bbc--2020-06-15--Maria Ressa: The celebrated Philippine news boss enraging Duterte

She is the award-winning journalist at the centre of a high profile legal battle in the Philippines .
To many , Maria Ressa has become a symbol of the fight for press freedom in a country where journalists are under threat .
But Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and his supporters have accused her of peddling fake news through her website Rappler .
The 56-year-old has now been found guilty of `` cyber-libel '' , and could face up to six years in prison .
She denied the charges , and claimed they were politically motivated , while the government maintains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to know about the news boss who enraged the president .
Ms Ressa was born in the Philippines , but moved to the US as a child after martial law was declared by Ferdinand Marcos in the early 1970s .
`` I landed in New Jersey , where I could barely speak English , and I had to figure out what a short brown kid was going to do in this big white world , '' she told the BBC 's Lyse Doucet .
She focused on education and after studying at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ returned to the Philippines to `` find roots '' .
`` I always felt that I was n't as American as Americans and then I realised when I got back to the Philippines that I was not Filipino . ''
Ms Ressa 's return to the Philippines coincided with the 1986 People Power Revolution - when Filipinos took to the streets to overthrow Marcos .
Her move into journalism was initially a way of learning about the country she had grown distant from , but it soon became something more .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pay me to write a story ' , '' she said .
Her new career would also lead to her first meeting with Mr Duterte in the 1980s , when he was mayor of Davao city .
• Duterte : The 'strongman ' of the Philippines She went on to work in a number of senior media positions - including bureau chief for US network CNN in the Philippines and Indonesia , and head of the news division of Philippine TV channel ABS-CBN .
In 2012 , Ms Ressa co-founded the online news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meaning to talk and `` ripples '' , to make waves .
She had ambitions of making Rappler the biggest news site in the Philippines , so `` hired the smartest 20-somethings we could find '' and `` embraced social media '' .
Rappler now has more than four million followers on Facebook and has become known for its intelligent analysis and hard-hitting investigations .
The site gained a lot of attention in 2015 , when Mr Duterte - then Davao mayor - told Ms Ressa he had killed three people .
Observers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rappler 's success .
`` First , she has not backed down ; she has continued to fight for what she believes in .
She also has credibility .
She has been in the industry for decades ... and has done her job well .
`` Then , she has access to international media and international connections , '' Joi Barrios-LeBlanc , a lecturer with the University of California at Berkeley 's Southeast Asian Studies Department , said .
The BBC 's Howard Johnson in Manila describes her as an engaging speaker , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is skilled at explaining complex social developments to her audience , particularly on the issue of social media and its influence , he adds .
Rappler is one of the few Philippine media organisations to be openly critical of Mr Duterte and his policies .
It has published extensively on the populist president 's war on drugs , which has claimed thousands of lives .
• Philippines drug war : Do we know how many have died ?
Ms Ressa has personally reported on the spread of government propaganda on social media , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ critical look at issues of misogyny , human rights violations and corruption .
It has not gone unnoticed by Mr Duterte .
Speaking to a Rappler reporter in 2018 , the president said : `` If you are trying to throw garbage at us , then the least that we can do is explain - how about you ?
Are you also clean ? ''
The president has banned Rappler 's reporters from covering his official activities , and the government even revoked the site 's operating licence .
Legal action against Ms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In addition to the `` cyber-libel '' case , Ms Ressa and Rappler have been accused of tax evasion and of violating laws barring foreign ownership of local media .
Ms Ressa has described all the cases against her as `` political tools '' - an assertion supported by activists and press freedom groups around the world .
Ms Barrios-LeBlanc said Ms Ressa had come to represent the plight of journalists in the Philippines , and said `` because she gained the attention of the international press that is very significant .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Person of the Year in 2018 for steering Rappler `` through a superstorm of the two most formidable forces in the information universe : social media and a populist President with authoritarian inclinations '' .
Rachael Jolley , editor of the Index on Censorship magazine , recalled meeting Ms Ressa at a journalism festival before her name was widely known .
Even then , she says she quickly came to view her as an `` extraordinarily strong individual to be able to stand up to the government pressure '' .
Local journalist Ellen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` admired as one of those who stood up to Duterte '' .
But these views are not shared by everyone and Ms Ressa has said she is well used to receiving hate mail .
Our correspondent says Ms Ressa 's reputation is tied to Mr Duterte 's popularity , with his supporters directing much of the narrative about her on social media .
`` With support for Duterte still at a significant high , and his mocking of her in the past , Ressa has been put in a sort of 'elite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ focused on South-East Asian studies , who asked not to be named .
`` Her work is brilliant and much needed in keeping Duterte in check , but the populist - and outside of Manila - perception of her in the Philippines is she is 'out of touch ' . ''

It has not gone unnoticed by Mr Duterte. Speaking to a Rappler reporter in 2018, the president said: "If you are trying to throw garbage at us, then the least that we can do is explain - how about you? Are you also clean?"


bbc--2020-06-15--Williams would 'love to play' in US Open - coach Mouratoglou

Last updated on .From the section Tennis Serena Williams `` would love to play '' at the US Open , says her coach Patrick Mouratoglou .
The 2020 US Open is due to start on 31 August with strict restrictions in place because of coronavirus .
`` She 's definitely come back to tennis to win Grand Slams , that 's her goal , '' Mouratoglou told BBC Radio 4 's Today Programme .
`` For a player to be out of competition is extremely difficult .
So the US Open will be a first opportunity to win one .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and I have to speak with her to see if she will be able to accept and manage those expectations . ''
The former world number one and six-time US Open champion , who went out of the Australian Open in the third round in January , started the year by winning the Auckland Open - her first singles title since becoming a mother in September 2017 .
Players including Novak Djokovic , Rafael Nadal , Nick Kyrgios and Simona Halep have voiced their reservations about staging this year 's event at Flushing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or the media .
World number one Djokovic called the proposed protocols `` extreme '' while Nadal said he has `` little desire '' to travel to New York .
It is expected that players will only be permitted to have one person to accompany them throughout the tournament , which Mouratoglou says could be an issue for Williams , who prefers to travel with her daughter , Alexis .
`` I do n't imagine her being three weeks without her daughter , '' he said .
He jokingly added : `` So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the US Open , a bit younger .
Considering our record in the last seven finals , her daughter might be more successful than me . ''
WTA and ATP Tour events are suspended until the end of July at the earliest .

Williams lost to Bianca Andreescu in last year's US Open final
Serena Williams "would love to play" at the US Open, says her coach Patrick Mouratoglou.
Williams, 38, had an injury-strewn 2019 but recovered to reach the final of last year's tournament in New York.
The 2020 US Open is due to start on 31 August with strict restrictions in place because of coronavirus.
"She's definitely come back to tennis to win Grand Slams, that's her goal," Mouratoglou told BBC Radio 4's Today Programme.
"For a player to be out of competition is extremely difficult. So the US Open will be a first opportunity to win one. There'll be a lot of restrictions and I have to speak with her to see if she will be able to accept and manage those expectations."
The former world number one and six-time US Open champion, who went out of the Australian Open in the third round in January, started the year by winning the Auckland Open - her first singles title since becoming a mother in September 2017.
Players including Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Nick Kyrgios and Simona Halep have voiced their reservations about staging this year's event at Flushing Meadows, which could run without supporters or the media.
World number one Djokovic called the proposed protocols "extreme" while Nadal said he has "little desire" to travel to New York.
It is expected that players will only be permitted to have one person to accompany them throughout the tournament, which Mouratoglou says could be an issue for Williams, who prefers to travel with her daughter, Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr.
"I don't imagine her being three weeks without her daughter," he said.
He jokingly added: "So she might have a new coach for the US Open, a bit younger. Considering our record in the last seven finals, her daughter might be more successful than me."
WTA and ATP Tour events are suspended until the end of July at the earliest.


bbc--2020-06-15--The Premier League season so far in eight graphics

After a 100-day absence because of the coronavirus pandemic , England 's top flight will return to action on Wednesday .
But where did we leave off and what are the challenges facing sides at both the top and bottom over the next nine games ?
BBC Sport helps you get up to speed with a picture of the Premier League in eight graphics .
If you wan na be a record breaker ... Liverpool will be champions this season .
Such is the Reds ' lead at the top that surely nothing will prevent that , barring an unprecedented @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have already broken a number of records this campaign , including the best start to a season , most points over a 38-game period ( 104 ) , biggest points lead at the top of the table ( 25 ) and most consecutive home wins ( 22 ) .
And they have others in their sights ... Not only will Manchester City see the Premier League trophy torn from their grasp , they could see a host of the records they set during their remarkable `` Centurions '' season of 2017-18 fall .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ football was suspended on 13 March , Arsenal , Manchester United and Sheffield United were among the form sides in the division , gradually turning up the heat on some of the teams above them .
With the title race all but over , the battle for Champions League qualification - and the relative toughness of the fixtures facing those challenging for it - takes on even greater interest .
Opta have provided BBC Sport with an analysis of each side 's remaining matches and their difficulty , based on the probable outcome @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a model that analyses a side 's attacking and defensive qualities over four years of historic results , taking into account the strength of the opponent and with greater weighting given to recent results .
Each side 's fixture is ranked on a scale from one ( `` very easy '' ) to five ( `` very hard '' ) .
Below is the average difficulty of the remaining fixtures for the Premier League 's current top 10 ... After three months of debate and recrimination over how relegation should be decided in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we are hopefully going to see it resolved in the fairest arena - on the pitch .
Over the 24 seasons in which the Premier League has contained 20 teams , 37 points is the average benchmark for survival .
There are eight sides in the division who are yet to reach the tally .
Two of those - Newcastle and Southampton - are just a single win away , but Norwich are potentially looking at at least five victories from their remaining nine games to give themselves a fighting chance of staying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from their first 29 games .
Of the six sides most in peril , 19th-placed Aston Villa have the toughest remaining games according to Opta , while Brighton , currently 15th , also have an ominously tricky run-in .
Closer each day , home and away ...
Since the restart of the Bundesliga , only 11 home games have been won from 55 - that puts the home win ratio at just 20 % , half the season average of 40 % .
The post-hiatus away win ratio is 51 % , up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Could we be seeing a loss of home advantage as a result of games being played behind closed doors ?
If this phenomenon transfers to the Premier League for its return , it could have a significant impact , particularly on some of the smaller teams .
Wolves are one of the sides to have performed better away than at home this season .
With five of their remaining games being away , could this help them in their quest for European qualification ?
Equally , could it harm Brighton in their quest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ important home wins this season , five of the Seagulls ' remaining nine games are at the Amex , including a run that sees them face Arsenal , Manchester United , Liverpool and Manchester City - matches in which they could really have done with a partisan support behind them .
When the going gets rough ... With the first set of games scheduled for 17 June and a provisional end date of 25 July , there are 92 Premier League fixtures to fit into 40 days .
This means playing a league @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for most sides .
And then there 's the FA Cup , which still contains eight Premier League sides , and the Champions League and Europa League , in which four English top-flight sides are still competing .
Manchester City , who are in three competitions and one of four teams with a league game still outstanding from an earlier game week , could face at least 13 league and cup games in 49 days , with the yet to be provisionally scheduled Champions League matches to be played either during or after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for rest of 2019-20 season Finally , the race for the Premier League 's golden boot will resume , with Jamie Vardy leading the way .
The Leicester striker scored most of his 19 goals so far in the first half of the season , although he did net twice in the game immediately before the league was suspended .
Could 2018-19 's joint top-scorer Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang or regular-challenger Sergio Aguero replicate their start-of-season form to steal the honour from Vardy ?
Another man to watch is Mohamed Salah , who matched Aubameyang @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was outright top-scorer with 32 in 2017-18 and was on a run of 10 goals in 14 games before the league was halted .

The Premier League will return, with Liverpool on the verge of winning the title
The Premier League is back.
After a 100-day absence because of the coronavirus pandemic, England's top flight will return to action on Wednesday.
But where did we leave off and what are the challenges facing sides at both the top and bottom over the next nine games?
BBC Sport helps you get up to speed with a picture of the Premier League in eight graphics.
If you wanna be a record breaker...
Liverpool will be champions this season. Such is the Reds' lead at the top that surely nothing will prevent that, barring an unprecedented and unforeseeable series of losses.
They have already broken a number of records this campaign, including the best start to a season, most points over a 38-game period (104), biggest points lead at the top of the table (25) and most consecutive home wins (22).
And they have others in their sights...
Not only will Manchester City see the Premier League trophy torn from their grasp, they could see a host of the records they set during their remarkable "Centurions" season of 2017-18 fall.
When the going gets tough...
Before football was suspended on 13 March, Arsenal, Manchester United and Sheffield United were among the form sides in the division, gradually turning up the heat on some of the teams above them.
With the title race all but over, the battle for Champions League qualification - and the relative toughness of the fixtures facing those challenging for it - takes on even greater interest.
Opta have provided BBC Sport with an analysis of each side's remaining matches and their difficulty, based on the probable outcome of each.
This is based on a model that analyses a side's attacking and defensive qualities over four years of historic results, taking into account the strength of the opponent and with greater weighting given to recent results.
Each side's fixture is ranked on a scale from one ("very easy") to five ("very hard"). Below is the average difficulty of the remaining fixtures for the Premier League's current top 10...
Drop-off point
After three months of debate and recrimination over how relegation should be decided in the event of an incomplete season, we are hopefully going to see it resolved in the fairest arena - on the pitch.
Over the 24 seasons in which the Premier League has contained 20 teams, 37 points is the average benchmark for survival.
There are eight sides in the division who are yet to reach the tally.
Two of those - Newcastle and Southampton - are just a single win away, but Norwich are potentially looking at at least five victories from their remaining nine games to give themselves a fighting chance of staying up - the same number they managed from their first 29 games.
Of the six sides most in peril, 19th-placed Aston Villa have the toughest remaining games according to Opta, while Brighton, currently 15th, also have an ominously tricky run-in.
Closer each day, home and away...
Since the restart of the Bundesliga, only 11 home games have been won from 55 - that puts the home win ratio at just 20%, half the season average of 40%. The post-hiatus away win ratio is 51%, up 13% on the season average.
Could we be seeing a loss of home advantage as a result of games being played behind closed doors?
If this phenomenon transfers to the Premier League for its return, it could have a significant impact, particularly on some of the smaller teams.
Wolves are one of the sides to have performed better away than at home this season. With five of their remaining games being away, could this help them in their quest for European qualification?
Equally, could it harm Brighton in their quest to stay up?
Having claimed four important home wins this season, five of the Seagulls' remaining nine games are at the Amex, including a run that sees them face Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool and Manchester City - matches in which they could really have done with a partisan support behind them.
When the going gets rough...
With the first set of games scheduled for 17 June and a provisional end date of 25 July, there are 92 Premier League fixtures to fit into 40 days.
This means playing a league game on average roughly every 4.5 days for most sides.
And then there's the FA Cup, which still contains eight Premier League sides, and the Champions League and Europa League, in which four English top-flight sides are still competing.
Manchester City, who are in three competitions and one of four teams with a league game still outstanding from an earlier game week, could face at least 13 league and cup games in 49 days, with the yet to be provisionally scheduled Champions League matches to be played either during or after this period.
Banging 'em in
Finally, the race for the Premier League's golden boot will resume, with Jamie Vardy leading the way.
The Leicester striker scored most of his 19 goals so far in the first half of the season, although he did net twice in the game immediately before the league was suspended.
Could 2018-19's joint top-scorer Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang or regular-challenger Sergio Aguero replicate their start-of-season form to steal the honour from Vardy?
Another man to watch is Mohamed Salah, who matched Aubameyang's tally of 22 last season, was outright top-scorer with 32 in 2017-18 and was on a run of 10 goals in 14 games before the league was halted.


bbc--2020-06-15--'The system isn’t built for families like mine' - Rashford calls for school meals U-turn

Marcus Rashford has called on the government to reverse a decision not to provide free school meal vouchers during the summer , saying that `` the system is n't built for families like mine to succeed '' .
The Manchester United and England forward has raised about £20m to supply three million meals to vulnerable people while working with charity FareShare UK during the coronavirus lockdown .
Campaigners have threatened to bring legal action against the government for not extending the food voucher scheme into the summer holidays .
In an emotional open letter to MPs drawing on his own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and food banks growing up , Rashford said his story is `` all too familiar for families in England '' .
Speaking to BBC Breakfast about the letter , Rashford , 22 , said : `` It 's written from the heart and it 's about how my life was at the moment - the letter is to open up and let people understand the impact on families and to know I 've done the right thing .
`` What families are going through now , I 've once had to go through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to find a way out .
It 's very important for me to help people who are struggling .
Whether the outcome changes or does n't change - that 's why I wrote it . ''
In England , about 1.3 million children from low income backgrounds are eligible for free school meals .
To qualify , their household must earn a maximum income of £7,400 a year after tax , not including any benefits .
The full criteria is listed here .
A child who qualifies remains eligible until 31 March 2022 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Children from families who meet certain criteria can also be eligible for free school meals before they start school .
During the pandemic , the government says it expects schools to continue to support eligible children in term time .
This includes : This provision included the Easter and May half-term holidays , but the voucher schemes will not run during the summer holidays .
In Wales , the government will provide free school meal vouchers until schools reopen , or at least until the end of August 'This is not about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the letter , Rashford wrote : `` My mum worked full-time , earning the minimum wage , to make sure we always had a good evening meal on the table , but it was not enough .
`` The system was not built for families like mine to succeed , regardless of how hard my mum worked . ''
Rashford added his plea for the government to `` make the U-turn and make protecting the lives of some of our most vulnerable a top priority '' was `` not about politics '' but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it was about `` looking at ourselves in the mirror and feeling like we did everything we could to protect those who ca n't , for whatever reason or circumstance , protect themselves '' .
The Department for Education confirmed the scheme would not run during summer holidays : `` As schools open more widely , and their kitchens reopen , we expect schools to make food parcels available for collection or delivery for any children that are eligible for free school meals who are not yet able to return to school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schools can continue to offer vouchers to eligible pupils .
The spokesperson also pointed to the new £63m local authority welfare assistance scheme to support the most vulnerable families , and its Holiday Activities and Food programme , which offers activities and free meals in the summer holidays .
Families claiming free school meals have been issued with either an electronic voucher or gift card - worth £15 per child , per week - to spend at supermarkets , while schools have been closed .
Rashford wrote : `` Political affiliations aside , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ child should be going to be hungry ? ''
The United youth-team graduate , who is one of five children , added : `` As a black man from a low-income family in Wythenshawe , Manchester , I could have been just another statistic .
`` Instead , due to the selfless actions of my mum , my family , my neighbours , and my coaches , the only stats I 'm associated with are goals , appearances and caps .
`` I would be doing myself , my family and my community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here today with my voice and my platform and ask you for help . ''
Around 1.3m children in England are eligible for free school meals and a survey by the Food Foundation in May said that more than 200,000 children have had to skip meals because their family could not access enough food during lockdown .
`` Ten years ago , I would have been one of those children , and you would never have heard my voice and seen my determination to become part of the solution , '' said Rashford @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a pandemic that could span generations if we do n't course correct now . ''
Rashford stated that the government 's Universal Credit benefit system `` is simply not a short-term solution '' to the issue of food poverty , because `` I am fully aware that the majority of families applying are experiencing five-week delays '' .
He is concerned that child poverty is `` only going to get worse '' when the government 's furlough scheme ends .
Rashford added that with many children still not able to return to school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ met `` we 're encouraging this cycle of hardship to continue '' .

Man Utd's Rashford speaks about mother's sacrifices in his bid to end food poverty
Marcus Rashford has called on the government to reverse a decision not to provide free school meal vouchers during the summer, saying that "the system isn't built for families like mine to succeed".
The Manchester United and England forward has raised about £20m to supply three million meals to vulnerable people while working with charity FareShare UK during the coronavirus lockdown.
Campaigners have threatened to bring legal action against the government for not extending the food voucher scheme into the summer holidays.
In an emotional open letter to MPs drawing on his own experiences of relying on free school meals and food banks growing up, Rashford said his story is "all too familiar for families in England".
Speaking to BBC Breakfast about the letter, Rashford, 22, said: "It's written from the heart and it's about how my life was at the moment - the letter is to open up and let people understand the impact on families and to know I've done the right thing.
"What families are going through now, I've once had to go through that - and it's very difficult to find a way out. It's very important for me to help people who are struggling. Whether the outcome changes or doesn't change - that's why I wrote it."
Who qualifies for free school meals?
In England, about 1.3 million children from low income backgrounds are eligible for free school meals.
To qualify, their household must earn a maximum income of £7,400 a year after tax, not including any benefits. The full criteria is listed here. external-link
A child who qualifies remains eligible until 31 March 2022, whether in primary or secondary education. Children from families who meet certain criteria can also be eligible for free school meals before they start school.
During the pandemic, the government says external-link it expects schools to continue to support eligible children in term time. This includes:
Food parcels
A national voucher scheme
Vouchers for a local shop or supermarket
This provision included the Easter and May half-term holidays, but the voucher schemes will not run during the summer holidays.
In Wales, the government will provide free school meal vouchers until schools reopen, or at least until the end of August
'This is not about politics, it's about humanity'
In the letter, Rashford wrote: "My mum worked full-time, earning the minimum wage, to make sure we always had a good evening meal on the table, but it was not enough.
"The system was not built for families like mine to succeed, regardless of how hard my mum worked."
Rashford added his plea for the government to "make the U-turn and make protecting the lives of some of our most vulnerable a top priority" was "not about politics" but about "humanity".
He added that it was about "looking at ourselves in the mirror and feeling like we did everything we could to protect those who can't, for whatever reason or circumstance, protect themselves".
The Department for Education confirmed the scheme would not run during summer holidays: "As schools open more widely, and their kitchens reopen, we expect schools to make food parcels available for collection or delivery for any children that are eligible for free school meals who are not yet able to return to school. Where this is not possible, schools can continue to offer vouchers to eligible pupils.
The spokesperson also pointed to the new £63m local authority welfare assistance scheme to support the most vulnerable families, and its Holiday Activities and Food programme, which offers activities and free meals in the summer holidays.
Families claiming free school meals have been issued with either an electronic voucher or gift card - worth £15 per child, per week - to spend at supermarkets, while schools have been closed.
Marcus Rashford speaks to BBC Breakfast's Sally Nugent about his childhood
Rashford wrote: "Political affiliations aside, can we not all agree that no child should be going to be hungry?"
The United youth-team graduate, who is one of five children, added: "As a black man from a low-income family in Wythenshawe, Manchester, I could have been just another statistic.
"Instead, due to the selfless actions of my mum, my family, my neighbours, and my coaches, the only stats I'm associated with are goals, appearances and caps.
"I would be doing myself, my family and my community an injustice if I didn't stand here today with my voice and my platform and ask you for help."
Around 1.3m children in England external-link are eligible for free school meals and a survey by the Food Foundation in May external-link said that more than 200,000 children have had to skip meals because their family could not access enough food during lockdown.
"Ten years ago, I would have been one of those children, and you would never have heard my voice and seen my determination to become part of the solution," said Rashford.
"Food poverty in England is a pandemic that could span generations if we don't course correct now."
Rashford stated that the government's Universal Credit benefit system "is simply not a short-term solution" to the issue of food poverty, because "I am fully aware that the majority of families applying are experiencing five-week delays".
He is concerned that child poverty is "only going to get worse" when the government's furlough scheme ends.
Rashford added that with many children still not able to return to school and have more of their nutritional needs met "we're encouraging this cycle of hardship to continue".
A spokesperson for the Prime Minister said Boris Johnson "will respond to Marcus Rashford's letter as soon as he can", adding the footballer "has been using his profile in a positive way to highlight some important issues".
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer tweeted: "This is such an important and moving letter. Thank you, Marcus, for all the work you are doing to support children during the coronavirus crisis."


bbc--2020-06-15--Whyte takes legal action against WBC after Fury-Joshua 'agreed'

Last updated on .From the section Boxing In this week 's Fight Talk we look at the obstacles that still need to be overcome before Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua can fight next year , Dillian Whyte takes legal action against the WBC after Fury-Joshua two-fight 'agreement in principle , ' Chris Eubank Jr takes a dig at rival Billy Joe Saunders and Mike Tyson teaches UFC star Henry Cejudo how to throw the perfect uppercut .
Two Britons .
For all of the belts .
In the heavyweight division .
Can it get any better than this ?
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and how .
In fact , Britain 's WBO super-middleweight champion Billy Joe Saunders is so confident that his pal Fury will become the undisputed champion that he told IFL TV he is willing to bet the entire purse for his next fight on it .
But before we get too excited - and not wanting to put a dampener on your optimism - there are a few obstacles to overcome before we can be completely confident that Fury-AJ will actually happen .
Joshua is scheduled to face Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev - the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fury must first overcome Deontay Wilder again .
Boxing fans , rightly so , were quick to point out that winning those fights is n't a given for the champions… And what about Dillian Whyte ?
The Briton is the mandatory challenger for Fury 's WBC belt .
And he 's been in the number one challenger position for nearly 1,000 days .
The 'Body Snatcher ' is currently the 'interim ' champion and was told he will get his shot by February 2021 , before the announcement of the Fury-Joshua two-fight agreement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worn out after WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman confirmed that Whyte has started legal proceedings against the sanctioning body over the date of his mandatory shot .
`` There is a procedure with regards to the date of the mandatory in the heavyweight division , '' Sulaiman told Sky Sports .
`` Upon direct advice of WBC legal counsel I am not in position to discuss any further . ''
Earlier in the week , Whyte 's brother said the heavyweight had `` been failed '' by promoter Eddie Hearn , who also represents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it 's a bitter bill to swallow , '' Dean Whyte told IFL TV .
But Matchroom Boxing 's Hearn still expects Whyte to face Fury by February 2021 and told Sky Sports that the Londoner could even step in for Wilder , should the American withdraw from his world-title rematch .
Although it does n't seem Whyte is on Fury 's radar for the time being .
`` I 've fought the most vicious punchers in their own countries .
I do n't fear a stocky plodder who comes forward with no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sahni on The Lockdown Lowdown… Another spanner in the works for Fury-Joshua could come in the form of Ukraine 's Oleksandr Usyk .
The former cruiserweight king is the mandatory challenger for Joshua 's WBO belt and will be looking for his shot at a heavyweight title .
Fury 's co-promoter Bob Arum has a simple answer to all these hurdles .
`` It 's probably better if Dillian Whyte fights Usyk to get a real contender , '' he told talkSPORT .
There 's little doubt that some boxing 'rivalries ' are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there is definitely no love lost between former foes Chris Eubank Jr and Billy Joe Saunders .
After Saunders won their 2016 clash on points , the back-and-forth trash continued .
And almost six years later , it is still going strong .
Eubank Jr was asked for his thoughts on Saunders potentially missing out on a mega-money making fight with Mexican Saul 'Canelo ' Alvarez .
`` That 's what he deserves , the guy 's a lowlife , '' he told talkSPORT .
`` He 's an extremely bad representative for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should he fight Canelo when he 's going to go in there and try and survive for the money ? ''
The animosity between these two fighters is something else .
A rematch has to happen at some point in their careers , for the build-up alone , if nothing else .
Who better to learn from than the former heavyweight champion of the world and a man once hailed as 'the baddest man on the plant ' ?
Mike Tyson - who wants to fight again this year at the age of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Henry Cejudo through his paces .
Olympic gold medallist Cejudo , 33 , went on to become UFC bantamweight champion , before retiring from mixed martial arts last month .
And it seems he and Tyson have built up quite the friendship lately .
They appeared together at an All Elite Wrestling event last month and are now working together in the gym , with 'Iron Mike ' sharing the secrets behind those infamous and explosive uppercuts and hooks…

Last updated on .From the section Boxing
In this week's Fight Talk we look at the obstacles that still need to be overcome before Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua can fight next year, Dillian Whyte takes legal action against the WBC after Fury-Joshua two-fight 'agreement in principle,' Chris Eubank Jr takes a dig at rival Billy Joe Saunders and Mike Tyson teaches UFC star Henry Cejudo how to throw the perfect uppercut.
Fury-AJ 'agreed' - but Whyte takes legal action
It was an announcement that surprised many in boxing last week as world champions Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua agreed financial terms for a two-fight deal in 2021.
Two Britons. For all of the belts. In the heavyweight division. Can it get any better than this?
We've already started debating about who wins and how. In fact, Britain's WBO super-middleweight champion Billy Joe Saunders is so confident his pal Fury will become the undisputed champion that he told IFL TV he is willing to bet the entire purse for his next fight on it.
But before we get too excited - and not wanting to put a dampener on your optimism - there are a few obstacles to overcome before we can be completely confident Fury-AJ will actually happen.
Joshua is scheduled to face Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev - the IBF mandatory challenger - next, while Fury must first overcome Deontay Wilder again.
Boxing fans, rightly, were quick to point out winning those fights isn't a given for the champions…
And what about Dillian Whyte? The Briton is the mandatory challenger for Fury's WBC belt. And he's been in the number one challenger position for nearly 1,000 days.
The 'Body Snatcher' is the 'interim' champion and was told he will get his shot by February 2021, before the announcement of the Fury-Joshua two-fight agreement.
Well it seems his patience has worn out after WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman confirmed Whyte has started legal proceedings against the sanctioning body over the date of his mandatory shot.
"There is a procedure with regards to the date of the mandatory in the heavyweight division," Sulaiman told Sky Sports.
"Upon direct advice of WBC legal counsel I am not in position to discuss any further."
Earlier in the week, Whyte's brother said the heavyweight had "been failed" by promoter Eddie Hearn, who also represents Joshua.
"It's unfair, it's a bitter pill to swallow," Dean Whyte told IFL TV.
But Matchroom Boxing's Hearn still expects Whyte to face Fury by February 2021 and told Sky Sports the Londoner could even step in for Wilder, should the American withdraw from his world-title rematch.
That said, it doesn't seem Whyte is on Fury's radar for the time being.
"I've fought the most vicious punchers in their own countries. I don't fear a stocky plodder who comes forward with no power," the Fury told Dev Sahni on The Lockdown Lowdown…
Another spanner in the works for Fury-Joshua could come in the form of Ukraine's Oleksandr Usyk. The former cruiserweight king is the mandatory challenger for Joshua's WBO belt and will be looking for his shot at a heavyweight title.
Fury's co-promoter Bob Arum has a simple answer to all these hurdles.
"It's probably better if Dillian Whyte fights Usyk to get a real contender," he told Talksport.
Eubank Jr takes dig at Saunders
There's little doubt some boxing 'rivalries' are generated to build pre-fight hype.
But there is definitely no love lost between former foes Chris Eubank Jr and Billy Joe Saunders.
After Saunders won their 2016 clash on points, the back-and-forth trash continued. And almost six years later, it is still going strong.
Eubank Jr was asked for his thoughts on Saunders potentially missing out on a mega-money making fight with Mexican Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez.
"That's what he deserves, the guy's a lowlife," he told Talksport.
"He's an extremely bad representative for the sport we all love. Why should he fight Canelo when he's going to go in there and try and survive for the money?"
The animosity between these two is something else. A rematch has to happen at some point in their careers, for the build-up alone, if nothing else.
Mike Tyson teaches UFC's Henry Cejudo
Who better to learn from than the former heavyweight champion of the world and a man once hailed as 'the baddest man on the planet'?
Mike Tyson - who wants to fight again this year at the age of 53 - has been putting UFC star Henry Cejudo through his paces.
Olympic gold medallist Cejudo, 33, went on to become UFC bantamweight champion, before retiring from mixed martial arts last month.
And it seems he and Tyson have built up quite the friendship. They appeared together at an All Elite Wrestling event last month and are now working together in the gym, with 'Iron Mike' sharing the secrets behind those infamous and explosive uppercuts and hooks…


bbc--2020-06-15--US Supreme Court backs protection for LGBT workers

The top court in the US has ruled that employers who fire workers for being gay or transgender are breaking the country 's civil rights laws .
In a 6-3 decision , the Supreme Court said federal law , which prohibits discrimination based on sex , should be understood to include sexual orientation and gender identity .
The ruling is a major win for LGBT workers and their allies .
And it comes even though the court has become more conservative .
Lawyers for the employers had argued that the authors of the 1964 Civil Rights Act had not intended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ orientation and gender identity .
The Trump administration sided with that argument .
But Judge Neil Gorsuch , who was nominated to the court by President Donald Trump , said acting against an employee on those grounds necessarily takes sex into account .
`` An employer who fires an individual for being homosexual or transgender fires that person for traits or actions it would not have questioned in members of a different sex , '' he wrote .
Members of the LGBT community across the US were celebrating on hearing the news .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ live in California and originally come from New York I 've never had to personally worry about losing a job or not being hired simply because of my sexual orientation .
But as a financial adviser working with clients all around the country for over 30 years , I 've heard countless stories of people who have lost their jobs simply for being gay .
It 's angered and saddened me for so long .
For years now , I have been speaking at seminars or with friends and family about how in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ perfectly legal to fire someone just because they 're gay .
Many people did n't believe me .
Until today .
What does the ruling mean ?
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 forbids employers from discriminating against employees on the basis of sex as well as gender , race , colour , national origin and religion .
Under the Obama administration , the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission , which enforces the anti-discrimination law , said it included gender identity and sexual orientation .
But the Trump administration has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ healthcare and other areas .
While some states in the US had already explicitly extended such protections to LGBT workers , many have not .
It 's difficult to overstate the significance of the decision .
While the court is establishing a long history of decisions expanding gay rights , this is the first time it spoke directly about the legal protections for transgender individuals .
That the ruling comes out just days after the Trump administration announced it was removing transgender health-insurance protections only puts the issue in stark relief .
Transgender @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a majority of the Supreme Court just announced which side it 's on .
What have campaigners said ?
LGBT advocates hailed the decision as the end of people hiding their sexuality at work .
`` Especially at a time when the Trump administration is rolling back the rights of transgender people and anti-transgender violence continues to plague our nation , this decision is a step towards affirming the dignity of transgender people and all LGBTQ people , '' said Sarah Kate Ellis , president of GLAAD .
The American Civil Liberties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plaintiff Aimee Stephens , who died last month .
Her case was the first major transgender civil rights case heard by America 's top court .
`` I am glad the court recognised that what happened to me is wrong and illegal , '' Ms Stephens said .
`` I am thankful that the court said my transgender siblings and I have a place in our laws - it made me feel safer and more included in our society . ''
But the Alliance Defending Freedom , a conservative Christian non-profit that asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case , said it was disappointed in the ruling .
It warned it would `` create chaos and enormous unfairness for women and girls in athletics , women 's shelters and many other contexts '' .
What did the court say ?
In his opinion , Mr Gorsuch said such matters were not before the court .
`` The only question before us is whether an employer who fires someone for being homosexual or transgender has discharged or otherwise discriminated against that individual 'because of such individual 's sex ' , '' he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in isolation with my homophobic parents' The answer , he said , was `` clear '' - even if such a scenario had not been anticipated when the law was written .
`` It is impossible to discriminate against a person for being homosexual or transgender without discriminating against that individual based on sex , '' he wrote .
Three conservative justices opposed the ruling : Samuel Alito , Clarence Thomas and Brett Kavanaugh .
What are the cases ?
The ruling resolves three cases brought by people who said they had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gay or transgender .
Ms Stephens had previously presented as a man at work for six years before writing a letter to colleagues saying she would return to work `` as my true self , Aimee Australia Stephens , in appropriate business attire '' .
Two weeks later , Ms Stephens was fired for insisting in working in women 's clothes .
In a court filing last year , the funeral home owner argued it wanted Ms Stephens to comply with a dress code `` applicable to Stephens ' biological sex '' .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York who died in a skydiving accident in 2014 , had filed one of the other cases .
He was dismissed after joking with a female client with whom he was tandem-diving not to worry about the close physical contact because he was `` 100 % gay '' .
The company maintained he was fired because he shared personal information with a client , not because he was gay , but a court in New York ruled in Mr Zarda 's favour .
Gerald Bostock , a former child welfare services co-ordinator @ @ @ @ @ @ @ joining a gay recreational softball league , thereby publicly revealing his sexual orientation .
His employer , Clayton County , said his dismissal was the result of `` conduct unbecoming of a county employee '' .
Mr Bostock lost his discrimination case in a federal court in Atlanta .
Other key moments in US LGBT history • Jan 1958 - US Supreme Court rules for first time in favour of LGBT rights , saying an LGBT magazine , deemed obscene by the FBI and postal service , had First Amendment rights • July @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decriminalise homosexuality • June 1969 - Protests begin after police raid Stonewall Inn in New York City , now seen as start of gay rights movement • Sept 1996 - President Clinton defines marriage as union between `` one man and one woman '' • June 2003 - US Supreme Court determines sodomy laws to be unconstitutional • June 2015 - US Supreme Court rules 5-4 that same-sex marriage is legal across the country • June 2016 - The Pentagon lifts its ban on transgender Americans serve in the military

"I am glad the court recognised that what happened to me is wrong and illegal," Ms Stephens said. "I am thankful that the court said my transgender siblings and I have a place in our laws - it made me feel safer and more included in our society."


bbc--2020-06-15--He Xiangjian: China arrests five after attempt to kidnap billionaire

Five people have been arrested in China after an attempt to kidnap one of the country 's richest men , He Xiangjian .
Mr He is the billionaire founder of the Midea Group , one of the world 's biggest home appliance manufacturers .
Police were notified of the break-in on Sunday at his luxury villa in Foshan city in southern Guangdong province by his son who eluded the intruders .
All involved were arrested and no one hurt , said police .
Social media users likened it to an action film plot .
Mr He 's son reportedly sneaked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a nearby river to seek help .
The police in Foshan received a call on Sunday evening saying that suspects had entered He Xiangjian 's luxury villa , and were believed to be carrying explosive devices .
The call is believed to have been made by He Jianfeng , the tycoon 's 55-year-old son and one of the group 's directors .
Technology news website TMT Post says that he `` swam across the river near his house to call the police '' .
The independent South China Morning Post says that multiple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paper that they were ordered to stay under strict lockdown between Sunday evening and Monday morning while the police responded to the incident .
`` I was scared to some extent , after all I have always thought that the security here is better than in other neighbourhoods , '' one resident told the paper .
• Jack Ma : The billionaire trying to stop coronavirus ( and fix China 's reputation ) The Foshan police also issued a statement , saying that they had arrested five suspects following a kidnap attempt .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Midea posted a message of thanks on their Sina Weibo page , which state newspaper Global Times said `` indirectly confirmed the truth of the incident '' .
`` Thank you to the police , thank you to the media , and to all sectors of society for your concern , '' it says , sharing a link to the police statement .
Who is He Xiangjian ?
He Xiangjian is one of China 's richest , yet most low-key billionaires .
He is worth an estimated $ 24.8bn and is the sixth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Forbes Rich List , which ranks him 36th richest person in the world .
He built Midea from scratch in 1968 , when he was 26 .
The company began producing bottle lids and car parts , but it is now known throughout China as one of the biggest home appliance and commercial air conditioning companies .
It also owns one of the largest robotics companies in the world , the German company Kuka .
The South China Morning Post notes that the incident `` has brought public attention to the stunning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a much lower profile than many of his tycoon peers '' .
Pictures of Mr He 's European-style mansion , complete with mock Roman columns , have stunned Weibo users , as has footage of the heavy police presence outside his Foshan villa .
The incident has prompted lively conversation on Chinese social media .
Many say it 's like the plot of an action film .
Many on the popular Sina Weibo microblog comment on the perceived stupidity of the perpetrators .
`` How could people be so arrogant in broad daylight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Everything outrageous is happening in 2020 , '' another adds .
Users also ask about the presence of Mr He 's security .
The South China Morning Post says that Mr He 's villa regularly has two security guards stationed outside the property , and that the billionaire 's villa `` has its own 24-hour security guard '' .
Some Weibo users note that China 's epidemic outbreak has led to `` desperation '' .
`` After the epidemic , it 's become difficult to make money , '' one user says .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ are not guaranteed , there will always be people taking risks , '' another adds .
Employees at Midea 's headquarters were given the day off ; the company says it is carrying out a risk assessment .
BBC Monitoring reports and analyses news from TV , radio , web and print media around the world .
You can follow BBC Monitoring on Twitter and Facebook .

The call is believed to have been made by He Jianfeng, the tycoon's 55-year-old son and one of the group's directors. Technology news website TMT Post says that he "swam across the river near his house to call the police".


bbc--2020-06-15--The lengths countries go to for a seat at UN top table

Glad-handing , parties and concerts by U2 and Celine Dion - how countries campaign for a seat on the United Nations Security Council .
It likely wo n't come down to the gift bags or the parties but that does n't mean Canada , Norway and Ireland are leaving it to chance .
From Norway , General Assembly delegations will get a badge covered with fabric from the tapestry used to decorate the council chamber 's walls .
The small tokens for delegations ahead of the 17 June vote come after lengthy campaigns by the three nations for one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the security council , which is tasked with ensuring global peace and security , The seats they are campaigning for are set aside for the `` Western Europe and Others '' [ WEOG ] regional grouping on the council .
The winners will serve a two-year term on the 15-member body .
*There is some strong language at the end of this article* Campaign season for the contested seats means `` a lot of parties , a lot of events '' at the UN 's headquarters in New York , says Stephanie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ global body for news site PassBlue .
Campaigns can be elaborate affairs with slick promotional materials and plenty of wining and dining , and countries announce they will run years in advance .
In 2018 , Ireland invited diplomats to a New York concert by Irish rockers U2 , and Canada did something similar for a concert by Canadian songstress Celine Dion this year .
Canada says it 's shelled out roughly $ 1.74m ( £1.37m ) and has 13 full-time staff working on the campaign .
And as of late last year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Norway $ 2.8m .
Why do countries want a seat on the council ?
Members states get three things in return for a seat , says Adam Chapnick , a professor of defence studies at the Royal Military College of Canada .
Those are access , relevance , and influence .
`` For two years , day in and day out , a country that is not a great power will have direct access to the five permanent members in addition to whomever else might be on the council at that time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : `` With that access comes relevance . ''
`` All of a sudden you 're really popular around the world because if somebody else ca n't reach the Chinese or the Americans or the French , they know you can . ''
• Reality Check : Does Russia always use a veto on Syria ?
The council has significant responsibilities .
It can authorise peacekeeping operations , impose international sanctions , and determine how the UN should respond to conflicts around the world .
But the council is n't always in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` There are times when you can actually change the international rules of the game and there are other times where you absolutely ca n't .
And that 's entirely unpredictable . ''
Why Canada 's bid is being closely watched In 2010 , Canada suffered its first ever defeat for a seat on the council .
Portugal , a small European nation in economic turmoil at the time , pulled off an upset victory , and Germany won the other open seat .
In Canada , that defeat became a political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then governing Conservatives for what they saw as an embarrassing failure .
`` In some ways the Portuguese won , in other ways Canada lost , '' says Mr Chapnick .
Portugal not only ran a strong campaign but actively campaigned against Canada , recruiting allies to campaign against its bid .
Canada 's bid did have flaws , he says including getting serious about the campaign late in the game .
It also faced scepticism from African delegations after closing some embassies on the continent .
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau 's Liberals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unsuccessful bid , announcing Canada was `` back '' on the world stage .
So how is this campaign shaping up ?
Good campaigns usually have a few things in common , says Mr Chapnick .
Contenders will have a well-regarded representative at UN headquarters in New York , one with a close relationship with his or her home capital .
The campaigns are well-funded and often have an engaged head of government or state , or senior cabinet members , involved in the pitch .
Mr Trudeau has spent part of this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to secure votes from Caribbean and Africa countries during February overseas trips .
He recently co-hosted a UN panel on the coronavirus pandemic .
Mr Chapnick says it 's positively viewed when competing nations show a commitment increasing their international engagement .
Norway , Ireland and Canada are all pitching their commitment to matters like climate change , multilateralism and peacekeeping .
Ireland is pushing the idea that `` you can get everything you need from choosing a middle power like Canada or Norway '' so the small island nation of Ireland brings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he says .
He sums up Norway 's broad line as `` Canada says we 're back , Norway says 'we never left ' '' .
Canada has shifted its message in recent months during the pandemic , to `` in a time of global crisis it 's helpful to have another G7 country at the table '' .
Ms Fillion says : it 's `` important to keep in mind when you look at the vote is there is so much that countries take into account in order to cast their ballots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bilateral relationship that one campaigning country 's managed to build with a counterpart .
There are also vote swaps , when one country will support a bid in return for a favourable vote for a seat on another UN body .
Recent elections have been less focused on international reputation - countries do highlight contributions to development aid and peacekeeping operations - and more transactional in nature , says Mr Chapnick .
It 's `` I do n't care how much foreign aid you provide , how much of it goes to me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ play makes the results difficult to predict , says Ms Fillion , though she has heard talk that either Norway or Ireland are currently in the lead .
Canada , distracted early on by the election of US President Donald Trump and subsequent free trade renegotiations with the US and Mexico , seems to have rallied in recent months , she says .
Not all regional seats are contested races - many groups run slates .
In the last decade , nearly 80 % of elections for council seats went uncontested .
Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Western Europe and Others group for competing for the seat as a rule instead of reaching some sharing agreement .
He says it 's `` not in anyone 's interests '' to have multiyear campaigns where countries `` have to go shill all sorts of countries that are n't friendly to us '' for a seat .
What can we expect from this vote ?
There are five permanent members - China , France , Russian , the UK , and the US - and 10 non-permanent members .
Elections for five @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members include two WEOG members , five Asian or African members , two Latin American members , and one east European member .
Due to the coronavirus pandemic member states will not be in the General Assembly hall during the elections but will instead each be given a time slot to cast their secret ballot .
To win a seat , a country needs to secure the support of at least two thirds of the General Assembly delegations that are voting .
In the past , countries thought they had secured a seat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are cast , promises of support never materialised .
A former Australian ambassador to the UN dubbed it the `` rotten lying bastards '' phenomenon after losing a bid in the 1990s .

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bbc--2020-06-15--Trump voter: 'These people here are genuine Americans'

The BBC 's Sophie Long visited the US state of Montana to hear what voters think of President Trump .
@ @ @ @ @ he does n't underestimate their intelligence .

The BBC's Sophie Long visited the US state of Montana to hear what voters think of President Trump.
Supporters of the president said he doesn't underestimate their intelligence.


bbc--2020-06-15--Coronavirus: US withdraws emergency use of hydroxychloroquine

Emergency use of the anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for coronavirus has been withdrawn by the US Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ) .
The FDA said that new evidence from clinical trials meant that it was no longer reasonable to believe that the drug would produce an antiviral effect .
President Donald Trump later defended promoting the use of hydroxychloroquine as a treatment of Covid-19 .
In March , the FDA granted the emergency use of the drug for some serious cases .
But on Monday , the agency said clinical studies had suggested that hydroxychloroquine was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ failed to prevent infection among those exposed to it .
Responding to the FDA 's decision , Mr Trump said that he had previously taken the drug preventatively with no side effects .
`` I took it and I felt good about taking it , '' he told reporters on Monday , adding : `` I ca n't complain about it , I took it for two weeks , and I 'm here , here we are . ''
The 74-year-old president said that many people had told him it had saved their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ revealed that he was taking the drug after some people in the White House tested positive for coronavirus .
His comments about hydroxychloroquine became the subject of widespread speculation online and controversy within the scientific community about the potential benefits and harmful effects of the drug - along with the related drug , chloroquine .
Trials around the world were temporarily derailed when a study published in The Lancet claimed the drug increased fatalities and heart problems in some patients .
The results prompted the World Health Organization ( WHO ) and others @ @ @ @ @ @ @ However , The Lancet subsequently retracted the study when it was found to have serious shortcomings and the WHO has resumed its trials .

"I took it and I felt good about taking it," he told reporters on Monday, adding: "I can't complain about it, I took it for two weeks, and I'm here, here we are."


bbc--2020-06-15--Luce Douady: French 16-year-old climber dies from fall

A 16-year-old future star of the climbing world has died after falling from a cliff in south-eastern France .
Luce @ @ @ @ @ unexplored sector of a cliff near Grenoble when she slipped and fell from the approach @ @ @ @ @ .
Her body has been recovered and an investigation opened , according to Le Dauphiné @ @ @ @ @ her death are unclear .
Tributes have been paid from the world of professional sports @ @ @ @ @ governing body the International Federation of Sport Climbing called her a `` young , brilliant @ @ @ @ @ French climbing site Grimper called her the `` future of climbing '' .
After winning @ @ @ @ @ to senior competition .
Aged just 15 , she made her debut appearance on the @ @ @ @ @ , finishing fifth .
Bouldering requires competitors to try to climb fixed routes within a @ @ @ @ @ one of the disciplines when sports climbing makes its debut at next year 's rescheduled @ @ @

Bouldering requires competitors to try to climb fixed routes within a time limit. It is one of the disciplines when sports climbing makes its debut at next year's rescheduled Tokyo Olympics.


bbc--2020-06-15--Oscars 2021 ceremony postponed for two months

Next year 's Oscars ceremony has been pushed back by two months , the latest big celebrity event to have been affected by the coronavirus outbreak .
The Academy Awards were due to take place on 28 February next year but have now been put back until 25 April .
Organisers have also agreed to extend the eligibility window beyond 31 December 2020 to the end of February .
Next year 's British Academy Film Awards ( Baftas ) have been pushed back to 11 April , keeping in line with the Oscars .
The pandemic has already halted work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due to be released by the end of the year .
The Oscars has only been delayed three times before - due to LA flooding in 1938 ; after the assassination of Dr Martin Luther King Jr in 1968 ; and following the attempted assassination of President Ronald Reagan in 1981 .
It 's not yet known if the ceremony will be virtual or in person as it is too early to say .
David Rubin , president of the Academy - the body behind the Oscars- and its CEO Dawn Hudson said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ movies have played an important role in comforting , inspiring , and entertaining us during the darkest of times .
`` They certainly have this year .
Our hope , in extending the eligibility period and our awards date , is to provide the flexibility filmmakers need to finish and release their films without being penalised for something beyond anyone 's control .
`` This coming Oscars and the opening of our new museum will mark an historic moment , gathering movie fans around the world to unite through cinema . ''
Nominations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2021 .
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recently changed its rules so films that debut on streaming or video on demand services are eligible for next year 's awards .
The current rules say films can only enter if they have been shown in a Los Angeles cinema for at least a week .
But with cinemas shut during the coronavirus crisis , organisers said a `` temporary '' exception was necessary .
Many film releases have been delayed , with others going straight to digital .
The Oscars is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been affected by Covid-19 .
The prestigious Tony theatre awards were due to take place earlier this month but were postponed and a new date is yet to be announced .
Some events have been cancelled , including last month 's Eurovision Song Contest .
Last week , The Academy pledged to ensure greater inclusivity in its future award ceremonies , to `` level the playing field '' .
It also said there would always be 10 films in the best film category rather than a fluctuating number between five and 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ play until 2022 , however .
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If you have a story suggestion email entertainment.news @ bbc.co.uk

"They certainly have this year. Our hope, in extending the eligibility period and our awards date, is to provide the flexibility filmmakers need to finish and release their films without being penalised for something beyond anyone's control.


bbc--2020-06-15--Atlanta police shooting: Rayshard Brooks' family demands justice

The family of an African American man who died after being shot in the back by a police officer in the US state of Georgia are pleading for justice .
Rayshard Brooks was gunned down while fleeing two police officers after a struggle with them in a Wendy 's car park in Atlanta late last week .
The local medical examiner declared his death a homicide on Sunday .
`` The trust that we have in the police force is broken , '' his niece Tiara Brooks told a news conference .
`` The only way to heal some of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a drastic change in the police department . ''
Amid growing outrage , Mr Brooks ' widow asked that protests stay peaceful to keep her husband 's name `` positive and great '' .
Mr Brooks ' death comes at a time of nationwide reckoning over police violence against African Americans , initially sparked by the death of another black man , George Floyd , who was killed in police custody in Minneapolis .
On Monday morning , hundreds of protesters assembled in Atlanta , calling for criminal justice reforms and demanding justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bottoms announced a series of executive orders demanding police reforms concerning use of force policies .
What did Mr Brooks family say ?
At a press conference on Monday , Mr Brooks ' family described him as a `` loving husband and caring brother '' , and doting father of three daughters .
One of his children , Blessing , had her eighth birthday party on the day her father was killed .
`` He was silly , had the biggest smile and the brightest heart , '' said his niece Chastity Evans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ uncle `` shot and killed like trash for falling asleep at a drive-through '' .
• Why US protests are so powerful this time Mr Brooks ' shooting comes at a time of nationwide upheaval , with thousands already taking to the street in cities across the country , demanding changes in the use of deadly force by police , particularly of African Americans .
On Sunday evening , more than 100 people turned out in the rain at the site of the shooting for a peaceful protest following Mr Brooks ' death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's drive-through restaurant where he was stopped was set on fire .
Speaking to the media , Mr Brooks ' widow , Tomika Miller thanked demonstrators for their support , and asked that the gatherings in his name remain peaceful .
• The struggle that cost Rayshard Brooks his life '' If you could just keep it as a peaceful protest , that would be wonderful , '' she said .
Why this case is different The swiftness with which a white police officer was fired in the killing of Rayshard Brooks is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and dramatically police agencies have shifted strategy when it comes to dealing with deadly force cases .
Historically , not only have police chiefs been reticent to fire officers involved in in-custody deaths until a `` full investigation '' had taken place , they 've been quick to defend the officer 's use of force if he or she `` reasonably '' believed that a person had a deadly weapon or posed immediate danger to the officer .
In this case , video shows that Brooks had taken the officer 's Taser and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only is the weapon designated as less than lethal , the video shows he was running away and that the shots that killed him entered his back .
If the officer is criminally charged in this case , the question of whether or not a Taser should be considered a deadly weapon will surely come into play , as well as whether the officer had `` reasonable '' fear of Brooks .
But at this stage , what is already clear is that police departments are not feeling nearly as confident relying on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have allowed them to slow-play their response to a police-involved killing .
Ms Miller told reporters that she and her husband had been following the protests incited by George Floyd .
`` I 've always said , 'baby , I do n't want that to be you , ' '' she said .
What are the details of the Atlanta shooting ?
The Georgia Bureau of Investigations ( GBI ) says officers were called to fast-food restaurant Wendy 's because Mr Brooks had fallen asleep in his car , which was blocking the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the police department shows the two officers administering a sobriety test , with Mr Brooks ' permission .
The two officers then try to handcuff him , at which point their body cams fall off , but security camera video shows them struggling with Mr Brooks on the ground .
At the press conference on Monday , a lawyer for Mr Brooks suggested that he may have feared being placed in handcuffs , with the knowledge that George Floyd was handcuffed when he died .
He then grabs an officer 's Taser @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to punch one of them and breaks free from the officers , running away .
As he is chased , Mr Brooks is seen turning around and pointing the Taser before continuing to run and being shot .
According to the Fulton County medical examiner , the manner of death of Rayshard Brooks was `` homicide '' .
He suffered two gunshots to the back that caused organ injuries and blood loss .
The Atlanta chief of police has since quit , and the police officer suspected of shooting Mr Brooks has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Howard told CNN that three charges could apply against sacked police officer Garrett Rolfe : murder , felony murder and aggravated assault .
A decision by his office following their investigation could come by midweek .
`` We look forward to the District Attorney 's findings , '' said L. Chris Stewart on Monday , an attorney for the Brooks family .
What did the Atlanta mayor say ?
Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms on Monday announced a series of administrative orders asking calling for reforms to the Atlanta police department 's use of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with state law , demand that officers only use `` the amount of objectively reasonable force necessary '' to protect themselves and others , and require de-escalation by officers , particularly before the use of deadly force .
Ms Bottoms also introduced a `` duty to intervene '' , rendering police officers who witness other officers using unnecessary force `` duty bound to intercede '' and prevent that use of force .
`` It 's very clear that our police officers are to be guardians and not warriors within our communities , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced the creation of a task force on police reforms , meant to provide recommendations to the city in two weeks .
But she said Mr Brooks ' murder makes `` clear that we do not have another day , another minute , another hour to waste '' .

The two officers then try to handcuff him, at which point their body cams fall off, but security camera video shows them struggling with Mr Brooks on the ground. At the press conference on Monday, a lawyer for Mr Brooks suggested that he may have feared being placed in handcuffs, with the knowledge that George Floyd was handcuffed when he died.


bbc--2020-06-15--Rayshard Brooks: What happened before police shot him dead?

Another death of an African-American man during an arrest has brought the use of deadly force by police into sharp focus once again in the US .
Rayshard Brooks , 27 , was shot dead as he fled officers in a restaurant car park in Atlanta on Friday .
Atlanta 's police chief resigned and one of the officers involved was fired .
The shooting provoked another wave of anti-racism protests .
Investigators say Mr Brooks was shot after he seized a Taser from an officer and pointed it in his direction as he fled from the scene .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have said the use of lethal force by police was not justified in this case .
• Use of deadly force by Atlanta police condemned The events that led to Mr Brooks 's shooting have been caught on camera by police , eyewitnesses and Wendy 's , the restaurant nearby .
Here is a step-by-step timeline of what those videos show .
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said officers were called out to a Wendy 's drive-through restaurant in South Atlanta at approximately 22:33 local time on 12 June .
Mr Brooks had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was blocking customers from accessing the drive-through , the bureau said .
Devin Brosnan was the first officer on the scene .
The timestamp of his bodycam indicates he arrived at 22:41 .
In the footage , Mr Brosnan approaches Mr Brooks 's car and knocks on the window multiple times before opening the door .
`` Hey man , you 're parked in the middle of the drive-through line here , '' Mr Brosnan says .
Mr Brooks , motionless , does not appear to respond at first but eventually wakes up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tells Mr Brooks to pull over in a parking spot .
With both cars parked , Mr Brosnan asks Mr Brooks how much he has had to drink .
Not much , about one drink , Mr Brooks replies .
Mr Brosnan checks his licence and , few minutes later , uses his radio to request back up from another officer .
Officer Garrett Rolfe arrives at 22:56 .
Mr Rolfe interrogates Mr Brooks , asking him what had happened that night .
Mr Brooks says he was dropped off by a friend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seems unconvinced by his statement .
At that point , the officers check whether Mr Books is armed and ask him to undertake a sobriety test .
During the test , which starts just after 23:00 and lasts about seven minutes , Mr Brooks appears relaxed and compliant .
As part of the test , Mr Brooks is asked to use a breathalyser .
As they await results , Mr Brooks says he had been drinking at his daughter 's birthday .
`` I think you 've had too much to drink to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Brooks when the breath test is complete .
`` Put your hands behind your back . ''
As Mr Rolfe attempts to handcuff Mr Brooks , a struggle ensues .
At 23:23 , the body cameras worn by Mr Brosnan and Mr Rolfe fall to the floor .
A dashcam from one of the officer 's vehicles and several bystanders document what happens next .
The officers wrestle Mr Brooks to the floor , shouting `` stop fighting '' and `` hands off the Taser '' .
`` You 're going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Piled on top of the officers , Mr Brooks manages to wriggle free from the melee , grabbing Mr Brosnan 's Taser in the process .
Then , Mr Brooks turns and runs , clutching the Taser in one hand .
Footage from a CCTV camera at Wendy 's is the only known video of the fatal pursuit that came next .
During the chase , Mr Rolfe switches the Taser from his right hand to his left , as he reaches for his handgun .
Meanwhile , Mr Brooks is seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Rolfe .
Mr Rolfe draws his gun , drops his Taser and shoots .
Three shots are heard at the same time on the video captured by the dashcam .
In the CCTV footage , that 's when Mr Brooks slumps to the floor .
Mr Brooks remains on the ground for the rest of the video , as the officers stand over the body .
It is not clear if they tried to provide medical assistance from the video .
An ambulance arrived a few minutes later .
Mr Brooks was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after surgery .
As Mr Brooks told Mr Brosnan , he had been celebrating his daughter 's birthday that night .
Mr Brooks had planned to take his eight-year-old daughter skating for her birthday , his lawyer said .
`` She had her birthday dress on .
She was waiting for her dad to come pick her up and take her skating , '' Chris Stewart , a lawyer for Mr Brooks 's family , said on Saturday .
But Mr Brooks , a father of three daughters - ages one , two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , did not live to see that birthday .
When Mr Brooks did not show up , his children were `` oblivious '' to what had happened the night before , the lawyer said .
• WATCH : 'This is why we are protesting' • BACKGROUND : Five pieces of context to understand the protests • CRIME AND JUSTICE : How are African Americans treated ?

When Mr Brooks, a father of three daughters - ages one, two and eight, and a 13-year-old stepson - did not show up, his children were "oblivious" to what had happened the night before, the lawyer said.


bbc--2020-06-15--Coronavirus: Beijing tightens controls amid spike in local cases

The Chinese capital Beijing has put more neighbourhoods under lockdown and boosted testing as it tries to contain an outbreak of coronavirus .
The city has seen more than 100 new cases in the fresh outbreak , the World Health Organization ( WHO ) says .
For more than seven weeks Beijing had only registered cases from people travelling in from abroad .
New clusters of coronavirus are `` always a concern '' , said Mike Ryan , the WHO 's emergencies programme head .
`` But what we do like to see is an immediate response to that and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added .
What do we know about the new cases ?
The fresh outbreak has been linked to city 's largest wholesale market , Xinfadi .
Local media reports say the virus was discovered on chopping boards used for imported salmon at the market , prompting major supermarkets in Beijing to pull the fish from their shelves .
The general manager of the market has been dismissed , along with other local officials .
• SYMPTOMS : What are they and how to guard against them ?
• EUROPE LOCKDOWN : How is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NUMBER : What it means and why it matters • STRESS : How to look after your mental health In his comments though , the WHO 's Mike Ryan was cautious about the cause of the outbreak , saying the suggestion it was carried on salmon or its packaging was only a `` hypothesis '' .
Other health experts have pointed to cross-contamination as being a more likely source .
The chief epidemiologist of China 's Centre for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) said the virus strain found in Beijing did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rest of the country , and the WHO has also urged China to share the genetic sequencing of the strain .
What 's being done to combat the outbreak ?
The market was shut early on Saturday and restrictions imposed on nearby neighbourhoods .
By Monday Beijing had set up nearly 200 testing sites and contacted about 200,000 people who had visited the market since the end of May , state news outlet Xinhua reported .
The lockdown has also been extended to 21 residential compounds close to the market .
Indoor sporting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ordered to close , as have many schools .
The concerns over a second outbreak come as Beijing attempts to return to normal life .
China reported the first coronavirus cases but new cases and infections have dropped drastically as hotspots developed elsewhere in the world .
Also on Monday , Germany , Belgium , Croatia and Switzerland reopened their borders to other EU countries while cafes and restaurants opened across France .

Coronavirus: Beijing tightens controls amid spike in local cases Published 16 June 2020
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Health workers have been testing Beijing residents to try to contain the outbreak
The Chinese capital Beijing has put more neighbourhoods under lockdown and boosted testing as it tries to contain an outbreak of coronavirus.
There were 27 new cases reported on Tuesday, bringing the total to 106 people over five days.
A Chinese official has described the new outbreak in the capital as "extremely severe".
For more than seven weeks Beijing had only registered cases from people travelling in from abroad.
New clusters of coronavirus are "always a concern", said Mike Ryan, emergencies programme head at the World Health Organization.
"But what we do like to see is an immediate response to that and comprehensive set of measures," he added.
What do we know about the new cases?
The fresh outbreak has been linked to the city's largest wholesale market, Xinfadi.
Local media reports say the virus was discovered on chopping boards used for imported salmon at the market, prompting major supermarkets in Beijing to pull the fish from their shelves.
The general manager of the market has been dismissed, along with other local officials.
In his comments though, the WHO's Mike Ryan was cautious about the source of the outbreak, saying the suggestion it was carried on salmon or its packaging was only a "hypothesis".
Other health experts have pointed to cross-contamination as being a more likely cause.
Zeng Guang, chief epidemiologist of China's Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), said the virus strain found in Beijing did not resemble the type circulating across the rest of the country, and the WHO has urged China to share the genetic sequencing.
What's being done to combat the outbreak?
The market was shut early on Saturday and restrictions imposed on nearby neighbourhoods. Residents living near the market have been told they can't leave the city.
All taxis are also now banned from driving beyond the city limits.
By Monday Beijing had set up nearly 200 testing sites and contacted about 200,000 people who had visited the market since the end of May, state news outlet Xinhua reported.
Volunteers at security checkpoints tested residents' temperatures.
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Media caption, Paul Adams asks whether China is being bolder in the wake of the pandemic
The lockdown has also been extended to 21 residential compounds close to the market.
Indoor sporting and entertainment venues across Beijing have been ordered to close, as have many schools.


bbc--2020-06-15--Apple claims 'half a trillion dollars' App Store economy

Apple has said that its App Store ecosystem `` facilitated half a trillion dollars '' of trade in 2019 .
The firm said more than 85 % of that figure occurred via transactions from which it did not take a commission .
The announcement comes at a time Apple and other US tech giants are facing increased anti-competition scrutiny .
A leading developer has also called on the iPhone-maker to lower the fees it charges , ahead of its annual developers ' conference next week .
An Apple representative told the BBC that it was proud of the commerce that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its App Store .
The study was commissioned by Apple but carried out by economists at the Boston-based consultancy Analysis Group .
It surveyed billings and sales related to apps running on the tech firm 's iOS , Mac , Watch and Apple TV platforms .
• in-app advertising via apps such as Twitter and Pinterest • the sale of physical goods via apps such as Asos and Amazon • the sale of digital goods and services via apps including Mario Kart Tour and Tinder • travel bookings via apps such as Uber @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apps including Just Eat and Deliveroo • subscriptions to media apps including the Times newspaper and Netflix The report attempted to account for spending that occurred externally but led to content being used within an app - for example a direct payment to Spotify , whose songs were then listened to via its iPhone app .
Likewise it subtracted a proportion of the charge of in-app purchases whose content was used elsewhere - for example a Now TV subscription taken out via Sky 's app , if most of the shows were then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ app .
In total , the economists said $ 519bn ( £406bn ) had been generated via Apple 's software ecosystem .
The figure excludes sales generated by the Android and Windows versions of the same products .
Physical goods and offline services accounted for the biggest share of the sum - $ 413bn .
By contrast , digital goods and services - from which Apple typically takes a 30 % cut - accounted for $ 61bn .
The study 's publications coincides with a call by the US House Judiciary Committee for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other tech leaders to answer questions about anti-trust concerns , according to reports .
News site Axios said on Friday that the committee also planned to compel Apple , Google , Amazon and Facebook to disclose internal documents about their digital markets if they did not share them voluntarily .
Apple plans to host its Worldwide Developers Conference next week .
Ahead of the event , the co-founder of a leading business software developer published its own list of concerns about Apple 's business practices .
Among changes called for by Omni Group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reduction in Apple 's cut of digital sales from 30 % to 20 % • the right to charge upgrade fees for major changes to software • an end to ads in the App Store to prevent search results for a specific item giving prominence to a competitor 's product '' Apple has a market cap of about $ 1.5tn and it extracts more margin than any other company from the mobile phone market , '' commented Ben Wood from the consultancy CCS Insight .
`` It 's keen to remind people that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this platform .
But now it has become so powerful , it 's unsurprising that people are questioning whether the original terms of engagement are still fair . ''

Likewise it subtracted a proportion of the charge of in-app purchases whose content was used elsewhere - for example a Now TV subscription taken out via Sky's app, if most of the shows were then watched directly on a TV's own app.


bbc--2020-06-15--Coronavirus: Alarm over 'invasive' Kuwait and Bahrain contact-tracing apps

Kuwait and Bahrain have rolled out some of the most invasive Covid-19 contact-tracing apps in the world , putting the privacy and security of their users at risk , Amnesty International says .
The rights group found the apps were carrying out live or near-live tracking of users ' locations by uploading GPS co-ordinates to a central server .
It urged the Gulf states to stop using them in their current forms .
Norway has halted the roll-out of its app because of similar concerns .
The country 's data protection authority said the app represented a disproportionate intrusion into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of infection there .
Researchers at Amnesty 's Security Lab carried out a technical analysis of 11 apps in Algeria , Bahrain , France , Iceland , Israel , Kuwait , Lebanon , Norway , Qatar , Tunisia and the United Arab Emirates .
Bahrain 's `` BeAware Bahrain '' and Kuwait 's `` Shlonik '' stood out , along with Norway 's `` Smittestopp '' , as being among the most alarming mass surveillance tools , according a report published on Tuesday .
Most contact-tracing apps rely solely on Bluetooth signals , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data through GPS and upload this to a central database , tracking the movements of users in real time .
The researchers say Bahraini and Kuwaiti authorities would be able to easily link this sensitive personal information to an individual , as users are required to register with a national ID number .
Other countries ' contact tracing apps anonymise users .
Accessing such data could help authorities tackle Covid-19 , but Claudio Guarnieri , head of Amnesty 's Security Lab , said the apps were `` running roughshod over people 's privacy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go far beyond what is justified '' .
Mr Guarnieri added : `` They are essentially broadcasting the locations of users to a government database in real time - this is unlikely to be necessary and proportionate in the context of a public health response .
Technology can play a useful role in contact tracing to contain Covid-19 , but privacy must not be another casualty as governments rush to roll out apps . ''
Mohammed al-Maskati , a Bahraini activist who is the Middle East digital protection co-ordinator for the human rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was also a concern the information collected by the apps might be shared with third parties .
Bahrain 's app was linked to a television show called `` Are You At Home ?
`` , which offered prizes to users who stayed at home during Ramadan .
The issues uncovered by Amnesty 's investigation are particularly alarming given that the human rights records of Gulf governments are poor .
`` When you equip a repressive state with the means to surveil an entire population - whether it 's in the name of public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ certain that it 's only going to enhance their means of control and repression to then track down dissidents or anyone that they consider to be a public threat .
And in a lot of places like the Gulf , that means activists , '' says Sarah Aoun , chief technologist at privacy campaign organisation Open Tech Fund .
There is also a concern that the technology will continue to be used after the threat of the coronavirus recedes , Ms Aoun adds .
`` Historically , there 's been no incentive for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's privacy .
On the contrary , if you take a look at 9/11 and the aftermath of that , it essentially ushered a new era of surveillance in the name of protecting citizens .
And this time is no different . ''
Mr Maskati says critics will be unable to rely on regulatory oversight bodies in Gulf states for protection .
`` If privacy is violated in a country like Norway , I can resort to regional tools such as the European Court of Human Rights and European Committee of Social Rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not any such tool .
On the contrary , resorting to local authorities may present an additional risk . ''
Bahrain and Kuwait did not respond to the BBC 's request for comment .

"When you equip a repressive state with the means to surveil an entire population - whether it's in the name of public safety or not - you can be certain that it's only going to enhance their means of control and repression to then track down dissidents or anyone that they consider to be a public threat. And in a lot of places like the Gulf, that means activists," says Sarah Aoun, chief technologist at privacy campaign organisation Open Tech Fund.


bbc--2020-06-16--Dijon: Police brought in to tackle Chechen violence

Police reinforcements have been sent to the French city of Dijon following a spate of violence from Chechen groups .
More than 150 people , some hooded and armed , gathered on Monday to avenge the alleged assault of a Chechen teenager by a drug dealer .
It comes after a number of incidents in the city over the weekend .
A prosecutor said several people were hurt , some seriously , on Friday night and one person suffered gunshot wounds on Saturday .
On Sunday , more than 200 people entered the district of Gresilles with violent intent , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Monday , with people setting fire to rubbish bins and a car , AFP news agency reports .
About 37 riot police have already arrived in the city and 110 additional police officers were due to be deployed on Monday .
Bernard Schmeltz , the top state official in the region , said in a statement that the violence `` appeared to be part of a settling of scores between members of the Chechen community in France and residents '' of Dijon .
In an interview with daily paper Le Bien Public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the incidents were in retaliation following an assault on a 16-year-old by local drug dealers .
`` There were about a hundred of us from all over France but also from Belgium and Germany .
We never intended to ransack the city of take it out on the people , '' he said .
A probe has been opened into attempted murder by a criminal gang , Dijon prosecutor Eric Mathais said .

Bernard Schmeltz, the top state official in the region, said in a statement that the violence "appeared to be part of a settling of scores between members of the Chechen community in France and residents" of Dijon.


bbc--2020-06-16--MSF Afghan maternity ward to close after deadly gun attack

International medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières ( MSF ) is closing its maternity ward in the Afghan capital , Kabul , following a deadly gun attack .
Twenty-four women , children and babies were killed when gunmen entered the facility and opened fire on 12 May .
MSF said it had taken the decision `` with the understanding '' that the victims were deliberately targeted .
The assault at the clinic prompted widespread condemnation .
No group has said it carried out the attack .
On Monday , MSF said in a statement that while no information had emerged about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the at the Dasht-e-Barchi hospital , `` mothers , babies and health staff were its deliberate target and similar attacks may repeat in the future '' .
MSF Director General Thierry Allafort-Duverger said that while he was aware that the agency 's presence carried risks , `` we just could n't believe that someone would take advantage of the absolute vulnerability of women about to give birth to exterminate them and their babies '' .
MSF described the move as `` necessary but painful '' .
• Attackers 'came to kill the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ short and long story A spokesman for Afghanistan 's health ministry , Akmal Samsor , said the decision to close the maternity ward was a serious blow , and the ministry hoped MSF would reconsider .
Warning : Some readers may find details in this story upsetting What happened at the hospital ?
Locals describe hearing two blasts then gunfire at the start of the attack at about 10:00 ( 05:30 GMT ) on Tuesday , 12 May .
About 140 people were in the hospital at the time , one doctor who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those working there were foreigners .
Three gunmen moved through the 55-bed maternity unit , which has been run by MSF since 2014 .
A total of 26 mothers and mothers-to-be were inside at the time .
Ten managed to flee to safe rooms ; the other 16 were unable to do so .
Three of the 16 mothers were shot and killed in the delivery room , along with their unborn babies .
The three attackers , who had reportedly gained access dressed as police officers , started a gun battle with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four hours .
All three of the gunmen were eventually killed by security personnel .
Images from the scene showed soldiers carrying newborn babies swaddled in blood-stained blankets to safety .

On Monday, MSF said in a statement that while no information had emerged about the perpetrators or motive of the assault on the at the Dasht-e-Barchi hospital, "mothers, babies and health staff were its deliberate target and similar attacks may repeat in the future".


bbc--2020-06-15--North Sea US jet crash: Pilot found dead

The pilot of a US Air Force fighter jet which crashed into the North Sea has been found dead .
The F-15C Eagle , from the 48th Fighter Wing at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk , crashed shortly after 09:30 BST while on a training mission .
The wreckage of the plane , thought to have crashed 74 nautical miles off the East Yorkshire coast , was found earlier .
The cause of the crash is currently unknown .
Col Will Marshall of the 48th Fighter Wing at RAF Lakenheath said : `` The pilot of the downed F-15C Eagle from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and confirmed deceased .
`` We will not release the name of the pilot until after all next of kin notifications have been completed .
`` This is a tragic loss for the 48th Fighter Wing community , and our deepest condolences go out to the pilot 's family and the 493rd Fighter Squadron . ''
The F15C , a single-seater air defence fighter , is a model of jet that has been used by the US Air Force since 1979 .
RAF Lakenheath is the largest US Air Force-operated base in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fighter wing in Europe .
• Welcome to England 's 'Little America' • The effect of lockdown on Little America More than 4,000 US service men and women are stationed there .
The 48th Fighter Wing shared an image of three jets in flight on Monday morning .
In October 2015 , US pilot Maj Taj Sareen died when his F-18 Hornet jet crashed on farmland near RAF Lakenheath .
An investigation found the 34-year-old had not reported problems with his aircraft to engineers prior to take-off , because he was concerned it @ @ @ @ @