bbc--2020-10-23--Robshaw, Wigglesworth, Maitland & Wray among Barbarians stood down for bubble breach

Last updated on .From the section Rugby Union Chris Robshaw , Richard Wigglesworth , Sean Maitland and Jackson Wray are among 12 Barbarians players stood down from Sunday 's fixture against England after breaking Covid-related rules .
Sunday 's game is in the balance as the Barbarians try to recruit enough players to replace those stood down .
A 15:00 BST deadline has been set for them to pull together a 23-man squad .
The Rugby Football Union has launched an investigation into the breach , with a view to summoning anyone at fault before an independent disciplinary panel under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disrepute .
It is understood Premiership Rugby officials emailed clubs on Thursday to ask if they would release players to play for the Barbarians .
Given the requirements for players to be in a bubble and with a negative coronavirus test result , it is expected extra players will mostly come from those within the England camp not selected by Eddie Jones .
Most club chairmen BBC Sport has spoken to have been very supportive of what is being described as an 'SOS ' , and believe it is a good opportunity for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ released by England .
As well as Wigglesworth , Wray and Maitland , it is understood a number of other Saracens players were involved .
Barbarian FC expressed their `` extreme disappointment '' in the conduct of the players who breached the regulations .
They had only announced their 23-man squad on Wednesday and face a considerable task replacing those expelled .
Cardiff RFC said on Friday that centre Max Llewellyn , son of former Wales lock Gareth , and full-back Ioan Davies had been called up to the squad .
The players @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were kept separate from the rest of the Barbarians squad on their return to the hotel .
Although the team are due to be tested for coronavirus again before Sunday 's match at Twickenham , the Rugby Football Union stated it would `` not be possible to guarantee that these players are not infectious in the period up to and including the match '' .
`` The RFU scheduled the fixture to provide a warm-up game ahead of the postponed Italy v England Guinness Six Nations decider , however , it will not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so , '' it added .
The build-up to Barbarians games is famous for its focus on socialising and the team management installed a team-room in their London base to keep the players entertained .
Leicester wing Nemani Nadolo , who has played twice for the Barbarians , and Bristol Bears , who had been on standby to take part in Saturday 's Premiership final before Wasps were shown to have contained a Covid-19 outbreak , were among those to offer their services to the Barbarians on social media .
• None Can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his past ?
• None Behind the scenes of a club reborn

Last updated on .From the section Rugby Union
England, who have not played since March, are set to face Italy in the Six Nations on Saturday 31 October in Rome
England's match against the Barbarians at Twickenham on Sunday has been called off after 12 Barbarians players were stood down for breaking Covid rules.
The players left their hotel bubble - contrary to team protocols - to have dinner at a London restaurant.
During its investigation, the Rugby Football Union (RFU) said it discovered another breach where players left the hotel without permission.
Former England captain Chris Robshaw is among the players who have apologised.
It is understood several Barbarians players went to a central London pub on Tuesday as well as an Italian restaurant on Wednesday.
The RFU said the players' actions meant the "bubble environment" was compromised.
"We are incredibly disappointed to be calling a halt to this fixture," said RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney. "We know how much fans were looking forward to seeing the teams play.
"However, our priority is to protect the health and safety of the England squad and the other international teams they will go up against this autumn."
Robshaw 'sincerely remorseful' for breach
Robshaw, Richard Wigglesworth, Sean Maitland and Jackson Wray were among the 12 players stood down from the fixture, along with a number of other Saracens players.
Robshaw, who is set to join San Diego Legion in the US, expressed his "deepest apologies" for "leaving the hotel post-training with some of my team-mates".
"A huge effort went into conducting this match in a safe fashion and it was irresponsible of me to break the protocols which are put in place to protect players, staff and the public," he said.
"I understand that my actions have ultimately contributed to the cancellation of Sunday's match and I am sincerely remorseful for my role in undoing all the amazing work that went into trying to make it happen.
"I promise that I will learn from this mistake and ensure something like this never happens again."
Former England scrum-half Wigglesworth said: "Embarrassed and beyond gutted to have let (coach) Vern Cotter and everyone at Barbarians FC as well as the RFU.
"Should not have happened and for that I am truly sorry. I've let a lot of people down including myself and wish I'd done it differently. Sorry again."
Saracens lock Joel Kpoku and former Ireland wing Fergus McFadden also posted social media apologies.
The Barbarians, who announced their 23-man squad on Wednesday, were given a 15:00 BST deadline on Friday to attempt to recruit a team.
Premiership Rugby officials emailed clubs on Thursday to ask if they would release players to play for the invitational side.
However, it has now been deemed unsafe to fulfil the fixture.
Sweeney said: "There has been a great deal of effort put into Covid codes of conduct and planning for games, including cooperation with Premiership clubs to release additional players to fulfil the fixture safely.
"We are all incredibly frustrated and disappointed that the actions of a number of Barbarians players mean we no longer feel it is safe for the game to go ahead."
Barbarian FC expressed their "extreme disappointment" in the conduct of the players who breached regulations.
The build-up to Barbarians games is famous for its focus on socialising and the team management installed a team room in their London base to keep the players entertained.


bbc--2020-10-23--Indian cricket great Dev stable after heart surgery

An all-rounder who was devastating with both bat and ball , Dev took more than 400 wickets and scored more @ @ @ @ @ cricket .
Since retiring , he has coached the Indian side and had various other @ @ @ @ @

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bbc--2020-10-23--Man Utd striker Rashford and his mum help out at foodbank

Manchester United 's Marcus Rashford has visited FareShare Greater Manchester , which is naming a new warehouse in honour of @ @ @ @ @ has vowed to keep campaigning to extend free school meals , despite politicians voting against @ @ @ @ @ week .

England footballer Marcus Rashford has visited FareShare Greater Manchester, which is naming a new warehouse in honour of his mother Melanie.
He has vowed to keep campaigning to extend free school meals, despite politicians voting against extending the scheme earlier this week.
Treasury Minister Steve Barclay told the BBC that all measures would be kept under review but emphasised the extra £9bn in support available through the welfare system.


bbc--2020-10-23--The all-time greatest? Rank the best as Pele turns 80

No matter how old you are , or who you grew up watching , one man has long dominated the debate about just who was the greatest footballer of all time .
Was he the finest player to ever grace the game - or are the modern-day superstars a cut above ?
As Pele turns 80 , BBC Sport asks you to rate his achievements among some of the other GOATs ( from this list ) - and you can put them in order at the bottom ...
Note : The Ballon d'Or could only be won by a European @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was the highest-paid and highest-profile sports star in the world in his pomp , Pele was a phenomenon .
Breaking on to the global scene aged 17 with a hat-trick in the World Cup semi-final and two more in the final , Brazil 's leading goalscorer is one of just four players to have scored in four different World Cup tournaments ( 1958 , 1962 , 1966 and 1970 ) .
He won three of those and was kicked out of the '66 tournament in England through some brutal defending - the only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a goalscorer , Pele had a hand in 53 % of Brazil 's 19 goals as they won the 1970 World Cup ( four goals , six assists ) and was as adept at playing behind the main striker as he was leading the line .
The greatest ?
Or does the fact he never played club football in Europe hold him back in your eyes ?
`` Had he been playing now , Pele would surely have made the move to Europe , '' says BBC Radio 5 Live football correspondent John @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with comparing generations .
We can only judge him on the record he has and it is truly phenomenal .
`` The achievements of Maradona , Messi , and Cristiano Ronaldo make it a close call but , even now , Pele still has a strong claim to be considered the greatest game 's greatest player . ''
'Der Kaiser ' won the World Cup as player and manager and is living proof you do n't have to be an attacker to rank among the very best .
A playmaker even from centre-back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ midfield or defence and made his debut on the left wing .
What you call a total player .
He won three European Cups in a row for the dominant Bayern side of the mid-1970s .
A supremely gifted individual who was also all about the team - not winning a World Cup with his band of ludicrously good Dutch brothers in the 1970s may be the only blot on his copybook .
Produced one of the World Cup 's most famous moments , had a turn named after him , and went @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others when coaching Barca 's so-called 'dream team ' of the early 1990s .
Lost a lot of money with an unwise investment in pig farming - which is not a line you 're likely to ever read about Messi or Ronaldo ... Di Stefano won his fifth and final European Cup in 1960 - still only one player has more wins .
He scored in five finals in a row , and won them all .
And , yes , he played for three countries on the international scene .
Beat that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have n't seen it , please go and watch the recent documentary about his time in Naples .
It 's superb .
Single-handedly ( pretty much ) dragged his Argentina team to World Cup glory , and carried Napoli to two Serie A titles .
Does that separate him from Lionel Messi ?
Up to you .
`` No-one else does the things he does , the way he does them - and no-one ever has done .
He is simply the greatest to have ever played the game . ''
The words @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you even mount an argument against Messi being number one on this list ?
We all know just how good he is .
Perhaps a lack of international success with Argentina and 'only ' winning things with Barcelona ?
But we 're splitting hairs there .
There is a legitimate case for stating the 'Magic Magyars ' Hungary team of the 1950s was the best in the world .
They lost just one match in six years - which , unfortunately , happened to be the World Cup final .
That 's how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 31 when he joined Real Madrid and still won five league titles , three European Cups and scored 242 goals .
He scored 514 goals in 529 matches in the Hungarian and Spanish leagues .
Ridiculous really , is n't it ?
The Champions League 's all-time top goalscorer and scorer of 100 goals for Portugal - Cristiano Ronaldo is a remarkable player .
Especially when you consider how he has reinvented himself from spindly winger to powerful number nine .
Whether you rank him ahead of Messi or not is the debate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , though , he has won titles in three countries .
And won a major tournament with his national side .
Wherever you end up ranking Ronaldo , we can all agree he would be higher if it was n't for horrific injuries .
At his peak , perhaps in his season at Barcelona or his first year at Inter before yet another setback , he was as close to unplayable as it gets .
It 's no wonder he broke the world transfer record twice by the age of 21 .
Take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ observe - the jaw-dropping close control , the trademark step-overs at speed that humiliated a decade of goalkeepers , the powerful finish with either foot - he really was something else .
It 's bordering on criminal that he only won one league title in his career .
One !
Another player who did n't win nearly enough honours , and much like Ronaldo , Zinedine Zidane re-imagined a position .
Before 'Zizou ' the stereotypical number 10 was your playmaker but could be kicked out of the game , was there to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Zidane , who combined the speed of thought and foot of a ballerina with the frame and menace of a cruiserweight .
At his best Zidane was so good I could n't even really tell you where he played .
A number 10 , sure , but he 'd often end up on the left , drop deep to take the ball from the defence or goalkeeper , and yet somehow still pop up in the area as well .
Not an out-and-out goalscorer or a striker , but still won the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and scored the best goal ever seen in a Champions League final .
A complete player , who even knew how to sign off in disgrace with a red card for a headbutt after scoring in his second World Cup final .
• None Can a government minister outrun the secrets of his past ?
• None Behind the scenes of a club reborn

In 1961, the government of Brazil declared Pele an "official national treasure" to prevent him being transferred out of the country
No matter how old you are, or who you grew up watching, one man has long dominated the debate about just who was the greatest footballer of all time.
From World Cup glory at 17 to Escape to Victory theatrics via 1,000 goals, Gordon Banks' save, and outrageous dummies, Pele has been a walking, talking showreel for more than half a century.
Was he the finest player to ever grace the game - or are the modern-day superstars a cut above?
As Pele turns 80, BBC Sport asked you to rate his achievements among some of the other GOATs (from this list) external-link - and you put them in order at the bottom.
The results have now been counted and Pele was ranked by you as the greatest, with Barcelona's Lionel Messi in second and Juventus' Cristiano Ronaldo in third.
We have put the players in order of the results below.
Note: The Ballon d'Or could only be won by a European player until 1995
1: Pele (Santos, NY Cosmos & Brazil)
World Cup wins: 1958, 1962, 1970 European Cup/Champions League wins: 0
Ballons d'Or: 0 League titles: 7
International caps/goals: 92/77
A teenage dream who was the highest-paid and highest-profile sports star in the world in his pomp, Pele was a phenomenon.
Breaking on to the global scene aged 17 with a hat-trick in the World Cup semi-final and two more in the final, Brazil's leading goalscorer is one of just four players to have scored in four different World Cup tournaments (1958, 1962, 1966 and 1970).
Giant Pele street mural unveiled in Santos to mark football icon's 80th
He won three of those and was kicked out of the '66 tournament in England through some brutal defending - the only way to stop him.
Not just a goalscorer, Pele had a hand in 53% of Brazil's 19 goals as they won the 1970 World Cup (four goals, six assists) and was as adept at playing behind the main striker as he was leading the line.
The greatest? Or does the fact he never played club football in Europe hold him back in your eyes?
"Had he been playing now, Pele would surely have made the move to Europe," says BBC Radio 5 Live football correspondent John Murray.
"It's the difficulty with comparing generations. We can only judge him on the record he has and it is truly phenomenal.
"The achievements of Maradona, Messi, and Cristiano Ronaldo make it a close call but, even now, Pele still has a strong claim to be considered the greatest game's greatest player."
2: Lionel Messi (Barcelona & Argentina)
World Cup wins: 0 European Cup/Champions League wins: 4
Ballons d'Or: 6 League titles: 10
International caps/goals: 140/71
"No-one else does the things he does, the way he does them - and no-one ever has done. He is simply the greatest to have ever played the game."
The words of Gary Lineker no less.
Can you even mount an argument against Messi being number one on this list? We all know just how good he is. Perhaps a lack of international success with Argentina and 'only' winning things with Barcelona? But we're splitting hairs there.
An absolute genius.
3: Cristiano Ronaldo (Sporting Lisbon, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus & Portugal)
World Cup wins: 0 European Cup/Champions League wins: 5
Ballons d'Or: 5 League titles: 7
International caps/goals: 167/101
The Champions League's all-time top goalscorer and scorer of 100 goals for Portugal - Cristiano Ronaldo is a remarkable player. Especially when you consider how he has reinvented himself from spindly winger to powerful number nine.
Whether you rank him ahead of Messi or not is the debate of our footballing time - unlike Messi, though, he has won titles in three countries. And won a major tournament with his national side.
4: Diego Maradona (Argentinos Juniors, Boca Juniors, Barcelona, Napoli, Sevilla, Newell's Old Boys & Argentina)
World Cup wins: 1986 European Cup/Champions League wins: 0
Ballons d'Or: 0 League titles: 3
International caps/goals: 91/34
What a player. If you haven't seen it, please go and watch the recent documentary about his time in Naples. It's superb.
Single-handedly (pretty much) dragged his Argentina team to World Cup glory, and carried Napoli to two Serie A titles. Does that separate him from Lionel Messi? Up to you.
5: Johan Cruyff (Ajax, Barcelona, LA Aztecs, Washington Diplomats, Levante, Feyenoord & the Netherlands)
World Cup wins: 0 European Cup/Champions League wins: 3
Ballons d'Or: 3 League titles: 10
International caps/goals: 48/33
A supremely gifted individual who was also all about the team - not winning a World Cup with his band of ludicrously good Dutch brothers in the 1970s may be the only blot on his copybook.
Produced one of the World Cup's most famous moments, had a turn named after him, and went on to inspire Pep Guardiola and countless others when coaching Barca's so-called 'dream team' of the early 1990s.
Lost a lot of money with an unwise investment in pig farming - which is not a line you're likely to ever read about Messi or Ronaldo...
6: Ronaldo (Cruzeiro, PSV, Barcelona, Inter, Real Madrid, Milan, Corinthians & Brazil)
World Cup wins: 1994, 2002 European Cup/Champions League wins: 0
Ballons d'Or: 2 League titles: 1
International caps/goals: 98/62
Wherever you end up ranking Ronaldo, we can all agree he would be higher if it wasn't for horrific injuries. At his peak, perhaps in his season at Barcelona or his first year at Inter before yet another setback, he was as close to unplayable as it gets. It's no wonder he broke the world transfer record twice by the age of 21.
Take a look at his highlights reel and observe - the jaw-dropping close control, the trademark step-overs at speed that humiliated a decade of goalkeepers, the powerful finish with either foot - he really was something else.
It's bordering on criminal that he only won one league title in his career. One!
7: Franz Beckenbauer (Bayern Munich, NY Cosmos, Hamburg & West Germany)
World Cup wins: 1974 European Cup/Champions League wins: 3
Ballons d'Or: 2 League titles: 8
International caps/goals: 103/14
'Der Kaiser' won the World Cup as player and manager and is living proof you don't have to be an attacker to rank among the very best.
A playmaker even from centre-back, Beckenbauer was equally at home in midfield or defence and made his debut on the left wing. What you call a total player.
He won three European Cups in a row for the dominant Bayern side of the mid-1970s.
8: Zinedine Zidane (Cannes, Bordeaux, Juventus, Real Madrid & France)
World Cup wins: 1998 European Cup/Champions League wins: 1
Ballons d'Or: 1 League titles: 3
International caps/goals: 108/31
Another player who didn't win nearly enough honours, and much like Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane re-imagined a position.
Before 'Zizou' the stereotypical number 10 was your playmaker but could be kicked out of the game, was there to be shot at. Not a chance with Zidane, who combined the speed of thought and foot of a ballerina with the frame and menace of a cruiserweight.
At his best Zidane was so good I couldn't even really tell you where he played. A number 10, sure, but he'd often end up on the left, drop deep to take the ball from the defence or goalkeeper, and yet somehow still pop up in the area as well.
Not an out-and-out goalscorer or a striker, but still won the World Cup for France with two headers and scored the best goal ever seen in a Champions League final.
A complete player, who even knew how to sign off in disgrace with a red card for a headbutt after scoring in his second World Cup final.
9: Ferenc Puskas (Budapest Honved, Real Madrid & Hungary & Spain)
World Cup wins: 0 European Cup/Champions League wins: 3
Ballons d'Or: 0 League titles: 10
International caps/goals: 89/87
There is a legitimate case for stating the 'Magic Magyars' Hungary team of the 1950s was the best in the world. They lost just one match in six years - which, unfortunately, happened to be the World Cup final.
That's how good Ferenc Puskas was. He was 31 when he joined Real Madrid and still won five league titles, three European Cups and scored 242 goals.
He scored 514 goals in 529 matches in the Hungarian and Spanish leagues. Ridiculous really, isn't it?
10: Alfredo di Stefano (River Plate, Millionarios, Real Madrid, Espanyol & Argentina, Colombia & Spain)
World Cup wins: 0 European Cup/Champions League wins: 5
Ballons d'Or: 2 League titles: 13
International caps/goals: 41/29
Di Stefano won his fifth and final European Cup in 1960 - still only one player has more wins.
He scored in five finals in a row, and won them all.
And, yes, he played for three countries on the international scene. Beat that.


bbc--2020-10-23--Media starting to 'go after' Greenwood - Solskjaer

Last updated on .From the section Man Utd Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says the English media are starting to `` go after '' Mason Greenwood .
This follows on from being dropped from the England squad for his well-publicised indiscretion during the team 's trip to Iceland in September .
`` Mason made a mistake this summer with England and suddenly the whole English press go after him , '' said Solskjaer .
`` I have to disappoint you [ media ] , he is never late for training .
He is never a problem when he is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ always on time .
I have seen the stories and some ex-United players talking about him and they do n't know what they are talking about .
`` We have photographers outside the training ground every day , they can see he is on time every day .
I do n't know where these stories have come from .
`` He has a good family behind him .
He has had a good background in the academy .
He is a good trainer .
He trains really well .
I can not believe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ professional . ''
Solskjaer said it was possible Greenwood could be available for Saturday 's Premier League encounter with Chelsea at Old Trafford .
Skipper Harry Maguire is also likely to be available whilst a decision on new signing Edinson Cavani , who has not played a game since March and has been building up his fitness , will be made later today .
• None Can a government minister outrun the secrets of his past ?
• None Behind the scenes of a club reborn

Mason Greenwood has made four appearances in all competitions for Manchester United this season, scoring once
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says the English media are starting to "go after" Mason Greenwood.
The forward has missed United's last two games amid speculation he has repeatedly turned up late for training.
This follows on from being dropped from the England squad for his well-publicised indiscretion during the team's trip to Iceland in September.
"Mason made a mistake this summer with England and suddenly the whole English press go after him," said Solskjaer.
"I have to disappoint you [media], he is never late for training. He is never a problem when he is on the training ground. He is always on time. I have seen the stories and some ex-United players talking about him and they don't know what they are talking about.
"We have photographers outside the training ground every day, they can see he is on time every day. I don't know where these stories have come from.
"He has a good family behind him. He has had a good background in the academy. He is a good trainer. He trains really well. I cannot believe all these stories about him not being professional."
Solskjaer said it was possible Greenwood could be available for Saturday's Premier League encounter with Chelsea at Old Trafford.
Skipper Harry Maguire is also likely to be available whilst a decision on new signing Edinson Cavani, who has not played a game since March and has been building up his fitness, will be made later today.


bbc--2020-10-23--Presidential debate 2020: Voters react to final Trump-Biden clash

At the beginning it looked like they were going to do much better .
But Trump seems like he just @ @ @ @ @ , it 's so pathetic .
I questioned it when he said he did more @ @ @ @ @ other president .
He seemed like someone who has such a huge disconnect with reality @

At the beginning it looked like they were going to do much better. But Trump seems like he just wants people to like him, it's so pathetic. I questioned it when he said he did more for black people than any other president. He seemed like someone who has such a huge disconnect with reality.


bbc--2020-10-23--Presidential debate: Trump says catch and release only works on those with 'lowest IQs'

President Donald Trump has criticised the previous immigration policy of catching border crossers and then freeing them pending a court @ @ @ @ @ debate in Nashville , he said it only worked for migrants with the `` lowest @ @ @ @ @ rules and turned up in court .
The presidential candidates clashed when talking about immigration @ @ @ @ @ the election .

President Donald Trump has criticised the previous immigration policy of catching border crossers and then freeing them pending a court hearing.
In the presidential debate in Nashville, he said it only worked for migrants with the "lowest IQs" who followed the rules and turned up in court.
The presidential candidates clashed when talking about immigration in the final debate before the election.


bbc--2020-10-23--Hunter Biden: What was he doing in Ukraine and China?

President Donald Trump has repeatedly accused his Democratic White House challenger Joe Biden of wrongdoing in regards to Ukraine and China while he was vice-president , which he denies .
The issue has resurfaced following a New York Post article about an alleged email in which an adviser from a Ukrainian energy company , Burisma , apparently thanked Mr Biden 's son , Hunter , for inviting him to meet his father .
Asked about the allegations , Joe Biden told a reporter it was a `` smear campaign '' .
No criminal activity has been proven , and no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anything to intentionally benefit his son .
Claims of influence-peddling are common in Washington DC and Mr Trump 's children have also been accused of conflicts of interest in lucrative business deals overseas .
They , too , deny wrongdoing .
What does the New York Post article say ?
An article has appeared in the New York Post focused on an email from April 2015 , in which an adviser to Burisma , Vadym Pozharskyi , apparently thanked Hunter Biden for inviting him to meet his father in Washington .
Hunter , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a director on the board of Burisma - a Ukrainian-owned private energy company while his father was the Obama administration 's pointman on US-Ukrainian relations .
Hunter was one of several foreigners on its board .
The New York Post article did not provide evidence that the meeting ever took place .
The Biden election campaign said there was no record of any such meeting on the former vice-president 's `` official schedule '' from the time .
But in a statement to Politico , the campaign also acknowledged that Mr Biden could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the Burisma adviser that did not appear on his official schedule , though it said any such encounter would have been `` cursory '' .
`` Investigations by the press , during impeachment , and even by two Republican-led Senate committees whose work was decried as 'not legitimate ' and political by a GOP colleague , have all reached the same conclusion : that Joe Biden carried out official US policy toward Ukraine and engaged in no wrongdoing , '' said Andrew Bates , a spokesman for Mr Biden .
The campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as `` Russian disinformation '' , though it did not say the emails were bogus .
The New York Post article has been shared by President Trump and his allies .
Two of his former advisers , Steve Bannon and Rudy Giuliani , were involved in providing the story and the hard drive containing the alleged emails , to the newspaper .
Sceptics have noted that Mr Giuliani travelled in December 2019 to Kyiv where he met Ukrainian lawmaker Andriy Derkach , whom the US Treasury has designated as a longtime Kremlin agent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up dirt on the Bidens in Ukraine .
But the US Director of National Intelligence , John Ratcliffe , said in a recent interview with Fox Business that the purported emails were not connected to a Russian disinformation effort .
Other US media say they have been unable to verify the authenticity of the emails .
Hunter has neither confirmed nor denied that he dropped off a laptop at the location .
What are the Bidens accused of in China ?
The New York Post cited a purported email from Hunter Biden in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 10m annual fee from a Chinese billionaire for `` introductions alone '' , though it is unclear who was involved in the alleged introductions .
Another purported email , which Fox News said it had confirmed , reportedly refers to a deal pursued by Hunter involving China 's largest private energy firm .
It is said to include a cryptic mention of `` 10 held by H for the big guy '' .
Fox News cited unnamed sources as saying `` the big guy '' in the purported email was a reference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said to be from May 2017 .
Both emails would date from when the former US vice-president was a private citizen .
Tony Bobulinski told Fox News that , contrary to Joe Biden 's statements that he had nothing to do with his son 's business affairs , Hunter `` frequently referenced asking him for his sign-off or advice on various potential deals '' in China .
However , it is not clear if such alleged involvement occurred while the elder Biden held elected office .
What is known about Hunter 's dealings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flew aboard Air Force Two with his father , who was then vice-president , on an official visit to Beijing , where the younger Biden met investment banker Jonathan Li .
Hunter told the New Yorker he just met Mr Li for `` a cup of coffee '' , but 12 days after the trip a private equity fund , BHR Partners , was approved by the Chinese authorities .
Mr Li was chief executive and Hunter was a board member .
He would hold a 10 % stake .
His lawyer also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ financial stake in BHR until 2017 , after his father had left office in the US .
Hunter resigned from the board of BHR in April 2020 , but still held his 10 % stake in BHR as of July this year , according to the company report .
What are the Bidens accused of in Ukraine ?
President Trump and his allies have accused Joe Biden of wrongdoing because he pushed , while vice-president , for the Ukrainian government to fire its top prosecutor , who was investigating the company for which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaders and major bodies that give financial support to Ukraine also wanted the prosecutor dismissed because they believed he was not active enough in tackling corruption .
What else has the Biden campaign said ?
`` Joe Biden has never even considered being involved in business with this family , nor in any overseas business whatsoever , '' said the statement .
`` He has never held stock in any such business arrangements nor has any family member or any other person ever held stock for him .
`` What is true is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Breitbart that he is angry that he was *not* able to go into business with Hunter and James Biden [ Joe Biden 's brother ] . ''
What did this have to do with impeachment ?
In 2019 , details emerged of a phone call President Trump had made to the president of Ukraine , in which he had urged the Ukrainian leader to investigate the Bidens .
Has anything been proven against the Bidens ?
US Republican lawmakers launched an investigation and found that Hunter 's work for the Ukrainian firm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was n't evidence that US foreign policy was influenced by it .
No criminal charges were proven against Burisma either .
The company issued a statement in 2017 saying `` all legal proceedings and pending criminal allegations '' against it were closed .
Last year , Yuriy Lutsenko , the prosecutor in Ukraine who succeeded Viktor Shokin , told the BBC that there was no reason to investigate the Bidens under Ukrainian law .
There 's nothing illegal about sitting on a board of a company whilst family members serve in government , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the Burisma board may have been `` poor judgement '' .
Hunter Biden 's lawyers said in statement in October 2019 that he had undertaken `` these business activities independently .
He did not believe it appropriate to discuss them with his father , nor did he . ''
Hunter told the New Yorker magazine that on the only occasion he had mentioned Burisma : `` Dad said , ' I hope you know what you are doing . '
'' Amid all the scrutiny , the Democratic White House nominee said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president , no-one in his family will hold a job or have a business relationship with a foreign corporation or foreign government .

Hunter Biden: What was he doing in China and Ukraine? Published 6 April 2021
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Vice-President Biden in 2016 with his son Hunter looking on
Hunter Biden, second son of US President Joe Biden, is being investigated by the Justice Department over his finances including, according to US media reports, some of his business dealings in China.
During the 2020 election campaign, he and his father were frequently accused by Donald Trump and his associates of wrongdoing in regards to China and Ukraine, allegations which they both denied.
The New York Post reported on an alleged email in which an adviser from a Ukrainian energy company, Burisma, apparently thanked Hunter for inviting him to meet his father, Joe Biden.
Asked about the allegations, Joe Biden told a reporter it was a "smear campaign". No criminal activity has been proven, and no evidence has emerged that Mr Biden did anything to intentionally benefit his son.
In an interview with the BBC months after his father was sworn in as president, Hunter Biden defended his qualifications for the position at Burisma but added that, in retrospect, he had "missed... the perception that I would create".
Claims of influence-peddling are common in Washington DC and Mr Trump's children have also been accused of conflicts of interest in lucrative business deals overseas. They, too, deny wrongdoing.
What do we know about the federal investigation?
The Justice Department is investigating Hunter Biden's finances including scrutinising some of his past Chinese business dealings and other transactions, a "person familiar with the matter" told The Associated Press in December.
The tax investigation was launched in 2018 but Hunter Biden said he had learned about it for the first time in December 2020.
Asked about the investigation by US broadcaster CBS this April, the president's son said: "I'm co-operating, completely. And I'm absolutely certain, 100% certain, that at the end of the investigation, that I will be cleared of any wrongdoing."
What have the Bidens been accused of in China?
The New York Post cited a purported email from Hunter Biden in August 2017 indicating he was receiving a $10m annual fee from a Chinese billionaire for "introductions alone", though it is unclear who was involved in the alleged introductions.
Another purported email, which Fox News said it had confirmed, reportedly refers to a deal pursued by Hunter involving China's largest private energy firm. It is said to include a cryptic mention of "10 held by H for the big guy".
Fox News cited unnamed sources as saying "the big guy" in the purported email was a reference to Joe Biden. This message is said to be from May 2017. Both emails would date from when the former US vice-president was a private citizen.
A former business associate of Hunter Biden has come forward to say he can confirm the allegations.
Tony Bobulinski told Fox News that, contrary to Joe Biden's statements that he had nothing to do with his son's business affairs, Hunter had "frequently referenced asking him for his sign-off or advice on various potential deals" in China.
Mr Bobulinski, who is reportedly a US Navy veteran, separately told Fox News' Tucker Carlson that he had met on two occasions with Joe Biden to discuss business deals with China, the first time in May 2017 when Barack Obama's former vice-president was a private citizen.
He says he asked Joe Biden's brother, James, whether the family was concerned about possible scrutiny of the former vice-president's involvement in a potential business deal with a Chinese entity. Mr Bobulinski told Fox News that James Biden had replied: "Plausible deniability."
Mr Bobulinski was invited by Mr Trump to be his guest at the final presidential debate in Nashville, Tennessee on 22 October.
What is known about Hunter's dealings in China?
In 2013, Hunter flew aboard Air Force Two with his father, who was then vice-president, on an official visit to Beijing, where the younger Biden met investment banker Jonathan Li.
Hunter told the New Yorker he had just met Mr Li for "a cup of coffee", but 12 days after the trip a private equity fund, BHR Partners, was approved by the Chinese authorities. Mr Li was chief executive and Hunter was a board member. He would hold a 10% stake.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Joe Biden walks out of Air Force Two with his granddaughter and son, Hunter Biden
BHR is backed by some of China's largest state banks and by local governments, according to US media.
Hunter Biden's lawyer said he had joined the board in an unpaid position "based on his interest in seeking ways to bring Chinese capital to international markets".
His lawyer also said his client did not acquire his financial stake in BHR until 2017, after his father had left office in the US.
Hunter resigned from the board of BHR in April 2020, but still held his 10% stake in BHR as of July this year, according to the company report.
What did the New York Post say about Hunter Biden and Ukraine?
The New York Post reported an email from April 2015, in which an adviser to Burisma, Vadym Pozharskyi, apparently thanked Hunter Biden for inviting him to meet his father in Washington.
Hunter was a director on the board of Burisma - a Ukrainian-owned private energy company while his father was the Obama administration's pointman on US-Ukrainian relations. Hunter was one of several foreigners on its board.
The New York Post article did not provide evidence that the meeting had ever taken place. The Biden election campaign said there was no record of any such meeting on the former vice-president's "official schedule" from the time.
But in a statement to Politico, the campaign also acknowledged that Mr Biden could have had an "informal interaction" with the Burisma adviser that did not appear on his official schedule, though it said any such encounter would have been "cursory".
"Investigations by the press, during impeachment, and even by two Republican-led Senate committees whose work was decried as 'not legitimate' and political by a GOP colleague, have all reached the same conclusion: that Joe Biden carried out official US policy toward Ukraine and engaged in no wrongdoing," said Andrew Bates, a spokesman for Mr Biden.
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Media caption, What we know about Biden-Ukraine corruption claims
Mr Biden's team has also decried the New York Post story as "Russian disinformation", though it did not say the emails were bogus.
The New York Post article was shared by President Trump and his allies. Two of his former advisers, Steve Bannon and Rudy Giuliani, were involved in providing the story and the hard drive containing the alleged emails, to the newspaper.
Mr Giuliani says the messages were found on a laptop that Hunter dropped off at a Delaware repair shop in April 2019.
Sceptics have noted that Mr Giuliani travelled in December 2019 to Kyiv where he met Ukrainian lawmaker Andriy Derkach, whom the US Treasury has designated as a longtime Kremlin agent. Mr Giuliani has acknowledged trying dig up dirt on the Bidens in Ukraine.
But the US Director of National Intelligence, John Ratcliffe, told Fox Business that the purported emails were not connected to a Russian disinformation effort.
Other US media say they have been unable to verify the authenticity of the emails. Hunter has neither confirmed nor denied that he dropped off a laptop at the location.
Hunter joined Burisma in 2014, and remained on the board until April 2019, when he decided to leave.
Speaking to the BBC, he said Burisma had seen his name "as gold" and that it had played a large part in his appointment to the board.
What are the Bidens accused of in Ukraine?
Donald Trump and his allies accused Joe Biden of wrongdoing because he had pushed, while vice-president, for the Ukrainian government to fire its top prosecutor, who was investigating the company for which Hunter worked.
In 2016, Joe Biden called for the dismissal of Ukrainian prosecutor Viktor Shokin, whose office had Burisma and other companies under investigation.
However, other Western leaders and major bodies that give financial support to Ukraine also wanted the prosecutor dismissed because they believed he was not active enough in tackling corruption.
What else has the Biden campaign said?
Shortly before the final presidential debate last year, the Democrat's camp released a statement denying wrongdoing.
"Joe Biden has never even considered being involved in business with his family, nor in any overseas business whatsoever," said the statement.
"He has never held stock in any such business arrangements nor has any family member or any other person ever held stock for him.
"What is true is that Tony Bobulinski admitted on the record to Breitbart that he is angry that he was *not* able to go into business with Hunter and James Biden [Joe Biden's brother]."
What did this have to do with impeachment?
In 2019, details emerged of a phone call Mr Trump, the then president, had made to the president of Ukraine, in which he had urged the Ukrainian leader to investigate the Bidens.
This led to charges by the Democrats that Mr Trump was trying to illegally pressure Ukraine to help damage his election rival, resulting in impeachment by the House of Representatives.
Mr Trump denied he had done anything wrong, and he was later acquitted by the Republican-controlled US Senate.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, President Trump holds a copy of The Washington Post the day after the US Senate acquitted him on two articles of impeachment
Has anything been proven against the Bidens?
While no criminal activity has been proven, it has raised questions about potential conflicts of interest.
A senior State Department official raised such concerns as far back as 2015.
US Republican lawmakers launched an investigation and found last year that Hunter's work for the Ukrainian firm had been "problematic" - but there wasn't evidence that US foreign policy was influenced by it.
No criminal charges were proven against Burisma either. The company issued a statement in 2017 saying "all legal proceedings and pending criminal allegations" against it were closed.
Last year, Yuriy Lutsenko, the prosecutor in Ukraine who succeeded Viktor Shokin, told the BBC that there was no reason to investigate the Bidens under Ukrainian law.
There is nothing illegal about sitting on a board of a company whilst family members serve in government.
Hunter Biden's lawyers said in statement in October 2019 that he had undertaken "these business activities independently. He did not believe it appropriate to discuss them with his father, nor did he."
Hunter told the New Yorker magazine that on the only occasion he had mentioned Burisma: "Dad said, 'I hope you know what you are doing.'"


bbc--2020-10-23--Presidential debate: Trump and Biden clash on Covid response

During the final presidential debate , Trump and Biden clashed on the response towards the coronavirus pandemic .
Covid-19 was @ @ @ @ @ night at the debate in Nashville .

During the final presidential debate, Trump and Biden clashed on the response towards the coronavirus pandemic.
Covid-19 was the first topic on the night at the debate in Nashville.


bbc--2020-10-23--Virus to stay 'at least until next summer' - Macron

Speaking on a visit to a hospital in the Paris region , Mr Macron said scientists were telling him that @ @ @ @ @ be present `` at best until next summer '' , he said .

Scientists have warned that although progress is being made at unprecedented speed to create a vaccine, it would not return life to normal in spring. A vaccine could take up to a year to roll out, they have suggested.


bbc--2020-10-23--The Countdown: Ariana Grande and early voting for astronauts

She is apparently a little bit conflicted because although she seems to have a big role in what looks to @ @ @ @ @ she also has work to do in the kitchen .


bbc--2020-10-23--US election 2020: How Trump has changed the world

The US and Iran have been at loggerheads since 1979 , when Iran 's US-backed shah ( its monarch ) @ @ @ @ @ Americans were taken hostage inside the US embassy .
In May 2018 , Mr Trump @ @ @ @ @ a 2015 nuclear deal , under which Iran agreed to limit its nuclear programme in @ @ @ @ @ economic sanctions .
He then put in place what the White House called `` the @ @ @ @ @ '' - designed to compel Iran 's leaders into a deal more to his liking @

The US and Iran have been at loggerheads since 1979, when Iran's US-backed shah (its monarch) was overthrown, and 52 Americans were taken hostage inside the US embassy. In May 2018, Mr Trump ratcheted up tensions by abandoning a 2015 nuclear deal, under which Iran agreed to limit its nuclear programme in return for the lifting of economic sanctions. He then put in place what the White House called "the toughest sanctions regime ever imposed" - designed to compel Iran's leaders into a deal more to his liking.


bbc--2020-10-23--US President Donald Trump at debate: Look at India. The air is filthy

`` Look at China , how filthy it is .
Look at Russia .
Look at India .
It 's @ @ @ @ @ filthy .
I walked out of the Paris Accord as we had to take out @ @ @ @ @ were treated very unfairly , '' Mr Trump said talking about the decision to pull @ @ @ @ @ Accord which aims to cap global warming `` well below '' 2C .

"Look at China, how filthy it is. Look at Russia. Look at India. It's filthy. The air is filthy. I walked out of the Paris Accord as we had to take out trillions of dollars and we were treated very unfairly," Mr Trump said talking about the decision to pull out of the Paris Climate Accord which aims to cap global warming "well below" 2C.


bbc--2020-10-23--Presidential debate: Decoding Trump and Biden's body language

US President Donald Trump and his White House challenger Joe Biden have taken part in their final live TV debate @ @ @ @ @ language reveal , and how well did they get their messages across ?

US President Donald Trump and his White House challenger Joe Biden have taken part in their final live TV debate.
What did their body language reveal, and how well did they get their messages across?


bbc--2020-10-23--Sudan-Israel relations agreed, Donald Trump announces

Shortly after Mr Trump formally moved to remove Sudan from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism , reporters @ @ @ @ @ the Oval Office where the president was on the phone to the Sudanese and Israeli @ @

Shortly after Mr Trump formally moved to remove Sudan from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism, reporters in Washington were taken to the Oval Office where the president was on the phone to the Sudanese and Israeli leaders.


bbc--2020-10-23--US man jailed for supplying guns used in San Bernardino shootings

They said several years before the San Bernardino shooting , Marquez and Farook , 28 , plotted to attack a @ @ @ @ @ on a highway .
But Marquez abandoned the idea in 2012 and distanced himself from @ @ @ @ @ California were arrested for planning to travel to Afghanistan to kill US troops .

They said several years before the San Bernardino shooting, Marquez and Farook, 28, plotted to attack a local community college and traffic on a highway. But Marquez abandoned the idea in 2012 and distanced himself from Farook after three men in California were arrested for planning to travel to Afghanistan to kill US troops.


bbc--2020-10-24--Nagorno-Karabakh conflict: 'Execution' video prompts war crime probe

It 's likely the videos were recorded at some point between 9-15 October .
Azerbaijan announced that Hadrut had been @ @ @ @ @ although it later emerged that , while they had taken some strategic heights around the @ @ @ @ @ still going on for control of the town itself on 12 October .

It's likely the videos were recorded at some point between 9-15 October. Azerbaijan announced that Hadrut had been taken on 9 October, although it later emerged that, while they had taken some strategic heights around the town, fierce fighting was still going on for control of the town itself on 12 October.


bbc--2020-10-23--Colorado fires: 'It's devastating... watching my community burn'

As the US state of Colorado battles the two largest wildfires in its history , teacher CarrieAnn Fain describes what @ @ @ @ @ forced to leave behind her dream home .
She has watched her town of Grand @ @ @ @ @ Troublesome Fire continues to grow .

As the US state of Colorado battles the two largest wildfires in its history, teacher CarrieAnn Fain describes what it's like to be forced to leave behind her dream home.
She has watched her town of Grand Lake burn as the East Troublesome Fire continues to grow.
Video by Dan Lytwyn


bbc--2020-10-23--Poland abortion ruling: Protests spread across the country

In the early hours of Friday morning , protesters clashed with riot police outside the Warsaw home of Deputy Prime @ @ @ @ @ heads the governing Law and Justice ( PiS ) party .
Police said officers used @ @ @ @ @ when some protesters threw stones and tried to push through the cordon around the house @

In the early hours of Friday morning, protesters clashed with riot police outside the Warsaw home of Deputy Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski, who heads the governing Law and Justice (PiS) party. Police said officers used pepper spray and physical force when some protesters threw stones and tried to push through the cordon around the house.


bbc--2020-10-23--Coronavirus infections continue to rise across UK

Meanwhile , the R number has decreased slightly and is now estimated to be between 1.2 and 1.4 .
That @ @ @ @ @ the virus pass it on to 12 or 14 others , on average .

Meanwhile, the R number has decreased slightly and is now estimated to be between 1.2 and 1.4. That means every 10 people with the virus pass it on to 12 or 14 others, on average.


bbc--2020-10-23--Nigeria protests: President Buhari says 69 killed in unrest

Many believe the deaths could have been avoided if the government had made more concessions when the peaceful protests started @ @ @ @ @ off the streets .
But instead , protesters were met with brute force from police @ @ @ @ @ still walk free .

Many believe the deaths could have been avoided if the government had made more concessions when the peaceful protests started, and so got demonstrators off the streets. But instead, protesters were met with brute force from police officers, most of whom still walk free.


bbc--2020-10-23--Emily in Paris: Netflix hit's creator Darren Star 'not sorry' for 'clichés'

Earlier this month , Star revealed he had drawn on his own experiences of visiting the city .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ a really wonderful way that would encourage people to fall in love with the city @ @ @ @ @ have , '' he told the New York Times .

Earlier this month, Star revealed he had drawn on his own experiences of visiting the city. "I wanted to showcase Paris in a really wonderful way that would encourage people to fall in love with the city in a way that I have," he told the New York Times.


bbc--2020-10-23--Communities back footballer's school meals campaign

Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson said the council 's decision to back the campaign would provide meals for 19,800 pupils in @ @ @ @ @ Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street said the government should have made `` a @ @ @ @ @ it would or would not fund free school meals during the holidays `` well in @ @ @

A screenshot of a since-removed post in her name on Facebook said: "I am delighted our local businesses have bounced back so much after lockdown they are able to give away food for free, and very much hope they will not be seeking any further government support."


bbc--2020-10-23--Golden Dawn's Pappas on the run as colleagues start jail terms

However , a court ruled on Thursday that most of the jail sentences should start straight away .
Michaloliakos was @ @ @ @ @ themselves in .
Giorgos Roupakias , who was convicted of the 2013 murder of the @ @ @ @ @ sentence , was under house arrest and was also handed over .

However, a court ruled on Thursday that most of the jail sentences should start straight away. Michaloliakos was among 37 people who turned themselves in. Giorgos Roupakias, who was convicted of the 2013 murder of the musician and given a life sentence, was under house arrest and was also handed over.


bbc--2020-10-23--Guinea elections: Violent protests as Alpha Condé set for victory

A new constitution was approved in a referendum in March .
Mr Condé argues this means he is allowed to @ @ @ @ @ he had already served the maximum of two terms allowed under the previous constitution .

He is a member of the Peul, or Fulani, community. Although they are Guinea's largest ethnic group, the country has never had a Peul president and many ethnic Peuls say they have faced discrimination, dating back to the days of President Sékou Touré, when thousands fled the country.


bbc--2020-10-23--Covid blood plasma donation: What is blood plasma?

The NHS wants people who have recovered from coronavirus to donate their blood plasma .
It 's part of a @ @ @ @ @ can be used to fight Covid-19 .
Fourteen new donation centres are opening in England @ @ @ @ @ including in places such as Lancaster and Leeds .
But what is plasma in the @ @ @ @ @ plasma donations be used to treat people who are seriously ill with coronavirus ?

Scientists are looking at whether plasma in human blood could be used to treat people who are seriously ill with Covid-19.
Health services around the world have been asking for people to donate plasma for covid patients to find out how effective the treatment is.
It's all to do with antibodies found in the blood - but what's the science behind the process?
BBC health correspondent Laura Foster explains
Video by Mattea Bubalo, Laura Foster and Terry Saunders.


bbc--2020-10-23--Week in pictures: 17-23 October 2020

Week in pictures: 17-23 October 2020

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

Image caption,
A man transports geese on the roof of his car, as he drives towards the city of Ganja,. At least 12 people were killed in missile strikes in Ganja, Azerbaijan's second-biggest city, earlier this week, as fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh continued.


bbc--2020-10-23--Brothers play tabla to the BBC theme tune

Ryan and Isaac , aged 11 and eight , have been playing the tabla , traditional drums , since they @ @ @ @ @ brothers , from Lahore in Pakistan , rose to fame on Instagram after celebrities praised @ @ @ @ @ They had a go at playing the BBC News theme tune for us .

Ryan and Isaac, aged 11 and eight, have been playing the tabla, traditional drums, since they were very young.
The brothers, from Lahore in Pakistan, rose to fame on Instagram after celebrities praised them for their talent.
They had a go at playing the BBC News theme tune for us.


bbc--2020-10-23--Coronavirus: Chester drive-in movie bogged down by lockdown loos

`` Originally we had planned to have six nights on the Welsh part of the ground but had to change @ @ @ @ @ of the car park after the Welsh Government brought in new restrictions . ''

"Originally we had planned to have six nights on the Welsh part of the ground but had to change it to the English part of the car park after the Welsh Government brought in new restrictions."


bbc--2020-10-23--How the End Sars protests have changed Nigeria forever

These were financed through crowdfunding and were cited as examples of how Nigeria could be better if it were not @ @ @ @ @ seem more interested in what they can personally gain , rather than how they can @ @ @ @

These were financed through crowdfunding and were cited as examples of how Nigeria could be better if it were not for the politicians who often seem more interested in what they can personally gain, rather than how they can improve the country.


bbc--2020-10-23--'It feels so good to be back dancing'

'It feels so good to be back dancing'

`` We will keep improving , and trying to get something new into our dancing , so that when we @ @ @ @ @ lockdown we can absolutely blow everyone off their feet , '' says Mr Abel .

In a normal year, their 12-hour weekdays at their base in the Estonian capital of Tallinn would see them first practise for three hours, and then spend the rest of their time teaching other dancers. On weekends they would travel to competitions across Europe and around the world.


bbc--2020-10-24--United Nations at 75 plagued by new crises and cash crunch

The structure of the UN contributes to that toothlessness .
The five permanent members of the UN Security Council , @ @ @ @ @ to block whatever they like , are the same as they were in 1945 , @ @ @ @ @ US , Russia ( former USSR ) , France , China and the UK .

The structure of the UN contributes to that toothlessness. The five permanent members of the UN Security Council, the ones with a veto to block whatever they like, are the same as they were in 1945, the WW2 victors: the US, Russia (former USSR), France, China and the UK.


bbc--2020-10-24--Chile's choice: Out with the old, in with the new?

`` I 'm one of thousands of Chileans convinced that it 's possible to have a country that guarantees dignity @ @ @ @ @ just for the privileged few , '' the 28-year-old says .
`` What we want @ @ @ @ @ that guarantees equality and rights for everyone , with dignified conditions where there 's no @ @ @ @ @ second-class citizens . ''

"I'm one of thousands of Chileans convinced that it's possible to have a country that guarantees dignity for all - and not just for the privileged few," the 28-year-old says. "What we want is to have a constitution that guarantees equality and rights for everyone, with dignified conditions where there's no such thing as first and second-class citizens."


bbc--2020-10-24--The Indian doctor taking care of thousands of elephants

His connection to elephants can be traced to his childhood , when his family took care of a female elephant @ @ @ @ @ .
`` When I was about seven , I used to sit on Laxmi and @ @ @ @ @ it 's one of my most vivid memories of her .
That 's how I @ @ @ @ @ ''

His connection to elephants can be traced to his childhood, when his family took care of a female elephant called Laxmi in their home. "When I was about seven, I used to sit on Laxmi and go around the village - it's one of my most vivid memories of her. That's how I began to love elephants."


bbc--2020-10-22--Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer and YouTube found recently hosting racist music

Some of the bands - from the UK , US and Europe - have long been on the radar of @ @ @ @ @ groups , and venues have been criticised in the past for allowing such groups to @ @ @

Some of the bands - from the UK, US and Europe - have long been on the radar of civil rights and anti-hate campaign groups, and venues have been criticised in the past for allowing such groups to play gigs.


bbc--2020-10-23--Bamford hat-trick as Leeds end Villa's perfect start

Last updated on .From the section Premier League Leeds United ended Aston Villa 's winning start and ruined their chance of going top of the Premier League thanks to a brilliant Patrick Bamford hat-trick .
The result lifts Leeds to third - their highest position at the end of a day in the division since September 2002 .
It was reward for a relentlessly positive performance from an injury-hit visiting side that should probably have yielded more goals .
In the first-half , Bamford missed with a header and then side-footed wide after being found by Jack Harrison 's low @ @ @ @ @ @ @ move .
Leeds ' record signing Rodrigo was also guilty of spurning good opportunities , slicing one shot wide before seeing an effort blocked by Ezri Konsa .
Dean Smith 's Villa team , who had put seven goals past champions Liverpool in their previous home game , saw a Jack Grealish shot cleared off the line by Luke Ayling after the ball had fallen to the midfielder from Trezeguet 's miscued shot .
Villa 's captain also went close with a saved effort from close range after he had shown great tenacity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ within his own half .
But Bamford had the decisive say , finding the corner of the net from just a few yards out after Emiliano Martinez had palmed out Rodrigo 's low shot .
If his first was simple , his second and third were stunning - a rising effort into the top corner from 20 yards after he was found by Mateusz Klich on 67 minutes and a dug out , curling finish following Helder Costa 's low ball seven minutes later .
Leeds are now two points and a place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a point behind leaders Everton .
• None How Bamford and Leeds are proving doubters wrong • None Best action and reaction from Aston Villa v Leeds • None Football Daily podcast : Hat-trick Bamford and what next for Wilshere ?
Leeds maybe have not been as spectacular as Villa in the early stages of 2020-21 , but they are certainly making their mark on a top flight that had been without them for 16 years .
There were plenty of times during that period when little was missing in their absence , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charge - the pleasure is all the Premier League 's .
Leeds have already shown they are unwilling to be daunted and compromise their attacking principles , even when facing the elite sides .
And at Villa Park , with influential midfielder Kalvin Phillips and captain Liam Cooper missing through injury and a makeshift defence in place , they took apart the division 's form team on their own patch .
Under Bielsa , Leeds create chances but they have not always had the cutting edge to make them count , with Bamford @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life with Leeds clearly suits the English striker , though , and Friday 's hat-trick took him to six goals in six matches this term .
His treble is also the sixth in the top flight already in 2020-21 - after 49 games , it is the earliest that has happened .
Leeds themselves have now scored 12 league goals , the most by a newly promoted club after six games of a season in the competition since Middlesbrough also netted 12 in 1992-93 .
It is perhaps in-keeping with what has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Villa , yet to drop points and whose last appearance on their own ground saw them put seven past Liverpool , would be put to the sword by newly promoted Leeds .
But still it defied all expectation .
Villa were second best throughout , unable to compete with the visitors ' intensity and energy .
Even Grealish , who has impressed so much , was unable to inspire his side , although he did have moments - not least of all with the solo run that almost brought an opener for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Bamford 's first goal was a big blow , his second sent Villa to canvas and the third knocked them out .
It was a bad night at the office , but Smith 's side remain a work in progress - and while he is unlikely to be pleased after defeat , one poor showing in five is a percentage he will surely take .
The key now will be whether Villa can respond to such a ruthless ending to one eight-game unbeaten streak by building another .
'We probably got away @ @ @ @ @ @ @ managers said Aston Villa boss Dean Smith , speaking to Match of the Day : `` Very frustrated , especially with the last 40 minutes .
I thought the first half was very even .
They scored the first goal and we got worse and they were very good .
We probably got away with a 3-0 in the end with the chances they had .
`` Who knows what would have happened if we had scored ?
That is the first time we have been behind in a game and we did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa , speaking to Match of the Day : `` It was an important game for us and a deserved triumph .
We scored first and were a little bit lucky they did n't score some of the chances they had .
We were playing well even before the goal and had played well enough to go ahead . ''
On striker Patrick Bamford , Bielsa added : `` Very happy for Patrick because he scored some wonderful goals .
Apart from that [ he is ] a noble player @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - generous also .
I think his development is more to do with him and less to do with me . ''
• None This was Aston Villa 's first defeat in nine Premier League matches ( six wins ) and also the first time they had fallen behind at any stage in any of those nine matches .
• None This was the biggest win by a newly promoted side in an away Premier League match since October 2019 , when Aston Villa won 5-1 at Norwich , and the biggest by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also keeping a clean sheet since Brighton won 3-0 at West Ham in October 2017 .
• None Since the start of last season , Aston Villa have lost 22 Premier League games and conceded 72 goals in the competition - only Norwich City ( 27 defeats , 75 goals conceded ) have lost and conceded more in the division in that time .
• None Bamford has scored six goals in Leeds ' first six league matches this season - only Eric Cantona in 1992-93 ( also six ) has scored as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stage of a Premier League campaign .
• None The Englishman is only the second player to score in Leeds United 's first three away games in a top-flight league season , after Gordon Hodgson in 1937-38 .
• None Bamford is the ninth Leeds player to score a Premier League hat-trick and the first since Mark Viduka away at Charlton in April 2003 .
• None Can a government minister outrun the secrets of his past ?
• None Behind the scenes of a club reborn

Last updated on .From the section Premier League
Patrick Bamford's first Premier League hat-trick takes him to six goals for the season
Leeds United ended Aston Villa's winning start and ruined their chance of going top of the Premier League thanks to a brilliant Patrick Bamford hat-trick.
Villa came into Friday's game having won their first four games of a league campaign for the first time since 1930-31, but three expert finishes from the Leeds striker prevented the hosts making it a club record five victories on the spin to open their season.
The result lifts Leeds to third - their highest position at the end of a day in the division since September 2002.
It was reward for a relentlessly positive performance from an injury-hit visiting side that should probably have yielded more goals.
In the first-half, Bamford missed with a header and then side-footed wide after being found by Jack Harrison's low cross at the end of swift counter-attacking move.
Leeds' record signing Rodrigo was also guilty of spurning good opportunities, slicing one shot wide before seeing an effort blocked by Ezri Konsa.
Dean Smith's Villa team, who had put seven goals past champions Liverpool in their previous home game, saw a Jack Grealish shot cleared off the line by Luke Ayling after the ball had fallen to the midfielder from Trezeguet's miscued shot.
Villa's captain also went close with a saved effort from close range after he had shown great tenacity and skill to carry the ball from within his own half.
But Bamford had the decisive say, finding the corner of the net from just a few yards out after Emiliano Martinez had palmed out Rodrigo's low shot.
If his first was simple, his second and third were stunning - a rising effort into the top corner from 20 yards after he was found by Mateusz Klich on 67 minutes and a dug out, curling finish following Helder Costa's low ball seven minutes later.
Leeds are now two points and a place behind Villa, who remain second, a point behind leaders Everton.
Bamford and Leeds make their presence felt
Bielsa happy for 'noble and generous' Bamford
Leeds maybe have not been as spectacular as Villa in the early stages of 2020-21, but they are certainly making their mark on a top flight that had been without them for 16 years.
There were plenty of times during that period when little was missing in their absence, but now - with Marcelo Bielsa in charge - the pleasure is all the Premier League's.
Leeds have already shown they are unwilling to be daunted and compromise their attacking principles, even when facing the elite sides.
And at Villa Park, with influential midfielder Kalvin Phillips and captain Liam Cooper missing through injury and a makeshift defence in place, they took apart the division's form team on their own patch.
Under Bielsa, Leeds create chances but they have not always had the cutting edge to make them count, with Bamford too often frustratingly profligate.
Premier League life with Leeds clearly suits the English striker, though, and Friday's hat-trick took him to six goals in six matches this term. His treble is also the sixth in the top flight already in 2020-21 - after 49 games, it is the earliest that has happened.
Leeds themselves have now scored 12 league goals, the most by a newly promoted club after six games of a season in the competition since Middlesbrough also netted 12 in 1992-93.
Villa suffer first setback
Villa got away with a 3-0 defeat - Smith
It is perhaps in-keeping with what has been a chaotic Premier League season so far that Villa, yet to drop points and whose last appearance on their own ground saw them put seven past Liverpool, would be put to the sword by newly promoted Leeds.
But still it defied all expectation. Villa were second best throughout, unable to compete with the visitors' intensity and energy.
Even Grealish, who has impressed so much, was unable to inspire his side, although he did have moments - not least of all with the solo run that almost brought an opener for the hosts early in the second half.
Bamford's first goal was a big blow, his second sent Villa to canvas and the third knocked them out.
It was a bad night at the office, but Smith's side remain a work in progress - and while he is unlikely to be pleased after defeat, one poor showing in five is a percentage he will surely take.
The key now will be whether Villa can respond to such a ruthless ending to one eight-game unbeaten streak by building another.
'We probably got away with a 3-0' - what the managers said
Aston Villa boss Dean Smith, speaking to Match of the Day: "Very frustrated, especially with the last 40 minutes. I thought the first half was very even. They scored the first goal and we got worse and they were very good. We probably got away with a 3-0 in the end with the chances they had.
"Who knows what would have happened if we had scored? That is the first time we have been behind in a game and we didn't handle it very well."
Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa, speaking to Match of the Day: "It was an important game for us and a deserved triumph. We scored first and were a little bit lucky they didn't score some of the chances they had. We were playing well even before the goal and had played well enough to go ahead."
On striker Patrick Bamford, Bielsa added: "Very happy for Patrick because he scored some wonderful goals. Apart from that [he is] a noble player who sacrifices a lot for the team - generous also. I think his development is more to do with him and less to do with me."
Bamford matches Cantona - the best stats
This was Aston Villa's first defeat in nine Premier League matches (six wins) and also the first time they had fallen behind at any stage in any of those nine matches.
This was the biggest win by a newly promoted side in an away Premier League match since October 2019, when Aston Villa won 5-1 at Norwich, and the biggest by a promoted club away from home while also keeping a clean sheet since Brighton won 3-0 at West Ham in October 2017.
Since the start of last season, Aston Villa have lost 22 Premier League games and conceded 72 goals in the competition - only Norwich City (27 defeats, 75 goals conceded) have lost and conceded more in the division in that time.
Bamford has scored six goals in Leeds' first six league matches this season - only Eric Cantona in 1992-93 (also six) has scored as many goals for the club at this stage of a Premier League campaign.
The Englishman is only the second player to score in Leeds United's first three away games in a top-flight league season, after Gordon Hodgson in 1937-38.
Bamford is the ninth Leeds player to score a Premier League hat-trick and the first since Mark Viduka away at Charlton in April 2003.
Player of the match Bamford Patrick Bamford with an average of 9.23 Aston Villa Aston Villa Aston Villa
Leeds Leeds United Leeds United Aston Villa Avg Squad number 26 Player name E Martínez Average rating 4.63 Squad number 10 Player name Grealish Average rating 4.21 Squad number 2 Player name Cash Average rating 4.16 Squad number 7 Player name McGinn Average rating 4.08 Squad number 4 Player name Konsa Average rating 3.86 Squad number 6 Player name Douglas Luiz Average rating 3.82 Squad number 15 Player name Traoré Average rating 3.67 Squad number 18 Player name Targett Average rating 3.64 Squad number 20 Player name Barkley Average rating 3.61 Squad number 11 Player name Watkins Average rating 3.61 Squad number 5 Player name Mings Average rating 3.58 Squad number 17 Player name Trézéguet Average rating 3.56 Leeds United Avg Squad number 9 Player name Bamford Average rating 9.23 Squad number 22 Player name Harrison Average rating 8.71 Squad number 2 Player name Ayling Average rating 8.58 Squad number 46 Player name Shackleton Average rating 8.39 Squad number 5 Player name Koch Average rating 8.36 Squad number 1 Player name Meslier Average rating 8.32 Squad number 20 Player name Rodrigo Average rating 8.23 Squad number 43 Player name Klich Average rating 8.22 Squad number 15 Player name Dallas Average rating 8.19 Squad number 10 Player name Alioski Average rating 8.15 Squad number 17 Player name Hélder Costa Average rating 8.15 Squad number 18 Player name Raphinha Average rating 7.77 Squad number 19 Player name Pablo Hernández Average rating 7.54 Squad number 21 Player name Struijk Average rating 6.72


bbc--2020-10-23--Verstappen & Stroll escape punishment after Portuguese GP practice crash

Last updated on .From the section Formula 1 Max Verstappen and Lance Stroll escaped punishment following an investigation into a crash during practice at the Portuguese Grand Prix .
Stewards called both drivers to give evidence and ruled that neither was `` wholly or predominantly at fault '' .
Mercedes ' Valtteri Bottas was fastest overall in the session from Verstappen , with Lewis Hamilton eighth .
Red Bull 's Verstappen swore over the radio immediately after the crash between the two drivers , asking what Stroll , of Racing Point , thought he was doing .
Stroll had passed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ previous lap .
Verstappen attempted to pass back at the start of the next lap , but Stroll turned in .
The stewards ' report said : `` Stroll was on a fast lap and was allowed to pass by Verstappen on the lap preceding the incident .
`` Given the information from his team and usual practice , Verstappen assumed that Stroll would back off for the next lap and moved to overtake along the main straight .
`` However , Stroll was instructed by his team to go for a second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would have backed off to gain a gap between them , also in line with usual practice , and so was not looking for the overtaking Verstappen .
`` The drivers agreed in the hearing that the incident was the result of a misunderstanding between them and that with hindsight , both could have contributed to avoid the incident . ''
The incident led to one of two red flags in a disrupted session that left teams and drivers with little information on a track that is new to F1 .
The first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alpha Tauri caught fire .
A mandatory Pirelli tyre test on development tyres for 2021 run in the first half-hour of the session further limited useful running and meant the session was unrepresentative of the true competitive order .
Gasly 's problem interrupted Hamilton 's quick lap on the soft tyres , while Bottas managed to complete his before the session was stopped .
Hamilton did manage to get in another lap before the second red flag , but was 1.3 seconds off the pace .
Bottas had earlier topped the first session @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Verstappen third .
McLaren 's Lando Norris was third fastest , from Ferrari 's Charles Leclerc and their team-mates Carlos Sainz and Sebastian Vettel .
Ferrari have the latest in a series of aerodynamic upgrades , some developments on their floor being introduced in Portugal following changes to the front of the car at the last two races .
Hamilton , who will break Michael Schumacher 's all-time record of victories if he wins on Sunday said he had enjoyed the Autodromo do Algarve but had had a troubled day .
`` Incredibly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` Massively challenging .
The undulations are incredible '' A lot of places you ca n't see where you 're going - exit of Turn Eight you are looking at the sky for a period of time , also into ( Turn ) 11 you turn in and you do n't know where you are .
`` The surface is very smooth and you see a lot of people sliding and spinning , not an easy day .
`` First practice was probably the better session for me even though the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then we made some changes and it was pretty terrible in P2 .
`` I need to take a few steps back and see where we went wrong with the set-up . ''
• None Can a government minister outrun the secrets of his past ?
• None Behind the scenes of a club reborn

Last updated on .From the section Formula 1
Text and audio commentary of second practice is live on the BBC Sport website at 15:00 BST
Max Verstappen and Lance Stroll escaped punishment following an investigation into a crash during practice at the Portuguese Grand Prix.
The pair collided as Verstappen tried to overtake Stroll after they had raced down the pit straight.
Stewards called both drivers to give evidence and ruled that neither was "wholly or predominantly at fault".
Mercedes' Valtteri Bottas was fastest overall in the session from Verstappen, with Lewis Hamilton eighth.
Red Bull's Verstappen swore over the radio immediately after the crash between the two drivers, asking what Stroll, of Racing Point, thought he was doing.
Stroll had passed Verstappen at the final corner of the previous lap. Verstappen attempted to pass back at the start of the next lap, but Stroll turned in.
The stewards' report said: "Stroll was on a fast lap and was allowed to pass by Verstappen on the lap preceding the incident.
"Given the information from his team and usual practice, Verstappen assumed that Stroll would back off for the next lap and moved to overtake along the main straight.
"However, Stroll was instructed by his team to go for a second flying lap. Stroll assumed that Verstappen would have backed off to gain a gap between them, also in line with usual practice, and so was not looking for the overtaking Verstappen.
"The drivers agreed in the hearing that the incident was the result of a misunderstanding between them and that with hindsight, both could have contributed to avoid the incident."
The incident led to one of two red flags in a disrupted session that left teams and drivers with little information on a track that is new to F1.
The first stopped was caused when Pierre Gasly's Alpha Tauri caught fire.
A mandatory Pirelli tyre test on development tyres for 2021 run in the first half-hour of the session further limited useful running and meant the session was unrepresentative of the true competitive order.
Gasly's problem interrupted Hamilton's quick lap on the soft tyres, while Bottas managed to complete his before the session was stopped.
Hamilton did manage to get in another lap before the second red flag, but was 1.3 seconds off the pace.
Bottas had earlier topped the first session, 0.339secs ahead of Hamilton, with Verstappen third.
McLaren's Lando Norris was third fastest, from Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and their team-mates Carlos Sainz and Sebastian Vettel.
Ferrari have the latest in a series of aerodynamic upgrades, some developments on their floor being introduced in Portugal following changes to the front of the car at the last two races.
Hamilton, who will break Michael Schumacher's all-time record of victories if he wins on Sunday said he had enjoyed the Autodromo do Algarve but had had a troubled day.
"Incredibly difficult circuit," the world champion said. "Massively challenging. The undulations are incredible
"A lot of places you can't see where you're going - exit of Turn Eight you are looking at the sky for a period of time, also into (Turn) 11 you turn in and you don't know where you are.
"The surface is very smooth and you see a lot of people sliding and spinning, not an easy day.
"First practice was probably the better session for me even though the car didn't feel that great and then we made some changes and it was pretty terrible in P2.
"I need to take a few steps back and see where we went wrong with the set-up."


bbc--2020-10-23--'There will be consequences' - Giro boss 'very upset' by rider protest

Last updated on .From the section Cycling The Giro d'Italia race director says he was `` very upset '' by cyclists ' safety protests and promised `` consequences '' .
Organisers agreed with the Professional Cyclists ' Association ( CPA ) to start 124km from the finish in Asti .
Czech rider Josef Cerny of CCC won the stage , while Britain 's Tao Geoghegan Hart remains third overall .
BBC Sport understands organisers RCS were mystified by the action because it said riders had not voiced concerns to the race management earlier .
Instead , it said , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the start of the 258km race from Morbegno .
The CPA , which represents the cyclists , said on Friday before the stage began : `` The riders ' health is the priority , especially in this Covid period . ''
It added : `` Reducing the stage will not diminish the show , but will allow the immune defences of the riders not to be put at greater risk . ''
However , race director Mauro Vegni told Eurosport : `` [ I 'm ] very upset about the way it 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way to resolve these issues .
`` I think there are going to be words with lawyers - I do n't think it 's respectful to the race or people who want to watch .
`` Today the parcours [ course ] was lovely .
There will be consequences because of the behaviour of the riders . ''
Competing in heavy rain can cause riders , whose immune systems may already be compromised by excessive exertion , to become unwell as dirt and bacteria from the road is sprayed through the peloton .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the risk of contracting coronavirus .
Vegni added : `` The stage was announced a year ago .
A rainy October day is not an unusual thing and it is 13C , so not cold .
There 's no excuse not to do it . ''
The stage initially took place under heavy rain in the neutral zone before the official start , where riders were stopped and the team 's buses were called to pick them up .
The peloton was eventually dropped off in Abbiategrasso , where , in drying conditions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including Britain 's Alex Dowsett of Israel Start Up Nation , stayed ahead of the peloton for the duration .
Cerny broke clear of the break and held them off to cross the finish line 18 seconds ahead of Belgium 's Victor Campenaerts of NTT and Italian Jacopo Mosca of Trek-Segafredo .
The peloton rolled in 11 minutes later after Bora-Hansgrohe called off their attack for Slovak Peter Sagan part-way through the stage .
Sunweb 's Dutch rider Wilco Kelderman continues to lead the overall standings by 12 seconds from Australian team-mate Jai @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hart of Ineos Grenadiers .
Meanwhile , Vini Zabu-KTM 's Italian rider Matteo Spreafico has left the Giro , having being suspended by the UCI - cycling 's world governing body - after two adverse analytical findings for the prohibited substance enobosarm .
`` The rider has the right to request and attend the analyses of the B samples , '' said a UCI statement .
`` In accordance with the UCI anti-doping rules , the rider has been provisionally suspended until the adjudication of the affair . ''
• None Can a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past ?
• None Behind the scenes of a club reborn

Last updated on .From the section Cycling
Riders are being transported on team buses
The Giro d'Italia race director says he was "very upset" by cyclists' safety protests and promised "consequences".
Riders completed more than half of stage 19 on their team buses after concerns were raised over racing in heavy rain, risking riders' health.
Organisers agreed with the Professional Cyclists' Association (CPA) to start 124km from the finish in Asti.
Czech rider Josef Cerny of CCC won the stage, while Britain's Tao Geoghegan Hart remains third overall.
BBC Sport understands organisers RCS were mystified by the action because it said riders had not voiced concerns to the race management earlier. Instead, it said, a few riders approached them 10 minutes before the start of the 258km race from Morbegno.
The CPA, which represents the cyclists, said on Friday before the stage began: "The riders' health is the priority, especially in this Covid period."
It added: "Reducing the stage will not diminish the show, but will allow the immune defences of the riders not to be put at greater risk."
However, race director Mauro Vegni told Eurosport: "[I'm] very upset about the way it's happened. It isn't the right way to resolve these issues.
"I think there are going to be words with lawyers - I don't think it's respectful to the race or people who want to watch.
"Today the parcours [course] was lovely. There will be consequences because of the behaviour of the riders."
Competing in heavy rain can cause riders, whose immune systems may already be compromised by excessive exertion, to become unwell as dirt and bacteria from the road is sprayed through the peloton.
Many riders were concerned it would increase the risk of contracting coronavirus.
Vegni added: "The stage was announced a year ago. A rainy October day is not an unusual thing and it is 13C, so not cold. There's no excuse not to do it."
The stage initially took place under heavy rain in the neutral zone before the official start, where riders were stopped and the team's buses were called to pick them up.
The peloton was eventually dropped off in Abbiategrasso, where, in drying conditions, a breakaway of 14 riders, including Britain's Alex Dowsett of Israel Start Up Nation, stayed ahead of the peloton for the duration.
Cerny broke clear of the break and held them off to cross the finish line 18 seconds ahead of Belgium's Victor Campenaerts of NTT and Italian Jacopo Mosca of Trek-Segafredo.
The peloton rolled in 11 minutes later after Bora-Hansgrohe called off their attack for Slovak Peter Sagan part-way through the stage.
Sunweb's Dutch rider Wilco Kelderman continues to lead the overall standings by 12 seconds from Australian team-mate Jai Hindley, and 15 seconds from Geoghegan Hart of Ineos Grenadiers.
Meanwhile, Vini Zabu-KTM's Italian rider Matteo Spreafico has left the Giro, having being suspended by the UCI - cycling's world governing body - after two adverse analytical findings for the prohibited substance enobosarm.
"The rider has the right to request and attend the analyses of the B samples," said a UCI statement.
"In accordance with the UCI anti-doping rules, the rider has been provisionally suspended until the adjudication of the affair."


bbc--2020-10-23--Who are the youngsters Barca will turn to against Real Madrid?

Pedri , Francisco Trincao , Sergino Dest , Riqui Puig , Ronald Araujo… they are far from household names , but some of these youngsters will play prominent roles for Barcelona in Saturday 's Clasico showdown with Real Madrid .
Let 's find out more about them .
Old , slow , expensive… and gone Too old , too slow .
That was the widespread and damningly simple verdict on Barcelona 's squad after their humiliating 8-2 Champions League defeat by Bayern Munich in August .
Incoming coach Koeman and the club 's hierarchy agreed , and the new campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thirty-something stars Luis Suarez , Ivan Rakitic and Arturo Vidal .
In their place , Koeman has been turning to youth , liberally sprinkling his selections with a group of kids with the aim of instilling greater energy and dynamism , sweeping away the cobwebs of a side that had grown stale .
In part , it is a symbolic move intended to show that the new man in charge has his own ideas , will not automatically favour the established hierarchy and has a genuine determination to revitalise a decaying team .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of necessity , especially from the board 's perspective .
The club is beset by deep financial problems - recently announcing debts of nearly half a billion euros - and the chance to replace high-earning veterans with low-cost youngsters was too good to miss .
So the young guns are on the scene .
But who are they ?
The most-used and most impressive youngster is a superstar in the making who first burst onto the scene last season , Ansu Fati .
The Guinea-Bissau born forward , who joined Barca 's academy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the team 's youngest scorer when he netted against Osasuna last August .
He has started the new campaign with more milestones : last month he became Spain 's youngest scorer , in a 3-0 victory over Ukraine , and on Tuesday he became the youngest player to score two Champions League goals , with a strike against Ferencvaros .
Fati , still only 17 , also scored three goals in Barca 's first two league games of the season , and he is firmly established as the first-choice left-wing selection in Koeman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many fans would love to see become a similarly automatic starter is Riqui Puig , a 21 year-old ball-playing midfielder who broke through under Quique Setien at the end of last season but has struggled to convince Koeman , only making his first appearance under the new boss as a late substitute against Getafe last weekend .
Barca seem to have struck gold with the recruitment of Pedri , a 17-year-old who was snapped up for just €5m ( £4.44m ) from second-tier Las Palmas where he broke into the first team with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but technically sublime attacking midfielder full of clever touches and deft changes of pace , Pedri has appeared in every game under Koeman .
His first start of the season came in last weekend 's loss at Getafe where he shone in an otherwise poor performance , and on Tuesday he scored his first goal for the club in the win over Ferencvaros .
After Fati 's earlier strike , that made Barca the first team in Champions League history with two 17-year-olds on the scoresheet .
Another summer arrival to play in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a 20-year-old Portugal international who was signed for €31m ( £27.53m ) after scoring nine goals for Braga last season .
A strong and elegant player with an eye for goal , Trincao started against Ferencvaros in midweek and has taken advantage of Antoine Griezmann 's ongoing struggles to become a serious contender to play on the right flank in El Clasico .
At the back , there could also be a start for 19-year-old Dutch-born American international Sergino Dest .
The versatile full-back joined from Ajax last month for an initial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to ease his way into the squad as a back-up , but an injury to Jordi Alba has accelerated his progress .
Another emerging talent is Uruguayan defender Ronald Araujo ( 21 ) , who has leapt in front of Samuel Umtiti as the first back-up to Clement Lenglet and Gerard Pique , giving a strong performance when Lenglet was suspended for the recent goalless draw with Sevilla .
In truth , with the exception of the outstanding Fati it 's still too early to judge with confidence whether any of the youngsters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regular starters for a club of Barca 's stature .
But Koeman is certainly giving them chances , and producing match-winning heroics against Real Madrid on Saturday would be the best possible way to show they truly belong .

Ansu Fati has socred 10 goals for Barcelona since joining the senior team in 2019
Pedri, Francisco Trincao, Sergino Dest, Riqui Puig, Ronald Araujo… they are far from household names, but some of these youngsters will play prominent roles for Barcelona in Saturday's Clasico showdown with Real Madrid.
After a disastrous conclusion to last season, new Barca coach Ronald Koeman is attempting to re-energise his team with a batch of fresh talent who, this weekend, will aim to make a name for themselves in the most high-profile fixture of them all.
Let's find out more about them.
Old, slow, expensive… and gone
Too old, too slow.
That was the widespread and damningly simple verdict on Barcelona's squad after their humiliating 8-2 Champions League defeat by Bayern Munich in August.
Incoming coach Koeman and the club's hierarchy agreed, and the new campaign was preceded by the cut-price sales of thirty-something stars Luis Suarez, Ivan Rakitic and Arturo Vidal.
In their place, Koeman has been turning to youth, liberally sprinkling his selections with a group of kids with the aim of instilling greater energy and dynamism, sweeping away the cobwebs of a side that had grown stale.
In part, it is a symbolic move intended to show that the new man in charge has his own ideas, will not automatically favour the established hierarchy and has a genuine determination to revitalise a decaying team.
But there was also a strong element of necessity, especially from the board's perspective. The club is beset by deep financial problems - recently announcing debts of nearly half a billion euros - and the chance to replace high-earning veterans with low-cost youngsters was too good to miss.
So the young guns are on the scene. But who are they?
Fati shooting towards superstardom
The most-used and most impressive youngster is a superstar in the making who first burst onto the scene last season, Ansu Fati.
The Guinea-Bissau born forward, who joined Barca's academy at the age of 10, became the team's youngest scorer when he netted against Osasuna last August.
He has started the new campaign with more milestones: last month he became Spain's youngest scorer, in a 3-0 victory over Ukraine, and on Tuesday he became the youngest player to score two Champions League goals, with a strike against Ferencvaros.
Fati, still only 17, also scored three goals in Barca's first two league games of the season, and he is firmly established as the first-choice left-wing selection in Koeman's 4-2-3-1 formation.
Another youth-team graduate many fans would love to see become a similarly automatic starter is Riqui Puig, a 21 year-old ball-playing midfielder who broke through under Quique Setien at the end of last season but has struggled to convince Koeman, only making his first appearance under the new boss as a late substitute against Getafe last weekend.
Pedri (left) is among Barcelona's youngsters to have slotted into the set-up under Ronald Koeman
Summer signings making an impact
Barca seem to have struck gold with the recruitment of Pedri, a 17-year-old who was snapped up for just €5m (£4.44m) from second-tier Las Palmas where he broke into the first team with 37 appearances last season.
A slender but technically sublime attacking midfielder full of clever touches and deft changes of pace, Pedri has appeared in every game under Koeman.
His first start of the season came in last weekend's loss at Getafe where he shone in an otherwise poor performance, and on Tuesday he scored his first goal for the club in the win over Ferencvaros. After Fati's earlier strike, that made Barca the first team in Champions League history with two 17-year-olds on the scoresheet.
Another summer arrival to play in every game this season is Francisco Trincao, a 20-year-old Portugal international who was signed for €31m (£27.53m) after scoring nine goals for Braga last season.
A strong and elegant player with an eye for goal, Trincao started against Ferencvaros in midweek and has taken advantage of Antoine Griezmann's ongoing struggles to become a serious contender to play on the right flank in El Clasico.
At the back, there could also be a start for 19-year-old Dutch-born American international Sergino Dest. The versatile full-back joined from Ajax last month for an initial €21m (£18.65m) and was intended to ease his way into the squad as a back-up, but an injury to Jordi Alba has accelerated his progress.
Another emerging talent is Uruguayan defender Ronald Araujo (21), who has leapt in front of Samuel Umtiti as the first back-up to Clement Lenglet and Gerard Pique, giving a strong performance when Lenglet was suspended for the recent goalless draw with Sevilla.
In truth, with the exception of the outstanding Fati it's still too early to judge with confidence whether any of the youngsters will ultimately be good enough to become regular starters for a club of Barca's stature.
But Koeman is certainly giving them chances, and producing match-winning heroics against Real Madrid on Saturday would be the best possible way to show they truly belong.