bbc--2020-08-21--'I just don't feel I'm ready' - Cavendish on missing Tour de France again

Last updated on .From the section Cycling Mark Cavendish says he would not have been ready to race at this year 's Tour de France after being left out of Bahrain McLaren 's squad .
The British sprinter has won 30 Tour stages , four short of Eddy Merckx 's record of 34 victories .
`` I just do n't feel I 'm ready this year for the Tour de France , '' he said .
The rescheduled Tour begins on 29 August in Nice and runs until 20 September .
• None Teams out of Tour de France if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McLaren team principal Rod Ellingworth said in May that Cavendish was not an automatic pick for this year 's Tour and that his preparation had been hampered by a lack of races because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Cavendish has raced 24 times this season , with no victories , having at times ridden in a support role for other riders .
In a video posted on Twitter , Cavendish said this year 's Tour route is the `` hardest '' he has seen in his career .
`` I 'm a rider @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get going and I just have n't had that this year with Covid-19 , '' he added .
Before last year Cavendish had raced in every Tour since making his debut in 2007 and in 2011 he became the first Briton to win the green points jersey , also winning the world road race title that year .
He struggled with illness for nearly two years after being diagnosed with the Epstein-Barr Virus - which causes glandular fever - in April 2017 .
The Manxman resumed racing two months after his initial diagnosis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of the 2017 Tour and took a further break from the sport in August 2018 .
Cavendish joined Bahrain McLaren on a one-year deal in October 2019 to rejoin former coach Ellingworth , who spent almost a decade at Team Sky .
Bahrain McLaren will focus on the general classification ambitions of leader Mikel Landa at the Tour .
The Spaniard finished fourth in the 2017 Tour and will be supported by a strong team that includes climbers Damiano Caruso , Pello Bilbao and former Team Sky rider Wout Poels .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suited to Mikel , and his form is strong , '' said Ellingworth .
`` The group we have chosen to support him represents our riders who are most suited to the parcours and Tour-ready . ''
Cavendish said Landa is an `` incredible '' contender for the yellow jersey and that he will be `` supporting the team from wherever I am '' .
`` I 'm super-excited for the rest of the year , '' he added .
`` We 've got some good goals and some good races lined up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it to build into a big year next year too . ''

Last updated on .From the section Cycling
Mark Cavendish also won omnium silver on the track at the Rio 2016 Olympics
Mark Cavendish says he would not have been ready to race at this year's Tour de France after being left out of Bahrain McLaren's squad.
It is the second year in a row the 35-year-old has missed the Tour, having not been selected by previous team Dimension Data in 2019.
The British sprinter has won 30 Tour stages, four short of Eddy Merckx's record of 34 victories.
"I just don't feel I'm ready this year for the Tour de France," he said.
The rescheduled Tour begins on 29 August in Nice and runs until 20 September.
Bahrain McLaren team principal Rod Ellingworth said in May that Cavendish was not an automatic pick for this year's Tour and that his preparation had been hampered by a lack of races because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Cavendish has raced 24 times this season, with no victories, having at times ridden in a support role for other riders.
In a video posted on Twitter, Cavendish said this year's Tour route is the "hardest" he has seen in his career.
"I'm a rider that needs a lot of races to get going and I just haven't had that this year with Covid-19," he added.
Before last year Cavendish had raced in every Tour since making his debut in 2007 and in 2011 he became the first Briton to win the green points jersey, also winning the world road race title that year.
He struggled with illness for nearly two years after being diagnosed with the Epstein-Barr Virus - which causes glandular fever - in April 2017.
The Manxman resumed racing two months after his initial diagnosis but broke his collarbone as he crashed out of the 2017 Tour and took a further break from the sport in August 2018.
Cavendish joined Bahrain McLaren on a one-year deal in October 2019 to rejoin former coach Ellingworth, who spent almost a decade at Team Sky.
Bahrain McLaren will focus on the general classification ambitions of leader Mikel Landa at the Tour.
The Spaniard finished fourth in the 2017 Tour and will be supported by a strong team that includes climbers Damiano Caruso, Pello Bilbao and former Team Sky rider Wout Poels.
"This year's parcours is very well suited to Mikel, and his form is strong," said Ellingworth.
"The group we have chosen to support him represents our riders who are most suited to the parcours and Tour-ready."
Cavendish said Landa is an "incredible" contender for the yellow jersey and that he will be "supporting the team from wherever I am".
"I'm super-excited for the rest of the year," he added. "We've got some good goals and some good races lined up and I'm looking forward to using it to build into a big year next year too."
Bahrain McLaren Tour squad
Mikel Landa (Spa)
Pello Bilbao (Spa)
Damiano Caruso (Ita)
Wout Poels (Ned)
Sonny Colbrelli (Ita)
Marco Haller (Aut)
Rafa Valls (Spa)
Matej Mohoric (Slo)


bbc--2020-08-22--Alexei Navalny: Putin critic arrives in Germany for medical treatment

The acutely ill Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has arrived in Germany from Siberia for treatment .
He is in a coma after drinking what his supporters suspect was poisoned tea ; they accuse the authorities of trying to conceal a crime .
Doctors treating him in Omsk had insisted on Friday that he was too ill to be moved .
But they later said his condition was stable enough for the flight .
His wife Yulia is travelling with him .
On Saturday morning , Mr Navalny 's medical evacuation flight - paid for by the German NGO Cinema @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Berlin .
He is being treated at the Charité hospital in the German capital .
The founder of the Cinema for Peace Foundation , activist and filmmaker Jaka Bizilj , told German newspaper Bild that Mr Navalny 's condition had remained `` stable '' throughout the flight and after landing .
Medical staff treating Mr Navalny at the hospital in Omsk said before his flight that his life was not in immediate danger .
Mr Navalny 's spokeswoman , Kira Yarmysh , earlier tweeted : `` Massive thanks to everyone for their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life and health is just beginning . ''
Ms Yarmysh said it was a pity that doctors had taken so long to approve his flight as the plane and the right documents had been ready since Friday morning .
Mr Navalny fell ill during a flight from Tomsk to Moscow on Thursday , and his plane made an emergency landing in Omsk .
A photograph on social media appeared to show him drinking from a cup at a Tomsk airport cafe before the flight .
His team suspects a poisonous substance was put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to show a stricken Mr Navalny howling in agony on the flight .
Passenger Pavel Lebedev said he heard the activist `` screaming in pain '' .
What the doctors said on Friday The head doctor at the hospital where Mr Navalny was being treated in Omsk , Alexander Murakhovsky , warned late on Friday that doctors did not recommend flying , `` but his wife insists on her husband being transferred to a German clinic '' .
`` The patient 's condition is stable , '' deputy chief doctor Anatoly Kalinichenko was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agency .
`` As we 're in possession of a request from relatives to permit him to be transported somewhere , we have now taken the decision that we do not object to his transfer to another in-patient facility , '' Dr Kalinichenko said .
Doctors said earlier that no poison had been found in his body , suggesting his condition might be the result of a `` metabolic disorder '' caused by low blood sugar .
Health officials then indicated that traces of an industrial chemical had been found on his skin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told the Rapsi legal news agency that the chemical was usually included in polymers to improve their elasticity , but its concentration was impossible to establish .
The prominent critic of President Vladimir Putin has consistently exposed official corruption in Russia .
He has served multiple jail terms .
What do Mr Navalny 's supporters say ?
At a news conference in Berlin on Friday , Mr Navalny 's aide Leonid Volkov said at first doctors at the hospital had been helping to facilitate his transfer but abruptly stopped doing so .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ switched off - like medicine mode off , cover-up operation mode on - and the doctors refused to co-operate any more , refused to give any information even to Alexei 's wife , '' he said .
`` The doctors who were helping to do the paperwork to make the transportation of Alexei to Charité possible started to say that he 's not any more transportable , he 's not any more stable , contradicting themselves . ''
In 2018 , the Cinema for Peace Foundation arranged for the treatment of Pyotr Verzilov @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pussy Riot - who had symptoms of poisoning .
Mr Verzilov 's ex-wife , activist Nadya Tolokonnikova , told BBC News that Mr Navalny 's condition resembles the `` poisoning '' of her ex-husband .
`` What German doctors told me after not finding poison in my ex-husband 's blood is that the poison disappears in three days .
So the Russian doctors only let him go when they were sure there was no traces of poison left , '' she explained .
She also expressed surprise about what has happened to Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so powerful as a political figure that Mr Putin would not interfere . ''
Mr Navalny 's wife Yulia wrote to President Putin asking him to allow her husband to be moved .
She feared the Russian authorities were stalling so that evidence of any chemical substance would be lost .
Mr Putin 's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday that the Kremlin would help move Mr Navalny abroad if necessary and wished him a `` speedy recovery '' .
On Friday he said it was purely a medical decision .
Foreign leaders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Emmanuel Macron have expressed concern for Mr Navalny .
In the US , Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden has described the incident as `` unacceptable '' and vowed that , if elected , he would `` stand up to autocrats like Putin '' .
April 2017 : He was taken to hospital after an antiseptic green dye was splashed on his face in Moscow .
It was the second time he was targeted with zelyonka ( `` brilliant green '' in English ) that year .
`` It looks funny but it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ following the attack .
July 2019 : He was sentenced to 30 days in prison after calling for unauthorised protests .
He fell ill in jail and doctors said he had suffered an acute allergic reaction , diagnosing him with `` contact dermatitis '' .
His own doctor suggested he might have been exposed to `` some toxic agent '' and Mr Navalny said he thought he might have been poisoned .
December 2019 : Russian security forces raided the offices of his Anti-Corruption Foundation , taking laptops and other equipment .
CCTV @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get through the door .
Earlier that year , his organisation was declared a `` foreign agent '' .

"What German doctors told me after not finding poison in my ex-husband's blood is that the poison disappears in three days. So the Russian doctors only let him go when they were sure there was no traces of poison left," she explained.


bbc--2020-08-22--California fires: Governor asks Australia for help

California is struggling to contain huge wildfires burning forests and homes warned Governor Gavin Newsom on Friday as more than 12,000 fire-fighters battle the blazes that have killed six people .
Help is on its way from several US states as Gov Newsom put in a plea for assistance from Australia and Canada .
`` These fires are stretching our resources , our personnel , '' he said .
Among the 560 fires are some of the largest the state has seen .
More than 12,000 dry lightning strikes started the blazes during an historic heat wave in which thermometers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be the highest ever temperature reliably recorded .
By Friday , emergency officials said some of the fires had doubled in size from the day earlier and have now forced 175,000 residents to flee .
Two of the fires are now the 7th and 10th largest in the state 's history , Gov Newsom said as he urged President Trump to sign a major disaster declaration .
The worst are in the mountains to the south and east of San Francisco .
At least 43 people including fire-fighters have been injured , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and thousands more are threatened .
Many of the blazes are burning on steep , difficult-to-access terrain and have been fuelled by strong winds .
The fires are also threatening larger towns including Santa Cruz where flames reached within a mile of the University of California Santa Cruz campus , reports Reuters .
More fire-fighters , engines and surveillance planes are racing in from other states including Oregon , New Mexico and Texas to help .
Assistance from what Gov Newsom called `` the world 's best wildfire-fighters '' in Australia has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seen anything like this in many , many years , '' he said , adding that an area the size of the US state of Rhode Island has already burned within California .
With more than 650,000 coronavirus cases , California also has the highest number of infections in the US , and some evacuees have said they are afraid to go to emergency shelters .
One woman told CNN that she was forced to flee to a community centre in Vacaville , but is refusing to go inside for fear of catching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dealing with Covid , but with also the heat and now the fires , '' said Cheryl Jarvis , who said she is currently sleeping in her Toyota Prius .
US disaster agencies have updated disaster preparedness and evacuation guidance in light of Covid-19 .
People who may be required to flee have been to told to carry at least two face masks per person , as well as hand sanitiser , soap and disinfectant wipes .
Here are some key guidelines for protecting yourself against Covid-19 if you must evacuate to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distance from anyone not among your household • Wear a face covering when possible , and if possible , wash it regularly • Frequently disinfect your area in the shelter ( including toys and electronics ) Emergency shelters are enforcing social distancing rules and mask wearing , and have even given individual tents to families to self-isolate .
Some counties are seeking to set up separate shelters for sick evacuees or anyone who is found to have a high temperature .
Officials say people should consider sheltering with family and friends .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that people remain indoors due to the poor air quality outside .
California is also facing an electricity strain , which is has caused rolling blackout for thousands of customers .
Officials have appealed for residents to use less power or risk further cuts .
In total , over 1,205 square miles ( 1,950km ) have burned across the state .
Satellite images show smoke blanketing nearly all of California , as well most of Nevada and southern Idaho .
Big Basin Redwoods State Park , California 's oldest state park and home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ old , sustained extensive damage to historic buildings .
Fire-fighting teams are stretched thin across the state and have been forced to work longer shifts than usual .
A volunteer fire-fighting corps made up of state prisoners , which has helped the state battle blazes since World War Two , has been diminished this year due to the pandemic .
President Trump blamed California for the fires , and threatened to withhold federal funding as he repeated a suggestion that was met with bemusement when he first raised it in 2018 .
Speaking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said he had told state officials : `` You got ta clean your floors , you got ta clean your forests — there are many , many years of leaves and broken trees and they 're like , like , so flammable , you touch them and it goes up . ''
`` I 've been telling them this now for three years , but they do n't want to listen , '' he said .
`` 'The environment , the environment , ' but they have massive fires again . ''

Speaking to supporters in Pennsylvania on Thursday, he said he had told state officials: "You gotta clean your floors, you gotta clean your forests — there are many, many years of leaves and broken trees and they're like, like, so flammable, you touch them and it goes up."


bbc--2020-08-22--Red Hot Chili Peppers: Guitarist Jack Sherman dies aged 64

Jack Sherman , the guitarist who appeared on the debut album of American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers , has died at the age of 64 .
`` He was a unique dude and we thank him for all times good , bad and in between .
Peace on the boogie platform , '' a tweet on the group 's official account reads .
Sherman , who joined the band on their first US tour in 1984 , also co-wrote songs for their second album .
The cause of his death has not yet been disclosed .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wish Jack Sherman smooth sailing into the worlds beyond , for he has passed , '' the band wrote on social media .
Sherman replaced Hillel Slovak , guitarist and founding member of the Red Hot Chili Peppers , in December 1983 .
Slovak returned to the band in 1985 .
However , Sherman went on to contribute to the group 's future albums The Abbey Road EP and Mother 's Milk , as well as working with other prominent artists including Bob Dylan and George Clinton .
Sherman was not included when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012 .
He later criticised the decision , telling Billboard magazine that he had asked to be included and felt `` dishonoured '' .
`` It 's really painful to see all this celebrating going on and be excluded , '' he said .

Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.


bbc--2020-08-22--Golden State Killer sentenced: Survivors welcome life jail term

Joseph DeAngelo , the man known as the Golden State Killer , has been sentenced to life in prison .
@ @ @ @ @ as well as numerous rapes , burglaries and other crimes , in a deal with @ @ @ @ @ him the death penalty .
The sentencing occurred in a university ballroom , to allow @ @ @ @ @ and their families .
Many have welcomed the jail term .

Joseph DeAngelo, the man known as the Golden State Killer, has been sentenced to life in prison.
He admitted 13 murders, as well as numerous rapes, burglaries and other crimes, in a deal with US prosecutors meant to spare him the death penalty.
The sentencing occurred in a university ballroom, to allow extra space for surviving victims and their families. Many have welcomed the jail term.


bbc--2020-08-22--Man Utd's Maguire in court after Mykonos arrest

Manchester United captain Harry Maguire is due to appear in court on Saturday after being arrested following an incident on the island of Mykonos .
The England defender , 27 , is on holiday in Greece .
The Syros prosecutor 's office said on Friday that `` three foreigners '' had been arrested after an alleged altercation with police officers in Mykonos on Thursday .
Maguire 's lawyer Konstantinos Darivas said he denies the allegations .
Darivas added that he was `` fully convinced he will be released without any charges '' on Saturday .
Maguire joined United from Leicester @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a defender - in August 2019 .
`` The club is aware of an alleged incident involving Harry Maguire in Mykonos last night , '' United said in a statement on Friday .
`` Contact has been made with Harry , and he is fully co-operating with the Greek authorities .
At this time we will be making no further comment . ''
Greek police said in a statement officers had tried to break up an altercation between two groups outside a bar and that the three foreigners had then verbally abused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The statement claimed that after arriving at Mykonos police station , the three arrested individuals then `` strongly resisted , pushing and hitting three police officers '' and that `` one of the detainees tried to offer money so that the trial against them would not be completed '' .
The police say a file has been opened which includes accusations of `` violence against officials , disobedience , bodily harm , insult and attempted bribery of an official '' .
It is not known specifically what Maguire has been accused of .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ defeat by Sevilla in the Europa League semi-finals on 16 August .

Last updated on .From the section Man Utd
Harry Maguire played in United's Europa League semi-final defeat by Sevilla
Manchester United captain Harry Maguire appeared in court on Saturday after being arrested following an incident on the island of Mykonos.
The England defender, 27, is on holiday in Greece.
The Syros prosecutor's office said on Friday that "three foreigners" had been arrested after an alleged altercation with police officers on Thursday.
Maguire's lawyer Konstantinos Darivas said he denies the allegations and the defender left court without comment.
Darivas added that he was "fully convinced he will be released without any charges" on Saturday.
Maguire joined United from Leicester for £80m - a world record fee for a defender - in August 2019.
"The club is aware of an alleged incident involving Harry Maguire in Mykonos last night," United said in a statement on Friday.
"Contact has been made with Harry, and he is fully co-operating with the Greek authorities. At this time we will be making no further comment."
Greek police said in a statement officers had tried to break up an altercation between two groups outside a bar and that the three foreigners had then verbally abused and assaulted one of the officers.
The statement claimed that after arriving at Mykonos police station, the three arrested individuals then "strongly resisted, pushing and hitting three police officers" and that "one of the detainees tried to offer money so that the trial against them would not be completed".
The police say a file has been opened which includes accusations of "violence against officials, disobedience, bodily harm, insult and attempted bribery of an official".
It is not known specifically what Maguire has been accused of.
United's season finished with a 2-1 defeat by Sevilla in the Europa League semi-finals on 16 August.


bbc--2020-08-22--Saturday's gossip: Arsenal & Man Utd want Brazil defender Gabriel

Arsenal are close to completing the transfer of Gabriel Magalhaes .
The 22-year-old Brazil centre-back completed a medical after a fee of up to £27m was agreed with Lille .
The Gunners have offered a five-year contract , although Napoli have not given up hope of signing him .
( Times - subscription required ) If Napoli miss out on Gabriel , they could make a move for Arsenal 's 28-year-old Germany defender Shkodran Mustafi .
( Daily Star ) Manchester United are also in the race for Gabriel , but must increase their offer to secure him .
( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a £27m bid for 29-year-old Juventus and Brazil winger Douglas Costa but the Serie A club are holding out for an extra £9m .
( Joe ) Chelsea are closing in on 21-year-old Germany winger Kai Havertz after holding further talks with Bayer Leverkusen over a fee .
( Guardian ) West Ham are trying to get England midfielder Jack Wilshere , 28 , off their wage bill and are willing to buy out the final year of his contract or subsidise a move to another club .
( Times - subscription required @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Paris St-Germain captain Thiago Silva , with the 35-year-old Brazil defender set to leave on a free transfer after Sunday 's Champions League final against Bayern Munich .
( The Athletic - subscription required ) Lille goalkeeper Mike Maignan , 25 , is a target for Chelsea .
( Le10 Sport via Star ) Manchester City have agreed a deal with Napoli over the signing of 29-year-old Senegal defender Kalidou Koulibaly .
( Sports Illustrated ) Jadon Sancho 's team-mates at Borussia Dortmund are convinced the 20-year-old England forward - linked with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the Bundesliga side for one more year following his involvement in pre-season training .
( Telegraph - subscription required ) Juventus manager Andrea Pirlo has cut former Argentina striker Gonzalo Higuain , 32 , and Germany midfielder Sami Khedira , 33 , from his squad .
( Mirror ) Leeds United have targeted Valencia and Spain striker Rodrigo , 29 , as a key summer signing .
( Mail ) Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa has set his sights on Freiburg 's German centre-back Robin Koch , 24 , after missing out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sun ) West Brom want to re-sign Croatia midfielder Filip Krovinovic , 24 , and England Under-21 midfielder Grady Diangana , 22 , after successful loan spells from Benfica and West Ham respectively .
( Mail ) Championship sides Swansea City and Nottingham Forest want 29-year-old French centre-back Mathieu Peybernes , who plays for second tier Spanish side UD Almeria .
( Radio Marca - in Spanish )

Last updated on .From the section Gossip
Arsenal are close to completing the transfer of Gabriel Magalhaes. The 22-year-old Brazil centre-back completed a medical after a fee of up to £27m was agreed with Lille. The Gunners have offered a five-year contract, although Napoli have not given up hope of signing him. (Times - subscription required) external-link
If Napoli miss out on Gabriel, they could make a move for Arsenal's 28-year-old Germany defender Shkodran Mustafi. (Daily Star) external-link
Manchester United are also in the race for Gabriel, but must increase their offer to secure him. (Daily Star) external-link
Manchester United have made a £27m bid for 29-year-old Juventus and Brazil winger Douglas Costa but the Serie A club are holding out for an extra £9m. (Joe) external-link
Chelsea are closing in on 21-year-old Germany winger Kai Havertz after holding further talks with Bayer Leverkusen over a fee. (Guardian) external-link
West Ham are trying to get England midfielder Jack Wilshere, 28, off their wage bill and are willing to buy out the final year of his contract or subsidise a move to another club. (Times - subscription required) external-link
Chelsea are in advanced talks with Paris St-Germain captain Thiago Silva, with the 35-year-old Brazil defender set to leave on a free transfer after Sunday's Champions League final against Bayern Munich. (The Athletic - subscription required) external-link
Lille goalkeeper Mike Maignan, 25, is a target for Chelsea. (Le10 Sport via Star) external-link
Manchester City have agreed a deal with Napoli over the signing of 29-year-old Senegal defender Kalidou Koulibaly. (Sports Illustrated) external-link
Jadon Sancho's team-mates at Borussia Dortmund are convinced the 20-year-old England forward - linked with a move to Manchester United - will remain with the Bundesliga side for one more year following his involvement in pre-season training. (Telegraph - subscription required) external-link
How has it turned out for your side? Club-by-club Premier League fixture list
Juventus manager Andrea Pirlo has cut former Argentina striker Gonzalo Higuain, 32, and Germany midfielder Sami Khedira, 33, from his squad. (Mirror) external-link
Everton are offering Watford's 27-year-old French midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure a £120,000-a-week deal.(Football Insider) external-link
Leeds United have targeted Valencia and Spain striker Rodrigo, 29, as a key summer signing. (Mail) external-link
Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa has set his sights on Freiburg's German centre-back Robin Koch, 24, after missing out on Brighton's Ben White. (Sun) external-link
West Brom want to re-sign Croatia midfielder Filip Krovinovic, 24, and England Under-21 midfielder Grady Diangana, 22, after successful loan spells from Benfica and West Ham respectively. (Mail) external-link
Championship sides Swansea City and Nottingham Forest want 29-year-old French centre-back Mathieu Peybernes, who plays for second tier Spanish side UD Almeria. (Radio Marca - in Spanish) external-link


bbc--2020-08-22--Champions League final: Why Bayern v PSG is such a mouth-watering match-up

There is so much attacking quality on display in Sunday 's Champions League final that it will be a joy to watch .
It 's not often you get a massive occasion like this with two teams who just love to play football and are going to go out thinking 'let 's see who can score the most ' , but that is the way it is going to be in Lisbon .
Bayern Munich are like a machine and will be very difficult to stop , but Paris St-Germain have such wonderfully talented individuals that you could never write @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't call a winner - I just know there will be goals .
It is just going to come down to which team can take their chances at the vital moments .
Of course you could say that about most games but the difference here is that there could be so many of them .
This Bayern team give you lots of opportunities - we saw that in the early stages of their previous two ties against Barcelona and Lyon .
Neither of those teams were able to make the most of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still in the balance , but it will be fascinating to see how Bayern react if they fall behind this time .
I do n't particularly fancy PSG 's chances of keeping Bayern out , but the German side play with such a high line that surely Kylian Mbappe and Neymar will be able to use their pace to exploit the space behind their defence .
Clearly , Bayern 's approach works - they are on a 29-game unbeaten run and have already won a domestic double - but the way they press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full-backs high up the pitch is very risky against a team with PSG 's strengths .
I 've loved watching the final stages of this year 's competition over the past few days and the one-leg format in Lisbon has made it very exciting .
We 've had some incredible matches , and so many moments to remember .
There was more jeopardy because teams knew it was all or nothing , and there were no second chances .
The same applies for the final .
If it does live up to expectations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treat .
'Muller is terrifying to play against' The biggest problem for any team that faces Bayern is how the hell do you keep them out ?
Stop them down the middle , and they will hit you down the flanks .
Yes , Robert Lewandowski has scored a ridiculous number of goals this season , but they have so many other threats .
Look at Serge Gnabry - his form is incredible when you consider we were n't really taking him seriously only a couple of years ago .
Ivan Perisic is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thomas Muller .
I can say from experience that Muller is terrifying to play against .
You look at him and he is not fast or strong , and he is not particularly great technically either .
He is just so clever when it comes to finding space for himself or creating it for others , anywhere in the opposition half .
You can not switch off for a second against him because he will punish you .
He is so difficult for defenders to deal with because of how well he times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the box .
I 'd compare him to my old Manchester City team-mate James Milner for his work ethic because he is just relentless .
You do n't get anything from him easily because he reads the game so well .
Any of Bayern 's four forward players could decide the game , but the same goes for their two full-backs .
Alphonso Davies made Barcelona 's Nelson Semedo look like a pub footballer in their quarter-final .
His battle with Angel di Maria down Bayern 's left side is going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Mbappe against Joshua Kimmich down the right .
PSG will want to see Mbappe and Di Maria running at the Bayern defence , but they will have to help out defensively too and the aim for both teams will be to get the balance right in those wide areas .
'Boateng is not catching Mbappe - and neither is anyone else' I do n't see Bayern changing their system on Sunday and defending deep , even though they know PSG have the players to punish any weakness they have at the back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world 's best defenders , but you can get in behind him if you turn him around .
I played with him at City and he is not the quickest in that situation .
Davies is usually very good at getting back to help his centre-halves but if Boateng is left isolated in a scenario like that , he is not catching Mbappe - and neither is anyone else .
I 'd back Mbappe to take any chances that come his way too .
He is the closest thing to Cristiano Ronaldo and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and I have never seen a player who is so quick but also technically good and has got such good decision-making skills when it matters .
They are not normal for a 21-year-old .
Then you have Neymar , who can be so infuriating to watch when he is wasteful like he was against Atalanta in the quarter-finals , but is always able to decide a game with a piece of magic .
It is mainly Neymar 's numbers that stop him being thought of as being as good as Ronaldo and Messi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many goals as they do , but victory on Sunday would maybe change that feeling .
People would have to give him a lot more respect .
When the Brazilian left Barcelona for PSG in 2017 it was seen by many as a mistake , but if he lifts the Champions League trophy at Estadio da Luz then it totally justifies that decision .
What a story that would be for him , and for PSG too .
They must feel like it is their year after reaching the final for the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they have had , so will Bayern .

There is so much attacking quality on display in Sunday's Champions League final that it will be a joy to watch.
It's not often you get a massive occasion like this with two teams who just love to play football and are going to go out thinking 'let's see who can score the most', but that is the way it is going to be in Lisbon.
Bayern Munich are like a machine and will be very difficult to stop, but Paris St-Germain have such wonderfully talented individuals that you could never write them off.
Honestly, I couldn't call a winner - I just know there will be goals. It is just going to come down to which team can take their chances at the vital moments.
Of course you could say that about most games but the difference here is that there could be so many of them.
'PSG's pace can punish Bayern's high line'
Bayern have fielded the same team in each of their three previous Champions League games in Lisbon, against Chelsea, Barcelona and Lyon, scoring 15 goals in those matches, and conceding three. In total they have scored 42 goals in 10 European matches this season, giving them the highest goals-per-game ratio in the competition's history
This Bayern team give you lots of opportunities - we saw that in the early stages of their previous two ties against Barcelona and Lyon.
Neither of those teams were able to make the most of the openings they had when those games were still in the balance, but it will be fascinating to see how Bayern react if they fall behind this time.
I don't particularly fancy PSG's chances of keeping Bayern out, but the German side play with such a high line that surely Kylian Mbappe and Neymar will be able to use their pace to exploit the space behind their defence.
Clearly, Bayern's approach works - they are on a 29-game unbeaten run and have already won a domestic double - but the way they press teams in the opposition half with their full-backs high up the pitch is very risky against a team with PSG's strengths.
PSG's team that beat RB Leipzig in the semi-final. If Keylor Navas recovers from the hamstring injury he sustained against Atalanta in the quarter-finals, he could replace Sergio Rico in goal
I've loved watching the final stages of this year's competition over the past few days and the one-leg format in Lisbon has made it very exciting. We've had some incredible matches, and so many moments to remember.
There was more jeopardy because teams knew it was all or nothing, and there were no second chances.
The same applies for the final. If it does live up to expectations, we are in for a real treat.
'Muller is terrifying to play against'
The biggest problem for any team that faces Bayern is how the hell do you keep them out?
Stop them down the middle, and they will hit you down the flanks. Yes, Robert Lewandowski has scored a ridiculous number of goals this season, but they have so many other threats.
Bayern's Poland striker Robert Lewandowski has scored 15 goals in the Champions League this season. He has scored in each of the nine European games he has played in 2019-20
Look at Serge Gnabry - his form is incredible when you consider we weren't really taking him seriously only a couple of years ago. Ivan Perisic is so dangerous too and then there is Thomas Muller.
I can say from experience that Muller is terrifying to play against. You look at him and he is not fast or strong, and he is not particularly great technically either.
He is just so clever when it comes to finding space for himself or creating it for others, anywhere in the opposition half. You cannot switch off for a second against him because he will punish you. He is so difficult for defenders to deal with because of how well he times his runs - he arrives so late in the box.
Where Bayern Munich's Thomas Muller touched the ball against Barcelona (l) and Lyon (r)
I'd compare him to my old Manchester City team-mate James Milner for his work ethic because he is just relentless. You don't get anything from him easily because he reads the game so well.
Any of Bayern's four forward players could decide the game, but the same goes for their two full-backs. Alphonso Davies made Barcelona's Nelson Semedo look like a pub footballer in their quarter-final.
His battle with Angel di Maria down Bayern's left side is going to be fascinating, and the same goes for Mbappe against Joshua Kimmich down the right.
PSG will want to see Mbappe and Di Maria running at the Bayern defence, but they will have to help out defensively too and the aim for both teams will be to get the balance right in those wide areas.
'Boateng is not catching Mbappe - and neither is anyone else'
Mbappe is the fastest footballer in the world according to data from French newspaper Le Figaro, clocking a top speed of 36km/h
I don't see Bayern changing their system on Sunday and defending deep, even though they know PSG have the players to punish any weakness they have at the back.
Jerome Boateng is one of the world's best defenders, but you can get in behind him if you turn him around. I played with him at City and he is not the quickest in that situation.
Davies is usually very good at getting back to help his centre-halves but if Boateng is left isolated in a scenario like that, he is not catching Mbappe - and neither is anyone else.
I'd back Mbappe to take any chances that come his way too. He is the closest thing to Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi's level at the moment and I have never seen a player who is so quick but also technically good and has got such good decision-making skills when it matters. They are not normal for a 21-year-old.
Then you have Neymar, who can be so infuriating to watch when he is wasteful like he was against Atalanta in the quarter-finals, but is always able to decide a game with a piece of magic.
Neymar celebrates after winning the Champions League with Barcelona in 2015. The Brazilian joined PSG for a world-record fee of £200m in 2017
It is mainly Neymar's numbers that stop him being thought of as being as good as Ronaldo and Messi, because he does not score as many goals as they do, but victory on Sunday would maybe change that feeling. People would have to give him a lot more respect.
When the Brazilian left Barcelona for PSG in 2017 it was seen by many as a mistake, but if he lifts the Champions League trophy at Estadio da Luz then it totally justifies that decision.
What a story that would be for him, and for PSG too. They must feel like it is their year after reaching the final for the first time - but, after the season they have had, so will Bayern.
Micah Richards was speaking to BBC Sport's Chris Bevan.


bbc--2020-08-23--US Postal Service: House backs election cash boost

The US House of Representatives has passed a bill that would inject $ 25bn ( £19bn ) into the Postal Service ( USPS ) ahead of November 's election .
The legislation would also block cuts and changes that critics have said will hamper mail-in voting .
Democratic Speaker Nancy Pelosi recalled lawmakers from the summer recess to vote on the bill , which she said would protect the USPS .
After the vote , President Trump tweeted the measure was a Democrat ballot scam .
`` Representatives of the Post Office have repeatedly stated that they DO NOT NEED @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , `` said Donald Trump .
He has threatened to veto the bill , which is in any case unlikely to make progress in the Republican-controlled Senate .
Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell said the chamber would `` absolutely not pass '' the bill .
Postmaster General Louis DeJoy said earlier that further cost-cutting measures at the postal service would be suspended until after November 's vote .
A slowdown in mail deliveries amid cost-saving measures at USPS has fuelled fears about how one of the oldest and most trusted institutions in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mail-in ballots due to the coronavirus pandemic .
President Trump strongly opposes mail-in ballots and has repeatedly suggested it could lead to widespread voter fraud despite there being no evidence for this .
• US postmaster : Mail-in ballots will arrive in time • What is US row over postal service about ?
The `` Delivering for America Act '' passed by the House in a rare Saturday sitting includes $ 25bn of emergency coronavirus funding requested by the USPS 's board of governors .
More than a dozen Republicans crossed the floor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The bill would require the USPS to treat all official election correspondence as first-class mail .
The service would be prohibited until January 2021 from implementing or approving any changes to operations or service levels that would `` impede prompt , reliable , and efficient service '' , including closing or reducing the hours of post offices , removing mail sorting machines and mailboxes , or stopping overtime payments .
`` This is not a partisan issue , '' Democratic Representative Carolyn Maloney , the bill 's author , said before the debate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to impose these kinds of dangerous cuts in the middle of a pandemic and just months before the elections in November . ''
Ms Pelosi stressed that the USPS was not a business .
`` While we always want to subject every federal dollar to the scrutiny of what we 're getting for it , let us remember that it is a service .
No business that I can think of would ever be saddled with what we 've done to the Postal Service , '' she added .
Republican political leaders on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread baseless conspiracy theories about the USPS for political gain '' and had `` manufactured a crisis to undermine President Trump at the expense of America 's institutions '' .
They also condemned Democrats for pursuing for what they said was `` an unnecessary bailout plan that does not fix any of the underlying operational issues '' .
On Friday , the postmaster general told a Senate committee there had been `` no changes to any policies with regard to election mail '' and that the USPS was `` fully capable and committed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fully and on time '' .
Mr DeJoy - a top Republican donor and former logistics executive appointed to lead the agency in May - acknowledged that the changes he had instigated had slowed some mail delivery , but insisted that it was `` outrageous '' to suggest they were intended to help President Trump in November .

"While we always want to subject every federal dollar to the scrutiny of what we're getting for it, let us remember that it is a service. No business that I can think of would ever be saddled with what we've done to the Postal Service," she added.


bbc--2020-08-22--Belarus: Nato rejects claim that foreign troops are on border

Claims by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko that `` foreign powers '' are organising a build-up of troops on the country 's border are baseless , says Nato .
Dressed in military fatigues , the president said he had placed his armed forces on `` high alert '' .
Protests continued in the streets of Minsk on Saturday following a disputed election two weeks ago .
Demonstrators are demanding that Mr Lukashenko stand down .
The leader , who has ruled Belarus for 26 years , claimed the Nato bloc was trying to split up Belarus and install a new president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Poland and Lithuania were readying themselves , and that he was moving his armed forces to the country 's western border .
`` They are rocking the situation inside our country , trying to topple the authorities , '' Mr Lukashenko said , adding that he ordered his security chiefs to `` take the toughest measures to defend the territorial integrity of our country . ''
Nato rejected the claim , saying it posed `` no threat to Belarus or any other country and has no military build-up in the region .
Our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The regime is trying to divert attention from Belarus 's internal problems at any cost with totally baseless statements about imaginary external threats , '' Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda told AFP news agency .
A Polish presidency official called the suggestion that Poland planned any border destablisation `` regime propaganda '' by the Belarusians , which was `` sad and surprising '' .
`` Poland ... has no such intention , '' the official added .
Nato urged Belarus to respect the fundamental human rights of its citizens .
Mr Lukashenko was re-elected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was widely considered to be fraudulent .
Protests disputing the result were met with a brutal crackdown that killed at least four people and demonstrators said they have been tortured in prisons and detention centres .
Where is Belarus ?
It has Russia - its former imperial master - to the east and Ukraine to the south .
To the north and west lie EU and Nato members Latvia , Lithuania and Poland .
Why does it matter ?
Like Ukraine , this nation of 9.5 million is caught in rivalry between the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an ally of Russia , has been nicknamed `` Europe 's last dictator '' .
He has been in power for 26 years , keeping much of the economy in state hands , and using censorship and police crackdowns against opponents .
What 's going on there ?
Now there is a huge opposition movement , demanding new , democratic leadership and economic reform .
They say Mr Lukashenko rigged the 9 August election - officially he won by a landslide .
His supporters say his toughness has kept the country stable .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ unrest and has previously blamed the dissent on unnamed `` foreign-backed revolutionaries '' .
On Saturday crowds of protestors waved bright lights from mobile phones and flew Belarusian flags in the streets of Minsk while chanting `` freedom '' .
Police tried to disperse more than 1,000 people gathered in the city 's Independence Square , according to Interfax news agency .
A `` solidarity '' chain of hundreds of people , many wearing white , formed earlier in the day at the busy Komarovka shopping market .
• 'If you croak we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Belarus • 'There 's no way back .
The people will not forgive this' It follows the country 's biggest protest in modern history last weekend when hundreds of thousands filled the streets .
Opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , who was forced into exile the day after the election , vowed to `` stand till the end '' in the protests .
She told the BBC that if the movement stopped now , they would be `` slaves . ''
`` We have no right to step back now , '' she said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had voted for her , not as a future president but as a `` symbol of changes '' .
`` They were shouting for their future , for their wish to live in a free country , against violence , for their rights , '' she said , in her only interview with a Western media outlet .

Why does it matter? Like Ukraine, this nation of 9.5 million is caught in rivalry between the West and Russia. President Lukashenko, an ally of Russia, has been nicknamed "Europe's last dictator". He has been in power for 26 years, keeping much of the economy in state hands, and using censorship and police crackdowns against opponents.


bbc--2020-08-23--TikTok launches legal action against Trump over ban

Chinese video app TikTok is taking legal action to challenge a ban imposed by US President Donald Trump .
Officials in Washington are concerned that the company could pass data on American users to the Chinese government , something ByteDance has denied doing .
The short video-sharing app has 80 million active US users .
TikTok says it has tried to engage with the Mr Trump 's administration for nearly a year but has encountered a lack of due process and an administration that pays `` no attention to facts '' .
`` To ensure that the rule of law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and users are treated fairly , we have no choice but to challenge the executive order through the judicial system , '' a company spokesperson said .
TikTok expects the legal action to begin this week , says BBC Business reporter Vivienne Nunis .
On Friday a group of Chinese-Americans filed a separate lawsuit against the president 's similar ban on the social media app WeChat , which is owned by the Chinese firm , Tencent .
TikTok 's users post short video clips on the platform on topics ranging from dance routines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in recent months particularly with teenagers and it has been downloaded more than a billion times around the world .
But Mr Trump claims China is able to use the app to track the locations of federal employees , collect information for use in blackmail , or spy on companies .
The growth of mobile apps developed and owned by Chinese firms `` threatens the national security , foreign policy , and economy of the United States '' , Mr Trump says .
`` This data collection threatens to allow the Chinese Communist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proprietary information , '' he claims in his executive order .
• Is the US about to split the internet ?
• Beyond TikTok : Who else might Trump ban ?
TikTok says it has never handed over any US data user to Chinese authorities .
Mr Trump 's actions against TikTok and WeChat are the latest in a growing campaign against China ahead of the US presidential election in November .
Since taking office he has been waging a trade war against China .
The US is not the only country to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ banned use of the app , and Australia is also considering taking action .
WeChat is very popular with users who have connections to China , where major social networking platforms - such as WhatsApp and Facebook - are blocked .
It is also viewed as being a key instrument in China 's internal surveillance apparatus - requiring local users who have been accused of spreading malicious rumours to register a facial scan and voice print .

"To ensure that the rule of law is not discarded and that our company and users are treated fairly, we have no choice but to challenge the executive order through the judicial system," a company spokesperson said.


bbc--2020-08-22--Christchurch mosque attacks: 'I'm close to forgiving, but not there yet'

Hamimah Tuyan 's husband , Zekeriya , was one of 51 people killed by the attacks on two mosques in @ @ @ @ @ The Australian gunman has pleaded guilty to charges of murder , attempted murder , manslaughter @ @ @ @ @ flown from Singapore to New Zealand to give a victim impact statement at his sentencing @ @ @ @ @ BBC from her quarantine hotel in New Zealand .

Hamimah Tuyan's husband, Zekeriya, was one of 51 people killed by the attacks on two mosques in Christchurch in March 2019.
The Australian gunman has pleaded guilty to charges of murder, attempted murder, manslaughter and terrorism.
Hamimah has flown from Singapore to New Zealand to give a victim impact statement at his sentencing.
She spoke to the BBC from her quarantine hotel in New Zealand.
Produced and edited by Simon Atkinson


bbc--2020-08-22--Coronavirus: Germany puts on crowded concerts to study risks

Scientists in Germany have held three pop concerts in a single day to investigate the risks posed by mass indoor events during the pandemic .
About 1,500 healthy volunteers aged between 18 and 50 - only a third of the expected number - took part .
But the head of the study , which was carried out in Leipzig by Halle University , said he was `` very satisfied '' with how the event unfolded .
Singer-songwriter Tim Bendzko agreed to perform at all three successive gigs .
The study came as Germany recorded its highest number of Covid-19 infections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 2,000 cases were recorded in the last 24 hours , bringing the total number of cases to 232,082 , the Robert Koch Institute reported .
• Where are the world 's coronavirus hotspots ?
The concert study , called Restart-19 , was created `` to investigate the conditions under which such events can be carried out despite the pandemic '' , researchers said .
The first of Saturday 's three concerts aimed to simulate an event before the pandemic , with no safety measures in place .
The second involved greater hygiene @ @ @ @ @ @ @ third involved half the numbers and each person standing 1.5m apart .
All participants were tested for Covid-19 before taking part , and given face masks and tracking devices to measure their distancing .
Researchers reportedly also used fluorescent disinfectants to track which surfaces audience members touched the most .
`` The data collection is going very well , so we have good quality data , the mood is great and we are extremely satisfied with the discipline in wearing masks and using disinfectant , '' lead researcher Dr Stefan Moritz said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the event had exceeded his expectations .
`` We really enjoyed it .
At first I thought it would be very sterile because of the masks , but it felt surprisingly good , '' he said .
`` I hope that these results will help us to hold real concerts in front of an audience again soon . ''
The initial results of the study are expected in the autumn .
The project received 990,000 euros ( £892,000 , $ 1.17m ) in funding from the states of Saxony-Anhalt and Saxony with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the resumption of major indoor sporting and music events by ascertaining realistic levels of risk .
`` The corona pandemic is paralyzing the event industry , '' Saxony-Anhalt 's Minister of Economics and Science , Prof Armin Willingmann , said before the event .
`` As long as there is a risk of infection , major concerts , trade fairs and sporting events can not take place .
This is why it is so important to find out which technical and organisational conditions can effectively minimise the risks . ''

The first of Saturday's three concerts aimed to simulate an event before the pandemic, with no safety measures in place. The second involved greater hygiene and some social distancing, while the third involved half the numbers and each person standing 1.5m apart.


bbc--2020-08-22--Baby gorilla born at Bristol Zoo

Baby gorilla born at Bristol Zoo

A baby gorilla has been born at Bristol Zoo .
Keepers arrived to find the new arrival nestling in the arms of its mother .
Photographs taken just hours after the birth on Wednesday show Kala - a nine-year-old western lowland gorilla - cradling the newborn .
Staff said both were `` doing well '' .
The zoo said Kala gave birth naturally with the baby 's father , Jock , nearby .
Her first baby died last year a week after it was born .
Lynsey Bugg , the zoo 's curator of mammals , said : `` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due and we 've been on baby watch for a little while .
`` On Tuesday Kala looked nice and comfortable and not causing us any concerns or worries .
`` I came in [ on Wednesday ] morning to find a brand new baby in the house .
It was lovely . ''
She said staff had been `` on tenterhooks '' following the death of Kala 's first baby last September , a week after she underwent an emergency caesarean .
`` It is so lovely that she was able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are really well .
`` She 's a very attentive mother and very nurturing and you see lots of suckling from the baby , and the baby looks really strong and a good size . ''
It will be a while before the zoo knows if the baby is male or female , Ms Bugg said .
`` They are not all that easy to sex and we want to have a few looks before we are certain . ''
The new gorilla joins a troop of six at the zoo , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The western lowland gorilla is classed as critically endangered , with some estimates putting the number left in the wild at about 100,000 .

"They are not all that easy to sex and we want to have a few looks before we are certain."


bbc--2020-08-22--Traffic chaos as London's Tower Bridge stuck open

Tower Bridge was stuck open for more than an hour , leaving hundreds of people and vehicles stranded in central @ @ @ @ @ failed to close after allowing a ship to pass along the River Thames on Saturday @ @ @ @ @ of motorists and pedestrians forming on both sides .
City of London Police said engineers @ @ @ @ @ .
It has reopened to pedestrians but motorists have been urged to find another route @ @ @ @ @ overheard talk of `` multiple failures '' on security radios .
One social media user @ @ @ @ @ been stuck here for nearly an hour now ... '' while another wrote : `` @ @ @ @ @ stuck !
One side started to come down but the other did n't ! ''
@ @ @ @ @ Mile financial district to Southwark .
In 2005 , police closed the bridge for 10 @ @ @ @ @ meant the arms could not be lowered .
A Tower Bridge spokesman has been approached @ @ @

One social media user said: "I've been stuck here for nearly an hour now..." while another wrote: "Yep, Tower Bridge definitely stuck! One side started to come down but the other didn't!"


bbc--2020-08-22--Coronavirus pandemic: Children aged 12 and over should wear masks - WHO

The World Health Organization ( WHO ) has issued guidance saying children over the age of 12 should wear masks , in line with recommended practice for adults in their country or area .
It admits little is known about how children transmit the virus but cites evidence that teenagers can infect others in the same way as adults .
Children aged five and under should not normally wear masks , the WHO said .
More than 800,000 people have now died with coronavirus worldwide .
At least 23 million cases of infection have been registered , according to Johns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recorded in the US , Brazil and India .
However the true number of people who have had the virus is believed to be far higher , due to insufficient testing and asymptomatic cases .
The numbers have been rising again in countries as diverse as South Korea , EU states and Lebanon .
• Why Spain is seeing second Covid wave • New study shows more women in Delhi had Covid • Where are the world 's coronavirus hotspots ?
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has said he hopes the pandemic will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ top scientific adviser in the UK warned Covid-19 might never be eradicated , with people needing regular vaccinations .
What is the WHO guidance for children and masks ?
The advice published on the WHO website covers three age groups : • Children aged 12 and over should wear a mask under the same conditions as adults , in particular when they can not guarantee a distance of at least one metre from others and there is widespread transmission in the area • For children aged between six and 11 , the WHO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transmission of the virus is and whether the child is interacting with high-risk individuals such as the elderly .
It also stresses the need for adult supervision to help children use , put on and take off masks safely • Children aged five and under should not , under normal circumstances , wear masks For teachers , the WHO says : `` In areas where there is widespread transmission , all adults under the age of 60 and who are in general good health should wear fabric masks when they can not guarantee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` This is particularly important for adults working with children who may have close contact with children and one another . ''
Adults aged 60 or over , or those with underlying health conditions , should wear medical masks , it says .
The WHO guidance does not specify whether a child over the age of 12 should wear a mask in school , but it may yet become a feature of the classroom as the new academic year begins .
France recently made it mandatory for all children over 11 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UK are taking it upon themselves to require students to wear them even though this is not official government guidance .
James Gillespie 's High School in Edinburgh is one such school , making the decision to require students to `` wear face coverings indoors whilst moving around between classes '' after taking feedback from pupils , staff and parents .
Nicola Sturgeon , the first minister of Scotland has warned secondary school students may be required to wear face coverings in the `` near future '' .
• SOCIAL DISTANCING : What @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Can my boss force me to go to work ?
• FACE MASKS : When should you wear one ?
• LOOK-UP TOOL : How many cases in your area ?

For teachers, the WHO says: "In areas where there is widespread transmission, all adults under the age of 60 and who are in general good health should wear fabric masks when they cannot guarantee at least a one-metre distance from others.


bbc--2020-08-22--Fredie Blom: 'World's oldest man' dies aged 116 in South Africa

A South African who was thought to be the oldest man in the world has died at the age of 116 .
Fredie Blom 's identity documents showed he was born in Eastern Cape province in May 1904 , although that was never verified by Guinness World Records .
When he was teenager , his entire family was wiped out by the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic .
He went on to survive two world wars and apartheid .
Mr Blom told the BBC in 2018 that there was no special secret to his longevity .
`` There 's only one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ God ] .
He 's got all the power .
I have nothing .
I can drop over any time but He holds me , '' he said .
Mr Blom spent most of his life as a labourer - first on a farm and then in the construction industry - and only retired when he was in his 80s .
Although he gave up drinking many years ago , he was a regular smoker .
However , a coronavirus-related lockdown imposed by the South African government reportedly meant he was unable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cigarettes on his 116th birthday .
Mr Blom 's family said he died of natural causes in Cape Town on Saturday .
`` Two weeks ago oupa [ grandfather ] was still chopping wood , '' family spokesman Andre Naidoo told AFP news agency .
`` He was a strong man , full of pride . ''
But within days Mr Blom shrank `` from a big man to a small person '' , he added .
Mr Naidoo said the family did not believe his death was related to Covid-19 .

"There's only one thing - it's the man above [God]. He's got all the power. I have nothing. I can drop over any time but He holds me," he said.


bbc--2020-08-22--Man Utd captain to fly home after not guilty plea

Manchester United captain Harry Maguire has pleaded not guilty and been released from police custody following his arrest on the island of Mykonos .
A court date for the 27-year-old has been set for Tuesday but Maguire can be represented by his lawyer and will now return home .
It is not clear what specific charges the England defender faces .
Maguire did not comment after leaving court on Saturday and his lawyer told Sky he was a free man `` right now '' .
The Syros prosecutor 's office said on Friday that `` three foreigners '' had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officers in Mykonos on Thursday .
The police say a file has been opened which includes accusations of `` violence against officials , disobedience , bodily harm , insult and attempted bribery of an official '' .
Maguire , who was on holiday in Greece , joined United from Leicester for £80m - a world record fee for a defender - in August 2019 .
A United statement said : `` Following the appearance in court today we note the adjournment of the case to allow the legal team to consider the case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guilty to the charges .
It would be inappropriate for the player or club to comment further while the legal process takes its course . ''
Greek police said in a statement on Friday that officers had tried to break up an altercation between two groups outside a bar and that the three foreigners had then verbally abused and assaulted one of the officers .
The statement claimed that after arriving at Mykonos police station , the three arrested individuals then `` strongly resisted , pushing and hitting three police officers '' and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to offer money so that the trial against them would not be completed '' .

Last updated on .From the section Man Utd
Manchester United captain Harry Maguire has pleaded not guilty and been released from police custody following his arrest on the island of Mykonos.
A court date for the 27-year-old has been set for Tuesday but Maguire can be represented by his lawyer and will now return home.
It is not clear what specific charges the England defender faces.
Maguire did not comment after leaving court on Saturday and his lawyer told Sky he was a free man "right now".
The Syros prosecutor's office said on Friday that "three foreigners" had been arrested after an alleged altercation with police officers in Mykonos on Thursday.
The police say a file has been opened which includes accusations of "violence against officials, disobedience, bodily harm, insult and attempted bribery of an official".
Maguire, who was on holiday in Greece, joined United from Leicester for £80m - a world record fee for a defender - in August 2019.
A United statement said: "Following the appearance in court today we note the adjournment of the case to allow the legal team to consider the case file.
"Harry has pleaded not guilty to the charges. It would be inappropriate for the player or club to comment further while the legal process takes its course."
Greek police said in a statement on Friday that officers had tried to break up an altercation between two groups outside a bar and that the three foreigners had then verbally abused and assaulted one of the officers.
The statement claimed that after arriving at Mykonos police station, the three arrested individuals then "strongly resisted, pushing and hitting three police officers" and that "one of the detainees tried to offer money so that the trial against them would not be completed".


bbc--2020-08-22--Coronavirus will be with us forever, Sage scientist warns

Coronavirus will be present `` forever in some form or another '' , a member of the government 's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies ( Sage ) has said .
Sir Mark Walport said people would need to be vaccinated at regular intervals .
His comments come after the head of the World Health Organization ( WHO ) said he hoped the pandemic would be over within two years , as the Spanish flu had taken two years to overcome .
Sir Mark said denser populations and travel meant the virus spread easily .
He also said the world population @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Speaking to BBC Radio 4 's Today programme , Sir Mark said that , in order to control the pandemic , `` global vaccination '' would be required , but coronavirus would not be a disease like smallpox `` which could be eradicated by vaccination '' .
• Where are the world 's coronavirus hotspots ?
`` This is a virus that is going to be with us forever in some form or another , and almost certainly will require repeated vaccinations , '' he said .
`` So , a bit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at regular intervals . ''
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus , head of the WHO , has said that the Spanish flu of 1918 took two years to overcome , and that advances in technology could allow the world to halt coronavirus `` in a shorter time '' .
The flu of 1918 killed at least 50 million people .
Coronavirus has so far killed 800,000 people .
Nearly 23 million infections have been recorded but the number of people who have actually had the virus is thought to be much higher due to inadequate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DISTANCING : What are the rules now ?
• JOBS : Can my boss force me to go to work ?
• FACE MASKS : When should you wear one ?
• LOOK-UP TOOL : How many cases in your area ?
Sir Mark warned that it was `` possible '' coronavirus would get `` out of control '' again , but said more targeted measures could now be used instead of a generic lockdown .
Coronavirus cases have been increasing in European countries in recent weeks .
Some nations , which had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , are now seeing infections rise again .
As of 22 August , the UK recorded 21.5 coronavirus cases per 100,000 people over the last fortnight , according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control .
Sir Mark said : `` We know that less than one in five people around the country have been infected , so 80 % of the population are still susceptible to this virus .
`` It is this terrible balance between trying to minimise the harm to people from the infection and protecting people , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said he was worried about the rise in the number of cases in Europe and other parts of the world .
Meanwhile , tourists returning to the UK spent thousands of pounds arranging new flights in a race to get home before new travel rules came into force .
From 04:00 BST on Saturday , travellers coming back from Croatia , Austria and Trinidad and Tobago must quarantine for 14 days .
There were similar scenes last weekend when new rules kicked in for those returning from countries including France and the Netherlands @

His comments come after the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) said he hoped the pandemic would be over within two years, as the Spanish flu had taken two years to overcome.


bbc--2020-08-22--Masked Singer Australia suspended after seven crew test positive for Covid-19

Production of the Australian version of hit reality TV show The Masked Singer has been suspended after several crew members tested positive for Covid-19 .
The entire production team , including the masked celebrity singers , the host and the judges , are now in self-isolation , the show announced .
The show is filmed in Melbourne which has been at the centre of a spike in coronavirus infections .
These include a night-time curfew , the closure of restaurants and gyms , only one hour of outdoor exercise a day , no travel further than 5km ( three miles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person per household allowed to shop for essentials at a time .
The production of The Masked Singer had been allowed to continue despite the restrictions because news and media outlets are considered essential services .
The show announced its immediate suspension in a tweet on Sunday , saying `` the health and safety of the community , and our staff and production partners is our number one priority '' .
The production team put into isolation include the show 's host Osher Gunsberg and judges including singer Dannii Minogue and comedian Dave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closely and are in constant contact with medical authorities '' , the show said .
Victoria 's health department said investigations had `` determined that the site should close '' and that it was working to ensure that `` all appropriate public health actions are taken including cleaning and contact tracing '' .
The reality TV show began in South Korea before being franchised in other Asian countries and later the US , UK and Australia .
It features celebrities who sing in elaborate costumes and whose identities are not revealed until they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mark Philippoussis was the first contestant to be eliminated from the latest Australian season on Tuesday .
He said the on-set health and safety measures had been `` intense '' but necessary .
`` Everyone was always wearing a face mask and there was hand sanitiser everywhere , '' he was quoted by the Sydney Morning Herald as saying .


bbc--2020-08-22--China-US comedians: 'We hope jokes travel faster than the virus’

American comedian Jesse Appell and Chinese comedian Tony Chou discuss what people in China and the US have been debating @ @ @ @ @ is to bridge both cultures through humour amid the political tensions but also comment on @ @ @ @ @ Trump 's comments about the `` China virus '' .
Produced by Xinyan Yu and @ @ @ @ @ Davies Surya and Arvin Supriyadi .

American comedian Jesse Appell and Chinese comedian Tony Chou discuss what people in China and the US have been debating about Covid-19.
Their aim is to bridge both cultures through humour amid the political tensions but also comment on attitudes to masks and President Trump's comments about the "China virus".
Produced by Xinyan Yu and Zhaoyin Feng. Animation by Davies Surya and Arvin Supriyadi.


bbc--2020-08-22--Coronavirus: Croatia's culture capital Rijeka tries to salvage year

The cheers had barely died down after Rijeka 's spectacular opening ceremony as European Capital of Culture in February , when coronavirus scuppered years of preparation in the Croatian port city .
Months later , an on-the-fly rethink of the entire project has emerged from the wreckage .
`` The opening was really sensational , '' says guitarist Vlado Simcic , a mainstay of Rijeka 's music scene .
`` We were all proud of it - and our hope was that we would have a great , great year for our city . ''
Angle grinder-wielding figures sending up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ represented the city 's industrial heritage .
And Rijeka 's nonconformist cultural scene was reflected by a doom metal rendition of antifascist anthem Bella Ciao .
The stage was set for a year of events to reinvigorate the city artistically and economically .
But then Croatia entered one of Europe 's strictest lockdowns and Rijeka 's Port Of Diversity brochure now reads like a work of fiction .
`` Only one month after the big opening , it was pretty shocking , '' recalls Ivan Sarar , head of the culture department in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Even when the end of the lockdown did open the door for some events to take place , it was clear the original vision of Rijeka 2020 was gone for good .
`` We decided that the budget would be cut by about 50 % , '' says Mr Sarar .
`` Covid measures were clear about big-scale events , so we killed all the street theatre and big gatherings .
We also cancelled all the elite , extravagant , not-so-popular programmes and all the complex international co-operations , because of the travel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arts jamboree , a more local interpretation of Rijeka 2020 has emerged from the rubble .
Community-based aspects of the programme , which might have seemed peripheral , moved centre stage .
• Why is Croatia on the quarantine list ?
And other questions • Fast on coronavirus , now they need to save summer • City of Culture 2021 pushed back to May In Bresc , almost an hour 's drive around Kvarner Bay from Rijeka , it seems that all the cliff-top village 's 129 inhabitants have turned out for their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ choir heralds the unveiling of a work by Danish artist Sofie Thorsen .
The permanent installation , Strokes and Incisions , is a sculpture that doubles as a series of benches .
It 's part of Lungomare Art , a project that survived the Covid cull and draws surrounding communities into the Rijeka 2020 experience .
The programme 's chief executive , Irena Kregar Segota , says it shows the original spirit of the programme has survived .
`` We are relying a lot on the local cultural and artistic scene - but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the project has been completely lost .
While Sofie Thorsen can not be physically present , her creativity is here . ''
`` There are also lots of intangible things ; new festivals , a new university programme . ''
Perhaps most importantly , the physical legacy of Rijeka 2020 is assured .
A stone 's throw away from the city 's waterfront , workers are scrambling to complete an entirely new cultural quarter in a complex that once housed sugar and tobacco factories .
By the time they are finished , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , libraries and an interactive arts centre for Rijeka 's youngest citizens , known as The Children 's House .
`` The infrastructure will be the legacy of the whole project for the future , '' says the man who has been Rijeka 's mayor for the past 20 years , Vojko Obersnel .
He has seen his city struggle through tough times , as traditional industries such as shipbuilding have gone into decline .
Rijeka 2020 should have been a relaunch - putting the city on the international map and changing its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remains optimistic that it will still achieve those goals .
`` The old industries have disappeared - and this project can be the initiation of a new kind of industry , mainly in the cultural field , design , architecture and IT . ''
Even so , some find the loss of most of the international programme hard to bear .
`` It 's not enough for me or Rijeka .
I was hoping to meet people from other countries , exchange our experiences and gain new perspectives , '' says guitarist Vlado @ @ @ @ @ @ @ singer Iva Mocibob - who happens to be married to Vlado - is a little more positive .
`` Artists from Rijeka are stubborn , '' she says .
`` They do n't let anything get in their way .
So maybe some beautiful songs , books and paintings will come from this really hard period and disappointment .
`` In hard times , artists have inspiration - and maybe some of those pieces will become part of the European legacy . ''
Defiance , toil , construction and culture emerging from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ceremony promised .
This might not be the Capital of Culture that the city planned - but it may yet become an apt reflection of Rijeka 's character .
All pictures subject to copyright of Rijeka 2020 and Guy Delauney and the BBC .

He has seen his city struggle through tough times, as traditional industries such as shipbuilding have gone into decline. Rijeka 2020 should have been a relaunch - putting the city on the international map and changing its image within Croatia. But Mr Obersnel remains optimistic that it will still achieve those goals.


bbc--2020-08-22--Beirut blast: Painstakingly restored stained glass destroyed in seconds

Beirut 's historic landmarks had already survived 15 years of civil war , and many of them had their iconic @ @ @ @ @ artist .
Maya Husseini saw two decades of her work disappear in the aftermath of @ @ @ @ @ port of Beirut which ravaged entire neighbourhoods of the city .
Now she is determined @ @ @ @ @ again .

Beirut's historic landmarks had already survived 15 years of civil war, and many of them had their iconic stained glass restored by one artist.
Maya Husseini saw two decades of her work disappear in the aftermath of the massive blast at the port of Beirut which ravaged entire neighbourhoods of the city.
Now she is determined to restore it all over again.
Produced by: Dina Demrdash, Charlotte Pamment


bbc--2020-08-22--Belarus mum's search for detained teenage poll observer

There have now been two weeks of strikes and protests since Belarus 's hotly disputed elections .
Hundreds of people @ @ @ @ @ saying they were beaten in detention .
President Lukashenko , the man accused of rigging @ @ @ @ @ to stop the `` unrest '' and blamed foreign powers for his problems .
One @ @ @ @ @ Darina , 19 , a law student who was observing the election in Minsk .
@ @ @ @ @ the BBC 's Jonah Fisher .

There have now been two weeks of strikes and protests since Belarus's hotly disputed elections. Hundreds of people have been arrested with many saying they were beaten in detention.
President Lukashenko, the man accused of rigging the vote, has pledged to stop the "unrest" and blamed foreign powers for his problems.
One of those detained is a Darina, 19, a law student who was observing the election in Minsk. She told her story to the BBC's Jonah Fisher.
Filmed and produced by Anton Chicherov and Liza Vereykina


bbc--2020-08-22--Coronavirus vaccine: What are human challenge trials?

Human challenge trials are regarded by some as a faster way to develop vaccines - but they come with big @ @ @ @ @ used to speed up the development of a vaccine for Covid-19 ?

Volunteers are set to be deliberately infected with Covid-19 after the UK Government said it will set up human challenge trials to speed up the development of a vaccine.
Human challenge trials are regarded by some as a faster way to develop vaccines - but they come with big risks.
They've been used for hundreds of years but a lot of people question how ethical is to deliberately expose people to an infectious disease.
More than 140 different organisations around the world are currently trying to discover a vaccine for Covid-19.
But could challenge trials be used to speed up the process? What is a human challenge trial?
BBC Health Correspondent Laura Foster explains how they work.
Video by Terry Saunders, Megan Fisher and Laura Foster.


bbc--2020-08-22--Your pictures on the theme of 'garden creatures'

We asked our readers to send in their pictures on the theme of `` garden creatures '' .
Here are @ @ @ @ @ to us from around the world .
The next theme is `` My summer '' @ @ @ @ @ is 1 September 2020 .
Send pictures to yourpics @ bbc.co.uk or follow the link @ @ @ @ @ pictures here '' .
Further details and terms can be found by following the link @ @ @ @ @ theme , you take the picture '' at the bottom of the page .

Image caption,
Lauré Turmell: "A baby hummingbird found in our backyard this summer that decided to fly from the nest located in our sycamore tree. I wouldn't have seen it had it not been for the mother that nearly accosted me, warning me that I was too close to her darling baby. The cute little thing stayed on the chain-link fence, being diligently cared for by mama bird, for two days before growing strong enough to venture further."


bbc--2020-08-22--ICYMI: Leopard cubs in unlikely places and baby pandas

Baby pandas , leopard cubs and Europe 's biggest mural .
Some of the stories you may have missed this @ @

Baby pandas, leopard cubs and Europe's biggest mural. Some of the stories you may have missed this week.


bbc--2020-08-22--Coronavirus vaccine: Short cuts and allegations of dirty tricks in race to be first

When Moscow announced on 11 August it had registered the first vaccine against Covid-19 and was naming it Sputnik V , the message was hard to miss .
Back in 1957 , the Soviet Union had launched the Sputnik satellite and won the race for space .
Now , Russia was saying it was pushing the boundaries of medical science .
But critics claimed it was pushing too hard .
And the scepticism with which the announcement was met is a reminder of intense international competition .
In this race , there have been accusations of short-cuts , espionage , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of `` vaccine nationalism '' .
A Covid-19 vaccine is one of the most valuable and eagerly sought-after medical prizes in modern times .
This is not just because of the life-saving benefits , but also the promise of ending disruption , and the glory and validation for those who succeed .
`` I have never seen the political stakes for a medical product being so intense , '' says Lawrence Gostin , professor of global health law at Georgetown University in the US .
`` The reason the Covid-19 vaccine has taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ superpowers have seen the vaccine as projecting their scientific prowess , actually validating their political system as superior . ''
There are currently about half a dozen leading candidates in late-stage trials according to the World Health Organization ( WHO ) , including three in China ; one in the UK ; one in the US , and a German-US partnership .
It normally takes years to develop a vaccine .
And while all developers are seeking to speed things up , Russia 's registration of Sputnik has raised concerns about short-cutting the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UK , US and Canada accused Russia 's spy agencies of hacking into vaccine research , something the Kremlin denied .
The suggestion from intelligence sources at the time was that this was about stealing data rather than disrupting development .
The following week , the US Department of Justice accused two Chinese hackers of targeting vaccine development on behalf of Beijing 's intelligence services .
China has strongly denied this and has said it has shared information about the virus and co-operated with foreign partners .
The greater concern is about cutting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world of medical testing .
`` There have been short cuts taken for sure , particularly in the Russian case , '' says Thomas Bollyky director of the global health program at the Council on Foreign Relations .
`` It is not hard to develop a vaccine .
It is hard to prove that a vaccine is safe and effective .
And if countries are only interested in the former they can take short cuts . ''
Russia 's decision to register the Sputnik vaccine before large scale late-stage trials , without publishing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the West .
Dr Anthony Fauci , one of the most prominent members of the White House 's coronavirus taskforce , said he `` seriously doubt [ s ] '' the Russians had proven their vaccine to be safe and effective .
In Moscow , such concerns were dismissed as `` jealousy '' .
Those behind the vaccine say they will soon publish data in a major international scientific magazine .
Meanwhile , China has also fast-tracked some of its development .
Chinese pharmaceutical companies have said senior executives have been given shots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a move intended to show willingness of those in charge to take risks and make sacrifices .
In Russia , Vladimir Putin said his own daughter had been given a dose of the Sputnik vaccine .
And reports that both countries plan to test the vaccine on their armed forces have led to ethical concerns , since those individuals may not be able to give proper consent .
A vaccine being developed by Chinese firm CanSino , working with the People 's Liberation Army , was approved for use on military personnel in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3 '' trials had been started .
And '' We have a set of ethical norms for human participant research designed to protect against abuses , '' argues Prof Gostin .
Given such unprecedented public demand for a vaccine , should n't a little corner cutting be expected ?
Failing to put a vaccine through full trials , and rushing it out , could lead to over-confidence from the public and so to the further spread of Covid-19 .
Alternatively , a drug which turns out to have serious side effects could fuel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are commercial ventures and often based on international collaboration .
But that has not stopped governments seeing them as a symbol of national prestige and scientific prowess and a means of countering criticism about how they have dealt with the crisis .
`` What has driven some countries to be particularly competitive about the development of a vaccine are largely domestic concerns around the perception of how they have performed in this pandemic , '' says Mr Bollyky .
The Trump administration in the US has been under intense pressure in an election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been shy of space-based comparisons , naming its project to deliver a vaccine Operation Warp Speed - a reference to the TV series Star Trek .
In the UK , a successful home-grown vaccine would boost Prime Minister Boris Johnson 's government which has also come under fire .
His Health Secretary , Matt Hancock , has said `` Britain continues to lead the world '' on vaccine development .
The UK , like others , has hedged its bets by securing contracts to buy other vaccines in case they prove successful .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ aspect of the race .
`` There is vaccine nationalism for sure among western countries , '' says Thomas Bollyky .
`` The form… you are seeing in the US and UK is about locking up large initial doses of supplies of vaccines . ''
Of course , nationalism was rising even before coronavirus reared its head .
But the disease has strengthened those forces .
The initial rush to get hold of ventilators and personal protective equipment saw countries outbid each other with cash at airports to secure shipments , highlighting dependencies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for more domestic capacity .
For all the talk about a vaccine being internationally distributed , those that develop it first may be able to ensure they have priority to save lives and get their economies moving .
Likewise , failing to secure supplies could lead to public anger and questions about competence .
The head of the WHO issued a renewed call on 18 August for richer countries to join a global programme to share vaccines with poorer nations .
`` We need to prevent vaccine nationalism , '' he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ access to vaccines to other countries as a tool of diplomacy , to curry favour and build support .
Mr Bollyky believe `` every government with early supply will ultimately keep some of those supplies for a form of diplomacy '' .
Being first to market does not necessarily mean a vaccine will be the most effective and experts caution that this is not a race where there will be a single winner or finish line .
That means the rivalries over developing and supplying vaccines may only just be beginning .

"There have been short cuts taken for sure, particularly in the Russian case," says Thomas Bollyky director of the global health program at the Council on Foreign Relations. "It is not hard to develop a vaccine. It is hard to prove that a vaccine is safe and effective. And if countries are only interested in the former they can take short cuts."


bbc--2020-08-22--Coronavirus: Is the US the worst-hit country for deaths?

As coronavirus cases continue to rise in the US , there are competing narratives about the impact of the disease .
President Trump claims the country has one of the lowest death rates from the virus in the world .
He 's also said excess deaths are significantly lower than elsewhere - that 's the number of extra deaths above what would be expected .
But others say the US has been hit worse than other countries , pointing out it has the most recorded Covid deaths of any country in the world .
`` More than 170,000 Americans have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of any nation on earth , '' Democratic presidential contender Joe Biden has said .
We 've looked at three different ways you can measure the rate of Covid-19 deaths , two of which show that while the US is not the worst affected , it 's among those most badly hit .
First , there is no international standard for how you measure deaths , or their causes .
And making comparisons is tricky as countries record deaths in different ways .
But experts say one of the most telling measures is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ above the number who would have been expected to die .
This `` excess '' death data captures some potentially unrecorded coronavirus deaths , and other deaths that might be the result of strain on healthcare systems and other indirect effects of the epidemic .
It can therefore provide a more complete picture of how a country has been affected overall .
Most developed countries publish excess death data , but they do it less frequently than the daily coronavirus death totals they provide .
The US experienced almost 200,000 excess deaths from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 11 July , according to the latest data available .
That 's an 18 % increase on previous years .
Although the time periods are different , looking at the latest data from the world 's leading industrialised nations , we can see the US has a lower proportion of excess deaths so far than Italy and the UK .
The UK has been one of the hardest hit countries , with around 26 % more deaths than expected in a typical year up to the start of August .
So on this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the US is not the hardest-hit country , but this figure could change .
While weekly deaths in the UK and Italy have gone back to expected levels , the US could move up the rankings if it continues to see above-expected numbers of deaths each week .
Another measure is the case fatality rate .
This is the ratio of deaths to confirmed cases - of those who tested positive for coronavirus , how many have died ?
President Trump has said : `` Our case fatality rate has continued to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ European Union , and almost everywhere else in the world . ''
The US rate is relatively low compared with most major European countries , including the UK , although it is n't the lowest in the world .
But different countries are testing to find coronavirus cases in different ways , meaning this is a hard comparison to make .
A low case fatality rate could mean that widespread testing identifies lots of mild cases who were unlikely to die in the first place .
The US has recorded the most deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it has a larger population than many other countries .
When you look at deaths per capita - as a proportion of each country 's population - the US is no longer top of the list , but remains in the top 10 worst-hit countries .
The US has recorded more than 52 coronavirus deaths per 100,000 people - there are a number of countries that have recorded more .
The US continues to regularly report more than 1,000 new coronavirus deaths a day , which is one of the highest daily death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to the UK-based Our World in Data website which compiles global figures for coronavirus .
However , there are important differences in how countries count coronavirus deaths , making exact comparisons difficult .

We've looked at three different ways you can measure the rate of Covid-19 deaths, two of which show that while the US is not the worst affected, it's among those most badly hit.


bbc--2020-08-22--US trans rights: The teen who sued his school, and won, over bathroom use

`` I hope we 've now moved past the need to have courts saying trans people should be respected and treated normally . ''
Drew Adams , a trans man , has spent the past three years fighting for transgender students to be allowed to use bathrooms at school that match their gender identity .
It came about after Drew , at the age of 14 , was told by his school in Florida that he was n't allowed to use the men 's bathroom .
A federal court has now ruled in Drew 's favour in the first US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to bathrooms .
The ruling applies to Florida , Georgia and Alabama .
`` I knew I had an obligation to people hiding their true trans identity , because there are so many people who do n't have accepting families , '' Drew , who 's now 19 , tells Radio 1 Newsbeat .
`` And if they do n't have their families , and they do n't have their school , who do they have ? ''
Drew was in history class when he was called to the principal 's office .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ standing over me .
They told me I was n't allowed to use the men 's bathroom , '' he says .
Drew felt `` very small , nervous and terrified '' because he thought he 'd `` done something wrong '' .
`` I was really surprised and so confused .
`` But they said that was the rule and I was only allowed to use the gender-neutral cubicles - there was only one in the entire school at the time . ''
'We got tired of waiting' The more Drew thought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more upset he became .
His mum , Erica Kasper , was `` also angry '' and they `` had meetings with people from the school authorities '' .
After not getting the answers they were looking for , Drew and his mum filed a civil rights complaint against the school - leading to an investigation .
`` There were lots of calls , emails and discussions about bathrooms . ''
But Drew says things stalled after the 2016 presidential election and they stopped hearing back .
`` We got tired of waiting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - an organisation that fights for LGBTQ rights - and filed a lawsuit against my school in 2017 . ''
You might also like : • Why more trans people are running for political office in the US Fighting a long court case is not how most 16-year-olds would normally spend their time .
But this was Drew 's `` strange '' high school experience .
From three-hour phone calls on his bedroom floor , to video calls with lawyers in different parts of the country discussing his deepest traumas - Drew says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` The other side had access to all of my social media , all the emails I 've written , texts , therapy records , all of that stuff .
And they could ask about anything , so we had to be prepared . ''
But he says having a strong support system for getting him through , much like when he started his transition at 14 .
`` I had a lot of friends and such a supportive family .
I would not be able to do this without my mom , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'The right time for trans rights is now' Drew describes his emotions at the court victory as `` a mixed bag of relief , happiness and nervousness '' .
The judge found Drew was singled out for different treatment due to being trans - and said public schools may not `` harm transgender students by establishing arbitrary , separate rules for their restroom use '' .
After an initial win in 2018 , Drew 's old school appealed - which led to the latest court victory .
And he knows this might go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if there are more appeals .
`` I ca n't speculate on what might happen , but I do know that trans people ca n't wait .
The right time for trans rights is now . ''
Drew feels his words as a teenager could `` influence trans rights in this country for decades '' .
`` I 'm really scared because I do n't know how much faith I would put in my 15-year-old self to make that happen . ''
Along with Drew 's case , recent months have seen other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the US in areas such as employment and healthcare .
Drew is aware of the significance of the judgment in his case and feels other states in the US will be influenced by it .
`` This could have ramifications in schools around the country for decades to come . ''
And while it 's been a tough time for him , he 's grateful for how he 's grown as a person .
`` And I think I really discovered that by being forced into the activism world . ''
Listen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weekdays - or listen back here .

"The other side had access to all of my social media, all the emails I've written, texts, therapy records, all of that stuff. And they could ask about anything, so we had to be prepared."