This year , to mark the 75th anniversary of their endeavour , King 's College Medical School , which , as well as St Thomas 's , also includes Guy 's , and accounts for 34 of the 95 students , is erecting plaques to their memory .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they could never have imagined what they would walk into and do , '' says Prof Challacombe , Sometimes audience members bring their parents ' letters and diaries from the period , among them Gilly Kenny and Jenny Meade whose fathers , John and Bernard , were among the King 's College contingent and remained lifelong friends .
Gilly says it was after her father 's death when `` we had to clear out all sorts of papers and we came across some that related to his time in Belsen ... that it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found the lecture `` very emotional ...
I learned a lot '' .
Prof Challacombe believes the most difficult time for the students was when the patients were transferred from the huts into the hospital .
`` There is a point at which numbers and bodies turn into real people ... suddenly individuals in beds as opposed to a mass of individuals lying on a floor ... '' They did feel it when those patients that they 'd been looking after , trying so hard , then died , I think that would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ modern day medical students will take a message from the story .
`` I think understanding their sacrifice , understanding their willingness to get involved and to contribute is a real hallmark of medicine .
`` I think there 's a lesson for me in helping people to understand you can attain those pinnacles and you can contribute , everybody can contribute however insecure they feel at the time . ''

On 21 May 1945 "an official ceremony of the burning of this last hut was attended by all those who worked in the camp... a volley was fired, the Union Jack unfurled and then the hut was burned to the ground by flamethrowers."


bbc--2020-04-14--Notre Dame fire: Fragile old lady of Paris waits for rescue

When the wind blows around Notre Dame these days , strange , whistling chimes fill the air .
A ghostly harmony made by the gaping holes in the old medieval structure , left by the fire exactly a year ago .
For most of the past year , this quiet music was drowned out by the noises of construction work , the tourists and traffic around Notre Dame .
But today this Gothic giant stands silent and empty .
The cranes hang awkward and frozen above its scaffolding , the usual flow of tourists queuing for selfies outside the freshly-built @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place to deal with coronavirus have meant that all restoration work here has stopped .
'Alone , but not abandoned' '' Notre Dame is an 850-year-old lady , '' the rector of Notre Dame , Patrick Chauvet , told me .
`` She 's an injured , old lady . ''
`` And for all the elderly , the injured , those in quarantine , or isolated in retirement homes , I think there 's a symbolic link .
There 's no-one around Notre Dame here either ; she 's has been left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the late afternoon of 15 April 2019 , Monseigneur Chauvet was enjoying a drink at a nearby cafe when smoke began rising from the spire of Notre Dame .
He ran towards the building he knows so well .
The fire spread quickly , blazing through the mass of medieval rafters - known as `` the forest '' - and bringing down the iconic spire .
For a few critical hours , firefighters warned the French president that Notre Dame might not be saved .
One year on , wooden buttresses have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a vast web of new scaffolding is going up around the building .
Ironically , it is a set of old scaffolding , put up before the fire to restore some of the cathedral statues , that poses the immediate threat .
It burned and twisted in the heat , and now needs to be dismantled and taken down .
Patrick Chauvet says the building is not yet totally secure .
`` It 's still fragile , '' he told me .
`` It just takes a storm , a tornado , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scaffolding that is welded together is removed , then we can say the cathedral is 100 % saved . ''
Claudine Loisel , a glass specialist working on the restoration , has been painstakingly testing the lead and grime on each panel of the building 's 19th Century stained-glass windows , to check it 's safe for restorers to begin their work .
She told a BBC4 TV documentary , Rebuilding Notre Dame , that some of the windows there had not been cleaned for a century , and that dirt may have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fire .
`` The first thick layer [ of dust ] acted as a small layer of protection , '' she explained .
`` So we just have to remove all these deposits to clean these windows . ''
Claudine was working on a window at a lower level of the cathedral , but specialists believe that the windows higher up are likely to be the worst affected .
Specialist artisans around the country have been working far away from Notre Dame on the art and furniture saved from the fire .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ minimise what is lost .
But it 's not only coronavirus that has held up restoration .
Lead contamination also caused long delays immediately after the fire , and bad weather hampered efforts even more .
Researchers from the Centre for National Scientific Research ( CNRS ) in Paris are creating a digital model of every stone and rafter , to help with the restoration work .
More stories on the Notre Dame fire • Images of the blaze at Notre-Dame • Has too much money been given to rebuild Notre-Dame ?
Watch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ musicians paying tribute to Notre Dame a year on : Each one has its own properties , sometimes its own medieval signature .
It is technology from the 12th and 21st centuries coming together .
`` It 's amazing , '' researcher Livio de Luca told me , `` because within this project , we 're able to use the most advanced technologies… in a human adventure .
The data we 'll produce will be analysed by the next generation for years to come . ''
Ideas are already emerging for how the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ International architects have been sending in designs featuring mirrors , solar panels , or a vast expanse of stained glass .
A changing face for an old identity .
The building known across the world as Notre Dame ; Our Lady .
For centuries , for many , the First Lady of France .
Notre-Dame before the fire in 360° video Rebuilding Notre Dame : Inside the Great Cathedral Rescue will be shown in the UK on BBC4 TV on Wednesday at 2100 BST .

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bbc--2020-04-14--'Shamed' despite sticking to social distancing rules

The social distancing rules and stay at home messages which aim to stop the spread of coronavirus have changed the way people are living their lives .
Those who ignore the regulations have faced condemnation or even police action , but even those who have been abiding by the rules can find themselves experiencing social distancing shaming .
The government guidance is clear - people should only leave home for a very limited number of reasons .
These include shopping for basic necessities and to take daily exercise , either alone or with members of your household .
• How @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a number of people say they have found themselves the subject of criticism or abuse while taking part in that daily exercise routine .
George , 68 , from Edinburgh , told how he had stopped to speak to a friend - making sure they kept a `` large '' distance between them - after they happened to meet during his daily walk in The Meadows in Edinburgh .
He said : `` Suddenly this woman came up to us shouting that we were too close and produced a measuring tape from her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the distance between us . ''
He said his 6ft tall friend had even lain down on the ground to help demonstrate that they were even further apart than the recommended distance of two metres ( almost 6.6ft ) .
`` I was shocked by her behaviour and reaction , '' he said .
Jane Hurst said she was shocked when a couple shouted at her child during a walk in Edinburgh .
`` My seven-year-old was running one tree ahead of us in Inverleith Park , then jumping out at us and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ walking the other direction called him a 'stupid child ' and said he should have been at my side . ''
Susan Bell , 42 , from Morningside , said she had heard people sighing and tutting at her while walking down the road .
`` I 've also seen others making a big show of disapproval to me by doing an exaggerated jump or body swerve onto the road into oncoming traffic .
`` It 's too much from some people , '' she said .
Lauren Ford said people were jumping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people .
She said she saw two young men receiving a `` barrel load of abuse '' from an older man when they ran past him on Cramond Beach .
`` They calmly explained that they were flatmates and had been together for the past three weeks and had n't seen anyone else , but the man still carried on shouting .
`` He did n't apologise and carried on saying they were still in the wrong .
It was n't fair at all .
`` People are judging so fast , its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been photographed while out with their families or talking to neighbours from a safe distance .
Supermarkets can be another flashpoint .
Some have introduced one-way systems in their aisles , as well as markings to indicate where shoppers can queue a safe distance apart .
Tara Rankine said her husband was `` tutted and grumbled at '' while shopping in a Tesco in Bathgate .
She said : `` I can only assume the man thought my husband was browsing and taking too long and they could n't get past .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a position where we can grab the first thing on the shelf .
We need to check the ingredients on everything because our son has severe food allergies .
`` While it 's great they were observing social distancing by not pushing past him , it unnecessarily made the shopping trip even more stressful than it needed to be . ''

He said his 6ft tall friend had even lain down on the ground to help demonstrate that they were even further apart than the recommended distance of two metres (almost 6.6ft).