bbc--2020-08-28--RNC 2020: What Republicans made of Trump speech

President Donald Trump gave a nomination speech like no other - in length , in setting , in contravention of public health guidance and with raucous protests just yards away .
But how was it received by voters ?
Using the White House grounds to make a campaign speech had already got the president into trouble .
Then the sight of hundreds of people in his audience , seated close together on the South Lawn , raised questions about the risks of coronavirus transmission .
In a 70-minute speech , he defended his handling of the pandemic and vowed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slump .
But afterwards , as fireworks exploded over the National Mall , his Democratic opponents Joe Biden and Kamala Harris accused him of failing to protect the country .
We asked Republican voters and others for their immediate reactions .
`` It met all my criteria I wanted in an acceptance speech .
The base is going to feel really good about it - to go vote and to take five people to the polls with them .
It did what it was supposed to do .
[ in terms of swaying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ individual .
Everybody has to do their own research . ''
`` The speech was for the Republican base that knows they 're gon na be voting for him .
He hit what I and I 'm sure others believe are key points .
He hit those points that I think many people want to hear his thoughts and opinions on , then looped back to his accomplishments .
It 's very important for me , as a Hispanic American [ from Venezuela ] , to hear him talk about the differences between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really like the fact that he spoke about Alice Johnson [ a woman who spent 22 years in prison and had her sentence commuted by Trump ] regarding the justice reform that 's affecting a lot of Americans .
And he said America is the torch that lights the rest of the world I thought that was pretty accurate .
Biden may have a plan but nobody really knows what that 's going to be - what that entails .
[ Trump ] comes across as more organised about what needs to happen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was for the base .
My bar for his ability to stick with the script is very low , so he did well .
I have a lot of problems with the lies .
It was very repetitive and rambling .
Here is the Republican Party , here are our beliefs and nobody else is right… I wanted to hear more , as a young voter , about being a united country , rather than right or left .
There was not as much inclusivity about young people and the youth vote as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' • Did Joe Biden succeed in making his case ?
`` A lot of what was said was not the whole truth , and a lot of fear-mongering .
It created a narrative .
The speech was powerful .
The end of the speech was brilliant .
But I have not been swayed by it .
If I had to vote today , I would vote for Joe Biden only because I am really tired of hearing the president say things that are not the truth or not the whole truth .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ who tells the truth . ''
Brooke voted for Libertarian Party nominee Gary Johnson in 2016 but thinks she will switch to Trump this time .
`` Cancel culture ... that 's what drew me to Trump , It does n't even feel like America anymore , it feels like we have to walk on egg shells .
I was n't blown away [ by his speech ] , but I did n't see any yellow or red flags .
I feel affirmed in my vote . ''
Brooke Riske is a 34-year-old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Virginia • A simple guide to the US election • How is Donald Trump doing in the polls ?
• How you can be US president without winning most votes Hurricanes , wildfires , a pandemic and urban riots .
You might think Americans were having a bad week .
Donald Trump has a different view .
Tonight , Trump was the first president since FDR to accept his party 's nomination from the White House .
While not unprecedented , it 's certainly a new optic for the American voters .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , what is n't ?
Trump used his prime time spot to illustrate his strengths , capitalise on good economic news , and spoke with grave sincerity about the damage that Covid-19 has wrought upon our nation .
He eloquently contrasted his record of achievement in one term with Biden 's 47 years in Washington , and he did it effectively .
But it is this author 's opinion that the president was overshadowed by the incredibly emotional prior speeches by the widow of slain Captain David Dorn , the parents of Islamic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Trump 's `` First Step Act , '' pardoned prisoner Alice Marie Johnson .
Overall , the night was an emphatic and emotional win , not just for Trump , but for all Americans .
A win tonight for Trump , but above all : a win for the Republican ticket nationwide .
The year 2020 is a year of chaos .
Well , year 2020 , meet the man who was born to lead in this environment ; and that man is not Joe Biden .
That 's what we learned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speech more akin to a State of the Union address than a nomination acceptance , Donald Trump alternated between ticking through his record as president and circling around , like a prize fighter , to launch strikes on his Democratic opponent , Joe Biden .
It was a blunderbuss of attacks , of varying levels of validity , in the hope that some will draw blood - on trade , immigration , education , energy and foreign policy .
But most of all , Mr Trump sought to paint Mr Biden as in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the more left-wing members of the Democratic party .
The setting of the speech was majestic - on the grounds of the White House and in view of the Washington monument .
The delivery from a president who thrives more on rousing rallies than rhetorical set-pieces , however , frequently landed with a thud .

"I agree this speech was for the base. My bar for his ability to stick with the script is very low, so he did well. I have a lot of problems with the lies. It was very repetitive and rambling. Here is the Republican Party, here are our beliefs and nobody else is right… I wanted to hear more, as a young voter, about being a united country, rather than right or left. There was not as much inclusivity about young people and the youth vote as I would have liked to hear."


bbc--2020-08-28--Trump's convention speech fact-checked

Trump's convention speech fact-checked

President Trump has delivered the closing speech of the Republican convention and said the forthcoming election would be `` the most important '' in US history .
Accepting his party 's nomination to run for a second term , he listed his own achievements and criticised his Democratic opponent Joe Biden .
Mr Trump spoke for over an hour and made a series of claims .
We 've fact-checked some of them .
Claim 1 : `` If you give power to Joe Biden , the radical left will defund police departments all across America '' President Trump attacked his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against the backdrop of the recent unrest in US cities .
Since the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis in May , there have been calls to `` defund the police '' .
Donald Trump and other Republicans have claimed that Joe Biden supports this but Mr Biden has said repeatedly that he does not .
In June , he told CBS News : `` I do n't support defunding the police '' .
Mr Biden repeated this view in an opinion piece for USA Today , calling for reform of the police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police .
The better answer is to give police departments the resources they need to implement meaningful reforms , and to condition other federal dollars on completing those reforms , '' he wrote .
He 's also said he would provide `` an additional $ 300 million to reinvigorate community policing '' .
Claim 2 : `` We have already built 300 miles of border wall '' Since January 2017 , when Mr Trump assumed the presidency , 275 miles of wall along the border with Mexico has been completed , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report .
However , most of that was to replace existing structures .
A total of 245 miles of wall has been built in place of old barriers .
But only 30 miles of new wall has actually been built .
Most of this ( 25 miles ) is what 's called `` secondary wall '' , which is constructed to reinforce the primary border barrier .
The border with Mexico is about 2,000 miles long .
Claim 3 : `` Over the past three months , we have gained over 9 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , President Trump claimed the US economy was recovering `` much faster '' than other western nations from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic .
It 's true that - since April 2020 - there have been nine million people added to the US payroll , according to the US Bureau for Labor Statistics .
But what Mr Trump did n't mention was that this rise followed a much bigger loss of 22 million people from the payroll in March , when measures to tackle the pandemic were introduced .
Claim 4 : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lowest case fatality rates of any major country in the world '' President Trump did n't mention that the US has the world 's highest overall number of Covid-19 deaths , nearly 180,000 .
Instead , he highlighted the case fatality rate - the ratio of deaths to confirmed cases .
Of those who tested positive for coronavirus , how many have died ?
It 's true the US rate is relatively low compared with most major European countries , including the UK .
It 's not the lowest in the world - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are all lower , for example .
But different countries are testing to find coronavirus cases in different ways , meaning direct comparisons are difficult .
A low case fatality rate could mean that widespread testing identifies lots of mild cases who were unlikely to die in the first place .
Claim 5 : `` He [ Joe Biden ] has pledged a $ 4 trillion tax hike on almost all American families '' Trump is correct that the Biden plan would lead to $ 4 trillion in revenues ( over a decade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tax Policy Centre .
However , this claim is misleading as the taxes would target the wealthiest Americans - not `` almost all American families '' .
The Tax Policy Centre found that 93 % of the tax increases would be paid by taxpayers in the top fifth of households .
High earners would see `` substantially larger tax increases than households in other income groups , both in dollar amounts and as a share of their incomes . ''
Claim 6 : `` We obliterated 100 % of the ISIS caliphate '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's territory - a `` caliphate '' it declared in 2014 across parts of Iraq and Syria - came to an end during Mr Trump 's period in office .
The US-led alliance overcame the group in its last stronghold in Syria , March 2019 .
But as the BBC reported at the time `` despite the demise of its physical caliphate , IS remains a battle-hardened and well-disciplined force whose `` enduring defeat is not assured . ''
On 12 August , a top US military official laid out what was needed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , noting the group still posed a threat .
Claim 7 : `` We will always , and very strongly , protect patients with pre-existing conditions , and that is a pledge from the entire Republican Party '' This refers to a requirement that health insurance companies ca n't charge people more if they have pre-existing conditions .
It became law with President Obama 's signature domestic policy - the Affordable Care Act , known as `` Obamacare '' .
Donald Trump and the Republican party want to repeal Obamacare and replace it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ despite pushing for it in Congress .
In June , the administration asked the US Supreme Court to permanently end Obamacare - which includes those provisions for people with pre-existing conditions .
If successful , it 's not clear what the Trump administration would replace it with .
President Trump has signalled that he may make insurers cover people with pre-existing conditions , but there 's no detail yet .
Claim 8 : `` Our Nato partners , as an example , were far behind in their defence payments .
But at my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 130bn more a year '' The current defence spending target for Nato members is 2 % of gross domestic product ( GDP ) , to be reached by 2024 .
The US spent roughly 3.4 % of its GDP on defence in 2019 , according to Nato estimates , while the average in European Nato countries and Canada was 1.55 % .
Mr Trump has argued that members are not spending enough on defence to support the alliance and that the burden is on the US .
The figure that the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the amount that has been added since 2016 , not per year .
`` Since 2016 , Canada and European allies have added $ 130 billion more to the defense budgets , and this number will increase to 400 billion US dollars by 2024 , '' said Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in December 2019 .

US election 2020: Donald Trump's convention speech fact-checked Published 28 August 2020
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, President Donald Trump delivers his speech for the Republican presidential nomination
President Trump has delivered the closing speech of the Republican convention and said the forthcoming election would be "the most important" in US history.
Accepting his party's nomination to run for a second term, he listed his own achievements and criticised his Democratic opponent Joe Biden.
Mr Trump spoke for over an hour and made a series of claims. We've fact-checked some of them.
Claim 1: "If you give power to Joe Biden, the radical left will defund police departments all across America"
President Trump attacked his Democratic rival over law and order, against the backdrop of the recent unrest in US cities.
Since the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis in May, there have been calls to "defund the police".
Donald Trump and other Republicans have claimed that Joe Biden supports this but Mr Biden has said repeatedly that he does not.
In June, he told CBS News: "I don't support defunding the police".
Image source, Getty Images
Mr Biden repeated this view in an opinion piece for USA Today, calling for reform of the police.
"I do not support defunding police. The better answer is to give police departments the resources they need to implement meaningful reforms, and to condition other federal dollars on completing those reforms," he wrote.
He's also said he would provide "an additional $300 million to reinvigorate community policing".
Claim 2: "We have already built 300 miles of border wall"
Since January 2017, when Mr Trump assumed the presidency, 275 miles of wall along the border with Mexico has been completed, according to the latest US Customs and Border Protection report.
However, most of that was to replace existing structures.
Image source, Getty Images
A total of 245 miles of wall has been built in place of old barriers.
But only 30 miles of new wall has actually been built.
Most of this (25 miles) is what's called "secondary wall", which is constructed to reinforce the primary border barrier.
The border with Mexico is about 2,000 miles long.
Claim 3: "Over the past three months, we have gained over 9 million jobs, a new record"
Here, President Trump claimed the US economy was recovering "much faster" than other western nations from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
It's true that - since April 2020 - there have been nine million people added to the US payroll, according to the US Bureau for Labor Statistics.
But what Mr Trump didn't mention was that this rise followed a much bigger loss of 22 million people from the payroll in March, when measures to tackle the pandemic were introduced.
Claim 4: "The United States has among the lowest case fatality rates of any major country in the world"
President Trump didn't mention that the US has the world's highest overall number of Covid-19 deaths, nearly 180,000.
Instead, he highlighted the case fatality rate - the ratio of deaths to confirmed cases. Of those who tested positive for coronavirus, how many have died?
It's true the US rate is relatively low on this measure compared with most major European countries, including the UK.
Image source, Getty Images
It's not the lowest in the world - Norway, Japan, and South Korea are all lower, for example.
But different countries are testing to find coronavirus cases in different ways, so direct comparisons are difficult.
A low case fatality rate could mean that widespread testing identifies lots of mild cases who were unlikely to die in the first place.
Claim 5: "He [Joe Biden] has pledged a $4 trillion tax hike on almost all American families"
Trump is correct that the Biden plan would lead to $4 trillion in revenues (over a decade), according to analysis by the Tax Policy Centre.
However, this claim is misleading as the taxes would target the wealthiest Americans - not "almost all American families".
The Tax Policy Centre found that 93% of the tax increases would be paid by taxpayers in the top fifth of households.
High earners would see "substantially larger tax increases than households in other income groups, both in dollar amounts and as a share of their incomes."
Mr Biden has told ABC News that he would only raise taxes for those earning more than $400,000 a year.
Claim 6: "We obliterated 100% of the ISIS caliphate"
It's true the Islamic State group's territory - a "caliphate" it declared in 2014 across parts of Iraq and Syria - came to an end during Mr Trump's period in office.
The US-led alliance overcame the group in its last stronghold in Syria, March 2019.
Image source, AFP Image caption, Iraqi government forces recaptured the city of Mosul in July 2017
But as the BBC reported at the time "despite the demise of its physical caliphate, IS remains a battle-hardened and well-disciplined force whose "enduring defeat is not assured."
On 12 August, a top US military official laid out what was needed to score an enduring defeat against IS, noting the group still posed a threat.
Claim 7: "We will always, and very strongly, protect patients with pre-existing conditions, and that is a pledge from the entire Republican Party"
This refers to a requirement that health insurance companies can't charge people more if they have pre-existing conditions.
It became law with President Obama's signature domestic policy - the Affordable Care Act, known as "Obamacare".
Donald Trump and the Republican party want to repeal Obamacare and replace it, but have failed to do so despite pushing for it in Congress.
In June, the administration asked the US Supreme Court to permanently end Obamacare - which includes those provisions for people with pre-existing conditions.
Image source, Getty Images
If successful, it's not clear what the Trump administration would replace it with. President Trump has signalled that he may make insurers cover people with pre-existing conditions, but there's no detail yet.
Claim 8: "Our Nato partners, as an example, were far behind in their defence payments. But at my strong urging, they agreed to pay $130bn more a year"
The current defence spending target for Nato members is 2% of gross domestic product (GDP), to be reached by 2024.
The US spent roughly 3.4% of its GDP on defence in 2019, according to Nato estimates, while the average in European Nato countries and Canada was 1.55%.
Mr Trump has argued that members are not spending enough on defence to support the alliance and that the burden is on the US.
The figure that the president mentioned - $130 billion - is the amount that has been added since 2016, not per year.


bbc--2020-08-28--Ivanka lavishes praise on her father

Ivanka lavishes praise on her father

The president 's eldest daughter Ivanka introduces President Trump at the Republican Convention .
She is the only speaker other @ @ @ @ @ live from the White House .

The president's eldest daughter Ivanka introduces President Trump at the Republican Convention.
She was the only speaker other than the president to speak live from the White House.


bbc--2020-08-27--Animals rescued from deadly California wildfires

A team of veterinarians from University of California Davis have treated over 1,000 animals rescued from the wildfires raging in @ @ @ @ @ ’ s veterinary hospital has been housing 30 of the most severely injured animals for @ @ @ @ @ were harmed in the Lightning Complex Fire , which has burned over 1.25 million acres @ @ @ @ @ larger than the Grand Canyon and forced hundreds of thousands to evacuate their homes .

A team of veterinarians from University of California Davis have treated over 1,000 animals rescued from the wildfires raging in northern California.
The school’s veterinary hospital has been housing 30 of the most severely injured animals for additional care.
The animals were harmed in the Lightning Complex Fire, which has burned over 1.25 million acres of land, an area larger than the Grand Canyon and forced hundreds of thousands to evacuate their homes.


bbc--2020-08-28--Trump or Biden? China expects no favours either way

The Democratic and Republican National Conventions are typically an opportunity for US voters to get a sense of what their next president 's domestic policies might look like .
But this year they also provided a key insight for China Inc as it navigates its rocky relationship with the US .
Several insiders at Chinese technology firms say have told me that a Joe Biden presidency would be more appealing than another four more years of President Trump - which would be seen as `` unpredictable '' .
And while they think a Biden administration would still be tough on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on reason , and fact rather than rhetoric and politicking .
One thing is clear though : companies on the mainland believe that whoever is in the White House the tough stance on China is here to stay .
Here are three things that are worrying Chinese companies the most about the next US administration - and what they 're doing to protect themselves : This word gets used a lot these days .
President Trump and his administration talk about it in tweets and in press statements in relation to China .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ decades ' worth of US business relations with China .
Everything is on the cards : from getting American factories to pull their supply chains out of the mainland , to forcing Chinese-owned companies that operate in the US - like TikTok and Tencent - to swap their Chinese owners for American ones .
• What is the attraction of TikTok ?
Make no mistake , under a Trump administration `` decoupling will be accelerated '' , according to Solomon Yue , vice chairman and chief executive of the Republicans Overseas lobby group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's a genuine national security concern about our technology being stolen , '' he said .
While the US has had some success in forcing American companies to stop doing business with Chinese tech giants like Huawei , it is pushing Chinese firms to develop self-sufficiency in some key industries , like chip-making and artificial intelligence .
`` There 's a realisation that you can never really trust the US again , '' a strategist working for a Chinese tech firm told me .
`` That 's got Chinese companies thinking what they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
As part of its focus on China , the Trump administration has come up with a set of recommendations for Chinese firms listed in the US , setting a January 2022 deadline to comply with new rules on auditing .
If they do n't , according to the recommendations , they risk being banned .
• Pompeo steps up criticism of HSBC over Hong Kong While a Biden administration may not necessarily push through with the exact same ban , analysts say the scrutiny and tone of these recommendations is likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether in the White House , Senate or Congress , would have little reason to roll back Trump 's toughness on China without some concession in return , '' said Tariq Dennison , a Hong Kong-based investment adviser at GFM Asset Management . '
'' One thing both parties seem to agree on in 2020 is to blame China for any of America 's problems that ca n't be easily blamed on the other party .
That 's not going to change anytime soon . ''
While fears of being delisted are n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chinese companies that are already listed in the US , it 's enough to sway the decisions of companies that are looking to float in the future .
Take Ant Group , for example , the mammoth Chinese digital financial services group that this week filed for an IPO .
Affiliated to the Alibaba Group , which is listed in the US and Hong Kong , it chose Hong Kong and Shanghai in which to sell its shares instead of the US .
Increasingly other Chinese companies are likely to follow suit , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get worse .
China has been one of the biggest beneficiaries of globalisation over the last 30 years .
It has helped hundreds of millions of Chinese afford a better quality and standard of life , the bedrock upon which President Xi Jinping 's Chinese Dream is based .
But that 's precisely what President Trump says needs to change : his administration argues that China has become richer while the US has become poorer .
During Mr Trump 's term , deglobalisation - where borders are less open and trade is less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And it 's something that Beijing knows wo n't change even after the election .
`` The fundamental adjustment of the US ' strategic mind-set over China is real '' , reads the latest op-ed in the Communist Party 's mouthpiece , The Global Times .
'This has to a large extent reset the China-US relationship . ''
One of the natural consequences of globalisation was arguably a safer world .
If you 're doing business with one another , chances are you 're not going to want to get in a fight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A big worry for many businesses in Asia is that a real military clash between the two superpowers is inevitable - and those concerns only grew this week when Beijing fired missiles into the South China Sea , a lucrative but contested waterway .
The reset of the US-China relationship is dangerous - not just for the US and China - but for the rest of us too .

While fears of being delisted aren't high on the list of concerns for Chinese companies that are already listed in the US, it's enough to sway the decisions of companies that are looking to float in the future.


bbc--2020-08-28--Bottas quickest in first practice at Belgian Grand Prix

Last updated on .From the section Formula 1 Valtteri Bottas headed Lewis Hamilton in a Mercedes one-two ahead of Red Bull 's Max Verstappen in first practice at the Belgian Grand Prix .
Racing Point 's Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll were fourth and fifth .
Ferrari 's Charles Leclerc , winner at Spa-Francorchamps last year , was 14th , ahead of team-mate Sebastian Vettel .
The long straights of Spa , which has flat-out sections in the first and final thirds of the lap , were exposing the lack of straight-line speed of the Ferrari , a problem this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ winter .
Mercedes , encouraged to work flat-out on their engine by Ferrari 's advantage on the straights in 2019 , have made a step forward in this area , although the progress on their chassis outweighs it .
Verstappen , whose Honda engine does not match the Mercedes on the straights , was surprisingly close , but it remains to be seen whether Red Bull can maintain that margin as the weekend goes on .
On race pace at the end of the session , Mercedes appeared to have a significant advantage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It was an uneventful session , held under grey skies and in cool temperatures on one of the most demanding and historic tracks on the calendar .
Rain is expected during the afternoon 's second practice session , and there is a threat of wet weather for Sunday 's race , too .
Behind the top six , Renault and McLaren completed the top 10 , with the French team 's Esteban Ocon and Daniel Ricciardo seventh and ninth , and McLaren 's Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris eighth and 10th .
Alpha @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were next , ahead of Alfa Romeo 's Kimi Raikkonen and the Ferraris .
Haas drivers Kevin Magnussen and Romain Grosjean and Alfa Romeo 's Antonio Giovinazzi all failed to set a time as a result of technical problems .

Last updated on .From the section Formula 1
Second practice for the Belgian Grand Prix is live on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra at 13:55 BST
Valtteri Bottas headed Lewis Hamilton in a Mercedes one-two ahead of Red Bull's Max Verstappen in first practice at the Belgian Grand Prix.
The usual top three in F1 2020 were separated by tiny fractions - Bottas was 0.069 seconds ahead of Hamilton, who had 0.012secs on Verstappen.
Racing Point's Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll were fourth and fifth.
Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, winner at Spa-Francorchamps last year, was 14th, ahead of team-mate Sebastian Vettel.
The long straights of Spa, which has flat-out sections in the first and final thirds of the lap, were exposing the lack of straight-line speed of the Ferrari, a problem this season following engine rule clarifications over the winter.
Mercedes, encouraged to work flat-out on their engine by Ferrari's advantage on the straights in 2019, have made a step forward in this area, although the progress on their chassis outweighs it.
Verstappen, whose Honda engine does not match the Mercedes on the straights, was surprisingly close, but it remains to be seen whether Red Bull can maintain that margin as the weekend goes on.
On race pace at the end of the session, Mercedes appeared to have a significant advantage over Verstappen on the soft tyre.
It was an uneventful session, held under grey skies and in cool temperatures on one of the most demanding and historic tracks on the calendar.
Rain is expected during the afternoon's second practice session, and there is a threat of wet weather for Sunday's race, too.
Behind the top six, Renault and McLaren completed the top 10, with the French team's Esteban Ocon and Daniel Ricciardo seventh and ninth, and McLaren's Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris eighth and 10th.
Alpha Tauri's Daniil Kvyat and Pierre Gasly were next, ahead of Alfa Romeo's Kimi Raikkonen and the Ferraris.
Haas drivers Kevin Magnussen and Romain Grosjean and Alfa Romeo's Antonio Giovinazzi all failed to set a time as a result of technical problems.


bbc--2020-08-28--Brazil defender Silva signs one-year deal at Chelsea

Last updated on .From the section Transfers Brazil centre-back Thiago Silva has signed for Chelsea on a one-year deal , with the option of another .
He will bolster the Blues ' defence , which conceded the most goals ( 54 ) in the Premier League top 10 in 2019-20 .
`` I am so happy to be joining Chelsea .
I am delighted to be a part of Frank Lampard 's exciting squad , '' Silva said .
`` I 'm here to challenge for honours and I look forward to playing at Stamford Bridge very soon . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ appearances , played more than 200 games for PSG during his eight years in the French capital , winning seven consecutive Ligue 1 titles .
He is manager Frank Lampard 's fourth summer signing , following England left-back Ben Chilwell from Leicester and forwards Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner .
• None Timo Werner : How Chelsea move happened & how he will fit in In the first window since the Blues ' transfer ban was lifted , Chelsea have also been linked with 21-year-old Bayer Leverkusen and Germany winger Kai Havertz .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Brighton on Monday , 14 September ( 20:00 BST ) .

Last updated on .From the section Transfers
Thiago Silva played his last game for Paris Saint-Germain in their Champions League final defeat by Bayern Munich on 23 August.
Brazil centre-back Thiago Silva has signed for Chelsea on a one-year deal, with the option of another.
The 35-year-old has joined the Blues on a free transfer having left Paris St-Germain after their Champions League final defeat on 23 August.
He will bolster the Blues' defence, which conceded the most goals (54) in the Premier League top 10 in 2019-20.
"I am so happy to be joining Chelsea. I am delighted to be a part of Frank Lampard's exciting squad," Silva said.
"I'm here to challenge for honours and I look forward to playing at Stamford Bridge very soon."
Silva, who has made 88 international appearances, played more than 200 games for PSG during his eight years in the French capital, winning seven Ligue 1 titles.
He is manager Frank Lampard's fifth major summer signing, following former Nice defender Malang Sarr, England left-back Ben Chilwell from Leicester and forwards Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner.
In the first window since the Blues' transfer ban was lifted, Chelsea have also been linked with 21-year-old Bayer Leverkusen and Germany winger Kai Havertz.
Chelsea begin their Premier League campaign away at Brighton on Monday, 14 September (20:00 BST).


bbc--2020-08-28--Man City's Mahrez, Bernardo & Jesus to stay despite Messi speculation

Manchester City have ruled out letting first-team regulars Bernardo Silva , Riyad Mahrez and Gabriel Jesus leave in any exchange deal for Lionel Messi or anyone else this summer .
City remain tight-lipped on stories about their interest in Messi , who has told Barcelona he wants to leave .
Although it is thought the six-time world player of the year has spoken to City boss Pep Guardiola about moving to the Premier League , the Blues are wary of any public comment given the complexities around a deal that would be regarded as one of the biggest in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the club are also mindful of the spin-off from speculation around 33-year-old Messi , and have sought to quell talk of a mass exodus as part of any deal .
While two of the players mentioned as possible makeweights in a deal - Eric Garcia and Angelino - may yet end up at Barcelona before the transfer window closes on 5 October , City sources are anxious to end speculation that Bernardo , Mahrez and Jesus may leave as well .
All three remain an integral part of Guardiola 's squad and are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when City will be looking to reclaim their Premier League title , which was lost to Liverpool after two record-breaking successes .
Spanish pair Garcia and Angelino are regarded as different cases .
Garcia only has one-year left on his contract and the 19-year-old defender has refused to sign an extension amid speculation about a return to Barca , while the Catalans have already inquired about 23-year-old full-back Angelino , who impressed during his loan spell at Champions League semi-finalists RB Leipzig last term .

Bernardo Silva (left), Riyad Mahrez and Gabriel Jesus celebrate a goal for Manchester City
Manchester City have ruled out letting first-team regulars Bernardo Silva, Riyad Mahrez and Gabriel Jesus leave in any exchange deal for Lionel Messi or anyone else this summer.
City remain tight-lipped on stories about their interest in Messi, who has told Barcelona he wants to leave.
Although it is thought the six-time world player of the year has spoken to City boss Pep Guardiola about moving to the Premier League, the Blues are wary of any public comment given the complexities around a deal that would be regarded as one of the biggest in the history of world football.
However, the club are also mindful of the spin-off from speculation around 33-year-old Messi, and have sought to quell talk of a mass exodus as part of any deal.
While two of the players mentioned as possible makeweights in a deal - Eric Garcia and Angelino - may yet end up at Barcelona before the transfer window closes on 5 October, City sources are anxious to end speculation that Bernardo, Mahrez and Jesus may leave as well.
All three remain an integral part of Guardiola's squad and are expected to remain so next season, when City will be looking to reclaim their Premier League title, which was lost to Liverpool after two record-breaking successes.
Spanish pair Garcia and Angelino are regarded as different cases.
Garcia only has one-year left on his contract and the 19-year-old defender has refused to sign an extension amid speculation about a return to Barca, while the Catalans have already inquired about 23-year-old full-back Angelino, who impressed during his loan spell at Champions League semi-finalists RB Leipzig last term.


bbc--2020-08-27--Man Utd's Maguire 'feared for life' during arrest in Greece

Manchester United defender Harry Maguire said he feared for his life when Greek police arrested him last week as he thought he was being kidnapped .
The England international told BBC sports editor Dan Roan that plain-clothed police officers , who did not identify themselves , pulled over his group 's minibus in Mykonos , threw him off the bus , hit him on his legs and told him his career was over .
The 27-year-old said he tried to run away - with one handcuff on - because he had no idea who the men were .
On Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 21 months and 10 days in prison after his trial on the Greek island of Syros .
He was found guilty of repeated bodily harm , attempted bribery , violence against public employees and insult after arrest on Mykonos .
On Wednesday , his legal team lodged an appeal against the verdict .
In accordance with Greek law , the appeal nullifies Maguire 's conviction and there will be a full retrial in a more senior court .
• Listen to the full Maguire interview on BBC Sounds • Why Maguire 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who broke down during the interview , said hearing the guilty verdict was `` horrible '' and that he `` could n't quite believe it '' .
The centre-back , who denies throwing any punches or trying to bribe the police , added : `` I do n't feel I owe an apology to anybody .
`` An apology is something when you have done something wrong . ''
He said : `` I do n't wish it on anybody .
Obviously the situation has made it difficult for one of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I regret putting the fans and the club through this , but I did nothing wrong .
`` I found myself in a situation where it could have happened to anybody and anywhere . ''
Asked how badly he was hurt , Maguire said : `` They hit me a lot on the legs .
It was n't on my mind .
I was in that much of a panic .
Fear .
Scared for my life . ''
Maguire said his family are suffering more than him and that his `` conscience @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what happened that night .
I know the truth , '' he added .
`` When I speak about it I get worked up but that 's because it just makes me feel a bit angry inside .
I will move on .
I am mentally strong enough . ''
Maguire - an £80m signing from Leicester City in 2019 - was named United 's permanent captain in January after the departure of Ashley Young to Inter Milan , and he is likely to remain skipper this season .
`` It is such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Manchester United - something I am really proud of , '' he said .
`` It is a massive privilege to play for the club , never mind captain .
`` It is not my decision to make but the one thing I will say is how supportive the club has been from top to bottom .
They have been great with me and I thank them for that . ''
On Tuesday , Maguire was withdrawn from the England squad for September 's Nations League matches against Iceland and Denmark .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my country .
Physically and mentally I am ready to play .
I 'm disappointed but of course I understand . ''
How Maguire says the night unfolded • Maguire was on holiday with his fiancee Fern , his younger sister Daisy , his brother and his brother 's girlfriend , and two friends and their girlfriends .
• They were out for drinks in Mykonos and texted their minibus driver to pick them up to take them home .
• The driver was `` 20 minutes late '' and Maguire said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back to the villa .
• Two men approached Daisy and asked her where she was from before Fern saw `` my little sister 's eyes rolling to the back of her head .
She ran over , she was fainting , in an out of consciousness . ''
• At this point Maguire said `` everyone was shouting and were screaming '' , when three Greek men dressed in plain clothes got involved .
• Maguire said they were not trying to `` cause an argument or a scuffle '' , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shouting , a lot of commotion .
No fighting , as has been reported .
No punches thrown . ''
• Maguire said the Greek men were just trying to calm it down but they were `` a little bit aggressive '' .
• The minibus arrived .
Maguire said they got Daisy on the bus and `` literally that was it - it was n't what everyone 's made it out to be .
Do n't get me wrong - there was a lot of shouting , a big panic , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They told the driver to take them back to the villa and planned to go to the hospital , but Daisy recovered `` pretty quickly '' .
• The bus drove for `` 5-10 minutes '' and stopped and parked up alongside this road .
`` We looked outside and there were eight men surrounding the bus , all in plain clothes . ''
• The doors were opened and Maguire and a friend were `` thrown off the bus '' .
• Maguire said the men did not say anything to them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Maguire thought they were being kidnapped .
• Maguire and his friend ran to the main road , from where he rang his agent to ask for help , leaving messages on a group WhatsApp .
• Maguire said when he turned to walk back to the bus , he and his friend had been circled by the men , who started walking towards them .
• Maguire said : `` We got down on our knees , put our hands in the air .
And they just started hitting us .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ handcuff .
They were hitting my legs , saying my career 's over - 'no more football ; you wo n't play again ' .
`` At this point I thought there 's no chance these are police .
I 've no idea who they are .
So I tried to run away .
I had one hand in the handcuff - I was moving my hand .
This is where the charges have come from - this is what they are saying is resisting arrest and this is what the assault is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I did n't believe they were the police . ''
Greek police dispute this version of events and in court the prosecution said Maguire , his brother and friend then physically and verbally attacked police officers .
• Maguire said he was taken into the police station and was put in a cell .
`` That was the time I felt a little bit of relief , as crazy as that sounds .
There were other people in the cell telling me to calm down and it felt like relief because that was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was in prison . ''
More from Maguire 's interview with Dan Roan It was horrible .
It was such a quick turnaround it was incredible .
We got the pages for the transcript for the court on the evening before .
A big document , all in Greek .
I hardly had any chance to speak to my lawyer .
We were confident the case would be adjourned , to give us more time to prepare and get the witnesses and the evidence that we have .
For it to all happen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expect the trial to go ahead .
The court heard that you abused the police .
Is that true ?
From their statement I am pretty sure they said I hurt a policeman 's back and arm .
I had the hand in the air , handcuffed , when I tried running away , I did n't realise they were police at the time and thought I was getting kidnapped .
I do n't think I hurt him .
Put it this way : I did n't hurt him as much as they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tried to bribe the police , that you said 'do you know who I am ' .
Did you ?
No , for sure .
'Do you know who I am ? '
I knew they knew who I was .
Five minutes before they were beating me up saying my career is over , so I knew they knew who I was .
As soon as I saw that statement ... just ridiculous .
There was definitely no bribe involved .
At that moment we were sat in the entrance of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we were crying .
We still did n't believe where we were .
What do you put it down to - their actions ?
A lot of things have gone through my mind but the answer is I do n't know .
I ca n't pinpoint what or why .
Whether , like you say , it was jealously , stitched up , misunderstanding , I really do n't know .
You have appealed .
How confident are you that you will eventually clear your name ?
I have great faith in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ give us more time to prepare , gather the evidence , allow witnesses into the court , and I am really confident the truth will be told and come out .
You are a high-profile guy .
There are plenty of places you can go .
Do you accept you were in a way asking for trouble being in that place that night ?
No .
I think it could have happened anywhere .
I love Greece ; I love the people there .
I have been to six , seven , eight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on my time off .
Me and my family love Greece .
I do n't feel like I would have done anything different in terms of regret going to Mykonos .
I have been before and had a great time .
I think us footballers get a bit of stick for trying to stay away from everything and the public eye .
It 's not how I want to live my life .
I 've always been really open .
I was away with my family in couples .
If someone wanted a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or something signed .
It 's probably changed my mind on that .
Were you worse for wear ?
Were you drunk ?
Was that a factor in all this ?
I 'm not going to sit here and say I did n't have a drink all day .
I had a few drinks .
Anyone who knows me who has been out with me knows how I am after I have a few drinks .
I am always aware ; I always stay in control .
I definitely was n't drunk .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ I just found myself in a bad situation .
How much harm have you done to your reputation and do you regret that ?
It 's not nice seeing bad reports against yourself .
No-one knew what went off that night .
Either you believe it or you do n't .
Even after the court case still the stories coming out of the court case are so far away from the truth it is incredible .
So , no , my character and personality will stay the same .
I am strong mentally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ My conscience is clear .
I know exactly what happened that night .

'My conscience is clear' - Maguire tells BBC sports editor Dan Roan
Manchester United defender Harry Maguire said he feared for his life when Greek police arrested him last week as he thought he was being kidnapped.
The England international told BBC sports editor Dan Roan that plain-clothed police officers, who did not identify themselves, pulled over his group's minibus in Mykonos, threw him off the bus, hit him on his legs and told him his career was over.
The 27-year-old said he tried to run away - with one handcuff on - because he had no idea who the men were.
On Tuesday, Maguire was given a suspended sentence of 21 months and 10 days in prison after his trial on the Greek island of Syros.
He was found guilty of repeated bodily harm, attempted bribery, violence against public employees and insult after arrest on Mykonos.
On Wednesday, his legal team lodged an appeal against the verdict. In accordance with Greek law, the appeal nullifies Maguire's conviction and there will be a full retrial in a more senior court.
An emotional Maguire, who broke down during the interview, said hearing the guilty verdict was "horrible" and that he "couldn't quite believe it".
The centre-back, who denies throwing any punches or trying to bribe the police, added: "I don't feel I owe an apology to anybody.
"An apology is something when you have done something wrong."
He said: "I don't wish it on anybody. Obviously the situation has made it difficult for one of the biggest clubs in the world, so I regret putting the fans and the club through this, but I did nothing wrong.
"I found myself in a situation where it could have happened to anybody and anywhere."
Asked how badly he was hurt, Maguire said: "They hit me a lot on the legs. It wasn't on my mind. I was in that much of a panic. Fear. Scared for my life."
Maguire said his family are suffering more than him and that his "conscience is clear".
"I know what happened that night. I know the truth," he added.
"When I speak about it I get worked up but that's because it just makes me feel a bit angry inside. I will move on. I am mentally strong enough."
Maguire - an £80m signing from Leicester City in 2019 - was named United's permanent captain in January after the departure of Ashley Young to Inter Milan, and he is likely to remain skipper this season.
"It is such a huge honour to be captain of Manchester United - something I am really proud of," he said. "It is a massive privilege to play for the club, never mind captain.
"It is not my decision to make but the one thing I will say is how supportive the club has been from top to bottom. They have been great with me and I thank them for that."
On Tuesday, Maguire was withdrawn from the England squad for September's Nations League matches against Iceland and Denmark.
He said: "I love playing for my country. Physically and mentally I am ready to play. I'm disappointed but of course I understand."
How Maguire says the night unfolded
Maguire was on holiday with his fiancee Fern, his younger sister Daisy, his brother and his brother's girlfriend, and two friends and their girlfriends.
They were out for drinks in Mykonos and texted their minibus driver to pick them up to take them home.
The driver was "20 minutes late" and Maguire said the group were tired and planning to head back to the villa.
Two men approached Daisy and asked her where she was from before Fern saw "my little sister's eyes rolling to the back of her head. She ran over, she was fainting, in an out of consciousness."
At this point Maguire said "everyone was shouting and were screaming", when three Greek men dressed in plain clothes got involved.
Maguire said they were not trying to "cause an argument or a scuffle", but "it was just a lot of shouting, a lot of commotion. No fighting, as has been reported. No punches thrown."
Maguire said the Greek men were just trying to calm it down but they were "a little bit aggressive".
The minibus arrived. Maguire said they got Daisy on the bus and "literally that was it - it wasn't what everyone's made it out to be. Don't get me wrong - there was a lot of shouting, a big panic, but no fighting or anything."
They told the driver to take them back to the villa and planned to go to the hospital, but Daisy recovered "pretty quickly".
The bus drove for "5-10 minutes" and stopped and parked up alongside this road. "We looked outside and there were eight men surrounding the bus, all in plain clothes."
The doors were opened and Maguire and a friend were "thrown off the bus".
Maguire said the men did not say anything to them. It was at this point that Maguire thought they were being kidnapped.
Maguire and his friend ran to the main road, from where he rang his agent to ask for help, leaving messages on a group WhatsApp.
Maguire said when he turned to walk back to the bus, he and his friend had been circled by the men, who started walking towards them.
Maguire said: "We got down on our knees, put our hands in the air. And they just started hitting us. They got one of my hands in the handcuff. They were hitting my legs, saying my career's over - 'no more football; you won't play again'. "At this point I thought there's no chance these are police. I've no idea who they are. So I tried to run away. I had one hand in the handcuff - I was moving my hand. This is where the charges have come from - this is what they are saying is resisting arrest and this is what the assault is - no punches have been thrown. I didn't believe they were the police."
Greek police dispute this version of events and in court the prosecution said Maguire, his brother and friend then physically and verbally attacked police officers.
Maguire said he was taken into the police station and was put in a cell. "That was the time I felt a little bit of relief, as crazy as that sounds. There were other people in the cell telling me to calm down and it felt like relief because that was the first time I actually believed I was in prison."
Maguire, whose move from Leicester City to Manchester United made him the most expensive defender in the world, has won 26 caps for England
More from Maguire's interview with Dan Roan
The trial
It was horrible. It was such a quick turnaround it was incredible. We got the pages for the transcript for the court on the evening before. A big document, all in Greek. I hardly had any chance to speak to my lawyer. We were confident the case would be adjourned, to give us more time to prepare and get the witnesses and the evidence that we have.
For it to all happen so quickly... we obviously didn't expect the trial to go ahead.
The court heard that you abused the police. Is that true?
From their statement I am pretty sure they said I hurt a policeman's back and arm. I had the hand in the air, handcuffed, when I tried running away, I didn't realise they were police at the time and thought I was getting kidnapped. I don't think I hurt him. Put it this way: I didn't hurt him as much as they hurt me.
The court heard you tried to bribe the police, that you said 'do you know who I am'. Did you?
No, for sure. 'Do you know who I am?' I knew they knew who I was. Five minutes before they were beating me up saying my career is over, so I knew they knew who I was. As soon as I saw that statement... just ridiculous.
There was definitely no bribe involved. At that moment we were sat in the entrance of the prison, we were so distraught, we were crying. We still didn't believe where we were.
What do you put it down to - their actions?
A lot of things have gone through my mind but the answer is I don't know. I can't pinpoint what or why. Whether, like you say, it was jealously, stitched up, misunderstanding, I really don't know.
You have appealed. How confident are you that you will eventually clear your name?
I have great faith in the Greek law. The retrial rule will give us more time to prepare, gather the evidence, allow witnesses into the court, and I am really confident the truth will be told and come out.
You are a high-profile guy. There are plenty of places you can go. Do you accept you were in a way asking for trouble being in that place that night?
No. I think it could have happened anywhere. I love Greece; I love the people there. I have been to six, seven, eight Greek islands. I go most years on my time off. Me and my family love Greece. I don't feel like I would have done anything different in terms of regret going to Mykonos. I have been before and had a great time.
I think us footballers get a bit of stick for trying to stay away from everything and the public eye. It's not how I want to live my life. I've always been really open. I was away with my family in couples. If someone wanted a picture, they could have a picture or something signed. It's probably changed my mind on that.
Were you worse for wear? Were you drunk? Was that a factor in all this?
I'm not going to sit here and say I didn't have a drink all day. I had a few drinks. Anyone who knows me who has been out with me knows how I am after I have a few drinks. I am always aware; I always stay in control. I definitely wasn't drunk. I knew what was going off. I just found myself in a bad situation.
How much harm have you done to your reputation and do you regret that?
It's not nice seeing bad reports against yourself. No-one knew what went off that night. Either you believe it or you don't. Even after the court case still the stories coming out of the court case are so far away from the truth it is incredible. So, no, my character and personality will stay the same. I am strong mentally and I will get over this.
My conscience is clear. I know exactly what happened that night.


bbc--2020-08-28--A brutal Tour de France will see the return of what sport has missed so badly - fans

Sport just is n't the same without fans .
So the delayed Tour de France this year has an important role to play .
Following the inevitable postponement from its original grand depart on 27 June to this Saturday , the world 's greatest cycling race will be the first major sporting event to take place with fans back in their rightful place .
Right by the action .
Well , somewhere near to it .
Because even if organisers ASO wanted to divert fans to screening areas near the start and finish of each of the 21 stages , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over mountain ranges can completely stop those lining much of the 3,000 or so kilometres of roads .
And it is the passion of the fans that elite sport is so badly lacking right now .
A passion , in this case , for cycling that means walking up to cold mountain tops , often in fancy dress , and get as close to the riders as you dare .
It could be a gathering even the most determined lockdown party animals would be proud of .
But is it one set to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ None Brailsford doubtful over Tour completion as coronavirus cases rise in France Many think ASO 's determination to hold the event is irresponsible , despite attempts to keep crowds at sensible levels .
They think it is too big a risk as France battles an increase in coronavirus infections , with some areas put on high alert .
But , as ever , there 's a flipside - that this is seen as a brave , pioneering step back to normality , and a sporting event that best represents a perceived freedom of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We 'll be under greater scrutiny than ever before , '' said race director Christian Prudhomme .
`` This Tour will be a symbol of rebirth and economic recovery . ''
Sure , autograph hunters at the team buses will have little or no luck , pushed back by the team bubbles which take riders and staff from their hotels to the buses and away from most of the media .
And the usual podium traditions are gone - no kisses , flowers or jerseys will be handed out .
But there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up to the Tour , which have reported almost no problems with their bubble structure .
Everybody wants this to work , and believes in the efforts being made .
But , as one team boss put it : `` You have to have your head in the clouds if you think we 'll cruise though this next three and a half month period scot-free .
`` There 's risks races could be cancelled , and the teams and organisers are aware the sport will look different .
But already in cycling people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Just as well , because if a team reports back two positive tests they could be expelled from the race .
An even bigger outbreak could stop the Tour altogether .
And there have been concerns raised by the Bora-Hansgrohe team over the testing with one of their riders returning a positive result at a race earlier this week but a second test was negative .
What happened to the Brits ?
If most weary participants and equally weary fans were dreading all this effort would end in Chris Froome atop the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) jersey for a fifth time , now they sense another compelling reason to risk turning up at the roadside .
This year 's Tour line-up is without a genuine British contender for the first time since Sir Bradley Wiggins called a raffle on the Champs-Elysees after his win in 2012 .
Four-time Tour winner Froome is not going to be at the opening stage in Nice - he 's not ready to lead a team to victory this year after injuries caused by a horrific crash during the Criterium de Dauphine in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will instead contest the Vuelta a Espana in October - the three-week race where he made his name as a general classification contender 10 years ago .
Missing too is 2018 winner Geraint Thomas , similarly searching for form in recent warm-up races .
Only a year younger than Froome , he 'll looking to prove he still has the strength to win a Grand Tour by contesting the rearranged the Giro d'Italia .
In fact the team which has won seven out of the last eight Tours de France , is in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ find themselves with new backers trying to balance a chiefly British identity with staying at the very top of the sport .
As of this week they will be known as the Ineos Grenadiers .
A new identity for a team still mourning the tragic loss of much-admired sporting director Nico Portal , who died of a heart attack aged 40 in March .
The most unpredictable Tour for years Ineos undoubtedly have talent and eyes on the top prize though .
Last year 's winner Egan Bernal is this year being backed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ domestiques who have their own accolades in cycling , headed by last year 's Giro d'Italia winner Richard Carapaz of Ecuador .
That 's Colombia and Ecuador .
Welcome to the new Ineos .
But Britishness is important to the team , proven by the signing of Adam Yates - the best British talent outside of Ineos alongside twin brother Simon - who will ride with the team from 2021 .
After the exclusion of another legendary British Tour rider , sprinter Mark Cavendish , the UK 's only hope at this year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yates for his current Michelton Scott team .
He is a contender - but more likely for individual stage wins in the mountains rather the overall .
Bernal 's early season form was explosive , but it appeared to plateau a few weeks ago , eventually culminating in a back injury with saw him pull out of his the Criterium de Dauphine `` to be cautious '' .
He is expected to be fine , but riders who are fine do n't leave races early , and his drop off in intensity will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ahead of this race has shown consistently pure form , perhaps because of the lack of preparation caused by the coronavirus pandemic .
What 's more of a concern for Brailsford and the rest of the peloton , is the Ineos-esque domination of the emerging Jumbo-Visma team .
Jumbo-Visma riders are now several bookies ' favourites to win stages and the race , as they have been hoovering up most of the significant stage and race victories with leader Primoz Roglic and young riders in frightening form such as Wout van Aert and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first home win since Bernard Hinault claimed his fifth Tour title in 1985 appear to again rest on the shoulders of Groupama-FDJ 's Thibaut Pinot and the indefatigable Julian Alaphilippe of the Deceuninck-Quick Step team , while Astana 's Miguel Angel Lopez is another of the promising Colombians .
One of the hardest ever Tours ?
The route is mountainous from more or less the second stage .
And the race takes on a number of punishing climbs across the three weeks , including at the Tour 's highest point at Meribel Col @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stage 17 .
Stage eight sees the riders tackle the Col de Peyresourde in the Pyrenees - where Froome made his name in 2012 by putting Wiggins in the shade - and stage 15 includes a double ascent of the hors category Grand Colombier .
So bad they made them do it twice .
In fact the race includes just one time trial this year - on the final competitive stage before the ride into Paris .
And even that is in the mountains ; this time finishing on the category one grind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
As a result , the smart money is on Roglic or Bernal for victory , but not knowing which is the smarter money is exciting enough .
There are many dissenters who feel the Tour should not be going ahead , and who will be proven right if the peloton does not make it to Paris on 20 September .
But the sheer unpredictability of who will be there if the race makes it that far will attract those who really matter anyway .
The fans .

Every stage of the Tour de France is live on the BBC Sport website
Tour de France Dates: 29 August - 20 September Coverage: Live text commentary on each stage on the BBC Sport website and app
Sport just isn't the same without fans.
Even the Champions League final didn't seem to matter as much. A lack of occasion repeated across all major stadia, racing circuits and golf courses this summer.
So the delayed Tour de France this year has an important role to play.
Following the inevitable postponement from its original grand depart on 27 June to this Saturday, the world's greatest cycling race will be the first major sporting event to take place with fans back in their rightful place. Right by the action. Well, somewhere near to it.
Because even if organisers ASO wanted to divert fans to screening areas near the start and finish of each of the 21 stages, no sport which roams through countryside and over mountain ranges can completely stop those lining much of the 3,000 or so kilometres of roads.
And it is the passion of the fans that elite sport is so badly lacking right now. A passion, in this case, for cycling that means walking up to cold mountain tops, often in fancy dress, and get as close to the riders as you dare.
It could be a gathering even the most determined lockdown party animals would be proud of.
But is it one set to be gatecrashed by the coronavirus?
Uninvited guests
Many think ASO's determination to hold the event is irresponsible, despite attempts to keep crowds at sensible levels. They think it is too big a risk as France battles an increase in coronavirus infections, with some areas put on high alert.
But, as ever, there's a flipside - that this is seen as a brave, pioneering step back to normality, and a sporting event that best represents a perceived freedom of movement the western world currently laments.
"We'll be under greater scrutiny than ever before," said race director Christian Prudhomme. "This Tour will be a symbol of rebirth and economic recovery."
Sure, autograph hunters at the team buses will have little or no luck, pushed back by the team bubbles which take riders and staff from their hotels to the buses and away from most of the media.
And the usual podium traditions are gone - no kisses, flowers or jerseys will be handed out.
But there have already been several races, leading up to the Tour, which have reported almost no problems with their bubble structure.
Everybody wants this to work, and believes in the efforts being made. But, as one team boss put it: "You have to have your head in the clouds if you think we'll cruise though this next three and a half month period scot-free.
"There's risks races could be cancelled, and the teams and organisers are aware the sport will look different. But already in cycling people are on top of their hygiene."
Just as well, because if a team reports back two positive tests they could be expelled from the race. An even bigger outbreak could stop the Tour altogether.
And there have been concerns raised by the Bora-Hansgrohe team over the testing with one of their riders returning a positive result at a race earlier this week but a second test was negative.
Do not touch: riders are likely to come into contact with others ouside of their 'bubbles'
What happened to the Brits?
If most weary participants and equally weary fans were dreading all this effort would end in Chris Froome atop the podium wearing an Ineos (nee Sky) jersey for a fifth time, now they sense another compelling reason to risk turning up at the roadside.
This year's Tour line-up is without a genuine British contender for the first time since Sir Bradley Wiggins called a raffle on the Champs-Elysees after his win in 2012. Four-time Tour winner Froome is not going to be at the opening stage in Nice - he's not ready to lead a team to victory this year after injuries caused by a horrific crash during the Criterium de Dauphine in 2019.
Froome, at 35, will instead contest the Vuelta a Espana in October - the three-week race where he made his name as a general classification contender 10 years ago.
Missing too is 2018 winner Geraint Thomas, similarly searching for form in recent warm-up races. Only a year younger than Froome, he'll looking to prove he still has the strength to win a Grand Tour by contesting the rearranged the Giro d'Italia.
In fact the team which has won seven out of the last eight Tours de France, is in a real transitional phase. Ineos now find themselves with new backers trying to balance a chiefly British identity with staying at the very top of the sport.
As of this week they will be known as the Ineos Grenadiers. A new identity for a team still mourning the tragic loss of much-admired sporting director Nico Portal, who died of a heart attack aged 40 in March.
The most unpredictable Tour for years
Ineos undoubtedly have talent and eyes on the top prize though. Last year's winner Egan Bernal is this year being backed up by a typically strong squad of domestiques who have their own accolades in cycling, headed by last year's Giro d'Italia winner Richard Carapaz of Ecuador.
That's Colombia and Ecuador. Welcome to the new Ineos. But Britishness is important to the team, proven by the signing of Adam Yates - the best British talent outside of Ineos alongside twin brother Simon - who will ride with the team from 2021.
After the exclusion of another legendary British Tour rider, sprinter Mark Cavendish, the UK's only hope at this year's race comes in the form of Yates for his current Michelton Scott team. He is a contender - but more likely for individual stage wins in the mountains rather the overall.
Bernal's early season form was explosive, but it appeared to plateau a few weeks ago, eventually culminating in a back injury with saw him pull out of his the Criterium de Dauphine "to be cautious".
He is expected to be fine, but riders who are fine don't leave races early, and his drop off in intensity will be a concern.
But no rider ahead of this race has shown consistently pure form, perhaps because of the lack of preparation caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
What's more of a concern for Brailsford and the rest of the peloton, is the Ineos-esque domination of the emerging Jumbo-Visma team.
Jumbo-Visma riders are now several bookies' favourites to win stages and the race, as they have been hoovering up most of the significant stage and race victories with leader Primoz Roglic and young riders in frightening form such as Wout van Aert and Sepp Kuss.
French hopes of a first home win since Bernard Hinault claimed his fifth Tour title in 1985 appear to again rest on the shoulders of Groupama-FDJ's Thibaut Pinot and the indefatigable Julian Alaphilippe of the Deceuninck-Quick Step team, while Astana's Miguel Angel Lopez is another of the promising Colombians.
French hopes rest with Thibaut Pinot
One of the hardest ever Tours?
A frightening journey awaits.
The route is mountainous from more or less the second stage. And the race takes on a number of punishing climbs across the three weeks, including at the Tour's highest point at Meribel Col de la Loze, 2,300m up on stage 17.
Stage eight sees the riders tackle the Col de Peyresourde in the Pyrenees - where Froome made his name in 2012 by putting Wiggins in the shade - and stage 15 includes a double ascent of the hors category Grand Colombier. So bad they made them do it twice.
In fact the race includes just one time trial this year - on the final competitive stage before the ride into Paris. And even that is in the mountains; this time finishing on the category one grind up to La Planche des Belles Filles.
As a result, the smart money is on Roglic or Bernal for victory, but not knowing which is the smarter money is exciting enough.
There are many dissenters who feel the Tour should not be going ahead, and who will be proven right if the peloton does not make it to Paris on 20 September.
But the sheer unpredictability of who will be there if the race makes it that far will attract those who really matter anyway. The fans.


bbc--2020-08-27--More US sports events postponed in protest at Jacob Blake shooting

Last updated on .From the section Basketball A host of US sports games were postponed for a second straight day in protest at the shooting of Jacob Blake .
The NBA has postponed Thursday 's play-off games after Wednesday 's fixtures were called off following a player walkout .
NBA executive vice president Mike Bass said the league was `` hopeful to resume games either Friday or Saturday '' .
For the second straight night , three MLB games were also postponed .
The NHL announced that four games scheduled for Thursday and Friday had been called off as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ having done the same a day earlier .
NBA held meetings on Wednesday and Thursday in their bubble in Florida .
Bass said a video conference call would take place later on Thursday which will include players , team governors and representatives from the league office `` to discuss next steps '' .
US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that the NBA has become `` like a political organisation '' while senior adviser Jared Kushner , Trump 's son-in-law , added that he intends to invite the Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solutions to racial injustice .
`` I think that it 's nice that they 're standing up for the issue , but I 'd like to see them start moving into concrete solutions that are productive , '' he told Politico .
`` And again , President Trump in this White House is willing to work with them . ''
Sports across the US boycotted games on Wednesday , which began with the Milwaukee Bucks choosing not to play game five of their play-off series against the Orlando Magic .
Besides the three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off , three MLB and five MLS fixtures were postponed on Wednesday .
Seven NFL teams cancelled practice on Thursday while Japanese tennis player Naomi Osaka pulled out of a WTA match in New York .
She tweeted that she would no longer play her semi-final in the Western and Southern Open in New York , saying that `` as a black woman I feel as though there are much more important matters at hand that need immediate attention , rather than watching me play tennis '' .
The US Tennis Association , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pausing play at the Western and Southern Open on Thursday and would resume on Friday , adding that `` tennis is collectively taking a stance against racial inequality and social injustice '' .
• None ' I was brought to tears ' - Onuoha considers Real Salt Lake future after owner 's comments • None 'We need to show we are using our voice in a positive way' Former world number one Osaka later confirmed she would play her semi-final against Belgian 14th seed Elise Mertens on Friday , thanking the governing bodies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement : `` I was [ and am ] ready to concede my match to my opponent .
`` However , after my announcement and lengthy consultation with the WTA and USTA , I have agreed at their request to play on Friday .
They offered to postpone all matches until Friday and that in my mind brings more attention to the movement . ''
The WNBA postponed all three games scheduled for Thursday after Wednesday 's three games , due to take place in the bubble in Bradenton , Florida , were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rescheduling of yesterday and today 's games will be provided when available , '' read a WNBA statement on Thursday .
The night before , players linked arms on court , with a group wearing T-shirts that spelled out Blake 's name and also seven holes in them representing how many times he was shot by police .
`` We stand in solidarity with our brothers in the NBA and we continue this conversation with our brothers and sisters across all leagues and look to take collective action , '' said Atlanta Dream @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behalf of all WNBA players .
`` If you truly believe that black lives matter , then go and vote . ''
LeBron James tweeted : `` We demand change .
Sick of it . ''
Former US President Barack Obama , a dedicated basketball fan , tweeted his support of the walkout .
After calling off their game against the Orlando Magic , the Bucks players released a statement that said : `` Despite the overwhelming plea for change , there has been no action , so our focus today can not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take the court and represent Milwaukee and Wisconsin , we are expected to play at a high level , give maximum effort and hold each other accountable .
`` We hold ourselves to that standard , and in this moment , we are demanding the same from our lawmakers and law enforcement .
`` We are calling for justice for Jacob Blake and demand the officers be held accountable . ''

Last updated on .From the section Basketball
Balls and towels were removed from the Milwaukee Bucks' bench area after they boycotted Wednesday's game
A host of US sports games were postponed for a second straight day in protest at the shooting of Jacob Blake.
Blake, a black man, was shot seven times in the back by police on Sunday in Kenosha, Wisconsin near Milwaukee.
The NBA has postponed Thursday's play-off games after Wednesday's fixtures were called off following a player walkout.
NBA executive vice president Mike Bass said the league was "hopeful to resume games either Friday or Saturday".
For the second straight night, three MLB games were also postponed.
The NHL announced that four games scheduled for Thursday and Friday had been called off as well.
The WNBA postponed Thursday's games having done the same a day earlier.
NBA held meetings on Wednesday and Thursday in their bubble in Florida.
Bass said a video conference call would take place later on Thursday which will include players, team governors and representatives from the league office "to discuss next steps".
US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that the NBA has become "like a political organisation" while senior adviser Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law, added that he intends to invite the Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James to the White House to discuss solutions to racial injustice.
"I think that it's nice that they're standing up for the issue, but I'd like to see them start moving into concrete solutions that are productive," he told Politico. external-link "And again, President Trump in this White House is willing to work with them."
Sports across the US boycotted games on Wednesday, which began with the Milwaukee Bucks choosing not to play game five of their play-off series against the Orlando Magic.
Besides the three NBA and three WNBA games being called off, three MLB and five MLS fixtures were postponed on Wednesday.
Seven NFL teams cancelled practice on Thursday while Japanese tennis player Naomi Osaka pulled out of a WTA match in New York.
She tweeted that she would no longer play her semi-final external-link in the Western and Southern Open in New York, saying that "as a black woman I feel as though there are much more important matters at hand that need immediate attention, rather than watching me play tennis".
The US Tennis Association, ATP and WTA subsequently announced it was pausing play at the Western and Southern Open on Thursday and would resume on Friday, adding that "tennis is collectively taking a stance against racial inequality and social injustice".
Former world number one Osaka later confirmed she would play her semi-final against Belgian 14th seed Elise Mertens on Friday, thanking the governing bodies for their support and adding in a statement: "I was [and am] ready to concede my match to my opponent.
"However, after my announcement and lengthy consultation with the WTA and USTA, I have agreed at their request to play on Friday. They offered to postpone all matches until Friday and that in my mind brings more attention to the movement."
Naomi Osaka was born in Japan and raised in the US, by a Japanese mother and Haitian father
The WNBA postponed all three games scheduled for Thursday after Wednesday's three games, due to take place in the bubble in Bradenton, Florida, were also called off.
"Information regarding rescheduling of yesterday and today's games will be provided when available," read a WNBA statement on Thursday.
The night before, players linked arms on court, with a group wearing T-shirts that spelled out Blake's name and also seven holes in them representing how many times he was shot by police.
"We stand in solidarity with our brothers in the NBA and we continue this conversation with our brothers and sisters across all leagues and look to take collective action," said Atlanta Dream's Elizabeth Williams in a statement on behalf of all WNBA players.
"If you truly believe that black lives matter, then go and vote."
LeBron James tweeted: "We demand change. Sick of it." Former US President Barack Obama, a dedicated basketball fan, tweeted his support of the walkout.
After calling off their game against the Orlando Magic, the Bucks players released a statement that said: "Despite the overwhelming plea for change, there has been no action, so our focus today cannot be on basketball.
"When we take the court and represent Milwaukee and Wisconsin, we are expected to play at a high level, give maximum effort and hold each other accountable.
"We hold ourselves to that standard, and in this moment, we are demanding the same from our lawmakers and law enforcement.
"We are calling for justice for Jacob Blake and demand the officers be held accountable."


bbc--2020-08-28--March on Washington: George Floyd family urge protesters to 'be his legacy'

The sister of George Floyd , whose death in police custody sparked months of racial turmoil across the US , has urged civil rights protesters to `` be his legacy '' as thousands gathered for a rally in Washington DC .
`` My brother can not be a voice today , '' said Bridgett Floyd .
`` We have to be that voice , we have to be the change '' .
Ms Floyd was one of several relatives of black Americans harmed or killed by police to address the event commemorating a historic 1963 civil rights march .
Jacob @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Wisconsin on Sunday , told the rally they were holding court on racism in America - and the verdict was `` guilty , guilty , guilty ! ''
.
What is the 2020 March on Washington ?
Thousands of people gathered in Washington DC for the event that commemorated the 1963 civil rights March on Washington and in protest at police violence .
Called the Commitment March : Get Your Knee Off Our Necks - a reference to the death of George Floyd , who died in May after a policeman knelt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it follows renewed protests over the police shooting of Jacob Blake .
• The last 30 minutes of George Floyd 's life • Who is US teen accused of Wisconsin protest murders ?
• What do we know about Jacob Blake 's shooting ?
The event brought together generations of activists to call for police reform and to urge Americans to vote in November 's general election .
It was organised by civil rights leader Reverend Al Sharpton and Martin Luther King III - the eldest son of Mr King Jr .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by police spoke at the same site where Martin Luther King Jr delivered his I Have a Dream speech .
The 1963 March on Washington was a seismic event in US history , credited with spurring the passage of the Civil Rights Act outlawing segregation the following year .
Some 250,000 supporters packed the 1.9 miles ( 3 km ) strip from Lincoln Memorial to the Washington Monument , making it one of the largest political gatherings the country had ever seen .
Rev Sharpton announced the 2020 march - which falls on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - at Mr Floyd 's memorial service in June .
His organisation , the National Action Network , worked with Mr King III to convene the rally .
`` The nation has never seen such a mighty movement , a modern day incarnation of what my father called the coalition of conscience , '' said Mr King III .
`` And if we move forward with purpose and passion , we will complete the work so boldly began in the 1960s . ''
The event comes in the wake of at times violent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have left two dead in Kenosha , Wisconsin .
Mr Blake was shot and injured by police .
Since Mr Floyd 's death in May , marches in support of the Black Lives Matter movement and against racism and police brutality have swept the US and the globe .
Attendees lined along Constitution avenue as early as 7am in anticipation of the march .
Lloyd Miner travelled from Philadelphia as says : `` I 'm here to play my role and give this administration the mandate that we mean what we say : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
For Rex Ikwueme there 's a sense of urgency .
`` We 're in a crisis and we really have got to get things in order , '' he says .
`` We ca n't be living like this and we ca n't be seeing my people die on film every week .
That 's not normal . ''
`` Clearly with the way that the police have been behaving in different areas of the country , they 're looking at us as targets and we ca n't have that , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entire American dream . ''
Police violence against African-Americans is top of mind today for many marchers .
Artelia Bryant , from Roanoke , Virginia , says in her opinion , little has changed since 1963 .
Bryant wants lawmakers and law enforcement held accountable for the deaths of black people in police custody .
Where do they start ?
`` Cops being arrested , '' says Bryant .
`` They can start with the cops that killed Breonna Taylor . ''
Many called for the immediate passage of national police reform legislation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Policing Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act , named after the late civil rights icon and congressman .
Patrick Reyes travelled to Washington from Brooklyn , New York .
He points out the 57 years since the first March on Washington saw seminal policies like the Voting Rights Act - a landmark law designed to protect minority voters - but says empty legislation has followed since then : `` Voter suppression still exists today . ''
`` We 're not asking for it , we 're not requesting it , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demanding justice . ''
Who else spoke at the rally ?
Speakers during the morning 's programming included congresswoman Ayanna Pressley , who paid tribute to the activism of black Americans of the past whose `` sacrifice and self-determination shaped history and brought us to this moment '' .
`` We are Black with a capital B , '' she said .
`` We are the manifestation of the movement .
We are a symbol of social , political and cultural progress . ''
Other presenters included a young activist who called for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plagues black communities , and representatives from unions , gay rights groups and Hispanic activism groups , who expressed solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement .
Democratic vice-presidential nominee Senator Kamala Harris addressed the rally virtually .
Harris , who grew up in an activist household , paid tribute to civil rights leaders of the past .
`` Let 's March on for our ancestors and let 's march on for our children and grandchildren , '' she said .
Among the initiatives on the agenda were slavery reparations , defunding police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and social services in black communities , organisers said .
It was drafted by hundreds of delegates from across the country .

"We're in a crisis and we really have got to get things in order," he says. "We can't be living like this and we can't be seeing my people die on film every week. That's not normal."


bbc--2020-08-28--Jacob Blake reportedly released from handcuffs in hospital bed

Jacob Blake , the black man shot in the back by police in the US state of Wisconsin , has reportedly been released from handcuffs while in hospital .
Police in Kenosha had said that Mr Blake was in custody for previous warrants and the handcuffs were policy .
His attorney told US media that these warrants had been cancelled and that officers guarding Mr Blake had left .
Mr Blake was paralysed after being shot seven times by police and it is not clear if he will walk again .
Meanwhile , a court hearing for a teenager charged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Blake 's shooting has been delayed by a month .
Kyle Rittenhouse , 17 , had been due to appear before a court in Lake County , Illinois , for a hearing on a request to have him extradited to Wisconsin .
But a judge postponed the extradition hearing until 25 September , the Associated Press reported .
Mr Rittenhouse did not appear during Friday 's brief video conference .
• Who is US teen accused of Wisconsin protest murders ?
He faces six criminal counts , including first-degree intentional homicide , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dangerous weapon below the legal age of 18 .
Mr Rittenhouse is being defended by a prominent legal firm whose clients have included President Donald Trump 's personal attorney Rudolph Giuliani and former Trump adviser Carter Page , according to Reuters news agency .
Mr Blake 's shooting in the city of Kenosha sparked demonstrations there and in other cities across the US .
It has been relatively quiet for the past two nights .
Kenosha Mayor John Antaramian said on Friday that the citywide curfew would remain in place through the weekend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Guard troops deployed in Kenosha with more on their way , authorities said .
What have the family said ?
Mr Blake 's father , also called Jacob Blake , spoke to reporters after visiting his son in hospital .
`` I hate it that he was laying in that bed with the handcuff on to the bed , '' he said , quoted by the Chicago Sun-Times .
`` He ca n't go anywhere .
Why do you have him cuffed to the bed ? ''
On Friday , Mr Blake 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media that Mr Blake was released from handcuffs and the outstanding warrants against him had been vacated .
Mr Cafferty did not respond to an immediate request for comment .
Asked earlier in the day whether Mr Blake was being detained in hospital , Kenosha Police Chief Daniel Miskinis told reporters that he was under the guard of an `` outside law enforcement agency '' and did not provide further comment on Mr Blake 's status .
Mr Blake 's lawyers have said it will take `` a miracle '' for him to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Kenosha County Sheriff 's Department , told the BBC : `` Mr Blake is in custody for previous felony warrants .
Our policy indicates that all people in custody outside of our jail facility shall be secured with restraints . ''
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers , asked by reporters if he was concerned that Mr Blake had been handcuffed to his bed , said : `` Hell yes . ''
`` I would have no personal understanding why that would be necessary , '' he said .
`` Certainly he 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shot seven or eight times in the back . ''
Members of Mr Blake 's family were due to attend a high-profile civil rights rally in Washington on Friday .
It has been spurred by months of unrest over police brutality against black people .
On Thursday the American Civil Liberties Union ( ACLU ) called for the immediate resignation of Kenosha 's police chief and county sheriff , accusing them of defending `` white supremacy '' and `` demonizing people who were murdered for exercising their First Amendment rights and speaking out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said on Friday that he would not seek the resignations of Kenosha County Sheriff David Beth or Police Chief Daniel Miskinis .
`` When you look at what has occurred , everyone is doing the best they can in the situation they 're in , '' he said .
How did the shooting happen ?
The circumstances that led up to Mr Blake 's shooting are still under investigation .
Wisconsin Attorney-General Josh Kaul said officers were called to an address after a woman reported that `` her boyfriend was present and was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' .
While there , officers tried to arrest Mr Blake , initially using a taser against him .
After Mr Blake opened his car door , officer Rusten Sheskey - who has been in the Kenosha Police Department for seven years - fired seven shots into Mr Blake 's back .
`` No other officer fired their weapon , '' Mr Kaul said .
Mr Kaul added that officers `` recovered a knife from the driver 's side floorboard '' of the car .
No other weapon was found in the vehicle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since been placed on administrative leave .
• Jacob Blake shooting : What we know The 17-year-old had told journalists it was `` his job '' to guard buildings in Kenosha against protesters .
Videos on social media appeared to show a man with a rifle being chased by a crowd before he fell to the ground and appeared to fire at them .
Joseph Rosenbaum , 36 and Anthony Huber , 26 , both died in the incident .
Gaige Grosskreutz , also 26 , was injured .
Mr Rittenhouse was arrested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Illinois on Wednesday .
Asked about how Mr Rittenhouse was able to leave the scene without being detained by authorities , Chief Miskinis said that `` there was nothing to suggest that this individual was involved in any criminal behaviour '' .
`` There were a lot of people in the area , '' Mr Misikinis said , adding that he did not think it was a lapse in judgment to have allowed Mr Rittenhouse to leave .

"I hate it that he was laying in that bed with the handcuff on to the bed," he said, quoted by the Chicago Sun-Times. "He can't go anywhere. Why do you have him cuffed to the bed?"


bbc--2020-08-28--Coronavirus: France sees 'exponential rise' in cases

France has recorded its biggest daily rise in coronavirus infections since March , as President Emmanuel Macron raised the possibility of another nationwide lockdown .
A further 7,379 cases were confirmed on Friday , bringing the country 's total to 267,077 .
It was the largest daily spike since 31 March , when 7,578 cases were tallied at the peak of the first wave .
France was seeing an `` exponential '' rise in cases , the health ministry said .
The ministry said Friday 's rise follows daily increases of 6,111 on Thursday and 5,429 on Wednesday .
Despite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ daily deaths were relatively stable , as young people less vulnerable to the disease make up most of the new infections , the ministry said .
Another 20 people were confirmed to have died with Covid-19 on Friday , bringing France 's overall death toll to 30,596 .
• France to make masks mandatory in most workplaces • What are the rules in France and other parts of Europe ?
• Why Spain is seeing second Covid wave Shortly before Friday 's figures were released , Mr Macron said a second national lockdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spiralled out of control .
However he said his government was trying to avoid the return of restrictions that would set back the country 's fragile economic recovery .
`` Containment is the crudest of measures to fight against a virus , '' said Mr Macron , urging people to be `` collectively very rigorous '' .
France began easing its eight-week-long lockdown in May .
But some parts of the country - including the capital Paris - remained under tighter controls .
Local authorities have been given powers to enforce lockdown measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restaurants , in areas where cases are surging .
On Friday , masks were made mandatory outdoors in Paris to fight the rising infections .
How are other European countries faring ?
Spain and Germany have also recorded their highest numbers of daily cases since the spring in recent days , and the World Health Organization ( WHO ) has warned of a resurgence of the disease in Europe .
On Thursday , Hans Kluge , the director general of the WHO 's Europe office , said young people should not be complacent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be that the younger people are not necessarily going to die from it , but it 's a tornado with a long tail .
It 's a multi-organ disease , so the virus is really attacking the lungs , but also the heart and other organs , '' he said .
As winter approaches , young people would also be in closer contact with older people , he said .
German Chancellor Angela Merkel warned on Friday that in the coming months things would become `` even more difficult than now '' , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life outdoors over the summer .
A protest against Germany 's coronavirus restrictions was due to take place in Berlin on Saturday , despite a consistent rise in cases above 1,000 a day recently .
Spain , among the first European countries to see a second spike of infections , diagnosed 3,829 new cases on Friday .
Ahead of the new school year , the government said school children aged six and over must wear masks to class .
Hungary announced on Friday it would close its borders to foreigners from 1 September @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The country recorded 132 new infections on Friday , the highest daily number since the peak of the pandemic .
Turkey reported its highest number of deaths in 24 hours since 17 May on Friday .
Another 36 people died , pushing the country 's death toll to 6,245 .
Meanwhile , the number of daily new cases again rose above 1,500 , prompting the government to impose restrictions .
• RISK AT WORK : How exposed is your job ?
• THE R NUMBER : What it means and why it matters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doing so • R0 , FURLOUGH : The language of the outbreak • RECOVERY : How long does it take to get better ?

"It may be that the younger people are not necessarily going to die from it, but it's a tornado with a long tail. It's a multi-organ disease, so the virus is really attacking the lungs, but also the heart and other organs," he said.