bbc--2020-05-24--Afghanistan: Taliban announce three-day Eid ceasefire with government

The Taliban have announced a ceasefire with the Afghan government that will take effect when the Muslim festival of Eid al-Fitr begins on Sunday .
It follows a rise in attacks by the hardline Islamist group against government troops in recent weeks .
President Ashraf Ghani welcomed the announcement , and said his soldiers would respect the terms of the truce .
The three-day ceasefire is likely to raise hopes of a longer-term reduction in violence in the country .
But a similar ceasefire was announced for the same festival in 2018 and was not extended .
• What will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Do not carry out any offensive operations against the enemy anywhere .
If any action is taken against you by the enemy , defend yourself , '' Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said on Saturday .
He added that the ceasefire had been declared solely for Eid al-Fitr , which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan .
President Ghani welcomed the announcement and said he had instructed the military to comply .
In a televised address from the presidential palace after Eid prayers , he said : `` As a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take another step forward .
`` I announce that the release of the Taliban prisoners will be accelerated and serious measures will be taken . ''
A prisoner exchange was agreed under a US-Taliban deal signed in February , but has become a significant hurdle during peace talks .
It was meant to be a step towards ending the war , but the Taliban say Afghan officials are trying to delay the release , while officials have complained the militants ' demands are unreasonable .
It is only the third time that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the conflict began .
The first was in 2018 , again during Eid celebrations , and was a key moment in galvanising the peace process .
Taliban fighters and members of the security forces hugged and posed for selfies together .
That will not happen this time - the Taliban have ordered their members not to enter government territory .
Earlier this year , the group signed an agreement with the US setting out a timetable for the withdrawal of foreign forces from the country .
But while they have stopped attacks against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ security forces .
Direct negotiations between the two sides were due to begin in March but have been delayed by a dispute over the exchange of prisoners and increased fighting .
This brief reprieve in violence could help build momentum for those talks to finally start , and will revive some of the cautious hope Afghans had begun to feel : that an end to the conflict might eventually be possible .
Afghans and international observers had hoped for a reduction in violence between the two sides following the signing of a troop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US in February .
• US and Taliban sign deal to end 18-year Afghan war But further talks have stalled over a prisoner swap , and attacks on government forces have escalated in recent weeks .
An attack on a maternity ward in the capital , Kabul , earlier this month prompted widespread condemnation .
While the Taliban denied involvement , it prompted President Ghani to order the resumption of offensive operations against them as well as other groups .
• 'They came to kill the mothers' • The woman nursing the babies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of ignoring repeated calls for a reduction in violence .
Last month , the Taliban rejected a government call for a ceasefire across Afghanistan for Ramadan .
They said it was `` not rational '' and ramped up attacks on Afghan forces .
Earlier this month , Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and his rival Abdullah Abdullah signed a power-sharing deal , ending months of political uncertainty .
What is in the US-Taliban deal ?
The agreement signed by the US and the Taliban aims to bring peace to Afghanistan , ending 18 years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Islamist group from power .
Under the agreement , US President Donald Trump announced 5,000 US troops would leave the country by May and he would meet leaders of the Taliban in the near future .
US and Nato troops will withdraw from the country within 14 months , as long as the Taliban uphold their side of the deal .
The US also agreed to lift sanctions against the Taliban and work with the UN to lift its separate sanctions against the group .
In return , the Taliban said they would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group to operate in the areas they control .
But US officials also agreed to the prisoner swap as a first step in talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban - who are still technically at war .
The Afghan government was not included in the talks .
The two sides held historic face-to-face talks in early April , but the Taliban walked out of the discussions .
The Afghan government says the militants ' demands are unreasonable .
One member of the administration 's negotiating team said the Taliban were seeking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been involved in major attacks .
But the Taliban 's spokesman has accused the government of delaying the release `` under one pretext or another '' .

Direct negotiations between the two sides were due to begin in March but have been delayed by a dispute over the exchange of prisoners and increased fighting. This brief reprieve in violence could help build momentum for those talks to finally start, and will revive some of the cautious hope Afghans had begun to feel: that an end to the conflict might eventually be possible.


bbc--2020-05-24--Has the virus prompted an early mid-life crisis for some?

`` I do n't think it could have been a bigger change .
I 've gone from a large office in Soho to being at home painting in my bedroom . ''
The coronavirus pandemic prompted 24-year-old Cece Philips , a graduate from London , to embark on a dramatic career change .
This is her first week as a full-time artist .
Sitting in her bedroom , wearing a paint-splattered shirt with two huge canvases towering over her , she explains why she decided to leave a well-paid graduate job at one of the world 's biggest advertising companies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Being able to make money from something you love is anyone 's aspiration , '' she said .
`` I definitely do n't think I would have made this decision if it was n't for lockdown .
I 've always loved painting and drawing . ''
She decided to take the leap and quit her job after she was forced to work from home because of the lockdown .
`` Having that time to think about what it is I enjoy the most ... it became quite clear that I had to give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
During previous economic downturns young people have often been the group whose incomes , job prospects and future careers are hardest hit .
Many companies have paused recruitment and cut staff numbers .
But for some twenty-somethings , the lockdown has given them time to reevaluate their working lives and ambitions .
Carolyn Parry is the founder of Career Alchemy , a coaching and training network focused on helping school leavers and graduates find the right career for them .
She says her team of 20 careers advisors are seeing more young @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` career pivot '' during lockdown .
The disruption is `` giving them the chance to really consider the purpose of their career '' , she said .
While some are `` looking at major career change '' others are using this downtime to build up skills through online courses .
Cece said : `` I 've had friends who 've been made redundant or put on furlough and I think there 's definitely a sentiment of reassessing what is important . ''
That can involve `` taking a bigger risk than you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and trying something new , '' she said .
While she builds up her portfolio , Cece has taken a part time job with an interior design company to help pay the bills .
`` I do have ups and downs , it ranges from me feeling amazing , to then suddenly thinking what on earth have I done , '' she said .
While Cece 's career decisions were within her control , others have n't been so fortunate .
Under-25s are most likely to have lost work or seen their income @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Resolution Foundation .
And a recent report by the Institute for Fiscal Studies ( IFS ) discovered that younger workers are nearly two-and-a-half times more likely to work in sectors that have been shutdown by the pandemic .
Niamh Wimperis , originally from Stroud in Gloucestershire , was furloughed from her job as a receptionist .
That extra time to think has led to new opportunities .
`` Lockdown has made me realise I 'm not designed to sit in an office all day and what really makes me happy is creating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 28-year-old said it was the push she needed to turn her passion for embroidery into something more .
`` It seemed like a perfect opportunity to turn my side hustle into my business . ''
For the past seven years she has been a botanical embroidery artist , making gift cards and wall hangings focusing on the colours and shapes of nature .
`` I 've finally decided to take the plunge and register as a business .
I have been using my furlough time to design new ideas and develop a monthly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through your letter box , '' she said .
How we all work , holiday and even exercise may have changed permanently because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Parts of the fitness sector have adapted well to social distancing restrictions .
Bootcamp instructors Becky Hill and Katie Williams are running virtual classes on Zoom .
From their homes in Reading , the pair run Raise the Bar Bootcamps and are now able to work out with people from as far afield as Ireland and Canada .
Becky , 29 , said : `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and being with everyone . ''
More than 30 people exercise together online up to five days a week .
Becky 's voice booms from their laptop and smartphone speakers as she instructs the class to `` get lower on those press ups '' or reminds them to keep hydrated .
Her business partner Katie , 41 , said despite a few nerves in the first week they 've overcome technical challenges .
`` I 'm terrible with tech but we 've got it sussed and it 's so lovely seeing all our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Across the UK more people are joining online gyms and virtual fitness communities and Becky believes it could be a permanent change .
`` A lot of our members are now happy that they can do five bootcamps a week as opposed to only being able to make it up to the field once or twice .
It is actually suiting people 's lifestyles .
They want some online sessions to continue in the long term .
While young people may be the most financially vulnerable in this economic and health crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up new opportunities and making the most of this newly-found downtime .

Under-25s are most likely to have lost work or seen their income drop because of Covid-19, according to the Resolution Foundation. And a recent report by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) discovered that younger workers are nearly two-and-a-half times more likely to work in sectors that have been shutdown by the pandemic.


bbc--2020-05-24--San Francisco fire: Fisherman's Wharf engulfed by flames

Dozens of firefighters attended the scene , as huge plumes of smoke rose into the air .
No injuries were @ @ @ @ @ extinguished before it could hit the historic ship , the SS Jeremiah O ’ Brien @

A huge fire hit a warehouse on San Francisco's iconic Fisherman's Wharf early on Saturday.
Dozens of firefighters attended the scene, as huge plumes of smoke rose into the air.
No injuries were reported and the blaze was extinguished before it could hit the historic ship, the SS Jeremiah O’Brien.


bbc--2020-05-24--Iran oil tanker reaches Venezuela amid US tension

The first of five Iranian oil tankers has entered Venezuela 's waters carrying more than a million barrels of fuel .
The Iranian tankers are being escorted by the Venezuelan navy and air force .
The US , which has has imposed sanctions on both countries , says it is monitoring the convoy .
Both Venezuela and Iran have warned Washington not to interfere with the delivery .
Venezuela is suffering a shortage of refined fuel , despite having the world 's largest oil reserves .
`` The ships of the sister Islamic Republic of Iran are in our exclusive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tareck El Aissami wrote on Twitter after the arrival of the first tanker , named Fortune .
He thanked Iran for its solidarity , saying its actions would benefit both nations .
• Why coronavirus could be catastrophic for Venezuela Both Iran and Venezuela are considered pariah states by the United States , which has imposed sanctions prohibiting trade with either country .
The five Iranian tankers - Fortune , Forest , Petunia , Faxon and Clavel - are carrying about 1.5m barrels of fuel and passed through the Suez Canal earlier this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Refinitiv Eikon .
On Saturday , Iran 's President Hassan Rouhani repeated a warning that the country would retaliate if the tankers were blocked .
A flotilla of US Navy and Coast Guard vessels is patrolling the Caribbean Sea on a mission to counter illicit drug trafficking .
But US officials have not announced any plan to stop the Iranian tankers .
The US reinstated economic sanctions on Iran after President Donald Trump abandoned a landmark nuclear deal in May 2018 .
Meanwhile , its sanctions on Venezuela are aimed at increasing pressure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The US recognises opposition leader Juan Guaidó as the country 's legitimate leader .
Venezuela has been mired in a political and economic crisis for years .
Inflation hit 800,000 % last year and 4.8 million people have fled the country .
Its problems have been exacerbated by a recent drop in world oil prices as well as the coronavirus pandemic .
For months , Venezuela 's government has circumvented a long list of refinery problems - including power failures and accidents - by delivering crude oil in exchange for gasoline to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rosneft .
But the Trump Administration launched two rounds of sanctions in February and March against Rosneft affiliates for trading Venezuelan crude in international markets .
In late March , Rosneft announced its surprise departure from Venezuela , reports the BBC 's Guillermo D Olmo in Caracas .
Since then , petrol has had to be strictly rationed , with people queuing up through the night to fill up no more than 30 litres .

The US, which has imposed sanctions on both countries, says it is monitoring the convoy. Both Venezuela and Iran have warned Washington not to interfere with the delivery.


bbc--2020-05-24--Nasa SpaceX launch: Who are the astronauts?

On 27 May , two US astronauts will achieve a world first when they launch to the International Space Station ( ISS ) aboard a spacecraft built by Elon Musk 's SpaceX .
Here , BBC News profiles the astronauts who will make the historic journey .
Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken are about to break a nine-year hiatus for Nasa , becoming the first astronauts to launch from US soil since the retirement of the space shuttle in 2011 .
In the intervening years , Nasa bought seats for its astronauts - at a cost of tens of millions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian Soyuz .
But officials have also worked with Elon Musk 's company SpaceX and aerospace giant Boeing to develop new , American spacecraft capable of ferrying humans to and from the ISS - under the space agency 's Commercial Crew Program .
Musk 's vehicle will be first to fly ; on Wednesday , Hurley and Behnken will travel to the ISS in the sleek Crew Dragon spacecraft .
• Astronauts get to work ahead of historic flight • Nasa to launch first crewed mission from US in decade '' It 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American rocket from the Florida coast to the International Space Station and I am certainly honoured to be a part of it , '' Hurley , 53 , said earlier this month .
Behnken , 49 , added : `` On my first flight ...
I did n't have a son , so I 'm really excited to share the mission with him . ''
Nasa has chosen two of its most experienced astronauts to help California-based SpaceX ready the Crew Dragon for launch .
The two are also longstanding friends .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ best friend ...
I think there 's a lot of people who wish they could do that , '' says Hurley .
When they blast off atop a Falcon 9 rocket , their spouses will know exactly what they are going through .
That 's because they 're astronauts too .
Marine Colonel Hurley 's wife Karen Nyberg flew into space twice - aboard the shuttle and the Soyuz - retiring from Nasa this year .
They have a 10-year-old son , Jack , whose formative years were shaped by space travel .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ station mission just a few months after Jack 's birth .
In the meantime , Hurley was preparing for his own flight - piloting the last ever shuttle mission .
Sometimes , Nyberg took Jack to Russia , at other times he stayed at home in Texas .
`` Literally from the time Jack was old enough to comprehend things , he was either going to Russia or Skyping with mommy .
That 's just the way it was , '' Hurley told the Houston Chronicle in 2013 .
Air Force Colonel Behnken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flew on the last mission to service the Hubble Space Telescope in 2009 .
As an active member of the astronaut corps , she is a potential candidate to be the first woman on the Moon when Nasa returns in 2024 .
Their son , Theo , is six .
Hurley , Behnken , Nyberg and McArthur all graduated from the same astronaut class ( 2000 ) and attended each other 's weddings .
The men are so used to each other 's company , they now have a spooky rapport .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ language - what the person 's opinion is or what their next action is going to be , '' Behnken told CNN earlier this month .
`` We 've just been doing this so long that it 's kind of like having a second set of hands . ''
Hurley says of Behnken : `` I know instantaneously when I 've not done something correctly - just put it that way .
He does n't have a good poker face . ''
But Behnken admits Hurley is the more organised of the two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was raised in the hamlet of Apalachin , in upstate New York .
`` It was just a great small town existence ... we did n't get a stoplight until I was , I think , in college , '' Hurley said in 2009 .
Behnken hails from St Ann , a suburb of St Louis , Missouri .
In 2010 , he described it as `` a blue collar kind of a neighbourhood '' , adding : `` I guess , in my bag of tricks ...
I 'm more of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' He took jobs in construction before deciding that working outdoors in the summer heat was n't for him .
Both men went to college on military scholarships and gained undergraduate degrees in engineering .
While Behnken went on to complete a PhD at Caltech - the elite institute featured in the Big Bang Theory television show - Hurley became an officer in the Marines .
They both subsequently trained as military test pilots - at different training schools .
It 's been the archetypal background for Nasa 's astronauts since the days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Seven .
`` When I showed up [ at Nasa ] it was like : 'Well , I have a PhD and an MD , ' and I 'm sitting there going , 'Mmm , wow !
Maybe I was a bit of a slacker ' , '' said Hurley .
`` But you know , your professional development as a pilot and the thousands of hours you get as a pilot ... brings something to the table . ''
Hurley and Behnken were selected as astronaut candidates three years before the shuttle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seven crew members .
After the disaster , Nasa decided it would retire the shuttle , handing over space station transport to private firms .
Thus , when the two men were finally assigned their flights , the shuttle programme was in its final phase .
Their missions focused on fulfilling Nasa 's prior commitments to complete construction of the ISS , including the delivery of crew compartments designed to fit in the shuttle 's payload bay .
When the spaceplane was retired , the pair were assigned to the Commercial Crew Program @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Behnken were announced as the prime crew for Demo-2 , the first flight of SpaceX 's vehicle with humans onboard .
`` Bob and I , the last two years , have essentially been living in California , working hand-in-hand with the folks at SpaceX to get us to this point , '' Hurley said this month .
They 've had to get used to the Crew Dragon 's touchscreen controls after previously working with the chunky buttons on shuttle instrument panels .
Hurley says a background in evaluating military aircraft as test @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SpaceX .
`` That , in and of itself , helped both of us tremendously , because all along the process that you see in the military , there are delays , there are technical challenges , there are things that you do n't expect and you have to work through them , '' he explained .
Setbacks - including two spectacular explosions that destroyed a rocket and one of the Crew Dragon capsules - have seen the mission slip by nearly four years from its original date of October 2016 .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it , when I think it caused some frustration within Nasa as launch dates were n't made , '' explained Hurley .
Despite bumps in the road , Behnken 's enthusiasm remains undimmed : `` It 's probably the dream of every test pilot school student to have the opportunity to fly on a brand new spaceship . ''
Hurley told CNN : `` From a first flight standpoint , certainly , there might be some greater quantifiable risk to some degree .
`` But probably no different to any other spaceflight we @ @ @ @ @ @ @

They "can predict - almost by body language - what the person's opinion is or what their next action is going to be," Behnken told CNN before the launch. "We've just been doing this so long that it's kind of like having a second set of hands."


bbc--2020-05-23--ICYMI: A picnicking squirrel, robot barman and 8,000 candles

This week in Germany a squirrel visited a purpose-made beer bench , and in Florida , two manatees were set @ @ @ @ @ volunteers .
Here are some stories you may have missed this week .

This week in Germany a squirrel visited a purpose-made beer bench, and in Florida, two manatees were set free after being rescued by volunteers.
Here are some stories you may have missed this week.


bbc--2020-05-24--Prince William on parenting and mental health

Ex-footballer , Marvin Sordell , talks to Prince William about parenting and mental health .
Football , Prince William And @ @ @ @ @ broadcast on Thursday 28 May at 20:05 BST on BBC One .

Ex-footballer, Marvin Sordell, talks to Prince William about parenting and mental health.
Football, Prince William And Our Mental Health will be broadcast on Thursday 28 May at 20:05 BST on BBC One.


bbc--2020-05-24--Coronavirus and children: 'I can't hug my mum any more'

Parents who are Covid-19 frontline workers have had to adjust interaction with their own children .
The usual parental hugs @ @ @ @ @ put on hold in order to reduce and possible risk of transmission of the virus @ @ @ @ @ spoke to some of their children and this is what they said .

Parents who are Covid-19 frontline workers have had to adjust interaction with their own children.
The usual parental hugs and dining together have been put on hold in order to reduce and possible risk of transmission of the virus.
BBC What's New spoke to some of their children and this is what they said.
Producer: Agnes Penda
Edited by Anne Okumu


bbc--2020-05-24--Bournemouth player tests positive for Covid-19

An unnamed Bournemouth player is one of two new coronavirus cases discovered by the latest round of Premier League tests - taking the overall total of positive results to eight .
The Cherries said the player 's identity will not be disclosed - they will now self-isolate for seven days .
The other positive was at a different club which has not been named .
Tests took place on Tuesday , Thursday and Friday of last week , with 996 players and club staff tested .
In the Championship , two people from the same club have tested positive after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Championship sides over the past 72 hours .
`` Following strict adherence to the Premier League 's return to training regulations , the club 's training ground remains a safe working environment for players and backroom staff , who will continue to be tested for Covid-19 twice per week , '' Bournemouth said in a statement .
The first round 's results , announced on 19 May , returned six positive tests at three clubs from the 748 players and staff tested .
That number included the positive tests of Watford defender Adrian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
For the second round of testing the number of tests available to each club was increased from 40 to 50 .
Squads started non-contact training from Tuesday for the first time since the Premier League was suspended on 13 March because of the coronavirus pandemic , with 92 fixtures remaining .
Speaking on Friday , Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said the league was `` as confident as we can be '' about restarting in June .
Germany 's Bundesliga has already resumed , while on Saturday the Spanish Prime Minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doors from 8 June .
The guidance for the second phase of training , which would allow contact , is waiting to be signed off by the government .
The Premier League is due to meet on Wednesday and Thursday for further discussions about restarting the season , with the results of the third round of testing also due later in the week .
Watford captain Troy Deeney and former Arsenal striker Ian Wright were among those who quizzed government officials on Friday about the added dangers that coronavirus might pose towards black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) players .
The Office for National Statistics says black men and women are nearly twice as likely to die from coronavirus as white people in England and Wales .
Hornets forward Deeney and Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante opted to stay away from club training this week as a precaution .
In a `` frank and open '' online meeting , medical experts , including deputy chief medical offer Jonathan Van-Tam , were asked to quantify risks .
Deeney and Wright , who were also joined in the online forum by former Newcastle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ director Michael Emenalo , were told that the risk among young and healthy footballers was low .
But concerns were also raised about passing the infection on to family members .
The Professional Footballers ' Association , which was also in attendance , has asked for more research to be conducted into the issue .

Last updated on .From the section Premier League
'We have to be flexible' - Premier League chief executive Richard Masters spoke to BBC sports editor Dan Roan on 22 May
An unnamed Bournemouth player is one of two new coronavirus cases discovered by the latest round of Premier League tests - taking the overall total of positive results to eight.
The Cherries said the player's identity will not be disclosed - they will now self-isolate for seven days.
The other positive was at a different club which has not been named.
Tests took place on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday of last week, with 996 players and club staff tested.
In the Championship, two individuals from Hull City have tested positive after 1,014 tests were undertaken at all 24 Championship sides over the past 72 hours.
"Following strict adherence to the Premier League's return to training regulations, the club's training ground remains a safe working environment for players and backroom staff, who will continue to be tested for Covid-19 twice per week," Bournemouth said in a statement.
The first round's results, announced on 19 May, returned six positive tests at three clubs from the 748 players and staff tested.
That number included the positive tests of Watford defender Adrian Mariappa and Burnley assistant manager Ian Woan.
For the second round of testing the number of tests available to each club was increased from 40 to 50.
Squads started non-contact training from Tuesday for the first time since the Premier League was suspended on 13 March because of the coronavirus pandemic, with 92 fixtures remaining.
Speaking on Friday, Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said the league was "as confident as we can be" about restarting in June.
Germany's Bundesliga has already resumed, while on Saturday the Spanish Prime Minister said La Liga can resume behind closed doors from 8 June.
What's next?
The guidance for the second phase of training, which would allow contact, is waiting to be signed off by the government.
The Premier League is due to meet on Wednesday and Thursday for further discussions about restarting the season, with the results of the third round of testing also due later in the week.
Players quiz government on BAME risks
Watford captain Troy Deeney and former Arsenal striker Ian Wright were among those who quizzed government officials on Friday about the added dangers that coronavirus might pose towards black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) players.
The Office for National Statistics says black men and women are nearly twice as likely to die from coronavirus as white people in England and Wales.
Hornets forward Deeney and Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante opted to stay away from club training this week as a precaution.
In a "frank and open" online meeting, medical experts, including deputy chief medical offer Jonathan Van-Tam, were asked to quantify risks.
Deeney and Wright, who were also joined in the online forum by former Newcastle striker Shola Ameobi and former Chelsea technical director Michael Emenalo, were told that the risk among young and healthy footballers was low.
But concerns were also raised about passing the infection on to family members.
The Professional Footballers' Association, which was also in attendance, has asked for more research to be conducted into the issue.


bbc--2020-05-24--Coronavirus: Two Championship players test positive for Covid-19

Two individuals from the same Championship club have tested positive for coronavirus after more than 1,000 tests were carried out @ @ @ @ @ confirmed that of the 1,014 tests undertaken on players and staff at all 24 second-tier @ @ @ @ @ came back negative .
The pair , who have not been named , will now @ @ @ @ @ provided by the EFL .
Teams in the Championship are due to resume training on @ @ @ @ @ those who had returned negative tests over the past 72 hours would be allowed to @ @ @ @ @ comes as an unnamed Bournemouth player was one of two new coronavirus cases discovered by @ @ @ @ @ League tests - taking the overall total of positive results to eight .
• Players @ @ @ @ @ self-test

Last updated on .From the section Championship
Hull City said the two people who tested positive would self-isolate for seven days
Championship side Hull City have confirmed two people at the club have tested positive for coronavirus.
The English Football League earlier said there were two positive cases out of more than 1,000 players and staff tested at the 24 second-tier clubs.
In a statement, Hull said the pair were asymptomatic and feeling no ill effects, but would self-isolate for seven days in line with EFL guidelines.
They will both be tested again at a later date.
The Tigers did not confirm whether the positive tests were from players or staff.
It comes after reports external-link that Hull vice-chairman Ehab Allam wrote to the EFL twice to say the season should be voided.
With Championship clubs set to return to training on Monday, a total of 1,014 tests were undertaken on players and staff over the past 72 hours, with all but the two at the Tigers coming back negative.
Those who had returned negative tests would be allowed to enter training grounds, but prior to going in, everyone must complete a screening protocol to detect any symptoms in a manner devised by the club doctor.
In the Premier League an unnamed Bournemouth player was one of two new coronavirus cases discovered by the latest round of top-flight tests - taking the overall total of positive results to eight.
The tests, which are being funded by the clubs and will not affect NHS testing, are not 100% accurate but meet government and NHS standards.
The Championship, which has been suspended since 13 March, is hoping to restart the season at some point in June.
Meanwhile, no testing programme is in place for League One and League Two clubs.
On 15 May, teams in the fourth tier "unanimously indicated" they wanted to bring their season to an early conclusion, although talks between sides in League One stalled after they failed to agree on a resolution.


bbc--2020-05-24--Match of Their Day: Ashley Cole picks his classic games

Ashley Cole holds the record for the most FA Cup final wins and appearances as a player .
Little wonder , then , that the former Arsenal and Chelsea left-back is in the Match of Their Day hot seat on what would have been FA Cup final weekend .
The 39-year-old won the FA Cup seven times - three with the Gunners and four with the Blues - and played in a total of eight finals .
• Watch the latest Match of Their Day with Ashley Cole Cole has picked his first and last FA Cup wins , when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chelsea triumphed 2-1 against Liverpool in 2012 .
But the 107-cap England international also selected the only FA Cup final he lost , Liverpool beating Arsenal 2-1 in 2001 , a match otherwise known as the Michael Owen final .
`` Being an Englishman growing up , watching finals and semi-finals , like Paul Gascoigne destroying Arsenal ( in a 1991 semi ) , it leaves memories , '' says Cole .
`` To get a chance to play in it and win it as many times as I did is something I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ To go on and win seven winners medals and make history ... when I was playing I did n't take it for granted because I loved and respected that competition .
`` When you look back now and see , over 100 years of history that I have that record ... it is there to be broken and I hope someone does but I hope it takes another 100 years . ''
Here are Cole 's three classic matches .
With Wembley being rebuilt , Arsenal and Liverpool fans headed to a sunny @ @ @ @ @ @ @ six FA Cup finals to be staged at Millennium Stadium .
This was Cole 's first season as a regular with the Gunners and he kept his place for the final , with Arsenal hoping to win their third trophy under Arsene Wenger after winning the Double in 1998 .
Liverpool had already won that season 's League Cup but were on the back foot for most of the game until Freddie Ljungberg broke the deadlock on 72 minutes .
But Michael Owen conjured a late fightback for Gerard Houllier 's men , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a performance that went a long way to earning the England striker the Ballon d'Or for 2001 .
Cole : `` We dominated .
Henry had two or three one-on-ones , we had a couple of handball shouts .
I ca n't believe we did n't win this game .
`` But Owen was dominant that season in terms of timing his runs in behind .
`` His first goal came from a free-kick I will never forget .
We attacked the first ball but did n't get it very far and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Owen , who Martin Keown was marking , was free .
`` I remember two days later Keown saying to me 'that was your fault ' and I 'm a 19-year-old kid , in my first final , thinking I 'd done alright and trying to get over the desolation of thinking I might never play in a final again .
`` He says to me 'when that ball goes out you have to find a man , do n't mark space ' .
So I got a rollicking but it is something @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that .
`` I always had these mentors , either telling me not to get ahead of myself or to keep my head up . ''
Arsenal returned to Cardiff 12 months later as league leaders so were hoping to win their second double in five seasons .
A disappointing final burst into life with 20 minutes remaining as Ray Parlour curled in a beauty from 25 yards .
Ljungberg then topped that with 10 minutes left , picking the ball up in his own half and beating John Terry for pace before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Swedish winger became the first man to score in successive finals since Tottenham 's Bobby Smith in 1962 , and four days later Wenger 's men went to Old Trafford and won 1-0 to secure Arsenal 's third double .
Cole : `` We had the momentum going into the final and then four days later to go to Old Trafford and ...
I was going to say nick a 1-0 - win the title was a great achievement .
`` Being around the legends that were at Arsenal at the time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ David Seaman , Lee Dixon , Ray Parlour - they had already instilled that will to win and demands needed on a daily basis .
`` I remember Ray Parlour telling me , 'You could go on and win a record ' and you never believe it or take anything for granted but it came true in the end .
`` Whether he operated in the centre with Patrick Vieira , or giving energy on the right side , Ray was a big part of it ( Arsenal 's success ) .
Not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ character off it , keeping people on their toes .
`` But that team had every ingredient you want to fight for titles and win competitions .
We had quality and depth in every position .
`` To do the Invincibles season is unbelievable .
Going in to games , tactically we did n't prepare because we felt unbeatable at times .
We always had that belief that we were untouchable . ''
After winning another league title and two FA Cups with Arsenal , Cole completed a protracted , acrimonious move to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the FA Cup in 2007 and 2009 , plus the Double in 2010 , and after Roberto di Matteo took charge in March 2012 , Chelsea reached both the FA Cup and Champions League final that season .
The Blues faced Liverpool at Wembley , with Ramires and Didier Drogba scoring early in each half , before Andy Carroll pulled one back .
Petr Cech then pulled off a stunning save to keep out a late Carroll header and clinch victory .
There was more drama to come two weeks later as Chelsea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ European champions .
Cole : `` It was a bit of a patch-up job for Roberto Di Matteo in terms of rebuilding confidence and getting our mentality back after the sacking of Andre Villas-Boas .
`` To go to Wembley and beat a great team in Liverpool was a great feat .
What would come after with Di Matteo was special .
I feel that now many people remember us winning the FA Cup that year because we also won the Champions League .
`` What Jose ( Mourinho ) did for Chelsea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confidence and belief he gave the players .
He gave the stability and set what the demands were .
`` Every manager wants to put their stamp on a club but from then on the managers that tried to force that too much did n't work .
We knew what we were good at and what our weaknesses were .
`` We got so used to being a tight group and knowing how to win that it did n't matter which type of manager came in .
We had a great group and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a full circle of changing everything .
`` As an aspiring coach now , I take the bits from the managers that I liked . ''

Match Of Their Day: Ashley Cole explains why he left Arsenal for Chelsea
Ashley Cole holds the record for the most FA Cup final wins and appearances as a player.
Little wonder, then, that the former Arsenal and Chelsea left-back is in the Match of Their Day hot seat on what would have been FA Cup final weekend.
The 39-year-old won the FA Cup seven times - three with the Gunners and four with the Blues - and played in a total of eight finals.
Cole has picked his first and last FA Cup wins, when Arsenal beat Chelsea 2-0 in 2002 and Chelsea triumphed 2-1 against Liverpool in 2012.
But the 107-cap England international also selected the only FA Cup final he lost, Liverpool beating Arsenal 2-1 in 2001, a match otherwise known as the Michael Owen final.
"Being an Englishman growing up, watching finals and semi-finals, like Paul Gascoigne destroying Arsenal (in a 1991 semi), it leaves memories," says Cole.
"To get a chance to play in it and win it as many times as I did is something I will never, ever forget.
"To go on and win seven winners medals and make history... when I was playing I didn't take it for granted because I loved and respected that competition.
"When you look back now and see, over 100 years of history that I have that record... it is there to be broken and I hope someone does but I hope it takes another 100 years."
Here are Cole's three classic matches.
Arsenal 1-2 Liverpool
On this day in 2001: Owen scores two late goals for Liverpool to win FA Cup
12 May 2001
With Wembley being rebuilt, Arsenal and Liverpool fans headed to a sunny Cardiff in 2001 for the first of six FA Cup finals to be staged at Millennium Stadium.
This was Cole's first season as a regular with the Gunners and he kept his place for the final, with Arsenal hoping to win their third trophy under Arsene Wenger after winning the Double in 1998.
Liverpool had already won that season's League Cup but were on the back foot for most of the game until Freddie Ljungberg broke the deadlock on 72 minutes.
But Michael Owen conjured a late fightback for Gerard Houllier's men, scoring twice in the last seven minutes in a performance that went a long way to earning the England striker the Ballon d'Or for 2001.
Cole: "We dominated. Henry had two or three one-on-ones, we had a couple of handball shouts. I can't believe we didn't win this game.
"But Owen was dominant that season in terms of timing his runs in behind.
"His first goal came from a free-kick I will never forget. We attacked the first ball but didn't get it very far and there was maybe a little ricochet and Owen, who Martin Keown was marking, was free.
"I remember two days later Keown saying to me 'that was your fault' and I'm a 19-year-old kid, in my first final, thinking I'd done alright and trying to get over the desolation of thinking I might never play in a final again.
"He says to me 'when that ball goes out you have to find a man, don't mark space'. So I got a rollicking but it is something I learned and took into games after that.
"I always had these mentors, either telling me not to get ahead of myself or to keep my head up."
Arsenal 2-0 Chelsea
4 May 2002
Arsenal returned to Cardiff 12 months later as league leaders so were hoping to win their second double in five seasons.
A disappointing final burst into life with 20 minutes remaining as Ray Parlour curled in a beauty from 25 yards.
Ljungberg then topped that with 10 minutes left, picking the ball up in his own half and beating John Terry for pace before curling it inside the far post.
The Swedish winger became the first man to score in successive finals since Tottenham's Bobby Smith in 1962, and four days later Wenger's men went to Old Trafford and won 1-0 to secure Arsenal's third double.
Cole: "We had the momentum going into the final and then four days later to go to Old Trafford and... I was going to say nick a 1-0 - win the title was a great achievement.
"Being around the legends that were at Arsenal at the time - Martin Keown, Tony Adams, David Seaman, Lee Dixon, Ray Parlour - they had already instilled that will to win and demands needed on a daily basis.
"I remember Ray Parlour telling me, 'You could go on and win a record' and you never believe it or take anything for granted but it came true in the end.
"Whether he operated in the centre with Patrick Vieira, or giving energy on the right side, Ray was a big part of it (Arsenal's success). Not just on the field but a great character off it, keeping people on their toes.
"But that team had every ingredient you want to fight for titles and win competitions. We had quality and depth in every position.
"To do the Invincibles season is unbelievable. Going in to games, tactically we didn't prepare because we felt unbeatable at times. We always had that belief that we were untouchable."
Chelsea 2 Liverpool 1
On This Day: Chelsea beat Liverpool in 2012 FA Cup final
5 May 2012
After winning another league title and two FA Cups with Arsenal, Cole completed a protracted, acrimonious move to Chelsea in 2006.
There he won the FA Cup in 2007 and 2009, plus the Double in 2010, and after Roberto di Matteo took charge in March 2012, Chelsea reached both the FA Cup and Champions League final that season.
The Blues faced Liverpool at Wembley, with Ramires and Didier Drogba scoring early in each half, before Andy Carroll pulled one back.
Petr Cech then pulled off a stunning save to keep out a late Carroll header and clinch victory. There was more drama to come two weeks later as Chelsea beat Bayern Munich on penalties to become European champions.
Cole: "It was a bit of a patch-up job for Roberto Di Matteo in terms of rebuilding confidence and getting our mentality back after the sacking of Andre Villas-Boas.
"To go to Wembley and beat a great team in Liverpool was a great feat. What would come after with Di Matteo was special. I feel that now many people remember us winning the FA Cup that year because we also won the Champions League.
"What Jose (Mourinho) did for Chelsea was unbelievable, in terms of the confidence and belief he gave the players. He gave the stability and set what the demands were.
"Every manager wants to put their stamp on a club but from then on the managers that tried to force that too much didn't work. We knew what we were good at and what our weaknesses were.
"We got so used to being a tight group and knowing how to win that it didn't matter which type of manager came in. We had a great group and it needed tweaking at times but not a full circle of changing everything.
"As an aspiring coach now, I take the bits from the managers that I liked."


bbc--2020-05-24--UK PM backs key aide Cummings in lockdown row

Boris Johnson has backed his key adviser Dominic Cummings , amid a row over the aide ’ s travel during lockdown .
The PM said he believed Mr Cummings had `` no alternative '' but to travel from London to the North East for childcare `` when both he and his wife were about to be incapacitated by coronavirus '' .
`` In every respect , he has acted responsibly , legally and with integrity , '' Mr Johnson said .
It follows calls from several Tory MPs for Mr Cummings ' resignation .
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ action against Mr Cummings was `` an insult to sacrifices made by the British people '' .
Leaving Downing Street after about six hours in Number 10 on Sunday , Mr Cummings refused to answer questions .
Meanwhile , Mr Johnson said parents and teachers should prepare for the phased reopening of schools in England to start on 1 June as planned .
He also announced that a further 118 people had died with coronavirus in the UK , across all settings , bringing the total to 36,793 .
• What do we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Caring for children - what are the lockdown rules ?
On Saturday , Mr Cummings and the government had said he acted `` reasonably and legally '' in response to the original claims that he drove 260 miles from London to County Durham with his wife , who had coronavirus symptoms .
The aide then faced further allegations on Sunday of a second trip to the North East , reported by The Observer and Sunday Mirror .
But , speaking at Downing Street 's daily coronavirus briefing , Mr Johnson called `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ false '' .
Mr Johnson said he held `` extensive '' discussions on Sunday with Mr Cummings , who he said `` followed the instincts of every father and every parent - and I do not mark him down for that '' .
`` Looking at the very severe childcare difficulties that presented themselves to Dominic Cummings and his family , I think that what they did was totally understandable - there 's actually guidance ... about what you need to do about the pressures that families face when they have childcare needs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they could best be served , best be delivered and yes , that did involve travel . ''
When asked whether Mr Cummings made a trip to Barnard Castle - 30 miles from Durham - during his isolation in April , Mr Johnson said his aide isolated for 14 days and he was `` content that in all periods and in both sides ( of isolation ) he behaved responsibly and correctly '' .
It strikes me Boris Johnson is taking a political gamble here ; that the public will understand his decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Westminster row '' .
Indeed , Mr Johnson and Mr Cummings are seen as political operators who can judge the public mood well .
But many - including several Tory MPs - think they 've got this wrong .
They believe the public does care and see it as one rule for us , one rule for them .
There are a lot of unanswered questions too ; when did the PM know his adviser had travelled to Durham ?
Did Mr Cummings visit an area 30 miles from where he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ urgent inquiry into the allegations , while several Conservative backbench MPs publicly questioned Mr Cummings ' position , including Sir Roger Gale .
Reacting to the prime minister 's comments , Sir Roger said it was an `` extraordinary position '' for Mr Johnson to take .
`` It 's up to the prime minister to exercise judgement about who he has around him , '' he told BBC Radio 5 Live .
`` In this case , I do think that that judgement is flawed .
I do n't think many people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after the event it 's OK to reinterpret the rules '' .
Speaking to the BBC , Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said : `` This was a huge test of the prime minister and he has just failed that test .
`` Millions of people across the country have made the most agonising choices - not visiting relatives , not going to funerals - they deserve better answers than they got from the prime minister today . ''
He also said he would 've sacked Mr Cummings if he were prime minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are the symptoms ?
• RISK AT WORK : How exposed is your job ?
• RECOVERY : How long does it take to get better ?
Acting Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey said he was `` astonished '' with Mr Johnson 's decision as the PM had told the public to stay at home .
In a statement posted on Twitter , Amanda Hopgood , leader of the Liberal Democrats on Durham County Council , said `` a number of local residents have reported seeing Dominic Cummings on several occasions in April @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` given the clear public interest '' she has referred the matter to Durham Constabulary to see if there had been a breach of the coronavirus regulations .
And the SNP 's Westminster leader Ian Blackford said : `` The prime minister 's refusal to act demeans his office and will cause lasting damage to public confidence in the Tory government and its response to Covid-19 . ''
Scientists also raised concerns .
Stephen Reicher , a professor of social psychology who has advised the government on behavioural science during the pandemic , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him feel `` dismay '' .
He said trust was vital to maintaining public health measures .
`` You ca n't have trust if people have a sense of them and us , that there 's one rule for them and another rule for us , '' he told the BBC .
And two Church of England bishops strongly criticised the defence of Mr Cummings .
The Bishop of Leeds , the Right Reverend Nick Baines , said the public were being `` lied to , patronised and treated by a PM as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Right Reverend Vivienne Faull , accused the prime minister of having `` no respect for people '' .
16 March - Government tells the UK public they have to isolate for 14 days if someone in their household has symptoms 23 March - Boris Johnson tells the UK public they `` must stay at home '' 30 March - Downing Street says Mr Cummings is self-isolating with coronavirus symptoms 31 March - Officers from Durham Constabulary `` were made aware of reports that an individual had travelled from London to Durham @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city '' , the force adds that officers `` made contact with the owners of that address '' 12 April - According to the Observer and Sunday Mirror , Mr Cummings was seen visiting Barnard Castle , 30 miles from his parents ' residence .
14 April - Mr Cummings is photographed at Downing Street for the first time since 27 March 19 April - This is the date an unnamed witness tells the Observer and Sunday Mirror they saw Mr Cummings in Durham Earlier , Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health advice `` must come first '' as she urged Mr Cummings to resign .
She added that it was `` tough to lose a trusted adviser at the height of crisis '' , referring to Scotland 's chief medical officer who resigned in April after twice breaking lockdown restrictions to drive to her second home .
Some government ministers had rallied around Mr Cummings on Saturday and defended his conduct .
Matt Hancock and Michael Gove were among those to come out in support of Mr Cummings on social media .
• @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lenny Henry doing in lockdown ?

"Looking at the very severe childcare difficulties that presented themselves to Dominic Cummings and his family, I think that what they did was totally understandable - there's actually guidance... about what you need to do about the pressures that families face when they have childcare needs.


bbc--2020-05-25--Coronavirus: US suspends travel from Brazil for foreigners

The US has imposed travel restrictions on foreign nationals who have been to Brazil in the last 14 days .
The South American nation recently became the world 's second major hotspot for coronavirus cases .
Brazil has recorded more than 360,000 cases , the country 's health ministry announced on Sunday , while over 22,000 people have died with the virus .
A White House spokeswoman said the restrictions would help ensure new cases are not brought into the US .
`` Today 's action will help ensure foreign nationals who have been in Brazil do not become a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany said in a statement .
Non-Americans who have been in Brazil in the two weeks before they request entry to the US will be denied that entry .
The restriction will not affect trade between the two countries .
The suspension is to take effect on May 28 at 23:59 EDT ( 03:59 GMT ) .
The travel ban will not apply to US citizens , or to the spouse , parent , legal guardian , or child of a US citizen or lawful permanent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ age of 21 .
`` The potential for undetected transmission of the virus by infected individuals seeking to enter the United States from [ Brazil ] threatens the security of our transportation system and infrastructure and the national security , '' said the suspension order published by the White House on Sunday .
Earlier on Sunday , White House National security adviser Robert O'Brien told CBS `` Face the Nation '' that travel restriction for Brazil were expected shortly .
`` We hope that 'll be temporary , but because of the situation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take every step necessary to protect the American people , '' Mr O'Brien said .
He added that `` we 'll take a look at the other countries on a country-by-country basis for sure '' .
US President Donald Trump suggested earlier this week that he was considering imposing a ban on travel from Brazil .
The US currently leads the world in coronavirus cases .
It has over 1.6 million known cases and is nearing 100,000 deaths linked to the virus .
Sunday 's announcement is the latest travel restriction imposed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the spread of the virus .
Foreign nationals who have recently visited China , Iran , the European Schengen area , the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland are already barred from entry to the US .
Canada and the US also recently agreed to extend the closure of their shared border to non-essential travel .
What is the situation across Brazil ?
Brazil recently overtook Russia with regards to known cases of the virus .
President Jair Bolsonaro has repeatedly dismissed the risks posed by the virus .
The number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every two weeks , compared to about every two months in the UK , four months in France , and five months in Italy .
Expert have warned that the real figure may be far higher due to a lack of testing .

President Bolsonaro seems more caught up in fighting political battles - he's facing accusations of political interference to protect his family - than looking at how to rein in the country's spiralling health crisis. These past few days have revealed some ugly truths here. Not only has Brazil become one of the epicentres of the coronavirus crisis, but it's clear that the president and his team are unable - or even willing - to lead the country out of it.


bbc--2020-05-24--The South Korean protester living in the sky

For nearly a year , 61-year-old Kim Yong-hee , has being living on a 20-metre-high traffic tower in the centre @ @ @ @ @ .
It ’ s the latest in a quarter-century of protests Mr Kim has made @ @ @ @ @ rights at the multinational conglomerate Samsung .
Kim Yong-hee says he was fired by the @ @ @ @ @ years ago , when he tried to form a trade union .
He ’ s @ @ @ @ @ vows not to down till the company improves workers ’ rights .
In a statement @ @ @ @ @ safety of Mr Kim is of our highest priority and we have engaged in negotiations @ @ @ @ @ , Mr Kim was dismissed according to standing company regulations .
Samsung regrets the current @ @ @ @ @ resolve this issue .
”

For nearly a year, 61-year-old Kim Yong-hee, has being living on a 20m high traffic tower in the centre of Seoul, South Korea. It’s the latest in a quarter-century of protests Mr Kim has made, fighting for workers’ rights at Samsung.
Kim Yong-hee says he was fired by the global tech giant nearly 30 years ago, when he tried to form a trade union. He’s been protesting ever since and vows not to come down until the company improves workers’ rights.
In a statement Samsung said: "The safety of Mr Kim is of our highest priority and we have engaged in negotiations. Contrary to certain allegations, Mr Kim was dismissed according to standing company regulations. Samsung regrets the current situation and is trying to resolve this issue.”
Filmed and produced by BBC Korea's Jungmin Choi
Edited by Kevin Kim


bbc--2020-05-25--Family of exiled top Saudi officer Saad al-Jabri 'targeted'

A senior Saudi security official who for years was the key go-between for Britain 's MI6 and other Western spy agencies in Saudi Arabia is now being persecuted along with his family , according to former Western intelligence officials .
Dr Saad al-Jabri , who helped foil an al-Qaeda bomb plot against the West , fled into exile three years ago , ahead of a purge by the all-powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman .
Now his children have been seized as `` hostages '' , according to his eldest son , Khalid .
`` Omar and Sarah were kidnapped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of their beds by about 50 state security officers who arrived in 20 cars , '' says their brother , Khalid al-Jabri .
The family house in Riyadh was then searched , the CCTV memory cards removed and the pair , aged 21 and 20 respectively , held incommunicado at a detention centre .
There have been no charges given and no reason offered to the family for their arrest , Khalid tells me on a phone call from Canada where he and his father live in self-imposed exile .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alive or dead . ''
He believes they are being held as bargaining chips in an attempt to force his father to return to Saudi Arabia where he fears he will face immediate arrest and imprisonment .
`` They can make up any lies they want about him but he is innocent . ''
The Saudi authorities have not responded to the BBC 's requests for comment on the allegations made by the family of Dr Saad al-Jabri and those who worked with him .
For years he was the right-hand man , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nayef , who was widely credited with defeating the al-Qaeda insurgency in the 2000s .
He was also the linchpin in all Saudi Arabia 's relations with the `` Five Eyes '' ( US , UK , Canada , Australia , New Zealand ) intelligence agencies .
In 2010 this crucial link `` helped save hundreds of lives '' , according to a former Western intelligence officer who worked with him .
Al-Qaeda in Yemen had smuggled a powerful bomb on-board a cargo plane bound for Chicago , hidden inside a printer ink @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a human informant inside al-Qaida who provided the tip-off to MI6 , even relaying the serial number of the device it was hidden in .
British counter-terrorism police then located and defused the bomb inside the plane at East Midlands Airport .
`` If that had gone off as planned over Chicago hundreds would have been killed , '' said the former intelligence officer .
`` Dr al-Jabri transformed Saudi counter-terrorism efforts , '' says another former western intelligence official .
`` He changed it from being a crude , violent , confession-based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and computer-based data mining .
`` He was the smartest guy we dealt with amongst so many others who were dysfunctional , '' he says .
A quiet-spoken man with a doctorate in artificial intelligence from Edinburgh University , Dr al-Jabri rose to the rank of cabinet minister and held a major-general 's rank in the interior ministry .
But in 2015 everything changed .
King Abdullah died and his half-brother Salman ascended to the throne , appointing his young and untested son Mohammed Bin Salman ( known as MBS ) as defence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's forces to intervene in Yemen 's civil war , a move opposed by Dr al-Jabri who pointed out that there was no exit strategy .
More than five years later Saudi Arabia is still looking for a way out of the costly stalemate in Yemen .
In 2017 MBS carried out a bloodless palace coup with his father 's blessing .
He effectively usurped the next in line to the throne , Prince Mohammed bin Nayef , becoming crown prince himself .
Today that deposed prince is under arrest , his assets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been removed from their posts .
Dr al-Jabri fled into exile in Canada .
But former Western intelligence officials believe MBS still sees him as a threat to his legitimacy .
`` He ca n't afford to have that guy as a free radical and a galvanising force against him , '' says one of them .
His family say they have tried in vain to meet the Saudi authorities `` on neutral ground '' and have now decided to go public .
`` There are signs that Dr Saad is being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the ( Canadian ) authorities are taking it seriously , '' says his son Khalid .
`` We were pushed into this , '' he adds .
`` We are patriots , we love our country , we do n't want to embarrass Saudi Arabia but kidnapping Omar and Sarah like this , it 's daylight thuggery by a state . ''

There have been no charges given and no reason offered to the family for their arrest, Khalid tells me on a phone call from Canada where he and his father live in self-imposed exile. "We don't even know if they are alive or dead."


bbc--2020-05-24--South African President Ramaphosa says outbreak will get worse

The president of South Africa has warned that the country 's coronavirus outbreak is going to get much worse , while announcing that lockdown measures are to be eased .
Cyril Ramaphosa said a third of the country 's more than 22,000 cases had been recorded in the last week .
Despite that , the president said the current lockdown could not be sustained indefinitely .
He announced that , from 1 June , more restrictions would be lifted .
Mr Ramaphosa was speaking after a mining company in South Africa said 164 workers at a gold mine near Johannesburg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have so far been 429 recorded Covid-19 deaths in the country .
How will the lockdown measures be eased ?
An overnight curfew will no longer be in place , more businesses will be allowed to open and schools will re-start , the president said .
A controversial ban on alcohol will also end with limited sales allowed for home consumption only .
A ban on the sale of cigarettes will remain .
• Is the alcohol ban working in South Africa ?
The president has been under pressure to ease lockdown measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he warned the public that the worst is still ahead .
`` We should expect that these numbers will rise even further and even faster , '' he said .
`` The coronavirus pandemic in South Africa is going to get much worse before it gets better , '' he added .
The Mponeng mine is the deepest gold mine in the world .
Operations have been halted after 164 cases of coronavirus were detected there .
Most of those who tested positive were not showing any symptoms .
They have all been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mine 's owners , AngloGold Ashanti .

He also announced that there would be a phased re-opening of schools because "we are concerned about the growth and development of our children and that an entire generation of learners should not be permanently disadvantaged this pandemic".


bbc--2020-05-24--Coronavirus: Austrian president 'sorry' for breaking lockdown curfew

Austria 's President Alexander Van der Bellen has apologised after he broke a coronavirus-related curfew .
He stayed at a restaurant in the capital , Vienna , beyond the closing time mandated under the country 's lockdown measures .
Mr Van der Bellen , 76 , said he had lost track of the time while speaking with friends at the Italian restaurant in the centre of the city .
`` I 'm sincerely sorry .
It was a mistake , '' he said .
`` I went out for the first time since the lockdown with two friends and my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We then lost track of the time while chatting . ''
• How lockdown is being lifted across Europe The president was spotted by police on the outside dining area of the restaurant shortly after midnight on Sunday , local media report .
But the government 's latest rules say restaurants and cafes , which were allowed to reopen last week , must close no later than 23:00 .
The restaurant could be fined for a breach , but Mr Van der Bellen said he would `` take responsibility '' if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the incident .
`` We closed after a last round of drinks on time at 23:00 , as required by law , '' the owner told the Krone newspaper .
He said he had thought that customers were allowed to stay on the terrace beyond that time if they wished .
Austria was one of the first countries in Europe to follow Italy in imposing a strict lockdown in response to the Covid-19 pandemic .
It was also one of the first to begin easing its restrictions .
Gatherings of up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ start of May , and public parks , small shops , DIY stores and garden centres have been open since last month .
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It was also one of the first to begin easing its restrictions. Gatherings of up to 10 people have been allowed since the start of May, and public parks, small shops, DIY stores and garden centres have been open since last month.


bbc--2020-05-24--Afghanistan: Taliban prisoner release amid Eid al-Fitr ceasefire

Afghanistan 's President Ashraf Ghani has announced the release of up to 2,000 Taliban prisoners , after the Islamist group proposed a ceasefire .
The announcement came shortly after the Taliban agreed the surprise three-day truce with Mr Ghani 's government for the Muslim festival of Eid al-Fitr .
The president said their release was a `` goodwill gesture '' designed `` to ensure the success of the peace process '' .
Mr Ghani also said his government was ready to hold further peace talks .
`` President Ghani today initiated a process to release up to 2,000 Taliban prisoners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announcement of a ceasefire , '' a presidential spokesman wrote on Twitter .
• What will Taliban do after signing US deal ?
The issue of Taliban prisoners has proved a contentious one during the peace talks between Mr Ghani 's government and the hardline Islamist group .
Last month , historic face-to-face talks broke down over a prisoner swap - part of a US-Taliban deal signed in February without the involvement of the government .
Arguments over the swap - involving thousands of Taliban fighters and 1,000 pro-government forces - delayed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the latest announcement is likely to raise hopes among Afghans and international observers of a longer-term reduction in violence as well as possible progress in any future talks .
On Saturday , the Taliban announced a three-day truce which was to begin on Sunday .
Both sides have so far respected the ceasefire , which followed a rise in attacks by the Taliban against government troops .
Afghans and international observers had hoped for a reduction in violence between the two sides following the signing of a troop withdrawal agreement between the Taliban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was designed to bring peace to Afghanistan , ending 18 years of war since US-led forces ousted the Islamist group from power .
Under the deal , US President Donald Trump announced 5,000 US troops would leave the country by May and he would meet leaders of the Taliban in the near future .
US and Nato troops will withdraw from the country within 14 months , as long as the Taliban uphold their side of the deal .
But US officials also agreed to the prisoner swap as a first step in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Taliban - who are still technically at war .

Under the deal, US President Donald Trump announced 5,000 US troops would leave the country by May and he would meet leaders of the Taliban in the near future. US and Nato troops will withdraw from the country within 14 months, as long as the Taliban uphold their side of the deal.


bbc--2020-05-24--Coronavirus: China accuses US of spreading 'conspiracies'

China 's foreign minister has accused the US of spreading `` conspiracies and lies '' about the coronavirus , ratcheting up tensions between the two nations .
The US has been infected by a `` political virus '' that compels some politicians to repeatedly attack China , Wang Yi told reporters on Sunday .
He urged the US to `` stop wasting time and stop wasting precious lives '' in its response to the Covid-19 outbreak .
Tensions between Washington and Beijing have escalated as the virus has spread .
US President Donald Trump , who faces re-election this year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the pandemic , has blamed China for trying to cover up the outbreak .
But on Sunday , Mr Wang repeated China 's assertions that it had acted responsibly to safeguard global public health since the virus first emerged in December .
What else did China say ?
Speaking at an annual news conference during China 's parliamentary session , Mr Wang said that `` some political forces in the US are taking China-US relations hostage '' .
He did not specify what those forces were , but said they were trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the brink of a new Cold War '' .
• Is there any evidence for Wuhan lab theory ?
`` Aside from the devastation caused by the novel coronavirus , there is also a political virus spreading through the US , '' he continued .
`` This political virus is the use of every opportunity to attack and smear China , '' he said .
`` Some politicians completely disregard basic facts and have fabricated too many lies targeting China , and plotted too many conspiracies . ''
But he called for co-operation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreak .
`` Both of us bear a major responsibility for world peace and development , '' he said .
`` China and the United States stand to gain from co-operation , and lose from confrontation . ''
President Trump and Beijing have traded repeated barbs in recent weeks , on issues from the World Health Organization ( WHO ) to potential lawsuits against China over its alleged cover-up of the outbreak .
The two world powers have experienced longstanding friction over issues such as trade and human rights , but tensions have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday , Mr Wang said the suggestion that US states could bring legal action against China was `` a daydream '' and lacked any precedent .
He also defended the WHO and its head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus , who has been the target of recent US criticism .
Last week , President Trump accused the WHO of being a `` puppet of China '' that had let Covid-19 spin `` out of control '' at the cost of `` many lives '' .
He then shared a letter he had sent to Dr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US had regarding the WHO 's Covid-19 response .
Dr Tedros has agreed to a review over the agency 's handling of the pandemic .
But Mr Wang told reporters on Sunday that China fully backed the organisation .
`` To support the WHO is to support saving lives .
This is the choice any country with a conscience should make , '' he said .
He did not say whether international scientists would be permitted to enter China to investigate the outbreak .
The WHO has called on Beijing to allow it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are the accusations against China ?
The coronavirus outbreak first emerged in the Chinese city of Wuhan late last year and was widely reported to have originated in a food market .
Since then , however , some senior US politicians have suggested that the source was a research facility in Wuhan that had been carrying out research on bat coronaviruses .
China has dismissed the idea .
Mr Pompeo said earlier this month that there was `` a significant amount of evidence '' that the virus came from a laboratory in Wuhan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , saying `` we know it began in Wuhan , but we do n't know from where or from whom '' .
And on Saturday , the director of the Wuhan Institute of Virology told state media that claims that the virus could have leaked from the facility were `` pure fabrication '' .
Wang Yanyi said the centre had `` isolated and obtained some coronaviruses from bats '' but stressed that these were sufficiently different to Covid-19 .
Last month , senior Chinese diplomat Chen Wen told the BBC that demands for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreak were politically motivated and that such a move would only divert attention and resources away from fighting the virus .
• RECOVERY : How long does it take to get better ?
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : What are the symptoms ?

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bbc--2020-05-24--Western Australia hit by 'once-in-a-decade' storm

Australia 's western coast is being battered by a huge storm , with strong winds buffeting the main city of Perth .
Torrential rains and waves of up to eight metres ( 26ft ) are forecast in some areas .
The severe weather is the result of the remnants of tropical cyclone Mangga interacting with a cold front , according to the Bureau of Meteorology .
A senior official in the Department of Fire and Emergency Services ( DFES ) said it would be a `` once-in-a-decade '' storm .
`` Normally our storms come from the south-west and this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DFES acting assistant commissioner Jon Broomhall told journalists .
He added that authorities were `` asking people to secure property and make sure everything loose is tied down '' .
A severe weather warning is in place for much of Western Australia .
More than 60,000 homes and businesses are without power across the state , ABC News reports .
`` This is a rare event for WA particularly due to the extent of the area affected and the possibility of multiple areas of dangerous weather , '' said the Bureau of Meteorology @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 75 mph ) have been recorded in Perth , the Bureau of Meteorology said .
Some areas could see up to 10cm of rain .
The weather system will continue into Monday , according to forecasts .

"This is a rare event for WA particularly due to the extent of the area affected and the possibility of multiple areas of dangerous weather," said the Bureau of Meteorology.


bbc--2020-05-24--Millions of periodical cicadas to emerge in parts of US

After spending 17 years underground , millions of cicadas will be emerging in parts of the United States .
Periodical cicadas are expected to come out in early summer across southwest Virginia , parts of North Carolina , and in West Virginia .
The last time the cicadas emerged in many of those regions was in 2003 and in 2004 , though some areas saw an emergence in 2013 .
As many as 1.5 million of the insects can emerge per acre of land .
While they are some of the longest-lived insects in the world , periodical cicadas a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what entomologists call `` nymphs '' .
They live in the soil and feed on tree roots for periods of either 13 or 17 years depending on the species , according to Virginia Tech university .
The species make up 15 separate `` broods '' , with Brood IX ( nine ) emerging this year as part of their 17-year cycle .
When the nymphs are ready , they build mud tubes - called a cicada hut - in the soil and crawl out to find a place to moult into their winged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are not harmful to humans and can be a food source for animals and birds .
• 'Murder hornets ' land in the US for the first time They only live for two to four weeks as adults but during that time can cause significant damage to young trees - including apple , dogwood , peach , hickory , cherry , and pear - as well as to vines and saplings where females lay their eggs .
The male cicadas are also very loud , `` singing '' by vibrating membranes on their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is described by Virginia Tech as like a `` field of out-of-tune car radios '' .
Why the insects emerge on those specific intervals remains unclear , though some researchers think it could help them avoid predators .
There is also a species of cicada that emerges every year , called dogday or annual cicadas .

They only live for two to four weeks as adults but during that time can cause significant damage to young trees - including apple, dogwood, peach, hickory, cherry, and pear - as well as to vines and saplings where females lay their eggs.


bbc--2020-05-24--Lord Hall: People have turned to BBC 'in their droves' during pandemic

People have `` turned to the BBC in their droves '' in recent weeks , according to the BBC 's director general .
Speaking to the BBC 's Andrew Marr , Tony Hall said 94 % of the UK accessed the BBC for `` information , entertainment or education '' during the pandemic .
He said he `` took his hat off '' to staff who had created `` excellent '' content , even though 92 % of the workforce were now working from home .
The BBC could lose £125m in revenue because of coronavirus , he added .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ need for a `` big debate '' about the future of the BBC and the way it is funded .
The director general , who is set to leave his role in the summer , said younger audiences had been coming back to the BBC during the lockdown , with shows such as Normal People becoming huge hits .
The corporation said that 94 % of the British public used the BBC in the third week of March when social distancing began in the UK - with 86 % of younger people between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ content .
• Normal People TV series : 'It 's so easy to relate to' • BBC could scale back output if hit by coronavirus Lord Hall also credited this success to its `` biggest ever educational programme '' , as well the launch of Culture in Quarantine - an arts and culture service which Lord Hall says keeps `` the arts alive in people 's homes and support the arts sector during challenging times '' .
He was pressed on plans to bring back BBC Three as a regular TV channel , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ air and moved online to save costs .
Lord Hall said the initial plans had been a `` fantastic , creative success '' and showed `` the importance of developing our iPlayer , developing our sounds and making sure that our new services are in tip top position for young audiences to come to '' .
However , he acknowledged that the broadcaster could potentially lose £125m as a result of coronavirus , meaning it would have to spend `` wisely '' in future .
The BBC is facing financial pressure after being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ free TV licence scheme for all over-75s .
It also had to postpone plans to cut 450 jobs , and said there was uncertainty around commercial revenues .
Lord Hall said that he hopes in future , there will be a `` big debate '' about how the BBC should be funded post 2027 , when the current charter comes to an end .
He said : `` The question is , what 's the best way of funding that universally so that everybody , this great democratic idea , gets something we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even when I 've left I can take part in that debate and we should look at the easiest way to pay , learn from what happens in other countries , are there fairer ways to pay , but the underpinning for all that is the idea of a BBC which is providing something for everyone . ''
It comes after a public consultation was launched by the government on whether failure to pay for a TV licence should stop being a criminal offence , with the BBC warning it would cost the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

"I hope even when I've left I can take part in that debate and we should look at the easiest way to pay, learn from what happens in other countries, are there fairer ways to pay, but the underpinning for all that is the idea of a BBC which is providing something for everyone."


bbc--2020-05-25--Coronavirus: Creative solutions to social distancing

Worshippers take part in Friday prayers during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan , while keeping a safe distance from @ @ @ @ @ Mohammed Al-Amin Mosque in Beirut , Lebanon .

Image caption,
Worshippers take part in Friday prayers during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, while keeping a safe distance from each other, at the Mohammed Al-Amin Mosque in Beirut, Lebanon.


bbc--2020-05-24--The Metro Manila priests fighting coronavirus with the cross

With the cross in one hand , alcohol spray in the other , a group of Catholic priests in Metro @ @ @ @ @ lives to continue to serve their poverty-stricken community .
Manila has been under police and @ @ @ @ @ but hundreds of new coronavirus cases are recorded daily and testing for the virus remains @ @ @ @ @ Virma Simonette follow the priests who , in full Personal Protective Equipment ( PPE ) @ @ @ @ @ services to their congregation .

With the cross in one hand and alcohol spray in the other, a group of Catholic priests in Metro Manila have been risking their lives to continue to serve their poverty-stricken community.
Manila has been under police and army-enforced lockdown for months, but hundreds of new coronavirus cases are recorded daily and testing for the virus remains limited.
Howard Johnson and Virma Simonette follow the priests who, in full personal protective equipment (PPE), are continuing to deliver services to their congregation.


bbc--2020-05-24--Life-sized Crystal Palace Park dinosaur sculpture damaged

A Grade I-listed dinosaur sculpture which has stood in a park since the Victorian era has been damaged The nose and mouth of the Megalosaurus , which is on an island in the south London park 's lake , have broken off .
Friends of Crystal Palace Dinosaurs said although the damage ran alongside existing cracks , the Met Police were investigating it as a heritage crime .
The charity 's trustee , Sarah Slaughter , said she felt like crying when she saw what had happened .
`` The magnitude of the damage shocked me , '' she said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dinos since I was a little girl living in Croydon .
My dad 's family were from Penge and he remembers seeing the dinos as a small boy .
`` I have worked really hard alongside the other board members to protect the sculptures and make sure that people love them , too .
`` It is upsetting to be reminded that not everybody cares about them . ''
Ms Slaughter said she was alerted to the damage on social media by a member of the public on Monday .
On Friday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were damaged , although she said this could potentially have been because of high winds .
The Megalosaurus and elk are part of more than 30 animal sculptures in the park , which are on the Heritage At Risk register .
Historic England has said the creatures represent the cutting edge of scientific knowledge at the time and would have been `` an extraordinary sight '' to the Victorians .
They were created between 1852-1855 by Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins , a natural history artist , and represent the first major worldwide outreach project @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were said to have been fascinated by the dinosaur displays in Crystal Palace and had visited the site several times .
• They lived in England between 166.1 and 168.3 million years ago • Charles Dickens imagined meeting a Megalosaurus on the muddy streets of London in the opening lines of Bleak House .
They are also mentioned in Conan Doyle 's Lost World

"I have known of the dinos since I was a little girl living in Croydon. My dad's family were from Penge and he remembers seeing the dinos as a small boy.