bbc--2020-09-08--EU demands release of Belarus political prisoners and warns of sanctions

The EU has demanded the Belarus authorities release `` all detained on political grounds before and after '' the disputed presidential elections .
Mr Lukashenko - who has been in power since 1994 - has accused Western nations of interference .
He is expected to visit his ally Russia `` in the coming days '' , the Kremlin said on Monday .
Ms Kolesnikova was seen by witnesses being seized by masked men on a street in Minsk on Monday morning and pushed into a minibus .
She is a member of the Co-ordination Council set up by the opposition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A member of the council , Maxim Znak , said on Monday evening : `` We still do n't know where Maria is and what is happening to her '' .
Ms Kolesnikova was the last of the three women who joined forces against Mr Lukashenko to remain inside Belarus .
Veronika Tsepkalo and presidential candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya left the country soon after the vote .
Ms Tikhanovskaya said the latest detentions were an attempt to disrupt the work of the Co-ordination Council .
`` The more they try to scare us , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ streets , '' she said in a statement from Lithuania .
Government authorities have launched a criminal case against opposition leaders , saying the `` creation and activity of the Co-ordination Council are aimed at seizure of state power , and at harming national security '' .
The council accuses Mr Lukashenko of `` openly using methods of terror '' .
What was the EU 's reaction ?
`` It is clear that the State authorities in Belarus continue to intimidate or allow intimidation of its citizens in an increasingly lawless way and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and international obligations . ''
He called for the immediate release of opposition figures as well the 633 people who were detained during Sunday 's protest .
`` We expect the authorities to stop political persecution and engage in an inclusive national dialogue , in full respect of the Belarusian people 's democratic and fundamental rights . ''
Earlier , the EU said it planned to impose economic sanctions on 31 senior Belarus officials - including the interior minister - by mid-September .
The sanctions are expected to cover travel bans and asset @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Minsk at the end of an unsanctioned rally as people were going home .
Video footage shows men in plain clothes beating peaceful protesters with batons .

Ms Tikhanovskaya said the latest detentions were an attempt to disrupt the work of the Co-ordination Council. "The more they try to scare us, the more people will take to the streets," she said in a statement from Lithuania.


bbc--2020-09-07--Prince Harry: Frogmore Cottage renovation cost repaid

The Duke of Sussex has paid back the cost of refurbishing Frogmore Cottage near Windsor Castle .
The cost , estimated at £2.4m in 2018-19 , was covered by taxpayers through the Sovereign Grant , but the duke and duchess said they would repay it when they stepped back from royal duties .
Prince Harry 's spokesman said he had paid the bill in full by making a contribution to the grant .
The property will remain a UK residence for the duke and his family .
• Harry and Meghan to step back as senior royals • No other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Harry It comes days after the couple announced they had reached a deal with Netflix to make a range of programmes , some of which they may appear in .
Frogmore Cottage should have been a rather lovely family home .
Instead it became one of the reasons why , eventually , Harry and Meghan left Britain and the official side of the Royal Family .
The cost of renovation - £2.4m in 2018-19 , with more to come after that - provoked critical commentary , and a wave of largely illusory stories @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on .
Just as the couple were setting up their first place together and creating a home for their child , they were subject to what they thought was unfair and intrusive comment .
For decades , taxpayer funding has been a sticky subject for the Royal Family ; it is a point of purchase for critics , who point to the Sovereign Grant and to the costs of security and ask whether the monarchy lives extravagantly and provides value for money .
In the negotiations over the couple stepping back from royal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inevitably - was a serious issue .
It was Harry and Meghan who announced that they would repay the cost of renovating Frogmore Cottage .
In such way a line is drawn , and the couple may perceive themselves to be free of any of the obligations they once laboured under .
And Frogmore Cottage stands empty , a rather lonely monument to an unhappy chapter in the royal story .
The duke 's spokesman said of the repayment : `` This contribution as originally offered by Prince Harry has fully covered the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a property of Her Majesty The Queen , and will remain the UK residence of the duke and his family . ''
Last year 's royal accounts showed the cost of the renovations was £2.4 million and was covered by the grant .
It is the money given to the Queen by the government and pays for the salaries of the royal household , official travel and upkeep of palaces .
Harry and Meghan agreed to pay back the money as part of the plans drawn up when they quit as senior working @ @ @ @

It was Harry and Meghan who announced that they would repay the cost of renovating Frogmore Cottage. In such way a line is drawn, and the couple may perceive themselves to be free of any of the obligations they once laboured under.


bbc--2020-09-07--Disney criticised for filming Mulan in China's Xinjiang province

Disney is under fire for shooting its new film Mulan in parts of China where the government is accused of serious human rights abuses .
The final credits thank a government security agency in Xinjiang province , where about 1m people - mostly Muslim Uighurs - are thought to be detained .
The film was already the target of a boycott after its lead actress backed a crackdown on Hong Kong protesters .
Disney has not commented on the row over the locations and the credits .
China says its detention camps in Xinjiang are necessary to improve security .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the biggest releases of the year , is a remake of the 1998 animated story of a young girl who takes her father 's place in the army .
But fans in some Asian countries called for a boycott after Chinese-born actress Liu Yifei made comments supporting Hong Kong 's police who have been accused of violence against pro-democracy protesters in recent months .
Then , on Monday , social media users noticed that in the credits Disney thanked a number of government entities in Xinjiang , including the public security bureau @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` publicity department of CPC Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomy Region Committee '' .
The public security bureau in Turpan is tasked with running China 's `` re-education '' camps where Uighurs are held in detention , China expert Adrian Zenz told the BBC .
The `` publicity department '' named by Disney is responsible for producing state propaganda in the region , he adds .
It is believed that one million Uighur people have been forcibly detained in the high-security prison camps in recent years .
Leaked documents and testimonies from camp survivors reveal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and punished , claims which China has dismissed as `` fake news '' .
In 2018 a BBC investigation found evidence of security compounds built in the desert in Xinjiang .
• Who are the Uighurs ?
Mr Zenz described Disney as `` an international corporation profiteering in the shadow of concentration camps '' .
The World Uygar Congress tweeted `` in the new Mulan , Disney thanks the public security bureau in Turpan , which has been involved in the internment camps in East Turkistan . ''
Activist Shawn Zhang also criticised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thousands of Uighur were put into camps by Turpan Bureau of Public Security when filming Mulan there ? ''
Turpan was the site of the first `` re-education camps '' where Uighur women wearing veils or men wearing beards were detained , Mr Zenz explained .
The public security bureau is also responsible for managing construction of the camps and hiring police to staff them , he added .
The earliest evidence of `` re-education '' work of Uighurs in Turpan is from August 2013 , Mr Zenz claims .
In June , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that China was forcing Uighur women to be sterilised or fitted with contraceptive devices , a practice that China denies .
China says it is fighting the `` three evil forces '' of separatism , terrorism , and extremism in Xinjiang and says the camps are voluntary schools for anti-extremism training .
In 2017 Mulan director Niki Caro posted photos on Instagram from the capital of Xinjiang .
The production team behind the film also told the Architectural Digest magazine that they spent months in Xinjiang to research filming locations .
Hong Kong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Disney , tweeting that viewers watching Mulan are `` potentially complicit in the mass incarceration of Muslim Uighurs '' .

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bbc--2020-09-07--Netflix boss: Remote working has negative effects

Netflix 's chairman has said working from home has no positive effects and makes debating ideas harder .
But Reed Hastings , who founded the platform , also said its 8,600 employees would not have to return to the office until most of them had received an approved coronavirus vaccine .
And he predicted most people would continue to work from home on one day a week even after the pandemic was over .
`` No .
I do n't see any positives , '' he replied “ Not being able to get together in person , particularly internationally , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hastings told the Wall Street Journal .
Netflix is used by almost 200 million households worldwide .
And it has already resumed producing its own series , documentaries and films .
“ We ’ re up and running in much of Europe and much of Asia , '' Mr Hastings said .
`` And we ’ ve got a few things going on already in [ Los Angeles ] , ” he added .
“ The hope is that , through September and October , we can really get - with proper testing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leading technology companies , however , have suggested employees may never return to the office .

But Reed Hastings, who founded the platform, also said its 8,600 employees would not have to return to the office until most of them had received an approved coronavirus vaccine.


bbc--2020-09-07--France horse mutilations: Police arrest suspect in Alsace

French police have detained a man as part of investigations into a series of mystery horse mutilations across the country in recent months .
Police say the 50-year-old was arrested at his home in Alsace .
He is wanted in connection with an attack in Yonne , north-west of Dijon , last month .
Police released a sketch of a suspect who was spotted at the scene .
Dozens of horses have been killed or maimed this year .
The latest attack occurred south of Dijon on Sunday .
The owner called police at around 02:00 local time ( 01:00 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his meadow .
There were no serious injuries inflicted but in previous incidents animals have been left with their ears and genitals cut off .
Police do not know why the horses are being targeted .
They also do not know whether it is the work of one person or if initial attacks have inspired copycat killings .
The suspect was detained on Monday morning in the town of Nambsheim , near the German border .
Police have not released a name .
The prosecutor said the unemployed man was `` known in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ initial search at his home had not yielded any information , but `` there is a lot of electronic material to sift through '' , the prosecutor added .

The suspect was detained on Monday morning in the town of Nambsheim, near the German border but he was released hours later after his alibi was confirmed by police. Analysis of his mobile phone records also indicated he was not in the Yonne area at the time of the 24 August attack, the prosecutor was reported as saying.


bbc--2020-09-07--Ethan Is Supreme: Beauty influencer Ethan Peters dies aged 17

Beauty blogger and influencer Ethan Peters , known as Ethan Is Supreme , has died at the age of 17 .
Ethan 's father Gerald told Fox News : `` He was a kind soul , who accepted everyone for who they were . ''
His friend , fellow influencer Ava Louise , also posted saying she 'd lost her `` best friend in the entire world '' .
Both have said that Ethan was struggling with addiction , but his official cause of death is not yet known .
Ethan had over half a million Instagram followers and 139,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year described his makeup style as `` characterised by its desire to catch your attention '' and `` dramatic , emotional and , at times , gory . ''
He started young , saying that by the summer of 2017 he 'd hit 100,000 followers and left his private Christian school because his social media activity `` [ violated ] their moral conduct code . ''
He moved to an online school instead and had recently started his own clothing line called Hellboy .
There was some negative response on social media after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He had been accused of racism and transphobia in the past .
But fans also spoken in his defence - including one of his inspirations , fellow makeup artist Manny MUA , who posted : `` He 's made many many mistakes ... but to say he deserved to pass away is horrible and inhuman . ''
His friend Ava Louise blamed his death on addiction .
`` If anyone talks negatively about my friend and his actions over the past year he was battling addiction , '' she tweeted .
`` Speak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ artist & inspiration .
So talented . ''
BBC Action Line has links to resources to help with addiction .
Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen back here .


bbc--2020-09-07--New Brexit law will not 'tear up' EU trade plans

The government will introduce a new law that could change post-Brexit customs plans with the EU - but No 10 denied it would `` tear up '' the existing treaty .
The two sides agreed in 2019 on the terms of the UK 's exit , including on future trade in Northern Ireland .
Reports suggested a new law could `` override '' the legal force of that deal - the withdrawal agreement .
But Downing Street said it would only make `` minor clarifications in extremely specific areas '' .
No 10 confirmed the new UK Internal Market Bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ EU said the `` full implementation '' of the withdrawal agreement was a `` prerequisite for the negotiations on the future partnership '' between the bloc and the UK .
• What are the sticking points in Brexit trade talks ?
• Trade talks : What do the UK and EU want ?
The news comes at the start of another week of negotiations on that future trade deal .
The so-called transition period - which has been in place since the UK left the EU in January - will end on 31 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to secure an agreement to take its place .
But Boris Johnson said if a deal was not reached by the European Council meeting on 15 October , both sides should `` move on '' - meaning the UK would go on to trade with the bloc on international trading terms .
Beyond all the talk , there is a genuine frustration in government that the EU is yet to treat the UK as if it were a fully sovereign country .
That 's matched on the EU side by similar irritation that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the bad tempers do not necessarily mean that a deal wo n't be reached .
And all the blood curdling vows do n't mean that in the end there wo n't be compromise .
Labour 's shadow Northern Ireland secretary , Louise Haigh , said if the government 's latest moves were negotiating tactics , they were not `` very effective '' .
She told BBC News : `` It undermines all the progress that 's been made over the last several months and completely jeopardises a future trading relationship . ''
What @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The two sides signed off on a withdrawal agreement last year ahead of the UK leaving the bloc on 31 January .
The document covered a number of areas , from how much the UK would have to pay for its `` divorce bill '' through to intentions for a future relationship .
But one of the biggest sticking points throughout negotiations had been how to handle the issue of Northern Ireland .
Both the UK and EU sides were committed to protecting the peace process in the region and preventing any reintroduction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ireland .
But they also accepted the land border between Ireland and Northern Ireland would become the UK 's border with the EU , so customs rules needed to be respected and adhered to .
The UK and EU settled on the Northern Ireland Protocol .
This would see Northern Ireland continue to follow some EU customs rules after the transition period - meaning customs declarations would be needed for goods moving from Northern Ireland to Great Britain , as well as some new checks on goods going from Great Britain into Northern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sections of the Tory backbenches and Northern Ireland 's Democratic Unionist Party - which had been supporting the government until that point .
But the agreement was passed through Parliament and the Northern Ireland Protocol became part of the international treaty .
What is the UK government now proposing ?
No 10 has said it is committed to the withdrawal agreement and the Northern Ireland Protocol .
And it said it was continuing its work with the EU in a joint committee to iron out issues around how it would work in practice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have something in place to protect trade across the four nations of the UK if an agreement was not reached by the end of the year .
The text of the bill has yet to be published , so we can not say for definite what will be included in its wording .
But Downing Street said one thing it would do is allow ministers to unilaterally decide what particular goods were `` at risk '' of entering the EU when passing between Great Britain and Northern Ireland , and therefore subject @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also give ministers the powers to scrap export declarations on goods moving from Northern Ireland to Great Britain and would make it clear that EU state aid requirements - where governments give financial support to homegrown businesses - would only apply in Northern Ireland .
But the government insists the bill only introduces `` limited and reasonable steps '' to `` remove ambiguity '' - not `` overriding '' the withdrawal agreement , as government sources had suggested on Sunday .
What has been the reaction ?
There has been concern from Brussels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Street .
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen tweeted that she trusted the UK government `` to implement the Withdrawal Agreement , an obligation under international law and prerequisite for any future partnership '' .
And she added that the Northern Ireland Protocol was `` essential to protect peace and stability on the island and integrity of the single market '' .
Northern Ireland 's Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill tweeted any threat of backtracking on the protocol would be a `` treacherous betrayal which would inflict irreversible harm on the all-Ireland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She has co-signed a joint letter from anti-Brexit parties in Northern Ireland to the prime minister and the EU 's chief negotiator , Michel Barnier , saying it would be `` entirely unacceptable [ to ] abandon these safeguards and mitigations '' .
Labour accused the government of `` misleading the public '' over having a so-called `` oven-ready deal '' for Brexit .
Shadow health secretary Jon Ashworth told BBC Radio 4 's Today programme : `` Parliament supported the Withdrawal Agreement earlier on this year .
He has made promises @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Northern Ireland , and he now seems to be backing out of that . ''
And Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the move would `` significantly increase '' the likelihood of leaving the transition period without a trade deal , and the `` resulting damage to the economy will be entirely Tory-inflicted .
What charlatans '' .
But government sources told the BBC the legislation was `` not intended to derail the talks '' , and a spokeswoman said the UK would continue to approach talks with the EU in good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we are considering fallback options in the event this is not achieved , to ensure the communities of Northern Ireland are protected , '' she added .

However, it said it wanted to have something in place to protect trade across the four nations of the UK if an agreement was not reached by the end of the year.


bbc--2020-09-07--Jennifer Laude case: Duterte pardons US marine over transgender killing

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has drawn criticism from rights groups after pardoning a US marine convicted of killing a transgender woman .
Mr Duterte issued the pardon on Monday to Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton , who has been in prison since 2014 for the murder of Jennifer Laude .
Pemberton has served just over half of a 10-year sentence for the murder .
Virginia Suarez , a lawyer for Laude 's family , called the decision a `` mockery '' of the country 's justice system .
The pardon was announced by Mr Duterte 's spokesman , Harry Roque @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remaining punishment against Pemberton , '' said .
`` He can now go home because of the pardon . ''
The former US marine had been granted early release last week by a local court , for good behaviour , but the decision was being held pending an appeal by lawyers for Laude 's family .
That process was negated by the pardon .
There was no immediate announcement of a release date .
Lawyer Virginia Suarez said in a statement : `` This is another injustice , not only to Jennifer Laude @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Philippine people .
This is a travesty of Philippine sovereignty and democracy , '' Ms Suarez said in a statement .
Pemberton met Laude in a bar in Olangapo in October 2014 , while he was on leave after joint US-Philippines military exercises .
Police said the pair checked into a hotel , where she was found dead the following day , slumped over the toilet , apparently strangled .
The marine testified in court that he had attacked Laude after he realised she was transgender , but claimed she was still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UP Babaylan , a local LGBT rights group , said in a statement co-signed by other rights groups that Mr Duterte 's decision sent a `` loud and clear message that a Filipino trans woman 's life does not matter '' .
The hastag # JusticeForJenniferLaude trended globally on Twitter on Monday .
In one of the most shared tweets , Philippine human rights activist Chel Diokno called the pardon an `` affront to Jennifer Laude and her family '' and a `` big step backward for justice in this case and in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Filippino LGBT rights group , tweeted : `` For as long as the US maintains hegemony over our military , economy , and politics , there will be no # JusticeForJennifer and for the Filipino LGBTQ+ . ''
The murder case strained ties between the US and the Philippines , a former US colony where the Americans retain a significant military presence .
Under the terms of a defence pact between the two countries , the US retained custody of the Pemberton throughout his trial and incarceration , meaning he served his sentence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Philippine prison .
• Duterte : The controversial 'strongman ' of the Philippines

The former US marine had been granted early release last week by a local court for good behaviour, but the decision was held pending an appeal by lawyers for Laude's family. That process was negated by the pardon.


bbc--2020-09-07--Australian flying foxes 'among Earth's most mobile mammals'

Australian flying foxes are nomadic and roam over vastly larger distances than previously thought , research has found .
Scientist @ @ @ @ @ how their enormous journeys also help plants recover from bushfires .

Australian flying foxes are nomadic and roam over vastly larger distances than previously thought, research has found.
Scientist Justin Welbergen tells the BBC how their enormous journeys also help plants recover from bushfires.
Video by Isabelle Rodd


bbc--2020-09-07--Beirut blast: 'I love you, don’t leave me'

Lebanon is still struggling to recover from the massive blast at Beirut Port on 4 August which killed more than @ @ @ @ @ of the city .
It happened when more than 2000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate which @ @ @ @ @ port for six years , detonated .
The BBC ’ s International Correspondent Orla Guerin @ @ @ @ @ 100-year-old house where one brother died , and another was rescued – by his cousin @ @ @ @ @ .
Filmed and edited by Moose Campbell and Colm O ’ Molloy

Lebanon is still struggling to recover from the massive blast at Beirut Port on 4 August which killed more than 190 people and destroyed parts of the city. It happened when more than 2000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate which had been left in the port for six years, detonated.
The BBC’s International Correspondent Orla Guerin visited the ruins of a 100-year-old house where one brother died, and another was rescued – by his cousin who would not give up.
Filmed and edited by Moose Campbell and Colm O’Molloy
Drone photography by Rabih El-Zein
Produced by Claire Read


bbc--2020-09-07--Hong Kong: Police tackle 12-year-old to the ground in Hong Kong

Hong Kong police have come under fire after footage of officers tackling a 12-year-old girl to the ground near a @ @ @ @ @ Police said the girl took part in an illegal gathering and officers used `` minimum @ @ @ @ @ ran away in a suspicious manner '' .
The girl 's family said she was @ @ @ @ @ supplies and became scared when confronted by police .
Nearly 300 people were arrested at @ @ @ @ @

Hong Kong police have come under fire after footage of officers tackling a 12-year-old girl to the ground near a pro-democracy protest went viral.
Police said the girl took part in an illegal gathering and officers used "minimum force" after she "ran away in a suspicious manner".
The girl's family said she was simply out to buy school supplies and became scared when confronted by police.
Nearly 300 people were arrested at Sunday's unauthorised demonstration.


bbc--2020-09-07--Novak Djokovic apologises after hitting line judge with ball at US Open

Last updated on .From the section Tennis Novak Djokovic has apologised for hitting a line judge with a ball at the US Open , saying he is `` extremely sorry for creating her such stress '' .
The Serb , 33 , who had just had his serve broken , took a ball out of his pocket and hit it behind him , striking the woman in her throat .
`` This whole situation has left me really sad and empty , '' said Djokovic .
`` I checked on the linesperson and the tournament told me that thank God @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extremely sorry to have caused her such stress .
So unintended .
So wrong .
I 'm not disclosing her name to respect her privacy . ''
• None 'Djokovic will win again - hopefully with a little more humility' • None Right decision to disqualify Djokovic , says Henman After a lengthy discussion , Djokovic was defaulted by tournament officials at Flushing Meadows .
He will lose all ranking points earned at the US Open and will forfeit the prize money he had won at the tournament .
He could also be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the disqualification , I need to go back within and work on my disappointment and turn this all into a lesson for my growth and evolution as a player and human being , '' Djokovic added in a statement on Instagram .
`` I apologise to the US Open tournament and everyone associated for my behaviour .
I 'm very grateful to my team and family for being my rock support , and my fans for always being there with me .
`` Thank you and I 'm so sorry . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ an 18th Grand Slam title and narrowing the gap on Rafael Nadal ( 19 ) and Roger Federer ( 20 ) in the race to finish with the most men 's major wins .
Djokovic showed his frustration after losing serve to trail 6-5 against Carreno Busta in the first set .
He also showed a flash of temper two games earlier at 5-4 - whacking a ball into an advertising board after the Spaniard saved three set points .
Leon Smith , Great Britain 's Davis Cup captain , said he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a warning for that incident , and felt one might have prevented the controversy which followed .
After Djokovic was defaulted , Smith told BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra : `` There has to be consistency , if someone hits a ball with that much venom and temper , call a warning .
`` The second one can be dangerous and so it proved to be . ''
Djokovic pleaded his case with tournament referee Soeren Friemel and Grand Slam supervisor Andreas Egli during a long conversation at the net .
Eventually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and shook hands with Carreno Busta , who looked shocked by what had happened as he waited in his chair for a decision .
Friemel said that there was not `` any chance of any opportunity of any other decision other than defaulting Novak because the facts were so clear , so obvious '' and that there was `` no discretion involved '' .
The tournament referee added : `` His point was that he did n't hit the line umpire intentionally .
He said 'yes , I was angry , I hit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ umpire , the facts are very clear , but it was n't my intent , I did n't do it on purpose , so I should n't be defaulted for that ' .
`` We all agreed that he did n't do it on purpose but the facts are still that he hit the line umpire and that the line umpire was clearly hurt . ''
Djokovic left Flushing Meadows without doing his news conference .
More controversy for Djokovic in a contrasting 2020 Going into the fourth-round match against Carreno Busta , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ run in 2020 to a 27th victory .
Instead of receiving more plaudits for his on-court performances , he made an undignified exit in what became the latest controversy involving him this summer .
In June , Djokovic was one of several players - along with Grigor Dimitrov , Borna Coric and Viktor Troicki - who tested positive for coronavirus after playing at the world number one 's Adria Tour competition .
Djokovic apologised for staging the exhibition event in the Balkans , which was held in front of fans and without social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leg in Serbia attracted 4,000 fans , and players were later pictured dancing close together in a Belgrade nightclub .
In Croatia 's second leg , players were pictured taking part in a basketball match .
Djokovic said they had `` met all health protocols '' in the two countries , which had relatively low levels of recorded Covid-19 cases at the time .
After announcing his positive test , he conceded it had been `` too soon '' to stage the event .
In the midst of the pandemic , Djokovic was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ something which he later denied - and also drew criticism for saying water could be purified by positivity .
On the eve of the US Open , he found himself at the centre of more controversy after driving the creation of a new players ' union .
Djokovic and Canadian Vasek Pospisil led about 70 players in forming the Professional Tennis Players ' Association , with those joining unhappy at the ATP 's governance and wanting to increase the power of the players .
Nadal and Federer were among those who opposed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while Britain 's former number one Andy Murray called for WTA players to be involved .
• None Alerts : Get tennis news sent to your phone • None Behind the scenes of their title triumph • None Can you truly be one or the other ?

Last updated on .From the section Tennis
Novak Djokovic checked on the line judge after hitting her with a ball when he was 6-5 down in the first set
2020 US Open Venue: Flushing Meadows, New York Dates: 31 Aug-13 Sept Coverage: Selected live radio and text commentaries on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra, BBC Sounds, the BBC Sport website and app.
Novak Djokovic has apologised for hitting a line judge with a ball at the US Open, saying he is "extremely sorry for creating her such stress".
The world number one was disqualified from his fourth-round match against Spain's Pablo Carreno Busta.
The Serb, 33, who had just had his serve broken, took a ball out of his pocket and hit it behind him, striking the woman in her throat.
"This whole situation has left me really sad and empty," said Djokovic. external-link
"I checked on the linesperson and the tournament told me that thank God she is feeling OK.
"I'm extremely sorry to have caused her such stress. So unintended. So wrong. I'm not disclosing her name to respect her privacy."
After a lengthy discussion, Djokovic was defaulted by tournament officials at Flushing Meadows.
He will lose all ranking points earned at the US Open and will forfeit the prize money he had won at the tournament. He could also be fined for the incident.
"As for the disqualification, I need to go back within and work on my disappointment and turn this all into a lesson for my growth and evolution as a player and human being," Djokovic added in a statement on Instagram.
"I apologise to the US Open tournament and everyone associated for my behaviour. I'm very grateful to my team and family for being my rock support, and my fans for always being there with me.
"Thank you and I'm so sorry."
His exit ended his hopes of winning an 18th Grand Slam title and narrowing the gap on Rafael Nadal (19) and Roger Federer (20) in the race to finish with the most men's major wins.
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What happened?
Djokovic showed his frustration after losing serve to trail 6-5 against Carreno Busta in the first set.
He also showed a flash of temper two games earlier at 5-4 - whacking a ball into an advertising board after the Spaniard saved three set points.
Leon Smith, Great Britain's Davis Cup captain, said he was "surprised" Djokovic did not get a warning for that incident, and felt one might have prevented the controversy which followed.
After Djokovic was defaulted, Smith told BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra: "There has to be consistency, if someone hits a ball with that much venom and temper, call a warning.
"The second one can be dangerous and so it proved to be."
Djokovic pleaded his case with tournament referee Soeren Friemel and Grand Slam supervisor Andreas Egli during a long conversation at the net.
Eventually, however, he accepted his fate and shook hands with Carreno Busta, who looked shocked by what had happened as he waited in his chair for a decision.
Friemel said that there was not "any chance of any opportunity of any other decision other than defaulting Novak because the facts were so clear, so obvious" and that there was "no discretion involved".
The tournament referee added: "His point was that he didn't hit the line umpire intentionally. He said 'yes, I was angry, I hit the ball, I hit the line umpire, the facts are very clear, but it wasn't my intent, I didn't do it on purpose, so I shouldn't be defaulted for that'.
"We all agreed that he didn't do it on purpose but the facts are still that he hit the line umpire and that the line umpire was clearly hurt."
Djokovic left Flushing Meadows without doing his news conference.
More controversy for Djokovic in a contrasting 2020
Going into the fourth-round match against Carreno Busta, Djokovic was aiming to extend his unbeaten run in 2020 to a 27th victory.
Instead of receiving more plaudits for his on-court performances, he made an undignified exit in what became the latest controversy involving him this summer.
In June, Djokovic was one of several players - along with Grigor Dimitrov, Borna Coric and Viktor Troicki - who tested positive for coronavirus after playing at the world number one's Adria Tour competition.
Djokovic apologised for staging the exhibition event in the Balkans, which was held in front of fans and without social distancing rules being observed.
The first leg in Serbia attracted 4,000 fans, and players were later pictured dancing close together in a Belgrade nightclub.
In Croatia's second leg, players were pictured taking part in a basketball match.
Djokovic said they had "met all health protocols" in the two countries, which had relatively low levels of recorded Covid-19 cases at the time.
After announcing his positive test, he conceded it had been "too soon" to stage the event.
In the midst of the pandemic, Djokovic was accused of being opposed to vaccines - something which he later denied - and also drew criticism for saying water could be purified by positivity. external-link
On the eve of the US Open, he found himself at the centre of more controversy after driving the creation of a new players' union.
Djokovic and Canadian Vasek Pospisil led about 70 players in forming the Professional Tennis Players' Association, with those joining unhappy at the ATP's governance and wanting to increase the power of the players.
Nadal and Federer were among those who opposed the new union and questioned its timing, while Britain's former number one Andy Murray called for WTA players to be involved.


bbc--2020-09-07--The 'brushing' scam that's behind mystery parcels

If you 've ever received a parcel from a shopping platform that you did n't order , and nobody you know seems to have bought it for you , you might have been caught up in a `` brushing '' scam .
It 's an illicit way for sellers to get reviews for their products .
Here 's an example of how it works : let 's say I set myself up as a seller on Amazon , for my product , Kleinman Candles , which cost £2 each .
I then set up a load of fake accounts , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ either from publicly available information or from a leaked database that 's doing the rounds from a previous data breach .
I order Kleinman Candles from my fake accounts and have them delivered to the addresses I have found , with no information about where they have been sent from .
This way my candle shop page gets filled with glowing reviews ( sorry ) , my sales figures give me an algorithmic popularity boost as a credible merchant - and nobody knows that the only person buying and reviewing my candles is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of fake marketing than cyber-crime , but `` brushing '' and fake reviews are against Amazon 's policies .
Campaign group Which ?
advises that you inform the platform they are sent by of any unsolicited goods .
`` It 's an old fashioned scam - making people believe in something is a way of getting them to buy , '' said Prof Alan Woodward , a cyber-security expert at Surrey University .
`` Like it or not , we do all look at the reviews , even though we are getting more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says it 's from a verified purchaser , we 're less likely to think twice . ''
Can you keep it ?
According to Citizens ' Advice , if an item is addressed to you , there has been no previous contact with the company , and it arrives out of the blue , then you can keep it .

"Like it or not, we do all look at the reviews, even though we are getting more savvy about it, and if it says it's from a verified purchaser, we're less likely to think twice."


bbc--2020-09-07--US 2020 Election: Does Joe Biden support defunding the police?

President Trump has claimed that his Democratic rival for the presidency , Joe Biden , supports the idea of defunding the police .
Mr Biden has said he will not defund police forces .
He wants to invest in community projects and social programmes to lessen the burden on the police .
There have been calls to divert money away from the police and spend it on other services , after the death of George Floyd at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer in May .
What has Biden promised on police funding ?
A statement from Mr Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he supported the need for reform , focusing on funding educational programmes as well as mental health and drug abuse treatment projects , to allow police officers to focus on the job of policing .
These programmes should be separate from funding for the police , it says .
Mr Biden 's campaign website also pledges a $ 300m investment in community policing , which would be conditional on hiring police officers who `` mirror the racial diversity of the community '' .
He also proposes additional funding for body-worn cameras for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the US police In an interview with CBS News in June , Mr Biden said he did n't support defunding the police , adding : `` I support conditioning federal aid to police , based on whether or not they meet certain basic standards of decency ... '' Mr Biden also wrote an opinion piece that month in USA Today , stating : `` While I do not believe federal dollars should go to police departments violating people 's rights or turning to violence as the first resort , I do not support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accused of supporting defunding ?
An interview Mr Biden gave in July led to accusations that he did support taking money from the police , after an edited version was posted on Twitter by Republican Congressman Steve Scalise .
In this version , Mr Biden answers `` Yes '' to a question about whether he agrees with redirecting funding .
President Trump referred to this when addressing the Republican Party convention , adding that if Mr Biden became president `` the radical left will defund police departments across America . ''
But the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flagged by Twitter as manipulated because of the way the words `` for police '' were edited into the question about funding .
In the unedited original , the interviewer , Ady Barkan says : `` We can reduce the responsibilities assigned to the police and redirect some of the funding for police into social services , mental health counselling , and affordable housing . ''
Joe Biden begins talking about various types of police reforms he wants to see , when Mr Barkan interrupts to ask : `` But do we agree @ @ @ @ @ @ @ funding ? ''
He does n't mention the word `` police '' in the question , but Mr Biden anyway responds : `` Yes , absolutely . ''
Republican Steve Scalise deleted his Twitter post with the video clip , but defended his view that Mr Biden was talking about police funding .
The Biden campaign called the edited video a `` deep fake . ''
Who does support defunding the police ?
There are some high-profile Democrats who support a reduction in funding .
New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is among the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the money in local communities .
New York mayor Bill de Blasio has moved to cut $ 1 billion from the city 's police department budget , shifting the funds to youth programmes - although Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez has said this was achieved through `` budget tricks '' .
• A simple guide to the US election • Where does Donald Trump stand on key issues ?
• How you can be US president without winning most votes The Los Angeles mayor , Eric Garcetti , has taken $ 150m from the police department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In other cities , such as Washington DC , San Francisco and Baltimore , local policymakers have declared their support for some form of defunding .
• Seven ideas for reforming the US police • Are US cities seeing a surge in violent crime ?
And in Minneapolis , the city council has pledged to dismantle the entire police department , although it 's not yet clear what would replace it .
The Black Lives Matter movement has begun a petition to defund the police , saying : `` We call for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demand investment in our communities and the resources to ensure Black people not only survive , but thrive . ''
Supporters of defunding believe that more spending on education , housing and healthcare , rather than law enforcement , would help reduce crime , meaning fewer police officers would be needed .
But critics argue that defunding wo n't address the reforms that are needed to police training and procedures , or improve how the police operate in the community .
They also say that simply taking away money from police forces could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crime rates even more vulnerable .
How much money do police departments get ?
Most of the spending on police departments actually comes directly from local governments , with the rest coming from federal government grants .
The latest data compiled by the Washington-based Urban Institute research organisation , shows around $ 115 billion was spent on policing across the US in 2017 .
This amount has consistently grown over the last 50 years .
Overall , crime rates have been dropping across the country since the 1990s , although in some US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compared with last year .
A recent poll found that 60 % of Americans opposed reducing the budgets of police departments and re-allocating the money to other social programmes .

Joe Biden begins talking about various types of police reforms he wants to see, when Mr Barkan interrupts to ask: "But do we agree that we can redirect some of the funding?" He doesn't mention the word "police" in the question, but Mr Biden anyway responds: "Yes, absolutely."


bbc--2020-09-07--Amazon's murky world of one-star reviews

A consumer rights champion now wants a UK watchdog to investigate further , as part of a probe into fake reviews that is already under way .
Third-party vendors have sold more physical goods on Amazon 's site than the US tech giant itself every year since 2015 , according to its own figures .
`` The sad thing is that you could have 50 positive reviews , like five-star reviews - but if you 've got one or two one-star reviews , then it 's going to be very difficult to compete , '' Janson Smith , a third-party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Initially when the first couple came it did n't make too much of an impact because I had enough positive reviews to sort of offset it '' , she recalled .
He cross-referenced the negative reviews he had received with the orders , and came to realise almost all had come from suspicious accounts .
He managed to get Amazon to remove them .
There are legitimate ways to take down a negative review .
For example , if a seller receives bad feedback because of a poor delivery - for which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get Amazon to remove it .
Whatever it eventually recommends , it 's likely that efforts to stop review manipulation will only ever offer temporary respite .
Close one loophole , and others will be found .
`` I do genuinely think that Amazon does as good a job as it can , but I think it 's a bit of a cat-and-mouse game '' said Mr Smith .

"The sad thing is that you could have 50 positive reviews, like five-star reviews - but if you've got one or two one-star reviews, then it's going to be very difficult to compete," Janson Smith, a third-party Amazon seller, told the BBC.


bbc--2020-09-07--India's first 'lockdown film' is an edgy thriller

Theatres were shut and more than 60 films made in the southern state of Kerala , where he lives , were languishing in the cans .
But that did not deter Mahesh Narayanan , who makes films in the Malayalam language .
The 38-year-old director wrote a script , roped in a popular actor who backed the project as a producer , and gathered a small cast and production crew of 50 people .
The film was shot in three weeks in six apartments located in a residential building in the city of Cochin .
The apartments served as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hub , and residence for the cast and crew .
C U Soon , a suspense drama , is possibly India 's first `` made-at-home , lockdown film '' , as Narayanan called it .
Released last week on streaming giant Amazon Prime Video , it is an unusual Indian film .
At 90 minutes , it has a runtime which is a third shorter than a usual commercial release , and it has no song and dances .
Vijay Subramaniam , Amazon Prime 's head of content in India , told the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ response from critics and viewers and got huge appreciation in social media '' .
One reason why Narayanan decide to make a film was to help people working in a local film industry battered by the lockdown .
Things were so bad that even assistant directors and key crew members had begun selling home-cooked food to make ends meet , and some who were sick were unable to pay for medicine or hospital care .
`` The local industry does not have the enormous coffers of Bollywood .
Most crew members get paid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here , but all income had dried up after the lockdown , '' Narayanan told the BBC .
A title card at the beginning of C U Soon informs the audience : `` The film helped to provide wages for a bunch of workers whose only source of income was from cinema '' .
The production broke most conventional rules of making films .
The lead actor and producer Fahad Fazil turned his two apartment in Kochi into office and sets for the film , and rented four more apartments in the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not have to step out .
The producer 's home cook doubled as the film unit 's chef , and fed the crew .
There were no assistants fetching water or providing makeup for the actors .
C U Soon deploys the usual Indian staples of love , emotion , and family drama , but adds smart ideas and innovative techniques to work around the constraints imposed by the lockdown .
Much of the film unfolds through words and images on mobile phones , laptops , security cameras , social media platforms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virtual chats between leading characters .
The characters are scattered across the world and seen in conversation or in action through these devices and platforms .
When the film needed some outdoor shots of airports and offices , Narayanan simply dug out some unused footage from his previous films and borrowed from friends .
`` We used what in India people call jugaaad to make sure we could keep working from home , '' Narayanan said , using a Hindi term that describes a flexible approach to problem solving - using limited resources @ @ @ @ @

The production broke most conventional rules of making films. The lead actor and producer Fahad Fazil turned his two apartments in Kochi into office and sets for the film, and rented four more apartments in the same condominium, so the cast and crew did not have to step out. The producer's home cook doubled as the film unit's chef, and fed the crew. There were no assistants fetching water or providing makeup for the actors.


bbc--2020-09-07--Messi returns to Barcelona training after failing to force move

Last updated on .From the section European Football Barcelona 's all-time top scorer Lionel Messi has returned to training following his failed attempt to force a move away from the club .
It is the first time the Argentine has trained at the club since the arrival of new manager Ronald Koeman .
Barcelona begin their La Liga campaign against Villarreal on 27 September .
Messi trained on his own , as did Philippe Coutinho , while the rest of the squad trained together .
Messi failed to attend the club 's testing for Covid-19 on 30 August and has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fax informing the club of his wish to exercise a clause in his contract which he believed would allow him to leave for free with immediate effect .
Both Barcelona and La Liga insisted that clause was no longer valid - with any club wishing to buy him required to pay a release clause of 700m euros ( £624m ) .
La Liga president Javier Tebas said at the launch of the 2020-21 La Liga season on Monday he was `` never seriously worried '' Messi would leave Barcelona this summer .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He is the best player in the history of football and we want him to end his career in La Liga , '' said Tebas .
`` He has been with us for 20 years and we are so pleased he is staying with us and not going to another league . ''

Barcelona's all-time top scorer Lionel Messi has returned to training following his failed attempt to force a move away from the club.
Messi, 33, submitted a transfer request on 25 August but said last Friday he would stay because it is "impossible" for any team to pay his release clause.
It is the first time the Argentine has trained at the club since the arrival of new manager Ronald Koeman.
Barcelona begin their La Liga campaign against Villarreal on 27 September.
Messi trained on his own, as did Philippe Coutinho, while the rest of the squad trained together.
Messi failed to attend the club's testing for Covid-19 on 30 August and has been absent from training since sending a fax informing the club of his wish to exercise a clause in his contract which he believed would allow him to leave for free with immediate effect.
Both Barcelona and La Liga insisted that clause was no longer valid - with any club wishing to buy him required to pay a release clause of 700m euros (£624m).
La Liga president Javier Tebas said at the launch of the 2020-21 La Liga season on Monday he was "never seriously worried" Messi would leave Barcelona this summer.
"We want Messi to be with us. He is the best player in the history of football and we want him to end his career in La Liga," said Tebas.
"He has been with us for 20 years and we are so pleased he is staying with us and not going to another league."


bbc--2020-09-07--Real Madrid's Rodriguez signs for Everton

Last updated on .From the section Everton Everton have signed Colombia attacking midfielder James Rodriguez from Real Madrid in a deal worth £20m .
He joined Real Madrid from Monaco in 2014 after winning the Golden Boot at the World Cup in Brazil that summer .
`` I am really , really happy to be at this great club , a club with so much history , and here with a manager who knows me really well , '' said Rodriguez .
• None What are Everton getting in James Rodriguez ?
`` I 'm looking forward to achieving great @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which is what everyone 's aim is .
`` I 've come here to try to improve , to get better .
I 've also come here to help the team to win , to play good football - entertaining football . ''
Rodriguez , who was entering the last year of his contract with the Spanish champions , featured 14 times for Zinedine Zidane 's side last season .
It is the third time he has been signed by Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti , having joined the Italian at Real Madrid and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with Carlo and his technical staff , we can achieve big things and one of the big reasons [ I signed ] was the presence of Carlo Ancelotti , '' Rodriguez added .
`` I have enjoyed some great times with him previously at two different clubs .
That was a massive reason to come here . ''
Ancelotti said : `` James , as everyone knows , is a fantastic player with a lot of quality and a lot of ability to make assists for the strikers .
`` He 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ club and the fact we want to improve .
He was really excited to sign and I did n't spend time to convince him - he was already convinced . ''
Rodriguez is part of an ambitious Ancelotti rebuilding programme at Everton , with the Toffees having signed Napoli 's combative Brazil international Allan and agreed a fee for Watford 's French midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure .
The Colombian has been marginalised under Zidane at the Bernabeu and was allowed to miss pre-season training to sort out his future .
Ancelotti , who became @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the driving force behind the deal , with Rodriguez attracted by the idea of working with the Italian once more .
Rodriguez won two La Liga titles and two Champions Leagues with Real but was then loaned to Bayern for two seasons , winning the Bundesliga in both campaigns .
He returned to the Bernabeu last term but featured just eight times in La Liga and scored one goal .
Rodriguez had already established a strong reputation across Europe before 2014 , courtesy of his time at Porto and Monaco .
He won @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the age of 21 , during which time he became the youngest to win the division 's player of the year award , aged 20 , in 2012 , before Monaco bought him for £38.5m .
He scored 10 goals and made 14 assists in 38 appearances for Monaco before impressing on the global stage , scoring six goals to win the World Cup Golden Boot in Brazil in 2014 and secure a move to Real Madrid .
Find all the latest football transfers on our dedicated page .
• None Should we @ @ @

Last updated on .From the section Everton
James Rodriguez won two La Liga titles and two Champions Leagues with Real Madrid
Everton have signed Colombia attacking midfielder James Rodriguez from Spanish giants Real Madrid.
The 29-year-old joins the Toffees on a two-year contract, with the option for a further season.
The deal for Rodriguez was previously reported as being worth £20m but BBC Sport understands the fee was about £12m.
He joined Real Madrid from Monaco in 2014 after winning the Golden Boot at the World Cup in Brazil that summer.
"I am really, really happy to be at this great club, a club with so much history, and here with a manager who knows me really well," said Rodriguez. external-link
"I'm looking forward to achieving great things here - and winning things, which is what everyone's aim is.
"I've come here to try to improve, to get better. I've also come here to help the team to win, to play good football - entertaining football."
Rodriguez, who was entering the last year of his contract with the Spanish champions, featured 14 times for Zinedine Zidane's side last season.
It is the third time he has been signed by Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti, having joined the Italian at Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.
"I'm convinced, with Carlo and his technical staff, we can achieve big things and one of the big reasons [I signed] was the presence of Carlo Ancelotti," Rodriguez added.
"I have enjoyed some great times with him previously at two different clubs. That was a massive reason to come here."
Ancelotti said: "James, as everyone knows, is a fantastic player with a lot of quality and a lot of ability to make assists for the strikers.
"He's really excited about the project of the club and the fact we want to improve. He was really excited to sign and I didn't spend time to convince him - he was already convinced."
Rodriguez is part of an ambitious Ancelotti rebuilding programme at Everton, with the Toffees having signed Napoli's combative Brazil international Allan and agreed a fee for Watford's French midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure.
The Colombian has been marginalised under Zidane at the Bernabeu and was allowed to miss pre-season training to sort out his future.
Ancelotti, who became Everton boss last December, has been the driving force behind the deal, with Rodriguez attracted by the idea of working with the Italian once more.
Rodriguez won two La Liga titles and two Champions Leagues with Real but was then loaned to Bayern for two seasons, winning the Bundesliga in both campaigns.
He returned to the Bernabeu last term but featured just eight times in La Liga and scored one goal.
Rodriguez had already established a strong reputation across Europe before 2014, courtesy of his time at Porto and Monaco.
He won the Portuguese league three years running before the age of 21, during which time he became the youngest to win the division's player of the year award, aged 20, in 2012, before Monaco bought him for £38.5m.
He scored 10 goals and made 14 assists in 38 appearances for Monaco before impressing on the global stage, scoring six goals to win the World Cup Golden Boot in Brazil in 2014 and secure a move to Real Madrid.
World Cup 2014: James Rodriguez's six World Cup goals
Find all the latest football transfers on our dedicated page.


bbc--2020-09-07--Serena Williams overcomes Maria Sakkari to reach US Open quarter-finals

Last updated on .From the section Tennis Six-time champion Serena Williams battled through a challenging three-set test against Greek 15th seed Maria Sakkari to reach the US Open quarter-finals .
The third seed lost a close tie-break in the second and was forced to find her best tennis to come from a break down in the third and win 6-3 6-7 ( 6-8 ) 6-3 almost two hours later .
`` I just kept fighting , '' Williams said .
`` She was doing so well .
She was being so aggressive and I knew I needed to do the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opponent is Bulgaria 's Tsvetana Pironkova , who has never reached the US Open quarter-finals before and is playing her first tournament since Wimbledon 2017 .
The American is seeking a 24th Grand Slam singles title as she attempts to equal Margaret Court 's record .
Williams had initially looked vulnerable when she went a set down in her third-round match against Sloane Stephens and again it was Sakkari who had the faster start .
The pair had met two weeks previously in the last 16 of the Western and Southern Open , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lead slip to lose .
The seven-time Wimbledon champion was threatened when Sakkari set up three break points at 2-2 in the first set , but the Greek could not take the early opportunity .
The momentum changed hands as Williams dominated a rally with pacy forehands to break the world number 22 's serve at the third attempt .
And an ace down the middle sealed a hold to love to give the American the first set .
Williams ' serve saved her on several occasions , reaching 124mph at one point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at 3-2 and 40-40 in the second set , but Williams slammed the door shut with two aces .
And the seven-time Australian Open champion was just as powerful from the baseline , with an incredible forehand overwhelming Sakkari and switching the momentum in the seventh game .
The Greek upped her intensity to meet Williams ' level and a net cord in her favour gave Sakkari set point and elicited a pained cry from Williams .
More impenetrable serving saved that and a second set point , taking it to a tie-break @ @ @ @ @ @ @ backhand saved a further two set points for Williams , but eventually her forehand sailed wide to give Sakkari the set .
Closing out victories has been an issue for Williams recently , with her three-set loss to Sakkari two weeks ago the latest example .
And , though Williams was increasingly fired up , it looked as though history could repeat itself when Sakkari went a break up in the first game of the third set .
Williams was breathing heavily as she darted back and forth along the baseline to cling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The breaks are a bit longer with the fans here , '' she said after the match .
`` I could have used that a little bit in this match . ''
Undeterred , Williams passed Sakkari with a cross-court forehand to put it back on serve and a gritty service game helped her lead for the first time in the decider .
The younger player showed she would not be capitulating as she served an ace to hold to love but Williams continued to bring her best level .
A scorching forehand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for three break points and she took the third as Sakkari 's forehand found the net .
Williams was unrelenting as she served for the match , closing out an entertaining contest as the Greek was unable to return another powerful cross-court backhand .
• None Alerts : Get tennis news sent to your phone

Last updated on .From the section Tennis
The win was Serena Williams' 100th on Arthur Ashe Stadium
2020 US Open Venue: Flushing Meadows, New York Dates: 31 Aug-13 Sept Coverage: Selected live radio and text commentaries on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra, BBC Sounds, the BBC Sport website and app.
Six-time champion Serena Williams battled through a challenging three-set test against Greek 15th seed Maria Sakkari to reach the US Open quarter-finals.
Williams, 38, looked composed as she took the first set in 37 minutes.
The third seed lost a close tie-break in the second and was forced to find her best tennis to come from a break down in the third and win 6-3 6-7 (6-8) 6-3 almost two hours later.
"I just kept fighting," Williams said.
"She was doing so well. She was being so aggressive and I knew I needed to do the same thing."
The American is seeking a 24th Grand Slam singles title as she attempts to equal Margaret Court's record.
Her next opponent is Bulgaria's Tsvetana Pironkova, who has never reached the US Open quarter-finals before and is playing her first tournament since Wimbledon 2017.
Pironkova beat French world number 56 Alize Cornet 6-4 6-7 (5-7) 6-3.
American second seed Sofia Kenin, the 2020 Australian Open winner, lost 6-3 6-3 to Elise Mertens of Belgium.
Mertens, seeded 16th, will face Victoria Azarenka of Belarus in the last eight after the former world number one reached her first Grand Slam quarter-final in more than four years.
The 31-year-old fought back from a set down to beat Czech 20th seed Karolina Muchova 5-7 6-1 6-4.
Williams had initially looked vulnerable when she went a set down in her third-round match against Sloane Stephens and again it was Sakkari who had the faster start.
The pair had met two weeks previously in the last 16 of the Western and Southern Open, when Williams let a set and break lead slip to lose.
The seven-time Wimbledon champion was threatened when Sakkari set up three break points at 2-2 in the first set, but the Greek could not take the early opportunity.
The momentum changed hands as Williams dominated a rally with pacy forehands to break the world number 22's serve at the third attempt.
And an ace down the middle sealed a hold to love to give the American the first set.
US Open quarter-finals Jennifer Brady v Yulia Putintseva Naomi Osaka v Shelby Rogers Tsvetana Pironkova v Serena Williams Victoria Azarenka v Elise Mertens
Sakkari raises level to meet Williams' power
Williams' serve saved her on several occasions, reaching 124mph at one point. Sakkari had a chance to break at 3-2 and 40-40 in the second set, but Williams slammed the door shut with two aces.
And the seven-time Australian Open champion was just as powerful from the baseline, with an incredible forehand overwhelming Sakkari and switching the momentum in the seventh game.
The Greek upped her intensity to meet Williams' level and a net cord in her favour gave Sakkari set point and elicited a pained cry from Williams.
More impenetrable serving saved that and a second set point, taking it to a tie-break.
An 89mph forehand and another booming backhand saved a further two set points for Williams, but eventually her forehand sailed wide to give Sakkari the set.
Williams' fitness holds up in three-set test
Closing out victories has been an issue for Williams recently, with her three-set loss to Sakkari two weeks ago the latest example.
And, though Williams was increasingly fired up, it looked as though history could repeat itself when Sakkari went a break up in the first game of the third set.
Williams was breathing heavily as she darted back and forth along the baseline to cling on to her service game.
"The breaks are a bit longer with the fans here," she said after the match. "I could have used that a little bit in this match."
Undeterred, Williams passed Sakkari with a cross-court forehand to put it back on serve and a gritty service game helped her lead for the first time in the decider.
The younger player showed she would not be capitulating as she served an ace to hold to love but Williams continued to bring her best level.
A scorching forehand winner on the line paved the way for three break points and she took the third as Sakkari's forehand found the net.
Williams was unrelenting as she served for the match, closing out an entertaining contest as the Greek was unable to return another powerful cross-court backhand.


bbc--2020-09-07--'Naive' Foden & Greenwood to leave England camp after 'Covid-19 breach'

Last updated on .From the section England Phil Foden and Mason Greenwood are to leave the England camp after an `` unacceptable '' breach of coronavirus quarantine guidelines in Iceland .
Manchester City midfielder Foden , 20 , and Manchester United forward Greenwood , 18 , both made their senior international debuts in the game .
Manager Gareth Southgate said they had been `` naive '' and had apologised .
A Reykjavik Metropolitan Police spokesperson told BBC Sport that both players were fined 250,000 Icelandic krona ( £1,360 ) .
`` It 's a very serious situation and we have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as quickly as we have been able to , '' added Southgate .
`` We have dealt with it appropriately .
I recognise their age but the whole world is dealing with this pandemic . ''
In a social media post on Monday evening Foden said missing England 's next game on Tuesday against Denmark `` hurts '' and he will `` learn a valuable lesson from this error in judgement . ''
`` I made a poor decision and and my behaviour did n't meet the standards expected of me , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gareth Southgate , to my England team-mates , to the staff , supporters and also to my club and my family . ''
According to reports in Icelandic and other media , Foden and Greenwood allegedly met two women in a separate part of the hotel away from where the England team were staying .
When asked about the reports , Southgate said : `` Nothing has happened in the areas we occupy in the team hotel .
`` We are still getting to the depths of all the information because it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ couple of hours before training .
`` We had to decide very quickly that they could n't have any interaction with the rest of the team , would n't be able to travel to training .
`` Given the procedures that we have to follow now , they 'll have to travel back to England separately . ''
Later on Monday , an FA spokesperson said : `` Whilst in Iceland , both Phil Foden and Mason Greenwood spent time outside of our private team area , which was a breach of our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not leave the team hotel , it was an unacceptable breach of our protocol .
They have both apologised for their serious lack of judgement . ''
The FA has launched a `` full investigation '' and apologised to the Football Association of Iceland , saying it is `` taking the appropriate steps '' .
It has also assured the Danish Football Union `` that all other players and staff members have been isolated within our group throughout this period '' .
Southgate has not chosen to call up any replacements and will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the match against Denmark in the Nations League on Tuesday ( 19:45 BST kick-off ) .
Greenwood 's England call-up followed a breakout season at United , in which he scored 17 goals , while Foden became a regular starter in Pep Guardiola 's City side in 2019-20 .
A Manchester City spokesman said Foden 's behaviour was `` totally inappropriate '' and `` fell well below the standard expected of a Manchester City player and England international '' .
A Manchester United statement said the club are `` liaising with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actions of Mason Greenwood '' .
'They have let Southgate , the team and fans down ' - analysis A big part of being a footballer is discipline .
These young lads made their debuts and have bright futures ahead of them .
They are wonderfully talented footballers and will probably go on to make a lot of caps and he [ Gareth Southgate ] has done the right thing sending them home .
They have been irresponsible .
They have n't just let Gareth down ; they have let the group down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lads and unfortunately they have to learn .
I 'm sure when they get going again next year , they will get themselves back in if they 're playing well for their clubs .
It 's a horrible lesson to learn at a young age , when they have just got into the squad .
That 's what will upset Gareth .
They are young and naive .
These are players that are just starting out their careers and it will stick with them for a long time .

Last updated on .From the section England
Southgate confirms Foden and Greenwood will leave the England camp after breaching coronavirus guidelines
Phil Foden and Mason Greenwood are to leave the England camp after an "unacceptable" breach of coronavirus quarantine guidelines in Iceland.
The Football Association is investigating the breaches after Saturday's 1-0 Nations League victory.
Manchester City midfielder Foden, 20, and Manchester United forward Greenwood, 18, both made their senior international debuts in the game.
Manager Gareth Southgate said they had been "naive" and had apologised.
A Reykjavik Metropolitan Police spokesperson told BBC Sport that both players were fined 250,000 Icelandic krona (£1,360).
"It's a very serious situation and we have treated it that way and have acted as quickly as we have been able to," added Southgate.
"We have dealt with it appropriately. I recognise their age but the whole world is dealing with this pandemic."
In a social media post on Monday evening Foden said missing England's next game on Tuesday against Denmark "hurts" and he will "learn a valuable lesson from this error in judgement."
"I made a poor decision and and my behaviour didn't meet the standards expected of me," he wrote. external-link
"I apologise to Gareth Southgate, to my England team-mates, to the staff, supporters and also to my club and my family."
What happened?
According to reports in Icelandic and other media, Foden and Greenwood allegedly met two women in a separate part of the hotel away from where the England team were staying.
When asked about the reports, Southgate said: "Nothing has happened in the areas we occupy in the team hotel.
"We are still getting to the depths of all the information because it was only brought to my attention only a couple of hours before training.
"We had to decide very quickly that they couldn't have any interaction with the rest of the team, wouldn't be able to travel to training.
"Given the procedures that we have to follow now, they'll have to travel back to England separately."
Later on Monday, an FA spokesperson said: "Whilst in Iceland, both Phil Foden and Mason Greenwood spent time outside of our private team area, which was a breach of our Covid-19 rules.
"While they did not leave the team hotel, it was an unacceptable breach of our protocol. They have both apologised for their serious lack of judgement."
The FA has launched a "full investigation" and apologised to the Football Association of Iceland, saying it is "taking the appropriate steps". It has also assured the Danish Football Union "that all other players and staff members have been isolated within our group throughout this period".
Southgate has not chosen to call up any replacements and will have a 21-man squad to choose from for the match against Denmark in the Nations League on Tuesday (19:45 BST kick-off).
United and City condemn players
Greenwood's England call-up followed a breakout season at United, in which he scored 17 goals, while Foden became a regular starter in Pep Guardiola's City side in 2019-20.
A Manchester City spokesman said Foden's behaviour was "totally inappropriate" and "fell well below the standard expected of a Manchester City player and England international".
A Manchester United statement said the club are "liaising with the Football Association and are disappointed with the actions of Mason Greenwood".
'They have let Southgate, the team and fans down' - analysis
Former England winger Chris Waddle BBC Radio 5 Live
A big part of being a footballer is discipline. These young lads made their debuts and have bright futures ahead of them. They are wonderfully talented footballers and will probably go on to make a lot of caps and he [Gareth Southgate] has done the right thing sending them home.
They have been irresponsible. They haven't just let Gareth down; they have let the group down and the fans. They are young lads and unfortunately they have to learn.
I'm sure when they get going again next year, they will get themselves back in if they're playing well for their clubs. It's a horrible lesson to learn at a young age, when they have just got into the squad. That's what will upset Gareth.
They are young and naive. These are players that are just starting out their careers and it will stick with them for a long time.


bbc--2020-09-07--Johnson clinches FedEx Cup title with Tour Championship win

Last updated on .From the section Golf World number one Dustin Johnson claimed a three-shot victory at the PGA Tour 's season-ending Tour Championship .
It is a first FedEx Cup title for Johnson , who squandered a chance to win on the final round four years ago .
Compatriots Justin Thomas and Xander Schauffele each carded a final-round 66 to finish tied for second on 18 under .
Johnson told the Golf Channel : `` This is a difficult golf course so no lead is really safe .
I knew I was going to have to come out and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off to a really good start , missed a couple of putts on the back side but hit the fairways when I needed to coming down the stretch .
The guys gave me a good fight today .
`` I wanted to be a FedEx Cup champion , it 's something in my career I would like to be and I 'm very proud of the way I 've played , especially over the last four tournaments . ''
Former US Open champion Johnson maintained his overnight advantage after six holes but shot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offer Thomas and Schauffele hope .
Thomas applied the pressure with five birdies on his outward nine , as both he and Schauffele momentarily moved to within two of the lead over the day .
However , Johnson , the first player to hold a 54-hole lead in four straight strokeplay events since Tiger Woods in 1999 , held his nerve and sealed the title with a bogey on the last .
US PGA winner Collin Morikawa made a final-round 69 to finish sixth on 13 under , one shot ahead of England @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defending champion and four-time major winner Rory McIlroy was one shot further back on 11 under .
Johnson began the Atlanta event on 10 under par as the Tour Championship 's top-ranked player .
Players at the event are handicapped based on FedEx Cup points earned during the season and the top 30 in the rankings contend the Tour Championship .
The top-ranked player begins the 72-hole tournament on 10 under par , while the second seed starts on eight under .
The third seed tees off at seven under and so on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under .
Seeds 6-10 begin at −4 ; seeds 11-15 begin at −3 ; and so on , down to seeds 26-30 , who start at level par .

Last updated on .From the section Golf
Dustin Johnson began the week on 10 under as the Tour Championship's top-ranked player
Tour Championship final-round leaderboard (US unless stated) -21 D Johnson; -18 X Schauffele, J Thomas; -17 J Rahm (Spa); -14 S Scheffler; -13 C Morikawa; -12 T Hatton (Eng); -11 R McIlroy (NI), P Reed, S Munoz (Col)
World number one Dustin Johnson claimed a three-shot victory at the PGA Tour's season-ending Tour Championship.
The American, 36, held a five-stroke lead heading into Monday's final round at East Lake and carded a two-under 68 to claim the $15m FedEx Cup jackpot.
It is a first FedEx Cup title for Johnson, who squandered a chance to win on the final round four years ago.
Compatriots Justin Thomas and Xander Schauffele each carded a final-round 66 to finish tied for second on 18 under.
Johnson told the Golf Channel: "This is a difficult golf course so no lead is really safe. I knew I was going to have to come out and play really well.
"I got off to a really good start, missed a couple of putts on the back side but hit the fairways when I needed to coming down the stretch. The guys gave me a good fight today.
"I wanted to be a FedEx Cup champion, it's something in my career I would like to be and I'm very proud of the way I've played, especially over the last four tournaments."
Former US Open champion Johnson maintained his overnight advantage after six holes but shot consecutive bogeys at seven and eight to offer Thomas and Schauffele hope.
Thomas applied the pressure with five birdies on his outward nine, as both he and Schauffele momentarily moved to within two of the lead over the day.
However, Johnson, the first player to hold a 54-hole lead in four straight strokeplay events since Tiger Woods in 1999, held his nerve and sealed the title with a bogey on the last.
US PGA winner Collin Morikawa made a final-round 69 to finish sixth on 13 under, one shot ahead of England's Tyrrell Hatton.
Northern Ireland's defending champion and four-time major winner Rory McIlroy was one shot further back on 11 under.
How the Tour Championship works
Johnson began the Atlanta event on 10 under par as the Tour Championship's top-ranked player.
Players at the event are handicapped based on FedEx Cup points earned during the season and the top 30 in the rankings contend the Tour Championship.
The top-ranked player begins the 72-hole tournament on 10 under par, while the second seed starts on eight under.
The third seed tees off at seven under and so on down to the fifth seed at five under. Seeds 6-10 begin at −4; seeds 11-15 begin at −3; and so on, down to seeds 26-30, who start at level par.


bbc--2020-09-07--F1 to revive plans for reverse-grid sprint races to replace qualifying

Last updated on .From the section Formula 1 Formula 1 will revive plans to introduce reverse-grid sprint races in place of qualifying .
Two safety cars , a penalty for Lewis Hamilton and a race stoppage at Monza mixed up the field and led to a shock win for Alpha Tauri 's Pierre Gasly .
F1 managing director Ross Brawn said : `` The race showed the excitement a mixed-up pack can deliver . ''
Mercedes believe the idea is a gimmick and would not work as F1 hopes .
Toto Wolff , Mercedes F1 boss , has said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arguing that the sport is a meritocracy , that the employment of reverse grids in other categories leads to the events being 'gamed ' , and that the idea excessively penalises the team with the fastest car versus the ones with the second and third-fastest cars .
Wolff has also emphasised that in surveys of F1 fans , only 15 % expressed an interest in reverse-grid races .
• None Toto Wolff to stay at Mercedes in 2021 But BBC Sport has learned that Brawn and other F1 bosses are determined to persist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ try it out later this season , before potentially using it more often in 2021 .
Under current rules , unanimity is required for any rule change during a championship year , so F1 would need to persuade Mercedes to back the plan to introduce it at a race towards the end of the season .
Their hope is that the team might acquiesce once they clinch the drivers ' and constructors ' titles , which is likely to be a number of races before the end of the season .
However , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the period 2021-25 remove the need for unanimity for rule changes made for introduction in the short term and replace it with a 'super-majority ' of votes .
Brawn floated the idea of reverse-grid races in his post-race column on the F1 website on Monday .
`` Monza was a candidate for a reverse-grid sprint race when we were considering testing the format this year , '' he said .
`` Unfortunately , we could not move forward with it , but the concept is still something we and the FIA want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and discuss with the teams for next year .
`` Of course , with a reverse-grid sprint race , teams will set their cars up differently .
`` Right now , Mercedes set their cars up to achieve the fastest lap and then to control the race from the front .
If they know they have to overtake , they will have to change that approach .
`` We will continue to evaluate new formats with the aim of improving the show but always maintaining the DNA of Formula 1 . ''
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grid would be set in reverse championship order , and the results of it would determine the grid for the main grand prix on the Sunday .

Last updated on .From the section Formula 1
Alpha Tauri's Pierre Gasly took a stunning upset win in the Italian Grand Prix on Sunday
Formula 1 will revive plans to introduce reverse-grid sprint races in place of qualifying.
Mercedes blocked plans to trial the idea this season - but Sunday's Italian Grand Prix has given F1 fresh impetus.
Two safety cars, a penalty for Lewis Hamilton and a race stoppage at Monza mixed up the field and led to a shock win for Alpha Tauri's Pierre Gasly.
F1 managing director Ross Brawn said: "The race showed the excitement a mixed-up pack can deliver."
Mercedes believe the idea is a gimmick external-link and would not work as F1 hopes.
Toto Wolff, Mercedes F1 boss, has said he opposes the plan on three points - arguing that the sport is a meritocracy, that the employment of reverse grids in other categories leads to the events being 'gamed', and that the idea excessively penalises the team with the fastest car versus the ones with the second and third-fastest cars.
Wolff has also emphasised that in surveys of F1 fans, only 15% expressed an interest in reverse-grid races.
But BBC Sport has learned that Brawn and other F1 bosses are determined to persist with the idea, and hope to try it out later this season, before potentially using it more often in 2021.
Under current rules, unanimity is required for any rule change during a championship year, so F1 would need to persuade Mercedes to back the plan to introduce it at a race towards the end of the season.
Their hope is that the team might acquiesce once they clinch the drivers' and constructors' titles, which is likely to be a number of races before the end of the season.
However, new contracts the teams signed last month for the period 2021-25 remove the need for unanimity for rule changes made for introduction in the short term and replace it with a 'super-majority' of votes.
Brawn floated the idea of reverse-grid races in his post-race column on the F1 website on Monday.
"Monza was a candidate for a reverse-grid sprint race when we were considering testing the format this year," he said.
"Unfortunately, we could not move forward with it, but the concept is still something we and the FIA want to work through in the coming months and discuss with the teams for next year.
"Of course, with a reverse-grid sprint race, teams will set their cars up differently.
"Right now, Mercedes set their cars up to achieve the fastest lap and then to control the race from the front. If they know they have to overtake, they will have to change that approach.
"We will continue to evaluate new formats with the aim of improving the show but always maintaining the DNA of Formula 1."
If it was agreed, the sprint race grid would be set in reverse championship order, and the results of it would determine the grid for the main grand prix on the Sunday.


bbc--2020-09-07--Man Utd want three more signings to add to Sancho - Tuesday's gossip column

Last updated on .From the section Gossip Manchester United are hoping to secure up to three more signings before the end of the summer transfer window and Borussia Dortmund 's England forward Jadon Sancho , 20 , remains their top target .
( Manchester Evening News ) Representatives of Porto 's 27-year-old Brazilian left-back Alex Telles have flown to Manchester for talks with United .
( A Bola , via Metro ) Manchester City have identified Sevilla 's Brazilian defender Diego Carlos , 27 , and Atletico Madrid 's Uruguay international Jose Gimenez , 25 , as alternatives to Napoli @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
( Sport - in Spanish ) Aston Villa want to sign 20-year-old England youth international Rhian Brewster from Liverpool for £20m .
( Sun ) Premier League clubs believe Brewster will be allowed to leave Liverpool this window , with Sheffield United and Crystal Palace also interested in the striker .
( Telegraph - subscription required ) Barcelona are interested in bringing Bayern Munich 's Spain midfielder Thiago Alcantara , 29 - a target of Liverpool - back to the club .
( Bild - in German ) Chelsea are aiming to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goalkeeper Edouard Mendy , 28 .
( Telegraph ) The Blues are hopeful of reaching an agreement with Rennes after offering around £20m plus add-ons for Mendy .
( Mail ) Chelsea 's France midfielder N'Golo Kante , 29 , would be Inter Milan manager Antonio Conte 's 'dream ' signing , but could cost up to £60m .
( Calciomercato - in Italian ) West Ham are preparing an improved £30m plus add-ons offer for Burnley 's England defender James Tarkowski , 27 .
( Evening Standard ) However , Burnley want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the England international .
( Sky Sports ) Wolves are on the verge of signing Porto 's 20-year-old Portuguese midfielder Vitor Ferreira on a season-long loan with an option to buy for around £18m .
( Express and Star ) Arsenal could be handed the opportunity to sign Atletico Madrid 's Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey , 27 , as the Spanish side require additional funds to land Espanyol 's 23-year-old Spanish midfielder Marc Roca .
( Marca , via Mirror ) Spurs ' 22-year-old Argentina defender Juan Foyth has emerged as La Liga @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( AS - in Spanish ) Chelsea are refusing to drop below their asking price of £30m for 26-year-old French midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko , while AC Milan do not want to pay more than £25m .
( Gazetta dello Sport - in Italian ) • None Behind the scenes of their title triumph • None Can you truly be one or the other ?

Last updated on .From the section Gossip
Manchester United are hoping to secure up to three more signings before the end of the summer transfer window and Borussia Dortmund's England forward Jadon Sancho, 20, remains their top target. (Manchester Evening News) external-link
Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane's ability to overhaul his squad relies on Manchester United acting on their interest in 31-year-old Wales forward Gareth Bale. (Marca - in Spanish) external-link
Representatives of Porto's 27-year-old Brazilian left-back Alex Telles have flown to Manchester for talks with United. (A Bola - in Portuguese) external-link
Manchester City have identified Sevilla's Brazilian defender Diego Carlos, 27, and Atletico Madrid's Uruguay international Jose Gimenez, 25, as alternatives to Napoli and Senegal centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly, 29. (Sport - in Spanish) external-link
After missing out on England forward Callum Wilson, Aston Villa have made a £16m bid for 28-year-old Norway striker Josh King, Wilson's former team-mate at Bournemouth. (Telegraph - subscription required) external-link
Villa also want to sign England Under-21 forward Rhian Brewster from Liverpool for £20m. (Sun) external-link
Premier League clubs believe Brewster will be allowed to leave Liverpool this window, with Sheffield United and Crystal Palace also interested in the 20-year-old. (Telegraph - subscription required) external-link
Barcelona are interested in bringing Bayern Munich's Spain midfielder Thiago Alcantara, 29 - a target for Liverpool - back to the club. (Bild - in German) external-link
West Ham United are preparing an improved £30m plus add-ons offer for Burnley's England defender James Tarkowski. (Evening Standard) external-link
However, the Clarets want £50m if they are to part with the 27-year-old centre-back. (Sky Sports) external-link
Chelsea are aiming to sign Rennes' Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, 28. (Telegraph - subscription required) external-link
The Blues are hopeful of reaching an agreement after offering the French club about £20m plus add-ons for Mendy. (Mail) external-link
Wolverhampton Wanderers are close to signing Porto's 20-year-old Portuguese midfielder Vitor Ferreira on a season-long loan with an option to buy for about £18m. (Express and Star) external-link
West Bromwich Albion have registered their interest in Brighton's 25-year-old Brazilian defender Bernardo. (Football Insider) external-link
Chelsea's France midfielder N'Golo Kante, 29, would be Inter Milan manager Antonio Conte's "dream" signing, but could cost up to £60m. (Calciomercato - in Italian) external-link
Arsenal could get the opportunity to sign Atletico Madrid's Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey, 27, because the Spanish club need additional funds to bid for Espanyol's 23-year-old Spanish midfielder Marc Roca. (Marca - in Spanish) external-link
Tottenham Hotspur's 22-year-old Argentina defender Juan Foyth has emerged as La Liga side Villarreal's top defensive target. (AS - in Spanish) external-link
Chelsea are refusing to lower their £30m valuation of 26-year-old French midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko, but AC Milan do not want to pay more than £25m. (Gazetta dello Sport - in Italian) external-link
Borussia Dortmund's 20-year-old striker Erling Braut Haaland, who scored twice in Norway's 5-1 Nations League win over Northern Ireland on Monday, said "you never know" what will happen as he continues to be linked with a Premier League move. (Mirror) external-link


bbc--2020-09-08--Cheng Lei: China says journalist 'endangered national security'

An Australian journalist detained in China for weeks is being held on national security grounds , China has said .
Cheng Lei , a presenter for China Global Television Network ( CGTN ) , is suspected of `` criminal activity endangering China 's national security '' .
She has been detained since 14 August .
The announcement comes after the last two Australian journalists working in China flew home to Sydney after a five-day diplomatic stand-off .
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation 's ( ABC ) Bill Birtles and the Australian Financial Review 's ( AFR ) Mike Smith landed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both men before their departure .
The ABC reported Birtles was `` not asked about his reporting or conduct in China '' but instead about Ms Cheng .
• Who is the Australian TV anchor detained by China ?
• Yang Hengjun : Australian 'will fight to the end' Relations between Australia and China have deteriorated in recent years .
There had been allegations of Chinese interference in Australian society in the past , but ties worsened after Canberra backed an international inquiry into the origins of the coronavirus pandemic .
The Foreign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday a record 17 foreign journalists were expelled from the country in the first half of 2020 .
An Australian citizen based in Beijing , Ms Cheng is a high-profile , respected business journalist for English-language channel CGTN .
In August she suddenly disappeared from television and cut off contact with friends and relatives .
China eventually announced she was being held under `` residential surveillance '' in an unknown location .
No charges were announced at the time .
But now foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said the government detained her on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities had taken `` compulsory measures '' against her .
An investigation is now under way , he added .
The spokesman gave no details about the accusations , and it is unclear what `` criminal activity '' she is alleged to have committed .
But at the time of her detention some believed her Australian nationality may have been a factor , amid increasingly poor relations between Beijing and Canberra .
What about the other Australian journalists ?
Mike Smith and Bill Birtles left China on Monday after being interviewed by Chinese @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ms Lei , the AFR reported .
The ABC said that Australian diplomats advised Mr Birtles and ABC management last week that he should leave China .
He was then booked on a flight due to leave Beijing last Thursday .
But the situation escalated on Wednesday at midnight when seven Chinese police officers visited the reporter 's apartment as he held farewell drinks with friends , the ABC reported .
• How reliant is Australia on China ?
The officers told Mr Birtles he could not leave the country and would later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case '' , the report said .
He immediately contacted Australian consular officials , who collected him and took him to the Australian embassy , where he spent the next four days .
Mr Smith , who is based in Shanghai , also received a visit by police - prompting him to go to the Australian consulate there .
They were allowed to leave the country in exchange for agreeing to be interviewed by police .
Mr Birtles told ABC he was not asked about his reporting or conduct in China , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know Cheng Lei , but not especially well and Mike Smith in Shanghai had only met her once in his life , '' he said .
`` We did n't seem like the two most logical people you would talk to , if you really wanted to talk about her situation .
`` It felt like a diplomatic tussle in a broader Australian-China relationship more than anything specific related to that case , '' he added .
The AFR 's editors , Michael Stutchbury and Paul Bailey , said they were glad both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ targeting two journalists , who were going about their normal reporting duties , is both regrettable and disturbing and is not in the interests of a co-operative relationship between Australia and China , '' they said in a joint statement .
The countries rely heavily on each other for trade , but their relationship has soured in recent years , amid allegations of Chinese interference in Australian society .
Ties have deteriorated further this year after Canberra backed an inquiry into the origins of the coronavirus .
In actions widely viewed as retaliatory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Australian exports such as beef , barley and wine .
It has also warned Chinese tourists and students about racism in Australia .
In July , Australia warned its citizens they may face `` arbitrary detention '' in China - a travel warning that remains in place .
Canberra has also expressed concerns about human rights in Xinjiang and Hong Kong , and urged China to release detained Australians such as Yang Hengjun , a democracy activist who has been held for 19 months without trial .

No charges were announced at the time. But now foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said the government detained her on "national security grounds", saying authorities had taken "compulsory measures" against her. An investigation is now under way, he added.