bbc--2020-06-01--George Floyd death: Tanker driven at US protesters in Minneapolis

A tanker has been driven at protesters on a Minneapolis bridge , which had been closed to traffic , on @ @ @ @ @ was pulled from the truck and beaten by protesters on the I-35W , before being @ @ @ @ @ police .
There are no reports of anyone being hit by the tanker .
Demonstrations @ @ @ @ @ the US following the death in police custody of African-American George Floyd .
Read more @ @ @ @ @ on sixth day of protests

A tanker has been driven at protesters on a Minneapolis bridge, which had been closed to traffic, on Sunday afternoon.
The driver was pulled from the truck and beaten by protesters on the I-35W, before being taken away and arrested by police.
There are no reports of anyone being hit by the tanker.
Demonstrations have been taking place across the US following the death in police custody of African-American George Floyd.
Read more: Violence erupts across US on sixth day of protests


bbc--2020-06-02--George Floyd death: Trump threatens to send in army to end unrest

President Donald Trump has threatened to send in the military to quell growing civil unrest in the US over the death of a black man in police custody .
He said if cities and states failed to control the protests and `` defend their residents '' he would deploy the army and `` quickly solve the problem for them '' .
Protests over the death of George Floyd have escalated over the past week .
Four police meanwhile were shot and injured on Monday night during unrest in St Louis , Missouri .
Police chief Colonel John Hayden Junior told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officers and now we have four in hospital .
Thank God they 're alive , '' before becoming overcome with emotion .
Protests have so far swept more than 75 cities • CRIME AND JUSTICE : How are African-Americans treated ?
• HOW IT HAPPENED : The last moments of his life • In New York on Monday night , the iconic department store Macy 's was broken into , as shops were looted and windows smashed • Curfew in the city will resume at 20:00 ( midnight GMT ) on Tuesday • @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killed amid unrest , although the circumstances are unclear • The chief of police in Louisville , Kentucky has been sacked after law enforcement officers fired into a crowd on Sunday night , killing the owner of a nearby business • Australian PM Scott Morrison has demanded an investigation into the alleged assault by police of two Australian journalists covering protests in Washington DC • Music channels and celebrities have pledged to mark Blackout Tuesday , pausing for eight minutes - the length of time a police officer knelt on Mr Floyd 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ showed Mr Floyd , 46 , being arrested in Minneapolis on 25 May and a white police officer continuing to kneel on his neck even after he pleaded that he could not breathe .
The officer , Derek Chauvin , has been charged with third-degree murder and will appear in court next week .
Three other police officers have been fired .
• Live updates from around the US The Floyd case has reignited deep-seated anger over police killings of black Americans and racism .
It follows the high-profile cases of Michael Brown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in New York ; and others that have driven the Black Lives Matter movement .
For many , the outrage also reflects years of frustration over socio-economic inequality and discrimination , not least in Minneapolis itself .
What did Trump say ?
The president delivered a brief address from the White House Rose Garden , amid the sound of a nearby protest being dispersed .
Mr Trump said `` all Americans were rightly sickened and revolted by the brutal death of George Floyd '' but said his memory must not be `` drowned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He described the scenes of looting and violence in the capital on Sunday as `` a total disgrace '' before pledging to bolster the city 's defences .
`` I 'm dispatching thousands and thousands of heavily armed soldiers , military personnel and law enforcement officers to stop the rioting , looting , vandalism , assaults and the wanton destruction of property , '' he said .
He called on cities and states to deploy the National Guard , the reserve military force that can be called on to intervene in domestic emergencies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dominate the streets '' .
About 16,000 troops have been deployed so far .
Mr Trump added : `` If a city or state refuses to take the actions that are necessary ... then I 'll deploy the United States military and quickly solve the problem for them . ''
In order to take that step , the president would have to invoke the Insurrection Act , which in some circumstances first requires a request from state governors for him to do so .
This law was last invoked in 1992 during riots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four police officers charged with assaulting black motorist Rodney King .
Mr Trump 's warning was met with swift criticism from senior Democrats .
Joe Biden , the party 's presumptive presidential candidate , said Mr Trump `` [ was ] using the American military against the American people '' .
Following his address , Mr Trump walked to a nearby church which had been damaged by protesters on Sunday night .
He and a number of aides stood at the steps of the building as Mr Trump held up a Bible in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actions were condemned by Washington 's Episcopalian bishop , Mariann Budde .
`` He took the symbols sacred to our tradition and stood in front of a house of prayer in full expectation that would be a celebratory moment , '' she said .
`` There was nothing I could do but speak out against that . ''
Throughout Monday , pressure grew on Donald Trump to take action to address the rising unrest in major cities across the US .
As the sun set in Washington DC , in a hastily arranged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what that action would be .
Governors were warned that if they did not effectively secure property and safety on the streets , the president would cite a centuries-old law to dispatch the US Army on American soil .
And in the District of Columbia , which is under federal authority , the president had already ordered the military to deploy in force .
Moments before the president spoke , promising he was on the side of peaceful protesters , those armed soldiers cleared out peaceful protesters from Lafayette Square , across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set the stage for the president to walk with his senior staff across the park to St John 's Church , which was lightly damaged in a fire set by rioters the previous evening - an important symbolic gesture or an unnecessary photo opportunity , depending on one 's perspective .
Posing in front of the building with a Bible , he promised that America was `` coming back strong '' and `` it wo n't take long '' .
There was no talk of police reforms or the root causes of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ point in the evening 's proceedings .
Instead , he said he was the `` president of law and order '' - a sign , it seems , that his solution to the ongoing crisis will be an escalation of force .
How has the unrest affected you ?
Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay @ bbc.co.uk .
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Governors were warned that if they did not effectively secure property and safety on the streets, the president would cite a centuries-old law to dispatch the US Army on American soil. And in the District of Columbia, which is under federal authority, the president had already ordered the military to deploy in force.


bbc--2020-06-02--George Floyd death: TV, radio and music industries mark 'Blackout Tuesday'

Radio stations and TV channels have changed their programmes to mark `` Blackout Tuesday '' , reflecting on George Floyd 's death in police custody .
BBC Radio 1Xtra is hosting a series of discussions and debates in support of the black community , with song choices that reflect black pride and identity .
Many record labels and music stars have gone quiet to observe the initiative .
MTV will go silent for eight minutes - the length of time a white police officer knelt on Mr Floyd 's neck .
The gesture will be replicated on other channels including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Music will pause its output once an hour throughout the day .
• Live updates from around the US • Trump threatens to send in army to end unrest There will also be moments of reflection on BBC Radio 1 and Radio 2 , while commercial radio stations including Kiss , Magic and Absolute Radio are observing a social media blackout `` to show that racism of any kind can not be tolerated '' .
ITV daytime show This Morning briefly went dark , showing a black screen with the words `` Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zane Lowe tweeted that he would n't host his radio show , saying he stands `` united with his black and brown friends and colleagues '' .
`` I will not be on radio .
I will be taking part in Blackout Tuesday , listening , learning and looking for solutions to fight racial inequality , '' the DJ added .
Apple 's iTunes store and its streaming service Apple Music have replaced their usual carousels of new music and playlists with a slide stating : `` This moment calls upon us all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ injustice of all kinds . ''
Listeners are then directed to a livestream of the Beats 1 radio station , where the music is focusing on themes of black empowerment and civil rights .
All of the service 's usual tracks are still available through the search function , however .
Spotify , meanwhile , has blacked out the artwork for several of its most prominent playlists , including Today 's Hits and Rap Caviar , and has inserted a silence of eight minutes and 46 seconds into select podcasts and playlists `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of time that George Floyd was suffocated '' .
Music companies and musicians around the world have adopted Tuesday as a day of reflection and protest in the wake of Mr Floyd 's death last week in Minneapolis .
Katy Perry posted a plain black square and wrote : `` I hope that # BlackoutTuesday gives us all ( especially in the music industry ) an opportunity to take what we 're learning and put it into action on Wednesday , and every day going forward . ''
Rihanna said her Fenty beauty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday .
On Friday , a number of companies and artists began sharing a statement posted under the hashtag # TheShowMustBePaused , calling for `` a day to disconnect from work and reconnect with our community '' and `` an urgent step of action to provoke accountability and change '' .
The initiative was started by Atlantic Records marketing executives Brianna Agyemang and Jamila Thomas , then shared by hundreds of artists including Billie Eilish , Britney Spears , the Rolling Stones , Radiohead , producer Quincy Jones and Eminem .
`` Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disrupt the work week , '' wrote Agyemang and Thomas .
`` The music industry is a multi-billion dollar industry .
An industry that has profited predominantly from Black art .
Our mission is to hold the industry at large , including major corporations + their partners who benefit from the efforts , struggles and successes of black people accountable . ''
They have subsequently posted several calls to action , including a reading list called Anti-Racism Resources and links to community action groups .
All three major record labels - Universal , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ annual revenues exceed $ 16bn ( £12.75bn ) - signed up to the initiative , as did many independent labels , the Glastonbury Festival and event organisers Live Nation .
Interscope Records also vowed to stop releasing new music for a week , while many others donated money to the George Floyd Memorial Fund .
But some people in the music industry criticised the initiative 's lack of clarity and direction , dismissing it as `` virtue signalling '' .
`` I love you all , but this music industry shutdown thing feels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ indie musician Bon Iver on Twitter , although he later apologised for `` calling out people when they are on the same side as you '' .
Indie labels Father/Daughter Records and Don Giovanni also said they did not plan to observe the blackout .
`` If BLM [ Blacks Lives Matter ] calls for the music industry to take action , we will , '' wrote the latter on its Twitter page .
`` But I have no interest in supporting major label record executive white guilt day . ''
However , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is just the beginning of a larger campaign .
`` This is not just a 24-hour initiative , '' they wrote .
`` We are and will be in this fight for the long haul .
A plan of action will be announced . ''
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If you have a story suggestion email entertainment.news @ bbc.co.uk .

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bbc--2020-06-01--Coronavirus: Is Putin's relaxing of restrictions for political gain?

Lockdown restrictions in Moscow are beginning to be lifted despite Russia having one of the highest Covid-19 infection rates in @ @ @ @ @ last two months , residents have only been allowed out to go to the nearest @ @ @ @ @ they can go for a walk three times a week and non-food shops will start @ @ @ @ @ President Putin 's recent declaration that the epidemic 's peak has passed is just politics @

Lockdown restrictions in Moscow are beginning to be lifted despite Russia having one of the highest Covid-19 infection rates in the world.
For the last two months, residents have only been allowed out to go to the nearest food shop. Now, they can go for a walk three times a week and non-food shops will start reopening.
But some suggest President Putin's recent declaration that the epidemic's peak has passed is just politics.
Video by Sarah Rainsford, Elizaveta Vereykina, Anton Chicherov


bbc--2020-06-02--Climate change: older trees loss continue around the world

Older , carbon-rich tropical forests continue to be lost at a frightening rate , according to satellite data .
In 2019 , an area of primary forest the size of a football pitch was lost every six seconds , the University of Maryland study of trees more than 5 metres says .
Brazil accounted for a third of it , its worst loss in 13 years apart from huge spikes in 2016 and 2017 from fires .
However , Indonesia and the Democratic Republic of Congo both managed to reduce tree loss .
Meanwhile , Australia saw a sixfold rise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wildfires late in 2019 , .
• Amazon fires : How bad have they got ?
As well as storing massive amounts of carbon , primary , tropical rainforests , where trees can be hundreds or even thousands of years old , are home to species such as orangutans and tigers .
The tropics lost 11.9 million hectares ( 46,000 square miles ) of tree cover , the study found , 3.8 million in older , primary forest areas - the third highest loss of primary trees since 2000 and a slight increase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forest loss that we saw in 2019 is unacceptable , '' Frances Seymour , from the World Resources Institute , said .
`` And one of the reasons that it 's unacceptable is that we actually already know how to turn it around .
`` If governments put into place good policies and enforce the law , forest loss goes down .
`` But if governments relax restrictions on burning , or [ are ] signalling that they intend to open up indigenous territories for commercial exploration , forest loss goes up .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Mikaela Weisse , from Global Forest Watch , said : `` We also noted several new hotspots of primary forest loss within indigenous territories , especially in the state of Pará that were linked to land grabbing and to mining .
`` These incursions are particularly worrisome given that indigenous peoples have been some of the best conservers of forests in Brazil and around the world . ''
Indonesia , however , saw losses remain at historically low levels for the third year in a row , thanks , it seems , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , from Global Forest Watch , said : `` A number of policies in Indonesia have contributed to this positive story , including increased enforcement to prevent forest fires and land clearing and a forest moratorium to prevent new clearing for oil palm plantations and logging activities , which was first established in 2011 and made permanent just this past year . ''
And Columbia , which had seen tree losses surge since a peace agreement came into force in 2016 , saw a 35 % drop in primary forest loss compared with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % greater than any other year , after fires set for agricultural clearing spread out of control .
And nearly 12 % of the Chiquitano dry forest , in eastern Bolivia , home to indigenous peoples , jaguars , giant armadillos and tapirs , was burned .

Liz Goldman, from Global Forest Watch, said: "A number of policies in Indonesia have contributed to this positive story, including increased enforcement to prevent forest fires and land clearing and a forest moratorium to prevent new clearing for oil palm plantations and logging activities, which was first established in 2011 and made permanent just this past year."


bbc--2020-06-02--Iranian scientist acquitted of stealing research deported by US

An Iranian scientist detained in the United States has left the country and is on his way back to Iran , Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has said .
Sirous Asgari , a materials science professor from Tehran , was charged in 2016 with trying to trade secrets research from an American university .
He was acquitted by a federal court in November .
It was reported last month that Mr Asgari would be deported once he had recovered from a Covid-19 infection .
The US and Iran have denied that he is part of a prisoner swap .
• @ @ @ @ @ @ @ swap In a post on Instagram on Tuesday morning , Mr Zarif welcomed what he described as the `` good news '' of Mr Asgari 's return on a flight to Iran , but accused the US of holding `` hostage '' several other Iranian scientists .
The 59-year-old professor at Sharif University of Technology was accused by US prosecutors of stealing trade secrets from a research project being carried out by Case Western Reserve University in Ohio for the US Navy .
He denied the charge and a judge eventually threw out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Iran led to speculation that he could be part of another prisoner swap .
At least six US citizens are currently imprisoned in Iran or out on bail .
They include US Navy veteran Michael White , who was temporarily released from prison in March on medical grounds and is in the care of the Swiss embassy in Tehran .
In response to Mr Zarif 's Instagram post , Acting US Deputy Homeland Security Secretary Ken Cuccinelli tweeted that Mr Asgari and Mr White 's cases had `` never been related '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deport Asghari since last year , being stalled every step of the way by the Iranian government .
We wish Iran was so enthusiastic to get its illegal nationals back as they would have us all believe ... '' He added : `` ... so how about the Iranians take the other 10 currently in custody with removal orders ?
You have n't heard much about that , have you ?
If # Zarif was n't blowing smoke , they would 've already made arrangements for these other 10 .
But instead , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Spokesman Abbas Mousavi also said talk of a swap was `` groundless '' , noting that Mr Asgari was `` released on the basis of being acquitted '' .
In December , the US and Iran conducted a prisoner swap in a rare sign of co-operation .
Chinese-American researcher Xiyue Wang and Iranian scientist Massoud Soleimani were freed .
Relations between the US and Iran have become increasingly hostile since 2018 , when President Donald Trump abandoned the Iran nuclear deal .
Earlier this year , the US assassinated top Iranian commander Gen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iraq .
Iran retaliated by launching ballistic missiles at Iraqi military bases hosting US forces .

"We have been trying to deport Asghari since last year, being stalled every step of the way by the Iranian government. We wish Iran was so enthusiastic to get its illegal nationals back as they would have us all believe..."


bbc--2020-06-02--Pakistan 'blasphemy' death row couple's plea for freedom

Shagufta Kausar and her husband Shafqat Emmanuel have spent the last six years in jail waiting for an appeal against their death sentence for `` blasphemy '' to conclude .
Now , the family of the poor Christian couple from the central Pakistani town of Gojra hope an end to their ordeal could be in sight , with a final hearing at Lahore High Court scheduled for Wednesday .
Their lawyer , Saif ul Malook , who also represented Asia Bibi , another Christian woman who had a death sentence for blasphemy successfully overturned , told the BBC the evidence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flawed .
But , he warned , that judges can be `` fearful '' of acquitting suspects , in case they are targeted themselves by extremists .
Court proceedings have also slowed in recent weeks as a result of the coronavirus outbreak .
The married couple were convicted in 2014 of sending blasphemous text messages insulting the Prophet Muhammad to a local imam from a phone number registered to Shagufta Kausar 's name .
Blasphemy is punishable by death in Pakistan , and though no-one has ever been executed for it , dozens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accused of the crime .
Shagufta 's brother Joseph , who requested his surname not be published , told the BBC the couple were innocent , and he doubted they were literate enough even to have written the abusive messages .
Shagufta worked as a caretaker in a Christian school , whilst her husband Shafqat is partially paralysed .
Joseph said on a visit to jail , Shafqat told him he had been tortured into making a false confession : `` He told me the policeman hit [ him ] so hard that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ couple have four children , who Joseph said had been left traumatised .
`` All the time they are crying… they are missing them , they wish to see their parents again . ''
• Acquitted of blasphemy and living in fear in Pakistan • The last hours of a Christian sanitary worker Human rights groups say blasphemy allegations are frequently used to settle personal scores or target religious minorities .
The couple 's lawyer told the BBC that in their trial they suggested a Christian neighbour they had argued with might have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's name and sent the messages in order to frame them .
Blasphemy convictions are often eventually overturned on appeal in Pakistan .
Last year , Asia Bibi left the country after more than a decade in prison , having been acquitted by the Supreme Court .
The verdict led to violent protests by hardline religious groups .
Lawyer Saif ul Malook told the BBC he believed the case against Shagufta Kausar and her husband was even weaker than that against Asia Bibi .
He said the couple deserved similar support from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they would also need to be granted asylum abroad .
Joseph told the BBC the family 's hopes for justice had been boosted by seeing Asia Bibi 's release .
The Supreme Court judges who acquitted Asia Bibi warned of the danger of false blasphemy allegations - however , new cases continue to be filed in the country .
In April , a woman from the Ahmadi sect , considered heretical in Pakistan , was charged with insulting the Prophet Muhammad during an argument after she attempted to make a donation to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of those who converted from Hinduism under the British Raj • Most converted to escape their low-caste status and many are among the poorest in Pakistan • Targeting of Christians fuelled by strong anti-blasphemy laws and anger over US-led war in Afghanistan

The married couple were convicted in 2014 of sending blasphemous text messages insulting the Prophet Muhammad to a local imam from a phone number registered to Shagufta Kausar's name. Blasphemy is punishable by death in Pakistan, and though no-one has ever been executed for it, dozens have been killed by mobs after being accused of the crime.


bbc--2020-06-02--Extinction crisis 'poses existential threat to civilisation'

Human impacts on the places on Earth with the most richness of life have brought hundreds of wild animals to the brink of extinction , a study shows .
The likes of logging and poaching have pushed 500 mammals , birds , reptiles and amphibians to the point where they 're hanging by a thread , research found .
This is yet more evidence that the world 's undergoing a sixth mass extinction , scientists argue .
Species are disappearing at more than 100 times the natural rate , they say .
And unlike other mass extinctions , caused by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only have ourselves to blame .
Prof Gerardo Ceballos of the National University of Mexico in Mexico City , said regional ecosystems are facing collapse .
`` We have entered the sixth mass extinction , '' he told BBC News .
`` Based on our research and what we 're seeing , the extinction crisis is so bad that whatever we do in the next 10 to 50 years is what will define the future of humanity . ''
• 'Billions of years of evolutionary history ' under threat Prof Ceballos worked on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scientists , Stanford University 's Prof Paul Erhlich , and Dr Peter Raven of the Missouri Botanical Garden in St Louis , US .
Using data from the International Union for the Conservation of Nature ( IUCN ) Red List of threatened species and Birdlife ( the bird authority for the IUCN ) , they identified at least 515 species that are on the brink of extinction , with fewer than a thousand individuals left .
The animals are found on every continent save Antarctica , in places highly impacted by humans , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They include the Golden Lion Tamarin , Ethiopian Wolf , Javan Rhinoceros , Spanish Imperial Eagle , Yellow-eared Parrot , Gharial and Green Poison Frog .
The scientists describe the extinction crisis as an existential threat to civilisation , along with climate change and pollution , to which it is tied .
And they say they have a `` moral imperative '' to draw attention to the loss of biodiversity , which they say is still rather ignored by most people .
The research is published in the journal Proceedings of the National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Commenting , Prof Diana Fisher of the University of Queensland , Australia , said the study deserved attention because so many people do n't realise how much of the world 's wildlife faces impending extinction .
`` I agree with the authors that this extinction crisis needs to be elevated to an emergency equal to climate change , '' she said .
Prof Chris Johnson of the University of Tasmania said the current rate of extinction of species is higher than at any time since 66 million years ago , when the collision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off dinosaurs and many other species .
`` Threats to species in today 's world - things like habitat destruction and climate change - are growing rapidly , '' he said , adding that the 515 species down to 1,000 or fewer individuals are likely to be gone very soon .
And Prof Euan Ritchie of Deakin University in Australia said the study `` is yet more dire confirmation that we are destroying life at a horrific pace and scale '' .

"We have entered the sixth mass extinction," he told BBC News. "Based on our research and what we're seeing, the extinction crisis is so bad that whatever we do in the next 10 to 50 years is what will define the future of humanity."


bbc--2020-06-02--G7 leaders reject Russia's return after Trump summit invite

The UK and Canada have opposed Russia 's return to the G7 , deepening a rift over US President Donald Trump 's wish for the country to rejoin .
Mr Trump said on Saturday he would postpone the G7 summit scheduled to take place this month until September .
The president said the G7 's `` outdated group of countries '' should be expanded to include others , including Russia .
On Sunday , Mr Trump told Russian President Vladimir Putin of his plan to invite him to the summit .
The White House said making `` progress toward convening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the topics the leaders discussed in a phone call .
• What is the G7 summit and what does it do ?
The G7 summit , which the US hosts this year , convenes the leaders of Canada , France , Germany , Italy , Japan and the UK to discuss matters of co-operation .
But Mr Trump 's invitation to Mr Putin has drawn the ire of the UK and Canada , whose leaders said on Sunday they would not support Russia 's readmission to the group .
Russia was expelled from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ G8 - in 2014 in response to its annexation of Crimea .
`` Russia was excluded from the G7 after it invaded Crimea a number of years ago , and its continued disrespect and flaunting of international rules and norms is why it remains outside of the G7 , and it will continue to remain out , '' Canada 's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said at a news conference .
Earlier , a spokesman for the UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he would veto any proposal to allow Russia to rejoin the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aggressive and destabilising activity '' , the UK would not support the country 's readmission to the group , Mr Johnson 's spokesman said .
`` Russia was removed from the G7 group of nations following its [ 2014 ] annexation of Crimea and we are yet to see evidence of changed behaviour which would justify its readmittance , '' the spokesman told reporters .
Neither the UK or Canadian position rules out Mr Putin 's attendance of the summit in the US .
Though representatives of non-G7 members have attended the group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presence could prove contentious .
In recent years , the UK has had an acrimonious relationship with Russia , which it blamed for a nerve agent attack on a former Russian spy in Salisbury , England in 2018 .
• G7 will act over Russia 's 'malign activity ' , UK says Despite opposition from other G7 members , Mr Trump has repeatedly expressed his support for Russia 's return to the group .
At a G7 summit in 2018 , Mr Trump said he thought it `` would be an asset to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the delay of this year 's G7 summit on Saturday , Mr Trump echoed that sentiment .
He said he did not feel the group `` properly represents what 's going on in the world '' , suggesting Russia , South Korea , Australia and India should be invited .
The leaders of South Korea and Australia have expressed interest in attending the summit in the US .
Last week , German Chancellor Angela Merkel rejected the president 's invitation to attend a summit in person because of the coronavirus pandemic .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is an organisation made up of the world 's seven largest so-called advanced economies .
The leaders of these countries meet annually at summits to discuss issues of global governance , including climate change , security and the economy .
The group regards itself as `` a community of values '' , with freedom and human rights , democracy and the rule of law , and prosperity and sustainable development as its key principles .

"Russia was excluded from the G7 after it invaded Crimea a number of years ago, and its continued disrespect and flaunting of international rules and norms is why it remains outside of the G7, and it will continue to remain out," Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said at a news conference.


bbc--2020-06-02--Australian police probe Aboriginal boy's arrest after video emerges

An Australian policeman has been placed on `` restricted duties '' after being filmed tripping up an Aboriginal boy , who was then pinned to the ground .
The video shows the New South Wales Police officer and two colleagues holding the boy down .
The incident ended in the boy 's arrest and subsequent release , authorities said .
He was taken to hospital briefly for observation .
NSW Police said its professional standards unit would investigate .
The incident happened in the Sydney suburb of Surry Hills on Monday and came to public attention after it was shared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boy was 16 or 17 .
Criticism of police treatment of indigenous Australians has ramped up this week on the back of protests about George Floyd 's death in the US .
Protests have been planned around Australia .
'You slammed him on the face' In the video , three officers are seen speaking to a group of teenagers on a brick path .
After the teenager who was later arrested says `` I 'll crack you in the… jaw , bro '' to one officer , the boy is told to `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kicks the teenager 's legs out from beneath him , causing him to fall to the ground .
An onlooker is heard is saying that the boy landed on his face .
The three officers then pin the boy to the ground , arresting him .
NSW Police said the boy was released to his family after being observed for a time in hospital .
`` An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the arrest is now under way by officers attached to the Professional Standards Command , '' a police statement said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on restricted duties while this review is carried out .
`` Senior officers have met with the community and local elders and will keep them appraised throughout the process . ''
Indigenous Australians comprise almost 30 % of adult prison inmates , despite making up only about 3 % of the population , according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics .

The officer then kicks the teenager's legs out from beneath him, causing him to fall to the ground. An onlooker is heard is saying that the boy landed on his face.


bbc--2020-06-01--Coronavirus: The fears of India's tea workers in lockdown

India has the fifth largest economy in the world but its size hasn ’ t protected it from the impact @ @ @ @ @ that followed .
Unemployment has gone up by 120 million since March .
One of @ @ @ @ @ employers , the tea industry , has been hugely impacted .

India has the fifth largest economy in the world but its size hasn’t protected it from the impact of coronavirus and the lockdown that followed.
Unemployment has gone up by 120 million since March. One of the country’s biggest employers, the tea industry, has been hugely impacted.
Filmed by BBC Hindi's Dilip Sharma and Naresh Mandal
Produced by Daisy Walsh


bbc--2020-06-02--Tiger King: Joe Exotic's former zoo handed to rival Carole Baskin

A zoo formerly owned by the star of Netflix documentary Tiger King is to be handed over to the woman he was convicted of trying to have killed .
A federal judge has given Carole Baskin control of Joe Exotic 's old zoo in Oklahoma as part of a ruling in a $ 1m ( £800,000 ) trademark dispute .
Joe Exotic is currently serving a 22-year sentence for his involvement in a murder-for-hire plot and animal abuse .
The zoo 's current operator has been ordered to leave within 120 days .
Tiger King , which became a huge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Joe Exotic 's colourful life and his rivalry with Baskin , the owner of an animal sanctuary in Florida .
• The rush to make Tiger King spin-offs and sequels The rivalry extended to Exotic - real name Joseph Maldonado-Passage - using logos that resembled those owned by Baskin 's Big Cat Rescue company .
Baskin sued Exotic for trademark infringement in 2011 , a case that ended two years later with the latter being ordered to pay Big Cat Rescue $ 1m .
In 2016 , Big Cat Rescue sued Exotic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had fraudulently transferred his zoo to her to avoid paying Baskin and other creditors .
According to documents posted online , US District Judge Scott L Palk found the transfer had been made to `` remove [ the zoo ] from the reach of Big Cat Rescue '' .
Jeff Lowe , Joe Exotic 's former business partner , has been told to vacate the premises in Wynnewood , Oklahoma , and remove all of his exotic animals .
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A zoo formerly owned by the star of Netflix documentary Tiger King is to be handed over to the woman he was convicted of trying to have killed.


bbc--2020-06-02--Why US protests resonate in UK

Why US protests resonate in UK

Over the weekend thousands of people chanted `` Black Lives Matter '' across the UK - at protests in London , Manchester and Cardiff .
They were marching in support of protesters in America angered by the death of George Floyd on 25 May .
He died nearly 4,000 miles away from the UK in Minnesota , but his death was felt here in our black community too .
That 's why people like Shayne defied UK government coronavirus guidance and went out to protest on the weekend .
`` We did n't expect that many people to turn up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' the 20-year-old tells Radio 1 Newsbeat .
`` The general vibe was electric because you could literally see that everybody was hurt . ''
'When one is hurt , we 're all hurt' Shayne says she and her friends wore military boots to the London protest and were impressed to see lots of other women dressed like members of the Black Panther movement .
`` There were a lot of black women with their natural hair out , '' she says .
`` We wanted to show we 're proud of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't have to hide our blackness to stay alive . ''
Shayne says although George Floyd was killed in the US , `` we know that it happens here too '' , citing the case of Mark Duggan .
He was a 29-year-old who was shot and killed in 2011 while police in London were trying to arrest him under suspicion of planning an attack and being in possession of a gun .
His death sparked riots in London , where police officers are four times more likely to use force against black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across the UK .
An inquest jury in 2014 found that Mark Duggan was lawfully killed .
In 2016 , ex-Aston Villa footballer Dalian Atkinson died when he was restrained by police and Tasered in Telford , Shropshire .
Rasharn Charles died in hospital due to a cardiac arrest and obstructed airway during restraint from police officers in 2017 .
Last week a public inquiry was announced into the death of Sheku Bayoh in police custody in Scotland in 2015 .
Protesters in London held signs bearing their names , and the names @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after encounters with British police , at the weekend .
`` It 's just very frustrating , I 'm very angry and very tired .
To constantly be hearing about black people being aimlessly killed for no reason is draining , '' Shayne says .
`` We have our issues within the black community but we are still very united .
`` The prejudice that black people in America face is the same prejudice we face here .
When one is hurt , we 're all hurt , because it could have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have led to violent clashes between protesters and police .
The police officer who was seen with his knee on George Floyd 's neck for nine minutes during his arrest for using a fake $ 20 note has been charged with murder .
Eyram Kiakia , who 's 20 and has a YouTube channel speaking about the UK Black Lives Matter movement , says she became more upset about the death of George Floyd the more she learned about his life .
`` I watched a few seconds of when they were kneeling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ able to finish watching it , I was really upset , '' she tells Newsbeat .
`` What upset me more was watching the videos of him as an activist and him being vocal about certain things in his community , they upset me more than the video of the police killing him . ''
Eyram says people think the UK is more progressive on race than America , `` when actually it is n't '' .
The UK Home Office was accused of racism following the Windrush scandal - when black people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrongly told they were here illegally and deported or threatened with deportation .
`` Race clearly played a part in what occurred , '' the long-awaited review into what happened said earlier this year .
The Grenfell Tower fire in 2017 and the Windrush scandal were mentioned by rapper Dave when he called Prime Minister Boris Johnson racist during a performance at the Brit Awards after winning album of the year - causing Home Secretary Priti Patel to defend the PM .
Eyram says racism in the UK is institutionalised and also evident @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are more likely to be excluded than White British pupils - and the workplace .
`` There 's a lot of more covert things that have happened to us and still happen to us , like when we were in school they policed black people 's hair , we were n't allowed certain hairstyles or colours even though our white counterparts were able to dye their hair any colour , '' she says .
`` In the workplace , there 's always micro-aggressions .
Everyone I know has experienced some sort of ignorant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employee or even an employer .
`` Just because it 's so subtle and it 's not overt , it does n't mean it 's not racist . ''
Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen back here .

"There's a lot of more covert things that have happened to us and still happen to us, like when we were in school they policed black people's hair, we weren't allowed certain hairstyles or colours even though our white counterparts were able to dye their hair any colour," she says.


bbc--2020-06-01--Coronavirus: What's it like to be laid off over Zoom?

When travel start-up Pana held a meeting for all of its employees over Zoom , they explained that some staff would be laid off , and that there would be two further calls that morning - one at 09:00 for those who would be laid off , and one at 09:45 for those who would not .
Employees would know which meeting they were attending by the invites they would have received by email .
Sales executive Ruthie Townsend was invited to join the 09:00 call but , due to the shock of the news , she could not remember @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be laid off , and which was for those being retained .
`` Because it was such a highly stressful situation , it was hard to process what was going on so I got mixed up .
I joined the 09:00 call as that was the invite I had , and once I realised that I was being laid off , I quickly turned off my video , '' she says .
Ms Townsend was on the call with 15 of her colleagues , and executives from the company then walked these employees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the next steps .
The company , based in Denver , Colorado , had been hit by the collapse in travel due to the coronavirus outbreak .
But there had been a feeling that redundancies would be a last resort , and Ms Townsend had no idea what was coming that morning .
That kind of shock is unfortunately commonplace at the moment , as companies are slashing staff numbers to cope with the economic fallout from the coronavirus .
Before the crisis managers would usually have met staff face-to-face , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video-conferencing tools , such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams ( MS Teams ) , are being used to replicate the formality of the meeting .
Chris Malone , an audio visual technician at events company Sparq in the UK , feared for his role when it was explained to him that a HR representative would be on his next MS Teams call along with his line manager .
His instincts proved correct , as he was told he was going to be laid off .
For him , the use of a video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more awkward than an in-person meeting or telephone call .
`` I think if you were doing it over the phone , it would mean you do n't have to look at someone but when you have the video call , you get dressed up to make it feel formal and to look presentable .
`` Even though it is a video call , the pressure is there - and as you 're not in the room with them there is n't a natural chemistry , connection or body language you can read @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bit of a delay , you 're waiting for someone else to say something , '' he says .
However , Mr Malone believes that a one-to-one video call is still the best way a business can break the unfortunate news to an employee in the current circumstances .
For Ms Townsend , there were pros and cons to having more than 15 people on the same call as her .
`` I do n't think any way of making someone redundant over video conference is going to be ideal .
If it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be really hard and then your boss is going to see all of your emotions .
I liked the group setting because I turned off my video , and I did n't have to say anything , '' she says .
However , she believes that the group setting prevented her from asking important questions at the time .
• The little lights now packing a deadly punch • Why some face masks are more effective than others • Get ready for the 'Holy Grail ' of computer graphics Sarah Evans , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that communication prior to any announcement is key for employers .
`` What many big businesses can do is conduct large meetings on Zoom , to make an announcement to the same people at the same time , so there 's no miscommunication going around , '' she says .
This would make it clear that redundancies or the furlough scheme are being considered for employees , and would also make clear what this means for the business , and how they intend to follow-up with individuals .
It is key for employers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the information , ask questions and give people the opportunity to voluntarily be made redundant or furloughed .
`` In redundancy cases , that would be at least a couple of meetings to go through opportunities to avoid redundancy and consider alternatives , and there 's no reason why all of this ca n't be done on Zoom , '' she says .
The use of video , phone call or in-person , is not a legal matter ; it 's merely a matter of etiquette .
However , the group call , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US , would not be allowed in the UK .
`` That would n't cut it in UK law , as you have a right to individual consultation .
There 's nothing wrong with a group call to announce potential redundancies but you should n't be making people redundant in the same video call , '' Ms Evans says .
If this were the way a UK employer had acted , the employee might then have a case for unfair dismissal .
The option to record video calls could also prove problematic in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ partner at law firm Corker Binning , explains that , generally speaking , anyone should ask for consent before recording a call of any kind .
However , regardless of whether consent was asked for , given or not given , a recorded conversation could still be admissible in an unfair dismissal case .
`` Whoever wants to use the evidence has to be able to prove that it had been properly recorded and was genuine but it would be a matter for the court or tribunal to decide whether that evidence should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And those wanting to snoop on people by deliberately joining a Zoom call where someone else is being made redundant would most definitely be breaking the law - as there are a number of criminal offences about intercepting communications in the regulations .
While video may create new problems , it is the best replacement for a meeting in person .
`` It will feel more uncomfortable to look someone in the eye , and the level of emotional frustration and anger will be more visible , but it is essential to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fair and transparent way to another person , '' says Stuart Duff , an expert on the psychology of leadership at business psychology consultancy Pearn Kandola .

"I don't think any way of making someone redundant over video conference is going to be ideal. If it's one-on-one, it's still going to be really hard and then your boss is going to see all of your emotions. I liked the group setting because I turned off my video, and I didn't have to say anything," she says.


bbc--2020-06-01--Coronavirus: Germany divided as states lift lockdown

A woman lifts the weights over her head one last time then drops them to ground with a grunt of exhaustion , turning her head towards the slight breeze coming in from the open door .
This ladies-only gym in Düsseldorf has just reopened .
Life in Germany is beginning to look a little like it did before coronavirus silenced its beer gardens , grounded its aircraft and brought production lines to a standstill .
Schools , businesses , restaurants , shops and churches have either reopened or are about to - with strict social distancing measures .
There 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Europe .
But Britta , who 's just finished her workout , is unsure about easing restrictions .
`` I 'm torn , '' she said .
`` I enjoy the new freedoms but at the same time I 'm rather scared , maybe it was too early .
I think people need to be careful still and must n't be careless . ''
• How is lockdown being lifted across Europe ?
Germany 's calm and successful handling of the pandemic attracted international attention .
But its next moves have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaders which has culminated in a faster lifting of restrictions than Chancellor Angela Merkel would have liked .
The leaders of Germany 's 16 states have the power to decide how and when they do that .
Unable to agree a common strategy , they 've instituted a patchwork of rules and regulations , with people in one state able to , for example , use the gym again , while in another region , fitness centres have remained closed .
It 's fuelled an intense public debate about the `` Lockerung '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Germany could squander its initial success .
`` It 's too soon , we 're easing up too fast and too much and we risk a second wave , '' said Professor Frank Montgomery , who chairs the World Medical Association .
Professor Montgomery speaks for many when he says that there 's been `` a beauty contest '' from the premiers of the different German states which `` risks all that we have achieved '' .
In the warmth of the early evening sun , cyclists glide around couples and families @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a pavement table , a dog opens a lazy eye as a waiter brings beer and wine to cheerful customers .
As yet , there 's been no significantly adverse effect ( beyond a couple of outbreaks linked to churches and slaughterhouses ) on Germany 's infection figures .
But , with newly reopened shops and restaurants reporting that customers are cautious and slow to return , it may be too soon to tell .
Surveys suggest that the German public were accepting of the restrictions , that they approved of Angela Merkel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impact on the country 's economy .
So why have some regional politicians been so enthusiastic to open up society again ?
Some appear to have been spooked by recent street protests against the measures , perhaps remembering how the small grassroots protest movement Pegida grew into a full-on backlash against Mrs Merkel 's refugee policy and seats in parliament for the far-right party Alternative for Germany ( AfD ) .
The anti-lockdown movement - which appears to be dwindling - has brought together left and right wing extremists , conspiracy theorists and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to represent the general population .
But many suspect there 's another reason for that so-called beauty contest .
Angela Merkel is due to stand down next year after four terms in office .
The race to succeed her was well under way but the coronavirus crisis has transformed political and public life and , with it , the chances of those with ambitions to the Chancellery .
Some , like the businessman Friedrich Merz , have all but disappeared from the spotlight while others , like the country 's health minister Jens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Söder - who grabbed headlines by announcing the first lockdown in his state - are being talked about as possible chancellors in waiting .
Armin Laschet , whose office overlooks the Düsseldorf waterfront , has been one of the most voluble agitators for a swift relaxation of coronavirus restrictions .
The premier of North Rhine-Westphalia - and one of the leading chancellor candidates - denies that his approach has anything to do with trying to maintain a high profile through the crisis .
`` The measures we had to decide now are so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death - you could n't act on a tactical basis , '' he said .
`` Among the population it was much more popular to close everything down but I thought that was wrong…I acted out of a basic sense of responsibility to this state . ''
He 's a cheerful chap who enthusiastically jabs a finger at official charts showing the downward trend in infection rates .
Mr Laschet says it 's best that every region , with their differing economies , geographies and infections , should act independently .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the infection , disease , but there are other damages , '' he said .
• Which countries does US think handled pandemic best ?
`` For children from disadvantaged backgrounds : If they ca n't go to school for 10 weeks they lose chances .
Sick people who did n't have Covid-19 did n't get treatment because the hospitals were reserved for Covid-19 .
People in care homes got lonely , lost the will to live . ''
`` These are damages too and they claimed lives .
It 's why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both sides of the story , not just the virological one , '' he said .
Not far away , in a tent outside a care home , I sit opposite Katharina Resch .
A perspex screen divides us but it means we can talk safely , face to face .
The relaxation has meant her family has now been able to visit the pensioner .
But the staff worry .
They 've kept the virus out but fear the impact of a second lockdown on their residents if general infection levels rise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rush to lift restrictions to upending a sack of potatoes .
`` I 'm sceptical that this head over heels [ approach ] is a good thing , '' he said .
`` But I think politicians are so under pressure that they have to do something . ''
A care worker wheels Katharine back into the home and she waves goodbye .
Germany may have got its outbreak under control for now but scientists and politicians are watching anxiously .
It is , as Angela Merkel has repeatedly acknowledged , a fragile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ How do I protect myself ?
• WHAT DOES IT DO TO THE BODY ?
Doctors on the front line explain • STRESS : How to look after your mental health

But many suspect there's another reason for that so-called beauty contest. Angela Merkel is due to stand down next year after four terms in office. The race to succeed her was well under way but the coronavirus crisis has transformed political and public life and, with it, the chances of those with ambitions to the Chancellery.


bbc--2020-06-02--How Europe's art world is welcoming back visitors

Some of Europe 's best known art museums are reopening after closing in March for the Covid-19 pandemic but it will be far from business as usual .
For most of these museums and galleries , it will be a matter of limiting visitor numbers , intensifying cleaning procedures and insisting all tickets be bought online in advance .
Normally at this time of year Amsterdam 's huge and world-famous Rijksmuseum would have up to 12,000 visitors daily .
From this week that number will be strictly limited to 2,000 a day .
But after weeks of unwanted closure the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be reopening even on a limited scale .
Several major public galleries around Europe have decided the arrival of June is the right time if not to fling open the doors at least to open them very carefully .
Amsterdam 's Van Gogh Museum and the Rembrandt House also reopen this week .
Dibbits says the decision to open Dutch museums is a matter of government policy .
`` But I think we all felt this was the time to give the people of the Netherlands their museums back , which are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open with our normal hours although I think for now there will not be many tourists .
`` Every case is different , not just in the Netherlands , and we all have to find our own way to provide a safe experience for visitors .
I think almost all museums will insist visitors buy a ticket in advance and keep to the slot they are given online .
`` But once you are in our museum you are able to roam free and we are deliberately keeping our visitors to about 20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
You still have to keep 1.5 metres from other people but we wanted to make the experience of the museum as normal as possible . ''
Among other important venues reopening this week is the Frank Gehry-designed Guggenheim Bilbao in northern Spain .
It too has been shut since the middle of March .
Initially it will only open from 2pm most days but it 's coordinating with the city 's Fine Arts Museum which will be open when the Guggenheim is closed .
Its older but much smaller cousin , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open again from this week .
And in Rome one of Europe 's great cultural glories is viewable by tourists once more - the Sistine Chapel , whose ceiling was painted by Michelangelo from 1508 .
For now visitors will need a face mask and will have their temperature taken when they enter the Vatican Museums .
The Vatican authorities say there be will health workers on hand to help .
One of Europe 's most gorgeously located galleries of modern art is Denmark 's Louisiana Museum on the coast an hour from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sweden .
It reopened on Friday .
It benefits from an outside sculpture park , as well as the displays inside and was reopened last week by the Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen .
Like virtually all the museums which reopen this week it wants people to book ahead online .
But Jan Hybertz Goricke of the museum says visitor numbers are generally about 2,500 .
`` So we will try to get people in even if they have n't pre-booked .
I think all the museums which have reopened are going to find @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trying to ensure visitors have an experience as good as possible . ''
The Louvre in Paris , possibly the world 's most famous art museum , remains closed but it 's scheduled to open on 6 July .
The Louvre Lens , in eastern France , starts to reopen from this week .
All these changes are provisional : if Covid-19 starts to peak again it 's possible some or all of these re-openings could be reversed .
And in many places it will remain hard or impossible to visit these museums @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But this week art galleries and museums in certain European countries have something to celebrate at last .
Follow us on Facebook or on Twitter @ BBCNewsEnts .
If you have a story suggestion email entertainment.news @ bbc.co.uk .

"But once you are in our museum you are able to roam free and we are deliberately keeping our visitors to about 20% of what they would normally be. You still have to keep 1.5 metres from other people but we wanted to make the experience of the museum as normal as possible."


bbc--2020-06-02--Nigeria's campus cults: Buccaneers, Black Axe and other feared groups

Roland* was a first-year student when he joined the Buccaneers , a secret , illegal student society in Nigeria .
A brutal initiation ritual was held late at night in the forest .
Older members , singing , dancing and drinking , formed a ring around him and other blindfolded initiates , beating them severely until the early hours of the morning .
The ritual was supposedly to purge the initiates of weaknesses and instil bravery in them .
`` The moment you go in there and come out , you are a different person , '' Roland told the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to as confraternities and campus cults , have names like Vikings , Black Axe , Eiye ( a word in the local Yoruba language for bird ) , and the Buccaneers .
They have a chain of command similar to militia groups , use code words and have insignia bearing the favourite weapon of the cult , along with its colour .
Members are promised protection from rival gangs , but it is mostly about power and popularity .
These secret societies are banned in Nigeria and hundreds of members have been arrested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they continue to operate , especially on university campuses , where they still attract new members .
These cults have been accused of being behind serious violence , including killings , at universities across the country and sometimes harassing lecturers for good grades .
In some cases , students are lured with promises of networking opportunities .
Most societies now operate off campus as well , often with members who never went to university .
They have increasingly resorted to crime .
In places like the commercial capital Lagos and oil hub @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to recruit teenagers into street gangs that serve as a training ground for membership if they get to university .
In April , residents of Lagos and neighbouring Ogun state resorted to forming vigilante groups as reports spread that hundreds of gangsters belonging to One Million Boys and Awawa Boys were attacking some neighbourhoods .
There was a lockdown in the state to halt the spread of the coronavirus and some residents said the gangs had become more daring and were robbing homes .
Soon there were more reports , especially on social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other communities in what looked like massive coordinated attacks .
The police denied there were widespread robberies in the state , describing the reports as `` fake news '' spread by the gangsters to cause panic as a prelude to launching attacks .
Police , nevertheless , confirmed they had arrested more than 200 suspected cultists for being involved in a gang war that broke out after the death of a cult leader in a fight .
Roland decided to join a cult to get protection at his university in eastern Nigeria .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a confraternity member resulting in a feud .
Roland got dragged into the feud , and was assaulted on two occasions .
He reported the attacks to university authorities , but campus security guards could do little .
These unarmed private guards were - and remain - no match for the cultists , who carry guns and other deadly weapons .
Roland 's search for the `` least violent fraternity '' led him to the Buccaneers after he declined an invitation to join the notorious Black Axe .
But once inside he lived @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confraternity system in Nigeria was not always so violent .
It was started way back in 1952 , during the last years of British colonial rule , by a set of young idealistic men .
They included Nobel literature laureate Wole Soyinka at Nigeria 's prestigious University of Ibadan in Oyo State in south-western Nigeria .
The students named their confraternity the National Association of Seadogs , or Pyrates , to rebel against notions of elitism by middle-class Nigerians .
The original founders , known as the Magnificent Seven , were committed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even pretend to be pirates , wearing bandanas and carrying cutlasses .
`` We were having fun with a social orientation , '' Soyinka told the BBC .
He described the present confraternities as `` vile , evil groups '' .
`` I never imagined that any university-based group could actually adopt a mafia style , which involved manhood tests like raping , robbery , arms , murder , kidnapping .
`` At no time did I imagine that anything could degenerate .
And why did it degenerate ?
Instead of these kids @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they were being protected by their parents and their relations , '' he said .
The Pyrates , of which Soyinka is still a member , now exist as a group dedicated to `` humanitarian and charitable endeavours '' .
It no longer recruits students , and its leadership took it off campuses in 1984 in order to distance the Pyrates from violence .
How the societies became violent A split in the Pyrates in the late 1960s had led to breakaway students starting the Buccaneers , and other societies .
Petty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for prestige , power , women and access to corrupt politicians who began hiring cult members to unleash violence against opponents .
Some groups are more violent than others and not all members are involved in crime .
Nevertheless , they all strike fear in the hearts of Nigerians .
You may also like : • How talk of witches stirs emotions in Nigeria The Black Axe are among the most notorious .
They emerged in the 1970s and were originally known as the Neo Black Movement .
Its founders said the group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the black race .
But at universities , the group no longer seems to be driven by any political ideology .
Instead , Black Axe members are accused of numerous killings and sexual attacks .
In 1999 they killed five members of the student union at Obafemi Awolowo University in the ancient city of Ile-Ife in Osun State .
Black Axe members have also been victims of brutal violence .
At the University of Port Harcourt in the mid-1990s , a cult leader was decapitated and his bloodied head was hung on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a sign of triumph .
Cult violence on campuses has decreased in recent years .
It was at its worse in the 1980s and 1990s when Nigeria witnessed numerous coups .
The military was repeatedly accused of funding and arming confraternities to attack and suppress the student protest movement demanding democracy .
Journalist Omoyele Sowore knows the groups well from that era , when he was a student at the University in Lagos .
Cults were causing havoc on campus and as president of the student union he decided to take them on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Sowore told the BBC .
In March 1994 , he was held at gunpoint and injected with an unknown substance .
`` Several of them pounced on me .
They stabbed me in the head and left the knife there and stripped me naked , '' Sowore said .
He was later rescued by other students and taken to hospital .
The activities of some of these groups are not restricted to Nigeria .
The Eiye cult is accused of criminal activities as far away as Europe .
Its members were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police the Spanish region of Catalonia in 2015 for being part of an international syndicate accused of trafficking people and narcotics ( cocaine and marijuana ) and forging passports .
The group was also accused of facilitating the transport of stolen crude oil into Europe .
Rarely do members leave a cult while still in university - those who dare to do so are assaulted or , in some cases , killed .
Some students have quit their studies to escape the grip of the cults .
Others remain lifelong members of their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opportunities to get good jobs and to access power .
They also fund the cults , whose members in turn act as pimps .
They hook them up with female students , sometimes for sex orgies involving politicians and businessmen .
Roland believes the cults offer a false sense of security , prestige and power .
Members are always on the edge , not knowing when a rival group will attack .
`` Half the time you would be afraid .
No matter what they [ members ] say , they are always @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's name has been changed for his own protection You may want to watch :

"At no time did I imagine that anything could degenerate. And why did it degenerate? Instead of these kids being treated as the criminals they were, they were being protected by their parents and their relations," he said.


bbc--2020-06-01--Coronavirus: The 'tin pot' RWA dictators running life in India's cities

Major Atul Dev , a retired Indian army veteran , is on the warpath - against his Residents ' Welfare Association .
Commonly known as the RWAs , these associations are a unique feature of Indian urban living .
They are responsible for managing the day-to-day affairs of specific residential areas and generally set guidelines - relating to issues like security - for people to follow .
Its members are elected by those living in a housing society or a neighbourhood .
But ever since India went into a lockdown to halt the spread of coronavirus , many are being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they are only acting in the interest of everyone 's safety .
In recent days , the Indian press has used unflattering phrases such as `` little Hitlers '' and `` tin pot dictators '' to describe them .
Many RWAs have issued lists of dos and don'ts which run into several pages and some of their diktats have been so arbitrary that governments have had to step in to rein them in .
`` It is true that some have behaved like small-time dictators , inventing their own rules , even ignoring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too liberal , '' columnist Vir Sanghvi wrote in the Hindustan Times newspaper .
`` Some wo n't allow delivery men .
Others will throw out newspaper hawkers and so on .
It may be a great democracy outside but within the colonies , it is often a dictatorship of pygmies , '' he added .
Major Dev says `` every RWA thinks they have to put in place procedures that are more stringent than what 's been prescribed by the government '' .
The 80-year-old lives in Sushant Apartments , a residential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - an affluent suburb of the capital , Delhi .
His RWA has set several rules that have irked the residents - delivery of newspapers , groceries and medicines are permitted only up to the main entrance of the complex and no visitors are allowed .
`` My son and his family live in the same complex , but they are in a different tower and my daughter-in-law says she 's afraid to visit me because of the severity of the rules , '' Maj Dev says .
The biggest bone of contention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most other apartment complexes and neighbourhoods across Indian cities - has been over whether to allow the part-time domestic helpers in or not .
The affluent and the middle-class live in gated complexes with private security guards , while the staff come from cramped slum colonies where social distancing is often not possible .
Compared to the West , Indian middle class homes have few gadgets and house work is labour intensive - clothes are washed in buckets , dishes are cleaned manually , and floors are swept with brooms and swabbed with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on domestic workers and want them back .
Most workers also want to return because they do n't want to lose their jobs .
But many RWAs are reluctant to let them in because `` they may bring in Covid-19 into our complexes too '' .
Sushant Apartments only allowed the cooks and cleaners to return on 23 May - nearly three weeks after the government said they could start .
And that too , only after each resident had filled out a form certifying that their help was `` healthy and has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The form also says that in case my maid develops coronavirus later , I - her employer - will be held responsible , '' Maj Dev said , adding that he filled out the `` illegal form '' only so he could let his domestic helpers back in .
The RWA , he says , has also locked up the exit closest to their apartment block which means their domestic helpers have to take a circuitous route to get home .
`` The shortest route is sealed up so the maids have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to work at a time when the summer temperature is 45C or more , '' he says .
`` They are also forced to walk through an area which has been declared a containment zone because of some positive cases there .
This exposes them to the infection , '' he adds .
It 's not just Gurugram .
Complaints against unreasonable rules being imposed by the RWAs have come in from across the country .
Hitesh , who lives in the posh Defence Colony neighbourhood in Delhi , complained about `` locked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up all around him in the past few months .
He 's lived in Defence Colony all his life and knows the geography well , but says it has now become `` a complete maze '' and that if he had to `` guide an Uber or a delivery guy to come to my house , I ca n't do it '' .
• Why is India reopening amid a spike in virus cases ?
A friend from the southern city of Bangalore said his RWA stopped the newspaper delivery for two weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ papers could carry fomites and infect people with the coronavirus .
An upscale apartment complex in Gurugram asked the residents to pick up and drop their house help from the lobby so that they would n't have to touch the elevator buttons .
One woman wrote that her RWA had decreed that everyone had to `` walk only in clockwise direction '' in her apartment complex , and anyone walking anti-clockwise would be fined 500 rupees ( $ 7 ; £5 ) .
And a video posted on Twitter from a posh residential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , showed a breathless domestic helper climbing up seven floors because the RWA would not allow her to take the lift .
There were also videos that showed nurses and doctors being harassed by neighbours .
Meanwhile , Air India , India 's national carrier , had to issue an angry press release after some of its crew members who had travelled abroad to bring stranded Indians home were ostracised by `` vigilante '' RWAs .
In their defence , the RWAs say the restrictions are meant to protect the residents themselves from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that many residential societies are doing good work too - through the lockdown , most have organised supplies of essentials and ensured that streets are cleaned and garbage is collected .
In some places , they have also organised cooked meals and rations for migrant labourers and poor living in nearby slums .
`` It 's a tightrope walk , '' says Bhaskar Karmakar , who lives in a multi-storey complex in Bengaluru ( Bangalore ) and is also a member of the RWA .
`` As a resident , I want my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ My wife and I have our office work , we have to do all the chores and also take care of our two teenage daughters .
It 's tough .
`` But as a member of the RWA , I have to think this through .
Sure you can get everyone in .
But if one person gets Covid-19 and it spreads , then there 's a problem . ''
There are people in the complex , he says , who are more vulnerable , such as the elderly , those with co-morbidities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be protected .
`` So it 's not an easy choice .
But it 's better to be safe than sorry . ''
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : How do I protect myself ?
• AVOIDING CONTACT : The rules on self-isolation and exercise • STRESS : How to look after your mental health

He's lived in Defence Colony all his life and knows the geography well, but says it has now become "a complete maze" and that if he had to "guide an Uber or a delivery guy to come to my house, I can't do it".


bbc--2020-06-02--Shielders face dilemma: Should I go outside or not?

People across England and Wales with health conditions that make them vulnerable to coronavirus were allowed to spend time outdoors on Monday for the first time in 10 weeks .
Some welcomed the chance to finally leave their homes , while others opted to stay indoors .
Under the new rules , people who have been `` shielding '' are allowed outside once a day with members of their household , or with someone from another household while maintaining social distancing if they live alone .
More than two million people in England have been strictly isolating at home since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chemotherapy and people with severe respiratory conditions .
A surprise announcement relaxing the shielding advice was made over the weekend .
Family doctors were told about the new measures only hours before they were made public , a senior official with the British Medical Association said , and the Royal College of GPs advised extreme caution , saying it was not a green light allowing people to return to ways of life pre-coronavirus .
• Who should be shielding ?
The government said it had engaged with leading health bodies in making the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the guidelines because levels of coronavirus transmission were significantly lower than when lockdown was first introduced .
But among some of those now free to leave their homes , there is a dilemma : should they take the risk ?
'There are still too many people dying each day' I 've got severe asthma .
I 'm not going out - I do n't feel comfortable with it and my parents really do n't feel comfortable with it .
I 'm not willing to do anything that will worry my mum and dad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I 've not had a chance to speak to my doctor yet - the last time I spoke to my consultant was earlier on in the shielding process and he told me not to go outside .
I asked him about going in the garden and he said no more than an hour a day .
I do n't see how it 's changed that much .
I did wonder if I was overreacting but then my MP tweeted that her mum is shielding and she 's advising her to stay in her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of going out for a walk .
It 's difficult because people are starting to talk about this `` new normal '' and starting again and getting on with their lives , and I 'm still at home .
I think I 'll go outside when my consultant says it 's OK and when the infection rate drops a bit more .
There are still too many people dying each day and too many infections each day for me to feel comfortable .
The house has become very much a safe haven .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of going back outside .
I went out at about five in the morning into central Brighton .
It was very surreal , very 28 Days Later - shops were boarded up , obviously no-one was around because it was so early .
It was a very odd experience to actually feel some wind .
There was a lone guy playing bongos and it felt like he was putting on a concert just for me .
I had a heart transplant when I was 16 so I 'm on immunosuppressants .
It had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so when the announcement happened at the weekend it was a relief .
I live in a flat and we have a small balcony but it 's kind of just stick your head out levels of space .
This was the first time I 'd really stretched my legs and had a proper walk , which I 've been craving all this time .
I picked 05:00 because while I 'm happy to get to go out I only really want to do it when there are n't other people bustling around .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ I 'm going to give it a bit of time before venturing out in the middle of the day .
For now , I 'm going to carry on cautiously .
'Anything less than complete confidence is n't going to cut it' I take immunosuppressants for a condition called myositis and have interstitial lung disease .
For a long time it felt like people like me had been forgotten .
Then we heard the news coming out which should have been great - I 've been wanting to leave my house since the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ timing of the message .
You ca n't divorce an announcement like that from everything else that 's been happening recently .
We 've got schools going back and the announcement about trying to get retail back on its feet .
I live near a park and I can see people are n't socially distancing .
Lots of prominent scientific voices are saying we 're opening up too early .
And then at the same time you get an announcement saying the most vulnerable people in society are allowed to get a bit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confusing message When you 're at the sharp end of this and you feel that stepping out of your front door is a gamble then anything less than complete clarity and confidence in the government and people trying to keep you safe just is n't going to cut it .
For that reason , I 'm not planning to step outside my front door for three weeks .
I figure that 's enough time to see the impact of the easing of restrictions this week .
I think people like me who are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this have all become our own experts .
I trust my judgment more than I trust the government 's judgment at the moment .
I have chronic asthma .
At about seven in the evening we got the dog and walked about three miles to go and sit in the garden of a friend .
I 've been out to the doctors a couple of times but it was my first time going out to do something other than that .
I 've got a pretty large garden so it 's not been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the cities .
I was a bit anxious but I suppose that 's fairly normal .
I had a mask in my pocket just in case .
I took the dog out again this morning - it 's something I 've really missed .
My wife 's been having to walk the dog up to now so she 's very pleased . '
I 'm afraid of what will happen if I get it' I have scleroderma and pulmonary arterial hypertension .
I ca n't see the point in them easing the rules @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to go out and be near other people .
People are n't staying two metres apart .
It does n't suddenly go away so I think we 're still in the same dangerous situation we were three months ago .
We got a letter at the beginning of all this saying to stay in shielding because of how dangerous it is for people like me to go out and get the disease but we have n't heard anything from our consultant since .
Things have to open up at some point and we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I 'm afraid of what will happen if I get it .
I feel it 's unfair for us all to go out as if it 's normal when there are people still suffering from it and I 'm worried about the NHS - it 's not really protecting them .
I think we should have been slower to relax the rules .
'There 's a whole different way of life' I 've got a lung condition that I 've had for about seven years , but it does n't really affect life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got the message that I had to shield .
I was really in two minds about going out and I was really cautious .
I just went for a walk for 15 or 20 minutes .
It was a really surreal experience - no one expects to not go out for 10 weeks .
I bumped into someone I know and had a brief conversation and I suddenly realised it was my first proper face-to-face contact with someone in 10 weeks .
I was just talking gibberish - I think it 's possibly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there 's a whole different way of life that I had n't seen or witnessed - everything was brand new for me .

Shielders face dilemma: Should I go outside or not? Published 2 June 2020
Image source, Nick Lockey Image caption, Nick Lockey: "People like me have all become our own experts"
People across England and Wales with health conditions that make them vulnerable to coronavirus were allowed to spend time outdoors on Monday for the first time in 10 weeks. Some welcomed the chance to finally leave their homes, while others opted to stay indoors.
Under the new rules, people who have been "shielding" are allowed outside once a day with members of their household, or with someone from another household while maintaining social distancing if they live alone.
More than two million people in England have been strictly isolating at home since March. They include cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and people with severe respiratory conditions.
A surprise announcement relaxing the shielding advice was made over the weekend. Family doctors were told about the new measures only hours before they were made public, a senior official with the British Medical Association said, and the Royal College of GPs advised extreme caution, saying it was not a green light allowing people to return to ways of life pre-coronavirus.
The government said it had engaged with leading health bodies in making the decision, and that it had relaxed the guidelines because levels of coronavirus transmission were significantly lower than when lockdown was first introduced.
But among some of those now free to leave their homes, there is a dilemma: should they take the risk?
'There are still too many people dying each day'
I've got severe asthma. I'm not going out - I don't feel comfortable with it and my parents really don't feel comfortable with it. I'm not willing to do anything that will worry my mum and dad more than they're already worried.
I've not had a chance to speak to my doctor yet - the last time I spoke to my consultant was earlier on in the shielding process and he told me not to go outside. I asked him about going in the garden and he said no more than an hour a day. I don't see how it's changed that much.
Image source, Supplied Image caption, Rachael Paget: "It's very anxiety-inducing, the idea of going back outside"
I did wonder if I was overreacting but then my MP tweeted that her mum is shielding and she's advising her to stay in her house and not follow this new rule of going out for a walk.
It's difficult because people are starting to talk about this "new normal" and starting again and getting on with their lives, and I'm still at home.
I think I'll go outside when my consultant says it's OK and when the infection rate drops a bit more. There are still too many people dying each day and too many infections each day for me to feel comfortable. The house has become very much a safe haven. It's very anxiety-inducing, the idea of going back outside.
Rachael Paget, 35
'I've been craving a proper walk'
I went out at about five in the morning into central Brighton. It was very surreal, very 28 Days Later - shops were boarded up, obviously no-one was around because it was so early. It was a very odd experience to actually feel some wind. There was a lone guy playing bongos and it felt like he was putting on a concert just for me.
I had a heart transplant when I was 16 so I'm on immunosuppressants. It had felt like we were a bit forgotten so when the announcement happened at the weekend it was a relief.
Image source, Joshua Murray Image caption, Joshua Murray: "For now, I'm going to carry on cautiously"
I live in a flat and we have a small balcony but it's kind of just stick your head out levels of space. This was the first time I'd really stretched my legs and had a proper walk, which I've been craving all this time.
I picked 05:00 because while I'm happy to get to go out I only really want to do it when there aren't other people bustling around. I wore a mask as well.
I'm going to give it a bit of time before venturing out in the middle of the day.
For now, I'm going to carry on cautiously.
Joshua Murray, 32
'Anything less than complete confidence isn't going to cut it'
I take immunosuppressants for a condition called myositis and have interstitial lung disease. For a long time it felt like people like me had been forgotten. Then we heard the news coming out which should have been great - I've been wanting to leave my house since the start - but the problem was the timing of the message. You can't divorce an announcement like that from everything else that's been happening recently.
We've got schools going back and the announcement about trying to get retail back on its feet. I live near a park and I can see people aren't socially distancing. Lots of prominent scientific voices are saying we're opening up too early.
And then at the same time you get an announcement saying the most vulnerable people in society are allowed to get a bit more freedom. It's a really confusing message.
When you're at the sharp end of this and you feel that stepping out of your front door is a gamble then anything less than complete clarity and confidence in the government and people trying to keep you safe just isn't going to cut it.
For that reason, I'm not planning to step outside my front door for three weeks. I figure that's enough time to see the impact of the easing of restrictions this week.
I think people like me who are living with the most dangerous realities of this have all become our own experts. I trust my judgment more than I trust the government's judgment at the moment.
Nick Lockey, 40
'I've missed walking the dog'
I have chronic asthma. At about seven in the evening we got the dog and walked about three miles to go and sit in the garden of a friend.
I've been out to the doctors a couple of times but it was my first time going out to do something other than that. I've got a pretty large garden so it's not been as traumatic for me as people in the cities.
I was a bit anxious but I suppose that's fairly normal. I had a mask in my pocket just in case.
I took the dog out again on Tuesday morning - it's something I've really missed. My wife's been having to walk the dog up to now so she's very pleased.
Karl Straw, 55
'I'm afraid of what will happen if I get it'
I have scleroderma and pulmonary arterial hypertension. I can't see the point in them easing the rules because how can it suddenly be OK to go out and be near other people. People aren't staying two metres apart. It doesn't suddenly go away so I think we're still in the same dangerous situation we were three months ago.
We got a letter at the beginning of all this saying to stay in shielding because of how dangerous it is for people like me to go out and get the disease but we haven't heard anything from our consultant since.
Things have to open up at some point and we have to go back to normal but I'm afraid of what will happen if I get it. I feel it's unfair for us all to go out as if it's normal when there are people still suffering from it and I'm worried about the NHS - it's not really protecting them.
I think we should have been slower to relax the rules.
Karen Waller, 60
'There's a whole different way of life'
I've got a lung condition that I've had for about seven years, but it doesn't really affect my life so it was a shock when I got the message that I had to shield.
I was really in two minds about going out on Monday and I was really cautious. I just went for a walk for 15 or 20 minutes.
Image source, Glyn Shemwell Image caption, Glyn Shemwell: "I think it's possibly affected my communication skills"
It was a really surreal experience - no one expects to not go out for 10 weeks. I bumped into someone I know and had a brief conversation and I suddenly realised it was my first proper face-to-face contact with someone in 10 weeks. I was just talking gibberish - I think it's possibly affected my communication skills.
I realised there's a whole different way of life that I hadn't seen or witnessed - everything was brand new for me.
Glyn Shemwell, 49


bbc--2020-06-02--Formula 1 season to start with eight races in Europe

The 2020 Formula 1 season will start in Austria on 5 July , the first of a run of eight races in Europe .
An F1 statement said the championship would begin across three consecutive weekends - two in Austria on 5 and 12 July and a third in Hungary .
There will then be a two-week break before two consecutive races in Britain and events in Spain , Belgium and Italy .
All will be run behind closed doors with participants following guidelines to minimise the spread of Covid-19 .
• Williams up for sale after £13m loss last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be held 2 and 9 August , followed immediately by the Spanish Grand Prix at Barcelona on 16 August .
The Belgian and Italian Grands Prix will complete the European part of the season on their original dates of 30 August and 6 September .
Plans for the remainder of the season were not announced , because of the uncertainty of the coronavirus situation in the various countries that would have made up the original schedule .
However , F1 said it had `` an expectation of having a total of 15-18 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ December '' .
It is understood that F1 is highly confident of finishing the championship with races in Bahrain on 6 December and Abu Dhabi on 13 December .
Before that , the low incidence of coronavirus in China , Vietnam and Japan makes races in those countries a strong probability in October .
The Russian Grand Prix , which is pencilled in for after the European events along with the race in Azerbaijan , and those in the US , Mexico and Brazil are more uncertain because of the high rates of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have also proposed that some races run to a new format , with the grid for the main grand prix on Sunday decided by a shorter race on Saturday .
But this plan looks unlikely to happen because of opposition from Mercedes - any change to the rules after the start of a year in which a championship takes place requires the unanimous approval of teams .
McLaren boss Zak Brown told BBC Radio 4 's Today programme : `` It would certainly add some jeopardy and some excitement to the sport so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experimenting because we might find we go , you know what , this is actually a pretty good idea , let 's pull this forward into future use . ''
But Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff has told other senior figures at meetings to discuss the idea that he has two major objections the plan : it will not succeed in improving the racing ; and F1 is not broken so does not require gimmicks to 'fix ' it .
The plan would be to try the sprint races at events where there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as in Austria and Britain , to avoid the risk of the second one falling into the same pattern as the first .
Mercedes ' objections are based on their belief that a reverse-grid race would simply lead to the cars from the top three teams running together as they carved through the field before becoming stuck in so-called 'DRS trains ' .
This is where a series of cars of similar performance run in close proximity but are unable to pass because all have the benefit of the DRS overtaking aid so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it tips the result of the championship too far towards luck because the penalties of being involved in any incident in the 'sprint ' race are magnified by also impacting on the driver 's chances in the main grand prix .
And they point to the fact that many of the races last year were exciting - especially those at the Red Bull Ring and Silverstone , for which the new format is being proposed .
Wolff has underlined to fellow bosses that he will not support the idea .
Brown said : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we could try this year .
You kind of have licence to do it differently because obviously going back to the same track twice in my memory has never happened in a season and if we end up doing this two times , mixing it up is a good idea .
`` A lot of other forms of motorsport do have some form of reverse grid - it may be new to F1 but it 's not new to motorsport .
And the other forms of motorsport that do it , it works @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he `` understood '' Mercedes ' objections , saying : `` They probably have the most to lose , if you like .
It is pretty clear they still have the best car on the grid and so will probably be on pole position more often than not .
So I understand from their point of view they are probably risking that pole position . ''

The season will begin at the Red Bull ring in Austria
The 2020 Formula 1 season will start in Austria on 5 July, the first of a run of eight races in Europe.
An F1 statement said the championship would begin across three consecutive weekends - two in Austria on 5 and 12 July and a third in Hungary.
There will then be a two-week break before two consecutive races in Britain and events in Spain, Belgium and Italy.
All will be run behind closed doors with participants following guidelines to minimise the spread of Covid-19.
The British Grands Prix at Silverstone will be held 2 and 9 August, followed immediately by the Spanish Grand Prix at Barcelona on 16 August.
The Belgian and Italian Grands Prix will complete the European part of the season on their original dates of 30 August and 6 September.
George Russell 'buzzing' for F1 racing to resume
Plans for the remainder of the season were not announced, because of the uncertainty of the coronavirus situation in the various countries that would have made up the original schedule.
However, F1 said it had "an expectation of having a total of 15-18 races before we complete our season in December".
It is understood that F1 is highly confident of finishing the championship with races in Bahrain on 6 December and Abu Dhabi on 13 December.
Before that, the low incidence of coronavirus in China, Vietnam and Japan makes races in those countries a strong probability in October.
The Russian Grand Prix, which is pencilled in for after the European events along with the race in Azerbaijan, and those in the US, Mexico and Brazil are more uncertain because of the high rates of infection in those countries.
F1 2020 opening calendar
3-5 July - Austrian Grand Prix (Red Bull Ring)
10-12 July - Steiermark Grand Prix (Red Bull Ring)
17-19 July - Hungarian Grand Prix (Hungaroring)
31 July-2 August - British Grand Prix (Silverstone)
7-9 August - 70th Anniversary Grand Prix (Silverstone)
14-16 August - Spanish Grand Prix
28-30 August - Belgian Grand Prix
4-6 September - Italian Grand Prix
Anyone want to see Hamilton fight his way from the back? Not Mercedes
Reverse grid proposal
F1 bosses have also proposed that some races run to a new format, with the grid for the main grand prix on Sunday decided by a shorter race on Saturday.
But this plan looks unlikely to happen because of opposition from Mercedes - any change to the rules after the start of a year in which a championship takes place requires the unanimous approval of teams.
McLaren boss Zak Brown told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "It would certainly add some jeopardy and some excitement to the sport so I personally would be a fan of experimenting because we might find we go, you know what, this is actually a pretty good idea, let's pull this forward into future use."
But Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff has told other senior figures at meetings to discuss the idea that he has two major objections the plan: it will not succeed in improving the racing; and F1 is not broken so does not require gimmicks to 'fix' it.
The plan would be to try the sprint races at events where there are races on consecutive weekends, such as in Austria and Britain, to avoid the risk of the second one falling into the same pattern as the first.
Mercedes' objections are based on their belief that a reverse-grid race would simply lead to the cars from the top three teams running together as they carved through the field before becoming stuck in so-called 'DRS trains'.
This is where a series of cars of similar performance run in close proximity but are unable to pass because all have the benefit of the DRS overtaking aid so it is negated.
They also believe it tips the result of the championship too far towards luck because the penalties of being involved in any incident in the 'sprint' race are magnified by also impacting on the driver's chances in the main grand prix.
And they point to the fact that many of the races last year were exciting - especially those at the Red Bull Ring and Silverstone, for which the new format is being proposed.
Wolff has underlined to fellow bosses that he will not support the idea.
Brown said: "There are a variety of things we could try this year. You kind of have licence to do it differently because obviously going back to the same track twice in my memory has never happened in a season and if we end up doing this two times, mixing it up is a good idea.
"A lot of other forms of motorsport do have some form of reverse grid - it may be new to F1 but it's not new to motorsport. And the other forms of motorsport that do it, it works quite well."
He added that he "understood" Mercedes' objections, saying: "They probably have the most to lose, if you like. It is pretty clear they still have the best car on the grid and so will probably be on pole position more often than not. So I understand from their point of view they are probably risking that pole position."