bbc--2020-09-25--Valtteri Bottas fastest in first Russia practice

Last updated on .From the section Formula 1 Mercedes ' Valtteri Bottas was fastest in an incident-packed first practice session at the Russian Grand Prix .
Lewis Hamilton was only 19th fastest after a difficult session for Mercedes .
Both drivers cost themselves time when they had to continue on damaged tyres after locking up .
Renault 's Daniel Ricciardo was second ahead of Red Bull 's Max Verstappen .
Bottas set his fastest time on the soft tyres early in the session and then damaged the medium tyre set he fitted next on his first lap .
Hamilton , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the soft tyres early in the session , locked up on his first lap on his next set of tyres - hards for him - and said straight away over team radio that they were `` done '' .
Bottas ' fastest lap was 0.507 seconds quicker than Ricciardo , with Verstappen 0.147secs further back .
Sainz and Latifi were unhurt after their incidents , at Turn Seven for the McLaren driver and Turn 10 for the Canadian .
Both were similar , the drivers turning in a little too fast with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and looping into a spin before hitting the barriers backwards .
Sainz 's incident led to a brief virtual safety car period , while Latifi 's brought out the red flag , and the stop-start nature of the session meant the times were less meaningful than usual .
The Racing Points of Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll were fourth and fifth quickest from Renault 's Esteban Ocon , with Kvyat , Red Bull 's Alexander Albon , Ferrari 's Sebastian Vettel and the second Alpha Tauri of Pierre Gasly .
McLaren were trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lando Norris ' car , which will not be raced this weekend , while Ferrari had some small aerodynamic upgrades in the area under the nose cone .

Last updated on .From the section Formula 1
Second practice is live on 5 Live Sports Extra and the BBC Sport website from 13:00 BST
Mercedes' Valtteri Bottas was fastest in an incident-packed first practice session at the Russian Grand Prix.
McLaren's Carlos Sainz and Williams driver Nicholas Latifi both crashed, while Alpha Tauri's Daniil Kvyat and Haas' Romain Grosjean spun on the Sochi track.
Lewis Hamilton was only 19th fastest after a difficult session for Mercedes.
Both drivers cost themselves time when they had to continue on damaged tyres after locking up.
Renault's Daniel Ricciardo was second ahead of Red Bull's Max Verstappen.
Bottas set his fastest time on the soft tyres early in the session and then damaged the medium tyre set he fitted next on his first lap.
Hamilton, who did not set a time on the soft tyres early in the session, locked up on his first lap on his next set of tyres - hards for him - and said straight away over team radio that they were "done".
Bottas' fastest lap was 0.507 seconds quicker than Ricciardo, with Verstappen 0.147secs further back.
Sainz and Latifi were unhurt after their incidents, at Turn Seven for the McLaren driver and Turn 10 for the Canadian.
Both were similar, the drivers turning in a little too fast with a bit too much car over the kerb and looping into a spin before hitting the barriers backwards.
Sainz's incident led to a brief virtual safety car period, while Latifi's brought out the red flag, and the stop-start nature of the session meant the times were less meaningful than usual.
The Racing Points of Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll were fourth and fifth quickest from Renault's Esteban Ocon, with Kvyat, Red Bull's Alexander Albon, Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel and the second Alpha Tauri of Pierre Gasly.
McLaren were trying an upgraded nose and front wing on Lando Norris' car, which will not be raced this weekend, while Ferrari had some small aerodynamic upgrades in the area under the nose cone.


bbc--2020-09-25--Micah Richards on how Man City star Phil Foden can repair the damage done to his England career

I know only too well how precious your England career is , and how easily it can be snatched away from you .
I was delighted with the way Foden played in City 's win at Wolves on Monday .
We already knew that , technically , he is a great player but the mental strength he showed when he was under so much scrutiny was seriously impressive .
Even before you consider that it was his first game since he was sent home in disgrace from the England squad , it was a test for him to start in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ season .
Foden has never done that before - in the previous two campaigns he had to wait until April , then December , for Pep Guardiola to give him a first start in the league .
Putting him straight in this time was a big step and a sign of Foden 's status in the team now - at the age of 20 , he 's not on the fringes filling in any more , or the first player to be taken off .
They were stupid & selfish - but clubs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not going to defend Foden or Manchester United 's Mason Greenwood here for what they allegedly did - which reportedly was to meet girls at the England hotel and breach coronavirus quarantine restrictions .
I really ca n't believe anyone would do anything like that on their very first trip with the senior team .
When I was first called up by England , aged 19 , I was absolutely bricking it .
I did not to want to put a foot out of line .
As well as stupid , it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it could have affected the whole squad - the game against Denmark could have been called off if they had inadvertently brought Covid-19 into the England bubble .
So they deserved the punishment they got and they should both regret the incident massively , but at the same time they are both young and it should not overshadow their careers , or hold them back .
That 's why I was pleased they both seem to have been able to put it behind them with their performances this week on the pitch - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Carabao Cup , and Greenwood by scoring against Luton .
It did n't seem to affect them at all .
It 's just the first step of course - their off-field behaviour is going to be just as important now - but they were able to show they have the kind of character they will need to fulfil their enormous potential .
To do that , they had to play .
What they did has not been brushed under the carpet by anyone at City or United , far from it .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by leaving them out was great management and the right message to send them . '
I got the support I needed from Sven' I can talk from their perspective because I have been in a similar position myself , unfortunately .
Right at the start of my career , my personal life made the front page of a newspaper in a way that was embarrassing for me and my family .
Although I was an England player then , I was n't on international duty at the time of the incident and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but I still knew I had let myself down .
It could easily have affected my form and the direction of my career but my manager at City at the time , Sven-Goran Eriksson , dealt with it in exactly the right way .
He told me , 'Do n't you worry about that side of it , I will always back you there .
Your private life is private and your football life is separate - but what you need to do now is make sure you do n't give anyone an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again ' .
Then he said , 'you just carry on and play your football like you know - you are my best player and I need you to carry on being my best player ' .
I just thought that was brilliant .
It was what I wanted from my manager .
Any doubts I had about how it would affect my future , and whether I would be out of the team because of what I 'd done , were gone straight away .
I do n't know what Pep has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ picking him which in itself is a public way of showing his support .
Like Sven did with me , it 's exactly what he needs because it lets him concentrate on his football .
'Say sorry to the rest of the squad' It could be a different story for Foden with England .
We do n't know what Gareth Southgate 's next move will be , and whether he will consider Foden for his squad for the October games against Wales , Denmark and Belgium .
Southgate has got a big decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seen as weak to the rest of the squad , but with Foden in particular he has a player who is going to be vital to England for a long time , not just at next summer 's European Championship .
He needs to give him a proper dressing down and make him realise this is not something that can be laughed off .
As Foden said himself when he was first called up , playing for England is something every kid dreams of - the biggest honour you can get as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that you have to earn with your behaviour as well as your performances .
Foden will know all about that now - as well as the exposure he gets as an England player - and he deserves a second chance .
That 's why I would pick him in the next squad , but Southgate should go and see him beforehand , to make it clear there can be no more mistakes .
Once the squad get together , I would make him apologise in front of the team too .
He and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rest of the players when it all happened in Iceland before they went their separate ways .
So I 'd say to him that you have to address them all , to say you were stupid and you are sorry and you know what will happen if you do it again .
That would be a powerful way of dealing with it , without leaving him out .
I do n't think excluding him would help anyone .
When the full glare of the media is on you There are no guarantees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ though .
While City were brilliantly supportive to me when I made the headlines for the wrong reasons , it was clear Fabio Capello , who was appointed England manager at the same time it happened , was not impressed by my off-field behaviour .
I was in his first squad , at the start of 2008 , but I did n't play and I was soon left out altogether .
That was partly down to other people playing well in my position , but he had come in like a headteacher and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think he particularly liked me very much as a player or a person - he certainly never spoke to me .
Maybe the off-field stuff was just an excuse for Capello not picking me but I remember him speaking to my agent at the time , and mentioning it .
When I heard that , I thought it was a bit harsh , but it just shows how things change when you get in the England picture - I was just a teenager , but I suddenly had to watch everything I did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people like Leicester 's James Maddison and Jack Grealish at Aston Villa have found out what it 's like to have the full glare of the media on you , and it is not always helpful to your England hopes .
You have to be very careful how you handle yourself .
Little things can cost you a lot , and even when you have not really done anything wrong you can find yourself out of favour very quickly .
It might be the end of the road , even if you do @ @ @ @ @ @ @

I know only too well how precious your England career is, and how easily it can be snatched away from you.
That's why I am so anxious for Manchester City's Phil Foden to repair the damage done to his international future by his behaviour in Iceland earlier this month, but the signs are he is on the right track.
I was delighted with the way Foden played in City's win at Wolves on Monday. We already knew that, technically, he is a great player but the mental strength he showed when he was under so much scrutiny was seriously impressive.
Foden played the entire 90 minutes against Wolves, more than he managed in total in City's first 16 league games of last season that saw him make seven appearances off the bench
Even before you consider that it was his first game since he was sent home in disgrace from the England squad, it was a test for him to start in the first Premier League game of the season.
Foden has never done that before - in the previous two campaigns he had to wait until April, then December, for Pep Guardiola to give him a first start in the league.
Putting him straight in this time was a big step and a sign of Foden's status in the team now - at the age of 20, he's not on the fringes filling in any more, or the first player to be taken off.
They were stupid & selfish - but clubs right to pick England pair
Southgate confirms Foden and Greenwood will leave the England camp after breaching coronavirus guidelines
I am not going to defend Foden or Manchester United's Mason Greenwood here for what they allegedly did - which reportedly was to meet girls at the England hotel and breach coronavirus quarantine restrictions.
I really can't believe anyone would do anything like that on their very first trip with the senior team. When I was first called up by England, aged 19, I was absolutely bricking it. I did not to want to put a foot out of line.
As well as stupid, it was massively selfish to break the restrictions because it could have affected the whole squad - the game against Denmark could have been called off if they had inadvertently brought Covid-19 into the England bubble.
So they deserved the punishment they got and they should both regret the incident massively, but at the same time they are both young and it should not overshadow their careers, or hold them back.
That's why I was pleased they both seem to have been able to put it behind them with their performances this week on the pitch - Foden against Wolves then Bournemouth in the Carabao Cup, and Greenwood by scoring against Luton. It didn't seem to affect them at all.
Foden finished off a superb team move to score City's second goal at Molineux on Monday. He netted again in the Carabao Cup win over Bournemouth on Thursday
It's just the first step of course - their off-field behaviour is going to be just as important now - but they were able to show they have the kind of character they will need to fulfil their enormous potential.
To do that, they had to play. What they did has not been brushed under the carpet by anyone at City or United, far from it. But still picking them rather than punishing them by leaving them out was great management and the right message to send them.
'I got the support I needed from Sven'
I can talk from their perspective because I have been in a similar position myself, unfortunately. Right at the start of my career, my personal life made the front page of a newspaper in a way that was embarrassing for me and my family.
Although I was an England player then, I wasn't on international duty at the time of the incident and I had not broken any rules, but I still knew I had let myself down.
It could easily have affected my form and the direction of my career but my manager at City at the time, Sven-Goran Eriksson, dealt with it in exactly the right way.
He told me, 'Don't you worry about that side of it, I will always back you there. Your private life is private and your football life is separate - but what you need to do now is make sure you don't give anyone an excuse to write bad things about you again'.
Then he said, 'you just carry on and play your football like you know - you are my best player and I need you to carry on being my best player'.
Micah played under Sven-Goran Eriksson at City in the 2007-08 season
I just thought that was brilliant. It was what I wanted from my manager. Any doubts I had about how it would affect my future, and whether I would be out of the team because of what I'd done, were gone straight away.
I don't know what Pep has told Foden privately but he is still picking him which in itself is a public way of showing his support. Like Sven did with me, it's exactly what he needs because it lets him concentrate on his football.
'Say sorry to the rest of the squad'
It could be a different story for Foden with England. We don't know what Gareth Southgate's next move will be, and whether he will consider Foden for his squad for the October games against Wales, Denmark and Belgium.
Southgate has got a big decision to make because he can't be seen as weak to the rest of the squad, but with Foden in particular he has a player who is going to be vital to England for a long time, not just at next summer's European Championship.
He needs to give him a proper dressing down and make him realise this is not something that can be laughed off. As Foden said himself when he was first called up, playing for England is something every kid dreams of - the biggest honour you can get as a player - and it is a privilege that you have to earn with your behaviour as well as your performances.
It hasn't sunk in - Foden on first England call-up
Foden will know all about that now - as well as the exposure he gets as an England player - and he deserves a second chance. That's why I would pick him in the next squad, but Southgate should go and see him beforehand, to make it clear there can be no more mistakes.
Once the squad get together, I would make him apologise in front of the team too. He and Greenwood probably didn't get to see the rest of the players when it all happened in Iceland before they went their separate ways.
So I'd say to him that you have to address them all, to say you were stupid and you are sorry and you know what will happen if you do it again. That would be a powerful way of dealing with it, without leaving him out. I don't think excluding him would help anyone.
When the full glare of the media is on you
There are no guarantees when it comes to international football, though. While City were brilliantly supportive to me when I made the headlines for the wrong reasons, it was clear Fabio Capello, who was appointed England manager at the same time it happened, was not impressed by my off-field behaviour.
I was in his first squad, at the start of 2008, but I didn't play and I was soon left out altogether. That was partly down to other people playing well in my position, but he had come in like a headteacher and was totally strict. I don't think he particularly liked me very much as a player or a person - he certainly never spoke to me.
Micah only played 45 minutes of football for England under Capello - all of that time came in the first half of a friendly against France in November 2010
Maybe the off-field stuff was just an excuse for Capello not picking me but I remember him speaking to my agent at the time, and mentioning it. When I heard that, I thought it was a bit harsh, but it just shows how things change when you get in the England picture - I was just a teenager, but I suddenly had to watch everything I did.
It's not just Foden, people like Leicester's James Maddison and Jack Grealish at Aston Villa have found out what it's like to have the full glare of the media on you, and it is not always helpful to your England hopes.
You have to be very careful how you handle yourself. Little things can cost you a lot, and even when you have not really done anything wrong you can find yourself out of favour very quickly. It might be the end of the road, even if you don't realise it at the time.
Micah Richards was speaking to BBC Sport's Chris Bevan.


bbc--2020-09-25--French Open fans cut to 1,000 a day amid new Covid-19 restrictions

Last updated on .From the section Tennis The number of fans allowed into the French Open has been cut to @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus restrictions were imposed by the French government .
The clay-court Grand Slam , which @ @ @ @ @ originally been set to welcome around 11,500 fans each day before that number was cut @ @ @ @ @ rising Covid-19 cases .
The event is usually in May-June but was postponed because of @ @ @ @ @ Rafael Nadal will be seeking a record-extending 13th French Open singles title , which would @ @ @ @ @ 's Roger Federer on 20 Grand Slam titles .
The recent US Open was held @ @ @ @ @ York .

Last updated on .From the section Tennis
Rafael Nadal will be going for a 13th Roland Garros singles title in very different circumstances to previous years
The number of fans allowed into the French Open has been cut to 1,000 per day after new coronavirus restrictions were imposed by the French government.
The French Tennis Federation said it "deeply regrets" the new restrictions.
The clay-court Grand Slam, which starts on Sunday, had originally been set to welcome around 11,500 fans each day before that number was cut to 5,000 last week amid rising Covid-19 cases.
The event is usually in May-June but was postponed because of the pandemic.
Around 35,000 fans usually attend Roland Garros - a 12-hectare site with 16 courts - every day in the first week.
The new restrictions mean there will be a daily draw to decide which ticket holders are allowed in.
Those who are not selected will be refunded and given priority access to tickets for the 2021 event.
"From the very outset of the public health crisis that our country is experiencing, the French Tennis Federation has consistently worked closely with government departments, to determine how to organise the tournament in the current situation," said the organisers.
"It deeply regrets these new restrictions."
Spanish great Rafael Nadal will be seeking a record-extending 13th French Open singles title, which would also bring him level with Switzerland's Roger Federer on 20 Grand Slam singles titles.
The recent US Open was held behind closed doors in New York.


bbc--2020-09-25--Nadal back & chasing 20th Grand Slam at unfamiliar-looking French Open

Last updated on .From the section Tennis Rafael Nadal returns to Grand Slam tennis and aims to move level with Roger Federer 's tally of 20 major titles when an unfamiliar-looking French Open starts in Paris on Sunday .
Federer is out with a knee injury but top seed Novak Djokovic and wildcard Andy Murray are in the men 's draw .
In the women 's singles , Serena Williams goes again for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title .
British number one Johanna Konta leads the nation 's hopes of its first singles champion at Roland Garros since Sue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Konta reached the semi-finals on the clay courts in the French capital .
The fortnight-long tournament is usually held at the end of May and the start of June but was postponed to this new date - a fortnight after the US Open culminated on the hard courts in New York - because of the coronavirus pandemic .
• None Murray to face Wawrinka , Konta plays Gauff - what happened in the draws • None Quiz : How well do you know Roland Garros ?
Up to 5,000 fans are set to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the main show-court at Roland Garros - although no spectators will be allowed on any of the other courts .
That is despite the French government announcing new restrictions on Wednesday which banned gatherings of more than 1,000 people because of rising coronavirus cases in France .
Players must stay in designated hotels and are only allowed to compete when they have returned a negative test for coronavirus .
Six unnamed players were withdrawn from men 's and women 's qualifying after two players and a coach tested positive .
The return of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the most successful player of all time adds an extra sprinkling of star quality .
The 19-time Grand Slam champion did not play the US Open in New York because of health and travel concerns .
The world number two returned to competitive action at last week 's Italian Open for his first tournament since winning the Acapulco title in February , but was knocked out by Argentine Diego Schwartzman in the quarter-finals .
It is only the second time since bursting on the scene in 2005 that he has arrived at Roland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the European clay in the preceding weeks .
`` It 's a completely special year and unpredictable year .
I did a couple of things well and other things bad , '' Nadal said following his Rome defeat .
`` At least I played three matches .
I 'm going to keep working and keep practising with the right attitude and try to give myself a chance to be ready . ''
Who else is playing and who is not there ?
Without Federer , it is an opportunity for Nadal and Djokovic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in their race to finish with the most Grand Slam men 's singles titles .
Serbia 's Djokovic , 33 , was the hot favourite to earn his 18th major at the US Open but made a shock and undignified exit in the last 16 after being defaulted for hitting a ball at a line judge .
That meant a new Grand Slam champion would be crowned and Austria 's Dominic Thiem was the man who took advantage .
With 27-year-old Thiem having lost to Nadal in both of the past two finals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a winner outside those two and Djokovic .
Djokovic , who won his only Roland Garros title in 2016 , bounced back from his US Open exit by winning the Italian Open this week - meaning that infamous disqualification is his only loss in 32 matches during 2020 .
As ever , the women 's singles is much harder to predict .
After six of the top 10 did not play in New York some of the bigger names have returned , but not all .
World number one Ashleigh Barty won her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but , after missing the US Open , has again opted to stay at home in Australia because of the pandemic .
Japan 's world number three Naomi Osaka , who triumphed at Flushing Meadows , is another absentee because of a hamstring injury .
American great Serena Williams will be there as she tries to match Australian Margaret Court 's all-time record of Grand Slam singles titles .
Williams , who turns 39 on Saturday , has lost her past four major finals - at Wimbledon and the US Open in 2018 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the weight of history .
British number one Konta , 29 , surprised many people with her run to the Roland Garros semi-finals last year , having never previously never won a match in the main draw .
Ultimately it ended in a 7-5 7-6 ( 7-2 ) defeat by Czech teenager Marketa Vondrousova , with Konta leading 5-3 in both sets and missing opportunities to close each one out .
That run to the last four came on the back of a successful lead-up on the clay , although this year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Konta .
The mini clay-court season means she has only played in the Italian Open where an almost flawless opening win over Romania 's Irina-Camelia Begu was followed by a straight-sets defeat by Spain 's former French Open champion Garbine Muguruza .
Konta , seeded ninth , has also arrived in Paris without a full-time coach after a trial run with Swede Thomas Hogstedt - who helped Maria Sharapova win the French Open - came to an end .
What about the other Brits ?
Andy Murray will return to competitive action on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since a five-set defeat by Stan Wawrinka in the 2017 French Open semi-finals .
The 33-year-old Scot has been given a wildcard as he continues his comeback from a career-threatening hip injury .
After returning to Chatrier for a practice session this week , he said it was the `` brutal '' match against Wawrinka that `` turned out to be the end '' of his hip .
Since then , Murray has had two hip surgeries and expected the second in January 2019 - a resurfacing operation where the femur head was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ artificial socket - to end his career .
Remarkably , he has been pitted against 35-year-old Wawrinka on his Roland Garros comeback .
Murray is joined in the men 's singles by British number one Dan Evans , Cameron Norrie and Liam Broady .
Kyle Edmund has withdrawn because of a knee injury .
Broady , 26 , came through qualifying to reach the main draw for the first time .
Heather Watson , ranked 56th , is the only other Briton joining Konta in the women 's singles after Harriet Dart lost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the doubles , Jamie Murray and Neal Skupski will play at Roland Garros together for the first time , while Joe Salisbury and his American partner Rajeev Ram aim to better last year 's exit in the quarter-finals .
Last year 's men 's singles runner-up Gordon Reid returns in the wheelchair events , along with Jordanne Whiley , Andy Lapthorne and Alfie Hewett .
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Last updated on .From the section Tennis
The French Open is set to allow up to 5,000 fans into Court Philippe Chatrier, which will debut its new roof
French Open 2020 Dates: 27 September - 11 October Venue: Roland Garros, Paris Coverage: Selected radio and text commentaries on BBC Radio 5 Live and the BBC Sport website, plus daily reports and analysis
Rafael Nadal returns to Grand Slam tennis and aims to move level with Roger Federer's tally of 20 major titles when an unfamiliar-looking French Open starts in Paris on Sunday.
Nadal, 34, skipped the recent US Open but is generally considered the favourite to win a record-extending 13th title at Roland Garros.
Federer is out with a knee injury but top seed Novak Djokovic and wildcard Andy Murray are in the men's draw.
In the women's singles, Serena Williams goes again for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title.
British number one Johanna Konta leads the nation's hopes of its first singles champion at Roland Garros since Sue Barker in 1976.
Last year, Konta reached the semi-finals on the clay courts in the French capital.
The fortnight-long tournament is usually held at the end of May and the start of June but was postponed to this new date - a fortnight after the US Open culminated on the hard courts in New York - because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Up to 5,000 fans are set to be allowed on Court Philippe Chatrier - the main show-court at Roland Garros - although no spectators will be allowed on any of the other courts.
That is despite the French government announcing new restrictions on Wednesday which banned gatherings of more than 1,000 people because of rising coronavirus cases in France.
Players must stay in designated hotels and are only allowed to compete when they have returned a negative test for coronavirus.
Six unnamed players were withdrawn from men's and women's qualifying after two players and a coach tested positive.
A familiar sight in unfamiliar times - Nadal returns to Roland Garros
Nadal, who first won the French Open in 2005, was the first player to win 12 singles titles at the same Grand Slam
The return of Nadal to a tournament where he is the most successful player of all time adds an extra sprinkling of star quality.
The 19-time Grand Slam champion did not play the US Open in New York because of health and travel concerns.
The world number two returned to competitive action at last week's Italian Open for his first tournament since winning the Acapulco title in February, but was knocked out by Argentine Diego Schwartzman in the quarter-finals.
It is only the second time since bursting on the scene in 2005 that he has arrived at Roland Garros without having won a title on the European clay in the preceding weeks.
"It's a completely special year and unpredictable year. I did a couple of things well and other things bad," Nadal said following his Rome defeat.
"At least I played three matches. I'm going to keep working and keep practising with the right attitude and try to give myself a chance to be ready."
The weather forecast for Paris over the first week is cooler and wetter than Roland Garros usually is during early summer. That means the conditions will be slower and might not suit players - like Nadal - who prefer hotter, faster conditions and rely on more bounce and spin. Rain and darkening evenings will also mean some matches are played indoors with floodlights under Chatrier's new roof
Who else is playing and who is not there?
Without Federer, it is an opportunity for Nadal and Djokovic to close in on the Swiss great in their race to finish with the most Grand Slam men's singles titles.
Serbia's Djokovic, 33, was the hot favourite to earn his 18th major at the US Open but made a shock and undignified exit in the last 16 after being defaulted for hitting a ball at a line judge.
That meant a new Grand Slam champion would be crowned and Austria's Dominic Thiem was the man who took advantage.
With 27-year-old Thiem having lost to Nadal in both of the past two finals at Roland Garros, few would pick a winner outside those two and Djokovic.
Djokovic, who won his only Roland Garros title in 2016, bounced back from his US Open exit by winning the Italian Open this week - meaning that infamous disqualification is his only loss in 32 matches during 2020.
As ever, the women's singles is much harder to predict. After six of the top 10 did not play in New York some of the bigger names have returned, but not all.
World number one Ashleigh Barty won her maiden Grand Slam in Paris last year but, after missing the US Open, has again opted to stay at home in Australia because of the pandemic.
Japan's world number three Naomi Osaka, who triumphed at Flushing Meadows, is another absentee because of a hamstring injury.
American great Serena Williams will be there as she tries to match Australian Margaret Court's all-time record of Grand Slam singles titles.
Williams, who turns 39 on Saturday, has lost her past four major finals - at Wimbledon and the US Open in 2018 and 2019 - as she appeared burdened by the weight of history.
Who are the top seeds? Men's Women's Novak Djokovic [1] Simona Halep [1] Rafael Nadal [2] Karolina Pliskova [2] Dominic Thiem [3] Elina Svitolina [3] Daniil Medvedev [4] Sofia Kenin [4] Stefanos Tsitsipas [5] Kiki Bertens [5] Alexander Zverev [6] Serena Williams [6] Matteo Berrettini [7] Petra Kvitova [7] Gael Monfils [8] Aryna Sabalenka [8]
Can Konta replicate her run?
British number one Konta, 29, surprised many people with her run to the Roland Garros semi-finals last year, having never previously never won a match in the main draw.
Ultimately it ended in a 7-5 7-6 (7-2) defeat by Czech teenager Marketa Vondrousova, with Konta leading 5-3 in both sets and missing opportunities to close each one out.
That run to the last four came on the back of a successful lead-up on the clay, although this year's preparations have been wildly different for Konta.
The mini clay-court season means she has only played in the Italian Open where an almost flawless opening win over Romania's Irina-Camelia Begu was followed by a straight-sets defeat by Spain's former French Open champion Garbine Muguruza.
Konta, seeded ninth, has also arrived in Paris without a full-time coach after a trial run with Swede Thomas Hogstedt - who helped Maria Sharapova win the French Open - came to an end.
What about the other Brits?
Andy Murray will return to competitive action on a clay court for the first time since a five-set defeat by Stan Wawrinka in the 2017 French Open semi-finals.
The 33-year-old Scot has been given a wildcard as he continues his comeback from a career-threatening hip injury.
After returning to Chatrier for a practice session this week, he said it was the "brutal" match against Wawrinka that "turned out to be the end" of his hip.
Since then, Murray has had two hip surgeries and expected the second in January 2019 - a resurfacing operation where the femur head was capped with metal and put into an artificial socket - to end his career.
Remarkably, he has been pitted against 35-year-old Wawrinka on his Roland Garros comeback.
Murray is joined in the men's singles by British number one Dan Evans, Cameron Norrie and Liam Broady. Kyle Edmund has withdrawn because of a knee injury.
Broady, 26, came through qualifying to reach the main draw for the first time.
Heather Watson, ranked 56th, is the only other Briton joining Konta in the women's singles after Harriet Dart lost in her second qualifying match.
In the doubles, Jamie Murray and Neal Skupski will play at Roland Garros together for the first time, while Joe Salisbury and his American partner Rajeev Ram aim to better last year's exit in the quarter-finals.
Last year's men's singles runner-up Gordon Reid returns in the wheelchair events, along with Jordanne Whiley, Andy Lapthorne and Alfie Hewett.


bbc--2020-09-26--Amy Coney Barrett 'to be picked by Trump for Supreme Court'

US President Donald Trump will reportedly nominate Amy Coney Barrett , a favourite of social conservatives , to be the new Supreme Court justice .
The president 's decision - to be revealed at the White House on Saturday - has been confirmed to the BBC 's US partner CBS News and other US media .
She would replace liberal Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg , who died last Friday .
The nomination will touch off a bitter Senate fight to get her confirmed as November 's White House election looms .
CBS - citing multiple sources involved in or familiar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president had settled on Judge Barrett .
But when asked about his choice on Friday evening , Mr Trump refused to give anything away : `` You 'll find out tomorrow .
Look , they 're all great .
It could be any of one them . ''
• Ginsburg becomes first US woman to lie in state If Judge Barrett is confirmed , conservative-leaning justices will hold a 6-3 majority on America 's highest court for the foreseeable future .
The 48-year-old would be the third justice appointed by this Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Brett Kavanaugh in 2018 .
The Supreme Court 's nine justices serve lifetime appointments , and their rulings can shape public policy on everything from gun and voting rights to abortion and campaign finance long after the presidents who appoint them leave office .
In recent years , the court has expanded gay marriage to all 50 states , allowed for Mr Trump 's travel ban to be put in place , and delayed a US plan to cut carbon emissions .
Amy Coney Barrett has been on Donald Trump 's shortlist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but the word was that she would be the most appropriate replacement for Ruth Bader Ginsburg .
As of last week , that was no longer a hypothetical scenario .
Even before Mr Trump reportedly settled on Judge Barrett as his pick , conservatives were rallying around the nominee , whoever it might be .
And if they stick together , as all but two seem to be doing , her confirmation appears assured - whether it 's before November 's election or in a `` lame duck '' Senate session afterward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats in a tricky position .
They have to find a way of undermining support for the nominee without seeming to attack her Catholic faith or personal background - moves that could risk turning off some voters in November .
They will seek to delay the proceedings as best they can , while keeping their focus on issues like healthcare and abortion , which could be at the centre of future legal battles with a Justice Barrett on a conservative-dominated court .
Then they have to hope Judge Barrett , or the Republicans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It 's a tall order , but for the moment it 's the only play they have .
She is described as a devout Catholic who , according to a 2013 magazine article , said that `` life begins at conception '' .
This makes her a favourite among religious conservatives keen to overturn the landmark 1973 decision that legalised abortion nationwide .
She has also voted in favour of President Trump 's hardline immigration policies and expressed views in favour of expansive gun rights .
Nominated by Mr Trump to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she was confirmed by Senate in a 55-43 vote in October 2017 after a tough process .
She was one of the names the president considered to replace Justice Anthony Kennedy in 2017 .
After graduating from Notre Dame University Law School in Indiana , she clerked for late Justice Antonin Scalia , who died in 2016 .
She served as a legal scholar at Notre Dame for around 15 years .
Born in New Orleans , she is married to a former federal prosecutor in South Bend , Indiana , and together @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them were adopted from Haiti and their youngest biological child has Down Syndrome .
• What is the US Supreme Court ?
• Why US top court is more political than UK's The White House has begun contacting Republican Senate offices to schedule meetings with the nominee next week , two sources familiar with the planning told CBS .
The courtesy calls are expected to start on Wednesday .
The nominee will then be grilled by the Senate Judiciary Committee - on which 22 Republicans and Democrats sit .
The hearings usually last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ committee members will vote on whether to send the nomination to the full Senate .
If they do , all 100 senators will vote to confirm or reject her .
Republicans hold a slim majority of 53 senators in the chamber , but they already seem to have the 51 votes they need to get Judge Barrett confirmed .
Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell has vowed to hold a confirmation vote before the White House election on 3 November .
Barring a surprise , Democrats seem to have few procedural options to prevent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Supreme Court bench .
In Judge Barrett 's 2017 confirmation hearing for the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals , she was asked whether her religious faith could affect her jurisprudence .
Dianne Feinstein , a California senator , told the nominee during that hearing : `` The dogma lives loudly within you . ''
Judge Barrett insisted that her professional beliefs and her religious beliefs would be kept separate .
It is not clear if Democrats will make her religion an issue this time .
Why is the nomination controversial ?
Since Ginsburg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accused of hypocrisy for pressing ahead with a Supreme Court nomination during an election year .
In 2016 , Mr McConnell refused to hold hearings for Democratic President Barack Obama 's nominee for the court , Merrick Garland .
The nomination , which came 237 days before the election , was successfully blocked because Republicans held the Senate and argued the decision should be made outside of an election year .
With 39 days before the 2020 election , Democrats now say the Republicans should stand by their earlier position and let voters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Mr Trump 's efforts to appoint a justice were an `` abuse of power '' .
A Reuters/Ipsos opinion survey conducted after Ginsburg 's death found that 62 % of US adults thought the vacancy should be filled by the presidential election winner , while 23 % disagreed and the rest said they were not sure .

The choice of Judge Barrett puts Democrats in a tricky position. They have to find a way of undermining support for the nominee without seeming to attack her Catholic faith or personal background - moves that could risk turning off some voters in November. They will seek to delay the proceedings as best they can, while keeping their focus on issues like healthcare and abortion, which could be at the centre of future legal battles with Justice Barrett on a conservative-dominated court.


bbc--2020-09-25--Paris attack: Stabbing near Charlie Hebdo office 'an act of terror'

The victims - a man and a woman who worked at a TV production company - were seriously injured by a machete-type weapon , police said .
Prime Minister Jean Castex told reporters at the scene - near the Boulevard Richard-Lenoir - that their lives were not in danger .
The attack came as a high-profile trial was under way of 14 people accused of helping two jihadists carry out the 2015 attack on Charlie Hebdo , in which 12 people were killed .
What do officials say happened ?
`` It 's the street where Charlie Hebdo used to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Islamist terrorists operate , '' the interior minister said .
He said he had ordered security to be stepped up around synagogues this weekend for Yom Kippur , the holiest day in the Jewish calendar .
The main suspect has not been named , but Mr Darmanin said he arrived in the country three years ago `` as an isolated minor '' of Pakistani nationality .
The minister added that the suspect was not known for being radicalised , but had a previous arrest for carrying a screwdriver .
How did the attack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they had been outside the Premieres Lignes news production agency smoking a cigarette when they were attacked .
The firm has offices in the Rue Nicolas Appert , a side street off Boulevard Richard-Lenoir where the former Charlie Hebdo offices are located .
A mural to those killed in the Charlie Hebdo attack is nearby .
`` I went to the window and saw a colleague , bloodied , being chased by a man with a machete , '' one employee , who asked not to be named , said .
Nearby metro @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the area immediately went into lockdown .
The schools were allowed to reopen some hours later .
Police said they arrested the main suspect in the nearby Bastille area .
Shortly afterwards a man said to be from Algeria was also detained .
Some hours later five other men , said to be of Pakistani origin , were detained in the north-eastern suburb of Pantin during a search of building believed to be the home of the main suspect , French media reported , citing police .
What about the new trial ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ trial by reprinting its controversial cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad .
The original cartoons had sparked anger and protests in several Muslim majority countries .
The defendants in the trial are also accused of helping another jihadist carry out a related attack in which he shot dead a policewoman , then attacked a Jewish store , killing four people .
The 17 victims were killed over a period of three days .
All three attackers were killed by police .
The killings marked the beginning of a wave of jihadist attacks across France @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Five others - born between 1983 and 1996 and said to be of Pakistani origin - were later detained during the search of property north of Paris believed to be the home of the main suspect, officials say.


bbc--2020-09-25--Coronavirus: Two million deaths 'very likely' even with vaccine, WHO warns

The global coronavirus death toll could hit two million before an effective vaccine is widely used , the World Health Organization ( WHO ) has warned .
Dr Mike Ryan , the WHO 's emergencies head , said the figure could be higher without concerted international action .
Almost one million people have died with Covid-19 worldwide since the disease first emerged in China late last year .
The start of a second surge of coronavirus infections has been seen in many countries in the northern hemisphere as winter approaches .
• Covid-19 in the UK : How many coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So far , the US , India and Brazil have confirmed the most cases , recording more than 15 million between them .
But in recent days , there has been a resurgence of infections across Europe , prompting warnings of national lockdowns similar to those imposed at the height of the first wave of the pandemic .
`` Overall within that very large region , we are seeing worrying increases of the disease , '' Dr Ryan said of the marked spike in cases in Europe .
He urged Europeans to ask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ avoid the need for lockdowns - and whether alternatives , such as testing and tracing , quarantines and social distancing , had been implemented .
`` Lockdowns are almost a last resort - and to think that we 're back in last-resort territory in September , that 's a pretty sobering thought , '' Dr Ryan told reporters at the WHO 's headquarters in Geneva .
What did he say about the death toll ?
Asked whether two million fatalities worldwide was possible before a vaccine became available , Dr Ryan said : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He added that fatality rates were dropping as treatments for the disease improve .
But better treatments and even effective vaccines might not be enough on their own to prevent deaths surpassing two million , he said .
`` Are we prepared to do what it takes to avoid that number ? ''
Dr Ryan asked , calling on governments to do everything to control Covid-19 .
`` Unless we do it all , the number you speak about is not only imaginable , but unfortunately and sadly , very likely . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Around the world , stricter social-distancing guidelines and restrictions on businesses are being brought into effect to curb a second spike .
In Spain , the government has recommended reimposing a partial lockdown on all of Madrid area , where cases have risen sharply .
Instead , local authorities stepped up restrictions on some districts of the city , affecting a million people .
Meanwhile in France , staff from bars and restaurants in the southern city Marseille protested against the closure of their workplaces on Saturday .
On Friday , more restrictions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UK , as new daily infections continue to rise .
In contrast , curbs on businesses are being lifted in some US states , despite the increasing number of cases nationwide .
Dr Anthony Fauci , the country 's top infectious diseases expert , said the first wave of the pandemic had not ended yet in the US , because infections have not decreased sufficiently since the initial outbreak .
`` Rather than say , ' a second wave , ' why do n't we say , 'are we prepared for the challenge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' , '' Dr Fauci told CNN .
Elsewhere , Israel tightened restrictions on businesses and travel , one week after the country became the first in the world to begin a second nationwide lockdown .
• SOCIAL DISTANCING : What are the rules now ?
• SUPPORT BUBBLES : What are they and who can be in yours ?
• SCHOOLS : What will happen if children catch coronavirus ?
• TESTING : What tests are available ?

Coronavirus: Two million deaths 'very likely' even with vaccine, WHO warns Published 25 September 2020
Image source, Reuters Image caption, Dr Mike Ryan, head of the WHO's emergencies team, issued the stark warning at a media briefing
The global coronavirus death toll could hit two million before an effective vaccine is widely used, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned.
Dr Mike Ryan, the WHO's emergencies head, said the figure could be higher without concerted international action.
Almost one million people have died with Covid-19 worldwide since the disease first emerged in China late last year.
Virus infections continue to rise, with 32 million cases confirmed globally.
The start of a second surge of coronavirus infections has been seen in many countries in the northern hemisphere as winter approaches.
So far, the US, India and Brazil have confirmed the most cases, recording more than 15 million between them.
But in recent days, there has been a resurgence of infections across Europe, prompting warnings of national lockdowns similar to those imposed at the height of the first wave of the pandemic.
"Overall within that very large region, we are seeing worrying increases of the disease," Dr Ryan said of the marked spike in cases in Europe.
He urged Europeans to ask themselves whether they had done enough to avoid the need for lockdowns - and whether alternatives, such as testing and tracing, quarantines and social distancing, had been implemented.
"Lockdowns are almost a last resort - and to think that we're back in last-resort territory in September, that's a pretty sobering thought," Dr Ryan told reporters at the WHO's headquarters in Geneva.
What did he say about the death toll?
Asked whether two million fatalities worldwide was possible before a vaccine became available, Dr Ryan said: "It's not impossible."
He added that fatality rates were dropping as treatments for the disease improve.
But better treatments and even effective vaccines might not be enough on their own to prevent deaths surpassing two million, he said.
"Are we prepared to do what it takes to avoid that number?" Dr Ryan asked, calling on governments to do everything to control Covid-19.
"Unless we do it all, the number you speak about is not only imaginable, but unfortunately and sadly, very likely."
What are the latest developments globally?
Around the world, stricter social-distancing guidelines and restrictions on businesses are being brought into effect to curb a second spike.
In Spain, the government has recommended reimposing a partial lockdown on all of Madrid area, where cases have risen sharply. Instead, local authorities stepped up restrictions on some districts of the city, affecting a million people.
Meanwhile in France, staff from bars and restaurants in the southern city Marseille protested against the closure of their workplaces on Saturday.
On Friday, more restrictions were announced in several regions of the UK, as new daily infections continue to rise.
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Media caption, The pandemic officially started when the WHO declared it in March 2020 but how will it end?
In contrast, curbs on businesses are being lifted in some US states, despite the increasing number of cases nationwide.
Dr Anthony Fauci, the country's top infectious diseases expert, said the first wave of the pandemic had not ended yet in the US, because infections have not decreased sufficiently since the initial outbreak.
"Rather than say, 'a second wave,' why don't we say, 'are we prepared for the challenge of the fall and the winter?'," Dr Fauci told CNN.


bbc--2020-09-25--Courtroom escape sends police officer flying down stairs

A defendant in Ohio made a daring escape from the courtroom while being sentenced for a drugs offence .
Nickolaus @ @ @ @ @ deputies holding him and made a run for it - causing one officer to fly @ @ @ @ @ .
After three days at large , Garrison is now back in custody .

A defendant in Ohio made a daring escape from the courtroom while being sentenced for a drugs offence.
Nickolaus Garrison broke free of the deputies holding him and made a run for it - causing one officer to fly down the stairs head first.
After three days at large, Garrison is now back in custody.


bbc--2020-09-25--Sir David Attenborough breaks Jennifer Aniston's Instagram record

Sir David Attenborough has broken Jennifer Aniston 's record for the fastest time to reach a million followers on Instagram .
At 94 years young , the naturalist 's follower count raced to seven figures in four hours 44 minutes on Thursday , according to Guinness World Records .
His debut post said : `` Saving our planet is now a communications challenge . ''
Last October , Friends star Aniston reached the milestone in five hours and 16 minutes .
In his first video , the veteran broadcaster told followers : `` I am making this move and exploring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because , as we all know , the world is in trouble .
`` Continents are on fire .
Glaciers are melting .
Coral reefs are dying .
Fish are disappearing from our oceans .
The list goes on and on .
Saving our planet is now a communications challenge . ''
He joins a varied list of public figures who have at some point held the record for the fastest to gain a million followers .
• Duke and Duchess of Sussex - five hours 45 minutes ( April 2019 ) Sir @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million within 24 hours .
However , he is some way behind the most-followed person overall - footballer Cristiano Ronaldo , who has 238 million .
`` Social media is n't David 's usual habitat , '' wrote collaborators Jonnie Hughes , a BBC film-maker , and Colin Butfield , of the World Wildlife Fund .
`` So while he 's recorded messages solely for Instagram , like the one in this post , we 're helping to run this account . ''
Sir David 's Instagram debut precedes the release of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ titled A Life On Our Planet .
The film will see him reflect on his career and the decline of the planet 's environment and biodiversity , which he has observed first-hand .
Sir David said he would use the platform to share videos explaining `` what the problems are and how we can deal with them '' .
Signing off , he invited viewers to `` join me - or as we used to say in those early days of radio , stay tuned '' .
Follow us on Facebook , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a story suggestion email entertainment.news @ bbc.co.uk .

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bbc--2020-09-25--Switzerland gets ready to vote on ending free movement with EU

Why does non-EU member Switzerland need to bother with free movement ?
Switzerland decided long ago not to join the EU , but it does want access to Europe 's free-trade area , and it wants to co-operate with Brussels in areas like transport , the environment , and research and education .
That passed by a whisker ( 50.33 % said yes , 49.67 % said no ) , obliging the Swiss government to find a deal Brussels would accept .
In the end a compromise was agreed : Swiss employers had to prioritise workers permanently resident in Switzerland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already high .
So what are the pros and cons ?
Although Switzerland does trade outside Europe ( it has negotiated its own bespoke deal with China ) , the EU is by far its biggest partner , and Switzerland 's trade with Germany alone is more than its trade with China and the US combined .
Also worrying , he says , is the clause in the proposal that gives the government just one year from the vote being passed to bring it into law , with or without any new deal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has just begun studying for a masters degree in Brussels , says : `` Right now I have the same rights to work and study as EU citizens .
If we say yes to this proposal , I will lose those rights . ''
And Franz Muheim , a professor of particle physics at Edinburgh University for almost 30 years , argues that `` the future of Switzerland is at stake '' if the vote is passed .
He believes `` the world has moved on… we are all Europeans if we live @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come from '' .
What does the government say ?
That sentiment may surprise UK Brexiteers , but Swiss politicians remember all too well the 10 long years they spent painstakingly negotiating their bilateral treaties ( now numbering over 200 ) with the EU , and they have been watching the UK 's four-year attempt to strike a withdrawal agreement with a queasy sense of deja-vu .
Switzerland 's economy is one of the world 's most competitive .
Both the government and business leaders say that is in large part due to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that tampering with those relations is hugely risky .
Many Swiss people do have concerns their small country is becoming too crowded .
The population has risen by two million , from 6.6 million in 1990 to 8.6 million in 2020 , and about 25 % are non-Swiss and primarily from the EU .
Some also worry their salaries could be undercut by cheaper EU labour .
The shock of the pandemic may have played a role too : the closure of borders with neighbours France , Germany , Italy and Austria @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reminded citizens on both sides that they do enjoy the freedom to work , live and play together .
Does this have anything to do with Brexit ?
Are the Swiss voting on anything else ?
So , as well as free movement , voters will decide whether to buy new fighter jets and vote on the introduction of paternity leave and tax breaks for families .
They will also decide on new regulations around the hunting of wolves - a species recently returned to the Alps after almost a century of extinction @

And Franz Muheim, a professor of particle physics at Edinburgh University for over 20 years, argues that "the future of Switzerland is at stake" if the vote is passed. He believes "the world has moved on… we are all Europeans if we live in Europe, independent of where we come from".


bbc--2020-09-25--Mumbi collapse: The man who filmed his ordeal under rubble

Khalid Khan was trapped under a collapsed building in the western Indian city of Mumbai for nearly 10 hours before @ @ @ @ @ him .
He recorded parts of this video for his wife , in case he @ @ @ @ @ .
More than 40 people were killed when the building collapsed on 21 September , @ @ @ @ @ were rescued .
Building collapses are not uncommon in India , especially during the monsoon @

Khalid Khan was trapped under a collapsed building in the western Indian city of Mumbai for nearly 10 hours before workers were able to rescue him.
He recorded parts of this video for his wife, in case he didn't make it out.
More than 40 people were killed when the building collapsed on 21 September, while at least 20 others were rescued.
Building collapses are not uncommon in India, especially during the monsoon.
Video by Pooja Chhabria and BBC Marathi's Shahid Sheikh


bbc--2020-09-25--Tributes paid to London police officer shot dead

New Zealand-born Sgt Ratana , known as Matt , was shot in the chest in Croydon as a suspect , who was still in handcuffs , was being checked in .
The Independent Office for Police Conduct ( IOPC ) said the man was arrested on suspicion of possession of Class B drugs with intent to supply and possession of ammunition .
The IOPC confirmed he was handcuffed with his hands behind his back and had been taken to the custody centre in a police vehicle , before being escorted into the building .
A minute 's silence was held @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Croydon Police Station to pay tribute to Sgt Ratana , who was heavily involved in rugby coaching when he was not working .
`` He will be remembered so fondly in Croydon and missed there , as well as in the Met and the rugby world , '' she said .
He served in various parts of London including Hackney and Selhurst , with his last posting as custody sergeant in Croydon , where he managed suspects who are brought into the cells .
Sgt Ratana had led rugby teams in Worthing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lived and in East Grinstead , where he was living when he died .
`` He is a bloke who is just so passionate about what he does - it does not matter whether you 're the most talented or least talented , he will treat you equal , '' he said .
He had been referred to the anti-extremism `` Prevent '' programme , though the Met said the murder inquiry was not being treated as terrorism-related .
`` We owe it to Matt , his loved ones and all other officers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ space to do their job , '' she said .
London 's Mayor Sadiq Khan earlier said the police were currently `` reviewing the safety of custody suites '' and `` there could be changes very soon '' .
Neil Donohue , 54 , said : `` He came in one day and gave me 200 quid out of the blue , I said no no , I ca n't accept that and gave it back to him .
`` Matt was an inspiring and much-loved figure at the club and there are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are feeling , '' said Bob Marsh , the club 's chairman , and the club 's president Andy Poole .

"He is a bloke who is just so passionate about what he does - it does not matter whether you're the most talented or least talented, he will treat you equal," he said.


bbc--2020-09-25--Breonna Taylor: Louisville police shooting suspect held on $1m bail

A man accused of shooting two policemen in Louisville , Kentucky amid racial justice protests has been ordered to be held in jail on $ 1m ( £786,000 ) bail .
Larynzo Johnson , 26 , was arrested hours after it was announced that no murder charges would be brought for Breonna Taylor 's death during a police raid .
The decision sparked days of unrest and the city is under a weekend curfew .
Ms Taylor 's family has demanded that a grand jury transcript of her case be released to the public .
The grand jury on Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against one former officer .
However , the decision not to lay charges for killing Ms Taylor triggered protests around the US .
Over 127 people were arrested on Wednesday night .
On Thursday night , Louisville police arrested at least 27 protesters , including the only African-American lawmaker in the Kentucky legislature .
What does the Taylor family want ?
In a news conference on Friday , Benjamin Crump , a lawyer for the Taylor family , led chants of `` release the transcripts , '' and accused Kentucky Attorney General Daniel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enough case to the grand jury to secure murder charges against the three officers who fired bullets into Ms Taylor 's home in Louisville on 13 March .
Police entered her flat during a drug raid , though none were later found .
`` What did Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron present to the grand jury ?
Did he present any evidence on Breonna Taylor 's behalf ? ''
Mr Crump asked .
`` Or did he make a unilateral decision to put his thumb on the scales of justice to help try @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Breonna Taylor by these police officers ? ''
Ms Taylor 's family had called for all three officers to be arrested for murder , but only one has been charged .
Brett Hankison , who was fired from the police force in June , is accused of wanton endangerment , a low-level felony , for firing shots into Ms Taylor 's neighbour 's apartment .
In her first public statement since the grand jury 's ruling , Ms Taylor mother said she `` never had faith '' in the prosecutor , Mr Cameron @ @ @ @ @ @ @ black attorney general .
`` I was reassured Wednesday of why I have no faith in the legal system , in the police , in the law , '' Tamika Palmer said in a statement which was read by Ms Taylor 's aunt .
`` They are not made to protect us Black and brown people . ''
`` What I had hoped is that [ Mr Cameron ] knew he had the power to do the right thing , that he had the power to start the healing of this city , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mend over 400 years of oppression , '' her statement continued .
`` What he helped me realise is that it will always be us against them , that we are never safe when it comes to them . ''
The family has called for a special prosecutor to probe how the grand jury - a group of citizens empowered to consider criminal charges - What were the circumstances of Ms Taylor 's killing ?
Three plainclothes policemen - Mr Hankison , Jonathan Mattingly and Myles Cosgrove - were executing a search warrant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way into the apartment where Ms Taylor , 26 , was in bed with her boyfriend , Kenneth Walker , shortly after midnight .
Mr Walker fired a shot from his licensed gun , later telling police he thought that Ms Taylor 's ex-boyfriend , Jamarcus Glover , had broken in , according to the New York Times .
Officials say Mr Walker 's bullet struck Mr Mattingly in the leg .
The three officers returned fire , discharging 32 rounds , according to a ballistics report from the FBI .
Ms Taylor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the hallway floor .
• Walker fires one bullet , hitting Mattingly in the leg moments after police take down the flat door with a battering ram • Mattingly returns fire , shooting six times at Walker and Taylor , who is standing beside him in her hallway • Cosgrove fires 16 shots from the doorway of Taylor 's home • Taylor is struck six times in a matter of seconds • Hankison fires 10 shots through a patio door and window .
His bullets enter the next-door flat Mr Hankison was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he had `` wantonly and blindly fired 10 rounds '' during the raid , according to his termination letter .
Mr Mattingly and Mr Cosgrove were reassigned to administrative duties .

"What I had hoped is that [Mr Cameron] knew he had the power to do the right thing, that he had the power to start the healing of this city, that he had the power to help mend over 400 years of oppression," her statement continued.


bbc--2020-09-25--European Commission to challenge Apple tax bill verdict

The European Commission plans to appeal against a ruling that Apple does not have to pay 13bn euros ( £11.6bn ) in back taxes to Ireland .
The EU 's General Court had ruled in July there was no evidence Apple had broken any rules on tax paid there .
Ireland never disputed the arrangement but the European Commission , which brought the case , argued it enabled Apple to avoid taxes on EU revenues .
The EU said paying the correct amount of tax was `` a top priority '' .
In 2016 , a court ruled that Apple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Dublin - but this was overturned in July 2020 .
The European Commission claimed Ireland had allowed Apple to attribute nearly all its EU earnings to an Irish head office that existed only on paper , thereby avoiding paying tax on EU revenues .
Ireland has always said Apple 's tax bill was in line with its regulations .
EU executive vice-president and competition commissioner Margrethe Vestager , said in a statement : `` If member states give certain multinational companies tax advantages not available to their rivals , this harms fair @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of state aid rules .
`` We need to continue our efforts to put in place the right legislation to address loopholes and ensure transparency . ''
A new appeal will now go before a higher court , the European Court of Justice .

EU executive vice-president and competition commissioner Margrethe Vestager, said in a statement: "If member states give certain multinational companies tax advantages not available to their rivals, this harms fair competition in the European Union in breach of state aid rules.


bbc--2020-09-25--Coronavirus restrictions: Students on their 'last night of freedom'

Freshers week is a rite of passage for first year university students across the UK , as they socialise with @ @ @ @ @ , before classes and lectures begin .
But with coronavirus infections increasing , the government @ @ @ @ @ nightlife in England , forcing bars to shut their doors at 10pm .
We asked @ @ @ @ @ felt on their last night of `` freedom '' .

Freshers week is a rite of passage for first year university students across the UK, as they socialise with people in their new city, before classes and lectures begin.
But with coronavirus infections increasing, the government has imposed new restrictions on nightlife in England, forcing bars to shut their doors at 10pm.
We asked students in Sheffield how they felt on their last night of "freedom".
Video produced by Lorna Acquah
Reporter: Shamaàn Freeman-Powell


bbc--2020-09-25--Breonna Taylor: ‘Painful to be a black woman right now' says Yandy Smith-Harris

The case of Breonna Taylor has had a big impact on many black women across the US .
One of @ @ @ @ @ Yandy Smith-Harris , who has been active in protests over the death .
This week @ @ @ @ @ the police officers would not face charges directly related to Ms Taylor 's killing .
@ @ @ @ @ what it 's like being a black woman in the US right now , and @ @ @ @ @ young children about what 's happening .

The case of Breonna Taylor has had a big impact on many black women across the US.
One of them is activist and businesswoman Yandy Smith-Harris, who has been active in protests over the death.
This week, it was announced that the police officers would not face charges directly related to Ms Taylor's killing.
Ms Smith-Harris tells the BBC what it's like being a black woman in the US right now, and what she is telling her young children about what's happening.
Video by Cody Godwin and Chloe Kim


bbc--2020-09-25--Ruth Bader Ginsburg: Personal trainer honours her with push-ups by casket

Ruth Bader Ginsburg 's personal trainer , Bryant Johnson , has paid tribute to the late Supreme Court justice with @ @ @ @ @ casket .
Ginsburg , who died a week ago , is the first woman to @ @ @ @ @ US Capitol in Washington DC .
Read more : Ginsburg becomes first US woman to @ @ @

Ruth Bader Ginsburg's personal trainer, Bryant Johnson, has paid tribute to the late Supreme Court justice with push-ups in front of her casket.
Ginsburg, who died a week ago, is the first woman to lie in state at the US Capitol in Washington DC.
Read more: Ginsburg becomes first US woman to lie in state


bbc--2020-09-25--Coronavirus: Dawn sea swims help with lockdown mental health

A sea swim before dawn to help those struggling with mental health issues has been attracting more than 100 people @ @ @ @ @ set up the Win the Morning , Win the Day group on social media six @ @ @ @ @ meet up in Gosport with anyone wanting to get some exercise and talk about their @ @ @ @ @ every Friday at 05.30 BST and Chris has imposed coronavirus safety measures , such as @ @ @ @ @ six and enforcing staggered starts to the walk .
The idea is now gaining popularity @ @ @ @ @ in Leeds , Manchester and Bahrain .

A sea swim before dawn to help those struggling with mental health issues has been attracting more than 100 people every week.
Chris Reeves set up the Win the Morning, Win the Day group on social media six weeks ago, offering to meet up in Gosport with anyone wanting to get some exercise and talk about their problems.
The group meets every Friday at 05.30 BST and Chris has imposed coronavirus safety measures, such as splitting people into groups of six and enforcing staggered starts to the walk.
The idea is now gaining popularity, with groups also starting in Leeds, Manchester and Bahrain.
Video journalist: Ben Moore


bbc--2020-09-25--Week in pictures: 19 - 25 September 2020

A selection of powerful news photographs taken around the world this week .

Image caption,
Horses are seen on Withers Ranch, as smoke rises in the distance from fires burning in the Fremont National Forest in Paisley, Oregon. The wildfires on the West Coast of the US have destroyed vast areas of land and killed at least 36 people since early August. Smoke has spread to the east of the country, casting a haze over New York and Washington DC.


bbc--2020-09-25--'Maskne': How to fight face mask breakouts

They 've gone from being something you normally only see on medical staff , to a part of everyday life @ @ @ @ @ coverings are compulsory in shops , on public transport and in many people 's jobs @ @ @ @ @ 're taking a lot of getting used to .
One of the problems they 're @ @ @ @ @ mask-related acne .
Consultant dermatologist Dr Sivanie Sewell has some tips on what you can @ @ @ @ @ wearing a mask but also how to deal with breakouts should you get one .
@ @ @ @ @ 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen back here .

They've gone from being something you normally only see on medical staff, to a part of everyday life.
Face masks and face coverings are compulsory in shops, on public transport and in many people's jobs but for some, they're taking a lot of getting used to.
One of the problems they're causing is 'maskne' or mask-related acne.
Consultant dermatologist Dr Sivanie Sewell has some tips on what you can do to prevent spots when wearing a mask but also how to deal with breakouts should you get one.
Video produced by Annabel Rackham
Follow Newsbeat on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen back here.


bbc--2020-09-24--Polio campaigners battle misinformation and distrust

In Pakistan , the first nationwide polio vaccination campaign since the start of the coronavirus pandemic is under way .
@ @ @ @ @ the only two countries in the world yet to eliminate wild polio , after Nigeria @ @ @ @ @ disease last month .
Efforts by health workers in Pakistan have been hampered not only @ @ @ @ @ conspiracy theories .

In Pakistan, the first nationwide polio vaccination campaign since the start of the coronavirus pandemic is under way.
Pakistan and neighbouring Afghanistan are the only two countries in the world yet to eliminate wild polio, after Nigeria was declared free from the disease last month.
Efforts by health workers in Pakistan have been hampered not only by Covid-19 but also by conspiracy theories.
Secunder Kermani reports from Peshawar.


bbc--2020-09-24--Covid-19: China's dilemma over wild meat trade

China is facing mounting pressure to restart its wild animal meat trade despite the fact it ’ s still not @ @ @ @ @ started or how it spread .
Breeding snakes and types of rat for food or @ @ @ @ @ has been a key driver of economic growth for some of its poorest people but @ @ @ @ @ of bans after the virus outbreak – and it still doesn ’ t know if @ @ @ @ @ make them permanent .
China correspondent Robin Brant went to find out how the industry @ @ @

China is facing mounting pressure to restart its wild animal meat trade despite the fact it’s still not clear where the coronavirus outbreak started or how it spread.
Breeding snakes and types of rat for food or medicine in parts of China has been a key driver of economic growth for some of its poorest people but the government introduced a raft of bans after the virus outbreak – and it still doesn’t know if it’s going to make them permanent.
China correspondent Robin Brant went to find out how the industry is coping.


bbc--2020-09-25--The fight for women's prayer rights in Israel

In 1988 , a group of Jewish feminists demanded the right to pray as freely as Jewish men at one @ @ @ @ @ sites .
They called themselves the `` Women of the Wall '' .
The organisation @ @ @ @ @ Jewish denomination including reform , conservative and orthodox Jews .
Its focus is one of @ @ @ @ @ - the Western Wall in Jerusalem .
Anat Hoffman , a founding member of `` @ @ @ @ @ , spoke to Witness History about their struggle .
Witness History : The stories of @ @ @ @ @ people who were there .

In 1988, a group of Jewish feminists demanded the right to pray as freely as Jewish men at one of Judaism’s holiest sites.
They called themselves the "Women of the Wall".
The organisation says it is made up of every Jewish denomination including Reform, Conservative and Orthodox Jews. Its focus is one of the holiest sites in Judaism - the Western Wall in Jerusalem.
Anat Hoffman, a founding member of "Women of the Wall", spoke to Witness History about their struggle.
Witness History: The stories of our times told by the people who were there.


bbc--2020-09-25--Philippines Troll Patrol: The woman taking on trolls on their own turf

The Philippines is playing a key role in the wave of disinformation sweeping the world .
So-called troll farms are being used to create multiple fake social media accounts that post political propaganda and attack critics .
But a group of people calling themselves the Troll Patrol are trying to use their own tactics against them , as the BBC 's Howard Johnson reports .
In 2016 , Gina - not her real name - and others , watched with alarm as a group of Catholic schoolgirls in the Philippines came under attack from online trolls .
The girls had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ street in the capital Manila in their uniforms , chanting : `` Marcos is no hero !
Marcos is no hero ! ''
They were angry that former Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos had just been buried in a nearby hero 's cemetery with military honours .
In the 21 years he ruled , billions of dollars of public money went missing while thousands were arrested and tortured for opposing his regime .
But his family have remained both politically influential and popular and are closely aligned to the current President Rodrigo Duterte .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the school 's Facebook page , and then widely reshared , comments began to appear defending the Marcos legacy and attacking the girls ' actions .
Some of them were from genuine accounts , but many were from pro-government trolls using fake accounts .
`` If Marcos is no hero , I would say most of you are no virgins and that 's the trend of young girls nowadays , '' said one .
There were also rape threats .
`` We 're talking about kids here .
Nobody was doing anything @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We realised that we should beat them at their own game . ''
Gina and a group of equally-concerned individuals , who would go on to be known as the ' '' Troll Patrol '' , took action .
Much like the trolls , the group began creating fake Facebook accounts - Facebook does n't require photo ID proof of identity - so they could defend the girls without risking personal attacks themselves .
They created scores of accounts whose posts were designed to counter the narrative of the online pro-government bullies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group would log into Facebook scanning for threatening posts or abusive behaviour and begin posting their counter-comments .
`` We realised that if [ opponents ] feel that you are part of the group that actually opposes the views of government , people would never listen to you , '' says Gina .
`` You have to make them feel that you are actually part of their circle who just happened to have a change of opinion .
You can educate the people and at the same time you can say whatever you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people who were being cyber-bullied . ''
Within a week the controversy over the protest began to die down , but the problem of trolling has far from gone away in the Philippines .
And it 's not just used to support President Duterte and those aligned with him , it 's also used to silence critics .
Journalists , human rights defenders and politicians have all reported receiving systematic abuse and death threats .
I too have received threats online for my reporting , saying I would be `` hunted down '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ read `` watch your back '' , accompanied by a skull and crossbones emoji .
Many of the most ardent trolls are supporters of the president - they call themselves DDS ( Diehard Duterte Supporters ) , a play on the lettering of the Davao Death Squad , an execution squad , which according to the United Nations , killed more than 1,000 people in the city in the southern Philippines while Duterte was its mayor .
Mr Duterte has even admitted paying people to promote him or defend him on social media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so during his successful 2016 election campaign .
According to Presidential Communications Operations Office ( PCOO ) undersecretary Jose Joel Sy Egco , the government has never used paid-for `` keyboard warriors '' to attack critics while Mr Duterte has been in office .
Mr Egco told the BBC that online troll threats come from a `` myriad of sources '' , which could include `` somebody 's neighbours '' to `` any local official you had a brush with recently '' .
There have been reports in the Philippine media about `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are allegedly paid to write abusive comments on peoples ' social media accounts .
I asked Mr Egco what the government had done to investigate these claims : '' If you 're asking us , if you 're asking me as a government official here , I am definitely against any such practice , if there 's any at all . ''
I had n't asked Mr Egco if the government was behind the troll farms , but he went on to elaborate : '' In government , we are very diligent in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have budgets for those kind of things .
Maybe some people did that in the past and maybe some people are still doing it right now , but definitely I tell you , in all honesty , and I swear to God , I myself do not believe in such . ''
Mr Egco said that his team had received `` a lot of complaints '' by media workers about cyber-harassment and cyber-bullying and that the department had investigated the cases but had run into a brick-wall when social media companies refused to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comments .
Facebook would n't confirm whether it had any plans to make it harder for people to set up fake accounts , but a spokesperson said the company was `` committed to removing content that violates our policies , disrupting coordinated inauthentic networks , and limiting the spread of misinformation '' .
This week the company took down two networks based in the Philippines and China for violating their policy on `` foreign or government interference . ''
The networks , which included more than 200 accounts , targeted Filipino Facebook users @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supportive of President Rodrigo Duterte .
Despite the online abuse , I have never been threatened in real life in the Philippines .
But online troll behaviour can precede deadly outcomes .
Recently two human rights defenders , who had been repeatedly trolled and threatened online were killed within a week of each other .
On 10 August , unidentified assailants killed peasant leader Randall Echanis , 72 , inside his home in Quezon City , in Metro Manila .
Then on August 17 unidentified gunmen fatally shot Zara Alvarez , a legal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The group says 13 of their activists have been killed in the past four years .
Within minutes of Ms Alvarez 's killing , another member of Karapatan , Clarizza Singson , received a message on Facebook warning that she `` would be next . ''
The group say they are the repeated targets of `` red-tagging , '' in which the authorities and online trolls label them as Communists , linking them to the country 's decades-old Communist insurgency .
And rights groups fear a newly passed Anti-Terrorism Act could weaponise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allows for the detention of 'terrorist ' suspects for up to 24 days without charge .
An Anti-Terror Council , made up of Duterte appointees , has the power to designate people as suspected terrorists , subject to surveillance for 60 days and arrest , based on mere accusations .
Supporters of the law say it is needed to bolster efforts against ongoing armed insurgencies mainly in the south of the Philippines .
But rights group Amnesty International says even the mildest government critics can be labelled terrorists , based on accusations thrown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the prevailing climate of impunity , a law so vague on the definition of 'terrorism ' can only worsen attacks against human rights defenders , '' said Nicholas Bequelin , AI 's Asia-Pacific Regional Director .
Gina says she and the Troll Patrol make no apologies for adopting similar tactics to get their message across .
`` We justify [ our ] actions because they are all part of free speech , which we really hold in high regard , '' says Gina .
`` It would have been easy to report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ let them say whatever they want to say .
Bad speech can only be fought by better speech .
I do n't really believe in censure . ''
And with more Filipinos expressing free speech , Gina believes the need for the Troll Patrol is diminishing .
`` Nowadays , we no longer hide under these personas , '' says Gina .
`` We still speak out against abuses whether by the administration or the opposition .
But this time , we speak as ourselves . ''

"In government, we are very diligent in spending our budget and we don't have budgets for those kind of things. Maybe some people did that in the past and maybe some people are still doing it right now, but definitely I tell you, in all honesty, and I swear to God, I myself do not believe in such."


bbc--2020-09-26--Rimbaud and Verlaine: France agonises over digging up gay poets

President Emmanuel Macron is under pressure to strike a blow for sexual diversity by ordering the `` Pantheonisation '' - interment at the national mausoleum in Paris - of two of France 's best-loved poets , Arthur Rimbaud and Paul Verlaine .
A petition signed by 10 former culture ministers , as well as a long list of artists and intellectuals , says the two poets - who had an intense but ultimately violent affair in the early 1870s - `` were symbols of diversity '' .
`` It is a question of simple justice to have them enter jointly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ figures like Voltaire , Rousseau , Dumas , Hugo and Malraux , '' the petition reads .
Current Culture Minister Roselyne Bachelot , while not signing the petition , nevertheless said she agreed .
`` Bringing these two poets and lovers into the Pantheon would have a significance that is not just historical and literary , but profoundly relevant today , '' she said .
Arguments for and against moving the poets The call , however , has triggered an angry backlash , with opponents saying the poets are being made the victims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that absolutely nothing in their lives or work suggests suitability for a patriotic Valhalla .
Rimbaud and Verlaine are certainly among the most revered of French poets - and it is also true that of the 75 residents of the Pantheon , none is there for poetry .
Victor Hugo was transferred for his political achievement .
Not only has `` their genius nourished for more than a century our literary and poetic imagination '' , but also their current burial places - in Charleville , Lorraine for Rimbaud , in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Verlaine - are `` unworthy '' .
Rimbaud refused to press charges , but Belgian police went ahead anyway and their report was heavily slanted by their distaste for the poets ' relationship .
Lines of Verlaine 's Chanson d'automne were used to warn the French Resistance of the imminent Allied landings in Normandy in World War Two .
But opponents of Pantheonisation say it would make a mockery of what the poets actually stood for - which was certainly not membership of the French establishment .
Rather it was liberty , rebellion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the cultural zeitgeist .
`` Everything about their lives , everything about their work shows them turning their back on society , '' writer Étienne de Montety said in French newspaper Le Figaro .
`` They were passionate for liberty , to the point of making transgression an art form . ''
`` Resenting the slight , today society is taking its revenge .
With the help of academia and government , it is trying to co-opt them . ''

Rimbaud and Verlaine are certainly among the most revered of French poets - and it is also true that of the 75 residents of the Pantheon, none is there for poetry. Victor Hugo was transferred for his political achievement.


bbc--2020-09-25--Barga: How Italy's most Scottish town coped without its annual 'invasion'

The connection is said to go back to the turn of the 19th Century , when large numbers of people struggling to find work in Tuscany decided to emigrate .
But this year the coronavirus pandemic has forced many to put their annual pilgrimage on hold .
So how has `` the most Scottish town in Italy '' coped without them ?
`` They usually arrive in Barga at that time and fill the bars , cafes and restaurants and take part in a lot of events going on in the town during the summer . ''
He said visitors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been `` practically non-existent '' apart for a few `` hardcore '' ones who were determined to see their families .
`` Things were better in August when a new tourism arrived in Barga - made up of Italians who normally go away in that month . ''
His family came to Scotland in the late 1800s and he has been going back to Barga for more than 60 years .
`` I like Barga during the quiet periods , but you do n't expect to see it like this at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` Barga is a very special place , not only from the wonderful memories as a child and connections with family and friends but also because a big part for me is to visit the cemetery , '' she said .
She said she would miss being able to spend time cleaning up the grave stones and rearranging new flowers for her mother , grandparents and other relatives .
However , she decided to bring a bit of the spirit of the place to Scotland by producing a painting of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cathedral - instead .
Her Barga roots go back to her great-grandfather , who came to Lanarkshire and ran Zamboninis fish and chip shops in the area .
Her father moved north in the 1980s .
The family had big plans for this summer .
Her parents were due to spend four months in Italy , while Ms Bruce and her husband and two children had three weeks booked .
`` We were so sorely disappointed .
We miss our friends we have made that we only see in Barga , including those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said .
See you next year ?
That is certainly the aspiration of local businesses and those of the Barga diaspora denied their visits this year .
Mr Galeotti said the `` biggest hope '' now was for a `` reliable cure or vaccine '' to be discovered as soon as possible .
That , he said , would allow Barga to put 2020 behind it and , eventually , let it become nothing more than a `` bad memory '' .

The town - like the rest of the world - will have to wait and see if next summer will be more like normal.


bbc--2020-09-25--Singapore in world first for facial verification

Singapore will be the first country in the world to use facial verification in its national identity scheme .
The biometric check will give Singaporeans secure access to both private and government services .
The government 's technology agency says it will be `` fundamental '' to the country 's digital economy .
It has been trialled with a bank and is now being rolled out nationwide .
It not only identifies a person but ensures they are genuinely present .
`` You have to make sure that the person is genuinely present when they authenticate , that you 're @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video or a replayed recording or a deepfake , '' said Andrew Bud , founder and chief executive of iProov , the UK company that is providing the technology .
The technology will be integrated with the country 's digital identity scheme SingPass and allows access to government services .
`` This is the first time that cloud-based face verification has been used to secure the identity of people who are using a national digital identity scheme , '' said Mr Bud .
Both facial recognition and facial verification depend on scanning a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with an image in an existing database to establish their identity .
The key difference is that verification requires the explicit consent of the user , and the user gets something in return , such as access to their phone or their bank 's smartphone app .
Facial recognition technology , by contrast , might scan the face of everyone in a train station , and alert the authorities if a wanted criminal walks past a camera .
`` Face recognition has all sorts of social implications .
Face verification is extremely benign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advocates , however , contend that consent is a low threshold when dealing with sensitive biometric data .
`` Consent does not work when there is an imbalance of power between controllers and data subjects , such as the one observed in citizen-state relationships , '' said Ioannis Kouvakas , legal officer with London-based Privacy International .
In the US and China , tech companies have jumped on the facial verification bandwagon .
For example , a range of banking apps support Apple Face ID or Google 's Face Unlock for verification , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Pay app .
Many governments are already using facial verification too , but few have considered attaching the technology to a national ID .
In some cases that 's because they do n't have a national ID at all .
In the US , for example , most people use state-issued drivers ' licences as their main form of identification .
China has n't attempted to link facial verification to its national ID , but last year enacted rules forcing customers to have their faces scanned when they buy a new mobile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ checked against the ID provided .
Nevertheless , facial verification is already widespread in airports , and many government departments are using it , including the UK Home Office and National Health Service and the US Department of Homeland Security .
How will it be used ?
Singapore 's technology is already in use at kiosks in branches of Singapore 's tax office , and one major Singapore bank , DBS , allows customers to use it to open an online bank account .
It is also likely to be used for verification @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ensure that students take their own tests .
It will be available to any business that wants it , and meets the government 's requirements .
`` We do n't really restrict how this digital face verification can be used , as long as it complies with our requirements , '' said Kwok Quek Sin , senior director of national digital identity at GovTech Singapore .
`` And the basic requirement is that it is done with consent and with the awareness of the individual . ''
GovTech Singapore thinks the technology will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can use it without having to build the infrastructure themselves .
Additionally , Mr Kwok said , it is better for privacy because companies wo n't need to collect any biometric data .
In fact , they would only see a score indicating how close the scan is to the image the government has on file .

"You have to make sure that the person is genuinely present when they authenticate, that you're not looking at a photograph or a video or a replayed recording or a deepfake," said Andrew Bud, founder and chief executive of iProov, the UK company that is providing the technology.


bbc--2020-09-25--All signs lead to Dele Alli leaving Tottenham - Jermaine Jenas

Last updated on .From the section Tottenham Former Tottenham midfielder Jermaine Jenas says `` all the signs lead to '' Dele Alli leaving the club .
He had been left out of Tottenham 's previous two matchday squads , against Southampton and Lokomotiv Plovdiv .
`` I do n't feel like it 's one that can be reconciled , I feel like it 's a parting of the ways , '' Jenas said .
Mourinho said earlier this week that he was `` convinced '' Alli will still be at Tottenham when the transfer window closes next month .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Paris St-Germain .
`` He will have his opportunities but performances are very important , '' said Mourinho .
`` It 's important for every player on the pitch to have an answer and perform . ''
Alli was left out of England 's Nations League squad in August and has not played for the national team for over a year .
`` Everything Jose does is to get a reaction , '' Jenas said on the Friday Football Social on BBC Radio 5 Live .
`` I would be concerned if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been loved by everyone and every manager .
`` No doubt that his form has dipped over the last 18 months , he knows that more than anybody .
`` Two weeks ago I would have said , if I was Dele Alli , I would stay and dig in .
But all the signs lead to getting him out of there .
`` At the end of the season there 's the Euros - he would be desperate to get back in Gareth Southgate 's thoughts .
The only way he is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ football and scoring goals again .
`` Right now it does n't feel like Jose Mourinho or Spurs is the place for him .
I 'd be looking to move on now . ''
• None Where are they now ?
• None 12 essential albums from former winners and nominees

Last updated on .From the section Tottenham
Dele Alli (right) has been linked with a move to Paris St-Germain
Former Tottenham midfielder Jermaine Jenas says "all the signs lead to" Dele Alli leaving the club.
Alli, 24, started for Spurs on Thursday in their Europa League third-round qualifying clash against Shkendija but only lasted 60 minutes.
He had been left out of Tottenham's previous two matchday squads, against Southampton and Lokomotiv Plovdiv.
"I don't feel like it's one that can be reconciled, I feel like it's a parting of the ways," Jenas said.
Mourinho said earlier this week that he was "convinced" Alli will still be at Tottenham when the transfer window closes next month. He has been linked with a possible transfer to Paris St-Germain.
"He will have his opportunities but performances are very important," said Mourinho. "It's important for every player on the pitch to have an answer and perform."
Alli was left out of England's Nations League squad in August and has not played for the national team for over a year.
"Everything Jose does is to get a reaction," Jenas said on the Friday Football Social on BBC Radio 5 Live.
"I would be concerned if I was Dele. He has always been loved by everyone and every manager.
"No doubt that his form has dipped over the last 18 months, he knows that more than anybody.
"Two weeks ago I would have said, if I was Dele Alli, I would stay and dig in. But all the signs lead to getting him out of there.
"At the end of the season there's the Euros - he would be desperate to get back in Gareth Southgate's thoughts. The only way he is going to do that is by playing football and scoring goals again.
"Right now it doesn't feel like Jose Mourinho or Spurs is the place for him. I'd be looking to move on now."