bbc--2020-08-07--Sushant Singh Rajput: Mystery and voyeurism around Bollywood star's death

Sushant Singh Rajput lived an extraordinary life - just like some of the characters he played in his hit Bollywood films .
But his fairy tale journey , from humble beginnings to stardom , ended on 14 June when he was found dead in his flat at the age of 34 .
The police in Mumbai , where he lived , said he took his own life .
The news devastated millions of his fans , who saw his success as their own .
Sushant grew up in Bihar , one of India 's poorest states .
He worked hard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's top engineering colleges - a sure way of securing a bright future for middle class families .
But his heart was set on acting .
So he dropped out of college and went to Mumbai , a city that makes and breaks thousands of dreams every day .
He did small roles , took up odd jobs and worked in theatre for years until one of his TV shows became a hit .
Success on the big screen followed soon .
His story fired the ambitions of young people in small towns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fans took his death as a personal loss .
And just as they were coming to terms with the news , unverified details about Sushant 's career , financial status , relationships and even mental health started circulating on social media and in debates on news channels .
No-one has been spared by the voyeuristic coverage - his therapist , his former cook , his friends , his manager , his family , his colleagues have all been hounded for interviews and exclusives .
With police drip-feeding details to the media , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Days after he died , some social media users claimed that he killed himself because a few powerful Bollywood families and directors had treated him unfairly .
They said he was an outsider who had no `` godfather '' in the industry , and that his rise was unacceptable to certain Bollywood dynasties .
They pointed to recent reports of him being side-lined after he was promised roles in big-budget films .
The Mumbai police is still investigating what led to the actor 's death .
They have interviewed more than 50 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out if there is enough evidence to file abatement of suicide charges .
The officers are yet to file a final report .
The allegations led to a severe backlash on social media against some directors and producers .
Karan Johar , who has launched the careers of the children of former film stars , was especially targeted .
He faced abuse and threats online , but did not respond to any of it .
The police have not interviewed him .
A film critic , who does not want to be identified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brought a harsh truth to the fore : Bollywood does n't welcome people who do n't have the right connections .
`` But we do n't know if professional rivalry pushed Sushant to the brink .
We need to wait for the investigation to finish , '' he said .
While this debate raged , some channels turned their focus on Rhea Chakraborty , Sushant 's actress girlfriend .
Sushant 's father had filed a police complaint against Rhea in Bihar state , where he lives .
He accused her of abatement of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The media quickly jumped on this new twist in the case .
On social media , she has been called a `` gold digger '' who `` took away Sushant 's money '' .
Rhea has denied any wrongdoing and issued a desperate plea to Home Minister Amit Shah for a fair investigation into Sushant 's death .
She has since been questioned by various investigative agencies .
TV news channels and websites seem to favour two theories about what led to Sushant 's death .
Some of them believe he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the apathy of movie directors , while others insist that his death is suspicious .
And to prove their respective theories , they have crossed several red lines , says mental health expert , Dr Soumitra Pathare .
The actor 's bank account details have been leaked , and information about his mental health and medication have also been reported .
Dr Pathare says every news organisation should have a code of ethics when it comes to reporting on a sensitive subject such as suicide .
`` But sadly , not many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Everyone wants to outdo each other and they forget their responsibility , '' he adds .
Sushant 's social media handles were followed by millions of young people who are now reading and watching every new rumour and development related to his death .
It should make media houses more responsible , says Dr Pathare , adding that some of those young people could be in a mentally vulnerable situation .
He also blames some media houses ' limited understanding of mental health issues .
Mental health is a largely unaddressed issue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , has been wrongly portrayed by Bollywood for years .
`` Our films mostly portray a depressed person as crazy or as somebody who is always sad , '' Dr Pathare says .
A TV channel recently broadcast an `` exclusive video '' that showed Sushant relaxing at his home a few months before his death .
The channel declared that the actor looked happy in the video and offered it as clinching evidence that he was not fighting depression .
Dr Pathare says this shows the channel 's narrow understanding of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that a depressed person is always sulking , '' he adds .
The Mumbai police have also been criticised for releasing details such as what the actor was searching for on the internet a few hours before his death .
Vikram Singh , a former top cop in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh , says the police should not be releasing such sensitive information .
`` How it helps the investigation is beyond my understanding .
The risk is that many young people may try to search for similar things and it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' he adds .
Elections are due to be held later in the year in Bihar - the actor 's home state .
So it 's not surprising that politicians want to be seen fighting to get justice for Sushant 's family .
Bihar 's Chief Minister , Nitish Kumar , has recommended that the case be investigated by the federal investigative agency , the CBI or Central Bureau of Investigation .
The federal government , run by Mr Kumar 's coalition partner , the Bharatiya Janata Party , has accepted the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ probe .
It 's unclear how this will impact the ongoing investigation by the Mumbai police , which comes under the Maharashtra state government , headed by the Shiv Sena - a former ally of the BJP .
But for the past few weeks , Bihar and Mumbai police have been engaged in what Mr Singh describes as a `` turf war '' .
A Bihar police officer who travelled to Mumbai to investigate the case has been quarantined for allegedly breaking Covid-19 restrictions .
`` Such public display of turf war has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sake , a family has lost their son and you need to show some sensitivity , '' Mr Singh says , adding that all investigative agencies need to work together to get justice for Sushant 's family .
`` Closure is very important for them and also for his fans .
But this media circus and politics are not helping . ''
If you or someone you know needs support for issues about emotional distress , these organisations may be able to help .

"Such public display of turf war has been really ugly. For god's sake, a family has lost their son and you need to show some sensitivity," Mr Singh says, adding that all investigative agencies need to work together to get justice for Sushant's family.


bbc--2020-08-07--Coronavirus: India is turning to faster tests to meet targets

India 's Prime Minister , Narendra Modi , has pledged to ramp up testing to one million per day over the next few weeks to tackle one of the world 's worst outbreaks of the coronavirus .
But can he achieve this , and are the tests being used reliable ?
How much testing is India doing now ?
At the start of August , around half a million tests were being carried out each day across India on a week 's average , according to the international comparison site , Our World in Data .
Daily figures released by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this .
This is a large number but should be put in the context of the size of India 's population .
It carries out around 36 tests each day for every 100,000 people .
In comparison , the figure for South Africa is 69 , for Pakistan it 's eight , and for the United Kingdom it 's 192 .
Prime Minister Modi 's ambition is to double this number to achieve a million tests each day for a country with a population of more than 1.3 billion .
What kind of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing is regarded as a key part of the battle against the coronavirus , it 's the type of testing which experts say is causing concern .
The one that 's been most commonly used globally is a PCR ( polymerase chain reaction ) test , which isolates genetic material from a swab sample .
Chemicals are used to remove proteins and fats from the genetic material , and the sample is put through machine analysis .
These are regarded as the gold standard of testing , but they 're the most expensive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hours to process the samples .
To produce a result may take up to a day , depending on the time taken to transport samples to labs .
In order to increase its testing capacity , the Indian authorities have been switching over to a cheaper and quicker method called a rapid antigen test , more globally known as diagnostic or rapid tests .
These isolate proteins called antigens that are unique to the virus , and can give a result in 15 to 20 minutes .
But these tests are less reliable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases as low as 50 % , and were originally meant to be used in virus hotspots and healthcare settings .
It is worth noting that these tests only tell you if you are currently infected and are different from antibody tests that tell you if you were infected in the past .
India 's top medical research body , the Indian Council of Medical Research ( ICMR ) , has approved the use of three antigen tests developed in South Korea , India and Belgium .
But one of these was independently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Indian Institute of Medical Sciences ( AIIMS ) , which found that their accuracy in giving a true negative result ranged between 50 % and 84 % .
`` The antigen test will miss more than half of truly infected cases , '' Professor K Srinath Reddy , of the Public Health Foundation of India told the BBC .
This can be for various reasons like the swab sample was n't good enough , the viral load in the person or even the quality of the testing kit .
The ICMR had issued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an antigen test should also get a PCR test if they show symptoms , to rule out a false negative .
Rapid or diagnostic tests may or may not use antigens in detecting the virus .
In the UK , the most common type of rapid test has an error margin of 20 % for giving false negative results .
But the rapid test kits developed by Oxford Nanopore are said to pick up 98 % positive cases , although that needs independent checking by researchers and health experts .
• How do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these rapid tests use genetic material , not antigens , hence are more reliable .
The World Health Organization ( WHO ) and the US Food and Drugs administration have also advised getting a PCR test if you test negative in a rapid test .
The United States is vying to develop such diagnostic kits you could buy at a store , swab your nose or saliva and get the results within minutes , like pregnancy test kits .
But the FDA guidelines for approval of such kits say that their performance has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tests .
The US is already using antigen test kits by BD and Quidel which have a sensitivity of 71 % and 81 % respectively , higher than those used in India .
Many Indian states , which decide their own testing protocols , have been increasingly turning to the rapid antigen test .
ICMR announced on 4 August that up to 30 % of the total tests conducted in the country were antigen tests .
Delhi was the first state to begin antigen-based testing in June , and many other states followed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 18 June , although there is no data publicly available until 29 June .
We 've looked at data from 29 June to 28 July , which shows Delhi conducted a total of 587,590 tests , of which 63 % were antigen tests .
But the available data shows that less than 1 % of those who tested negative in an antigen test went on to have a PCR test , and 18 % of those who did tested positive .
The recorded infection rate in the capital has fallen in recent weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because many cases have been missed .
The authorities have now asked testing centres to conduct more PCR tests .
But data shows that more than 50 % of the tests conducted are still antigen tests , despite the Delhi High Court 's order that it should be used only in hotspots and healthcare settings .
The southern state of Karnataka started using antigen tests in July , aiming for 35,000 a day across 30 districts .
Although they have n't been able to achieve the target , the number of antigen tests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of PCR tests coming down .
Available data suggests that in the last week of July , 38 % of those who initially tested negative but had symptoms and then took a PCR test , came out positive .
Although the state does not provide daily data on how many PCR and antigen tests are conducted , there are currently only 31 government and private labs equipped to do PCR tests , as against 320 government facilities for antigen tests .
India 's worst affected state , Maharashtra , first began antigen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ municipal corporation reported that 65 % of those who had symptoms of Covid-19 tested negative in the antigen test , but went on to be positive in a PCR test .
Dr Anupam Singh , a public health expert , says there are some advantages to the rapid tests : `` It allows a faster detection process and means you can quickly detect highly infectious individuals with a high viral load who might be so-called super-spreaders . ''
But he also has concerns about this strategy , which can potentially miss many infections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investment and resources , the authorities have switched to a focus on reducing deaths , and catching highly infectious people - the low-hanging fruits , '' says Dr Singh .
So the switch to rapid antigen testing may satisfy performance targets and meet public demand for more testing .
But it runs a real risk of not revealing the true extent of the outbreak - unless it 's backed up by continued PCR testing .

But they're the most expensive and take up to eight hours to process the samples. To produce a result may take up to a day, depending on the time taken to transport samples to labs.


bbc--2020-08-07--The Greatest Showman: The story of Cardiff's giant

He was billed as the tallest man on earth by The Greatest Showman 's famous circus , was said to be a bodyguard to Queen Victoria and has links to the Absolutely Fabulous TV show theme tune .
'Captain ' George Auger was reputedly 8ft 4in ( 2.5m ) tall and apparently got his title from Queen Victoria who was said to have given him the nickname after he `` protected '' her .
His career in showbiz seemingly began by accident when he was offered a job by the famous Barnum and Bailey Circus - the focus of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The story goes that Auger was approached by circus bosses after he turned up to watch one of their touring shows - and was actually taller than their 'tallest man act ' .
After moving to the United States and becoming a mainstay in Barnum and Bailey 's `` freak show style '' circus , Auger was on the verge of breaking into the movies when tragedy struck .
• The dark story of the man behind Hollywood 's park • Five of the first six US Presidents had Welsh descent The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to California for a $ 350-a-week role alongside Hollywood great Harold Lloyd in a film , he died suddenly aged 40 .
Such was his popularity in the US , hundreds watched as his body was lowered on a crane in a specially made coffin from the second-floor window of his New York apartment because he could n't fit down the stairs - as his faithful bulldog Ringling looked on whining .
And there followed a nationwide publicity campaign to find a replacement for his part in a film that went on to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tall story , rather a story about a tall man - sometimes called the British Goliath , but mostly the 'Cardiff giant ' - one of Wales ' unknown heroes .
`` From the slums of Cardiff to the verge of Hollywood , via Queen Victoria and being a freak show star of the world 's most famous circus , '' said great nephew Bob Osbourne .
`` Then dying the day before you embark on your film career - it merits a film of its own . ''
George Auger was born @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Elizabeth and former Army Corporal and policeman father Henry in Cardiff in 1881 - not named George , but William Henry Auger .
`` His parents were normal size but George was a freak of nature and had gigantism , '' added Bob , who has researched his family and great uncle George 's `` surreal '' story .
After moving to London as a toddler , Auger lied about his age to get into the Royal Marine Light Infantry aged just 12 .
He probably got away with it because he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He lasted less than a year before deserting .
He lied about his age again a few years later to join Great Western Railways in Paddington - claiming he was 19 when just 15 - when he joined up as a policeman .
It was here that his 'captain ' denomination came about - a label he would adopt to his advantage in a few years on the other side of the Atlantic .
He never held an official captain rank but the title is said to have come from Queen Victoria @ @ @ @ @ @ @ escort while she travelled around London .
`` He was picked up by Queen Victoria to be a private bodyguard , '' said Bob .
`` His job was to stand there and look tall and menacing . ''
Well , the 'captain ' tag lasted longer than the job as he was dismissed as a police officer after just a year in 1899 .
Auger was only 17 when he began work as a doorman in London 's West End and at the turn of the 20th Century , he had grown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was described as the second tallest man in the world .
His career in entertainment tentatively began in a Christmas panto as , you 've guessed it , a giant in Ealing Theatre 's 1900 edition of Puss in Boots .
Then came his unintentional big break - when he went to a show as a spectator and ended up becoming the headline act .
Articles from the day say Auger went to a Barnum and Bailey Circus performance while they were on tour in London .
After noticing he was taller than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's management apparently encouraged him to travel to America to join the company .
`` He seemed to not just be in the right place at the right time but he capitalised on those opportunities , '' said Bob , an artist whose grandmother Hilda was born 30 years after her very big brother .
`` What are the chances of Barnum coming over , seeing someone tower over everyone else , getting him on stage next to their own giant , sacking their own giant and telling him come to New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` It shows a lot of bravery for a boy from a peasant family - and one that had probably been pointed at in the streets and the butt of jokes - to actually take the plunge and go to New York .
`` This was a major journey in those days and he 'd be leaving his old life behind because communication was rare then . ''
So , in March 1904 he and new wife Elizabeth board the SS La Bretagne at Le Havre in France bound for New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ headlines as The New York Times described his uncomfortable transatlantic trip , where he had to draw his knees up under his chin to sleep in his six-foot berth .
The publication confirms he was due to appear in the Barnum and Bailey Circus show that would open at New York City 's famous Madison Square Garden later that month .
'Captain George Auger , the Cardiff Giant , the tallest man on earth ' , screamed the billboards promoting the self-anointed and always modest Greatest Show on Earth .
By this time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if you believe what you read from the time .
To put that into context , he would have had to duck in most modern living rooms .
`` He had dwarfs in his pocket and got up to things which are completely non-PC , '' said Bob .
• The circus leaves town for the final time • Welcome to the freak show revival '' He could be forgiven for wanting a quiet life because he had a strange gigantic look and people on the street would have pointed fingers at him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opportunity .
`` He was quite entrepreneurial , he embraced his size and monetised it - the epitome of the American Dream I suppose . ''
said Bob .
`` He became a celebrity in the US , he was n't just tall but had star quality that gave him that appeal .
People used to pay for him to come around their house and have pictures with their children .
`` He milked it and who can blame him ?
Looking so different and being a bit of a freak , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The money-making from his extreme size took a new twist by 1907 when Auger had swapped the freak show for his own show - although still playing a giant .
Auger made himself the headline act in Jack the Giant Killer and played 'the tallest man on earth ' - and just to accentuate his massive frame , he cast the 'smallest comedian in the world ' .
`` The fact he authored a play and took it on tour steered him away from just being gawped at in a circus , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been involved in new research into Auger 's life story , which has uncovered new details about his Cardiff origins and family .
`` He found a niche for himself and he achieved some form of happiness . ''
The 26-year-old took his show to Europe in 1908 - docking in Liverpool aboard the RMS Lusitania .
The actor became an American citizen in 1917 and was back in the circus a year later with a new nickname - the 'Cardiff Colossus ' .
'Made the best of what nature gave him' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ touring of circus life for the glitz and glamour of the up-and-coming Hollywood scene in 1922 when tragedy struck .
He had been cast in a movie produced by Hal Roach , who crafted the Laurel and Hardy franchise , to star alongside Hollywood royalty Harold Lloyd as the giant Colosso in Why Worry ?
But after a thanksgiving day meal at friends he was staying with , Auger died of severe indigestion .
His obituary described him as a good natured , likable 8ft 4in ( 2.5m ) person who lounged through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what nature had served him .
Auger 's body had to be lowered in a specially made coffin from the second floor window of the Manhattan apartment with an estimated 1,000 people looking on .
Auger 's funeral was attended by many showbiz friends and colleagues from the circus , including Ringling , his loyal and trusty bulldog .
`` It a classic tale of someone that looks different , finds happiness but the story ends in sadness , '' said Bob .
`` A freak born into abject poverty and living in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Queen , gets spotted by the biggest circus of all time , moves to New York , becomes a celebrity and gets a Hollywood break but dies of indigestion the day before going .
`` The story does n't need any embellishment , it 's got it all .
And he was only 40 . ''
So we 'll never know how big the Cardiff giant could have been .
`` He could 've gone on to be one of Wales ' greatest entertainment exports , '' added Mr Richards , chairman of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We 've had some big names that have broken America like Dame Shirley Bassey , Sir Tom Jones and Sir Anthony Hopkins - but he would have been the biggest , literally . ''
But the Auger connection with the stage did n't end there - as one of the family did make it to Hollywood as a showbiz star of his own .
Auger 's mother and father split when their first born son was about 12 - and dad Henry is believed to have had 19 children with three different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brothers had a son in 1939 - and Brian Auger went on to become an accomplished musician , jammed with Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix and formed a 1960s band with Rod Stewart .
And with Julie Driscoll , he sang the 1968 hit 'Wheels on Fire ' which would become one of the most recognisable TV theme tunes of all time to BBC TV comedy classic 'Absolutely Fabulous ' .

"What are the chances of Barnum coming over, seeing someone tower over everyone else, getting him on stage next to their own giant, sacking their own giant and telling him come to New York and we'll make you a star.


bbc--2020-08-07--Sri Lanka election: Rajapaksa brothers tighten grip on power

Once again it 's a huge victory for the Rajapaksa brothers .
Just nine months after his impressive win in the presidential election , Gotabaya Rajapaksa has led his Sri Lanka People 's Front ( SLPP ) and allies to a two-thirds majority in the new house , allowing him to name his elder brother , Mahinda , as prime minister .
Gotabaya Rajapaksa is hugely popular among the Sinhalese majority , mostly Buddhists , for crushing the Tamil Tiger separatist rebels in 2009 when he was the defence secretary .
Mahinda was the president at that time .
Many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for bringing stability and successfully containing the coronavirus outbreak this year .
But he is also accused of human rights abuses during the nearly three-decades-long civil war that ended in 2009 , and of targeting those who dissented during the previous rule by the Rajapaksas .
He has always dismissed the accusations , but they have never gone away .
`` We were very certain about this victory .
We can see that people have placed lots of confidence on us because they have accepted the future plan we have placed before them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sagara Kariyawasam , the general secretary of the SLPP , told the BBC .
Mr Rajapaksa 's party and its allies have secured 150 seats in the 225-member house , giving them sufficient numbers to make constitutional changes .
The scale of the victory for Mr Rajapaksa 's party is not a big surprise , but the total rout of the opposition was stunning .
Former prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe lost in his own constituency , and his United National Party ( UNP ) managed to win just one seat .
It had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new group , the United People 's Force ( UPF ) , led by Sajith Premadasa , who left the UNP months before the election , has now become the main opposition alliance .
Even the minority Tamil and Muslim parties , traditionally strong in the north and the east , conceded space either for the SLPP or its allies .
Many point out that it was the chaotic performance of the previous administration , led by then-president Maithripala Sirisena and Mr Wickremesinghe , that led to the widespread public dissatisfaction .
Their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ handling of the devastating Easter Sunday attacks by Islamist militants last year , despite prior warnings from Indian intelligence , shattered people 's confidence .
The political chaos that followed led to calls for a strong leader , and Mr Rajapaksa was the natural choice for the Sinhalese majority .
Since he became president , they say , he has brought in political stability and security .
The opposition admits that a populist wave in favour of Mr Rajapaksa , especially among the Sinhalese , continued even after the presidential election that led @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the parliament election .
• How fear set in overnight in Sri Lanka • 'No dignity in death ' for Sri Lanka 's Muslims But there are critics who say the SLPP and their supporters are whipping up Sinhala nationalism to gain political mileage .
`` The platform they ( SLPP ) want to create is a pan-Sinhala state , overlooking the fact that Sri Lanka is a multi-cultural and multi-racial state , '' said Shiral Lakthilaka , a leader of the UPF .
Leaders of the Muslim minority point out that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vilification that followed the devastating Easter Sunday suicide attacks , and say the rise in Sinhala majoritarian nationalism was evident in the run-up to the election .
Hilmy Ahamed , vice-president of the Muslim Council of Sri Lanka , said the Muslim community hoped the government would curtail any nationalist sentiment .
`` Now that they have got a very comfortable majority in parliament , they do n't have to pamper to any racist agenda , '' he said .
He pointed out that a fair number of Muslims have voted for this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think the government will take that into consideration and make sure that these extremist forces do not pass the kind of hate they have been creating all this while . ''
The other minority group , Tamils , are yet to recover from the brutal civil war which ended with the total decimation of the Tamil Tigers in 2009 .
Relatives of thousands of missing during the war are still seeking answers from the Rajapaksa brothers .
They say reconciliation will not happen unless justice is done .
They are already bitter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officer himself , pardoned a former Sri Lankan soldier , Sunil Ratnayake , sentenced to death in 2015 for killing eight Tamil civilians , including a five-year-old child , in the northern Jaffna peninsula during the war in 2000 .
He was released in March during the coronavirus lockdown .
It was one of the very few convictions for crimes committed during the civil war .
Rights activists were furious about the pardon .
With their dominant majority , the Rajapaksas could attempt to change the constitution and increase the powers of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ efforts to introduce more checks and balances to prevent any authoritarianism .
`` This comes at a time when we see increasing attacks on civil society , media , lawyers and the space for dissent is shrinking , '' said Bhavani Fonseka , a human rights lawyer .
`` The question is whether it will shrink further , post-election , and the signs so far has been that it is likely to head in that way , '' Once the government is up and running , it will face the real challenge other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lanka has borrowed billions of dollars from China and others to rebuild the country in the post-war period .
It needs more than $ 3bn ( £2.53bn ) for external debt payments by the end of this year .
Following the coronavirus crisis , exports have plummeted .
Thousands of Sri Lankan expatriate workers , like those in the Gulf countries , have lost their jobs .
The tourism industry faces a difficult time ahead due to the pandemic .
It could be that reviving the economy proves more challenging than winning the @ @

"This comes at a time when we see increasing attacks on civil society, media, lawyers and the space for dissent is shrinking," said Bhavani Fonseka, a human rights lawyer. "The question is whether it will shrink further, post-election, and the signs so far has been that it is likely to head in that way,"


What is Tencent?

Based in Shenzhen and founded in 1998 , the Chinese company Tencent enjoys huge popularity - and profits - in China .
Its cute penguin symbol is as familiar to Chinese children as the McDonalds `` golden arches '' logo is to children in the West , says the BBC 's China media analyst Kerry Allen .
`` Tencent is thought of as so much more than just a Chinese company in China - it has gained a reputation as a family-friendly organisation that connects families , friends and work colleagues in a digital age , '' she said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ other Chinese companies can only envy - it can reach an audience of , basically , everyone . ''
But many people in the West have never heard of it .
That does n't mean it is n't present in our everyday lives , though - Tencent also owns chunks of some of Western culture 's most popular games , music and movies .
Like Google 's parent company , Alphabet , Tencent has a broad portfolio of interests , although arguably it remains best known for its messaging services .
US president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in his most recent executive order , which demands US firms stop doing business with it .
WeChat has over a billion users , both inside China and around the world - the Chinese version is called Weixin .
It is often compared to WhatsApp - and certainly it is widely used for messaging - several US messaging apps and social media sites are banned by the Chinese state so you ca n't ( officially ) Facebook message a friend in Beijing , for example .
But there 's a lot more to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ akin to a separate operating system : just like you might use Google 's Android or Apple 's iOS for a variety of tasks , it is used to read news , pay bills , order transport or food , and run small businesses .
The firm has not revealed just how profitable WeChat is on its own , but it is clear that Tencent - as a whole - is thriving .
Earning results for the first quarter of 2020 showed a total revenue of 108 billion Chinese yuan ( $ 15.2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % year-on-year , despite the coronavirus pandemic .
Alphabet 's revenue for the same period was $ 41.2 bn .
Crunchbase 's Tencent entry lists 479 investments , with a fund totalling $ 6.6bn .
It would be tedious to go through them all , but let 's take a quick look at some of them .
It is clear that Tencent makes a lot of money via gaming .
Tencent is the largest video games publisher in the world .
It has a stake in the two most popular Battle Royale-style games @ @ @ @ @ @ @ PubG ) .
It owns a 40 % stake in Fortnite studio , Epic games , and has the license to PlayerUnknown 's Battlegrounds ( PubG ) - although it failed in its own battle to get the game approved for distribution in China .
It also owns the entire League of Legends studio , Riot Games .
In October 2019 , PC Gamer published a list of 16 games firms outside of China that Tencent had publicly invested in , including Ubisoft and Discord .
It also invests in Western music and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal giving it a 10 % stake in Universal Music .
The record label includes major artists such as Lady Gaga , Taylor Swift , Drake and Kendrick Lamar on its books .
In addition , Tencent already has its own music division - Tencent Music Entertainment ( TME ) .
And a share-swap in 2017 saw it take a 7.5 % stake in streaming giant Spotify ( Spotify got 9.5 % of TME in return , reported Tech Crunch at the time ) .
Tencent Pictures , its film and production arm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of Hollywood movies , including Terminator : Dark Fate ( 2019 ) , Wonder Woman ( 2017 ) and the upcoming Top Gun sequel , Top Gun : Maverick - scheduled for release in 2021 .
Oh - and there 's also the small matter of the Chinese giant owning 5 % of the US electric car firm Tesla .
What is the US concerned about ?
President Donald Trump says that the spread in the US of mobile apps developed and owned by Chinese firms `` threaten the national security , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States '' .
The US government says both Bytedance 's TikTok and Tencent 's WeChat `` capture vast swaths of information from its users '' .
`` This data collection threatens to allow the Chinese Communist Party access to Americans ' personal and proprietary information , '' it claims .
Tencent 's chief executive and co-founder Ma Huateng , known as Pony Ma , is widely assumed to support the Communist Party .
He is a member of the National People 's Congress ( NPC ) , China 's national parliament .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ WeChat and TikTok gather data on Chinese nationals visiting the US , allowing Beijing `` to keep tabs '' on them .
Prof Alan Woodward , a cyber security expert from Surrey University , points out that for international users , WeChat data sits on servers outside of China - meaning in theory that it is more protected from state scrutiny .
However , he added that WeChat 's privacy policy openly states that it will `` comply with any legal requests from state agencies to hand over data they have in their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TikTok , the concern is that the parent company is Chinese and thus it may be argued that they are indeed subject to the Chinese Intelligence Act , '' he said .
Tencent has so far issued the briefest of responses to the news from the US : `` We are reviewing the executive order to get a full understanding , '' it said .

It is often compared to WhatsApp - and certainly it is widely used for messaging - several US messaging apps and social media sites are banned by the Chinese state so you can't (officially) Facebook message a friend in Beijing, for example.


bbc--2020-08-07--Ronaldo scores twice but Juventus knocked out by Lyon

Lyon survived a Cristiano Ronaldo-inspired comeback from Juventus to hang on and book a Champions League quarter-final against Manchester City .
Leading 1-0 from February 's first leg , the French side were handed a soft early penalty which Memphis Depay converted in style .
That left Juve needing to score three times to progress and Ronaldo got one back from the penalty spot .
He then thundered in his 130th Champions League goal but Lyon held on .
Lyon boss Rudi Garcia , said : `` We came up against an opponent who has an extraterrestrial in its squad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ronaldo .
`` This is the victory of a group .
We wanted to be in the final eight in Lisbon , we are there .
`` We 'll still be outsiders and that suits us very well . ''
Juventus manager Maurizio Sarri may have guided his side to a ninth straight Serie A title but they were lethargic throughout and his position could be under threat .
Juve have not won the Champions League since 1996 and the wait goes on at least another year .
To question Sarri after one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but the reality is that in Turin - as in Paris and in Munich - winning the league is the minimum requirement .
Ending that now 25-year drought in the Champions League is the goal and were it not for Ronaldo , Juve offered next to nothing as an attacking force .
Six of Sarri 's starting XI are in their 30s and they were painfully slow in approach at times , showing why they had only actually won two of their last eight games in Serie A .
Where there is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his second on the night was a superb , swerving left-footed shot from range that gave hope of another tilt at the business end of the competition .
But when Ronaldo headed a corner over the top , that hope was extinguished .
Ronaldo could yet win the trophy with a third team , joining Clarence Seedorf in an exclusive club , but time is running out for the 35-year-old .
As it may be now for Sarri , too .
`` I do n't think directors of a top level will make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Sarri said after the match .
`` They are going to evaluate the whole season .
`` I find this kind of question [ about his future ] offensive , but not towards me , it 's offensive towards the directors .
I have a contract , I 'll respect it and I do n't expect anything . ''
'They have an alien' Lyon were only seventh in the French top flight when the season was cancelled in April and this was just their second game back .
They held Paris St-Germain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ League Cup final last Friday night - losing on penalties - and were equally resolute in Turin .
Referee Felix Zwayer helped them out with a gift of a penalty as Houssem Aouar went down after a drive into the area , with Rodrigo Bentancur clearly winning the ball .
Depay converted with a fine Panenka chip , and Lyon always looked likely to see the tie out even after Ronaldo 's double .
Depay was harshly adjudged to have handled while blocking a free-kick in the wall to give Juve a way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ easy to cave .
But Aouar , Bruno Guimaraes and Maxence Caqueret all excelled in midfield as Lyon booked a one-off tie against City in Lisbon next Saturday night .
`` It is the victory of a group .
We wanted to be in Lisbon .
Here we are , '' said Lyon boss Rudi Garcia .
`` I have been here a few times with Roma .
Juventus are the best club in Italy , a team that wanted to win the Champions League and have an alien .
`` We saw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people thought we could do it .
We did it . ''
• Lyon are the first French side to reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League since Monaco in 2016-17 , while this is the first time they have reached this stage of the competition since 2009-10 .
• Juventus have failed to reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the first time since 2015-16 under Massimiliano Allegri .
• Despite progressing on away goals , Lyon are now winless in their last 11 away knockout matches in the Champions League @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have played more Champions League home games against French sides without defeat ( 7 ) than against teams from any other nation .
• Lyon 's Memphis Depay has become just the second Dutch player to score in six successive Champions League appearances after Ruud van Nistelrooy ( twice ) .
• Juventus ' Cristiano Ronaldo is just the third player to score a Champions League goal against a specific opponent with three different clubs , after Jorg Butt against Juventus and Ruud van Nistelrooy against Bayern Munich .
• Juventus forward Cristiano @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last 13 home Champions League knockout matches .
In total , he has scored 67 goals in the knockout stages of the competition , 21 more than any other player ( Messi , 46 ) .
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Last updated on .From the section Champions League
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 67 goals in 81 games in the knockout stages of the Champions League
Lyon survived a Cristiano Ronaldo-inspired comeback from Juventus to hang on and book a Champions League quarter-final against Manchester City.
Leading 1-0 from February's first leg, the French side were handed a soft early penalty which Memphis Depay converted in style.
That left Juve needing to score three times to progress and Ronaldo got one back from the penalty spot.
He then thundered in his 130th Champions League goal but Lyon held on.
Lyon boss Rudi Garcia, said: "We came up against an opponent who has an extraterrestrial in its squad," of five-time Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldo.
"This is the victory of a group. We wanted to be in the final eight in Lisbon, we are there.
"We'll still be outsiders and that suits us very well."
Juventus manager Maurizio Sarri may have guided his side to a ninth straight Serie A title but they were lethargic throughout and his position could be under threat.
Juve have not won the Champions League since 1996 and the wait goes on at least another year.
Uninspiring Old Lady
To question Sarri after one year in charge may seem harsh, but the reality is that in Turin - as in Paris and in Munich - winning the league is the minimum requirement.
Ending that now 25-year drought in the Champions League is the goal and were it not for Ronaldo, Juve offered next to nothing as an attacking force.
Six of Sarri's starting XI are in their 30s and they were painfully slow in approach at times, showing why they had only actually won two of their last eight games in Serie A.
Where there is the remarkable Ronaldo there is hope, and his second on the night was a superb, swerving left-footed shot from range that gave hope of another tilt at the business end of the competition.
But when Ronaldo headed a corner over the top, that hope was extinguished.
Ronaldo could yet win the trophy with a third team, joining Clarence Seedorf in an exclusive club, but time is running out for the 35-year-old. As it may be now for Sarri, too.
"I don't think directors of a top level will make a decision based on one match," Sarri said after the match.
"They are going to evaluate the whole season.
"I find this kind of question [about his future] offensive, but not towards me, it's offensive towards the directors. I have a contract, I'll respect it and I don't expect anything."
'They have an alien'
Since 2003-04 (when we have the data available), Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 19 goals from outside the box in the Champions League, more than any other player
Lyon were only seventh in the French top flight when the season was cancelled in April and this was just their second game back.
They held Paris St-Germain to a 0-0 draw in the French League Cup final last Friday night - losing on penalties - and were equally resolute in Turin.
Referee Felix Zwayer helped them out with a gift of a penalty as Houssem Aouar went down after a drive into the area, with Rodrigo Bentancur clearly winning the ball.
Depay converted with a fine Panenka chip, and Lyon always looked likely to see the tie out even after Ronaldo's double.
Depay was harshly adjudged to have handled while blocking a free-kick in the wall to give Juve a way back in and it would have been easy to cave.
But Aouar, Bruno Guimaraes and Maxence Caqueret all excelled in midfield as Lyon booked a one-off tie against City in Lisbon next Saturday night.
"It is the victory of a group. We wanted to be in Lisbon. Here we are," said Lyon boss Rudi Garcia.
"I have been here a few times with Roma. Juventus are the best club in Italy, a team that wanted to win the Champions League and have an alien.
"We saw Ronaldo's magnificent second goal. Few people thought we could do it. We did it."
Man of the match - Houssem Aouar (Lyon)
The 22-year-old glides across the pitch and is always available in midfield. A superb display.
Best run in a decade
Lyon are the first French side to reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League since Monaco in 2016-17, while this is the first time they have reached this stage of the competition since 2009-10.
Juventus have failed to reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the first time since 2015-16 under Massimiliano Allegri.
Despite progressing on away goals, Lyon are now winless in their last 11 away knockout matches in the Champions League (D2 L9).
Juventus have played more Champions League home games against French sides without defeat (7) than against teams from any other nation.
Lyon's Memphis Depay has become just the second Dutch player to score in six successive Champions League appearances after Ruud van Nistelrooy (twice).
Juventus' Cristiano Ronaldo is just the third player to score a Champions League goal against a specific opponent with three different clubs, after Jorg Butt against Juventus and Ruud van Nistelrooy against Bayern Munich.
Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 20 goals in his last 13 home Champions League knockout matches. In total, he has scored 67 goals in the knockout stages of the competition, 21 more than any other player (Messi, 46).


bbc--2020-08-07--Bowlers lead England fightback against Pakistan

England are clinging on in the first Test against Pakistan after a Ben Stokes-led fightback on a fluctuating third day at Emirates Old Trafford .
The home side took four wickets for 27 runs , including two for Stokes , in the fading light to leave Pakistan 137-8 , leading by 244 .
Even now that represents a formidable target for England to chase on a surface spitting and biting for the spin bowlers .
History is not on their side , either .
Only once before have more runs been chased in the fourth innings to win a Test @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who were 92-4 overnight , salvaged something from their first innings by reaching 219 .
Ollie Pope moved on to 62 and Jos Buttler came through a forensic examination from Mohammad Abbas to edge his way to 38 .
Buttler was the first in a slump of three wickets for 11 runs , an overall final collapse of 5-60 .
All of those wickets fell to leg-spin , Yasir Shah ending with 4-66 and Shadab Khan picking up 2-13 .
• 'We have got the players to do it ' - Woakes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • TMS podcast : Are England back in it ?
This was a fascinating and entertaining day , containing the fall of 14 wickets and , for long periods , the feeling that England were fatally damaged by their previous errors .
Lives given by wicketkeeper Buttler to Shan Masood , who made 156 , captain Joe Root 's tactics and finding themselves 12-3 on Thursday evening left England in an almost hopeless situation .
That they are not entirely out of the contest is thanks to the way they battled in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the morning session , and a late flurry of wickets when Pakistan were on the brink of moving out of sight .
At 101-4 , the tourists were 208 ahead , gathering runs quickly and heaping frustration on an increasingly dejected home side .
England 's inspiration first came from a direct-hit run-out from Dom Sibley , then the introduction of the irrepressible Stokes , who was not thought to be fit to bowl in this match .
He had Mohammad Rizwan lbw and bounced out Shaheen Afridi either side of Stuart Broad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an outside chance of victory in what promises to be a thrilling conclusion .
Stokes does it again Even when he is not fully fit and after he registered a duck in the first innings , the talismanic Stokes has still found a way to influence this match .
His introduction was a final throw of the dice for England , but immediately he unsettled Rizwan before pinning him to the crease for the lbw decision .
Until that point , Pakistan 's steady accumulation was gradually putting the game beyond England .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ slip off James Anderson , who himself put down a tough opportunity off Asad Shafiq at point off Chris Woakes .
The latter chance came during a Woakes spell where his full length accounted for Babar Azam and Azhar Ali , Pakistan 's two best players , to leave Pakistan 63-4 .
However , with off-spinner Dom Bess unable to exert control in the helpful conditions , Rizwan added useful runs with Shafiq and Shadab .
Then came Sibley 's athletic run-out of Shafiq and another inspirational Stokes performance .
The irony of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they were given a torrid time by Pakistan 's pace bowlers - Abbas in particular - in a gripping morning session .
With metronomic accuracy and just enough seam movement , he beat the outside edge countless times .
Buttler was stuck on his overnight 15 for nearly 40 minutes .
Pope 's fluency of the previous evening was also sucked away before he was undone by a brutal lifter from the fiery Naseem Shah , who also greeted Woakes with a thud into the helmet .
Woakes recovered to battle to lunch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who had previously bowled too short , to make a telling intervention .
Buttler was bowled through the gate playing for non-existent turn , Bess gloved one that bounced and Woakes missed an attempted pull to one that skidded .
Broad slashed 29 not out from 25 balls - he is averaging 102 with the bat this summer - but he was left stranded after Jofra Archer gloved behind and Anderson was lbw playing the reverse sweep , both off Shadab .
'Archer bowled five overs like Gus Fraser ' - what they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` The fact England had to turn to Ben Stokes exposed a couple of England 's bowlers - I think it certainly exposed Jofra Archer .
`` Archer bowled five overs of what I 'd call Gus Fraser , no disrespect .
He was bowling 82mph , pitched-up bowling .
I do n't think Archer is in the team to deliver that style of bowling .
`` Throughout this summer he is averaging 85mph with the ball in hand and maybe he is n't that quick , quick bowler we thought he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his style of bowler and what he 's delivering on a consistent basis more than we thought he was going to be .
`` All this talk of 90mph and it 's going to be fizzing past the batsman 's noses on a regular basis , maybe he ca n't bowl like that . ''

Last updated on .From the section Cricket
First Test, Emirates Old Trafford (day three of five) Pakistan 326 & 137-8: Shafiq 29, Stokes 2-11, Woakes 2-11 England 219: Pope 62, Buttler 38, Yasir 4-66 Scorecard
England are clinging on in the first Test against Pakistan after a Ben Stokes-led fightback on a fluctuating third day at Emirates Old Trafford.
The home side took four wickets for 27 runs, including two for Stokes, in the fading light to leave Pakistan 137-8, leading by 244.
Even now that represents a formidable target for England to chase on a surface spitting and biting for the spin bowlers.
History is not on their side, either. Only once before have more runs been chased in the fourth innings to win a Test on this ground.
Earlier, England, who were 92-4 overnight, salvaged something from their first innings by reaching 219.
Ollie Pope moved on to 62 and Jos Buttler came through a forensic examination from Mohammad Abbas to edge his way to 38.
Buttler was the first in a slump of three wickets for 11 runs, an overall final collapse of 5-60.
All of those wickets fell to leg-spin, Yasir Shah ending with 4-66 and Shadab Khan picking up 2-13.
England cling on
This was a fascinating and entertaining day, containing the fall of 14 wickets and, for long periods, the feeling that England were fatally damaged by their previous errors.
Lives given by wicketkeeper Buttler to Shan Masood, who made 156, captain Joe Root's tactics and finding themselves 12-3 on Thursday evening left England in an almost hopeless situation.
That they are not entirely out of the contest is thanks to the way they battled in the face of some relentless pace bowling in the morning session, and a late flurry of wickets when Pakistan were on the brink of moving out of sight.
At 101-4, the tourists were 208 ahead, gathering runs quickly and heaping frustration on an increasingly dejected home side.
England's inspiration first came from a direct-hit run-out from Dom Sibley, then the introduction of the irrepressible Stokes, who was not thought to be fit to bowl in this match.
He had Mohammad Rizwan lbw and bounced out Shaheen Afridi either side of Stuart Broad trapping Shadab leg before to give England an outside chance of victory in what promises to be a thrilling conclusion.
Stokes does it again
Even when he is not fully fit and after he registered a duck in the first innings, the talismanic Stokes has still found a way to influence this match.
His introduction was a final throw of the dice for England, but immediately he unsettled Rizwan before pinning him to the crease for the lbw decision.
Until that point, Pakistan's steady accumulation was gradually putting the game beyond England. Stokes had dropped Abid Ali at second slip off James Anderson, who himself put down a tough opportunity off Asad Shafiq at point off Chris Woakes.
The latter chance came during a Woakes spell where his full length accounted for Babar Azam and Azhar Ali, Pakistan's two best players, to leave Pakistan 63-4.
However, with off-spinner Dom Bess unable to exert control in the helpful conditions, Rizwan added useful runs with Shafiq and Shadab.
Then came Sibley's athletic run-out of Shafiq and another inspirational Stokes performance.
England spun out
The irony of England eventually succumbing to leg-spin was that they were given a torrid time by Pakistan's pace bowlers - Abbas in particular - in a gripping morning session.
With metronomic accuracy and just enough seam movement, he beat the outside edge countless times. Buttler was stuck on his overnight 15 for nearly 40 minutes.
Pope's fluency of the previous evening was also sucked away before he was undone by a brutal lifter from the fiery Naseem Shah, who also greeted Woakes with a thud into the helmet.
Woakes recovered to battle to lunch with Buttler, only for Yasir, who had previously bowled too short, to make a telling intervention.
Buttler was bowled through the gate playing for non-existent turn, Bess gloved one that bounced and Woakes missed an attempted pull to one that skidded.
Broad slashed 29 not out from 25 balls - he is averaging 102 with the bat this summer - but he was left stranded after Jofra Archer gloved behind and Anderson was lbw playing the reverse sweep, both off Shadab.
'Archer bowled five overs like Gus Fraser' - what they said
Former England captain Michael Vaughan: "The fact England had to turn to Ben Stokes exposed a couple of England's bowlers - I think it certainly exposed Jofra Archer.
"Archer bowled five overs of what I'd call Gus Fraser, no disrespect. He was bowling 82mph, pitched-up bowling. I don't think Archer is in the team to deliver that style of bowling.
"Throughout this summer he is averaging 85mph with the ball in hand and maybe he isn't that quick, quick bowler we thought he was.
"Maybe England have to assess his style of bowler and what he's delivering on a consistent basis more than we thought he was going to be.
"All this talk of 90mph and it's going to be fizzing past the batsman's noses on a regular basis, maybe he can't bowl like that."


bbc--2020-08-07--Three teams to appeal against Racing Point punishment in copying row

Ferrari , McLaren and Renault intend to appeal the decision to punish Racing Point in Formula 1 's `` copying '' row .
However , Racing Point can continue running those parts .
BBC Sport understands the three teams are seeking clarity on the wider issues raised by the verdict .
Protesting against the verdict allows these issues to be dealt with in front of a panel of lawyers at the FIA court of appeal .
Ferrari , McLaren and Renault have lodged an intention to appeal .
They have 96 hours from doing so to confirm that intention .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ intend to appeal against the verdict .
The decision found Racing Point guilty of using an effective copy of Mercedes ' 2019 rear brake ducts on their 2020 car , which is forbidden by F1 regulations .
The information regarding these parts had been supplied legally by Mercedes in 2019 , but a change of regulations before the 2020 season made brake ducts a part of the car that teams have to design themselves .
Despite the ruling saying the parts had been designed illegally , were run illegally at the first four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in contravention of the regulations if they remained on the car , Racing Point have been allowed to carry on using them .
Stewards said this was because the verdict was considered to be an appropriate punishment for the breach , and as a result of problems caused by asking Racing Point to redesign parts given the knowledge they already have .
But rival teams are also concerned about the wider issue that the entire car is a virtual copy of the 2019 Mercedes .
Racing Point say they achieved this by taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ car from them , a claim treated with scepticism by their rivals , who argue that if this was possible to this extent , other teams would have done it before .
Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto , speaking before Ferrari made their intentions clear , said : `` One thing that is important is that it has somehow been clarified that there has been a breach of regulation .
That is the starting point .
`` Obviously that is relative to the braking ducts , but there is an entire concept behind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we allowed to copy , or not , an entire concept ?
`` But the two things need to be split .
On the braking duct there is a breach of regulation - that is a fact and it has been clarified .
Is the penalty sufficient or not ? ''
McLaren Racing chief executive officer Zak Brown said : `` My initial reactions are that Racing Point has been found guilty and I am concerned that they still have those… what were deemed illegal in Austria on the race car now .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , how something that is not legal in Austria is still on the car .
`` This is , potentially , the top of the iceberg , the starting point of looking at what 's happened here , because I do n't think it 's healthy for the sport . ''
Renault F1 team boss Cyril Abiteboul said : `` We need to recognise that what Racing Point has done , based on a car that has such an advantage , against anyone else on the grid , has been a shock in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We need to see how we deal with it . ''
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff said : `` The verdict that came out today is extremely complicated .
It comes up with an interpretation that is new - new to all of us .
We have provided certain data in 2019 , which was totally within the rules .
`` I do n't think the brake ducts are the reason that they suddenly compete for the first six positions .
I think it 's a splendid engineering team there that has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think we can have the debate of 'do we want this going forward ? '
in terms of having copies of whole cars . ''
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Racing Point's 15-point deduction will only affect the constructors' championship
Ferrari, McLaren and Renault intend to appeal the decision to punish Racing Point in Formula 1's "copying" row.
Racing Point were docked 15 constructors' championship points and fined 400,000 euros (£361,000) after being found guilty of illegally copying Mercedes parts.
However, Racing Point can continue running those parts.
BBC Sport understands the three teams are seeking clarity on the wider issues raised by the verdict.
Protesting against the verdict allows these issues to be dealt with in front of a panel of lawyers at the FIA court of appeal.
Ferrari, McLaren and Renault have lodged an intention to appeal. They have 96 hours from doing so to confirm that intention.
Racing Point have not said whether they intend to appeal against the verdict.
The decision found Racing Point guilty of using an effective copy of Mercedes' 2019 rear brake ducts on their 2020 car, which is forbidden by F1 regulations.
The information regarding these parts had been supplied legally by Mercedes in 2019, but a change of regulations before the 2020 season made brake ducts a part of the car that teams have to design themselves.
Despite the ruling saying the parts had been designed illegally, were run illegally at the first four races, and would continue to be in contravention of the regulations if they remained on the car, Racing Point have been allowed to carry on using them.
Stewards said this was because the verdict was considered to be an appropriate punishment for the breach, and as a result of problems caused by asking Racing Point to redesign parts given the knowledge they already have.
But rival teams are also concerned about the wider issue that the entire car is a virtual copy of the 2019 Mercedes.
Racing Point say they achieved this by taking photographs of the Mercedes and designing their car from them, a claim treated with scepticism by their rivals, who argue that if this was possible to this extent, other teams would have done it before.
Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto, speaking before Ferrari made their intentions clear, said: "One thing that is important is that it has somehow been clarified that there has been a breach of regulation. That is the starting point.
"Obviously that is relative to the braking ducts, but there is an entire concept behind, which is about copying. Are we allowed to copy, or not, an entire concept?
"But the two things need to be split. On the braking duct there is a breach of regulation - that is a fact and it has been clarified. Is the penalty sufficient or not?"
McLaren Racing chief executive officer Zak Brown said: "My initial reactions are that Racing Point has been found guilty and I am concerned that they still have those… what were deemed illegal in Austria on the race car now.
"That is confusing for the fans, how something that is not legal in Austria is still on the car.
"This is, potentially, the top of the iceberg, the starting point of looking at what's happened here, because I don't think it's healthy for the sport."
Renault F1 team boss Cyril Abiteboul said: "We need to recognise that what Racing Point has done, based on a car that has such an advantage, against anyone else on the grid, has been a shock in the system, has been a disruption. We need to see how we deal with it."
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff said: "The verdict that came out today is extremely complicated. It comes up with an interpretation that is new - new to all of us. We have provided certain data in 2019, which was totally within the rules.
"I don't think the brake ducts are the reason that they suddenly compete for the first six positions. I think it's a splendid engineering team there that has extracted the most from the regulations. I think we can have the debate of 'do we want this going forward?' in terms of having copies of whole cars."


bbc--2020-08-07--Chelsea want to raise £65m for Rice bid - Saturday's gossip

Chelsea want to raise £65m through the sale of players in order to bid for West Ham 's 21-year-old England midfielder Declan Rice .
( Star ) Barcelona will make a £14m bid for Manchester City 's 19-year-old Spanish defender Eric Garcia after he told the Premier League side he would not sign a new contract .
( Goal ) Bayer Leverkusen 's Germanyforward Kai Havertz , 21 , could arrive at Chelsea as early as next week for £71m , with Bayern Munich no longer interested .
( Star ) AC Milan are interested in Arsenal and Uruguay midfielder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fallen down the pecking order at the Emirates under manager Mikel Arteta .
( Telegraph - subscription required ) Watford and Senegal winger Ismaila Sarr , 22 , is on Liverpool 's shortlist for potential summer signings .
( Liverpool Echo ) Ajax are keen to take Tottenham 's English winger Ryan Sessegnon , 20 , on loan .
( Telegraph - subscription required ) Ligue 1 club Rennes have begun talks over signing 22-year-old Chelsea and England defender Fikayo Tomori .
( L'Equipe - in French ) Wolves will open new contract @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( Mail ) Everton want to bring Atletico Madrid and France midfielder Thomas Lemar to the Premier League .
The 24-year-old is deemed surplus to requirements at the La Liga side .
( Le10 Sport - in French ) Tottenham are deep in talks with Inter Milan for 25-year-old Slovakia defender Milan Skriniar , who is also a target for Liverpool and Manchester United .
( Tuttosport via Sport Witness ) Leeds are considering a £15m move for 23-year-old Liverpool and Wales winger Harry Wilson .
( Sun ) Newcastle are interested in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spent last season on loan at Bournemouth , and are also keen on Chelsea 's 20-year-old English midfielder Conor Gallagher .
( Northern Echo ) Crystal Palace will battle Fulham for the signature of Southampton 's English midfielder Harrison Reed .
The 25-year-old spent last season on loan at Craven Cottage .
( Football Insider ) Werder Bremen sporting director Frank Baumann says the Bundesliga club are keen on signing Manchester United 's Dutch winger Tahith Chong , 20 , on loan .
( Manchester Evening News ) Arsenal , Juventus and Manchester @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lyon 's 22-year-old French midfielder Houssem Aouar .
( L'Equipe via Mail ) QPR are close to a deal with Tottenham for the permanent signing of 23-year-old English midfielder Luke Amos , who spent last season on loan .
( Talksport ) Stoke will let English winger Tom Ince , 28 , leave on loan or permanently .
( Football Insider ) Red Star Belgrade are close to a deal for 28-year-old Panathinaikos and former Manchester United forward Federica Macheda .
( Mozzart Sport - in Serbian ) • How would you cope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Out quiz to find out

Last updated on .From the section Gossip
Chelsea want to raise £65m through the sale of players in order to bid for West Ham United's 21-year-old England midfielder Declan Rice. (Star) external-link
Meanwhile, manager Frank Lampard says Chelsea tried to keep Brazil winger Willian but "would have no feeling of disappointment" if he does move on, with the 31-year-old expected to join Arsenal on a free transfer when his contract expires this summer. (Mirror) external-link
Barcelona will make a £14m bid for Manchester City's 19-year-old Spanish defender Eric Garcia after he told the Premier League side he would not sign a new contract. (Goal.com) external-link
Juventus chairman Andrea Agnelli has denied Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo, 35, will leave the club following their Champions League exit to Lyon. (Sky Sport Italia, in Italian) external-link
Bayer Leverkusen's Germany forward Kai Havertz, 21, could arrive at Chelsea as early as next week for £71m, with Bayern Munich no longer interested. (Star) external-link
AC Milan are interested in 24-year-old Arsenal and Uruguay midfielder Lucas Torreira, who has fallen down the pecking order under manager Mikel Arteta. (Telegraph, subscription required) external-link
Watford and Senegal winger Ismaila Sarr, 22, is on Liverpool's shortlist for potential summer signings. (Liverpool Echo) external-link
Ajax are keen to take Tottenham Hotspur's English winger Ryan Sessegnon, 20, on loan. (Telegraph, subscription required) external-link
Ligue 1 club Rennes have begun talks over signing 22-year-old Chelsea and England defender Fikayo Tomori. (L'Equipe, in French) external-link
Wolverhampton Wanderers will open new contract talks with manager Nuno Espirito Santo when their Europa League campaign is finished. (Mail) external-link
Manchester United are scouting Napoli and Italy's 23-year-old goalkeeper Alex Meret. (Star) external-link
Was Nicolas Anelka misunderstood? New documentary recaps Anelka's boycotts, bans and fallouts
Everton want to bring Atletico Madrid and France midfielder Thomas Lemar to the Premier League. The 24-year-old is surplus to requirements at the La Liga side. (Le10 Sport, in French) external-link
Tottenham are in talks with Inter Milan for 25-year-old Slovakia defender Milan Skriniar, who is also a target for Liverpool and Manchester United. (Tuttosport, in Italian) external-link
Leeds United are considering a £15m move for 23-year-old Liverpool and Wales winger Harry Wilson. (Sun) external-link
Newcastle United are interested in a loan deal for Wilson, who spent last season on loan at Bournemouth, and are also keen on Chelsea's 20-year-old English midfielder Conor Gallagher. (Northern Echo) external-link
Crystal Palace will battle Fulham for the signature of Southampton's English midfielder Harrison Reed. The 25-year-old spent last season on loan at Craven Cottage. (Football Insider) external-link
Werder Bremen sporting director Frank Baumann says the Bundesliga club are keen on signing Manchester United's Dutch winger Tahith Chong, 20, on loan. (Manchester Evening News) external-link
Arsenal, Juventus and Manchester City are in a three-way tussle for Lyon's 22-year-old French midfielder Houssem Aouar. (L'Equipe via Mail) external-link
Queen's Park Rangers are close to a deal with Tottenham for the permanent signing of 23-year-old English midfielder Luke Amos, who spent last season there on loan. (Talksport) external-link
Stoke City will let English winger Tom Ince, 28, leave on loan or permanently. (Football Insider) external-link
Red Star Belgrade are close to a deal for 28-year-old Panathinaikos and former Manchester United forward Federico Macheda. (Mozzart Sport, in Serbian) external-link


bbc--2020-08-07--Fabio Jakobsen out of coma and in good condition - Tour of Poland

Last updated on .From the section Cycling Dutch rider Fabio Jakobsen is out of a coma and in a `` good '' condition , according to the Tour of Poland organisers .
Jakobsen had facial surgery , but his Deceuninck-QuickStep team denied he had suffered head and brain injuries .
`` Fabio Jakobsen is awake now from the coma .
Condition is good , '' read a tweet from race organisers .
His team say he is now facing a `` long and arduous '' recovery .
`` He was able to move his legs and arms and communicate with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ major neurological problems .
`` Due to the surgery , speaking and eating will be a challenge in the coming period as the recovery process is expected to be a long and arduous one . ''
Jakobsen 's compatriot Dylan Groenewegen , who caused the crash , has been suspended by his Jumbo-Visma team pending the outcome of a disciplinary by the UCI , cycling 's governing body .
The 27-year-old , who has apologised for the crash , drifted across the road as he contested the sprint finish in Katowice .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ within the rules .
With his move Dylan broke a sports rule and that 's unacceptable , '' said the team .
`` We have decided that Dylan will not start in a race until the judgment of the disciplinary committee to which the UCI has handed over the incident .
`` We will support Dylan and his family as a team to come through this ( mentally ) tough time for them . ''
'This win is for Fabio' Deceuninck-QuickStep team-mate Andrea Bagioli dedicated his first professional victory to Jakobsen after sprinting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tour de l'Ain in Ceyzeriat on Friday .
`` Thanks to my team .
This win is for Fabio , '' he said .
Team Ineos ' general classification contenders Geraint Thomas and Egan Bernal finished alongside the leaders in a bunch finish , but Chris Froome , who is leaving the team for Israel Start-Up Nation at the end of 2020 , lost time on his rivals .
The three-day race concludes at the top of Grand Colombier on Sunday .

Last updated on .From the section Cycling
Dutch sprinters Fabio Jakobsen (far left) and Dylan Groenewegen (second left, in yellow) collided just before the line
Dutch rider Fabio Jakobsen is out of a coma and in a "good" condition, according to the Tour of Poland organisers.
The 23-year-old was involved in a high-speed crash at the finish of the opening stage of the race on Wednesday.
Jakobsen had facial surgery, but his Deceuninck-QuickStep team denied he had suffered head and brain injuries.
"Fabio Jakobsen is awake now from the coma. Condition is good," read a tweet from race organisers. external-link
His team say he is now facing a "long and arduous" recovery.
"Fabio underwent a five-hour maxillofacial surgery," Deceuninck-QuickStep said in a statement.
"He was able to move his legs and arms and communicate with the doctors, which immediately ruled out major neurological problems.
"Due to the surgery, speaking and eating will be a challenge in the coming period as the recovery process is expected to be a long and arduous one."
Jakobsen's compatriot Dylan Groenewegen, who caused the crash, has been suspended by his Jumbo-Visma team pending the outcome of a disciplinary by the UCI, cycling's governing body.
The 27-year-old, who has apologised for the crash, drifted across the road as he contested the sprint finish in Katowice.
"Team Jumbo-Visma stands for fair sportsmanship, within the rules. With his move Dylan broke a sports rule and that's unacceptable," said the team.
"We have decided that Dylan will not start in a race until the judgment of the disciplinary committee to which the UCI has handed over the incident.
"We will support Dylan and his family as a team to come through this (mentally) tough time for them."
'This win is for Fabio'
Bagioli dedicated his debut win to his injured team-mate
Deceuninck-QuickStep team-mate Andrea Bagioli dedicated his first professional victory to Jakobsen after sprinting home on the opening stage of the Tour de l'Ain in Ceyzeriat on Friday.
"Thanks to my team. This win is for Fabio," he said.
Team Ineos' general classification contenders Geraint Thomas and Egan Bernal finished alongside the leaders in a bunch finish, but Chris Froome, who is leaving the team for Israel Start-Up Nation at the end of 2020, lost time on his rivals.
The three-day race concludes at the top of Grand Colombier on Sunday.


bbc--2020-08-07--'This feels like Man City's time in the Champions League - now they must deliver'

Manchester City 's missing link has always been the Champions League - tantalisingly out of reach among the blizzard of domestic domination under manager Pep Guardiola and his predecessors .
After a two-leg victory over Real Madrid , and the convincing manner in which it was accomplished over the course of almost six months , City will never have a better chance to fill that gap in their trophy room and finally achieve the ultimate goal of their Abu Dhabi-based ownership .
City were simply too good for Real , who are admittedly not the force they were , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defeat on manager Zinedine Zidane , a three-time winner .
There still remains real quality in the competition in the shape of the usual powerhouses Barcelona and Bayern Munich , quality that will decorate the new one-leg knockout format as the Champions League closing stages now move to Lisbon .
Other serious threats await in Portugal .
• 26 matches , 19 days - all you need to know about the return of European football • Champions League quiz : Can you name quarter-finalists since 1994-95 ?
• Football Daily : A Man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'Real ' Madrid ?
Yet City , in this mood , will feel they can match anyone over one game - even if there must also be caution because we have seen City capable of bad days in the Premier League this season .
This feels , however , more like City 's time and their best opportunity than in previous seasons , with Liverpool disposed of by the dangerous Atletico Madrid while Juventus and Cristiano Ronaldo have been removed by Lyon , the next opponents for Guardiola .
The Champions League has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a tournament City have struggled to fall in love with , their fans notoriously badly-disposed towards organisers Uefa .
But here at Etihad Stadium as Real were eliminated , there was so much passion and energy on display that it was hard to avoid the growing sense that the Champions League pieces might be falling into place .
Guardiola 's team were relentless , intense and disciplined as they applied pressure that was simply too much for Real , who seriously missed their suspended captain Sergio Ramos .
On the sidelines , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behind-closed-doors games , City were urged on by their substitutes and support staff , who often leapt from their seats to lend their backing .
The constant shouts of `` squeeze '' and `` press '' confirmed what we already know about much of the core of Guardiola 's philosophy .
This emphatic victory was a statement .
Now is the time for Guardiola and City to make an even more significant and louder one in Portugal .
Guardiola has struggled to cross the Champions League frontier since winning with Barcelona in 2011 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since he arrived at City .
This is the time to go further .
There have been moments in group stages , such as beating Barcelona , but City have too often pulled up short in the knockout phase , losing to Monaco when they were favourites to progress and to English opposition in the last two seasons in the shape of Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur .
Guardiola will know this sequence must improve but the way in which Real were overcome was hugely impressive and must increase City 's belief that this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ marks over a defence that contributed to nine defeats as they lost their Premier League title to Liverpool .
It will need to pass some stern tests before Guardiola can contemplate becoming only the fourth manager to win this tournament three times .
But there is world-class quality running throughout this City side and that makes them capable of beating anyone on a given day , which is especially important as the next knockout phases will be decided on a one-off basis .
Against Real , goalkeeper Ederson was faultless , Kevin de @ @ @ @ @ @ @ once again demonstrated his rich promise while Sterling and Jesus made life a misery for the visiting defenders .
It was all done without the injured Sergio Aguero and with the likes of David Silva , Bernardo Silva and Riyad Mahrez on the bench .
The work-rate shown against Real will give any side problems and can be expected to be maintained in Lisbon .
The number of times Real were forced into turning over possession was remarkable and , as this is clearly City 's sole focus given the delayed timing of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be expended in other matches .
It was a result and performance that elated Guardiola and won the admiration of Zidane , who greeted him warmly by the side of the pitch long after the final whistle as these two members of football royalty conducted media duties .
This feels like Guardiola 's biggest moment in the Champions League since he came to City in the summer of 2016 .
This is the trophy City 's hierarchy had in mind when they assembled a staff and infrastructure in which to insert Guardiola , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ house and just waiting for the ideal owner to move in .
Manchester City have let opportunity pass them by in the Champions League before .
It will knock again in Lisbon and while Lyon will provide stern opposition in the quarter-finals , the opportunity feels ripe for Guardiola and his players to land the big prize .

In their 76th Champions League match, City scored their 150th goal - the fastest to that tally by an English side in the competition
Manchester City's missing link has always been the Champions League - tantalisingly out of reach among the blizzard of domestic domination under manager Pep Guardiola and his predecessors.
After a two-leg victory over Real Madrid, and the convincing manner in which it was accomplished over the course of almost six months, City will never have a better chance to fill that gap in their trophy room and finally achieve the ultimate goal of their Abu Dhabi-based ownership.
City were simply too good for Real, who are admittedly not the force they were, as they inflicted a first Champions League knockout defeat on manager Zinedine Zidane, a three-time winner.
There still remains real quality in the competition in the shape of the usual powerhouses Barcelona and Bayern Munich, quality that will decorate the new one-leg knockout format as the Champions League closing stages now move to Lisbon. Other serious threats await in Portugal.
Yet City, in this mood, will feel they can match anyone over one game - even if there must also be caution because we have seen City capable of bad days in the Premier League this season.
This feels, however, more like City's time and their best opportunity than in previous seasons, with Liverpool disposed of by the dangerous Atletico Madrid while Juventus and Cristiano Ronaldo have been removed by Lyon, the next opponents for Guardiola.
Manchester City in the Champions League knockout stage 2013-14: Lost 4-1 to Barcelona in last 16 2014-15: Lost 3-1 to Barcelona in last 16 2015-16: Beat Dynamo Kiev in last 16, beat PSG in QF, lost 1-0 to Real Madrid in SF 2016-17: Lost on away goals (6-6) to Monaco in last 16 2017-18: Beat Basel in last 16, lost 5-1 to Liverpool in QF 2018-19: Beat Schalke in last 16, lost on away goals (4-4) to Tottenham in QF
The Champions League has, at times, also appeared to be a tournament City have struggled to fall in love with, their fans notoriously badly disposed towards organisers Uefa.
But here at Etihad Stadium as Real were eliminated, there was so much passion and energy on display that it was hard to avoid the growing sense that the Champions League pieces might be falling into place.
Guardiola's team were relentless, intense and disciplined as they applied pressure that was simply too much for Real, who seriously missed their suspended captain Sergio Ramos.
On the sidelines, noisily shattering the usual eerie silence of behind-closed-doors games, City were urged on by their substitutes and support staff, who often leapt from their seats to lend their backing.
The constant shouts of "squeeze" and "press" confirmed what we already know about much of the core of Guardiola's philosophy.
This emphatic victory was a statement. Now is the time for Guardiola and City to make an even more significant and louder one in Portugal.
Guardiola has struggled to cross the Champions League frontier since winning with Barcelona in 2011 and this feat equals his best run since he arrived at City. This is the time to go further.
There have been moments in group stages, such as beating Barcelona, but City have too often pulled up short in the knockout phase, losing to Monaco when they were favourites to progress and to English opposition in the last two seasons in the shape of Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur.
Guardiola will know this sequence must improve but the way in which Real were overcome was hugely impressive and must increase City's belief that this is their year.
There remain question marks over a defence that contributed to nine defeats as they lost their Premier League title to Liverpool. It will need to pass some stern tests before Guardiola can contemplate becoming only the fourth manager to win this tournament three times.
But there is world-class quality running throughout this City side and that makes them capable of beating anyone on a given day, which is especially important as the next knockout phases will be decided on a one-off basis.
Against Real, goalkeeper Ederson was faultless, Kevin de Bruyne was silky brilliance, Phil Foden once again demonstrated his rich promise while Sterling and Jesus made life a misery for the visiting defenders.
It was all done without the injured Sergio Aguero and with the likes of David Silva, Bernardo Silva and Riyad Mahrez on the bench.
The work-rate shown against Real will give any side problems and can be expected to be maintained in Lisbon. The number of times Real were forced into turning over possession was remarkable and, as this is clearly City's sole focus given the delayed timing of the knockout stages, no energy will be expended in other matches.
It was a result and performance that elated Guardiola and won the admiration of Zidane, who greeted him warmly by the side of the pitch long after the final whistle as these two members of football royalty conducted media duties.
This feels like Guardiola's biggest moment in the Champions League since he came to City in the summer of 2016. This is the trophy City's hierarchy had in mind when they assembled a staff and infrastructure in which to insert Guardiola, which was the equivalent of building a house and just waiting for the ideal owner to move in.
Manchester City have let opportunity pass them by in the Champions League before. It will knock again in Lisbon and while Lyon will provide stern opposition in the quarter-finals, the opportunity feels ripe for Guardiola and his players to land the big prize.


bbc--2020-08-08--Beirut explosion: Angry protesters storm government ministries

Protesters in Beirut have stormed government ministries during a fresh demonstration over Tuesday 's huge explosion that left at least 158 dead .
Several thousand people took to the streets protesting .
Police have fired tear gas at stone-throwing demonstrators .
Sounds of gunfire have also been heard from central Martyrs ' Square .
In a televised address , Lebanese PM Hassan Diab said he would ask for early elections as a way out of the crisis .
`` We ca n't exit the country 's structural crisis without holding early parliamentary elections , '' he said .
The issue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
• Long read : The inferno and the mystery ship Many Lebanese are furious at the failure to prevent the explosion at a warehouse storing over 2,000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate .
The material had been seized from a ship six years ago but never moved .
The government has promised to find those responsible .
The blast at the port devastated parts of the city and has deepened distrust of what many had already seen as an inept and corrupt political class .
An anti-government protest movement erupted last October , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ collapsing currency .
What is happening at the ministries ?
Dozens of protesters stormed government ministries and the headquarters of the country 's banking association .
The raids started after a group of people chanting anti-government slogans and burning a portrait of President Michel Aoun entered the foreign ministry and called for all ministries to be occupied .
`` We have it .
It 's all ours .
The police is outside the gate .
They could not stop us , '' one of the protesters , who identified herself as Rebecca , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protesters at the foreign ministry - at least 100 - included retired army officers .
Entry to the building was said to be easy as it had been damaged by Tuesday 's explosion .
Media reports said the army drove the original group of protesters out of the foreign ministry several hours later , but other buildings remained occupied .
TV footage showed protesters breaking into the energy and economy ministries .
Soldiers were also seen patrolling the streets in vehicles mounted with machine guns .
What else has been happening ?
Crowds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the protest on Saturday , including a march from one of the most devastated areas near the port to Martyrs ' Square .
Skirmishes with the police began early on .
Some protesters hurled rocks and sticks , and the police responded with tear gas and rubber bullets .
There were flashpoints at barricades designed to prevent demonstrators reaching parliament .
Police confirmed to Reuters news agency that live ammunition had been fired in central Beirut , though it is not clear who fired .
A police officer is confirmed to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the lift-shaft of a hotel , reportedly after being chased there by protesters .
The local Red Cross said it treated 117 injured people at the scene .
Another 55 were taken to hospital .
As the protests got under way , mock gallows were erected in Martyrs ' Square to hammer home the demonstrators ' view of the country 's political leaders Apart from showing the city 's anger , the march was also meant to remember victims of the explosion , which injured 6,000 , according to the latest update @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UN agencies have warned of a humanitarian crisis in Lebanon , including possible food shortages and an inability to continue to fight the Covid-19 pandemic .
On Sunday world leaders are scheduled to take part in a virtual donor conference organised by French President Emmanuel Macron .
Many countries have already offered aid , including the UK , whose PM Boris Johnson spoke President Aoun on Saturday and conveyed the UK 's `` deepest sympathies to the Lebanese people '' , Downing Street said .
More on the explosion in Beirut • 'We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What we know about the blast • Why Lebanon is in crisis Lebanon 's president and prime minister have said the ammonium nitrate - which is commonly employed as a fertiliser but can also be used to create an explosive - had been stored in a warehouse at the port without any safety precautions since 2014 .
The decision to keep so much explosive material in a warehouse near the city centre has been met with disbelief by many Lebanese .
Mr Aoun has promised a transparent investigation but dismissed demands for an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrested - among them Badri Daher , the director-general of Lebanon 's Customs Authority .

"We have it. It's all ours. The police is outside the gate. They could not stop us," one of the protesters, who identified herself as Rebecca, told the BBC's Newshour.


bbc--2020-08-08--Footage from a church mid-explosion brings hope to Beirutis

St Dimitrios Greek Orthodox Church in Achrafieh is less than a kilometre away from where the Beirut explosion took place @ @ @ @ @ to the church to check for damage , finding the nave completely ruined .
But @ @ @ @ @ protected by the 'iconostasis ' ( wall of icons ) , was almost unscathed - @ @ @ @ @ had remained lit throughout the blast .

St Dimitrios Greek Orthodox Church in Achrafieh is less than a kilometre away from where the Beirut explosion took place.
Father Youil Nassif rushed to the church to check for damage, finding the nave completely ruined. But the sacred altar space, protected by the "iconostasis" (wall of icons), was almost unscathed - including an oil lamp that had remained lit throughout the blast.
Producer: Sophia Smith Galer


bbc--2020-08-08--US election 2020: Democrats call for inquiry into Postal Service changes

Congressional Democrats have called for an investigation into decisions made by the head of the US Postal Service ( USPS ) , which they say have slowed deliveries ahead of the election .
There is expected to be a huge rise in mail-in voting in November 's presidential vote , due to the coronavirus pandemic .
Democrats have suggested cost-cutting at USPS could affect the vote count .
But postal chief Louis DeJoy has insisted standards will be met .
`` Although there will likely be an unprecedented increase in election mail volume due to the pandemic , the Postal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election mail securely and on-time in accordance with our delivery standards , and we will do so , '' the Trump supporter told a board meeting on Friday .
But he said election officials had to `` take our normal processing and delivery standards into account '' .
Top Democrats including Senator Elizabeth Warren on Friday called on the USPS inspector general to investigate operational changes made by Mr DeJoy , including preventing postal workers from working overtime to deliver mail .
`` Given the ongoing concerns about the adverse impacts of Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Postal Service , we ask that you conduct an audit of all operational changes put in place by Mr DeJoy and other Trump Administration officials in 2020 , '' they said .
• How is Donald Trump doing in the polls ?
• Does US postal voting lead to ‘ tremendous fraud ’ ?
• The surprising origins of the Postal Service They asked for the inquiry to specifically focus on how this could affect election-related mail .
President Donald Trump has suggested that increased postal voting in November could lead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is little evidence to support his claims .
Mr DeJoy insisted on Friday that USPS was `` not slowing down election mail or any other mail '' .
While he had `` good relationship '' with Mr Trump , `` the notion that I would ever make decisions concerning the Postal Service at the direction of the president , or anyone else in the administration , is wholly off-base '' , he said .
A spokesperson for the Postal Service said it would welcome an investigation by the inspector general into the changes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more efficient '' .
Primary elections in New York city on 23 June were hit hard by counting delays after a surge in mail-in ballots , leaving two congressional races without a winner for several weeks .
That vote has been seen by some as a warning of what could happen in the November election .
The US Postal Service lost $ 2.2bn ( £1.7bn ) in the three months to June and is in a `` dire '' financial position , said Mr DeJoy , who also on Friday released details of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including a management hiring freeze .
The Republican donor took over USPS in June and is the first postmaster general in nearly 20 years to be appointed from outside the agency , the Associated Press reports .
Changes he has made to cut costs threaten `` the timely delivery of mail - including medicines for seniors , paychecks for workers , and absentee ballots for voters , '' Ms Pelosi and top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer said on Thursday .
The pair met with Mr DeJoy and White House officials on Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as `` heated '' .
According to the Washington Post , the USPS leadership shake-up reassigns or displaces 23 top executives .

"Given the ongoing concerns about the adverse impacts of Trump Administration policies on the quality and efficiency of the Postal Service, we ask that you conduct an audit of all operational changes put in place by Mr DeJoy and other Trump Administration officials in 2020," they said.


bbc--2020-08-08--Spain's ex-King Juan Carlos lands in Abu Dhabi: reports

Spain 's former king Juan Carlos has reportedly travelled to the United Arab Emirates after leaving his home country amid a corruption investigation .
A photograph published by Spanish media group NIUS appears to show the ex-monarch arriving in Abu Dhabi .
Juan Carlos made the shock announcement on Monday that he was leaving Spain .
The former king denies any wrongdoing and has said he would be available if prosecutors needed to interview him .
His departure has sparked a huge debate in Spain about the monarchy and intense speculation about where the former king has gone .
Local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dominican Republic in the Caribbean or to Spain 's neighbour , Portugal .
But there are now reports Juan Carlos is occupying an entire floor at Abu Dhabi 's five-star Emirates Palace hotel .
The former king was reportedly close with Abu Dhabi 's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan .
As yet however his location remains unconfirmed .
Spain 's royal family and government have so far declined to comment on his whereabouts .
Juan Carlos abdicated in 2014 after close to 40 years in power and handed power to his son @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the throne came after a corruption investigation involving his daughter 's husband and a controversial elephant hunting trip the monarch took during Spain 's financial crisis .
The controversies however did not stop there .
In June this year , Spain 's Supreme Court launched an investigation into Juan Carlos 's alleged involvement in a high-speed rail contract in Saudi Arabia , after the ex-king lost his immunity from prosecution following his abdication .
On 3 August Juan Carlos announced he was now leaving his home country in a letter to his son @ @ @ @ @ @ @ best serve the people of Spain , its institutions , and you as king , I inform you of my decision at this time to leave Spain , '' he wrote .
He said he made the decision `` in the face of the public repercussions that certain past events in my private life are generating '' and in the hope of allowing his son to carry out his functions as king with `` tranquillity '' .
A statement said King Felipe VI had conveyed `` his heartfelt respect and gratitude '' to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ departure has sparked a fresh debate about the role of the Spanish monarchy and the corruption allegations against Juan Carlos .
Catalonia 's parliament - which is controlled by separatist parties who seek independence from Spain - voted in a non-binding motion on Friday to condemn the monarchy after the ex-king 's departure .
`` Neither Spaniards nor Catalans deserve such a loud and ridiculous scandal on an international scale , '' regional president Quim Torra told lawmakers .
There have also been demonstrations calling for Spain to become a republic again .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1931 before a devastating civil war which ended with the victory of dictator Francisco Franco in 1939 .

He said he made the decision "in the face of the public repercussions that certain past events in my private life are generating" and in the hope of allowing his son to carry out his functions as king with "tranquillity".