bbc--2020-01-09--GB lose thrilling tie-break to Australia to miss out on ATP Cup semi-finals

Great Britain missed out on the ATP Cup semi-finals after Jamie Murray and Joe Salisbury lost the decisive doubles rubber against Australia despite having four match points .
The 3-6 6-3 18-16 win for Nick Kyrgios and Alex de Minaur after a match tie-break gave the hosts a 2-1 win .
Dan Evans had earlier kept Britain in the tie with a thrilling three-set win over De Minaur .
Kyrgios had beaten Cameron Norrie in the opening singles in Sydney .
Australia will play Spain or Belgium on Saturday for a place in the final of the inaugural edition of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than seven weeks after the last men 's team tennis event - the rival Davis Cup - Great Britain have once again suffered an agonisingly close defeat in the knockout stage following their semi-final loss to Spain that also came down to the doubles .
Murray will be left kicking himself over one squandered opportunity in particular - a terrible volley at the net - on Britain 's second match point at 11-10 in the decider .
With almost the whole court at his disposal , the Scot somehow overcooked his shot and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disbelief .
Instead it was Australia celebrating a few points later when Salisbury sent a backhand long on the hosts ' fifth match point .
Kyrgios carried De Minaur over his shoulder after they hugged on the ground and the home cheers rang out .
De Minaur and Kyrgios had not even meant to be playing in the doubles but were brought in instead of Chris Guccione and John Peers in what captain Lleyton Hewitt said had been a `` tough '' decision .
While Kyrgios had breezed through his 6-2 6-2 singles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minutes , De Minaur , 20 , spent nearly three and a half hours on court for his epic singles match against Evans before he was asked to play again .
`` Nick was playing extremely well in singles and was pretty fresh , Alex is a hell of a doubles player , '' Hewitt said .
`` I thought I 'd throw on a bit of firepower and it ended up paying off . ''
British number one Evans , who upset world number 11 David Goffin to inspire the turnaround against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his team in the tournament , once again showed he has the mettle and the shots to beat higher ranked opponents .
He sealed a thrilling 7-6 ( 7-4 ) 4-6 7-6 ( 7-2 ) win in three hours 24 minutes - the longest match of the tournament .
The Briton , ranked 24 places below De Minaur at 42nd in the world , put behind him a poor start to break back in the fifth game and took the first set on a tie-break when his opponent netted .
The young Australian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year , kept himself in the match by holding on to an early break to take the second set .
Evans had looked to be in charge of the third when he went 3-0 up but was then pegged back in what became an absorbing final set .
A time violation for Evans on his serve - given when it looked like he had already started his service motion - may have been playing on his mind to allow De Minaur a break back courtesy of a passing shot that was helped by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ match points at 6-5 but a nerveless De Minaur saved them all with three emphatic winners and an ace to eventually force a tie-break .
With Kyrgios encouraging the home crowd to make even more noise with gestures from the bench , it was Evans who seemed to feed off the atmosphere , with a beautiful lob and stinging forehand winner at the net setting the tone as the Briton set up another four match points .
This time he converted without hesitation , wrapping up victory when De Minaur returned wide .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the loss to play an instrumental role in the doubles victory , where his constant threat at the net proved a menace for Britain .

Jamie Murray sent what looked to be an easy backhand long on one of Great Britain's four match points
Great Britain missed out on the ATP Cup semi-finals after Jamie Murray and Joe Salisbury lost the decisive doubles rubber against Australia despite having four match points.
The 3-6 6-3 18-16 win for Nick Kyrgios and Alex de Minaur after a match tie-break gave the hosts a 2-1 win.
Dan Evans had earlier kept Britain in the tie with a thrilling three-set win over De Minaur.
Kyrgios had beaten Cameron Norrie in the opening singles in Sydney.
Australia will play Spain or Belgium on Saturday for a place in the final of the inaugural edition of the men's team tournament.
More knockout-stage heartbreak for GB
Alex de Minaur (left) and Nick Kyrgios were a late change for the doubles rubber
Fewer than seven weeks after the last men's team tennis event - the rival Davis Cup - Great Britain have once again suffered an agonisingly close defeat in the knockout stage following their semi-final loss to Spain that also came down to the doubles.
Murray will be left kicking himself over one squandered opportunity in particular - a terrible volley at the net - on Britain's second match point at 11-10 in the decider.
With almost the whole court at his disposal, the Scot somehow overcooked his shot and put his hands on his head in disbelief.
Instead it was Australia celebrating a few points later when Salisbury sent a backhand long on the hosts' fifth match point.
Kyrgios carried De Minaur over his shoulder after they hugged on the ground and the home cheers rang out.
De Minaur and Kyrgios had not even meant to be playing in the doubles but were brought in instead of Chris Guccione and John Peers in what captain Lleyton Hewitt said had been a "tough" decision.
While Kyrgios had breezed through his 6-2 6-2 singles win over Norrie in one hour 12 minutes, De Minaur, 20, spent nearly three and a half hours on court for his epic singles match against Evans before he was asked to play again.
"Nick was playing extremely well in singles and was pretty fresh, Alex is a hell of a doubles player," Hewitt said. "I thought I'd throw on a bit of firepower and it ended up paying off."
'Phenomenal' Evans delivers for Britain again
Britain's Dan Evans is ranked 24 places below Australia's Alex de Minaur
British number one Evans, who upset world number 11 David Goffin to inspire the turnaround against Belgium in the group stage that kept his team in the tournament, once again showed he has the mettle and the shots to beat higher ranked opponents.
He sealed a thrilling 7-6 (7-4) 4-6 7-6 (7-2) win in three hours 24 minutes - the longest match of the tournament.
The Briton, ranked 24 places below De Minaur at 42nd in the world, put behind him a poor start to break back in the fifth game and took the first set on a tie-break when his opponent netted.
The young Australian, who won three ATP titles last year, kept himself in the match by holding on to an early break to take the second set.
Evans had looked to be in charge of the third when he went 3-0 up but was then pegged back in what became an absorbing final set.
A time violation for Evans on his serve - given when it looked like he had already started his service motion - may have been playing on his mind to allow De Minaur a break back courtesy of a passing shot that was helped by the net cord.
Evans had four match points at 6-5 but a nerveless De Minaur saved them all with three emphatic winners and an ace to eventually force a tie-break.
With Kyrgios encouraging the home crowd to make even more noise with gestures from the bench, it was Evans who seemed to feed off the atmosphere, with a beautiful lob and stinging forehand winner at the net setting the tone as the Briton set up another four match points.
This time he converted without hesitation, wrapping up victory when De Minaur returned wide.
But De Minaur picked himself up from the loss to play an instrumental role in the doubles victory, where his constant threat at the net proved a menace for Britain.


bbc--2020-01-09--World number one Barty beaten in Brisbane as Williams wins in Auckland

World number one Ashleigh Barty lost her first match of the year as she was beaten by qualifier Jennifer Brady at the Brisbane International .
Australia 's Barty , who had a first-round bye , lost 6-4 7-6 ( 7-4 ) to Brady in the second round .
Barty did not create a break point during the match and won just one point on the American 's first serve .
Brady , who beat Maria Sharapova in the first round in Brisbane , will play fifth seed Petra Kvitova next .
Czech Kvitova , who reached the Australian Open final @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Liudmila Samsonova 6-3 6-2 in 61 minutes .
Barty was knocked out in the first round in her previous appearance at Brisbane in 2018 .
The 23-year-old said she did not feel any extra pressure because of her top ranking .
`` It does n't change the way that I practise .
It does n't change me as a person , '' Barty said .
`` I think that you guys [ journalists ] enjoy the fact that you get something to write about and you have something to talk about .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you , but I do n't look at it beyond that . ''
Serena Williams fought back from a set down to beat fellow American Christina McHale and reach the quarter-finals of the Auckland Classic .
Williams , who reached the doubles semi-finals with Caroline Wozniacki on Wednesday , eventually came through 3-6 6-2 6-3 .
`` I really need to play matches like that to get to my goals , '' the 23-time Grand Slam singles champion said .
`` Tournament time is super important .
After losing that first set I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the event . ''
Williams has also put a dress she wore earlier in the week up for auction to raise money for the bushfire relief fund in Australia .
She will face Laura Siegemund next after the German beat 15-year-old Coco Gauff 5-7 6-2 6-3 .
American Gauff jokingly told off her father and coach , Corey , for swearing during an on court during a change of ends .

Last updated on .From the section Tennis
Ashleigh Barty did not create a break point during her match against Jennifer Brady
World number one Ashleigh Barty lost her first match of the year as she was beaten by qualifier Jennifer Brady at the Brisbane International.
Australia's Barty, who had a first-round bye, lost 6-4 7-6 (7-4) to Brady in the second round.
Barty did not create a break point during the match and won just one point on the American's first serve.
Brady, who beat Maria Sharapova in the first round in Brisbane, will play fifth seed Petra Kvitova next.
Czech Kvitova, who reached the Australian Open final in 2019, breezed past Russia's Liudmila Samsonova 6-3 6-2 in 61 minutes.
Barty was knocked out in the first round in her previous appearance at Brisbane in 2018.
The 23-year-old said she did not feel any extra pressure because of her top ranking.
"It doesn't change the way that I practise. It doesn't change me as a person," Barty said.
"I think that you guys [journalists] enjoy the fact that you get something to write about and you have something to talk about.
"So hopefully I make it interesting for you, but I don't look at it beyond that."
Williams survives scare in Auckland
Serena Williams was knocked out in the second round in Auckland in 2017
Serena Williams fought back from a set down to beat fellow American Christina McHale and reach the quarter-finals of the Auckland Classic.
Williams, who reached the doubles semi-finals with Caroline Wozniacki on Wednesday, eventually came through 3-6 6-2 6-3.
"I really need to play matches like that to get to my goals," the 23-time Grand Slam singles champion said.
"Tournament time is super important. After losing that first set I'm just glad to be still in the event."
Williams has also put a dress she wore earlier in the week up for auction to raise money for the bushfire relief fund in Australia.
She will face Laura Siegemund next after the German beat 15-year-old Coco Gauff 5-7 6-2 6-3.
American Gauff jokingly told off her father and coach, Corey, for swearing during an on court during a change of ends.


bbc--2020-01-09--Iran crisis: How will US-Iran relations play out in 2020?

Boris Johnson says the UK is doing `` everything we can '' to diminish any escalation of violence in the @ @ @

The assassination by the US of Iran's most powerful general, Qasem Soleimani, has caused an escalation in tensions between the two countries.
The BBC's Middle East editor Jeremy Bowen and North America correspondent Anthony Zurcher analyse Iran's response and look at what we can expect next.


bbc--2020-01-09--Iran attack: How strong is Iran's military?

Iran has launched more than a dozen missiles at two bases in Iraq housing US forces .
It had vowed to retaliate after its most powerful military commander , General Qasem Soleimani , was killed by a US drone strike at Baghdad airport .
So what do we know about Iran 's military capabilities ?
What missiles does Iran have ?
Iran 's missile systems are a key part of its military arsenal given its relative lack of air power .
Regional rivals such as Israel and Saudi Arabia have the technology to carry out precision air strikes .
Iran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on launching missiles .
A US Defense Department report describes the country 's missile forces as the largest in the Middle East .
It 's not possible to give precise figures but the US-based Centre for Strategic and International Studies says Iran has thousands of missiles of more than a dozen different types .
An Iranian media outlet reported that Fateh and Qiam missiles were used in the attack on the US base .
Military analysts have also pointed to the use of these types based on images of the attack sites .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ since 2011 , has a range of up 700km and a payload of 750kg .
It was used by Iran against IS fighters in June 2017 .
The Fateh class of missiles , which first went into service in the early 2000s , have a slightly lower payload .
The variations of the Shahab-3 intermediate range ballistic missile have payloads of more than 750kg and ranges upwards of 1,500km .
For comparison , a US-built F35 fighter jet has a weapons payload of up to 10,000kg .
Iran has up to 50 medium @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 100 short range ballistic missile launchers , according to the International Institute for Strategic Studies , a UK-based think tank .
Iran is also testing space technology to allow it to develop longer range inter-continental missiles , according to the US report .
`` Iran has a highly developed missile force with weapons of a variety of ranges '' says Jonathan Marcus , the BBC 's Defence and diplomatic correspondent .
`` They are reasonably accurate - but not as accurate or as reliable as advanced western systems . ''
• What is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long-range missile programme was put on hold by Iran following the 2015 nuclear deal , according to the Royal United Services Institute ( Rusi ) , but this may now have resumed given the uncertainty surrounding that deal .
In any case , many targets in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf would be within range of Iran 's current short and medium-range missiles , and possibly targets in Israel as well .
In May last year , the US deployed a Patriot anti-missile defence system to the Middle East as tensions with Iran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ballistic missiles , cruise missiles and advanced aircraft .
There are an estimated 523,000 active Iranian personnel , according to the IISS .
This includes 350,000 in the regular army , and at least 150,000 in the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps ( IRGC ) .
There are a further 20,000 service personnel in the IRGC 's naval forces .
This group operates a number of armed patrol boats in the Strait of Hormuz , the site of several confrontations involving foreign-flagged tankers in 2019 .
The IRGC also controls the Basij unit , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ internal dissent .
This unit can potentially mobilise many hundreds of thousands of personnel .
The IRGC was set up 40 years ago to defend the Islamic system in Iran and has become a major military , political and economic force in its own right .
• Top Iranian general killed by US in Iraq Despite having fewer troops than the regular army , it is considered the most authoritative military force in Iran .
The Quds Force , which was led by General Soleimani , conducts secret operations abroad for the IRGC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Iran , Ayatollah Ali Khamenei .
It 's believed to be about 5,000 strong .
The unit has been deployed to Syria , where it advised military elements loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and armed Shia militias fighting with them .
In Iraq , it has supported a Shia-dominated paramilitary force which assisted in the defeat of IS .
However , the US says the Quds force has a wider role by providing funding , training , weapons and equipment to organisations that Washington has designated as terrorist groups in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hezbollah movement and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad .
Economic problems and sanctions have hampered Iran 's arms imports , which are relatively small compared to those of other countries in the region .
The value of Iran 's defence imports between 2009 and 2018 was equivalent to just 3.5 % of Saudi Arabia 's imports over the same period , according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute .
Most Iranian imports come from Russia , and the rest from China .
Iran does not currently have a nuclear weapons programme , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one .
But it does have many of the elements required and the knowledge to create a military nuclear capability .
In 2015 , the US government under President Obama estimated that Iran only needed two to three months to produce enough nuclear material to make a weapon .
The nuclear agreement that year between Tehran and six world powers - from which President Trump withdrew in 2018 - introduced limits and international checks on Iran 's nuclear activities .
It aimed to make it more difficult and time consuming to develop weapons-grade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Soleimani by US forces , Iran has said it will not be bound by these restrictions .
But it also says it will continue to co-operate with the UN 's nuclear watchdog , the IAEA .
Despite years of sanctions , Iran has also been able to develop drone capabilities .
In Iraq , Iranian drones have been used since 2016 in the fight against IS .
Iran has also entered Israeli airspace with armed drones operated from bases in Syria , according to Rusi .
In June 2019 , Iran shot down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had violated Iranian airspace over the Strait of Hormuz .
The other aspect of Iran 's drone programme is its willingness to sell or transfer its drone technology to its allies and proxies in the region , says Jonathan Marcus , the BBC 's Defence and diplomatic correspondent .
In 2019 , drone and missile attacks damaged two key Saudi oil facilities .
Both the US and Saudi Arabia linked these attacks to Iran , although Tehran denied any involvement and pointed to a claim of responsibility by rebels in Yemen .
Following @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nuclear facilities , Iran ramped up its own cyber-space capability .
The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps ( IRGC ) is believed to have its own cyber-command , working on commercial and military espionage .
In 2012 , US officials blamed Iran for a series of cyber attacks on US banks intended to disrupt traffic to their websites .
A US military report in 2019 said Iran had also targeted aerospace companies , defence contractors , energy and natural resource companies and telecommunications firms for cyber-espionage operations around the world .
Also in 2019 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` originates from Iran and is linked to the Iranian government '' targeted a US presidential campaign and tried to break into the accounts of American government officials .

Following the killing of General Soleimani by US forces, Iran has said it will not be bound by these restrictions. But it also says it will continue to co-operate with the UN's nuclear watchdog, the IAEA.


bbc--2020-01-09--Trudeau believes Iran missile downed jet

Evidence suggests an Iranian missile brought down a Ukrainian passenger plane that crashed near Tehran , possibly in error , Western leaders say .
The leaders of Canada and the UK called for a full and thorough investigation into the crash , which killed all 176 people on board .
Iran has ruled out a missile strike by its air defences .
The crash came just hours after Iran carried out missile strikes on two airbases housing US forces in Iraq .
US media have speculated that the timing of the crash suggests the plane may have been mistaken for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possible US retaliation for the strikes .
CBS News quoted US intelligence sources as saying a satellite detected infrared `` blips '' of two missile launches , followed by another blip of an explosion .
Meanwhile , Newsweek quoted a Pentagon and senior US intelligence officials , as well as an Iraqi intelligence official , as saying they believed Ukraine International Airlines flight PS752 was hit by a Russian-made Tor missile .
US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he had `` suspicions '' about what happened to the plane .
• @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Plane crash victims 'were the best of us' • Why were so many Canadians on the plane ?
Amid tensions heightened by the US killing of top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani on 3 January , Iran has said it will not hand over the recovered black box flight recorders to Boeing , the plane 's manufacturer , or to the US .
However , Iran 's Foreign Ministry has invited Boeing to take part in the official inquiry into the crash .
Under global aviation rules Iran has the right to lead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ involved .
Iranian TV pictures later in the day showed the crash site being bulldozed .
What is being said about the possible missile strike ?
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he had received intelligence from multiple sources indicating that the plane was shot down by an Iranian surface-to air missile , adding that it was possible that this was unintentional .
`` This reinforces the need for a thorough investigation , '' he said .
`` Canadians have questions and they deserve answers . ''
But he said it was too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conclusions , and he refused to go into detail about the evidence .
• Who were the victims of the crash ?
A total of 63 Canadians were on the flight , along with dozens of others who were expecting to fly on to Toronto from Kyiv .
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson echoed Mr Trudeau 's words and said Britain was working closely with Canada and other international partners affected by the crash .
Meanwhile , Newsweek quoted US and Iraqi officials as saying they believed the aircraft was hit by a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Two Pentagon officials had assessed that the incident was accidental , Newsweek added .
It quoted sources as saying that Iran 's anti-aircraft systems were probably active following its attacks on the US airbases .
The Pentagon has so far made no public comment on the issue .
Meanwhile , when asked what he thought had happened to the plane , President Trump answered : `` I have my suspicions .
It 's a tragic thing when I see that , it 's a tragic thing .
But somebody could have made a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Thursday , Oleksiy Danylov , the secretary of Ukraine 's security and defence council , said in a Facebook post ( in Ukrainian ) that three other possible crash causes were being considered : • a mid-air collision with a drone or other flying object • an explosion inside the plane as a result of a terror attack Mr Danylov said Ukrainian investigators , who are already in Iran , wanted to search for possible debris from a missile at the site of the crash .
Iran is known to have Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ include experts who worked on the investigation into the 2014 downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 in eastern Ukraine , Mr Danylov added .
What does Iran say ?
Iran 's Civil Aviation Organisation ( CAOI ) chief Ali Abedzadeh said : `` The plane , which was initially headed west to leave the airport zone , turned right following a problem and was headed back to the airport at the moment of the crash . ''
Mr Abedzadeh added that witnesses saw the plane `` on fire '' before the crash , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distress calls before trying to return to Imam Khomeini airport .
`` Scientifically , it is impossible that a missile hit the Ukrainian plane , and such rumours are illogical , '' he said .
Government spokesman Ali Rabiei described the reports as `` psychological warfare '' .
`` All those countries whose citizens were aboard the plane can send representatives and we urge Boeing to send its representative to join the process of investigating the black box , '' he said .
'This would be an extraordinary error' A pattern of disturbing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may well have been shot down by mistake by Iran 's own air defences .
While it is not unprecedented for air defence systems in conflict zones to shoot down airliners , this would be an extraordinary error .
The aircraft had only just taken off from an international airport ; it was a scheduled flight ; and it should easily have been recognisable .
However , precisely what the operators of the Russian-supplied , Soviet-era Tor - or SA-15/Gauntlet system as it is known by Nato - would have seen is unclear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Iranian authorities and is only going to complicate the politics involved in getting to the bottom of this tragedy .
Ukraine and Iran must co-operate in the investigation .
A third country may be needed to analyse the data recorders carried by the doomed aircraft .
The plane 's manufacturer - Boeing - will have an interest , though the Iranians are publicly saying that there will be no US involvement .
Who is investigating the crash ?
Normally , the US National Transportation Safety Board would have a role to play @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But the board must act with permission and in accordance with legislation of the foreign country concerned .
In comments published by Iran 's Mehr news agency , Mr Abedzadeh , said : `` We will not give the black box to the manufacturer and the Americans .
`` This accident will be investigated by Iran 's aviation organisation , but the Ukrainians can also be present , '' he added .
Mr Abedzadeh said it was not yet clear which country would analyse the black boxes - a cockpit voice recorder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Volodymyr Zelensky earlier said that `` a thorough and independent investigation will be conducted in accordance with international law '' , and that he would speak to Iranian leaders to step up co-operation in investigating the crash .
Ukraine is observing a day of national mourning on Thursday .
What do we know ?
Ukraine International Airlines flight PS752 to Kyiv had 167 passengers and nine Ukrainian crew on board .
The majority of passengers were from Iran and Canada .
There was good visibility when the plane went down near Iran 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ website .
Officials from the airline said the crew were experienced .
Among the victims were 82 Iranians , 63 Canadians , 11 Ukrainians including all nine crew , 10 Swedes , four Afghans , four Britons and three Germans , Ukrainian Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko said .
Fifteen of the dead were children .
But the German government later said `` we currently have no knowledge that German citizens are among the victims of the plane crash in Iran '' .
Iran 's head of emergency operations said 147 of the victims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 65 of the foreign nationals had dual nationalities .
The Ukrainian airline gave a helpline number for further information about passengers : +38-044-581-50-19 .

"As I said last night, this plane for more than one and a half minutes was on fire and was in the air and the location shows that the pilot was attempting to return."


bbc--2020-01-09--US House votes to limit Trump war powers on Iran

The US House of Representatives has approved a largely symbolic resolution seeking to limit President Donald Trump 's ability to make war on Iran .
The measure passed the Democratic-run chamber 224-194 , but faces an uphill climb in the Republican-held Senate .
It aims to mandate congressional approval for any conflict with Iran , except in cases of an imminent attack against the US .
Neither the US nor Iran has declared plans for further military action .
Iran this week fired missiles at Iraqi bases housing American forces , injuring no-one , after the US last week killed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drone strike .
Thursday 's measure directed the president to `` terminate the use of United States Armed Forces '' against Iran unless granted congressional authorisation .
It offered an exception when necessary to `` defend against an imminent armed attack '' .
Even if the House measure cleared Congress , it would not face a potential Trump veto because it is known as a concurrent resolution , which does not require a presidential signature .
• Analysis : Is there more to come from Iran ?
• Explained : A quick guide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cited the 1973 War Powers Act , which granted Congress the ability to check the president 's power to commit the US to armed conflict .
But legal questions remain unresolved as to whether Congress can use a concurrent resolution to bind the president .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said earlier on Thursday she did not believe Mr Trump had made the US safer after last week 's drone strike that killed Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani .
Mr Trump , a Republican , had tweeted that he hoped `` all House Republicans will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Powers Resolution '' .
He also made a new claim about the intelligence behind the air raid , telling reporters at the White House the Iranians were `` looking to blow up our embassy '' in Iraq .
The war powers resolution gathered momentum after a congressional briefing on Wednesday by administration officials seeking to justify the attack .
Following the briefing by the secretary of state , defence secretary and CIA director , two Republicans senators broke ranks .
Mike Lee of Utah and Rand Paul of Kentucky said they might back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to limit the president 's war powers .
Their potential defection raises the chances for the measure in the upper chamber , where Republicans hold a 53-47 majority .
• Five things to note from Trump 's Iran speech • Who are the winners and losers in the Iran crisis ?
Mr Lee told reporters it was `` the worst briefing I 've seen at least on a military issue in the nine years I 've served '' .
He said the administration officials had asked them not even to debate the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ described their approach as `` un-American '' and `` insane '' .
But most Republicans lawmakers have stood by the president .
Doug Collins of Georgia claimed Democrats were `` in love with terrorists '' and grieving more for Soleimani than for US service personnel killed by the Iranian commander .
`` They mourn Soleimani more than they mourn our Gold Star families who are the ones who suffered under Soleimani , '' he told Fox News .

Speaking later at a campaign rally in Toledo, Ohio, Mr Trump said: "Soleimani was actively planning new attacks and he was looking very seriously at our embassies and not just the embassy in Baghdad, but we stopped him and we stopped him quickly and we stopped him cold."


bbc--2020-01-09--Justin Trudeau says plane shot down by Iranian missile

'She was full of dreams and now they 're gone' A vigil is held for Iran plane crash victims in @ @ @ @ @ them were travelling to .

'She was full of dreams and now they're gone' Video, 00:01:51'She was full of dreams and now they're gone'


bbc--2020-01-09--Do Americans feel safer after Soleimani attack?

US Vice-President Mike Pence has said that he thinks Americans are `` safer today '' after the death of Qasem @ @ @ @ @ DC answer whether or not they agree .

US Vice-President Mike Pence has said that he thinks Americans are "safer today" after the death of Qasem Soleimani. Americans in Washington DC answer whether or not they agree.


bbc--2020-01-09--Queen seeks solution with Harry and Meghan

The Duchess of Sussex has returned to Canada amid ongoing discussions over the future role for her and the Duke of Sussex in the Royal Family .
She and Prince Harry had been in Canada over Christmas with son Archie .
It comes as the Queen , the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cambridge asked staff to find a workable solution after the couple announced they will step back as senior royals .
The Royal Family was said to be `` hurt '' at the couple 's statement .
Palace sources have told BBC royal correspondent Jonny Dymond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consult any other royal about making their personal statement .
• Your questions answered on Harry and Meghan statement • Where do Prince Harry and Meghan get their money ?
• How Meghan ‘ tripped and fell ’ into Harry ’ s life In their announcement on Wednesday evening , Prince Harry and Meghan revealed they intend `` to step back as 'senior ' members of the Royal Family , and work to become financially independent '' .
They plan to split their time between the UK and North America , while `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Queen , the Commonwealth , and our patronages '' .
The decision came `` after many months of reflection and internal discussions '' , they added .
On Thursday , BBC royal correspondent Nicholas Witchell said the Queen had been in touch with the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cambridge .
They all directed senior staff to work with the Sussex household and government to find a solution within days .
It was later confirmed to the BBC that Meghan had left for Canada , said BBC royal correspondent Jonny Dymond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` blindsided '' by the couple 's statement .
There had been talks within the Royal Family about the Sussexes ' future - but they were at an early stage , he said .
In a statement on Wednesday , Buckingham Palace said : `` We understand their desire to take a different approach , but these are complicated issues that will take time to work through . ''
Despite the couple 's decision , Harry will remain sixth in line to the throne .
Last October , Prince Harry and Meghan publicly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
After returning in the UK after their six-week break in Canada on Tuesday , Harry , 35 , and Meghan , 38 , visited Canada 's High Commission in London to thank the country for hosting them and said the warmth and hospitality they received was `` unbelievable '' .
Former actress Meghan , who is American , lived and worked in Toronto during her time starring in the popular US drama Suits , and she has several Canadian friends .
'The manner of their leaving is breathtaking' The talk in some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was forced by the impressive scoop of the Sun newspaper on Wednesday .
If that 's the case - and the couple 's media strategy is certainly unconventional - it goes some way to explaining why there are many more questions than there are answers .
But how did they get here ?
Those who have always had it in for Meghan put it down to her .
But that 's a long way from the truth .
Harry 's royal path has always been hard .
There was the long shadow of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media spotlight on his youthful mistakes and the extraordinary interest that his relationships and then his marriage sparked .
Unlike his older brother Prince William , Harry has never grown used to media , and still visibly bridles at the cameras and the questions .
And he is obviously - visibly - bored by the ceremonial side of the job .
In short , he has long wanted out .
And together with the woman he loves he now thinks he has found a way .
But the manner of his leaving - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pair were already preparing to launch their own Sussex Royal charity , which they set up after splitting from the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge 's foundation in June last year .
The Sussexes ' new charity is expected to be global , linked to Africa and the US , rather than domestic - and will have a commitment to female empowerment .
It was revealed in December the couple had made an application to trademark their Sussex Royal brand across a string of items including books , calendars , clothing , charitable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In stepping back as senior royals , Harry and Meghan have announced they will no longer receive funding from the Sovereign Grant .
The Sovereign Grant is public money - £82m in 2018-19 - which pays for the cost of official royal duties , in exchange for the surrender by the Queen of the revenue from the Crown Estate .
The couple said the Sovereign Grant paid for 5 % of their official office from 2019 , with the remaining 95 % being funded by Prince Charles through his income from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ classified as `` internationally protected people '' , which means they must have armed security provided by the Metropolitan Police .
They will retain Frogmore cottage , the Grade-2 listed property in Windsor that cost taxpayers £2.4m to renovate , as their official residence so they have a `` place to call home '' in the UK .
Reaction to the couple 's announcement from royal commentators has been mixed , with numerous questions over what their future royal roles will entail .
Bryony Gordon , a Daily Telegraph journalist who knows and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decision could be linked to their mental health , after becoming a `` punching bag '' for a `` misogynistic and racist '' nation .
Graham Smith , a spokesman for Republic , which campaigns for an elected head of state , said Harry and Meghan 's decision `` raises questions about the monarchy 's future '' and will prompt taxpayers to ask how the couple 's extra security and overseas lifestyle will be funded .
`` This really is wanting to have your cake and eat it , '' he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in and out of royal duties as it suits them but wo n't stop taking public money until they find other sources of income . ''
Meanwhile , Justice Secretary Robert Buckland said `` we must continue to celebrate and support '' the contribution the Royal Family makes to the UK , adding that it has an `` important role in public service '' .
In October last year , Meghan began legal action against the Mail on Sunday over a claim that it unlawfully published one of her private letters .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the time , Prince Harry said : `` Though we have continued to put on a brave face ...
I can not begin to describe how painful it has been . ''
And in an ITV documentary last year , Meghan , who was born in the US , described motherhood as a `` struggle '' due to intense interest from newspapers .
On Wednesday the royal couple also announced they would also be adopting a `` revised media approach '' from the spring .
It will see them `` engage with grassroots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' .
The National Union of Journalists criticised the plans , saying the move appears to try and `` prevent the media from functioning and compromising the ability of journalists to do their jobs , which is completely unacceptable '' .

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bbc--2020-01-09--Jeffrey Epstein: Jail CCTV erased by 'technical errors'

Surveillance video from disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein 's first suspected suicide attempt was destroyed by accident , prosecutors say .
US attorneys say the jail mistakenly saved footage from the wrong cell .
Epstein , a convicted sex offender , hanged himself in jail in August while awaiting trial on federal sex-trafficking charges .
He had pleaded not guilty to sexually abusing dozens of girls , some as young as 14 .
The issue over this footage comes from the case of Nicholas Tartaglione , a former New York police officer who shared a cell with Epstein in July .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 300 words Epstein was found semi-conscious in his prison cell with injuries to his neck on 25 July .
After this incident , he was placed on suicide watch .
Eventually , Epstein was moved to a different cell , where he died on 10 August .
Two prison guards have since been accused of failing to check on Epstein during this time and falsifying records to say that they had .
There have been ongoing questions over the July recording , which was initially deemed missing and then was said to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A letter filed by Assistant US Attorneys Jason Swergold and Maurene Comey said `` the footage contained on the preserved video was for the correct date and time , but captured a different tier than the one where Cell-1 was located '' , New York City media report .
`` The requested video no longer exists on the backup system and has not since at least August 2019 as a result of technical errors . ''
A lawyer for Mr Tartaglione - who is charged with homicide in an unrelated case - had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the video could show his client had acted `` admirably '' , possibly helping Epstein .
The Federal Bureau of Prisons did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the BBC .
• 'Screw-ups ' led to Epstein death , says US official New York-born Epstein worked as a teacher before moving into finance .
Prior to the criminal cases against him , he was best known for his wealth and high-profile connections .
He was often seen socialising with the rich and powerful , including US President Donald Trump , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Prince Andrew .
Epstein was accused of paying girls under the age of 18 to perform sex acts at his Manhattan and Florida mansions between 2002-05 .
He was arrested on 6 July .
He avoided similar charges in a controversial deal in 2008 , pleading guilty to a lesser charge of soliciting and procuring a minor for prostitution .

Eventually, Epstein was moved to a different cell, where he died on 10 August. Two prison guards have since been accused of failing to check on him during this time and falsifying records to say that they had.


bbc--2020-01-09--Where do they get their money?

Where do they get their money?

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have announced they are stepping back as senior royals and intend to become financially independent .
But how are they currently funded , and what might this new arrangement look like ?
Who pays for Harry and Meghan at the moment ?
The couple say that about 95 % of their income comes from the Prince of Wales .
He pays for the public duties of Prince Harry and Meghan , as well as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge , and some of their private costs .
In total , this funding - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Royal Family - stood at just over £5m in 2018-19 .
The money comes from Prince Charles 's income from the Duchy of Cornwall , a vast portfolio of property and financial investments , which brought in £21.6m last year .
In addition , about 5 % of the Sussexes ' income comes from the Sovereign Grant , according to their website .
This money is paid from the government to the Royal Family to cover expenses for official duties and looking after royal palaces .
The grant is worth £82.4m in this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ funded by profits from the Crown Estate - commercial properties owned by the Crown .
These figures do not include security costs , which are met separately .
• What do we know so far and what will happen next ?
What other wealth do they have ?
Both the duke and duchess have considerable personal wealth .
Princes William and Harry received the bulk of the £13m fortune left by their mother Princess Diana .
Prince Harry is also thought to have been left millions of pounds by his great-grandmother , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nick Witchell .
During her acting career , the Duchess of Sussex earned a reported payment of $ 50,000 ( £38,300 ) per episode for the legal drama Suits .
She also ran a lifestyle blog , and designed her own fashion line for a Canadian brand .
What does being 'financially independent ' mean ?
On their website , Harry and Meghan say they will no longer receive funding through the Sovereign Grant , `` thereby making them members of the Royal Family with financial independence '' .
However , the grant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and it is unclear whether they will give up their other sources of funding .
The couple will continue to be given a security detail paid for by the taxpayer-funded Metropolitan Police , which does not disclose the costs involved .
The couple 's intention to travel back and forth from North America would be likely to add to this cost , but it is possible they will pay towards this - although it will be a very big bill .
The couple say they have always funded their private travel , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This suggests travel taken for official engagements will still be paid for by the taxpayer .
They plan to keep hold of their UK home , Frogmore Cottage in Windsor , which was renovated at the cost of £2.4m to the taxpayer last year .
Are royals allowed to make their own money ?
As senior royals , Harry and Meghan are not allowed to earn income in any form .
The pair point out that there are other current members of the Royal Family who have full-time jobs .
Princess Beatrice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are not `` working royals '' .
That means they do not carry out official public duties as members of the Royal Family .
Princess Beatrice works in finance , while Princess Eugenie is a director at an art gallery .
However , some costs are still met by the taxpayer , such as the security of Princess Eugenie 's wedding in 2018 .
Exactly how Harry and Meghan will finance themselves in future is up for debate , according to David McClure , author of a book on royal finances .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ writing books , a more likely source is from television .
There has been talk about Harry and Meghan doing a deal with Oprah Winfrey , so that 's a possible way of making money , '' he told the BBC .
What is the Crown Estate ?
• An independent commercial property business and one of the largest property portfolios in the UK • The majority of assets are in London , but the estate also owns property in Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland • Holdings include Windsor Great Park and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and commercial property • Managed by an independent organisation , with any profit paid to the Treasury for the benefit of all UK taxpayers • Funds the Sovereign Grant which supports official royal duties and maintains the occupied royal palaces What could their next steps be ?
In their statement , the couple said that launching a new charity would become one of their future priorities .
This follows their decision to leave the Royal Foundation last year , which they shared with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge .
Set up in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ causes close to the princes ' hearts , including the armed forces , conservation and mental health .
In June the pair trademarked the Royal Sussex brand , applying it to dozens of items and services from pencil cases to sport activities and education training .
As one of the most famous couples in the world , their brand has the potential to be highly lucrative .
Their joint Instagram account @ sussexroyal has more than 10 million followers , while Meghan was the most Googled person in the UK in 2018 .

Prince Harry and Meghan: Where do they get their money? Published 23 May
Image source, Reuters
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have lived in the US since stepping down as working royals, in 2020.
Prince Harry and Meghan no longer receive money from the Royal Family and have a series of commercial arrangements with a number of companies.
Why did Harry and Meghan leave the Royal Family?
Harry and Meghan met in 2016 and married in 2018. They stepped down as senior royals in January 2020.
The couple were angry about media intrusion, and frustrated that Buckingham Palace stopped them developing their "SussexRoyal" brand.
Harry remained a Prince, and the couple kept their Duke and Duchess of Sussex titles, but are no longer addressed as His/Her Royal Highness (HRH). He also gave up his military titles and no longer wears army uniform in public.
When Prince Harry's father, Charles, became King, the couple's children became Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet of Sussex.
Where do Harry and Meghan live?
The couple moved to California in June 2020, saying they wanted space to raise their son Archie, and to develop their charitable Archewell Foundation. Their daughter, Lilibet, was born in 2021.
The duke and duchess returned to the UK for the late Queen's Platinum Jubilee in June 2022, and her funeral in September.
Prince Harry also made an unexpected appearance in London in March, when he attended a court hearing as part of legal action he is taking against a number of publishers.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Prince Harry wore a morning suit with medals to the King's coronation
After much speculation, Prince Harry attended his father's coronation in May without his wife.
On 17 May, after attending an awards ceremony in New York, Harry, Meghan and her mother were involved in what the couple's representative described as a "near- catastrophic car chase" involving paparazzi, although there are conflicting accounts of what happened.
How do Meghan and Harry earn their money?
Television and podcasts
The Sussexes' media company, Archewell Productions, makes various programmes for Netflix - an arrangement thought to be worth millions of dollars.
This includes the Harry & Meghan documentary series in which the couple talked about life in the Royal Family.
Image source, Netflix Image caption, The Netflix documentary featured a series of previously unseen photographs of the couple
Archewell has also made podcasts for Spotify, including Archetypes, in which Meghan talked to other high-profile women, such as tennis player Serena Williams and singer Mariah Carey.
Prince Harry and Meghan were interviewed by US presenter Oprah Winfrey in March 2021, but said they were not paid for the appearance.
Books
Written in conjunction with JR Moehringer, the book also discusses his grief over the death of his mother, Princess Diana, and says he and William urged their father not to marry his partner, Camilla, now the Queen.
Meghan published a children's book called The Bench in 2021.
Other
In March 2021, Harry was appointed "chief impact officer" for Californian firm BetterUp.
What did Prince Harry and Meghan lose when they stepped down?
Annual income
As working Royals, they received 95% of their annual income from Harry's father, then Prince of Wales.
In the financial year 2018-2019 (the first year of their marriage), Charles' Duchy of Cornwall estate paid more than £5m to cover the public duties - and some private expenses - of the Sussexes, and of Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales.
The taxpayer-funded Sovereign Grant made up the other 5%.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Harry and Meghan were married in May 2018
Charles subsequently gave them "a substantial sum" to support their transition to financial independence.
Duchy of Cornwall accounts show that the couple - along with Prince William and Catherine - received £4.5m between April and June 2020.
"That funding [then] ceased," according to a spokesman.
Bodyguards
Once they stepped back from official duties, the Duke and Duchess were no longer covered by the security arrangements in place for senior royals.
When Harry first left the UK, he said it would be too dangerous to bring back his family without police protection.
In July 2022, he was granted permission to challenge its removal at the High Court.
That case is continuing - but in May, a judge separately rejected the prince's request to be allowed pay privately for police protection in the UK.
Frogmore Cottage
Image source, Carly b. talbot Image caption, Frogmore Cottage sits within the larger Frogmore estate
The Queen gave Frogmore Cottage in Windsor to Harry and Meghan when they got married in 2018.
They retained the cottage as their UK residence, and celebrated their daughter Lilibet's first birthday there in 2022.
However, in early 2023, Buckingham Palace asked the couple to leave the property.
The Sun newspaper reported that the request was made shortly after Harry's memoir was published, and that the cottage had been offered to his uncle, the Duke of York.
What other funds do Harry and Meghan have?
William and Harry received the bulk of Princess Diana's £13m fortune when their mother died in 1997.
Harry told Oprah Winfrey this inheritance funded the US move: "I've got what my mum left me. Without that, we wouldn't have been able to do this."
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Princess Diana died in a car crash in Paris in 1997
Harry is also thought to have inherited millions from his great-grandmother, the Queen Mother.
It is not known whether the late Queen left him any money.
During her acting career, the Duchess of Sussex was reportedly paid $50,000 for each episode of the legal drama Suits. She appeared in more than 100 episodes.


bbc--2020-01-09--Burglar cooks snack in Taco Bell then falls asleep

A Georgia man who broke into a Taco Bell overnight paused to make himself some food and take a nap @ @ @ @ @ for him .

A man who broke into a Taco Bell in the early hours on Christmas Day was caught on CCTV making a snack and then taking a nap.
The incident happened in the US state of Georgia.
Police are appealing for the public's help in identifying him.


bbc--2020-01-09--Indigenous man and girl handcuffed for opening bank account

An indigenous man has told how he and his 12-year-old granddaughter were handcuffed as they tried to open a bank account in Vancouver , Canada .
Maxwell Johnson , 56 , told the BBC a Bank of Montreal employee questioned the identification he and the girl provided for the account .
The employee left to verify the IDs , he said , and police arrived soon after , detaining him and his granddaughter .
Vancouver Police said the incident was `` regrettable '' .
The Bank of Montreal ( BMO ) said in a statement they `` unequivocally apologise '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that does not reflect us at our best .
We deeply regret this . ''
Mr Johnson , who already has an account with BMO , told the BBC that he wanted to open another one for his granddaughter .
As first reported by the CBC 's Angela Sterritt , Mr Johnson went with his granddaughter to a BMO in Vancouver on 20 December .
He provided the bank employee with both of their government-issued Indian Status cards - proof that a person is registered under Canada 's Indian Act .
Mr Johnson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of his granddaughter , is a member of the Heiltsuk nation .
The BMO employee told Mr Johnson there were some `` discrepancies '' with the card .
`` She said a number did n't add up , '' he said .
`` Which I did n't understand because my number has n't changed since I got the card .
`` I 've never had any issues before . ''
Mr Johnson said the employee left to verify the IDs .
Soon after she returned and he and his granddaughter went to retrieve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the bank .
Mr Johnson and his granddaughter were handcuffed .
`` My granddaughter was crying , she was really , really upset , '' he said .
After about 45 minutes of questioning on the street outside the bank , both were released .
'We had to really , really prove who we were and where we came from , '' Mr Johnson said .
`` They thought our status cards were fake . ''
The Vancouver Police Department said in a statement they had been called to investigate `` a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ identify of Mr Johnson and his granddaughter .
`` We recognise that this entire situation has been upsetting and distressing for the two individuals . ''
Mr Johnson told the BBC that a representative from BMO called him days after the incident to apologise .
`` The damage is already done .
My granddaughter is going to be scarred for life , '' Mr Johnson said .
He is now considering filing a lawsuit through Canada 's Human Rights Tribunal .

Mr Johnson said the employee left to verify the IDs. Soon after she returned and he and his granddaughter went to retrieve their cards, two police officers arrived at the bank.


bbc--2020-01-09--German sandwich poisoning victim dies after four years in coma

A young man , who was in a coma for nearly four years in Germany after his work lunch was poisoned by a colleague , has died , German media report .
The 26-year-old ingested lead acetate and mercury after it was sprinkled on his sandwiches , resulting in severe brain damage .
Two of his colleagues were also targeted and suffered kidney damage .
A man , named only as Klaus O , was found guilty of attempted murder last year and sentenced to life in prison .
On Thursday , state prosecutor Veit Walter said a new trial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Court now that one of the victims had lost his life , the Bild newspaper reported .
The death was confirmed by a court in the city of Bielefeld , about 350km ( 218 miles ) west of the German capital , Berlin .
The case came to light in 2018 after a colleague at a metal fittings company in the town of Schloss Holte-Stukenbrock , in north-western Germany , noticed a white powder on his lunch .
Video surveillance cameras were later installed at the workplace , which captured Klaus O placing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Tests identified it as lead acetate and mercury , almost tasteless substances that if ingested could lead to serious organ damage .
Further searches at Klaus O 's home uncovered mercury , lead and cadmium .
Following his trial in March 2019 , a judge ruled that Klaus O would not be eligible to have his sentence reduced because he was a `` danger to the general public '' .
A psychologist told the trial at the time that Klaus O `` came across like a researcher who was trying to see @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Following his trial in March 2019, a judge ruled that Klaus O would not be eligible to have his sentence reduced because he was a "danger to the general public".


bbc--2020-01-09--Trump can raid $3.6bn of defence funds for wall, court rules

A US appeals court has lifted a legal block on $ 3.6bn ( £2.7bn ) in defence funds , allowing President Donald Trump to spend the money on a US-Mexico wall .
The order by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a lower court 's ruling that stopped the funds being used while the case continues .
President Trump had directed the funds to be diverted from defence projects in February amid a budget debate .
Mr Trump 's planned wall was the signature promise of his 2016 campaign .
White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been `` illegitimate '' .
`` This is a victory for the rule of law , '' she added .
Mr Trump announced his intention to use Pentagon funds for his border wall last February , after a 35-day government shutdown triggered by his demand that congressional Democrats approve funding for the barrier .
He declared a national emergency , arguing that Americans were in danger due to lax southern border security , using the measure to sidestep Congress and tap into defence funds .
The White House was then sued by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the Border Network for Human Rights , an advocacy group , that argued there was no emergency requiring defence funds to be used .
`` It 's unfortunate that the people of El Paso will continue to suffer harm while the government appeals , but we 're confident that we 'll prevail again in this next stage of litigation , '' lawyers for the city said following the ruling .
President Trump has now won several legal battles that give him access to billions of dollars of military funds that he can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Having the money and spending it , however , are two very different things .
Even popular government construction projects take time - and there are still private property owners who will continue their court challenges to block new wall construction on their land .
As he prepares for his re-election campaign , the president can point to progress being made on one of his top 2016 promises , but it 's been a long , grinding fight with no end in sight .
You may also be interested in : • Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may not matter

"It's unfortunate that the people of El Paso will continue to suffer harm while the government appeals, but we're confident that we'll prevail again in this next stage of litigation," lawyers for the city said following the ruling.


bbc--2020-01-09--France: Police clear supermarket after TV price error

Police cleared a supermarket in France after customers refused to leave when they were denied a deal on televisions .
Géant Casino in the southern city of Montpellier accidentally priced TVs at €30.99 instead of €399 on Wednesday .
However the supermarket refused to honour the bargain price .
The customers then blocked the checkout demanding that they be allowed to purchase the television sets .
Dozens of police officers were called in to help clear the store .
According to French media , when customers arrived at the checkouts , staff told them they could not buy the television @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then became angry and refused to leave the store unless they could purchase the televisions .
Jean-Christophe , who works inside the shopping mall , told Midi Libre : `` We are located right across from the Géant Casino checkout lines .
I saw a lot of police and a crowd of people.
`` He added that some people had four or five televisions in their shopping trolley .
Images and video posted to social media shows customers at the checkouts refusing to leave .
Police were eventually called to clear the store @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hour after the supermarket 's closing time .
Under the consumer code , any seller is required to sell the product at the price displayed even if it is due to a labelling error .
However if the price is clearly an obvious mistake , then the vendors can refuse to sell , BFM TV said .
There have been cases in the past where businesses have opted to honour the error price .
Last January , Hong Kong based airline Cathay Pacific mistakenly sold business-class seats on August flights from Vietnam to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ £517 ) return .
Prices on the same route in July and September cost $ 16,000 .
The airline later announced it would honour the fare purchases .

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bbc--2020-01-09--Australia bushfires: Country braces for 'difficult day'

Australia is bracing itself for another day of bushfires with high temperatures and strong winds predicted .
Prime Minister Scott Morrison warned Friday would be `` a difficult day in the eastern states '' .
Authorities urged people in parts of Victoria to leave their homes or risk being trapped .
Bushfires in the country have destroyed more than 10.3 million hectares of land in recent months .
At least 27 people have died since September .
Mr Morrison said `` We are a long way from the end of this crisis and this disaster . ''
He added that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New South Wales ( NSW ) ready to evacuate towns if needed .
More than one hundred bushfires are still burning along the NSW - Victoria border .
Temperatures in Victoria could reach 40C in some parts of the state including East Gippsland which has already seen huge bushfires .
However temperatures are not expected to be as high as last weekend .
Daniel Andrews , premier of Victoria , said residents choosing to stay in high risk areas would be jeopardising their own safety .
In NSW , the state 's Rural @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high , severe and extreme fire dangers . ''
Fires in the state have destroyed about 1,000 homes since the New Year .
The NSW government has announced A $ 1 billion ( £524 million ) to help rebuild towns destroyed by bushfires .
The funding is in addition to the A $ 2 billion announced by the federal government .
On Thursday , a waterbombing helicopter crashed into a reservoir in the Bega Valley Shire region as it was refilling there .
The pilot , contracted by the Rural Fire Service survived @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the town of Kingscote has been cut off by the fires .
Roads out of the town are closed and some people have spent the night sleeping close to the water 's edge .
Two emergency warnings are currently in place .
An estimated 25,000 koalas were killed when flames devastated Kangaroo Island last week .
Australia saw its hottest and driest year on record in 2019 due to two specific weather phenomena and climate change , the Bureau of Meteorology said on Thursday .
Authorities have warned that the huge fires @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a three-year-drought , will persist until there is substantial rainfall .


bbc--2020-01-09--Warne's Test cap raises $1m for fires appeal

Shane Warne has raised one million Australian dollars ( £528,514 ) for the bushfire appeal after his `` baggy green '' Australia cap was sold at auction .
The legendary leg-spinner , 50 , wore the cap throughout his 145-Test career , in which he took 708 wickets .
The bushfire crisis has been ongoing in Australia since September and 27 people have died .
The cap was bought by a bidder from Sydney , with the winning bid coming within the final minute of the auction .
Warne said he was `` blown away '' by the generosity and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my expectations '' .
All money raised - the final price was A $ 1,007,500 - will go to the Australian Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund .
Warne is Test cricket 's second most successful bowler , with only fellow spinner Muttiah Muralitharan ( 800 ) of Sri Lanka taking more wickets .
The final price is more than double the A $ 425,000 ( £225,000 ) legendary Australia batsman Sir Donald Bradman 's baggy green fetched in 2003 .
The baggy green is given to an Australia player when he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ usually wear the same cap throughout their career .
A host of tennis stars , including Novak Djokovic , Rafael Nadal , Roger Federer and Serena Williams , have also pledged their support to the bushfire appeal .

Last updated on .From the section Cricket
Warne is regarded as one of the greatest cricketers of all time, and was chosen as one of the five best cricketers of the 20th century by cricket bible Wisden
Shane Warne has raised one million Australian dollars (£528,514) for the bushfire appeal after his "baggy green" Australia cap was sold at auction.
The legendary leg-spinner, 50, wore the cap throughout his 145-Test career, in which he took 708 wickets.
The bushfire crisis has been ongoing in Australia since September and 27 people have died.
Australia's Commonwealth Bank was responsible for the winning bid which came in the auction's final minute.
Warne said he was "blown away" by the generosity and the final figure was "way beyond my expectations".
All money raised - the final price was A$1,007,500 - will go to the Australian Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund.
The Commonwealth Bank revealed external-link it bought the cap and will take it on a national tour to continue to raise money for communities affected by the bushfires, before it permanently resides in the Bradman Museum.
Warne is Test cricket's second most successful bowler, with only fellow spinner Muttiah Muralitharan (800) of Sri Lanka taking more wickets.
The final price is more than double the A$425,000 (£225,000) legendary Australia batsman Sir Donald Bradman's baggy green fetched in 2003.
The baggy green is given to an Australia player when he makes his Test debut, and cricketers usually wear the same cap throughout their career.
A host of tennis stars, including Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Serena Williams, have also pledged their support to the bushfire appeal.
Brighton's Australian goalkeeper Mat Ryan has said he will donate A$500 (£263) for every save made by a Premier League goalkeeper this weekend.


bbc--2020-01-09--Austria minister Alma Zadic targeted by web hate speech

Austria 's chancellor has condemned hate messages on social media targeting the Bosnian-born woman appointed justice minister in his new cabinet .
`` We 'll act systematically against hate on the web , '' Sebastian Kurz tweeted .
Green politician Alma Zadic , a human rights lawyer , has drawn a wave of criticism from far-right activists .
Austrian media say three police officers from the elite Cobra unit are guarding her round the clock , though the government has not confirmed that .
Ms Zadic , 35 , is among four Greens appointed to senior posts in Chancellor Kurz @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Tuesday .
The young conservative chancellor switched to an unprecedented partnership with the Greens after a scandal engulfed his former allies , the far-right Freedom Party ( FPÖ ) .
Mr Kurz 's tweet called hate speech on the web `` an obnoxious phenomenon of our time '' and said `` such a thing must not be given any space among us ! ''
`` @ Alma_Zadic and all the others targeted by it have my total support ! ''
Immigration has been a hot political issue in Austria in recent years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ migrants , many of them refugees from wars in the Middle East , sought asylum in Central Europe in 2015-2016 .
• Mystery of the honey-trap video that shook Austria Ms Zadic says she will strive for a fair immigration system as justice minister .
As a 10-year-old she fled the Bosnian war with her parents in 1994 and they settled in Vienna .
The minister has been described as a Muslim , but she denies any religious attachment .
As an MP , before joining the new government , she was already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immigrant background .
An MP in Mr Kurz 's Austrian People 's Party ( ÖVP ) , Johann Rädler , once interrupted her by shouting : `` We 're not in Bosnia here ! ''
Ms Zadic became an MP in November 2017 and in mid-2019 she joined the Greens , leaving a small green left-wing party called Jetzt-Pilz List .
On Facebook she says she got involved in politics in order to fight for social justice , so that everyone `` regardless of their social or national origin , whatever their religion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in life '' .
She rejects the notion that individuals should choose a single identity .
`` It was diverse New York that showed me I could be simultaneously a female Austrian , Bosnian and European , '' she told the news.at website .
After excelling at school and university she worked for international organisations in New York and then spent six years with a Vienna law firm specialising in human rights issues .
She is currently appealing against damages of €700 ( £595 ; $ 777 ) , which a court ordered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had posted on the internet .
A young man in the photo denied that he was pictured giving a Nazi salute - he said he had simply been waving to fraternity friends .
Ms Zadic had captioned it : `` no tolerance for neo-Nazis , fascists and racists . ''

She is currently appealing against damages of €700 (£595; $777), which a court ordered her to pay over a photo she had posted on the internet. A young man in the photo denied that he was pictured giving a Nazi salute - he said he had simply been waving to fraternity friends. Ms Zadic had captioned it: "no tolerance for neo-Nazis, fascists and racists."


bbc--2020-01-09--Iceland glacier tourists rescued from blizzard

Thirty-nine tourists got stuck for hours in a blizzard at an Icelandic glacier , but are now safe .
Rescuers @ @ @ @ @ wind to reach them at Langjokull .
Some tourists said the long wait made them @ @ @ @ @

Thirty-nine tourists got stuck for hours in a blizzard at an Icelandic glacier, but are now safe.
Rescuers battled through darkness and howling wind to reach them at Langjokull.
Some tourists said the long wait made them fear they might die.


bbc--2020-01-09--DR Congo jail: Inmates starve to death in Makala Prison

At least 17 prisoners have died over the past week in the Democratic Republic of Congo 's biggest prison , a charity says .
Aid workers say the deaths were caused by a lack of food and medicine , as well as poor hygiene .
Makala Prison in the capital , Kinshasa , has received no food supplies in the last two months , state officials say .
`` It 's terrible !
People are dying almost every day , '' a prison official who did not want to be named told the BBC .
Food shortages mean the more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on their families to bring in meals .
The facility is also severely overcrowded , with more than five times the number of inmates it was built for .
• Africa Live : Updates on news from across the continent • More about the Democratic Republic of Congo Conditions are so poor that non-governmental groups estimate at least 100 prisoners are gravely ill and close to death .
Only 6 % of the prisoners are actually serving sentences - the rest are stuck in DR Congo 's legal system where cases can drag @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deputy minister of justice told local media that Makala had now received some funding to help improve conditions .
`` It 's true , there was a delay in paying suppliers and this explains the break in supplies , '' Celestin Tunda Ya Kasende told AFP , adding , `` the situation was put to rights '' on Monday .
He promised that more money would follow , but the BBC 's Gaïus Kowene in Kinshasa says human rights organisations remain sceptical .
The 17 deaths in Makala Prison were reported by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has no affiliation to the similarly named Clinton Foundation set up by the former US president .
Last year , it was reported that 40 inmates had died in similar circumstances over an 18-month period in another prison in DR Congo .

The 17 deaths in Makala Prison were reported by the Bill Clinton Foundation for Peace, which has no affiliation to the similarly named Clinton Foundation set up by the former US president.


bbc--2020-01-09--Puerto Rico earthquakes: Thousands without power and water

Puerto Rico was hit by a series of earthquakes on 7 January , the most powerful the island has seen @ @ @ @ @ least one person died and 300 homes were destroyed in a 6.4-magnitude quake and 6.0 @ @ @ @ @ island are without power , and a quarter is without running water .
Thousands of @ @ @ @ @ of more quakes .
Read more on this story .

Puerto Rico was hit by a series of earthquakes on 7 January, the most powerful the island has seen in 102 years.
At least one person died and 300 homes were destroyed in a 6.4-magnitude quake and 6.0 aftershock.
Two-thirds of the island are without power, and a quarter is without running water. Thousands of people are homeless and fearful of more quakes.
Read more on this story.


bbc--2020-01-09--Prince Harry and Meghan: Madame Tussauds moves wax figures from Royals

Wax figures of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been moved from other members of the Royal Family at @ @ @ @ @ Prince Harry and Meghan had been placed next to the Queen and the Duke of @ @ @ @ @ the changes following the couple 's statement that they are to `` step back '' @ @ @ @ @ Davies , general manager at the attraction , said the couple were two of their @ @ @ @ @ Alongside the rest of the world we are reacting to the surprising news that the @ @ @ @ @ will be stepping back as senior royals , '' he said .
`` From today @ @ @ @ @ will no longer appear in our Royal Family set . ''
Mr Davies said the @ @ @ @ @ feature at Madame Tussauds London , `` as we watch to see what the next @ @ @ @ @ . ''
The museum did not say where the couple will be placed .
The @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday they plan to divide their time between the UK and North America .

Image caption,
Figures of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex had been placed next to the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge


bbc--2020-01-09--Five things they did differently

Five things they did differently

Five things Harry and Meghan did differently The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will step back as senior royals , @ @ @ @ @ the couple have done things differently .

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have announced they will step back as senior royals and work to become financially independent.
The Royal Family are said to be "hurt" at the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's announcement.
Here are some other times the couple opted to do things differently.


bbc--2020-01-09--Australia fires: Orphaned baby bats wrapped with love

Thousands of baby animals left orphaned by Australia 's bushfires are in need of constant care .
Volunteers around the @ @ @ @ @ knitting and sewing special pouches and wraps .
They are collected by animal rescue organisations @ @ @ @ @ carers .
One Australian mum and her daughter who live in Singapore are among the @ @ @ @ @ keep orphaned baby bats warm .
Video by Tessa Wong and Andreas Illmer .
Additional @ @ @ @ @

Thousands of baby animals left orphaned by Australia's bushfires are in need of constant care.
Volunteers around the world have been helping by knitting and sewing special pouches and wraps. They are collected by animal rescue organisations which then distribute them to carers.
One Australian mum and her daughter who live in Singapore are among the volunteers doing their part to keep orphaned baby bats warm.
Video by Tessa Wong and Andreas Illmer. Additional footage by Judith Hopper.


bbc--2020-01-09--Record number of female film leads, US study suggests

Female characters had their biggest-ever representation in box office films last year , according to research .
The Center for the Study of Women in Television and Film said a record 40 % of 2019 's highest-grossing US movies had women in a lead role - up 9 % .
But black and minority ethnic ( BAME ) women are being left behind , the annual report also suggests .
Films on the list include Avengers : Endgame , Captain Marvel , Joker and Maleficent : Mistress of Evil .
Compiled from information from Box Office Mojo , the study @ @ @ @ @ @ @ movies had a male lead , while titles with equal male/female leads or ensemble casts accounted for the remaining 17 % .
Film critic Dr Rebecca Harrison told the BBC the increase of representation in leading women on screen is `` great '' for megastar white actresses like Brie Larson , Angelina Jolie and Renee Zellweger , as well as Scarlett Johansson and Margot Robbie - who received two Bafta nominations in the same category this week .
But `` for women of colour '' she added , `` representation is still appalling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ question proved to be white 68 % of the time , compared to their black colleagues ( 20 % ) .
Asian women made up 7 % of the roles and Latina women 5 % .
`` The intersectional oppressions are alive and well , '' said Dr Harrison .
The survey - which began in 2002 , when big female lead roles were at a lowly 16 % - arrives after a week of criticism around the unfair treatment of women and BAME people , either side of the camera .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ World , which is the name of the study , suggested that in films with at least one female writer and/or director , 58 % of the main characters were female .
That figure dropped to 30 % in films made by men .
Last week the Golden Globes again did not recognise any women in their five-strong all-male pool for best director - won by Sam Mendes for his war epic , 1917 .
And this week no women were nominated in the same category for a seventh year in a row @ @ @ @ @ @ @ head of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts , admitted she was `` very disappointed '' by the lack of diversity .
Deputy chairman Krishnendu Majumdar said the lack of female directors nominated was an `` industry-wide problem '' and they were `` fiercely doing something about it '' with schemes like Elevate , which supports talent from underrepresented groups .
In 2018 , the academy announced new diversity quotas - or `` eligibility criteria '' - for two of the award categories ; best outstanding British film and outstanding debut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ producer , in a bid to `` support an open , accessible and inclusive industry '' .
• How diverse is the film industry ?
• Ricky 's best jokes and other Golden Globe highlights Dr Harrison believes that while it 's fine for the institutions to say they 're disappointed , they now have to `` actively work hard to change the rules '' of how the industry operates `` otherwise , it 's just meaningless headlines '' .
`` Michelle Williams was talking the other day at the Golden Globes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about how women need to vote for themselves and lots of white women applauded , while lots of women of colour were immediately speaking to the fact that white women have always voted in their own interest and always acted in their own interest .
`` I think that you can see that in the film industry .
`` One of the arguments in this is that representation on screen improves when diversity behind the camera improves as well . ''
She went on : `` So if there are more white women @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and to production roles , that 's great .
But that 's not going to translate into improved representation for women of colour and men of colour , who have also lost out here .
`` The one thing that did surprise me slightly was the news that it 's actually studio films where the most positive increases have happened and indie films have gone backwards . ''
The academic and author believes the big studios often get `` a lot of justified criticism '' about the fact that they 're `` only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ corporatised way '' , by using the same safe familiar and sellable white faces .
Female-speaking characters overall , according to the research conducted out of San Diego State University , fell by 1 % to 34 % .
`` If they think that it will improve box office , they will do it .
Otherwise they just do n't bother . ''
Despite the upward trend at the top , Dr Harrison believes it 's the role of film critics to continue also to hold producers of independent films - `` the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ access '' - to account with regards to diversity in order to keep `` affecting positive change '' .
'Did they die at the end ? '
The new statistics only analyse female performances in a quantitative , rather than qualitative way , and should therefore be approached with caution .
Female characters were far less likely to have leadership roles or identifiable jobs than their male counterparts , the study said , with 26 % of women in leadership roles , compared with 74 % of men .
The Bechdel test is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ representation of women in fiction and begs questions like - does the piece have at least two named women in it , who talk to each other about something besides a man .
At last year 's Cannes Film Festival , director Quentin Tarantino shut down one journalist 's attempts to ask him about the fact Margot Robbie had relatively few lines in his Golden Globe-winning Once Upon a Time ...
In Hollywood .
Dr Harrison said : `` It 's all well and good saying , 'OK women were protagonists in 40 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we do n't really know what their role was in those films without looking at the kind of qualitative textual analysis that goes on , beyond just the numbers , '' So were these women protagonists in films being represented in a positive way ?
Did they die at the end ?
Were they the survivors of some kind of horrific sexual abuse on screen ?
Were they given lots of dialogue ? ''
`` I think all of these conversations are always about trying to find a balance between celebrating the positive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 're constantly paying attention to areas for improvement , '' she concluded .
Follow us on Facebook , or on Twitter @ BBCNewsEnts .
If you have a story suggestion email entertainment.news @ bbc.co.uk .

"Michelle Williams was talking the other day at the Golden Globes, and she gives a big empowered speech about how women need to vote for themselves and lots of white women applauded, while lots of women of colour were immediately speaking to the fact that white women have always voted in their own interest and always acted in their own interest.


bbc--2020-01-09--Iran attack: Who are the winners and losers in the crisis?

The US killing of top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani and Iran 's retaliatory missile attack have heightened fears of a conflict with far-reaching implications .
Who loses or gains from the crisis could change rapidly depending on what the US and Iran do next .
So , who are the winners and losers ?
Despite the loss of such a powerful military figure , Iran could be a short-term beneficiary of Qasem Soleimani 's killing .
The general 's death , and the massive funeral processions that followed , have allowed Tehran to shift public attention away from a violent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prices in November .
It also allows Iran to demonstrate its ability to rally at a time of crisis , with its notoriously divided political elite pulling together .
Iran has been under economic pressure from renewed US sanctions following President Trump 's withdrawal from the Iran nuclear agreement in 2018 .
Last year , the situation escalated after Iran downed a US drone and detained shipping tankers .
It was also accused of sponsoring missile attacks such as September 's strike on Saudi oil facilities - something it denied .
Iran has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ missile strike targeting US troops in Iraq .
The country may benefit if it drags out any further retaliation and instead continues to play on public sympathy and anxiety over what comes next .
However , if the country does take further action , it may no longer be seen as a winner .
Depending on where and how Iran seeks to further avenge Soleimani 's death , Tehran , a lesser military power , could find itself in a damaging military cycle of action and reaction with the US .
Already subject @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comply with the nuclear agreement , continued escalation could further isolate Iran .
• A quick guide to the story so far The Trump administration may have succeeded in denting Iran 's military prowess , while potentially boosting the President 's chance of re-election in November .
It has also sent a message of strength and solidarity to allies such as Israel and Saudi Arabia .
But if it is drawn into a tit-for-tat military action this could increase oil prices , lead to further loss of American life and spark another long-running @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for many other nations in the Middle East and beyond .
In the short run , Iran-backed Shia militia in Iraq could benefit from the current crisis .
Over the past few months , the Iraqi government has been the target of many protests over Iran 's influence in the country , alongside complaints of poor governance and corruption .
These militias - and the rest of Iraq 's political establishment - are using the death of Soleimani to win back lost influence and legitimise their need to remain in the country .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iraq has long been a rallying cry of these groups and plays into the hand of their leaders .
It also creates a security vacuum for terrorist groups such as IS and Al Qaeda to exploit .
Iran and Israel have long been in conflict over their interests in the Middle East , and Iran 's desire to remove the Jewish state .
From Israel 's perspective , many threats still remain .
These include Iran 's support for Israel 's adversaries such as Lebanon militant group Hezbollah and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does indicate America 's growing intention to contain Iran .
In Israel , this is likely to be seen as a positive step that will benefit its security interests against Iran and the groups it supports .
`` Israel stands with the United States in its just struggle for peace , security and self-defence , '' the country 's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said after the attack .
The looming threat of conflict will give Middle Eastern governments an excuse to curb protests throughout the region .
In particular , the recent protests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issues such as unemployment and corruption will be contained using the justification of national security .
Governments could even go one step further and use the looming crisis to justify crackdowns on political activists and put the brakes on any attempts at political reform .
Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates ( UAE ) are in a precarious position .
Both were directly affected by last year 's shipping attacks in the Straits of Hormuz , and strikes on two major Saudi oil facilities , largely thought to be the work of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ denied any involvement .
In response , the UAE attempted to ease the situation with Tehran , while Saudi Arabia has continued to support maximum pressure from Washington .
Since Soleimani 's killing , both countries have called for calm and de-escalation , with the Saudi defence minister travelling to Washington for talks with the Trump administration .
But their geographic proximity to Iran and their history of tensions makes them vulnerable to possible Iranian attack .
Already struggling to sustain the fragile Iran nuclear agreement , Europe remains in an awkward middle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The UK was not given advance warning of the drone strike by Washington , suggesting ongoing transatlantic tensions or at least lack of communication .
At the same time , having co-operated in the fight against IS , several European countries with troops in Iraq are liable to be drawn into the crossfire there if Iran chooses a military response .
The killing of Soleimani should ultimately remind us that the governance and regional stability issues that sparked the Arab Spring protests almost a decade ago remain unresolved .
This analysis piece was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working for an outside organisation .
Dr Sanam Vakil is deputy head and senior research fellow with the Middle East and North Africa Programme at Chatham House .
Follow her @ SanamVakil Chatham House , the Royal Institute of International Affairs , describes itself as an independent policy institute helping to build a sustainably secure , prosperous and just world .

Iran has already hit back at America with a missile strike targeting US troops in Iraq. The country may benefit if it drags out any further retaliation and instead continues to play on public sympathy and anxiety over what comes next.