bbc--2020-08-16--Koeman may replace Setien as Barcelona coach - Balague

Barcelona manager Quique Setien is to be sacked on Monday and Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman could be the man to replace him , says Guillem Balague .
La Liga runners-up Barcelona were humiliated in an 8-2 loss to Bayern Munich as they crashed out of the Champions League at the quarter-final stage on Friday .
Setien , 61 , was hired as Ernesto Valverde 's replacement in January .
However , he failed to lead his side to a trophy in 2019-20 .
On Sunday night Spanish radio station Cadena COPE said they had spoken to Barcelona President Josep Bartomeu @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A board meeting is due to take place at 10:00 BST on Monday .
Spanish football expert Balague says former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has `` been approached '' , but ex-Barca player Koeman would be a more popular choice .
`` The board will meet tomorrow and [ Setien ] will be sacked , '' Balague told the BBC 5 Live Euro Leagues podcast .
`` They have to choose a manager because in two weeks time pre-season starts - and the talk is Koeman could be the man '' He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but this is different .
I think his health situation may have played a part .
Discussions may be taking place , we may hear tomorrow , but he will need to separate from the national side so there is still a wait for that to happen .
`` He is a name who will , more or less , make everybody happy . ''
Former Everton and Southampton manager Koeman , 57 , who was appointed as Netherlands manager in February 2018 , was rushed to hospital in May with chest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fit as a fiddle '' .
Pochettino , who has been out of work since being sacked by Tottenham after five years in charge in November , is also being linked with the role .
According to Balague , the Argentine is in the running but his appointment would not be a well received by the fans , due to his history as both a player and manager for local rivals Espanyol .
Instead , Koeman may oversee a `` year of transition '' before ex-Barca midfielder Xavi , currently in charge of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Balague told BBC BB Radio 5 Live on Friday that Quique Setien was only Barcelona's fourth choice to replace Ernesto Valverde
Barcelona manager Quique Setien is to be sacked on Monday and Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman could be the man to replace him, says Guillem Balague.
La Liga runners-up Barcelona were humiliated in an 8-2 loss to Bayern Munich as they crashed out of the Champions League at the quarter-final stage on Friday.
Setien, 61, was hired as Ernesto Valverde's replacement in January.
However, he failed to lead his side to a trophy in 2019-20.
On Sunday night Spanish radio station Cadena COPE said they had spoken to Barcelona President Josep Bartomeu external-link who told them Setien had been sacked. A board meeting is due to take place at 10:00 BST on Monday.
Spanish football expert Balague says former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has "been approached", but ex-Barca player Koeman would be a more popular choice.
"The board will meet tomorrow and [Setien] will be sacked," Balague told the BBC 5 Live Euro Leagues podcast. "They have to choose a manager because in two weeks time pre-season starts - and the talk is Koeman could be the man.
"He said no to an offer in January, but this is different. I think his health situation may have played a part. Discussions may be taking place, we may hear tomorrow, but he will need to separate from the national side so there is still a wait for that to happen.
"He is a name who will, more or less, make everybody happy."
Former Everton and Southampton manager Koeman, 57, who was appointed as Netherlands manager in February 2018, was rushed to hospital in May with chest complaints but said afterwards he felt "fit as a fiddle".
Pochettino, who has been out of work since being sacked by Tottenham after five years in charge in November, is also being linked with the role.
According to Balague, the Argentine is in the running but his appointment would not be a well received by the fans, due to his history as both a player and manager for local rivals Espanyol.
Instead, Koeman may oversee a "year of transition" before ex-Barca midfielder Xavi, currently in charge of Qatari club Al Sadd, would arrive.


bbc--2020-08-16--Hamilton dominates in Spain to claim fourth win in six races

Lewis Hamilton dominated the Spanish Grand Prix to take his fourth victory in six races so far this year .
Hamilton 's team-mate Valtteri Bottas took third , failing to catch Verstappen despite Mercedes ' efforts on strategy .
Hamilton 's win extended his World Championship lead to 37 points over Verstappen , who is six ahead of Bottas .
It was the 88th victory of Hamilton 's career and he is now just three from Michael Schumacher 's all-time record of wins .
It was also his 156th podium finish , a new record , beating the previous mark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ temperatures of 30C , the race was gruelling physically for all the drivers , but there was no sign of the expected challenge to Hamilton from Verstappen .
Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff had said on the eve of the race that Verstappen was favourite because he had shown stronger pace when the teams were doing their race preparation in practice .
But once converting his pole position into a lead at the first corner , Hamilton was always in command .
He took it easy in the opening laps , to ensure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but after 10 laps started to increase the pace and Verstappen could not keep up .
`` I was just in a daze out there , '' Hamilton said .
`` It felt really good .
It was a surprise because we had this problem with the tyres [ at the last race ] and the work we did was what meant we could do this . ''
With Hamilton in control , Red Bull 's focus now became ensuring Verstappen held on to second place from Bottas , who made a poor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first lap , behind Verstappen and Racing Point 's Lance Stroll .
Bottas was past Stroll within five laps but Verstappen was able to hold the Finn just out of range through the first pit stops .
Mercedes decided to run Bottas longer than Verstappen in the second stint , in an attempt to give him a tyre off-set in the final stint .
But although stopping seven laps later than Verstappen and switching on to the soft tyre compared to the Red Bull 's mediums , Bottas was unable to gain any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ point for fastest lap , but with a 43-point deficit to Hamilton - a gap edging close to two clear wins - the Finn 's title hopes are already effectively almost over .
Hamilton lapped everyone up to fourth place , so far ahead were the front three from the rest .
The Racing Points of Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll crossed the line fourth and fifth , but the Mexican was handed a five-second penalty for ignoring blue flags when Hamilton was lapping him and dropped behind the Canadian in the results @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strong race on his home track to take sixth , ahead of the impressive Sebastian Vettel , who made a one-stop strategy work to move up from 12th on the grid to finish seventh .
Vettel 's team-mate Charles Leclerc was running ahead of him and was also aiming for a one-stop but spun when an electrical fault cut his engine on lap 36 .
He managed to get the car going again at the second attempt , and did a lap without his seat belts secured to get back to the pits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What happens next ?
A much-needed weekend off after six races in seven weeks before another run of three in a row , starting with the Belgian Grand Prix at classic Spa-Francorchamps .
What they said Lewis Hamilton : `` I was in a daze out there , '' he says .
`` It felt really good .
It was a fantastic effort from the team .
It was a surprise because we had that problem with the tyres last weekend , but we seem to have understood it . ''
Max Verstappen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the two Mercedes .
I did n't have the pace like Lewis but I 'm happy with second .
The start was crucial to get ahead of Valtteri , then I was just trying to go at my own pace . ''
Valtteri Bottas : `` The start was the key point , I lost a position and then had to push hard to make ground and suffered the tyre condition .
In stint two I was behind Max and everyone knows how hard that it .
Off the start , Lewis got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tow like those behind . ''
• None Find out how to master it • None Who spreads misinformation and why ?

Lewis Hamilton dominated the Spanish Grand Prix to take his fourth victory in six races so far this year.
The Mercedes driver led every lap from pole position and was simply too fast for Red Bull's Max Verstappen, who was unable to challenge.
Hamilton's team-mate Valtteri Bottas took third, failing to catch Verstappen despite Mercedes' efforts on strategy.
Hamilton's win extended his World Championship lead to 37 points over Verstappen, who is six ahead of Bottas.
It was the 88th victory of Hamilton's career and he is now just three from Michael Schumacher's all-time record of wins.
It was also his 156th podium finish, a new record, beating the previous mark, also held by Schumacher.
Record breaker: Hamilton now holds the record for the most podiums in Formula 1 history with 156 appearances
Total control for Hamilton
In temperatures of 30C, the race was gruelling physically for all the drivers, but there was no sign of the expected challenge to Hamilton from Verstappen.
Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff had said on the eve of the race that Verstappen was favourite because he had shown stronger pace when the teams were doing their race preparation in practice.
But once converting his pole position into a lead at the first corner, Hamilton was always in command.
He took it easy in the opening laps, to ensure he could make his required pit-stop schedule but after 10 laps started to increase the pace and Verstappen could not keep up.
"I was just in a daze out there," Hamilton said. "It felt really good. It was a surprise because we had this problem with the tyres [at the last race] and the work we did was what meant we could do this."
"How about we focus on our race instead of looking for Lewis," Verstappen was in fine form over the Red Bull team radio
With Hamilton in control, Red Bull's focus now became ensuring Verstappen held on to second place from Bottas, who made a poor start and dropped to fourth on the first lap, behind Verstappen and Racing Point's Lance Stroll.
Bottas was past Stroll within five laps but Verstappen was able to hold the Finn just out of range through the first pit stops.
Mercedes decided to run Bottas longer than Verstappen in the second stint, in an attempt to give him a tyre off-set in the final stint.
But although stopping seven laps later than Verstappen and switching on to the soft tyre compared to the Red Bull's mediums, Bottas was unable to gain any ground.
Bottas' consolation was the point for fastest lap, but with a 43-point deficit to Hamilton - a gap edging close to two clear wins - the Finn's title hopes are already effectively almost over.
A frenetic midfield battle
Another bad day for Ferrari saw Leclerc's race ended due to engine problems
Hamilton lapped everyone up to fourth place, so far ahead were the front three from the rest.
The Racing Points of Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll crossed the line fourth and fifth, but the Mexican was handed a five-second penalty for ignoring blue flags when Hamilton was lapping him and dropped behind the Canadian in the results.
McLaren's Carlos Sainz drove a strong race on his home track to take sixth, ahead of the impressive Sebastian Vettel, who made a one-stop strategy work to move up from 12th on the grid to finish seventh.
Vettel's team-mate Charles Leclerc was running ahead of him and was also aiming for a one-stop but spun when an electrical fault cut his engine on lap 36.
He managed to get the car going again at the second attempt, and did a lap without his seat belts secured to get back to the pits, where he had to retire.
Driver of the day
Vettel gets it for an excellent drive to seventh place, and not for the first time showing Ferrari's strategists the way. When they asked him around lap 50 whether he thought he could make it to the end on his soft tyres, he swore and said: "I asked you that before"
What happens next?
A much-needed weekend off after six races in seven weeks before another run of three in a row, starting with the Belgian Grand Prix at classic Spa-Francorchamps.
What they said
Lewis Hamilton: "I was in a daze out there," he says. "It felt really good. It was a fantastic effort from the team. It was a surprise because we had that problem with the tyres last weekend, but we seem to have understood it."
Max Verstappen: "It was good to split the two Mercedes. I didn't have the pace like Lewis but I'm happy with second. The start was crucial to get ahead of Valtteri, then I was just trying to go at my own pace."
Valtteri Bottas: "The start was the key point, I lost a position and then had to push hard to make ground and suffered the tyre condition. In stint two I was behind Max and everyone knows how hard that it. Off the start, Lewis got away and I did not have a tow like those behind."
Hamilton said he was "so zoned in" he didn't even know he was on the final lap
Where it all began: Hamilton celebrates his first podium in Formula 1 in at the Australian Grand Prix in 2007


bbc--2020-08-16--2020 NBA play-offs: All you need to know about the first-round match-ups

Last updated on .From the section Basketball The 2020 NBA play-offs start on Monday in what is set to be one of the most unpredictable post-seasons in years , after a regular season like no other .
It finally restarted without fans inside the NBA 'bubble ' at Walt Disney World in Orlando at the end of last month , featuring 22 of the 30 franchises still in contention for a play-off place .
Those franchises have now been whittled down to 16 .
Here is what to look out for as they battle it out for a spot when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Lakers and Bucks ones to beat Where else to start but LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers ?
The 35-year-old is in his 17th NBA season and is trying to win his fourth NBA title with his third franchise , having previously lifted it with the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers .
The Lakers clinched top seed in the Western Conference , despite winning just three out of eight games in the bubble , to reach the play-offs for the first time since 2013 and face the Portland Trail Blazers in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lakers would also be a fitting tribute to NBA and Lakers legend Kobe Bryant , who was killed in a helicopter crash in January .
While the Lakers ' attack is led by James and Anthony Davis , they will face a man in form in Damian Lillard .
Lillard top scored with 31 points as they beat the Memphis Grizzlies in the special play-in series to secure the final play-off berth on Saturday night .
Afterwards he was named player of the bubble , having averaged 37.6 points as they won six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has enjoyed a stellar year and his 61 points in Portland 's 134-131 win over Dallas Mavericks this month also saw him become only the second player in history to score 60-plus points in three matches in a single NBA season , after the legendary Wilt Chamberlain .
The Toronto Raptors made history last year when they became the first non-American team to win the NBA title with a 4-2 series victory over Golden State Warriors .
Despite losing two-time NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard to Los Angeles Clippers , the Raptors secured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time round and a first-round meeting with the Brooklyn Nets .
Leonard meanwhile helped his new side the Clippers secure number two seed in the Western Conference for the first time in the franchise 's history .
Like James , he is bidding to win an NBA title with his third franchise , having won with San Antonio Spurs in 2014 and the Raptors last year .
The Clippers take on Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks in the first round .
Slovenian Doncic became just the second European player to be named @ @ @ @ @ @ @ following his move from EuroLeague side Real Madrid .
This year he is averaging a near triple-double of 28.8 points , 9.4 rebounds and 8.8 assists , which has seen him enter Most Valuable Player discussions at the age of just 21 .
Reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo helped Milwaukee Bucks become the team to secure a play-off spot earliest in NBA history in February .
They go into their first-round series against Orlando Magic with a 56-17 record - the best overall record in the league as they aim to secure their first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again among the contenders for 2020 MVP after another fine season .
James , who surpassed Bryant to become the NBA 's third-highest scorer of all time in January , is also nominated as he bids to become just the third player in NBA history to win the award five times , after Bill Russell and Michael Jordan .
James Harden of the Houston Rockets completes the nominees .
Harden , who won the award in 2018 , has scored more points and made more three-pointers than anyone else in the NBA this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ points-per-game .
He has been reunited with former Oklahoma City Thunder team-mate Russell Westbrook this season , and they face their former team in the play-offs .
• None Find out how to master it • None Who spreads misinformation and why ?

Will LeBron James add to his three NBA titles this season?
The 2020 NBA play-offs start on Monday in what is set to be one of the most unpredictable post-seasons in years, after a regular season like no other.
The play-offs usually begin in April but the coronavirus pandemic saw the season postponed on March 11.
It finally restarted without fans inside the NBA 'bubble' at Walt Disney World in Orlando at the end of last month, featuring 22 of the 30 franchises still in contention for a play-off place.
Those franchises have now been whittled down to 16. Here is what to look out for as they battle it out for a spot when the NBA Finals start on 30 September.
Lakers and Bucks ones to beat
Where else to start but LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers? The 35-year-old is in his 17th NBA season and is trying to win his fourth NBA title with his third franchise, having previously lifted it with the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Lakers clinched top seed in the Western Conference, despite winning just three out of eight games in the bubble, to reach the play-offs for the first time since 2013 and face the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round.
Victory for the Lakers would also be a fitting tribute to NBA and Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, who was killed in a helicopter crash in January.
While the Lakers' attack is led by James and Anthony Davis, they will face a man in form in Damian Lillard.
Lillard top scored with 31 points as they beat the Memphis Grizzlies in the special play-in series to secure the final play-off berth on Saturday night. Afterwards he was named player of the bubble, having averaged 37.6 points as they won six of their eight games.
The 30-year-old has enjoyed a stellar year and his 61 points in Portland's 134-131 win over Dallas Mavericks this month also saw him become only the second player in history to score 60-plus points in three matches in a single NBA season, after the legendary Wilt Chamberlain.
2020 NBA Play-offs Western Conference Los Angeles Lakers (1) v Portland Trail Blazers (8) Los Angeles Clippers (2) v Dallas Mavericks (7) Denver Nuggets (3) v Utah Jazz (6) Houston Rockets (4) v Oklahoma City Thunder (5) Eastern Conference Milwaukee Bucks (1) v Orlando Magic (8) Toronto Raptors (2) v Brooklyn Nets (7) Boston Celtics (3) v Philadelphia 76ers (6) Indiana Pacers (4) v Miami Heat (5) Conference semi-finals start on 31 August, Conference finals on 15 September and NBA Finals on 30 September
The Toronto Raptors made history last year when they became the first non-American team to win the NBA title with a 4-2 series victory over Golden State Warriors.
Despite losing two-time NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard to Los Angeles Clippers, the Raptors secured second place in the Eastern Conference this time round and a first-round meeting with the Brooklyn Nets.
Leonard meanwhile helped his new side the Clippers secure number two seed in the Western Conference for the first time in the franchise's history. Like James, he is bidding to win an NBA title with his third franchise, having won with San Antonio Spurs in 2014 and the Raptors last year.
The Clippers take on Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks in the first round. Slovenian Doncic became just the second European player to be named NBA Rookie of the Year last season following his move from EuroLeague side Real Madrid.
Portland Trail Blazers' Damian Lillard, Houston Rockets guard James Harden and Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks have starred for their teams this season
This year he is averaging a near triple-double of 28.8 points, 9.4 rebounds and 8.8 assists, which has seen him enter Most Valuable Player discussions at the age of just 21.
Reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo helped Milwaukee Bucks become the team to secure a play-off spot earliest in NBA history in February.
They go into their first-round series against Orlando Magic with a 56-17 record - the best overall record in the league as they aim to secure their first title since 1971.
Battle of the MVPs
Greek Antetokounmpo is again among the contenders for 2020 MVP after another fine season.
James, who surpassed Bryant to become the NBA's third-highest scorer of all time in January, is also nominated as he bids to become just the third player in NBA history to win the award five times, after Bill Russell and Michael Jordan.
James Harden of the Houston Rockets completes the nominees.
Harden, who won the award in 2018, has scored more points and made more three-pointers than anyone else in the NBA this season, averaging a league high 34.4 points-per-game.
He has been reunited with former Oklahoma City Thunder team-mate Russell Westbrook this season, and they face their former team in the play-offs.


bbc--2020-08-16--O'Sullivan wins sixth World Championship

Last updated on .From the section Snooker Ronnie O'Sullivan claimed his sixth World Championship title with a dominant 18-8 victory over Kyren Wilson at Sheffield 's Crucible Theatre .
Although Wilson battled back to 10-7 , O'Sullivan wrested total control with a run of eight frames on Sunday .
O'Sullivan , 44 , is the oldest champion since Reardon , who was 45 in 1978 .
The Englishman collects £500,000 in prize money , moving back up to second in the world behind last year 's champion Judd Trump .
It was the biggest winning margin in a final since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the same scoreline .
O'Sullivan told BBC Two : `` I never really think about titles .
When I was a kid I never really dreamed I would be here .
To be here and have had all those victories is a dream that has become a reality .
`` There was part of me that decided I did n't play enough to justify winning a tournament of this stature which is an endurance test .
`` I am not really an endurance type player because I do n't compete enough .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't expect to win it . ''
There has long been a debate about who the greatest snooker player of all time is - Davis dominated the 1980s , Hendry reigned in the 1990s but O'Sullivan now stands alone in terms of ranking events won .
His latest accomplishment ascends him to the top of the pile , having won his first back in 1993 at the UK Championship aged just 17 , and he also collected a record-extending 20th Triple Crown title .
An enigmatic character , O'Sullivan often has to battle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the final with his cue action , though he displayed both his supreme and slapdash manner during the 17 days of this tournament .
He hammered Thailand 's Thepchaiya Un-Nooh 10-1 in his opening match in a record 108 minutes , defeated the dangerous Ding Junhui and responded from large deficits to oust three-time winners Mark Williams and Mark Selby .
But there have been issues too , stating snooker players were being treated like `` lab rats '' for allowing fans to attend the first day - with spectators returning for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` disrespectful '' for some of his rash shot selections during their semi-final .
Despite operating far from his best on the first day of the final , O'Sullivan showcased why he is regarded a sporting genius by still managing to open up a three-frame lead heading into Sunday , as the match turned into a procession .
Having criticised the standard of play lower down the rankings , it is testament to O'Sullivan 's longevity that his latest world title comes in a third decade - 19 years after his maiden victory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legendary Hendry 's haul .
Kettering potter Wilson progressed into his maiden world final having received a bye from the first round as opponent Anthony Hamilton withdrew citing health concerns and beating defending champion Judd Trump in the quarter-finals .
A three-time ranking event winner , the 28-year-old was struck by nerves and failed to settle in the opening exchanges , failing 8-2 behind and he never truly managed to get within touching distance of O'Sullivan .
Having the opportunity of closing to 9-8 in his hands , he will look back on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ major regret and missing chance after chance on Sunday proved fatal .
Wilson said : `` I am not going to beat myself up too much , I am playing the greatest of all time .
It was a dream come true knowing I was playing Ronnie in the final .
`` You ca n't respect him too much or he 'll walk right over me , which is what happened today .
`` I am a fighter , I always will be .
I really struggled in the first session and I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
With the event moved to July-August from its usual April-May slot because of the coronavirus pandemic , Wilson now has less than a year to wait in order to try to make amends .
The story of the match Last year 's final between Trump and John Higgins was a masterclass in break building , the pair producing 11 centuries between them , but this showpiece was sub-standard in comparison .
Clearly looking concerned by how he was striking the cue ball on the opening day , O'Sullivan ground out a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more to open up a sizeable six-frame advantage .
'The Warrior ' Wilson was overawed early on but fought back by taking four in a row to trail 8-6 but he missed a crucial last red in the final frame of the day , allowing O'Sullivan to clear for a three-frame overnight buffer .
Wilson started the second day with a confidence-boosting 73 to trail 10-8 but poor potting and loose positional play thereafter gifted opportunities to his opponent .
O'Sullivan got into his rhythm by compiling seven frame-winning contributions without needing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one from victory heading into the final session .
And he completed his triumph on snooker 's biggest stage in style , needing just 11 minutes in the final session to make a 96 break .
Ronnie is still there at the top and I 'm sure he 's capable of going even further .
Certainly into his fifties , should he so wish .
He came in with a game plan to play a fast attacking game , it was a risky one but paid off in the end .
Would n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sports Personality of the Year ?
It 's a treat to come to the Crucible and watch him play live .
It 's a scary amount of talent that he 's got .
To win it six times is one hell of an achievement .
He 's the most watchable player that we have in our sport .
Sign up to My Sport to follow snooker news on the BBC app .
• None Find out how to master it • None Who spreads misinformation and why ?

Last updated on .From the section Snooker
Ronnie O'Sullivan claimed his sixth World Championship title with a dominant 18-8 victory over Kyren Wilson at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre.
O'Sullivan draws level with Ray Reardon and boyhood hero Steve Davis on world crowns, and surpasses Stephen Hendry on the all-time list of ranking event wins with a record 37 titles.
Although Wilson battled back to 10-7, O'Sullivan wrested total control with a run of eight frames on Sunday.
O'Sullivan, 44, is the oldest champion since Reardon, who was 45 in 1978.
The Englishman collects £500,000 in prize money, moving back up to second in the world behind last year's champion Judd Trump.
It was the biggest winning margin in a final since 2008, when O'Sullivan defeated Ali Carter by the same scoreline.
O'Sullivan told BBC Two: "I never really think about titles. When I was a kid I never really dreamed I would be here. To be here and have had all those victories is a dream that has become a reality.
"There was part of me that decided I didn't play enough to justify winning a tournament of this stature which is an endurance test.
"I am not really an endurance type player because I don't compete enough. I had half a chance but didn't expect to win it."
O'Sullivan rules once more
There has long been a debate about who the greatest snooker player of all time is - Davis dominated the 1980s, Hendry reigned in the 1990s but O'Sullivan now stands alone in terms of ranking events won.
His latest accomplishment ascends him to the top of the pile, having won his first back in 1993 at the UK Championship aged just 17, and he also collected a record-extending 20th Triple Crown title.
An enigmatic character, O'Sullivan often has to battle his own demons and did so in the final with his cue action, though he displayed both his supreme and slapdash manner during the 17 days of this tournament.
He hammered Thailand's Thepchaiya Un-Nooh 10-1 in his opening match in a record 108 minutes, defeated the dangerous Ding Junhui and responded from large deficits to oust three-time winners Mark Williams and Mark Selby.
But there have been issues too, stating snooker players were being treated like "lab rats" for allowing fans to attend the first day - with spectators returning for the final, while Selby described him as "disrespectful" for some of his rash shot selections during their semi-final.
Despite operating far from his best on the first day of the final, O'Sullivan showcased why he is regarded a sporting genius by still managing to open up a three-frame lead heading into Sunday, as the match turned into a procession.
Having criticised the standard of play lower down the rankings, it is testament to O'Sullivan's longevity that his latest world title comes in a third decade - 19 years after his maiden victory - leaving him one adrift of the legendary Hendry's haul.
Wilson wilts in summer heat
Kettering potter Wilson progressed into his maiden world final having received a bye from the first round as opponent Anthony Hamilton withdrew citing health concerns and beating defending champion Judd Trump in the quarter-finals.
A three-time ranking event winner, the 28-year-old was struck by nerves and failed to settle in the opening exchanges, failing 8-2 behind and he never truly managed to get within touching distance of O'Sullivan.
Having the opportunity of closing to 9-8 in his hands, he will look back on missing the last red on Saturday with major regret and missing chance after chance on Sunday proved fatal.
Wilson said: "I am not going to beat myself up too much, I am playing the greatest of all time. It was a dream come true knowing I was playing Ronnie in the final.
"You can't respect him too much or he'll walk right over me, which is what happened today.
"I am a fighter, I always will be. I really struggled in the first session and I just relaxed and let the shackles off."
With the event moved to July-August from its usual April-May slot because of the coronavirus pandemic, Wilson now has less than a year to wait in order to try to make amends.
The story of the match
Last year's final between Trump and John Higgins was a masterclass in break building, the pair producing 11 centuries between them, but this showpiece was sub-standard in comparison.
Clearly looking concerned by how he was striking the cue ball on the opening day, O'Sullivan ground out a century and four breaks of 50 or more to open up a sizeable six-frame advantage.
'The Warrior' Wilson was overawed early on but fought back by taking four in a row to trail 8-6 but he missed a crucial last red in the final frame of the day, allowing O'Sullivan to clear for a three-frame overnight buffer.
Wilson started the second day with a confidence-boosting 73 to trail 10-8 but poor potting and loose positional play thereafter gifted opportunities to his opponent.
O'Sullivan got into his rhythm by compiling seven frame-winning contributions without needing to do too much hard work, going one from victory heading into the final session.
And he completed his triumph on snooker's biggest stage in style, needing just 11 minutes in the final session to make a 96 break.
Analysis
Six-time world champion Steve Davis on BBC Two:
Ronnie is still there at the top and I'm sure he's capable of going even further. Certainly into his fifties, should he so wish.
He came in with a game plan to play a fast attacking game, it was a risky one but paid off in the end.
Wouldn't it be nice to see him win Sports Personality of the Year?
1991 world champion John Parrott on BBC Two:
It's a treat to come to the Crucible and watch him play live.
It's a scary amount of talent that he's got. To win it six times is one hell of an achievement.
He's the most watchable player that we have in our sport.
Sign up to My Sport to follow snooker news on the BBC app.


bbc--2020-08-16--Rossi shaken after avoiding Morbidelli & Zarco crash in Austrian GP

Last updated on .From the section Motorsport MotoGP riders Franco Morbidelli and Johann Zarco crashed at the Austrian Grand Prix @ @ @ @ @ avoiding a collision as their bikes careered across the track .
The two riders came @ @ @ @ @ with Maverick Vinales another rider close to hitting their bikes .
`` It was so @ @ @ @ @ , '' Rossi said .
`` Franco 's bike passed me at an incredible speed @ @ @ @ @ Zarco jumped over Maverick .
We were very lucky . ''
Ducati 's Andrea Dovizioso @ @ @ @ @ after a 20-minute pause .
Nine-time world champion Rossi , 41 , who recently said @ @ @ @ @ `` clear deadline '' for retirement , looked visibly shaken after the crash .
The @ @ @ @ @ at the track and meant Ducati have won every race since the circuit was added @ @ @ @ @ .

Last updated on .From the section Motorsport
MotoGP riders Franco Morbidelli and Johann Zarco crashed at the Austrian Grand Prix, with Valentino Rossi narrowly avoiding a collision as their bikes careered across the track.
Yamaha's Morbidelli and Johann Zarco of Avintia Ducati were up and walking after the incident.
The two riders came together on turn three, with Maverick Vinales another rider close to hitting their bikes.
"It was so scary, it was terrifying," Rossi said.
"Franco's bike passed me at an incredible speed and also the bike of Zarco jumped over Maverick. We were very lucky."
Ducati's Andrea Dovizioso won when the race resumed after a 20-minute pause.
Nine-time world champion Rossi, 41, who recently said he does not have a "clear deadline" for retirement external-link , looked visibly shaken after the crash.
The victory was Dovizioso's third at the track and meant Ducati have won every race since the circuit was added to the calendar in 2016.


bbc--2020-08-17--Belarus protests: Workers boo Lukashenko as election unrest spreads

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has been heckled by workers on a visit to a factory as anger mounts over his disputed re-election .
Workers chanted `` leave '' and booed the long-time leader of the ex-Soviet state as he insisted he would not allow a new vote after allegations of ballot fraud .
Strike action spread to state TV , with staff walking out on Monday .
Opposition candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya has suggested she could act as an interim leader .
• 'The people will not forgive this' • 'If you croak we do n't care ' : brutality in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well as the alleged poll-rigging in the 9 August vote , fuelled a big protest rally in the capital Minsk on Sunday .
Mr Lukashenko has led Belarus since 1994 , maintaining close relations with neighbouring Russia , on which Belarus heavily relies for energy supplies .
How great is the pressure on Lukashenko ?
According to local , independent news site Tut.by , Sunday 's opposition rally in Minsk was `` the largest in the history of independent Belarus '' .
A wave of anger has been rising since the Central @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 80.1 % of the vote and Ms Tikhanovskaya - 10.12 % .
Some 6,700 people were arrested in the wake of the election , and many have spoken of torture at the hands of the security services .
On a visit to the Minsk tractor plant on Monday , Mr Lukashenko sought to defend his disputed victory , telling workers : `` We held the election .
Until you kill me , there will be no other election . ''
But as he spoke , workers booed him and chanted `` leave '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ factories walked out in solidarity with the protesters , and more strikes are planned for this week , increasing the pressure on Mr Lukashenko , says the BBC 's Kyiv correspondent , Jonah Fisher .
At state TV , staff walked out in protest against censorship and the election results .
Ms Tikhanovskaya , who left for Lithuania after publicly denouncing the results , insists that where votes were properly counted , she won support ranging from 60 % to 70 % .
In a video message released on Monday , she said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national leader '' in order to restore calm and normality , freeing political prisoners and preparing for new elections .
How did Sunday 's rallies play out ?
Rival rallies were held in the capital , with the opposition event appearing to attract much higher numbers .
An official report said 65,000 people had attended the presidential rally but unofficial estimates were as low as 10,000 .
Unofficial estimates for the opposition gathering ranged between 100,000 and 220,000 .
There were reports of state sector workers being forced to attend Mr Lukashenko 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their jobs .
• Five things you may not know about the country As the president spoke , the anti-Lukashenko protesters gathered for a peaceful rally near a war memorial in the centre of Minsk .
A number of officials , as well as current and former police officers , have resigned .
The Belarusian ambassador to Slovakia , Igor Leshchenya , declared his solidarity with the protesters but told the BBC the government did not seem ready to hear them .
EU leaders are to hold an emergency video summit on Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to prepare new sanctions against Belarusian officials responsible for `` violence , repression and the falsification of election results '' .
The UK said on Monday it did not accept the results of the `` fraudulent '' election .
`` The world has watched with horror at the violence used by the Belarusian authorities to suppress the peaceful protests that followed this fraudulent presidential election , '' said Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab in a statement .
`` The UK does not accept the results . ''
The US has condemned the election as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Lukashenko has sought Russian help , saying President Vladimir Putin has promised to provide comprehensive assistance in the event of any external military threat .
In a conversation on Sunday , the two men discussed `` the situation in Belarus , taking into consideration the pressure the republic was being put under from outside '' , the Kremlin said .
Even though Vladimir Putin 's relationship with Alexander Lukashenko has been through a rough patch recently , pro-Kremlin media have been supportive of the embattled president of Belarus .
There has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
According to Russian state TV 's Channel One , the demonstrations have been fuelled by `` lies and disinformation '' , often originating in the West .
Allegations of police brutality are either ignored or dismissed as fake news .
It is the protesters themselves who are violent and unruly , Russian TV says .
But according to independent Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta , there is a very good reason for Kremlin media to be so critical of the protesters in Belarus .
`` Our countries are too close culturally and mentally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lukashenko be ousted , this would be seen by the Kremlin as `` a terrible example '' for Russians to follow .
The outcome of this crisis is clear , says popular Russian daily Moskovsky Komsomolets : `` Lukashenko is doomed to go . ''
More about the protests in Belarus • LETTER FROM MINSK : Shocked by violence , people lose their fear

Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.


bbc--2020-08-15--What US Joe Biden wants to do

What US Joe Biden wants to do

When he formally announced his entry into the 2020 presidential race , Joe Biden declared that he stood for two things - workers who `` built this country '' , and values that can bridge its divisions .
As the US faces challenges from coronavirus to racial inequity , his pitch in essence is to create new economic opportunities for workers , restore environmental protections and healthcare rights , and international alliances .
He will officially become the Democratic presidential nominee on Thursday when he will deliver this message to a national audience .
Here in detail is where the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Biden 's approach to tackling coronavirus , the most immediate and obvious challenge facing the country , is to provide free testing for all and hire 100,000 people to set up a national contact-tracing programme .
He says he wants to establish at least 10 testing centres in every state , call upon federal agencies to deploy resources and give firmer national guidance through federal experts .
He says all governors should mandate wearing masks .
Voters suspicious of federal authority will see this as overreach , but it lies very much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats ' general view on the role government should play .
To address the immediate impact of the coronavirus crisis , Mr Biden has vowed to spend `` whatever it takes '' to extend loans to small businesses and increase direct money payments to families .
Among the proposals are an additional $ 200 in Social Security payments per month , rescinding Trump-era tax cuts and $ 10,000 of student loan forgiveness for federal loans .
Mr Biden 's broader economic policies , dubbed his `` Build Back Better '' plan , tries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats - young people and blue collar workers .
He supports raising the federal minimum wage to $ 15 ( £11.50 ) an hour - a measure that is popular among young people and that has become something of a totem figure for the party in 2020 , and a sign of its move to the left .
He also wants a $ 2tn investment in green energy , arguing that boosting green manufacturing helps working class union workers , who perform most of those jobs .
There is also a $ 400bn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American goods , alongside a wider commitment to enforce `` Buy American '' laws for new transport projects .
Mr Biden was previously criticised for backing the North American Free Trade Agreement ( Nafta ) , which critics say shipped jobs overseas .
His 2020 plan calls for the federal government to invest $ 300bn in US-made materials , services , research and technology .
In the wake of the race protests that have gripped the US this year , he said he believes that racism exists in the US and must be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ programmes to support minorities - and a pillar of his `` build back '' programme is to create business support for minorities through a $ 30bn investment fund .
On criminal justice , he has moved far from his much-criticised `` tough-on-crime '' position of the 1990s .
Mr Biden has now proposed policies to reduce incarceration , address race , gender and income-based disparities in the justice system , and rehabilitate released prisoners .
He would now create a $ 20bn grant programme to incentivise states to invest in incarceration reduction efforts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ marijuana and expunge prior cannabis convictions , and end the death penalty .
However , he has rejected calls to defund police , saying resources should instead be tied to maintaining standards .
He argues that some funding for police should be redirected to social services like mental health , and calls for a $ 300m investment into a community policing programme .
Mr Biden has called climate change an existential threat , and says he will rally the rest of the world to act more quickly on curbing emissions by rejoining the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which Donald Trump withdrew from , committed the US to cutting greenhouse gases up to 28 % by 2025 , based on 2005 levels .
Though he does not embrace the Green New Deal - a climate and jobs package put forward by the left wing of his party - he is proposing a $ 1.7tn federal investment in green technologies research , some of which overlaps with the funding in his economics plan , to be spent over the next 10 years , and wants the US to reach net zero emissions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made by more than 60 other countries last year .
China and India , the two other biggest carbon emitters , have yet to join the pledge .
The investments dovetail with his economic plan to create jobs in manufacturing `` green energy '' products .
Restore America 's reputation ... and maybe take on China Mr Biden wrote that as president , he will focus on national issues first .
That said , there is little to suggest that Mr Biden 's values on foreign policy have shifted away from multilateralism and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opposition to Mr Trump 's unabashedly isolationist one .
He has also promised to repair relationships with US allies , particularly with the Nato alliance , which Mr Trump has repeatedly threatened to undermine with funding cuts .
The former vice-president has said China should be held accountable for unfair environment and trade practices , but instead of unilateral tariffs , he has proposed an international coalition with other democracies that China `` ca n't afford to ignore '' , though he has been vague about what that means .
Mr Biden says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scheme passed when he was President Barack Obama 's deputy , and implement a plan to insure an estimated 97 % of Americans .
Though he stops short of the universal health insurance proposal on the wish lists of the more left-wing members of his party , Mr Biden promises to give all Americans the option to enrol in a public health insurance option similar to Medicare , which provides medical benefits to the elderly and to lower the age of eligibility for Medicare itself from 65 to 60 years old .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a non-partisan group , estimates that the total Biden plan would cost $ 2.25tn over 10 years .
In his first 100 days in office , Mr Biden promises to reverse Trump policies that separate parents from their children at the US-Mexican border , rescind limits on the number of applications for asylum and end the bans on travel from several majority-Muslim countries .
He also promises to protect the `` Dreamers '' - people brought illegally to the US as children who were permitted to stay under an Obama-era policy - as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal student aid .
In a notable shift to the left , he has endorsed several big pieces of education policy that have become popular within the party - student loan debt forgiveness , expansion of tuition-free colleges , and universal preschool access .
These would be paid using money gained back from withdrawing the Trump-era tax cuts .

Though he does not embrace the Green New Deal - a climate and jobs package put forward by the left wing of his party - he is proposing a $1.7tn federal investment in green technologies research, some of which overlaps with the funding in his economics plan, to be spent over the next 10 years, and wants the US to reach net zero emissions by 2050 - a commitment that was made by more than 60 other countries in 2019. China and India, the two other biggest carbon emitters, have yet to join the pledge. The investments dovetail with his economic plan to create jobs in manufacturing "green energy" products.


bbc--2020-08-17--'Hottest temperature on Earth' as Death Valley, US hits 54.4C

What could be the highest temperature ever reliably recorded on Earth - 130F ( 54.4C ) - may have been reached in Death Valley National Park , California .
The recording is being verified by the US National Weather Service .
It comes amid a heatwave on the US 's west coast , where temperatures are forecast to rise further this week .
The scorching conditions have led to two days of blackouts in California , after a power plant malfunctioned on Saturday .
What were the previous records ?
Sunday 's reading was recorded in Furnace Creek in Death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ temperature reliably recorded on Earth was 129.2F ( 54C ) - also in Death Valley in 2013 .
A higher reading of 134F , or 56.6C a century earlier , also in Death Valley , is disputed .
It is believed by some modern weather experts to have been erroneous , along with several other searing temperatures recorded that summer .
• Summers could become 'too hot for humans' • Last decade confirmed as hottest on record According to a 2016 analysis from weather historian Christopher Burt , other temperatures in the region @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Death Valley reading .
Another record temperature for the planet - 131F , or 55C - was recorded in Tunisia in 1931 , but Mr Burt said this reading , as well as others recorded in Africa during the colonial era , had `` serious credibility issues '' .
What about the heatwave ?
The current heatwave stretches from Arizona in the south-west , up the coast to Washington state in the north-west .
It is expected to hit its peak on Monday and Tuesday , before temperatures start to drop later in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heat will continue for at least another 10 days .
As temperatures soared in California , a large `` firenado '' was observed on Saturday in Lassen County .
California 's Independent System Operator ( CISO ) , which manages the state 's power , has declared a Stage 3 Emergency , meaning `` when demand [ for electricity ] begins to outpace supply '' .
Because so much of the region 's power relies on solar and wind energy , and because people use their electricity for air conditioning , during heatwaves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at risk of completely malfunctioning .
In order to manage the state 's demand for power and prevent a complete shutdown , officials are using scheduled rolling blackouts to control and conserve energy .
What are the effects of extreme heat ?
Officials define extreme heat as a period of two to three days of high heat and humidity , with temperatures above 90F ( 32C ) .
US public health body the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) says heatwaves have killed more people on average than any other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As well as straining power grids and causing blackouts , extreme heat can ground planes , melt roads , and cause the inside of cars to overheat to dangerous levels .
Heatwaves can also have a severe impact on agriculture - either by causing vegetables to wilt and die , or by encouraging the spread of plant diseases .

"When you walk outside it's like being hit in the face with a bunch of hairdryers," she said. "You feel the heat and it's like walking into an oven and the heat is just all around you."


bbc--2020-08-16--Coronavirus: 'Reckless scenes' at Dublin venue criticised

Ireland 's health minister has condemned `` reckless scenes '' at a venue in Dublin which appeared to breach social distancing regulations .
Footage from Berlin D2 on Saturday showed a man standing on the bar pouring drinks into people 's mouths .
Guidelines say people must sit at tables in such venues unless they are paying , leaving or going to the toilet .
Jay Bourke , a restaurateur who is involved with the venue , told RTÉ he was `` not happy '' with what had happened Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said the `` vast majority of Irish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help suppress this virus '' .
He added : `` They 've shown huge solidarity .
People are rightly sickened by these scenes .
`` The reckless actions of a small few can have huge repercussions on everyone else . ''
The person who took the video told RTÉ that when he arrived at the venue with his wife , some social distancing measures were being applied .
He said tables were being kept 2m apart and food was being served to the tables .
However , he said people stopped following the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the music was turned up .
But he said having reviewed the CCTV from the venue he believed the footage did not fully reflect what happened .
Mr Bourke said footage from inside the premises showed that for the majority of the time people were complying with public health guidelines .
He said 51 people had attended a brunch event , which was fully ticketed .
He said Berlin D2 was operating at less than 20 % capacity at the time , was `` spotlessly clean '' and that food was served , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were taken on arrival and social distancing was maintained .
However he said Berlin D2 would stay closed until an internal investigation into the incident is completed .
Restaurants Association of Ireland CEO Adrian Cummins described the scenes as `` deplorable and despicable '' and a `` slap in the face to front-line workers who are putting their life on the line during this pandemic '' .
Mr Cummins said gardaí ( Irish police ) should take immediate action `` to stamp out this kind of behaviour '' .
Mr Donnelly 's predecessor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the video was a `` kick in the gut '' and a `` middle finger '' to everyone who had suffered during the coronavirus pandemic .
`` To everyone who has lost a loved one or been sick with Covid-19 , to every frontline worker and to every responsible business owner who have suffered so much .
Shameful , '' he wrote .
It comes as the number of cases in the Republic of Ireland has risen in recent days .
On Saturday , the state reported 200 new confirmed cases of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increase since May .
The Irish Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronan Glynn said the situation was `` deeply concerning '' and that there were `` multiple clusters '' across the country , as well `` secondary spread '' of the disease .
On Sunday , Taoiseach Micheál Martin echoed these concerns , and said the government would `` continue to monitor the situation closely '' .

He said Berlin D2 was operating at less than 20% capacity at the time, was "spotlessly clean" and that food was served, temperature checks and details for contact tracing were taken on arrival and social distancing was maintained.


bbc--2020-08-17--New Zealand: Jacinda Ardern delays election over coronavirus fears

The prime minister of New Zealand , Jacinda Ardern , has postponed the country 's general election by a month amid a spike in coronavirus cases .
The vote was due to take place on 19 September but will now be held on 17 October instead .
Ms Ardern said on Monday that the new date would allow parties `` to plan around the range of circumstances we will be campaigning under '' .
Earlier this week , the country 's largest city went back into lockdown .
`` This decision gives all parties time over the next nine weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time to ensure an election can go ahead , '' Ms Ardern said , adding that she had `` absolutely no intention '' of allowing any further delays to the vote .
The opposition National Party has argued the election should be delayed as restrictions on campaigning mean Ms Ardern had an unfair advantage .
• How New Zealand went 'hard and early ' to beat Covid-19 Restrictions were imposed on Auckland on Wednesday after a number of new infections were identified in the city .
Nine new coronavirus cases were confirmed on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases linked to the Auckland cluster to 58 .
The outbreak was initially traced back to members of one family , although Ms Ardern later said that subsequent contact-tracing had found an earlier case involving a shop worker who became sick on 31 July .
A health official who knew the family told the New Zealand Herald that the family were `` shell-shocked '' and `` a little embarrassed that it had happened to them '' .
The announcement that new cases had been discovered shocked the country , which had recorded no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months .
There are four `` alert levels '' in New Zealand , and Auckland has been on Level 3 since the new measures were announced .
The rest of the country is on Level 2 .
Before the new cluster was identified , the government had lifted almost all of its lockdown restrictions , which were first imposed in March .
New Zealand has reported more than 1,600 infections and 22 deaths since the pandemic began , according to figures from Johns Hopkins University .
An early lockdown , tough border restrictions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ test-and-trace programme had all been credited with virtually eliminating the virus in the country .

"This decision gives all parties time over the next nine weeks to campaign and the Electoral Commission enough time to ensure an election can go ahead," Ms Ardern said, adding that she had "absolutely no intention" of allowing any further delays to the vote.


bbc--2020-08-17--Coronavirus: Japan suffers its biggest economic slump on record

The Japanese economy has shrunk at its fastest rate on record as it battles the coronavirus pandemic .
The world ’ s third largest economy saw gross domestic product fall 7.8 % in April-June from the previous quarter , or 27.8 % on an annualised basis .
Japan was already struggling with low economic growth before the crisis .
The figures released on Monday are a stark reminder of the severe financial impact faced by countries around the world .
Japan slipped into recession earlier this year following two successive quarters of economic contraction .
Its latest data for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decline since comparable figures became available in 1980 and was slightly bigger than analysts had expected .
One of the main factors behind the slump was a severe decrease in domestic consumption , which accounts for more than half of Japan 's economy .
Exports have also fallen sharply as global trade is hit by the pandemic .
The latest data is the third successive quarter of declines for the Japanese economy , representing its worst performance since 1955 .
The downturn puts further pressure on a Japanese economy that was already struggling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hike to 10 % last year , along with typhoon Hagibis .
After the slump , hopes of a bounce Japan is the latest in a string of Asian economies to report drastically lower second quarter GDP data .
That should n't be a surprise : no one escaped the reach of the pandemic , and even if there were n't strict lockdowns put in place , people generally stayed indoors and did n't spend money .
That has a knock-on effect on corporate earnings , as consumers buy less and so companies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cycle that in turn leads to a lack of confidence about hiring prospects - which means there 's also nervousness about job prospects .
All of that is showing up in the numbers today .
Still , now is the time to look to the future and to the possibility of a rebound .
Japan is likely to do better than other economies according to some analysts .
Capital Economics says even though the world 's third largest economy is in the midst of a second wave of infections , its health care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases have started to decline .
The research house says it expects to see third quarter GDP bounce back - and continue through to next year .
After the record contraction most analysts expect Japan 's economic growth to rebound in the coming months .
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has introduced massive stimulus packages aimed to help cushion the blow of the pandemic .
While Japan lifted state of emergency measures in late May , concerns remain that a recent spike in infections may again hit business and household spending .
China , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , also offers some cause for hope .
Its economy rebounded in the April to June period , with growth of 3.2 % .

Japan is likely to do better than other economies according to some analysts. Capital Economics says even though the world's third largest economy is in the midst of a second wave of infections, its health care systems aren't overwhelmed, and new cases have started to decline. The research house says it expects to see third quarter GDP bounce back - and continue through to next year.


bbc--2020-08-17--Ruby Princess: New South Wales premier apologises over cruise ship outbreak

State officials in Australia have apologised for their failures over the handling of a huge Covid-19 outbreak on the Ruby Princess cruise ship .
Last week , an inquiry found New South Wales health authorities made `` serious mistakes '' in allowing about 2,650 passengers to disembark when the ship docked in Sydney in March .
Those people were not tested for the virus , despite suspected cases aboard .
The ship was ultimately linked to at least 900 infections and 28 deaths .
Prior to Australia 's second wave of the virus - which emerged in Melbourne in June @ @ @ @ @ @ @ source of Australia 's biggest coronavirus cluster .
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said she was particularly sorry to the 62 people who had caught the virus from passengers who disembarked .
`` I ca n't imagine what it would be like having a loved one - or being someone yourself who continues to suffer and experience trauma as a result - and I want to apologise unreservedly , '' she said .
After completing an 11-day return cruise to New Zealand , passengers were allowed to leave the ship at Sydney Harbour and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overseas flights home .
An inquiry report released last Friday found NSW Health had mischaracterised the ship as low-risk , and should have tested sick patients immediately .
It was `` inexcusable '' that officials had failed to immediately obtain results from coronavirus swab tests taken on 19 March - the day the vessel docked .
However the inquiry found no systemic failures and said the mistakes had already been recognised by the state government .
• Where are the world 's coronavirus hotspots ?
Following the Ruby Princess debacle , at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from docking at Australian ports due to their virus risk .
Most of the Australian passengers on the Ruby Princess self-isolated at home , in line with government instructions for returning travellers .
Excluding a cluster in the island state of Tasmania which spread through a hospital system , 62 people in Australia became infected through secondary transmissions .
Ms Berejiklian singled out those cases in her apology , saying : `` Unfortunately in particular for those 62 individuals , the lessons were n't learnt soon enough . ''
At least a third @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - were from overseas .
The inquiry said it was not able to fully assess how many people had caught the virus because many were unable to get tested .

"I can't imagine what it would be like having a loved one - or being someone yourself who continues to suffer and experience trauma as a result - and I want to apologise unreservedly," she said.


bbc--2020-08-16--Sevilla end Man Utd's Europa League hopes

Sevilla wrecked Manchester United 's hopes of ending the season with silverware as they edged a hard-fought Europa League semi-final in Cologne .
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 's side lost their third semi-final this season despite taking the lead when Bruno Fernandes scored their 22nd penalty of the season after Marcus Rashford was fouled by Diego Carlos .
Sevilla , Europa League specialists , equalised before the interval when former Liverpool forward Suso swept a finish past David de Gea at the far post .
United 's fate was sealed when they missed a succession of chances early in the second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the hero , denying Anthony Martial several times .
And Sevilla , who saw off Wolves in the quarter-final , secured their place in the final when Luuk de Jong swept home a cross from Jesus Navas with 12 minutes left , United punished for poor defending which led to recriminations as Fernandes confronted Victor Lindelof in the aftermath .
• 'This Man Utd side have been exposed as nearly men' • Man Utd have to take it to the next step - Maguire • Football Daily podcast : What went wrong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long season came to a bitterly disappointing conclusion as they missed out on the chance to lift their first trophy since they won this tournament under Jose Mourinho more than three years ago .
And they have only themselves to blame for a lack of killer instinct in front of goal , especially in that opening phase of the second half when Bounou denied them , especially Martial , but United simply had to take one of those chances .
It left Sevilla in the game and , as this talented side have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finding a way to win in the Europa League .
And so it proved with De Jong 's late goal , helped by awful United defending as they switched off from Navas ' cross , with Lindelof and Aaron Wan-Bissaka culpable .
United could not respond as they looked heavy legged , Solskjaer waiting until late on before introducing a raft of chances more in hope than expectation .
Manchester United rescued their season in the second half of the campaign , fuelled by the signing of Fernandes , but losing three semi-finals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effort .
Solskjaer 's season has finished respectability with a third-placed finish in the Premier League but weaknesses were exposed by the loss to Manchester City in the EFL Cup semi-final , Chelsea in the FA Cup and now this defeat by Sevilla .
It will no doubt strengthen Solskjaer 's hand as he demands high-class additions in the transfer window but does nothing to disguise the disappointment or the fact that , when the pressure was really on in the big cup games this season , they failed to deliver .
• @ @ @ @ @ @ @ League final , at least two more than any other side .
• Manchester United have now been eliminated from European competition by Spanish opposition for the third consecutive campaign .
• Sevilla are now unbeaten in 20 games , just the fourth different side within Europe 's top five leagues this season to enjoy such a run ( also Bayern Munich , Paris St-Germain and Real Madrid ) .
• Including both their quarter-final victory over FC Copenhagen and their match with Sevilla , Manchester United had 46 shots , with 21 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Red Devils have managed just two goals from the penalty spot in those matches with a conversion rate of 4.4 % .
• Manchester United have been awarded 22 penalties in all competitions this season , the most by a side in a single campaign within Europe 's top five leagues since Barcelona in 2015-16 ( 24 ) .
• Since his Manchester United debut on 1 February , only Robert Lewandowski ( 28 ) and Lionel Messi ( 27 ) have had a direct hand in more goals in all competitions than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , eight assists ) within Europe 's top five leagues .
• Bruno Fernandes has scored 100 % of the 14 penalties he has taken in all competitions this season , netting six for Sporting Lisbon .
• Planning a barbecue soon ?
: Find out how to master it • Investigating fake news : Who spreads misinformation and why ?

Last updated on .From the section European Football
Luuk de Jong's winner was his first goal in 12 games
Sevilla wrecked Manchester United's hopes of ending the season with silverware as they edged a hard-fought Europa League semi-final in Cologne.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side lost their third semi-final this season despite taking the lead when Bruno Fernandes scored their 22nd penalty of the season after Marcus Rashford was fouled by Diego Carlos.
Sevilla, Europa League specialists, equalised before the interval when former Liverpool forward Suso swept a finish past David de Gea at the far post.
United's fate was sealed when they missed a succession of chances early in the second half as Sevilla keeper Yassine Bounou emerged as the hero, denying Anthony Martial several times.
And Sevilla, who saw off Wolves in the quarter-final, secured their place in the final when Luuk de Jong swept home a cross from Jesus Navas with 12 minutes left, United punished for poor defending which led to recriminations as Fernandes confronted Victor Lindelof in the aftermath.
Profligate Man Utd pay the price
Sevilla 2-1 Man Utd: ‘It’s hard to take’ - Solskjaer reflects on Europa League defeat
Manchester United's long season came to a bitterly disappointing conclusion as they missed out on the chance to lift their first trophy since they won this tournament under Jose Mourinho more than three years ago.
And they have only themselves to blame for a lack of killer instinct in front of goal, especially in that opening phase of the second half when Bounou denied them, especially Martial, but United simply had to take one of those chances.
It left Sevilla in the game and, as this talented side have proved before, they are experts at finding a way to win in the Europa League.
And so it proved with De Jong's late goal, helped by awful United defending as they switched off from Navas' cross, with Lindelof and Aaron Wan-Bissaka culpable.
United could not respond as they looked heavy legged, Solskjaer waiting until late on before introducing a raft of chances more in hope than expectation.
Man Utd triple failure shows flaws
Manchester United rescued their season in the second half of the campaign, fuelled by the signing of Fernandes, but losing three semi-finals in a single term is a poor effort.
Solskjaer's season has finished respectability with a third-placed finish in the Premier League but weaknesses were exposed by the loss to Manchester City in the EFL Cup semi-final, Chelsea in the FA Cup and now this defeat by Sevilla.
It will no doubt strengthen Solskjaer's hand as he demands high-class additions in the transfer window but does nothing to disguise the disappointment or the fact that, when the pressure was really on in the big cup games this season, they failed to deliver.
Man of the match - Yassine Bounou
Yassine Bounou made six saves for Sevilla - with United counterpart David de Gea only keeping out one shot
Match stats
Sevilla have reached their sixth Uefa Cup/Europa League final, at least two more than any other side.
Manchester United have now been eliminated from European competition by Spanish opposition for the third consecutive campaign.
Sevilla are now unbeaten in 20 games, just the fourth different side within Europe's top five leagues this season to enjoy such a run (also Bayern Munich, Paris St-Germain and Real Madrid).
Including both their quarter-final victory over FC Copenhagen and their match with Sevilla, Manchester United had 46 shots, with 21 hitting the target - however, the Red Devils have managed just two goals from the penalty spot in those matches with a conversion rate of 4.4%.
Manchester United have been awarded 22 penalties in all competitions this season, the most by a side in a single campaign within Europe's top five leagues since Barcelona in 2015-16 (24).
Since his Manchester United debut on 1 February, only Robert Lewandowski (28) and Lionel Messi (27) have had a direct hand in more goals in all competitions than Bruno Fernandes (20 - 12 goals, eight assists) within Europe's top five leagues.
Bruno Fernandes has scored 100% of the 14 penalties he has taken in all competitions this season, netting six for Sporting Lisbon.


bbc--2020-08-17--Boa constrictor captured beside River Thames at Barnes

A large boa constrictor which was spotted slithering beside the Thames in south-west London has been captured .
The snake @ @ @ @ @ ( 1.5m ) long , was caught by the RSCPA on Sunday after being seen @ @ @ @ @ .
Jade Guthrie , who collected the reptile , said that due to its size @ @ @ @ @ been recently abandoned rather than it being a stray .
She said it was in @ @ @ @ @ be taken into specialist care .

Jade Guthrie, who collected the reptile, said that due to its size, she believed it had been recently abandoned rather than it being a stray.


bbc--2020-08-17--UK supermarket mulls end of 'bags for life'

The supermarket chain Morrisons is starting trials which could see it ditch all its plastic bags for life .
From Monday it will offer strong paper bags instead of reusable plastic ones in eight stores , and , if customers seem happy , offer them at all 494 stores .
Morrisons says the paper bags can carry up to 16kg , have handles and can carry up to 13 bottles of wine - as much as the plastic counterparts .
All leading supermarkets are trying to cut plastics use .
Tesco said its bags for life were made from 100 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It recently stopped using plastic bags to deliver online groceries following a successful trial last year .
Sainsbury gave the same details for its bags , and said it was trialling a return to bagless deliveries , which were temporarily stopped amid the pandemic .
Morrisons said there was evidence bags for life are being used once before being binned .
It said a full replacement of its bags for life would save 90 million plastic bags being used each year , the equivalent of 3,510 tonnes of plastic per year .
• @ @ @ @ @ @ @ greener ?
Morrisons ' chief executive , David Potts , said : `` We believe customers are ready to stop using plastic carrier bags as they want to reduce the amount of plastic they have in their lives and keep it out of the environment .
`` We know that many are taking reusable bags back to store and , if they forget these , we have paper bags that are tough , convenient and a re-useable alternative . ''
Supermarkets began charging for plastic bags in England 2015 , after the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ones to cut their use .
Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland run their own schemes to reduce plastic bag use .
In 2014 , 7.6 billion bags were handed out in England alone , around 140 per person a year , according to the environment department , Defra .
The number distributed since then has dropped by 80 % .

Morrisons' chief executive, David Potts, said: "We believe customers are ready to stop using plastic carrier bags as they want to reduce the amount of plastic they have in their lives and keep it out of the environment.


bbc--2020-08-17--Belarus protests: 'There's no way back. The people will not forgive this'

Belarusian state TV presenter Tatyana Borodkina is into cooking , not politics .
Each morning , on Breakfast for 3 , she would prepare simple recipes helped out by her two young daughters .
But last week , she announced her resignation on Facebook , declaring that she could `` no longer smile out from the TV screen '' after what she was sure was a crudely rigged election .
She has since had to flee the country with her children , after receiving threats .
Tatyana is one of a growing number of state media employees to publicly announce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the information system - the propaganda machine - that for 26 years has helped keep President Alexander Lukashenko in power .
On Monday , staff at the state media service Belteleradio began walking off the job , declaring the 9 August election `` illegitimate '' and calling for an end to media censorship .
Main channels , including Belarus 1 , are now broadcasting repeats .
`` I ca n't tell the viewers joyfully that 'tasty living is easy ! '
anymore , '' Tatyana told me this week , quoting her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presenter says when she wrote something similar on social media , an old acquaintance turned up at her home and threatened her .
`` He started telling me what a wonderful country we live in and asking what I thought I was doing .
He said he was warning me nicely , but that other people would come tomorrow , '' she explained from Ukraine , where she is now staying for safety .
She also received anonymous , threatening messages on her phone .
`` They said they 'd take my children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she says .
• Five things you may not know about the country Other media figures , including some well-known journalists , have since announced their resignation , though few have dared discuss their motives openly .
Most have limited themselves to announcing their `` last working day '' on social media , attracting thousands of `` likes '' .
For Tatyana , the brutality of security forces against protesters was the breaking point .
`` They 're trying to terrify people , but the reverse is happening .
No one will forget @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the mass arrests and violent treatment of peaceful protesters .
She is emotional , admitting that she is struggling to sleep , horrified by messages from friends who have been detained and beaten .
`` There 's no way back .
The people will not forgive this , '' she insists .
TV correspondent Yana Shyoko suffered sleepless nights too , when her husband Ivan Murayyov went missing .
A freelance reporter , he was detained for filming at a protest on his mobile phone .
`` It was a total violation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ journalist says of what followed : her husband 's three days of beatings at the hands of police - and her own , anxious wait outside the detention centre with hundreds of other relatives , as ambulances went in and out .
`` They put us face to the wall , lifted our shirts and beat our backs with batons , '' Ivan said , describing what he endured .
`` Then they threw me on the floor and beat me and I heard this phrase : 'Who do you love ? '
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't understand , until the OMON [ riot police ] said ' I love Belarus ! '
'' `` They wanted to teach people a lesson , not to protest .
But they got another result , '' the correspondent tells me from Minsk .
`` Never in the history of Belarus have we seen such united actions as now .
I feel like it 's already impossible to stop .
We have such a feeling , like the Belarusian nation has been born , '' Yana says .
State TV channels like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mass protests or the full extent of the police violence .
On Friday , dozens of people rallied outside several offices demanding that journalists `` tell the truth '' .
`` Of course , I agree with the people who are protesting , especially when I personally suffered this arrest with my husband , '' Yana says .
`` There was not enough information .
They could do more . ''
• 'If you croak we do n't care ' : Brutality in Belarus This weekend , when tens of thousands gathered in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elections , STV 's main news bulletin called the biggest protest ever in Belarus an `` alternative walk '' and mentioned it only in passing .
The accompanying images were filmed early , before the streets filled up .
By contrast , 22 minutes were devoted to a pro-Lukashenko rally containing extensive extracts from his speech and lots of close-ups of the crowd to make it seem bigger .
Even so , Yana - who was accredited to the presidential pool for several years , following Alexander Lukashenko - resists the term `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked `` inconvenient '' questions of her interviewees .
On leave now , she hopes to return to her job - although she says friends and strangers alike have been messaging , urging her to resign .
`` I am just dreaming that in future we will have normal journalism , real quality , '' Yana says .
`` Because it is painful when people hate everyone who works in state TV . ''
As for her country , Yana describes recent events as `` very inspiring '' .
`` A few months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would win this election… because there was no competition .
But there were some fatal mistakes and now it 's very difficult to stop . ''
In Kyiv , Ukraine , and off-screen , her colleague Tatyana Borodkina feels like her entire life has been upended .
She voted for opposition candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya because she could see no future for her children under Mr Lukashenko and calls the 80 % victory he claims `` impossible '' .
She still believes an honest , fresh election can be held .
But until then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` What 's happening is very painful , '' Tatyana says .
`` I really want to go home , to my beloved Belarus , '' she breaks into tears .
`` I never thought this could happen to me .
No-one thought they would treat us like this ! ''
More about the protests in Belarus • LETTER FROM MINSK : Shocked by violence , people lose their fear

"He started telling me what a wonderful country we live in and asking what I thought I was doing. He said he was warning me nicely, but that other people would come tomorrow," she explained from Ukraine, where she is now staying for safety.


bbc--2020-08-17--Victoria Derbyshire: My father was violent - I understand the terror of lockdown

Growing up , I remember my whole body tensing every time I heard my father 's key in the back door .
What mood would he be in when he came home from work ?
Would he provoke an argument ?
Would it lead to him hitting me , whipping me with his belt or just slapping me round the back of my head ?
I was fortunate I could escape sometimes to my best friend 's house down the road to get out of his way .
And the next day my father would go to work again , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which meant respite from the disruptive shouting and cruel violence .
The love in our lives came from my amazing mum who did everything she could to make up for his failings .
This article contains descriptions of violence some readers may find disturbing .
When the prime minister told us all to stay at home because of coronavirus , one of my first thoughts was for those living in abusive households - women , men and children , essentially trapped , forced to stay inside week after week .
What would happen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months finding out about the reality of domestic abuse under lockdown has been shocking - but I 've also met women who 've courageously escaped during the most challenging circumstances .
I 've spent time inside refuges which were full , meeting support workers on the ground who were under pressure , and talking to people who were subjected to levels of abuse they often had n't experienced before .
Jess* had been with her violent husband for many years .
During their relationship he 'd assaulted her multiple times - punching her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wore and how she styled her hair .
She says she had to ask his permission to make a cup of tea and even go to the loo .
But when lockdown was imposed , the violence escalated to more extreme levels .
Like most of us , Jess and her husband were watching Boris Johnson as he instructed the nation to stay at home to stop the spread of Covid-19 .
It was then that he turned to her and said chillingly , 'Let the games begin ' .
Her story is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ever heard .
She told me he raped her more than a hundred times .
`` Curtains would get closed , TV would be up loud , front door would be locked , music would be turned up so nobody could hear me screaming , '' she recalls .
He burned the top of her legs with cigarettes 'so no-one would ever want her ' .
BBC Panorama has learned the intensity of abuse escalated in lockdown - offences included poisoning and strangulation .
Women 's Aid has been working on the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had on domestic abuse .
Of the people they spoke to , almost two-thirds of those living with their abuser said the violence got worse , and three-quarters said lockdown had made it harder for them to escape .
Meanwhile , calls to the Respect Men 's Advice Line for male victims increased by 65 % during the first three months of restrictions .
For some , the pandemic was used by their abuser as a form of control .
When I asked Jess what the 'stay at home ' message meant to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Death . ''
Three weeks into lockdown her husband declared 'today will be the last day you see daylight ' .
She knew she had to get out or she feared she 'd be leaving her home `` in a wooden box '' .
When I was around 12 years old , I remember running to the police station after my father locked my mum in their bedroom and began beating her up .
I was scared he was going to kill her .
Our phone had been cut off because he had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of trying to isolate us from friends and family .
I ran as fast as I could the mile or so to the station and , out of breath , pleaded with the officer behind the desk to come and help .
But in lockdown , some of those in violent relationships struggled to even pick up the phone to dial 999 , let alone run for help , because their abuser was at home 24/7 .
Jess knew she had to get through to the police somehow in order to save her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her husband .
While he slept on the sofa , she googled 'how to contact the police without calling them ' , terrified he would wake up .
After texting REGISTER to 999 and receiving an initial response , she sent them her address .
Officers arrived within minutes .
Panorama has found in the first seven weeks of UK lockdown someone called police for help about domestic abuse every 30 seconds - that 's both female and male victims .
It took the Westminster government 19 days after imposing restrictions to announce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to report domestic abuse , as well as an extra £2m for domestic abuse helplines .
Fiona Dwyer , chief executive of Solace , one of the biggest providers of refuge spaces told me , `` the government 's inaction and slowness to respond made an incredibly challenging period even more challenging '' .
`` If you look at who was in the Cabinet , it 's a lot of very privileged men .
So maybe it 's not an issue they think about , '' she says .
I have n't met @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abuse advocate in the last few months who said they had seen any evidence the government in England had considered the effect lockdown would have on those living in an abusive household .
But safeguarding minister Victoria Atkins denied they were too slow to act .
The government was `` alive to the risks of domestic abuse '' , was talking to charities in the early days and `` very much responding '' she told me .
In the nearly three weeks between the introduction of lockdown and the government launching its You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , two children and one man were killed in alleged domestic abuse cases .
Responsibility for those deaths lies with the perpetrators , but could lives have been saved had the government acted more quickly ?
`` There will be time to reflect on lessons to be learned across the pandemic '' , Ms Atkins told me .
She said she was working to scrap the October deadline requiring charities to spend the emergency government funding they received .
Domestic abuse victims to get better protection in family courts Jess had to leave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to try to find a place in a refuge .
Her life since she arrived at one in Wales run by the charity Llamau has been transformed - thanks to support from the dedicated staff and caring fellow survivors .
The UK potentially faces a further coronavirus spike and more local lockdowns as we head towards winter .
Solace 's Fiona Dwyer said the UK government has to make sure there is `` robust sustainable funding for future services '' .
My parents got divorced when I was 16 and that 's when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all domestic abuse survivors leave their home .
Why should they have to ?
Others ca n't because they are terrified their abuser will come after them ; many simply ca n't afford to go because they are n't financially independent .
For those like Jess who did take that step during lockdown , it has been liberating .
`` I feel safe .
I do n't feel threatened .
I can go to bed at night knowing nothing 's going to happen to me . ''
If you 've been affected by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calling the National Domestic Abuse helpline on 0808 2000 247 and in Scotland 0800 027 1234 .
There is also the Respect Men 's Advice Line on 0808 801 0327 .
*Not her real name You can watch BBC Panorama 'Escaping my Abuser ' on BBC One at 19:30 BST and on BBC iPlayer .

She told me he raped her more than a hundred times. "Curtains would get closed, TV would be up loud, front door would be locked, music would be turned up so nobody could hear me screaming," she recalls. He burned the top of her legs with cigarettes 'so no-one would ever want her'.


bbc--2020-08-16--China and trade: Breaking up is hard to do

There 's an old adage in Asian business circles : when China sneezes , Asia catches a cold .
So imagine what happens during a pandemic .
When China locked down , supply chains around the region were hit and companies could n't get access to raw materials and products .
Nothing escaped the reach of the coronavirus crisis , not even the tiniest artefact , as speciality crafts studio Royal Insignia found out .
For decades , the fine craft studio has made medals and jewellery for the who 's who in South East Asian royalty .
But coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company could n't meet customer orders .
Royal Insignia sources its precious metals from Italy and its gift boxes from China .
• What to expect as China-US trade talks resume • Why US-China relations are at their lowest point in decades General manager Lin Yiqun says it was a double whammy - lockdowns in both countries meant the company could n't get any of its supplies .
`` The important lesson for us to learn here was you need to have an alternate source for supply chains , '' he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ hit us again , how do we respond to that ?
For packaging materials , we definitely are looking at other suppliers . ''
Although Royal Insignia has invested in automation , most of its precious products are made painstakingly by hand .
It only keeps just the right amount of raw materials for production , meaning it did n't have extra stock lying around .
For Royal Insignia and other companies around the world , the pandemic caused a massive disruption in global trade .
It was a huge wake-up call .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ depending on one country all the time for everything is bad for business .
That lesson is starting to have a real-world impact .
A recent survey by supply chain management firm QIMA showed that 95 % of US companies questioned said they would diversify suppliers both in and out of China .
But even with the pandemic and the continuing trade war between the US and China , a complete break is tough .
Some 87 % of the companies surveyed still said the mainland is one of their top three sourcing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ firms having that realisation , and neither is it just because of how deep the supply chains are in China .
`` China responded to the virus in a different manner to how other countries responded , '' said Steven Lynch , chief executive of the British Chamber of Commerce in China .
`` The one thing they did was reassure and gave businesses confidence to reopen . ''
He said : `` Companies who have supply chains and manufacturing operations here , [ China ] very quickly gave tax incentives and support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investments . ''
Meanwhile , China 's appetite for high-tech goods is growing when other countries are cutting back .
For Taiwanese firm Advantech , which makes industrial computers , China makes up almost a quarter of its business .
Advantech founder Chaney Ho said China was its second-biggest market : `` From a business point of view , we can not just give up this market . ''
He said : `` China is still doing a lot of infrastructural expansion for 5G and high-speed train subway infrastructure .
It requires a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not just good for Advantech , but also for a lot of other European companies too . ''
China has gone from being the world 's supplier to also becoming one of the world 's most important customers .
It 's the only economy that 's likely to grow this year .
Global trade has been defined by China in the last few decades - and that 's not going to change any time soon .

"If this thing is going to hit us again, how do we respond to that? For packaging materials, we definitely are looking at other suppliers."


bbc--2020-08-17--The medical school trying to become anti-racist

A major British medical school is leading the drive to eliminate what it calls `` inherent racism '' in the way doctors are trained in the UK .
The University of Bristol Medical School says urgent action is needed to examine why teaching predominantly focuses on how illnesses affect white people above all other sections of the population .
It comes after students pushed for reform , saying gaps in their training left them ill-prepared to treat ethnic minority patients - potentially compromising patient safety .
Hundreds of other UK medical students have signed petitions demanding teaching that better reflects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Medical School Council ( led by the heads of UK medical schools ) and the regulator , the General Medical Council , say they are putting plans in place to improve the situation .
Meanwhile , a recent draft report by Public Health England suggests racism could play a part in the increased risk of death from coronavirus faced by black , Asian and other minority communities and recommends work continues to tackle discrimination within the health service .
A number of diseases manifest differently depending on skin tone , but too little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to Dr Joseph Hartland , who is helping to lead changes at the University of Bristol Medical School .
And he says the problem is one that all UK medical schools and the wider NHS share .
`` Historically medical education was designed and written by white middle-class men , and so there is an inherent racism in medicine that means it exists to serve white patients above all others , '' he said .
When patients are short of breath , for example , students are often taught to look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a blue tinge to the lips or fingertips - to help judge how severely ill someone is , but these signs can look different on darker skin .
`` Essentially we are teaching students how to recognise a life-or-death clinical sign largely in white people , and not acknowledging these differences may be dangerous , '' said Dr Hartland .
He agreed there were other ways of making the diagnosis , but said teachers needed to question why training almost always focuses on signs as they appear in white-skinned people .
According to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to training on common skin conditions like eczema , with students often going through their entire medical school education without seeing examples of how these manifest in people who do not have white skin .
But , he says , the problem goes much deeper than skin conditions .
After receiving a letter setting out areas for reform from black , Asian and other ethnic minority students , the school sent a detailed document to all students , outlining measures to `` de-colonise the curriculum '' .
• New textbooks demonstrating clinical signs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all clinical signs , where possible , are presented in both light and dark skin tones • Exploring the fact that drug trials predominantly involve white , male participants , and looking at how this may lead to inaccurate and harmful prescribing for other patients • Teaching on the history of medicine , including the exploitation of people of colour in scientific research • Training on spotting unconscious bias and helping students and staff more confidently report and act on racism • Setting up an anti-racism taskforce to promote an environment that actively @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the black and minority ethnic medical student group at the school , said the changes would make better doctors - and ultimately help patients have better treatment .
She said : `` If the new generation of doctors are not being equipped to adequately care for the multi-ethnic population we see here in the UK and across the world , we are doing the patients a disservice . ''
She gives the example of studies showing black patients are often prescribed less pain relief than other people , despite having the same conditions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Some of this is rooted in problematic ideologies of the past - the erroneous idea that black people feel less pain .
`` It is important as students and staff that we understand this colonial history and have training so we can examine and reflect on our unconscious biases , '' said Miss Larkai .
One new area of the history of medicine that will be covered is the Tuskegee syphilis experiments - where for nearly 40 years , the US government conducted experiments on a group of black American men @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would happen if their syphilis was left untreated .
Miss Larkai and Dr Hartland say it is important for students to learn about medicine 's difficult past to prevent such atrocities from happening again .
The work to `` de-colonise '' the curriculum is part of ongoing action at the University of Bristol .
The medical school is adding its own specific changes to help trainee doctors .
Dr Kathreena Kurian , who is helping with the changes , said : `` Bristol really has a unique opportunity to shine a light on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and as highlighted by recent high-profile events in the city . ''
Miss Larkai , who has spent years campaigning on the issues and co-founded the organisation BME Medics , said she feels positive about the recent advances , and proud of the students who have helped bring them about .
But she acknowledged the work took an emotional and social toll .
She added the reforms would require long-term funding and expertise .
The Medical Schools Council has already started working with universities to diversify curricula and improve support for people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the council , said : `` It is vital that not only should the profession represent our diverse population but it should also understand the unique health differences in our various communities . ''
The General Medical Council - which sets the broad framework for medical training but not specific content in curricula - said it would work with medical schools on guidance that includes ethnically diverse presentations in their curricula .
The organisation says it wants to be active `` in driving change that is real and effective in support of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , doctors and patients in the UK . ''

When patients are short of breath, for example, students are often taught to look out for a constellation of signs -including a blue tinge to the lips or fingertips - to help judge how severely ill someone is, but these signs can look different on darker skin.