bbc--2020-09-01--'Gasly revival giving Red Bull headaches' - Jolyon Palmer column

Pierre Gasly 's stirring recovery drive to eighth place at the Belgian Grand Prix was confirmation of the Frenchman 's renaissance in Formula 1 .
At the same time , while his replacement at Red Bull , Alex Albon , impressed last year , this year he - like Gasly before him - has been struggling alongside team-mate Max Verstappen .
Their parallel tales make for an interesting and confusing contrast .
A year ago , things were very tough for Gasly .
The Frenchman had been promoted to Red Bull for 2019 , but then unceremoniously dropped mid-season , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ series of incidents and a lack of pace compared to Verstappen convinced Red Bull management that they had to get him out of what appeared to be a downward spiral .
Albon , meanwhile , arrived at Red Bull and made a very accomplished debut .
Starting from last position after an engine penalty , he drove his way up to fifth at the chequered flag , almost matching Gasly 's best Red Bull result straight away .
As a rookie , it was an impressive drive .
Albon won many plaudits for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the field and only narrowly missed out on driver of the day .
I 'm sure this would have been hard to take for Gasly , whose career needed a serious turnaround after his demotion to Toro Rosso .
No doubt his natural human instinct would have liked to see Albon struggle when he stepped into the Frenchman 's shoes at Red Bull , but Albon 's was a drive that seemed only to further reduce Gasly 's hopes of a long future in F1 .
In some ways , though , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , because he had more to go through than just some tough on-track results .
It was also a year ago at the Belgian Grand Prix that the motorsport world lost Anthoine Hubert , a promising Formula 2 driver , and close friend and compatriot of Gasly , in a huge crash at the start of his own race at Spa-Francorchamps .
Gasly and Hubert had grown up together , racing as part of the FFSA ( French driver academy ) and even living with each other for a period of time .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a highly promising youngster , and Gasly mourned the death of a friend - someone who would have been celebrating Gasly 's promotion to Red Bull with him the winter before , who would have seen the struggles that Gasly went through in that team , after two crashes in pre-season testing and never finding his feet .
Sadly , Hubert did not live to see the remarkable return to form Gasly has produced in the 12 months that followed his friend 's death .
He was excellent as soon as he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year , and a series of strong showings culminated in a shock podium in Brazil last year , where Gasly produced the underdog performance of the season to out-drag Lewis Hamilton to the line and finish second .
He achieved with Toro Rosso what he could never do with Red Bull - get on the podium .
This year Gasly has gone from strength to strength once more and is showcasing why Red Bull promoted him in the first place .
Another accomplished drive at Spa last weekend earned Gasly eighth place after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drive through the lower field on a reverse strategy .
He also claimed the fans vote for 'driver of the day ' for his efforts .
Gasly 's four points have lifted him up to 18 for the year compared to just two for his team-mate Daniil Kvyat , also formerly of the main Red Bull team before being demoted .
Gasly 's return to form in the midfield Alpha Tauri team - as Toro Rosso has been renamed - coincides with the less-than-inspiring form of Albon .
Since Albon 's impressive debut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has n't managed to take his game on in a way that everyone , particularly Red Bull , probably expected .
There have been some nearly moments for him to get his first F1 podium .
The same Brazilian Grand Prix that provided Gasly 's podium breakthrough last year should have been Albon 's breakthrough instead , but a late collision with Hamilton ruled him out .
Then another collision with Hamilton cost him a certain podium and a possible win in Austria at the season opener this year .
Both collisions were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is definitely an argument to say that Albon has been unlucky not to have been on the podium as a minimum .
But it was only luck that put him in those positions to challenge in the first place .
In Brazil , it was contact between two Ferraris and a mechanical retirement for Valtteri Bottas ' Mercedes that ruled out three of the six front-runners , and caused safety cars , which tightened the pack and elevated Albon to second position in the closing stages .
In Austria , another late safety @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an otherwise dominant Mercedes team in the late stages on fresher tyres .
That , combined with Ferrari 's abysmal form in 2020 and Verstappen retiring early on , made Albon the only challenger to Mercedes by the time the safety car pulled in with a handful of laps to go .
Ultimately , though , Albon has n't proved to be much of an upgrade yet from where Gasly was a year ago and is coming under his own pressure with his future at the team not secured .
With pressure increasing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their arm around their young driver and maintaining their stance that he is the right man for the future .
He does seem genuinely popular within the team and his work ethic , level of intellect and general nice guy persona do help to ingratiate him to his team and bosses .
But while they are saying the right things , they do n't seem to be helping him in terms of race strategy at the moment .
In all the last three races Albon has ended up on an odd strategy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In Barcelona , he was the only driver to use the unfancied hard tyre , and struggled to an eighth-placed finish , while in Belgium he was the only driver never to use the hard tyre that was preferred by everybody else .
Inevitably , he struggled to make it to the finish on the mediums on the long stint after the early safety car , and lost a place to Esteban Ocon 's Renault on the final lap .
He was lucky the race was n't a lap or two longer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him .
Red Bull are very capable of making great strategies work for their drivers .
Verstappen won the 70th anniversary Grand Prix on a different strategy to everybody else , and Daniel Ricciardo took a fantastic win for the team in China in 2018 when Red Bull seized on a late safety car to mix things up .
But right now Red Bull 's gambles seem to be failing for Albon and are only making his job even harder .
The choices that looked good for Albon in Brazil and Austria were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ competition from behind and had everything to gain by throwing caution to the wind to attack Mercedes in the closing stages .
Right now , Albon is n't capable of taking the fight to the top three , but the team seem to be giving him strategies that are a desperate measure to make a difference .
Verstappen might be able to pull off these alternative strategies or possibly Ricciardo in days gone by as well , but Albon is in a different position .
He has got the pace of the upper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ big steps to try niche , quirky strategies with him in conventional races , maybe they should focus on giving him more conventional races to build up better results and recover some confidence .
Albon is still young and has time to improve , and Red Bull are still backing him and hoping he will get there .
But Gasly 's current performance seems only to be confusing matters right now .
In football , two of the best players in the Premier League right now , Kevin de Bruyne and Mohamed Salah @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chelsea , before leaving for Italy and Germany after not quite making the grade .
Both then returned to the UK as world-class players after learning and improving away from the spotlight slightly .
It could be argued that Gasly could be an F1 equivalent .
Promoted and disappointing , but who 's to say that he has n't got his head into a better place at Alpha Tauri , worked on his craft and improved from the driver he was 12 months ago ?
If the driver switch last year had n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thing to do right now with the relative performances of Gasly and Albon .
And that begs a bigger question - why have both looked good in a Toro Rosso/Alpha Tauri and not in a Red Bull ?
Is it simply that Verstappen is that good ?
Or is there something else going on as well ?
With the knee-jerk way Red Bull have been with regards to their drivers in recent years , you have to wonder what is left if Albon ca n't raise his game .
The problem Red Bull @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be as much a feeder team for Toro Rosso or Alpha Tauri as is the other way around right now , and they really ca n't afford for Albon to go the same way .
But if the performance of Red Bull 's second car is solely down to the driver , then they must surely mix things up once more if Albon ca n't improve and they want to challenge Mercedes in the future .
They missed out on Fernando Alonso , who is returning to F1 next year with Renault @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had Mercedes more concerned before next year .
But Red Bull 's insistence in sticking with their young driver programme seems to be their downfall since Ricciardo left .
• None Relive sets from Arctic Monkeys , Billie Eilish , The 1975 and more • None Selected tracks to bring peace to your day

Pierre Gasly is 12th in the drivers' championship, seven races into the season
Pierre Gasly's stirring recovery drive to eighth place at the Belgian Grand Prix was confirmation of the Frenchman's renaissance in Formula 1.
In the past year, Gasly has gone from being demoted from Red Bull to their junior team, his career apparently hanging by a thread, to being one of the standout performers on the grid.
At the same time, while his replacement at Red Bull, Alex Albon, impressed last year, this year he - like Gasly before him - has been struggling alongside team-mate Max Verstappen.
Their parallel tales make for an interesting and confusing contrast.
A revival
A year ago, things were very tough for Gasly.
The Frenchman had been promoted to Red Bull for 2019, but then unceremoniously dropped mid-season, before the Belgian Grand Prix. A series of incidents and a lack of pace compared to Verstappen convinced Red Bull management that they had to get him out of what appeared to be a downward spiral.
Albon, meanwhile, arrived at Red Bull and made a very accomplished debut.
Starting from last position after an engine penalty, he drove his way up to fifth at the chequered flag, almost matching Gasly's best Red Bull result straight away.
As a rookie, it was an impressive drive. Albon won many plaudits for some audacious overtakes on his way through the field and only narrowly missed out on driver of the day.
I'm sure this would have been hard to take for Gasly, whose career needed a serious turnaround after his demotion to Toro Rosso.
No doubt his natural human instinct would have liked to see Albon struggle when he stepped into the Frenchman's shoes at Red Bull, but Albon's was a drive that seemed only to further reduce Gasly's hopes of a long future in F1.
In some ways, though, it may have all seemed inconsequential to Gasly, because he had more to go through than just some tough on-track results.
It was also a year ago at the Belgian Grand Prix that the motorsport world lost Anthoine Hubert, a promising Formula 2 driver, and close friend and compatriot of Gasly, in a huge crash at the start of his own race at Spa-Francorchamps.
Gasly and Hubert had grown up together, racing as part of the FFSA (French driver academy) and even living with each other for a period of time.
The motorsport world mourned the tragic death of a highly promising youngster, and Gasly mourned the death of a friend - someone who would have been celebrating Gasly's promotion to Red Bull with him the winter before, who would have seen the struggles that Gasly went through in that team, after two crashes in pre-season testing and never finding his feet.
Sadly, Hubert did not live to see the remarkable return to form Gasly has produced in the 12 months that followed his friend's death.
He was excellent as soon as he got back into the Toro Rosso last year, and a series of strong showings culminated in a shock podium in Brazil last year, where Gasly produced the underdog performance of the season to out-drag Lewis Hamilton to the line and finish second.
He achieved with Toro Rosso what he could never do with Red Bull - get on the podium.
This year Gasly has gone from strength to strength once more and is showcasing why Red Bull promoted him in the first place.
Another accomplished drive at Spa last weekend earned Gasly eighth place after some strong overtaking moves and a charging drive through the lower field on a reverse strategy.
He also claimed the fans vote for 'driver of the day' for his efforts.
Gasly's four points have lifted him up to 18 for the year compared to just two for his team-mate Daniil Kvyat, also formerly of the main Red Bull team before being demoted.
Alex Albon is 62 points behind Red Bull team-mate Max Verstappen in the drivers' standings
Another spiral
Gasly's return to form in the midfield Alpha Tauri team - as Toro Rosso has been renamed - coincides with the less-than-inspiring form of Albon.
Since Albon's impressive debut charge at Spa last year, he hasn't managed to take his game on in a way that everyone, particularly Red Bull, probably expected.
There have been some nearly moments for him to get his first F1 podium.
The same Brazilian Grand Prix that provided Gasly's podium breakthrough last year should have been Albon's breakthrough instead, but a late collision with Hamilton ruled him out.
Then another collision with Hamilton cost him a certain podium and a possible win in Austria at the season opener this year.
Both collisions were blamed rightly on Hamilton, so there is definitely an argument to say that Albon has been unlucky not to have been on the podium as a minimum.
But it was only luck that put him in those positions to challenge in the first place.
In Brazil, it was contact between two Ferraris and a mechanical retirement for Valtteri Bottas' Mercedes that ruled out three of the six front-runners, and caused safety cars, which tightened the pack and elevated Albon to second position in the closing stages.
In Austria, another late safety car brought Albon into play to challenge an otherwise dominant Mercedes team in the late stages on fresher tyres.
That, combined with Ferrari's abysmal form in 2020 and Verstappen retiring early on, made Albon the only challenger to Mercedes by the time the safety car pulled in with a handful of laps to go.
Ultimately, though, Albon hasn't proved to be much of an upgrade yet from where Gasly was a year ago and is coming under his own pressure with his future at the team not secured.
With pressure increasing on Albon, Red Bull are putting their arm around their young driver and maintaining their stance that he is the right man for the future.
He does seem genuinely popular within the team and his work ethic, level of intellect and general nice guy persona do help to ingratiate him to his team and bosses.
But while they are saying the right things, they don't seem to be helping him in terms of race strategy at the moment.
In all the last three races Albon has ended up on an odd strategy, different from everybody else in the field.
In Barcelona, he was the only driver to use the unfancied hard tyre, and struggled to an eighth-placed finish, while in Belgium he was the only driver never to use the hard tyre that was preferred by everybody else.
Inevitably, he struggled to make it to the finish on the mediums on the long stint after the early safety car, and lost a place to Esteban Ocon's Renault on the final lap. He was lucky the race wasn't a lap or two longer or things would have been worse for him.
Red Bull are very capable of making great strategies work for their drivers.
Verstappen won the 70th anniversary Grand Prix on a different strategy to everybody else, and Daniel Ricciardo took a fantastic win for the team in China in 2018 when Red Bull seized on a late safety car to mix things up.
But right now Red Bull's gambles seem to be failing for Albon and are only making his job even harder.
The choices that looked good for Albon in Brazil and Austria were obvious gambles where they had very little competition from behind and had everything to gain by throwing caution to the wind to attack Mercedes in the closing stages.
Right now, Albon isn't capable of taking the fight to the top three, but the team seem to be giving him strategies that are a desperate measure to make a difference.
Verstappen might be able to pull off these alternative strategies or possibly Ricciardo in days gone by as well, but Albon is in a different position. He has got the pace of the upper midfield and so, rather than taking big steps to try niche, quirky strategies with him in conventional races, maybe they should focus on giving him more conventional races to build up better results and recover some confidence.
Albon is still young and has time to improve, and Red Bull are still backing him and hoping he will get there. But Gasly's current performance seems only to be confusing matters right now.
What now?
In football, two of the best players in the Premier League right now, Kevin de Bruyne and Mohamed Salah, both had lacklustre early spells at Chelsea, before leaving for Italy and Germany after not quite making the grade.
Both then returned to the UK as world-class players after learning and improving away from the spotlight slightly.
It could be argued that Gasly could be an F1 equivalent.
Promoted and disappointing, but who's to say that he hasn't got his head into a better place at Alpha Tauri, worked on his craft and improved from the driver he was 12 months ago?
If the driver switch last year hadn't happened, it would seem an obvious thing to do right now with the relative performances of Gasly and Albon.
And that begs a bigger question - why have both looked good in a Toro Rosso/Alpha Tauri and not in a Red Bull? Is it simply that Verstappen is that good? Or is there something else going on as well?
With the knee-jerk way Red Bull have been with regards to their drivers in recent years, you have to wonder what is left if Albon can't raise his game.
The problem Red Bull have right now is that they seem to be as much a feeder team for Toro Rosso or Alpha Tauri as is the other way around right now, and they really can't afford for Albon to go the same way.
But if the performance of Red Bull's second car is solely down to the driver, then they must surely mix things up once more if Albon can't improve and they want to challenge Mercedes in the future.
They missed out on Fernando Alonso, who is returning to F1 next year with Renault.
An Alonso-Verstappen line-up would surely have had Mercedes more concerned before next year.
But Red Bull's insistence in sticking with their young driver programme seems to be their downfall since Ricciardo left.


bbc--2020-09-02--Thailand's king reinstates his consort after her fall from grace

Thailand 's king has reinstated his royal consort to the position , nearly a year after she was stripped of her titles in a dramatic fall from grace .
King Vajiralongkorn returned Sineenat Wongvajirapakdi 's rank and titles on Wednesday , the Royal Gazette announced .
Sineenat was stripped of her rank in October 2019 , only months after she was granted the honours .
The palace had said that she was being punished for trying to elevate herself to `` the same state as the queen '' .
Sineenat was the first royal consort for almost a century in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a companion or partner in addition to the king 's wife .
Last year 's announcement also accused her of `` misbehaviour and disloyalty against the monarch '' .
Born in 1985 , she is from northern Thailand and worked as a nurse before entering a relationship with the then-crown prince Vajiralongkorn .
She eventually became a bodyguard , pilot and parachutist , and joined the royal guards .
In early 2019 , she was appointed a major-general .
She received the official title of first Royal Noble Consort in July that year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fourth wife Queen Suthida , who had been the deputy head of his personal security detail .
Just a few months later , in October , Sineenat was unexpectedly stripped of her rank and titles , sparking widespread speculation over what might have prompted the sudden downfall .
The true cause of her removal - and her subsequent reinstatement - as royal consort may never be made public , given the secrecy which cloaks palace affairs in Thailand .
Thailand 's lese-majeste law forbids any criticism of the monarchy , with hefty prison @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thailand 's royal consort fall from grace ?
• Risking it all to challenge the monarchy • Thai king shot at with air pistol in Germany The removal of Sineenat in 2019 echoed the cases of two of the king 's former wives .
In 1996 , he denounced his second wife , who fled to the United States , and disowned four sons he had with her .
In 2014 , his third wife Srirasmi Suwadee was similarly stripped of all her titles and banished from the royal court .
Her 14-year-old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Germany and Switzerland .
The king , who now spends most of his time in Germany , has seven children in total .
Queen Suthida , a former flight attendant for Thai Airways , had been seen with him in public for many years , though their relationship had never been officially acknowledged before he married her .
Even after the marriage , his consort Sineenat was a regular guest at royal events until her downfall .
Thai kings throughout the centuries took multiple wives - or consorts .
But until 2019 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had taken an official consort was in the 1920s and the title had not been used since the country became a constitutional monarchy in 1932 .
Wednesday 's palace announcement comes amid anti-government protests in Thailand , where the military has entrenched its political rule after a 2014 coup .
The protests include demands to curb recently-expanded powers of the king and there have been unprecedented calls to reform the monarchy .
The protesters have challenged the king 's decision to declare Crown wealth as his personal property , making him by far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had until now been notionally held in trust for the benefit of the people .
There have also been questions over King Vajiralongkorn 's decision to take personal command of all military units based in Bangkok - a concentration of military power in royal hands unprecedented in modern Thailand .
The king ascended the throne after the death of his much-loved father Bhumibol Adulyadej in 2016 .
King Bhumibol had ruled for 70 years , making him the longest-reigning monarch in the world at the time of his death .

Thai kings throughout the centuries took multiple wives - or consorts. But until 2019, the last time a Thai king had taken an official consort was in the 1920s and the title had not been used since the country became a constitutional monarchy in 1932.


bbc--2020-09-02--Jacob Blake: Trump visits Kenosha to back police after shooting

US President Donald Trump has visited Kenosha , Wisconsin , to back law enforcement after the police shooting of a black man sparked civil strife .
The Republican president blamed `` domestic terror '' for the `` destruction '' in the Midwestern city .
Kenosha saw days of violence after police shot Jacob Blake in the back and left him paralysed on 23 August .
The president is pushing a strong `` law and order '' message .
Mr Biden has accused Mr Trump of stoking racial division .
`` Fires are burning and we have a president who fans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' the former US vice-president said ahead of Tuesday 's trip .
What did Trump say in Kenosha ?
The president visited areas damaged in the protests , including a burnt-out furniture store destroyed in the upheaval .
`` These are not acts of peaceful protest , but really domestic terror , '' he told local business leaders at a round table meeting in a high school gym .
Mr Trump defended the actions of US police and accused the media of focusing only on `` bad '' incidents involving officers .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he said .
`` They are under tremendous pressure .
And they may be there for 15 years and have a spotless record and all of a sudden they 're faced with a decision .
They have a quarter of a second to make a decision .
And if they make a wrong decision , one way or the other , they 're either dead or they 're in big trouble .
`` And people have to understand that .
They choke sometimes . ''
The president did show some empathy for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying he felt `` terribly for anybody who goes through that '' .
But he said he did not believe there was systemic racism in law enforcement .
Mr Trump said he sent the National Guard into Kenosha , though they were deployed by Wisconsin 's governor and supported by 200 federal law enforcement officials ordered in by the president .
He also said his administration would provide nearly $ 4m ( £3m ) to help Kenosha businesses that had been damaged in the riots and $ 1m for city law enforcement .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ hijacking their protests .
Kenosha police said at the weekend that 105 out of 175 suspects arrested during the unrest came from outside the city .
The president said he did not meet the Blake family because they had wanted lawyers present .
Mr Trump instead said he was honoured to have the African-American co-pastors of Mr Blake 's mother at the roundtable .
Co-pastor Sharon Ward said : `` I think it 's important to have black people at the table to help solve the problem . ''
Earlier in an interview @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Jacob Blake Snr , said his son 's life was more important than a meeting with President Trump .
`` I 'm not getting into politics .
It 's all about my son , man .
It has nothing to do with a photo op , '' he said .
Mr Blake Snr said his son was still paralysed from the waist down , `` holding on for dear life '' .
A police officer shot Jacob Blake seven times in the back during an arrest as the 29-year-old tried to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were seated .
• Jacob Blake shooting : What we know • Two incidents , two different police responses How did Democrats react to the visit ?
Mr Trump 's visit to Kenosha went ahead despite appeals from the Democratic mayor and governor to stay away .
Over the weekend Kenosha Mayor John Antaramian said it was not a good time for Mr Trump to visit .
`` Realistically , from our perspective , our preference would have been for him not to be coming at this point in time , '' he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic Governor Tony Evers also warned against the visit , saying it would `` hinder our healing '' .
Congressman Mark Pocan , a Wisconsin Democrat who grew up in Kenosha , said on Twitter the president visited the city `` to spread hate '' .
President Trump flew straight into the latest hotspot in this incendiary summer of racial reckoning , even though the governor asked him not to come .
Democrats have accused the president of fanning the flames of unrest .
He has focused on the violence that 's accompanied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the anti-racism demonstrators .
Mr Trump told us he thought his message was helping to bridge racial divides because black and Hispanic Americans were also against crime and he was about `` law and order '' .
Almost certainly the president sees a political opportunity by visiting this Midwestern town in the crucial swing state of Wisconsin .
Kenosha has emerged as the new epicentre of the debate over race and violence and how each presidential candidate will handle this explosive issue .

"You have people that choke," he said. "They are under tremendous pressure. And they may be there for 15 years and have a spotless record and all of a sudden they're faced with a decision. They have a quarter of a second to make a decision. And if they make a wrong decision, one way or the other, they're either dead or they're in big trouble.


bbc--2020-09-02--Ed Markey defeats Joseph Kennedy III in Massachusetts primary

US Representative Joseph Kennedy III has been defeated in his bid to become senator for Massachusetts .
The grandson of assassinated presidential candidate Robert Kennedy lost the Democratic primary to incumbent Senator Ed Markey on Tuesday .
Mr Markey , 74 , will stand for another six-year term in the election on 3 November .
It is the first time a member of the Kennedy dynasty has been defeated in a congressional vote in the state .
• A new Kennedy in the political spotlight • Robert Kennedy : What if US presidential hopeful had not been killed ?
Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his fourth term in Congress and was seen as a favourite when he announced he would run for the seat in September last year .
He was supported by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and delivered the Democratic response to President Donald Trump 's State of the Union address in 2018 .
But neither his record nor his family 's legacy were enough to ensure victory against Mr Markey , a political veteran who co-authored the Green New Deal with Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez .
`` Our movement is fuelled by young people who are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make enemies , '' Mr Markey wrote on Twitter after Tuesday 's primary .
• Can the Green New Deal really work ?
`` Tonight 's victory is a tribute to those young people and to their vision . ''
The Kennedy name still opens a lot of doors in Massachusetts , but it is no longer a golden ticket at the ballot box .
That is the lesson learned the hard way by Congressman Joe Kennedy , whose bid to unseat 74-year-old Senator Ed Markey came up well short on Tuesday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ reputation as a rising star among Democrats , but Markey had the backing of the party 's liberal wing and a particularly valuable endorsement from Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez .
He worked with the New York congresswoman to sponsor the Green New Deal climate plan in Congress , which earned him the enthusiastic support of environmental activists .
Younger voters in particular backed Markey by a significant margin , suggesting those who did not live through the golden years of the Kennedy clan may view the family not as a trusted political name , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and power .
Markey 's victory could also be a testament to the power of incumbency , as another congressional veteran , Richard Neal - chair of the powerful House Ways and Means committee - held off a strong challenge by younger liberal challenger Alex Morse .
Politicians who are generally well liked and not out-of-step with their constituents can be difficult to unseat .

JFK's son, John F Kennedy Jr, was a prominent lawyer and magazine founder, but he died tragically too. When he was 39, he accidentally flew his plane into the Atlantic, killing himself, his wife Carolyn and her older sister Lauren. Michael LeMoyne Kennedy, one of Bobby Kennedy's 11 children, died at the age of 39 in a skiing accident in Aspen, Colorado. Another son of Bobby's, David, died of a drug overdose at 28.


bbc--2020-09-02--Nancy Pelosi pictured without mask in hair salon

The most powerful elected US Democrat , Nancy Pelosi , has been pictured in an indoor hair salon in San Francisco , in breach of coronavirus-prevention rules .
Ms Pelosi , who has criticised President Donald Trump for not wearing a mask , was also seen with a face mask around her neck rather than over her mouth .
San Francisco 's pandemic orders do not currently allow hair salons to open indoors .
Mrs Pelosi - who always wears masks in public - often admonishes Republicans to `` listen to the science '' on the pandemic .
But footage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Representatives speaker inside the premises of eSalon on Monday .
A stylist , who was wearing a mask , was shown following her .
The California Democrat 's spokesman said she did not realise she was breaking her home city 's rules on virus prevention .
• Why we should all be wearing face masks • Why are Americans so angry about masks ?
• Why men are less likely to wear face masks '' This business offered for the Speaker to come in on Monday and told her they were allowed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a time in the business , '' spokesman Drew Hammill said in a statement .
`` The Speaker complied with the rules as presented to her by this establishment . ''
Mrs Pelosi has herself previously cited US Centers for Disease Control guidelines recommending that Americans wear face masks in public , especially when physical distancing measures are difficult .
After Monday 's appointment , the House speaker appeared on MSNBC with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background .
She told the network that Mr Trump had `` slapped science right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allowing an audience of mainly mask-less invitees on the White House lawn to watch his speech to the Republican convention .
The salon owner , Erica Kious , told Fox News she rents chairs to a stylist , who notified her that Mrs Pelosi 's assistant had called , saying her boss wanted to come in for a wash and blow dry .
Ms Kious told the cable network : `` It was a slap in the face that she went in , you know , that she feels that she can just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no one else can go in , and I ca n't work . ''
More than 5,000 businesses in the San Francisco Bay area alone have closed since March , over 2,000 of them permanently , during the pandemic , according to a recent study of Yelp data .
Outdoor haircuts were allowed in California from Tuesday , under new rules announced by the mayor , but indoor salons remain shut .
They tweeted : `` Speaker Pelosi has pushed policies that would keep our economy closed and our small businesses shut down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ salon visit whenever she pleases . ''
The House speaker has previously said Republicans could help create the conditions to safely reopen if they would only `` listen to the scientists '' .
Mrs Pelosi has also repeatedly criticised Mr Trump 's decision to largely spurn face coverings , calling him a `` coward '' and saying : `` Real men wear masks . ''
The coronavirus outbreak has infected more than six million people in the US , while some 185,000 deaths have been recorded .
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Ms Kious told the cable network: "It was a slap in the face that she went in, you know, that she feels that she can just go and get her stuff done while no one else can go in, and I can't work."


bbc--2020-09-01--Erick Morillo: I Like To Move It DJ dead at 49

Erick Morillo , the internationally-recognised DJ best known for the track I Like To Move It , has been found @ @ @ @ @ police have said .
His death comes less than a month after his arrest for @ @ @ @ @ after working a gig together .
Police said the 49-year old was found dead in @ @ @ @ @ but have released few details as the investigation begins .
He released his 1994 hit @ @ @ @ @ using the name Reel 2 Real .
It became a retro hit again after a @ @ @ @ @ 2005 animated film Madagascar .
Morillo had denied the sexual assault charge , but turned @ @ @ @ @ kit identified him as the suspect , according to WPLG-TV in Florida .
He had @ @ @ @ @ hearing on Friday , the station reported .

Erick Morillo, the internationally-recognised DJ best known for the track I Like To Move It, has been found dead in Miami, local police have said.


bbc--2020-09-02--Facebook and Twitter 'dismantle Russian network'

Facebook says it has dismantled a small network of accounts and pages that were part of a Russian influence operation .
The company said the campaign was linked to Russia 's Internet Research Agency ( IRA ) , an organisation close to the Russian government and accused of interference in the 2016 US election .
Twitter also suspended five accounts from the same network .
The operation centred around PeaceData , which claimed to be a non-profit news website in English and Arabic .
Both Facebook and Twitter said the campaign had achieved very limited success .
• The tactics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ farm News of the discovery comes just two months before the US presidential election between President Donald Trump and Democratic candidate Joe Biden .
What was the campaign ?
Tuesday 's announcements by Facebook and Twitter came as the result of collaboration with the FBI 's Foreign Influence Task Force over the PeaceData website , which served a left-leaning audience .
Facebook said it removed 13 accounts and two pages , which sought to `` target public debate in the US '' and other countries , including the UK and Egypt .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reach '' , with around 14,000 accounts following one or more of the pages it had removed , Facebook said .
The English-language page had around 200 followers .
The deleted accounts used fake names and profile pictures , Facebook said , but real and `` unwitting '' freelance writers appeared to have written for the PeaceData website .
Twitter , meanwhile , said it had suspended five accounts `` for platform manipulation that we can reliably attribute to Russian state actors '' .
It added that the content created by the accounts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and most Tweets from these accounts received few , if any , Likes or Retweets '' .
What do we know about Russia 's IRA ?
The IRA was one of three Russian companies and 13 people indicted by the US Department of Justice as part of special counsel Robert Mueller 's investigation into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 US election campaign .
The former FBI director spent two years looking into alleged collusion between the 2016 Trump campaign and Russia .
He concluded that Russia had interfered in the election with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign , although he found no evidence of a conspiracy .
Earlier this year , FBI director Christopher Wray said that Russian attempts to spread disinformation on social media had `` never stopped '' , but added that it was not currently on the same scale as seen during the 2016 campaign .

Earlier this year, FBI director Christopher Wray said that Russian attempts to spread disinformation on social media had "never stopped", but added that it was not currently on the same scale as seen during the 2016 campaign.


bbc--2020-09-02--Charlie Hebdo: 14 suspects on trial over Paris massacre

What is happening at the trial ?
The trial has been delayed by almost four months because of the coronavirus pandemic .
In March , the presiding judge said France 's lockdown measures had made it impossible to bring together `` all the parties , witnesses and experts under the necessary sanitary conditions '' .
Three of the suspects are believed to have disappeared in northern Syria and Iraq and will be tried in absentia .
Some reports suggest at least two of them were killed in bombing campaigns against the Islamic State group ( IS ) .
All three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` It is about individuals who are involved in the logistics , the preparation of the events , who provided means of financing , operational material , weapons [ and ] a residence , '' he told France Info radio .
`` All this is essential to the terrorist action . ''
Eleven defendants are in the courtroom at the start of this 49-day trial , sitting under heavy guard in two glassed cubicles .
All are in masks , so it is hard to read their emotions .
The full extent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attackers and the supermarket gunman , for example , is not at all apparent .
Nor is it clear what co-ordination there was with leaders of the groups to whom they paid allegiance - al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula and Islamic State .
Who are the accused ?
They include 35-year-old Ali Reza Polat , who is seen as the main link between the two attacks and is believed to have had a key role in obtaining the weapons used .
He subsequently attempted to flee to Dubai , Lebanon and Syria but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DNA was found on two guns discovered at Coulibaly 's home and a glove at the scene .
Mohamed Fares has told investigators he was a middleman involved in the sale of the assault rifle used in the supermarket attack , while Amir Ramdani , Samir Makhlouf , Willy Prevost and Christophe Raumel are accused of having provided support .
Two people in Belgium - garage owner Metin Karasular and his associate Michel Catino , an unemployed Italian in his 60s - and two more in north-eastern France - garage owner Miguel Martinez @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accused of supplying `` assault rifles , automatic pistols , rocket launchers , chargers and ammunition , bulletproof vests '' to the three gunmen .
A female French jihadist questioned by security services as she tried to re-enter France told them that she had seen Hayat Boumedienne in the al-Hol camp for IS detainees last October and that Hayat Boumedienne had then escaped from the camp .
Charb strongly defended the Prophet Muhammad cartoons as symbolic of freedom of speech .
`` I do n't blame Muslims for not laughing at our drawings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2012 .
`` I live under French law .
I do n't live under Koranic law . ''

Three of the suspects are believed to have disappeared in northern Syria and Iraq and will be tried in absentia. Some reports suggest at least two of them were killed in bombing campaigns against the Islamic State group (IS). All three remain the subject of international arrest warrants.


bbc--2020-09-02--Khmer Rouge prison chief Comrade Duch dies

Comrade Duch , a former senior figure of the Khmer Rouge convicted of crimes against humanity in Cambodia , has died .
He was serving a life term after being sentenced by a UN-backed court .
Kaing Guek Eav , known as Comrade Duch , ran the notorious Tuol Sleng prison where thousands of people were tortured and murdered in the late 1970s .
As many as two million people are believed to have died under the Khmer Rouge , a Maoist regime that controlled Cambodia from 1975 to 1979 .
In 2010 , Duch became the first senior Khmer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UN-backed tribunal after a journalist found him in hiding a decade earlier .
He was sentenced in 2012 .
He died on Wednesday , aged 77 , a spokesman for the tribunal in the capital Phnom Penh said , without giving details of the cause .
He had been ill for many years .
`` Duch died this morning at 00:52am , on 2 September at Khmer Soviet Friendship Hospital .
Details of what he died of , I ca n't tell , '' the spokesman said .
• How two men survived @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the tribunal was a landmark moment for Cambodians who had suffered under the Khmer Rouge 's brutal reign , and future generations .
While prison chief at Tuol Sleng , Duch maintained a huge archive of photos and documents , including thousands of prisoner `` confessions '' , that revealed many aspects of the Khmer Rouge 's inner workings .
They also helped prosecutors trace the final months of thousands of inmates ' lives .
In Phnom Penh , there were mixed feelings about his death .
`` If he stayed alive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the history from him for the younger generation and people , '' one man told Reuters news agency .
Another resident said that she would never forget his crimes .
`` He deserves to serve more prison terms .
But now he has died , I can forgive him and his case is finished . ''
Comrade Duch ran Phnom Penh 's S-21 prison , also known as Tuol Sleng , the most notorious Khmer Rouge torture site .
It is thought that at least 15,000 men , women and children deemed enemies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the former school-turned-prison .
Most of them were tortured , forced to confess to fictitious crimes against the Khmer Rouge and then put to death at the so-called `` killing fields '' just outside the capital .
Prisoners were initially officials from the old government , people accused of being middle class and later mainly Khmer Rouge members suspected of disloyalty .
The guards , who were often teenagers , forced the prisoners to write detailed confessions to whatever they were accused of and implicate friends and family who were then imprisoned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ torture where eventually taken to the `` killing fields '' at Choeung Ek where they were killed , sometimes after digging their own mass graves .
`` Nothing in the former schoolhouse took place without Duch 's approval .
His control was total , '' wrote photojournalist Nic Dunlop , who found him in 1999 hiding near the Thai border .
During his trial , Duch admitted he had been in charge of Tuol Sleng and apologised for his part in the horrors committed there .
He later claimed he had only been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those grounds was rejected by the tribunal .
Who were the Khmer Rouge ?
The brutal Khmer Rouge , in power from 1975-1979 , claimed the lives of around two million people .
The regime led by Pol Pot tried to take Cambodia back to the Middle Ages , or `` Year Zero '' , forcing millions of people from the cities to work on communal farms in the countryside .
They at first targeted `` intellectuals '' - often identified as those who wore glasses or spoke a foreign language - and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regime that they overthrew .
But their paranoid leaders later began to see `` enemies '' everywhere .
Ethnic Vietnamese and Cham Muslims in Cambodia were also targeted .
Many of the Khmer Rouge 's victims died from starvation , disease and overwork .
The regime was ousted in 1979 by Vietnamese troops , but the Khmer Rouge leaders escaped and continued to resist the new , Vietnamese-backed government from areas along the Thai-Cambodia border .
The UN helped establish a tribunal to try the surviving leaders , which began work in 2009 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in international aid spent , only three former Khmer Rouge have ever been sentenced - Comrade Duch , the regime 's head of state Khieu Samphan and Pol Pot 's second-in-command , Nuon Chea , who died last year after being convicted of genocide .
Pol Pot himself died in 1998 .
The BBC 's Guy de Launey , who attended Duch 's trial , said he sat impassively through proceedings while judges described the techniques used at Tuol Sleng .
Duch was born in the early 1940s .
He was a teacher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leftist activism led to brushes with the authorities .
When the Vietnam war threatened to spill into neighbouring Cambodia , Duch joined the Khmer Rouge communist rebels under leader Pol Pot .
After the rebels took control in 1975 , he became the director of Tuol Sleng .
In 1979 , he fled along with other senior Khmer Rouge members into countryside near the Thai border .
Living under a false name , he was identified by Nic Dunlop in 1999 .
In subsequent interviews , he admitted to the atrocities at Tuol @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Khmer Rouge 's central committee .
`` Whoever was arrested must die .
It was the rule of our party , '' he said .
`` We had the responsibility to interrogate and give the confession to the central committee of the party . ''
Ten years later , facing the UN-backed tribunal , he described himself as `` deeply remorseful '' and apologised to relatives of his victims .
In the closing days of his trial , he asked to be freed , saying he had not been a senior member @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of his victims said this made a mockery of his claims of remorse .

They at first targeted "intellectuals" - often identified as those who wore glasses or spoke a foreign language - and those connected to the old, US-backed regime that they overthrew. But their paranoid leaders later began to see "enemies" everywhere.


bbc--2020-09-02--Young Israelis and Emiratis meet online after peace deal

It ’ s now possible to make direct phone calls and book flights between Israel and the United Arab Emirates @ @ @ @ @ after the two countries agreed to normalise relations last month .
The UAE is the @ @ @ @ @ years to make peace with Israel - following Egypt and Jordan .
As officials discuss @ @ @ @ @ and trade , some young people from both countries have begun meeting online to find @ @ @ @ @ .
The initiative began with the Tel Aviv-based non-governmental organisation ISRAEL-is , which linked up @ @ @ @ @ of the Emirates Youth Council .

It’s now possible to make direct phone calls and book flights between Israel and the United Arab Emirates for the first time, after the two countries agreed to normalise relations last month.
The UAE is the first Arab state in 26 years to make peace with Israel - following Egypt and Jordan.
As officials discuss opening up embassies, travel and trade, some young people from both countries have begun meeting online to find out more about each other.
The initiative began with the Tel Aviv-based non-governmental organisation ISRAEL-is, which linked up with members and former members of the Emirates Youth Council.
Video produced by Yolande Knell and Jimmy Michael


bbc--2020-09-02--Israeli soldier condemned for putting knee on Palestinian protester's neck

Israel 's military says it is looking into an incident in which a soldier was filmed with his knee on the neck of a Palestinian man being handcuffed at a protest in the occupied West Bank .
The footage shows Khairi Hanoon , a well-known activist in his 60s , being pushed to the ground by the soldier .
It said the footage was `` only partial , slanted , and does not reflect the rioting and violence toward the army forces that preceded the arrest '' .
It was filmed during a protest against Israeli settlement construction in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Tuesday .
The settlements are seen as illegal under international law , although Israel disputes this .
`` I 'm 60 , what can I do to an armed soldier ?
But for the officer on the scene , I 'm a threat , and within minutes he began to brutally attack me . ''
He compared the incident to the one in which George Floyd was killed by US police .
On 25 May , an officer in Minneapolis knelt on Floyd 's neck for several minutes even after he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protest movement .
`` That 's how I felt , and I felt he was choking me , '' Mr Hanoon said .
The images were circulated widely by Palestinian media , with one official calling the incident `` savage '' .
The Israel Defense Forces ( IDF ) said some 200 people took part in a `` violent riot '' in Shufa , during which stones were thrown and its troops were attacked .
`` At one point , a Palestinian , who is known as a central agitator and participates in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] , shoved the force 's commander a number of times and tried to create a provocation , '' it added .
`` The commander showed restraint , but after a number of attacks on him , the force was required to arrest the suspect because he kept attacking the force and rioting .

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bbc--2020-09-02--Honeybee venom 'kills some breast cancer cells'

Australian scientists say the venom from honeybees has been found to destroy aggressive breast cancer cells in a lab setting .
The venom - and a compound in it called melittin - were used against two cancer types which are hard to treat : triple-negative and HER2-enriched .
The discovery has been described as `` exciting '' , but scientists caution that further testing is needed .
While there are thousands of chemical compounds which can fight cancer cells in a lab setting , scientists say there are few which can be produced as treatment for humans .
Bee venom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ properties for other types of cancer such as melanoma .
What did the researchers find ?
The honeybee extracts were found to be `` extremely potent '' , said Ciara Duffy , a 25-year-old PhD researcher who led the study .
One concentration of the venom was found to kill cancer cells within an hour , with minimal harm to the other cells .
But the toxicity increased for other dosage levels .
The researchers also found the melittin compound on its own was effective in `` shutting down '' or disrupting cancer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in honeybee venom , it can also be synthetically produced .
Traditionally , triple-negative breast cancer - one of the most aggressive types - has been treated with surgery , radiotherapy and chemotherapy .
It accounts for 10-15 % of breast cancers .
Could it be used in the future ?
`` It provides another wonderful example of where compounds in nature can be used to treat human diseases . ''
But the researchers warn more work is needed to see if the venom could actually work on scale as a cancer-fighting drug @

"Many compounds can kill a breast cancer cell in a dish or in a mouse. But there's a long way to go from those discoveries to something that can change clinical practice," he told the BBC.


bbc--2020-09-02--Australia in first recession for nearly 30 years

Australia 's economy has plunged into its first recession in nearly 30 years , as it suffers the economic fallout from the coronavirus .
Gross domestic product ( GDP ) shrank 7 % in the April-to-June quarter compared to the previous three months .
This is the biggest fall since records began back in 1959 and comes after a fall of 0.3 % in the first quarter .
An economy is considered to be in recession if it sees two consecutive quarters of negative growth .
Australia was the only major economy to avoid a recession during the 2008 global @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from China for its natural resources .
At the start of this year , the economy was hit by falling economic growth due to an extreme bush fire season and the early stages of the coronavirus outbreak .
More recently the shutdowns of businesses across the country have taken their toll , despite measures by the government and central bank to support the economy .
This is the worst economic growth in 61 years due to a severe contraction in household spending on goods and services .
2020 will go down as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is already trying to forget !
It 's the year Australia technically lost its famous nickname as 'The Lucky Country ' and fell into recession for the first time in almost three decades .
GDP figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics have shown that the economy shrank by 7 % in the last three months as a result of the coronavirus pandemic .
For young people who have recently joined the work force , this is something they 've never experienced before .
Australia has had a steady economy growth for decades @ @ @ @ @ @ @ natural gas exports to a surging China .
Tourism has also been a big driver of growth .
But this year , the country was hit hard .
Twice .
When the bushfires ravaged through more than 12 million hectares , tourism was bashed and thousands of small business lost months of essential seasonal revenue .
Then the coronavirus became a global pandemic .
Australia closed down its borders and imposed strict social distancing rules .
Nearly 1 million people lost their jobs as a result .
I remember watching the long queues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in March with people dazed at finding themselves in this situation perhaps for the first time in their lives .
There 's also an increasingly tense relationship with China , Australia 's biggest trading partner .
Australia has strongly and publicly backed a global inquiry into the origins of the coronavirus in April which infuriated the Chinese government .
Since then , Canberra and Beijing have exchanged political jabs and the Australian economy has felt the pinch .
Scott Morrison 's government has already pumped more than A $ 200bn ( £110bn ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Australia has fared better than many other nations around the world in controlling the virus and in subsequent economic slump but this country of abundance will have to face a much harsher reality for a few years to come .
Australia last fell into recession in mid-1990 which ran into late 1991 .
But the coronavirus pandemic has been a major blow to the Australian economy , although the figure is slightly better than the 8 % fall Australia 's reserve bank had earlier forecast .
• Australia set for first recession @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Australia on China ?
Despite the severe drop in economic activity , Australia is doing better than most other advanced economies that have experienced bigger downturns .
The US economy , the world 's biggest , shrank 9.5 % between April and June while the UK 's shrank by 20.4 % pushing it into recession as well .
France 's economy fell by 13.8 % and Japan 's by 7.6 % .

Scott Morrison's government has already pumped more than A$200bn (£110bn; US$147bn) in economic stimulus. Australia has fared better than many other nations around the world in controlling the virus and in subsequent economic slump but this country of abundance will have to face a much harsher reality for a few years to come.


bbc--2020-09-02--Unilever to cut fossil fuels from cleaning brands

Unilever has pledged to drop fossil fuels from its cleaning products by 2030 to reduce carbon emissions .
The consumer goods giant said it would invest €1bn ( £890m , $ 1.2bn ) in the effort .
Unilever said it would replace petrochemicals with ingredients made from plants , and marine sources like algae .
Unilever said the chemicals used in its cleaning and laundry products make up 46 % of its overall carbon footprint .
Replacing them with more sustainable ingredients will reduce that footprint by up to 20 % .
• Ice cream in , personal hygiene out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use to appeal to Gen Z The Anglo-Dutch firm , which also makes Dove soap and Persil laundry detergent , said it was facing unprecedented demand for cleaning products during the coronavirus pandemic .
`` People want more affordable sustainable products that are just as good as conventional ones , '' said Peter ter Kulve , Unilever 's president of its home care division .
`` We must stop pumping carbon from under the ground when there is ample carbon on and above the ground if we can learn to utilise it at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the €1bn investment would go towards funding biotechnology research and creating biodegradable and water-efficient products .
The announcement is the first phase in its Clean Future initiative , which pledges net zero emissions from its products by 2039 .
This year the Carbon Disclosure Project , a global non-profit group , ranked Unilever as one of only seven of 182 major companies to achieve an A rating based on its governance around climate change , water and forests .

"We must stop pumping carbon from under the ground when there is ample carbon on and above the ground if we can learn to utilise it at scale," he added.


bbc--2020-09-02--Ugandan gorillas in Bwindi park have 'baby boom'

Five baby gorillas have been born in six weeks in Bwindi National Park , leading the Ugandan Wildlife Service ( UWS ) to declare a baby boom .
Seven babies have been born since January compared to three for the whole of 2019 , according to the UWS .
The UWS told the BBC that this year was unprecedented for gorilla births but it is not clear why there has been this uptick .
The five recent births were to different families , not to the same family , as we initially reported .
BBC Africa correspondent Catherine Byaruhanga says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are testing out visits to primate locations , which were stopped due to coronavirus .
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In March , most of Uganda 's tourism sector was shut down and the industry is slowly opening up but primates are of particular concern as they share so much of our DNA .
Now , small groups of visitors are allowed into protected areas as new safety procedures , such as wearing face masks and social distancing , are tried out .
Poaching has also been a major worry for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mountain gorilla species is restricted to protected areas in the Democratic Republic of Congo , Rwanda and Uganda .
As well as in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park , they can also be found in a network of parks in the Virunga Massif range of mountains which straddle the borders of the three countries .

In March, most of Uganda's tourism sector was shut down and the industry is slowly opening up but primates are of particular concern as they share so much of our DNA.


bbc--2020-09-02--Cheng Lei: Why has an Australian TV anchor been detained by China?

No charges have been filed , and the reason for Ms Cheng 's detention is unknown , said Australian officials .
Diplomats were allowed a meeting with Ms Cheng last week via video link .
Asked on Monday about the detention , Hua Chunying , a spokeswoman for China 's foreign ministry , told reporters she was unable to give any specifics , adding that China would handle things according to the law .
But China 's detention of yet another Western citizen has caused alarm .
Her nationality has fuelled speculation that the case might be linked to escalating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ To observers , Ms Cheng had been a model state TV presenter adept at staying within boundaries .
In presenting a business programme - in which she interviewed bosses of the world 's biggest companies and trade ministers - she was often shielded from politics .
But she had also been trusted to helm coverage of major national events .
With no known transgressions against the Chinese state , her detention has left friends and family shocked and confused , and facing the limbo of China 's legal system , in which people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charge .
Born in China , Ms Cheng migrated with her family to Melbourne , Australia when she was 10 for her father to pursue a PhD programme .
Initially , she was teased for her lack of English at school , `` where there were only three Asian kids '' , she told an Australia China Business Council podcast last year .
Hating her first `` boring '' finance career in Melbourne - where she worked at Cadbury-Schweppes and ExxonMobil - she moved to China in 2000 seeking to leverage her bilingual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ started at CCTV 's English-language channel in 2003 - a newsroom full of expats .
She then became the CNBC 's China correspondent for nine years , before rejoining CCTV - the English channel now branded CGTN - in 2013 .
Geoff Raby , a longtime friend of Ms Cheng 's and former Australian ambassador to China , described her as `` a very experienced journalist '' who had `` done the job for a long time in China '' .
He told the BBC her reporting was `` thoroughly objective '' , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state broadcaster to be as fair as possible .
`` But also she would often push back against foreign commentators and journalists for what she regarded as commenting without understanding the situation in China or just being plain wrong , '' Mr Raby said .
Describing her as professional and smart - he said she understood `` the context of which she 's operating very well and was very careful '' .
`` So it 's hard to imagine what she might have done to have brought this upon herself , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a `` rare event '' , Mr Raby said , and this appeared to be the first involving a foreigner .
`` It 's not an accidental or random incident in China when they decide to take action like this . ''
In turn , Beijing has been accused of retaliating with trade blows - sanctioning Australian beef , wine and barley exports .
Analysts say Australia has also been locked out of top-level bilateral meetings in the past year .
Australian officials have been reluctant to link economic blowback to political tensions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rejected a journalist 's assertion on Tuesday that Ms Cheng was being `` used as a pawn by China to get back at Australia '' .
`` I would not describe it in that way , '' said Marise Payne .
`` It is speculative at best to engage on that sort of premise .
Our job is to ensure we are providing her with support . ''

"I would not describe it in that way," Foreign Minister Minister Marise Payne said in August. "It is speculative at best to engage on that sort of premise. Our job is to ensure we are providing her with support."


bbc--2020-09-02--'When I saw messages from friends and family, it was emotional' - Murray on comeback win

Last updated on .From the section Tennis Andy Murray said his winning return to Grand Slam competition was `` emotional '' as he proved his physical fitness matched his mental strength by fighting back from two sets down at the US Open .
`` Right now I just feel tired , '' the 33-year-old Briton told BBC Radio 5 Live .
`` I didn ’ t even know how my hip was going to hold up for a five-set match . ''
Injuries meant the former world number one was playing in the US Open for only the second time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opening two sets on Tuesday , he trailed 3-1 and was a break down in the third , before he won two tie-breaks and then broke the 24-year-old Japanese world number 49 late in the deciding set in a match that lasted four hours 39 minutes .
`` When I saw the messages from friends and family , it was emotional , '' added the Scot , who will play Canada ’ s 15th seed Felix Auger-Aliassime in Thursday ’ s second round .
`` The fact I got through a five-set match @ @ @ @ @ @ @ metal hip .
I don ’ t want to play too many more of them but it ’ s good to know it can last .
`` I was very close to going out but kept coming back , kept fighting so I 'm proud of that .
The biggest question would 've been the physical one and that was the thing I was most happy with - that I lasted . ''
Murray ’ s match – his first in the singles at a Grand Slam since losing in five sets to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Australian Open in January 2019 – was played on Arthur Ashe Stadium with no fans present because of the coronavirus pandemic .
The stadium – the biggest tennis arena in the world – is hosting many of the world ’ s top players , who are using corporate boxes overlooking the court .
As a result , Dominic Thiem , Stefanos Tsitsipas and Alexander Zverev were among the interested onlookers along with fellow Briton Kyle Edmund and Murray 's brother Jamie .
`` Everyone you look up at is a coach or a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` By the end of the match there were a lot of players who came to watch .
`` It ’ s a little odd playing in front of lots of top players because it ’ s very rarely the case .
Usually it ’ s just the fans and the players are watching on TV .
It certainly created more of an atmosphere than there was at the beginning . ''
Along with Murray , three other British men are in the second round .
British number one Dan Evans will play @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cameron Norrie are in action on Wednesday .
Edmund faces the tougher test of the two , with the 25-year-old playing top seed Novak Djokovic on Arthur Ashe at around 18:30 BST .
Djokovic swept aside Damir Dzumhur in straight sets in the first round as he looks to claim his 18th Grand Slam title .
While Edmund is seeking an upset , Norrie has already secured one .
The 25-year-old beat ninth seed Diego Schwartzman in a five-set epic on Monday .
Norrie , ranked 76th in the world , faces a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number 103 Federico Coria on Wednesday .
That match is expected to begin at around 20:00 BST .
Judy Murray , former British Fed Cup coach and Andy ’ s mother , on BBC Radio 5 Live Everything is a bonus for Andy from here but because he has such high expectations of himself he 's never coming in here to make up the numbers .
Even though it is early days and he 's testing himself .
This is all a test .
It 's testing out his body .
To come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a massive positive .
At two sets down he looked subdued and flat which is so unlike him .
But you can never write him off .
When you think what he 's been through and the length of the match I was hoping his body could hold up .

Last updated on .From the section Tennis
Andy Murray has won three Grand Slams - Wimbledon twice and the US Open in 2012
Andy Murray said his winning return to Grand Slam competition was "emotional" as he proved his physical fitness matched his mental strength by fighting back from two sets down at the US Open.
He beat Yoshihito Nishioka 4-6 4-6 7-6 (7-5) 7-6 (7-4) 6-4 in the first round in his first singles match at a major since January 2019 after hip surgery.
"Right now I just feel tired," the 33-year-old Briton told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"I didn’t even know how my hip was going to hold up for a five-set match."
Injuries meant the former world number one was playing in the US Open for only the second time in four years.
After losing the opening two sets on Tuesday, he trailed 3-1 and was a break down in the third, before he won two tie-breaks and then broke the 24-year-old Japanese world number 49 late in the deciding set in a match that lasted four hours 39 minutes.
"When I saw the messages from friends and family, it was emotional," added the Scot, who will play Canada’s 15th seed Felix Auger-Aliassime in Thursday’s second round.
"The fact I got through a five-set match is brilliant and another tick for the metal hip. I don’t want to play too many more of them but it’s good to know it can last.
"I was very close to going out but kept coming back, kept fighting so I'm proud of that. The biggest question would've been the physical one and that was the thing I was most happy with - that I lasted."
A win in front of familiar faces
Murray’s match – his first in the singles at a Grand Slam since losing in five sets to Spain's Roberto Bautista Agut at the Australian Open in January 2019 – was played on Arthur Ashe Stadium with no fans present because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The stadium – the biggest tennis arena in the world – is hosting many of the world’s top players, who are using corporate boxes overlooking the court.
As a result, Dominic Thiem, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Alexander Zverev were among the interested onlookers along with fellow Briton Kyle Edmund and Murray's brother Jamie.
"Everyone you look up at is a coach or a top player," said Murray. "By the end of the match there were a lot of players who came to watch.
"It’s a little odd playing in front of lots of top players because it’s very rarely the case. Usually it’s just the fans and the players are watching on TV. It certainly created more of an atmosphere than there was at the beginning."
Andy Murray did not play in the US Open in either 2017 or 2019 and is now ranked 115th in the world
Along with Murray, three other British men are in the second round.
British number one Dan Evans will play on Thursday, while Kyle Edmund and Cameron Norrie are in action on Wednesday.
Edmund faces the tougher test of the two, with the 25-year-old playing top seed Novak Djokovic on Arthur Ashe at around 18:30 BST.
Djokovic swept aside Damir Dzumhur in straight sets in the first round as he looks to claim his 18th Grand Slam title.
While Edmund is seeking an upset, Norrie has already secured one. The 25-year-old beat ninth seed Diego Schwartzman in a five-set epic on Monday.
Norrie, ranked 76th in the world, faces a less tricky task in Argentina's world number 103 Federico Coria on Wednesday. That match is expected to begin at around 20:00 BST.
Analysis
Judy Murray, former British Fed Cup coach and Andy’s mother, on BBC Radio 5 Live
Everything is a bonus for Andy from here but because he has such high expectations of himself he's never coming in here to make up the numbers. Even though it is early days and he's testing himself.
This is all a test. It's testing out his body. To come through four hours and 39 minutes is a massive positive.
At two sets down he looked subdued and flat which is so unlike him. But you can never write him off.
When you think what he's been through and the length of the match I was hoping his body could hold up.


bbc--2020-09-02--Real Madrid's Rodriguez close to joining Everton

Last updated on .From the section Everton Everton are hopeful of completing an ambitious deal worth more than £20m for Real Madrid attacking midfielder James Rodriguez by the end of the week .
Rodriguez , who has been marginalised under Zinedine Zidane at the Bernabeu , has been allowed to miss pre-season training to sort out his future .
It would be Ancelotti 's first major signing since become boss in December .
He has been the driving force behind the deal , with Rodriguez , who is entering the final year of his contract at Real Madrid , attracted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Italian once more .
Rodriguez won the Golden Boot at the 2014 World Cup after scoring six goals in five games .
He then joined Real from Monaco that summer in a deal worth up to £71m .
A three-year contract is under discussion as Everton look to pull off a transfer that would be regarded as a major coup and a powerful statement of intent as Ancelotti moves to reshape a side that finished 12th last season .
Everton have also agreed a deal with Napoli for 29-year-old Brazil midfielder Allan which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Italian club 's chairman Aureolio de Laurentis has already said : `` We are at the final farewell .
Allan will go to Everton . ''
Ancelotti made Allan a priority after working with him at Napoli while discussions are continuing with Watford over a deal for Abdoulaye Doucoure .
The French midfielder is believed to be keen on a move to Goodison Park but Watford are holding out for about £30m for the 27-year-old .
• None New episodes of detective thriller streaming now • None The clinic helping young people @ @ @ @

Last updated on .From the section Everton
Real Madrid attacking midfielder James Rodriguez is expected to have a medical at Everton on Thursday before agreeing a deal worth more than £20m.
The 29-year-old Colombian played under Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti at Spanish champions Real and Bayern Munich.
Rodriguez, who has been marginalised under Zinedine Zidane at the Bernabeu, has been allowed to miss pre-season training to sort out his future.
It would be Ancelotti's first major signing since become boss in December.
He has been the driving force behind the deal, with Rodriguez, who is entering the final year of his contract at Real Madrid, attracted by the idea of working with the Italian once more.
Rodriguez won the Golden Boot at the 2014 World Cup after scoring six goals in five games. He then joined Real from Monaco that summer in a deal worth up to £71m.
A three-year contract is under discussion as Everton look to pull off a transfer that would be regarded as a major coup and a powerful statement of intent as Ancelotti moves to reshape a side that finished 12th last season.
Everton have also a agreed a £25m deal with Watford for French midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure.
The 27-year-old will have a medical before signing a four-year contract with the Toffees, who are also expected to confirm a deal with Napoli for 29-year-old Brazil midfielder Allan.
The Italian club's chairman Aureolio de Laurentis has said: "We are at the final farewell. Allan will go to Everton."
Ancelotti made Allan a priority after working with him at Napoli.


bbc--2020-09-02--Record-seeking Williams wins in straight sets at US Open

Last updated on .From the section Tennis Serena Williams began her pursuit of a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam singles title with a dominant 7-5 6-3 win over fellow American Kristie Ahn .
Williams gathered momentum late on , winning four straight games against the world number 96 in the second set .
`` I was really happy with how I fought for every point , '' she said .
`` No matter how I was playing , I just had to get my Serena focus back so that was what I was working on today . ''
But she will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by her sister Venus Williams , who lost 6-3 7-5 to Czech 20th seed Karolina Muchova .
An error-strewn performance meant that two-time champion Venus , 40 , made her first ever opening-round exit at her home Grand Slam .
• None Konta and Evans through to US Open second round Meanwhile , men 's second seed Dominic Thiem advanced , having been leading 7-6 ( 8-6 ) 6-3 when Spanish opponent Jaume Munar retired from the match .
Thiem , 26 , will face Indian world number 124 Sumit Nagal in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the absence of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal to win a maiden Grand Slam title .
Russian third seed Daniil Medvedev is also through to the second round , comfortably beating Argentine Federico Delbonis 6-1 6-2 6-4 .
He will play Australia 's Chris O'Connell next .
Women 's 10th seed Garbine Muguruza sealed her place in the second round with a 6-4 6-4 win against Japan 's Nao Hibino .
Seventh seed Madison Keys is through after beating Hungary 's Timea Babos 6-1 6-1 , while American second seed Sofia Kenin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Yanina Wickmayer .
But former world number one Kim Clijsters ' return to Grand Slam tennis ended in defeat as Ekaterina Alexandrova of Russia prevailed 3-6 7-5 6-1 .
Belgium 's Clijsters - a three-time US Open champion - was given a wildcard for the tournament after coming out of retirement earlier this year .
With six of the world 's top 10 absent from the women 's draw because of the coronavirus pandemic , Serena Williams has a prime opportunity to claim the 24th title she has been chasing since her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The third seed will face world number 117 Margarita Gasparyan of Russia in the second round , with the trickier challenge of compatriot Sloane Stephens possibly awaiting her after that .
Williams had to overcome some inconsistencies , gifting Ahn two breaks of serve , but brushed aside the suggestion that the lack of fans on Arthur Ashe Stadium had affected her level of play .
`` It 's quiet , '' she said .
`` It 's such a good stadium .
It 's a Grand Slam and I think I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there .
`` I love my job .
I love what I do .
You ca n't do it forever even though I 've kind of been doing it just over forever .
One of these days it 's going to end and I love being out here . ''
• None Alerts : Get tennis news sent to your phone

Last updated on .From the section Tennis
Serena Williams has won the US Open singles title six times
2020 US Open Venue: Flushing Meadows, New York Dates: 31 Aug-13 Sept Coverage: Selected live radio and text commentaries on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra, BBC Sounds, the BBC Sport website and app.
Serena Williams began her pursuit of a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam singles title with a dominant 7-5 6-3 win over fellow American Kristie Ahn.
The 38-year-old went a break down in both sets but recovered to win in an hour and a half as she chases Margaret Court's Grand Slam tally.
Williams gathered momentum late on, winning four straight games against the world number 96 in the second set.
"I was really happy with how I fought for every point," she said.
"No matter how I was playing, I just had to get my Serena focus back so that was what I was working on today."
But she will not be joined in the next round by her sister Venus Williams, who lost 6-3 7-5 to Czech 20th seed Karolina Muchova.
An error-strewn performance meant that two-time champion Venus, 40, made her first ever opening-round exit at her home Grand Slam.
Meanwhile, men's second seed Dominic Thiem advanced, having been leading 7-6 (8-6) 6-3 when Spanish opponent Jaume Munar retired from the match.
Thiem, 26, will face Indian world number 124 Sumit Nagal in the second round as he looks to capitalise on the absence of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal to win a maiden Grand Slam title.
Russian third seed Daniil Medvedev is also through to the second round, comfortably beating Argentine Federico Delbonis 6-1 6-2 6-4. He will play Australia's Chris O'Connell next.
Women's 10th seed Garbine Muguruza sealed her place in the second round with a 6-4 6-4 win against Japan's Nao Hibino.
Seventh seed Madison Keys is through after beating Hungary's Timea Babos 6-1 6-1, while American second seed Sofia Kenin claimed a 6-2 6-2 victory against Belgium's Yanina Wickmayer.
But former world number one Kim Clijsters' return to Grand Slam tennis ended in defeat as Ekaterina Alexandrova of Russia prevailed 3-6 7-5 6-1.
Belgium's Clijsters - a three-time US Open champion - was given a wildcard for the tournament after coming out of retirement earlier this year.
'I love my job' - Williams
With six of the world's top 10 absent from the women's draw because of the coronavirus pandemic, Serena Williams has a prime opportunity to claim the 24th title she has been chasing since her last win at the 2017 Australian Open.
The third seed will face world number 117 Margarita Gasparyan of Russia in the second round, with the trickier challenge of compatriot Sloane Stephens possibly awaiting her after that.
Williams had to overcome some inconsistencies, gifting Ahn two breaks of serve, but brushed aside the suggestion that the lack of fans on Arthur Ashe Stadium had affected her level of play.
"It's quiet," she said. "It's such a good stadium. It's a Grand Slam and I think I'm still as passionate and intense out there.
"I love my job. I love what I do. You can't do it forever even though I've kind of been doing it just over forever. One of these days it's going to end and I love being out here."


bbc--2020-09-02--Fans may be able to return for Arsenal v Sheff Utd in October

Last updated on .From the section Football Fans may be allowed to attend Arsenal 's home Premier League fixture against Sheffield United on 3 October .
Initially , only gold season ticket holders and premium members will have priority access to tickets .
Football has been played behind closed doors since its return in June after the coronavirus shutdown .
Arsenal play West Ham United on 20 September in their first home game of the new season but it will be played without fans .
The north London club said they hope `` to be able to safely increase the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which starts on 12 September .
Social distancing would be in place if supporters were to attend the Blades ' visit to Arsenal , while there would also be other measures , including the introduction of new hygiene protocols and intensive cleansing routines .
Anyone attending the match would also have to agree to a code of conduct devised in line with the government guidelines .
On Saturday , football fans were allowed into a Premier League ground for the first time in almost six months as 2,500 peple watched the friendly between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That came as part of the government 's latest pilot scheme , with more to be announced in due course .
• None New episodes of detective thriller streaming now • None The clinic helping young people with their skin issues

Last updated on .From the section Football
The 2019-20 Premier League season was completed behind closed doors
Fans may be allowed to attend Arsenal's home Premier League fixture against Sheffield United on 3 October.
The Gunners hope they will be able to have supporters inside Emirates Stadium on a reduced capacity basis and in line with UK government guidelines.
Initially, only gold season ticket holders and premium members will have priority access to tickets.
Football has been played behind closed doors since its return in June after the coronavirus shutdown.
On Saturday, football fans were allowed into a Premier League ground for the first time in almost six months as 2,500 people watched the friendly between Brighton and Chelsea at the Amex Stadium.
That came as part of the government's latest pilot scheme, with more to be announced in due course.
Arsenal play West Ham United on 20 September in their first home game of the new season but it will be played without fans.
The north London club said they hope "to be able to safely increase the capacity" during the 2020-21 campaign, which starts on 12 September.
Social distancing would be in place if supporters were to attend the Blades' visit to Arsenal, while there would also be other measures, including the introduction of new hygiene protocols and intensive cleansing routines.
Anyone attending the match would also have to agree to a code of conduct devised in line with the government guidelines.


bbc--2020-09-02--World Championship return would be 'incredible', says Hendry as he announces comeback

Last updated on .From the section Snooker Stephen Hendry says it would be `` incredible '' if he could achieve his goal of playing at the Crucible in a World Championship after announcing his return to professional snooker .
Last month he was beaten at the venue by Jimmy White in the World Seniors Snooker Championship semi-finals .
`` If my game keeps improving I can qualify for the Crucible , '' he said .
Hendry 's total of seven World Championship titles , won between 1990 and 1999 , is unmatched in snooker 's modern era .
The Scot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sheffield venue eight years ago , when he was beaten in the quarter-finals by compatriot Stephen Maguire .
• None This Sporting Life podcast - Hendry reflects on his career '' The ultimate goal is to walk out at the Crucible again ( in the World Championship ) , '' he said on an Instagram Q & A .
`` That is a long way off .
I will definitely enter .
It would be amazing to walk down the stairs again at the main event , that would be incredible . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the UK Championship , which is scheduled to be held in York from 24 November to 6 December .
`` I am coming in at the bottom so will be drawn against some good players straight away , '' he said .
`` It is going to be hard but if I get on a TV table with one of the top four or five players - I am not expecting anything - it will be a buzz .
`` It will not be nice if I play terribly and lose 5-0 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to take . ''
Hendry saw his record of 36 ranking title wins surpassed by Ronnie O'Sullivan when he won his sixth world title at the Crucible .
But he said his return has nothing to do with O'Sullivan 's accomplishments , or money , adding : `` I miss the atmosphere and buzz of walking out into an arena to play snooker .
`` I am going to have to start practicing but not six hours a day , seven days a week like my old regime .
If I do choose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to put the work in and prepare the best I can .
`` Snooker is all I know and I am starting to enjoy hitting the ball again and I started to score in the Seniors , which is what my game is all about .
It would be fun to cause some upsets and play well on a match table . ''

'Total underdog' Hendry 'missed that buzz' of competing
Stephen Hendry says it would be "incredible" if he could achieve his goal of playing at the Crucible in a World Championship after announcing his return to professional snooker.
The seven-time world champion, 51, retired in 2012 but has accepted a two-year invitational tour card.
Last month he was beaten at the venue by Jimmy White in the World Seniors Snooker Championship semi-finals.
"If my game keeps improving I can qualify for the Crucible," he said.
Hendry's total of seven World Championship titles, won between 1990 and 1999, is unmatched in snooker's modern era.
The Scot's last professional match was at the Sheffield venue eight years ago, when he was beaten in the quarter-finals by compatriot Stephen Maguire.
"The ultimate goal is to walk out at the Crucible again (in the World Championship)," he said on an Instagram Q&A.
"That is a long way off. I will definitely enter. It would be amazing to walk down the stairs again at the main event, that would be incredible."
Hendry said his first event could be at the UK Championship, which is scheduled to be held in York from 24 November to 6 December.
"I am coming in at the bottom so will be drawn against some good players straight away," he said.
"It is going to be hard but if I get on a TV table with one of the top four or five players - I am not expecting anything - it will be a buzz.
"It will not be nice if I play terribly and lose 5-0 but that is a risk I have to take."
Hendry saw his record of 36 ranking title wins surpassed by Ronnie O'Sullivan when he won his sixth world title at the Crucible.
But he said his return has nothing to do with O'Sullivan's accomplishments, or money, adding: "I miss the atmosphere and buzz of walking out into an arena to play snooker.
"I am going to have to start practicing but not six hours a day, seven days a week like my old regime. If I do choose to play in an event I will have to put the work in and prepare the best I can.
"Snooker is all I know and I am starting to enjoy hitting the ball again and I started to score in the Seniors, which is what my game is all about. It would be fun to cause some upsets and play well on a match table."


bbc--2020-09-02--Alexei Navalny: Russia opposition leader poisoned with Novichok - Germany

The Kremlin spokesman called on Germany for a full exchange of information and foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova complained the Novichok allegations were not backed up by evidence .
`` Where are the facts , where are the formulas , at least some kind of information ? ''
she asked .
A Novichok nerve agent was used to poison former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter in the UK in 2018 .
While they survived , a British woman later died in hospital .
The UK accused Russia 's military intelligence of carrying out that attack .
What has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Berlin released results of toxicology tests carried out at a military laboratory , Chancellor Merkel said there were now `` serious questions that only the Russian government can and must answer '' .
Chancellor Merkel said Germany 's Nato and EU partners had been informed of the results of the investigation and they would decide on a common and appropriate response based on Russia 's reaction .
He 's certainly annoyed a lot of people , from those targeted by his anti-corruption investigations to Vladimir Putin himself .
So it is possible someone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' for good .
The timing is largely irrelevant .
Why now ?
Well , why not .
But if whoever did this hoped to contain the fallout - a mysterious collapse , never explained by Russian doctors - the fact Navalny 's team got him to Germany has blown that calculation .
The `` collapse '' is now a deliberate attack , and a major international scandal .
The Kremlin response so far is familiar : deny , obfuscate , demand proof .
Mr Putin 's spokesman has even hinted that if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it must have happened in Germany because doctors here detected nothing suspicious .
The flight of the prominent Putin critic was diverted to Omsk , where doctors treated him for three days before he was transferred to the Charité hospital in Berlin .
Novichoks were designed to be more toxic than other chemical weapons , so some versions begin to take effect rapidly - in the order of 30 seconds to two minutes .
In 2018 , Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were left critically ill in the British city of Salisbury @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have smeared the nerve agent on the door handle of the former Russian spy 's home .
Who else has been poisoned ?
In 2006 , Alexander Litvinenko - an ex-Russian intelligence officer who became a Kremlin critic and fled to the UK - died after his tea was poisoned by radioactive polonium-210 .
More recently , journalist and opposition activist Vladimir Kara-Murza alleged he was poisoned twice by Russian security services .
He nearly died after suffering kidney failure in 2015 and two years later went into a coma for a week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , accused Russia 's intelligence services of poisoning him in 2018 , when he fell ill after a court hearing , losing his sight and ability to speak .
He too was treated by Berlin 's Charité hospital , and asked the Berlin-based Cinema for Peace Foundation to arrange Mr Navalny 's airlift there .

The timing is largely irrelevant. Why now? Well, why not. But if whoever did this hoped to contain the fallout - a mysterious collapse, never explained by Russian doctors - the fact Navalny's team got him to Germany has blown that calculation.


bbc--2020-09-02--International Criminal Court officials sanctioned by US

The US has imposed sanctions on senior officials in the International Criminal Court ( ICC ) , including chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda .
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo accused the court of `` illegitimate attempts to subject Americans to its jurisdiction '' .
The Hague-based ICC is currently investigating whether US forces committed war crimes in Afghanistan .
The US has criticised the court since its foundation and is one of a dozen states which have not signed up .
Balkees Jarrah , senior counsel at the non-governmental organisation Human Rights Watch , condemned the sanctions as a `` shameful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for victims of the worst crimes '' .
Mr Pompeo 's move marked a `` stunning perversion of US sanctions , devised to penalize rights abusers and kleptocrats , to target those prosecuting war crimes '' , she tweeted .
Created by a UN treaty in 2002 , the ICC investigates and brings to justice those responsible for genocide , crimes against humanity and war crimes , intervening when national authorities can not or will not prosecute .
• What is the International Criminal Court ?
The treaty has been ratified by 123 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the US - along with China , India and Russia - has refused to join , while some African nations have accused the body of being unfairly focused on Africans .
What are the sanctions ?
President Donald Trump issued an executive order in June , which allows the US to block the assets of ICC employees and stop them entering the country .
Addressing reporters on Wednesday , Mr Pompeo said Ms Bensouda and Phakiso Mochochoko , the head of the Jurisdiction , Complementarity and Cooperation Division , were to be sanctioned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a `` thoroughly broken and corrupted institution '' , he said those who continued to `` materially support those individuals risk exposure to sanctions as well '' .
The US state department has also restricted the issuance of visas for ICC staff involved in `` efforts to investigate US personnel '' .
When President Trump issued his executive order in June , the ICC denounced what it called `` further threats and coercive actions '' against it .
`` An attack on the ICC also represents an attack against the interests of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of whom the Court represents the last hope for justice , '' its statement read .
As a former justice minister in The Gambia , her home country , Ms Bensouda was ideally placed to succeed Luis Moreno-Ocampo as ICC chief prosecutor , as she had been his deputy throughout his term .
She had also previously been a senior legal adviser at a UN-backed tribunal which prosecuted the alleged ringleaders in the 1994 Rwandan genocide .
While she broadened ICC investigations to look at conflicts elsewhere , which has now earned her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remained her major focus .
All ICC trials have so far focused only on Africans - and a militia leader from the Democratic Republic of Congo , Thomas Lubanga , became the first person to be sentenced for war crimes by the ICC in 2012 .
But Ms Bensouda also faced a string of defeats , including the acquittal of Ivory Coast 's ex-President Laurent Gbagbo on war crimes charges in 2019 and the dropping of crimes against humanity charges against Kenya 's President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2014 .
What is the ICC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ war crimes committed by the US and others in the Afghan conflict earlier this year .
According to the ICC 's legal process , the court can issue arrest warrants or a summons to appear once prosecutors have gathered sufficient evidence and identified suspects .
From there , they will decided if there is enough evidence for a case to go to trial .
At the time , Mr Pompeo vowed to protect Americans from the probe , calling it `` a truly breathtaking action by an unaccountable , political institution masquerading as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report from the ICC said there was a reasonable basis to believe the US military had committed torture at secret detention sites operated by the CIA .
• The Afghan war : The short and long story The actions of the Taliban , the Afghan government and US troops since May 2003 are expected to be examined by the court .
Afghanistan is a member of the court but officials there have also expressed opposition to the inquiry .

While she broadened ICC investigations to look at conflicts elsewhere, which has now earned her the wrath of the US, Africa remained her major focus. All ICC trials have so far focused only on Africans - and a militia leader from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Thomas Lubanga, became the first person to be sentenced for war crimes by the ICC in 2012.