bbc--2020-09-01--Bella Thorne, OnlyFans and the battle over monetising content

Actress Bella Thorne has been embroiled in a controversy over selling $ 200 ( £149.70 ) nude photos on OnlyFans that were not as described .
Her actions on the subscription content platform resulted in OnlyFans placing a cap on the prices creators can charge .
The former Disney actress issued an apology to content creators , who say their incomes will be impacted .
However OnlyFans told the BBC pricing changes had `` been in the pipeline for a while '' .
OnlyFans has become popular as a platform where content creators can post premium provocative and intimate photos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ takes a 20 % commission on each transaction .
The platform has 60 million users and 750,000 content creators globally , according to most recent data .
While some content creators are sex workers , many others are models , dancers , singers , musicians and comedians who do not produce any content featuring nudity .
Over the weekend , OnlyFans saw a backlash from its content creators after changing the limit on each tip and paid post from $ 200 to $ 100 per item .
Previously , content creators could charge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ limits are in place to protect all OnlyFans users and to allow them to use the platform safely , '' said an OnlyFans spokeswoman .
`` The newly introduced limits on tips and paid posts is a change that has been in the pipeline for a while , and has not been implemented in response to any one creator or fan . ''
The platform added that it made changes to its policies `` with the safety and support '' of its users and content creators in mind .
'She has no right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 22 , broke records on OnlyFans when she signed up for an account last week , gaining over 50,000 followers and earning $ 2m within a week by charging $ 200 for supposedly nude photos .
But she was not nude in the photos , and thousands of her subscribers demanded refunds from the platform .
Ms Thorne apologised to content creators on Saturday 29 August , claiming in a series of tweets that she wanted to `` remove the stigma behind sex work '' .
She also told Los Angeles Times that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a film being made by director Sean Baker , but he has denied being involved in any projects with the actress .
Ms Thorne further angered content creators by saying she was meeting with OnlyFans to discuss the price caps on their behalf , when many say their own requests for clarification on the issue have been ignored by the platform .
`` Bella Thorne has no right to speak for us and could never know the daily challenges we face every day , '' Stephanie Michelle , a professional cosplayer based in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michelle has 550 fans and makes $ 8,000 a month , charging a $ 30 subscription fee to users .
She also relies on tips ranging from $ 5- $ 200 for pay-per-view photos , videos and text messages .
She says her OnlyFans work is the only way she can support her family due to the pandemic , and fears many other content creators will struggle to make ends meet going forward .
Kelly Jean , a London-based professional cosplayer and Twitch streamer , has 4,600 followers on OnlyFans .
She is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ OnlyFans as part of maintaining her following , by offering $ 10 sets of sexy modelling pictures as digital merchandise to her fans .
`` It 's going to make people more suspicious of my content , but we can hope Bella Thorne is bringing more people to the platform and normalising it for others who do n't do nude content like me , '' she said .
OnlyFans says a record number of people applied to become content creators on the platform in the last week after Ms Thorne joined it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a cosplayer and model living in Belarus , with 35,700 followers on OnlyFans .
Due to the pandemic , she depends on the platform for 90 % of her income .
She charges up to $ 40 for lingerie pictures and videos or for content that implies nudity ; $ 165 for topless photos and $ 200 for nude images and videos .
`` I feel OnlyFans is ripping me off , '' she said .
`` I will lose around $ 2,000 a month from my income because I ca n't take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ priced higher than usual content .
With a maximum tip of $ 100 it 's hard to explain to people why they need to tip multiple times . ''
Erika Heidewald , an actress and musician in Los Angeles , has only 317 followers .
She explains that there are many different business models on OnlyFans because people have wildly varying requests , and the sky 's the limit when it comes to creativity .
She could sell a swimsuit photograph for $ 20 , or a picture of her shoes for $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 200 `` to text and humiliate them for 20 minutes '' .
`` A lot of the large creators have lower prices because they have so many subscribers to buy those items , but most small creators rely on a limited number of loyal subscribers .
They might only sell a couple videos a month , but they 're worth enough that it 's a life-saving amount of money , '' she told the BBC .
`` Lowering the price ceiling limits our money as well as cheapening the value of individually-produced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the fact that OnlyFans previously promised creators that if they referred new influencers , they would be entitled to receive 5 % of their income for the foreseeable future .
`` I feel slightly used by OnlyFans , '' said Kaya Corbridge , 23 , a sex worker from Lancashire who has made $ 1.1m on the platform over the last three years and now owns her own home .
Ms Corbridge offers services ranging from $ 7- $ 25 `` personalised penis ratings '' and text chats charged at between $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ costing $ 50 a minute and even a $ 1,000 package where a user can control what she does for a day .
She has 1.2 million followers on Only Fans .
`` When I started , I signed up over 500 content creators and trained them up , offered them support , promotion and even a guide book that I created on the promise and contract that I would get 5 % of their earnings for life , '' she says .
`` So many of us have spent years training up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ estimates she will lose $ 12,000 a month due to the referral fees policy change .
She and Irina are now considering moving to other platforms .
According to digital content marketing expert Simon Penson , many technology platforms have built their success by attracting influencers with lucrative monetisation offers , and then `` moved the goal posts '' later on .
`` Facebook did this , and we always saw it with influencers on YouTube too , '' said Mr Penson , who founded Zazzle Media , one of the pioneers of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` The biggest guys had enough reach to negotiate with the social media platforms for bespoke deals .
`` But the small and medium-sized influencers who were obviously making quite a lot of money were the ones who did n't have a place at the negotiating table and they were the ones who were really hurt by YouTube 's changes . ''
Content creators ca n't yet turn their backs on online platforms as they need to reach audiences , but Mr Penson says things are changing .
`` We 're starting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rather than relying on social media platforms for monetisation , they 'll move towards technology platforms like Patreon , OnlyFans and VuePay , which provide the technology rather than the audience .
`` Influencers do have greater power than they used to have - they can utilise their influence to push their fans to the places they want to be . ''

Bella Thorne, OnlyFans and the battle over monetising content Published 1 September 2020
Image source, Irina Image caption, Irina from Belarus is really upset that she will lose $2,000 of her monthly income due to OnlyFans' price cap changes
Actress Bella Thorne has been embroiled in a controversy over selling $200 (£149.70) nude photos on OnlyFans that were not as described.
Her actions on the subscription content platform resulted in OnlyFans placing a cap on the prices creators can charge.
The former Disney actress issued an apology to content creators, who say their incomes will be impacted.
However OnlyFans told the BBC pricing changes had "been in the pipeline for a while".
OnlyFans has become popular as a platform where content creators can post premium provocative and intimate photos, videos and text messages. OnlyFans takes a 20% commission on each transaction.
The platform has 60 million users and 750,000 content creators globally, according to most recent data.
While some content creators are sex workers, many others are models, dancers, singers, musicians and comedians who do not produce any content featuring nudity.
Warning: Story contains adult themes
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Former Disney actress Bella Thorne courted controversy by joining OnlyFans and selling $200 photos that turned out not to be nude
Over the weekend, OnlyFans saw a backlash from its content creators after changing the limit on each tip and paid post from $200 to $100 per item. Previously, content creators could charge any amount they liked.
"Spending limits are in place to protect all OnlyFans users and to allow them to use the platform safely," said an OnlyFans spokeswoman. "The newly introduced limits on tips and paid posts is a change that has been in the pipeline for a while, and has not been implemented in response to any one creator or fan."
The platform added that it made changes to its policies "with the safety and support" of its users and content creators in mind.
'She has no right to speak for us'
Ms Thorne, 22, broke records on OnlyFans when she signed up for an account last week, gaining over 50,000 followers and earning $2m within a week by charging $200 for supposedly nude photos.
But she was not nude in the photos, and thousands of her subscribers demanded refunds from the platform.
Ms Thorne apologised to content creators on Saturday 29 August, claiming in a series of tweets that she wanted to "remove the stigma behind sex work".
Image source, Stephanie Michelle Image caption, OnlyFans content creator Stephanie Michelle in Los Angeles solely relies on her income from the platform to support her family
She also told Los Angeles Times that she was researching a new role for a film being made by director Sean Baker, but he has denied being involved in any projects with the actress.
Ms Thorne further angered content creators by saying she was meeting with OnlyFans to discuss the price caps on their behalf, when many say their own requests for clarification on the issue have been ignored by the platform.
"Bella Thorne has no right to speak for us and could never know the daily challenges we face every day," Stephanie Michelle, a professional cosplayer based in Los Angeles told the BBC.
Ms Michelle has 550 fans and makes $8,000 a month, charging a $30 subscription fee to users. She also relies on tips ranging from $5-$200 for pay-per-view photos, videos and text messages.
She says her OnlyFans work is the only way she can support her family due to the pandemic, and fears many other content creators will struggle to make ends meet going forward.
Image source, Kelly Jean Image caption, Professional cosplayer and Twitch streamer Kelly Jean uses OnlyFans to build her brand, but posts no nude content
Kelly Jean, a London-based professional cosplayer and Twitch streamer, has 4,600 followers on OnlyFans.
She is on many social media platforms and uses OnlyFans as part of maintaining her following, by offering $10 sets of sexy modelling pictures as digital merchandise to her fans.
"It's going to make people more suspicious of my content, but we can hope Bella Thorne is bringing more people to the platform and normalising it for others who don't do nude content like me," she said.
OnlyFans says a record number of people applied to become content creators on the platform in the last week after Ms Thorne joined it.
'OnlyFans is ripping me off'
Irina is a cosplayer and model living in Belarus, with 35,700 followers on OnlyFans. Due to the pandemic, she depends on the platform for 90% of her income.
She charges up to $40 for lingerie pictures and videos or for content that implies nudity; $165 for topless photos and $200 for nude images and videos.
Image source, Irina Image caption, Irina is considering using other platforms as she doesn't like the way OnlyFans has treated her
"I feel OnlyFans is ripping me off," she said. "I will lose around $2,000 a month from my income because I can't take any custom requests now as they are priced higher than usual content. With a maximum tip of $100 it's hard to explain to people why they need to tip multiple times."
Erika Heidewald, an actress and musician in Los Angeles, has only 317 followers.
She explains that there are many different business models on OnlyFans because people have wildly varying requests, and the sky's the limit when it comes to creativity.
She could sell a swimsuit photograph for $20, or a picture of her shoes for $100, or someone might pay her $200 "to text and humiliate them for 20 minutes".
"A lot of the large creators have lower prices because they have so many subscribers to buy those items, but most small creators rely on a limited number of loyal subscribers. They might only sell a couple videos a month, but they're worth enough that it's a life-saving amount of money," she told the BBC.
"Lowering the price ceiling limits our money as well as cheapening the value of individually-produced content."
Image source, Erika Heidewald Image caption, Erika Heidewald uses OnlyFans to supplement her income, earning enough to pay $1,200 in rent a month
Another bone of contention is the fact that OnlyFans previously promised creators that if they referred new influencers, they would be entitled to receive 5% of their income for the foreseeable future.
"I feel slightly used by OnlyFans," said Kaya Corbridge, 23, a sex worker from Lancashire who has made $1.1m on the platform over the last three years and now owns her own home.
Ms Corbridge offers services ranging from $7-$25 "personalised penis ratings" and text chats charged at between $3-$300, to custom videos costing $50 a minute and even a $1,000 package where a user can control what she does for a day. She has 1.2 million followers on Only Fans.
"When I started, I signed up over 500 content creators and trained them up, offered them support, promotion and even a guide book that I created on the promise and contract that I would get 5% of their earnings for life," she says. "So many of us have spent years training up our future competition."
Ms Corbridge estimates she will lose $12,000 a month due to the referral fees policy change. She and Irina are now considering moving to other platforms.
According to digital content marketing expert Simon Penson, many technology platforms have built their success by attracting influencers with lucrative monetisation offers, and then "moved the goal posts" later on.
Image source, Kaya Corbridge Image caption, Kaya Corbridge, from Lancashire, feels she has helped build the platform and train her competition, but she will soon lose $12,000 a month
"Facebook did this, and we always saw it with influencers on YouTube too," said Mr Penson, who founded Zazzle Media, one of the pioneers of the digital content marketing industry in 2009.
"The biggest guys had enough reach to negotiate with the social media platforms for bespoke deals.
"But the small and medium-sized influencers who were obviously making quite a lot of money were the ones who didn't have a place at the negotiating table and they were the ones who were really hurt by YouTube's changes."
Content creators can't yet turn their backs on online platforms as they need to reach audiences, but Mr Penson says things are changing.
"We're starting to see an era whereby influencers, rather than relying on social media platforms for monetisation, they'll move towards technology platforms like Patreon, OnlyFans and VuePay, which provide the technology rather than the audience.


bbc--2020-09-01--Britain's Norrie dumps out ninth seed Schwartzman in US Open thriller

Last updated on .From the section Tennis Britain 's Cameron Norrie fought back from two sets down to earn a memorable win over Argentine ninth seed Diego Schwartzman on day one of the US Open .
Both struggled to hold serve in a match with 58 break points , Norrie saving two match points in the decider before winning in almost four hours .
The British number two won 2-6 7-5 7-5 6-0 against the unpredictable Bublik , who initially upset the Yorkshireman 's rhythm before losing focus and allowing Edmund to take control .
Edmund , 25 , faces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ round of a Grand Slam for the first time in seven attempts , however , with 17-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic lying in wait in round two .
Serbia 's world number one Djokovic , who has won all 24 of his matches in 2020 , brushed aside Damir Dzumhur of Bosnia-Herzegovina in his opener .
`` It was a nice win in terms of the mentality .
I play well when I 'm expressing myself and explosive , when I start matches not in the right way I have to force that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who is ranked 44th .
`` It was a good match to win , I could have fallen off and gone down two sets to love or two sets to one . ''
The four other Britons in the singles - Andy Murray , Dan Evans , Johanna Konta and Heather Watson - play on Tuesday .
The US Open is the first Grand Slam event to be held since the coronavirus pandemic and is being played behind closed doors at Flushing Meadows .
A host of star names - including defending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have withdrawn because of health and travel fears , while Swiss great Roger Federer is missing because of a knee injury .
• None ' A US Open like no other ' - full preview ' I was lucky to get through ' - Norrie British number three Norrie was handed a tough draw by starting against a consistent and competitive player who is a two-time quarter-finalist at the US Open .
The 25-year-old Briton struggled with his timing in the first two sets , hitting 34 unforced errors to leave himself with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ round .
But he cut the mistakes to just five in the third set and , combined with Schwartzman becoming frustrated after receiving a time violation , threatened a comeback .
`` The first two sets I was rushing everything and going for too much .
I did n't feel myself out there , '' Norrie said .
`` I felt he had done almost nothing to be two-sets-to-love up .
I wanted to hit the ball down the middle , get some rhythm and then I kept the momentum going . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ rut in the fourth , two breaks of serve by the Briton taking the match into a decider , where the break points continued to flow .
Although world number 13 Schwartzman looked to be waning physically , he had chances at 5-3 and 5-4 to clinch victory before Norrie fought back again .
Norrie 's reward is another match against an Argentine opponent in the shape of 103rd-ranked Federico Coria .
`` The tennis and the level was n't that great but I had a good attitude throughout and I was happy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I 'm lucky to get through that one .
It was a tough one . ''
• None Relive sets from Arctic Monkeys , Billie Eilish , The 1975 and more • None Selected tracks to bring peace to your day

Last updated on .From the section Tennis
Cameron Norrie had been on the receiving end of five-set defeats in his previous two Grand Slam matches
Britain's Cameron Norrie fought back from two sets down to earn a memorable win over Argentine ninth seed Diego Schwartzman on day one of the US Open.
Norrie, ranked 76th, looked set for a routine defeat before turning it around to win 3-6 4-6 6-2 6-1 7-5 in New York.
Both struggled to hold serve in a match with 58 break points, Norrie saving two match points in the decider before winning in almost four hours.
Kyle Edmund beat Kazakhstan's Alexander Bublik and plays Novak Djokovic next.
The British number two won 2-6 7-5 7-5 6-0 against the unpredictable Bublik, who initially upset the Yorkshireman's rhythm before losing focus and allowing Edmund to take control.
Edmund, 25, faces a tough task to reach the third round of a Grand Slam for the first time in seven attempts, however, with 17-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic lying in wait in round two.
Serbia's world number one Djokovic, who has won all 24 of his matches in 2020, brushed aside Damir Dzumhur of Bosnia-Herzegovina in his opener.
"It was a nice win in terms of the mentality. I play well when I'm expressing myself and explosive, when I start matches not in the right way I have to force that out of me," said Edmund, who is ranked 44th.
"It was a good match to win, I could have fallen off and gone down two sets to love or two sets to one."
The four other Britons in the singles - Andy Murray, Dan Evans, Johanna Konta and Heather Watson - play on Tuesday.
The US Open is the first Grand Slam event to be held since the coronavirus pandemic and is being played behind closed doors at Flushing Meadows.
A host of star names - including defending champions Rafael Nadal and Bianca Andreescu - have withdrawn because of health and travel fears, while Swiss great Roger Federer is missing because of a knee injury.
'I was lucky to get through' - Norrie
British number three Norrie was handed a tough draw by starting against a consistent and competitive player who is a two-time quarter-finalist at the US Open.
The 25-year-old Briton struggled with his timing in the first two sets, hitting 34 unforced errors to leave himself with an uphill battle to reach the second round.
But he cut the mistakes to just five in the third set and, combined with Schwartzman becoming frustrated after receiving a time violation, threatened a comeback.
"The first two sets I was rushing everything and going for too much. I didn't feel myself out there," Norrie said.
"I felt he had done almost nothing to be two-sets-to-love up. I wanted to hit the ball down the middle, get some rhythm and then I kept the momentum going."
Schwartzman struggled to get out of his rut in the fourth, two breaks of serve by the Briton taking the match into a decider, where the break points continued to flow.
Although world number 13 Schwartzman looked to be waning physically, he had chances at 5-3 and 5-4 to clinch victory before Norrie fought back again.
Norrie's reward is another match against an Argentine opponent in the shape of 103rd-ranked Federico Coria.
"The tennis and the level wasn't that great but I had a good attitude throughout and I was happy with that," Norrie added.
"I'm lucky to get through that one. It was a tough one."


bbc--2020-09-01--US Open 2020: Naomi Osaka through but Coco Gauff out in New York

Last updated on .From the section Tennis Fourth seed Naomi Osaka overcame a scare to beat fellow Japanese player Misaki Doi in three sets and avoid a major shock in the US Open first round .
Elsewhere , teenager Coco Gauff 's hopes of another Grand Slam run were ended by 31st seed Anastasija Sevastova .
Osaka , 22 , withdrew from the Western and Southern Open final on Saturday with a left hamstring injury , saying afterwards she was `` stressing '' about her fitness going into the Grand Slam .
During Monday 's less-than-convincing win over 81st-ranked Doi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or need medical treatment .
`` It was difficult [ physically ] .
I knew there was a chance it would get really long .
I will have to see what happens tomorrow and how I feel , '' Osaka said .
The former world number one struggled with her first serve in the early part of the match , landing only 38 % as Doi took control in the second set and threatened to level the match .
But Osaka switched gears with a decider looming , finding more power and precision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back from 5-2 down to level at 5-5 .
Osaka was unable to take any of her three break points for a 6-5 lead before the momentum swung back to Doi , who broke on her second set point through Osaka 's 20th unforced error .
However , Osaka increased her level again at decisive moments .
She broke in the opening game of the decider , and again for a 5-2 lead , to come through in two hours and three minutes .
Osaka walked out on court wearing a face mask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a black woman who was shot dead by a policeman in the United States in March .
Asked about it in her on-court interview , she said : `` I have seven .
It is quite sad seven masks is n't enough for the amount of names - and hopefully I 'll get to the final and you will see all of them . ''
She later added in a news conference : `` For me , I just want to spread awareness .
I 'm aware that tennis is watched all over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ someone who does n't know Breonna Taylor 's story .
Maybe they 'll Google it after or something .
`` I feel the more people know this story the more interested they will become in it . ''
Osaka initially pulled out of her Western and Southern Open semi-final last week as a protest against racial injustice .
Tournament organisers then suspended play in New York on Thursday , one of a number of sporting events in the US to do so in protest at the shooting of Jacob Blake - a black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the back by police on 23 August in Kenosha , Wisconsin .
World number 51 Gauff reached the third round at her home Grand Slam in 2019 , soon after making Wimbledon 's last 16 .
But the 16-year-old American , who had backed up last year 's promise by reaching the fourth round at January 's Australian Open , could not reproduce that form against a relentless Sevastova , 30 .
A second-set resurgence looked to put Gauff on track for victory against the Latvian but she lost 6-3 5-7 6-4 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ two-time quarter-finalist - overcame her frustration at narrowly losing the second set after the pair continually exchanged breaks .
She surged ahead at 5-4 up in the third to break Gauff 's serve and claim victory .
Gauff was let down by a huge 13 double faults and went out when she netted a return to make her first opening-round exit from a Grand Slam tournament .
Pliskova , who is aiming to land her first Grand Slam title , made a confident start to her campaign in New York with a 6-4 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The 28-year-old Czech , who is top ranked in the absence of Ashleigh Barty and Simona Halep , faces France 's Caroline Garcia next .
Former Wimbledon champion Angelique Kerber , playing her first match since January 's Australian Open , beat Australian Ajla Tomljanovic 6-4 6-4 .
• None Relive sets from Arctic Monkeys , Billie Eilish , The 1975 and more • None Selected tracks to bring peace to your day

Last updated on .From the section Tennis
Naomi Osaka walked out on court wearing a face mask with the name of Breonna Taylor, a black woman who was shot dead by a policeman in March in the United States
US Open 2020 Venue: Flushing Meadows, New York Dates: 31 August - 13 September Coverage: Selected radio and text commentaries on BBC Radio 5 Live and the BBC Sport website, plus daily reports and analysis
Fourth seed Naomi Osaka overcame a scare to beat fellow Japanese player Misaki Doi in three sets and avoid a major shock in the US Open first round.
Osaka, who won the first of her two Grand Slams at Flushing Meadows in 2018, wobbled in the second set before recovering for a 6-2 5-7 6-2 victory.
Elsewhere, teenager Coco Gauff's hopes of another Grand Slam run were ended by 31st seed Anastasija Sevastova.
But top seed Karolina Pliskova and sixth seed Petra Kvitova advanced.
Osaka, 22, withdrew from the Western and Southern Open final on Saturday with a left hamstring injury, saying afterwards she was "stressing" about her fitness going into the Grand Slam.
During Monday's less-than-convincing win over 81st-ranked Doi, she did not wear any strapping or need medical treatment.
"It was difficult [physically]. I knew there was a chance it would get really long. I will have to see what happens tomorrow and how I feel," Osaka said.
The former world number one struggled with her first serve in the early part of the match, landing only 38% as Doi took control in the second set and threatened to level the match.
But Osaka switched gears with a decider looming, finding more power and precision with her serves and returns to fight back from 5-2 down to level at 5-5.
Osaka was unable to take any of her three break points for a 6-5 lead before the momentum swung back to Doi, who broke on her second set point through Osaka's 20th unforced error.
However, Osaka increased her level again at decisive moments. She broke in the opening game of the decider, and again for a 5-2 lead, to come through in two hours and three minutes.
Osaka walked out on court wearing a face mask with the name of Breonna Taylor, a black woman who was shot dead by a policeman in the United States in March.
Asked about it in her on-court interview, she said: "I have seven. It is quite sad seven masks isn't enough for the amount of names - and hopefully I'll get to the final and you will see all of them."
She later added in a news conference: "For me, I just want to spread awareness. I'm aware that tennis is watched all over the world but that maybe there is someone who doesn't know Breonna Taylor's story. Maybe they'll Google it after or something.
"I feel the more people know this story the more interested they will become in it."
Osaka initially pulled out of her Western and Southern Open semi-final last week as a protest against racial injustice.
Tournament organisers then suspended play in New York on Thursday, one of a number of sporting events in the US to do so in protest at the shooting of Jacob Blake - a black man who was shot seven times in the back by police on 23 August in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
Gauff undone by US Open specialist Sevastova
World number 51 Gauff reached the third round at her home Grand Slam in 2019, soon after making Wimbledon's last 16.
But the 16-year-old American, who had backed up last year's promise by reaching the fourth round at January's Australian Open, could not reproduce that form against a relentless Sevastova, 30.
A second-set resurgence looked to put Gauff on track for victory against the Latvian but she lost 6-3 5-7 6-4.
Sevastova - a semi-finalist in 2018 and two-time quarter-finalist - overcame her frustration at narrowly losing the second set after the pair continually exchanged breaks. She surged ahead at 5-4 up in the third to break Gauff's serve and claim victory.
Gauff was let down by a huge 13 double faults and went out when she netted a return to make her first opening-round exit from a Grand Slam tournament.
Coco Gauff reached the third round at the 2019 US Open
Confident starts for top seeds
Pliskova, who is aiming to land her first Grand Slam title, made a confident start to her campaign in New York with a 6-4 6-0 win over Ukraine's Anhelina Kalinina.
The 28-year-old Czech, who is top ranked in the absence of Ashleigh Barty and Simona Halep, faces France's Caroline Garcia next.
Former Wimbledon champion Angelique Kerber, playing her first match since January's Australian Open, beat Australian Ajla Tomljanovic 6-4 6-4.
Czech sixth seed Kvitova overcame Romanian Irina-Camelia Begu 6-3 6-2, hitting 23 winners in an assured performance.


bbc--2020-09-01--Rashford unites food giants to fight UK child poverty

Footballer Marcus Rashford has formed a taskforce with some of the UK 's biggest food brands to try to help reduce child food poverty .
The 22-year-old Manchester United forward successfully campaigned to extend free school meals this summer .
He has spoken about his own experiences of using a food voucher scheme as a child and was praised for pressing the government into a U-turn on the issue .
He has written to MPs , outlining the help he feels some families still need .
The group of supermarkets , businesses and charities - including Aldi , Asda , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Foundation , Iceland , Kellogg 's , Lidl , Sainsbury 's , Tesco and Waitrose - have formed a taskforce and backed proposals from the National Food Strategy , an independent review of UK food policy .
Mr Rashford said he was `` confident '' the group could help change lives `` for the better '' .
• 'We go hungry so we can feed our children' • 'Bare cupboards ' as food bank use rises in pandemic • 'Emergency food ' for families with nothing to eat Speaking to BBC Breakfast , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school meals over the summer had been a `` short-term solution '' to stopping children from going hungry , but it `` was n't going to work in the long run '' .
`` We had to think about the best way to do it , to think about how these families can eat long term and not have any issues , '' he said .
Mr Rashford is hoping that , with a bigger team of experts around him , he might be able to help more children .
`` We wanted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could , introduce the best people into our group , and see if using them [ we ] can push it even more . ''
The taskforce is calling for three policy recommendations by the National Food Strategy to be funded by the government as soon as possible : • Expanding free school meals to every child from a household on Universal Credit or equivalent , reaching an additional 1.5m children aged seven to 16 • Expanding holiday food and activities to support all children on free school meals , reaching an additional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Healthy Start vouchers from £3.10 to £4.25 per week and expanding it to all those on Universal Credit or equivalent , reaching an additional 290,000 children under the age of four and pregnant women The taskforce says implementing the three recommendations would mark a `` unifying step to identifying a long-term solution to child poverty in the UK '' .
What is child food poverty and how many does it affect ?
• The Department of Health defines food poverty , also referred to as food insecurity , as the inability to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make up a healthy diet .
• Last year , the government announced that it would start measuring food insecurity through its Family Resources Survey and that data would be available from 2021 .
• Earlier this year , a YouGov poll commissioned by the Food Foundation suggested that 2.4 million ( 17 % ) children are living in food-insecure households.. • Poor nutrition is acknowledged to be a factor in children 's performance at school and pupils whose parents receive certain benefits are eligible for Free School Meals .
• In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Free School Meals in 2019 - about 15 % of state-educated pupils .
In his letter to MPs , Mr Rashford says he hopes the chancellor will find the funds to do so in his Budget and spending review `` without delay '' .
Schools minister Nick Gibb said he would be delighted to meet Mr Rashford , saying the footballer was `` right to draw the nation 's attention '' to the matter .
He told BBC Breakfast the government shared Mr Rashford 's objective to alleviate child food poverty and would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first report of the National Food Strategy , which was commissioned by the government in 2019 , aims to help create a food system in the UK that is healthy , affordable and sustainable .
Food entrepreneur Henry Dimbleby , who is leading the National Food Strategy review , has said school meals are a `` fantastic way '' to get children eating well at school .
`` The alternative to a school lunch is a packed lunch and only 1 % of packed lunches have the nutritional value of a school meal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you look at packed lunches as children get less affluent , those packed lunches have increasingly low nutritional value . ''
Speaking on Breakfast , he said nutrition was the basis of equality of opportunity - `` you ca n't level up if you are not getting enough nutrition into your most vulnerable children '' .
He added that the status of food , dining halls and particularly school cooks needed to be raised , saying they were `` as important as any teacher '' .
Members of the taskforce have also pledged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their platforms to share stories of those affected by child food insecurity in the UK .
Richard Walker , Iceland 's managing director , said it was an issue they cared about deeply and wanted to support Mr Rashford to effect positive change .
Mr Rashford has stressed the importance of tackling the stigma around child food poverty , and changing attitudes about asking for help .
He told the BBC : `` I feel like at times people think they are being looked down on if they ask for help , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is something that should change .
`` You should feel free if you want to ask for help for anything , '' he said .
`` Hold your head up high and if you need help go and get help . ''
The footballer has met some of the families who have benefitted from the extended children 's food voucher scheme , which he said had been an `` unbelievable experience '' .
`` Just to see the smiles on their faces and to see how much it 's helped them , you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
`` It was good to see the parents laughing and smiling . ''
During the coronavirus lockdown the government provided vouchers to families whose children qualify for free meals , but it had insisted this would not continue into the summer holidays .
This prompted the England squad footballer to write an open letter to MPs , drawing on his own experiences of relying on free school meals and food banks growing up in Wythenshawe , Manchester .
He called on the government to reverse its decision - which it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The U-turn enabled about 1.3m children in England to claim vouchers over the holidays , with the support working out as about £15 a week for each child .
• PANORAMA : Home is n't always a safe place , especially in lockdown • GOOD TROUBLE : Your new drama obsession - can these girls make it in LA ?
Have you used school meal vouchers over the summer ?
Have you struggled to get access ?
Please share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay @ bbc.co.uk .
Please include a contact number if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ BBC journalist .
You can also get in touch in the following ways : • Please read our terms & conditions and privacy policy

Marcus Rashford brings food brand giants together to tackle child food poverty Published 1 September 2020
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Media caption, "You should feel free, if you want to ask for help, to ask for help" - Rashford speaks to BBC Breakfast's Sally Nugent
Footballer Marcus Rashford has formed a taskforce with some of the UK's biggest food brands to try to help reduce child food poverty.
The 22-year-old Manchester United forward successfully campaigned to extend free school meals this summer.
He has written to MPs, outlining the help he feels some families still need.
They include expanding the numbers who are eligible for free school meals - and offer them free food and activities during school holidays in England.
Mr Rashford has spoken about his own experiences of using a food voucher scheme as a child and was praised for pressing the government into a U-turn on the issue.
The group of supermarkets, businesses and charities - including Aldi, Asda, Co-op, Deliveroo, FareShare, Food Foundation, Iceland, Kellogg's, Lidl, Sainsbury's, Tesco and Waitrose - have formed a taskforce and backed proposals from the National Food Strategy, an independent review of UK food policy.
The taskforce is calling for three policy recommendations by the National Food Strategy to be funded by the government as soon as possible:
Expanding free school meals to every child from a household on Universal Credit or equivalent, reaching an additional 1.5m children aged seven to 16
Expanding an existing school holiday food and activities programme to support all children on free school meals in all areas of England. instead of the current 50,000 children that are helped
Increasing the value of the Healthy Start vouchers - which help parents with children under the age of four and pregnant women buy some basic foods - from £3.10 to £4.25 per week, and expanding it to all those on Universal Credit or equivalent, reaching an additional 290,000 people
The taskforce says implementing the three recommendations would mark a "unifying step to identifying a long-term solution to child poverty in the UK".
'An absolute godsend'
Image source, Tara Brown Image caption, Tara Brown, from Essex, is one of those who benefited from the extended voucher scheme
Tara Brown, 50, receives Universal Credit and disability allowance for her nine-year-old son, who has autism.
She says the voucher scheme has been "brilliant" because he eats what she calls a restrictive diet - so prefers consistent packed lunches to free cooked meals at his school in Essex.
"It's been nice to be able to get it so that I know it's not eating into my weekly food budget that I put aside for our evening meals," she says.
She wants to see vouchers become a permanent option for parents.
"I think it should be down to parental choice as to whether the money goes direct to the school or if the money goes via a voucher [for packed lunches] to the parents," she adds.
"For people that are, financially, in a much worse situation, who have children with this sort of avoidance of foods, then the voucher scheme has probably been an absolute godsend to them."
Mr Rashford said he was "confident" the group could help change lives "for the better".
Speaking to BBC Breakfast, he said the move to extend free school meals over the summer had been a "short-term solution" to stopping children from going hungry, but it "wasn't going to work in the long run".
"We had to think about the best way to do it, to think about how these families can eat long term and not have any issues," he said.
Mr Rashford is hoping that, with a bigger team of experts around him, he might be able to help more children.
"We wanted to do it the best way we could, introduce the best people into our group, and see if using them [we] can push it even more."
What is child food poverty and how many does it affect?
By Reality Check
The Department of Health defines food poverty, also referred to as food insecurity, as the inability to afford, or have access to food to make up a healthy diet.
Last year, the government announced that it would start measuring food insecurity through its Family Resources Survey and that data would be available from 2021.
Earlier this year, a YouGov poll commissioned by the Food Foundation suggested that 2.4 million (17%) children are living in food-insecure households..
Poor nutrition is acknowledged to be a factor in children's performance at school and pupils whose parents receive certain benefits are eligible for Free School Meals.
In England, around 1.3 million children claimed Free School Meals in 2019 - about 15% of state-educated pupils.
In his letter to MPs, Mr Rashford says he hopes the chancellor will find the funds to do so in his Budget and spending review "without delay".
Schools minister Nick Gibb said he would be delighted to meet Mr Rashford, saying the footballer was "right to draw the nation's attention" to the matter.
He told BBC Breakfast the government shared Mr Rashford's objective to alleviate child food poverty and would look at the policy recommendations.
The first report of the National Food Strategy, which was commissioned by the government in 2019, aims to help create a food system in the UK that is healthy, affordable and sustainable.
Food entrepreneur Henry Dimbleby, who is leading the National Food Strategy review, has said school meals are a "fantastic way" to get children eating well at school.
"The alternative to a school lunch is a packed lunch and only 1% of packed lunches have the nutritional value of a school meal," he said.
"If you look at packed lunches as children get less affluent, those packed lunches have increasingly low nutritional value."
Image caption, The footballer met some of the families who benefited from the extended children's food voucher scheme
Speaking on Breakfast, he said nutrition was the basis of equality of opportunity - "you can't level up if you are not getting enough nutrition into your most vulnerable children".
He added that the status of food, dining halls and particularly school cooks needed to be raised, saying they were "as important as any teacher".
Members of the taskforce have also pledged to spend the next six weeks using their platforms to share stories of those affected by child food insecurity in the UK.
Richard Walker, Iceland's managing director, said it was an issue they cared about deeply and wanted to support Mr Rashford to effect positive change.
Career highlights: The rise and rise of Rashford
Image source, Reuters
Came through the ranks at Manchester United, having grown up in the city and joined the club at the age of seven
At the age of 18, he was named as a sub for a Europa League tie against Midtjylland, but was drafted into the starting line-up when Anthony Martial was injured in the warm-up
He went on to score two goals in that match, breaking George Best's record as Manchester United's youngest ever scorer in European competition
That immediate impact meant he made his Premier League debut against Arsenal three days later
He has now scored 67 goals in 214 matches for the club
He scored three minutes into his England debut against Australia
He played for England at both Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup, where he converted a penalty in the famous shoot-out win over Colombia
At the age of 22, he now has 38 England caps (more than World Cup winners George Cohen, Jack Charlton, Roger Hunt and Nobby Stiles) and has scored 10 international goals
Mr Rashford has stressed the importance of tackling the stigma around child food poverty, and changing attitudes about asking for help.
He told the BBC: "I feel like at times people think they are being looked down on if they ask for help, and I think in this generation... that is something that should change.
"You should feel free if you want to ask for help for anything," he said. "Hold your head up high and if you need help go and get help."
The footballer has met some of the families who have benefitted from the extended children's food voucher scheme, which he said had been an "unbelievable experience".
"Just to see the smiles on their faces and to see how much it's helped them, you know, made me happy," he said. "It was good to see the parents laughing and smiling."
During the coronavirus lockdown the government provided vouchers to families whose children qualify for free meals, but it had insisted this would not continue into the summer holidays.
This prompted the England footballer to write an open letter to MPs, drawing on his own experiences of relying on free school meals and food banks growing up in Wythenshawe, Manchester. He called on the government to reverse its decision - which it did shortly after he spoke out.
The U-turn enabled about 1.3m children in England to claim vouchers over the holidays, with the support working out as about £15 a week for each child.
Have you used school meal vouchers over the summer? Have you struggled to get access? Please share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also get in touch in the following ways:


bbc--2020-09-01--Djokovic through in straight sets to face Edmund next

Last updated on .From the section Tennis World number one Novak Djokovic began his pursuit of an 18th Grand Slam title with a straight-set win over Damir Dzumhur in the US Open first round .
Djokovic is seeking to capitalise on the absence of fellow greats Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer in New York .
Among those likely to challenge him are Alexander Zverev and Stefanos Tsitsipas , who also won their openers .
Both of those players are chasing a maiden Grand Slam title , with Spain 's defending champion Nadal not playing because of coronavirus concerns and Swiss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surgery .
Djokovic will play Kyle Edmund in the second round after the British number two came from behind to beat Kazakhstan 's Alexander Bublik .
It will be the seventh meeting between the two - and their second at Flushing Meadows - with Edmund 's only victory over Djokovic coming on the Madrid clay in 2018 .
`` He has a really good serve and forehand , those are two big weapons , '' said Djokovic .
`` I 've had some really good matches in the past against him at Wimbledon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ago .
`` He does n't feel so much pressure playing on the big court , obviously it 's different circumstances here , but he actually likes the challenge .
`` His results were kind of up and down a little bit but I think he does have the game and the potential to be in the top 20 without a doubt , where I expect him to be soon .
`` It 's going to be a tough one , I 'm sure he has not so much to lose in that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to start off well . ''
After an assured start where Djokovic took the first set in just 24 minutes , the top seed found he was not going to get everything his own way as Bosnia-Herzegovina 's Dzumhur began to exert some pressure .
Djokovic was broken in the fourth game of the second set and saved three break points on his next service game but stepped up a gear to regain control against the world number 109 .
`` Things got complicated .
I lost my focus and he started missing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Serb quickly went a break up in the third and then - helped by Dzumhur 's 41 unforced errors and eight double faults - claimed victory on an Arthur Ashe Stadium that was empty because the tournament is being held behind closed doors because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Djokovic has won all 24 of his matches in 2020 , which has included titles at the Australian Open , Dubai Tennis Championships and last week 's Western and Southern Open .
• None Follow live coverage of day one at the US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ challenge from South African Kevin Anderson to reach the second round with a 7-6 ( 7-2 ) 5-7 6-3 7-5 win .
The 23-year-old German stuttered as he lost the second set , but regained control to beat the 2017 finalist .
`` Kevin is not somebody you usually play in the first round , '' Zverev said .
`` I 'm extremely happy to get through . ''
Zverev broke serve to go 3-2 up against Anderson in the first set but was later broken back by the world number 117 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ broke late in the second set to level things and pushed the German at every opportunity with his dominant serve , but Zverev eventually wrapped up the match in just over three hours .
Greece 's Tsitsipas , the fourth seed , sailed through his opening match , beating Spain 's Albert Ramos Vinolas 6-2 6-1 6-1 .
The 22-year-old world number six will face American Maxime Cressy in the second round , while Zverev plays American 19-year-old Brandon Nakashima .
• None Alerts : Get tennis news sent to your phone • @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Billie Eilish , The 1975 and more • None Selected tracks to bring peace to your day

Last updated on .From the section Tennis
Top seed Novak Djokovic is chasing a fourth US Open title
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.
World number one Novak Djokovic began his pursuit of an 18th Grand Slam title with a straight-set win over Damir Dzumhur in the US Open first round.
The Serb, 33, raced through the opening set before being tested in the second on his way to a 6-1 6-4 6-1 win.
Djokovic is seeking to capitalise on the absence of fellow greats Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer in New York.
Among those likely to challenge him are Alexander Zverev and Stefanos Tsitsipas, who also won their openers.
Both of those players are chasing a maiden Grand Slam title, with Spain's defending champion Nadal not playing because of coronavirus concerns and Swiss 20-time major champion Federer missing following knee surgery.
Djokovic will play Kyle Edmund in the second round after the British number two came from behind to beat Kazakhstan's Alexander Bublik.
It will be the seventh meeting between the two - and their second at Flushing Meadows - with Edmund's only victory over Djokovic coming on the Madrid clay in 2018.
"He has a really good serve and forehand, those are two big weapons," said Djokovic. "I've had some really good matches in the past against him at Wimbledon, a tough four-setter a few years ago.
"He doesn't feel so much pressure playing on the big court, obviously it's different circumstances here, but he actually likes the challenge.
"His results were kind of up and down a little bit but I think he does have the game and the potential to be in the top 20 without a doubt, where I expect him to be soon.
"It's going to be a tough one, I'm sure he has not so much to lose in that match and it's important for me to start off well."
Djokovic regains focus to win
After an assured start where Djokovic took the first set in just 24 minutes, the top seed found he was not going to get everything his own way as Bosnia-Herzegovina's Dzumhur began to exert some pressure.
Djokovic was broken in the fourth game of the second set and saved three break points on his next service game but stepped up a gear to regain control against the world number 109.
"Things got complicated. I lost my focus and he started missing less," Djokovic said.
But the Serb quickly went a break up in the third and then - helped by Dzumhur's 41 unforced errors and eight double faults - claimed victory on an Arthur Ashe Stadium that was empty because the tournament is being held behind closed doors because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Djokovic has won all 24 of his matches in 2020, which has included titles at the Australian Open, Dubai Tennis Championships and last week's Western and Southern Open.
Zverev & Tsitsipas into second round
Fifth seed Zverev overcame a tough challenge from South African Kevin Anderson to reach the second round with a 7-6 (7-2) 5-7 6-3 7-5 win.
The 23-year-old German stuttered as he lost the second set, but regained control to beat the 2017 finalist.
"Kevin is not somebody you usually play in the first round," Zverev said. "I'm extremely happy to get through."
Zverev broke serve to go 3-2 up against Anderson in the first set but was later broken back by the world number 117, claiming victory in a tie-break.
Anderson broke late in the second set to level things and pushed the German at every opportunity with his dominant serve, but Zverev eventually wrapped up the match in just over three hours.
Greece's Tsitsipas, the fourth seed, sailed through his opening match, beating Spain's Albert Ramos Vinolas 6-2 6-1 6-1.
The 22-year-old world number six will face American Maxime Cressy in the second round, while Zverev plays American 19-year-old Brandon Nakashima.


bbc--2020-09-01--Resurgent Sale, bold Northampton and training 'going to zero' - Premiership talking points

Last updated on .From the section Rugby Union With midweek matches taking place for the first time , the play-off picture in the Premiership has become clearer over the past week , but Exeter continue their march to Twickenham .
Here are some of the talking points from the last seven days .
This time last week , Sale boss Steve Diamond admitted his side 's top four hopes were going up in smoke after a poor start following the resumption .
His players ' response has been resounding , with a hard-fought victory at Wasps followed by a 40-7 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Sharks ' top four credentials .
Part of the turnaround has been down to discipline , with desperate times calling for desperate measures .
`` We gave five penalties away [ against Bristol ] , we gave 12 away on Tuesday [ against Wasps ] , we gave 23 away [ against Exeter ] and 18 the week before [ against Harlequins ] , '' said Diamond .
`` We are learning and getting better . ''
Four rounds into the restart , and the play-off picture is starting to take shape @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sale , Bristol , Bath and Wasps seemingly competing for three spots .
But regardless of the scrap for the top four , Exeter 's dominance of the league shows no sign of abating .
Their victory at Bristol , with a much-changed line-up , was a remarkable show of character , composure and squad depth .
They then followed that up with a nine-try demolition of Worcester on Sunday .
It will take something special to stop a Chiefs ' title procession .
While there have been a handful of gripping games @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lack of a relegation threat has resulted in a number of mismatches , which does little for the integrity or reputation of the Premiership .
Exeter and Saracens have the quality and depth to compete regardless of their rotation , but many clubs at the moment are waving the white flag with their team selection .
One interesting exception is Northampton , with Chris Boyd choosing to mix and match his players , fielding two completely separate sides of similar standard over the first four rounds of the restart .
In terms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with the Saints losing three out of four - including Sunday 's match at Harlequins - and dropping away from the title race .
But all four of Northampton 's matches have been close and competitive .
While Boyd may not have endeared himself to Saints fans , neutrals should feel differently .
Meanwhile , fans frustrated with one-sided games should focus firmly on the Pro14 this weekend .
Both Leinster against Munster and Edinburgh against Ulster will be full-blooded affairs between full-strength sides although - as with Exeter in the Premiership @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but Leinster winning the league and retaining their title .
With some clubs set to play as many as seven matches in a month , Premiership Rugby is in the midst of its most relentless schedule in history , with clear player welfare repercussions .
However , Sale boss Diamond says the strain of the extra matches is being offset by a drastic decrease in training load .
`` Between games at the moment we watch a video and then do a [ pre-match ] walk-through , '' he told BBC Radio 5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the week has gone to zero , so the amount of stress their bodies are taking is less than it normally is . ''
While it would be dangerous for this congested schedule to be repeated on a regular basis- it is a one-off , short-term fix because of the coronavirus pandemic - the medical data will make fascinating reading .
Clubs and unions worldwide have been implementing individual player passports , monitoring their loads in training and matches , so each player can be treated and managed accordingly .
World Rugby boss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told us last week the game has never been safer given the improvements in technology and injury management .
But while there is a long , long way to go , medical advancements coupled with law changes designed to make the game simpler and safer , might start to solve an issue that has blighted the game throughout professionalism .
While regular midweek matches alongside weekend games is probably unreasonable on welfare grounds , it is time the English clubs started to think outside the box .
Having originally been open to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have performed a U-turn , putting a spanner in the works of a global calendar .
But is n't it time the Premiership stopped fighting a losing battle against football and the Premier League ?
Regular matches through July and early August - during the football off-season - would give club rugby union in England priceless exposure , especially during quiet weeks in the sporting calendar .
How good would Bristol against Exeter have been with a full house ?
And on that note , should midweek games be embraced during international windows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Six Nations , for example , to clash with the club game , as will be the case throughout the 2021 Championship .
As the RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney has said recently , it is time rugby union stopped competing with itself .
Twenty-five years on from the sport turning professional , rugby union is precariously ( or excitingly , delete as appropriate ) poised , especially with the coronavirus pandemic exposing fault-lines in the game and accelerating change .
Administrators have long suggested that rugby union will eventually become divided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by time zones .
Could this now happen sooner rather than later ?
The prospect of South Africa and Argentina having a long-term future with Australia and New Zealand is now looking slim , with talk intensifying about South African franchises making a permanent move to the Pro14 , while Australia and New Zealand are likely to further cement their links with Japan and the Pacific Islands .
With private equity companies tightening their commercial grip on the sport , rugby union is well and truly entering into a new era .

Last updated on .From the section Rugby Union
World Cup-winning scrum-half Faf de Klerk, one of 13 changes to the Sale side, scored his side's third try in the win over Bristol
With midweek matches taking place for the first time, the play-off picture in the Premiership has become clearer over the past week, but Exeter continue their march to Twickenham.
The Pro14 looks forward to its play-offs, as the sport prepares for its next 25 years of professionalism.
Here are some of the talking points from the last seven days.
Disciplined Sale turn play-off hopes around
This time last week, Sale boss Steve Diamond admitted his side's top four hopes were going up in smoke after a poor start following the resumption.
His players' response has been resounding ,with a hard-fought victory at Wasps followed by a 40-7 thrashing of a weakened Bristol firmly re-establishing the Sharks' top four credentials.
Part of the turnaround has been down to discipline, with desperate times calling for desperate measures.
"We gave five penalties away [against Bristol], we gave 12 away on Tuesday [against Wasps], we gave 23 away [against Exeter] and 18 the week before [against Harlequins]," said Diamond.
"We are learning and getting better."
Four rounds into the restart, and the play-off picture is starting to take shape, with Northampton dropping back, and Sale, Bristol, Bath and Wasps seemingly competing for three spots.
But regardless of the scrap for the top four, Exeter's dominance of the league shows no sign of abating. Their victory at Bristol, with a much-changed line-up, was a remarkable show of character, composure and squad depth. They then followed that up with a nine-try demolition of Worcester on Sunday. It will take something special to stop a Chiefs' title procession.
Saints selection policy stands out
Rory Hutchinson scored for Northampton in a tight first half on Sunday but Harlequins dominated after the break to win 30-17
While there have been a handful of gripping games since the resumption, squad rotation and the lack of a relegation threat has resulted in a number of mismatches, which does little for the integrity or reputation of the Premiership.
Exeter and Saracens have the quality and depth to compete regardless of their rotation, but many clubs at the moment are waving the white flag with their team selection.
One interesting exception is Northampton, with Chris Boyd choosing to mix and match his players, fielding two completely separate sides of similar standard over the first four rounds of the restart.
In terms of results, it hasn't worked, with the Saints losing three out of four - including Sunday's match at Harlequins - and dropping away from the title race.
But all four of Northampton's matches have been close and competitive. While Boyd may not have endeared himself to Saints fans, neutrals should feel differently.
Meanwhile, fans frustrated with one-sided games should focus firmly on the Pro14 this weekend.
Both Leinster against Munster and Edinburgh against Ulster will be full-blooded affairs between full-strength sides although - as with Exeter in the Premiership - it's hard to see anyone but Leinster winning the league and retaining their title.
Extra matches = less training
With some clubs set to play as many as seven matches in a month, Premiership Rugby is in the midst of its most relentless schedule in history, with clear player welfare repercussions.
However, Sale boss Diamond says the strain of the extra matches is being offset by a drastic decrease in training load.
"Between games at the moment we watch a video and then do a [pre-match] walk-through," he told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"So the training in the week has gone to zero, so the amount of stress their bodies are taking is less than it normally is."
While it would be dangerous for this congested schedule to be repeated on a regular basis- it is a one-off, short-term fix because of the coronavirus pandemic - the medical data will make fascinating reading.
Clubs and unions worldwide have been implementing individual player passports, monitoring their loads in training and matches, so each player can be treated and managed accordingly.
World Rugby boss Brett Gosper raised some eyebrows when he told us last week the game has never been safer given the improvements in technology and injury management.
But while there is a long, long way to go, medical advancements coupled with law changes designed to make the game simpler and safer, might start to solve an issue that has blighted the game throughout professionalism.
Summer rugby and midweek matches the future?
While regular midweek matches alongside weekend games is probably unreasonable on welfare grounds, it is time the English clubs started to think outside the box.
Having originally been open to the concept of summer rugby, the clubs have performed a U-turn, putting a spanner in the works of a global calendar.
But isn't it time the Premiership stopped fighting a losing battle against football and the Premier League?
Regular matches through July and early August - during the football off-season - would give club rugby union in England priceless exposure, especially during quiet weeks in the sporting calendar. How good would Bristol against Exeter have been with a full house?
And on that note, should midweek games be embraced during international windows as well? It is nonsensical for the Six Nations, for example, to clash with the club game, as will be the case throughout the 2021 Championship.
As the RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney has said recently, it is time rugby union stopped competing with itself.
Time zones to dictate global links?
Twenty-five years on from the sport turning professional, rugby union is precariously (or excitingly, delete as appropriate) poised, especially with the coronavirus pandemic exposing fault-lines in the game and accelerating change.
Administrators have long suggested that rugby union will eventually become divided and governed not by hemispheres, but by time zones. Could this now happen sooner rather than later?
The prospect of South Africa and Argentina having a long-term future with Australia and New Zealand is now looking slim, with talk intensifying about South African franchises making a permanent move to the Pro14, while Australia and New Zealand are likely to further cement their links with Japan and the Pacific Islands.
With private equity companies tightening their commercial grip on the sport, rugby union is well and truly entering into a new era.


bbc--2020-09-01--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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' 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 .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hurt in confrontations with police , saying he felt `` terribly for anybody who goes through that '' .
But he said he did not believe there was systemic racism in law enforcement .
The president also claimed without evidence that the city would have been `` burnt to the ground '' by protesters were it not for the National Guard .
Although Mr Trump said he sent the National Guard into Kenosha , they were deployed by Wisconsin 's governor and supported by 200 federal law enforcement officials ordered in by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would provide nearly $ 4m ( £3m ) to help Kenosha businesses that had been damaged in the riots and $ 1m for city law enforcement .
Demonstrators have accused outside agitators of violently 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sharon Ward said : `` I think it 's important to have black people at the table to help solve the problem . ''
Earlier in an interview with CNN , Mr Blake 's father , 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 into a car where his three children were seated .
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 .
• Jacob Blake shooting : What we know • Two incidents , two different police responses Over the weekend Kenosha Mayor John Antaramian said it was not a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Realistically , from our perspective , our preference would have been for him not to be coming at this point in time , '' he told National Public Radio .
Wisconsin 's 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 some protests rather than the grievances of 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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--2020-09-01--Charlie Hebdo: Magazine republishes controversial Mohammed cartoons

Republication comes a day before 14 people go on trial accused of helping the two Islamist attackers carry out their gun rampage on 7 January 2015 .
The front cover of the latest edition features the 12 original cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed , which were published in a Danish newspaper before appearing in Charlie Hebdo .
One of the cartoons shows the prophet wearing a bomb instead of a turban .
The French headline reads `` Tout ça pour ça '' ( `` All of that for this '' ) .
In its editorial , the magazine says that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on printing caricatures of the prophet since the 2015 killings .
`` We have always refused to do so , not because it is prohibited - the law allows us to do so - but because there was a need for a good reason to do it , a reason which has meaning and which brings something to the debate , '' it says .
`` To reproduce these cartoons in the week the trial over the January 2015 terrorist attacks opens seemed essential to us . ''
Fourteen people are accused of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the attackers of Charlie Hebdo 's Paris offices , and subsequent attacks on a Jewish supermarket and a police officer .
Three of the accused are being tried in absentia as they are believed to have fled to northern Syria and Iraq .
There are believed to be some 200 plaintiffs in the trial and survivors of the attacks are expected to testify , France 's RFI broadcaster reports .
The trial had been due to start in March but was postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic .
It is due to last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brothers Said and Cherif Kouachi stormed the offices of Charlie Hebdo , and opened fire killing the editor Stéphane Charbonnier , known as Charb , four other cartoonists including Cabu , two columnists , a copy editor , a guest attending the meeting and the caretaker .
The editor 's bodyguard and a police officer were also killed .
As police hunted down the two brothers - who were eventually killed - another siege began in the east of Paris .
Amedy Coulibaly , who was an acquaintance of the Kouachi brothers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hostage at a Jewish supermarket .
He killed four Jewish men on 9 January before being shot dead in a police standoff .
In a video recording , Coulibaly said the attacks had been carried in the name of the Islamic State group .
Charlie Hebdo 's anti-establishment satire - poking fun at the far right , and aspects of Catholicism and Judaism as well as Islam - had long drawn controversy .
But it was its portrayals of the Prophet Mohammed that led to death threats against the editorial team and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2011 .
Charb had strongly defended the cartoons as symbolic of freedom of speech .
`` I do n't blame Muslims for not laughing at our drawings , '' he told the Associated Press in 2012 .
`` I live under French law .
I do n't live under Koranic law . ''

"We have always refused to do so, not because it is prohibited - the law allows us to do so - but because there was a need for a good reason to do it, a reason which has meaning and which brings something to the debate," it says.


bbc--2020-09-01--Zimbabwe to return land seized from foreign farmers

Zimbabwe has offered to return land to foreign nationals whose farms were seized under a controversial government programme two decades ago .
Thousands of white farmers were forced from their land , often violently , between 2000 and 2001 .
The seizures were meant to redress colonial-era land grabs but contributed to the country 's economic decline and ruined relations with the West .
They have not been offered land , but the government last month promised them $ 3.5bn ( £2.6bn ) for seized infrastructure .
The US has said compensating farmers is one of the requirements for it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What has the government promised ?
Zimbabwe on Monday said foreign citizens who had their land seized could now apply to get it back .
Hundreds of Europeans - mostly Dutch , British and German nationals - whose investments were protected under international agreements could benefit from the offer , reports the BBC 's Shingai Nyoka from the capital , Harare .
The farms were taken under a controversial land reform programme launched by former President Robert Mugabe .
He argued that this was to redress colonial-era land grabs , when much of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the white population and black farmers were forced onto marginal areas .
Under the programme , most of the country 's 4,000 white farmers - then the backbone of Zimbabwe 's agricultural economy - were forced from their land , which was handed over to about a million black Zimbabweans .
In a joint statement on Monday , the ministers of finance and agriculture said some black farmers who received land under the programme would now be moved .
To allow the former owners `` to regain possession '' of their land @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to black farmers currently occupying the farms and `` offer them alternative land elsewhere '' , the statement said .
The offer marks an important step in repairing relations with Western nations and avoiding international judgements against Zimbabwe worth hundreds of millions of dollars , our reporter says .

To allow the former owners "to regain possession" of their land, the government will revoke offers made to black farmers currently occupying the farms and "offer them alternative land elsewhere", the statement said.


bbc--2020-09-01--Melania Trump ex-confidante tell-all dishes on 'Princess Ivanka'

A tell-all memoir by an ex-associate of First Lady Melania Trump has disclosed unflattering details about the White House as her husband seeks re-election .
In Melania and Me , published Tuesday , Stephanie Winston Wolkoff claims she witnessed `` deceit '' and `` deception '' throughout her former friendship .
The White House has denounced the book as a `` bizarre twisting of the truth '' .
On Monday , the author said she was working with authorities on a financial probe of Mr Trump 's inauguration .
Mrs Winston Wolkoff , a longtime event planner for Vogue magazine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between Mrs Trump and her step-daughter Ivanka Trump , who Mrs Trump allegedly refers to as `` princess '' .
Mrs Trump , she writes , is a fan of emojis and once sent her a text message describing Ms Trump and her husband Jared Kushner - both senior White House advisors - as `` snakes '' .
On Monday Mrs Winston Wolkoff , who was a senior organiser for Trump 's inauguration , told ABC News that she was co-operating with investigators who are scrutinising allegations of financial crimes involved with spending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump has made her mark What else does the book describe ?
Mrs Winston Wolkoff says her 15 year friendship with Mrs Trump ended two years ago after the first lady `` betrayed '' her by refusing to publicly defend her and an unpaid White House aide from claims of financial mismanagement while planning the inauguration .
She describes feeling `` stabbed in the back '' by someone who has changed greatly over the time they have known each other .
`` I witnessed the transformation of Melania from gold plate to 24-karat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , adding : `` Watching her now , and seeing that only the gold shell remains , I have to wonder if that 's all she ever was , and I was the sucker who bought the fake watch on the street corner . ''
A spokeswoman for Mrs Trump responded : `` The book is not only full of mistruths and paranoia , it it is based on some imagined need for revenge… Sadly , this is a deeply insecure woman whose need to be relevant defies logic . ''
The author @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Trumps as the now-president ran for office and won the White House .
In one episode , Mrs Winston Wolkoff describes how the future first lady reacted in 2016 after hearing of the Access Hollywood tape in which her husband boasts of being able to `` grab '' women due to his fame .
`` She was radiant , she was smiling , '' Mrs Winston Wolkoff writes .
`` It was as if nothing happened . ''
`` She knows who she married ... She knew what she was getting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' says the author , who adds that she never voted in the presidential election before 2016 .
Mrs Winston Wolkoff says one of Mrs Trump 's often repeated lines is `` pleasing anyone else is not my priority '' , and later writes : `` Ever the pragmatist , she reasoned that since she had no control over people 's thoughts , why should she care what they believed . ''
The book , which is dedicated to Mrs Trump , claims that the first lady refused to move into the White @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and toilet used by the Obamas had been renovated , and that Mr Trump overruled her chosen colour for the wall paint .

The author discloses surprising nuggets about the private lives of the Trumps as the now-president ran for office and won the White House. In one episode, Mrs Winston Wolkoff describes how the future first lady reacted in 2016 after hearing of the Access Hollywood tape in which her husband crudely boasts of being able to "grab" women due to his fame.


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 @ @ @ @ @ , local police have said .
His death comes less than a month after his @ @ @ @ @ female DJ after working a gig together .
Police said the 49-year old was found @ @ @ @ @ home , but have released few details as the investigation begins .
He released his @ @ @ @ @ to Move It ' using the name Reel 2 Real .
It became a retro @ @ @ @ @ was featured in the 2005 animated film Madagascar .
Morillo had denied the sexual assault @ @ @ @ @ in after a rape kit identified him as the suspect , according to WPLG-TV in @ @ @ @ @ scheduled for a court 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--2020-09-01--Belarus riot police attack and arrest students

A BBC team has filmed riot police attacking and forcibly arresting university students in the capital of Belarus .
The @ @ @ @ @ the start of the country 's academic year with marches against Alexander Lukashenko , who @ @ @ @ @ 26 years .
Protests against his rule have continued across Belarus since the 9 August @ @ @ @ @ widely regarded as rigged and rejected by the EU and US as neither free nor @ @ @ @ @ insisted he has the support of millions of Belarusians .
The BBC 's Jonah Fisher @ @ @ @ @ attacks happened .
Read more : Students held as protests mark new term in Belarus

A BBC team has filmed riot police attacking and forcibly arresting university students in the capital of Belarus.
The students in Minsk were marking the start of the country's academic year with marches against Alexander Lukashenko, who has been in power for 26 years.
Protests against his rule have continued across Belarus since the 9 August presidential election, which was widely regarded as rigged and rejected by the EU and US as neither free nor fair.
Mr Lukashenko has insisted he has the support of millions of Belarusians.
The BBC's Jonah Fisher was in Minsk when the attacks happened.
Filmed by Anton Chicherov and Liza Vereykina
Read more: Students held as protests mark new term in Belarus


bbc--2020-09-01--Want an Uber? Send a selfie proving you are wearing a mask

Uber is to roll out a selfie feature on its app so that drivers can verify some riders are wearing face masks .
It will apply to riders who have previously been reported for not wearing a mask .
The selfie scanner , to be used in the US and Canada by the end of September and other regions after that , will look for a mask-like covering over the mouth and nose .
Currently , drivers must take a mask selfie each day before starting work .
If the scanner does not detect the driver is wearing a mask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to pick up passengers .
Uber introduced a `` No Mask No Ride '' policy on 18 May and extended it indefinitely due to the ongoing pandemic , requiring both drivers and riders to wear a face covering at all times during a ride .
Drivers and riders are able to cancel a trip without charge if they report the other party is not wearing a mask .
Failure to comply can lead to account deactivation .
Demand for ride-hailing trips fell sharply during the coronavirus lockdown , especially in the US .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Khosrowshahi said the move was to help protect drivers and passengers .
`` We 're all in this together , '' he said .
Uber said it hoped the feature would be a useful reminder of its policy for customers who are just returning to the service .
`` We definitely wanted to make sure that we are targeting this feature to riders who are maybe just coming back to the platform and maybe they 're not aware of our mask policy , '' said Sachin Kansal , Uber 's senior director of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feature does not use facial recognition technology , but simply detects the mask as an object on the face .
The company said it will store the selfie photos for 96 hours to settle potential disputes , but then permanently deletes them , Uber said .
Uber says it has allocated $ 50m ( £37m ) worth of masks , gloves , hand sanitiser , sprays and wipes to drivers .
The company said it has distributed masks to 1.4 million drivers globally .

"We definitely wanted to make sure that we are targeting this feature to riders who are maybe just coming back to the platform and maybe they're not aware of our mask policy," said Sachin Kansal, Uber's senior director of product management.


bbc--2020-09-01--Heart of Belgian city mayor found entombed in fountain

An ornate fountain in Verviers , eastern Belgium , has given up an object it held for more than a century : the heart of the city 's first mayor .
The organ , sealed in a jar of alcohol inside a small zinc casket , was found during renovation of the fountain .
The casket is now on show in the city 's Museum of Fine Arts .
Mayor Pierre David died in 1839 , but the fountain named after him was only inaugurated in 1883 .
An engraving on the casket says it was placed in the monument @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Pierre David was solemnly placed in the monument on 25 June 1883 '' , it reads .
The Verviers Alderman for Public Works , Maxime Degey , said `` an urban legend has become reality : the casket was in the upper part of the fountain , right near the bust of Pierre David , behind a stone which we had removed during the fountain 's renovation '' .
Quoted by broadcaster RTBF , he said the casket found by the builders on 20 August was `` in really impeccable condition '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fund for a monument to honour him , and with his family 's consent surgeons removed his heart , so that it could be entombed in the monument .
The Verviers official website - verviers.be - says it then took decades for the city to collect enough money to erect a suitably ornate monument .
Meanwhile there were also arguments over how best to honour the city 's first mayor , before the fountain at Place Verte went ahead .
He lived through turbulent times , including the establishment of Belgium as an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ served as Verviers mayor in 1800-1808 , when today 's Belgium was ruled from France .
Later , Belgium 's independence resulted from a revolution against Dutch rule in 1830 , and in that year Pierre David was elected to serve as mayor again .
The mayor is remembered especially for having founded a fire service in Verviers in 1802 - a rare innovation at that time .
He was a Francophile who supported the ideology of the French Revolution , but then lived through the period of Dutch rule from 1815 to @ @

The Verviers Alderman for Public Works, Maxime Degey, said "an urban legend has become reality: the casket was in the upper part of the fountain, right near the bust of Pierre David, behind a stone which we had removed during the fountain's renovation".


bbc--2020-09-01--Lampedusa: Migrant with coronavirus gives birth in helicopter

A migrant woman who tested positive for coronavirus has given birth on board a helicopter while being airlifted to hospital from an over-crowded holding centre on Italy 's Lampedusa island .
A rescue ship was given permission on Tuesday to disembark 353 rescued migrants on the island of Sicily after calls from the United Nations .
The commercial vessel , Maersk Etienne , says it rescued the migrants following a request by Malta in early August but has since been left at sea .
Its crew say they are `` desperate '' .
Officials said they decided to transfer her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Palermo - a one-hour flight away - so she could give birth in safety .
But she gave birth mid-way through the flight .
The woman - who has not been identified - is now in hospital in Palermo along with her baby .
The incident came amid clashes between the Sicilian and national government , with Sicily 's Governor Nello Musumeci accusing Rome of not giving him enough help in dealing with migrant arrivals from Africa .
Some 19,400 migrants have landed on Italy 's shores so far this year , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ period last year , according to official data cited by Reuters .
The UN says slightly more than 40,000 people have arrived in Europe by sea in 2020 and 443 people have died or have gone missing trying to cross the Mediterranean from north Africa .
What about those stuck at sea ?
The UN Refugee Agency on Saturday called for hundreds of migrants and asylum seekers stuck on ships in the Mediterranean to be allowed to disembark safely .
The NGO rescue ship Sea Watch 4 said some 353 migrants on board @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Palermo .
They will first be transferred to a ship for quarantine , it said .
The Danish-flagged Maersk Etienne says it rescued the migrants on 5 August at the request of Maltese authorities , but has since been left at sea .
`` It 's been a long time now , 27 days today since we were called by the Maltese authorities to pick up these 27 migrants , '' Tommy Thomassen , the chief technical officer of the ship 's operator Maersk Tankers told the BBC .

Officials said they decided to transfer her to a hospital in the Sicilian capital of Palermo - a one-hour flight away - so she could give birth in safety. But she gave birth mid-way through the flight.


bbc--2020-09-01--FBI worried that Ring doorbells are spying on police

Hacked documents suggest that the FBI is concerned some people may be using Ring or other smart doorbells to watch the police .
The papers describe a 2017 incident where someone remotely watched live footage of police preparing to serve a search warrant .
Previously , privacy advocates have raised concerns about data from smart doorbells being shared with police .
The hacked papers , known collectively as BlueLeaks , were stolen from more than 250 police websites .
The document in question is a technical analysis bulletin , offering an overview of the opportunities and challenges for police from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The 2017 incident describes how someone under investigation was able to `` covertly monitor law enforcement activity while law enforcement was on the premises '' and alert his neighbour and landlord .
It does not name the brand of video doorbell used .
Amazon 's Ring is one of the most popular , but there are a variety of companies selling smart doorbells along with home surveillance kits .
It is an interesting twist on the smart doorbell story .
Previously there have been concerns about how much information from private cameras is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criticised last year for partnering with at least 200 US law enforcement agencies to allow surveillance via its Ring doorbells .
Under the partnership , police officers can ask customers to share videos and information about crime in their areas .
At the time digital rights group Fight the Future said it `` undermined our democratic process and basic civil liberties '' .
In the UK , Wiltshire police have set up a database of private smart doorbells and security cameras , and residents are being asked to register theirs .

The 2017 incident describes how someone under investigation was able to "covertly monitor law enforcement activity while law enforcement was on the premises" and alert his neighbour and landlord. It does not name the brand of video doorbell used.


bbc--2020-09-01--BTS tell fans to 'stay strong' during difficult year

In a year where much of the world has been brought to standstill , BTS stands out .
Unable to perform live and show off their electric choreography on some of the biggest stages across the world , they took a fresh approach : disco .
Not only has it proved to be a success , their single Dynamite has broken records and they 've become the first all-Korean pop act to top the Billboard 100 singles chart .
RM , Jin , Suga , J-Hope , Jimin , V and Jungkook told me how their fans - and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them through the recent uncertainty .
They did n't manage to answer all of my questions , including the one most fans ask- when are they going to do their mandatory military service in South Korea .
But judging by their tweets , they have been overwhelmed and even in tears at the success of their single .
Even the South Korean President , Moon Jae-in tweeted to call it a `` splendid feat . ''
BTS keep in contact with their fans - or `` ARMY '' - on social media .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ stream of pictures and videos .
This year , more than any other , it seems that may have proved invaluable connection for both the band and their followers .
Congratulations on the success of Dynamite .
How does it feel to rise through the world charts including in the UK ?
RM : We are so humbled to achieve all these incredible feats , including the Official Singles Chart .
A big thank you to our ARMY !
`` Dynamite '' was created in the hopes of bringing some vibrant energy that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are extremely happy to see people around the world enjoying it .
Jung Kook : Thank you ARMY for being so awesome !
You said that `` due to Covid-19 , people in the world have been going through tough times and you wanted to share some positive energy with your fans '' .
Do you feel the final product has achieved that goal ?
RM : We would dare say that it has , to some extent !
The only thing we want for them is to forget everything and just rock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the beat .
One of the real joys of BTS is seeing you perform live .
I can speak from experience that it is electric .
How are you coping without those live performances ?
Suga : Our world tour plans had to be altered due to COVID-19 and honestly we felt dispirited .
We missed the stage and our fans .
In order to alleviate this sense of frustration , we planned an online concert in June .
Even though we could n't see each other in person , our fans ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reached us .
This made us realise that there are various ways to support and comfort each other even such times .
Did you enjoy the disco element to the track ?
J-hope : Because we are not the disco generation , I did my research by watching videos and tried to embody that vibe as much as possible .
It was really fun and had me hooked .
Have n't you been hooked as well ?
How difficult has this year been for you as a band ?
Jimin : It 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and we 're not an exception either .
We were unable to do many things that we had planned .
And as artists who need to connect with people on stage , this was most disheartening .
But we are finding ways to cope with this situation , and `` Dynamite '' was one way for us to do that .
Can we talk a bit about your donation to Black Lives Matter .
Why did you decide to donate the money ?
And what was your reaction when you saw your fans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We think our Twitter message speaks for itself .
We stand against racial discrimination and condemn violence , and all have the right to be respected .
We were really thankful to know that the fans were also with us .
• BTS ask fans to avoid shows over coronavirus fears Why after all these years did you decide to release a song in English ?
V : We all loved this song when we first heard it .
It felt fresh , different from what we 've done so far .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ singing in English will best fit the song .
So there was a unanimous consent amongst us to do it in English .
What message do you have for fans who are struggling around the world ?
Jin : I 'm not sure if this can be of any help , but I want to tell you to cheer up and stay strong no matter how hard life is now .
Let 's try to find together our small joys in the midst of this .
Also , listen to Dynamite that will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ !

Jimin: It's been a tough year for everyone, and we're not an exception either. We were unable to do many things that we had planned. And as artists who need to connect with people on stage, this was most disheartening. But we are finding ways to cope with this situation, and "Dynamite" was one way for us to do that.


bbc--2020-09-01--Mauritius oil spill: Three clean-up crew die after boat capsizes

Three sailors have died and one is missing after their tugboat capsized while they were helping to clear a major oil spill off Mauritius .
Four others were rescued after the boat collided with a barge on Monday .
About 1,000 tonnes of oil spilled into a sanctuary for rare wildlife after the Japanese ship MV Wakashio struck a coral reef on 25 July .
Concern mounted further after 39 dead dolphins were found washed up on the shore last week .
The cause of their deaths is not yet known but environmental campaigners believe it is linked to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The tugboat had been towing the unmanned barge back from the spill site in rough seas when the collision between them happened , the barge operator Taylor Smith Group said .
The eight crew members abandoned ship .
Four were later rescued and taken to shore .
Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth visited the rescued sailors in hospital and said rescue teams were searching for the missing crew members , the BBC 's Yasine Mohabuth reports from the capital Port Louis .
His government has also promised to set up a commission to investigate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over its handling of the incident .
Many Mauritians believe the government could have done more to prevent the spill .
There is also criticism over the decision to deliberately sink part of the ship after it split in two .
Many wore black and T-shirts with the inscription : `` I love my country .
I 'm ashamed of my government . ''
They waved the national flag , while honking horns and drumming .
One protester told the BBC : `` They did n't do anything when the ship approached our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do anything until the oil spill and now thousands of people and marine people are affected . ''
The captain of the ship has been arrested and charged with endangering safe navigation .
He has not yet commented .

Concern mounted further after 39 dead dolphins were found washed up on the shore last week. The cause of their deaths is not yet known but environmental campaigners believe it is linked to the spill and are demanding an inquiry.