Competition between allowed and first-forbidden β decays and the r-process

β− decay lifetimes are essential ingredients for r-process yield calculations. In N≈126 r-process waiting point nuclei first-forbidden and allowed β decays are expected to compete. Recent experiments performed at CERN/ISOLDE showed that 207,208Hg decay predominantly via first-forbidden decays. In addition, following on a high statistics study of the β+ /EC decay of 208At, it is suggested that the Z>82, N<126 nuclei provide an excellent testing ground for global calculations addressing the competition between first-forbidden and allowed β decays.