bbc--2020-02-11--'We have been as extreme as we could' - Ferrari launch 2020 car

Ferrari have unveiled a 2020 Formula 1 car that team boss Mattia Binotto says takes design to the `` extreme '' as they seek to challenge for the title .
The Italian team struggled last year , winning only three races as Mercedes dominated , but Binotto hopes they can take a step forward this season .
He said : `` It may look similar to last year 's , but it 's completely different .
`` We have been as extreme on the concept as we could , to look for the maximum aerodynamic performance first . ''
Aerodynamics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most in 2019 , their car very fast in a straight line , partly down to the most powerful engine , but also because it lacked downforce compared to Mercedes and Red Bull .
Binotto said this had been a major focus for the new car , which has been called the SF1000 , to reflect the fact that Ferrari will celebrate their 1,000th World Championship grand prix this season .
`` [ We have been ] trying to maximise the downforce level , so the car has been packaged to have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that is quite visible , '' Binotto said .
`` We have worked with all the components .
The suspension has been designed to have more adaptability on track .
We put in a lot of effort to keep the weight down . ''
Four-time champion Sebastian Vettel , who starts the season under pressure after being out-performed by team-mate Charles Leclerc last year , said : `` A lot of hours have gone into the car .
We had the opportunity to see a direct comparison to last year and you can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to packaging at the back .
We found some clever solutions to do that .
`` It is also a little bit more red than last year , so I think it looks great .
`` I think it is a step forward and I hope it feels like that when I drive it .
There is a whole team working right now to improve it . ''
Despite the tightly packaged rear , attention will also focus on the front wing , where Ferrari have stuck with the philosophy they pursued last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mercedes .
It is known as an 'inboard-loaded ' design , referring to the fact it creates its maximum downforce towards the centre of the wing rather than the edges .
This aids in achieving consistent downforce but reduces the maximum load that can be achieved .
Leclerc , who in December signed a new contract with the team until 2024 , said : `` It is a big challenge but I ca n't wait to drive it .
`` I prepared physically in the mountains to be first and psychologically my approach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Leclerc scored seven pole positions last year , more than any other driver , and won two races to Vettel 's one , but has repeatedly acknowledged he made too many mistakes in his first season with Ferrari and only his second in F1 .
`` I try to give my best , '' he said .
`` We worked hard in order develop the best possible car and I have tried to learn from the past mistakes and I want to be a better driver this year . ''

Ferrari were second to Mercedes in last year's constructors' championship
Ferrari have unveiled a 2020 Formula 1 car that team boss Mattia Binotto says takes design to the "extreme" as they seek to challenge for the title.
The Italian team struggled last year, winning only three races as Mercedes dominated, but Binotto hopes they can take a step forward this season.
He said: "It may look similar to last year's, but it's completely different.
"We have been as extreme on the concept as we could, to look for the maximum aerodynamic performance first."
Aerodynamics was the area in which Ferrari lagged most in 2019, their car very fast in a straight line, partly down to the most powerful engine, but also because it lacked downforce compared to Mercedes and Red Bull.
Binotto said this had been a major focus for the new car, which has been called the SF1000, to reflect the fact that Ferrari will celebrate their 1,000th World Championship grand prix this season.
"[We have been] trying to maximise the downforce level, so the car has been packaged to have a very narrow and slim body shape - that is quite visible," Binotto said.
"We have worked with all the components. The suspension has been designed to have more adaptability on track. We put in a lot of effort to keep the weight down."
Four-time champion Sebastian Vettel, who starts the season under pressure after being out-performed by team-mate Charles Leclerc last year, said: "A lot of hours have gone into the car. We had the opportunity to see a direct comparison to last year and you can really spot the difference, especially down to packaging at the back. We found some clever solutions to do that.
"It is also a little bit more red than last year, so I think it looks great.
"I think it is a step forward and I hope it feels like that when I drive it. There is a whole team working right now to improve it."
Despite the tightly packaged rear, attention will also focus on the front wing, where Ferrari have stuck with the philosophy they pursued last year, which differs from that of Mercedes.
It is known as an 'inboard-loaded' design, referring to the fact it creates its maximum downforce towards the centre of the wing rather than the edges. This aids in achieving consistent downforce but reduces the maximum load that can be achieved.
Leclerc, who in December signed a new contract with the team until 2024, said: "It is a big challenge but I can't wait to drive it.
"I prepared physically in the mountains to be first and psychologically my approach is very similar to the past seasons."
Leclerc scored seven pole positions last year, more than any other driver, and won two races to Vettel's one, but has repeatedly acknowledged he made too many mistakes in his first season with Ferrari and only his second in F1.
"I try to give my best," he said. "We worked hard in order develop the best possible car and I have tried to learn from the past mistakes and I want to be a better driver this year."


bbc--2020-02-11--Aberdeen up to third with win at Hamilton

Aberdeen ended a five-game goal drought to ease by Hamilton and move up to third in the Scottish Premiership .
Derek McInnes ' faltering side had not found the net in the league this year but hit Accies with early goals from Curtis Main and Niall McGinn .
Connor McLennan 's header made it three just before the break with Marios Ogkmpoe scoring a consolation late on .
Defeat leaves Hamilton a point off bottom side Hearts , having played a game more .
Aberdeen move above Motherwell on goal difference into third , with the Fir Park club playing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Johnstone on Wednesday .
• How did you rate the players ?
Mark Twain was famously quoted with the profound words `` lies , damned lies and statistics '' .
While the latter may be open to distortion in football , the Pittodrie club 's goal-drought statistic was staring McInnes and his misfiring strikers squarely in the face .
The benching of Sam Cosgrove was a clear sign that something had to give .
In rainy and blustery conditions , it was hoped the reintroduction of Main would blow in a goal at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The 27-year-old had only managed one goal in his previous 17 games since joining Aberdeen from Motherwell , but his strike after a quarter of an hour spoke of a player not short on confidence , his instinctive run and lofted effort leaving Luke Southwood stranded .
Eight minutes later it was two .
Hamilton switched off from a throw , and Main 's cute pass and Lewis Ferguson 's reverse flick carved the hosts open .
McGinn did the rest , showing his instinctive side as he ghosted into the box @ @ @ @ @ @ @ corner beyond Southwood .
Hamilton , for whom David Templeton missed a glorious chance when through on goal at 0-0 , were stunned .
To make matters worse , Brian Easton was forced off through injury just moments after the Aberdeen lead was doubled , rain by this point the only thing flowing towards the visiting goal amid the deluge .
The flood of goals was not finished as the clock ticked towards the break .
More fine finishing and more slack defending was the story of it , Andrew Considine the provider @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the net .
David Moyo and Will Collar were both thrown on by Hamilton head coach Brian Rice at the break to try to breathe life into his side , and there was an initial upturn in tempo and spirit .
However , it failed to yield the quick goal they craved to drop any doubt into the minds of their visitors .
Instead , McInnes ' men finished this game as they started .
Main glanced a header wide in what would have been his first brace since April 2018 , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A breakthrough for the hosts did come , though , on 84 minutes , Ogkmpoe slotting beyond Joe Lewis following a poor clearance from Considine , but the fact it was the hosts ' first shot on target tells its own story .
It was too little , far too late .
Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes came to Hamilton with a team that was obviously lacking confidence in front of goal after a dismal run without finding the net , but a tweak in formation along with a change upfront allowed them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the heart of it all was Curtis Main .
The former Motherwell striker looked back to his old self as he put in arguably his best performance since joining the club .
He made a terrific run to latch on to a through ball for the opener and was a real handful all night for the Accies defence and certainly warranted the man of the match award .
'It 's an horrendous night for us ' - reaction Hamilton assistant Guillaume Beuzelin : `` I thought we did n't start the game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they were in a not good series so we knew it was a dangerous team to play against .
`` It was a better second half but overall it was not good enough .
`` We needed a leader and Easton is our captain .
It 's his shoulder as well so we do n't know how long he is out for , it 's a massive blow .
It 's an horrendous night for us . ''
Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes : `` It 's was an important three points for us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never been in question but we were looking for a bit more quality .
`` We have found it difficult against teams that have sat in .
Tonight , we had a bit more space to work in and the players were clinical .
Hopefully , we can build some momentum now . ''

Last updated on .From the section Scottish Premiership
Aberdeen ended a five-game goal drought to ease by Hamilton and move up to third in the Scottish Premiership.
Derek McInnes' faltering side had not found the net in the league this year but hit Accies with early goals from Curtis Main and Niall McGinn.
Connor McLennan's header made it three just before the break with Marios Ogkmpoe scoring a consolation late on.
Defeat leaves Hamilton a point off bottom side Hearts, having played a game more.
Aberdeen move above Motherwell on goal difference into third, with the Fir Park club playing their game in hand away to St Johnstone on Wednesday.
Dons dam bursts as goals flood in
Mark Twain was famously quoted with the profound words "lies, damned lies and statistics". While the latter may be open to distortion in football, the Pittodrie club's goal-drought statistic was staring McInnes and his misfiring strikers squarely in the face. The benching of Sam Cosgrove was a clear sign that something had to give.
In rainy and blustery conditions, it was hoped the reintroduction of Main would blow in a goal at last for a team striving for Europe.
The 27-year-old had only managed one goal in his previous 17 games since joining Aberdeen from Motherwell, but his strike after a quarter of an hour spoke of a player not short on confidence, his instinctive run and lofted effort leaving Luke Southwood stranded.
Eight minutes later it was two. Hamilton switched off from a throw, and Main's cute pass and Lewis Ferguson's reverse flick carved the hosts open. McGinn did the rest, showing his instinctive side as he ghosted into the box and prodded the ball into the far corner beyond Southwood.
Hamilton, for whom David Templeton missed a glorious chance when through on goal at 0-0, were stunned. To make matters worse, Brian Easton was forced off through injury just moments after the Aberdeen lead was doubled, rain by this point the only thing flowing towards the visiting goal amid the deluge.
The flood of goals was not finished as the clock ticked towards the break. More fine finishing and more slack defending was the story of it, Andrew Considine the provider for McLennan to glance a header into the net.
David Moyo and Will Collar were both thrown on by Hamilton head coach Brian Rice at the break to try to breathe life into his side, and there was an initial upturn in tempo and spirit.
However, it failed to yield the quick goal they craved to drop any doubt into the minds of their visitors.
Instead, McInnes' men finished this game as they started. Main glanced a header wide in what would have been his first brace since April 2018, with an offside correctly ruling out his effort.
A breakthrough for the hosts did come, though, on 84 minutes, Ogkmpoe slotting beyond Joe Lewis following a poor clearance from Considine, but the fact it was the hosts' first shot on target tells its own story. It was too little, far too late.
Man of the match - Curtis Main
BBC Scotland's Brian McLauchlin at the FOY Stadium
Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes came to Hamilton with a team that was obviously lacking confidence in front of goal after a dismal run without finding the net, but a tweak in formation along with a change upfront allowed them to find the key. The player at the heart of it all was Curtis Main.
The former Motherwell striker looked back to his old self as he put in arguably his best performance since joining the club.
He made a terrific run to latch on to a through ball for the opener and was a real handful all night for the Accies defence and certainly warranted the man of the match award.
'It's an horrendous night for us' - reaction
Hamilton assistant Guillaume Beuzelin: "I thought we didn't start the game the way we wanted. We knew they were in a not good series so we knew it was a dangerous team to play against.
"It was a better second half but overall it was not good enough.
"We needed a leader and Easton is our captain. It's his shoulder as well so we don't know how long he is out for, it's a massive blow. It's an horrendous night for us."
'Horrendous night' for Hamilton - Beuzelin
Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes: "It's was an important three points for us. The effort of the team has never been in question but we were looking for a bit more quality.
"We have found it difficult against teams that have sat in. Tonight, we had a bit more space to work in and the players were clinical. Hopefully, we can build some momentum now."
McInnes 'so pleased' for 'brilliant' Main


bbc--2020-02-12--Bernie Sanders wins New Hampshire primary ahead of Pete Buttigieg

Bernie Sanders has won the New Hampshire Democratic primary contest , on a terrible night for former vice-president Joe Biden .
The left-wing senator took a tight victory over centrist former mayor Pete Buttigieg , who offered a different Democratic vision in the race to take on President Trump in November .
Mr Sanders declared the night `` the beginning of the end '' of Mr Trump .
Success in New Hampshire - like Iowa - offers momentum for the race ahead .
Finishing behind Vermont senator Mr Sanders were two moderates - Mr Buttigieg and Minnesota senator Amy Klobuchar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by taking third place .
Massachusetts senator Elizabeth Warren and Mr Biden - two erstwhile frontrunners - finished in fourth and fifth places .
Technology entrepreneur Andrew Yang and Colorado senator Michael Bennet both dropped out of the race .
What were the results in New Hampshire ?
Some 280,000 Democratic voters cast ballots in the Granite State on Tuesday night , delivering 26 % to Mr Sanders .
With more than 90 % of the vote counted , Mr Sanders , 78 , led Mr Buttigieg , the 38-year-old the former mayor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only 1.6 % , or about 4,300 votes .
Mr Sanders hailed a `` great victory '' as he thanked supporters from a rally in Manchester , New Hampshire .
`` This victory here is the beginning of the end for Donald Trump , '' he said , and promised to build an `` unprecedented multi-generational , multi-racial political movement '' to defeat the Republican .
The result will give Mr Sanders nine of the 24 delegates who will represent New Hampshire at the July Democratic national convention , where the party crowns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
• How the night unfolded in New Hampshire • A simple guide to US primaries and caucuses Although he had fewer votes , Mr Buttigieg will also get nine delegates .
Thanking supporters , he warned against succumbing to `` a polarised vision '' of politics and pitched himself as the centrist to bring new voters into the party .
Unlike in Iowa last week , where turnout was disappointing , New Hampshire voters turned out in higher numbers than in 2016 .
Could Sanders go all the way ?
Joe Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in national polling - is wounded , perhaps mortally so .
Pete Buttigieg finished a strong second , but his success outside the first two states is still an open question .
Warren , his closest rival for the liberal left vote , has yet to prove she can finish near Sanders .
Amy Klobuchar 's success ensures she 'll stick around and the moderate support will remain splintered .
In 2016 Sanders hit an electoral brick wall after New Hampshire .
With plenty of money , a battle-tested national campaign organisation and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while far from certain - looks the brightest of any in the field .
He would be the most left-wing candidate the party has nominated since George McGovern , however , and there are plenty of establishment Democrats old enough to have heart palpitations remembering the 1972 drubbing he took at the hands of Richard Nixon .
• Read more : Which Democrat REALLY had the best night ?
What had happened last week in the first contest ?
The young former mayor led the delegate count going into New Hampshire after winning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delayed due to technical problems and the party , as well as several candidates , have demanded a re-tallying of the votes .
Unlike Iowa , New Hampshire 's contest is a traditional primary where voters cast secret ballots that are counted by the state , not the party .
Both states are largely rural and white , and not representative of the larger Democratic electorate .
A question remains over whether the frontrunners who have emerged from Iowa and New Hampshire can attract a broader coalition of voters that includes voters of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high as 19 % among black voters , but in some polls , Mr Buttigieg has less than 10 % .
What were the other stories from New Hampshire ?
Ms Klobuchar , 59 , posted a better than expected finish following a strong debate performance last week .
The Minnesota senator campaigned energetically in the last few days before the vote , adding stops in three cities between Sunday and Tuesday .
Though her third place finish meant she would only win six delegates , the result invigorated her campaign , giving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and South Carolina , the next two states to hold contests .
`` Everyone had counted us out even a week ago , '' Ms Klobuchar said .
`` I came back and we delivered '' .
A casualty of the night was Mr Yang , a political newcomer .
His quixotic run centred on the promise of a universal basic income and addressing the challenges of automation inspired an enthusiastic , but ultimately marginal , following .
Mr Yang said he was proud of a campaign that had `` brought a message @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an economy and a society that works '' .
Mr Bennet , the Colorado senator , also suspended his campaign .
He had not qualified for a debate since August 2019 and had been polling at less than one percent nationally .
Ms Warren , 70 , received no delegates , but said she would continue .
`` Our campaign is built for the long haul and we are just getting started , '' she said .
Is it a last stand for Biden ?
For months after he entered the race in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the frontrunner , polling as high as 41 % nationally .
The former vice-president , 77 , finished fourth in Iowa , and his support has dropped to 20 % nationally , putting him behind Mr Sanders for the first time .
In a sign that he anticipated another disappointing finish on Tuesday , Mr Biden departed New Hampshire before the last polls had closed to head to South Carolina .
Support for Mr Biden is stronger among African-American voters , who make up some two-thirds of the southern state 's Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poll showed that the support dropped after the Iowa caucuses , from 52 % to 27 % - though , Mr Biden is still the most popular Democrat for black voters .
What 's next in the race ?
The race moves next to the Nevada caucuses on 22 February .
The candidates will look to post strong performances there and in South Carolina , to show that they can appeal to a more diverse electorate .
Then , on Super Tuesday , 3 March , 15 states and territories - with 1,344 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be whittled down until a final nominee is crowned at the party convention in Milwaukee , Wisconsin , in July .
Learn more about all the candidates • Find out who is still in the running and what they stand for • Choose your candidate and filter by category

Bernie Sanders wins New Hampshire primary ahead of Pete Buttigieg Published 12 February 2020
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Media caption, Winners, losers and quitters - story of the night in New Hampshire.
Bernie Sanders has won the New Hampshire Democratic primary contest, on a terrible night for former vice-president Joe Biden.
The left-wing senator took a tight victory over centrist former mayor Pete Buttigieg, who offered a different Democratic vision in the race to take on President Trump in November.
Mr Sanders declared the night "the beginning of the end" of Mr Trump.
Success in New Hampshire - like Iowa - offers momentum for the race ahead.
Finishing behind Vermont senator Mr Sanders were two moderates - Mr Buttigieg and Minnesota senator Amy Klobuchar, who emerged as a surprise contender by taking third place.
Massachusetts senator Elizabeth Warren and Mr Biden - two erstwhile frontrunners - finished in fourth and fifth places.
Technology entrepreneur Andrew Yang and Colorado senator Michael Bennet both dropped out of the race.
Although President Trump faces a long-shot challenger in the Republican primaries he is almost certain to win the nomination because he enjoys near-record support in his party.
What were the results in New Hampshire?
Over 287,000 Democratic voters cast ballots in the Granite State on Tuesday night, delivering 26% to Mr Sanders.
With more than 90% of the vote counted, Mr Sanders, 78, led Mr Buttigieg, the 38-year-old former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, by only 1.6%, or about 4,300 votes.
Ask me
Mr Sanders hailed a "great victory" as he thanked supporters from a rally in Manchester, New Hampshire.
"This victory here is the beginning of the end for Donald Trump," he said, and promised to build an "unprecedented multi-generational, multi-racial political movement" to defeat the Republican.
The result will give Mr Sanders nine of the 24 delegates who will represent New Hampshire at the July Democratic national convention, where the party crowns a nominee based on the delegates won.
Although he had fewer votes, Mr Buttigieg will also get nine delegates. Thanking supporters, he warned against succumbing to "a polarised vision" of politics and pitched himself as the centrist to bring new voters into the party.
Unlike in Iowa last week, where turnout was disappointing, New Hampshire voters turned out in higher numbers than in 2016.
Could Sanders go all the way?
Joe Biden - the only candidate Bernie Sanders trails in national polling - is wounded, perhaps mortally so.
Pete Buttigieg finished a strong second, but his success outside the first two states is still an open question. Warren, his closest rival for the liberal left vote, has yet to prove she can finish near Sanders. Amy Klobuchar's success ensures she'll stick around and the moderate support will remain splintered.
In 2016 Sanders hit an electoral brick wall after New Hampshire. With plenty of money, a battle-tested national campaign organisation and divided opposition, his path ahead - while far from certain - looks the brightest of any in the field.
He would be the most left-wing candidate the party has nominated since George McGovern, however, and there are plenty of establishment Democrats old enough to have heart palpitations remembering the 1972 drubbing he took at the hands of Richard Nixon.
What had happened last week in the first contest?
Mr Buttigieg, the young former mayor, led the delegate count after the Iowa caucuses.
Results there were delayed due to technical problems and the party, as well as several candidates, have demanded a re-tallying of the votes.
Unlike Iowa, New Hampshire's contest is a traditional primary where voters cast secret ballots that are counted by the state, not the party.
Both states are largely rural and white, and not representative of the larger Democratic electorate.
A question remains over whether the frontrunners who have emerged from Iowa and New Hampshire can attract a broader coalition of voters that includes voters of colour.
Mr Sanders has polled as high as 19% among black voters, but in some polls, Mr Buttigieg has less than 10%.
What were the other stories from New Hampshire?
Ms Klobuchar, 59, posted a better than expected finish following a strong debate performance last week.
The Minnesota senator campaigned energetically in the last few days before the vote, adding stops in three cities between Sunday and Tuesday.
Though her third place finish meant she would only win six delegates, the result invigorated her campaign, giving her momentum to go on to Nevada and South Carolina, the next two states to hold contests.
"Everyone had counted us out even a week ago," Ms Klobuchar said. "I came back and we delivered".
A casualty of the night was Mr Yang, a political newcomer. His quixotic run centred on the promise of a universal basic income and addressing the challenges of automation inspired an enthusiastic, but ultimately marginal, following.
Mr Yang said he was proud of a campaign that had "brought a message of humanity first and a vision of an economy and a society that works".
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Media caption, "The Math guy" admits the numbers made it clear he could not win.
Mr Bennet, the Colorado senator, also suspended his campaign. He had not qualified for a debate since August 2019 and had been polling at less than one percent nationally.
Ms Warren, 70, received no delegates, but said she would continue. "Our campaign is built for the long haul and we are just getting started," she said.
Is it a last stand for Biden?
For months after he entered the race in April 2019, Mr Biden was seen as the frontrunner, polling as high as 41% nationally.
The former vice-president, 77, finished fourth in Iowa, and his support has dropped to 20% nationally, putting him behind Mr Sanders for the first time.
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Media caption, "It ain't over man." Biden says minority voters will help him win coming contests.
In a sign that he anticipated another disappointing finish on Tuesday, Mr Biden departed New Hampshire before the last polls had closed to head to South Carolina.
Support for Mr Biden is stronger among African-American voters, who make up some two-thirds of the southern state's Democratic primary electorate.
However, a Quinnipiac poll showed that the support dropped after the Iowa caucuses, from 52% to 27% - though, Mr Biden is still the most popular Democrat for black voters.
What's next in the race?
The race moves next to the Nevada caucuses on 22 February.
The candidates will look to post strong performances there and in South Carolina, to show that they can appeal to a more diverse electorate.
Then, on Super Tuesday, 3 March, 15 states and territories - with 1,344 delegates - will vote.


bbc--2020-02-12--Coronavirus: Singapore bank evacuated after worker falls ill

Around 300 employees have been evacuated from Singapore 's biggest bank , DBS , after one person fell ill with the new coronavirus .
All 300 had been working on the same floor , the 43rd , and were sent home on Wednesday .
Singapore had previously reported 47 cases of the new virus - one of the highest tallies outside China .
The overall number of infections is more than 44,000 on mainland China , with cases in more than 20 countries .
The DBS employee was tested on Tuesday and his infection was confirmed on Wednesday .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the affected floor vacated the premises to work from home , '' the firm said in a statement .
DBS said `` during this difficult time , the bank will be providing this employee and his family with every support and guidance '' .
Contact tracing is being done to verify who had been exposed to the affected employee .
The common areas of the building in the Marina Bay Financial Centre - such as lifts and toilets - are being deep cleaned and disinfected .
Care packs with thermometers , masks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evacuated employees and the bank said a medical helpline was in place .
• Super-spreaders : Why are they important ?
• How worried should we be ?
• China and the virus that threatens everything Singapore raised its `` Disease Outbreak Response System Condition '' to orange last week - which means the disease is severe and spreads easily from person to person .
As a consequence , all companies and many public spaces have started scanning employees and visitors for temperature .
The Covid-19 , as the disease is officially called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in China , where it emerged .
On Wednesday though , the country reported its lowest number of new cases in almost two weeks , with 2,015 new confirmed cases on Tuesday .
In its latest measure to try to halt the spread , China has said it will stagger the return of children to school .
Several provinces have closed schools until the end of February .
In Japan , the number of infections on a cruise ship quarantined off Yokohama has risen by 39 .
With 174 confirmed cases , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the virus outside China .
From a total of more than 3,700 passengers and crew on board , almost 500 have been tested so far , but there are plans to step up testing in the next days .
While those infected are brought on land and taken into medical care , the remaining passengers have to stay in quarantine on the ship .
Read more about the coronavirus and its impact SHOULD WE WORRY ?
Our health correspondent explains YOUR QUESTIONS : Can you get it more than once ?
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UNDERSTANDING THE SPREAD : A visual guide to the outbreak ECONOMIC IMPACT : Why much of 'the world 's factory ' remains closed Do you work at the bank ?
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Motorsport governing body FIA said the measure had been taken "in order to ensure the health and safety of the travelling staff, championship participants and fans". It said it hoped to find an alternative date later in the year "should the situation improve".


bbc--2020-02-12--Pope Francis rules against ordaining married men in Amazon

Pope Francis has ruled against ordaining married men in the Amazon region as a means of addressing the shortage of Catholic priests .
Bishops backed the measure last year , but the decision needed the Pope 's approval to be implemented .
Catholic priests are required to abide by the rule of celibacy upon ordination except in cases where married Anglican ministers have converted .
Celibacy is seen as the devotion of one 's life to God .
A statement from the Vatican said : `` The Amazon challenges us , the Pope writes , to overcome limited perspectives and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ address only part of the situation . ''
The Pope said there was a need for ministers who can understand Amazonian sensibilities and cultures from within .
He urged bishops to `` promote prayer for priestly vocations '' and to encourage those who want to become missionaries to `` opt for the Amazon region '' .
• Could the Pope say 'yes ' to married priests ?
In October last year , a synod of 184 bishops met at the Vatican to discuss the future of the Church in the Amazon .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should be allowed to become priests .
However , they would need to be men who are particularly well-respected and would preferably come from the indigenous communities where they intend to work .
It is estimated that at least 85 % of villages in the Amazon are unable to celebrate Mass every week as a result of a shortage of priests .
Some are said to only see a priest once a year .
But the conservative wing of the Catholic Church - particularly in Europe and North America - has spoken out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could lead to the global abolition of celibacy .
Pope Francis had previously said he would consider the possibility of viri probati ( men of proven faith ) carrying out some duties .
`` We have to give a thought to whether viri probati are a possibility , '' he told German newspaper Der Zeit .
Also on Wednesday , the Pope announced he had decided not to allow women to serve as deacons , a lower rank than priest .
Separately he called for the environment in the Amazon to be defended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ global warming .
`` We demand an end to the mistreatment and destruction of mother Earth , '' the Pope said .
Focus on climate change rather than celibacy' It might be convenient to conclude that Pope Francis ' decision not to accede to the request from Amazon bishops is a victory for his predecessor , Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI and those traditionalists who regard him as their standard-bearer .
Last month it emerged that Benedict had contributed to a book , 'From the Depths of Our Hearts ' , written by Cardinal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ priests must be celibate .
But when Pope Francis was asked about the issue , during a press conference on a flight back to Rome from Panama in January 2019 , he was clear about his own preference .
`` Personally , '' he said , `` I think that celibacy is a gift to the Church .
I would say that I do not agree with allowing optional celibacy , no . ''
Pope Francis was also concerned that if celibacy became the key feature of his response to October 's Synod @ @ @ @ @ @ @ region would not garner sufficient attention .
As he writes in the first chapter of his response , `` the Amazon region is facing an ecological disaster '' and so he has opted to focus not on the internal issue of celibacy but the external challenge of climate change .

Pope Francis was also concerned that if celibacy became the key feature of his response to October's Synod, then other pressing issues for the region would not garner sufficient attention. As he writes in the first chapter of his response, "the Amazon region is facing an ecological disaster" and so he has opted to focus not on the internal issue of celibacy but the external challenge of climate change.


bbc--2020-02-12--Landmark Islamic funeral held for sex worker in Bangladesh

Activists in Bangladesh have welcomed the first ever Islamic funeral for a sex worker , breaking a long-standing taboo in the Muslim majority nation .
Hamida Begum , who worked at one of the world 's largest brothels in the village of Daulatdia , died of illness last week at the age of 65 .
A number of people gathered at her grave to witness the historic moment .
Sex work is legal in Bangladesh , but Islamic leaders have previously refused to perform funeral prayers for workers .
Instead , sex workers who die are usually buried in unmarked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dumped in rivers .
• The Bangladeshi city with no room for the dead This was the fate that originally awaited Begum until a coalition of sex workers persuaded local police to talk to spiritual leaders - who have historically considered sex work `` immoral '' - about giving her a formal burial .
`` The imam was initially reluctant to lead the prayers , '' local police chief Ashiqur Rahman , who oversaw the negotiations , told AFP news agency .
`` But we asked him whether Islam forbids anyone from taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] of a sex worker .
He had no answer . ''
As a result , a religious funeral was held for her last Thursday .
Mr Rahman said the ceremony was attended by more than 200 people , while more than 400 went to the post-funeral meal and prayers .
`` It was an unprecedented scene , '' Mr Rahman added .
`` People waited until late in the night to join the prayers .
The eyes of sex workers welled up with tears . ''
Among those at Begum 's graveside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and her 35-year-old daughter Laxmi , who is also a sex worker in the brothel in Daulatdia .
`` I never dreamed that she would get such an honourable farewell .
My mother was treated like a human being , '' Laxmi said .
`` I hope from now on every woman who works here , including me , gets a Janaza just the way my mother did . ''
Jhumur Begum , the leader of the local coalition of sex workers that campaigned for Begum 's funeral , recalled the indignity with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If we wanted to bury the dead in the morning , villagers would chase us with bamboo sticks , '' she told AFP .
The brothel where Ms Begum worked - one of 12 legal brothels in Bangladesh - is located about 250 km ( 155 miles ) west of the capital Dhaka .
It was first established about a century ago , under British colonial rule .

"The imam was initially reluctant to lead the prayers," local police chief Ashiqur Rahman, who oversaw the negotiations, told AFP news agency. "But we asked him whether Islam forbids anyone from taking part in the Janaza [funeral prayers] of a sex worker. He had no answer."


bbc--2020-02-12--Wildlife photos: Squabbling mice top 'people's poll' award

Anyone who 's travelled on London Underground 's network will know them - the little black mice that scurry along the platforms and under the rails .
Sam Rowley was so fascinated by these subterranean rodents , he spent a week down the tube trying to picture them .
And one night , he captured an image of two of them literally battling over a morsel of food dropped by a passenger .
That persistence to get the snap has won Sam the Wildlife Photographer of the Year LUMIX People 's Choice award .
• The 'zombie fungus ' and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , internationally famous WPY competition were asked to rank some of the images that did n't quite win its top prizes last October , but were nonetheless fabulous shots .
Some 28,000 voted for Sam 's `` Station Squabble '' as their favourite in this `` best of the rest '' category .
He spent late nights at a central London tube stop , down on his belly trying to get the perfect low-angle view .
His two subjects had been foraging separately until they chanced across the same morsel of food .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ over who should have it before then going their separate ways .
`` I usually take a burst of photos and I got lucky with this shot , but then I had spent five days lying on a platform so it was probably going to happen at some point , '' Sam said .
The Londoner is currently working in Bristol as a researcher for the BBC 's natural history film-making unit .
Sam says photographing urban wildlife is his passion .
He believes people have a connection with the animals in our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among us .
He also admires the tenacity of the animals that eke out an existence in what is a very tough environment .
`` These tube mice , for example , are born and spend their whole lives without ever even seeing the Sun or feeling a blade of grass .
On one level , it 's a desperate situation - running along gloomy passages for a few months , maybe a year or two , and then dying .
And because there are so many mice and so few resources , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ irrelevant as a crumb . ''
London 's Natural History Museum runs the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition .
Sir Michael Dixon , the institution 's director , said of the picture : `` Sam 's image provides a fascinating glimpse into how wildlife functions in a human-dominated environment .
The mice 's behaviour is sculpted by our daily routine , the transport we use and the food we discard .
This image reminds us that while we may wander past it every day , humans are inherently intertwined with the nature @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hope it inspires people to think about and value this relationship more . ''
There were four runners-up , or `` Highly Commended '' , images in the LUMIX poll .
These included an unfortunate orangutan being exploited for performance , taken by Aaron Gekoski ; a dramatic picture of a mother and cub jaguar tackling an anaconda , captured by Michel Zoghzhogi ; a touching portrait of a conservation ranger and the baby black rhino he 's looking after , shot by Martin Buzora ; and a group of white arctic reindeer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Andres .
The 56th WPY competition is currently being judged by a panel of experts , and its grand prize winners will be revealed in October .

"These tube mice, for example, are born and spend their whole lives without ever even seeing the Sun or feeling a blade of grass. On one level, it's a desperate situation - running along gloomy passages for a few months, maybe a year or two, and then dying. And because there are so many mice and so few resources, they have to fight over something as irrelevant as a crumb."


bbc--2020-02-12--Jussie Smollett faces six new charges

Jussie Smollett faces six new charges

TV actor Jussie Smollett has been indicted by a special prosecutor in Illinois on six counts of lying to police .
The Empire actor said he was the subject of a racist and homophobic attack in Chicago last year .
Authorities have accused him of staging the attack on himself for publicity , something he has always denied .
Smollett now faces six counts of disorderly conduct , special prosecutor Dan Webb said in a statement .
What does Smollett say happened ?
In January last year , Chicago police said they were investigating a suspected racist and homophobic attack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They said the actor was punched in the face , had an `` unknown chemical substance '' poured on him and a rope wrapped around his neck .
Smollett told police the two attackers also made reference to Maga , or Make America Great Again - the slogan often used by President Donald Trump and his supporters .
Celebrities including Viola Davis , Janelle Monae and TI , alongside his Empire co-stars , tweeted messages of support .
Why was he arrested ?
In February last year , Smollett was arrested .
Police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to carry out the attack `` to promote his career '' because he was `` dissatisfied with his salary '' .
But , in March , after an emergency court appearance , all charges against Smollett were dropped .
Chicago Police and the city 's mayor stood by their case against Smollett - and accused the courts of letting him `` off scot-free '' .
Mr Webb , the special prosecutor assigned in August to investigate how local prosecutors handled the case , said in a statement he was going to further prosecute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` making four separate false reports to Chicago Police Department officers related to his false claims that he was the victim of a hate crime , knowing that he was not the victim of a crime , '' Mr Webb said .
He added that his office had obtained `` sufficient factual evidence '' to argue that prosecutors were wrong to drop the case last year .
Smollett is due in court on 24 February .
The city has also sued the actor in a civil suit , seeking payment of more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paid to officers involved in investigating his claims .
Smollett has filed a counter suit .

The actor was charged with "making four separate false reports to Chicago Police Department officers related to his false claims that he was the victim of a hate crime, knowing that he was not the victim of a crime," Mr Webb said.


bbc--2020-02-12--Venezuela crisis: Juan Guaidó greeted with abuse after return from world tour

Opposition leader Juan Guaidó was met with protests at the airport after returning to Venezuela from an international support-building tour .
Supporters of President Nicolás Maduro shouted `` fascist !
`` , grabbed Mr Guaidó 's shirt and pushed him in the airport just outside the capital Caracas .
Mr Guaidó , 36 , defied a travel ban to go to Colombia , Europe , Canada and the US , and met US President Donald Trump .
He is considered the legitimate leader of Venezuela by more than 50 countries .
However President Maduro , the country 's left-wing leader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military , has remained in power .
• All you need to know in nine charts One of the protesters , who shouted at Mr Guaidó and threw a liquid at him , was wearing the uniform of the state-owned airline Conviasa , which has been directly hit by US sanctions .
There were also scuffles between the protesters and supporters of Mr Guaidó , who had gone to the airport to welcome him .
Lawmakers loyal to Mr Guaidó had to walk to the airport after the bus they were travelling in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being attacked and having their kit stolen by those who had turned out to boo Mr Guaidó .
Mr Guaidó 's office later said that a relative who was travelling with him had been held by airport officials , and had not been seen since .
Meanwhile , without directly naming Mr Guaidó , President Maduro told his supporters to focus on `` defending Venezuela '' .
`` Let 's not get distracted by stupidities , by dummies , by traitors to the homeland , '' he said at a ceremony that was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's second-in-command Diosdado Cabello also denounced Mr Guaidó 's three-week tour as a `` tourism trip '' , and said he did not expect anything to change after his return .
`` He is nothing , '' Mr Cabello added .
The president and his officials have threatened Mr Guaidó in the past , but these threats have , so far , not led to him being harmed or detained .
Despite this being the second time he defied a court-imposed travel ban , Mr Guaidó was not arrested .
After landing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people in Caracas , where he called for renewed protests against the president .
`` We came to work and leave the rest , to do what is necessary to accomplish the goal '' of ousting President Maduro , Mr Guaidó said .
He also promised that `` mechanisms of pressure '' against the government would increase , but did not state explicitly what these would be : `` There are things we can not talk about ... because we are confronting a dictatorship . ''
He has previously indicated that he received @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and its allies of stricter economic sanctions against President Maduro 's administration .
During Mr Guaidó 's visit to the US , President Trump promised to `` smash '' President Maduro 's government .
The rivalry between Mr Guaidó and Mr Maduro flared last month when Mr Guaidó stood for re-election as National Assembly speaker , the position on which his claim to the post of acting president rests .
He was prevented by the National Guard from entering the National Assembly building , forcing him to move the session to another location @ @ @ @ @ @ @

He also promised that "mechanisms of pressure" against the government would increase, but did not state explicitly what these would be: "There are things we cannot talk about... because we are confronting a dictatorship."


bbc--2020-02-12--Matteo Salvini: Senate votes on migrant detention trial

Italy 's senate is to vote on whether the far-right leader Matteo Salvini should face trial on charges of holding migrants at sea .
Mr Salvini - who previously served as Italy 's interior minister - is accused of illegally keeping people on a boat off Sicily for days in August 2019 .
Some 116 migrants remained aboard the Gregoretti for close to a week .
Now , senators could decide in a simple majority vote to put the head of the anti-immigration League party on trial .
The League leader has repeatedly said he wants to go to court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , Mr Salvini said he would tell judges that `` defending the borders of my country and protecting citizens was my duty '' .
`` I will go to that courtroom to represent millions of Italians , because I simply did what they asked me , '' he added .
Under Italian law , ministers have parliamentary immunity for actions taken while they were in office .
But Mr Salvini was stripped of this immunity in a committee vote last month .
The senate vote result is expected by or before 19:00 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If successfully prosecuted at trial , Mr Salvini could reportedly face up to 15 years in jail .
What is Mr Salvini accused of ?
For years , some in Italy have complained that the country has taken in a large number of migrants fleeing across the Mediterranean , and has called for other EU nations to take their share .
Mr Salvini in particular took a hard stance on migrant boats while he was in office , implementing a closed ports policy .
On 25 July 2019 , Italian coastguard ship the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to travel to Italy from Libya .
While the Gregoretti allowed several people off the ship for medical attention , some 116 people remained on board for days while Mr Salvini demanded other EU countries take them in .
• Reality Check : Who is responsible for migrants at sea ?
• Are migrants who cross the Channel sent back ?
The decision drew an immediate backlash .
Prosecutors opened an investigation into conditions aboard after reports that migrants only had one toilet between them .
After the Catholic Church and a number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on board , in a deal which then EU commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos helped to broker , Mr Salvini eventually consented to let them dock on 31 July .
The League leader insists the decision to keep the migrants offshore had the support of Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte and the rest of the government .
But prosecutors believe he acted alone , ignoring repeated requests from Mr Conte to release them .
Italy 's Populist Five Star Movement - at the time in coalition with the League - had backed Mr Salvini in previous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instance he acted alone .
Later in February Mr Salvini also faces losing his immunity over another migrant case .
He is accused of keeping the Open Arms migrant vessel offshore for days in August last year .
At the time , Prime Minister Conte called Mr Salvini `` obsessed '' with keeping migrants out of Italy .

For a man who has built his political success on a hard anti-migrant line, the decision to try him for blocking migrants from Italy feeds the image he presents of himself as defender of the Italian nation. Italy's populist-in-chief will revel in a move that depicts the man of the people as being targeted by the establishment.


bbc--2020-02-12--How mattresses could solve hunger

How mattresses could solve hunger

Syrian refugees at Za'atari camp in Jordan and scientists from the University of Sheffield in the UK are working together @ @ @ @ @ grow healthy , fresh food with nothing but water and old mattress foam .
These @ @ @ @ @ mattresses in place of the soil , which solves two problems in one : It @ @ @ @ @ mattresses that have piled up in the camp and it allows everyone to grow fresh @ @ @ @ @ desert environment .
Victoria Gill has been to the camp in Jordan to see how @ @ @ @ @ Produced by Vanessa Clarke .
Filmed and edited by Stephen Fildes .

Syrian refugees at Zaatari camp in Jordan are working with scientists from the University of Sheffield and the UN Refugee Agency to create a way to grow healthy, fresh food with nothing but water and old mattress foam.
These 'recycled gardens' use the mattresses in place of the soil, which solves two problems in one: It reuses the mountain of plastic mattresses that have piled up in the camp and it allows everyone to grow fresh food in a crowded, desert environment.
Victoria Gill has been to the camp in Jordan to see how it's working.
Produced by Vanessa Clarke. Filmed and edited by Stephen Fildes.


bbc--2020-02-12--Russian former prison official kills himself in court

A former Russian prison service official has killed himself in court after he was sentenced to three years in jail @ @ @ @ @ Viktor Sviridov was at one time the head of the federal prison service 's motor @ @ @ @ @ convicted of extorting 10 million roubles ( £121,000 ) from the service 's former deputy @ @ @ @ @ the judge ordered he be taken into custody , Sviridov shot himself in the head @ @ @ @ @ on Russian news site RBC says he is thought to have brought the gun into @ @ @ @ @ are at the scene .
Authorities have announced an investigation into court security following the @ @ @ @ @ reports .
Sviridov was reportedly ill with stage four terminal cancer .
He was under @ @ @ @ @ , which took place at Moscow 's Chertanovsky court .

A former Russian prison service official has killed himself in court after he was sentenced to three years in jail, Russian media report.


bbc--2020-02-12--Australia fires: 113 animal species 'need emergency help'

Australia has identified 113 animal species which will need `` urgent help '' after their numbers and habitats were devastated by recent bushfires .
In a welcome finding , there appeared to be no extinctions , said the government .
But almost all species on the list had lost at least 30 % of their habitat due to the mammoth blazes in the south and east over Australia 's summer .
Koalas and wallabies , as well as bird , fish and frog species are among those needing the most help , said experts .
Researchers had previously estimated that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ perished in the fires , which scorched large swathes of temperate forest and grassland .
A provisional list , released on Tuesday , narrowed a field of hundreds of fire-affected species to those needing the most urgent conservation action .
It was drawn up by the government 's Wildlife and Threatened Species Bushfire Recovery Expert Panel .
• When fire wiped out half of Australia 's 'Noah 's Ark' • How do we know how many animals died in bush fires ?
• Which animals fare best and worst in fires ?
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` imminent risk of extinction '' because almost all of their habitat had been destroyed .
These included the Pugh 's frog , Blue Mountains water skink and the Kangaroo Island dunnart .
Others , such as the koala and the smoky mouse , had `` substantial '' sections destroyed , meaning they would need `` emergency intervention '' to support their recovery .
While many species on the list were already considered threatened before the fires , other additions had been viewed as safe .
`` Many [ species ] were considered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but have now lost much of their habitat and may be imperilled , '' said the panel in its report .
Plant species and further invertebrates are expected to be named in the next update of the list , said Environment Minister Sussan Ley .
She said assessing the true scale of the devastation had been limited due to ongoing blazes in some areas and smouldering grounds .
`` While have been some encouraging sightings of threatened animals in fire-affected places , it is still not safe to enter many areas to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ms Ley said .
Last month , Australia pledged A $ 50m ( £26m ; $ 33m ) to wildlife and habitat recovery .
Money will be spent on animal treatment , food drops and pest animal control programmes .

"Many [species] were considered secure and not threatened before the fires, but have now lost much of their habitat and may be imperilled," said the panel in its report.


bbc--2020-02-12--Baroness Scotland: UK suspends funding to Commonwealth Secretariat

The British government has suspended its funding of the Commonwealth Secretariat , the body that runs the international organisation from London , the BBC has learned .
UK diplomats have told Lady Scotland , the secretary-general of the Commonwealth , that Britain 's annual £4.7m voluntary contribution will be withheld until her secretariat improves its financial procedures .
The Secretariat insisted it was implementing recommendations made by external auditors .
The UK decision came after Lady Scotland was criticised by auditors for `` circumventing '' usual competitive tendering rules when she awarded a lucrative consultancy contract to a company run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discovered that procurement rules had been waived by the secretariat on no fewer than 50 occasions over three years .
Both New Zealand and Australia have also suspended their discretionary funding to the Commonwealth Secretariat until its financial systems are tightened up and tested by external auditors .
The UK decision threatens to plunge the secretariat into a financial crisis and will raise fresh questions about Lady Scotland 's leadership .
Commonwealth heads of government have already rejected calls to give Lady Scotland an automatic second term of office when it comes up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis came to a head last week when Commonwealth high commissioners in London - who together form the organisation 's board of governors - met to discuss the results of the investigation by the external accountancy firm KPMG .
The Commonwealth Secretariat is the central administrative hub for the intergovernmental organisation that comprises 54 countries - many of them former British colonies - and encompasses almost a third of the world 's population .
About two-thirds of the Commonwealth Secretariat 's funding - some £18.4m in 2018 - comes from automatic subscriptions from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a second budget for the secretariat - the Commonwealth Fund for Technical Cooperation - which is discretionary and provides about a third of its funding , worth about £12m in the most recent audited accounts .
The UK is the largest contributor to this fund .
A senior British diplomat wrote to Lady Scotland on 3 February to say that continued UK funding would be suspended until the Commonwealth Secretariat complied with the recommendations of the KPMG report .
These conditions included a register of occasions when procurement rules were waived , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interest , and an updating of the body 's whistleblower policy .
The official gave the secretariat a deadline of 21 February to implement all the reforms which would have to be signed off by the chairman of the Commonwealth 's independent audit committee .
A spokesperson for the Foreign Office said : `` We are committed to an effective Commonwealth that delivers for its member states , so we have set a number of conditions on UK funding to the Commonwealth Fund for Technical Cooperation for this financial year .
`` These @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Secretariat 's procurement policy and its implementation are in line with international best practice . ''
A Commonwealth spokesperson said : `` The Commonwealth Secretariat does not comment on private exchanges with its member countries .
`` The Secretariat complies fully with the audit process and implements recommendations accordingly . ''
New Zealand has also put its £1.5m contribution on hold .
A spokesman for its Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said : `` An independent audit report by KPMG has identified significant weaknesses in the Commonwealth Secretariat 's approach to managing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zealand has put on hold its voluntary financial contribution to the Secretariat until we receive independent confirmation the recommendations from the audit report have been addressed by the Secretariat . ''
Australia has gone one step further and cut its funding to the Commonwealth Secretariat by £414,000 and has made its remaining contribution of £260,000 contingent on the reforms being implemented .
A spokesperson for Australia 's Department for Foreign Affairs and Trade said : `` This new funding amount will be paid only after there is independent confirmation that the issues identified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Secretariat . ''
Commonwealth high commissioners called in KPMG last September amid concerns about the secretariat 's financial procedures .
The resulting report by the Commonwealth 's audit committee accused Lady Scotland of `` circumventing '' the usual competitive tendering rules by awarding a £250,000 commission to KYA Global to carry out a review of the secretariat .
The consultancy firm was owned by Lord Patel of Bradford , a friend of Lady Scotland and a fellow Labour peer .
The audit committee report - dated last November - claimed Lord Patel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the time with debts worth more than £40,000 .
And it stated that the Commonwealth Secretariat was unable to provide the auditors with KYA Global 's final report setting out its recommendations .
The report also found that the Secretariat had no register either of tender waivers or conflicts of interest and was unable to explain why not .
Under Commonwealth rules , competitive tendering procedures can be waived in certain circumstances , such as if a decision has to be taken urgently or if there are not enough suppliers .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and June 2018 when the usual procurement tenders had been waived by the Commonwealth Secretariat .
Some of these decisions predated Lady Scotland 's appointment in April 2016 .
Lady Scotland 's lawyers have insisted the decision to award the contract to Lord Patel 's firm was fully justified and complied with procurement procedures at the time .
In a statement last month , Lady Scotland 's solicitors , Carter-Ruck , said KYA Global Ltd was awarded the two contracts `` on the basis of its proven track record in change management consultancy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needed '' at the beginning of Lady Scotland 's term of office .
It said : `` This decision was wholly justifiable and SG Scotland was advised that this complied with the procurement procedures that were in force at the time . ''
The statement continued : `` The Secretariat has complied fully with the request of its auditors and has adopted and implemented , or is implementing , their recommendations . ''

The report also found that the Secretariat had no register either of tender waivers or conflicts of interest and was unable to explain why not. Under Commonwealth rules, competitive tendering procedures can be waived in certain circumstances, such as if a decision has to be taken urgently or if there are not enough suppliers.


bbc--2020-02-12--Nissan seeks $90m damages from former boss Carlos Ghosn

Japanese carmaker Nissan has filed a civil lawsuit against its former chairman , Carlos Ghosn .
The suit , filed at Yokohama District Court , seeks an initial amount of $ 90m ( £69.5m ) .
The company said it aims `` to recover a significant part of the monetary damages inflicted on the company by its former chairman '' .
Mr Ghosn , who faces financial misconduct charges in Japan , said the firm 's `` manoeuvres '' were continuing .
He is currently in Lebanon after jumping bail in Japan .
He said in response to the lawsuit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this complaint is made public on the eve of the Japanese group 's financial results .
`` We note that after months of announcing damages of 35 billion yen , Nissan is now claiming 10 at the moment .
Mr Ghosn 's lawyers will react on the merits of the case once the content of the claim has been brought to their attention . ''
Nissan said it expects the amount claimed in damages to `` increase in future '' as it seeks to recover fines it expects to have to pay to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ misconduct .
The company also said that it may pursue separate legal action over what it called `` groundless and defamatory '' remarks made by Mr Ghosn in a news conference he held in Beirut .
At the conference , Mr Ghosn said : `` My unimaginable ordeal is the result of a handful of unscrupulous , vindictive individuals . ''
• How did Carlos Ghosn escape from Japan ?
• Carlos Ghosn : The fall of the god of cars He was facing criminal charges for allegedly understating his annual salary and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tokyo in December .
Nissan has also accused Mr Ghosn of misusing the company 's money for overseas events .
The events included a party at the Palace of Versailles , France , and trips to Rio de Janeiro carnivals .
He denies charges of financial wrongdoing in Japan , claiming the country 's justice system is `` rigged '' .
Mr Ghosn , who has an estimated net worth of $ 120m ( £91m ) , was one of the most powerful figures in the global car industry until his arrest in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into doubt the future of Nissan 's alliance with Renault and Mitsubishi .

"We note that after months of announcing damages of 35 billion yen, Nissan is now claiming 10 at the moment. Mr Ghosn's lawyers will react on the merits of the case once the content of the claim has been brought to their attention."


bbc--2020-02-12--Surfing: Alex Botelho injured in 'very serious incident'

Professional Big Wave surfer Alex Botelho has been injured at the Nazaré Tow Surfing Challenge in Portugal .
Competitors faced @ @ @ @ @ be `` mind-boggling waves '' .
Botelho , from Portugal , was rushed to hospital @ @ @ @ @ incident '' but was later reported to be in a stable condition .

Professional Big Wave surfer Alex Botelho has been injured at the Nazaré Tow Surfing Challenge in Portugal.
Competitors faced what organisers had warned would be "mind-boggling waves".
Botelho, from Portugal, was rushed to hospital after the "very serious incident" but was later reported to be in a stable condition.


bbc--2020-02-12--Crossing Antarctica solo: A lonely journey across the ice

In 1996 Norwegian explorer Børge Ousland became the first person to cross Antarctica alone .
It took him more than @ @ @ @ @ the most desolate landscape on earth , encountering temperatures of -40 degrees Celsius .
He @ @ @ @ @ his groundbreaking journey and the loneliness he battled .
Witness History : The stories of @ @ @ @ @ people who were there .

In 1996 Norwegian explorer Børge Ousland became the first person to cross Antarctica alone.
It took him more than two months to ski across the most desolate landscape on earth, encountering temperatures of -40 degrees Celsius.
He spoke to Witness History about his groundbreaking journey and the loneliness he battled.
Witness History: The stories of our times told by the people who were there.


bbc--2020-02-11--'I've been in quarantine for a month'

'I've been in quarantine for a month'

US citizen Ningxi Xu describes what it 's like to live under quarantine for coronavirus after evacuating from Wuhan .
@ @ @ @ @ the first civilian flight out of the city and is part way through her 14-day @ @ @ @ @ in San Diego .
The World Health Organization has named the virus , which has @ @ @ @ @ than 1,000 people , Covid-2019 .
Tens of thousands of people have been infected .

US citizen Ningxi Xu describes what it's like to live under quarantine for coronavirus after evacuating from Wuhan.
She managed to get on the first civilian flight out of the city and is part way through her 14-day quarantine at a military base in San Diego.
The World Health Organization has named the virus, which has claimed the lives of more than 1,000 people, Covid-2019. Tens of thousands of people have been infected.


bbc--2020-02-12--The ongoing struggle for peace in Darfur

Sudan 's rulers have agreed to hand over ex-President Omar al-Bashir to the International Criminal Court ( ICC ) to @ @ @ @ @ charges .
He is accused of serious crimes in a conflict that broke out in @ @ @ @ @ to the deaths of 300,000 .
The conflict between rebels and government forces killed hundreds @ @ @ @ @ from their homes and into displacement camps .
The BBC 's Mohanad Hashim is one @ @ @ @ @ travel freely in the region in a decade .
He visited the Kalma camp .

Sudan's rulers have agreed to hand over ex-President Omar al-Bashir to the International Criminal Court (ICC) to face genocide and war crimes charges.
He is accused of serious crimes in a conflict that broke out in Darfur in 2003 and led to the deaths of 300,000.
The conflict between rebels and government forces killed hundreds of thousands and forced millions from their homes and into displacement camps.
The BBC's Mohanad Hashim is one of the first journalists to travel freely in the region in a decade. He visited the Kalma camp.
Read more: Sudan agrees Bashir must face international court


bbc--2020-02-12--Harvey Weinstein trial: Could written sexual consent stand up in court?

Harvey Weinstein 's lawyer has insisted she would not engage in an intimate relationship without a signed `` consent form '' .
But who would a codified consent form actually protect - and would it stand up in court ?
`` If I was a man today in today 's world , before I was engaging in sexual behaviour with any woman , today , I would ask them to sign a consent form , '' attorney Donna Rotunno told the New York Times Daily podcast .
When pressed , she added : `` Why not ?
Take all the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ easier on everybody . ''
The 41-year-old said she had never been sexually assaulted because she had not `` put [ herself ] in that position '' .
Ms Rotunno 's answer did not make explicit reference to Mr Weinstein 's accusers , but it mirrors his denials .
His ongoing defence to five rape and sexual assault charges - fronted by Ms Rotunno - hinges on the contention that the producer 's actions were consensual , including in one `` loving '' relationship .
Mr Weinstein is one of more than 40 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ms Rotunno .
Of these , she has lost just one .
Her words drew swift rebuke from victim 's advocacy groups who said the `` self-serving '' comments amounted to victim blaming .
`` The narrative that the ability to avoid rape is under the victim 's control is probably good for her business , but has no basis in fact , '' said a spokeswoman for the Rape , Abuse and National Incest National Network - the largest anti-sexual violence organisation in the US .
But the comments also renewed discussion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relationships .
• 'MeToo ' and the scale of sexual abuse The now-defunct LegalFling app , for example , promised to `` turn the # MeToos into # iFlings '' by asking participants to request and gain explicit consent for specific sexual acts .
`` Having an app that clearly shows the rules of engagement as well as personal preferences , can remove misunderstandings and prevent unintentional bad situations , '' LegalFling said on its website .
Another , We-Consent , asked participants to record a 20-second clip providing video confirmation that they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
These two apps - and those like them - have failed to take off , which suggest that codifying sexual consent in any way remains a rarity .
Both suggested they provided a foundation for legal protection .
LegalFling promised to enter users into a `` live contract '' , giving participants quick access to cease and desist letters or penalty payments if a breach of contract occurred .
But such an app , or even a notarised consent contract like that suggested by Ms Rotunno , would have minimal legal bearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be an idea .
But in practice , it 's just not feasible , '' says Karen Truszkowski , a Michigan lawyer who exclusively represents children and young adults who have been sexually assaulted .
Any type of legal contract is effectively voided after a party breaches the contract , Ms Truszkowski said .
But for all sexual encounters , consent can be withdrawn at any point , rendering such a contract legally useless .
`` How would either party enforce that ? ''
she says .
`` If someone changes their mind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some type of activity . ''
`` There 's no protection for either party , it does n't protect the victim or the alleged perpetrator , '' Ms Truszkowski adds .
`` I think it 's a misfire . ''
• Sexual harassment claims 'should not be silenced' A consent contract could , perhaps , be used in court to speak to a person 's state of mind , or to raise reasonable doubt on an accuser 's claims , said Lori Anne Thomas , a Toronto defence attorney .
Electronic records suggesting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an alleged assault could add weight to a defence of mistaken belief in consent , she said .
`` But it 's really not proof . ''
`` It does not matter if you have ironclad agreements with two lawyers on either side : that person does not have to continue with that behaviour , '' Ms Thomas said .
And some advocates for victims of sexual violence argue that the emphasis on clearer consent is a distraction from the real problem : the actions of perpetrators .
Listening to Ms Rotunno , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the trope is of 'this is your fault ' '' , said Sharyn Tejani , director of the TIME 'S UP Legal Defense Fund , founded in the wake of the # MeToo movement , which is dedicated to aiding victims of sexual harassment .
The insinuation is that `` if you had n't done X , you would be fine , '' she continued .
`` The idea that it 's somehow on [ the victims of sexual violence ] to stop it . ''
`` Lots of people sign contracts when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things happen to them , '' Ms Tejani said .
`` It 's the fault of the person who 's doing it and the system that allows it to happen . ''
`` You 're putting the blame on the survivor , or the victim , '' she says .
`` Why do we have to keep teaching girls how to say no when we should be teaching our boys not to assault them ? ''

"The narrative that the ability to avoid rape is under the victim's control is probably good for her business, but has no basis in fact," said a spokeswoman for the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network - the largest anti-sexual violence organisation in the US.


bbc--2020-02-12--Thailand struggles to come to terms with first mass shooting

When the news first broke of a man shooting randomly at bystanders in a provincial shopping mall , it was greeted with disbelief by many in Thailand .
Thailand has more than its share of gun crime ; gun ownership , and gunshot deaths , are among the highest in Asia .
But no-one could remember a mass shooting like this before , every bit as bad as those in the United States .
By the time it was over , 30 people , including the gunman , were dead .
It began at a little after 3pm on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outside the city of Nakhon Ratchasima , a sprawling commercial hub for Thailand 's north-eastern region .
A 32-year-old sergeant-major shot dead his commanding officer and the colonel 's mother-in-law .
The three had been in business together buying and selling land , and the sergeant-major was apparently angry about not being paid for a deal he had brokered .
The gunman then went to the Surathampithak army base , a weapons and ammunition supply depot , where he worked .
He shot at least one soldier , and was able to steal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a machine gun , and nearly 800 rounds of ammunition .
He also had five guns of his own .
• 'He aimed at the heads ' : Survivors recall shooting From there he went to a Buddhist temple , 15 minutes ' drive away , where people were marking Makha Bucha , an important Buddhist holiday .
He opened fire and killed nine people there , and moved into the city centre , and the upscale , airport-themed Terminal 21 shopping mall .
At times videoing himself and streaming it to his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rifle at passing cars , killing drivers and passengers .
Inside the mall shoppers fled as he entered ; hundreds remained trapped for many hours , sending out desperate messages on their phones .
A special police squad went in late on Saturday night , but it was another 12 hours before they were able to kill him , with one police officer shot dead .
At one level this is just another tragic instance of a man going on an inexplicable killing spree , which nobody could have foreseen .
As a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weapons , so the incident has not even prompted calls for tighter gun ownership regulations .
Yet there is plenty of public anger being directed at the government The Twitter hashtags `` Reform the Military '' and `` PrayuthRIP '' - the latter referring to Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha , who is commonly viewed as having responded clumsily and unsympathetically to the shooting .
At an annual football game between Thailand 's two top universities students carried a banner with an acronym everyone there knew represented the phrase `` With this stupid leader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military has played an outsized role in Thailand throughout its modern history .
It has seized power a dozen times , most recently in 2014 .
The generals who led that coup are still in charge , even after an election last year ; they re-wrote the constitution to ensure they held onto power .
They style themselves the essential defenders of Thailand 's untouchable monarchy , deterring or crushing opposition with accusations of disloyalty .
The military is essentially unaccountable to civilian authority , with its own courts , and an expanding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Thai society has absorbed many military customs and values ; civilian security guards routinely give soldierly salutes , civil servants take part in military-style parades , and the police sport paramilitary paraphernalia ; it is not uncommon to see an immigration officer at the airport wearing the silver parachute wings of an elite commando .
Every year in January , Thailand 's celebrates a national Children 's Day centred on army bases , where young children can play with guns and tanks .
Thais have grown accustomed to the military being in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have always assumed the soldiers will keep them safe , even as they complain of the perennial corruption and incompetence of the police .
Last Saturday , the military could not do that , even from one of its own .
The rogue soldier , it turned out , was a trained marksman , making him a difficult adversary in the cavernous interior of the mall .
The revelation that the gunman had been provoked by a business deal gone sour served as a reminder to Thais that moonlighting by serving army officers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them , is commonplace , and that some senior officers have become very wealthy , despite their modest official salaries .
Such business practises are particularly problematic between different ranks , as junior officers are unable to challenge seniors they believe are cheating them , a commonly-heard complaint .
The ease with which this soldier was able to steal substantial quantities of weapons and ammunition from an army base highlighted poor security procedures .
It is not the first time lethal weaponry has gone astray in the military .
The army commander General @ @ @ @ @ @ @ security , but such promises have been heard before , and it was only last month that General Apirat promised the army would never allow ill-intentioned people to steal its weapons .
The incident has compounded an impression in Thailand of incompetence by what is in effect still a military-led government .
It has stumbled this year when responding to a serious air pollution problem , and more recently to the threat of the novel coronavirus .
It has failed to revive an economy which has been stagnant since the 2014 coup , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gap between rich and poor has widened .
Many Thais still back the military 's predominant role , nervous of renewed political conflict or radical change .
But when Thailand held its first post-coup election a year ago , a new political party , calling itself Future Forward did surprisingly well , winning the third largest share of the votes by promising sweeping change , including a diminished role for the military , an end to coups and mandatory military service for young men , and full accountability for the purchases of big-ticket @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thais in particular responded positively to this platform .
Future Forward had pledged to use its substantial block of seats in parliament to push its reforms , but the party has had multiple legal cases filed against it , some of which could see it dissolved and its leaders jailed .
The military used its five years of authoritarian rule before the election to reshape many of the notionally independent institutions like the Constitutional Court and the Election Commission which will decide the party 's future .
Few Thais expect it to survive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Its dissolution would end the main challenge to the military 's position of privilege in Thailand .
But public sentiment is turning negative , perhaps more so than at any time in the past thirty years .
After the shooting in Nakhon Ratchasima , the fiery army commander Apirat Kongsompong issued a tearful apology , and pleaded with the public not to blame the military for what happened .
Once the gunman began shooting , he said , he was no longer a soldier .
Whether Thais will accept this defence probably depends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is willing to allow , and how well it responds to the failures exposed by this rogue soldier .
Past experience is not encouraging .
Scandals , like the unexplained deaths of conscripts , have routinely been investigated internally .
No soldiers have been held to account for the dozens killed by army gunfire in the political upheavals of 2010 .
Few will be betting that this time is different .

The incident has compounded an impression in Thailand of incompetence by what is in effect still a military-led government. It has stumbled this year when responding to a serious air pollution problem, and more recently to the threat of the novel coronavirus. It has failed to revive an economy which has been stagnant since the 2014 coup, yet one in which the already yawning gap between rich and poor has widened.


bbc--2020-02-12--An 'unhappy marriage' that has saved thousands of lives

Arranged marriages can often throw up surprises .
Uma Preman 's unhappy marriage transformed not only her life , but also the lives of thousands of others - because it left her with the skills and motivation to help disadvantaged Indians gain access to medical treatment .
Uma always dreamed of a perfect wedding in a traditional south Indian temple .
She imagined it decorated throughout with colourful flowers - and a big party by the beach .
But it never happened .
Uma still remembers the grey February morning 30 years ago when her mother introduced her to Preman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Preman was 26 years older .
They had never met before , but she was told he was her husband .
There were no festivities and no music - in fact there was n't even a wedding .
`` My mother told me that I was now Preman 's property .
He told me that I was his wife but I had no rights over his property , '' says Uma .
Preman took her to his house and left her there for the night .
She still remembers that she could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pale yellow ceiling and the rickety fan .
The next morning , Preman returned at 6am and asked her to accompany him to a bar .
He kept drinking for several hours while she sat in silence , trying to figure out the strange direction her life had taken .
He told her that she was his second wife , but she quickly learned that she was actually his fourth .
He also revealed that he had a severe form of tuberculosis - and that her main job was to be his carer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a busy town in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu .
As a child , she wanted to become a doctor like her father , TK Balakrishnan .
Balakrishnan had studied medicine for a year before his uncle asked him to drop out and work on his farm .
He had learned the basics and would use his knowledge to dress wounds , change dressings and treat fevers with basic medicines .
Uma heard that the families of the patients would often give him treats - so she began to accompany him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loved food and eating and that 's why I went with him , '' she says .
But one day she saw something that made her realise how serious her father 's work was .
Her father was treating a patient with gangrene .
The stench , Uma says , was unbearable .
`` He was using gardening gloves because he did n't have surgical ones , but he was so calm . ''
• Listen to Outlook on the BBC World Service for extraordinary first-person stories from around the world • See @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lives series , produced by the BBC 's Geeta Pandey in Delhi But Uma 's mother hated the fact that her husband was spending most of his time helping others , Uma says .
When she was eight , her mother gave her some money to buy firecrackers for the Hindu festival of Diwali - and when she came back , her mother was gone .
`` I found out later that she loved another man and she left with him , '' Uma says .
Suddenly it was up to Uma to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She says she did n't know how to cook , but she decided to learn because she could n't bear the food her father made for them .
`` I went to nearby homes and requested the ladies to teach me .
They said I would n't be able to cook because I was small , '' Uma says .
But within days they had taught her to make a variety of dishes , and cooking became part of her daily routine .
`` I would wake up at 5am to make breakfast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to school at 9am .
I would come back in the evening and take care of my brother and cook dinner , '' Uma says .
`` My friends played every evening - they were enjoying their life .
But I was happy taking care of my family . ''
She kept thinking about her mother though , and worrying that she might never see her again .
Years later , when Uma was 17 , she went with some neighbours to visit a famous temple in Guruvayur - 87 miles from Coimbatore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who told her he 'd seen a woman who looked exactly like her .
Uma left her address with him and a few days later a letter arrived in the post .
It was from her mother .
Uma rushed back to Guruvayur to be reunited with her , but it quickly became clear there was a problem .
Her second husband had borrowed large sums of money , then abandoned her - and the lenders were demanding payment .
`` I would see people coming to her house every day to harass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` It was painful to see . ''
Her mother 's solution was for her to marry Preman , who was wealthy enough to clear her debts .
Uma was reluctant .
She tried to get work instead , but failed .
Then she returned to her father - but he felt betrayed by her decision to resume contact with her mother , and turned his back on her .
`` I felt worthless .
I just accepted my fate and went with Preman . ''
`` Every day before he left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inside the house , '' Uma remembers .
`` I was n't allowed to meet anybody or to go out - not even for a minute .
For six months , I was alone .
I started talking to walls .
I lost my confidence and self-respect . ''
As the years passed , Preman 's tuberculosis worsened .
The couple started spending most of their time in hospitals , and in 1997 , seven years after Uma had moved in with him , Preman died .
Although he had once said she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he left her comfortably off .
Uma says she felt free for the first time in her life .
`` I did n't want him to die , but I could n't help but feel that life had given me a second chance . ''
It took a while for it to become clear what she would do with this new freedom .
During her years with Preman , Uma had observed that poor people were often unable to get proper medical treatment , not only because they could n't afford it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the right information - they did n't know what treatments and facilities were available .
So Uma had started helping them , filling in forms for them , guiding them to the right doctors and sometimes just listening to their problems .
When she left the hospital in Trivandrum where Preman had spent the last six months of his life , she was missed .
But she was n't completely beyond reach .
There was a booth where she had often called Preman 's family , she says , and the person who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in need of help .
Soon hundreds of people started calling for advice and that 's how the Santhi Medical Information Centre was born .
Uma had found her life 's calling - she was n't treating people , as her father had done , but she was helping them get treatment .
However , to help other people Uma had to acquire knowledge herself , and in the late 1990s the internet was n't yet widely available in India .
She had to travel across the country to collect data about treatments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could get free or subsidised treatment .
`` I had to travel because no hospital replied to my letters , '' she says .
Even when she met people face to face , they often did n't take her seriously .
In other Indian states there was also a language barrier , as Uma spoke only Tamil .
In the past decade , the Santhi Centre 's top priority has been helping people with kidney disease .
There are not enough dialysis centres in the country and the rate of kidney donation is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change this , raising funds for new facilities open to all .
`` Our first dialysis centre started in Thrissur district in Kerala .
Now we have 20 centres across India .
Many rich people donated for the cause , '' she says .
Uma says persuading people to donate a kidney is not easy because they often worry about the impact on their own health .
So she decided to set an example , and donated one of her own kidneys .
She gave it to an orphan whose kidneys had failed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to her .
`` I was 26 when I was undergoing dialysis .
When she met me , she told me that she would donate her kidney on the condition that I continued to work after the transplant . ''
He did continue to work - in fact , after a while he went to work for Uma .
Salil says Uma is a woman who truly believes in Mahatma Gandhi 's words that `` you have to be the change you want to see '' .
`` Everyone wants to change the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ themselves , '' Uma says .
`` I changed my attitude and I donated one kidney , but I also got a brother in return . ''
• The fake spy scandal that blew up a rocket scientist 's career

When she left the hospital in Trivandrum where Preman had spent the last six months of his life, she was missed. But she wasn't completely beyond reach. There was a booth where she had often called Preman's family, she says, and the person who owned it gave her number to people in need of help.


bbc--2020-02-12--The clever glass box that reshaped the world

A clever box - designed in the 1830s to help plants survive long journeys - revolutionised much more than botany .
Picture the scene : south-east China , in the early 1840s , and botanist and plant hunter Robert Fortune is `` much annoyed '' at the paltry collection of plants his Chinese servant has gathered .
Clearly , rather than trekking into the hills as commanded , the servant had barely ventured beyond the shore .
Fortune assumed laziness but the servant insisted he 'd been told the people who lived in the hills were dangerous .
Nonsense , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and rejecting his ship 's captain 's offer to send crew members for protection .
At first , all went smoothly .
Foreigners were a rare sight and Fortune drew quite a crowd but it was `` generally civil '' .
As he later wrote , with `` 300 or 400 of the Chinese - of both sexes and all ages - looking down upon us with wonder '' , he filled a number of precious specimen boxes .
Soon , however , Fortune had been deftly pickpocketed and his servant - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surrounded by knife-wielding robbers .
`` My poor plants collected with so much care were flying about in all directions , '' he added .
But the episode did n't seem to affect the young Scotsman 's confidence .
Later in the trip , he was warned an area he wanted to sail to was swarming with pirates .
`` Nonsense , '' he said again .
`` No pirates will attack us . ''
You can probably guess what happened .
Nevertheless , the fortunate Fortune did eventually make it back to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ glazed cases of living plants for England '' .
He concluded his subsequent 400-page memoir , Three Years Wanderings in the Northern Provinces of China , by noting with satisfaction the Anemone japonica he had transported across the globe was `` in full bloom in the garden of the Society at Chiswick '' .
Fortune was employed by those people in Chiswick - the Horticultural Society of London , now the Royal Horticultural Society - and those glazed cases that survived his Chinese adventures had made it a whole lot easier to plant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Modern Economy highlights the inventions , ideas and innovations that helped create the economic world .
It is broadcast on the BBC World Service .
You can find more information about the programme 's sources and listen to all the episodes online or subscribe to the programme podcast .
So-called `` Wardian cases '' had been developed in the previous decade , the 1830s , by Nathaniel Bagshaw Ward , a doctor from London 's East End .
He was a fern enthusiast but had struggled to grow them in the polluted city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and , in retrospect , obvious .
Glass , timber , putty , paint - it was essentially a sealed mini-greenhouse .
It let the light in .
It kept the soot and smoke out .
And it kept the moisture in , so there was no need to water the plants .
This was no feat of technology but the result of a questioning mind .
It was commonly assumed plants needed the open air .
Ward wondered if perhaps they did n't .
His ferns thrived .
And Ward soon realised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had long vexed plant hunters - how to keep their plants alive on a long sea journey .
Put them below deck , and they suffered from lack of light .
Put them above deck , and they suffered from salty spray .
As an experiment , Ward arranged to ship two cases of plants to Australia .
Several months later came a letter from the ship 's captain , offering `` warm congratulations '' .
Most ferns were `` alive and vigorous '' and the grasses were `` attempting to push the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The ship returned with Ward 's cases packed with Australian plants - again , perfectly healthy .
Ward published a book about his invention - On the Growth of Plants in Closely Glazed Cases - and was confident it would have far-reaching effects .
He was right - but not in the way he expected .
More things that made the modern economy : • The simple steel box that changed the face of global trade • The CubeSat revolution changing the way we see the world • How fire made us human @ @ @ @ @ @ @ How the humble brick built the world He thought humans , like ferns , would benefit from being out of the polluted London air and envisaged large sealed greenhouses in which people could convalesce from measles or consumption .
He did n't foresee his case was about to reshape global agriculture , politics and trade .
Perhaps he should have , because plant hunting had never been about only herbaceous perennials .
The `` father of modern plant hunting '' , Sir Joseph Banks , was keenly aware of the economic potential of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another .
In the late 1700s , he turned London 's Kew Gardens into a kind of imperial clearinghouse for flora .
It was Banks who caused Capt William Bligh to embark on his ill fated voyage on HMS Bounty , which ended in an infamous mutiny .
Bligh was supposed to deliver breadfruit plants to the West Indies , as Banks hoped they 'd become a cheap way of feeding slaves .
Thanks to the Wardian case , the process of transporting plants now had wind in its sails .
Before , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expected 19 out of 20 plants to die at sea .
In Ward 's cases , 19 out of 20 survived .
It was Wardian cases , for example , that spread the Cavendish banana around the world .
That 's the variety you see in shops today .
William Cavendish was the president of the Horticultural Society .
With prices high , the British Foreign Office sent an enterprising amateur botanist to the Amazon to sneak out some rubber seeds .
They germinated in Kew and seedlings were shipped to East Asia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ colonial plantations that grew as a result .
And Wardian cases helped to break China 's grip on the tea market .
Ward published his book in 1847 , a few years after Britain won the First Opium War .
When the Chinese decided to stop accepting Indian-grown opium in exchange for their tea , the British sent in gunboats to change their minds .
You can see why : taxes on tea accounted for nearly a 10th of the British government 's income at the time .
So the East India Company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Britain 's behalf , decided it needed a backup approach : grow more tea in India .
That meant tea plants needed to be smuggled out of China .
And there was only one man for that job .
Robert Fortune had learned on his first expedition that if he shaved his head and wore a wig and Chinese clothes , he could just about pass unnoticed .
Suitably disguised , he eventually shipped nearly 20,000 tea plants for his new employers .
But perhaps the most significant impact of the Wardian case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more far-flung places - it was enabling more people from Europe to go to far-flung places .
Wardian cases allowed the cinchona tree to be shipped from South America to India and Sri Lanka .
From its bark came quinine , which helped ward off malaria .
That made it less scary for Europeans to venture to the tropics ; some historians think Africa might not have been colonised without it .
After all , not every traveller was as blithely impervious to risk as the death-defying Robert Fortune .
The author writes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
50 Things That Made the Modern Economy is broadcast on the BBC World Service .
You can find more information about the programme 's sources and listen to all the episodes online or subscribe to the programme podcast .

Ward published his book in 1847, a few years after Britain won the First Opium War. When the Chinese decided to stop accepting Indian-grown opium in exchange for their tea, the British sent in gunboats to change their minds. You can see why: taxes on tea accounted for nearly a 10th of the British government's income at the time.