German professional football is going to return to action on May 16 to 18 with its first and second tier getting back underway. League association CEO Christian Seifert announced the permitted re-start is planned without games on Friday evening but contains two rounds of matches during the week. "We wanted to follow the wording in the orders of politics strictly," the 50-year-old commented, reports Xinhua news agency. All games will be run behind closed doors.

The season was interrupted mid-March due to the coronavirus crisis. Nine rounds remain plus one postponed match. German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the 16 federal state prime ministers gave the green light for a restart on Wednesday based on a comprehensive hygiene concept. Most of the 36 clubs voted for the earliest possible start. At least two sides, such as Werder Bremen and FSV Mainz 05, demanded a start one week later to gain time for additional training.

Seifert announced the season is to be continued with matchday 26, which contains the delicate derby of Borussia Dortmund against the FC Schalke 04 on Saturday. Six games are notified for Saturday, two on Sunday and one on Monday evening. All match-days contain a so-called late-game in the evening. The table leaders Bayern Munich face an away game against league newcomer Union Berlin Saturday evening.

The season's last games are planned to take place on June 27 to 28. Seifert indicated the Champions League final could be run around the end of August. The German Cup has to be rescheduled. To address parts of the demands of Bremen, their game against Bayern Leverkusen is scheduled for Monday on May 18. The federal state of Bremen was one of the last spots allowing training in smaller groups.

All 36 clubs took up full team training this Thursday. From Saturday on, all clubs attend an obligated seven-day-long quarantine. Players, staff, and family members will undergo a diverting number of tests. Referees are going to be tested by next week. Seifert said football concept could be a blueprint for other team-sports, fighting sports and athletics as well as for orchestras and theaters.

Clubs and association are in close contact with fan groups to avoid gatherings around the arenas. Therefore, negotiations take place with pay-tv broadcasters to provide certain games on free tv.

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Ahead of her first trip to India, biker Leslie Porterfield, the world's fastest woman on two wheels, relives her record, worst crash and the growing number of Indian women on the riding circuit

At 16, Texas-based Leslie Porterfield bought a Yamaha Virago 1000, her first motorcycle, as an inexpensive mode of transport. It arrived in a box, and most people told her she wouldn't be able to get it running. However, she bought a manual, sought the advice of local mechanics, and put it together.

Leslie Porterfield

In fact, Porterfield loved riding it so much that just a year later, she went on to buy a sports bike (Honda CBR600). This was in the early '90s. "That's when my interest in racing began," recalls the 41-year-old mother of twins. She holds the Guinness World Record for being the fastest woman in the world on a motorcycle, which she set in 2008 with a speed of 232.522mph at Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, USA.

On November 24 and 25, Porterfield will be in Goa for the fifth edition of India Bike Week, a fest that will witness a gathering of over 20,000 bikers to celebrate all things riding. Here, she will host a motorcycle stand and present awards for various achievements. Excerpts from an email interview:

Tell us about your most interesting motorcycle journeys.
Motorcycles gave me a sense of freedom and connection with nature while riding. One of my favourite trips was to the Baja 1000 (off-road race in Mexico's Baja California Peninsula) in 2005. I was on a dirt bike for the first time, and realised how difficult the race is. I went through 20 miles of deep sand whoops and fell 20 times. I have never been so sore. Another one is from the time I was 17, when I rode for 1,500 miles from Dallas to Los Angeles. On my way back, I was tired. I was riding at about 120mph. Unfortunately, I passed a police car and didn't see it. They set up a roadblock on the highway. When I stopped, I realised there were four police cars behind me. They were mad after chasing me for so long. I was lucky; the officer let me go without a citation. This prompted me to hit the racetrack.

What challenges have you faced in your racing career?
During my first year [2007] in Land Speed Racing [at Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah], the salt was in poor condition - wet, sludgy and hard to get traction. My bike got into a speed wobble at over 200mph. I tried to save it, but ended up coming off the bike at over 100mph. It was the worst wreck I've been in. I was unconscious, with seven broken ribs and a punctured lung. Fortunately, I recovered and made a point of testing different set-ups for the bike. I didn't push myself to make runs when conditions were bad. Racing comes with risks, which I try to minimise.

How did you crack the world record in Utah in 2008?
I had to make an effort to not think about what could go wrong, and put the accident out of my mind. I focused solely on what I needed to do to achieve my record. To set a land speed record, you have to make two runs — one in each direction - holding your top speed for a mile. My bike's engine was hot and as I entered the measured mile at full throttle, it started to sound rough. By the end, I had set the record but blown my engine, and there was oil everywhere!

What's your take on Indian motorcycle culture?
It's fascinating. The selection of motorcycles is vast, and I love that more women in India are riding motorcycles now. When I started in the '90s, men dominated the speed and racing scene; it was difficult for women to break into it.

Is Mumbai part of your itinerary?
I hope to see it during my visit. It is such a diverse city with much history. I've wanted to visit India for some time. I can't wait to experience its architecture, art, culture and beauty. I love Indian food, but have tried it only in America.

What kind of bikes do you ride now?
I have a Honda CBR1000, and several classic bikes from the '60s. I enjoy restoring old bikes. They aren't very fast, but they are a lot of fun.

Tips
>> Invest in proper motorcycle gear.
>> Never quit learning. Take up rider courses. Even if you have no desire to race, a day on the track with guidance will make you a better and safer rider.

“In the water sector we always say 'Don't waste a good crisis'," said Inga Jacobs-Mata, the South African representative from non-profit research group the International Water Management Institute (IWMI).

“In the water sector we always say 'Don't waste a good crisis'," said Inga Jacobs-Mata, the South African representative from non-profit research group the International Water Management Institute (IWMI).

Imports of Wheat & Meslin Unmilled in Japan increased to 17604.25 JPY Million in March from 12755.05 JPY Million in February of 2020. Imports of Wheat & Meslin Unmilled in Japan averaged 13402.63 JPY Million from 1985 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 47752.31 JPY Million in June of 2008 and a record low of 4599.27 JPY Million in August of 2009. This page includes a chart with historical data for Japan Imports of Wheat & Meslin Unmilled.

Imports of Wheat Or Meslin Flour in Mexico decreased to 8689 USD THO in March from 8744 USD THO in February of 2020. Imports of Wheat Or Meslin Flour in Mexico averaged 6709.58 USD THO from 2014 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 9582 USD THO in March of 2016 and a record low of 3580 USD THO in June of 2014. This page includes a chart with historical data for Mexico Imports of Wheat Or Meslin Flour.

Imports of Wheat & Meslin in Mexico decreased to 79047 USD THO in March from 96852 USD THO in February of 2020. Imports of Wheat & Meslin in Mexico averaged 92864.62 USD THO from 2014 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 140075 USD THO in January of 2019 and a record low of 53092 USD THO in March of 2019. This page includes a chart with historical data for Mexico Imports of Wheat & Meslin.

This hospital saga is gripping, well acted and sometimes harrowing

This 1853 Christmas Carol, set to the melody of a 13th-century Nordic Hymn, has since fallen into the hands of Joan Baez, Tom Jones and Ritchie Blackmore of Deep Purple.  

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The singer’s old label boss called the song ‘a morbid mess’, but it shot to number one in the US. Ahead of the 40th anniversary of Elvis’s death in August, FT pop writers Peter Apsden and David Cheal discuss the song's origins, dark appeal and afterlife. Credits: 104pro Media, Legacy Recordings, Entertain Me Ltd, Spectrum, Omnivore Recordings, Vengeance Records  

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Shares in Elon Musk’s pioneering electric car company Tesla have skyrocketed. Tom Braithwaite discusses whether the company will be able to maintain its current momentum and hold off competition from traditional carmakers with Jamie Powell and Richard Waters.

Contributors: Tom Braithwaite, companies news editor, Jamie Powell, Alphaville reporter, and Richard Waters, West Coast editor. Producer: Fiona Symon

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Chief executive criticised over move to offer liability cover following premium increase

Shares soar in after-hours trading following better than expected figures

The plan may be to keep the ‘pedal to the metal’ but self-funding is still out of range

On the impossibility of future earnings.

‘Stock price is too high’, writes outspoken chief executive

Tesla CEO Elon Musk tweeted Friday that the company’s stock price was “too high” in his opinion, immediately sending shares into a free fall and in possible violation of an agreement reached with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission last year. Tesla shares fell nearly 12% in the half hour following his stock price tweets […]

Herbert Diess wants to sell 26m emission-free vehicles in 9 years, overtaking rivals including Californian electric pioneer

Tesla appears to be ramping up installations of its solar tile roofs in the San Francisco Bay area and will eventually roll out to Europe and China, according to CEO Elon Musk, who, in a series of tweets, provided the first substantial update since the company launched the third iteration of its product in October. […]

Tesla’s Model 3 is among the top 10 choices for car buyers in 2020, according to Consumer Reports. The nonprofit organization released its “Top Picks” of the year on Thursday, and it included Tesla’s most affordable vehicle alongside cars from automakers including Toyota, Subaru, Honda, Kia and Lexus. The Model 3 was chosen as one […]

Panasonic said it will stop producing solar cells and modules at Tesla’s factory in Buffalo, N.Y., ending a four-year joint venture with the electric automaker.  Nikkei Asian Review was the first to report that Panasonic planned to end its production agreement with Tesla . Panasonic has since issued an announcement to explain its decision. Tesla […]

Tesla is aiming to ramp up “limited operations” at its factory in Fremont, Calif., a decision that puts the company and its CEO Elon Musk in direct conflict with a stay-at-home order in Alameda County. Update: On Friday, Alameda County health officials said the automaker was told not to reopen. Employees received two emails — […]

Tesla has not been given the “green light” to open its factory in Fremont, Calif., Alameda County Health Officer Dr. Erica Pan said in a videostreamed town hall meeting Friday. Tesla made plans to open as early as Friday in defiance of the county’s extended stay-at-home order. Tesla said in an internal email sent to […]

Some of the best real-time insights into Tesla and its global fleet of electric vehicles — outside the confines of its Silicon Valley headquarters — might be through the lens of TezLab, a tiny upstart in Brooklyn. Now, a little more than two years after its founding, TezLab is on the verge of hitting what […]

Lesley Nicol, who played Downton cook Mrs Patmore in the long-running period drama, told DailyMailTV talks for a second film are underway following the success of the first movie last month.

After recently getting some controversial ink permanently marked under his eye, Presley Gerber posted an Instagram snap that sent commenters into a tizzy. It appeared he was using a tattoo filter.

Mario Gotze has confirmed he is ready to consider a move away from Borussia Dortmund this summer. The exciting 27-year old midfielder is out of contract at the end of the season.

There have been over 5,900 Covid-19 deaths in Germany - but a quick return under controlled circumstances could save Germany's top-flight from going under, according to Dortmund chief Watzke.

The Premier League are watching closely as they try to push ahead with Project Restart, which would see the campaign come back on June 12.

Robbie Williams left Take That in 1995 but jumped back into making music after a two-year hiatus. The album went platinum eight times in Britain and had more than two million sales.

The 35-year-old had been playing for Al-Gharafa in Qatar but images of him attending Utrecht's clash against VVV-Venlo caused a stir after they showed him to be carrying a few extra pounds.

She always manages to look effortlessly stylish.  So it came as no surprise to see Rose Leslie looked typically on-trend as she ran some errands in London on Monday.

The Bundesliga's tentative plans to restart the season next month have got us dreaming of better days ahead, and should they return to action as planned it could well be the perfect televised tonic for UK fans.

Leaked documents in Germany have revealed the plans to equip all the players with masks to be worn throughout the entirety of a match.

KIT HOLDEN: With the Olympics and the Euros suspended and no end in sight to the freeze on other football leagues, there will be millions hoping to get some kind of fix from Germany.

A document from the German football federation has mapped out how the game can return safely, how players will train and play matches as well as what happens if someone contracts Covid-19.

The Bundesliga's plan to return to action on May 9 is facing opposition from a German scientist. Germany's top tier plans to resume next month behind closed doors.

The Rugby World Cup is now at its halfway stage at the end of week three with the knockout stages starting to take shape. Here, Sportsmail selects its team of week three from 10 matches.

Bayern Munich players will return to training on Monday for the first time since the Bundesliga campaign was suspended. The top flight has been on hold since March 13 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The league's chief Christian Seifert did suggest last week that the current plan is for games to return to all 36 grounds in the top two divisions by the start of May.

German politicians have suggested that the Bundesliga could return as early as May 9. The league was suspended due to the coronavirus outbreak with nine matches still to play.

Matches will continue behind closed doors with a maximum of 322 people in and around stadiums for top-flight Bundesliga matches and 270 for second-tier games.

KIT HOLDEN: With the Olympics and the Euros suspended and no end in sight to the freeze on other football leagues, there will be millions hoping to get some kind of fix from Germany.

Clubs in the German top flight have returned to training in the hope that the rest of the season can be finished off - providing Chancellor Angela Merkel gives the green light for action to resume.

Bayern Munich were back in training on Thursday, although they won't be returning to action as soon as hoped, with the start date of the Bundesliga pushed back to at least May 16. 

KIT HOLDEN IN GERMANY: On Monday morning, the Bundesliga waited with bated breath for news out of Cologne. When it came, German football breathed a collective sigh of relief.

The German government has given the green light for the return of the Bundesliga in the second half of May. But how will they get the show back on the road?

KIT HOLDEN IN GERMANY: The restart may be good news for football-starved fans across the world, but for the stars of Germany's top flight, it means a sudden return to full-time work.

Cologne have ramped up checks following the three positive tests, a development that will alert the Premier League as they monitor how Germany are attempting to resume football.

Coronation Street's Catherine Tyldesley, 36, revealed on Thursday that she now has the confidence to be naked thanks to appearing on Strictly Come Dancing.