bbc--2020-02-13--'I could have been a K-pop idol - but I'm glad I quit'

Achieving fame as a K-pop star involves years of intensive training , and often some plastic surgery .
Euodias is one of the few British hopefuls to have experienced the gruelling life of a K-pop trainee .
Here she describes what it was like , and explains why - after being selected for a girl group - she quit .
I was a child when I made the big move from my home in the north-east of England to South Korea , where I trained for two years to become a K-pop star .
At the time K-pop was largely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ half-Korean and half-Chinese , so I started watching South Korean TV dramas like Boys Over Flowers and Playful Kiss - and then fell in love with K-pop and the whole culture .
While my classmates were crazy about Britney Spears and the Backstreet Boys , I was also listening to Wonder Girls and B2ST .
My burning ambition was to become an actor and perform .
One way of doing that in South Korea is to become an `` idol '' , which means someone who does everything : model , act , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like a route to achieving my dreams .
From the age of 10 , I auditioned for various companies in the hope that one of them would sign me up .
Often this meant sending a self-shot video of myself .
Sometimes I skipped school to film an audition tape , which made my mum really mad .
Then , on a family trip to visit my grandma in Seoul , I got to go to a huge audition with more than 2,000 other hopefuls .
We were kept in a vast waiting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Britain 's Got Talent , except there were no chairs .
So we sat on the floor in rows of 10 .
After a six-hour wait , it was my row 's turn .
My heart was beating so fast as we were called forward one-by-one .
When the first girl sang , the judge barked `` Stop .
Next ! ''
before she got to the chorus of her song .
Nearly everyone got the same treatment .
When it was my turn , I performed a monologue from a Korean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ halfway through .
`` We 're looking for singers , '' he said .
`` So will you sing ? ''
I had n't prepared a song , but I had a go at doing A Whole New World from Disney 's Aladdin .
The judge halted me and asked to see me dance .
I had n't prepared for that either , and felt like an idiot .
So they put on a dance track and I did some freestyling .
After conferring with assistants , the judge gave me a yellow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the next stage .
I was directed to a room where I was asked to walk along a line taped on the floor , and my face was photographed from different angles to see how I would look on camera .
Within days , I was asked to come back with a parent to discuss a contract .
Under the terms of the contract , I would leave my family and move to South Korea to live and train at the company .
The company could get rid of me at any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was good enough .
But if I chose to leave before the contract was up , I would have to repay the full cost of my training , which would run into thousands of dollars .
Mum reluctantly signed a two-year contract - the shortest they offered - on my behalf .
After the meeting we had an argument and mum did n't talk to me for a month .
Soon after I started as a trainee , the entertainment company that had signed me up transferred my contract to another firm .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't get any say in the matter .
My new company was strict .
I had to live in their building with the other trainees who were all aged between nine and 16 .
The sexes were separated .
We only left the building to attend our normal school lessons .
Korean trainees went to local state schools but because I was British I went to an international school .
Other than that we were n't allowed out without permission , which was usually refused .
If parents wanted to visit they had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who turned up without notice were turned away .
On a typical day we trainees would wake up at 5am to get in some extra dance practice before school started at 8am .
When the school day ended we would return to the company to be trained in singing and dancing .
Trainees would stay up practising until 11pm or later , in an attempt to impress instructors .
At night we were left to look after ourselves .
We had a strict curfew to make sure we 'd be back in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
• Gangnam : The scandal rocking the playground of K-pop Dating was banned , though some secretly did .
Trainees were all supposed to act straight even if they were n't .
Anybody who appeared to be openly gay was ostracised by the company .
Both male and female trainees would have `` managers '' - uncle-type figures who would text us at night to keep tabs on us .
If we did n't text back , then we would immediately get a phone call , asking where we were .
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ holidays .
On national holidays like the Lunar New Year , trainees would remain in the company building while staff took the day off .
The company sorted us into two main groups , kind of like a Team A and Team B. I was one of the 20 to 30 members of Team A - we were thought to have the most potential .
Team B had around 200 trainees .
Some of them had even had to pay their way into the company .
They could train for years and years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` debut '' - the word used when someone is launched as a K-pop performer .
Team A trainees slept in dorms with four girls to a bedroom .
The regular trainees would sleep together in a huge room and had to make do with mats on a wooden floor .
I saw exhausted Team B trainees sleep in the dance studios after training , because the mats there were just like the ones in their dorms .
I only ever saw one Team B trainee get promoted to Team A .
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about something they might be threatened with being thrown out or moved to Team B .
But generally nobody complained .
We were all really young and ambitious .
The company 's attitude was that everything we experienced was part of learning the discipline needed to be a K-pop idol .
So we just accepted everything .
Inside the company building , we did n't use our own names , except with other trainees .
We were each given a number and a stage name in keeping with the sort of character they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ given the name Dia , but our instructors would only ever call us by our numbers , which they read from stickers on our shirts .
It felt weird , a bit like we were in some sort of science experiment .
I knew I had the attributes to be a successful idol .
The company favoured me , because I am very small - instructors constantly praised me for being petite .
Do n't get me wrong , I love eating , but I 'm lucky to have a high metabolism and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was the constant obsession of everyone there .
Everyone was required to be no heavier than 47kg ( 7st 6lb or 104lb ) regardless of their age or height .
At weekly weigh-ins , your body would be analysed by the trainer , and then they announced your weight to everyone in the room .
If you were over the designated weight , then they would ration your food .
Sometimes they would even take away entire meals and those `` overweight '' trainees would just be given water .
If you need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support is available from BBC Action Line I thought that was really harsh because some of those girls could n't help being tall .
Starving yourself was really normalised .
Some trainees were anorexic or bulimic , and many of the girls did n't have periods .
It was common to pass out from exhaustion .
Often we had to help carry unconscious trainees back to the dorms .
I passed out twice during dance practice , probably because I was dehydrated or had n't eaten enough .
I woke up in bed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The attitude among the trainees after that was like , `` Good for her !
She wants it so much ! ''
Looking back on it now , I think it was really disgusting .
I found that I did n't really have good friends there , everyone was more like a colleague .
The environment was way too tense and competitive to forge real friendships .
The stressful atmosphere was heightened by the monthly showcase events .
Each trainee would perform in front of everyone and be evaluated by the instructors .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ good grade , then they would be kicked out immediately .
They would be replaced by a constant stream of new arrivals .
What was even more intimidating was that some of the new trainees had already had plastic surgery done , so they already looked more like K-pop stars than the rest of us .
There was also bullying going on among the trainees .
One girl was picked on because she was over the maximum weight .
Another trainee who was a good dancer had his dance shoes stolen .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but I could n't really keep in touch with them as instructors made us hand in our phones so we would focus on our training .
The company also wanted to make trainees seem more mysterious before they debuted , and did n't want us posting anything embarrassing on social media .
We could get our phones back for 15 minutes at night , and I would use that time to call my mum .
But most trainees also secretly kept a second phone .
My parents knew that training was difficult , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could do because I was under a contract and they were so far away .
Most of the Korean trainees would n't tell their parents anything at all because they did n't want them to worry .
What kept me going was the belief that I would eventually debut as a member of a group .
However , the company only had spots for fewer than half of the members of Team A .
We competed for them through constant examinations in singing , dancing , and interviews .
K-pop groups are typically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , dancer , rapper , youngest member , etc .
Everyone has a specific role .
I was delighted when they told me I had been picked to be a lead singer .
But then the company said they were considering me for an alternative role in the group , the visual .
The visual is the face of the group .
You get picked for this because of your appearance , and crucially , how you might look in the future .
Another girl was in competition with me for this spot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me , but the company predicted that if I got plastic surgery I would end up prettier than her and would then be ready to be the visual .
By Korean standards I have a very big face , so they wanted to change the bridge of my nose and shave my jawline .
The company could n't force a trainee to have plastic surgery , but it was strongly encouraged .
Plastic surgery is very normal in South Korea and the prospect of having surgery did n't bother me at all .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ my future - the cost of the operation would have been added to my debt to the company .
But my mum had mixed feelings , she realised it meant I would be closer to becoming an idol , but she was also worried for me .
When the company told me that I was being lined up for the visual spot , I was so happy .
They told me that I was going to be a K-pop star , and that 's really amazing to hear , especially when you 're @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people .
As time went on , the company started to tell us more about what the group was going to be like .
They told us the music genre , the style that we would have , and I started feeling iffy about the whole thing .
I learned about the character behind my stage name , Dia .
She was supposed to be very reserved , sweet , and innocent .
As the visual , I would be expected to personify those characteristics .
But Dia just was n't me .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ doubted I would be able to keep up this docile personality in public .
I thought it might just be worth it if it led to me becoming an actor .
But when I tried talking to the company about my ambitions the response was : `` No , we think you 'll fit better with this girl group . ''
Someone senior there told me that as I was half-Korean , if I pursued an acting career then the best I could hope for was a supporting role on a TV show @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before my group was due to be launched - and I said that I wanted out .
It 's really unusual to walk away , most trainees want the dream so badly that they 'll agree to anything .
Despite my refusal , I parted on good terms with the company .
Because I left when I did , I had no debts to pay off , I had fulfilled my part of the contract .
If I had stayed and debuted with the group then I would have been charged for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and for any plastic surgery .
Even successful acts have to continue working to pay off all the debt incurred during training , and the new debt that builds up when you 're an idol .
It 's actually really difficult to make money by being a K-pop star .
I returned to England without having had any plastic surgery and was reunited with my old friends .
I was able to sit my exams with everyone else .
I went on to do an art foundation course and then got a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I 'm really fortunate because so many trainees get dropped at 18 , or finish their contracts when they 're 21 and feel lost .
They gave up everything to try to be a K-pop idol , but that 's ended and they find themselves with no qualifications .
My mum was so happy that I was back .
She always believed training was n't the right thing for me .
But she knew I had to find that out for myself .
I had to go the long way round , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right .
When I see videos of the group I was to have been in , I feel relieved that it is n't me up there on stage .
The whole thing feels fake to me , as I know those girls personally , and the way they have to behave in public is not what they are like in real life .
I 'm not really thinking about pursuing acting at the moment , except perhaps as a hobby .
Instead I have a career as a YouTuber .
I 've realised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ love making videos for my channel .
I find I 'm applying a lot of what I learned in my K-pop training .
I feel liberated because I control everything , from planning to filming to editing .
The more I think about it , the more I think I made the right decision .
Since Euodias underwent her training the South Korean Free Trade Commission has introduced regulations to ban some unfair practices in contracts between K-pop trainees and entertainment companies .
You may also be interested in : The Oscar-winning film @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a poor South Korean family living in a tiny , dark semi-basement , and a wealthy family living in a glamorous home in Seoul .
But while it is a work of fiction , the apartment is not .
They 're called banjiha , and thousands of people live in them in South Korea 's capital , Seoul .

I went on to do an art foundation course and then got a place at a fashion school in France. I'm really fortunate because so many trainees get dropped at 18, or finish their contracts when they're 21 and feel lost. They gave up everything to try to be a K-pop idol, but that's ended and they find themselves with no qualifications.


bbc--2020-02-13--Afghan sports coach says she will flee after dog shot dead

Sahba Barakzai , her family and seven-month-old husky Aseman , tried to get out into the mountains near their home in western Afghanistan every Friday .
But last Friday , the hike turned to tragedy after an unidentified group of men approached the family and shot Sahba 's beloved puppy dead .
The attackers told her a woman could not own a dog .
But Sabha fears this may have been something more - that it may have been to do with her teaching girls sport .
`` We still do n't know about their goal but we think it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her sister Setayesh told the BBC .
`` She was the first woman who has her own club and these things are taboo . ''
• The woman who dares to run a feminist radio station in Afghanistan Sahba was used to threats - she had been teaching karate to children in Herat , Afghanistan 's third largest city , for 10 years .
She had also set up a cycling club for teenage and young girls - a very public sport in a country where , less than two decades ago , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , working or even leaving the house without a male chaperone .
It is , Setayesh says , still taboo for girls to ride bikes in Herat and some of the community initially reacted aggressively , but her sister was determined to persist .
`` The main inspiration was the situation of women in Herat because she herself is an active person in community , '' Setayesh explained .
`` [ Our parents ] were completely worried because her life is in danger - and we saw by our own eyes last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tragedy has left them all shaken .
Sahba had set out with her father and two sisters , including Setayesh , along with Aseman .
The Siberian husky , whose name means `` sky '' , a nod to her blue eyes , had only joined the family a few months earlier , but was clearly much loved .
Pictures show her playing in the snow , cuddling up to children at the club and walking with Sahba in the hills - just like they were on Friday .
`` We were just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Sahba told the BBC .
`` We go there almost every week but that time was different . ''
About two hours into the hike , a man looking like a shepherd approached the group and shot at Aseman .
`` I shouted and ran towards Aseman and requested the man not to fire , '' Sahba told Afghan news agency Khaama .
`` The gunman did not care , and shot four bullets in Aseman 's chest . ''
The shots were fatal : sobbing , Sahba took Aseman in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the car .
But then the gunman , who had been joined by several other men , fired another shot , and demanded she put the dog down and leave her body with them .
As a woman , he told Sahba , she had no right to keep a dog .
The family had no choice but to leave Aseman with the men , and flee .
They do n't know who the men were , or why they were targeted .
Reporting it to the police , Sahba said , would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will happen , '' she told Khaama .
`` Dozens of human beings are killed every day in the country and no one feels responsibility . ''
The attack has left the entire family shocked , Setayesh said .
`` We were really scared .
I have never been to such kind of situation before - that was a terrifying memory for all of us . ''
But it has left an especially deep wound in Sahba , who decided to shut down her sports clubs - a huge loss for her community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ border , into neighbouring Iran , where she hopes she will be safer .
`` Aseman was just like Sabha 's daughter , '' Setayesh explained .
Sahba , meanwhile , is trying to pick herself up as she grieves the loss .
`` The day that I brought Aseman , I googled that how many years a dog can live and realised every dog can live about 14 years and even more , '' she said .
`` I got upset when I knew Aseman can live just for 14 years with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that my sweetie Aseman would live just for seven months and then be killed . ''
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The Siberian husky, whose name means "sky", a nod to her blue eyes, had only joined the family a few months earlier, but was clearly much loved. Pictures show her playing in the snow, cuddling up to children at the club and walking with Sahba in the hills - just like they were on Friday.


bbc--2020-02-12--Wasteful England lose T20 to South Africa by one run

England threw away the opportunity to defeat South Africa in the first Twenty20 international , losing a dramatic contest by one run in East London .
The tourists needed three from the final delivery of the match , but Adil Rashid could only manage a single .
England were cantering to their target of 178 as Jason Roy plundered 70 from 38 balls , only for his dismissal to spark South Africa 's resurgence .
Even then , Eoin Morgan 's 52 meant England needed just seven from the final over , yet the brilliant Lungi Ngidi had Tom Curran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ali .
Rashid was asked to be the hero from the only ball he faced , but an inside edge to mid-wicket meant he was run out coming back for a second run which would have forced a super over .
It was cruel on Rashid who , along with fellow spinner Moeen , earlier helped England recover from a dreadful start with the ball and in the field to limit South Africa to 177-8 on a superb batting pitch .
The second in the three-match series is in Durban on Friday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ road to the T20 World Cup in Australia in October and November and , unlike the experimental line-up used during the drawn one-day series , captain Morgan has promised his team will be at its strongest throughout these matches .
What Morgan saw was a side who began terribly , fought back admirably , gained complete control , then threw it all away .
After choosing to field first , the tourists were facing the prospect of an enormous chase as their pace bowlers were flayed , catches went down , the ground @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wasted .
South Africa reached 97-1 from nine overs , only for England to improve to take 7-80 in the final 11 overs and 4-8 in the last two , leaving the Proteas with a total that seemed no better than par .
When Roy was in full flow , the chase was set to be complete with time to spare , but he became the first in a string of batsmen to be complicit in their own downfall , coinciding with the excellent death bowling of Ngidi .
England first stalled , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ steal a game they had almost no right to win .
Even as they were carried to the 50-over World Cup by a power-packed batting line-up last July , England were still capable of an aberration , and fell to this defeat in six overs of madness .
Roy had taken left-arm spinner JJ Smuts for 22 in a single over on the way to a 22-ball half-century , sharing stands of 72 with Jonny Bairstow and 42 with Morgan .
However , he helped an innocuous Beuran Hendricks slower ball to short @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ben Stokes holing out in the next three overs .
With 23 needed from 12 balls , Morgan took control .
Hendricks was hit for 14 from three deliveries , only for the captain to hit the last ball of the 19th over straight to long-on .
England were still favourites , especially when Curran shovelled Ngidi for a couple to make the target five from five .
However , he targeted the leg-side fence needlessly and was caught , and Moeen swung , nudged and ultimately missed to be bowled , leaving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to .
Moeen and Rashid prove their worth again Though they would later come up short with the bat , off-spinner Moeen and leg-spinner Rashid - who this week each reiterated their unavailability to England 's Test side - once again proved how integral they are to Morgan 's white-ball teams .
Using variations of line , length and pace , they returned a combined 2-45 from their eight overs .
Even then , the numbers only tell part of the story .
Moeen bowled three of his overs in the powerplay , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Roy and Denly each dropped catches .
While Moeen and Rashid were twirling away , pace bowlers Curran , Mark Wood and Chris Jordan were being flayed by Temba Bavuma 's 43 , and each of Quinton de Kock and Rassie van der Dussen , who both made 31 .
As usual , it took the arrival of Stokes to inspire England , with the talismanic all-rounder paving the way for Jordan and Wood to make impressive returns .
However , it would prove to be not enough .
In a game decided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were not only punished for their batting collapse , but also their slow start with the ball and in the field .
'We have to improve' England captain Eoin Morgan told the TMS podcast : `` We have to improve how we played the end of the chase .
At the halfway stage we talked about how South Africa batsmen coming in struggled to hit the ball .
We 'll talk about that over the next 24 hours and hopefully get an answer and a clear mindset going into Durban . ''
South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3-30 in four overs : `` I did n't panic under pressure .
One of their best batsmen was in and they seemed to be cruising the game .
I was told my job was to take wickets and that 's all I wanted to do . ''
South Africa captain Quinton de Kock : `` It was very tight , but we knew that halfway through .
We had to keep to our basics and we could end up winning .
We knew this wicket gets slow and is tough to bat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We 'll enjoy it tonight but the planning for the second game in the series starts tomorrow and we want to be ruthless . ''

This was the first time that England have lost a Twenty20 international by one run
First Twenty20 international, East London South Africa 177-8 (20 overs): Bavuma 43; Jordan 2-28 England 176-9 (20 overs): Roy 70; Ngidi 3-30 South Africa won by one run Scorecard
England threw away the opportunity to defeat South Africa in the first Twenty20 international, losing a dramatic contest by one run in East London.
The tourists needed three from the final delivery of the match, but Adil Rashid could only manage a single.
England were cantering to their target of 178 as Jason Roy plundered 70 from 38 balls, only for his dismissal to spark South Africa's resurgence.
Even then, Eoin Morgan's 52 meant England needed just seven from the final over, yet the brilliant Lungi Ngidi had Tom Curran caught at deep mid-wicket and bowled Moeen Ali.
Rashid was asked to be the hero from the only ball he faced, but an inside edge to mid-wicket meant he was run out coming back for a second run which would have forced a super over.
It was cruel on Rashid who, along with fellow spinner Moeen, earlier helped England recover from a dreadful start with the ball and in the field to limit South Africa to 177-8 on a superb batting pitch.
The second in the three-match series is in Durban on Friday.
England fluff their lines
This is the start of England's road to the T20 World Cup in Australia in October and November and, unlike the experimental line-up used during the drawn one-day series, captain Morgan has promised his team will be at its strongest throughout these matches.
What Morgan saw was a side who began terribly, fought back admirably, gained complete control, then threw it all away.
After choosing to field first, the tourists were facing the prospect of an enormous chase as their pace bowlers were flayed, catches went down, the ground fielding was untidy and the sole review wasted.
South Africa reached 97-1 from nine overs, only for England to improve to take 7-80 in the final 11 overs and 4-8 in the last two, leaving the Proteas with a total that seemed no better than par.
When Roy was in full flow, the chase was set to be complete with time to spare, but he became the first in a string of batsmen to be complicit in their own downfall, coinciding with the excellent death bowling of Ngidi.
England first stalled, then panicked, allowing South Africa to steal a game they had almost no right to win.
Six overs seal tourists' fate
Even as they were carried to the 50-over World Cup by a power-packed batting line-up last July, England were still capable of an aberration, and fell to this defeat in six overs of madness.
Roy had taken left-arm spinner JJ Smuts for 22 in a single over on the way to a 22-ball half-century, sharing stands of 72 with Jonny Bairstow and 42 with Morgan.
However, he helped an innocuous Beuran Hendricks slower ball to short fine leg, with Joe Denly and Ben Stokes holing out in the next three overs.
With 23 needed from 12 balls, Morgan took control. Hendricks was hit for 14 from three deliveries, only for the captain to hit the last ball of the 19th over straight to long-on.
England were still favourites, especially when Curran shovelled Ngidi for a couple to make the target five from five.
However, he targeted the leg-side fence needlessly and was caught, and Moeen swung, nudged and ultimately missed to be bowled, leaving Rashid a task he was not up to.
Lungi Ngidi took three wickets and conceded only 10 runs from the 18th and 20th overs
Moeen and Rashid prove their worth again
Though they would later come up short with the bat, off-spinner Moeen and leg-spinner Rashid - who this week each reiterated their unavailability to England's Test side - once again proved how integral they are to Morgan's white-ball teams.
Using variations of line, length and pace, they returned a combined 2-45 from their eight overs. Even then, the numbers only tell part of the story. Moeen bowled three of his overs in the powerplay, while Rashid was the unfortunate bowler when Roy and Denly each dropped catches.
While Moeen and Rashid were twirling away, pace bowlers Curran, Mark Wood and Chris Jordan were being flayed by Temba Bavuma's 43, and each of Quinton de Kock and Rassie van der Dussen, who both made 31.
As usual, it took the arrival of Stokes to inspire England, with the talismanic all-rounder paving the way for Jordan and Wood to make impressive returns.
However, it would prove to be not enough. In a game decided by the tightest of margins, England were not only punished for their batting collapse, but also their slow start with the ball and in the field.
'We have to improve'
England captain Eoin Morgan told the TMS podcast: "We have to improve how we played the end of the chase. At the halfway stage we talked about how South Africa batsmen coming in struggled to hit the ball. We'll talk about that over the next 24 hours and hopefully get an answer and a clear mindset going into Durban."
South Africa's Lungi Ngidi, who took 3-30 in four overs: "I didn't panic under pressure. One of their best batsmen was in and they seemed to be cruising the game. I was told my job was to take wickets and that's all I wanted to do."
South Africa captain Quinton de Kock: "It was very tight, but we knew that halfway through. We had to keep to our basics and we could end up winning. We knew this wicket gets slow and is tough to bat on in the last five overs. We'll enjoy it tonight but the planning for the second game in the series starts tomorrow and we want to be ruthless."


bbc--2020-02-12--April's Chinese Grand Prix postponed because of coronavirus

The Chinese Grand Prix has been postponed as a result of the coronavirus outbreak .
The FIA , Formula 1 's governing body , has accepted a request from Chinese organisers to postpone the Shanghai race , due to take place on 19 April .
In a statement , it added all parties would take the `` appropriate amount of time '' to discuss potential new dates .
The decision has been made to `` ensure the health and safety '' of drivers , staff and fans .
`` The Chinese Grand Prix has long been an important part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' the statement continued .
`` The FIA F1 community looks forward to racing in China as soon as possible and wishes everyone in the country the best during this difficult time . ''
• China and the virus that threatens everything F1 managing director Ross Brawn has previously said there would be efforts to reschedule the race if it could not be held on its original date .
`` We will leave open the opportunity to see if the race can run later in the year , '' he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ move and that 's a major consideration and a major concern .
It would be pretty stressful for the teams to fit it in but I do n't think any of us want to lose the Chinese Grand Prix . ''
Brawn added that the inaugural Vietnam Grand Prix is scheduled to go ahead on 5 April .
The last time a race was postponed was 2011 , when the Bahrain Grand Prix was affected by the Arab Spring uprisings .
The initial intention then was to run the race later in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the end the race was cancelled .
There have now been more than 40,000 cases of the new coronavirus strain worldwide , and it has been declared a global health emergency .
The death toll in China stands at 1,016 .
Earlier this month , sports authorities in Shanghai recommended the suspension of all sporting events in the city .
The Shanghai Sports General Association instructed sports bodies to suspend events until the threat from the virus was over .
They were told to `` formulate a plan for epidemic prevention to avoid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a daily hygiene management system and strengthen health education to urge employees to protect themselves '' .
The virus outbreak has already led to the cancellation of a number of sporting events in China , including the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing , scheduled for 13-15 March , and a race of the all-electric Formula E series in Sanya the following weekend .
Olympic organisers also say they are `` seriously concerned '' about the spread of coronavirus and the impact it could have on the Tokyo Games in Japan this July @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grand prix was an inevitability and Formula 1 was just waiting for the official request from the race organisers to push the button on it .
The FIA has said it will look at `` potential alternative dates '' later in the year - but even assuming the virus outbreak becomes more under control , the chances of the race happening this year are slim .
Firstly , there is the open-ended question of when holding a major international sporting event in China will be considered safe again .
Beyond that , there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the fact that the teams have to agree to any rescheduled date .
F1 has already suggested to the teams the idea of running China the week after the Hungarian Grand Prix , which would mean a date of 9 August and cut into the sport 's summer break .
The teams have rejected this idea .
Once F1 returns at the Belgian Grand Prix , there are nine races in 14 weeks to the end of the season .
Slotting in China between Italy and Singapore on 13 September would mean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weekends .
Between Russia and Japan on 4 October , Japan and the USA on 18 October , or Mexico and Brazil on 8 November would in each case mean four consecutive race weekends ( not to mention , on the last of those , the questionable practicalities of flying to Asia between two events in the Americas ) ; and between Brazil and Abu Dhabi on 22 November three consecutive races to end the season .
The teams are unlikely to agree to any of these , given the expense and disruption @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the season into December would be equally unpopular .
As a result , F1 's record 22-race season looks like it will have to wait at least another year .

Last updated on .From the section Formula 1
The Chinese Grand Prix was due to take place on 19 April
The Chinese Grand Prix has been postponed as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.
The FIA, Formula 1's governing body, has accepted a request from Chinese organisers to postpone the Shanghai race, due to take place on 19 April.
In a statement, it added all parties would take the "appropriate amount of time" to discuss potential new dates.
The decision has been made to "ensure the health and safety" of drivers, staff and fans.
"The Chinese Grand Prix has long been an important part of the F1 calendar with many passionate fans," the statement continued.
"The FIA F1 community looks forward to racing in China as soon as possible and wishes everyone in the country the best during this difficult time."
F1 managing director Ross Brawn has previously said there would be efforts to reschedule the race if it could not be held on its original date.
"We will leave open the opportunity to see if the race can run later in the year," he said.
"It might need another race to move and that's a major consideration and a major concern. It would be pretty stressful for the teams to fit it in but I don't think any of us want to lose the Chinese Grand Prix."
Brawn added that the inaugural Vietnam Grand Prix is scheduled to go ahead on 5 April.
The last time a race was postponed was 2011, when the Bahrain Grand Prix was affected by the Arab Spring uprisings.
The initial intention then was to run the race later in the year but the teams objected and in the end the race was cancelled.
There have now been more than 40,000 cases of the new coronavirus strain worldwide, and it has been declared a global health emergency.
The death toll in China stands at 1,016.
Earlier this month, sports authorities in Shanghai recommended the suspension of all sporting events in the city.
The Shanghai Sports General Association instructed sports bodies to suspend events until the threat from the virus was over.
They were told to "formulate a plan for epidemic prevention to avoid internal infections" and to "implement a daily hygiene management system and strengthen health education to urge employees to protect themselves".
The virus outbreak has already led to the cancellation of a number of sporting events in China, including the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing, scheduled for 13-15 March, and a race of the all-electric Formula E series in Sanya the following weekend.
Olympic organisers also say they are "seriously concerned" about the spread of coronavirus and the impact it could have on the Tokyo Games in Japan this July and August.
'Slim' chance of race happening this year - analysis
Andrew Benson, chief F1 writer
The postponement of the grand prix was an inevitability and Formula 1 was just waiting for the official request from the race organisers to push the button on it.
The FIA has said it will look at "potential alternative dates" later in the year - but even assuming the virus outbreak becomes more under control, the chances of the race happening this year are slim.
Firstly, there is the open-ended question of when holding a major international sporting event in China will be considered safe again.
Beyond that, there is the congestion of the F1 calendar and the fact that the teams have to agree to any rescheduled date.
F1 has already suggested to the teams the idea of running China the week after the Hungarian Grand Prix, which would mean a date of 9 August and cut into the sport's summer break. The teams have rejected this idea.
Once F1 returns at the Belgian Grand Prix, there are nine races in 14 weeks to the end of the season.
Slotting in China between Italy and Singapore on 13 September would mean a run of five races on consecutive weekends.
Between Russia and Japan on 4 October, Japan and the USA on 18 October, or Mexico and Brazil on 8 November would in each case mean four consecutive race weekends (not to mention, on the last of those, the questionable practicalities of flying to Asia between two events in the Americas); and between Brazil and Abu Dhabi on 22 November three consecutive races to end the season.
The teams are unlikely to agree to any of these, given the expense and disruption involved - and a date that extends the season into December would be equally unpopular.
As a result, F1's record 22-race season looks like it will have to wait at least another year.


bbc--2020-02-12--Chelsea in advanced talks to sign Ajax winger Ziyech for £38m

Chelsea are in advanced talks to sign Ajax winger Hakim Ziyech this summer in a £38m deal that is likely to be announced in the coming days .
The 26-year-old was a January transfer target for Chelsea boss Frank Lampard .
But the Dutch club were unwilling to sell in the transfer window as they chase the Eredevisie title .
The signing of the Morocco international would be the first by Lampard following Chelsea 's transfer window ban .
Chelsea were linked with a number of signings in the January window including Paris St-Germain forward Edinson Cavani and Napoli striker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ frustration with a lack of new arrivals is understood to have stemmed from clubs refusing to sell rather than any problems with Chelsea 's recruitment strategy .
Ziyech contributed to a memorable Ajax goal against Chelsea in the 4-4 draw in their Champions League group game in November .
The winger 's free-kick from near the corner flag , curled over Kepa Arrizabalaga 's head and hit the far post before rebounding in off the Chelsea goalkeeper for an own goal .
Ziyech played the final 10 minutes of Ajax 's 3-0 win @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday , as he returned from a calf injury .
After the game , Ajax boss Erik ten Hag said : `` I am not surprised by the news about Ziyech .
I know that our players are very popular with the big clubs in Europe .
That is just great .
`` I have known for a long time what Hakim wants .
He has a picture in mind .
He knows exactly which clubs he finds interesting and which not .
Chelsea is a fantastic club .
When it is final @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and I am very proud of it . ''

Last updated on .From the section Chelsea
Hakim Ziyech has been directly involved in 166 goals - scoring 79, assisting 87 - since his Eredivisie debut in 2012
Chelsea are in advanced talks to sign Ajax winger Hakim Ziyech this summer in a £38m deal that is likely to be announced in the coming days.
The 26-year-old was a January transfer target for Chelsea boss Frank Lampard.
But the Dutch club were unwilling to sell in the transfer window as they chase the Eredevisie title.
The signing of the Morocco international would be the first by Lampard following Chelsea's transfer window ban.
Chelsea were linked with a number of signings in the January window including Paris St-Germain forward Edinson Cavani and Napoli striker Dries Mertens.
But Lampard's apparent frustration with a lack of new arrivals is understood to have stemmed from clubs refusing to sell rather than any problems with Chelsea's recruitment strategy.
Ziyech contributed to a memorable Ajax goal against Chelsea in the 4-4 draw in their Champions League group game in November.
The winger's free-kick from near the corner flag, curled over Kepa Arrizabalaga's head and hit the far post before rebounding in off the Chelsea goalkeeper for an own goal.
Ziyech played the final 10 minutes of Ajax's 3-0 win against Vitesse in the Dutch Cup on Wednesday, as he returned from a calf injury.
After the game, Ajax boss Erik ten Hag said: external-link "I am not surprised by the news about Ziyech. I know that our players are very popular with the big clubs in Europe. That is just great.
"I have known for a long time what Hakim wants. He has a picture in mind. He knows exactly which clubs he finds interesting and which not. Chelsea is a fantastic club. When it is final, I am very happy for Hakim, and I am very proud of it."


bbc--2020-02-12--Hamilton 'physically & mentally on another level' for new season

Lewis Hamilton says he feels `` physically and mentally on another level this year '' after a successful pre-season training programme .
The six-time world champion 's comments came in an online message to fans before the debut of his new Mercedes later this week .
Hamilton , 35 , is aiming to win a seventh world title this season .
He said last week that he was five kilograms lighter than his 2019 starting weight .
He added his training had been `` different '' and that he had had `` an incredible winter '' , including valuable time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world title would bring him level with all-time record holder Michael Schumacher .
And if he keeps up his win average of 10 a season since 2014 , he will surpass Schumacher 's record of 91 Grand Prix victories .
But in a video message posted on Twitter by Mercedes , Hamilton said he was not taking anything for granted .
`` I know you guys are all gunning for number seven , but we have to just take it one step at a time , '' he said .
`` We have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stand compared to everybody else so we just have to try and be more efficient in our test programme as we have less time and we still have lot of work to do . ''
In his own personal Twitter post last week , Hamilton posted a picture of himself bare-chested and said : `` Last year I arrived into testing with a lot of water weight and around 78kg .
This year , I 'm at a better weight of 73kg .
Still have more fat to burn off and more muscle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' The Mercedes runs for the first time at Silverstone on Friday in a private test and pre-season testing starts on 19 February .
The number of days of testing before the first race in Australia on 15 March has been cut from eight to six this year .
Hamilton said : `` We just have to try and be more efficient in our test programme as we have less time and we still have a lot of work to do . ''

Hamilton is aiming to win a seventh world title, which would bring him level with all-time record holder Michael Schumacher
Lewis Hamilton says he feels "physically and mentally on another level this year" after a successful pre-season training programme.
The six-time world champion's comments came in an online message to fans before the debut of his new Mercedes later this week.
Hamilton, 35, is aiming to win a seventh world title this season.
He said last week that he was five kilograms lighter than his 2019 starting weight.
He added his training had been "different" and that he had had "an incredible winter", including valuable time with his family.
Winning a seventh world title would bring him level with all-time record holder Michael Schumacher.
And if he keeps up his win average of 10 a season since 2014, he will surpass Schumacher's record of 91 Grand Prix victories.
But in a video message posted on Twitter external-link by Mercedes, Hamilton said he was not taking anything for granted.
"I know you guys are all gunning for number seven, but we have to just take it one step at a time," he said.
"We have no idea where we are going to stand compared to everybody else so we just have to try and be more efficient in our test programme as we have less time and we still have lot of work to do."
In his own personal Twitter post external-link last week, Hamilton posted a picture of himself bare-chested and said: "Last year I arrived into testing with a lot of water weight and around 78kg. This year, I'm at a better weight of 73kg. Still have more fat to burn off and more muscle to add but on the way."
The Mercedes runs for the first time at Silverstone on Friday in a private test and pre-season testing starts on 19 February.
The number of days of testing before the first race in Australia on 15 March has been cut from eight to six this year.
Hamilton said: "We just have to try and be more efficient in our test programme as we have less time and we still have a lot of work to do."


bbc--2020-02-12--PSG into French Cup semi-finals with easy win at Dijon

Paris St-Germain extended their unbeaten run to 22 matches in all competitions as they hammered Dijon to reach the French Cup semi-finals .
Dijon held out for 47 seconds before Wesley Lautoa scored an own goal , though Mounir Chouiar did equalise .
Edinson Cavani had a goal ruled out by VAR but Kylian Mbappe lashed home and Thiago Silva headed in a third .
Pablo Sarabia scored from two Mbappe crosses and Senou Coulibaly scored another own goal in a thumping finale .
Forward Neymar was missing as as he recovers from a rib injury , with coach Thomas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brazilian could be a doubt for next week 's Champions League game against Borussia Dortmund .
`` I can not say 100 % that he will be able to play against Dortmund , '' Tuchel said .
`` I do n't know - we will discuss and decide on Friday , as late as possible if he can play on Saturday against Amiens .
We can not risk his health .
`` The risk was too great to take him for this game , even if it will decrease every day . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ penalties to Rennes but won the four previous titles and are again within striking distance of the trophy .
Rennes reached the last four with a 3-0 win at fourth division side ASM Belfort on Tuesday , while Lyon beat Marseille 1-0 .
SAS Espinal , also of the fourth tier , host Saint-Etienne in the final quarter final on Thursday .

Last updated on .From the section European Football
Kylian Mbappe has scored 24 goals in 28 appearances for PSG this season
Paris St-Germain extended their unbeaten run to 22 matches in all competitions as they hammered Dijon to reach the French Cup semi-finals.
Dijon held out for 47 seconds before Wesley Lautoa scored an own goal, though Mounir Chouiar did equalise.
Edinson Cavani had a goal ruled out by VAR but Kylian Mbappe lashed home and Thiago Silva headed in a third.
Pablo Sarabia scored from two Mbappe crosses and Senou Coulibaly scored another own goal in a thumping finale.
Forward Neymar was missing as as he recovers from a rib injury, with coach Thomas Tuchel admitting after the game that the Brazilian could be a doubt for next week's Champions League game against Borussia Dortmund.
"I cannot say 100% that he will be able to play against Dortmund," Tuchel said.
"I don't know - we will discuss and decide on Friday, as late as possible if he can play on Saturday against Amiens. We cannot risk his health.
"The risk was too great to take him for this game, even if it will decrease every day."
PSG lost last year's final on penalties to Rennes but won the four previous titles and are again within striking distance of the trophy.
Rennes reached the last four with a 3-0 win at fourth division side ASM Belfort on Tuesday, while Lyon beat Marseille 1-0.
SAS Espinal, also of the fourth tier, host Saint-Etienne in the final quarter final on Thursday.


bbc--2020-02-12--Celtic open 10-point lead after thrashing Hearts

Celtic took a significant step towards a ninth title in a row after thumping Hearts to move 10 points clear in the Scottish Premiership .
Neil Lennon 's side stretched their winning run since the winter break to eight - and 17 in 18 league games - while Rangers lost at Kilmarnock .
Olivier Ntcham opened the scoring , and that lead was doubled seconds after the break by Christopher Jullien 's header .
Goals by Callum McGregor , Ryan Christie and Jozo Simunovic added further gloss .
Rangers have played one game fewer but now find themselves further behind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Hearts carved out some good chances themselves , but Fraser Forster denied Jamie Walker on multiple occasions to maintain his clean sheet , and substitute Marcel Langer was shown a late red card .
Daniel Stendel 's side remain one point behind Hamilton Academical at the foot of the table , and host the Lanarkshire club on Saturday .
In the end , this was an annihilation and the scoreline could have been much higher .
Celtic are ruthlessly charging to the league title and their supporters know it .
They were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't over but increasingly looks odds-on .
The breakthrough in this one took a little time .
Stendel 's approach could be either interpreted as brave or reckless , but seemed to give Celtic the chance to cut the visitors open , with James Forrest handed numerous chances to punish them .
He did n't , but the opener did come when Odsonne Edouard fired a shot at Joel Pereira , which the goalkeeper simply parried to Ntcham rather than divert wide .
The midfielder finished calmly to reinforce his recent impact .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ they began to create chances with Celtic increasingly sloppy and the formation switch looking effective .
They ought to have been punished though before half-time when Edouard slipped Leigh Griffiths in , but the striker misfired and hit the side netting .
It mattered not on what looks like a decisive occasion .
Things absolutely imploded for Hearts immediately after the break .
Julien rose unchallenged at a corner to power a header home , with Pereira stranded on his line .
The French defender is an imposing figure , who is making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pitch for the champions .
The centre-back they have been crying out for .
Another corner nearly caught Hearts again with both Simunovic then Scott Brown striking the same post .
The third arrived when McGregor drove away from a Hearts midfield that was posted missing .
He regained the ball from Greg Taylor and fired home into the corner .
Celtic 's strength in depth was cemented when Christie came off the bench and bagged his 19th of the season from a tight angle , before Simunovic added another .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ substitute Langer was ordered off after a reckless lunge , with the despair for the Tynecastle side in contrast to the delirium around Celtic Park .
Lennon 's side look utterly relentless .
The games are ticking down and the goals are flowing ominously .
They will take some stopping on this form .
The Celtic crowd certainly think so .
There are so many Celtic players delivering consistently in this magnificent run .
Edouard is often unplayable and links so well with Griffiths .
McGregor is back in the goals , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and as does Jullien from the back .
The mentality , quality and application is evident across the squad as they chalk up win after win .
You could argue numerous cases but McGregor stood out in this game .
His contribution is often overlooked but he is a top operator who offers so much , capped with another goal in what turned into a rout .
Celtic manager Neil Lennon : `` I could n't have asked for any more from the team .
To beat a team as good as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was very pleasing .
There was a relentlessness and a hunger about them in the second half .
`` It gives us a little bit more of a margin to lean on [ after Rangers losing ] .
It 's a long way to go and it could flip at any time .
We 're not counting our chickens and getting carried away .
I 'm just delighted with the performances being put in at the moment . ''
Hearts manager Daniel Stendel : `` We deserved to lose 5-0 .
We played @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have no time to think about this - Saturday is a really important game for us [ against Hamilton ] .
`` It was a hard night for us but we can only look forward .
We hoped to take maybe a point here but with that performance we had no chance .
We will try and stay together .
That is our only chance . ''

Last updated on .From the section Scottish Premiership
Celtic took a significant step towards a ninth title in a row after thumping Hearts to move 10 points clear in the Scottish Premiership.
Neil Lennon's side stretched their winning run since the winter break to eight - and 17 in 18 league games - while Rangers lost at Kilmarnock.
Olivier Ntcham opened the scoring, and that lead was doubled seconds after the break by Christopher Jullien's header.
Goals by Callum McGregor, Ryan Christie and Jozo Simunovic added further gloss.
Rangers have played one game fewer but now find themselves further behind than at any other stage this season.
Hearts carved out some good chances themselves, but Fraser Forster denied Jamie Walker on multiple occasions to maintain his clean sheet, and substitute Marcel Langer was shown a late red card.
Daniel Stendel's side remain one point behind Hamilton Academical at the foot of the table, and host the Lanarkshire club on Saturday.
Celtic ruthlessly charging to title
In the end, this was an annihilation and the scoreline could have been much higher.
Celtic are ruthlessly charging to the league title and their supporters know it. They were delirious as full-time approached. It isn't over but increasingly looks odds-on.
The breakthrough in this one took a little time. Stendel's approach could be either interpreted as brave or reckless, but seemed to give Celtic the chance to cut the visitors open, with James Forrest handed numerous chances to punish them.
He didn't, but the opener did come when Odsonne Edouard fired a shot at Joel Pereira, which the goalkeeper simply parried to Ntcham rather than divert wide. The midfielder finished calmly to reinforce his recent impact.
You feared the worst for Hearts but they began to create chances with Celtic increasingly sloppy and the formation switch looking effective.
They ought to have been punished though before half-time when Edouard slipped Leigh Griffiths in, but the striker misfired and hit the side netting. It mattered not on what looks like a decisive occasion.
Things absolutely imploded for Hearts immediately after the break. Julien rose unchallenged at a corner to power a header home, with Pereira stranded on his line.
The French defender is an imposing figure, who is making a positive contribution at both ends of the pitch for the champions. The centre-back they have been crying out for.
Another corner nearly caught Hearts again with both Simunovic then Scott Brown striking the same post.
The third arrived when McGregor drove away from a Hearts midfield that was posted missing. He regained the ball from Greg Taylor and fired home into the corner.
Celtic's strength in depth was cemented when Christie came off the bench and bagged his 19th of the season from a tight angle, before Simunovic added another.
On a night of misery for Hearts, substitute Langer was ordered off after a reckless lunge, with the despair for the Tynecastle side in contrast to the delirium around Celtic Park.
Lennon's side look utterly relentless. The games are ticking down and the goals are flowing ominously. They will take some stopping on this form. The Celtic crowd certainly think so.
Man of the match - Callum McGregor
There are so many Celtic players delivering consistently in this magnificent run.
Edouard is often unplayable and links so well with Griffiths. McGregor is back in the goals, and as is Ntcham. Forrest chips in, and as does Jullien from the back.
The mentality, quality and application is evident across the squad as they chalk up win after win.
You could argue numerous cases but McGregor stood out in this game. His contribution is often overlooked but he is a top operator who offers so much, capped with another goal in what turned into a rout.
'Relentlessness and hunger' - reaction
Celtic manager Neil Lennon: "I couldn't have asked for any more from the team. To beat a team as good as Hearts with an emphatic scoreline like that was very pleasing. There was a relentlessness and a hunger about them in the second half.
"It gives us a little bit more of a margin to lean on [after Rangers losing]. It's a long way to go and it could flip at any time. We're not counting our chickens and getting carried away. I'm just delighted with the performances being put in at the moment."
Hearts manager Daniel Stendel: "We deserved to lose 5-0. We played without confidence. In our situation we have no time to think about this - Saturday is a really important game for us [against Hamilton].
"It was a hard night for us but we can only look forward. We hoped to take maybe a point here but with that performance we had no chance. We will try and stay together. That is our only chance."


bbc--2020-02-13--Coronavirus: Sharp increase in deaths and cases in Hubei

Some 242 deaths from the new coronavirus were recorded in the Chinese province of Hubei on Wednesday - the deadliest day of the outbreak .
There was also a huge increase in the number of cases , with 14,840 people diagnosed with Covid-19 .
Hubei has started using a broader definition to diagnose people - which accounts for most of the rise in cases .
China sacked two top officials in Hubei province hours after the new figures were revealed .
Until Wednesday 's increases , the number of people with the virus in Hubei , where the outbreak emerged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases and deaths in the province have pushed the national death toll above 1,350 - with almost 60,000 infections in total .
China has been accused of suppressing the full extent of the outbreak in the past , says the BBC 's Nick Beake in Hong Kong .
Professor David Heymann , Professor of Infectious Disease Epidemiology from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine , said : `` What has happened in China is that they have changed the definition of what the disease really is - now they are taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The deaths are quite worrisome , there are an increased number of deaths reported , but if you look overall at the total number of deaths and the total number of cases , the fatality ratio is about the same as it has been - but it is still high , as high as the death rate in influenza . ''
Only Hubei province - which accounts for more than 80 % of overall Chinese infections - is using the new definition to diagnose new cases .
Just about everyone who 's been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been able to see that they have been incomplete .
Government officials know this too .
There 's no way they 've accounted for everybody infected .
How could they ?
But at least we had what appeared to be a trend .
We could observe the pattern to try and estimate the trajectory of outbreak .
Now that 's gone too .
You can understand why it has been decided that people who have virus symptoms , plus a CT scan showing chest infection , are now being counted in the `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this has thrown the trend mapping into chaos .
Over the past 24 hours , in Hubei alone , nearly 15,000 people were moved into the infected column .
This would have sent shockwaves around the world , but actually , if you consider Wednesday 's cases by the old definition , the rate could well mean another day of decline : a completely different picture .
So now , we 're scratching our heads : do we start looking at the pattern all over again from Thursday onwards ?
This has also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rate must have been over recent weeks and the extent to which we should be treating the overall figures seriously anyway .
Meanwhile , the Communist Party secretary in Hubei , Jiang Chaoliang , has been replaced by the Shanghai party chief , Ying Yong , according to state media .
The party chief of the capital city , Wuhan , has also been relieved of his duties .
It is the first major change of Hubei party officials since the outbreak began .
Earlier this week , a number of health officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
• Why a global city is so vulnerable to virus spread What is the new diagnosis method ?
The province now includes `` clinically diagnosed cases '' in the number of confirmed cases .
This means it includes those showing symptoms , and having a CT scan showing an infected lung , rather than relying only on the standard nucleic acid tests .
Of the 242 new deaths in Wuhan , 135 are such `` clinically diagnosed '' cases .
That means , even without the new definition , the number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - a new high for the province .
Overall , the province now has 48,206 confirmed infections .
What is the latest with the cruise ships ?
A cruise ship carrying more than 2,000 people has docked in Cambodia - after it was turned away by five ports over fears that some passengers might be infected with the virus .
The MS Westerdam arrived on Thursday morning after Japan , Taiwan , Guam , the Philippines and Thailand had all refused to accept the ship - despite having no sick patients on board @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ports docks at last Meanwhile , another 44 cases have been confirmed on the Diamond Princess , which is in quarantine in Yokohama , Japan .
The increase means 218 people of the 3,700 people on board the ship have caught the virus .
Not everyone has been tested yet .
People with the virus are taken to hospitals on land to be treated , while those on board are largely confined to their cabins .
What does the WHO say ?
The WHO said it was `` way too early '' to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` This outbreak could still go in any direction , '' the director-general warned .
The WHO has been able to track down the source of transmission in all but eight of the 441 cases of the virus outside China , its head of emergencies Michael Ryan said .
He added : `` I think it 's way too early to try to predict the beginning , the middle or the end of this epidemic right now . ''
On Tuesday top Chinese epidemiologist Zhong Nanshan said the epidemic should peak in China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccines were being funded for pre-clinical development , WHO Chief Scientist Soumya Swaminathan told reporters .
`` I think we will find a vaccine , '' she said .
`` It will take some time .
A vaccine can not be made overnight . ''
• Australia has extended its ban on people coming from mainland China for another week , to 22 February from 15 February • Hong Kong 's most high-profile sports event , the Rugby Sevens , as well as the Singapore Sevens , are expected to be postponed • @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of children to school .
Several provinces have closed schools until the end of February • In Vietnam , which borders China , thousands of people in villages near the capital , Hanoi , have been put under quarantine after several cases of the virus were discovered .
Vietnam has now confirmed at least 16 cases of Covid-19 • The Red Cross has called for sanctions relief for North Korea , which would allow the aid agency to transfer funds to buy equipment .
Testing kits and protective clothing are urgently needed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says • Officials are attempting to trace the contacts of the latest person to be diagnosed with coronavirus in the UK .
The woman , who flew into London Heathrow from China a few days ago , is the ninth case to be confirmed .
Read more about the coronavirus and its impact SHOULD WE WORRY ?
Our health correspondent explains YOUR QUESTIONS : Can you get it more than once ?
WHAT YOU CAN DO : Do masks really help ?
UNDERSTANDING THE SPREAD : A visual guide to the outbreak ECONOMIC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's factory ' remains closed Are you in Hubei ?
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"The deaths are quite worrisome, there is an increased number of deaths reported, but if you look overall at the total number of deaths and the total number of cases, the fatality ratio is about the same as it has been - but it is still high, as high as the death rate in influenza."


bbc--2020-02-13--Coronavirus: 'Pariah' cruise ship rejected by five ports docks at last

A cruise ship that was stranded at sea , because ports were worried about passengers bringing coronavirus , has been allowed to dock in Cambodia .
The MS Westerdam had been turned away by five places in Asia in recent days .
Another cruise ship in quarantine in Japan has more than 200 infections - but the Westerdam , with more than 2,000 crew and passengers , has none .
Only on Tuesday , the cruise liner attempted to dock in Bangkok but was denied permission .
A Thai Navy ship escorted her out of the Gulf of Thailand , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On Thursday morning , the ship finally arrived at an anchoring point in the port city of Sihanoukville .
`` This morning , just seeing land was such a breathtaking moment , '' passenger Angela Jones from the US told Reuters .
`` I thought : is this real ? ''
The Westerdam , run by the US-based Holland America Line , departed Hong Kong on 1 February with 1,455 passengers and 802 crew on board .
The cruise had been scheduled to run for two weeks - and with those 14 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about fuel and food supplies .
As well as Thailand , it was also turned away by Taiwan , Guam , the Philippines , and Japan .
`` We 've had so many near moments - we thought we were going home only to be turned away , '' Ms Jones said .
The ship 's captain Vincent Smit said the ship would anchor outside Sihanoukville to allow authorities to conduct health checks on board .
Passengers will then be able to leave the ship and return to their home countries from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US embassy in Cambodia said it had sent a team to assist its citizens with planning their journey .
Cambodia 's decision to welcome the MS Westerdam was praised by the chief of the World Health Organization ( WHO ) .
It was `` an example of the international solidarity we have consistently been calling for '' , Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus said .
There have been regular health checks for all passengers on board the Westerdam , and there have been no cases so far .
• Super-spreaders : Why are they important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
• Why a global city is so vulnerable to virus spread The ship in Japan , quarantined in the port of Yokohama , currently has more than 200 confirmed cases - making the Diamond Princess the largest coronavirus cluster outside China .
Not all passengers have been tested , and the number of cases may continue to rise .
Another 44 were added to the tally on Thursday .
Japanese Health Minister Katsunobu Kato said elderly passengers who test negative for the virus would be allowed to leave on Friday , five @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarantine .
About 80 % of the ship 's passengers are aged 60 or over .
Japanese media reports that 215 passengers are in their 80s , and 11 are in their 90s .
Another cruise ship was quarantined for several days off Hong Kong , because a previous guest had been diagnosed with the virus .
All passengers have now been allowed off .

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bbc--2020-02-13--Outraged Mexicans post 'happy images' for murdered woman

Outraged Mexicans are flooding social media with nature and animal photos to drown out gruesome photos of a murdered woman .
Ingrid Escamilla , 25 , was killed by the man she lived with , and forensic workers leaked pictures of her partly skinned body .
By posting `` beautiful '' pictures and quotes with her name , activists aim to `` honour her memory and her life '' .
Femicide , gender-based killings of women , is on the rise in Mexico .
More than 700 cases are currently being investigated , and activists say the number of women @ @ @ @ @ @ @ higher .
Ms Escamilla was stabbed to death in Mexico City by her partner , who then mutilated her body to try to hide the evidence .
Mexicans were outraged by the brutality of the crime , and by the publication of the leaked photograph of her body in a newspaper .
`` Now when anyone searches Ingrid Escamilla 's name they will find beautiful images that honour her memory and the life of her family , '' one woman tweeted .
Thousands of videos and pictures of butterflies , sunsets , llamas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ingrid Escamilla 's name , including by Mexican author Valeria Luiselli .
One woman tweeting with account name @ Purpu_rina posted a drawing she said she made of Ms Escamilla , which was shared widely .
`` I made this drawing of Ingrid Escamilla , because this is how we should remember her .
With our anger , we will grow flowers .
Rest , Ingrid , because we wo n't let them rest , '' she tweeted .
`` I 'd rather remember you with this chonky [ fat ] cat than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tweeted @ CamilaMay .
Some tweeted Ni Una Menos ( Not One Less ) , a phrase used to protest violence against women across Latin America .
`` They did n't realise that we are thousands , not only in Mexico , but also in Colombia , Peru , Ecuador , Chile , Argentina .
We are here today and we are not scared , '' tweeted @ HeyAleja .
On Monday President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said that the issue of femicides have been `` manipulated '' by those critical of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said a suspect had been arrested for the murder of Ms Escamilla .
• The women killed on one day around the world • 'Day of the dead women ' protest in Mexico City


bbc--2020-02-13--Kangaroo Island: Tree climber helps save koalas

Kailas Wild has been climbing high to save the koalas injured during bushfires in January in Kangaroo Island , South @ @ @ @ @ arborist , wildlife rescuer and emergency services volunteer , his skills and experience have been @ @ @ @ @ can be unsafe to climb trees after a bushfire .

Kailas Wild has been climbing high to save the koalas injured during bushfires in January in Kangaroo Island, South Australia.
As a professional arborist, wildlife rescuer and emergency services volunteer, his skills and experience have been in demand, as it can be unsafe to climb trees after a bushfire.
Video produced by Isabelle Rodd


bbc--2020-02-13--US election 2020: Iowa Democratic Party boss resigns over caucus chaos

The chairman of the Democratic Party in Iowa has resigned after last week 's caucus was beset with technical issues , questions over accuracy and delays .
In his resignation letter , Troy Price said that `` the precinct and satellite caucus meetings themselves went well '' .
But he conceded that the process of reporting results was `` unacceptable '' .
Pete Buttigieg won with a narrow 0.1 % victory over Bernie Sanders in terms of delegates , while Senator Sanders won the popular vote .
Since then , the Sanders campaign has asked for a `` recanvassing '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaders will elect a new local leader on Saturday .
Mr Price said in his letter : `` While it is my desire to stay in this role and see this process through to completion , I do believe it is time for the Iowa Democratic Party to begin looking forward .
`` My presence in my current role makes that more difficult . ''
• A simple guide to US primaries and caucuses • Buttigieg : the rise of the young ex-mayor He then added that the Iowa Democrats were `` not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and mentioned the partners and vendors who were also involved .
In US elections , the Iowa caucus is the important first step in choosing the challenger to the incumbent president .
Primaries and caucuses are a string of nationwide state-by-state votes , which culminate in the Democratic nominee being chosen at the party convention in July .
Although Iowa awards only 41 of the 1,991 delegates required to become the Democratic White House nominee , it is usually considered the first clear indication of each candidate 's standing within the race .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ year the Iowa Democratic Party distributed a new app , called Shadow , to precinct officials that was supposed to help them report results more quickly .
It was an issue with this app , which the party said was a coding error , that led to the delay in results and ultimate chaos on 3 February .
Mr Buttigieg declared victory for himself that same day , before any of the results were released .
In the end , the results were finally released three days later than expected .
By that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Committee ( DNC ) had already weighed in , calling for a review of the vote totals .
The second vote that took place - the primary in New Hampshire on 11 February - was more clear-cut .
Senator Sanders came in first , with Mr Buttigieg second and Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar in third place .
Joe Biden and Elizabeth Warren , previously considered frontrunners , came in fourth and fifth - each with zero delegates .
Who will take on Trump in November ?
• Choose your candidate and filter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know about the presidential race • Could this be the start of a Bernie Sanders boom ?
• The Democratic 2020 race - in five charts

Mr Price said in his letter: "While it is my desire to stay in this role and see this process through to completion, I do believe it is time for the Iowa Democratic Party to begin looking forward.


bbc--2020-02-13--Australia fires: New South Wales blazes all 'contained'

All of the bushfires in New South Wales ( NSW ) are now considered contained , say fire officials in the Australian state .
The NSW Rural Fire Service said it was `` great news '' after `` a very traumatic , exhausting and anxious '' time .
The development is thanks in part to heavy rain , which has lashed the state since last weekend .
But the severe storms led to flash flooding in Queensland where a 75-year-old man is reported to have died .
Record rainfall caused chaos in Sydney , and the weather woes are set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ along the east coast over the next few days .
Flood warnings have been issued for NSW and for southern Queensland .
Ex-tropical cyclone Uesi will bring winds of up to 130km/h to the tiny Lord Howe Island , about 600km off the east coast .
Residents and tourists on the island have been warned to seek shelter from the `` destructive winds '' .
`` After what 's been a truly devastating fire season for both firefighters and residents , who 've suffered so much this season , all fires are now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ RFS Assistant Commissioner Rob Rogers said on Thursday .
It is the first time in the fire season that containment - meaning firefighters managing to build a perimeter around the fire , so it can not spread further - has been achieved .
While there was still some fire activity in the south of the state , said the RFS , emergency workers could now `` really focus on helping people reboot '' .
Australia has always had a fire season , with naturally occurring blazes sparked during the dry summer season , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unprecedented in the scale and intensity of the fires .
Across the country , fires have killed at least 33 people and destroyed thousands of homes in the past few months .
More than 11 million hectares of land - an area comparable to the size of England - has been affected across all states and territories .
• 'Urgent help ' needed for 113 species after fires NSW has been the worst-affected state .
Two blazes alone - the Currowan and Gospers Mountain fires - each burned about 500,000 hectares .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this week , along with dozens of smaller fires .
Further north , heavy rainfall in Queensland on Wednesday and Thursday led to flash flooding and power outages across the state .
A record 232mm of rain was recorded in 24 hours at Sunshine Coast airport .
A 75-year-old kayaker was reported missing on Sunday after heading out on Mary River .
On Thursday , Queensland Police said a body had been found .
A 26-year-old woman has also been reported missing and the search for her is being impeded by the poor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ storms are forecast for Queensland and NSW , and areas still recovering from bushfires are likely to be hit , according to senior meteorologist Grace Legge .


bbc--2020-02-13--Yemen war: Saudi-led coalition forces face trials over violations

The Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen says it has begun judicial proceedings against military personnel suspected of violating international humanitarian law .
Spokesman Col Turki al-Maliki said judgements in the unspecified cases would be announced once reached .
UN experts have said the coalition may be responsible for war crimes .
They have also expressed concern about the independence of the unit set up by coalition to review alleged violations .
Yemen has been devastated by a conflict that escalated in March 2015 , when the rebel Houthi movement seized control of much of the west of the country and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abroad .
Alarmed by the rise of a group they believed to be backed militarily by Iran , Saudi Arabia , the United Arab Emirates and seven other Arab states began a campaign aimed at restoring Mr Hadi 's government .
The UN had verified the deaths of at least 7,500 civilians by September 2019 , with most caused by coalition air strikes .
A monitor group has estimated that the fighting has killed 100,000 people , including 12,000 civilians .
• Yemen crisis : Why is there a war ?
At a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Col Maliki reaffirmed the `` coalition 's commitment to the provisions and rules of international humanitarian law and to holding violators of the rules of engagement and violators of international humanitarian law - if any - in accordance with the laws and regulations of each country in the coalition '' , according to the official Saudi Press Agency .
The coalition had sent `` files of the results of investigations of incidents of presence of a mistake and violation of the rules of engagement to the concerned countries '' , he said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ begun the procedures of the trial '' .
The SPA report did not name any of the incidents , but the Guardian newspaper reported that air crew faced courts martial over three attacks : • An air strike on Abs rural hospital in August 2016 that killed 19 people • An air strike on a wedding in Bani Qayis in April 2018 that left 20 dead • An air strike on a bus in Dahyan in August 2018 that killed at least 29 children In September , the UN Group of Experts on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believe that individuals in Saudi-led coalition and Yemeni pro-government forces had conducted acts that may amount to war crimes , including : • Attacks using indirect-fire weapons and small arms fire in violation of the principle of distinction • Air strikes in violation of the principles of distinction , proportionality and precaution • Murder , torture , cruel or inhuman treatment , rape , outrages upon personal dignity , denial of fair trial , and enlisting children under the age of 15 or using them to participate actively in hostilities The report accused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may amount to war crimes , including direct attacks against civilians and indiscriminate attacks , as well as murder , torture , hostage-taking and enlisting children .
The experts also said a review of the coalition 's Joint Incidents Assessment Team ( JIAT ) , set up by Saudi Arabia to review alleged violations , had raised `` concerns as to the impartiality of its investigations and the thoroughness and credibility of its analysis and findings '' .
The JIAT 's assessment of the targeting process was `` particularly worrying , as it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ target is legal , notwithstanding civilian casualties , hence ignoring the principle of proportionality '' , it added .

At a news conference in London on Wednesday, Col Maliki reaffirmed the "coalition's commitment to the provisions and rules of international humanitarian law and to holding violators of the rules of engagement and violators of international humanitarian law - if any - in accordance with the laws and regulations of each country in the coalition", according to the official Saudi Press Agency.


bbc--2020-02-13--Facebook Dating delayed after row with regulator

Facebook has delayed the launch of its new dating feature in Europe , after a last-minute visit by officers from the Irish Data Protection Commission ( DPC ) .
The DPC said it had been told about the feature just 10 days ahead of the planned launch and `` no information or documentation was provided to us '' .
`` We were very concerned that this was the first that we 'd heard , '' it said .
Officers had gathered documents during Monday 's inspection of Facebook 's EU headquarters , in Dublin , the DPC said .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which is bound to EU rules during the post-Brexit transition period this year .
• Why do gay apps struggle to stop fakes and frauds ?
Facebook , however , said it had completed the necessary paperwork and shared it when asked .
`` It 's really important that we get the launch of Facebook Dating right , so we are taking a bit more time to make sure the product is ready for the European market , '' a representative said .
`` We worked carefully to create strong privacy safeguards and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the proposed launch in Europe , which we shared with the [ regulator ] when it was requested . ''
No new date has been set for the roll-out .
Facebook Dating launched in the US in September as part of the existing Facebook phone app .
The feature , a potential competitor to dating giant Tinder , uses Facebook 's data on a person to show common friends and interests on their dating profile .
It can also pull in posts from Instagram - a Facebook-owned company .
Other dating apps - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also use Facebook login features to build the user 's profile .
Because Facebook already had a lot of information about people 's lives , the company said , it had made special efforts to ensure safety , security and privacy .
Unlike Facebook Messenger , photos , videos , and links can not be sent through the dating messaging service .
It is also available to over-18s only and does not - unless requested - try to match users with their existing Facebook friends .
The app has been available in selected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , attempting to wrest some of the market share from leaders Tinder and Bumble , each of which has tens of millions of users .

The app has been available in selected countries for less than half a year, attempting to wrest some of the market share from leaders Tinder and Bumble, each of which has tens of millions of users.


bbc--2020-02-13--Car-sized turtle fossils unearthed

Car-sized turtle fossils unearthed

Fossils of a turtle the size of a car have been unearthed in what is now northern South America .
The turtle - Stupendemys geographicus - is believed to have roamed the region between 13 and 7 million years ago .
The fossils were found in Colombia 's Tatacoa Desert and Venezuela 's Urumaco region .
The first Stupendemys fossils were discovered in the 1970s but many mysteries have remained about the 4-metre long animal .
It was about the size and weight of a saloon car and inhabited a huge wetland across northern South America before the Amazon and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had forward pointing horns either side of its shell .
Deep scars found in the fossils indicate that the horns were probably used like lances to fight rivals .
Researchers say they 've found a 3-metre long shell and a lower jaw bone which has given them more clues about its diet .
They think the giant turtle lived at the bottom of lakes and rivers alongside giant crocodile eating a diverse diet of small animals , vegetation , fruit and seeds .
Stupendemys 's large size was crucial in defending itself from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stupendemys fossils was found with a giant crocodile tooth embedded in it .

The male had forward pointing horns either side of its shell. Deep scars found in the fossils indicate that the horns were probably used like lances to fight rivals.


bbc--2020-02-13--Natalie Portman responds to Rose McGowan's Oscars dress criticism

When Natalie Portman wore a dress championing female film directors to the Oscars , she was praised by many - but also faced a backlash .
`` You are the problem , '' actress Rose McGowan said .
`` Yes , you , Natalie .
Lip service is the problem .
Fake support of other women is the problem . ''
McGowan argued that Portman does n't `` walk the walk '' because she does n't have a great track record of working with female directors herself .
Portman has now responded , saying the reason is that there are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prevent such films getting made .
Why did Portman 's dress cause a stir ?
Portman walked the red carpet at Sunday night 's Oscars wearing a custom Dior gown and cape , which took more than 900 hours to make .
Those who looked closely spotted that the cape was adorned with the names of some of the female directors who were n't nominated at this year 's Academy Awards .
For the ninth year in the past decade , all five of the best director nominees were male .
• 13 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oscars The female directors highlighted by Portman included Lorene Scafaria ( who directed Hustlers ) , Lulu Wang ( The Farewell ) , Greta Gerwig ( Little Women ) , Marielle Heller ( A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood ) and Melina Matsoukas ( Queen & Slim ) .
The Oscar-winning actress has form when it comes to this issue .
While presenting the best director category at the 2018 Golden Globes , she said : `` And here are the all-male nominees . ''
What was the response to the dress ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ but Natalie Portman is now one of them , '' declared Harper 's Bazaar .
However , a few social media sleuths began looking into Portman 's filmography , which showed the actress has only worked with two female directors in her career .
And one of them was herself .
Furthermore , her own production company , Handsomecharlie Films , has not yet made a film with a female director ( again , other than Portman herself ) .
Two tweets in particular that drew attention to these facts received more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rose McGowan say ?
In a Facebook post , the Grindhouse actress wrote : `` [ This was ] the kind of protest that gets rave reviews from the mainstream media for its bravery .
`` Brave ?
No , not by a long shot .
More like an actress acting the part of someone who cares .
As so many of them do .
`` I find Portman 's type of activism deeply offensive to those of us who actually do the work .
I 'm not writing this out of bitterness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I just want her and other actresses to walk the walk . ''
McGowan highlighted Portman 's poor track record when it came to working with and hiring female directors .
`` What is it with actresses of your ilk ?
, '' she continued .
`` You ' A-listers ' could change the world if you 'd take a stand instead of being the problem .
`` Stop pretending you 're some kind of champion for anything other than yourself .
Until you and your fellow actresses get real , do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your embroidered activist cloak , it does n't hang right . ''
While acknowledging the criticisms about her own previous work , Portman defended herself and drew attention to other projects she 's worked on which had women at the helm .
`` It is true I 've only made a few films with women , '' she said in a statement issued to BBC News .
`` In my long career , I 've only gotten the chance to work with female directors a few times - I 've made shorts , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Marya Cohen , Mira Nair , Rebecca Zlotowski , Anna Rose Holmer , Sofia Coppola , Shirin Neshat and myself . ''
The actress added that other projects with female directors , which are not public knowledge , have fallen through .
`` Unfortunately , the unmade films I have tried to make are a ghost history , '' she said .
`` Female films have been incredibly hard to get made at studios , or to get independently financed .
If these films do get made , women face enormous challenges during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have had the experience a few times of helping get female directors hired on projects which they were then forced out of because of the conditions they faced at work .
`` After they are made , female-directed films face difficulty getting into festivals , getting distribution and getting accolades because of the gatekeepers at every level .
`` So I want to say , I have tried , and I will keep trying .
While I have not yet been successful , I am hopeful that we are stepping into a new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or on Twitter @ BBCNewsEnts .
If you have a story suggestion email entertainment.news @ bbc.co.uk .


bbc--2020-02-13--Domestic abuse 'affects everybody', Duchess of Cornwall says

The Duchess of Cornwall has said domestic abuse `` affects everybody '' and urged people to `` get up and talk about their experiences '' .
`` No one knows what goes on behind any front door .
It does n't matter who you are , '' she told the Daily Mail .
The interview comes after she hosted an event for the charity SafeLives at Clarence House in London on Wednesday .
The duchess told guests the `` taboo '' around domestic abuse `` weakens '' every time somebody shares their story .
She said she had had nightmares @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a SafeLives event in 2016 .
`` I had the privilege of hearing incredibly brave women ... standing up to tell their stories .
Harrowing stories that reduced many of us listeners to tears , '' Camilla said in a speech to guests at Clarence House .
`` That memorable day fired my interest in domestic abuse .
I did know of people who had suffered from it , but I was both shocked and horrified by just how many thousands of people across the world live with it . ''
Since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she has been championing the issue by hosting events to bring together various organisations .
Last year she wrote a letter of support for a survivor-led conference on domestic violence in Wales .
In the Daily Mail interview , Camilla described the 2016 event as one of her `` most harrowing experiences '' .
`` I thought to myself , this is going on , what are we doing about it ?
, '' she said .
`` You know people , I know people that it has happened to .
But I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was that bad . ''
`` Whoever you are , wherever you are from , there are organisations that can help you , '' she added .
`` Talk to them , just get up and talk about your experiences .
They will help . ''
SafeLives provides various services for people affected by domestic abuse as well as working with other organisation to tackle the issue .
Office of National Statistics figures for 2018 suggest 4.2 % of men and 7.9 % of women suffered domestic abuse , which equates to about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Murders related to domestic violence are at a five-year high , with an average of two women murdered every week .
If you or someone you know has been affected by domestic abuse or violence , these organisations may be able to help .

"I thought to myself, this is going on, what are we doing about it?," she said. "You know people, I know people that it has happened to. But I don't think we ever believed it was that bad."


bbc--2020-02-13--Harrismith, South Africa: A town fixing itself

What do you do if your town is broken ?
If nothing works ?
For many areas in South Africa @ @ @ @ @ But in the town of Harrismith one group of residents , sick of intermittent water @ @ @ @ @ matter into their own hands .
Andrew Harding has been to find out how they @ @ @ @ @ Filmed by Stuart Phillips and edited by Christian Parkinson

What do you do if your town is broken? If nothing works?
For many areas in South Africa that is a reality. But in the town of Harrismith one group of residents, sick of intermittent water and power have taken the matter into their own hands.
Andrew Harding has been to find out how they are fixing their town.
Filmed by Stuart Phillips and edited by Christian Parkinson


bbc--2020-02-13--Dresden: The World War Two bombing 75 years on

`` The firestorm is incredible ... Insane fear grips me and from then on I repeat one simple sentence to myself continuously : ' I do n't want to burn to death ' .
I do not know how many people I fell over .
I know only one thing : that I must not burn . ''
On 13 February 1945 , British aircraft launched an attack on the eastern German city of Dresden .
In the days that followed , they and their US allies would drop nearly 4,000 tons of bombs in the assault .
The ensuing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city centre , sucking the oxygen from the air and suffocating people trying to escape the flames .
Dresden was not unique .
Allied bombers killed tens of thousands and destroyed large areas with attacks on Cologne , Hamburg and Berlin , and the Japanese cities of Tokyo , Hiroshima and Nagasaki .
• The city saved from the atomic bomb But the bombing has become one of the most controversial Allied acts of World War Two .
Some have questioned the military value of Dresden .
Even British Prime Minister Winston Churchill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` It seems to me that the moment has come when the question of bombing of German cities simply for the sake of increasing the terror , though under other pretexts , should be reviewed , '' he wrote in a memo .
`` The destruction of Dresden remains a serious query against the conduct of Allied bombing . ''
Dresden is the capital of the state of Saxony .
Before the bombing it was referred to as the Florence on the Elbe or the Jewel Box , for its climate and its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was only about 250km ( 155 miles ) from the Eastern Front , where Nazi Germany was defending against the advancing armies of the Soviet Union in the final months of the war .
The city was a major industrial and transportation hub .
Scores of factories provided munitions , aircraft parts and other supplies for the Nazi war effort .
Troops , tanks and artillery travelled through Dresden by train and by road .
Hundreds of thousands of German refugees fleeing the fighting had also arrived in the city .
At the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Force ( RAF ) said it was the largest German city yet to be bombed .
Air chiefs decided an attack on Dresden could help their Soviet allies - by stopping Nazi troop movements but also by disrupting the German evacuations from the east .
RAF bomber raids on German cities had increased in size and power after more than five years of war .
Planes carried a mix of high explosive and incendiary bombs : the explosives would blast buildings apart , while the incendiaries would set the remains on fire , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ annihilated entire German cities .
In July 1943 , hundreds of RAF bombers took part in a mission against Hamburg , named Operation Gomorrah .
The resulting assault and unusually dry and hot weather caused a firestorm - a blaze so great it creates its own weather system , sucking winds in to feed the flames - which destroyed almost the whole city .
The attack on Dresden began on 13 February 1945 .
Close to 800 RAF aircraft - led by pathfinders , who dropped flares marking out the bombing area centred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Dresden that night .
In the space of just 25 minutes , British planes dropped more than 1,800 tons of bombs .
As was common practice during the war , US aircraft followed up the attack with day-time raids .
More than 520 USAAF bombers flew to Dresden over two days , aiming for the city 's railway marshalling yards but in reality hitting a large area across the city .
On the ground , civilians cowered under the onslaught .
Many had fled to shelters after air raid sirens warned of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wave of aircraft knocked out the electricity .
Some came out of hiding just as the second wave arrived above the city .
People fell dead as they ran from the flames , the air sucked from their lungs by the fire storm .
Eyewitness Margaret Freyer described a woman with her baby : `` She runs , she falls , and the child flies in an arc into the fire ...
The woman remains lying on the ground , completely still '' .
Kurt Vonnegut survived the bombing as a prisoner of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one big flame .
The one flame ate everything organic , everything that would burn , '' he wrote in his work Slaughterhouse-Five .
He described the city after the attack as `` like the moon now , nothing but minerals .
The stones were hot .
Everybody else in the neighbourhood was dead . ''
In total , the British lost six bombers in the attack , three to planes accidentally hitting each other with bombs .
The US lost one .
Nazi Germany immediately used the bombing to attack the Allies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no war industry and was only a city of culture .
Though local officials said about 25,000 people had died - a figure historians agree with now - the Nazis claimed 200,000 civilians were killed .
In the UK , Dresden was known as a tourist destination , and some MPs and public figures questioned the value of the attack .
A story at the time published by the Associated Press news agency said the Allies were conducting terror bombing , spreading further alarm .
US and UK military planners , however , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the same way as attacks on other cities - by disrupting industry , destroying workers ' homes and crippling transport in Germany .
A 1953 US report on the bombing concluded that the attack destroyed or severely damaged 23 % of the city 's industrial buildings , and at least 50 % of its residential buildings .
But Dresden was `` a legitimate military target '' , the report said , and the attack was no different `` from established bombing policies '' .
The debate about the Allied bombing campaign , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continues to this day .
Historians question if destruction of German cities hindered the Nazi war effort , or simply caused civilian deaths - especially towards the end of the conflict .
Unlike an invasion like D-Day , it is harder to quantify how much these attacks helped win the war .
• The grief that comes from lost buildings Some argue it is a moral failing for the Allies , or even a war crime .
But defenders say it was a necessary part of the total war to defeat Nazi Germany @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for conspiracy theorists and some far-right activists - including Holocaust deniers and extremist parties - who have quoted Nazi casualty figures as fact and have commemorated the bombing .
Seventy-five years later , the bombing of Dresden remains a controversial act .

"The firestorm is incredible... Insane fear grips me and from then on I repeat one simple sentence to myself continuously: 'I don't want to burn to death'. I do not know how many people I fell over. I know only one thing: that I must not burn."