bbc--2020-06-29--Middle East risks renewed arms race, US warns

The US and Saudi governments have made a joint public appeal to the UN Security Council to extend the 13-year old arms embargo on Iran or risk a renewed arms race in the Middle East .
`` Iran has not earned the trust to have the embargo lifted ...
The last thing this region needs is more Iranian weapons , '' said Brian Hook , President Donald Trump 's special representative on Iran during a joint press conference in Saudi Arabia .
Mr Hook stood alongside Adel Jubeir , Saudi Arabia 's minister of state for foreign affairs .
Parts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fired by Houthi rebels in Yemen were laid out behind them .
Nearly 400 missiles and rockets have been fired from Yemen into Saudi Arabia , said Mr Hook , adding that this would not have been possible without assistance from Iran .
The joint press conference made no mention of the £5.3bn ( $ 6.5bn ) worth of arms reportedly sold by the UK to Saudi Arabia since the Yemen war accelerated in March 2015 , nor of the large number of Yemeni civilians killed by Saudi-led coalition airstrikes , drawing widespread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a war in Yemen ?
The US has been , for many years now , the largest supplier of weapons to the Gulf region but Iran has managed to defy stringent sanctions by exporting both military hardware and advisers to its proxies in the region , notably Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen .
`` We call on the UN Security Council to extend the arms embargo on Iran , '' said the US envoy , warning that if the embargo were allowed to lapse then Iran would be able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ combat aircraft , attack helicopters , drones and missile systems to its proxies '' , as well as upgrading the range and lethality of its weapons systems and posing what he said would be an even greater threat to shipping in the region .
`` No leader I have spoken to thinks this is a good idea . ''
A recent study by the International Institute for Strategic Studies ( IISS ) concluded that despite being under sanctions Iran had succeeded in gaining the strategic advantage over its rival , Saudi Arabia .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries is enormous , with the richer Saudis expending billions of dollars on expensive and sophisticated state-of-the-art weaponry .
Yet none of this was able to prevent a devastatingly effective missile and drone attack on Saudi Arabia 's critical oil infrastructure last September .
In the space of just a few minutes a flurry of missiles fired under cover of darkness temporarily took out half of Saudi oil exports .
`` These missiles were Iranian , '' declared Adel Jubeir today .
`` They came from the north . ''
The attack was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that US-supplied air defences could not necessarily protect the country from a concerted `` swarm '' attack by low-tech weapons .
It also helped prompt a Saudi realisation that its military campaign in Yemen was probably unwinnable and that a political solution to that war was the only way to end it .
While the Saudis and their Western allies have supported the UN-recognised Yemen government-in-exile , Iran has supplied weaponry and advice to the Houthi rebels who still control most of the more populated areas .
Aid agencies have warned of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On Tuesday , said Mr Hook , UN experts will present their findings to the UN Security Council .
He said Iran had committed numerous violations of multiple UN arms embargos .
`` If this is what Iran is doing now , '' said the US envoy , `` imagine what they will do if restrictions are lifted ? ''
The BBC has asked the Iranian government for comment .

"We call on the UN Security Council to extend the arms embargo on Iran," said the US envoy, warning that if the embargo were allowed to lapse then Iran would be able to export "battle tanks, artillery, combat aircraft, attack helicopters, drones and missile systems to its proxies", as well as upgrading the range and lethality of its weapons systems and posing what he said would be an even greater threat to shipping in the region.


bbc--2020-07-01--Liverpool will attack title next season, not defend it - Klopp

Liverpool will attack rather than defend their title next season , says manager Jurgen Klopp .
The Reds sealed their first Premier League title - and first top-flight success since 1990 - last week with seven games of the season remaining .
Klopp , who joined Liverpool in 2015 , said : `` We will not defend the title next season ; we 'll attack the next one .
`` I have learned when you think you have reached the pinnacle , you are already on the way down . ''
Liverpool are 23 points clear of second-placed Manchester City @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at 20:15 BST on Thursday .
`` City will be strong next season , [ Manchester ] United will be strong next season , Chelsea will be strong , '' Klopp said .
`` It 's obvious City is an outstanding team , United is in outstanding shape and Chelsea is in a really good shape and doing some interesting business . ''
City will give Liverpool players a guard of honour before the match .
`` I 'm not sure if I 've ever had one .
It 's an English tradition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` I would n't need it , because we go there and we want to win a football game rather than celebrate what happened a week before , but it 's a nice gesture . ''
Klopp this week wrote an open letter to Liverpool fans in an attempt to ensure there is no repeat of the unruly scenes in the city centre that followed their title triumph .
Thousands congregated at the waterfront despite restrictions on gatherings and firefighters extinguished a small fire at the Liver Building .
`` It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us and I can really understand the emotions are all over the place - and it 's not only about the 30 years , '' Klopp said .
`` Most of our supporters did what they should have done and stayed at home .
The pictures we saw from the city centre were not what we wanted to see .
`` I say that for the first time in my life because usually I love these pictures , but this is not a time for it . ''

Last updated on .From the section Liverpool
We will attack Premier League title, not defend it - Klopp
Liverpool will attack rather than defend their title next season, says manager Jurgen Klopp.
The Reds sealed their first Premier League title - and first top-flight success since 1990 - last week with seven games of the season remaining.
Klopp, who joined Liverpool in 2015, said: "We will not defend the title next season; we'll attack the next one.
"I have learned when you think you have reached the pinnacle, you are already on the way down."
Liverpool are 23 points clear of second-placed Manchester City, whom they face at Etihad Stadium at 20:15 BST on Thursday.
"City will be strong next season, [Manchester] United will be strong next season, Chelsea will be strong," Klopp said.
"It's obvious City is an outstanding team, United is in outstanding shape and Chelsea is in a really good shape and doing some interesting business."
City will give Liverpool players a guard of honour before the match.
"I'm not sure if I've ever had one. It's an English tradition so we take it," Klopp said.
"I wouldn't need it, because we go there and we want to win a football game rather than celebrate what happened a week before, but it's a nice gesture."
Klopp this week wrote an open letter to Liverpool fans in an attempt to ensure there is no repeat of the unruly scenes in the city centre that followed their title triumph.
Thousands congregated at the waterfront despite restrictions on gatherings and firefighters extinguished a small fire at the Liver Building.
"It's a difficult time for all of us and I can really understand the emotions are all over the place - and it's not only about the 30 years," Klopp said.
"Most of our supporters did what they should have done and stayed at home. The pictures we saw from the city centre were not what we wanted to see.
"I say that for the first time in my life because usually I love these pictures, but this is not a time for it."


bbc--2020-06-30--Bruno Fernandes: How Man Utd gloom has been lifted by the Portuguese midfielder

When Bruno Fernandes arrived at Manchester United , he joined a team who had been jeered off by their own fans in a home defeat by Burnley days earlier .
It was the low point in the club 's season , their fourth defeat in seven Premier League matches .
The atmosphere at Old Trafford was called `` toxic '' , the performance an `` embarrassment '' and United 's squad was `` the worst in the last 30 years '' after that result on 22 January .
But just one signing later , United are a side transformed .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the eight matches since Fernandes ' arrival and the doom and gloom has lifted completely .
A vibrant , free-flowing style is emerging under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer - with Fernandes at its heart .
Against Brighton on Tuesday the 25-year-old midfielder - dubbed the 'Portuguese magnifico ' by supporters - scored twice in a 3-0 win , including a brilliant volley to maintain his side 's charge for Champions League qualification .
The former Sporting Lisbon man was full of life in his 64 minutes on the pitch , linking well with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capabilities too with three tackles , gaining possession back twice .
`` Fernandes could have played 10 minutes and I would have given him man of the match , '' former England international Karen Carney said on BBC Radio 5 Live .
`` He is just so exquisite and it has been a privilege to watch him play .
The difference he has made to this Manchester United team is unbelievable .
`` I think Manchester United need another centre forward but that midfield is exciting .
Fernandes is fantastic and I was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 12 games in which he has featured in all competitions , United have won eight and drawn four , scored 28 goals and conceded just four .
Since his debut in February , Fernandes has been directly involved in more goals in all competitions than any other Premier League player , with six goals and four assists .
United lie two points adrift of Chelsea in fourth and three behind third-placed Leicester , who they face on the final day of the campaign in a match that could yet be a shootout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Brighton took United fifth , which would already be enough for a Champions League place if Manchester City 's ban from European competition is upheld .
`` We are fighting for a place in the Champions League and we know we can achieve this , '' said Fernandes .
Back in January after the Burnley loss , Solskjaer was under increasing pressure and said after that game his side `` were not good enough '' and `` lacked ideas '' .
His words were quite different after their dominant win at Brighton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confident because they are playing fantastically , '' Solskjaer told BBC Sport .
`` There is quality in that team , our players are fit and we have competition for places now .
`` I 've got more than one game-changer , we have some top players and Bruno has come and been fantastic .
He has brought that winning mentality with him , that 99 % is not good enough - it has to be 100 % .
`` It 's a joy to watch them when you see them express themselves @ @ @ @

Bruno Fernandes remains unbeaten after 12 Manchester United games
When Bruno Fernandes arrived at Manchester United, he joined a team who had been jeered off by their own fans in a home defeat by Burnley days earlier.
It was the low point in the club's season, their fourth defeat in seven Premier League matches.
The atmosphere at Old Trafford was called "toxic", the performance an "embarrassment" and United's squad was "the worst in the last 30 years" after that result on 22 January.
But just one signing later, United are a side transformed. They are the league's form team in the eight matches since Fernandes' arrival and the doom and gloom has lifted completely.
Premier League form table since Manchester United signed Bruno Fernandes
A vibrant, free-flowing style is emerging under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer - with Fernandes at its heart.
Against Brighton on Tuesday the 25-year-old midfielder - dubbed the 'Portuguese magnifico' by supporters - scored twice in a 3-0 win, including a brilliant volley to maintain his side's charge for Champions League qualification.
The former Sporting Lisbon man was full of life in his 64 minutes on the pitch, linking well with Paul Pogba, but showing his defensive capabilities too with three tackles, gaining possession back twice.
"Fernandes could have played 10 minutes and I would have given him man of the match," former England international Karen Carney said on BBC Radio 5 Live. "He is just so exquisite and it has been a privilege to watch him play. The difference he has made to this Manchester United team is unbelievable.
"I think Manchester United need another centre forward but that midfield is exciting. Fernandes is fantastic and I was gutted he went off."
Fernandes has scored 20 goals for club and country this season
In the 12 games in which he has featured in all competitions, United have won eight and drawn four, scored 28 goals and conceded just four.
Since his debut in February, Fernandes has been directly involved in more goals in all competitions than any other Premier League player, with six goals and four assists.
United lie two points adrift of Chelsea in fourth and three behind third-placed Leicester, who they face on the final day of the campaign in a match that could yet be a shootout for a Champions League spot.
Victory at Brighton took United fifth, which would already be enough for a Champions League place if Manchester City's ban from European competition is upheld.
"We are fighting for a place in the Champions League and we know we can achieve this," said Fernandes.
Back in January after the Burnley loss, Solskjaer was under increasing pressure and said after that game his side "were not good enough" and "lacked ideas".
His words were quite different after their dominant win at Brighton.
"They have reason to be confident because they are playing fantastically," Solskjaer told BBC Sport. "There is quality in that team, our players are fit and we have competition for places now.
"I've got more than one game-changer, we have some top players and Bruno has come and been fantastic. He has brought that winning mentality with him, that 99% is not good enough - it has to be 100%.
"It's a joy to watch them when you see them express themselves like that."


bbc--2020-07-01--Andy Murray: Vote for your favourite career moment

Last updated on .From the section Tennis Few British sports stars have taken us on a rollercoaster ride quite like Andy Murray .
Then that all changed .
Three Grand Slam titles , two Olympic gold medals , one Davis Cup and a knighthood later , the Scot is revered and respected in equal measure .
As part of the BBC 's 'Murray Weekend ' , we look back on 10 of his most memorable tennis moments .
And , at the bottom of the page we want you to vote for your favourite .
The moment where the young @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crowd 's affections .
The Scot , then aged 21 , produced a stunning fightback from two sets down to beat France 's Richard Gasquet in the last 16 , thrilling a packed Centre Court - and millions more watching at home - in the gathering gloom of 'Manic Monday ' .
`` That was the best moment I 've ever had on a tennis court , '' he said afterwards .
`` The crowd got behind me just when I needed it and to have them behind me was a privilege .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ an unfancied Wimbledon win were ended by Rafael Nadal in the quarter-finals .
But Murray did not have to wait too long for his first grass-court title .
That came less than a year later when he beat American James Blake at Queen 's Club , becoming the first home champion at the west London venue since Bunny Austin in 1938 .
`` I was quite nervous today because no British player had won here for 70-odd years , so it got the nerves going , '' said Murray .
`` The only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Grand Slam title in a couple of weeks . ''
`` I 'm going to try this .
And it is n't going to be easy ... '' Watching as Murray 's voice trailed off after losing to Roger Federer in the 2012 Wimbledon final , it was hard not to get a lump in the throat .
Between the deep breaths and the tears , Murray joked he was getting closer to the most coveted prize in the sport .
True , he was .
This was his first SW19 final @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years , and his fourth defeat in a Grand Slam final .
With that outpouring of emotion , you suspected it was a moment where he felt he might never get his hands on a major trophy .
And many felt the same ...
Exactly four weeks after those tears , Murray won at Wimbledon .
He did n't win Wimbledon .
Rather he won next best thing in that most memorable of British summers : an Olympic gold in London .
Hours after Super Saturday , Murray made it a Super Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one-sided final .
Not only did it provide a new bit of bling around his neck , it seemed to give him the belief he could beat the best to the biggest prizes .
`` It 's number one for me - the biggest win of my life , '' said Murray .
`` This is the best way to come back from the Wimbledon final . ''
It was the British sporting summer which had given us everything .
So it felt fitting that Murray rounded it off with his first Grand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long-time rival Novak Djokovic in the US Open final ended Murray 's hoodoo and Britain 's 76-year wait for a male Grand Slam singles champion .
Asked what it felt like to finally emulate Fred Perry , Murray replied : `` I 've been reminded of that most days of my life for the last few years .
It 's great to have finally done it and I do n't need to get asked that anymore . ''
Despite the time difference , Murray 's crowning moment saw an estimated 1.5m people stay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to watch , while victory was followed by congratulatory messages from UK Prime Minister David Cameron and Scotland First Minister Alex Salmond .
• None Listen to the moment Murray won the US Open Murray winning his first Grand Slam at the 2012 US Open eased some pressure - but not all of it .
The next albatross hanging around his neck was Wimbledon .
That would be the true measure of success for many British sports fans starved of home success .
Not since Fred Perry in 1936 had a British male @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Djokovic suggested it was a tension-free affair .
But nothing is ever straightforward where Murray is concerned .
A wobble in the third set left the nation fearing the worst , before he swung momentum back in his favour and hauled himself over the line with his fourth championship point .
Cue pandemonium on a combustible Centre Court , outside on 'Murray Mound ' and in front of big screens - in living rooms , gardens and public squares - up and down the land .
Tennis had come home .
With such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team events can provide a welcome change for many players .
Murray flourished in the 2015 Davis Cup campaign .
Although far from a one-man team , Great Britain 's first global success in 89 years would not have been possible without the then world number two .
Murray won 11 of 12 points during the four matches , including all three rubbers in the final against Belgium .
A memorable campaign had the most memorable of finishes - and the most Murray .
Digging deep to stay in a baseline exchange , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ somehow put over David Goffin 's head and inside the line to spark a great British baseline pile-on .
8 .
Wimbledon 2016 - second triumph at All England Club For the first time in his career , Murray walked out for a Grand Slam final as the favourite .
And he lived up to the billing with a ruthless display against missile-serving Canadian Milos Raonic .
There was none of the unbearable tension on Centre Court which had been hanging in the air three years before .
Instead , Murray breezed through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the fortnight and then supremely negating Raonic 's power in a cold-blooded dismantling of the sixth seed .
After 77 years of Wimbledon hurt , Britain suddenly had two triumphs in three years to savour in the men 's singles .
And with it , Murray had confirmed his place at the top table of Britain 's finest sporting talents .
Tears , whether of joy or despair , were a regular feature of Murray 's post-match emotions by now .
In Rio , like on Centre Court a month earlier , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on his chair and the reality of what he had just achieved sunk in .
Here , he became the first player to win two gold medals in the Olympic men 's singles , fighting off Argentina 's Juan Martin del Potro in a gruelling four-hour final which left both men physically and emotionally drained .
`` It was one of the toughest matches that I 've played to win a big event , for sure , '' Murray said .
No matter what happened at the season-ending ATP Finals , it had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Another Wimbledon title , another Olympic gold and an ascension to world number one for the first time were the top lines of a remarkable 2016 .
A fitting end would have been success in front of a home crowd at the ATP Finals in London , sealing his place as the year-end men 's number one at the same time .
That 's exactly what he did - and in imperious fashion .
Murray powered past Djokovic in the final , extending his winning streak to a career-best 24 matches and lifting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If you are viewing this page on the BBC News app please click here to vote .

Last updated on .From the section Tennis
Andy Murray: Winning Wimbledon a second time more enjoyable
Andy Murray's Greatest Hits Watch from 13:15-15:15 BST on Saturday, 4 July and 14:05-16:05 BST on Sunday, 5 July. Coverage both days on BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and app.
Few British sports stars have taken us on a rollercoaster ride quite like Andy Murray.
As part of the BBC's 'Murray Weekend', we are looking back on 10 of his most memorable tennis moments.
Over the past few days, you have been voting for your favourite - and there was an overwhelming winner...
1. Wimbledon 2013 - first SW19 title
Not surprising really, was it? Murray becoming the first British man to win Wimbledon in 77 years attracted 68% of your votes.
A straight-set win over Novak Djokovic suggested it was a tension-free affair. But nothing is ever straightforward where Murray is concerned.
A wobble in the third set left the nation fearing the worst, before he swung momentum back in his favour and hauled himself over the line with his fourth championship point.
Cue pandemonium on a combustible Centre Court, outside on 'Murray Mound' and in front of big screens - in living rooms, gardens and public squares - up and down the land.
Tennis had come home. What a day, what a moment! Transport yourself back to 2013, and to Centre Court, by watching the video below...
Highlights - Murray wins Wimbledon title
2. London 2012 - beats Federer to win Olympic gold
Almost a year earlier, Murray won at Wimbledon. He didn't win Wimbledon. Rather he won next best thing in that most memorable of British summers: an Olympic gold in London.
Hours after Super Saturday, Murray made it a Super Sunday by sweeping past Federer in a remarkably one-sided final.
Not only did it provide a new bit of bling around his neck, it seemed to give him the belief he could beat the best to the biggest prizes.
"It's number one for me - the biggest win of my life," Murray said at the time.
3. US Open 2012 - wins first Grand Slam title
It was the British sporting summer which had given us everything. So it felt fitting that Murray rounded it off with his first Grand Slam win.
An epic victory over long-time rival Novak Djokovic in the US Open final ended Murray's hoodoo and Britain's 76-year wait for a male Grand Slam singles champion.
Asked what it felt like to finally emulate Fred Perry, Murray replied: "I've been reminded of that most days of my life for the last few years. It's great to have finally done it and I don't need to get asked that anymore."
Despite the time difference, Murray's crowning moment saw an estimated 1.5m people stay up into the early hours back home to watch, while victory was followed by congratulatory messages from UK Prime Minister David Cameron and Scotland First Minister Alex Salmond.
4. ATP Finals 2016 - the undisputed world number one
No matter what happened at the season-ending ATP Finals, it had already been Murray's annus mirabilis.
A second Wimbledon title, another Olympic gold and an ascension to world number one for the first time were the top lines of a remarkable 2016.
A fitting end would have been success in front of a home crowd at the ATP Finals in London, sealing his place as the year-end men's number one at the same time.
That's exactly what he did - and in imperious fashion. Murray powered past Djokovic in the final, extending his winning streak to a career-best 24 matches and lifting his ninth trophy of the season.
5. Davis Cup 2015 - carries Great Britain to glory
With such an intense focus on individual achievement, team events can provide a welcome change for many players. Murray flourished in the 2015 Davis Cup campaign.
Although far from a one-man team, Great Britain's first global success in 89 years would not have been possible without the then world number two.
Murray won 11 of 12 points during the four matches, including all three rubbers in the final against Belgium.
A memorable campaign had the most memorable of finishes - and the most Murray. Digging deep to stay in a baseline exchange, he stretched for a backhand which he somehow put over David Goffin's head and inside the line to spark a great British baseline pile-on.
6. Wimbledon 2012 - tears after losing to Federer
"I'm going to try this. And it isn't going to be easy..."
Watching as Murray's voice trailed off after losing to Roger Federer in the 2012 Wimbledon final, it was hard not to get a lump in the throat.
Between the deep breaths and the tears, Murray joked he was getting closer to the most coveted prize in the sport. True, he was.
This was his first SW19 final after semi-final defeats in the three previous years, and his fourth defeat in a Grand Slam final.
With that outpouring of emotion, you suspected it was a moment where he felt he might never get his hands on a major trophy. And many felt the same...
7. Rio 2016 - epic win for Olympic history
Tears, whether of joy or despair, were a regular feature of Murray's post-match emotions by now. In Rio, like on Centre Court a month earlier, they came as the Scot sat down on his chair and the reality of what he had just achieved sunk in.
Here, he became the first player to win two gold medals in the Olympic men's singles, fighting off Argentina's Juan Martin del Potro in a gruelling four-hour final which left both men physically and emotionally drained.
"It was one of the toughest matches that I've played to win a big event, for sure," Murray said.
8. Wimbledon 2016 - second triumph at All England Club
Imagine winning a second Wimbledon title being voted only the eighth best moment of your career... quite the CV.
For the first time, Murray walked out for a Grand Slam final as the favourite. And he lived up to the billing with a ruthless display against missile-serving Canadian Milos Raonic.
There was none of the unbearable tension on Centre Court that had been hanging in the air three years before.
Instead, Murray breezed through the tournament, dropping only two sets over the fortnight and then supremely negating Raonic's power in a cold-blooded dismantling of the sixth seed.
After 77 years of Wimbledon hurt, Britain suddenly had two triumphs in three years to savour in the men's singles. And with it, Murray had confirmed his place at the top table of Britain's finest sporting talents.
9. Wimbledon 2008 - beats Gasquet in epic five-setter
The moment where the young Murray sealed his place in the Wimbledon crowd's affections.
The Scot, then aged 21, produced a stunning fightback from two sets down to beat France's Richard Gasquet in the last 16, thrilling a packed Centre Court - and millions more watching at home - in the gathering gloom of 'Manic Monday'.
"That was the best moment I've ever had on a tennis court," he said afterwards. "The crowd got behind me just when I needed it and to have them behind me was a privilege."
10. Queen's 2009 - his first grass-court title
After beating Gasquet, dreams of an unfancied Wimbledon win were ended by Rafael Nadal in the quarter-finals. But Murray did not have to wait too long for his first grass-court title.
That came less than a year later when he beat American James Blake at Queen's Club, becoming the first home champion at the west London venue since Bunny Austin in 1938.
"I was quite nervous today because no British player had won here for 70-odd years, so it got the nerves going," Murray said. "The only thing left is to try and get a Grand Slam title in a couple of weeks."
If you are viewing this page on the BBC News app please click here to see the full results of the vote.


bbc--2020-07-01--Arsenal striker Miedema wins FWA Women's Footballer of the Year award

Arsenal and Netherlands forward Vivianne Miedema has been named the Football Writers ' Association Women 's Footballer of the Year .
The 23-year-old , who missed out on the award last season by a single vote , beat Chelsea 's Bethany England by one vote to win the 2020 accolade .
Miedema was the Women 's Super League 's top scorer in 2019-20 with 16 goals .
She is also her country 's leading goalscorer and helped the Netherlands reach last year 's World Cup final .
`` This was a close-run decision because of the brilliant breakout season that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ WSL champions Chelsea , '' said Jen O'Neill , chair of the FWA 's women 's subcommittee .
`` However , Vivianne 's clinical efficiency in front of goal and her seemingly effortless poise , can mean her all-round ability and footballing intelligence are sometimes overlooked .
She is a worthy winner and a world-class performer .
`` With more assists than any other WSL player this season , she is also a valuable creator of openings for team-mates , dropping to collect the ball and playing in others , or making space @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the third recipient of the Football Writers ' award , following Nikita Parris in 2019 and Fran Kirby in 2018 .
The Blues were declared champions on a points-per-game basis and moved above Manchester City , who were top of the table when the league was halted because of the coronavirus pandemic , with Arsenal in third place .

Last updated on .From the section Women's Football
Football Writers' Women's Footballer of the Year: Vivianne Miedema
Arsenal and Netherlands forward Vivianne Miedema has been named the Football Writers' Association Women's Footballer of the Year.
The 23-year-old, who missed out on the award last season by a single vote, beat Chelsea's Bethany England by one vote to win the 2020 accolade.
Miedema was the Women's Super League's top scorer in 2019-20 with 16 goals.
She is also her country's leading goalscorer and helped the Netherlands reach last year's World Cup final.
"This was a close-run decision because of the brilliant breakout season that Beth England had with the Lionesses and WSL champions Chelsea," said Jen O'Neill, chair of the FWA's women's subcommittee.
"However, Vivianne's clinical efficiency in front of goal and her seemingly effortless poise, can mean her all-round ability and footballing intelligence are sometimes overlooked. She is a worthy winner and a world-class performer.
"With more assists than any other WSL player this season, she is also a valuable creator of openings for team-mates, dropping to collect the ball and playing in others, or making space with her movement."
Miedema is the third recipient of the Football Writers' award, following Nikita Parris in 2019 and Fran Kirby in 2018.
Runner-up England helped Chelsea win the WSL title in 2019-20.
The Blues were declared champions on a points-per-game basis and moved above Manchester City, who were top of the table when the league was halted because of the coronavirus pandemic, with Arsenal in third place.


bbc--2020-07-01--CIA did not verbally brief Trump on Russia report, says official

President Donald Trump was not verbally briefed on reports Russia paid militants to kill US soldiers , said national security adviser Robert O'Brien , because of a lack of confidence in the intelligence .
The CIA officer decided the intelligence was not verified .
Mr O'Brien did not say if the president was handed a written briefing .
The intelligence reportedly arrived amid US attempts to negotiate a peace deal to end the Afghanistan war .
At the time of the alleged plan to target US service personal in 2019 , Mr Trump was also seeking to improve relations with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York Times , Washington Post and Wall Street Journal , quoting unnamed US officials , said a Russian military intelligence unit had offered Taliban-linked militants bounties to kill US troops .
Russia has denied the reports , while the Taliban said it had not made any deal with agents from Moscow .
Speaking with Fox Business Network , Mr Trump said : `` When you bring something into a president and I see many , many things - and I 'm sure I do n't see many things that they do n't think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't rise to the occasion .
And from what I hear - and I hear it pretty good - the intelligence people , many of them did n't believe it happened a all . ''
Mr O'Brien said the president 's CIA briefer `` made the right call '' in choosing not to brief the president .
`` The person who decided early on whether the president should be briefed on this in the Oval intelligence briefing was a senior career civil servant .
And she made that decision because she did n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out , '' he said .
He told reporters that the US would respond strongly if it is confirmed that Russia paid Taliban militants to kill US and allied soldiers .
Twenty American troops died in Afghanistan in 2019 , but the New York Times said it was not clear which deaths were under suspicion .
On Tuesday , White House spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany insisted that Mr Trump was not briefed on the matter and claimed that `` rogue intelligence officers '' were behind the leak to the New York Times .
For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying that reports of bounties being paid by Russia did not reach the president 's desk and that there was no consensus within the intelligence community about the veracity of the claim .
However , at the same time , the White House has also been briefing senior members of both parties in Congress , with some Republicans clearly taking the allegations seriously .
The US military has been warned about the claims and contingencies have been put in place , according to the National Security Adviser .
Yet the president has equivocated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accusing the fake news of peddling a hoax .
The president 's Press Secretary , Kayleigh McEnany , said the information was still unverified .

Speaking with Fox Business Network, Mr Trump said: "When you bring something into a president and I see many, many things - and I'm sure I don't see many things that they don't think rose to the occasion - this didn't rise to the occasion. And from what I hear - and I hear it pretty good - the intelligence people, many of them didn't believe it happened a all."


bbc--2020-07-01--Seattle police clear out protester-occupied zone

Police have cleared out an area near Seattle city centre that was taken over three weeks ago by protesters , some of them armed .
Dozens of people were arrested as heavily equipped officers swept into the district on Wednesday morning following an order by the city mayor .
It was city hall that ordered police on 8 June to abandon their precinct after violent clashes with demonstrators .
Since then there have been four shootings in the protest zone .
Mayor Jenny Durkan said that until now the authorities had `` reasonably facilitated an ongoing exercise '' of free @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Constitution in the so-called Capitol Hill Occupied Protest ( Chop ) zone .
But she said those rights `` do not require the city to provide limitless sanctuary to occupy city property , damage city and private property , obstruct the right of way or foster dangerous conditions '' .
Mayor Durkan , a Democrat , had initially praised the demonstration as an expression of `` democracy '' and said it could usher in `` a summer of love '' .
On Sunday protesters marched to her house in the wealthy Windermere area @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police department to be defunded by half .
Mayor Durkan has already proposed a more modest 5 % cut to the police budget .
• Trump told to back off over Seattle protest zone Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best said the area had become `` lawless and brutal '' , while the city police department warned that any protester who returned to the area would be arrested .
Her department posted a nearly four-minute video to YouTube on Wednesday morning titled `` Violence in the C.H.O.P '' , showing clips of armed people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Some protesters on Wednesday erected a small barricade trying to stop the police .
Police said 32 people had been arrested for offences ranging from unlawful weapon possession to assault and failure to disperse .
Two people have died in a spate of shootings in the zone over the past fortnight including a 19-year-old man and a 16-year-old boy .
A 14-year-old boy was critically injured .
The police chief said on Monday : `` Two African American men are dead , at a place where they claim to be working for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the occupants of the zone , Aaron `` Relentless '' Hill , told the Seattle Times that the area was no longer safe .
`` It just flipped and turned into a nightmare , '' he said .
`` The atmosphere , the mood , everything . ''
After President Donald Trump last month demanded the local authorities remove the protesters , the Seattle mayor and Washington governor told him to mind his own business .
The area was initially known as Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone ( Chaz ) , and is in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which has been gentrified in recent years .
The protests in Seattle and other US cities began in response to the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis , Minnesota , on 25 May .

Mayor Jenny Durkan said that until now the authorities had "reasonably facilitated an ongoing exercise" of free speech and demonstration rights under the US Constitution in the so-called Capitol Hill Occupied Protest (Chop) zone.


bbc--2020-07-01--Coronavirus: 'I'm all for masks,' says Trump in change of tone

President Donald Trump , who has often pushed back against mask guidance from health officials , says he would wear one `` in a tight situation with people '' .
Mr Trump - who has avoided appearing in public with a mask - also maintained face coverings do not need to become mandatory to curb Covid-19 's spread .
His remarks to Fox News come a day after a top Republican called on Mr Trump to wear a mask as an example .
A number of states are seeing surges in virus cases and deaths in recent days .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Covid-19 infections and more than 127,000 deaths .
• What 's behind alarming new US outbreaks ?
• Living in Florida and Texas as virus cases surge • Is the pandemic getting worse in the US ?
What did the president say ?
Speaking to Fox Business Network on Wednesday , Mr Trump said : `` I 'm all for masks . ''
When asked whether he would wear one , the president said : `` If I were in a tight situation with people I would , absolutely . ''
He added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before .
Mr Trump said he would have `` no problem '' with wearing a mask publicly and that he `` sort of liked '' how he looked with one on , likening himself to the Lone Ranger .
But the president reiterated that he did not think making face-coverings mandatory across the US was needed , because there are `` many places in the country where people stay very long distance '' .
`` If people feel good about it they should do it . ''
Mr Trump was also asked in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he still believes coronavirus will `` disappear '' someday .
`` I do , '' he said .
`` I do .
Yeah sure .
At some point . ''
During Mr Trump 's forthcoming Independence Day celebration on 3 July at Mount Rushmore , his supporters in attendance will not be forced to wear masks or socially distance .
What has Trump previously said about masks ?
When the US Centers for Disease Control ( CDC ) in April began recommending people wear masks or cloth coverings in public to help stop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump told reporters he would not follow the practice .
`` I do n't think I 'm going to be doing it , '' he said back then .
`` Wearing a face mask as I greet presidents , prime ministers , dictators , kings , queens - I just do n't see it . ''
But Mr Trump has repeatedly emphasised that choosing to follow the official health guidance around masks is a personal decision .
Last month , he told the Wall Street Journal that some people only wear masks as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ May , during a visit to a factory in Michigan , he told reporters he took off a facial covering before facing the cameras because he `` did n't want to give the press the pleasure of seeing it '' .
The White House has defended the president 's choice by saying everyone in contact with him is tested frequently for coronavirus , and so is Mr Trump himself .
The president 's daughter and senior adviser , Ivanka Trump , has also been spotted wearing a mask in public .
An ABC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week , 89 % of Americans said they wore a mask or face covering outside their home in the last week - a 20-point jump from mid-April .
What are politicians saying ?
Mr Trump has often been criticised by Democrats for downplaying the need to wear masks and politicising the idea .
• Why we should all be wearing face masks • What does Covid-19 do to the brain ?
But more recently , the president 's fellow Republicans and conservative media have joined the calls in favour of mask wearing .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ heads the US Covid-19 task force , Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell , Senator Mitt Romney and congresswoman Liz Cheney .
On Tuesday , Tennessee Republican Senator Lamar Alexander said it was unfortunate that `` this simple , lifesaving practice has become part of a political debate that says 'if you 're for Trump , you do n't wear a mask , if you 're against Trump , you do '' .
The same day , US infectious disease chief Dr Anthony Fauci told lawmakers new American cases could reach 100,000 per day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ masks or social distancing .
The recent surges have led to a number of states reversing or pausing reopening plans .
About 20 states have mandated mask wearing in public .

Mr Trump said he would have "no problem" with wearing a mask publicly and that he "sort of liked" how he looked with one on, likening himself to the Lone Ranger, a fictional masked hero who with his Native American friend, Tonto, fought outlaws in the American Old West.


bbc--2020-07-01--Suspect in Vanessa Guillen missing soldier case took his own life

A suspect in the case of a soldier who disappeared from her Texas military base in April took his own life as police were closing in , officials say .
Private First Class Vanessa Guillen , 20 , was last seen on 22 April in a car park where she worked at Fort Hood .
The suspect was an active duty soldier .
Another civilian suspect is in custody .
Earlier , the Army announced a tip led investigators to discover partial human remains in an `` area of interest '' in the search for Ms Guillen .
The suspect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who had fled his post on Wednesday , according to the Army Criminal Investigation Command .
He `` displayed a weapon and took his own life '' when law enforcement officials attempted to make contact .
The second suspect , a civilian , who is the estranged wife of a former soldier at the base , is in custody and awaiting charges .
Speaking at a news conference in Washington DC on Wednesday , the family called for a congressional investigation into the Fort Hood base .
`` They did n't keep my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sister , Lupe Guillen , said .
`` How can this happen at a military base ? ''
Ms Guillen 's family has alleged that she had been harassed by someone within her unit , but officials have said they have no report to indicate she was sexually harassed or assaulted .
The 3rd Cavalry Regiment has launched a separate investigation regarding those claims .
Mayra Guillen , another sister , said she had encountered the suspect the day after the young soldier 's disappearance .
`` I met him not knowing he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' An attorney for Ms Guillen 's family has also said that investigators informed them the remains may belong to the missing soldier , but forensic experts have not yet confirmed it .
Army spokesman Chris Grey said the partial remains were found in an `` area of interest '' agents had returned to in the search for Ms Guillen .
`` No confirmation as to the identity of the remains has been made at this point and we ask for the media and public 's understanding that the identification process can take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Agents from the US Army Criminal Investigation Command , Texas Rangers , FBI and local police revisited the site , near the Leon River about 30 miles ( 48km ) from Fort Hood due to a tip .
`` After receiving additional information , agents have discovered what has been described as partial human remains after analysis from a forensic anthropologist . ''
The remains were found in a shallow grave .
Ms Guillen , a small-arms repairer with the 3rd Cavalry Regiment , is originally from Houston , Texas - about 200 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
After her disappearance around noon on 22 April , Ms Guillen 's car and barracks keys , ID card and wallet were found in the armoury room where she had been earlier that day .
Her disappearance prompted rallies in Fort Hood and her native Houston .
A Texas state legislator who has been working with Ms Guillen 's family told reporters last week Army officials suspected `` foul play '' in the case .
`` The question is who , what and when , '' the lawmaker , Sylvia Garcia , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reassured that they 're going to do everything they can , they will leave no stone unturned until they find Vanessa . ''
The Army Criminal Investigation Command increased the reward for information concerning her disappearance to $ 25,000 ( £20,000 ) earlier this month .

"No confirmation as to the identity of the remains has been made at this point and we ask for the media and public's understanding that the identification process can take time," Mr Grey said.


bbc--2020-07-01--Core of a gas planet seen for the first time

It could be the core of a gas world like Jupiter , offering an unprecedented glimpse inside one of these giant planets .
Giant planets like Jupiter and Saturn have a solid planetary core beneath a thick envelope of hydrogen and helium gas .
But no-one has previously been able to see what these solid cores are like .
Now , a team of astronomers has discovered what they think are the rocky innards of a giant planet that 's missing its thick atmosphere .
Their findings have been published in the journal Nature .
Lead author David Armstrong , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been running a programme to detect exposed planetary cores in data from the Tess space telescope .
`` This was one of the candidates we picked out as something to try to observe , '' he told BBC News .
`` We followed it up with an instrument called the Harps spectrograph in Chile , which we used to measure the masses of these candidates .
This one came out as being exceptionally massive - much more than we expected really .
That 's when we started to look into what could have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first looked at the object , they thought it might be a binary star .
`` We kept taking data and it turned out to still be a planet - just an exceptionally massive one for its size , '' Dr Armstrong explained .
Its radius is about three-and-a-half times larger than Earth 's but the planet is around 39 times more massive .
The object , called TOI 849 b , was found circling a star much like the Sun that 's located 730 light-years away .
The core orbits so close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a mere 18 hours and its surface temperature is around 1,527C .
Researchers are n't sure whether the core lost its atmosphere in a collision or just never developed one .
If it was once similar to Jupiter , there are several ways it could have lost its gaseous envelope .
These could include tidal disruption , where the planet is ripped apart from orbiting too close to its star , or even a collision with another planet late in its formation .
If it 's a `` failed '' gas giant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a gap in the disc of gas and dust that it emerged from , or if it formed late , after the disc ran out of material .
`` I think one of the biggest clues is that we found the planet inside the 'Hot Neptunian desert ' , which is this region of parameter space where we do n't typically find planets , '' Dr Armstrong told BBC News .
`` That hints that it has gone through quite an unusual evolution .
To me that hints that it is more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ... but we 'll need some more observations to be sure . ''
These further observations could help test ideas about how giant gas planets evolve .
`` It 's a first , telling us that planets like this exist and can be found .
We have the opportunity to look at the core of a planet in a way that we ca n't do in our own Solar System .
`` There are still big open questions about the nature of Jupiter 's core , for example , so strange and unusual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into planet formation that we have no other way to explore . ''

"We followed it up with an instrument called the Harps spectrograph in Chile, which we used to measure the masses of these candidates. This one came out as being exceptionally massive - much more than we expected really. That's when we started to look into what could have caused that."


bbc--2020-07-01--Ed Henry: Fox News anchor fired over 'wilful sexual misconduct' claim

Fox News has fired one of its leading anchors over claims of `` wilful sexual misconduct '' involving a colleague several years ago .
Ed Henry co-presented the America 's Newsroom programme , which is broadcast mid-morning every weekday .
His former co-host Sandra Smith gave viewers the news on air on Wednesday .
Fox News said it received a complaint last week and fired Mr Henry after hiring a law firm to investigate .
He has not yet commented .
The 48-year-old 's profile has already been deleted from the network 's website , and the page for America @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sole anchor .
Fox News said the complaint was made on 25 June by the lawyer of a former employee .
Mr Henry was suspended the same day and has now been fired based on `` investigative findings '' from the law firm , according to an internal memo provided to the Reuters news agency .
On Wednesday 's programme , Smith read a statement from Fox News chief executive Suzanne Scott and president Jay Wallace , saying they had taken the decision as part of an `` effort to bring full transparency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strive to maintain a safe and inclusive workplace for all employees , '' they added .
Smith said rotating anchors would co-host the programme with her until a replacement is named .
The former employee has not been identified .
Mr Henry joined Fox News from CNN in 2011 .
He has served as the network 's chief national correspondent and previously hosted several weekend shows .
He is not the first Fox News figure to face allegations of sexual misconduct .
Former chairman Roger Ailes resigned in 2016 after being accused by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case against him was made into a 2019 Hollywood film , Bombshell , which starred Charlize Theron , Nicole Kidman and Margot Robbie .
After Mr Henry 's departure , former Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson called for the network to release former employees from non-disclosure agreements .
Follow us on Facebook , or on Twitter @ BBCNewsEnts .
If you have a story suggestion email entertainment.news @ bbc.co.uk .

Mr Henry was suspended the same day and has now been fired based on "investigative findings" from the law firm, according to an internal memo provided to the Reuters news agency.


bbc--2020-07-01--Coronavirus: How we are living with the virus in Florida and Texas

People in Florida and Texas - where new coronavirus infections are ballooning - have described their opinions about the pandemic and their leaders decisions to restart the economy before defeating the virus .
I am worried about the situation in the entire world , not just my hometown of Pembroke Pines , Florida .
This is a sad situation that we have all been affected by and the best thing we can do is hope for it to end soon .
I knew that this was inevitable .
I do not believe Florida opened their businesses too soon .
At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has to be placed in the hands of citizens .
• What 's behind alarming new US outbreaks ?
• Is the pandemic getting worse in the US ?
I do not quarantine right now .
I decided to stay in Gainesville , where I go to college , and am surrounding myself with people who are at very low risk of developing bad symptoms .
I try to wear a mask as often as I can .
As someone who planned on moving to a large city after graduation this summer , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lot .
Days that used to be packed with going to the gym , searching for jobs and having fun with friends have become quests of finding small activities to keep me productive .
Right now , the goal of every citizen should be staying healthy and protecting those that are most vulnerable to the virus .
I have been here for four years as I attend Florida Atlantic University .
I feel just as nervous as I did In March when it all started .
But I do think there was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus .
I even thought things were getting better for awhile .
I absolutely think businesses reopened too soon .
For the most part I know I could be doing better with social distancing .
I 've been going to yoga classes and took a trip to a hotel in Miami for the weekend which was probably not my best decision .
But we made sure to keep six feet apart and wear masks .
Living with the pandemic has been really hard .
I 'm graduating from university this semester and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into my career , but a lot of companies are not hiring right now .
To be honest , I do n't really know what I 'm supposed to be doing .
The Florida governor needs to make it easier for people here to get a test .
It should not be this hard during a pandemic to find a test .
It took days of being placed on hold or hung up on before I finally found a place that required me to stand in 99F ( 37C ) heat for nearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I watched an elderly women practically collapse as she waited in direct sunlight with no seat or water .
Thank you to everyone on the front line fighting this thing , but we need to do better .
I 'm mostly worried about the people who are n't taking it seriously here in Boca Raton and are preventing us from improving or moving forward from this .
I do n't think it was reopening businesses that caused an increase in cases .
I think it was the people .
I think it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Florida outbreak , like crowding on beaches and in bars with no masks .
I personally wear a mask when I leave my home .
Most places and grocery stores require it .
The pandemic has personally affected me by having my dream internship cancelled , my graduation ceremony cancelled , my senior year in college cancelled and many job opportunities cancelled .
The governor should implement rules or do something that will make people follow them .
It 's very frustrating how wearing masks has become about political opinion , rather than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , my friends all went to the Houston bars , and they have all tested positive now .
If I was n't in the healthcare industry , I 'm sure I 'd still be somewhat careful .
I 'm a Republican , but I do n't think Trump should be enforcing rules if he is n't following them .
I do n't agree with how he acts .
I think that if he led by example , more likely people would follow and wear masks .
Like , even the people who were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is n't that hard .
So , I think that the way he acts discredits his authority .
But I think Governor Abbott and his team have done everything they can do .
Some bar owners here in Austin are vocally going against what we need to do - criticising the data and suing the government for shutting them down .
If we continue to do this , we are going to be shut down for the rest of the year .
For me that 's completely narcissistic .
How certain bar owners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should have been done less quickly .
I think initially the decision by local and state government , who closed down everything quickly , was made out of fear instead of data .
If it was scientific evidence that led to the closure back in March , I think that the data was n't shared as well as it should have been .
The New York governor gave daily talks where he would explain with data .
That was more credible than what occurred here in Texas .
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So many people have died , but I do n't think the is media is portraying it in the correct light , and are putting the president at fault for it .
Personally , it 's affecting me with school and stuff but do n't know anyone with the virus .
When Texas reopened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a daily basis .
Places up north are much worse .
There is so much land here , and when you look at the numbers and the percentages , a lot of deaths are in nursing homes .
We should n't be shutting down the economy I 'm happy with the way the things reopened the way they did .
I wash my hands to be more cautious and stuff , but if I need to go to the store I 'm going to go .
I 've been to a couple of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get it at a party .
I went to Austin , I thought if I 'm getting it , it would for sure be then .
But two weeks later I 'm fine .
I was around so many different people , and nothing happened .
I have lived in Miami for the last 23 years where I lead the Florida International Bankers Association .
I am as concerned now as I was when the pandemic first started .
I still have most of my essentials delivered to my house and I wear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I do not believe the issue is when businesses reopened , but rather how the guidelines are being respected .
My staff and I have been working remotely from home for more than 100 days now .
I no longer have the freedom to go to restaurants or movies and , more importantly , to travel .
If I could speak to my governor , I would ask him to be more stringent in enforcing the recommended WHO and CDC guidelines regarding the use of masks and social distancing .
Interviews have been @ @ @

If it was scientific evidence that led to the closure back in March, I think that the data wasn't shared as well as it should have been. The New York governor gave daily talks where he would explain with data. That was more credible than what occurred here in Texas.


bbc--2020-07-01--Coronavirus: US buys nearly all of Gilead's Covid-19 drug remdesivir

The US is buying nearly all the next three months ' projected production of Covid-19 treatment remdesivir from US manufacturer Gilead .
The US health department announced on Tuesday it had agreed to buy 500,000 doses for use in American hospitals .
Tests suggest remdesivir cuts recovery times , though it is not yet clear if it improves survival rates .
Gilead did sign a licensing deal in May for production outside the US but it is still in its early stages .
`` President Trump has struck an amazing deal to ensure Americans have access to the first authorised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said in a statement .
A course of treatment in the US will cost $ 2,340 ( £1,900 ) .
Nine companies can make the drug under licence outside the US for distribution in 127 mostly poorer countries , and the cost is lower .
But the project is still in its early stages .
Additional quantities are being manufactured for use in clinical trials .
But critics say the US move to buy up so much stock from Gilead itself undermines international co-operation on Covid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part in trials of remdesivir , originally an anti-viral against Ebola .
`` The trial that gave the result that allowed remdesivir to sell their drug was n't just done in the US .
There were patients participating through other European countries , in the UK as well , and internationally , Mexico and other places , '' Oxford University 's Prof Peter Horby told BBC Radio 4 .
He said the move also had implications for any possible future vaccine , with the need for `` a much stronger framework if we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they 're going to be used for national emergencies '' .
Senior Sussex University lecturer , Ohid Yaqub , said : `` It so clearly signals an unwillingness to co-operate with other countries and the chilling effect this has on international agreements about intellectual property rights . ''
Some in the US have criticised the purchase price , as taxpayer money had helped fund remdesivir 's development .
While there is international concern about the US buying up almost all supplies of remdesivir , we must remember that Gilead is a US company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the highest number of cases and deaths from Covid-19 .
Under US law , export of drugs considered essential to treatment of patients in a public health emergency can be banned - and many other countries , including the UK , have similar legal provisions .
Gilead has put in place voluntary licensing agreements with a number of manufacturers around the world with the aim of producing the drug for use in developing nations .
In extremis , there is also a compulsory licensing mechanism which could allow countries to ignore Gilead 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own generic versions of the drug .
However , the US deal will inevitably mean that for the next three months at least the drug - one of only two that have so far been of proven benefit for patients who are seriously ill with Covid-19 - will be in short supply in many other countries .
The UK , however , says it currently has sufficient stocks for patients who need it .
The US is among several countries to approve remdesivir for use in combating Covid-19 .
The European Union is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to Germany 's health ministry .
Germany says it has sufficient supplies of the drug and expects to be able to acquire more from Gilead in the future .
In the UK , the Department of Health said it had enough to treat every National Health Service patient who needed it .
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However, the US deal will inevitably mean that for the next three months at least the drug - one of only two that have so far been of proven benefit for patients who are seriously ill with Covid-19 - will be in short supply in many other countries. The UK, however, says it currently has sufficient stocks for patients who need it.


bbc--2020-07-01--Russia reforms: Putin strongly backed by voters, partial results

Russians have strongly supported constitutional reforms that could keep President Vladimir Putin in power until 2036 , partial results indicate .
With about 87 % of ballots counted , more than 77 % of voters backed the measures , the electoral commission said .
The reforms would reset Mr Putin 's term limits to zero in 2024 , allowing him to serve two more six-year terms .
Opposition members have said he is trying to become `` president for life '' , a claim Mr Putin denies .
Top Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny dismissed the announced results as a `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ real public opinion in the country .
There is no independent scrutiny of the seven-day vote , and copies of the new constitution appeared in bookshops during the week .
The last polling stations to close in the vast country spanning 11 time zones shut their doors at 18:00 GMT in the western enclave of Kaliningrad on Russia 's Baltic coast .
Even before the vote had ended , the internal affairs ministry said there had been no violations that could affect the result , Interfax reported .
Several hundred opponents of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ St Petersburg .
Voting began across Russia last week , and the electoral commission put turnout at more than 64 % .
The Russian president and his supporters say the reforms - in total , more than 200 changes - are needed to ensure national stability .
Mr Putin , aged 67 , has not said he will run again for the presidency when his latest term runs out in 2024 - but has said it is vital he has the option to do so .
He has been in power in Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , for 20 years .
Other conservative reforms include a ban on same-sex marriage and introduce a reference to Russia 's ancestral `` faith in God '' .
Both Russia 's houses of parliament have already adopted the changes , but President Putin ordered a public vote in a bid to legitimise the reforms .
It was delayed from April due to the coronavirus outbreak .
Russian polling stations are usually lively places with music , food stalls and entertainment .
But this vote was far more subdued with temperature checks at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus .
There were plenty of strong feelings , though .
Twelve of the 20 people we spoke to at one city-centre polling station were fed up with the `` eternal rule '' of their president .
One woman called this a `` sad day for democracy and liberal values '' ; another wanted an extra tick-box on the ballot paper so she could vote not just `` against '' but `` categorically opposed '' .
Other Muscovites said they were drawn to the poll by the patriotic wrapping around the one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never to relinquish control of Crimea , for example , and to protect Russia 's `` historical truth '' , they were also happy with Vladimir Putin staying on in power .
As one older man put it : if the captain of a ship is steering the right course , why change him ?
The preliminary count suggests the majority of people voting this week agree .
The amendments cover dozens of existing articles , and add several new ones .
They fall broadly into three categories and many enshrine things in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Banning any action aimed at the `` expropriation '' of Russian territory , or calls for that .
Protecting the `` historical truth '' of the Great Patriotic War ( 1941-1945 ) and banning any `` belittling '' of the feats of those who fought .
Protection of the institution of marriage as the union of a man and a woman .
Refers to Russians ' faith in God , as handed down by their ancestors .
Minimum wage no less than subsistence minimum income .
State Council to set `` direction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ priorities '' .
A person can only hold the presidency for two terms ( replacing `` two consecutive terms '' ) .
In the case of a person already holding the presidency , previous terms will not count - the so-called `` zeroing '' of Vladimir Putin 's terms so far .

Twelve of the 20 people we spoke to at one city-centre polling station were fed up with the "eternal rule" of their president. One woman called this a "sad day for democracy and liberal values"; another wanted an extra tick-box on the ballot paper so she could vote not just "against" but "categorically opposed".


bbc--2020-07-01--Hagia Sophia: Turkey to rule on turning site into mosque

Turkey 's Council of State is due to decide if the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul can be converted into a mosque .
Built in the Sixth Century on the orders of Byzantine Emperor Justinian I , it was the world 's largest cathedral for nearly 1,000 years .
The Unesco World Heritage site was turned into a mosque when the Ottoman Empire captured the city in 1453 , but became a museum in the 1930s .
It may become a mosque again if the court approves the move on Thursday .
Turkey 's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Islamists in Turkey have long called for it to be converted , but secular opposition members have opposed the move .
The proposal has prompted international criticism , from religious and political leaders worldwide .
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The head of the Eastern Orthodox Church has opposed the move , as has Greece - home to many millions of Orthodox followers .
Culture Minister Lina Mendoni has accused Turkey of reviving `` fanatical nationalist and religious sentiment '' , insisting no change to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without being approved by the body 's own intergovernmental committee .
Unesco deputy director Ernesto Ottone Ramirez agreed that wider approval was needed , in an interview with Greek newspaper Ta Nea .
The UN body had written to Turkey about the proposal , but received no reply , he said .
The iconic , domed building sits in Istanbul 's Fatih district , on the west bank of the Bosporus .
Justinian I ordered the massive construction built in 532 , when the city - then known as Constantinople - was the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ known as the Eastern Roman Empire .
Engineers brought materials from across the Mediterranean to build the colossal cathedral .
On completion in 537 it became the seat of the Orthodox patriarch of the capital .
Byzantine imperial ceremonies such as coronations took place at the building .
The Hagia Sophia served as the home of the Eastern Orthodox Church for nearly 900 years , barring a brief period in the 13th Century when it was a Catholic cathedral under control of European invaders who ransacked and occupied Constantinople during the Fourth Crusade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Empire under Sultan Mehmed II captured Constantinople and renamed the city Istanbul , finishing off the Byzantine Empire once and for all .
On entering the Hagia Sophia , Mehmed II insisted it be renovated and converted into a mosque .
He attended the first Friday prayers in the building , days after it was ransacked by invading forces .
Ottoman architects removed or plastered over Orthodox symbols inside and added spires and minarets to the structure .
Until the completion of Istanbul 's Blue Mosque in 1616 the Hagia Sophia was the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its architecture inspired builders of the Blue Mosque and several others around the city and the world .
After the end of World War I in 1918 , the Ottoman Empire was defeated and divided by the victorious Allies .
Nationalist forces , however , rose up and created modern-day Turkey from the ashes of that empire .
The founder of Turkey and the secular republic 's first president , Mustafa Kemal Ataturk , ordered the Hagia Sophia to be turned into a museum .
Since reopening to the public in 1935 it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ visited tourist attractions .
Why does it matter ?
Because of its 1,500-year history , the Hagia Sophia holds immense religious , spiritual and political significance for groups inside and outside Turkey .
Islamist groups and devout Muslims demand the building be turned back into a mosque , and have staged protests outside it , against a 1934 law that bars religious services at the site .
President Erdogan has echoed those calls .
In a campaign speech ahead of local elections last year he said it had been a `` very big @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into a museum , and he has since reportedly asked aides to examine how to convert the building .
The head of the Eastern Orthodox Church , known as the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople , is still based in Istanbul .
Patriarch Bartholomew I warned on Tuesday that the conversion of the building would `` disappoint millions of Christians '' and fracture two worlds .
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned that any change in the Hagia Sophia 's status would diminish its ability to `` serve humanity as a much-needed bridge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cultures '' .
Last week US Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback called on Turkey to leave the building as it was .
But Turkish foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu insisted that Athens had no say in the decision as the building was on Turkish territory .
`` What we do in our country and with our property is up to us , '' he reportedly told Turkish broadcaster 24 TV .

Ottoman architects removed or plastered over Orthodox symbols inside and added spires and minarets to the structure. Until the completion of Istanbul's Blue Mosque in 1616 the Hagia Sophia was the main mosque in the city, and its architecture inspired builders of the Blue Mosque and several others around the city and the world.


bbc--2020-07-01--Hundreds of elephants found dead in Botswana

Mystery surrounds the `` completely unprecedented '' deaths of hundreds of elephants in Botswana over the last two months .
Dr Niall McCann said colleagues in the southern African country had spotted more than 350 elephant carcasses in the Okavango Delta since the start of May .
No one knows why the animals are dying , with lab results on samples still weeks away , according to the government .
Botswana is home to a third of Africa 's declining elephant population .
Warning : Some people may find the following images upsetting Dr McCann , of the UK-based charity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local conservationists first alerted the government in early May , after they undertook a flight over the delta .
`` They spotted 169 in a three-hour flight , '' he said .
`` To be able to see and count that many in a three-hour flight was extraordinary .
`` A month later , further investigations identified many more carcasses , bringing the total to over 350 . ''
`` This is totally unprecedented in terms of numbers of elephants dying in a single event unrelated to drought , '' he added .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ruled out poaching as a reason - noting the tusks had not been removed , according to Phys.org .
There are other things which point to something other than poaching .
• Why elephants are seeking refuge in Botswana • The country that brought its elephants back from the brink '' It is only elephants that are dying and nothing else , '' Dr McCann said .
`` If it was cyanide used by poachers , you would expect to see other deaths . ''
Dr McCann has also tentatively ruled out natural @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 100 elephants in Bostwana last year .
But they have been unable to rule out either poisoning or disease .
The way the animals appear to be dying - many dropping on their faces - and sightings of other elephants walking in circles points to something potentially attacking their neurological systems , Dr McCann said .
Either way , without knowing the source , it is impossible to rule out the possibility of a disease crossing into the human population - especially if the cause is in either the water sources or the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Covid-19 pandemic , which is believed to have started in animals .
`` Yes , it is a conservation disaster - but it also has the potential to be a public health crisis , '' he said .
Dr Cyril Taolo , acting director for Botswana 's department of wildlife and national parks , told the Guardian they had so far confirmed at least 280 elephants had died , and were in the process of confirming the rest .
However , they did not know what was causing the animals ' deaths .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ off for testing and we are expecting the results over the next couple of weeks or so , '' he said .

Either way, without knowing the source, it is impossible to rule out the possibility of a disease crossing into the human population - especially if the cause is in either the water sources or the soil. Dr McCann points to the Covid-19 pandemic, which is believed to have started in animals.


bbc--2020-07-01--Finland's air force quietly drops swastika symbol

It was long a rather surprising choice of imagery for Finland 's Air Force Command - a swastika and pair of wings .
The symbol will always be intrinsically linked with Nazi Germany and its crimes , even though its roots go back many thousands of years .
But now it has been confirmed the Air Force Command has quietly stopped using this unit emblem .
The change was first observed by University of Helsinki academic Teivo Teivainen .
He had previously questioned whether the continued use of the symbol was helpful for the Finnish armed forces .
Finland 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ever since it was founded in 1918 , shortly after the country became an independent nation and long before Nazism devastated Europe .
Until 1945 its planes bore a blue swastika on a white background - and this was not intended to show allegiance to Nazi Germany , though the two nations were aligned .
While the symbol was left off planes after World War Two , a swastika still featured in some Air Force unit emblems , unit flags and decorations - including on uniforms , a spokesperson for the Finnish air @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2017 the emblem for Air Force Command has been similar to the Air Force service emblem - a golden eagle and a circle of wings , the air force said .
`` As unit emblems are worn on uniform , it was considered impractical and unnecessary to continue using the old unit emblem , which had caused misunderstandings from time to time , '' the spokesperson said .
The geometric symbol takes the form of a cross with further arms coming off at right angles .
The word swastika comes from the Sanskrit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been used for thousands of years in Indian cultures and worldwide , and became a fashionable motif in the West in the early 20th Century .
However , in 1920 Adolf Hitler adopted the swastika for his National Socialist party , which came to power the following decade in Germany .
The genocidal crimes of the Hitler regime mean that the swastika symbolises Nazism and anti-Semitism for most Westerners .
• How the world loved the swastika - until Hitler stole it Prof Teivainen told the BBC that swastikas could be seen in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` In Finland there 's this idea that it 's a random decorative sign - which to some extent it is , '' he said .
The famed Finnish artist Akseli Gallen-Kallela first used the symbol in a painting in 1889 .
The Romantic painter went on to use a swastika as part of his designs for the insignia of the Order of the Cross of Liberty .
He used a cross with much smaller hooks , so the visual similarity to Nazi symbolism is much less pronounced .
It also features @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president .
But the swastika became associated with the Finnish air force via a very different man - a Swedish nobleman called Count Eric von Rosen .
The count used the swastika as a personal good luck charm .
When he gifted a plane to the nascent air force of Sweden 's newly independent neighbour in 1918 he had had a blue swastika painted on it .
This Thulin Typ D was the first aircraft of the Finnish air force and subsequent planes all had his blue swastika symbol too , until 1945 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the symbol point out that there were no Nazis in 1918 so the air force 's use of the swastika has nothing to do with Nazism .
However , while Eric von Rosen had no Nazi associations at the time of his 1918 gift , he did subsequently become a leading figure in Sweden 's own national socialist movement in the 1930s .
He was also a brother-in-law of senior German Nazi Herman Göring , and , according to Prof Teivainen , a personal friend of Hitler .
The Finnish air force said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ symbol , the swastika remains in some Air Force unit flags and decorations , albeit no longer that of the central Air Force Command .
Prof Teivainen told the BBC he had never argued that the swastika should be banned in Finland ( as it is in Germany ) .
But he said the military 's duty `` is to defend the nation - not to defend an old symbol given by a Swedish count in 1918 '' .
He was concerned that it could affect young Finns ' attitude to the military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are still conscripted ) .
Finland 's huge neighbour Russia might see the symbol as a sign that its neighbour remains an enemy , he thought - and , crucially , could it impact on Western neighbours ' attitudes to supporting Finland if the non-aligned nation ever came under threat again ?
While the emblem of the Finnish Air Force Academy still features a swastika - superimposed with a propeller - the unheralded move away from the old insignia of the central Air Force Command suggests that the military top brass are ready @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and his blue and white swastika .

The Romantic painter went on to use a swastika as part of his designs for the insignia of the Order of the Cross of Liberty. He used a cross with much smaller hooks, so the visual similarity to Nazi symbolism is much less pronounced. It also features on the official flag of the Finnish president.


bbc--2020-07-02--Geoffrey Rush: Sydney newspaper loses appeal over defamation payout

An Australian newspaper has lost its appeal against a record defamation payout awarded to actor Geoffrey Rush .
Mr Rush was awarded A $ 2.9m ( £1.57m ; US $ 1.99m ) last April after winning his case against Nationwide News , a publisher owned by Rupert Murdoch .
Its newspaper , Sydney 's Daily Telegraph , had run stories accusing Mr Rush of behaving inappropriately towards a former theatre co-star .
The publisher lost its appeal against the judgement and the size of payout .
Lawyers for Nationwide News had argued the payout - the largest ever awarded to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` manifestly excessive '' .
But three Federal Court judges ruled the sum was `` appropriate high '' given the `` extremely serious '' allegations and the harm caused to Mr Rush 's reputation .
The original front page story carried the headline `` King Leer '' and detailed accusations from a 2015 Sydney Theatre Company production of King Lear .
It alleged Mr Rush had acted inappropriately towards a co-star , later revealed to be actress Eryn Jean Norvill .
The Federal Court agreed with the original trial judge 's assessment that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' and that her evidence was `` inconsistent '' .
In doing so , it rejected the publisher 's arguments that the story should be protected from defamation proceedings because the allegations were `` substantially true '' .
Mr Rush was awarded A $ 850,000 for general and aggravated damages plus more than A $ 1m for past economic losses , A $ 919,678 in future economic losses and A $ 42,000 in interest .

Australia puts the legal onus on a person making allegations to prove that they are true. This is different to the US, for example, where the onus is on the accused person to prove an allegation was made with malice.


bbc--2020-07-01--Captagon: Italy seizes €1bn of amphetamines 'made to fund IS'

Italian police have seized what they believe is a world-record haul of 14 tonnes of amphetamines they suspect were made in Syria to finance the jihadist group Islamic State ( IS ) .
About 84 million counterfeit Captagon pills worth an estimated €1bn ( $ 1.1bn ; £0.9bn ) were found in containers at the port of Salerno .
They were hidden inside large drums of paper and gear wheels .
Officers are looking into whether local Camorra crime groups are involved .
Captagon is a brand name for the synthetic stimulant fenethylline .
It was originally used to treat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and narcolepsy , but many countries banned it during the 1980s because of its addictive properties .
Now , counterfeit Captagon is reportedly one of the most popular drugs among affluent youths in the Middle East , particularly in Gulf Arab states .
The drug has also been consumed by combatants in the civil war in Syria , including IS militants , who value its ability to inhibit fear and ward off tiredness .
Syria is believed to be the biggest producer and exporter of counterfeit Captagon .
A Naples police statement said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Syria and is thought to still have thousands of members operating inside the country - was suspected of making large quantities of the drug in areas where it exerted influence `` in order to quickly accumulate substantial funding '' .
The pills seized in Salerno were sufficient to satisfy the entire European market , and it was likely that a `` consortium '' of criminal groups would have been involved in their distribution across the continent .
`` The hypothesis is that during the [ coronavirus ] lockdown ... production and distribution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stopped , '' the statement added .
`` Many smugglers , even in consortiums , have turned to Syria where production , however , does not seem to have slowed down . ''

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bbc--2020-07-01--Tesla overtakes Toyota to become world's most valuable car maker

Tesla has become the world 's most valuable carmaker , overtaking Japan 's Toyota , after its stock hit a record high .
Shares in the electric carmaker touched $ 1,134 on Wednesday morning before falling back , leaving it with a market value of $ 209.47bn ( £165bn ) .
That is roughly $ 4bn more than Toyota 's current stock market value .
However , Toyota sold around 30 times more cars last year and its revenues were more than 10 times higher .
Shares in Tesla have surged since the start of 2020 as investors have begun @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of electric vehicles .
That is despite its founder Elon Musk having wiped $ 14bn off Tesla 's value in May after tweeting that its share price was too high .
After years of losses , the Californian firm has also delivered three profitable quarters in a row and maintained that momentum during the first three months of 2020 despite the coronavirus outbreak .
Toyota , however , remains a far larger business in terms of sales .
The Japanese company sold 10.46 million vehicles in the year to March and posted revenues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) .
Tesla ended 2019 with sales of just $ 24.6bn , having delivered 367,200 vehicles last year .
However , investors are excited by the US firm 's potential , believing it could dominate the future electric car market .
Analysts at the stockbroker Jefferies said the firm remained `` significantly ahead of peers in product range , capacity and technology '' .
In a reflection of that , the firm is also now worth around three times the combined value of US rivals General Motors and Ford .
Mr Musk has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vehicles in 2020 , a forecast the company has not changed despite the coronavirus pandemic .

After years of losses, the Californian firm has also delivered three profitable quarters in a row and maintained that momentum during the first three months of 2020 despite the coronavirus outbreak.


bbc--2020-07-01--My sexuality is not a sickness

My sexuality is not a sickness

It ’ s been 30 years since the World Health Organisation declassified homosexuality as a psychological disorder - being gay @ @ @ @ @ be cured .
But so-called ‘ gay conversion therapy ’ is still widely available around @ @ @ @ @ to change sexual orientation through psychological , spiritual and sometimes physical means , and has @ @ @ @ @ and potentially harmful .
In Jordan , BBC News Arabic has met a doctor who @ @ @ @ @ and the people who have suffered as a result of going through it .
If @ @ @ @ @ , help and support is available : BBC Action Line .
Warning : You may @ @ @ @ @

It’s been 30 years since the World Health Organization declassified homosexuality as a psychological disorder - being gay is not something that can be cured.
But so-called "gay conversion therapy" is still widely available around the world. It attempts to change sexual orientation through psychological, spiritual and sometimes physical means, and has been widely labelled as unethical and potentially harmful.
In Jordan, BBC News Arabic has met a doctor who’s offering the treatment and the people who have suffered as a result of going through it.
If you are experiencing emotional stress, help and support is available: BBC Action Line .
Warning: You may find this story upsetting.


bbc--2020-07-01--Child with unicorn picture takes over TV interview

Dr Clare Wenham was giving an interview to the BBC News Channel on local lockdowns when her young daughter interrupted @ @ @ @ @ afterwards , Dr Wenham said it was ironic that this had happened given she recently @ @ @ @ @ British Medical Journal on the subject .
In it she argues that the collision between @ @ @ @ @ that has been brought about by the Covid-19 crisis may actually help further gender equality @ @ @ @ @ she never thought it would actually happen to her .

Dr Clare Wenham was giving an interview to the BBC News Channel on local lockdowns when her young daughter interrupted.
Speaking to the BBC afterwards, Dr Wenham said it was ironic that this had happened given she recently wrote a piece for the British Medical Journal on the subject. In it she argues that the collision between our personal and professional lives that has been brought about by the Covid-19 crisis may actually help further gender equality.
But she added that she never thought it would actually happen to her.


bbc--2020-07-01--Tony Hudgell raises £1m walking 10km on prosthetic legs

A five-year-old boy who had both of his legs amputated has raised more than £1m for the hospital that saved @ @ @ @ @ , from Kings Hill in Kent , needed the surgery because he was abused by @ @ @ @ @ baby .
He walked every day in June on his new prosthetic legs , reaching @ @ @ @ @

A five-year-old boy who had both of his legs amputated has raised more than £1m for the hospital that saved his life.
Tony Hudgell, from Kings Hill in Kent, needed the surgery because he was abused by his biological parents as a baby.
He walked every day in June on his new prosthetic legs, reaching his target of 10km.


bbc--2020-07-01--Trump, Russia and the Taliban: The story in 300 words

President Donald Trump 's latest controversy is a complicated story , involving both the Kremlin and the Taliban .
Here are the basics you need to know .
The controversy centres on allegations that Russia was offering money to the Taliban for killing US troops last year , and that the White House was informed about this intelligence but took no action .
Who says what ?
US media outlets say there is evidence a Russian military intelligence unit put out the alleged bounties on US soldiers last year - and the president was briefed about the matter .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are believed to have collected money from Russia as a result of successful attacks , but it 's not clear which troop deaths are under suspicion .
President Trump says he was never briefed and it 's all a hoax .
Russia denies the claims and calls the reports fake news .
The Taliban rejects the allegation it took Russian cash to attack US soldiers .
Should Trump have known about this ?
The White House has said there is still debate over how credible these reports are in the intelligence community , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about these allegations .
Intelligence reports can make it to the president even if they 're unconfirmed - which they often are - and this one was also reportedly shared with allies , including the UK .
Why does it matter now ?
It 's destabilising as the US and Taliban are in the midst of negotiating a peace deal to end the 19-year war in Afghanistan .
This episode could also worsen US-Russia relations .
Why would Russia do this ?
Experts say the tactic fits with Russia 's goal of weakening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wants to back the Taliban as it sees it as a possible bulwark against Islamist fundamentalism .
Want to read more ?
• What 's going on between Russia , US and Afghanistan ?
• The Afghan war : The short and long story

US media outlets say there is evidence a Russian military intelligence unit put out the alleged bounties on US soldiers last year - and the president was briefed about the matter. The New York Times also reports that militants are believed to have collected money from Russia as a result of successful attacks, but it's not clear which troop deaths are under suspicion.


bbc--2020-07-01--Hong Kong's new security law: Why it scares people

China has introduced a new national security law for Hong Kong .
The BBC 's Michael Bristow takes a closer look at the detail , and what it will mean in practice .
Lawyers and legal experts have said China 's national security law for Hong Kong will fundamentally change the territory 's legal system .
It introduces new crimes with severe penalties - up to life in prison - and allows mainland security personnel to legally operate in Hong Kong with impunity .
The legislation gives Beijing extensive powers it has never had before to shape life in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Analysis of the law by NPC Observer , a team of legal experts from the United States and Hong Kong , identified what they consider a number of worrying aspects .
`` Its criminal provisions are worded in such a broad manner as to encompass a swath of what has so far been considered protected speech , '' said a posting on its website .
Article 29 is perhaps an example of this broad wording .
It states that anyone who conspires with foreigners to provoke `` hatred '' of the Chinese government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , could have committed a criminal offence .
Does that include criticism of China 's governing Communist Party ?
On Wednesday at a media briefing , Hong Kong 's Justice Secretary Teresa Cheng was asked to define exactly what the provision means .
She was unable to give a clear answer .
It gives Chinese mainland security operatives the right to investigate some national security cases that are `` complex '' , `` serious '' or `` difficult '' .
As the NPC Observer team note , these words are `` highly subjective @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have pointed out how the law seems to undermine protections previously offered to defendants .
Trials can be held in secret ( Article 41 ) and without a jury ( Article 46 ) .
Judges can be handpicked ( Article 44 ) by Hong Kong 's chief executive , who is answerable directly to Beijing .
The law also reverses a presumption that suspects will be granted bail ( Article 42 ) .
That same provision also appears to suggest there is no time limit on how long suspects can be held .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ handled in a `` timely manner '' .
• THE TEXT : What it is and why Hong Kong is worried • WHAT COULD HAPPEN : Life sentences for breaking the law and more • RESIDENTS REACT : 'End of one country , two systems' Entire cases - from investigation to judgement to punishment - can be simply handed over to the mainland authorities ( Article 56 ) .
Foreign nationals outside of Hong Kong face prosecution under the law ( Article 38 ) .
Donald Clarke , writing for the China Collection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , wrote that a US newspaper columnist advocating Tibetan independence might fall foul of the law .
`` If you 've ever said anything that might offend the PRC ( People 's Republic of China ) or Hong Kong authorities , stay out of Hong Kong , '' he wrote .
Mr Clarke , of the George Washington University Law School , said the biggest worry was the institutions and processes that the law has established .
The legislation allows China to set up the Office for Safeguarding National Security in Hong Kong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staffed by mainland Chinese personnel .
Article 60 makes it clear that anyone who works there does not have to abide by Hong Kong 's laws .
They shall not be subject to `` inspection , search or detention '' .
As Mr Clarke wrote : `` They are untouchable . ''
Claudia Mo , an opposition lawmaker in Hong Kong , said the aim of China 's national security legislation was to `` stun Hong Kong into nothingness '' .
`` People will be so petrified , so frightened and intimidated , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or do anything in opposition , '' she said .
Of course , that is not the view in Beijing .
Zhang Xiaoming , of China 's Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office , said on Wednesday that the law would help return stability to the territory .
It will bring Hong Kong more in line with the laws , procedures and practices of mainland China .
Whether or not you think the legislation was necessary , it is impossible to deny its significance .
As Hong Kong 's leader Carrie Lam put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

That same provision also appears to suggest there is no time limit on how long suspects can be held. It says only that cases should be handled in a "timely manner".