bbc--2020-02-18--Nascar champion hurt in dramatic Daytona 500 crash

American Ryan Newman is in a `` serious but not life threatening '' condition in hospital after crashing on the last lap of the Daytona 500 in Florida .
The 42-year-old was leading when his car was tapped from behind and it spun into the wall before flipping and being struck by another car .
US president Donald Trump gave the starting command on Sunday but the race was postponed until Monday due to rain .
The Daytona 500 is the biggest race of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing ( Nascar ) season .
Newman 's Ford @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who was then beaten by Denny Hamlin in a photo-finish .
Newman , who won the event on 2008 , was taken to a local hospital and an update on his condition was issued nearly two hours after the crash .
The statement read : `` He is in serious condition , but doctors have indicated his injuries are not life threatening .
`` We appreciate your thoughts and prayers and ask that you respect the privacy of Ryan and his family during this time . ''
The Daytona 500 runs for 500 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 62nd edition of the race was extended to 522.5 miles ( 209 laps ) due to an overtime finish .
Hamlin beat Blaney by 0.014 seconds - the second smallest margin of victory in the event 's history .
It was a third win in five years for Hamlin , 39 , who becomes just the sixth driver to win the race at least three times and the first since Sterling Marlin ( 1994 , 1995 ) to claim back-to-back wins .

Last updated on .From the section Motorsport
Ryan Newman (6) crashed when he was leading the race, which was won by Denny Hamlin (11)
American Ryan Newman is in a "serious but not life threatening" condition in hospital after crashing on the last lap of the Daytona 500 in Florida.
The 42-year-old was leading when his car was tapped from behind and it spun into the wall before flipping and being struck by another car.
US president Donald Trump gave the starting command on Sunday but the race was postponed until Monday due to rain.
"Praying for Ryan Newman, a great and brave Nascar driver," Trump tweeted. external-link
The Daytona 500 is the biggest race of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (Nascar) season.
Newman's Ford Mustang was tapped by Ryan Blaney, who was then beaten by Denny Hamlin in a photo-finish.
Newman, who won the event on 2008, was taken to a local hospital and an update on his condition was issued nearly two hours after the crash.
The statement read: external-link "He is in serious condition, but doctors have indicated his injuries are not life threatening.
"We appreciate your thoughts and prayers and ask that you respect the privacy of Ryan and his family during this time."
The Daytona 500 runs for 500 miles (200 laps) but the 62nd edition of the race was extended to 522.5 miles (209 laps) due to an overtime finish.
Hamlin beat Blaney by 0.014 seconds - the second smallest margin of victory in the event's history.
It was a third win in five years for Hamlin, 39, who becomes just the sixth driver to win the race at least three times and the first since Sterling Marlin (1994, 1995) to claim back-to-back wins.


bbc--2020-02-18--Billie Eilish on Bond and online bullying

The new James Bond theme No Time to Die only took three days to write , Billie Eilish and her @ @ @ @ @ have said .
In an exclusive interview with BBC Breakfast , they spoke about the @ @ @ @ @ social media .

The new James Bond theme No Time to Die only took three days to write, Billie Eilish and her producer and brother Finneas O'Connell have said.
In an exclusive interview with BBC Breakfast, they spoke about the song and their experiences with social media.


bbc--2020-02-18--Missing woman survives five days lost in Queensland forest

Queensland police have released new footage of their search for a woman who was lost for five days in a @ @ @ @ @ who is from China and is studying in Australia , was hiking in Tallebudgera Valley @ @ @ @ @ got separated .
Her friend later reported her disappearance and a search team including police @ @ @ @ @ combed the forest for her in heavy rain .
Police finally found her on Monday @ @ @ @ @ said she was in `` good spirits '' and appeared `` quite well '' .
@ @ @ @ @ shelter in caves and drinking fresh water from creeks .

Queensland police have released new footage of their search for a woman who was lost for five days in a forest.
Yang Chen, who is from China and is studying in Australia, was hiking in Tallebudgera Valley with a friend when they got separated. Her friend later reported her disappearance and a search team including police officers, divers and locals combed the forest for her in heavy rain.
Police finally found her on Monday near a waterfall, and said she was in "good spirits" and appeared "quite well". She had survived by taking shelter in caves and drinking fresh water from creeks.


bbc--2020-02-18--Coronavirus triggers boom in private jet inquiries

Private jet operators have seen a big spike in requests from passengers wanting to charter their own planes during the coronavirus outbreak .
With airlines scaling back flights in and out of China , some travellers are stuck inside or outside the country .
The wealthy ones are turning to private jet operators to ask them to arrange flights , despite the huge costs .
But the companies are having to turn them away due to travel bans and a lack of available planes and crews .
Australia-based Darin Voyles , of Paramount Business Jets , said the firm had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ requests , but the majority ca n't be filled as they ca n't get the crew or planes .
`` Many simply do not want to send their aircraft and crews into mainland China .
Aside from the risk of exposure for the crews , the operational and business concern is that when they return from mainland China they will essentially be unable to work for two weeks as they will have to go into quarantine immediately . ''
Singapore-based MyJet Asia said it has seen an increase of 80 % -90 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lot of people went away for Chinese New Year and are now struggling to get back to China , '' said Logan Ravishkansar , chief executive of MyJet Asia .
Many have asked to be flown back to Beijing , Shanghai and Hong Kong .
`` But we are massively restricted on where we can fly to , while the airlines are not letting us charter their planes despite the money , '' he added .
• Why a global city is so vulnerable to virus spread Other travellers are desperate to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from South America asked PrivateFly , a global booking service for charter flights , `` to set up four flights out of Wuhan for hundreds of passengers , '' according to its chief executive Adam Twidell .
The UK-based firm said it has had plenty of other inquiries from private individuals and groups .
A `` very light jet '' can take between two and four passengers , and costs up to $ 2,400 ( £1,850 ) per hour according to Paramount Business Jets .
A `` super midsize '' jet can seat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 6,000 an hour .
Global private jet firm VistaJet said it has seen double digit growth in inquiries over the past month even though it has stopped operations to and from China .
`` While a large portion of the increase can be related to Chinese New Year travel , we also attribute the growth to customers preferring a private flight rather than a commercial option during a delicate time affected by the coronavirus outbreak , '' said Ian Moore , chief commercial officer of VistaJet .
Mr Ravishkansar said it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the SARS outbreak of 2003 : `` We also saw huge demand back then but it was a lot easier to fly in and out of countries .
This time around , governments have put on more controls . ''

"Many simply do not want to send their aircraft and crews into mainland China. Aside from the risk of exposure for the crews, the operational and business concern is that when they return from mainland China they will essentially be unable to work for two weeks as they will have to go into quarantine immediately.''


bbc--2020-02-18--Ukraine conflict: Deadly flare-up on eastern front line

Ukraine 's military says its forces on the eastern frontline have come under heavy rebel shelling , with one soldier killed and four wounded .
But Russian-backed rebels say troops tried to break through their lines and got caught in a minefield , with two killed and three wounded .
Ukraine 's President Volodymyr Zelensky is convening a meeting of his Security Council to assess the flare-up .
The violence puts new pressure on a shaky ceasefire deal .
The clash , now said to be over , took place near Zolote , a frontline village in the Luhansk region @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2014 .
The rebels hold much of Donbas .
A framework ceasefire deal was agreed in February 2015 - the Minsk agreement - but was soon violated as fighting resumed .
The Ukrainian Joint Forces Operation HQ , commanding government troops in Donbas , says its positions were shelled heavily at several points around Zolote on Tuesday : Novotoshkivske , Orikhove , Krymske and Khutir Vilny .
`` The occupiers are firing on our defenders using weapons banned under the Minsk [ ceasefire ] agreements .
The enemy is using 120mm mortars and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Under the cover of firing , the Russian occupiers have switched to offensive actions and have tried to cross the contact line , '' the JFO statement said .
A local official , Vitaliy Shvedov , said the intense shelling was similar to the peak of fighting in 2015 .
The JFO said its forces had not lost ground to the rebels who , it said , had requested a ceasefire .
• Will a deal with Russia bring peace to Ukraine ?
In recent months there has been cautious progress towards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prisoner exchanges and talks between Mr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin , mediated by France and Germany .
Mr Zelensky called Tuesday 's flare-up `` an attempt to wreck the peace process in Donbas , which had started to move forward with small but continuous steps '' .
More than 13,000 people have died in the conflict , which dates back to April 2014 , when the separatist rebels seized key areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions .
The rebels have Russian heavy weapons and Western experts say Russian regular units @ @ @ @ @ @ @ denies that , while admitting that Russian `` volunteers '' are helping the rebels .

"The occupiers are firing on our defenders using weapons banned under the Minsk [ceasefire] agreements. The enemy is using 120mm mortars and firing various grenade launchers and heavy machine-guns. Under the cover of firing, the Russian occupiers have switched to offensive actions and have tried to cross the contact line," the JFO statement said.


bbc--2020-02-18--UK adviser who defended eugenics resigns

Downing Street has said its adviser Andrew Sabisky has resigned , following criticism of alleged past remarks on pregnancies , eugenics and race .
Labour had called for Mr Sabisky to go for reportedly saying black people had lower average IQs than white people .
He is also alleged to have said compulsory contraception could prevent `` creating a permanent underclass '' .
Mr Sabisky tweeted : `` I wanted to help the government not be a distraction ... accordingly I 've decided to resign . ''
`` I know this will disappoint a lot of people but I signed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be in the middle of a giant character assassination , '' it continued .
`` If I ca n't do the work properly there 's no point , and I have a lot of other things to do with my life . ''
Mr Sabisky , who describes himself as a `` superforecaster '' , was appointed earlier this year after the prime minister 's chief adviser Dominic Cummings called for `` misfits and weirdos '' to apply for jobs in Downing Street .
Leaving his home on Tuesday , Mr Cummings told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Superforecasters , instead of political pundits who do n't know what they 're talking about . ''
The reference appeared to be to a 2015 book of similar name on the science of prediction , Superforecasting , co-written by US-based academic Philip Tetlock .
Also speaking on Tuesday , Business Minister Kwasi Kwarteng said Mr Sabisky 's alleged remarks had been `` racist '' and `` totally unacceptable '' .
Asked how Mr Sabisky had been selected , Mr Kwarteng replied : `` I 've no idea what the process is .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it 's unfortunate that he was hired '' .
`` I think we should prevent racists coming into No 10 or wherever he was working .
I think we do need to look at these processes , '' he told BBC Radio 5 Live , adding that it was `` time to move on '' .
When asked on Monday , Downing Street did not comment on the remarks attributed to Mr Sabisky .
Boris Johnson 's spokesman said at the time : `` The prime minister 's views on a range of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Responding to news of the resignation , Labour Party chairman Ian Lavery said : `` It 's right that Andrew Sabisky is no longer working in government .
`` After No 10 publicly stood by him today , Boris Johnson has serious questions to answer about how this appointment was made and whether he agrees with his vile views . ''
Tory MP Caroline Nokes , who chairs the Commons Women and Equalities Committee , told BBC Radio 4 's Today programme she was `` relieved '' Mr Sabisky had resigned .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ No 10 , adding they `` could have distanced themselves from his youthful comments at any point , but they chose not to do so '' .
What is Mr Sabisky believed to have said ?
In a comment on a 2014 blog post on Mr Cummings ' website , made by a user called `` Andrew Sabisky '' , it is suggested that compulsory contraception could be used to stop a `` permanent underclass '' .
`` One way to get around the problems of unplanned pregnancies creating a permanent underclass would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long-term contraception at the onset of puberty , '' says the post .
In a comment on another blog post on a different website in 2014 , what appears to be the same user suggested black Americans had a lower average IQ than white Americans .
In a comment on a different blog that same year , a user with his name said : `` There are excellent reasons to think the very real racial differences in intelligence are significantly - even mostly - genetic in origin , though the degree is of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debate . ''
Mr Sabisky also suggested to Schools Week in July 2016 that the benefits of a purported cognitive enhancer , which can prove fatal , are `` probably worth a dead kid once a year '' .
`` Eugenics are about selecting 'for ' good things , '' he said in the same interview .
`` Intelligence is largely inherited and it correlates with better outcomes : physical health , income , lower mental illness .
And in a Twitter post from 2019 , he said : `` I am always @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sport is more comparable to the Paralympics than it is to men 's . ''
What was the reaction when the remarks were uncovered ?
Mr Sabisky 's comments , and the government 's reaction to the remarks , were criticised by opposition parties as well as members of the prime minister 's own party .
While Scotland 's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said : `` These are really not acceptable headlines for any government to be generating . ''
Tory MP William Wragg also attacked the government 's decision to appoint him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presence in No 10 is a poor reflection on the government ... 'Weirdos ' and 'misfits ' are all very well , but please can they not gratuitously cause offence . ''

In a comment on a different blog that same year, a user with his name said: "There are excellent reasons to think the very real racial differences in intelligence are significantly - even mostly - genetic in origin, though the degree is of course a very serious subject of scholarly debate."


bbc--2020-02-18--Britta Nielsen: Danish social worker accused of stealing millions

A Danish court is due to deliver its verdict in the case of a woman accused of stealing 117 million @ @ @ @ @ $ 17m ) of government funding .
Britta Nielsen worked at the National Board of @ @ @ @ @ , distributing funding to people in need .
But in 2018 she was accused of @ @ @ @ @ pockets .
Ms Nielsen fled to South Africa after the accusations surfaced .
She agreed @ @ @ @ @ Interpol issued an arrest warrant .
She was accused of embezzling cash for more than @ @ @

According to the Nordic Labour Journal, Nielsen's defence argued during her trial that it was easy for her to take funds and that there were no safeguards in place to stop abuse of the system.


bbc--2020-02-18--India's bird population 'going down sharply'

Much of India 's bird population has sharply declined in the past few decades , according to a major study .
The State of India 's Birds report relied on the observations of more than 15,000 birdwatchers who helped assess the status of 867 birds .
It found the greatest decline in the numbers of eagles , vultures , warblers and migrating shorebirds .
But the population of peafowl , the national bird , has increased significantly .
Hunting and habitat loss are the two main reasons behind the decline .
`` Collision '' with electricity lines , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ current threat '' to birds .
The report , the first comprehensive study of its kind , made two assessments : the drop in bird population over the last 25 years , and over the last five years .
• US and Canada lose 3bn birds in 50 years '' In the long-term trend assessment , there was appropriate data available only for 261 species , of which 52 % had declined [ in numbers ] .
For current trends , there was data only for 146 species , of which [ numbers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' said MD Madhusudan , co-founder of Nature Conservation Foundation .
It 's based on more than 10 million observations , drawn from sightings and meticulous notes made by professional birdwatchers .
The data was then collated on eBird , a global crowdsourced database that has real-time data on the distribution and abundance of birds .
Species that have suffered the highest declines The local sparrow population was found to be roughly stable across the country as a whole , although it has fallen in the major cities .
The population of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ within the subcontinent - also showed a `` steep decline '' .
The report says that since the 1990s , the numbers of several species of vultures , bustards and other specialist grassland birds have also drastically dropped .
Some species popular in the bird trade , such as the Green Munia , are at `` dangerously low '' numbers , the report says .
Meanwhile , the Jerdon 's Courser , an endangered bird with `` mysterious '' breeding habits which was rediscovered in 1986 after a gap of 138 years , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But there 's some good news as well : the Forest Owlet , another endangered bird that was rediscovered in 1997 , is being reported from many more locations .
But the study cautions that its research is also a chronicle of `` individual species '' , and not a report on the `` overall health of India 's birds , including those considered common and hence of little conservation concern '' .
It says that `` abundance trends '' are available only for `` a handful of bird species '' - and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` larger , more obviously threatened and relatively charismatic '' .
`` For the vast majority of Indian birds , lack of data has hindered a clear understanding of how they are faring .
Such an understanding is vital for conservation science , management and policy . ''

"In the long-term trend assessment, there was appropriate data available only for 261 species, of which 52% had declined [in numbers]. For current trends, there was data only for 146 species, of which [numbers of] nearly 80% were declining," said MD Madhusudan, co-founder of Nature Conservation Foundation.


bbc--2020-02-18--Julian Assange: Father fears 'worried' son's extradition

The father of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange has told the BBC his son would face what is effectively a `` @ @ @ @ @ sent to the United States to face trial .
In an interview with Victoria Derbyshire @ @ @ @ @ over his son 's health ahead of a controversial extradition hearing starting next week , @ @ @ @ @ ceaseless anxiety '' .
The US wants the founder of the Wikileaks website to face @ @ @ @ @ and breaches of the Espionage Act .
While it is not thought he could face @ @ @ @ @ charges could - in theory - result in a 170-year prison sentence .
Watch the @ @ @ @ @ Two and BBC News Channel , 10:00 to 11:00 GMT - and see more of @ @ @ @

The father of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange has told the BBC his son would face what is effectively a "death sentence" were he sent to the United States to face trial.
In an interview with Victoria Derbyshire, John Shipton raised concerns over his son's health ahead of a controversial extradition hearing starting next week, saying Assange had felt "ceaseless anxiety".
The US wants the founder of the Wikileaks website to face 18 charges of attempted hacking and breaches of the Espionage Act.
While it is not thought he could face the death penalty, the charges could - in theory - result in a 170-year prison sentence.
Watch the Victoria Derbyshire programme on BBC Two and BBC News Channel, 10:00 to 11:00 GMT - and see more of our stories here.


bbc--2020-02-18--Ozzy Osbourne cancels North American tour to have Parkinson's treatment

Ozzy Osbourne has cancelled his North American tour in order to have further treatment for Parkinson 's disease .
The rock veteran , 71 , revealed his diagnosis a month ago , and will travel to see doctors in Switzerland in April .
He had been due back on stage in Atlanta , Georgia , at the end of May .
`` Unfortunately , I wo n't be able to get to Switzerland for treatment until April and the treatment takes six-eight weeks , '' he said .
His UK tour , which stars in October , is still on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said he has a `` mild form '' of Parkinson 's , which he found out about after suffering a fall a year ago .
He then had surgery on his neck , which he said `` screwed all my nerves '' .
A statement on his website said the tour had been cancelled to allow him `` to continue to recover from various health issues he has faced over the past year '' .
He had previously postponed the US tour last April after his fall .
The former Black Sabbath @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that everyone has been patient '' .
He continued : `` I do n't want to start a tour and then cancel shows at the last minute , as it 's just not fair to the fans .
`` I 'd rather they get a refund now and when I do the North American tour down the road , everyone who bought a ticket for these shows will be the first ones in line to purchase tickets at that time . ''
In January , wife Sharon said they had exhausted options for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 've kind of reached a point here in this country where we ca n't go any further because we 've got all the answers we can get here , '' she said .
`` So in April , we 're going to a professional in Switzerland .
And he deals with ... getting your immune system at its peak . ''
Osbourne 's next scheduled show is the first date of his UK tour , in Newcastle on 23 October .
His new album , Ordinary Man , is set for release on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or on Twitter @ BBCNewsEnts .
If you have a story suggestion email entertainment.news @ bbc.co.uk .

"I'd rather they get a refund now and when I do the North American tour down the road, everyone who bought a ticket for these shows will be the first ones in line to purchase tickets at that time."


bbc--2020-02-18--Russian activist Anastasia Shevchenko living under house arrest

Russian activist Anastasia Shevchenko is facing six years in prison for her opposition political activism .
Anastasia has been under @ @ @ @ @ for over a year – banned from communicating with anyone other than officials and her @ @ @ @ @ just been eased slightly , allowing her to talk about her case to the BBC @ @ @ @ @ She ’ s accused of links to a pro-democracy group Open Russia UK , which @ @ @ @ @ as ‘ undesirable ’ and a `` threat to state security '' .

Russian activist Anastasia Shevchenko is facing six years in prison for her opposition political activism.
Anastasia has been under strict house arrest awaiting trial for over a year – banned from communicating with anyone other than officials and her relatives.
Those conditions have just been eased slightly, allowing her to talk about her case to the BBC for the first time.
She’s accused of links to a pro-democracy group Open Russia UK, which has been banned in Russia as ‘undesirable’ and a "threat to state security".
BBC Moscow correspondent Sarah Rainsford went to meet Anastasia.


bbc--2020-02-18--The converging art careers of Henry Moore and Bill Brandt

A new exhibition and book explore the intersecting careers of two renowned British artists of the 20th Century : sculptor Henry Moore and photographer Bill Brandt .
The two artists , born ten years apart , were commissioned by the UK government in the 1930s ; Brandt as a photojournalist , and Moore as a war artist .
They both created images of civilians sheltering from the Blitz in the London Underground during World War Two , seen above .
The new exhibition - at The Hepworth Wakefield - explores how the two artists responded to the British landscape and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 200 works , including well-known sculptures and photographs , along with drawings , unprinted negatives and photo collages .
`` Both artists had a fascination and poetic sensibility for capturing the spirit of place , '' said Simon Wallis , Director of The Hepworth Wakefield .
`` It is particularly poignant to be presenting this exhibition in West Yorkshire , where Henry Moore was born and grew up . ''
Brandt and Moore met in 1942 , when Brandt was commissioned to take a portrait of Moore in his studio for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lilliput magazine .
The feature juxtaposed the two artists ' images of the Blitz shelters .
`` Both artists developed a strikingly similar visual vocabulary of displacement , isolation , threat , and vulnerability that presages images of larger-scale terror made later in the war , '' writes Courtney J Martin , the director of Yale Center for British Art , in a foreword to the book Bill Brandt | Henry Moore .
Throughout their careers , they crossed over into each other 's predominant creative medium .
Moore used photography to present @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sculpture as a way of considering nature , landscape and the human body .
In their early work , Brandt and Moore were drawn to documenting ordinary people , labour and the home .
Brandt highlighted social deprivation in 1930s Depression-era Britain , with his evocative photographs of impoverished mining communities and families in the North of England .
Moore was one of eight children in a mining family in Castleford , a colliery town in Yorkshire , a place he would later sketch to document the war effort .
A frequent subject @ @ @ @ @ @ @ groups in both sculpture and drawings , a theme that started with his early drawings of families in shelters during the Blitz .
In the 1950s , Moore made a series of works which used groupings of figures , reminiscent of his shelter drawings .
After the urban subjects which Brandt and Moore portrayed during the war , the artists later turned to nature for sources of inspiration .
They were interested in rock formations , geological artefacts and megalithic sites like Stonehenge and Avebury .
Indeed , Moore let it be known @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Britain .
The exhibition Bill Brandt | Henry Moore is at The Hepworth Wakefield until 31 May .
The accompanying book is published by Yale University Press .

Brandt and Moore met in 1942, when Brandt was commissioned to take a portrait of Moore in his studio for a 10-page spread on the artist in Lilliput magazine. The feature juxtaposed the two artists' images of the Blitz shelters.


bbc--2020-02-18--The unlikely friendship saving Egypt’s synagogues

Two Egyptian women have come together to save the country 's lost Jewish heritage .
Magda , who is Jewish @ @ @ @ @ Palestinian and Muslim , meet weekly to clean , rescue and repair books , synagogues @ @ @ @ @ community in Egypt shrank after the Israeli-Arab conflict in 1948 .
Many were exiled or @ @ @ @ @ With hardly any Jewish people left , the friends are battling to preserve the country @ @ @ @ @ it disappears forever .
This film is part of the BBC 's Crossing Divides season @

Two Egyptian women have come together to save the country's lost Jewish heritage.
Magda, who is Jewish and Marwa, who is Palestinian and Muslim, meet weekly to clean, rescue and repair books, synagogues and cemeteries.
The Jewish community in Egypt shrank after the Israeli-Arab conflict in 1948. Many were exiled or felt forced to leave. With hardly any Jewish people left, the friends are battling to preserve the country's lost Jewish heritage before it disappears forever.
Producer: Nagham Kassem
This film is part of the BBC's Crossing Divides season.


bbc--2020-02-17--Caroline Flack: Love Island pays tribute to presenter

Love Island narrator Iain Stirling has said he is `` absolutely devastated '' at the death of his colleague Caroline Flack , in a tribute on the ITV2 show .
The message in Monday 's episode came after the TV host , 40 , was found dead in her north London home on Saturday .
`` You were a true friend to me , '' Stirling said .
He added that Flack 's `` warmth and infectious enthusiasm '' were `` crucial '' to the show 's success .
A lawyer for Flack 's family said she had taken her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was the first to air after her death .
ITV had cancelled two episodes as a mark of respect for the presenter .
Flack was replaced as host of the dating show after being charged with assaulting her boyfriend last year . '
I 'm going to miss you , Caz' Speaking at the opening of the show , Stirling said : `` We are absolutely devastated by the tragic news that Caroline , a much-loved member of our Love Island family , has passed away .
`` Our thoughts are with her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Caroline and me were together from the very start of Love Island and her passion , warmth and infectious enthusiasm were a crucial part of what made the show connect with millions of viewers . ''
If you or someone you know needs support for issues about emotional distress , these organisations may be able to help .
Stirling 's message was broadcast to images of the ocean , in keeping with the usual opening shots at the beginning of each episode - but to mark the tribute there was no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as he added : `` Caroline , I want to thank you for all the fun times we had making our favourite show .
You were a true friend to me .
I 'm going to miss you , Caz . ''
The tribute ended with a photo of Flack on screen .
The image was repeated at the end of the episode .
In a statement released on Monday , ITV 's director of television Kevin Lygo said staff at the TV station were `` devastated '' and `` still trying to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Flack had been part of the dating show `` from the very beginning '' , was `` very vocal '' in her support of the show , and that viewers `` could relate to her and she to them '' .
Lygo stressed that ITV `` made it clear that the door was left open for her to return and the Love Island production team remained in regular contact with her and continued to offer support over the last few months '' .
ITV cancelled Monday night 's episode of Love Island @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be releasing a Love Island : The Morning After podcast on Tuesday morning .
And in place of adverts for JustEat , the programme 's sponsor , the broadcaster shared the number for Samaritans .
Following Flack 's death , a petition was launched calling for new laws to prevent sections of the media `` knowingly and relentlessly bullying people , famous or not '' .
The petition , calling for the introduction of `` Caroline 's Law '' , has had more than 500,000 signatures so far .
• Who decides whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stood down from the show after she was charged with assaulting her boyfriend , Lewis Burton , in December .
Her management company said she had been `` under huge pressure '' since then and criticised the Crown Prosecution Service ( CPS ) for refusing to drop the charge , even though Mr Burton said he did not want the case to go ahead .
Flack denied the charge and was due to stand trial in March .
Bail conditions had stopped Flack having any contact with Mr Burton ahead of the trial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the specifics of the case but in response to questions about its role , on Sunday it outlined how it reached decisions over whether or not to charge someone .
Flack 's friend Laura Whitmore - who is also Stirling 's girlfriend - had stepped in as Love Island host after the assault charge .
Following his tribute on Monday she said on Twitter : `` Love you @ IainDoesJokes I know that was n't easy '' .
Love Island 's sixth season and first winter series , which is being filmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end on Sunday .
Channel 4 has said it will not broadcast its forthcoming show The Surjury , which was to have been hosted by Flack .
Follow us on Facebook , or on Twitter @ BBCNewsEnts .
If you have a story suggestion email entertainment.news @ bbc.co.uk .

Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.


bbc--2020-02-18--Director, bodybuilder, scientist - some noted coronavirus victims

Across China , more than 1,800 people who lost their lives to Covid-19 are being mourned - the majority of them in the virus epicentre of Wuhan .
Each death is devastating to their loved ones , but among the dead in Wuhan are some people who were noted figures in their field .
Here are a few of them .
Last week , a senior Chinese health official said that 1,716 health workers had been infected by the coronavirus and six had died .
On Tuesday , Liu Zhiming was added to the list .
Dr Liu , 51 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hospital - one of the first hospitals to be a designated virus centre .
His death was initially reported by Chinese media late on Monday , but media outlets later did a U-turn and said doctors were trying to save him .
The next morning his death was confirmed .
He was the first hospital director to die from the virus , and it is not known if he had suffered from any underlying conditions to increase his risk .
Not much is yet known about Dr Liu 's personal life , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chinese social media as a hero .
`` Farewell to this hero , a soldier in white , '' said one comment on Weibo .
`` There are no illnesses in heaven , thank you for your sacrifice , '' another said .
Dr Li is arguably the most prominent figure to have died .
In December , he had been told by police officers not to spread `` fake rumours '' after alerting his friends to a new emerging virus .
His death , much like Dr Liu 's , was confusingly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tried to warn about coronavirus On 6 February , media outlets reported that he was dead , then later retracted it , saying that doctors were working to save him .
They confirmed his death a day later .
Millions have mourned Dr Li , and his death sparked a wave of anger , grief and overwhelming sense of mistrust towards the government .
Many were furious that the government had tried to stifle his earlier warnings about the virus and accused them of also trying to cover up his death .
Chang @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Studios , died from the virus along with his father , mother and sister .
A note , reportedly written by him and passed around by a friend , revealed the ordeal the 55-year-old had to go through before his death .
According to the note , which was published in full by news site Caixin , his father had come down with a fever , cough and had difficulty breathing .
`` He was taken to many hospitals for treatment , but [ was ] told no beds [ were ] available @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ We were ] extremely disappointed ... [ and ] went home . ''
A few days later his father died , followed afterwards by his mother , who was `` physically and mentally exhausted '' .
`` The ruthless virus also devoured my wife and my body .
I went to various hospitals and begged [ to be admitted ] .
Beds were hard to find ... we are nobody , '' he said in his note .
`` We missed the opportunity for healing and my breath was weak . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ admitted to hospital , but according to local reports , his condition had deteriorated too much .
He died on 14 February , with his wife still battling the illness .
He leaves behind a son , who is reportedly studying in the UK .
Some of his last words in his note were : `` I [ was ] a filial child to my father and a responsible father to my son .
A beloved husband to my wife and a sincere man in [ this ] life .
To those I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ farewell . ''
Prof Liu Shouxiang was a renowned artist in Hubei , known for his watercolour paintings .
According to news site Jiemian News , he died on 13 February aged 62 .
Mr Liu was born in Wuhan in 1958 .
He went on to train at the Hubei Academy of Fine Arts , where he stayed on to teach , eventually become a professor .
He eventually became known for his distinct watercolour style , reported Jiemian News .
His works have been displayed in some of the biggest art @ @ @ @ @ @ @ His death was mourned by many on social media site Weibo , with one saying it was the death of a great `` talent '' .
`` It takes decades to train a talent and only a few days to end that life , '' said one comment .
`` How many talents have been taken away by this virus ? ''
another asked .
`` The financial cost of the virus is great but can the value of these people ever be measured ? ''
• Coronavirus : What you need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care in Wuhan The 86-year-old was a former academician at the Chinese Academy of Engineering and a chief scientist at the National Engineering Research Centre for Digital Manufacturing .
Born in 1934 in Jiangsu , he went on to graduate with a degree from the China Central University of Science and Technology and later stayed on to teach .
According to news site The Global Times , he went on to develop the world 's first whole body gamma knife in 1996 - a type of radiation therapy used to treat tumours .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2005 .
He was known by his students as the `` medical madman '' because he never gave up on anything , said the report .
Qiu Jun from Wuhan was thrust into the spotlight last year when pictures showing the 72-year-old bodybuilding started to go viral .
According to Phoenix News , he only began working out after his retirement , joining a gym and eventually going on to coach others and participating in bodybuilding competitions .
He was known to visit the gym religiously and had plans to compete in another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ started showing symptoms on 23 January and was eventually admitted to hospital after testing positive .
But he died days later on 6 February .
His son reportedly sent this message to friends and family , informing them of his father 's death : `` The father who never got sick could not escape the disaster . ''

"The ruthless virus also devoured my wife and my body. I went to various hospitals and begged [to be admitted]. Beds were hard to find... we are nobody," he said in his note. "We missed the opportunity for healing and my breath was weak."


bbc--2020-02-18--Why your new work colleague could be a robot

You hear EVA before you see it .
A whirring and whizzing noise greets you as you enter the offices of Automata , a start-up robotics company based in London .
To one side a robotic arm is going through an intricate set of moves : six joints twisting and turning in a sequence which , in the real world , would place a label on a parcel .
That 's EVA , and it has being doing those moves non-stop for months to test its reliability .
Around the office and workshop there are more than a dozen other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the engineers , others awaiting testing .
It must be very eerie at night as EVA continues its work , simulating attaching labels , while surrounded by its silent clones .
This robotic arm emerged from the work of former architect Suryansh Chandra and his business partner Mostafa Elsayed .
`` We started out with the intention to democratise robotics , to make automation accessible and affordable to as many people as needed it , '' says Mr Chandra .
They are betting that there are thousands , if not millions , of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but ca n't afford a big industrial robot .
So EVA was developed from cheap reliable parts .
It uses the same motors that power the electric windows in cars , while the computer chips are similar to those used in the consumer electronics business .
This is allowing them to sell EVA at £8,000 .
`` If I was to give you an analogy , this was a world where there were a lot of luxury cars .
Everything was fast , powerful and precise , but there was no Toyota @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Mr Chandra says .
• Blockchain : The revolution that has n't quite happened • What happens to all the old wind turbines ?
• How tech is helping catch rats , wasps and bedbugs • What can you use instead of Google and Facebook ?
Automata is just one firm trying to find a wider market for robots and disrupt the way that things are made .
More than 2.4 million industrial robots are operating in factories around the world , according to data from the International Federation of Robotics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ double-digit sales growth from 2020 to 2022 .
The majority of robots currently do repetitive work in large factories , producing cars , electronics and metal .
These giant industrial arms have long been powerful and accurate , but have lacked adaptability .
Yet now , developments in artificial intelligence , alongside improved vision technology and better devices for gripping , are opening new markets .
Online shopping has given the industry a juicy opportunity .
In giant warehouses millions of objects of all different shapes and sizes have to be sorted and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in this growing market , robots need to be able to recognise and grip all sorts of different items .
`` Something that a child can do easily , which is to reach into a bin and grab an item , is really hard for a robot .
It 's taken a ton of technology to make it possible , '' says Vince Martinelli , from US-based RightHand Robotics .
His company was one of the first to develop a gripper that could be fitted to the end of robot arm , allowing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Their attachment for a robot arm employs a suction device and three fingers to grab items .
First the sucker extends to select the item and then the three fingers secure it .
It uses a camera linked to artificial intelligence to identify and locate the object it wants .
The explosion in online shopping has created a demand for this kind of technology ; Amazon alone has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in tech for its warehouses .
`` When I go to a store I provide the picking labour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ store grabbing the things I want .
If I order online I have kind of exported that labour back to the retailer and they 've got to figure out now how to do the item handling , '' says Mr Martinelli .
Soft Robotics , also based in the US , is tackling the same problem albeit in a different way .
Its robotic hand has rubbery fingers that fill with air , allowing them to handle delicate food items like biscuits and pastries .
`` The food industry is almost entirely manual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , every chicken cutlet , you name it , varies in size shape and weight .
You also have an added dimension of food safety and cleanliness , '' says Carl Vause , the chief executive of Soft Robotics .
Mr Vause thinks his firm 's technology will also lend itself to the clothing industry .
While such systems give robotic arms more skill , their dexterity still falls a long way short of the human hand .
Researchers at the Bristol Robotics Laboratory ( a partnership between the University of the West @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the big breakthrough would be to give robot hands a sense of touch .
Prof Nathan Lepora , head of the tactile robotics group , has developed rubber sensors that can detect and map surfaces .
The system uses a camera inside each `` finger '' that detects how the rubber tip bulges and moves when touching an object .
Using a type of artificial intelligence called machine learning , the robot is then trained to recognise objects just by touching them and seeing how the rubber tip responds .
Prof Lepora thinks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ robots will be able to manipulate items , assemble objects and tinker in the same way that humans do with their hands .
`` It is just an engineering challenge at the end of the day .
There 's nothing magical about how we use our hands , '' he says .
Future developments in robotic hardware and artificial intelligence mean that robots will be able to do more and more of the jobs that are currently performed by humans .
According to a report by the OECD , 14 % of of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ automation '' and 32 % of jobs could be `` radically transformed '' , with the manufacturing sector at the highest risk .
It 's a sensitive topic for those that work in the robotics industry and companies that use robots .
Mr Chandra argues that his technology will eliminate boring , repetitive jobs that humans do n't like and are n't very good at , and also create new ones that are likely to replace them .
`` There 's definitely tens of thousands of new jobs that exist to suit the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
So I think this constancy of jobs is a fiction , it 's never really been the case , '' he says .
Every time a job dies , there is an emotional reaction ... but every time there 's a creation of a new economy . ''
This article is the second part of mini-series on disruptive technologies , you can find the first , on blockchain , here .

"When I go to a store I provide the picking labour for free. I go around the store grabbing the things I want. If I order online I have kind of exported that labour back to the retailer and they've got to figure out now how to do the item handling," says Mr Martinelli.


bbc--2020-02-18--Son Heung-min: Tottenham forward out for 'number of weeks' with fractured arm

Tottenham forward Son Heung-min will be sidelined for a `` number of weeks '' after fracturing his arm during Sunday @ @ @ @ @ Villa .
The South Korea international , 27 , will have surgery this week .
@ @ @ @ @ miss the Champions League last-16 tie against RB Leipzig on Wednesday and Saturday 's Premier @ @ @ @ @ Tottenham are already without England striker Harry Kane , who tore his hamstring at Southampton @ @ @ @ @ scored in his past five games for the club , including two goals in Sunday @ @ @ @ @ .

Last updated on .From the section Tottenham
'The stairs broke' - Mourinho's strange reaction to Son's injury
Tottenham Hotspur boss Jose Mourinho does not expect Son Heung-min to play again this season and says the club's injury situation "couldn't be worse".
South Korea forward Son, 27, will have surgery this week after fracturing his arm during Sunday's 3-2 win at Aston Villa, in which he scored twice.
Tottenham are already without England striker Harry Kane who tore his hamstring at Southampton in January.
"I'm not going to count on him again this season," said Mourinho.
Earlier on Tuesday, a Spurs statement said Son - who has scored in his past five matches for the club - would be sidelined for "a number of weeks" with the injury.
Mourinho added: "If he plays two or three games then it's because he [Tottenham's press officer] is very optimistic, and I hope he is right. But, in my mind, I'm not thinking about that.
"We are going to miss him. The club wrote a nice statement. If I was the one to write the statement, I would write different."
Son's absence means 27-year-old Brazilian Lucas Moura, 22-year-old Dutchman Steven Bergwijn, signed in January, and Republic of Ireland international Troy Parrott are Tottenham's only fit forwards, though Mourinho believes 18-year-old Parrott "is not ready" to play at senior level.
"The situation couldn't be worse. That is obvious," added the Portuguese. "There is nothing we can do. We are going to play with the players we have available.
"I was worried about not having attacking options on the bench, now I don't have attacking options on the pitch.
"My thoughts are that Troy Parrott is not ready and [19-year-old English winger] Ryan Sessegnon is not a striker.
"No strikers, no market. Nothing. The only help we can have is our crowd, the Tottenham supporters. That is the only thing I ask because to the players I cannot ask more than what they are giving."
Mourinho did joke he could move for retired former Spurs and England striker Peter Crouch, with the 39-year-old responding on Twitter by saying: "I'm ready Jose."


bbc--2020-02-18--England's Vunipola to miss Ireland game for family reasons

England prop Mako Vunipola will miss Sunday 's Six Nations game against Ireland after returning to Tonga for family reasons @ @ @ @ @ was n't selected for England 's opening weekend defeat by France , but started in @ @ @ @ @ Scotland at Murrayfield .
Bath 's Beno Obano has been drafted into Eddie Jones ' @ @ @ @ @ Joe Marler is set to return at loosehead prop , with Ellis Genge resuming his @ @ @ @ @ `` If it is going to be a massive set-piece battle , Marler is the @ @ @ @ @ and Harlequins scrum-half Danny Care told the Rugby Union Weekly podcast .
Meanwhile Genge made @ @ @ @ @ , scoring the decisive try in the 13-6 victory .
`` I think Genge is @ @ @ @ @ physical , and is demanding the ball and is doing some really cute things on @ @ @ @ @ former England wing Ugo Monye .

Last updated on .From the section Rugby Union
Vunipola started in the round two win over Scotland at Murrayfield
Six Nations Championship: England v Ireland Venue: Twickenham Stadium Date: Sunday, 23 February Kick-off: 15:00 GMT Coverage: Listen on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra; live text commentary on the BBC Sport website & app.
England prop Mako Vunipola will miss Sunday's Six Nations game against Ireland after returning to Tonga for family reasons.
Vunipola, 29, was not selected for England's opening weekend defeat by France, but started in the round two win over Scotland at Murrayfield.
Bath's Beno Obano has been drafted into Eddie Jones' 33-man squad as cover.
Joe Marler is set to return at loose-head prop, with Ellis Genge resuming his role as a replacement.
"If it is going to be a massive set-piece battle, Marler is the best scrummager," England and Harlequins scrum-half Danny Care told the BBC's Rugby Union Weekly podcast.
Meanwhile, Genge made a significant impact in Edinburgh, scoring the decisive try in the 13-6 victory.
"I think Genge is looking angry, and looking physical, and is demanding the ball and is doing some really cute things on the pitch," added former England wing Ugo Monye.
Key centres Manu Tuilagi and Henry Slade are both included in the training squad after recovering from injury.
Tuilagi is on track for a return to the side after a minor groin niggle, but Slade's involvement is in doubt given his two-month absence with a fractured ankle.
Forwards
Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs), Tom Curry (Sale Sharks), Tom Dunn (Bath Rugby), Ben Earl (Saracens), Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby), Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers), Jamie George (Saracens), Maro Itoje (Saracens), George Kruis (Saracens), Joe Launchbury (Wasps), Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints), Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints), Joe Marler (Harlequins), Beno Obano (Bath Rugby), Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins), Will Stuart (Bath Rugby), Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby), Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs)
Backs
Elliot Daly (Saracens), Ollie Devoto (Exeter Chiefs), Fraser Dingwall (Northampton Saints), Owen Farrell (Saracens), George Ford (Leicester Tigers), George Furbank (Northampton Saints), Willi Heinz (Gloucester Rugby), Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby), Jonny May (Leicester Tigers), Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs), Ollie Thorley (Gloucester Rugby), Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers), Jacob Umaga (Wasps), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)


bbc--2020-02-18--Champions League: What to look out for in the knockout stages

Business is about to pick up .
The Champions League group stages did not disappoint with a record 308 goals scored - and Europe 's elite club competition returns with the start of the knockout stages .
All four English teams - holders Liverpool , runners-up Tottenham , Chelsea and Manchester City - progressed to the last 16 , with last season 's finalists both in action this week .
Paris St-Germain against Borussia Dortmund has been described as `` the tie of the round '' , so will this finally be the French side 's year ?
And can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continue his sensational goalscoring spree ?
European football experts Raphael Honigstein , Julien Laurens and Kristof Terreur discuss the first set of games on BBC Radio 5 Live 's Euro Leagues podcast .
'The most attacking teams in Europe' PSG have won the Ligue 1 title in six of the last seven seasons and , as expected , are top of the table once more , 10 points clear of second-placed Marseille .
Thomas Tuchel 's side were highly impressive in Group A , winning five and drawing one of their six games @ @ @ @ @ @ @ champions Real Madrid .
They face a Dortmund side that came second in Group F behind Barcelona , but knocked Serie A leaders Inter Milan into the Europa League .
`` I think this is the tie of the last 16 , '' says Laurens .
`` I can easily see a 4-3 Dortmund in the first leg and 5-3 PSG in the second leg .
They are probably the best two attacking teams in Europe right now .
But they are also not the best at defending . ''
Lucien Favre 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but have fallen four points off the pace with two defeats in their last six games , including a 4-3 loss at Bayern Leverkusen .
`` Dortmund are not even doing their best to implode , they just implode all the time it seems , '' says Honigstein .
`` They had another horrific result and performance in the Bundesliga against Leverkusen .
`` It is the sort of result and sort of vulnerability in defence that will not win you titles and will make it very difficult to knock out one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many issues in defence - clearly something tactical is wrong , they 've been ongoing for one and a half years .
I think they have pretty good players , on paper it should n't be as bad .
They make silly mistakes . ''
Norwegian Haaland scored a remarkable eight goals in five Champions League games for RB Salzburg and joined Dortmund for £17.1m in the January transfer window .
He then netted nine goals in his first six games for the German side , taking his total to 33 in 28 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up with fellow 19-year-old Jadon Sancho , who earlier this season became first ever player under the age of 20 to score 25 career Bundesliga goals .
So can the teenage duo lead the club to success ?
`` Dortmund are a club that are really frustrated , '' says Honigstein .
`` They see the potential of the squad , especially up front .
I do n't think we will see the likes of Sancho and Haaland playing together for many more months let alone years .
`` But for the moment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ball , they can be breathtakingly brilliant .
But what is the point if you are going to concede goals .
`` PSG have their own issues , some tactically , some mental and historical but Dortmund ca n't defend against average Bundesliga sides , so how can they defend against Neymar and the like ?
`` Unless they completely overwhelm PSG in the first leg , which is not impossible .
Right now there is very little to suggest they can keep one tight game , let alone 180 minutes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ forward Neymar , who has been suffering with a rib injury , but has been named in the squad for the first-leg on Tuesday .
Laurens adds : `` My hands are sweating already .
Neymar 's fitness is the first thing .
We thought they were just preserving him but now seems more serious than we thought .
He has been training though , I do n't know if they are bluffing .
`` It is not the situation they wanted because in the last two seasons he missed a crucial Champions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fully fit . ''
• 'Neymar is great but so are Mbappe & Di Maria ' - Dortmund boss • 'We do n't buy superstars , we make them ' - how Dortmund develop young talent Jurgen Klopp 's Liverpool are looking strong to make it three finals in a row after coming top of Group E and face an Atletico Madrid - runners-up behind Juventus in Group D - at the Wanda Metropolitano , where the Reds lifted the trophy for the sixth time last year .
Klopp 's side are running @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dropping just two points all season , while Atletico are fourth in La Liga , 13 points behind leaders Real Madrid .
`` Atletico are not the Atletico team they were before , when they had that team of warriors - all fighters who were typical Diego Simeone players .
They had a nasty side , '' says Terreur .
`` I watched them play Real Madrid and it was a very boring game , you see a team that is not a team any more . ''
Atletico had to rebuild in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Lucas Hernandez , Rodri , Diego Godin , Filipe Luis and Juanfran all departed .
`` I do n't think they can sack Simeone , '' says Laurens .
`` He presents so much to that club .
He might walk out himself if he thinks he reached the end .
But this was always going to be a transitional year anyway , because so many big players left last summer .
`` It was always going to take time for Simeone to make what he had last time with these players @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he is too old school to succeed now .
I would love to have seen this game three years ago .
`` No , no way this Atletico side can trouble Liverpool . ''
Debutants Atalanta progressed after coming second in Group C behind Manchester City , despite losing their opening three games , while Spanish side Valencia came top of a tight Group H ahead of second-placed Chelsea .
`` Even if you are not a neutral , you are pulling for Atalanta because you want to play them in the next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strange pairings that happen , '' says Honigstein .
`` If you are a club like Manchester City or Real Madrid , you are thinking the next game could be easier than the last 16 game .
This is a game people might look at with ulterior motives , Atalanta being a newbie , the Cinderella story and playing exciting football .
They will entertain and bring us something different . ''
Spurs recovered from a 7-2 home thrashing by Bayern Munich to come second in Group B behind the Bundesliga champions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ G ahead of Lyon .
`` Most people would have Leipzig as favourites , '' says Honigstein .
`` Two words explain that : Harry Kane [ who is injured ] .
`` [ Leipzig ] have depth and we now find out how good they are internationally .
They are still a bit immature and not a side that can go into games knowing they will dominate , all the signs of a team that is growing . ''
• The Champions League is back !
Test your knowledge of the group @

Key battles, players to watch in the Champions League
Business is about to pick up.
The Champions League group stages did not disappoint with a record 308 goals scored - and Europe's elite club competition returns with the start of the knockout stages.
All four English teams - holders Liverpool, runners-up Tottenham, Chelsea and Manchester City - progressed to the last 16, with last season's finalists both in action this week.
Paris St-Germain against Borussia Dortmund has been described as "the tie of the round", so will this finally be the French side's year? And can Dortmund's teenage star Erling Braut Haaland continue his sensational goalscoring spree?
European football experts Raphael Honigstein, Julien Laurens and Kristof Terreur discuss the first set of games on BBC Radio 5 Live's Euro Leagues podcast.
Champions League last-16 first legs Tuesday, 18 February Wednesday, 19 February Tuesday, 25 February Wednesday, 26 February Atletico Madrid v Liverpool Atalanta v Valencia Chelsea v Bayern Munich Lyon v Juventus Borussia Dortmund v Paris St-Germain Tottenham v RB Leipzig Napoli v Barcelona Real Madrid v Manchester City
'The most attacking teams in Europe'
PSG have won the Ligue 1 title in six of the last seven seasons and, as expected, are top of the table once more, 10 points clear of second-placed Marseille.
Thomas Tuchel's side were highly impressive in Group A, winning five and drawing one of their six games to come top ahead of 13-time European champions Real Madrid.
They face a Dortmund side that came second in Group F behind Barcelona, but knocked Serie A leaders Inter Milan into the Europa League.
"I think this is the tie of the last 16," says Laurens. "I can easily see a 4-3 Dortmund in the first leg and 5-3 PSG in the second leg. They are probably the best two attacking teams in Europe right now. But they are also not the best at defending."
Lucien Favre's men had been top of the Bundesliga but have fallen four points off the pace with two defeats in their last six games, including a 4-3 loss at Bayern Leverkusen.
"Dortmund are not even doing their best to implode, they just implode all the time it seems," says Honigstein. "They had another horrific result and performance in the Bundesliga against Leverkusen.
"It is the sort of result and sort of vulnerability in defence that will not win you titles and will make it very difficult to knock out one of the favourites.
"There are so many issues in defence - clearly something tactical is wrong, they've been ongoing for one and a half years. I think they have pretty good players, on paper it shouldn't be as bad. They make silly mistakes."
Can Haaland and Sancho stop PSG?
Erling Haaland and Jadon Sancho have both been prolific this season
Norwegian Haaland scored a remarkable eight goals in five Champions League games for RB Salzburg and joined Dortmund for £17.1m in the January transfer window.
He then netted nine goals in his first six games for the German side, taking his total to 33 in 28 games this season.
Haaland now pairs up with fellow 19-year-old Jadon Sancho, who earlier this season became first ever player under the age of 20 to score 25 career Bundesliga goals.
So can the teenage duo lead the club to success?
"Dortmund are a club that are really frustrated," says Honigstein. "They see the potential of the squad, especially up front. I don't think we will see the likes of Sancho and Haaland playing together for many more months let alone years.
"But for the moment they are all there and, with the ball, they can be breathtakingly brilliant. But what is the point if you are going to concede goals.
"PSG have their own issues, some tactically, some mental and historical but Dortmund can't defend against average Bundesliga sides, so how can they defend against Neymar and the like?
"Unless they completely overwhelm PSG in the first leg, which is not impossible. Right now there is very little to suggest they can keep one tight game, let alone 180 minutes."
PSG have an issue with Brazilian forward Neymar, who has been suffering with a rib injury, but has been named in the squad for the first-leg on Tuesday.
Laurens adds: "My hands are sweating already. Neymar's fitness is the first thing. We thought they were just preserving him but now seems more serious than we thought. He has been training though, I don't know if they are bluffing.
"It is not the situation they wanted because in the last two seasons he missed a crucial Champions League match and they must want him fully fit."
Simeone's last stand?
Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool are looking strong to make it three finals in a row after coming top of Group E and face an Atletico Madrid - runners-up behind Juventus in Group D - at the Wanda Metropolitano, where the Reds lifted the trophy for the sixth time last year.
Klopp's side are running away with the Premier League title, dropping just two points all season, while Atletico are fourth in La Liga, 13 points behind leaders Real Madrid.
"Atletico are not the Atletico team they were before, when they had that team of warriors - all fighters who were typical Diego Simeone players. They had a nasty side," says Terreur.
"I watched them play Real Madrid and it was a very boring game, you see a team that is not a team any more."
Atletico had to rebuild in the summer after key players Antoine Griezmann, Lucas Hernandez, Rodri, Diego Godin, Filipe Luis and Juanfran all departed.
"I don't think they can sack Simeone," says Laurens. "He presents so much to that club. He might walk out himself if he thinks he reached the end. But this was always going to be a transitional year anyway, because so many big players left last summer.
"It was always going to take time for Simeone to make what he had last time with these players. Maybe he is finished and maybe he is too old school to succeed now. I would love to have seen this game three years ago.
"No, no way this Atletico side can trouble Liverpool."
Wednesday 19 February
Atalanta v Valencia
Debutants Atalanta progressed after coming second in Group C behind Manchester City, despite losing their opening three games, while Spanish side Valencia came top of a tight Group H ahead of second-placed Chelsea.
"Even if you are not a neutral, you are pulling for Atalanta because you want to play them in the next round. This is one of those strange pairings that happen," says Honigstein.
"If you are a club like Manchester City or Real Madrid, you are thinking the next game could be easier than the last 16 game. This is a game people might look at with ulterior motives, Atalanta being a newbie, the Cinderella story and playing exciting football. They will entertain and bring us something different."
Tottenham v RB Leipzig
Spurs recovered from a 7-2 home thrashing by Bayern Munich to come second in Group B behind the Bundesliga champions, while German opponents RB Leipzig topped Group G ahead of Lyon.
"Most people would have Leipzig as favourites," says Honigstein. "Two words explain that: Harry Kane [who is injured].
"[Leipzig] have depth and we now find out how good they are internationally. They are still a bit immature and not a side that can go into games knowing they will dominate, all the signs of a team that is growing."
The remaining fixtures
Tuesday 25 February
Chelsea v Bayern Munich, Napoli v Barcelona
Wednesday 26 February
Lyon v Juventus, Real Madrid v Manchester City


bbc--2020-02-18--West Ham defender Fisk named in young England squad

England Women 's coach Phil Neville has handed Grace Fisk her first senior call-up as he names a young squad for their SheBelieves Cup defence in March .
The West Ham defender , 22 , is one of six in the 23-player squad who played at the Fifa Under-20 World Cup in 2018 , where she captained England to bronze .
Neville has recalled Everton striker Chloe Kelly , 22 , who made her one senior appearance in November 2018 .
Arsenal forward Beth Mead has been left out due to injury .
The 24-year-old , who has 25 caps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , picked up the injury in Thursday 's win over Liverpool .
`` It is a blow with Beth , '' said Neville .
`` I think Beth has been in the best form of her career this season .
`` I knew as soon as she went down - the clash of knees - that something was n't right . ''
Goalkeeper Ellie Roebuck is included despite wearing a protective boot after Manchester City 's FA Cup win against Ipswich on Sunday , but Manchester United 's first-choice keeper Mary Earps has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their title at the SheBelieves Cup in the United States from 5-11 March , having won the annual invitational tournament for the first time in 2019 .
Fisk was playing college football in the US for the South Carolina Gamecocks before earning a move to West Ham in December .
`` This is an exciting moment for the England Women 's team , '' Neville added .
`` With eight of our squad under the age of 23 we are focusing on developing the incredible young talent we have in the women 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2021 in 16 months ' time . ''
Birmingham City goalkeeper Hannah Hampton and striker Alessia Russo , who plays for North Carolina Tar Heels , will join the squad for training sessions in the US as part of their ongoing development .
England will play hosts United States , Japan and Spain in the US in their first fixtures since their 3-2 win in a friendly in the Czech Republic on 12 November .

Last updated on .From the section England
Grace Fisk captained England to bronze at the Fifa Under-20 World Cup in 2018
England Women's coach Phil Neville has handed Grace Fisk her first senior call-up as he names a young squad for their SheBelieves Cup defence in March.
The West Ham defender, 22, is one of six in the 23-player squad who played at the Fifa Under-20 World Cup in 2018, where she captained England to bronze.
Neville has recalled Everton striker Chloe Kelly, 22, who made her one senior appearance in November 2018.
Arsenal forward Beth Mead has been left out due to injury.
The 24-year-old, who has 25 caps and has scored seven goals this season, picked up the injury in Thursday's win over Liverpool.
"It is a blow with Beth," said Neville. "I think Beth has been in the best form of her career this season.
"I knew as soon as she went down - the clash of knees - that something wasn't right."
Goalkeeper Ellie Roebuck is included despite wearing a protective boot after Manchester City's FA Cup win against Ipswich on Sunday, but Manchester United's first-choice keeper Mary Earps has been left out.
England have to go and win the SheBelieves Cup again - Neville
England will defend their title at the SheBelieves Cup in the United States from 5-11 March, having won the annual invitational tournament for the first time in 2019.
Fisk was playing college football in the US for the South Carolina Gamecocks before earning a move to West Ham in December.
"This is an exciting moment for the England Women's team," Neville added. "With eight of our squad under the age of 23 we are focusing on developing the incredible young talent we have in the women's game with a keen eye on Euro 2021 in 16 months' time."
Birmingham City goalkeeper Hannah Hampton and striker Alessia Russo, who plays for North Carolina Tar Heels, will join the squad for training sessions in the US as part of their ongoing development.
England will play hosts United States, Japan and Spain in the US in their first fixtures since their 3-2 win in a friendly in the Czech Republic on 12 November.
England squad: Millie Bright, Lucy Bronze, Rachel Daly, Toni Duggan, Bethany England, Grace Fisk, Alex Greenwood, Lauren Hemp, Steph Houghton, Chloe Kelly, Sandy MacIver, Abbie McManus, Jordan Nobbs, Nikita Parris, Ellie Roebuck, Jill Scott, Lucy Staniforth, Georgia Stanway, Demi Stokes, Carly Telford, Keira Walsh, Ellen White, Leah Williamson.


bbc--2020-02-18--Bloomberg to join Democratic debate amid poll surge

Democratic presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg will take part in a nomination debate for the first time on Wednesday , his campaign confirmed .
In order to take part in the Nevada debate , he had to poll above double digits in four national polls recognised by the Democratic Party .
On Tuesday , a NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll found he had support from 19 % of those surveyed .
The ex-New York Mayor is not competing in the first four nomination contests .
Mr Bloomberg , 78 , has instead chosen to enter the race on 3 March , known as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote .
He came in second place in the NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll .
Bernie Sanders came in first with 31 % support nationally and Joe Biden was in third place with 15 % .
• Bloomberg on tape : All crime is in minority areas '' Mike is looking forward to joining the other Democratic candidates on stage and making the case for why he 's the best candidate to defeat Donald Trump and unite the country , '' Mr Bloomberg 's campaign manager Kevin Sheekey said in a statement .
Billionaire businessman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of dollars on television , radio and digital advertising for his campaign .
According to CNN , he has a campaign operation involving more than 2,000 aides in New York and across the country .
• A 1990 booklet of quotes attributed to the billionaire has been released by the Washington Post newspaper .
It includes sexist remarks , such as `` if women wanted to be appreciated for their brains , they 'd go to the library instead of [ luxury department store ] Bloomingdale 's '' .
He also reportedly told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it '' , which he has denied under oath .
• In a recently leaked video clip , Mr Bloomberg appears to justify his controversial stop-and-frisk policy when he was New York mayor by saying `` you want to put those cops where the crime is , which mean in minority neighbourhoods '' , before adding that 95 % of murderers and murder victims are male minorities .
He has apologised .
• During a 2016 talk , the former mayor suggested that farming and factory work required less `` gray matter '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could teach anybody , even the people in this room , no offence intended , to be a farmer , '' Mr Bloomberg said .
Vice-President Mike Pence appeared to hit back at the Democratic candidate on Sunday , posting a video with the speech `` So God Made a Farmer '' , praising the industry .
Mr Bloomberg has been accused by rival candidates Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders of trying to buy the election .
He denies the claims and has offered to fund the Democratic effort to beat Republican President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ win the nomination .
During a Democratic dinner in Nevada on Saturday , Mr Sanders said : `` I got news for Mr Bloomberg , and that is the American people are sick and tired of billionaires buying elections . ''
During the debate Mr Bloomberg is expected to face tough questions over some of his policies as mayor .
He was criticised over his support for the `` stop and frisk '' policy that saw a disproportionate number of black or Latino people questioned and searched by police officers .
He has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vowed to challenge him on the policy .
Democratic candidate Amy Klobuchar said she thought Mr Bloomberg should be on the debate stage .
She told NBC 's Meet the Press : `` He ca n't hide behind the airwaves .
He has to answer questions . ''
• The Democratic 2020 race - in five charts • A simple guide to US primaries and caucuses Michael Bloomberg 's unprecedented advertising blitz has given him an unfiltered platform to advance his presidential candidacy .
It 's working out for him just fine so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , however , he 's going to have to share the stage with his presidential rivals .
It 's hard to think of a Democratic opponent who would n't benefit from attacking the New York billionaire at this point .
The moderates will need to take him down a peg if they hope to gain any footing in the more than a dozen states that hold primary contests in the weeks ahead .
For Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders , the two left-wing progressives , Bloomberg is the living embodiment of what they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has on American politics .
Despite a slew of negative stories in the news lately , Mr Bloomberg has been riding a wave of near-nonstop media attention and surging poll numbers .
He 's about to have a chance to prove that all the hype was worth it .
Who will take on Trump in November ?
• Choose your candidate and filter by category • All you need to know about the presidential race • Could it be Bernie Sanders v Donald Trump ?
• Why a young former mayor is surging @ @ @

It's hard to think of a Democratic opponent who wouldn't benefit from attacking the New York billionaire at this point. The moderates will need to take him down a peg if they hope to gain any footing in the more than a dozen states that hold primary contests in the weeks ahead. For Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, the two left-wing progressives, Bloomberg is the living embodiment of what they view as the corrosive influence big money has on American politics.


bbc--2020-02-18--How Trump got his wall - in India

How Trump got his wall - in India

US President Donald Trump will be visiting India next week , with his packed schedule including a stop in Gujarat @ @ @ @ @ Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi .
All eyes will be on the capital , Ahmedabad @ @ @ @ @ said he is expecting millions of people to welcome him .
But some locals are @ @ @ @ @ visit .
The source of their ire - a wall .

US President Donald Trump will be visiting India next week, with his packed schedule including a stop in Gujarat, the home state of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
All eyes will be on the capital, Ahmedabad, where Mr Trump has said he is expecting millions of people to welcome him.
But some locals are not looking forward to his visit. The source of their ire - a wall.
Video by Anshul Verma and BBC Gujarati's Pavan Jaishwal and Tejas Vaidya


bbc--2020-02-18--Harvey Weinstein trial: Judge warns defence as verdict nears

The judge in the Harvey Weinstein rape case has warned the lead defence lawyer not to talk to the press , after she penned an opinion piece on Saturday .
Writing in Newsweek , Donna Rotunno called on jurors to `` do what they know is right '' .
But she told Justice James Burke the piece was not intended to address the jury directly .
The row came before the jury of seven men and five women were sent away to try to reach a verdict .
They have now finished their deliberations for the day , after asking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plans of the apartment where one of the alleged assaults took place .
Mr Weinstein has pleaded not guilty to sexually assaulting former production assistant Mimi Haleyi and raping former actress Jessica Mann .
The trial began in New York last month .
• Harvey Weinstein trial : What you need to know Accusations of sexual misconduct against the Hollywood producer by dozens of women helped drive the # MeToo movement .
Only two of the accusers ' cases , those of Mimi ( Miriam ) Haleyi and Jessica Mann , have led @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but the testimony of others is being used as supporting evidence .
What did the judge say ?
Judge Burke instructed jurors on Tuesday morning before they retired to consider their verdict .
As the court session opened , prosecutors asked the judge to instruct jurors to ignore the Newsweek piece as it was `` 100 % inappropriate '' .
Judge Burke refused the prosecutors ' request , but restated a ban he imposed at the beginning of the trial on both defence and prosecution from giving media interviews .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your public relations juggernaut , '' he told Ms Rotunno .
The defence attorney responded : `` This is an op-ed about the jury system as a whole , about the criminal justice system as a whole . ''
In the piece , she accused her opponents of trying to influence the trial .
`` The mocking of Mr Weinstein 's walker , the unflattering courtroom-artist sketches of his body , the countless critical op-eds and biased stories , and the convenient timing of the politically-motivated charges in Los Angeles were all designed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote .
`` I implore the members of this jury to do what they know is right and was expected of them from the moment they were called upon to serve their civic duty in a court of law . ''
But Judge Burke asked the defence : `` You do n't think addressing the jury in the first person is n't problematic ? ''
Prosecutors have argued Mr Weinstein was a `` seasoned '' sexual predator who preyed on aspiring young actresses .
His defence team said his actions were consensual , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They also said prosecutors had failed to present any forensic evidence or eyewitness accounts .
The 67-year-old denies five charges , including rape and sexual assault , relating to two accusers .
The jury must reach unanimous verdicts on each count .
Mr Weinstein , who never took the stand during the trial , could face life behind bars if convicted .
What are the accusations against Mr Weinstein ?
Once one of Hollywood 's most decorated and lauded producers , Mr Weinstein has been accused of sexual misconduct by more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complaints have led to criminal charges .
During the trial , one-time aspiring actress Jessica Mann detailed a catalogue of abuse by the Hollywood producer , saying he had once trapped her in a hotel bedroom and raped her .
Three of the five charges against Mr Weinstein relate to Ms Mann .
Production assistant Mimi Haleyi told the court Mr Weinstein had assaulted her twice in Manhattan in 2006 , after he helped her get a job on a television show he produced .
Former Sopranos actress Annabella Sciorra testified the film @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the early 90s , after forcing his way into her apartment and attacking her .
That incident happened too long ago to be pursued under New York law but prosecutors wanted to use Ms Sciorra 's testimony to support their argument that the accused was a sexual predator .
To do so , they must prove Mr Weinstein committed a serious sexual offence against at least two people .
Under cross-examination , both Ms Mann and Ms Haleyi acknowledged at least one consensual sexual encounter with Weinstein after the alleged assaults .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ text messages in court that appeared to show both women on friendly terms with Mr Weinstein years after the alleged attacks .
Who are the main accusers ?
• Mimi ( Miriam ) Haleyi .
A former production assistant who accuses Mr Weinstein of performing a forcible sex act on her in 2006 .
Prosecutor Meghan Hast said Mr Weinstein had tempted Ms Haleyi with job opportunities and after having had her brought to his apartment , lunged at her , pushed her on to a bed and forced her into the sex @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a dead fish '' .
• Jessica Mann .
An actress named for the first time .
Ms Hast said Ms Mann had had encounters with Mr Weinstein over a number of years , and would testify that Mr Weinstein had raped her multiple times , once leaving her like a `` rag doll '' in her hotel room in March 2013 .
• Annabella Sciorra .
The actress testified she had been `` violently raped '' by the defendant in the winter of 1993-94 , leaving her `` emotionally and physically destroyed @ @

"I implore the members of this jury to do what they know is right and was expected of them from the moment they were called upon to serve their civic duty in a court of law."


bbc--2020-02-18--Rod Blagojevich: Why did Trump just free a jailed Democrat?

US President Donald Trump has commuted the prison sentence of Rod Blagojevich , a man once seen as an unlikely candidate for White House clemency .
But why would the Republican president , who once promised to drain the swamp , show mercy to a Democrat viewed by critics as the embodiment of dirty politics ?
Even the president 's fellow party members in Illinois criticised his decision .
The state 's House Republican delegation said in a statement : `` Blagojevich is the face of public corruption in Illinois and not once has he shown any remorse . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` That was a tremendously powerful , ridiculous sentence , '' he told reporters on Tuesday .
Who else did Trump show mercy to ?
Blagojevich was n't the only beneficiary of presidential mercy on Tuesday .
Trump went on a clemency spree , including to three high-profile figures with powerful friends : • Bernie Kerik , a former New York police commissioner , pleaded guilty to tax fraud and other charges and was sentenced to prison in 2010 .
His celebrity supporters include Christopher Ruddy , the head of Newsmax Media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Rudy Giuliani • Michael Milken , a financier who rose to prominence in the 1980s , was convicted of securities fraud .
Celebrity supporter : Fox host Maria Bartiromo • Edward DeBartolo Jr , the former owner of the San Francisco 49ers , pleaded guilty in 1998 to offences related to a gambling scandal .
Celebrity supporters : Ohio Pastor Darrell Scott and former NFL player Jerry Rice Even before he won the White House , Trump expressed sympathy for Blagojevich , who was convicted of flagrant corruption .
In 2008 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fill the Senate seat of Barack Obama , who had been elected president .
Blagojevich , who was twice elected governor , spoke about the political opportunity on the phone with another state official , describing his plans to sell or trade the Democratic safe seat .
`` I 've got this thing , '' Blagojevich said , describing the seat as `` golden '' .
The governor - who loved the camera and was known for always having a hairbrush handy - said : `` I 'm just not giving it up… @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , also tried to obtain campaign funds in exchange for legislation that would help the race-track industry .
He attempted to pressure an executive at a children 's hospital into contributing money to his campaigns .
Blagojevich was convicted of soliciting bribes , attempted extortion and wire fraud , and was sentenced to 14 years .
His release date was projected for 2024 until Trump stepped in .
Before he was put behind bars in 2012 , Blagojevich appeared on Trump 's Celebrity Apprentice TV show .
After he was convicted in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Hollywood Reporter he felt bad for him .
The president 's support for Blagojevich offers a case study in his approach to presidential power and the justice system .
Trump has his own grievances about investigations - he has called Special Counsel Robert Mueller 's Russian inquiry a `` witch hunt '' .
On Trump 's favourite news channel Fox News last year , Blagojevich 's wife , Patti , depicted her husband as the victim of over-zealous prosecutors , drawing parallels with the president 's experience during the Mueller investigation .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ was arrested , and former FBI Director James Comey - another Trump foe - is friends with a former US attorney , Patrick Fitzgerald , who prosecuted Blagojevich .
Patti Blagojevich laid out these connections in interviews .
• Trump : I have right to pardon myself The prosecution team behind the Blagojevich case said on Tuesday that despite the president lawfully exercising his clemency powers , the former governor `` remains a felon , convicted of multiple serious acts of corruption '' .
Ruth Ben-Ghiat , a historian and cultural critic at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He [ Trump ] clearly identifies with this man who has a harsh sentence and is a fighter .
`` He likes that kind of swagger . ''
She says the president 's public views of Blagojevich `` helps to create this culture in politics where loyalty is valued over ethics , and where corruption is not necessarily a negative thing '' .
Others point out that Trump has never condoned Blagojevich 's crimes , but has focused instead on the perceived harshness of the sentence .
Brennan Hart , a political consultant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Trump 's 2016 presidential campaign , says the president `` likes people who are a little bit over the top - like a caricature of a manly man '' .
`` He 's not saying it 's OK , '' says Hart , referring to the president 's attitude towards Blagojevich 's offences .
`` He 's saying , it 's been long enough . ''
Presidential clemency has been a politically fraught issue for decades .
President Bill Clinton pardoned a former business partner , Susan McDougal , who went to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Whitewater real-estate scandal .
President George HW Bush pardoned key figures in the Iran-contra scandal , in which he himself was implicated .
But Trump 's critics say he has gone further in the way he has politicised clemency .
David Litt , a former Obama speechwriter and the author of a memoir , Thanks , Obama , says Trump 's clemency for Blagojevich reveals `` his own victimhood narrative '' .
He says it will `` send a message to other people who might be considering a variety of corrupt practises @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'll have your back '' .

The governor - who loved the camera and was known for always having a hairbrush handy - said: "I'm just not giving it up… for nothing."


bbc--2020-02-18--Neanderthal 'skeleton' is first found in a decade

Researchers have described the first `` articulated '' remains of a Neanderthal to be discovered in a decade .
An articulated skeleton is one where the bones are still arranged in their original positions .
The new specimen was uncovered at Shanidar Cave in Iraq and consists of the upper torso and crushed skull of a middle-aged to older adult .
Excavations at Shanidar in the 1950s and 60s unearthed partial remains of 10 Neanderthal men , women and children .
During these earlier excavations , archaeologists found that some of the burials were clustered together , with clumps of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The researcher who led those original investigations , Ralph Solecki from Columbia University in New York , claimed it was evidence that Neanderthals had buried their dead with flowers .
This `` flower burial '' captured the imagination of the public and kicked off a decades-long controversy .
The floral interpretation suggested our evolutionary relatives were capable of cultural sophistication , challenging the view - prevalent at the time - that Neanderthals were unintelligent and animalistic .
Before the most recent specimen uncovered in Iraq , the last articulated Neanderthal remains were unearthed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and at Cova Forada in 2010 [ Link in Spanish ] .
Both sites are located in south-east Spain .
But Dr Emma Pomeroy , from the University of Cambridge , said the new skeleton - dubbed Shanidar Z - is more substantial and more completely articulated than those previous finds .
Dr Pomeroy is the lead author of a paper in Antiquity journal describing the find and was part of the excavation team working at the cave in Iraqi Kurdistan .
`` So much research on how Neanderthals treated their dead has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or even a hundred years ago , when archaeological techniques were more limited , and that only ever gets you so far , '' said Dr Pomeroy .
`` To have primary evidence of such quality from this famous Neanderthal site will allow us to use modern technologies to explore everything from ancient DNA to long-held questions about Neanderthal ways of death , and whether they were similar to our own . ''
Ralph Solecki died last year aged 101 , having never managed to conduct further excavations at his most famous site @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Kurdish Regional Government approached Prof Graeme Barker from Cambridge 's McDonald Institute of Archaeology about revisiting Shanidar Cave .
With Solecki 's support , initial digging began in 2014 , but had to be stopped after two days when Islamic State got too close .
It resumed the following year .
`` We thought with luck we 'd be able to find the locations where they had found Neanderthals in the 1950s , to see if we could date the surrounding sediments , '' said Prof Barker .
`` We did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
In 2016 , in one of the deepest parts of the trench , the researchers identified a rib , followed by a lumbar vertebra - part of the spine .
Then , they uncovered the bones of a clenched right hand .
However , metres of sediment needed carefully digging out before the team could excavate the skeleton .
During the 2018-19 excavation , team members went on to uncover a complete skull , flattened by thousands of years of sediment , and upper body bones almost to the waist - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ head like a small cushion .
Early analysis suggests the specimen is more than 70,000 years old .
While the sex has yet to be determined , the discovery has relatively worn teeth , suggesting the individual was a `` middle- to older-aged adult '' .
However , the lower part of the skeleton appears to be missing .
`` The ribcage and spine are almost complete , but [ Shanidar Z ] was cut off at about waist level by the removal of the block of sediment containing Shanidar 4 ( another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1960 , '' Dr Pomeroy told BBC News .
Shanidar Z 's body lay right below Shanidar 4 's upper body .
`` Observations by T Dale Stewart ( the physical anthropologist on the 1960 project ) and Ralph Solecki suggest there were a pair of legs just below Shanidar 4 's head and upper body , and based on the limited information we have about the original position of the legs , they are very consistent with belonging to Shanidar Z , '' Dr Pomeroy explained .
It 's possible that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were misattributed to another of the Neanderthals from the cave , Shanidar 6 .
Unfortunately , many of the Shanidar remains are thought to have been lost during the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq .
A prominent rock next to the head of Shanidar Z may have been used as a marker for Neanderthals repeatedly depositing their dead , said Dr Pomeroy .
But whether the time between deaths was weeks , decades or even centuries will be difficult to determine .
Relationships between Shanidar Z and the other skeletons could potentially be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ material is difficult to obtain from hot regions of the world , and even if scientists can retrieve DNA from the new specimen , there may be little to compare it to , as many of the other remains are missing .
`` The new excavation suggests that some of these bodies were laid in a channel in the cave floor created by water , which had then been intentionally dug to make it deeper , '' said Prof Graeme Barker .
`` There is strong early evidence that Shanidar Z was deliberately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brought on loan to the archaeological labs at Cambridge University , where it is being conserved and scanned to help build a digital reconstruction , as more layers of silt are removed .

Shanidar Z's body lay right below Shanidar 4's upper body. "Observations by T Dale Stewart (the physical anthropologist on the 1960 project) and Ralph Solecki suggest there were a pair of legs just below Shanidar 4's head and upper body, and based on the limited information we have about the original position of the legs, they are very consistent with belonging to Shanidar Z," Dr Pomeroy explained.


bbc--2020-02-18--Vladislav Surkov: Russia's Putin dismisses secretive adviser

Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed one of his closest advisers , Vladislav Surkov .
The secretive strategist was known as the grey cardinal in Russia due to his perceived influence on the president behind the scenes .
He was widely seen as an aide who helped Mr Putin cement his hold on power .
Mr Surkov oversaw policy towards Ukraine , but was recently relieved of some of that responsibility .
Dmitry Kozak , a political veteran and close ally of the president , took over the Ukraine role earlier this month .
• Do Russians care what president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make it clear whether Mr Surkov would be given a new position .
A statement on its website also gave no indication as to why he had been dismissed .
This may not be the last we hear of Surkov There was a time , at the height of his powers , when nothing could happen in Russian politics without the hand of Vladislav Surkov being in some way detected behind the scenes .
He controlled political parties in the Duma , and pro-Putin youth groups on the streets .
He supported artists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ indeed , many suspected he controlled the political opposition too .
By turns erudite and irascible , he drew on a wide range of cultural references - from western media theory to Beat poetry and gangster rap - all the while centralising power for himself and his boss .
His first fall from grace came during mass protests against Mr Putin 's rule in 2011-12 .
His air of omnipotence was so complete , his inability to control the streets looked to many like failure , or worse : treachery .
When he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia 's war in eastern Ukraine , those who knew him well sensed a restless man with diminished powers - a `` golden cage '' was how one former friend described his new role .
Now that , too , is gone .
But this is n't the first time Mr Surkov has been sacked .
It may not be the last .
• Listen to Gabriel 's podcast here - Surkov : The Puppet Master As first deputy head of the Kremlin administration , Mr Surkov oversaw political parties in parliament and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Putin .
But his influence began to wane in 2011 , when he was made a deputy prime minister .
In 2013 , he was given the responsibility of overseeing Russia 's ties with Ukraine and other post-Soviet countries .
Moscow annexed Ukraine 's southern Crimea peninsula in 2014 and supported Russian-speaking separatists in Ukraine 's east .

When he resurfaced, as the man effectively running Russia's war in eastern Ukraine, those who knew him well sensed a restless man with diminished powers - a "golden cage" was how one former friend described his new role. Now that, too, is gone.


bbc--2020-02-18--North Carolina Facebook page labelled fake news

A Facebook page that seemed to be sharing local news in North Carolina is a textbook example of a disinformation campaign , BBC News has been told .
The site accumulated more than 50,000 followers in less than a month but also raised suspicions it was peddling fake news .
Administrators of the site claimed to be students at the North Carolina State University , working on a news project .
The university told BBC News that was not the case and blamed Russian bots .
Disinformation expert Dr Claire Wardle said : `` It has all the hallmarks - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get it past the Facebook fact-checkers , it is using genuine content but stories that are from years ago and from all over the US and not just North Carolina , it has stories that are meant to be racially divisive - it is a playbook of how to make disinformation work .
`` I would be interested to know how it got so many followers so quickly but I would be nervous about saying it is a Russian account because it is difficult to verify .
`` This could have been created @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trouble . ''
The administrators told the McClatchy News agency they were conducting a social-media project to see how fast news could be spread .
`` Truth was not the goal , '' they said .
They were seeking `` to get President Trump re-elected '' .
Another reporter posted on Facebook she had been told the administrators were based in Florida and the page provided `` twisted news and satire '' .
BBC News contacted the administrators but has yet to receive a response .
The university told BBC News : `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ project at NC State University .
`` The site is likely run by Russian bots and not NC State students . ''
Facebook told BBC News it was `` actively looking into '' the page .
But Dr Wardle said : `` There is not a lot that can be done about it , other than to educate users , '' she said .
`` The fight in 2020 ahead of the US election is going to be at local level in battleground states such as North Carolina . ''
Some of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attention of the Winston-Salem Police department , which released a statement on its own Facebook page disavowing stories attributed to it .
`` We want to clear the record that these stories , while positive , actually involved other law-enforcement agencies and are up to three years old , '' it said .
Other stories shared on the site included one about a woman who had given birth to 18 babies in a single pregnancy and another about cases of coronavirus in the state .

Disinformation expert Dr Claire Wardle said: "It has all the hallmarks - it is labelled as 'satire' to get it past the Facebook fact-checkers, it is using genuine content but stories that are from years ago and from all over the US and not just North Carolina, it has stories that are meant to be racially divisive - it is a playbook of how to make disinformation work.