Manchester City and England footballer Kyle Walker says he is "being harassed" after it was

reported he had broken social distancing rules again.

The 29-year-old confirmed he went to Sheffield to see his sister on Wednesday to give her a
birthday present and hugged her, before travelling to his parents' house to "pick up some home-
cooked meals".

The player is already facing disciplinary action from City for a lockdown breach in early April
after he reportedly hosted a party involving two sex workers.

Meanwhile, five Saracens rugby union players have apologised after breaking the coronavirus
lockdown regulations.

England's Billy Vunipola, Alex Goode and Nick Isiekwe, Scotland back Sean Maitland and prop
Josh Ibuanokpe were reportedly spotted having takeaway coffees together in St Albans.

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Posted at 14:1414:14

Stranded Britons rescued by Gurkhas in Nepal

UK Foreign OfficeCopyright: UK Foreign Office

Stranded Britons were unable to reach repatriation flights after the coronavirus crisis hit transport
links in NepalImage caption: Stranded Britons were unable to reach repatriation flights after the
coronavirus crisis hit transport links in Nepal

More than 100 British travellers stranded in isolated parts of Nepal when the coronavirus
outbreak struck have been rescued by Gurkhas.

Soldiers in the Nepalese force, which has been part of the British Army for two centuries, used
their local knowledge to carry out the operation.

In total, 109 British nationals and 28 foreign nationals were rescued after becoming marooned in
mountain towns, villages and parks in the country after transport links were hit by the crisis, the
UK Foreign Office said.
Soldiers, UK embassy staff and local drivers journeyed about 4,000 miles (6,400 km) over the
Himalayas during the three-week operation, it added.

Sergeant Prakash Gurung, a postal worker who volunteered to join the operation, negotiated
single-track roads and a landslide to reach one stranded traveller.

"Helping people in dire situations gives me a sense of satisfaction," he said.

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 Posted at 14:0514:05

German president urges European unity on VE Day

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has issued a rallying cry for European unity during
the pandemic in a speech for the 75th anniversary of VE Day.

Steinmeier spoke after a wreath-laying ceremony at Berlin’s Neue Wache memorial, where he
was joined by German Chancellor Angela Merkel and other officials.

In his speech, Steinmeier evoked the spirit of European solidarity in World War Two, which he
said was needed to overcome the coronavirus crisis, just as it was to defeat Nazi Germany.

"For us Germans, 'never again' means 'never again alone'," Steinmeier said outside the memorial.

"If we don't hold Europe together, including during and after this pandemic, then we are not
living up to May 8.

"We want more, not less co-operation in the world - also in the fight against the pandemic."

Read more: Europe marks 75th anniversary amid coronavirus lockdown

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Posted at 13:5013:50

When could we have a vaccine?

The coronavirus spreads easily and the majority of the world's population is still vulnerable to it.

A vaccine would provide some protection by training people's immune systems to fight the virus
so they should not become sick.

But how easy is it to create a vaccine? And when could we expect one to be ready? The BBC's
health correspondent Laura Foster takes a look:

Video content

02:00
Video caption: Coronavirus: How close are we to getting a vaccine?Coronavirus: How close are
we to getting a vaccine?
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Posted at 13:3813:38

Origin of virus could take a year to find

It could take at least a year to determine the exact origins of the coronavirus, according to the
World Health Organization (WHO).

Speaking in Geneva, a WHO expert on viruses originating in animals said the evidence pointed
to bats as the primary source, with another animal acting as an intermediate host.

The organisation also repeated that it had not seen any evidence, cited by US President Donald
Trump, that the virus could have originated in a Chinese laboratory.
Scientists aren’t sure where exactly the outbreak began. Evidence points to a market in the
Chinese city of Wuhan, but of 41 early cases of the virus, only 27 had a direct connection to the
market, reports the BBC's Geneva correspondent Imogen Foulkes.

The virus will have jumped from bats to another animal before infecting humans, but which
animal remains unclear.

When the Middle East Respiratory Virus, or Mers, emerged in 2012, it took a year to discover
the origin in camels.

Asked last week if there was any foundation in the US claims that the virus emerged from a
laboratory, the WHO said that after reviewing evidence from multiple scientists, it was assured
the outbreak was natural in origin.

You can read more about the hunt for the 'missing link' host species here.

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Posted at 13:3013:30

Football is back on the BBC - from South Korea

Power Sport ImagesCopyright: Power Sport Images

Football fans starved of action have a treat today - with a season-opening match live on the BBC.

It's goalless so far as Jeonbuk Motors take on Suwon Bluewings in South Korea's K-League,
which had originally been due to kick off in February, before being delayed by the coronavirus
pandemic.

UK users can watch the action live on the BBC Sport website and iPlayer, while there are live
text updates here for those outside the UK.

Video content
This content is currently not available

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Posted at 13:2813:28

Merkel pays respects to war victims

Standing solemnly in Berlin’s Neue Wache memorial, German Chancellor Angela Merkel bowed
her head as she paid respects to the victims of World War Two on VE Day.

Merkel laid a wreath at the memorial as part of Friday’s commemorations, an unusually low-key
affair because of the coronavirus pandemic.

She was joined by other officials, including German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who
made a speech outside the memorial.

We’ll bring you more on Steinmeier’s statement later.

ReutersCopyright: Reuters
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Posted at 13:1713:17

Stream your video call from the set of Fawlty Towers

BBCCopyright: BBC
Famous scenes, including this one from the Fawlty Towers, are available nowImage caption:
Famous scenes, including this one from the Fawlty Towers, are available now

See yourself on the cast of EastEnders? Or maybe hosting Match of the Day?

Many of us are turning to video calls to stay connected during lockdowns - with some services
offering the chance to choose your own virtual background

The BBC Archive team has stepped in to help - with these 100 pictures of empty TV sets.

Give your video calls a makeover, with the help of programmes including League of Gentlemen,
Fawlty Towers and Dr Who.

BBC ArchiveCopyright: BBC Archive

This empty set from the League of Gentlemen is also available for downloadImage caption: This
empty set from the League of Gentlemen is also available for download
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Posted at 13:0313:03

Watch: Red Arrows in flypast over London

Video content

Video caption: VE Day: Red Arrows flypast over central LondonVE Day: Red Arrows flypast
over central London

The BBC helicopter was out a little earlier to capture this stunning sight.

The Red Arrows soared over central London and the River Thames to mark VE Day - 75 years
on.

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Posted at 12:5912:59

Coverage paused for VE Day silence

Communities under coronavirus lockdown across the UK are about to fall silent for two minutes
to commemorate VE Day.

We'll be back with more coverage of the pandemic afterwards.

PA MediaCopyright: PA Media
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Posted at 12:5212:52

Nearly half of NI's Covid-19 deaths in care homes

Nearly every other death linked to Covid-19 in Northern Ireland has happened in care homes,
latest figures show.

Weekly figures published by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency record all
deaths in which Covid-19 is listed on the death certificate.

They showed that 232 out of 516 such deaths - registered up to 1 May - took place in care
homes. That's 45% of the total.

In Scotland, figures published last week showed that most deaths are now taking place in care
homes.

In England and Wales, similar figures show about one in three deaths are happening in care
homes.

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Posted at 12:4612:46

UK to fall silent for VE Day

A two-minute silence will be observed in the UK shortly as part of ceremonies to mark the 75th
anniversary of VE Day.

The silence starts at 11:00 BST, honouring the service and sacrifice of the wartime generation.

VE Day is celebrated annually on 8 May to mark the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany
to the Allies in World War Two.

Read more: What is VE Day?

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

RAF Red Arrows have flown over Northampton to mark VE DayImage caption: RAF Red
Arrows have flown over Northampton to mark VE Day
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Posted at 12:3712:37

Indian Navy begins rescue of hundreds from Maldives

The Indian Navy has begun evacuating more than 700 citizens from the Maldives as part of the
country's big repatriation mission to bring thousands of Indians stuck abroad home.

Earlier today, more than 300 Indians returned on two flights from Dubai and Abu Dhabi as the
country kicked off its evacuation efforts.
Over the next week, 64 flights will go to 12 countries to bring back nearly 15,000 Indians.

Eventually, about 200,000 Indians will be brought back, report local media.

If successful, this would be India's biggest evacuation mission since 1990, when it rescued
170,000 civilians from Kuwait during the Gulf War.

You can read more details on the repatriation efforts here.

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Posted at 12:2712:27

Macron attends VE Day ceremony in Paris

French President Emmanuel Macron has attended a ceremony on the Champs Elysées in Paris to
mark VE Day.

Macron laid wreaths at the statue of General Charles de Gaulle and the Tomb of the Unknown
Soldier, before rekindling the flame at the foot of the Arc de Triomphe.

Former French presidents François Hollande and Nicolas Sarkozy were among the limited
number of dignitaries present at the ceremony.

Other ceremonies are taking place across France and Europe, but many have been cancelled,
scaled down or forced online due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Read more: Europe marks 75th anniversary while under coronavirus lockdown

ReutersCopyright: Reuters
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Posted at 12:1812:18

BreakingRed Arrows soar over London to mark VE Day

AFPCopyright: AFP

In the last few moments, the RAF's Red Arrows have flown over central London to mark VE
Day.

Today marks the 75th anniversary of the end of World War Two in Europe - where millions of
people are currently living under lockdown.

We'll bring you clips of the flypast shortly.

PA MediaCopyright: PA Media

PA MediaCopyright: PA Media

PA MediaCopyright: PA Media

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

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Posted at 12:1712:17

British rail services to be increased

Tom Burridge

Transport correspondent

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

Rail services have been reduced dramatically in Britain, with people being encouraged to work
from homeImage caption: Rail services have been reduced dramatically in Britain, with people
being encouraged to work from home

There are plans to increase train services from Monday 18 May across the UK, in preparation for
the eventual easing of travel restrictions.

The move aims to ensure the railways are able to cope with a rise in passengers when some
people return to work.

At the moment, only half of normal rail services are running.

Rail bosses and government sources told the BBC that services would be increased to about 70%
of the normal timetable.

But the easing of travel restrictions is likely to be done gradually.

Read more here.

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Posted at 12:0812:08

Live football returns on BBC Sport

BBC Sport
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

As an exciting bank holiday treat, BBC Sport is bringing you some REAL football today.

We've had Fifa, esports and virtual fantasy manager games, but for the first time in almost two
months the genuine product is back as Jeonbuk Motors face Suwon Bluewings in South Korea's
K-League - and you can follow it live here, with kick-off at 11:00 BST.

There will be no supporters in the stadium and special safety measures will be in place, including
the banning of handshakes, restrictions on players talking to team-mates, opponents and officials,
and coaches having to wear face masks.

The Korean top flight was scheduled to start in February but, like the majority of leagues across
the world, has been postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

On Thursday, it was announced Germany's Bundesliga will also return on Saturday 16 May.

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Posted at 12:0412:04

Singapore trials robot dog in parks

Yvette Tan

Singapore

GovTechCopyright: GovTech
He's not actually roaming the park here, it's just a file photoImage caption: He's not actually
roaming the park here, it's just a file photo

No, it's not an episode out of Black Mirror - but perhaps even more scarily, it's an actual robot
dog that's roaming around a park here in Singapore.
The SPOT robot, developed by Boston Dynamics, is meant to help with safe distancing efforts,
says Singapore government agency GovTech.

Naturally, people are freaking out already.

"Robots are going to rule us soon," said one person on social media.

"The sight of this chasing down anyone is downright scary," said another.

But SPOT isn't going to be chasing anyone down anytime soon. Instead, it'll go around the park
broadcasting a recorded message reminding people to keep apart. It'll also be fitted with cameras
that will be able to estimate the number of visitors in the park.

SPOT will be trialled starting from today along a small stretch of the Bishan-Ang Mo Kio park -
and an officer will initially be deployed alongside it to make sure it's functioning well.

The plan is for it to eventually be able to go out by itself across other parks. So if you come by a
robot dog in your next walk - don't be surprised, it's just your friendly neighbourhood robo-dog.

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Posted at 11:5811:58

Captain Tom Moore remembers ‘very happy’ VE Day

NHS fundraising hero Captain Tom Moore has shared his fond memories of VE Day, 75 years
after Europe celebrated the surrender of Nazi Germany in World War Two.

"It was a very important day and everyone concerned was absolutely very pleased that this was
the end,” the war veteran told ITV’s Good Morning Britain.

"It was a very, very happy day."

Captain Tom achieved national-treasure status in the UK after raising nearly £33m for the NHS
by walking 100 laps of his garden before his 100th birthday.

Read more: How the war veteran captured our hearts

PA MediaCopyright: PA Media
Captain Tom Moore raised millions for the NHS by walking laps of his gardenImage caption:
Captain Tom Moore raised millions for the NHS by walking laps of his garden
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Posted at 11:3911:39

What's the latest across Europe?

Coronavirus restrictions mean several countries are marking the end of World War Two in
Europe with ceremonies but no crowds present. President Emmanuel Macron is at the Arc de
Triomphe in Paris, Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Frank-Walter Steinmeier will lay a
wreath in Berlin, and there will be a two-minute silence at 11:00 BST (10GMT) in the UK. In
other news:

 Madrid's public health chief Yolanda Fuentes has resigned in protest against the Spanish
capital's bid to start lifting its lockdown from Monday. Madrid has seen more Covid-19
fatalities than other areas of Spain but the rate of infection has declined
 Russia has declared another 10,669 infections in the past 24 hours - the sixth consecutive
day that the number has been above 10,000
 Denmark's announced a roadmap for ending its lockdown. It started lifting restrictions
back in April and has now said professional sport can resume behind closed doors and
shopping centres can reopen from Monday
 Serbia lifted its state of emergency on Thursday and last night police arrested over 100
people involved in a political protest outside the office of President Aleksandar Vucic
 German exports plummeted 11.8% in March. The worst month-on-month fall since
reunification in 1990 is being blamed on the pandemic.

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