bbc--2020-07-21--Sterling-inspired Man City leave Watford in bottom three

Watford were plunged into the relegation zone in the wake of Nigel Pearson 's surprise sacking as they were hammered by a Raheem Sterling-inspired Manchester City .
The defeat , coupled with Aston Villa 's win over Arsenal on Tuesday , means the Hornets ' battle to stay up will go to the final day of the season on Sunday , when they visit Arsenal .
Pearson became the Hornets ' third managerial casualty of the campaign on Monday , leaving Under-23 coach Hayden Mullins and his assistant Graham Stack in charge for their final two games .
And they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assignment than against City , who completed the double over them with this win , at an aggregate score of 12-0 - a joint top-flight record for one team against another in a single season .
Sterling took the game away from the home side before half-time , firing in a rising shot to open the scoring before doubling the advantage by following up his own saved penalty - awarded for a foul on him by Will Hughes .
Phil Foden added a third after Ben Foster had parried a Sterling shot before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bruyne 's free-kick .
City 's fourth straight league win could have been even more emphatic but Gabriel Jesus had an injury-time header ruled out for offside .
This could well be important to Watford , with goal difference potentially a crucial deciding factor going into the weekend .
The defeat leaves the Hornets 18th , level on points but a goal worse off than Villa , with both three points ahead of 19th-placed Bournemouth .
Villa 's last-day opponents West Ham , on 37 points , are not yet safe from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ game in hand at Manchester United on Wednesday will secure survival .
Watford down and possibly out Pearson 's sacking came out of the blue , as the former Leicester boss was still within sight of securing Premier League survival - the remit given to him on his appointment in December .
Having taken over with the club seven points adrift at the bottom of the table , he won seven of 20 matches - results that not only lifted them out of the bottom three but also gave him the best win @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were promoted in 2015 .
Pearson , though , is now the past and Mullins , his players and the rest of the club are left to consider a deeply worrying present and potentially devastating future .
They were outclassed by City , barely allowed a kick in what amounted to an exercise in damage limitation from the moment the visitors broke the deadlock .
They were allowed just 23.7 % possession and managed just two shots at goal , neither on target .
The only time they threatened in any way was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the City defence but saw a tame , poked effort saved by Ederson .
That goalkeeper Foster was the Watford player who attempted the most passes ( 29 ) tells a story in itself .
So too does the fact their team pass total was a paltry 232 , against the visitors ' 750 .
City midfielder Rodri alone made 131 .
All they can do now is hope that they can better the result of Villa on Sunday when they face Arsenal .
This was a wounded Manchester City , who at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trophy blocked courtesy of that FA Cup semi-final defeat by Arsenal .
They could n't have asked for better opponents to get things back on track .
Watford have n't beaten City in 18 games in all competitions - a run stretching back to March 1989 , and one that includes a 6-0 loss in last season 's FA Cup final and an 8-0 thrashing in September 's reverse league fixture .
City now have a 13th straight win against the Hornets , during which the aggregate score is 50-6 , and they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gear to achieve it .
Sterling tormented the home side and De Bruyne and Foden beguiled them , while full-backs Kyle Walker and Joao Cancelo operated practically as forwards .
Having got just one of their 16 shots on target against Arsenal at Wembley , they managed a much healthier ratio of 10 out of 26 at Vicarage Road .
They have accrued a league-high 21 points since the restart and scored a division-best 29 goals .
It is this form that they will hope to take into their final league fixture against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remainder of a Champions League campaign that now feels vital to provide a successful cap to their season .
'City do this to most teams' Watford caretaker boss Hayden Mullin , speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live : `` It was always going to be a tough ask , we knew that .
They are a great side with a great manager .
They were hurt after their result at the weekend - the Arsenal game - so we knew it would be tough .
`` We set up a certain way and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until the first goal .
The second goal was a bit unfortunate .
Will Hughes maybe gets a foot on it for the penalty , but those decisions do n't really go for you when you are at the wrong end of the table .
`` City do this to most teams .
The minute you come out and give space they take advantage of it .
It did n't work today for us so we look to go again . ''
Man City boss Pep Guardiola , speaking to BBC Radio 5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reality and opponent .
But we did it today .
We were so focused on ourselves so we did n't speak much about Watford .
`` We can win or we can lose , it is part of the game .
In your career as a football player you can lose more games than you win .
But always we must finish the game , go into the locker room and say 'yes , I did everything to win the game ' .
When this happens we can be proud of ourselves .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is quality .
But the personal achievements are always related to how we have done in the Premier League .
We finished far behind the champions so that is why Raheem must not be happy for the season we have done in the Premier League . ''
• Manchester City have scored 12 goals against Watford in the Premier League this season without conceding once - this goal difference of 12 over the two fixtures is the largest in the top flight since 1947-48 , when Arsenal also scored 12 without reply against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first manager to see his side fail to score in each of his first three Premier League games since Frank de Boer with Crystal Palace in 2017-18 ( four games ) .
• Manchester City have scored 12 goals against Watford in the Premier League this season , a joint-record for most goals against an opponent in a single campaign in the competition - Blackburn put 12 past Nottingham Forest in 1995-96 ( conceding one ) and Tottenham did so against Wigan in 2009-10 ( also conceding one ) .
• Since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2015-16 , they have conceded 37 league goals against Manchester City , at least seven more than any side has conceded against another in this fixture in this time .
• Manchester City midfielder Kevin de Bruyne registered his 19th league assist of the season , equalling Mesut Ozil in 2015-16 and one behind Thierry Henry 's league record of 20 in 2002-03 .
• In Phil Foden 's 16 starts in all competitions for Manchester City in 2019-20 , he has been directly involved in 14 goals ( six goals and eight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Foster has lost on each of his past 13 starts against Manchester City in the Premier League , the longest run of defeats by a starting player against a specific side in Premier League history .
• Raheem Sterling 's penalty , the rebound for which he scored , was the fifth Manchester City have missed in the Premier League this season ; no side have ever missed more in a single Premier League campaign ( Liverpool in 2011-12 and Spurs in 1994-95 also missed five each ) .
• Manchester City boss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their starting XIs in the Premier League this season , the most by any manager in a single season in the competition 's history .
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Sterling has now scored 19 Premier League goals this season, his outright best return in the competition in a single campaign
Watford were plunged into the relegation zone in the wake of Nigel Pearson's surprise sacking as they were hammered by a Raheem Sterling-inspired Manchester City.
The defeat, coupled with Aston Villa's win over Arsenal on Tuesday, means the Hornets' battle to stay up will go to the final day of the season on Sunday, when they visit Arsenal.
Pearson became the Hornets' third managerial casualty of the campaign on Monday, leaving Under-23 coach Hayden Mullins and his assistant Graham Stack in charge for their final two games.
And they could hardly have had a tougher first assignment than against City, who completed the double over them with this win, at an aggregate score of 12-0 - a joint top-flight record for one team against another in a single season.
Sterling took the game away from the home side before half-time, firing in a rising shot to open the scoring before doubling the advantage by following up his own saved penalty - awarded for a foul on him by Will Hughes.
Phil Foden added a third after Ben Foster had parried a Sterling shot before Aymeric Laporte nodded in from Kevin de Bruyne's free-kick.
City's fourth straight league win could have been even more emphatic but Gabriel Jesus had an injury-time header ruled out for offside.
This could well be important to Watford, with goal difference potentially a crucial deciding factor going into the weekend.
The defeat leaves the Hornets 18th, level on points but a goal worse off than Villa, with both three points ahead of 19th-placed Bournemouth.
Villa's last-day opponents West Ham, on 37 points, are not yet safe from the drop, although a point from their game in hand at Manchester United on Wednesday will secure survival.
Watford down and possibly out
Watford 0-4 Man City: Hornets need to pull together to stay up - Hayden Mullins
Pearson's sacking came out of the blue, as the former Leicester boss was still within sight of securing Premier League survival - the remit given to him on his appointment in December.
Having taken over with the club seven points adrift at the bottom of the table, he won seven of 20 matches - results that not only lifted them out of the bottom three but also gave him the best win percentage of any Watford boss since they were promoted in 2015.
Pearson, though, is now the past and Mullins, his players and the rest of the club are left to consider a deeply worrying present and potentially devastating future.
They were outclassed by City, barely allowed a kick in what amounted to an exercise in damage limitation from the moment the visitors broke the deadlock.
They were allowed just 23.7% possession and managed just two shots at goal, neither on target. The only time they threatened in any way was when substitute Danny Welbeck got in behind the City defence but saw a tame, poked effort saved by Ederson.
That goalkeeper Foster was the Watford player who attempted the most passes (29) tells a story in itself.
So too does the fact their team pass total was a paltry 232, against the visitors' 750. City midfielder Rodri alone made 131.
All they can do now is hope that they can better the result of Villa on Sunday when they face Arsenal.
Man City's perfect pick-me-up
Watford 0-4 Man City: Pep Guardiola happy with display after poor FA Cup exit
This was a wounded Manchester City, who at the weekend saw another road to a trophy blocked courtesy of that FA Cup semi-final defeat by Arsenal.
They couldn't have asked for better opponents to get things back on track.
Watford haven't beaten City in 18 games in all competitions - a run stretching back to March 1989, and one that includes a 6-0 loss in last season's FA Cup final and an 8-0 thrashing in September's reverse league fixture.
City now have a 13th straight win against the Hornets, during which the aggregate score is 50-6, and they barely seemed to get out of second gear to achieve it.
Sterling tormented the home side and De Bruyne and Foden beguiled them, while full-backs Kyle Walker and Joao Cancelo operated practically as forwards.
Having got just one of their 16 shots on target against Arsenal at Wembley, they managed a much healthier ratio of 10 out of 26 at Vicarage Road.
They have accrued a league-high 21 points since the restart and scored a division-best 29 goals.
It is this form that they will hope to take into their final league fixture against Norwich on Sunday and then into the remainder of a Champions League campaign that now feels vital to provide a successful cap to their season.
Man of the match - Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)
Sterling has scored 10 goals against Watford in all competitions, only netting more against Bournemouth (11). He has scored nine goals in his past five matches against the Hornets
'City do this to most teams'
Watford caretaker boss Hayden Mullin, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live: "It was always going to be a tough ask, we knew that. They are a great side with a great manager. They were hurt after their result at the weekend - the Arsenal game - so we knew it would be tough.
"We set up a certain way and I thought we did well right up until the first goal. The second goal was a bit unfortunate. Will Hughes maybe gets a foot on it for the penalty, but those decisions don't really go for you when you are at the wrong end of the table.
"City do this to most teams. The minute you come out and give space they take advantage of it. It didn't work today for us so we look to go again."
Man City boss Pep Guardiola, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live: "A different competition, reality and opponent. But we did it today. We were so focused on ourselves so we didn't speak much about Watford.
"We can win or we can lose, it is part of the game. In your career as a football player you can lose more games than you win. But always we must finish the game, go into the locker room and say 'yes, I did everything to win the game'. When this happens we can be proud of ourselves."
On Raheem Sterling: "He is quality. But the personal achievements are always related to how we have done in the Premier League. We finished far behind the champions so that is why Raheem must not be happy for the season we have done in the Premier League."
Gulf in class underlined by goal difference
Manchester City have scored 12 goals against Watford in the Premier League this season without conceding once - this goal difference of 12 over the two fixtures is the largest in the top flight since 1947-48, when Arsenal also scored 12 without reply against Grimsby Town.
Hayden Mullins is the first manager to see his side fail to score in each of his first three Premier League games since Frank de Boer with Crystal Palace in 2017-18 (four games).
Manchester City have scored 12 goals against Watford in the Premier League this season, a joint-record for most goals against an opponent in a single campaign in the competition - Blackburn put 12 past Nottingham Forest in 1995-96 (conceding one) and Tottenham did so against Wigan in 2009-10 (also conceding one).
Since Watford returned to the Premier League in 2015-16, they have conceded 37 league goals against Manchester City, at least seven more than any side has conceded against another in this fixture in this time.
Manchester City midfielder Kevin de Bruyne registered his 19th league assist of the season, equalling Mesut Ozil in 2015-16 and one behind Thierry Henry's league record of 20 in 2002-03.
In Phil Foden's 16 starts in all competitions for Manchester City in 2019-20, he has been directly involved in 14 goals (six goals and eight assists).
Watford goalkeeper Ben Foster has lost on each of his past 13 starts against Manchester City in the Premier League, the longest run of defeats by a starting player against a specific side in Premier League history.
Raheem Sterling's penalty, the rebound for which he scored, was the fifth Manchester City have missed in the Premier League this season; no side have ever missed more in a single Premier League campaign (Liverpool in 2011-12 and Spurs in 1994-95 also missed five each).
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has made 143 changes to their starting XIs in the Premier League this season, the most by any manager in a single season in the competition's history.


bbc--2020-07-21--Matt Parkinson: England leg-spinner to miss ODI series against Ireland

England leg-spinner Matt Parkinson has been ruled out of the one-day international series against Ireland with a sprained ankle .
@ @ @ @ @ the injury during fielding practice on Monday .
Parkinson will miss the three ODIs at @ @ @ @ @ first of which is on 30 July .
He made his international debut against South @ @ @ @ @ at Cape Town and Durban .
`` Get well soon Parky , '' England Cricket @ @ @ @ @ the news .
The England and Wales Cricket Board is yet to confirm if Parkinson @ @ @ @ @ players already inside the 'bio-secure bubble ' that was created to guard against coronavirus before @ @ @ @ @ the West Indies began in early July .

Last updated on .From the section Cricket
Matt Parkinson (right) with fellow England spinner Dom Bess
England leg-spinner Matt Parkinson has been ruled out of the one-day international series against Ireland with a sprained ankle.
The 23-year-old Lancashire bowler suffered the injury during fielding practice on Monday.
Parkinson will miss the three ODIs at the Ageas Bowl, the first of which is on 30 July.
He made his international debut against South Africa in February, featuring at Cape Town and Durban.
"Get well soon Parky," England Cricket tweeted on Tuesday, external-link confirming the news.
The England and Wales Cricket Board is yet to confirm if Parkinson will be replaced, with players already inside the 'bio-secure bubble' that was created to guard against coronavirus before England's Test series against the West Indies began in early July.


bbc--2020-07-21--Hollywood stars join Williams in funding new LA women's team

A group including Serena Williams will fund a new Los Angeles-based women 's team to launch in time for the 2022 National Women 's Soccer League season .
Tennis great Williams joins several other high-profile women , including Oscar-winning actress Natalie Portman , in founding the female-majority group .
The team name and home venue are yet to be decided , but the ownership group has called itself 'Angel City ' .
There is currently no California-based team in the NWSL .
NWSL commissioner Lisa Baird says the league has `` long sought '' an LA-based team , which already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women 's football .
Williams ' husband Alexis Ohanian , co-founder of tech company Reddit , is part of the ownership group .
The couple 's two-year-old daughter Olympia is also listed as an owner .
Among the group too are 14 former US national team players , actresses Eva Longoria , Jennifer Garner , Uzo Aduba , Jessica Chastain and America Ferrera , plus investors from the technology and media sectors .
`` We come together with a collective passion for bringing about change , '' added the consortium 's co-founder and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media and gaming entrepreneur .
`` Change for our players , change for our fans , and change for our community .
Change that begins today . ''

Last updated on .From the section Women's Football
Serena Williams and Natalie Portman are among a group which has won the rights to expand the NWSL to Los Angeles
A group including Serena Williams will fund a new Los Angeles-based women's team to launch in time for the 2022 National Women's Soccer League season.
Tennis great Williams joins several other high-profile women, including Oscar-winning actress Natalie Portman, in founding the female-majority group.
The team name and home venue are yet to be decided, but the ownership group has called itself 'Angel City'.
There is currently no California-based team in the NWSL.
NWSL commissioner Lisa Baird says the league has "long sought" an LA-based team, which already has a "massive" interest in women's football.
Williams' husband Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of tech company Reddit, is part of the ownership group. The couple's two-year-old daughter Olympia is also listed as an owner.
Among the group too are 14 former US national team players, actresses Eva Longoria, Jennifer Garner, Uzo Aduba, Jessica Chastain and America Ferrera, plus investors from the technology and media sectors.
"We come together with a collective passion for bringing about change," added the consortium's co-founder and president Julie Uhrman, who is a media and gaming entrepreneur.
"Change for our players, change for our fans, and change for our community. Change that begins today."


bbc--2020-07-22--Chinese consulate in Houston ordered to close by US

The US has ordered China to close its consulate in Houston , Texas , by Friday - a move described as `` political provocation '' by Beijing .
The US State Department said the decision was taken `` in order to protect American intellectual property '' .
But China 's foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said it was `` outrageous and unjustified '' .
The statements came after unidentified individuals were filmed burning paper in bins in the building 's courtyard .
Tensions have been rising between the US and China for some time .
President Donald Trump 's administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the coronavirus pandemic , as well as China 's imposition of a controversial new security law on Hong Kong .
Then on Tuesday , the US Department of Justice accused China of sponsoring hackers who had been targeting labs developing Covid-19 vaccines .
Two Chinese nationals , who allegedly spied on US research companies and got help from state agents for other thefts , have been charged .
Why did the US say it was closing the consulate ?
The US State Department released a statement shortly after Mr Wang spoke on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closure of PRC [ People 's Republic of China ] Consulate General Houston , in order to protect American intellectual property and American 's private information , '' State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said .
• The US-China battle behind the scenes • What 's behind Trump 's new strategy on China ?
• FBI director : China is 'greatest threat ' to US She added the US `` will not tolerate the PRC 's violations of our sovereignty and intimidation of our people , just as we have not tolerated the PRC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American jobs , and other egregious behaviour '' .
Ms Ortagus also pointed to the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations , under which states `` have a duty not to interfere in the internal affairs '' of a host country .
The consulate is one of five in US , not counting the embassy in Washington DC .
It is unclear why this one was singled out .
How did China react to the order ?
China called the decision `` an unprecedented escalation '' , saying it violated international law .
Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been `` shifting the blame to China with stigmatisation and unwarranted attacks '' .
He urged the US to reconsider , saying if it insists `` on going down this wrong path , China will react with firm countermeasures '' .
`` In reality , in terms of the number of Chinese and American embassies and consulates in each other 's countries and the number of diplomatic and consular staff , the US has far more people working in China , '' Mr Wang said .
Chinese state media the Global Times began @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to close in response .
This is clearly a significant development in the diplomatic sparring between Washington and Beijing .
The closure of the Chinese consulate in Houston comes soon after news emerged of the unsealing of a US indictment against two men accused of spying on US vaccine development on behalf of China 's security services .
It is not clear if the two episodes are linked .
But it is clear that the Trump administration is determined to step up its very public calling out of Beijing .
In the midst @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the US economy and society battered by the Covid-19 pandemic , Mr Trump has determined that there is political advantage in playing the China card .
It is hard to see how Beijing can avoid some equivalent response .
The danger now is of a spiralling tit-for-tat battle , driven in part by US domestic considerations , which can only make the complex and developing tensions between the US and China even worse .
What is happening at the consulate ?
The first signs something unusual may be happening at the Houston consulate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the building 's courtyard noticed several bins on fire .
Footage shows people throwing what appears to be paper into the bins .
It is not known who they were .
People were later filmed appearing to pour water on the bins .
Emergency services were called to the building on Tuesday evening .
However , the Houston police force said on Twitter officers `` were not granted access to enter the building '' , but did see smoke .
Mr Wang did not directly address the fires in the consulate 's courtyard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ normal .
What is stoking tensions between China and US ?
There are a number of flashpoints between Beijing and Washington currently .
Some of the most serious are : • Coronavirus : President Trump has repeatedly referred to Covid-19 , the first cases of which were reported in Wuhan in late 2019 , as the `` China virus '' .
He has also alleged it originated from a Chinese laboratory , despite his own intelligence officers said it `` was not manmade or genetically modified '' .
In response , Chinese officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the US , without evidence .
• Trade : Mr Trump has long accused China of unfair trading practices and intellectual property theft , but in Beijing there is a perception that the US is trying to curb its rise as a global economic power .
The US and China have engaged in a tit-for-tat tariff war since 2018 as a result of the dispute .
• Hong Kong : China 's imposition of a sweeping new national security law in Hong Kong in June led the US to revoke the region @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has also signed a law to impose sanctions on officials who cracked down on rights .
Beijing has accused the US of `` gross interference '' in its domestic affairs , promising it would retaliate .

Chinese consulate in Houston ordered to close by US Published 23 July 2020
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Media caption, Men are filmed using a hose and closing rubbish bins at China's consulate in Houston
The US has ordered China to close its consulate in Houston, Texas, by Friday - a move described as "political provocation" by Beijing.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the decision was taken because China was "stealing" intellectual property.
China's foreign ministry condemned the move on Twitter, saying its embassy in Washington had received death threats.
Earlier, unidentified individuals were filmed burning paper in bins in the Houston building's courtyard.
Tensions have been rising between the US and China for some time. President Donald Trump's administration has clashed repeatedly with Beijing over trade and the coronavirus pandemic, as well as China's imposition of a controversial new security law on Hong Kong.
Then on Tuesday, the US Department of Justice accused China of sponsoring hackers who had been targeting labs developing Covid-19 vaccines. Two Chinese nationals, who allegedly spied on US research companies and got help from state agents for other thefts, have been charged.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Mr Trump said it was "always possible" he would order the closure of more Chinese consulates.
Why did the US say it was closing the consulate?
Mr Pompeo said the Chinese Communist Party was stealing "not just American intellectual property... but European intellectual property too... costing hundreds of thousands of jobs".
"We are setting out clear expectations for how the Chinese Communist Party is going to behave," he continued. "And when they don't, we're going to take actions that protect the American people, protect our security, our national security, and also protect our economy and jobs."
The consulate is one of five in the US, not counting the embassy in Washington DC. It is unclear why this one was singled out.
In a separate statement, the State Department accused China of engaging "in massive illegal spying and influence operations", interfering in "domestic politics" as well as having "coerced our business leaders, threatened families of Chinese Americans residing in China, and more".
How did China react to the order?
In a series of tweets, foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying described the reasons given by the US for closing the consulate as "unbelievably ridiculous".
She urged the US to reverse its "erroneous decision", or China would "react with firm countermeasures".
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Media caption, Liu Xiaoming: China is not the enemy of the US
"While Chinese diplomats are promoting mutual understanding and friendship, the US embassy in China publicly attacks China's political system," she said.
"As a result of smears and hatred fanned up by the US government, the Chinese embassy has received bomb and death threats."
Chinese state media outlet the Global Times began running a poll on which US consulate to close in response. Beijing officials said the US has far more staff at its missions in China than vice versa.
The foreign ministry has posted a warning to Chinese students in the US, asking them to "be on guard" as "US law enforcement agencies have stepped up arbitrary interrogations, harassment, confiscation of personal belongings and detention targeting Chinese international students in the US".
In danger of a spiralling battle
This is clearly a significant development in the diplomatic sparring between Washington and Beijing.
The closure of the Chinese consulate in Houston comes soon after news emerged of the unsealing of a US indictment against two men accused of spying on US vaccine development on behalf of China's security services. It is not clear if the two episodes are linked. But it is clear that the Trump administration is determined to step up its very public calling out of Beijing.
In the midst of a presidential re-election campaign and with the US economy and society battered by the Covid-19 pandemic, Mr Trump has determined that there is political advantage in playing the China card.
It is hard to see how Beijing can avoid some equivalent response. The danger now is of a spiralling tit-for-tat battle, driven in part by US domestic considerations, which can only make the complex and developing tensions between the US and China even worse.
What is happening at China's consulates?
The first signs something unusual may be happening at the Houston consulate emerged on Tuesday, when people overlooking the building's courtyard noticed several bins on fire.
Footage shows people throwing what appears to be paper into the bins. It is not known who they were. People were later filmed appearing to pour water on the bins.
Emergency services were called to the building on Tuesday evening. However, the Houston police force said on Twitter officers "were not granted access to enter the building", but did see smoke.
Mr Wang did not directly address the fires in the consulate's courtyard, simply saying it was operating as normal.
Meanwhile, China's consulate in San Francisco has also come under scrutiny after the FBI alleged that a Chinese researcher accused of visa fraud for hiding her affiliation with the military had taken refuge there.
According to court documents filed this week, Juan Tang claimed she had not served in the Chinese military when trying to obtain a US visa, but an open source investigation uncovered photos of the University of California researcher wearing military uniform and a search of her home found further evidence of her affiliation with the People's Liberation Army.
"The FBI assesses that at some point following the search and interview of Tang on June 29, 2020, Tang went to the Chinese consulate in San Francisco, where the FBI assesses she has remained," reads the court filing, first reported on by the Axios news site.
China has not commented on the claims.
What is stoking tensions between China and US?
There are a number of flashpoints between Beijing and Washington currently. Some of the most serious are:


bbc--2020-07-22--Trump concedes pandemic to 'get worse before it gets better'

President Donald Trump has warned the US pandemic may `` get worse before it gets better '' , as he revived his virus briefings with a more scripted tone .
Mr Trump also asked all Americans to wear face coverings , saying `` they 'll have an effect '' and show `` patriotism '' .
The president , who was not wearing a mask at the briefing , has previously disparaged them as unsanitary .
His aides have reportedly pressed him to adopt a more measured approach as virus caseloads spike across the US .
The daily White House news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in April during freewheeling remarks from the podium that the virus might be treated by injecting disinfectant into people .
In his first White House coronavirus briefing for months on Tuesday , a less off-the-cuff president echoed what public health officials on his pandemic task force have been saying as he warned : `` It will probably unfortunately get worse before it gets better .
`` Something I do n't like saying about things , but that 's the way it is . ''
• Why are Americans so angry about masks ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ everybody that when you are not able to socially distance , wear a mask , get a mask .
`` Whether you like the mask or not , they have an impact , they 'll have an effect and we need everything we can get . ''
Mr Trump - who more than once referred to Covid-19 as the `` China virus '' - took a mask from his pocket in the briefing room , but did not put it on .
The president is facing an uphill climb to re-election in November @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to opinion polls .
Mr Biden on Tuesday accused Mr Trump of having failed Americans in his handling of the pandemic .
`` He 's quit on you , he 's quit on this country , '' the former US vice-president said .
Donald Trump 's afternoon coronavirus press briefings are back .
Regardless of what the president said during his brief appearance on Tuesday , the simple fact of their return speaks volumes about the dismal course the pandemic has taken in the US in the past three months .
Cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and west , perhaps most directly as a result of the administration 's support for states to end mitigation measures before public-health benchmarks were met .
And so the president , sticking closely to his prepared remarks , sombrely noted that things `` will probably get worse before they get better '' .
After previously dismissing a mask-wearing reporter as being `` politically correct '' , he now encouraged people to wear face coverings .
A number of recent polls have indicated that sinking public support for the president 's handling of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prospects .
The White House reportedly hopes getting the president back in front of the American people will help rebuild their confidence in his leadership .
A real solution to the president 's dilemma , however , wo n't come until coronavirus cases once again go down , the hospitals empty , Americans go back to work , schools reopen and life returns to some semblance of normal .
That day still seems a long way off , while election day is drawing close .
Mr Trump appeared without the medical experts who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kept his remarks brief and focused , avoiding sparring with reporters who asked a few questions .
He continued : `` We 're asking Americans to use masks , socially distance and employ vigorous hygiene - wash your hands every chance you get , while sheltering high risk populations .
`` We are imploring young Americans to avoid packed bars and other crowded indoor gatherings .
Be safe and be smart . ''
Mr Trump has been reluctant to wear a mask himself in front of the media , claiming that some people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political statement against him .
The press pictured him recently wearing a mask for the first time as he visited a military hospital .
When asked on Tuesday about his shifting support for masks , the president pointed out that even health experts had changed their minds .
Back in March , both Dr Anthony Fauci , one of the leading members of the president 's coronavirus task force , and US Surgeon General Jerome Adams said there was no reason people in the US should wear a mask .
• Why Texas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • How did Florida get so badly hit by Covid-19 ?
Since at least April , the US Centers for Disease Control has recommended Americans wear face coverings in public .
Dr Fauci now argues US authorities should be more `` forceful '' in compelling mask wearing , though Mr Trump has rejected calls for the White House to issue a national order on the issue .
During the briefing , the president continued to assert the virus would one day `` disappear '' .
He also wrongly claimed the US has a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everywhere else in the world '' .
According to Johns Hopkins University , the US mortality rate is ranked 10th out of the 20 worst-hit countries .
The United States has recorded nearly 3.9 million Covid-19 cases and over 141,000 deaths - the highest by volume in the world .
Mr Trump was also asked by a reporter about the case of Ghislaine Maxwell , the British socialite who was charged this month by US authorities with sex-trafficking children for her ex-boyfriend , the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein .
The president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been following it too much .
I just wish her well , frankly .
I 've met her numerous times over the years , especially since I lived in Palm Beach [ Florida ] , and I guess they lived in Palm Beach . ''
`` I do n't know the situation with Prince Andrew , '' added Mr Trump , mentioning the British royal who denies claims he had sex with a teenage girl who says she was trafficked by Epstein .

Donald Trump's afternoon coronavirus press briefings are back. Regardless of what the president said during his brief appearance on Tuesday, the simple fact of their return speaks volumes about the dismal course the pandemic has taken in the US in the past three months.


bbc--2020-07-22--Belarus election: Snatched from the streets in Europe's 'last dictatorship'

Activists and journalists are being rounded up and jailed in Belarus ahead of next month ’ s elections .
People @ @ @ @ @ most brutal crackdown the country has ever known .
President Alexander Lukashenko has been in @ @ @ @ @ quarter of a century , but opposition to the authoritarian leader is growing .
Our @ @ @ @ @ been given rare access to the country often described as Europe ’ s `` last @ @ @ @ @ Sara Monetta , filmed and edited by Andy Smythe .

Activists and journalists are being rounded up and jailed in Belarus ahead of next month’s elections.
People say it’s the most brutal crackdown the country has ever known.
President Alexander Lukashenko has been in power for more than a quarter of a century, but opposition to the authoritarian leader is growing.
Our Europe correspondent Jean Mackenzie has been given rare access to the country often described as Europe’s "last dictatorship".
Produced by Sara Monetta, filmed and edited by Andy Smythe.


bbc--2020-07-22--Sydney police 'asked woman to remove tampon' in strip-search

Police in Sydney asked a young woman to remove her tampon during a strip-search , a law enforcement review has found .
It was among instances of police misconduct uncovered in an investigation into five controversial strip-searches across Sydney last year .
Most took place at music festivals and left those searched feeling humiliated and degraded , the report said .
New South Wales Police said it would consider the findings of the report .
The Law Enforcement Conduct Commission report called on the police force to apologise to one of the young women involved , and noted in another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from duty .
The cases were reviewed either after parents of the women complained or they received coverage in local media .
Questions over the legality of the searches - all targeting drugs - was a `` recurring '' issue , the report said .
It has added to public scrutiny of searching practices and calls for reforms .
What did the incidents involve ?
In one instance in January 2019 , police strip-searched two young women outside a Sydney casino - one was asked by an officer to remove her tampon .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lack of clarity for [ officers ] regarding the lawfulness of such a request '' , the report said .
That prompted a review of other cases where complaints had been made and no drugs had been found .
In another case , a young performer at the Secret Garden festival was ordered to pull down her underwear and bend over before being spoken to unprofessionally and laughed at by male officers , the report said .
A woman strip-searched at another festival was made to squat and cough and was n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that in many cases , police reported not knowing what they could do in a strip-search .
It noted a new manual was introduced last August to instruct officers correctly .
But the examples raised questions over the legality of police conduct , pressure to conduct searches , and poor communication and record-keeping , the report added .
Under Australian law , police can only carry out strip-searches if `` the seriousness and urgency of the circumstances '' means it is reasonable and necessary to do so .
They must also conduct the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ illegal to search genital areas or any body cavities .
In the case of minors , a parent or guardian must be present , unless an immediate search is necessary to protect the person or prevent the destruction of evidence .
But allegations of aggressive strip-search tactics by police have caused controversy .
Last year , a separate inquiry heard a 14-year-old boy was asked to hold his exposed genitals for police in one of at least 25 potentially illegal strip-searches at a music festival for under-18s .
An officer told that inquiry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of concerns over drug use , after several young people died from overdoses .
This prompted calls for alternative solutions such as pill-testing facilities at such events , and criticism of punitive police actions such as strip-searches .
• Do clubbers need access to drug testing ?

In another case, a young performer at the Secret Garden festival was ordered to pull down her underwear and bend over before being spoken to unprofessionally and laughed at by male officers, the report said.


bbc--2020-07-22--QAnon: Twitter bans accounts linked to conspiracy theory

Twitter has announced sweeping measures aimed at cracking down on the QAnon conspiracy theory , including banning thousands of accounts .
The social media giant said it would also stop recommending content linked to QAnon and block URLs associated with it from being shared on the platform .
QAnon is a sprawling conspiracy theory whose followers support US President Donald Trump .
Twitter said it hoped the action would help to prevent `` offline harm '' .
In a statement shared on the platform , Twitter said it would permanently suspend accounts that violate its policies while tweeting about QAnon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accounts that are `` engaged in violations of our multi-account policy , coordinating abuse around individual victims , or are attempting to evade a previous suspension - something we 've seen more of in recent weeks , '' it said .
• Bill Gates and the lab targeted by conspiracy theorists The suspensions are expected to impact about 150,000 accounts worldwide .
More than 7,000 accounts have been removed in recent weeks for violations , Twitter said .
QAnon supporters have been linked to numerous other false claims that have spread online , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US furniture company and allegations of child trafficking .
The FBI last year issued a warning about `` conspiracy theory-driven domestic extremists '' and designated QAnon a potential domestic extremist threat .
QAnon is a wide-ranging unfounded conspiracy theory that President Trump is battling a clandestine `` deep state '' network of political , business , media and entertainment elites , often involving Satanic plots and child trafficking .
QAnon began in October 2017 on the anonymous message board 4chan .
A user claimed to have top security clearance within the US government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Q '' - hence the name QAnon .
Q communicates in cryptic posts and claims to be directly involved in a secret Trump-led investigation of a global network of child abusers .
QAnon followed on from the `` pizzagate '' saga in 2016 - a fake theory about Democratic Party politicians running a paedophile ring out of a Washington pizza restaurant .
QAnon influencers have big audiences on social media .
They urge followers to `` do their own research '' - in other words , watch YouTube videos and talk to other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In its nearly three years of existence , the conspiracy has drawn huge traffic on Facebook , Twitter , Instagram , YouTube and Reddit , attracting hundreds of thousands of dedicated followers .
This includes celebrities and dozens of candidates running for Congress this year .
During the coronavirus pandemic , Q influencers have spread unfounded theories about coronavirus , calling it a `` deep state '' hoax and have promoted misinformation about face masks and vaccines .
You might also be interested in watching :

QAnon influencers have big audiences on social media. They urge followers to "do their own research" - in other words, watch YouTube videos and talk to other supporters - to solve Q's puzzles. In its nearly three years of existence, the conspiracy has drawn huge traffic on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Reddit, attracting hundreds of thousands of dedicated followers. This includes celebrities and dozens of candidates running for Congress this year.


bbc--2020-07-21--Whole Foods sued over staff BLM masks row

Workers at Whole Foods are suing the US supermarket for punishing them for wearing Black Lives Matter masks .
The federal lawsuit says the firm discriminated against black staff by selectively enforcing its dress code .
Whole Foods , owned by tech giant Amazon , forbids staff from wearing clothes with messages that are not company-related .
It denied firing a worker over the issue , but would not comment on the legal action .
`` While we can not comment on pending litigation , it is critical to clarify that no Team Members have been terminated for wearing Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' the company said in a statement .
The lawsuit says more than 40 Whole Foods employees at locations across the country have been punished for wearing the Black Lives Matter masks , which became popular amid the outcry over George Floyd 's death at the hands of police .
Staff wearing clothing with other messages , such as LGBTQ pins or sports team apparel , had not faced such discipline in the past , the lawsuit says .
`` Whole Foods ' selective enforcement of its dress code in disciplining employees who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lives Matter movement constitutes unlawful discrimination , '' the lawsuit says .
The complaint asks the court to strike down Whole Foods ' policy and bar the company from taking further action or retaliating against the workers .
It also seeks back-pay for workers sent home for wearing the masks , The lawsuit was filed by 14 employees as a class action suit on behalf of all Whole Foods staff .
One of the workers claims she was fired for organising mask wearing and leading protests against the company 's response .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claim , saying the employee , Savannah Kinzer , had been dismissed for `` repeatedly violating our time and attendance policy by not working her assigned shifts , reporting late for work multiple times in the past nine days and choosing to leave during her scheduled shifts .
`` It is simply untrue that she was separated from the company for wearing a Black Lives Matter face mask .
As an employer we must uphold our policies in an equitable and consistent manner .
Savannah had full understanding of our policies and was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' the firm said .
Shannon Liss-Riordan , the lawyer representing the workers , said the firm was `` falsely attacking '' Ms Kinzer .
`` Their decision to retaliate against employees expressing support for this racial justice movement was bad enough , but their efforts to disparage an amazing activist and leader are beyond the pale , '' she said .
`` We look forward to making our argument in federal court . ''
• Why firms are speaking out about George Floyd She told the BBC the workers who filed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apparent hypocrisy , after Amazon and Whole Foods expressed public support for the Black Lives Matter movement .
`` So many companies today are doing everything they can to profess how progressive they are ... but when it actually comes to letting their employees express these same sentiments they get muzzled , '' she said .
The lawsuit is the latest clash involving Amazon and its workers .
The firm has faced repeated calls to do more to protect its supermarket and warehouse workers during the pandemic and been accused of retaliating against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ environmental policies and coronavirus protections .
Earlier this year , an engineer quit , citing firings as evidence of a `` vein of toxicity running through the company 's culture '' .

"It is simply untrue that she was separated from the company for wearing a Black Lives Matter face mask. As an employer we must uphold our policies in an equitable and consistent manner. Savannah had full understanding of our policies and was given a number of opportunities to comply," the firm said.


bbc--2020-07-22--Chicago violence: Fourteen mourners shot outside funeral home

At least 14 people have been shot outside a funeral home in Chicago - one of the worst mass shootings in a city already grappling with rising violence .
Mourners were shot at by the occupants of a passing vehicle as they left the home in Gresham , on Chicago 's South Side , on Tuesday evening , police said .
The injuries were reported to range from serious to critical .
The shooting comes amid reports that federal agents are to be deployed to the city to help tackle rising crime .
Mayor Lori Lightfoot said she had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ collaboratively '' with Chicago 's police force , local media report .
She had previously threatened to sue US President Donald Trump if he sent in troops without her permission .
The president has sent federal agents to Portland , Oregon , and threatened to do the same with other major US cities , blaming their Democrat leaders for allowing protests over the death of George Floyd to descend into violence .
Responding to the shooting at the funeral home in a series of tweets , Ms Lightfoot urged anyone with information relating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forward or submit a tip anonymously '' .
The shooting in Gresham happened at around 18:30 local time ( 11:30 GMT ) as mourners left the funeral of a man who had been fatally shot in another part of the city last week .
A police squad car had reportedly been assigned to guard the event .
Police said a black vehicle sped past the funeral home opening fire on those leaving .
Some mourners exchanged gun fire .
The car crashed in an adjoining street and its occupants fled the scene , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ custody and is being questioned by police .
One witness to the attack told the Chicago Sun-Times : `` We went out in the street and all we saw was bodies just laying everywhere .
They were shot up everywhere . ''
Chicago Police First Deputy Supt Eric Carter said 60 bullet casings were found at the scene .
He said all the victims were adults and were being treated at five different hospitals in the area .
Local media say this is one of the worst mass shootings in Chicago 's recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surged in recent weeks .
The city saw its deadliest day in at least 30 years on 31 May when 18 people were killed in a 24-hour period .
The city 's 911 emergency call centre received 50,000 more calls than on an average day , Ms Lightfoot said .
The death of George Floyd , a black man , at the hands of a white police officer in Minneapolis on 25 May sparked a wave of largely peaceful protests in US cities demanding police reform and racial equality .
Some cities , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in violence , arson , damage to property , arrests and allegations of police brutality .
• Why US protests are so powerful this time After sending federal officers to quell the violence in Portland , Mr Trump has threatened to do the same in other cities run by `` liberal Democrats '' who he said were afraid to act .
He included Chicago and New York .
On Tuesday , Ms Lightfoot said she had been assured by the Trump administration that there would be no `` Portland-style deployment '' , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abuse of power if federal assistance is given to the city .

Police said a black vehicle sped past the funeral home opening fire on those leaving. Some mourners exchanged gun fire. The car crashed in an adjoining street and its occupants fled the scene, although one person has been taken into custody and is being questioned by police.


bbc--2020-07-22--Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong: ‘A few cars are following me’

Hong Kong activist : ‘ A few cars are following me ’ Joshua Wong believes he is now being followed @ @ @ @ @ law was passed by China .

Prominent Hong Kong rights activist Joshua Wong says he believes he is now being followed, after a new security law was passed.
Critics say the law limits freedoms agreed when Hong Kong was handed back to China by Britain.
Beijing insists it is needed to maintain law and order in the territory.
BBC correspondent Danny Vincent reports there has been a marked change in the atmosphere in the city since the law came into force.


bbc--2020-07-22--Controversial Nile dam reaches key milestone

The first-year target for filling the controversial mega dam on the River Nile has been reached , Ethiopia says .
This would allow the first set of turbines to be tested .
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed 's announcement came as Ethiopia , Egypt and Sudan agreed to resume talks over the dam , following a virtual summit .
The project has been a source of huge diplomatic tension since its construction began in Ethiopia in 2011 .
Ethiopia sees the hydroelectric project as crucial for its economic growth and a vital source of energy .
But Egypt and Sudan , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4bn ( £3bn ) dam will greatly reduce their access to water .
Years of fraught negotiations have failed to reach a consensus on how and when to fill the reservoir , and how much water it should release .
• How the Nile 's mega dam will be filled • Why the dam is so controversial • Why the Nile could see a 'water war' When operational , the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam ( Gerd ) will generate 6,000 megawatts , making it the largest hydroelectric dam in Africa .
It will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who currently lack a regular electricity supply .
What did the Ethiopian PM say ?
`` It has become evident over the past two weeks in the rainy season that the Gerd first year filling is achieved and the dam under construction is already overtopping , '' Mr Abiy said .
Ethiopia 's Water Minister Seleshi Bekele said this would allow the first set of turbines to be tested .
The statement did not give a figure for how much water was now in the dam reservoir but Ethiopia previously said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of water , taking it up to the height of the lowest point on the dam wall .
Ethiopia had always said it would fill the dam in July , while Egypt had warned it to delay while talks continued .
It remains unclear whether Ethiopia has done anything to speed up the process of filling the dam , or whether the dam is only filling up because of the rain .
Sudan has previously said it has noticed a drop in the flow of water on the Blue Nile in its territory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The agreement to resume talks was struck during a meeting of the African Union ( AU ) , chaired by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa .
It came after previous meetings , mediated by the AU , failed to produce an agreement between the three countries .
Earlier this year , the US also tried , and failed , to broker a deal .
In a statement , Egypt 's presidency said future negotiations would focus on `` developing a binding legal agreement on the rules for filling and operating '' the dam @ @ @ @ @ @ @ :

The statement did not give a figure for how much water was now in the dam reservoir but Ethiopia previously said the first-year target was 4.9 billion cubic meters of water, taking it up to the height of the lowest point on the dam wall.


bbc--2020-07-22--Andrew Mlangeni: Last Mandela co-accused dies aged 95

Andrew Mlangeni , the last surviving anti-apartheid activist convicted with Nelson Mandela at South Africa 's infamous Rivonia Trial , has died at 95 .
This was the trial considered to have brought Mandela to global attention .
Mr Mlangeni died after being admitted to a military hospital in Pretoria because of an abdominal complaint .
His death `` signifies the end of a generational history and places our future squarely in our hands , '' President Cyril Ramaphosa said .
• Get the latest updates on this and other stories across the continent According to Mr Mlangeni 's 2017 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ selected him to join five other men in the first group of South African anti-apartheid activists to be sent to China for training .
Their training included classes in bomb-making , booby traps and secret communication techniques .
He returned to South Africa in 1963 and became a member of the high command of the ANC 's armed movement , Umkhonto we Sizwe .
He disguised himself as a priest and travelled around South Africa recruiting young people to go abroad for training as fighters , until he was arrested and put on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Mlangeni served 26 years in prison , incarcerated for most of the time on Robben Island , alongside Mandela .
After his release in 1989 , he served as a member of parliament and lived in Soweto until his death .
Mr Mlangeni was a man of principle - a quiet authority , whose humility won over the hearts of many South Africans .
He described himself as `` a backroom boy '' , never one to want political fame but instead working behind the scenes in helping to carve a new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minority rule .
He buried every last one of his fellow Rivonia trialists and friends .
His passing marks the end of an era , the last of a generation of indomitable struggle stalwarts .
Mr Mlangeni believed in the rights of black people , that their lives matter - but believed in unity too .
He did not want his jailers to suffer the same fate he did .
Like Mandela , he believed that , in order for the majority of South Africans to be free , people like him would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
What was the Rivonia trial ?
The Rivonia Trial , lasting from October 1963 to June 1964 , is widely considered to have been a pivotal point in the fight against the white minority government in South Africa and brought Mandela to the world stage .
Mandela 's famous speech from the dock , declaring that freedom and equality was `` an ideal for which I am prepared to die '' , became a rallying cry for black people under the apartheid regime .
Mandela and Mr Mlangeni were convicted along with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , named after the suburb of Johannesburg where some of them were arrested .
They served long prison terms with Mr Mandela 's being the longest , 27 years , until his release in 1990 .

He did not want his jailers to suffer the same fate he did. Like Mandela, he believed that, in order for the majority of South Africans to be free, people like him would need to advocate peace instead of revenge.


bbc--2020-07-22--Nazi eagle in Uruguay auction 'should go to museum'

A large bronze eagle with a swastika under its talons soon to be auctioned in Uruguay should go to a museum or educational institute , a US Holocaust research centre is urging .
It should not be allowed to fall into the hands of white supremacists , the Simon Wiesenthal Center warns .
The 350-400kg eagle , salvaged from a German World War Two battleship , could be worth about $ 26m ( £21m ) .
It was recovered by private investors from the waters off Uruguay in 2006 .
The object was part of the stern of the Graf @ @ @ @ @ @ @ captain off the coast of Uruguay 's capital , Montevideo , in 1939 .
It now sits in a warehouse owned by the Uruguayan government after a long battle over who can claim ownership .
• What should Uruguay do with its Nazi eagle ?
In 2014 , the Supreme Court decided that if the eagle were ever to be sold , the profits should be divided between the Uruguayan state and the private salvage company that paid for its recovery .
Last year , a court in Uruguay ruled that the eagle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Simon Wiesenthal Center in Los Angeles is urging Uruguay to instead use the object to serve `` as a warning to future generations '' .
`` Both the German authorities and the Wiesenthal Center have taken the position that such artifacts can not serve a growing extreme right market and white supremacists , '' Dr Shimon Samuels , of the Wiesenthal Center , said in a statement .
The museum also referred to `` sick trafficking '' of the eagle , mentioning an alleged inquiry from an investor who wanted to use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fifa World Cup in Qatar .
Potential buyers must be warned that Nazi symbols recalling ethnic cleansing can not be displayed publicly , the Wiesenthal Center suggested .
The centre added that museums or educational institutes that would use the eagle to educate about the Holocaust or other genocides should be given preference in the auction .
It is the latest turn in the history of the controversial object , which was once one of the most ostentatious symbols of Hitler 's Third Reich .
When the two-year salvage effort concluded in 2006 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cloth as the eagle was transported from the ship to a warehouse out of respect for those might be offended .
Uruguay hoped it could become a tourist attraction and it was briefly put on display in Montevideo .
However , the German embassy complained and asked the government to cease exhibiting `` Nazi paraphernalia '' .

In 2014, the Supreme Court decided that if the eagle were ever to be sold, the profits should be divided between the Uruguayan state and the private salvage company that paid for its recovery.


bbc--2020-07-22--Children jump from window to escape fire in Grenoble

Two children aged three and ten , jumped from a window into the arms of onlookers after a fire engulfed @ @ @ @ @ were treated for smoke inhalation after their escape from the fire in Grenoble in south @ @ @

Two children aged three and ten, jumped from a window into the arms of onlookers after a fire engulfed their flat.
The children were treated for smoke inhalation after their escape from the fire in Grenoble in south eastern France.


bbc--2020-07-22--Orlando Bloom gets tattoo over heart after search for beloved dog Mighty

Actor Orlando Bloom has had a tattoo etched over his heart in honour of his labradoodle Mighty , who went missing a week ago and is now believed dead .
Writing on Instagram , the Lord of the Rings star revealed his beloved pet 's collar had been found after seven days of searching `` from sunrise to sunset '' .
`` I have wept more this week than I thought possible , '' he went on , saying he had `` left no stone unturned '' .
Bloom was often seen with his canine companion , whom he adopted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 43 , and his fiancée , singer Katy Perry , are currently expecting their first child .
Bloom had offered a $ 5,000 ( £4,000 ) reward for his pet 's safe return after he went missing near their home in Montecito , California .
The actor `` crawled thru all the man holes , under the roads , searched every back yard and creek bed '' over the past week , he said , and also enlisted two sniffer dogs to search .
`` I feel so grateful to have learned from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eternal and the true meaning of devotion , '' he wrote .
`` I feel sure he was looking down on me whistling in every back yard and knowing that I was doing all I possibly could to respect our bond . ''
Perry posted her own tribute on Twitter , saying their `` little buddy boy '' would a leave `` a paw shaped hole in our hearts '' .
During an interview on Tuesday , Perry paid tribute to Bloom for helping her through a recent bout of depression .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he still shows up and he 's not fazed by it , '' she said .
`` That 's why he 's perfect , because I 'm a lot . ''
The singer - whose hits include Roar , Firework and I Kissed A Girl - is due to release Smile , her latest album , on 14 August .
Bloom , who also appeared in the Pirates of the Caribbean films , was seen last year in Amazon TV series Carnival Row .
Follow us on Facebook , or on Twitter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suggestion email entertainment.news @ bbc.co.uk .

"I feel sure he was looking down on me whistling in every back yard and knowing that I was doing all I possibly could to respect our bond."


bbc--2020-07-22--Britney Spears: What exactly is the #FreeBritney campaign?

Fans of Britney Spears are demanding she be awarded control over her business and personal affairs at a court hearing .
The Princess of Pop 's career has been in the hands of legal guardians known as a conservatorship since she faced a mental health crisis 12 years ago .
The terms of the arrangement have never been publicly released , but it restricts the singer 's autonomy .
# FreeBritney supporters say they will protest outside the Los Angeles court .
According to the Blast , Spears , 38 , is expected to appear remotely at Wednesday 's hearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personal life and mental health .
What is the conservatorship ?
Britney Spears has not controlled her financial or many career decisions since 2008 under this court-enacted agreement .
A conservatorship is granted by a court for individuals who are unable to make their own decisions , like those with dementia or other mental illnesses .
Essentially , for the last dozen years , her father and attorney have managed her assets and personal life - including being able to restrict her visitors and communicate with doctors about her treatment .
Her finances @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Business Insider reports that as of 2018 , the pop superstar had a net worth of $ 59m ( £46m ) and spent $ 1.1m on legal and conservator fees that year .
In March 2019 , her attorney , Andrew Wallet , resigned from his role as co-conservator , saying : `` Substantial detriment , irreparable harm and immediate danger will result to the conservatee and her estate if the relief requested herein is not granted on an ex parte basis . ''
Her father , Jamie Spears , stepped down as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personal health reasons '' .
Spears ' father , according to court documents , sees his removal as her conservator as temporary - though it followed allegations that he grabbed and shook his teenage grandson .
As it stands , Ms Montgomery will remain Spears ' conservator until 22 August , when the conservatorship is up for extension again .
Why was it set up ?
Spears began behaving erratically in 2007 after her divorce from Kevin Federline was finalised and she lost custody of their two children .
Many of her alleged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eye - she made headlines for shaving her head and was photographed hitting a paparazzo 's car with an umbrella - and went to rehab facilities several times .
• Britney comes back from the brink She was placed in psychiatric care after refusing to surrender her sons in a stand-off with the police , and the conservatorship was put in place in early 2008 .
In the years under the conservatorship , Spears has not been short on work : she released three albums , held a Las Vegas residency , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the # FreeBritney campaign ?
Some of Spears ' fans believe she was forced into the arrangement and claim she has been pleading for help on social media .
The term # FreeBritney dates back to 2009 , according to a New York Times report , from a fan site that disagreed with the conservatorship agreement .
When Spears checked into a mental health centre last year after reported emotional distress over her father 's illness , the campaign rose again .
# FreeBritney campaigners are now asking the White House to end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month has over 125,000 signatures .
Fans have rallied at court hearings with # FreeBritney signs and the slogan has been trending on social media again .
What has Britney Spears said about all this ?
The singer herself has not commented on the # FreeBritney campaign , but she has more recently been telling fans she is doing well .
Spears asked fans not to believe `` everything you read and hear '' after her 2019 stay at a mental health facility .
In an Instagram video last May , she said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do n't think I post my own videos ... you 're wrong . ''
Spears ' lawyer has also told the Los Angeles Times that she is part of the decision-making process when it comes to her career .
This April , she revealed on Instagram that she accidentally burned down her home gym , which concerned some fans .
She has also recently appeared to respond to supporters who ask her to post a specific photo if she needs help - like wearing a yellow shirt or posting a painting with doves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ star have rejected the conspiracy theories , saying Spears ' conservatorship is to help her manage long-term mental health issues .
This month , Spears wrote on Instagram : `` I get how some people might not like my posts or even understand them , but this is Me being happy ….. this is Me being authentic and as real as it gets '' .
Why is this coming up now ?
Spears ' 22 July court hearing on the conservatorship has put both the agreement and the # FreeBritney movement back in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Spears ' mother , Lynne Spears , also reportedly filed a request with the court to be included in the conservatorship .
According to court documents viewed by The Blast , the singer 's mother wants to help manage her finances , and specifically the trust set up for the singer 's sons .
An anonymous source told Entertainment Tonight that Spears `` truly believes that her mother wants to help her have more autonomy when it comes to her money '' .

First taste of stardom Britney Spears, 16, catapults to the top of global pop charts with her debut single ...Baby One More Time. Image caption The teenage Spears generated both controversy and a loyal fandom Image copyright by Getty Images More than 20 years later, her debut album of the same name remains the best-selling album by a teenage solo artist.
Personal struggles burst into public view Spears is hounded by the press amid a tumultuous custody dispute with ex-husband Kevin Federline, allegations that she is an unfit mother and questions about her mental health. Image caption Spears was often pictured fleeing from tabloid photographers Image copyright by Getty Images Amid the tabloid frenzy, she is captured on camera shaving her head. A few days later, she smashes a paparazzo’s SUV repeatedly with an umbrella.
Spears’ father becomes her conservator After stints in hospital and rehab, Spears’ father Jamie petitions a Los Angeles court to place his daughter under a temporary conservatorship. He is charged with making decisions about her career, as well as her estate and financial affairs. The conservatorship is extended indefinitely later that year. Image caption Spears leaving a restaurant in Beverly Hills with her father Jamie Image copyright by Getty Images
Las Vegas residency Despite being unable to handle her own affairs, Spears continues to work. After rehabilitating her image with a successful seventh studio album and several appearances on television, she begins a four-year concert residency in Las Vegas. Image caption Spears onstage at the Planet Hollywood resort in Las Vegas Image copyright by Getty Images
Tussling over the conservatorship Spears says she is taking a break from work because of her father’s health issues. Later in the year, Jamie Spears steps away as her conservator temporarily, citing his poor health. Britney Spears indicates through her lawyers that she no longer wants her father to be involved in handling her career. A lawyer says Spears is “afraid of her father” and will not return to the stage as long as he retains control.
Framing Britney Spears film premieres A New York Times documentary about the pop star’s rise and fall, as well as about her treatment by the media, generates mass public interest in her conservatorship.
Britney speaks out Image caption Supporters of Britney Spears outside the courthouse in Los Angeles Image copyright by Getty Images In explosive court testimony, Britney Spears alleges she was drugged, forced to perform against her will and prevented from having more children under the conservatorship. She says she will not perform again while her father retains control over her career, and officially requests for him to be replaced as her conservator.
Father plans to stand down Jamie Spears says he is ready to step down as his daughter's conservator “when the time is right" and pledges to participate in an "orderly transition”. He later asks the court if the conservatorship itself should continue, saying his daughter should be given the chance to manage her own affairs.


bbc--2020-07-22--Mexico archaeology: Pre-Hispanic ruins found on mountaintop

Two pre-Hispanic carved stone monuments believed to date back more than 1,500 years have been uncovered on a mountaintop in central Mexico .
Archaeologists say the site - which in its heyday would have had seven pyramids , a ceremonial area and a games court - was found by villagers .
It is thought to have been built by the Zapotecs , who lived in the southern highlands of what is now Mexico .
The carvings suggest it may have been dedicated to the god of the underworld .
The site is at a strategic point on top of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a height of 1,845m ( 6,000ft ) .
Archaeologists think it lay hidden since the 6th Century .
Access to the site is along a rocky path , which takes two and a half hours to climb .
It was found by residents of the nearby village of Santa Cruz Huehuepiaxtla .
What has been found ?
So far , two stelae ( etched stone panels ) , as well as smaller carved stones , have been found .
One of the carvings is of a figure with horns and claws wearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ represent an iguana , an eagle and female figure thought to be a deity resembling a bat .
José Alfredo Arellanes , from Mexico 's National Institute of Anthropology and History ( INAH ) , says 87 glyphs , or symbols , have been found so far .
You may also be interested in : Mr Arellanes says initial investigations suggest a ceremonial area , flanked by temples and the homes of the rulers , would have been located at the top of the mountain .
The archaeologist thinks the site would have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to play pelota , a game in which players used their hips to propel a rubber ball through stone hoops .
Puebla is an area rich with archaeological ruins but locals said they were proud to have led archaeologists to this latest find .
Experts are still analysing the finds but said the site could have been built by people belonging to the Zapotec civilization , also known as the `` Cloud People '' , which originated in the area 2,500 years ago and had a sophisticated architecture and style of writing based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ religion believed in lots of gods , many of them associated with agriculture or animals .

Experts are still analysing the finds but said the site could have been built by people belonging to the Zapotec civilization, also known as the "Cloud People", which originated in the area 2,500 years ago and had a sophisticated architecture and style of writing based on glyphs.


bbc--2020-07-21--Prince George photos mark seventh birthday

Two photographs of Prince George have been released to mark his seventh birthday on Wednesday .
In both the photos , taken by his mother the Duchess of Cambridge , the future king flashes a gap-toothed smile at the camera .
She photographed her son earlier this month and the pictures are likely to have been taken at their Norfolk home .
Kensington Palace said Prince William and Catherine were `` delighted '' to share the photos .
In one of the pictures , George is dressed in a dark green polo shirt and in the other he stands side-on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a camouflage design .
The prince is the great-grandchild of the Queen .
He will be the 43rd monarch since William the Conqueror obtained the crown of England in 1066 if , as is expected , he follows on as king from his grandfather , the Prince of Wales , and then his father , the Duke of Cambridge .
Prince George was pictured several times during the coronavirus lockdown with his younger siblings , five-year-old Princess Charlotte and two-year-old Prince Louis , as they applauded heath and care workers during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alexander Louis - known as His Royal Highness Prince George of Cambridge - was born on 22 July 2013 .
He was born in the private Lindo Wing of St Mary 's Hospital in central London and appeared in front of the world 's media one day later , when Prince William and Catherine stood cradling him on the hospital steps .
Earlier this year , the duke and duchess spoke about home-schooling George and his brother and sister while schools closed to most pupils during lockdown .
`` The children have got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Catherine told the BBC .
`` You pitch a tent , take the tent down again , cook , bake .
You get to the end of the day and they have had a lovely time - but it is amazing how much you can cram into one day , that 's for sure . ''

The prince is the great-grandchild of the Queen. He will be the 43rd monarch since William the Conqueror obtained the crown of England in 1066 if, as is expected, he follows on as king from his grandfather, the Prince of Wales, and then his father, the Duke of Cambridge.


bbc--2020-07-22--Cycling fan recreates Tour de France in miniature

A cycling fan who was `` inconsolable '' about the Tour de France being postponed has recreated scenes from the @ @ @ @ @ back garden .
Peter Martin , from Marsham in Norfolk , has transformed his pool @ @ @ @ @ into mountains .
Originally scheduled to start on 27 June , the Tour was postponed @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus pandemic .
The race devotee said the response to his tweets of his @ @ @ @ @ had been `` phenomenal '' .
Mr Martin has posted numerous scenes online featuring his @ @ @ @ @ has been helped by his eight-year-old son Henri Desgrange , named after the event 's @ @ @ @ @ previously displayed his models in local village halls to raise money for charity .
• @ @ @ @ @ as Giro & Vuelta overlap

A cycling fan who was "inconsolable" about the Tour de France being postponed has recreated scenes from the event in miniature in his back garden.


bbc--2020-07-21--Natalie Portman to help fund women's football team

A group including Serena Williams will fund a new Los Angeles-based women 's team to launch in time for the 2022 National Women 's Soccer League season .
Tennis great Williams joins several other high-profile women , including Oscar-winning actress Natalie Portman , in founding the female-majority group .
The team name and home venue are yet to be decided , but the ownership group has called itself 'Angel City ' .
There is currently no California-based team in the NWSL .
NWSL commissioner Lisa Baird says the league has `` long sought '' an LA-based team , which already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women 's football .
Williams ' husband Alexis Ohanian , co-founder of tech company Reddit , is part of the ownership group .
The couple 's two-year-old daughter Olympia is also listed as an owner .
Among the group too are 14 former US national team players , actresses Eva Longoria , Jennifer Garner , Uzo Aduba , Jessica Chastain and America Ferrera , plus investors from the technology and media sectors .
`` We come together with a collective passion for bringing about change , '' added the consortium 's co-founder and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media and gaming entrepreneur .
`` Change for our players , change for our fans , and change for our community .
Change that begins today . ''

Last updated on .From the section Women's Football
Serena Williams and Natalie Portman are among a group which has won the rights to expand the NWSL to Los Angeles
A group including Serena Williams will fund a new Los Angeles-based women's team to launch in time for the 2022 National Women's Soccer League season.
Tennis great Williams joins several other high-profile women, including Oscar-winning actress Natalie Portman, in founding the female-majority group.
The team name and home venue are yet to be decided, but the ownership group has called itself 'Angel City'.
There is currently no California-based team in the NWSL.
NWSL commissioner Lisa Baird says the league has "long sought" an LA-based team, which already has a "massive" interest in women's football.
Williams' husband Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of tech company Reddit, is part of the ownership group. The couple's two-year-old daughter Olympia is also listed as an owner.
Among the group too are 14 former US national team players, actresses Eva Longoria, Jennifer Garner, Uzo Aduba, Jessica Chastain and America Ferrera, plus investors from the technology and media sectors.
"We come together with a collective passion for bringing about change," added the consortium's co-founder and president Julie Uhrman, who is a media and gaming entrepreneur.
"Change for our players, change for our fans, and change for our community. Change that begins today."


bbc--2020-07-21--Lockdown Brits splurge on tea, biscuits and a good book

Brits working from home during lockdown have turned to the comforts of coffee , tea and biscuits , and a good book .
We 've splashed out an additional £24m on tea and coffee and an extra £19m on biscuits in the past three months , says market research firm Kantar .
The company also reported that grocery sales reached a record £31.6bn in the 12 weeks to 12 July .
We 've also been reading much more , according to publisher Bloomsbury , which has seen book sales jump .
`` The cost of working from home is starting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Fraser McKevitt , head of retail and consumer insight at Kantar , talking about the extra cash we 've spent on hot drinks and biscuits .
The research firm said grocery sales during lockdown have climbed 16.9 % , the fastest growth rate since its records began in 1994 .
With more people turning to online supermarkets , the home delivery grocers now account for 13 % of the market , up from 7.4 % in March at the start of lockdown .
• The foods we are all eating during lockdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is permanent '' Although restrictions have eased , more than one in five households still made an online order during the latest four weeks , '' said Mr McKevitt .
He said that despite pubs , bars and restaurants re-opening recently , more than half of consumers say they are still uncomfortable with visiting a pub .
`` As a result , take-home alcohol sales were still up by 41 % this month as people were unable or avoided drinking out , '' said Mr McKevitt .
There 's been a surge in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bloomsbury .
Its sales have climbed almost a fifth compared to last year , with its consumer division reported a 28 % rise in revenue .
`` Our good May and June performance in particular were unexpected , '' the company said .
Its bestsellers have included the ever-popular Harry Potter series by JK Rowling , but also books related to the Black Lives Matter campaign .
'Why I 'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race ' by Reni Eddo-Lodge has led the bestseller lists in recent weeks , while the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Truth of Our Racial Divide ' by Carol Anderson , climbed to the New York Times to 10 bestseller list .
Print revenues were 9 % above the same period last year , while digital revenues grew by 63 % year-on-year , Bloomsbury said .
Kantar said that during the last four weeks shoppers were embracing the new freedoms and cautiously returning to their pre-lockdown behaviours .
It said there were signs that shoppers might be growing more confident and travelling further afield for their weekly shop .
`` Convenience stores were a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days of the crisis , providing essential supplies close to home , '' said Mr McKevitt .
Corner shops attracted 2.6 million fewer shoppers through their doors than at the peak of lockdown in April as the average distanced travelled to a grocer has climbed to 4.9km , a 10 % increase from the April low .
`` As lockdown restrictions are gradually eased and non-essential retail outlets re-open , some consumers are slowly resuming their pre-Covid routines and shopping habits , '' said Mr McKevitt .
Year-on-year supermarket sales growth slowed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 18.9 % in June .
`` However , we are clearly a long way off a complete return to normality , '' he said .
Footfall was still 15 % lower during the past four weeks and the average supermarket trip cost £25.05 , 35 % more than the same period last year , as most people continue to eat more meals and snacks at home .

'Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race' by Reni Eddo-Lodge has led the bestseller lists in recent weeks, while the 2016 book 'White Rage: The Unspoken Truth of Our Racial Divide' by Carol Anderson, climbed to the New York Times to 10 bestseller list.


bbc--2020-07-22--What to say - and not to say - about Kanye West

A few things we know about Kanye West .
As a rapper and producer , he has made some of the best-selling and most acclaimed music of our era .
His marriage to a reality star has made him part of one of the most famous celebrity couples on the planet .
He is a father and a successful fashion designer .
He is not afraid of speaking out or courting controversy .
He once accused President Bush live on air of racism and said the current incumbent has `` dragon energy '' .
He caused outrage by humiliating Taylor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced , not for the first time , that he is running for the US presidency .
All of this and more have made him a figure of enormous public interest .
Here 's one important thing we do n't know about Kanye West - the inner workings of his mind .
That this remains unknown should be remembered in the light of a much discussed campaign launch and a follow-up series of tweets .
The rally , and social media messages , have sparked alarm .
Some people have mocked him .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ meltdown '' .
So what to make of his latest actions ?
West 's situation is complicated by the fact that he has been candid about his mental health .
Last year , he stated he had bipolar disorder , describing being in a `` hyper-paranoid '' state and pleading for understanding .
`` It 's a health issue that has a strong stigma on it and people are allowed to say anything about it and discriminate in any way .
This is like a sprained brain , like having a sprained ankle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ankle , you 're not going to push on him more , '' he said .
The condition , although varying in its symptoms and severity for individuals , can cause extreme mood swings , with patients suffering both depression and high-energy `` manic '' phases .
Stick to what you know The overwhelming message from mental health experts is that , no one , not even professionals , should try to guess what an individual is going through , however famous they are .
Speculation should be avoided , they say , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person in the public eye but for the wider understanding of mental health .
`` You 've got to think about all of the other people in the world who may be struggling with similar sorts of issues and think about what it means for those problems to be dragged up in the public eye , '' says Peter Kinderman , Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Liverpool .
Prof Kinderman says unusual behaviour can be scrutinised but it is important not to link it to mental health conditions .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that a particular candidate for president was rambling and incoherent , say that he was rambling and incoherent .
Give the evidence .
If you think there is evidence that somebody is making bizarre and unsubstantiated claims , then say they are making bizarre and unsubstantiated claims .
Whether or not somebody decides that that meets the criteria for a so-called mental illness of bipolar is another matter . ''
`` Stick to the facts , stick to what people do , and do n't speculate to potential psychiatric causes of people 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counselling psychologist Dr Carolyne Keenan , a celebrity raising awareness about mental health and sparking a discussion can have a positive impact .
But she says the condition needs to be separated from the figure .
`` We have no idea who is in control of his social media accounts .
So we take it at face value what 's being put out into the world wide web are his words but actually , we do n't know , '' she says .
`` We have no idea what this man , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , is experiencing or going through . ''
`` I think everybody - members of the public , celebrities , need to remember that they do n't know the full story .
And so even making comment is really difficult because you do n't know what you are commenting on . ''
`` Sensationalising these difficulties whether they are members of the public or celebrities is really problematic for anyone who is experiencing mental health because it gives a very small picture of what might be going on . ''
People should respond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they feel they need to respond at all to West , she says .
Or just do n't say anything at all The idea of kindness might be anathema to the often brutal world of celebrity news and social media but despite the negative posts there has been a swell of concern and a wider discussion of the issues involved .
Some commentators saw an element of hypocrisy amid the sympathy , pointing to the jokes faced by singers Azealia Banks and Britney Spears , who also faced public questions over their mental @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responses came from singer Halsey , who called for understanding while admitting her own struggles with bipolar disorder .

As a rapper and producer, he has made some of the best-selling and most acclaimed music of our era. His marriage to a reality TV star has made him part of one of the most famous celebrity couples on the planet. He is a father and a successful fashion designer. He is not afraid of speaking out or courting controversy. He once accused President George W Bush live on air of racism and said the current incumbent has "dragon energy". He caused outrage by humiliating Taylor Swift on stage. Most recently he announced, not for the first time, that he is running for the US presidency.


bbc--2020-07-21--Coronavirus: The great contact-tracing apps mystery

Germany and Ireland have both trumpeted their success in rolling out contact-tracing apps .
But is there any evidence that they are doing what they are designed to do - warning people they could be infected with the virus ?
Not yet - and the privacy-conscious way in which they are designed could mean we will never know how effective they have been .
Last month , the UK government announced that it was abandoning a centralised NHS contact-tracing app for England and switching to a decentralised version , based on the Apple-Google toolkit .
This model has been favoured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ takes place on users ' smartphones rather on a central computer , providing a greater degree of anonymity .
But the government stressed that the new version would not arrive in a hurry , and Boris Johnson told the House of Commons that no country in the world had a functioning contact-tracing app .
The Leader of the Opposition , Labour 's Keir Starmer , immediately pointed to Germany , as did many others who disputed the prime minister 's claim .
Germany 's Corona-Warn-App was rolled out nationwide in June .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Institute provided an update on its progress , celebrating the fact that it had now been installed by around 16 million people .
`` A successful start that speaks for great interest and acceptance among the population , '' a statement from the app 's developer said .
Bear in mind , however , that there are 83 million Germans , and it is thought more than half of the population need to have an app before it is truly effective .
`` The app works '' added the institute 's president Prof @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say that about 500 app users had tested positive for the virus and `` had the opportunity to warn others via the app '' .
But he then said : `` We can not say exactly how many people were warned , because of the decentralised approach of the app . ''
In other words , we do not know whether the software is performing its key function .
To know how well your app is performing , it is also vital to understand whether it is producing a lot of false positives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , whether the software is failing to alert people who have been in close contact with an infected user , and sending warnings to those who have n't .
That 's important to know , because studies have indicated that Bluetooth is an unreliable way to determine the distance between two people in some common situations .
The Robert Koch Institute ( RKI ) told us it too did n't know because , once again , the log history it would need to tap into `` remains with the users , encrypted on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a workaround whether Germany 's manual contact tracers might provide RKI with a record of people who had come to their attention after being alerted by the app .
No , came the answer .
Local municipalities run manual contact tracing and do not share this information .
RKI added that it hoped scientific tests would eventually assess the app 's impact in the `` medium to long term '' , but had yet to work out how this would be achieved .
Its health department also pointed the finger at SwissCovid 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We hence have the same limitations in terms of statistics .
We do n't know - and have no way of finding out - the number of people warned by the app or any false positives/false negatives , '' a spokesman told the BBC .
No such caution from Cian Ó Maidín , whose firm Nearform is behind Ireland 's app .
Covid Tracker app was launched two weeks ago and has rapidly attracted 1.3 million users , about a third of Ireland 's smartphone users .
Nearform is also developing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which decided to go it alone after the NHS project hit trouble .
And Mr Ó Maidín suggested that other parts of the UK and major American states could also be customers soon .
`` This is a solved problem , '' he told the BBC .
`` We have a solution that works well , it 's been tested , it 's been verified .
We can get a government up and running from the point at which we kick off to launch in a month . ''
Later he diluted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ perfectly solved at this time '' but continued to brush off concerns about effectiveness .
`` We do n't have a full data set yet but the early data looks really positive , '' he said , directing us to Ireland 's health service HSE for a more detailed response .
We have actually been chasing them on this point for days , and will provide an update if we hear back .
• What went wrong with the England 's contact tracing app ?
As the Irish app is based on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it is not clear why it should generate more data .
Although there is one potential caveat : during the installation process , users are asked to agree to the collection of `` anonymous metrics '' about the `` effectiveness of contact-tracing processes '' .
In any case , Mr Ó Maidín says we should not be overly concerned about missed or bad matches .
`` The perfect should not be the enemy of the good , '' he says .
The problem is that with so little data exposed , can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There have also been problems with contact-tracing apps in other countries : • Downloads of Japan 's Contact-Confirming Application ( Cocoa ) have slowed , totalling 7.7 million on Monday - the country 's population is over 126 million .
A bug in the software had prevented users from being able to register testing positive for the virus , but this was fixed in an update released on 13 July .
But the Japan Times reports that since then only 27 positive cases have been registered via the app .
• Italy 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million Italians , falling far short of the government 's target - the country 's population is about 60 million .
Local authorities suggest there has been limited interest because the spread of the virus is perceived to be under control , but expect this to change if a second wave begins .
• Australia 's CovidSafe has yet to identify anyone that had not already been flagged by other contact-tracing efforts .
Zdnet reports that it also continues to be bedevilled by a series of flaws that have caused matches to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to unrelated devices .
One ex-medical official told local news the cost involved in developing and promoting the app had been 70 million Australian dollars ( $ 49m ; £38m ) .
• On Monday , France 's data watchdog wrote to the country 's government requesting changes be made to its StopCovid app , to make it compliant with privacy laws .
The last official update says it has been downloaded 2.3 million times .

To know how well your app is performing, it is also vital to understand whether it is producing a lot of false negatives or false positives - in bald terms, whether the software is failing to alert people who have been in close contact with an infected user, and sending warnings to those who haven't.