bbc--2020-08-05--'I've hidden all my gymnastics trophies away' - five ex-gymnasts tell their stories

`` I 've put all my medals and trophies away because I ca n't actually look at them , because gymnastics reminds me of a bad time . ''
This summer , Olympic dreams should have been realised .
Instead , multiple claims - including from Olympians such as Becky and Ellie Downie , and Amy Tinkler - of a culture of fear across gymnastics in this country have been made by those who feel they can no longer stay silent .
They are nervous .
Caig admits she nearly backed out , but all of them are united in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I 'd suppressed the emotions and buried them away , '' Caig adds .
`` I feel like speaking out now is going to allow me to get everything I want off my chest and I can finally move on . ''
The five women , now aged from 18 to 23 , trained at the City of Liverpool Gymnastics Club for differing periods between 2008 and 2019 .
The club coached four of the five women who donned the Team GB leotard at the London 2012 Olympics - but behind the scenes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ training at the club were a lot different to that memorable event .
`` It was not a happy place , and it should have been a happy place , and a fun place , '' says Caig .
`` It was a sport that we all loved but for me , it turned into a sport that I absolutely hated . ''
Their stories are , by now , all too familiar .
But in the quest for medal glory , these gymnasts blame British Gymnastics , the sport 's governing body @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of individuals .
`` Maybe they turned a blind eye because of the talent , '' says Jameson .
`` Maybe they thought that the treatment we were given was working .
It produced many champions , many Olympians , maybe British Gymnastics thought that 's the treatment they deserve . ''
In a statement to BBC Sport , British Gymnastics said : `` Any mistreatment of gymnasts is inexcusable .
It is vital that concerns are made public , whether that is through the media or our processes . ''
Since last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have co-commissioned an independent review aimed at `` bringing about positive change '' in the sport .
A confidential helpline , run jointly by the British Athletes Commission ( BAC ) and the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children ( NSPCC ) , has also been set up for British gymnasts who say they have suffered bullying or abuse .
British Gymnastics added : `` We have continued to receive complaints in recent weeks which our integrity unit is assessing as quickly as possible . ''
The City of Liverpool @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to BBC Sport but it is understood it strongly denies any allegations of bullying or mistreatment of athletes , and the gym maintains no such complaint or allegation has been made to it , and that the welfare and safety of athletes was at all times its first priority .
Liverpool City Council , which runs the gym , confirmed to the BBC that it has received eight complaints about the gym in the past five years but none related to the five women interviewed for this piece .
A spokesperson added : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ council have been dealt with in accordance with our procedures and any actions will have been taken as appropriate .
Allegations of bullying or harassment are clearly a cause for concern and any submitted to the council will be investigated . ''
' I 'd go home at night and just cry' All but one of the five gymnasts BBC Sport spoke to have retired from the sport , with Williams moving to college gymnastics last year in the United States .
Two are now coaches themselves .
But the impact of their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effect on all five of the women , who say they now suffer from anxiety .
`` It started before you even got into the gym , as soon as you got up it was 'right , I 'm scared of going in ' , '' says Leyland .
Caig agrees : `` I 'd wake up and feel physically sick , knowing that I had to go to school , and get through that part of my day , and then go and train .
To be honest , I wanted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have detention than go to the gym and train .
`` It just was n't an environment you wanted to be in at all . ''
To this day , Clements and Jameson both admit they still `` struggle to make friends '' because of their anxiety .
`` I 'd go home at night , close my bedroom door , and I 'd just cry , '' said Jameson .
`` When I look back , it makes me really sad , because that 's made me the way I am today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Clements adds : `` I blocked it out of my head for years .
`` It 's gone on for years , and until we 've got older , we 've not realised how bad it actually was , and actually looked back and thought 'that should n't have happened ' . ''
Many of the gymnasts who have spoken publicly since the allegations of abuse within gymnastics started to emerge in July have referred to issues with their weight .
Former British gymnast Nicole Pavier , who did not train at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sport how gymnasts were sometimes weighed twice a day and weight-shamed .
Jameson says that frequent weighing throughout her gymnastics career led to the development of an eating disorder .
Gymnasts are well versed in pushing through the pain barrier in a sport which is physically tough , but all five gymnasts remember times when they felt it went too far , when they were in so much pain from injuries that they could not continue training .
On one occasion , Caig claims she was left alone on the bars while her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by a coach .
Caig says she struggled to complete her routine because she was `` exhausted mentally , emotionally , physically '' and was left with `` raw and bleeding '' fingertips .
She alleges she only stopped when another gymnast alerted a different coach because the bars were too slippery from Caig 's blood for her to complete her routine .
Leyland 's parents say they withdrew their daughter from the gym after she was hurt at the age of 11 while training on the beam .
`` I landed awkward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ foot .
I heard it , one of the other gymnasts next to me heard it , but I was told to carry on , '' she says .
`` It was up to me to ring my dad to come and pick me up and take me to the hospital , where they told me I 'd broken my foot in four places . ''
'My mum feels that she failed as a parent' All five say they struggled to tell their parents of their experiences at the time .
BBC Sport @ @ @ @ @ @ @ idea what their children were doing during training , that they were not usually allowed to view sessions and that glass in the doors at the Liverpool gym was often covered , or the view obscured with screens .
Most of the gymnasts only told their parents of their experiences once they had retired , while the parents of others have only heard about what their children experienced in recent weeks , since the first allegations were made public .
`` My mum has been heartbroken .
She has actually cried to me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ failed as a parent , '' says Jameson .
`` Our parents were probably just as manipulated as we were as gymnasts .
It 's not their fault , they did n't know what was going on , and they could n't watch anyway , even if they wanted to know . ''
Jameson , Williams , Caig , Clements and Leyland join an ever-extending list of current and former gymnasts to speak about their experiences in the sport , including Olympic bronze medallist Tinkler and her Rio 2016 team-mates the Downie sisters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to an entirely different environment in the US that allowed her to find her voice .
`` I moved to college gymnastics a year ago and it has taken me the whole year to get used to being coached normally and respectfully , and being able to have a voice , to learn I can express how I actually feel without being shut down or shouted at , '' she says .
Caig adds : `` I do n't think we realised how bad it really was .
Us coming together speaking , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lot off my chest . ''

'I've hidden all my gymnastics trophies away'
"I've put all my medals and trophies away because I can't actually look at them, because gymnastics reminds me of a bad time."
BBC Sport is sitting down with five former gymnasts - Sophie Jameson, Olivia Williams, Abbie Caig, Georgina Clements and Amber Leyland have agreed to tell their stories, in light of the widespread allegations of abuse that have rocked the sport in recent weeks.
This summer, Olympic dreams should have been realised. Instead, multiple claims - including from Olympians such as Becky and Ellie Downie, and Amy Tinkler - of a culture of fear across gymnastics in this country have been made by those who feel they can no longer stay silent.
They are nervous. Caig admits she nearly backed out, but all of them are united in the importance of speaking out.
"I'd suppressed the emotions and buried them away," Caig adds. "I feel like speaking out now is going to allow me to get everything I want off my chest and I can finally move on."
The five women, now aged from 18 to 23, trained at the City of Liverpool Gymnastics Club for differing periods between 2008 and 2019.
The club coached four of the five women who donned the Team GB leotard at the London 2012 Olympics - but behind the scenes, some gymnasts say their experiences of training at the club were a lot different to that memorable event.
"It was not a happy place, and it should have been a happy place, and a fun place," says Caig. "It was a sport that we all loved but for me, it turned into a sport that I absolutely hated."
Their stories are, by now, all too familiar. But in the quest for medal glory, these gymnasts blame British Gymnastics, the sport's governing body, for prioritising success over the wellbeing of individuals.
"Maybe they turned a blind eye because of the talent," says Jameson.
"Maybe they thought that the treatment we were given was working. It produced many champions, many Olympians, maybe British Gymnastics thought that's the treatment they deserve."
In a statement to BBC Sport, British Gymnastics said: "Any mistreatment of gymnasts is inexcusable. It is vital that concerns are made public, whether that is through the media or our processes."
Since last month, UK Sport and Sport England have co-commissioned an independent review aimed at "bringing about positive change" in the sport.
A confidential helpline, run jointly by the British Athletes Commission (BAC) and the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC), has also been set up for British gymnasts who say they have suffered bullying or abuse.
British Gymnastics added: "We have continued to receive complaints in recent weeks which our integrity unit is assessing as quickly as possible."
The City of Liverpool Gymnastics Club declined to provide a statement to BBC Sport but it is understood it strongly denies any allegations of bullying or mistreatment of athletes, and the gym maintains no such complaint or allegation has been made to it, and that the welfare and safety of athletes was at all times its first priority.
Liverpool City Council, which runs the gym, confirmed to the BBC that it has received eight complaints about the gym in the past five years but none related to the five women interviewed for this piece.
A spokesperson added: "Any complaints received to the city council have been dealt with in accordance with our procedures and any actions will have been taken as appropriate. Allegations of bullying or harassment are clearly a cause for concern and any submitted to the council will be investigated."
'I'd go home at night and just cry'
All but one of the five gymnasts BBC Sport spoke to have retired from the sport, with Williams moving to college gymnastics last year in the United States. Two are now coaches themselves.
But the impact of their experiences as gymnasts has had a long-lasting effect on all five of the women, who say they now suffer from anxiety.
"It started before you even got into the gym, as soon as you got up it was 'right, I'm scared of going in'," says Leyland.
Caig agrees: "I'd wake up and feel physically sick, knowing that I had to go to school, and get through that part of my day, and then go and train. To be honest, I wanted to stay in school, I'd rather have detention than go to the gym and train.
"It just wasn't an environment you wanted to be in at all."
To this day, Clements and Jameson both admit they still "struggle to make friends" because of their anxiety.
"I'd go home at night, close my bedroom door, and I'd just cry," said Jameson.
"When I look back, it makes me really sad, because that's made me the way I am today - I am so anxious."
Clements adds: "I blocked it out of my head for years.
"It's gone on for years, and until we've got older, we've not realised how bad it actually was, and actually looked back and thought 'that shouldn't have happened'."
Many of the gymnasts who have spoken publicly since the allegations of abuse within gymnastics started to emerge in July have referred to issues with their weight.
Former British gymnast Nicole Pavier, who did not train at the City of Liverpool, previously told BBC Sport how gymnasts were sometimes weighed twice a day and weight-shamed.
Jameson says that frequent weighing throughout her gymnastics career led to the development of an eating disorder.
Gymnasts are well versed in pushing through the pain barrier in a sport which is physically tough, but all five gymnasts remember times when they felt it went too far, when they were in so much pain from injuries that they could not continue training.
On one occasion, Caig claims she was left alone on the bars while her training group was taken to another apparatus by a coach.
Caig says she struggled to complete her routine because she was "exhausted mentally, emotionally, physically" and was left with "raw and bleeding" fingertips.
She alleges she only stopped when another gymnast alerted a different coach because the bars were too slippery from Caig's blood for her to complete her routine.
Leyland's parents say they withdrew their daughter from the gym after she was hurt at the age of 11 while training on the beam.
"I landed awkward and I heard a click in my foot. I heard it, one of the other gymnasts next to me heard it, but I was told to carry on," she says.
"It was up to me to ring my dad to come and pick me up and take me to the hospital, where they told me I'd broken my foot in four places."
'My mum feels that she failed as a parent'
All five say they struggled to tell their parents of their experiences at the time.
BBC Sport was told that parents often had no idea what their children were doing during training, that they were not usually allowed to view sessions and that glass in the doors at the Liverpool gym was often covered, or the view obscured with screens.
Most of the gymnasts only told their parents of their experiences once they had retired, while the parents of others have only heard about what their children experienced in recent weeks, since the first allegations were made public.
"My mum has been heartbroken. She has actually cried to me and says that she feels that she failed as a parent," says Jameson.
"Our parents were probably just as manipulated as we were as gymnasts. It's not their fault, they didn't know what was going on, and they couldn't watch anyway, even if they wanted to know."
Jameson, Williams, Caig, Clements and Leyland join an ever-extending list of current and former gymnasts to speak about their experiences in the sport, including Olympic bronze medallist Tinkler and her Rio 2016 team-mates the Downie sisters.
For Williams, it was moving to an entirely different environment in the US that allowed her to find her voice.
"I moved to college gymnastics a year ago and it has taken me the whole year to get used to being coached normally and respectfully, and being able to have a voice, to learn I can express how I actually feel without being shut down or shouted at," she says.
Caig adds: "I don't think we realised how bad it really was. Us coming together speaking, I feel like I've got a lot off my chest."


bbc--2020-08-05--Nathan Ake: Manchester City sign Bournemouth defender for £40m

The Netherlands international , who has agreed a five-year contract at Etihad Stadium , described joining Pep Guardiola 's side as a `` dream '' .
`` Pep is a manager admired across the world .
What he 's done in the game speaks for itself , '' said 25-year-old Ake .
`` The success he 's had is unbelievable and the style of football he plays really appeals to me . ''
It is understood there is an additional £1m in add-ons as part of the deal .
Ake becomes City 's second summer signing following the £21m arrival @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , on Tuesday .
Ake joined Bournemouth in 2017 for a club record fee and made 121 appearances .
One of the obvious reasons why City lost the Premier League title to Liverpool was their failure to sign a replacement for Vincent Kompany .
It is significant that after the 3-2 defeat by Norwich on 14 September , Guardiola 's two most experienced central defenders , Nicolas Otamendi and John Stones , did not start another Premier League game together until July .
Both stayed on the bench throughout the rematch with Norwich @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before being replaced by Fernandinho at half-time .
It is a prerequisite for Guardiola that his defenders are able to take passes in tight situations and trigger attacks .
Ake fits this template superbly .
He is also good in the air , which is one of 35-year-old Fernandinho 's weaknesses after he was pressed into service in the makeshift role as Stones or Otamendi - and sometimes both - were ignored .
It might not be the end of the spending either , with more defensive reinforcements anticipated .
Find all the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Last updated on .From the section Man City
Ake, who has won 13 caps for the Netherlands, has played for Chelsea, Watford and Reading
Manchester City have signed Bournemouth centre-back Nathan Ake for £40m.
The Netherlands international, who has agreed a five-year contract at Etihad Stadium, described joining Pep Guardiola's side as a "dream".
"Pep is a manager admired across the world. What he's done in the game speaks for itself," said 25-year-old Ake.
"The success he's had is unbelievable and the style of football he plays really appeals to me."
It is understood there is an additional £1m in add-ons as part of the deal.
Ake becomes City's second summer signing following the £21m arrival of Valencia winger Ferran Torres, 20, on Tuesday.
Ake joined Bournemouth in 2017 for a club record fee and made 121 appearances.
'Ake fits Guardiola template superbly' - analysis
BBC Sport's Simon Stone
One of the obvious reasons why City lost the Premier League title to Liverpool was their failure to sign a replacement for Vincent Kompany.
It is significant that after the 3-2 defeat by Norwich on 14 September, Guardiola's two most experienced central defenders, Nicolas Otamendi and John Stones, did not start another Premier League game together until July.
Both stayed on the bench throughout the rematch with Norwich, when 19-year-old Eric Garcia started, before being replaced by Fernandinho at half-time.
It is a prerequisite for Guardiola that his defenders are able to take passes in tight situations and trigger attacks. Ake fits this template superbly.
He is also good in the air, which is one of 35-year-old Fernandinho's weaknesses after he was pressed into service in the makeshift role as Stones or Otamendi - and sometimes both - were ignored.
It might not be the end of the spending either, with more defensive reinforcements anticipated.
Find all the latest football transfers on our dedicated page.


bbc--2020-08-06--Beirut explosion: Angry residents demand answers after blast

People in Beirut have expressed anger at the government over what they say was negligence that led to Tuesday 's huge explosion .
President Michel Aoun said the blast was caused by 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate stored unsafely in a warehouse .
Many have accused the authorities of corruption , neglect and mismanagement .
The blast killed at least 137 people and injured about 5,000 others , while dozens are still missing .
A two-week state of emergency has begun .
`` Beirut is crying , Beirut is screaming , people are hysterical and people are tired , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calling for the people responsible to face justice .
Chadia Elmeouchi Noun , a Beirut resident currently in hospital , said : `` I 've known all the time that we are led by incompetent people , incompetent government [ ... ] But I tell you something - what they have done now is absolutely criminal . ''
On Wednesday , the government announced that a number of Beirut port officials were placed under house arrest pending an investigation into the explosion .
The country 's Supreme Defence Council insisted that those found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' .
Meanwhile , Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have called for an independent investigation into the blast .
In a statement , HRW said it had `` serious concerns about the ability of the Lebanese judiciary to conduct a credible and transparent investigation on its own '' .
The ammonium nitrate - which is used as a fertiliser in agriculture and as an explosive - had reportedly been in a warehouse in Beirut port for six years after it was unloaded from a ship impounded in 2013 .
The head of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ customs authority both told local media that they had written to the judiciary several times asking that the chemical be exported or sold on to ensure port safety .
Port General Manager Hassan Koraytem told OTV they had been aware that the material was dangerous when a court first ordered it stored in the warehouse , `` but not to this degree '' .
House arrest would apply for all port officials `` who have handled the affairs of storing [ the ] ammonium nitrate , guarding it and handling its paperwork '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minister Manal Abdel Samad .
The ammonium nitrate arrived on a Moldovan-flagged ship , the Rhosus , which entered Beirut port after suffering technical problems during its voyage from Georgia to Mozambique , according to Shiparrested.com , which deals with shipping-related legal cases .
The Rhosus was inspected , banned from leaving and was shortly afterwards abandoned by its owners , sparking several legal claims .
Its cargo was stored in a port warehouse for safety reasons , the report said .
More on the explosion in Beirut • AMMONIUM NITRATE : What @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
• Q & A : What we know • THE CONTEXT : Why Lebanon is in crisis What is the latest on rescue efforts ?
Security forces have sealed off a wide area around the blast site , and rescuers have been looking for bodies and survivors under rubble while boats search the waters off the coast .
Dozens of people are still missing .
Public Health Minister Hamad Hassan said Lebanon 's health sector was short of beds and lacked the equipment necessary to treat the injured and care for patients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 300,000 people have been left homeless by the blast , Beirut 's governor Marwan Aboud said .
He told the BBC : `` Beirut needs food , Beirut needs clothes , houses , materials to rebuild houses .
Beirut needs a place for the refugees , for its people . ''
Economy Minister Raoul Nehme said the country would have to rely at least partly on foreign aid to rebuild .
`` The capacity of the state is very limited , and so is that of the central bank and the banks .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he told Sky News Arabia .
A number of countries have offered humanitarian assistance .
Three French planes are due to arrive carrying 55 rescuers , medical equipment and a mobile clinic equipped to treat 500 people .
On Thursday President Emmanuel Macron became the first world leader to visit the country - a former colony of France - since the tragedy .
The EU , Russia , Tunisia , Turkey , Iran and Qatar are all sending relief supplies .
The UK is also ready to send medical experts and humanitarian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
• Common industrial chemical used mainly as fertiliser in agriculture • Also one of the main components in explosives used in mining • Not explosive on its own , ignites only under the right circumstances • When it explodes , it can release toxic gases including nitrogen oxides and ammonia gas • Strict rules on how to store it safely : site has to be fire-proofed , and not have any drains , pipes or other channels in which ammonium nitrate could build up The explosion comes at a sensitive time for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rise , hospitals were already struggling to cope .
Now , they are faced with treating thousands of injured people .
The country is also going through the worst economic crisis since the 1975-1990 civil war , and tensions were already high with street demonstrations against the government .
People have to deal with daily power cuts , a lack of safe drinking water and limited public healthcare .
Lebanon imports most of its food and large quantities of grain stored in the port have been destroyed causing fears of widespread food insecurity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ port itself is in doubt due to the destruction caused .
President Aoun announced that the government would release 100bn lira ( £50.5m ; $ 66m ) of emergency funds but the impact of the blast on the economy is expected to be long-lasting .
The explosion happened close to the scene of a huge car bombing which killed former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in 2005 .
A verdict in the trial of four men accused of orchestrating the attack was due on Friday at a special court in the Netherlands , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of respect for the victims of Tuesday 's blast .
Have you been personally affected by this story ?
If you feel able to do so 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 .
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This port was Lebanon's lifeline to the whole world. Something like 80% of the county's grain came through here. I can see the grain silos, which were built way back when, and they're teetering really. They no longer look like they're going to survive. Just beyond there I can see a ship listing heavily. I've lived in Beirut for five years and it's almost unrecognisable - it's a city of sirens, of empty buildings, of empty streets.


bbc--2020-08-06--Coronavirus: How does a Covid-19 pandemic come to an end?

The pandemic officially started when the World Health Organization declared it in March 2020 , but how will it come @ @ @ @ @ are several scenarios which could lead to the pandemic being declared over .
BBC Africa @ @ @ @ @ this could happen .

The pandemic officially started when the World Health Organization declared it in March 2020, but how will it come to an end?
There are several scenarios which could lead to the pandemic being declared over.
BBC Africa's Saidata Sesay explains how this could happen.
Video produced by: Maisie Smith-Walters, Manuella Bonomi, Mark Sedgwick and Marko Zoric.


bbc--2020-08-06--Facebook and Twitter restrict Trump accounts over 'harmful' virus claim

Facebook and Twitter have penalised Donald Trump and his campaign for posts in which the president claimed children were `` almost immune '' to coronavirus .
Facebook deleted the post - a clip from an interview Mr Trump gave to Fox News - saying it contained `` harmful Covid misinformation '' .
Twitter followed by saying it had frozen a Trump campaign account until a tweet of the same clip was removed .
US public health advice makes clear children have no immunity to Covid-19 .
What did Facebook and Twitter say ?
A Facebook spokesperson said on Wednesday evening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that a group of people is immune from COVID-19 which is a violation of our policies around harmful COVID misinformation . ''
It was the first time the social giant had taken action to remove content posted by the president based on its coronavirus-misinformation policy , but not the first time it has penalised Mr Trump over content on his page .
Later on Wednesday , Twitter said it had frozen the @ TeamTrump account because it posted the same interview excerpt , which President Trump 's account shared .
A Twitter spokesman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in violation of the Twitter Rules on COVID-19 misinformation '' .
`` The account owner will be required to remove the Tweet before they can Tweet again . ''
It later appeared to have been deleted .
Twitter last month temporarily suspended Mr Trump 's son , Donald Jr , for sharing a clip it said promoted `` misinformation '' about coronavirus and hydroxychloroquine .
But in March , Twitter said a tweet by entrepreneur Elon Musk suggesting children are `` essentially immune '' to coronavirus did not break its rules .
What @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Speaking by telephone to morning show Fox and Friends on Wednesday , Mr Trump argued it was time for all schools nationwide to reopen .
He said : `` If you look at children , children are almost - and I would almost say definitely - almost immune from this disease .
• How is Donald Trump doing in the polls ?
• How pods and zutors are changing home-schooling • Coronanomics : ' I 'm just looking for whatever I can get' '' So few , they 've got stronger , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know how you feel about it , but they 've got much stronger immune systems than we do somehow for this .
`` And they do n't have a problem , they just do n't have a problem . ''
Mr Trump , who is running for re-election in November , also said of coronavirus : `` This thing 's going away .
It will go away like things go away . ''
How dangerous is coronavirus for children ?
Children can catch and transmit the virus , but they run an extremely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Adults - and particularly older adults - are far more likely to be seriously ill and die from complications .
The largest study done so far , involving more than 55,000 hospital patients , found that only 0.8 % were under the age of 19 .
Half of all the people with confirmed coronavirus who were admitted to critical care units in England , Wales and Northern Ireland were 60 or older as of 31 July , according to a research charity .
A recent US study of coronavirus cases among 7,780 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in five patients had no symptoms .
Another one in five developed lesions on their lungs during the infection .
Some 3.3 % were admitted to intensive care units and seven deaths were reported , according to the research from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio .
A study from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine found that people under 20 were about half as susceptible to coronavirus infection as those over 20 .
There have been some extremely rare cases of children developing an inflammatory syndrome @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are exploring a possible delayed immune response to coronavirus .
Why did Facebook last take down a Trump post ?
In June , Facebook said it had removed adverts for President Trump 's re-election campaign that featured a symbol used in Nazi Germany .
The company said the offending ad contained an inverted red triangle similar to that used by the Nazis to label opponents such as communists .
Mr Trump 's campaign team said the far-left activist group antifa uses the symbol and it was a reference to them .
The ads @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on pages belonging to President Trump and Vice-President Mike Pence , were online for about 24 hours and had received hundreds of thousands of views before they were taken down .
Hundreds of school districts around the country have scrapped plans to reopen as coronavirus infections have spiked in a number of US states .
Some 20 of the nation 's largest 25 school districts have announced they will start remotely .
Among the schools that are not reopening is one attended by the president 's son , Barron Trump , in suburban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in a letter to parents it would opt instead for virtual learning to protect the health of students , families and staff .
Last week Georgia 's largest school district , Gwinnett County , returned to school campuses to start planning for autumn reopening .
A day later , 260 employees had been told to stay away from their schools because they tested positive for coronavirus , or had been exposed to someone else who had the infection .
One of the first school districts in the nation to reopen , near @ @ @ @ @ @ @ test positive on the first day .
The child 's parents had sent him to campus , knowing that his test result was pending , schools officials said .
Other students who had come within 6ft of the patient for more than 15 minutes were sent home to self-isolate for 14 days .
What do I need to know about the coronavirus ?
• EASY STEPS : What can I do ?
• CONTAINMENT : What it means to self-isolate • MAPS AND CHARTS : Is the pandemic getting worse in the US @

Facebook and Twitter restrict Trump accounts over 'harmful' virus claim Published 6 August 2020
Image source, Fox News Image caption, A clip from President Trump's Fox News interview was posted to his Facebook page
Facebook and Twitter have penalised Donald Trump and his campaign for posts in which the president claimed children were "almost immune" to coronavirus.
Facebook deleted the post - a clip from an interview Mr Trump gave to Fox News - saying it contained "harmful Covid misinformation".
Twitter followed by saying it had frozen a Trump campaign account until a tweet of the same clip was removed.
US public health advice makes clear children have no immunity to Covid-19.
What did Facebook and Twitter say?
A Facebook spokesperson said on Wednesday evening: "This video includes false claims that a group of people is immune from COVID-19 which is a violation of our policies around harmful COVID misinformation."
It was the first time the social giant had taken action to remove content posted by the president based on its coronavirus-misinformation policy, but not the first time it has penalised Mr Trump over content on his page.
Later on Wednesday, Twitter said it had frozen the @TeamTrump account because it posted the same interview excerpt, which President Trump's account shared.
A Twitter spokesman said the @TeamTrump tweet "is in violation of the Twitter Rules on COVID-19 misinformation".
"The account owner will be required to remove the Tweet before they can Tweet again."
It later appeared to have been deleted.
Twitter last month temporarily suspended Mr Trump's son, Donald Jr, for sharing a clip it said promoted "misinformation" about coronavirus and hydroxychloroquine.
But in March, Twitter said a tweet by entrepreneur Elon Musk suggesting children are "essentially immune" to coronavirus did not break its rules.
What did Trump say in his TV interview?
Speaking by telephone to morning show Fox and Friends on Wednesday, Mr Trump argued it was time for all schools nationwide to reopen.
He said: "If you look at children, children are almost - and I would almost say definitely - almost immune from this disease.
"So few, they've got stronger, hard to believe, I don't know how you feel about it, but they've got much stronger immune systems than we do somehow for this.
"And they don't have a problem, they just don't have a problem."
Mr Trump, who is running for re-election in November, also said of coronavirus: "This thing's going away. It will go away like things go away."
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Media caption, Reopening US schools "makes our kids guinea pigs"
How dangerous is coronavirus for children?
Children can catch and transmit the virus, but they run an extremely low risk of becoming ill from it.
Adults - and particularly older adults - are far more likely to be seriously ill and die from complications.
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Media caption, Can children catch and spread coronavirus?
The largest study done so far, involving more than 55,000 hospital patients, found that only 0.8% were under the age of 19.
Half of all the people with confirmed coronavirus who were admitted to critical care units in England, Wales and Northern Ireland were 60 or older as of 31 July, according to a research charity.
A recent US study of coronavirus cases among 7,780 children from 26 countries found almost one in five patients had no symptoms. Another one in five developed lesions on their lungs during the infection.
Some 3.3% were admitted to intensive care units and seven deaths were reported, according to the research from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.
A study from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine found that people under 20 were about half as susceptible to coronavirus infection as those over 20.
There have been some extremely rare cases of children developing an inflammatory syndrome similar to Kawasaki disease, and scientists are exploring a possible delayed immune response to coronavirus.
Why did Facebook last take down a Trump post?
In June, Facebook said it had removed adverts for President Trump's re-election campaign that featured a symbol used in Nazi Germany.
The company said the offending ad contained an inverted red triangle similar to that used by the Nazis to label opponents such as communists.
Mr Trump's campaign team said the far-left activist group antifa uses the symbol and it was a reference to them.
The ads, which were posted on the site on pages belonging to President Trump and Vice-President Mike Pence, were online for about 24 hours and had received hundreds of thousands of views before they were taken down.
Are US schools reopening amid pandemic?
Hundreds of school districts around the country have scrapped plans to reopen as coronavirus infections have spiked in a number of US states.
Some 20 of the nation's largest 25 school districts have announced they will start remotely.
Among the schools that are not reopening is one attended by the president's son, Barron Trump, in suburban Maryland.
St Andrew's Episcopal School said in a letter to parents it would opt instead for virtual learning to protect the health of students, families and staff.
Last week Georgia's largest school district, Gwinnett County, returned to school campuses to start planning for autumn reopening.
A day later, 260 employees had been told to stay away from their schools because they tested positive for coronavirus, or had been exposed to someone else who had the infection.
One of the first school districts in the nation to reopen, near Indianapolis, Indiana, had a student test positive on the first day.
The child's parents had sent him to campus, knowing that his test result was pending, schools officials said.
Other students who had come within 6ft of the patient for more than 15 minutes were sent home to self-isolate for 14 days.
What do I need to know about the coronavirus?


bbc--2020-08-06--Michelle Obama: Former US first lady says she has 'low-grade depression'

Former US First Lady Michelle Obama has said she is suffering from `` low-grade depression '' because of the pandemic , racial injustice and the `` hypocrisy '' of the Trump administration .
She said managing `` emotional highs and lows '' required `` knowing yourself '' and `` the things that do bring you joy '' .
Mrs Obama said she has had difficulties with her exercise routine and sleep .
`` I 'm waking up in the middle of the night because I 'm worrying about something or there 's a heaviness . ''
She made the comments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ podcast , for which she was interviewing US journalist Michele Norris .
`` These are not , they are not fulfilling times , spiritually , '' Mrs Obama said .
`` I know that I am dealing with some form of low-grade depression .
`` Not just because of the quarantine , but because of the racial strife , and just seeing this administration , watching the hypocrisy of it , day in and day out , is dispiriting . ''
• Barack Obama : Women are better leaders than men • Barack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Spotify She also said it is `` exhausting '' to be `` waking up to yet another story of a black man or a black person somehow being dehumanised , or hurt , or killed , or falsely accused of something . ''
`` And it has led to a weight that I have n't felt in my life , in a while , '' she said .
However , she said `` schedule is key '' to managing these feelings - and that maintaining a routine has become even more important to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first episode of the podcast she interviewed her husband Barack Obama , who was in office before Donald Trump .

"Not just because of the quarantine, but because of the racial strife, and just seeing this administration, watching the hypocrisy of it, day in and day out, is dispiriting."


bbc--2020-08-06--Hiroshima bomb: Japan marks 75 years since nuclear attack

Bells have tolled in Hiroshima , Japan , to mark the 75th anniversary of the dropping of the world 's first atomic bomb .
But memorial events were scaled back this year because of the pandemic .
On 6 August 1945 , a US bomber dropped the uranium bomb above the city , killing around 140,000 people .
Three days later a second nuclear weapon was dropped on Nagasaki .
Two weeks later Japan surrendered , ending World War Two .
Early on Thursday , Japan 's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and the mayor of Hiroshima joined bomb survivors and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The park is usually packed with thousands of people for the anniversary , But attendance was significantly reduced this year , with chairs spaced apart and most attendees wearing masks .
A moment 's silence was held at 08:15 , the exact time the bomb was dropped on the city .
`` On August 6 , 1945 , a single atomic bomb destroyed our city .
Rumour at the time had it that 'nothing will grow here for 75 years , ' '' Mayor Kazumi Matsui said .
`` And yet , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ peace . ''
• The day Michiko nearly missed her train • Women survivors of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombs In a video message , UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres called on all nations to renew efforts to abolish such weapons .
`` Division , distrust and a lack of dialogue threaten to return the world to unrestrained strategic nuclear competition , '' he said .
`` The only way to totally eliminate nuclear risk is to totally eliminate nuclear weapons . ''
On the morning of 6 August 1945 , Michiko overslept @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and I jumped on my usual train in the nick of time , '' she wrote in her diary years later .
Michiko 's sprint saved her life .
It meant she was safely inside her workplace when her city - Hiroshima - was hit by the first nuclear bomb ever used in war .
`` If I had missed my usual train , I would have died somewhere between Yokogawa station and Hiroshima station . ''
Read more : The day Michiko nearly missed her train Germany surrendered to Allied forces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Two continued in Asia as the Allies fought imperial Japan .
The United States believed that dropping a nuclear bomb - after Tokyo rejected an earlier ultimatum for peace - would force a quick surrender without risking US casualties on the ground .
On 6 August , the US dropped the first bomb - codenamed Little Boy - on Hiroshima .
The attack was the first time a nuclear weapon was used during a war .
At least 70,000 people are believed to have been killed immediately in the massive blast which flattened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ died of injuries caused by radiation poisoning in the following days , weeks and months .
• The forgotten mine that built the atomic bomb • Where are the world 's nuclear weapons ?
When no immediate surrender came from the Japanese , another bomb , dubbed `` Fat Man '' , was dropped three days later about 420 kilometres ( 261 miles ) to the south over Nagasaki .
The recorded death tolls are estimates , but it is thought that about 140,000 of Hiroshima 's 350,000 population were killed , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nagasaki .
They are the only two nuclear bombs ever to have been deployed outside testing .
The dual bombings brought about an abrupt end to the war in Asia , with Japan surrendering to the Allies on 14 August 1945 .
But some critics have said that Japan had already been on the brink of surrender and that the bombs killed a disproportionate number of civilians .
Japan 's wartime experience has led to a strong pacifist movement in the country .
At the annual Hiroshima anniversary , the government usually reconfirms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ After the war , Hiroshima tried to reinvent itself as a City of Peace and continues to promote nuclear disarmament around the world .
Seventy-five years after the Enola Gay opened its bomb bay doors , 31,000ft above Hiroshima , views on what happened that day are still deeply polarised .
Those on the ground who lived to tell the tale see themselves , understandably , as victims of an appalling crime .
Sitting and talking with any `` hibakusha '' ( survivor ) is a deeply moving experience .
The horrors they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ zombie like people , their skin melted and hanging in ribbons from their arms and faces ; mournful cries from the thousands trapped in the tangle of collapsed and burning buildings ; the smell of burned flesh .
Later came the black rain and the agonising deaths from a strange new killer - radiation sickness .
But any visitor to the Hiroshima Peace Museum might justifiably ask , where is the context ?
After all , the atom bombs did n't come out of nowhere .
You 'll find scant mention of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ let alone the horrors of the Nanjing Massacre , or the slaughter at Peleliu , Manila , Iwo Jima and Okinawa .
And so , to many Japanese , Hiroshima and Nagasaki stand oddly alone , detached from the rest of history , symbols of the unique victimhood of Japan , the only country ever to experience a nuclear attack .
The lack of context can feel equally egregious on the other side .
When I last visited Hiroshima , I asked a group of visiting American college students what they had learned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ young man summed it up like this : `` America embarked on a tremendous scientific effort .
The result was that in a flash the war was over . ''
The idea that Hiroshima ended the war in a single stroke is comforting , but it leaves out the second attack on Nagasaki and quite a lot else .
Before `` Little Boy '' was dropped on Hiroshima , more than 60 other Japanese cities had already been destroyed by American fire bombing .
The largest death toll from a single attack ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but the fire-bombing of Tokyo in March 1945 .
The attack created a fire storm which took 105,000 civilian lives .
That ugly record stands to this day .
Then there is the little-known fact that several more atom bombs were being prepared for shipment to Tinian Island .
If Japan had not surrendered on 15 August , the US air force was prepared to keep dropping atom bombs until it did .
The bomb that changed the world • The bomb was nicknamed `` Little Boy '' and was thought to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of TNT • Col Paul Tibbets , a 30-year-old colonel from Illinois , led the mission to drop the atomic bomb • The Enola Gay , the plane which dropped the bomb , was named in tribute to Col Tibbets ' mother .
• The final target was decided less than an hour before the bomb was dropped .
Good weather conditions over Hiroshima sealed the city 's fate • On detonation , the temperature at the burst-point of the bomb was several million degrees • Thousands of people on the ground were @ @ @ @

Before "Little Boy" was dropped on Hiroshima, more than 60 other Japanese cities had already been destroyed by American fire bombing. The largest death toll from a single attack (in any war) is not Hiroshima, but the fire-bombing of Tokyo in March 1945. The attack created a fire storm which took 105,000 civilian lives. That ugly record stands to this day. Then there is the little-known fact that several more atom bombs were being prepared for shipment to Tinian Island. If Japan had not surrendered on 15 August, the US air force was prepared to keep dropping atom bombs until it did.


bbc--2020-08-06--Zoe Saldana apologises for playing Nina Simone: 'She deserved better'

Actress Zoe Saldana has apologised for playing Nina Simone in a heavily criticised 2016 biopic .
The Marvel star , who is of Dominican and Puerto Rican descent , wore a prosthetic nose and skin-darkening make-up for the role .
Simone 's estate refused to endorse the film , and the late singer 's daughter questioned the casting decision .
In a new interview , originally broadcast live on Instagram , Saldana said : `` I should have never played Nina .
`` I should have done everything in my power with the leverage that I had 10 years ago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but it was leverage nonetheless .
`` I should have done everything in my power to cast a black woman to play an exceptionally perfect black woman . ''
Writing on the official Nina Simone Facebook page in 2012 , the singer 's daughter , Simone Kelly , wrote : `` I love Zoe Saldana , we all love Zoe ... From Avatar to Colombiana , I 've seen those movies a few times .
`` But not every project is for everybody .
And I know what my mother would think .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' The film , called Nina , was derided by critics and holds a 2 % rating on review aggregate website Rotten Tomatoes .
Saldana , who has also starred in Guardians of the Galaxy and two of Marvel 's Avengers films , said Simone `` deserved better '' .
`` I thought back then that I had the permission [ to play her ] because I was a black woman , '' Saldana said .
`` And I am .
But it was Nina Simone .
And Nina had a life and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been - and should be - honoured to the most specific detail because she was a specifically detailed individual . ''
Becoming emotional , Saldana added : `` With that said : I 'm sorry .
I 'm so sorry .
I know better today and I 'm never going to do that again .
`` She 's one of our giants and someone else should step up .
Somebody else should tell her story . ''
Saldana 's regret at the role marks a departure from her previous comments defending her part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she told Latina magazine : `` Let me tell you , if Elizabeth Taylor can be Cleopatra , I can be Nina - I 'm sorry .
It does n't matter how much backlash I will get for it .
I will honour and respect my black community because that 's who I am . ''
In another interview with Allure in 2016 , she said : `` There 's no one way to be black .
You have no idea who I am .
I am black .
I 'm raising black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you can look at me and address me with such disdain . ''
But at the time of the film 's release , Nina Simone 's estate tweeted : `` Please take Nina 's name out of your mouth .
For the rest of your life .
Hopefully people begin to understand this is painful .
Gut-wrenching , heart-breaking , nauseating , soul-crushing . ''
Nina Simone was a revered singer and civil rights activist , known for performing songs such as Feelin ' Good , I put A Spell On You and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ died in 2003 at the age of 70 .
Follow us on Facebook , or on Twitter @ BBCNewsEnts .
If you have a story suggestion email entertainment.news @ bbc.co.uk .

In another interview with Allure in 2016, she said: "There's no one way to be black. You have no idea who I am. I am black. I'm raising black men. Don't you ever think you can look at me and address me with such disdain."


bbc--2020-08-06--China sentences Canadian to death on drugs charge

A Chinese court has sentenced a Canadian citizen to death on charges of producing the drug ketamine .
A court notice in the city of Guangzhou said Xu Weihong was found guilty after a trial .
His alleged accomplice , Wen Guanxiong , was given a life sentence .
No details of the case were disclosed .
He is the third Canadian to be sentenced to death in China recently .
Relations between the countries have been tense since the arrest of a Huawei executive in Vancouver in late 2018 .
Meng Wanzhou 's detention following a request from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with both Canada and the US .
• How many countries still have the death penalty ?
Local media in Guangzhou in southern China reported that Xu Weihong and Wen Guanxiong began making the drug in October 2016 .
Police later seized 120kgs ( 266 pounds ) of it from Mr Xu 's home and another address , the reports said .
Ketamine is a powerful animal tranquilizer that has become popular as a recreational drug .
China 's foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said there was no connection between the case and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I would like to stress that China 's judicial authorities handle the relevant case independently in strict accordance with Chinese law and legal procedures , '' said Mr Wang .
`` Death sentences for drug-related crimes that are extremely dangerous will help deter and prevent such crimes . ''
Last year two other Canadian nationals were sentenced to death over drug charges .
Robert Lloyd Schellenberg was found guilty of drug smuggling after a sudden retrial .
Months later another man , Fan Wei , was given the death penalty for trafficking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ detained two Canadians , Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor , accusing them of spying .

"I would like to stress that China's judicial authorities handle the relevant case independently in strict accordance with Chinese law and legal procedures," said Mr Wang. "Death sentences for drug-related crimes that are extremely dangerous will help deter and prevent such crimes."


bbc--2020-08-06--Jake Paul: FBI swat team seizes guns at home of YouTube star

The FBI have conducted a raid on the Los Angeles-area home of YouTube star Jake Paul .
A spokeswoman for the FBI said an armed swat team carried out the raid , which took place while Paul was not at home .
The official would not say the reason , only that the search was related to an investigation .
Officers were seen collecting guns from the property .
Paul is facing charges of looting in Arizona and recently held a party that allegedly broke public health orders .
Paul , 23 , has over 20 million followers on YouTube @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal search warrant at a residence in Calabasas in connection with an ongoing investigation , '' an FBI representative said in a statement .
`` The affidavit in support of the search warrant has been sealed by a judge and I am , therefore , prohibited from commenting as to the nature of the investigation .
No arrests are planned . ''
Aerial footage from news outlets showed what looked like firearms being removed from the home by investigators .
According to the local ABC station , these weapons included a long gun @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the garden .
In June , Paul was arrested in Scottsdale , Arizona , during a protest at a shopping centre following the death of George Floyd .
Police declared the demonstration a riot after looting started .
He was charged with criminal trespass and unlawful assembly , but told US media that he was only there to meet protesters .
In July , he was criticised for holding a day-long party at his Calabasas home , where revellers did not wear face masks or social distance .
Paul first gained notoriety @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later YouTube - building a reputation for brash humour and pranks .
His online fame helped to secure him a role on Disney Channel series Bizaardvark .
However he was fired after complaints from neighbours about his stunts - including starting a fire in his back garden - gained publicity .
Paul , like his brother Logan , is a controversial figure in the so-called influencer industry .
In 2018 he uploaded a video titled `` I lost my virginity , '' featuring a thumbnail picture of him posing semi-nude with his girlfriend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , taken part in a boxing match against fellow YouTuber AnEsonGib , and released several songs , including one with rapper Gucci Mane .
Earlier this year Paul was criticised for suggesting that anxiety is a self-induced mental illness .
In a subsequent tweet , he said he had also suffered from anxiety and intended to `` [ spread ] more awareness '' .

"The affidavit in support of the search warrant has been sealed by a judge and I am, therefore, prohibited from commenting as to the nature of the investigation. No arrests are planned."


bbc--2020-08-06--US election: Trump's White House convention speech idea condemned

Both Democrats and Republicans have criticised President Donald Trump for suggesting he would make his convention acceptance speech from the White House .
Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Mr Trump would `` degrade the White House '' , while Republican Senator John Cornyn called the plan `` problematic '' .
Critics accuse Mr Trump of politicising the seat of presidential power , saying such a move could even be illegal .
The Republican president denied all the accusations .
• Who is ahead in the polls - Trump or Biden ?
• Does Trump have power to delay election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Mr Trump said at a news briefing on Wednesday , adding that the 1939 Hatch Act banning government employees from using official authority to interfere with the outcome of an election did not apply to him .
Earlier that day , the president told Fox News : `` I will probably do mine [ acceptance speech ] live from the White House .
If for some reason somebody had difficulty with it , I could go with someplace else .
`` If I use the White House , we save tremendous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ terms of security , travelling . ''
The president is expected to make the speech at the end of the Republican National Convention in Charlotte , North Carolina , on 24-27 August .
This will be a scaled down event because of the coronavirus outbreak .
Mr Trump is the party 's sole remaining nominee , and his re-nomination will officially launch his re-election bid .
Critics say if Mr Trump goes ahead with his speech plan , it will be just his latest break with presidential custom , which draws clear lines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state and campaign events .
Mr Trump has previously been accused of flying on Air Force One to campaign rallies and turning his White House coronavirus briefings into campaign speeches .
What do the critics say ?
Ms Pelosi told MSNBC that President Trump would once again `` degrade the White House '' by using it for a political event .
She predicted that a convention gathering at the White House `` wo n't happen '' for legal and ethical reasons .
Ron Johnson , a Republican senator representing Wisconsin , said this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adding that Mr Trump `` probably should n't do it '' .
Meanwhile , Mary Cheh , a Democratic member of the Council of the District of Columbia , warned that this could trigger protests against Mr Trump in the capital .
`` It could be a lightning rod for confrontation , '' she said .

"Well, it is legal," Mr Trump said at a news briefing on Wednesday, adding that the 1939 Hatch Act banning government employees from using official authority to interfere with the outcome of an election did not apply to him.


bbc--2020-08-06--Hong Kong foreign press says journalists being targeted in US-China stand-off

Foreign journalists in Hong Kong are facing `` highly unusual '' visa delays at a time of high tension between the US and China , a group representing international media has said .
The Foreign Correspondents ' Club ( FCC ) suggested visas were being used `` as a weapon in international disputes '' .
Foreign media face restrictions on the Chinese mainland but Hong Kong has long been an exception .
The warning comes after China suggested US media could face `` countermeasures '' .
The US had not renewed the visas of any Chinese journalists since May 11 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Tuesday .
`` If the US persists , China will take a necessary and legitimate response to safeguard its rights , '' he said .
• The Hong Kong residents ready to leave for the UK In its statement the FCC said that journalists should not be targeted for actions taken by their home countries .
`` The FCC calls on the Trump administration to lift its restrictions on Chinese media working in the US , and on Hong Kong and China 's governments to refrain from retribution in targeting US media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' it said .
Many foreign media organisations , including CNN , CNBC , Bloomberg and the BBC , have staff in Hong Kong .
The New York Times last month moved some of its staff from the city to Seoul , South Korea .
It warned that a controversial new security law had `` unsettled news organizations and created uncertainty about the city 's prospects as a hub for journalism '' .
The FCC said several media outlets in Hong Kong had reported delays in obtaining or renewing visas for journalists of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hong Kong by reducing their numbers and interfering with their ability to report freely will damage Hong Kong 's international standing and reputation , '' it said .
Press freedom in Hong Kong has been in the spotlight in recent weeks , after Beijing introduced the new security law which critics say drastically curtails free speech .
The government says it is necessary to restore stability and security in Hong Kong , which was hit by months of often-violent protests last year .
In its statement on Thursday , the FCC urged the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impact of the new national security law on journalists working in the city '' .
It asked for a guarantee that journalists would be `` free to continue their work without intimidation or obstruction '' .
Are foreign journalists under pressure in Hong Kong ?
When the former British colony was handed back to China in 1997 , it was guaranteed substantial freedoms under a `` one country , two systems '' principle .
But even before the 2020 security law Beijing had been accused of increasingly undermining freedom of speech and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ journalist and FCC vice-president Victor Mallet was barred from entering the city on a tourist visa .
It came a month after the territory refused to renew his work visa without explanation .
The FCC had previously angered Beijing by hosting a guest speaker who advocated Hong Kong independence .
Earlier in 2020 , mainland China effectively expelled journalists from three leading US newspapers when it ordered reporters from the New York Times , the Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal to return their media passes within days .
What is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wide-ranging , making inciting hatred of China 's central government and Hong Kong 's regional government illegal • Allows for closed-door trials , wire-tapping of suspects and the potential for suspects to be tried on the mainland • A wide range of acts , including damaging public transport facilities , can be considered terrorism • Internet providers might have to hand over data if requested by police

In its statement on Thursday, the FCC urged the Hong Kong government "to clarify the impact of the new national security law on journalists working in the city". It asked for a guarantee that journalists would be "free to continue their work without intimidation or obstruction".


bbc--2020-08-05--McDonald's: 'Face mask' found inside Aldershot store's chicken nugget

A six-year-old girl nearly choked on a chicken nugget from McDonald 's which contained a blue surgical face mask her mother has claimed .
Maddie was eating a Happy Meal her mother Laura Arber , 32 , bought from the Aldershot , Hampshire , branch of the fast food giant on Tuesday .
She managed to get the chicken nugget out of her daughter 's mouth and said : `` It was a mask , it was absolutely baked into it '' .
McDonald 's said it is investigating .
Ms Arber told the BBC : `` I had to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make her sick and it came up all speckled with blue .
`` I could n't work out what it was but I looked at the box of nuggets and could see something blue sticking out of another one .
`` It was a mask , it was absolutely baked into it , it had gone like chewing gum .
It was disgusting .
`` If I had n't been in the room I just do n't know what could have happened . ''
The mother of four said she went straight back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ manager who told her the nuggets were not cooked on the premises .
Ms Arber said she and her daughter have been put off McDonald 's `` for life '' .
She said she wants to make other parents aware , adding : `` Just because it says it 's a Happy Meal does n't mean it 's safe . ''
McDonald 's said food safety is of the `` utmost importance to us '' and said the company places great emphasis on quality control , following `` rigorous standards to avoid any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` As soon as we were made aware of the issue we opened a full investigation with the relevant supplier , and have taken action to ensure any product from this batch is removed from restaurants .
`` We would like to offer a full apology to the customer in question and understand they are currently in conversation with our customer services team . ''

A spokesperson said: "As soon as we were made aware of the issue we opened a full investigation with the relevant supplier, and have taken action to ensure any product from this batch is removed from restaurants.


bbc--2020-08-06--Quaden Bayles: Bullied Australian boy sues columnist over 'scam' suggestion

An Australian boy who was bullied for his dwarfism has launched legal action against a newspaper columnist after she alleged he had faked his distress in a video which went viral .
Quaden Bayles drew global support earlier this year , including from high-profile entertainers and sportspeople .
His mother , Yarraka Bayles , said she had posted the clip to raise awareness .
But some - such as Australian columnist Miranda Devine - suggested it was a `` scam '' over subsequent donations .
Devine and her employer , News Corp Australia , are yet to file a legal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media reported .
An online campaign was set up by a US comedian Brad Williams - who had the same dwarfism condition of Achondroplasia - to send Quaden on a trip to Disneyland .
It attracted celebrity support and raised more than A $ 300,000 ( £165,000 ; $ 216,000 ) in just a few days .
The Bayles later pledged to give all the money to charity , but at the peak of the campaign they were attacked by trolls who claimed the family had staged the incident .
Devine - a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - retweeted one conspiracy theory to her 70,000 followers .
She added a comment : `` That 's really rotten if this was a scam .
Hurts genuine bullying victims .
Over to @ dailytelegraph . ''
She also tweeted that she had shared her initial retweet of the theory with `` caution '' .
But in subsequent tweets she also alleged that Quaden 's mother had been `` coaching the kid to say those things that no nine-year-old would say '' .
In the confronting six-minute video that originally went viral , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experienced by her son every day .
The family , who are Aboriginal Australian , live in Queensland .
The family filed a defamation lawsuit against Devine and her employer , News Corp Australia , last Friday , local media reported .
News Corp Australia previously declined to apologise to the family , saying in March that it bore no responsibility for Devine 's tweets as it was `` self-evidently a personal account '' .

The Bayles later pledged to give all the money to charity, but at the peak of the campaign they were attacked by trolls who claimed the family had staged the incident.


bbc--2020-08-06--Mexico obesity: Oaxaca bans sale of junk food to children

The Mexican state of Oaxaca has banned the sale of junk food and sugary drinks to children in an attempt to reduce high obesity and diabetes levels .
Oaxaca is the first state to take the measure in Mexico , which has one of the world 's highest rates of childhood obesity .
People breaking the law can be fined and have their businesses closed .
Re-offenders face jail terms .
The move comes as Mexico 's number of deaths linked to Covid-19 nears 50,000 .
Mexico 's death toll is the third-highest in the world after the US and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overweight puts you at greater risk of serious illness or death from the virus .
• Obesity : Have 20 years of policies had any effect ?
About 73 % of the Mexican population is overweight , compared to one-fifth of the population in 1996 , according to according to study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development .
Mexicans consume more carbonated drinks per person than any other nation .
Oaxaca is the Mexican state with the highest child obesity rate and the second-highest rate in adults , according to Oaxaca @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the law was greeted with applause from lawmakers inside the state Congress , but outside shop owners and street sellers were protesting against it .
The law forbids the sale , distribution and promotion of sugary drinks and junk food to those under age .
It will also apply to vending machines in schools .
The lawmaker who introduced the bill , Magaly López Domínguez , said the idea was not to harm shop owners and street sellers .
She argued that they could continue selling sugary drinks and junk food , just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health minister and the country 's coronavirus czar , Hugo López-Gatell , welcomed the move .
Mr López-Gatell last month called sugary drinks `` bottled poison '' and urged people not to drink them .
Christian Skoog , the Unicef representative in Mexico , also tweeted his approval ( in Spanish ) , saying that such measures protected children 's rights to quality and nutritious food .
In 2014 , Mexico introduced a tax on sugary drinks and junk food but it had so far stopped short of banning the sale of such @ @ @ @

Mexico's death toll is the third-highest in the world after the US and Brazil. Experts say being obese or overweight puts you at greater risk of serious illness or death from the virus.


bbc--2020-08-05--Beirut: Why has there been crisis after crisis in Lebanon?

With Covid-19 infections on the rise , hospitals were already struggling to cope .
Now , they are faced with @ @ @ @ @ from Tuesday 's explosion which shook Beirut .
The country is also going through the @ @ @ @ @ civil war , and tensions were already high with street demonstrations against the government .
@ @ @ @ @ Caroline Hawley explains why Lebanon has had decades of unrest .

With Covid-19 infections on the rise, hospitals were already struggling to cope.
Now, they are faced with treating thousands of injured people from Tuesday's explosion which shook Beirut.
The country is also going through the worst economic crisis since the civil war, and tensions were already high with street demonstrations against the government.
The BBC's Diplomatic Correspondent Caroline Hawley explains why Lebanon has had decades of unrest.
Video by: Ameer Ahmed, Olivia Lace-Evans and Terry Saunders


bbc--2020-08-06--Instagram rolls out TikTok 'rip-off' Reels

Instagram is rolling out its TikTok rival Reels , adding the ability to create and discover short videos to the @ @ @ @ @ company had tested the features in a small number of countries but is now launching @ @ @ @ @ news websites called the product a TikTok `` rip-off '' and `` copycat '' .
@ @ @ @ @ asked Instagram 's Vishal Shah what the company would offer that TikTok did not already @ @

Instagram is rolling out its TikTok rival Reels, adding the ability to create and discover short videos to the main Instagram app.
The company had tested the features in a small number of countries but is now launching them more widely.
Several news websites called the product a TikTok "rip-off" and "copycat".
The BBC's Chris Fox asked Instagram's Vishal Shah what the company would offer that TikTok did not already provide.


bbc--2020-08-05--Hiroshima bomb: The day Michiko nearly missed her train

On the morning of 6 August 1945 , Michiko overslept .
`` I remember thinking , ' I can make it to work on time if I get the later train , but I still might catch my usual train if I run to the station ' , '' she wrote , years later , in an account of the day .
`` I ran to Yokogawa station , and I jumped on my usual train in the nick of time . ''
Michiko 's sprint saved her life .
It meant she was safely inside her workplace when her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first nuclear bomb ever used in war .
`` If I had missed my usual train , I would have died somewhere between Yokogawa station and Hiroshima station , '' she wrote .
Michiko Yoshitsuka , 14 , was a student at a girls ' school in the heart of Hiroshima .
But when the city enlisted school children for the war effort , she 'd started working at the Toyo Kogyo factory , 8km ( 5 miles ) east of the city centre , making weapons for the Imperial Japanese Army @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it was through exhaustion rather than laziness .
She spent long hours at the factory .
The war had led to widespread food shortages , so she was plagued by hunger , and the previous night - like many nights before it - US B-29 bombers had flown over Hiroshima , triggering air raid sirens .
The all-clear siren had sounded at around 7am .
But no-one outside the Manhattan Project - the US government research group that developed the atomic bombs - could have predicted the devastation that was to come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the US base on Tinian , in the Mariana Islands , to Hiroshima a few hours earlier .
At 8.15am it dropped the bomb the Americans affectionately called Little Boy , obliterating the city .
An estimated 140,000 people died in Hiroshima , either immediately or in the months to come .
Michiko survived , thanks to Hijiyama , the high hill between her factory and the city centre , which shielded it from the force of the blast .
She watched the plumage of smoke rising above Hijiyama .
In the chaos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mountain path leading to her relatives ' house in Gion ; on the path she crossed thousands of people leaving the devastated city .
`` There were wounded people everywhere .
I saw scores of people whose bodies lay burnt and festering , whose eyeballs had popped out from the wind pressure produced by the explosion , or whose internal organs protruded from their bodies and mouths , '' she wrote .
`` As I walked along , someone suddenly grabbed my ankle and begged , 'Young lady , could you give me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hand… and said , ' I 'm sorry , I 'm sorry ! '
I was filled with fear and walked on to escape . ''
At Gion , Michiko was relieved to find her mother alive .
But there was no time to recover .
`` For 10 days , my mother and I walked around Hiroshima , asking after my older brother , who was a soldier .
We later discovered… he had died near the epicentre… My brother 's remains were never found . ''
She may have survived @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Her symptoms were becoming familiar to the doctors still alive .
`` I began to display the symptoms of radiation sickness… I was bleeding from my gums and my nose , I had severe diarrhoea , my hair was falling out , and purple spots were appearing all over my body , '' she wrote later .
`` I was put into isolation in a family friend 's shed , and I moved between life and death .
Everyone around me thought I would die , but , miraculously , I survived @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Nagasaki days later did not end the war by themselves .
The US naval blockade , the imminent Russian invasion and the reworded Potsdam Declaration - the terms for Japan 's surrender - to enable continued Imperial rule were also decisive .
On 15 August , Emperor Hirohito 's surrender was broadcast to the nation .
When he announced that Japan must `` bear the unbearable '' , many Hiroshima citizens were aghast : had they not already borne it ?
In the days , weeks and months that followed , Hiroshima @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the bombing , trains , trams and buses were running again .
Within two months , schools reopened in half-destroyed buildings and open-air classrooms .
And with all but one of the city 's banks destroyed , the Bank of Japan - the sole survivor - invited its competitors into its branch to re-open for business .
Hiroshima rose from its ashes .
Michiko was rebuilding her life too .
`` In 1948 , at the age of 18 , I got married .
In April 1949 , I gave birth to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two weeks later .
I believe my baby 's death was caused by the after-effects of the atomic bomb . ''
• Women survivors of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombs • The day when time stood still She gave birth to two healthy children , but soon had other problems .
Her husband would often disappear to spend time with his mistress , taking Michiko 's earnings with him .
Exhausted by a tiredness she attributed to her radiation sickness , frustrated by her husband 's affair and craving freedom from her situation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the care of her relatives .
When they returned , she would take her frustrations out on her daughter , Sanae .
`` In 1964 , my mother died of cancer .
In my family , I was left alone .
My mother had been receiving a war bereavement allowance .
The Japanese government withdrew this following my mother 's death . ''
When Michiko finally confronted her husband , he admitted to having an affair and left her for his mistress .
With no financial support from her husband or the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work as a hostess in a traditional Japanese restaurant ; each evening , she put on her kimono and served customers late into the night .
Every year , on August 6th , Hiroshima held its Peace Memorial Ceremony , attended by luminaries like Mother Theresa , Fidel Castro and Mikhail Gorbachev .
But Michiko could n't reconcile the glib peace speeches with her images of that day and never attended the morning ceremony .
She would arrive in the evening to watch the floating lanterns , representing the souls of the deceased @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When Sanae had children - a girl and a boy - her broken relationship with her daughter gradually healed .
During Obon , the August holiday when families honour the spirits of their ancestors , she would visit Sanae 's family .
Together they would watch a TV drama about the atomic bombing .
Michiko found it unconvincing .
`` Anna mono janai ! ''
- `` It was n't like that ! ''
- her family remember her saying .
For most of her life , Michiko spoke little about her experiences @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anniversary of the bombing approached , in 1995 , Michiko 's doctor suggested she write her own account of events , to help her find some closure .
At first Michiko was reluctant , but she finally agreed ; she feared that if she did n't , her memories might be lost forever .
By that point , Hiroshima was a thriving modern city with wide boulevards , luxury department stores and few remains of its tragic past .
Michiko had been living in a council flat near the centre when she was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Her new flat was near Nakayamatoge , the mountain path she had crossed on the day of the bombing .
The figure that had grabbed her ankle returned to haunt her .
`` I will never be able to erase from my memory the sound of that voice , '' she wrote .
When I first moved to Hiroshima , I knew little about its history .
But I met a woman called Kaori , who told me the story of Michiko , her grandmother .
Years later , as husband and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - moved by her sad story and determination to survive .
My wife recalls Michiko falling into depression in her later years .
As a strong-minded woman in a society that valued tatemae ( flattery ) over honne ( honesty ) , she had always struggled to make friends .
But now she felt truly isolated .
Later , suffering from dementia , she moved into a home for the elderly .
Michiko died in January 2012 .
Her written account has now been placed in the Peace Memorial Hall in Hiroshima - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that changed history and altered the course of her own life forever .
Her final entry hints at the human ability to overcome adversity and build a life again .
`` Now , on the 50th anniversary of the atomic bomb , I sense afresh the preciousness of life . ''

By that point, Hiroshima was a thriving modern city with wide boulevards, luxury department stores and few remains of its tragic past. Michiko had been living in a council flat near the centre when she was relocated to Hesaka, an eastern suburb. Her new flat was near Nakayamatoge, the mountain path she had crossed on the day of the bombing.


bbc--2020-08-06--Why stock markets are defying a shrinking economy

In New York , the Nasdaq Composite stock index has hit yet another record high , even as concerns grow @ @ @ @ @ stalling amid a surge in coronavirus cases .
We look at some of the reasons @ @ @ @ @ the real economy .

In New York, the Nasdaq Composite stock index has hit yet another record high, even as concerns grow that the US economy is stalling amid a surge in coronavirus cases.
We look at some of the reasons share markets are disconnected from the real economy.
Reporter: Monica Miller. Video by: Pamela Parker.


bbc--2020-08-06--Europe lockdown: New coronavirus curbs country by country

On 4 May , Spain set out its plan to start easing one of the strictest lockdowns in Europe , which saw children under 14 confined to their homes for six weeks .
While coronavirus appears to be under control in much of the country , Catalonia - including Barcelona - and neighbouring Aragón in the north-east saw a huge spike in infections in July .
The federal and regional governments have also agreed new rules to contain local outbreaks in future , such as travel bans in and out of coronavirus hotspots .
Children are starting to go back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ areas they will have to wear masks at all times .
Cases are rising in the north-west , in Mayenne in particular , and in eastern regions where the wearing of masks is obligatory outdoors and where gatherings of more than 10 people have been banned .
The city of Antwerp , which saw a spike in infections , introduced a curfew at the end of July .
In restaurants , a maximum of four people are allowed to sit at a table , although larger households are allowed to sit together .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , hairdressers and museums are all open and since 1 July there has been no upper limit for people inside or outside , provided they stick to 1.5m social distancing .
Ireland has had a stricter lockdown than the UK , with residents only allowed to exercise within 2km ( 1.2 miles ) of their homes .
A phased easing of restrictions started on 18 May .
The government still advises against non-essential travel overseas .
This includes Britain , but does not apply to Northern Ireland .
It also includes all travel @ @ @ @

Lockdowns are gradually being eased as the summer tourist season gets under way, and there are plans for an EU-wide digital vaccination certificate to be in place by 1 July.


bbc--2020-08-06--Inter complete permanent Sanchez signing from Man Utd

Inter Milan have completed the permanent signing of Manchester United forward Alexis Sanchez on a three-year deal .
The Chile international , 31 , joined the Serie A side on a season-long loan in August 2019 .
He scored four goals in 29 appearances in all competitions .
Inter expect to have him available for the Europa League 'final eight ' in Germany after beating Getafe on Wednesday .
`` We have agreed [ the deal ] , '' United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer told BT Sport on Wednesday after his side also reached the quarter-finals with a win over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time there .
He is a top player but for whatever reason we did n't see the best of him .
He is a top professional and we wish him all the best . ''
The precise terms of the deal are unknown but is almost certain to have involved United taking a significant financial hit .
Sanchez played 45 games for United after joining from Arsenal in 2018 , scoring just five goals .
He becomes the third player to join Inter from United in the past 12 months , with striker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made similar switches .
The deal will bring to an end one of the most controversial and ill-fated transfers in United 's history .
They fought off competition from Manchester City for Sanchez , signing him from Arsenal on a four-and-a-half year deal on an eye-watering £400,000-a-week .
But Sanchez completely failed to recapture the form he showed so often during his time with the Gunners .
He did score on his home debut and his form in that first half-season was not disastrous .
But after that , Sanchez was poor , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the club about the potential signing of Jadon Sancho this week , they were emphasising the need not to disrupt their wage structure as happened previously - ie .
with the Chilean .
As United did not pay a fee for him in the first place - it was a swap deal with Arsenal for Henrikh Mkhitaryan - they have not lost money on that front .
However , it is certain there has still been a financial cost incurred , and that there is an arrangement where everyone involved has contributed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due in wages over the remaining two years of his contract .
United will have given Sanchez his pay-off and the player has taken a pay cut .
In making the move to Inter , Sanchez has got an extra year - whereas his contract at Old Trafford would have run out in 2022 , his Inter deal lasts until 2023 .

Last updated on .From the section Man Utd
Alexis Sanchez joined Inter on loan in August 2019
Inter Milan have completed the permanent signing of Manchester United forward Alexis Sanchez on a three-year deal.
The Chile international, 31, joined the Serie A side on a season-long loan in August 2019.
He scored four goals in 29 appearances in all competitions.
Inter expect to have him available for the Europa League 'final eight' in Germany after beating Getafe on Wednesday.
"We have agreed [the deal]," United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer told BT Sport on Wednesday after his side also reached the quarter-finals with a win over LASK.
"He has enjoyed his time there. He is a top player but for whatever reason we didn't see the best of him. He is a top professional and we wish him all the best."
The precise terms of the deal are unknown but is almost certain to have involved United taking a significant financial hit.
Sanchez played 45 games for United after joining from Arsenal in 2018, scoring just five goals.
He becomes the third player to join Inter from United in the past 12 months, with striker Romelu Lukaku and midfielder Ashley Young having made similar switches.
Analysis
The deal will bring to an end one of the most controversial and ill-fated transfers in United's history.
They fought off competition from Manchester City for Sanchez, signing him from Arsenal on a four-and-a-half year deal on an eye-watering £400,000-a-week.
But Sanchez completely failed to recapture the form he showed so often during his time with the Gunners.
He did score on his home debut and his form in that first half-season was not disastrous. But after that, Sanchez was poor, to the extent that talking to people from the club about the potential signing of Jadon Sancho this week, they were emphasising the need not to disrupt their wage structure as happened previously - ie. with the Chilean.
FA Cup semi-final 2018: Sanchez levels for Man Utd
As United did not pay a fee for him in the first place - it was a swap deal with Arsenal for Henrikh Mkhitaryan - they have not lost money on that front.
However, it is certain there has still been a financial cost incurred, and that there is an arrangement where everyone involved has contributed to the £40m that Sanchez had been due in wages over the remaining two years of his contract. United will have given Sanchez his pay-off and the player has taken a pay cut.
In making the move to Inter, Sanchez has got an extra year - whereas his contract at Old Trafford would have run out in 2022, his Inter deal lasts until 2023.
Find all the latest football transfers on our dedicated page.


bbc--2020-08-06--LeBron James: Donald Trump no loss to NBA

Last updated on .From the section Basketball Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James says that basketball will not miss Donald Trump after the US president said he turns off games featuring social justice protests .
`` I really do n't think the basketball community are sad about losing his viewership , '' said James .
`` I can speak for all of us who love the game and we could [ not ] care less . ''
• None Explainer : Where does taking a knee come from ?
Four-time NBA most valuable player James , who is fronting a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidential election to protect African-American voting rights , said that the sport 's fans appreciated the players ' stand on social and political issues .
`` Our game is in a beautiful position and we 've got fans all over the world , '' James added .
`` Our fans love and respect what we try to bring to the game , what 's right and what 's wrong . ''
It is not the first time that James has criticised President Trump .
James called Trump a `` bum '' and referred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' in 2017 .
Trump in turn has suggested he prefers Chicago Bulls great Michael Jordan as a player .
The vast majority of NBA players and staff have chosen to kneel during the playing of the pre-game national anthem in protest at racial injustice .
President Trump has said that the gesture `` is not acceptable to me '' .
Los Angeles Clippers coach Doc Rivers , who wore a cap with the slogan 'Vote ' during Wednesday 's action , echoed James ' sentiments .
`` Well , we lost one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We know that justice is on our side .
This hat that I 'm wearing is what our president is trying to get us to not to , which I think is just as disgraceful . ''
On the court , James and the Lakers , top of the Western Conference and one of the favourites to take the title , suffered a surprise 105-86 defeat against the Oklahoma City Thunder .
Elsewhere , the Toronto Raptors racked up their seventh straight win , beating the Orlando Magic 109-99 .
The NBA has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 300m ( £228m ) in providing employment and career opportunities for black communities .

Last updated on .From the section Basketball
LeBron James kneeled alongside his LA Lakers team-mates before the defeat by Oklahoma City Thunder
Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James says that basketball will not miss Donald Trump after the US president said he turns off games featuring social justice protests.
Trump has accused players of "disrespect" by taking a knee during the national anthem.
"I really don't think the basketball community are sad about losing his viewership," said James.
"I can speak for all of us who love the game and we could [not] care less."
Four-time NBA most valuable player James, who is fronting a campaign external-link in the run-up to November's presidential election to protect African-American voting rights, said that the sport's fans appreciated the players' stand on social and political issues.
"Our game is in a beautiful position and we've got fans all over the world," James added. "Our fans love and respect what we try to bring to the game, what's right and what's wrong."
It is not the first time that James has criticised President Trump. James called Trump a "bum" external-link and referred to him as a "so-called president" in 2017. Trump in turn has suggested he prefers Chicago Bulls great Michael Jordan as a player. external-link
The vast majority of NBA players and staff have chosen to kneel during the playing of the pre-game national anthem in protest at racial injustice.
President Trump has said that the gesture "is not acceptable to me".
Los Angeles Clippers coach Doc Rivers, who wore a cap with the slogan 'Vote' during Wednesday's action, echoed James' sentiments.
"Well, we lost one guy," Rivers said.
"We know that justice is on our side. This hat that I'm wearing is what our president is trying to get us to not to, which I think is just as disgraceful."
Chris Paul led the Oklahoma Thunder with 21 points in the win over the Lakers
On the court, James and the Lakers, top of the Western Conference and one of the favourites to take the title, suffered a surprise 105-86 defeat against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Elsewhere, the Toronto Raptors racked up their seventh straight win, beating the Orlando Magic 109-99.


bbc--2020-08-06--Jakobsen has facial surgery after Tour of Poland crash

Last updated on .From the section Cycling Dutch rider Fabio Jakobsen has had facial surgery and doctors will try to wake him from a coma later on Thursday , says his Deceuninck-QuickStep team .
Dylan Groenewegen drifted across the road before he and compatriot Jakobsen collided close to the finish line .
Jakobsen , 23 , hit the barriers before striking an official stood by the line .
`` His condition is very severe .
There is a danger to his life , '' said race doctor Barbara Jerschina on Wednesday .
`` Unfortunately , it is quite a serious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He has lost a lot of blood .
He is very strong .
I hope he will survive . ''
Deceuninck-QuickStep said on Wednesday that initial tests `` did n't reveal brain or spinal injury '' .
`` Fabio Jakobsen 's situation is serious but at the moment he is stable , '' read a team statement .
`` Because of the gravity of his multiple injuries , he is still kept in a comatose condition and has to remain closely monitored in the following days . ''
Jumbo-Visma sprinter Groenewegen , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being disqualified , and several other riders also fell after crossing the line .
Jerschina said the race official struck in the incident suffered head and spinal injuries but was speaking when he was taken to hospital .
Cycling 's governing body UCI said it `` strongly condemns the dangerous behaviour of Groenewegen '' .
A statement read : `` The UCI , which considers the behaviour unacceptable , immediately referred the matter to the disciplinary commission to request the imposition of sanctions commensurate with the seriousness of the facts . ''
Jumbo-Visma @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Fabio Jakobsen and other people involved in today 's terrible crash in the Tour of Poland - crashes like these should not happen .
`` We offer our sincere apologies and we will discuss internally what has happened before we may make any further statement . ''
The podium ceremony was cancelled and the results of the 195.8km stage from Stadion Slaski have not been released .

Last updated on .From the section Cycling
Dutch sprinters Fabio Jakobsen (far left) and Dylan Groenewegen (second left, in yellow) collided just before the line
Dutch rider Fabio Jakobsen has had facial surgery and doctors will try to wake him from a coma later on Thursday, says his Deceuninck-QuickStep team.
Jakobsen remains stable, having been taken to hospital on Wednesday following a high-speed crash on stage one of the Tour of Poland.
Dylan Groenewegen drifted across the road before he and compatriot Jakobsen collided close to the finish line.
Jakobsen, 23, hit the barriers before striking an official stood by the line.
"His condition is very severe. There is a danger to his life," said race doctor Barbara Jerschina on Wednesday.
"Unfortunately, it is quite a serious injury to the head and brain. He has lost a lot of blood. He is very strong. I hope he will survive."
Deceuninck-QuickStep said on Wednesday that initial tests "didn't reveal brain or spinal injury".
"Fabio Jakobsen's situation is serious but at the moment he is stable," read a team statement.
"Because of the gravity of his multiple injuries, he is still kept in a comatose condition and has to remain closely monitored in the following days."
Jumbo-Visma sprinter Groenewegen, who was named as the stage winner before being disqualified, and several other riders also fell after crossing the line.
Jerschina said the race official struck in the incident suffered head and spinal injuries but was speaking when he was taken to hospital.
Cycling's governing body UCI said it "strongly condemns the dangerous behaviour of Groenewegen".
A statement read: external-link "The UCI, which considers the behaviour unacceptable, immediately referred the matter to the disciplinary commission to request the imposition of sanctions commensurate with the seriousness of the facts."
Jumbo-Visma said: "Our thoughts go out to Fabio Jakobsen and other people involved in today's terrible crash in the Tour of Poland - crashes like these should not happen.
"We offer our sincere apologies and we will discuss internally what has happened before we may make any further statement."
The podium ceremony was cancelled and the results of the 195.8km stage from Stadion Slaski have not been released.


bbc--2020-08-06--US election 2020: Trump says opponent Biden will 'hurt God'

US President Donald Trump has said Joe Biden is `` against God '' , ramping up attacks on his Democratic rival and foreshadowing an ugly election battle .
The remarks , during a trip to Ohio , came as Mr Trump tries to make up ground in the crucial Midwestern states that were his path to victory in 2016 .
`` He 's against God .
He 's against guns , '' said the president , a Republican .
Mr Biden , an avowed Catholic , will take on Mr Trump in November .
Opinion polls suggest the Democrat currently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doing in the polls ?
The former US vice-president has spoken frequently about how his faith helped him cope with the deaths of his first wife and daughter in a 1972 car accident .
His campaign spokesman Andrew Bates said in a statement on Thursday : `` Joe Biden 's faith is at the core of who he is ; he 's lived it with dignity his entire life , and it 's been a source of strength and comfort in times of extreme hardship . ''
The president said of Mr Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ohio : `` He 's following the radical left agenda .
`` Take away your guns , destroy your Second Amendment .
No religion , no anything , hurt the Bible , hurt God .
`` He 's against God , he 's against guns , he 's against energy , our kind of energy . ''
Mr Trump has been accused of using the platform of the presidency for political gain by injecting campaign-style rhetoric into taxpayer-funded official engagements intended to communicate US government policy .
At a washing machine factory later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the onslaught on his challenger .
`` I would n't say he 's at the top of his game , '' the president said .
Both the Trump and Biden campaigns have traded accusations that their candidate has dementia .
Mr Trump is 74 and Mr Biden 77 .
In an advertisement released by the Trump campaign this week , the Democrat was depicted as `` hiding '' alone in his basement , using an image that had been edited to remove several other people .
Religion has previously come up in this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of cynically using a Bible for a photo op outside a church in early June after protesters - who were described by journalists at the scene as peaceful - had been forcibly dispersed by law enforcement outside the White House .
Throughout his tenure , Mr Trump has enjoyed a mostly strong backing from evangelical Christians .
In his list of `` six promises '' for a second term unveiled in Ohio on Thursday , Mr Trump focused heavily on economic recovery , vowing to turn the US into a premier medical manufacturer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jobs and bring back American jobs and factories from abroad .
The pledges echo many of those from his 2016 campaign , a platform of economic populism often credited with his wins in swing states like Michigan , Wisconsin , Pennsylvania and Ohio .
But the president 's message of prosperity has been thwarted this time around by the coronavirus outbreak .
The US economy shrank at a 32.9 % annual rate between April and June as the country faced lockdowns and spending cuts during the pandemic , marking the steepest decline since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Now , polls show Mr Biden with leads in Michigan , Pennsylvania and Wisconsin - three industrial states his Republican rival won by margins of less than 1 % to claim victory in 2016 .
And in Iowa , Ohio and Texas , where Mr Trump won last time by 8-10 % , he is currently neck-and-neck with Mr Biden .

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