bbc--2020-01-31--Iowa caucuses: Nine unusual things about the Democratic race

On Monday evening , tens of thousands of Democrats in Iowa will brave the cold and gather in schools , churches , gyms and libraries to decide on their favourite presidential candidates .
It 's the first stop in the race for the Democratic nomination - but it 's not a traditional vote as you know it .
Most US elections involve filling in a ballot paper in private .
But in Iowa 's caucuses , Democrats will gather in noisy rooms , stand in different zones to show which candidate they support - and try to convince others to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unusual about one of the first key contests for Democrats who want to take on Donald Trump .
1 .
It 's a bit like musical chairs - with lots of shouting , and baked goods After representatives from the campaigns make their final pitches , everyone has to gather with others who support the same candidate .
`` There 's this process where everybody stands up and moves ... you have to find other people '' in your group , says Karen Kedrowski , a political science professor at Iowa State University @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they freeze the room and folks count how many are in each sub-caucus . ''
At this point , any candidate with fewer than 15 % of the total number of people in the room is considered unviable - and their supporters have the chance to go to another candidate 's zone .
It 's been likened to a high-stakes game of musical chairs , but louder .
`` Folks that are wandering around are likely to get persuaded quite forcefully by supporters of other candidates '' to join them , says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reporters even saw some supporters offer free cookies and other treats as they encouraged voters to head towards their corner .
Following this second round , all candidates with more than 15 % of votes are allocated a number of delegates who will represent their interests in the later stages of the nominating process .
2 .
It 's not actually an election The Iowa race gets plenty of coverage because it comes first - but it 's not an election .
Caucus actually means `` a meeting of neighbours '' , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
As a result , the process is run by party volunteers rather than election officials - and orchestrating such a complicated process across all 1,678 precincts in the state is a challenge .
Bret Nilles , Chair of the Linn County Democrats , is responsible for 86 precincts , and expects up to 20,000 people to show up to his caucuses .
He likens it to `` planning 86 wedding receptions when you do n't know how many people are going to show up '' .
• Which Democrat will take on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ primaries work ?
An added challenge is that voters need to be in the room at the same time for the count - and close to 600 voters could be showing up and moving around in the largest venues .
`` People in other states may not understand why you 'd stand around for two hours for a caucus , '' says Ann Anhalt , from Des Moines .
However , she loves the political process and , despite the snow , has travelled to outlying towns and seen six of the candidates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be first - but it started by accident '' Iowa is not first because it 's important , it 's important because it 's first , '' says Dennis Goldford , a political science professor at Drake University in Iowa .
In fact , its Democratic caucuses ended up so early in the calendar partly because of understaffing , and a slow mimeograph machine .
In 1968 , Hubert Humphrey became the Democratic candidate for president without winning any of the presidential primaries - leading to an outcry and protests at the Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nixon , the party decided it had make its nominating process more transparent by publicising when caucuses were taking place , holding them in public spaces , and making them open to all registered members .
Since the process in Iowa involves four stages ( precinct caucuses , and then county , district and state conventions ) , and since the party there was `` underfunded and understaffed '' , Iowa needed a particularly long time , says Prof Kedrowski .
The chair of the Iowa Democrats also wanted all delegates to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - but the party 's copy machine was old and slow .
`` In order to comply with all the new requirements , the Democratic Party of Iowa worked out they needed at least a month between [ each stage ] to pull together all the paperwork , '' says Prof Kedrowski .
`` By the time they backed up the calendar , they ended up leapfrogging New Hampshire - and nobody at the time noticed . ''
This changed in 1976 when Jimmy Carter used the Iowa caucuses to jump-start his presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worked to ensure it comes first in the nominating calendar - Republicans and Democrats even agreed to hold their caucuses on the same day `` to maximise attention '' from media and politicians , says Prof Goldford .
4 .
You can be 'uncommitted ' - but you might get stuck If voters do n't have a favourite candidate , they can opt for being `` uncommitted '' .
This was actually a popular choice in the past - in 1972 , and 1976 , the `` uncommitted '' option actually won the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came second ) .
This year , new caucus rules mean that voters are locked in after the first round if their preferred option passes the 15 % threshold - which means that if enough voters are unsure about who to vote for in the first round , they could end up getting stuck .
But experts say this is unlikely to happen this time .
`` Fewer and fewer people have been counting themselves as uncommitted '' in recent years , says Prof Goldford , `` because the caucuses have become such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Some delegates could get decided by coin flips The Iowa Democratic Party 's handbook uses coin tosses to resolve ties .
This typically happens when two candidates have the same number of supporters but there 's an odd number of delegates .
The coin toss determines who gets the extra delegate .
It may sound arbitrary , but a lot of states use similar methods- in Nevada 's Democratic caucuses , ties are broken by whoever draws a higher card from a deck of cards , while in Mississippi , a state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In 2016 , there were conspiracy theories after reports that Hillary Clinton won six coin tosses in Iowa - although experts pointed out that her rival Bernie Sanders also won several coin tosses , and that mathematically , the number of delegates won through coin flips was not significant .
The coin toss was `` a party rule that they put in , thinking it would be rarely used - but it ended up being used a lot , which is a testament to how close Sanders and Clinton were , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican supporters take part too Only registered Democrats can take part in the caucus - but voters can register or change their party affiliation at the door .
Ms Anhalt has voted Republican since 1996 , and is a registered party member .
She says she is `` not disillusioned , and not unhappy '' with her party - but nonetheless plans to switch affiliation so she can support Andrew Yang at Monday 's caucus .
She credits her support due to the face to face exposure Iowans get to candidates - she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just to see the process '' , and unexpectedly became impressed with Mr Yang .
`` I like his fresh ideas - you have to see him , and hear him ... you ca n't get it from a 30-second commercial , '' she says .
She says the caucuses are good because candidates `` have to come and go town to town '' and `` they have to be humble '' .
`` You can ask a question , or at least shake their hand ... you can hardly meet them anywhere @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't mean she 'll necessarily be a Democratic voter in November 's presidential election .
`` If Andrew Yang does not make the ticket ...
I 'll decide on the day . ''
7 .
You do n't have to be in Iowa - but you do have to be in the room at the right time For the first time ever , Iowa is allowing satellite caucuses outside of the state .
It has 92 satellite sites elsewhere in the US , and sites in Paris , Glasgow , and Tbilisi .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ criticised for being inaccessible to shift workers and those with caring responsibilities .
To take part in a caucus , `` you have to show up at 7pm on a Monday night in the winter , '' says Prof Goldford .
`` You 've got to hope you 're not on a night shift , not out of the state , that your car starts at the baby sitter shows up . ''
The new locations may help a bit - but participants still need to be physically in the room when the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a virtual ballot - but these were vetoed over cyber security fears .
Why does n't Iowa allow absentee ballots or a longer voting window instead ?
It has a tacit agreement with New Hampshire - the second state in the selection process , and the first to hold a primary .
`` New Hampshire is going to raise holy heck if Iowa does anything that smells or feels too much like a primary , '' says Prof Kedrowski .
Here 's another first - Iowa will allow 17-year-olds to vote in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 18 by the time November 's presidential election rolls around .
This is thanks to a law that came into effect in January 2019 - and state officials say almost 5,000 17-year-olds have now registered to vote .
Given how tight some of the caucuses were last time , having younger voters involved could tip the balance .
If you arrive at your precinct after the start time , you 're out of luck - you wo n't be able to take part .
That 's because organisers need to work out what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the room is , to determine which candidates are viable - and even one latecomer could change the percentages .
Organisers are `` literally recruiting volunteers to stand at the end of the line at 7pm '' to make sure latecomers do n't vote , says Prof Kedrowski .

Iowa caucuses: Nine unusual things about them Published 1 February 2020
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Iowa's democratic caucuses have been likened to a game of musical chairs
On Monday evening, tens of thousands of Democrats in Iowa will brave the cold and gather in schools, churches, gyms and libraries to decide on their favourite presidential candidates.
It's the first stop in the race for the Democratic nomination - but it's not a traditional vote as you know it.
Most US elections involve filling in a ballot paper in private. But in Iowa's caucuses, Democrats will gather in noisy rooms, stand in different zones to show which candidate they support - and try to convince others to switch sides.
Here's what's unusual about one of the first key contests for Democrats who want to take on Donald Trump.
1. It's a bit like musical chairs - with lots of shouting, and baked goods
Iowa's Democratic caucuses are colourful - and complicated.
Image source, Al Drago / Getty Images Image caption, Cookies and other treats have featured in previous caucuses
After representatives from the campaigns make their final pitches, everyone has to gather with others who support the same candidate.
"There's this process where everybody stands up and moves... you have to find other people" in your group, says Karen Kedrowski, a political science professor at Iowa State University.
"When everybody has stopped moving, they freeze the room and folks count how many are in each sub-caucus."
At this point, any candidate with fewer than 15% of the total number of people in the room is considered unviable - and their supporters have the chance to go to another candidate's zone.
It's been likened to a high-stakes game of musical chairs, but louder. "Folks that are wandering around are likely to get persuaded quite forcefully by supporters of other candidates" to join them, says Prof Kedrowski.
In previous caucuses, reporters even saw some supporters offer free cookies and other treats as they encouraged voters to head towards their corner.
Following this second round, all candidates with more than 15% of votes are allocated a number of delegates who will represent their interests in the later stages of the nominating process.
Republicans also have caucuses in Iowa - but the process just involves casting a ballot, and no one is seen as a serious challenger to Mr Trump this year.
2. It's not actually an election
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Media caption, Surrogates campaign for Senators stuck in Washington
The Iowa race gets plenty of coverage because it comes first - but it's not an election. Caucus actually means "a meeting of neighbours", and they're run as internal party meetings.
As a result, the process is run by party volunteers rather than election officials - and orchestrating such a complicated process across all 1,678 precincts in the state is a challenge.
Bret Nilles, Chair of the Linn County Democrats, is responsible for 86 precincts, and expects up to 20,000 people to show up to his caucuses. He likens it to "planning 86 wedding receptions when you don't know how many people are going to show up".
An added challenge is that voters need to be in the room at the same time for the count - and close to 600 voters could be showing up and moving around in the largest venues.
"People in other states may not understand why you'd stand around for two hours for a caucus," says Ann Anhalt, from Des Moines. However, she loves the political process and, despite the snow, has travelled to outlying towns and seen six of the candidates in person.
3. Iowa may be first - but it started by accident
"Iowa is not first because it's important, it's important because it's first," says Dennis Goldford, a political science professor at Drake University in Iowa.
In fact, its Democratic caucuses ended up so early in the calendar partly because of understaffing, and a slow mimeograph machine.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Why's it taking so long? Blame the mimeograph machine...
In 1968, Hubert Humphrey became the Democratic candidate for president without winning any of the presidential primaries - leading to an outcry and protests at the Democratic Convention.
After he lost to Richard Nixon, the party decided it had make its nominating process more transparent by publicising when caucuses were taking place, holding them in public spaces, and making them open to all registered members.
Since the process in Iowa involves four stages (precinct caucuses, and then county, district and state conventions), and since the party there was "underfunded and understaffed", Iowa needed a particularly long time, says Prof Kedrowski.
Ask me
The chair of the Iowa Democrats also wanted all delegates to have a copy of the rules and proposals - but the party's copy machine was old and slow.
"In order to comply with all the new requirements, the Democratic Party of Iowa worked out they needed at least a month between [each stage] to pull together all the paperwork," says Prof Kedrowski. "By the time they backed up the calendar, they ended up leapfrogging New Hampshire - and nobody at the time noticed."
This changed in 1976 when Jimmy Carter used the Iowa caucuses to jump-start his presidential campaign.
Since then, Iowa has worked to ensure it comes first in the nominating calendar - Republicans and Democrats even agreed to hold their caucuses on the same day "to maximise attention" from media and politicians, says Prof Goldford.
4. You can be 'uncommitted' - but you might get stuck
Image source, Getty Images
If voters don't have a favourite candidate, they can opt for being "uncommitted".
This was actually a popular choice in the past - in 1972, and 1976, the "uncommitted" option actually won the most delegates in Iowa (Jimmy Carter came second).
This year, new caucus rules mean that voters are locked in after the first round if their preferred option passes the 15% threshold - which means that if enough voters are unsure about who to vote for in the first round, they could end up getting stuck.
But experts say this is unlikely to happen this time. "Fewer and fewer people have been counting themselves as uncommitted" in recent years, says Prof Goldford, "because the caucuses have become such a centre of attention".
5. Some delegates could get decided by coin flips
Image source, Getty Images
The Iowa Democratic Party's handbook uses coin tosses to resolve ties.
This typically happens when two candidates have the same number of supporters but there's an odd number of delegates. The coin toss determines who gets the extra delegate.
It may sound arbitrary, but a lot of states use similar methods- in Nevada's Democratic caucuses, ties are broken by whoever draws a higher card from a deck of cards, while in Mississippi, a state election tie was resolved by drawing straws.
In 2016, there were conspiracy theories after reports that Hillary Clinton won six coin tosses in Iowa - although experts pointed out that her rival Bernie Sanders also won several coin tosses, and that mathematically, the number of delegates won through coin flips was not significant.
The coin toss was "a party rule that they put in, thinking it would be rarely used - but it ended up being used a lot, which is a testament to how close Sanders and Clinton were," says Prof Kedrowski.
6. Some Republican supporters take part too
Only registered Democrats can take part in the caucus - but voters can register or change their party affiliation at the door.
Ms Anhalt has voted Republican since 1996, and is a registered party member. She says she is "not disillusioned, and not unhappy" with her party - but nonetheless plans to switch affiliation so she can support Andrew Yang at Monday's caucus.
Image source, Ann Anhalt Image caption, Ann Anhalt decided to support Andrew Yang because they're both "products of the American Dream"
She credits her support due to the face to face exposure Iowans get to candidates - she attended events for various Democratic candidates "just to see the process", and unexpectedly became impressed with Mr Yang.
"I like his fresh ideas - you have to see him, and hear him... you can't get it from a 30-second commercial," she says.
She says the caucuses are good because candidates "have to come and go town to town" and "they have to be humble".
"You can ask a question, or at least shake their hand... you can hardly meet them anywhere else."
However, this doesn't mean she'll necessarily be a Democratic voter in November's presidential election. "If Andrew Yang does not make the ticket... I'll decide on the day."
7. You don't have to be in Iowa - but you do have to be in the room at the right time
For the first time ever, Iowa is allowing satellite caucuses outside of the state. It has 92 satellite sites elsewhere in the US, and sites in Paris, Glasgow, and Tbilisi.
It's because the caucuses have been criticised for being inaccessible to shift workers and those with caring responsibilities.
To take part in a caucus, "you have to show up at 7pm on a Monday night in the winter," says Prof Goldford. "You've got to hope you're not on a night shift, not out of the state, that your car starts as the baby sitter shows up."
Image source, Reuters Image caption, Iowans need to brave the cold to take part in caucuses
The new locations may help a bit - but participants still need to be physically in the room when the caucus starts. There were plans for a virtual ballot - but these were vetoed over cyber security fears.
Why doesn't Iowa allow absentee ballots or a longer voting window instead? It has a tacit agreement with New Hampshire - the second state in the selection process, and the first to hold a primary.
"New Hampshire is going to raise holy heck if Iowa does anything that smells or feels too much like a primary," says Prof Kedrowski.
8. 17-year-olds can vote
Here's another first - Iowa will allow 17-year-olds to vote in the caucuses, as long as they are 18 by the time November's presidential election rolls around.
This is thanks to a law that came into effect in January 2019 - and state officials say almost 5,000 17-year-olds have now registered to vote.
Given how tight some of the caucuses were last time, having younger voters involved could tip the balance.
9. And finally - don't be late
If you arrive at your precinct after the start time, you're out of luck - you won't be able to take part.
That's because organisers need to work out what 15% of all of the people in the room is, to determine which candidates are viable - and even one latecomer could change the percentages.


bbc--2020-01-31--Quiz of the week: What made Demi Lovato tear up?

It 's the weekly news quiz - have you been paying attention to what 's been going on in the @ @ @ @ @ days ?
If you can not see the quiz , follow this link .
Try @ @ @ @ @ this link .

It's the weekly news quiz - have you been paying attention to what's been going on in the world during the past seven days?


bbc--2020-01-30--Dinosaur Love Song: Why this 3-year-old’s viral song is giving us all the feels

She 's the three-year-old with more than three million views of her song about dinosaurs .
With the help of her dad Tom , Fenn Rosenthal 's tear-jerking track has gone viral .
Tom , a professional musician himself , posted the track on his Twitter account two days ago .
It 's currently been re-tweeted over 48,000 times and received more than 180,000 likes .
`` I thought it was a nice coherent song .
It 's quite sweet .
But it 's sods law that you would press a button go 'oh , yeah , here we go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
The 33-year-old dad says his two young daughters often come into the studio when they 're a bit bored .
`` They come up with the lyrics and often the tune .
I just guide them into making a full song . ''
Tom has released five albums , but accepts that his toddler 's song has become more of a hit than his own songs : `` My success has always been mild .
So I 'm happy for her to do whatever she wants .
Let 's just say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ song , Dinosaurs In Love , talks about the reptiles having a party and eating people .
But it 's Fenn 's description of dinosaurs going extinct that has touched a lot of people .
Fenn 's dad said he was n't surprised she wrote those lyrics because the three-year-old had been asking about what happens when people die .
`` She 's one of those kids who talks about it quite rationally .
She talks about death quite openly . ''
Professor Nicola Dibben , a musicologist at the University of Sheffield @ @ @ @ @ @ @ song is so appealing : `` It 's whimsical .
She is talking about some pretty profound things , or at least it 's getting people to think about those things .
And that 's why it 's so affecting . ''
The song lasts for just one minute , but Professor Dibben thinks the melody is another reason why people are engaging with it .
`` They are using a pop song-like structure that we 're all quite familiar with . ''
The father-daughter dynamic also has n't gone unnoticed either : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way they sing together as a little duet .
Her father supports her so nicely . ''
Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen back here .

Professor Nicola Dibben, a musicologist at the University of Sheffield, thinks this is partly why the song is so appealing: "It's whimsical. She is talking about some pretty profound things, or at least it's getting people to think about those things. And that's why it's so affecting."


bbc--2020-01-30--'Fingertip-sized' pygmy chameleons hatch at Chester Zoo

Three `` fingertip-sized '' bearded pygmy chameleons have hatched at Chester Zoo .
One is so small it can fit on a pencil tip - but not much is known about the chameleons , which are one of Africa 's smallest reptile species .
They can change colour and blend in perfectly with leaves in their surroundings and are only found in the coastal forests of Tanzania .
Experts at Chester Zoo are now hoping to establish a new conservation breeding programme for the species .
The success of three hatchlings at the zoo comes after work to find out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grow to be just three inches ( 7.62cm ) in length .
Ben Baker , team manager of reptiles at the zoo , said there was `` very little known about bearded pygmy chameleons '' but as a group , chameleons were one of the `` most threatened reptiles '' in Africa .
`` The new clutch will play a vital role in establishing a new breeding programme , '' he said .
`` This will allow us to create a sustainable population and help gather new information about the species that has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us play a key role in preventing the extinction of chameleons and other reptiles in the future . ''
The bearded pygmy chameleons , born after a 70-day incubation period , are being cared for in a special , behind-the-scenes rearing facility at the zoo .

"This will allow us to create a sustainable population and help gather new information about the species that has previously been unavailable to us, helping us play a key role in preventing the extinction of chameleons and other reptiles in the future."


bbc--2020-01-30--Los Tigres del Norte to open 'most Hispanic Super Bowl yet'

They 've won seven Grammy Awards , sold millions of records , and have made more than 50 albums - yet many Americans may not have heard of Los Tigres del Norte .
But this all may be about to change as Los Tigres are due to kick off Spanish-language coverage of the Super Bowl .
The band is known for their norteño sound - a genre of Mexican music influenced by polka and waltz .
They are just one of the Latin acts due to perform at the sporting event , along with Jennifer Lopez and Shakira .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fans in the United States , an increase of two million since 2017 .
`` The league 's Hispanic fanbase has continued to grow rapidly , '' said an NFL spokesperson , `` and our outreach to the Hispanic community is an important year-round initiative '' .
`` We also have a robust , season-long content plan to engage our US Hispanic fanbase including broadcast partnerships with Fox Deportes , ESPN Deportes and Entravision , as well as dedicated social media channels providing customized NFL content in Spanish . ''
This is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Super Bowl that two Latinas will headline the show in Miami , Florida , which is known for its huge Hispanic community .
• How Miami became the capital of affluent Latin America The decision to select these performers seems to be at contrast with the realities of what is happening on the field , with the Miami Herald reporting that only 16 of the NFL 's 1,696 players in the 2018 season were of Hispanic origin .
And only 3.7 % of the 73,057 college football players identified as Hispanic according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NCAA ) , which regulates student athletes in the US .
An NFL spokesperson said the organisation is working to build its player base from Latin backgrounds by holding events in Hispanic communities which `` teach football skills , emphasise exercise and reinforce the importance of character in athletics and life '' .
The decision to focus on Latin acts at the Super Bowl could therefore be almost focused around recruitment - but not just of players .
• Super Bowl 2020 : The NFL Academy & its first students on new path @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hispanic journalist working for one of the largest sports networks in Mexico , TV Azteca Deportes .
She said that this Super Bowl has been more inclusive of Hispanic journalists than ever before , which she sees as a way to better engage that audience .
`` This is my 19th Super Bowl , '' she told the BBC , `` and it is the first time in the press conference that I could ask questions in Spanish .
They are taking care of the Latin media very well , so they know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` They know the audience in Mexico is getting bigger and bigger , and we are spending a lot of money on the rights .
Now they have announced we are going to have two more games in Mexico , so they are betting a lot on the Mexican market and the Latins . ''
The NFL has held a game in Mexico City 's Estadio Azteca once per year since 2016 , and since 2014 the Super Bowl has been broadcast in Spanish to a United States audience on Fox Deportes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NFL spent $ 243m ( £186m ) to advertise on Hispanic media , which was a 60 % increase on the budget five years earlier .
Ms Sainz said she believes the NFL is making a concerted effort to invest in the Hispanic audience .
`` This Super Bowl is going to be very Latin , '' she said .
`` The most Latin yet .
The NFL is making a huge bet not only by hosting it in Miami , but getting Jennifer Lopez and Shakira in the half-time show .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are including everybody and doing whatever they can do to involve Latins . ''
With this much effort being spent on outreach , Los Tigres del Norte are yet another way for the NFL to reach a wider audience .
And the band 's involvement could be said to also be evidence of the growing presence of Latin voices appearing in front of a mainstream American television audience altogether .
On television , popular programmes star Latin actors , with Brooklyn Nine-Nine starring Stephanie Beatriz and Melissa Fumero in key roles , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ featuring a largely bilingual cast .
This popularity is exemplified by Modern Family 's Sofia Vergara , who was reported to be the best-paid TV actress every year from 2012 to 2019 .
The decision by the NFL to focus on Latin performers could be said to be the organisation simply playing catch-up to a cultural shift that has already happened elsewhere on television screens in the US .

"They know the audience in Mexico is getting bigger and bigger, and we are spending a lot of money on the rights. Now they have announced we are going to have two more games in Mexico, so they are betting a lot on the Mexican market and the Latins."


bbc--2020-01-30--What does coronavirus do to the body?

What does coronavirus do to the body?

Fighting the new coronavirus has been a battle against the unknown for doctors .
How does it attack the body ?
What are the full range of symptoms ?
Who is more likely to be seriously ill or die ?
How do you treat it ?
Now , an account by medics on the front line of this epidemic , at the Jinyintan Hospital , in Wuhan , is starting to provide answers .
A detailed analysis of the first 99 patients treated there has been published in the Lancet medical journal .
All of the 99 patients taken to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were inflamed and the tiny sacs where oxygen moves from the air to the blood were filling with water .
The first two patients to die were seemingly healthy , although they were long-term smokers and that would have weakened their lungs .
The first , a 61-year-old man , had severe pneumonia when he arrived at hospital .
He was in acute respiratory distress , meaning his lungs were unable to provide enough oxygen to his organs to keep his body alive .
Despite being put on a ventilator , his lungs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He died 11 days after he was admitted .
The second patient , a 69-year-old man , also had acute respiratory distress syndrome .
He was attached to an artificial lung or ECMO ( extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation ) machine but this was n't enough .
He died of severe pneumonia and septic shock when his blood pressure collapsed .
As of 25 January , of the 99 patients : • 57 were still in hospital This does not mean the death rate of the disease is 11 % , though , as some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ die and many others have such mild symptoms they do not end up in hospital .
Live animals sold at the Huanan seafood market are thought to be the source of the infection , called 2019-nCoV .
And 49 out of the 99 patients had a direct connection to the market : • 47 worked there , either as managers or manning the stalls • two were shoppers who had only popped in Most of the 99 patients were middle-aged , with an average age of 56 - and 67 of them were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suggest a more even gender split .
The China Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said 1.2 men were infected for every 1.0 women .
There are two possible explanations for the difference : • Men could be more likely to become severely ill and need hospital treatment • Men , for social or cultural reasons , may have been more likely to be exposed to the virus at the beginning of the outbreak Dr Li Zhang , at the hospital , says : `` The reduced susceptibility of females to viral infections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ X chromosome and sex hormones , which play an important role in immunity . ''
And those who were already sick Most of the 99 had other diseases that may have made them more vulnerable to the virus as a `` result of the weaker immune functions of these patients '' : • 40 had a weak heart or damaged blood vessels due to conditions including heart disease , heart failure and stroke Learn more about the new virus • How worried should we be ?
• The city now in lockdown • @ @ @ @ @ @ @ viruses ?
• Follow all our coverage here Have you been affected by any of the issues raised ?
You can share your experience by emailing haveyoursay @ bbc.co.uk .
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist .
You can also contact us in the following ways : • Or Upload your pictures/video here • Please read our terms & conditions and privacy policy

And if the immune system cannot get on top of the virus, then it will eventually spread to every corner of the body where it can cause even more damage.


bbc--2020-01-30--Shane Fitzsimmons: 'Tireless' fire chief steering Australians through disaster

Australia 's bushfires have been described as `` apocalyptic '' this season .
Day after day , images of flames , destruction and smoke have filled television and social media screens .
Amid the chaos , fire service officials have been praised for their leadership .
One in particular has become a face of the crisis - and a household name .
Shane Fitzsimmons , 50 , is the commissioner of the Rural Fire Service ( RFS ) in New South Wales , the worst-hit state .
At press briefings , he 's become renowned for delivering warnings and key @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a straight-talking , informative way .
As commissioner , he 's also borne ultimate responsibility for the fight against the state 's blazes - some the size of small countries .
His efforts have been appreciated by a grateful public .
`` You 've been there from the beginning doing everything within your power to bring an end to these horrific bushfires , '' reads one social media post that has been shared 20,000 times .
`` You are the only person that I and probably many of the people of Australia have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Mr Fitzsimmons joined his local volunteer fire brigade in Sydney 's north when he was a teenager , following in his father 's footsteps .
By 29 , he had risen to be assistant commissioner .
He has been leading the 74,000-member organisation - the world 's largest volunteer firefighting service - for over 12 years .
But this season has seen blazes unprecedented for their size and intensity .
`` It 's very much been his trial by fire , I think , and he has performed masterfully , '' says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Koperberg tells the BBC : `` He seems to have displayed a remarkable resilience and energy , that has also been shown by others on the senior team . ''
That work has not gone unnoticed .
Praise for the commissioner has been effusive all summer , with local media producing tribute videos and praising him in articles .
Others have suggested he be named Australian of the Year .
Mr Fitzsimmons typically arrives at the Sydney command centre before 05:00 and stays late into the night , says RFS spokesman James Morris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but Mr Koperberg adds : `` I think what has impressed most is the compassion that 's he 's shown in dealing with the tragedies which seem to unfold day after day . ''
• What 's Australia doing to fight the bushfires ?
At least six firefighters , including three from the US , have died in NSW during the crisis .
Observers say Mr Fitzsimmons took a lead role in paying tribute to each firefighter , addressing both the public and relatives personally .
In December , a picture of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 19-month-old son of one of those firefighters was widely shared online .
It was additionally poignant because Mr Fitzsimmons ' own father , George , had died in a fire in a national park in 2000 .
`` He can understand fully the depth of grief felt by those who 've lost their loved ones to the fires , when not many of us can , '' says Mr Koperberg .
Commentators have often contrasted Mr Fitzsimmons with Prime Minister Scott Morrison , who has drawn criticism for his actions during the bushfires @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slow to respond to the crisis , and controversially took an unannounced holiday to Hawaii .
Upon his return , he was heckled by locals in a bushfire-devastated town .
The comparison between the two leaders has been especially highlighted by the Australian media , says Prof Ariadne Vromen from the University of Sydney .
`` Fitzsimmons has been constantly present unlike the PM .
He 's portrayed as not only the professional leader , but also someone who can demonstrate empathy , who can show his own emotion in a way people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expert says .
The commissioner radiates credibility and honesty , she says .
He has steered clear of political blame games , but also stepped in at times to refute incorrect statements on politically sensitive topics .
One example is the wrong assertion by some that arson is the key reason for these fires .
Mr Fitzsimmons has also emphasised the role of climate change - a topic which has polarised Australia 's conservative government in recent years .
`` He has been quite comfortable in saying this is the most unpredictable and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ themselves are feeling and observing - and he 's calling it for what it is , '' says Prof Vromen .
`` There is that kind of honest and truth-telling that is resonating with people , particularly when it contrasts with the obfuscation from the federal government . ''
There has even been speculation that political parties could seek to court him for a future career in parliament - Mr Koperberg became a state MP after his tenure as fire chief .
But Mr Fitzsimmons has rebuffed these notions , as dozens of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` He 's not trying to win votes , '' says Prof Vromen .
`` He has no agenda beyond dealing with the emergency , and that 's important to people . ''

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bbc--2020-01-30--My love of Man Utd started with Ronaldo - Fernandes

Bruno Fernandes says he will give `` everything '' to bring `` success and trophies '' to Manchester United after joining on a five-and-a-half year deal from Sporting Lisbon .
The midfielder , 25 , has joined for 55m euros ( £47m ) but add-ons could increase the overall cost to 80m euros ( £67.7m ) .
`` For me to now play for Manchester United feels incredible , '' said Portuguese international Fernandes .
Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said the midfielder was a `` fantastic addition '' .
Fernandes ' move is the biggest in the Premier League so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the deadline at 23:00 GMT on Friday .
He follows Cristiano Ronaldo , Nani and Marcos Rojo in joining Manchester United from Sporting .
His deal , which runs until 2025 , also has an option to extend for a further year .
`` My love of Manchester United really started when I used to watch Cristiano Ronaldo play and ever since then I have been a big fan of this great club , '' added Fernandes .
`` I have worked hard to get to this moment and I can promise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the badge to help bring us more success and trophies .
`` I want to thank Sporting for everything they have done for me .
It is surreal to hear the nice words that have been said about me from players that used to play for this team . ''
Fernandes joined Sporting for £7.2m from Sampdoria in 2017 and the club 's former manager Carlos Carvalhal told BBC World Service United had signed a player `` from another level '' .
The midfielder scored 64 goals in 137 matches in all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cup in 2018-19 .
He was named the Primeira Liga 's player of the year in both 2017-18 and 2018-19 and has played 19 times for his country - winning the Uefa Nations League in 2019 .
Solskjaer said : `` Bruno 's goals and assists stats speak for themselves .
He will be a fantastic addition to our team and he will help us push on in the second part of the season .
`` We have been tracking Bruno for many months and everyone here has been tremendously impressed with all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to this team .
`` Most importantly , he is a terrific human being with a great personality and his leadership qualities are clear for all to see . ''
The fee paid to Sporting will increase if a series of conditions are met - including United 's qualification for the Champions League .
United would pay an additional 5m euros ( £4.2m ) if they achieve Champions League qualification , with a further 5m euros subject to Fernandes ' participation .
The remaining payment of 15m euros ( £12.6m ) is based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bruno Fernandes be a success at Manchester United ?
Former Sporting CP and Swansea City manager Carlos Carvalhal on BBC World Service : He 's a player from another level .
He 's not a number 10 ; do n't expect him to play there .
He 's more a number eight - but at the same time he has a very good last pass and very good delivery from free-kicks and corners .
He 's a leader because if you see him play you will notice that he is talking to team-mates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do n't need time to adapt ; very good players can play in all countries .
The way that he plays and the quality that he has , he 'll be a completely adapted player after two to three days , you will see .
Everyone here in Portugal expected that he would move .
Nobody expected him to start the season here because all of us know that he belongs to a completely different level of football .
Even the fans of Sporting expected him to move in the summer .
Everyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ England or Spain and to a massive club such as Manchester United .
Find all the latest football transfers on our dedicated page .

Bruno Fernandes was named the Portuguese league's player of the year in 2018 and 2019
Bruno Fernandes says he will give "everything" to bring "success and trophies" to Manchester United after joining on a five-and-a-half year deal from Sporting Lisbon.
The midfielder, 25, has joined for 55m euros (£47m) but add-ons could increase the overall cost to 80m euros (£67.7m).
"For me to now play for Manchester United feels incredible," said Portuguese international Fernandes.
Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said the midfielder was a "fantastic addition".
Fernandes' move is the biggest in the Premier League so far during the January transfer window - with the deadline at 23:00 GMT on Friday. He follows Cristiano Ronaldo, Nani and Marcos Rojo in joining Manchester United from Sporting.
His deal, which runs until 2025, also has an option to extend for a further year.
"My love of Manchester United really started when I used to watch Cristiano Ronaldo play and ever since then I have been a big fan of this great club," added Fernandes.
"I have worked hard to get to this moment and I can promise the fans that I will give everything for the badge to help bring us more success and trophies.
"I want to thank Sporting for everything they have done for me. It is surreal to hear the nice words that have been said about me from players that used to play for this team."
'Bruno's stats speak for themselves'
Fernandes joined Sporting for £7.2m from Sampdoria in 2017 and the club's former manager Carlos Carvalhal told BBC World Service United had signed a player "from another level".
The midfielder scored 64 goals in 137 matches in all competitions for Sporting and won the Portuguese Cup in 2018-19.
He was named the Primeira Liga's player of the year in both 2017-18 and 2018-19 and has played 19 times for his country - winning the Uefa Nations League in 2019.
Solskjaer said: "Bruno's goals and assists stats speak for themselves. He will be a fantastic addition to our team and he will help us push on in the second part of the season.
"We have been tracking Bruno for many months and everyone here has been tremendously impressed with all his attributes and what he will bring to this team.
"Most importantly, he is a terrific human being with a great personality and his leadership qualities are clear for all to see."
The fee paid to Sporting will increase if a series of conditions are met - including United's qualification for the Champions League.
United would pay an additional 5m euros (£4.2m) if they achieve Champions League qualification, with a further 5m euros subject to Fernandes' participation. The remaining payment of 15m euros (£12.6m) is based on individual player prizes.
Analysis - 'A player from another level'
Former Sporting CP and Swansea City manager Carlos Carvalhal on BBC World Service:
He's a player from another level. He's not a number 10; don't expect him to play there. He's more a number eight - but at the same time he has a very good last pass and very good delivery from free-kicks and corners.
He's a leader because if you see him play you will notice that he is talking to team-mates all the time. Very good players don't need time to adapt; very good players can play in all countries. The way that he plays and the quality that he has, he'll be a completely adapted player after two to three days, you will see.
Everyone here in Portugal expected that he would move. Nobody expected him to start the season here because all of us know that he belongs to a completely different level of football. Even the fans of Sporting expected him to move in the summer. Everyone was waiting for him to move to England or Spain and to a massive club such as Manchester United.
Find all the latest football transfers on our dedicated page.


bbc--2020-01-30--Watson out of Six Nations opener as England name 25-man squad

Anthony Watson has been ruled out of England 's Six Nations opener against France in Paris with a calf injury .
Watson 's injury clears the way for either Ollie Thorley or George Furbank , both 23 , to make their Test debut in the back three .
Prop Will Stuart , also 23 , has also been retained in a 25-man squad and is set to win a first cap from the bench .
Hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie will re-join the squad after leaving camp earlier in the week .
• Galthie names two uncapped players in France team to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the Six Nations With Watson unavailable for selection , head coach Eddie Jones is unable to revert to his preferred World Cup combination in the backline .
It leaves Jones with two options in the back three : either Elliot Daly will continue at full-back with Jonny May and the uncapped Thorley on the wings , or Daly will move to the wing with Furbank coming in for his first taste of international rugby .
Centre Ollie Devoto has also been retained , but Jones is likely to select the World Cup @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Manu Tuilagi in the midfield .
With Thorley , Furbank and Stuart all in the frame to make their debuts , Tuilagi has welcomed the input of the new faces in camp .
`` I feel very old , asking those boys how old they are .
I remember [ being a young player ] back in the day , '' Tuilagi told BBC 5 Live .
`` But they are good boys and quality players and they are willing to learn .
As a young lad , that 's important .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Earl is one of the players released back to his club , meaning Tom Curry is likely to play number eight in Billy Vunipola 's absence with the versatile Lewis Ludlam on the bench .
Courtney Lawes is set to move from the second row to the blind-side flank to pack down alongside Curry and Sam Underhill in the back row .
England travel from their warm-weather training camp in Portugal to Paris on Thursday before naming their starting XV and replacements on Friday morning at 10:30 GMT .

Last updated on .From the section Rugby Union
Watson was an ever-present for England in the knock-out stages of the Rugby World Cup
Six Nations: France v England Venue: Stade de France, Paris Date: Sunday 2 February Kick-off: 15:00 GMT Coverage: Live video, radio and text on BBC One, BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra and the BBC Sport website and app
Anthony Watson has been ruled out of England's Six Nations opener against France in Paris with a calf injury.
Watson's injury clears the way for either Ollie Thorley or George Furbank, both 23, to make their Test debut in the back three.
Prop Will Stuart, also 23, has also been retained in a 25-man squad and is set to win a first cap from the bench.
Hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie will re-join the squad after leaving camp earlier in the week.
With Watson unavailable for selection, head coach Eddie Jones is unable to revert to his preferred World Cup combination in the backline.
It leaves Jones with two options in the back three: either Elliot Daly will continue at full-back with Jonny May and the uncapped Thorley on the wings, or Daly will move to the wing with Furbank coming in for his first taste of international rugby.
Centre Ollie Devoto has also been retained, but Jones is likely to select the World Cup axis of George Ford, Owen Farrell and Manu Tuilagi in the midfield.
With Thorley, Furbank and Stuart all in the frame to make their debuts, Tuilagi has welcomed the input of the new faces in camp.
"I feel very old, asking those boys how old they are. I remember [being a young player] back in the day," Tuilagi told BBC 5 Live.
"But they are good boys and quality players and they are willing to learn. As a young lad, that's important."
Saracens' in-form back-row forward Ben Earl is one of the players released back to his club, meaning Tom Curry is likely to play number eight in Billy Vunipola's absence with the versatile Lewis Ludlam on the bench.
Courtney Lawes is set to move from the second row to the blind-side flank to pack down alongside Curry and Sam Underhill in the back row.
England travel from their warm-weather training camp in Portugal to Paris on Thursday before naming their starting XV and replacements on Friday morning at 10:30 GMT.
England's 25-man squad:
Forwards: Cowan-Dickie, T Curry, Ewels, Genge, George, Itoje, Kruis, Lawes, Ludlam, Marler, Sinckler, Stuart, Underhill, M Vunipola.
Backs: Daly, Devoto, Farrell, Ford, Furbank, Heinz, Joseph, May, Thorley, Tuilagi, Youngs.


bbc--2020-01-30--Kobe Bryant: NBA to honour basketball great in All-Star Game

The NBA will honour Kobe Bryant in next month 's All-Star Game in Chicago .
Bryant , 41 , and his daughter Gianna were among nine people killed in a helicopter crash on Sunday .
The NBA has announced a new format for the game that will `` increase the level of competition , provide additional excitement and make the outcome of every quarter count for charity '' .
A new fourth-quarter format will honour LA Lakers great and five-time NBA champion Bryant .
• Both teams - captained by LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo - will play for Chicago-based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to win each of the first three quarters , each of which will start at 0-0 and last 12 minutes .
• The community organisation selected by the winner of each quarter will receive $ 100,000 ( £76,441.50 ) .
• At the start of the fourth quarter , the game clock will be turned off and a Final Target Score will be set .
• This will be determined by the leading team 's total cumulative score and adding 24 points - Kobe Bryant 's jersey number .
• For example , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the third quarter is 100-95 , the Final Target Score would be 124 .
• The fourth quarter will be untimed and the first team to reach the Final Target Score wins .
• The winning team will win $ 200,000 ( £152,849 ) for its chosen community organisation .
The 69th NBA All-Star Game will take place at Chicago 's United Center on Sunday 16 February .
Lakers president and controlling owner Jeanie Buss has made her first public statement since Byrant 's death , describing him as `` family '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you in our lives and we will always be here for you , '' she wrote on Instagram .
`` To the families that also lost loved ones on Sunday , the entire Laker family mourns with you .
Laker Nation - we are one family grieving the loss of people we all loved dearly .
We will mourn together , cry together but we will also heal together , love together and win together .
We love you . ''
On Thursday , a number of golfers paid tribute to Bryant during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
American Justin Thomas wore Bryant 's high school jersey , while Tony Finau 's shoes were in the Lakers ' purple and yellow , with the numbers eight and 24 on them .

Last updated on .From the section Basketball
Kobe Bryant spent his entire 20-year career with the LA Lakers
The NBA will honour Kobe Bryant in next month's All-Star Game in Chicago.
Bryant, 41, and his daughter Gianna were among nine people killed in a helicopter crash on Sunday.
The NBA has announced a new format for the game that will "increase the level of competition, provide additional excitement and make the outcome of every quarter count for charity".
A new fourth-quarter format will honour LA Lakers great and five-time NBA champion Bryant.
The new format
Both teams - captained by LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo - will play for Chicago-based community organisations.
They will compete to win each of the first three quarters, each of which will start at 0-0 and last 12 minutes.
The community organisation selected by the winner of each quarter will receive $100,000 (£76,441.50).
At the start of the fourth quarter, the game clock will be turned off and a Final Target Score will be set.
This will be determined by the leading team's total cumulative score and adding 24 points - Kobe Bryant's jersey number.
For example, if the cumulative score at the end of the third quarter is 100-95, the Final Target Score would be 124.
The fourth quarter will be untimed and the first team to reach the Final Target Score wins.
The winning team will win $200,000 (£152,849) for its chosen community organisation.
The 69th NBA All-Star Game will take place at Chicago's United Center on Sunday 16 February.
Lakers presidents and golfers pay tribute
Lakers president and controlling owner Jeanie Buss has made her first public statement since Byrant's death, describing him as "family".
"We are grateful to have you in our lives and we will always be here for you," she wrote on Instagram. external-link
"To the families that also lost loved ones on Sunday, the entire Laker family mourns with you. Laker Nation - we are one family grieving the loss of people we all loved dearly. We will mourn together, cry together but we will also heal together, love together and win together. We love you."
On Thursday, a number of golfers paid tribute to Bryant during the first round of the Phoenix Open.
American Justin Thomas wore Bryant's high school jersey, while Tony Finau's shoes were in the Lakers' purple and yellow, with the numbers eight and 24 on them.
Justin Thomas wearing a Bryant jersey at the Phoenix Open


bbc--2020-01-30--Chiefs wide receiver Hill targets Olympics after Super Bowl

For most NFL players , playing in the Super Bowl would be job done for the year .
But not for Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill .
He wants to also test his speed against the world 's best athletes at the Tokyo Olympics .
`` Hopefully , after this season , if I 'm healthy and my mind is still in the right place , I really want to try to qualify for some Olympic teams , '' said Hill , who will form a key part of the Chiefs ' offense against the San Francisco 49ers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just a pipe dream for Hill .
Nicknamed `` Cheetah '' , the 25-year-old has some serious speed .
A sprinter in high school before switching to American football , he has a top speed of 21.33mph and is the only player on the NFL 's Madden 2020 video game with a speed rating of 99 .
He once clocked 9.89 seconds over 100m but high tailwinds meant his time did n't stand .
His personal best of 10.19 seconds came in 2012 , but he will need to lower that to 10.05secs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Olympic trials in June .
`` But the thing is , I weigh like 195 [ pounds ] right now .
Back in high school , when I ran a 9.9 , I was like 175 , '' said Hill .
`` If I do it , it would be me changing my whole diet , changing everything that I 've been doing to get to this point where I am now . ''
If Hill needs more inspiration he need only look toward the opposing sideline on Sunday for 49ers wide receiver @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who will miss the Super Bowl through injury , competed in long jump for the United States at the 2011 IAAF World Championships and the 2012 Summer Olympics and won silver at the 2015 PanAmerican Games .

Hill won 4x100m relay gold at the World Junior Athletics Championships in 2012
For most NFL players, playing in the Super Bowl would be job done for the year.
But not for Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill. He wants to also test his speed against the world's best athletes at the Tokyo Olympics.
"Hopefully, after this season, if I'm healthy and my mind is still in the right place, I really want to try to qualify for some Olympic teams," said Hill, who will form a key part of the Chiefs' offense against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.
But this isn't just a pipe dream for Hill. Nicknamed "Cheetah", the 25-year-old has some serious speed.
A sprinter in high school before switching to American football, he has a top speed of 21.33mph and is the only player on the NFL's Madden 2020 video game with a speed rating of 99.
He once clocked 9.89 seconds over 100m but high tailwinds meant his time didn't stand. His personal best of 10.19 seconds came in 2012, but he will need to lower that to 10.05secs in order to compete at the US Olympic trials in June.
"But the thing is, I weigh like 195 [pounds] right now. Back in high school, when I ran a 9.9, I was like 175," said Hill.
"If I do it, it would be me changing my whole diet, changing everything that I've been doing to get to this point where I am now."
If Hill needs more inspiration he need only look toward the opposing sideline on Sunday for 49ers wide receiver Marquise Goodwin.
Goodwin, 29, who will miss the Super Bowl through injury, competed in long jump for the United States at the 2011 IAAF World Championships and the 2012 Summer Olympics and won silver at the 2015 PanAmerican Games.


bbc--2020-02-05--State of the Union: Trump hails 'American comeback'

President Donald Trump has hailed the `` great American comeback '' in a speech to Congress that exposed sharp divisions at the top of US politics .
At his annual State of the Union address , Mr Trump set out his case for another four years in office .
He was speaking on the eve of his expected acquittal on corruption charges in his impeachment trial .
At one point the Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ripped up a copy of his speech behind him .
The Republican president delivered Tuesday night 's nationally televised speech in the Democratic-controlled House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in December .
His trial in the upper chamber , the Senate , culminates on Wednesday but with Republicans in charge there he is all but certain to be cleared and escape being thrown out of office .
• As it happened - coverage of Trump 's speech • Tension and theatrics - five takeaways from the speech Mr Trump did not mention impeachment at all in his speech although he did jab at Democrats .
Republican lawmakers chanted `` four more years '' as Mr Trump prepared to speak , urging him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The State of the Union address is a speech delivered by the president to Congress towards the beginning of each calendar year in office .
It is usually used as a chance to report on the condition of the nation , but also allows the president to outline a legislative agenda and national priorities .
Why did Trump and Pelosi clash ?
Ms Pelosi has been one of the president 's fiercest critics - she was the one who first launched formal impeachment efforts last year .
Mr Trump has frequently taunted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It was the first time the two had come face-to-face since she stormed out of a White House meeting four months ago .
Before Mr Trump began speaking at the podium in the well of the House , he appeared to snub the outstretched hand of Mrs Pelosi , America 's most powerful elected Democrat .
The House speaker , critics noticed , skipped the traditional introduction welcoming the president as a `` distinct honour '' .
When the president accused Democrats of planning to force American taxpayers to provide unlimited free healthcare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ observed twice mouthing : `` Not true . ''
She stunned onlookers by shredding a copy of the president 's remarks as he concluded .
Mrs Pelosi told reporters afterwards her gesture was `` the courteous thing to do , considering the alternatives '' .
She did rise to applaud the president more than once , including when he promoted his pet project of infrastructure investment , a possible area of bipartisan co-operation .
What else did the president say ?
Mr Trump struck an upbeat note in a speech lasting one hour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his lament of `` American carnage '' in his 2017 inaugural presidential address .
In an implicit rebuke to his predecessor Barack Obama , the president told his audience : `` In just three short years , we have shattered the mentality of American decline and we have rejected the downsizing of America 's destiny .
`` We are moving forward at a pace that was unimaginable just a short time ago , and we are never going back ! ''
Mr Trump repeatedly swiped at Democrats , including left-wing candidates such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ challenge him for the presidency .
`` We will never let socialism destroy American healthcare ! ''
said the president , whose critics point out that he has not put forward a healthcare plan of his own .
Who else was there ?
As is tradition , the president invited several special guests , including Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó , military veterans and the brother of a man killed by an undocumented immigrant .
In a move certain to infuriate liberal critics , Mr Trump announced he would award the Presidential Medal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ honour , to firebrand conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh , who revealed this week he has lung cancer .
First Lady Melania Trump bestowed the honour on an emotional Mr Limbaugh as the president spoke .
A protester was escorted from the chamber while Mr Trump defended gun rights .
It was Fred Guttenberg , the father of Jaime Guttenberg , a student killed in a mass school shooting at Parkland , Florida , in February 2018 .
Each year after the State of the Union speech , a member of the main @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this year it fell to Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer .
She accused the president of failing to fix America 's problems .
`` Bullying people on Twitter does n't fix bridges - it burns them , '' she said .
As they did last year , many female Democrats - including Mrs Pelosi - wore white as tribute to the suffragettes who won the vote for US women a century ago .
Several liberal Democratic lawmakers , including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and Maxine Waters of California , boycotted Mr Trump 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would `` not use my presence at a state ceremony to normalize Trump 's lawless conduct & subversion of the Constitution '' .
Other left-wing Democrats , including Rashida Tlaib of Michigan , walked out during Mr Trump 's speech .
Who was the designated survivor ?
As is traditional during the State of the Union , one member of the president 's cabinet did not attend the address .
He or she remains at a secret location to make sure the government can continue should calamity befall the nation 's president , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person , who is known as the designated survivor , was Interior Secretary David Bernhardt on Tuesday night .

His trial in the upper chamber, the Senate, culminates on Wednesday but with Republicans in charge there he is all but certain to be cleared and escape being thrown out of office.


bbc--2020-02-05--Fact-checking Trump's State of the Union address

President Trump delivered his third annual State of the Union address and highlighted , what he called , the `` incredible results '' of `` the great American comeback '' under his presidency .
He made a series of claims about his record in office ranging from jobs and manufacturing to healthcare and immigration .
Claim : `` I am thrilled to report to you tonight that our economy is the best it has ever been . ''
Reality Check : It 's true the economy has been doing well during Mr Trump 's presidency - but there have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ During President Trump 's administration , the annual rate of growth of gross domestic product ( GDP ) - the value of goods and services in the economy - has been between 2 % and 3 % .
But under President Clinton , the annual growth rate was higher - reaching over 4 % .
And if you look at quarterly GDP growth , under President Obama it peaked at 5.5 % during 2014 .
That 's not been matched during Mr Trump 's term .
There were also periods of economic expansion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ growth was even higher .
Claim : `` We have created seven million jobs ... and the unemployment rate is the lowest in half a century . ''
Reality Check : Since Mr Trump took office in January 2017 , almost 6.7 million jobs have been added .
Jobs have been added every month dating back to October 2010 , when President Obama was in office .
The unemployment rate for December was 3.5 % .
This is the lowest level in 50 years - it last dropped to 3.5 % in December @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rate for African Americans , Hispanic Americans and Asian Americans has reached the lowest levels in history . ''
Reality Check : The African American and Hispanic American unemployment rate hit 5.5 % and 3.9 % respectively in September 2019 - the lowest rates recorded since the US Labor Department started collecting these statistics in the 1970s .
The unemployment rate for both of these groups has risen slightly since September , currently sitting at 5.9 % for African Americans and 4.2 % for Hispanic Americans .
Asian American unemployment is currently 2.5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2006 , after reaching a record low of 2.1 % earlier in the year .
However these records only date back to 2003 .
However , there remains a disparity in weekly wages between racial groups in the US .
Black men on average earn 26 % less than white men and the disparity between Hispanic men and white men is wider still , according to the latest official statistics .
Claim : `` I 've also made an iron-clad pledge to American families we will always protect patients with pre-existing conditions .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ true - Mr Trump may say he 's made this pledge but his actions do n't support this .
Protections for patients with pre-existing conditions were introduced under President Obama in the Affordable Care Act .
The law prohibits health insurance companies refusing coverage to people who already have health problems when applying for insurance .
These rules came into effect on 1 January 2014 .
But President Trump stood on a manifesto that promised to roll back the law enshrining these protections , known as Obamacare .
One of Mr Trump 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ executive order stating that his administration 's official policy was `` to seek the prompt repeal '' of the Affordable Care Act .
He also supported a lawsuit seeking to have the Act declared unconstitutional .
Claim : `` Last year , for the first time in 51 years , the cost of prescription drugs actually went down '' .
Reality Check : In the year to May 2019 , the average monthly cost of prescription drugs fell by 0.2 % according to the Bureau of Labour Statistics ' Consumer Price Index ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the cost of household items in the US .
This is the first price decrease over a 12-month period since 1973 , some 47 years ago .
But this may not be the most reliable way to measure drug prices according to Inma Hernandez , a pharmacy lecturer at the University of Pittsburgh .
`` The CPI is based on a basket of drugs which is representative of popular drugs .
So it tends to include widely-used drugs , which are usually cheaper , '' she says .
`` However , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ less-prescribed drugs , which are more expensive and have higher price increases . ''
Claim : `` Illegal crossings are down 75 % since May - dropping eight straight months in a row . ''
Reality Check : President Trump was talking here about his efforts to tackle illegal immigration across the US-Mexico border .
He 's correct about this specific period in 2019 .
The crossings are measured by the number of people apprehended by US authorities trying to enter the US illegally Apprehensions have fallen by around 75 % since May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apprehended at the southern border .
This was the highest number of monthly apprehensions since March 2006 .
And during Mr Trump 's presidency ( 2017-2019 ) apprehensions at the southern border have risen sharply ( which may be as a result of tougher enforcement ) and apprehensions last year were the highest annual total since 2007 .
Claim : `` After losing 60,000 factories under the previous two administrations , America has now gained 12,000 new factories '' .
Reality Check : There were 54,000 fewer `` private manufacturing establishments '' ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compared with the start of 2001 , according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics .
• US economy under Trump : The greatest ever ?
In terms of the gains under Mr Trump 's presidency , the most recent Bureau of Labor figures show that in the second quarter of 2019 , there were roughly 12,000 more factories than when President Trump took office in 2017 .
But many of these are small businesses , with fewer than five employees .
The number of factories overall started to increase in 2013 , @ @ @ @ @

State of the Union 2020: Donald Trump claims fact-checked Published 5 February 2020
Image source, Getty Images
President Trump delivered his third annual State of the Union address and highlighted, what he called, the "incredible results" of "the great American comeback" under his presidency. He made a series of claims about his record in office ranging from jobs and manufacturing to healthcare and immigration.
Claim: "I am thrilled to report to you tonight that our economy is the best it has ever been."
Reality Check: It's true the economy has been doing well during Mr Trump's presidency - but there have been times when it was even stronger.
During President Trump's administration, the annual rate of growth of gross domestic product (GDP) - the value of goods and services in the economy - has been between 2% and 3%.
But under President Clinton, the annual growth rate was higher - reaching over 4%.
And if you look at quarterly GDP growth, under President Obama it peaked at 5.5% during 2014. That's not been matched during Mr Trump's term.
There were also periods of economic expansion in the 1950s and 1960s when GDP growth was even higher.
Claim: "We have created seven million jobs...and the unemployment rate is the lowest in half a century."
Reality Check: Since Mr Trump took office in January 2017, almost 6.7 million jobs have been added. Jobs have been added every month dating back to October 2010, when President Obama was in office.
The unemployment rate for December was 3.5%. This is the lowest level in 50 years - it last dropped to 3.5% in December 1969.
Claim: "The unemployment rate for African Americans, Hispanic Americans and Asian Americans has reached the lowest levels in history."
Reality Check: The African American and Hispanic American unemployment rate hit 5.5% and 3.9% respectively in September 2019 - the lowest rates recorded since the US Labor Department started collecting these statistics in the 1970s.
The unemployment rate for both of these groups has risen slightly since September, currently sitting at 5.9% for African Americans and 4.2% for Hispanic Americans.
Asian American unemployment is currently 2.5%, the same level as December 2006, after reaching a record low of 2.1% earlier in the year. However these records only date back to 2003.
However, there remains a disparity in weekly wages between racial groups in the US. Black men on average earn 26% less than white men and the disparity between Hispanic men and white men is wider still, according to the latest official statistics.
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Media caption, Republicans chant "four more years" - the president hopes a strong economy will win him re-election.
Claim: "I've also made an iron-clad pledge to American families we will always protect patients with pre-existing conditions."
Reality Check: This is not true - Mr Trump may say he's made this pledge but his actions don't support this.
Protections for patients with pre-existing conditions were introduced under President Obama in the Affordable Care Act. The law prohibits health insurance companies refusing coverage to people who already have health problems when applying for insurance. These rules came into effect on 1 January 2014.
But President Trump stood on a manifesto that promised to roll back the law enshrining these protections, known as Obamacare.
One of Mr Trump's first actions in office was signing an executive order stating that his administration's official policy was "to seek the prompt repeal" of the Affordable Care Act. He also supported a lawsuit seeking to have the Act declared unconstitutional.
Claim: "Last year, for the first time in 51 years, the cost of prescription drugs actually went down".
Reality Check: In the year to May 2019, the average monthly cost of prescription drugs fell by 0.2% according to the Bureau of Labour Statistics' Consumer Price Index (CPI), which measures the increase in the cost of household items in the US.
This is the first price decrease over a 12-month period since 1973, some 47 years ago.
But this may not be the most reliable way to measure drug prices according to Inma Hernandez, a pharmacy lecturer at the University of Pittsburgh.
"The CPI is based on a basket of drugs which is representative of popular drugs. So it tends to include widely-used drugs, which are usually cheaper," she says.
"However, it is less likely to include newer or less-prescribed drugs, which are more expensive and have higher price increases."
Claim: "Illegal crossings are down 75% since May - dropping eight straight months in a row."
Reality Check: President Trump was talking here about his efforts to tackle illegal immigration across the US-Mexico border. He's correct about this specific period in 2019.
The crossings are measured by the number of people apprehended by US authorities trying to enter the US illegally
Apprehensions have fallen by around 75% since May, when more than 130,000 people were apprehended at the southern border.
This was the highest number of monthly apprehensions since March 2006.
And during Mr Trump's presidency (2017-2019) apprehensions at the southern border have risen sharply (which may be as a result of tougher enforcement) and apprehensions last year were the highest annual total since 2007.
Claim: "After losing 60,000 factories under the previous two administrations, America has now gained 12,000 new factories".
Reality Check: There were 54,000 fewer "private manufacturing establishments" (factories) at the end of 2016 compared with the start of 2001, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
In terms of the gains under Mr Trump's presidency, the most recent Bureau of Labor figures show that in the second quarter of 2019, there were roughly 12,000 more factories than when President Trump took office in 2017.
But many of these are small businesses, with fewer than five employees.


bbc--2020-02-05--Iowa caucuses: Pete Buttigieg and Bernie Sanders take lead

Pete Buttigieg and Bernie Sanders are leading in the first vote to choose the Democratic candidate to run against President Donald Trump in November 's election .
The vote in Iowa has been chaotic , beset by technical problems and delays in reporting results .
Iowa 's Democratic Party said data from 71 % of precincts showed Mr Buttigieg on 26.8 % , with Mr Sanders on 25.2 % .
Elizabeth Warren was third on 18.4 % and Joe Biden fourth on 15.4 % .
Amy Klobuchar was on 12.6 % , and Andrew Yang on 1 % , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday evening from all of Iowa 's 99 counties .
Tom Steyer and Tulsi Gabbard were on less than 1 % .
But the state party has still not declared a winner from Monday 's vote .
Democrats have blamed the delay on a coding error with an app being used for the first time to report the votes .
Iowa was the first contest in a string of nationwide state-by-state votes , known as primaries and caucuses , that will culminate in the crowning of a Democratic nominee at the party convention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Eleven candidates remain in a Democratic field that has already been whittled down from more than two dozen .
The results represent the share of delegates needed to clinch the party nomination under America 's quirky political system .
Iowa awards only 41 of the 1,991 delegates required to become the Democratic White House nominee .
In the popular vote count , partial results showed Mr Sanders leading with 32,673 ballots , while Mr Buttigieg was second at 31,353 .
However , Mr Buttigieg came top in certain rural areas with smaller @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delegates .
Ms Warren was third with 25,692 , followed by Mr Biden at 16,447 and Ms Klobuchar at 15,470 .
• A simple guide to US primaries and caucuses • Listen to Americast , our new US politics podcast Where did it all go wrong ?
Iowa Democratic Party Chairman Troy Price told a news conference on Tuesday evening the fiasco had been `` simply unacceptable '' .
`` I apologise deeply for this , '' he added of the turmoil , which has provoked calls for Iowa to lose its coveted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` This was a coding error , '' he said , while insisting the data was secure and promising a thorough review .
State party officials earlier said the problem was not the result of `` a hack or an intrusion '' .
Officials were being dispatched across the Hawkeye state to retrieve hard-copy results .
They were matching those numbers against results reported via a mobile app that many precinct captains said had crashed .
The app was developed by tech firm Shadow Inc. , run by veterans of Hillary Clinton 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put together in just two months and had not been independently tested , the New York Times reported , quoting people briefed on the matter by the Iowa Democratic Party .
The party in Nevada , where caucuses will be held on 22 February , has reversed a decision to use the company 's software .
Voters flocked on Monday to more than 1,600 caucus sites , including libraries , high schools and community centres .
President Trump said earlier that the Iowa Democratic caucuses had been an `` unmitigated disaster '' .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ be the first openly gay US president .
He is the former mayor of South Bend , Indiana , a city of just over 100,000 people .
He is a former Harvard and Oxford University Rhodes scholar , who served as a military intelligence officer in Afghanistan and used to work for global management consultancy McKinsey .
Rivals say Mr Buttigieg , who is younger than Macaulay Culkin and Britney Spears , is too inexperienced to be US president .
But he says he is transformative outsider who can break the gridlock in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Laconia , New Hampshire , on Tuesday evening , Mr Buttigieg welcomed the preliminary results .
`` A campaign that started a year ago with four staff members , no name recognition , no money , just a big idea , a campaign that some said should have no business even making this attempt , has taken its place at the front of this race to replace the current president with a better vision for the future , '' he said .
We finally have some 2020 Iowa caucuses results to talk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ generate a lot of talk - and hand-wringing .
There are clear winners , as Bernie Sanders and Pete Buttigieg can both claim some kind of victory , depending on how the final tabulations come in .
There 's also a clear loser - Joe Biden .
He entered Monday leading in some polls and hoping for a strong showing that would put to bed concerns that he is a flawed front-runner .
Instead those concerns are wide awake and pacing the room .
Unlike candidates like Mr Sanders , Elizabeth Warren and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are thin - and this Iowa performance is n't opening any cash spigots .
It could have been worse for the former vice-president - he could have had to give a fourth-place concession speech on Monday night - but the end result is the same .
He was unable to land a knock-out blow on fellow moderate Amy Klobuchar , while Mr Buttigieg and Mr Sanders both exit Iowa strengthened , suggesting Mr Biden could be staring at a third-place finish - or worse - in New Hampshire .
Until proven otherwise , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ based on support from elderly and black voters .
But the flames are licking at his heels .
How have the other campaigns responded ?
After pumping nearly $ 800m ( £610m ) into campaigning in Iowa , the rival campaigns expressed dismay at the debacle .
Mr Sanders , a Vermont senator , told reporters he was `` obviously disappointed '' at the hold-up , which he said was `` not a good night for democracy '' .
He said there was no reason to cast `` aspersions '' on the results @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to declare victory on Monday night , despite the lack of any official results .
`` I do n't know how anybody declares victory before you have an official statement from the election results , we 're not even declaring victory , '' Mr Sanders said .
Ms Warren , a Massachusetts senator , and former US Vice-President Biden earlier on Tuesday questioned the state party 's decision to release partial results .
Biden campaign senior adviser Symone Sanders told reporters : `` What we 're saying is there are some inconsistencies , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is at stake . ''

"A campaign that started a year ago with four staff members, no name recognition, no money, just a big idea, a campaign that some said should have no business even making this attempt, has taken its place at the front of this race to replace the current president with a better vision for the future," he said.


bbc--2020-02-05--Sarah Abitbol: Athletes back ice skater after rape allegation

France 's top athletes have signed a letter in support of a champion figure skater who has accused her former coach of sexually assaulting her as a teenager .
In an autobiography released last week , Sarah Abitbol alleges that Gilles Beyer first raped her when she was aged 15 .
Prosecutors in France have now opened an investigation .
In the letter - signed by more than 50 competitors - the athletes said they were `` disgusted ... but not surprised '' .
`` We can no longer be silent !
It is time to act collectively and realize @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sport , '' the letter reads .
It was written by members of the Commission of High-Level Athletes ( CAHN ) , part of France 's Olympic Committee ( CNOSF ) .
Ms Abitbol 's coach Mr Beyer has admitted to `` intimate '' and `` inappropriate '' relations with her , and said he was `` sincerely sorry '' .
As part of their investigation , prosecutors said they would try to establish if anyone else had been abused .
Three other skaters have accused Mr Beyer and two more coaches - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ice-Skating Federation ( FFSG ) - of abusing and raping them when they were minors .
Jean-Roland Racle denies the accusations and Michel Lotz has not commented .
Ms Abitbol and her skating partner , Stéphane Bernadis , are 10-time French national champions , and have won seven European medals .
At the 2000 World Championships , the two became the first French pair to win a world medal in nearly 70 years .
What does Sarah Abitbol say ?
In her book , Such a Long Silence , Ms Abitbol alleged that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1990 and 1992 .
`` He started to do horrible things leading to sexual abuse , '' she told L'Obs magazine .
`` It was the first time a man touched me . ''
The former skater , who is now 44 , rejected Mr Beyer 's apology and said that she wanted accountability for `` all those who covered up [ the crimes ] both in the club and the federation '' .
Mr Beyer , after coaching Ms Abitbol , went on to direct France 's national skating teams .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of two investigations into misconduct .
The second investigation , conducted by France 's sports ministry , found repeated `` serious acts '' against young skaters .
His contract as a technical adviser was terminated in 2001 .
But despite his dismissal , Mr Beyer continued to work with hockey club Les Francais Volants and , until 2018 , served several terms with the FFSG .
On Monday , French Sports Minister Roxana Maracineanu called for the resignation of Didier Gailhaguet , who has been president of the FFSG almost continuously since 1998 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ general dysfunction '' existed within the federation , and Mr Gailhaguet had a `` moral and personal responsibility '' to step down .
While unable to sack him , Mrs Maracineanu said the federation would face sanctions if he remained .
Mr Gailhaguet , however , has not yet resigned .
The FFSG president has announced a press conference on Wednesday , where he reportedly promised to reveal documents backing up his handling of the case .

The former skater, who is now 44, rejected Mr Beyer's apology and said that she wanted accountability for "all those who covered up [the crimes] both in the club and the federation".


bbc--2020-02-05--Coronavirus: Ten passengers on cruise ship test positive for virus

At least 10 people on board a cruise ship docked in the Japanese port of Yokohama have tested positive for coronavirus , health authorities said .
Almost 300 of the 3,700 people on the Diamond Princess have been tested so far .
The number of infected could rise .
The checks began after an 80-year-old Hong Kong man who had been on the ship last month fell ill with the virus .
Some 3,600 people on a second cruise ship docked in Hong Kong are also being tested .
Chinese health authorities are stepping up efforts to control the spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million people in the east of the country now required to stay at home .
In Wuhan , the epicentre of the virus , 11 large public venues including sports arenas are being turned into makeshift hospitals to provide an additional 10,000 beds for the sick .
Two new hospitals have already been built there since the outbreak started .
President Xi Jinping said China 's preventive measures were `` achieving a positive effect '' , state media reported .
He said China was confident and capable of winning the war against the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their initial handling of the outbreak .
The WHO has declared a global health emergency over the outbreak but said it did not yet constitute a `` pandemic '' , or the worldwide spread of a new disease .
However , the number of cases in China jumped by nearly 4,000 on Tuesday alone to more than 24,300 , with another 65 deaths bringing the total to 490 .
• Could it become pandemic ?
• The Chinese doctor who tried to warn others • The coronavirus will finally get a proper name @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infection and symptoms usually start with a fever , followed by a dry cough .
Most people infected are likely to fully recover - just as they would from a flu .
• The Philippines confirms its third case of the virus , and Australia its 13th .
South Korea has two new confirmed cases • Hong Kong imposes compulsory quarantine on all visitors from mainland China .
Health workers in the territory are on strike , demanding the complete closure of the border • The Hong Kong flagship airline Cathay Pacific asks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unpaid leave • Organisers of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics say they are `` seriously concerned '' about the spread of the virus and its possible impact on the games How did the virus get on board the ship ?
There is a much smaller number of cases in countries around the globe other than China - two people outside of mainland China have died of the disease .
The Hong Kong man believed to be the source boarded the cruise ship in Yokohama , Japan , on 20 January , and disembarked in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was only later found to have tested positive for the virus .
Officials on the cruise ship began screening guests on Monday evening , and the vessel was placed under quarantine on Tuesday .
What happens to the passengers now ?
Passengers and crew on the ship will now be under quarantine for 14 days .
The incubation period of the virus is believed to be around two weeks .
All 10 cases are in those over the age of 50 and one is in their 80s , Japanese broadcaster NHK said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Japanese , and none are in `` serious condition '' , it added .
`` We had them [ the ones who tested positive ] get off the vessel and ... we are sending them to medical organisations , '' Japanese Health Minister Katsunobu Kato said at a news conference on Wednesday .
British tourist David Abel , who is on board , told the BBC he was supposed to return to the UK on Tuesday .
`` We had a flight booked with BA on Tuesday morning and that has had to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ idea when we are going to be allowed off the ship , '' he said .
`` All we have been informed [ sic ] is 14 days quarantine on the ship .
That means we 've got no interaction with other passengers , food is brought to the room .
It 's really basic food , nothing like we 've enjoyed on the cruise at all . ''
Another passenger said her mother , who is in her 80s , was running out of medicine .
`` We are in trouble because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Many of the passengers are old and some are as troubled as we are , '' she told NHK .
The Diamond Princess cruise ship is part of the Princess Cruises line , owned by British-American cruise operator Carnival Corporation .
There are now 20 confirmed coronavirus cases in Japan , excluding the cruise ship infections .
What about the Hong Kong ship ?
Separately on Wednesday , 1,800 passengers and a similar number of crew onboard the World Dream , a cruise ship docked in Hong Kong , are also being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reports say that three Chinese passengers who had spent time on the ship tested positive for the virus after disembarking .
The infected passengers were on the ship between 19 to 24 January .
Hong Kong health officials say none of those on board had contact with the three passengers .
Some 30 crew members of the cruise ship say they are suffering symptoms of the virus and are also being tested .
Learn more about the new virus • How worried should we be ?
• The city now in lockdown • @ @ @ @ @ @ @ viruses ?
Are you on the ship ?
Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay @ bbc.co.uk .
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist .
You can also contact us in the following ways : • Please read our terms & conditions and privacy policy

Coronavirus: Ten passengers on cruise ship test positive for virus Published 5 February 2020
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Media caption, David Abel, one of 3,700 people in quarantine aboard the Diamond Princess, speaking soon after the quarantine began
At least 10 people on board a cruise ship docked in the Japanese port of Yokohama have tested positive for coronavirus, health authorities say.
Almost 300 of the 3,700 people on the Diamond Princess have been tested so far. The number of infected could rise.
The checks began after an 80-year-old Hong Kong man who had been on the ship last month fell ill with the virus.
Some 3,600 people on a second cruise ship docked in Hong Kong are also being tested.
Chinese health authorities are stepping up efforts to control the spread of the virus, with approximately 18 million people in the east of the country now required to stay at home.
In Wuhan, the epicentre of the virus, 11 large public venues including sports arenas are being turned into makeshift hospitals to provide an additional 10,000 beds for the sick. Two new hospitals have already been built there since the outbreak started.
President Xi Jinping said China's preventive measures were "achieving a positive effect", state media reported. He said China was confident and capable of winning the war against the virus, after authorities were criticised for their initial handling of the outbreak.
The WHO has declared a global health emergency over the outbreak but said it did not yet constitute a "pandemic", or the worldwide spread of a new disease.
However, the number of cases in China jumped by nearly 4,000 on Tuesday alone to more than 24,300, with another 65 deaths bringing the total to 490.
The new coronavirus causes severe acute respiratory infection and symptoms usually start with a fever, followed by a dry cough. Most people infected are likely to fully recover - just as they would from a flu.
In other developments:
The Philippines confirms its third case of the virus, and Australia its 13th. South Korea has two new confirmed cases
Hong Kong imposes compulsory quarantine on all visitors from mainland China. Health workers in the territory are on strike, demanding the complete closure of the border
The Hong Kong flagship airline Cathay Pacific asks its staff to take three weeks' unpaid leave
Organisers of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics say they are "seriously concerned" about the spread of the virus and its possible impact on the games
How did the virus get on board the ship?
There is a much smaller number of cases in countries around the globe other than China - two people outside of mainland China have died of the disease.
The Hong Kong man believed to be the source boarded the cruise ship in Yokohama, Japan, on 20 January, and disembarked in Hong Kong on 25 January. He was only later found to have tested positive for the virus.
Officials on the cruise ship began screening guests on Monday evening, and the vessel was placed under quarantine on Tuesday.
What happens to the passengers now?
Passengers and crew on the ship will now be under quarantine for 14 days. The incubation period of the virus is believed to be around two weeks.
All 10 cases are in those over the age of 50 and one is in their 80s, Japanese broadcaster NHK said.
Two of them are said to be Japanese, and none are in "serious condition", it added.
"We had them [the ones who tested positive] get off the vessel and... we are sending them to medical organisations," Japanese Health Minister Katsunobu Kato said at a news conference on Wednesday.
British tourist David Abel, who is on board, told the BBC he was supposed to return to the UK on Tuesday.
"We had a flight booked with BA on Tuesday morning and that has had to be cancelled. We've got no idea when we are going to be allowed off the ship," he said.
"All we have been informed [sic] is 14 days quarantine on the ship. That means we've got no interaction with other passengers, food is brought to the room. It's really basic food, nothing like we've enjoyed on the cruise at all."
Another passenger said her mother, who is in her 80s, was running out of medicine.
"We are in trouble because [her] medicine is running out. Many of the passengers are old and some are as troubled as we are," she told NHK.
The Diamond Princess cruise ship is part of the Princess Cruises line, owned by British-American cruise operator Carnival Corporation.
There are now 20 confirmed coronavirus cases in Japan, excluding the cruise ship infections.
What about the Hong Kong ship?
Separately on Wednesday, 1,800 passengers and a similar number of crew onboard the World Dream, a cruise ship docked in Hong Kong, are also being tested for the virus.
Local media reports say that three Chinese passengers who had spent time on the ship tested positive for the virus after disembarking.
Image source, EPA Image caption, Passengers developed symptoms on a previous World Dream cruise
The infected passengers were on the ship between 19 to 24 January. Hong Kong health officials say none of those on board had contact with the three passengers.
Some 30 crew members of the cruise ship say they are suffering symptoms of the virus and are also being tested.
Learn more about the new virus
Image source, Getty
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Media caption, The BBC's online health editor on what we know about the virus
Are you on the ship? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.


bbc--2020-02-04--New Zealand flash floods leave tourists stranded

Torrential rain and flash flooding in the south of New Zealand has left many tourists stranded .
Many hikers were @ @ @ @ @ on Tuesday , but heavy rain meant rescue efforts for those trapped in Milford Sound @ @ @ @ @

Torrential rain and flash flooding in the south of New Zealand has left many tourists stranded.
Many hikers were evacuated from Fiordland by helicopter on Tuesday, but heavy rain meant rescue efforts for those trapped in Milford Sound was put on hold.


bbc--2020-02-05--Turkey avalanche kills at least eight rescuers on mountainside

At least eight rescuers have been killed and dozens of people trapped after a second avalanche struck a mountainside in @ @ @ @ @ About 300 rescue workers were at the site , near the eastern border with Iran @ @ @ @ @ avalanche on Tuesday that killed five people .
More than 50 people are believed to @ @ @ @ @ the area following the incident on Wednesday .
Twenty-five people have been rescued so far @ @ @ @ @ hospital .
Pictures from the scene in Bahcesaray in Van province show people being carried @ @ @ @ @ governor of Van province , Mehmet Emin Bilmez , said rescue teams - including specially @ @ @ @ @ sent to the region to help free those trapped and clear the area .
A @ @ @ @ @ in the snow on Tuesday evening managed to escape and raise the alarm .

Most of the dead were hit by an avalanche on Wednesday while trying to recover the victims of another downslide which happened a day earlier.