bbc--2020-08-31--Covid: Venezuela seeks testers for Russian vaccine

Venezuela 's President Nicolás Maduro has announced he will be asking for volunteers to test the Covid-19 vaccine developed by Russia .
The Venezuelan government , which has received billions of dollars in loans from Russia , said it would be willing to take part in clinical trials .
`` In the coming days , we 'll be asking for volunteers to get vaccinated , '' President Maduro announced on Sunday .
Russian scientists had said early-stage trials of their vaccine were a success - although the vaccine 's approval by regulators comes before the completion of a larger study @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's statement indicates that Venezuela does not have the volunteers yet , suggesting that Health Minister Carlos Alvarado jumped the gun when he said 10 days ago that Venezuela had offered Russia `` 500 volunteers to participate in vaccine trials '' .
The Venezuelan government has also said that it was ready to participate in testing of Chinese and Cuban vaccines against Covid-19 .
China and Cuba , along with Russia , are staunch allies of Nicolás Maduro , whose government has been increasingly isolated after more than 50 nations , including the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rival Juan Guaidó as the interim president .
Mr Guaidó , who leads the National Assembly - the only institution in Venezuela to be controlled by the opposition - declared himself acting president in January 2019 after the election which had returned Mr Maduro to power was widely deemed to be neither free nor fair .
Mr Maduro , who has the support of the security forces , has remained in the presidential palace and largely in control of the country , but US sanctions have left his government reliant on loans from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ After Russia announced it had registered the Covid-19 vaccine , which it has named Sputnik V , Mr Maduro congratulated it on its achievement .
He also said on that he would be the first to get inoculated .
`` The first one to be vaccinated will be me .
I 'm going to get the vaccine , I 'm going to set an example , '' he said on 16 August .
However , speaking on Sunday , he did not say whether he would be among the 500 Venezuelan volunteers .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ be much higher as many Venezuelans do not get tested for fear of being stigmatised after the government blamed returning migrants for the spread of Covid-19 .
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He also said on that he would be the first to get inoculated. "The first one to be vaccinated will be me. I'm going to get the vaccine, I'm going to set an example," he said on 16 August.


bbc--2020-08-31--Montenegro election: Long-ruling party faces tough challenge

Partial results from the parliamentary election in Montenegro indicate that the pro-Western party of the long-serving president Milo Djukanovic may struggle to form a government .
The Democratic Party of Socialists ( DPS ) has been in power for 30 years .
Early results suggest the DPS - which has never lost an election - has won the largest share of the vote .
But the main opposition coalition , which leans towards Russia and Serbia , is close behind .
Even if the DPS wins the most seats , it may struggle to form a governing coalition .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of power through the ballot box .
• Montenegro : What you need to know Exit polls put the DPS with just over a third of the vote share , which would be its weakest ever performance .
The main opposition coalition could remove the ruling party if it teams up with two other rival blocs .
The campaign has been dominated by divisions over the powerful Serbian Orthodox Church .
There have been months of protests since a law was adopted in December allowing the state to seize religious assets when their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Serbian Orthodox Church has urged people to vote against the DPS .
A total of 81 MPs will be elected in the vote .
Montenegro remained allied in a union with Serbia until 2006 - long after the former Yugoslavia dissolved into independent states .
President Milo Djukanovic , 58 , has been in charge there since 1990 .
In more recent years , he was instrumental in securing Montenegro 's accession to Nato in June 2017 and has been leading ongoing efforts to gain membership to the European Union .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of parties , called For the Future of Montenegro .
They have backed the Church-led protests against the religion law , and want closer ties with Russia and Serbia .
Montenegrins who identify as ethnic Serbs account for about a third of the country 's 630,000 population , according to the latest census data .
And as the majority of Montenegrins are members of the Church , its influence is considerable .
The opposition has accused Mr Djukanovic and his party of having links to organised crime and running the country as an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and says the opposition , with the backing of Russia and Serbia , is seeking to undermine the country 's independence .
During the previous parliamentary vote in 2016 , authorities said they thwarted a planned coup orchestrated by Russian agents and a group of Serb nationalists .
A court in Montenegro last year handed five-year jail terms to two pro-Russian opposition politicians it found to be involved in the plot .
Russia called the inquiry absurd and Montenegro 's opposition called it a `` false-flag '' operation - a fake act aimed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Djukanovic in power .
This result could still play out in a number of ways .
But it certainly represents a blow for Montenegro 's president , Milo Djukanovic .
He was not standing for election himself - but he was still very much the face of his Democratic Party of Socialists during the campaign .
And it was his decision to pick a fight with the Serbian Orthodox Church which gifted his opponents the chance to declare that they really did have God on their side .
The Church 's involvement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 75 % .
And many voters appear to have listened to the bishops ' advice to vote for opponents of a government which passed legislation making it possible for the state to claim Church property .
This has opened the door to the possibility of Montenegro 's first-ever transfer of power via the ballot box .
There would be concerns about the pro-Russian , Serbian nationalist elements among the parties opposing the DPS if they managed to form a governing coalition .
But a change of government after almost 30 years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Montenegro .
After all , the US human rights organisation , Freedom House , downgraded Montenegro from a democracy to a `` hybrid regime '' earlier this year .
And if nothing else , the turnout and result offer an eloquent riposte .

He was not standing for election himself - but he was still very much the face of his Democratic Party of Socialists during the campaign. And it was his decision to pick a fight with the Serbian Orthodox Church which gifted his opponents the chance to declare that they really did have God on their side.


bbc--2020-08-30--US Open: Novak Djokovic & Karolina Pliskova play on day one at Flushing Meadows

Last updated on .From the section Tennis Top seed Novak Djokovic says he is playing some of the best tennis of his career as he prepares to start his bid for an 18th Grand Slam at the US Open .
Czech Karolina Pliskova , the women 's top seed , faces Ukraine 's Anhelina Kalinina on Ashe when the tournament begins at 17:00 on Monday .
Britain 's Cameron Norrie and Kyle Edmund also play on the opening day .
Norrie , ranked 77th , has been given a tough draw against Argentine ninth seed Diego Schwartzman and plays first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number 44 Edmund takes on Alexander Bublik of Kazakhstan on the same court at about 21:00 .
Japan 's 2018 champion Naomi Osaka rounds off the first day 's play on Ashe , although the fourth seed says she is `` stressed '' about whether she will be fully fit .
• None ' A US Open like no other ' - full preview • None What is life like in the US Open bubble ?
If Edmund beats world number 51 Bublik , he is likely to face Djokovic in the second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ won all 23 of his singles matches in 2020 and claimed the Western and Southern Open title on Saturday .
If Djokovic , 33 , wins a fourth US Open crown it will put him within one of Rafael Nadal and two of Roger Federer in the trio 's battle for the most men 's Grand Slam singles titles in history .
`` Going on an unbeaten run so far this year obviously brings even more confidence each match , '' said Djokovic , who also resigned as president of the Association of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to set up a new male-only players ' union .
`` How long that journey is going to last and what kind of legacy I 'm going to leave behind , that 's on somebody else to really judge and evaluate . ''
Britain 's former world number one Andy Murray opens Tuesday 's play on Ashe ( 17:00 ) against Japan 's Yoshihito Nishioka , who is ranked 48th .
British women 's number one Johanna Konta , seeded ninth , will be on court about the same time against compatriot Heather @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on court five .
Dan Evans , Britain 's leading men 's player and the 23rd seed , starts after that match on the same court , taking on Brazilian youngster Thiago Seyboth Wild , who is playing in his first Grand Slam main draw .
• None Full US Open schedule and orders of play • None Alerts : Get tennis news sent to your phone • None What We Do in the Shadows :

Last updated on .From the section Tennis
Karolina Pliskova is aiming for her first Grand Slam title, while Novak Djokovic is trying to go level with Rafael Nadal in terms of major wins
Top seed Novak Djokovic says he is playing some of the best tennis of his career as he prepares to start his bid for an 18th Grand Slam at the US Open.
The Serb faces Bosnian Damir Dzumhur in the first night session on Arthur Ashe Stadium (00:00 BST on Tuesday).
Czech Karolina Pliskova, the women's top seed, faces Ukraine's Anhelina Kalinina on Ashe when the tournament begins at 17:00 on Monday.
Britain's Cameron Norrie and Kyle Edmund also play on the opening day.
Norrie, ranked 77th, has been given a tough draw against Argentine ninth seed Diego Schwartzman and plays first on court five at 16:00.
World number 44 Edmund takes on Alexander Bublik of Kazakhstan on the same court at about 21:00.
Japan's 2018 champion Naomi Osaka rounds off the first day's play on Ashe, although the fourth seed says she is "stressed" about whether she will be fully fit.
Monday's order of play - Arthur Ashe Stadium (from 17:00 BST) Karolina Pliskova (Cze) [1] v Anhelina Kalinina (Ukr) Kevin Anderson (SA) v Alexander Zverev (Ger) [5] Not before 00:00 on Tuesday Novak Djokovic (Srb) [1] v Damir Dzumhur (Bih) Naomi Osaka (Jpn) [4] v Misake Doi (Jpn)
If Edmund beats world number 51 Bublik, he is likely to face Djokovic in the second round.
The world number one has won all 23 of his singles matches in 2020 and claimed the Western and Southern Open title on Saturday.
If Djokovic, 33, wins a fourth US Open crown it will put him within one of Rafael Nadal and two of Roger Federer in the trio's battle for the most men's Grand Slam singles titles in history.
"Going on an unbeaten run so far this year obviously brings even more confidence each match," said Djokovic, who also resigned as president of the Association of Tennis Professionals' player council this week to set up a new male-only players' union.
"How long that journey is going to last and what kind of legacy I'm going to leave behind, that's on somebody else to really judge and evaluate."
Britain's former world number one Andy Murray opens Tuesday's play on Ashe (17:00) against Japan's Yoshihito Nishioka, who is ranked 48th.
British women's number one Johanna Konta, seeded ninth, will be on court about the same time against compatriot Heather Watson, with the pair playing second on court five.
Dan Evans, Britain's leading men's player and the 23rd seed, starts after that match on the same court, taking on Brazilian youngster Thiago Seyboth Wild, who is playing in his first Grand Slam main draw.


bbc--2020-08-31--Hong Kong protests: The flashpoints in a year of anger

Hong Kongers have been remembering key events from the months of anti-government protests that overwhelmed the city last year as democracy activists accuse authorities of trying to re-write history .
On Monday some citizens attempted to leave bouquets of white flowers outside a metro station to mark the anniversary of a controversial night of the movement , but they were quickly removed by authorities .
Last week there was an outcry when an opposition lawmaker was arrested and accused of `` rioting '' in another key incident in July 2019 where mob violence had left him wounded and hospitalised .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ demonstrations , we look back at some of the defining moments of the pro-democracy movement .
• The city of two masks faces a new crisis • China 's new law : Why is Hong Kong worried ?
12 June 2019 : The first tear gas and rubber bullets The protests began as peaceful demonstrations against plans to allow extraditions to mainland China .
On 9 June an estimated one million people rallied on the streets in a sign of the growing and vast opposition to the proposed bill .
But the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three days later the mood shifted .
When a small group of mostly young protesters hurled bricks , water bottles and umbrellas at police during one tense confrontation , the ferocity of the officers ' response shook Hong Kong .
Police fired volleys of tear gas and rubber bullets , used for the first time in decades , into the crowd .
In chaotic scenes screaming protesters ran to escape a closed-off road , eyewitnesses say they narrowly avoided a stampede .
Videos showed unarmed protesters who posed no threat to the police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And in striking interventions , ordinary citizens were seen asking police not to harm the youth .
`` It was an important turning point for the movement , '' said Leung Kai Chi , a lecturer in Chinese studies at the Chinese University of Hong Kong .
`` There was a sense that justice has to be served and police have to be held to account . ''
The next day Hong Kong 's police chief defended his officers .
He said they had been `` restrained '' and used an appropriate amount @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most brazen and symbolic acts of the protests thus far , a group of activists smashed through Hong Kong 's parliament after an hours-long siege .
Hundreds of people who broke away from a mass rally against the 22nd anniversary of the city 's return to China from Britain stormed into the Legislative Council .
Once inside , the protesters spray-painted defiant messages on the walls , tore down portraits of city leaders and unfurled a colonial-era flag in a clear political statement to leaders in Hong Kong and Beijing .
Holmes Chan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reporting on the scene that night for Hong Kong Free Press .
He said that even though there was `` a lot of agonising and soul-searching '' among protesters on whether to enter , there was `` a sense of unity '' as they used the debating chamber to articulate their five core demands including universal suffrage .
This day is viewed by many as transforming a protest against an extradition bill into a much wider movement for greater democracy .
As scenes of the storming were beamed around the world , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the act as vandalism , Beijing called it `` totally intolerable '' .
What was surprising , says Mr Chan , is how the usually law-abiding Hong Kong public broadly sympathised with protesters desperate to have their voices heard .
`` It was a very important moment that galvanised the whole movement , '' he said .
Dr Leung remembers watching the events unfold on a live broadcast .
There were four protesters who did n't want to leave before police eventually stormed in at around midnight .
The others came back for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ together , we get out together .
That moment was very touching '' , he said .
The 721 incident , as it 's known in Hong Kong , is seen as one of the most defining moments of last year 's protests .
On this night a mob of masked men at Yuen Long subway station , mostly wearing white and brandishing metal rods , attacked protesters returning home from a peaceful rally .
The violence , which left dozens of protesters and bystanders injured , marked a critical turning point in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police , who were late to arrive at the scene .
At the time police said they were entangled in other rallies , as protesters accused them of failing to offer protection against attackers suspected to be triad gangsters .
But in a new development last week the police defended its response after arresting a prominent opposition lawmaker .
Lam Cheuk-ting was accused of `` rioting '' in an incident that saw him attacked and hospitalised .
Speaking at a news conference , a superintendent claimed events that night took place between `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Were triads involved in the Yuen Long attack ?
The police response has enraged activists who now accuse officials of re-writing history and changing the narrative of an event that was filmed on mobile phones and shared widely on social media .
It will not be possible for authorities `` to distort the facts of the 721 incident '' unless they close down Facebook and YouTube , wrote Gwyneth Kwai-lam Ho , a then journalist who was injured while live-streaming the attacks .
At the end of August fresh violence erupted in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ riot police stormed a train at Prince Edward subway , striking terrified passengers with batons and dispersing pepper spray .
Eyewitnesses said police targeted suspected democracy protesters clad in black but other passengers too were swept up in one of the most controversial nights of the protests .
`` My head would n't stop bleeding , '' Joseph , a high school student on his way home from a rally , told AFP in June of the incident last year that saw him launch a civil suit against the police for a wound @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have rejected allegations of police brutality , saying officers deployed appropriate force .
But the events of that night remain seared in the minds of many Hong Kongers with ongoing tributes to those injured through artwork and flowers left outside the station .
By mid-November university campuses had turned into fiery battlegrounds in some of the most dramatic scenes of the movement .
Laurel Chor , a freelance photojournalist , remembers the `` post-apocalyptic feel '' at Hong Kong Polytechnic University in a nearly two-week siege that began on 17 November .
Intense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police after the latter sealed off the campus .
The air was thick with smoke as officers deployed tear gas and rubber bullets .
Protesters fought back with catapults , Molotov cocktails and bows and arrows .
Police said they were conducting a dispersal and arrest operation , accusing those inside of rioting , a charge that can mean up to 10 years in jail .
Dozens staged daring escapes .
`` We saw kids trying to escape by crawling through the sewage tunnels , protesters propelling from a bridge down to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' says Ms Chor , one of several journalists camped inside the campus alongside protesters to document the siege .
Eventually more than 1,000 mostly-young activists were arrested , as they attempted to flee or surrendered .
When they left the campus in ambulances , some wrapped in emergency blankets , Ms Chor says it brought home just how young some of the protesters were , their parents waiting outside after pleading with police to keep them safe .
`` It kind of revealed how this narrative of these clashes between equal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said .

Eventually more than 1,000 mostly-young activists were arrested, as they attempted to flee or surrendered. When they left the campus in ambulances, some wrapped in emergency blankets, Ms Chor says it brought home just how young some of the protesters were, their parents waiting outside after pleading with police to keep them safe.


bbc--2020-08-28--What are Covid-19 rules in France and other parts of Europe?

It said it would impose local lockdowns rather than another national one , if there was a second wave of infections .
Spain : Military called in to help Catalonia has now introduced a ban on social gatherings of more than 10 people except for work meetings or travelling , while Murcia has introduced a limit of six .
The prime minister said that the new school year must start as planned in September , after some local authorities said they might not be able to have full attendance straight away .
In May , shops of all sizes and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matches resumed , but no fans were allowed into the grounds .
The ban on large gatherings has now been extended to the end of the year , so the new football season will also start behind closed doors .
Testing at airports is now compulsory for all travellers arriving from high-risk countries and a minimum fine of 50 euros ( £44 ) has been introduced for people failing to wear face coverings in shops or on public transport .
In the capital Brussels , wearing a face mask became compulsory in all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rise in cases .
Police checks are being increased to ensure that people follow the new rules .
The city of Antwerp introduced a curfew at the end of July .
In restaurants , a maximum of four people are allowed to sit at a table , although larger households are also allowed to sit together .
The government decided not to go ahead with the next phase of reopening so nightclubs remain closed and no major events , such as festivals , are allowed .
Further measures to ease the lockdown were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - which were due to reopen in September - were allowed to start business on 1 July .
However , the rate of infection started to climb and on 6 August new measures were announced , including local closures of cafes , cinemas , museums and amusement parks for 14 days in case of an outbreak .
Local authorities can impose curfews and further restrictions .
On 17 August , children started to return to school in the north of the country .
Extra hygiene measures have been put in place , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Portugal : Tighter restrictions on the way The government has warned that stricter measures will be put in place in mid-September as pupils return to school and some workers return to their offices .
Details will be announced in early-September .
Greece : Testing offered to those returning from islands Republic of Ireland : Some relaxation of restrictions reversed Ireland has had a stricter lockdown than the UK , with residents only allowed to exercise within 2km ( 1.2 miles ) of their homes .
Schools have been closed since 12 March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of September .
Crowds attending outdoor events , including sports , are to be reduced from 200 to 15 while indoor gatherings - excluding shops , restaurants and other businesses - are to be restricted to six people .
Those aged over 70 are again being asked to stay at home as much as possible and workers are being encouraged to work from home if possible .

Lockdowns are gradually being eased as the summer tourist season gets under way, and there are plans for an EU-wide digital vaccination certificate to be in place by 1 July.


bbc--2020-08-31--Man City, Chelsea, Burnley... which English club might suit Messi best?

The possible availability of Lionel Messi as a legitimate transfer target has shaken world football in the past week .
Barcelona 's 8-2 demolition at the hands of Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-final was surely the definitive end of Barcelona 's long 2010s , which began in 2008 with the appointment of Pep Guardiola as manager and ended on 25 August 2020 when the fated burofax was sent .
Messi is some prize , and every club of a certain size has probably sucked pencils and jabbed at calculators this week to try to work out if they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ club .
Manchester City are favourites for understandable reasons but there are a variety of English clubs where Messi would fit in nicely ... • Messi 's release clause must be met , says La Liga • What is the latest on Messi 's transfer options ?
OK , let 's get the obvious out of the way .
Pep Guardiola has n't won a Champions League title without Messi in his team , Messi has won just one Champions League since Guardiola left Barcelona .
Both want to win at least one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team who want to win their first Champions League .
It 's not the hardest equation in the world .
The thought of Kevin de Bruyne assisting Messi against , say , Brighton is an absolute delight .
But adding Messi to City does n't really solve the issues that saw Liverpool finish so far ahead of them last season .
Guardiola 's team scored 102 goals in the Premier League in 2019-20 but it was their defence that let them down on too many occasions .
For all of City 's attacking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ player score 25+ times in a Premier League season ( Sergio Aguero in 2014-15 ) .
Messi has scored 25+ league goals in every single season from 2009-10 onwards .
Guardiola + Messi sounds good , goals + goals sounds very good , but you still need to stop the other team from scoring .
No club has launched two-footed into the transfer market more enthusiastically than Chelsea this summer , with Timo Werner , Hakim Ziyech , Thiago Silva and Ben Chilwell all on board , and Kai Havertz reportedly still to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the biggest contract English football has ever seen ?
On the one hand , Chelsea are the true pioneers of introducing veteran talent to the English game , with the likes of Ruud Gullit , Gianluca Vialli and Gianfranco Zola all key figures in helping not only Chelsea establish themselves , but also the Premier League itself in the 1990s .
But Chelsea 's dominant period in the 2000s was underpinned not by faded glamour , but by the professionalism and determination of players like Petr Cech , Didier Drogba and Frank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , knows this , and he 'll also remember that the club 's attempts to integrate star forwards Andriy Shevchenko and Fernando Torres simply did n't work .
Would Messi score more Premier League goals than the nine managed by Shevchenko ?
Probably , but at what cost ?
Burnley manager Sean Dyche engaged in some upbeat banter with journalists last week when he joked that Messi had agreed to join the Clarets .
But what if the Barca captain did just that ?
Would Messi trotting out at Turf Moor in claret @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them ?
Since returning to the top flight under Dyche in 2016 , Burnley have averaged 40 league goals per season .
In the same period Messi has averaged 33 .
Seems like an easy win , then , to add the Argentine to Burnley 's attack , but remember : Barcelona have averaged 98 goals per season in the same period , which is 2.45 times as many as the Clarets .
Apply that Burnley goal reduction to Messi ( he 's good but has he ever truly felt the cold touch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ February ? )
and his average is reduced to about 13.5 goals .
So , in the realm of what Chris Wood produced for the club in 2019-20 .
Am I saying Wood is as effective a player as Messi ?
No .
Am I saying Wood offers more when defending corners ?
Probably , yes .
Of course , if Messi really wants a stylistic change then why not opt for Championship newcomers Wycombe Wanderers , who defied all the odds and escaped League One in 2019-20 with a style of football @ @ @ @ @ @ @ morally frustrating to their defeated opponents .
Would the Argentine be happy running the channels and turning those second balls into game-changing moments ?
It 's hard to see why not .
A goal is a goal and an assist is an assist whatever the level a player is operating at .
Wycombe once enjoyed the skills of Argentina 's Sergio Torres in the final third and it 's fair to say Messi would enjoy comparable levels of support at Adams Park , a ground that has good claim to being one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Messi numerous opportunities to show whether a low temperature/midweek game combo really would affect his productivity .
Whatever Messi 's decision , he 's going to need to carefully manage his reputation over the next few years .
If he ends up staying at Barcelona he 'll have to repair a lot of relationships .
If he moves abroad he 'll have to adapt to a new home , a different climate and a new way of playing , all at an age when many footballers are starting to think of winding down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the serious US-funded documentary series , so where better to go than Sunderland , whose recent downs and more downs have been featured on Netflix ?
It would actually be a neat fit because Messi came very close to scoring more goals by himself than Sunderland did in the 2010s , helped by years like 2012 in which he scored 79 to Sunderland 's 56 .
The Wearside club only drew level with Messi in March 2019 thanks to their relegation to the easier hunting grounds of the third tier , where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ players have moved to the Stadium of Light in recent years to try to rescue the club but could Messi succeed where Will Grigg could n't ?
If Sunderland are currently too lowly for Messi then another red and white striped team could offer him a new home .
Southampton even know what it 's like to get smashed on live television in recent memory .
Crucially they also have Shane Long who , like Messi , was born in 1987 and has scored 14 headed goals in top-flight history .
Long was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ manager Ronald Koeman , though , so is probably one up on Messi there .
• Bank Holiday BBQ : Recipe ideas to inspire you on the barbie today

And Lionel Messi crosses for Chris Wood... Goal for Burnley! Although he might more realistically be seen in a Manchester City or Chelsea shirt in the coming season
The possible availability of Lionel Messi as a legitimate transfer target has shaken world football in the past week.
Barcelona's 8-2 demolition at the hands of Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-final was surely the definitive end of Barcelona's long 2010s, which began in 2008 with the appointment of Pep Guardiola as manager and ended on 25 August 2020 when the fated burofax was sent.
Messi is some prize, and every club of a certain size has probably sucked pencils and jabbed at calculators this week to try to work out if they could attract the great man to their club.
Manchester City are favourites for understandable reasons but there are a variety of English clubs where Messi would fit in nicely...
Manchester City
OK, let's get the obvious out of the way.
Pep Guardiola hasn't won a Champions League title without Messi in his team, Messi has won just one Champions League since Guardiola left Barcelona.
Both want to win at least one more Champions League and Guardiola manages a team who want to win their first Champions League. It's not the hardest equation in the world.
The thought of Kevin de Bruyne assisting Messi against, say, Brighton is an absolute delight.
But adding Messi to City doesn't really solve the issues that saw Liverpool finish so far ahead of them last season.
Guardiola's team scored 102 goals in the Premier League in 2019-20 but it was their defence that let them down on too many occasions.
For all of City's attacking brilliance they have only once had a player score 25+ times in a Premier League season (Sergio Aguero in 2014-15). Messi has scored 25+ league goals in every single season from 2009-10 onwards.
Guardiola + Messi sounds good, goals + goals sounds very good, but you still need to stop the other team from scoring.
Chelsea
Ruud Gullit's move to Chelsea in 1995 was one of the early signs that the Premier League was set to become a global force
No club has launched two-footed into the transfer market more enthusiastically than Chelsea this summer, with Timo Werner, Hakim Ziyech, Thiago Silva and Ben Chilwell all on board, and Kai Havertz reportedly still to come.
So why add a 33-year-old on the biggest contract English football has ever seen?
On the one hand, Chelsea are the true pioneers of introducing veteran talent to the English game, with the likes of Ruud Gullit, Gianluca Vialli and Gianfranco Zola all key figures in helping not only Chelsea establish themselves, but also the Premier League itself in the 1990s.
But Chelsea's dominant period in the 2000s was underpinned not by faded glamour, but by the professionalism and determination of players like Petr Cech, Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard. Lampard, now Chelsea boss, knows this, and he'll also remember that the club's attempts to integrate star forwards Andriy Shevchenko and Fernando Torres simply didn't work.
Would Messi score more Premier League goals than the nine managed by Shevchenko? Probably, but at what cost?
Burnley
Burnley manager Sean Dyche engaged in some upbeat banter with journalists last week when he joked that Messi had agreed to join the Clarets.
But what if the Barca captain did just that? Would Messi trotting out at Turf Moor in claret and blue help the club or hinder them?
Since returning to the top flight under Dyche in 2016, Burnley have averaged 40 league goals per season. In the same period Messi has averaged 33. Seems like an easy win, then, to add the Argentine to Burnley's attack, but remember: Barcelona have averaged 98 goals per season in the same period, which is 2.45 times as many as the Clarets.
Apply that Burnley goal reduction to Messi (he's good but has he ever truly felt the cold touch of an evening game in mid-Lancashire in February?) and his average is reduced to about 13.5 goals.
So, in the realm of what Chris Wood produced for the club in 2019-20.
Am I saying Wood is as effective a player as Messi? No. Am I saying Wood offers more when defending corners? Probably, yes.
Wycombe
Akinfenwa and Messi - the ultimate big man/little man front two?
Of course, if Messi really wants a stylistic change then why not opt for Championship newcomers Wycombe Wanderers, who defied all the odds and escaped League One in 2019-20 with a style of football that was as effective as it was morally frustrating to their defeated opponents.
Wycombe averaged 151 successful passes last season to Barcelona's 629. Wycombe averaged 41% possession, Barcelona 67%. Adebayo Akinfenwa won 230 aerials; Messi won 10.
Would the Argentine be happy running the channels and turning those second balls into game-changing moments? It's hard to see why not. A goal is a goal and an assist is an assist whatever the level a player is operating at.
Wycombe once enjoyed the skills of Argentina's Sergio Torres in the final third and it's fair to say Messi would enjoy comparable levels of support at Adams Park, a ground that has good claim to being one of the coldest in England, thus offering Messi numerous opportunities to show whether a low temperature/midweek game combo really would affect his productivity.
Sunderland
Whatever Messi's decision, he's going to need to carefully manage his reputation over the next few years.
If he ends up staying at Barcelona he'll have to repair a lot of relationships. If he moves abroad he'll have to adapt to a new home, a different climate and a new way of playing, all at an age when many footballers are starting to think of winding down.
The reputation-management device of the 2020s is the serious US-funded documentary series, so where better to go than Sunderland, whose recent downs and more downs have been featured on Netflix?
It would actually be a neat fit because Messi came very close to scoring more goals by himself than Sunderland did in the 2010s, helped by years like 2012 in which he scored 79 to Sunderland's 56. The Wearside club only drew level with Messi in March 2019 thanks to their relegation to the easier hunting grounds of the third tier, where they still remain.
A lot of players have moved to the Stadium of Light in recent years to try to rescue the club but could Messi succeed where Will Grigg couldn't?
Southampton
If Sunderland are currently too lowly for Messi then another red and white striped team could offer him a new home.
Southampton even know what it's like to get smashed on live television in recent memory.
Crucially they also have Shane Long who, like Messi, was born in 1987 and has scored 14 headed goals in top-flight history.
Long was signed and repeatedly praised by new Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman, though, so is probably one up on Messi there.


bbc--2020-08-31--NBA play-offs: Los Angeles Clippers eliminate Dallas Mavericks and advance to round two

Last updated on .From the section Basketball The Los Angeles Clippers advanced to the second round of the NBA play-offs @ @ @ @ @ Mavericks in Orlando , Florida .
Meanwhile , Jamal Murray starred with 50 points as @ @ @ @ @ decider after a 119-107 win over the Utah Jazz tied their series at 3-3 .
@ @ @ @ @ Toronto Raptors in game one of round two .
Jayson Tatum and Marcus Smart scored @ @ @ @ @ secured a 112-94 victory in the opening game of their Eastern Conference semi-final series .
@ @ @ @ @ series , which Utah had previously led 3-1 , will face the Clippers in the @ @ @ @ @ Recipe ideas to inspire you on the barbie today

Last updated on .From the section Basketball
Kawhi Leonard scored 33 points as the Los Angeles Clippers booked their place in the second round of the Western Conference play-offs
The Los Angeles Clippers advanced to the second round of the NBA play-offs after they eliminated the Dallas Mavericks in Orlando, Florida.
Kawhi Leonard scored 33 points as the Clippers won 111-97 on Sunday, securing a 4-2 series win.
Meanwhile, Jamal Murray starred with 50 points as the Denver Nuggets forced a decider after a 119-107 win over the Utah Jazz tied their series at 3-3.
The Boston Celtics beat the Toronto Raptors in game one of round two.
Jayson Tatum and Marcus Smart scored 21 points each as Boston secured a 112-94 victory in the opening game of their Eastern Conference semi-final series.
The winner of the Nuggets-Jazz series, which Utah had previously led 3-1, will face the Clippers in the next round.


bbc--2020-08-31--Rahm holes monster putt to beat Johnson in dramatic play-off

Last updated on .From the section Golf Jon Rahm beat Dustin Johnson on the first hole of a play-off in a dramatic climax to the BMW Championship at Olympia Fields in Illinois , Chicago .
But Johnson , who won last week by 11 shots , birdied the 15th and holed a 43-foot putt on 18 to force a play-off .
Rahm then holed an even longer putt on the same green in the play-off while the American 's effort finished short .
`` I still ca n't believe what just happened the last hour of play , '' Rahm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for DJ , him making the putt , going in the play-off , me making the putt , then trying to stay mentally in it just in case he made the last putt .
It 's been a rollercoaster , but so much fun . ''
Rahm came from three shots behind going into the day after Johnson was tied for the lead with Japan 's Hideki Matsuyama heading into Sunday 's round .
The Ryder Cup player made back-to-back birdies at 15 and 16 in a sparkling round to set the clubhouse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the weekend was a one-stroke penalty for picking up his ball without having marked it on Saturday . '
I was kind of laughing at my putt' World number one Johnson admitted he did not expect his long-range putt on the 18th to go in .
`` I was kind of laughing at my putt , because it was one of those where you 're not really thinking you 're going to make it , '' he said .
`` I played an unbelievable putt , got in the play-off and then Jon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ top of me . ''
Chile 's Joaquin Niemann and Matsuyama finished a further stroke back at two under on the North course at Olympia Fields .
England 's Matthew Fitzpatrick ended four shots off the winning score at level par after a final-day 67 , while Northern Ireland 's Rory McIlroy finished on three over after a 71 .
England 's Paul Casey ( 68 ) and Tyrrell Hatton ( 70 ) were a shot further back on four over .
The top 30 players in the points table have qualified for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Atlanta , starting on Thursday .
Tiger Woods , who needed a top-five finish , is among those to miss out .

Last updated on .From the section Golf
Jon Rahm will enter next week's Tour Championship second in the FedEx Cup points standings behind Dustin Johnson
BMW Championship final leaderboard -4 J Rahm (Spa), D Johnson (US) - Rahm wins at first extra hole; -2 H Matsuyama (Jpn), J Niemann (Chi); -1 T Finau (US) Selected others: level M Fitzpatrick (Eng); +3 R McIlroy (NI); +4 P Casey (Eng), T Hatton (Eng); +6 J Thomas (US); +11 T Woods (US)
Jon Rahm beat Dustin Johnson on the first hole of a play-off in a dramatic climax to the BMW Championship at Olympia Fields in Illinois, Chicago.
Spaniard Rahm, 25, looked set to be crowned champion after a bogey-free six-under 64 left him on four under.
But Johnson, who won last week by 11 shots, birdied the 15th and holed a 43-foot putt on 18 to force a play-off.
Rahm then holed an even longer putt on the same green in the play-off while the American's effort finished short.
"I still can't believe what just happened the last hour of play," Rahm said.
"That stretch of waiting for DJ, him making the putt, going in the play-off, me making the putt, then trying to stay mentally in it just in case he made the last putt. It's been a rollercoaster, but so much fun."
Rahm came from three shots behind going into the day after Johnson was tied for the lead with Japan's Hideki Matsuyama heading into Sunday's round.
The Ryder Cup player made back-to-back birdies at 15 and 16 in a sparkling round to set the clubhouse target.
His only dropped shot of the weekend was a one-stroke penalty for picking up his ball without having marked it on Saturday.
'I was kind of laughing at my putt'
Dustin Johnson's solo runner-up finish means he retains his world number one ranking ahead of Jon Rahm
World number one Johnson admitted he did not expect his long-range putt on the 18th to go in.
"I was kind of laughing at my putt, because it was one of those where you're not really thinking you're going to make it," he said.
"I played an unbelievable putt, got in the play-off and then Jon made an even more ridiculous putt on top of me."
Chile's Joaquin Niemann and Matsuyama finished a further stroke back at two under on the North course at Olympia Fields.
England's Matthew Fitzpatrick ended four shots off the winning score at level par after a final-day 67, while Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy finished on three over after a 71.
England's Paul Casey (68) and Tyrrell Hatton (70) were a shot further back on four over.
The top 30 players in the points table have qualified for the season-ending Tour Championship at East Lake in Atlanta, starting on Thursday.
Tiger Woods, who needed a top-five finish, is among those to miss out.


bbc--2020-08-31--Trump defends supporters accused in deadly clashes

US President Donald Trump has defended supporters of his for their alleged roles in recent deadly street clashes .
He suggested a teen accused of killing two in Wisconsin last week and Trump fans involved in clashes in Oregon on Saturday were acting in self-defence .
Mr Trump pointed out his Democratic White House challenger , Joe Biden , has not specifically disavowed far-left activists accused of civil disorder .
Mr Biden is leading in opinion polls ahead of November 's election .
• Has Trump delivered on his promises ?
What did Trump say ?
At Monday 's White @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Biden and his allies for violence in cities run by Democratic mayors and governors .
A CNN reporter asked the Republican president whether he would condemn supporters of his who fired paint pellets during a confrontation with counter-protesters at the weekend in Portland , Oregon .
In the ensuing street clashes , a member of a right-wing group , Patriot Prayer , was killed by a suspect who has reportedly described himself as a member of antifa , a loosely-affiliated network of mainly far-left activists .
On Monday , police named the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Danielson .
`` Well , I understand they had large numbers of people that were supporters , but that was a peaceful protest , '' Mr Trump replied to the CNN reporter , in an apparent veiled dig at US media outlets whom he has previously accused of ignoring violence at Black Lives Matter demonstrations .
`` Paint as a defensive mechanism , paint is not bullets .
`` Your supporters , and they are your supporters indeed , shot a young gentleman who - and killed him , not with paint , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think it 's disgraceful . ''
Another reporter asked Mr Trump whether he would condemn a shooting in Kenosha , Wisconsin , allegedly by a teenager once pictured at one of the president 's rallies .
Kyle Rittenhouse , 17 , is accused of shooting three people , two fatally , last week amid demonstrations in the city over the police shooting of Jacob Blake .
• Who is US teen accused of Wisconsin protest murders ?
• Should Wisconsin police have used different tactics ?
`` We 're looking at all of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` that was an interesting situation , you saw the same tape as I saw , and he was trying to get away from them , I guess , it looks like .
And he fell , and then they very violently attacked him .
`` And it was something that we 're looking at right now , and it 's under investigation .
`` I guess he was in very big trouble , he probably would have been killed . ''
What did Biden say ?
Earlier on Monday , Mr Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while blaming President Trump for making the country unsafe .
It was the Democratic nominee 's most determined effort yet to counter Republican criticism that he is weak on law and order .
`` Do I look like a radical socialist with a soft spot for rioters ? ''
said Mr Biden , speaking in Pittsburgh , in the critical US election state of Pennsylvania .
`` Really ? ''
The former US vice-president accused Mr Trump of having fomented violence in the US for years .
• What Biden wants to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden , `` he may believe mouthing the words law and order makes him strong , but his failure to call on his own supporters to stop acting as an armed militia in this country shows how weak he is . ''
`` Does anyone believe there will be less violence in America if Donald Trump is re-elected ? ''
he asked .
Mr Biden 's remarks represented a pivot from his main line of attack so far - that the White House has mishandled its response to the coronavirus pandemic , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the US .
• 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

"That was an interesting situation, you saw the same tape as I saw, and he was trying to get away from them, I guess, it looks like. And he fell, and then they very violently attacked him.


bbc--2020-08-31--Coronavirus: US passes six million Covid-19 cases

The US has now surpassed six million cases of Covid-19 - almost a quarter of the world 's total , according to data collated by Johns Hopkins University .
It said the country added one million new infections in less than a month .
More than 183,000 people have now died .
In the UK , France and Spain , the infection rate dropped compared with Sunday 's figures - but the tallies may be readjusted later on .
It comes as children across Europe prepare to return to schools this week .
The total number of confirmed cases globally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 846,000 Covid-19 related deaths .
The true number of cases is likely to be significantly higher , because many people who have had the infection but did not show symptoms have not been tested .
Meanwhile , the World Health Organization ( WHO ) has warned that the emergency authorisation of vaccines requires a `` great deal of seriousness and reflection '' .
The UN body 's chief scientist , Soumya Swaminathan , said every country had the right to approve drugs without full trials , but it was `` not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The WHO says that 33 potential vaccines are currently up for clinical trials , and a further 143 are in pre-clinical evaluation .
What 's the latest from the US ?
On Monday , Johns Hopkins reported that there were now more than six million coronavirus cases across the US .
The university - which has been collecting US and global coronavirus data since the outbreak began late last year in China - reported the first infection in America on 21 January .
The country reached its one-million mark in 99 days , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after that the number of infections doubled .
• Where are the world 's coronavirus hotspots ?
• The millions of Americans 'hanging by a thread' Three million cases were confirmed within the next 28 days , rising to four million on 23 July , after only 15 additional days .
The five-million mark was surpassed in another 17 days and it took the US 22 more days to top six million infections .
Although the number of daily cases has been declining in recent weeks , the US remains by far the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the total number of cases and deaths .
President Donald Trump 's administration has been repeatedly criticised over its handling of the outbreak .
• Coronavirus : The week when everything changed for Trump But White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said the US was coping well with the pandemic .
`` We are encouraged to see a drop in cases , deaths , hospitalisations , '' she told reporters at a news briefing on Monday .
Ms McEnany said America had `` one of the lowest case fatality rates in the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are working and saving lives '' .
In other key developments around the world : • In the UK , the number of confirmed cases rose by 1,406 - down from Sunday 's figure of 1,715 new cases .
Two more deaths were recorded • France reported 3,082 new infections , sharply down from a caseload of more than 5,000 on each of the two previous days • Spain registered more than 23,000 new coronavirus cases since Friday - suggesting the national infection rate has dropped slightly from a peak reached in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by 23.9 % in the quarter ending June 2020 , official data shows • In Australia , the state of Victoria , the epicentre of the country 's recent outbreak , reported 222 new cases - its lowest rise in infections since 18 July • RISK AT WORK : How exposed is your job ?
• VIRUS FATIGUE : Is it time to move on ?
• THE R NUMBER : What it means and why it matters • COMPARING COUNTRIES : The pitfalls of doing so • RECOVERY : How long does @ @ @ @ @ @

The total number of confirmed cases globally has now surpassed 25 million, with more than 846,000 Covid-19 related deaths. The true number of cases is likely to be significantly higher, because many people who have had the infection but did not show symptoms have not been tested.


bbc--2020-08-31--Europe's migrant crisis: Is Greece still a gateway to Europe?

Almost 900,000 migrants arrived in Greece back in 2015 , but the sympathy and welcome shown by some Greeks has @ @ @ @ @ government is determined not to allow the country to be seen as a gateway to @ @ @ @ @ new arrivals .
The numbers of people coming from Turkey into Greece over land and @ @ @ @ @ Western Europe remain well below the exceptional levels seen five years ago , but they @ @ @ @ @ .
The BBC 's Lyse Doucet heard from people who had travelled from Afghanistan and @ @ @ @ @ southern Greece .

Almost 900,000 migrants arrived in Greece back in 2015, but the sympathy and welcome shown by some Greeks has now largely evaporated.
The government is determined not to allow the country to be seen as a gateway to Europe and is actively deterring new arrivals.
The numbers of people coming from Turkey into Greece over land and then through the Balkans towards Western Europe remain well below the exceptional levels seen five years ago, but they have begun to rise again.
The BBC's Lyse Doucet heard from people who had travelled from Afghanistan and Syria, in northern and southern Greece.
Producers: Tony Brown and Kostas KoukoumakasFilming: Dave Bull


bbc--2020-08-31--Why this black drive-in cinema is a big hit

Drive-in cinemas have been booming , for obvious reasons .
But this one in New Jersey is also responding to @ @ @ @ @ the year , by showcasing the work of black filmmakers like Jordan Peele and Spike @ @ @ @ @ to create an opportunity for black people to see themselves in a positive light , @ @ @ @ @ owners .

Drive-in cinemas have been booming, for obvious reasons. But this one in New Jersey is also responding to the other big story of the year, by showcasing the work of black filmmakers like Jordan Peele and Spike Lee.
"I wanted to create an opportunity for black people to see themselves in a positive light," says one of the owners.
The BBC's Tom Brook reports.


bbc--2020-08-31--Trudeau condemns toppling of Canada's first PM as 'vandalism'

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he is `` deeply disappointed '' by the toppling of the statue of Canada 's first prime minister over the weekend .
Activists in Montreal pulled down the statue of Sir John A Macdonald , who was linked to policies that killed many indigenous people in the late 19th Century .
Video captured the moment the statue 's head flew off and bounced on to the pavement nearby .
On Monday , Mr Trudeau said that , while he understands the `` impatience and frustration '' of Canadians who have dealt with discrimination , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will not move us ahead as a society '' .
He said it should be up to communities and cities to choose how to remember controversial historical figures , not a small group acting unilaterally .
The premier of Quebec and the mayor of Montreal also condemned the action by activists .
Mayor Valérie Plante said it `` can not be accepted nor tolerated '' , adding it is better to put historical figures `` in context rather than remove them '' .
Quebec Premier François Legault wrote on Twitter , `` whatever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MacDonald , destroying a monument in this way is unacceptable '' .
`` We must fight racism , but destroying parts of our history is not the solution .
Vandalism has no place in our democracy and the statue must be restored . ''
The statue has been a frequent target for activists over the years , and has often been covered in splashes of paint .
Macdonald was prime minister of Canada between 1860 and 1890 and is remembered for his nation-building policies .
But he also created the residential schools system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ indigenous children from their homes and sent them to state-funded boarding schools .
Many children were abused and some died , and they were forbidden from speaking their own language or practising their culture .
A government report in 2015 called the practice `` cultural genocide '' .
He was accused of allowing famine and disease to kill many indigenous people and his government forced some First Nation communities to leave their traditional territories , withholding food until they did so .
Mr Trudeau said during a news conference in Montreal that it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all our former prime ministers , all our past leaders who did many good things but made mistakes as well '' .
`` Sir John A Macdonald did very good things but we need to be far more critical of some of his actions , '' he added .
A number of statues of controversial historical leaders around the world have been toppled in recent months during heated public debates over how societies should remember leaders tied to slavery , empire and racism .
• What 's the best thing to do with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statues of Christopher Columbus as well as Confederate leaders were removed , while in the UK monuments to prominent slave traders have been taken down .
Belgian protesters also defaced statues of King Leopold II due to the deadly legacy of his personal colony in what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo .

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bbc--2020-08-31--Ron Jeremy: Adult star faces more rape and sexual assault charges

Adult film star Ron Jeremy has been charged with sexual violence against 13 more women , including a 15-year old , prosecutors in Los Angeles say .
They say the alleged assaults date back to 2004 .
The 67-year-old has already been charged with raping or assaulting four women between 2014 and 2019 .
Ron Jeremy is one of the biggest names in pornography and has featured in over 1,700 films over four decades .
If convicted , he faces up to 250 years behind bars .
He has denied wrongdoing .
Mr Jeremy , whose real name is Ronald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ June .
He was accused of raping a 25-year-old woman and 30 year-old woman , and sexually assaulting two others , aged 33 and 46 .
At the time his lawyer denied the charges saying said that his client had been `` a paramour to over 4,000 women '' and that `` women throw themselves at him '' .
But prosecutors received further allegations of sexual violence in the days following his court appearance , the Los Angeles Times reported .
The new charges include a total of 20 counts of rape and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The alleged victims range in age between 15 and 54 .
The most recent charge relates to an assault allegedly carried out outside a business in Hollywood on New Year 's Day this year .
In 2017 , Rolling Stone magazine reported that more than a dozen women had accused Mr Jeremy of sexual misconduct , including groping , inappropriate touching , non-consensual digital penetration , and sexual assault .
He told the magazine he had `` never and would never rape anyone '' .
Mr Jeremy is listed in the Guinness Book @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Adult Films '' and was the subject of the 2001 documentary Porn Star : The Legend of Ron Jeremy .
He has also made numerous cameo appearances in computer games , Hollywood films and music videos for Moby , Guns N ' Roses , Armin Van Buuren among others , as well as LMFAO 's Sexy and I Know It .

At the time his lawyer denied the charges saying said that his client had been "a paramour to over 4,000 women" and that "women throw themselves at him".


bbc--2020-08-31--John Thompson: Legendary African American basketball coach dies

Coach John Thompson , who led the Georgetown University Hoyas basketball team to victory at the 1984 national championship , has died aged 78 .
Thompson , who was the first black coach to win the title , is credited with boosting minority representation in college basketball during the 1980s .
He recruited more than 20 players who went on to join the NBA and four who - like him - are in the Hall of Fame .
Thompson was also known for protesting against racial injustice as a coach .
Known to fans and players as Big John , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ played professionally for the Boston Celtics when the team won the championship in 1965 and 1966 .
He was hired in 1972 to coach Georgetown University , a predominantly white Jesuit university in Washington DC .
His appointment led to controversy .
University faculty and fans rallied around him after he was met with racial abuse .
He coached Georgetown for 27 seasons , and in 1988 led the US Olympic basketball team to a bronze medal .
In 1989 , he walked off the court in protest of a league rule that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I 've done this because , out of frustration , you 're limited in your options of what you can do in response to something I felt was very wrong , '' he told the Washington Post at the time .
• The NBA wants to talk about race .
Is the US ready ?
Thompson was famous for the number of athletes he coached who finished with a university degree , and in an interview described once sitting down with a notorious Washington DC drug dealer to tell him to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own son later became the coach of Georgetown before being replaced by Patrick Ewing , a former NBA player that Thompson recruited before he led the team to victory in 1984 .
A statement from his family released by the university hailed him as `` an inspiration to many and [ a man who ] devoted his life to developing young people not simply on , but most importantly , off the basketball court .
`` He is revered as a historic shepherd of the sport , dedicated to the welfare of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Philadelphia 76er and Hall of Famer Allen Iverson was among those paying tribute online , thanking the coach for `` saving my life '' .


bbc--2020-08-31--TikTok owner to 'strictly' obey China's tech takeover law

TikTok 's owner has said it will `` strictly adhere to '' new rules imposed by China over what technologies the country 's companies can sell overseas .
The export controls could potentially be used to block the sale of TikTok 's US operations .
The expanded list of restricted items covers some of the methods the app uses to target who sees which videos .
The app 's ability to quickly identify and cater to users ' interests has played a large part in its success .
Bytedance began talks to sell TikTok 's American , Canadian , Australian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump threatened to ban the app in the States , where it has about 100 million members .
The President has cited national security concerns , despite the company 's denial that it would give the Chinese authorities access to foreign users ' data .
The US government has given the company until mid-September to secure a sale as an alternative .
Microsoft and WalMart have teamed up to make a joint bid , while the database specialist Oracle is considering an offer of its own .
However , Bytedance has faced criticism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seen to have caved to foreign pressure to sell off a prized asset .
And Xinhua , the state-owned news organisation , has quoted a government adviser as saying that Bytedance should `` seriously and carefully consider '' suspending sell-off talks in order to comply with the revised export rules .
Beijing added 23 items to its catalogue of technologies subject to export restrictions on 28 August , the first time it had amended the list since 2008 .
In theory , Bytedance would have to seek permission to sell the use of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and it could take up to a month to get preliminary approval .
Were the company to be forbidden from including TikTok 's recommendation engine as part of a sale , it would in effect cripple the app .
That would mean a buyer would to have to develop a recommendation system of their own , making a smooth handover of control difficult to achieve .
The firm 's lawyer Erich Andersen later added : `` We are studying the new regulations that were released Friday .
As with any cross-border transaction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which in this case include those of the US and China . ''

The firm's lawyer Erich Andersen later added: "We are studying the new regulations that were released Friday. As with any cross-border transaction, we will follow the applicable laws, which in this case include those of the US and China."


bbc--2020-08-31--Seven key moments from the MTV VMAs: Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, The Weeknd and more

Lady Gaga led this year 's MTV VMAs , winning five awards , while BTS and Ariana Grande won four each and The Weeknd won video of the year .
The ceremony , filmed at several outdoor New York locations with a limited audience , was dedicated to the late Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman .
It included pre-recorded speeches and performances , with Lady Gaga saying : `` Love who you are .
Be kind .
Mask up . ''
Here are some key moments from the socially-distanced show , which was broadcast on Sunday night , with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Lady Gaga on 'wrath ' and 'rage ' of art Gaga 's wins were for best artist , song , collaboration and cinematography , plus the first MTV Tricon Award - honouring her work in music , acting and fashion .
`` This has not been an easy year for a lot of people , but what I see in the world is a massive triumph of courage , '' she said .
`` Just because we 're separated right now and culture may feel less alive in some ways , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the wrath of pop culture will inspire you and the rage of art will empower you as it responds to hardship with its generosity and love.
`` Model Bella Hadid , who called Gaga a `` powerhouse '' as she introduced her , said : `` She turns pop music into high art .
She redefines fashion.. she inspires and empowers all of us . ''
Host Keke Palmer said of Chadwick Boseman : `` We dedicate tonight 's show to a man whose spirit touched so many .
He 's a true @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in everything he did .
His impact lives forever . ''
The awards honoured the late actor , who died of colon cancer aged just 43 , with a throwback to his 2018 appearance at the MTV Movie Awards , when he won best hero and best performance in a film for playing T'Challa in Black Panther .
During his speech , he invited James Shaw Jr to the stage to thank him for protecting other restaurant-goers from a gunman who opened fire in a waffle house in Tennessee .
He gave Shaw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This is gon na live at your house .
God bless you , man . ''
The clip of Boseman ended with the words `` rest in power '' .
3 .
The Weeknd called for justice over shootings The Weeknd won the highly prized video of the year award for Blinding Lights , using his speech to demand justice in the cases of two African Americans shot by police .
`` It 's hard to celebrate , so I 'm just going to say justice for Jacob Blake and justice for Breonna @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Baby 's performance echoed this , referencing the ongoing protests against police violence , and singing his song Blind while handcuffed from the back of a police car .
Palmer 's opening monologue also referenced the social unrest sparked by the death of George Floyd in May .
`` We can never tolerate police brutality , '' she said .
`` It 's our time to be the change we want to see .
We need to come together , and music has that power . ''
Although The Weeknd looked like he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make-up which replicated his look for his winning video , in which he ends up with injuries to his face .
Taylor Swift was the first solo female artist to win best directing for her video The Man , and was only the second woman to win the award , following Melina Matsoukas for Formation by Beyonce in 2016 .
The video takes aim at male music executives - in particular Scooter Braun , who purchased her back catalogue last year , and the credits stress the video was directed , produced and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ literally plays The Man in new video '' I was told that this was an industry-voted award .
So I want to say thank you to everyone in the industry who voted for this video , '' she said .
`` But I also really want to thank the fans because you are the only reason why the industry cares about anything that I do . ''
The singer won three awards for her collaboration with Lady Gaga plus one for best music video from home for Stuck on U with Justin Bieber @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appearance on stage , for a masked performance with Gaga .
She tweeted her thanks to her for their win for song of the year , for Rain on Me .
Calling Gaga `` the most gracious and stunning '' , she added she was `` so grateful to be a part of this '' .
The South Korean pop band won for pop video , group , K-pop and choreography and this was their first appearance at the awards , which will have delighted their legions of fans .
They performed English-language @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in front of backdrops of New York .
Their suited and booted performance ended with a display of fireworks which appeared behind them , matching their lyrics : `` So I'm-a light it up like dynamite . ''
7 .
And not forgetting the best quarantine performance ...
The awards acknowledged the many performances from artists during the coronavirus pandemic , for their creativity in remaining connected with their fans during lockdown .
The prize went to Latino boy band CNCO - Unplugged At Home , who beat Chloe x Halle , DJ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Post Malone .
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bbc--2020-08-31--France's Macron calls on Lebanon to form new government

French President Emmanuel Macron has called on Lebanon to swiftly form a new government , following the appointment of its new prime minister .
Lebanon 's former ambassador to Germany , Mustapha Adib , has taken on the new role with the backing of most MPs .
At least 200 people were killed by the blast , caused by ammonium nitrate stored unsafely at the city 's port .
Mr Macron arrived in Beirut on Monday for his second visit since the deadly explosion .
During his stay he is expected to push Lebanese politicians to tackle corruption and financial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said a new government should be formed `` as soon as possible '' - something that Mr Adib has already promised .
But during his visit Mr Macron has been met by protesters chanting `` no Adib '' - a sign that Mr Adib 's appointment is seen by some as a continuation of the country 's status quo .
Demonstrators have staged mass rallies across Lebanon since October , calling for a complete overhaul of the political system .
Power is largely based on sectarian interests in the country , and successive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elitist leadership .
Political appointments and many jobs depend on belonging to one of Lebanon 's myriad religious communities , a situation which has led to patronage , cronyism and endemic corruption .
Mr Adib 's appointment comes at a time of deep crisis for Lebanon , still reeling from the blast which also left thousands of people injured and districts in ruins .
Even before the explosion , the country was in dire financial trouble as the currency collapsed , unemployment soared and poverty grew .
It has also been grappling with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which has compounded the economic slump .
He has a doctorate in law and political science , and previously taught at universities in Lebanon and France .
He has also served as an adviser to former Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati .
A group of former prime ministers , including Saad Hariri who leads Lebanon 's main Sunni Muslim party The Future Movement , announced that they were endorsing Mr Adib after reviewing several names on Sunday .
Following his nomination , Mr Adib said there was `` a need to form a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ implementing reforms immediately , starting with an agreement with the International Monetary Fund '' .
Historically , governments have taken weeks or months to form after a new prime minister takes office , although parties have indicated a willingness to expedite the process under the current circumstances .
More on the explosion in Beirut

"We have to focus in the next six weeks on the emergency," he said, adding that any work would be carried out "under very firm co-ordination" with the UN.


bbc--2020-08-31--Cheng Lei: Australian anchor on Chinese TV detained in China

Chinese authorities have detained an Australian citizen working as a high-profile TV anchor , as relations between the two countries deteriorate .
Australia 's foreign ministry said Cheng Lei , an anchor for Chinese broadcaster CGTN , was detained two weeks ago .
Foreign minister Marise Payne said a virtual consular visit had been held with Ms Cheng via video link .
Australia 's government warned its citizens in July that they were at increased risk of detention in China .
Tensions between the two nations have escalated in recent months , after Australia led calls for an official investigation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in China .
On Monday China announced a second investigation into imports of Australian wine .
Last week , Australia 's federal government said it planned to enact legislation which would allow it to cancel local government deals with foreign countries - a move widely seen as aimed at China .
Ms Cheng is being held under `` residential surveillance at a designated location '' , according to ABC News .
Investigators can question and imprison a suspect for up to six months without charge However Beijing is yet to confirm her status @ @ @ @ @ @ @ notification of her detention on 14 August .
`` Australian officials had an initial consular visit with Ms Cheng at a detention facility via video link on 27 August and will continue to provide assistance and support to her family , '' a statement from the ministry said .
Ms Cheng has two young children in Australia .
ABC News said friends and family had n't heard from her in recent weeks .
A statement from her family said it hoped for `` a satisfactory and timely conclusion '' and was in close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Affairs and Trade .
Controlled by China 's ruling Communist Party , CGTN is aimed at audiences abroad .
The Lowy Institute think tank said the Chinese government uses CGTN to `` help shape positive global opinion '' of the country and `` increase its soft power around the world '' .
Ms Cheng has worked for CGTN for eight years and presented a show on global business for the network .
Previously , she was CNBC Asia 's China correspondent .
After her detention , Ms Cheng 's profile on CGTN 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her articles .

On Monday China announced a second investigation into imports of Australian wine. Last week, Australia's federal government said it planned to enact legislation which would allow it to cancel local government deals with foreign countries - a move widely seen as aimed at China.


bbc--2020-08-31--Google-Facebook ditch plans to dock giant data cable in Hong Kong

Plans for an underwater data cable between Los Angeles and Hong Kong have been dropped after the US government expressed fears that China could steal data from it .
Facebook and Google are among the US tech firms involved in the Pacific Light Cable Network project .
However it needs permission from the US Federal Communications Commission ( FCC ) in order to operate .
At the time , Google said the cable would `` provide enough capacity for Hong Kong to have 80 million concurrent HD video conference calls with Los Angeles '' .
The US tech firms are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Light Data Company .
The proposed Hong landing station would have been run by a business owned by China 's Dr Peng Group - one of the country 's largest internet service providers .
In recent months tensions have been mounting between the US and China .
`` We can confirm that the original application for the PLCN cable system has been withdrawn , and a revised application for the US-Taiwan and US-Philippines portions of the system has been submitted , '' a spokeswoman for Google told the BBC .
Prof Alan Woodward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said the decision might prove to be counter-productive for the US .
`` The whole purpose of having the cable join with Hong Kong was that Hong Kong was meant to become an Asian hub so that US tech firms could start to gain more Asian customers , '' he said .
`` The US government has in some ways shot their own tech firms in the foot .
They 're worried about the influence of Chinese tech firms , but this is preventing US companies from getting into the region at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the US 's caution about data monitoring was understandable - because it also happens in the West .
There is , for example , an office of the British intelligence service GCHQ near Bude in Cornwall , where several transatlantic data cables enter the UK , he said - although its activities are classified .

"The US government has in some ways shot their own tech firms in the foot. They're worried about the influence of Chinese tech firms, but this is preventing US companies from getting into the region at all."


bbc--2020-08-31--Coronavirus: Tango competitors take to the living room floor

The annual World Tango Championship is usually held in Buenos Aires , but this year it took place online because @ @ @ @ @ Instead of competing in crowded dance halls , couples submitted video footage of them performing @ @ @ @ @ or in the street .

The annual World Tango Championship is usually held in Buenos Aires, but this year it took place online because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Instead of competing in crowded dance halls, couples submitted video footage of them performing their intricate steps at home or in the street.


bbc--2020-08-31--Pranab Mukherjee: Former president of India dies after Covid diagnosis

India 's former president Pranab Mukherjee has died 21 days after it was confirmed that he had tested positive for the novel coronavirus .
The 84-year-old was in hospital to remove a clot in his brain when it was discovered he also had Covid-19 .
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Mr Mukherjee 's contribution to the country , saying the former president had `` left an indelible mark on the development trajectory of our nation '' .
The job of president is largely ceremonial but becomes crucial when elections throw up fragmented mandates .
The president decides which party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a government .
Mr Mukherjee did n't have to take such a decision because the mandate was clear during his presidency .
But he showed his assertiveness in other decisions , such as rejecting the mercy petitions of several people who had been sentenced to death .
Most of his career was with the Congress party which dominated Indian politics for decades before suffering two consecutive losses in 2014 and 2019 to Prime Minister Narendra Modi 's Bharatiya Janata Party ( BJP ) .
Mr Mukherjee joined the party in the 1960s during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gandhi whom he had described as his mentor .
In 1986 he fell out with the Congress leadership and started his own political party , but returned two years later .
A parliamentarian for 37 years , Mr Mukherjee was widely known as a consensus-builder .
Given that consecutive governments before 2014 were built on coalitions , this was an important and valued attribute .
He was overlooked for the post twice - after the assassination of Indira Gandhi in 1984 and after his party 's unexpected election win in 2004 .
Manmohan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chosen as the prime minister , later said that Mr Mukherjee had every reason to feel aggrieved .
`` He was better qualified than I was to become the prime minister , but he also knew that I have no choice in the matter , '' Dr Singh said .
As one of the leading figures of the Congress party , he held every key ministry in India - commerce , defence , external affairs and finance - over a chequered half- a-century-long political career .
What the diminutive leader lacked as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was mostly elected to the upper house of the parliament - he made up with his keen sense of realpolitik and formidable managerial skills .
He worked tirelessly at building consensus on a raft of rights-based legislations relating to matters like food security and right to information that helped his party gain political heft and popularity .
His record as a finance minister in the second term was less stellar : the economy overheated , inflation peaked and interest rates went through the roof .
Critics called him one of the `` worst @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As the 13th president of the republic , Mr Mukherjee walked a fine line , having good relations with his party 's arch foe and now Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his own Congress party leaders .
In many ways , he was a remarkable exception in the rough and tumble of Indian politics : a calm bipartisan leader and a dour consensus builder with an encyclopaedic memory .
When Mr Mukherjee was appointed India 's president in 2012 , he was widely acknowledged as being the most experienced politician by far to @ @ @ @ @

Manmohan Singh, a trained economist who was chosen as the prime minister, later said that Mr Mukherjee had every reason to feel aggrieved. "He was better qualified than I was to become the prime minister, but he also knew that I have no choice in the matter," Dr Singh said.


bbc--2020-08-31--Zoom revenues skyrocket as profits double

Popular videoconferencing app Zoom has seen its revenues skyrocket as second quarter profits more than doubled due to the coronavirus crisis .
Revenues leaped 355 % to $ 663.5m ( £496.3m ) for the three months ending 31 July , beating analysts ' expectations of $ 500.5m .
Profits soared to $ 186m , while customer growth rose 458 % , compared with the same period in 2019 .
Video conferencing apps remain crucial due to the increase in remote working .
Zoom 's shares hit a record high on Monday , closing at $ 325.10 , as the firm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 30 % to the range of $ 2.37bn- $ 2.39bn , from its previous projection of $ 1.78bn- $ 1.80bn .
Key to Zoom 's success was its ability to add paying customers - high-budget corporate clients - as opposed to those who use its services for free .
The company said that its large customers - firms that generated more than $ 100,000 in revenue in the past year - doubled to 988 during the quarter .
Zoom , together with rivals Cisco Webex and Microsoft Teams , have all seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conferencing platforms since coronavirus lockdown measures were imposed by multiple countries in March .
But Zoom 's soaring popularity has also strained its infrastructure , with some outages last week as schools in many parts of the US resumed classes virtually .
Its reputation also took a hit , as the new attention prompted hackers to hijack meetings and exposed a host of security flaws , revealing that the firm had sent user data to Facebook , had wrongly claimed the app had end-to-end encryption , and was allowing meeting hosts to track @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scrutiny for its ties to China - where it has more than 700 staff , including most of its product development team - which have prompted warnings that it is not fit for government use .

Zoom has also faced political scrutiny for its ties to China - where it has more than 700 staff, including most of its product development team - which have prompted warnings that it is not fit for government use.


bbc--2020-08-31--Yegor Zhukov: Leading Russian opposition blogger beaten up

A prominent opposition blogger in Russia , Yegor Zhukov , has been beaten up in Moscow and taken to hospital for treatment .
Police have launched a criminal investigation into the assault .
His supporters posted a photo on Facebook of his bloodied and swollen face .
The attack happened near his home on Sunday evening , they said .
In December Mr Zhukov , 22 , was given a three-year suspended jail term for `` inciting extremism '' .
He told investigators `` two unidentified men had attacked him on Rashchupkin Street and injured him '' , a police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said police were investigating the attack , adding : `` Let 's hope that those who are guilty will be identified and punished according to the law . ''
Mr Zhukov is now also a political commentator on Russian radio .
He was arrested last August during protests against the exclusion of independent and opposition candidates from Moscow council elections .
Earlier on Sunday , Mr Zhukov said on his YouTube channel that he had been rejected for a master 's course on cinema at Moscow 's prestigious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being accepted for it .
He linked that rejection to this political activity .
Separately , Mr Peskov , the Kremlin spokesman , said he was against linking the attack to the suspected poisoning of Russia 's most famous campaigner against President Vladimir Putin , the investigative blogger Alexei Navalny .
Mr Navalny remains in intensive care in an induced coma in Germany , suffering from suspected nerve agent poisoning .
Germany has called on Russia to do more to clarify the suspected poisoning .
Mr Navalny was flown out of Russia nine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said he was in a serious but stable condition .
His supporters believe he was poisoned by a cup of tea he drank at an airport in Tomsk in Siberia , before boarding a flight .
Commenting on relations with Russia , Germany 's Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said they were under `` dark clouds '' .
`` Sanctions remain in place , and will for as long as the basis for them does not change .
And at the moment there are also some dark clouds and of course we expect Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Navalny case than it currently is . ''

"Sanctions remain in place, and will for as long as the basis for them does not change. And at the moment there are also some dark clouds and of course we expect Russia to contribute more to the clarification of the Navalny case than it currently is."


bbc--2020-08-31--Meet Senegal's first female professional surfer

Khadjou Sambe , Senegal 's first female professional surfer , trains near her home in the district of Ngor - the westernmost point of the African continent .
`` I would always see people surfing and I 'd say to myself : 'But where are the girls who surf ? '
'' says the 25-year-old .
`` I always think to myself , when I wake up in the morning : 'Khadjou , you 've got something to do , you represent something everywhere in the world , you must go straight to the point , do n't give up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , do n't listen , go forward - so that everybody can get up and believe they can surf . ''
The surfer is now inspiring the next generation to defy cultural norms and take to the waves .
Sambe trains beginners at Black Girls Surf ( BGS ) , a training school for girls and women who want to compete in professional surfing .
She encourages her students to develop the physical and mental strength to ride waves and break the mould in a society which generally expects them to stay at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ marry young .
`` I always advise them not to listen to other people , to block their ears , '' Sambe says .
Growing up in the coastal capital of Dakar , Sambe never saw a black woman surfing the Atlantic swells .
As a teenager , her parents refused to allow her to surf for two-and-a-half years , saying it brought shame on the family .
`` My determination was strong enough to make them change their minds , '' she says .
In an interview with the BBC , she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tried surfing I was n't scared at all , I was just so excited to get into the water .
`` When you catch that first wave , you are so happy that you scream so that everyone can hear you - because you are content to have stood up and stayed standing .
`` It was a bit tough at the beginning because I was the only girl surfing here , and people were a bit like : 'What is a girl doing here ?
This is a sport for boys .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and other people really encouraged me and told me not to listen . ''
Residents of Ngor have become accustomed to seeing Sambe carrying her board through the narrow alleyways leading to the shore .

"I always think to myself, when I wake up in the morning: 'Khadjou, you've got something to do, you represent something everywhere in the world, you must go straight to the point, don't give up.'"


bbc--2020-08-31--Rohingya crisis: Growing up in the world's largest refugee camp

Three years ago , a brutal crackdown by the Myanmar army left thousands of Rohingya Muslims dead , and forced @ @ @ @ @ border to Bangladesh .
Over a million Rohingya people now live in the world ’ @ @ @ @ @ Cox 's Bazar , Bangladesh .
Every year 20,000 children are born there .
They @ @ @ @ @ to Myanmar , where most are denied citizenship and other rights .
This is the @ @ @ @ @ who dreams of seeing the ocean .

Three years ago, a brutal crackdown by the Myanmar army left thousands of Rohingya Muslims dead, and forced a mass exodus across the border to Bangladesh.
Over a million Rohingya people now live in the world’s largest refugee camp in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh.
Every year 20,000 children are born there. They have little hope of going to Myanmar, where most are denied citizenship and other rights.
This is the story of three-year-old Nayeem, who dreams of seeing the ocean.
Video Journalist: Shahnewaz Rocky
Edited by: Kevin Kim and Shahnewaz Rocky
Produced by: Rebecca Henschke and Bruno Garcez


bbc--2020-08-31--Hundreds of migrants still dying in Med five years since 2015

Five years since the 2015 migrant crisis , hundreds of people are still dying in the Mediterranean .
The International Organization for Migration ( IOM ) estimates that 554 migrants have died so far this year .
The death toll for 2020 is far lower than the comparable figure for five years ago - 3,030 people are believed to have died between January and August 2015 .
But people are still drowning regularly the Mediterranean as they try to reach Europe .
Here are eight charts and maps on what has happened since 2015 .
Boats sinking then and now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capsizing in the Mediterranean .
The deadliest single month was April 2015 when nearly 1,500 people are thought to have lost their lives .
About 800 drowned when a single boat capsized off the coast of Libya .
Overcrowding was thought to have been one of the reasons for the disaster .
This year , of the 554 people estimated by the IOM to have died , the majority ( 395 ) were in the Central Mediterranean , sailing from the Tunisian and Libyan coast .
The IOM estimates that 71 people have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Western Mediterranean .
The location of five cases is yet to be reported .
In 2019 the European Union suspended naval patrols rescuing migrants in the Mediterranean .
The decision came after EU governments clashed over whether the operation was encouraging more people to risk the journey and fuelling people trafficking .
Both Italy and Malta have prevented boats carry migrants from docking in Italian and Maltese ports .
Most migrants have come through the Eastern Mediterranean In 2015 huge numbers of migrants arrived in Greece from Turkey , most having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between the Turkish coast and the Greek islands .
In March 2016 the Turkish government and the European Union made a deal that saw Syrian refugees who arrived on the Greek islands sent back to Turkey .
In return Turkey received €6bn ( £5.2bn , $ 6.7bn ) in EU aid for migrants and refugees .
The number of illegal border crossings plummeted from 216,000 in October 2015 to 4,000 the following October .
In February 2020 , Turkey began allowing some refugees to leave for Greece .
The Turkish president , Recep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could not cope with a new wave of refugees from Syria and that he could not enforce the 2016 agreement .
Mr Erdogan said that `` millions '' could cross , but - so far - the numbers have remained much lower than 2015 .
Thousands of migrants are stuck in Greece A large proportion of migrants have first set foot on European soil in the Greek islands of the Eastern Aegean .
Thousands have ended up in camps on Lesbos , Chios , Samos , Leros and Kos .
Many wait for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the Greek government to review their asylum applications .
There were more than 87,000 asylum applications pending at the end of December 2019 , with more than 45,000 pending for more than six months , according to the Greek Council for Refugees .
It says the average time for getting a first decision on asylum is 10.3 months - and believes that the coronavirus pandemic is likely to have made the problem worse .
The camps are overcrowded and many migrants have limited access to clean water and electricity .
The Greek @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enough help from the European Union to meet the migrants ' needs .
Migrants from dozens of countries have arrived in Europe since 2015 , many fleeing war in Syria and Afghanistan .
In 2020 , according to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees ( UNHCR ) , the most common nationality of people arriving by land and sea in the Mediterranean has been Tunisian .
Nearly 6,000 Tunisians have made the journey so far this year .
Many are young men who face poverty , joblessness and political instability at home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ migrants are now arriving from Tunisian ports than from neighbouring lawless Libya , which has been a hub of migration from sub-Saharan Africa .
Overall , fewer people are making the journey 2015 saw a huge spike in the numbers of migrants reaching Europe .
Each subsequent year the numbers have been smaller , but there is always a seasonal fluctuation as traffickers and others take advantage of calmer seas in the summer months .
The biggest monthly total was in October 2015 when more that 220,000 arrived in Europe .
The latest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10,605 .
Germany has grappled with how to integrate migrants The surge of migrants in October 2015 came two months after Germany 's Chancellor Angela Merkel opened her country 's door to migrants , famously declaring : `` Wir schaffen das '' - we will manage it .
Eventually , more than a million migrants entered Germany .
Chancellor Merkel 's open-door policy proved unpopular with many supporters of her Christian Democratic Union ( CDU ) party , and it boosted support for the far-right Alternative for Germany ( AfD ) .
Mrs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but told a CDU party congress in 2016 that the same situation `` must not happen again '' .
Germany 's government has continued to grapple with questions about how best to integrate the new arrivals .
A recent study by Germany 's Institute for Employment Research ( IAB ) indicated that growing numbers of refugees have been finding jobs .
Researchers studied a group of 8,000 refugees who arrived in Germany between 2013 and 2018 , and found that 49 % were able to find steady employment within five years of arriving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in March , nine percent of all unemployed people in Germany were asylum seekers , mostly young and male .
The coronavirus pandemic since March is likely to have made finding employment significantly harder .
Studies also indicate that many refugees are making progress in acquiring German language skills , a key measure in integration .
Research from Germany 's Federal Office for Migration and Refugees ( BAMF ) in 2020 said that 44 % of the refugees rated their German language skills as `` good '' or `` very good . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ % and in the first survey in 2016 , it was only 22 % .
Experts from the German Institute for Economic Research have found that many refugees , including 75 % of Syrians , were in higher educational groups in their home countries before arriving in Germany .
However , some problems of social integration have persisted .
A regular government-backed survey in 2017 , of around 5,700 refugees who had arrived in Germany between January 2013 and December 2016 , looked at their social interactions .
It found that , whilst @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Germans daily , several times per week or less frequently , 22 % of refugees said they never spent time with Germans .
Migrants are crossing the Channel by sea In 2015 , whilst attempts by migrants to cross the Channel to the UK on board lorries and other vehicles were common , the number of sea crossings is thought to have been very low .
Since 2018 , the numbers attempting to cross the Channel by sea in small boats have increased sharply .
In 2020 so far at least 4,500 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 350 boats .
A record of 235 people in a single day was set on 6 August .
It 's thought that the tightening of port security around vehicles in France has prompted more traffickers and individuals to attempt this extremely dangerous journey across one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world .

This year, of the 554 people estimated by the IOM to have died, the majority (395) were in the Central Mediterranean, sailing from the Tunisian and Libyan coast. The IOM estimates that 71 people have died in the Eastern Mediterranean and 83 in the Western Mediterranean. The location of five cases is yet to be reported.