bbc--2020-08-13--Americans, go home: Tension at Canada-US border

As the pandemic continues to sweep the US , Canadians are getting more and more concerned about what American visitors could be bringing with them over the border .
Built directly on the border of Blaine , Washington and Surrey , British Columbia , the Peace Arch is a 67-foot high ( 20 metres ) testament to the close ties between Canada and the US .
Inscribed on one side are the words `` May these gates never be closed '' , a reminder of the nearly 8,891 km ( 5,525 miles ) of un-militarised border that separates the two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those words have been heeded - until the coronavirus pandemic effectively shut the border indefinitely .
The closure came into effect on 21 March , and was agreed upon by both governments .
After being extended several times over the summer , it remains in effect until 21 August - although most expect it to be extended again .
`` I never thought I 'd be sitting here mid-August and that border is still closed , '' says Len Saunders , a dual citizen who lives in Blaine .
`` It just seems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on with no end in sight . ''
While the border closure has had significant economic and personal repercussions for the millions of people that live along it or have loved ones on the other side , the vast majority of Canadians want it to stay shut .
A July poll by Ipsos Reid found that eight in ten Canadians wanted the border to stay closed until at least the end of 2020 .
And as the pandemic has continued to spread across the US , so have tensions between American drivers and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forbidden , commercial drivers delivering goods and people who work across the border in essential services are permitted to cross .
People with American licence plates have reported being harassed and having their vehicles vandalised , even if they have every right to be on the Canadian side .
Mr Saunders , an immigration lawyer who has many clients who cross the border regularly in order to work , says many people are afraid .
`` They 're all scared of driving their cars in the lower mainland because of vandalism , dirty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'horrible American ' , '' he told the BBC .
One of his clients , an architect who was allowed to practise in Canada during the shutdown , says he was told to `` go back home '' because of his car .
The tensions are so high that British Columbia Premier John Horgan suggested that Canadians with American licence plates should take the bus or ride bikes instead .
In the Muskoka region of Ontario , where many people have summer homes , the hostility has garnered police attention .
Ontario Provincial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Huntsville filed a complaint after two men allegedly accosted him over his Florida licence plate .
`` Most recently this weekend , there was a gentleman up towards Huntsville getting gas in his vehicle , and two gentlemen approached him and said , 'you 're American go home . '
And he said , ' I 'm Canadian .
I live here . '
And they literally said , no , we do n't believe you show us your passport , '' Phil Harding , the mayor of nearby Kuskoka Lakes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a little bit aggressive , and they fear for their lives a little bit . ''
Tightened border security has also led to some notable arrests .
In Grand Forks , British Columbia , the Royal Canadian Mounted Police spent over two hours chasing a man , who allegedly had crossed illegally in a stolen vehicle on 24 July , down a river .
The `` float chase '' ended where the river narrowed , when police , with the help of bystanders , were able to wade into the river and escort @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pending , but anyone caught breaking the border restrictions can be fined up to C $ 750,000 ( $ 566,000 ; £434,000 ) and be sentenced to six months in jail , or C $ 1m and three years if their actions `` cause risk of imminent death or serious bodily harm '' .
Those hefty fines are n't just for wilful rule-breakers .
On Wednesday , police warned Americans participating in an annual float down the St Claire River near the Michigan border that even accidentally crossing into Canada could lead to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during more carefree times , Canadian police congenially escorted about 1,500 floaters back to the US side after winds blew them off course .
Still , the effects of the border closure on the small towns along either side are not insignificant .
Before coronavirus , around 300,000 people crossed the border every day , including Canadians who routinely made daytrips to score a deal at US outlet malls or petrol stations , and American tourists exploring the wonder of Niagara Falls .
Since March , non-commercial land border crossings to Canada have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Canadian Border Services Agency ( CBSA ) .
`` It 's going to decimate everything up there , '' Mr Saunders says .
But the economic impact of closing the border to travellers is nothing compared to what would happen to Canada if another wave of coronavirus forced a second shutdown , says Ambarish Chandra , a professor of economics at the University of Toronto .
`` This travel does have a lot of economic impact on the communities where travellers go to , '' he says .
`` But given @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the number of cases there , it makes sense to restrict travel to the US - potentially indefinitely . ''
Prof Chandra says government should provide aid to border towns whose economy relies heavily on foreign tourism , but hold steady with the border closures until the pandemic is over .
`` In the long run it 's way cheaper to bail out all of Niagara Falls , Ontario , than to close down Toronto for even another three or four weeks , '' he says .
After months of shuttering most businesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the country is in the middle of re-opening its economy .
Daily cases have dropped from a high of 2,760 on 3 May to a few hundred .
• US v other countries ... did it mess up its reopening ?
Restaurants and shops have been open for at least a few weeks in most major cities , and so far , cases are still trending downwards .
Meanwhile , the US is trying to tame its outbreak , which reached a peak of 75,821 on 17 July and is seeing about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ numbers are what 's fuelling the unease many Canadians have with American travellers .
`` Montana is directly south of us , is having a second spike of cases right now , and I do n't feel sorry for anybody that gets stopped at the border , let 's put it that way , '' says Jim Willett , the mayor of Coutts , Alberta .
`` I 'm afraid if we opened up the border too soon , we might have more of a problem like what 's going on down south @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the five border towns where US residents travelling to Alaska can enter Canada , since the CBSA cracked down on the so-called `` Alaska loophole '' at the end of July .
• Is the pandemic getting worse in the US ?
Since Alaska shares no borders with other US states , Americans have to drive through Canada , hence the `` loophole '' .
After the border closed , many have expressed concern that drivers have been exploiting the loophole to explore some of the country 's most scenic places , like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Lake Louise .
In June , RCMP issued seven tickets worth $ 1,200 ( $ 906 , £694 ) each to Americans who broke the rules by sightseeing in Alberta .
`` Do not pass go .
Go directly to Alaska , '' Premier Horgan said during a news conference in July .
Complaints about the loophole and the lack of enforcement led to the crackdown .
At the end of July , the border authority announced that Alaska-bound travellers had only limited points of entry , must take the most direct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ display tags in their vehicle identifying them as US drivers going to the northern state .
They are also limited to a `` reasonable period of stay '' in Canada , and are forbidden from visiting national parks , leisure sites and other tourist destinations , with rule-breakers facing the stiff penalties .
Since the tougher rules have been enacted , Mr Willett says he 's not `` too concerned '' about the traffic coming over the border .
`` [ We ] get quite a few people through all times of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are quite co-operative , '' he says .

"Most recently this weekend, there was a gentleman up towards Huntsville getting gas in his vehicle, and two gentlemen approached him and said, 'you're American go home.' And he said, 'I'm Canadian. I live here.' And they literally said, no, we don't believe you show us your passport," Phil Harding, the mayor of nearby Muskoka Lakes, told CP24.


bbc--2020-08-13--US calls for shower rules to be eased after Trump hair complaints

The US government has proposed changing the definition of a showerhead to allow increased water flow , following complaints from President Donald Trump about his hair routine .
Under a 1992 law , showerheads in the US are not allowed to produce more than 2.5 gallons ( 9.5l ) of water per minute .
The Trump administration wants this limit to apply to each nozzle , rather than the overall fixture .
Consumer and conservation groups argue that it is wasteful and unnecessary .
The changes were proposed by the Department of Energy on Wednesday following complaints by Mr Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` So showerheads - you take a shower , the water does n't come out .
You want to wash your hands , the water does n't come out .
So what do you do ?
You just stand there longer or you take a shower longer ?
Because my hair - I do n't know about you , but it has to be perfect .
Perfect , '' he said .
• How is Donald Trump doing in the polls ?
• US president gets new hairdo and the internet went wild @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out over virus Andrew deLaski , executive director of the energy conservation group Appliance Standards Awareness Project , said the proposal was `` silly '' .
With four or five or more nozzles , `` you could have 10 , 15 gallons per minute powering out of the showerhead , literally probably washing you out of the bathroom , '' he told the Associated Press news agency .
`` If the president needs help finding a good shower , we can point him to some great consumer websites that help you identify a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a good shower , '' he added .
David Friedman , vice president of advocacy at the organisation Consumer Reports , said showerheads in the US already `` achieve high levels of customer satisfaction '' , while saving people money .
The proposal could face court battles if it advances , Reuters news agency reports .
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"So showerheads - you take a shower, the water doesn't come out. You want to wash your hands, the water doesn't come out. So what do you do? You just stand there longer or you take a shower longer? Because my hair - I don't know about you, but it has to be perfect. Perfect," he said.


bbc--2020-08-13--Coronavirus: Spain's Galicia region bans smoking over Covid-19 risk

The Spanish region of Galicia has effectively banned smoking in public places over concerns it increases the risk of Covid-19 transmission .
It has issued a blanket ban on smoking in the street and in public places , such as restaurants and bars , if social distancing is not possible .
The north-western region is the first to introduce such a measure , although others are considering following suit .
It comes as Spain faces the worst infection rate in western Europe .
Daily cases have risen from fewer than 150 in June to more than 1,500 throughout August .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ latest daily count on Wednesday , bringing the country 's total to almost 330,000 .
Galicia 's smoking ban was announced in a press conference on Wednesday after experts recommended the measure to the regional government .
The move is supported by health ministry research , published last month , that outlined the link between smoking and the increased spread of coronavirus .
It said the risk was heightened because people project droplets - and potentially Covid-19 - when they exhale smoke .
It also said smokers risked infection in other ways , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bringing it to their mouth and by handling face masks when taking them on and off .
The research also pointed to the wider negative health effects of smoking .
`` It has been proven that tobacco use , in any of its forms , worsens the course of respiratory diseases , '' it said .
`` Current evidence indicates that smoking is associated with ... a higher risk of developing a severe form of symptoms , '' it added .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : How do I protect myself ?
• @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the body • ENDGAME : How do we get out of this mess ?
• WITHOUT SYMPTOMS : The mystery of 'silent spreaders' '' Smoking with no limits ... with people close by and without any social distancing [ poses ] a high risk of infection , '' regional President Alberto Núñez Feijóo told the press conference on Wednesday .
`` We know that this is an unpopular measure for smokers , '' added Alberto Fernández Villar , a member of the clinical committee advising government , according to the El País newspaper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an exceptional situation . ''
Similar measures have been imposed elsewhere , such as in South Africa where the sale of tobacco was banned at the end of March .
It justified the ban on health grounds based on advice from its own medical experts as well as from the World Health Organization ( WHO ) .
And in the UK , a survey showed that more than one million people had given up smoking since the Covid-19 pandemic hit .
UK government advice says smokers may be at risk of more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are more likely to get respiratory infections , and are more likely to develop complications such as pneumonia at a later stage .

It also said smokers risked infection in other ways, such as by touching their cigarette before bringing it to their mouth and by handling face masks when taking them on and off.


bbc--2020-08-13--New Zealand coronavirus: 14 new Covid-19 cases reported

New Zealand has reported 14 new Covid-19 cases a day after its biggest city , Auckland , went back into lockdown .
The detection of four new infected family members earlier this week shocked a country that had recorded no locally transmitted cases for more than three months .
Of the new cases , 13 have been linked back to this family , while one is an overseas arrival who was in quarantine .
A three-day lockdown was imposed in Auckland on Wednesday .
`` We can see the seriousness of the situation we are in , '' Prime Minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` It ’ s being dealt with in an urgent but calm and methodical way . ''
All the confirmed cases will now go into quarantine , said officials .
Some of their contacts may also be quarantined .
New Zealand has been internationally praised for its early response to the pandemic .
It has again moved swiftly to reimpose strict movement restrictions in Auckland and social distancing measures across the country .
Before Tuesday , New Zealand went 102 days without recording a locally transmitted case of Covid-19 , one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ milestone .
Ms Ardern has also said she expects the outbreak to grow further before it slows down .
How did the virus re-emerge in New Zealand ?
Health workers have been racing to find the origin of this latest cluster , testing family and work contacts of the newly infected .
The 13 new infections traced to four family members include : • Employees of an Auckland storage facility where one of the four infected relatives worked • An employee of a loan company linked to the family and one of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up Rotorua , a spa town about 230km south-east of Auckland , which the family visited last weekend .
`` We are working flat out to do the contact-tracing we need to do and trace back to find out what the source of this infection is , '' national health chief Ashley Bloomfield told Newstalk ZB radio .
How unusual is the resurgence ?
Other countries that had lifted Covid-19 lockdowns after seeing a drop in new cases have also seen infections rise again .
• The mysterious resurgence of Covid-19 in Vietnam @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early ' to beat Covid-19 Vietnam recorded 99 days without any community transmission before a wave of new infections hit the central city of Da Nang in late July .
Researchers there are also searching for the source of the latest outbreak to help contain the disease .
Some health experts in New Zealand , like in Vietnam , have suggested that the virus may have been circulating in the community for several weeks before the new cases were detected .
There were now familiar pre-lockdown scenes in Auckland of people rushing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Local media also reported others in the city waiting hours to be tested for the virus .
The spike in new cases has raised the possibility of an extended lockdown in the city , as New Zealand is just weeks away from a scheduled election .
Ms Ardern is due to announce next steps on the lockdown on Friday and a decision on the poll before Monday .

Some health experts in New Zealand, like in Vietnam, have suggested that the virus may have been circulating in the community for several weeks before the new cases were detected.


bbc--2020-08-13--China launches 'Clean Plate' campaign against food waste

China has stepped up measures to reduce food waste , after President Xi Jinping called the amount wasted `` shocking and distressing '' .
The `` Clean Plate Campaign '' comes after Mr Xi highlighted that Covid-19 had `` sounded the alarm '' on food waste .
He added that China had to `` maintain a sense of crisis about food security '' .
It also comes after weeks of mass flooding across southern China which left farms wrecked and ruined tons of produce .
Chinese state news agency the Global Times sought to downplay what it called `` media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a food crisis , made worse by the epidemic .
State TV also criticised livestreamers who filmed themselves eating large amounts of food .
• We 're worse with food waste than we think Following Mr Xi 's message , the Wuhan Catering Industry Association urged restaurants in the city to limit the number of dishes served to diners - implementing a system where groups must order one dish less than the number of diners .
So under this system dubbed `` N-1 '' , a group of 10 people can only order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the system will take time to get adjusting to , in a country where it is seen as polite to order more than the amount needed .
In a group setting , empty plates are sometimes seen as a sign of a bad host - signifying that an insufficient amount of food was ordered for guests .
The `` N-1 '' idea faced some criticism online , with some pointing out that it was `` too rigid '' .
`` What if one person goes to a restaurant alone ?
How many dishes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked one person on microblogging site Weibo .
Others said that most restaurant diners did not normally waste much food , pointing instead to extravagant banquets thrown by officials .
Chinese state agency CCTV also called out livestreamers who typically film themselves eating large amounts of food .
Known commonly as `` Mukbang '' - such livestreams are popular in many parts of Asia including China .
According to CCTV , some of these livestreamers throw up afterwards as they are unable to digest the large amounts of food eaten .
It 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an anti food waste campaign .
In 2013 , the `` Operation Empty Plate '' campaign was launched - though that targeted extravagant feasts and reception held by officials , rather than putting the onus on the public .
According to WWF China , around 17 to 18 million tonnes of food went to waste in China in 2015 .
President Xi is portraying the `` clean waste campaign '' as a move to help the international community during the pandemic , but in reality China has for years had ambitions to cut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The amount of food China wastes is enough to feed 30 to 50 million people annually .
So aggressive tactics have been necessary to reshape the way people think about their consumption habits .
In July 2019 , the city of Shanghai - the largest and most populous in the world - introduced strict regulations forcing individuals and companies correctly recycle their food waste .
Citizens faced fines as punishment for not complying , or penalties to their social credit rating - a controversial system affecting economic and social prospects .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to other cities .
China is also facing a growing obesity problem .
In 2016 , the country overtook the US to have the greatest number of obese people in the world .
And as China 's labour market has shrunk - one of many negative impacts of the now-abolished one child policy - longer studying and working hours , as well as bad eating habits , have fueled weight gains .

China is also facing a growing obesity problem. In 2016, the country overtook the US to have the greatest number of obese people in the world. And as China's labour market has shrunk - one of many negative impacts of the now-abolished one child policy - longer studying and working hours, as well as bad eating habits, have fueled weight gains.


bbc--2020-08-13--Mozambique battles IS militants for key port

Mozambique says its troops are fighting to regain control of the key port of Mocimboa da Praia , following multiple reports that it had fallen to Islamist militants on Wednesday .
The city is near the site of natural gas projects worth $ 60bn ( £46bn ) .
The military says there is ongoing action to `` neutralise '' the Islamists , who have been using the local population as shields .
It follows days of fighting for the port in the country 's gas-rich north .
• Africa Live : Updates on this and other stories • Is Mozambique @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Will Mozambique end up like Nigeria or Norway ?
BBC Africa correspondent Andrew Harding says the loss of the city was a serious blow to Mozambique 's military , who are struggling to contain a growing rebellion in the gas-rich province of Cabo Delgado .
Mocimboa da Praia is used for cargo deliveries to the offshore projects about 60km ( 40 miles ) away , which are being developed by oil giants including Total .
The militants - linked to the Islamic State group - have briefly taken a number of northern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of thousands of people .
This was one of several attacks on Mocimboa da Praia this year .
Tanzania has also said it will launch an offensive against the jihadists in forests along the border with Mozambique .
Mozambique 's defence forces have insisted the battle for Mocimboa da Praia is not over .
But the events of the past week have exposed both the weaknesses of the army , and the growing strength and sophistication of an Islamist rebellion that is now emerging from the shadows to become a major regional threat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been forced to make a humiliating retreat from the strategic port , having run out of ammunition .
Dozens of soldiers are reported to have been killed , and a patrol boat sunk .
In recent months , the rebels have briefly overrun several towns in the region , in part , it seems , for propaganda and recruitment purposes .
Some of the world 's biggest energy companies are now seeking extra protection as they prepare to tap into Mozambique 's massive off-shore gas fields .
The government has sought some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so far , it appears reluctant to reach out to neighbouring countries for direct military assistance .
Attacks began in 2017 in the northern province of Cabo Delgado , but escalated this year after the group responsible , Ahlu Sunnah Wa-Jama , pledged allegiance to IS .
Earlier this week IS claimed , though its own media channels , that it had taken over two military bases near Mocimboa da Praia , killed Mozambique soldiers and captured weaponry , including machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades .

But the events of the past week have exposed both the weaknesses of the army, and the growing strength and sophistication of an Islamist rebellion that is now emerging from the shadows to become a major regional threat.


bbc--2020-08-12--UK 'must anticipate hostile states utilising pandemic'

The UK must work to stop China and Russia using the pandemic to their global advantage , MPs have warned .
The Commons Defence Committee said an ongoing review of foreign and security policy must prioritise looking at the capabilities of `` hostile states '' .
It called for a `` robust assessment '' of the threat Moscow and Beijing pose to UK interests at home and abroad .
Meanwhile , the government has brought in new powers for police to detain people they suspect of espionage .
Home Secretary Priti Patel said this would send a `` clear message @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anyone attempting to disrupt UK interests , • The 'new normal ' as cyber-spies navigate pandemic Downing Street has promised its `` integrated review '' of foreign , defence , security and international development policy - the first for five years - will be the most far-reaching since the Cold War .
But the cross-party committee , headed by Conservative ex-minister Tobias Ellwood , said it was `` concerned that the gap between this expectation and reality is widening '' .
Its report urged the government to welcome `` challenge '' from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Parliament and the public .
Warning against a `` behind-closed-doors '' approach , the committee also called for clarity over which ministers would chair key meetings if Boris Johnson was not attending and what input special advisers , including the PM 's chief aide Dominic Cummings , would have .
The committee said it had been told by the UK 's deputy national security adviser Alex Ellis that coronavirus was expected to lead to `` intensified geo-political competition '' .
`` Within this context , it is important to consider how hostile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their advantage , '' it added .
The UK , Russia and China are all at the forefront of global efforts to produce a vaccine , with Russia saying on Tuesday that it had given regulatory approval to one after less than two months of testing on humans .
The UK has accused Russia of attempting to steal UK scientists ' vaccine research , a claim denied by Moscow .
The committee said it had heard that both Russia and China - with which the UK is at loggerheads over cyber-espionage and Hong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a major tool '' .
It said the UK must assess the `` full range '' of economic and diplomatic activities in which the countries were involved .
There has been speculation that the review could lead to a further cut in the size of the armed forces , but the committee said decisions should be driven by strategy rather than money .
From Thursday , the Home Office is giving specially trained police the power to stop , question and detain individuals travelling through UK ports who are suspected of working for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threat was `` growing and ever-changing '' , and promised new laws to `` stay ahead '' .

The UK, Russia and China are all at the forefront of global efforts to produce a vaccine, with Russia saying on Tuesday that it had given regulatory approval to one after less than two months of testing on humans.


bbc--2020-08-13--WeChat-owner shrugs off Trump's proposed US ban

Tencent has played down Donald Trump 's ban on its WeChat app , believing it will only affect its US operations .
The tech giant runs an equivalent messaging platform in China called Weixin which it hopes will be unaffected .
The bigger fallout may be Apple 's sales in China if its iPhones are n't allowed to download Chinese messaging apps .
WeChat has more than one billion users worldwide but says the US only accounts for 2 % of its revenue .
Last Friday , US President Donald Trump ordered US firms to stop doing business with both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national security concerns .
• More than an app : Trump 's WeChat ban shocks Chinese abroad The TikTok ban was expected but still `` shocked '' the company 's owners ByteDance .
WeChat , and its parent company Tencent , also found itself caught in the crossfire of the escalating tensions between the US and China .
However , Tencent , the world 's largest gaming firm , downplayed Mr Trump 's executive order when it reported its second quarter results on Wednesday .
It saw a 37 % rise in profits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ executive orders from May 2019 and then obviously the executive order a couple of days ago , they specify very clearly they cover US jurisdiction , and consequently we do n't see any impact on companies advertising on our platform in China , '' said James Mitchell , Tencent 's chief strategy officer .
Business analysts are unclear about the full implications of the US bans on Tencent and ByteDance , and are waiting for more details .
There are fears that Apple could suffer if the ban stretches to its operations in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ iPhone will be hit hard if Chinese consumers are not allowed to download messaging apps like Weixin onto them .
The executive order said it would ban `` any transaction that is related to WeChat by any person , or with respect to any property , subject to the jurisdiction of the United States , with Tencent Holdings Ltd. ( a.k.a .
Téngxùn Kònggǔ Yǒuxiàn Gōngsī ) , Shenzhen , China , or any subsidiary of that entity . ''
Mr Trump said that the spread in the US of mobile apps developed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the national security , foreign policy , and economy of the United States '' .
According to calculations made by Bloomberg the Chinese market is worth around $ 44bn ( £33.7bn ) a year to Apple .

"If you look at the executive orders from May 2019 and then obviously the executive order a couple of days ago, they specify very clearly they cover US jurisdiction, and consequently we don't see any impact on companies advertising on our platform in China," said James Mitchell, Tencent's chief strategy officer.


bbc--2020-08-12--Biden and Harris blast 'whining' Trump

Biden and Harris blast 'whining' Trump

Will it be third time lucky for Joe Biden ?
The former US vice-president announces that he 's running for @ @ @ @ @ .

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bbc--2020-08-13--Belarus elections: Shocked by violence, people lose their fear

Seeing police brutality up close has shocked Belarusians , first during the street clashes with protesters and then as accounts spread of cruelty towards those taken to detention centres .
A 25-year-old man died in custody after he was detained on Sunday .
His mother said he had been held in a police van for hours .
A street very close to my home in Minsk was at the heart of one of the confrontations between police and protesters this week .
Stun grenades went off and people screamed as riot police struck them with batons .
The screams were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sound of the grenades .
The protests are unprecedented in their scale as people in dozens of cities , towns and even villages rise up and call for the main opposition figure , Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , to be recognised as the winner of Sunday 's presidential election .
I watched as young men and women ran for safety past my windows , taking a break from the clashes before returning to face the police .
My female neighbours are trying to stop their sons and husbands from joining the nightly protests , worried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been detained and you do n't have to be protesting to be arrested .
My friend 's son , a university lecturer , was detained randomly before the elections and spent three days in a cell .
The detainee who died in Gomel in southern Belarus , Alexander Vikhor , had been on his way to see his girlfriend , according to his mother .
The interior ministry insists its measures are `` adequate '' and points out that more than 100 police have been injured and 28 treated in hospital .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to run over traffic police and `` law enforcers have used weapons '' to stop them , it says .
People here are angry : with police , authorities and above all President Alexander Lukashenko .
No-one I have spoken to has any support for what police are doing .
They watch the Belarusian leader speaking on TV and laugh at him .
They wonder what he thinks will happen next and how he will live with himself .
A friend tried to travel across Minsk , which is difficult now as several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
When she complained to metro staff on the platform , they apologised and blamed the situation on Mr Lukashenko .
He has dismissed the majority of protesters as being jobless or having a criminal past and has instructed the government to find jobs for them .
Police have started going around the courtyards outside blocks of flats , grabbing anyone they can lay their hands on , including teenagers who were not even protesting .
And this has angered people further .
Belarusians have shouted from their balconies , swearing and screaming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have responded by firing rubber bullets at the balconies .
Women have been running up to riot police , imploring them to be civil , begging them to stop their attacks .
There have been crackdowns before - in 2006 and 2010 , although the protests were smaller in scale .
But the level of brutality is shocking and new .
Protesters and often passers-by have been targeted by people clad in black , wearing balaclavas and with no insignia or uniform .
This happened to a BBC team too .
Although people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worried for the future .
Further sanctions on Belarus would push up prices in a country where salaries are already low .
There is also the fear of losing your job if you are identified as backing the protests .
But there is a fearlessness too among the largely young protesters .
These are mainly ordinary Belarusians , not the hardened opposition supporters we have seen in previous protests , and they have no clear leader .
The old opposition has gone .
Some who stood against the president or campaigned for democracy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into exile .
So far the new generation of protesters have no clear demands or political programme , only slogans : `` Go away !
Long live Belarus !
Release the prisoners ! ''
Svetlana Tikhanovskaya herself was not an opposition leader but a stay-at-home mother whose straightforward approach symbolised people 's desire for change .
But she too has gone .
There is still leadership and community here , however .
A crowdfunding initiative has collected over $ 1m ( £765,000 ) for the wounded and for detainees : for food , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protests were quieter on Wednesday night and Belarusians are now looking to stage walkouts in their workplaces .
Some staff in factories and academic institutes have gone on strike , demanding an end to the violence and calling for Ms Tikhanovskaya to be recognised as the election winner .

Some 7,000 people have been detained and you don't have to be protesting to be arrested. My friend's son, a university lecturer, was detained randomly before the elections and spent three days in a cell. The detainee who died in Gomel in southern Belarus, Alexander Vikhor, had been on his way to see his girlfriend, according to his mother.


bbc--2020-08-12--Viewpoint: Kamala Harris 'brings marginalised groups to the table'

Kamala Harris ' selection as Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden 's running mate could mean substantive change that Americans need right now , writes Dr Nadia E Brown .
It is necessary to take a look the political moment in which California Senator Kamala Harris becomes Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden 's running mate .
The political times have changed .
Average Americans are having conversations about systemic racism and gender-based violence .
The Black Lives Matter movement , most notably the sustained protests around George Floyd 's killing and calls for justice for Breonna Taylor , have left many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ justice and racial equity .
The MeToo Movement - started by Tarana Burke , a black American activist , over a decade ago to call attention to sexual harm done to women and girls on the margins of our society - has found a national spotlight as white women embrace the phrase to address their own experiences with sexual misconduct , harassment , and violence .
Furthermore , the global pandemic and the federal government 's failure to provide national leadership on curtailing the spread of the coronavirus has highlighted persistent racial disparities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
• Why are African Americans hit so hard by virus ?
In particular , the coronavirus has hurt black women at disproportionate rates .
The pandemic-induced recession has placed black women in precarious employment positions and have exasperated economic inequalities .
Then there has been the rash of anti-Asian and xenophobic attacks linked to the pandemic .
• ' I 'm Asian , so I can never be American' Enter Senator Kamala Harris to the bottom of the ticket .
Society has long seen women as moral crusaders who can best clean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ male ) politicians .
Indeed , as we celebrate the 100th anniversary of women 's suffrage in the United States , historic tropes of why women should be given the vote are eerily familiar .
Gendered stereotypes mean women are ( incorrectly ) seen as less corrupt .
Thus , selecting a woman to be his pick for vice-president was a logical choice for Biden given the some of the country 's views on the Trump administration .
Kamala Harris as a vice-presidential pick also mirrors an optimism for a woman president - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the primary ( including Ms Harris ) .
While there is much to note about her , much more attention is needed on the factors that got us to this point .
Placing her historic candidacy in context allows us to see why this pick is just as substantive as it is symbolic .
Symbolically , women , communities of colour , immigrants , and women of colour are all seeing themselves reflected for the first time on a major presidential ticket .
Senator Harris ' origin story is inclusive , diverse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In a growing multi-racial America , she represents the future of the Democratic Party .
Asian-American communities have been discussing seeing themselves in their political representation .
She also represents black women , a group who have long been the backbone of the Democratic party and have been calling on the party to be more responsive to their policy needs .
Groups such as Higher Heights for America and the Black Women 's PAC - organisations that both seek to increase the number of black women in politics - have called on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a vice-presidential candidate as an acknowledgment of black women voters ' steadfast support and work for the party .
The hashtag # BlackWomenLead was a viral reminder of the power of black women voters and political elites .
This groundswell of support for a potential black woman VP nominee demonstrates years of that group 's organising and advocacy .
So Harris was the right choice for today 's political moment .
As a member of black networks like the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority , the first black sorority - and The Links , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on strengthening African-American communities - she has chosen to identify herself with institutional legacies of black political empowerment .
My forthcoming research on black women 's politics demonstrates the importance of these organisations in shaping both the national black political agenda and the civic skills of their members .
Harris will potentially bring this lineage with her to the White House .
She also brings black women staffers - a long underrepresented population on Capitol Hill - who have a considerable amount of influence on shaping policy .
This is more than symbols @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need right now .
She will bring groups to the table who were previously marginalised and unheard .
As a senator , Kamala Harris championed a ban on evictions during the pandemic , universal healthcare , black maternal health , creating a path for citizenship for Dreamers , and using anti-trust measures to regulate big tech .
These are in step with the type of policies that black women political elites have long supported .
My research into black women and gender in politics demonstrates that black women bring their whole identity to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that in Kamala Harris .
Dr Nadia E Brown is an associate professor of political science and African-American studies at Purdue University , in West Lafayette , Indiana .

While there is much to note about her, much more attention is needed on the factors that got us to this point. Placing her historic candidacy in context allows us to see why this pick is just as substantive as it is symbolic.


bbc--2020-08-13--'I'll decide when I go, not other people' - Ozil vows to see out Arsenal contract

Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil says he will stay with the club `` through to the last day '' of his contract in June 2021 .
The former Germany international , 31 , has not played since the Premier League resumed in June , with manager Mikel Arteta citing `` pure football reasons '' .
But Ozil dismissed reports the club were looking to pay up the last year of his £350,000-a-week deal .
`` Things have been difficult but I love Arsenal , '' he told the Athletic .
`` I 'll decide when I go , not other people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I have for this club , '' Ozil added .
`` Situations like these will never break me , they only make me stronger .
I showed in the past that I can come back into the team and I will show it again . ''
Ozil , who joined Arsenal in a £42.4m move from Real Madrid in 2013 , fell out of favour under previous manager Unai Emery before returning to the side under interim boss Freddie Ljungberg .
After Arteta 's appointment in December , Ozil started all 10 of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus pandemic forced a three-month suspension of the Premier League in March , but has not featured in their past 13 matches in all competitions .
Despite Arteta and his first-team players accepting a 12.5 % pay cut in April , Arsenal announced they plan to make 55 staff redundant because of the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic .
Ozil opted against a pay cut because the players were `` rushed '' and believes `` possibly the decision affected my chances on the pitch '' .
While he respects Arteta 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believes he should have been given a chance to show what he can do on the pitch , saying : `` You do n't play 10 games in a row if you 're unfit , not good enough or do n't behave well . ''
He added that he was `` not the only player who rejected the cut in the end , but only my name came out '' .

Mesut Ozil has not played for Arsenal since their home win over West Ham on 7 March
Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil says he will stay with the club "through to the last day" of his contract in June 2021.
The former Germany international, 31, has not played since the Premier League resumed in June, with manager Mikel Arteta citing "pure football reasons".
But Ozil dismissed reports the club were looking to pay up the last year external-link of his £350,000-a-week deal.
"Things have been difficult but I love Arsenal," he told the Athletic. external-link "I'll decide when I go, not other people."
"I'll give everything I have for this club," Ozil added. "Situations like these will never break me, they only make me stronger. I showed in the past that I can come back into the team and I will show it again."
Ozil, who joined Arsenal in a £42.4m move from Real Madrid in 2013, fell out of favour under previous manager Unai Emery before returning to the side under interim boss Freddie Ljungberg.
After Arteta's appointment in December, Ozil started all 10 of Arsenal's Premier League games immediately before the coronavirus pandemic forced a three-month suspension of the Premier League in March, but has not featured in their past 13 matches in all competitions.
Despite Arteta and his first-team players accepting a 12.5% pay cut in April, Arsenal announced they plan to make 55 staff redundant because of the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
Ozil opted against a pay cut because the players were "rushed" and believes "possibly the decision affected my chances on the pitch".
While he respects Arteta's decision to leave him out, Ozil believes he should have been given a chance to show what he can do on the pitch, saying: "You don't play 10 games in a row if you're unfit, not good enough or don't behave well."
He added that he was "not the only player who rejected the cut in the end, but only my name came out".


bbc--2020-08-12--The man from Stoke and Mbappe's cameo - the joy of a one-off Champions League tie

The hope was it would feel like a World Cup - seven games in 11 days .
And day one of the Champions League mini-tournament in Lisbon delivered .
Two-legged ties are good , but are one-off games better ?
Paris St-Germain scored two late goals , separated by 146 seconds , to come from behind and knock out Champions League debutants Atalanta .
Here 's what the first , dramatic taste of the final eight - and the spectacle of one-game , knockout football - gave us .
Would Mbappe have even played ?
PSG were labouring up front @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kylian Mbappe came on and changed the game .
The 21-year-old was initially expected to miss the match after spraining his ankle last month , with boss Thomas Tuchel saying it would take a `` miracle '' .
As the game got closer their hopes grew and the France World Cup winner was passed fit for the bench .
But the question is : would they have risked him if this had not been an all-or-nothing tie ?
BT Sport pundit and former England manager Glenn Hoddle thought not .
`` If there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ held Mbappe back , '' he said .
Right , we all had a good laugh when PSG signed Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting on a free transfer from Stoke City .
And again when he was guilty of one of the worst misses of all time .
And again when the French champions brought him on when their season was on the line with 11 minutes to go .
But he had the last laugh .
Cameroon forward Choupo-Moting scored the winner - with one of his six touches - from Mbappe 's cross @ @ @ @ @ @ @ equaliser .
`` I thought when I was coming on : 'We ca n't lose , we ca n't go home like this . '
I was confident in myself and the team .
It was a little history of Paris , '' the 31-year-old said afterwards .
BBC Sport live text reader Amrul Choudhury posted on social media : `` Can he do it on a cold Tuesday night at Stoke ?
Yes he can !
Can he do it on a hot summer evening in Portugal in the Champions League quarter-final @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hardy countered with : `` Ca n't do it on a cold Tuesday in Stoke , but can do it in the middle of a heatwave in Lisbon . ''
Choupo-Moting only scored five goals in his season at Stoke - none on a Tuesday , let alone a cold one .
The sublime to the ridiculous for Neymar Neymar scored in a Champions League final victory for Barcelona five years ago and was widely expected to be the man to deliver the trophy to Paris when PSG dished out 222m euros ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But the club had not gone beyond the last-16 stage with him in their ranks before this season .
On Wednesday , the Brazil star managed to fit two games ' worth of form into one match , rising from the ridiculous to the sublime across 90 minutes .
He should have put them ahead in Lisbon inside three minutes and missed another great chance before the break .
But there was also the nutmegging of Atalanta 's goalscorer Mario Pasalic , beating two more men and shooting a yard wide from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with seven shots , four key passes and an assist .
`` I never thought of going home , '' he said .
`` No-one will take this desire to go to the final away from me .
We are a great group , we are a family , so we know that with this state of mind , it is impossible to eliminate us .
`` My desire is to win the Champions League - it was there long before arriving here . ''
Should one-legged ties be here to stay ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the late drama .
Would PSG have gone all out for late goals if they had another game next week ?
Hoddle said : `` It makes things gung-ho and exciting .
In knockout situations and a one-off like that you just want those champagne moments .
We got 149 seconds of magical play and they 've won the game .
I still do like the two-legged affairs though . ''
James on # bbcfootball said : `` Uefa should do this format from now on for both Europa League and Champions League @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so much better and more entertaining .
Loved tonight 's game .
Plus you could n't get through on the joke that is the away goals rule . ''
Michael Reid said : `` I absolutely love this end-of-season knockout format !
One-legged games , both teams needing to go for it ! ''
What do you think ?
Not everyone had such a good experience amid the drama though .
Adam tweeted BBC Sport to say : `` Devastating 20 mins ...
Daughter wakes up screaming on 87 mins .
As I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ straight in the eye ( which is still hurting ) .
Turns out she 's done an explosive poo .
Back downstairs to find out PSG have scored twice in injury time . ''
• Film : The Revenant : Leonardo DiCaprio stars in an epic tale of survival

Last updated on .From the section European Football
To add to the spectacle, PSG boss Thomas Tuchel was wearing an air boot and sitting on a cooler box after breaking his foot in training
The hope was it would feel like a World Cup - seven games in 11 days. And day one of the Champions League mini-tournament in Lisbon delivered.
Two-legged ties are good, but are one-off games better?
Paris St-Germain scored two late goals, separated by 146 seconds, to come from behind and knock out Champions League debutants Atalanta.
Here's what the first, dramatic taste of the final eight - and the spectacle of one-game, knockout football - gave us.
Would Mbappe have even played?
Did the late comeback save Thomas Tuchel's job as PSG boss?
PSG were labouring up front with half an hour to go when Kylian Mbappe came on and changed the game.
The 21-year-old was initially expected to miss the match after spraining his ankle last month, with boss Thomas Tuchel saying it would take a "miracle".
As the game got closer their hopes grew and the France World Cup winner was passed fit for the bench.
But the question is: would they have risked him if this had not been an all-or-nothing tie?
BT Sport pundit and former England manager Glenn Hoddle thought not. "If there was a second leg they'd have held Mbappe back," he said.
The ex-Stoke City man the hero
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting had not scored since facing amateur side Linas-Montlhery in the French Cup on 5 January
Right, we all had a good laugh when PSG signed Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting on a free transfer from Stoke City. And again when he was guilty of one of the worst misses of all time.
And again when the French champions brought him on when their season was on the line with 11 minutes to go.
But he had the last laugh.
Cameroon forward Choupo-Moting scored the winner - with one of his six touches - from Mbappe's cross, only 149 seconds after Marquinhos' equaliser.
"I thought when I was coming on: 'We can't lose, we can't go home like this.' I was confident in myself and the team. It was a little history of Paris," the 31-year-old said afterwards.
BBC Sport live text reader Amrul Choudhury posted on social media: "Can he do it on a cold Tuesday night at Stoke? Yes he can! Can he do it on a hot summer evening in Portugal in the Champions League quarter-final? Yes he can!"
James Hardy countered with: "Can't do it on a cold Tuesday in Stoke, but can do it in the middle of a heatwave in Lisbon."
Choupo-Moting only scored five goals in his season at Stoke - none on a Tuesday, let alone a cold one.
The sublime to the ridiculous for Neymar
Neymar had Paris St-Germain's first five shots of the game
Neymar scored in a Champions League final victory for Barcelona five years ago and was widely expected to be the man to deliver the trophy to Paris when PSG dished out 222m euros (£200m) for the forward in 2017.
But the club had not gone beyond the last-16 stage with him in their ranks before this season.
On Wednesday, the Brazil star managed to fit two games' worth of form into one match, rising from the ridiculous to the sublime across 90 minutes.
He should have put them ahead in Lisbon inside three minutes and missed another great chance before the break.
But there was also the nutmegging of Atalanta's goalscorer Mario Pasalic, beating two more men and shooting a yard wide from 20 yards. He ended the game with seven shots, four key passes and an assist.
"I never thought of going home," he said.
"No-one will take this desire to go to the final away from me. We are a great group, we are a family, so we know that with this state of mind, it is impossible to eliminate us.
"My desire is to win the Champions League - it was there long before arriving here."
Should one-legged ties be here to stay?
The one-legged nature of this tie helped the late drama. Would PSG have gone all out for late goals if they had another game next week?
Hoddle said: "It makes things gung-ho and exciting. In knockout situations and a one-off like that you just want those champagne moments. We got 149 seconds of magical play and they've won the game. I still do like the two-legged affairs though."
James on #bbcfootball said: "Uefa should do this format from now on for both Europa League and Champions League. One-legged ties at neutral venues are so much better and more entertaining. Loved tonight's game. Plus you couldn't get through on the joke that is the away goals rule."
Michael Reid said: "I absolutely love this end-of-season knockout format! One-legged games, both teams needing to go for it!"
What do you think?
If you are viewing this page on the BBC News app please click here to vote.
Not everyone had such a good experience amid the drama though.
Adam tweeted BBC Sport to say: "Devastating 20 mins... Daughter wakes up screaming on 87 mins. As I pick her up, she pokes me straight in the eye (which is still hurting). Turns out she's done an explosive poo. Back downstairs to find out PSG have scored twice in injury time."


bbc--2020-08-13--'Where are you from? No, where are you really from?' How racism affects female athletes

`` It 's the surprise in people 's faces when they realise that you 're slightly brown and you play for England . ''
Of the 537 BBC Elite British Sportswomen 's Survey respondents , 20 % said they had experienced or witnessed racism within their sport .
Here , they tell their stories .
Scotland cricketer Priyanaz Chatterji is tired of having to constantly justify where she 's from .
`` 'Where are you from ?
But where are you actually from ? '
`` That is an example of a micro-aggression .
Every single brown , black and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been asked that question so many times .
`` My first answer will always be : ' I 'm from Scotland . '
And then they ask : 'Oh , where are you really from ? '
'Dundee . '
And then again : Where are you really from ? '
And I 'll say the town .
`` I remember a time in Australia when I had gone to an outdoor cinema with a friend .
We met up with some of their friends and that was the first thing they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Then their next question was : 'Where are your parents from ? '
I say India and Pakistan , and then I asked them the same thing .
And they , as white Australians , were so shocked .
Obviously no-one had ever asked them that before .
But why do they think it 's OK to ask where my parents are from ?
`` It 's this idea that you , as a white person , are the default ; you are the norm and anyone who deviates from that has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that really have to be the first question you ask me ?
And why is my answer of Scotland so often challenged ?
I was born here .
I grew up here .
I 'm not from anywhere else .
`` I have white Scottish friends whose parents are Irish , Polish , or English , but their Scottishness is never challenged within the first few sentences of meeting someone .
Yes , I have different heritage and I 'm proud of that heritage .
But I 'm also still Scottish .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and they do n't understand the lukewarm reaction they get , if they notice at all .
But it 's not a one-off .
Believe us - black and brown people and other minority ethnic people get asked that question all the time .
It is so tiring .
`` Other times , even without having asked about my heritage , people launch into random stories about India on the assumption that I will of course know what they 're talking about and be interested in it , because of my brownness .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ so a lot of my experiences of racism are specific to that .
A lot of them feature things to do with food , or curry .
A club team-mate kept calling me 'curry ' despite me asking them not to and explaining why this was entirely inappropriate .
It took me several weeks of asking them to stop and challenging them on this before they finally stopped and referred to me by my name .
`` When giving umpires my first name when coming on to bowl , I 've been halfway @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say : 'That 'll do , got enough there . '
Other times , when I 've told them a nickname , the reply is : 'Oh , that 's the name of my local curry house . '
`` I had an incident when I was playing in a county match and , at that point in time , there was myself and one other British Asian woman in the team .
A guy pulled out this photo for me to sign and it was of my team-mate who , apart from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She wears a headscarf and I do n't .
She has completely different facial features to me .
The only commonality is that we 're brown .
I said : 'That 's not me . '
And he 's like : 'Oh , yeah , you 're the other one . '
That 's just one example of many .
`` People are more concerned about being called racist than the harm that doing racist things causes .
They might not realise it ; when you challenge them , they do n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their eyes , they might just be joking .
But it 's understanding the harm and inappropriateness of what they 're saying that is n't there for too many people .
Their words or actions , no matter how small , are part of the problem . ''
• None BBC Elite British Sportswomen 's Survey - see all the content A British fencer , speaking anonymously , said monkey noises were `` shockingly common '' when travelling with the team .
`` I grew up fencing with a lot of black athletes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for fencing , which probably comes to mind as an extremely elite , largely white sport .
I was really lucky to be from a club that specifically reached out to the community .
`` I grew up in this very diverse club .
But then when we would travel , even though you 're wearing the GB tracksuit , I would see people making monkey noises at my team-mates , people stopping and taking photos of them as though they 're aliens and staring .
This is the kind of stuff that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We 're there representing our country .
We 're already under immense stress .
When we arrive , most competitors are worrying about their preparations .
My black team-mates are also having to manage the stress of going through these incidents at the venue , dealing with that external trauma and pressure as well , and having to compartmentalise that .
`` There was a specific incident with my team manager - someone who is at the heart of our community and is black .
Essentially what happened was a member of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hair in his hand and cut it off .
It was pretty shocking .
`` The incident was dealt with appropriately , but it was a very violating moment .
I think it 's a particularly flagrant example of racism .
`` Now , as a community , everyone is going through this process of educating ourselves , of looking back and thinking about moments that maybe were not as obvious , but realising that there are many moments that are problematic .
`` It may not be as obvious as someone grabbing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when you add up all these little things , they can also be damaging . ''
`` The men 's game is already 25 years in front of us .
I think time will be a healer .
I believe diversity will happen naturally but there 's no reason why we ca n't make things happen .
`` Things that are n't down to money is making an effort to put your players of colour on the adverts ; making them more public and doing more interviews with them .
Just reminding people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ England , so you can do it too .
It 's hard to do it with England because on contract , it 's just me , and it would be a bit weird if I was everywhere .
`` Being female and mixed race , when I wear my hair out in an afro I accept that I am a form of role model to certain people .
If people seeing me makes them think , 'actually I can play rugby ' , then my job is done .
`` I genuinely enjoy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to tell and a different outlook on things - even things like how I look after my skin and how I look after my hair . ''
These are a selection of anonymous responses from our survey .
• None `` I have been racially abused on the pitch , at training and on social media while playing . ''
• None `` I 'm proud to voice that we have one of the most diverse and inclusive sports [ cricket ] in the country .
Racism definitely plays a part , however @ @ @ @ @ @ @ often ignorantly !
- towards my team-mates over the years .
Diversity should be celebrated and I think having a range of religions and beliefs in my team has taught me a lot about cultures I would never have experienced if it was n't for sport . ''
• None `` I have seen a group of fans shouting racial insults at the family of one of my team-mates . ''
• None `` I 'm white and I 'm quite privileged to have not experienced racism .
I have witnessed it in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mates differently - eg .
asking them , even though they 're on the British team , where they are ACTUALLY from and how do they speak English so well . ''
• None `` A lot of people are uneducated of the difficulties that people of colour face and can be ignorant to their struggles .
There is also poor representation in my sport of people from different backgrounds , creating a bubble effect . ''
• None `` Have seen a coach make a racist gesture towards an athlete of colour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been beaten by her . ''
• None `` I have witnessed it watching some sport but have respected how they have been handled . ''
Racism is one of the many issues raised by the BBC Elite British Sportswomen 's Survey .
BBC Sport will be shining a spotlight on the others with coverage throughout the week on the BBC Sport website , BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC TV .
More information can be found here .

"It's the surprise in people's faces when they realise that you're slightly brown and you play for England."
Whether it is structural or spoken, overt or whispered, racism is present in society and sport.
Of the 537 BBC Elite British Sportswomen's Survey respondents, 20% said they had experienced or witnessed racism within their sport.
Here, they tell their stories.
Scotland cricketer Priyanaz Chatterji is tired of having to constantly justify where she's from.
"'Where are you from? But where are you actually from?'
"That is an example of a micro-aggression. Every single brown, black and other minority ethnic person in this country has been asked that question so many times.
"My first answer will always be: 'I'm from Scotland.' And then they ask: 'Oh, where are you really from?' 'Dundee.' And then again: Where are you really from?' And I'll say the town.
"I remember a time in Australia when I had gone to an outdoor cinema with a friend. We met up with some of their friends and that was the first thing they asked me; where are you from? Then their next question was: 'Where are your parents from?' I say India and Pakistan, and then I asked them the same thing. And they, as white Australians, were so shocked. Obviously no-one had ever asked them that before. But why do they think it's OK to ask where my parents are from?
"It's this idea that you, as a white person, are the default; you are the norm and anyone who deviates from that has to be justified and explained. Does that really have to be the first question you ask me? And why is my answer of Scotland so often challenged? I was born here. I grew up here. I'm not from anywhere else.
"I have white Scottish friends whose parents are Irish, Polish, or English, but their Scottishness is never challenged within the first few sentences of meeting someone. Yes, I have different heritage and I'm proud of that heritage. But I'm also still Scottish.
Priyanaz Chatterji has played 19 Twenty20 matches for Scotland
"People think they're just being friendly and they don't understand the lukewarm reaction they get, if they notice at all. But it's not a one-off. Believe us - black and brown people and other minority ethnic people get asked that question all the time. It is so tiring.
"Other times, even without having asked about my heritage, people launch into random stories about India on the assumption that I will of course know what they're talking about and be interested in it, because of my brownness.
"I'm of South Asian heritage so a lot of my experiences of racism are specific to that. A lot of them feature things to do with food, or curry. A club team-mate kept calling me 'curry' despite me asking them not to and explaining why this was entirely inappropriate. It took me several weeks of asking them to stop and challenging them on this before they finally stopped and referred to me by my name.
"When giving umpires my first name when coming on to bowl, I've been halfway through spelling it for them and they say: 'That'll do, got enough there.' Other times, when I've told them a nickname, the reply is: 'Oh, that's the name of my local curry house.'
"I had an incident when I was playing in a county match and, at that point in time, there was myself and one other British Asian woman in the team. A guy pulled out this photo for me to sign and it was of my team-mate who, apart from being brown, looks nothing like me. She wears a headscarf and I don't. She has completely different facial features to me. The only commonality is that we're brown. I said: 'That's not me.' And he's like: 'Oh, yeah, you're the other one.' That's just one example of many.
"People are more concerned about being called racist than the harm that doing racist things causes. They might not realise it; when you challenge them, they don't perceive it to be.
"In their eyes, they might just be joking. But it's understanding the harm and inappropriateness of what they're saying that isn't there for too many people. Their words or actions, no matter how small, are part of the problem."
A British fencer, speaking anonymously, said monkey noises were "shockingly common" when travelling with the team.
"I grew up fencing with a lot of black athletes, which might be surprising to you for fencing, which probably comes to mind as an extremely elite, largely white sport. I was really lucky to be from a club that specifically reached out to the community.
"I grew up in this very diverse club. But then when we would travel, even though you're wearing the GB tracksuit, I would see people making monkey noises at my team-mates, people stopping and taking photos of them as though they're aliens and staring. This is the kind of stuff that is shockingly common, as well.
"We're there representing our country. We're already under immense stress. When we arrive, most competitors are worrying about their preparations. My black team-mates are also having to manage the stress of going through these incidents at the venue, dealing with that external trauma and pressure as well, and having to compartmentalise that.
"There was a specific incident with my team manager - someone who is at the heart of our community and is black. Essentially what happened was a member of the public grabbed a chunk of her hair in his hand and cut it off. It was pretty shocking.
"The incident was dealt with appropriately, but it was a very violating moment. I think it's a particularly flagrant example of racism.
"Now, as a community, everyone is going through this process of educating ourselves, of looking back and thinking about moments that maybe were not as obvious, but realising that there are many moments that are problematic.
"It may not be as obvious as someone grabbing on to someone's hair, but when you add up all these little things, they can also be damaging."
Shaunagh Brown represents England and Harlequins
England and Harlequins rugby player Shaunagh Brown embraces being a role model.
"The men's game is already 25 years in front of us. I think time will be a healer. I believe diversity will happen naturally but there's no reason why we can't make things happen.
"Things that aren't down to money is making an effort to put your players of colour on the adverts; making them more public and doing more interviews with them. Just reminding people they are there and regular players for England, so you can do it too. It's hard to do it with England because on contract, it's just me, and it would be a bit weird if I was everywhere.
"Being female and mixed race, when I wear my hair out in an afro I accept that I am a form of role model to certain people. If people seeing me makes them think, 'actually I can play rugby', then my job is done.
"I genuinely enjoy being different, having a different story to tell and a different outlook on things - even things like how I look after my skin and how I look after my hair."
These are a selection of anonymous responses from our survey.
"I have been racially abused on the pitch, at training and on social media while playing."
"I'm proud to voice that we have one of the most diverse and inclusive sports [cricket] in the country. Racism definitely plays a part, however, and I've witnessed racism - often ignorantly! - towards my team-mates over the years. Diversity should be celebrated and I think having a range of religions and beliefs in my team has taught me a lot about cultures I would never have experienced if it wasn't for sport."
"I have seen a group of fans shouting racial insults at the family of one of my team-mates."
"I'm white and I'm quite privileged to have not experienced racism. I have witnessed it in terms of people treating my non-white team mates differently - eg. asking them, even though they're on the British team, where they are ACTUALLY from and how do they speak English so well."
"A lot of people are uneducated of the difficulties that people of colour face and can be ignorant to their struggles. There is also poor representation in my sport of people from different backgrounds, creating a bubble effect."
"Have seen a coach make a racist gesture towards an athlete of colour competing against his athlete who had just been beaten by her."
"I have witnessed it watching some sport but have respected how they have been handled."
Racism is one of the many issues raised by the BBC Elite British Sportswomen's Survey. BBC Sport will be shining a spotlight on the others with coverage throughout the week on the BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC TV. More information can be found here.


bbc--2020-08-13--FA Cup replays scrapped for 2020-21 season and EFL Cup semi-finals reduced to one leg

There will be no FA Cup replays during the 2020-21 season to `` ease pressure '' on the football calendar @ @ @ @ @ with the extra preliminary around on 1 September and the final is due to be @ @ @ @ @ .
It has also been announced the Carabao Cup semi-finals will be one-legged .
The @ @ @ @ @ 5 September , while the next three rounds will be played on consecutive midweek dates @ @ @ @ @ Cup prize money has been halved from 2019-20 because of the financial impact of the @ @ @ @ @ will receive £1.8m , down from £3.6m last season , in line with the 2017-18 @ @ @ @ @ : Nine fangtastic facts on their history • Food and lockdown : Has it changed @ @ @ @ @

Last updated on .From the section Football
Arsenal beat Chelsea in the final to win the 2019-20 FA Cup
There will be no FA Cup replays during the 2020-21 season to "ease pressure" on the football calendar.
The competition will start with the extra preliminary around on 1 September and the final is due to be played at Wembley Stadium on 15 May 2021.
It has also been announced the Carabao Cup semi-finals will be one-legged.
The first round is scheduled for 5 September, while the next three rounds will be played on consecutive midweek dates from 15-16 September.
The Premier League season is due to start on 12 September, with the final round of matches on 23 May 2021. The league says fixtures will be announced no later than 21 August.
Fixtures for the 2020-21 English Football League (EFL) season will be released on 21 August with the Championship, League One and League Two also all scheduled to start on 12 September.
FA Cup prize money has been halved from 2019-20 because of the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
The winners will receive £1.8m, down from £3.6m last season, in line with the 2017-18 campaign.
The draws for the FA Cup extra preliminary and preliminary rounds, and the EFL Cup first round, will be made on 18 August.
The EFL Cup final will take place at Wembley on 28 February 2021.
The EFL Trophy will start on 8-9 September with the Wembley final on 14 March.


bbc--2020-08-13--Perez to return after testing negative for coronavirus

Last updated on .From the section Formula 1 Sergio Perez will return for Racing Point at this weekend 's Spanish Grand Prix after testing negative for coronavirus .
Perez tested positive for the virus after travelling to Mexico , one of the world 's coronavirus hotspots , to visit his mother after she had an accident .
He was replaced by German Nico Hulkenberg , who now stands down .
Racing Point said on Thursday that Perez had tested negative for Covid-19 and governing body the FIA had confirmed he could return to the Formula 1 paddock .
He was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Racing Point have also confirmed they will appeal against their punishment in F1 's `` copying '' controversy .
The team were docked 15 points and fined 400,000 euros ( £360,000 ) for illegally copying Mercedes ' 2019 rear brake ducts and using them on their 2020 car .
Racing Point say they are innocent , believing the process they followed complied with the rules dictating that teams must design certain performance-differentiating parts themselves .
Ferrari and Renault have also appealed against the verdict , seeking further clarity on the ramifications that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decided not to go through with their appeals , but expressed their satisfaction with governing body the FIA 's commitment to banning so-called `` copycat cars '' .
• None Nine fangtastic facts on their history • None Has it changed the way we eat ?

Last updated on .From the section Formula 1
Sergio Perez finished in the top seven in the opening three races of the season before missing the British Grand Prix and 70th Anniversary Grand Prix
Sergio Perez will return for Racing Point at this weekend's Spanish Grand Prix after testing negative for coronavirus.
The 30-year-old Mexican has missed the past two races at Silverstone after contracting Covid-19 last month.
Perez tested positive for the virus after travelling to Mexico, one of the world's coronavirus hotspots, to visit his mother after she had an accident.
He was replaced by German Nico Hulkenberg, who now stands down.
Racing Point said on Thursday that Perez had tested negative for Covid-19 and governing body the FIA had confirmed he could return to the Formula 1 paddock.
He was the first F1 driver to contract coronavirus.
Racing Point have also confirmed they will appeal against their punishment in F1's "copying" controversy.
The team were docked 15 points and fined 400,000 euros (£360,000) for illegally copying Mercedes' 2019 rear brake ducts and using them on their 2020 car.
Racing Point say they are innocent, believing the process they followed complied with the rules dictating that teams must design certain performance-differentiating parts themselves.
Ferrari and Renault have also appealed against the verdict, seeking further clarity on the ramifications that arise from it.
McLaren and Williams decided not to go through with their appeals, but expressed their satisfaction with governing body the FIA's commitment to banning so-called "copycat cars".


bbc--2020-08-14--Trump stokes Kamala Harris 'birther' theory

President Donald Trump says he has heard Democratic running mate Kamala Harris `` does n't qualify '' to serve as US vice-president , amplifying a fringe legal theory critics decry as racist .
Ms Harris was born to a Jamaican father and Indian mother in Oakland , California , on 20 October 1964 .
But a constitutional law professor has questioned her eligibility .
For years , Mr Trump promoted a false `` birther '' theory that President Barack Obama was not born in the US .
Ms Harris , a California senator , was unveiled on Tuesday as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ running mate on a main-party presidential ticket .
• How Kamala Harris could help - or hurt - Joe Biden She is deputy to Democratic White House candidate Joe Biden , who will challenge Mr Trump , a Republican , in November 's general election .
At Thursday 's press conference , Mr Trump was asked about the argument against Ms Harris .
The president said : `` I just heard it today that she does n't meet the requirements and by the way the lawyer that wrote that piece is a very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I have no idea if that 's right .
I would have assumed the Democrats would have checked that out before she gets chosen to run for vice-president .
`` But that 's a very serious ... you 're saying that , they 're saying that she does n't qualify because she was n't born in this country . ''
The reporter replied there was no question that Ms Harris was born in the US , simply that her parents might not have been legal permanent residents at that time .
Earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Jenna Ellis , reposted a tweet from the head of conservative group Judicial Watch , Tim Fitton .
In that tweet , Mr Fitton questioned whether Ms Harris was `` ineligible to be Vice President under the US Constitution 's 'Citizenship Clause ' '' .
He also shared an opinion piece published in Newsweek magazine by John Eastman , a law professor at Chapman University in California .
Prof Eastman cites Article II of the US Constitution 's wording that `` no person except a natural born citizen… shall be eligible to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also points out that the 14th Amendment to the Constitution says `` all persons born… in the United States , and subject to the jurisdiction thereof , are citizens '' .
Prof Eastman 's argument hinges on the idea that Ms Harris may not have been subject to US jurisdiction if her parents were , for example , on student visas at the time of their daughter 's birth in California .
In 2010 , Prof Eastman ran to be the Republican candidate for California attorney general .
He lost to Steve Cooley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Ms Harris in the general election .
Another constitutional law expert told CBS News , the BBC 's US partner , that Prof Eastman 's argument about Ms Harris ' eligibility was `` truly silly '' .
Erwin Chemerinsky , the dean of Berkeley Law School , wrote in an email : `` Under section 1 of the 14th Amendment , anyone born in the United States is a United States citizen .
`` The Supreme Court has held this since the 1890s .
Kamala Harris was born in the United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ began stoking right-wing theories that President Obama might have been born in Kenya .
Even when Mr Obama produced a copy of his birth certificate in April that year showing he was born in Hawaii , Mr Trump continued to claim it was a `` fraud '' .
During a September 2016 press conference Mr Trump , then the Republican White House candidate , was asked about the matter .
He sought to take credit for dispelling doubts over Mr Obama 's eligibility , telling reporters : `` I finished it .
President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Period . ''

"Her father was (and is) a Jamaican national, her mother was from India, and neither was a naturalized US citizen at the time of Harris' birth in 1964. That, according to these commentators, makes her not a 'natural born citizen' - and therefore ineligible for the office of the president and, hence, ineligible for the office of the vice president."


bbc--2020-08-13--Israel and UAE strike historic deal to normalise relations

Israel and the United Arab Emirates have reached a deal to normalise relations , with Israel agreeing to suspend its controversial plans to annex parts of the occupied West Bank .
In a surprise statement by US President Donald Trump , who helped broker it , the countries called the accord `` historic '' and a breakthrough toward peace .
Until now Israel has had no diplomatic relations with Gulf Arab countries .
But shared worries over Iran have led to unofficial contacts between them .
Palestinian leaders were reportedly taken by surprise .
A spokesman for President Mahmoud Abbas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' , and the Palestinian ambassador to the UAE was being recalled .
President Trump called the deal between Prime Minister Netanyahu and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed Al Nahyan `` a truly historic moment '' .
It marks only the third Israel-Arab peace deal since Israel 's declaration of independence in 1948 , after Egypt and Jordan .
`` Now that the ice has been broken I expect more Arab and Muslim countries will follow the United Arab Emirates , '' he told reporters in the Oval Office , saying there would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House in the coming weeks .
Earlier , in response to a President Trump 's tweeted announcement , Mr Netanyahu wrote in Hebrew : `` Historic day . ''
In a TV address Mr Netanyahu said he had `` delayed '' West Bank annexation plans , but those plans remain `` on the table '' .
Annexation would make some West Bank areas officially part of Israel .
`` There is no change in my plan to apply our sovereignty to Judea and Samaria [ West Bank ] in full co-ordination with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That has n't changed .
I remind you that I was the one who put the issue of sovereignty over Judea and Samaria on the table .
This issue remains on the table , '' he said .
Mr Netanyahu said Israel would co-operate with the UAE in developing a coronavirus vaccine , in energy , water , environmental protection and many other fields .
Analysts say the deal could mean a foreign policy victory for President Trump , who will seek re-election in November , and give a personal boost to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trial for alleged corruption .
Both leaders have seen their approval ratings drop because of their response to the coronavirus pandemic .
And in Israel , some on the right who want to annex the West Bank expressed anger over the announcement .
The UAE 's ambassador to the US , Yousef Al Otaiba , said the deal with Israel was `` a win for diplomacy and for the region '' , adding : `` It is a significant advance in Arab-Israeli relations that lowers tensions and creates new energy for positive change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said he did not think Israel would move ahead with any annexation before discussing it first with the US .
He said he expected to see interactions `` very quickly '' between Israel and the UAE .
Egypt signed a deal with Israel in 1979 , and Jordan in 1994 .
Mauritania also established diplomatic ties with Israel in 1999 , but froze the deal in 2009 .
The establishment of full diplomatic relations ; the exchange of embassies ; and normal trade ties between Israel and the UAE is a significant diplomatic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ questions .
Will the full promise of this agreement be realised ?
And might other Gulf countries follow a similar path ?
It is also important to see what it is not .
This is far from the comprehensive peace plan to resolve the Palestinian question that President Trump has long promoted .
However , there are short-term benefits for all sides .
The White House was first off the mark in announcing the deal ; it is perhaps a small diplomatic feather in President Trump 's cap at a time when his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ For Israel 's embattled Prime Minister Netanyahu , it gets him off a hook of his own making ; his much-vaunted promise to annex key parts of the occupied West Bank .
This has proved undeliverable , not least due to US ambivalence and significant international opposition .
Mr Netanyahu may see this `` peace initiative '' with the UAE as something that could bolster his chances if he precipitates a further Israeli general election .
For the UAE , it is harder to say precisely what the immediate benefits are , though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the deal with Israel may yield significant economic , security and scientific benefits .
Overall this is an agreement that potentially could offer both more and less than might first appear .
And as far as the Palestinians are concerned , it is hard to see this news creating anything other than frustration , that they have once again been pushed to the sidelines .
What has been agreed ?
In the coming weeks delegations from Israel and the UAE will meet to sign bilateral deals regarding investment , tourism , direct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , energy , healthcare , culture , the environment , the establishment of reciprocal embassies , and other areas of mutual benefit .
`` Opening direct ties between two of the Middle East 's most dynamic societies and advanced economies will transform the region by spurring economic growth , enhancing technological innovation , and forging closer people-to-people relations , '' the joint statement says .
Israel will also `` suspend declaring sovereignty over areas outlined '' in President Trump 's Vision for Peace between Israel and the Palestinians , in which he backed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the West Bank and the strategic Jordan Valley .
• What does Trump ’ s Mid-East plan say on key issues ?
The Palestinians have warned that such a move would destroy their hopes of a viable future independent state and violate international law - a stance supported by much of the international community .
The UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs , Anwar Gargash , said the UAE 's recognition of Israel was `` a very bold step '' to stop the `` ticking time bomb '' of Israel 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the UAE saw this as `` a stoppage of the annexation , not a suspension '' .
Asked about Palestinian criticism of the UAE move , he recognised that the region was very polarised and he expected to hear `` the usual noise '' .
`` We agonised over this , '' he said , but eventually decided `` let 's do it '' .
The joint statement says Israel will `` focus its efforts now on expanding ties with other countries in the Arab and Muslim world '' , and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ achieve that goal .
The UAE and Israel will also join the US to launch a `` Strategic Agenda for the Middle East '' , with the three leaders noting that they `` share a similar outlook regarding the threats and opportunities in the region , as well as a shared commitment to promoting stability through diplomatic engagement , increased economic integration , and closer security co-ordination '' .
How have others reacted ?
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said `` it was my profound hope that annexation did not go ahead in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to suspend those plans is a welcome step on the road to a more peaceful Middle East '' .
Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi welcomed the deal while Jordan 's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said the agreement could help push ahead stalled peace negotiations .
But a senior Palestinian official , Hanan Ashrawi , condemned the deal , saying the UAE had `` come out in the open on its secret dealings/normalisation with Israel '' and telling Prince Mohammed : `` May you never be sold out by your 'friends ' . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Iran 's powerful Revolutionary Guards , called the accord `` shameful '' .
And in Gaza , the Hamas militant group called the deal a `` stabbing in the back of our people . ''

Overall this is an agreement that potentially could offer both more and less than might first appear. And as far as the Palestinians are concerned, it is hard to see this news creating anything other than frustration, that they have once again been pushed to the sidelines.


bbc--2020-08-13--Trump blocks postal funds to prevent expanded mail-in voting

President Donald Trump says he opposes additional funds for the US Postal Service as it would boost mail-in voting he claims would help Democrats .
Mr Trump has previously claimed that mail-in voting would hurt his campaign , which polls show to be in a tight race with Democratic candidate Joe Biden .
Democrats denounced Mr Trump 's comment , saying his position is an attempt to prevent Americans from voting him out .
A record number of people are expected to vote by mail due to the pandemic .
On Wednesday , Mr Trump told reporters he refused to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) in emergency funding for the Postal Service or $ 3.5bn for election security due to the high price tag .
Mr Trump has repeatedly condemned mail-in voting as an opportunity for fraud and election interference .
• Does US postal voting lead to ‘ tremendous fraud ’ ?
• Democrats call for probe into US postal service On Thursday , he said his reason for blocking the funds was due to his opposition to mail-in ballots .
`` They want $ 3.5bn for something that will turn out to be fraudulent .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Mr Trump said in a telephone interview with Fox Business Network .
`` Now they need that money in order to make the post office work so it can take all of these millions and millions of ballots , '' he continued .
He added : `` Now , if we do n't make a deal , that means they do n't get the money .
That means they ca n't have universal mail-in voting , they just ca n't have it . ''
Despite Mr Trump 's claims , there is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the US military uses - is rife with fraud or that it favours one political party more than another .
A spokesman for Mr Biden condemned the comment , saying : `` The president of the United States is sabotaging a basic service that hundreds of millions of people rely upon , cutting a critical lifeline for rural economies and for delivery of medicines , because he wants to deprive Americans of their fundamental right to vote safely during the most catastrophic public health crisis in over 100 years . ''
• How @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
• How you can be US president without winning most votes '' This is an assault on our democracy and economy by a desperate man who 's terrified that the American people will force him to confront what he 's done everything in his power to escape for months - responsibility for his own actions , '' added spokesman Andrew Bates .
The US postal system is currently experiencing a slowdown in mail deliveries , which critics say is due to policies put in place by Mr Trump 's selection to run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who donated millions to Mr Trump 's campaign and to other Republicans , has been accused of deliberately undermining public confidence in the service to deter people from mail-in voting .
Mr DeJoy is the first postmaster general in 20 years to not be appointed from within the agency 's own ranks .

A spokesman for Mr Biden condemned the comment, saying: "The president of the United States is sabotaging a basic service that hundreds of millions of people rely upon, cutting a critical lifeline for rural economies and for delivery of medicines, because he wants to deprive Americans of their fundamental right to vote safely during the most catastrophic public health crisis in over 100 years."


bbc--2020-08-13--Rise in far-right threats against Justin Trudeau, police warn

The number of threats against Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has risen compared to the same period last year , Canadian police have warned .
Figures from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police ( RCMP ) show there were 130 threats against Mr Trudeau and ministers from January to July .
This is a jump from 100 threats made in the same period in 2019 .
The RCMP report follows a number of security incidents targeting federal officials in the country .
In July , an armed suspect was arrested for breaching the entrance of the estate where Mr Trudeau lives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who are currently living at a cottage on the Rideau Hall estate while the prime minister 's official residence is being renovated , were not at home at the time of the incident .
Other incidents include attempted attacks on Governor General Julie Payette - the official representative of Queen Elizabeth II - who resides at the same estate as Mr Trudeau , and more recently , Infrastructure Minister Catherine McKenna .
Footage posted on social media showed a man shouting insults and expletives about Ms McKenna and Mr Trudeau at one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MPP Lisa MacLeod was forced to go under police protection after receiving threatening emails , as well as what the Ottawa Citizen newspaper described as an unspecified `` mischievous incident '' .
Expressing her support for Ms MacLeod , Ms McKenna called for `` better measures '' to prevent threats and abuse against officials .
Daniel Brien , a spokesperson with the national police force , told the Toronto Star newspaper that the RCMP would not discuss the specific nature of the threats that the force has been tracking .
Another report , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( ISD ) , found anti-government sentiment - specifically against Mr Trudeau - was a `` highly salient '' topic among far-right extremists online , along with Islamophobia and anti-Semitism .
Justin Trudeau was mentioned in 11.4 % of posts made by right-wing extremist Facebook pages and groups , and featured in 28 % of the YouTube content analysed , the ISD said .
`` Anti-immigration and anti-Muslim themes are often tied to anti-Trudeau and anti-left sentiments , as ( right wing extremist ) groups and individuals ' perception that immigration is intrinsically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Liberal ( party ) government and left-wing politics more broadly , '' the report added .
Anti-Trudeau sentiments among extremists were also tied to anti-Semitic conspiracy theories that George Soros and the UN are `` deliberately increasing migration as part of a broader attack on white people '' , it said .

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bbc--2020-08-13--Georgia School: 'We walked into a dangerous situation'

After Hannah shared a photo of a crowded hallway at North Paulding High School in Georgia , the school faced @ @ @ @ @ after Covid-19 cases emerged among students and staff , the school was temporarily closed .
@ @ @ @ @ the tough decision of choosing between in-person or distance learning when the school re-opens .
@ @ @ @ @ and a parent from the school about the district 's decision .

After Hannah shared a photo of a crowded hallway at North Paulding High School in Georgia, the school faced national criticism.
Then, after Covid-19 cases emerged among students and staff, the school was temporarily shut. Now, parents are facing the tough decision of choosing between in-person or distance learning when school re-opens.
The BBC spoke to students and a parent from the school district about the county's decision to start in-person learning when it did.
Produced by Cody Godwin, Larry Madowo and Sarah Fountain
Edited by Angélica Casas and Tristan Cimini


bbc--2020-08-13--US suspends private charter flights to Cuba

The US administration has suspended all private charter flights between the United States and Cuba , to increase economic pressure on Havana .
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tweeted that `` the Castro regime uses tourism and travel funds to finance its abuses and interference in Venezuela '' .
Last October the US banned regular scheduled flights to all cities in communist-run Cuba except Havana .
Tourism to Cuba has already been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic .
Hardline policies towards Cuba and its regional ally Venezuela are welcomed by conservative Cuban-American groups in Florida , a key @ @ @ @ @ @ @ win in the November presidential election .
The suspension of charter flights comes into force on 13 October , the birthday of the late Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro .
Authorised US charter flights to Cuba for medical emergency purposes or for search and rescue will still be permitted .
The BBC 's Will Grant in Havana says charter flights from the US have long filled the gap left by commercial airlines , many of which did not run services to Cuba until the Obama Administration briefly thawed diplomatic ties with the island @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cuba resumed in August 2016 for the first time in more than 50 years .
The thaw was rolled back by the Trump Administration .
In May the US Transportation Department imposed a cap on charter flights to Cuba at 3,600 per year .

The BBC's Will Grant in Havana says charter flights from the US have long filled the gap left by commercial airlines, many of which did not run services to Cuba until the Obama Administration briefly thawed diplomatic ties with the island in 2014.


bbc--2020-08-13--California officer saves man stuck on train tracks in wheelchair

A California police officer has been praised after taking quick action when she saw a 66-year-old man in a wheelchair @ @ @ @ @ train was approaching .
He was taken to hospital after being saved .

A California police officer has been praised after taking quick action when she saw a 66-year-old man in a wheelchair on the tracks as a train was approaching. He was taken to hospital after being saved.