bbc--2020-04-20--Coronavirus lockdown protest: What's behind the US demonstrations?

Across the country , groups of Americans are taking to the streets in protest of lockdown orders aimed at limiting the spread of Covid-19 .
Why ?
The US now has over 761,000 cases and more than 40,000 deaths , with numbers still rising , though signs have emerged that infection rates are slowing in some states .
Some states are beginning to ease restrictions , re-opening parks , beaches and some small businesses in the coming days , but most of the US remains under some form of stay-at-home order .
In over a dozen states from coast to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ streets , blocking roads and honking car horns .
Why are they protesting ?
Those taking to the streets say that the stringent measures restricting movement and businesses are unnecessarily hurting citizens .
Protesters say the stay-at-home measures imposed by state governments to control the spread of Covid-19 are an overreaction .
Some have also come bearing firearms as gun rights groups have been among the organisers , citing infringements on civil liberties .
Some also say keeping these restrictions in place too long will cause long-term damage to local economies .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of unemployment claims in the nation reached over 22 million - overturning decades of US job growth .
Many cite President Trump 's caution that the cure can not be worse than the disease itself .
But not everyone wants to see all restrictions eased immediately : some groups have also called for quarantining just the vulnerable , more testing to get people back to work or redefining `` essential '' businesses .
Where are these protests happening ?
Demonstrations have occurred in over a dozen states : These states are led by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many people are protesting ?
Protests have varied in size across the country - from a few dozen protesters in Virginia and Oregon to rallies of thousands in Michigan and Washington state .
On Sunday , Washington state saw one of the largest demonstrations , with some 2,500 protesters gathering at the capital in Olympia .
The state was the early epicentre of the Covid-19 outbreak in the US .
In Colorado , hundreds of anti-lockdown protesters were met with a counter protest by a few healthcare workers , who , dressed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hundreds in Arizona took to their cars to create a gridlock around the capitol building in Phoenix .
Idaho , Maryland , Texas and Indiana saw similar gatherings of hundreds .
• Why US could be more at risk from coronavirus • What this crisis reveals about US - and its president Who are the protesters ?
The organisers behind these protests have largely been conservative , pro-Trump and pro-gun activists .
US media have described many of these demonstrations as reminiscent of Trump campaign events , with pro-Trump banners , t-shirts , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ freedom over tyranny have also been staples of these protests .
Governors have been likened to kings or dictators .
`` Give me liberty or give me death , '' a quote harkening back to the American Revolution has also been a popular mantra .
Not all those attending are affiliated to organisations - many are simply frustrated by the lockdown strangling their ability to make a living .
But far-right groups and militias have also made their presence known at some demonstrations .
The rally outside the state capitol in Austin , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fans of conspiracy theorist Alex Jones , who was seen shaking hands with protesters .
Amid chants of `` let us work '' were calls to `` fire [ Dr Anthony ] Fauci '' , the US infectious disease chief on the White House taskforce , the New York Times reported .
As John Roland , a militia leader in Illinois , told the BBC : `` Re-open my state or we will re-open it ourselves . ''
What has Trump said ?
President Donald Trump and his White House have expressed seemingly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week , Mr Trump and his Covid-19 taskforce unveiled new guidance to begin re-opening state economies .
That guidance recommends three phases of slowly easing restrictions on businesses and social life , with each phase lasting at least two weeks .
The recommendations also include maintaining some social distancing , access to testing and contact tracing .
But a day after the administration 's plan was announced , the president tweeted the slogans of the `` Liberate '' protests in several Democratic-run states .
On Sunday , the president offered a conflicting message @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have gone too far '' , and later specifically calling out Michigan and Virginia .
`` Some of the things that happened are maybe not so appropriate , '' Mr Trump said .
`` In the end , it 's not going to matter because we 're starting to open up our states .
And I think they 're going to open up very well . ''
Of the protesters , Mr Trump said : `` Their life was taken away from them . ''
`` These people love our country , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' While these protests may illustrate the concerns of some Americans , especially those in rural parts of the country , they do not reflect the overall public opinion .
A Pew Research Center survey last week found 66 % of Americans are concerned that restrictions will be lifted too quickly , as opposed to 32 % who are worried they will not be lifted soon enough .
In addition , the survey found most of the country - regardless of party affiliation - believes the worst of the pandemic is yet to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ How do I protect myself ?
• AVOIDING CONTACT : The rules on self-isolation and exercise • STRESS : How to look after your mental health US public health experts and many state leaders have continued to stress the importance of social distancing , justifying the measures protesters have taken issue with .
On Monday , Facebook announced it would remove event listings for anti-lockdown protests in California , New Jersey and Nebraska as they violated state government orders .
State governors have also responded to the protesters and Mr Trump 's apparent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a Democrat , said the president was `` fomenting domestic rebellion '' .
Republican Governor Larry Hogan of Maryland also weighed in , telling CNN : `` I do n't think it 's helpful to encourage demonstrations and encourage people to go against the president 's own policy . ''

"Some of the things that happened are maybe not so appropriate," Mr Trump said. "In the end, it's not going to matter because we're starting to open up our states. And I think they're going to open up very well."


bbc--2020-04-19--Coronavirus: Ex-soldier self-isolating on 'uninhabited' Hildasay

A former British paratrooper is isolating on a previously uninhabited island after lockdown measures were introduced midway through a fundraising challenge to walk the UK coastline .
Chris Lewis has walked 12,000 miles after setting off from near his home in Swansea in August 2017 .
He has now been given special permission to live in the one house on Hildasay , Shetland , with his dog Jet .
The 108-hectare island sits off the west coast of the Shetland mainland .
The 39-year-old was sleeping in a tent on mainland Shetland when lockdown restrictions were imposed on 23 March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ However , he and Jet were taken to Hildasay by boat and have remained there ever since .
Their new home is a former shepherd 's hut without running water , heating or electricity .
He was offered the keys by the family of the man who owns it after they heard he was camping .
After lockdown restrictions are lifted , Mr Lewis and Jet will continue their journey around the UK coastline to raise money for SSAFA , the Armed Forces charity - with donations already reaching almost £98,000 .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the past two years due to the nature of the places we 've been walking , '' he said .
`` When I heard there was going to be a lockdown , I was kindly given a boat to get over to Hildasay , which is an uninhabited island .
`` I thought it would be better if I was n't on the mainland - I did n't want to be in the way . ''
Since then , Mr Lewis has survived thanks to a regular boat drop bringing fresh water and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , forages and fishes for his food , and always makes sure he has a three-week supply of dog food for Jet .
Hildasay has been uninhabited since the late 19th Century , with Mr Lewis and Jet joined only by 15 sheep and thousands of birds .
`` It has really given me a chance to enjoy the island , '' he said .
`` I 'm able to reflect on the walk so far , just realising what this has done to help me personally and the amount of amazing people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I 'm the happiest I 've ever been . ''
Almost 40,000 people have been following Mr Lewis 's journey on a Facebook page , Chris Walks the UK .
Mr Lewis said he struggled to cope with life on `` civvy street '' after leaving the Parachute Regiment and finding himself homeless .
He slept on the street and in cars before SSAFA , which he describes as `` truly amazing '' , stepped in to help .
He set off from Llangennith beach on the Gower Peninsula with just £10 in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supplies to raise money for the charity .
When he is able to resume his fundraising challenge , Mr Lewis will make his way to the north of Scotland before heading down the east coast of the UK .

"I'm able to reflect on the walk so far, just realising what this has done to help me personally and the amount of amazing people there are in the UK.


bbc--2020-04-20--Coronavirus: Branson offers Caribbean island to secure Virgin bailout

Sir Richard Branson has pledged his luxury island resort as collateral to help get a UK government bailout of his stricken airline Virgin Atlantic .
The billionaire Virgin Group boss said in an open letter to staff he was not asking for a handout , but a commercial loan , believed to be £500m .
The airline 's survival was in doubt , and his Necker Island home in the Caribbean could be mortgaged , he said .
It comes as Virgin Group 's airline in Australia faces administration .
Both airlines have been hit hard by the global coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to governments in both countries for help .
However , he has been criticised for appealing for taxpayer aid rather than drawing on his huge wealth .
Sir Richard 's fortune is thought to be well over £4bn .
The large US airline Delta owns 49 % of Virgin Atlantic .
Sir Richard said in his letter to staff : `` Many airlines around the world need government support and many have already received it . ''
The crisis facing airlines , and the staff they employ , was `` unprecedented , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this did not mean he had `` cash in a bank account ready to withdraw '' .
And he hit back at criticism that he was a tax exile who did not deserve help , saying he and his wife `` did not leave Britain for tax reasons but for our love of the beautiful British Virgin Islands and in particular Necker Island '' .
He said Necker would be offered as security for any loans .
`` As with other Virgin assets , our team will raise as much money against the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jobs as possible around the group , '' Sir Richard said .
In his letter to staff , Sir Richard said : `` We will do everything we can to keep the airline [ Virgin Atlantic ] going - but we will need government support to achieve that in the face of the severe uncertainty surrounding travel today and not knowing how long the planes will be grounded for .
`` This would be in the form of a commercial loan - it would n't be free money and the airline would pay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the £600m loan the government recently gave them ) . ''
He pointed out that Virgin Atlantic started with one plane 36 years ago , before adding : `` Over those years it has created real competition for British Airways , which must remain fierce for the benefit of our wonderful customers and the public at large . ''
Sir Richard offered to inject £250m into the Virgin Group last month , with most of that going to the airline .
Earlier this month , Rolls-Royce , Airbus , Heathrow airport and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government highlighting the importance of Virgin Atlantic to the UK 's manufacturing supply chain .
Meanwhile , it has been reported that Virgin Australia - in which Sir Richard holds a stake of around 10 % - is close to going into administration after being refused help by the Australian government .
The carrier has been forced to cancel nearly all of its flights during the coronavirus crisis and been unable to restructure its debts .
The Australian government refused a request from the company for a A $ 1.4bn ( £720m ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about 16,000 - is part-owned by Sir Richard along with Etihad , Singapore Airlines and China 's HNA .
`` The brilliant Virgin Australia team is fighting to survive and need support to get through this catastrophic global crisis , '' Sir Richard said .
`` We are hopeful that Virgin Australia can emerge stronger than ever , as a more sustainable , financially viable airline . ''
He warned : `` If Virgin Australia disappears , Qantas would effectively have a monopoly of the Australian skies .
We all know what that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also addressed the fierce criticism he has faced in recent weeks over his tax situation .
Critics have pointed out he has paid no UK income tax since moving to the tax-free British Virgin Islands 14 years ago .
Sir Richard is the 312th richest person in the world with an estimated $ 5.2bn fortune , according to the Bloomberg billionaires index .
`` I 've seen lots of comments about my net worth - but that is calculated on the value of Virgin businesses around the world before this crisis , not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ready to withdraw , '' he said .
`` Over the years significant profits have never been taken out of the Virgin Group , instead they have been reinvested in building businesses that create value and opportunities . ''
Turning to the question of living abroad he said : `` Joan and I did not leave Britain for tax reasons but for our love of the beautiful British Virgin Islands ( BVI ) and in particular Necker Island , which I bought when I was 29 years old , as an uninhabited island @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Over time , we built our family home here .
The rest of the island is run as a business , which employs 175 people . ''

Despite his wealth, this did not mean he had "cash in a bank account ready to withdraw". And he hit back at criticism that he was a tax exile who did not deserve help, saying he and his wife "did not leave Britain for tax reasons but for our love of the beautiful British Virgin Islands and in particular Necker Island".


bbc--2020-04-20--Can you compare countries?

Can you compare countries?

Everyone wants to know how well their country is tackling coronavirus , compared with others .
But you have to make sure you 're comparing the same things .
The United States , for example , has far more Covid-19 deaths than any other country - as of 20 April , a total of over 40,000 deaths .
But the US has a population of 330 million people .
If you take the five largest countries in Western Europe - the UK , Germany , France , Italy and Spain - their combined population is roughly 320 million .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from those five countries , as of 20 April , was over 85,000 - more than twice that of the US .
So , individual statistics do n't tell the full story .
For comparisons to be useful , says Rowland Kao , professor of data science at the University of Edinburgh , there are two broad issues to consider .
`` Does the underlying data mean the same thing ?
And does it make sense to compare two sets of numbers if the epidemiology [ all the other factors surrounding the spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Let 's look at some of the numbers first .
There are differences in how countries record Covid-19 deaths .
France , for example , includes deaths in care homes in the headline numbers it produces every day , but the daily figures for England only include deaths in hospitals .
After criticism , the government 's chart now has a line for deaths in hospitals and a line for all deaths ( including in care homes ) - but there is a time lag on this last set of figures .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for how you measure deaths , or their causes .
Does somebody need to have been tested for coronavirus to count towards the statistics , or are the suspicions of a doctor enough ?
Does the virus need to be the main cause of death , or does any mention on a death certificate count ?
Are you really comparing like with like ?
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : How do I protect myself ?
• AVOIDING CONTACT : The rules on self-isolation and exercise • WHAT WE DO N'T KNOW How to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Can I get tested for coronavirus ?
There is a lot of focus on death rates , but there are different ways of measuring them too .
One is the ratio of deaths to confirmed cases - of all the people who test positive for coronavirus , how many go on to die ?
But different countries are testing in very different ways .
The UK has mainly tested people who are ill enough to be admitted to hospital .
That can make the death rate appear much higher than in a country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The more testing a country carries out , the more it will find people who have coronavirus with only mild symptoms , or perhaps no symptoms at all .
So , the death rate in confirmed cases is not the same as the overall death rate .
Another measurement is how many deaths have occurred compared with the size of a country 's population - the numbers of deaths per million people , for example .
But that is determined partly by what stage of the outbreak an individual country has reached .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ early in the global outbreak , then it has had longer for its death toll to grow .
The UK government compares how each country has done since recording its 50th death , but even that poses some problems .
A country that reaches 50 deaths later should have had more time to prepare for the virus and reduce the eventual death toll .
When studying these comparisons , it is also worth remembering that the vast majority of people who get infected with coronavirus will recover .
It is more difficult to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries with tightly controlled political systems .
Is the number of deaths recorded so far in countries like China or Iran accurate ?
We do n't really know .
Calculated as a number of deaths per million of its population , China 's figures are extraordinarily low , even after it revised upwards the death toll in Wuhan by 50 % .
So , can we really trust the data ?
There are real differences in the populations in different countries .
Demographics are particularly important - that 's things like average age @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been made between the UK and the Republic of Ireland , but they are problematic .
Ireland has a much lower population density , and a much larger percentage of people live in rural areas .
It makes more sense to compare Dublin City and County with an urban area in the UK of about the same size ( like Merseyside ) than to try to compare the two countries as a whole .
You also need to make sure you are comparing like with like in terms of age structure .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Europe and Africa would n't necessarily work , because countries in Africa tend to have much younger populations .
We know that older people are much more likely to die of Covid-19 .
On the other hand , most European countries have health systems that are better funded than those in most African countries .
And that will also have an effect on how badly hit a country is by coronavirus , as will factors such as how easily different cultures adjust to social distancing .
Health systems obviously play a crucial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but they are not all the same .
`` Do people actively seek treatment , how easy is it to get to hospitals , do you have to pay to be treated well ?
All of these things vary from place to place , '' says Prof Andy Tatem , of the University of Southampton .
Another big factor is the level of comorbidity - this means the number of other conditions , such as diabetes , heart disease or high blood pressure - which people may already have when they get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of testing early in the pandemic , and followed it up by tracing the contacts of anyone who was infected , seem to have been most successful in slowing the spread of the disease so far .
Both Germany and South Korea have had far fewer deaths than the worst affected countries .
The number of tests per head of population may be a useful statistic to predict lower fatality rates .
But not all testing data is the same - some countries record the number of people tested , while others record @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( many people need to be tested more than once to get an accurate result ) .
The timing of testing , and whether tests took place mostly in hospitals or in the community , also need to be taken into account .
Germany and South Korea tested aggressively very early on , and learned a lot more about how the virus was spreading .
• What can the UK learn from Germany on testing ?
But Italy , which has also done a lot of tests , has suffered a relatively high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increased its capacity for testing after the pandemic had already taken hold .
The UK is doing the same thing .
So , is anything useful likely to emerge from all these comparisons ?
`` What you want to know is why one country might be doing better than another , and what you can learn from that , '' says Prof Jason Oke from the University of Oxford .
`` And testing seems to be the most obvious example so far . ''
But until this the outbreak is over it wo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which countries have dealt with the virus better .
`` That 's when we can really learn the lessons for next time , '' says Prof Oke .
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Countries that did a lot of testing early in the pandemic, and followed it up by tracing the contacts of anyone who was infected, seem to have been most successful in slowing the spread of the disease so far.


bbc--2020-04-20--Coronavirus: How New Zealand relied on science and empathy

New Zealand 's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has said her country has `` done what few countries have been able to do '' and contained the community spread of Covid-19 and can start easing its lockdown measures .
As the BBC 's Shaimaa Khalil writes , the country 's success - and Ardern 's leadership - have won it global attention .
On 13 March , New Zealand was about to mark the first anniversary of the Christchurch shooting with a national memorial event .
I asked Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern then if she was concerned about hosting such a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health Organization ( WHO ) had declared a pandemic .
She said she was n't , based on the existing scientific advice .
Things changed overnight .
Not only was the event cancelled , the prime minister announced that almost everyone coming into New Zealand would have to self-isolate for 14 days .
It was among the earliest and toughest self-isolation measures in the world , which , a week later , would lead to a complete lockdown .
`` We 're going hard and we 're going early , '' Ms Ardern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have 102 cases , but so did Italy once . ''
During the next two weeks of lockdown , New Zealand saw a steady decline in the number of new cases .
To date , it has had 12 deaths , and has confirmed that on average each infected person is passing the virus to fewer than one other person .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : How do I protect myself ?
• AVOIDING CONTACT : The rules on self-isolation and exercise • STRESS : How to look after your mental health • @ @ @ @ @ @ @ maps and charts The country is now preparing to move out of its most severe level of lockdown on 28 April .
And while there has been some criticism over how the government has reacted , others say New Zealand has offered a model response of empathy , clarity and trust in science .
New Zealand is of course a small nation - its population is smaller than New York City 's - and it is remote with easily sealable borders , which all played in its favour when the virus broke out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has among the lowest cases per capita in the world - has mainly been attributed to the clarity of the message coming from the government .
Unlike the countries that declared `` war on Covid-19 '' , the government 's message was that of a country coming together .
It urged people to `` Unite Against Covid-19 '' .
Ms Ardern has repeatedly called the country `` our team of five million '' .
`` Jacinda [ Ardern ] is a brilliant communicator and an empathetic leader , '' says Prof Michael Baker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who helped advise the government on its response .
`` But what she 's said also made sense and I think people really trusted that .
There 's been a high level of compliance . ''
For a pandemic response to be effective , he says , `` science and leadership have to go together '' .
In New Zealand , that scientific insight has come through Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield , who has stood alongside Ms Ardern at her daily press conferences .
`` From the outset he has carefully @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around Covid-19 paving the way for government decisions , '' says Sarah Robson , a senior journalist at Radio New Zealand .
`` Because he had clearly communicated the trajectory we were on in terms of the increase in the number of cases , when Jacinda Ardern said we were going into lockdown , people understood why . ''
Shaun Hendy , professor at the Faculty of Science at Auckland University , says this strong working relationship with the science community has put New Zealand at an advantage compared with countries which `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community in recent times '' .
`` This seems to have led to a much less functional science advice system , where scientists feel they have little influence and are likely to be ignored , '' Prof Hendy says .
But similar to the time of the mass shootings in Christchurch , it 's her leadership style that 's caught particular global attention .
While telling the public in detail the rules of the lockdown and the trajectory of the new cases , Ms Ardern has also focused on kindness .
She has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same message : `` Be Strong .
Be Kind '' .
After she announced the lockdown , the prime minister went on to Facebook Live , saying she wanted to `` check in with everyone '' as they prepared to hunker down .
She 's regularly been on Facebook , casually dressed , always smiling and sharing slivers of her personal life , but never underplaying the seriousness of the situation while answering people 's questions .
The overwhelming response in New Zealand has been public praise for her manner and steadfastness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the disclaimer that she knows how difficult it 's going to be for people , '' Thomas Weston , an Auckland-based insurance administrator , told the BBC .
`` It 's delivered with kindness but also very decisive .
It 's clear what we can and ca n't do . ''
In that vein , the prime minister recently announced she , ministers in her cabinet and public service chief executives would take a 20 % pay cut for the next six months , to recognise the impact on other New Zealanders .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the University of Auckland , has also been advising the government , as well as regularly updating the New Zealand public on the latest virus research .
Key to New Zealand 's response to Covid-19 , Dr Wiles argues , was that the prime minister and government visibly put people 's health first , whereas other countries which delayed imposed social distancing measures for fear of the economic damage are now having a much harder time controlling the virus .
`` Surely , a dead or a dying population is bad for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wide praise for the government 's response , some journalists have criticised its daily Covid-19 briefings for not allowing enough time to ask questions , seek additional clarity on information or challenge the statements made .
Michael Morrah is an investigative journalist for the television news outlet , Newshub .
He says some of the questions he 's emailed to health ministry 's communications team have gone unanswered while others took days to get a response .
`` Getting clear , timely answers to questions has frequently been an arduous and deeply frustrating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adds that government reassurances over the availability of PPE contradicts evidence he has heard from frontline healthcare workers .
There has also been criticism over the relative lack of clarity around some of the big virus clusters which make up the bulk of New Zealand 's cases , especially where the origin of cases it not clear .
Observers have said these significant clusters - with more than 230 unknown-origin cases - show a weak contact-tracing system , which many argue is essential for containing the virus .
Prof Hendy says any lack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health system being under-prepared for dealing with information flows in a nationwide emergency , rather than from any intent to disguise shortcomings .
`` New Zealand is a spread country with a low population density and a decentralised healthcare system .
It 's a challenge for contact tracing , '' he says .
The government is now putting an extra $ 55m into its contact tracing operation , and it hopes it will soon be able to trace 5,000 contacts a day .
It also has only eight cases now with no proven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will begin moving out of the most severe lockdown level next Tuesday , with a partial reopening of schools and businesses and a slight easing of movement , but the prime minister has said the sacrifices made so far can not be wasted by rushing to open up the economy too soon .
Professor Baker says the ultimate aim is to eradicate Covid-19 not just suppress it .
China is the only other country working to that ambition .
`` The reason we know it works is because China has done it , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ billion people have n't got the virus .
They have been protected from it .
`` If China can protect a population of that scale , surely New Zealand can protect five million people . ''
Ms Ardern said on Monday that she had taken a phone call about each one of the 12 New Zealanders who have died , saying : `` We may be among the few countries where that 's still able to happen . ''
She gives the credit for the country 's success to medical staff and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the lockdown , telling them : `` New Zealanders have proven themselves , and they 've done so in the most incredible way . ''

She gives the credit for the country's success to medical staff and the way the public have supported the rules of the lockdown, telling them: "New Zealanders have proven themselves, and they've done so in the most incredible way."


bbc--2020-04-20--Coronavirus: Somali diaspora sends home stories of woe

In our series of letters from African journalists , Ismail Einashe reflects on the impact that coronavirus is having on the Somali community in London .
The signs for Dahabshiil , the Somali money transfer company , are a familiar sight in some London 's streets .
The green and white logo is displayed in the windows of internet cafes and shops from the densely packed inner-city thoroughfares of Camden , Mile End and Shepherd 's Bush to the sprawling suburbs .
London 's community of Somalis is one of the largest in our diaspora and a regular ritual for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shops to send money to their families back home .
This is a vital lifeline for those in a country that is still emerging from decades of conflict .
It is estimated that Somalis transfer more than $ 1bn ( £0.8bn ) every year - more than Somalia receives in aid .
But the coronavirus crisis is having an impact on these crucial payments .
The pandemic , which has claimed more than 16,500 lives across the UK , has hit the Somali community hard in both economic and human terms .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , such as Nadir Nur , a 48-year-old bus driver who was said to be in good health .
He leaves behind a 10-month old daughter and four other children .
Ismail Mohamed Abdulwahab , a 13-year-old boy from South London , died of the virus alone in hospital .
His family could not even attend his funeral , as they were forced to self-isolate .
At the other end of the age-range there was Ahmed Ismail Hussein Hudeidi , a founding father of modern Somali music , who died in London after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
• The 'king of oud ' who was felled by coronavirus It is impossible to be sure of the exact number of Somalis in London .
According to the UK 's Office for National Statistics there were 108,000 Somali-born residents of the UK as a whole in 2018 .
But this this only records those born in Somalia , not ethnic Somalis born in the UK or those who have come from other European countries , such as the Netherlands or Sweden .
Most estimates suggest there are around 250,000 in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group living in London .
There have been several waves of Somali immigration : • In the 19th Century , some Somali merchant seamen settled in London , along with port cities such as Cardiff and Liverpool • After 1991 , many thousands came fleeing the civil war • In the 2000s , there has been a wave of secondary migration , for instance some 20,000 Dutch Somalis arrived in the 2000s - a third of all ethnic Somalis in the Netherlands There are a number of reasons why Somalis , like some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , appear to have been badly affected by the virus .
In the UK , many older Somalis suffer with pre-existing conditions such as diabetes , and high blood pressure .
They often live in overcrowded , multi-generational social housing in low-income areas of large cities .
You may also be interested in : • 'You clap for me ' film celebrates minority workers • Are minorities being hit hardest by coronavirus ?
Somalis in London often work in vital , but low-paid jobs , which now leave them vulnerable on the front @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of London 's migrant workforce : the care workers , nurses , bus drivers and cleaners who work in the most precarious jobs , often on insecure contracts .
Covid-19 has exposed the deep economic and social divides that exist in London .
Since the lockdown began , and most of London 's shops , including many Dahabshiil outlets , have closed their doors , some Somalis have found it hard to adapt as they are unsure how to send money using apps or phones .
I recently spoke to an elderly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to send money back to her family because the shops near her home were closed .
In the end , another relative had to help her transfer the money via an app , something which she did not understand .
The money , typically between $ 150 and $ 300 , that people send back every month make a world of difference to their families .
People depend on it for their daily expenses : to pay for food , rent or medication .
But the pressure to send money to Somalia can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poor and living in one of the most expensive cities in the world .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : How do I protect myself ?
• STRESS : How to look after your mental health Now that some have lost their jobs as businesses are shuttered , that pressure weighs even more heavily .
Many may be jobless for a long time , in debt and facing serious financial woes for years to come .
London 's streets were never paved with gold , but now many of us will have to explain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even harder .
Somalia is already coping with its own coronavirus outbreak , as well as flooding and a locust infestation , and now it is facing a loss of income from abroad .
This virus is not just a tragedy on the streets of London but also on the streets of Mogadishu , Hargeisa and Bosaso .
• Why Ghana has gone into mourning after mass funeral ban • What the world can learn from Ebola fight • The spread of coronavirus prejudice in Kenya Follow us on Twitter @ BBCAfrica , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Instagram at bbcafrica

I recently spoke to an elderly relative who was concerned she was unable to send money back to her family because the shops near her home were closed. In the end, another relative had to help her transfer the money via an app, something which she did not understand.


bbc--2020-04-20--Tracking the global outbreak

Tracking the global outbreak

Coronavirus has been spreading rapidly around the world , with more than 2.4 million cases now confirmed in 185 countries .
At least 167,000 people have died .
The United States has seen more than three times as many confirmed cases as any other country .
This series of maps and charts tracks the global outbreak of the virus since it emerged in China in December last year .
How many deaths have there been ?
The virus , which causes the respiratory infection Covid-19 , was first detected in the city of Wuhan , China , in late 2019 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries and the death toll is still climbing .
The US has by far the largest number of cases , with more than 766,000 confirmed infections , according to figures collated by Johns Hopkins University .
This is more than nine times the number reported by China .
The US also has the world 's highest death toll with more than 40,000 fatalities including more than 14,000 in New York City alone .
Spain and Italy - the worst hit European countries - have each recorded more than 20,000 deaths , while France @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 20,000 and 16,000 respectively .
In Latin America , Ecuador 's official coronavirus death toll is 507 .
But the government says 6,700 people died in Guayas province alone in the first two weeks of April , far more than the usual 1,000 deaths there in the same period .
Guayas is home to Guayaquil - the nation 's largest city .
And in Japan , where the number of confirmed cases has hit 10,000 , health workers have warned that hospitals risk being overwhelmed , amid reports that some are turning sick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data for new cases is a three day rolling average China 's official death toll from the outbreak is just over 4,600 from some 83,800 confirmed cases .
Numbers for deaths jumped on Friday after what officials called `` a statistical review '' .
Critics of the Chinese government have questioned whether the country 's official numbers can be trusted .
China has now lifted many of the stringent measures it took to bring the disease under control , including a ban on all travel to and from Wuhan .
The outbreak was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health Organization ( WHO ) on 11 March .
This is when an infectious disease is passing easily from person to person in many parts of the world at the same time .
The WHO said it took more than three months to reach the first 100,000 confirmed cases worldwide , but it took less than a week for the number to double from 500,000 to a million .
It then took two weeks to top two million .
While more than 2.4 million people are known to have been infected worldwide , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much higher as many of those with milder symptoms have not been tested and counted .
Governments across the world have halted flights , locked down towns and cities and urged people to stay at home .
More than 4.5 billion people - half the world 's population - are estimated to be now living under social distancing measures to slow the pandemic , according to the AFP news agency .
The global economy faces the worst recession since the Great Depression of the 1930s , the International Monetary Fund has said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ turned negative for the first time in history .
Oil producers have been paying buyers to take the commodity off their hands over fears that , with demand shrinking , storage capacity could run out in May .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : What are the symptoms ?
• STRESS : How to protect your mental health Italy and Spain remain the worst affected countries after the US , although the slowing of infection rates appears to show the success of social distancing , On Monday , the number of people currently infected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first time .
Spain has more than 200,000 confirmed cases - the second highest global figure - while Italy has the second highest death toll of more than 24,000 .
Both countries have been in lockdown since early March , however some quarantine measures are starting to be relaxed .
Spanish children , who have been kept indoors at home since 14 March , are expected to be allowed outside on 27 April .
In the UK , there have been more than 125,000 confirmed cases and more than 16,000 deaths .
Like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rapidly at first , doubling faster than every two days .
That rate of increase has now slowed , but on Thursday the government said that lockdown restrictions would not be lifted for at least another three weeks .
Germany 's health minister Jens Spahn says the country 's month-long lockdown has brought the outbreak there under control - although the number of deaths is still rising .
The German government is allowing small shops , bookshops , garages and bicycle shops to open their doors , as long as they apply social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warned that its economy - Europe 's largest - could contract by almost 10 % as a result of the crisis .
In the Czech Republic , farmers ' markets , car dealerships and some other small businesses have now re-opened .
Other countries such as Denmark have begun opening up schools for under-11s .
New York is epicentre of US outbreak With more than 766,000 cases , the US has the highest number of confirmed infections in the world .
The number of deaths now stands at more than 40,000 .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases than anywhere else in the world , and there have been more than 14,000 deaths in New York City alone .
Despite these grim statistics , New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo says cases are starting to level off as the effect of social-distancing measures begins to be seen .
On Saturday President Trump announced that state governors have been given three-phase plans to allow a gradual easing of lockdowns .
`` America wants to be open and Americans want to be open , '' Mr Trump said .
`` A national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
The outbreak is having a major economic impact , with figures showing the number of people making a new claim for unemployment benefits surging to a record high .
On Thursday , the US government said that it had received 20 million claims for unemployment benefits over the preceding four weeks .
• A visual guide to the economic impact of coronavirus Much of the planet is on lockdown Strict lockdowns were imposed around the world as the outbreak took hold .
From Argentina to New Zealand and from Saudi Arabia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down , restricting how often people could leave their homes and for what reason .
India told the country 's 1.3 billion residents to stay at home .
In Paris , authorities banned exercise during the day to reduce the number of people out on the streets .
Singapore , where authorities were initially praised for containing the virus , has also now imposed a `` semi-lockdown '' as it faces a surge of infections linked to industrial worksites and tightly-packed worker dormitories .
Data on planned journeys in major cities , from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people in places like London , Madrid , Istanbul and New York are now moving around far less than they were a few weeks ago .
The data shows that while Milan in northern Italy has been locked down for weeks , many other cities have been restricting movement for a much shorter period .
While movement is also down in the South Korean capital Seoul , the city has n't ground to a halt like European capitals , despite facing huge numbers of coronavirus cases .
This is perhaps an indication of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing and contact tracing , rather than imposing a lockdown .
In Sweden , the government has avoided strict measures , issuing guidelines rather than rules .
And Stockholm 's chart shows people are taking the advice - with passenger numbers on subway and commuter trains far below normal levels .

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This information is regularly updated but may not reflect the latest totals for each country.
** The past data for new cases is a three day rolling average. Due to revisions in the number of cases, an average cannot be calculated for this date.
Source: Johns Hopkins University and national public health agencies


bbc--2020-04-20--Doubts grow over contact-tracing apps

Doubts grow over contact-tracing apps

There are growing tensions over the best approach to coronavirus contact-tracing apps and whether or not the technology can live up to its promise .
Smartphone software is being developed to alert users when someone they were recently near becomes infected .
But the Ada Lovelace Institute has said there is `` an absence of evidence '' such tools are practical , accurate or technically capable .
Others stress the initiative must be backed up by an army of human checkers .
To further complicate matters , a schism has emerged among technologists working together to develop a pan-Europe solution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have signed a statement warning `` mission creep '' could eventually lead to `` unprecedented surveillance of society at large '' .
What are the concerns ?
Contact-tracing apps try to log every instance a person is close to another smartphone-owner for a significant period of time .
If any user is later believed to have become infected and records the fact , a cascade of alerts could instantly be sent to others .
Those deemed to be at high risk could be told to stay at home , while others could continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They employ a variety of methods , including keeping logs of users ' Global Positioning System ( GPS ) location data and asking them to scan Quick Response ( QR ) codes .
But earlier in the month , the American Civil Liberties Union said : `` We have spoken with engineers and executives at a number of the largest US companies that hold location data on Americans ' movements and locations and generally they have told us that their data is not suitable for determining who was in contact with whom for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nations are now focused on using another technology - wireless Bluetooth signals - to detect contact matches .
This still offers a way to log close encounters but not where they occurred .
But critics warn this kind of system would be imprecise since some phones detect signals from up to 30m ( 98ft ) away without being able to determine the distance .
Interference can also prevent two phones noticing each other when within 2m .
As a result , the Ada Lovelace study says , many matches would be missed while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Digital contact tracing will be less able to control for variables such as ventilation , direction of wind or environment , factors that are normally central to manual contact-tracing efforts , '' it says .
`` [ And ] digital contact tracing will be vulnerable to all forms of fraud and abuse - from people using multiple devices , false reports of infection , to denial-of-service attacks by adversarial actors . ''
Nevertheless , researchers at the University of Oxford 's Big Data Institute have previously suggested even if false and missed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus would still be slowed and people would have to spend less time in quarantine .
How could manual trackers help ?
An effective automated system should be quicker and more accurate than relying on human memory .
But since the app wo n't be 100 % reliable or used by everyone , experts say manual contact tracing still has a role to play .
`` If you ask me whether any Bluetooth contact-tracing system deployed or under development anywhere in the world is ready to replace manual contact tracing , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is no , not now and , even with the benefit of [ artificial intelligence ] , not for the foreseeable future , '' blogged Jason Bay , who led development of Singapore 's TraceTogether app .
Manual contact tracing requires the recruitment of a multitude of people .
One organisation in Germany said it had already received more than 10,000 applications .
And last week , England 's Health Minister , Matt Hancock , said he was committed to building up the country 's ranks .
`` They should already be putting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ students , people who have lost their jobs and others want to volunteer and help , '' Prof Devri Sridhar , from the University of Edinburgh , told BBC News .
`` This can be used to build a large database ... to start training individuals in how to do contact tracing and link into the government 's existing systems . ''
Why are there still privacy concerns ?
For the most part , governments are promising to anonymise users ' data and restrict use of information gathered to tackling the pandemic .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ have yet to launch , they have yet to explain how they would do so .
`` I would say the details really matter , and we have no details , '' said Prof Vanessa Teague , from the University of Melbourne , about Australia 's forthcoming app .
`` One obvious risk is that a person 's close physical contacts could be accidentally or deliberately extracted from their phone and used for purposes unrelated to disease control . ''
Prof Teague is one of more than 300 researchers to have signed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The group applauded an initiative by Google and Apple that would make contact tracing easier on iOS and Android handsets but severely limit what information could be gleaned from it by the authorities .
But they warned some `` are pressuring '' the two companies `` to open up their systems to enable them to capture more data '' .
NHSX - the health service division developing the UK 's app - is in discussions with Apple and Google about adopting their scheme but has yet to commit .
`` Users ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we are working with other countries , a range of experts , stakeholders and industry to ensure the app under development is led by the best scientific and clinical advice to reduce transmission of the virus whilst protecting user privacy , '' a spokesman said .
Before Apple and Google became involved , there was a separate initiative to create the technical foundations of a contact-tracing system that let would different countries ' apps work together rather than becoming incompatible at each nation 's borders .
But in past days a rift has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tracing ( PEPP-PT ) project .
Several of the participants have quit , citing a range of privacy concerns .
`` Effectively , almost every one of the prestigious institutions that made it pan-European have now left , '' Dr Michael Veale , of the Decentralized Privacy-Preserving Proximity Tracing ( DP3T ) team , told BBC News .
`` [ There was ] a lack of any proper governance and transparency in a time where deep transparency is needed . ''
Vodafone , among others , have stood by the PEPP-PT project but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have handled the situation better .
`` We have publicly apologised for the way that communication around the two approaches that are under discussion has been handled , '' a spokeswoman told BBC News , adding it remained in discussions with more than 40 countries to adopt its solution .
What about those without compatible phones ?
Not everyone with a mobile phone will be able to use the apps deployed .
Globally , about 25 % of the active 3.4 billion smartphones are incapable of the Bluetooth Low Energy ( LE ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to a report by Counterpoint Research .
The UK figure is 12 % - but many other people have more basic mobile phones with no access to the iOS or Android app stores .
`` Most of these users suffer from digital divide , '' analyst Neil Shah said .
`` Either they are too old to use a smartphone , would find it complex , or rely on a hand-me-down model .
`` Or they hail from a lower-income group and are unable to afford a better-spec handset . ''
• @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protect myself ?
• AVOIDING CONTACT : The rules on self-isolation and exercise • STRESS : How to look after your mental health This had led to concerns many of those at highest risk of becoming infected and dying would miss out on the alerts .
`` I worry that it 's the people who do n't have [ compatible ] phones and are utterly in the blind spot of this and [ the ] people who do not have the luxury of worrying about getting sick because they simply need the money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apps will not get widely adopted , '' said data scientist Cathy O'Neil .
`` Critical information will be missing from the network and the result will be a false sense of accomplishment . ''
No-one thinks apps are the whole solution .
But their defenders say they are a useful weapon in an `` armoury of epidemic control measures '' and if enough people adopt them , a second wave of cases could be suppressed , saving many lives as a consequence .

"I worry that it's the people who don't have [compatible] phones and are utterly in the blind spot of this and [the] people who do not have the luxury of worrying about getting sick because they simply need the money from their high-risk jobs that mean these apps will not get widely adopted," said data scientist Cathy O'Neil.


bbc--2020-04-21--Trump to suspend immigration to US to fight virus

President Donald Trump has said he will sign an executive order to temporarily suspend all immigration to the US because of the coronavirus .
On Twitter , he cited `` the attack from the invisible enemy '' , as he calls the virus , and the need to protect the jobs of Americans , but did not give details .
It was not clear what programmes might be affected and whether the president would be able to carry out the order .
Critics say the government is using the pandemic to crack down on immigration .
Immigration has traditionally been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but has taken a back seat during the pandemic and in the lead-up to the November election .
Mr Trump 's announcement late on Monday comes as the White House argues the worst of the pandemic is over and the country can begin reopening .
The restrictions on people 's movement , implemented by many states to curb the spread of the virus , have paralysed parts of the economy .
Over the last four weeks , more than 20 million Americans have made jobless claims .
That amounts to roughly as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the previous decade .
The US has over 787,000 confirmed cases of Covid-19 and more than 42,000 deaths , according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University , which is tracking the pandemic globally .
How can the proposals be implemented ?
It was not immediately clear who could be affected by Mr Trump 's decision or when it could come into force , and the White House has not commented .
According to the New York Times , citing several people familiar with the plan , a formal order temporarily barring the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ visas could be one way of implementing the measure ; the administration would no longer approve any applications from foreigners to live and work in the US for an undetermined period of time .
Last month , the US suspended almost all visa processing , including for immigrants , because of the pandemic .
The US has already agreed with both Canada and Mexico to extend border restrictions on non-essential travel until at least mid-May .
Travel has also been sharply restricted from hard-hit European countries and China , though people with temporary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are exempted .
On Monday , the US said it would continue to expel migrants it encounters along the border with Mexico for at least another month .
In recent weeks , emergency powers have been used to expel thousands of undocumented migrants on the US border with Mexico .
The public health measure lets officials override immigration laws , expediting removal processes .
Last year , just over one million people were granted lawful permanent resident status in the US .
The top countries of origin were Mexico , China , India @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Cuba .
More than half of those , though , were cases of `` adjusted status from within the US '' - meaning they were already there - and only 459,000 arrived from abroad .
The latter group would be the ones presumably affected by an immigration ban .
When it comes to refugees , there were 30,000 people admitted into the US in 2019 , most of them from Congo , Myanmar , Ukraine , Eritrea , Afghanistan and Syria .
What are the reasons behind the move ?
Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should always be taken with a sizable grain of salt .
His track record on following through on Twitter directives is decidedly mixed .
The details of his temporary ban on all immigration , announced a few hours before midnight on Monday , will shed considerable light on the breadth - and legality - of his actions .
Still , it is no secret that the president , and several key advisers , have long viewed immigration not as a benefit to the nation , but as a drain .
And the text @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is necessary not only to protect the nation 's health but also `` the jobs of its great American citizens '' , only emphasises this .
There is little doubt the proposal , in whatever form it takes , will be vigorously opposed by pro-immigration groups , some business interests and the president 's ideological adversaries .
That is probably just fine with a man who loves drawing political battle lines and goading his opponents whenever possible .
Four years ago , the president campaigned on an aggressive anti-immigration platform , including a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all Muslims entering the country .
Now , with an uphill re-election fight looming , he has found a similarly combative measure to champion .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : How do I protect myself ?
• AVOIDING CONTACT : The rules on self-isolation and exercise • STRESS : How to look after your mental health What has the reaction been ?
Criticising the ban , California Democratic Senator Kamala Harris said Mr Trump was using the outbreak to push his anti-immigrant stance .
Former Democratic presidential candidate Amy Klobuchar also condemned the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the Republican side .
Congressman Paul Gosar , who represents Arizona , applauded the move : What 's the latest in the US ?
Earlier on Monday , Democratic governors asked the White House to urge Americans to heed stay-at-home orders amid anti-lockdown protests stoked by the president .
Mr Trump has been accused of inciting insurrection after championing the demonstrators , while telling governors they were in charge .
He has expressed his support of the protesters in recent days , even as state governors say they are following White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A number of southern states in the US are in the process of easing virus-related restrictions .
South Carolina has allowed some retailers , including department stores , to re-open , while most businesses in Tennessee will re-open on 1 May .
Georgia 's governor has said residents would be allowed to visit gyms , hairdressers and tattooists from Friday , followed by restaurants and cinemas on Monday , as long as those businesses operated within social distancing guidelines .
The Republican governors of all three states say social distancing measures will remain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warned about easing restrictions too early to avoid seeing a resurgence of infections .
Mr Trump - who faces an election in November - last week tweeted in all capital letters for several states to be liberated .
At Sunday 's coronavirus briefing , he said those protesting against their governors ' social distancing measures were `` great people '' .
`` Their life was taken away from them , '' he said .
`` These people love our country , they want to get back to work . ''

Still, it is no secret that the president, and several key advisers, have long viewed immigration not as a benefit to the nation, but as a drain. And the text of his tweet, that the move is necessary not only to protect the nation's health but also "the jobs of its great American citizens", only emphasises this.


bbc--2020-04-21--Kim Jong-un illness rumours denied amid intense speculation

Reports that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is seriously ill after heart surgery are not true , officials in South Korea have said .
Headlines that Kim Jong-un was `` gravely ill '' , `` brain-dead '' or `` recovering from an operation '' were always going to be impossible to verify .
But the presidential office in Seoul has said there have been no particular signs from the North to indicate the 36-year-old is `` gravely ill '' .
It is also not the first time rumours about his health have fired up intense flurries of speculation - only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recently missed the celebration of his grandfather 's birthday on 15 April .
This is one of the biggest events of the year , marking the birth of the nation 's founder .
Kim Jong-un has never missed it - and it seemed very unlikely that he would simply choose not to turn up .
Inevitably , his absence prompted speculation and rumour , none of which is easy to substantiate .
Kim Jong-un last appeared in state media on 12 April `` inspecting a pursuit assault plane group '' in a handout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the images portrayed him as relaxed and at ease .
We know he chaired a key political meeting the day before , from state media despatches .
But he has not been seen since .
State media also made no mention of his presence at a reported missile test last week .
He is usually pictured at these launches .
Reporting on North Korea is incredibly difficult at the best of times , so most speculation is drawn from departure from precedent .
And now , the already secretive state is an even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it closed borders at the end of January due to the Covid-19 pandemic .
The first report of illness The claim about Kim Jong-un 's ill health surfaced in a report for a website run by North Korean defectors on Tuesday .
An anonymous source told the Daily NK that they understood he had been struggling with cardiovascular problems since last August `` but it worsened after repeated visits to Mount Paektu '' .
This led to a chain of reporting by international media on a single-sourced story .
News agencies then began @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was all they had until some reports emerged that intelligence agencies in South Korea and the US were monitoring the claim .
But then came a more sensational headline in US media that the North Korean leader was in a critical condition after heart surgery .
However , a statement from the South Korean government , and sources at Chinese intelligence - speaking to the Reuters news agency - said this was not true .
It is very much worth noting that at no point has anyone denied that Kim Jong-un has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ South Korea and China merely deny that the North Korean leader is seriously ill .
The population of North Korea would usually not be kept informed about their leader 's health status .
Not the first time he has 'gone missing' In 2014 , Kim Jong-Un disappeared for 40 days from early September - which sparked a torrent of speculation , including that he had been ousted in a coup by other political grandees .
Then he re-appeared , pictured with a cane .
State media at the time admitted he was suffering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but did not address rumours that he was suffering from gout .
What is the succession plan for Kim ?
If anything were to happen to the North Korean leader , the line of succession is not entirely clear .
Kim Jong-un was groomed to lead the country by his father over many years .
The Kim dynasty seemed secure .
Kim 's sister , Kim Yo-jong , would seem the most obvious choice .
Not only is she from the sacred `` Paektu blood line '' , which defines the Kim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ making more headlines of her own .
Last month she made her first public statement and she has been a visible and constant presence by her brother 's side at key summits .
But for now we can only watch and wait to see if North Korea reacts to this swirl of speculation about their leader 's health .
The truth is when it comes to information about the North Korean leadership , we are often all scrambling around in the dark .

Kim Jong-un illness rumours denied amid intense speculation Published 21 April 2020
Image source, Reuters Image caption, Kim Jong-un has had speculation about his health before this
Reports that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is seriously ill after heart surgery are not true, officials in South Korea have said.
Headlines that Kim Jong-un was "gravely ill", "brain-dead" or "recovering from an operation" were always going to be impossible to verify.
But the presidential office in Seoul has said there have been no particular signs from the North to indicate the 36-year-old is "gravely ill".
It is also not the first time rumours about his health have fired up intense flurries of speculation - only to be later dismissed.
When did speculation start?
Kim Jong-un recently missed the celebration of his grandfather's birthday on 15 April. This is one of the biggest events of the year, marking the birth of the nation's founder.
Kim Jong-un has never missed it - and it seemed very unlikely that he would simply choose not to turn up.
Inevitably, his absence prompted speculation and rumour, none of which is easy to substantiate.
Kim Jong-un last appeared in state media on 12 April "inspecting a pursuit assault plane group" in a handout that is undated. As ever, the images portrayed him as relaxed and at ease.
We know he chaired a key political meeting the day before, from state media despatches. But he has not been seen since.
Image source, EPA Image caption, The speculation began when Kim Jong-un missed celebrations for the birthday of his grandfather
State media also made no mention of his presence at a reported missile test last week. He is usually pictured at these launches.
Reporting on North Korea is incredibly difficult at the best of times, so most speculation is drawn from departure from precedent.
And now, the already secretive state is an even more extreme version of shutdown - after it closed borders at the end of January due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The first report of illness
The claim about Kim Jong-un's ill health surfaced in a report for a website run by North Korean defectors on Tuesday.
An anonymous source told the Daily NK that they understood he had been struggling with cardiovascular problems since last August "but it worsened after repeated visits to Mount Paektu".
This led to a chain of reporting by international media on a single-sourced story.
News agencies then began to run with that claim, and it was all they had until some reports emerged that intelligence agencies in South Korea and the US were monitoring the claim.
But then came a more sensational headline in US media that the North Korean leader was in a critical condition after heart surgery.
However, a statement from the South Korean government, and sources at Chinese intelligence - speaking to the Reuters news agency - said this was not true.
Image source, Reuters Image caption, Kim Jong-un was last pictured at an inspection in images released on 12 April by state authorities
It is very much worth noting that at no point has anyone denied that Kim Jong-un has had heart surgery.
The statements from South Korea and China merely deny that the North Korean leader is seriously ill.
The population of North Korea would usually not be kept informed about their leader's health status.
Not the first time he has 'gone missing'
In 2014, Kim Jong-Un disappeared for 40 days from early September - which sparked a torrent of speculation, including that he had been ousted in a coup by other political grandees.
Then he re-appeared, pictured with a cane.
State media at the time admitted he was suffering from an "uncomfortable physical condition", but did not address rumours that he was suffering from gout.
Image source, AFP Image caption, North Korean newspaper Rodong Sinmun carried several images of North Korean leader with a cane in October 2014
What is the succession plan for Kim?
If anything were to happen to the North Korean leader, the line of succession is not entirely clear.
Kim Jong-un was groomed to lead the country by his father over many years. The Kim dynasty seemed secure.
Kim's sister, Kim Yo-jong, would seem the most obvious choice. Not only is she from the sacred "Paektu blood line", which defines the Kim dynasty, she does appear to be making more headlines of her own.
Last month she made her first public statement and she has been a visible and constant presence by her brother's side at key summits.
But for now we can only watch and wait to see if North Korea reacts to this swirl of speculation about their leader's health.
The truth is when it comes to information about the North Korean leadership, we are often all scrambling around in the dark.


bbc--2020-04-21--India coronavirus lockdown: Broke tourists rescued from cave

Indian officials have rescued six tourists who were living in a cave in India following a lockdown to prevent the spread of coronavirus .
The four men and two women had moved to a cave in Rishikesh in northern India after they were stranded in the country with very little money .
Air , rail and road transport have been suspended since 24 March .
The six have tested negative for Covid-19 and have been moved to a private quarantine centre , officials said .
The foreign nationals are from Ukraine , the US , Turkey , France and Nepal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last year - they had been living in small hotels and private lodges in Rishikesh , which is a popular tourist destination in the foothills of the Himalayas .
• How the virus cleared the world ’ s most polluted skies They lived in the cave for 25 days before local people spotted them and informed the police .
The tourist from Nepal knew Hindi , and helped the others in the cave to go out and buy provisions with whatever little money they had , police said .
`` After receiving the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and found the six foreigners .
They told us that they decided to move into the cave because they were running out of money .
We did their medical tests and sent them to a quarantine centre , '' local police official Rakendra Singh Kathait told local journalist Raju Gusain .
The six are now lodged in a private religious retreat and their accommodation and food are being paid for by the government , officials said .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : How do I protect myself ?
• AVOIDING CONTACT : The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : How to look after your mental health

"After receiving the information, we went to the cave and found the six foreigners. They told us that they decided to move into the cave because they were running out of money. We did their medical tests and sent them to a quarantine centre," local police official Rakendra Singh Kathait told local journalist Raju Gusain.


bbc--2020-04-21--Coronavirus: Governors ask Trump to call off lockdown protests

Democratic governors have asked the White House to urge Americans to heed stay-at-home orders amid anti-lockdown protests stoked by the president .
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer said the `` phenomenon was nationwide '' and asked for `` help on the national level '' .
President Donald Trump has been accused of inciting insurrection after championing the demonstrators , while telling governors they were in charge .
The plea comes amid 782,159 confirmed US Covid-19 cases and 41,816 deaths .
The protesters - who say the Covid-19 restrictions are draconian - are largely conservative and pro-Trump .
As one militia leader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : `` Reopen my state or we will reopen it ourselves . ''
• What 's behind the anti-lockdown protests in US ?
The demonstrations have taken place in more than a dozen states from coast to coast , varying in size from a few dozen protesters to more than 2,000 .
What did the governors say ?
Ms Whitmer , a Democrat whose state has seen one of the largest anti-lockdown protests , told the White House during Monday 's call she knew citizens were `` frustrated '' and called protesting a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But it 's just so dangerous to do that , '' she said , noting the fear of Covid-19 cases spiking in less-affected regions of her state , which has the third-highest infection rate in the nation .
Ms Whitmer said having the federal government `` reiterate the importance of staying home until we get these numbers down ... would be incredibly appreciated '' .
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper , also a Democrat , echoed the same , requesting the Trump administration `` let the public know that it is important for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before we began easing restrictions '' .
Vice-President Mike Pence , head of the coronavirus task force , promised the governors the administration would do so .
`` We will make a point today and going forward to continue to reiterate that , '' Mr Pence said .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : How do I protect myself ?
• AVOIDING CONTACT : The rules on self-isolation and exercise • STRESS : How to look after your mental health What has President Trump said ?
The Republican president has expressed his support of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as state governors say they are following White House guidance for safely reopening in phases .
Mr Trump - who faces an election in November - last week tweeted in all capital letters for several states to be liberated .
At Sunday 's coronavirus briefing he said those protesting against their governors ' social distancing measures were `` great people '' .
`` Their life was taken away from them , '' he said .
`` These people love our country , they want to get back to work . ''
Mr Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state governors to rule when lockdown restrictions should be lifted .
He backed down after it was widely pointed out that the US Constitution grants states the power over public order and safety .
But as Monday 's development makes clear , the White House can bring considerable political pressure to bear on governors , not to mention the influence of state business lobbies , legislatures and voters .
On Monday governors in three southern states - Georgia , Tennessee and South Carolina - became the latest to announce plans to ease their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restaurants , hair salons , gyms , bowling alleys and some cinemas would be allowed to reopen on Friday .
Tennessee said by 1 May the `` vast majority of businesses '' would be allowed to reopen .
South Carolina 's governor has allowed people to return to beaches starting on Tuesday and non-essential retail businesses to reopen .
Other states that are easing lockdown rules include Minnesota , Texas , Vermont , Ohio , Idaho , Florida , North Dakota , Montana , New York , Connecticut and New Jersey .

"But it's just so dangerous to do that," she said, noting the fear of Covid-19 cases spiking in less-affected regions of her state, which has the third-highest infection rate in the nation.


bbc--2020-04-21--Virgin Australia slumps into administration

Virgin Australia has confirmed it has entered voluntary administration - making it Australia 's first big corporate casualty of the coronavirus pandemic .
The country 's second-largest carrier cut almost all flights last month following wide-spread travel bans .
It was already struggling with a long-term A $ 5bn ( £2.55bn ; $ 3.17bn ) debt .
The airline is now seeking new buyers and investors , after failing to get a loan from Australia 's government .
Virgin Australia chief executive Paul Scurrah said : `` Our decision today is about securing the future of the Virgin Australia Group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Covid-19 crisis .
`` Australia needs a second airline and we are determined to keep flying . ''
Meanwhile , Sir Richard Branson - whose Virgin group is a part-owner of Virgin Australia - has offered a Caribbean island as collateral to help get a UK government bailout of Virgin Atlantic .
Shares had been suspended in the firm for the past fortnight as it struggled to find a survival plan .
Canberra refused a request from the company for a A $ 1.4bn loan , but in the past month had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for all local airlines .
Virgin Australia has turned just two statutory profits in the past decade .
It is part-owned by a number of entities including the UAE government , Singapore Airlines , China 's HNA , and Sir Richard Branson 's Group .
It employs about 10,000 people directly and another 6,000 through ancillary businesses .
Consulting firm Deloitte announced it had appointed as administrator on Monday .
It will try and restructure the firm 's debt , pay off creditors and find a buyer - with private equity groups expected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local politicians have voiced concerns that unless the airline is resurrected , national flag carrier Qantas will hold a near-monopoly in Australia .
Air travel is crucial in the vast continent where distances between coastal capital cities make flights the only practical way to travel quickly domestically .
Virgin Australia had previously held around 31 % of domestic flights , while Qantas controlled around 58 % of the market .
The long-term loss of the airline will also be seen as a major blow to Australia 's tourism industry - a big GDP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Australia had flown about 130 aircraft to 41 destinations - mainly domestic routes , but also international services including to New Zealand , Bali , Fiji , Tokyo and Los Angeles .

Consulting firm Deloitte announced it had appointed as administrator on Monday. It will try and restructure the firm's debt, pay off creditors and find a buyer - with private equity groups expected to be interested.


bbc--2020-04-21--Coronavirus: Italy PM Conte says lockdown exit plan coming

Italy will announce its plan to gradually exit its lockdown by the end of this week , Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said .
In a Facebook post , Mr Conte said the country could not give up its policy of `` maximum caution '' , and said Italy would reopen in line with `` serious scientific policy '' .
`` A reasonable expectation is that we will apply it from May 4 , '' he said .
Italy has reported 24,114 deaths , the highest recorded toll in Europe .
Data released on Monday showed the number of people officially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the first time since the outbreak began .
Italian authorities said the symbolic drop of 20 cases was a `` positive development '' .
The third-largest economy in the eurozone has been under lockdown measures since 9 March , brought in to tackle the spread of the virus .
Countries across Europe are slowly beginning to ease the restrictions , on businesses and on education .
There is however no coordination between states .
Some countries like Denmark have already reopened primary schools , while Spain 's government is discussing on Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allow children outside .
What did Italy 's PM say ?
Mr Conte posted his statement on Facebook on Tuesday morning , insisting the government is working non-stop to coordinate moves towards `` phase two '' of its lockdown - `` coexistence '' with the virus .
`` I would like to be able to say , let 's open everything .
Right away , '' he wrote .
`` But such a decision would be irresponsible .
It would make the contagion curve rise uncontrollably and would jeopardise all the efforts that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` The easing of measures must take place on the basis of a well-structured and articulated plan , '' he said , adding that Italy `` can not abandon the line of maximum caution '' .
Current national quarantine restrictions officially expire on 3 May .
Mr Conte said he would announce the plan for how to leave the lockdown `` before the end of this week '' .
`` A reasonable prediction is that we will apply it from 4 May , '' he concluded .
What about other European lockdowns ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ease restrictions this week , with Germany , Austria , Denmark and the Czech Republic among countries to allow certain businesses to reopen .
There is however no coordination at an EU level , and countries are reopening at different rates .
Denmark was the first in Europe to allow pupils back in the classroom , with students under the age of 12 returning to education last week .
Norway allowed kindergarten students to return on Monday , provided they bring their own lunches and follow new hygiene rules .
• A SIMPLE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
• AVOIDING CONTACT : The rules on self-isolation and exercise • STRESS : How to look after your mental health But older students across Europe remain at home .
France has officially extended its nationwide lockdown until 11 May , but even after then schools are not expected to return immediately .
`` On May 11 , we are not going to have all the students enter the classroom , as if we were resuming normally , '' the education minister Jean-Michel Blanquer said on Tuesday .
Primary schools will likely return @ @ @ @ @ @ @ students from 18 May and all pupils from 25 May , he said .
Spain has implemented one of the strictest lockdowns .
Children of any age there are not currently allowed outside for any reason .
The government is expected to ease those measures on Tuesday , with reports suggesting those under 12 years old will be allowed out under tight restrictions .

"I would like to be able to say, let's open everything. Right away," he wrote. "But such a decision would be irresponsible. It would make the contagion curve rise uncontrollably and would jeopardise all the efforts that we've made until now."


bbc--2020-04-21--Coronavirus: Oil price falls to 18-year low as turmoil persists

The price of a barrel of Brent Crude - the UK benchmark for oil - has slipped below $ 20 , its lowest level since 2002 .
The close to 20 % slump follows negative prices being recorded for a barrel of West Texas Intermediate ( WTI ) , the benchmark for US oil .
Negative oil prices on Monday were a `` quirk '' , says one market expert .
The price of US oil - which slumped to minus $ 37 a barrel at one point - was produced by a trading deadline and is now back close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's price action is best understood as a quirk or peculiarity of futures trading , '' said analyst James Trafford of Fidelity International .
He reckons the unprecedented price movement confirms that near-term demand is very weak .
`` But it is n't cataclysmic , '' he said .
`` We do n't see negative oil prices as a new normal , going forward . ''
Oil prices have weakened sharply because of a combination of oversupply and a collapse in global demand due to the decline in economic activity caused by coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we see reported is actually the future price of oil .
Futures are essentially contracts to deliver the physical commodity at a later date .
So when we look at oil prices , we are actually seeing the market price for future months .
As the delivery date approaches , these contracts need to be rolled over to the subsequent period .
The price of a barrel of West Texas Intermediate ( WTI ) , the benchmark for US oil , fell into negative territory for the first time in history on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the May contract , which was about to expire .
Traders holding the contract were unable to find buyers , because no one with the ability to take delivery wanted it .
`` Nobody wants to take delivery of oil next month because there 's nowhere to store it , so the price dropped below zero , '' explained Rachel Winter , associate investment director at Killik & Co .
The collapse in physical demand for crude products like petrol and jet fuel has left storage hubs at capacity or , as one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close to the brim . ''
Storage at US oil hub Cushing has already grown to more than 15 million barrels in the past month - and is expected to soon be at capacity for the first time ever .
`` Coronavirus is rewriting the rules of the global economy in front of our very eyes , '' said Adam Vettese , analyst at eToro .
`` With oil demand virtually non-existent , this quite amazing sell-off is almost entirely down to fears over storage . ''
Paying for extra storage for all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ producers and traders .
`` Storage constraints are not going away any time soon unless you get a pick-up in demand , '' pointed out Neil Wilson of Markets.com .
Does that mean oil prices will fall further ?
`` Oil prices and associated equities in the sector will remain broadly weak over the near term , '' predicted James Trafford .
He said the supply cuts recently agreed by the Opec group of oil-producing economies were not likely to be sufficient to balance the market any time soon .
Opec is believed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immediately , rather than waiting until next month , to ease the pressure on price .
`` The kind of dislocation witnessed on Monday , however much some may downplay it , points to a fundamental problem in oil markets , namely a lack of storage capacity and demand , '' said Neil Wilson , senior market analyst at Markets.com .
`` But it also shows the market trying to do its job , forcing the price down enough to shut production . ''
Artur Baluszynski , head of research at Henderson Rowe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but warned of its implications .
`` While Monday 's negative WTI futures price might have been a one-off glitch , it does confirm there is trouble ahead , '' he said .
`` The Covid-19 crisis is destroying the global demand for energy and without a timeline on the end of the lockdown in the developed world , the market is suffering from chronic oversupply . ''
Will the price of petrol fall ?
While the price of petrol is linked to the wholesale price of oil , it is driven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ motorists pay is not directly linked to crude .
Instead , suppliers control the prices they sell petrol at .
So you wo n't see the wild fluctuation in pump prices that we 've seen in oil in recent weeks .
Crucially , a key factor affecting the price of fuel is that the biggest proportion of the money you hand over for a litre of petrol in the UK goes to the government in the form of tax .
Fuel duty is charged at 57.95p per litre .
On top of that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 20 % on the cost of petrol .
So there 's little scope for further reducing the pump price of petrol .
Competition has driven the price of petrol down close to £1 in recent weeks at some supermarkets , where prices tend to be lowest .
Could this week 's oil price turmoil see prices drift below £1 for the first time since the late 2000s ?
`` In theory , petrol prices could fall below £1 per litre if the lower wholesale costs were reflected at the pumps - but at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very few miles , so they 're selling vastly lower quantities of petrol and diesel at the moment , '' pointed out RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams .
This means many forecourts will be reluctant to trim their prices any further , he said .
At the same time , more price pressure on petrol could hit the viability of independent garages , he warned .
`` We continue to be concerned about smaller forecourts that provide a vital service in areas where the supermarkets do n't have a foothold , as many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ having fallen off a cliff since lockdown .
`` It would be bad news all round if these forecourts shut up shop for good . ''
Since the end of March , the wholesale price of petrol has been around the 16p a litre mark , according to the AA .
`` Add fuel duty at 57.95p a litre , a generous 9p a litre supplier/retailer margin , plus VAT and the average pump price of petrol would normally be around £1 a litre , '' said the AA 's fuel spokesperson Luke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is higher because the retailers say they need to charge 10p a litre more to offset the lower volumes of fuel they are selling , he pointed out .
Journey levels are at around 40 % of the normal during the working week , falling to 20 % by Sunday .
`` That means that some drivers , such as NHS and other essential workers , are using their cars and being overcharged on average by more than a fiver a tank , '' Mr Bosdet said .
`` I suspect that when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus is beaten and driving starts to return to normal , questions will be asked about the fairness of pump prices during the great oil crash of 2020 . ''

"In theory, petrol prices could fall below £1 per litre if the lower wholesale costs were reflected at the pumps - but at the same time, people are driving very few miles, so they're selling vastly lower quantities of petrol and diesel at the moment," pointed out RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams.


bbc--2020-04-21--Coronavirus: Children with autism allowed to play in Italian park

Italy has closed its parks and public gardens to stop the spread of coronavirus .
But one park in Rimini @ @ @ @ @ under a booking system .
Nicola Coppa brings his son Nino to play and says @ @ @ @ @ difference to him after lockdown disrupted his routine and regular activities .
Filmmaker Elisabetta Zavoli @ @ @ @ @ for BBC World Service programme Newsday .

Italy has closed its parks and public gardens to stop the spread of coronavirus. But one park in Rimini is welcoming children with autism under a booking system.
Nicola Coppa brings his son Nino to play and says it is making a massive difference to him after lockdown disrupted his routine and regular activities.
Filmmaker Elisabetta Zavoli spent the day with them for BBC World Service programme Newsday.
Producer: Janet Ball
Editing: Greg Brosnan


bbc--2020-04-21--Canada shooting: Virtual vigil for victims due to Covid-19

A national virtual vigil will be held this week to honour the victims of Canada 's deadliest shooting , which unfolded in Nova Scotia as the province was locked-down due to coronavirus .
Virus restrictions continue and authorities said they would not be lifted to allow public gatherings to mourn victims .
At least 18 people were shot dead by a gunman during a 12-hour weekend rampage .
The gunman was killed by police .
Who were the victims ?
In the weeks leading up to her death , Heather O'Brien was busy caring for the elderly during the provincial-wide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 6 back tomorrow .
First day I allowed myself to relax an inch , '' she wrote on her Facebook page on 9 April .
`` My small space in life is marching on .
I know atm [ at the moment ] all I love and cherish are ok .
I am truly blessed . ''
Ten days later , Ms O'Brien would be killed near her hometown of Debert , Nova Scotia when a gunman disguised as a policeman killed at least 18 people , burning several buildings before dying in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's daughter Darcy Dobson said on Facebook that `` a monster '' murdered her mother .
`` The pain comes and goes in waves .
I feel like I 'm outside of my own body .
This ca n't be real .
At 9:59 am she sent her last text message to our family group chat .
By 10:15 she was gone , '' she wrote Sunday evening , about ten hours after her mother was killed .
Ms Dobson said she wants `` everyone to remember how kind she was '' and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a grandmother , not `` the horrible way that she died '' .
Ms O'Brien had continued to work on the front lines during the Covid-19 pandemic , as a home-care nurse with the non-profit Victorian Order of Nurses ( VON ) , with whom she had been employed for 17 years .
Another VON employee , Kristen Beaton , was also killed during the shooting .
Ms Beaton , worked for VON as a continuing care assistant and had been on the job when she was killed , according to her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and had a young child .
`` Kristen Beaton however will live on with all of the wonderful things she has done in her short lifetime and the thousands of lives she has effected in so many loving and wonderful ways , '' her neighbour said on Facebook .
VON president and CEO Jo-Anne Poirier told the BBC : `` All of our frontline care providers are heroes .
Yesterday , two of those heroes , Heather O'Brien and Kristen Beaton , were taken from their families , and from VON .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for their families '' .
Constable Heidi Stevenson , who had served in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police force for 23 years , was on duty when she was killed .
`` Constable Stevenson died protecting others , she was answering the call of duty , something she had been doing with the RCMP for 23 years , '' Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Monday during his daily press briefing .
`` With unwavering courage & compassion , the RCMP patrol these roads to keep us safe as they have for hundreds of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Facebook that her sister , Lisa McCully , a mother of two , was also one of the victims .
McCully had been a school teacher at Debert Elementary School , according to the school 's website .
`` Our hearts are broken today as we attempt to accept the loss of my sister , Lisa McCully , who was one of the victims of the mass shooting in Portapique last night , '' she wrote on Facebook .
`` Our condolences go out to the other family members who are affected by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support , it 's a hard day . ''
Not all the victims - all adult men and women , according to police - have been named .
The CBC reported that correctional officer Sean McLeod and his partner Alanna Jenkins were among the victims .
An online fundraiser has been set up to help pay for the funeral costs of a family of three , Jolene Oliver her husband Aaron ( Friar ) Tuck and their daughter Emily Tuck .
Ms Oliver 's sister Tammy Oliver-McCurdie began the fundraiser , and says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ played the fiddle and enjoyed fixing cars with her dad .
Married couple Jamie Blair and Greg Blair were killed Sunday , according to a relative .
`` My family has been through so much , no one should have ever had to deal with this .
I love you both so much , & sending all my love to my family & every other families who lost someone today , '' said Jessica MacBurnie on Facebook .
The Globe and Mail reported that Corrie Ellison , a social worker worker in his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Charlene Bagley said her father , Tom Bagley , died while checking in on an explosion that was allegedly caused by the gunmen .
`` He died trying to help , which if you knew him , you knew that was just who he was all the time .
I know he meant something to so many people , '' she said on Facebook .
What do authorities know about the shooting ?
The deadliest shooting in modern Canadian history unfolded over 12 hours at the weekend , beginning on Saturday near @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is known about what motivated the suspected shooter , 51-year-old Gabriel Wortman , or how he chose his victims .
At about 23:32 on Saturday ( 02:32 GMT on Sunday ) , officers responded to a `` firearms complaint '' at a home and advised residents to lock themselves indoors .
The officers found `` several casualties '' inside and outside the home , but did not find the suspect .
A neighbour told CBC News that he saw three properties were also on fire in the area at the time .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out shootings over a series crime scenes that police said were `` scattered across the province '' .
Authorities are in the early stages of the `` extremely complex investigation '' , said Chief Superintendent of the Nova Scotia RCMP Chris Leather .
Including the suspect , there are some 19 victims across 16 crime scenes , including five structure fires , Mr Leather said on Monday .
`` We believe there may be victims within the remains of those homes which burned to the ground , '' Mr Leather said .
Some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others were selected at random , Mr Leather said , though he would not elaborate on the nature of these relationships .
At some points in the 12-hour rampage , the suspect travelled in a car made to look like an RCMP cruiser .
The replica looked `` identical in every way '' to an authentic one , Mr Leather said .
He also wore an RCMP uniform , either an `` actual uniform or very good facsimiles '' , he said .
`` The fact that this individual had a uniform and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speaks to it not being a random act . ''
RCMP officials say more victims may be identified in the remains of some of the burnt-out buildings .
Due to provincial restrictions on public gatherings put in place to stop the spread of Covid-19 , there can be no mass public vigil .
• Gunman kills at least 17 in Nova Scotia Instead , a national online vigil will be held on Friday evening , which Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he will attend virtually .
`` As we learn more about what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come together to support communities , '' he said Monday .
Mr Trudeau said that his Liberal party was `` on the verge '' of introducing bans to assault style weapons before parliament was dissolved amid the coronavirus outbreak .
`` We have every intention of moving forward '' , once the outbreak is curbed , he said .
The White House sent condolences from US President Donald Trump .
`` As friends and neighbours , we will always stand with one another through our most trying times and greatest challenges .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and our prayers are with the victims and their families . ''

"The pain comes and goes in waves. I feel like I'm outside of my own body. This can't be real. At 9:59 am she sent her last text message to our family group chat. By 10:15 she was gone," she wrote Sunday evening, about ten hours after her mother was killed.