bbc--2020-07-08--Scrabble community mulls banning racial and homophobic slurs

Leaders of the Scrabble tournament community in North America are voting on whether to ban the use of racial and homophobic slurs .
The vote will decide whether the words will be removed from the North American Scrabble Players Association ( NASPA ) list of accepted words .
The NASPA manages competitive Scrabble tournaments and clubs in North America .
The decision is due after weeks of anti-racism protests in the US and around the world .
Hasbro , owner of the rights to Scrabble in North America , told The New York Times on Tuesday that the NASPA had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their word list for Scrabble tournament play , which is managed solely by NASPA and available only to members . ''
Hasbro has not allowed slurs in its dictionary since 1994 .
However the association has still permitted them .
• It 's OK to use OK , US Scrabble decrees The NASPA advisory board is set to vote on Thursday .
The removal of the words from its vocabulary list could affect online versions of the game .
The association licenses its list of words to software developers , according to Mashable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the BBC : `` The vote is at this point a necessary formality , and we will be removing all offensive words from our lexicon .
We will be reviewing our candidate list of 236 such words carefully to make sure that they all need to be deleted , which may take an additional week or two after the decision . ''
Addressing members in a letter , Mr Chew said : `` When we play a slur , we are declaring that our desire to score points in a word game is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slur 's broader function as a way to oppress a group of people .
`` I do n't think that this is the time for us to be contributing divisively to the world 's problems .
He told Reuters news agency that he was worried people were put off from joining the association due to offensive language in the association 's dictionary .
About 1,000 people took part in the association 's poll on whether to remove the words , he said .
The survey asked respondents whether they wanted the `` N-word @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all offensive words removed from the association 's vocabulary .
Mr Chew said members were split over removing the `` N-word '' and the public were in favour of its removal .
Daniel Tunnard plays competitive Scrabble in Spanish and has written a novel about the game , Escapes .
He told the BBC that there are some words in the English language that are so offensive and so inflammatory that it 's understandable for players to question whether they should be using them in a game .
`` There are hundreds of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Scrabble , we 're not going to miss some 80 words that might cause offence .
`` Slurs account for something like 0.0004 % of the word list , it is n't going to make a tremendous difference .
And new , non-offensive words are being added all the time , like OK , which got lots of press last year .
There is no shortage of words . ''
He added : `` Of course , there will inevitably be a situation if slurs are banned where a world championship final hinges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a now-banned word .
That 's bound to happen . ''

NASPA Chief Executive John Chew told the BBC: "The vote is at this point a necessary formality, and we will be removing all offensive words from our lexicon. We will be reviewing our candidate list of 236 such words carefully to make sure that they all need to be deleted, which may take an additional week or two after the decision."


bbc--2020-07-08--UK Chancellor gives diners 50% off on eating out

Diners will get a 50 % discount off their restaurant bill during August under government plans to bolster the embattled hospitality sector .
Chancellor Rishi Sunak unveiled the `` eat out to help out '' discount as part of a series of measures to restart the economy amid the coronavirus pandemic .
The deal means people can get up to £10 off per head if they eat out from Monday to Wednesday .
Mr Sunak also said VAT on hospitality and tourism would drop to 5 % .
The reduction , from 20 % , will be in place for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced the discount , the chancellor said the UK was facing a `` unique moment '' because of Covid-19 , adding : `` We need to be creative . ''
• What the summer economic plan means for your money Pubs and restaurants reopened on Saturday after more than three months in lockdown , with safety measures in place to prevent the spread of the coronavirus .
Mr Sunak sought to reassure the public that it was safe to dine out .
`` I know people are cautious about going out .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if we did n't think we could do so , safely , '' he said .
The discount will not apply to alcohol , but to food and soft drinks up to £10 per person .
The Treasury said the 50 % discount can be used unlimited times during August and applies to participating restaurants , cafés , and pubs across the UK .
Mr Sunak said the plan was aimed at getting `` customers back into restaurants , cafes and pubs '' and protecting `` the 1.8 million people who work in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prompted criticism from some who questioned subsidising meals out while British people continue to die from the coronavirus and many people are struggling financially .
Businesses that want to take part in the scheme will have to register through a website that opens on Monday 13 July .
Mr Sunak said : `` Each week in August , businesses can then claim the money back , with the funds in their bank account within five working days . ''
He added that the cut in VAT , from 20 % to 5 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hot takeaway food from restaurants , cafes and pubs ; accommodation in hotels , B & Bs , campsites and caravan sites [ and ] attractions like cinemas , theme parks and zoos '' .
The lower tax rate will be implemented next Wednesday , 15 July , and will remain in place until 12 January 2021 .
Caroline Roylance , owner of The George pub at Fordingbridge , Hampshire , said she would be applying for the `` eat out to help out '' scheme .
The pub reopened on Wednesday after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus lockdown was implemented .
She said the discount and the VAT cut `` will help us make it through the next few months , because trade is unlikely to return to pre-Covid levels for some time '' .
`` Saying that , it 's been surprisingly busy today , which is encouraging , but it 's still not July busy , '' said Mrs Roylance .
`` It 's a start though . ''
UK Hospitality , the trade body which represents the industry , `` warmly '' welcomed the moves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plans to stem unemployment through schemes such as creating thousands of job placements for young people .
However , UK Hospitality 's chief executive , Kate Nicholls , said : `` This does n't mean we are out of the woods and there are still significant challenges ahead .
`` The biggest of these is the spectre of rent liabilities , which many businesses are still facing from their closure period .
We are going to need government support on this before too long . ''
Meanwhile , the exclusion of alcohol from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' discount hit some pub groups ' share prices .
Mitchells & Butler 's share price jumped by 7.3 % to 175p towards the end of Mr Sunak 's statement , when he revealed the VAT cut for the hospitality and leisure industries , as well as the dining out discount .
But once it became clear it did not include alcohol , Mitchell & Butler 's share price fell `` just as quickly as it spiked up '' , said Michael Hewson , chief market analyst at CMC Markets UK .
Marston @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 48.98p .
JD Wetherspoon 's share price fell 2 % to 986p .

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bbc--2020-07-09--César Duarte: Fugitive Mexican ex-governor arrested in Miami

César Duarte , a former Mexican state governor who became a fugitive , has been arrested in Miami after more @ @ @ @ @ run .
Mr Duarte , governor of Chihuahua until 2016 , fled after he was @ @ @ @ @ .
He now faces extradition to Mexico , where he faces corruption charges .
The @ @ @ @ @ Andrés Manuel López Obrador paid an official visit to the US for talks with President @ @ @ @ @ Obrador came to power pledging to tackle political corruption .
Mr Duarte was governor of @ @ @ @ @ October 2016 .
He was known for his lavish lifestyle and is accused of having @ @ @ @ @ fly friends and family to his ranch on weekends .
He is also alleged to @ @ @ @ @ imported by the state to help small-scale Mexican ranchers replace their herds after a devastating @ @ @ @ @ many of his properties have been seized since Mr Duarte fled the country .
There @ @ @ @ @ him in Texas , New Mexico and Florida in recent years .

He was known for his lavish lifestyle and is accused of having used an official helicopter to fly friends and family to his ranch on weekends.


bbc--2020-07-08--Hong Kong pupils banned from political activity

Students in Hong Kong are now banned from any political activity in schools including singing , posting slogans and boycotting classes , the territory 's education minister has said .
Thousands of children became heavily involved in Hong Kong 's pro-democracy push last year .
Some 1,600 were arrested for joining the sometimes violent demonstrations .
The order came on the same day that a new national Chinese security office opened in the city .
The office is one element of a sweeping new law that makes inciting hatred of China 's central government and Hong Kong 's regional government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Hong Kong , with opponents saying it erodes the territory 's freedoms as a semi-autonomous region of China .
But officials say it will restore stability after violent protests .
Hong Kong 's sovereignty was handed back to China by Britain in 1997 and certain rights were supposed to be guaranteed for at least 50 years under the `` one country , two systems '' agreement .
Last year hundreds and thousands protested for weeks in Hong Kong against an extradition bill that critics said undermined the city 's special status .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ include full democracy and an inquiry into police brutality .
In schools many children expressed their support for the demonstrations by drowning out the Chinese national anthem with protest song Glory To Hong Kong .
Now Education Minister Kevin Yeung says schools must stamp out such demonstrations .
• Why people are scared of Hong Kong 's new law • Why are the protests in Hong Kong ?
The background you need Mr Yeung said the song Glory to Hong Kong was `` closely related to the social and political incidents , violence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months , '' according to Reuters news agency .
`` Schools must not allow students to play , sing or broadcast it in schools , '' he said .
Additionally authorities said students must not form human chains , chant slogans or express other political messages .
Last week pro-democracy books were removed from public libraries , and authorities say they will be reviewed to see if they violate the new law .

Hong Kong's sovereignty was handed back to China by Britain in 1997 and certain rights were supposed to be guaranteed for at least 50 years under the "one country, two systems" agreement.


bbc--2020-07-08--India gold smuggling case sparks political row

A political row has broken out in India after gold was found being smuggled into the country in diplomatic baggage .
Customs officials at the international airport in the southern state of Kerala found more than 30kg ( 66lb ) of gold hidden inside bathroom fittings .
The package was addressed to the United Arab Emirates ' consulate in Thiruvananthapuram .
The UAE has denied any knowledge of the package and said a former local employee had been arrested .
Local reports suggest another person has also been detained .
In a statement on Twitter on Tuesday , the UAE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said an investigation had been launched after the discovery was made .
`` The [ Emirati ] authorities have stressed that the culprits who not only committed a major crime but also sought to tarnish the reputation of the UAE mission in India will not be spared , '' the embassy said .
`` We remain committed to cooperating with Indian authorities in getting to the root of the crime . ''
The UAE 's ambassador to India told the Gulf News newspaper that the former worker at the consulate had been dismissed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not doing his job '' .
The chief minister of Kerala has faced calls from the opposition to resign over the case , although he has denied any involvement .
A senior official in the state has been removed from his post , however .
According to a report by Reuters news agency , the lack of international flights because of the coronavirus pandemic has led to a fall in the amount of gold smuggling to India , as well as a rise in the price of gold .
Somasundaram P.R.
, head @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operations told Reuters : `` Smuggling can be expected to go down substantially in the current scenario .
Smuggling logistics were also severely affected during lockdown .
He expects smuggled volumes this year to be significantly below the 115 - 120 tonnes of gold that was smuggled into India in 2019 .

The chief minister of Kerala has faced calls from the opposition to resign over the case, although he has denied any involvement. A senior official in the state has been removed from his post, however.


bbc--2020-07-08--Tutankhamun’s last tour: Behind the mask

An investigation by BBC Arabic has found a global tour of artefacts from Egyptian Pharaoh King Tutankhamun may have broken @ @ @ @ @ .
The exhibition is co-produced by Egypt ’ s Ministry of Antiquities and Hollywood entertainment @ @ @ @ @ waiting to re-open at the Saatchi Gallery in London .
But the BBC has found @ @ @ @ @ at a time when Egyptian law prohibited the loan of antiquities involving commercial organisations .
@ @ @ @ @ approved by Egypt ’ s Prime Minister , and that it has paid more than @ @ @ @ @ Egyptian government so far .
The Head of Antiquities in Egypt said the tour had @ @ @ @ @ tourism and politics .
He did not comment on its legal status .
You can @ @ @ @ @ .

An investigation by BBC Arabic has found a global tour of artefacts from Egyptian Pharaoh King Tutankhamun may have broken Egyptian law on preserving antiquities.
The exhibition is co-produced by Egypt’s Ministry of Antiquities and Hollywood entertainment company IMG. It is waiting to re-open at the Saatchi Gallery in London. But the BBC has found that the deal was made at a time when Egyptian law prohibited the loan of antiquities involving commercial organisations.
IMG SAID the deal was approved by Egypt’s Prime Minister, and that it has paid more than 15 million pounds to the Egyptian government so far. The Head of Antiquities in Egypt said the tour had benefits for the economy, tourism and politics. He did not comment on its legal status.
You can watch the full film here.


bbc--2020-07-07--Can you get coronavirus twice?

Can you get coronavirus twice?

How effective is the flu jab ?
Millions of people are vaccinated against flu each year .
But just how @ @ @ @ @ protecting us against the virus ?

Can you become reinfected with coronavirus if you've already had it? BBC Health reporter Rachel Schraer takes a look at what we know so far about immunity and Covid-19.
Motion graphics by Jacqueline Galvin


bbc--2020-07-08--Ancient Americans made epic Pacific voyages

New evidence has been found for epic prehistoric voyages between the Americas and eastern Polynesia .
DNA analysis suggests there was mixing between Native Americans and Polynesians around AD 1200 .
The extent of potential contacts between the regions has been a hotly contested area for decades .
In 1947 , Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl made a journey by raft from South America to Polynesia to demonstrate the voyage was possible .
Until now , proponents of Native American and Polynesian interaction reasoned that some common cultural elements , such as a similar word used for a common crop , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before Europeans settled in South America .
Opponents pointed to studies with differing conclusions and the fact that the two groups were separated by thousands of kilometres of open ocean .
Alexander Ioannidis from Stanford University in California and his international colleagues analysed genetic data from more than 800 living indigenous inhabitants of coastal South America and French Polynesia .
They were looking for snippets of DNA that are characteristic of each population and for segments that are `` identical by descent '' - meaning they are inherited from the same ancestor many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ segments of Native American ancestry across several Polynesian islands , '' said Mr Ioannidis .
`` It was conclusive evidence that there was a single shared contact event . ''
In other words , Polynesians and Native Americans met at one point in history , and during that time children with both Native American and Polynesian ancestry were born .
Statistical analyses confirmed the event occurred around AD 1200 , at about the time Pacific islands were originally being settled by Polynesians .
The team were also able to localise the source of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in modern-day Colombia .
Previous studies of the genomes ( the full complement of DNA in the nuclei of human cells ) of people from these regions have focused around contact on Easter Island - famous for its giant stone faces - because it is the closest inhabited Polynesian island to South America .
However , the study in Nature journal supports the idea that first contact occurred on one of the archipelagos of eastern Polynesia - as proposed by Heyerdahl .
Wind and current simulations have shown that drift voyages departing from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reach Polynesia , and that they arrive with the highest probability in the South Marquesas islands , followed by the Tuamotu Archipelago .
Both of these archipelagos lie at the heart of the region of islands where the researchers found an ancestral genetic component from Colombian Native Americans .
Previously , researchers had noted superficial similarities between monolithic statues in Polynesia and others found in South America .
But other evidence comes from a correspondence between the word for sweet potato ( a crop that originated in South America ) , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` cumal '' in , for example , the language used by the Cañari people of Ecuador .
Heyerdahl embarked on his `` Kon-Tiki '' raft expedition from Callao , Peru , on 28 April 1947 with five companions .
They sailed on the raft for 101 days , traversing 6,900km ( 4,300 miles ) of ocean before smashing into a reef at Raroia in the Tuamotus on 7 August 1947 .

"Because the timing is exactly at the time that the Polynesians were embarking on their longest voyages of discovery and soon after they discovered Easter Island, which is extremely remote, and also later settling New Zealand and Hawaii, they had no idea there was going to be a continent eventually and they were going to run out of islands, so I think they probably did find a continent," he said.


bbc--2020-07-08--How Rachel Hislop relaunched Okayplayer - despite everything

June was an unforgettable month for Rachel Hislop .
Just not in the way she expected .
For the last two years , she 's been plotting the relaunch of the ground-breaking and influential hip-hop website Okayplayer .
Once one of America 's most popular online music destinations , its reputation had dipped in recent years ; and Hislop , who 'd made her name working with Beyoncé , was brought in to make it relevant again .
By the start of 2020 , plans were in place .
New writers had been hired , photoshoots were booked and interviews @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scattered her staff .
Then the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor irrevocably changed the site 's editorial goals .
Then her CEO , Abiola Oke , was forced to resign amid allegations of sexual harassment and creating a toxic work environment .
`` It all just came tumbling down , '' Hislop tells the BBC .
• Is black entertainment having its # MeToo moment ?
We spoke to the editor-in-chief twice for this article .
The first interview took place a few days after Okayplayer 's relaunch , when Hislop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ together the new site through `` the fog of fatigue and trauma '' .
The second came a week later , after the allegations against Oke had come to light .
That time , she was more reserved .
The intervening seven days had not been easy .
`` I learned of the allegations as they rolled out on Twitter , '' she says .
`` And , you know , as someone who has dealt with similar situations in my personal life , it knocked me clear off of my feet .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
The importance of Okayplayer in the early days of online music culture is hard to overstate .
Established by The Roots ' drummer Ahmir `` Questlove '' Thompson and author Angela Nissel in 1999 , it was one of the first places where fans could interact directly with artists online - four years before MySpace and six before YouTube .
Initially conceived as a promotional tool for The Roots and their associated acts , it thrived because of its messageboards , where topics included `` The Lesson '' , a deep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Popcorn , '' for movie discussions ; and `` Okay-activist , '' which centred around political activism .
`` OKP was the first place where you could talk to other black people from all over the country who shared your experiences and interests , '' rapper Phonte Coleman , a regular poster on the message boards , told The Undefeated earlier this year .
`` OKP removed the stigma of talking to strangers on the internet because we had the shared bond of music .
If you were a Prince fan , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other Prince fans .
OKP is where you can find bigger music nerds than me .
And I 'm a big music nerd . ''
The community , like many early internet chatrooms , was unusually supportive .
Members organised interstate carpools , promoted each other 's art and formed political action groups .
But as the conversation around music and black culture moved away from blogs and messageboards to Facebook and Twitter in , the site began to feel stale .
That 's where Hislop comes in .
Born and raised in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working-class immigrant parents , she 'd fallen in love with magazines as a child .
Her mother , who worked for the union that serviced the L'Oreal building in New York , would bring home copies of 17 and Cosmo Girl .
`` I remember being like , 'What is this world ?
Who are these cool people in these pages ? '
'' she says .
`` It just was so far-fetched for me because I grew up in Brooklyn and everybody was very blue collar .
I 'd never seen anyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of things .
But my mom would be like , 'Write letters to the addresses in there . '
So I was like , 11 years old writing letters to the editor !
`` It was n't until I was in my senior year of high school that I took a journalism class , and was like , 'Oh , this is a thing !
I love editing people and this red pen gives me power !
This is amazing ! '
'' While studying journalism at university , Hislop took a summer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She quickly realised that , every time she returned to the office , the print team was dwindling while the website was growing - and started enrolling in classes that taught Photoshop and the web design software Dreamwaver .
`` And that was kind of like my edge , like , ' I know I 'm young , but I know the internet really , really well - please just give me a chance ! '
'' Her first job came at the Global Grind website , where she secured an exclusive interview @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him at a `` really fancy party wearing these pants that I had bought at the Gap for $ 7 '' .
`` I just approached him like , 'Hey I 'm a reporter , would you mind if I just asked you three questions ? '
and he was really welcoming . ''
What she did n't realise , as she sat on the bus ride home , filing the story on her mobile phone , was that Dre had n't spoken to the press for three years .
His quotes - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ headphone brand , and a then-unknown rapper called Kendrick Lamar - would go around the world .
Hislop was quickly promoted to style editor at Global Grind .
Soon after , though , she received `` a mysterious call about a mysterious job for a mysterious person '' .
That person turned out to be Beyoncé .
Hislop was hired to run all of the star 's websites and social media channels , and she helped mastermind the online strategy for her 2016 album , Lemonade , which highlighted messages of social justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time , celebrities were on social media but they were n't really using it to make statements , '' recalls Hislop .
`` We were able to work together to think about how we can use her digital voice for philanthropy , for everything , to really expand those messages about who she was as a person . ''
Although the job was successful and rewarding ( `` it was like really intense grad school , '' she says ) , Hislop was itching to get back into journalism .
So when Okayplayer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an opportunity to take all the lessons she 'd learned about digital storytelling and apply them to a `` legacy brand '' .
As editor-in-chief , she wants to steer the site away from `` rolling news '' - the video premieres , gossip and squabbles that play out in real time on social media - and commission more coverage of culture , political , and social reform .
`` In the past we focused just on the music , '' she says .
`` We do n't have that luxury any more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have enough information for our readers to be fully informed , to understand the scope of the music that we 're presenting to them .
They have to have the backstory . ''
When the Covid-19 lockdown took effect in March , Hislop found herself reconfiguring Okayplayer from her teenage bedroom .
There , she commissioned digital cover stories with reggae artist Buju Banton and stars-in-the-making Chloe x Halle , reflecting her vision of a site that could `` provide the bridges that tie legacy to the new age '' .
But just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the publish button , George Floyd died in police custody in Minneapolis , triggering a huge wave of Black Lives Matter protests .
Hislop paused the relaunch and asked her staff a question : `` What is our role in this protest moment ? ''
It was a shrewd point .
The 1960s civil rights movement helped establish black-owned magazines like Ebony and Jet , which in turn helped set the tone of the conversation for black communities .
But in 2020 , citizens are mobilising and organising online .
Where does a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
`` It 's something I think about a lot , '' says Hislop .
`` There are different ways to lend a voice right now .
Some people need to be in the street , some people need to be on Twitter and some of us need to be documenting the things that are happening and making sure that we 're elevating the voices that are enacting that change . ''
Her approach was eventually inspired by the original incarnation of Okayplayer , which put the audience at the heart of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here and say that I know exactly what a low income person in Flint , Michigan is going through right now - but I do have a platform where we can reach out to people who are living those realities and allow them the space to write about these things from their point of view . ''
She adds that discovering and supporting new voices , especially minority voices , has got to become a priority for media companies across the board .
`` A lot of young black journalists burn out really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really because that mentorship is missing , '' she says .
`` It takes real systematic change within organisations to make sure that the black and brown people who are on the staff , that are telling these stories , feel supported .
That their ideas feel like they 're respected and that they 're not shut down all the time . ''
She says young writers , of any background , `` might not come in with the cleanest first draft , but that 's okay because they need these opportunities to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ edited , and to understand what it 's like to get that first click and then build from there .
`` We have to continue to get people in positions of power so that they can lift as they climb . ''
Hislop is in such a position right now - which is why it 's been so demoralising to have her achievements overshadowed by the exit of Okayplayer 's CEO .
The accusations against Abiola Oke surfaced just days after the website relaunched .
Ivie Ani , a former writer , posted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ black female employees had suffered `` a lack of support and resources , below market salaries , inadequate leadership , targeting and sabotage , slander , verbal abuse , inappropriate behaviour , gaslighting , lack of empathy , manipulation , rationalising poor or unethical conduct and wrongful termination '' .
Other people came forward with similar allegations , including one woman who claimed Oke sexually harassed her .
He resigned the next day ; and later posted a lengthy statement saying he was `` deeply sorry '' for making black female colleagues `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also `` emphatically and unequivocally '' denied sexual assault .
Hislop also responded , saying the accusations were `` a gut check '' , and acknowledging her own failures in speaking up for the victims , two of whom reported directly to her .
Behind the scenes , she went to the board of directors with a list of demands from her editorial team .
`` If they 're not met , '' she told them , `` I 'll step down . ''
Those demands were met and published online .
Among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women to the board , and establishing an external , independent investigation into the company 's culture .
`` I regret not doing it sooner , '' she says , `` But I 'm doing my best right now to create a better environment for the people that are here , and an environment that they 're proud to create work in .
`` There 's no right answer , and there 's no answer that pleases everyone , but I 'm just trying to lead with humanity and compassion and hope that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go . ''
Follow us on Facebook , or on Twitter @ BBCNewsEnts .
If you have a story suggestion email entertainment.news @ bbc.co.uk .

"It just was so far-fetched for me because I grew up in Brooklyn and everybody was very blue collar. I'd never seen anyone who looked like me doing these types of things. But my mom would be like, 'Write letters to the addresses in there.' So I was like, 11 years old writing letters to the editor!


bbc--2020-07-08--Rain restricts England and West Indies as cricket returns

England endured a frustrating return to international cricket as the opening day of the first Test against West Indies was disrupted by rain .
Only 17.4 overs were possible in Southampton , in which time England battled to 35-1 .
This series and the rest of England 's rejigged home summer is being played behind closed doors and in a bio-secure environment , with everyone on site subject to coronavirus tests , temperature checks and adhering to strict safety measures .
The home side , being led for the first time by Ben Stokes while regular captain Joe Root is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ child , opted to omit pace bowler Stuart Broad in favour of James Anderson , Jofra Archer and Mark Wood .
Just before play got under way three hours late , all players and officials paused in silence to remember those lost to coronavirus and West Indies legend Sir Everton Weekes , then took a knee in a powerful gesture of support for the Black Lives Matter movement .
Opener Dom Sibley , making his home debut , was bowled playing no shot to Shannon Gabriel to the fourth ball he faced and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ returning from an ankle injury , looked comfortable for his unbeaten 20 , while Joe Denly required more fortune in reaching 14 .
Bad light forced the players to take an early tea , with rain and more gloom ensuring they did not return .
The same , but different This series should have been played in June , and it is testament to the planning done by the England and Wales Cricket Board , and the willingness of West Indies to travel , that the first international cricket anywhere in the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The differences to a normal day of Test cricket in England ranged from stark to subtle .
The glaring absence of spectators meant the chatter of the players or instructions of the umpires were clearly audible , and even laughter from the dressing rooms carries across the ground .
Hand sanitiser stations are dotted around the boundary , England 's pre-match huddle was socially distanced , and Stokes and West Indies captain Jason Holder got in a muddle over whether or not to shake hands at the toss .
There were , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public address system and Jerusalem was played as the teams took to the field .
The action itself was too disrupted to ever feel fluent , but there was enough play to suggest the surface is two-paced , with some deliveries climbing and others scuttling through .
There was movement off the pitch throughout , with Sibley misjudging one that the sharp Gabriel got to nip back .
While Burns left with certainty , Denly was often beaten and twice slashed boundaries through the slips .
Their most authoritative moments were a Burns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
England had a fully fit complement of fast bowlers to choose from , meaning two of Anderson , Archer , Wood , Broad and Chris Woakes would miss out .
With six Tests scheduled over the next seven weeks , it is likely that all will be needed at some point , but it is telling that Anderson , Archer and Wood have been given the first go .
In dropping Broad , England have left out Test cricket 's second-highest wicket-taker of the past 12 months and their second-highest of all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Archer , both of whom bowl in excess of 90mph , is an exciting one , and surely taken with an eye on the 2021-22 Ashes tour to Australia in mind .
Anderson is England 's all-time leading wicket-taker yet , in selecting all three , England opted for a trio of bowlers who have all endured long injuries in the past year .
In doing so , they forced Broad to miss his first home Test in eight years and eschewed Woakes , who boasts a bowling average of 23.45 in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have cricket back ' - what they said England wicketkeeper Jos Buttler told BBC Sport : `` It was a frustrating day - it was bound to happen after such a long wait for cricket .
But everyone is just delighted to be back .
`` I know there has been a lot of hard work to get the game on and we 're grateful to the West Indies for coming over . ''
West Indies bowler Shannon Gabriel : `` It 's been a bit tough , coming off and on , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far .
We just have to keep switched on when we come back on . ''
England assistant coach Graham Thorpe : `` It 's important to have cricket back .
It 's been a difficult period around the world and slowly things are getting to back to how they were before . ''
Former England captain Michael Vaughan : `` Would T20 have been played in the last hour and a half ?
Absolutely .
Would 50-over cricket have been played ?
Absolutely .
`` Cricket has to be better than just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ light .
The administrators need to do something about it . ''

First Test, day one, Ageas Bowl England 35-1: Burns 20*, Gabriel 1-19 West Indies: Yet to bat Scorecard
England endured a frustrating return to international cricket as the opening day of the first Test against West Indies was disrupted by rain.
Only 17.4 overs were possible in Southampton, in which time England battled to 35-1.
This series and the rest of England's rejigged home summer is being played behind closed doors and in a bio-secure environment, with everyone on site subject to coronavirus tests, temperature checks and adhering to strict safety measures.
The home side, being led for the first time by Ben Stokes while regular captain Joe Root is isolating after the birth of his second child, opted to omit pace bowler Stuart Broad in favour of James Anderson, Jofra Archer and Mark Wood.
Just before play got under way three hours late, all players and officials paused in silence to remember those lost to coronavirus and West Indies legend Sir Everton Weekes, then took a knee in a powerful gesture of support for the Black Lives Matter movement.
Opener Dom Sibley, making his home debut, was bowled playing no shot to Shannon Gabriel to the fourth ball he faced and departed without scoring.
Rory Burns, returning from an ankle injury, looked comfortable for his unbeaten 20, while Joe Denly required more fortune in reaching 14.
Bad light forced the players to take an early tea, with rain and more gloom ensuring they did not return.
The same, but different
This series should have been played in June, and it is testament to the planning done by the England and Wales Cricket Board, and the willingness of West Indies to travel, that the first international cricket anywhere in the world since March is taking place at all.
The differences to a normal day of Test cricket in England ranged from stark to subtle. The glaring absence of spectators meant the chatter of the players or instructions of the umpires were clearly audible, and even laughter from the dressing rooms carries across the ground.
Hand sanitiser stations are dotted around the boundary, England's pre-match huddle was socially distanced, and Stokes and West Indies captain Jason Holder got in a muddle over whether or not to shake hands at the toss.
There were, though, familiar announcements made over the public address system and Jerusalem was played as the teams took to the field.
The action itself was too disrupted to ever feel fluent, but there was enough play to suggest the surface is two-paced, with some deliveries climbing and others scuttling through.
There was movement off the pitch throughout, with Sibley misjudging one that the sharp Gabriel got to nip back.
While Burns left with certainty, Denly was often beaten and twice slashed boundaries through the slips. Their most authoritative moments were a Burns cut and a Denly pull through mid-on.
A bold Broad decision
England had a fully fit complement of fast bowlers to choose from, meaning two of Anderson, Archer, Wood, Broad and Chris Woakes would miss out.
With six Tests scheduled over the next seven weeks, it is likely that all will be needed at some point, but it is telling that Anderson, Archer and Wood have been given the first go.
In dropping Broad, England have left out Test cricket's second-highest wicket-taker of the past 12 months and their second-highest of all time.
The decision to combine Wood and Archer, both of whom bowl in excess of 90mph, is an exciting one, and surely taken with an eye on the 2021-22 Ashes tour to Australia in mind.
Anderson is England's all-time leading wicket-taker yet, in selecting all three, England opted for a trio of bowlers who have all endured long injuries in the past year.
In doing so, they forced Broad to miss his first home Test in eight years and eschewed Woakes, who boasts a bowling average of 23.45 in home Tests.
'It's important to have cricket back' - what they said
England wicketkeeper Jos Buttler told BBC Sport: "It was a frustrating day - it was bound to happen after such a long wait for cricket. But everyone is just delighted to be back.
"I know there has been a lot of hard work to get the game on and we're grateful to the West Indies for coming over."
West Indies bowler Shannon Gabriel: "It's been a bit tough, coming off and on, but we've been doing well so far. We just have to keep switched on when we come back on."
England assistant coach Graham Thorpe: "It's important to have cricket back. It's been a difficult period around the world and slowly things are getting to back to how they were before."
Former England captain Michael Vaughan: "Would T20 have been played in the last hour and a half? Absolutely. Would 50-over cricket have been played? Absolutely.
"Cricket has to be better than just going off for a bit of bad light. The administrators need to do something about it."


bbc--2020-07-08--Salah scores twice as champions Liverpool see off Brighton

Liverpool continued their relentless pursuit of a Premier League points record with victory over Brighton at the Amex Stadium .
The newly-crowned champions looked on course to secure three more points with ease when they went two up inside eight minutes as Brighton , with sights set on Premier League safety , made a nightmare start .
Naby Keita robbed Davy Propper in a dangerous position to set up Mohamed Salah before Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson swiftly swept home a superb second from 20 yards .
Brighton , however , fought back with real spirit and fully deserved to pull @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a crisp finish past Liverpool keeper Alisson from the impressive Tariq Lamptey 's cross .
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp stopped Brighton 's progress with some astute substitutions and a corner from one , Andrew Robertson , was headed in by Salah for his 19th league goal of the season .
Brighton manager Graham Potter , whose side are edging towards preserving their top-flight status , were left to rue those opening minutes while Liverpool - with 92 - close in on Manchester City 's 100-point Premier League landmark .
Liverpool have now won @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this season ( drawn two , lost two ) ; this is the fastest any side has ever reached 30 wins in a season in the history of the English Football League .
Liverpool had their uncomfortable moments in this game and their defending lacked its usual assurance in the face of a spirited Brighton response to those two early goals but in the end , as on so many occasions , they simply carried too much firepower and quality .
Klopp 's pressing demands were in evidence as Brighton paid the price @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own goal early on and in Salah they have a reliable goal machine who is a proven world class match-winner .
Some of Liverpool 's players will want to make an impact before the end of the season , even with the club 's first title in 30 years already won , and Keita was highly impressive for an hour before his substitution while teenager Neco Williams , given his first Premier League start in an unaccustomed position of left-back , had some uncomfortable moments but will be all the better for this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the interval but this was not so much a reflection of his performance but more Klopp not wanting to take any chances with the Welsh youngster on a yellow card .
Liverpool may not have been quite at their intense , irresistible best since clinching title , which is perfectly understandable .
However , they will to win , quality and sheer belief remains and they still have more history in their sights before the end of this stellar campaign .
Brighton 's impressive form since the season 's re-start means they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - but they have had two harsh lessons at home in the last week , first from Manchester United and now from Liverpool .
It will have been disappointing for manager Graham Potter but he will take heart from the manner in which Brighton responded to conceding two goals in the first eight minutes that would have seen many teams sink without trace against this Liverpool side .
Brighton picked themselves up and gave Liverpool some real problems before they ran out of steam and ideas in the second half and Salah wrapped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There was still much to admire from Brighton 's play , particularly teenage defender Lamptey , who was a real threat down the right flank and the quality of Trossard , whose goal was a masterpiece of technique and provides Potter 's side with a real threat .
It may have been another home defeat but Potter 's policies look certain to see Brighton still in the Premier League next term .
'It 's my responsibility ' - what they said Brighton manager Graham Potter speaking to Match of the Day : `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's my responsibility - I asked them to play that way , the decision making could be better but they showed personality to claw back into the game .
We created chances before scoring a really good goal .
We tried to play , we went toe-to-toe and there were lots of positive performances .
`` The scoreline can affect you but if you analyse the chances we had they were good chances .
They are a top side who can hurt you , with unbelievable players everywhere .
I 'm proud of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and they played a good game . ''
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp speaking to Match of the Day : `` I saw two very good teams , both trying to play football .
They had a brave formation and set up but we had a super solution for that .
Our high press was outstanding but when we lost the ball in the wrong moment it was really difficult .
`` They deserved the goal so we had to adjust a few things like our protection and position in midfield and it helped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end was good again .
I could n't respect more what Graham [ Potter ] is doing here - they made it a really tough game . ''
On Neco Williams : `` The yellow card was the only reason [ he came off ] .
He was good but I can not ask a 19-year-old not to make another challenge on a yellow card .
We asked a lot , we put him on the wrong side and asked him for a really hard press .
We asked for a lot but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good . ''
On chasing the points record : `` It 's not important for me , I 'm not interested in any of this but I want to win football games .
For sports people in general it might be important .
We are champions and it could be softening but it is not - the boys go with everything .
`` We have 92 points and last season we had 97 .
We got five points more than this last season - that 's unbelievable , I have no idea how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ success for Liverpool - the stats • Liverpool have never won more matches ( 30 ) in a single league campaign ( level with 1978-79 and 2018-19 ) .
• Brighton have only won two of their 14 Premier League games in 2020 ( drawn seven , lost five ) ; no other side has won fewer in the calendar year .
• This was Liverpool 's 13th away league win this season ; the joint-most the Reds have ever won on the road in a league season in their history .
• @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the first time since April 2019 .
• After going seven hours and 47 minutes without scoring a goal away from home in all competitions , Liverpool scored twice within 127 seconds .
• Liverpool were 2-0 ahead in the eighth minute of this match , the earliest they have taken a two-goal lead in a Premier League match since May 2011 against Fulham ( seven minutes ) .
• Salah has reached 100 goal involvements for Liverpool in the Premier League ( 73 goals , 27 assists in 104 appearances ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do so for the Reds after Steven Gerrard ( 212 ) , Robbie Fowler ( 158 ) and Michael Owen ( 148 ) • Salah has been directly involved in eight goals in his six Premier League appearances against Brighton , scoring five and assisting three .
• Liverpool captain Henderson has scored more Premier League goals in 2019-20 ( four ) than in his previous three seasons combined before this ( three ) .
• Brighton winger Trossard has scored in back-to-back Premier League games for the very first time ; seven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) and assists ( three ) in the competition have come at the Amex Stadium .
Liverpool play at home against Burnley on 11 June ( 15:00 BST ) , with Brighton at home to Manchester City later that day ( 20:00 BST ) .

Mohamed Salah has scored three goals in four Liverpool appearances since the Premier League restart in June
Liverpool continued their relentless pursuit of a Premier League points record with victory over Brighton at the Amex Stadium.
The newly-crowned champions looked on course to secure three more points with ease when they went two up inside eight minutes as Brighton, with sights set on Premier League safety, made a nightmare start.
Naby Keita robbed Davy Propper in a dangerous position to set up Mohamed Salah before Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson swiftly swept home a superb second from 20 yards.
Brighton, however, fought back with real spirit and fully deserved to pull a goal back when Leandro Trossard fired a crisp finish past Liverpool keeper Alisson from the impressive Tariq Lamptey's cross.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp stopped Brighton's progress with some astute substitutions and a corner from one, Andrew Robertson, was headed in by Salah for his 19th league goal of the season.
Brighton manager Graham Potter, whose side are edging towards preserving their top-flight status, were left to rue those opening minutes while Liverpool - with 92 - close in on Manchester City's 100-point Premier League landmark.
Liverpool have now won 30 of their 34 Premier League games this season (drawn two, lost two); this is the fastest any side has ever reached 30 wins in a season in the history of the English Football League.
The dream is to have a team full of 'Scousers' - Klopp
Liverpool march relentlessly on
Liverpool had their uncomfortable moments in this game and their defending lacked its usual assurance in the face of a spirited Brighton response to those two early goals but in the end, as on so many occasions, they simply carried too much firepower and quality.
Klopp's pressing demands were in evidence as Brighton paid the price for a risky possession plan near their own goal early on and in Salah they have a reliable goal machine who is a proven world class match-winner.
Some of Liverpool's players will want to make an impact before the end of the season, even with the club's first title in 30 years already won, and Keita was highly impressive for an hour before his substitution while teenager Neco Williams, given his first Premier League start in an unaccustomed position of left-back, had some uncomfortable moments but will be all the better for this experience.
Williams was replaced by Robertson at the interval but this was not so much a reflection of his performance but more Klopp not wanting to take any chances with the Welsh youngster on a yellow card.
Liverpool may not have been quite at their intense, irresistible best since clinching title, which is perfectly understandable.
However, they will to win, quality and sheer belief remains and they still have more history in their sights before the end of this stellar campaign.
Brighton can take encouragement
Brighton's impressive form since the season's re-start means they are now close to Premier League safety - but they have had two harsh lessons at home in the last week, first from Manchester United and now from Liverpool.
It will have been disappointing for manager Graham Potter but he will take heart from the manner in which Brighton responded to conceding two goals in the first eight minutes that would have seen many teams sink without trace against this Liverpool side.
Not here.
Brighton picked themselves up and gave Liverpool some real problems before they ran out of steam and ideas in the second half and Salah wrapped up the points for the champions.
There was still much to admire from Brighton's play, particularly teenage defender Lamptey, who was a real threat down the right flank and the quality of Trossard, whose goal was a masterpiece of technique and provides Potter's side with a real threat.
It may have been another home defeat but Potter's policies look certain to see Brighton still in the Premier League next term.
Man of the match - Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Mohamed Salah has now scored 19 goals in the Premier League this season
'It's my responsibility' - what they said
Brighton manager Graham Potter speaking to Match of the Day: "Its not an ideal start and it's my responsibility - I asked them to play that way, the decision making could be better but they showed personality to claw back into the game. We created chances before scoring a really good goal. We tried to play, we went toe-to-toe and there were lots of positive performances.
"The scoreline can affect you but if you analyse the chances we had they were good chances. They are a top side who can hurt you, with unbelievable players everywhere. I'm proud of the players, they stuck with it and they played a good game."
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp speaking to Match of the Day: "I saw two very good teams, both trying to play football. They had a brave formation and set up but we had a super solution for that. Our high press was outstanding but when we lost the ball in the wrong moment it was really difficult.
"They deserved the goal so we had to adjust a few things like our protection and position in midfield and it helped. The beginning was outstanding and the end was good again. I couldn't respect more what Graham [Potter] is doing here - they made it a really tough game."
On Neco Williams: "The yellow card was the only reason [he came off]. He was good but I cannot ask a 19-year-old not to make another challenge on a yellow card. We asked a lot, we put him on the wrong side and asked him for a really hard press. We asked for a lot but he can do that, he was good."
On chasing the points record: "It's not important for me, I'm not interested in any of this but I want to win football games. For sports people in general it might be important. We are champions and it could be softening but it is not - the boys go with everything.
"We have 92 points and last season we had 97. We got five points more than this last season - that's unbelievable, I have no idea how we did that."
Another away success for Liverpool - the stats
Liverpool have never won more matches (30) in a single league campaign (level with 1978-79 and 2018-19).
Brighton have only won two of their 14 Premier League games in 2020 (drawn seven, lost five); no other side has won fewer in the calendar year.
This was Liverpool's 13th away league win this season; the joint-most the Reds have ever won on the road in a league season in their history.
Brighton have lost back-to-back home league games for the first time since April 2019.
After going seven hours and 47 minutes without scoring a goal away from home in all competitions, Liverpool scored twice within 127 seconds.
Liverpool were 2-0 ahead in the eighth minute of this match, the earliest they have taken a two-goal lead in a Premier League match since May 2011 against Fulham (seven minutes).
Salah has reached 100 goal involvements for Liverpool in the Premier League (73 goals, 27 assists in 104 appearances), becoming just the fourth player to do so for the Reds after Steven Gerrard (212), Robbie Fowler (158) and Michael Owen (148)
Salah has been directly involved in eight goals in his six Premier League appearances against Brighton, scoring five and assisting three.
Liverpool captain Henderson has scored more Premier League goals in 2019-20 (four) than in his previous three seasons combined before this (three).
Brighton winger Trossard has scored in back-to-back Premier League games for the very first time; seven of his eight combined goals (five) and assists (three) in the competition have come at the Amex Stadium.
What's next?
Liverpool play at home against Burnley on 11 June (15:00 BST), with Brighton at home to Manchester City later that day (20:00 BST).


bbc--2020-07-08--Renault discussed Alonso's outspoken reputation before signing him

Last updated on .From the section Formula 1 Renault say they discussed Fernando Alonso 's reputation for outspokenness with him before signing the two-time champion to return to F1 in 2021 .
Abiteboul said Renault had focused on `` making sure we do n't let him down by over-promising and under-delivering '' .
`` We 've taken the time to be clear ... about where we stand today and where we will stand in 2021 and 2022 , '' he said .
Two-time world champion Alonso 's willingness to speak his mind about the position of his current team has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Among several incidents , he famously called McLaren 's Honda engine a `` GP2 engine '' and said it was `` embarrassing '' over the radio at the Japanese company 's home race in 2015 .
And when he was with Ferrari in 2013 , he provoked a public rebuke from chairman Luca Di Montezemolo when he told a TV interview who asked what he wanted for his birthday : `` Someone else 's car . ''
Frenchman Abiteboul said in an exclusive interview with BBC Sport : `` We discussed that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reasons why it was important for him to take a year off , to walk away from the sport .
`` You know , let 's not underestimate how ruthless , how toxic F1 can be .
`` No matter how hard you work , how hard you try , how good you think you are , sometimes it is just not possible .
`` And I think that is what at some point burns out every one of us except maybe Toto ( Wolff ) and Mercedes and Lewis ( Hamilton ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the best guarantee that these things will not happen again . ''
Alonso will turn 40 mid-way through the 2021 season , a similar age to Michael Schumacher when he made an unsuccessful comeback in 2010-12 .
But Abiteboul said he had no doubts Alonso could perform at the highest level in 2021 .
`` It is not a worry , '' Abiteboul said .
`` It is something we take on board .
We have taken the time to discuss ( it ) .
`` What matters most is not the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more the motivation .
I guess that one thing that is impacting your level of performance at a certain age is your level of motivation .
`` His motivation is strong , and therefore in my opinion , age is not a factor for the duration of our contract . ''
Renault signed Alonso following a pre-season driver swap for 2021 in which Ferrari decided to replace Sebastian Vettel with Carlos Sainz and Daniel Ricciardo decided to leave Renault and sign for McLaren .
But Abiteboul said Renault 's discussions with Alonso dated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Discussion started way before Daniel 's decision to leave for McLaren , '' he said .
`` I do n't know where things would have got us if Daniel had made a different decision but clearly , let 's be honest , the timing of Daniel 's decision was not helpful - we were focused on other aspects .
`` But that being behind ( us ) , today I am very comfortable with this decision . ''
Read Andrew Benson 's 'Fernando Alonso : The F1 great who could n't catch a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two-time world champion Alonso 's 17 years in Formula 1 here .

Last updated on .From the section Formula 1
Alonso wasn't afraid to voice his opinions after several incidents with McLaren in 2015
Renault say they discussed Fernando Alonso's reputation for outspokenness with him before signing the two-time champion to return to F1 in 2021.
Team boss Cyril Abiteboul said a break from the "toxic" F1 environment had been "important" for the Spaniard.
Abiteboul said Renault had focused on "making sure we don't let him down by over-promising and under-delivering".
"We've taken the time to be clear ... about where we stand today and where we will stand in 2021 and 2022," he said.
Two-time world champion Alonso's willingness to speak his mind about the position of his current team has caused tension at times in his career.
Among several incidents, he famously called McLaren's Honda engine a "GP2 engine" and said it was "embarrassing" over the radio at the Japanese company's home race in 2015.
And when he was with Ferrari in 2013, he provoked a public rebuke from chairman Luca Di Montezemolo when he told a TV interview who asked what he wanted for his birthday: "Someone else's car."
Frenchman Abiteboul said in an exclusive interview with BBC Sport: "We discussed that. It is also one of the reasons why it was important for him to take a year off, to walk away from the sport.
"You know, let's not underestimate how ruthless, how toxic F1 can be.
"No matter how hard you work, how hard you try, how good you think you are, sometimes it is just not possible.
"And I think that is what at some point burns out every one of us except maybe Toto (Wolff) and Mercedes and Lewis (Hamilton). And doing this sort of break is the best guarantee that these things will not happen again."
Alonso will turn 40 mid-way through the 2021 season, a similar age to Michael Schumacher when he made an unsuccessful comeback in 2010-12.
But Abiteboul said he had no doubts Alonso could perform at the highest level in 2021.
"It is not a worry," Abiteboul said. "It is something we take on board. We have taken the time to discuss (it).
"What matters most is not the physical status or situation, it is more the motivation. I guess that one thing that is impacting your level of performance at a certain age is your level of motivation.
"His motivation is strong, and therefore in my opinion, age is not a factor for the duration of our contract."
Renault signed Alonso following a pre-season driver swap for 2021 in which Ferrari decided to replace Sebastian Vettel with Carlos Sainz and Daniel Ricciardo decided to leave Renault and sign for McLaren.
But Abiteboul said Renault's discussions with Alonso dated back four years to 2016.
"Discussion started way before Daniel's decision to leave for McLaren," he said. "I don't know where things would have got us if Daniel had made a different decision but clearly, let's be honest, the timing of Daniel's decision was not helpful - we were focused on other aspects.
"But that being behind (us), today I am very comfortable with this decision."
Read Andrew Benson's 'Fernando Alonso: The F1 great who couldn't catch a break', a look back at two-time world champion Alonso's 17 years in Formula 1 here.


bbc--2020-07-08--Ruthless Man City put five past Newcastle

Manchester City returned to winning ways in style by thrashing hapless Newcastle at Etihad Stadium .
Pep Guardiola 's side were surprisingly beaten at Southampton in their previous Premier League game but two goals in the opening 20 minutes against the Magpies effectively settled this contest .
Gabriel Jesus ended his nine-game goal drought by converting from David Silva 's cutback , while Riyad Mahrez swept home the second from Kevin de Bruyne 's pass .
It got worse for Newcastle in the second period when Federico Fernandez inadvertently deflected Matt Ritchie 's attempted clearance into his own net and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a sublime free-kick .
Raheem Sterling came off the bench to add the fifth for City in injury-time , rolling in from Silva 's pass .
With four games remaining , City have strengthened their claim to second place , moving nine points clear of Chelsea , while Newcastle drop to 13th .
Manchester City 's unsatisfactory title defence has seen them drop 33 points this season , three more than in their previous two campaigns combined , but they were a class apart against Newcastle .
The swift movement and quick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Magpies backline with ease time and time again and though their aggregate score from their last five home games now reads 19-0 , it could have been much more .
Phil Foden 's growing influence in the starting line-up is clear to see , buzzing around in the final third , but the young Englishman will be disappointed by missing a hat-trick of chances , all dragged wide from promising positions .
The man Foden is tipped to replace next season , David Silva , showed why he will depart as one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has seen , completing 106 of his 112 passes , contributing two assists as well as scoring a glorious free-kick .
The first two goals were similar , both coming from the left of the box , with Belgium international De Bruyne taking his assist tally to 18 for the campaign , just two short of Arsenal legend Thierry Henry 's record .
Newcastle 's form since the restart has been excellent with two victories and two draws , but this heavy defeat ended a run of six unbeaten games in the league @ @ @ @ @ @ @ replace Rafael Benitez last summer was not universally well received by the club 's fans , but the 59-year-old has kept them away from the relegation zone and they are only two points short of matching last season 's tally .
But Bruce extended his wretched record as manager against City .
He has never beaten them , losing nine out of 12 matches .
They had several first-choice players missing , including Allan Saint-Maximin , Miguel Almiron and Jamaal Lascelles , and conceding two early goals did not help their cause .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ attempted clearance ricochet off him into his own net , recorded the away side 's only shot on target , a weak header which was easily gathered by Ederson .
Manchester City travel to Brighton on Saturday ( kick-off 20:00 BST ) , while Newcastle go to Watford earlier on the same day ( 12:30 ) .
• Manchester City have won 11 consecutive top-flight home games against a single opponent for the very first time in the club 's history .
• Newcastle boss Steve Bruce has failed to win any of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Manchester ( D4 L19 ) , with this his ninth such defeat against City ( 10 v United ) .
• Thanks to Riyad Mahrez 's strike , Manchester City are the first English top-flight side to have five different players score at least 10 league goals in a single season since Everton in 1984-85 ( Sterling , De Bruyne , Aguero , Jesus , Mahrez ) .
• Having also suffered a 5-0 defeat at Leicester earlier in the season , Newcastle have lost by at least five goals on more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ season for the very first time .
• Manchester City completed 787 of their 840 passes this evening against Newcastle , recording a pass completion rate of 93.7 % - the highest passing accuracy we have on record in the Premier League since 2003-04 .
• Manchester City have scored 4+ goals in three straight home Premier League games for only the second time , also doing so between September and October 2017 under Pep Guardiola .
• Kevin De Bruyne has assisted 18 Premier League goals this season for Manchester City , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ season in the division since the Belgian himself also set up 18 in 2016-17 .
• David Silva has now reached 10+ assists in all competitions in all 10 of his seasons with Manchester City , with his second in this game his 121st in total for the club .
• Manchester City have now won 30 of the 31 Premier League matches when Gabriel Jesus has scored , drawing the other .

Last updated on .From the section Premier League
Riyad Mahrez scored his 12th goal of the season for Man City
Manchester City returned to winning ways in style by thrashing hapless Newcastle at Etihad Stadium.
Pep Guardiola's side were surprisingly beaten at Southampton in their previous Premier League game but two goals in the opening 20 minutes against the Magpies effectively settled this contest.
Gabriel Jesus ended his nine-game goal drought by converting from David Silva's cutback, while Riyad Mahrez swept home the second from Kevin de Bruyne's pass.
It got worse for Newcastle in the second period when Federico Fernandez inadvertently deflected Matt Ritchie's attempted clearance into his own net and David Silva added the fourth by curling in a sublime free-kick.
Raheem Sterling came off the bench to add the fifth for City in injury-time, rolling in from Silva's pass.
With four games remaining, City have strengthened their claim to second place, moving nine points clear of Chelsea, while Newcastle drop to 13th.
City slickers
Manchester City's unsatisfactory title defence has seen them drop 33 points this season, three more than in their previous two campaigns combined, but they were a class apart against Newcastle.
The swift movement and quick passing in the final third tore apart the Magpies backline with ease time and time again and though their aggregate score from their last five home games now reads 19-0, it could have been much more.
Phil Foden's growing influence in the starting line-up is clear to see, buzzing around in the final third, but the young Englishman will be disappointed by missing a hat-trick of chances, all dragged wide from promising positions.
The man Foden is tipped to replace next season, David Silva, showed why he will depart as one of the finest players the Premier League has seen, completing 106 of his 112 passes, contributing two assists as well as scoring a glorious free-kick.
The first two goals were similar, both coming from the left of the box, with Belgium international De Bruyne taking his assist tally to 18 for the campaign, just two short of Arsenal legend Thierry Henry's record.
Meagre Magpies
Newcastle's form since the restart has been excellent with two victories and two draws, but this heavy defeat ended a run of six unbeaten games in the league.
The appointment of Steve Bruce to replace Rafael Benitez last summer was not universally well received by the club's fans, but the 59-year-old has kept them away from the relegation zone and they are only two points short of matching last season's tally.
But Bruce extended his wretched record as manager against City. He has never beaten them, losing nine out of 12 matches.
They had several first-choice players missing, including Allan Saint-Maximin, Miguel Almiron and Jamaal Lascelles, and conceding two early goals did not help their cause.
Defender Fernandez, who saw Ritchie's attempted clearance ricochet off him into his own net, recorded the away side's only shot on target, a weak header which was easily gathered by Ederson.
Man of the match - David Silva (Man City)
Different class against Newcastle, set two up and scored another
What next?
Manchester City travel to Brighton on Saturday (kick-off 20:00 BST), while Newcastle go to Watford earlier on the same day (12:30).
Jesus the lucky charm - the stats
Manchester City have won 11 consecutive top-flight home games against a single opponent for the very first time in the club's history.
Newcastle boss Steve Bruce has failed to win any of his 23 Premier League away games in Manchester (D4 L19), with this his ninth such defeat against City (10 v United).
Thanks to Riyad Mahrez's strike, Manchester City are the first English top-flight side to have five different players score at least 10 league goals in a single season since Everton in 1984-85 (Sterling, De Bruyne, Aguero, Jesus, Mahrez).
Having also suffered a 5-0 defeat at Leicester earlier in the season, Newcastle have lost by at least five goals on more than one occasion in the same Premier League season for the very first time.
Manchester City completed 787 of their 840 passes this evening against Newcastle, recording a pass completion rate of 93.7% - the highest passing accuracy we have on record in the Premier League since 2003-04.
Manchester City have scored 4+ goals in three straight home Premier League games for only the second time, also doing so between September and October 2017 under Pep Guardiola.
Kevin De Bruyne has assisted 18 Premier League goals this season for Manchester City, the most by any player in a season in the division since the Belgian himself also set up 18 in 2016-17.
David Silva has now reached 10+ assists in all competitions in all 10 of his seasons with Manchester City, with his second in this game his 121st in total for the club.
Manchester City have now won 30 of the 31 Premier League matches when Gabriel Jesus has scored, drawing the other.


bbc--2020-07-08--Thursday's football gossip: Godfrey worth £50m, Norwich tell Dortmund

Norwich City want around £50m for defender Ben Godfrey , 22 , with Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig among the clubs keen on the England Under-21 international .
( Sky Sports ) Germany winger Kai Havertz , 21 , is ready to hand in a transfer request at Bayer Leverkusen after telling Chelsea he wants to join them this summer .
( Star ) Chelsea hope to take advantage of Havertz 's desire to join his German international team-mates Timo Werner , 24 , and Antonio Rudiger , 27 , at Stamford Bridge .
( Telegraph ) Kevin de Bruyne @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 29-year-old Belgium midfielder is set for a move away from Manchester City to join Real Madrid or Paris St-Germain .
( Sporza , via Star ) Ajax have joined Tottenham in the race to sign Southampton and Denmark midfielder , Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg , 24 , with Everton also interested .
( Telegraph ) The agent of Aston Villa 's Jack Grealish , 24 , says the midfielder has not reached an agreement to sign for Manchester United with his club valuing him at around £80m .
( Metro ) A former team-mate of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 24 , has congratulated the winger on his move to Chelsea on Instagram - hinting a deal has been agreed for the player , who is valued at more than £30m .
( Sun ) Manchester City are confident that defender Eric Garcia , 19 , will stay with them amid talk he is interesting former club Barcelona .
( Manchester Evening News ) Juventus have offered Chelsea the pick of two players , including Wales international Aaron Ramsey , 29 , in exchange for Italy midfielder Jorginho , 28 .
( Express @ @ @ @ @ @ @ move to sign Arsenal and Spain defender Hector Bellerin , 25 , this summer .
Both Juventus and Inter Milan are also interested in the player .
( Express ) Manchester United are looking at Bournemouth 's Dutch international Nathan Ake , 25 , Aston Villa and England defender Tyrone Mings , 27 and AC Milan and Italy defender Alessio Romagnoli , 25 , as options to partner Harry Maguire in central defence .
( ESPN ) However , United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has distanced himself with a move for Ake or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) RB Leipzig have replaced Chelsea-bound Timo Werner , 24 , with Red Bull Salzburg and South Korea forward Hwang Hee-chan , 24 .
Germany defender Benjamin Henrichs , 23 , is also heading to the Bundesliga club on loan from Monaco .
( ESPN ) • Disability and Me : Alex Brooker explores what it really means to be disabled in the UK

Last updated on .From the section Gossip
Norwich City want around £50m for defender Ben Godfrey, 22, with Bundesliga clubs Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig among those keen on the England Under-21 international. (Sky Sports) external-link
Midfielder Kai Havertz, 21, is ready to hand in a transfer request at Bayer Leverkusen after telling Chelsea he wants to join them this summer. (Star) external-link
Chelsea hope to take advantage of Havertz's desire to join forward Timo Werner, 24, and another fellow Germany international, 27-year-old centre-back Antonio Rudiger, at Stamford Bridge. (Telegraph) external-link
Kevin de Bruyne's agent has rubbished talk that the 29-year-old Belgium midfielder is set for a move away from Manchester City to join Real Madrid or Paris St-Germain. (Sporza, via Star) external-link
Ajax have joined Tottenham Hotspur in the race to sign Southampton and Denmark midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, 24, with Everton also interested. (Telegraph - subscription required) external-link
Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti says he has been given an "assurance from the board" that the club will "improve" his squad this summer. (Guardian) external-link
The agent of Aston Villa's English midfielder Jack Grealish says the 24-year-old has not reached an agreement to sign for Manchester United, with his club valuing him at about £80m. (StrettyNews) external-link
Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil, 31, wants to move to Turkey or the United States, but the German will only leave the Gunners after seeing out the final year of his contract. (Sun) external-link
Arsenal have made an approach to sign French defender Malang Sarr after he left Nice - but face competition from RB Leipzig for the 21-year-old. (Marca, via Express) external-link
Tottenham are interested in signing French centre-back Kurt Zouma from Chelsea, although the 25-year-old is also a target for Everton. (Express) external-link
Sheffield United are planning a £10m move for Norwich's English midfielder Todd Cantwell, 22. (Star) external-link
A former team-mate of Brentford and Algeria international Said Benrahma, 24, has congratulated the winger on his move to Chelsea on Instagram - hinting a deal has been agreed for the player, who is valued at more than £30m. (Sun) external-link
Manchester City are confident that Spanish defender Eric Garcia, 19, will stay with them amid talk he is interesting former club Barcelona. (Manchester Evening News) external-link
Juventus have offered Chelsea the pick of two players, including Wales midfielder Aaron Ramsey, 29, in exchange for Italy midfielder Jorginho, 28. (Express via Tuttosport) external-link
Sevilla are planning a move to sign Arsenal and Spain defender Hector Bellerin, 25, this summer. Both Juventus and Inter Milan are also interested in the player. (Express) external-link
Manchester United are looking at Bournemouth's Netherlands defender Nathan Ake, 25, Aston Villa and England international Tyrone Mings, 27 and AC Milan's 25-year-old Italy centre-back Alessio Romagnoli as options to partner captain Harry Maguire in central defence. (ESPN) external-link
The father of Newcastle United and Paraguay forward Miguel Almiron, 26, has played down speculation linking his son with a move to Atletico Madrid. (Newcastle Chronicle) external-link


bbc--2020-07-08--Face masks, temperature checks and a Chinese takeaway - inside the bio-bubble

When you 've waited 163 days for an England Test , it is no hardship to wait a few hours more .
In fact , it was almost inevitable that months of speculation , build-up and curiosity as to what a behind-closed-doors match would look like would be extended just a little longer by the Great British Weather .
Yes , it has been glorious during the coronavirus lockdown , but you only need think about playing cricket and dark clouds will gather faster than bargain hunters on Boxing Day .
But even the chance to lament rain stopping play @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been no play to stop .
In that sense , the fact this Test is even taking place at all is testament to the ambition , imagination and attention to detail of those who have planned and delivered it , and the courage of West Indies for agreeing to travel to provide the opposition .
To R rate , social distancing and furlough - the list of terms few of us had heard before 2020 dawned - add bio-secure environment .
Not a sterile , white-walled , sharp-edged hospital , but a stadium @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a hotel and a golf course to keep the inmates entertained .
The right to enter was only granted after a negative coronavirus test and the successful completion of daily questionnaires , while arrival and every subsequent passage through an external door involves a detour through a temperature scanner .
Inside , masks cover faces .
Tape , arrows and footprints litter the floor , like a crime scene where only the feet were discovered .
Tables in the canteen are for one person alone , tables in the bar carry instructions for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Along corridors , hand gel dispensers are sentries guarding doors , demanding that you do your duty before entering a room .
It would be a unique way of working regardless , but also adds an extra layer of newness for a BBC team delivering TV coverage of home international cricket for the first time in 22 years .
Even the links for BBC Two 's highlights show were filmed with the pundits socially distanced .
The entire BBC operation , living and working , is run from one corridor , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ little more than the few metres from bed to balcony , while others are dealing with inquisitive pigeons entering their quarters .
In the Test Match Special box , the three people calling the action at any one time are spread out over five metres and three separate tables .
The only cake allowed was baked by Radio 5 live 's Eleanor Oldroyd .
For as much as things change - or it it is hoped they will through gestures like taking a knee - the more others stay the same .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seats all in a resting position , was still served by the announcements of a familiar voice over the public address system .
Jersualem was played at the start of play .
An England opener was dismissed without scoring .
Naturally , the players had new challenges to negotiate .
Captains Ben Stokes and Jason Holder got in a muddle over whether or not to shake hands at the toss , then were not faced with an interviewer , but a robot TV camera .
The fielding side were not allowed to rub @ @ @ @ @ @ @ give their caps or jumpers to the umpires .
In an enclosed environment , and with no-one else around , the players are closer to the media than they would probably like to be .
In the build-up , Stokes was forced to admonish a BBC producer , whose run around the golf course strayed across the path of the England skipper 's round .
West Indies reserve Nkrumah Bonner has been spotted collecting his Chinese takeaway from the hotel reception .
During play itself , it is the chatter of the players @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the slip cordon , shouts of West Indies squad members who watch from their hotel balconies , or laughter from the visiting dressing room .
Even the instructions of the umpires are clearly audible .
`` It 's the light .
We 'll take an early tea . ''
With that , the day 's other soundtrack , the deep hum of the hovercover , started again .
It was the groundstaff who were busiest of all , not only pulling the covers on and off , but also sanitising everything they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still time for another familiar Test pastime : grumbling as to why the players remained off the field despite the rain relenting and the light improving .
Perhaps a crowd would have given a greater sense of urgency .
Then it was all over .
End-of-day media duties performed on Zoom or with an extended microphone , followed by the players making the journey across the outfield to join the rest of us in the hotel .
Day one of the return is done .
The hand gel , temperature tests and social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The rain certainly is .

When you've waited 163 days for an England Test, it is no hardship to wait a few hours more.
In fact, it was almost inevitable that months of speculation, build-up and curiosity as to what a behind-closed-doors match would look like would be extended just a little longer by the Great British Weather.
Yes, it has been glorious during the coronavirus lockdown, but you only need think about playing cricket and dark clouds will gather faster than bargain hunters on Boxing Day.
But even the chance to lament rain stopping play is a joy when previously there has been no play to stop.
In that sense, the fact this Test is even taking place at all is testament to the ambition, imagination and attention to detail of those who have planned and delivered it, and the courage of West Indies for agreeing to travel to provide the opposition.
To R rate, social distancing and furlough - the list of terms few of us had heard before 2020 dawned - add bio-secure environment. Not a sterile, white-walled, sharp-edged hospital, but a stadium in Southampton with two cricket pitches, a hotel and a golf course to keep the inmates entertained.
The right to enter was only granted after a negative coronavirus test and the successful completion of daily questionnaires, while arrival and every subsequent passage through an external door involves a detour through a temperature scanner.
Inside, masks cover faces. Tape, arrows and footprints litter the floor, like a crime scene where only the feet were discovered.
Tables in the canteen are for one person alone, tables in the bar carry instructions for the maximum number that can sit there.
Along corridors, hand gel dispensers are sentries guarding doors, demanding that you do your duty before entering a room.
It would be a unique way of working regardless, but also adds an extra layer of newness for a BBC team delivering TV coverage of home international cricket for the first time in 22 years. Even the links for BBC Two's highlights show were filmed with the pundits socially distanced.
The entire BBC operation, living and working, is run from one corridor, which for some means the morning commute is little more than the few metres from bed to balcony, while others are dealing with inquisitive pigeons entering their quarters.
A pigeon flies into BBC cricket commentator Alison Mitchell's hotel room
In the Test Match Special box, the three people calling the action at any one time are spread out over five metres and three separate tables. The only cake allowed was baked by Radio 5 live's Eleanor Oldroyd.
For as much as things change - or it it is hoped they will through gestures like taking a knee - the more others stay the same.
The bowl, its white and cream bucket seats all in a resting position, was still served by the announcements of a familiar voice over the public address system. Jersualem was played at the start of play. An England opener was dismissed without scoring.
Naturally, the players had new challenges to negotiate. Captains Ben Stokes and Jason Holder got in a muddle over whether or not to shake hands at the toss, then were not faced with an interviewer, but a robot TV camera.
The fielding side were not allowed to rub saliva on to the ball, or give their caps or jumpers to the umpires.
In an enclosed environment, and with no-one else around, the players are closer to the media than they would probably like to be.
In the build-up, Stokes was forced to admonish a BBC producer, whose run around the golf course strayed across the path of the England skipper's round. West Indies reserve Nkrumah Bonner has been spotted collecting his Chinese takeaway from the hotel reception.
During play itself, it is the chatter of the players that fills the silence. The encouragement of the slip cordon, shouts of West Indies squad members who watch from their hotel balconies, or laughter from the visiting dressing room.
Even the instructions of the umpires are clearly audible. "It's the light. We'll take an early tea."
With that, the day's other soundtrack, the deep hum of the hovercover, started again. It was the groundstaff who were busiest of all, not only pulling the covers on and off, but also sanitising everything they touched along the way.
There was still time for another familiar Test pastime: grumbling as to why the players remained off the field despite the rain relenting and the light improving. Perhaps a crowd would have given a greater sense of urgency.
Then it was all over. End-of-day media duties performed on Zoom or with an extended microphone, followed by the players making the journey across the outfield to join the rest of us in the hotel.
Day one of the return is done. The hand gel, temperature tests and social distancing are not the cricket we know. The rain certainly is.
Welcome back.


bbc--2020-07-09--US Supreme Court to rule on revealing Trump tax returns

The US Supreme Court is set to decide whether President Donald Trump 's tax returns and other financial records can be examined by Congress and prosecutors - a ruling with potentially huge political consequences .
Mr Trump refuses to share documents concerning his fortune and business .
His lawyers argue he enjoys total immunity while in office .
The ruling will test that claim and has implications on how far US lawmakers can scrutinise the president .
Even a ruling in Congress 's favour would not necessarily make Mr Trump 's tax returns public before his bid for re-election in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his money as a property developer , is the first president since Richard Nixon in the 1970s not to have made his tax returns public .
He calls the investigation into his tax affairs a `` witch hunt '' and sees the congressional case as a device to harass him politically .
Why has this gone to the Supreme Court ?
Two Democrat-controlled House of Representatives committees and New York District Attorney Cyrus Vance - also a Democrat - are demanding the release of his tax returns and other information .
The subpoenas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were issued last year to Mazars USA , who are Mr Trump 's accountants , and to major Trump lenders Deutsche Bank and Capital One .
Lower courts in Washington and New York ruled against the president in all cases , but those decisions have been put on hold pending a final court ruling .
• Trump tax returns 'will never be released' • Trump 's parents and siblings : What do we know of them ?
Deutsche Bank was one of the few banks willing to lend to Mr Trump after a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the documents sought include records related to the president , the Trump Organization and his family .
The banks and the accounting firm said they would release the information if ordered .
Mr Trump 's lawyers argued that Congress had no authority to issue the subpoenas , and no valid justification to seek the records .
Why is it sensitive politically ?
Damaging revelations about President Trump 's financial affairs could hurt his campaign for re-election .
He has already slumped in opinion polls , as critics accuse him of mishandling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigation covers alleged hush money payments made by Mr Trump 's former lawyer Michael Cohen to two women - adult film star Stormy Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal - who both say they had affairs with Mr Trump .
Such payments could violate campaign financing laws .
The president denies the affairs took place .
Concerns have already been raised about possible conflicts of interest in Mr Trump 's businesses .
At hearings in May there was fierce debate among the Supreme Court judges over the degree to which Congress should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the New York case , they were sceptical about a Trump lawyer 's argument that a president can not be investigated while in office .
This is despite the court having a 5-4 conservative majority and including two Trump appointees - Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh .
In two earlier cases over presidential power , in 1974 the Supreme Court acted unanimously in requiring President Nixon to surrender White House tapes in the Watergate scandal , and 1997 it allowed a sexual harassment lawsuit to go ahead against President Bill Clinton .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Clinton voted against them in the cases .

US Supreme Court to rule on revealing Trump tax returns Published 9 July 2020
Image source, Getty Images
The US Supreme Court is set to decide whether President Donald Trump's tax returns and other financial records can be examined by Congress and prosecutors - a ruling with potentially huge political consequences.
Mr Trump refuses to share documents concerning his fortune and business.
His lawyers argue he enjoys total immunity while in office.
The ruling will test that claim and has implications on how far US lawmakers can scrutinise the president.
Even a ruling in Congress's favour would not necessarily make Mr Trump's tax returns public before his bid for re-election in November.
Mr Trump, who inherited money from his father and went on to become a property developer, is the first president since Richard Nixon in the 1970s not to have made his tax returns public.
He calls the investigation into his tax affairs a "witch hunt" and sees the congressional case as a device to harass him politically.
Why has this gone to the Supreme Court?
Two Democrat-controlled House of Representatives committees and New York District Attorney Cyrus Vance - also a Democrat - are demanding the release of his tax returns and other information.
The subpoenas - orders to hand over evidence - were issued last year to Mazars USA, who are Mr Trump's accountants, and to major Trump lenders Deutsche Bank and Capital One.
Lower courts in Washington and New York ruled against the president in all cases, but those decisions have been put on hold pending a final court ruling.
Deutsche Bank was one of the few banks willing to lend to Mr Trump after a series of corporate bankruptcies in the 1990s, and the documents sought include records related to the president, the Trump Organization and his family.
The banks and the accounting firm said they would release the information if ordered.
Mr Trump's lawyers argued that Congress had no authority to issue the subpoenas, and no valid justification to seek the records.
Image source, AFP Image caption, The judges are hearing the cases remotely because of the coronavirus
Why is it sensitive politically?
Damaging revelations about President Trump's financial affairs could hurt his campaign for re-election. He has already slumped in opinion polls, as critics accuse him of mishandling the coronavirus crisis.
The New York investigation covers alleged hush money payments made by Mr Trump's former lawyer Michael Cohen to two women - adult film star Stormy Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal - who both say they had affairs with Mr Trump.
Such payments could violate campaign financing laws. The president denies the affairs took place.
Concerns have already been raised about possible conflicts of interest in Mr Trump's businesses.
At hearings in May there was fierce debate among the Supreme Court judges over the degree to which Congress should scrutinise the president's personal records.
In the New York case, they were sceptical about a Trump lawyer's argument that a president cannot be investigated while in office.
This is despite the court having a 5-4 conservative majority and including two Trump appointees - Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh.
In two earlier cases over presidential power, in 1974 the Supreme Court acted unanimously in requiring President Nixon to surrender White House tapes in the Watergate scandal, and in 1997 it allowed a sexual harassment lawsuit to go ahead against President Bill Clinton.