bbc--2020-06-06--George Floyd death: Hammad Miah on being called a 'shoebomber'

As Hammad Miah prepares to compete in the Championship League on Sunday , he speaks to BBC Sport about his own experience of racism following the death of George Floyd in the USA .
Floyd , an unarmed black man who screamed `` I ca n't breathe '' while his neck was pinned under an officer 's knee , has become a symbol for change with the # BlackLivesMatter movement that has sparked huge anti-racism protests across the country .
This week , sports stars including Serena Williams , Paul Pogba and Lewis Hamilton have added their voices .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ snooker world number 75 Alfie Burden , who took a knee before his match against Ryan Day at the Championship League on Wednesday .
The concerns raised are all too familiar for Miah , who takes the 64th and final spot at the event in Milton Keynes , host to snooker 's first tournament since the season was halted because of the coronavirus pandemic .
`` I did have problems growing up ; I faced a lot of racism , '' Miah said .
`` But that has shaped me into the person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because of Islam that I have calmed down a little bit .
That experience of being called a Paki or taking the piss out of me because I am Muslim was really tough . ''
In a open and honest interview , Miah talks about : • None Sympathising with those rioting in the USA to make their feelings known • None How he would `` 100 % be in a gang '' if he still lived in London • None Being harassed by police when growing up 'When I was growing up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans have defied curfews in cities and the threat of military action from President Donald Trump to take to the streets in their tens of thousands , with violence spreading in some parts .
`` When I was growing up , the only way out was fighting , '' Miah said .
`` Slowly people started to realise that what they [ racists ] were saying was wrong .
`` The reason why people keep getting away with it is because they do n't get punished .
Islam is not about violence - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matured as an adult - but that was what we grew up with .
`` Some people have no idea what we go through and that is why we can relate to this # BlackLivesMatter movement taking place at the moment .
We get it because we feel discriminated against all the time . ''
' I feel I could have become a boxer' Miah , whose family are from Bangladesh , was born in London and later moved to Hertford .
It was his dad who first took him to a snooker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ son made a century break at 13 and won amateur tournaments at 16 .
Now 26 , he is one of only two British Asian players on the 128-man tour , the other being Welshman Kishan Hirani .
`` Once I got pulled over in my car by two separate police officers in the space of five minutes .
They asked what I was doing here in Hertford , I told them I live here and asked whether they pulled me over because I was Asian .
`` People say it is worse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bad here .
If our coppers carried guns , there would be so many deaths and I am thankful they do n't . ''
So how do you solve the issue of racism ?
`` People that are silent , the people that are trying to justify other crimes or responding with # WhiteLivesMatter , they are the problem , '' Miah said .
`` There is always someone out there trying to justify something inhumane .
`` At school , we learn all sorts of stuff and no-one is born racist .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and religion , things could change .
`` These protests will make a slight change but nothing major ; the change starts from the beginning .
`` Teach everyone how to love each other , how to care for each other no matter the colour of the skin .
We all bleed the same . ''

Hammad Miah grew up in Hertford and his family hail from Bangladesh
Warning: this piece contains offensive language
"A guy called me a shoebomber once. That was new to me and I was laughing about it because I didn't know what he was going on about. It was only afterwards, when reading up on it, did it become an insult."
As Hammad Miah prepares to compete in the Championship League on Sunday, he speaks to BBC Sport about his own experience of racism following the death of George Floyd in the USA.
Floyd, an unarmed black man who screamed "I can't breathe" while his neck was pinned under an officer's knee, has become a symbol for change with the #BlackLivesMatter movement that has sparked huge anti-racism protests across the country.
This week, sports stars including Serena Williams, Paul Pogba and Lewis Hamilton have added their voices. And there was a display of protest from snooker world number 75 Alfie Burden, who took a knee before his match against Ryan Day at the Championship League on Wednesday.
The concerns raised are all too familiar for Miah, who takes the 64th and final spot at the event in Milton Keynes, host to snooker's first tournament since the season was halted because of the coronavirus pandemic.
"I did have problems growing up; I faced a lot of racism," Miah said. "But that has shaped me into the person I am today.
"It is because of Islam that I have calmed down a little bit. That experience of being called a Paki or taking the piss out of me because I am Muslim was really tough."
Miah faced current world number one and world champion Judd Trump in the first round of the 2015 UK Championship
In a open and honest interview, Miah talks about:
Sympathising with those rioting in the USA to make their feelings known
How he would "100% be in a gang" if he still lived in London
Bare-knuckle fighting with a fellow snooker player
Being harassed by police when growing up
'When I was growing up, the only way out was fighting'
Americans have defied curfews in cities and the threat of military action from President Donald Trump to take to the streets in their tens of thousands, with violence spreading in some parts.
"When I was growing up, the only way out was fighting," Miah said. "Slowly people started to realise that what they [racists] were saying was wrong.
"The reason why people keep getting away with it is because they don't get punished. Islam is not about violence - I understand that now as I have matured as an adult - but that was what we grew up with.
"Some people have no idea what we go through and that is why we can relate to this #BlackLivesMatter movement taking place at the moment. We get it because we feel discriminated against all the time."
'I feel I could have become a boxer'
Miah, whose family are from Bangladesh, was born in London and later moved to Hertford. It was his dad who first took him to a snooker club, spotting the talent after his son made a century break at 13 and won amateur tournaments at 16.
Now 26, he is one of only two British Asian players on the 128-man tour, the other being Welshman Kishan Hirani.
Looking back on those early days, going to the snooker club with his dad, Miah says he used to "enjoy it". But while the sport brought him "contentment and peace, taking my mind off a lot of things", he pin-points his early experiences as a reason why he has failed to fulfil his potential.
"What happened in my childhood plays a big part in my snooker and is probably the reason I get so angry when playing," said Miah, who is ranked 96 in the world. "It is my character and I feel I could have become a boxer.
"It is not good for my well-being because it plays a part in the house and those around me. If I was still living in London, I would have 100% been in a gang.
"The boys that racially abused me growing up, I had a rage and anger towards them. I did not see them for a couple of years and then I got a bit bigger so if I bumped into them I was going to slap them hard."
Miah is ranked number 96 in the world
'I was offered a bareknuckle fight for £20'
Miah explains how he once had a run-in with a fellow player at a tournament in a holiday park in Wales.
"A couple of other players were around too and he started acting up and offered me a bareknuckle fight for £20 - I took his money off him," he said.
Miah also recalls suffering harassment from the police.
"Growing up, I remember the police would give me and my black friend more trouble than the rest of the group," he said.
"Once I got pulled over in my car by two separate police officers in the space of five minutes. They asked what I was doing here in Hertford, I told them I live here and asked whether they pulled me over because I was Asian.
"People say it is worse in America but it is just as bad here. If our coppers carried guns, there would be so many deaths and I am thankful they don't."
So how do you solve the issue of racism?
"People that are silent, the people that are trying to justify other crimes or responding with #WhiteLivesMatter, they are the problem," Miah said. "There is always someone out there trying to justify something inhumane.
"At school, we learn all sorts of stuff and no-one is born racist. If they taught us properly about race and religion, things could change.
"These protests will make a slight change but nothing major; the change starts from the beginning.
"Teach everyone how to love each other, how to care for each other no matter the colour of the skin. We all bleed the same."


bbc--2020-06-06--Five questions as Women's Super League moves on from 2019-20

After more than two months of debate , discussions and deliberations , Chelsea have been crowned Women 's Super League champions , Liverpool relegated and Aston Villa promoted to the top tier .
As the women 's game now looks to move on after the unorthodox conclusion to the 2019-20 English club campaign , BBC Sport looks at some of the key questions surrounding its resolution .
Also , what can be expected from the new season , which is set to start at the beginning of September ?
• Chelsea win WSL title as Liverpool go down To some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the table before the coronavirus pandemic halted play in March will seem strange .
Manchester City held a one-point advantage over second-placed Chelsea , but Emma Hayes ' side had a game in hand which ultimately handed them the title .
On an average points-per-game basis , Chelsea finished with 2.6 compared to City 's 2.5 .
It was a slender margin to settle what had been a thrilling , tense and extremely close three-way title race , with Arsenal just 0.1 points per game further back in third .
Nevertheless , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ champions , having been unbeaten in the league since January 2019 .
Hayes ' team had the title race mathematically in their hands before the season stopped , and had played all of their head-to-head matches against their closest rivals , coming out with the best record of the three sides .
Hayes dedicated the title to the country 's key workers , and congratulated City and Arsenal on their campaigns , but will also be proud to add a third league title to the Blues ' trophy cabinet , and their seventh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Liverpool ?
Liverpool will feel their relegation is harsh , given that they had more than a third of their league games outstanding .
The Reds were one point behind Birmingham City , but had played a game more than the West Midlands club .
It means the two-time WSL champions become the league 's highest-profile club to go down since the breakaway division began in 2011 .
On the pitch , they began the campaign poorly , struggling badly for goals before Christmas , and , although they had improved since January @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they had flirted with the drop all season .
Liverpool 's demise has not been down to simply one disappointing , albeit shortened campaign , nor the Football Association board 's decision to maintain relegation and promotion .
More widely , it comes after several years of the Reds seeing their men 's team 's Premier League rivals - not least Chelsea , Manchester City and Arsenal - investing far more in their women 's sides and overtaking the 2013 and 2014 champions .
With the club already having announced several players are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face a difficult summer of rebuilding for life in the Championship .
Can Aston Villa compete in the WSL ?
Replacing the Merseyside club in the top tier are Aston Villa , who held a six-point lead at the top of the Championship and were unbeaten .
Gemma Davies ' team conceded just 11 times in their 14 league games and , up front , were boosted by the goals of in-form striker Melissa Johnson and the flair of former Reading and Birmingham City winger Emma Follis .
The step up to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a challenge , but Villa have ambitious plans for the top flight , They signalled their intent off the field with the appointment of former England striker Eniola Aluko as their sporting director in January , and are understood to be keen to strengthen their squad in this summer 's transfer window , which is set to open on 19 June .
Will the FA Cup and Champions League be completed ?
While the league situation has now been resolved , the matter of the 2019-20 Women 's FA Cup remains under consideration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarter-final stage .
The FA is keen to try and complete the cup , but no dates have been finalised and the matter still needs to be agreed with Fifa .
`` If we can get the Women 's FA Cup back , it 's more likely to be weaved into those early months of the season , '' the FA 's director of the women 's professional game Kelly Simmons said .
`` I am passionate about bringing it back and we have got to have a discussion with the women 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got to check in with Fifa about completing competitions in a different season .
`` The reason I want to be back is we know that the Women 's FA Cup delivers big audiences globally and domestically and it 's the pinnacle , and it would really help make sure we come back strongly and continue to put women 's football back on the map . ''
The Women 's Champions League - which is also at the quarter-final stage - could also potentially be completed at an unknown date , with Simmons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Uefa is still discussing the matter .
Arsenal and Glasgow City were Britain 's two remaining representatives in the last eight , alongside teams including holders Lyon .
How badly will the women 's game be hit financially ?
In the lower leagues of the English women 's game and across the world , there are significant concerns about the financial impact the pandemic could have on female teams .
However , the FA appears confident that England 's top clubs are all in a position to get through the challenges the situation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to ring-fence the £7m per year it invests in the top two leagues , despite facing the need to make large cuts in other areas .
Some feel that the prospect of much of next season 's sport - for both male and female athletes - being played behind closed doors presents women 's sport with `` a massive financial opportunity '' , in terms of attracting more television viewers .
Meanwhile , others are concerned that not starting the 2020-21 WSL season until September means the women 's game will miss a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Asked why they are not planning to return sooner , Simmons replied : `` We looked if we could come back earlier , but we want to put in place the right pre-season for the players .
We want to make sure we protect them from injury .
`` That [ 5-6 September ] weekend is a Fifa men 's international fixture slot at the moment .
That 's when we launched [ the season ] last year and had a fantastic impact . ''

Chelsea overtook WSL leaders Manchester City to be crowned champions
After more than two months of debate, discussions and deliberations, Chelsea have been crowned Women's Super League champions, Liverpool relegated and Aston Villa promoted to the top tier.
As the women's game now looks to move on after the unorthodox conclusion to the 2019-20 English club campaign, BBC Sport looks at some of the key questions surrounding its resolution.
Also, what can be expected from the new season, which is set to start at the beginning of September?
Are Chelsea deserved title winners?
To some, the fact the champions were second in the table before the coronavirus pandemic halted play in March will seem strange. Manchester City held a one-point advantage over second-placed Chelsea, but Emma Hayes' side had a game in hand which ultimately handed them the title.
On an average points-per-game basis, Chelsea finished with 2.6 compared to City's 2.5.
It was a slender margin to settle what had been a thrilling, tense and extremely close three-way title race, with Arsenal just 0.1 points per game further back in third.
Nevertheless, many feel Chelsea are more than worthy champions, having been unbeaten in the league since January 2019.
Hayes' team had the title race mathematically in their hands before the season stopped, and had played all of their head-to-head matches against their closest rivals, coming out with the best record of the three sides.
Hayes dedicated the title to the country's key workers, and congratulated City and Arsenal on their campaigns, but will also be proud to add a third league title to the Blues' trophy cabinet, and their seventh major trophy.
What next for relegated Liverpool?
Liverpool will feel their relegation is harsh, given that they had more than a third of their league games outstanding.
The Reds were one point behind Birmingham City, but had played a game more than the West Midlands club.
It means the two-time WSL champions become the league's highest-profile club to go down since the breakaway division began in 2011.
On the pitch, they began the campaign poorly, struggling badly for goals before Christmas, and, although they had improved since January after a productive winter transfer window, they had flirted with the drop all season.
Liverpool's demise has not been down to simply one disappointing, albeit shortened campaign, nor the Football Association board's decision to maintain relegation and promotion.
Liverpool Women won just one of their 14 WSL games
More widely, it comes after several years of the Reds seeing their men's team's Premier League rivals - not least Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal - investing far more in their women's sides and overtaking the 2013 and 2014 champions.
With the club already having announced several players are to leave this summer, Liverpool now face a difficult summer of rebuilding for life in the Championship.
Can Aston Villa compete in the WSL?
Replacing the Merseyside club in the top tier are Aston Villa, who held a six-point lead at the top of the Championship and were unbeaten.
Gemma Davies' team conceded just 11 times in their 14 league games and, up front, were boosted by the goals of in-form striker Melissa Johnson and the flair of former Reading and Birmingham City winger Emma Follis.
The step up to a full-time, fully professional division will be a challenge, but Villa have ambitious plans for the top flight,
They signalled their intent off the field with the appointment of former England striker Eniola Aluko as their sporting director in January, and are understood to be keen to strengthen their squad in this summer's transfer window, which is set to open on 19 June.
Will the FA Cup and Champions League be completed?
While the league situation has now been resolved, the matter of the 2019-20 Women's FA Cup remains under consideration, with the competition having reached the quarter-final stage.
The FA is keen to try and complete the cup, but no dates have been finalised and the matter still needs to be agreed with Fifa.
"If we can get the Women's FA Cup back, it's more likely to be weaved into those early months of the season," the FA's director of the women's professional game Kelly Simmons said.
"I am passionate about bringing it back and we have got to have a discussion with the women's football board next week, we have got to check in with Fifa about completing competitions in a different season.
"The reason I want to be back is we know that the Women's FA Cup delivers big audiences globally and domestically and it's the pinnacle, and it would really help make sure we come back strongly and continue to put women's football back on the map."
The Women's Champions League - which is also at the quarter-final stage - could also potentially be completed at an unknown date, with Simmons understanding it could feature in August. Uefa is still discussing the matter.
Arsenal and Glasgow City were Britain's two remaining representatives in the last eight, alongside teams including holders Lyon.
How badly will the women's game be hit financially?
AFC Fylde recently reversed their decision to disband their women's team
In the lower leagues of the English women's game and across the world, there are significant concerns about the financial impact the pandemic could have on female teams.
However, the FA appears confident that England's top clubs are all in a position to get through the challenges the situation brings.
The governing body has agreed to ring-fence the £7m per year it invests in the top two leagues, despite facing the need to make large cuts in other areas.
Some feel that the prospect of much of next season's sport - for both male and female athletes - being played behind closed doors presents women's sport with "a massive financial opportunity", in terms of attracting more television viewers.
Meanwhile, others are concerned that not starting the 2020-21 WSL season until September means the women's game will miss a key opportunity for exposure this summer.
Asked why they are not planning to return sooner, Simmons replied: "We looked if we could come back earlier, but we want to put in place the right pre-season for the players. We want to make sure we protect them from injury.
"That [5-6 September] weekend is a Fifa men's international fixture slot at the moment. That's when we launched [the season] last year and had a fantastic impact."


bbc--2020-06-07--George Floyd: Thousands protest against racism in Washington DC

Tens of thousands are marching against racism and police brutality in Washington DC , as protests sparked by George Floyd 's death enter a 12th day .
Crowds gathered near the Capitol , the Lincoln Memorial and Lafayette Park , where security forces blocked any approach to the nearby White House .
Meanwhile , people paid their respects to Mr Floyd in North Carolina , where he was born , before a memorial service .
Large anti-racism rallies also took place in a number of other countries .
In the UK , Parliament Square in central London was filled with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , despite calls by the government to avoid mass gatherings for fear of spreading the coronavirus .
In Australia , there were major protests in the cities of Sydney , Melbourne and Brisbane that focused on the treatment of indigenous Australians .
• In pictures : Protests in US and around the world • Why I decided not to watch Floyd 's video Mr Floyd , an unarmed black man , died in police custody in Minneapolis on 25 May .
Video footage showed a white police officer , Derek Chauvin , kneeling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nine minutes while he is pinned to the floor .
Mr Chauvin has been dismissed and charged with murder .
Three other officers who were on the scene have also been sacked and charged with aiding and abetting .
What is happening in Washington DC ?
Tens of thousands of protesters , many of them carrying placards saying `` Black Lives Matter '' , gathered peacefully outside Lafayette Park , near the White House , at the newly renamed Black Lives Matter Plaza .
Mayor Muriel Bowser welcomed people , saying the crowds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to President Donald Trump .
On Monday , federal law enforcement officers fired tear gas to clear a protest in the area ahead of a visit to a church by the president .
`` If he can take over Washington DC , he can come for any state , and none of us will be safe , '' she said .
`` So today , we pushed the army away from our city . ''
Ms Bowser has requested the withdrawal of all federal law enforcement officers and National Guard troops from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unnecessary '' .
`` Our soldiers should not be treated that way , they should not be asked to move on American citizens .
Today , we say 'no ' ; in November , we say 'next ' . ''
A 35-year-protester , Eric Wood , told the BBC : `` I 'm here because I really could n't afford not to be here .
Racism has long been a part of the US . ''
Crystal Ballinger , 46 , said she felt hopeful about the movement this time .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I 'm hopeful that the message of solidarity and equality is getting out . ''
'We 're just getting started' The crowd was diverse - with people of different ethnicities , and families with children - and there was an upbeat , if determined , mood .
Music was being played and food , water and hand sanitiser handed out , as protesters chant `` George Floyd '' , `` Breonna Taylor '' , and `` No justice , no peace '' .
The protest 's movements appeared quite spontaneous - at one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through the streets , walking down Pennsylvania Avenue before looping back towards the White House .
At another point , the entire street of demonstrators dropped on one knee at the same time , in a mark of solidarity .
Sisters Sarina Lecroy , 20 , and Grace Lecroy , 16 , said they were protesting for the first time , and that they believed the extent of the public outrage and the nationwide nature of these protests could lead to police reforms .
`` We 're just getting started this time , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feel much more collective than in the past , '' said Sarina .
Many placards also reflected the growing debate about how white people should help the cause .
One placard held by a demonstrator read : `` I may never understand , but I will stand with you . ''
• WATCH : 'This is why we are protesting' • BACKGROUND : Five pieces of context to understand the protests • CRIME AND JUSTICE : How are African Americans treated ?
What 's happening elsewhere in the US ?
Hundreds of people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Raeford , North Carolina , laying flowers at a public viewing of his body in a church near where he was born .
A private memorial service was then held for members of his family .
Governor Roy Cooper ordered that flags be flown at half-mast from sunrise to sunset on Saturday in Mr Floyd 's honour .
In the city of Buffalo , New York , two police officers were charged with second-degree assault after they were filmed shoving a 75-year-old protester , who remains in hospital in a serious but stable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and were released without bail .
On Friday , the Minneapolis City Council and the Minnesota Department of Human Rights agreed to ban police neck restraints and chokeholds .
Seattle 's mayor banned the use by police of CS gas against protesters , and a federal judge in Denver ordered police to stop the use of tear gas , plastic bullets and other non-lethal force .
Meanwhile , the National Football League reversed its policy on protests against racial injustice by players during the national anthem .
What do protesters want ?
An @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the forefront of protests nationwide .
But it is not the only concern .
Repeated incidents of police brutality may have become the flashpoint , but issues with law enforcement are emblematic of the wider problem of systemic racism and inequality .
On social media and on the streets , those in support of the movement have called on elected officials to address these longstanding inequalities , from law enforcement to mass incarceration to healthcare .
Black Americans are jailed at five times the rate of white Americans and sentenced for drug offences @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rates of drug use , according to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People ( NAACP ) .
Black mothers die in childbirth at over twice the rate of white mothers , according to national health data .
Decades of government-sanctioned segregation have also seen inequalities across school systems , housing and other public resources .
A 2019 Pew Research Center study found more than eight-in-10 black adults say the legacy of slavery still affects black Americans ' position today .
Half say it is unlikely America will ever see true @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told BBC Minute : `` The system has failed me for 300 plus years , so what do I have to do to make it change ? ''

George Floyd dies after police arrest Image caption Tributes to George Floyd at a makeshift memorial Image copyright by Getty Images George Floyd dies after being arrested by police outside a shop in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Footage shows a white officer, Derek Chauvin, kneeling on Mr Floyd’s neck for several minutes while he is pinned to the floor. Mr Floyd is heard repeatedly saying "I can’t breathe". He is pronounced dead later in hospital.
Protests begin Image caption Demonstrators in Minneapolis Image copyright by AFP Four officers involved in the arrest of George Floyd are fired. Protests begin as the video of the arrest is shared widely on social media. Hundreds of demonstrators take to the streets of Minneapolis and vandalise police cars and the police station with graffiti.
Protests spread Image caption Protesters lie on the streets in Portland, Oregon Image copyright by Reuters Protests spread to other cities including Memphis and Los Angeles. In some places, like Portland, Oregon, protesters lie in the road, chanting "I can’t breathe". Demonstrators again gather around the police station in Minneapolis where the officers involved in George Floyd’s arrest were based and set fire to it. The building is evacuated and police retreat.
Trump tweets Image caption President Trump tweets about the unrest Image copyright by Reuters President Trump blames the violence on a lack of leadership in Minneapolis and threatens to send in the National Guard in a tweet. He follows it up in a second tweet with a warning "when the looting starts, the shooting starts". The second tweet is hidden by Twitter for "glorifying violence".
CNN reporter arrested Image caption Members of a CNN crew are arrested at a protest Image copyright by Reuters A CNN reporter, Omar Jimenez, is arrested while covering the Minneapolis protest. Mr Jimenez was reporting live when police officers handcuffed him. A few minutes later several of his colleagues are also arrested. They are all later released once they are confirmed to be members of the media. Derek Chauvin charged with murder Image caption Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin after being charged over the death of George Floyd Image copyright by Getty Images Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, 44, is charged with murder and manslaughter. The charges carry a combined maximum 35-year sentence.
Sixth night of protests Image caption Demonstrators set fire to rubbish in New York Image copyright by Reuters Violence spreads across the US on the sixth night of protests. A total of at least five people are reported killed in protests from Indianapolis to Chicago. More than 75 cities have seen protests. At least 4,400 people have been arrested. Curfews are imposed across the US to try to stem the unrest.
Trump threatens military response Image caption Trump posing with a Bible outside a boarded-up church Image copyright by EPA President Trump threatens to send in the military to quell growing civil unrest. He says if cities and states fail to control the protests and "defend their residents" he will deploy the army and "quickly solve the problem for them". Mr Trump poses in front of a damaged church shortly after police used tear gas to disperse peaceful protesters nearby.
Eighth night of protests Image caption George Floyd’s family joined protesters in Houston Image copyright by Getty Tens of thousands of protesters again take to the streets. One of the biggest protests is in George Floyd’s hometown of Houston, Texas. Many defy curfews in several cities, but the demonstrations are largely peaceful.
Memorial service for George Floyd Image caption Mourners gather to remember George Floyd Image copyright by Getty A memorial service for George Floyd is held in Minneapolis. Those gathered in tribute stand in silence for eight minutes, 46 seconds, the amount of time Mr Floyd is alleged to have been on the ground under arrest. Hundreds attended the service, which heard a eulogy from civil rights activist Rev Al Sharpton.
International protests Image caption Protester addresses crowds in Australia Image copyright by Getty As the US saw another weekend of protests, with tens of thousands marching in Washington DC, anti-racism demonstrations were held around the world. In Australia, there were major protests in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane that focused on the treatment of indigenous Australians. There were also demonstrations in France, Germany, Spain and the UK. In Bristol, protesters tore down the statue of a 17th century slave trader and threw it into the harbour.


bbc--2020-06-06--Two Buffalo policemen charged for shoving 75-year-old protester

Two US policemen have been charged with second-degree assault after they were filmed pushing a 75-year old protester to the ground , seriously injuring him .
Aaron Torgalski , 39 , and Robert McCabe , 32 , pleaded not guilty in Buffalo , New York .
They were released without bail , and face up to seven years in prison .
On Thursday , they were seen shoving Martin Gugino , who fell backwards on the pavement and started bleeding .
He remains in a local hospital in a serious but stable condition .
The two officers were enforcing a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of protests since the death of George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis last month .
Aaron Torgalski and Robert McCabe , members of the Emergency Response Team , were suspended without pay after footage of the incident outside the City Hall went viral .
Fifty-seven of their colleagues - the entire unit - later resigned from the team in response to the officers ' suspension .
On Saturday , a crowd of more than 100 supporters - including police officers and firefighters - protested outside the courthouse in Buffalo against the assault @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying ?
In a statement , Erie County District Attorney John Flynn said : `` The two defendants , who are Buffalo Police officers , pushed a protestor outside of City Hall , causing him to fall and hit his head on the sidewalk . ''
He stressed that he was not taking sides in the high-profile case .
`` We 're on the same team here .
We 're all working each and every day to do justice , to keep our streets safe , to keep our communities safe .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day to do that .
And when I have to prosecute one of my teammates it does n't help the situation , '' Mr Flynn said .
What has been the reaction ?
John Evans , president of the local police union , told the Buffalo News newspaper : `` Our position is these officers were simply following orders from Deputy Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia to clear the square .
`` It does n't specify clear the square of men , 50 and under or 15 to 40 .
They were simply doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how much contact was made .
He did slip in my estimation .
He fell backwards . ''
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said on Friday the two officers should be fired , and called for the incident to be investigated for `` possible criminal charges '' .
In a statement , Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown said : `` We can confirm that contingency plans are in place to maintain police services and ensure public safety within our community . ''
An initial statement from Buffalo Police Department said the man - long-time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to advocacy group Push ( People United for Sustainable Housing ) - had `` tripped '' and fallen during a `` skirmish involving protesters '' .
Police spokesman Jeff Rinaldo later attributed the statement to officers not directly involved in the incident .

"It doesn't specify clear the square of men, 50 and under or 15 to 40. They were simply doing their job. I don't know how much contact was made. He did slip in my estimation. He fell backwards."


bbc--2020-06-07--Large anti-racism demonstrations across UK

Thousands of people have joined anti-racism demonstrations across the UK .
The protests , sparked by the death of George Floyd in the US , were held in cities including London , Manchester , Cardiff , Leicester and Sheffield .
In London , protesters knelt for a minute 's silence before chanting `` no justice , no peace '' and `` black lives matter '' .
The majority of the day 's protests were peaceful but in the evening there were disturbances outside Downing Street .
BBC home affairs correspondent Tom Symonds said the protest was largely over when missiles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ line .
Police horses were used to regain control , but one horse galloped ahead and its rider fell to the ground after hitting her head on a traffic light .
Her injuries are not life-threatening , the Metropolitan Police said .
Fourteen people were arrested and 10 officers were injured after a smaller group became `` angry and intent on violence '' , the force added .
In a tweet , Mayor of London Sadiq Khan told the protesters `` I stand with you and I share your anger and your pain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people who became violent `` let down this important cause '' .
The protests went ahead despite officials advising against mass gatherings due to coronavirus .
Home Secretary Priti Patel said the social distancing advice was `` for the safety of all of us '' , while Met Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick said the protests were `` unlawful '' .
• Are you allowed to protest during lockdown ?
• Why the US protests resonate in the UK Thousands of people gathered in the capital , the majority donning face coverings and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made reference to coronavirus , including one which read : `` There is a virus greater than Covid-19 and it 's called racism '' .
Meanwhile , in Northern Ireland , police said they had issued `` a significant number '' of fines given the dangers of crowds in the pandemic .
Protests began in the US after a video emerged of Mr Floyd , a 46-year-old black man , being arrested by four officers on 25 May in Minneapolis .
Videos showed Mr Floyd , who was unarmed and in handcuffs , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his neck for nearly nine minutes .
The footage - seen all around the world - showed him gasping that he could not breathe .
An officer has been charged with murder while three of his colleagues stand accused of aiding and abetting the killing .
At a protest in his hometown of Watford , Britain 's world heavyweight champion boxer Anthony Joshua told the crowds : `` We can no longer sit back and remain silent on this senseless , unlawful killing and sly racism on another human being . ''
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knee and raised their fists in the air outside the US embassy amid chants of `` silence is violence '' and `` colour is not a crime '' .
Sarah Law , a 27-year-old train manager , said there was a `` great atmosphere '' at the protest in London .
She said : `` I do n't want my future children to experience what I have .
It 's time for us all to unite together regardless of our race and stand up for what is right . ''
Meanwhile , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have links to the slave trade , replacing street signs with the names of enslaved Africans , black activists and victims of police brutality .
Demonstrations are scheduled in Glasgow , Edinburgh and Aberdeen on Sunday .
In Manchester about 15,000 protesters gathered at Piccadilly Gardens in the city centre , clapping in unison and holding placards bearing the initials BLM .
They gathered despite warnings from Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham that mass gatherings were `` high risk '' after fears coronavirus may be spreading rapidly again .
Elsewhere , several hundred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more took part in an online protest organised in the north-east of England .
More protests took place across Europe on Saturday and others have begun in the US capital of Washington DC .
How Floyd 's death resonated in the UK • 'When one is hurt , we 're all hurt' • What does white privilege mean ?
• How many black people die in police custody ?
Meanwhile , police in Northern Ireland said organisers of the protests in Belfast and Londonderry will be reported to the Public Prosecution Service with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Belfast had marked out social distancing measurements .
PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Alan Todd said regulations must be adhered to as `` these are not ordinary times '' .
O'Neall Rawle , a 27-year-old teacher from Leicester , said he was protesting `` to hopefully spark some change '' .
`` I 'm protesting because I 'm exhausted , '' he said .
`` Exhausted of having to 'accept ' this way of life .
Exhausted of being treated as a second class citizen .
Exhausted of being portrayed as aggressive , loud @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Earlier , the home secretary said she understood people 's views and why they wanted to protest but said public health took priority .
And speaking on LBC , Dame Cressida said she understood the strength of feeling but urged protesters to find a way of expressing themselves that did not involve mass gatherings .
She also said that police officers should not `` take the knee '' in solidarity with protesters .
What does the law say about protests ?
Coronavirus regulations for England do n't specifically mention protests but do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than six people - that would make large protests illegal .
Police officers can hand out fixed-penalty notices ( starting at £100 ) to people who wo n't follow the health regulations .
They can also arrest and charge someone with an offence .
Whether they do this in practice is another matter and policing large protests during the coronavirus pandemic presents a challenge .
Dame Cressida has said officers will `` seek to uphold the law '' but will have to make a `` case-by-case '' decision on what to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3 June that if they had tried to enforce a mass dispersal at last weekend 's protests , `` we would probably have ended up with very serious disorder '' .
Read more on what the law says on protests here .

Sarah Law, 27, said: "I don't want my future children to experience what I have. It's time for us all to unite together regardless of our race and stand up for what is right."


bbc--2020-06-06--Coronavirus: Far-right Rome protest turns briefly violent

A rally by Italian far-right extremists and hardcore football fans over the government 's response to coronavirus has turned briefly violent .
The clashes in the centre of the capital , Rome , started after a fight between demonstrators , reports say .
Police responded with water cannon and tear gas , and made several arrests .
Hundreds marched to call on the government to resign over its handling of the crisis and the damage wrought on the economy and jobs .
With more than 33,800 fatalities and 234,000 cases since the coronavirus outbreak began , Italy has been one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The protesters gathered in the ancient area around the Circus Maximus .
Clashes broke out as one of their representatives began talking to the media , reports say .
Some demonstrators threw bottles , stones and smoke bombs towards the police , journalists and photographers , and shouted `` journalists , terrorists '' , the AFP news agency reports .
One protester said those attending were people who wanted to restore `` legality and dignity in Italy '' .
`` We are here to make the whole world understand that today in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ devastated and destroyed by a government that in fact is not doing the interests of Italians , '' he told Reuters news agency .
• 'We all became heroes but they 've already forgotten us' • How is lockdown being lifted across Europe ?
Italy has entered its final phase in easing lockdown restrictions , allowing domestic travel between regions and opening its international borders .
Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has said the government was working to speed up social payments and pledged `` a serious tax reform '' .
Shops , cafes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again , and tourist sites have begun welcoming tourists in recent days .
You may also be interested in :

"We are here to make the whole world understand that today in Italy, every category of workers is devastated and destroyed by a government that in fact is not doing the interests of Italians," he told Reuters news agency.


bbc--2020-06-06--Coronavirus: Hunting for future killer viruses

Scientists are warning that we have created `` a perfect storm '' for diseases from wildlife to spill over into @ @ @ @ @ the world .
As part of a global effort to study how and where new @ @ @ @ @ the University of Liverpool have led the development of a pattern-recognition system to predict which @ @ @ @ @ risk to humans .

Scientists are warning that we have created "a perfect storm" for diseases from wildlife to spill over into humans and spread quickly around the world.
As part of a global effort to study how and where new diseases emerge, scientists at the University of Liverpool have led the development of a pattern-recognition system to predict which wildlife diseases pose the most risk to humans.
BBC News science correspondent Victoria Gill reports.
Film by David Cheeseman


bbc--2020-06-06--Vatican arrest man over luxury property deal

An Italian businessman who helped the Vatican to buy luxury property in London in a controversial deal has been arrested by Vatican police .
Gianluigi Torzi is accused of extortion , embezzlement , aggravated fraud and money laundering in relation to the $ 200m ( £160m ) deal .
He is being held in Vatican police barracks , and faces up to 12 years in prison if found guilty .
The 2018 purchase of the building is subject to an ongoing investigation .
The apartment block on Sloane Avenue , in London 's exclusive Chelsea , had been bought with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the body charged with the Vatican 's diplomatic and political functions .
But it is alleged the price was greatly inflated .
In October , police raided the Secretariat 's office and seized documents and computers , and the Vatican suspended five officials , barring them from the city state .
• The Vatican bank is rocked by scandal again Pope Francis suggested that parts of the deal made were corrupt , saying `` they have done things that do not seem clean '' .
The Secretariat of State is in control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across the world .
An internal Vatican memo about the investigation into the five officials was leaked to the media , after which the Vatican Head of Police resigned .
In February computers and documents belonging to senior financial official Alberto Perlasca were seized by Vatican police .
Earlier this week , the Pope issued a new law designed to boost transparency in Vatican 's financial deals .
However , he last year defended the practise of buying property with Church money , suggesting it is a good investment .
The Catholic Church @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scandals over the cover-up of sex abuse by its priests .

Earlier this week, the Pope issued a new law designed to boost transparency in Vatican's financial deals. However, he last year defended the practise of buying property with Church money, suggesting it is a good investment.


bbc--2020-06-06--Prince William reveals he is secret helpline volunteer

The Duke of Cambridge has revealed he has been anonymously volunteering on a crisis helpline during lockdown .
He has been volunteering at Shout 85258 , which offers support via text message to people in personal crisis .
Prince William said he had been answering messages after being trained by the mental health charity .
Last month he told fellow volunteers in a video call : `` I 'm going to share a little secret with you guys , but I 'm actually on the platform volunteering . ''
Those texting the round-the-clock service would not know they are talking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - like Shout 's 2,000 volunteers , William would use a pseudonym on the platform .
Kensington Palace announced the prince 's involvement to mark Volunteers Week , which ends on Sunday .
A new photograph of the duke with Prince George and Princess Charlotte volunteering on the Sandringham Estate , taken by the Duchess of Cambridge , has also been released .
The Queen has praised the work of volunteers in a special message , saying : `` As Volunteers ' Week draws to a close , it is inspiring to reflect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who through their acts of generosity and kindness , have achieved so much for the greater good .
`` I have been following with interest how men and women from around the world , including my own family , have been helping and recognising the vital role of the volunteer .
`` I send my best wishes to all those who give themselves so freely and selflessly in the service of others . ''
The Cambridges and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex helped to launch Shout 85258 last year - investing £3m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In a little over a year since then , more than 300,000 text conversations have been had on the service .
Around 65 % of those texting are aged under 25 , the charity said , with many messengers seeking mental health support .
What do Shout volunteers do ?
Training as a crisis volunteer at Shout puts William in the frontline of services for young people in distress - and it 's a tough role .
CVs , as they 're known , undertake special training to support those in crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ encounter , and be tasked with helping , those in very real distress .
Some texters are experiencing depression or panic attacks , others are self-harming .
A large proportion say they feel suicidal .
The job of the CV is to lead that texter to a cool , calm place where they may begin to establish solutions .
Sometimes they 'll just need to build resilience , with support from friends or family .
In others , they 'll be guided toward charities or NHS mental health support .
It 's not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to take his or her own life .
This can lead to what Shout call an 'Active Rescue ' - the CV will continue gently talking to the texter while the emergency services are called in by a supervisor .
Whether it be talking someone down from a bridge , or persuading them to put away that bottle of pills , these conversations can be gruelling and rewarding in equal measure .
The fact that the second in line to the throne is now routinely helping people in such desperate situations is hugely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unique perspective on what young people in crisis may be going through .
Meanwhile , the Duchess of Cornwall , the Duchess of Cambridge , the Countess of Wessex and the Duchess of Gloucester have been calling people who are self-isolating or vulnerable , as part of the Royal Voluntary Service 's NHS Volunteer Responders scheme .
The Countess of Wessex has also been privately volunteering to support efforts in local communities , including once a week with Mealforce and Helpforce , helping to provide daily meals for NHS workers across London .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ be part of the scheme 's `` volunteer army '' after it launched in April , but some later expressed frustration at not having been used .
Last week , the Duchess of Cambridge thanked others who had signed up to help the scheme , calling them `` the backbone of our country '' .
She and Prince William marked Volunteers Week by holding video calls with those helping charities in England and Wales .
Among them were those working at Conscious Youth , which helps young people from mainly black and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ During the call , Prince William joked about home-schooling his six-year-old son Prince George , saying : `` I struggle with Year 2 maths . ''
The royal couple also spoke to a group of neighbours in mid-Wales who have been offering help with shopping , cooking and deliveries during lockdown .
The prince told the 120 volunteers they had offered `` a lifeline '' to people in their community .

Whether it be talking someone down from a bridge, or persuading them to put away that bottle of pills, these conversations can be gruelling and rewarding in equal measure. The fact that the second in line to the throne is now routinely helping people in such desperate situations is hugely significant - it gives Prince William a unique perspective on what young people in crisis may be going through.


bbc--2020-06-06--Afghans condemn Iran police after refugees die in car fire

The deaths of three Afghan refugees in a car fire in Iran has prompted an outpouring of anger towards police there , after it emerged the blaze began when officers shot at the vehicle .
Another four were injured , including a boy seen begging `` Give me some water , I am burning '' in video of the incident .
His plea is now a hashtag , used by Afghans to express their anger online .
It comes a month after Iranian border guards allegedly tortured and killed a group of Afghan migrants .
Afghan officials said 45 migrant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forced them at gunpoint into a river .
Iran denied the allegations .
What happened to the car ?
The deputy governor of the central Iranian province of Yazd , Ahmad Tarahomi , told local media that police officers suspected the car was carrying drugs and undocumented migrants .
When the car failed to stop at a checkpoint , they opened fire , he said .
After its tyres were hit , the car continued to drive on its wheel rims , causing sparks that started the fire , Mr Tarahomi added .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ partially-burnt boy with tattered clothes on the side of a road begging for water .
The Afghan ministry of foreign affairs has confirmed the video is genuine .
What has the reaction been ?
An Afghan delegation was being sent to Iran to support the victims and investigate the incident , Abdul Ghafoor Liwal , Afghanistan 's ambassador to Tehran , told the BBC on Friday .
There was a wave of outrage online after the video went viral on social media , adding to long-standing anger about alleged mistreatment of Afghans in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including refugees and migrants - live in Iran .
`` Iran has no right to kill Afghan refugees , they can seal their borders , expel all Afghans but not kill them , '' Ali Noori , a lawyer and rights activist , said on Facebook , according to Reuters news agency .
• The porous borders where coronavirus can not be controlled Some Afghans made comparisons with police brutality in the US , which has triggered protests in recent days .
`` A boy screams for a drop of water but no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Where is humanity ?
# shameful , '' tweeted Javid Ahmad Qaem , Afghanistan 's ambassador to China .
`` Afghans are burnt to death and thrown into water by the Iranian regime .
There are tens of Afghan # GeorgeFloyd every week in Iran .
Human rights violations by the Iranian regime are extremely alarming , '' tweeted Hamid Hatsaandh , who describes himself as an activist .

"Afghans are burnt to death and thrown into water by the Iranian regime. There are tens of Afghan #GeorgeFloyd every week in Iran. Human rights violations by the Iranian regime are extremely alarming," tweeted Hamid Hatsaandh, who describes himself as an activist.


bbc--2020-06-06--D-Day anniversary: Emotional surprise for veteran in lockdown

Harry Billinge had planned to be in Normandy for the 76th anniversary of D-Day , visiting a new British memorial @ @ @ @ @ 94-year-old raised tens of thousands of pounds for the memorial - and he was even @ @ @ @ @ efforts .
But the trip was cancelled due to coronavirus .
So BBC Breakfast surprised @ @ @ @ @ past .
Read more : Memorial 'brought to veterans ' for D-Day

Harry Billinge had planned to be in Normandy for the 76th anniversary of D-Day, visiting a new British memorial with other veterans.
The 94-year-old raised tens of thousands of pounds for the memorial - and he was even made an MBE for his efforts.
But the trip was cancelled due to coronavirus. So BBC Breakfast surprised with a face from the past.
Read more: Memorial 'brought to veterans' for D-Day


bbc--2020-06-06--Trump 'approves plan' to cut US troops in Germany

US President Donald Trump has approved a plan to withdraw 9,500 American troops from bases in Germany by September , US media say .
Mr Trump , who has long complained that European members of Nato should spend more on their own defence , reportedly wants US troop levels capped at 25,000 .
Troops would either be redeployed elsewhere or return home , US media report , citing a government official .
Tensions between the US and its Nato allies have increased under Mr Trump .
The president has said that Europe 's North Atlantic Treaty Organisation ( Nato ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heavily on the US to shoulder the costs of maintaining the alliance .
• What does the US contribute to Nato in Europe ?
The German foreign ministry has not commented , but two senior members of the ruling Christian Democratic Union party expressed concern at the news .
MP Andreas Nick said the fact that the Pentagon had made no public comment , instead directing inquiries to the White House , indicated `` that the decision is purely politically motivated '' .
Johann Wadephul said the plan showed `` once again that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ task of leadership : the involvement of allies in the decision-making process '' .
Meanwhile , Polish PM Mateusz Morawiecki said he hoped some of the troops moved out of Germany would be reassigned to his country .
On Friday , Mr Trump directed the Pentagon to permanently remove what would amount to 27.5 % of the country 's troops currently based in Germany , the Wall Street Journal reported , citing an unnamed administration official .
It added that the defence department would need to approve the plan before it could be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immediately confirm the reports , but spokesman John Ullyot said in a statement that the US remained `` committed to working with our strong ally Germany '' on defence and other issues .
Mr Trump has previously raised at Nato summits the issue of so-called burden-sharing .
The debate focuses around the target agreed by all alliance members that defence spending should reach 2 % of GDP ( gross domestic product , the total value of goods produced and services provided ) by 2024 .
Last year , Nato 's civilian and military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 1.84bn ) , its own figures show .
The US military presence in Germany is a legacy of the post-World War Two Allied occupation of the country .
Germany currently hosts by far the largest number of US forces in Europe , followed by Italy , the UK and Spain .
Some US personnel based in Europe support non-Nato operations and US military numbers fluctuate as forces are rotated in and out of Europe .

The US military presence in Germany is a legacy of the post-World War Two Allied occupation of the country. Germany currently hosts by far the largest number of US forces in Europe, followed by Italy, the UK and Spain.


bbc--2020-06-06--Discovering Colombia's rare flora and fauna

Colombia 's tropical rainforests have been disappearing fast .
Since the 2016 peace deal between the government and the Farc guerrillas much of the virgin jungle that was previously off-limits due to conflict has now been chopped down , destroying entire ecosystems .
But now efforts are under way to save what 's left .
Earlier this year , and just before the coronavirus lockdown , I joined an expedition of top botanists from the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew in London into previously unexplored rainforest in the Serrania de las Quinchas , as they searched for rare plant species @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Colombia is the second most bio-diverse country in the world after Brazil .
It also has more bird species - 1,958 at latest count - than any other country .
If there were a game of Top Trumps for hummingbirds then Colombia would win hands-down .
With its mountains , jungles and rainforests , this large South American nation boasts some of the world 's most colourful flora and fauna .
Here is a small sample of what we saw .
Travelling on horseback was the only way for me , being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ terrain .
Conservationists are hoping this largely safe and unexplored part of Colombia could , with better access , become a prime destination for eco-tourism .
We spent the night here , on hammocks and mattresses .
The farmer who lives here alone is completely self-sufficient , rearing his own cattle and pigs but also growing a type of root vegetable for food , which the scientists say they had never seen before .
The week before we arrived his son was bitten on the foot by a venomous fer-de-lance pit viper in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to carry him on his back to the nearest road and they just got him to a hospital in time to save his leg from having to be amputated .
A tiny and surprisingly tame bird that lives up to its name .
Its beak here was stuffed with insects it had just caught .
It was a familiar sight in the trees around the palm-thatch hut we slept in and one of the first birds to wake us up with the dawn chorus .
( Note : nothing remarkable about this species @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) One of the most aggressive and territorial of Colombia 's 165 hummingbird species , it is known to attack other birds and insects that it sees as intruders .
At night it goes into a resting torpor to replenish its high levels of energy .
This is one of 18 different hummingbirds to be found high in the hills above Bogota at the Observatorio de Colibríes , where visitors can watch them flitting through the branches while eating breakfasts of mango , papaya and strong Colombian coffee .
This terrifying insect has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to mankind , even worse than the Bullet Ant and Asian Giant Hornet .
One of the largest neotropical wasps at 3cm in length , its name literally means `` meat-maker '' as it chews up its prey before ferrying it back to the nest .
The TV naturalist Coyote Peterson volunteered to be stung by one and declared afterwards that a hole rotted in his arm at the site of the sting .
I photographed this one just as it took off from a tree branch .
One of the most attractive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ montane forests at about 3,000m altitude .
Found all the way down the western spine of South America its Latin name means `` flame-coloured '' .
This one was perched near a waterfall , making short forays into the spray of water to catch insects while calling loudly .
This was one of the new , unknown species found by the Kew Gardens botanists deep in the remote jungle of Las Quinchas .
The expedition leader , Mauricio Diazgranados , said `` the shape and texture of the fruit were very unusual '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to come across this exotic flower growing on a river bank in the central Magdalena Valley .
The trees that produce it grow up to 12m tall and their trunks are often infested with ants .
Locals say the flower has medicinal properties and one of the big hopes for sparing what 's left of Colombia 's tropical forests is that their plants may contain vital medicinal remedies .

A tiny and surprisingly tame bird that lives up to its name. Its beak here was stuffed with insects it had just caught. It was a familiar sight in the trees around the palm-thatch hut we slept in and one of the first birds to wake us up with the dawn chorus. (Note: nothing remarkable about this species, it was just rather pretty.)


bbc--2020-06-06--Coronavirus: Your pictures on the theme of 'home-made'

We asked our readers to send in their pictures on the theme of `` home-made '' during lockdown amid the coronavirus pandemic .
Here are some of the pictures sent to us from around the world .
Ng Mei Yi : `` Mum and my cat Fuzzy attending the premiere of my home-made video on otters frolicking where I live in Singapore .
The lockdown has encouraged me to channel my inner David Attenborough as I spend more time with the nature around my home . ''
Peter Power : `` As soon as the lockdown started I looked around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thought occurred to me to make a 'home made at home ' for my granddaughter to play with .
It took nearly eight weeks to complete in my small workshop at home , and once the visiting restrictions were slightly eased I took it to the garden of the home where my four-year-old granddaughter Violet lives .
You can see from the joy in her face that she absolutely loves it , which gives me great pleasure .
The rest is now down to a child 's imagination , with the hope that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , might exist for a few generations to come . ''
Jani Tanzil : `` Home-made tempeh with soy beans , black beans , azuki beans and lentils .
Making these fermented bean cakes at home is labour of love that takes days .
If successful , it ends with nutty , savoury goodness packed with protein that makes one thoroughly apologetic to all the tempeh that once upon a time might have been carelessly picked off the shelf and piled into the grocery basket .
Fresh home-made tempeh is completely worth the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` My wife was looking forward to celebrating her birthday in Cuba , but the lockdown confined the celebrations to our back garden .
Thankfully , I had just about enough flour to bake her a birthday cake . ''
Pelin Tuncel : `` After couple of rainy days , finally the sun showed up and we got out to enjoy the garden .
But there was more joy to discover for us .
My dear friend Sırma came up with this lemon cake which she made with fruits of the tiny lemon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and summer-flavoured home-made beauty brightened our day even more . ''
Pete Hedges : `` Here is a picture of a wildlife pond that I have built for my wife 's birthday in our back garden .
She is a nurse for the NHS and I am extremely proud of her .
Other than the pond itself , which I already had lying around and a few of the plants , everything has been sourced for free and I think it 's turned out really well .
The top layer of bricks are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Flew : `` My son Dan has been teaching himself carpentry as part of a career change .
He designed and made this bird table which has been in constant use ever since . ''
The next theme is `` self portrait '' and the deadline for entries is 9 June 2020 .
Send pictures to yourpics @ bbc.co.uk or follow the link to `` Upload your pictures here '' below .
Further details and terms can be found by following the link to `` We set the theme , you take the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ page .

Image caption,
Peter Power: "As soon as the lockdown started I looked around for something to do, when the thought occurred to me to make a 'home made at home' for my granddaughter to play with. It took nearly eight weeks to complete in my small workshop at home, and once the visiting restrictions were slightly eased I took it to the garden of the home where my four-year-old granddaughter Violet lives. You can see from the joy in her face that she absolutely loves it, which gives me great pleasure. The rest is now down to a child's imagination, with the hope that this tiny home, made at home, might exist for a few generations to come."


bbc--2020-06-06--Street artist making us smile during pandemic

David Zinn is a professional chalk artist who 's on a mission to show that you don ’ t need @ @ @ @ @ His work has appeared on subway platforms in Manhattan , village squares in Sweden and @ @ @ @ @ .

David Zinn is a professional chalk artist who's on a mission to show that you don’t need fancy equipment to draw.
His work has appeared on subway platforms in Manhattan, village squares in Sweden and street corners in Taiwan.
Video produced by Daniel South.


bbc--2020-06-06--The stylist helping Kaepernick in his fight against injustice

Colin Kaepernick 's stylist , Rachel Johnson , explains how she supports the American Football player 's fight against racial @ @ @ @ @ also gives a makeover to Barcelona forward Lionel Messi and explains how she has styled @ @ @ @ @ Player Makers USA is a six-part series of amazing stories from people who work in @ @ @ @ @ the biggest names in American and global sport .
WATCH MORE : Beckham , LeBron @ @ @ @ @ GOAT ' of hat making

Colin Kaepernick's stylist, Rachel Johnson, explains how she supports the American Football player's fight against racial injustice through fashion.
She also gives a makeover to Barcelona forward Lionel Messi and explains how she has styled LeBron James and Jay-Z.
Player Makers USA is a six-part series of amazing stories from people who work in the background for some of the biggest names in American and global sport.
WATCH MORE: Beckham, LeBron & Bieber - Meet 'the GOAT' of hat making


bbc--2020-06-06--Why I decided not to watch the Floyd video

Since the video depicting a white Minneapolis police officer kneeling on George Floyd 's neck went viral , it has been near impossible to escape it .
But I , a black woman , made the decision that this time I was n't going to watch the video .
It is mentally and physically draining for me to watch yet another unarmed black man dying under arrest at the hands of another white police officer .
I know there will be plenty of people telling me I should be glad the video went viral because it unveiled the truth - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been ongoing for centuries in the US .
As a journalist , what could be more important to me than getting to the truth ?
But over the years I have found there is a fine line between exposing these horrific acts and safeguarding my mental health , especially when the story is so deeply rooted in my own experience .
I think anyone watching these videos will find them distressing , but it resonates on a completely different level for a black person like me ; these images can act as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I spoke to Nia Dumas , a 20-year-old African-American woman living in the US , she told me she could not stop crying after watching George Floyd 's last moments .
`` I have found myself crying sometimes four times a day since watching it , '' she said .
`` It has been very traumatic . ''
Nia lives in Cleveland , Ohio , where she has seen a lot of violence .
Growing up , images of black people being killed were almost constant in her life .
`` If it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's someone else .
It 's just too much , '' she said .
`` For me , seeing his video triggered memories of when Trayvon Martin was killed .
I was around 11 years old then and it 's crazy how I 've been seeing stuff like this for years .
I 'm tired of it . ''
Trayvon Martin was an unarmed black 17-year-old , shot dead by a Florida neighbourhood watchman , who was cleared of any wrongdoing in 2012 on the grounds of self-defence .
It was Trayvon 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Black Lives Matter hashtag .
Since then , that hashtag has been used many times over , as Toni Adepegba , a 27-year-old black British man , told me when we spoke about racism and its impact on mental health .
`` It 's been a heavy month , '' he said , `` only weeks since the video of Ahmaud Arbery 's video surfaced .
I had barely recovered from seeing the images of Ahmaud 's killing and then I saw it happening again . ''
Ahmaud Arbery , 25 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dead during a confrontation with a father and son in the US state of Georgia .
For Toni , watching George Floyd 's final moments was almost too much to take in .
`` I do n't have the words to describe that feeling .
I just felt broken .
I just felt tired because these men could have been me . ''
Earlier the same day , he had watched another viral video of a white New York woman in Central Park , who was calling the police for help after a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked her to put her dog on a leash , in line with the park 's rules .
`` This was triggering for me , '' Toni said , `` because it exposed the dynamics at play ; she was aware of the privilege that she had as a white woman over a black man .
`` She knew that she could get this man arrested or even killed with one phone call . ''
Toni could not watch the full video of George Floyd .
`` My first thought when I saw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ standing there ? '
But maybe they understood that they could easily be where he was . ''
• WATCH : 'This is why we are protesting' • CRIME AND JUSTICE : How are African-Americans treated ?
• HOW IT HAPPENED : The last moments of his life In recent weeks , I have had numerous conversations about whether there is any benefit in sharing these images on social media .
Paris-born Laëtitia Kandolo is a 28-year-old black woman whose family comes from the Democratic Republic of Congo .
She struggled to watch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'This is our reality' '' There were so many emotions to process .
But a couple of hours later when it was just blowing up , I went back to watching .
He was completely helpless , and I identified with that helplessness . ''
`` We have to find a way to hold racists to account , '' says Laëtitia .
`` If these videos , make those who are privileged because of their skin colour to stop and think , then so be it . ''
But she added , `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ white people ] are watching the video , whereas we are living it - this is our reality . ''
For many black people , seeing this video shared by non-black people brings up the question of authenticity .
'What do you contribute to the conversation ? '
Nia , from the US , is sceptical about the support she sees online , if deeper issues such as white privilege and institutional racism are not addressed .
`` I have seen a lot of predominantly white celebrities sharing ready-made posts , which I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said .
She has seen people who genuinely want to be supportive , which she appreciates .
But she is not going to `` applaud a fish for swimming '' .
`` I want to know how you feel , what you think as an individual , or what you contribute to the conversation , We 've normalised the thinking that sharing a post , video or retweeting is showing support ... We are beyond that now . ''
'It still plays on my mind' When black people come across such videos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their families and their ancestors , behind a hashtag .
`` I was doing a lot of running at night when Ahmaud 's video came out , '' Toni said .
`` It dawned on me the high likelihood that someone could see me running and just call the police with the assumption that I 'm running away from a crime scene .
It still plays on my mind that if I was in America , I could have been him . ''
`` Every black person has a moment '' , Laëtitia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are black and what that means to the world at large . ''
For her , it was a conversation she had with her father when she was 18 and wanted to go to fashion school .
`` He told me , 'You 're black and as a black person in an artistic sphere you will struggle , you will have to worker harder than everyone one else to be seen . '
I felt crushed .
I cried . ''
'His story is also my story' Black people from around the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ racism ranges from the extremes to the daily micro-aggressions , all rooted in the same history .
In my case , growing up as an African in multicultural east London , I felt somewhat cushioned from blatant racism at first , but once I left for university to study journalism , I also had to deal with the `` real world '' .
My afro became a topic of conversation .
It went from `` sassy hair '' to `` a mane '' to being told that I had `` moppish hair '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The trauma that racist videos and images trigger in black people is linked to many such memories , either personal ones , or collectively shared .
`` I think we are realising more than ever that George Floyd 's story is also my story .
We are connected and are part of a broader story , '' said Laëtitia .
`` These images have historical significance and weight for black people ; from the images of lynching to the mutilation of hands in Belgian Congo , these pictures are traumatic .
They 've @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we 're still here fighting to live . ''
But these images can become exhausting for a black person , to the point that it may be damaging their mental health .
I 've felt the overwhelming pressure to continuously read , share , post and actively engage with everything on my social media feed about the latest hashtag on a racist killing , until George Floyd 's video came up , when I made a conscious effort to protect myself .
'Your mental health is your priority' Toni said he also had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the conversations about racism and protecting his mental health .
`` There is a need to ensure that George Floyd is not forgotten . ''
he said .
`` But I 've been saying this to other black people , that they should n't feel pressured to see these images or share them .
Your mental health is your priority .
`` It 's not a black versus white thing , it 's a humanity thing .
I believe change can only happen when it stops being 'their ' problem , and becomes @ @ @ @ @

I know there will be plenty of people telling me I should be glad the video went viral because it unveiled the truth - a deep social and systemic problem that has been ongoing for centuries in the US. As a journalist, what could be more important to me than getting to the truth?


bbc--2020-06-06--Why firms are speaking out about racism

Why firms are speaking out about racism

For years , black deaths in the hands of police have gone unremarked in corporate America .
But this time , as protesters pour into streets across the country set off by the killing of George Floyd , businesses are speaking out .
Sportswear giant Nike was one of the first to leap into the fray with a social media post that twisted its `` Just Do It '' slogan to say : `` For once , do n't do it .
Do n't pretend there 's not a problem in America '' .
`` We stand in solidarity against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a few hours later .
By 31 May , the internet was flooded .
`` We see you and are with you '' cosmetic brand Glossier posted to Twitter .
`` I am appalled , '' the head of investment giant BlackRock shared on LinkedIn .
The chief of carmaker General Motors said she was `` impatient and disgusted '' .
Even businesses hit by the looting that has occurred in the chaos of the demonstrations have stood firm .
`` Property can be replaced , human lives can not '' , fashion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Activists say the corporate outpouring is a welcome change from earlier eras .
`` It is quite momentous , '' says Jade Magnus Ogunnaike , a deputy senior campaign director at Color of Change , a racial justice organisation founded in 2005 .
`` There was a time five years ago when corporations ... would n't say black lives matter for a billion dollars . ''
The show of support has raised plenty of eyebrows - especially when the company in question has a chequered record when it comes to its own treatment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying `` speaking out is worth it '' drew a scathing response from British model Munroe Bergdorf , whom the beauty giant dropped from a campaign in 2017 after she wrote about white supremacy on social media .
`` I am SO angry '' the transgender activist wrote on Instagram .
`` Where was my support when I spoke out ?
I 'm disgusted and writing this in floods of tears '' .
After the National Football League called for `` action '' , filmmaker Ava DuVernay hit back that the statement was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noting that the league just two years ago barred kneeling during the national anthem at games , after athlete Colin Kaepernick did so to protest against police brutality .
It later backed away from the policy .
And on Friday , Commissioner Roger Goodell commented again .
`` We , the NFL , admit we were wrong for not listening to NFL players earlier and encourage all to speak out and peacefully protest , '' he said .
The different tone is a sign that years of activism following deaths of black men @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is paying off .
Recent polling by CBS found that 57 % of Americans believe police are more likely to use deadly force against a black person than a white person , up from 43 % in 2016 .
While companies remain as reluctant as ever to wade into controversy , the scale of the demonstrations - which started in Minneapolis on 26 May and have since spread internationally - has made speaking up a `` business imperative '' says Dwayna Hayley , senior vice president at Porter Novelli , a communications firm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's and Pepsi .
`` What is driving this is the understanding that if we do n't cater to the people that we serve , we could lose market share , '' she says .
`` It is a strategic business move . ''
Firms are also moving to preserve reputations among staff and potential recruits , says Brayden King , a professor at Northwestern University 's Kellogg School of Management , who says internal work groups often play critical roles in getting corporate cultures to change .
As more and more companies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of remaining silent , he adds .
`` There are a lot of corporate leaders who are genuinely sympathetic .
There 's also a wariness of being on the wrong side of the issue and having their reputation damaged , '' he says .
`` At this point there 's more risk in not speaking out than in speaking out . ''
In an effort to show there is action behind the statements , some firms , including Walmart , Disney , Facebook and Glossier , have pledged donations to black organisations , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diversity efforts .
Lego paused advertising for toys that feature police and the White House , while the co-founder of social media site Reddit resigned from its board , saying he should be replaced by a black candidate .
Even with those commitments , most firms are still playing it safe , says Steve Callander , professor of management at Stanford Graduate School of Business .
Few executives have directly criticised the police or the White House , despite diverging markedly in tone with President Donald Trump , who has focused his remarks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media , many of the posts even look the same , with white script on a black background .
`` This is pretty much normal stuff , '' says Prof Callander , adding that the non-controversial nature of the support is likely to limit how much brand loyalty it will generate .
`` What you 're trying to do is create an authentic connection with your customer and your public and for that to be authentic it has to be costly , '' he says .
`` The big gain in speaking out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's a downside . ''
Ms Ogunnaike is now working on a campaign to push firms to back up their words with concrete actions .
She thinks a next step would be for companies to support funding cuts to police departments .
This echoes the demands of many protesters , who have urged local governments to reduce spending on programmes that have supplied police with military equipment and other weapons .
Companies also need to improve pay and working conditions for black workers , who make up a disproportionate share of the low-wage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 've never seen so many corporations make statements before , '' she says .
`` But what 's most important as these protests continue is that corporations go beyond the statements . ''

"What you're trying to do is create an authentic connection with your customer and your public and for that to be authentic it has to be costly," he says. "The big gain in speaking out on social issues is precisely because there's a downside."


bbc--2020-06-06--Coronavirus: How map hacks and buttocks helped Taiwan fight Covid-19

With direct flights to Wuhan and a population of 24 million people living in densely packed cities , Taiwan 's coronavirus outlook seemed grave .
But , to date , the disease has claimed just seven lives on the island , and it never went into full lockdown .
Its leaders credit masks as playing a key role , but not for the reasons you might suppose .
`` Masks are something that , first , reminds you to wash your hands properly and , second , protects you from touching your mouth - that is the main benefit to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ explains Audrey Tang , Taiwan 's digital minister .
Taiwan 's citizens have worn face masks for health and other reasons since the 1950s , but the spread of coronavirus prompted a spate of panic-buying .
To even out demand , the masks had to be rationed while production was ramped up , from two million to 20 million items a day .
Long queues snaked back from pharmacies and other outlets - which posed a risk of contagion in themselves .
So , the government decided data about each location 's stock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ To do so , Ms Tang 's ministry launched a platform which each vendor could keep updated with their stock numbers .
Then , Taiwan 's hacking community , with whom the government had been building a strong relationship for years , stepped in .
It began drawing on the data , which had been made public , to build a series of real-time 'mask maps ' .
These provided residents with up-to-date information on where they could find masks close to their homes or work , with details of how many were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grew in popularity , more hacking teams joined in and added features like voice-control for users with visual impairments .
More than 10 million people have used the mask apps .
The result , says Ms Tang , is that these days only a minority do not wear them , and even they now `` feel social pressure '' to do so .
`` This is the first time hackers have really felt that they are like the designers of civil engineering projects , '' she adds .
`` Because we trust the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trust back . ''
The relationship between Taiwan 's authorities and the general population was n't always so smooth .
There were recriminations following 2003 's severe acute respiratory syndrome epidemic ( Sars ) , when the response was `` very chaotic '' , says Ms Tang .
Part of the problem was that the government failed to create a centralised body to coordinate its response .
Leaders learned the lesson , and in 2004 established the National Health Command Centre to ensure that , in future crises , government agencies would work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of personal protective equipment ( PPE ) to be kept at a level that would be sufficient to deal with the early stage of any future pandemic .
In 2014 , there was more civil strife when citizens stormed the parliament building to protest against a trade agreement which many felt brought Taiwan too close to China .
Most of all they objected to how they had n't been listened to by those in power .
The event became known as the Sunflower Revolution because protesters used the flower as a symbol of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ band of civil hackers , who collaborated on programs that used available data to solve challenges facing society .
The government subsequently invited them to find ways to crowdsource and analyse citizens ' views and insights , to better influence the creation of new laws .
Ms Tang - herself a civic hacker at the time - suggests that Taiwan 's government was quick to counter the threat of the coronavirus , in part , because past crises had taught it the value of being more responsive .
So when a 'netizen ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a warning from Wuhan of a Sars-like illness , in the early hours at the end of December , people upvoted it - and the authorities paid attention .
That message turned out to be from Dr Li Wenliang , the Chinese whistleblower who first alerted the world to Covid-19 .
Soon after , targeted sections of the population were tested and traced if they had just returned from Wuhan and recently experienced any health issues .
It worked - and the virus was stopped in its tracks .
There are other reasons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Covid-19 .
Earlier this week , Chien-Jen Chen - the island 's former vice-president and a renowned epidemiologist - told British MPs that a well-designed contact tracing system and the application of strict quarantine rules to inbound visitors had also played a major role .
But he too said the nature of the island 's `` hyper-democracy '' - and the efforts its health chiefs had made to gain the public 's trust - were the key factors in it success .
Those in power are n't just responsive to the voices of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other messages they share .
It helped the government counter false claims that the material used to make masks was the same as that found in toilet paper .
In response Taiwan 's Premier posted a self-mocking cartoon , which showed his bottom wiggling , alongside an explanation of the different sources that toilet paper and mask paper come from .
`` It went absolutely viral '' says Ms Tang , of the government strategy referred to as `` humour over rumour '' .
The strategy uses catchy tweet-length posts , which are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` The chances are that most people will see ... the clarification message before the rumour , '' explains Ms Tang .
`` Then they will have herd immunity - or , in the case of a meme , nerd immunity , '' she jokes .
At a time when trust in the authorities is becoming frayed elsewhere , Ms Tang suggests Taiwan illustrates there is an alternative to a top-down approach , should a second wave of the virus hit .
But `` that decision must be made by the entire @ @ @ @ @ @

Leaders learned the lesson, and in 2004 established the National Health Command Centre to ensure that, in future crises, government agencies would work better together. They also ordered stockpiles of personal protective equipment (PPE) to be kept at a level that would be sufficient to deal with the early stage of any future pandemic.


bbc--2020-06-06--Your coronavirus lockdown confessions

Your coronavirus lockdown confessions

A few weeks ago , we asked for your lockdown confessions .
It turns out some of you have a lot to get off your chest .
We 've all had to sacrifice a lot while being stuck indoors .
Some of you have new guilty secrets you wanted to share .
And some of you have engaged in rule-breaking while others were behaving themselves .
We are definitely not condoning any of it .
Here are six of our readers ' stories - we 've chosen to keep them anonymous .
I submitted a presentation I had from work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had forgotten to do it .
He got amazing feedback !
My son 's in Year Nine and he had some home-school work to do .
Normally I would help out but I was busy with lots of other things that day , and he had a presentation that was overdue .
I teach IT for apprentices so I just gave him a presentation one of them did and told him to adapt that .
But he did n't change it - he just changed the name on the front .
His teacher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of work they 'd ever seen .
It got full marks on the feedback and made it into the school newsletter .
Now not only do I have a lot to do with the home-schooling work , but I have guilt as well on top of that .
This is the first time I 've ever done anything like this .
My son is really happy about it .
I 've told him it 's a one-off and never happening again .
I 've religiously disinfected the groceries in my weekly supermarket delivery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over to my mother-in-law I 'm lucky enough to get groceries delivered and I bring some over to my elderly mother-in-law .
It 's all such a palaver - washing everything and making sure it 's all hygienic .
So I 've just been bunging hers into a bag and taking it round .
She 's been going out so I sort of feel like if she gets coronavirus , it could be from anywhere .
I do feel guilty .
I 'm not trying to bump her off .
She 's never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before I 've taken it to her .
If she did , I would tell her .
I 'm classed as vulnerable so I am being ultra , ultra paranoid .
It just takes forever to unload everything and disinfect it and put it all away .
So I just think `` I 'm going to do mine and leave her to disinfect hers if she wants . ''
Read more of your lockdown stories • The last `` normal '' photo on your phone • The advice you would give your pre-lockdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ house to deliver an `` essential '' birthday cake It was both of my sons ' birthdays at the beginning of April and obviously we were n't supposed to be making any journeys other than essential ones but I delivered my grandparents some of their birthday cake - it was a bit of a knock-and-run .
Usually we have big family gatherings and all the rest of it but obviously that was n't possible this year .
Looking back I suppose if everyone had done that we could be in a different situation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about it - it meant a lot to my grandparents .
They 're very sociable and obviously they 've been completely isolating so I think getting the cake did cheer them up .
I flashed my naked boobs at my hubby whilst he was on a work video call , forgetting that he was sitting in front of a mirror My husband is working from home during the lockdown .
His office is full of boring stuffy shirts who are also working from home and I thought it would be hilarious one day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teleconference meeting to burst into the office , pull my top up and waggle my boobs at him .
It was n't a quick flash - it was a prolonged , bouncing episode that was probably quite horrible to behold .
Then I realised that he has quite a big mirror behind his head and I was standing facing him , behind his computer screen , performing .
Literally everyone who was on the conference call would have been able to see the reflection behind his head .
They had a full-on full @ @ @ @ @ @ @ realised everyone could see .
They were all too polite to say anything but they ca n't have not seen .
I think there was some sniggering .
My husband was pretending nothing had happened .
He did n't find it remotely funny at the time , but afterwards he found it a bit funny .
I 've got really drunk to forget how lonely I am I live alone in my flat so the only times I see people are when I get a delivery at the concierge .
It 's quite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my friends frequently but it 's not the same as having them here .
I discovered this wine website which has good wines for a very good price .
I bought a lot of them .
When I feel sad because of loneliness I have one glass of wine , or two , or sometimes the whole bottle .
It 's kind of sad but then I think it 's just like when we were allowed to go to bars on a Friday night .
The big difference is that the bar is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crowd of people .
We formed an isolation bubble with two friends I live in a flat with a housemate and he has a very close friend who lives down the road on his own and another friend who lives up the road also on her own , so we were doing a sort of isolation bubble .
It started with just going for walks and then we had a barbecue in one of their gardens and then I had a birthday and invited them round to dinner at my house .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ total .
Three out of those times were birthdays .
It sort of seemed justified because for people who live on their own I think it 's really , really hard for them .
But then I know everyone probably has a justification for their lockdown breaches so I have had a bit of a pang of guilt .

My husband is working from home during the lockdown. His office is full of boring stuffy shirts who are also working from home and I thought it would be hilarious one day while he was on quite an important teleconference meeting to burst into the office, pull my top up and waggle my boobs at him. It wasn't a quick flash - it was a prolonged, bouncing episode that was probably quite horrible to behold.