bbc--2020-09-09--'I came here to win the Champions League' - Man City sign England defender Greenwood

Last updated on .From the section Women 's Football England left-back Alex Greenwood joined Manchester City from European champions Lyon because she believes the club `` wants to win big things , including the Champions League '' .
She joins on a free transfer following the end of her contract at Lyon .
The former Manchester United captain is City 's fifth signing of the summer .
England defender and former Lyon team-mate Lucy Bronze joined on Tuesday , while striker Chloe Kelly and World Cup winners Sam Mewis and Rose Lavelle have also moved to City .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ done previously and that 's to be successful and win trophies , '' Greenwood told BBC Sport .
`` Once you get a taste of winning a trophy like the Champions League , which is the pinnacle , it 's something that you crave .
That feeling you have after you win is addictive .
`` You want it more and more and more .
That 's why I chose to come to this club .
If I can play a small part in that , then it will be fantastic . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Liverpool , Notts County and Everton , led Manchester United to the Women 's Championship title in their first season since they reformed following a 13-year absence .
The defender was also part of the England squad which reached the World Cup semi-finals in 2018 and has made 46 appearances for the Lionesses since her debut in 2014 .
She will be available for selection for Sunday 's WSL fixture against Brighton at Academy stadium .
'There 's competition in every position' Greenwood will compete for the left-back spot with England team-mate Demi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for City since joining in 2015 .
The two defenders also vie for the same position with the national team .
`` It 's a healthy competition , '' said Greenwood .
`` We really push each other to our limit .
`` We improve each other every year .
If we can make each other better , it only makes the team better .
I 'm coming here to play football matches and improve the squad .
`` If you look around the team , there 's competition in every position .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ we want to be successful . ''
' I would be giving me stick ! '
Greenwood hopes to use her experience in Lyon , which she says made her a `` better player '' , to drive City to more titles and European success .
`` I loved every minute of it [ at Lyon ] .
I went there to win trophies and improve as an individual .
I feel like I 've come back as a better player and a better person , with a few more medals in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do , '' she added .
`` I have nothing but good memories from Lyon so I hope I can continue that in Manchester . ''
She returns to the same city she left in 2019 - and Greenwood expects a reaction from rival fans .
`` It 's part and parcel of the game .
I fully expect it .
I would also be giving me stick ! ''
she said .
`` I have a lot of respect for their fans .
They were brilliant with me during my time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ side of Manchester now so that 's my full focus .
But it makes derby day a little bit more interesting and I ca n't wait . ''

Last updated on .From the section Women's Football
It was an easy decision to join Man City - Greenwood
England left-back Alex Greenwood joined Manchester City from European champions Lyon because she believes the club "wants to win big things, including the Champions League".
Greenwood, 27, has signed a three-year deal after spending one season with the French side, helping them win a fifth Champions League title in a row.
She joins on a free transfer following the end of her contract at Lyon.
The former Manchester United captain is City's fifth signing of the summer.
England defender and former Lyon team-mate Lucy Bronze joined on Tuesday, while striker Chloe Kelly and World Cup winners Sam Mewis and Rose Lavelle have also moved to City.
"I want to continue what Manchester City have done previously and that's to be successful and win trophies," Greenwood told BBC Sport.
"Once you get a taste of winning a trophy like the Champions League, which is the pinnacle, it's something that you crave. That feeling you have after you win is addictive.
"You want it more and more and more. That's why I chose to come to this club. If I can play a small part in that, then it will be fantastic."
Greenwood, who has also played for Liverpool, Notts County and Everton, led Manchester United to the Women's Championship title in their first season since they reformed following a 13-year absence.
The defender was also part of the England squad which reached the World Cup semi-finals in 2018 and has made 46 appearances for the Lionesses since her debut in 2014.
She will be available for selection for Sunday's WSL fixture against Brighton at Academy stadium.
'There's competition in every position'
Alex Greenwood came on a substitute in the Champions League final as Lyon beat Wolfsburg in August
Greenwood will compete for the left-back spot with England team-mate Demi Stokes, who has made 62 appearances for City since joining in 2015.
The two defenders also vie for the same position with the national team.
"It's a healthy competition," said Greenwood. "We really push each other to our limit.
"We improve each other every year. If we can make each other better, it only makes the team better. I'm coming here to play football matches and improve the squad.
"If you look around the team, there's competition in every position. That's exactly what we need if we want to be successful."
'I would be giving me stick!'
Alex Greenwood captained Manchester United in their first season as a reformed senior team
Greenwood hopes to use her experience in Lyon, which she says made her a "better player", to drive City to more titles and European success.
"I loved every minute of it [at Lyon]. I went there to win trophies and improve as an individual. I feel like I've come back as a better player and a better person, with a few more medals in the cabinet which is always what I wanted to do," she added.
"I have nothing but good memories from Lyon so I hope I can continue that in Manchester."
She returns to the same city she left in 2019 - and Greenwood expects a reaction from rival fans.
"It's part and parcel of the game. I fully expect it. I would also be giving me stick!" she said.
"I have a lot of respect for their fans. They were brilliant with me during my time there. I am on the other side of Manchester now so that's my full focus. But it makes derby day a little bit more interesting and I can't wait."
Find all the latest football transfers on our dedicated page.


bbc--2020-09-04--'I faced miscarriage alone - my partner had to wait in the car park'

Pregnant women are often now attending hospital appointments on their own .
Covid-19 safety measures in hospitals mean loved ones must sit in the car or pace outside .
It means some are being given the heartbreaking news of miscarriages on their own .
Four women tell their stories of miscarriage during the coronavirus pandemic .
When Helen Bosher , 40 , discovered she was pregnant at the end of March , she was anxious - she had lost three babies already , and was under the care of the recurrent miscarriage unit at St Mary 's Hospital , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hold of some blood test results , but when she rang up she was told her consultant was self-isolating .
The unit was closed .
Planned services had been paused and staff re-deployed to urgent and emergency care services .
`` My whole support network , everyone who was there to help me , just vanished , '' says Helen .
`` They disappeared overnight . ''
She frantically rang and emailed her local hospital , her GP and 111 , but nobody could help her get hold of the results .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I remember crying and crying on the phone , because no-one knew what was going on .
It was chaos . ''
Eventually she was booked in for an early scan at Pembury Hospital , in Tunbridge Wells , but because of the new coronavirus restrictions her partner , Dan , was not allowed in with her .
It was not good news .
`` It was highly distressing to find out my baby had no heartbeat , when my partner had to sit in the car park and wait .
I then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sad news myself . ''
Two weeks later they were back to discuss treatment .
Dan stayed in the car while Helen made her way to the early pregnancy unit .
She asked a nurse for directions , and when she explained she was miscarrying , the nurse had tears in her eyes .
`` If only I could put my arm around you , '' she told her .
Dan sat in the car , wondering what Helen was going through .
It felt strange to see people out shopping and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her .
Inside , Helen 's worst fears were being realised .
She was given drugs to speed up the miscarriage and the doctors suggested she stay in hospital .
But she was n't taking in what they were saying - she just wanted to get back to Dan .
`` I was so overwhelmed and I did n't have that second set of eyes and ears I needed , '' she says .
Five hours later , Helen finally came out .
They drove home and waited for the drugs to take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for what that involved .
`` I ended up having terrible contractions , projectile vomiting , nearly blacking out because of the pain .
It was a really terrifying experience , '' says Helen .
Dan did n't know what to do and was desperately searching for advice online .
`` I was emailing , I messaged people on Instagram , '' he says .
`` Having to Google what 's going to happen rather than speaking to a professional has to be dangerous . ''
After four hours the pain and bleeding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a mistake to go home and that if Dan had been with her she might have chosen to stay in hospital .
The experience was so traumatic they ca n't face going through it again .
They have decided to adopt instead .
Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust said that partners are not currently able to attend scan or antenatal appointments , in line with national and regional NHS guidance .
`` We understand the concerns this may cause for those who are expecting but we would like to reassure them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everyone 's safety and thank them for their patience and understanding . ''
Just before lockdown , on 16 March , Fatma Reid found out she was pregnant again .
The 25-year-old lost a baby the year before , but this time there was no sign anything was wrong .
`` I had a bump , I was craving Revels , I was definitely 100 % pregnant , '' she says .
Her six-year-old daughter noticed the bump and kept asking if she was pregnant , and just before the 12-week scan Fatma @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the scan revealed a large sac and no baby .
Sometimes called a blighted ovum , or anembryonic pregnancy , this can happen when the foetus dies early in the pregnancy and is reabsorbed , while the sac continues to develop .
`` It was very confusing because I 've never in my life heard of someone having a sac but no baby , '' says Fatma .
`` I was crying loads . ''
Her husband Zach was called in from the car park to discuss the options .
Fatma wanted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with '' but operations were being kept to a minimum at the time .
She agreed to go home and let nature take its course .
She had to explain to her daughter that she was not going to be a big sister after all - and she waited to miscarry .
But nothing happened and three weeks later , she still tested pregnant .
Next , doctors administered tablets to speed up the process .
At home , Fatma bled profusely and was in a lot of pain .
She hoped that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on 29 June she had another positive pregnancy test .
Back at Salisbury District Hospital a scan showed there was a significant amount of pregnancy tissue left , and surgery was the way forward .
Fatma was booked in to have a procedure called manual vacuum aspiration ( MVA ) , under local anaesthetic .
Three days later Fatma was in a lot of pain .
`` I turned to my husband and said , 'Oh my God , something 's wrong .
This is n't normal . '
'' Zach took her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told to wait outside , until Fatma protested .
• 'My son was stillborn and now I help other parents' • Is the risk from Covid-19 higher during pregnancy ?
A scan showed abnormal cells , but the doctor was adamant that it could n't be pregnancy tissue .
`` You believe doctors , do n't you ? ''
says Fatma .
Two days later she woke up in agony , bleeding heavily , but she was reluctant to go back to hospital .
`` You feel , 'am I overreacting ? '
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's time , '' she says .
She rang 111 and they called an ambulance .
This time a scan revealed what Fatma suspected - that there was still pregnancy tissue left .
She was booked in for emergency surgery on 17 July to make sure nothing was left behind .
Had it not been for Covid , Fatma would have had surgery soon after her 12-week scan .
Instead , the process took two months and many hospital visits , all the time trying to hide her distress from her young daughter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ explained many services had to be altered to protect patients and staff from the virus , and that they are very sorry for any distress caused .
`` Throughout the pandemic our staff have sought to do their jobs with care , compassion and commitment especially when helping patients in stressful and upsetting circumstances . ''
It is now allowing partners to accompany expectant mothers to their 20-week scan and are keeping all other restrictions under review .
Lauren , 33 , a teacher from Glasgow , hangs on to the moments of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time .
Having first lost a baby last year , she had two further miscarriages during lockdown .
She suspected something was wrong when she started bleeding .
A six-week scan in March was inconclusive .
But because scans were being kept to a minimum , she was told she could n't have another until her 12-week appointment .
`` I was pretty sure I was miscarrying again and nobody would confirm it .
I was so worried , I was so anxious , '' she says .
Her midwife was able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirmed her fears .
Lauren begged to have surgery .
`` I had already had a natural miscarriage at home and was petrified of having another , '' she says .
Because of Covid , surgery was not an option .
She was booked in for an MVA nine days later , but within days she miscarried at home .
`` I had the fright of my life because it sent me into labour , '' she says .
`` Nobody warned me that although my foetus had stopped growing at six weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to grow . ''
To ease the pain , she got into a warm bath .
Afterwards , she and her husband Michael had to sift through the water to collect the pregnancy tissues .
`` That was probably one of the most traumatic parts of it . ''
They did it because she had been promised the tissues would be sent for genetic testing , in the hope of finding out why she had been miscarrying .
But when she took them to hospital the following day , she was told testing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it was traumatising to find out that after all that , we would n't get any answers , '' she says .
Lauren says the worst part of it all was not having Michael with her .
She hated having to give him bad news .
`` I felt like I was disappointing him every time , '' she says .
And Michael felt helpless .
Instead of getting the facts from a medical professional , he had to piece things together when an emotional Lauren got back in the car .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 've never been able to ask , '' he says .
`` I 'm involved as well .
I 've just been cast out , cast aside . ''
At the start of June , Lauren found out she was pregnant again .
When she arrived at the hospital she was overcome by a sense of foreboding .
`` I started crying and did n't want to go out of the car , '' she says .
`` I was worried about going into the building on my own , but my husband @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this pregnancy was not viable .
Lauren began to miscarry alone at home and made her way to hospital in agony .
`` What the midwife did changed everything : she gave me a cuddle , '' she says .
`` She should n't have done that , due to Covid , but it was the right thing to do .
It was one of those life-changing moments . ''
Lauren now has a supportive consultant and is sharing her experience on Instagram .
Lucy 's story : ' I had to face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 33 , the experience of losing a baby during lockdown felt `` a world away '' from her previous miscarriage , when her husband Ben was with her .
She was on her own at the 12-week scan when the sonographer could not find a heartbeat .
`` I burst into tears , and she put on a pair of gloves to pat me on my knee - I think even that kindness was against protocol , '' she says .
`` I was sent to a different room to talk to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sanitise my hands , cautiously put a box of tissues between herself and me .
She said they would usually offer a hug right now , but she was n't allowed to . ''
Lucy was offered options that would not require surgery , but she rejected them .
`` I could n't face going through labour to birth a baby that was dead .
It felt like a second blow that I would have to give birth to her and clean her up myself in order to bury her , '' she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could have surgery , but she had to accept the risk of catching the virus while in hospital .
`` Even so , I much preferred this option , '' she says .
Lucy was swabbed for Covid before being wheeled into theatre .
She was still crying when she came round .
`` The sister in recovery stroked my hair and held my hand tightly .
I was so grateful for her soothing me , '' she says .
`` I could n't believe that I had to face this day alone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their baby Chloe .
They will collect her body this week .
But Lucy is worried about the effect Covid measures will have had on the mental health of people who have lost a baby .
`` Miscarriages are devastating , '' says Birte Harlev-Lam from the Royal College of Midwives .
`` We know that this pandemic has made the experience even more difficult due to restrictions on having partners at scans and other appointments . ''
The miscarriage charity Tommy 's saw a huge spike in helpline queries during the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help if they have symptoms such as changes in their baby 's movements , severe pain or heavy bleeding .
According to Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists guidance , scans should still be offered if someone is worried about retained pregnancy tissue , if they 're bleeding heavily , or if they 're in pain , and women should then be monitored for signs of infection .
Consultant gynaecologist Prof Tom Bourne , speaking for the RCOG , says a study is being done on the impact of the pandemic on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pregnancy , including miscarriage , and that those experiences will inform future guidance .
Listen to Helen and Fatma speaking on Woman 's Hour

When Helen Bosher, 40, discovered she was pregnant at the end of March, she was anxious - she had lost three babies already, and was under the care of the recurrent miscarriage unit at St Mary's Hospital, in London. She urgently needed to get hold of some blood test results, but when she rang up she was told her consultant was self-isolating. The unit was closed.


bbc--2020-09-09--Trump deliberately played down virus, Woodward book says

US President Donald Trump knew Covid-19 was deadlier than the flu before it hit the country but wanted to play down the crisis , according to a new book .
Bob Woodward , the journalist who broke the Watergate scandal , interviewed Mr Trump 18 times from December to July .
Mr Trump is quoted as telling him the virus was `` deadly stuff '' before the first US death was confirmed .
Responding to the book , the president said he had wanted to avoid causing public panic over the outbreak .
Some 190,000 Americans have been recorded as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic .
On Wednesday , some US media released parts of the interviews between the president and the journalist , revealing his reported remarks on the outbreak as well as race and other issues .
Here are some of the key quotes so far from Rage , which will be released on 15 September .
What does the book say about Mr Trump and the virus ?
Mr Trump indicated that he knew more about the severity of the illness than he had said publicly .
According to a tape of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ February that the coronavirus was deadlier than the flu .
`` It goes through the air , '' Mr Trump told the author on 7 February .
`` That 's always tougher than the touch .
You do n't have to touch things .
Right ?
But the air , you just breathe the air and that 's how it 's passed .
`` And so that 's a very tricky one .
That 's a very delicate one .
It 's also more deadly than even your strenuous flus . ''
Later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus was `` very much under control '' , and that the case count would soon be close to zero .
He also publicly implied the flu was more dangerous than Covid-19 .
Speaking on Capitol Hill on 10 March , Mr Trump said : `` Just stay calm .
It will go away . ''
Nine days later , days after the White House declared the pandemic a national emergency , the president told Woodward : `` I wanted to always play it down .
I still like playing it down , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a panic . ''
• From 2018 : Woodward on Trump - the explosive quotes • How Trump 's attitude toward coronavirus has shifted How did the White House react ?
Speaking from the White House on Wednesday , Mr Trump told reporters : `` I do n't want people to be frightened , I do n't want to create panic , as you say , and certainly I 'm not going to drive this country or the world into a frenzy .
`` We want to show confidence , we want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who is running for re-election in November - said the Woodward book was `` a political hit job '' .
Responding to reporters ' questions on the book , White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said : `` The president never downplayed the virus , once again .
The president expressed calm .
The president was serious about this . ''
• Things US has got wrong - and got right In a tweet , Mr Trump 's Democratic White House challenger Joe Biden said that `` while a deadly disease ripped through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ failed to do his job - on purpose .
It was a life or death betrayal of the American people . ''
Leaders are responsible for keeping people calm , but there is a fine line between avoiding panic and making a crisis worse .
President Trump told Woodward Covid-19 was deadlier than the flu , but in public he downplayed the danger .
Other leaders took a different approach .
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said bluntly that people would die : `` Many more families are going to lose loved ones @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thought people should know the severity of the pandemic .
In contrast , Mr Trump often downplayed the virus from the beginning .
In recent weeks , his advisers began speaking of the coronavirus in the past tense - as if the problem were gone .
Scientists disagree , saying there is likely to be a surge in the autumn , following the pattern of other respiratory diseases .
One fact is irrefutable , however .
Mr Trump wants people to see him as a strong leader .
He also wants them to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and not to worry about the virus .
What else did the book reveal ?
Woodward writes that he brought up the Black Lives Matter protests in a conversation with the president on 19 June , suggesting that `` white , privileged '' people like themselves ought to work to understand how black Americans feel .
`` You really drank the Kool-Aid , did n't you ? ''
Mr Trump said .
`` Just listen to you . ''
The nationwide protests against police brutality and racism were sparked by George Floyd 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump also repeated the suggestion that he had done more for African Americans than any president aside from Abraham Lincoln , who abolished slavery .
Later , on 8 July , Mr Trump again reiterated that he had `` done a tremendous amount for the black community '' , but was `` not feeling any love '' .
The Washington Post also cited an interview where Woodward asked the president about whether America has systemic racism .
Mr Trump said while these problems exist everywhere , `` I think probably less here than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many places '' .
The president also acknowledged racism affects the lives of people in the US , saying `` it 's unfortunate '' .
Woodward 's book also cites dozens of letters between Mr Trump and North Korea 's Kim Jong-un .
In the letters , filled with flowery language , Mr Kim reportedly referred to Mr Trump as `` Your Excellency '' and noted their `` deep and special friendship will work as a magical force '' .
According to US media , Mr Trump told Woodward of his connection with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woman .
In one second , you know whether or not it 's going to happen .
It does n't take you 10 minutes and it does n't take you six weeks .
It 's like , whoa .
OK. You know ?
It takes somewhat less than a second . ''
Mr Trump also reportedly told Woodward that he felt his predecessor , Barack Obama was `` highly overrated '' .
`` I do n't think Obama 's smart , '' Mr Trump reportedly said .
`` And I do n't think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ According to CNN , Mr Trump told Woodward he made President George W Bush `` look like a stupid moron , which he was '' .
The US election is in November , and the BBC wants to answer your questions about everything from candidate policies to election process .

Trump deliberately played down virus, Woodward book says Published 10 September 2020
Image source, Getty Images
US President Donald Trump knew Covid-19 was deadlier than the flu before it hit the country but wanted to play down the crisis, according to a new book.
Bob Woodward, who broke the Watergate scandal and is one of the nation's most respected journalists, interviewed Mr Trump 18 times from December to July.
Mr Trump is quoted as telling him the virus was "deadly stuff" before the first US death was confirmed.
Responding, the president said he had wanted to avoid causing public panic.
Some 190,000 Americans have been recorded as dying with Covid-19 since the beginning of the pandemic.
On Wednesday, some US media released parts of the interviews between the president and the journalist, revealing his reported remarks on the outbreak as well as on race and other issues.
Here are some of the key quotes so far from Rage, which will be released on 15 September.
What does the book say about Mr Trump and the virus?
Mr Trump indicated that he knew more about the severity of the illness than he had said publicly.
According to a tape of the call, Mr Trump told Woodward in February that the coronavirus was deadlier than the flu.
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Media caption, How Trump's attitude toward coronavirus shifted between March and April
"It goes through the air," Mr Trump told the author on 7 February.
"That's always tougher than the touch. You don't have to touch things. Right? But the air, you just breathe the air and that's how it's passed.
"And so that's a very tricky one. That's a very delicate one. It's also more deadly than even your strenuous flus."
Later that month, Mr Trump promised the virus was "very much under control", and that the case count would soon be close to zero. He also publicly implied the flu was more dangerous than Covid-19.
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Media caption, The lost six weeks when the US failed to control the virus
Speaking on Capitol Hill on 10 March, Mr Trump said: "Just stay calm. It will go away."
Nine days later, after the White House declared the pandemic a national emergency, the president told Woodward: "I wanted to always play it down. I still like playing it down, because I don't want to create a panic."
How have Mr Trump and the White House reacted?
In a tweet on Thursday, Mr Trump asked why Bob Woodward had not reported his quotes on Covid-19 earlier if he thought they were "bad and dangerous".
"He knew they were good and proper answers," Mr Trump said.
This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser. View original content on Twitter The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Skip twitter post by Donald J. Trump 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’. Accept and continue The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. End of twitter post by Donald J. Trump
Speaking from the White House earlier on Wednesday, he told reporters: "I don't want people to be frightened, I don't want to create panic, as you say, and certainly I'm not going to drive this country or the world into a frenzy.
"We want to show confidence, we want to show strength."
The president - who is running for re-election in November - said the Woodward book was "a political hit job".
Responding to reporters' questions on the book, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said: "The president never downplayed the virus, once again. The president expressed calm. The president was serious about this."
In a tweet, Mr Trump's Democratic White House challenger Joe Biden said that "while a deadly disease ripped through our nation, [the president] failed to do his job".
This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser. View original content on Twitter The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Skip twitter post 2 by Joe Biden 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’. Accept and continue The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. End of twitter post 2 by Joe Biden
Crisis management
Analysis by Tara McKelvey, BBC White House correspondent
Leaders are responsible for keeping people calm but there is a fine line between avoiding panic and making a crisis worse. President Trump told Woodward Covid-19 was deadlier than the flu but in public he downplayed the danger.
Other leaders took a different approach. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said bluntly that people would die: "Many more families are going to lose loved ones before their time."
Mr Trump often downplayed the virus from the beginning. In recent weeks, his advisers began speaking of the coronavirus in the past tense - as if the problem were gone.
Scientists disagree, saying there is likely to be a surge in the autumn, following the pattern of other respiratory diseases. One fact is irrefutable, however. Mr Trump wants people to see him as a strong leader. He also wants them to go to the polls and vote - and not to worry about the virus.
What else did the book reveal?
Mr Woodward writes that he brought up the Black Lives Matter protests in a conversation with the president on 19 June, suggesting that "white, privileged" people like themselves ought to work to understand how black Americans feel.
"You really drank the Kool-Aid, didn't you?" Mr Trump said. "Just listen to you."
The nationwide protests against police brutality and racism were sparked by George Floyd's death in Minnesota in May.
Mr Trump also repeated the suggestion that he had done more for African Americans than any president aside from Abraham Lincoln, who abolished slavery.
Later, on 8 July, Mr Trump again reiterated that he had "done a tremendous amount for the black community" but was "not feeling any love".
The Washington Post also cited an interview where Woodward asked the president about whether America has systemic racism.
Mr Trump said while these problems exist everywhere, "I think probably less here than most places, or less here than many places".
The president also acknowledged racism affected the lives of people in the US, saying it was "unfortunate".
Mr Woodward's book also cites dozens of letters between Mr Trump and North Korea's Kim Jong-un. In the letters, filled with flowery language, Mr Kim reportedly referred to Mr Trump as "Your Excellency" and noted their "deep and special friendship will work as a magical force".
According to US media, Mr Trump told Mr Woodward of his connection with Mr Kim: "You meet a woman. In one second, you know whether or not it's going to happen. It doesn't take you 10 minutes and it doesn't take you six weeks. It's like, whoa. OK. You know? It takes somewhat less than a second."
In a tweet on Thursday, Mr Trump wrote: "Kim Jong Un is in good health. Never underestimate him!" There have been sporadic reports about Mr Kim's health, including one in April that he was seriously ill or even dead.
Mr Trump also reportedly told Woodward that he felt his predecessor, Barack Obama, was "highly overrated".
"I don't think Obama's smart," Mr Trump reportedly said. "And I don't think he's a great speaker."
According to CNN, Mr Trump told Mr Woodward he made President George W Bush "look like a stupid moron, which he was".
The US election is in November, and the BBC wants to answer your questions about everything from candidate policies to election process.


bbc--2020-09-09--Moria migrants: Fire destroys Greek camp leaving 13,000 without shelter

Many attempted to carry their belongings to the port town of Mytilene but access was cordoned off .
Reports suggest many slept in fields after the fire .
Fires broke out in more than three places in a short space of time , local fire chief Konstantinos Theofilopoulos told state television channel ERT .
Some protesting migrants hindered firefighters who tried to tackle the flames , he said .
The main blaze , which was initially fanned by high winds , was put out by Wednesday morning , although Mr Theofilopoulos said there were still some small fires burning inside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Now with the first light I can see that there is a few tents that make it , they are okay , but the rest of the camp , as I can see from this distance , is burnt out , '' Thanasis Voulgarakis said .
How did the fires start ?
It is unclear exactly how the fires started , but Greek Migration Minister Notis Mitarachi said the `` incidents in Moria began with the asylum seekers because of the quarantine imposed '' .
Some of the 35 people who had tested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ move into isolation with their families .
But some migrants told BBC Persian the fire had broken out after scuffles between migrants and Greek forces at the camp .
Several blamed `` far-right Greeks '' for the blaze after the announcement of coronavirus cases , and took photos of what they said were canisters used to ignite the flames Marco Sandrone , Lesbos project co-ordinator for Médecins Sans Frontières ( MSF ) , told the BBC it was difficult to say what had caused the blaze , with several different fires and protests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do n't know where to go , and all the refugees are outside , and trying to find a place to at least just stay , '' he said .
The mayor of Mytilene , Stratis Kytelis , said it was `` a very difficult situation because some of those who are outside will include people who are positive [ for coronavirus ] '' .
What has the reaction been ?
`` We urge all to exercise restraint , '' it said , and asked anyone who had been at the camp `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ the site ] , as a temporary solution is being found to shelter them '' .
In 2018 , UNHCR urged the Greek government to move asylum seekers away from Lesbos , describing conditions as at `` boiling point '' .
At the time , there were 8,000 people living in the Moria camp .
What is the camp ?

"Now with the first light I can see that there is a few tents that make it, they are okay, but the rest of the camp, as I can see from this distance, is burnt out," Thanasis Voulgarakis said.


bbc--2020-09-09--Jessica Krug: George Washington University professor resigns

A US academic who was being investigated after admitting she lied about being black has resigned , George Washington University has confirmed .
Jessica Krug , an associate professor whose work focuses on Africa and the African diaspora , admitted in a blog post last week that she was in fact a `` white Jewish '' woman from Kansas City .
The post read : `` I have built my life on a violent anti-black lie . ''
Her colleagues said they were `` shocked and appalled '' by her admission .
In a Medium post published last Thursday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ identities `` that I had no right to claim : first North African Blackness , then US rooted Blackness , then Caribbean rooted Bronx Blackness '' .
• White US professor says she lied about being black In a tweet on Wednesday , George Washington University said Ms Krug had `` resigned her position , effective immediately '' .
`` Her classes for this semester will be taught by other faculty members , and students in those courses will receive additional information this week , '' it added .
She has not commented @ @ @ @ @ @ @ post ?
Ms Krug described her behaviour as `` the very epitome of violence , of thievery and appropriation , of the myriad ways in which non-Black people continue to use and abuse Black identities and cultures . ''
She added that she had continued the pretence even in her personal relationships .
She cited mental health issues and trauma experienced in her early years , although she said this was not an excuse for her actions .
According to media reports , Ms Krug also used the name Jessica La Bombalera as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earlier this year , she berated white New Yorkers for failing to `` yield their time for Black and Brown indigenous New Yorkers '' .
Ms Krug 's academic work includes the 2018 book Fugitive Modernities : Kisama and the Politics of Freedom , which focuses on the politics and culture of African and African diaspora societies .
Her case bears strong parallels to race activist Rachel Dolezal , a white woman who claimed to be black .
After her parents outed her in 2015 , she said she `` identified as black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ publication of her blog post , Ms Krug 's colleagues at GWU 's Department of History released a joint statement calling for her to resign from her post or for the university to remove her tenure .
The university said then Ms Krug would not teach classes and acknowledged `` many students , faculty , staff and alumni [ were ] hurting '' .
You may also be interested in : • What is cultural appropriation and why is it a problem ?

Jessica Krug: George Washington University professor resigns Published 9 September 2020
Image source, Duke University Press Image caption, Jessica Krug's work focuses on Africa and the African diaspora
A US academic who was being investigated after admitting she lied about being black has resigned, George Washington University has confirmed.
Jessica Krug, an associate professor whose work focuses on Africa and the African diaspora, admitted in a blog post last week that she was in fact a "white Jewish" woman from Kansas City.
The post read: "I have built my life on a violent anti-black lie."
Her colleagues said they were "shocked and appalled" by her admission.
In a Medium post published last Thursday, Ms Krug said she had falsely assumed identities "that I had no right to claim: first North African Blackness, then US rooted Blackness, then Caribbean rooted Bronx Blackness".
In a tweet on Wednesday, George Washington University said Ms Krug had "resigned her position, effective immediately".
"Her classes for this semester will be taught by other faculty members, and students in those courses will receive additional information this week," it added.
She has not commented.
What did she say in her post?
Ms Krug described her behaviour as "the very epitome of violence, of thievery and appropriation, of the myriad ways in which non-Black people continue to use and abuse Black identities and cultures."
She added that she had continued the pretence even in her personal relationships. She cited mental health issues and trauma experienced in her early years, although she said this was not an excuse for her actions.
According to media reports, Ms Krug also used the name Jessica La Bombalera as an activist. In one video posted earlier this year, she berated white New Yorkers for failing to "yield their time for Black and Brown indigenous New Yorkers".
Ms Krug's academic work includes the 2018 book Fugitive Modernities: Kisama and the Politics of Freedom, which focuses on the politics and culture of African and African diaspora societies.
Her case bears strong parallels to race activist Rachel Dolezal, a white woman who claimed to be black. After her parents outed her in 2015, she said she "identified as black".
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Media caption, "The idea of race is a lie" - Rachel Dolezal speaks to Emily Maitlis
On Friday, following the publication of her blog post, Ms Krug's colleagues at GWU's Department of History released a joint statement calling for her to resign from her post or for the university to remove her tenure.
The university said then Ms Krug would not teach classes and acknowledged "many students, faculty, staff and alumni [were] hurting".
You may also be interested in:


bbc--2020-09-09--Trump Nobel Peace Prize nomination - what you need to know

Less than two months before the US election , President Donald Trump seems to have something to celebrate - a nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize .
A far-right Norwegian politician has put Mr Trump 's name forward for the 2021 prize , citing the president 's role in the recent peace deal between Israel and the United Arab Emirates .
Christian Tybring-Gjedde told Fox News on Wednesday : `` For his merit , I think he has done more trying to create peace between nations than most other peace prize nominees . ''
Adding that he was not a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` The committee should look at the facts and judge him on the facts - not on the way he behaves sometimes . ''
Of course a nomination is not the same as winning - we wo n't know the winner for another 13 months - so what can we make of this news ?
So who gets to nominate a person ?
For a nomination alone , the barrier to entry is low : all nominations from heads of state or politicians serving at a national level are accepted .
University professors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past recipients of a Nobel Prize and members of the Norwegian Nobel Committee are also among those deemed qualified to submit a nomination for the prize .
The nominations require no invitation and as long they are entered before 1 February of the qualifying year , they will be accepted .
For the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize - the winner of which has not yet been announced - there were 318 candidates .
The Norwegian Nobel Committee does n't publicly comment on its nominees , which are kept secret for 50 years .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ And for the second time , he has Mr Tybring-Gjedde to thank .
In 2018 , the right-wing politician was one of two Norwegian lawmakers to nominate Mr Trump for the same prize , then for his efforts to bring reconciliation to North and South Korea .
Mr Trump did not take home the prize that year , but Mr Tybring-Gjedde , a member of the conservative Progress Party , insists the US president meets the criteria this time .
Last month , Israel and the UAE reached a deal to normalise relations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ controversial plans to annex part of the occupied West Bank - announced by Mr Trump in a surprise statement .
It is just the third Israel-Arab peace deal since Israel 's declaration of independence in 1948 , and marks the first official diplomatic relationship between Israel and a Gulf Arab country .
Palestinian leaders were reportedly caught off guard by the agreement .
`` This is a hard earned and well-deserved honour for this president , '' White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany said on Wednesday .
`` Career politicians merely talk about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has achieved on the world stage . ''
President Trump 's critics say he is a polarising figure who exploits divisions rather than trying to bring Americans together .
Has a US president been nominated before ?
Mr Trump is one of several US presidents to receive the peace prize nomination , including President William Howard Taft , President Herbert Hoover and President Franklin Roosevelt .
And if he were to receive the coveted award , Mr Trump would be the fifth US president to win , following Theodore Roosevelt in 1906 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2002 and Barack Obama in 2009 .
Mr Obama 's nomination - after just months on the job - was met with criticism in the US , with some arguing he had not made an impact worthy of the award .
Among his detractors ?
Mr Trump , who tweeted in 2013 calling for Mr Obama 's award to be rescinded .
The former Nobel secretary Geir Lundestad later said he regretted Mr Obama 's selection .
`` Even many of Obama 's supporters believed that the prize was a mistake , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` In that sense the committee did n't achieve what it had hoped for . ''
Have there been controversial nominations before ?
While the award 's most famous recipients include Martin Luther King Jr , Nelson Mandela and Mother Teresa - all who won the prize - the broad criteria for nominations means that past nominees have included highly unorthodox , and controversial , selections .
Adolf Hitler was nominated for the peace prize in 1939 by a member of the Swedish parliament .
Reportedly submitted in satire , the nomination @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years later , the Soviet leader Josef Stalin was nominated for the same award , twice , garnering nods in 1945 - for his efforts ending WW2 - and again in 1948 .
After nominations are submitted , the recipient is selected by a five-person Nobel Committee , which is appointed by the Norwegian Parliament .
The winner of the 2021 prize will not be announced until October of next year .

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--2020-09-10--California wildfires: This is how mind-bogglingly huge they are

Over two million acres of land has been burned in California , compared to 118,000 acres burned during this time @ @ @

Over two million acres of land have been burned in California, compared to 118,000 acres burned during this time in 2019.
Read more: Three killed in explosive inferno


bbc--2020-09-09--US official claims pressure to downplay intelligence reports

A senior intelligence official at the US Department of Homeland Security says he was pressured to downplay the threat of Russian election interference as it `` made the president look bad '' .
In a whistleblower complaint , Brian Murphy said he was demoted for refusing to alter reports on this and other issues , including white supremacy , as directed by the agency 's leadership .
The directives , he claims , were illegal and an abuse of authority .
The White House has denied the claims .
The complaint was released by the Democrat-led House Intelligence Committee , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Congress later in the month .
What are the allegations involving Russia ?
The whistleblower reprisal complaint , filed on Tuesday , sets out a number of allegations against former Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen , current Acting Secretary Chad Wolf and his deputy Ken Cuccinelli .
Mr Murphy says that , between March 2018 and August 2020 , there was a `` repeated pattern of abuse of authority , attempted censorship of intelligence analysis and improper administration of an intelligence program related to Russian efforts to influence and undermine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he was instructed by Mr Wolf to `` cease providing intelligence assessments on the threat of Russian interference ... and instead start reporting on interference activities by China and Iran '' .
These instructions came directly from White House National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien , the complaint says .
• All you need to know about Trump Russia story Mr Murphy refused to comply `` as doing so would put the country in substantial and specific danger '' , but in July he was told the intelligence report should be `` held @ @ @ @ @ @ @ look bad '' .
The complaint says Mr Murphy was then removed from future meetings and in July was effectively demoted form acting secretary and principal deputy under secretary to assistant to the deputy under secretary in the management division .
What other allegations are made ?
Mr Murphy claims he was under pressure from the White House to exaggerate the number of migrants with links to terrorism on the US-Mexico border .
`` He declined to censor or manipulate the intelligence information , '' the complaint says .
The complaint also alleges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ false material information '' about known or suspected terrorists apprehended at the US-Mexico border during testimony before two House committees , in December 2018 and March 2019 .
That happened as the Trump administration was introducing a number of tougher measures to curb the flow of undocumented migrants reaching the border and making the case for a wall .
He said Ms Nielsen 's testimony in March 2019 included an inflated number and `` constituted a knowing and deliberate submission of false material information '' .
Ms Nielsen resigned from the post a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump that she was not tough enough on immigration .
The complaint also details a clash with Mr Cuccinelli over a report into white supremacist groups .
`` Mr Cuccinelli stated that Mr Murphy needed to specifically modify the section on White Supremacy in a manner that made the threat appear less severe , as well as include information on the prominence of violent `` left wing '' groups . ''
Mr Murphy declined saying `` it would constitute censorship of analysis and the improper administration of an intelligence program '' .

White House spokeswoman Sarah Matthews said: "Ambassador O'Brien has never sought to dictate the Intelligence Community's focus on threats to the integrity of our elections or on any other topic; any contrary suggestion by a disgruntled former employee, who he has never met or heard of, is false and defamatory."


bbc--2020-09-09--Oscars: Only diverse films will be considered for best picture

Films hoping to compete for the best picture Oscar will have to meet certain criteria over diversity , the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences says .
The Academy set out four `` standards '' which it hopes will boost representation and inclusion both in front of and behind the camera .
For the 96th Oscars , in 2025 , only films that have met at least two of the standards will qualify for the award .
The Oscars have been criticised for their lack of diversity .
The failure to nominate black or minority actors in 2016 led @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stars boycotting the ceremony and the growth of the # OscarsSoWhite movement .
It led to a promise from the Academy to double its female and Bame members by 2020 .
The Academy recently invited 819 new members to vote for this year 's Oscars , of whom 45 % are women and 36 % are non-white , and says it has now doubled the number of women members and tripled the number of people from under-represented ethnic and racial communities .
In its latest announcement , the Academy said it was introducing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` to encourage equitable representation on and off screen in order to better reflect the diversity of the movie-going audience '' .
It lists in detail the underrepresented groups - which include women , racial and ethnic groups , LGBTQ+ and people with disabilities .
It lays out the following areas where such groups need to be involved : • On-screen acting and storylines , `` including at least one of the lead actors or significant supporting actors is from an underrepresented racial or ethnic group '' • Audience development , from publicity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will only apply to films made in 2024 for the awards ceremony in 2025 , and beyond .
Until then , films from 2021 will be required to submit an Academy Inclusion Standards form .
`` The aperture must widen to reflect our diverse global population in both the creation of motion pictures and in the audiences who connect with them , '' Academy President David Rubin and CEO Dawn Hudson said in a joint statement .
`` The Academy is committed to playing a vital role in helping make this a reality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a catalyst for long-lasting , essential change in our industry . ''
In an interview published on Wednesday , Halle Berry expressed `` heartbreak '' that no black women had won the best actress Oscar since she became the first to do so in 2002 .
`` The morning after , I thought , 'Wow , I was chosen to open a door '' , '' she told Variety .
`` And then , to have no one… I question , 'Was that an important moment , or was it just an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Last year , Bafta , the British equivalent of the Oscars , introduced similar criteria for two of its awards .
Films would not be nominated for best British film or best British debut unless they met at least two of four `` diversity standards '' .
Those standards cover on-screen talent and storylines ; creative leadership , team or crew ; training and opportunities ; and underserved audiences .
However , that did n't prevent the nominees for best British film this year being dominated by stories predominantly about , made by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ award was won by 1917 , Sir Sam Mendes 's epic that followed two soldiers during World War One .
It qualified because it met the criteria for creative leadership ( it had a female co-writer and two of the five producers were women ) and training .
The other nominees included Rocketman , the Sir Elton John biopic , which qualified because it had a lead character from an under-represented group ( presumably LGBT ) and the storyline reflected that group ; and because it targeted under-served audiences .
The Two Popes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hopkins as an ageing pair of pontiffs , was allowed to be nominated because its lead character ( s ) , storylines and locations reflected under-represented group ( s ) .
The groups it reflected have not been specified , but religion and age are listed among the `` characteristics '' used to define under-represented groups .
It also met the criteria relating to the creative leadership and team .
It was directed by Brazilian Fernando Meirelles , written by New Zealand 's Anthony McCarten , and one of the three producers was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ award included Ken Loach 's Newcastle-set working class drama Sorry We Missed You , which met three of the four diversity standards ; and Mark Jenkin 's low-budget Cornish fishing drama Bait , which met all four .
The final nominee was the Syrian war documentary For Sama , which met three .
The diversity standards do n't apply to the acting and directing honours - and Bafta found itself at the centre of an outcry this year after unveiling an all-white line-up for the acting awards , and an all-male line-up of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statement saying it was `` delighted that the Academy has today announced its new representation and inclusion standards '' .
It said it would `` continue to review and expand '' its own standards every year .
Bafta has been carrying out a review of its membership , nominations and voting processes , although any changes have not yet been announced .
In a letter to members in June , incoming Bafta chair Krishnendu Majumdar said the 2020 nominations `` showed we are a long way from where we want to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ important for the organisation `` to acknowledge systemic racism and other unconscious biases , and to address this head-on '' .
Follow us on Facebook , or on Twitter @ BBCNewsEnts .
If you have a story suggestion email entertainment.news @ bbc.co.uk .

The Two Popes, starring Jonathan Pryce and Sir Anthony Hopkins as an ageing pair of pontiffs, was allowed to be nominated because its lead character(s), storylines and locations reflected under-represented group(s). The groups it reflected have not been specified, but religion and age are listed among the "characteristics" used to define under-represented groups. It also met the criteria relating to the creative leadership and team. It was directed by Brazilian Fernando Meirelles, written by New Zealand's Anthony McCarten, and one of the three producers was female.


bbc--2020-09-09--We Charity to exit Canada amid Trudeau scandal probe

A charity that has been a key player in a scandal involving Canada 's prime minister , Justin Trudeau , says it will no longer operate in the country .
In a press release , WE Charity announced it would be `` winding down the organization 's operations in Canada '' .
The charity 's co-founders , Craig and Marc Kielburger , will also transition from the organisation .
WE was under the spotlight after it was picked to run the Canada Student Service Grant , a summer programme .
The C $ 900m ( $ 679m , £519m ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who were out of their summer jobs because of the pandemic .
It later emerged that Mr Trudeau 's mother and brother had been paid for speaking at various WE events over the years .
Mr Trudeau is facing the third ethics investigation of his five years in office over the government 's decision to task WE with administering the programme .
In its release , WE said it was ending its Canadian operations because of Covid-19 disruptions and because the `` fallout from the Canada Student Service Grant has placed the charity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ misinformation that a charity is ill-equipped to fight '' .
The charity says it will layoff its Canadian staff and sell off its assets to fund an endowment to help complete existing international humanitarian projects and digitise its Canadian educational resources .
• WE charity scandal - A simple guide to the new crisis for Trudeau The Kielburger brothers co-founded the charity in their parents ' home in Ontario when Craig was 12 years old .
The pair have achieved celebrity status in their home country , and appeared on television programmes like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's WE Day motivational conferences frequently featured celebrity speakers like Idris Elba .
But many criticised the government 's awarding of such a large contract to a private organisation .
WE Charity Canada would have received up to C $ 43.5m to manage the C $ 900m programme under that agreement .
Criticism intensified after it was revealed that Mr Trudeau 's mother and brother had been paid to speak at the charity 's events .
Mr Trudeau 's then-finance minister , Bill Morneau , also had family ties to the organisation and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to go on two of its service trips .
Mr Morneau said he recently realised he had not paid C $ 41,000 in related travel expenses for those visits and has since paid them back .
He resigned in August from the finance job and as a member of Parliament amid pressure from opposition parties over the matter and amid reports of tensions between him and Mr Trudeau over the path forward for Canada 's pandemic-battered economy .
Mr Trudeau temporarily suspended parliament last month after Mr Morneau 's resignation , to work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Covid-19 , which effectively shut down committee meetings into the WE controversy .

In its release, WE said it was ending its Canadian operations because of Covid-19 disruptions and because the "fallout from the Canada Student Service Grant has placed the charity in the middle of political battles and misinformation that a charity is ill-equipped to fight".


bbc--2020-09-09--Belarus: Nobel Laureate Alexievich visited by diplomats amid 'harassment'

European diplomats have been photographed at the home of a Nobel Prize-winning writer in Belarus after she said masked men tried to break in .
She is the last leading member of the opposition Co-ordination Council still in Belarus who has not been detained .
The government has cracked down on dissent after protests swept the country following a disputed election .
Maria Kolesnikova , one of three women who joined forces to challenge authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko in August 's vote , is in detention after she resisted attempts by the authorities to expel her to Ukraine earlier this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Maxim Znak , a lawyer and another member of the Co-ordination Council , being led down a street in the capital Minsk by masked men in plain clothes .
Belarusian authorities said both were being held on suspicion of harming national security and destabilising the country .
Thousands of people have been arrested in the crackdown on the opposition and its supporters .
Authorities announced on Wednesday that 121 people had been detained at protests nationwide the day before .
Hundreds more people were arrested on Sunday during the fourth consecutive weekend of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nobel Prize-winning writer and journalist , said she had asked supporters to come to her home after she was harassed with door knocks and phone calls .
She said masked men had earlier attempted to break into her apartment .
`` Harassments , arrests [ and ] forced exile of opposition ... is a serious violation of peaceful protests , '' she said .
`` Happy to share this photo taken a moment ago in Minsk . ''
The opposition set up the committee in the wake of the election calling for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were not preparing a coup .
We wanted to prevent a split in our country , '' she wrote .
`` It was not the [ council ] that revolted .
The country revolted . ''
And what happened to Maxim Znak ?
The 39-year-old , who previously worked as a lawyer for jailed presidential candidate Viktor Babaryko , was due to take part in a video call on Wednesday but failed to dial in .
When a colleague called him , Mr Znak said someone had arrived and then hung up .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' to a group , one activist told local media .
This is believed to be a reference to the face masks worn by the Belarusian security services .
On Monday , Mr Znak had told the BBC he was concerned about his safety .
`` I 'm pretending to be relaxed , '' he said .
`` It 's a professional habit - but actually I 'm very concerned and scared . ''
The police are yet to comment on reports of his detention .
What else is happening ?
On Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Polish capital Warsaw where she delivered a speech at a university and called for the protests in Belarus to remain peaceful .
`` I think it is impossible to fight violence and give violence , '' she said .
`` The methods employed by the so-called authorities are outrageous , '' she said in a statement .
`` It 's clear Lukashenko is afraid of negotiations and is trying ... to paralyse the work of the Co-ordination Council and intimidate its members . ''

Ms Alexievich, a Nobel Prize-winning writer and journalist, said she had asked supporters to come to her home after she was harassed with door knocks and phone calls. She said masked men had earlier attempted to break into her apartment.


bbc--2020-09-09--Frenchman Alain Cocq accepts palliative care after bid to livestream death

A terminally ill Frenchman who was blocked from livestreaming his own death on Facebook has now accepted palliative care and backed down on a vow to starve .
But he told AFP news agency on Wednesday that he did not have the `` capacity for the fight any more '' .
Euthanasia is illegal in France , but doctors are allowed to put terminally ill patients into deep sedation until death in limited circumstances , such as when death is imminent .
Mr Cocq has called for the law to be changed to allow terminally ill people to die as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including the Catholic Church , oppose euthanasia on moral grounds .
Mr Cocq suffers from a degenerative disease , which causes the walls of his arteries to stick together .
He says he has been in a `` terminal phase '' for more than 30 years .
In July , he wrote to French President Emmanuel Macron , describing his `` extremely violent suffering '' and asking for permission to die `` with dignity '' .
Mr Macron said he was `` moved '' by the letter , but could not grant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` not situated above the law '' .
`` Your wish is to request active assistance in dying which is not currently permitted in our country , '' he said .
In a post on Facebook on Saturday , Mr Cocq announced that he had finished his `` last meal '' , saying he would refuse food , drink and medicine until he died .
`` I know the days ahead are going to be difficult but I have made my decision and I am calm , '' he said .
But Facebook @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to livestream himself slowly dying , stating that it did not allow portrayals of suicide .
`` Although we respect [ Mr Cocq 's ] decision to want to draw attention to this complex question , following expert advice we have taken measures to prevent the live broadcast on Alain 's account , '' a spokesman said .
Mr Cocq was admitted to hospital in the city of Dijon on Monday , because he was `` suffering too much '' , a spokeswoman has said .
`` He still wants to go but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' she told local media .

Mr Cocq suffers from a degenerative disease, which causes the walls of his arteries to stick together. He says he has been in a "terminal phase" for more than 30 years.


bbc--2020-09-09--Xinjiang: US to block key exports from Chinese region

The US is to block key exports from China 's Xinjiang region due to allegations that they are produced using forced labour .
The proposed bans include cotton and tomato products which are two of China 's major commodity exports .
The Trump administration has been ratcheting up pressure on China for its treatment of Xinjiang 's Uighur Muslims .
In recent years China has massively increased security in Xinjiang , citing a threat of separatism and terrorism .
By some estimates up to a million people have been detained without trial for minor infractions , in what China says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Border Protection ( CBP ) is currently preparing Withhold Release Orders which allows it to detain shipments based on suspicions of forced labour involvement .
The law is aimed at combating human trafficking , child labour and other human rights abuses .
Earlier this year US lawmakers proposed legislation that would assume that all goods produced in Xinjiang were made with forced labour and would require certification that they are not .
Washington and Beijing have repeatedly clashed over the high-security detention camps , which China says are necessary to improve security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We have reasonable but not conclusive evidence that there is a risk of forced labour in supply chains related to cotton textiles and tomatoes coming out of Xinjiang , '' CBP Executive Assistant Commissioner Brenda Smith told Reuters in an interview .
`` We will continue to work our investigations to fill in those gaps , '' she added .
The proposed bans could have a far-reaching impact for US retailers , clothes makers and food producers .
China produces about 20 % of the world 's cotton with most of it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also a major source of petrochemicals and other goods that feed into Chinese factories .
This week , US entertainment giant Disney came under fire for shooting its new film Mulan in the Xinjiang province .
The film was already the target of a boycott after its lead actress backed a crackdown on Hong Kong protesters .

China produces about 20% of the world's cotton with most of it coming from Xinjiang. The region is also a major source of petrochemicals and other goods that feed into Chinese factories.


bbc--2020-09-09--UK PM defends planned Brexit deal changes

Boris Johnson has urged MPs to support a bill which modifies the Brexit deal he signed with the EU in January .
The PM said the Internal Markets Bill would `` ensure the integrity of the UK internal market '' and hand power to Scotland and Wales .
He also claimed it would protect the Northern Ireland peace process .
Critics say the move will damage the UK 's international standing after a minister admitted the plans break international law .
The Scottish government has not ruled out legal action to prevent it becoming law .
Scotland 's First Minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' proposed bill for a so-called UK internal market is an abomination .
It is a naked power grab which would cripple devolution . ''
The Taoiseach ( Ireland 's prime minister ) Micheál Martin has spoken to Mr Johnson `` in forthright terms '' about `` the breach of an international treaty , the absence of bilateral engagement and the serious implications for Northern Ireland '' , the Irish government said .
Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove will hold emergency talks in London on Thursday with EU Commissioner Maros Sefcovic to discuss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ European Commission had requested a meeting as soon as possible to clarify what the legislation means for the Brexit deal .
Meanwhile , the latest scheduled round of negotiations on securing a post-Brexit trade deal with the EU are also due to wrap up on Thursday .
• How could the Northern Ireland Brexit deal change ?
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen tweeted : `` Very concerned about announcements from the British government on its intentions to breach the Withdrawal Agreement .
This would break international law and undermines trust . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ - repeatedly described as `` oven ready '' by Mr Johnson during last year 's general election - contained `` ambiguities '' and lacked clarity in `` key areas '' .
The PM 's spokesman said it had been agreed `` at pace in the most challenging possible political circumstances '' to `` deliver on a decision by the British people '' .
It had been signed `` on the assumption that subsequent agreements to clarify these aspects could be reached '' , the spokesman added .
The new bill sets out rules @ @ @ @ @ @ @ market - trade between England , Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland - after the end of the Brexit transition period in January .
• No new checks on goods moving from Northern Ireland to the rest of Great Britain • Giving UK ministers powers to modify or `` disapply '' rules relating to the movement of goods that will come into force from 1 January if the UK and EU are unable to reach an alternative agreement through a trade deal • Powers to override previously agreed obligations on state aid - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states that these powers should apply even if they are incompatible with international law .
Ministers say the legislation is needed to prevent `` damaging '' tariffs on goods travelling from the rest of the UK to Northern Ireland if negotiations with the EU on a free trade agreement fail .
But senior Conservatives have warned it risks undermining the UK 's reputation as an upholder of international law .
Former Prime Minister Sir John Major said : `` For generations , Britain 's word - solemnly given - has been accepted by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any treaty or agreement has been sacrosanct . ''
He added : `` If we lose our reputation for honouring the promises we make , we will have lost something beyond price that may never be regained . ''
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer urged the government to consider `` the reputational risk that it 's taking in the proposed way forward '' .
But Sir Keir - who campaigned for a second Brexit referendum - added that the `` way forward '' now was to get a trade deal , adding `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , prime minister , you own that failure '' .
`` The outstanding issues are not difficult .
They can be resolved .
So what I say to the prime minister is , you promised a good deal , get on , negotiate it , '' he added .
`` That 's what 's in the national interest and focus then on the issue in hand which is tackling this pandemic . ''
In the withdrawal agreement with the EU , Northern Ireland is still in the UK , but it has to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ code .
This bill will be seen by the EU as a pretty brazen attempt to override the deal that has been done .
The bill contains the words `` notwithstanding '' - that basically means this law sets aside a law we have already agreed .
That was described to me earlier in the week as being a completely nuclear option .
And they have pressed it .
This row is n't going to go away .
The Democratic Unionist Party , which has been pressing for changes to the Withdrawal Agreement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ step forward '' but the government must ensure Northern Ireland is not `` restrained in a state aid straight jacket unlike the rest of the UK '' .
But the deputy first minister of Northern Ireland , Sinn Fein 's Michelle O ' Neill , said the Withdrawal Agreement protected the Good Friday Agreement and it was `` astounding '' the UK government `` thinks its fine '' to wreck an international treaty they had signed up to .
Speaking at Prime Minister 's Questions , Mr Johnson said : `` My job @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UK but also to protect the Northern Ireland peace process and the Good Friday Agreement .
`` And to do that , we need a legal safety net to protect our country against extreme or irrational interpretations of the Protocol , which could lead to a border down the Irish Sea , in a way that I believe would be prejudicial to the interests of the Good Friday Agreement and prejudicial to the interests of peace in our country .
And that has to be our priority . ''
Commenting on a similar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a former minister told the BBC : `` I can not allow anyone to get away with saying the government is doing this to protect the peace process .
This does the precise opposite . ''
The legislation will see Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland handed powers in areas such as air quality and building efficiency currently regulated at EU level .
It will also set up a new body - the Office for the Internal Market - to make sure standards adopted in different parts of the UK do not undermine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the UK single market will cut across areas that are usually devolved .
For example , if the UK government decides some food imports are acceptable in England then they would also be allowed in Scotland , even though agriculture is devolved .
The new body will be able to issue non-binding recommendations to the UK Parliament and devolved administrations when clashes emerge .
The SNP 's leader at Westminster , Ian Blackford , described the Internal Markets Bill as `` nothing short of an attack on Scotland 's parliament and an affront @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Johnson said the bill would protect jobs and growth - and was a `` massive devolutionary act '' that would represent a `` very substantial transfer of power and sovereignty '' to Scotland and Wales .
But his words did not prevent the resignation of a senior Conservative in Wales , where the party is in opposition .
David Melding , shadow Counsel General , said in his resignation letter that the PM 's actions in the past few days had `` gravely aggravated '' the dangers facing `` our 313-year-old Union '' @

"And to do that, we need a legal safety net to protect our country against extreme or irrational interpretations of the Protocol, which could lead to a border down the Irish Sea, in a way that I believe would be prejudicial to the interests of the Good Friday Agreement and prejudicial to the interests of peace in our country. And that has to be our priority."


bbc--2020-09-09--Chinese embassy calls for Twitter inquiry after porn clip liked

China 's UK embassy has asked Twitter to `` make thorough investigations '' after its ambassador 's official account liked a pornographic clip .
Liu Xiaoming 's account also liked posts that criticised the Chinese Communist Party ( CCP ) and showed blindfolded Uighurs being detained .
The activity first drew attention after the account liked a 10-second video posted by an adult-themed page containing clips with Chinese-language descriptions .
A London-based human rights campaigner flagged this to other Twitter users just after 09:00 GMT with a screenshot as proof .
The clip was subsequently unliked by whoever was controlling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remained liked for a time before they too were reversed .
One included claims that officials had `` paid lip service to non-interference '' in order to get away with killing members of the Chinese public .
A second featured drone-captured footage of Uighur Muslims being taken to what the post described as a `` concentration camp '' .
Beijing has previously denied holding large numbers of people from the ethnic minority in camps against their will in the western Xinjiang region .
And the ambassador denied his country was carrying out a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when he was shown the drone footage by the BBC earlier in the year .
Twitter is blocked within mainland China .
But over the past year Chinese officials have become more active on the platform , and Mr Liu 's account was created in October .
The app 's likes are sometimes used as a kind of bookmark facility rather than to express support , and the heart-shaped icon that activates them can be easily selected by mistake .
Some of the social network 's users have suggested the pornographic clip might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the others selected as part of a cover story .
`` The embassy has reported this to Twitter and urged the latter to make thorough investigations and handle this matter seriously , '' said a statement '' The embassy reserves the right to take further actions and hope that the public will not believe or spread such rumour [ s ] . ''

The app's likes are sometimes used as a kind of bookmark facility rather than to express support, and the heart-shaped icon that activates them can be easily selected by mistake.


bbc--2020-09-09--Chechen teen 'tortured' in humiliating video

A video of a teenager appearing to be tortured and `` apologising '' for criticising the Chechen government on social media has emerged online .
In the video , which has been condemned by activists , the man is forced to perform a humiliating act .
He identifies himself as the 19-year-old administrator of a social media channel that has criticised Chechnya 's leader Ramzan Kadyrov .
The ally of Russia 's President Vladimir Putin denies that his government detains and tortures critics who speak out publicly against the regime .
But human rights groups say victims are punished and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ online .
Chechnya is an autonomous region of Russia firmly under the control of Mr Kadyrov , who was appointed by Mr Putin in 2007 after separatists fought unsuccessfully for independence for a decade .
In the video clip a naked young man kneeling down apologises in Chechen for criticizing Mr Kadyrov 's regime and says he is an administrator of a channel on messaging app Telegram called 1ADAT , which he denounces .
He is in significant distress , says he wants to punish himself and then performs a humiliating act with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ run by Chechen nationals in Russia and elsewhere in Europe , confirmed that Mr Tepsurkayev had been involved with their channel but said he had only been a moderator .
The video has been met with a wave of indignation after it was shared widely in Russia .
`` Chechen women and men said they felt sick , shocked , humiliated ; many did not know how to continue their life with dignity , '' she said .
The Chechen government office of human rights told the Kavkaz.Realii website that the incident in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that they were not investigating because the man filmed had not come forward with a complaint .
In November 2019 Mr Kadyrov vowed to crackdown on repression , saying `` those who are violating harmony between people , those who gossip and cause rows , if we do n't stop them by killing them , imprisoning them , or intimidating them , nothing will work '' .

In November 2019 Mr Kadyrov vowed to crackdown on repression, saying "those who are violating harmony between people, those who gossip and cause rows, if we don't stop them by killing them, imprisoning them, or intimidating them, nothing will work".


bbc--2020-09-10--George Bizos: Anti-apartheid lawyer who defended Mandela dies aged 92

After representing some of the country 's best known political activists during the apartheid years , Mr Bizos became one of the architects of South Africa 's new constitution .
Leading tributes on Wednesday , President Ramaphosa described Mr Bizos as an `` incisive legal mind '' , and said his death was `` very sad for us as a country '' .
The Nelson Mandela Foundation said `` another giant of South African history and of global struggles for justice has fallen . ''
What was his relationship with Mandela ?
The pair met while studying law in Johannesburg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his friend and other anti-apartheid figures in various court cases .
He was one of the lawyers who represented Mandela at his treason trial , which began in 1956 .
He also represented Mandela during the Rivonia Trial , when he and other anti-apartheid activists were sentenced to life imprisonment in 1964 on charges of seeking to overthrow the apartheid government .
Mr Bizos is credited with adding the words `` if needs be '' to Mandela 's famous speech at the trial , in which he said he was prepared to die @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bizos played a `` critical role ... both professionally and as a family friend '' during the years of Mandela 's incarceration .
The foundation said the friendship between the men `` spanned more than seven decades and was legendary . ''
`` In the last years of Mandela 's life , they were often to be found together , just catching up , sharing memories , or heading off on car rides to see , one more time , places of significance in their life journeys , '' it added .
What @ @ @ @ @ @ @ George Bizos was born in Greece but came to South Africa at the age of 13 as a World War Two refugee .
He fell out of education for an extended period of time and worked instead in a Greek shop , after arriving in Johannesburg with no English .
After the end of white minority rule , Mr Bizos helped to write South Africa 's new constitution .
He also represented families of anti-apartheid activists who had been killed during apartheid at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission .
You might also be @ @ @

George Bizos: Anti-apartheid lawyer who defended Mandela dies aged 92 Published 10 September 2020
Image source, AFP Image caption, George Bizos is best known for defending Nelson Mandela at his trials
Top South African human rights lawyer George Bizos, who famously defended Nelson Mandela, has died aged 92.
After representing some of the country's best known political activists during the apartheid years, Mr Bizos became one of the architects of South Africa's new constitution.
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced his death, saying Mr Bizos had "contributed immensely to our democracy".
His family said he "died peacefully at home of natural causes".
Leading tributes on Wednesday, President Ramaphosa described Mr Bizos as an "incisive legal mind", and said his death was "very sad for us as a country".
The Nelson Mandela Foundation said "another giant of South African history and of global struggles for justice has fallen."
What was his relationship with Mandela?
George Bizos is most widely known for his work with Nelson Mandela.
The pair met while studying law in Johannesburg and Mr Bizos went on to represent his friend and other anti-apartheid figures in various court cases.
He was one of the lawyers who represented Mandela at his treason trial, which began in 1956.
He also represented Mandela during the Rivonia Trial, when he and other anti-apartheid activists were sentenced to life imprisonment in 1964 on charges of seeking to overthrow the apartheid government.
Mr Bizos is credited with adding the words "if needs be" to Mandela's famous speech at the trial, in which he said he was prepared to die.
The Nelson Mandela Foundation said Mr Bizos played a "critical role... both professionally and as a family friend" during the years of Mandela's incarceration.
In his autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom, Mandela describes Mr Bizos as "a man who combined a sympathetic nature with an incisive mind".
The foundation said the friendship between the men "spanned more than seven decades and was legendary."
"In the last years of Mandela's life, they were often to be found together, just catching up, sharing memories, or heading off on car rides to see, one more time, places of significance in their life journeys," it added.
What else do we know about him?
George Bizos was born in Greece but came to South Africa at the age of 13 as a World War Two refugee.
Before moving to South Africa, he and his father helped seven New Zealand soldiers to escape Nazi-occupied Greece.
He fell out of education for an extended period of time and worked instead in a Greek shop, after arriving in Johannesburg with no English.
He later trained as a lawyer at South Africa's Witwatersrand university, before being admitted to the Johannesburg Bar.
After the end of white minority rule, Mr Bizos helped to write South Africa's new constitution. He also represented families of anti-apartheid activists who had been killed during apartheid at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
In one of his last major trials, he secured government payouts for families of 34 mine workers who were killed by South African police in 2012.
You might also be interested in:


bbc--2020-09-09--83-year-old gets final wish

83-year-old gets final wish

An 83-year-old terminally ill woman had her bucket list wish fulfilled when a group of bikers turned up on her @ @ @ @ @ wanted to sit on a Harley-Davidson but she got to experience more than that .

An 83-year-old terminally ill woman had her bucket list wish fulfilled when a group of bikers turned up on her doorstep.
Anne Turner just wanted to sit on a Harley-Davidson but she got to experience more than that.


bbc--2020-09-09--California wildfires: Smoke turns skies orange

A plume of smoke from wildfires in the US state of California has descended on the San Francisco area , causing the sky over the region to turn orange .
Some 14,000 firefighters are battling 28 major blazes across California , amid a historic heatwave .
Wildfires have burned more than 2.5 million acres in the state this year , killing at least eight people .
On Wednesday , strong winds blew smoke and ash from some of those blazes in northern parts of the state .
Residents of San Francisco and the surrounding areas woke up to darkened skies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was still night time .
`` It feels like the end of the world , '' Catherine Geeslin , who lives in the West Portal area of the city , told the San Francisco Chronicle .
`` It was alarming to see it 's still dark .
And it will be strange to have lunch in the dark .
But you still have to get on with your day . ''
Local media reported that it still appeared to be dawn at 10:45 ( 18:45 BST ) , as the sun 's rays @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In a tweet , Daniel Swain , a climate scientist at the University of California , Los Angeles ( UCLA ) , said `` extremely dense '' and `` tall smoke plumes '' were `` almost completely blocking out the sun '' .
That smoke , experts said , was also behind the sky 's orange glow .
Smoke particles from the wildfires `` only allow yellow-orange-red light to reach the surface , causing skies to look orange '' , the Bay Area Air Quality Management District explained on Twitter .
`` This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ takes very specific conditions in order for this to happen , '' National Weather Service ( NWS ) forecaster Brian Garcia told SFGate .
`` Obviously , you need fires that have ample smoke production . ''
As wildfires continue to burn , forecasters expect similar conditions in the coming days .
More on the California wildfires


bbc--2020-09-09--The end of KUWTK: How do fans feel?

The end of KUWTK: How do fans feel?

Sound familiar ?
It 's one of many iconic lines to come from Keeping Up With The Kardashians .
But after 14 years of laughs , drama and sibling rivalry , the show is coming to an end and fans are reeling .
Miranda , 24 , from Croydon has been a big fan of the show for over a decade .
`` I think I 've watched nearly every single episode , including the spin-offs .
`` Some people might think I 'm crazy , but it 's one of those shows that you just invest yourself into , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` As much as their lifestyles are so different to the average person because they 're rich and travel all the time , when it comes to family , you could see that they 're just human beings . ''
• In pictures : Keeping Up With The Kardashians The show features the five Kardashian sisters - Kourtney , Kim , Khloe , Kendall and Kylie , and their brother Rob .
Since it began , they 've welcomed 10 new additions to the family .
Miranda says : `` We watched Kourtney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and now he 's 10 - it 's going to be so different watching them on social media instead .
`` Watching them grow , build an empire and build businesses shows young women , men or anybody who is interested in the show , not to give up on their dreams .
`` As much as everybody has different backgrounds and different lifestyles , I think they are true to themselves and believe in what they do , that 's what 's inspiring . ''
'As if 2020 could n't get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dublin 's first reaction when she saw Kim Kardashian 's announcement .
`` My work friends had to text me last night to see if I was OK , I joked with my boss that I was going to take the rest of the week off to come to terms with the loss . ''
She even wrote a funny out of office email when she heard the news .
`` It sounds dramatic , but I am really sad about it ending .
`` I 've watched it since the beginning and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` It became a big part of my life , especially since Kylie started releasing make-up , the girls at work think I 'm obsessed . ''
`` I was 14 when Keeping Up with The Kardashians was first introduced to me , it 's been with me as I 've grown up , '' 27-year-old Antonia Byrne says .
She was gutted when she saw the announcement on Instagram .
`` They made reality TV , everyone was talking about it and we got to see all sides of the family which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's been so many amazing moments but the one that sticks out for me was when Khloe and Kris pranked Kim , I would 've reacted the same way Kim did . ''
Whether you binged it during lockdown or you have been a fan since day one , the news is a bit of a surprise .
Even if you are n't a reality TV fan , you ca n't deny the impact the show and that family have had on pop culture , especially social media .
While they are paid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compared to how much they have been able to make since its success .
KUWTK gave them the platform to create this huge brand and empire selling make-up , clothes , shape wear - a lifestyle .
But it all comes at a cost .
They also said they wanted to keep the show as real as possible , so that meant showing the fun and laughter but also the sad and deeply personal times .
As Khloe said herself in one episode addressing her then boyfriend cheating on her : `` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , this is my life '' .
Kourtney started to show real signs of not wanting to be a part of it anymore when she cut the number of episodes she was in last season , saying it did n't make her happy anymore .
Ratings have fallen in recent years but most of the family is very active on social media and that is where they sell their products .
So maybe they agreed it was time to say goodbye to the cameras in their homes and just film content when they @ @ @

"My work friends had to text me last night to see if I was OK, I joked with my boss that I was going to take the rest of the week off to come to terms with the loss."