bbc--2020-02-16--England pull off stunning run chase to win T20 series

England pulled off a stunning chase of 223 to beat South Africa in the third Twenty20 in Centurion and take a pulsating series 2-1 .
Captain Eoin Morgan hit a blistering 57 not out from 22 balls , leading England to their second-highest chase in T20s - and the fourth-highest of all-time - with five balls remaining .
Morgan smashed seven sixes to take his side over the line after Jos Buttler ( 57 ) and Jonny Bairstow ( 64 ) also made half-centuries .
Heinrich Klaasen propelled South Africa to their total with a 33-ball 66 after the hosts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ England 's big hitting always kept them in the chase .
They stuttered , losing two wickets for seven runs shortly after halfway but , with 53 runs needed from the final four overs , Morgan , helped by Ben Stokes ' 22 , took control in sensational style .
Stokes holed out on the first ball of the penultimate over but Morgan hit back-to-back sixes before Moeen Ali sealed the win with a boundary .
The victory sees England take a gripping series which had produced final-ball finishes in the previous two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soon - Morgan • TMS podcast : England storm to series win to cap off memorable tour When England wobbled mid innings they were in danger of letting the platform set by Buttler and Bairstow go to waste .
Unlike in the first game , when Morgan was one of those culpable in his side throwing away a winning position , he seized the game emphatically .
The left-hander hit Dale Steyn over long-on for six off the final ball of the 16th over to keep the required rate in check and then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ balls , launching Lungi Ngidi into the stands twice more .
He equalled his own record for England 's fastest T20 50 with his seventh six , reaching the landmark from 21 balls .
Morgan 's stunning assault ensured England remarkably reached such a high total with balls to spare .
Morgan 's heroics would not have been possible but for the platform set by Bairstow and Buttler .
Having lost Jason Roy for seven in the second over , the pair shared a partnership of 91 to keep England in the game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been questioned in this series but he found form after an uncertain start .
Buttler and Bairstow took England to 62-1 at the end of the six-over powerplay and then increased their intent immediately , taking 19 runs from spinner Tabraiz Shamsi 's first over .
Buttler fell lobbing an attempted scoop to short third man off Pretorius for a 29-ball 57 , but afterwards Bairstow took up the scoring , targeting Shamsi again with three consecutive boundaries .
Bairstow was bowled by Andile Phehlukwayo with 83 runs still needed and Dawid Malan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over , but Morgan was able to guide his team to a memorable victory .
In total there were 28 sixes hit in the match and 448 runs scored - the bowlers not helped by a supreme batting pitch or the fact the game was being played at altitude , which helped the ball sail over the short boundaries .
From the outset England failed to gain control with South Africa openers Quinton de Kock and Temba Bavuma scoring 52 runs from the first 22 balls .
The usually dependable Chris Jordan was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fourth over which cost 19 .
Mark Wood was even more expensive , pummelled for 47 runs in three overs , including 23 from his second with three wides .
Conditions did not help England but they harmed their own cause by bowling nine wides in the innings .
With no spin on offer , Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid were unable to peg South Africa back as they had done in the previous matches with Tom Curran the only bowler to offer any kind of control .
England will celebrate the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ South Africa 's bowlers fared no better , but there is improvement needed with just six games before the Twenty20 World Cup begins in October .
The best T20 series ever ?
- stats & best of social media • There were 1207 runs across the series .
More than any other three-match series in the history of T20 internationals .
• Only six other T20 internationals have had more runs scored than the 448 in this one in Centurion .
And there was still five balls to go ... • The 15 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ T20 , joining the 15 they plundered against New Zealand at Auckland in 2013 .
• Eoin Morgan , who hit seven sixes , became first England player to score 100 T20I sixes - he now has 105 , the same as West Indies ' Chris Gayle • Jacob Wadsworth on Twitter : `` Absolutely brilliant , embrace this period , we wo n't see anything like we 've seen in the last four years again , so good . ''
• Kevin Ticehurst on Twitter : `` Get in there England , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But it just shows you how far we have come in five years under Morgan .
That result will give other countries a look over their shoulder .
Is there anything we ca n't chase down ? ''
• Alex Williams on Twitter : `` Ca n't think of a better T20 series than this one .
Pure entertainment from start to finish . ''
'An amazing game of cricket ' - what they said England captain Eoin Morgan , speaking to the Test Match Special podcast : `` It 's brilliant .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to come out on top says a lot about the side .
`` Probably where it 's a little bit disappointing from everyone , upon reflection , is how we started the series ( losing in East London ) .
`` We started pretty slow , we still managed to stay in the first game , the chase actually turned out pretty well and we should have won but we capitulated at the end .
`` That is a big learning curve for us going forward - how we start a series and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
England all-rounder Moeen Ali : `` It was another amazing game .
There have been three quality games , some amazing cricket , some top batting obviously and some great death bowling from some of the guys .
`` It was a tough game today , because the wicket was amazing and the ball flies here but it was a great win . ''

Last updated on .From the section Cricket
England are ranked number three in the world following this series
Third Twenty20 international, Centurion South Africa 222-6 (20 overs): Klaasen 66, Bavuma 49; Curran 2-33 England 226-5 (19.1 overs): Bairstow 64, Morgan 57*, Buttler 57 England win by five wickets Scorecard
England pulled off a stunning chase of 223 to beat South Africa in the third Twenty20 in Centurion and take a pulsating series 2-1.
Captain Eoin Morgan hit a blistering 57 not out from 22 balls, leading England to their second-highest chase in T20s - and the fourth-highest of all-time - with five balls remaining.
Morgan smashed seven sixes to take his side over the line after Jos Buttler (57) and Jonny Bairstow (64) also made half-centuries.
Heinrich Klaasen propelled South Africa to their total with a 33-ball 66 after the hosts had made a rapid start, but England's big hitting always kept them in the chase.
They stuttered, losing two wickets for seven runs shortly after halfway but, with 53 runs needed from the final four overs, Morgan, helped by Ben Stokes' 22, took control in sensational style.
Stokes holed out on the first ball of the penultimate over but Morgan hit back-to-back sixes before Moeen Ali sealed the win with a boundary.
The victory sees England take a gripping series which had produced final-ball finishes in the previous two games.
England were later fined 20% of their match fee for maintaining a slow over-rate during the game - having been found to be one over short of their target.
Morgan's magic gives England victory
Eoin Morgan equalled his own record for the fastest T20 half-century for England
When England wobbled mid innings they were in danger of letting the platform set by Buttler and Bairstow go to waste.
Unlike in the first game, when Morgan was one of those culpable in his side throwing away a winning position, he seized the game emphatically.
The left-hander hit Dale Steyn over long-on for six off the final ball of the 16th over to keep the required rate in check and then plundered 14 runs from his next three balls, launching Lungi Ngidi into the stands twice more.
He equalled his own record for England's fastest T20 50 with his seventh six, reaching the landmark from 21 balls.
Morgan's stunning assault ensured England remarkably reached such a high total with balls to spare.
Bairstow and Buttler lay the platform
Morgan's heroics would not have been possible but for the platform set by Bairstow and Buttler.
Having lost Jason Roy for seven in the second over, the pair shared a partnership of 91 to keep England in the game.
Buttler's role as opener has been questioned in this series but he found form after an uncertain start.
Buttler and Bairstow took England to 62-1 at the end of the six-over powerplay and then increased their intent immediately, taking 19 runs from spinner Tabraiz Shamsi's first over.
Buttler fell lobbing an attempted scoop to short third man off Pretorius for a 29-ball 57, but afterwards Bairstow took up the scoring, targeting Shamsi again with three consecutive boundaries.
Bairstow was bowled by Andile Phehlukwayo with 83 runs still needed and Dawid Malan edged behind off Shamsi in the following over, but Morgan was able to guide his team to a memorable victory.
Tough day for the bowlers
Mark Wood conceded five fours and three sixes in three overs
In total there were 28 sixes hit in the match and 448 runs scored - the bowlers not helped by a supreme batting pitch or the fact the game was being played at altitude, which helped the ball sail over the short boundaries.
From the outset England failed to gain control with South Africa openers Quinton de Kock and Temba Bavuma scoring 52 runs from the first 22 balls.
The usually dependable Chris Jordan was hit for three consecutive leg-side sixes in the fourth over which cost 19.
Mark Wood was even more expensive, pummelled for 47 runs in three overs, including 23 from his second with three wides.
Conditions did not help England but they harmed their own cause by bowling nine wides in the innings.
With no spin on offer, Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid were unable to peg South Africa back as they had done in the previous matches with Tom Curran the only bowler to offer any kind of control.
England will celebrate the win and take solace from the fact South Africa's bowlers fared no better, but there is improvement needed with just six games before the Twenty20 World Cup begins in October.
The best T20 series ever? - stats & best of social media
There were 1207 runs across the series. More than any other three-match series in the history of T20 internationals.
Only six other T20 internationals have had more runs scored than the 448 in this one in Centurion. And there was still five balls to go...
The 15 sixes equals England's best in a T20, joining the 15 they plundered against New Zealand at Auckland in 2013.
Eoin Morgan, who hit seven sixes, became first England player to score 100 T20I sixes - he now has 105, the same as West Indies' Chris Gayle
Jacob Wadsworth on Twitter: "Absolutely brilliant, embrace this period, we won't see anything like we've seen in the last four years again, so good."
Kevin Ticehurst on Twitter: "Get in there England, our bowling wasn't great today. But it just shows you how far we have come in five years under Morgan. That result will give other countries a look over their shoulder. Is there anything we can't chase down?"
Alex Williams on Twitter: "Can't think of a better T20 series than this one. Pure entertainment from start to finish."
'An amazing game of cricket' - what they said
England bowlers Saqib Mahmood, Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali celebrate victory
England captain Eoin Morgan, speaking to the Test Match Special podcast: "It's brilliant. When a series is so tight, to come out on top says a lot about the side.
"Probably where it's a little bit disappointing from everyone, upon reflection, is how we started the series (losing in East London).
"We started pretty slow, we still managed to stay in the first game, the chase actually turned out pretty well and we should have won but we capitulated at the end.
"That is a big learning curve for us going forward - how we start a series and how we might start a World Cup."
England all-rounder Moeen Ali: "It was another amazing game. There have been three quality games, some amazing cricket, some top batting obviously and some great death bowling from some of the guys.
"It was a tough game today, because the wicket was amazing and the ball flies here but it was a great win."


bbc--2020-02-16--Arsenal put four past Newcastle to move up to 10th

Arsenal picked up just their seventh Premier League victory of the season with a confidence-boosting thrashing of Newcastle at Emirates Stadium .
The Gunners have been the division 's draw specialists this campaign having been held 13 times and it looked to be going the same way after a goalless first half .
But the hosts sprung into action immediately after the restart with Eddie Nketiah 's no-look strike from Nicolas Pepe 's cutback clipping the top of the crossbar .
Mikel Arteta 's side broke the deadlock on 54 minutes through Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang 's well-placed header and Pepe doubled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a neat , first-time finish .
Mesut Ozil poked in a third late on from substitute Alexandre Lacazette 's pass and the Frenchman converted a fourth in injury-time .
Newcastle attempted to play further forward after conceding but were restricted to few opportunities - the dangerous Allan Saint-Maximin coming closest with a curling strike that rattled the post .
Arsenal 's win moves them up into the top half of the table in 10th place - six points behind north London rivals Tottenham , who claimed a last-gasp winner over Aston Villa to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wretched season in the top-flight , 16 points and six places worse off than at this stage under Unai Emery last season .
A poor start this term led to the Spaniard 's dismissal and although they had lost just once under replacement Arteta , they had drawn seven games since his appointment in December .
Before the game , only the bottom two sides Watford ( 5 ) and Norwich ( 4 ) had won fewer games than Arsenal and even this victory was not plain sailing .
There were plenty of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ looked like their side were still shaking off the comforts of their winter break in Dubai as they demonstrated a lack of cohesion in the final third .
Bukayo Saka curled narrowly wide , Pepe had a free-kick tipped over by Martin Dubravka and Shkodran Mustafi saw his hooked shot headed off the line by Joelinton .
But Arsenal came out with renewed focus in the second half and scored twice before the hour mark to put the game to bed - Aubameyang powering in a header for his 15th league goal of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And it was Pepe , the club 's £72m record signing , who turned from provider to goalscorer following sublime work by Saka , who nutmegged Valentino Lazaro and provided the perfect cross for him to tuck home .
Aubameyang could have further extended his tally for the season but his cross-come-shot landed on top of the crossbar .
Just when it looked like the game was coming to a subdued close Arsenal scored twice more for a thumping win - Ozil 's effort squirming through Dubravka 's hands - following a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 11 players touching the ball - and Lacazette added gloss to the scoreline .
Sheffield United in sixth-place will now be in their sights , as they aim to avoid finishing outside the top-six for the first time in 25 years , while they also remain in both the FA Cup and Europa League competitions .
The appointment of Steve Bruce as Newcastle boss to replace the popular Rafael Benitez was not universally well-received by supporters but the ex-Manchester United defender has responded to critics with a decent debut campaign .
The Tynesiders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ points clear of the drop zone having been just one point outside the relegation place at this stage last term , but this heavy loss was a big setback for the visitors .
Bruce 's defensive plan with five-at-the-back did not work on this occasion as they were picked off by Arsenal 's front-foot pressure and finishing in key moments .
But it is at the other end of the pitch where they really struggle , they have scored just 24 times , with only Crystal Palace less prolific .
In Joelinton - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hoffenheim - they have a striker who has netted just once in the league and is on a run of 22 games and 1,856 minutes without a goal .
The Brazilian works hard for the team but he lacks goals and also touches inside the opposition penalty area - just three of his 47 came in the 18-yard box .
One chance did fall to him in the first-half when he was unmarked eight yards out , but his flicked effort at the near post drifted off target .
Full-back Lazaro , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impressed , winning the ball back three times and providing an outlet on the flank , while on the other side of the pitch Danny Rose made more passes ( 42 ) than any team-mate despite the constant jeers from the home fans for his Tottenham links .
The lively Saint-Maximin was unlucky with his effort that struck the woodwork , while Sean Longstaff 's deflected volley was pushed away by Bernd Leno .
'We have to turn draws into wins ' - what they said Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta to BBC Sport @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying we had to start closing the gap on the top teams and turn draws into wins .
Today was the first opportunity and we 've done it .
All good .
`` I 'm so pleased for Laca [ Alexandra Lacazette ] - the reaction of the players and staff towards him .
He fights hard for everyone .
He 's been unlucky .
He will gain confidence from this and knows how everyone appreciates him . ''
Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang speaking to Sky Sports : `` We started not at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we put some more energy in and we scored the goals .
`` We spoke at half-time and the coach told me to stay as a second striker and take my position off Eddie [ Nketiah ] .
They were playing very deep and compact so it was good for us to have me in the middle to give more space out wide . ''
Newcastle boss Steve Bruce speaking to Sky Sports : `` The disappointing thing is the goals we gave away are not like us .
They were too easy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we have been all season .
We switched off from that and gave away sloppy goals .
`` I was delighted with the way we played in the first half .
We made the wrong pass or selection when we [ attacked ] .
Second half , we knew they would come with more intensity and we did n't start well .
`` We 've played well enough in the first half - we have to try and keep to those levels but we did n't get anyway near it in the second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like you have , you have to lick your wounds and get on with it . ''
Magpies struggles in the capital continue - the stats • Only versus Leicester ( 12 ) and Stoke ( 10 ) are Arsenal on longer current home winning runs in the Premier League than they are against Newcastle , with the Gunners winning each of their last eight against the Magpies .
• Newcastle have now lost 78 Premier League games as an away side in London , the most defeats of all sides in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Arsenal have kept back-to-back Premier League clean sheets for the first time since April last year , the second of which also came in a victory over Newcastle at the Emirates .
• Gunners striker Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang has scored the opening goal of the game on six different occasions in the Premier League this season , the joint-most in the competition alongside Tammy Abraham , Danny Ings , Marcus Rashford and Jamie Vardy .
• Only 156 seconds separated Arsenal 's first two goals against Newcastle , with Nicolas Pepe having a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one assist ) - one more goal involvement than he managed in his previous seven top-flight appearances ( one goal , zero assists ) .
• Bukayo Saka has assisted eight goals in all competitions this season for Arsenal - more than any team-mate in 2019-20 .
Indeed , he has more assists than any other Premier League teenager this season .
• Newcastle boss Steve Bruce has lost more matches in all competitions against Arsenal than he has versus any other side during his managerial career ( 21 ) .
• 26 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Premier League goals have been scored in home games , including each of his last nine .
Of all Arsenal players to have scored at least 15 goals in the competition , Lacazette has scored the highest ratio in home games ( 79 % ) .
• There were 35 passes in the build up to Mesut Ozil 's goal , with every single player touching the ball for the Gunners - the most number of passes for any goal in the Premier League this season .
Arsenal 's attentions now turn to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they face on Thursday ( 20:00 GMT ) , before they return to Premier League action next Sunday against Everton ( 16:30 ) .
Meanwhile , Newcastle are next in action next Saturday , when they travel to Crystal Palace in the Premier League ( 15:00 ) .

Aubameyang's goal was his 15th league goal of the season, in his 24th outing
Arsenal picked up just their seventh Premier League victory of the season with a confidence-boosting thrashing of Newcastle at Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners have been the division's draw specialists this campaign having been held 13 times and it looked to be going the same way after a goalless first half.
But the hosts sprung into action immediately after the restart with Eddie Nketiah's no-look strike from Nicolas Pepe's cutback clipping the top of the crossbar.
Mikel Arteta's side broke the deadlock on 54 minutes through Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's well-placed header and Pepe doubled the lead just three minutes later with a neat, first-time finish.
Mesut Ozil poked in a third late on from substitute Alexandre Lacazette's pass and the Frenchman converted a fourth in injury-time.
Newcastle attempted to play further forward after conceding but were restricted to few opportunities - the dangerous Allan Saint-Maximin coming closest with a curling strike that rattled the post.
Arsenal's win moves them up into the top half of the table in 10th place - six points behind north London rivals Tottenham, who claimed a last-gasp winner over Aston Villa to go fifth.
Arsenal show improvement in style
Arsenal have suffered a wretched season in the top-flight, 16 points and six places worse off than at this stage under Unai Emery last season.
A poor start this term led to the Spaniard's dismissal and although they had lost just once under replacement Arteta, they had drawn seven games since his appointment in December.
Before the game, only the bottom two sides Watford (5) and Norwich (4) had won fewer games than Arsenal and even this victory was not plain sailing. There were plenty of groans from the home supporters when it looked like their side were still shaking off the comforts of their winter break in Dubai as they demonstrated a lack of cohesion in the final third.
Bukayo Saka curled narrowly wide, Pepe had a free-kick tipped over by Martin Dubravka and Shkodran Mustafi saw his hooked shot headed off the line by Joelinton.
But Arsenal came out with renewed focus in the second half and scored twice before the hour mark to put the game to bed - Aubameyang powering in a header for his 15th league goal of the campaign from Pepe's hanging cross.
And it was Pepe, the club's £72m record signing, who turned from provider to goalscorer following sublime work by Saka, who nutmegged Valentino Lazaro and provided the perfect cross for him to tuck home.
Aubameyang could have further extended his tally for the season but his cross-come-shot landed on top of the crossbar.
Just when it looked like the game was coming to a subdued close Arsenal scored twice more for a thumping win - Ozil's effort squirming through Dubravka's hands - following a move that involved 35 passes and all 11 players touching the ball - and Lacazette added gloss to the scoreline.
Sheffield United in sixth-place will now be in their sights, as they aim to avoid finishing outside the top-six for the first time in 25 years, while they also remain in both the FA Cup and Europa League competitions.
Blunt Magpies
The appointment of Steve Bruce as Newcastle boss to replace the popular Rafael Benitez was not universally well-received by supporters but the ex-Manchester United defender has responded to critics with a decent debut campaign.
The Tynesiders lie 12th in the table, seven points clear of the drop zone having been just one point outside the relegation place at this stage last term, but this heavy loss was a big setback for the visitors.
Bruce's defensive plan with five-at-the-back did not work on this occasion as they were picked off by Arsenal's front-foot pressure and finishing in key moments.
But it is at the other end of the pitch where they really struggle, they have scored just 24 times, with only Crystal Palace less prolific.
In Joelinton - the club's record £40m signing from Hoffenheim - they have a striker who has netted just once in the league and is on a run of 22 games and 1,856 minutes without a goal.
The Brazilian works hard for the team but he lacks goals and also touches inside the opposition penalty area - just three of his 47 came in the 18-yard box.
One chance did fall to him in the first-half when he was unmarked eight yards out, but his flicked effort at the near post drifted off target.
Full-back Lazaro, a recent loan signing from Inter Milan, impressed, winning the ball back three times and providing an outlet on the flank, while on the other side of the pitch Danny Rose made more passes (42) than any team-mate despite the constant jeers from the home fans for his Tottenham links.
The lively Saint-Maximin was unlucky with his effort that struck the woodwork, while Sean Longstaff's deflected volley was pushed away by Bernd Leno.
Man of the match - Nicolas Pepe (Arsenal)
Arsenal's £72m man had a direct hand in three of their four goals
'We have to turn draws into wins' - what they said
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta to BBC Sport: "After the break we started saying we had to start closing the gap on the top teams and turn draws into wins. Today was the first opportunity and we've done it. All good.
"I'm so pleased for Laca [Alexandra Lacazette] - the reaction of the players and staff towards him. He fights hard for everyone. He's been unlucky. He will gain confidence from this and knows how everyone appreciates him."
Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang speaking to Sky Sports: "We started not at our best but in the second half we put some more energy in and we scored the goals.
"We spoke at half-time and the coach told me to stay as a second striker and take my position off Eddie [Nketiah]. They were playing very deep and compact so it was good for us to have me in the middle to give more space out wide."
Newcastle boss Steve Bruce speaking to Sky Sports: "The disappointing thing is the goals we gave away are not like us. They were too easy. For an hour we were where we have been all season. We switched off from that and gave away sloppy goals.
"I was delighted with the way we played in the first half. We made the wrong pass or selection when we [attacked]. Second half, we knew they would come with more intensity and we didn't start well.
"We've played well enough in the first half - we have to try and keep to those levels but we didn't get anyway near it in the second half. When you get a beating like you have, you have to lick your wounds and get on with it."
Magpies struggles in the capital continue - the stats
Only versus Leicester (12) and Stoke (10) are Arsenal on longer current home winning runs in the Premier League than they are against Newcastle, with the Gunners winning each of their last eight against the Magpies.
Newcastle have now lost 78 Premier League games as an away side in London, the most defeats of all sides in the competition's history in the capital.
Arsenal have kept back-to-back Premier League clean sheets for the first time since April last year, the second of which also came in a victory over Newcastle at the Emirates.
Gunners striker Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang has scored the opening goal of the game on six different occasions in the Premier League this season, the joint-most in the competition alongside Tammy Abraham, Danny Ings, Marcus Rashford and Jamie Vardy.
Only 156 seconds separated Arsenal's first two goals against Newcastle, with Nicolas Pepe having a hand in both (one goal, one assist) - one more goal involvement than he managed in his previous seven top-flight appearances (one goal, zero assists).
Bukayo Saka has assisted eight goals in all competitions this season for Arsenal - more than any team-mate in 2019-20. Indeed, he has more assists than any other Premier League teenager this season.
Newcastle boss Steve Bruce has lost more matches in all competitions against Arsenal than he has versus any other side during his managerial career (21).
26 of Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette's 33 Premier League goals have been scored in home games, including each of his last nine. Of all Arsenal players to have scored at least 15 goals in the competition, Lacazette has scored the highest ratio in home games (79%).
There were 35 passes in the build up to Mesut Ozil's goal, with every single player touching the ball for the Gunners - the most number of passes for any goal in the Premier League this season.
What's next?
Arsenal's attentions now turn to the Europa League and Olympiakos, who they face on Thursday (20:00 GMT), before they return to Premier League action next Sunday against Everton (16:30).
Meanwhile, Newcastle are next in action next Saturday, when they travel to Crystal Palace in the Premier League (15:00).


bbc--2020-02-16--All-Star MVP Award to be named after Bryant

The NBA All-Star MVP Award has been permanently renamed after LA Lakers legend Kobe Bryant .
Bryant , an 18-time @ @ @ @ @ daughter Gianna and seven others in a helicopter crash last month , aged 41 .
@ @ @ @ @ Bryant 's death was `` unspeakable '' and the league was keen to `` honour @ @ @ @ @ Bryant is synonymous with NBA All-Star and embodies the spirit of this global celebration of @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` He always relished the opportunity to compete with the best of the @ @ @ @ @ highest level for millions of fans around the world . ''
• NBA All-Star Weekend @ @ @ @ @ emotional tributes and the best players The Kobe Bryant MVP Award 2020 will be presented @ @ @ @ @ at the end of the NBA All-Star game between Team Giannis Antetokounmpo and Team LeBron @ @ @ @ @ 's United Center .

Last updated on .From the section Basketball
Five-time NBA champion Kobe Bryant won four MVP All-Star Awards and is the youngest player ever to appear in the game, aged 19
The NBA All-Star MVP Award has been permanently renamed after LA Lakers legend Kobe Bryant.
Bryant, an 18-time All-Star, died with his daughter Gianna and seven others in a helicopter crash last month, aged 41.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver said Bryant's death was "unspeakable" and the league was keen to "honour" him.
"Kobe Bryant is synonymous with NBA All-Star and embodies the spirit of this global celebration of our game," Silver said.
"He always relished the opportunity to compete with the best of the best and perform at the highest level for millions of fans around the world."
The Kobe Bryant MVP Award 2020 will be presented to the most valuable player at the end of the NBA All-Star game between Team Giannis Antetokounmpo and Team LeBron James on Sunday at Chicago's United Center.


bbc--2020-02-16--Man City deserve 'benefit of doubt' until ban appeal - Mourinho

Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho says Manchester City deserve the `` benefit of the doubt '' over their two-season ban from European club competition until their appeal is heard .
City were also fined 30m euros ( £25m ) on Friday for `` serious breaches '' of Uefa 's financial regulations .
City say they will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport .
`` At the end of the process we will see if they are punished or not , '' Mourinho said .
`` Uefa punished them but they have the chance to appeal .
Until the appeal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ benefit of the doubt . ''
Mourinho 's Spurs side climbed up to fifth in the Premier League with a last-minute 3-2 win at Aston Villa on Sunday .
It is not clear whether the team that finishes fifth this season will get a Champions League place if Manchester City 's ban is upheld for 2020/21 .
`` When we speak about fifth , Wolves , Sheffield [ United ] , Manchester United , Arsenal and Everton look to the table and week after week say , 'We can do it ' and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` So it is going to be very hard .
We have a big fight and you could see on Saturday , Liverpool was first versus last , and today with Villa fighting to stay in the division how difficult it was . ''
Mikel Arteta , who was City boss Pep Guardiola 's assistant at the Etihad before becoming Arsenal manager , said the situation was `` very difficult '' .
But he added : `` I 'm not conflicted at all , I want the best or Manchester City , Pep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for them because I know they are suffering .
The only thing I want for them is positive and good things . ''
• Timeline - how Man City European ban came about Arsenal are in 10th place , six points behind Tottenham , after their 4-0 win over Newcastle on Sunday .
If the example of Red Star Belgrade is any guide , the fifth-placed team in the Premier League could benefit should City be excluded from European competition .
Red Star were banned from the 2014-15 Champions League by Uefa for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who finished second behind Red Star in the Serbian League , were elevated to the Champions League from the Europa League .
Jose : Will United be given the 2018 title ?
The Premier League has not commented on Friday 's Uefa decision , but its Financial Fair Play Rules are similar to Uefa 's , and City 's situation has been a topic of discussion among member clubs .
Should the Premier League decide to bring a charge against City , it can ask Uefa for permission to look at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Uefa imposed its penalty after City were found to have broken the rules by `` overstating its sponsorship revenue in its accounts and in the break-even information submitted to Uefa between 2012 and 2016 '' .
Mourinho joked that that while he had little interest in following City 's case , it would be piqued if retrospective action led to Manchester United retrospectively being awarded the 2017-18 Premier League title .
That season , Mourinho 's United finished second , 19 points behind their neighbours , with the Portuguese manager previously saying it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' .
`` I did n't lose one single minute analysing what Uefa and Fifa have to analyse , '' Mourinho said .
`` If I got into that I have to ask if the team that finished second in 2018 is going to be champions ?
Yes or no ?
`` That would be interesting - but jokes apart , I just wait calmly .
I do n't think about four or five , just do the best we can , [ try to get ] the most points we can , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ At the end of the season , we will see where we are because maybe we are sixth or seventh and then it does n't matter if fifth goes to the Champions League . ''

Jose Mourinho's Tottenham side are fifth in the Premier League
Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho says Manchester City deserve the "benefit of the doubt" over their two-season ban from European club competition until their appeal is heard.
City were also fined 30m euros (£25m) on Friday for "serious breaches" of Uefa's financial regulations.
City say they will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
"At the end of the process we will see if they are punished or not," Mourinho said.
"Uefa punished them but they have the chance to appeal. Until the appeal finishes I think Manchester City has the benefit of the doubt."
Mourinho's Spurs side climbed up to fifth in the Premier League with a last-minute 3-2 win at Aston Villa on Sunday.
It is not clear whether the team that finishes fifth this season will get a Champions League place if Manchester City's ban is upheld for 2020/21.
'A big fight' to reach Champions League
"When we speak about fifth, Wolves, Sheffield [United], Manchester United, Arsenal and Everton look to the table and week after week say, 'We can do it' and they can," Mourinho added.
"So it is going to be very hard. We have a big fight and you could see on Saturday, Liverpool was first versus last, and today with Villa fighting to stay in the division how difficult it was."
Mikel Arteta, who was City boss Pep Guardiola's assistant at the Etihad before becoming Arsenal manager, said the situation was "very difficult".
But he added: "I'm not conflicted at all, I want the best or Manchester City, Pep and the players.
"I feel for them because I know they are suffering. The only thing I want for them is positive and good things."
Arsenal are in 10th place, six points behind Tottenham, after their 4-0 win over Newcastle on Sunday.
If the example of Red Star Belgrade is any guide, the fifth-placed team in the Premier League could benefit should City be excluded from European competition.
Red Star were banned from the 2014-15 Champions League by Uefa for Financial Fair Play breaches. Partizan Belgrade, who finished second behind Red Star in the Serbian League, were elevated to the Champions League from the Europa League.
Jose: Will United be given the 2018 title?
The Premier League has not commented on Friday's Uefa decision, but its Financial Fair Play Rules are similar to Uefa's, and City's situation has been a topic of discussion among member clubs.
Should the Premier League decide to bring a charge against City, it can ask Uefa for permission to look at the evidence the European body has used.
Uefa imposed its penalty after City were found to have broken the rules by "overstating its sponsorship revenue in its accounts and in the break-even information submitted to Uefa between 2012 and 2016".
Mourinho joked that that while he had little interest in following City's case, it would be piqued if retrospective action led to Manchester United retrospectively being awarded the 2017-18 Premier League title.
That season, Mourinho's United finished second, 19 points behind their neighbours, with the Portuguese manager previously saying it was "one of my greatest achievements".
"I didn't lose one single minute analysing what Uefa and Fifa have to analyse," Mourinho said.
"If I got into that I have to ask if the team that finished second in 2018 is going to be champions? Yes or no?
"That would be interesting - but jokes apart, I just wait calmly. I don't think about four or five, just do the best we can, [try to get] the most points we can, the best position we can.
"At the end of the season, we will see where we are because maybe we are sixth or seventh and then it doesn't matter if fifth goes to the Champions League."


bbc--2020-02-17--Women’s Footballer of the Year contender Lucy Bronze

We are profiling each of the five nominees for the BBC Women 's Footballer of the Year 2020 award .
You can vote for your winner on the BBC Sport website until Monday , 2 March at 09:00 GMT .
The result will be revealed on Tuesday , 24 March on BBC World Service .
Did you know ?
• First English player to win Uefa Women 's Player of the Year award • Played college football for the North Carolina Tar Heels before starting senior career • Won WSL three times before moving to France , twice with Liverpool @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own words '' Winning the Champions League final , that was special .
Although it 's my second Champions League final , the first time I was n't convinced by my own performance .
But this year I was happy with how I performed and the team performed .
It 's the marquee game and you want to put on a good show for women 's football - so that was a huge highlight .
That first half I smiled all the way through . ''
`` At the World Cup I was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on getting to the final , so everything to do with it now I feel a bit sad .
But winning the SheBelieves Cup with England - we performed well , especially in the USA game , we scored some good goals and beat some of the best teams in the world . ''
Is there pressure to win everything with Lyon ?
`` We do n't feel it as pressure .
We have so many world-class players in our team to share that pressure that it does n't feel like pressure .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a team , but we know someone each week will help the team win .
Winning is not boring - losing and drawing is boring . ''
`` When I was 17 I went to America to study at university because I got told I was n't good enough to go to this England programme .
I only stayed the one year .
They said if I stay , I wo n't get picked for England for the next couple of years - it 's too far .
So I came back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ run of injuries and thought I should have just stayed in America .
But I did n't know I was going to end up playing for England as much as I have . ''
`` I want to have a family .
I say to the girls at Lyon every day , I want a baby .
I 've turned 28 but it 's going to have to wait a bit longer .
That 's a goal in life .
I was brought up in a great family and it 's something I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' When have you been star struck ?
`` [ Meeting ] Lionel Messi at the awards ceremonies , David Beckham too ... but the moment I was star struck was when I was 14 and Arsenal Ladies were playing Sunderland Ladies and I played for the academy .
Rachel Yankey was there - I know her quite well now having played for England together .
I was with Lucy Staniforth and Demi Stokes .
We were watching and so star struck . ''
Who would play you in a film ?
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like the role she plays in Grey 's Anatomy .
And in Killing Eve - they 're quite similar characters to what I 'm like as a person , funny sense of humour , not socially always the best but very driven . ''

BBC Women's Footballer of the Year 2020: Lucy Bronze profile
We are profiling each of the five nominees for the BBC Women's Footballer of the Year 2020 award. Voting closed on Monday, 2 March. The result will be revealed on Tuesday, 24 March on BBC World Service and the BBC Sport website.
Age: 28 Position: Defender Plays for: Lyon and England
Achievements in 2019
Won domestic double and Champions League with Lyon
Uefa Player of the Year
Runner-up in World Cup Golden Ball and Ballon d'Or
Did you know?
First English player to win Uefa Women's Player of the Year award
Played college football for the North Carolina Tar Heels before starting senior career
Won WSL three times before moving to France, twice with Liverpool and once with Manchester City
In her own words
Greatest achievement of the past 12 months?
"Winning the Champions League final, that was special. Although it's my second Champions League final, the first time I wasn't convinced by my own performance. But this year I was happy with how I performed and the team performed. It's the marquee game and you want to put on a good show for women's football - so that was a huge highlight. That first half I smiled all the way through."
Proudest moment?
"At the World Cup I was so disappointed as my mind was set on getting to the final, so everything to do with it now I feel a bit sad. But winning the SheBelieves Cup with England - we performed well, especially in the USA game, we scored some good goals and beat some of the best teams in the world."
Is there pressure to win everything with Lyon?
"We don't feel it as pressure. We have so many world-class players in our team to share that pressure that it doesn't feel like pressure. You normally hope two or three perform in a team, but we know someone each week will help the team win. Winning is not boring - losing and drawing is boring."
Biggest regret?
"When I was 17 I went to America to study at university because I got told I wasn't good enough to go to this England programme. I only stayed the one year. They said if I stay, I won't get picked for England for the next couple of years - it's too far. So I came back to England and then I had a run of injuries and thought I should have just stayed in America. But I didn't know I was going to end up playing for England as much as I have."
Life goals?
"I want to have a family. I say to the girls at Lyon every day, I want a baby. I've turned 28 but it's going to have to wait a bit longer. That's a goal in life. I was brought up in a great family and it's something I cherished more than anything growing up."
When have you been star struck?
"[Meeting] Lionel Messi at the awards ceremonies, David Beckham too... but the moment I was star struck was when I was 14 and Arsenal Ladies were playing Sunderland Ladies and I played for the academy. Rachel Yankey was there - I know her quite well now having played for England together. I was with Lucy Staniforth and Demi Stokes. We were watching and so star struck."
Who would play you in a film?
"Sandra Oh. Really random but I like the role she plays in Grey's Anatomy. And in Killing Eve - they're quite similar characters to what I'm like as a person, funny sense of humour, not socially always the best but very driven."


bbc--2020-02-10--Remarkable journey from refugee to Rhodes scholar

Growing up as an Afghan refugee in Pakistan , bloodshed was never far from Summia Tora 's life .
From her home - a single bedroom in a house shared by four families - she could hear the sound of drones landing not far from Peshawar , in northwest Pakistan , where her family had fled in the 1990s to escape the Taliban 's rise .
`` I was just living in this violence , but it was a given , so I could n't do anything about it , '' Summia says .
Sometimes there were bombings once or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ point , people stopped talking about it .
It would happen , and everyone would move on . ''
But life there was a privilege compared to Afghanistan , she tells the BBC .
At least she got to go to school .
On a visit to Kabul in 2002 , just after the US invasion , a girl not much older described only being able to attend school by pretending to be a boy .
Summia was six , but she remembers it clearly .
She vowed then that she would to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hard to dispute that she has .
In October , Summia , now 22 , will become the first Rhodes Scholar to hail from Afghanistan , one of 102 students to earn a place in the 2020 class of the world 's oldest postgraduate scholarship .
Now finishing her last term at Earlham College , a liberal arts university in the US state of Indiana , her outlook is bright and she laughs with ease , the fluent torrent of her words belying the traumas of the journey that has taken her from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happen at any time' To be called an educated Afghan woman is in itself a rarity .
Female literacy in Afghanistan today stands at 17 % , according to Unesco .
Though figures in neighbouring Pakistan are still poor - around 45 % of women can read - access to schooling is possible .
In contrast , in her home country `` even the people who could afford to go to school were not able to go… because there were n't any '' , Summia says .
So it was her unlikely fortune @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says - an irony given the region 's privations and dangers .
Thousands of US drone operations have flown over Northwest Pakistan since 2004 , as part of the so-called war on terror .
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa , the province containing Peshawar , has been a major theatre for the decades-long Pakistani fight against insurgency .
• From a broken neck to a Rhodes Scholarship at Oxford The year Summia left Peshawar , 2014 , a militant bombing killed 139 pupils in one of the world 's worst ever school massacres .
`` There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a pressure , '' she says .
`` There 's always this feeling of being unsafe , because anything can happen at any time . ''
Learning was an escape .
But as refugees , her family had limited rights .
Her father could not get a driving licence and her access to schooling was tenuous , so she had to look elsewhere .
A fortuitous online search led her to find a high school , the United World Colleges ( UWC ) , which places international students in its network of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experience of winning a place to the school , in New Mexico , was mired in violence .
A day after taking her entrance exam in Kabul in March 2014 , the hotel where it had been held was shot up by Taliban militants .
The Persian New Year terror attack on the Serena Hotel left nine dead , including the head of UWC 's selection committee , Roshan Thomas .
The Canadian doctor had been in the city to help give the exam .
Summia recalls how Dr Thomas had urged the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one day `` come back to Afghanistan and do something to change the situation , because that 's the real purpose '' .
`` She was the main reason I applied .
Because she risked her life .
Because she believed that students like me , from countries like Afghanistan , or refugees from Pakistan , should have the opportunity to get an education . ''
It is a view that contradicts a legacy of imperialism linked to the Rhodes , one of the world 's best-known and most competitive scholarships .
Endowed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1902 , it was initially intended to encourage closer ties between the US and Britain through funding postgraduate study at Oxford .
For most of its history , it was only open to men from the US , Germany and the Commonwealth .
Rhodes supported a vision that saw `` the bringing of the whole world under British rule '' .
• Why is Cecil Rhodes such a controversial figure ?
`` He was an imperialist who believed in white supremacy and did not want people of colour or women to be part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says .
Initially , she did not want to apply .
She had a change of heart when it struck her that it would be easy to say no , she says , `` but it 's harder to accept it , take the burden of the legacy of it , and actually do something to change it - that 's a real responsibility . ''
`` I realised I should n't run away from admitting the colonial history , '' she adds .
`` It 's people like us who need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Summia plans a post-graduate course on refugee and migrant movement , and after that , she says she will return to the country her family once fled .
• My battle to open a school in Afghanistan The only Afghanistan she has known has been one of empty streets and bombed out buildings , but there is another in her mind - one she grew up hearing about from her father , before the wars that rent its streets to dust .
`` I always imagined it to be a valley , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ houses - big , beautiful houses , with beautiful architecture , '' she says .
`` Dried fruits and nuts , fresh fruits on the streets… a very modern Afghanistan . ''
It is there for those like her to build .

She had a change of heart when it struck her that it would be easy to say no, she says, "but it's harder to accept it, take the burden of the legacy of it, and actually do something to change it - that's a real responsibility."


bbc--2020-02-17--Coronavirus: Americans from quarantined cruise ship flown from Japan

Two planes carrying hundreds of US citizens from a coronavirus-hit cruise ship have left Japan , officials say .
One plane has landed at a US Air Force air base in California , and its passengers will be isolated at military facilities for 14 days .
There were some 400 Americans on board the Diamond Princess .
The ship with some 3,700 passengers and crew has been in quarantine since 3 February .
Meanwhile , China reported a total of 2,048 new cases on Monday .
Of those new cases , 1,933 were from Hubei province , the epicentre of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across China have been infected by the virus .
In Hubei alone , the official number of cases stands at 58,182 , with 1,692 deaths .
Most new cases and deaths have been reported in Wuhan , Hubei 's largest city .
• In Japan , a public gathering to celebrate the birthday of new Emperor Naruhito later this week has been cancelled , due to concerns over the spread of the virus • Also in Japan , organisers of the Tokyo marathon due to take place on 1 March have cancelled the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some 38,000 runners ) , after cases of the virus were confirmed in Tokyo .
Only elite runners will be allowed to take part • In China , the National People 's Congress standing committee said it would meet next week to discuss a delay of this year 's Congress - the Communist Party 's most important annual gathering - because of the outbreak • At the weekend , an American woman tested positive for the virus in Malaysia after leaving a cruise liner docked off the coast of Cambodia • A Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from a quarantine facility to go back and stay there until she is confirmed to be disease-free , Fontanka news agency reports .
Alla Ilyina has until Wednesday to return The cruise ship was put in quarantine in Japan 's port of Yokohama after a man who disembarked in Hong Kong was found to have the virus .
On Monday , Japanese officials said there were 99 new cases of infections on board the ship , bringing the total to 454 confirmed cases .
It is the largest cluster of cases outside China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ board and tested positive is thought to be the first Russian national to contract the virus after the two previous cases found in Russia were Chinese nationals , Reuters news agency reports .
She will be taken to a hospital for treatment , the Russian embassy in Japan said .
At least 40 US citizens who were on board are infected and will be treated in Japan , Dr Anthony Fauci , Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases told US broadcaster CBS .
The two aircraft chartered by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the early hours of Monday .
The second flight was due to land at another base in Texas .
More than 300 passengers are being repatriated voluntarily , the US state department said .
Fourteen of them were reported during transit to have tested positive for the virus and were being kept separate from the other passengers , it said .
• Watching loved ones die without care in Wuhan • Why Singapore is so vulnerable to virus spread Those entering the US will undergo a 14-day quarantine , on top of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the ship .
`` And the reason for that , '' Dr Fauci added , `` is that the degree of transmissibility , on that cruise ship , is essentially akin to being in a hotspot . ''
Some of the Americans have declined to be evacuated , preferring to wait until the ship quarantine comes to an end on 19 February .
Passenger Matt Smith , a lawyer , said he would not want to travel on a bus to the plane with possibly infected people .
To assist with relief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ away 2,000 iPhones to passengers on the ship - one for each cabin .
The smartphones were distributed so people could use an app , created by Japan 's health ministry , which links users with doctors , pharmacists and mental health counsellors .
Phones registered outside of Japan are unable to access the app .
Other evacuation flights have been arranged to repatriate residents of Israel , Hong Kong and Canada .
On Monday , Australia announced that it would evacuate 200 of its citizens too .
What is happening in China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ February , 100 people died from the virus in Hubei , down from 139 on Saturday .
The Chinese authorities are tightening curbs on movement to combat the outbreak .
People in Hubei province , which has 60 million people , have been ordered to stay at home , though they will be allowed to leave in an emergency .
In addition , a single person from each household will be allowed to leave the building or compound they live in every three days to buy food and essential items .
On housing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open .
It will be guarded to ensure that only residents can enter or leave .
All businesses will stay closed , except chemists , hotels , food shops and medical services .
• What are the symptoms ?
• 'No change ' in virus outbreak despite China spike • ' I did n't want to take coronavirus to Africa' There will be a ban on the use of private cars , but vehicles used for the delivery of essential goods are exempt .
In the Chinese capital , Beijing , authorities have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go into quarantine for 14 days or risk punishment .
China 's central bank will also disinfect and store used banknotes before recirculating them in a bid to stop the virus spreading .
New cases spiked last week after a change in the way they were counted , but have been falling since .
National Health Commission spokesman Mi Feng said the figures showed China was managing to curb the outbreak .
`` The effects of epidemic prevention and control in various parts of the country can already be seen . ''
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a `` serious condition '' has dropped nationwide from more than 15 % to just over 7 % , according to China 's State Council .
Taiwan has reported a death from the illness - a taxi driver , 61 , who had not travelled abroad recently but had diabetes and hepatitis B , Health Minister Chen Shih-chung said .
The minister said many of his passengers had come from China .
Outside China , there have been more than 500 cases in nearly 30 countries .
Four others have died outside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kong , the Philippines and Japan .
Meanwhile , a plane carrying 175 evacuated Nepalis , mostly students , has arrived in Kathmandu from Wuhan .
The virus is a new strain of coronavirus and causes an acute respiratory disease which has been named Covid-19 .
Read more about the coronavirus and its impact • SHOULD WE WORRY ?
Our health correspondent explains • YOUR QUESTIONS : Can you get it more than once ?
• WHAT YOU CAN DO : Do masks really help ?
• UNDERSTANDING THE SPREAD : A visual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affected by what 's happening on the Diamond Princess cruise ship ?
Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay @ bbc.co.uk .
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist .
You can also contact us in the following ways : • Please read our terms & conditions and privacy policy

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bbc--2020-02-17--Israeli soldiers duped by Hamas 'fake women' phone ruse

Dozens of Israeli soldiers have had their smartphones hacked by the Hamas militant group posing as women seeking attention , Israel 's military says .
A spokesman said the soldiers were sent fake photos of young females and lured into downloading an app without knowing it could access their handsets .
He said there was no `` significant breach of information '' before the scam was foiled .
Hamas , which controls Gaza , and Israel view each other as mortal enemies .
It is the third such attempt in recent years by Hamas to infiltrate Israeli soldiers ' phones @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to Lt Col Jonathan Conricus .
`` We see that they 're of course learning and upping their game , '' he said .
Col Conricus said the hackers had masqueraded as young women with imperfect Hebrew , claiming to be immigrants or to have visual or hearing impairments , in order to appear convincing .
• Is any app or computer truly secure ?
After striking up friendships , the `` women '' would send links which they said would enable them to exchange photos , but which in reality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ programmes that can attack smartphones or computer devices .
Once the link was opened , the programme would install a virus which would give the hacker access to the phone 's data , including location , pictures and contacts .
It could also remotely manipulate the phone , using it to take photos and recordings without the owner 's knowledge .
Col Conricus said the Israel Defense Forces ( IDF ) had uncovered the plot several months ago but had let it continue under surveillance until they shut it down .
The IDF @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for vigilance when using smartphones and issued guidelines to try to prevent hacking attempts .
Israel and Hamas are in a permanent state of conflict and both are engaged in intelligence gathering against one another as part of their ongoing hostilities .
You may also find interesting :

After striking up friendships, the "women" would send links which they said would enable them to exchange photos, but which in reality caused the soldiers to download malware - programmes that can attack smartphones or computer devices.


bbc--2020-02-17--Anger as historic car brand scrapped in Australia

General Motors has said it will retire the iconic Australian car brand Holden as it leaves more markets .
The American car giant said it will wind down Holden sales , design and engineering operations in Australia and New Zealand by next year .
It also said China 's Great Wall Motors had agreed to buy its manufacturing plant in Thailand .
The announcement comes three years after GM ended manufacturing in Australia .
In a statement posted on GM 's website , chief executive Mary Barra said : `` I 've often said that we will do the right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and this is one of those times . ''
The statement did not say how many jobs would be lost as a result of the move but reports suggest it will mean up to 600 layoffs .
In response to the news , Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said : `` I am disappointed but not surprised .
But I am angry , like I think many Australians would be .
`` Australian taxpayers put millions into this multinational company .
They let the brand just wither away on their watch .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he added .
GM President Mark Reuss said the company had explored ways to keep the Holden brand but had decided that it would cost too much to remain in the `` highly fragmented right-hand-drive market '' .
It comes as GM is accelerating its exit from unprofitable markets as it focuses on the US , China , Latin America and South Korea .
The move will end 160 years of the Holden name 's association with Australia .
The company was founded as a saddle maker in South Australia in 1856 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Holden was bought by GM in 1931 , beginning their 89-year history as a combined entity .
The hashtag # RIPHolden is trending on Twitter as people post pictures and memories of the much-loved Australian brand .
Late last year the company also said it would stop selling its most iconic model the Commodore after more than four decades .
At the end of 2013 Holden announced that it would halt production in Australia and start importing vehicles from its overseas plants .
GM said a strong Australian currency , high manufacturing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among the reasons behind its decision .
The ending of Australian production of Holdens in 2017 resulted in nearly 2,900 job losses .


bbc--2020-02-17--Nikita Pearl Waligwa: Queen of Katwe stars pay tribute

Stars of the film Queen of Katwe have paid tribute to actress Nikita Pearl Waligwa who has died at the age of 15 .
Waligwa had been diagnosed with a brain tumour and died in hospital in Kampala on Saturday .
She starred in the 2016 Disney film which was based on the true story of Phiona Mutesi , a chess prodigy from a Ugandan slum .
Her co-star David Oyelowo wrote on Instagram : `` She was a ball of light in Queen of Katwa and in life . ''
He played the role of Phiona Mutesi 's chess @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her mother .
Waligwa featured as the character Gloria , a friend of Phiona who explained the rules of chess to her .
Ms Nyong ' o said on Instagram : `` She played Gloria with such vibrancy .
In her real life she had the enormous challenge of battling brain cancer . ''
Gloria Nansubuga , the 19-year-old Ugandan chess star who was played by Waligwa , told the BBC : `` I could n't bear to hear that someone who acted as me in a film had died .
I loved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told me she wanted to learn how to play chess .
I wanted to have lessons with her but she was always in hospital .
She was so caring even though she was so young . ''
Waligwa was first diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2016 and Queen of Katwe director Mira Nair reportedly mobilised people to help fund her treatment in India , with Ugandan doctors quoted as saying they did not have the necessary equipment .
In Uganda , only a fraction of patients with such serious conditions get the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She was given the all-clear in 2017 and went back to secondary school .
However , last year , she was found to have another tumour .
Her death was announced by her school on Twitter .
• ' I had to sell everything to pay for cancer treatment' '' You were a darling to many and we have lost you to a brain tumour at such a tender age , '' Gayaza High School said .
The funeral service for Waligwa was held on Sunday , and she will be buried @ @ @ @

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bbc--2020-02-17--Solis: Pakistan music festival halted as hundreds storm venue

A music festival in the Pakistani capital Islamabad had to be halted after hundreds of fake-ticket holders stormed the venue , organisers said .
Solis Festival said people had broken through barricades after being denied entry to the event on Saturday .
Many then climbed onto a VIP stage which collapsed as a result of overcrowding causing injuries .
Several women accused men of groping and harassing them in the chaos .
Dozens accused Solis Festival of poor planning and security management , calling for `` answers '' , but organisers said they had taken the precautions they could .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ security based on the number of tickets sold ... however we underestimated the sheer volume of fake tickets sold illegally , '' said Solis in a statement on Instagram .
`` We are deeply sorry that this experience was ruined by others .
We could not put your safety and security at risk and had to stop the event . ''
'He spit on me' Solis Festival calls itself Pakistan 's first and biggest concert series .
This was the fourth of its electronic dance music events featuring international performers .
Hundreds were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ began to be overtaken by those who reportedly held fake tickets .
VIP tickets were sold for up to 11,000 Pakistani rupees ( $ 71 ; £54 ) .
One woman , who said she was at the festival on the VIP stage , said the concert was 30 minutes in when the stage collapsed .
`` [ The stage ] was almost seven feet high and I lost consciousness for a minute .
All I remember is me struggling to get up and a guy starts snatching my bag .
We 're @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's helping ... [ people ] start touching , groping and harassing us , '' said an Instagram user named Shanza .
`` Where are you now Solis festival ?
How are you planning on compensating the physical pain , mental trauma [ and ] sexual harassment ? ''
she asked in her post .
• My front-row seat for the Fyre Festival chaos Another woman with a VIP ticket said she too experienced harassment after the stage collapsed .
`` When I regained consciousness , a guy had 'fallen ' on top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over my body 'trying to get up ' .
I pushed him and [ then ] he spit on me .
I tried to get up but I could n't , '' Fatima Ahsan had said in a post to a private Facebook group titled `` Soul Sisters Pakistan '' , according to a screenshot that has been circulating on Twitter .
`` Solis organisers should be held 100 % responsible '' , said one Twitter user .
`` Complete negligence on their part . ''

"When I regained consciousness, a guy had 'fallen' on top of me... moving his hands all over my body 'trying to get up'. I pushed him and [then] he spit on me. I tried to get up but I couldn't," Fatima Ahsan had said in a post to a private Facebook group titled "Soul Sisters Pakistan", according to a screenshot that has been circulating on Twitter.


bbc--2020-02-17--Australia fires: Firefighter’s outburst at Scott Morrison goes viral

An expletive-laden rant by Australian volunteer firefighter Paul Parker aimed at Scott Morrison has gone viral in the country , @ @ @ @ @ Australian PM .
Mr Parker has since claimed he was fired from the New South @ @ @ @ @ RFS ) over the outburst .
Both the RFS and Mr Morrison have denied his @ @

A firefighter whose expletive-laden rant aimed at Australia's prime minister went viral says he has been sacked.
Paul Parker's outburst encapsulated public anger towards Scott Morrison, but the volunteer now claims it got him fired from the New South Wales Rural Fire Service (RFS) over the outburst.
Both the RFS and Mr Morrison have denied his claim.


bbc--2020-02-17--HQ Trivia: Quiz app ends with drunken broadcast after 'running out of money'

It 's 2018 and people are gathering around a phone to take part in the day 's round of HQ Trivia , a real-time quiz app where players can win real cash .
Two years later , and HQ Trivia has gone bankrupt and shut down , its presenters drinking and swearing during its last live broadcast .
The final game 's prize was just $ 5 ( £3.83 ) - and that came out of the pocket of host Matt Richards .
That prize was split by 523 viewers .
It 's a far cry from the app 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 300,000 ( £214,000 ) and Dwayne 'The Rock ' Johnson was a guest presenter on the 15-minute show .
HQ Trivia was free to download and free to play .
A live presenter would ask 12 multiple choice questions and anyone who answered them all correctly would win part of the game 's prize fund .
A live chat ran during the game , and presenters read out messages from players during the live daily broadcasts .
It 's estimated that in February 2018 , there could be 2.3 million people playing HQ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its lifespan gave away $ 6 million ( £4.6 million ) in cash prizes .
But on Friday 14 February 2020 , HQ Trivia shut down , making its 25 employees redundant after running out of money .
Investors had pulled their cash out of the app and a plan for a new buyer to rescue the company fell through at the last minute .
HQ Trivia had been funded by investors but also made money when brands , such as The Voice or Warner Bros , paid for special takeovers and games @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spend money on extra lives to use during the games .
Presenters Matt Richards and Anna Roisman drank alcohol during the final broadcast , and did n't hold back their feelings on the app closing down .
The hosts would often drink during the app 's more adult-orientated HQ After Dark games .
`` Why are we shutting down ?
I do n't know .
Ask our investors .
What am I going to do with my fish tank ?
I think our investors ran out of money , '' said Matt during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ !
I 'm talented , '' said Anna .
Matt said he 'd been given two shots of tequila and the pair opened a giant bottle of champagne which he said was being saved for when the app reached 3 million players .
In 2018 it 's then-host Sharon Carpenter told Radio 1 Newsbeat she believed HQ Trivia and its format was `` the future of television - it 's the future of broadcasting '' .
`` It 's the same reason people love live TV , but this you can take wherever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` You never know how the game is going to end up - and I think because of that there is this element of the fear of missing out . ''
'We wanted to break the mould' The app was founded by Colin Kroll and Rus Yusupvo - the people who also founded the now-defunct video sharing app Vine .
`` We 've never stopped experimenting with video technology , '' Rus told Newsbeat in 2018 .
`` With HQ we wanted to blend and break out of these moulds of traditional television @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up the levels of production and broadcast directly to people 's phones - and make that content more interactive and more social - that we could actually turn this into something we could use daily . ''
Colin Kroll was found dead in his apartment in December 2018 .
Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen back here .

"Why are we shutting down? I don't know. Ask our investors. What am I going to do with my fish tank? I think our investors ran out of money," said Matt during the show.


bbc--2020-02-17--ABC raid: Australian public broadcaster loses legal challenge

Australia 's national broadcaster has lost its legal challenge to controversial police raids on its Sydney newsroom last year .
In June , police searched the Australian Broadcasting Corporation ( ABC ) and the home of a newspaper journalist over articles which relied on leaks from government whistleblowers .
The raids sparked a public outcry and protests across the nation 's media .
However , the Federal Court of Australia has ruled the searches were legal .
ABC 's managing director David Anderson said the decision was `` disappointing '' .
He said the raids had been a high-profile `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ job '' .
Australian Federal Police alleged the stories and reporters at the centre of its searches had breached national security laws .
In the raid last year , they seized thousands of documents over a 2017 ABC investigation which alleged Australian armed forces had committed war crimes in Afghanistan .
Police also raided the home of News Corp reporter Annika Smethurst .
In 2018 , she had reported an alleged attempt by a government agency to spy on Australian citizens .
Australia 's conservative government tightened its security laws in 2018 to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to receive classified information from military or intelligence sources .
Canberra has previously said it backs press freedom but that `` no one was above the law '' .
What was the ABC 's challenge ?
The ABC tried to challenge the legality of the police search warrant , arguing that it breached an implied constitutional right for free speech on political matters .
However , the court rejected that argument .
It said `` the purpose of the warrant in this case was entirely legitimate '' as police had been investigating `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court also said the few legal protections for journalists ' sources were not applicable in this case .
• How the media raids highlight whistleblower risks in Australia What has been the reaction ?
The industry 's union , the Media , Entertainment and Arts Alliance said the case 's dismissal showed `` ongoing and serious threats to the public 's right to know '' .
Mr Anderson , from the ABC , said the ruling was `` a blow for public interest journalism '' .
He said the court decision highlighted a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national security laws .
Critics argue they have stifled investigative reporting on government activities .
`` Australia has by far the most onerous secrecy laws of any comparable western democracy - the UK , US , Canada , New Zealand , '' said Mr Anderson .
He pointed out that the police raids had occurred nearly three years after the stories were first published .
Police have not ruled out prosecuting Ms Smethurst , and ABC reporters Sam Clarke and Dan Oakes over their stories .
Australia dropped two spots last year to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the World Press Freedom Index , which noted that the nation 's investigative journalism in recent years been reduced due to `` draconian legislation '' .
`` [ Australia 's ] laws on terrorism and national security make covering these issues almost impossible , '' says the index .
Media observers have previously told the BBC that journalists in Australia are enduring unprecedented political pressure .
`` I 'm not saying this is just about the current government but we have seen an increasing authoritarian mood creeping into the way that the media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Prof Catharine Lumby from Macquarie University .

However, the court rejected that argument. It said "the purpose of the warrant in this case was entirely legitimate" as police had been investigating "valid" national security offences.


bbc--2020-02-17--Brexit: France warns UK of bitter trade negotiations

France has warned Britain to expect a bruising battle with the EU in post-Brexit trade negotiations .
French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian predicted the two sides would `` rip each other apart '' as they strove for advantage in the negotiations .
He also said it would be tough for the UK to achieve its aim of agreeing a free trade deal by the end of the year .
The UK government said it wanted a deal based on `` friendly co-operation between sovereign equals '' .
Boris Johnson 's chief Brexit negotiator is expected to give more details @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a speech in Brussels later .
David Frost is expected to say the UK will be happy with a trade deal based on that agreed by the EU with Canada in 2016 but to rule out any form of regulatory alignment with the bloc from 2021 onwards .
• What does the UK sell to the rest of the world ?
• What happens after Brexit ?
• What is the transition period ?
The UK formally left the EU two weeks ago but still trades like a member under a transition period @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on their future relationship are set to begin next month once the EU 's 27 members have agreed the bloc 's negotiating mandate .
Speaking at a security conference in Munich on Sunday , Mr Le Drian said the two sides were far apart on a range of issues .
He said : `` I think that on trade issues and the mechanism for future relations , which we are going to start on , we are going to rip each other apart .
`` But that is part of negotiations , everyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Le Drian , a close ally of President Emmanuel Macron , is the latest senior EU figure to warn that the negotiations will be difficult .
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and chief negotiator Michel Barnier have both cast doubt on Boris Johnson 's aim to reach a comprehensive agreement by the end of the year .
• Brexit : Will it be a Canadian or an Australian ending ?
• Britain 'will not be aligning with EU rules ' - Raab The EU has repeatedly warned that the UK @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high-quality '' market access if it insists on diverging from EU social and environmental standards .
Last week the European Parliament called for the UK to follow EU rules in a host of areas , such as chemicals regulation , food labelling and subsidies for companies , as part of a process of `` dynamic alignment '' .
But UK ministers have repeatedly ruled out such a close regulatory relationship .
There is expected to be a particularly tough fight over fishing rights , with the EU insisting continued access to UK waters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Johnson , in turn , has said the UK will act as an `` independent coastal state '' taking control of its own fisheries .
A Downing Street spokesperson said : `` Our approach is clear - we are not asking for anything special , bespoke or unique , but are looking for a deal like those the EU has struck previously with other friendly countries like Canada .
`` We want a relationship based on friendly cooperation between sovereign equals , one centred on free trade and inspired by our shared @ @ @ @ @

David Frost is expected to say the UK will be happy with a trade deal based on that agreed by the EU with Canada in 2016 but to rule out any form of regulatory alignment with the bloc from 2021 onwards.


bbc--2020-02-17--German far-right group 'planned attacks on mosques'

Members of a far-right group arrested in Germany were planning attacks on mosques , politicians and asylums seekers , local media report .
The 12 , allegedly belonging to Der harte Kern ( The Hard Core ) , were detained on Friday .
Another man believed to be a part of the group is still on the run , according to newspaper Welt am Sonntag .
Germany has seen a rise in support for the far right , especially in the country 's formerly-communist east .
The authorities have stepped up their crack down on the country 's underground far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Luebcke and an attack on a synagogue in the eastern city of Halle last year .
Four of the men , all German nationals , were arrested last week on suspicion of forming Der harte Kern ; the remaining eight are suspected of providing the group with money , weapons and other support .
The men reportedly met through messaging service WhatsApp , and formed the organisation last September .
It is believed they have links to the Soldiers of Odin , another far-right group founded in Finland five years ago .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 53-year old known as Werner S , was known to authorities and resides in the southern city of Augsburg .
Last week he allegedly met with other members and discussed plans for ten separate attacks in the country , including massacres at mosques similar to those carried out in New Zealand last year .
They reportedly hoped their actions would provoke counter-attacks and lead to a civil war .
According to the press reports , investigators were tipped off by someone who had infiltrated the group .
In subsequent raids , authorities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used to produce home-made bombs , Welt am Sonntag said .
Germany 's highest criminal court , the Federal Court of Justice , has ordered that the men be detained while the investigation continues .

Last week he allegedly met with other members and discussed plans for ten separate attacks in the country, including massacres at mosques similar to those carried out in New Zealand last year. They reportedly hoped their actions would provoke counter-attacks and lead to a civil war.


bbc--2020-02-17--India Supreme Court makes landmark ruling on women in army

India 's top court has ruled that all women army officers are now eligible for permanent commissions , allowing them to be in commanding roles .
The ruling means that all women officers will now be on par with men when it comes to promotions , ranks , benefits and pensions .
The Supreme Court rejected the government 's plea to overturn the Delhi high court 's order on the same matter .
The ruling has been hailed as a `` great leap '' towards equality in the army .
Many serving and retired officers had been campaigning for this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the army through the Short Service Commission ( SSC ) and do n't qualify for a permanent commission - which allows an officer to serve a full tenure .
So women are initially meant to serve for five years , but have the option of extending their tenure .
However , they do n't get the same benefits as their male counterparts .
The only exceptions are the army 's legal and education wings , where women officers have been eligible for permanent commissions since 2008 .
The government last year agreed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said this would only apply to those officers who had served less than 14 years , citing physical limitations of older women officers .
`` The contentions of centre [ the federal government ] regarding the issue of physiological limitations and social norms to deny opportunity to women officers is disturbing and can not be accepted , '' Justice DY Chandrachud said while reading out the court verdict .
The government had also argued against appointing women in commanding roles .
`` The composition of rank and file being male , and predominantly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ societal norms , the troops are not yet mentally schooled to accept women officers in command , '' it said .
But the court rejected the argument , saying the `` right to equality is a right to rationality '' .
Lawyer Aishwarya Bhati , who represented women officers in court , said it was a landmark judgement .
`` There was clear discrimination in the army .
One officer had served for 26 years without getting the same benefits as men .
Now the wrong has been corrected , '' she told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the BBC that the court 's ruling was `` historic '' .
`` The Indian constitution is based on equality .
Denying opportunities to women was against the ethos of the constitution .
Now the army will have to frame guidelines that are equal for men and women , '' she said .

"The Indian constitution is based on equality. Denying opportunities to women was against the ethos of the constitution. Now the army will have to frame guidelines that are equal for men and women," she said.


bbc--2020-02-17--German firms Bayer and BASF fight $265m US fine over weedkiller

German chemical giant Bayer is to appeal against a Missouri court 's award of $ 265m ( £203m ) to a US peach grower who blamed a herbicide for crop damage .
Farmer Bill Bader sued Bayer and BASF , alleging that dicamba weedkiller drifted onto his orchard from nearby fields , destroying them .
It is the first ruling in some 140 US cases against dicamba , a herbicide blamed for extensive crop damage .
Bayer says its herbicides pose no unreasonable risk if used correctly .
The US agrochemical giant Monsanto , bought by Bayer for $ 63bn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a similar much-criticised product , Roundup .
US lawsuits against Monsanto 's weedkillers may cost Bayer billions of dollars in damages .
It is not yet clear how Bayer and BASF may share the cost of the Missouri damages .
BASF said it would `` use all available legal resources '' to fight Saturday 's ruling by a federal district court in Cape Girardeau , Missouri .
They were ordered to pay Mr Bader $ 15m in actual damages and $ 250m in fines .
He argued that his 1,000-acre ( 405-hectare ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statement on Monday , Bayer said it `` clearly disagrees with the jury 's verdict and is very disappointed '' .
`` We will swiftly appeal the decision .
While we have great empathy for any farmer who suffers from crop losses , in the case of Mr Bader there was no competent evidence presented which showed that Monsanto 's products were present on his farm and were responsible for his losses . ''
Dicamba-based herbicides have been blamed for damage to thousands of hectares of crops in US Midwestern states .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Agency imposed restrictions on dicamba use , because of the farmers ' concerns .
Bayer insists that Monsanto herbicides are safe and `` valuable tools for growers '' .
The herbicides `` do not pose any unreasonable risk of off-target movement when used according to label directions '' , the firm says .

"We will swiftly appeal the decision. While we have great empathy for any farmer who suffers from crop losses, in the case of Mr Bader there was no competent evidence presented which showed that Monsanto's products were present on his farm and were responsible for his losses."


bbc--2020-02-17--Dominican Republic poll halted after electronic glitch

Municipal elections in the Dominican Republic were suspended four hours after voting began due to a problem with the electronic voting system .
Half of the electronic devices used in the nationwide poll did not work properly causing virtual ballot papers not to load properly , the head of the electoral body said .
Electoral officials are investigating the cause of the glitch .
A new date for the election has not yet been set .
It is the first time that municipal elections have been suspended .
More than seven million voters were eligible to cast their ballot in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ almost 4,000 posts in 158 municipalities .
Long queues formed outside the polling stations as the ballots failed to load .
You may also be interested in : The electronic system was being used in 18 of the most populous municipalities , where 62 % of Dominicans were entitled to vote .
The electoral authorities said they took the decision to suspend voting nationwide , even in areas where the electronic system was not being used .
Opposition politician Luis Abinader said the suspension was `` outrageous and unjustified '' .
An observer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regional body called for dialogue The electronic glitch comes just three months before general elections are due to be held on 17 May .
The president of the electoral board , Julio César Castaños Guzmán , said that the municipal elections would be rescheduled to an `` opportune date '' .

The electoral authorities said they took the decision to suspend voting nationwide, even in areas where the electronic system was not being used.


bbc--2020-02-17--Japan's economy shrinks at fastest rate since 2014

Japan 's economy shrank at the fastest rate in five years at the end of 2019 as it was hit by a sales tax rise , a major typhoon and weak global demand .
Annualised gross domestic product ( GDP ) fell by a much steeper than expected 6.3 % in October-December .
There are also concerns the coronavirus outbreak will mean the slump continues this quarter .
That has raised fears that the world 's third-biggest economy may fall into recession .
During the period Japanese consumer spending fell 2.9 % after the country 's sales tax was raised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % .
In the same month Typhoon Hagibis hit large parts of the country .
Last quarter , capital spending dropped by 3.7 % and exports slipped 0.1 % amid the ongoing US-China trade war .
Investors are now watching to see whether the economy will rebound after the coronavirus forced China to shut down factories and led to a big drop in Chinese tourists visiting Japan .
In response to today 's data economy minister Yasutoshi Nishimura said the Japanese government was ready to take all necessary steps to deal with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economy and tourism .
In December Prime Minister Shinzo Abe 's government approved $ 120bn ( £90bn ) in spending aimed at cushioning the impact of the sales tax rise .
The shrink in GDP was the first in more than a year and the largest since a 7.4 % fall in 2014 , the last time Japan raised its sales tax .

In response to today's data economy minister Yasutoshi Nishimura said the Japanese government was ready to take all necessary steps to deal with the impact of the coronavirus outbreak on the economy and tourism.


bbc--2020-02-17--Srinivas Gowda: 'India's Usain Bolt' says no to national trials

An Indian buffalo racer who is being compared to Olympic sprinter Usain Bolt has rejected an official offer inviting him to participate in national trials .
Srinivas Gowda , 28 , broke the record in Kambala , a sport where people sprint 142m through paddy fields with buffalo .
He is said to have finished in 13.42 seconds , while Bolt holds the world 100m record of 9.58 seconds .
News of his feat spread through local news and social media , prompting an offer from the sports minister .
But Mr Gowda told BBC Hindi that he will not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sprint trials .
`` I have injured my leg and my focus is on Kambala .
I am used to running with buffalo in the paddy fields , '' he said .
Mr Gowda ran the race in a village in the southern state of Karnataka earlier this month .
But videos of the record-breaking race started to go viral only late last week , sparking a flurry of tweets and drawing the attention of sports officials and politicians .
Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju tweeted on Saturday , saying that they had arranged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he could travel to the centre run by the Sports Authority of India ( SAI ) where the trials would happen .
Prof Gunapala Kambada , founder-secretary of the Kambala Academy , said that this was a `` great honour '' for Kambala but unfortunately Mr Gowda would not be immediately available for trials .
`` The problem is that he has Kambala [ races ] on the next three Saturdays , '' Prof Kambada said .
`` That is a commitment that he can not go back on under any circumstances .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Maybe he can go for trials at a later stage . ''
Several local newspapers and journalists compared Mr Gowda 's performance to Bolt 's world record time .
But Prof Kadamba cautioned against this .
`` They [ Olympic event monitors ] have more scientific methods and better electronic equipment to measure speed , '' he said .
Experts have also said that the Bolt comparison is inaccurate as Mr Gowda 's speed was generated by the buffalos he was running with .
The animals are known to reach speeds of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which is significantly faster than even Bolt 's record-breaking feat .
Mr Gowda , who earns his living as a construction worker , has been participating in Kambala for seven years .
`` I got interested in it because I used to watch Kambala during my school days , '' he said .
When asked about his win , he said he was excited and praised his teammates - the two buffalo he ran alongside - for doing so well .
Kambala , which roughly translates to `` paddy-growing mud field '' in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ traditional sport originating from part of Karnataka 's coast .
Participants sprint through a field , which is normally either 132m or 142m , with two buffalo that are tethered together .
In the past , past the sport has attracted strong criticism from international animal rights groups .
In 2014 , India 's Supreme Court issued a ban on races with bulls , prompted primarily by campaigns against the practice of Jallikattu , a form of bull-fighting from the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu .
Two years later , Karnataka 's state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kambala events .
• The woman who chose a bull over marriage • Five gored to death in Tamil Nadu bull-taming event • Jallikattu : The state that loves bullfighting but is n't Spain Prof Kadamba said that the organising body had responded to this , updating the sport in order to make it more humane .
He said their current and former students - including Mr Gowda - are now taught how to deal with buffalo `` in a humane manner without unnecessarily hurting the animal '' .
In 2018 , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part again , but issued several conditions - including a ban on the use of whips .
But the practice is still under threat .
International animal rights group Peta has a petition pending in the Supreme Court , arguing that Karnataka 's reinstatement of Kambala was illegal .

"The problem is that he has Kambala [races] on the next three Saturdays," Prof Kadamba said. "That is a commitment that he cannot go back on under any circumstances. So we are not rejecting the offer. Maybe he can go for trials at a later stage."


bbc--2020-02-17--Guardiola intends to stay at Man City despite European ban

Pep Guardiola has told friends he intends to stay at Manchester City despite the club 's two-year ban from the Champions League .
Unless City overturn the ban imposed by Uefa on Friday , they will not compete in European football until 2022 after this season .
Guardiola 's contract is due to expire in 2021 .
He is expected to speak about the subject for the first time on Wednesday .
His contract does have a break clause at the end of this season and it was anticipated he would activate it should City fail to win their appeal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Court of Arbitration for Sport in the next few days .
However , it is understood the 49-year-old has said he will not be doing that and remains committed to the club .
Guardiola is likely to discuss the issue after Wednesday 's rearranged Premier League game against West Ham .
In a bizarre situation , neither side has played since the initial game was postponed due to bad weather on 9 February .
As both clubs held pre-match news conferences two days before the game was supposed to be played , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there is no contractual requirement to hold another and it is understood neither side will do so .

Last updated on .From the section Man City
Pep Guardiola has been manager at Manchester City since 2016
Pep Guardiola has told friends he intends to stay at Manchester City despite the club's two-year ban from the Champions League.
Unless City overturn the ban imposed by Uefa on Friday, they will not compete in European football until 2022 after this season.
Guardiola's contract is due to expire in 2021.
He is expected to speak about the subject for the first time on Wednesday.
His contract does have a break clause at the end of this season and it was anticipated he would activate it should City fail to win their appeal which they will be submitting to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in the next few days.
However, it is understood the 49-year-old has said he will not be doing that and remains committed to the club.
Guardiola is likely to discuss the issue after Wednesday's rearranged Premier League game against West Ham.
In a bizarre situation, neither side has played since the initial game was postponed due to bad weather on 9 February.
As both clubs held pre-match news conferences two days before the game was supposed to be played, they have been told by the Premier League there is no contractual requirement to hold another and it is understood neither side will do so.