bbc--2020-08-19--Belarus on the brink: What now?

Belarus on the brink: What now?

Standing outside the giant truck-making factory BelAZ , it feels like the time of the 1917 Russian Bolshevik revolution .
People pass leaflets to workers through the metal bars of the factory fence .
Workers organise `` stachkomy '' - strike committees - and `` comrades '' give passionate speeches inside factories calling on their colleagues to join a `` zabastovka '' - a strike .
These strikes became a major boost to the opposition movement in Belarus as thousands of people went on to the streets to voice their protest against what they see as rigged elections .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show their support for protesters , many now are asking what will be next for them and for Belarus .
Opposition leaders are trying to come up with a plan .
They have set up a co-ordination council to discuss what to do next .
However , at a press conference late on Tuesday , they spent much of their time denying President Alexander Lukashenko 's accusation that they were trying to seize power .
`` We use only legal ways , legal and non-violent methods , '' said Olga Kovalkova from opposition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the start of her speech .
`` All members of the council acknowledge that mass violations took place during the election campaign and the vote counting , they do not recognise the official results of the election .
They regard the violence used by police force as criminal and demand to release all political prisoners . ''
The members of the consultation council avoided giving direct answers when they were repeatedly asked about possible steps they could consider in order to move forward .
Read more on the Belarus crisis : • 'There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will not forgive this' • 'If you croak we do n't care ' : Brutality in Belarus This lack of clarity about what to do next could seriously undermine the opposition movement .
Already there are signs suggesting that the momentum for factory strikes could be winding down .
According to Sergey Dylevskiy who represents strikers at the giant Minsk tractor plant ( MTZ ) , about 20 % of workers at the plant are on strike .
The rest are too afraid to leave their jobs and support the movement , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from their employers .
`` They 're worried that they would lose their bonuses and salaries , '' said Sergey Korovach , a miller at MAZ - the Minsk Automobile Plant that makes heavy trucks and buses .
`` They 're worried that they might lose their jobs . ''
Mr Korovach says that only a small fraction of over 10,000 MAZ workers went on strike on Tuesday .
He says that many workers became discouraged by the low turnout and now preferred not to take a risk .
According to the independent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ getting letters from ministries informing them of possible punishment for their action .
`` Participating in a strike or meetings that are organised without following labour legislation violates labour disciplines and this entails full responsibility , '' the letter reads .
`` We 're witnessing a unique situation when protests are decentralised and spontaneous , '' said Maria Kolesnikova , a prominent opposition figure .
`` I would n't say that in order to continue the protests , we must have a leader . ''
But without a clear leader , it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crowd .
Opposition candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya was forced to leave Belarus right after the vote .
Her colleagues say that they expect her to be back soon and her return could inject fresh energy into the protest mood and create a character for people to rally behind .
During a meeting with the workers at the MTZ factory on Monday , for the first time since the protests started , President Lukashenko indicated a possible scenario of his departure from power .
`` You need to adopt a new constitution through a referendum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president , parliament and local government , '' he said .
`` And I will step down according to the constitution . ''
He made it clear he would n't do it under the pressure of street protests .
But most protesters want the president to leave immediately .
Following the biggest opposition rally in the history of independent Belarus last Sunday , thousands of protesters continue to gather in Minsk 's Independence Square during the evening .
People in festive mood wave opposition flags and chant `` Thank you '' to those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surface it may look as if the protests may have reached a plateau .
And yet large crowds are expected to gather at weekends .
People 's anger at the violence and abuse used by authorities against protesters is not going away anytime soon .
It is this feeling that is fuelling these rallies .
Many here compare what 's happening in Belarus to neighbouring Ukraine 's `` Maidan '' - the mass protests that ousted President Viktor Yanukovich in 2014 .
It took several months for the protests to build up there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a path that Belarus may follow .
But even the opposition says that they do n't want to have a Maidan because in Belarus it 's largely associated with unrest and disturbances .
People here bring their families to the streets and carry balloons and flowers in order to show that their movement is peaceful .
But in Ukraine too the demonstrations were peaceful until authorities used force to disperse the protesters .

This lack of clarity about what to do next could seriously undermine the opposition movement. Already there are signs suggesting that the momentum for factory strikes could be winding down. According to Sergey Dylevskiy who represents strikers at the giant Minsk tractor plant (MTZ), about 20% of workers at the plant are on strike. The rest are too afraid to leave their jobs and support the movement, he said.


bbc--2020-08-19--Ronald Koeman: Barcelona name former player as new head coach

Ronald Koeman has been named the new head coach of Barcelona two days after the club sacked Quique Setien .
The 57-year-old left his role as Netherlands boss , with two years left on his contract , to sign a two-year deal with the Spanish giants .
He played for Barcelona between 1989 and 1995 , helping them to four league titles and the European Cup .
The Catalans finished second in La Liga last season , failing to win a trophy for the first time since 2007-08 .
The five-point gap to champions Real Madrid and the humiliating 8-2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ League quarter-final last week culminated in the dismissal of Setien on Monday .
The club also announced Ramon Planes as the new technical director .
He was the assistant to Eric Abidal , who left his role as sporting director on Tuesday .
Koeman is due to speak at a news conference at 17:00 BST .
• Koeman will be new Barca head coach - Bartomeu Koeman had his first taste of coaching when he was assistant to national team coach Guus Hiddink during the 1998 World Cup , before becoming Louis van @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Camp from 1998 to 2000 .
He eventually went on to have success as a manager back in his homeland , winning league titles with Ajax and PSV .
A brief stint at Valencia in 2007 brought Copa del Rey success , but he was sacked after the side finished only two points above the relegation zone in La Liga .
After spells at AZ Alkmaar and Feyenoord , Koeman was appointed by Southampton in 2014 where he was a huge success , guiding the Premier League club to seventh- and sixth-place finishes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Europa League group stage .
Everton came calling in 2017 but his time at Goodison Park only lasted 16 months , Koeman departing with the club in the bottom three .
But that disappointment was soon forgotten when in February 2018 he was appointed coach of the Dutch national team , who had failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup .
Koeman led the side to the final of the Uefa Nations League and helped them qualify for Euro 2020 .

New Barcelona head coach Ronald Koeman says he does not know if he will have to "convince" Lionel Messi to stay at the club.
Koeman, 57, has signed a two-year deal with Barca, two days after the club sacked Quique Setien.
Messi's future at the Nou Camp is uncertain after they failed to win a trophy last season for the first time since 2007-08.
"He's still got a contract and is still a Barcelona player," said Koeman.
"At this point I need to speak to him because he is the captain.
"We need to work with him and speak with various players. We need to make some decisions but in Messi's case I hope he stays with us.
"I don't know if I have to convince Messi [to stay], whether it's that or not. He is the best player in the world and the best player in the world you want in your team, you don't want him playing against you.
"As a coach I would love to work with Messi because he wins matches. If he's at the ability and level he has always shown I'd be more than happy for him to stay."
Koeman has left his role as Netherlands boss, with two years left on his contract, to take over at Barca.
He played for the Spanish giants between 1989 and 1995, helping them to four league titles and the European Cup.
The Catalans finished second in La Liga last season. The five-point gap to champions Real Madrid and the humiliating 8-2 defeat by Bayern Munich in their Champions League quarter-final last week culminated in the dismissal of Setien on Monday.
The club also announced Ramon Planes as the new technical director. He was the assistant to Eric Abidal, who left his role as sporting director on Tuesday.
"What we need to do is give a different image to what we gave against Bayern, that's not the Barca we or the fans want to see," said Koeman.
"You have to be very happy to wear the Barca shirt. You have to show that with commitment, professionalism, with everything you have inside. If we do that, the image will be totally different to what it was last week."
He added: "We're going to work very hard to build a strong team but we'll have to make changes because the image of the other day is not what we want. We'll have to work hard to recover our prestige.
"It's a big challenge and it won't be easy because Barca always demands the best of you, which is the way it should be.
"Barca are still the biggest club in the world. Now we have to work hard to make sure Barca get back to where they should be. There is enough quality in the team to demand the best results and to win trophies."
Mixed fortunes for Koeman
Koeman had his first taste of coaching when he was assistant to national team coach Guus Hiddink during the 1998 World Cup, before becoming Louis van Gaal's right-hand man at the Nou Camp from 1998 to 2000.
He eventually went on to have success as a manager back in his homeland, winning league titles with Ajax and PSV. A brief stint at Valencia in 2007 brought Copa del Rey success, but he was sacked after the side finished only two points above the relegation zone in La Liga.
After spells at AZ Alkmaar and Feyenoord, Koeman was appointed by Southampton in 2014 where he was a huge success, guiding the Premier League club to seventh- and sixth-place finishes, which resulted in qualification for the Europa League group stage.
Everton came calling in 2017 but his time at Goodison Park only lasted 16 months, Koeman departing with the club in the bottom three.
But that disappointment was soon forgotten when in February 2018 he was appointed coach of the Dutch national team, who had failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. Koeman led the side to the final of the Uefa Nations League and helped them qualify for Euro 2020.
Ronald Koeman helped Barcelona beat Sampdoria to win the 1992 European Cup


bbc--2020-08-19--Four-time winner Froome left out of Tour de France squad

Last updated on .From the section Cycling Chris Froome has been left out of Team Ineos ' Tour de France squad .
There had been some doubt four-time winner Froome had the form to make the squad following injuries from a crash a year ago .
`` Chris needs that little bit longer to get to the highest level , '' said team boss Dave Brailsford .
Froome , who is leaving Ineos at the end of the current season , will instead lead them at the Vuelta a Espana in October , while Thomas will do so at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to target the Vuelta as `` more realistic '' and `` something that 's deliverable '' .
The 35-year-old has won seven Grand Tour races , including the Vuelta in 2011 and 2017 , and the Giro d'Italia in 2018 .
• None 'The unlikely hero who changed everything' • None Ineos to be renamed Ineos Grenadiers for Tour '' Chris is a true champion who has demonstrated incredible grit and determination to come back from his crash last year , '' added Brailsford .
`` We want to support him to compete @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vuelta gives him that little bit more time to continue his progress to the top level . ''
Thomas , 34 , will attempt to win his second Grand Tour in Italy , also in October .
`` Geraint will target the Giro and take on the opportunity to double up his Tour de France win with another Grand Tour title , with the aim of being the first Welshman to win it , '' said Brailsford .
Ineos had the dilemma of deciding who was in the best form of the three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Froome in an unusually perilous position , having lost the most time during three crucial warm-up races in July and August - rebuilding as he is , following his recovery from a fractured right femur , a broken hip , a fractured elbow and fractured ribs .
Ineos ' policy is that whoever is the strongest rider going into the final week of any Grand Tour will be backed by the whole team - they had been reluctant to take three riders to the Tour who could all be considered team leaders .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bernal to lead the team after strong performances in the warm-up races , including victory at the Tour d'Occitanie in July .
However , there are also some doubts over Bernal after he withdrew from the Criterium du Dauphine last Saturday - as a precaution to `` rest a bad back , '' according to team-mate Thomas .
Thomas has himself admitted to finding his best form difficult to come by , but has largely finished stages during the recent races ahead of Froome , albeit behind Bernal .
Ineos - formerly Team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ France each year since 2015 and have taken seven of the past eight Tours .
Brailsford added : `` Egan will once again target the yellow jersey in France and we are very excited to give last year 's Giro winner , Richard Carapaz , his debut in this year 's Tour also .
`` I am very proud that we have several current , and I am sure future , Grand Tour champions in the team . ''
Froome said : `` It 's a readjustment for me .
I 'm in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but not confident I can fulfil the necessary job that would be needed for me a this year 's Tour .
`` It 's more realistic to be targeting the Vuelta , where there 's a chance for me to get stuck into something that 's deliverable . ''
Thomas added : `` The Giro 's something I 've always wanted to go back to [ after crashing in 2017 ] .
The roads , the fans , the food - I 've always enjoyed it . ''
Froome leaves Ineos at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Israel Start-Up Nation , and he will be disappointed at not being able to seek a fifth tour victory - which would equal the record for Tour wins , shared by Jacques Anquetil , Eddy Merckx , Bernard Hinault and Miguel Indurain .
Ineos decided not to renew Froome 's contract , feeling Froome 's camp lacked the grace expected in negotiations , given the support the team had shown him during his rehabilitation following his crash a year ago .
Froome was also believed to have been frustrated with the team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ winner Bernal over comments he made in April .
The Colombian told reporters that , if he was in a winning position at this year 's Tour , he would not move over to let Froome lead the team .
Insiders felt the quote was fair enough , given the high status of both riders .
Had things been handled differently in recent weeks , Froome could well have seen out his career at Ineos .

Thomas and Froome have won the Tour five times between them
Chris Froome has been left out of Team Ineos' Tour de France squad.
Geraint Thomas, who won in 2018, also misses out, with the team focusing on last year's winner Egan Bernal and 2019 Giro d'Italia victor Richard Carapaz.
There had been some doubt four-time winner Froome had the form to make the squad following injuries from a crash a year ago.
"Chris needs that little bit longer to get to the highest level," said team boss Dave Brailsford.
Froome, who is leaving Ineos at the end of the current season, will instead lead them at the Vuelta a Espana in October, while Thomas will do so at the Giro d'Italia.
Froome described the decision to target the Vuelta as "more realistic" and "something that's deliverable".
The 35-year-old has won seven Grand Tour races, including the Vuelta in 2011 and 2017, and the Giro d'Italia in 2018.
"Chris is a true champion who has demonstrated incredible grit and determination to come back from his crash last year," added Brailsford.
"We want to support him to compete for another Grand Tour title and the Vuelta gives him that little bit more time to continue his progress to the top level."
Thomas, 34, will attempt to win his second Grand Tour in Italy, also in October.
"Geraint will target the Giro and take on the opportunity to double up his Tour de France win with another Grand Tour title, with the aim of being the first Welshman to win it," said Brailsford.
Ineos had the dilemma of deciding who was in the best form of the three Tour-winning riders in their ranks, with Froome in an unusually perilous position, having lost the most time during three crucial warm-up races in July and August - rebuilding as he is, following his recovery from a fractured right femur, a broken hip, a fractured elbow and fractured ribs.
Ineos' policy is that whoever is the strongest rider going into the final week of any Grand Tour will be backed by the whole team - they had been reluctant to take three riders to the Tour who could all be considered team leaders.
The team will now back 23-year-old Colombian Bernal to lead the team after strong performances in the warm-up races, including victory at the Tour d'Occitanie in July.
However, there are also some doubts over Bernal after he withdrew from the Criterium du Dauphine last Saturday - as a precaution to "rest a bad back," according to team-mate Thomas.
Thomas has himself admitted to finding his best form difficult to come by, but has largely finished stages during the recent races ahead of Froome, albeit behind Bernal.
Ineos - formerly Team Sky - have won the Tour de France each year since 2015 and have taken seven of the past eight Tours.
Brailsford added: "Egan will once again target the yellow jersey in France and we are very excited to give last year's Giro winner, Richard Carapaz, his debut in this year's Tour also.
"I am very proud that we have several current, and I am sure future, Grand Tour champions in the team."
Froome said: "It's a readjustment for me. I'm in a fortunate position to be back racing, but not confident I can fulfil the necessary job that would be needed for me a this year's Tour.
"It's more realistic to be targeting the Vuelta, where there's a chance for me to get stuck into something that's deliverable."
Thomas added: "The Giro's something I've always wanted to go back to [after crashing in 2017]. The roads, the fans, the food - I've always enjoyed it."
Froome leaves Ineos at the end of this year to join the Israel Start-Up Nation, and he will be disappointed at not being able to seek a fifth tour victory - which would equal the record for Tour wins, shared by Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault and Miguel Indurain.
Ineos decided not to renew Froome's contract, feeling Froome's camp lacked the grace expected in negotiations, given the support the team had shown him during his rehabilitation following his crash a year ago.
Froome was also believed to have been frustrated with the team for not reprimanding last year's Tour winner Bernal over comments he made in April. The Colombian told reporters that, if he was in a winning position at this year's Tour, he would not move over to let Froome lead the team. Insiders felt the quote was fair enough, given the high status of both riders.
Had things been handled differently in recent weeks, Froome could well have seen out his career at Ineos.
Team Ineos Tour de France squad: Egan Bernal, Richard Carapaz, Andrey Amador, Jonathan Castroviejo, Michal Kwiatkowski, Luke Rowe, Pavel Sivakov, Dylan van Baarle


bbc--2020-08-19--Champions League: Pick your all-time XI from players in the tournament

The Champions League has seen so many legends since the European Cup was rebranded in 1992-93 .
But who do @ @ @ @ @ XI ?
A panel of BBC Sport journalists has picked a shortlist .
The only @ @ @ @ @ to have 60 or more Champions League appearances and to have played in at least @ @ @ @ @ will be discussed on a BBC Radio 5 Live show on Thursday night from 19:30 @ @ @ @ @ XI below and share it with your friends on social media .

Last updated on .From the section European Football
The all-time Champions League XI as picked by BBC users
The Champions League has seen so many legends since the European Cup was rebranded in 1992-93.
A panel of BBC Sport journalists picked a shortlist of players to have 60 or more Champions League appearances and to have played in at least one final.
We asked you what you thought the best Champions League XI was and you replied in huge numbers.
Here is the XI you chose (as of 16:30 BST on Thursday).
Goalkeepers
Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon may never have won the Champions League but he was your number one pick in goal, in 32% of teams.
Iker Casillas was second on 29%, while Edwin van der Sar featured in 14% of sides.
Defenders
You went for Paolo Maldini (73%), Sergio Ramos (52%), Dani Alves (40%) and Roberto Carlos (40%).
AC Milan icon Maldini was the third most-selected player in the team (you can guess the top two).
Philipp Lahm (34%) and Carles Puyol (32%) were unlucky not to make the team. They were the 10th and 11th most selected players overall - but finished behind four defenders.
Midfielders
You picked a midfield three of Zinedine Zidane (63%), Andres Iniesta (53%) and Xavi (40%).
Juventus and Real Madrid legend Zidane was actually the most-picked player in all three midfield spots - with former Barcelona duo Iniesta and Xavi coming next.
This was the least contested position. Ex-Liverpool and England midfielder Steven Gerrard, the most selected British player, was the fourth most popular midfielder - but only in 23% of your teams.
Forwards
Juventus' Cristiano Ronaldo (90%) and Barcelona's Lionel Messi (88%) were always going to get in the team - and ex-Arsenal striker Thierry Henry (26%) sneaks into the front three by the finest of margins.
Former Real Madrid man Ronaldo was the top pick in two positions but was selected in more left-wing spots than at centre forward, which meant that spot went to the next highest number nine pick - which was Henry... by just 0.2% from Robert Lewandowski.
If Bayern Munich striker Lewandowski scores in Sunday's final and we do this again next season it might be a different matter.
You can still pick your all-time XI below and share it with your friends on social media - but it will not count towards the team selected on this page.


bbc--2020-08-19--Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams top as tennis dominates rich list

Last updated on .From the section Tennis The world 's nine highest-earning sportswomen over the past year are all tennis players , according to research by US business magazine Forbes .
World number one Ashleigh Barty is third with income of $ 13.1m ( £9.9m ) .
United States international footballer Alex Morgan is the only athlete from outside tennis in the top 10 , earning $ 4.6m ( £3.5m ) .
Morgan , who gave birth to her first child in May , earned $ 4.2m ( £3.2m ) of her income through endorsements during the span of Forbes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1 June 2020 .
The US women 's team , winners of the Women 's World Cup in July 2019 , are currently in dispute with their federation , appealing against a judge 's decision to reject their claims of being underpaid compared with the US men 's team .
Osaka and Williams have both broken the previous record for annual earnings , set at $ 29.7m ( £22.3m ) in 2015 by Russian tennis player Maria Sharapova .
In a list of the world 's 100 best-paid sportspeople published by Forbes in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Williams ( 33rd ) were the only women .

Last updated on .From the section Tennis
Naomi Osaka (left) and Serena Williams (right) each earned almost three times as much as the third sportswoman on the list, Ashleigh Barty
The world's nine highest-earning sportswomen over the past year are all tennis players, according to research by US business magazine Forbes. external-link
Japan's Naomi Osaka tops the list with earnings of $37.4m (£26.3m), ahead of Serena Williams with $36m (£27.2m).
World number one Ashleigh Barty is third with income of $13.1m (£9.9m).
United States international footballer Alex Morgan is the only athlete from outside tennis in the top 10, earning $4.6m (£3.5m).
Morgan, who gave birth to her first child in May, earned $4.2m (£3.2m) of her income through endorsements during the span of Forbes analysis - between 1 June 2019 and 1 June 2020.
The US women's team, winners of the Women's World Cup in July 2019, are currently in dispute with their federation, appealing against a judge's decision to reject their claims of being underpaid compared with the US men's team.
Osaka and Williams have both broken the previous record for annual earnings, set at $29.7m (£22.3m) in 2015 by Russian tennis player Maria Sharapova.
In a list of the world's 100 best-paid sportspeople published by Forbes in May, Osaka (29th) and Williams (33rd) were the only women.


bbc--2020-08-19--Formula 1: All teams sign up to sport's new Concorde Agreement

All 10 teams have signed up to the new Concorde Agreement which will govern Formula 1 from 2021 to 2025 .
Ferrari , McLaren and Williams announced their support of the revised terms of racing on Tuesday , with the other seven constructors now following suit .
World champions Mercedes had reached an impasse with F1 over the new proposals , but they have now been resolved .
The new deal is designed to end what many consider to be an unfair revenue system , whereby the top teams earn disproportionately more prize money , a system that has created @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and locked in an advantage for Mercedes , Ferrari and Red Bull .
`` This year has been unprecedented for the world and we are proud that Formula 1 has come together in recent months to return to racing in a safe way , '' F1 chairman Chase Carey said in a statement .
`` We said earlier in the year that due to the fluid nature of the pandemic , the Concorde Agreement would take additional time to agree and we are pleased that by August we have been able achieve agreement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the long-term future of our sport . ''
Carey added that the new agreement would `` create an environment that is both financially fairer and closes the gaps between teams on the race track '' .
Jean Todt , president of motorsport 's governing body the FIA , said the announcement marked `` an exciting new chapter '' for the sport .
`` The conclusion of the new Concorde Agreement between the FIA , Formula 1 and all 10 of the current teams assures a stable future for the FIA Formula 1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff had previously stated that the German manufacturer would be `` the biggest victim in terms of revenue loss '' but recent talks with Carey produced a breakthrough on `` the clarifications that we wanted to achieve '' .
Speaking on Tuesday , Ferrari chief executive Louis Camilleri said the new deal was `` an important step to ensure the stability and growth of the sport '' , while McLaren chief executive Zak Brown said it was `` the right deal at the right time '' .
Claire Williams @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added : `` This next era will be characterised by closer and more exciting racing as a result of the new platform of regulations , which include more equitable revenue distribution and a first ever cost cap for our sport . ''

Lewis Hamilton has won four of the six races held in 2020 season far
All 10 teams have signed up to the new Concorde Agreement which will govern Formula 1 from 2021 to 2025.
The contract, which sets out the commercial terms of the sport, was first introduced in 1981.
Ferrari, McLaren and Williams announced their support of the revised terms of racing on Tuesday, with the other seven constructors now following suit.
World champions Mercedes had reached an impasse with F1 over the new proposals, but they have now been resolved.
The new deal is designed to end what many consider to be an unfair revenue system, whereby the top teams earn disproportionately more prize money, a system that has created a disparity in competitiveness down the grid and locked in an advantage for Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull.
"This year has been unprecedented for the world and we are proud that Formula 1 has come together in recent months to return to racing in a safe way," F1 chairman Chase Carey said in a statement.
"We said earlier in the year that due to the fluid nature of the pandemic, the Concorde Agreement would take additional time to agree and we are pleased that by August we have been able achieve agreement from all 10 teams on the plans for the long-term future of our sport."
Carey added that the new agreement would "create an environment that is both financially fairer and closes the gaps between teams on the race track".
Jean Todt, president of motorsport's governing body the FIA, said the announcement marked "an exciting new chapter" for the sport.
"The conclusion of the new Concorde Agreement between the FIA, Formula 1 and all 10 of the current teams assures a stable future for the FIA Formula 1 World Championship," he added.
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff had previously stated that the German manufacturer would be "the biggest victim in terms of revenue loss" but recent talks with Carey external-link produced a breakthrough on "the clarifications that we wanted to achieve".
Speaking on Tuesday, Ferrari chief executive Louis Camilleri said the new deal was "an important step to ensure the stability and growth of the sport", while McLaren chief executive Zak Brown said it was "the right deal at the right time".
Claire Williams, deputy team principal of Williams, added: "This next era will be characterised by closer and more exciting racing as a result of the new platform of regulations, which include more equitable revenue distribution and a first ever cost cap for our sport."


bbc--2020-08-18--Is Neymar winning over the doubters as PSG reach Champions League final?

Are we witnessing the arrival of a `` new '' Neymar ?
We are used to seeing the Brazil forward do impressive things on a football pitch , and he was at it again on Tuesday with an outrageous assist as part of a stellar showing in Paris St-Germain 's Champions League semi-final win over RB Leipzig .
But it was his attitude - something that has often drawn criticism - that most impressed the pundits observing the game in Lisbon .
BBC Sport gathers the evidence and investigates if the world 's most expensive player has turned over a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ marketability have never been in doubt .
He has racked up 175 goals in 270 appearances in two of Europe 's top leagues and £250m in transfer fees , including the £200m it cost to take him from Barcelona to PSG .
He has been directly involved in 59 goals in 59 Champions League games ( 35 goals & 24 assists ) , including 23 goal involvements in 19 appearances for PSG ( 14 goals & 9 assists ) .
The latest of these came in the form of a flick to set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second of the French side 's three goals against Leipzig in Lisbon .
He has never been adored by the masses , though , with his critics pointing to his diving , histrionics and occasional surly disposition as things that take away from his undoubted talent .
But has something changed ?
He was not only instrumental in Tuesday 's semi-final win and one of the chief driving forces behind the remarkable late comeback to beat Atalanta in the quarter-finals but , perhaps most importantly , did so in an entirely disciplined and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Neymar who plays for the team , who invites his team-mates to his house for dinner .
It is a Neymar who does not showboat or act as much anymore , '' French football journalist Julien Laurens told BBC Radio 5 Live .
`` Maybe at 28 he is more mature and he has realised that there is something to be done with this club .
`` Tuchel has let him be the leader and I think he has really appreciated that . ''
'Who are you and what have you done with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be found closing down defenders and the goalkeeper - endeavours that would have yielded at least one goal had Leipzig goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi 's clearance not struck Neymar 's hand before deflecting to Kylian Mbappe in front of an unguarded net .
`` Every fan knows when they see a team play and a bunch of individuals - tonight it looked like a group , '' said former Scotland and Chelsea winger Pat Nevin on 5 Live .
`` I watched Neymar close down the goalkeeper from 40 yards and I was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you done with the Neymar I know ' ?
`` He was hurting himself and tiring himself out , instead of only working when he has the ball or was in a good position .
`` Weirdly , after the third goal , he ran over to [ goal scorer ] Juan Bernat .
I was thinking 'this is the new Neymar , it 's not all about you , it 's about the team ' .
He was totally at the top of his game . ''
So are Neymar 's team-mates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it the other way round ?
`` It was interesting that Marco Verratti who came on tonight said that just after lockdown they went out one night for a meal in central Paris and made a pact with each other , '' explains Laurens .
`` Nobody was missing , they were altogether and they made a pact to believe and to go to the final and win this competition this year . ''
Former England goalkeeper Rob Green might sum it up best : maybe it 's time for the doubters , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I 've never been a Neymar fan , '' he said .
`` For far too long he has been the guy you just want to get infuriated with - but tonight he was a joy to watch . ''

Neymar has 19 goals and 12 assists in 26 appearances for PSG in all competitions this season
Are we witnessing the arrival of a "new" Neymar?
We are used to seeing the Brazil forward do impressive things on a football pitch, and he was at it again on Tuesday with an outrageous assist as part of a stellar showing in Paris St-Germain's Champions League semi-final win over RB Leipzig.
But it was his attitude - something that has often drawn criticism - that most impressed the pundits observing the game in Lisbon.
BBC Sport gathers the evidence and investigates if the world's most expensive player has turned over a new leaf...
Respected, yes, but loved?
Neymar's talent and marketability have never been in doubt. He has racked up 175 goals in 270 appearances in two of Europe's top leagues and £250m in transfer fees, including the £200m it cost to take him from Barcelona to PSG.
He has been directly involved in 59 goals in 59 Champions League games (35 goals & 24 assists), including 23 goal involvements in 19 appearances for PSG (14 goals & 9 assists).
The latest of these came in the form of a flick to set up Angel di Maria to score the second of the French side's three goals against Leipzig in Lisbon.
He has never been adored by the masses, though, with his critics pointing to his diving, histrionics and occasional surly disposition as things that take away from his undoubted talent.
But has something changed?
He was not only instrumental in Tuesday's semi-final win and one of the chief driving forces behind the remarkable late comeback to beat Atalanta in the quarter-finals but, perhaps most importantly, did so in an entirely disciplined and focused manner.
"This is a Neymar who plays for the team, who invites his team-mates to his house for dinner. It is a Neymar who does not showboat or act as much anymore," French football journalist Julien Laurens told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"Maybe at 28 he is more mature and he has realised that there is something to be done with this club.
"Tuchel has let him be the leader and I think he has really appreciated that."
'Who are you and what have you done with Neymar?'
Neymar's touchmap for the game against RB Leipzig indicates his willingness to get involved not only in the opposition half, but track back and do a job in his own
Against Leipzig, Neymar could be found closing down defenders and the goalkeeper - endeavours that would have yielded at least one goal had Leipzig goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi's clearance not struck Neymar's hand before deflecting to Kylian Mbappe in front of an unguarded net.
"Every fan knows when they see a team play and a bunch of individuals - tonight it looked like a group," said former Scotland and Chelsea winger Pat Nevin on 5 Live.
"I watched Neymar close down the goalkeeper from 40 yards and I was thinking 'who are you and what have you done with the Neymar I know'?
"He was hurting himself and tiring himself out, instead of only working when he has the ball or was in a good position.
"Weirdly, after the third goal, he ran over to [goal scorer] Juan Bernat. I was thinking 'this is the new Neymar, it's not all about you, it's about the team'. He was totally at the top of his game."
A pact made in a Paris restaurant
So are Neymar's team-mates rubbing off on Neymar, or is it the other way round?
"It was interesting that Marco Verratti who came on tonight said that just after lockdown they went out one night for a meal in central Paris and made a pact with each other," explains Laurens.
"Nobody was missing, they were altogether and they made a pact to believe and to go to the final and win this competition this year."
Former England goalkeeper Rob Green might sum it up best: maybe it's time for the doubters, even begrudgingly, to start liking Neymar.
"I've never been a Neymar fan," he said. "For far too long he has been the guy you just want to get infuriated with - but tonight he was a joy to watch."
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bbc--2020-08-19--Fight Talk: Could Joshua-Whyte II happen next year?

Last updated on .From the section Boxing In this week 's Fight Talk we look at whether Anthony Joshua could fight Dillian Whyte if Tyson Fury vacates his WBC belt - or could Russian Alexander Povetkin upset the odds by beating Whyte this Saturday ?
With two champions , several belts and multiple mandatory challengers , the world heavyweight division is in a bit of a muddle .
The coronavirus pandemic and subsequent halt in boxing have added to the confusion .
Which boxer most deserves a world-title shot ?
Which fight should be the priority ?
It 's fair @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see the all-British , undisputed clash between WBC champion Fury and IBF , WBA and WBO belt-holder Joshua .
But could we instead see a rematch between Joshua and Londoner Whyte in 2021 ?
It 's possible , according to their promoter Eddie Hearn .
Whyte , the number one WBC challenger , fights Povetkin this Saturday .
WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman has told Sky Sports that if Whyte wins he will get to face the winner of the fight between Fury and American Deontay Wilder .
But with that trilogy bout unlikely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is also possible that if Fury beats Wilder , he will vacate his title in search of a more lucrative bout rather than face Whyte .
`` If Fury does not want to fight Whyte , then Whyte will be elevated to champion from 'interim ' champion , '' Hearn told Sky Sports .
`` Then what will happen ?
Joshua will fight Whyte straight away for the undisputed championship . ''
Boxing fans are left frustrated with multiple world champions and number one challengers , while also pointing out that Ukrainian Oleksandr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's WBO belt , could scupper any Joshua-Fury or Joshua-Whyte undisputed clash… Whether it 's for all of the belts or not , a Joshua and Whyte rematch should capture the imagination of the British public .
In what was one of the most fierce rivalries and bitter build-ups in recent years , the two clashed in a grudge fight back in 2015 , with Joshua coming out on top via a seventh-round stoppage .
Since then , Joshua has gone on to become unified heavyweight champion and Whyte has notched up 11 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gold medallist Joshua 's stock has been high since the day he turned professional , whereas Whyte has increased his profile both in and out of the ring , despite an undercooked meringue costing him in last year 's MasterChef series .
But both fighters have also shown their vulnerabilities : Joshua had to avenge his shock loss to Andy Ruiz Jr and Whyte was troubled at times in fights against Dereck Chisora , Joseph Parker and Oscar Rivas .
A rematch more than five years later would be intriguing .
Whyte acknowledges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beating Povetkin at Hearn 's Fight Camp .
Writing in his first BBC Sport column , he said : `` Once again , I 'm having to risk my mandatory position , something I 've worked so hard for , against Povetkin , a former world champion and Olympic gold medallist .
`` But I know I can win and I know I can go on to be the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world , otherwise why would I be doing all of this ? ''
Some fans are also predicting a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Both fighters are already at the bio-secure venue in Basildon and while Povetkin is being put up in a hotel , Whyte has opted for his very own motorhomes ... Also , let 's just take a moment to appreciate this outrageous Team Povetkin attire from when they landed in London this week ...
There is an uncanny resemblance to characters from the Guy Ritchie film , The Gentleman ... Back to the day job for Ball after outstanding win On Friday night , bantamweight boxer Rachel Ball put on the performance of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fight Camp .
On Monday morning , Ball says she was hiding her battle scars with concealer as she logged on for a work Zoom call .
`` I 'm a social worker for over-65s with dementia and mental health difficulties .
I do a lot of care assessment planning , advice and information and things like that , '' Ball told the Daily Mirror .
`` It 's hard but I have to do it , I have n't got a choice .
I 've got bills to pay and at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it 's my dream to be doing things like this . ''
There was a lot of love for the part-time boxer… It was a close bout which could have gone either way .
And fellow boxers were quick to pay tribute to both fighters and offer their support to Courtenay… Regardless of the outcome , Courtenay and Ball demonstrated the strength in British women 's boxing , just like WBC super-featherweight champion Terri Harper and challenger Natasha Jonas did in their world-title draw earlier this month .
Tyson Fury could n't ask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dad .
And fans of the always passionate John Fury , whose outspoken interviews often go down well with the boxing public , were pleased to hear that the 56-year-old joined Instagram last week .
And it did n't take Fury Sr long to start entertaining his followers ...

Last updated on .From the section Boxing
In this week's Fight Talk we look at whether Anthony Joshua could fight Dillian Whyte if Tyson Fury vacates his WBC belt - or could Russian Alexander Povetkin upset the odds by beating Whyte this Saturday?
Meanwhile, Rachel Ball returns to her day job as a social worker after beating Shannon Courtenay, and boxing fans get giddy as John Fury joins Instagram.
Could Joshua-Whyte II happen next year?
With two champions, several belts and multiple mandatory challengers, the world heavyweight division is in a bit of a muddle.
The coronavirus pandemic and subsequent halt in boxing have added to the confusion. Which boxer most deserves a world-title shot? Which fight should be the priority?
It's fair to say that most fans want to see the all-British, undisputed clash between WBC champion Fury and IBF, WBA and WBO belt-holder Joshua.
But could we instead see a rematch between Joshua and Londoner Whyte in 2021? It's possible, according to their promoter Eddie Hearn.
Whyte, the number one WBC challenger, fights Povetkin this Saturday. WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman has told Sky Sports that if Whyte wins he will get to face the winner of the fight between Fury and American Deontay Wilder.
But with that trilogy bout unlikely to take place until December, it is also possible that if Fury beats Wilder, he will vacate his title in search of a more lucrative bout rather than face Whyte.
"If Fury does not want to fight Whyte, then Whyte will be elevated to champion from 'interim' champion," Hearn told Sky Sports.
"Then what will happen? Joshua will fight Whyte straight away for the undisputed championship."
Boxing fans are left frustrated with multiple world champions and number one challengers, while also pointing out that Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk, the mandatory challenger for Joshua's WBO belt, could scupper any Joshua-Fury or Joshua-Whyte undisputed clash…
Whether it's for all of the belts or not, a Joshua and Whyte rematch should capture the imagination of the British public.
In what was one of the most fierce rivalries and bitter build-ups in recent years, the two clashed in a grudge fight back in 2015, with Joshua coming out on top via a seventh-round stoppage.
Since then, Joshua has gone on to become unified heavyweight champion and Whyte has notched up 11 straight wins against world-level fighters.
Olympic gold medallist Joshua's stock has been high since the day he turned professional, whereas Whyte has increased his profile both in and out of the ring, despite an undercooked meringue costing him in last year's MasterChef series.
But both fighters have also shown their vulnerabilities: Joshua had to avenge his shock loss to Andy Ruiz Jr and Whyte was troubled at times in fights against Dereck Chisora, Joseph Parker and Oscar Rivas.
A rematch more than five years later would be intriguing.
Whyte's motorhome and Povetkin's 'rascal clobber'
Whyte acknowledges the difficult task ahead of him in beating Povetkin at Hearn's Fight Camp. Writing in his first BBC Sport column, he said: "Once again, I'm having to risk my mandatory position, something I've worked so hard for, against Povetkin, a former world champion and Olympic gold medallist.
"But I know I can win and I know I can go on to be the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, otherwise why would I be doing all of this?"
Some fans are also predicting a tough night's work for Whyte...
Both fighters are already at the bio-secure venue in Basildon and while Povetkin is being put up in a hotel, Whyte has opted for his very own motorhomes...
Also, let's just take a moment to appreciate this outrageous Team Povetkin attire from when they landed in London this week...
There is an uncanny resemblance to characters from the Guy Ritchie film, The Gentleman...
Back to the day job for Ball after outstanding win
On Friday night, bantamweight boxer Rachel Ball put on the performance of her life to beat Shannon Courtenay at Fight Camp.
On Monday morning, Ball says she was hiding her battle scars with concealer as she logged on for a work Zoom call.
"I'm a social worker for over-65s with dementia and mental health difficulties. I do a lot of care assessment planning, advice and information and things like that," Ball told the Daily Mirror.
"It's hard but I have to do it, I haven't got a choice. I've got bills to pay and at the same time I love boxing, and it's my dream to be doing things like this."
There was a lot of love for the part-time boxer…
It was a close bout which could have gone either way. And fellow boxers were quick to pay tribute to both fighters and offer their support to Courtenay…
Regardless of the outcome, Courtenay and Ball demonstrated the strength in British women's boxing, just like WBC super-featherweight champion Terri Harper and challenger Natasha Jonas did in their world-title draw earlier this month.
John Fury's Instagram debut
Tyson Fury couldn't ask for a better hype man than his dad.
And fans of the always passionate John Fury, whose outspoken interviews often go down well with the boxing public, were pleased to hear that the 56-year-old joined Instagram last week.
And it didn't take Fury Sr long to start entertaining his followers...


bbc--2020-08-19--US election 2020 polls: Who is ahead - Trump or Biden?

Voters in America will decide on 3 November whether Donald Trump remains in the White House for another four years .
The Republican president is being challenged by Democratic Party nominee Joe Biden , who is best known as Barack Obama 's vice-president but has been in US politics since the 1970s .
As election day approaches , polling companies will be trying to gauge the mood of the nation by asking voters which candidate they prefer .
We 'll be keeping track of those polls here and trying to work out what they can and ca n't tell us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ How are the presidential candidates doing nationally ?
National polls are a good guide as to how popular a candidate is across the country as a whole , but they 're not necessarily a good way to predict the result of the election .
In 2016 , for example , Hillary Clinton led in the polls and won nearly three million more votes than Donald Trump , but she still lost - that 's because the US uses an electoral college system , so winning the most votes does n't always win you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Joe Biden has been ahead of Donald Trump in national polls for most of the year .
He has hovered around 50 % in recent weeks and has had a 10-point lead on occasions .
By contrast , in 2016 the polls were far less clear and just a couple of percentage points separated Mr Trump and his then-rival Hillary Clinton at several points as election day neared .
• A really simple guide to the US election Which states will decide this election ?
As Mrs Clinton discovered in 2016 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ less important than where you win them .
Most states nearly always vote the same way , meaning that in reality there are just a handful of states where both candidates stand a chance of winning .
These are the places where the election will be won and lost and are known as battleground states .
In the electoral college system the US uses to elect its president , each state is given a number of votes based on its population .
A total of 538 electoral college votes are up for grabs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 270 to win .
As the map above shows , some battleground states have a lot more electoral college votes on offer than others so candidates often spend a lot more time campaigning in them .
• What is the electoral college ?
At the moment , polls in the battleground states look good for Joe Biden , but there 's a long way to go and things can change very quickly , especially when Donald Trump 's involved .
The polls suggest Mr Biden has big leads in Michigan , Pennsylvania and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rival won by margins of less than 1 % to clinch victory in 2016 .
But it 's the battleground states where Mr Trump won big in 2016 that his campaign team will be most worried about .
His winning margin in Iowa , Ohio and Texas was between 8-10 % back then but it 's looking much closer in all three at the moment .
Those poll numbers may help explain his decision to replace his re-election campaign manager in July and his regular references to `` fake polls '' .
Betting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ writing Mr Trump off just yet .
The latest odds still give him about a one in three chance of winning on 3 November .
• Does Trump have the power to delay the election ?
The coronavirus pandemic has dominated headlines in the US since the start of the year and the response to President Trump 's actions has been split predictably along party lines .
Support for his approach peaked in mid-March after he declared a national emergency and made $ 50 billion available to states to stop the spread of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 55 % of Americans approved of his actions , according to data from Ipsos , a leading polling company .
But any support he had from Democrats disappeared after that , while Republicans continued to back their president .
By last month , however , data suggested even his own supporters had begun to question his response as states in the south and the west of the country dealt with renewed outbreaks of the virus .
That may explain why he has been less optimistic about coronavirus in recent weeks , warning that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it gets better '' He also donned a face mask for the first time and called on Americans to wear them , saying `` they 'll have an effect '' and show `` patriotism '' .
One leading model produced by experts at the University of Washington predicts the death toll will have passed 250,000 by election day .
• Why are Americans so angry about masks ?
Can we trust the polls ?
It 's easy to dismiss the polls by saying they got it wrong in 2016 and President Trump frequently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not entirely true .
Most national polls did have Hillary Clinton ahead by a few percentage points , but that does n't mean they were wrong , since she won three million more votes than her rival .
Pollsters did have some problems in 2016 - notably a failure to properly represent voters without a college degree - meaning Mr Trump 's advantage in some key battleground states was n't spotted until late in the race , if at all .
Most polling companies have corrected this now .
But this year there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the coronavirus pandemic and the effect it 's having on both the economy and how people will vote in November , so all polls should be read with some scepticism , especially this far out from election day .
• Americast : The latest news and gossip from the campaign trail

On his own health, 72% of respondents said that Mr Trump did not take the "risk of contracting the virus seriously enough," while the same number said he failed to take "the appropriate precautions when it came to his personal health".


bbc--2020-08-19--What to watch for on day three

What to watch for on day three

Balloons .
Confetti .
Signs .
Big hats .
It 's the moment US election enthusiasts have been waiting four years for .
It 's convention season .
We are half way through the Democratic National Convention - and Joe Biden has been crowned as the party 's presidential nominee - but there are still two more nights of big speeches to go .
Of course this year , things are looking a bit different .
Here 's everything you need to know about this year 's convention , Covid-19 changes and all .
What is the Democratic National Convention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comes together to formally name - and hype up - their candidates .
You may be thinking , 'was n't Joe Biden already the nominee ? '
Yes - and no .
Before the convention he was certainly the presumptive Democratic candidate , but it was n't until the ceremonial roll call on Tuesday that he was officially anointed .
Party members will also unveil the 2020 Democratic platform , the list of party values and policy priorities which they believe distinguish them from their rival Republicans .
OK , so where and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it 's being held in a convention centre in Milwaukee , in the Midwestern state of Wisconsin , from Monday 17 August to Thursday 20 August .
But Covid-19 restrictions and concerns mean that the only people attending in-person will be those necessary to orchestrating the event .
Instead of 50,000 people gathering for the traditional calendar with days full of speeches , receptions and rallies , sessions are being streamed from the Democratic Party 's social media channels and aired live on most US news channels from 21:00 to 23:00 EDT @ @ @ @ @ @ @ convention On Wednesday and Thursday evenings there will be a live page from 2130 BST/ 1630 EST which you will find on the BBC News front page .
All the latest developments will also be tweeted @ BBCNorthAmerica while you can see the main speeches and get analysis on BBC World News ( global ) and the BBC News Channel ( UK ) .
You can also watch the convention on the DNC website ( sessions from 21:00-23:00 ET ( 01:00-03:00 GMT the next day ) every night between 17 and 20 August @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 2020 election BIDEN ON KEY ISSUES : What the US presidential hopeful wants to do POLLS : Who is ahead - Trump or Biden ?
US ELECTIONS 2020 : A really simple guide to the US election ELECTORAL COLLEGE : What is it ?
ONE-STOP-SHOP : All our US election coverage Will Joe Biden be there ?
Mr Biden will not be in Wisconsin .
The presumptive nominee will be dialling in from his home state of Delaware on Thursday night , and he will deliver his speech from the Chase Center @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where Kamala Harris , his vice-presidential pick , will give her acceptance speech on Wednesday .
He 's already appearances on the first two nights though .
On Monday he led a recorded conversation on race with politicians and activists , and on Tuesday he joined his wife Jill for her speech .
• Where Joe Biden stands on the key issues Who are the speakers this year ?
Mrs Obama and Senator Bernie Sanders addressed the virtual crowds on Monday night .
Former President Bill Clinton was the headline act on Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state and the 2016 nominee , will take a prime time slot on Wednesday night , as will Senator Elizabeth Warren .
The jam-packed schedule also includes Ms Harris and former president Barack Obama .
• How Kamala Harris could help - or hurt - Joe Biden • What do young black voters think of Harris ?
What to watch out for This political convention wo n't look like any we 've seen before but the stakes are as high as ever .
Here 's what I 'm looking out for : Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , this is Joe Biden 's moment in the spotlight .
He will attack President Trump not only for his policies - which he says have `` left the US in tatters '' - but for his behaviour in the White House .
Biden frames this election as a `` fight for the soul of the nation '' and will present himself as the candidate who can unite and heal America .
Signs of weakness : There have been doubts , encouraged by his political adversaries , that the 77-year-old has lost a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ traditionally been a compelling public speaker , and Democrats will be hoping he can rise to the moment and put doubts about his endurance and ability to bed for good .
An appeal to multiple audiences : Biden will use the convention to appeal to a national audience tuning into the campaign for the first time - especially independents and moderate Republicans - but he also needs to energise the base , including those on the left of the party .
Barack Obama was the last Democrat to build a winning coalition - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wife Michelle , closing out two nights , his campaign clearly hopes some of the Obama magic rubs off .
The rising stars : While Biden 's choice of Kamala Harris as his running mate has made her an heir apparent , there are other names on the speaking schedule who might someday challenge her .
That includes a gaggle of governors , such as New York 's Andrew Cuomo and Gavin Newsom of California , five of Biden 's 2020 campaign rivals and several members of his vice-presidential short list .
Then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at 30 is still several cycles away from a possible presidential bid but is already a power in the progressive wing of the party .
Will any of them follow in the steps of then-state senator Obama in 2004 , and seize the moment ?
Why are Republicans on the bill ?
It 's rare , though not unprecedented , to have members of the other party show up .
This time , former Ohio Governor John Kasich , a Republican and Trump critic , addressed the convention on Monday .
Another Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , spoke on Tuesday .
They represent moderate conservatives unhappy with the direction the president has taken the Republican Party .
Will it just be politicians speaking ?
Not to worry - you 'll hear from ordinary , relatable Americans too .
Planners have promised `` fewer people behind podiums - and more people in living rooms , on factory floors , at small businesses , and in schools and town squares '' .
This line-up includes educators , gun safety advocates , healthcare workers and even some former Republicans .
We 'll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Telesz , who voted for Trump in 2016 , but changed his mind after his family farm suffered amid the president 's trade war .
Another highlighted voice this year is gun safety advocate DeAndra Dycus , an Indiana mother whose 13-year-old son was shot and injured at a birthday party .
And it likely wo n't be just ordinary voters joining the e-party : expect appearances by celebrities .
In 2016 , we heard from actresses Meryl Streep and Lena Dunham , comedian Sarah Silverman and got a musical performance by Alicia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
If you 've been following along with the primary election season so far , you know why the nomination vote was a formality for Biden .
After a shaky start in the primary elections when each party picks its candidate , he convincingly won the race ahead of Bernie Sanders .
Delegates from across the US formally vote at the convention for the candidate that won their state 's Democratic primary election or caucus .
Usually delegates are in the convention hall when they vote , but this year it was what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ call process '' taking viewers to all 57 states and territories .
• How is Donald Trump doing in the polls ?
As for those delegates who were promised to other candidates who 've since withdrawn from the race , they 're free to vote as they will .
If you want to know more about the delegate system , you can read about it in our guide to primaries and caucuses .
What happens next ?
Do n't worry , convention season is n't over yet .
We 've got the Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ though the pandemic has upended plans for that , too .
After that , presidential campaigning will be in full force until the general election on 3 November .
Make a note in your calendars for the debates too .
The first presidential debate is scheduled for 29 September with two more in October .
The US election process can be confusing .
The BBC is here to help make sense of it .
Please put your questions below .
Please ensure you have read our terms & conditions and privacy policy .

An appeal to multiple audiences: Biden will use the convention to appeal to a national audience tuning into the campaign for the first time - especially independents and moderate Republicans - but he also needs to energise the base, including those on the left of the party. Barack Obama was the last Democrat to build a winning coalition - with the former president, and his wife Michelle, closing out two nights, his campaign clearly hopes some of the Obama magic rubs off.


bbc--2020-08-19--Democratic convention: Jill Biden lovingly endorses husband

What happens at the US conventions ?
It 's convention season in the US election , but this year wo @ @ @ @ @ .

What you missed on day one of virtual convention. Video, 00:01:56What you missed on day one of virtual convention


bbc--2020-08-20--Democratic convention: Obama to blast Trump's 'reality show'

Barack Obama will accuse President Donald Trump of treating the White House like `` one more reality show '' , in a speech to the Democratic convention .
The former US president will say his Republican successor `` has n't grown into the job because he ca n't '' .
At the White House , Mr Trump hit back that he was only elected because of the `` horror '' Mr Obama left Americans .
On the third night of the Democratic conference , Kamala Harris will accept the vice-presidential nomination .
The Democratic presidential nominee , Joe Biden , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a speech on Thursday .
The Biden-Harris ticket will challenge President Trump and his Vice-President Mike Pence for the White House in the election on 3 November .
What will Obama say ?
On Wednesday night , Mr Obama will unleash possibly his most scathing attack yet about Mr Trump , speaking from the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia .
According to pre-released excerpts of his remarks , he will say : `` He 's [ Mr Trump ] shown no interest in putting in the work .
No interest in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in using the awesome power of his office to help anyone but himself and his friends .
`` No interest in treating the presidency as anything but one more reality show that he can use to get the attention he craves . ''
• What Biden wants to do • How is Trump doing in the polls ?
• Who is potential US first lady Jill Biden ?
He will say the consequences of the Trump presidency have been `` our worst impulses unleashed , our proud reputation around the world badly diminished @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never before '' .
Mr Obama will then pivot to encouraging voters to elect his former vice-president , Mr Biden - praising him as `` my friend '' and `` a brother '' - in 76 days ' time .
Former US presidents mostly tend to observe a dignified public silence about their successors .
But Mr Obama warned four years ago while still in office that he would regard it as a `` personal insult '' if Americans elected Mr Trump , then the Republican candidate and a former star of TV @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has become gradually more outspoken about his successor as he has watched him dismantle his legacy .
During a White House news conference on Wednesday , Mr Trump was asked about his predecessor 's remarks .
`` I see the horror that he 's left us and the stupidity of the transactions he made , '' the US president said .
`` Look at how bad he was how ineffective a president he was , he was so ineffective , so terrible . ''
`` Now President Obama did not do a good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here is because of President Obama and Joe Biden . ''
He added : `` They did such a bad job that I stand before you as president . ''
Who else is speaking at the convention ?
In a pre-recorded speech on Wednesday night , Hillary Clinton , the 2016 Democratic nominee , will also assail the man who thwarted her White House ambitions .
According to excerpts from her prepared remarks , she will say : `` I wish Donald Trump had been a better president .
But , sadly , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She will add : `` For four years , people have said to me , ' I did n't realise how dangerous he was . '
' I wish I could go back and do it over . '
Or worst , ' I should have voted . '
`` Well , this ca n't be another woulda coulda shoulda election . ''
The former first lady and ex-secretary of state will urge Americans : `` No matter what , vote .
Vote like our lives and livelihoods are on the line , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Donald Trump are exchanging barbs in near real time now .
While the former president has offered oblique criticism in the past , in his Democratic National Convention speech tonight he will attack the current president by name .
For more than three years , Trump has treated the 2016 election - one he narrowly won - as a full-throated repudiation of his predecessor and governed accordingly .
That has been a risky assumption , given that polls indicate Mr Obama is currently one of the most popular political figures in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ net negative for most of his presidency .
Wednesday 's clash suggests that the forthcoming election between Mr Trump and Joe Biden , Americans will be more than a choice between two men , it also will be one between two legacies - Mr Obama 's and Mr Trump 's .
And both the current and former presidents are treating it accordingly .
• A simple guide to the US election • How is Donald Trump doing in the polls ?
• How you can be US president without winning most votes

On Monday night at the Democratic convention, Michelle Obama delivered an impassioned attack on her husband's successor, painting him as incompetent and "clearly in over his head". Her salvo was especially striking to many Americans because US first ladies, serving and former, tend to carefully steer clear of the political fray.


bbc--2020-08-19--Trump attacks Goodyear for campaign clothes ban

US President Donald Trump has called for a boycott of American tyre company Goodyear , stoking a controversy over political expression in the workplace .
The attack followed reports the firm had forbidden staff from wearing Trump campaign gear , while allowing `` Black Lives Matter '' and gay rights attire .
Goodyear said its rules forbid activism that falls `` outside the scope of racial justice and equity issues '' .
The tyre-maker said its goal was an `` inclusive , respectful workplace '' .
The firm 's shares slumped as much as 6 % following the president 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the largest tyre company in North America .
Its branded tyres were on 24 % of new vehicles in the United States in 2018 , according to Tyre Business , an industry publication .
It drew the president 's ire after a report from a Kansas news outlet , based on a slide from a presentation , which had been shared by an employee .
The slide outlined what was `` acceptable '' and `` unacceptable '' , with gear bearing the Trump campaign slogan `` Make America Great Again '' and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the latter category .
White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany said Trump was concerned that the company allowed attire supporting the `` Black Lives Matter '' movement and other issues related to equality , but not the `` Blue Lives Matter '' group backing police officers , or Make America Great Again .
`` As far as I 'm concerned , 'Blue Lives Matter ' is an equity issue .
There have been police officers across this country that have been targeted because they wear the badge , '' she told a briefing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to clarify their policy . ''
Goodyear defended its stance on Wednesday , but said the slide in question had not been prepared at headquarters .
It also said it did not indicate an `` anti-police '' policy .
`` Goodyear has always wholeheartedly supported both equality and law enforcement and will continue to do so , '' it said .
`` These are not mutually exclusive . ''
Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown , who represents Ohio , the midwestern state where Goodyear is based , said the president 's call for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not the first company to find itself caught in the crosshairs of America 's heated battles over politics and race .
Amazon last month was sued by employees who said the company had discriminated against them by punishing them for wearing Black Lives Matter gear in a selective enforcement of its dress code .
Democratic lawmakers also called for a boycott of Goya Foods , a Hispanic-owned food company known for its canned beans , after its chief executive expressed support for the president .
Earlier consumer campaigns have pressured companies to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and leave business councils advising the Trump administration .
Mr Trump has also frequently used Twitter to express his unhappiness with companies such as Amazon and General Motors .
In his tweet about Goodyear on Wednesday , he appeared to allude to the consumer boycotts championed by Democrats , saying `` two can play that game '' .
`` Do n't buy GOODYEAR TYRES - They announced a BAN ON MAGA HATS .
Get better tyres for far less ! ''
he urged .

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bbc--2020-08-19--California fires: Bay Area hit by blazes forcing thousands to evacuate

Thousands of people have had to flee their homes in areas near San Francisco after several quick-moving wildfires swept into the region .
California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency as authorities battle hundreds of fires burning around the state .
Most at risk is the city of Vacaville , home to about 100,000 , which lies between San Francisco and Sacramento .
Officials went door-to-door overnight in a frantic effort to clear homes .
According to fire officials , 50 structures have burned down in Vacaville , with another 50 damaged by the fire .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by lightning and a heatwave on the US West Coast .
Earlier this week , one of the highest ever temperatures on Earth was recorded in California 's Death Valley .
Across the US western states on Wednesday , nearly 45 million people were living in areas under some form of excessive heat warning or heat advisory .
• Life in the 'hottest place on Earth' The group of fires in the San Francisco Bay Area , which is being called the LNU Lightning Complex , was driven by winds throughout Tuesday night @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acres .
The fire , which is larger than city of Washington DC , has injured four people and threatens about 2,000 buildings in Vacaville , authorities say .
Video on social media shows flames burning through people 's front yards in California 's famed wine-producing Napa and Sonoma counties .
Smoke also blanketed the city of San Francisco , about 60 miles ( 95km ) south of Vacaville , on Wednesday morning .
Fires are also burning in the southern part of the state , where officials described `` extreme fire conditions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state 's energy provider has pleaded with residents to use less electricity or otherwise face blackouts that would leave millions of people without power for hours at a time .
On Tuesday night more than 37,000 customers across California lost power , officials told CNN .
So far this year the US has experienced fewer wildfires than in 2019 .
According to Reuters news agency , around 1.4m fewer acres have burned this year , but the pace is expected to accelerate in the next month as Santa Ana winds reach the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the north .


bbc--2020-08-19--IS 'Beatles' will not face death penalty in US

The US has told the UK that two Islamic State suspects will not face the death penalty if convicted of the killings of Western hostages in Iraq and Syria .
Alexanda Kotey and El Shafee Elsheikh are accused of being the last two members of an IS cell dubbed `` The Beatles '' because of their UK accents .
The US sought the UK 's help in the case but a legal fight over the use of the death penalty has stymied co-operation .
The US has now made clear the two will not be executed if found guilty .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Patel , US Attorney General William Barr said the US authorities would not seek the death penalty against the two men and `` if imposed , it will not be carried out '' .
In the light of the assurances , he said he hoped the UK would share `` important evidence '' about the men promptly .
`` If we receive the requested evidence and attendant cooperation from the UK , we intend to proceed with a United States prosecution , '' he wrote .
• What is behind Britain 's IS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Islamic State group 'Beatles ' cell ?
• Where should the IS 'Beatles ' be tried ?
`` Indeed , it is these unique circumstances that have led me to provide the assurance offered in this letter . ''
A Home Office spokesman said the UK `` continue to work closely with international partners to ensure that those who have committed crimes in the name of Daesh are brought to justice '' .
The pair , who are in US military custody in Iraq , were British citizens , but have been stripped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alleged to have been members of an IS kidnap gang behind the killings of a number of Western hostages , including American journalists and British aid workers , in Iraq and Syria in 2014 .
The victims were beheaded and their deaths filmed and broadcast on social media .
The UK believes the men can not be legally extradited to the UK , but in 2018 it emerged that the US was preparing the ground to prosecute the men - and that it had asked the UK for information that would help convict @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they would share intelligence , without opposing a death penalty sentence .
But co-operation with the US was halted after the mother of El Shafee Elsheikh launched a legal challenge , arguing the UK 's position was in breach of its internationally recognised opposition to capital punishment .
In the past Britain has sought assurances from foreign governments that the death penalty would not be used in cases where the UK provided information or extradited suspects .
The Supreme Court has ruled that the US government 's demand to use crucial evidence from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
At the time , the UK said it was `` a long-standing position '' to oppose the death penalty but added that in this case it was `` a priority to make sure that these men face criminal prosecution '' .
However , the UK has made clear that if the pair were sent to the controversial US military prison Guantanamo Bay - where suspects have been detained without trial - the UK would withhold intelligence .
The BBC 's security correspondent Frank Gardner said the US were warning that if the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of October , the two men would be handed over to the Iraqi government .
Several relatives of the murdered western hostages have said they want the men to face a fair trial , rather than the death penalty .

"I feel that the death penalty is too easy. It allows them to be martyrs... I really feel if they truly have done these horrible crimes, they really need to face life imprisonment, so they have a chance for redemption themselves and a chance to really recognise the horror of what they've done to others," she told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.


bbc--2020-08-19--Apple first US company to be valued at $2tn

Tech giant Apple has become the first US company to be valued at $ 2tn ( £1.5tn ) on the stock market .
It reached the milestone just two years after becoming the world 's first trillion-dollar company in 2018 .
Its share price hit $ 467.77 in mid-morning trading in the US on Wednesday to push it over the $ 2tn mark .
The only other company to reach the $ 2tn level was state-backed Saudi Aramco after it listed its shares last December .
But the oil giant 's value has slipped back to $ 1.8tn since then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world 's most valuable traded company at the end of July .
The iPhone-maker 's shares have leapt more than 50 % this year , despite the coronavirus crisis forcing it to shut retail stores and political pressure over its links China .
In fact , its share price has doubled since its low point in March , when panic about the coronavirus pandemic swept the markets .
Tech firms , which have been viewed as winners despite lockdowns , have seen their stock surge in recent weeks , even though the US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ third quarter figures towards the end of July , including $ 59.7bn of revenue and double-digit growth in its products and services segments .
The next most valuable US company is Amazon which is worth around $ 1.7tn .
• US stocks hit new high after coronavirus crash Apple 's rapid share price rise is `` an impressive feat within a short period of time '' , said Paolo Pescatore , a technology analyst at PP Foresight .
`` The last few months have underlined the importance of users and households alike to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ services and with Apple 's strong broad portfolio of devices and a growing services offering , there are plentiful opportunities for future growth . ''
He said the arrival of gigabit connectivity broadband would offer Apple `` endless possibilities '' .
`` All eyes are now on the eagerly anticipated 5G iPhone which will fuel further consumer demand , '' he added .
Microsoft and Amazon follow Apple as the most valuable publicly traded US companies , each at about $ 1.6tn .
They are followed by Google-owner Alphabet at just over $ @ @

"The last few months have underlined the importance of users and households alike to own better quality devices, connections and services and with Apple's strong broad portfolio of devices and a growing services offering, there are plentiful opportunities for future growth."


bbc--2020-08-19--Belarus unrest: Lukashenko steps up efforts to reassert control

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has stepped up efforts to reassert his control after 10 days of street protests and strikes triggered by disputed elections .
The official result gave him 80 % of the vote but the opposition has denounced the poll as fraudulent .
Mr Lukashenko says he has given orders to end the unrest in the capital Minsk .
The move signalled an escalation just as EU leaders agreed to impose sanctions at a virtual summit .
The President of the European Council , Charles Michel , made clear that the EU did not recognise the result of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to release hundreds of protesters who have been imprisoned .
• 'The people will not forgive this' But on Wednesday , Mr Lukashenko approved a cabinet that would see Roman Golovchenko retain his role as prime minister , with many other key members of the previous government reappointed , the Tut.by news network reported .
Among those on the list to remain in place was Interior Minister Yuri Karayev , whose responsibilities include policing and public security .
The proposed government is subject to further consent by the lower house of parliament .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1994 said he had ordered police to quell protests in Minsk .
`` There should no longer be any disorder in Minsk of any kind , '' he told his security council .
`` People are tired .
People demand peace and quiet , '' he added .
He said he had ordered border controls to be tightened to prevent an influx of `` fighters and arms '' .
He also warned that workers at state media who had gone on strike in protest at the election and the subsequent crackdown on protests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back .
Russian replacements have reportedly been brought in .
Mr Lukashenko also accused those picketing outside factories of harassing workers .
He had earlier accused the opposition of `` an attempt to seize power '' .
The BBC 's Jonah Fisher in Minsk said there had already been some signs this morning of a change in tactics from the Belarusian authorities in Minsk .
Our correspondent said that a checkpoint had appeared on the road leading to the state TV building with police checking the identity of anyone walking to the building @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also been obstructed by police .
Mr Lukashenko 's remarks came shortly after the exiled leader of the opposition , Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , had urged EU leaders to reject the election .
The 37-year-old , who left for Lithuania after being detained for hours following the vote , released a video statement on Wednesday .
She said President Lukashenko had `` lost all legitimacy in the eyes of our nation and the world '' and urged the EU to back what she called the `` awakening of Belarus '' .
She said : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their vote in the streets of their cities all across Belarus were brutally beaten , imprisoned and tortured by the regime desperately clinging on to power .
This is taking place right now in the middle of Europe . ''
Ms Tikhanovskaya has formed a `` co-ordination council '' with plans for `` new , fair and democratic presidential elections with international supervision '' .
How has the EU responded ?
After a three-hour video conference , EU Leaders agreed unanimously to take three actions over Belarus , BBC Europe Correspondent Gavin Lee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sanctions including asset freezes for an as yet undisclosed number of officials involved in alleged election-rigging , brutality and imprisonment of protesters .
The exact sanctions are still being worked out • Secondly , leaders agreed to a joint form of words making clear that the EU stands with the people on the streets , and does not recognise the result .
But it does not go as far as stating they do not recognise President Lukashenko 's authority , as some EU officials wanted • Thirdly , leaders offered help in trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the opposition , to find a way for the president to stand down and peacefully transfer power .
In addition , €53m ( £48m ; $ 63m ) of financial support from the EU to Belarus is being re-assigned away from the state to non-governmental organisations , with some money assigned to help the victims of violence , as well setting up alternatives to government-backed media organisations .
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said election had been neither free nor fair .
EU leaders , she added , condemned `` the brutal violence against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use of violence against thousands of Belarusians '' which followed in the wake of the disputed election .
She and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stressed the need for a dialogue between the authorities and the opposition in Belarus .
• 'If you croak we do n't care ' : brutality in Belarus • Five things you may not know about the country On Saturday , Mr Lukashenko had said that Russian President Vladimir Putin had promised to provide assistance in the event of any external military threat .
But on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that there was no need for Russia to help Belarus militarily or otherwise at present .
Mrs Merkel said that `` we 've made it clear that military intervention by Russia would make the situation far more complicated '' .
More about the protests in Belarus • LETTER FROM MINSK : Shocked by violence , people lose their fear

He also warned that workers at state media who had gone on strike in protest at the election and the subsequent crackdown on protests that they would not get their jobs back. Russian replacements have reportedly been brought in. Mr Lukashenko also accused those picketing outside factories of harassing workers.


bbc--2020-08-19--US Postal Service: Democrats to press on with bill despite U-turn on cutbacks

Democrats are to press on with a bill to fund the US Postal Service , despite the postmaster 's decision to suspend a controversial plan to cut it back .
Critics said the changes would have hampered postal voting , a key issue in November 's presidential election .
Postmaster General Louis DeJoy , a key ally of President Trump , who believes postal votes will harm his re-election , halted the cuts until after the poll .
But leading Democrat Nancy Pelosi said the service was still at risk .
On Wednesday , she spoke with Mr DeJoy and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of changes was `` wholly insufficient '' .
• What the row over the US postal service is about She and other Democrat leaders are pushing for $ 25bn ( £19bn ) in extra funding for the postal service ahead of the November election .
The House of Representatives is expected to vote on the legislation on Saturday , with lawmakers rushed back from summer recess .
A surge in postal ballots is expected in the election , amid the coronavirus outbreak .
But President Trump strongly opposes them , saying they would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there is no evidence this would happen .
What changes had been planned ?
The US Postal Service ( USPS ) has been under financial pressure , which will only increase with the postal-voting burden .
Up to half of all votes could be postal ballots .
Under Mr DeJoy it had begun what it said were cost-cutting measures .
These included removing mail boxes , cancelling delivery runs , reducing overtime and closing down sorting centres .
But opponents said this would slow down the handling of postal ballots .
Referring to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday the election might `` never come out with an outcome '' and `` they 'll have to do it again , and nobody wants that '' .
The row has sparked allegations that the USPS , the most popular government agency , is being politicised .
On Wednesday , White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany said the White House was open to extra funding of the post office but wanted any legislation to include further economic stimulus measures .
`` We are certainly open to looking at the $ 25bn [ proposed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ included in there relief for the American people that thus far speaker Pelosi has been entirely uninterested in , '' she said .
Earlier this month President Trump signed executive orders to provide economic aid , after talks in Congress over a new stimulus package broke down .
Ms McEnany also would not confirm to reporters that Mr Trump would accept November 's election results if he did not win .
What have the Democrats said ?
Ms Pelosi , the speaker of the Democrat-run House of Representatives , said it still planned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to boost funding and halt organisational changes .
She said Mr DeJoy 's suspension `` only halts a limited number of the postmaster 's changes , does not reverse damage already done , and alone is not enough to ensure voters will not be disenfranchised by the president this fall '' .
`` The House will be moving ahead with our vote this Saturday , '' she added .
Earlier she said Mr DeJoy had `` felt the heat ... and that 's what we were trying to do , make it too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrat House majority leader Steny Hoyer said his party was `` going to make sure in law '' that the changes would be stopped .
If , as expected , the bill passes in the House of Representatives , it will go to the Republican-run Senate .
Some Republicans have also opposed the proposed USPS changes but Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell said : `` I do n't think we 'll pass , in the Senate , a postal-only bill . ''
What did Mr DeJoy say ?
The former Republican donor said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be cut , and post boxes and sorting machines would stop being removed .
He also said overtime pay would continue to be approved to ensure deliveries arrived on time .
`` To avoid even the appearance of any impact on election mail , I am suspending these initiatives until after the election is concluded , '' Mr DeJoy said in a statement .
The U-turn came with Mr DeJoy due to testify to Congress and at least 20 states preparing to sue .
Mr Trump said he was not involved in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mark Meadows said the president had never ordered postal operational changes to slow mail deliveries .
Postal voting in the US Voting by mail is not new to the US .
According to Reuters , approximately one in every four voters cast ballots by mail in 2016 .
• Does US postal voting lead to ‘ tremendous fraud ’ ?
Critics say people could vote more than once via absentee ballots and then again in person , though numerous nationwide and state-level studies over the years have found no evidence of widespread fraud @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the US is between 0.00004 % and 0.0009 % , according to a 2017 study by the Brennan Center for Justice .
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"We are certainly open to looking at the $25bn [proposed by Democrats], but we want included in there relief for the American people that thus far speaker Pelosi has been entirely uninterested in," she said.


bbc--2020-08-19--Tiger King zoo permanently closes

Tiger King zoo permanently closes

The exotic cat zoo made famous by the Netflix series Tiger King is closing for good .
Current owner Jeff Lowe announced the decision in a Facebook post , blaming `` the pressures of '' animal rights charity Peta .
It comes after a federal judge ordered the zoo be handed over to Carole Baskin as part of a ruling in a $ 1m ( £800,000 ) trademark dispute .
That meant the current operators had to be out in 120 days .
Jeff Lowe is the former business partner of Joe Exotic , who is currently serving a 22-year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plot and animal abuse .
`` The Tiger King phenomenon has definitely changed our lives in many ways , '' he said in his post .
`` It has brought us more attention than any human deserves , good and bad .
`` It has , and probably will continue to make us a target of every nutjob and animal rights loon in the world , but we are prepared . ''
Jeff Lowe added that he has voluntarily forfeited his United States Department of Agriculture ( USDA ) exhibitor 's license - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ animals - due to the park 's permanent closure .
He said that after `` five consecutive perfect inspections '' , the USDA have now `` folded to the pressures of Peta and continue to make false accusations against me '' .
`` Suspiciously , less than 24 hours after I contacted the USDA to voluntarily forfeit my license , they notify me that they are suspending my license for 21 days for a litany of falsehoods . ''
Brittany Peet , who works on the captive animal team at Peta , called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ permanently removed .
`` Peta looks forward to seeing every one of the long-suffering animals at the G.W .
Zoo be transferred to an appropriate facility where it wo n't take federal intervention for a sick cat to receive veterinary care , '' she said in a statement .
Tiger King , which became a huge hit on Netflix right at the start of lockdown , tells of Joe Exotic 's colourful life and his rivalry with Carole Baskin , the owner of an animal sanctuary in Florida .
`` It has also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ income , '' said Jeff .
The streaming service has reportedly secured the rights to a second season - but the show 's popularity means there are already lots of spin-offs on the way , including Nicolas Cage starring as Joe Exotic in an eight-part series .
Jeff Lowe added that his `` new park '' will be a `` private film set for Tiger King related television content for cable and streaming services '' .
Carole Baskin herself has n't been far from the headlines since the series came out .
Earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facing a lawsuit from the family of her ex-husband Don Lewis , who disappeared in 1997 and is presumed dead .
There are a number of theories over what happened to him , including suggestions Carole was responsible after receiving most of his £4.5m estate - something she has always strongly denied .
The series brought those theories to a wide audience , and immediately after its release Carole said the show had `` no regard for the truth '' .
She said it `` has a segment devoted to suggesting , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not credible , that I had a role in the disappearance of my husband Don 21 years ago .
`` The series presents this without any regard for the truth or in most cases even giving me an opportunity before publication to rebut the absurd claims .
`` They did not care about truth .
The unsavoury lies are better for getting viewers . ''
Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen back here .

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bbc--2020-08-19--Dozens of migrants die in shipwreck off Libya - UN

At least 45 migrants and refugees , including five children , have died in the deadliest shipwreck off Libya this year , the UN refugee agency says .
They were among more than 80 people on board a vessel whose engine exploded off the coast of Zwara , the UNHCR said .
The deaths were reported by some 37 survivors rescued by local fishermen .
Both the UNHCR and International Organization for Migration ( IOM ) have called for search and rescue efforts for migrants to be stepped up .
They said that without a dedicated search and rescue operation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Mediterranean .
• World of migrants turned upside down by Covid-19 More than 300 people are known to have died trying to cross the sea from Libya to Europe this year , with the actual figure believed to be much higher .
Since the 2011 overthrow and killing of its former leader , Muammar Gaddafi , Libya has become a key transit country for migrants .
But conditions for migrants there are dangerous , with the UNHCR and the IOM warning they were `` at risk of the ongoing conflict , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ detention post-disembarkation '' .
The survivors of Wednesday 's shipwreck , who were mainly from Senegal , Mali , Chad and Ghana , were detained after they disembarked in Libya .
There are reports of migrants being treated appallingly in Libya , especially if they fall into the hands of militiamen and traffickers , who abuse them and try to extort money from them .
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There are reports of migrants being treated appallingly in Libya, especially if they fall into the hands of militiamen and traffickers, who abuse them and try to extort money from them.