bbc--2020-09-24--US election: McConnell promises an 'orderly' transition of power

Republican leader Mitch McConnell has said there will be an `` orderly '' post-election transition after the president questioned the process 's integrity .
The top US senator said that , regardless of who wins the 3 November presidential election , there will be a peaceful inauguration on 20 January .
A day earlier , President Donald Trump refused to commit to this , saying `` we 'll have to see what happens '' .
He has cast doubt on postal voting , but election officials insist it is safe .
The president currently trails his challenger , Democrat Joe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 40 days to go until the election .
Many more Americans than usual will be casting their votes by post this year , due to the pandemic , and Mr Trump has been questioning the security of this mail-in ballot system .
• Reality Check : Does US postal voting lead to fraud ?
Every losing presidential candidate has conceded .
If Mr Trump were to refuse to accept the result of the election , it would take the country into uncharted territory .
Mr Biden has suggested that should this happen , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the White House .
What have Republicans said ?
`` The winner of the November 3rd election will be inaugurated on January 20th , '' Mr McConnell tweeted on Thursday .
`` There will be an orderly transition just as there has been every four years since 1792 . ''
Other Republican lawmakers , including vocal Trump ally Senator Lindsey Graham , have similarly promised a safe and fair election .
`` I can assure you it will be peaceful , '' Mr Graham told Fox News , but suggested a decision could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` If Republicans lose we will accept the result .
If the Supreme Court rules in favour of Joe Biden , I will accept that result . ''
Senator Mitt Romney offered a more critical response on Wednesday , saying `` any suggestion that a president might not respect this Constitutional guarantee is both unthinkable and unacceptable '' .
What did Trump say ?
On Thursday , Mr Trump again cast doubt on the integrity of the election , saying he was not sure it could be `` honest '' because , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a whole big scam '' .
Earlier in the day , White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said Mr Trump `` will accept the results of a free and fair election '' .
The president sparked the controversy on Wednesday evening when he was asked by a reporter if he would commit to a peaceful transfer of power `` win , lose or draw '' to Mr Biden .
`` I 've been complaining very strongly about the ballots , '' Mr Trump said .
`` And the ballots are a disaster .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ people are rioting '' , Mr Trump interjected : `` Get rid of the ballots , and you 'll have a very - you 'll have a very peaceful - there wo n't be a transfer , frankly , there 'll be a continuation . ''
• Does US postal voting lead to ‘ tremendous fraud ’ ?
• When will we get a result for the US election ?
Back in 2016 , Mr Trump also refused to commit to accepting the election results in his contest against the Democratic candidate , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an attack on democracy .
He was eventually declared the winner , although he lost the popular vote by three million , an outcome he still questioned .
What have Democrats said ?
Democratic Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi , the third most powerful politician in Washington , told reporters on Thursday that she was not surprised at Mr Trump 's earlier remarks .
Mrs Pelosi added that the president `` admires people who are perpetuating their role in government '' , citing Russia 's Vladimir Putin , North Korea 's Kim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` But I remind him : you are not in North Korea , you are not in Turkey , you are not in Russia , Mr President ... so why do n't you just try for a moment to honour your oath of office . ''
Speaking to reporters in Delaware , Mr Biden said Mr Trump 's comments on the transition of power were `` irrational '' .
The Democrat 's team also said `` the United States government is perfectly capable of escorting trespassers out of the White House '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told Politico the former vice-president `` obviously , has participated in a peaceful transition of power before '' and will do so after the 2020 election as well .
• Why this couple wo n't back Trump again • ' I 'm tired of people putting down our president' Mr Biden has himself been accused by conservatives of stoking unrest over the election by saying in August : `` Does anyone believe there will be less violence in America if Donald Trump is re-elected ? ''
Last month , Mrs Clinton urged Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election night .
`` I think this is going to drag out , and eventually I do believe he will win if we do n't give an inch . ''
She raised the scenario that Republicans would try `` messing up absentee balloting '' and mobilise an army of lawyers to contest the result .
Doubts about the fairness of November 's vote come as another high-stakes political battle is fought - on whether or not to appoint a new Supreme Court justice before the election .
• A simple guide to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stand on key issues ?
• How you can be US president without winning most votes The US election is complicated .
We want to know what questions you have about it , from candidate policies to the voting process to what might happen after 3 November .
Here are some of the stories we 've already done based on reader questions : • How Trump and Biden compare on abortion • What young Republicans think of Trump Send us your questions using the form below .
If you ca n't see the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the site on a desktop .

"But I remind him: you are not in North Korea, you are not in Turkey, you are not in Russia, Mr President... so why don't you just try for a moment to honour your oath of office."


bbc--2020-09-24--Breonna Taylor: Family lawyer slams 'devilish' grand jury outcome

A lawyer for Breonna Taylor 's family has called the grand jury proceedings a `` sham '' that has shown racial inequalities in the US justice system .
Ms Taylor , a black hospital worker , was shot six times and killed aged 26 when police raided her home on 13 March .
On Wednesday , a grand jury in Kentucky returned a minor felony charge against one of three officers , for shots that hit a neighbouring apartment .
Two officers have been shot amid protests sparked by the decision .
The individual indicted in the Taylor case is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the force in June .
He faces three counts of `` wanton endangerment in the first degree '' .
• Why it 's hard to charge US police over shootings Under Kentucky law , wanton endangerment applies to an act of `` extreme indifference to the value of human life '' .
It is the lowest-level felony and carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison per count .
Ms Taylor 's family had called for the arrest of all three officers , but the grand jury - a panel drawn from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there is enough evidence to pursue a prosecution - has declined to do so .
Attorney Ben Crump said in a tweet : `` The grand jury proceedings were a SHAM .
The 'wanton endangerment ' charge is an example of America 's 2 justice systems - protecting white neighbours & ignoring the death of a black woman . ''
`` We 've been saying 'Say Her Name ' for six months ... and # BreonnaTaylor 's name was NEVER mentioned in yesterday 's indictment , '' he later added .
In an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Our devilish , racist system made it impossible to get justice for Breonna Taylor '' , Mr Crump rejected the notion that `` every time justice is denied to a Black person in the United States , it seems the devil is in the details '' .
Most police shootings go unnoticed by the public , he continued , adding : `` We would n't know Breonna 's name if her death had n't happened in a season of police killings when America was getting quickly woke to it .
`` But now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we wo n't stop saying it until it becomes a kind of incantation to bind the devil in our divided justice system . ''
• Seven solutions to US police problems • Timeline : US police killings and their aftermath The two other officers involved were justified in their actions , the Kentucky attorney general said on Wednesday .
One had been hit by a shot fired by Ms Taylor 's boyfriend , who later told police he thought it was an ex-boyfriend of Ms Taylor who had broken into the apartment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to search Ms Taylor 's home because investigators suspected her ex-boyfriend , a convicted drug dealer , was using the address to receive packages .
Ms Taylor had no criminal record .
Cases of killings of unarmed black people by police have fuelled anger across the US and beyond , spurred especially by the death of George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis in May .
What is happening in Louisville ?
Protests were sparked across the US by anger over the grand jury decision .
In Louisville , a state of emergency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been deployed .
A curfew is also in effect from 21:00 to 06:30 ( 01:00-10:30 GMT ) .
Police say at least 127 arrests were made in Louisville overnight .
Most arrests were for breaking the curfew .
The two police shot during the unrest on Wednesday were identified as Major Aubrey Gregory and Officer Robinson Desroches .
Major Gregory has already been released from hospital , officials say , and Mr Desroches is recovering .
Twenty-six-year-old Larynzo Johnson has been arrested as the suspected gunman .
According to the Associated Press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moving through an alleyway to avoid a police roadblock as officers threw pepper balls at them .
As shots rang out , the crowd scattered to take cover as officers in riot gear and rifles swarmed the area .
Protests over the grand jury 's decision also took place in New York , Washington , Atlanta , and Chicago .
What did officials say on Wednesday ?
Following the decision , Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron - the state 's top prosecutor - said there was `` nothing I can offer [ Ms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ away the grief and heartache as a result of losing a child , a niece , a sister and a friend , '' calling it a `` gut-wrenching emotional case '' .
Mr Cameron said a ballistics report had found that six bullets had struck Ms Taylor , but only one had been fatal .
That analysis concluded that Detective Myles Cosgrove had fired the shot that killed Ms Taylor .
The attorney general said it was not clear if Mr Hankison 's shots had also hit Ms Taylor , but they had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Cosgrove and the third officer , Jonathan Mattingly , had been `` justified to protect themselves and the justification bars us from pursuing criminal charges '' .
The FBI was still investigating potential violations of federal law in the case , Mr Cameron added .
What has been the reaction ?
Ms Taylor 's relatives and activists had been calling for the three officers , who are all white , to be charged with murder or manslaughter .
When asked about the charges at a White House news conference , US President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was really brilliant '' .
He praised Kentucky 's attorney general , who addressed the Republican party convention last month , for `` doing a fantastic job '' .
Mr Trump 's Democratic challenger for November 's election , Joe Biden , said the decision `` does not answer '' the call for justice , while telling protesters to act peacefully .
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear , a Democrat , urged prosecutors to release the evidence that was presented to the grand jury .
`` I think having more of the facts out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can truly process it , is where we need to be , '' he said .
• Sport stars react to no charge in Taylor case Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi , the most senior Democrat in Washington , said on Thursday that `` justice was denied for Breonna Taylor and her family '' .
Senator Kamala Harris , who is running for vice-president with Joe Biden , wrote on Twitter that Americans must `` keep speaking Breonna Taylor 's name '' .
What were the circumstances of Ms Taylor 's killing ?
Plainclothes police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their way into the apartment where Breonna Taylor was in bed with her boyfriend , Kenneth Walker , shortly after midnight .
Mr Walker fired a shot from his licensed gun , later telling police he thought that Ms Taylor 's ex-boyfriend , Jamarcus Glover , had broken in , according to the New York Times .
Officials say Mr Walker 's bullet struck Mr Mattingly in the leg .
The three officers returned fire , discharging 32 rounds , according to a ballistics report from the FBI .
Ms Taylor was shot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hallway floor .
• Walker fires one bullet , hitting Mattingly in the leg moments after police take down the flat door with a battering ram • Mattingly returns fire , shooting six times at Walker and Taylor , who is standing beside him in her hallway • Cosgrove fires 16 shots from the doorway of Taylor 's home • Taylor is struck six times in a matter of seconds • Hankinson fires 10 shots through a patio door and window .
His bullets enter the nextdoor flat No drugs were found at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thomas Wine said the search was cancelled after the shooting .
A subsequent police report contained errors , including listing Ms Taylor 's injuries as `` none '' and saying no force was used to enter , when a battering ram had been used .
Mr Hankison was fired from the police after investigators found he had `` wantonly and blindly fired 10 rounds '' during the raid , according to his termination letter .
Mr Mattingly and Mr Cosgrove were reassigned to administrative duties .

In an op-ed for the Washington Post titled "Our devilish, racist system made it impossible to get justice for Breonna Taylor", Mr Crump rejected the notion that "every time justice is denied to a Black person in the United States, it seems the devil is in the details".


bbc--2020-09-24--Breonna Taylor: Why it's hard to charge US police over shootings

Three officers were involved in the police raid that ended with Breonna Taylor shot dead in her home in Kentucky .
Only one of them has been charged , but not in relation to her death .
Why are so few police officers charged after fatal shootings in the US ?
Brett Hankison faces three counts of `` wanton endangerment '' for firing into an adjacent apartment , putting Ms Taylor 's neighbours at risk .
The other two officers involved were not charged - despite one of them firing the fatal shot - because Ms Taylor 's boyfriend fired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It 's a decision that has sparked some bewilderment and prompted hundreds to take to the streets of Louisville and elsewhere .
But it 's not the first time a fatal shooting by a police officer has made headlines but not made it to trial .
The ones that do are a tiny fraction .
In 2020 so far there have been 10 officers charged , according to Dr Phil Stinson , a professor at Bowling Green State University in Ohio and a former police officer , who has been collecting data on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the most officers charged was 2015 , when 18 law enforcement members faced murder or manslaughter charges .
The Washington Post estimates police shoot and kill about 1,000 people each year in the US .
Most of those incidents do not rise to the level of controversy or scrutiny seen in Ms Taylor 's case , and may have occurred when the officers were themselves fired upon .
• How often are US police killed on duty ?
But getting a charge or conviction for those tragedies that involve excessive use of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the factors that explain why .
Although the language of laws that dictate what police may do vary from state to state , the most common standard officers have to abide by is that their use of force be `` objectively reasonable '' .
That means the officer had a reasonable belief in the moment that he or she , or a bystander , were about to be harmed .
That standard has come under increased scrutiny for giving police too much leeway , particularly the flexibility of the word `` reasonable '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officer believed they were in danger at the time , even if hindsight showed they were not .
`` In these cases , historically , the police have owned the narratives .
Bystander accounts are discounted , oftentimes , '' says Dr Stinson .
`` Written reports are sometimes factually inconsistent with the video evidence . ''
• Seven solutions to US police problems • Timeline : US police killings and their aftermath • Three facts that help explain anger in the US California changed its use of force law in August , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the word `` necessary '' .
It 's probably one of the strictest laws in the country .
Local prosecutors also have nearly unlimited discretion on whether or not to bring charges against officers , and wo n't if they deem the shooting justified .
Some jurisdictions use a grand jury to make the determination on whether to charge , but these proceedings are secret .
Prosecutors work closely with police in their day-to-day caseload , which Kate Levine , an associate professor at the Benjamin N Cardozo School of Law , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It could also be easier not to bring charges , she adds , if there are doubts they can prove a case .
`` You want to think about it more cynically , it 's very easy to say you ca n't prove a case when you do n't want to . ''
Judges and juries may also have trusting feelings towards police , and be less likely to doubt their word , says Ms Levine .
`` Part of their job is , in theory , putting themselves in dangerous situations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them or others .
`` Social norms dictate that people tend to believe the police when they say they were in fear for their life .
So it 's hard to make a case that they were n't without evidence to the contrary . ''
Police unions are some of the strongest in the country , and over time some have written into officers ' contracts various conditions that can slow the investigative process after a killing , such as giving the officer advance warning about an impending investigation .
The former police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ openly complained that he could not fire officers who 'd committed crimes because of the city 's union-negotiated arbitration system .
Officers also benefit from qualified immunity , which means they ca n't be personally or monetarily held responsible in civil lawsuits .
The thinking goes that with these kinds of protections , officers have little to fear of consequences for their actions .
• Four officers in case of George Floyd , who was killed in May • Two officers in case of Rayshard Brooks , shot dead a few weeks later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shooting of teenager Laquan McDonald in 2014 • Michael Slager jailed for shooting Derek Scott in the back in 2015 Cases where US police have faced charges But Stinson cautions that police unions give the majority of officers important rights .
`` The collective bargaining agreements provide due process protections more than anything else , '' he says .
`` And police officers do n't shed their constitutional rights when they walk into a police station each morning . ''
Some have cautioned that putting all the focus on charges and prison time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a false sense that policing in the US is truly changing .
Ms Levine says looking at the procedures used by the officers in Ms Taylor 's case is more important to lasting reform .
`` We are really spending too much time focusing on prosecution and incarceration of individual police officers , '' she says , `` and not enough time on big systemic changes that will stop police officers from being at Breonna Taylor 's house in the early hours of the morning with a battering ram .
`` .

Three officers were involved in the police raid that ended with Breonna Taylor shot dead in her home in Kentucky. Only one of them has been charged, but not in relation to her death. Why are so few police officers charged after fatal shootings in the US?


bbc--2020-09-24--President Trump booed at Supreme Court as he pays respects to Ruth Bader Ginsburg

US President Donald Trump has been greeted with boos and chants of `` Vote him out '' by the crowd @ @ @ @ @ He visited the court Thursday morning to pay his respects to the late justice , @ @ @ @ @ is keen to confirm Ginsburg 's replacement before the 3 November presidential election - much @ @ @ @ @ .

US President Donald Trump has been greeted with boos and chants of "Vote him out" by the crowd outside the Supreme Court.
He visited the court Thursday morning to pay his respects to the late justice, Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Trump is keen to confirm Ginsburg's replacement before the 3 November presidential election - much to the anger of Democrats.


bbc--2020-09-24--Covid: UK sees highest number of coronavirus cases since mass tests began

The UK has recorded 6,634 new coronavirus cases , the government has announced , making it the highest daily figure since mass testing began .
Another 40 people have died within 28 days of testing positive for the virus .
The latest figures take the overall number of confirmed cases to 416,363 , and total deaths to 41,902 .
Meanwhile , people arriving in the UK from Denmark , Slovakia , Iceland and Caribbean island Curacao will need to self-isolate for 14 days from Saturday .
After falling from their April peak , confirmed new coronavirus cases in the UK @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The latest surge in cases comes after Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced plans aimed at stopping mass job cuts over the winter months .
The government 's new wage subsidy scheme , set to replace furlough , will see the government top up the pay of people unable to work full time .
The official records may show that the UK has just seen the highest number of new cases on a single day .
But it is , of course , nothing of the sort .
At the peak of the pandemic in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capacity that it was largely only hospital patients who were being checked .
It meant we were identifying just the tip of the iceberg .
Estimates have suggested there may have been as many 100,000 cases a day at the peak .
We are clearly not capturing all the infections - even now with the mass testing that is available .
Surveillance data last week suggested we may be identifying only about half of cases .
But that still puts the infection levels well below what they were in the spring .
Hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up , but are still very low .
Health experts have been clear we are now on the upwards path so we should expect this trend to continue .
Crucial will be how quickly figures rise for all three measures , with the hospital cases and deaths the most important .
Evidence from Spain and France , which started seeing rises a few weeks before us , offer some hope .
Cases have been climbing gradually - at least more gradually than the trajectory government scientists warned could lead the UK to 50,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunak 's measures come two days after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced further restrictions to help curb the spread of coronavirus , including a 22:00 closing time for all pubs , restaurants and hospitality venues , which have now come into force in England .
The sector will also be restricted , by law , to giving table service only .
In Scotland , university students have been asked not to go to pubs , parties or restaurants this weekend , in a bid to curb outbreaks at several institutions .
First Minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she recognised Covid was `` making this special time of your lives so tough '' .
• Uni isolation : 'PPE to pee ' and running out of food • What do campus Covid outbreaks mean for students ?
And in Wales , people in Cardiff are facing the prospect of local lockdown after council leader Huw Thomas said the city was on the verge of entering the Welsh Government 's `` red zone '' .
• FURLOUGH : What happens when the scheme ends ?
• SOCIAL LIFE : Is it safe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SUPPORT BUBBLES : What are they and who can be in yours ?
• SOCIAL DISTANCING : What are the rules now ?
The decision to remove Denmark , Slovakia , Iceland and Caribbean island Curacao from the so-called `` travel corridor '' list takes effect from 04:00 BST on Saturday , the Department for Transport said .
It has been agreed with the devolved administrations so covers the whole of the UK , unlike some previous travel quarantine announcements .
No countries will be added to the UK travel corridor list this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Singapore and Thailand remain the most recent additions to England and Scotland 's list , from 17 September .
• Which countries are on the UK 's quarantine list ?
• Sun , sea and sanitiser : What your holiday will be like • You finally got abroad , but was it worth it ?
Writing on Twitter , Mr Shapps reminded passengers they were required by law to fill in a passenger locator form when entering the UK .
`` This protects public health and ensures those who need to are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
The form asks travellers to provide their contact details and UK address .
Passengers can be fined up to £3,200 in England if they do not provide accurate contact details , or £1,920 in Wales .
• LITTLE MIX : THE SEARCH : Coming soon - a brand new show to solve your entertainment needs • HOW CAN I RELAX ?
: Soothe your soul with Mindful Escapes

But it is, of course, nothing of the sort. At the peak of the pandemic in the spring we had such limited testing capacity that it was largely only hospital patients who were being checked.


bbc--2020-09-24--France street harassment: Strasbourg woman attacked 'for wearing skirt'

French police have opened an investigation after a woman in Strasbourg said she was attacked in broad daylight for wearing a skirt .
The student , identified only as Elisabeth , 22 , said she was punched in the face `` by three individuals who complained about me wearing a skirt '' .
The government has denounced the `` very serious '' incident as unacceptable .
Two of the three men then held her while the third hit her in the face , leaving her with a black eye , she told the station .
The men then fled .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ witnessed the incident , but no-one intervened .
On Wednesday , junior interior minister Marlene Schiappa - who is in charge of citizenship and was previously in charge of equality issues - visited the eastern city to discuss the safety of women in public .
She told France Bleu Alsace that `` the skirt is not responsible for the attack and the woman even less '' .
`` A woman is never hit because she wears a skirt .
A woman is hit because there are people who are misogynistic , sexist , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any law and any rule of civility by striking them .
`` When you 're a student and you have to think about the outfit you have to wear and the message it sends , it 's an overwhelming mental load , '' Ms Schiappa said .
She also urged people to call the police if they witnessed any kind of street harassment incidents against women in a public space .
On Thursday , France Bleu Alsace reported that two women had been attacked in another eastern city , Mulhouse , on Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them her skirt was `` too short '' .
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bbc--2020-09-24--Xinjiang: Large numbers of new detention camps uncovered in report

China has expanded its network of detention centres for its Uighur minority despite insisting the `` re-education '' system was being scaled back , a new report says .
The Australian Strategic Policy Institute says there are 380 suspected facilities in the Xinjiang region - some 40 % more than previous estimates .
China says its aim is to tackle poverty and religious extremism in Xinjiang .
But the US has likened the centres to concentration camps .
Rights groups say at least a million people have been incarcerated in the system .
What does the report say ?
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ previous investigations have shown , based on analysis of satellite imagery , interviews with eyewitnesses , media reports and official documents .
More than 60 detention sites were worked upon between July 2019 and July 2020 , while 14 camps are still under construction , the report said .
Around half of the new centres are higher security facilities , which could suggest a shift towards prison-style facilities , report author Nathan Ruser said .
`` The findings of this research contradict Chinese officials ' claims that all 'trainees ' from so-called vocational @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2019 , '' he said .
`` Instead , available evidence suggests that many extrajudicial detainees in Xinjiang 's vast `` re-education '' network are now being formally charged and locked up in higher security facilities , including newly built or expanded prisons , or sent to walled factory compounds for coerced labour assignments . ''
However around 70 camps have seen the removal of fencing and perimeter walls , the report added .
Chinese state-controlled newspaper Global Times has since reported that ASPI contributors Clive Hamilton and Alex Joske have been banned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faced international condemnation for its network of detention centres which mostly house Muslim minorities .
The US has placed sanctions on Chinese politicians allegedly involved and earlier this month blocked some exports it said had been made with `` forced labour '' .
The Chinese government said last week that `` vocational training '' was increasing job opportunities and combating poverty in Xinjiang .

"Instead, available evidence suggests that many extrajudicial detainees in Xinjiang's vast "re-education" network are now being formally charged and locked up in higher security facilities, including newly built or expanded prisons, or sent to walled factory compounds for coerced labour assignments."


bbc--2020-09-24--Pregnant woman rescues husband from shark attack in Florida

A pregnant woman dived into the sea in the Florida Keys to save her husband from an attacking shark .
Police said Andrew Charles Eddy , 30 , was snorkelling on Sombrero Reef but was bitten by the shark almost immediately after entering the water .
His wife , Margot Dukes-Eddy , saw the shark 's dorsal fin and her husband 's blood filling the water , and dived in `` without hesitation '' , officials said .
After she had pulled Mr Eddy to safety , other family members called 911 .
He was airlifted to a trauma centre @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treated for severe shoulder injuries .
Rescue official Ryan Johnson told local media that Mr Eddy was in a `` critical condition '' when they arrived .
The couple , from the state of Georgia , were on holiday in Florida with family and had been sailing on a private boat together .
A few others from their group were already snorkelling when Mr Eddy got into the water to join them .
Deputy Christopher Aguanno wrote in the police report that there were other people , not from their group , snorkelling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later reported seeing a large shark about eight to 10ft long , which looked like a bull shark , swimming in the area earlier in the day .
Florida has the highest number of shark attacks in the world , with 21 reported in 2019 , according to the Florida Museum .
However , shark attacks worldwide are extremely rare .

The couple, from the state of Georgia, were on holiday in Florida with family and had been sailing on a private boat together.


bbc--2020-09-24--Alexei Navalny has 'bank accounts frozen and flat seized'

The leading opposition figure and vocal critic of Mr Putin collapsed on a flight in Siberia on 20 August , and was later transferred to the Charité hospital in the German capital Berlin for treatment .
Germany 's government said laboratories in France and Sweden had reconfirmed German tests showing that the poison used on Mr Navalny was a Novichok agent , and numerous governments have demanded an explanation .
The Kremlin however has said there is no proof of that .
After Mr Navalny was discharged on Wednesday , Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said he was `` free '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moment '' , and wished him `` a speedy recovery '' .
Why have his assets been seized ?
But in October 2019 a court ordered them to delete the video and pay 88 million rubles ( $ 1.1m ; £900,000 ) in damages for libel , saying they had caused the company moral damage .
On Wednesday , Mr Prigozhin released a statement saying that if Mr Navalny `` goes to meet his maker , then I personally do not intend to pursue him in this world '' .
Escaped death but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ narrowly escaped death by Novichok poisoning just over a month ago , but in Russia it 's business as usual - the courts are still after him .
The investigation pointed the finger at firms linked to Yevgeny Prigozhin , a shadowy businessman with interests in many fields : from catering for banquets in the Kremlin , to food supplies for the army and secondary schools , and - as is widely suspected though denied by the Russian authorities - to running private military companies which guard Russian interests in Syria , Libya @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prigozhin sued Mr Navalny for defamation and was awarded compensation totalling more than $ 1m .
An ordinary flat in the southern outskirts of Moscow owned by Mr Navalny is not worth anything near that much .
The Anti-Corruption Foundation set up by the opposition politician says it will need to re-structure , but will continue to investigate corrupt Russian politicians despite this financial blow .
`` Based on the patient 's progress and current condition , the treating physicians believe that complete recovery is possible , '' a hospital statement said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to gauge the potential long-term effects of his severe poisoning . ''
After he came out of his medically-induced coma , Mr Navalny 's team announced that he planned to return to Russia .
Ms Yarmysh said `` no other options were ever considered '' .
However , she said on Wednesday he would for the moment remain in Germany `` because his treatment is not over '' .

The investigation pointed the finger at firms linked to Yevgeny Prigozhin, a shadowy businessman with interests in many fields: from catering for banquets in the Kremlin, to food supplies for the army and secondary schools, and - as is widely suspected though denied by the Russian authorities - to running private military companies which guard Russian interests in Syria, Libya, and some African countries.


bbc--2020-09-24--US election 2020: Eric Trump shares false Biden-teleprompter rumour

The US president 's son , Eric Trump , has tweeted a video that falsely claims Democratic candidate Joe Biden used a teleprompter to help him answer questions in a television interview .
Eric Trump wrote `` Unreal '' , above a 26-second video with the headline : 'Biden caught red-handed using a teleprompter ' .
Telemundo , which broadcast the interview , said the claims were false and that it `` has never allowed someone who is being interviewed on its news programmes to read answers from a teleprompter '' .
The network said it had set up a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ questions to Mr Biden .
On screen , a woman had addressed a question to Mr Biden , after which the television apparently went blank .
Mr Biden said : `` I lost that lady '' - not `` I lost that line '' , as the tweet shared by Eric Trump had claimed .
President Trump has also now shared the video clip , which has currently garnered some 1.6 million views .
It 's not the first time allegations have been spread online suggesting Mr Biden used a teleprompter during interview @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rumours that his opponent was reading from a teleprompter during an interview with TV host James Corden .
The rumours were false and Mr Corden has since publicly explained that the teleprompter - seen briefly in a reflection during the show - was for his own use .
The official Donald Trump Facebook page also promoted an ad making the same claim .
Memes about Biden and teleprompters have been shared thousands of times across social media platforms .
The most popular such post on Facebook in the last few days was shared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most politicians use a teleprompter when making speeches , and both Mr Trump and Mr Biden have been picked up in the media for their stumbles while delivering speeches .
Trevor Noah 's The Daily Show posted a video in late August of Mr Trump tripping up over his words during a speech .
The video was captioned : `` Was n't reading off a teleprompter supposed to be easy ? ''
.
• A simple guide to the US election • Where does Donald Trump stand on key issues ?
• How @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most votes

Telemundo, which broadcast the interview, said the claims were false and that it "has never allowed someone who is being interviewed on its news programmes to read answers from a teleprompter".


bbc--2020-09-24--Germany far right: Intelligence chief forced out amid criticism

The head of Germany 's military intelligence agency is to be replaced as the government seeks to ramp up its efforts to combat the far right .
Christof Gramm had begun reforms to tackle links between the far right and the army , but the defence ministry said `` additional efforts '' were now required .
In January , military intelligence said there were hundreds of suspected far-right supporters in the army last year .
They said the KSK ( Special Forces Command ) was seen as a particular problem , with 20 members of the elite force suspected of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has led the military counterintelligence agency ( MAD ) since 2015 , is not suspected of having far-right links himself .
He has been leading reforms and efforts to combat the problem , which included working to identify extremist tendencies in soldiers and uncovering possible far-right networks .
But the MAD has come under fire in recent times for not doing enough to tackle extremism in the Bundeswehr [ German army ] .
A series of high-profile incidents has also raised concerns over the influence of the far right .
In a surprise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ praised Mr Gramm 's work thus far but said he would be removed from his role .
`` He is to be put into temporary retirement , '' it said .
`` Further implementation of the reforms ... will require additional effort and momentum , '' it added .
`` This new phase should also be made visible in terms of personnel . ''
Inspections were ordered on all military barracks when Nazi-era memorabilia was found at two of them .
Many of those suspected of far-right links are thought to be sympathetic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In May , police investigating links between the military and the far right seized weapons and explosives from the home of a special forces soldier .
The 45-year-old sergeant major was in the elite KSK .
Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer promised further investigation of possible extremist networks and said it was clear there was no place for anyone in the armed forces who acted `` in a radical way '' .

But the MAD has come under fire in recent times for not doing enough to tackle extremism in the Bundeswehr [German army]. A series of high-profile incidents has also raised concerns over the influence of the far right.


bbc--2020-09-24--President Trump sued for fraud by niece Mary

US President Donald Trump 's niece has filed a lawsuit , accusing him and two family members of fraud and conspiracy .
Mary Trump alleges that Mr Trump , his sister Maryanne Trump Barry and brother Robert Trump , who died in August , cheated her out of an inheritance .
Ms Trump , who in July released a tell-all memoir about the president , is seeking to recover millions of dollars she claims to have lost .
Neither Mr Trump nor his siblings have publicly commented on the issue .
Mary Trump 's memoir , Too Much and Never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ World 's Most Dangerous Man , describes the president as a `` narcissist '' who now threatens the life of every American .
The White House rejects the claims made in the book , and the Trump family unsuccessfully sued to try to block it .
The lawsuit was filed in a New York court on Thursday .
It says President Trump and his siblings should be tried on eight counts , including fraudulent misrepresentation and concealment , and civil conspiracy .
The lawsuit says that Mary Trump `` inherited valuable minority interests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death of her father Fred Trump Jr in 1981 , and that `` Donald , Maryanne , and Robert committed to watch over her interests as fiduciaries '' .
`` They lied .
Rather than protect Mary 's interests , they designed and carried out a complex scheme to siphon funds away from her interests , conceal their grift [ fraud ] , and deceive her about the true value of what she had inherited , '' the court document says .
Mary Trump , 55 , is a US psychologist , businesswoman @ @ @

"They lied. Rather than protect Mary's interests, they designed and carried out a complex scheme to siphon funds away from her interests, conceal their grift [fraud], and deceive her about the true value of what she had inherited," the court document says.


bbc--2020-09-24--California wildfire trend 'driven by climate'

Climate change is driving the scale and impact of recent wildfires that have raged in California , say scientists .
Their analysis finds an `` unequivocal and pervasive '' role for global heating in boosting the conditions for fire .
California now has greater exposure to fire risks than before humans started altering the climate , the authors say .
Land management issues , touted by President Donald Trump as a key cause , ca n't by themselves explain the recent infernos .
• See the devastation of the US wildfires in maps The worst wildfires in 18 years have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been responsible for more than 30 deaths and driven thousands of people from their homes .
The cause of the fires have become a political football , with California Governor Gavin Newsom blaming climate change for the conflagrations .
President Trump , on the other hand , has dismissed this argument , instead pointing to land management practices as the key driver .
Now , a review of scientific research into the reasons for these fires suggests rising temperatures are playing a major role .
Earlier this year , the same research @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Australia 's dramatic fires that raged in the 2019-2020 season .
That study showed that climate change was behind an increase in the frequency and severity of fire weather - defined as periods of time with a higher risk of fire due to a combination of high temperatures , low humidity , low rainfall and high winds .
The new review covers more than 100 studies published since 2013 , and shows that extreme fires occur when natural variability in the climate is superimposed on increasingly warm and dry background conditions resulting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the trends we 're seeing , in terms of the extent of wildfires , and which have increased eight to ten-fold in the past four decades , that trend is driven by climate change , '' said Dr Matthew Jones from the University of East Anglia in Norwich , UK , who led the review .
`` Climate change ultimately means that those forests , whatever state they 're in , are becoming warmer and drier more frequently , '' he told BBC News .
`` And that 's what 's really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the fires that we 're seeing today . ''
In the 40 years from 1979 to 2019 , fire weather conditions have increased by a total of eight days on average across the world .
However , in California the number of autumn days with extreme wildfire conditions has doubled in that period .
The authors of the review conclude that `` climate change is bringing hotter , drier weather to the western US and the region is fundamentally more exposed to fire risks than it was before humans began to alter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acknowledge that fire management practices in the US have also contributed to the build-up of fuel .
Normally , fire authorities carry out controlled burnings in some areas to reduce the amount of fuel available when a wildfire strikes - but these have also suffered as a result of rising temperatures .
`` When you do prescribed burns , you can only do it when the conditions are n't too hot and dry , because you need to be able to control the fire , '' said Prof Richard Betts from the UK @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of the review team .
`` But once you 've passed the point where you 've got hot , dry conditions for much of the year , you 've lost your opportunity to do lots of prescribed burnings .
So that makes matters worse and makes the land management challenge even greater . ''
Another factor in California has been the encroachment of human settlements into forested areas .
This has put many more homes at risk of these blazes .
Between 1940 and 2010 , there was around a 100-fold increase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dangerous fire zones in the western US .
`` It 's like building on floodplains as well , you know , people are putting themselves in harm 's way , based on past statistics , which are no longer true , '' said Prof Betts .
`` The past is no longer a guide to the future , for flooding and for fire and lots of other ways in which climate change is played out . ''
The researchers say that the conditions for wildfire are likely to continue to grow into the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the resulting fires will likely get worse .
`` It 's pointing towards increases in fire weather that become increasingly intense , widespread and dramatic in the future , '' he said .
`` And the more that we can do to limit the degree to which temperatures rise , is fundamental to how frequently we see dangerous fire weather in the future . ''
Full details of the review can be found here .

"When you do prescribed burns, you can only do it when the conditions aren't too hot and dry, because you need to be able to control the fire," said Prof Richard Betts from the UK Met Office and the University of Exeter who was part of the review team.


bbc--2020-09-24--Cardinal Becciu: Vatican official resigns unexpectedly

High ranking Vatican official Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu has unexpectedly resigned from office , the Holy See has announced .
He previously worked as the second most senior official in the Vatican 's Secretariat of State .
Cardinal Becciu became involved in a controversial deal to buy a luxury London building with church funds as an investment .
The deal has since been the subject of a financial investigation .
`` The Holy Father accepted the resignation from the office of Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints and from the rights connected to the Cardinalate , presented @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' a statement from the Holy See said .
For six years , Cardinal Becciu had the role of Substitute for General Affairs in the Secretariat of State , when he met the Pope daily and was one of his most trusted aides .
It was during his time in that role that he was linked to the property deal .
The purchase of the luxury building in London 's Sloane Avenue was paid for with offshore funds and companies .
Five members of staff were suspended last year following a raid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year .
Vatican police officers seized documents and computers .
`` An investment was made on a building .
It was good and opportune occasion , which many people envy us for today , '' he said in February Cardinal Becciu , who was named a cardinal in 2018 , will keep the title despite his resignation from the congregation .
However he will not be able to vote for the next Pope .
The last cardinal to give up his right to vote for a new Pope was Cardinal Keith O'Brien who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

But the cardinal, 72, told Italian website Domani he was being forced out because he was suspected of giving Church money to his brothers. "I didn't steal even one euro. I am not under investigation but if they send me to trial, I will defend myself," he was quoted as saying.


bbc--2020-09-24--Coronavirus: Are the lockdown restrictions too strict?

In the bid to control the spread of Covid-19 , governments across Europe have imposed restrictions on movement and socialising @ @ @ @ @ these restrictions go too far and they have been showing their discontent online and on @ @ @ @ @ is a debate in the scientific community about how restrictions are communicated and some researchers @ @ @ @ @ hard lockdown measures could have unintended consequences .

In the bid to control the spread of Covid-19, governments across Europe have imposed restrictions on movement and socialising.
For some people, these restrictions go too far and they have been showing their discontent online and on the streets.
Now there is a debate in the scientific community about how restrictions are communicated and some researchers fear that confused messaging or hard lockdown measures could have unintended consequences.
Video by Bruno Boelpaep and Sira Thierij


bbc--2020-09-24--Magawa the mine-detecting rat wins PDSA Gold Medal

An African giant pouched rat has been awarded a prestigious gold medal for his work detecting land mines .
Magawa has sniffed out 39 landmines and 28 unexploded munitions in his career .
The UK veterinary charity PDSA has presented him with its Gold Medal for `` life-saving devotion to duty , in the location and clearance of deadly landmines in Cambodia '' .
There are thought to be up to six million landmines in the southeast Asian country .
PDSA 's Gold Medal is inscribed with the words `` For animal gallantry or devotion to duty '' .
Of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Magawa is the first rat .
The seven-year-old rodent was trained by the Belgium-registered charity Apopo , which is based in Tanzania and has been raising the animals - known as HeroRATs - to detect landmines and tuberculosis since the 1990s .
The animals are certified after a year of training .
`` To receive this medal is really an honour for us , '' Apopo chief executive Christophe Cox told the Press Association news agency .
`` But also it is big for the people in Cambodia , and all the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from landmines . ''
On Friday PDSA will broadcast the award ceremony for Magawa on its website .
• Where are the world 's landmines ?
• Meet the women on a mission to clear landmines According to Apopo , Magawa - born and raised in Tanzania - weights 1.2kg ( 2.6lb ) and is 70cm ( 28in ) long .
While that is far larger than many other rat species , Magawa is still small enough and light enough that he does not trigger mines if he walks over them .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compound within the explosives , meaning they ignore scrap metal and can search for mines more quickly .
Once they find an explosive , they scratch the top to alert their human co-workers .
Magawa is capable of searching a field the size of a tennis court in just 20 minutes - something Apopo says would take a person with a metal detector between one and four days .
He works for just half an hour a day in the mornings and is nearing retirement age , but PDSA director general Jan McLoughlin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ truly unique and outstanding '' .
`` Magawa 's work directly saves and changes the lives of men , women and children who are impacted by these landmines , '' she told the Press Association .
`` Every discovery he makes reduces the risk of injury or death for local people . ''
According to the mine-clearing NGO the HALO Trust , Cambodia has recorded more than 64,000 casualties and some 25,000 amputees due to landmines since 1979 .
Many were laid during the country 's civil war in the 1970s and 1980s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump lifted restrictions on US landmine use , reversing a ban brought in by President Barack Obama in 2014 .

According to Apopo, Magawa - born and raised in Tanzania - weighs 1.2kg (2.6lb) and is 70cm (28in) long. While that is far larger than many other rat species, Magawa is still small enough and light enough that he does not trigger mines if he walks over them.


bbc--2020-09-24--How worried should we be about deadly cyber-attacks?

Experts have been warning for years that it 's not a matter of if , but when , hackers will @ @ @ @ @ are conducting the first ever homicide investigation in which hackers could be to blame .
@ @ @ @ @ of the EU 's cyber-security agency tells the BBC that countries should consider making company @ @ @ @ @ through cyber-attacks which could have been prevented .
So where are people most at risk @ @ @ @ @ we be about deadly cyber-attacks ?

Experts have been warning for years that it's not a matter of if, but when, hackers will kill somebody.
German police are conducting the first ever homicide investigation in which hackers could be to blame.
It comes as the head of the EU's cyber-security agency tells the BBC that countries should consider making company bosses liable for deaths caused through cyber-attacks which could have been prevented.
So where are people most at risk, and how worried should we be about deadly cyber-attacks?
Reporter: Joe Tidy
Director/ Producer: Natalia Zuo
Executive producer: Claire Williams


bbc--2020-09-24--Michael Kiwanuka wins the 2020 Mercury Prize

Singer-songwriter Michael Kiwanuka has won the 2020 Mercury Prize for his soul-searching third record , Kiwanuka .
A lush , immersive album of politicised soul , it sees the star exploring themes of self-doubt , faith and civil rights .
Released last November , Kiwanuka beat best-sellers like Dua Lipa 's Future Nostalgia and Stormzy 's Heavy Is The Head to win the £25,000 prize .
`` It 's blown my mind , '' said the singer .
`` Music is all I 've ever wanted to do , so I 'm over the moon . ''
Kiwanuka won on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for each of his previous albums : 2012 's Home Again and 2016 's Love & Hate .
`` I was kind of resigned to the fact [ that ] if I do n't win one this year , probably I 'll never win one , '' he told BBC 6 Music .
• Michael Kiwanuka interview : ' I am not an imposter' Kiwanuka 's victory was revealed by Radio 1 's Annie Mac on The One Show , after Covid-19 restrictions made the traditional award ceremony impossible .
The DJ , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the likes of Jamie Cullum and Jorja Smith , said it had been a `` unanimous '' decision .
`` I do n't think any of the judges walked away unhappy , '' she said .
`` Everyone felt the same thing about this album , which is that it thoroughly deserved to win the prize . ''
Kiwanuka , whose Ugandan parents escaped Idi Amin 's regime to settle in Muswell Hill , London , is a former session musician who dropped out of the Royal Academy of Music to become a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attention after supporting Adele on her 2011 tour and winning the BBC 's Sound of 2012 .
He released his debut album , Home Again , later that year .
The musician cemented his reputation with 2016 's Love & Hate , which made him a star in the US when the opening song , Cold Little Heart , became the theme tune to the TV series Big Little Lies .
Despite his success , his latest album emerged from a period of crippling self-doubt .
`` I 've always had imposter syndrome @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year .
`` I was always waiting for someone to find me out .
`` But about a year and a half ago , I got tired of that way of thinking .
I just went , 'This is n't helping anyone , least of all me . '
'' The result was Kiwanuka 's opening track , You Ai n't The Problem , on which the musician vows to stop getting in his own way , singing : `` I used to hate myself / You got the key / Break out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a song cycle where Kiwanuka 's own experiences and fears are interwoven with samples of civil rights campaigners and reflections on racial politics .
On the psych-rock soliloquy Hero , he compares the murder of 1960s Black Panther activist Fred Hampton with recent US police shootings .
Exasperated , he turns to God for answers on the call-and-response coda of I 've Been Dazed .
• Everything you need to know about the Mercury nominees • Pop star 'not British enough ' for Mercury prize Released last November , the album earned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the UK charts .
It is the latest album reflecting the experiences of young black Britons to be chosen by Mercury judges .
Kiwanuka is the fifth black male solo artist to win the award in the past six years .
Rapper Dave won for Psychodrama last year .
The musician was the bookies ' favourite to win , followed by Laura Marling , who has now been passed over four times .
Announcing the winner on The One Show will undoubtedly gave Kiwanuka 's record extra exposure .
The prime-time BBC One @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compared with the 155,000 who tuned in to last year 's final on BBC Four .
Mac explained that Kiwanuka had been informed of the result before the show , so that he could be invited to the studio .
However , she shared a video of the moment she ambushed him with the news , as he was on his way to be interviewed by Jools Holland .
The star will celebrate his victory on a special edition of Later ... With Jools at 22:00 BST on Friday night .
• Lanterns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The shortlist was praised for highlighting female artists , who outnumbered men for the first time in the prize 's 29-year history .
But organisers came under fire for excluding British-Asian artist Rina Sawayama because she does not hold a British passport .
After the singer said she was `` heartbroken '' by the decision , the BPI , which organises both the Mercury Prize and the Brit Awards , said it would review its eligibility criteria .
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bbc--2020-09-24--Quiz of the week: Who made history at the 'pand-Emmys'?

It 's the weekly news quiz - how closely have you been paying attention to what 's been going on @ @ @ @ @ past seven days ?
If you can not see the quiz , follow this link @ @ @ @ @ quiz via this link .
What information do we collect from this quiz ?
Privacy @ @

It's the weekly news quiz - how closely have you been paying attention to what's been going on in the world during the past seven days?


bbc--2020-09-24--Amazon unveils flying Ring security drone and Luna games service

`` It only reports when it 's in motion , and when it 's not in motion it actually sits in a dock where it 's physically blocked from even being able to report , '' explained Leila Rouhi , president of Ring .
`` I expect it to generate a huge amount of interest from technology enthusiasts who are typically the people who embrace smart home technology first .
However , it is also likely to provoke a huge discussion around privacy and the future role of technology in the home . ''
When questioned about sales of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chief executive Jeff Bezos said the firm did not lose money on the range when they were sold at `` list price '' , but acknowledged they were often on promotion at a lower cost .
Many gamers may be more interested in the forthcoming `` Ubisoft channel '' , which will include the publisher 's next Assassin 's Creed game among other blockbuster releases .
The monthly cost of the Ubisoft channel has yet to be disclosed .
And it said the virtual assistant would soon become better at recognising when customers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were talking to each other , after it had been activated by a wake word .
Amazon Echo is forecast to have 11.6 million smart speaker users in the UK by the end of 2020 , according to research firm eMarketer .
By contrast , it says the nearest competitor Google Home would have 3.7 million .

And it said the virtual assistant would soon become better at recognising when customers were talking to it and when they were talking to each other, after it had been activated by a wake word.


bbc--2020-09-24--The German medical students who want to learn about abortion

Then she needed to hunt down a doctor who could prescribe pills for an early medical abortion .
It became legal last year for doctors to publicise the fact that they provide abortions but they can not indicate what kinds of service they provide , so Bauer had to call medical practices one by one .
`` Even when we went to get the pill , the doctor 's assistant kept asking , 'Are you really sure ? '
Seeing what my friend had to go through , and how she was treated , made me so angry that I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' In some parts of Germany women have to travel long distances to reach a clinic where abortions are carried out .
In 2018 more than 1,000 crossed into the Netherlands , where the process is simpler and the time limit is 22 weeks .
Some doctors also commute from Belgium and the Netherlands to carry out abortions in northern German cities such as Bremen and Münster .
Medical Students for Choice Berlin is trying to address the difficulties faced by women seeking an abortion by holding papaya workshops , where the procedure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Its size makes a handy stand-in for a human uterus , and its seeds are vacuumed out to demonstrate how the foetus may be removed .
The idea is to get students in touch with the topic , and to encourage them to pursue specialist training after finishing their undergraduate course .
Baier got in touch with a US group called Medical Students for Choice , which explained that papayas can be used in demonstrations .
`` They even posted the tools for us to use , '' she adds .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who could host the workshops .
`` They said to me , 'We 've been waiting so long for students like you ! '
'' In Lower Bavaria , a region with a population of 1.2 million bordering Austria and the Czech Republic , the last remaining gynaecologist performing abortions came out of retirement five years ago , as no other doctor in the 80 % Catholic region would agree to take over from him .
But 72-two-year-old Michael Spandau stopped again completely in March , because his age put him at risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to travel to Munich or Regensburg , 130km ( 80 miles ) away , '' says Thoralf Fricke from the local branch of family planning charity Pro Familia , situated in the centre of the picturesque , pastel-painted city of Passau .
`` If you do n't have a car , you need to travel by train .
This is expensive .
If you live in a rural area , it takes three hours each way .
And it is a risk to your health - this operation is n't like having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complications such as blood pressure problems . ''
Rose , who is from Nigeria and lives a 40-minute bus ride outside of Passau , needed an abortion last December .
`` My daughter is six months old and I told my boyfriend , I can not cope with another child so soon , '' she explains .
Luckily she was able to spend the night after the procedure at the home of a pro-choice activist , Lea .
`` I was feeling very dizzy afterwards , '' she recalls .
`` I was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she supported me as I walked .
If I had to get the bus then maybe I would have collapsed . ''
But the pro-choice movement is growing stronger too .
As a result of Medical Students for Choice 's campaign , the Charité university hospital in Berlin last year added abortion to its curriculum for the first time ever , as did Münster university .
If social distancing allows , the group plans to hold a training weekend with medical students from all over the country in Berlin this autumn .
You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a couple of weeks every month , Lucie seemed to become a different person - one suffering from countless mental and physical problems - and she could n't understand why .
She spent years looking for a doctor who could provide an answer , and it took a hysterectomy at the age of 28 to cure her .

Rose, who is from Nigeria and lives a 40-minute bus ride outside of Passau, needed an abortion last December. "My daughter is six months old and I told my boyfriend, I cannot cope with another child so soon," she explains. Luckily she was able to spend the night after the procedure at the home of a pro-choice activist, Lea. "I was feeling very dizzy afterwards," she recalls. "I was so lucky I was with Lea because she supported me as I walked. If I had to get the bus then maybe I would have collapsed."


bbc--2020-09-24--Coronavirus: 'We're Australian but we're trapped in the UK'

Last Thursday , Andrew Leslie , 52 , woke up at 04:30 BST at his east London home for his mother 's funeral .
It was taking place some 10,000 miles away in Sydney , Australia .
Australia 's strict coronavirus rules left Andrew , an IT worker , unable to get a flight home in time .
He had no choice but to say a `` surreal '' goodbye to his beloved 92-year-old mum , Helen , via an online live stream .
`` I really can not describe the sadness and grief I 've felt over the last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were only 24 hours from being home , '' Andrew says .
When his mother was taken to hospital after a fall four weeks ago , Andrew and his wife , Anu , 49 , searched for flights to Australia , only to find that by the time they could fly there , and finish Australia 's mandatory two-week quarantine , they would still be `` weeks too late '' to see his mother .
Heartbroken at being separated from his mum and four siblings in Australia , Andrew and Anu recorded video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before she died .
• Australia virus cases 'set to be lowest in months' '' We told her how much we loved and missed her , and talked about some of the happy memories we 'd had together , '' he says .
After a `` very emotional '' funeral , Andrew is still struggling to come to terms with his mother 's death .
`` I do n't know if we 've really dealt with it from here , it just feels too detached '' .
Andrew 's experience is one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and separation - after Australia adopted some of the toughest travel restrictions in the world .
In March , its government urged Australian citizens and residents living overseas who wanted to return home to do so as soon as they could .
Days later , the country closed its borders to everyone except Australian citizens and permanent residents .
The government has restricted people from leaving the country without an exemption , and few are given .
All arrivals into Australia must quarantine in a designated hotel for 14 days , at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ £1,650 ) per adult .
Australia also brought in strict limits on the number of arrivals allowed to enter the country - with a cap of about 4,000 people per week .
And airlines - who must comply with the caps - have been regularly cancelling flights and tickets .
About 27,000 Australians stranded overseas have registered with the government to come home , Australian officials have said .
But earlier this month , the Board of Airline Representatives of Australia - which represents airlines - estimated there were likely to be 100,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the UK .
For Sandi James , a PhD researcher , qualified psychologist and teacher , what was supposed to be a 10-day working trip to Dublin has turned into months of being stranded in the UK with no job or stable accommodation .
Sandi , 51 , travelled from Australia to a conference in Dublin in March , where her wife Jennifer , 54 , joined her from Thailand .
Sandi was then due to travel to Malaysia for work - but says hours before she could board the plane , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same that month .
Sandi travelled to London after being offered a room to stay in while she was waiting to return to Australia .
She tried to book a flight home in April , but the earliest she could get one was 6 July .
With no job or permanent place to live , she phoned the Australian High Commission in London for help , but says they told her to contact a local council about homeless accommodation .
`` I hung up the phone .
I just could n't speak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
The Commission did not respond to the BBC 's request for a response to this claim .
After her first flight was cancelled , Sandi was unable to take another last minute flight and says she has `` given up '' on trying to get back to Australia .
Sandi , who is currently staying in a hostel in Bristol , says the whole ordeal has severely damaged her mental health .
She has now started the expensive process of applying for an ancestry visa in the UK , in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bring Jennifer here .
`` I am stuck here alone , and am really struggling .
I ca n't do this on my own anymore , I need her . ''
For first-time mum Carly McCrossin , 38 , every day her five-month-old daughter , Ailish , grows is a heart-wrenching reminder that her family back in Australia are missing out on those special moments .
`` I was getting so upset , because I would be putting away her new-born clothes , '' she says , `` and bringing out the three-month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due to fly to the UK before Carly gave birth .
But during a `` horrible '' phone call , Carly and her husband , who live in south London , agreed she should n't come to the UK , fearing she may get stranded here - a decision they had just hours to make before the borders closed .
Unable to `` do nothing '' , she has launched a new campaign , with the aim of chartering a plane to fly other lockdown babies to Australia to meet their families .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Carly has begun the `` slow process of getting things to happen '' , including talking to airlines and charter companies .
So far the cheapest private charter quote came in at about €900,000 ( £497,000 ) for a return .
The Australian government is due to review the caps on people coming into the country on 24 October and recently said it will increase capacity to about 6,000 people per week .
But many stranded Australians say this is not enough .
And it could be too late for Carly .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in October for three months before returning to the UK in January .
Instead she 's left looking at baby clothes that no longer fit her daughter .
`` I just kept asking myself , how has my mum not seen my baby ? ''

When his mother was taken to hospital after a fall four weeks ago, Andrew and his wife, Anu, 49, searched for flights to Australia, only to find that by the time they could fly there, and finish Australia's mandatory two-week quarantine, they would still be "weeks too late" to see his mother.


bbc--2020-09-24--'One day everyone will use China's digital currency'

Chandler Guo was a pioneer in cryptocurrency , the digital currencies that can be created and used independently of national central banks and governments .
In 2014 he set up an operation to produce one of those currencies , Bitcoin , in a secret location in western China .
`` Mining '' Bitcoin is a power hungry enterprise involving dozens of computers so he used power from a hydroelectric station , in partnership with a local Chinese government official .
At its peak his machines were capable of mining 30 % of the world 's Bitcoin .
He believed Bitcoin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ replace the dollar .
But now he sees a new force emerging - a payment system created by the Chinese state and known as Digital Currency Electronic Payment ( DCEP ) .
It 's really a digital version of China 's official currency , the yuan , and Mr Guo feels DCEP will become the dominant global currency .
`` One day everyone in the world will be using DCEP , '' he says .
`` DCEP will be successful because there are a lot of Chinese people living outside of China - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the country .
`` If they have a connection with China they will use the DCEP .
They can make DCEP become an international currency . ''
But many question whether it will succeed and there are concerns that it will be used by Beijing to spy on citizens .
Like Bitcoin , DCEP utilises a blockchain technology , a type of digitised ledger used to verify transactions .
Blockchain acts as a universal record of every transaction ever made on that network , and users collaborate to verify new transactions when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ means users do n't need a bank if , for example , they want to pay each other , perhaps with their phones .
China plans to launch DCEP later this year .
But so far , the People 's Bank of China has not given an exact date for the nationwide launch .
China began testing the digital currency earlier this year in selected cities .
When rolled out it will allow users to link downloaded electronic wallets to their bank cards , make transactions and transfer money .
`` It 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ People 's Bank of China is under a lot of pressure to accelerate the development because they do not want to be in a world where Libra ( Facebook 's digital currency ) becomes the global currency , which they think is worse than the current global financial system controlled by the US , '' says Linghao Bao , an analyst from Beijing-based Trivium .
Observers say China wants to internationalise the yuan so that it can compete with the dollar .
`` The Chinese government believes that if some other countries can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ break the United States ' monetary sovereignty .
The United States has built the current global financial system and the instruments , '' says an anonymous Chinese cryptocurrency observer known as Bitfool .
The technology enthusiast worked in the venture capital sector before joining a number of Chinese internet companies .
He started researching Bitcoin and believes that digital currencies represent the future of money .
• When changing a light bulb is a really big deal '' Some traditional banking systems ca n't serve a poor country .
In the traditional system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a bank ca n't make money from you , but with digital currency , everyone has the right to enter .
The threshold to enter is really low , '' he says .
Although Facebook has scaled back its plans for Libra , it was still a concern for China .
The social media giant plans to roll out an e-wallet known as Novi later this year .
It will work as a standalone app but can also be available on Messenger and WhatsApp .
`` The two sides are definitely involved in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has happened yet , '' says Linghao Bao .
Observers like Bitfool believe that China is already further ahead of the US in the battle for the future of money .
China 's digital payment systems are widely seen as the most advanced in the world .
The country is on the verge of becoming a cashless society .
In 2019 , four out of every five payments in China were made through either Tencent 's WeChat Pay or Alibaba 's Alipay .
`` America is the leader of the global financial system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ motivation like China to make the change [ to a digital currency ] , '' says Bitfool .
`` China wants to share that power .
But for America , Libra is just a backup plan .
`` In poor countries and also in China there are a lot of people who live in villages .
They have very little money but they are using smartphones .
If you can buy a smartphone you can use DCEP . ''
However , DCEP will be centralised and state-run , unlike Bitcoin or Ethereum which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bitcoin enthusiasts fear that DCEP will be used as a tool by the Chinese Communist Party to exert greater control over their citizens through surveillance .
The authorities will be able to monitor how money is spent in real time .
They will also have the same controls over DCEP as with the yuan .
The yuan is tightly controlled by Beijing and its exchange rate is the source of much tension between the US and China .
The US accuses China of keeping the yuan weak to benefit its economy .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The ultimate goal of a cryptocurrency is the separation of money and state , '' says Stewart Mackenzie , a cryptocurrency expert based in Hong Kong .
`` It 's easy for them to say that it 's like Bitcoin when it 's worlds apart . ''
Linghao Bao agrees .
`` DCEP is built on an idea of centralised control .
The value of Bitcoin lies in its decentralisation nature and its isolation from the financial system , '' Mr Bao says .
`` I trust Bitcoin more .
Because it really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

"It's hard to predict the timeline but the People's Bank of China is under a lot of pressure to accelerate the development because they do not want to be in a world where Libra (Facebook's digital currency) becomes the global currency, which they think is worse than the current global financial system controlled by the US," says Linghao Bao, an analyst from Beijing-based Trivium.


bbc--2020-09-24--PMC Bank collapse: 'We lost our money and then our son'

When India 's Punjab and Maharashtra Co-operative Bank ( PMC ) went under in 2019 , nearly a million depositors were cut off from their life 's savings .
One year later , many are still waiting for their money , reports the BBC 's Nidhi Rai .
But three days later , his life turned upside down .
He was home , watching the news when he learnt that India 's central bank had frozen PMC 's accounts - the bank 's managers had allegedly committed fraud by hiding a pile of bad loans , amounting to about 65bn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rushed to the bank and joined hundreds of other depositors who had begun gathering outside PMC bank 's branches across the country to withdraw money .
A year on , the bank 's depositors - more than 900,000 people from middle and working-class families - are still waiting for their money to be returned . '
I did n't know it was eating him up inside' But , Mr Modi says , he watched his son lose hope as the months wore on .
He was laid off in April because of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Raunak , however , kept trying to get the money back from the bank .
They protested , petitioned the courts , tweeted and wrote letters to officials and political leaders .
Some are as young as Raunak , just starting out when a curveball struck ; others are in their 60s , anxious that the comfortable retirement they had saved up for might no longer be an option ; and there are those in their 80s , too shocked and exhausted to think of an alternative .
Kuldeep Kaur Vig , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the news , according to her family .
Murlidhar Dharra , 83 , died because his family could n't arrange funds for his heart surgery and Andrew Lobo , 74 , died because he could not afford medical treatment .
In November , 51-year-old Sanjay Gulati died from a heart attack after attending a protest by depositors .
Founded in 1984 , the bank has more than a 100 branches across India .
It 's one of some 1,540 co-operative banks that hold close to 11 % of India 's bank deposits - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ popular because they lend at lower interest rates , and often give higher interest than other banks .
The bank is accused of lending money to a real estate company - Housing Development & Infrastructure Ltd ( HDIL ) - through dummy accounts in the name of dead clients .
When the company started to default on payments , the bank 's management allegedly covered it up by under-reporting the extent of their exposure .
As the debt grew , the bank was forced to report the problem to the Reserve Bank of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's central bank .
With no collateral from the cash-strapped HDIL to fall back on , the RBI initally limited withdrawals to as little as $ 13 per person to prevent depositors from withdrawing large sums in a rush .
The RBI gradually increased the limit - it now stands at $ 1,350 .
Too little , too late '' We are borrowing from our relatives and friends to run our households .
I have not paid the maintenance bill of the building where I live for the last six months '' , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her husband , both retired from jobs , have four accounts in a single branch of PMC bank in Mumbai .
`` The system has failed us , '' she adds .
`` We are senior citizens .
We have medicines to buy and regular medical check-ups to undergo .
Who is going to pay for all that ? ''
.
She says they have been trying to meet officials but they have had no luck .
`` We are not beggars .
It is our money that is stuck in the bank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knocking on the right doors .
The RBI can solve this issue by finding a buyer , but there is a lack of political will . ''

They protested, petitioned the courts, tweeted and wrote letters to officials and political leaders. Some are as young as Raunak, just starting out when a curveball struck; others are in their 60s, anxious that the comfortable retirement they had saved up for might no longer be an option; and there are those in their 80s, too shocked and exhausted to think of an alternative.


bbc--2020-09-24--Dutch celebs face backlash over Covid rebellion

Their campaign came as the numbers in Dutch intensive care units hit 100 for the first time since June and infection rates rose 60 % on last week .
The young celebrities were recruited or attracted by a group called `` Virus Truth '' that promotes the conspiracy theory that the risks posed by the virus have been exaggerated and used by governments to violate people 's freedoms and fundamental rights .
In a video posted on Instagram , singer and model Famke Louise tossed her ponytail and pouted at the camera while telling her million followers : `` Only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under control , I am no longer taking part , free the people . ''
However , the young rapper struggled to defend her position on popular chat show Jinek , explaining in exasperation , `` I do n't mind the 1.5m ( 5ft ) society , '' she said referring to social distancing rules .
`` It 's about the principle that we live in a society where people need their freedom , in which people just want to have fun . ''
She also expressed frustration about the impact that measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were having on the entertainment industry .
Then , on Wednesday night , the young YouTube star-turned-rapper removed her video from Instagram and posted a lengthy apology in its place , saying it was `` not my best day '' .
She revealed that she now realised `` the seriousness of making unsubstantiated statements '' and would look for someone who specialised in pandemics to educate her .
Singer Tim Douwsma removed his video and Bizzey posted on Twitter on Thursday that he would have `` nothing more to do '' with Willem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Virus Truth '' movement .
Ironically Famke Louise , 21 , was among a group of influencers previously paid by the Dutch government to appear in an advert encouraging people to follow the advice designed to bring the virus under control .
There are now fears that the opposition of these young celebrities will undermine support among their adoring followers , and along with it respect for the rules .
`` I 'm not sure it meant more people not adhering to the guidelines ; maybe it will mean more people do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these people did .
It could go both ways .
Influencers distributing these types of things is not good .
It 's not what we need at the moment . ''
Many believe measures such as bringing forward last orders in bars to midnight and stopping football fans from shouting on the terraces do not go far enough compared with their European neighbours .

"I'm not sure it meant more people not adhering to the guidelines; maybe it will mean more people do because they're so angry about what these people did. It could go both ways. Influencers distributing these types of things is not good. It's not what we need at the moment."


bbc--2020-09-24--Martinez scores extra-time winner as Bayern beat Sevilla to win Super Cup

Last updated on .From the section Football Bayern Munich were taken to extra time by a durable and resilient Sevilla in front 15,180 fans in Budapest before adding the Uefa Super Cup to their Champions League trophy .
And they witnessed a hard-fought encounter which saw Sevilla take the lead from the penalty spot on 13 minutes when Lucas Ocampos scored an outrageous `` no look '' penalty after Ivan Rakitic was bundled over by David Alaba .
Bayern equalised before the break , Leon Goretzka scoring from Robert Lewandowski 's superb touch , with both sides having opportunities to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Leroy Sane saw goals chalked off for Bayern but the biggest chance fell to Sevilla substitute Youssef En-Nesyri in the closing moments , seeing his shot touched away by Manuel Neuer with only the keeper to beat .
Bayern , who last lost in December 2019 , clinched victory with substitute Javi Martinez 's 104th-minute header after Sevilla keeper Yassine Bounou could only push out Alaba 's shot .
Bayern Munich had to dig deep for victory but there is a fierce conviction in Hansi Flick 's side that made this win almost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sevilla , who had that great chance late on through En-Nesyri .
The European champions , who left the likes of Alphonso Davies out of their starting line-up , looked a little ring rusty despite opening their defence of the Bundesliga with an 8-0 romp against Schalke .
There were still glimpses of the class and threat of Lewandowski and the pace and directness Sane will bring after his move from Manchester City .
Bayern have the look of a relentless , hungry , winning machine and will once again represent a huge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to defend the Champions League crown they won against Paris St-Germain .
This victory makes it 32 games unbeaten in all competitions for the treble winners , while they ended Sevilla 's own 21-game unbeaten run .
It was a game with atmosphere as fans returned to the big European occasion , albeit in vastly reduced numbers and also observing social distancing , wearing masks and undergoing temperature checks before the game .
The decision did not win unanimous approval , with opposition from some local officials in Budapest to the game being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ atmosphere as fans of both clubs were in attendance despite the rise in coronavirus cases around Europe , with Bayern fans even indulging in some of the traditional baiting in an attempt to Ocampos off as he prepared to take his penalty .
One thing remained unchanged - Bayern Munich ended up lifting the silverware .

Last updated on .From the section Football
Bayern Munich have won four trophies in 2020
Bayern Munich were taken to extra time by a durable and resilient Sevilla in front 15,180 fans in Budapest before adding the Uefa Super Cup to their Champions League trophy.
The showpiece was watched by supporters inside the 67,000-capacity Puskas Arena, the first major European match to allow fans since the coronavirus pandemic forced the game into lockdown.
And they witnessed a hard-fought encounter which saw Sevilla take the lead from the penalty spot on 13 minutes when Lucas Ocampos scored an outrageous "no look" penalty after Ivan Rakitic was bundled over by David Alaba.
Bayern equalised before the break, Leon Goretzka scoring from Robert Lewandowski's superb touch, with both sides having opportunities to win after the break.
Lewandowski and Leroy Sane saw goals chalked off for Bayern but the biggest chance fell to Sevilla substitute Youssef En-Nesyri in the closing moments, seeing his shot touched away by Manuel Neuer with only the keeper to beat.
Bayern, who last lost in December 2019, clinched victory with substitute Javi Martinez's 104th-minute header after Sevilla keeper Yassine Bounou could only push out Alaba's shot.
Bayern's winning machine rolls on
Substitute Javi Martinez scored the winner in extra time
Bayern Munich had to dig deep for victory but there is a fierce conviction in Hansi Flick's side that made this win almost inevitable, despite another mammoth effort from Sevilla, who had that great chance late on through En-Nesyri.
The European champions, who left the likes of Alphonso Davies out of their starting line-up, looked a little ring rusty despite opening their defence of the Bundesliga with an 8-0 romp against Schalke.
There were still glimpses of the class and threat of Lewandowski and the pace and directness Sane will bring after his move from Manchester City.
Bayern have the look of a relentless, hungry, winning machine and will once again represent a huge threat to their rivals as they prepare to defend the Champions League crown they won against Paris St-Germain.
This victory makes it 32 games unbeaten in all competitions for the treble winners, while they ended Sevilla's own 21-game unbeaten run.
It was a game with atmosphere as fans returned to the big European occasion, albeit in vastly reduced numbers and also observing social distancing, wearing masks and undergoing temperature checks before the game.
The decision did not win unanimous approval, with opposition from some local officials in Budapest to the game being staged with fans.
It did add atmosphere as fans of both clubs were in attendance despite the rise in coronavirus cases around Europe, with Bayern fans even indulging in some of the traditional baiting in an attempt to Ocampos off as he prepared to take his penalty.
One thing remained unchanged - Bayern Munich ended up lifting the silverware.
Uefa allowed fans into the stadium as part of a test event in Budapest


bbc--2020-09-24--F1 drivers mostly opposed to reverse-grid races

Most Formula 1 drivers are opposed to the idea of holding reverse-grid sprint races in place of qualifying next year .
But the majority of drivers asked about the topic at the Russian Grand Prix on Thursday said they disliked it .
Red Bull ’ s Max Verstappen said : “ It ’ s artificial and trying to create a show , which is not what F1 stands for .
The cars will end in the same position.
” The Dutchman added : “ The fastest car should be in the front .
That ’ s what everyone works for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel have consistently expressed their opposition to the idea , and at the last race Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff said it was turning the sport into a wrestling-style show .
Mercedes vetoed the idea when Brawn tried to introduce it at some races this year but new rules for 2021 make it more likely to happen .
The idea was given fresh momentum by the Italian Grand Prix earlier this month , when a series of incidents led to a mixed-up grid for a restart and a shock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
F1 has asked fans to vote on trying the proposal out at four races next season .
The grid for the sprint race would be based on reverse championship order and the result would set the grid for the Grand Prix .
McLaren ’ s Lando Norris said : “ I don ’ t think if you swap everyone it will necessarily lead to a better race.
” Racing Point ’ s Sergio Perez added : “ I saw Toto Wolff said F1 is not WWE and I agree .
The problem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They are working hard to fix that for 2022 [ with new technical rules ] .
“ I don ’ t think it is a good idea for the sport .
Saturdays are very special in F1 as well as Sundays .
You would be taking quite a bit away from the Saturday.
” And Williams driver George Russell said : “ I still think the Mercedes would win .
It would be interesting in the midfield because the pace of those cars are so close .
The cars behind wouldn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We have to try things .
It might exciting , it might a bit of a joke .
Maybe we could try it once.
” Renault 's Daniel Ricciardo said : `` [ Monza was ] exciting but it was organic .
I 'm just worried if we kind of add it in an artificial way and mix-up the field and every driver is getting an F1 win , does the value of an F1 win hold what it does today ?
That is the fine line and balance . ''
The F1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michael Masi asking how re-starts can be made safer after a multi-car pile-up at the Tuscan Grand Prix .
The drivers felt that the way the re-start was organised at Mugello made a crash more likely and Hamilton described the situation as “ not particularly safe ” .
The drivers have asked Masi to explain the FIA ’ s perspective and the matter will be discussed at the drivers ’ briefing in Russia on Friday .
Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel , a director of the Grand Prix Drivers ’ Association , said : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so we have to look at it and do something better .
“ We can ’ t be happy with some of the things that happened but I would like to keep the dialogue between Michael and ourselves.
” McLaren 's Carlos Sainz , one of the drivers involved in the crash , said : “ We need to take some lessons from it .
We didn ’ t make our lives easy by some people second-guessing the start and we are definitely going to discuss that .
“ We need to analyse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do better because the crash was huge and it could have been a lot worse if the cars I took with me or in the concertina effect were at different angles when you take them .
“ It was a serious accident and we need to try to avoid a repeat of it .
It needs to be discussed privately but we need to have a proper look and a brainstorm about how to avoid it next time .
”

The start of the Italian Grand Prix at Monza earlier this season
Most Formula 1 drivers are opposed to the idea of holding reverse-grid sprint races in place of qualifying next year.
Formula 1 has canvassed fans on the idea, which managing director Ross Brawn has been pushing for some time.
But the majority of drivers asked about the topic at the Russian Grand Prix on Thursday said they disliked it.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen said: “It’s artificial and trying to create a show, which is not what F1 stands for. The cars will end in the same position.”
The Dutchman added: “The fastest car should be in the front. That’s what everyone works for. F1 is about pure performance.”
Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel have consistently expressed their opposition to the idea, and at the last race Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff said it was turning the sport into a wrestling-style show.
Mercedes vetoed the idea when Brawn tried to introduce it at some races this year but new rules for 2021 make it more likely to happen.
The idea was given fresh momentum by the Italian Grand Prix earlier this month, when a series of incidents led to a mixed-up grid for a restart and a shock victory for Alpha Tauri driver Pierre Gasly.
F1 has asked fans to vote on trying the proposal out at four races next season.
The grid for the sprint race would be based on reverse championship order and the result would set the grid for the Grand Prix.
McLaren’s Lando Norris said: “I don’t think if you swap everyone it will necessarily lead to a better race.”
Racing Point’s Sergio Perez added: “I saw Toto Wolff said F1 is not WWE and I agree. The problem F1 has is the difference across teams. They are working hard to fix that for 2022 [with new technical rules].
“I don’t think it is a good idea for the sport. Saturdays are very special in F1 as well as Sundays. You would be taking quite a bit away from the Saturday.”
And Williams driver George Russell said: “I still think the Mercedes would win. It would be interesting in the midfield because the pace of those cars are so close. The cars behind wouldn’t be able to overtake.
“We have to try things. It might exciting, it might a bit of a joke. Maybe we could try it once.”
Renault's Daniel Ricciardo said: "[Monza was] exciting but it was organic. I'm just worried if we kind of add it in an artificial way and mix-up the field and every driver is getting an F1 win, does the value of an F1 win hold what it does today? That is the fine line and balance."
Drivers want to discuss Tuscany re-start crash
The F1 drivers have written to FIA race director Michael Masi asking how re-starts can be made safer after a multi-car pile-up at the Tuscan Grand Prix.
The drivers felt that the way the re-start was organised at Mugello made a crash more likely and Hamilton described the situation as “not particularly safe”.
The drivers have asked Masi to explain the FIA’s perspective and the matter will be discussed at the drivers’ briefing in Russia on Friday.
Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel, a director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, said: Vettel: “Something went wrong, so we have to look at it and do something better.
“We can’t be happy with some of the things that happened but I would like to keep the dialogue between Michael and ourselves.”
McLaren's Carlos Sainz, one of the drivers involved in the crash, said: “We need to take some lessons from it. We didn’t make our lives easy by some people second-guessing the start and we are definitely going to discuss that.
“We need to analyse together with the FIA what we can do better because the crash was huge and it could have been a lot worse if the cars I took with me or in the concertina effect were at different angles when you take them.
“It was a serious accident and we need to try to avoid a repeat of it. It needs to be discussed privately but we need to have a proper look and a brainstorm about how to avoid it next time.”