bbc--2020-09-08--Continued tech sell-off drags Wall Street lower

A sell-off in shares of US technology firms has continued for a third day , dragging down all three major American stock indexes more than 2 % .
Apple was the biggest loser on the Dow , falling more than 6.7 % .
Amazon , Facebook and Microsoft also dropped at least 4 % .
The falls mark a sharp downturn from gains seen earlier in 2020 , which had helped US markets rebound from losses triggered by the pandemic .
The latest dip comes as the global economy is expected to shrink by roughly 5 % this year .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ business activity and add to trade tensions .
In the UK on Tuesday , the pound fell against major currencies after the government renewed the prospect of a no-deal Brexit , saying the UK would `` prosper mightily '' with or without a deal .
The pound dropped 1.6 % to just over $ 1.30 .
It fell a similar amount against the euro , to €1.10 .
The FTSE 100 also turned negative , but climbed back from its steepest losses to end the day down 0.12 % .
In the US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2.25 % lower , while the S & P 500 fell 2.78 % .
The tech-heavy Nasdaq dropped 2.95 % .
Many investors had been rattled by the recent run-up in share prices , even as many economic forecasts remained downbeat and tensions between the US and China - particularly related to technology - remain high .
Even after recent losses , share prices of many big tech companies remain significantly higher than the start of the year .
Tesla shares , for example , tumbled roughly 20 % on Tuesday to about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the electric car-maker had not been added to the S & P 500 index as part of its recent reshuffle .
But the firm 's shares have more than tripled since the start of the year .
Analysts have said some investors are selling to lock in gains ahead of what is expected to be bumpy trading over the next few months .

Tesla shares, for example, tumbled roughly 20% on Tuesday to about $330 each, amid disappointment that the electric car-maker had not been added to the S&P 500 index as part of its recent reshuffle. But the firm's shares have more than tripled since the start of the year.


bbc--2020-09-08--Belarus protests: Opposition leader 'tore up passport' to avoid expulsion

A detained Belarus opposition leader prevented officials from forcibly expelling her to Ukraine by tearing up her passport and throwing it out of a car window at the border , colleagues who travelled with her have said .
`` She was pushed into the back seat ( of the car ) , she yelled that she was n't going anywhere , '' Ms Kolesnikova 's colleague Anton Rodnenkov told a news conference in the Ukrainian capital , Kyiv , on Tuesday .
Mr Rodnenkov said he and another colleague had been kidnapped on Monday , driven between buildings , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their hands tied .
They accepted an offer to leave Belarus with Ms Kolesnikova but when the car reached the border she refused to cross .
The two men told journalists they did not know where she was now .
Dozens of people were arrested in fresh protests in Minsk , the capital .
In recent weeks thousands have faced down violence and threats of arrest in demonstrations against Mr Lukashenko , who has ruled the country since 1994 .
The main opposition leader , Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , says she won 60-70 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were properly counted .
She fled to Lithuania after she was detained in August .
On Monday , witnesses saw masked men seize Ms Kolesnikova on a street in central Minsk and push her into a minibus .
Anton Rodnenkov and his colleague Ivan Kravtsov were abducted while driving to her flat following reports of her disappearance , they told reporters in Kyiv .
`` What they were interested in was getting Maria Kolesnikova outside the country .
They said this was necessary to de-escalate the situation in Belarus , '' Mr Kravtsov @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a checkpoint between the two countries , Ms Kolesnikova prevented her deportation by ripping up her passport and throwing away the pieces , he said .
`` She climbed , climbed from the car and she walked proudly to Belarusian territory , '' Mr Kravtsov said , adding : `` She 's really a hero .
You must understand that .
She 's very dedicated to what she 's doing now . ''
He conceded that some Belarusians might be `` fed up '' with his rule but he was adamant that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the journalists .
`` You know what we agreed with the Russian establishment and leadership ? ''
he asked the panel of Russian state TV reporters on the sofas before him .
`` That if Belarus breaks , Russia will be next . ''
He has accused Western powers of interference and is expected to visit Moscow `` in the coming days '' amid claims by Lithuania that he is planning deeper integration with Russia .

They accepted an offer to leave Belarus with Ms Kolesnikova but when the car reached the border she refused to cross. The two men told journalists they did not know where she was now.


bbc--2020-09-08--Uber pledges all-electric fleet by 2040

Uber pledges all-electric fleet by 2040

Uber has said that all taxis available through its app will be electric by 2040 - and by 2030 in US , Canadian and European cities .
The ride-hailing firm said the move was part of its `` responsibility '' to tackle the challenge of climate change .
The company said that it would spend $ 800m ( £614m ) to help drivers switch to electric cars , creating partnerships with manufacturers to ensure discounts .
Users will also be able to request an electric or hybrid vehicle .
That option is available in 15 US and Canadian cities for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It said it would launch in more than 65 cities globally by the end of the year .
`` It 's our responsibility as the largest mobility platform in the world to more aggressively tackle the challenge of climate change , '' chief executive Dara Khosrowshahi said in a blog post on Tuesday .
`` While we 're not the first to set ambitious goals in transitioning to [ electric vehicles ] , we intend to be the first to make it happen . ''
Uber and smaller rival Lyft have faced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ traffic and air pollution , with research showing many of their rides replace less polluting alternatives , like walking , biking , or taking public transport .
Lyft in June pledged to have an all electric fleet by 2030 , but it did not outline support for drivers .
Many of them operate their own cars .
Uber on Tuesday said that battery electric vehicles accounted for roughly 0.15 % of the miles logged on its platform in the US and Canada between 2017 and 2019 .
Including hybrids , the mileage logged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the average in the United States .
In London , where it has clashed with regulators , Uber had already pledged that all the firm 's rides would happen in electric cars by 2025 .
• EU says one in eight deaths is linked to pollution • London Uber fares go up after electric car charge • Uber and Lyft drivers are employees , says US judge On Tuesday , Uber said it was working with Renault and Nissan to expand that effort to other European cities , starting in France .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working with General Motors .
Uber said drivers will earn more per ride if they are using electric or hybrid cars and it was also working to include more alternatives to cars in its app .
Climate change organisations , which have pressed the company to improve its environmental record , said they were pleased by Uber 's announcement .
`` Uber 's commitment to rapidly electrify its fleet in major European cities is good news , '' said William Todts , executive director of the campaign group Transport & Environment .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city mayors to show leadership .
We need all big cities in Europe to introduce zero-emission zones , new pop-up bike lanes and cycle-only corridors , while also providing easy access to charging at home , at work and wherever people park . ''

Uber on Tuesday said that battery electric vehicles accounted for roughly 0.15% of the miles logged on its platform in the US and Canada between 2017 and 2019. Including hybrids, the mileage logged in green vehicles is about five times the average in the United States.


bbc--2020-09-08--Coronavirus: Pharma firms unveil safety pledge over vaccine

A group of nine vaccine developers has announced a `` historic pledge '' to uphold scientific and ethical standards in the search for a coronavirus vaccine .
The firms , including Pfizer and Merck , said they would only apply for regulatory approval after vaccines went through three phases of clinical study .
It comes amid global debates about the safety of vaccines made this year .
US President Donald Trump has said he wants one available in the US before November 's election .
No vaccine has yet completed clinical trials , according to the World Health Organization ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fear the search for a vaccine is being politicised , and public trust could be damaged .
In their pledge , the nine biopharmaceutical firms did not mention Mr Trump but said they believed their action would `` ensure public confidence '' in the development of any inoculation .
• How close to developing a vaccine are we ?
• What drugs can help treat coronavirus ?
They pledged to `` always make the safety and well-being of vaccinated individuals our top priority '' .
Other signatories were industry giants Johnson & Johnson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moderna and Novavax .
`` Together , these nine companies have collectively developed more than 70 novel vaccines that have helped to eradicate some of the world 's most complex and deadly public health threats , '' the statement added .
Nearly 180 vaccine candidates are being tested around the world , the WHO says .
The organisation has said it does not expect a vaccine to meet its efficacy and safety guidelines in order to be approved this year because of the time it takes to test them safely .
None of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have so far demonstrated a `` clear signal '' of efficacy at the level of at least 50 % sought by the WHO , spokeswoman Margaret Harris said last week .
`` In terms of realistic timelines , we are really not expecting to see widespread vaccination until the middle of next year , '' she added .
Similar sentiments have been shared by Thomas Cueni , director-general of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers .
The industry body represents the companies that signed the pledge .
`` I think it 's fairly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approved or in particular distributed at large scale before the end of this year , '' he told the BBC .
`` We may be surprised but clearly the manufacturers do not want speed above quality '' .
Despite this , China and Russia have begun inoculating some key workers with domestically developed vaccines .
All of them are still listed by the WHO as being in clinical trials .
Meanwhile , the US national regulator , the Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ) , has suggested that coronavirus vaccines may be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clinical trials .
This phase can often involve thousands of participants and last several years .
• Short cuts and 'dirty tricks ' in the scramble for a vaccine • How will the world vaccinate seven billion people ?
Last week it also emerged that the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had urged states to consider waiving certain requirements in order to be ready to distribute a potential vaccine by 1 November - two days before the 3 November presidential election .
President Trump has hinted that a vaccine might be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic rival Joe Biden has expressed scepticism that Mr Trump will listen to scientists and implement a transparent process .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : How do I protect myself ?
• AVOIDING CONTACT : The rules on self-isolation and exercise • MAPS AND CHARTS : Visual guide to the outbreak • STRESS : How to look after your mental health

"I think it's fairly unlikely that we will have a vaccine approved or in particular distributed at large scale before the end of this year," he told the BBC. "We may be surprised but clearly the manufacturers do not want speed above quality".


bbc--2020-09-08--New UK bill will 'break international law'

A government minister has said a new bill to amend the UK 's Brexit deal with the EU will `` break international law '' .
Concerns had been raised about legislation being brought forward which could change parts of the withdrawal agreement , negotiated last year .
Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis conceded it would go against the treaty in a `` specific and limited way '' .
Former PM Theresa May warned the change could damage `` trust '' in the UK over future trade deals with other states .
The permanent secretary to the Government Legal Department , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is resigning from government in light of the bill , making him the sixth senior civil servant to leave Whitehall this year .
Sir Jonathan , who is the government 's most senior lawyer , is understood to have believed the plans went too far in breaching the government 's obligations under international law .
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer condemned the bill and accused No 10 of `` reopening old arguments that had been settled '' , saying the `` focus should be on getting a [ trade ] deal done '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back - and likely to get louder • 'One train of thought in DUP ' on NI Protocol • What are the sticking points in Brexit trade talks ?
No 10 revealed on Monday that it would be introducing a new UK Internal Market Bill that could affect post-Brexit customs and trade rules in Northern Ireland .
Downing Street said it would only make `` minor clarifications in extremely specific areas '' - but it worried some in Brussels and Westminster that it could see the government try to change the withdrawal agreement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UK left the EU in January .
The row also comes at the start of the eighth round of post-Brexit trade deal talks between the UK and the EU .
The two sides are trying to secure a deal before the end of the transition period on 31 December , which will see the UK going onto World Trade Organisation rules if no agreement is reached .
Irish Foreign Affairs Minister , Simon Coveney , called Mr Lewis ' comments `` gravely concerning '' , adding : `` Any unilateral departure from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a matter of considerable concern and a very serious step . ''
The UK 's chief Brexit negotiator , Lord David Frost , called for `` realism '' from his EU counterparts , saying he would `` drive home our clear message that we must make progress this week if we are to reach an agreement in time '' .
The EU said it would `` do everything in [ its ] power to reach an agreement '' with the UK , but `` will be ready '' for a no-deal scenario .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a deal had n't been done by the time the European Council meets on 15 October , the two sides should `` move on '' and accept the UK 's exit without one .
Shadow Northern Ireland secretary , Louise Haigh , said it was `` deeply concerning '' that the prime minister `` appeared to be undermining the legal obligations of his own deal '' with the introduction of the new law while the negotiations are taking place .
The text of the new bill will not be published until Wednesday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal with the issue of the so-called Northern Ireland Protocol - an element of the withdrawal agreement designed to prevent a hard border returning to the island of Ireland after Brexit .
The practicalities of the protocol - which will deal with issues of state aid ( financial support given to businesses by governments ) and whether there needs to be customs checks on goods - is still being negotiated by a joint UK and EU committee .
But Mr Lewis said the bill would take `` limited and reasonable steps to create @ @ @ @ @ @ @ failed .
Speaking during an urgent question on the bill , chair of the Justice Committee and Tory MP Bob Neill said the `` adherence to the rule of law is not negotiable '' .
He asked Mr Lewis : `` Will he assure us that nothing proposed in this legislation does or potentially might breach international obligations or international legal arrangements ? ''
The Northern Ireland secretary replied : `` Yes .
This does break international law in a very specific and limited way . ''
He said the government was still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the EU joint committee to overcome its concerns for the future of trade in Northern Ireland , but said there was `` clear precedence for UK and indeed other countries needing to consider their obligations if circumstances change '' .
Sir Bob later told BBC Radio 4 's PM the decision was `` troubling '' , adding : `` Britain is a country which prides itself on standing by the rule of law ... whether it is inconvenient or convenient for us .
`` Whatever we seek to do , if we find @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I am afraid this does n't mean we can renege on our contract ... as that would damage our reputation long term . ''
This was an extremely unusual statement - a minister standing up in Parliament to say the government is planning to break international law .
Brandon Lewis told the House of Commons that `` there are clear precedents for the UK and other countries needing to consider their international obligations as circumstances change '' .
That may suggest , says Catherine Barnard , professor of law at the University @ @ @ @ @ @ @ looking at Article 62 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties , which enables a state to get out of its treaty obligations when circumstances change radically .
But those changed circumstances have to be pretty dramatic - something like the dissolution of Yugoslavia , when a recognised country ceases to exist .
In the case of the Northern Ireland Protocol , it is less than a year since the government negotiated the treaty in full knowledge of the sensitivity of the situation .
And if the government does go ahead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ withdrawal agreement ?
`` There is a chance , '' says Prof Barnard , `` that the EU will decide to trigger the dispute resolution mechanism in the withdrawal agreement , which could lead to arbitration and a case before the European Court of Justice . ''
Theresa May - who stood down as prime minister last year after her own Brexit deal failed to get the support of Parliament - said : `` The United Kingdom government signed the withdrawal agreement with the Northern Ireland Protocol .
`` This Parliament voted that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government is now changing the operation of that agreement . ''
`` How can the government reassure future international partners that the UK can be trusted to abide by the legal obligations of the agreements it signs ? ''
The leader of the Liberal Democrats , Sir Ed Davey , also called it a `` sad and shocking state of affairs for our country '' .
Sammy Wilson , who acts as Brexit spokesman for the Northern Irish Democratic Unionist Party , said he was `` pleased '' to have the new bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issues that could affect his constituents - such as state aid and customs checks .
But he said the DUP had `` warned ministers of the impact of the withdrawal agreement '' early on , saying it was a `` union splitting , economy destroying and border creating agreement that has to be changed and replaced '' .
He added : `` We will judge this bill on whether it delivers on these kind of issues . ''
However , Claire Hanna , a Social Democratic and Labour Party ( SDLP ) MP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was `` a symptom… of four years of terrible political decision making '' .
She added : `` It is now the law .
This government is obliged to implement it in full . ''
She also `` cautioned '' Mr Lewis `` not to use the threat of a border on the island of Ireland or the hard won impartiality of the Good Friday Agreement as a cat 's paw in this or any other negotiation . ''
But former Conservative leader , Sir Iain Duncan Smith , said the act that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the UK allowed the government to `` reserve the right to make clarifications under the sovereignty clause '' .
Mr Lewis agreed , saying the law would `` clarify ... the points about what will apply in January if we are not able to get satisfactory and mutually suitable conclusions '' in negotiations .
He added : `` It is reasonable and sensible to give that certainty and clarity to the people and businesses of Northern Ireland . ''

He said the government was still working "in good faith" with the EU joint committee to overcome its concerns for the future of trade in Northern Ireland, but said there was "clear precedence for UK and indeed other countries needing to consider their obligations if circumstances change".


bbc--2020-09-08--Missing Yorkshire Dales walker turns up at press conference

An 80-year-old hiker who went missing for three days in the Yorkshire Dales has spoken at a press conference arranged in a bid to track him down .
He was then taken by Land Rover to the nearby Tan Hill Inn , where he was reunited with family and friends at the press conference .
Speaking to journalists Mr Harvey , from Tynemouth in Tyne and Wear , said : `` I just got separated by getting caught in a really heavy hailstorm , a howling gale of wind .
`` By the time I got my kit on it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ missed what I would say was a turning .
I had a plan B straight away , find somewhere safe to camp , put my tent up , keep warm , and that was it .
`` The place where we got separated was absolutely desolate , there was no chance of putting a tent up that 's for sure , so I had to find somewhere safe , which is what I did . ''
Mr Harvey said he was never worried as he had `` all the kit and all the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not have the attention which he said was `` not my scene at all '' .
The experienced hiker , who was reported missing on Sunday afternoon , said he could see search teams but did not realise they were looking for him .
His family said the past three days had been `` torture '' and they could not put the worry they had into words .
`` We know he is experienced , but not three nights , that 's taking it a little bit to the extreme , '' they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ North Yorkshire Police , said : `` This is fantastic news .
I want to thank all the search volunteers for their time , as well as gamekeepers , estate owners , farmers and local residents for their help and understanding .
`` I had passed Tan Hill with a very heavy heart because I knew he had n't been found and I thought after three days he 's not going to be found .
It was quite upsetting to see the police and sniffer dogs .
`` I just looked up at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me .
I got out of my car and I said , 'Are you Harry ?
Have you been missing for three days ? '
And he said yes .
And I started crying . ''

Mr Harvey said he was never worried as he had "all the kit and all the training", adding he would rather not have the attention which he said was "not my scene at all".


bbc--2020-09-08--Apple fires back in Fortnite App Store battle

Apple has fired back against claims by the maker of the Fortnite game that its control of the App Store gives it a monopoly .
In a response to the August lawsuit filed by Epic Games , Apple called those arguments `` self-righteous '' and `` self-interested '' .
It denied that its 30 % commission was anti-competitive and said the fight was `` a basic disagreement over money '' .
Apple also said Epic Games had violated its contract and asked for damages .
The filing is the latest in a legal battle that started last month , after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ currency for purchases made outside of the app , from which Apple receives a 30 % cut .
In response , Apple blocked Epic 's ability to distribute updates or new apps through the App Store , and Epic sued , alleging that Apple 's App Store practices violate antitrust laws .
The court allowed Apple 's ban on updates to continue as the case plays out , but the existing version of Fortnite still works , as does Epic 's payment system .
Apple had said it would allow Fortnite back into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ payment feature to comply with its developer agreement .
But Epic has refused , saying complying with Apple 's request would be `` to collude with Apple to maintain their monopoly over in-app payments on iOS . ''
In its filing , Apple said Epic has benefited from Apple 's promotion and developer tools , earning more than $ 600m ( £462m ) through the App Store .
Apple accused the firm , which it noted is backed by Chinese tech giant Tencent , of seeking a special deal before ultimately breaching its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Epic portrays itself as a modern corporate Robin Hood , in reality it is a multi-billion dollar enterprise that simply wants to pay nothing for the tremendous value it derives from the App Store , '' it said in the filing .
The legal battle between the two companies comes as Apple faces increased scrutiny of its practices running the App Store .
At a hearing in Washington over the summer , politicians also raised concerns that Apple 's control of the app store hurt competition .
The European Union is also investigating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ competition rules .
Apple has denied those claims , arguing that its App Store has made it easier and cheaper for developers to distribute products .

"Although Epic portrays itself as a modern corporate Robin Hood, in reality it is a multi-billion dollar enterprise that simply wants to pay nothing for the tremendous value it derives from the App Store," it said in the filing.


bbc--2020-09-08--Michael Cohen's book: ANC blasts 'divisive' Trump over Mandela

South Africa 's governing African National Congress ( ANC ) has called US President Donald Trump `` divisive , misogynistic and disrespectful '' in response to reports that he was dismissive about Nelson Mandela , the country 's first black president .
Mr Trump said the Nobel Peace Prize winner was `` no leader '' , according to his former lawyer Michael Cohen .
In a scathing response , the ANC , which Mandela led from 1991 to 1997 , said that `` all freedom-loving people of the world are appalled by these insults which come from a person who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of competent leadership '' .
`` Trump is [ the most ] divisive , misogynistic and disrespectful person ever to occupy the office of the president , '' it added .
In contrast , Mandela had stood as a unifying leader , who `` reached out to the world and sought to bring peace and a just society '' , the ANC said .
Mandela , who was imprisoned for 27 years for his fight against apartheid , negotiated with the white-minority government to ensure a non-violent transition to democratic rule in 1994 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nobel prize alongside former South African President FW de Klerk , the man he negotiated with , for their efforts in securing a `` peaceful termination of the apartheid regime '' .
Apartheid was a legalised system of discrimination against people who were not white , and had been introduced in South Africa in 1948 .
Mandela became South Africa 's first black president in 1994 and stepped down in 1999 .
He died in 2013 aged 95 .
Earlier , the Nelson Mandela Foundation said it did not believe that `` leaders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump does are in a position to offer authoritative commentary on the life and work of Madiba [ Mandela ] '' .
As well as criticising Mandela , the US president is reported by Cohen to have said : `` Tell me one country run by a black person that is n't a shithole .
They are all complete [ expletive ] toilets . ''
Back then , Mr Trump told reporters : `` I am not a racist .
I 'm the least racist person you have ever interviewed . ''
Responding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ press secretary Kayleigh McEnany at the weekend described him as `` a disgraced felon and disbarred lawyer , who lied to Congress '' .
`` He has lost all credibility , and it 's unsurprising to see his latest attempt to profit off of lies , '' she said .

In a scathing response, the ANC, which Mandela led from 1991 to 1997, said that "all freedom-loving people of the world are appalled by these insults which come from a person who, himself, is not a model of competent leadership".


bbc--2020-09-08--Sushant Singh Rajput: Bollywood actor Rhea Chakraborty arrested

Bollywood actress Rhea Chakraborty has been arrested by India 's narcotics control authority in a drugs case related to the death of her actor-boyfriend Sushant Singh Rajput .
Rajput , 34 , was found dead in his flat in Mumbai on 14 June .
Police said he had killed himself .
His family , however , registered a police complaint against Chakraborty , accusing her of abetment to suicide .
She is yet to comment but denied any wrongdoing in earlier statements .
Authorities are yet to reveal the charges against her .
Chakraborty 's brother , Showik , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Miranda , were also arrested last week in the same drugs case .
But the charges against them have not been revealed either .
Chakraborty 's is the most high-profile arrest in connection with a case that has captivated and polarised India in recent months .
Prime time television news covered every development , turning Rajput and Chakraborty 's personal lives into subjects of public debate .
The couple began dating in the summer of 2019 , according to reports , and moved in together in December .
On 8 June , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went to stay with her parents and was n't home when the actor died .
After his death , reports in the press suggested that he had been dealing with mental health issues .
But within days , the focus shifted to Chakraborty and the 28-year-old upcoming actress soon found herself at the centre of a storm of allegations , conspiracy theories , rumours and unconfirmed reports .
The media attention intensified after Rajput 's father registered a complaint against her .
He denied that his son had any mental health issues and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ money , among other allegations .
For months , Chakraborty has been trolled on social media .
She 's been called names like `` fortune huntress '' and `` mafia moll '' , and has been accused of getting Rajput addicted to drugs and driving him to suicide .
The actress has approached the Supreme Court over what she says is an `` unfair media trial '' and has issued her own statement and given TV interviews , denying all the charges against her .
She has also issued a plea to Home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into Rajput 's death .

While being arrested, Chakraborty was seen wearing a T-shirt with the words, "rose are red, violets are blue, let's smash the patriarchy, me and you". Soon, the words were being shared on social media by Bollywood stars, influencers and ordinary citizens in a show of support.


bbc--2020-09-08--Semenya loses appeal over testosterone restrictions

Last updated on .From the section Athletics Caster Semenya has lost her appeal to Switzerland 's Federal Supreme Court against the restriction of testosterone levels in female runners .
`` I am very disappointed , '' the 29-year-old South African said .
`` I refuse to let World Athletics drug me or stop me from being who I am . ''
Athletics ' governing body brought in a rule that athletes with differences of sexual development ( DSD ) must either take medication in order to compete in track events from 400m to the mile , or change to another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ levels of natural testosterone , which World Athletics believes gives them a competitive advantage .
`` Excluding female athletes or endangering our health solely because of our natural abilities puts World Athletics on the wrong side of history , '' Semenya added .
`` I will continue to fight for the human rights of female athletes , both on the track and off the track , until we can all run free the way we were born .
`` I know what is right and will do all I can to protect basic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
The Court of Arbitration for Sport rejected a Semenya challenge against the rule last year .
The Swiss Supreme Court then temporarily suspended the ruling , before later reversing its decision .
It meant Semenya , who won Olympic gold in the 800m in both 2012 and 2016 , missed the chance to defend her world 800m title in Doha last year , having failed in her bid to prevent the governing body 's rule change .
• None Caster Semenya Q & A : Who is she and why is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` considering all of her options , internationally and domestically '' .
In a statement , World Athletics said : `` For the last five years World Athletics has fought for and defended equal rights and opportunities for all women and girls in our sport today and in the future .
`` We therefore welcome today 's decision by the Swiss Federal Tribunal to uphold our DSD regulations as a legitimate and proportionate means of protecting the right of all female athletes to participate in our sport on fair and meaningful terms .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Fairness in sport is a legitimate concern and forms a central principle of sporting competition .
It is one of the pillars on which competition is based . ''
The ruling means Semenya will not be able to defend her 800m title at the rearranged Tokyo Olympics next summer .
In March , she said she wants to compete in the 200m in Tokyo , a distance for which she would not need to take medication .
To be able to compete , she would have to run a qualifying time of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is 24.26secs .

Last updated on .From the section Athletics
Caster Semenya has won the Olympic 800m title twice and the world title three times
Caster Semenya has lost her appeal to Switzerland's Federal Supreme Court against the restriction of testosterone levels in female runners.
Semenya is not allowed to compete in events between 400m and a mile without taking testosterone-reducing drugs, following a 2019 rule change by governing body World Athletics.
"I am very disappointed," the 29-year-old South African said.
"I refuse to let World Athletics drug me or stop me from being who I am."
Athletics' governing body brought in a rule that athletes with differences of sexual development (DSD) must either take medication in order to compete in track events from 400m to the mile, or change to another distance.
Athletes with DSD have higher levels of natural testosterone, which World Athletics believes gives them a competitive advantage.
"Excluding female athletes or endangering our health solely because of our natural abilities puts World Athletics on the wrong side of history," Semenya added.
"I will continue to fight for the human rights of female athletes, both on the track and off the track, until we can all run free the way we were born.
"I know what is right and will do all I can to protect basic human rights, for young girls everywhere."
The Court of Arbitration for Sport rejected a Semenya challenge against the rule last year.
The Swiss Supreme Court then temporarily suspended the ruling, before later reversing its decision.
It meant Semenya, who won Olympic gold in the 800m in both 2012 and 2016, missed the chance to defend her world 800m title in Doha last year, having failed in her bid to prevent the governing body's rule change.
Semenya is now "considering all of her options, internationally and domestically".
In a statement, World Athletics said: "For the last five years World Athletics has fought for and defended equal rights and opportunities for all women and girls in our sport today and in the future.
"We therefore welcome today's decision by the Swiss Federal Tribunal to uphold our DSD regulations as a legitimate and proportionate means of protecting the right of all female athletes to participate in our sport on fair and meaningful terms."
The Swiss Supreme Court said: "Fairness in sport is a legitimate concern and forms a central principle of sporting competition. It is one of the pillars on which competition is based."
The ruling means Semenya will not be able to defend her 800m title at the rearranged Tokyo Olympics next summer.
In March, she said she wants to compete in the 200m in Tokyo, a distance for which she would not need to take medication.
To be able to compete, she would have to run a qualifying time of 22.80 seconds, although her current best is 24.26secs.


bbc--2020-09-08--Singapore: The mums asking suicidal teens to 'please stay'

Doreen and Elaine helped to set up the PleaseStay movement in Singapore , addressing youth mental health and suicide .
@ @ @ @ @ the group 's members share a unique story : they are all mothers whose children @ @ @ @ @ The two women explain why suicide and depression remain taboo subjects in Singapore , which @ @ @ @ @ suicides among male teenagers and boys in recent years .
If you , or someone @ @ @ @ @ affected by mental health issues , the following resources may be able to help :

Doreen and Elaine helped to set up the PleaseStay movement in Singapore, addressing youth mental health and suicide.
They and the rest of the group's members share a unique story: they are all mothers whose children took their own lives.
The two women explain why suicide and depression remain taboo subjects in Singapore, which has seen an increase in suicides among male teenagers and boys in recent years.
Video by Tessa Wong.
If you, or someone you know, have been affected by mental health issues, the following resources may be able to help:


bbc--2020-09-08--US wildfires leave small towns almost destroyed in California and Washington

Small towns have been left in ruins by wildfires raging across California and other states in western US .
In @ @ @ @ @ Whitman County Sheriff Brett Myers estimates that nearly 80 % of structures have been destroyed @ @ @ @ @ Big Creek , California , the elementary school is still standing - something the principal @ @ @ @ @ hope '' .
Read more : Hikers rescued by helicopter as California fires rage

Small towns have been left in ruins by wildfires raging across California and other states in western US.
In Malden, Washington state, Whitman County Sheriff Brett Myers estimates that nearly 80% of structures have been destroyed by wildfires.
While in Big Creek, California, the elementary school is still standing - something the principal called a "beacon of hope".
Read more: Hikers rescued by helicopter as California fires rage


bbc--2020-09-08--Art in lockdown: Making anthotype plant prints

When Tim Boddy could n't leave his home more than once a day for exercise , because of lockdown restrictions , he used the time to gather local flowers and leaves in and around Bow in East London .
He then used a photographic technique that dates back to the mid-1800s to create colourful silhouettes of plant material , using natural chemicals from the plants and the power of the sun .
It was when he was studying for an MA in Photojournalism and Documentary Photography at London College of Communication , that his interest in anthotypes began .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the land and plants at Rainbow Grow 's space in a literal way ...
I used vegetables grown in their garden , such as rainbow chard , to create prints . ''
`` The emulsion is the chemical that reacts to sunlight , and the outline is the plant material that creates a silhouette on the paper .
`` [ Then ] this is perhaps the most fun phase , where I feel like a cross between a mad scientist and the world 's worst chef - I add in items like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rose-gold colour when used with beetroot juice , for example .
`` I take my plant cutting , [ which I ] set aside for the outline , and carefully place it onto the painted paper .
Leaves are particularly good for this - especially those with a distinctive shape .
`` The print needs to react with ultraviolet rays ; obviously the sunnier it is , and the closer to summer you are , the quicker your print will develop .
`` Once it looks like the print has faded significantly ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ works ) , remove the paper and plant material , and hopefully a vivid impression of your outline will be on the paper .
`` Since natural dyes of plants are inherently unstable , these images fade slowly over time in light when they are displayed ; the anthotype process is an impermanent one and images can not be 'fixed ' like a regular photographic process .
`` Conceptually , I find this interesting ; as the memory of that most surreal time [ in lockdown ] fades and warps , so will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Despite the huge benefits and joy that creating prints brought me , I also felt that once I got to day 100 [ in lockdown ] and restrictions eased considerably , that it was a good time to take a break [ from making anthotypes ] .
`` It 's also vital to know what plants are poisonous too , so please do your research , and wear gloves . ''

Boddy has advice for anyone wanting to make their own anthoptypes: "If you are picking plants grown in the wild, don't be destructive in what you take and do be respectful.


bbc--2020-09-08--US 2020 Election: Trump targeted in misleading puddle video

A misleading video of US President Donald Trump has been widely shared online , intending to show him looking confused standing next to a puddle of rainwater in the grounds of the White House .
Separately , a fake image is circulating on social media , showing a boat apparently with a Trump 2020 flag on it , sitting at the bottom of a lake .
We 've taken a look at both of these .
What is the Trump puddle video ?
The 12-second video clip shows President Trump walking away from reporters in the direction of a puddle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he then stares at .
The clip was posted alongside a tweet questioning President Trump 's mental health , claiming he was `` lost and disoriented '' .
But the clip has been taken out of context from a longer video , filmed in August 2019 .
Twitter has flagged the clip on the grounds that it has been edited out of context .
In the full version , you can see the president walk away from the press and over towards the puddle , while awaiting First Lady Melania Trump to accompany @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump can be seen pointing to the puddle to warn his wife not to step in it .
The puddle - and the president and first lady - can also be clearly seen in a still image taken by a news photographer , who was there at the time .
The manipulated video clip has now been removed , but has already been viewed more than two million times .
What about the Trump boat picture ?
This picture appears to show a boat with a pro-Trump flag on it at the bottom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ showed up online after a pro-Trump boat parade in Austin , Texas , over the weekend - one of a number of similar events which have taken place across the US in recent months .
Authorities in Texas did report several vessels sinking during the boat parade , but this picture is n't of one of them .
It has been widely shared , including by Democratic lawmaker Shevrin Jones from Florida , who tweeted the picture , saying : `` Oh the symbolism of it all ... '' His tweet has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other posts have shared the image online .
The picture is actually of a vessel which sank in Michigan in June , and the Trump flag has been added on to the boat .
The image first appeared on a local Michigan news website in June , which reported that 10 people on the sunken vessel had been rescued .
It 's not clear who originally added the Trump 2020 flag on to the old image .
Mr Jones later tweeted saying : `` It 's obviously photoshopped but the symbolism remains .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ US election • Where does Donald Trump stand on key issues ?
• How you can be US president without winning most votes

But the clip has been taken out of context from a longer video, filmed in August 2019. Twitter has flagged the clip on the grounds that it has been edited out of context.


bbc--2020-09-08--Zambia's president mourns death of good-luck fish

Zambia 's President Edgar Lungu has joined the nation in mourning the death of a fish that lived in a pond at the country 's second-biggest university .
Students at Copperbelt University ( CBU ) lit candles and marched around campus to mourn the big fish .
The hashtag Mafishi , as the fish was affectionately known , is trending on Twitter in the southern African state .
For the past two decades CBU students have believed the fish would bring them good luck in exams .
Mafishi , meaning `` Big Fish '' in the local Bemba language , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years old and had lived in the university 's pond for more than 20 years , student leader Lawrence Kasonde said .
His death was still being investigated , added the president of the Copperbelt University Student 's Union .
`` It is yet to be buried , we are planning on embalming it , '' Mr Kasonde told the BBC .
Some students used to pay homage to the fish before exams , believing it brought them good luck while others saw it as a stress-reliever , says BBC Zambia reporter Kennedy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fish as an `` iconic symbol of the university '' .
`` Just watching him swim would bring healing to the soul before exams and during hard times , '' he added .
President Lungu quoted Indian anti-colonial campaigner Mahatma Gandhi in his message of mourning , saying on Facebook that `` the greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated '' .
`` I 'm glad you received a befitting send-off .
We 'll all miss you , '' he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We stand with the CBU student community , past and present , over the death of their iconic pet Mafishi . ''
In other comments on Twitter , @ MoffatSamora said : `` May his fins rest in peace .
We have sent the best lawyers and accountants to come and aid the family in the preparation of his will . ''
You may also be interested in :

In other comments on Twitter, @MoffatSamora said: "May his fins rest in peace. We have sent the best lawyers and accountants to come and aid the family in the preparation of his will."


bbc--2020-09-09--Amazon: In the cross-hairs of coronavirus and forest fires

Last year , Brazil 's biggest city , São Paulo , went dark because of the smoke .
But while the smoke travelled far , the outrage travelled even further with European leaders criticising President Jair Bolsonaro for not doing enough to protect the rainforest .
By day , the smoke drifts into the town and the smell of bonfire lingers in the air .
By night , you can sometimes see the sky lit up by flames in the distance .
The past six months have been intense for Dr Victorino Perez .
He is the best chance for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to travel eight hours to the nearest intensive care bed .
He says that the situation is not easing here , he is still seeing new cases every day .
But now it is fire season , and the team has a new problem .
`` With the virus , they just had a dry cough , an irritation , a shortness of breath .
When they return , that 's got worse , they 're coughing more and we can see their lungs are more compromised , '' Dr Perez explains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , yet more pressure will be heaped on some of the most scarcely resourced health centres in the country as they deal with both Covid-19 and the fires .
`` Sometimes I 'm at a loss for words to explain just how difficult it was - I would n't wish it upon anyone , '' she says .
For a while , she could not even hug her children as she isolated at home .
But her problems are not over .
`` Even today I have a shortness of breath when the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this .
I ca n't work as hard as I want , and I ca n't stay out in the cold , I start to feel pain in my lungs , pain in my chest , '' she says .
`` It 's such a difficult time we are going through , that the whole of humanity is going through .
If people put their hands on their hearts and thought 'it could be me one day ' , then they would n't start fires like they do - they would wait for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't affect people here . ''
Across town , another of the town 's doctors , Dr Lucas Antonio Silva , is on shift .
He has just taken an emergency call - a woman who suspects she has Covid-19 .
She lives on the other side of the river and the only way to get there is a ferry and it has just left the riverside .
The team has to wait an hour for it to return .
Dr Silva , who is in his early 20s , has been thrown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day after he graduated in March , the World Health Organization declared a pandemic .
He has been working on Covid-19 ever since .
When he eventually makes it over to the other side of the river , it is a short drive to reach 62-year old Odeli de Almeida .
She has all the symptoms associated with the coronavirus and her son is currently in hospital with Covid-19 .
In these parts of the Amazon , they only have access to rapid tests rather than the more reliable swab test .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and it could be a lung issue caused by the dust , the smoke , something else . ''

Across town, another of the town's doctors, Dr Lucas Antonio Silva, is on shift. He has just taken an emergency call - a woman who suspects she has Covid-19. She lives on the other side of the river and the only way to get there is a ferry and it has just left the riverside. The team has to wait an hour for it to return.


bbc--2020-09-09--How Sudan's rebel deal offers lifeline for peace

Sudan 's peace agreement signed last week finally promises to end the devastating wars in Darfur , South Kordofan and Blue Nile that have cost hundreds of thousands of lives , but as Alex de Waal and Edward Thomas explain , it comes with a huge price tag .
The largest grouping , the Sudan Revolutionary Front , is a fragile coalition .
And although it shares many of the same goals as Khartoum 's non-violent protesters , they come from very different backgrounds .
You may also be interested in : He is principled and stubborn and his demands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of self-determination - do not allow for much compromise .
But the deal meets his substantive demands , and if it is implemented , he will not be able to sustain his objections .
Until Washington officially recognises that Sudan is not a `` sponsor of terror '' , there is no debt relief and little foreign investment .
This leaves Sudan 's financial lifeline in the hands of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates , which give cash-in-hand to their favourite military powerbrokers such as Gen Burhan and Hemeti .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world can do is to give them a chance .
Edward Thomas is a fellow of the Rift Valley Institute in Kenya and Alex de Waal is the executive director of the World Peace Foundation at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University in the US .

Edward Thomas is a fellow of the Rift Valley Institute in Kenya and Alex de Waal is the executive director of the World Peace Foundation at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University in the US.


bbc--2020-09-08--US election 2020: Has Trump kept his promises on the military?

US President Donald Trump has been defending his record on military spending and his pledge to cut back US involvement in foreign wars .
In 2017 he said he would rebuild the country 's `` depleted military '' .
He has also called for a reduction in US troops serving abroad .
We 've taken a look at the president 's record on the military .
President Trump 's son , Donald Jr , recently wrote on Twitter : `` Trump properly funded our military after Obama-Biden decimated it . ''
The chart shows military spending has steadily increased since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
However , this spending is still significantly lower than during the first term of the Obama administration , using figures adjusted for inflation .
`` Defence spending did go up quite substantially under President Trump to date .
I would n't call the growth unprecedented , though , '' says Michael O'Hanlon , a security fellow at the Brookings Institution .
`` Mr Trump can claim credit for a large 'peacetime ' increase from a state that was already fairly good under Mr Obama , whose defence budgets were strong by historical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ above the Cold War annual average , once adjusted for inflation , '' says Mr O'Hanlon .
Looking at military spending over the past three decades , comparing it with the size of the US economy , we can see that current spending is at nowhere near record levels .
Military spending increased dramatically from 2002 as the US entered protracted wars in Iraq and Afghanistan .
It peaked in 2010 as a percentage of GDP - the value of all goods and services - after which the US began stepping back from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Central Asia .
Does the US have fewer overseas troops ?
President Trump has long called for troops to come home and has criticised US military interventions for being costly and ineffective .
Mr O'Hanlon says : `` Mr Trump has scaled back the presence he inherited in Afghanistan and to a limited extent in Iraq and Syria . ''
This year the president reduced the number of troops in Afghanistan to 8,600 from 13,000 and plans to cut the number further before the 3 November election .
But , says Mr O'Hanlon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needle modestly in terms of global operations and deployments , as we remain everywhere that we were on January 20 , 2017 when he took office . ''
The reduction of troops was much greater under President Obama , as both large-scale deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan ended during his years in charge .
• A simple guide to the US election • Where does Donald Trump stand on key issues ?
• How you can be US president without winning most votes

Military spending increased dramatically from 2002 as the US entered protracted wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. It peaked in 2010 as a percentage of GDP - the value of all goods and services - after which the US began stepping back from its engagement in the Middle East and Central Asia.


bbc--2020-09-09--Nord Stream 2: Why Germany may pull plug on Russian pipeline

The pipeline has always been controversial .
It brings Russian gas directly to Germany under the Baltic Sea , with the aim of providing the country with affordable energy as it phases out nuclear and coal .
But critics argue it makes German too reliable on energy from a politically unreliable partner .
The foreign minister called on Moscow to fully investigate the nerve agent attack on Mr Navalny , who is being treated in a hospital in Berlin .
Otherwise , he implied , axing Nord Stream 2 was now an option .
Just a few hours before German @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of his coma , Chancellor Angela Merkel indicated she was also prepared to reconsider her support for the pipeline .
Until this week the German government 's official line was that the pipeline should be seen as a separate issue from the poisoning of Russia 's most prominent opposition leader .
But these latest comments mark a sudden hardening of attitudes towards Nord Stream 2 in Berlin .
For the first time since building began almost a decade ago , the future of the pipeline looks threatened .
The first pipeline , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2011 .
This second is almost finished and is due to go online in 2021 : 2,300km ( 1,430 miles ) of the entire 2,460km stretch have already been laid .
Mr Schröder enjoys a backslapping bromance with Russian President Vladimir Putin , who he famously described as a `` democrat through and through '' .
And after leaving office , he sparked outrage in Germany when he took up a number of lucrative posts in Russian energy companies , including on Nord Stream 's supervisory board .
Mr Schröder is often accused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he is an energetic voice on Russian-German relations and a vigorous defender of the pipeline .
But over the last few days he has gone noticeably quiet .
Could it be stopped ?
Chancellor Merkel 's government is facing growing criticism from European partners , who say the pipeline makes Germany too dependent on gas from a politically unreliable country .
The US is a particularly vociferous opponent , and is threatening sanctions against European companies involved in the project .
Now , the Navalny poisoning has unleashed a ferocious debate about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Germany .
There are calls for the pipeline to be scrapped from some high-ranking conservative and Green Party politicians .
But given that it is almost completed , and that around €8bn ( £7.2bn ; $ 9.4bn ) has already been invested in the project , can it even be stopped ?
Supporters say that pulling the plug would damage Europe 's reputation as a stable place for investment and would push up prices for consumers .
They also say axing the pipeline would still leave the problem of where Germany can get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that many Germans support the pipeline is because its greatest critic is US President Donald Trump .
He is disliked in Germany and his rants against the pipeline only serve to boost its popularity .
Many voters suspect he wants it scrapped in order to sell American fuel to Germany instead .
Mrs Merkel has to avoid the impression that she is giving in to pressure from Mr Trump .

The pipeline has always been controversial. It brings Russian gas directly to Germany under the Baltic Sea, with the aim of providing the country with affordable energy as it phases out nuclear and coal. But critics argue it makes German too reliable on energy from a politically unreliable partner.


bbc--2020-09-09--India coronavirus: Rumours stall testing in Punjab

`` Human organs are being smuggled , '' Sonia Kaur , who lives in a village in Punjab 's Sangrur district , tells the BBC .
`` Not just the villagers but the whole world is scared of this .
Social media is full of such news . ''
Ms Kaur says she has heard of people 's organs being harvested under the guise of diagnosing and treating coronavirus .
She is echoing the fears of countless others in rural Punjab who are sceptical of the virus .
Rumours are flying fast in Punjab that the virus is a hoax @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Covid-19 are being taken away to care centres , where they are being killed for their organs , and that bodies are being swapped to allay suspicion .
This has led to protests and even attacks against health workers .
Ms Kaur 's village was one of several in Sangrur that did not allow health workers to collect samples for testing - crowds pelted them with stones , screaming `` Go back , we do n't want to be tested '' , until they left .
`` All these are baseless rumours , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Singh Sidhu , told the BBC .
`` No-one can even touch the person who has died of Covid .
The dead body is wrapped and taken straight to the crematorium .
The question of organ harvesting does not arise . ''
While misinformation about Covid-19 is not unique to Punjab , the opposition to testing has been far more strident and widespread here .
And it is stymieing the efforts of the state government to control the spread of the virus .
The state has reported 65,583 cases so far , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recording a steady rise in numbers in recent weeks .
Officials have said one of the reasons for the increase in deaths was delayed testing because people were reporting too late to hospitals seeking treatment .
`` This is all nonsense .
There is nothing like corona .
If there were , my wife 's mother who is in her 80s would n't be alive and kicking . ''
He says fearing that she would be taken away from the family , he did n't take his wife to the hospital to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been hearing that doctors and governments are getting paid for showing more Covid-19 casualties .
We also heard that people are being dragged out of their homes and then killed . ''
`` Earlier the older people were dying .
Now even the youth are dying .
How is it that suddenly even youngsters are getting infected ? ''
asks Satpal Singh Dhillon , a village head whose council did not allow testing for Covid-19 .
`` We commonly see that it was an old man who died but their family gets the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , how can the people trust anyone in such a scenario ? ''
It 's impossible to trace the origin of these rumours , but some - such as the one about bodies being swapped - could have been sparked by an error .
In July two brothers whose father died of Covid-19 had alleged that he was still alive and they had received the body of a woman .
This led to a magisterial probe , and officials later admitted there had been a mix-up , but said that the man too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woman 's family .
`` We are not opposed to testing but we are definitely opposed to people being forcibly taken away by health workers , '' says Sukhdev Singh Kokri from Moga district .
`` People are normal when they are taken away but they come back dead with their organs removed . ''

In July two brothers whose father died of Covid-19 had alleged that he was still alive and they had received the body of a woman. This led to a magisterial probe, and officials later admitted there had been a mix-up, but said that the man too had died and was cremated by the woman's family.


bbc--2020-09-08--Fall Guys: Tiny blobs, obstacle courses and hate mail

It 's OK to admit it .
However much we might like to pretend otherwise , somewhere - deep down inside ourselves - what we all really want is to turn into a tiny little blob and navigate a pink , fluffy obstacle course .
It 's a dream the game Fall Guys has made a reality for millions around the world .
But even though it looks like it 's aimed at toddlers , Lead Level Designer Megan Ralph says that 's not stopped some fully-fledged adults throwing their toys out of the pram .
`` The hate messages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interesting , '' she laughs , as Radio 1 Newsbeat catches up with her ahead of the release of the game 's second season .
After a summer many of us spent cowering behind things on Call of Duty , shaking with fear and praying we would n't be spotted - you could argue Fall Guys was exactly what the gaming world needed .
Through a series of Total Wipeout style mini-games , 60 blob-creatures are whittled down to an eventual winner .
It 's stupid , it 's incredibly easy to pick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ With tens of millions of downloads in just over a month , it 's also been unbelievably popular - but , as any gaming developer will tell you , the more popular a game gets , the more people like to be good at it .
`` Most of the messages I get are too rude to repeat here , but it 's fair to say the team games are the main source of hate for most people , '' Megan smiles .
`` Everyone thinks it 's their team 's fault - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are rubbish and that they 're playing brilliantly .
When you dig down into it , though , most of the time that 's not the case . ''
Unusually for a blockbuster game , Megan says Fall Guys was developed by a `` tiny team of about 20 people '' .
And this , she says , has thrown up problems as its popularity has sky-rocketed .
`` The last few weeks has been pretty intense for the team .
We 've already started improving things that fans have been asking for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • The Manchester twins playing for millions on Call of Duty • Mobile games that are trying to save the planet • Tony Hawk : Trying to make skating games big again '' We did n't really expect people to be sitting down playing this game for seven hours a day , but they are .
So we 're trying to put some variation in the existing levels .
`` It was suggested that we all take a bit more holiday , but because it 's all over social media it 's really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We found that the people that have taken holidays have been playing it on their time off , which is probably a bit unhealthy . ''
If the team was stretched before , though - things are n't about to get any easier .
Determined not to make the game a `` flash in the pan '' , they 've already started working on content for its second season , which is expected to launch early in October .
`` It 's going to be themed .
We 're going to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which will hopefully be fun and refreshing .
`` It 's going to be entirely different maps and round ideas , too .
We want to inject a bit more excitement in the current months . ''
There 's one other painful lesson Megan has learnt from the experience : even if you personally design a game , there 's no guarantee you 'll be good at it .
`` These days when I jump on I ca n't get past the other people .
People have so many strategies , it 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It 's horribly embarrassing .
I made the level Hex-A-Gone , so I know what you 're supposed to do to win it - but when it comes down to it I still freak out .
Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen back here .

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bbc--2020-09-08--England v Australia: Tourists win third T20 by five wickets

Last updated on .From the section Cricket Australia inched past a sloppy England with three balls to spare to claim a consolation victory in the final match of the Twenty20 series at the Ageas Bowl .
They lost three wickets for 14 runs , all to the excellent Adil Rashid , before Mitchell Marsh restored calm with 39 not out to give Australia a five-wicket win .
England did themselves no favours by dropping three catches and making numerous ground-fielding errors , while earlier a batting line-up missing Jos Buttler and Eoin Morgan was restricted to 145-6 by some relentless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from 44 balls and stand-in captain Moeen Ali and Joe Denly played cameos , but England were never fluent against an attack spearheaded by Mitchell Starc .
• None Australia 's whisky-loving vegan who packs a microwave in his suitcase England win the series 2-1 , although they passed up the chance to replace Australia at the top of the International Cricket Council rankings and record their first 3-0 whitewash in a home T20 series .
This match was the last bio-secure , behind-closed-doors fixture to be played in Southampton this summer , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Old Trafford for three one-day internationals , the first of which is on Friday .
Not only was the usually powerful England batting missing the injured Morgan and rested Buttler , but also Jason Roy and Ben Stokes , not to mention the ostracised Alex Hales .
Without them , the hosts never got going on a surface being used for the third time .
This was England 's slowest start to an innings since the T20 World Cup in 2016 .
That was mainly because of the control of length of Starc @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and his recalled new-ball partner Josh Hazlewood .
Fellow pace bowler Kane Richardson and spinners Adam Zampa and Ashton Agar ensured there was no weak link in the Australia attack .
Slashing and hacking , Bairstow had only nine from 16 balls , but when he did find the groove he scored 44 from his next 25 , including three sixes off the spinners .
However , a top edge off Agar was well held by the bowler , who ran to the edge of the 30-yard circle to take the catch at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to captain England in any form of cricket , hit a flowing straight six off leg-spinner Zampa before sweeping the same bowler to deep mid-wicket , where Steve Smith took a wonderful boundary catch that required him to throw the ball up and hold it again after his heel had been millimetres from the rope .
Denly edged and inside-edged three successive fours off Richardson , but that was the closest England came to late acceleration .
Australia come through another wobble Because of the coronavirus pandemic , Australia had not played any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it showed in the first two matches .
They surrendered the first from a winning position and wilted at the end of the second .
They were superb for the majority of this match , particularly their bowling and catching , but again threatened to throw it away after a rapid start to their chase .
Matthew Wade , Aaron Finch and Marcus Stoinis had Australia in control , Finch benefitting from the first and worst of England 's drops , when keeper Bairstow failed to get a glove on a skied top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ though , was still able to rattle the tourists , first by having Glenn Maxwell reverse-sweep to short third man , then bowling Finch with a magical googly and finally persuading Smith to present a tame return catch .
Marsh , playing for the first time in the series , was the beneficiary of the other two drops , off edges from Denly and Rashid respectively .
Both were put down by Dawid Malan at slip , one made harder because of a deflection off Bairstow .
Amid rising tension , the equation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before Marsh nailed a six and a four from a Mark Wood over to put Australia back in charge .
With Agar providing able support , Australia ultimately only needed a single off the final over , which Marsh scrambled from Chris Jordan 's third delivery .
'Fielding cost us the game ' - what they said England captain Moeen Ali on BBC Test Match Special : `` We were short with the bat .
We bowled pretty well but fielded poor and that cost us the game .
`` You ca n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ misfields .
If we had taken our chances I 'm pretty confident we would have won the game .
`` When you are missing three or four main players - world-class players - it makes a big difference .
I learned a lot .
`` He ( Adil Rashid ) is an amazing bowler .
He is our magician .
He can win you games when you do n't score many runs .
He was amazing tonight . ''
Australia captain Aaron Finch on TMS : `` We made a conscious effort to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We knew the spinners would have an impact .
It was a plan that paid off .
`` We chased in similar style to Friday with a wobble , but the way Mitchell Marsh and Ashton Agar finished it off was brilliant . ''
Former England spinner Phil Tufnell : `` England are in great shape for the T20 World Cup .
England have every chance of winning it .
The white-ball game is very rosy . ''
• None Behind the scenes of their title triumph • None Can you truly be @ @ @ @ @

Third Twenty20 international, Ageas Bowl England 145-6 (20 overs): Bairstow 55 (44), Zampa 2-34 Australia 146-5 (19.3 overs): M Marsh 39* (36), Finch 39 (26), Rashid 3-21 Australia won by five wickets, England won series 2-1 Scorecard
Australia inched past a sloppy England with three balls to spare to claim a consolation victory in the final match of the Twenty20 series at the Ageas Bowl.
Chasing 146, the tourists needed 60 from 60 balls with eight wickets in hand, only to tease a repeat of their capitulation in the series opener.
They lost three wickets for 14 runs, all to the excellent Adil Rashid, before Mitchell Marsh restored calm with 39 not out to give Australia a five-wicket win.
England did themselves no favours by dropping three catches and making numerous ground-fielding errors, while earlier a batting line-up missing Jos Buttler and Eoin Morgan was restricted to 145-6 by some relentless Australia bowling.
Jonny Bairstow made 55 from 44 balls and stand-in captain Moeen Ali and Joe Denly played cameos, but England were never fluent against an attack spearheaded by Mitchell Starc.
England win the series 2-1, although they passed up the chance to replace Australia at the top of the International Cricket Council rankings external-link and record their first 3-0 whitewash in a home T20 series.
This match was the last bio-secure, behind-closed-doors fixture to be played in Southampton this summer, with these sides now moving to Emirates Old Trafford for three one-day internationals, the first of which is on Friday.
Second-string England second best
Not only was the usually powerful England batting missing the injured Morgan and rested Buttler, but also Jason Roy and Ben Stokes, not to mention the ostracised Alex Hales.
Without them, the hosts never got going on a surface being used for the third time. This was England's slowest start to an innings since the T20 World Cup in 2016.
That was mainly because of the control of length of Starc, bowling in excess of 90mph, and his recalled new-ball partner Josh Hazlewood. Fellow pace bowler Kane Richardson and spinners Adam Zampa and Ashton Agar ensured there was no weak link in the Australia attack.
Slashing and hacking, Bairstow had only nine from 16 balls, but when he did find the groove he scored 44 from his next 25, including three sixes off the spinners.
However, a top edge off Agar was well held by the bowler, who ran to the edge of the 30-yard circle to take the catch at mid-wicket.
Moeen, the 93rd man to captain England in any form of cricket, hit a flowing straight six off leg-spinner Zampa before sweeping the same bowler to deep mid-wicket, where Steve Smith took a wonderful boundary catch that required him to throw the ball up and hold it again after his heel had been millimetres from the rope.
Denly edged and inside-edged three successive fours off Richardson, but that was the closest England came to late acceleration.
Australia come through another wobble
Because of the coronavirus pandemic, Australia had not played any cricket before this series since March and it showed in the first two matches. They surrendered the first from a winning position and wilted at the end of the second.
They were superb for the majority of this match, particularly their bowling and catching, but again threatened to throw it away after a rapid start to their chase.
Matthew Wade, Aaron Finch and Marcus Stoinis had Australia in control, Finch benefitting from the first and worst of England's drops, when keeper Bairstow failed to get a glove on a skied top edge off Rashid.
Leg-spinner Rashid, though, was still able to rattle the tourists, first by having Glenn Maxwell reverse-sweep to short third man, then bowling Finch with a magical googly and finally persuading Smith to present a tame return catch.
Marsh, playing for the first time in the series, was the beneficiary of the other two drops, off edges from Denly and Rashid respectively. Both were put down by Dawid Malan at slip, one made harder because of a deflection off Bairstow.
Amid rising tension, the equation moved out to 34 from 30 deliveries before Marsh nailed a six and a four from a Mark Wood over to put Australia back in charge.
With Agar providing able support, Australia ultimately only needed a single off the final over, which Marsh scrambled from Chris Jordan's third delivery.
'Fielding cost us the game' - what they said
England captain Moeen Ali on BBC Test Match Special: "We were short with the bat. We bowled pretty well but fielded poor and that cost us the game.
"You can't afford to drop three catches and the misfields. If we had taken our chances I'm pretty confident we would have won the game.
"When you are missing three or four main players - world-class players - it makes a big difference. I learned a lot.
"He (Adil Rashid) is an amazing bowler. He is our magician. He can win you games when you don't score many runs. He was amazing tonight."
Australia captain Aaron Finch on TMS: "We made a conscious effort to be more aggressive in the powerplay. We knew the spinners would have an impact. It was a plan that paid off.
"We chased in similar style to Friday with a wobble, but the way Mitchell Marsh and Ashton Agar finished it off was brilliant."
Former England spinner Phil Tufnell: "England are in great shape for the T20 World Cup. England have every chance of winning it. The white-ball game is very rosy."


bbc--2020-09-08--Denmark 0-0 England: Three Lions pick up uninspiring Nations League point

Last updated on .From the section Football England played out a dreary deadlock with Denmark in Copenhagen as the Nations League meeting turned into a drab non-event .
Manager Gareth Southgate will have hoped for some talking points on the pitch after the off-field distraction that saw young duo Phil Foden and Mason Greenwood sent home for breaking Covid-19 protocols in Iceland .
Wolverhampton Wanderers captain Conor Coady made a measured England debut while Leeds United 's Kalvin Phillips had a quiet introduction - and Aston Villa midfield man Jack Grealish finally got his long-awaited bow with 14 minutes left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kane 's late effort , with England keeper Jordan Pickford saving well from Kasper Dolberg in the first half and Christian Eriksen shooting over when well placed late on .
England were sterile and conservative , creating very little apart from a Kane header off target and a low shot from Raheem Sterling that brought a smart save from Schmeichel before that late chance .
Arsenal youngster Ainsley Maitland-Niles became England 's fourth debutant in the final minutes on a night of very little excitement .
• None 'Southgate must address lack of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trust needs to be rebuilt with Foden and Greenwood - Southgate • None Football Daily podcast : England are dull and drab in Denmark England 's ploy of playing a three-man central defence and effectively two holding midfielders in Phillips and Declan Rice afforded Denmark the sort of respect that might be better reserved for more elite sides .
It set the tone for a disappointing England performance , lacking in ambition and threat and one which would not have have deserved the late victory Kane almost gave them .
There is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pre-season game in an international guise for England 's players but there was no excuse for such a lifeless display lacking in energy .
England 's attacking trio of Kane , Sterling and the anonymous Jadon Sancho were nowhere near their best but they could point to the fact that they were cut off from any sort of supply line by the manner of Southgate 's set-up .
The team itself had an experimental air but there was no escaping England should have done much better than this .
Wolves captain Conor Coady @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his England debut , making his presence felt and heard even before kick-off .
As silence fell on the largely deserted Parken Stadion in the seconds before the start , Coady 's voice was heard bellowing instructions to his new England colleagues .
The 27-year-old looked at home with England , urging team-mates on throughout and shouting tactical instructions .
He also played well and can be very satisfied with his first taste of senior international football , playing his part in the clean sheet .
It was a more subdued night for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worth remembering this is a player entering international football before even making his debut in the Premier League .
England 's system was not ideal for him and there were times in the first half when the game passed him by but he showed composure on the ball and did not waste possession , improving in the second half .
Grealish can finally got the opportunity that will delight his many supporters but he had little time to influence affairs , apart from a couple of trademark jinking runs that came to nothing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1962 - match stats • None This was England 's sixth goalless draw in 43 matches under Gareth Southgate - as many as Roy Hodgson played out in 56 games in charge .
The last England manager to oversee more 0-0s was Bobby Robson ( 17 ) .
• None England managed just two shots on target , their fewest since their behind-closed-doors match against Croatia in October 2018 ( also two ) .
• None England have kept a clean sheet in five successive competitive matches for the first time since another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
• None Denmark have kept a clean sheet in six of their past eight matches in all competitions , conceding just three goals in this time .
• None England 's first shot on target in this game came in the 70th minute courtesy of Raheem Sterling - it was the longest they had to wait since a World Cup match against Costa Rica in 2014 ( 80th minute ) .
• None This was the first time the England men 's team has named four debutants in a non-friendly match since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against Poland ( Ray Charnley , Chris Crowe , Mike Hellawell , Alan Hinton ) .
• None Phillips was the first Leeds United player to start for England since Danny Mills in 2003 , while Coady was the first Wolves player to start for England since Steve Bull in 1990 .
• None Behind the scenes of their title triumph • None Can you truly be one or the other ?

Last updated on .From the section Football
Denmark had chances to win the game in Copenhagen
England played out a dreary deadlock with Denmark in Copenhagen as the Nations League meeting turned into a drab non-event.
Harry Kane almost won it for England in the dying seconds when he went round Denmark keeper Kasper Schmeichel, only to see his shot cleared off the line by Mathias Jorgensen - but such a poor quality encounter barely deserved a dramatic finale.
Manager Gareth Southgate will have hoped for some talking points on the pitch after the off-field distraction that saw young duo Phil Foden and Mason Greenwood sent home for breaking Covid-19 protocols in Iceland.
Wolverhampton Wanderers captain Conor Coady made a measured England debut while Leeds United's Kalvin Phillips had a quiet introduction - and Aston Villa midfield man Jack Grealish finally got his long-awaited bow with 14 minutes left.
Denmark had the better chances until Kane's late effort, with England keeper Jordan Pickford saving well from Kasper Dolberg in the first half and Christian Eriksen shooting over when well placed late on.
England were sterile and conservative, creating very little apart from a Kane header off target and a low shot from Raheem Sterling that brought a smart save from Schmeichel before that late chance.
Arsenal youngster Ainsley Maitland-Niles became England's fourth debutant in the final minutes on a night of very little excitement.
Southgate conservatism fails to inspire
England's ploy of playing a three-man central defence and effectively two holding midfielders in Phillips and Declan Rice afforded Denmark the sort of respect that might be better reserved for more elite sides.
It set the tone for a disappointing England performance, lacking in ambition and threat and one which would not have have deserved the late victory Kane almost gave them.
There is the usual context that this is effectively a pre-season game in an international guise for England's players but there was no excuse for such a lifeless display lacking in energy.
England's attacking trio of Kane, Sterling and the anonymous Jadon Sancho were nowhere near their best but they could point to the fact that they were cut off from any sort of supply line by the manner of Southgate's set-up.
The team itself had an experimental air but there was no escaping England should have done much better than this.
Coady's leadership qualities seen and heard
Wolves captain Conor Coady was no shrinking violet as he made his England debut, making his presence felt and heard even before kick-off.
As silence fell on the largely deserted Parken Stadion in the seconds before the start, Coady's voice was heard bellowing instructions to his new England colleagues.
The 27-year-old looked at home with England, urging team-mates on throughout and shouting tactical instructions. He also played well and can be very satisfied with his first taste of senior international football, playing his part in the clean sheet.
It was a more subdued night for 24-year-old Leeds midfielder Phillips but it is worth remembering this is a player entering international football before even making his debut in the Premier League.
England's system was not ideal for him and there were times in the first half when the game passed him by but he showed composure on the ball and did not waste possession, improving in the second half.
Grealish can finally got the opportunity that will delight his many supporters but he had little time to influence affairs, apart from a couple of trademark jinking runs that came to nothing.
Most debutants in competitive game since 1962 - match stats
This was England's sixth goalless draw in 43 matches under Gareth Southgate - as many as Roy Hodgson played out in 56 games in charge. The last England manager to oversee more 0-0s was Bobby Robson (17).
England managed just two shots on target, their fewest since their behind-closed-doors match against Croatia in October 2018 (also two).
England have kept a clean sheet in five successive competitive matches for the first time since another run of five ending in March 2017.
Denmark have kept a clean sheet in six of their past eight matches in all competitions, conceding just three goals in this time.
England's first shot on target in this game came in the 70th minute courtesy of Raheem Sterling - it was the longest they had to wait since a World Cup match against Costa Rica in 2014 (80th minute).
This was the first time the England men's team has named four debutants in a non-friendly match since October 1962 in a European Championship qualifier against Poland (Ray Charnley, Chris Crowe, Mike Hellawell, Alan Hinton).
Phillips was the first Leeds United player to start for England since Danny Mills in 2003, while Coady was the first Wolves player to start for England since Steve Bull in 1990.


bbc--2020-09-08--Cristiano Ronaldo passes 100 Portugal goals to give them win over Sweden

Last updated on .From the section European Football Portugal 's Cristiano Ronaldo became the first European to score 100 international goals in men 's football and then passed that mark with both goals in the Nations League win over Sweden .
The Juventus forward , 35 , then fired in a fine second from outside the box .
Ronaldo , who played 81 minutes , is within eight goals of the world record .
Iran 's Ali Daei - the only man to score more international goals than Ronaldo - hit 109 during his playing career from 1993 to 2006 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are India 's Sunil Chhetri ( 72 ) and Argentina 's Lionel Messi ( 70 ) .
The result means defending Nations League champions Portugal have won their opening two games of this year 's event .
Their task was made easier when Sweden had Gustav Svensson sent off for two bookings - but there was a downside to their win as Manchester City 's Bernardo Silva was replaced after suffering a suspected muscle strain .
Portugal could have won by more with Bruno Fernandes hitting the bar and Ronaldo , on his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Robin Olsen as he searched for a hat-trick .
Almost half of Ronaldo 's international goals have come since his 30th birthday - 49 goals in 47 games .

Last updated on .From the section European Football
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 57 free-kicks in his career, with 10 of them coming for Portugal
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo became the first European to score 100 international goals in men's football and then passed that mark with both goals in the Nations League win over Sweden.
The captain curled a stunning free-kick into the top corner - the 57th of his career - to reach the landmark.
The Juventus forward, 35, then fired in a fine second from outside the box.
Ronaldo, who played 81 minutes, is within eight goals of the world record.
Iran's Ali Daei - the only man to score more international goals than Ronaldo - hit 109 during his playing career from 1993 to 2006.
The next top scoring current players are India's Sunil Chhetri (72) and Argentina's Lionel Messi (70).
The result means defending Nations League champions Portugal have won their opening two games of this year's event.
Their task was made easier when Sweden had Gustav Svensson sent off for two bookings - but there was a downside to their win as Manchester City's Bernardo Silva was replaced after suffering a suspected muscle strain.
Portugal could have won by more with Bruno Fernandes hitting the bar and Ronaldo, on his 165th cap, forcing a good save from Robin Olsen as he searched for a hat-trick.
Almost half of Ronaldo's international goals have come since his 30th birthday - 49 goals in 47 games.
How Ronaldo scored his 101 Portugal goals...
Ronaldo's Portugal goals by year Source: Opta
Where have Ronaldo's Portugal goals come? Source: Opta
How Ronaldo scored his 101 goals Source: Opta
Where Ronaldo has scored goals Source: Opta


bbc--2020-09-08--US Open 2020: Alexander Zverev beats Borna Coric to reach semi-finals

Last updated on .From the section Tennis German fifth seed Alexander Zverev fought back from a set down to reach his first US Open semi-final by beating a battling Borna Coric .
But two impressive tie-breaks and a late break in the fourth set gave the German a 1-6 7-6 ( 7-5 ) 7-6 ( 7-1 ) 6-3 victory .
`` The way I was playing was not the level for a Grand Slam quarter-final .
I do n't want to stop here .
`` It 's great to be in the semi-finals .
I hope that I can continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zverev will play Spanish 20th seed Pablo Carreno Busta or Canadian 12th seed Denis Shapovalov next .
Their quarter-final takes place later on Tuesday .
With Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal absent - as well as top seed Novak Djokovic 's disqualification from the tournament on Sunday - there will be a new men 's Grand Slam champion at this year 's US Open .
It is a chance for the next generation of tennis stars to claim a landmark win and in the first set Zverev , an Australian Open semi-finalist earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pressure of a possible career-defining moment looming .
Three double faults in one game from Zverev gave Coric , who is also 23 , break point and the German nudged a backhand long to give the Croat a 3-1 lead .
Coric then earned three more break points and won the third as he caught Zverev off guard with a forehand that landed perfectly on the baseline .
Playing in his first Grand Slam quarter-final , the world number 32 remained composed as he served for the set , sealing it when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after just 24 minutes .
Former ATP Finals winner Zverev looked much more convincing at the start of the second set , with a 136mph serve helping him hold to love in a 55-second game .
After a disagreement with the umpire over a replayed point , the German squandered a 40-0 lead to give Coric break point .
Zverev saved the first but lost a second as his backhand flew into the net to put Coric 3-2 ahead .
As Zverev returned to the baseline with his head down , Coric looked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ racquet on the floor as his forehand flew long to give his opponent a hold .
But Zverev finally seemed to have found a crack in Coric 's impenetrable play and hit a cross-court passing shot to level things once more .
Both players ' levels continued to rise as they held serve to take it to a tie-break , which the world number seven won despite serving his seventh double fault of the match .
After a cagey start to the third set the two players exchanged breaks and Zverev became increasingly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court at 5-4 to change his clothes and then because of an advertising board in his eye-line .
Nevertheless , the two-time French Open quarter-finalist held serve to take it to a tie-break and more solid serving gave Zverev five set points .
Coric slammed a backhand into the net to give his opponent a one-set lead .
In the fourth , a 10th double fault of the match put Zverev 0-30 down and he scooped a backhand long to bring up three break points for Coric .
Although the Croat had come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set to beat fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas in the third round , nerves seemed to get the better of him against Zverev as he squandered his chance with three missed forehands .
Zverev then had two chances to break at 4-3 and claimed the second with a sublime forehand passing shot before peppering Coric with powerful serves to take victory .
• None Alerts : Get tennis news sent to your phone

Last updated on .From the section Tennis
Alexander Zverev was playing in his first US Open quarter-final
2020 US Open Venue: Flushing Meadows, New York Dates: 31 Aug-13 Sept Coverage: Selected live radio and text commentaries on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra, BBC Sounds, the BBC Sport website and app.
German fifth seed Alexander Zverev fought back from a set down to reach his first US Open semi-final by beating a battling Borna Coric.
Zverev, 23, crumbled in the first set as the Croatian 27th seed threatened his hopes of a first Grand Slam title.
But two impressive tie-breaks and a late break in the fourth set gave the German a 1-6 7-6 (7-5) 7-6 (7-1) 6-3 victory.
"I started playing a bit more aggressively," Zverev said.
"The way I was playing was not the level for a Grand Slam quarter-final. I don't want to stop here."
Zverev will play Spanish 20th seed Pablo Carreno Busta after he beat Canadian 12th seed Denis Shapovalov 3-6 7-6 (7-5) 7-6 (7-4) 0-6 6-3 in a match that lasted more than four hours.
Carreno Busta, 29, who also reached the last four in 2017, said: "I am destroyed, but I am very happy. After this fight it's tough to say but it's incredible to be in the semi-final again."
Zverev unable to cope with early pressure
With Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal absent - as well as top seed Novak Djokovic's disqualification from the tournament on Sunday - there will be a new men's Grand Slam champion at this year's US Open.
It is a chance for the next generation of tennis stars to claim a landmark win and in the first set Zverev, an Australian Open semi-finalist earlier this year, seemed to struggle with the pressure of a possible career-defining moment looming.
Three double faults in one game from Zverev gave Coric, who is also 23, break point and the German nudged a backhand long to give the Croat a 3-1 lead.
Coric then earned three more break points and won the third as he caught Zverev off guard with a forehand that landed perfectly on the baseline.
Playing in his first Grand Slam quarter-final, the world number 32 remained composed as he served for the set, sealing it when Zverev's forehand return found the net after just 24 minutes.
Zverev increases intensity to level scores
Former ATP Finals winner Zverev looked much more convincing at the start of the second set, with a 136mph serve helping him hold to love in a 55-second game.
After a disagreement with the umpire over a replayed point, the German squandered a 40-0 lead to give Coric break point. Zverev saved the first but lost a second as his backhand flew into the net to put Coric 3-2 ahead.
As Zverev returned to the baseline with his head down, Coric looked increasingly confident and the German dropped his racquet on the floor as his forehand flew long to give his opponent a hold.
But Zverev finally seemed to have found a crack in Coric's impenetrable play and hit a cross-court passing shot to level things once more.
Both players' levels continued to rise as they held serve to take it to a tie-break, which the world number seven won despite serving his seventh double fault of the match.
Opportunities missed for Coric as Zverev claims victory
After a cagey start to the third set the two players exchanged breaks and Zverev became increasingly irate, first when Coric left the court at 5-4 to change his clothes and then because of an advertising board in his eye-line.
Nevertheless, the two-time French Open quarter-finalist held serve to take it to a tie-break and more solid serving gave Zverev five set points. Coric slammed a backhand into the net to give his opponent a one-set lead.
In the fourth, a 10th double fault of the match put Zverev 0-30 down and he scooped a backhand long to bring up three break points for Coric.
Although the Croat had come back from 5-1 down in the fourth set to beat fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas in the third round, nerves seemed to get the better of him against Zverev as he squandered his chance with three missed forehands.
Zverev then had two chances to break at 4-3 and claimed the second with a sublime forehand passing shot before peppering Coric with powerful serves to take victory.