bbc--2020-07-23--Coronavirus: My pregnancy in a pandemic

Coronavirus: My pregnancy in a pandemic

Coronavirus has meant pregnant women around the world have had to face additional challenges – like changing birth plans , @ @ @ @ @ challenges .
Two women in Vancouver and London have documented their birth stories for the @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s like to have a baby in a pandemic .
You can watch @ @ @ @ @ Babies : Pregnancy In A Pandemic on BBC World News this weekend .

Coronavirus has meant pregnant women around the world have had to face additional challenges – like changing birth plans, social isolation, and financial challenges.
Two women in Vancouver and London have documented their birth stories for the BBC, to show what it’s like to have a baby in a pandemic.
You can watch the full story, Lockdown Babies: Pregnancy In A Pandemic on BBC World News this weekend.
Producer/Director: Natalia Zuo, Co-Producer: Ana Fernandez Saiz, Executive Producer: Claire Williams


bbc--2020-07-23--Reopening US schools 'makes our kids guinea pigs'

US v other countries ... did it mess up its reopening ?
By the time most Americans emerged from lockdown @ @ @ @ @ was already under way .

US v other countries... did it mess up its reopening? Video, 00:04:46US v other countries... did it mess up its reopening?


bbc--2020-07-23--How not to wear a face mask

How not to wear a face mask

Does it matter if you wear your face mask wrong ?
Well , yes .
Wearing a face mask or @ @ @ @ @ easier for coronavirus to spread .
New rules mean face coverings are now mandatory in @ @ @ @ @ as well as enclosed public spaces , transport hubs , banks and post offices .
@ @ @ @ @ could face a fine of up to £100 .
There are exemptions for children under @ @ @ @ @ or certain health conditions , such as respiratory or cognitive impairments that make it difficult @ @ @ @ @ face covering .
People in Scotland already had to wear coverings in shops ; Wales @ @ @ @ @ the move .
Here BBC health correspondent Laura Foster explains the correct way to wear @ @ @ @ @ covering .

Does it matter if you wear your face mask wrong? Well, yes.
Wearing a face mask or covering incorrectly can make it easier for coronavirus to spread.
If it's not kept clean, your mask will be contaminated and will not work as well. It may put your more at risk of catching Covid-19.
In the UK, there are exemptions for children under 11, those with disabilities or certain health conditions such as respiratory or cognitive impairments that make it difficult for them to wear a face covering.
BBC health correspondent Laura Foster explains the correct way to wear your homemade mask or face covering.
Video by Megan Fisher, Terry Saunders and Laura Foster


bbc--2020-07-23--Legacy of Kenyan clan 'branded evil' by colonialists

During the first half of the 20th Century , the British Empire ruled a big part of Africa .
But @ @ @ @ @ the empire conquered such a vast land .
The BBC ’ s Anne Soy travelled @ @ @ @ @ Great Rift Valley to meet members of a clan in her Kalenjin ethnic community .
@ @ @ @ @ opposing British settlement in the Rift Valley more than a century ago .
They remain @ @ @ @ @ because of colonial propaganda - a lesser known legacy of colonialism .

During the first half of the 20th Century, the British Empire ruled a big part of Africa. But little has been said how the empire conquered such a vast land.
The BBC’s Anne Soy travelled to her birthplace in the Great Rift Valley to meet members of a clan in her Kalenjin ethnic community.
The Talai were punished for opposing British settlement in the Rift Valley more than a century ago.
They remain ostracised and impoverished even now because of colonial propaganda - a lesser known legacy of colonialism.


bbc--2020-07-23--Quiz of the week: Which Joaquin Phoenix film had a role in a hostage drama?

It 's the weekly news quiz - how closely have you been paying attention to what 's been going on @ @ @ @ @ past seven days ?
If you can not see the quiz , follow this link @ @ @ @ @ quiz via this link .

It's the weekly news quiz - how closely have you been paying attention to what's been going on in the world during the past seven days?


bbc--2020-07-23--Africa's week in pictures: 17-23 July 2020

`` Let there be VINO , '' reads this protester 's sign in South Africa on Wednesday .
Many in @ @ @ @ @ ongoing lockdown places their jobs and businesses at risk .

Image caption,
"Let there be VINO," reads this protester's sign in South Africa on Wednesday. Many in the hospitality industry say the ongoing lockdown places their jobs and businesses at risk.


bbc--2020-07-23--IS prisoner issue a ticking timebomb for the West

The latent danger posed by thousands of defeated and captured fighters who joined the Islamic State ( IS ) group is festering and growing in the squalid , overcrowded prison camps of north-east Syria , where riots and attempted breakouts are becoming commonplace .
IS has vowed to liberate them , along with their wives and dependants , while a people-smuggling network is reportedly being put together using bribery to secure covert releases .
The ruling this month by Britain 's Court of Appeal that the British-born former schoolgirl Shamima Begum , stripped of her UK nationality , had a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face justice has also thrown a spotlight on the issue .
As has the recent death in Kurdish custody of a British IS fighter .
When IS lost the last of its self-declared caliphate at Baghuz in Syria in March 2019 thousands of its surviving members were rounded up and interned indefinitely in camps run by the Syrian Kurds who had fought them .
This , say critics , is unfinished business that risks developing into a renewed security problem for the world .
Research published by Kings College London Defence Studies this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regrouping in other parts of the world and that there was now a risk IS could regroup .
`` If we are committed to defeating IS , '' says the chairman of Britain 's Parliamentary Defence Committee Tobias Elwood MP , `` that does n't mean just packing up after the air campaign is over .
`` There are tens of thousands of extremists , hardliners ' families and other supporters of IS that remain in Iraq and Syria .
And we have to make a decision as to whether we are committed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ IS ] completely or the ideology will live on as they 're able to regroup . ''
Around 40,000 jihadists are believed to have flocked to Syria to join IS between 2014-19 .
Estimates of those so-called Foreign Terrorist Fighters who have survived - some in prison , some at large - range between 10,000-20,000 .
A few have been processed through the court system in neighbouring Iraq but most are languishing in camps that the IS fugitive leadership has vowed to liberate , including women , whom they call `` the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the caliphate '' .
The UN estimated earlier this year that there were around 8,000 children of Foreign Terrorist Fighters held in Kurdish-run prison camps .
Of these , over 700 children are believed to be from Europe , from countries - including the UK - that have so far been reluctant to take them back .
Anne Speckhard runs the International Centre for the Study of Violent Extremism .
She has interviewed over 200 jihadists and their families over the last three years .
She has also visited camps in north-east @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the conditions are appalling and there is an escape attempt almost every week .
Many of the women there have renounced IS but are living in constant fear of retribution .
`` There are IS enforcers in the camps , '' she says .
`` And these are women that kill other women .
They set their tents on fire .
They throw rocks and teach their children to throw rocks . ''
So does that mean that all the dependants of IS fighters incarcerated in these camps are die-hard jihadists ?
No @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on extremist ideology but live in fear of the fanatical female enforcers .
• The IS prisoners no-one wants • How do countries deal with IS returnees ?
Under the so-called caliphate those enforcers belonged to the Hisbah , the female morality police , who meted out harsh punishments .
Today , despite being behind barbed wire in the camps , they have effectively reconstituted themselves as the same thing .
`` Part of our research project is asking the women to tell their stories and to speak out , '' says Ms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because they 're afraid they 'll be punished .
`` So the kids are growing up with fear , trauma from having been in IS and trauma from being in this camp . ''
One country that has made a point of taking back its nationals who are dependants of IS fighters is Russia , from where a large number of jihadists went to join the group from its troubled north Caucasus region .
`` [ Russian President ] Vladimir Putin supported the idea of repatriating women and children , '' says Ekaterina @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Prevention Centre in St Petersburg .
`` He made a clear statement that children were not responsible for what their parents did and that Russia could not leave them behind in the war zone . ''
Broadly speaking , from a legal perspective the issue of the abandoned jihadists of IS breaks down into three strands : legal , humanitarian and security .
From the legal aspect it is indefensible to leave thousands of people - especially children - stranded in limbo in these camps with no trial in sight .
Many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , say they are prepared to come home and face justice and even do their time in prison .
The problem is that Western governments fear bringing them home - a deeply unpopular measure domestically - in case there is insufficient evidence to convict them and they are then obliged to release them into the population .
They also worry what effect it would have on already overcrowded prisons should there be an influx of hardened , radical jihadists who have spent years fighting for their cause in Syria and Iraq .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criticism from aid agencies and others about the poor conditions in the overcrowded prison camps .
Here there is little public sympathy anywhere in the world for followers of a death cult that inflicted unspeakable torture and cruelty on so many , enslaving and raping girls as young as nine .
But the West lost much of its moral authority in the Middle East after 2001 when the US carried out `` extraordinary renditions '' and flew hundreds of suspects to a remote naval base in Cuba , Guantanamo Bay , to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries , which themselves condemned Guantanamo Bay , to now ignore the problem of its abandoned citizens simply because it is too difficult lays them open to a charge of hypocrisy .
Finally , there is the security aspect .
Ultimately this comes down to a choice for governments as to which is more dangerous : bringing their nationals home to face justice or leaving them out there .
So far , more than 400 Britons have returned from the Syrian battle space to the UK and they have presented very few security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who went out in the early years of the Syrian uprising .
Today , MI5 ( the UK 's domestic intelligence agency ) and the police worry that some of those still in the camps are far more radicalised , having been exposed to extreme violence over a period of years .
And Ms Sokirianskaya , from Russia , adds her own words of warning .
`` We 're not even talking about this from just a humanitarian point of view .
[ Dealing with the problem ] is an absolute must to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the future because we 're talking about them growing up in extremely radicalised conditions in the camps . ''
The Home Office in London says it would like to see those suspected of crimes prosecuted in Iraq and Syria .
But is it possible to separate out their dependants and bring them home while leaving the male fighters to face justice ?
Anne Speckhard believes it is .
`` A lot of women , '' she says , `` if they 're successfully prosecuted would probably get a stay of sentence .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least their children can visit them .
They 're not stuck in Syria , in danger .
`` So the best thing is to bring children and mothers back together .
But if that 's unpalatable , ca n't be done , then at least bring the children to safety . ''
Either way , it is clear that the present situation can not continue indefinitely .
The Syrian Kurds , who fought IS and who now guard the camps , have their own problems to worry about .
President Trump 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Syria has left them exposed to attack by encroaching Turkish forces .
The Kurds ' position on all these IS prisoners from Europe is simple : `` They came from your countries .
We can not guard them for much longer .
You need to take them back . ''

"There are tens of thousands of extremists, hardliners' families and other supporters of IS that remain in Iraq and Syria. And we have to make a decision as to whether we are committed to make sure that we defeat Daesh [IS] completely or the ideology will live on as they're able to regroup."


bbc--2020-07-23--Shopify: The tech giant you may have never heard of

When the pandemic forced Pizza Pilgrims to close its 13 stores in London and Oxford in March , the business went from making 30,000 pizzas every week to zero .
Of the 276 staff , 270 had to be furloughed .
While they opened one store in April to manage delivery , founder Thom Elliot still needed to find another way to make up for the lost revenue .
`` I tried to think of something that would serve our customers , who kept calling us , and also keep us relevant during these times , '' he says in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team decided to create pizza kits featuring all the raw ingredients you need to make your own pizza at home , but to do that he needed to upgrade his website .
That 's where Shopify came in .
The Canadian company offers the technology for anyone to create an online store and sell their products , with added features such as inventory tracking and software to help understand sales trends .
When Mr Elliot launched the new website along with the pizza kits , and posted about the new product on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of the 50 kits within 25 seconds .
Since early April , the new shop Pizza in the Post sold more than 25,000 kits .
`` We 've noticed that a lot of families like these kits so everyone can make pizza together during the lockdown , '' he says .
The easing of lockdown restrictions has allowed the company to reopen 10 of its 13 stores .
Lockdowns have been a bonanza for Shopify , as companies have scrambled to sell products online .
According to internal figures , new stores @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % between 13 March and 24 April this year , compared to the prior six weeks .
It has become Canada 's most valuable public company , with profits last year of US $ 880m ( £704m ) .
`` What 's interesting about this company is that not many people know about it but it 's been around since 2004 , '' says Dan Wang , associate professor of management at Columbia University in New York .
`` They saw the trend of selling directly to small businesses before most , at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ players were taking centre stage . ''
He points to big moves Shopify has made recently that will further elevate its position in online commerce .
In particular , a deal with US giant Walmart , under which some of Shopify 's small business sellers will appear on Walmart 's online marketplace .
• The stress of leading a start-up through the pandemic • How to run a conference without a venue • The perfume makers that ca n't smell a thing • Why Hollywood needs computer games more than ever The goal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the marketplace this year .
`` If you just take our US-based stores and aggregate them and pretend for a moment these stores are one single retailer , we are the largest online retailer after Amazon , '' says Harley Finkelstein , Shopify 's chief operating officer .
`` Technology has levelled the playing field so you do n't need to have a lot of money to build a brand that is the envy of hegemonic corporate giants , and the cool part of it is that consumers vote with their wallets and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` The pandemic acted as an accelerant where people started to prefer buying a mug or pen or whatever directly from the person who made it . ''
That 's not to say though that people have been turning their backs on Amazon , which has also seen sales boom this year - in the first quarter revenue jumped 26 % to $ 75.4bn ( £59.4bn ) .
Shopify is going up against Amazon by launching its own warehouse and delivery network that lets shop owners deliver their products quickly to customers .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ year bought 6 River Systems , a company which provides software and robotics for warehousing and delivery systems .
Diving into warehousing does n't come as a surprise to some analysts .
`` This move is definitely a direct shot at competing with Amazon , '' says Pinar Ozcan , a professor of entrepreneurship and innovation at the University of Oxford .
`` Amazon 's competitive advantages are its vast supplier portfolio , which Shopify can already compete with , and its seamless distribution network .
Shopify has been falling short in this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , their business model is getting closer to Amazon 's , which is known to work well . ''
But she adds there will always be a difference between the two companies .
Shopify will probably never compete in unbranded everyday goods , particularly as Amazon has its own ranges of products like batteries , light bulbs and pots and pans .
What matters most to retailers such as Ian Warren , managing director of Philip Warren Butchers in Cornwall , is that his business has a new outlet for his products .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 150 restaurants in the UK , Mr Warren 's business took a hit when lockdown began , inspiring him to launch a Shopify store dedicated to selling his products directly to consumers .
He estimates his store has attracted around 1,000 new customers who did n't frequent his physical sites .
`` I really did n't think about building this kind of website before , '' he says , `` but we needed something bespoke that would cater to a different kind of demographic than our usual meat buyers from restaurants . ''

While they opened one store in April to manage delivery, founder Thom Elliot still needed to find another way to make up for the lost revenue. "I tried to think of something that would serve our customers, who kept calling us, and also keep us relevant during these times," he says in an interview.


bbc--2020-07-23--Did Sweden's coronavirus strategy succeed or fail?

Brightly coloured beach towels line the shores of Lake Storsjon , two hours north of Stockholm .
Staycations are popular here this summer , thanks to a slew of travel restrictions imposed on Sweden by other countries , due to its coronavirus infection rate .
More than 5,500 people have died with Covid-19 in this country of just 10 million .
It is one of the highest death rates relative to population size in Europe , and by far the worst among the Nordic nations .
Unlike Sweden , the rest all chose to lock down early in the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some more care of each other , '' says Dan Eklund , 31 , visiting the lake on his friend 's boat .
Latest figures suggest Sweden is getting better at containing the virus .
The number of daily reported deaths has been in single digits for much of July , in contrast with the peak of the pandemic in April , when more than 100 fatalities were logged on several dates .
There has also been a marked fall in serious cases , with new intensive care admissions dropping to fewer than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not as low as elsewhere in Scandinavia , it 's a clear improvement .
`` It feels good .
I mean , finally , we are where we hoped we would be much earlier on , '' says Anders Tegnell , the state epidemiologist leading the strategy .
He 's admitted too many have died , especially in Swedish care homes .
But he believes there is still `` no strong evidence that a lockdown would have made that much of a difference '' .
Sweden has largely relied on voluntary social distancing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including working from home where possible and avoiding public transport .
There 's also been a ban on gatherings of more than 50 people , restrictions on visiting care homes , and a shift to table-only service in bars and restaurants .
The government has repeatedly described the pandemic as `` a marathon not a sprint '' , arguing that its measures are designed to last in the long term .
The unusual strategy has attracted global criticism , with even some of Dr Tegnell 's early supporters saying they now regret @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did his job between 2005 and 2013 , recently told Sweden 's biggest daily newspaper Dagens Nyheter she believed tougher restrictions at the start of the pandemic could have saved lives .
But according to clinical epidemiologist Helena Nordenstedt , there 's no consensus in Sweden 's scientific community that the strategy as a whole has failed .
Are Swedes better at social distancing ?
Anders Tegnell says his modelling indicates that , on average , Swedes have around 30 % of the social interactions they did prior to the pandemic .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Civil Contingencies Agency suggests 87 % of the population are continuing to follow social distancing recommendations to the same extent as they were one or two weeks earlier , up from 82 % a month ago .
Nordenstedt believes since Swedes have had longer to adjust how they act in public than countries that went into lockdown , this could help Sweden to mitigate a potential second wave .
`` People are not as exhausted as they might be in other countries where the restrictions have been much wider and much stricter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the guidelines , there have been reports of large gatherings and mingling in some tourist hotspots since domestic travel restrictions were relaxed last month .
`` We try to tell them and show them to keep their distance , '' says Shiar Ali , a manager at one of the beachfront restaurants on Lake Storsjorn .
`` Especially young men and young people , they do n't care about it . ''
Sweden 's authorities never said achieving herd immunity was their goal , but they did argue that by keeping more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more likely to develop a resistance to Covid-19 .
Five months into Europe 's pandemic and only 6 % of the population here is known to have antibodies , according to Swedish Public Health Agency research .
However , Anders Tegnell believes the true figure is `` definitely a lot higher '' , as immunity `` has proven to be surprisingly difficult to measure '' .
The state epidemiologist points to recent research by the Karolinska Institute that found even people testing negative for coronavirus antibodies had specific T-cells which can provide immunity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But other Swedish scientists are more cautious about predicting resistance to the virus .
`` I think he is overconfident , '' says Helena Nordenstedt .
`` We can all hope it will have an effect on the infection case numbers in Sweden during the fall , but we do n't know yet . ''
The strategy was not designed to protect the economy either , but the government argued keeping more of society open could limit job losses and mitigate the impact on business .
Research from Scandinavian bank SEB in April @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rate than consumers in neighbouring Nordic nations .
Despite this , various forecasts predict the Swedish economy will still shrink by about 5 % this year .
That 's less than other countries hit hard by Covid-19 such as Italy , Spain and the UK , but still similar to the rest of Scandinavia .
Sweden 's unemployment rate of 9 % remains the highest in the Nordics , up from 7.1 % in March .
`` Sweden , like the other Nordic countries , is a small , open economy , very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economy tends to do poorly when the rest of the world is doing poorly , '' explains Prof Karolina Ekholm , a former Deputy Governor of Sweden 's central bank .
Restaurants , shops and gyms have been allowed to remain open , but they have still struggled to attract customers , she says .
But she does believe the right call was made to keep schools open for under-16s .
In the short term , Sweden 's Covid strategy is affecting its usually close relationship with its neighbours .
Norway , Denmark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another in June , but excluded Sweden due to its high infection rate , although Swedes from less affected regions have since been given more freedom to visit Denmark .
A YouGov survey last month found that 71 % of Norwegians and 61 % of Danes were concerned about keeping Swedish tourists away , a higher number than for visitors from countries like Spain , Italy and the UK .
`` I do n't think this will affect the relations in the longer term , '' says Helen Lindberg , a senior lecturer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But it has highlighted or brought back old grievances between our countries . ''
A bigger problem could be the impact on Sweden 's wider international reputation for high-quality state health and elderly care , she believes .
`` There has been a blow to the Swedish image of being this humanitarian superpower in the world .
Our halo has been knocked down , and we have a lot to prove now . ''
At the start of the pandemic , there was a consensus that Sweden 's state scientists should be trusted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sharpened as the death toll increased , especially in care homes , and Prime Minister Stefan Lofven recently announced a coronavirus commission to look into the response from authorities at a national , regional and local level .
Helen Lindberg believes the strategy has called into question a historic reliance on public agencies to inform policies and highlighted a lack of preparedness for crises .
`` It 's a perfect storm for our weak , minority government , '' she says .
Just 45 % of Swedes now have confidence in the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to a Novus survey last month , down from 63 % in April .
Confidence in the Public Health Agency has also dipped , but remains at a much higher 65 % , compared with 73 % at the peak of the pandemic .
`` We believe they have the right strategy , because nobody knows exactly how we should do it , '' says holidaymaker Eva Britt Landin , 66 , who 's having a socially-distanced lunch with her 102-year-old father at Lake Storsjorn , But Catherina Eriksson , 42 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the jury is still out .
`` We do n't know what things will look like in the autumn or next year .
We 'll just have to wait and see . ''
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"It feels good. I mean, finally, we are where we hoped we would be much earlier on," says Anders Tegnell, the state epidemiologist leading the strategy. He's admitted too many have died, especially in Swedish care homes. But he believes there is still "no strong evidence that a lockdown would have made that much of a difference".


bbc--2020-07-23--Idris Khattak: 'My father was taken and I don't know why'

Talia 's parents separated when she was a little girl , and her father became her only caregiver - from cooking breakfast to making `` cool hairstyles '' for her for school .
`` He was a really nice dad , '' says Talia , who is 20 .
`` I think my whole life , my worst fear has been losing Papa . ''
But last November her worst fear came true .
Idris Khattak , a well known human rights campaigner , was taken in broad daylight from his car in northern Pakistan , and for seven months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her father or why .
And then , a breakthrough .
In a rare admission of a forced disappearance , Pakistan 's military confirmed it had Idris , 56 , in custody , and that he was facing charges under the secrets act .
Now the thought of where he might be , and in what condition , keeps Talia up at night .
That , and her guilt for the train ride she was on the day he disappeared .
Talia was due to take the train from the capital Islamabad , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attend a conference .
Her father had reservations about letting his young daughter travel alone , which is considered unsafe in Pakistan , but she convinced him .
He said he would call every hour to check on her .
Mid-journey he told her he had a bad feeling and offered to pick her up if she got off at the next station .
`` I feel so guilty now , I think about it every day .
If I had said yes and I had gone with Papa that day then I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ car , '' she says .
The last time she spoke to him he sounded rushed and out of breath , and told her he would n't have his phone for the next few days .
Then he stopped responding to messages or calling .
It was completely out of character , and worried Talia .
A few days later , she was headed back to Islamabad when she got a message from a friend : `` I 'm so sorry your father was abducted . ''
In attempt to protect her , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the news .
But the headlines and her father 's picture splashed on news websites confirmed her fears .
Idris was taken by men in civilian clothing from his car at the Swabi interchange in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa , the province where the family has its home .
His driver , who was also taken , was released after two days .
The driver gave a statement to police saying unknown men put bags over their heads and drove them away in a separate car .
Two days later , unknown men went into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and hard drives .
Talia says most of their family pictures were on there .
Then for months , they heard nothing .
Talia and her sister Shumaisa worried about his health and if he was being given his daily diabetes medicine .
Idris Khattak 's brother filed a police report , and tried to petition the Peshawar High Court to force police to investigate .
Amnesty international , where Idris Khattak was a former researcher , said he was `` forcibly disappeared '' - a term used for state-backed abductions .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his whereabouts , Talia posted a video appeal on social media asking for people to petition the government to provide answers .
It is still unusual in conservative Pakistan for young women to be the ones on public platforms demanding justice .
And her family had reservations .
`` I always think , what would Papa do ?
And I know he would n't stay quiet .
He would speak up if it was any of us , '' says Talia .
`` There are so many cases just like my dad .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ he wo n't be the last .
It makes me mad and it worries me that there 's not a lot we can do about it . ''
Enforced disappearances have a long history in Pakistan , gaining prominence during the leadership of General Pervez Musharraf which began in the late 1990s .
Historically , those who went missing were insurgents or separatists from restive regions like Balochistan or more recently Sindhi nationalists .
But in recent years the security forces are accused of using the practice more widely , including against activists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ critical of the government .
Idris Khattak 's family claim they have no idea why he was taken , as he was not a particularly vocal critic of the government or military in recent years .
He is affiliated with the National Party - one of the largest political parties in Balochistan .
The independent Human Rights Commission of Pakistan ( HRCP ) estimates that at least 2,100 political dissenters and rights activists are currently missing in the country , although the actual number may be much higher .
Harris Khalique from HRCP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ families unaware of their loved ones ' whereabouts , sometimes for years .
Or until a body or grave turns up .
But more fundamentally , it goes against the individual rights enshrined in Pakistan 's constitution .
`` If the state indulges in extra-legal actions what legitimacy does the state have to go after those non-state actors who have similar practices ? ''
says Mr Khalique .
In 2011 a Commission of Inquiry of Enforced Disappearances was formed but successive governments , including the current one , have failed to deliver on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mainly because of what experts say is the close relationship between the government and military in Pakistan .
`` Despite repeated promises to criminalise enforced disappearances , it continues to be used as a tool to muzzle dissent or criticism , '' says Amnesty .
The BBC approached the government for comment but received no response .
Idris Khattak 's family and human rights activists mounted a campaign to put international pressure on the authorities , reaching out to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights ( OHCHR ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Office ( FCO ) .
And then in June , in a rare occurrence , the family were told that the military 's intelligence agency had him in custody and were charging him under an archaic 1923 secrets act .
The family later found out he is to face a military trial conducted in secret .
They have no idea what the charges are against him and they are likely never to be told .
They have still not been able to meet him or speak to him .
And for Talia , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every night about her day , it has n't got any easier .
She is in touch with her mother , who now lives in Switzerland , but says that despite everyone 's support it 's the loneliest she 's ever been .
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Talia was due to take the train from the capital Islamabad, where she studies, to Karachi to attend a conference. Her father had reservations about letting his young daughter travel alone, which is considered unsafe in Pakistan, but she convinced him. He said he would call every hour to check on her. Mid-journey he told her he had a bad feeling and offered to pick her up if she got off at the next station.


bbc--2020-07-23--Nasa Mars rover: How Perseverance will hunt for signs of past life

Nasa 's Perseverance rover , due to launch to Mars this summer , will search an ancient crater lake for signs of past life .
But if biology ever emerged on the Red Planet , how will scientists recognise it ?
Here , mission scientist Ken Williford explains what they 're looking for .
Today , Mars is hostile to life .
It 's too cold for water to stay liquid on the surface , and the thin atmosphere lets through high levels of radiation , potentially sterilising the upper part of the soil .
But it was n't always @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ago or more , water with a near-neutral pH was present on the surface .
The water carved channels still visible today and pooled in impact craters .
A thicker carbon dioxide ( CO2 ) atmosphere would have blocked more of the harmful radiation .
Water is a common ingredient in biology , so it seems plausible that ancient Mars once offered a foothold for life .
In the 1970s , the Viking missions carried an experiment to look for present-day microbes in the Martian soil .
But the results were judged inconclusive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Mars Exploration Rovers were tasked with `` following the water '' .
Opportunity and Spirit found extensive geological evidence for the past presence of liquid water .
The Curiosity rover , which touched down in 2012 , found the lake that once filled its landing site at Gale Crater could have supported life .
It also detected organic ( carbon-containing ) molecules that serve as life 's building blocks .
Now , the Perseverance rover will explore a similar environment with instruments designed to test for the signatures of biology .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nasa mission since Viking to do that , '' said Ken Williford , the mission 's deputy project scientist , from Nasa 's Jet Propulsion Laboratory ( JPL ) in Pasadena , California .
`` Viking was the search for extant life - that is , life that might be living on Mars today .
Whereas the more recent Nasa approach has been to explore ancient environments because the data we have suggest that the earliest history of the planet tells us that Mars was most habitable during its first billion years .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Crater , where signs of a watery past are even clearer , when viewed from orbit , than those at Gale Crater .
The rover will drill into Martian rocks , extracting cores that are about the size of a piece of chalk .
These will be sealed away - cached - in containers and left on the surface .
These will be collected by another rover , sent at a later date , blasted into Mars orbit and delivered to Earth for analysis .
It 's all part of a collaboration with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called Mars Sample Return .
Jezero features one of the best-preserved Martian examples of a delta : layered structures formed when rivers enter open bodies of water and deposit rocks , sand and - potentially - organic carbon .
`` There 's a river channel flowing in from the west , penetrating the crater rim ; and then just inside the crater , at the river mouth , there 's this beautiful delta fan that 's exposed .
Our plan is to land right in front of that delta and start exploring , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contains sand grains originating from rocks further upstream , including a watershed to the north-west .
`` The cement between the grains is very interesting - that records the history of the water interacting with that sand at the time of the delta deposition in the lake , '' says Ken Williford .
`` It provides potential habitats for any organisms living between those grains of sand .
Bits of organic matter from any organisms upstream could potentially be washed in . ''
Jezero is located in a region that has long been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the western shoulder of a giant impact basin called Isidis , which shows the strongest Martian signals of the minerals olivine and carbonate as measured from space .
`` Carbonate minerals are one of the key targets that led us to explore this region , '' says Ken Williford .
A survey of the minerals in Jezero Crater by Dr Briony Horgan of Purdue University , Dr Melissa Rice of Western Washington University ( both scientists on the mission ) and colleagues , revealed carbonate deposits at the western edge of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' were likened to a bathtub ring - the build-up of soap scum that 's left after the water is drained .
Terrestrial carbonates can lock up biological evidence within their crystals .
They can even help form structures that are hardy enough to survive as fossils for billions of years , including seashells , coral and stromatolites .
Stromatolites are formed by many millimetre-scale layers of bacteria and sediment that build up over time into larger structures , sometimes shaped like domes .
On Earth , they occur along ancient shorelines , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Billions of years ago , Jezero 's shore was exactly the kind of place where stromatolites could have formed - and have been preserved - making the carbonate-rich bathtub ring a prime target for the mission .
The rover 's scientific payload will help investigate these questions and others .
Two zoom cameras on the rover 's mast - part of the Mastcam-Z system - will survey the landscape , sending back information about the colours , structures and textures .
From several metres away , an instrument called Supercam will fire a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of their elemental and mineral composition .
This will help scientists select `` parking places '' where they can deploy the robotic arm .
The arm 's drill is used to wear down and flatten a 4.5cm circular patch of rock .
The turret - or end - of the arm is then turned around .
An instrument called Sherloc captures images of the flat area and produces a detailed map of the minerals present , including any organics .
Another instrument called Pixl will then give scientists the detailed elemental , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Within this data-set , scientists will `` look for concentrations of biologically important elements , minerals and molecules - including organic matter .
In particular , [ it 's ] when those things are concentrated in shapes that are potentially suggestive of biology '' , says Ken Williford .
Drawing together many lines of evidence is vital ; visual identifications alone wo n't be enough to convince scientists of a biological origin , given the high bar for claims of extra-terrestrial life .
Short of a huge surprise , finds are likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until rocks are sent to Earth for analysis .
Referring to stromatolites , Dr Williford explains : `` The layers tend to be irregular and wrinkly , as you might expect for a bunch of microbes living on top of each other .
That whole thing can fossilise in a way that 's visible even to the cameras .
`` But it 's when we see shapes like that and , maybe , one layer has a different chemistry than the next , but there is some repeating pattern , or we see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those are the ultimate biosignatures that we might hope to find . ''
Yet , Mars might not give up its secrets easily .
In 2019 , scientists from the mission visited Australia to familiarise themselves with fossil stromatolites that formed 3.48 billion years ago in the country 's Pilbara region .
`` We will have to look harder [ on Mars ] than when we went to the Pilbara ... our knowledge of their location comes from many decades of many geologists going year-after-year and mapping the territory , '' says Ken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , `` we are the first ones '' .
A mineral called hydrated silica also seems to be present near the delta .
Its properties also make it good at preserving signs of life , including `` microfossils '' - the minuscule remains of bacteria , fungi or plants .
On Earth , we can detect fossilised microbes at the level of individual cells .
But in order to see them , scientists have to cut out a slice of rock , grind it to within the thickness of a sheet of paper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
No rover can do this .
But , then , it might not have to .
`` It 's very rare to find an individual microbe hanging out on its own , '' says Dr Williford .
`` Back when they were alive - if they were anything like Earth microbes - they would have joined together in little communities that build up into structures or clumps of cells that are detectable to the rover . ''
After exploring the crater floor , scientists want to drive the rover up onto the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when analysed on Earth , could provide an age for the impact that carved out the crater and a maximum age for the lake .
But there 's another reason for being interested in the crater rim .
When a large space object slams into rocks containing water , the huge energy can set up hydrothermal systems - where hot water circulates through the rocks .
The hot water dissolves minerals from the rocks that provide the necessary ingredients for life .
`` If that happened , that would have been the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says Ken Williford .
The evidence - along with signs of any life that colonised the environment - could be preserved up on the rim .
The current mission scenario foresees the rover driving to the nearby north-east Syrtis region as an `` aspirational goal '' .
It 's more ancient even than Jezero and also holds the promise of exposed carbonates - which may have formed in a different way to those in the crater .
If , by the end of this mission , signs of past life have n't presented @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over .
The focus will turn to those cores , waiting for delivery to Earth .
But the exciting prospect remains that the mission might not just throw up more questions , but answers too .
That outcome could be planet-shaking .
Whatever lies in wait for plucky Perseverance , we are on the verge of a new phase in our understanding of Earth 's near-neighbour .

The rover will drill into Martian rocks, extracting cores that are about the size of a piece of chalk. These will be sealed away - cached - in containers and left on the surface. These will be collected by another rover, sent at a later date, blasted into Mars orbit and delivered to Earth for analysis. It's all part of a collaboration with the European Space Agency (Esa) called Mars Sample Return.


bbc--2020-07-23--'We have lost aggression' - Juventus miss chance to seal title

Juventus missed out on the chance to wrap up the Serie A title as they fell to what boss Maurizio Sarri called a `` messy '' defeat at struggling Udinese .
Juve , who have been Italian champions for exactly 3,000 days , need to win one of their final three games to win their ninth title in a row .
But Ilija Nestorovski headed in an equaliser before Seko Fofana 's brilliant winner in injury time .
As Juve pushed for a winner , Fofana ran from the halfway line , beat Alex Sandro for pace before cutting inside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wojciech Szczesny .
`` We paid for a lack of order after a good first half , '' said Sarri , whose future is reportedly in doubt .
`` We wanted to win at all costs , we were messy and we took the game on a dangerous track and lost it on 93 minutes because we wanted the three points .
`` At this stage of the season , it is difficult , we are all tired .
We have lost aggression .
`` It 's complicated to stay mentally and physically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The games are strange and the momentum changes very easily .
The mental fatigue is more than the physical fatigue . ''
Cristiano Ronaldo has been overtaken by Lazio striker Ciro Immobile in the golden boot race .
Immobile scored his 31st goal of the season in Lazio 's 2-1 win over Cagliari to take him one above Ronaldo 's total .
Juventus only need three points to seal an unprecedented ninth consecutive Serie A title - but they are out of form .
They have only won one of their past five @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teams below them - Atalanta , Inter Milan and Lazio - have all dropped points recently .
Sarri is hoping to win the first league title of his career .
Juve looked laboured at Udinese - who are not yet safe from relegation - with most of their 21 shots either speculative or from long range .
They play Sampdoria on Sunday ( 20:45 BST ) - although could be champions before then if their rivals lose their weekend matches .

Last updated on .From the section European Football
Cristiano Ronaldo is the joint top scorer in Serie A with 30 goals
Juventus missed out on the chance to wrap up the Serie A title as they fell to what boss Maurizio Sarri called a "messy" defeat at struggling Udinese.
Juve, who have been Italian champions for exactly 3,000 days, need to win one of their final three games to win their ninth title in a row.
They led through Matthijs de Ligt's powerful drive.
But Ilija Nestorovski headed in an equaliser before Seko Fofana's brilliant winner in injury time.
As Juve pushed for a winner, Fofana ran from the halfway line, beat Alex Sandro for pace before cutting inside De Ligt and slotting the ball under Wojciech Szczesny.
"We paid for a lack of order after a good first half," said Sarri, whose future is reportedly in doubt.
"We wanted to win at all costs, we were messy and we took the game on a dangerous track and lost it on 93 minutes because we wanted the three points.
"At this stage of the season, it is difficult, we are all tired. We have lost aggression.
"It's complicated to stay mentally and physically on the ball for 90 minutes. The games are strange and the momentum changes very easily. The mental fatigue is more than the physical fatigue."
Cristiano Ronaldo has been overtaken by Lazio striker Ciro Immobile in the golden boot race. Immobile scored his 31st goal of the season in Lazio's 2-1 win over Cagliari to take him one above Ronaldo's total.
Juventus only need three points to seal an unprecedented ninth consecutive Serie A title - but they are out of form.
They have only won one of their past five Serie A games, but the three teams below them - Atalanta, Inter Milan and Lazio - have all dropped points recently.
Sarri is hoping to win the first league title of his career.
Juve looked laboured at Udinese - who are not yet safe from relegation - with most of their 21 shots either speculative or from long range.
They play Sampdoria on Sunday (20:45 BST) - although could be champions before then if their rivals lose their weekend matches.


bbc--2020-07-23--Archer has X-factor every team needs, says Brathwaite

England pace bowler Jofra Archer has the `` X-Factor '' that every successful team needs , former West Indies Twenty20 captain Carlos Brathwaite says .
Brathwaite told BBC Radio 5 Live that teams are lifted by personalities who `` do n't play by the rules '' .
Archer , was dropped for the second test against the Windies for breaking Covid-19 protocols , but has been recalled .
Brathwaite said the bowler , racially abused on social media after being dropped , has faced an unfair reaction .
Asked if Archer had been treated fairly in England , Brathwaite said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Archer , who England captain Joe Root said was bowling at `` the speed of light '' in the nets this week , suffers too because of his strength of personality .
Referring to the ending of batsman Kevin Pietersen 's England career in 2014 , Brathwaite added : `` I saw it with Kevin Pietersen as well .
`` There is the traditional English way of doing it by the book , but all good teams need the X-Factor .
I think he [ Archer ] brings that X-Factor and I thought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ While you 're hoping that the majority of the team are 75 % consistent and they do everything by the book - they are always early , they eat right , they do this and they do that - you do need that rogue .
`` I am not saying that he [ Archer ] is that , but every team needs that rogue , that X-Factor , that does n't play by the rules of the book and 'do it my way ' type of character . ''
He added : `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ England all-rounder ] Ben Stokes not so long ago , was seen as that type of character .
Now he is seen as a leader .
`` If England can find a way to transform Jofra into the leader that Ben Stokes has become , while keeping his X-Factor on-field performance , then they are two serious cricketers to be contending with for the next five to 10 years . ''
Barbados-born Archer qualified to play for England in March 2019 and helped them win the World Cup last year .
He has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the deciding Test against West Indies , which starts on Friday .
However , after breaking Covid-19 bio-secure protocols after the first Test , the Sussex bowler was forced to spend five days in isolation and was later fined and given a written warning .
Archer wrote in a newspaper column that after being dropped , he had suffered racist abuse on Instagram .
He also said he has come off social media as it is `` unnecessary noise '' .
`` I would give more of a warning [ to Archer ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and understand the backlash that you can receive , '' said Brathwaite .
`` With most things , the higher it can take you , the further down it can pull you as well , so just be wary .
`` I saw on his social media that he was racially abused and , regardless if you use social media or not , that 's just not on .
`` His social media is a source of entertainment for me as well , so keep the entertainment coming , but just be wary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''

Barbados-born Jofra Archer qualified to play for England in March 2019
England v West Indies, third Test Venue: Emirates Old Trafford Dates: 24-28 July Coverage: Ball-by-ball Test Match Special commentary on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra, Radio 4 LW, online, tablets, mobiles and BBC Sport app. Highlights on BBC Two at 19:00 (19:15 on Saturday). Live text commentary and in-play highlights on the BBC Sport website.
England pace bowler Jofra Archer has the "X-Factor" that every successful team needs, former West Indies Twenty20 captain Carlos Brathwaite says.
Brathwaite told BBC Radio 5 Live that teams are lifted by personalities who "don't play by the rules".
Archer, was dropped for the second test against the Windies for breaking Covid-19 protocols, but has been recalled.
Brathwaite said the bowler, racially abused on social media after being dropped, has faced an unfair reaction.
Asked if Archer had been treated fairly in England, Brathwaite said: "No."
Brathwaite believes Archer, who England captain Joe Root said was bowling at "the speed of light" external-link in the nets this week, suffers too because of his strength of personality.
Referring to the ending of batsman Kevin Pietersen's England career in 2014, Brathwaite added: "I saw it with Kevin Pietersen as well.
"There is the traditional English way of doing it by the book, but all good teams need the X-Factor. I think he [Archer] brings that X-Factor and I thought Kevin Pietersen brought that X-Factor.
"While you're hoping that the majority of the team are 75% consistent and they do everything by the book - they are always early, they eat right, they do this and they do that - you do need that rogue.
"I am not saying that he [Archer] is that, but every team needs that rogue, that X-Factor, that doesn't play by the rules of the book and 'do it my way' type of character."
He added: "If you think about it, [England all-rounder] Ben Stokes not so long ago, was seen as that type of character. Now he is seen as a leader.
"If England can find a way to transform Jofra into the leader that Ben Stokes has become, while keeping his X-Factor on-field performance, then they are two serious cricketers to be contending with for the next five to 10 years."
Barbados-born Archer qualified to play for England in March 2019 and helped them win the World Cup last year.
He has been included in the England squad for the deciding Test against West Indies, which starts on Friday.
However, after breaking Covid-19 bio-secure protocols after the first Test, the Sussex bowler was forced to spend five days in isolation and was later fined and given a written warning.
Archer wrote in a newspaper column that after being dropped, he had suffered racist abuse on Instagram.
He also said he has come off social media as it is "unnecessary noise".
"I would give more of a warning [to Archer] to be wary of what you post and understand the backlash that you can receive," said Brathwaite.
"With most things, the higher it can take you, the further down it can pull you as well, so just be wary.
"I saw on his social media that he was racially abused and, regardless if you use social media or not, that's just not on.
"His social media is a source of entertainment for me as well, so keep the entertainment coming, but just be wary of a backlash if there is any."


bbc--2020-07-23--Mike Tyson to fight Roy Jones Jr in exhibition bout

Last updated on .From the section Boxing Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson will return to the boxing ring for an exhibition fight against ex-four-weight world champion Roy Jones Jr. Tyson , 54 , last fought professionally in 2005 when he was beaten by Irishman Kevin McBride in what was his sixth loss in 58 career contests .
Fellow American Jones , 51 , has not fought since beating Scott Sigmon in February 2018 .
The California State Athletic Commission has sanctioned the fight , which will be over eight rounds and broadcast on pay-per-view .
Tyson became the youngest ever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knocked out Trevor Berbick in 1986 .
He recently fuelled rumours of a comeback when he shared filmed pad workouts on social media .
In 2006 , Tyson had a number of four-round exhibition bouts with Corey Sanders .
At the time he needed money having filed for bankruptcy in 2003 , but he also spoke of the mental health and stress-relieving benefits a light-hearted return gave him .
More recently , there had been talk of Tyson fighting former rival Evander Holyfield , who retired in 2014 .
Holyfield , 57 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1990s , including the infamous encounter in 1997 when Tyson was disqualified for biting his opponent 's ear .
Jones Jr claimed world titles at middleweight , super-middleweight , light-heavyweight and heavyweight during his career .
`` It 's like David and Goliath , '' said Jones Jr in a promotional video .
• None Frampton and Conlan to return to the ring in August • None Taylor out to close Persoon chapter , says Hearn 'This is about testing the water ' - analysis I actually think there will be ridiculous amounts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but there will be .
Only two years ago , Roy Jones Jr won a version of the world title .
He has pushed on for too long .
Mike Tyson fought from memory for the last four or five years of his career .
This is about testing the water to see if they can actually get something the organisers call the `` Legends League '' off the ground .
It 's about seeing how competitive it is .
I 'm sure it 's entertaining to a degree , but it @ @ @

Last updated on .From the section Boxing
Jones Jr (left) and Tyson will fight in an eight-round contest
Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson will return to the boxing ring for an exhibition fight against ex-four-weight world champion Roy Jones Jr.
The bout is scheduled to take place on 12 September in Los Angeles.
Tyson, 54, last fought professionally in 2005 when he was beaten by Irishman Kevin McBride in what was his sixth loss in 58 career contests.
Fellow American Jones, 51, has not fought since beating Scott Sigmon in February 2018.
The California State Athletic Commission has sanctioned the fight, which will be over eight rounds and broadcast on pay-per-view.
Tyson became the youngest ever world heavyweight champion at 20 when he knocked out Trevor Berbick in 1986.
He recently fuelled rumours of a comeback when he shared filmed pad workouts on social media.
In 2006, Tyson had a number of four-round exhibition bouts with Corey Sanders. At the time he needed money having filed for bankruptcy in 2003, but he also spoke of the mental health and stress-relieving benefits a light-hearted return gave him.
More recently, there had been talk of Tyson fighting former rival Evander Holyfield, who retired in 2014.
Holyfield, 57, won their two previous bouts in the 1990s, including the infamous encounter in 1997 when Tyson was disqualified for biting his opponent's ear.
Jones Jr claimed world titles at middleweight, super-middleweight, light-heavyweight and heavyweight during his career.
"It's like David and Goliath," said Jones Jr in a promotional video.
'This is about testing the water' - analysis
Steve Bunce, BBC Radio 5 Live boxing analyst
I actually think there will be ridiculous amounts of interest. There shouldn't be, but there will be.
Only two years ago, Roy Jones Jr won a version of the world title. He has pushed on for too long. Mike Tyson fought from memory for the last four or five years of his career.
This is about testing the water to see if they can actually get something the organisers call the "Legends League" off the ground. It's about seeing how competitive it is.
I'm sure it's entertaining to a degree, but it's crazy.


bbc--2020-07-23--Top Premier League moments of the season - we've picked them, you rank them

Eleven months after it started , the 2019-20 Premier League season is almost at an end .
There 's been great goals , titanic tussles and historic moments as Liverpool secured their first top-flight title in 30 years in a campaign that was disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic .
BBC Sport takes a look at the 12 most memorable events of a long , dramatic and unusual season .
Take a look at our list and use the tool below to rank the most memorable moments - the order as selected by BBC Sport readers will be revealed on Football @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 12:00 BST on Saturday , 25 July on BBC One .
Only ranked lists created before 10:00 BST on Friday , 24 July will count towards the result .
Norwich 's return to the Premier League may only have been short-lived but they should certainly be praised for sticking to their style throughout .
Their easy-on-the-eye football was a welcome addition and early in the season it helped them produce a couple of shocks - most notably when they beat reigning champions Manchester City 3-2 in September .
That was City 's first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Canaries hope that they could avoid the drop .
Ultimately , they ran out of steam but this result will live long in the memory of Norwich fans .
Given how Southampton have played since the restart in June , it is hard to believe they were on the end of a defeat earlier in the season that almost went into double figures .
Back in October , Leicester ran riot as Ayoze Perez and Jamie Vardy both scored hat-tricks in a 9-0 win .
It was an embarrassing scoreline at the time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ zone , but in many ways it proved the making of them .
They went on to survive comfortably and could be a good shout to battle much higher up the table next season .
Liverpool beat Manchester City to go eight clear Just 12 games into the season and Liverpool struck a blow that Manchester City arguably never recovered from .
The Reds beat their rivals 3-1 at Anfield to go eight points clear at the top of the table .
Pre-match , it was billed as the defining moment in Liverpool @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and so it proved as the Reds went on to further strengthen their grip on top spot .
November signalled the end of an era at Spurs as Mauricio Pochettino was sacked after five and a half years at the club , with Jose Mourinho promptly brought in as his replacement .
The right decision ?
Time will tell , with Tottenham yet to be certain of either a top-six finish or playing European football next season .
It is a little bit hard to remember some of the goals from this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before the dawn of time , but one strike in particular stands out : Son Heung-min 's beauty against Burnley in December .
The Tottenham forward got the ball just outside his box and , 12 seconds and 12 touches later , he had shredded the visiting defence and slotted past Nick Pope to help Spurs on their way to a 5-0 win .
The strike topped a BBC fan vote in May and there 's been little since the restart that have come close to that wonderful solo effort .
Everton pulled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they managed to attract three-time Champions League-winner Carlo Ancelotti to become their manager .
At the time , the Toffees were in danger of becoming embroiled in a relegation battle , but the Italian pulled them away from danger and Everton fans are likely to be excited to see what he can do after a full pre-season .
Nobody saw this one coming .
Liverpool were on a relentless march towards the title when they arrived at Vicarage Road in February to take on a Watford side inside the relegation zone and without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But the Hornets turned on the style to run out surprise 3-0 winners , ending the Reds ' hopes of finishing the season unbeaten .
If we 're talking about moments of the season then this is obviously a biggie .
On 12 March , Arsenal confirmed that boss Arteta had tested positive for Covid-19 .
The following day , elite football in Britain was suspended and would not resume until 17 June .
It did not take long for technology to become a talking point after the season restarted - the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ although this was n't to do with the much-maligned video assistant referee .
This time , it was goalline technology that caused frustration as it failed to pick up Oliver Norwood 's free-kick crossing the line in Sheffield United 's goalless draw at Aston Villa .
A day to forget for David Luiz as everything that could go wrong , did .
Against Manchester City at Etihad Stadium in June , the Arsenal defender came off the bench in the first half , was at fault for Raheem Sterling 's opener , gave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ himself sent off .
It was n't ideal timing , either , with his contract up at the end of that month .
Luckily for him , Arteta kept the faith and Luiz signed a one-year deal a few days later .
For a long , long , long , long , long time , everyone knew Liverpool were going to win the league this season .
Their dominance was such that they really should have been celebrating far earlier than most title-winners do but , because of the coronavirus pandemic and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moment was not confirmed until 25 June .
On that day , Liverpool players and fans watched as Manchester City took on Chelsea , knowing if Pep Guardiola 's side failed to win then the Reds ' 30-year wait for a top-flight title would finally be over .
City did lose , but the game itself was arguably one of the most exciting since the restart and the tension and then relief at the final whistle perhaps only enhanced the Liverpool celebrations .
Jamie Vardy joined an exclusive club earlier this month when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Leicester forward became the 29th player to reach 100 Premier League goals in the competition 's history .
It is a hugely impressive achievement , even more so when you consider he was still playing non-league football at the age of 25 .

Liverpool steamrollered their way to a first league title for 30 years this season
Eleven months after it started, the 2019-20 Premier League season is almost at an end.
There have been great goals, titanic tussles and historic moments as Liverpool secured their first top-flight title in 30 years in a campaign that was disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic.
We asked you to rank the season's best moments - and the results as selected by BBC Sport readers are revealed below.
You can still take part by using the ranking tool at the bottom of the page, but your selections will not count to the results.
1. Liverpool win league and celebrate after watching Chelsea beat Man City
Christian Pulisic opened the scoring in a thrilling game between Chelsea and Manchester City on 25 June
For a long, long, long, long, long time, everyone knew Liverpool were going to win the league this season.
Their dominance was such that they really should have been celebrating far earlier than most title winners do but, because of the coronavirus pandemic and the three-month break in the season, the moment was not confirmed until 25 June.
On that day, Liverpool players and fans watched as Manchester City took on Chelsea, knowing if Pep Guardiola's side failed to win then the Reds' 30-year wait for a top-flight title would finally be over.
City did lose, but the game itself was arguably one of the most exciting since the restart and the tension and then relief at the final whistle perhaps only enhanced the Liverpool celebrations.
The moment Liverpool players found out they were champions
2. Coronavirus stops the season
Games have returned with social distancing regulations in place after the season was suspended following Mikel Arteta's positive coronavirus test
If we're talking about moments of the season then this is obviously a biggie.
On 12 March, Arsenal confirmed that boss Arteta had tested positive for Covid-19. The following day, elite football in Britain was suspended and would not resume until 17 June.
3. Leicester put nine past Southampton
All three of Vardy's goals came in the second half of the 9-0 win at Southampton
Given how Southampton have played since the restart in June, it is hard to believe they were on the end of a defeat earlier in the season that almost went into double figures.
Back in October, Leicester ran riot as Ayoze Perez and Jamie Vardy both scored hat-tricks in a 9-0 win.
It was an embarrassing scoreline at the time and put the Saints into the relegation zone, but in many ways it proved the making of them. They went on to survive comfortably and could be a good shout to battle much higher up the table next season.
4. Norwich beat Man City
Norwich's win against Manchester City was their second on their return to the Premier League
Norwich's return to the Premier League may only have been short-lived but they should certainly be praised for sticking to their style throughout.
Their easy-on-the-eye football was a welcome addition and early in the season it helped them produce a couple of shocks - most notably when they beat reigning champions Manchester City 3-2 in September.
That was City's first defeat since January 2019 and gave the Canaries hope that they could avoid the drop. Ultimately, they ran out of steam but this result will live long in the memory of Norwich fans.
5. Watford end Liverpool's unbeaten run
Ismaila Sarr scored two goals as Watford beat Liverpool 3-0
Nobody saw this one coming.
Liverpool were on a relentless march towards the title when they arrived at Vicarage Road in February to take on a Watford side inside the relegation zone and without a win in their past five games.
But the Hornets turned on the style to run out surprise 3-0 winners, ending the Reds' hopes of finishing the season unbeaten.
6. Liverpool beat Man City to go eight clear
Liverpool produced a statement with their impressive win over Manchester City in November
Just 12 games into the season and Liverpool struck a blow that Manchester City arguably never recovered from.
The Reds beat their rivals 3-1 at Anfield to go eight points clear at the top of the table.
Pre-match, it was billed as the defining moment in Liverpool's 30-year quest to land the title, and so it proved as the Reds went on to further strengthen their grip on top spot.
7. Spurs sack Pochettino
Pochettino was sacked 171 days after taking Tottenham to the Champions League final
November signalled the end of an era at Spurs as Mauricio Pochettino was sacked after five-and-a-half years at the club, with Jose Mourinho promptly brought in as his replacement.
The right decision? Time will tell, with Tottenham yet to be certain of either a top-six finish or playing European football next season.
8. Son's wonder goal versus Burnley
Son Heung-min ran 70 metres up the pitch to score this superb goal against Burnley
It is a little bit hard to remember some of the goals from this season considering it feels like it started before the dawn of time, but one strike in particular stands out: Son Heung-min's beauty against Burnley in December.
The Tottenham forward got the ball just outside his box and, 12 seconds and 12 touches later, he had shredded the visiting defence and slotted past Nick Pope to help Spurs on their way to a 5-0 win.
The strike topped a BBC fan vote in May and there's been little since the restart that has come close to that wonderful solo effort.
9. Vardy reaches 100 Premier League goals
Jamie Vardy joined an exclusive club earlier this month when his two goals against Crystal Palace meant the Leicester forward became the 29th player to reach 100 Premier League goals in the competition's history.
It is a hugely impressive achievement, even more so when you consider he was still playing non-league football at the age of 25.
10. Blades suffer goalline technology blow
Orjan Nyland carried the ball over the goalline but it was not picked up by technology
It did not take long for technology to become a talking point after the season restarted - the very day it returned in fact - although this wasn't to do with the much-maligned video assistant referee.
This time, it was goalline technology that caused frustration as it failed to pick up Oliver Norwood's free-kick crossing the line in Sheffield United's goalless draw at Aston Villa.
11. Ancelotti's appointment as Everton manager
Ancelotti replaced Marco Silva at the Toffees
Everton pulled off a significant coup in December when they managed to attract three-time Champions League-winner Carlo Ancelotti to become their manager.
At the time, the Toffees were in danger of becoming embroiled in a relegation battle, but the Italian pulled them away from danger and Everton fans are likely to be excited to see what he can do after a full pre-season.
12. Luiz horror show against Man City
Luiz capped an error-strewn performance against Manchester City by getting sent off
A day to forget for David Luiz as everything that could go wrong, did.
Against Manchester City at Etihad Stadium in June, the Arsenal defender came off the bench in the first half, was at fault for Raheem Sterling's opener, gave away a penalty, and then got himself sent off.
It wasn't ideal timing, either, with his contract up at the end of that month. Luckily for him, Arteta kept the faith and Luiz signed a one-year deal a few days later.


bbc--2020-07-23--Archer returns, Holder eyes history in Test series decider

Pace bowler Jofra Archer has been included in the England squad for the deciding Test against West Indies .
The 25-year-old was dropped from the second Test for breaching the Covid-19 bio-secure protocols .
In his newspaper column , Archer spoke of struggling for motivation when he returned to practice and needing to be `` 100 % mentally right '' in order to play at Emirates Old Trafford .
James Anderson and Mark Wood are also in a 14-man squad for Friday 's match .
But there is concern over the fitness of all-rounder Ben Stokes , who may not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 254 runs , took three crucial wickets and a catch in being named man of the match in England 's second Test win , but pulled up midway through an over late on the final day .
`` Ben has a little bit of a niggle , '' England captain Joe Root told BBC Sport .
`` He 'll definitely be able to play , but it 's about how much impact he will be able to make with the ball .
`` It 's lingered a little bit .
It 's nothing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long-term .
It 's about managing him very carefully . ''
With the three-Test series poised at 1-1 , West Indies have the opportunity for a first series win in England since 1988 .
England are looking to reclaim the Wisden Trophy and defend a six-year unbeaten home record .
• Archer has X factor every team needs - Brathwaite Archer has 'big smile on his face' Archer was set to play in the second Test until his breach of the protocols - put in place to shield players from coronavirus - came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was due to begin .
He admitted visiting his home in Hove on the journey from Southampton , where the first Test was played , to Emirates Old Trafford , the venue for the second and third .
The Sussex bowler was forced to spend five days in isolation and was later fined and given a written warning .
Archer began bowling in the nets at the end of his isolation period and returned two negative coronavirus tests before rejoining the rest of the England players on Tuesday .
Writing in the Daily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ racist abuse on Instagram and has withdrawn from social media because it is `` unnecessary noise '' .
`` He 's had a tough week , '' said Root .
`` Some of the stuff he had to deal with has been quite horrible .
`` As a squad we have tried to rally around him and made sure he is as good as he can .
If selected , he will be desperate to put in a good performance .
`` He seems good .
He 's performed well in practice and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his face . ''
Archer will compete with Anderson , Wood , Stuart Broad , Chris Woakes and Sam Curran for places in the final XI .
In the first two Tests , England have opted for three pace bowlers , but the concern over Stokes could mean rejigging the side .
A batsman could make way , or the wet weather in Manchester could lead to the omission of spinner Dom Bess , who has been retained in the squad ahead of Jack Leach .
Broad , Woakes and Curran were the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which England won by 113 runs .
Anderson and Wood , who both played in England 's first-Test defeat , have been recalled after being rested for the second .
In naming all six fast bowlers that have played so far in the series for the squad for the third Test , England have delayed giving any indication about who will make the final XI on Friday .
With the pacemen being rotated over the first two matches , England coach Chris Silverwood previously confirmed England will play their strongest team for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` pretty good idea '' of what that is .
`` When you talk about best bowling attack , it 's for the conditions in front of us , '' he said .
`` We 've got plenty of brilliant options to choose from .
Whichever combination we go with will be able to take 20 wickets . ''
Rain in Manchester has kept the pitch under cover and more bad weather is forecast throughout the Test .
Like Root , West Indies captain Jason Holder said he could give no indication of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had seen the pitch .
West Indies , who earned a memorable win in Southampton , looked tired in the second Test , with pace bowlers Shannon Gabriel and Alzarri Joseph both spending time off the field .
`` The short turnaround has been tough , '' said Holder .
`` No doubt both teams will be feeling it .
We have enough motivation to keep pushing . ''
Not only have the Windies struggled in England for the past 32 years , they have failed to win an away series against anyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since 1995 .
`` I 'm really proud of the guys so far in this tour , and now it 's just a matter of pushing it to the next level , '' added Holder .
`` We still have a really good opportunity to win this series .
It 's a matter of righting the wrongs we had in the last game . ''

Last updated on .From the section Cricket
Jofra Archer (fourth from left) rejoined the England squad on Tuesday
England v West Indies, third Test Venue: Emirates Old Trafford Dates: 24-28 July Coverage: Ball-by-ball Test Match Special commentary on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra, Radio 4 LW, online, tablets, mobiles and BBC Sport app. Highlights on BBC Two at 19:00 (19:15 on Saturday). Live text commentary and in-play highlights on the BBC Sport website.
Pace bowler Jofra Archer has been included in the England squad for the deciding Test against West Indies.
The 25-year-old was dropped from the second Test for breaching the Covid-19 bio-secure protocols.
In his newspaper column, Archer spoke of struggling for motivation when he returned to practice and needing to be "100% mentally right" in order to play at Emirates Old Trafford.
James Anderson and Mark Wood are also in a 14-man squad for Friday's match.
But there is concern over the fitness of all-rounder Ben Stokes, who may not be able to bowl.
Stokes scored 254 runs, took three crucial wickets and a catch in being named man of the match in England's second Test win, but pulled up midway through an over late on the final day.
"Ben has a little bit of a niggle," England captain Joe Root told BBC Sport. "He'll definitely be able to play, but it's about how much impact he will be able to make with the ball.
"It's lingered a little bit. It's nothing too serious or something to worry about long-term. It's about managing him very carefully."
With the three-Test series poised at 1-1, West Indies have the opportunity for a first series win in England since 1988.
England are looking to reclaim the Wisden Trophy and defend a six-year unbeaten home record.
England squad for final Test against West Indies: Joe Root (Yorkshire) captain, James Anderson (Lancashire), Jofra Archer (Sussex), Dominic Bess (Somerset), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), Rory Burns (Surrey), Jos Buttler (Lancashire), Zak Crawley (Kent), Sam Curran (Surrey), Ollie Pope (Surrey), Dom Sibley (Warwickshire), Ben Stokes (Durham), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire), Mark Wood (Durham).
Archer has 'big smile on his face'
Archer was set to play in the second Test until his breach of the protocols - put in place to shield players from coronavirus - came to light the night before the match was due to begin.
He admitted visiting his home in Hove on the journey from Southampton, where the first Test was played, to Emirates Old Trafford, the venue for the second and third.
The Sussex bowler was forced to spend five days in isolation and was later fined and given a written warning.
Archer began bowling in the nets at the end of his isolation period and returned two negative coronavirus tests before rejoining the rest of the England players on Tuesday.
Writing in the Daily Mail, Archer said he had suffered racist abuse on Instagram and has withdrawn from social media because it is "unnecessary noise".
"He's had a tough week," said Root. "Some of the stuff he had to deal with has been quite horrible.
"As a squad we have tried to rally around him and made sure he is as good as he can. If selected, he will be desperate to put in a good performance.
"He seems good. He's performed well in practice and he's got a big smile on his face."
England mull over bowling options
Archer will compete with Anderson, Wood, Stuart Broad, Chris Woakes and Sam Curran for places in the final XI.
In the first two Tests, England have opted for three pace bowlers, but the concern over Stokes could mean rejigging the side.
A batsman could make way, or the wet weather in Manchester could lead to the omission of spinner Dom Bess, who has been retained in the squad ahead of Jack Leach.
Broad, Woakes and Curran were the pace attack for the second Test, which England won by 113 runs.
Anderson and Wood, who both played in England's first-Test defeat, have been recalled after being rested for the second.
In naming all six fast bowlers that have played so far in the series for the squad for the third Test, England have delayed giving any indication about who will make the final XI on Friday.
With the pacemen being rotated over the first two matches, England coach Chris Silverwood previously confirmed England will play their strongest team for the decider and Root said he has a "pretty good idea" of what that is.
"When you talk about best bowling attack, it's for the conditions in front of us," he said.
"We've got plenty of brilliant options to choose from. Whichever combination we go with will be able to take 20 wickets."
Holder eyes shot at history
Rain in Manchester has kept the pitch under cover and more bad weather is forecast throughout the Test.
Like Root, West Indies captain Jason Holder said he could give no indication of the selection of his team until he had seen the pitch.
West Indies, who earned a memorable win in Southampton, looked tired in the second Test, with pace bowlers Shannon Gabriel and Alzarri Joseph both spending time off the field.
"The short turnaround has been tough," said Holder. "No doubt both teams will be feeling it. We have enough motivation to keep pushing."
Not only have the Windies struggled in England for the past 32 years, they have failed to win an away series against anyone other than Zimbabwe, Bangladesh or Afghanistan since 1995.
"I'm really proud of the guys so far in this tour, and now it's just a matter of pushing it to the next level," added Holder.
"We still have a really good opportunity to win this series. It's a matter of righting the wrongs we had in the last game."


bbc--2020-07-23--Villarreal appoint ex-Arsenal boss Emery as manager

Former Arsenal manager Unai Emery has been appointed as manager of La Liga side Villarreal on the three-year deal .
@ @ @ @ @ Calleja , who left the club despite a fifth-placed finish that secured a Europa League @ @ @ @ @ out of work since being sacked by Premier League Arsenal in November after 18 months @ @ @ @ @ managed Sevilla and Valencia in the Spanish top flight , as well as Paris St-Germain @ @ @ @ @ over from Arsene Wenger at Arsenal in May 2018 after winning three successive Europa Leagues @ @ @ @ @ 1 title with PSG .
But he was dismissed by the Gunners after their worst @ @ @ @ @ 27 years .

Last updated on .From the section European Football
Unai Emery led Arsenal to last season's Europa League final
Former Arsenal manager Unai Emery has been appointed as manager of La Liga side Villarreal on the three-year deal.
The 48-year-old Spaniard succeeds Javi Calleja, who left the club despite a fifth-placed finish that secured a Europa League spot.
Emery has been out of work since being sacked by Premier League Arsenal in November after 18 months in charge.
He has managed Sevilla and Valencia in the Spanish top flight, as well as Paris St-Germain in France.
Emery took over from Arsene Wenger at Arsenal in May 2018 after winning three successive Europa Leagues with Seville and a Ligue 1 title with PSG.
But he was dismissed by the Gunners after their worst run without a victory for 27 years.


bbc--2020-07-24--US consulate: China orders US consulate closure in tit-for-tat move

China has ordered the closure of the US consulate in the south-western city of Chengdu , in a tit-for-tat escalation between the two countries .
China said the move was a `` necessary response '' to the US , which ordered China to close its consulate in Houston earlier this week .
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the US decision was taken because China was `` stealing '' intellectual property .
Tensions have been rising between the US and China over several key issues .
President Donald Trump 's administration has clashed repeatedly with Beijing over trade and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's imposition of a controversial new security law in Hong Kong .
China 's move came hours after Mr Pompeo hardened his tone further in a speech on Thursday at the library of former President Richard Nixon , whose 1972 China visit heralded a period of improved relations .
`` Today , China is increasingly authoritarian at home , and more aggressive in its hostility to freedom everywhere else , '' Mr Pompeo said .
`` The free world must triumph over this new tyranny . ''
What has China said ?
China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a `` legitimate and necessary response to the unreasonable actions taken by the United States '' .
`` The current situation between China and the United States is something China does not want to see , and the US bears all responsibility for that . ''
China gave the US till Monday to close the consulate in Chengdu , according to the editor of China 's Global Times .
The mission , established in 1985 and currently having more than 200 staff - 150 hired locally - is seen as strategically important because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the autonomous region of Tibet , where there has been long-running pressure for independence .
With its industry and growing services sector , Chengdu also is seen by the US as providing opportunities for exports of agricultural products , cars and machinery .
• The US-China battle behind the scenes • What 's behind Trump 's new strategy on China ?
Why did the US order the Chinese consulate to close ?
On Tuesday , the US government ordered China to close its consulate in Houston , Texas , by Friday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ filmed burning paper in bins in the building 's courtyard .
Mr Pompeo accused China of stealing `` not just American intellectual property ... but European intellectual property too ... costing hundreds of thousands of jobs '' .
`` We are setting out clear expectations for how the Chinese Communist Party is going to behave .
And when they do n't , we 're going to take actions , '' he said .
The Chinese consulate in Houston was one of five in the US , along with the embassy in Washington DC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was singled out .
China 's foreign ministry spokeswoman said the reasons given by the US for closing the consulate were `` unbelievably ridiculous '' .
Hua Chunying urged the US to reverse its `` erroneous decision '' , or China would `` react with firm countermeasures '' .
In a further US move , four Chinese nationals have been charged with visa fraud for allegedly lying about their membership of China 's armed forces - three are under arrest while the FBI is seeking to arrest the fourth , who is said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consulate .
Why is there tension between China and the US ?
There are a number of things at play .
US officials have blamed China for the global spread of Covid-19 .
More specifically , President Trump has alleged , without evidence , that the virus originated from a Chinese laboratory in Wuhan .
And , in unsubstantiated remarks , a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman said in March that the US military might have brought the virus to Wuhan .
The US and China have also been locked in a tariff war @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accused China of unfair trading practices and intellectual property theft , but in Beijing there is a perception that the US is trying to curb its rise as a global economic power .
• China 's new law : Why is Hong Kong worried ?
The US has also imposed sanctions on Chinese politicians who it says are responsible for human rights violations against Muslim minorities in Xinjiang .
China is accused of mass detentions , religious persecution and forced sterilisation of Uighurs and others .
Beijing denies the allegations and has accused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in its domestic affairs .
China 's imposition of a sweeping security law there is also a source of tension with the US and the UK , which ruled the territory until 1997 .
In response , the US last week revoked Hong Kong 's special trading status , which allowed it to avoid tariffs imposed on Chinese goods by the US .
The US and UK see the security law as a threat to the freedoms Hong Kong has enjoyed under a 1984 agreement between China and the UK - before sovereignty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ angered China by outlining a route to UK citizenship for nearly three million Hong Kong residents .
China responded by threatening to stop recognising a type of British passport - BNO - held by many of those living in Hong Kong .

US consulate: China orders US consulate closure in tit-for-tat move Published 24 July 2020
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, The US has reportedly been given until Monday to close its Consulate-General in Chengdu
China has ordered the closure of the US consulate in the south-western city of Chengdu, in a tit-for-tat escalation between the two countries.
China said the move was in response to the US closing its consulate in Houston, and accused staff in Chengdu of meddling in its internal affairs.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the US decision was taken because China was "stealing" intellectual property.
Tensions have been rising between the US and China over several key issues.
President Donald Trump's administration has clashed repeatedly with Beijing over trade and the coronavirus pandemic, as well as China's imposition of a controversial new security law in Hong Kong.
On Friday, Washington urged China to "cease these malign actions rather than engage in tit-for-tat retaliation".
China's move came hours after Mr Pompeo hardened his tone further in a speech on Thursday at the library of former President Richard Nixon, whose 1972 China visit heralded a period of improved relations.
"Today, China is increasingly authoritarian at home, and more aggressive in its hostility to freedom everywhere else," Mr Pompeo said.
"The free world must triumph over this new tyranny."
What has China said?
On Friday, China's foreign ministry said it was closing the US consulate in Chengdu after staff there "interfered in China's internal affairs, and endangered China's security and interests".
During a news conference, ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin also said the US decision to close the consulate in Houston was based on "a hodgepodge of anti-Chinese lies".
He said Mr Pompeo's announcement on Thursday was "filled with ideological bias and a Cold War mentality."
"Pompeo made a speech in which he made a malicious attack on the Chinese Communist Party," Mr Wang said, adding: "To this, China expresses strong indignation and resolute opposition."
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, The US consulate in Chengdu employs more than 200 people, the majority of them hired locally
The ministry earlier said that the closure of the US consulate in Chengdu was a "legitimate and necessary response" to the actions taken by the US.
"The current situation between China and the United States is something China does not want to see, and the US bears all responsibility for that."
China has given the US until Monday to close the consulate in Chengdu, according to the editor of China's Global Times.
The mission, established in 1985 and currently having more than 200 staff - 150 hired locally - is seen as strategically important because it allows the US to gather information on the autonomous region of Tibet, where there has been long-running pressure for independence.
With its industry and growing services sector, Chengdu also is seen by the US as providing opportunities for exports of agricultural products, cars and machinery.
Why did the US order the Chinese consulate to close?
On Tuesday, the US government ordered China to close its consulate in Houston, Texas, by Friday.
The move came after unidentified individuals were filmed burning paper in bins in the building's courtyard.
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Media caption, Men are filmed using a hose and closing rubbish bins at China's consulate in Houston
Mr Pompeo accused China of stealing "not just American intellectual property... but European intellectual property too... costing hundreds of thousands of jobs".
"We are setting out clear expectations for how the Chinese Communist Party is going to behave. And when they don't, we're going to take actions," he said.
The Chinese consulate in Houston was one of five in the US, along with the embassy in Washington DC. It was not clear why it was singled out.
China's foreign ministry spokeswoman said the reasons given by the US for closing the consulate were "unbelievably ridiculous".
Hua Chunying urged the US to reverse its "erroneous decision", or China would "react with firm countermeasures".
In a further US move, four Chinese nationals have been charged with visa fraud for allegedly lying about their membership of China's armed forces. On Friday, US officials told reporters a Chinese student who fled to China's consulate in San Francisco was now in US custody. Three others were arrested earlier.
Separately, a Singaporean man has pleaded guilty at a federal court in Washington to a charge of operating as an illegal agent of the Chinese government, John Demers, assistant attorney general for national security, said on Friday.
Jun Wei Yeo, also known as Dickson Yeo, was charged with using his political consultancy in the US as a front to collect information for Chinese intelligence.
Why is there tension between China and the US?
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping
There are a number of things at play. US officials have blamed China for the global spread of Covid-19. More specifically, President Trump has alleged, without evidence, that the virus originated from a Chinese laboratory in Wuhan.
And, in unsubstantiated remarks, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman said in March that the US military might have brought the virus to Wuhan.
The US and China have also been locked in a tariff war since 2018.
Mr Trump has long accused China of unfair trading practices and intellectual property theft, but in Beijing there is a perception that the US is trying to curb its rise as a global economic power.
The US has also imposed sanctions on Chinese politicians who it says are responsible for human rights violations against Muslim minorities in Xinjiang. China is accused of mass detentions, religious persecution and forced sterilisation of Uighurs and others.
Beijing denies the allegations and has accused the US of "gross interference" in its domestic affairs.
What about Hong Kong?
China's imposition of a sweeping security law there is also a source of tension with the US and the UK, which ruled the territory until 1997.
In response, the US last week revoked Hong Kong's special trading status, which allowed it to avoid tariffs imposed on Chinese goods by the US.
The US and UK see the security law as a threat to the freedoms Hong Kong has enjoyed under a 1984 agreement between China and the UK - before sovereignty reverted to Beijing.
The UK has angered China by outlining a route to UK citizenship for nearly three million Hong Kong residents.


bbc--2020-07-24--Harry and Meghan sue over 'drone photos' of son Archie

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have launched legal action in the US after drones were allegedly used to take pictures of their infant son Archie .
A complaint filed in Los Angeles , California , on Thursday claims an unnamed individual photographed 14-month-old Archie at the Sussexes ' home during the coronavirus lockdown .
The royal couple have claimed the pictures were an invasion of privacy .
Prince Harry and Meghan are now based in Los Angeles , having stepped back as senior royals at the end of March .
• Harry and Meghan plan to freeze out tabloids @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said : `` Every individual and family member in California is guaranteed by law the right to privacy in their home .
No drones , helicopters or telephoto lenses can take away that right .
`` The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are filing this lawsuit to protect their young son 's right to privacy in their home without intrusion by photographers , and to uncover and stop those who seek to profit from these illegal actions . ''
According to the lawsuit , the duke and duchess are constantly followed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to their home in Los Angeles , flying helicopters overhead and cutting holes in their security fences .
It marks the latest example of the Sussexes actions against what they have previously described as `` invasive '' tabloid media .
In a separate legal action , against the publisher of the Mail on Sunday and Mail Online , Meghan is suing for breach of privacy and copyright infringement .
Earlier this month , court documents claimed the duchess felt `` unprotected by the Institution '' of the monarchy and was `` prohibited from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pregnant .

"The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are filing this lawsuit to protect their young son's right to privacy in their home without intrusion by photographers, and to uncover and stop those who seek to profit from these illegal actions."


bbc--2020-07-23--Shopify; The Canadian tech champion taking on Amazon


bbc--2020-07-24--What will it take to stop India's police brutality?

Two cases - the custodial deaths of a father and son in the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu and @ @ @ @ @ after being beaten by police in the capital Delhi - have once again highlighted the @ @ @ @ @ India .
A recent report by a consortium of NGOs against torture said that as @ @ @ @ @ day died due to police brutality all over the country .
However , the outrage @ @ @ @ @ .
So what will it take for Indians to demand police reform ?

Two cases - the custodial deaths of a father and son in the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu and a Muslim youth who died after being beaten by police in the capital Delhi - have once again highlighted the issue of police brutality in India.
A recent report by a consortium of NGOs against torture said that as many as five people a day died due to police brutality all over the country. However, the outrage against these methods is minimal.
So what will it take for Indians to demand police reform?