bbc--2020-09-02--Opioid Crisis: The other public health crisis killing Canadians

Opioid deaths have been rising again in the shadow of the pandemic , notably in the Canadian province of British Columbia , where overdose casualties have reached historic highs .
Is enough being done to end this second public health crisis ?
Every month or so , Garth Mullins has breakfast with his best friend .
They go to the same place - an aging diner in downtown Vancouver with chipped wooden booths and neon signs .
They always end up there around 1pm , talking through bites of bacon , eggs and white toast .
`` And I always @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I 'm going to get bacon eggs with him ? '
'' Mullins said .
Mullins was an injection heroin user for more than a decade , before moving to methadone .
He is now a journalist and advocate for drug users and harm reduction policies in his home of Vancouver - at the centre of the overdose crisis in the province of British Columbia [ BC ] .
When the coronavirus hit the province in March , one public health crisis collided with another , and overdose deaths began to climb .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ : 174 deaths in May , then 177 in June , 175 in July .
So far this year , 909 people have died of an overdose in BC .
Deaths from illicit drugs continue to eclipse deaths from homicides , suicides , car crashes and Covid-19 , combined .
It 's led to Canada 's chief public health official - and the face of the country 's coronavirus response - to warn of this second health emergency .
`` Canadians should be seized with this particular crisis , '' said Dr Theresa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ escalating as we speak '' .
The record-breaking figures reversed a period of relative stability in the province 's battle with opioid abuse .
In 2019 , three years after the province declared the opioid epidemic a public health emergency , the number of drug deaths fell by more than a third from the year before - an encouraging trend that continued into the early months of 2020 .
Then the coronavirus hit .
Experts say the necessary response to the pandemic laid the foundation for a spike in overdose deaths .
First @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the drugs on the street , said Dr Jane Buxton , the medical lead for harm reduction at the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control .
Canada 's border closure has disrupted the country 's typical illicit drug supply chain , Dr Buxton said , leaving drugs more vulnerable to contamination as local dealers cut them with toxic additives to increase supply and lower costs .
A second factor is the clash in guidance between the two health emergencies .
Safety amid Covid-19 means social distancing and prolonged periods of isolation .
Harm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alone - and social distancing requirements have compelled some supervised consumption sites in Canada - where no overdose deaths have ever been recorded - to reduce capacity or shutter altogether .
And experts say some of the common side effects of the Covid-19 pandemic - anxiety , isolation and uncertainty - may drive people to use .
Mullins said Canada did n't have an effective plan to address the opioid crisis to begin with , a shortfall that has been compounded by Covid .
`` Everything is so precarious that if any one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jump up . ''
These same factors are at play in the US .
In August , the American Medical Association reported increases in opioid-related deaths in more than 40 states .
In Canada , the crisis is most pronounced in BC .
A few years ago , Mullins said , he tried to tally the number of people he had lost to an overdose .
When he got to 50 he stopped counting .
`` It 's a terrible , morbid exercise , '' he said .
Lately , the deaths feel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Last month , Mullins and other advocates in Vancouver gathered for a `` mass memorial '' and eulogies for some of those who have died in recent months .
`` It 's been a crisis for so long I feel like it 's rewritten a part of my personality .
You just expect this kind of loss , '' he said .
Advocates say the response to the coronavirus outbreak and the overdose crisis has exposed a gulf between the respective public and political attitudes .
Canada 's `` bold and urgent '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by that to the overdose crisis , said Leslie Mcbain , who lost her 25-year-old son Jordan in 2014 to a drug overdose after he was prescribed opioids for a back injury .
`` It 's the absolute worst thing that could happen to a family , '' she said .
`` You do n't go through it , you carry it .
We carry it forever . ''
• Why are opioids still given for chronic pain ?
• Brain implants used to fight drug addiction in US • The US opioid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jordan 's death , Mcbain co-founded Moms Stop the Harm , a support group for families affected by substance use .
In August , both Mcbain and Mullins quit a provincial overdose response committee over what she described as governmental inaction .
`` Nothing was happening , '' she said , just as `` everything '' was being done to protect the province from Covid-19 .
`` We realised we were at the kids ' table , '' she said .
In July , BC Premier John Horgan apologised for remarks suggesting that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any time '' , the opioid crisis involves those who made an initial `` choice '' to use drugs .
Critics say the premier 's comments signal why the overdose crisis has not received the type of muscular response summoned for the coronavirus - that those dying of an overdose were `` morally culpable '' .
`` The wrong people are dying , '' Mullins said .
Among those struggling with addiction and those in the harm reduction community , the disparity seemed clear , according to Dr Buxton .
`` There 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time , energy and money is being spent on Covid , '' Dr Buxton said .
`` There 's also that feeling of despondency : 'We 've been telling people this is an issue and nobody 's been listening and then it 's gotten worse .
So what 's being done about it ? '
'' Amid mounting deaths , authorities have suggested two principal solutions : decriminalising the possession of illicit substances and providing a safe supply of prescribed alternatives - pharmaceutical-grade medication as a substitutes to illegal drugs like heroin .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for decades .
In recent weeks , BC provincial health officer Dr Bonnie Henry , Premier Horgan , the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police and health officers in Toronto and Montreal have all called on the federal government to decriminalise possession .
Dr Henry has joined BC 's chief coroner Lisa Lapointe and Guy Felicella , a harm reduction campaigner and advisor with the BC Centre on Substance Use in advocating for prescribed alternatives .
`` Access to a safer supply remains the number one , most urgently needed intervention to stop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Felicella told reporters .
Early in the pandemic , the BC government announced new guidelines to allow more people - those at risk of Covid-19 infection , those with a history of ongoing substance abuse and those at high risk of withdrawal or overdose - to access prescription alternatives .
Nearly 2,000 people in the province can now use prescribed opioids .
But this figure is a `` drop in the bucket '' for a province with an estimated 55,000 to 100,000 illicit drug users , said Leslie Mcbain .
And much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Canada rests with the federal government .
`` Even when we have a supervised consumption site [ in BC ] we have to get an exemption , '' Dr Buxton said .
`` It 's not as easy just to go in and say , 'OK we 're going to change this in BC . '
It all comes under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act , which is the federal piece . ''
Asked about the surge in overdose deaths on Wednesday , Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that there was not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this crisis .
`` We 're prioritising the things that are going to make the biggest difference immediately , '' he told CBC News , and said that his government was `` moving forward aggressively '' on ensuring a safer supply .
In July , Health Canada department announced C $ 2m ( $ 1.5m ; £1.15m ) in funding for a safe supply pilot project in BC 's Cowichan Valley .
Inside this roughly 84,000-person region , the program is reserved for those who have not responded to other treatments for opioid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far .
And the Canadian government is not currently considering the decriminalisation or legalisation of illegal drugs , Trudeau said on Wednesday .
For many advocates , including Garth Mullins , until both measures are mandated by the federal government , it wo n't be enough .
Unlike the virus outbreak , the spike in drug deaths in British Columbia was `` entirely predictable '' , according to Mullins .
Covid-19 was `` a force of nature '' , he said .
Canada 's overdose crisis was `` a force of policy '' @

Every month or so, Garth Mullins has breakfast with his best friend. They go to the same place - an aging diner in downtown Vancouver with chipped wooden booths and neon signs. They always end up there around 1pm, talking through bites of bacon, eggs and white toast.


bbc--2020-09-04--Coronavirus: 'Lockdown made my miscarriage far more traumatic'

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

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


bbc--2020-09-03--India NEET, JEE exams: 'They are playing with student lives'

`` Look at what happened during the KCET and GUJCET exams ? ''
she says , referring to state-levels examinations @ @ @ @ @ and Gujarat states .
`` There was no social distancing at the centres .
How @ @ @ @ @ are followed with NEET ? ''
`` Just because we have downloaded our admit cards @ @ @ @ @ to take the examination .
We download them so that we can know where our @ @ @ @ @ how far we have to travel and make arrangements . ''
`` Many students like @ @ @ @ @ masters abroad after college .
If this exam is postponed , the whole process gets @ @ @ @ @ be able to apply to foreign universities . ''
He says that instead of tweeting @ @ @ @ @ students should ask the government to be accountable and make sure that all safety procedures @ @ @ @ @ .

"Just because we have downloaded our admit cards doesn't mean we want to take the examination. We download them so that we can know where our centre is and then see how far we have to travel and make arrangements."


bbc--2020-09-03--Is Zimbabwe extending an olive branch to its white farmers?

Zimbabwe is making deals with mainly white farmers - both local and foreign - who lost farms two decades ago in a controversial and often violent land redistribution programme that sought to redress colonial-era land grabs , but which contributed to the country 's economic decline .
`` Where the situation presently obtaining on the ground makes it impractical to restore land in this category to its former owners , government will offer the former farm owners alternative land elsewhere as restitution , '' the statement said .
A disgruntled group of so-calledwar veterans , who have the most to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were resettled on much of the commercial farmland - the lion 's share went to government ministers , senior officials and the politically well-connected - has denounced the agreement vociferously and threatened to sue the government .
He has actually stuck firmly to the letter of the new constitution , negotiated and approved by both his Zanu-PF party and the opposition Movement for Democratic Change ( MDC ) during the national unity government back in 2013 and voted for overwhelmingly by Zimbabweans in a referendum .
Very few Western governments are talking about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerned about the human rights abuses and allegations of rampant corruption taking place on his watch , which rival those under the tenure of Robert Mugabe , who was forced to resign by the army as president in 2017 .
You may also be interested in : Since then the country has fallen from breadbasket to begging basket , one of the least food-secure nations on the planet with unemployment at unprecedented levels - some analysts say it is 90 % .
The whole question of land in Zimbabwe is now extremely complex @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the state , so technically it has no commercial value , and can not be used as collateral for borrowing .
Officials from the Ministry of Lands and Agriculture were unable to explain how $ 3bn was spent on Command Agriculture without any documentation in 2019 - and without any sizeable harvest to show for it .
`` But if we fix the economy by restoring confidence , we will get back to earning respect as well as money . ''
Like everything in Zimbabwe it is a cat-and-mouse situation - and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agricultural sector back on its feet .

A disgruntled group of so-called war veterans, who have the most to lose as they are the ones who were resettled on much of the commercial farmland - the lion's share went to government ministers, senior officials and the politically well-connected - has denounced the agreement vociferously and threatened to sue the government.


bbc--2020-09-04--The New Mutants: Director’s X-Men dream ‘cut in half by Hollywood reality’

Before we go any further I want to say there 's no Captain America in this article , no Spider-Man , and only the slightest hint of Wolverine .
And for me , a Marvel comics geek , that 's perfect .
Reading the X-Men comics I was always more interested in the background characters : the oddballs stood behind the big names , the new recruits - the ones with B-list potential .
So when a movie about The New Mutants , the X-Men 's first junior team , was shot in 2017 , I was pretty excited .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ now hitting screens after a , let 's say , tough ... journey .
And while it 's been a long wait for me it was even longer for Josh Boone , the man who made the movie .
`` I got a reminder on my phone recently from set , '' the director and writer tells Radio 1 Newsbeat .
`` It was a photo saying 'three years ago ' and I was like , 'screw you ! '
'' Here 's the history .
The New Mutants was made in 2017 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Studios ) , which owned the rights to Marvel 's X-Men franchise .
Every X-Men movie you 've seen has been made by that studio .
But shortly after The New Mutants was made , Disney - which by then owned Marvel - bought Fox Studios , meaning X-Men movies belonged to Marvel again .
And Marvel has plans for a whole new franchise .
Reshoots of Josh 's film were planned , which is normal for most movies - although there are suggestions a lot was asked of Josh and his cast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for release .
The merger meant the reshoots never happened .
What 's in cinemas now is what was filmed during the original shoot three years ago .
`` We were just in a perplexing circumstance that most people do n't have to deal with , '' Josh says .
`` I feel like we did it .
But oh my God , there were a lot of bumps and bruises .
`` You 're holding on to it as it gets smaller and smaller and then eventually you 're like , ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' . ''
Josh wrote the movie with childhood friend Knate Lee .
The two had been obsessed with comic books as kids , including X-Men and New Mutants .
They pitched the movie as the first part of a superhero/horror trilogy , with its cast of teenage characters also allowing for young adult elements , all set inside the world of the X-Men .
`` Once you start to find what the movie is , the budget comes in hard , you start to realise you 're gon na have to cut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Josh says .
`` Not in a bad way , just in a 'reality of Hollywood ' way that any director who goes to make a movie eventually has to do .
`` So even if someone 's making a $ 200 million movie , I promise they needed $ 400 million . ''
Josh says his experience making The New Mutants was very different to making 2014 's award-winning The Fault In Our Stars , which he 's probably best-known for .
When early audiences loved that film , Josh says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` you 'll never see me again '' and approved the movie for release .
`` That was blessed circumstances and this was like , the opposite . ''
After making it through the merger , The New Mutants was delayed again in 2020 because of coronavirus .
Coincidentally , Josh 's next project is a TV adaptation of Stephen King 's book The Stand - about a strain of flu which wipes out most of the world 's population .
`` That we had just made that and a pandemic happened was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` And now we 're releasing a movie about kids in quarantine ?
And I 'm just like - I do n't know - I 'll choose the next project more wisely . ''
Who are The New Mutants ?
Casual Marvel fans probably wo n't be too familiar with characters like Cannonball , Magik , Wolfsbane , Moonstar or Sunspot - who are actually never referred to by their X-Men codenames in the film .
But the fact there 's no mainstream favourites in the The New Mutants should n't put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Marvel 's Guardians of The Galaxy proved you can start a billion dollar franchise with a tree and a talking rodent among your main characters .
Here we have outsiders too .
The New Mutants is about a group of young , super-powered teenagers , locked away in a facility for their own protection , fighting nightmarish monsters and a giant creature called Demon Bear .
Among the cast is Maisie Williams ( Game of Thrones ) , Sam Heaton ( Stranger Things ) and Anya Taylor-Joy ( The Witch , Peaky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first LGBTQ+ storyline in a major Hollywood superhero movie , with Maisie 's Rahne - who can turn into a wolf - and Blu Hunt 's Dani , who creates illusions , providing a love story .
Josh says it 's `` weird '' not to have more of this in mainstream movies , but blames Hollywood needing to sell its work to `` homophobic territories '' around the world .
`` It 's worth pushing harder and trying to get that stuff through , '' he says .
`` This seemed a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since there are so many kids in their teen years struggling with their sexuality or in abusive homes .
`` Even the most popular kid in school probably still feels a bit like an outsider and like they do n't belong , because I just think that 's the experience of being a teenager . ''
It 's Maisie 's character Josh seems to relate to most closely .
She mirrors some of his upbringing in America 's Bible Belt during the 1980s .
`` Rahne 's character is from an oppressed religious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an oppressed religious upbringing . ''
He says his parents became involved in an evangelical Christian movement during his childhood that `` swept up '' parts of America at the time .
`` Stephen King books got burned in the fireplace , Christian tapes were copied over with Guns & Roses so they would n't know what they were stored on , '' he adds .
`` So it was trying to find ways to bring some of those elements into it that were personal . ''
Now in cinemas , several years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Mutants have n't been overwhelmingly kind .
One of the co-creators of the comics has criticised the film for whitewashing some of its characters and even spelling his name wrong in the credits .
But despite all the bumps in the road - which now make Josh 's trilogy plans seem unlikely - he 's hopeful the characters he 's brought to screen might still find a home in the future .
`` I 'm super curious to see what Marvel 's gon na do with the X-Men franchise , '' he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us make some more , that 'd be great .
If they carry on the characters in some way , that would be great .
I think we 've got one of the best casts under the sun .
`` It all ended up well because I think we all really love the movie . ''
Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen back here .

"If they'd let us make some more, that'd be great. If they carry on the characters in some way, that would be great. I think we've got one of the best casts under the sun.


bbc--2020-09-03--Why there are so few black tech start-ups

`` I think a lot of folks like myself never even get a chance , because folks do n't answer their phones , or listen to their idea , but put them in a box they should n't be in , '' says Zack Smith , the founder of Boston-based Jobble .
He 's talking about how hard it can be for black tech entrepreneurs to raise money .
But Mr Smith saw it as a challenge .
`` It does n't matter what box they put me in to begin with , I 'll get out of that box @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and better .
I think this fuels me , '' he says .
His firm is a US platform for jobs in the gig economy , offering work to those who want flexible hours .
According to a study of 9,874 US business founders by California-based social enterprise RateMyInvestor , only 1 % of start-ups receiving venture capital were black .
But Mr Smith was fortunate to have New York-based Harlem Capital Partners , which focuses its investments on minority and women founders .
• Stress and burnout and redundancy in IT • @ @ @ @ @ @ @ water • Robots find their own way deep in the ocean '' They 've been extremely supportive , as an investor and also a friend and a partner , '' he says Black Lives Matter not only shone a spotlight on policing , but also on other fields , like the technology industry .
In the US , 13 % of the workforce is black , but at Google that proportion is just 3.7 % and at Facebook 3.8 % .
To understand why this is , follow the money , says Sydney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capital investor who in 2018 co-founded BLCK VC .
Venture capital - that is , early investments in a company of between $ 1m ( £750,000 ) and $ 30m in return for shares - is how most new start-ups get out of the blocks .
But 81 % of venture capital ( VC ) funds specialising in making these types of investment lack a black partner .
Partly as a result , 75 % of fundraising rounds go to all-white founding teams , says Marlon Nichols , a founding managing partner at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sykes says investors in tech start-ups `` go by their gut feeling , and that 's where bias creeps in '' .
She says investors financially back someone if they are `` connected with this person '' , or perhaps an entrepreneur reminds them of Elon Musk or Mark Zuckerberg .
But she believes `` when you close your mind to different types of entrepreneurs , you 're missing out on exciting investments and great companies '' .
And Marlon Nichols asserts that ethnically diverse founding teams deliver investors better returns - on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compared with 2 times for all-white founders .
She and another VC principal , Frederik Groce , held a dinner and invited all the black people they knew in VC in the San Francisco Bay area , as well as other friends .
`` We ended up being about 30 people , and most of the black investors in California , which is pretty wild , '' she says .
Dinner went on `` very much longer than it was supposed to '' and by the end they 'd started a network to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enter venture capital .
Black business founder Donnel Baird says raising funding has been `` far and away the hardest part '' .
These are 20-50 % more efficient than air conditioners and two to three times more efficient than boiler-based furnace systems , he says .
The biggest challenge is documenting each building well enough to attract crowdsourced finance , so systems wo n't cost residents anything up front , and can be paid for out of future savings .
They 've developed a modelling tool called BlocMaps that quickly integrates city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drawing on the 1,000 buildings they 've worked on so far in New York .
He says as founders like him make profitable exits , and have access to capital to invest in new start-ups , Silicon Valley will change .
`` I do n't think it 's going to be a very long time from now , '' says Mr Baird .
`` I think it 's going to be five years . ''
But he asks of his generation of black founders : `` Are we going to try to help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says it wants to build , or are we going to duplicate the same excesses just with a black person in charge ? ''
Turning to the UK , lack of funding has also been an issue , one which the Black Lives Matter ( BLM ) movement has helped highlight .
In the wake of BLM , many British people , both black and white , want to support black-owned small businesses , says Benedicta Banga , who was born in Zimbabwe and lives in Solihull in the West Midlands .
So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , largely because she was n't finding things she needed locally `` like makeup for my skin type , and black-owned brands were n't very visible online '' .
Black-owned businesses are the least-funded businesses , she says , and this is problem is compounded if you are n't visible .
`` Then you do n't grow , and you do n't get funded because you 're not growing , '' she says .
While she initially thought of the platform as just being UK-based , most of the businesses on it ship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ users in the US , Asia and the Caribbean , she says .
Another British-based tech entrepreneur , Ikenna Ordor , has started a sharing economy platform for higher-end vehicles - Starr Luxury Cars - which has expanded into private jets .
A few of his car clients turned out to be private jet owners , who were keen to earn money from renting their aircraft out .
When coronavirus struck , these services were suddenly in demand .
City workers who would always take the train into London , started to rent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the office , says Mr Ordor .
As a Nigerian-born male , he says there is a stigma associating Nigerians with fraud .
He also says black-owned businesses are less likely to be offered bank loans than other companies .
So he ultimately hopes that his example can be a `` beacon of hope for young men thinking about starting businesses '' .

But he asks of his generation of black founders: "Are we going to try to help Silicon Valley build the better world it says it wants to build, or are we going to duplicate the same excesses just with a black person in charge?"


bbc--2020-09-04--Coronavirus: The US has not reduced its Covid-19 death toll to 6% of total

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) says it has been deluged with queries about false rumours the official tally of Covid-19 deaths is drastically lower than the publicised headline figure of about 185,000 .
Social-media posts making this bogus claim have been circulating widely on the internet .
And one re-tweeted by President Trump was removed by Twitter for breaching its guidelines .
What exactly is the claim ?
The claim , being amplified by supporters of QAnon conspiracies and others , is only 6 % of the total number of people with coronavirus on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus .
This is misleading and not true .
It 's correct to state of all the death certificates in the US that mention Covid-19 , only 6 % mention no other illnesses .
However , 92 % of the total clearly state Covid-19 as the underlying cause of death .
So while a patient may have had lung problems or diabetes referred to on their certificates , coronavirus has been given as the main cause of death .
The CDC also says the death certificates may include conditions caused by coronavirus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on death certificates has featured for months on CDC 's website , with regular updates .
Most people who die from coronavirus are elderly or have had existing health problems .
Having underlying health problems makes patients more vulnerable to becoming seriously ill from coronavirus , just as it makes them more vulnerable to becoming very sick from other viruses .
But this does n't detract from the fact the virus is their primary cause of death .
It 's also the case that early on during the pandemic , when testing was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without it being noted on their death certificate .
In England and Wales , of deaths involving coronavirus between March and June 2020 , there was at least one other condition in just over 90 % of cases .
How has the claim spread ?
Variations of the claim , promoted by those looking to downplay the extent of the pandemic , have been circulating on Twitter since at least mid-June .
But the allegations went seriously viral only at the end of August , when shared by a number of influential accounts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Twitter users have since even changed their names to include `` 6 % '' .
The claim has also been widely shared on Facebook by some conservative news pages , Trump supporters and others seeking an end to coronavirus restrictions .
Some of the most popular posts have gathered more than 10,000 shares .
In the past few days , claims have also featured in adverts circulated on Facebook and Instagram , dismissing the coronavirus pandemic as a `` hoax '' .
This is not the first time CDC data has been used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death toll in the US .
In May , posts on social media cited figures based on death certificates to suggest the Covid-19 death toll was significantly inflated .
They pointed out these numbers were much lower than elsewhere , ignoring the CDC disclaimer saying these death counts were delayed and `` may differ from other published sources '' .

However, 92% of the total clearly state Covid-19 as the underlying cause of death. So while a patient may have had lung problems or diabetes referred to on their certificates, coronavirus has been given as the main cause of death.


bbc--2020-09-02--Coronavirus in South Africa: Scientists explore surprise theory for low death rate

Infection and death rates in many African countries have turned out to be much lower than initially feared .
As the number of infections dips sharply in South Africa , experts there are exploring a startling hypothesis , as our Africa correspondent Andrew Harding reports from Johannesburg .
But some experts are now posing the question , what if the opposite is also true ?
What if those same crowded conditions also offer a possible solution to the mystery that has been unresolved for months ?
What if those conditions - they are asking - could prove to give people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ settings globally , some extra protection against Covid-19 ?
`` It seems possible that our struggles , our poor conditions might be working in favour of African countries and our populations , '' said Professor Shabir Madhi , South Africa 's top virologist and an important figure in the hunt for a vaccine for Covid-19 .
Scientists acknowledge that reliable data is not always easy to come by and all these figures are likely to change .
But even if deaths have been under-reported here - perhaps by a factor of two - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as have many other parts of the continent , where many hospital beds remain empty , and where infection graphs have almost entirely avoided the pronounced peaks and sharp angles seen in so many other parts of the world .
For a while now , experts have cited a youthful population as the best explanation for Africa 's relatively low infection rates .
After all , the average age on the continent is roughly half that in Europe .
Far fewer Africans live into their 80s , and so are less likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ result .
You may also be interested in : It is almost certain that many factors - particularly the quick lockdowns as well as youthful demographics - are likely to have contributed to South Africa 's successes in tackling the virus thus far .
The idea is that , by studying the PBMCs , the scientists might find evidence that people had been widely infected by other coronaviruses - those , for instance , responsible for many common colds - and that , as a result , they might enjoy some degree of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a hypothesis .
Some level of pre-existing cross-protective immunity… might explain why the epidemic did n't unfold ( the way it did in other parts of the world ) , '' said Professor Madhi , explaining that data from scientists in the United States appeared to support the hypothesis of some pre-existing immunity .
Colds and flu are , of course , commonplace around the world .
But the South African scientists wondered whether , because those viruses spread more effectively in over-crowded neighbourhoods where it is harder for people to self-isolate , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immunity towards Covid-19 .
`` I ca n't think of anything else that would explain the numbers of completely asymptomatic people we 're seeing .
The numbers are completely unbelievable , '' he said , expressing cautious hope that some of the challenges that have so often held back poorer communities might now work in their favour .
Update : The headline and article have been amended to better reflect what the scientists said .
It was not our intention to cause offence .

Scientists acknowledge that reliable data is not always easy to come by and all these figures are likely to change. But even if deaths have been under-reported here - perhaps by a factor of two - South Africa has still performed impressively well, as have many other parts of the continent, where many hospital beds remain empty, and where infection graphs have almost entirely avoided the pronounced peaks and sharp angles seen in so many other parts of the world.


bbc--2020-09-04--US Open 2020: Johanna Konta beaten by Sorana Cirstea in second round

Last updated on .From the section Tennis Britain 's Johanna Konta was knocked out of the US Open in three sets by Sorana Cirstea .
It is a second early exit in a Grand Slam in 2020 for 29-year-old Konta , who lost in the first round of the Australian Open in January .
`` My opponent played better than me , that 's really about it , '' said Konta .
`` She obviously raised her level and then we were battling toe-to-toe .
She was better in the end .
`` I did the best that I could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • None Follow radio and text updates from day four • None Alerts : Get tennis news sent to your phone Konta , a quarter-finalist in 2019 at Flushing Meadows , had won their two previous meetings , including a controversial Fed Cup rubber in 2017 when Romania captain Ilie Nastase was sent off after swearing at the umpire and abusing Konta and Great Britain captain Anne Keothavong .
Konta was visibly upset and the umpire halted the match for 25 minutes , with Cirstea later claiming the Briton had `` overreacted '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about their meeting in New York with Konta seemingly set for a routine win as she broke Cirstea 's serve three times in the first set and then again to lead 2-1 in the second set .
However , Cirstea broke back immediately and upped her level to turn the match around .
Konta had break points at 4-4 and 5-5 in the second set but could not convert and was taken to a tie-break .
Cirstea dominated it and although Konta saved three set points , Cirstea levelled the match with an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ executed drop shots were an issue for Konta in the final set , and one particularly feeble effort helped Cirstea get the first break for 2-1 .
Konta levelled immediately but was now routinely having to fight to hold her own service games , winning only 34 % of points on her second serve during the match .
She fought back from 0-30 down to go 3-2 up but a gripping seventh game - which lasted more than 10 minutes - proved pivotal , Cirstea converting her sixth break point by superbly picking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ break-back points in the next game but they were quickly snuffed out as Cirstea held for 5-3 .
Excellent serving allowed the Briton to stave off two match points in her next service game , but Cirstea was not fazed as she coolly sealed victory with an ace in two hours and 49 minutes .
Johanna Konta does not tend to dwell on missed opportunities , but there will be plenty of frustration this match slipped away from such a promising position .
Much of that frustration can be directed at Sorana Cirstea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ served superbly , and from the middle of the second set onwards was able to sustain a level far above her ranking .
Konta was unable to throw her off course , which will give new coach Thomas Hogstedt some food for thought as they head on to the clay .
Jamie Murray and fellow Briton Neal Skupski made an impressive start to their men 's doubles campaign , beating fourth seeds Ivan Dodig and Filip Polasek 6-3 7-5 .
Briton Dom Inglot and Pakistan 's Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi lost to Americans Jack Sock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decided by tie-breaks .
Jonny O'Mara and Marcelo Arevalo of El Salvador were beaten in three sets by Jean-Julien Rojer and Horia Tecau .

Last updated on .From the section Tennis
Johanna Konta reached the semi-finals of the Western and Southern Open at Flushing Meadows last week
2020 US Open Venue: Flushing Meadows, New York Dates: 31 Aug-13 Sept Coverage: Selected live radio and text commentaries on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra, BBC Sounds, the BBC Sport website and app.
Britain's Johanna Konta was knocked out of the US Open in three sets by Sorana Cirstea.
Ninth seed Konta led by a set and a break but the Romanian world number 77 fought back to win 2-6 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 at Flushing Meadows.
It is a second early exit in a Grand Slam in 2020 for 29-year-old Konta, who lost in the first round of the Australian Open in January.
"My opponent played better than me, that's really about it," said Konta.
"She obviously raised her level and then we were battling toe-to-toe. She was better in the end.
"I did the best that I could. I really fought hard."
Cirstea, 30, will next play Czech 20th seed Karolina Muchova.
Konta, a quarter-finalist in 2019 at Flushing Meadows, had won their two previous meetings, including a controversial Fed Cup rubber in 2017 when Romania captain Ilie Nastase was sent off after swearing at the umpire and abusing Konta and Great Britain captain Anne Keothavong.
Konta was visibly upset and the umpire halted the match for 25 minutes, with Cirstea later claiming the Briton had "overreacted".
There was no hint of controversy about their meeting in New York with Konta seemingly set for a routine win as she broke Cirstea's serve three times in the first set and then again to lead 2-1 in the second set.
However, Cirstea broke back immediately and upped her level to turn the match around.
Konta had break points at 4-4 and 5-5 in the second set but could not convert and was taken to a tie-break.
Cirstea dominated it and although Konta saved three set points, Cirstea levelled the match with an ace on her fourth opportunity.
Poorly executed drop shots were an issue for Konta in the final set, and one particularly feeble effort helped Cirstea get the first break for 2-1.
Konta levelled immediately but was now routinely having to fight to hold her own service games, winning only 34% of points on her second serve during the match.
She fought back from 0-30 down to go 3-2 up but a gripping seventh game - which lasted more than 10 minutes - proved pivotal, Cirstea converting her sixth break point by superbly picking up a volley.
Konta had three break-back points in the next game but they were quickly snuffed out as Cirstea held for 5-3. Excellent serving allowed the Briton to stave off two match points in her next service game, but Cirstea was not fazed as she coolly sealed victory with an ace in two hours and 49 minutes.
Analysis
BBC tennis correspondent Russell Fuller
Johanna Konta does not tend to dwell on missed opportunities, but there will be plenty of frustration this match slipped away from such a promising position.
Much of that frustration can be directed at Sorana Cirstea for playing so well.
The Romanian served superbly, and from the middle of the second set onwards was able to sustain a level far above her ranking.
Konta was unable to throw her off course, which will give new coach Thomas Hogstedt some food for thought as they head on to the clay.
Excellent start for Murray and Skupski
Jamie Murray and fellow Briton Neal Skupski made an impressive start to their men's doubles campaign, beating fourth seeds Ivan Dodig and Filip Polasek 6-3 7-5.
Briton Dom Inglot and Pakistan's Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi lost to Americans Jack Sock and Jackson Withrow with all three sets decided by tie-breaks.
Jonny O'Mara and Marcelo Arevalo of El Salvador were beaten in three sets by Jean-Julien Rojer and Horia Tecau.


bbc--2020-09-03--Injury-time Duffy goal earns Kenny point in first Republic match

Last updated on .From the section Republic of Ireland Shane Duffy 's injury-time goal rescued a draw for new Republic of Ireland boss Stephen Kenny in the Nations League opener in Bulgaria .
A youthful Republic attack missed chances in Sofia but Kenny will be satisfied with a point in a testing managerial debut at this level .
The Irish host Finland in Dublin in their second Group 4 game on Sunday .
• None Bulgaria 1-1 Rep of Ireland - as it happened Kenny signalled his trust in the Republic 's emerging youngsters by handing a senior debut to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 19-year-old flanked by Aaron Connolly , 20 , and Callum O'Dowda , 25 .
However , it was Bulgaria 's young forward Kraev , 23 , who broke the deadlock when he drifted in between Duffy and John Egan before slotting a low shot beyond Darren Randolph .
With the visitors drifting towards a dispiriting defeat , Duffy popped up with his fourth international goal to snatch a point after escaping his marker to direct substitute Brady 's corner beyond Bulgaria keeper Georgi Georgiev .
That late goal will boost the Republic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if they are to qualify for next summer 's European Championship .
Former Republic Under-21 boss Kenny , who succeeded Mick McCarthy in April , lined out in his preferred 4-3-3 at an empty Vasil Levski stadium .
Behind the front three , James McCarthy returned to international action for the first time since October 2016 to partner Conor Hourihane and Jeff Hendrick in midfield .
Duffy captained the side with Matt Doherty preferred to usual skipper Seamus Coleman at right-back .
There are high hopes that Kenny , who led Dundalk to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , will establish Republic as a fluent attacking side , and while there was plenty of pace on show in attack , the visitors often lacked a cutting edge in the final third .
At the other end , there were signs that the Republic players will require more time in which to adapt to Kenny 's style of building attacks from the back , with Duffy 's heavy touch leading to him losing possession after just a couple of minutes .
Kenny will also be disappointed with the space afforded to their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including the goal .
The Republic 's goal may have come late on , but they were most cohesive going forward during the first 45 minutes .
Connolly , earning just his third cap , passed up a gilt-edged chance to open the scoring after 14 minutes when he dispossessed Kristian Dimitrov , but curled his tight-angled shot wide with Idah positioned for a possible tap-in in the middle .
The Republic 's two other noteworthy first-half chances fell to Doherty and O'Dowda , neither of whom managed to keep their efforts on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Prior to the goal , the Republic managed only two shots on target , both of which were comfortably saved by Georgiev .
Bulgaria , however , showed early signs of their own attacking threat when Todor Nedelev sent a lob over the bar after latching onto Anton Nedyalkov 's stunning diagonal pass .
Republic goalkeeper Darren Randolph was then forced to race out and rob Galin Ivanov on the edge of the area after the midfielder had eluded the Irish defence .
Having found space in behind the Republic defence in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crucial blow 11 minutes after the break when Nedelev spotted the space between Duffy and Egan before finding Kraev , who slipped his left-footed effort underneath Randolph .
But Duffy , who also rescued the Republic with a late header to secure a 1-1 draw against Denmark during the Euro 2020 qualifying campaign , ensured that Kenny avoided defeat in his first game with a well-guided header .
• None Should we be concerned ?

Last updated on .From the section Republic of Ireland
Stephen Kenny was taking charge of the Republic of Ireland for the first time
Shane Duffy's injury-time goal rescued a draw for new Republic of Ireland boss Stephen Kenny in the Nations League opener in Bulgaria.
Captain Duffy climbed highest to nod Robbie Brady's corner home after Bozhidar Kraev's 56th-minute opener.
A youthful Republic attack missed chances in Sofia but Kenny will be satisfied with a point in a testing managerial debut at this level.
The Irish host Finland in Dublin in their second Group 4 game on Sunday.
Kenny signalled his trust in the Republic's emerging youngsters by handing a senior debut to Norwich City striker Adam Idah, with the 19-year-old flanked by Aaron Connolly, 20, and Callum O'Dowda, 25.
However, it was Bulgaria's young forward Kraev, 23, who broke the deadlock when he drifted in between Duffy and John Egan before slotting a low shot beyond Darren Randolph.
With the visitors drifting towards a dispiriting defeat, Duffy popped up with his fourth international goal to snatch a point after escaping his marker to direct substitute Brady's corner beyond Bulgaria keeper Georgi Georgiev.
That late goal will boost the Republic, who must win two play-off games if they are to qualify for next summer's European Championship.
Kenny era off to underwhelming start
Former Republic Under-21 boss Kenny, who succeeded Mick McCarthy in April, lined out in his preferred 4-3-3 at an empty Vasil Levski stadium.
Behind the front three, James McCarthy returned to international action for the first time since October 2016 to partner Conor Hourihane and Jeff Hendrick in midfield.
Duffy captained the side with Matt Doherty preferred to usual skipper Seamus Coleman at right-back.
There are high hopes that Kenny, who led Dundalk to the Europa League group stages in 2016, will establish Republic as a fluent attacking side, and while there was plenty of pace on show in attack, the visitors often lacked a cutting edge in the final third.
At the other end, there were signs that the Republic players will require more time in which to adapt to Kenny's style of building attacks from the back, with Duffy's heavy touch leading to him losing possession after just a couple of minutes.
Kenny will also be disappointed with the space afforded to their hosts on a number of occasions, including the goal.
Aaron Connolly missed a couple of Republic of Ireland chances
Republic miss first-half chances
The Republic's goal may have come late on, but they were most cohesive going forward during the first 45 minutes.
Connolly, earning just his third cap, passed up a gilt-edged chance to open the scoring after 14 minutes when he dispossessed Kristian Dimitrov, but curled his tight-angled shot wide with Idah positioned for a possible tap-in in the middle.
The Republic's two other noteworthy first-half chances fell to Doherty and O'Dowda, neither of whom managed to keep their efforts on target after crosses from the left flank. Prior to the goal, the Republic managed only two shots on target, both of which were comfortably saved by Georgiev.
Bulgaria, however, showed early signs of their own attacking threat when Todor Nedelev sent a lob over the bar after latching onto Anton Nedyalkov's stunning diagonal pass.
Republic goalkeeper Darren Randolph was then forced to race out and rob Galin Ivanov on the edge of the area after the midfielder had eluded the Irish defence.
Having found space in behind the Republic defence in the first half, Bulgaria struck the crucial blow 11 minutes after the break when Nedelev spotted the space between Duffy and Egan before finding Kraev, who slipped his left-footed effort underneath Randolph.
But Duffy, who also rescued the Republic with a late header to secure a 1-1 draw against Denmark during the Euro 2020 qualifying campaign, ensured that Kenny avoided defeat in his first game with a well-guided header.


bbc--2020-09-03--Chelsea's Werner scores but Spain deny Germany with last-gasp equaliser

Last updated on .From the section Football New Chelsea signing Timo Werner scored for Germany before Spain rescued a point with a 95th-minute equaliser in the Nations League in Stuttgart .
Leeds United 's club record £26m signing Rodrigo missed two fine chances for Spain before heading into the path of Jose Gaya , who made it 1-1 .
The Valencia defender scored with almost the last kick of the game .
It was a dramatic end to an eventful match .
• None Scouting report - how Premier League signings got on in Germany-Spain game • None Uefa Nations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where ... and why ?
• None How will Werner fit in at Chelsea ?
Both teams were returning to international action for the first time in almost 10 months .
It was the first game of Luis Enrique 's second spell in charge of Spain and there were several positives for the former Barcelona boss , not least the performance of new Manchester City signing Ferran Torres .
City 's £20.87m winger produced a confident display on the right before switching wings after 17-year-old Barcelona player Ansu Fati came on for his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the second half .
In contrast forward Rodrigo wasted a glorious chance at 0-0 when he took too long to get his shot away in front of a gaping net before having another chance blocked by keeper Kevin Trapp after getting behind Germany 's defence .
Spain keeper De Gea produced several fine saves including a flying stop to keep out Leroy Sane .
This was the first competitive meeting between the two European powerhouses since Spain overcame Germany in South Africa on their way to winning the 2010 World Cup .
Germany @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Bayern Munich following their Champions League triumph in Portugal last month .
Ukraine beat Switzerland 2-1 in the other game in Group A4 .

Last updated on .From the section Football
Germany were playing for the first time since 19 November 2019
New Chelsea signing Timo Werner scored for Germany before Spain rescued a point with a 95th-minute equaliser in the Nations League in Stuttgart.
Werner showed why the Blues have paid £54m for him when he drilled past David de Gea inside the penalty area.
Leeds United's club record £26m signing Rodrigo missed two fine chances for Spain before heading into the path of Jose Gaya, who made it 1-1.
The Valencia defender scored with almost the last kick of the game.
It was a dramatic end to an eventful match.
Both teams were returning to international action for the first time in almost 10 months.
It was the first game of Luis Enrique's second spell in charge of Spain and there were several positives for the former Barcelona boss, not least the performance of new Manchester City signing Ferran Torres.
City's £20.87m winger produced a confident display on the right before switching wings after 17-year-old Barcelona player Ansu Fati came on for his senior international debut at the start of the second half.
In contrast forward Rodrigo wasted a glorious chance at 0-0 when he took too long to get his shot away in front of a gaping net before having another chance blocked by keeper Kevin Trapp after getting behind Germany's defence.
Spain keeper De Gea produced several fine saves including a flying stop to keep out Leroy Sane.
This was the first competitive meeting between the two European powerhouses since Spain overcame Germany in South Africa on their way to winning the 2010 World Cup.
Germany's side was largely deprived of players from Bayern Munich following their Champions League triumph in Portugal last month.
Ukraine beat Switzerland 2-1 in the other game in Group A4.


bbc--2020-09-03--'F1 should be setting examples' - Vettel says sport faces challenges over future

Ferrari 's Sebastian Vettel says Formula 1 faces `` big challenges '' to secure its future in the context of the world 's environmental problems .
`` There are some big questions to be answered to make sure this sport is still around in years to come . ''
Lewis Hamilton said F1 would `` have have to continue moving in the direction of going electric at some stage '' .
F1 last year launched a plan to become carbon neutral by 2030 , and among the sport 's plans are a move towards synthetic fuels when the next engine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ These use carbon captured from the atmosphere in their manufacture .
The turbo-hybrid engines introduced into F1 in 2014 have led to a revolutionary step forward in efficiency .
Normal road-car engines are in the region of 30 % thermal efficiency - the conversion of fuel-energy to power - and F1 engines are above 50 % .
But Vettel believes F1 should move further in this direction .
• None Williams family to step down from team • None Can you name all the Williams winners ?
`` F1 is held around the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries and as a global sport we should act responsibly , '' the four-time champion said .
`` F1 should be setting examples rather than reacting to pressure from the outside .
`` When it comes to the environment , we are burning fuel which is a very small amount of the total carbon footprint but still we need to start acting more and more setting the right example , not just on carbon footprint , but on other things .
`` Small things - but I do think every little bit makes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bottles we consume during the weekends there are solutions to that , how we power some panels in the paddock , there are solutions to that .
`` F1 is the pinnacle of motorsport in terms of the development of the cars , and when you talk about the cars there is more than can be done to have a greater relevance in the future . ''
Hamilton also backed Vettel 's views on consumables , pointing out that before the coronavirus pandemic stopped anyone but essential personnel attending races there was `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ away from the weekend in terms of food , for hospitality services , plastic bottles .
I ca n't imagine how many thousands of plastic bottles come from each weekend '' .
`` F1 should definitely be working with organisers - and I am sure they are - to make sure they operate as cleanly as possible and minimise waste , '' he added .
Hamilton heads into this weekend 's Italian Grand Prix only two wins away from equalling Michael Schumacher 's all-time record of 91 victories .
The F1 teams are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this weekend 's race , with a ban on the changing of engine modes .
Some have seen that as targeting his Mercedes team , who have a particularly effective full-power mode for brief use in qualifying .
But Hamilton said he believed it would make little difference .
Hamilton said : `` [ We will have ] better race pace .
We lose a little bit [ in qualifying ] but it 's not the end of the day .
Everyone will lose something but some more than others .
I do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a problem for us .
`` I find it amusing because [ governing body ] the FIA said it was so they could manage everyone 's use of the engine but Red Bull said they were pushing for it .
Completely different reasons .
`` It 's a compliment at the end of the day - the guys have done such a fantastic job with the engine .
We will continue to do the best we can and we will see how it plays out . ''
Williams driver George Russell , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ German company 's engines , said the move would increase Mercedes ' advantage in a year they area already dominating .
`` I think it will probably affect us and Racing Point more than Mercedes purely because Mercedes are so far ahead in qualifying , '' Russell said .
`` And it will probably help them in the race .
So the whole idea of slowing them down is going to go completely the opposite and way and enhance their performance .
`` On a Saturday it will affect us by a tenth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but also the other manufactures by a tenth .
So we are probably net 0.1secs down on a Saturday but on Sunday we are net up by a big margin .
`` What Mercedes have done to improve the engine to allow us to run a very high engine mode for the whole race is really impressive .
She 's going to be flying on the Sundays . ''

Sebastian Vettel, right, was speaking ahead of this weekend's Italian Grand Prix
Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel says Formula 1 faces "big challenges" to secure its future in the context of the world's environmental problems.
"Being critical, you could ask where F1 is and what place it fills - you need to be serious about that," Vettel said.
"There are some big questions to be answered to make sure this sport is still around in years to come."
Lewis Hamilton said F1 would "have have to continue moving in the direction of going electric at some stage".
F1 last year launched a plan to become carbon neutral by 2030, and among the sport's plans are a move towards synthetic fuels when the next engine formula is introduced later this decade. These use carbon captured from the atmosphere in their manufacture.
The turbo-hybrid engines introduced into F1 in 2014 have led to a revolutionary step forward in efficiency. Normal road-car engines are in the region of 30% thermal efficiency - the conversion of fuel-energy to power - and F1 engines are above 50%.
But Vettel believes F1 should move further in this direction.
"F1 is held around the globe every year and in many different countries and as a global sport we should act responsibly," the four-time champion said.
"F1 should be setting examples rather than reacting to pressure from the outside.
"When it comes to the environment, we are burning fuel which is a very small amount of the total carbon footprint but still we need to start acting more and more setting the right example, not just on carbon footprint, but on other things.
"Small things - but I do think every little bit makes a difference - the amount of plastic bottles we consume during the weekends there are solutions to that, how we power some panels in the paddock, there are solutions to that.
"F1 is the pinnacle of motorsport in terms of the development of the cars, and when you talk about the cars there is more than can be done to have a greater relevance in the future."
Hamilton also backed Vettel's views on consumables, pointing out that before the coronavirus pandemic stopped anyone but essential personnel attending races there was "a huge amount of waste that comes away from the weekend in terms of food, for hospitality services, plastic bottles. I can't imagine how many thousands of plastic bottles come from each weekend".
"F1 should definitely be working with organisers - and I am sure they are - to make sure they operate as cleanly as possible and minimise waste," he added.
Prospects for the Italian Grand Prix
Lewis Hamilton, right, has won five of the seven races so far this season
Hamilton heads into this weekend's Italian Grand Prix only two wins away from equalling Michael Schumacher's all-time record of 91 victories.
The F1 teams are facing a rule change on engines for this weekend's race, with a ban on the changing of engine modes.
Some have seen that as targeting his Mercedes team, who have a particularly effective full-power mode for brief use in qualifying.
But Hamilton said he believed it would make little difference.
Hamilton said: "[We will have] better race pace. We lose a little bit [in qualifying] but it's not the end of the day. Everyone will lose something but some more than others. I don't think it's going to be a problem for us.
"I find it amusing because [governing body] the FIA said it was so they could manage everyone's use of the engine but Red Bull said they were pushing for it. Completely different reasons.
"It's a compliment at the end of the day - the guys have done such a fantastic job with the engine. We will continue to do the best we can and we will see how it plays out."
Williams driver George Russell, a Mercedes young driver whose team use the German company's engines, said the move would increase Mercedes' advantage in a year they area already dominating.
"I think it will probably affect us and Racing Point more than Mercedes purely because Mercedes are so far ahead in qualifying," Russell said.
"And it will probably help them in the race. So the whole idea of slowing them down is going to go completely the opposite and way and enhance their performance.
"On a Saturday it will affect us by a tenth [of a second] or two, but also the other manufactures by a tenth. So we are probably net 0.1secs down on a Saturday but on Sunday we are net up by a big margin.
"What Mercedes have done to improve the engine to allow us to run a very high engine mode for the whole race is really impressive. She's going to be flying on the Sundays."


bbc--2020-09-03--Moore scores late winner for Wales in Finland

Last updated on .From the section Wales Wales made a winning start to their Nations League campaign as Kieffer Moore struck a late goal to secure victory in Finland .
Finland missed a glorious chance to take a second-half lead when Leo Vaisanen somehow volleyed against the post from a yard out .
Then with 10 minutes left , Daniel James - Wales ' most potent attacking weapon in Helsinki - sped down the left wing and played a perfect low cross for Moore to convert from close range .
That well-worked goal was a rare moment of quality in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fizzle out into something of a non-event for Ryan Giggs ' side .
But the Wales manager could reflect with some satisfaction on a promising evening which saw the emergence of further fledgling talents , including debuts for Manchester United midfielder Dylan Levitt , Liverpool full-back Neco Williams and Swansea City centre-back Ben Cabango .
Although Nations League matches are competitive and carry the potential reward of play-offs for major tournaments , Giggs has always maintained he would use them as opportunities to develop younger players and this was another such example .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Republic of Ireland drew 1-1 in Bulgaria .
On Sunday , Wales host Bulgaria at Cardiff City Stadium , while the Republic of Ireland are at home to Finland .
This match in Helsinki was Wales ' first since last November 's victory over Hungary to qualify for Euro 2020 , which was postponed for a year due to the coronavirus pandemic .
Amid the gloom , the silver lining to that delay was that it would give Giggs ' young squad another year to add to their experience and prove @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their third major tournament .
Unaffected by the absence of important players such as Aaron Ramsey and Joe Allen in Finland , Wales started brightly and were unfortunate not to lead inside four minutes .
Manchester United winger James cut inside from the left and curled an excellent cross for Moore , but the imposing Cardiff City striker 's headed goal was disallowed for a push on Finnish defender Daniel O'Shaughnessy .
James , who seemed back to his electric best after an indifferent second half to last season with United , created @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his deflected cross did not quite fall for Gareth Bale inside Finland 's six-yard box .
If the opening exchanges were played at a brisker pace than some might have expected for a match taking place before domestic seasons had restarted , the rest of the first half reverted to the kind of staccato associated with a friendly fixture .
Bale looked out of sorts having barely featured for Real Madrid in recent months and the captain was replaced at half-time , no surprise after Giggs had warned beforehand the talismanic forward was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in both fixtures of this double-header .
Wales were lucky not to fall behind when Vaisanen found himself unmarked and with the goal at his mercy but , to their relief and amazement , the Finland centre-back hit the post from point-blank range .
There was little to set pulses racing from either side from that point until James picked up possession on the left flank , drove towards the byline and slid a fine ball across to Moore , who scored despite a touch from Finland goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky .
Just as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were given their chance to flourish by Sir Alex Ferguson in the early 1990s , the Wales manager has unfailingly put his faith in young players since his appointment in 2018 .
Giggs had given debuts to 15 players in his first 19 matches in charge , and he made it 18 from 20 in Helsinki as he started 19-year-old Levitt in midfield , before introducing Williams and Cabango from the bench .
Levitt 's inclusion was one of three changes to the Wales team , with another being Ethan Ampadu 's move @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wales coaches at youth and senior levels have long seen the Chelsea 19-year-old 's future at centre-back , including Giggs ' predecessor Chris Coleman who gave him his senior international debut in 2017 .
Ampadu demonstrated the benefits of his midfield apprenticeship with an assured performance in Finland , carrying the ball forward with the authority he had previously shown further up the field .
With an average age of 24.5 , this squad embodies how Giggs is building for the future and , if they can continue grinding out victories like they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their manager still has an eye on the present .

Last updated on .From the section Wales
Kieffer Moore has scored three goals for Wales in six appearances
Wales made a winning start to their Nations League campaign as Kieffer Moore struck a late goal to secure victory in Finland.
Fielding a young and inexperienced team in the absence of several senior players, Wales had an early goal disallowed as Moore pushed a Finnish defender before heading in.
Finland missed a glorious chance to take a second-half lead when Leo Vaisanen somehow volleyed against the post from a yard out.
Then with 10 minutes left, Daniel James - Wales' most potent attacking weapon in Helsinki - sped down the left wing and played a perfect low cross for Moore to convert from close range.
That well-worked goal was a rare moment of quality in a second half that had threatened to fizzle out into something of a non-event for Ryan Giggs' side.
But the Wales manager could reflect with some satisfaction on a promising evening which saw the emergence of further fledgling talents, including debuts for Manchester United midfielder Dylan Levitt, Liverpool full-back Neco Williams and Swansea City centre-back Ben Cabango.
Although Nations League matches are competitive and carry the potential reward of play-offs for major tournaments, Giggs has always maintained he would use them as opportunities to develop younger players and this was another such example.
In Thursday's other Group B4 fixture, the Republic of Ireland drew 1-1 in Bulgaria. On Sunday, Wales host Bulgaria at Cardiff City Stadium, while the Republic of Ireland are at home to Finland.
Wales' wait is over
This match in Helsinki was Wales' first since last November's victory over Hungary to qualify for Euro 2020, which was postponed for a year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Amid the gloom, the silver lining to that delay was that it would give Giggs' young squad another year to add to their experience and prove their worth before Wales embark on only their third major tournament.
Unaffected by the absence of important players such as Aaron Ramsey and Joe Allen in Finland, Wales started brightly and were unfortunate not to lead inside four minutes.
Manchester United winger James cut inside from the left and curled an excellent cross for Moore, but the imposing Cardiff City striker's headed goal was disallowed for a push on Finnish defender Daniel O'Shaughnessy.
James, who seemed back to his electric best after an indifferent second half to last season with United, created another chance just four minutes later but his deflected cross did not quite fall for Gareth Bale inside Finland's six-yard box.
Manchester United winger Daniel James impressed for Wales in Finland
If the opening exchanges were played at a brisker pace than some might have expected for a match taking place before domestic seasons had restarted, the rest of the first half reverted to the kind of staccato associated with a friendly fixture.
Bale looked out of sorts having barely featured for Real Madrid in recent months and the captain was replaced at half-time, no surprise after Giggs had warned beforehand the talismanic forward was not fit enough to complete 90 minutes in both fixtures of this double-header.
Wales were lucky not to fall behind when Vaisanen found himself unmarked and with the goal at his mercy but, to their relief and amazement, the Finland centre-back hit the post from point-blank range.
There was little to set pulses racing from either side from that point until James picked up possession on the left flank, drove towards the byline and slid a fine ball across to Moore, who scored despite a touch from Finland goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky.
Giggs building for the future
Just as Giggs and his fledgling Manchester United team-mates were given their chance to flourish by Sir Alex Ferguson in the early 1990s, the Wales manager has unfailingly put his faith in young players since his appointment in 2018.
Giggs had given debuts to 15 players in his first 19 matches in charge, and he made it 18 from 20 in Helsinki as he started 19-year-old Levitt in midfield, before introducing Williams and Cabango from the bench.
Levitt's inclusion was one of three changes to the Wales team, with another being Ethan Ampadu's move from holding midfield to central defence.
Wales coaches at youth and senior levels have long seen the Chelsea 19-year-old's future at centre-back, including Giggs' predecessor Chris Coleman who gave him his senior international debut in 2017.
Ampadu demonstrated the benefits of his midfield apprenticeship with an assured performance in Finland, carrying the ball forward with the authority he had previously shown further up the field.
With an average age of 24.5, this squad embodies how Giggs is building for the future and, if they can continue grinding out victories like they did in Finland, they will prove their manager still has an eye on the present.


bbc--2020-09-03--Friday's gossip: Koulibaly closer to Man City move?

Last updated on .From the section Gossip Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis says they want to sign Arsenal 's 32-year-old Greece defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos , which could pave the way for Senegal defender Kalidou Koulibaly , 29 , to join Manchester City .
( Standard ) Lionel Messi 's father has spent a second day negotiating with Barcelona over his son 's potential exit , and Liverpool defender Andy Robertson says he hopes the 33-year-old Argentina forward does not sign for another Premier League club .
( Sky Sports ) Manchester United 's England defender Chris Smalling , 30 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ permanent basis .
( Mirror ) Monaco have rejected a sizeable bid from Manchester United for 19-year-old French defender Benoit Badiashile , who is set to stay at the club .
( Metro ) .
Manchester United are attempting to finalise Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho 's salary and agent fees before making a bid for the 20-year-old England international .
( Star ) Sevilla remain hopeful of being able to keep Real Madrid full-back Sergio Reguilon on loan for another season despite the 23-year-old Spaniard being linked with a permanent move to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Spanish ) Arsenal are close to completing the loan signing of 24-year-old Real Madrid and Spain midfielder Dani Ceballos for a second successive season .
( Mail ) Arsenal are considering an approach for West Ham 's 27-year-old Brazil midfielder Felipe Anderson .
( Football Insider ) Liverpool will not let 23-year-old Welsh midfielder Harry Wilson leave on loan again despite interest from Newcastle , Leeds and Southampton .
( Liverpool Echo ) Chelsea have been told they must pay at least £30m to sign Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy , 28 , from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will need to raise money by offloading Croatia midfielder Ivan Perisic if they are to bid for 29-year-old Chelsea and France midfielder N'Golo Kante .
( Gazzetta dello Sport - in Italian ) Crystal Palace , West Ham , West Brom , Norwich and Watford are interested in 26-year-old French defender Jean-Claude Billong , who plays for Serie B side Salernitana .
( Teamtalk ) Roma are considering a move for 25-year-old Hertha Berlin and Poland striker Krzysztof Piatek in order to replace Edin Dzeko .
( Gazzetta dello Sport - in Italian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Southampton centre-back Alfie Jones , 22 , on a permanent deal .
( Yorkshire Post ) Bayern Munich 's Spanish midfielder Javi Martinez , 32 , is determined to seal a move back to Athletic Bilbao this summer .
( Goal ) • None Should we be concerned ?

Last updated on .From the section Gossip
Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis says they want to sign Arsenal's 32-year-old Greece defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos, which could pave the way for Senegal defender Kalidou Koulibaly, 29, to join Manchester City. (Standard) external-link
De Laurentiis admits he regrets not selling 29-year-old Koulibaly sooner. (Manchester Evening News) external-link
Lionel Messi's father has spent a second day negotiating with Barcelona over his son's potential exit, and Liverpool defender Andy Robertson says he hopes the 33-year-old Argentina forward does not sign for another Premier League club. (Sky Sports) external-link
Barcelona's Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez, 33, has been in touch with prospective Juventus team-mate Giorgio Chiellini to "clear the air" after his World Cup bite. (La Gazzetta dello Sport, via TalkSPORT) external-link
Manchester United's England defender Chris Smalling, 30, looks set to join Roma on a permanent basis. (Mirror) external-link
Monaco have rejected a sizeable bid from Manchester United for 19-year-old French defender Benoit Badiashile, who is set to stay at the club. (Metro) external-link .
Manchester United are attempting to finalise Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho's salary and agent fees before making a bid for the 20-year-old England international. (Star) external-link
Bournemouth striker Josh King says it would be "amazing" if Manchester United renewed their interest in him after the 28-year-old Norwegian's January move to Old Trafford fell through. (Star) external-link
Where does Donny fit? How do Manchester United plan to use their new signing?
Sevilla remain hopeful of being able to keep Real Madrid full-back Sergio Reguilon on loan for another season despite the 23-year-old Spaniard being linked with a permanent move to Manchester United. (Marca - in Spanish) external-link
Arsenal are close to completing the loan signing of 24-year-old Real Madrid and Spain midfielder Dani Ceballos for a second successive season. (Mail) external-link
Arsenal are also considering an approach for West Ham's 27-year-old Brazil midfielder Felipe Anderson. (Football Insider) external-link
Liverpool will not let 23-year-old Welsh midfielder Harry Wilson leave on loan again despite interest from Newcastle, Leeds and Southampton. (Liverpool Echo) external-link
Chelsea have been told they must pay at least £30m to sign Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, 28, from Rennes. (Telegraph) external-link
Inter Milan will need to raise money by offloading Croatia midfielder Ivan Perisic if they are to bid for 29-year-old Chelsea and France midfielder N'Golo Kante. (Gazzetta dello Sport - in Italian) external-link
Crystal Palace, West Ham, West Brom, Norwich and Watford are interested in 26-year-old French defender Jean-Claude Billong, who plays for Serie B side Salernitana. (Teamtalk) external-link
Roma are considering a move for 25-year-old Hertha Berlin and Poland striker Krzysztof Piatek in order to replace Edin Dzeko. (Gazzetta dello Sport - in Italian) external-link
Hull City are looking to sign Southampton centre-back Alfie Jones, 22, on a permanent deal. (Yorkshire Post) external-link
Bayern Munich's Spanish midfielder Javi Martinez, 32, is determined to seal a move back to Athletic Bilbao this summer. (Goal) external-link


bbc--2020-09-03--'I believe I can do it' - Farah aims to break one-hour world record

Last updated on .From the section Athletics Four-time Olympic champion Mo Farah will aim to break a world record when he returns to the track at Friday 's Diamond League meeting in Brussels .
`` I believe I can do it .
I want to set a world record , '' said Farah , who switched to road running after the Rio Olympics .
The 37-year-old Briton , who has not competed since last October 's Chicago Marathon , has never set a world record .
The rarely run one-hour race , in which athletes try to cover as much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will take place without any fans because of coronavirus restrictions .
`` This record has been there for a long time , set by someone who has done a lot for athletics , '' said Farah , a six-time world champion over 5,000m and 10,000m .
`` We are going to make this a great showcase in Brussels . ''
Ethiopian great Gebrselassie expects Farah to become the 12th athlete to held a record that was first set by Englishman Alfred Shrubb in 1904 .
`` The record is not so difficult .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ will get it , '' Gebrselassie said .
Farah , who aims to compete in the 10,000m at next year 's postponed Tokyo Olympics , will return to road racing next weekend when he competes in the Antrim Coast Half Marathon .
He will then act as a pace-setter for Kenya 's world record holder Eliud Kipchoge and Ethiopian Kenenisa Bekele at the delayed London Marathon on 4 October .
`` It 's a strange year for all of us .
We have to support each other , '' Farah said .
Sifan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's one-hour race in Brussels , competing against Kenyan Brigid Kosgei as they target the world record of 18.517km set by Ethiopian Dire Tune Arissi in 2008 .
Britain 's world heptathlon champion Katarina Johnson-Thompson will compete in the high jump and 100m hurdles .

Last updated on .From the section Athletics
Mo Farah has won 10 world and Olympic titles in total
Four-time Olympic champion Mo Farah will aim to break a world record when he returns to the track at Friday's Diamond League meeting in Brussels.
Farah will target Haile Gebrselassie's one-hour record of 21.285km (13.255 miles), set in 2007.
"I believe I can do it. I want to set a world record," said Farah, who switched to road running after the Rio Olympics.
The 37-year-old Briton, who has not competed since last October's Chicago Marathon, has never set a world record.
The rarely run one-hour race, in which athletes try to cover as much distance as possible within 60 minutes, will take place without any fans because of coronavirus restrictions.
"This record has been there for a long time, set by someone who has done a lot for athletics," said Farah, a six-time world champion over 5,000m and 10,000m.
"We are going to make this a great showcase in Brussels."
Ethiopian great Gebrselassie expects Farah to become the 12th athlete to held a record that was first set by Englishman Alfred Shrubb in 1904.
"The record is not so difficult. I think Mo wants the record and will get it," Gebrselassie said.
Haile Gebrselassie set the current world record in Ostrava
Farah, who aims to compete in the 10,000m at next year's postponed Tokyo Olympics, will return to road racing next weekend when he competes in the Antrim Coast Half Marathon.
He will then act as a pace-setter for Kenya's world record holder Eliud Kipchoge and Ethiopian Kenenisa Bekele at the delayed London Marathon on 4 October.
"It's a strange year for all of us. We have to support each other," Farah said.
Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands headlines the women's one-hour race in Brussels, competing against Kenyan Brigid Kosgei as they target the world record of 18.517km set by Ethiopian Dire Tune Arissi in 2008.
Britain's world heptathlon champion Katarina Johnson-Thompson will compete in the high jump and 100m hurdles.