bbc--2020-01-18--In pictures: The sniffer dogs taking on Africa’s poachers

Poachers in Africa , who are now armed with military-style weapons and even helicopters to hunt their prey , have a new adversary : dogs with a nose for detection .
Deployed in key locations across six African countries are around 50 detector dogs .
They have sniffed out contraband - elephant tusks , rhino horns and pangolin scales - leading to hundreds of arrests of traffickers and the disruption of smuggling routes .
There have been almost 400 seizures of illegal wildlife products since the programme , funded by the African Wildlife Foundation , started in 2011 .
Will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Conservation , says it is `` a public-private partnership '' with governments that helps them develop dog units with their wildlife organisations .
`` That includes strategy , standard operating procedures and veterinary protocol .
With their help we select rangers and train them as detection dog handlers . ''
Dog handling has become a sought-after job among employees of wildlife authorities in Tanzania , Kenya , Uganda , Mozambique , Botswana and most recently Cameroon .
The handlers learn their skills over an eight-to-10-week period .
Handlers are carefully matched with their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some handlers have not been around dogs before , or have only known dogs as guard dogs .
They learn to love , care for and respect their dogs .
The recent graduating group from Cameroon is a case in point and there were a `` few teary eyes '' , according to Mr Powell , when they headed home ahead of their canine partners .
Mr Powell selects the dogs in Europe , in countries where there is a culture of working dogs including the Netherlands , the Czech Republic and Hungary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thorough training - but he brings them up to the equivalent of a PhD .
`` We look for open , confident , level-headed dogs able to deal with distraction and travelling , '' says Mr Powell , a British citizen , who started his career training dogs to detect landmines .
`` They must be gregarious and friendly to deal with a number of dog handlers . ''
Two breeds excel as detector dogs : Malinois and springer spaniels .
Malinois , which are Belgian shepherds , are famously intelligent , tough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ springer spaniels have good noses and a friendly nature .
And they have another advantage , Mr Powell explains .
`` There is often a fear of dogs , and shepherds with pointy ears are regarded as scary while floppy ears , like a spaniel , look less aggressive .
In areas where you are working around people it 's easier to use spaniels . ''
Both breeds have a strong work ethic because they love to be busy .
The working life of the dog depends on the breed .
For the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 13 years .
When their working life is finished , they are found appropriate homes or are returned to Mr Powell 's base in Tanzania .
`` We start by teaching the dogs to detect ivory as it 's the hardest smell to detect .
Rhino horn and pangolin scales are easier to pick up , '' he says .
`` We now teach them to detect lion bones and teeth , which are trafficked for Chinese medicine now that tigers have been largely wiped out . ''
Training the dogs to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to five months .
All the wildlife products they must find are hidden in a variety of realistic ways .
In the field the dogs have found ivory and rhino horn concealed in coffee and chillies , as well as wrapped in layers of foil and plastic .
They 've even found a lion 's tooth hidden in a thermos .
When dogs find something they are rewarded and given their toys .
The shepherds have tougher toys to chew on than their soft-mouthed spaniel colleagues .
The specially trained dogs go on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , rhino horn and pangolin scales .
Traffickers now know that detector dogs are checking international flights , so Canines for Conservation also works with the East African port authorities in Mombasa and Dar es Salam .
You may also be interested in : • In depth : The war on elephants • The daring investigator who took on the ivory poachers The dogs make it more expensive , risky and dangerous for traffickers .
A case in point is Jomo Kenyatta International airport in Kenya 's capital , Nairobi , where there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first year .
By 2019 it was down to a handful .
`` The traffickers know we are there .
And it resulted in a seizure of 23kg [ 50lb ] of rhino horn in Uganda , '' says Mr Powell .
`` The guy bought the rhino horn in Nairobi but he knew about the dogs there so he took a bus to Entebbe , but was caught there . ''
Each location brings different challenges and strategies .
For example , in Mozambique at Maputo airport handlers with detector dogs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their luggage carts .
Canines for Conservation have what they call the `` Five Freedoms '' at the heart of the dogs ' welfare : All the dogs are fed dry biscuits donated by a French company , Royal Canin , which supports the programme .
And all the dogs live in kennels with gardens and places to relax .
The partner governments respect the Five Freedoms .
And with every sniffer dog team , a trainer , employed by the African Wildlife Foundation , is embedded on the ground as a technical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but it 's more than just the dogs , '' says Mr Powell .
`` The success of the programme is down to the handlers and the governments .
Credit where credit is due .
`` And we all want to stop the illegal trade that threatens Africa 's wildlife . ''

"There is often a fear of dogs, and shepherds with pointy ears are regarded as scary while floppy ears, like a spaniel, look less aggressive. In areas where you are working around people it's easier to use spaniels."


bbc--2020-01-18--My 'butterfly skin' could kill me but I want to raise awareness for others

`` I get asked a lot if I feel like I 'm on borrowed time ...
I definitely do n't - it 's my own .
And I 'm going to use it to the best of my capabilities . ''
Lucy Beal Lott is 20 and lives with a rare condition called epidermolysis bullosa ( EB ) .
It means her skin can tear and blister at even the slightest touch , and Lucy often has to bandage up painful wounds .
Young people with EB are sometimes called `` butterfly children '' because their skin is fragile , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The question I get asked quite a bit online is : 'Does it hurt ? '
And I 'm like , ' I mean , yeah .
Open wounds can be quite painful ' , '' she says .
`` Right now , I also have a large open wound on my ankle , and I can really feel that . ''
It can also affect Lucy internally - for example , she had to have multiple throat surgeries during her teen years to treat scar tissue .
People with the condition can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which means Lucy inherited it and it ca n't be caught .
There is no known cure .
It is estimated that more than 5,000 people are living with EB in the UK , and 500,000 worldwide .
Lucy , who is originally from Austin , Texas , is currently studying at St Andrews University in Scotland .
She says her EB was first diagnosed when she was born without skin in some places on her body .
`` They knew that something was really wrong whenever a nurse removed a monitor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the entire patch of skin away with it , '' she tells Radio 1 Newsbeat .
'It 's like my shadow' '' EB grew up with me like my shadow , '' says Lucy .
`` I learned the name of my condition and the word 'terminal ' around the same time I learned my own name . ''
But far from allowing her condition to define her life in a negative way , Lucy has taken the opposite approach .
She 's become a positive voice for fellow sufferers and has helped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ giving a Ted talk and has just finished her first novel - all while she 's still been studying .
She attributes her drive to the fact that her condition led to her missing school as a child .
`` I loved school .
I was that weird kid .
I 'd get so upset that I had to miss out on learning , '' she says .
`` I saw that the only thing EB could n't limit for me was my ability to learn . ''
Lucy also posts pictures of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a great way to connect with other people living with a wide range of skin conditions .
`` It 's hard enough being a teenager but being one that looks different is very , very hard , '' she says .
`` So if a teenager can see someone who looks like them in the media , it can really help . ''
Now , she gets messages from people around the world who have visible skin conditions like hers .
`` I wake up every day with people telling me : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heart so full . ''
'They are an amazing group of people' Lucy 's attitude is n't unique among the EB community , according to Caroline Collins , who 's the director of research at EB charity Debra .
`` They are some of the most positive and forward-looking young people I have ever met , '' she says .
`` When I look at how many of them are going through school , going to university , having careers and living the best life that they possibly can in the face of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ honest .
They are an amazing group of people . ''
But the fact of EB is that it shortens people 's lives .
There are three main types .
The form of the condition that Lucy lives with is recessive dystrophic EB , where the symptoms range from mild to severe .
The more extreme form of the condition - called junctional EB - is the rarest .
Caroline is leading a meeting , which Lucy will also attend , with other EB specialists from around the world in London next week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kind .
`` We 've come a long way in the last few years , '' says Caroline `` but more research needs to be done .
Since it 's a genetic condition , you may end up having some sort of genetic treatment - and those treatments are in their infancy , '' she adds .
`` For certain types of EB , it can be fatal within weeks or months , '' says Caroline .
`` Other young people may go on and live through their teens and 20s , into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Lucy right now , it 's all about focusing on the future .
She 's got what seems like an endless list of goals : `` I hope to do much more for awareness this year .
I have a lot of internships to apply for and I hope to get my masters soon as well . ''
`` If it were up to me , I would just go to school forever . ''
Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen back here .

"When I look at how many of them are going through school, going to university, having careers and living the best life that they possibly can in the face of adversity, I'm astonished to be honest. They are an amazing group of people."


bbc--2020-01-18--Week in Pictures: 11-17 January 2020

Week in Pictures: 11-17 January 2020

Residents clean rooftops of volcanic ash following the eruption of the Taal volcano in the Philippines .
Situated on an @ @ @ @ @ a lake , it is one of the world 's smallest volcanoes and has recorded @ @ @ @ @ the past 450 years .
Authorities in the surrounding province , Batangas , declared a @ @ @ @ @ , signifying major disruption .

Image caption,
Residents clean rooftops of volcanic ash following the eruption of the Taal volcano in the Philippines. Situated on an island in the middle of a lake, it is one of the world's smallest volcanoes and has recorded at least 34 eruptions in the past 450 years. Authorities in the surrounding province, Batangas, declared a "state of calamity", signifying major disruption.


bbc--2020-01-17--Australia bushfires: Pollution concerns for tennis tournament

When tennis player Dalila Jakupovic was unable to complete her qualifying match for the Australian Open , which begins on Monday , she blamed the `` unhealthy '' air quality caused by fire smoke .
Bushfires have been burning across Australia for weeks , causing air pollution which can be harmful to health .
Ms Jakupovic criticised the organisers for letting the match go ahead in those conditions , as she and several other tennis players experienced effects , including coughing and difficulty breathing , nausea and muscle cramps .
Breathing in smoke can cause irritation in the eyes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more serious cases it can lead to hospital , especially for people with pre-existing respiratory conditions .
As trees , leaves and other ground vegetation burn , they release small particles of solid carbon , water vapour and gases including carbon monoxide .
Ultrafine particles of less than 2.5 micrometers - referred to as PM2.5 - pose the biggest risk to health because they can bury deep into the lungs and even enter the blood stream .
This risks irritation , infection and an increased chance of heart attacks and lung disease .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ works on public health , conducted a recent study into the effects of exposure to particulate matter .
She found it was linked to hospital admissions for a wider range of conditions than previously thought .
As well as the known effects on the lungs and heart , her team identified `` new diseases including septicaemia which is a serious bloodstream infection ... urinary tract infections and renal failure , '' she told ABC News .
Bushfire pollution does not typically do as much lasting damage as traffic or industry pollution , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expert in respiratory disease from the University of Technology , Sydney , because conditions often lift with a change in weather .
This means any breathing discomfort is mostly short-lived .
But because many fires have been burning for weeks , and authorities warn that there is no immediate end in sight , experts say this should now be treated as medium-term exposure .
• How is Australia 's wildlife faring in the fires ?
• Is climate change to blame for Australia 's fires ?
• Read the latest bushfire coverage from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bushfires have been burning across the country , often sending smoke over populated areas .
Residents of Sydney - Australia 's largest city - have endured smoke for weeks .
The city 's air quality has exceeded `` hazardous '' levels on several occasions .
That has led to a 10 % rise in hospital admissions , say officials .
Paramedics have treated hundreds of people for breathing problems .
• The long and dangerous summer ahead for Australia Adelaide - a city of 1.3 million - was also affected last month , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Because PM2.5 particles found in bushfire smoke are so small - a ninth of the size of a grain of sand - they can travel huge distances on the wind , potentially affecting many more people .
The smoke is expected to make `` at least one full circuit around the globe , '' according to the US space agency Nasa .
Most vulnerable are children , the elderly and smokers , while those with asthma , heart and lung problems can see exacerbated symptoms - such as chest tightness and difficulty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Australia Open tennis tournament have experienced , athletes can be more susceptible to smoke damage because they are breathing in larger volumes of air as they exercise .
The more intense the exercise , the more extra air will be taken in .
Standard face masks are ineffective when it comes to blocking out fine particles , according to health authorities .
They warned people to avoid exercising outdoors this week - a suggestion that many have ignored .
How bad has Australia 's air quality been ?
Australia 's clear air @ @ @ @ @ @ @ micrograms per cubic metre .
By comparison , smoking a single cigarette produces 20 micrograms per cubic metre .
Recent readings in Sydney have been as high as 734 micrograms - the equivalent of about 37 cigarettes .
Smoke is an obvious health hazard that can travel vast distances from the fire front .
But the weather stoking the flames has created other issues too , such as dust storms .
In Victoria , officials issued an `` extreme '' warning in November for a phenomenon known as `` thunderstorm asthma '' .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ pollen in the air , which can lead to an outbreak of asthma attacks .
In 2016 , nine people died in Melbourne from just such an outbreak .
Bushfires can actually create their own weather systems , which may exacerbate this effect , according to Rachel Badlan , a researcher at the University of New South Wales .
If it covers a large enough area , the upward movement of hot air from a fire can interact with the atmosphere and form a pyrocumulonimbus - a cloud of smoke , ash and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Pollutants from these storms are flung into the stratosphere - more than 10km into the earth 's atmosphere - according to Nasa .
Reporting by the BBC 's Frances Mao .
Additional reporting by Rachel Schraer .

Because PM2.5 particles found in bushfire smoke are so small - a ninth of the size of a grain of sand - they can travel huge distances on the wind, potentially affecting many more people. The smoke is expected to make "at least one full circuit around the globe," according to the US space agency Nasa.


bbc--2020-01-18--Unprofessional TikTok medical videos 'not the norm'

Viral videos made by US doctors and nurses made headlines this week after they were accused of being unprofessional and spreading misinformation .
One now-deleted TikTok ( a social media platform popular with teens ) video featured a nurse telling her followers that the way to avoid STIs was to abstain from sex before marriage .
In another , a nurse wrote : `` Funny fact - when you give us a stool sample , we all LAUGH at how your smelly poop smells like a butt . ''
Some videos spread to other platforms , including Twitter , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of these nurses are so unprofessional , I 'm disgusted , '' one Twitter user responded , while several medics published videos challenging their colleagues .
`` Some health professionals and medical trainees have demonstrated activity and/or behaviour on social media that may adversely affect public health and public opinion of the medical profession , '' the Association for Healthcare Social Media published in a statement on Thursday .
But TikTok videos can be a `` great '' way of providing health advice and medical information to teens and young adults , says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doctor in Minneapolis , Minnesota , who has a background in health education .
She says the vast majority of TikTok videos made by doctors are accurate and professional , and that the viral videos this week do not represent the norm .
Her videos are inspired by her shifts at the hospital ( she spoke to the BBC hours after delivering a baby ) or give general advice on health trends she sees at work , like a spike in flu cases .
Another doctor , a gynaecologist who calls herself Mama @ @ @ @ @ @ @ posts about topics like how to choose a contraceptive , staying healthy while using tampons , and exercise during pregnancy .
Judging by the millions of views of doctors and nurses ' videos , health is a popular topic on TikTok .
`` I get hundreds of messages from teenagers asking for videos on specific topics , or with questions they are too worried to ask their doctor , '' Dr Leslie explained .
After posting about studies linking teen vaping to serious lung problems in the US , people messaged her to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up .
You might also be interested in : • Teen having a seizure saved by online gamer - 5,000 gamer miles away in Texas Medical misinformation is a problem on all social media , she says , and unprofessional videos like those that spread this week `` need to be responded to '' .
Her videos use evidence-based information and she includes links so viewers can check the source of the information .
One recent post debunked the belief that eating cheese and yogurt causes acne , citing data from the American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criticised medics who adopt the TikTok style of dancing to music in their videos while delivering a serious message about health .
`` The TikTok spirit is fun - coming up with silly , funny dance videos .
So I think physicians doing this are trying to keep that while also providing health information , '' Dr Leslie argues .
Responding to the criticism of medics this week , she posted a video asking her followers whether they believe doctors should be active on social media .
`` The comments have been positive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an easy way for them to learn something new and useful , '' she explained .

Her videos are inspired by her shifts at the hospital (she spoke to the BBC hours after delivering a baby) or give general advice on health trends she sees at work, like a spike in flu cases.


bbc--2020-01-18--Why Iran plane disaster protests mark most serious test yet

The latest anti-government demonstrations sweeping Iran arguably pose the most serious challenge to the administration of any in its 40-year history .
In recent years , Iran has seen two major surges of opposition - in 2017 ( late December ) and 2019 ( October and November ) .
Both were fuelled by poor economic situations and sharp hikes in fuel prices that hurt the lower middle class and poorer families the most .
This time , demonstrations broke out after the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps ( IRGC ) admitted it had shot down a Ukraine International Airlines Boeing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after three days of strong denial .
Unlike the 2017 and 2019 protests , and those of 2009 which were triggered by disputed presidential elections , this week 's demonstrations started off from universities and spread quickly across many cities around the country .
The initial story by the officials in Tehran was that the plane crashed as a result of engine failure .
Iran 's aviation authorities even claimed it was impossible that the plane could have been targeted by anti-aircraft missiles .
The official version had too many flaws and emerging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iranian citizens had filmed and shared on social media showed a missile hitting the aeroplane right before it crashed .
Later CCTV footage emerged from nearby security cameras that showed the plane was actually shot twice , which explained why the pilot lost contact with the airport minutes before the crash .
Although foreign leaders implied the plane had most probably been downed by missiles rather than engine failure , it was the IRGC 's delayed confession that sparked the subsequent demonstrations .
• Plane crash victims 'were the best of us' • @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday - a day or two after the Islamic Republic held official burial ceremonies for some of the victims - Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei led the weekly prayers in Tehran .
The last time he did so was eight years ago , after most of the region was engulfed by the Arab Spring .
On this occasion , he devoted most of his prayer speech to his top general , Qasem Soleimani , who was killed by a US drone strike , and to Iran 's retaliatory missile attack on a US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plane crash and paid condolences to the families of the victims but he did not apologise nor place responsibility on the IRGC , which reports directly to him .
Ayatollah Khamenei said there were ambiguities in how the plane had crashed and thanked the IRGC for the explanations it had provided in recent days after accepting responsibility .
The crowds that took to the streets this week , unlike in previous demonstrations , were formed mostly of middle and upper-middle classes whose anger was mainly driven by what they saw as humiliating incompetence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mostly Iranian dual nationals - followed by a series of bizarre lies and made-up excuses that officials had produced about the cause of the crash .
In years and months gone by , the Islamic Republic has been able to quash unrest by blaming the country 's poor economic performance on US sanctions , and by using excessive force that left many killed or injured .
The establishment has also been successful in unifying its ranks and filling the gaps between them against the demonstrators , but this time cracks have started to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's speech did not provide many answers to what has angered the people .
The government has distanced itself from any responsibility for the plane crash .
President Hassan Rouhani has called for a full investigation and says those responsible will face retribution .
There could actually be an opportunity for him here , with the IRGC , a powerful rival for his authority , in trouble .
But he and his government are not in the clear either .
President Rouhani 's government stood by the IRGC , until it finally accepted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claim that engine failure was the reason for the crash .
His government and himself as the head of Iran 's National Security Council are also under heavy criticism for not closing down airports during the hours after Iran fired missiles in response to the killing of Soleimani .
For demonstrators on the streets , though , it does not really seem to matter which officials say what anymore - their demands have gone beyond the ranks of the establishment and they are directly asking for the leader himself to resign .
Now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bring demonstrators who were angered by the economic situation and those who are incensed by the administration 's lies about such a tragic event closer together .

In years and months gone by, the Islamic Republic has been able to quash unrest by blaming the country's poor economic performance on US sanctions, and by using excessive force that left many killed or injured. The establishment has also been successful in unifying its ranks and filling the gaps between them against the demonstrators, but this time cracks have started to appear on the inside.


bbc--2020-01-18--Pakistan two-star general: Farewell to a social media celebrity

It is not often a military spokesperson doubles as a national celebrity , about whom internet memes are made and whose name trends on Twitter .
But Pakistan 's Maj-Gen Asif Ghafoor is one such individual .
As he leaves his post after three headline-grabbing years , praise and criticism have poured in in equal measure .
The transfer was expected but it came days after an unseemly social media spat with TV anchor Sana Bucha , which raised eyebrows about his conduct .
His successor will find the departing director-general of the Inter-Services Public Relations ( ISPR ) quite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's late-night musings on Twitter provided plenty of controversy and copious fodder for Pakistan 's twitterati .
Subjects for discussion could appear random - he irked India by praising Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone for attending anti-government protests in Delhi .
But he could just as easily post about burn ointment , butchers or stray dogs .
Combative tweets from his personal account in the past few days showed how he sought to control the narrative for the world 's sixth largest army .
The general frequently sparred with retired Indian military officials or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he would `` troll '' Pakistani journalists and individuals who criticised the country 's military .
Earlier this week he locked horns with Sana Bucha after she tweeted criticising the military .
Ms Bucha retaliated by reminding him `` to show some class '' but that was met with a thinly veiled warning that she should `` make a choice '' .
Soon after the exchange , a trend started on Twitter abusing her , which Ms Bucha said had happened before .
`` They drag in my family , my friends or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the suffering is more because they think it 's easy to suppress her into submission , '' she told the BBC .
Pakistan , which has a history of coups , has had less and less space in recent years for critics of its powerful army .
Ms Bucha thinks the ISPR should be more careful about its conduct on social media , considering civil-military relations .
The official position of the ISPR is that the DG `` can tweet from his personal account in a personal capacity '' .
But not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ One retired senior military official thought there should be `` no personal account '' .
`` At such a senior post , level and position , there is nothing personal , '' he told the BBC .
`` In military PR , one should not be reacting to every issue , comment or incident .
It should only be when it is directly affecting the organisation or when there is a demand to take a position . ''
Another former army general , Ghulam Mustafa , thought using social media in a personal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Pakistani army '' was justified .
But he did concede that `` at times , the DG ISPR 's response in a personal capacity has n't impacted very positively '' .
According to strategic communications specialist and former journalist Aniq Zafar , officials using their personal accounts will always be seen to be projecting the narrative of the institution they work for , so no disclaimer works .
`` Individuals in leadership positions should be rather careful in the use of social media , careful in selection of words and careful in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he told the BBC .
• Modi v Imran Khan : Who won the war of perception ?
• Pakistan shows off disputed site on eve of India election Amid hostilities between Pakistan and India in 2019 , the departing spokesman 's provocative tweets invited criticism from both civilian and military circles .
But his tactics earned grudging praise from the Indian army 's national cyber security co-ordinator in December .
`` When they conduct narrative warfare , let 's say in the case of Kashmir , the message they send to Europe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
So , they seem to have got their act together , '' said Lt-Gen ( retd ) Rajesh Pant , India Today reported .
Asif Ghafoor will also be remembered for his emphasis on `` 5th Generation Warfare '' in his numerous press conferences and tweets , which he said was being waged against Pakistan on social media and needed a robust defence .
No military expert has settled on what defines `` 5GW '' but it essentially means non-combat , asymmetrical warfare in which non-traditional tools are used .
Last April @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which it said were linked to ISPR employees .
Twitter also suspended accounts of many Pakistani users last year , allegedly for tweeting criticism of India 's government over Kashmir , which both countries dispute .
Gen Ghafoor took to Twitter many times to assure users that requests had been made to the social media giant to look into the matter and urged his more than 450,000 followers to behave .
`` Stay put responsible… keep adhering to Twitter rules , likewise own , '' he tweeted in October .
A former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ BBC the ISPR 's role had evolved over the time due to the changing nature of social media platforms .
`` The DG ISPR is performing a national duty by using his official and personal Twitter account on social media to project threats and challenges to Pakistan 's national interests , '' he said .
But the retired senior military official who thought there should be no personal account was not convinced .
`` The army should never be seen in the lead on matters of national policy , diplomacy or domestic issues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forces against local or outside criticism . ''

"At such a senior post, level and position, there is nothing personal," he told the BBC. "In military PR, one should not be reacting to every issue, comment or incident. It should only be when it is directly affecting the organisation or when there is a demand to take a position."


bbc--2020-01-17--Australian Open 2020: Margaret Court to be 'recognised' - why is she such a divisive figure?

Margaret Court 's tennis achievements are unmatched .
So is the level of controversy surrounding her .
The Australian holds the record for all-time Grand Slam singles titles and 2020 is the 50th anniversary of when she won all four major titles in a calendar year .
But her views on gay marriage and transgender athletes have split opinion on how these successes should be marked .
Tennis Australia says it plans to `` recognise '' - rather than `` celebrate '' - her 1970 sweep of the Slams at this month 's Australian Open , while reiterating its stance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personal views .
Court was a quiet champion , dominant over her sporting rivals but shy and retiring in public life .
Now she finds herself at the centre of a long-running polemic set to play out its latest chapter .
She is a divisive figure , branded `` homophobic '' , `` ignorant '' and `` dangerous '' for her very publicly expressed beliefs .
So just how did a women with 64 Grand Slam singles and doubles trophies get to this point ?
There was a time when Margaret Court was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Her haul of 192 career singles titles between 1960 and 1977 is a women 's record and her 24 Grand Slam singles titles is an all-time record .
She also shares the record with Belgium 's Kim Clijsters for major titles won as a mother ( three ) .
Her calendar Grand Slam 50 years ago came in a season where she won 21 of 27 tournaments , and 104 of 110 matches .
`` She was a great athlete and an all-court player , '' says former French Open and Australian Open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doubles final with Court at Roland Garros in 1969 .
`` She was as good on the baseline as she was at the net , which is a rarity .
She had good groundstrokes , a good forehand , a good backhand - she was just tough .
`` Most of the players were about my height - 5ft 6in or 5ft 7in - but she was about 5ft 10in or so .
There were so few that had a lot of height , she was very imposing .
`` She was the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she had really built up her right shoulder and arm .
She had long arms , in fact her nickname was 'Arms ' .
She went about it almost like they do today as far as lifting weights and that kind of thing . ''
Court 's Grand Slam singles record is close to being equalled - Serena Williams is one title away from drawing level and will get her next chance to do so at the Australian Open , which starts on Monday .
The American , 38 , has been stuck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her last major victory the 2017 Australian Open , which she won while eight weeks pregnant .
Since coming back from having her daughter , she has reached four Grand Slam finals but failed at the final hurdle each time , most recently in September 's US Open defeat by Canadian Bianca Andreescu .
Many will point out that Court 's record was set in a different period - spanning the amateur and professional eras , with only 11 of her major titles coming in the Open era .
Many will argue that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ competitive as today .
Still , the Australian 's record is one Williams covets .
This milestone is `` why she came back to playing tennis after having a baby and so many medical complications '' , Williams ' coach Patrick Mouratoglou said before last year 's Wimbledon final , which she lost to Simona Halep .
Court 's achievements earned her multiple honours , including an induction to the International Tennis Hall of Fame , an MBE and her face on an Australian postage stamp .
She also had the Margaret Court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Open 's Melbourne Park in 2003 - but less than a decade later there were calls for it to be renamed .
What has Court said ?
Towards the end of her tennis career Court , who was brought up as a Catholic , became involved in the Pentecostal church .
She was ordained as a Pentecostal minister in 1991 and went on to found her own church - the Victory Life Centre in Perth - where she is the senior minister .
Her stance against gay marriage - which was legalised in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ religious beliefs , she says , and is voiced regularly in her sermons .
In 2017 she wrote an open letter to Australian airline Qantas , saying she would be boycotting it because it had become an active promoter of same-sex marriage .
`` I believe in marriage as a union between a man and a woman as stated in the Bible , '' she wrote .
`` Your statement leaves me no option but to use other airlines where possible for my extensive travelling . ''
That same year she also said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , while she has also spoken against transgender athletes and branded the teaching of LGBT rights as `` of the devil '' .
Court finds herself in the centre of controversy these days .
Yet as a player , she had a reputation for being quiet and disliking the limelight .
Describing how she sealed her 1970 calendar Grand Slam with victory over American Rosie Casals in the US Open final , the International Tennis Hall of Fame writes : `` There was no triumphant tossing of the racquet or leaping the net @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Court methodically and calmly walked to the net and shook Casals ' hand .
`` She retreated to her seat courtside $ 7,500 richer - which was the biggest monetary prize in women 's tennis at the time - and had become a calendar year Grand Slam champion , fulfilling a dream long in the making .
Court was calm , cool and composed . ''
She was also a nervous public speaker .
Richey recalls watching the Australian having to address the Wimbledon winners ' ball in 1966 .
`` She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and she broke out in big red blotches on her chest and back , '' Richey says .
`` She got through and did it but it was not what she was comfortable doing . ''
• Listen : I should have won more Grand Slams - Court Contrast that with the Reverend Margaret Court , who stands and speaks in front of her congregations - her services are also streamed online - with unwavering confidence in both herself and her views .
Only a month before this year 's Australian Open , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sermon declaring : `` You know , even that LGBT in the schools , it 's the devil , it 's not of God . ''
And it reopened the debate about the country 's most decorated female tennis player .
'Hiding behind her Bible'- what has the response been ?
Court 's opinions have been widely condemned , with 18-time Grand Slam singles champion Martina Navratilova labelling her most recent outburst `` pathetic '' before going on to say it was `` amazing how strong her homophobia truly is '' .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so wrong .
We do n't need to change or rewrite history when it comes to anyone 's accomplishments but we do not need to celebrate them .
Margaret Court is hiding behind her Bible as many have done before her and will do after her .
Let 's not keep elevating it . ''
Fellow great Billie Jean King , who like Navratilova is gay , is among those who have called for the Margaret Court Arena to be renamed .
She says if she were competing today she would not play @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Robson wore a rainbow headband on the court in 2012 , while in 2018 players faced repeated questions about whether they would boycott it .
No-one shunned the court in protest - in fact it was Court herself who did not attend the Australian Open two years ago , saying she had decided to go crabbing with her family instead and implying it had nothing to do with the furore surrounding her .
`` I do n't run from things , I face them , '' she told the Australian Herald Sun at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rennae Stubbs describes Court and her views as `` ignorant and dangerous '' .
LGBT rights group Stonewall says it is `` sad '' that she continues to voice `` offensive and prejudiced '' views .
`` Sportspeople are considered role models to many and so anti-LGBT comments can have a hugely negative impact , particularly on younger lesbian , gay , bi and trans people , '' Stonewall 's director of sport Robbie de Santos says .
`` They make clear that LGBT people are unwelcome and so they feel they have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or not take part in sport .
`` Court 's remarks also show us how faith is often used to justify anti-LGBT views and attitudes .
This is wrong and perpetuates a myth that faith and LGBT inclusion can not coexist .
`` Faith is a big part of many LGBT people 's lives , and acceptance as part of a faith community can be incredibly powerful . ''
Court does , though , have her supporters .
Nancy Richey had just opened a Christmas card from Court when she spoke to BBC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ included a note about `` how they have twisted her words and what-not in the press '' .
The American , who lost in two Grand Slam finals to Court , has sympathy for her former rival .
She holds the same views on gay marriage .
She even wrote to Tennis Australia a couple of years ago to urge them not to rename the stadium .
`` It is so wrong , they put her name on there because of her great tennis career - and end of story , '' she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like she does , [ that ] marriage is between a man and a woman , that the lesbian thing is against what the Bible says it should be .
`` Where she and I both come from is that that 's a sin and we love the sinner .
That 's no different than sex before marriage , sex outside marriage - sin is a sin in God 's eyes .
`` I feel like her words have been twisted on occasion and what I 'm telling you is the way we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guess where I know I come from is you ca n't say anything about what we believe without having all hell break loose .
`` We ca n't say how we feel about it , our belief about it - that to me is wrong , I should be allowed to voice my opinion and the way I see it and the way I believe and that 's where she is coming from . ''
Television debates in Australia have been heated on the issue , while the Australian Christian Lobby has gathered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a public letter that says it stands with her and thanks her for her `` boldness , despite overwhelming pressure , in speaking God 's truth and standing with Christ as a public figure and Aussie icon '' .
And as Melbourne Park prepares to host Court for her anniversary , the debate about the player versus the person is likely to surface again .
When Australian great Rod Laver celebrated 50 years since the second of his own Grand Slams in 2019 , it was much more straightforward .
He was honoured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ receiving replica trophies and ovations .
Before plans were announced for her own big year , Court had asked to be recognised in the same way as Laver , saying : `` I think I should be invited [ to the Australian Open ] .
I hope they [ Tennis Australia ] would pay my way to come like they paid for him , and honour me .
If they are not going to do that , I do n't really want to come . ''
When Tennis Australia eventually announced it would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unusual step of distancing itself from her views at the same time - effectively tagging a disclaimer on the end of the press release , saying : `` We can not condone views that fracture our incredible tennis community , nor indeed , the wider community . ''
It added there was `` an important distinction '' between `` recognising champions and celebrating heroes '' .
That led to Court 's four children releasing a joint statement , saying : `` It is hard for her family to understand how her current lifestyle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any way .
`` It is disappointing to see Tennis Australia in the open letter amalgamating her sporting career which she won for the nation . ''
It should , perhaps , be pointed out that Court herself does not necessarily keep her tennis and her other life separate - her profile page on her church website includes an invitation to buy her autobiography about `` the greatest tennis player of all time '' .
Tennis Australia has yet to detail exactly how it will be marking the 1970 Grand Slam 50-year anniversary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ released during the Australian Open , there will be a feature on her achievements in the tournament programme and some `` in-stadium entertainment that takes the audience back to 1970 and Margaret 's historic win '' .
Whatever the governing body does , it is hard to see it happening without criticism or debate .
`` Tennis Australia was in a no-win situation in some respects , '' Stubbs tells BBC Sport .
`` I would have loved for them to not have honoured her as a respect for all the people that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including some of our own players , but I understand they were in a difficult situation .
I hope it 's the last one they have to make when it comes to Margaret . ''
The other three Grand Slams have yet to decide what they will do , with only Wimbledon saying : `` We will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of her win across our content plans as we did with Rod . ''
They all have the luxury of waiting to see what the reaction is in Melbourne first .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Australian Open ?
The plans for marking her anniversary have been so vague that it is not even clear if Court will be presented to the public and so it is hard to know what kind of reception she might get .
`` The public may yet be taken out of the equation if Tennis Australia feel nervous enough about any potential reaction , '' says Mike Hytner , sports editor of Australian newspaper The Guardian .
`` I ca n't imagine her getting booed , to be honest , certainly not on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ less rowdy than the outer courts can be .
`` There were strong feelings about renaming the arena but there is more of a pervading sense now that her views are irrelevant .
Most of the country is ambivalent to her . ''
Asked last month whether the Australian Open was bracing itself for controversy , Tennis Australia chief Craig Tiley told reporters : `` That 's going to be up to the Australian fans .
There are no fans in the world that are like Australian fans .
I 'll leave their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , though , did say Court would not be presenting the women 's singles trophy - although Laver also had no trophy-presenting duties in Melbourne in his anniversary year , so it can not be viewed as a snub as such .
Stubbs says some people may well choose to do just that , though .
`` I think the people that want to honour her on that day have every right to , '' she says .
`` I also suspect there will be many people and players that will not be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their right also . ''

In 2017, Court said tennis was "full of lesbians" and transgender children were the work of "the devil"
Margaret Court's tennis achievements are unmatched. So is the level of controversy surrounding her.
The Australian holds the record for all-time Grand Slam singles titles and 2020 is the 50th anniversary of when she won all four major titles in a calendar year.
But her views on gay marriage and transgender athletes have split opinion on how these successes should be marked.
Tennis Australia says it plans to "recognise" - rather than "celebrate" - her 1970 sweep of the Slams at this month's Australian Open, while reiterating its stance against the 77-year-old's "demeaning" personal views.
Court was a quiet champion, dominant over her sporting rivals but shy and retiring in public life. Now she finds herself at the centre of a long-running polemic set to play out its latest chapter. She is a divisive figure, branded "homophobic", "ignorant" and "dangerous" for her very publicly expressed beliefs.
So just how did a women with 64 Grand Slam singles and doubles trophies get to this point?
There was a time when Margaret Court was simply a "great champion".
Her haul of 192 career singles titles between 1960 and 1977 is a women's record and her 24 Grand Slam singles titles is an all-time record. She also shares the record with Belgium's Kim Clijsters for major titles won as a mother (three).
Her calendar Grand Slam 50 years ago came in a season where she won 21 of 27 tournaments, and 104 of 110 matches.
"She was a great athlete and an all-court player," says former French Open and Australian Open champion Nancy Richey, who reached the doubles final with Court at Roland Garros in 1969.
Court, pictured here at Wimbledon in 1973. Months later she would win her final Grand Slam singles title, with victory at the US Open
"She was as good on the baseline as she was at the net, which is a rarity. She had good groundstrokes, a good forehand, a good backhand - she was just tough.
"Most of the players were about my height - 5ft 6in or 5ft 7in - but she was about 5ft 10in or so. There were so few that had a lot of height, she was very imposing.
"She was the first one really to lift weights and she had really built up her right shoulder and arm. She had long arms, in fact her nickname was 'Arms'. She went about it almost like they do today as far as lifting weights and that kind of thing."
Court's Grand Slam singles record is close to being equalled - Serena Williams is one title away from drawing level and will get her next chance to do so at the Australian Open, which starts on Monday.
The American, 38, has been stuck on 23 for three years, with her last major victory the 2017 Australian Open, which she won while eight weeks pregnant. Since coming back from having her daughter, she has reached four Grand Slam finals but failed at the final hurdle each time, most recently in September's US Open defeat by Canadian Bianca Andreescu.
Many will point out that Court's record was set in a different period - spanning the amateur and professional eras, with only 11 of her major titles coming in the Open era. Many will argue that some of the fields were not as competitive as today. Still, the Australian's record is one Williams covets.
This milestone is "why she came back to playing tennis after having a baby and so many medical complications", Williams' coach Patrick Mouratoglou said before last year's Wimbledon final, which she lost to Simona Halep.
Court's achievements earned her multiple honours, including an induction to the International Tennis Hall of Fame, an MBE and her face on an Australian postage stamp.
She also had the Margaret Court Arena named after her at the Australian Open's Melbourne Park in 2003 - but less than a decade later there were calls for it to be renamed.
What has Court said?
Towards the end of her tennis career Court, who was brought up as a Catholic, became involved in the Pentecostal church. She was ordained as a Pentecostal minister in 1991 and went on to found her own church - the Victory Life Centre in Perth - where she is the senior minister.
Her stance against gay marriage - which was legalised in Australia in 2017 - comes from her religious beliefs, she says, and is voiced regularly in her sermons.
In 2017 she wrote an open letter to Australian airline Qantas, saying she would be boycotting it because it had become an active promoter of same-sex marriage.
"I believe in marriage as a union between a man and a woman as stated in the Bible," she wrote. "Your statement leaves me no option but to use other airlines where possible for my extensive travelling."
That same year she also said tennis was "full of lesbians", while she has also spoken against transgender athletes and branded the teaching of LGBT rights as "of the devil".
Court finds herself in the centre of controversy these days. Yet as a player, she had a reputation for being quiet and disliking the limelight.
Former champions (from left to right) Martina Navratilova, Billie Jean King, Steffi Graf, Margaret Court and Maria Bueno are honoured at Wimbledon in July 2006
Describing how she sealed her 1970 calendar Grand Slam with victory over American Rosie Casals in the US Open final, the International Tennis Hall of Fame writes: "There was no triumphant tossing of the racquet or leaping the net or falling on the court in disbelief. Court methodically and calmly walked to the net and shook Casals' hand.
"She retreated to her seat courtside $7,500 richer - which was the biggest monetary prize in women's tennis at the time - and had become a calendar year Grand Slam champion, fulfilling a dream long in the making. Court was calm, cool and composed."
She was also a nervous public speaker. Richey recalls watching the Australian having to address the Wimbledon winners' ball in 1966.
"She was petrified of doing any public speaking and she broke out in big red blotches on her chest and back," Richey says. "She got through and did it but it was not what she was comfortable doing."
Contrast that with the Reverend Margaret Court, who stands and speaks in front of her congregations - her services are also streamed online - with unwavering confidence in both herself and her views.
Only a month before this year's Australian Open, she again hit the headlines with a sermon declaring: "You know, even that LGBT in the schools, it's the devil, it's not of God."
And it reopened the debate about the country's most decorated female tennis player.
'Hiding behind her Bible'- what has the response been?
Court's opinions have been widely condemned, with 18-time Grand Slam singles champion Martina Navratilova labelling her most recent outburst "pathetic" before going on to say it was "amazing how strong her homophobia truly is".
She added: "It's outrageous and so wrong. We don't need to change or rewrite history when it comes to anyone's accomplishments but we do not need to celebrate them. Margaret Court is hiding behind her Bible as many have done before her and will do after her. Let's not keep elevating it."
Fellow great Billie Jean King, who like Navratilova is gay, is among those who have called for the Margaret Court Arena to be renamed. She says if she were competing today she would not play at the stadium.
British player Laura Robson wore a rainbow headband on the court in 2012, while in 2018 players faced repeated questions about whether they would boycott it.
No-one shunned the court in protest - in fact it was Court herself who did not attend the Australian Open two years ago, saying she had decided to go crabbing with her family instead and implying it had nothing to do with the furore surrounding her. "I don't run from things, I face them," she told the Australian Herald Sun at the time.
Martina Navratilova, in a BBC documentary, called on sport to change its rules so trans athletes are not excluded
Australian former doubles specialist Rennae Stubbs describes Court and her views as "ignorant and dangerous". LGBT rights group Stonewall says it is "sad" that she continues to voice "offensive and prejudiced" views.
"Sportspeople are considered role models to many and so anti-LGBT comments can have a hugely negative impact, particularly on younger lesbian, gay, bi and trans people," Stonewall's director of sport Robbie de Santos says.
"They make clear that LGBT people are unwelcome and so they feel they have to either hide who they are, or not take part in sport.
"Court's remarks also show us how faith is often used to justify anti-LGBT views and attitudes. This is wrong and perpetuates a myth that faith and LGBT inclusion cannot coexist.
"Faith is a big part of many LGBT people's lives, and acceptance as part of a faith community can be incredibly powerful."
Court does, though, have her supporters.
Nancy Richey - who won the Australian Open in 1967 and the French Open in 1968 but lost two US Open finals to Court, in 1966 and 1969
Nancy Richey had just opened a Christmas card from Court when she spoke to BBC Sport. She said the Australian had included a note about "how they have twisted her words and what-not in the press".
The American, who lost in two Grand Slam finals to Court, has sympathy for her former rival. She holds the same views on gay marriage. She even wrote to Tennis Australia a couple of years ago to urge them not to rename the stadium.
"It is so wrong, they put her name on there because of her great tennis career - and end of story," she says now.
"I believe, like she does, [that] marriage is between a man and a woman, that the lesbian thing is against what the Bible says it should be.
"Where she and I both come from is that that's a sin and we love the sinner. That's no different than sex before marriage, sex outside marriage - sin is a sin in God's eyes.
"I feel like her words have been twisted on occasion and what I'm telling you is the way we both think on the thing and I guess where I know I come from is you can't say anything about what we believe without having all hell break loose.
"We can't say how we feel about it, our belief about it - that to me is wrong, I should be allowed to voice my opinion and the way I see it and the way I believe and that's where she is coming from."
Television debates in Australia have been heated on the issue, while the Australian Christian Lobby has gathered more than 22,000 signatures since December on a public letter that says it stands with her and thanks her for her "boldness, despite overwhelming pressure, in speaking God's truth and standing with Christ as a public figure and Aussie icon".
And as Melbourne Park prepares to host Court for her anniversary, the debate about the player versus the person is likely to surface again.
Marking anniversary is 'no-win' situation
When Australian great Rod Laver celebrated 50 years since the second of his own Grand Slams in 2019, it was much more straightforward. He was honoured at all four of the majors, receiving replica trophies and ovations.
Before plans were announced for her own big year, Court had asked to be recognised in the same way as Laver, saying: "I think I should be invited [to the Australian Open]. I hope they [Tennis Australia] would pay my way to come like they paid for him, and honour me. If they are not going to do that, I don't really want to come."
When Tennis Australia eventually announced it would be recognising her achievements it took the unusual step of distancing itself from her views at the same time - effectively tagging a disclaimer on the end of the press release, saying: "We cannot condone views that fracture our incredible tennis community, nor indeed, the wider community."
Court, pictured in January 2003, when the ground at Melbourne Park was re-named after her
It added there was "an important distinction" between "recognising champions and celebrating heroes".
That led to Court's four children releasing a joint statement, saying: "It is hard for her family to understand how her current lifestyle would possibly affect her tennis career in any way.
"It is disappointing to see Tennis Australia in the open letter amalgamating her sporting career which she won for the nation."
It should, perhaps, be pointed out that Court herself does not necessarily keep her tennis and her other life separate - her profile page on her church website includes an invitation to buy her autobiography about "the greatest tennis player of all time".
Tennis Australia has yet to detail exactly how it will be marking the 1970 Grand Slam 50-year anniversary. It says a mini-documentary will be released during the Australian Open, there will be a feature on her achievements in the tournament programme and some "in-stadium entertainment that takes the audience back to 1970 and Margaret's historic win".
Whatever the governing body does, it is hard to see it happening without criticism or debate.
"Tennis Australia was in a no-win situation in some respects," Stubbs tells BBC Sport.
"I would have loved for them to not have honoured her as a respect for all the people that she has denigrated over the years, including some of our own players, but I understand they were in a difficult situation. I hope it's the last one they have to make when it comes to Margaret."
The other three Grand Slams have yet to decide what they will do, with only Wimbledon saying: "We will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of her win across our content plans as we did with Rod."
They all have the luxury of waiting to see what the reaction is in Melbourne first.
What will the reaction be at the Australian Open?
The plans for marking her anniversary have been so vague that it is not even clear if Court will be presented to the public and so it is hard to know what kind of reception she might get.
"The public may yet be taken out of the equation if Tennis Australia feel nervous enough about any potential reaction," says Mike Hytner, sports editor of Australian newspaper The Guardian.
Police officers attempt to stop protesters from storming the back entrance to Melbourne's Athenaeum club, where Court was the keynote speaker on 22 June 2017
"I can't imagine her getting booed, to be honest, certainly not on Rod Laver Arena, which is generally less rowdy than the outer courts can be.
"There were strong feelings about renaming the arena but there is more of a pervading sense now that her views are irrelevant. Most of the country is ambivalent to her."
Asked last month whether the Australian Open was bracing itself for controversy, Tennis Australia chief Craig Tiley told reporters: "That's going to be up to the Australian fans. There are no fans in the world that are like Australian fans. I'll leave their response up to them."
Tiley, though, did say Court would not be presenting the women's singles trophy - although Laver also had no trophy-presenting duties in Melbourne in his anniversary year, so it cannot be viewed as a snub as such.
Stubbs says some people may well choose to do just that, though.
"I think the people that want to honour her on that day have every right to," she says. "I also suspect there will be many people and players that will not be there to honour her and that is their right also."


bbc--2020-01-17--Mourinho reignites feud with Conte over Eriksen

Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho has reignited his feud with Antonio Conte after he discussed Christian Eriksen , who has been linked with Inter Milan .
The Dane will be out of contract in the summer with reports stating he is set to move to the Serie A club .
`` I think Antonio .
He has said publicly [ about Eriksen ] , '' Mourinho said .
`` I think we coaches should all behave in the same way in relation to transfers .
I think we should always be closed , until something happens . ''
The Spurs boss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me about player A , B or C , like when I was asked about three players , how can I speak about three players that are not my players ?
`` I think we should always be protective .
Nothing , nothing .
When I see people with responsibilities , speaking about Eriksen ... '' I think we should n't speak about players from other clubs until they become our players . ''
Speaking to the Italian media , Inter coach Conte had said : `` Eriksen ?
We have to go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ career , who are at the end of their contracts . ''
Spurs have not received a transfer bid for Eriksen and the midfielder will play against Watford on Saturday , according to Mourinho .
The two managers had a tense relationship when Mourinho was in charge of Manchester United and Conte was Chelsea boss .
It began during the 2017-18 season , reaching a peak when Mourinho said he would never be `` suspended for match-fixing '' , referring to Conte 's four-month ban for failing to report alleged match-fixing when he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a `` clown '' .
Conte , in response , called his counterpart `` a little man '' .
Mourinho 'trying to add players to squad' Spurs will be without England striker Harry Kane , who is ruled out until April with a hamstring injury that requires surgery .
Mourinho says the club need to sign a replacement this month if the right target becomes available .
`` Lots of names are coming and the majority of them are coming by players ' entourages , agents , people that want to put players @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added the 56-year-old .
`` Do we need a striker ?
Yes - if possible , yes .
But it has to be a positive situation for us . ''
Mourinho says Tottenham still have attacking options in the shape of Son Heung-min , Lucas Moura , Erik Lamela , Giovani lo Celso and Dele Alli .
`` Of course they 're very good , but we miss that target man , '' he said .
`` We are doing everything possible .
It 's not easy but we 're trying to add @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have already brought in midfielder Gedson Fernandes on loan from Benfica for 18 months - with an option to buy at the end of that period - and could also turn Lo Celso 's loan from Real Betis into a permanent move .
The Premier League club can buy Argentine Lo Celso for £27.2m during this window , a price that will rise to an obligatory £34m in the summer .
`` I think Giovani is going to stay with us , '' said Mourinho .
`` There are some loans where you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the situation , like is happening with Gedson .
`` There are some emergency loans and there are other loans where the objective is to be in control of the future of the player without any need of further negotiations . ''

Last updated on .From the section Tottenham
Christian Eriksen has 95 caps for Denmark
Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho has reignited his feud with Antonio Conte after he discussed Christian Eriksen, who has been linked with Inter Milan.
The Dane will be out of contract in the summer with reports stating he is set to move to the Serie A club. external-link
"I think Antonio. He has said publicly [about Eriksen]," Mourinho said.
"I think we coaches should all behave in the same way in relation to transfers. I think we should always be closed, until something happens."
The Spurs boss added: "So when you ask me about player A, B or C, like when I was asked about three players, how can I speak about three players that are not my players?
"I think we should always be protective. Nothing, nothing. When I see people with responsibilities, speaking about Eriksen...
"I think we shouldn't speak about players from other clubs until they become our players."
Speaking to the Italian media, Inter coach Conte had said: "Eriksen? We have to go to people who have already had a career, who are at the end of their contracts."
Spurs have not received a transfer bid for Eriksen and the midfielder will play against Watford on Saturday, according to Mourinho.
The two managers had a tense relationship when Mourinho was in charge of Manchester United and Conte was Chelsea boss.
It began during the 2017-18 season, reaching a peak when Mourinho said he would never be "suspended for match-fixing", referring to Conte's four-month ban for failing to report alleged match-fixing when he managed Juventus, having previously labelled him a "clown".
Conte, in response, called his counterpart "a little man".
Mourinho 'trying to add players to squad'
Spurs will be without England striker Harry Kane, who is ruled out until April with a hamstring injury that requires surgery.
Mourinho says the club need to sign a replacement this month if the right target becomes available.
"Lots of names are coming and the majority of them are coming by players' entourages, agents, people that want to put players' names in the market," added the 56-year-old.
"Do we need a striker? Yes - if possible, yes. But it has to be a positive situation for us."
Mourinho says Tottenham still have attacking options in the shape of Son Heung-min, Lucas Moura, Erik Lamela, Giovani lo Celso and Dele Alli.
"Of course they're very good, but we miss that target man," he said.
"We are doing everything possible. It's not easy but we're trying to add players to the squad."
Tottenham have already brought in midfielder Gedson Fernandes on loan from Benfica for 18 months - with an option to buy at the end of that period - and could also turn Lo Celso's loan from Real Betis into a permanent move.
The Premier League club can buy Argentine Lo Celso for £27.2m during this window, a price that will rise to an obligatory £34m in the summer.
"I think Giovani is going to stay with us," said Mourinho.
"There are some loans where you have the opportunity to be in control of the situation, like is happening with Gedson.
"There are some emergency loans and there are other loans where the objective is to be in control of the future of the player without any need of further negotiations."


bbc--2020-01-18--Fernandes' 80m euro fee holding up Man Utd move

Manchester United 's attempt to sign Sporting Lisbon midfielder Bruno Fernandes has stalled because the clubs can not agree a @ @ @ @ @ 80m euros ( £68m ) for the 25-year-old , which United are unwilling to pay @ @ @ @ @ clubs for a player rated at 45m euros by Tottenham Hotspur last summer .
United @ @ @ @ @ alternatives having made a priority of looking at midfield options this month .
However , @ @ @ @ @ existing targets and with two weeks remaining before the transfer window closes , Fernandes remains @ @ @ @ @ have told Sporting a deal will not be done unless they drop the fee .
@ @ @ @ @ Phelan watched Fernandes play against FC Porto on 5 January .
United take on leaders @ @ @ @ @ Premier League on Sunday ( 16:30 GMT kick-off ) .

Last updated on .From the section Man Utd
Fernandes played for Sporting in their league defeat by Benfica on Friday
Manchester United's attempt to sign Sporting Lisbon midfielder Bruno Fernandes has stalled because the clubs cannot agree a fee.
Sporting are demanding 80m euros (£68m) for the 25-year-old, which United are unwilling to pay.
Talks continue between the clubs for a player rated at 45m euros by Tottenham Hotspur last summer.
United have not ruled out targeting alternatives having made a priority of looking at midfield options this month.
However, they will only look at existing targets and with two weeks remaining before the transfer window closes, Fernandes remains their first choice.
United have told Sporting a deal will not be done unless they drop the fee.
Solskjaer and his assistant Mike Phelan watched Fernandes play against FC Porto on 5 January.
United take on leaders Liverpool at Anfield in the Premier League on Sunday (16:30 GMT kick-off).


bbc--2020-01-18--Bingham produces stunning comeback to reach Masters semis

Stuart Bingham launched a stunning , late-night comeback from 4-1 down to beat Kyren Wilson 6-4 and reach the Masters semi-final .
Bingham , the 2015 world champion , looked set for the exit when he trailed by three frames but responded superbly .
He won five frames in a row , including breaks of 82 and 75 to finish the match at 00:10 GMT , having started at 19:00 the previous day .
Bingham will face David Gilbert in the last four on Saturday .
The Englishman defeated Scot Stephen Maguire earlier on Friday .
The debutant made a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ frame , and as a result is in line for a bonus £15,000 .
He went 4-1 ahead including runs of 55 and 91 and completed the task in his first appearance at London 's Alexandra Palace .
`` I 'm absolutely over the moon , '' said the 38-year-old from Derby .
Wilson , meanwhile , could have forced a decider when he trailed 56-0 in the 10th frame but missed the pink down the left-hand cushion , allowing Bingham to come to the table and wrap up a tense match which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'You ca n't get to this level without bottle' A delighted Gilbert told BBC Sport : `` My coach Steve Feeney has had a massive impact .
From first lesson [ he began working with him in 2018 ] he showed why I was making so many bad shots .
`` I 've also made sacrifices over past two years .
You still have to win matches though . ''
Regarding his huge opening-frame break , he said : `` I ca n't remember how I got in for the 144 .
My @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to keep it simple .
`` Everyone says I 've got no bottle , but you cant get to this level unless you have . ''
' I could n't care less who wins it' Maguire said he `` could n't hit anything '' during the encounter .
`` It 's frustrating , but it 's all about Dave , '' the Scot told BBC Sport .
`` He started off well with a 144 and put me under the cosh .
He was a far better player .
The comeback was never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out there . ''
He added : `` I could n't care less who wins it . ''

Last updated on .From the section Snooker
2020 Dafabet Masters on the BBC Dates: 12-19 January Venue: Alexandra Palace, London Coverage: Watch live across BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, BBC Red Button, Connected TV, the BBC Sport website and mobile app.
Stuart Bingham launched a stunning, late-night comeback from 4-1 down to beat Kyren Wilson 6-4 and reach the Masters semi-final.
Bingham, the 2015 world champion, looked set for the exit when he trailed by three frames but responded superbly.
He won five frames in a row, including breaks of 82 and 75 to finish the match at 00:10 GMT, having started at 19:00 the previous day.
Bingham will face David Gilbert in the last four on Saturday.
The Englishman defeated Scot Stephen Maguire earlier on Friday. The debutant made a tournament-high 144 break, in the opening frame, and as a result is in line for a bonus £15,000.
He went 4-1 ahead including runs of 55 and 91 and completed the task in his first appearance at London's Alexandra Palace.
"I'm absolutely over the moon," said the 38-year-old from Derby.
Wilson, meanwhile, could have forced a decider when he trailed 56-0 in the 10th frame but missed the pink down the left-hand cushion, allowing Bingham to come to the table and wrap up a tense match which was a long, drawn-out battle.
'You can't get to this level without bottle'
A delighted Gilbert told BBC Sport: "My coach Steve Feeney has had a massive impact. From first lesson [he began working with him in 2018] he showed why I was making so many bad shots.
"I've also made sacrifices over past two years. You still have to win matches though."
Regarding his huge opening-frame break, he said: "I can't remember how I got in for the 144. My arm wasn't great - I tried to keep it simple.
"Everyone says I've got no bottle, but you cant get to this level unless you have."
'I couldn't care less who wins it'
Maguire said he "couldn't hit anything" during the encounter.
"It's frustrating, but it's all about Dave," the Scot told BBC Sport.
"He started off well with a 144 and put me under the cosh. He was a far better player. The comeback was never on - I couldn't hit anything out there."
He added: "I couldn't care less who wins it."


bbc--2020-01-18--'I don't think I could do more than I did' - Federer defends air quality stance at Australian Open

Roger Federer says he could not have `` gone on court and told people to stop '' when poor air quality affected players in Australian Open qualifying .
Bushfires in Australia have caused air pollution issues and several lower-ranked players criticised the top stars for not publicly supporting them .
Swiss great Federer said he spoke to tournament officials , telling them they needed to communicate better .
The 20-time Grand Slam winner said : `` I do n't think I can do more than I did . ''
The 38-year-old world number three , who has won six Australian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all care for one another .
I told them communication is key for all of us , for everybody .
`` We just need to do more because I feel like I had n't got enough information . ''
Fires have been raging in Australia since September , killing at least 28 people , destroying thousands of homes and scorching millions of acres of land .
Spanish top seed Rafael Nadal says he also spoke to Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley and was `` convinced '' by the reassurances given that players @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quality experts deemed it was unhealthy to compete in .
Slovenia 's Dalila Jakupovic had to be helped off court when she retired from her qualifying match on Tuesday because of the air quality .
British player Liam Broady said having to play his first-round qualifier on the same day `` made his blood boil '' , adding he was `` gasping for air '' as he lost to Belarusian Ilya Ivashka .
People in Melbourne were advised to stay indoors and keep pets inside on Tuesday .
Australian Open organisers have since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ level of air quality goes above 200 on the PM2.5 measure they are using .
This information was made public for the first time on Thursday evening , with the players only receiving the information in an email sent out on Wednesday night - described by Broady as `` a slap in the face '' .
Federer said a lot of players were left confused on Tuesday and Wednesday .
`` So what can I do ?
I can go to the office , speak to them .
I went to them the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday , the next day on Wednesday when it was still bad , '' he added .
`` Can I go on court and say , Everybody stop play ?
I can try .
I do n't think that 's going to do much . ''
Tiley said the tournament decided on a threshold of 200 for suspending matches after talking to environment experts and respiratory specialists , adding some sporting events - including the Olympics - use 300 as their benchmark .
`` I received - and that does n't mean everyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that convinces me , '' Nadal , a 19-time Grand Slam champion , said .
`` They told me that they have the right specialists here analysing and monitoring the air every four minutes .
`` There are parameters , if it is over 200 , we do n't play , and if it is under 200 we normally play .
`` And I was given an answer that the 'Olympic rule ' is until 300 you can keep competing .
`` I really can not believe that the most important committee in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ competitors .
`` So that answer convinces me .
I am here to play . ''
However , Canadian 13th seed Denis Shapovalov says he would not play - and default a match - if the air quality became hazardous .
`` I do n't want to risk my life , risk my health being out there playing in these conditions when I can play for the next 10-15 years , '' said the 20-year-old .
`` I think everyone is on the same page in terms of how it is .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the way things are being dealt with . ''
Shapovalov , who helped Canada reach the Davis Cup final in November , said tournament officials should consider reducing men 's matches to three sets if play is suspended for long periods because of poor air quality .

Last updated on .From the section Tennis
Federer took to the practice courts in Melbourne on Saturday
2020 Australian Open Venue : Melbourne Park Dates : 20 January to 2 February Coverage : Listen on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra and online; Live text on selected matches on the BBC Sport website and app.
Roger Federer says he could not have "gone on court and told people to stop" when poor air quality affected players in Australian Open qualifying.
Bushfires in Australia have caused air pollution issues and several lower-ranked players criticised the top stars for not publicly supporting them.
Swiss great Federer said he spoke to tournament officials, telling them they needed to communicate better.
The 20-time Grand Slam winner said: "I don't think I can do more than I did."
The 38-year-old world number three, who has won six Australian Open titles, added: "We all care for one another. I told them communication is key for all of us, for everybody.
"We just need to do more because I feel like I hadn't got enough information."
Fires have been raging in Australia since September, killing at least 28 people, destroying thousands of homes and scorching millions of acres of land.
Spanish top seed Rafael Nadal says he also spoke to Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley and was "convinced" by the reassurances given that players would be taken off court if air quality experts deemed it was unhealthy to compete in.
Slovenia's Dalila Jakupovic had to be helped off court when she retired from her qualifying match on Tuesday because of the air quality.
British player Liam Broady said having to play his first-round qualifier on the same day "made his blood boil", adding he was "gasping for air" as he lost to Belarusian Ilya Ivashka.
People in Melbourne were advised to stay indoors and keep pets inside on Tuesday.
Australian Open organisers have since confirmed matches will be suspended if the level of air quality goes above 200 on the PM2.5 measure they are using.
This information was made public for the first time on Thursday evening, with the players only receiving the information in an email sent out on Wednesday night - described by Broady as "a slap in the face".
Federer said a lot of players were left confused on Tuesday and Wednesday.
"So what can I do? I can go to the office, speak to them. I went to them the first day when it was bad on Tuesday, the next day on Wednesday when it was still bad," he added.
"Can I go on court and say, Everybody stop play? I can try. I don't think that's going to do much."
Tiley said the tournament decided on a threshold of 200 for suspending matches after talking to environment experts and respiratory specialists, adding some sporting events - including the Olympics - use 300 as their benchmark.
"I received - and that doesn't mean everyone should be the same - an answer that convinces me," Nadal, a 19-time Grand Slam champion, said.
"They told me that they have the right specialists here analysing and monitoring the air every four minutes.
"There are parameters, if it is over 200, we don't play, and if it is under 200 we normally play.
"And I was given an answer that the 'Olympic rule' is until 300 you can keep competing.
"I really cannot believe that the most important committee in the world wants bad health for the competitors.
"So that answer convinces me. I am here to play."
However, Canadian 13th seed Denis Shapovalov says he would not play - and default a match - if the air quality became hazardous.
"I don't want to risk my life, risk my health being out there playing in these conditions when I can play for the next 10-15 years," said the 20-year-old.
"I think everyone is on the same page in terms of how it is.
"I don't think anyone is happy with the way things are being dealt with."
Shapovalov, who helped Canada reach the Davis Cup final in November, said tournament officials should consider reducing men's matches to three sets if play is suspended for long periods because of poor air quality.


bbc--2020-01-18--Harry and Meghan to drop royal titles

Harry and Meghan to drop royal titles

Prince Harry and Meghan will no longer use their HRH titles and will not receive public funds for royal duties , Buckingham Palace has announced .
The couple will also no longer formally represent The Queen .
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex intend to repay £2.4m of taxpayer money for the refurbishment of Frogmore Cottage , which will remain their UK family home , the statement added .
The new arrangement comes into effect in spring this year , the palace said .
The statement comes after senior royals held talks on Monday about the future role for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wanted to `` step back '' as senior royals .
• Queen 's statement on Harry and Meghan in full • Harry and Meghan : What will happen next ?
The Queen said following `` many months of conversations and more recent discussions '' she was `` pleased that together we have found a constructive and supportive way forward for my grandson and his family '' .
`` Harry , Meghan and Archie will always be much loved members of my family , '' the statement continued .
`` I recognise the challenges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intense scrutiny over the last two years and support their wish for a more independent life .
`` I want to thank them for all their dedicated work across this country , the Commonwealth and beyond , and am particularly proud of how Meghan has so quickly become one of the family .
`` It is my whole family 's hope that today 's agreement allows them to start building a happy and peaceful new life . ''
Buckingham Palace said the royal couple understood they were required to step back from royal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The palace added that they would continue to maintain their private patronages and associations .
`` While they can no longer formally represent the Queen , the Sussexes have made clear that everything they do will continue to uphold the values of Her Majesty , '' the statement added .
`` The Sussexes will not use their HRH titles as they are no longer working members of the Royal Family . ''
HRH , an abbreviation of His/Her Royal Highness , is used as part of the title of some members of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The palace said it would not comment on what security arrangements would be in place for the royal couple .
Their new website , sussexroyal.com , has been updated following the Queen 's statement .
`` In line with the statement by Her Majesty The Queen , information on the roles and work of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will be updated on this website in due course , '' it said .
The new post also invited visitors to the website to explore the site in the meantime to see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Highnesses '' .
• The party prince who carved his own path The announcement marks the conclusion of talks about the couple 's future with senior members of the family and royal aides .
Earlier this month , they said they wanted a `` progressive new role '' within the institution , where they would be financially independent and divide their time between the UK and North America .
Last year , they both spoke about the difficulties of royal life and media attention .
The duke said he feared his wife would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forces '' that led to his mother 's death .
'Harder to think of a much cleaner break' They will always be , the Queen writes , 'much loved members of my family ' .
But that 's about it .
No royal title , no royal duties , no military appointments , no tours , most of their time spent in Canada , no public money .
It is harder to think of a much cleaner break than this .
Harry and Meghan are still members of the Royal Family , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The early talk was of a much more mixed life - one where perhaps Harry and Meghan continued with some royal duties , dividing their time equally between the UK and Canada .
But the contradictions and conflicts of interest were too many .
There are still lots of details to thrash out .
And the whole thing will be reviewed after a year .
But a new life awaits Harry and Meghan - celebrities , certainly , but a different kind of royalty .
BBC royal correspondent Nicholas Witchell said questions remain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the couple 's tax and immigration status will be in the UK and Canada .
Our correspondent said royal officials had not given a clear answer about whether Meghan still intended to gain British citizenship , which would entail her spending a certain amount of time in the UK .
He said that while they would divide their time between the UK and North America , it was expected that they will spend the majority of their time in North America .
Duncan Larcombe , former royal editor of the Sun and author @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said a `` scaled down Royal Family '' had been `` on the cards for some time '' .
`` He is not going to be able to turn off that global fame .
He still has an important role to play within the institution , that 's probably why these discussions have dragged on a little bit longer than expected , '' he said .
Royal expert Penny Junor said the new arrangement was `` the best possible outcome and an outcome which will actually avoid catastrophe '' .
She said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patronages which I think is absolutely terrific because they both care passionately about making the world a better place . ''
However , she added : `` The British public have lost out because these are two fantastic people who sprinkle fairy dust wherever they go and we are going to miss that , but clearly it was not making them happy . ''
Meghan and Harry have already begun a transition phase of living in Canada and the UK .
The move was agreed by the Queen , Prince of Wales and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Commonwealth country with son Archie , where the Sussexes spent six weeks over the festive period .
On Tuesday she visited a charity in Vancouver which campaigns for teenage girls living in poverty .
On Thursday , the Duke of Sussex hosted the Rugby League World Cup draw at Buckingham Palace - his first public event since he and the Duchess of Sussex said they would step back from royal life .
What questions do you have about Prince Harry and Meghan 's decision to step back as senior royals ?
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She said the question that will "hang over them" for the next year is what their commercial life will look like. "This will be a test of the integrity of Harry and Meghan," she said.


bbc--2020-01-19--Trump impeachment: Legal team says charges 'constitutionally invalid'

US President Donald Trump 's legal team has given its first formal response to the impeachment case against him , describing the charges as a `` dangerous attack '' on the American people .
The six-page document said the impeachment articles failed to allege any crime and are a `` brazen '' attempt to interfere with the 2020 election .
Earlier on Saturday , the Democrats filed their brief for the proceedings .
Opening statements in the trial will begin next week .
Mr Trump is the third US president in history to face an impeachment trial .
He is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Congress .
He has denied wrongdoing and branded the case against him as a `` hoax '' .
• Trump impeachment trial : All you need to know The House , controlled by opposition Democrats , impeached the president last month .
The Senate , controlled by Mr Trump 's Republican Party , will decide whether to convict and remove him from office .
In their brief filed on Saturday , the Democrats laid out their arguments supporting the charges against Mr Trump .
They said the president had `` abandoned his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ betrayed his public trust '' , and called his conduct the `` worst nightmare '' of the country 's founding fathers .
What did Trump 's lawyers say ?
The six-page response written by Mr Trump 's legal team outlines the defence it expects to use in the upcoming trial .
It said the articles of impeachment submitted by House Democrats were a `` dangerous attack on the right of the American people to freely choose their president . ''
`` This is a brazen and unlawful attempt to overturn the results of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 election , now just months away , '' they argued .
What is he accused of doing ?
President Trump is accused of pressuring Ukraine to dig up damaging information on one of his main Democratic challengers for the presidency in 2020 , Joe Biden , and his son Hunter .
Hunter worked for a Ukrainian company when Joe Biden was US vice-president .
The president is accused of dangling two things as bargaining chips to Ukraine - withholding $ 400m of military aid to Ukraine that had already been allocated by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Ukraine 's president .
Democrats say this amounts to an abuse of presidential power .
Mr Trump is also accused of obstructing Congress by refusing to co-operate with the congressional inquiry .

Mr Trump is only the third US president in history to face an impeachment trial. He is accused of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. He has denied wrongdoing and branded the case against him as a "hoax".


bbc--2020-01-18--Libya civil war: UN envoy Salamé says foreign intervention must end

The UN 's Libya envoy Ghassan Salamé has called on foreign powers to stop interfering in Libya 's civil war .
On the eve of peace talks in Berlin , Mr Salamé said foreign support of proxy groups in the conflict had created a `` vicious cycle '' of violence .
But Mr Salamé told the BBC that he was optimistic about the negotiations .
It comes after nine months of conflict between the powerful General Khalifa Haftar and the UN-backed government in the capital Tripoli .
A truce was announced earlier this month between Gen Haftar and the Government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But both sides blame each other for reported breaches of the agreement , and attempts to broker a lasting ceasefire broke down last week at a summit in Moscow .
On Saturday , forces loyal to Gen Haftar blocked oil exports from several major Libyan ports .
The move is a damaging blow to the country 's main source of income , a day before renewed peace talks begin .
What did Ghassan Salamé say ?
Speaking to BBC Radio 4 's Today programme , Mr Salamé called on international powers to stop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arms , financing , and direct military support .
He said such actions created `` a vicious circle where their proxies call for intervention in their fight , and their own ambitions bring more divisions . ''
The role of foreign states in the conflict has come into focus in recent months , with Turkey passing a controversial law to deploy troops to help GNA forces in Tripoli .
Meanwhile , Gen Haftar 's Libyan National Army ( LNA ) has the backing of Russia , Egypt , Saudi Arabia , the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jordan .
Sunday 's summit aims to extract a pledge from foreign powers to honour a UN arms embargo on Libya , and to halt any further interference in the conflict .
The meeting will bring the two sides together , along with their foreign backers , the UN and other global powers , including Russia 's President Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan .
Mr Salamé told the BBC that a political solution to the conflict was best for all parties involved because Libya - with its vast geography , strong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government infrastructure - was a difficult country for one group to control .
`` Most of the national interests of all these countries , especially big [ commercial ] contracts and oil contracts , even geopolitical demands , can be accommodated by a peaceful and prosperous Libya , much better than a divided and war-torn country , '' he added .
What is the current situation in Libya ?
Libya has been wracked by conflict since the 2011 uprising which ousted long-time strongman Muammar Gaddafi .
Gen Haftar 's LNA controls much of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ launched an offensive against the country 's rival government in Tripoli .
His forces have so far been unable to take the city , but earlier this month the LNA captured Libya 's country 's third-biggest city , Sirte .
According to the UN , the fighting has killed hundreds of people and displaced thousands more from their homes .

"Most of the national interests of all these countries, especially big [commercial] contracts and oil contracts, even geopolitical demands, can be accommodated by a peaceful and prosperous Libya, much better than a divided and war-torn country," he added.