bbc--2020-07-18--'I was found as a baby wrapped in my mum's coat – but who am I?'

Tony May was only a few weeks old when he was abandoned by the River Thames in London , in the middle of World War Two .
He had no idea who his parents were for more than 70 years .
Then a DNA detective dug up the truth about his past .
A few days before Christmas , in 1942 , a baby boy was brought in to a police station near the Houses of Parliament in London .
He had been found wrapped in a bright blue woman 's coat on Victoria Embankment , a road lined with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the north bank of the Thames .
The boy was judged to be one month old and , after no-one came forward to claim him , he was allotted a birthday .
He also needed a name .
It was common at the time to refer to the place a child was found - and so he became Victor Banks .
`` I always wondered who they were , you know ?
And why I would have been abandoned , I think that 's the main thing . ''
Tony May is sitting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flat in St Albans , just to the north of London .
There are jazz CDs piled on a side table , and photos of trumpet players on the wall .
`` I used to run a club on the jazz circuit , '' he tells me .
`` We 'd get musicians who had played at Ronnie Scott 's . ''
Tony is in his 70s .
Though he moves carefully around his flat his voice is full of energy .
He gestures now to one of the pictures crammed on to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dad , Arthur and Ivy , did n't have any brothers or sisters so they had friends who we called aunt and uncle .
They were lovely to me . ''
The couple adopted Victor Banks when he was a toddler in 1944 , changing his name to Tony May .
They went on to adopt a little girl called Eleanor who became Tony 's sister .
Tony remembers being told he was adopted when he was about seven .
`` It was no big deal really .
But I remember my sister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and I was so embarrassed . ''
When he was growing up , Tony was particularly close to his father .
`` My dad was very bright but although he was very interested in sport he was no good at it at all .
When he realised I was good at it , he used to give me and my friend Mick cricket catching practice every night .
He 'd come home from the bank - I can see him now with his hat and umbrella - and he 'd come down the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'd take me to see major sporting events at White City stadium in London .
`` I became a very good cricketer and schoolboy athlete because he believed in me .
And when you 're adopted you need people to believe in you . ''
Tony 's adoption was rarely mentioned by his parents .
`` I remember once my dad knocked on my bedroom door when I was a teenager and asked what music I was listening to , '' Tony says .
`` It was John Coltrane on tenor sax playing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think you play such mournful music , because you 're adopted ? '
I said : 'No Dad , this is world-class music played all over the world . '
He said : 'Oh , OK then . '
That was that , there was no dialogue about it . ''
Tony only discovered he had been found as a baby on his wedding day , at the age of 23 .
`` My dad sidled over to me after the service , '' he says .
`` He told me that when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'd have an envelope for me with my exam passes and adoption order .
He said : 'There 's a word on it that you might not know , the word foundling .
Just letting you know . '
I did n't twig for ages what it meant .
It was much later that I realised I 'd been abandoned . ''
Tony went into banking , like his father , and then into recruitment .
He also had two children .
Looking back , he wonders whether not knowing where he came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he told his father about the music he 'd been listening to that day .
`` I worried a lot about things going wrong , which meant I worked extra hard at getting things right .
It did mean when the auditors came around at work I knew I 'd get a clean sheet .
`` Though I laugh and joke and muck about , I 'm not tactile .
I 'm fairly reserved , I would say , about showing emotion .
But I can cry my eyes out watching a rugby @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his adoptive parents had died that Tony felt ready to investigate where he came from .
His first port of call was the London Record Office , where he was amazed to find out he was n't allowed to look at his own adoption file .
The rules at that time stipulated that a social worker had to go in and make notes in pencil on his behalf .
The file revealed that after being found on Victoria Embankment on 19 December 1942 he was taken to the old Canon Row police station @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no mention of who had found him or at what time of day .
After being examined at a hospital in Chelsea , he was evacuated to Easenye Nursery in Ware , Hertfordshire , away from the risk of bombing .
Little Victor first met Arthur and Ivy May at Easenye .
Before they were allowed to adopt him they fostered him for a year and Tony is visibly moved as he reads out a welfare report from that time .
`` Date on which visit made : 5 November 1943 .
Is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ answer is : 'She devotes her whole time and attention to the baby and he is responding well to individual care and is becoming interested in people and things . '
Are the applicants satisfied with the child ?
'They are very pleased with him and delighted to have a baby of their own . '
'' `` That 's lovely , that , '' Tony says , tapping the table for emphasis .
Letters in Tony 's file reveal the Mays wrote to the authorities to see if they could find out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reply was definitive - exhaustive inquiries had been carried out to trace the parents , but all efforts had been unsuccessful .
Having reached this dead end , Tony then took his story to the media in the hope it might jog someone 's memory .
He appeared on radio , TV and in newspapers in the mid-1990s .
Some nurses who had worked at Easenye nursery during the war came forward , but Tony was no closer to finding out about the circumstances of his birth .
`` I had given up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do more than I have done , so that 's it , ' '' he says .
Then , four years ago , Tony joined a Facebook group for foundlings .
They swapped stories about their lives and their theories about why they might have been left .
Tony thought he could be the result of a liaison between a British woman and an American GI .
It 's estimated that about 22,000 children were born in this way between 1942 and 1945 .
`` I was found in London and I know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happening , '' he says .
He mentioned his theory in the Facebook group , and it was a move that would change his life .
The post was spotted by Julia Bell , a genetic genealogist who has used DNA to track down American servicemen who fathered children during World War Two .
Julia 's first successful case was working out who her own GI grandfather was .
`` My mother was over the moon to find out .
Her father had died in 2009 but she had five brothers and sisters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ send her presents for her birthday . ''
Julia was inspired by her experience to work on other GI cases , but she was now looking for a new challenge .
`` I was finding the American servicemen cases very easy .
They all knew who their mothers were , but not their fathers .
I thought , 'How about giving that gift of knowing where you come from to people who do n't know who either side was ? '
'' She had started looking at foundling cases when she came across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ introduced herself and offered to help free of charge .
`` I thought , why not ? ''
Tony says .
`` I 've tried everything you know , if you like you might as well go for it .
I did n't think she 'd be successful .
How can you possibly be from so little information ? ''
And he was right that the case was a tough one , in fact it was the hardest that Julia had ever attempted to crack .
The first thing Julia did was search @ @ @ @ @ @ @ small article from 20 December 1942 reporting Tony 's discovery .
It read : `` A blue-eyed boy four weeks old , wrapped in a bright blue jacket , part of a woman 's costume , has been found abandoned on the Embankment . ''
Julia wondered whether this could be a sign that Tony was left in a hurry , and that perhaps it had n't been planned .
She then turned to DNA , which she was convinced could help unravel Tony 's case .
It was 2016 , and there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of people in the US and the UK using DNA testing kits to research their family history .
Her first step was to send off a saliva sample from Tony to one of several privately owned companies that offer DNA matching with other clients on their database .
The amount of DNA we share with other people is measured in centimorgans .
The number ranges from single digits for distant cousins to 3,400 centimorgans for a parent and child .
The test revealed a woman called Deborah in Toronto , who appeared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tony 's , judging from the amount of DNA they shared .
But this promising link proved a dead end .
Julia realised Deborah was most likely related to Tony on her father 's side , and Deborah said she did n't know who her father was .
After Deborah , Tony 's closest relation was a fourth cousin called June , in Scotland .
That meant she probably shared with Tony a pair of great-great-great-grandparents , who lived sometime in the 1800s .
`` Now June had more of a complete tree @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with me , '' Julia says .
To find out which ancestor pair Tony and June shared , Julia searched the databases of the DNA-matching companies and found someone who was a cousin of both Tony and June at a similar distance .
`` I found an ancestor pair living in the 1860s that all three people shared .
Then I created a chart with all the different possible lines of descent , with every marriage and every birth .
`` I looked for people further down the lines who were living descendants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ test .
Each time I found a closer match that would help me refocus and refocus , getting closer to my goal . ''
By a closer match , Julia means a cousin closer to Tony in his family tree , sharing a larger amount of DNA .
The most common DNA test examines the pairs of chromosomes inherited from each parent ( except the pair of sex chromosomes ) , but Julia also got Tony to do another test that looked at mitochondrial DNA , which is passed from mother to child @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a strong maternal link to Lanarkshire , in the central lowlands of Scotland .
Every cell in your body contains DNA molecules , packaged in structures called chromosomes , which hold the instructions the body needs to develop , survive and reproduce .
The most common DNA test focuses on chromosomes from the cell nucleus , and particularly those inherited from both parents ( 22 `` autosomal '' chromosome pairs ) .
The test matches you with anyone else on the database who shares a direct ancestor , reaching back about seven generations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to test the Y chromosome , which is passed from father to son and helps identify the paternal line .
The maternal line can be investigated by testing the DNA in mitochondria - subunits of a cell responsible for generating the cell 's energy .
This DNA is passed from mother to child in the egg cell .
It was slow and painstaking work but towards the end of 2018 Julia identified a couple she thought could be Tony 's maternal grandparents , who had lived in Kirkcaldy , north of Edinburgh .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Scotland called Bill who was in his 90s and was reluctant to do a test .
However Bill 's daughter , Kathleen , agreed to help once she heard Tony 's story .
The results showed Kathleen was almost certainly his first cousin .
`` So I 'm thinking it 's most likely that Tony 's mother was Bill 's sister , '' Julia says .
`` Bill had a sister called Mary who died in 1988 .
Mary had had two children - a son , Peter , who had died in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sheena , who was still living . ''
After thinking about it long and hard , Sheena agreed to meet Julia .
`` Well this was back in January 2019 , '' Sheena says , sitting across from me in her conservatory in Kettering , Northamptonshire .
`` My cousin Kathleen had explained to me about Julia and this person who was looking for his parents .
I thought whoever this Tony is deserves to know who his family is , but I did n't click at all what it had to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and told me , ' I 'm 80 % sure that your mum is Tony 's mother . '
Well you could have knocked me over with a feather , I knew nothing about it !
`` I thought , 'How could my mum have done it ? '
And then I thought , 'What must she have been through to feel she had to do something like that ? '
If only she 'd been able to talk to us . ''
Sheena agreed to take the test and it confirmed Sheena @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went to Tony 's house to tell him the news .
`` When she came I had a friend with me , who was writing it all down .
It was a hell of a lot to absorb , '' Tony says .
`` It was strange , I felt much less happy than I thought I would do .
It did n't have as huge an effect as I thought it would .
But then I heard Sheena was willing to meet me , that was a big bonus . ''
Sheena @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only live an hour 's drive away from Tony and they agreed to meet him and Julia at a hotel .
`` I just thought it was unbelievable .
That I 'm hugging the daughter of the woman who abandoned me and that she had been prepared to meet me , '' Tony says .
`` Sheena gave me an album full of old photographs of the family .
It was just lovely .
She 's a great girl . ''
`` He walked in and I thought : 'That 's my mum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so much like her it was scary .
I just could n't take my eyes off him . ''
Over time , Sheena , 65 , has helped Tony build a picture of their mother .
Mary married Sheena 's father in 1946 and had two children .
They moved to Rhodesia , now Zimbabwe , when Sheena was two .
However , they came back to the UK after her father was injured in a car accident .
He never left hospital and Mary raised Peter and Sheena alone .
`` She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a loving person .
She 'd do anything for anybody , '' Sheena says .
`` I 've missed her more this year than I 've done in a long time . ''
Meanwhile , Julia was still at work trying to find Tony 's biological father .
She discovered Mary had been married once before , which was a complete surprise to Sheena .
`` Julia told us mum had married a man from Kirkcaldy called James on 1 August 1942 , but she applied for a divorce in 1946 , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in late November or early December , Julia knew Mary would have been about five months pregnant at the time of the wedding .
Although the DNA had n't indicated a strong Scottish lineage on Tony 's paternal side , Julia decided to follow up the lead .
She found out that James had gone on to remarry after his divorce from Mary and had had a daughter called Anita .
When Anita was approached and told about Tony 's story , her response took everyone by surprise .
`` Her first words @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : 'Thank goodness he 's fine , ' '' Julia says .
Anita says discovering the existence of Tony has laid to rest a family mystery that had troubled her for most of her life .
`` I 'd heard a whisper of a story but I was never sure it was true , '' she says .
`` I was anything between eight and 10 .
I heard raised voices and I was listening at the door .
I just heard , 'Oh , it 's awful you know that a baby @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been my mother speaking and my father was saying things like , 'You were n't there .
It was dreadful , she was in a terrible state and she was going to jump off a bridge and I had to calm her down . '
'' It 's not clear if James knew Mary was pregnant when they got married , but Anita says her father insisted the baby was n't his .
Her understanding was that this led to some sort of argument between James and Mary in London .
At the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and serving on the south coast .
Perhaps Mary came down with the baby from Kirkcaldy to meet him ?
`` I suppose that 's how the abandonment happened , '' Anita says .
`` My father removed Madie [ Mary ] from the baby to calm her down and perhaps - I think I remember hearing my mum saying something like 'Did you never go back to see if it was still there ? '
And I remember him saying 'Of course I did , but obviously the baby was n't there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ account , told decades later , but it does suggest that both Mary and James were involved in leaving Tony on Victoria Embankment .
An action that their children think profoundly affected both of them for the rest of their lives .
Mary had always told her daughter , Sheena , that her brother , Peter , had been a twin , but that the other baby had been stillborn .
Sheena 's cousin recently revealed she 'd once asked their gran about the stillborn baby .
`` My gran had been there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that was a load of rubbish , there was only one baby .
So we now think that was my mum trying to make sense of it , '' Sheena says .
Anita said her father , James , was delighted when she had three girls and seemed uncomfortable around baby boys .
`` He was a very supportive and helpful person .
It just seems such an out-of-character thing for him and I think it weighed heavily on him , '' she says .
`` In fact , in his late @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life and was treated for severe depression .
I think the incident in 1942 with the baby [ is something ] he 'd carried all those years and felt guilt and shame for .
I think it contributed to his suicide attempt . ''
Both Sheena and Anita wish their parents could have known that Tony had been found and adopted .
Anita took a DNA test that confirmed what her father had always said , he was not Tony 's father .
So Julia 's hunt continued , looking at DNA databases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , marriage and death records .
She narrowed down her search to two family lines based in Yorkshire and Hertfordshire .
This meant he was unlikely to be a GI as Tony had first supposed .
Then , just a few months after finding Tony 's mother , Julia hit the jackpot with his father .
She discovered a 1906 marriage that seemed to bring those two lines together .
The marriage resulted in a son called Eric .
`` I found this man called Eric Wisbey who looked to me to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relatives who told me he had gone to Australia , '' Julia says .
`` Eric had died in 2004 and he had a son called Ken who had died in 2011 .
But Ken had a daughter called Leesa and she agreed to do a DNA test . ''
Leesa lives in Wodonga , on the border of New South Wales and Victoria .
`` I Googled Julia Bell 's name to make sure that it was n't a hoax , '' she says over Skype .
`` You never know nowadays @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it 's not going to hurt me . '
So I agreed and she sent the test over . ''
The results came back a month later and confirmed Leesa was Tony 's half-niece .
This meant Julia was correct and Eric Wisbey was Tony 's father .
How Julia did it Starting in 2016 , Julia Bell identified cousins of Tony on his mother 's side , and used them to reconstruct part of his family tree , which led her to Mary , Tony 's mother , and to Sheena @ @ @ @ @ @ @ met in January 2019 .
In her search for Tony 's father , Julia established that Mary 's first husband , James , had been present when Tony was abandoned , but was not his father .
Her attention then focused on two families in Yorkshire and Hertfordshire and a man called Eric Wisbey , who was married by 1942 , the year of Tony 's birth , but stationed in Scotland and could have been billeted in Mary 's family home .
When Eric 's granddaughter , Leesa , did a DNA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ showed she was Tony 's half-niece , and the case was closed .
Tony was amazed to discover he had family on the other side of the world .
`` I have got a father that went out to Australia and now I 've spoken to my father 's granddaughter out there over the internet .
These are huge bonuses , '' he says .
Leesa was able to tell Tony a little about his father .
`` Eric was sort of a reserved fella , sometimes he 'd take my brother , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says .
He was a painter and decorator who moved around the state of Victoria .
After his wife , Leesa 's grandmother , died , he married one of her friends .
But how did Eric Wisbey , from the south of England , come to meet Mary Hunter from Scotland ?
Leesa pulled out her grandfather 's war records , which revealed he was in the Army Pay Corps in World War Two .
In 1942 he was stationed in Edinburgh , 11 miles across the Firth of Forth from Mary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time Mary was 22 and living with her parents , while Eric was 35 and married with a young son back in Brighton .
So how did this unlikely couple get together ?
Mary 's brother , Bill - who has since died aged 93 - was asked if he could remember anything from that time .
• Who were my parents - and why was I left on a hillside to die ?
• The mystery of the baby in the box • The Christmas present that could tear your family apart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after giving birth to his child '' He remembered an older guy coming to stay at the house because he had to share a room with him , '' Sheena says .
`` He was 15 years or so older than my mum and he said he thinks she 'd had an affair with him .
But he does n't remember her being pregnant or a baby being born . ''
Sheena and George have speculated that Eric was billeted with the Hunter family , and was perhaps involved in paying the munition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Eric ever find out that Mary was pregnant ?
Leesa reveals a tantalising clue .
`` I had rung my mum to tell her about what was going on with Julia and then mum spoke to John , who was my dad 's friend .
And John said Dad had told him he thought he had a half-brother or had an inkling .
I do n't know how Dad got that information .
I wish he was still alive so we could ask him about it . ''
Eric Wisbey left Scotland in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Corps to the Intelligence Corps .
By 1944 he was stationed in India .
`` He did n't really like speaking about the war and we never asked him about it .
We found his records in a drawer , '' Leesa says .
Sheena thinks her mother was left in an impossible position .
`` Whether he knew about it or not , Eric was married and quite a lot older than my mum .
Then he went off to Australia .
I think he got off scot free , '' she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bitter that my mum felt she had to hide it all .
What she must have gone through for the rest of her life , to my mind , is absolutely heart-breaking . ''
For Tony , the discoveries have helped him better understand why he was left on the Embankment .
But he says he has never blamed his mother for leaving him .
`` I wish I could tell her ' I 'm sorry you had to do it , ' '' he says .
`` I was sure she would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good reason . ''
Dr Marilyn Crawshaw from the University of York has worked for decades with people who were adopted or conceived with donor sperm .
She warns people to think carefully before embarking on a journey like Tony 's .
`` I very definitely believe a child has a right to know where they come from , '' she says .
`` But I always say to people do n't go rushing into it , stop and think first .
Talk to your mates about it .
Are you prepared for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out ?
`` Some bits might feel immensely satisfying , but you may also find a birth parent who refuses to have contact with you .
You have no idea what is happening in the lives of the people you are approaching .
You really are stepping into the unknown . ''
Tony says there are some things he will always wonder about , such as whether he was born in Scotland or London , but he is `` happy to know what I now know '' .
His relationship with his half-sister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sheena and her husband , George , have met Tony 's sister , Eleanor , while Tony has gone to watch his half-niece , Jessica , sing at a concert in London .
Tony is now looking forward to introducing Sheena and her family to his children and grandchildren .
`` When Julia first told me she had a result I think I was a bit stunned , '' Tony says .
`` But now I 've met my half-sister , I 've corresponded with my half-niece in Australia .
I 'm looking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Sheena 's family .
It 's given me a new lease of life . ''
You may also be interested in : After losing everything in the horror of Hurricane Katrina , artist Matjames Metson was broke , traumatised and `` braced for the end '' when he received an unexpected phone call .
It was from the daughter he had n't seen since she was a baby , and it gave him a reason to live . '
I left her as a baby - 16 years later she saved my @ @

"My dad was very bright but although he was very interested in sport he was no good at it at all. When he realised I was good at it, he used to give me and my friend Mick cricket catching practice every night. He'd come home from the bank - I can see him now with his hat and umbrella - and he'd come down the garden to help us. And he'd take me to see major sporting events at White City stadium in London.


bbc--2020-07-18--Aubameyang double inspires Arsenal to beat Man City and reach FA Cup final

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta outmanoeuvred his mentor Pep Guardiola as the Gunners reached the FA Cup final with victory at Wembley .
Arteta , who left his job as Manchester City assistant manager to succeed Unai Emery at Arsenal in December , now has a chance to mark his first season in charge with major silverware when they face Chelsea or Manchester United in the final on 1 August .
The match-winner was Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang , the world-class striker Arsenal are desperate to secure on a new long-term contract , as he ruthlessly exposed City 's defensive deficiencies .
Aubameyang @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one clear chance but there was no escape for City after 19 minutes when he showed great technique to steer home Nicolas Pepe 's cross with the outside of his foot at the far post .
City dominated possession after the break but squandered their opportunities and Aubameyang made them pay once more in the 71st minute when he raced away on the angle to slide a composed finish under the keeper .
This was a personal triumph for Arteta and completes a superb week after the victory over Premier League champions Liverpool @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there was so much to admire about Arsenal 's willingness to adopt a courageous gameplan , happy to patiently keep possession - often in their own area - with one such passage of play leading to Aubameyang 's opener .
As against Liverpool , Arsenal were well-organised and resilient at the back , willing to throw bodies on the line to repel the wave of City attacks in the second half as the holders tried to hold on to the FA Cup .
David Luiz had the sort of nightmare many believed would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ City in their first post-lockdown game at Etihad Stadium , making a mistake leading to a goal then being sent off after conceding a penalty .
This was the other side of the maverick Brazilian defender , a rock at the heart of Arsenal 's defence and a central figure in this victory .
The spearhead , however , was the 31-year-old Gabon striker Aubameyang , who was a huge threat throughout and illustrated exactly why he is among the game 's elite group of strikers .
An ever-present menace , his two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demonstrated his big-match temperament .
This is why Arsenal are so keen to get his signature on a lucrative new deal - and why they will have a chance of winning the FA Cup no matter who they face in the final .
Manchester City rightly receive plaudits for their classic purist style - but there is a faultline running through this team that manager Guardiola simply must address .
This is a side that can defeat anyone but also has a soft centre that makes them eminently beatable - there is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Premier League this season .
Guardiola 's side can be cut and carved open , as they were twice by Aubameyang here , and this must surely be central to their summer transfer activity .
As at Southampton recently , they had plenty of the ball after going behind but could not find a cutting edge .
This is where master finisher Sergio Aguero is missed , especially as this was one of those rare occasions when Kevin de Bruyne 's radar was faulty .
City romped to a 6-0 victory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but there will be no repeat this year and that is because there are faults in this team that Arsenal - led by Arteta - were able to exploit .
'An incredible week ' - what they said Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta to BBC Sport : `` We 've had an incredible week to beat the best two teams in Europe , it does n't happen every day .
`` I do n't care who plays , I can trust them - we made changes and everyone was ready .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We had to be really well-organised and minimise the spaces . ''
On seeing Pep Guardiola after the game : `` I high-fived him after the game and wished him luck .
I love him like yesterday or this morning the same way . ''
On Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang 's contract talks : `` Hopefully it will help him to be more convinced we are going in the right direction . ''
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola to MOTD : `` We did n't make a good performance , we were not ready enough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 90 minutes in a semi-final this can happen .
We did n't play good , we are human beings .
The opponent played good , sometimes it happens .
`` The only regret is that we did n't play the first half like we played the second one .
We had to change the set-up but we could n't do it . ''
City 's cup run comes to an end - the stats • Arsenal have reached the FA Cup final a record 21 times , with the Gunners also winning the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 13 ) .
• Manchester City have been eliminated from a domestic cup tie ( League Cup and FA Cup ) for the first time since February 2018 ( FA Cup 5th Round v Wigan ) , with this their 22nd such tie since that game .
• Arsenal have eliminated the holders of the FA Cup on each of the last six occasions they 've faced them .
• All four of Arsenal 's shots in this match were on target - indeed they had more shots on target in this match @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three meetings with Manchester City combined ( 3 ) .
• Manchester City had just one shot on target in this match , their fewest in a game since April 2018 in the Champions League against Liverpool ( 0 ) .
• Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang became the fourth Arsenal player to score a competitive brace at Wembley Stadium , after Reg Lewis ( 1950 FA Cup final ) , Charlie Nicholas ( 1987 League Cup final ) and Alexis Sanchez ( 2015 FA Cup semi-final ) .
• Nicolas Pepe has been involved in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this season ( 8 goals , 9 assists ) - only Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang ( 27 ) has been involved in more .
Both sides return to Premier League action as City face Watford at Vicarage Road on Tuesday , 21 July ( 18:00 BST ) , before Arsenal travel to Aston Villa later that evening ( 20:15 ) .

Last updated on .From the section FA Cup
Aubameyang double sends Arsenal to FA Cup Final
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta outmanoeuvred his mentor Pep Guardiola as the Gunners reached the FA Cup final with victory at Wembley.
Arteta, who left his job as Manchester City assistant manager to succeed Unai Emery at Arsenal in December, now has a chance to mark his first season in charge with major silverware when they face Chelsea or Manchester United in the final on 1 August.
The match-winner was Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, the world-class striker Arsenal are desperate to secure on a new long-term contract, as he ruthlessly exposed City's defensive deficiencies.
Aubameyang had already shot straight at Ederson with one clear chance but there was no escape for City after 19 minutes when he showed great technique to steer home Nicolas Pepe's cross with the outside of his foot at the far post.
City dominated possession after the break but squandered their opportunities and Aubameyang made them pay once more in the 71st minute when he raced away on the angle to slide a composed finish under the keeper.
Aubameyang shows importance to Gunners
This was a personal triumph for Arteta and completes a superb week after the victory over Premier League champions Liverpool at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday.
And there was so much to admire about Arsenal's willingness to adopt a courageous gameplan, happy to patiently keep possession - often in their own area - with one such passage of play leading to Aubameyang's opener.
As against Liverpool, Arsenal were well-organised and resilient at the back, willing to throw bodies on the line to repel the wave of City attacks in the second half as the holders tried to hold on to the FA Cup.
David Luiz had the sort of nightmare many believed would end his Arsenal career when they played City in their first post-lockdown game at Etihad Stadium, making a mistake leading to a goal then being sent off after conceding a penalty.
This was the other side of the maverick Brazilian defender, a rock at the heart of Arsenal's defence and a central figure in this victory.
The spearhead, however, was the 31-year-old Gabon striker Aubameyang, who was a huge threat throughout and illustrated exactly why he is among the game's elite group of strikers.
An ever-present menace, his two finishes were of the highest quality and demonstrated his big-match temperament.
This is why Arsenal are so keen to get his signature on a lucrative new deal - and why they will have a chance of winning the FA Cup no matter who they face in the final.
Man City's flaws exposed
Manchester City rightly receive plaudits for their classic purist style - but there is a faultline running through this team that manager Guardiola simply must address.
This is a side that can defeat anyone but also has a soft centre that makes them eminently beatable - there is a reason why they have lost nine times in the Premier League this season.
Guardiola's side can be cut and carved open, as they were twice by Aubameyang here, and this must surely be central to their summer transfer activity.
As at Southampton recently, they had plenty of the ball after going behind but could not find a cutting edge. This is where master finisher Sergio Aguero is missed, especially as this was one of those rare occasions when Kevin de Bruyne's radar was faulty.
City romped to a 6-0 victory in last season's final against Watford, but there will be no repeat this year and that is because there are faults in this team that Arsenal - led by Arteta - were able to exploit.
Man of the match - Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Arsenal)
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has now scored 66 goals for Arsenal in all competitions. Since his debut for the club, only Liverpool's Mohamed Salah (68) has scored more among Premier League players.
'An incredible week' - what they said
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta to BBC Sport: "We've had an incredible week to beat the best two teams in Europe, it doesn't happen every day.
"I don't care who plays, I can trust them - we made changes and everyone was ready.
"We had to suffer in many moments. We had to be really well-organised and minimise the spaces."
On seeing Pep Guardiola after the game: "I high-fived him after the game and wished him luck. I love him like yesterday or this morning the same way."
On Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's contract talks: "Hopefully it will help him to be more convinced we are going in the right direction."
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola to MOTD: "We didn't make a good performance, we were not ready enough. If you don't play for 90 minutes in a semi-final this can happen. We didn't play good, we are human beings. The opponent played good, sometimes it happens.
"The only regret is that we didn't play the first half like we played the second one. We had to change the set-up but we couldn't do it."
City's cup run comes to an end - the stats
Arsenal have reached the FA Cup final a record 21 times, with the Gunners also winning the competition more than any other side (13).
Manchester City have been eliminated from a domestic cup tie (League Cup and FA Cup) for the first time since February 2018 (FA Cup 5th Round v Wigan), with this their 22nd such tie since that game.
Arsenal have eliminated the holders of the FA Cup on each of the last six occasions they've faced them.
All four of Arsenal's shots in this match were on target - indeed they had more shots on target in this match than they'd had in their previous three meetings with Manchester City combined (3).
Manchester City had just one shot on target in this match, their fewest in a game since April 2018 in the Champions League against Liverpool (0).
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang became the fourth Arsenal player to score a competitive brace at Wembley Stadium, after Reg Lewis (1950 FA Cup final), Charlie Nicholas (1987 League Cup final) and Alexis Sanchez (2015 FA Cup semi-final).
Nicolas Pepe has been involved in 17 goals in all competitions for Arsenal this season (8 goals, 9 assists) - only Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (27) has been involved in more.
What's next?
Both sides return to Premier League action as City face Watford at Vicarage Road on Tuesday, 21 July (18:00 BST), before Arsenal travel to Aston Villa later that evening (20:15).


bbc--2020-07-18--Norwich 0-2 Burnley: 'Naive, inexperienced, stupid' - Daniel Farke on defeat to Burnley

Norwich boss Daniel Farke said the two first-half red cards which played a crucial role in his side 's defeat by Burnley were `` naive , inexperienced , stupid and not professional '' .
Emiliano Buendia was shown a straight red for elbowing Ashley Westwood , after referee Kevin Friend watched a replay on the pitchside monitor .
Nine minutes later , Josip Drmic 's high-studded tackle on Erik Pieters received the same punishment , before Chris Wood 's scuffed overhead kick put Burnley in front on the stroke of half-time .
`` Burnley reacted in a way that an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ side should react .
They wanted to break up our rhythm .
They tried to null ourselves a little bit , bring hectic into the game , tried to provoke a little bit , '' Farke told BBC Sport .
`` I 'm not accusing them because that 's exactly what you have to do if you 're an experienced team .
My players walked into this trap and there were two red cards which of course was crucial to the game .
`` You have to call this situation naive , inexperienced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the words fit .
The players know what they have done for this team .
The red cards are not a doubt . ''
It had been an uneventful opening half an hour before Norwich 's capitulation , with just one shot on target from either side .
The hosts defended well at times in the second half to keep the score down but Burnley 's victory was confirmed when Ben Godfrey poked the ball into the back of his own net with 10 minutes remaining .
Norwich become only the third club @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a row at home without scoring , while Burnley move above Arsenal into ninth place .
From disastrous to unforgiveable for Norwich After Norwich 's relegation from the Premier League was confirmed by a 4-0 thrashing against West Ham at Carrow Road on 11 July , it seemed things could not get much worse for Daniel Farke 's side .
However , the 1-0 defeat by Chelsea that followed meant they set a new club record of eight consecutive league defeats , and 25 overall - which was also the most they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fans ' only hope was that they would go down with a fight in their remaining two games .
But the most conspicuous aggression shown from Farke 's side in the first half was in Buendia 's hot-headed elbow on Westwood - a reaction to a scuffle off the ball in midfield .
Friend reviewed it on the screen following encouragement from the video assistant referee and that was the catalyst for a capitulation from Norwich that took all of 14 minutes .
Already a man down , the hosts started to face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to save Dwight McNeil 's deflected free-kick , before Wood appeared to trip over his own feet as he tried to tap in from close range .
Then came Drmic 's reckless tackle on Pieters which drew another red card from Friend , again reviewed by VAR and the decision upheld .
And Norwich 's nightmare continued when Wood eventually gave Burnley the lead - Johann Gudmundsson slipped as he curled it in from the right and it bounced off Wood 's shin as his overhead effort rolled into the bottom corner .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in frustration - summed up Norwich 's performance and when Godfrey slid the ball past Krul and into his own net under no pressure at the back post , the final whistle could not come soon enough for the Canaries .
For Norwich , the season could get worse still when they travel to Etihad Stadium to face Manchester City in their final game .
Burnley boss Sean Dyche said his team would be ready to face whatever came their way from a struggling Norwich side .
But in truth , the Clarets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will probably be disappointed not to have scored more in the second half .
Rodriguez , Wood , Phil Bardsley and Matej Vydra all came close but Krul was sharp in goal for Norwich and the hosts showed at least the desire to put their bodies on the line to block every shot .
The victory was Burnley 's 15th in the Premier League this season - a club record for the competition .
Not since 1975 have they won 15 or more top-flight matches .
It was also another clean sheet which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tally to 15 - the most of any keeper in the league .
He had a quiet evening but reacted well to a late effort from Onel Hernandez which deflected off a defender , and kept out a diving header from Godfrey in the first half .
Pope is on course to become the first goalkeeper from a club outside the established 'big six ' to win the Golden Glove award , and team-mate Wood told Sky Sports afterwards they would be `` fighting like hell '' to help him achieve it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ what they said Norwich boss Daniel Farke speaking to Sky Sports : `` Burnley reacted in their expected ways .
They are such an experienced and established Premier League team .
They realised they had problems and needed to disrupt the rhythm and provoke .
`` We walked into the trap and two red cards .
Naive , inexperienced , stupid - all the words are right .
It 's not acceptable .
It 's not possible to win points with eight players . ''
Burnley boss Sean Dyche speaking to Sky Sports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 've played against a team with two sendings-off .
It was a bizarre game !
We 'll take the clean sheet and the win .
`` We needed something because it was a strange game .
The whole thing was strange .
[ Chris Wood ] found the net from an awkward one .
In the second half , we tried but our quality in the final third was quite obvious today .
It 's hard to judge it .
We were n't really at it in the first half but we just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lot to ask of the players . ''
The best of the stats • Since the restart last month , only Manchester City ( 18 ) and Manchester United ( 17 ) have earned more Premier League points than Burnley ( 15 - W4 D3 L1 ) .
• Burnley extended their unbeaten run in the Premier League to seven games ( W4 D3 ) - only Manchester United are currently on a longer active streak ( 12 ) .
• Norwich suffered their 12th home defeat of the Premier League campaign , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the club 's history ( also 12 in 1946-47 in the Third Division South ) .
• Wood has scored three of Burnley 's four goals against Norwich in the Premier League this season - the only player to score more for the club against an opponent in the same Premier League campaign is Graham Alexander ( four versus Hull in 2009-10 ) .
• Buendia was sent off in a game within the top five European leagues for the first time since May 2016 , when he was dismissed while playing for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Norwich travel to Etihad Stadium to face Manchester City in their final match of the season on Sunday , 26 July ( 16:00 BST ) .
Burnley host Brighton at Turf Moor at the same time .

Chris Wood is the first player to score 13 Premier League goals in a single season for Burnley, surpassing Ashley Barnes' club record of 12 goals last season
Norwich boss Daniel Farke said the two first-half red cards which played a crucial role in his side's defeat by Burnley were "naive, inexperienced, stupid and not professional".
Emiliano Buendia was shown a straight red for elbowing Ashley Westwood, after referee Kevin Friend watched a replay on the pitchside monitor.
Nine minutes later, Josip Drmic's high-studded tackle on Erik Pieters received the same punishment, before Chris Wood's scuffed overhead kick put Burnley in front on the stroke of half-time.
"Burnley reacted in a way that an experienced, established, smart Premier League side should react. They wanted to break up our rhythm. They tried to null ourselves a little bit, bring hectic into the game, tried to provoke a little bit," Farke told BBC Sport.
"I'm not accusing them because that's exactly what you have to do if you're an experienced team. My players walked into this trap and there were two red cards which of course was crucial to the game.
"You have to call this situation naive, inexperienced, stupid and not professional - all the words fit. The players know what they have done for this team. The red cards are not a doubt."
It had been an uneventful opening half an hour before Norwich's capitulation, with just one shot on target from either side.
The hosts defended well at times in the second half to keep the score down but Burnley's victory was confirmed when Ben Godfrey poked the ball into the back of his own net with 10 minutes remaining.
Norwich become only the third club in the Premier League to lose five in a row at home without scoring, while Burnley move above Arsenal into ninth place.
From disastrous to unforgiveable for Norwich
Norwich were the first side to pick up two red cards before half-time in a Premier League match since Stoke against West Brom in August 2015
After Norwich's relegation from the Premier League was confirmed by a 4-0 thrashing against West Ham at Carrow Road on 11 July, it seemed things could not get much worse for Daniel Farke's side.
However, the 1-0 defeat by Chelsea that followed meant they set a new club record of eight consecutive league defeats, and 25 overall - which was also the most they had suffered in one campaign.
Canaries fans' only hope was that they would go down with a fight in their remaining two games.
But the most conspicuous aggression shown from Farke's side in the first half was in Buendia's hot-headed elbow on Westwood - a reaction to a scuffle off the ball in midfield.
Friend reviewed it on the screen following encouragement from the video assistant referee and that was the catalyst for a capitulation from Norwich that took all of 14 minutes.
Already a man down, the hosts started to face some pressure - Tim Krul reacted well to save Dwight McNeil's deflected free-kick, before Wood appeared to trip over his own feet as he tried to tap in from close range.
Then came Drmic's reckless tackle on Pieters which drew another red card from Friend, again reviewed by VAR and the decision upheld.
And Norwich's nightmare continued when Wood eventually gave Burnley the lead - Johann Gudmundsson slipped as he curled it in from the right and it bounced off Wood's shin as his overhead effort rolled into the bottom corner.
Krul's reaction - punching the post in frustration - summed up Norwich's performance and when Godfrey slid the ball past Krul and into his own net under no pressure at the back post, the final whistle could not come soon enough for the Canaries.
For Norwich, the season could get worse still when they travel to Etihad Stadium to face Manchester City in their final game.
Another clean sheet for Pope
The "players have been amazing" coming out of this lockdown period says Dyche
Burnley boss Sean Dyche said his team would be ready to face whatever came their way from a struggling Norwich side.
But in truth, the Clarets were handed victory on a plate and will probably be disappointed not to have scored more in the second half.
Rodriguez, Wood, Phil Bardsley and Matej Vydra all came close but Krul was sharp in goal for Norwich and the hosts showed at least the desire to put their bodies on the line to block every shot.
The victory was Burnley's 15th in the Premier League this season - a club record for the competition. Not since 1975 have they won 15 or more top-flight matches.
It was also another clean sheet which means Burnley keeper Nick Pope takes his tally to 15 - the most of any keeper in the league. He had a quiet evening but reacted well to a late effort from Onel Hernandez which deflected off a defender, and kept out a diving header from Godfrey in the first half.
Pope is on course to become the first goalkeeper from a club outside the established 'big six' to win the Golden Glove award, and team-mate Wood told Sky Sports afterwards they would be "fighting like hell" to help him achieve it.
'We walked into the trap' - what they said
Kevin Friend went across to the referee review area to see a replay before sending Emiliano Buendia off
Norwich boss Daniel Farke speaking to Sky Sports: "Burnley reacted in their expected ways. They are such an experienced and established Premier League team. They realised they had problems and needed to disrupt the rhythm and provoke.
"We walked into the trap and two red cards. Naive, inexperienced, stupid - all the words are right. It's not acceptable. It's not possible to win points with eight players."
Burnley boss Sean Dyche speaking to Sky Sports: "I don't think I've played against a team with two sendings-off. It was a bizarre game! We'll take the clean sheet and the win.
"We needed something because it was a strange game. The whole thing was strange. [Chris Wood] found the net from an awkward one. In the second half, we tried but our quality in the final third was quite obvious today. It's hard to judge it. We weren't really at it in the first half but we just need that sharpness. It's a lot to ask of the players."
"Naive, inexperienced, stupid and not professional" - Farke describes Norwich's defeat
The best of the stats
Since the restart last month, only Manchester City (18) and Manchester United (17) have earned more Premier League points than Burnley (15 - W4 D3 L1).
Burnley extended their unbeaten run in the Premier League to seven games (W4 D3) - only Manchester United are currently on a longer active streak (12).
Norwich suffered their 12th home defeat of the Premier League campaign, their joint-most in a league campaign in the club's history (also 12 in 1946-47 in the Third Division South).
Wood has scored three of Burnley's four goals against Norwich in the Premier League this season - the only player to score more for the club against an opponent in the same Premier League campaign is Graham Alexander (four versus Hull in 2009-10).
Buendia was sent off in a game within the top five European leagues for the first time since May 2016, when he was dismissed while playing for Getafe v Real Betis in LaLiga.
Man of the match - Ashley Westwood (Burnley)
Ashley Westwood was busy for Burnley and played some nice balls into the box which just needed someone with the quality to finish them off
What's next?
Norwich travel to Etihad Stadium to face Manchester City in their final match of the season on Sunday, 26 July (16:00 BST). Burnley host Brighton at Turf Moor at the same time.


bbc--2020-07-18--Verstappen and Albon exposed by trouble at Red Bull

As Lewis Hamilton celebrated the incredible landmark of the 90th pole position of his career at the Hungarian Grand Prix , the man who was perhaps expected to pose the strongest opposition to him this weekend was scratching his head down in seventh place .
On Saturday , the Dutchman qualified seventh - not only 1.4 seconds slower than Hamilton , but nearly 0.3secs slower than Verstappen himself had gone a year ago .
Hamilton was surprised .
`` That is a really big gap , '' he said .
`` I definitely was n't expecting them to be as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this weekend . ''
And he was not the only one .
Mercedes were very strong indeed over the first two race weekends of the year , on Red Bull 's own track .
But Verstappen ran them closest .
He was looking a potential challenger to leader Valtteri Bottas ' Mercedes in the first race before an early retirement .
And in the second he qualified second to Hamilton 's superlative wet pole position and was passed by the Finn for that place only late in the race .
In theory , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ straights for Mercedes ' power advantage to show itself , and more corners for Red Bull 's usually excellent chassis to stretch its legs - should have meant they were closer still .
Instead , Mercedes have been in a league of their own and Hamilton and Bottas look poised for a private battle for victory .
And the Red Bull has looked a handful all weekend .
Verstappen and team-mate Alexander Albon have clearly been struggling with it , and the team were making little attempt to disguise the fact that they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but they have been swapping about between upgraded parts and previous-spec ones , which is never a good sign .
`` We just do n't have a good balance through the corner , '' Verstappen said .
`` Understeer , oversteer , lack of grip .
Not having a lot of top speed as well .
Everything together just makes us slow . ''
There is a forecast of potential rain for the race , which would be expected to promote Verstappen back into contention .
But even if it does , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Red Bull began this year with expectations of mounting a real challenge to Mercedes in the championship for the first time in the hybrid engine era of F1 .
But in truth , the Red Bull has looked a difficult car from the first time it hit the track in February .
The drivers had numerous spins in pre-season testing , and although it seemed obvious that there was a fundamental instability with the car in certain aspects of cornering , the drivers downplayed that idea whenever asked .
But the spins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and now Verstappen acknowledges there is a problem .
`` I 've been spinning before ; it 's not like it only happens this weekend , '' he said .
`` Clearly so far this year it has not been the easiest car to drive .
A car is never easy to drive , because if you drive it on the limit it is always going to be easy to spin or lock up .
But this one , as soon as you get to that point when you are close to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It 's not easy to catch . ''
Verstappen did not hide the fact that the team did not know what was causing the problems , and team principal Christian Horner said : `` There are some unexpected behaviours in the crash and we need to understand this quickly . ''
If this is bad for Verstappen , in terms of seeing his hopes for this year rapidly evaporate before his eyes , it is potentially catastrophic for Albon , who starts the race from 13th , having been more than 0.8secs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ British-born Thai is in only his second season in F1 .
Last year , he was promoted to the senior Red Bull team midway through this season and kept his place with some strong performances in the second half of the year .
This season , he was expected to kick on and close the gap to Verstappen , but so far it has not worked out .
And a difficult and unpredictable car is the last thing a driver needs when he is learning his craft alongside a team-mate as talented as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team on the grid .
`` Just trying to be on the limit is pretty difficult in the car , '' Albon said , echoing Verstappen 's thoughts .
`` It 's easy to make mistakes .
But it 's not a fundamental issue ; we are not complaining of one thing constantly .
`` It 's not been easy and it came as a bit of a surprise .
Red Bull Ring was not amazing but we thought we would suit this track a little bit more and we have n't .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a staccato one , and he made his debut last season not much more than a year after thinking his chances of ever making it were over .
But he came up through the ranks with F1 's biggest rising stars - not only Verstappen , but Ferrari 's Charles Leclerc and Williams driver George Russell are long-time friends and rivals - and is highly regarded .
Russell , who put in a stirring performance on Saturday with 12th place on the grid , said : `` I 've known Alex for 15 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ best drivers we all race .
Max , Charles , all of us will say it .
He 's always been at the front in everything he 's done .
`` I do n't know what the hell is going on and I feel really bad for him because he is being made to look like an idiot and he 's absolutely not .
He has won in everything he has done .
I do n't know what 's going on but they need to sort it out for him . ''
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` George does n't know anything about the team and it 's better he focuses on his car and his performance instead of speaking for someone else . ''
Be that as it may , after dropping Pierre Gasly back to the junior team last year and promoting Albon , Red Bull are now faced with a situation whereby Gasly is performing strongly for Alpha Tauri and Albon is struggling alongside Verstappen in much the same way as was Gasly last year .
Sorting out the car is not the only conundrum Red @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks .

The Hungarian Grand Prix is live on the BBC Sport website from 14:00 BST on Sunday
As Lewis Hamilton celebrated the incredible landmark of the 90th pole position of his career at the Hungarian Grand Prix, the man who was perhaps expected to pose the strongest opposition to him this weekend was scratching his head down in seventh place.
Last year, Red Bull's Max Verstappen was on pole position for this race, on a track that for the last decade has always been a strong one for his team, and came close to denying Hamilton victory.
On Saturday, the Dutchman qualified seventh - not only 1.4 seconds slower than Hamilton, but nearly 0.3secs slower than Verstappen himself had gone a year ago.
Hamilton was surprised. "That is a really big gap," he said. "I definitely wasn't expecting them to be as off the pace as they have been this weekend." And he was not the only one.
Where it all began: Hamilton's maiden pole position was clinched at the Canadian Grand Prix in 2007
Early promise evaporates
Mercedes were very strong indeed over the first two race weekends of the year, on Red Bull's own track. But Verstappen ran them closest.
He was looking a potential challenger to leader Valtteri Bottas' Mercedes in the first race before an early retirement. And in the second he qualified second to Hamilton's superlative wet pole position and was passed by the Finn for that place only late in the race.
In theory, the characteristics of the Hungaroring - fewer straights for Mercedes' power advantage to show itself, and more corners for Red Bull's usually excellent chassis to stretch its legs - should have meant they were closer still.
Instead, Mercedes have been in a league of their own and Hamilton and Bottas look poised for a private battle for victory. And the Red Bull has looked a handful all weekend.
Verstappen and team-mate Alexander Albon have clearly been struggling with it, and the team were making little attempt to disguise the fact that they were in difficulties. Not only that, but they have been swapping about between upgraded parts and previous-spec ones, which is never a good sign.
"We just don't have a good balance through the corner," Verstappen said. "Understeer, oversteer, lack of grip. Not having a lot of top speed as well. Everything together just makes us slow."
There is a forecast of potential rain for the race, which would be expected to promote Verstappen back into contention. But even if it does, that won't solve the wider problem.
Red Bull began this year with expectations of mounting a real challenge to Mercedes in the championship for the first time in the hybrid engine era of F1. But in truth, the Red Bull has looked a difficult car from the first time it hit the track in February.
The drivers had numerous spins in pre-season testing, and although it seemed obvious that there was a fundamental instability with the car in certain aspects of cornering, the drivers downplayed that idea whenever asked.
But the spins have continued through the first three races, and now Verstappen acknowledges there is a problem.
"I've been spinning before; it's not like it only happens this weekend," he said. "Clearly so far this year it has not been the easiest car to drive. A car is never easy to drive, because if you drive it on the limit it is always going to be easy to spin or lock up. But this one, as soon as you get to that point when you are close to having a moment, it just goes. It's not easy to catch."
Verstappen did not hide the fact that the team did not know what was causing the problems, and team principal Christian Horner said: "There are some unexpected behaviours in the car and we need to understand this quickly."
Albon had the full backing of George Russell after a disappointing qualifying run."He's being made to look like an idiot and he's absolutely not," Russell told Sky Sports
Albon under the spotlight
If this is bad for Verstappen, in terms of seeing his hopes for this year rapidly evaporate before his eyes, it is potentially catastrophic for Albon, who starts the race from 13th, having been more than 0.8secs off his team-mate in qualifying.
The British-born Thai is in only his second season in F1. Last year, he was promoted to the senior Red Bull team midway through this season and kept his place with some strong performances in the second half of the year.
This season, he was expected to kick on and close the gap to Verstappen, but so far it has not worked out. And a difficult and unpredictable car is the last thing a driver needs when he is learning his craft alongside a team-mate as talented as this and in perhaps the most ruthless team on the grid.
"Just trying to be on the limit is pretty difficult in the car," Albon said, echoing Verstappen's thoughts. "It's easy to make mistakes. But it's not a fundamental issue; we are not complaining of one thing constantly.
"It's not been easy and it came as a bit of a surprise. Red Bull Ring was not amazing but we thought we would suit this track a little bit more and we haven't."
Albon's rise to F1 was a staccato one, and he made his debut last season not much more than a year after thinking his chances of ever making it were over. But he came up through the ranks with F1's biggest rising stars - not only Verstappen, but Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Williams driver George Russell are long-time friends and rivals - and is highly regarded.
Russell, who put in a stirring performance on Saturday with 12th place on the grid, said: "I've known Alex for 15 years. He is one of the best drivers we all race. Max, Charles, all of us will say it. He's always been at the front in everything he's done.
"I don't know what the hell is going on and I feel really bad for him because he is being made to look like an idiot and he's absolutely not. He has won in everything he has done. I don't know what's going on but they need to sort it out for him."
That drew a stinging response from Verstappen: "George doesn't know anything about the team and it's better he focuses on his car and his performance instead of speaking for someone else."
Be that as it may, after dropping Pierre Gasly back to the junior team last year and promoting Albon, Red Bull are now faced with a situation whereby Gasly is performing strongly for Alpha Tauri and Albon is struggling alongside Verstappen in much the same way as was Gasly last year.
Sorting out the car is not the only conundrum Red Bull have to solve in the coming weeks.


bbc--2020-07-18--Lewis Hamilton on Hungarian Grand Prix pole position

Lewis Hamilton beat team-mate Valtteri Bottas to lead a Mercedes one-two in qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix .
Ferrari locked out row three , Sebastian Vettel ahead of Charles Leclerc , with Red Bull 's Max Verstappen seventh .
Lando Norris , third in the championship after two impressive opening races , was eighth for McLaren , while George Russell put in an impressive performance for the Williams team , recovering from a dismal 2019 , in 12th .
• None Vettel to take time over 2021 decision Which way did they go ?
It was a sobering day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ champions have now shown unbeatable pace across two very different circuits in the opening three races of the season .
Hamilton 's pole was the 90th of his career , and in the race on Sunday he will be going for a record-equalling eighth victory at one circuit .
`` I have to pinch myself , '' Hamilton said .
`` It just does n't register .
It is quite humbling because I get to work with an incredible group of people without who I would n't have the opportunity to do so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ easy for me at all and it requires absolute perfection when it comes doing laps and qualifying when it is like that is one of the things I enjoy most .
`` The car was really nicely hooked up today . ''
Bottas , who is six points ahead of Hamilton in the championship , said : `` The last lap was really good .
I just could n't go any faster . ''
The presence of the Racing Points on the second row emphasises their remarkable upturn in form this year , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are suspicious of how they have done it .
The car has become known as the 'pink Mercedes ' for its likeness to last year 's title-winning car and is racing under protest after Renault officially lodged an objection to the team after last week 's Styrian Grand Prix .
Regardless of the controversy over the car 's origins , which the team insist are legal , Stroll performed well to out-qualify team-mate Perez by 0.168secs and the pair are in a strong position to battle it out for the final podium position @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had started to feel dizzy in qualifying so had not been able to perform at his best .
Like Mercedes , they managed to set their fastest times in second qualifying on the medium tyre , which they can now use to start the race , as long as it does not rain .
Both teams believe this will be an advantage .
What on Earth 's wrong with Red Bull ?
The third row was a step forward for Ferrari , whose previous best qualifying performance this year was Leclerc 's seventh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stand-out result in the top 10 was Red Bull 's .
Verstappen started from pole in Hungary last year and challenged for the win , and Mercedes expected them to be tough opposition this weekend .
But not only was Verstappen 1.4secs off Hamilton 's pace , but he was also 0.3secs slower than his qualifying time last year .
The car appears to have an aerodynamic instability problem , and this weekend the team have reverted to an earlier nose design after introducing upgrades at the two Austrian races .
Verstappen said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Something is clearly not working here .
The pace is all very close .
We are also not starting on the best tyre , but we will see how we end up . ''
Team-mate Alexander Albon was even worse off , 0.8secs off Verstappen in second qualifying and not even making it into the top 10 , he qualified 13th .
That underlined the quality of Russell 's performance even further - the British rising star , who on Thursday said he would be staying at Williams in 2021 , was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Text and audio commentary of the Hungarian Grand Prix is live on the BBC Sport website
Lewis Hamilton beat team-mate Valtteri Bottas to lead a Mercedes one-two in qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Mercedes were in a league of their own - Hamilton beat Bottas by 0.181 seconds while Racing Point's Lance Stroll in third was 0.93secs off the pace.
Stroll headed a Racing Point second row alongside team-mate Sergio Perez.
Ferrari locked out row three, Sebastian Vettel ahead of Charles Leclerc, with Red Bull's Max Verstappen seventh.
Lando Norris, third in the championship after two impressive opening races, was eighth for McLaren, while George Russell put in an impressive performance for the Williams team, recovering from a dismal 2019, in 12th.
Where it all began: Hamilton's maiden pole position was clinched at the Canadian Grand Prix in 2007
Which way did they go?
It was a sobering day for Mercedes' rivals - the world champions have now shown unbeatable pace across two very different circuits in the opening three races of the season.
Hamilton's pole was the 90th of his career, and in the race on Sunday he will be going for a record-equalling eighth victory at one circuit.
"I have to pinch myself," Hamilton said. "It just doesn't register. It is quite humbling because I get to work with an incredible group of people without who I wouldn't have the opportunity to do so.
"Valtteri doesn't make it easy for me at all and it requires absolute perfection when it comes doing laps and qualifying when it is like that is one of the things I enjoy most.
"The car was really nicely hooked up today."
Bottas, who is six points ahead of Hamilton in the championship, said: "The last lap was really good. I just couldn't go any faster."
A Mercedes one-two-three-four?
The presence of the Racing Points on the second row emphasises their remarkable upturn in form this year, and will further antagonise their rivals who are suspicious of how they have done it.
The car has become known as the 'pink Mercedes' for its likeness to last year's title-winning car and is racing under protest after Renault officially lodged an objection to the team after last week's Styrian Grand Prix.
Regardless of the controversy over the car's origins, which the team insist are legal, Stroll performed well to out-qualify team-mate Perez by 0.168secs and the pair are in a strong position to battle it out for the final podium position.
Perez, though, said he had started to feel dizzy in qualifying so had not been able to perform at his best.
Like Mercedes, they managed to set their fastest times in second qualifying on the medium tyre, which they can now use to start the race, as long as it does not rain. Both teams believe this will be an advantage.
Stroll felt his Racing Point was "strong" throughout the qualifying session
What on Earth's wrong with Red Bull?
The third row was a step forward for Ferrari, whose previous best qualifying performance this year was Leclerc's seventh in the first race.
But the stand-out result in the top 10 was Red Bull's.
Verstappen started from pole in Hungary last year and challenged for the win, and Mercedes expected them to be tough opposition this weekend.
But not only was Verstappen 1.4secs off Hamilton's pace, but he was also 0.3secs slower than his qualifying time last year.
Alex Albon's Red Bull will start behind the Williams of his best friend George Russell for Sunday's race
The car appears to have an aerodynamic instability problem, and this weekend the team have reverted to an earlier nose design after introducing upgrades at the two Austrian races.
Verstappen said: "I don't know why. Something is clearly not working here. The pace is all very close. We are also not starting on the best tyre, but we will see how we end up."
Team-mate Alexander Albon was even worse off, 0.8secs off Verstappen in second qualifying and not even making it into the top 10, he qualified 13th.
That underlined the quality of Russell's performance even further - the British rising star, who on Thursday said he would be staying at Williams in 2021, was 0.846secs quicker than rookie team-mate Nicholas Latifi.
Russell put in a scintillating lap to put his Williams in the second qualifying session


bbc--2020-07-18--Rahm chasing world number one spot after taking commanding lead at Memorial

Last updated on .From the section Golf Spain 's Jon Rahm will take over as world number one if he can convert his four-shot lead into victory in Sunday 's final round at the Memorial Tournament .
England 's Danny Willett is fourth on six under after a 70 in Ohio .
World number one Rory McIlroy stayed at two under after a 72 , while Tiger Woods had a 71 to improve to two over par .
The 15-time major champion , who complained of a bad back before Friday 's second round , said he was `` moving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's the way it is these days , I felt like I did the first day , '' added 44-year-old Woods , who has won the Jack Nicklaus-hosted tournament at Muirfield Village a record five times .
For McIlroy , it was a day of one shot gained , one given back .
On five occasions he birdied a hole , only to bogey the next .
Joint overnight leader Finau holed a 50-foot birdie putt on the 11th and rolled in another on the 12th to move four clear of Rahm on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American double bogeyed the par-three 12th after an errant tee shot into rough .
Rahm , playing in the group ahead , birdied the 13th and the lead was down to one .
The 25-year-old then holed birdie putts on the next three holes as Finau capitulated .
He inexplicably tried to drive the 14th green and found the water , which led to another bogey and , after picking up a birdie on the par-five 15th , he dropped two more shots on the 17th following another errant drive .
Rahm , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the joint lowest score of round three , will take over as world number one if he wins on Sunday and McIlroy does not finish joint second .
He can also take top spot if he finishes second , McIlroy is outside the top 30 and Justin Thomas does not win .
He would become only the second Spaniard to top the rankings , after Seve Ballesteros .
`` I 've got to reflect on a good job , '' he said .
`` The plan is to do the same again , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hit the ball on the green to 30 feet I fancy my chances . ''
Palmer , who led overnight with Finau , dropped two shots in the final three holes to drop back level with his fellow American .
Willett , the 2016 Masters champion , is the leading Englishman after following his six-under 66 on Friday with a 70 , which featured four birdies on the back nine .
Matt Wallace hit six birdies in a 70 to get to four under , while fellow Englishman Matt Fitzpatrick had a double @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 74 .

Last updated on .From the section Golf
Jon Rahm has won three PGA Tour and six European Tour events
Memorial Tournament, round three leaderboard -12 J Rahm (Spa); -8 T Finau (US), R Palmer (US); -6 D Willett (Eng) Selected: -5 J Day (Aus), H Norlander (Swe); -4 M Wallace (Eng); -2 R McIlroy (NI), J Spieth (US); -1 M Fitzpatrick (Eng); +2 T Woods (US)
Spain's Jon Rahm will take over as world number one if he can convert his four-shot lead into victory in Sunday's final round at the Memorial Tournament.
Rahm holed four birdies in succession from the 13th as he hit a four-under 68 to lead on 12 under from Americans Ryan Palmer and Tony Finau, who had 73s.
England's Danny Willett is fourth on six under after a 70 in Ohio.
World number one Rory McIlroy stayed at two under after a 72, while Tiger Woods had a 71 to improve to two over par.
The 15-time major champion, who complained of a bad back before Friday's second round, said he was "moving better" on Saturday.
"That's the way it is these days, I felt like I did the first day," added 44-year-old Woods, who has won the Jack Nicklaus-hosted tournament at Muirfield Village a record five times.
For McIlroy, it was a day of one shot gained, one given back. On five occasions he birdied a hole, only to bogey the next.
Finau fades as Rahm races clear
Joint overnight leader Finau holed a 50-foot birdie putt on the 11th and rolled in another on the 12th to move four clear of Rahm on 12 under par.
However, the American double bogeyed the par-three 12th after an errant tee shot into rough. Rahm, playing in the group ahead, birdied the 13th and the lead was down to one.
The 25-year-old then holed birdie putts on the next three holes as Finau capitulated.
He inexplicably tried to drive the 14th green and found the water, which led to another bogey and, after picking up a birdie on the par-five 15th, he dropped two more shots on the 17th following another errant drive.
Rahm, who closed with two pars to record the joint lowest score of round three, will take over as world number one if he wins on Sunday and McIlroy does not finish joint second. He can also take top spot if he finishes second, McIlroy is outside the top 30 and Justin Thomas does not win.
He would become only the second Spaniard to top the rankings, after Seve Ballesteros.
"I've got to reflect on a good job," he said.
"The plan is to do the same again, fairways and greens and if I can hit the ball on the green to 30 feet I fancy my chances."
Palmer, who led overnight with Finau, dropped two shots in the final three holes to drop back level with his fellow American.
Willett, the 2016 Masters champion, is the leading Englishman after following his six-under 66 on Friday with a 70, which featured four birdies on the back nine.
Matt Wallace hit six birdies in a 70 to get to four under, while fellow Englishman Matt Fitzpatrick had a double bogey on the last to card a 74.


bbc--2020-07-19--Coronavirus: EU leaders start third day of recovery talks

EU leaders have gathered for a third day of discussions over a massive post-coronavirus economic recovery plan .
Some member states believe the proposed €750bn ( $ 857bn ; £680bn ) package is too large and should come as loans , rather than grants .
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said leaders may not reach an agreement on Sunday , as members still disagree on the fund .
`` There is a lot of good will but also many different positions , '' she warned .
The unplanned third day of talks comes after a record one-day rise in new infections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ WHO ) said on Saturday that new cases rose by almost 260,000 in 24 hours .
Officials said this was the largest single-day increase since the pandemic began , and the first time the number of new daily infections has surpassed a quarter of a million .
The previous record rise in new confirmed cases was recorded by the WHO just one day earlier .
The total number of confirmed cases of coronavirus passed 14 million on Saturday , with over 600,000 recorded deaths , according to the tally kept by US-based Johns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talks going ?
EU leaders first met on Friday in Brussels to discuss the bloc 's €1 trillion seven-year budget and the planned stimulus package to help countries recover the pandemic .
It is the first face-to-face meeting between leaders since governments began imposing lockdowns in a bid to stop the spread of the virus in March .
Member states are split between those hit hardest by the outbreak , and those concerned about the costs of the recovery plan .
Some `` frugal '' northern nations like the Netherlands and Sweden have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should take the forms of loans not grants .
But nations including Italy and Spain are desperate to revive their shattered economies , and have accused the EU of not doing enough to help countries hit by the pandemic .
Italy in particular was one of the earliest European countries to suffer an outbreak and has recorded 35,000 deaths - one of the highest tolls in the world .
• Are Italians losing faith in the EU ?
Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said Europe was `` under the blackmail of the 'frugals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heated '' .
Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz , however , said he thought they were going in the right direction .
The summit resumes at 12:00 local time ( 10:00 GMT ) .
European Council President Charles Michel will reportedly hand out new proposals before leaders reconvene .
Many European nations have ended lockdown restrictions , but the virus remains a major threat .
Officials are facing localised outbreaks across the continent , with the largest appearing in Spain 's north-eastern region of Catalonia .
About four million people in Barcelona , La @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to stay at home for 15 days .
Among the measures imposed are a ban on public or private meetings of more than 10 people ; a ban on visits to nursing homes ; and the closure of gyms and nightclubs .
EU budget commissioner Johannes Hahn tweeted a `` solemn reminder '' on Saturday that the pandemic is `` not over '' .
`` High time to reach an agreement which allows us to provide the urgently needed support for our citizens and economies , '' he wrote .
How is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ WHO officials said the largest increases in cases on Saturday were in Brazil , India , South Africa and the US .
Florida is currently the epicentre of the US epidemic .
The state recorded more than 10,000 new infections and 90 more deaths on Saturday , bringing its total number of cases to more than 337,000 and its death toll to more than 5,000 .
In Brazil , where the coronavirus and measures to contain it have been highly politicised , cases continue to surge - although the WHO announced earlier this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exponentially .
Scientists have also warned that India could still be months away from the peak of its outbreak - despite already having the third-highest number of confirmed cases .
Hospitals in the worst-hit cities , including Mumbai and Bangalore , have been overwhelmed with patients .
India recorded another 34,884 infections in a 24-hour period on Saturday , and another 671 deaths linked to coronavirus .
And South Africa , which saw one of the largest single-day rises in cases , has the highest number of confirmed infections on the African continent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and how to guard against them ?
• FACE MASKS : When should you wear one ?
• STRESS : How to look after your mental health • VACCINE : How close are we to finding one ?

But nations including Italy and Spain are desperate to revive their shattered economies, and have accused the EU of not doing enough to help countries hit by the pandemic. Italy in particular was one of the earliest European countries to suffer an outbreak and has recorded 35,000 deaths - one of the highest tolls in the world.


bbc--2020-07-19--Nantes cathedral volunteer detained after fire

A volunteer at the Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul cathedral in Nantes has been detained after a fire tore through the building .
The Rwandan refugee was in charge of locking up the day before the blaze destroyed stained glass windows and the grand organ inside .
Prosecutors said they wanted to clear up inconsistencies in the man 's schedule .
But it would be `` premature and hasty '' to think he had a role in the fire .
`` We must remain careful as to the interpretation of this police custody .
It is a normal procedure , '' public prosecutor Pierres @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been named .
Mr Sennès said the fire is believed to have been arson .
Three fires were started at the site and an investigation is now under way .
Jean-Charles Nowak , a clerk at the cathedral , told French newspaper Le Figaro the volunteer was `` a man of duty '' who has health problems and `` suffered a lot in Rwanda '' - a country he left several years ago .
The refugee had been discussing extending his visa with local officials , he said .
`` I do n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have set the cathedral on fire .
It 's a place he adores , '' Mr Nowak said .
About 100 fire fighters managed to stop the flames from destroying the main structure at the cathedral in Nantes on Saturday .
French Prime Minister Jean Castex praised their `` professionalism , courage and self-control '' .
The fire comes over a year after a blaze nearly destroyed Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris .
Earlier this month , French President Emmanuel Macron announced its iconic spire would be rebuilt exactly as it was , ending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more modern style .

Quentin Chabert, the lawyer for the refugee, said at the time of detention there was "nothing at this stage to link my client to the fire" and that the investigation must go on "with respect for everyone's rights and in particular those of my client".


bbc--2020-07-19--China's ambassador challenged on treatment of Uighurs

China 's ambassador to the UK , Liu Xiaoming , has denied reports that China is carrying out a programme @ @ @ @ @ in the western Xinjiang region .
Reports and eyewitness accounts have accused China of trying @ @ @ @ @ in Xinjiang by forced sterilisation .
Mr Liu was also confronted with drone footage that @ @ @ @ @ blindfolded and led to trains .
He said he `` did not know '' what @ @ @ @ @

China's ambassador to the UK, Liu Xiaoming, has denied reports that China is carrying out a programme of sterilisation of Uighur women in the western Xinjiang region.
Reports and eyewitness accounts have accused China of trying to reduce the Uighur population in Xinjiang by forced sterilisation.
Mr Liu was also confronted with drone footage that appears to show Uighurs being blindfolded and led to trains. He said he "did not know" what the video was showing.
See more: China's secret 'brainwashing' camps
Inside China's 'thought transformation' camps
Read more: China's hidden camps
UK accuses China of 'gross' abuses against Uighurs


bbc--2020-07-19--Iran halts execution of three protesters after online campaign

Iran has halted the executions of three men who were sentenced to death over anti-government protests last year , according to one of their lawyers .
Babak Paknia told reporters that a request for a retrial had been accepted by the supreme court .
The decision comes after a hashtag against their execution was used millions of times online .
UN experts say the men confessed under torture and were subjected to `` unfair trials '' .
Amirhossein Moradi , Mohammad Rajabi and Saeed Tamjidi - who are reported to be in their 20s - were among thousands of protesters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in November against the government 's decision to raise the price of petrol .
The three men were sentenced to death earlier this year , but it was the supreme court 's decision to uphold the sentence earlier this week that unleashed public anger , with the Persian hashtag # do_not_execute used seven million times online .
More than 300 protesters were killed and thousands others were arbitrarily detained during the authorities ' crackdown against November 's unrest , according to human rights group Amnesty International .
Iran carries out more executions than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and has continued to use the death penalty despite dealing with the Middle East 's biggest outbreak of Covid-19 .
Many Iranian human rights activists believe that by carrying out executions and sentencing protesters to death the leaders are hoping to scare people away from returning to the streets , BBC Persian 's Jiyar Gol reports .
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Amirhossein Moradi, Mohammad Rajabi and Saeed Tamjidi - who are reported to be in their 20s - were among thousands of protesters across Iran who took to the streets in November against the government's decision to raise the price of petrol.


bbc--2020-07-18--Ekaterina Alexandrovskaya, Australian Olympic skater, dies in Moscow at 20

Ekaterina Alexandrovskaya , who was born in Russia but competed for Australia in figure skating at the Olympics , has died in Moscow at the age of 20 .
The cause of her death on Friday has not yet been disclosed .
Alexandrovskaya retired in February due to injury .
She was granted Australian citizenship to compete at the 2018 Winter Olympics with indigenous Australian pairs skating partner , Harley Windsor .
Windsor , who won the world juniors with her in 2017 , said he was devastated .
`` The amount we had achieved during our partnership is something @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hold close to my heart , '' Windsor wrote on Instagram .
Her coach , Andrei Khekalo , said Alexandrovskaya was diagnosed with epilepsy earlier this year .
`` She was fearless .
She was like a fish in the water , '' he told AFP .
Ian Chesterman , the Australian Olympics team chief in Pyeongchang in 2018 , said : `` Katia ... was a vibrant and talented person and an incredible athlete . ''
Alexandrovskaya broke barriers with Windsor , who became the first indigenous Australian to qualify for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moscow to meet Alexandrovskaya , saying : `` The first time we skated together we matched really well . ''
It is the second death of an Australian Winter Olympian in 10 days .
Alex Pullin , a two-time world champion snowboarder and three-time Olympian , drowned while spearfishing last week on Australia 's Gold Coast .

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bbc--2020-07-19--Coronavirus: Hong Kong reports biggest one-day rise in cases

Hong Kong has recorded its highest one-day increase in cases since the pandemic began , the territory 's Chief Executive Carrie Lam has said .
At a Sunday press conference , Ms Lam said there had been more than 100 new infections , and announced new restrictions to contain the spread .
She described the situation as `` really critical '' and said there was `` no sign '' it was coming under control .
Non-essential civil servants must work from home and testing will increase .
The chief executive promised that authorities would carry out 10,000 tests a day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compulsory in indoor public spaces .
Face coverings were already mandatory on public transport .
There were 108 new cases , 83 of them local and 25 imported , the health authorities said .
The announcement comes days after Hong Kong Disneyland shut again , less than a month after reopening , as the government brought back social distancing measures .
Authorities closed bars , gyms and clubs last week amid the fresh outbreak and barred restaurants from allowing diners to eat in past 6pm .
These restrictions will be extended .
Hong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus after imposing rapid and strict measures at the start of the year to prevent its spread .
But there has been a surge in cases recently , with more than 500 new infections reported in the last two weeks .
In recent weeks , the authorities banned several pro-democracy gatherings , including the 4 June vigil for victims of the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown , and an annual pro-democracy rally on 1 July , citing coronavirus and social distancing measures .
However , many feared the police were using the coronavirus outbreak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and tens of thousands defied the bans .
In June , China passed a severe new security law which criminalises subversion , secession and collusion with foreign forces in Hong Kong .
The legislation has been condemned by numerous countries and human rights activists , who say the law is vaguely defined and erodes freedoms .
However , China has dismissed the criticism and supporters say it is necessary for restoring order in Hong Kong .
• THE TEXT : What it is and why Hong Kong is worried • WHAT COULD @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law and more • RESIDENTS REACT : 'End of one country , two systems' • ANALYSIS : Why people are scared of Hong Kong 's new law

Hong Kong had seen relatively few cases of coronavirus after imposing rapid and strict measures at the start of the year to prevent its spread. But there has been a surge in cases recently, with more than 500 new infections reported in the last two weeks.


bbc--2020-07-19--Johnson 'does not want' second UK-wide lockdown

Boris Johnson has said he does not want to impose a second national lockdown in the event of another Covid-19 outbreak .
Speaking to The Sunday Telegraph , the PM compared the option of a nationwide shutdown to a `` nuclear deterrent '' , adding he does not think the country `` will be in that position again '' .
But the UK 's chief scientific adviser said there is `` a risk '' such measures could be needed as winter approaches .
It comes as councils in England have been given `` lightning '' lockdown powers .
Under the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shops , cancel events and shut outdoor public spaces to manage local outbreaks .
Elsewhere , Scotland has seen the biggest daily rise in new confirmed coronavirus cases since 21 June .
• Winter wave of coronavirus 'could be much worse' Mr Johnson said authorities were getting better at identifying and isolating local outbreaks , adding that the power to order national action will remain an option .
`` I ca n't abandon that tool any more than I would abandon a nuclear deterrent .
But it is like a nuclear deterrent , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it .
And nor do I think we will be in that position again , '' he said .
The PM told The Sunday Telegraph that experts were getting better at spotting the disease , isolating it locally and identifying which groups it affects - and how .
`` We 're genuinely able now to look at what 's happening in much closer to real time , to isolate outbreaks and to address them on the spot , and to work with local authorities to contain the problem locally and regionally if we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
• What will close if there 's a lockdown where I live ?
It comes after Mr Johnson set out his hopes on Friday for a `` significant return to normality '' by Christmas .
Under the new guidelines , people can use public transport for journeys immediately , and employers will have more discretion to bring staff back to workplaces if it is safe to do so .
Labour said the government was right to aspire to open up the economy but there were `` gaping holes '' in its latest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said : `` You only have to go down the high street to see what the problem is .
`` Many people are n't coming out of their houses and they are n't spending because they are nervous about what this means , whether there is going to be a second wave ; whether the NHS is going to be overwhelmed , and we really do need to get to grips with the test trace and isolate system - which the government admits is not fully functional . ''
she told Sky News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the test and tracing system needed to be improved with results back within 24 hours and suggested a `` mass winter flu vaccination programme '' so people felt `` confident there is a plan for a second wave . ''
Meanwhile , Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said it is right to give `` businesses and the country a target and a sense of hope '' .
Speaking to the BBC 's Andrew Marr , he said from 1 August `` while we are carefully monitoring the virus , we do need to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as best we can '' , adding that there has been `` great cooperation with businesses '' .
On Friday , the UK 's chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance warned that `` come winter , the challenges will be very much greater and of course there is a risk that this could also need national measures as well '' .
At-a-glance : The latest changes in England • From 25 July indoor gyms , pools and other sports facilities can reopen • On 1 August the government will update its advice on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make decisions about how and where their staff can work safely • From the same date , most remaining leisure settings , including bowling , skating rinks , casinos and all close contact services , such as beauticians , will be allowed to reopen • Live indoor theatre and concerts will be able to resume with socially distanced audiences • Wedding receptions for up to 30 people will also be allowed from next month • From September , schools , nurseries and colleges will be open for all children and young people on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also working to reopen as fully as possible • From October , the government intends to allow audiences to return to stadiums , while conferences and other business events can recommence , subject to the outcome of pilots And Prof John Edmunds , a member of the government 's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies ( Sage ) , told the BBC 's Today programme that a return to pre-lockdown normality was `` a long way off '' .
He said that activities such as going to work normally , travelling on public transport @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hugging and shaking hands with friends will not be returning any time soon .
`` We wo n't be able to do that until we are immune to the virus , which means until we have a vaccine that is proven safe and effective .
`` If we return to those sort of normal behaviours , the virus will come back very fast , '' he said .
In the wide-ranging Telegraph interview to mark the prime minister 's first year in office , Boris Johnson insisted his agenda for domestic reform and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not be blown off course by the pandemic .
`` We want to be a transformative government because there 's a massive opportunity in this country to do things differently and to do things better , '' he said .
`` We 've seen that really exemplified in what happened with coronavirus . ''
He said that while the Civil Service was `` absolutely fantastic '' , lessons could be learned from the pandemic .
`` Maybe there are ways in which we can all learn together to do things faster , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' .
I think sometimes it 's a question of confidence and belief , '' he said .
• SOCIAL DISTANCING : What are the rules now ?
• YOUR QUESTIONS : Our experts have answers • LOOK-UP TOOL : How many cases in your area ?
• THE R NUMBER : What it means and why it matters A further 40 coronavirus deaths were announced on Saturday , taking the total number of people who have died after testing positive for coronavirus in the UK to 45,273 .
A report released on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 120,000 new coronavirus deaths in a second wave of infections this winter in a `` reasonable '' worst-case scenario .
The estimate does not take into account any lockdowns , treatments or vaccines .
Devolved administrations in Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland have the power to set their own timings for the easing of restrictions .
• I MAY DESTROY YOU : The groundbreaking drama making headlines in lockdown

"Many people aren't coming out of their houses and they aren't spending because they are nervous about what this means, whether there is going to be a second wave; whether the NHS is going to be overwhelmed, and we really do need to get to grips with the test trace and isolate system - which the government admits is not fully functional." she told Sky News' Sophy Ridge.