bbc--2020-08-04--Defending champion Nadal decides not to play at US Open

Last updated on .From the section Tennis Defending champion Rafael Nadal has decided not to play the US Open later this month because the coronavirus pandemic is `` not under control '' .
`` The health situation is very complicated around the world with cases increasing and flare-ups , '' said Nadal .
Serbia 's Novak Djokovic leads the men 's entry list , while American great Serena Williams has indicated she will play .
Nadal added : `` This is a decision I never wanted to take but I have decided to follow my heart this time and for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
The United States Tennis Association ( USTA ) is hosting a double tournament at Flushing Meadows , having moved the Cincinnati Masters to New York .
The event will staged at the Billie Jean King Tennis Centre from 22 August , with the US Open taking place immediately afterwards .
Both tournaments will be held without fans and players will have to follow strict measures .
The USTA measures within the safety bubble include regular testing , mitigation measures and increased sanitisation .
The organisation said on Friday it was confident @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the tournaments remained `` on track '' .
While the WTA Tour resumed in Palermo this week , the Cincinnati-US Open double header will be the first ATP events since March .
`` We know that the reduced tennis calendar is barbaric this year after four months stopped with no play , '' added Nadal , who will miss a Grand Slam for the first time since Wimbledon in 2016 .
No Nadal or Federer - who is playing ?
Nadal 's great rival Roger Federer will also be absent from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recovering from knee surgery .
Australian Ashleigh Barty , the women 's world number one , said last week she did not want to play , meaning Romania 's world number two Simona Halep leads the entry list .
The entry list is not a guarantee that those on it will play the Grand Slam tournament , with many players likely to make a final decision over the next few weeks .
Britain 's three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray does plan to play at Flushing Meadows , although the world number 129 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not promoted from the alternate list .
British number ones Johanna Konta and Dan Evans have entered the tournament through their rankings , as have compatriots Heather Watson , Kyle Edmund and Cameron Norrie .
• None Alerts : Get tennis news sent to your phone • None How did simulation lead to the track ?

Last updated on .From the section Tennis
Rafael Nadal won his 19th Grand Slam title at last year's US Open, leaving him one behind Roger Federer's all-time men's record
Defending champion Rafael Nadal has decided not to play the US Open later this month because the coronavirus pandemic is "not under control".
Spanish world number two Nadal, 34, has not entered the tournament, which takes place in New York from 31 August.
"The health situation is very complicated around the world with cases increasing and flare-ups," said Nadal.
Serbia's Novak Djokovic leads the men's entry list, while American great Serena Williams has indicated she will play.
Nadal added: "This is a decision I never wanted to take but I have decided to follow my heart this time and for the time being I rather not travel."
The United States Tennis Association (USTA) is hosting a double tournament at Flushing Meadows, having moved the Cincinnati Masters to New York.
The event will staged at the Billie Jean King Tennis Centre from 22 August, with the US Open taking place immediately afterwards.
Both tournaments will be held without fans and players will have to follow strict measures.
The USTA measures within the safety bubble include regular testing, mitigation measures and increased sanitisation. The organisation said on Friday it was confident the health and safety of everyone involved in the tournaments remained "on track".
While the WTA Tour resumed in Palermo this week, the Cincinnati-US Open double header will be the first ATP events since March.
"We know that the reduced tennis calendar is barbaric this year after four months stopped with no play," added Nadal, who will miss a Grand Slam for the first time since Wimbledon in 2016.
No Nadal or Federer - who is playing?
Nadal's great rival Roger Federer will also be absent from the US Open, with the 38-year-old Swiss recovering from knee surgery.
Australian Ashleigh Barty, the women's world number one, said last week she did not want to play, meaning Romania's world number two Simona Halep leads the entry list.
Defending women's champion Bianca Andreescu has also entered.
The entry list is not a guarantee that those on it will play the Grand Slam tournament, with many players likely to make a final decision over the next few weeks.
Britain's three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray does plan to play at Flushing Meadows, although the world number 129 will need a wildcard if he is not promoted from the alternate list.
British number ones Johanna Konta and Dan Evans have entered the tournament through their rankings, as have compatriots Heather Watson, Kyle Edmund and Cameron Norrie.


bbc--2020-08-04--US PGA with no fans a step into the unknown - Woods

Last updated on .From the section Golf Tiger Woods has said playing in front of no fans at the US PGA Championship will be stepping into the unknown .
Woods , 44 , won the WGC-American Express Championship there in 2005 , saying the `` electric '' atmosphere for his play-off with John Daly left him `` half deaf '' .
`` This is going to be very different , '' said the American .
`` But it 's still a major so there 'll be plenty of energy . ''
Relatively cold , damp conditions are forecast for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knows the area well , having often played there as a junior and while at Stanford University .
Besides his 2005 win at Harding Park , the only other occasion the 15-time major winner has played the course as a professional was in 2009 , winning all five of his matches as USA won the Presidents Cup .
`` It 's going to be playing longer , '' he added .
`` It 's heavy air whether the wind blows or not .
The ball does n't fly very far here .
• @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warms up for US PGA with win • None Bryson DeChambeau : US PGA contender bulks up in effort to win first major '' This is going to be a fun test for all of us .
The rough is up and fairways are much more narrow than they were here in 2009 . ''
Woods celebrated `` for quite some time '' after ending his 11-year major drought by winning the Masters in April 2019 and missed the cut five weeks later when returning to action at the US PGA , when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five months out due to injury and the pandemic , Woods has played just one event since the lockdown , finishing in a tie for 40th at the Memorial Tournament last month .
But asked if he could win the US PGA for a record-equalling fifth time , he said : `` Of course .
I feel good .
I have n't played much competitively but I 've been playing a lot at home so I 've been getting plenty of reps that way .
`` I 'm very enthusiastic about some of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'm just trying to get my way back into this part of the season .
`` This is what I 've been gearing up for .
We 've got a lot of big events starting from here , so I 'm looking forward to it . ''

Tiger Woods celebrated winning his 15th major last year - but there will be no fans at the US PGA this weekend
US PGA Championship Date: 6-9 August Venue: TPC Harding Park, San Francisco Coverage: Commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra and text updates on the BBC Sport website across all four days
Tiger Woods has said playing in front of no fans at the US PGA Championship will be stepping into the unknown.
The event at TPC Harding Park, put back from May because of the coronavirus pandemic, is 2020's first major.
Woods, 44, won the WGC-American Express Championship there in 2005, saying the "electric" atmosphere for his play-off with John Daly left him "half deaf".
"This is going to be very different," said the American. "But it's still a major so there'll be plenty of energy."
Relatively cold, damp conditions are forecast for the event in San Francisco, and Woods knows the area well, having often played there as a junior and while at Stanford University.
Besides his 2005 win at Harding Park, the only other occasion the 15-time major winner has played the course as a professional was in 2009, winning all five of his matches as USA won the Presidents Cup.
"It's going to be playing longer," he added. "It's heavy air whether the wind blows or not. The ball doesn't fly very far here.
"This is going to be a fun test for all of us. The rough is up and fairways are much more narrow than they were here in 2009."
Woods celebrated "for quite some time" after ending his 11-year major drought by winning the Masters in April 2019 and missed the cut five weeks later when returning to action at the US PGA, when Brooks Koepka retained his title.
After five months out due to injury and the pandemic, Woods has played just one event since the lockdown, finishing in a tie for 40th at the Memorial Tournament last month.
But asked if he could win the US PGA for a record-equalling fifth time, he said: "Of course. I feel good. I haven't played much competitively but I've been playing a lot at home so I've been getting plenty of reps that way.
"I'm very enthusiastic about some of the changes I've made. I'm just trying to get my way back into this part of the season.
"This is what I've been gearing up for. We've got a lot of big events starting from here, so I'm looking forward to it."


bbc--2020-08-06--Facebook removes Trump's 'Covid misinformation' post

Facebook says it has removed a post from US President Donald Trump 's page because it contained false claims about the coronavirus .
The clip was from an interview the president gave to Fox News earlier on Wednesday in which he said children were `` almost immune '' to Covid-19 .
Facebook said the post violated its rules around `` harmful Covid misinformation '' .
It is not the first time Facebook has struck content from Mr Trump 's page .
A Facebook spokesperson told US media on Wednesday evening : `` This video includes false claims that a group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a violation of our policies around harmful COVID misinformation . ''
What did Trump say in his TV interview ?
Speaking by telephone to morning show Fox and Friends on Wednesday , Mr Trump argued it was time for all schools nationwide to reopen .
He said : `` If you look at children , children are almost - and I would almost say definitely - almost immune from this disease .
`` So few , they 've got stronger , hard to believe , I do n't know how you feel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much stronger immune systems than we do somehow for this .
`` And they do n't have a problem , they just do n't have a problem . ''
He also said of coronavirus : `` This thing 's going away .
It will go away like things go away . ''
How dangerous is coronavirus for children ?
Children can catch and transmit the virus , but they run an extremely low risk of becoming ill from it .
Adults - and particularly older adults - are far more likely to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The largest study done so far , involving more than 55,000 hospital patients , found that only 0.8 % were under the age of 19 .
Half of all the people with confirmed coronavirus who were admitted to critical care units in England , Wales and Northern Ireland were 60 or older as of 31 July , according to a research charity .
A recent US study of coronavirus cases among 7,780 children from 26 countries found almost one in five patients had no symptoms .
Another one in five developed lesions on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3.3 % were admitted to intensive care units and seven deaths were reported , according to the research from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio .
A study from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine found that people under 20 were about half as susceptible to coronavirus infection as those over 20 .
There have been some extremely rare cases of children developing an inflammatory syndrome similar to Kawasaki disease , and scientists are exploring a possible delayed immune response to coronavirus .
Why did Facebook last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ June , Facebook said it had removed adverts for President Trump 's re-election campaign that featured a symbol used in Nazi Germany .
The company said the offending ad contained an inverted red triangle similar to that used by the Nazis to label opponents such as communists .
Mr Trump 's campaign team said the far-left activist group antifa uses the symbol and it was a reference to them .
The ads , which were posted on the site on pages belonging to President Trump and Vice-President Mike Pence , were online for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of thousands of views before they were taken down .
Coronavirus misinformation has tested social media outlets like never before , occasionally provoking complaints that penalties are not being applied consistently against users .
In March , Twitter said a tweet by entrepreneur Elon Musk suggesting children are `` essentially immune '' to coronavirus did not break its rules .
Hundreds of school districts around the country have scrapped plans to reopen as coronavirus infections have spiked in a number of US states .
Some 20 of the nation 's largest 25 school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offering classes remotely .
Among the schools that are not reopening is one attended by the president 's son , Barron Trump , in suburban Maryland .
St Andrew 's Episcopal School said in a letter to parents it would opt instead for virtual learning to protect the health of students , families and staff .
Last week staff from Georgia 's largest school district , Gwinnett County , returned to school campuses to start planning for autumn reopening .
A day later , 260 employees had been told to stay away from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus , or had been exposed to someone else who had the infection .
One of the first school districts in the nation to reopen , near Indianapolis , Indiana , had a student test positive on the first day .
The child 's parents had sent him to campus , knowing that his test result was pending , schools officials said .
Other students who had come within 6ft of the patient for more than 15 minutes were sent home to self-isolate for 14 days .
What do I need to know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : What can I do ?
• CONTAINMENT : What it means to self-isolate • MAPS AND CHARTS : Is the pandemic getting worse in the US ?

Facebook and Twitter restrict Trump accounts over 'harmful' virus claim Published 6 August 2020
Image source, Fox News Image caption, A clip from President Trump's Fox News interview was posted to his Facebook page
Facebook and Twitter have penalised Donald Trump and his campaign for posts in which the president claimed children were "almost immune" to coronavirus.
Facebook deleted the post - a clip from an interview Mr Trump gave to Fox News - saying it contained "harmful Covid misinformation".
Twitter followed by saying it had frozen a Trump campaign account until a tweet of the same clip was removed.
US public health advice makes clear children have no immunity to Covid-19.
What did Facebook and Twitter say?
A Facebook spokesperson said on Wednesday evening: "This video includes false claims that a group of people is immune from COVID-19 which is a violation of our policies around harmful COVID misinformation."
It was the first time the social giant had taken action to remove content posted by the president based on its coronavirus-misinformation policy, but not the first time it has penalised Mr Trump over content on his page.
Later on Wednesday, Twitter said it had frozen the @TeamTrump account because it posted the same interview excerpt, which President Trump's account shared.
A Twitter spokesman said the @TeamTrump tweet "is in violation of the Twitter Rules on COVID-19 misinformation".
"The account owner will be required to remove the Tweet before they can Tweet again."
It later appeared to have been deleted.
Twitter last month temporarily suspended Mr Trump's son, Donald Jr, for sharing a clip it said promoted "misinformation" about coronavirus and hydroxychloroquine.
But in March, Twitter said a tweet by entrepreneur Elon Musk suggesting children are "essentially immune" to coronavirus did not break its rules.
What did Trump say in his TV interview?
Speaking by telephone to morning show Fox and Friends on Wednesday, Mr Trump argued it was time for all schools nationwide to reopen.
He said: "If you look at children, children are almost - and I would almost say definitely - almost immune from this disease.
"So few, they've got stronger, hard to believe, I don't know how you feel about it, but they've got much stronger immune systems than we do somehow for this.
"And they don't have a problem, they just don't have a problem."
Mr Trump, who is running for re-election in November, also said of coronavirus: "This thing's going away. It will go away like things go away."
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Media caption, Reopening US schools "makes our kids guinea pigs"
How dangerous is coronavirus for children?
Children can catch and transmit the virus, but they run an extremely low risk of becoming ill from it.
Adults - and particularly older adults - are far more likely to be seriously ill and die from complications.
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Media caption, Can children catch and spread coronavirus?
The largest study done so far, involving more than 55,000 hospital patients, found that only 0.8% were under the age of 19.
Half of all the people with confirmed coronavirus who were admitted to critical care units in England, Wales and Northern Ireland were 60 or older as of 31 July, according to a research charity.
A recent US study of coronavirus cases among 7,780 children from 26 countries found almost one in five patients had no symptoms. Another one in five developed lesions on their lungs during the infection.
Some 3.3% were admitted to intensive care units and seven deaths were reported, according to the research from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.
A study from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine found that people under 20 were about half as susceptible to coronavirus infection as those over 20.
There have been some extremely rare cases of children developing an inflammatory syndrome similar to Kawasaki disease, and scientists are exploring a possible delayed immune response to coronavirus.
Why did Facebook last take down a Trump post?
In June, Facebook said it had removed adverts for President Trump's re-election campaign that featured a symbol used in Nazi Germany.
The company said the offending ad contained an inverted red triangle similar to that used by the Nazis to label opponents such as communists.
Mr Trump's campaign team said the far-left activist group antifa uses the symbol and it was a reference to them.
The ads, which were posted on the site on pages belonging to President Trump and Vice-President Mike Pence, were online for about 24 hours and had received hundreds of thousands of views before they were taken down.
Are US schools reopening amid pandemic?
Hundreds of school districts around the country have scrapped plans to reopen as coronavirus infections have spiked in a number of US states.
Some 20 of the nation's largest 25 school districts have announced they will start remotely.
Among the schools that are not reopening is one attended by the president's son, Barron Trump, in suburban Maryland.
St Andrew's Episcopal School said in a letter to parents it would opt instead for virtual learning to protect the health of students, families and staff.
Last week Georgia's largest school district, Gwinnett County, returned to school campuses to start planning for autumn reopening.
A day later, 260 employees had been told to stay away from their schools because they tested positive for coronavirus, or had been exposed to someone else who had the infection.
One of the first school districts in the nation to reopen, near Indianapolis, Indiana, had a student test positive on the first day.
The child's parents had sent him to campus, knowing that his test result was pending, schools officials said.
Other students who had come within 6ft of the patient for more than 15 minutes were sent home to self-isolate for 14 days.
What do I need to know about the coronavirus?


bbc--2020-08-06--Beirut explosion: Port officials under house arrest as rescue efforts continue

A number of Beirut port officials are being placed under house arrest pending an investigation into Tuesday 's huge explosion , Lebanon 's government says .
The blast killed at least 135 people and injured more than 4,000 others .
A two-week state of emergency has begun .
President Michel Aoun said the blast was caused by 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate stored unsafely in a warehouse .
Customs chief Badri Daher said his agency called for the chemical to be removed , but `` this did not happen '' .
`` We leave it to the experts to determine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ammonium nitrate is used as a fertiliser in agriculture and as an explosive .
Opening an emergency cabinet meeting on Wednesday , President Aoun said : `` No words can describe the horror that has hit Beirut last night , turning it into a disaster-stricken city '' .
Specialists at the University of Sheffield in the UK estimate that the blast had about one tenth of the explosive power of the atomic bomb dropped on the Japanese city of Hiroshima during World War Two and was `` unquestionably one of the biggest non-nuclear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nitrate had reportedly been in a warehouse in Beirut port for six years after it was unloaded from a ship impounded in 2013 .
The head of Beirut port and the head of the customs authority both told local media that they had written to the judiciary several times asking that the chemical be exported or sold on to ensure port safety .
Port General Manager Hassan Koraytem told OTV that they had been aware that the material was dangerous when a court first ordered it stored in the warehouse , `` but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Supreme Defence Council has vowed that those found responsible will face the `` maximum punishment '' possible .
Economy Minister Raoul Nehme told the BBC : `` I think it is incompetence and really bad management and there are a lot of responsibilities from management and probably previous governments .
We do not intend after such an explosion to stay silent on who is responsible for what . ''
House arrest would apply for all port officials `` who have handled the affairs of storing [ the ] ammonium nitrate , guarding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ June 2014 , Information Minister Manal Abdel Samad said .
The ammonium nitrate arrived on a Moldovan-flagged ship , the Rhosus , which entered Beirut port after suffering technical problems during its voyage from Georgia to Mozambique , according to Shiparrested.com , which deals with shipping-related legal cases .
The Rhosus was inspected , banned from leaving and was shortly afterwards abandoned by its owners , sparking several legal claims .
Its cargo was stored in a port warehouse for safety reasons , the report said .
Another attempt to dodge the blame @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Beirut to help clear up the devastation while others have been visiting the worst affected areas in a state of shock .
The government has been promising a full and transparent investigation and told the military to put those responsible for storing the vast quantity of ammonium nitrate under house arrest .
But Beirutis have been unimpressed , seeing it as another attempt by the political elite to dodge the blame for disaster .
Instead , they are demanding full accountability .
Many on social media have welcomed the generosity of those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but have asked people to avoid making any donations through the government , which they now regard as terminally corrupt and incompetent .
More on the explosion in Beirut • AMMONIUM NITRATE : What is it ?
How dangerous is it ?
• Q & A : What we know • THE CONTEXT : Why Lebanon is in crisis What is the latest on rescue efforts ?
Security forces have sealed off a wide area around the blast site , and rescuers have been looking for bodies and survivors under rubble while boats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tens of people are still missing .
Public Health Minister Hamad Hassan said Lebanon 's health sector was short of beds and lacked the equipment necessary to treat the injured and care for patients in critical condition .
He said a `` large number of children '' had been rescued but added that he feared that the number of dead would rise further .
The Saint Georges hospital near the site of the explosion was badly damaged and several members of staff were killed .
Three Beirut hospitals were closed with two others @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Organization ( WHO ) said .
The body said it would airlift medical supplies to Lebanon on Wednesday evening .
Meanwhile , many buildings and homes have been reduced to an uninhabitable mess of glass and as many as 300,000 people have been left homeless , Beirut 's governor Marwan Aboud said .
He told the BBC : `` Beirut needs food , Beirut needs clothes , houses , materials to rebuild houses .
Beirut needs a place for the refugees , for its people . ''
A number of countries have offered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due to arrive carrying 55 rescuers , medical equipment and a mobile clinic equipped to treat 500 people , and President Emmanuel Macron will visit on Thursday .
The EU , Russia , Tunisia , Turkey , Iran and Qatar are all sending relief supplies .
The UK is also ready to send medical experts and humanitarian aid , Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said .
• Common industrial chemical used mainly as fertiliser in agriculture • Also one of the main components in explosives used in mining • Not explosive on its own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • When it explodes , it can release toxic gases including nitrogen oxides and ammonia gas • Strict rules on how to store it safely : site has to be fire-proofed , and not have any drains , pipes or other channels in which ammonium nitrate could build up The explosion comes at a sensitive time for Lebanon .
With Covid-19 infections on the rise , hospitals were already struggling to cope .
Now , they are faced with treating thousands of injured people .
The country is also going through the worst @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and tensions were already high with street demonstrations against the government .
People have to deal with daily power cuts , a lack of safe drinking water and limited public healthcare .
Lebanon imports most of its food and large quantities of grain stored in the port have been destroyed causing fears of widespread food insecurity to come .
The future of the port itself is in doubt due to the destruction caused .
President Aoun announced that the government would release 100 billion lira ( £50.5m ; $ 66m ) of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blast on the economy is expected to be long-lasting .
The explosion happened close to the scene of a huge car bombing which killed former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in 2005 .
A verdict in the trial of four men accused of orchestrating the attack was due on Friday at a special court in the Netherlands , but this has been postponed until 18 August out of respect for the victims of Tuesday 's blast .
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Specialists at the University of Sheffield in the UK estimate that the blast had about one tenth of the explosive power of the atomic bomb dropped on the Japanese city of Hiroshima during World War Two and was "unquestionably one of the biggest non-nuclear explosions in history".


bbc--2020-08-05--Michelle Obama: Former US first lady says she has 'low-grade depression'

Former US First Lady Michelle Obama has said she is suffering from `` low-grade depression '' because of the pandemic , racial tensions and the `` hypocrisy '' of the Trump administration .
She said managing `` emotional highs and lows '' required `` knowing yourself '' and `` the things that do bring you joy '' .
Mrs Obama said she has had difficulties with her exercise routine and sleep .
`` I 'm waking up in the middle of the night because I 'm worrying about something or there 's a heaviness . ''
`` These are not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spiritually , '' the 56-year-old said .
`` I know that I am dealing with some form of low-grade depression .
`` Not just because of the quarantine , but because of the racial strife , and just seeing this administration , watching the hypocrisy of it , day in and day out , is dispiriting . ''
• Barack Obama : Women are better leaders than men • Barack and Michelle Obama to produce podcasts for Spotify She also said it is `` exhausting '' to be `` waking up to yet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a black person somehow being dehumanized , or hurt , or killed , or falsely accused of something . ''
`` And it has led to a weight that I have n't felt in my life , in a while , '' she said .

"Not just because of the quarantine, but because of the racial strife, and just seeing this administration, watching the hypocrisy of it, day in and day out, is dispiriting."


bbc--2020-08-05--Tourist posing for photo breaks 19th Century Antonio Canova sculpture

A tourist has accidentally broken the toes of a historic artwork in a museum in Italy , while posing for @ @ @ @ @ model by Italian sculptor Antonio Canova is on display at the Gypsotheca Antonio Canova museum @ @ @ @ @ marble version of the artwork is housed in the Galleria Borghese in Rome .

A tourist has accidentally broken the toes of a historic artwork in a museum in Italy, while posing for a photograph.
The plaster model by Italian sculptor Antonio Canova is on display at the Gypsotheca Antonio Canova museum in northern Italy.
The marble version of the artwork is housed in the Galleria Borghese in Rome.


bbc--2020-08-05--Daisy Coleman: Assault survivor in Netflix film takes own life

Daisy Coleman , a sexual assault victim advocate and subject of the Netflix documentary Audrie & Daisy , has taken her own life , according to her mother .
Ms Coleman , 23 , was 14 when she alleged she was raped at a party in 2012 in Maryville , Missouri .
Her case drew national attention as she spoke of being bullied after the incident , but the charge against the teenage boy she accused was dropped .
She was reportedly found dead after her mother called police to check on her .
`` She was my best friend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Melinda Coleman , wrote on Facebook .
`` I think she had to make it seem like I could live without her .
I ca n't .
`` I wish I could have taken the pain from her !
She never recovered from what those boys did to her and it 's just not fair .
My baby girl is gone . ''
Ms Coleman alleged she was assaulted while intoxicated by a 17-year-old boy , Matthew Barnett , at a house party in January 2012 , when she was 14 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the next morning , left outside on the porch , with wet hair and wearing just a T-shirt and sweatpants in sub-zero temperatures .
Barnett was charged with felony sexual assault , but the case was eventually dropped .
Ms Coleman 's family argued this was due to the local political connections of the boy 's family .
Barnett pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of child endangerment , arguing his sexual intercourse with Daisy had been consensual .
Ms Coleman 's case sparked national discussions over teenage rape cases in the US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and bullying .
Ms Coleman and her family eventually moved out of Maryville after threats and harassment in school .
She was featured in the award-winning 2016 Netflix documentary Audrie & Daisy , which highlighted the bullying faced by teenaged assault victims .
The other girl in the film , Audrie Pott , took her own life in September 2012 , days after she was sexually assaulted .
Ms Coleman helped co-found the SafeBae ( Before Anyone Else ) nonprofit organisation to help prevent sexual assault in schools .
In a statement on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` shattered and shocked by her passing '' .
`` She had many coping demons and had been facing and overcoming them all , but as many of you know , healing is not a straight path or any easy one .
She fought longer and harder than we will ever know . ''
The statement added that Ms Coleman had worked to help young survivors , and would want them `` to know they are heard , they matter , they are loved , and there are places for them to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Canada or US : If you 're in an emergency , please call 911 You can contact the US National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 1-800-273-TALK ( 8255 ) or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741 .
You can call the UK Samaritans Helpline on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org .

"She had many coping demons and had been facing and overcoming them all, but as many of you know, healing is not a straight path or any easy one. She fought longer and harder than we will ever know."


bbc--2020-08-05--SpaceX: Musk's 'Mars ship' prototype aces 150m test flight

A prototype of SpaceX 's next-generation Starship vehicle has successfully flown to an altitude of 150m ( 500ft ) .
The uncrewed test vehicle rose up on a plume of exhaust before deploying its landing legs and touching down softly .
The flight was carried out at SpaceX 's test site near the village of Boca Chica in south Texas on Tuesday evening .
It 's the first flight test in almost a year for the Raptor engine , which will be used to power Starship .
The stainless steel test vehicle , called SN5 , has been compared variously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But it could pave the way for a spacecraft capable of carrying humans to the Moon and Mars .
Shortly after the test flight , which lasted just under a minute , SpaceX founder Elon Musk tweeted : `` Mars is looking real . ''
SN5 took off from Boca Chica at 00:57 BST ( 18:57 local time ) for the brief flight .
It uses a single Raptor engine , which is powered by liquid methane and liquid oxygen .
The final Starship vehicle will feature six Raptors , standing 50m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carry 100 people on a single flight .
But in order to overcome Earth 's gravity , it will need to be launched by a massive rocket called Super Heavy , which will be equipped with 31 Raptor engines .
Another test vehicle called Starhopper undertook a few brief flights in 2019 , also flying to a height of 150m ( 500ft ) .
The Starship vehicle is one of three shortlisted candidates to land humans on the Moon in the 2020s for Nasa .
A Japanese billionaire , Yusaku Maezawa , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , has booked a trip around the Moon on Starship .
Elon Musk has long harboured plans to settle people on Mars as part of his vision to make humans a `` multi-planetary species '' .

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bbc--2020-08-05--Cori Bush: Activist beats Democratic veteran in Missouri primary

Cori Bush , a racial justice activist who was once homeless , has ousted a 10-term political veteran in Missouri 's Democratic primary election .
She defeated Congressman William Lacy Clay 49 % - 46 % .
Either Mr Clay or his father , a civil rights activist , has held the seat since the 1960s .
An ordained minister and former nurse , Ms Bush would be the first black woman to represent Missouri in Congress .
Her win is the latest upset against establishment Democrats by newcomers .
She had campaigned for Senator Bernie Sanders during his presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Sanders said Ms Bush would `` take on the corporate elite of this country when she gets to Congress '' .
Ms Bush , 44 , had lost to Mr Clay , 64 , during the 2018 primary in Missouri .
Mr Clay is a long-time lawmaker who has represented the St Louis area for two decades .
His father is a co-founder of the Congressional Black Caucus .
• A simple guide to US primaries and caucuses • I ’ m running for office because of George Floyd Mr Clay campaigned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bush 's lack of political experience .
Her primary win all but guarantees her a spot in Congress , representing the strongly Democratic district .
It follows a number of shake-ups in the 2020 election cycle .
In June , House Foreign Affairs Chairman Eliot Engel lost his New York seat to middle-school principal Jamaal Bowman .
The wins show the influence of the Democratic left wing ahead of November 's presidential election , where moderate Joe Biden will face off against Republican President Donald Trump .
Ms Bush spoke to supporters on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to lose .
`` They counted us out , '' she said , according to CBS News .
`` I 'm just the protester , I 'm just the activist with no name , no title and no real money .
That 's all they said that I was .
But St Louis showed up today . ''
Ms Bush had to quit her job at a preschool when she fell ill while pregnant with her second child in 2001 .
She and her then-husband were evicted from their home , and - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - were homeless for several months , living out of their car .
The pair eventually divorced .
Since then , Ms Bush has earned a degree in nursing and became a pastor , before also becoming a racial justice activist .
Ms Bush led protests in Ferguson in 2014 , following the police killing of unarmed black 18-year-old Michael Brown .
During her 2020 campaign , she was backed by the Justice Democrats , who campaigned for her friend and fellow progressive Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in 2018 .
The Justice Democrats group praised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Matter organiser '' defeating a `` corporate-backed political dynasty '' .
• How BLM went from Facebook post to global movement • Who will Biden pick as running mate ?
Primary elections also took place in Michigan , Arizona , Kansas and Washington state on Tuesday .
Former Kansas secretary of state Kris Kobach lost the state 's Republican primary Senate election to more moderate Congressman Roger Marshall .
The outcome is a relief to Republicans , who feared a win for Mr Kobach , a controversial conservative , could flip the Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gubernatorial race to Democratic candidate Laura Kelly despite backing from President Trump .
In Michigan , Democratic Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib has won her rematch with Detroit City Council President Brenda Jones , with 90 % of the votes counted .
Ms Tlaib received 66 % of the votes to Ms Jones ' 33 % .
• Palestinian dress worn in new US Congress • Who are the congresswomen known as 'the squad ' ?
Ms Tlaib is a member of the group of progressive first-term congresswomen known as `` the squad '' , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sent a clear message that they 're done waiting for transformative change , that they want an unapologetic fighter who will take on the status quo and win , '' Ms Tlaib said in a statement to US media .

Ms Bush had to quit her job at a preschool when she fell ill while pregnant with her second child in 2001. She and her then-husband were evicted from their home, and - along with their baby and young son - were homeless for several months, living out of their car. The pair eventually divorced.


bbc--2020-08-05--Beirut explosion: 'The difference between life and death'

The BBC 's Rami Ruhayem reports from Gemmayze in Beirut , the closest residential area to the port .
This @ @ @ @ @ property , bars , restaurants and NGO offices .
He says where people were standing @ @ @ @ @ have meant the difference between life and death .

The BBC's Rami Ruhayem reports from Gemmayze in Beirut, the closest residential area to the port. This is a hub of commercial property, bars, restaurants and NGO offices.
He says where people were standing when the explosion happened will have meant the difference between life and death.


bbc--2020-08-05--US election: Biden to accept nomination remotely over virus fears

Former vice-president Joe Biden will not travel to the Democratic convention in Wisconsin to accept the party 's presidential nomination , due to the coronavirus pandemic .
Mr Biden will instead accept via a national address in Delaware , his home state .
The convention had been planned for 17 to 20 August in Milwaukee , but will now be almost entirely virtual .
Mr Biden will face Donald Trump in the US presidential election on 3 November .
President Trump said he would `` probably '' give his Republican presidential nomination speech live from the White House later this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ changed for Trump The Democratic National Committee ( DNC ) said decisions about Mr Biden 's speech were made in order to protect the local community in Milwaukee , and the people involved in setting up the convention .
`` From the very beginning of this pandemic , we put the health and safety of the American people first , '' said DNC chairman Tom Perez .
Local Wisconsin officials are still expected to deliver speeches at the convention centre , but high-profile Democrats including Barack and Michelle Obama are expected to appear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continues to wreak havoc on the 2020 presidential election season , leaving both parties scrambling to adjust to the new reality of social distancing and limited in-person gatherings .
The latest domino to fall was Joe Biden 's announcement that he wo n't be travelling in person to Milwaukee , Wisconsin , which was supposed to be the site of this year 's Democratic convention .
The party instead has promised a slickly produced `` virtual '' convention from across the nation .
Saying that and actually pulling it off , however , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Donald Trump has floated the idea of accepting his re-nomination from the White House itself , raising concerns that he 's using the trappings of the office in a way none of his predecessors have attempted .
Both sides are also restructuring the machinery of their campaign to various extents .
While the Republicans have boasted that they 've knocked on more than a million doors this year , the Biden team - citing pandemic risks - has done no in-person outreach , focusing instead on telephone and digital efforts .
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a campaign in this environment .
With less than a 100 days until the election , both sides are making it up as they go - with the presidency hanging the balance .
President Trump has been far more reluctant to move his convention online .
He initially planned to hold the event in North Carolina but switched to Florida because of coronavirus restrictions .
Florida was then scrapped due to a surge in Covid-19 cases .
The event , shortened to half a day , will now be held on 24 August @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Fox News on Wednesday , the president insisted that the coronavirus outbreak `` will go away like things go away '' .
Despite Mr Trump demanding that schools reopen fully , it has been announced that public school students in Chicago will begin the academic year remotely in September .
More than 157,000 people have lost their lives to coronavirus in the US - by far the highest death toll in the world - and deaths have been averaging more than 1,000 a day in recent weeks .

The party instead has promised a slickly produced "virtual" convention from across the nation. Saying that and actually pulling it off, however, are two very different things. Meanwhile, Donald Trump has floated the idea of accepting his re-nomination from the White House itself, raising concerns that he's using the trappings of the office in a way none of his predecessors have attempted.


bbc--2020-08-05--Zhang Yuhuan: Chinese court clears man of murder after 27 years in prison

A man in eastern China has been acquitted of murder and freed after spending 27 years in prison .
Zhang Yuhuan maintained he was tortured by police and forced to confess to the murder of two young boys in 1993 .
He was China 's longest-serving wrongfully convicted inmate , after having served 9,778 days in the prison in Jiangxi province .
Prosecutors who reopened the case said his confession had inconsistencies and did not match the original crime .
He walked free after a high court found there was not enough evidence to justify his conviction .
Observers say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrongful convictions , but only criminal not political .
Footage on Chinese media showed Mr Zhang in an emotional reunion with his 83-year-old mother and his ex-wife following his release on Tuesday .
It is an open secret in China that the police use various kinds of torture , including sleep deprivation , cigarette burns and beatings , to force suspects to confess to crimes .
In the past , entire cases might then be pinned on that `` confession '' .
In 2010 , a serious effort began in China 's legal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forced confessions .
Death sentences must now be approved by China 's Supreme Court and there is a growing drive to eliminate cases that are pinned solely on a suspect 's confession .
However , China 's legal reform has clear limits .
Police in many provinces remain under heavy pressure to `` solve '' cases , often by producing suspects and there is little appetite to improve the treatment of dissidents and some ethnic minorities , including Muslim Uighurs .
The authorities regularly detain individuals in politically sensitive cases and interrogate them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Behind those closed doors , almost anything can happen .
It is far more likely that China will reform its treatment of criminal suspects than those who appear to threaten the dominance of the Communist Party .
His former wife , Song Xiaonyu , had two sons with Mr Zhang before they divorced 11 years ago .
She remarried but continued to help her former husband with his appeal .
`` I was so excited when I heard the court 's announcement , '' said Ms Song .
Mr Zhang was told by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compensation for wrongful conviction .
`` I 'll negotiate the exact amount of compensation with my client , '' Mr Zhang 's lawyer , Wang Fei , told China Daily .
`` We 're also planning to ask for those who committed judicial miscarriages in the case to be held accountable . ''
Mr Zhang 's ordeal began in October 1993 when the bodies of two boys were discovered in a village reservoir in Jinxian , a county of Nanchang , capital of Jiangxi .
Mr Zhang was a neighbour of the victims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ detained .
In January 1995 , a court in Nanchang found him guilty and sentenced him to death but allowed the sentence to be commuted to life imprisonment after he served two years .
Mr Zhang said he was tortured by police during interrogations and continued to maintain his innocence .
Despite this , his appeals were unsuccessful .
Then , in March 2019 the high court agreed to retry the case and in July provincial prosecutors recommended Mr Zhang be acquitted based on insufficient evidence .
In a statement , high court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we reviewed the materials we have found there is no direct evidence that can prove Zhang 's conviction .
So we accepted the prosecutors ' suggestion and have declared Zhang innocent . ''
The killer of the two boys in 1993 remains unknown .

The authorities regularly detain individuals in politically sensitive cases and interrogate them outside of the normal detention system. Behind those closed doors, almost anything can happen. It is far more likely that China will reform its treatment of criminal suspects than those who appear to threaten the dominance of the Communist Party.


bbc--2020-08-05--Twitter hack teen's court date 'Zoombombed' with porn

A court hearing for the Florida teenager accused of being behind last month 's major Twitter hack was interrupted with pornography .
The hearing took place over video chat app Zoom , but had to be suspended after repeated interruptions .
The 17-year-old was asking for a lower bail amount , after pleading not guilty to the charges on Tuesday .
But Zoom users - changing their names to mimic CNN and BBC News employees - dropped in to the meeting uninvited .
Florida newspaper the Tampa Bay Times reported that the `` interruptions grew so frequent… Hillsborough Circuit Judge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ temporarily '' .
However , the interruptions resumed when the hearing did .
Some attendees played music down the line .
Another used Zoom 's screen-sharing feature to play pornography , which reporters said was the final straw that suspended the meeting .
Ryan Hughes , a reporter for WFLA News in Florida , said Judge Christopher Nash had remarked that `` next time he 'll require a password '' .
Zoom meetings without a password can be joined by anyone with the meeting 's ID number .
• Twitter hack : What @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expert Brian Krebs wrote that the so-called `` Zoombombing '' was predictable .
`` How the judge in charge of the proceeding did n't think to enable settings that would prevent people from taking over the screen is beyond me .
My guess is he did n't know he could , '' Krebs wrote .
He noted that it was fortunate the pornography clip was `` fairly tame '' as such things go .
`` Judges holding hearings over Zoom need to get a clue , '' he said .
After resuming the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lower the bail amount , which had been set at $ 750,000 ( £570,000 ) .
The teenager 's lawyers argued the amount was unreasonable , since he is accused of stealing just a fraction of that amount , the Tampa Bay Times said .
He is accused of 30 counts of fraud after the Twitter hack , which used the social media firm 's internal tools to access celebrity accounts for a Bitcoin scam .
Twitter says 130 accounts were targeted in the attack , while private account information from a much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ British 19-year-old from Bognor Regis , Mason Sheppard , was also charged by US officials in an indictment last month , as was 22-year-old Nima Fazeli from Orlando .

"How the judge in charge of the proceeding didn't think to enable settings that would prevent people from taking over the screen is beyond me. My guess is he didn't know he could," Krebs wrote.


bbc--2020-08-05--US election 2020 poll tracker: Who is ahead - Trump or Biden?

Voters in America will decide on 3 November whether Donald Trump remains in the White House for another four years .
The Republican president is being challenged by Democratic Party nominee Joe Biden , who is best known as Barack Obama 's vice-president but has been in US politics since the 1970s .
As election day approaches , polling companies will be trying to gauge the mood of the nation by asking voters which candidate they prefer .
We 'll be keeping track of those polls here and trying to work out what they can and ca n't tell us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ How are the presidential candidates doing nationally ?
National polls are a good guide as to how popular a candidate is across the country as a whole , but they 're not necessarily a good way to predict the result of the election .
In 2016 , for example , Hillary Clinton led in the polls and won nearly three million more votes than Donald Trump , but she still lost - that 's because the US uses an electoral college system , so winning the most votes does n't always win you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Joe Biden has been ahead of Donald Trump in national polls for most of the year .
He has hovered around 50 % in recent weeks and has had a 10-point lead on occasions but Mr Trump has recovered somewhat in the last few days .
By contrast , in 2016 the polls were far less clear and just a couple of percentage points separated Mr Trump and his then-rival Hillary Clinton at several points as election day neared .
• Does Trump have the power to delay the election ?
Which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mrs Clinton discovered in 2016 , the number of votes you win is less important than where you win them .
Most states nearly always vote the same way , meaning that in reality there are just a handful of states where both candidates stand a chance of winning .
These are the places where the election will be won and lost and are known as battleground states .
In the electoral college system the US uses to elect its president , each state is given a number of votes based on its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ college votes are up for grabs , so a candidate needs to hit 270 to win .
As the map above shows , some battleground states have a lot more electoral college votes on offer than others so candidates often spend a lot more time campaigning in them .
• What is the electoral college ?
At the moment , polls in the battleground states look good for Joe Biden , but there 's a long way to go and things can change very quickly , especially when Donald Trump 's involved .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ leads in Michigan , Pennsylvania and Wisconsin - three industrial states his Republican rival won by margins of less than 1 % to clinch victory in 2016 .
But it 's the battleground states where Mr Trump won big in 2016 that his campaign team will be most worried about .
His winning margin in Iowa , Ohio and Texas was between 8-10 % back then but he 's neck-and-neck with Mr Biden in all three at the moment .
Those poll numbers may help explain his decision to replace his re-election campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to `` fake polls '' .
Betting markets , however , are certainly not writing Mr Trump off just yet .
The latest odds still give him about a one in three chance of winning on 3 November .
The coronavirus pandemic has dominated headlines in the US since the start of the year and the response to President Trump 's actions has been split predictably along party lines .
Support for his approach peaked in mid-March after he declared a national emergency and made $ 50 billion available to states to stop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this point , 55 % of Americans approved of his actions , according to data from Ipsos , a leading polling company .
But any support he had from Democrats disappeared after that , while Republicans continued to back their president .
The most recent data , however , suggests even his own supporters have begun to question his response as states in the south and the west of the country have dealt with renewed outbreaks of the virus .
Republican support had fallen to 78 % by early July .
This may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change his message on coronavirus , moving away from saying the virus will `` just disappear '' and warning instead that the situation will `` get worse before it gets better '' .
He also donned a face mask for the first time recently and called on Americans to wear them , saying `` they 'll have an effect '' and show `` patriotism '' .
One leading model produced by experts at the University of Washington predicts the death toll will have passed 230,000 by 1 November - just two days before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so angry about masks ?
Can we trust the polls ?
It 's easy to dismiss the polls by saying they got it wrong in 2016 and President Trump frequently does exactly that .
But it 's not entirely true .
Most national polls did have Hillary Clinton ahead by a few percentage points , but that does n't mean they were wrong , since she won three million more votes than her rival .
Pollsters did have some problems in 2016 - notably a failure to properly represent voters without a college @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in some key battleground states was n't spotted until late in the race , if at all .
Most polling companies have corrected this now .
But this year there 's even more uncertainty than normal due to the coronavirus pandemic and the effect it 's having on both the economy and how people will vote in November , so all polls should be read with some scepticism , especially this far out from election day .

On his own health, 72% of respondents said that Mr Trump did not take the "risk of contracting the virus seriously enough," while the same number said he failed to take "the appropriate precautions when it came to his personal health".


bbc--2020-08-05--Chicago rapper FBG Duck killed in brazen daytime shopping attack

A Chicago rapper known as FBG Duck has been killed in an upscale retail shopping district as the city reels from above average levels of violence .
The rapper , whose legal name is Carlton Weekly , was shot by four people who emerged from two cars at 16:30 local time ( 22:30BST ) on Tuesday , then fled .
The shooting occurred in the Gold Coast area , a luxury and boutique shopping district near the city 's downtown .
Police say the city 's murder rate has risen 152 % over last year .
A man and woman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were also hit by gunfire and taken to hospital for treatment , police say .
Police have closed off the street to investigate , and are reviewing security camera footage to try to identify the attackers , who are still at large .
Gun violence is normally rare in this region of the city , which is near Chicago 's famed Magnificent Mile district .
Weekly rose in prominence in 2018 with his hit single , `` Slide '' , which was remixed by 21 Savage , and got his start in Chicago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to the Chicago Sun-Times .
He released four records in the last five years , and countless solo singles with his Fly Boy Gang rap crew , Pitchfork reported .
The glass on a Dolce and Gabbana storefront was shattered during the attack , pictures from the scene show .
Chicago community activist Ja'Mal Green said he had heard from friends of Weekly that he was emerging from a Saks Fifth Avenue when he was attacked .
`` He was pretty popular and , at the end of the day , there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people angry at this , '' Mr Green told the Sun-Times .
`` A lot of young people are going to lose hope because he was an idol .
It 's going to take the city a large effort to help young people cope with this loss . ''
Like in other American cities , crime has risen under coronavirus lockdown in Chicago and following protests against the police after the death of George Floyd .
In June , the city reported its deadliest day in 30 years .


bbc--2020-08-05--Coronavirus: France records two-month high in cases

France has recorded its highest number of daily coronavirus infections in more than two months .
Figures released on Wednesday showed 1,695 new cases within 24 hours .
With more than 30,000 deaths , France has the third-highest death toll in Europe , behind the UK and Italy .
The city of Toulouse has introduced new rules requiring face masks in its busiest streets , with Paris and a number of other cities expected to follow suit .
France is not the only European nation to witness a resurgence in cases since lockdown measures were eased .
• Where are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ How is Europe trying to stop coronavirus ?
On Wednesday , Spain reported its highest number of new cases since it began easing lockdown restrictions in June , with 1,772 infections .
The news came as Switzerland became the latest country to announce quarantine measures for travellers arriving from Spain , although its rules do not apply to travellers returning from the Canary and Balearic islands .
Last month , the UK removed Spain from its list of countries exempt from quarantine , meaning that people coming from any part of Spain must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Germany will now require all travellers returning from the Belgian city of Antwerp to quarantine , after the German disease control agency declared the city `` a risk zone '' .
And Greece recorded its highest single-day increase in cases in weeks , with 124 new infections in the last 24 hours , despite having fared relatively well in spring .
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis told Greeks they would need to adhere to strict restrictions , and warned against `` complacency '' .
What 's happening elsewhere in the world ?
In Afghanistan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ almost a third of the population - or around 10 million people - may have been infected with coronavirus , according to the country 's health minister .
The findings were the result of antibody testing carried out on 9,500 people from across the country , with the support of the the World Health Organization and Johns Hopkins University .
Minister Ahmad Jawad Osmani said the majority of cases had been found in cities , with the capital Kabul worst affected .
Many cases are believed to have been asymptomatic .
Afghanistan has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaths , but cases are believed to be massively underreported due to poverty and a health system strained by decades of conflict .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : How do I protect myself ?
• IMPACT : What the virus does to the body • COMPARING COUNTRIES : Why it is not straightforward In Brazil , meanwhile , a leading indigenous figure has died of complications from Covid-19 .
Yawalapiti chief Aritana had fought to protect the Amazon and for the rights of indigenous groups .
He tested positive for coronavirus in July @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Indigenous communities have been badly affected by the coronavirus outbreak in Brazil .
The country has the second-highest number of deaths and infections worldwide , with close to 96,000 fatalities and 2.8 million infections .

And Greece recorded its highest single-day increase in cases in weeks, with 124 new infections in the last 24 hours, despite having fared relatively well in spring. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis told Greeks they would need to adhere to strict restrictions, and warned against "complacency".


bbc--2020-08-05--Midnight Sun: Twilight fans feel young again as new book arrives

`` Who is ready to go back to being 12 years old again ? ''
wrote one Twilight fan on Twitter .
`` My 13 year-old self is truly LIVING rn , '' wrote another .
They had both immersed themselves in Stephenie Meyer 's saga once again after Midnight Sun , the latest book in the Twilight series , was published .
It re-tells the fantasy romance tale from the perspective of vampire Edward Cullen , rather than Bella Swan .
Nostalgic fans devoured it , while early reviews gave it a warm reception .
`` Am I a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another fan online .
`` Am I fully aware that Twilight is absolute trash ?
Yes .
Am I still going to read Midnight Sun ?
Also , yes . ''
The original Twilight book was released in 2005 , with the film following three years later .
The last full book in the series , Breaking Dawn , was released in 2008 , although Meyer also published a gender-swapped version of the original story in 2015 .
But fans have known about Midnight Sun for a long time - the draft manuscript @ @ @ @ @ @ @ author said made her feel `` violated '' .
This May , she announced that it would finally be published .
Speaking to the New York Times , Meyer said was arriving now purely `` because I finished it '' .
She said : `` When I did see the light at the end of the tunnel… I started the publication process right away , because I knew there were people who had been waiting really kindly and patiently , but also anxiously , for quite a while . ''
What do the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 671-page novel from fast-reading critics included one by Ed Power in The Telegraph , who gave the new book three stars .
`` The big thrill for Twilight true believers will be observing a familiar story play out , beat by beat , but from a different viewpoint , '' he wrote .
`` Meyer is genuinely invested Edward and Bella , and their dream of a shared life , and her devotion is infectious .
If predictable in places , Midnight Sun is no teenage fang dud . ''
Meredith Goldstein @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Some of the book feels repetitive .
`` We already read a lot of the dialogue between Edward and Bella in [ first book ] Twilight so the better scenes are when we get to follow Edward without her . ''
She went on : `` There are adorable moments with Edward and family , specifically Alice , his sister , who has visions of the future . ''
In USA Today , Morgan Hines said readers get a `` deeper insight into the book 's characters and understanding of its narrative '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ struggle , his past and his view of the relationship with Bella .
`` And as in any relationship , understanding both sides is revealing , '' she wrote .
Could it be turned into another movie ?
All four of the other books - Twilight , New Moon , Eclipse and Breaking Dawn - have made the leap from page to screen , helping to launch the careers of Kristen Stewart , Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner .
But director Catherine Hardwicke told Entertainment Tonight it would be `` difficult '' to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ movie .
`` We did stay a lot more in Bella 's head , '' she said .
She added that while an on-screen reunion would be `` a lot of fun '' , it was clear that Pattinson and Stewart were both now busy Hollywood stars .
`` Rob is Batman now… and Kristen is in a million beautiful projects , '' she said .
`` Who knows what would happen . ''
For now it 's all about the book , which publisher James Gurbutt noted `` was always going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said : `` At a time when bookshops have only fairly recently reopened , we hope this will be a really significant publication for retailers . ''
Follow us on Facebook , or on Twitter @ BBCNewsEnts .
If you have a story suggestion email entertainment.news @ bbc.co.uk .


bbc--2020-08-05--Poland LGBT protests: Three charged with hanging rainbow flags off statues

Three people accused of hanging LGBT rainbow flags off statues in Warsaw have been arrested and charged .
Polish police charged them with desecrating monuments and offending religious feelings .
Activists protesting against the anti-LGBT policies of President Andrzej Duda hung the flags off statues of Jesus Christ , the astronomer Copernicus and the Warsaw mermaid .
They also dressed them in pink face masks bearing the anarcho-queer symbol .
Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki denounced the activists , saying the statues symbolise values that are important to millions of Poles .
However , activists who were part of the demonstrations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ideology of governing officials .
Prosecutors must now decide whether to bring the case to court .
In Poland , the crime of offending religious feelings is punishable by a fine or up to two years in prison .
What has Duda said about LGBT rights ?
President Duda , an ally of the ruling nationalist Law and Justice Party ( PiS ) , is being sworn in for his second term in office on Thursday .
He was re-elected on 13 July , narrowly beating challenger Rafal Trzaskowski .
It was Poland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end of communism in 1989 .
During his campaign earlier this year , he proposed incorporating a ban on same-sex marriage and adoption into Poland 's constitution .
Mr Duda and his government have also frequently used inflammatory , homophobic language against the LGBT community .
During the presidential campaign , for example , Mr Duda said the LGBT movement is `` more destructive '' than communism .
He also accused the community of trying to `` force '' LGBT rights on the nation .
Poland does not currently recognise same-sex unions - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Same-sex couples are also legally banned from adopting children .
• The leader who sees gay rights as a threat to Poland Last month , the EU said it would deny funding to six Polish towns that declared themselves `` LGBT-free zones '' .
Helena Dalli , the EU 's commissioner for equality , tweeted : `` EU values and fundamental rights must be respected by Member States and state authorities . ''
Separately , Poland also announced last month that it was withdrawing from a European treaty aimed at preventing violence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the treaty , known as the Istanbul Convention , was `` harmful '' because it required schools to teach children about gender .

Last month, the EU said it would deny funding to six Polish towns that declared themselves "LGBT-free zones". Helena Dalli, the EU's commissioner for equality, tweeted: "EU values and fundamental rights must be respected by Member States and state authorities."


bbc--2020-08-05--Deadly storm Isaias reaches Canada

Deadly storm Isaias reaches Canada

At least five people have been killed as Tropical Storm Isaias swept through US states on the Atlantic Coast .
Two died when a tornado struck a mobile home park in North Carolina and at least three more were killed in New York , Delaware and Maryland .
Isaias has since moved into south-eastern Canada and been downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone .
Heavy rains meant about 46,000 residents of Quebec were without power overnight , according to Hydro Quebec .
The ninth named storm of the year , Isaias hit Puerto Rico , Haiti and the Dominican Republic with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least two people .
It uprooted trees , destroyed crops and homes and caused flooding and landslides .
It was downgraded to a tropical storm after passing over the Caribbean , but was re-categorised as a category-one hurricane as it approached the Carolinas on Monday .
From North Carolina up to New York , Isaias left more than 3.4 million residents without power .
It spawned tornadoes , uprooted trees , damaged homes and caused floods and fires .
A tropical storm warning was issued for the north-east coast all the way to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Philadelphia and New York .
Police in New York City said a tree fell and killed a man inside his vehicle in Queens .
A driver in Maryland was also killed when a tree toppled on to the car in the storm .
In Delaware , an 83-year-old woman was found dead under a large branch near her home .
In New Jersey , Governor Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency and all state offices remained closed on Tuesday .
In neighbouring New York , state authorities deployed emergency supplies including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sandbags throughout the state .
State officials in regions preparing for hurricanes this season have been grappling with opening shelters that comply with social distancing regulations .
US disaster agencies have updated preparedness and evacuation guidance in light of Covid-19 .
The Centers for Disease Control recommends families add Covid-19 items to a disaster `` go kit '' that can be taken in an emergency situation : • At least two face coverings per person ( though masks should not be worn by those under two years old or those who are unconscious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protecting yourself against Covid-19 if you must evacuate to a shelter : • Keep 6ft ( 2m ) of distance from anyone not among your household • If possible , wear a face covering and wash it regularly • Frequently disinfect your area in the shelter ( including toys and electronics )

Police in New York City said a tree fell and killed a man inside his vehicle in Queens. A driver in Maryland was also killed when a tree toppled on to the car in the storm.


bbc--2020-08-05--Jake Paul: FBI swat team seizes guns at home of YouTube star

The FBI have conducted a raid on the Los Angeles-area home of YouTube star Jake Paul .
A spokeswoman for the FBI said an armed swat team carried out the raid , which took place while Paul was not at home .
The official would not say the reason , only that the search was related to an investigation .
Officers were seen collecting guns from the property .
Paul is facing charges of looting in Arizona and recently held a party that allegedly broke public health orders .
Paul , 23 , has over 20 million followers on YouTube @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal search warrant at a residence in Calabasas in connection with an ongoing investigation , '' an FBI representative said in a statement .
`` The affidavit in support of the search warrant has been sealed by a judge and I am , therefore , prohibited from commenting as to the nature of the investigation .
No arrests are planned . ''
Aerial footage from news outlets showed what looked like firearms being removed from the home by investigators .
According to the local ABC station , these weapons included a long gun @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the garden .
In June , Paul was arrested in Scottsdale , Arizona , during a protest at a shopping centre following the death of George Floyd .
Police declared the demonstration a riot after looting started .
He was charged with criminal trespass and unlawful assembly , but told US media that he was only there to meet protesters .
In July , he was criticised for holding a day-long party at his Calabasas home , where revellers did not wear face masks or social distance .

"The affidavit in support of the search warrant has been sealed by a judge and I am, therefore, prohibited from commenting as to the nature of the investigation. No arrests are planned."


bbc--2020-08-05--TikTok to open $500m data centre in Ireland

TikTok has said it plans to build a $ 500m ( £375m ) data centre in Ireland .
It will store videos , messages and other data generated by European users from the short-form video-sharing app .
Until now all of its users ' records were stored in the US , with a back-up copy held in Singapore .
The announcement comes at a time when President Trump has threatened to ban the app in the US on the grounds its Chinese ownership makes it a national security risk .
TikTok 's Beijing-based parent company Bytedance denies the charge .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ sell its US , Canada , Australia and New Zealand operations to Microsoft .
Like many social media apps , TikTok gathers a wide range of information about its users .
Its privacy statement says this covers : • phone numbers in their address books and social network contacts • details about their devices including the operating system used , handset model and other unique identifiers • comments , photos and videos they have posted or at least part-prepared • browsing and search histories within the app • web browsing data that takes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ via cookies and other technologies • data obtained from third-party services and publicly available sources • keystroke patterns and screen tap rhythms exhibited while using a computer and/or smartphone that are particular to each user The data is collected to target advertisements , and help tailor its powerful algorithm .
But critics say that the Chinese Communist Party could demand access under its National Intelligence Law .
While the Chinese version of the app , Douyin , holds its records within mainland China , TikTok says it keeps all its user data separate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ access .
Given the Trump administration 's recent actions , the existing company is unlikely to carry on storing the information within the US .
But the firm said that the decision to set up a European centre was something it had been thinking about `` for a long time '' .
`` It 's a significant investment , '' Theo Bertram , the app 's director of public policy for Europe , told the BBC .
`` It 's a symbol of our long-term commitment to Europe , and I think that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and our creators at this time . ''
TikTok 's chief data protection officer for Europe is already based in Dublin , so Ireland 's Data Protection Commission already deals with related privacy issues on behalf of other EU nations .
As such , the centre 's creation should not impact European users in any meaningful way .
But the firm said it should create hundreds of new jobs when it goes into operation at an undisclosed location in between 18 to 24 months time .
The decision to base it in Ireland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is out of the running to host the app 's global HQ .
There has been speculation as to why TikTok is in talks to sell parts of its business outside of the US .
On the one hand , it had seemed odd that the deal covered all members of the Five Eyes security alliance except the UK .
On the other , Australia 's Prime Minister has said a review by its security agencies found that TikTok did not pose serious national security concerns , and therefore no case for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the reason the business was in talks to sell its operations in Australia , Canada and New Zealand was because they were currently managed along with the US as a single region under the same executive .
Mr Bertram also acknowledged there had been calls for the UK 's security services to review the app , and said TikTok would be willing to let its source code and algorithm be inspected if requested .
`` We welcome scrutiny , '' he said .
`` If the way that we 're judged is for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ factual review of what we are doing , we 're happy with that .
We do n't have anything to hide . ''

TikTok says that the reason it is in talks to sell its operations in Australia, Canada and New Zealand is because they were currently managed along with the US as a single region under the same executive.


bbc--2020-08-05--'Why the hell would I take a cognitive test?'

Presidential hopeful Joe Biden says he has not taken a cognitive test for dementia , adding that he trusts the @ @ @ @ @ is fit for office .
President Trump has previously spoken highly about his own results @ @ @ @ @ Biden is not in the best mental state .
Joe Biden disagreed with this suggestion @ @ @ @ @ to the presidential debates .

Presidential hopeful Joe Biden says he has not taken a cognitive test for dementia, adding that he trusts the public to decide if he is fit for office.
President Trump has previously spoken highly about his own results and has suggested that Mr Biden is not in the best mental state.
Joe Biden disagreed with this suggestion and said he looked forward to the presidential debates.


bbc--2020-08-05--In pictures: Chaos and destruction in Beirut after blast

Lebanon 's capital , Beirut , is mourning the victims of Tuesday 's huge blast , which killed more than @ @ @ @ @ caused widespread destruction in the city .
There blast was felt hundreds of kilometres away @ @ @ @ @ the explosion on several thousand tonnes of ammonium nitrate , stored in a warehouse for @ @ @ @ @ officials have been placed under house arrest .

Lebanon's capital, Beirut, is mourning the victims of Tuesday's huge blast, which killed more than 100, injured thousands and caused widespread destruction in the city.


bbc--2020-08-05--Beirut: Why has there been unrest in Lebanon?

With Covid-19 infections on the rise , hospitals were already struggling to cope .
Now , they are faced with @ @ @ @ @ from Tuesday 's explosion which shook Beirut .
The country is also going through the @ @ @ @ @ civil war , and tensions were already high with street demonstrations against the government .
@ @ @ @ @ Caroline Hawley explains why Lebanon has had decades of unrest .

With Covid-19 infections on the rise, hospitals were already struggling to cope.
Now, they are faced with treating thousands of injured people from Tuesday's explosion which shook Beirut.
The country is also going through the worst economic crisis since the civil war, and tensions were already high with street demonstrations against the government.
The BBC's Diplomatic Correspondent Caroline Hawley explains why Lebanon has had decades of unrest.
Video by: Ameer Ahmed, Olivia Lace-Evans and Terry Saunders


bbc--2020-08-05--Mother in labour during Beirut blast

Mother in labour during Beirut blast

Emmanuelle was getting ready to give birth at St George 's hospital in Beirut when an explosion rocked Lebanon 's @ @ @ @ @ captured the terrifying ordeal on camera .
He spoke to BBC World News about what @ @ @ @ @ George , arrived shortly after .
Mum and baby are both doing well .

Emmanuelle was getting ready to give birth at St George's hospital in Beirut when an explosion rocked Lebanon's capital.
Her husband Edmond captured the terrifying ordeal on camera. He spoke to BBC World News about what happened.
Their son, George, arrived shortly after. Mum and baby are both doing well.


bbc--2020-08-05--Instagram rolls out its TikTok rival Reels

Instagram is rolling out its TikTok rival Reels , adding the ability to create and discover short videos to the @ @ @ @ @ company had tested the features in a small number of countries but is now launching @ @ @ @ @ BBC 's Chris Fox asked Instagram 's Vishal Shah what the company would offer that @ @ @ @ @ .

Instagram is rolling out its TikTok rival Reels, adding the ability to create and discover short videos to the main Instagram app.
The company had tested the features in a small number of countries but is now launching them more widely.
Several news websites called the product a TikTok "rip-off" and "copycat".
The BBC's Chris Fox asked Instagram's Vishal Shah what the company would offer that TikTok did not already provide.


bbc--2020-08-05--Beirut explosion: What is ammonium nitrate and how dangerous is it?

Nearly 3,000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate - taken from a ship off the coast of Beirut six years ago and then stored in a warehouse - has been blamed for the explosion that ripped through the port area of the Lebanese capital on Tuesday .
But what is ammonium nitrate and why can it be so dangerous ?
Ammonium nitrate is a crystal-like white solid which is made in large industrial quantities .
Its biggest use is as a source of nitrogen for fertiliser , but it is also used to create explosives for mining .
`` You wo n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' explains Andrea Sella , professor of chemistry at University College London .
That 's because it 's synthetic , made by reacting ammonia with nitric acid , he says .
Ammonium nitrate is made all over the world and is relatively cheap to buy .
But storing it can be a problem , and it has been associated with serious industrial accidents in the past .
However , if you have a large amount of material lying around for a long time it begins to decay .
`` The real problem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ little bits of moisture and it eventually turns into an enormous rock , '' he says .
This makes it more dangerous because if a fire reaches it , the chemical reaction will be much more intense .
`` You have a supersonic shockwave that is travelling through the air , and you can see that in the white spherical cloud which travels out from the centre , expanding upwards , '' says Prof Sella .
The shockwave is produced from compressed air , he explains .
`` The air expands rapidly and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which causes the cloud , '' he adds .
How dangerous are the gases produced ?
The orange plume is caused by the nitrogen dioxide , which is often associated with air pollution .
`` If there is n't much wind , it could become a danger to the people nearby , '' says Prof Sella .
Is it used in bombs ?
With such a powerful blast , ammonium nitrate has been used by armies around the world as an explosive .
Has anything like this happened before ?

"The real problem is that over time it will absorb little bits of moisture and it eventually turns into an enormous rock," he says. This makes it more dangerous because if a fire reaches it, the chemical reaction will be much more intense.


bbc--2020-08-05--Coronavirus: Three Biden claims about Trump fact-checked

Joe Biden , the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee , has made several claims about President Donald Trump 's handling of the coronavirus crisis .
Mr Biden says the president has ordered a slowdown in coronavirus testing , is failing to provide enough protective equipment for healthcare workers , and has attempted to block public-health funding .
We 've taken a look at these claims .
Claim : `` President Trump ordered his administration to slow down coronavirus testing . ''
Verdict : Trump did suggest this in a speech , but officials say they have not been instructed to restrict @ @ @ @ @ @ @ June , President Trump told the crowd : `` I said to my people , slow the testing down , please . ''
But he has since called his comments `` semi-tongue in cheek '' , and his press secretary has said the comments were made in jest .
Dr Anthony Fauci , the White House 's top infectious disease expert , said : `` To my knowledge , none of us have ever been told to slow down on testing . ''
The US conducted an average of almost 744,000 tests a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 508,000 a day in June , according to the Covid Tracking Project - so testing has increased since President Trump 's comments .
The president has called testing `` a double-edged sword '' , and says the US looks like it is experiencing a rise in cases because of increased testing .
However , although testing has increased , so has the rate of tests coming back positive - so testing alone does n't account for the rise in the rate of coronavirus cases .
Claim : `` Our healthcare workers still do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : There is evidence of shortages in some healthcare facilities .
President Trump has touted his administration 's efforts to ramp up supply of personal protective equipment ( PPE ) , which was in short supply at the start of the pandemic .
Production has increased , but Mr Biden says the efforts still fall short .
In a survey published on 27 July by National Nurses United , the US 's largest union of registered nurses , 87 % of those who work at hospitals reported reusing at least one piece of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has also said there is still a shortage of PPE .
There is concern that with cases remaining high in the US and more businesses reopening , PPE supply production and distribution may need to expand rapidly .
Mr Biden tweeted this without context or evidence - we 've approached the Biden campaign for further comment .
US lawmakers are currently negotiating a major coronavirus relief package , and there have been reports in US media that the Trump administration is lobbying to reduce funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the government agency responsible for public health in the US , and it has had disagreements with the president during the pandemic over reopening guidelines and other measures .
However , the White House denies blocking CDC funding , saying : `` The claim from Biden 's team is false .
In our latest budget , the CDC saw an increase of $ 635m , an 8 % increase . ''
This is true , and the CDC has received an increase in funding during the pandemic response .
The Trump administration 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , starting in October 2020 , did initially propose cuts to the CDC - but it is now set to increase funding , including for infectious disease activities .

The CDC is the government agency responsible for public health in the US, and it has had disagreements with the president during the pandemic over reopening guidelines and other measures.


bbc--2020-08-05--What is the 'sovereign citizen' movement?

A growing movement of people who believe that laws do not apply to them threatens police and law enforcement around the world , experts and officials say .
So-called sovereign citizens believe they are immune from government rules and in some cases - including recently in Australia and the US - have violently confronted police .
Coronavirus mitigation measures , including mandatory social distancing and mask wearing , may also be fuelling the anti-government conspiracy and spreading its message to a global minority that view the deadly pandemic as a hoax .
The FBI has described the movement , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ domestic terrorism '' in the US and calls followers `` anti-government extremists who believe that even though they physically reside in this country , they are separate or 'sovereign ' from the United States '' .
The ideology hatched in the 1970s and grew out of Posse Comitatus , a US anti-government group that contained many followers who were anti-Semitic and believed governments were controlled by Jews .
It rose in prominence in the 1990s alongside the militia movement , says Mark Pitcavage , a researcher at the Anti-Defamation League who has followed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the late 1990s , the ideology reached Canada through anti-tax groups , before later going to Australia and then the UK and Ireland , says Mr Pitcavage .
In Australia , police this week attributed a `` dangerous '' rise in people resisting lockdown orders - sometimes violently - to the sovereign citizen movement .
Victoria Chief Police Commissioner Shane Patton said on Tuesday that officers have been forced `` to smash the windows of cars and pull people out to provide details '' after they have refused to answer questions or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ groups became familiar to Americans in the 1990s .
But any sympathy the wider public may have had towards such movements evaporated after the horrific Oklahoma City attack .
Now there are signs that their ideas are catching on again .
The political climate is to blame , including emergency coronavirus measures and anti-police sentiment after the killing of George Floyd .
Along with groups like the Boogaloo Boys , Three Percenters , and the Proud Boys , sovereign citizens are one of the fringe , and often overlapping , blocs who 've @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the streets .
When I covered an anti-lockdown protest in London in May , the first person I encountered was a man eager to tell me why the government had no legal power over him .
But it 's the US where the greatest potential for violence lies - particularly as Americans get deeper into a pandemic and a potentially fraught election campaign .
In Singapore , a country known for adherence to rules , a viral video in May this year showed a 40-year-old woman refusing to don a face mask , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This is something people are not going to know what it is '' .
`` It means I have nothing to do with the police , it means I have no contract with the police .
They have no say over me , '' said the woman , who was later sent to a mental health facility .
In the US , suspects of violent crimes - including a man accused of beheading his landlord in a rent dispute last week - have claimed to be immune from prosecution as sovereign citizens .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ adopters was Oklahoma City bombing conspirator Terry Nichols , who filed endless frivolous lawsuits against the government in the years before the 1995 attack on a federal office building which killed 168 people .
• Who are Boogaloo Bois , antifa and Proud Boys ?
The sovereign citizen movement is different from the militia movement , which puts more emphasis on paramilitary weapons training and organisation , experts say .
Sovereign citizens - which also go by many other names including constitutionalists , common law citizens , freemen , and non-resident aliens - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the QAnon conspiracy theory which believes President Donald Trump is saving the world from evil , because sovereign citizens view all government figures , including Mr Trump , as illegitimate .
What do sovereign citizens believe ?
There are a multitude of theories that followers believe , experts say , cautioning that it is hard to determine the number of believers worldwide due to a lack of structure .
The general ideology is based on the belief that the original government set up by the US founders , which most adherents refer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was slowly and secretly replaced by an illegitimate government sometime in the 1800s .
Followers around the world make similar claims about their own governments - or the British Royal Family as is the case with Australia , says Mr Pitcavage .
They believe there is a legal way to opt out of the current legal system that comes through filing documents and ending what they view as `` contracts '' with the government , such as driving licences and other identity documents .
Adherents are told by `` redemption gurus '' that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believe to have legal meaning , to `` divorce themselves '' from the illegitimate government , says Mr Pitcavage .
They often print out and carry documents which they claim prove their status .
`` And once you do that , once you have regained your sovereignty , none of the laws , rules , taxes , court orders , anything of the illegitimate de facto government have any more power or justification over you whatsoever . ''
Followers resist all government laws and regulations , no matter how trivial , and in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against the government , which critics refer to as `` paper terrorism '' .
They sometimes film encounters with police using the phrases that they believe protect them , including `` am I being detained ? ''
They have occasionally set up `` common law courts '' and issued bogus arrest warrants for US officials .
Some have been arrested with fake car registration plates they have issued to themselves , or have even printed their own currency believing the dollar to be invalid .
Mr Pitcavage says it 's common to find @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which has no legal bearing there .
Some followers believe it possible to access a secret government-held fund once they become sovereign .
The Internal Revenue Service ( IRS ) , which oversees federal tax payments in the US , says on its website that the notion of `` secret accounts assigned to each citizen is pure fantasy '' .
Some think that `` by filing a series of complex , legal-sounding documents , the sovereign can tap into that secret Treasury account for his own purposes , '' according to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extremist groups .
Followers are often struggling financially or are people who can not tolerate government bureaucracy , says Mr Pitcavage .
`` The sovereign citizen movement , through its pseudo-legal theories and tactics , tells them who to blame - it 's the illegitimate government , it 's the illegitimate banking system , it 's this and that .
And then offers them ways out . ''

They have occasionally set up "common law courts" and issued bogus arrest warrants for US officials. Some have been arrested with fake car registration plates they have issued to themselves, or have even printed their own currency believing the dollar to be invalid. Mr Pitcavage says it's common to find European followers cite the US criminal code, which has no legal bearing there.