bbc--2020-06-28--Is Becky Hill pop's biggest unknown star?

Last month , as part of Radio 1 's virtual Big Weekend festival , Becky Hill installed a microphone in her bedroom and belted out a medley of flawless club classics .
Among them were chart-toppers like Gecko ( Overdrive ) , the summer anthem I Wish You Well , and the platinum-selling Lose Control .
For a lot of listeners it was an lightbulb moment , as they figured out Hill was the voice behind some of the biggest hits of the 2010s .
`` I heard all these songs so many times but never realised , '' wrote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of her performance .
`` Becky 's voice is absolutely brilliant . ''
The 26-year-old is getting used to that reaction .
On tour with The Script earlier this year , she witnessed the audience having the same epiphany every night .
`` I 'd come on stage and half-way through my set I 'd go , 'How many of you did n't know who I was by my name ? '
and I 'd see an array of hands , '' she says .
`` Then I 'd say , 'How many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the music ? '
and they 'd all keep their hands up !
`` It 's so nice to see them click , singing all the words and going , ' I did n't know that was you ! '
'' Hill started her career on the first UK series of The Voice in 2012 , reaching the semi-final .
But when the programme turned out to be hopeless at launching people 's careers , she became a songwriter for hire , writing and recording hits for producers like Oliver Heldens , Sigala @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down a bar job in her home town of Bewdley .
A record deal with Parlophone produced a couple of EPs and the criminally underrated single Losing - but ultimately failed to pan out .
Since 2017 , she 's been signed to Polydor where , in addition to touring with Pete Tong 's Ibiza Classics show , she recently scored her first hit single under her own name , the defiantly upbeat Better Off Without You .
She 's following that up this week with a new , house-inspired single Heaven On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her `` Art Of Rave '' podcast .
Hill sat down with the BBC to talk about those projects , her `` freakishly strong '' arms and why many artists are afraid to speak badly of Spotify .
Hi Becky , how are things ?
I 'm good , thanks .
I had my first personal training session this morning .
I 'm trying to get back out into the bikini sunshine before it 's Christmas .
How did it go ?
Not bad .
We 're trying to build up my strength @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trainer 's example student because he tells all his clients I 'm really freakishly strong .
Weight training and a good genetic make-up !
But I do suffer from having a protruding belly if I do n't work out so we 're back on it after the lockdown .
Were you , like everyone else , just snacking on biscuits the whole time ?
Yes , eating non-stop .
I ca n't cook either , so my boyfriend was cooking for me every single day .
He was knocking up salmon joints and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trying to get me to stay with him through the lockdown .
And it worked .
You wrote two of your biggest songs , Better Off Without You and Wish You Well about your ex , so is this someone new ?
No !
We 've kind of come back together and sort of sorted things out .
I 've actually written a lot of songs about him .
Sunrise In The East was about me and him staying up all night talking ; I Could Get Used To This was written just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was about stepping into a new relationship ; and then obviously Wish You Well and Better Off Without You happened when we had the break-up .
Not to put any pressure on the situation , but if you ended up getting married , would you play I Could Get Used To This at the wedding ?
Hell no !
Can you imagine dancing to your own tune at your own wedding ?
I wish I was that up my own arse , but I 'm not unfortunately .
Your new single Heaven On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anthem .
Is it strange to be releasing it in a year when all the festivals are cancelled ?
Yeah , it 's a very weird time , but I 'm hoping people are listening in their gardens and still enjoying the summer music vibes .
What was the inspiration for this one ?
It was actually sent to me as a fully-formed song [ then ] me and my best friend MNEK rewrote the verses and added the crowd chanting at the end .
What attracted you to the song ?
Last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me .
My granddad got liver cancer and died .
My mum was nursing him and she got alopecia because of stress .
Then my nana , who 's got dementia , had a fall and my mum had to move her into a care home .
On top of that , I moved house , I had a relationship break-up , and me and my housemate fell out .
So Heaven On My Mind is a song I would never have thought about writing .
But I really loved the concept knowing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the tunnel .
And I think that was a really strong message for me last year .
The song is coming off the back of your first solo hit , and that eye-catching Radio 1 performance .
It feels like this might be a turning point in your career .
Are you ready to give up your anonymity ?
Yes !
I mean , whenever I go back to Bewdley it 's like I 'm the local celebrity and that 's very , very strange .
But I 'm looking forward to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ big scale because I feel like I 've been writing this album for my entire career and I want as many people as possible to hear it .
Has the wait been frustrating ?
Not really , actually .
It 's been frustrating that people only saw me as a `` featured artist '' for a while , but in terms of making an album , it 's been quite a nice , unpressurised environment to write songs and pick the best ones .
How many songs do you think you 've written @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me and my manager counted was in [ 2018 ] and at that point it was about 600 .
I Wish You Well has seven writers listed on the credits .
What do you contribute in a situation like that ?
My strength is in melody and lyrics .
I had the phrase `` wish you well '' written down on my phone because I really like to have concepts and stories in songs .
And although I 'm not particularly great on chorus melodies , I came up with the first half @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it to have that number of writers now ?
It 's interesting really , because if you 're in a room with two other people and one of those people does n't contribute anything , they still get a third [ of the publishing royalties ] , because if you 're in the room then you either changed the vibe or the way things were written , even if you did n't necessarily come up with lyrics or melody .
How do you make a living when the money is split seven ways @ @ @ @ @ @ @ find out who all the writers were and make sure everyone gets a fair cut - but the music industry has n't really got payment of people right at all , to be honest .
All the labels have a share in Spotify , for example , but it 's difficult to speak up against it because if you slag off Spotify , you 're probably not going to get your next single on their New Music Friday playlist .
There 's a lot of stuff that people feel they have to stay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make sure everyone who works on a song gets paid .
That 's impressive , because I think a lot of people would be tempted just to take the money .
I do n't know .
I think it 's a lot fairer than that , especially among writers .
We all tend to look after each other a bit better these days .
You 're about to launch a podcast about rave culture .
What prompted that ?
Basically , the podcast started because I wondered if I was missing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raving when I was fully legal - 18 years old - and I wanted to know if social media and phones had changed the experience .
Like , I 've always noticed if I go to a house rave , people are shuffling , and their mate is recording them shuffling , then they upload it to their Instagram going , `` Look at me shuffling ! ''
.
And I wondered if that had damaged the essence of rave culture .
So I spoke to people like Roni Size and Pete Tong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , from when they started DJing in the 80s to now , and did I miss out on an era that I wanted to be a part of ?
And I 've got some very mixed responses .
If you could go back to a specific era of rave , what year would you choose ?
I 'd go back to 1998 for a couple of days , before the drugs got worse and the music changed .
I love all that euphoric trance from the Ibiza days .
It must have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new single Heaven On My Mind is out now , and her podcast launches next week .
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If you have a story suggestion email entertainment.news @ bbc.co.uk .

I've actually written a lot of songs about him. Sunrise In The East was about me and him staying up all night talking; I Could Get Used To This was written just before our fourth date, and it was about stepping into a new relationship; and then obviously Wish You Well and Better Off Without You happened when we had the break-up.


bbc--2020-06-28--'My chronic acne inspired me to start my own skincare company'

The BBC 's weekly The Boss series profiles different business leaders from around the world .
This week we speak to Michelle Doherty , founder and boss of skincare business Alpha-H. Michelle Doherty says that during her almost 14-year battle against chronic acne she tried everything in an attempt to cure it .
In addition to prescription medications , she used methylated spirits , tea tree oil , and even put toothpaste on the spots .
But nothing worked , and some of the harsher treatments only worsened the problem and her self esteem , as the acne persisted from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I was [ even ] on antibiotics for 11 years , '' says the 57-year-old New Zealander looking back .
`` And I was also on a contraceptive tablet to address hormonal functions . ''
It was particularly depressing for her younger self , because after leaving school in Auckland when she was 15 , she started a career as a cosmetics salesperson .
Very self-conscious , she says her acne left her feeling that people noticed her skin , rather than her the person .
`` I felt so unclean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the beauty salons they stocked skincare for people who already had beautiful skin .
I wondered : where do people go when they 've got problem skin ? ''
When she was 27 Michelle says she finally discovered a cosmetics ingredient that alleviated her acne , and made her skin look better - glycolic acid .
Derived from sugar cane , glycolic acid is used as an exfoliator - to remove dead cells from the surface of the skin .
Today it is utilised by cosmetics brands large and small around the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But in the early 1990s its usage was very much in its infancy .
But after trying a few products that contained the acid , and seeing first-hand its positive effect , Michelle was inspired to try to start her own skincare brand based around the ingredient .
For the next four years , she and her husband dedicated themselves to product development , and saving funds .
In 1995 , when Michelle was 32 , they moved to the Gold Coast in Australia and launched Alpha-H .
It is so named @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group of alpha hydroxy acids .
After starting out in the couple 's garage , the company today has reported annual revenues of 7.7m Australian dollars ( $ 5.3m ; £4.3m ) .
Australian singer and actor Kylie Minogue is known to be a fan , and the firm makes 10,000 bottles of its best-selling product Liquid Gold every day to keep up with global demand .
All production is still done in-house in Australia .
Initially Michelle says that only pharmacies stocked Alpha-H , because beauty salons were put off by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ salons soon followed as word spread .
`` I 'd be working from the home garage in Monterey Keys , in Queensland , '' she says .
`` I 'd dispense products from sauce bottles , before wrapping them , and taking them to the post office [ to be mailed out ] . ''
Direct sales to consumers then followed , which got a huge boost from 2000 when Michelle decided to start advertising the products on 24-hour TV shopping network TVSN .
She says that while other cosmetics brands `` turned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she recognised its value .
`` What we wanted to do was bring salon-grade products to customers without needing them to come into salons to be faced with flawless beauty professionals who could n't empathise with people who had serious skin conditions , '' says Michelle .
Kelly Dobos , a cosmetic chemist at the University of Cincinnati , says that alpha hydroxy acids `` have been applied to the face as beauty treatments for thousands of years , in the forms of natural fruit compresses or milk baths '' .
`` But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ began to be realised when [ there was ] a flurry of research activities in the 1980s and 90s , '' adds Ms Dobos .
• ' I used to hate road cycling , now I design biking gear' • ' I was heartbroken , I never thought I would find someone' • 'My first collection failed , it was heartbreaking' • The man who bought 60,000 oil and gas wells Maria Hols , a Scandinavian luxury beauty writer based in Dubai , says that Michelle , and her own excellent complexion , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Who really needs a model to advertise the brand when you see the results of the products simply by looking at the brand 's founder ? ''
says Ms Hols .
`` She also managed to start a company with three young daughters , and then to employ them in her company years later .
It 's a genuine family company , still . ''
Michelle says her skin `` does not look like that of a 57-year-old '' , despite the fact she is now receiving treatment for cancer .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ brain tumours , and chemotherapy for other tumours , and my skin is still glowing , '' she says .
As a result of her health issues , last year she sold a stake in the business , for the first time , to global investment company Riverside .
`` We have global reach , with a select number of employees on the ground in key regions , but Alpha-H remains predominantly Australian-owned , made and staffed , '' she says .
`` We currently have 65 people on the Australian payroll .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ she would n't start another business is down to her health .
`` I love the chase , '' she says .
`` I 've got ideas beyond the beauty arena . ''

"Who really needs a model to advertise the brand when you see the results of the products simply by looking at the brand's founder?" says Ms Hols. "She also managed to start a company with three young daughters, and then to employ them in her company years later. It's a genuine family company, still."


bbc--2020-06-28--Newcastle United 0-2 Manchester City: Raheem Sterling helps earn his side a semi-final with Arsenal

Holders Manchester City will face Arsenal in a strong FA Cup semi-final line-up after showing class and patience to beat Newcastle at an eerily quiet St James ' Park .
Shorn of a fervent home support , Newcastle struggled in the first half against their opponents who are aiming to complete a cup treble after conceding the Premier League title to Liverpool this week .
After wasting several good chances , City opened the scoring from the penalty spot when Kevin de Bruyne slotted past Karl Darlow following Fabian Schar 's needless push on Gabriel Jesus .
But after switching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second half , Steve Bruce 's team pressed higher up the pitch and the game opened up before a key turning point after the hour mark .
Although Andy Carroll caused problems of a physical nature on his first start since December , it was his replacement Dwight Gayle who had Newcastle 's best chance when he somehow skied over from six yards following Allan Saint-Maximin 's low cross .
Within two minutes , Raheem Sterling raced down the other end and slotted into the bottom corner with an exquisite curling finish for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The errors by Schar and Gayle undid Newcastle 's hard work , but City kept their composure to extend their winning FA Cup run to 10 games .
Having already won the League Cup and with a lead over Real Madrid in the last 16 of the Champions League , it could still be a memorable season for Pep Guardiola 's side .
For Newcastle , the dream of reaching an FA Cup semi-final at Wembley for the first time since 2000 was beyond them , but they can now concentrate on trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the Premier League 's top 10 .
City keep their cool after tough week City may have lost their Premier League crown this week as Liverpool ended their 30-year wait for a top-flight title , but there is still plenty for Guardiola 's team to achieve this season .
After looking tired in their 2-1 loss to Chelsea in midweek , the six-time FA Cup winners showed their appetite for the season ahead and a battle against a resolute Newcastle side , who were spearheaded by a combative Carroll .
It already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the absence of 52,000 fans watching Newcastle 's first FA Cup quarter-final since 2006 , but Newcastle 's formation reduced the first half to a game of attack versus defence where City clocked up the chances .
Before the opening goal , Riyad Mahrez skied over from 15 yards , Jesus could not direct a fizzing Kyle Walker cross towards goal and Sterling 's powerful shot was then stopped by Darlow .
Amazingly , it looked like the hosts might survive the first half intact before Schar 's mistake .
But De Bruyne @ @ @ @ @ @ @ net his 12th goal of the season .
That gave City a deserved cushion , and they were afforded more space in the second half that allowed them to attack with their usual confidence .
Following Gayle 's crucial miss , Sterling proved clinical to make the game safe and although City could have added to more goals , they were denied by some stern Newcastle defending .
Although news of a proposed Saudi Arabian takeover has stalled during the absence of football because of the coronavirus pandemic , the team has emerged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They went into the break unbeaten in three games as they secured their place in the FA Cup 's last eight , and have since beaten Sheffield United and drawn with Aston Villa to virtually secure their Premier League survival .
It was a surprise , however , to see Bruce 's team start the game with a five-man defence , given their upsurge in form had resulted from a switch to a back four .
The logic against a team seeking a cup treble was obvious , but it also played @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not get out of their own half .
Carroll 's tame shot was all they had to show for a frustrating first half .
They improved after the break when they switched a 4-5-1 formation , with their midfield supporting Carroll , who was booked for a challenge on Aymeric Laporte .
The Newcastle forward was soon withdrawn after clashing with the City defender several times and it looked like the hosts ' extra mobility could take the game to extra time at least .
But Gayle , who scored his only goal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday , fluffed his opportunity and then watched in disbelief as Sterling showed him how it was done .
Bruce will rue the fact that two errors cost his side , but he will hope that his team 's best FA Cup run under owner Mike Ashley and a strong end to the Premier League season are evidence of his credentials for the job should a takeover finally materialise .
'We gave away a poor penalty ' - what they said Newcastle boss Steve Bruce : `` Manchester City are an outstanding team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to press them in second half .
You saw that for the second goal .
We made it a bit of a cup tie but for long periods it did n't feel like that .
I was a lot more pleased with us in the second half .
`` You can not make the type of mistake we did for the penalty .
We have given a poor penalty away .
We had to be more aggressive towards them . ''
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola : `` We are in the semi-finals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against a team defending so deep but it was a good performance .
I am happy to go back to London , to Wembley .
`` After the defeat against Chelsea , now in the Premier League we are struggling to focus .
We are close in the Champions League and there is a gap .
We are at Wembley again and were winners last season so that is so good .
We are of course preparing for Real Madrid now . ''
• City have won their last 10 FA Cup matches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They are only the third team to achieve this run of victories since the turn of the 20th century , after Aston Villa ( 10 between 1913 and 1914 ) and Chelsea ( 13 between 2009 and 2011 ) .
• Newcastle have lost an FA Cup quarter-final match at home for the first time since March 1961 against Sheffield United ( 3-1 ) .
• Sterling netted his first goal from outside the box since November 2018 v Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League .
• Phil Foden , who set up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seven goals in just six FA Cup appearances for City , scoring four and assisting three .
While City get ready to host new Premier League champions Liverpool on Thursday ( 20:15 BST ) , Newcastle make the long journey to Bournemouth on Wednesday ( 18:00 ) .
• Liverpool win the title : The 10 games that defined their season • 50 years of Glastonbury : Get the full Glastonbury experience ...

Last updated on .From the section FA Cup
Holders Manchester City will face Arsenal in a strong FA Cup semi-final line-up after showing class and patience to beat Newcastle at an eerily quiet St James' Park.
Shorn of a fervent home support, Newcastle struggled in the first half against their opponents who are aiming to complete a cup treble after conceding the Premier League title to Liverpool this week.
After wasting several good chances, City opened the scoring from the penalty spot when Kevin de Bruyne slotted past Karl Darlow following Fabian Schar's needless push on Gabriel Jesus.
But after switching to a more positive formation in the second half, Steve Bruce's team pressed higher up the pitch and the game opened up before a key turning point after the hour mark.
Although Andy Carroll caused problems of a physical nature on his first start since December, it was his replacement Dwight Gayle who had Newcastle's best chance when he somehow skied over from six yards following Allan Saint-Maximin's low cross.
Within two minutes, Raheem Sterling raced down the other end and slotted into the bottom corner with an exquisite curling finish for his 22nd goal of the season.
The errors by Schar and Gayle undid Newcastle's hard work, but City kept their composure to extend their winning FA Cup run to 10 games.
Having already won the League Cup and with a lead over Real Madrid in the last 16 of the Champions League, it could still be a memorable season for Pep Guardiola's side.
For Newcastle, the dream of reaching an FA Cup semi-final at Wembley for the first time since 2000 was beyond them, but they can now concentrate on trying to fulfil Bruce's aim of breaking into the Premier League's top 10.
City keep their cool after tough week
City may have lost their Premier League crown this week as Liverpool ended their 30-year wait for a top-flight title, but there is still plenty for Guardiola's team to achieve this season.
After looking tired in their 2-1 loss to Chelsea in midweek, the six-time FA Cup winners showed their appetite for the season ahead and a battle against a resolute Newcastle side, who were spearheaded by a combative Carroll.
It already felt like a training game thanks to the absence of 52,000 fans watching Newcastle's first FA Cup quarter-final since 2006, but Newcastle's formation reduced the first half to a game of attack versus defence where City clocked up the chances.
Before the opening goal, Riyad Mahrez skied over from 15 yards, Jesus could not direct a fizzing Kyle Walker cross towards goal and Sterling's powerful shot was then stopped by Darlow.
Amazingly, it looked like the hosts might survive the first half intact before Schar's mistake.
But De Bruyne kept his cool from 12 yards to net his 12th goal of the season.
That gave City a deserved cushion, and they were afforded more space in the second half that allowed them to attack with their usual confidence.
Following Gayle's crucial miss, Sterling proved clinical to make the game safe and although City could have added to more goals, they were denied by some stern Newcastle defending.
Newcastle show endeavour after break
Although news of a proposed Saudi Arabian takeover has stalled during the absence of football because of the coronavirus pandemic, the team has emerged from lockdown with spring in its step.
They went into the break unbeaten in three games as they secured their place in the FA Cup's last eight, and have since beaten Sheffield United and drawn with Aston Villa to virtually secure their Premier League survival.
It was a surprise, however, to see Bruce's team start the game with a five-man defence, given their upsurge in form had resulted from a switch to a back four.
The logic against a team seeking a cup treble was obvious, but it also played into City's hands as Newcastle could not get out of their own half. Carroll's tame shot was all they had to show for a frustrating first half.
They improved after the break when they switched a 4-5-1 formation, with their midfield supporting Carroll, who was booked for a challenge on Aymeric Laporte.
The Newcastle forward was soon withdrawn after clashing with the City defender several times and it looked like the hosts' extra mobility could take the game to extra time at least.
But Gayle, who scored his only goal of the season against Aston Villa on Wednesday, fluffed his opportunity and then watched in disbelief as Sterling showed him how it was done.
Bruce will rue the fact that two errors cost his side, but he will hope that his team's best FA Cup run under owner Mike Ashley and a strong end to the Premier League season are evidence of his credentials for the job should a takeover finally materialise.
Man of the match - Kevin de Bruyne (Man City)
Another passing masterclass from the Belgian, who will be key to them completing a cup treble
'We gave away a poor penalty' - what they said
Newcastle boss Steve Bruce: "Manchester City are an outstanding team, you saw that when we tried to press them in second half. You saw that for the second goal. We made it a bit of a cup tie but for long periods it didn't feel like that. I was a lot more pleased with us in the second half.
"You cannot make the type of mistake we did for the penalty. We have given a poor penalty away. We had to be more aggressive towards them."
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola: "We are in the semi-finals. It was not easy to attack against a team defending so deep but it was a good performance. I am happy to go back to London, to Wembley.
"After the defeat against Chelsea, now in the Premier League we are struggling to focus. We are close in the Champions League and there is a gap. We are at Wembley again and were winners last season so that is so good. We are of course preparing for Real Madrid now."
10 wins in a row - the stats
City have won their last 10 FA Cup matches by an aggregate score of 37-4. They are only the third team to achieve this run of victories since the turn of the 20th century, after Aston Villa (10 between 1913 and 1914) and Chelsea (13 between 2009 and 2011).
Newcastle have lost an FA Cup quarter-final match at home for the first time since March 1961 against Sheffield United (3-1).
Sterling netted his first goal from outside the box since November 2018 v Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League.
Phil Foden, who set up Sterling, has had a hand in seven goals in just six FA Cup appearances for City, scoring four and assisting three.
What's next?
While City get ready to host new Premier League champions Liverpool on Thursday (20:15 BST), Newcastle make the long journey to Bournemouth on Wednesday (18:00).


bbc--2020-06-28--Real Madrid top of La Liga after beating Espanyol

Real Madrid are two points clear at the top of La Liga after grinding out a victory at bottom club @ @ @ @ @ only goal as he latched onto Karim Benzema 's brilliant no-look backheel through the legs @ @ @ @ @ firing home .
The Brazilian had earlier gone close to the opener when his shot @ @ @ @ @ saved by Diego Lopez .
Espanyol had several chances with Thibaut Courtois making five saves @ @ @ @ @ took over as manager on Saturday after replacing Abelardo Fernandez - the third Espanyol boss @ @ @ @ @ .
They put up a good fight , with Wu Lei among the players to @ @ @ @ @ just short .
Real Madrid are now only six wins - or five wins and @ @ @ @ @ second La Liga title since 2012 .
City rivals Atletico can do them a favour @ @ @ @ @ Thursday .

Last updated on .From the section European Football
Karim Benzema is the third La Liga player to reach double figures in goals and assists in all competitions this season, after Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez
Real Madrid are two points clear at the top of La Liga after grinding out a victory at bottom club Espanyol.
Casemiro scored the only goal as he latched onto Karim Benzema's brilliant no-look backheel through the legs of defender Bernardo Espinosa before firing home.
The Brazilian had earlier gone close to the opener when his shot from his own half was saved by Diego Lopez.
Espanyol had several chances with Thibaut Courtois making five saves.
Sporting director Francisco Rufete took over as manager on Saturday after replacing Abelardo Fernandez - the third Espanyol boss to be sacked this season.
They put up a good fight, with Wu Lei among the players to go close, but fell just short.
Real Madrid are now only six wins - or five wins and a draw - from a second La Liga title since 2012.
City rivals Atletico can do them a favour when they visit Barca on Thursday.


bbc--2020-06-28--Man Utd face Chelsea in FA Cup semi-finals, Arsenal play Man City

Manchester United will face Chelsea and Arsenal will play holders Manchester City in the semi-finals of the FA Cup .
@ @ @ @ @ the Cup 's four most successful sides , with Arsenal the record 13-time winners .
@ @ @ @ @ to reach the last four , have won it 12 times , while Chelsea , @ @ @ @ @ the quarter-finals , have eight wins .
Both ties will be played at Wembley on @ @ @ @ @ 19 July .
The final is scheduled for Saturday , 1 August at the same @ @ @ @ @ made at half-time in the game between City and Newcastle , which Pep Guardiola 's @ @ @ @ @ a Kevin de Bruyne penalty and a classy Raheem Sterling finish .
That game was @ @ @ @ @ out Sheffield United , with Dani Ceballos scoring the winner in the 91st minute .
@ @ @ @ @ Chelsea is a repeat of the 2018 final , which was won by the Blues @

Last updated on .From the section FA Cup
Manchester City beat Watford 6-0 in last year's FA Cup final
Manchester United will face Chelsea and Arsenal will play holders Manchester City in the semi-finals of the FA Cup.
The draw features three of the Cup's four most successful sides, with Arsenal the record 13-time winners.
United, who beat Norwich to reach the last four, have won it 12 times, while Chelsea, who edged past Leicester in the quarter-finals, have eight wins.
Both ties will be played at Wembley on the weekend of 18 and 19 July.
The final is scheduled for Saturday, 1 August at the same venue.
The draw was made at half-time in the game between City and Newcastle, which Pep Guardiola's side won 2-0 thanks to a Kevin de Bruyne penalty and a classy Raheem Sterling finish.
That game was taking place after Arsenal knocked out Sheffield United, with Dani Ceballos scoring the winner in the 91st minute.
The semi-final between United and Chelsea is a repeat of the 2018 final, which was won by the Blues.


bbc--2020-06-28--Barkley goal takes Chelsea into FA Cup last four

Ross Barkley came off the bench to send Chelsea to Wembley as manager Frank Lampard 's half-time changes transformed this FA Cup quarter-final at Leicester City .
The Foxes held sway in the first 45 minutes at the King Power Stadium , although it took a flying save from Leicester keeper Kasper Schmeichel to keep out Christian Pulisic 's powerful drive .
Lampard 's discontent could be heard echoing around the virtually deserted arena - and he acted by introducing Barkley , Mateo Kovacic and Cesar Azpilicueta at the interval for Reece James , the subdued Billy Gilmour and Mason @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Chelsea improved markedly .
Barkley , who was on target in the 2-0 win against Liverpool in the last round , scoring the winner after 63 minutes when he reacted to get in just ahead of Jonny Evans and sweep Willian 's clever cross past Schmeichel .
Leicester , missing the injured James Maddison , were out of sorts after the break although they applied late pressure and defender Caglar Soyuncu was frustrated late on when his header struck Azpilicueta and flew over .
An FA Cup quarter-final behind closed doors contains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ usually accompanies these occasions , with a place in the last four at stake .
It did , however , enable those few of us inside the ground to hear several loud blasts of `` liven up , liven up '' from Chelsea manager Lampard as he expressed his displeasure at his side 's early inability to cope with Leicester City 's bright start .
Leicester failed to make the most of possession in the first 45 minutes and Lampard was able to make those substitutions that swung the game back in Chelsea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had one of those halves all young players can have , giving the ball away too much and having little impact - he will learn from this .
Barkley came on and was Chelsea 's FA Cup talisman again , scoring the winner and almost adding a second in the last minute , forcing an unorthodox save from Schmeichel .
It also demonstrated Chelsea 's squad strength as Lampard was able to introduce such experience and ability .
Lampard and Chelsea have had an impressive re-start , winning at Aston Villa and getting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Manchester City in the Premier League .
Those results kept them right on course for a top-four finish and now they are in an FA Cup semi-final at Wembley .
Leicester 's City last game before the Premier League closed down as a result of the coronavirus pandemic in early March was an impressive 4-0 demolition of troubled Aston Villa at the King Power .
It has been different since the re-start as they have struggled to draws at Watford and at home to Brighton before this disappointing FA Cup defeat .
Manager @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of cup success after falling to Villa at the semi-final stage in the Carabao Cup - and this result and performance will have increased a few anxieties around the club .
Leicester have had a superb season in the Premier League but they will be looking over their shoulders at Chelsea , who are a point behind them in fourth , as well as Wolves , who are only three points adrift - although they have played a game more .
There was no doubt Leicester missed Maddison , out with a knock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was sorely missed , the striker making his trademark runs but getting very little quality service .
Leicester will remain optimistic and there is hardly any need to get carried away , but they need to re-discover the spark that made them such a potent force in the first seven months of this interrupted season .
Another quarter-final exit for Leicester - the stats • Chelsea have won 11 of their last 12 FA Cup matches , only losing to Manchester United in last season 's fifth round in this run .
• @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last five quarter-final matches in the FA Cup - with each of the last three being against Chelsea ( also 2012 and 2018 ) .
• Chelsea have reached the semi-final of the FA Cup for a 10th time in the 21st Century , a joint-high in this time along with Arsenal ( also 10 when including 2020 ) .
• Leicester City boss Rodgers is winless in all 15 of his meetings with Chelsea as a manager ( drawn eight , lost seven ) , the most times he has faced a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ career .
• This was the first time that Leicester had conceded a goal in this season 's FA Cup , making them the last of the 123 sides to participate in the competition proper in 2019-20 to concede a goal .
• Chelsea have won five consecutive matches across all competitions , their best such winning run since they won seven in succession between September and October 2019 .
• Chelsea 's Barkley has scored three of his four goals in all competitions this season in the FA Cup ; those three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are as many as he netted in 16 appearances in the FA Cup prior to 2019-20 .
• Since his competition debut in January 2014 , Willian has been directly involved in 17 FA Cup goals ( 11 goals , six assists ) ; this is at least six more than any other Chelsea player in this time .
'We deserved more ' - what they said Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers speaking to BBC Sport : `` I thought the performance was very good , much more like us in terms of tempo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know we can score goals , but in these first three games since the restart we have n't been as clinical .
I was pleased for the boys in terms of the performance .
`` We have n't been able to take those opportunities .
We switch off for one second and they get the goal .
I feel for the players because they deserved more .
On James Maddison 's injury : `` We 'll look at that - he 'll be a doubt [ for Everton on Wednesday ] .
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'll be fit for the weekend . ''
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard , speaking to BBC Sport : `` The result was satisfying and getting to the semis was satisfying .
We were n't our usual selves - we were below what we usually produce - but I 'm happy with the result .
We won and must learn from some of the mistakes .
`` I do n't want to sound too down .
You have to show grit to win when you do n't play well .
We go on to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the cup and focus on getting the league wins to be in the Champions League . ''
On taking off young players at half-time : `` It 's a learning experience .
I could 've taken more off , or other players off .
I 'm not pulling those out on their own .
They will be top players for this club and have top careers .
But if I have to do something I will .
It was one of those games where I had to do something .
They will take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were gifting Leicester space and ease to win the ball back .
We are fortunate they did n't take those chances .
All three subs livened up the performance .
On Ross Barkley : `` I love to work with midfielders and the ones who want to get forward .
Ross has a better left foot than me .
He 's always going to be a goal threat . ''
• Liverpool win the title : The 10 games that defined their season • 50 years of Glastonbury : Get the full Glastonbury @ @

Ross Barkley came off the bench to send Chelsea to Wembley as manager Frank Lampard's half-time changes transformed this FA Cup quarter-final at Leicester City.
The Foxes held sway in the first 45 minutes at the King Power Stadium, although it took a flying save from Leicester keeper Kasper Schmeichel to keep out Christian Pulisic's powerful drive.
Lampard's discontent could be heard echoing around the virtually deserted arena - and he acted by introducing Barkley, Mateo Kovacic and Cesar Azpilicueta at the interval for Reece James, the subdued Billy Gilmour and Mason Mount.
It had the desired effect as Chelsea improved markedly. Barkley, who was on target in the 2-0 win against Liverpool in the last round, scoring the winner after 63 minutes when he reacted to get in just ahead of Jonny Evans and sweep Willian's clever cross past Schmeichel.
Leicester, missing the injured James Maddison, were out of sorts after the break although they applied late pressure and defender Caglar Soyuncu was frustrated late on when his header struck Azpilicueta and flew over.
Lampard's reshuffle does the trick
An FA Cup quarter-final behind closed doors contains little of the passion and noise that usually accompanies these occasions, with a place in the last four at stake.
It did, however, enable those few of us inside the ground to hear several loud blasts of "liven up, liven up" from Chelsea manager Lampard as he expressed his displeasure at his side's early inability to cope with Leicester City's bright start.
Leicester failed to make the most of possession in the first 45 minutes and Lampard was able to make those substitutions that swung the game back in Chelsea's favour.
Talented youngster Billy Gilmour had one of those halves all young players can have, giving the ball away too much and having little impact - he will learn from this.
Barkley came on and was Chelsea's FA Cup talisman again, scoring the winner and almost adding a second in the last minute, forcing an unorthodox save from Schmeichel.
It also demonstrated Chelsea's squad strength as Lampard was able to introduce such experience and ability.
Lampard and Chelsea have had an impressive re-start, winning at Aston Villa and getting a crucial three points at home to Manchester City in the Premier League. Those results kept them right on course for a top-four finish and now they are in an FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.
Leicester's lack of spark will worry Rodgers
Leicester's City last game before the Premier League closed down as a result of the coronavirus pandemic in early March was an impressive 4-0 demolition of troubled Aston Villa at the King Power.
It has been different since the re-start as they have struggled to draws at Watford and at home to Brighton before this disappointing FA Cup defeat.
Manager Brendan Rodgers will have held high hopes of cup success after falling to Villa at the semi-final stage in the Carabao Cup - and this result and performance will have increased a few anxieties around the club.
Leicester have had a superb season in the Premier League but they will be looking over their shoulders at Chelsea, who are a point behind them in fourth, as well as Wolves, who are only three points adrift - although they have played a game more.
There was no doubt Leicester missed Maddison, out with a knock, as his link-up play with Vardy was sorely missed, the striker making his trademark runs but getting very little quality service.
Leicester will remain optimistic and there is hardly any need to get carried away, but they need to re-discover the spark that made them such a potent force in the first seven months of this interrupted season.
Another quarter-final exit for Leicester - the stats
Chelsea have won 11 of their last 12 FA Cup matches, only losing to Manchester United in last season's fifth round in this run.
Leicester have now lost each of their last five quarter-final matches in the FA Cup - with each of the last three being against Chelsea (also 2012 and 2018).
Chelsea have reached the semi-final of the FA Cup for a 10th time in the 21st Century, a joint-high in this time along with Arsenal (also 10 when including 2020).
Leicester City boss Rodgers is winless in all 15 of his meetings with Chelsea as a manager (drawn eight, lost seven), the most times he has faced a single opponent without winning in his managerial career.
This was the first time that Leicester had conceded a goal in this season's FA Cup, making them the last of the 123 sides to participate in the competition proper in 2019-20 to concede a goal.
Chelsea have won five consecutive matches across all competitions, their best such winning run since they won seven in succession between September and October 2019.
Chelsea's Barkley has scored three of his four goals in all competitions this season in the FA Cup; those three goals (four FA Cup games) are as many as he netted in 16 appearances in the FA Cup prior to 2019-20.
Since his competition debut in January 2014, Willian has been directly involved in 17 FA Cup goals (11 goals, six assists); this is at least six more than any other Chelsea player in this time.
Man of the match - Ross Barkley (Chelsea)
Ross Barkley's goal was his third of the season in the FA Cup
'We deserved more' - what they said
Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers speaking to BBC Sport: "I thought the performance was very good, much more like us in terms of tempo and speed and pressing.
"We know we can score goals, but in these first three games since the restart we haven't been as clinical. I was pleased for the boys in terms of the performance.
"We haven't been able to take those opportunities. We switch off for one second and they get the goal. I feel for the players because they deserved more.
On James Maddison's injury: "We'll look at that - he'll be a doubt [for Everton on Wednesday]. If he's not fit for midweek he'll be fit for the weekend."
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard, speaking to BBC Sport: "The result was satisfying and getting to the semis was satisfying. We weren't our usual selves - we were below what we usually produce - but I'm happy with the result. We won and must learn from some of the mistakes.
"I don't want to sound too down. You have to show grit to win when you don't play well. We go on to the next one. We can park the cup and focus on getting the league wins to be in the Champions League."
On taking off young players at half-time: "It's a learning experience. I could've taken more off, or other players off. I'm not pulling those out on their own. They will be top players for this club and have top careers. But if I have to do something I will. It was one of those games where I had to do something. They will take it on the chin.
"We were gifting Leicester space and ease to win the ball back. We are fortunate they didn't take those chances. All three subs livened up the performance.
On Ross Barkley: "I love to work with midfielders and the ones who want to get forward. Ross has a better left foot than me. He's always going to be a goal threat."


bbc--2020-06-28--Sheffield United 1-2 Arsenal: Dani Ceballos' late goal sends Arsenal to FA Cup semis

Arsenal remain in the hunt for silverware to brighten their underwhelming season after Dani Ceballos ' 91st-minute winner took them through to the FA Cup semi-finals at Sheffield United 's expense .
The on-loan midfielder slotted home a low , angled drive to win the tie in dramatic fashion , after David McGoldrick 's hooked finish just a few minutes earlier looked to have ensured extra time at Bramall Lane .
The Gunners had led from midway through the first half when Nicolas Pepe had slotted home a penalty after Alexandre Lacazette had been fouled in the box by Chris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reprieve when John Lundstram 's close-range header following a corner was ruled out because the scorer was offside .
The home side also had another effort chalked off in the second half when John Egan poked the ball in after McGoldrick had strayed beyond the last defender .
There was further bad news for Lundstram and Sheffield United with the midfielder having to be substituted before the break because of a shoulder injury .
Arsenal also failed to make it through the game unscathed , with centre-back David Luiz - who had only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to increase their already lengthy injury list .
The win adds another fixture to Arsenal 's already crammed post-restart schedule but they will welcome it as they continue their pursuit of a European place .
As for the Blades , there were positives to take from their front-foot display but they remain without a win in four games since football resumed - a run of form they must quickly arrest to ensure their otherwise impressive first campaign back in the top flight does not peter out .
Arsenal look to FA Cup for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a shining light for Arsenal during a period that has seen them fail to replicate the consistent title challenges of Arsene Wenger 's first 10 seasons in charge .
They have won it three times in the six seasons prior to this , the latest coming in 2017 .
In a campaign that has seen Mikel Arteta only just begin to pick up the pieces of Unai Emery 's faltered regime , the world 's oldest cup competition is again their last shot at glory .
It also offers the Gunners ' most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just one win from their three league games since the restart left them ninth in the Premier League and struggling to cling to the coattails of some of the in-form sides above them .
As in their previous three games in the past 12 days , this was far from a seamless , free-flowing display , but it did illustrate that they have grit when required and enough guile for the Spaniard to harness going forward .
With top scorer Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang rested , senior responsibility in attack fell to Lacazette and record-signing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in flashes , they did combine for the opener .
For much of the second half , though , they were on the back foot , having to dig in to repel a relentless home side .
There is still work to do , as demonstrated once again by their inability to see a job out , regardless of all the good work that precedes it .
As at Brighton in the league last weekend , they were punished for a lapse in concentration late in the game .
However , unlike at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sign of progress , they rallied as opposed to imploded and found the resolve to create one last moment to win the game .
After Pepe was tackled by Enda Stevens in the box , Ceballos picked up the loose ball and calmly put his low shot under Dean Henderson to send his side to Wembley .
Despite being far apart geographically and for much of their recent competitive history , the FA Cup had forged an unlikely rivalry between these two sides .
The pair have now faced each other 13 times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that have contained brilliance and controversy , from David Seaman 's incredible save in the 2003 semi-final to the infamous tie in 1999 that was voided and replayed after the Gunners scored while a Blades player was injured .
While there was little controversy on Sunday , the game did provide a fittingly dramatic conclusion , one that was harsh on a home side who played a more direct game than normal but had Arsenal on the back foot for pretty much all of the second half .
They almost found parity through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wind and bounced just over Emiliano Martinez 's bar .
Poor finishing let them down , most notably from Basham , who headed wide at the back post after being found by a cross from the left .
McGoldrick gave them hope of at least an extra 30 minutes to press home the momentum that had swung their way when he poked home following a long throw .
But such is the Blades ' way , they pushed to try and finish it before the six minutes of added time were up and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chris Wilder 's side now return to league matters as they aim for a top-half finish to reward their rapid progress .
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta : `` I am really pleased with the result , this is a difficult place to come and get a win .
After conceding so late , to show the reaction is not easy and it is very pleasing and we are back at Wembley .
`` It is a great opportunity to try and win a title and play in Europe .
We still have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gives you some credit and encouragement .
Hopefully we can now have some momentum .
`` I can never fault the effort of the players .
We still have gaps to improve but I am pleased to get the win .
The attitude and commitment of every single player was spot on and the players did exactly what they were asked to do .
`` I think every win improves the spirit and happiness of the team and we have an opportunity now . ''
Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder : `` It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we are gutted to lose but there are ways to lose football matches and we pushed Arsenal to the limit .
They had to defend for their lives at times .
`` It was pretty comfortable for Manchester United in the week but I thought we made that an uncomfortable afternoon for Arsenal .
`` I 'd like to make it a more uncomfortable afternoon from a technical point of view but I think we are n't showing that due to a lack of confidence at the minute .
`` I had complete @ @ @ @ @ @ @ game , especially in the second half when I thought we dominated .
But in the end Arsenal have showed that little extra bit of confidence , after we had given the ball away , that we lacked and have won it . ''
• Arsenal have progressed to the FA Cup semi-finals for the 30th time , which is a joint-record alongside Manchester United • Sheffield United have lost three matches in a row in all competitions for only the second time since Chris Wilder 's appointment in 2016 , also doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now won seven of their past 10 matches in all competitions ( L3 ) , as many as they managed across the previous 27 matches ( W7 D14 L6 ) • Nicolas Pepe 's opener was his 16th goal involvement for Arsenal this season in all competitions ( eight goals , eight assists ) , with only Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang ( 21 ) having a hand in more for the Gunners in 2019-20 • Both of David McGoldrick 's two goals for Sheffield United in all competitions this season have been scored in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; he is yet to score in 23 Premier League appearances , having attempted 37 shots in that competition this season • Dani Ceballos ' winner ( 90:37 ) - the Gunners ' only shot on target in the second half - was Arsenal 's latest FA Cup goal since Alexis Sanchez ( 100:06 ) scored a 101st-minute winner against Manchester City in the semi-finals in April 2017 Arsenal finally play a home game , after four successive fixtures away , with Norwich the visitors to Emirates Stadium on Wednesday for a 18:00 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get their first win since the restart when they host Tottenham at Bramall Lane on Thursday , also at 18:00 .
• Liverpool win the title : The 10 games that defined their season • 50 years of Glastonbury : Get the full Glastonbury experience ...

Arsenal remain in the hunt for silverware to brighten their underwhelming season after Dani Ceballos' 91st-minute winner took them through to the FA Cup semi-finals at Sheffield United's expense.
The on-loan midfielder slotted home a low, angled drive to win the tie in dramatic fashion, after David McGoldrick's hooked finish just a few minutes earlier looked to have ensured extra time at Bramall Lane.
The Gunners had led from midway through the first half when Nicolas Pepe had slotted home a penalty after Alexandre Lacazette had been fouled in the box by Chris Basham.
They had earlier had a reprieve when John Lundstram's close-range header following a corner was ruled out because the scorer was offside.
The home side also had another effort chalked off in the second half when John Egan poked the ball in after McGoldrick had strayed beyond the last defender.
There was further bad news for Lundstram and Sheffield United with the midfielder having to be substituted before the break because of a shoulder injury.
Arsenal also failed to make it through the game unscathed, with centre-back David Luiz - who had only just returned from suspension - limping out to increase their already lengthy injury list.
The win adds another fixture to Arsenal's already crammed post-restart schedule but they will welcome it as they continue their pursuit of a European place.
As for the Blades, there were positives to take from their front-foot display but they remain without a win in four games since football resumed - a run of form they must quickly arrest to ensure their otherwise impressive first campaign back in the top flight does not peter out.
Arsenal look to FA Cup for solace again
The FA Cup has provided a shining light for Arsenal during a period that has seen them fail to replicate the consistent title challenges of Arsene Wenger's first 10 seasons in charge.
They have won it three times in the six seasons prior to this, the latest coming in 2017.
In a campaign that has seen Mikel Arteta only just begin to pick up the pieces of Unai Emery's faltered regime, the world's oldest cup competition is again their last shot at glory.
It also offers the Gunners' most likely route back into Europe, after just one win from their three league games since the restart left them ninth in the Premier League and struggling to cling to the coattails of some of the in-form sides above them.
As in their previous three games in the past 12 days, this was far from a seamless, free-flowing display, but it did illustrate that they have grit when required and enough guile for the Spaniard to harness going forward.
With top scorer Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang rested, senior responsibility in attack fell to Lacazette and record-signing Pepe and while the two only provided in flashes, they did combine for the opener.
For much of the second half, though, they were on the back foot, having to dig in to repel a relentless home side.
There is still work to do, as demonstrated once again by their inability to see a job out, regardless of all the good work that precedes it. As at Brighton in the league last weekend, they were punished for a lapse in concentration late in the game.
However, unlike at the Amex Stadium and possibly as a sign of progress, they rallied as opposed to imploded and found the resolve to create one last moment to win the game.
After Pepe was tackled by Enda Stevens in the box, Ceballos picked up the loose ball and calmly put his low shot under Dean Henderson to send his side to Wembley.
Positives in defeat for Blades
Despite being far apart geographically and for much of their recent competitive history, the FA Cup had forged an unlikely rivalry between these two sides.
The pair have now faced each other 13 times in the competition's history - games that have contained brilliance and controversy, from David Seaman's incredible save in the 2003 semi-final to the infamous tie in 1999 that was voided and replayed after the Gunners scored while a Blades player was injured.
While there was little controversy on Sunday, the game did provide a fittingly dramatic conclusion, one that was harsh on a home side who played a more direct game than normal but had Arsenal on the back foot for pretty much all of the second half.
They almost found parity through a goal-kick from Henderson that caught the wind and bounced just over Emiliano Martinez's bar.
Poor finishing let them down, most notably from Basham, who headed wide at the back post after being found by a cross from the left.
McGoldrick gave them hope of at least an extra 30 minutes to press home the momentum that had swung their way when he poked home following a long throw.
But such is the Blades' way, they pushed to try and finish it before the six minutes of added time were up and were caught by a decisive sucker-punch.
Chris Wilder's side now return to league matters as they aim for a top-half finish to reward their rapid progress.
Man of the match - Nicolas Pepe (Arsenal)
Pepe scored the opener, was involved in his side's winner and was also the Gunners' most consistent attacking threat
'A great chance for a title'
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta: "I am really pleased with the result, this is a difficult place to come and get a win. After conceding so late, to show the reaction is not easy and it is very pleasing and we are back at Wembley.
"It is a great opportunity to try and win a title and play in Europe. We still have to improve in many areas but every win gives you some credit and encouragement. Hopefully we can now have some momentum.
"I can never fault the effort of the players. We still have gaps to improve but I am pleased to get the win. The attitude and commitment of every single player was spot on and the players did exactly what they were asked to do.
"I think every win improves the spirit and happiness of the team and we have an opportunity now."
Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder: "It's a positive step. Of course we are gutted to lose but there are ways to lose football matches and we pushed Arsenal to the limit. They had to defend for their lives at times.
"It was pretty comfortable for Manchester United in the week but I thought we made that an uncomfortable afternoon for Arsenal.
"I'd like to make it a more uncomfortable afternoon from a technical point of view but I think we aren't showing that due to a lack of confidence at the minute.
"I had complete belief we would get back into the game, especially in the second half when I thought we dominated. But in the end Arsenal have showed that little extra bit of confidence, after we had given the ball away, that we lacked and have won it."
Semi-final landmark for Gunners - stats
Arsenal have progressed to the FA Cup semi-finals for the 30th time, which is a joint-record alongside Manchester United
Sheffield United have lost three matches in a row in all competitions for only the second time since Chris Wilder's appointment in 2016, also doing so in December 2017
Arsenal have now won seven of their past 10 matches in all competitions (L3), as many as they managed across the previous 27 matches (W7 D14 L6)
Nicolas Pepe's opener was his 16th goal involvement for Arsenal this season in all competitions (eight goals, eight assists), with only Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (21) having a hand in more for the Gunners in 2019-20
Both of David McGoldrick's two goals for Sheffield United in all competitions this season have been scored in the FA Cup (from four shots); he is yet to score in 23 Premier League appearances, having attempted 37 shots in that competition this season
Dani Ceballos' winner (90:37) - the Gunners' only shot on target in the second half - was Arsenal's latest FA Cup goal since Alexis Sanchez (100:06) scored a 101st-minute winner against Manchester City in the semi-finals in April 2017
What next?
Arsenal finally play a home game, after four successive fixtures away, with Norwich the visitors to Emirates Stadium on Wednesday for a 18:00 BST kick-off.
Sheffield United will look to get their first win since the restart when they host Tottenham at Bramall Lane on Thursday, also at 18:00.


bbc--2020-06-28--Monday's football gossip: Liverpool offer Lovren as part of Koulibaly deal

Liverpool have reportedly moved ahead of Manchester City in the race for Napoli 's Senegal centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly , 29 , by offering Croatia defender Dejan Lovren , 30 , as part of a transfer .
( Tuttosport via Sun ) Inter chief executive Giuseppe Marotta says the club is in `` advanced negotiations '' for Borussia Dortmund loanee Achraf Hakimi as the Real Madrid 's Morocco full-back , 21 , nears a potential move to Serie A .
( Goal ) Chelsea have been given a transfer boost by Ajax with manager Erik ten Hag suggesting that 27-year-old Argentina @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Onana , 24 , could leave the club this summer while 23-year-old Netherlands midfielder Donny van de Beek , a Manchester United target , could also be on his way out .
( Express ) Manchester City are set to sign Juventus ' Spanish forward Pablo Moreno , 18 , in a swap deal which will see Portuguese winger Felix Correia , 19 , move in the opposite direction .
( Goal ) Inter Milan are considering selling Slovakia defender Milan Skriniar , 25 , this summer with Manchester City among those interested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 32 , could be part of a possible deal .
( Calciomercato - in Italian ) Benfica are reportedly interested in appointing former Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino as their new manager .
The 48-year-old has been out of work since last November .
( Record - in Portuguese ) Ivory Coast and former Chelsea forward Salomon Kalou , 34 , who is out of contract at Hertha Berlin at the end of the season , is close to agreeing a free transfer to Brazilian side Botafogo .
( Yahoo Sports ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ola Aina with Everton and West Ham among those interested in the 23-year-old .
( Inside Futbol ) • Liverpool win the title : The 10 games that defined their season • 50 years of Glastonbury : Get the full Glastonbury experience ...

Last updated on .From the section Gossip
Liverpool have moved ahead of Manchester City in the race for Napoli's Senegal centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly, 29, by offering Croatia defender Dejan Lovren, 30, as part of a transfer. (Tuttosport - in Italian) external-link
Inter Milan chief executive Giuseppe Marotta says the club is in "advanced negotiations" for Borussia Dortmund loanee Achraf Hakimi as the Real Madrid and Morocco full-back, 21, nears a potential move to Serie A. (Goal) external-link
Marotta says Inter are also working on an extension for on-loan Manchester United and Chile forward Alexis Sanchez, 31, but talks are proving difficult. (Sky Sports Italy, via Mirror) external-link
Chelsea have been given a boost by Ajax with manager Erik ten Hag suggesting 27-year-old Argentina defender Nicolas Tagliafico and Cameroon goalkeeper Andre Onana, 24, could leave the club this summer, while 23-year-old Netherlands midfielder Donny van de Beek, a Manchester United target, could also be on his way out.(Express) external-link
Manchester City are set to sign Juventus' Spanish forward Pablo Moreno, 18, in a swap deal that will see Portuguese winger Felix Correia, 19, move in the opposite direction. (Goal) external-link
'Lampard shows his steel' Phil McNulty looks at Chelsea's perfect restart under Frank Lampard
Barcelona and Brazil midfielder Arthur, 23, has signed a five-year contract to join Juventus for a £72.5m fee, with Bosnia and Herzegovina midfielder Miralem Pjanic, 30, set to move in the opposite direction for £60m. (Sky Sports) external-link
Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish, 24, is edging closer to a move to Manchester United after buying a house in the north west of England. (Express) external-link
Villa will stick with boss Dean Smith until the end of the season, despite a run of six defeats in eight games. (Telegraph - subscription required) external-link
Inter Milan are considering selling Slovakia defender Milan Skriniar, 25, this summer, with Manchester City among those interested. City's Argentina striker Sergio Aguero, 32, could be part of a possible deal. (Calciomercato - in Italian) external-link
Benfica are interested in appointing former Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino as their new manager. The 48-year-old has been out of work since last November. (Record - in Portuguese) external-link
Southampton will let England goalkeeper Fraser Forster, 32, return to Celtic for another season-long loan if they can sign French midfielder Olivier Ntcham, 24, from the Scottish champions as part of the deal. (Sun) external-link
Celtic will move for 33-year-old former England number one Joe Hart, who will leave Burnley at the end of this month, if they cannot complete a deal for Forster. (Daily Record) external-link
Ivory Coast and former Chelsea forward Salomon Kalou, 34, who is out of contract at Hertha Berlin at the end of the season, is close to agreeing a free transfer to Brazilian side Botafogo. (Yahoo Sports) external-link
Torino are ready to sell Nigerian defender Ola Aina, with Everton and West Ham among those interested in the 23-year-old. (Inside Futbol) external-link
American 18-year-old winger Konrad de la Fuente has signed a contract extension at Barcelona that will see his release clause rise to 100m euros (£91m) if he makes the first team. (AS) external-link


bbc--2020-06-29--Coronavirus: Swift and dangerous turn in Texas cases, says governor

The spread of coronavirus infections has taken a `` swift and very dangerous turn '' in the US state of Texas , Governor Greg Abbott has warned .
`` Over just the past few weeks , the daily number of cases have gone from an average of about 2,000 , to more than 5,000 , '' Mr Abbott said on Sunday .
Several southern and western states have recorded a surge in cases after lockdown restrictions were eased .
The number of reported infections in the US has now surpassed 2.5 million .
Over 125,000 Covid-19-related deaths have been confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country .
• Is the pandemic getting worse in the US ?
• Where are global cases rising and falling ?
The virus has now been linked to more than 500,000 deaths worldwide , according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University in the US .
What 's the latest on the surge in US cases ?
The spike has led officials in Texas , Florida and other states to tighten restrictions on business again , with warnings that hospitals may soon be overwhelmed .
On Sunday , Mr Abbott said that as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being admitted to hospital for treatment .
US Vice-President Mike Pence said that Texas would be issued additional Covid-19 testing kits for as long was necessary .
`` We are going to make sure that Texas , and your healthcare system in Texas , have the resources , have the supplies , have the personnel to meet this moment , '' Mr Pence said .
The vice-president also urged Texans to wear masks `` wherever it 's indicated '' , saying `` we know from experience , it will slow the spread of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nancy Pelosi , who was speaking at a joint news conference with Governor Abbott on Sunday , said that a nationwide mandate to wear face coverings was `` definitely long overdue '' .
`` We have the worst record of any country in the world , '' she added .
In the Texas state capital of Austin , a requirement to wear face coverings in some circumstances in order to help mitigate the spread of the virus led to demonstrations on the city 's streets by people objecting to the measure .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ daily increase of more than 3,800 cases .
Hundreds of people reportedly travelled to rivers in the state to escape the hot weather .
The reported increases in infections in southern and western states come after moves in recent weeks to reopen businesses , resulting in people from other areas pouring in .
Responding to the level of new cases , Mr Abbott last week told bars to close and limited restaurants ' indoor seating capacity to 50 % .
Restaurants had previously been allowed to operate at 75 % capacity , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Texan town of Galena Park , east of Houston , the mayor imposed an overnight curfew on Saturday and warned that hospitals could soon be overwhelmed .
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis also re-imposed restrictions , ordering bars in the state to stop serving alcohol on their premises .
In California , Governor Gavin Newsom ordered bars to close in Los Angeles and six other counties on Sunday , warning that the virus had `` not gone away '' .
He urged people to wear masks , follow guidance on hygiene and to `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case rises worry us ?
New coronavirus cases have been swiftly rising in more than half of US states and experts are worried .
The number of daily cases had been declining in May and early June - but as many places continued to ease lockdown restrictions , cases began to rise again , hitting a record high of 47,341 a day on 26 June .
This is not a second wave of infections , rather a resurgence of the disease that had shown signs of being brought under control .
Some of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Florida , have tightened restrictions again to try to bring down infection rates and avoid hospitals becoming overwhelmed .
There is a lag of a few weeks from infection to possible death , so it is not easy to draw an immediate correlation .
And , additionally , much will depend on who the new cases are - if they are fit young people , then there will not be a similar rise in deaths .
Rising infections are worrying , regardless , because higher rates in the community mean a higher chance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infecting vulnerable groups .
Leading US infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci has said the next two weeks will be critical .
What is the overall situation in the US ?
On Sunday , Johns Hopkins University said the total number of cases in the country had risen to 2,548,991 .
While some of the rise was down to more extensive testing , the rate of positive tests in some areas is also increasing .
Health officials estimate the true number of cases is likely to be 10 times higher than the confirmed total @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( CDC ) has said that up to 20 million Americans may have been infected .
The surge in cases was being driven by young people - those aged between 18 and 34 - testing positive , especially in the south and west of the US , said the head of the CDC , Dr Robert Redfield .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : What are the symptoms ?
• POST-COVID WORLD : Will we ever shake hands again ?
• THE LOST SIX WEEKS : Missed chances for US to contain outbreak Covid-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread across the globe .
Coronavirus cases around the world have now passed 10 million , Johns Hopkins reports .
Half the world 's cases have been in the US and Europe , but the virus is now rapidly growing in the Americas .

There is a lag of a few weeks from infection to possible death, so it is not easy to draw an immediate correlation. And, additionally, much will depend on who the new cases are - if they are fit young people, then there will not be a similar rise in deaths.


bbc--2020-06-29--How hackers extorted $1.14m from University of California, San Francisco

A leading medical-research institution working on a cure for Covid-19 has admitted it paid hackers a $ 1.14m ( £910,000 ) ransom after a covert negotiation witnessed by BBC News .
The Netwalker criminal gang attacked University of California San Francisco ( UCSF ) on 1 June .
IT staff unplugged computers in a race to stop the malware spreading .
And an anonymous tip-off enabled BBC News to follow the ransom negotiations in a live chat on the dark web .
Cyber-security experts say these sorts of negotiations are now happening all over the world - sometimes for even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law-enforcement agencies , including the FBI , Europol and the UK 's National Cyber Security Centre .
Netwalker alone has been linked to at least two other ransomware attacks on universities in the past two months .
At first glance , its dark-web homepage looks like a standard customer-service website , with a frequently asked questions ( FAQ ) tab , an offer of a `` free '' sample of its software and a live-chat option .
But there is also a countdown timer ticking down to a time when the hackers either @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or delete the data they have scrambled with malware .
Instructed to log in - either by email or a ransom note left on hacked computer screens - UCSF was met with the following message , posted on 5 June .
Six hours later , the university asked for more time and for details of the hack to be removed from Netwalker 's public blog .
But the UCSF representative , who may be an external specialist negotiator , explained the coronavirus pandemic had been `` financially devastating '' for the university and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ After a day of back-and-forth negotiations , UCSF said it had pulled together all available money and could pay $ 1.02m - but the criminals refused to go below $ 1.5m .
Hours later , the university came back with details of how it had procured more money and a final offer of $ 1,140,895 .
And the next day , 116.4 bitcoins were transferred to Netwalker 's electronic wallets and the decryption software sent to UCSF .
UCSF is now assisting the FBI with its investigations , while working to restore all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : `` The data that was encrypted is important to some of the academic work we pursue as a university serving the public good .
`` We therefore made the difficult decision to pay some portion of the ransom , approximately $ 1.14 million , to the individuals behind the malware attack in exchange for a tool to unlock the encrypted data and the return of the data they obtained .
`` It would be a mistake to assume that all of the statements and claims made in the negotiations are factually accurate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , from Europol , which runs a project called No More Ransom , said : `` Victims should not pay the ransom , as this finances criminals and encourages them to continue their illegal activities .
`` Instead , they should report it to the police so law enforcement can disrupt the criminal enterprise . ''
Brett Callow , a threat analyst at cyber-security company Emsisoft , said : `` Organisations in this situation are without a good option .
`` Even if they pay the demand , they 'll simply receive a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deleted .
`` But why would a ruthless criminal enterprise delete data that it may be able to further monetise at a later date ? ''
Most ransomware attacks begin with a booby-trapped emaiI and research suggests criminal gangs are increasingly using tools that can gain access to systems via a single download .
In the first week of this month alone , Proofpoint 's cyber-security analysts say they saw more than one million emails with using a variety of phishing lures , including fake Covid-19 test results , sent to organisations in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Greece , and Italy .
Organisations are encouraged to regularly back-up their data offline .
But Proofpoint 's Ryan Kalember said : `` Universities can be challenging environments to secure for IT administrators .
`` The constantly changing student population , combined with a culture of openness and information-sharing , can conflict with the rules and controls often needed to effectively protect the users and systems from attack . ''

Most ransomware attacks begin with a booby-trapped emaiI and research suggests criminal gangs are increasingly using tools that can gain access to systems via a single download. In the first week of this month alone, Proofpoint's cyber-security analysts say they saw more than one million emails with using a variety of phishing lures, including fake Covid-19 test results, sent to organisations in the US, France, Germany, Greece, and Italy.


bbc--2020-06-29--Children held in Islamic State group camps 'are a time bomb'

Islamic State group has described the coronavirus as `` God ’ s little soldier ” .
In Iraq and Syria @ @ @ @ @ fewer western troops battling against the extremists .
In both countries the extremists have re-emerged @ @ @ @ @ assassinations and execution-style killings .
Thousands of the group 's fighters and their women and @ @ @ @ @ Kurdish-controlled detention camps in northern Syria .
One woman there told the BBC she feared @ @ @ @ @ more radical than their parents .
The camps are no longer secure , and IS @ @ @ @ @ try to free the women .

Islamic State group has described the coronavirus as "God’s little soldier”.
In Iraq and Syria, the outbreak has meant fewer western troops battling against the extremists. In both countries the extremists have re-emerged with a guerrilla campaign of assassinations and execution-style killings.
Thousands of the group's fighters and their women and children are being held in Kurdish-controlled detention camps in northern Syria. One woman there told the BBC she feared some children were becoming even more radical than their parents.
The camps are no longer secure, and IS has renewed its threat to try to free the women.


bbc--2020-06-29--Bangladesh ferry crash: At least 25 dead as boat capsizes

At least 25 people have died and many more are missing after a ferry capsized in Bangladesh , near the capital Dhaka .
Rescue officials said the ship , the Morning Bird , overturned after a collision with another vessel in the Buriganga river , close to the country 's largest river port , Sadarghat .
Local media reports said the ferry came from a village in the centre of the country and had about 50 passengers .
Ferry accidents are frequent in Bangladesh because of overcrowding .
There are also poor safety standards in the country 's many shipyards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Witnesses told local television stations that many passengers were stuck in cabins on the ferry following the collision .
Images from the scene showed large numbers of bodies in white bags which had been retrieved from the stricken vessel .
Reports said the ferry sank as it attempted to moor at Sadarghat , Dhaka 's main river port , which is used by hundreds of boats to travel to the country 's south .
Abul Khair , a diver in the fire brigade , told the AFP news agency that rescuers had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several children .

Reports said the ferry sank as it attempted to moor at Sadarghat, Dhaka's main river port, which is used by hundreds of boats to travel to the country's south.


bbc--2020-06-28--How tear gas became the go-to weapon for US police

The riot control agent , often referred to as `` tear gas '' , has been used in 100 US @ @ @ @ @ While it was banned from war a century ago , it remains a vital police @ @ @ @ @ Some US law enforcement agencies said they used other gases like pepper spray to disperse @ @ @ @ @ for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) defines tear gas as `` chemical compounds @ @ @ @ @ to function by causing irritation to the eyes , mouth , throat , lungs , @ @ @ @

The riot control agent, often referred to as 'tear gas', has been used in 100 US cities since late May.
While it was banned from war a century ago, it remains a vital police tool around the world.
Some US law enforcement agencies said they used other gases like pepper spray to disperse protesters.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines tear gas as "chemical compounds that temporarily make people unable to function by causing irritation to the eyes, mouth, throat, lungs, and skin."
Produced by the BBC's Franz Strasser.


bbc--2020-06-29--Beyoncé's BET speech: 'Vote like our life depends on it'

Beyoncé urged black communities to vote in the upcoming US elections , as she accepted an honour for her humanitarian work at the BET Awards .
Dedicating her award to protesters around the country , the star said : `` You 're proving to our ancestors that their struggles were not in vain . ''
`` I 'm encouraging you to continue to take action , continue to change and dismantle a racist and unequal system .
`` We have to vote like our life depends on it , because it does . ''
Beyoncé was presented with her award @ @ @ @ @ @ @ star 's commitment to the black community .
`` You can see it in everything she does , from her music that gives voice to black joy and black pain , to her activism that demands justice for black lives .
`` And she 's doing it all while staying devoted to her children and the loved ones she holds dear , '' she continued .
`` To my girl , I just want to say - you inspire me .
You inspire all of us . ''
The BET Awards celebrate black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the ceremony 's humanitarian award include boxer Muhammad Ali , music producer Quincy Jones and civil rights leader Rev .
Al Sharpton .
The deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor , as well as the ongoing Black Lives Matter protests , were reflected throughout this year 's ceremony .
DaBaby , who won best male hip-hop artist , re-enacted the last moments of Mr Floyd 's life , rapping his hit Rockstar with his face pressed against the ground as a police officer knelt on his neck .
The performance also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ held signs that said `` Black Lives Matter '' and `` Defund The Police '' , as the rapper and Roddy Ricch danced on top of police cars .
Twelve-year-old Keedron Bryant , who went viral on social media with a song about his fears of being a young African-American , opened the show with an a cappella performance of the poignant track , I Wan na Live .
That was followed by an all-star performance of Public Enemy 's 1989 anthem Fight the Power , featuring Nas , YG , The Roots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Alicia Keys , LL Cool J and the new wave of protest songs Jennifer Hudson delivered a gospel rendition of Nina Simone 's Young , Gifted and Black , while Alicia Keys performed a haunting version of her new single A Perfect Way To Die .
The star was seen playing the piano in a deserted city , surrounded by murals to Floyd , Taylor , Ahmaud Arbery and Sandra Bland .
As the song ended , she stood up from her piano and knelt on the street , which had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ men and women whose lives have been lost to racism and police brutality .
This year 's BET Awards were a virtual event because of the coronavirus pandemic , and the performances and speeches were pre-taped , allowing for dramatic stagings and high production values .
Wayne Brady paid tribute to rock and roll pioneer Little Richard , with an energetic medley of Lucille , Good Golly Miss Molly and Tutti Frutti .
Afterward , Lil Wayne paid tribute to basketball legend Kobe Bryant , who died in a helicopter crash earlier this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who was named best female R & B/pop artist , beating Beyoncé , who has won the category 10 times , including the last six years in a row .
Megan Thee Stallion won best female hip-hop artist , after facing down a challenge from two former winners , Cardi B and seven-time champion Nicki Minaj .
Chris Brown won best male R & B/pop artist for a record fifth time , while Michael B. Jordan picked up his third best actor trophy - tying him with Denzel Washington for the most wins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ daughter Blue Ivy Carter was also a winner , picking up an award for her contribution to the song Brown Skin Girl , from her mother 's Lion King album .
And gymnast Simone Biles - who recently debuted a never-before-seen triple-twist , double back dismount from a balance beam - won sportswoman of the year for the first time .
She beat tennis legend Serena Williams , who had won 12 times in the category , including the last six years in a row .
• I Used to Know Her : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Being AntisociaL : Roddy Ricch - Winner • Kirk Franklin : Just For Me - Winner • Pj Morton Ft .
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bbc--2020-06-29--Pakistan attack: Deadly raid on stock exchange in Karachi

Four gunmen attacked the Pakistani stock exchange in Karachi , killing two guards and a policeman and wounding seven others before being shot dead .
The assailants launched a grenade attack at the main gate to the building and opened fire but police say they failed to make it to the trading floor .
Staff inside took refuge in locked rooms and many were evacuated .
Security forces are searching the area .
Militants from the Baloch Liberation Army say they were behind the attack .
Ethnic Baloch groups have fought a long-running insurgency for a separate homeland and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Balochistan province .
Pakistan has suffered years of militant violence , mostly by Islamist groups , but attacks such as this one have become rare in recent years .
'They opened fire on everyone' Monday 's attack began when the militants armed with automatic rifles threw a grenade and then began firing at a security post outside the stock exchange .
`` The attackers came in a silver Corolla and were stopped by police at the gate outside where the exchange of fire took place , '' Sindh police additional inspector general Ghulam @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fought back , killing all four heavily armed attackers , the authorities say .
Three police officials are among the seven wounded receiving treatment in hospital .
Mr Memon said the attackers did not manage to enter the main building and grenades , explosives and other weapons were recovered from them .
The Pakistan Stock Exchange confirmed that no militants made it into the building .
Its director , Abid Ali Habib , said the gunmen made their way from the car park and `` opened fire on everyone '' .
Images from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least two men on the ground next to large amounts of ammunition and weapons .
It was not immediately clear if more assailants were involved , prompting an extensive search of the premises by security forces .
• The other Balochistan : Life in a conflict zone • The untold story of Pakistan 's other war Reports say most people at the stock exchange managed to escape or hide in locked rooms .
Those inside the building were evacuated from the back door , Geo TV reported .
`` We locked ourselves in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an employee at a brokerage in the building , told Reuters news agency .
The exchange is situated in a high security zone along with head offices of banks and other businesses .
It has offices for hundreds of financial institutions and says up to 8,000 people work there on a normal day - but numbers were down because of home working during the coronavirus pandemic .
The Baloch Liberation Army ( BLA ) is one of half a dozen armed resistance groups in Balochistan and has launched previous attacks in Pakistan .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Chinese consulate in Karachi , killing at least four people .
All staff inside the building were unharmed .
Last year the BLA attacked a five-star hotel in the port city of Gwadar in Balochistan .
The hotel is the centrepiece of a multi-billion-dollar Chinese project and was selected in order to target Chinese and other investors .
Separatist militants in Balochistan oppose Chinese investment , saying it is of little benefit to local people .
The BLA originally sought political autonomy for the province but has gradually evolved into a violent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a terrorist organisation by Pakistan , the UK and the US .
Widescale abuses and repression by the Pakistani military have been documented over decades in the province , which is difficult to access by journalists and human rights groups .
Balochistan is a sparsely populated region , and the BLA and other militants have sanctuaries there and in adjoining areas in Pakistan .
They also are believed to have hideouts in south-eastern Afghanistan .
The province remains Pakistan 's most impoverished area despite being rich in gas and coal reserves , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nationalists have long accused the central government of exploitation , and denying the province its due rights .

The exchange is situated in a high security zone along with head offices of banks and other businesses. It has offices for hundreds of financial institutions and says up to 8,000 people work there on a normal day - but numbers were down because of home working during the coronavirus pandemic.


bbc--2020-06-29--Nornickel: Russia probes new pollution at Arctic mining firm

Russian officials are investigating a mining company in the Arctic over the pumping of waste water from one of its processing plants into nearby countryside .
Norilsk Nickel said it had suspended staff involved in the violation .
The pumping has now reportedly stopped .
It is a new pollution incident involving the firm , known as Nornickel .
Emergency workers are struggling to contain a huge diesel spill from a fuel depot owned by the company .
A local ecologist and reporters from Russia 's independent daily Novaya Gazeta filmed foamy water being pumped into Arctic tundra from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Norilsk .
Security guards tried to stop them filming .
The reporters said the waste water was believed to contain heavy metals - nickel , cobalt and copper - and sulphuric acid , which the firm has denied .
In a statement , Nornickel said `` those responsible at the plant have been suspended '' for `` allowing a flagrant violation of the operational rules at the plant 's tailings reservoir '' .
`` Nornickel has launched an investigation into what happened , and the firm is working with the ministry of natural @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it said .
Russia 's Investigative Committee ( SK ) , which probes serious crimes , has launched its own investigation into the incident .
According to Nornickel , the waste water does not contain toxic tailings from its mining operation .
The firm says the `` purified '' water had been pumped away from the reservoir to prevent overspill , while admitting that it was not acceptable practice .
Novaya Gazeta reports that the waste water entered the Kharaelakh river , which flows into Pyasino lake .
The diesel spill in late @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of which contaminated the lake .
Stretches of the Ambarnaya river , flowing to the lake , turned red from the diesel .
Nornickel has numerous plants in and around the Arctic city of Norilsk , which has long been categorised as one of the world 's most polluted places .
Billionaire Vladimir Potanin is the biggest shareholder , with a 30.4 % stake , while the Rusal aluminium giant run by tycoon Oleg Deripaska owns 27.8 % .

According to Nornickel, the waste water does not contain toxic tailings from its mining operation. The firm says the "purified" water had been pumped away from the reservoir to prevent overspill, while admitting that it was not acceptable practice.


bbc--2020-06-29--Hebei: China locks down 400,000 people after virus spike near Beijing

China has reinstated a strict lockdown near Beijing , affecting around 400,000 people , after a small surge in cases .
The restrictions have come into force in Anxin county in Hebei province near the capital .
After the pandemic emerged in China at the end of last year , the country has managed to get new infections to a consistently low level .
To avoid a second wave , even small surges are taken very seriously by the country 's health authorities .
What is happening in Hebei ?
Officials announced on Sunday that Anxin would be `` fully @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers are allowed to leave their homes , while one member of a household is allowed to go out once a day to shop for necessities .
No non-residents residents will be allowed to enter buildings , communities or villages .
Authorities have warned anyone violating the rules will be punished by police .
Anxin is around 150km ( 90 miles ) south of Beijing .
Chinese media say there have been 18 cases in the county since the beginning of the recent surge in Beijing two weeks ago .
The area is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's large urban centres , and local health experts said they were optimistic the spread could be stopped .
What is the situation in Beijing ?
China 's recent numbers remain the envy of most other countries hit by the virus .
Yet a recent spike in Beijing has authorities fearing a possible second wave .
Over the past 24 hours , Beijing reported 14 new cases of the virus , taking the total since a mid-June outbreak in a food market to 311 .
While this is a small number compared with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US or South America , China reacted quickly to contain any spread .
Several neighbourhoods in Beijing were put under restrictions , travel was limited , and a massive wave of fresh testing was rolled out .
Before the recent spike , the Chinese capital had gone 57 days without a locally-transmitted case .
How is the rest of China dealing with the virus ?
In general , China has successfully `` flattened the curve '' in recent months .
After passing 80,000 confirmed cases at the start of March , it has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Since mid-June , new infections have been mostly limited to Beijing with some spill over into neighbouring Hebei .
The rest of China has seen only a small trickle of single-digit infections , most of which were imported cases , which means travellers returning from abroad .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : What are the symptoms ?
• POST-COVID WORLD : Will we ever shake hands again ?
• THE LOST SIX WEEKS : Missed chances for US to contain outbreak

Anxin is around 150km (90 miles) south of Beijing. Chinese media say there have been 18 cases in the county since the beginning of the recent surge in Beijing two weeks ago.


bbc--2020-06-29--Poland presidential election heads for second round

Poland 's President Andrzej Duda has topped the first round of voting but must still go into a run-off vote in the presidential election .
The conservative Mr Duda will face the liberal mayor of Warsaw , Rafal Trzaskowski , in the second-round vote in two weeks ' time .
With more than 99 % of results in , Mr Duda took just under 44 % of the vote and Mr Trzaskowski just over 30 % .
Turnout was high despite coronavirus and social-distancing restrictions .
President Duda is an ally of the governing nationalist Law and Justice ( PiS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the opposition could push through major changes in Polish politics .
The president has the power to veto legislation , so Mr Duda 's re-election would be of benefit to PiS , of which he used to be a member .
Mr Trzaskowski , meanwhile , has pledged to heal rifts with the European Union .
Mr Duda 's allies have frequently clashed with the bloc over controversial reforms to the judiciary and media .
Mr Trzaskowski rose fast in the polls after joining the race in May .
Previously a member of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he won the capital 's race for mayor in 2018 promising `` Warsaw for All '' .
`` This is a decisive time .
A lot will really depend on this decision , '' said Poland 's anti-communist hero , Lech Walesa , as he voted in the northern port of Gdansk .
Last week , Mr Duda travelled to Washington and received a ringing endorsement from President Donald Trump .
`` He 's doing a terrific job , '' said President Trump , in what was widely seen as a domestic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people of Poland think the world of him . ''
Poland 's election had been due to take place in May , when Mr Duda was higher in the polls and stood a better chance of winning in the first round .
Although the epidemic had not yet peaked , the government was desperate for the May vote to go ahead .
It eventually backed down when a junior coalition partner joined the opposition in saying PiS were putting politics before public health .
Polish media say the outcome of the first round @ @ @ @ @ @ @ significant run-off vote on 12 July .
Centre-left daily Gazeta Wyborcza say Poles will make a `` civilisational choice '' next month between a `` democratic and an authoritarian Poland '' .
Polityka weekly says Andrzej Duda 's performance augurs well for the incumbent president : `` There has never been a time when a candidate with such an advantage in the first round went on to lose in the second . ''
But Gazeta Wyborcza reports that public broadcaster TVP 's `` propaganda machine suffered a spectacular defeat .
It did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hate campaign , and even shaped his image as Duda 's most dangerous rival . ''
Commentators say a fortnight of intense campaigning lies ahead .
According to conservative daily Rzeczpospolita , Mr Duda 's problem `` is that his traditional PiS support must have been mobilised almost to the limit '' .
`` The president will face a difficult choice : to continue to beat the drums of war to mobilise his army , or perhaps to try and build bridges ... One thing is certain : on 12 July we will @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Polityka weekly says Andrzej Duda's performance augurs well for the incumbent president: "There has never been a time when a candidate with such an advantage in the first round went on to lose in the second."