bbc--2020-07-14--Fertility rate: 'Jaw-dropping' global crash in children being born

The world is ill-prepared for the global crash in children being born which is set to have a `` jaw-dropping '' impact on societies , say researchers .
Falling fertility rates mean nearly every country could have shrinking populations by the end of the century .
And 23 nations - including Spain and Japan - are expected to see their populations halve by 2100 .
Counties will also age dramatically , with as many people turning 80 as there are being born .
What is going on ?
The fertility rate - the average number of children a woman gives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the number falls below approximately 2.1 , then the size of the population starts to fall .
In 1950 , women were having an average of 4.7 children in their lifetime .
Researchers at the University of Washington 's Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation showed the global fertility rate nearly halved to 2.4 in 2017 - and their study , published in the Lancet , projects it will fall below 1.7 by 2100 .
As a result , the researchers expect the number of people on the planet to peak at 9.7 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 8.8 billion by the end of the century .
`` That 's a pretty big thing ; most of the world is transitioning into natural population decline , '' researcher Prof Christopher Murray told the BBC .
`` I think it 's incredibly hard to think this through and recognise how big a thing this is ; it 's extraordinary , we 'll have to reorganise societies . ''
It has nothing to do with sperm counts or the usual things that come to mind when discussing fertility .
Instead it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and work , as well as greater access to contraception , leading to women choosing to have fewer children .
In many ways , falling fertility rates are a success story .
Which countries will be most affected ?
Japan 's population is projected to fall from a peak of 128 million in 2017 to less than 53 million by the end of the century .
Italy is expected to see an equally dramatic population crash from 61 million to 28 million over the same timeframe .
They are two of 23 countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Thailand and South Korea - expected to see their population more than halve .
`` That is jaw-dropping , '' Prof Christopher Murray told me .
China , currently the most populous nation in the world , is expected to peak at 1.4 billion in four years time before nearly halving to 732 million by 2100 .
India will take its place .
The UK is predicted to peak at 75 million in 2063 , and fall to 71 million by 2100 .
However , this will be a truly global issue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ having a fertility rate below the replacement level .
Why is this a problem ?
You might think this is great for the environment .
A smaller population would reduce carbon emissions as well as deforestation for farmland .
`` That would be true except for the inverted age structure ( more old people than young people ) and all the uniformly negative consequences of an inverted age structure , '' says Prof Murray .
• The number of under-fives will fall from 681 million in 2017 to 401 million in 2100 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ soar from 141 million in 2017 to 866 million in 2100 .
Prof Murray adds : `` It will create enormous social change .
It makes me worried because I have an eight-year-old daughter and I wonder what the world will be like . ''
Who pays tax in a massively aged world ?
Who pays for healthcare for the elderly ?
Who looks after the elderly ?
Will people still be able to retire from work ?
Are there any solutions ?
Countries , including the UK , have used migration to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fertility rates .
However , this stops being the answer once nearly every country 's population is shrinking .
`` We will go from the period where it 's a choice to open borders , or not , to frank competition for migrants , as there wo n't be enough , '' argues Prof Murray .
Some countries have tried policies such as enhanced maternity and paternity leave , free childcare , financial incentives and extra employment rights , but there is no clear answer .
Sweden has dragged its fertility rate up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries that have put significant effort into tackling the `` baby bust '' have struggled .
Singapore still has a fertility rate of around 1.3 .
Prof Murray says : `` I find people laugh it off ; they ca n't imagine it could be true , they think women will just decide to have more kids .
`` If you ca n't [ find a solution ] then eventually the species disappears , but that 's a few centuries away . ''
The researchers warn against undoing the progress on women 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stein Emil Vollset said : `` Responding to population decline is likely to become an overriding policy concern in many nations , but must not compromise efforts to enhance women 's reproductive health or progress on women 's rights . ''
The population of sub-Saharan Africa is expected to treble in size to more than three billion people by 2100 .
And the study says Nigeria will become the world 's second biggest country , with a population of 791 million .
Prof Murray says : `` We will have many more people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as we go through this .
`` Global recognition of the challenges around racism are going to be all the more critical if there are large numbers of people of African descent in many countries . ''
Why is 2.1 the fertility rate threshold ?
You might think the number should be 2.0 - two parents have two children , so the population stays the same size .
But even with the best healthcare , not all children survive to adulthood .
Also , babies are ever so slightly more likely to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is 2.1 in developed countries .
Nations with higher childhood mortality also need a higher fertility rate .
What do the experts say ?
Prof Ibrahim Abubakar , University College London ( UCL ) , said : `` If these predictions are even half accurate , migration will become a necessity for all nations and not an option .
`` To be successful we need a fundamental rethink of global politics .
`` The distribution of working-age populations will be crucial to whether humanity prospers or withers . ''

Researchers at the University of Washington's Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation showed the global fertility rate nearly halved to 2.4 in 2017 - and their study, published in the Lancet, projects it will fall below 1.7 by 2100.


bbc--2020-07-14--Coronavirus: Blogger Emna Charqui given jail term over Koran-style post

A blogger in Tunisia has been sentenced to six months in prison after sharing a satirical post about Covid-19 written in the form of a verse from the Koran .
Emna Charqui , 28 , was arrested in May for sharing a message on Facebook urging people to follow hygiene rules in the style of Islam 's holy book .
Charqui said in a recent interview that she had no intention of provoking shock , but found the post amusing .
She was found guilty in a Tunis court of `` inciting hatred between religions '' .
She is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ file an appeal .
On 2 May , Charqui shared a post on social media mimicking a Koranic verse .
In it , the text called for people to wash their hands and observe social distancing in response to the coronavirus pandemic .
The image was reportedly designed and originally shared by an Algerian atheist who lives in France .
Charqui 's post appeared during the fasting month of Ramadan and while Tunisia was still largely under lockdown .
It caused a stir online , with some social media users labelling it offensive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ avowed atheist , to be punished .
Days later she was questioned by police .
On 27 May , following news that Charqui was facing trial over the Facebook post , Amnesty International released a statement calling for the Tunisian authorities to halt the prosecution .
`` The prosecution of Emna is yet another illustration of how , despite Tunisia 's democratic progress , the authorities continue to use repressive law to undermine freedom of expression , '' Amnesty 's North Africa director Amna Guellali said .
Ms Guellali said the right to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some might consider shocking or offensive '' and called on the Tunisian government to amend the law `` so they are compliant with human rights '' .

Ms Guellali said the right to freedom of expression extended to what "some might consider shocking or offensive" and called on the Tunisian government to amend the law "so they are compliant with human rights".


bbc--2020-07-14--Belarus election: Hundreds protest after Lukashenko's rivals barred

Protests have erupted in Belarus , with hundreds rallying against the barring of two leading opposition candidates in next month 's presidential election .
Belarus 's electoral commission rejected the applications of President Alexander Lukashenko 's main rivals , Valery Tsepkalo and Viktor Babaryko .
In power since 1994 , Mr Lukashenko is now virtually assured to win the poll .
The commission 's decision was followed by protests in the capital , Minsk , and other cities .
The demonstrations were largely peaceful in Minsk , where protesters broke into rounds of applause , while passing drivers honked their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ categorically for honest and fair elections , '' one protester in the capital told Reuters news agency .
There were reports of other rallies in the cities of Grodno , Gomel and Brest as well , with images posted to social media networks .
More than 35 people , including several journalists , were arrested during the protests , rights group Viasna said .
The protests were the latest show of discontent against the government following the arrests of opposition figures ahead of the election on 9 August .
Why were the opposition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commission said it found problems with the applications of Mr Tsepkalo and Mr Babaryko , both vocal critics of Mr Lukashenko .
Mr Babaryko , who was seen as Mr Lukashenko 's strongest contender , was excluded from the ballot because of a criminal case against him , the commission said .
The former banker 's arrest last month on suspicion of money laundering brought angry crowds to the streets , with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen calling his detention `` politically motivated '' .
The other challenger , former ambassador @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rejected for failing to gather the 10,000 signatures required to stand in the election , the commission said .
Mr Tsepkalo and Mr Babaryko both say they plan to appeal against the ruling .
The European Union delegation to Belarus said the commission 's decision `` undermines the overall integrity and democratic nature of the elections '' .
What 's the background to the decision ?
The commission 's decision comes at a time of increased pressure on government critics as August 's election draws closer .
Mr Lukashenko has been accused of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a sixth term in office .
Opposition activists , journalists and bloggers have reportedly been arrested in recent weeks .
The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe ( OSCE ) , an international election monitor , has not recognised any elections in Belarus as free and fair since 1995 .
Meanwhile , the coronavirus pandemic continues to take its toll in Belarus , which has officially recorded more than 65,000 cases and almost 500 deaths to date .
Mr Lukashenko , who initially denied the virus was spreading in the country , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stricter lockdown .
BBC Moscow correspondent Sarah Rainsford said the recent protests have revealed deepening discontent with Mr Lukashenko 's authoritarian rule , his refusal to take Covid-19 seriously , and the poor state of the country 's economy .

The other challenger, former ambassador to the US Mr Tsepkalo, was rejected for failing to gather the 100,000 signatures required to stand in the election, the commission said.


bbc--2020-07-14--Banksy dons cleaner disguise to spray-paint Tube

Banksy has returned to the London Underground with a piece encouraging people to wear a face mask .
A video posted on his Instagram page shows a man , believed to be the enigmatic artist , disguised as a professional cleaner .
He can been seen ordering passengers away as he gets to work , stencilling rats around the inside of a carriage .
Transport for London ( TfL ) said the art was removed `` some days ago '' in line with its `` strict anti-graffiti policy '' .
The work , called If You Do n't Mask , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of rats in pandemic-inspired poses and wearing face masks .
One rodent stencilled on the Circle Line train appears to be sneezing , while another is shown spraying anti-bacterial gel .
The artist 's name is also daubed across the driver 's door of a train .
At the end of the video , the words `` I get lockdown '' appear on the side of a station wall before a train 's doors close to reveal the phrase `` but I get up again '' , and Chumbawamba 's 1997 song @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public transport in London must wear a face mask .
• Face masks on public transport - one month on The statement from TfL said it appreciated `` the sentiment of encouraging people to wear face coverings '' .
`` We 'd like to offer Banksy the chance to do a new version of his message for our customers in a suitable location , '' it added .
The BBC has asked if the travel authority worked with Banksy on this artwork and , if not , whether his actions posed a security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Banksy , who is originally from Bristol , often spray-painted rats and monkeys on to Tube trains .

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bbc--2020-07-14--Coronavirus: The last-round fight for NYC's bastions of boxing?

Some of New York City 's most iconic boxing gyms have been forced to close because of the coronavirus pandemic , and with no official guidance on how they can reopen , many gym owners fear the city will forever lose this sporting legacy , writes Ben Wyatt .
Former featherweight champion Heather 'The Heat ' Hardy stands on a Brooklyn street corner dressed in workout gear .
She has boxing mitts in her hands and a pair of gloves around her neck .
As masked pedestrians walk along the sidewalk she tries to persuade them to join an impromptu @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Boxing has always been a tough career , but at the age of 38 , and as a single mother of a 16-year-old daughter , the streets that forged Hardy are now proving her only refuge .
Like all journeyed fighters , she talks a good game : `` In New York City we work paycheque to paycheque , you know .
`` I was born and raised in Brooklyn .
I always figure out a way .
I 'll get through this too . ''
But her optimism belies the fact that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a cultural and pugilistic icon of the city that 's also the source of Hardy 's private training income , her big-fight coaching team and her closest friends - has been closed by the state since March with no pathway to reopening .
`` You miss the jokes , '' she says of her fellow fighters , who before the pandemic trained and taught in the gym up to 12 hours a day , six days a week .
Other opportunities have been missed too .
The two fights Hardy had booked for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a title shot , were cancelled as the outbreak gathered pace .
Without savings to spend or workout classes to supplement her income , Hardy 's street hustle is her best hope .
It 's a far cry from her last fight at Madison Square Garden , where she suffered the first defeat of a gutsy 23-fight career , losing to interim world champion and fellow Brooklynite Amanda Serrano in an internationally televised match .
Fights overseas are returning , but without access to her coaches or a ring she will be forced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be dangerously underprepared .
Hardy 's story personifies the plight of pro boxing in the Empire City in 2020 .
Madison Square Garden 's position as the sport 's first mecca made New York an epicentre for the sweet science in years gone by , but from a heyday-high in the 1920s there 's been a steady decline with each passing decade .
Of the 25 professional gyms that existed across the five boroughs in the 1970s , only a handful remain .
These glitz-free , idiomatic churches of sweat and sparring - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Sugar Ray Robinson , Jake LaMotta and Riddick Bowe - were already on shaky legs prior to lockdown .
Their enforced closure , without an end in sight or mention in the state 's phased reopening measures , means they are all now on the precipice .
Bruce Silverglade , the former president of amateur boxing in New York and owner of Gleason 's for 37 years , argues that at a time of their greatest need , boxing is being discriminated against by politicians choosing to look the other way .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ such at the NBA , Major League Soccer and Major League Baseball receive government guidelines on how to train and eventually resume play , while boxing has been left in the dark .
In boxing , where individuals have no leagues , federations or expensive attorneys to speak on their behalf , Silverglade argues the fighters of the city should be allowed to resume behind-closed-doors training at the very least .
It 's a lifeline that could prevent the extinction of the culture and its gladiators .
`` If the governor or the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prevention ] were to give me directions , I 'd adhere to them , '' says Silverglade .
`` I have no idea when I can reopen , why I 'm closed , or when I can earn a living again .
Gyms in other states are open .
List your objections , so I can take care of them . ''
Originally based just one block from Madison Square Garden , Gleason 's moved to Brooklyn in 1987 , schooling local talent such as the young Mike Tyson in the process .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it 's welcomed everyone from Muhammad Ali to Paul Malignaggi , and there were times in the 80s when all five of its rings would creak from the sparring of world champions .
The clientele slowly evolved , with hobbyists accounting for 85 % of members by the turn of 2020 .
Up until March , this income flow supported 92 trainers and eight staff .
Now , most of the coaches are surviving on unemployment benefits .
`` Today , I made 40 bucks selling two t-shirts .
Last week I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gloves , '' Silverglade says of his earnings from the last month .
`` I 've still got to pay rent and insurance and I 've spent thousands on PPE equipment . ''
Worryingly , Gleason 's is faring better than most in lockdown .
The Fight Factory gym , located near the boardwalks of Coney Island and Brighton Beach , closed at the end of June after 11 years in business .
Former soldier Eugene Ryvkn built the gym with help from local pro Dmitry 'Star of David ' Salita after moving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Having notched up 60 amateur fights back home , Ryvkn fought on in the US until he was 45 ; sparring in his gym until its last day .
Ever mindful of his 165lb ( 75kg ) fighting weight , the already slim Ryvkn , 50 , has shed 15lbs since the closure .
`` I did n't sleep well , in like three months , because everything in my head .
The rent , the business , everything , everything .
I built it from scratch myself .
I invested a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he says .
`` I had three full size rings , wrestling mats , weights area .
An area where parents could do homework with the kids after school .
I tell you , there 's no more American Dream here , no more dreaming . ''
He applied for loans but found that he was ineligible for emergency funding due to the part-time nature of his coaches .
After regularly housing pro boxing names such as Bakhtiyar Eyubov , Nikita Ababiy and Arnold Khegai along with 250 local children from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remnants of The Fight Factory is now functioning within a rent-free home in a local synagogue , contemplating how it might serve its largely Russian immigrant community in the future .
Across the East River , the story is similarly critical .
Marc Sprung , the owner of Church Street Boxing , initially moved his operations online , paying his coaches to host Zoom training sessions while relying on recurring subscriptions to weather the 80 % drop in income .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : What are the symptoms ?
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But when there was no further guidance from the state on how or when they might reopen , Sprung stopped charging fees and - with his staff 's blessing and on the advice of lawyers - sacked his team so they would be eligible to file for unemployment benefits .
`` It was very emotional , I 've known these guys for over 20 years .
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a month , '' Sprung tells the BBC .
`` We could be looking at wiping out the fight culture in New York City . ''
Sprung is part of group that has launched a lawsuit against the state government demanding the inclusion of small , independent gyms in the plans for phase four of reopening .
More than 300 gyms and workout studios have joined the lawsuit .
A few blocks from Church Street in Manhattan 's financial district is Trinity Boxing , owned by former Golden Gloves super heavyweight champion Martin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fighting days ; the garrulous coach stands at the front of his gym under an entrance bedecked with two signs .
The first reads : `` Fight the good fight '' , the second : `` Sorry , we 're closed '' .
`` Why can they train in California but [ we ] ca n't do it in New York ?
Do they know something we do n't know ? ''
he says .
Without the greater resources of beginner-friendly boxing chains such as Rumble and Title , Snow feels the independent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the outcasts and the disenfranchised , the immigrants and the working class '' - are particularly vulnerable .
Even the city 's sex clubs have been allowed to reopen before a road map for boxing facilities have been discussed , he adds .
`` You can have socially-distanced orgies with hand sanitiser and masks , but you ca n't go into a boxing gym ?
That 's f—king nuts .
So I decided , I 'm going to have boxing orgies : only with no sex , three minutes a time , fully @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
You may also like : • Without boxing , what am I ? '
- Alex Arthur on post-career struggles It 's not just income that 's being lost in the crisis but leaders too .
As one of the legion of immigrant boxing enthusiasts in the five boroughs , Mexican-American Francisco Mendez opened the Mendez Gym on East 32nd Street in 2004 .
It became one of the city 's leading locations for novices and champions alike .
Sadly , Mendez died on 21 April because of Covid-19 related complication @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up opposing corners come fight night but are united in their time-of-crisis message .
`` New York boxing is the forgotten sport , '' says Hardy .
`` Promoters are calling on New York fighters because they know we 're not training .
[ Governor ] Cuomo , do n't let us be the underdogs , man . ''

It's not just income that's being lost in the crisis but leaders too. As one of the legion of immigrant boxing enthusiasts in the five boroughs, Mexican-American Francisco Mendez opened the Mendez Gym on East 32nd Street in 2004. It became one of the city's leading locations for novices and champions alike.


bbc--2020-07-14--Coronavirus surged as nightlife returned in Arizona

Jimmy Flores used to think coronavirus was `` fake news '' until he got the virus and was in hospital @ @ @ @ @ He thinks he contracted it from a night out after Arizona 's governor lifted stay @ @ @ @ @ .
But because of the spikes in cases the governor has mandated non-essential business close @ @ @ @ @ BBC 's Sophie Long , Annie Phrommayon , Chuck Tayman .
Edited by Cody Melissa @ @

Jimmy Flores used to think coronavirus was "fake news" until he got the virus and was in hospital for over a week. He thinks he contracted it from a night out after Arizona's governor lifted stay at home restrictions in May.
But because of the spikes in cases the governor has mandated non-essential business close again.
Produced by the BBC's Sophie Long, Annie Phrommayon, Chuck Tayman. Edited by Cody Melissa Godwin.


bbc--2020-07-14--Coronavirus: ‘Lego helped me get out of bed’

A woman who was furloughed from her job said Lego helped her to get out of bed .
Charlotte Tyrer @ @ @ @ @ as an events sales executive for a hotel in Nottingham before she was placed on @ @ @ @ @ pandemic .
The fine art graduate has created more than a dozen portraits of celebrities @ @ @ @ @ Joe Exotic , using thousands of Lego bricks .
A video she shared of her @ @ @ @ @ more than 80,000 times .
“ It ’ s given me a reason to get @ @ @ @ @ get started and get creative , ” Charlotte , from Wollaton in Nottingham , said @

A woman who was furloughed from her job said Lego helped her to get out of bed.
Charlotte Tyrer, 25, was working as an events sales executive for a hotel in Nottingham before she was placed on furlough because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The fine art graduate has created more than a dozen portraits of celebrities, including Billie Eilish and Joe Exotic, using thousands of Lego bricks.
A video she shared of her David Bowie has been viewed more than 80,000 times.
“It’s given me a reason to get up in the morning and get started and get creative,” Charlotte, from Wollaton in Nottingham, said.
Video journalist: Alex Thorp


bbc--2020-07-14--David LaChapelle's London shopfront exhibition opens

He shaped photography in the 1990 's with his technicolour photographs of the stars , only to turn his back @ @ @ @ @ farmer .
Now , when David LaChapelle is not working his small holding in Hawaii @ @ @ @ @ his own photography and working with his choice of stars .
His latest exhibition takes @ @ @ @ @ level , with some of his most famous snaps being shown on giant screens in @ @

He shaped photography in the 1990s with his technicolour photographs of the stars, only to turn his back on them and become a farmer.
Now, when David LaChapelle is not working his small holding in Hawaii, he is working on his own photography and working with his choice of stars.
His latest exhibition takes street art to a new level, with some of his most famous snaps being shown on giant screens in London.


bbc--2020-07-14--'Men didn't understand my medicated tampon business'

Two years ago , Valentina Milanova had an idea for a tampon with built-in pain relief , which she says @ @ @ @ @ .
But taking on the big multinational companies which dominate the industry would not be @ @

Two years ago, Valentina Milanova had an idea for a tampon with built-in pain relief, which she says is less prone to leaks. But taking on the big multinational companies which dominate the industry would not be easy.
Video journalist: Jeremy Howell


bbc--2020-07-14--Cat owner baffled by pet's swimming goggles antics

A cat owner has been left mystified after her pet began bringing home a new type of `` gift '' - swimming goggles .
Sally Bell says Avery has always brought her small animals but in recent weeks has switched to stealing underwater eyewear .
The feline felon has so far deposited eight pairs at her Bristol home .
Despite checking with all her neighbours , Mrs Bell said she had no idea where they are from .
`` He 's always been a hunter , bringing home mice and frogs and things like that , '' she said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a pair of goggles .
Mrs Bell said : `` It was just one pair and I live in a close and there are quite a lot of families with children so I did n't think anything of it . ''
Three days later the pilfering puss produced another two pairs .
`` That 's when it became really strange , '' added Mrs Bell .
`` For a few days it was a pair every day .
`` I went round all my neighbours who 've got children .
One of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I thought it was bound to be them . ''
But nobody in her part of Longwell Green in east Bristol reported missing any goggles .
Mrs Bell believes Avery is taking the goggles as gifts for her .
`` He does n't play with the goggles , he just leaves them for me .
In fact , the pair he brought home the other day had a dead mouse with them - two presents at once . ''
`` I feel so bad in case it 's children who are being brought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trouble because they keep going missing . ''
Mrs Bell put an appeal out on social media to try and reunite the owners with their eyewear .
`` All people do is laugh .
I 've had no takers but Avery has become quite a celebrity , '' she said .

"He doesn't play with the goggles, he just leaves them for me. In fact, the pair he brought home the other day had a dead mouse with them - two presents at once."


bbc--2020-07-14--Anand Teltumbde: Cards and letters for jailed India scholar as he turns 70

Prominent Indian scholar and human rights defender Anand Teltumbde has turned 70 in a Mumbai prison amid growing calls for his release , writes the BBC 's Geeta Pandey in Delhi .
`` Then they came for me , and there was no one left to speak for me . ''
Professor Teltumbde often quoted these iconic words from German Lutheran Pastor Martin Niemoller , criticising silence when faced with evil , in his books and speeches .
On Wednesday , when he turns 70 in a Mumbai jail where he 's been imprisoned for 90 days , his family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he 's not greeted with silence .
Scores of letters and cards wishing him well on his birthday are expected to be delivered at Taloja jail where he 's being held .
`` Anand is a respected academic who 's been shut away for completely dubious reasons , '' Balmurli Natrajan , professor of anthropology at William Paterson University in New Jersey , who is among the people writing a letter to Prof Teltumbde , told the BBC .
`` We want him to know that we are constantly thinking of him , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ India 's best-known public intellectuals , Prof Teltumbde has authored 30 books and is known for his incisive writing on India 's harsh caste system .
Born to a Dalit ( formerly untouchables in India 's rigid caste system ) family , he worked in top positions in some of India 's biggest oil companies before moving to academia .
At present , he 's head of the Big Data programme at the prestigious Goa Institute of Management .
A trenchant critic of the government , he 's described Prime Minister Narendra Modi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mussolini '' and a `` narcissist par excellence '' .
On 14 April , when Prof Teltumbde turned himself in to federal investigators on court orders , he joined 10 other activists , poets and lawyers who have been arrested in connection with what is known as the Bhima Koregaon case .
They are being held under the UAPA ( Unlawful Activities Prevention Act ) - an anti-terrorism law that makes it almost impossible to get bail .
Police accuse them of instigating caste violence at a Dalit rally in Bhima Koregaon village @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1 January 2018 .
Although those detained were n't present in the village at the time , police blamed the violence on their speeches at a meeting the night before .
They are also accused of working in tandem with the Naxalites - banned ultra-left Maoist rebels - to `` overthrow the government and cause chaos in India '' .
But Indian and international campaigners and rights organisations working for their release say they 've been jailed for criticising the state .
`` All the 11 activists have worked relentlessly to protect the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ marginalised people , including Dalits and tribals , '' Amnesty International said in one of the several statements it has put out in the past few months calling for their release .
Human Rights Watch has called the detentions `` wrongful '' and `` politically motivated '' and questioned why the government did not investigate the allegations that Hindu nationalist leaders may have had a role in the Bhima Koregaon violence ?
In May , the European Parliament Subcommittee on Human Rights wrote to Home Minister Amit Shah saying it was alarmed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rights defenders '' by the authorities .
The letter also urged India to immediately release all prisoners in view of the coronavirus pandemic - most of the detainees are elderly with underlying health conditions and thus at serious risk of catching the infection in overcrowded jails .
Prof Natrajan says India has always been `` a marketplace of ideas '' , pointing out that Nobel laureate Amartya Sen once called Indians `` argumentative '' .
But in the past eight years , the space for argument and debate has been shrinking .
Prof @ @ @ @ @ @ @ setting the contours of key debates on globalisation and politics of caste and religion for the past 30 years .
`` He 's been calling out caste deniers and Hindu triumphalism .
He 's dared to point fingers at the powerful classes - he 's telling them , 'here 's what you 're doing and how it 's put a majority of Indian people in misery ' .
And that makes him a dangerous man . ''
Prof Teltumbde , says his wife Rama , was shocked when his name first came up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accused in the Bhima Koregaon case .
`` We had n't even imagined it in our worst dreams that something like this could ever happen to us , '' she told me on the phone from Mumbai .
`` My husband is not a criminal , '' she says , her voice breaking with emotion .
`` He 's an academic , a workaholic who spent 14-15 hours daily reading , writing and teaching . ''
In his free time , she says , he would try to help the poor and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ India that 's better , more just .
`` To be thrown into jail for that is a very high price to pay . ''
Since her husband has been jailed , Mrs Teltumbde has been allowed a weekly two-minute phone call with him .
`` I always ask him how 's his health ?
And how 's the prison food because I know the food there is very bad .
He does n't want to worry us , so he always says he 's fine .
And then he asks about his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Teltumbde is the granddaughter of Bhimrao Ambedkar - the author of India 's constitution and an icon to millions of Dalits - and says she believes that her grandfather would n't recognise today 's India .
`` I do n't think he envisaged this kind of India where people are arrested for speaking their mind .
We live in a democracy and freedom of speech is a right guaranteed under the constitution . ''
But critics say it 's a right that is under grave threat in today 's India .
Those criticising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by nationalist trolls , and activists and students opposing the government are being jailed .
Most of the dissenters are charged under UAPA and being held in prison without bail .
Earlier this year , police in Delhi arrested several students who had protested against a controversial new citizenship law that critics say discriminates against Muslims .
They were labelled as `` anti-nationals working to break up India '' by news channels friendly to the government .
Female activists were slut-shamed on social media .
While most continue to languish in overcrowded prisons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ student , was freed after three months in jail following global condemnation .
`` The government is playing with the liberties of people by arresting them under flimsy charges , '' says Mihir Desai , Prof Teltumbde 's lawyer .
`` The central charge against Prof Teltumbde , '' he says , `` is that he was helping the Naxalites by getting them recruits and spreading their ideology and that he was taking money from them . ''
But when they raided his house , he says , they did not find any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the police have put forth so far are four `` letters '' that they waved at a press conference .
Mr Desai says they are typed and unsigned and there are no addresses or email addresses on them .
He says they are not written by Prof Teltumbde or addressed to him - the one thing they all have in common is the mention of an `` Anand '' which is a common Indian name .
`` These letters appear to be manufactured , '' he says adding that `` even if they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that this Anand is Prof Teltumbde ?
Also , anyone can write anything to anyone , but is that proof ?
These ca n't exist as evidence . ''
The evidence is unlikely to stand scrutiny in court , Mr Desai says , but it 's the process that 's the punishment .
`` If a person is jailed for 10 years while the case goes on , their life is ruined . ''
As Prof Teltumbde completes three months in prison , his wife Rama says their only demand is for him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government to start the trial soon so that `` his name can be cleared '' .
A day before he was taken into custody , Prof Teltumbde wrote an open letter where he detailed the harassment he says he 's faced in the past two years - he wrote about how his home was raided , his Wikipedia page was vandalised , and how the government inserted Israeli spyware on his phone .
`` As I see my India being ruined , it is with a feeble hope that I write to you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not know when I shall be able to talk to you again .
`` However , I earnestly hope that you will speak out before your turn comes , '' he wrote .
By jailing him , Prof Natrajan says , the government is trying to crush the very people who are trying to reason and debate .
`` But mark my words , Anand will not be crushed .
You can jail people , torture them , kill them , but you can not beat ideas . ''

"These letters appear to be manufactured," he says adding that "even if they are real, how do they prove that this Anand is Prof Teltumbde? Also, anyone can write anything to anyone, but is that proof? These can't exist as evidence."


bbc--2020-07-14--US election: Do postal ballots lead to voting fraud?

Many US states are looking to make voting by post easier in the presidential election this November due to public health concerns over the coronavirus pandemic .
But the expansion of postal voting is contentious , and President Donald Trump has said postal ballots - know as `` mail-in '' ballots in the US - would lead to `` the most corrupt election '' in US history .
We 've looked at the evidence and found very few cases of postal voting fraud .
Where can you vote by post ?
In the 2016 US presidential election , nearly one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and that number is expected to rise this time round .
Individual US states control their own voting rules for federal elections - and many are looking to increase postal voting to prevent large gatherings at polling stations on election day .
There are now six states planning to hold `` all-mail '' ballot elections this November - after California recently joined Utah , Hawaii , Colorado , Oregon and Washington - and more could follow .
These states will automatically send all registered voters postal ballots , which then have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election day - although some in-person voting is still available in certain limited circumstances .
About half of US states allow any registered voter to vote by post on request .
In the remaining states you have to have a valid reason for voting by post - such as being over 65 , being ill , or being away from the state you are registered to vote in .
Notably , President Trump has voted by post in the past , such as in Florida 's 2020 primary election as he is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ living in Washington DC .
What evidence is there of fraud ?
President Trump has said : `` You get thousands and thousands of people sitting in somebody 's living room , signing ballots all over the place . ''
Critics say people could vote more than once via absentee ballots and in person .
But there is no evidence of widespread fraud , according to numerous nationwide and state-level studies over the years .
There have been isolated cases of postal ballot fraud in the past , such as in the 2018 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after a consultant of the Republican candidate tampered with voting papers .
There was also a case earlier this year in New Jersey which saw two Democratic councillors charged with alleged fraud in relation to postal voting , after hundreds of ballots were found stuffed in a post box .
But these are rare incidents , and the rate of voting fraud overall in the US is between 0.00004 % and 0.0009 % , according to a 2017 study by the Brennan Center for Justice .
A voter fraud database collated by Arizona @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found 491 cases of postal ballot fraud out of hundreds of millions of votes .
And a Washington Post review of the 2016 election found one proven case of postal voting fraud .
Oregon has held postal elections since 2000 and has only reported 14 fraudulent votes attempted by mail .
There are provisions in place to prevent people from impersonating voters or stealing ballots - such as authorities checking that ballots have come from voters ' registered address , and requiring signatures on envelopes .
There have been suggestions that an increase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic voters , but there is no strong evidence that either party would gain an advantage .

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bbc--2020-07-14--Egypt desperate to revive coronavirus-hit tourism industry

A wonder of the world , the pyramids at Giza have wowed visitors for millennia .
But they were deserted as the coronavirus pandemic laid waste to Egypt 's tourism industry and millions of people 's livelihoods .
Although this ancient site reopened on 1 July - with new compulsory temperature checks and social distancing at the entrance - only a few locals come by .
A pigeon perched on the face of the regal , reclining Sphinx , is its solitary guest .
`` It 's been so hard for everyone .
We 've spent four months at home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been offering camel rides to sightseers for 25 years .
`` Each camel needs 100 Egyptian pounds ( $ 6 ; £5 ) a day for food . ''
He was forced to sell two of his animals so that he could feed his family , as was another owner , Hamdi Mohammed .
`` How could I afford to look after the camels and my children ? ''
Mr Mohammed asks .
`` I need to pay out for nursery fees and nappies . ''
Prospects looked starkly different before the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a deadly bomb attack on a passenger plane in 2015 , tourism was booming .
In 2019 , 13.6 million people visited Egypt and numbers this year were expected to exceed 15 million .
`` Finally , everything was so stable .
I was busy the whole week .
But after the coronavirus , everything just disappeared , '' says tour guide Shahenda Adel , who lives in Giza .
She lost 1,000 holiday bookings after international flights were stopped in mid-March and says that affected many besides her .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ involves everyone who works in the hotel , the travel company itself , all the people behind desks .
We all lost our jobs .
And then you have drivers and restaurants , '' she says .
Tourism and Antiquities Minister Khaled el-Anany is on a mission to bring back business and help revive the economy .
`` It was a disaster for us , like the whole world , '' he says .
`` We lost around $ 1bn per month and we 're estimating that we 'll still lose a lot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months . ''
Tourism accounts for more than 12 % of Egypt 's gross domestic product ( GDP ) , according to the minister .
• Tutankhamun 's last tour : Behind the mask In recent days , Mr Anany has made media appearances showcasing new hygiene and safety rules as museums reopened and some foreign flights resumed to the provinces of South Sinai , Red Sea and Matrouh .
He says there are virtually no cases of Covid-19 in these coastal areas , making them safest .
`` For the time being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sun , the desert , water activities - it 's the open air and the sea .
`` Later on , we 'll open the Nile Valley , with Alexandria , Cairo , Luxor and Aswan . ''
Many in the industry expect to see changes as mass tourism returns but say these can be positive , with new steps to improve sanitisation and reduce overcrowding at popular sites .
`` People around the world are now trying to avoid big crowds as much as possible , so I guess there will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not individual tourists , '' says Mona el-Dessouki , another tour guide .
She sees face masks as her biggest challenge .
`` Our job depends mainly on eye contact and the smile we welcome our guests with , but now the mask will be hiding half of our faces , '' she says .
`` Also wearing the mask for many hours while on a tour in buses , closed areas like museums , airports and aircraft is not going to be as easy as it may sound . ''
Back in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operations around the pyramids , like other ancient monuments .
While the pandemic delayed the opening of the new Grand Museum here - which will house many treasures , including those of King Tutankhamun - it is hoped that when this opens next year it will be a big draw .
The country knows it can count on the enduring allure of its rich , pharaonic past .
`` Egypt is different , a mix of wonders , '' says Ms Adel , the guide .
`` After all , who does n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
It 's on everybody 's bucket list . ''

"We had to cancel hotels - and that involves everyone who works in the hotel, the travel company itself, all the people behind desks. We all lost our jobs. And then you have drivers and restaurants," she says.


bbc--2020-07-14--Five shocking passages in Mary Trump's tell-all book

A tell-all memoir written by President Donald Trump 's niece claims that he is a `` narcissist '' who now threatens the life of every American .
Mary Trump 's book , Too Much and Never Enough : How My Family Created the World 's Most Dangerous Man , describes her uncle as a fraud and a bully .
The White House rejects the claims made in the book , and the Trump family unsuccessfully sued to block it .
But it was released on 14 July after a judge sided with the publisher .
Ms Trump , 55 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nothing is ever enough '' and that the US president exhibits all the characteristics of a narcissist .
`` This is far beyond garden-variety narcissism , '' his niece , who has a doctoral degree in clinical psychology , writes of Mr Trump .
`` Donald is not simply weak , his ego is a fragile thing that must be bolstered every moment because he knows deep down that he is nothing of what he claims to be . ''
She says the president was influenced by watching his father , Fred Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jr - who died from an alcohol related illness when she was 16 years old .
Ms Trump writes that Trump Sr was extremely harsh to his oldest son , whom he wanted to take over the family real estate business .
But as Ms Trump 's father drifted away from the business , Trump Sr had no choice but to turn to his second son , Donald .
It was not a happy choice , Ms Trump appears to claim .
`` When things turned south in the late 1980s , Fred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ son 's brutal ineptitude ; the father had no choice but to stay invested , '' she writes of the senior Trump 's attitude towards the future 45th US President .
`` His monster had been set free . ''
The White House rejected the claim that Mr Trump 's father had been abrasive and harsh , saying that the president `` describes the relationship he had with his father as warm and said his father was very good to him '' . '
I had to take Donald down' In the book @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tax documents to the New York Times , which used them to publish a 14,000 word investigative article into Mr Trump 's `` dubious tax schemes during the 1990s , including instances of outright fraud , that greatly increased the fortune he received from his parents '' .
Ms Trump said she was approached by journalists at her home in 2017 and was initially reluctant to help .
She waited for a month , watching as `` Donald shredded norms , endangered alliances , and trod upon the vulnerable , '' before deciding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ smuggling 19 boxes of legal documents out of the law firm where they were kept , she handed them over to reporters .
She describes hugging them and calls the moment `` the happiest I 'd felt in months '' .
`` It was n't enough for me to volunteer at an organisation helping Syrian refugees , '' she writes .
`` I had to take Donald down . ''
Ms Trump claims that her uncle paid a friend to take the SAT test for him - a standardised exam which determines university @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that his grade point average , which put him far from the top of his class , would scuttle his efforts to get accepted '' .
He hired `` a smart kid with a reputation for being a good test taker , to take his SATs for him , '' she writes , adding : `` Donald , who never lacked for funds , paid his buddy well . ''
Mr Trump attended Fordham University in New York City , but later transferred to the Wharton School of business at the University of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president cheated on the university entrance exam .
Donald was 'destroyed ' by his father Ms Trump blames the Trump family patriarch , Fred Trump Sr for much of the family 's alleged dysfunction .
She says Trump Sr , a New York City real estate mogul , `` destroyed '' Donald Trump by interfering in his `` ability to develop and experience the entire spectrum of human emotion '' .
`` By limiting Donald 's access to his own feelings and rendering many of them unacceptable , Fred perverted his son @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his ability to live in it , '' she writes .
`` Softness was unthinkable , '' for Trump Sr , she writes , adding that he would grow furious whenever her father - known as Freddy - apologised for any errors .
Fred Sr , she said `` would mock him .
Fred wanted his oldest son to be a 'killer . '
'' Donald Trump , who is seven years younger than his late brother , `` had plenty of time to learn from watching Fred humiliate '' his eldest son @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lesson he learned , at its simplest , was that it was wrong to be like Freddy : Fred did n't respect his oldest son , so neither would Donald . ''
Ms Trump writes that her uncle had asked her to ghost write a book about him , called the Art of the Comeback , and provided `` an aggrieved compendium of women he had expected to date but who , having refused him , were suddenly the worst , ugliest and fattest slobs he 'd ever met '' .
He later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paid her for her work , she alleges .
She says Mr Trump made suggestive comments about her body when she was 29 years old , even though she is his niece and Mr Trump was married to his second wife , Marla Maples .
She says Mr Trump told his current wife Melania that his niece had dropped out of university and took drugs around the time he hired her for the book project .
It is true that Ms Trump had left college , but she says she never took any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ uncle made up the story to present himself as her `` saviour '' .
`` The story was for his benefit as much as anybody else 's , '' she writes , `` and by the time the doorbell rang , he probably already believed his version of events . ''
Mary Trump , 55 , is the daughter of Fred Trump Jr , the president 's older brother , who died in 1981 at the age of 42 .
He struggled with alcoholism for much of his life and his premature death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to his drinking .
President Trump has cited his brother 's personal problems as spurring his administration 's push for tackling the opioid addiction epidemic .
In an interview last year with the Washington Post , Mr Trump said he regretted pressuring his older brother to join the family real estate business .
Mary Trump has largely avoided the limelight since her uncle became president , though she has been critical of him in the past .
After Mr Trump won the election in 2016 , she described the experience as the `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to the Washington Post .
`` We should be judged harshly , '' she tweeted .
`` I grieve for our country . ''

She says Mr Trump told his current wife Melania that his niece had dropped out of university and took drugs around the time he hired her for the book project. It is true that Ms Trump had left college, but she says she never took any drugs, and that she believes her uncle made up the story to present himself as her "saviour".


bbc--2020-07-14--South China Sea: What's China's plan for its 'Great Wall of Sand'?

Despite all the other issues demanding China 's attention this year - the virus , its trade war with the US , Hong Kong 's national security law , and a host of economic woes - the South China Sea has been revived in recent months as an arena for serious tensions .
With US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo now - for the first time - calling China 's territorial claims in the South China Sea unlawful , Alexander Neill examines China 's plans to extend its reach in the region .
The South China Sea , home to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flashpoint for years , with several countries claiming ownership of its small islands and reefs and with it , access to resources .
In recent years , China has been increasingly assertive over what it claims are its centuries-old claims to the contested region , and has been rapidly building up its military presence to back up those claims .
Former Commander of US Pacific Command , Admiral Harry Harris once referred to this as the `` Great Wall of Sand '' - a `` nine-dash line '' creating a protective ring and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as the wall did on land .
But while China and the US have traded increasingly barbed comments over the South China Sea , broadly speaking , they had managed such differences .
Despite their trade conflict , the US had avoided taking sides in China 's territorial disputes with other countries - other than to demand freedom of movement for its vessels .
Criticism of China 's early handling of the outbreak , led by the US , has enraged China .
Many Western leaders appear to be persuaded by Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic to double-down on its coercive behaviour in general .
And those rising tensions have been playing out in the South China Sea .
In early April , a Chinese Coast Guard vessel rammed and sank a Vietnamese fishing vessel close to the Paracel Islands , which China and Vietnam claim as theirs .
Then , a Malaysian oil exploration project also found its operations disrupted off the coast of Borneo by a Chinese marine survey vessel , the Haiyang Dizhi 8 , backed by China 's Navy and Coast Guard .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ US Navy amphibious assault ship , joined by an Australian frigate , was deployed to waters nearby .
The escalation continued with the deployment of two US Navy guided missile destroyers , USS Bunker Hill and USS Barry to the Paracel and Spratly Islands ( known as the Xisha and Nansha in Chinese ) respectively .
The warships conducted Freedom of Navigation Operations ( FONOPs ) aimed at challenging what the US views as a pattern of China 's unlawful claims in international waters .
Most recently , China closed off a swathe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the waters surrounding the Paracel Islands .
The US angrily said this violated Chinese commitments to avoid activities exacerbating disputes .
Meanwhile , the US Navy deployed not one but two aircraft carrier strike groups - the USS Nimitz and USS Ronald Reagan - for joint operations in the region .
In addition to the US Navy fighters conducting carrier operations and the P8-Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft criss-crossing the sea , the US Air Force sent a B-52 strategic bomber for good measure .
The US Navy 's surge into the South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incident between the two rival powers and a rapid escalation in hostility .
The situation is particularly dangerous in light of a recent pattern of increasing assertiveness by China over its `` core concerns '' .
Its recent use of lethal force on its disputed border with India , and the imposition of the National Security Law on Hong Kong , have prompted many to ask how restrained China is likely to be in its response to these challenges .
Beijing views the South China Sea as a crucial part of its maritime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bastion for its seaborne nuclear deterrent based on Hainan island but also as a gateway for the Maritime Silk Road , part of China 's Belt and Road Initiative .
The South China Sea is critical , for example , for the future success of China 's Greater Bay Area economic development plan , into which Hong Kong is incorporated .
China 's plan for populating the South China Sea was launched in 2012 when `` Sansha City '' , the administrative centre for all Chinese-claimed features in the South China Sea on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ upgraded from county to prefecture-level status .
The government re-settled the small fishing community there into modern dwellings , built a primary school , a bank and a hospital and installed mobile communications .
Tourists have been visiting on regularly scheduled cruises to the islands .
The second phase of the plan was initiated in April this year , when China created two further county level administrative districts subordinate to Sansha City , including the establishment of Nansha District People 's government , headquartered on Fiery Cross Reef and administering all the Chinese @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Why is the South China Sea contentious ?
• What does disputed Paracel island look like ?
In the six years since China began reclamation of several reefs and atolls in the Spratlys , satellite and air surveillance has revealed one of the world 's greatest feats in maritime engineering and military construction .
In addition to the military facilities on the islands - including 3,000m runways , naval berths , hangars , reinforced ammunition bunkers , missile silos and radar sites - images show neatly arranged accommodation blocks , administrative buildings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and even sports complexes on the reclaimed islands , which have become visibly greener .
Subi reef is now home to a farm - including a six-acre fruit and vegetable plot pollinated by bees imported from the mainland , a herd of pigs , flocks of poultry and fish ponds .
Meanwhile , the China Academy of Sciences established an Oceanographic Research Centre on Mischief Reef in January 2019 .
China 's top hydrologists have announced that the water table on Fiery Cross - once little more than a rock in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will allow water self-sufficiency within 15 years ( link in Chinese ) .
The residents of the island already enjoy 5G mobile data access and availability of fresh fruit and vegetables shipped in refrigerated containers .
Imagery also shows large fishing fleets moored in the larger lagoons on Subi and Mischief reef .
Perhaps before too long , fishing families could be permanently housed on China 's southernmost islands , their children schooled alongside those of party and government officials .
The most symbolic evidence of China 's push into the South China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - transplanted from mainland China .
In April 2018 , 200-tonne commemorative megaliths , erected on each of the three biggest island bases in the Spratly Islands were unveiled amid some secrecy .
Quarried from Taishan stone and shipped to the Spratly islands , the monuments resonate with President Xi Jinping 's China Dream of national rejuvenation .
Mount Taishan is viewed as the most sacred of China 's mountains , a symbol of unbroken Chinese civilisation for thousands of years .
All of this shows China has moved into a second phase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ great strategic waterway of South East Asia an irreversibly Chinese one .
The recent US Navy exercises in the South China Sea were aimed at demonstrating US resolve to protect the `` freedom of the seas '' : for the US Navy to operate in and ultimately protect the seaspace across these international waters .
Alongside the US Naval manoeuvres , Mr Pompeo 's announcement formally stating that China 's claims across the region are `` completely unlawful '' begs the question of what the US is prepared to do next .
At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ build a diplomatic coalition to demonstrate China 's self-isolation , not just with some of the other claimants but also along with bigger powers .
The US could very rapidly reduce China 's new Nansha district to concrete and coral rubble - but this would entail a war for which neither the US nor China has an appetite .
Alexander Neill is a military analyst and director of a strategic advisory consultancy in Singapore

Its recent use of lethal force on its disputed border with India, and the imposition of the National Security Law on Hong Kong, have prompted many to ask how restrained China is likely to be in its response to these challenges.


bbc--2020-07-14--Chelsea 1-0 Norwich: Lampard 'wants more' as Blues move clear in Champions League race

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard says he `` wants more '' from his team but it `` can wait '' as their pursuit to secure a Champions League spot was given a boost by a narrow victory over relegated Norwich .
Striker Olivier Giroud guided a header past Tim Krul on the stroke of half-time after Christian Pulisic created space for the cross on the right .
The Chelsea pair almost combined again in the second half but Pulisic could not guide Giroud 's chipped ball past Krul .
Victory strengthens Chelsea 's hold on third place in the Premier League @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Leicester and Manchester United , who both play on Thursday .
`` At this stage of the season results are critical and we did n't concede any chances of note to let them score , '' Lampard told Sky Sports .
`` Where we are at as a team and where we are in the table , it is all about the result . ''
Norwich , who were relegated following a 4-0 thrashing by West Ham on Saturday , failed to record a shot on target during the match .
But Lampard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ despite showing `` a bit more personality in our game '' .
`` We need to move the ball quicker and be more mobile with our rotations , '' he added .
`` We have done it in parts this season but if we want to move on , it needs to be better .
But I do n't want to be too critical after a win .
`` We did n't give them anything to worry us .
We had 10-15 minutes in the second half where we were slow and I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we got it back . ''
Frustrated Chelsea get the job done The first half was lacking in action as Norwich sat back and squeezed out any space available for Chelsea .
The hosts just could not seem to get things clicking .
Following Saturday 's 3-0 defeat at Sheffield United , Chelsea would have wanted to start brightly and they showed signs with Ruben Loftus-Cheek heading wide and Marcos Alonso firing a dangerous cross in from the left within five minutes .
But as the half wore on , Chelsea struggled to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who admitted the team was `` under a bit of pressure '' to win , reacted to a third scuffed shot with a roar of frustration in the box after 40 minutes .
`` I missed some things that I would n't miss usually but maybe I lost a bit of confidence , '' Giroud told Sky Sports afterwards .
`` My desire to score was bigger though so I tried to stay focused . ''
Pulisic had provided the best chance of the half - controlling Antonio Rudiger 's cross , turning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the net , forcing a save from Krul - before he eventually set-up Giroud 's header with a swinging cross from the right .
The goal should have been a catalyst for Chelsea to release the shackles but the fluidity never really materialised , despite them still being able to create further chances .
Giroud and Pulisic were busy but not clinical , though it did n't prove costly as Norwich never presented any real threat .
In the end , it was a comfortable victory for Chelsea despite a lack of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that clinical edge returns for a significant run of matches - they face Manchester United in an FA Cup semi-final on Sunday , visit champions Liverpool in the league next Wednesday and then finish the top-flight campaign at home to sixth-placed Wolves four days later .
Norwich boss Daniel Farke said before the match he wanted his team to show a response to their relegation , have `` pride '' in wearing the shirt and `` create good memories '' .
But they did not show any spark until the second half and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ played in Chelsea 's third .
When they did put pressure on the ball and pushed high up the pitch , Chelsea showed nerves in a match crucial to their pursuit of Champions League qualification .
Jamal Lewis and Todd Cantwell won possession in Chelsea 's half and tempted Chelsea duo Mateo Kovacic and Kurt Zouma into rash challenges which brought them yellow cards .
Farke also introduced Adam Idah , Teemu Pukki and Emiliano Buendia as attacking substitutions in the second half but none had any impact on the game .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shots , neither on target , and one corner - and set a new club record of eight consecutive league defeats .
But Farke said he was pleased with the `` commitment and desire '' from his side , while they finished the match with several academy graduates on the pitch .
'Pleased with the reaction ' - what they said Chelsea boss Frank Lampard , speaking to Sky Sports : `` It is tough one to call [ on the top four ] .
This is the Premier League and it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a pointless answer , we take our three points , worry about ourselves , watch the others teams and think about the FA Cup .
On Olivier Giroud : `` He is always going to give you a desire to get in there for the team .
He had a few half chances in the central area .
That is what you have to do when he is in the team - use his attributes .
He has scored important goals .
He has never given me a problem , always trained well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Norwich boss Daniel Farke , speaking to Sky Sports : `` On Saturday , we were relegated , so not happy days but I am pleased with the reaction of my boys .
`` We were not far away from winning a point .
The commitment and desire was really good .
I just have compliments for my boys .
On a good day we are competitive against the best teams in the world but once we are not spot on , we are not . ''
The best of the stats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Premier League games for the first time since December 2017 .
• Norwich have now lost 25 Premier League games this season - the most defeats they have ever suffered in a league campaign .
• Chelsea stopped their opponents from mustering a single first-half shot for the fourth time in the Premier League this season , more than any other side .
• Norwich have now lost eight consecutive league games for the first time in their history .
• Since his Premier League debut in August 2012 , Chelsea striker Giroud @ @ @ @ @ @ @ competition , five more than any other player in that time .
• Giroud has scored in three successive Premier League starts for the first time since January 2017 when netting six in a row for Arsenal .
• Pulisic has registered 11 goals involvements in the Premier League this season ( eight goals , three assists ) , the most by a USA player since Clint Dempsey in 2012-13 ( also 11 ) .
• Alexander Tettey became the ninth player to make 100 or more Premier League appearances for Norwich City @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the FA Cup semi-final on Sunday , 19 July at Wembley ( 18:00 BST kick-off ) before travelling to Anfield for their next Premier League game against champions Liverpool on Wednesday , 22 July ( 20:15 BST ) .
Norwich host Burnley on Saturday , 18 July ( 17:30 BST ) in their next league game .
• Romesh is back !
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Last updated on .From the section Premier League
Olivier Giroud scored his first header in the league since 24 November 2018, when he scored in a 3-1 defeat at Tottenham
Chelsea manager Frank Lampard says he "wants more" from his team but it "can wait" as their pursuit to secure a Champions League spot was given a boost by a narrow victory over relegated Norwich.
Striker Olivier Giroud guided a header past Tim Krul on the stroke of half-time after Christian Pulisic created space for the cross on the right.
The Chelsea pair almost combined again in the second half but Pulisic could not guide Giroud's chipped ball past Krul.
Victory strengthens Chelsea's hold on third place in the Premier League, where they sit four points above Leicester and Manchester United, who both play on Thursday.
"At this stage of the season results are critical and we didn't concede any chances of note to let them score," Lampard told Sky Sports.
"Where we are at as a team and where we are in the table, it is all about the result."
Norwich, who were relegated following a 4-0 thrashing by West Ham on Saturday, failed to record a shot on target during the match.
But Lampard said his team "can improve" despite showing "a bit more personality in our game".
"We need to move the ball quicker and be more mobile with our rotations," he added. "We have done it in parts this season but if we want to move on, it needs to be better. But I don't want to be too critical after a win.
"We didn't give them anything to worry us. We had 10-15 minutes in the second half where we were slow and I didn't like it but after that we got it back."
Frustrated Chelsea get the job done
Chelsea sit four points above Leicester City and Manchester United with two games remaining
The first half was lacking in action as Norwich sat back and squeezed out any space available for Chelsea. The hosts just could not seem to get things clicking.
Following Saturday's 3-0 defeat at Sheffield United, Chelsea would have wanted to start brightly and they showed signs with Ruben Loftus-Cheek heading wide and Marcos Alonso firing a dangerous cross in from the left within five minutes.
But as the half wore on, Chelsea struggled to create any clear-cut opportunities - Giroud, who admitted the team was "under a bit of pressure" to win, reacted to a third scuffed shot with a roar of frustration in the box after 40 minutes.
"I missed some things that I wouldn't miss usually but maybe I lost a bit of confidence," Giroud told Sky Sports afterwards. "My desire to score was bigger though so I tried to stay focused."
Pulisic had provided the best chance of the half - controlling Antonio Rudiger's cross, turning sharply and firing it towards the roof of the net, forcing a save from Krul - before he eventually set-up Giroud's header with a swinging cross from the right.
The goal should have been a catalyst for Chelsea to release the shackles but the fluidity never really materialised, despite them still being able to create further chances.
Giroud and Pulisic were busy but not clinical, though it didn't prove costly as Norwich never presented any real threat.
In the end, it was a comfortable victory for Chelsea despite a lack of ruthlessness. Manager Frank Lampard will hope that clinical edge returns for a significant run of matches - they face Manchester United in an FA Cup semi-final on Sunday, visit champions Liverpool in the league next Wednesday and then finish the top-flight campaign at home to sixth-placed Wolves four days later.
Norwich fail to inspire
Chelsea (average position map on the left) had 69% possession in the first half and 11 shots from inside the box but only three were on target. Norwich (average position map on the right) did not have a single shot or corner in the first half
Norwich boss Daniel Farke said before the match he wanted his team to show a response to their relegation, have "pride" in wearing the shirt and "create good memories".
But they did not show any spark until the second half and only 15% of the match was played in Chelsea's third.
When they did put pressure on the ball and pushed high up the pitch, Chelsea showed nerves in a match crucial to their pursuit of Champions League qualification.
Jamal Lewis and Todd Cantwell won possession in Chelsea's half and tempted Chelsea duo Mateo Kovacic and Kurt Zouma into rash challenges which brought them yellow cards.
Farke also introduced Adam Idah, Teemu Pukki and Emiliano Buendia as attacking substitutions in the second half but none had any impact on the game.
In the end, Norwich managed just two shots, neither on target, and one corner - and set a new club record of eight consecutive league defeats.
But Farke said he was pleased with the "commitment and desire" from his side, while they finished the match with several academy graduates on the pitch.
Man of the match - Olivier Giroud (Chelsea)
Giroud missed chances in the first half but he kept getting into dangerous positions and ultimately scored the winning goal. A partnership with Pulisic is starting to blossom too
'Pleased with the reaction' - what they said
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard, speaking to Sky Sports: "It is tough one to call [on the top four]. This is the Premier League and it is not easy. Rather than give you a pointless answer, we take our three points, worry about ourselves, watch the others teams and think about the FA Cup.
On Olivier Giroud: "He is always going to give you a desire to get in there for the team. He had a few half chances in the central area. That is what you have to do when he is in the team - use his attributes. He has scored important goals. He has never given me a problem, always trained well. His professionalism is always good."
Chelsea 1-0 Norwich: It wasn't 'vintage' us, but winning most important thing - Lampard
Norwich boss Daniel Farke, speaking to Sky Sports: "On Saturday, we were relegated, so not happy days but I am pleased with the reaction of my boys.
"We were not far away from winning a point. The commitment and desire was really good. I just have compliments for my boys. On a good day we are competitive against the best teams in the world but once we are not spot on, we are not."
Chelsea 1-0 Norwich: Canaries character pleases Daniel Farke after narrow defeat
The best of the stats
Chelsea have won five consecutive home Premier League games for the first time since December 2017.
Norwich have now lost 25 Premier League games this season - the most defeats they have ever suffered in a league campaign.
Chelsea stopped their opponents from mustering a single first-half shot for the fourth time in the Premier League this season, more than any other side.
Norwich have now lost eight consecutive league games for the first time in their history.
Since his Premier League debut in August 2012, Chelsea striker Giroud has scored 31 headed goals in the competition, five more than any other player in that time.
Giroud has scored in three successive Premier League starts for the first time since January 2017 when netting six in a row for Arsenal.
Pulisic has registered 11 goals involvements in the Premier League this season (eight goals, three assists), the most by a USA player since Clint Dempsey in 2012-13 (also 11).
Alexander Tettey became the ninth player to make 100 or more Premier League appearances for Norwich City.
What's next?
Chelsea take on Manchester United in the FA Cup semi-final on Sunday, 19 July at Wembley (18:00 BST kick-off) before travelling to Anfield for their next Premier League game against champions Liverpool on Wednesday, 22 July (20:15 BST).
Norwich host Burnley on Saturday, 18 July (17:30 BST) in their next league game.


bbc--2020-07-14--'The Financial Fair Play circus must end' - Mourinho

Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho says the `` circus '' of Financial Fair Play should end after Manchester City overturned a European ban .
On Monday , City had a two-year European ban for `` serious breaches '' of Financial Fair Play quashed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport ( Cas ) .
Managers including Liverpool 's Jurgen Klopp and Mourinho have since questioned the clarity of Uefa 's rules .
`` Consistency I like , clarity ...
I do n't like doubts , '' said Mourinho .
`` That is the only thing that disturbs .
My opinion about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opinion on VAR .
`` When I said a few years ago I like the concept , I like the concept .
What I do n't like is the interpretation of it , the people with the tools they have at their disposal .
`` And Financial Fair Play is the same thing .
When I say it should finish , it is not because I do not agree with the basic principle .
It 's because I do n't agree with the circus . ''
'We do n't have to apologise ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Premier League , will be able to continue playing in European competition next season , having qualified for the Champions League .
Cas cleared City of `` disguising equity funds as sponsorship contributions '' and cut the club 's fine from 30m euros ( £26.9m ) to 10m euros ( £9m ) .
However , Cas also said City did `` fail to co-operate with Uefa authorities '' .
Manager Pep Guardiola now says his club deserves an apology because `` people said we were cheating and lying '' .
`` We were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all the time , '' Guardiola said on Tuesday .
`` I do n't want to apologise for anything .
I 'm sorry guys .
Manchester City do n't have to apologise because three independent judges decided we have done everything properly .
It 's clear - more than clear . ''
'Some rules you stick to ' - Klopp City , who have been owned by Sheikh Mansour since 2008 , were fined £49m in 2014 for a previous breach of regulations .
Managers including Mourinho and Klopp have not expressed an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instead turned their attention to the application of Uefa 's Financial Fair Play rules .
`` I do n't want them to lose money , it is just that if there are rules , then I think that we all stick to it and not only some , '' said Klopp .
`` If you say , 'come on , forget it , we do n't have to look at what someone is spending ' then there will be people with a lot of money who will be very influential .
`` There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to stick to it . ''

Last updated on .From the section Premier League
Mourinho (left) has questioned the "clarity" of Financial Fair Play rules
Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho says the "circus" of Financial Fair Play should end after Manchester City overturned a European ban.
On Monday, City had a two-year European ban for "serious breaches" of Financial Fair Play quashed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas).
Managers including Liverpool's Jurgen Klopp and Mourinho have since questioned the clarity of Uefa's rules.
"Consistency I like, clarity... I don't like doubts," said Mourinho.
"That is the only thing that disturbs. My opinion about FFP doesn't change, like my opinion on VAR.
"When I said a few years ago I like the concept, I like the concept. What I don't like is the interpretation of it, the people with the tools they have at their disposal.
"And Financial Fair Play is the same thing. When I say it should finish, it is not because I do not agree with the basic principle. It's because I don't agree with the circus."
'We don't have to apologise' - Guardiola
Guardiola 'incredibly happy' after Man City overturn Europe ban
City, second in the Premier League, will be able to continue playing in European competition next season, having qualified for the Champions League.
Cas cleared City of "disguising equity funds as sponsorship contributions" and cut the club's fine from 30m euros (£26.9m) to 10m euros (£9m). However, Cas also said City did "fail to co-operate with Uefa authorities".
Manager Pep Guardiola now says his club deserves an apology because "people said we were cheating and lying".
"We were exonerated for something we were accused of all the time," Guardiola said on Tuesday.
"I don't want to apologise for anything. I'm sorry guys. Manchester City don't have to apologise because three independent judges decided we have done everything properly. It's clear - more than clear."
'Some rules you stick to' - Klopp
It was not a good day for football - managers on Man City's overturned Europe ban
City, who have been owned by Sheikh Mansour since 2008, were fined £49m in 2014 for a previous breach of regulations.
Managers including Mourinho and Klopp have not expressed an opinion on City's conduct but have instead turned their attention to the application of Uefa's Financial Fair Play rules.
"I don't want them to lose money, it is just that if there are rules, then I think that we all stick to it and not only some," said Klopp.
"If you say, 'come on, forget it, we don't have to look at what someone is spending' then there will be people with a lot of money who will be very influential.
"There are some rules and we should try to stick to it."


bbc--2020-07-14--'No reason why I can't break record this week' - Woods

Last updated on .From the section Golf Tiger Woods says there is `` no reason '' why he can not make PGA Tour history this week with a win at his first competitive event since February .
`` I would like to say that I 'm going to win the event , '' said Woods , who has won the tournament a record five times .
`` That 's my intent coming in , that 's my intent going into every event . ''
Woods , who tied Snead 's record by winning the Zozo Championship in Japan last October @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out come Sunday , hopefully that will be the case .
`` There 's no reason why I ca n't do it again this week . ''
Masters champion Woods missed tournaments prior to golf 's coronavirus shutdown in order to deal with back issues .
At his last Tour event in February - the Genesis Invitational - he finished last among the players to make the cut .
The 15-time major winner played in a charity event during the official coronavirus shutdown but has since chosen not to compete in behind-closed-doors PGA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was better to stay at home and be safe , '' said the American .
`` I 'm used to playing with lots of people around me and that puts not only myself in danger but my friends and family .
`` That 's something that I looked at and said , ' I 'm really not quite comfortable with that whole idea , let 's see how it plays out first ' . ''
When Woods does compete at Muirfield Village Golf Club from Thursday he will do so without the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ follow his every move at events .
He admits he has been intrigued by events without fans and took to watching in order to process what golf may feel like in the near future .
`` To have no one yelling , no one screaming , no energy , the social distancing , no handshakes , there 's nothing to feed off of energy-wise , '' said Woods .
`` It 's just a silent and different world . ''

Last updated on .From the section Golf
Woods can win for a record 83rd time on the PGA Tour
Tiger Woods says there is "no reason" why he cannot make PGA Tour history this week with a win at his first competitive event since February.
The 44-year-old goes into the Memorial Tournament in Dublin, Ohio chasing an 83rd PGA Tour win that would eclipse Sam Snead's mark of 82, set in 1965.
"I would like to say that I'm going to win the event," said Woods, who has won the tournament a record five times.
"That's my intent coming in, that's my intent going into every event."
Woods, who tied Snead's record by winning the Zozo Championship in Japan last October, added: "Whether that plays out come Sunday, hopefully that will be the case.
"There's no reason why I can't do it again this week."
Masters champion Woods missed tournaments prior to golf's coronavirus shutdown in order to deal with back issues.
At his last Tour event in February - the Genesis Invitational - he finished last among the players to make the cut.
The 15-time major winner played in a charity event during the official coronavirus shutdown but has since chosen not to compete in behind-closed-doors PGA Tour events.
"I just felt it was better to stay at home and be safe," said the American. "I'm used to playing with lots of people around me and that puts not only myself in danger but my friends and family.
"That's something that I looked at and said, 'I'm really not quite comfortable with that whole idea, let's see how it plays out first'."
When Woods does compete at Muirfield Village Golf Club from Thursday he will do so without the usual mass of cameras and spectators that follow his every move at events.
He admits he has been intrigued by events without fans and took to watching in order to process what golf may feel like in the near future.
"To have no one yelling, no one screaming, no energy, the social distancing, no handshakes, there's nothing to feed off of energy-wise," said Woods.
"It's just a silent and different world."


bbc--2020-07-14--Champions League spot not a deal-breaker for Havertz move

Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Kai Havertz would consider a move to a club who have not qualified for next season 's Champions League .
The 21-year-old Germany international wants to leave the Bundesliga club this summer and has been linked with Chelsea and Real Madrid .
Although he wants to play in Europe 's elite competition , it is not thought to be a deal-breaker for any move .
Chelsea , who host Norwich on Tuesday , are third in the Premier League but lead fourth-placed Leicester and fifth-placed Manchester United by one point .
Only the top four will qualify @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Manchester City 's European ban was lifted on Monday .
Last month Chelsea boss Frank Lampard described Havertz as a `` top player '' but said `` no bids have gone in '' .
Havertz , who can also play as a forward , has two years left on his contract and scored 17 goals in 43 appearances for Leverkusen this season .
That total includes seven in the nine games after the Bundesliga season restarted .
His team finished fifth - missing out on a Champions League place - and were beaten @ @ @ @ @ @ @ final .
But they hold a 3-1 advantage over Rangers after the first leg of their last-16 tie in the Europa League , which is set to be played to a conclusion in August .
Leverkusen expect Havertz to play in the game scheduled for 6 August .
Havertz has scored once in seven appearances for the national side .
Chelsea have already signed RB Leipzig and Germany striker Timo Werner for a reported £47m this summer .
Former Ajax winger Hakim Ziyech has also started training at Chelsea after his £33m move @

Last updated on .From the section European Football
Kai Havertz wants to leave Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen this summer
Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Kai Havertz would consider a move to a club who have not qualified for next season's Champions League.
The 21-year-old Germany international wants to leave the Bundesliga club this summer and has been linked with Chelsea and Real Madrid.
Although he wants to play in Europe's elite competition, it is not thought to be a deal-breaker for any move.
Havertz considers a club's long-term plan just as important.
Chelsea, who host Norwich on Tuesday, are third in the Premier League but lead fourth-placed Leicester and fifth-placed Manchester United by one point.
Only the top four will qualify for the Champions League next season after Manchester City's European ban was lifted on Monday.
Last month Chelsea boss Frank Lampard described Havertz as a "top player" but said "no bids have gone in".
Gossip: Could Chelsea really sign Kai Havertz, Ben Chilwell and Cristiano Ronaldo?
Havertz, who can also play as a forward, has two years left on his contract and scored 17 goals in 43 appearances for Leverkusen this season.
That total includes seven in the nine games after the Bundesliga season restarted.
His team finished fifth - missing out on a Champions League place - and were beaten by Bayern Munich in the German Cup final.
But they hold a 3-1 advantage over Rangers after the first leg of their last-16 tie in the Europa League, which is set to be played to a conclusion in August.
Leverkusen expect Havertz to play in the game scheduled for 6 August.
Havertz has scored once in seven appearances for the national side.
Chelsea have already signed RB Leipzig and Germany striker Timo Werner for a reported £47m this summer.
Former Ajax winger Hakim Ziyech has also started training at Chelsea after his £33m move.


bbc--2020-07-15--Apple has €13bn Irish tax bill overturned

Apple has been told it will not have to pay Ireland €13bn ( £11.6bn ) in back taxes after winning an appeal at the European Union 's second highest court .
It follows a record ruling by the European Commission against the US tech giant in 2016 .
The EU 's General Court said it had annulled that decision because the Commission had not proved that Apple had broken competition rules .
It is a blow to the EU which is trying to clamp down on alleged tax avoidance .
However , it has the right to lodge an appeal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ European Court of Justice , within 14 days .
`` This case was not about how much tax we pay , but where we are required to pay it , '' Apple said in a statement .
`` We 're proud to be the largest taxpayer in the world as we know the important role tax payments play in society . ''
The Irish government - which had also appealed against the ruling - said it had `` always been clear '' Apple received no special treatment .
`` The correct amount of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with normal Irish taxation rules . ''
EU Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager , who brought the case , said she would `` study the judgment and reflect on possible next steps '' .
In some quarters of Ireland there will be relief that an agreement that helped encourage Apple to invest has not been overturned after the event .
But the sentiment is far from universal .
A Sinn Féin spokesman called it a bad day for the Irish taxpayer that would draw negative attention to the country 's international tax reputation .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ wider issue about whether multinational companies pay as much tax as they should .
The ruling is a setback for those who say they should pay more .
But efforts among governments to agree new ground rules continue , while some , including Britain , are taking unilateral steps to get more tax from some of the big technology companies .
The European Commission brought the action after claiming Ireland had allowed Apple to attribute nearly all its EU earnings to an Irish head office that existed only on paper , thereby avoiding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commission said this constituted illegal aid given to Apple by the Irish state .
However , the Irish government argued that Apple should not have to repay the back taxes , deeming that its loss was worth it to make the country an attractive home for large companies .
Ireland - which has one of the lowest corporate tax rates in the EU - is Apple 's base for Europe , the Middle East and Africa .
In Wednesday 's ruling , the Luxembourg-based General Court sided with that position , saying there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had received illegal state aid .
The ruling could spell bad news for Ms Vestager , who has spent much of her time in office campaigning against tax schemes she argued were anti-competitive .
Last year she lost a case against Starbucks , which was accused of owing €30m in back taxes to the Netherlands .
Rulings over Ikea and Nike 's tax arrangements in that country are also due soon .
Jason Collins , partner and head of tax at law firm Pinsent Masons , said : `` Apple 's victory shows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beneficial tax regimes state aid , even when designed to attract foreign investment - provided they apply the rules consistently .
`` This will be a very welcome outcome for other multi-nationals who have been watching this case closely . ''
However , he said Brussels was likely to appeal and EU efforts to tackle tax avoidance would continue .
`` We expect the EU to continue applying pressure in this area , '' he said .

One rather curious feature of this case is that if the ruling had gone the other way, and Ireland had been on the losing side, its "punishment" for breaching EU law would have been to receive a large amount of money: taxes the Commission said were owed by Apple.


bbc--2020-07-15--Hong Kong: China vows to retaliate after Trump ends special economic status

China has vowed to retaliate after the US ended Hong Kong 's preferential trade status and imposed sanctions on officials who crack down on rights .
President Donald Trump said he was acting because China had taken away Hong Kong 's freedom after it imposed a new security law .
Beijing condemned Mr Trump 's decision , saying it would impose sanctions on relevant people and entities in the US .
US-China ties have become increasingly strained over a wide range of issues .
Apart from Beijing 's actions in Hong Kong , Mr Trump has criticised China over its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as its military build-up in the South China Sea , its treatment of Muslim minorities and massive trade surpluses .
Mr Trump 's decision means the end of Hong Kong 's special trade status with the US , agreed in 1984 when the territory was still a British colony .
Hong Kong is expected to be treated the same as mainland China , meaning its goods could be subjected to additional tariffs .
The controversial security law - which effectively outlaws criticism of China 's government - is the most sweeping change to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the UK handed back sovereignty to Beijing in 1997 .
Mr Trump also said he had signed the Hong Kong Autonomy Act , which passed unanimously in Congress earlier this month and penalises banks doing business with Chinese officials who implement the security law .
In a strongly worded statement , China 's foreign ministry described the decision as a `` gross interference '' in its domestic affairs and said the country would impose retaliatory sanctions to `` safeguard China 's legitimate interests '' .
`` The US attempt to obstruct the implementation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kong will never succeed , '' the statement said .
`` We urge the US side to correct its mistakes , refrain from implementing the act and stop interfering in China 's internal affairs in any way .
China will firmly respond if the US goes ahead . ''
What did President Trump say ?
Speaking in the Rose Garden on Tuesday , Mr Trump said the executive order was intended to `` hold China accountable for its aggressive actions against the people '' of Hong Kong .
`` No special privileges [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economic treatment and no export of sensitive technologies , '' said the president , who first announced in May that his administration would begin paring back the territory 's special status .
According to a document released by the White House , any dealings in US property by anyone determined to be responsible for or complicit in `` actions or policies that undermine democratic processes or institutions in Hong Kong '' would be blocked .
It also directs officials to `` revoke license exceptions for exports to Hong Kong , '' and includes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ holders .
Mr Trump said the Hong Kong Autonomy Act gave the administration `` powerful new tools to hold responsible the individuals and the entities involved in extinguishing Hong Kong 's freedom '' .
After being questioned by a journalist , the president said he had no plans to speak to Chinese President Xi Jinping .
Mr Trump also said his administration held China `` fully responsible for concealing the [ coronavirus ] and unleashing it upon the world '' .
His own response to the pandemic has been under scrutiny , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the highest in the world , and more than 136,000 deaths .
The president 's policy address digressed into a lengthy political attack on his Democratic presidential challenger , Joe Biden , ranging from trade and immigration to policing and climate change .
• THE US MOVE : Should US firms be worried about Hong Kong sanctions ?
• RISING TENSIONS : The Hong Kong crisis and the new world order • THE NEW LAW : What it is and why Hong Kong is worried • WHAT COULD HAPPEN : Life sentences @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ALSO IN THE REGION : What might happen next in the South China Sea ?
It was not a matter of if , but when .
Scrapping Hong Kong 's special status will mean companies based there will now have to evaluate what this means for them .
Hong Kong is a re-exporting hub , which means that goods that go through Hong Kong to the US but have come from somewhere else - like China for instance - have avoided the tariffs the US has slapped on China .
Now that Hong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mainland Chinese companies may look for another place to send their goods - which would see Hong Kong 's port and logistics businesses suffer .
And how much of an impact will this have on American and multinational companies using Hong Kong as a regional hub ?
Well , as one business consultant told me - the structural reasons for why a company would use Hong Kong as a hub are still there - low tax rates , good geographic location , convertibility of currency .
But perception is reality - and if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hong Kong has become so much more onerous - why not decamp to mainland China or Singapore instead ?
What is going on with US-China relations ?
With Mr Trump facing an uphill battle for re-election this November , he and Mr Biden have accused each other of being weak on China .
On Monday , the administration condemned China 's military build-up in the South China Sea , accusing it of bullying neighbours .
Last Friday , Mr Trump told reporters on Air Force One that a `` phase two '' trade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of its handling of coronavirus , which he called the `` plague '' .
The US also officially withdrew last week from the World Health Organization , which Mr Trump had accused of being beholden to China .
Last week , too , the Trump administration announced sanctions against Chinese politicians who it says are responsible for human rights violations against Muslim minorities in Xinjiang .

Mr Trump also said his administration held China "fully responsible for concealing the [coronavirus] and unleashing it upon the world". His own response to the pandemic has been under scrutiny, as the US has 3.4 million recorded cases, the highest in the world, and more than 136,000 deaths.


bbc--2020-07-15--'You call me selfish for not wearing a mask?'

As the Sunshine State becomes a new coronavirus epicentre in the US , maskless Florida activists showed up in support @ @ @ @ @ decision not to require face coverings .
When authorities inspected the premises , activists Chris @ @ @ @ @ the crowd in a chant of `` stand down '' .
Florida has recorded nearly @ @ @ @ @

As the Sunshine State becomes a new coronavirus epicentre in the US, maskless Florida activists showed up in support of a restaurant owner's decision not to require face coverings.
When authorities inspected the premises, activists Chris Nelson and Tara Hill led the crowd in a chant of "stand down".
Florida has recorded nearly 300,000 cases of Covid-19.