bbc--2020-01-27--Afghan plane crash: US jet comes down in Taliban territory

The US military has confirmed one of its planes crashed in eastern Afghanistan on Monday .
Col Sonny Leggett said : `` While the cause of crash is under investigation , there are no indications the crash was caused by enemy fire . ''
The aircraft crashed in Deh Yak district , Ghazni province , an area with a strong Taliban presence .
It is unclear how many people were on board .
• Has the Afghan conflict cost the US $ 500bn ?
Taliban social media accounts have posted unverified footage showing a burnt-out plane with US Air Force @ @ @ @ @ @ @ E-11A - the type of jet used by the US Air Force for electronic surveillance over Afghanistan .
Afghan authorities had initially said the crash plane belonged to state-owned airline Ariana , but the company quickly said all its planes were accounted for .
While helicopters have proven vulnerable and accident-prone in Afghanistan , the loss of a US fixed-wing aircraft is relatively rare .
But the Taliban are not believed to have the sorts of anti-aircraft missiles needed to bring down a high-flying aircraft .
The plane involved is an E-11A , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US Air Force .
Essentially it is an adapted Bombardier executive jet , chosen for its ability to fly at high altitude and with extended range .
It is packed with electronics : its job is to enable better communications between air and ground forces , and between different types of aircraft operating in difficult terrain or using incompatible data links .
It is a bit like the wi-fi range extender that you install in a room with a poor signal .
The aircraft - along with similar electronics mounted on unmanned systems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Afghan conflict , where the mountainous landscape is a major problem for modern military communications .

Essentially it is an adapted Bombardier executive jet, chosen for its ability to fly at high altitude and with extended range. It is packed with electronics: its job is to enable better communications between air and ground forces, and between different types of aircraft operating in difficult terrain or using incompatible data links.


bbc--2020-01-27--Trump impeachment: Calls grow for Bolton testimony

Pressure has grown for former National Security Adviser John Bolton to testify in US President Donald Trump 's impeachment trial .
Calls for his testimony come amid claims that the adviser directly linked Mr Trump to a plan to freeze aid to Ukraine in exchange for a political favour .
The claims , reportedly made in a book manuscript , are central to the trial that has resumed on Monday .
But the claims allegedly made by Mr Bolton could damage the president 's defence .
The president is accused of withholding military aid to pressure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden , and his son Hunter .
Mr Trump told reporters last week that he did not want Mr Bolton to testify , citing national security concerns .
However , some Republicans have now said Mr Bolton should be heard from .
The claims emerged as the impeachment trial resumes on the Senate floor .
What did Trump 's lawyers say on Monday ?
Speaking on the second day of Mr Trump 's defence , attorney Kenneth Starr warned senators that impeachment could become `` normalised '' and used as a weapon against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prominence in 1998 , when he led an investigation into Democratic President Bill Clinton that laid the foundation for his impeachment .
`` Like war , impeachment is hell , '' Mr Starr said on Monday .
`` It 's filled with acrimony and divides the country like nothing else .
Those of us who lived through the Clinton impeachment understand that in a deep and personal way . ''
What do the new reports allege ?
On Sunday , the New York Times cited excerpts from an unpublished book by Mr Bolton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House in early September .
They included claims that Mr Trump told Mr Bolton in August that he wanted to withhold $ 391m ( £300 million ) in security aid to Ukraine until officials there assisted with probes into Democrats , including Mr Biden .
• Could John Bolton be an impeachment game-changer ?
rrH • Trump impeachment trial : All you need to know • Who 's who in the Trump-Ukraine story ?
If true , such a claim would undermine the main argument of Mr Trump 's defence team that there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , offering aid in return for investigating Mr Biden .
`` Bolton directly contradicts the heart of the President 's defence , '' tweeted Democratic congressman Adam Schiff , who serves as the senior House prosecutor in the impeachment trial .
`` If the trial is to be fair , Senators must insist that Mr Bolton be called as a witness , and provide his notes and other documents . ''
Will it change anything ?
While John Bolton has said he 's happy to appear before the Senate , whether he can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ simple maths .
Are there four Republicans out of the 53 in the Senate interested enough in what he has to say to bring him in to testify ?
While he clearly could be a key witness - revealing the motivations behind the hold on US aid to Ukraine and the president 's involvement - calling him as a witness would plunge the Senate trial into the unknown .
Republicans have already said that if Bolton appears , they 'll also subpoena the Bidens , the whistleblower [ who triggered the impeachment inquiry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a tit-for-tat that drags on for weeks , ending the prospect of a speedy conclusion to the proceedings .
What 's more , there could be a legal battle over whether Mr Bolton , if called , could be allowed to actually speak .
The president has already hinted at a legal battle to stop him .
The truth - at least Mr Bolton 's version of it - will eventually come out .
The quandary for the handful of Senate Republicans on the fence about witnesses is whether they want to hear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things until after the president 's likely acquittal .
What has been the reaction to the latest revelations ?
Interest for Mr Bolton to testify grew following the New York Times report .
Republican Senator Mitt Romney said : `` I think it 's increasingly likely that other Republicans will join those of us who think we should hear from John Bolton . ''
Susan Collins , a centrist Republican from Maine , tweeted : `` The reports from John Bolton 's book strengthen the case for witnesses '' .
House Speaker Nancy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ call Mr Bolton and others is `` now even more indefensible '' .
But Mr Trump denied the claim , writing on Twitter : `` I NEVER told John Bolton that the aid to Ukraine was tied to investigations into Democrats , including the Bidens .
`` In fact , he never complained about this at the time of his very public termination .
If John Bolton said this , it was only to sell a book . ''
Mr Bolton served as National Security Adviser to Mr Trump from April 2018 to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blamed the leak on the White House , which had received a copy to review for any disclosure of classified information .
The latest reports come after a video made public on Saturday showed Mr Trump ordering the removal of the US ambassador to Ukraine in 2018 .
Mr Trump was impeached by the Democrat-led House of Representatives in December 2019 , but a two-thirds majority in the Senate is required to remove him from office .
With Republicans holding a 53-47 majority in the Senate , removal is unlikely .
He is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face an impeachment trial .
What questions do you have about Donald Trump 's impeachment trial ?
In some cases your question will be published , displaying your name , age and location as you provide it , unless you state otherwise .
Your contact details will never be published .
Please ensure you have read our terms & conditions and privacy policy .
Use this form to ask your question :

If you are reading this page and can't see the form you will need to visit the mobile version of the BBC website to submit your question or send them via email to YourQuestions@bbc.co.uk. Please include your name, age and location with any question you send in.


bbc--2020-01-27--Chinese diasporas stockpile surgical masks, fret over infection

Hours after the first case of coronavirus was confirmed in the US , surgical masks began selling out at the pharmacies in Seattle , where a resident recently returned from China had fallen ill. Now , reports have emerged of runs on pharmacies in New York and stockpiles being collected in Los Angeles .
In Washington DC , masks have been sold out since the weekend , as the number of confirmed cases in the US rose to five .
`` I immediately ordered a box of masks online after I heard of the first US case , '' said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the University of Washington , not far from Seattle in Washington state .
Since 8 December 2019 , when the first cases of the mysterious coronavirus lung illness were reported in Wuhan , China , more than 500 residents there have been infected .
Billions of people are on edge - but not just in China .
As cases are reported in the US and a handful in other countries outside of China , the anxiety coronavirus has sparked among Chinese overseas is palpable .
• 'We 've been advised not to leave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ food to last 10 days' • How is China coping with the Coronavirus outbreak ?
The outbreak of the most serious epidemic in Asia since 2003 has brought unwelcome memories of the Sars emergency , as well as new anxieties in the age of social media and increased global travel .
Since the Sars outbreak of 2003 , China has undergone a massive transformation .
Nearly 150 million Chinese travelled abroad in 2018 , compared to 20.2 million in 2003 .
Some 360,000 Chinese students study in the US and travel between the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Chinese have gained access to social media , which did not exist during the Sars outbreak .
From thousands of miles away , members of the Chinese diaspora are worrying for their families from afar , or fretting over getting sick themselves .
`` It 's hard not to worry , as you 're based overseas and ca n't do much about it , '' said Rui Zhong , a Chinese-American living in Maryland with family in Wuhan , where millions of residents are under quarantine .
Thousands of miles apart , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exchanging information about the outbreak on WeChat , a Chinese messaging platform .
In Seattle , many Chinese residents are on high alert , Ms Liu told BBC .
Some 65,000 Chinese travellers visit the US each year , and the two confirmed cases in the US are individuals who fell ill after recently returning from China .
Although she had not seen many people wearing masks in Seattle , Ms Liu decided to wear one as a precautionary measure .
`` It 's better to be safe than sorry , '' she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Chinese government has loosened its censorship controls and sought to apply lessons learnt from the Sars epidemic to prevent a repeat of the 2003 disaster .
Whereas information about the outbreak was tightly controlled in previous weeks , coverage of the outbreak has been liberalised in China , and news from Wuhan now circulates more freely on Chinese social media platforms .
Compared to the Sars epidemic , the Chinese government has been `` more open '' to sharing information , according to Amesh Adalja , an expert at the Johns Hopkins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 2003 epidemic , China was criticised by the international community for concealing the scale of the outbreak , which led to the virus spreading to 26 countries and killing nearly 800 people .
With coronavirus , `` China has provided more timely updates about case counts and made the virus sequence public early '' , Dr Adalja said .
That has helped the world take more proactive measures to tackle the outbreak , he said .
Modern technology and the larger global Chinese community means the diaspora is reacting differently , too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to launch crowdfunding campaigns to send medical supplies to Wuhan , for examples .
Muyi Xiao , a Wuhan native who currently lives in New York City , was the first to warn her family about the virus after reading reports in the international media .
She alerted her family in Wuhan to take precautionary measures in late December 2019 .
`` They did n't think it was a big deal back then , '' she told BBC .
Learn more about the new virus • Your questions : You asked , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worried should we be ?
• Wuhan profiled : The city now in lockdown • In detail : Follow all our coverage here

The outbreak of the most serious epidemic in Asia since 2003 has brought unwelcome memories of the Sars emergency, as well as new anxieties in the age of social media and increased global travel.


bbc--2020-01-27--Belgium's ex-King Albert II admits fathering child after DNA test

Former Belgian King Albert II has admitted he is the father of a woman born from an affair , after he was forced to give a DNA test which came back positive .
He had been fighting the paternity claim by Belgian artist Delphine Boël , 51 , for more than a decade .
He lost his immunity from prosecution after he abdicated in 2013 due to ill health .
Ms Boël 's lawyer said the admission from the former king was a `` relief '' .
In a statement released on Monday , the ex-king 's lawyers said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DNA test ... [ and ] the scientific conclusions indicate that he is the biological father of Mrs Delphine Boël '' .
The lawyers said the 85-year-old had decided to halt the legal battle , which had dragged on since 2013 , and he now `` accepts Delphine Boël becomes his fourth child '' .
Ms Boël 's lawyer , Marc Uyttendaele , told RTL television `` her life has been a long nightmare because of this quest for identity '' .
He added : `` She had a biological father who brutally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] publicly emerged '' .
He added that she launched the legal fight `` to avoid her children carrying this weight '' .
In May last year , the Brussels appeals court ruled the ex-king should be penalised €5,000 ( £4,370 ) a day for refusing to take the test .
What is the background of the case ?
Rumours that the king had an illegitimate child first emerged in 1999 in an unauthorised biography about his wife .
The allegation prompted a royal scandal and enduring media gossip in Belgium .
Ms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ King Albert was her biological father during a 2005 interview .
Her mother , Baroness Sybille de Selys Longchamps , has claimed the two had an affair between 1966 and 1984 when he was still Prince Albert of Liège .
However , following his older brother 's death in 1993 at 62 , he unexpectedly came to the throne .
He held the position until July 2013 , when he announced his abdication - citing ill health - and was replaced by his son , Philippe .
He is said to receive an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year , he refused to fulfil a 2018 court order to undergo DNA testing and he launched an appeal .
A court had initially set a three-month limit for him to provide a saliva sample for testing - saying that without it , Ms Boël would be assumed to be his daughter and could be eligible for an inheritance .
Belgium has a constitutional monarchy in which the king plays a largely ceremonial role .
• Born in 1934 as second in line to the throne • The couple have two sons and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1993 following the death of his older brother , King Baudouin • With his constitutional role , stepped in during country 's 2010-2011 political stalemate • Served as monarch for two decades until his 2013 abdication

A court had initially set a three-month limit for him to provide a saliva sample for testing - saying that without it, Ms Boël would be assumed to be his daughter and could be eligible for an inheritance.


bbc--2020-01-27--Climate change: UK has 'one shot' at success at Glasgow COP26

If the Glasgow climate conference fails to deliver , it could mark the end of the global approach to tackling the problem .
COP26 in November will see around 200 world leaders meet to agree a new , long term deal on rising temperatures .
But according to Claire O'Neill , the president of COP26 , the UK has `` one shot '' at making it a success .
She told a BBC documentary that if Glasgow fails , people will question the whole UN approach .
COP26 marks a critical moment for the UN in the long running effort @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change .
As part of the Paris climate deal , agreed in 2015 , countries are meant to update their carbon cutting plans by the end of this year .
So far , 114 say they have done this , or are in the process of doing so this year .
Another 120 countries have now told the UN that they have either agreed on plans to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 or are working towards that goal .
While this represents some progress , a key part of the Glasgow meeting will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even further .
In December , there was widespread dismay after countries failed to agree on more ambitious steps at the Madrid conference of the parties known as COP25 .
The messy compromise in the Spanish capital has also left a raft of complex issues unresolved , including the use of carbon markets , plus the question of compensation for loss and damage suffered by poorer nations from storms and rising sea levels .
Underpinning the lack of progress in Madrid was the huge gap between big emitters such as Brazil , Australia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an alliance of countries wanting to go much faster including the European Union , small island states and vulnerable nations .
Former UK minister Claire O'Neill has been tasked with presiding over COP26 and delivering an agreement acceptable to all .
Widely seen as knowledgeable and authoritative , Ms O'Neill says that Glasgow is the best , and perhaps last chance to make progress under the long drawn out UN process .
`` I think we have one shot , '' she said , speaking to the BBC at the end of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think if we do n't have a successful outcome next year people will legitimately look at us and say 'what are you doing , is there a better way ? '
'' `` I think we have this amazing opportunity to get the world together to talk about ambition but crucially to deliver it , and I guess I am really determined to do that . ''
Scientists say that to keep the rise in global temperatures under 1.5C this century , a major upgrade is needed on the plans that countries are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anything close to that type of deal in Glasgow will depend on a number of key meetings in the run up to COP26 .
One of the most important is the summit between the President of China , Xi Jinping and EU leaders in Leipzig in September .
If the EU can persuade China to put an ambitious new climate plan on the table , it will significantly improve the chances of success in Glasgow .
`` For China to enhance it 's climate targets or not will be primarily a political and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ why the European engagement at the diplomatic level will be critical for us to unlock further climate ambition from Beijing , '' said Li Shuo from Greenpeace China .
`` But the EU will have to have its own climate plan enhanced before the EU-China summit , and I think that 's the only way to make that summit meaningful . ''
`` The good news is that the Chinese president is coming and that provides a high level opportunity . ''
However , many experts are concerned that China wo n't show @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be the next president of the United States - that election will take place just six days before the meeting Glasgow opens .
To achieve a deal , the UK will need to persuade some of the more reluctant countries like India , Brazil and Australia that it is in their interest to agree to increase their ambitions .
Rachel Kyte is now Dean of the Fletcher School at Tufts University , but was previously the World Bank 's special envoy on climate change .
She believes that agreement in Glasgow will need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - that a new climate deal offers more opportunities for countries than challenges .
`` This is completely within our means .
Most of the technology we need , we have .
Most of the finance we have , it 's just sloshing around in the economy just really inefficiently purposed at the moment , '' she said .
`` Governments and leaders need to understand they will be rewarded for being on the right side of history and for taking the risk , and it is one worth taking . ''
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's cleaner , the air will be better - we 'll have better jobs , it is not a sacrifice , it is something we owe ourselves . ''

"For China to enhance it's climate targets or not will be primarily a political and diplomatic decision, and that is precisely why the European engagement at the diplomatic level will be critical for us to unlock further climate ambition from Beijing," said Li Shuo from Greenpeace China.


bbc--2020-01-27--Prostate overtakes breast as 'most common cancer'

Prostate cancer is now the most commonly diagnosed cancer in England , overtaking breast cancer for the first time , latest figures show .
In 2018 there were nearly 50,000 registered cases - around 8,000 more than in 2017 .
Public Health England says it is because more men are getting tested .
And that is thanks to celebrities , like Stephen Fry and Bill Turnbull , raising awareness by speaking out about their own experiences .
In 2018 , there were 316,680 cancers of any kind diagnosed , the equivalent of 868 cases a day .
Prostate was the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ followed by breast - 47,476 cases .
Lung and bowel cancers were the next most commonly diagnosed .
• Rod Stewart 'in the clear ' after cancer diagnosis Former BBC Breakfast presenter Bill Turnbull went public with his prostate cancer diagnosis in March 2018 , encouraging others to get tested , saying : `` Maybe if I 'd got it earlier and stopped it at the prostate , I 'd be in a much better state . ''
He said his cancer had spread to his bones , including the pelvis and ribs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ revealed in February 2018 that he was recovering after having prostate cancer surgery , saying it was `` thankfully caught in the nick of time '' .
According to the head of the NHS , the coverage of Fry and Turnbull 's treatments led to an increase in men getting checked .
Cancer tsar Prof Peter Johnson said : `` As people live longer , we 're likely to see prostate cancer diagnosed more often , and with well-known figures like Rod Stewart , Stephen Fry and Bill Turnbull all talking openly about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aware of the risk . ''
He said more people coming forward for checks and care meant the disease increasingly is detected at an early stage , when treatment is most successful and survival chances are highest .
Lucy Elliss-Brookes , Head of Cancer Analysis at Public Health England , said : `` Although we are seeing a continued rise in cancer diagnoses , it 's encouraging that we are also seeing increases in survival , as well as an overall decrease in emergency diagnoses of cancer . ''
Lynda Thomas , Chief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was good news that more people are seeing their doctor to check for cancer .
But she said the increasing numbers came at a time when the NHS and social care services were under pressure , with long waiting times for cancer diagnosis and treatment .
• It is the most common cancer in men in the UK - an ageing population means more men are developing and dying from the disease • It involves the prostate - a small gland in the pelvis in men • Cancers can develop slowly over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Noticeable symptoms include needing to urinate more often and weak flow • There is no single test for prostate cancer - a blood test , biopsies and physical examinations are all used

Lucy Elliss-Brookes, Head of Cancer Analysis at Public Health England, said: "Although we are seeing a continued rise in cancer diagnoses, it's encouraging that we are also seeing increases in survival, as well as an overall decrease in emergency diagnoses of cancer."


bbc--2020-01-27--'Would-be-thief doubted' Magna Carta authenticity

A man tried to steal a copy of the Magna Carta from Salisbury Cathedral using a hammer because he `` doubted its authenticity '' , a court heard .
Mark Royden , of Canterbury , Kent , is accused of smashing the case to take the 800-year-old document in 2018 .
Tourists and a member of cathedral staff tried to contain Mr Royden , 47 , within a set of glass doors but he threatened them with a hammer , Salisbury Crown Court heard .
He denies all charges against him .
Rob Welling , prosecuting , told jurors the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the public - including some American tourists - prevented his escape after the attempted theft on 25 October 2018 .
Mr Welling added the protective safety glass was `` just too tough for the tool he brought '' .
'Please , please stop him' Leigh Chalmers , a cathedral outreach worker , told the court how she and others struggled with Mr Royden and the glass door before chasing him out of the cathedral .
She said : `` The Americans were shouting , 'he 's trying to steal the Magna Carta - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 'please , please stop him ' . ''
She added : `` I was being brave , not stupid . ''
The court heard how Mr Royden escaped through a goods yard and was chased and caught by stonemasons working at the cathedral .
Mr Welling added : `` He made some other comments about Muslims , Tasers and having some object strapped to his back . ''
The prosecutor added the defendant made comments that he should `` get a medal for what he had done '' and `` he could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a samurai sword '' .
Mr Welling said that Mr Royden made an `` odd prepared statement '' to police while smelling of alcohol and added : `` It appears he is doubting the authenticity of the Magna Carta . ''
His comments included : `` You ca n't talk to me about the Holy Grail , so to speak .
If you find a bag on the floor which says 'cocaine ' on it , you would have to test that bag forensically .
As for your Holy Grail , you would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ element test . ''
Mr Welling said Mr Royden had planned the attempted theft , having scoped out CCTV cameras and a fire alarm to set off as a distraction .
He had also brought with him yellow gloves , safety goggles and the hammer , the court was told .
Mr Royden denies a charge of attempted theft and a second count of criminal damage to the security case costing £14,466 .

His comments included: "You can't talk to me about the Holy Grail, so to speak. If you find a bag on the floor which says 'cocaine' on it, you would have to test that bag forensically. As for your Holy Grail, you would need a carbon test and a trace element test."


bbc--2020-01-27--Kobe Bryant: How his hometown is mourning

Kobe Bryant was flying in a private helicopter with eight others in California when it came down over Calabasas .

US basketball legend Kobe Bryant has died in a helicopter crash in California.
At Lower Merion High School in Philadelphia, people gathered to pay tribute to their hometown hero.
Video by the BBC's Shrai Popat


bbc--2020-01-27--'A genius who had his controversies'

'A genius who had his controversies'

For most sporting superstars , the first act - chewing up opponents , training obsessively , playing harder , winning , always winning - is the easy part .
It 's instinct and it 's obvious .
It 's the natural part of being a natural .
It 's the second act that brings the doubts and the breakdowns .
The loss of the old physical certainties , the end of the dominance .
Someone born with an ability to see patterns and plays before others is suddenly unable to answer the biggest question of all : what happens next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early death , and that of his daughter Gianna , is primarily a family one .
Sport 's shock and grief is second to that of wife , daughters , parents , friends .
• 'One of the most extraordinary players in history ' - world pays tribute to Bryant • Watch : When Bryant scored 60 points in his final LA Lakers game What links them all is that Bryant , a genius on the basketball court , sometimes a flawed character off it - appeared to be solving his life after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his contemporaries and antecedents could not .
It was always about a lineage with Kobe .
Michael Jordan the inspiration before , the overlapping and feuding and sometime chemistry with Shaquille O'Neal , the battles and then abdication to LeBron James .
That 's not to deny the basketball-playing greatness of Bill Russell or Wilt Chamberlain , Kareem Abdul-Jabbar , Larry Bird and Magic Johnson .
The difference with the four that followed them was how they leapt out of the sport as well .
Each had their competing brands - Nike for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the early years for Kobe - but in every one the NBA recognised a talent and narrative that could take its league to places and popularity that the old guard could not .
Jordan described Bryant as his little brother and the shared traits were unambiguous .
Jordan sometimes seemed to play with a rage , determined to prove himself right and everyone else wrong , not caring who or what got chewed up along the way .
His obsession fuelled his greatness but magnified his shortcomings too .
So it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the film Kill Bill he began calling himself Black Mamba , seeing in himself an assassin 's ruthlessness on court , an ability to strike repeatedly when others could not .
None of that is normal , but neither is much that goes into becoming the best in a world of elites .
In creating a sporting machine you can misplace the softer , more human stuff along the way .
Just as Jordan lost himself in gambling , in the mess around his father 's murder and the short-lived sojourn in baseball @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that , so Bryant 's weaknesses were inescapable too .
The 2003 scandal following accusations of rape from a 19-year-old woman may have ended with criminal charges being dropped , but the subsequent civil lawsuit and aftermath clouded what had been an unblemished public image .
There was the homophobic abuse of an umpire and a subsequent $ 100,000 fine , as well as an apology .
On court Bryant could be selfish , missing more shots in his career than any other player in NBA history , proudly admitting that he would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than nine because it showed that he would never give up .
He had serious disputes with O'Neal , with Lakers management , even with Phil Jackson , the Zen-practising coaching virtuoso who also drew the very best from Jordan in their time together at the Chicago Bulls .
He also won two league scoring titles as well as the five championship rings .
He missed but he made far more .
Reconciliation and a second era of dominance followed the initial estrangement with the Lakers .
All of it , good and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the traits that his great friend and on-court rival Vince Carter says defined him : `` His drive .
His mentality .
His will to win . ''
Those were the bonds and the ties .
It was in navigating the second act that Bryant was starting to cut himself free .
Jordan has not yet learned to replace that first infatuation .
For him it 's more about admitting to himself that he wo n't , of living with a beautiful past that will probably always overshadow his present and future .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to go back and play the game of basketball , '' he admitted , as he turned 50 .
Jordan is rich beyond the comprehension of the earlier generation of NBA legends but is still struggling to find anything that satisfies him as much as the first act .
He will always be the most important person in the room , but he now does so as someone who must deal with failure , and fading eyesight , and a body that no longer allows him the daily miracles it used to .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
As his own father Joe had been to his development , instilling the lifelong love of their shared sport , taking him with him to Italy for seven years as a child when his own playing career moved on from the NBA , so Bryant was with his four daughters and the wider generation beyond .
His dedication to Gianna was total , coaching her middle-school basketball team , watching Lakers and college games with her courtside .
From that came a wider commitment to women 's basketball , advising the WNBA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ camps for younger players .
There was generosity at home and a munificence elsewhere .
The first time he met a young LeBron , at an All-Star weekend , he gave him his boots .
As LeBron overtook his scoring record a few days ago , he wrote `` Mamba for life , 8 , 24 KB '' on his current shoes , an inadvertent valediction to his hero 's shirt numbers and driving force .
Much of what Bryant did in his 41 years seemed preordained , from the moment he jumped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Philadelphia to the NBA draft and on to Los Angeles via a famous trade with the Charlotte Hornets .
He fulfilled all that crazy potential , came past the wild predictions and hopes that made been made when he was still a skinny teenager in Jordan 's shoes .
He was also starting to do something else entirely .
`` Dear Basketball , '' he wrote , in the poem that became an Oscar-winning short film .
`` We both know , no matter what I do next/ I 'll always be that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the corner/ Five seconds on the clock/ Ball in my hands . ''
He will be .
But Kobe Bryant was escaping too , navigating the second act , becoming something that all around hoped would last .

For most sporting superstars, the first act - chewing up opponents, training obsessively, playing harder, winning, always winning - is the easy part.
It's instinct and it's obvious. It's the natural part of being a natural.
It's the second act that brings the doubts and the breakdowns. The loss of the old physical certainties, the end of the dominance. Someone born with an ability to see patterns and plays before others is suddenly unable to answer the biggest question of all: what happens next?
The tragedy of Kobe Bryant's early death, and that of his daughter Gianna, is primarily a family one. Sport's shock and grief is second to that of wife, daughters, parents, friends.
What links them all is that Bryant, a genius on the basketball court, sometimes a flawed character off it - appeared to be solving his life after sport in a way that many of his contemporaries and antecedents could not.
It was always about a lineage with Kobe. Michael Jordan the inspiration before, the overlapping and feuding and sometime chemistry with Shaquille O'Neal, the battles and then abdication to LeBron James.
That's not to deny the basketball-playing greatness of Bill Russell or Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson. The difference with the four that followed them was how they leapt out of the sport as well.
Each had their competing brands - Nike for Jordan, Reebok for Shaq, Adidas in the early years for Kobe - but in every one the NBA recognised a talent and narrative that could take its league to places and popularity that the old guard could not.
Jordan described Bryant as his little brother and the shared traits were unambiguous. Jordan sometimes seemed to play with a rage, determined to prove himself right and everyone else wrong, not caring who or what got chewed up along the way. His obsession fuelled his greatness but magnified his shortcomings too.
So it was with Kobe the player. After watching the film Kill Bill he began calling himself Black Mamba, seeing in himself an assassin's ruthlessness on court, an ability to strike repeatedly when others could not.
Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal won many trophies together while playing for the LA Lakers
None of that is normal, but neither is much that goes into becoming the best in a world of elites. In creating a sporting machine you can misplace the softer, more human stuff along the way.
Just as Jordan lost himself in gambling, in the mess around his father's murder and the short-lived sojourn in baseball that was mixed up in all of that, so Bryant's weaknesses were inescapable too.
The 2003 scandal following accusations of rape from a 19-year-old woman may have ended with criminal charges being dropped, but the subsequent civil lawsuit and aftermath clouded what had been an unblemished public image. There was the homophobic abuse of an umpire and a subsequent $100,000 fine, as well as an apology.
On court Bryant could be selfish, missing more shots in his career than any other player in NBA history, proudly admitting that he would rather miss 30 shots in a game than nine because it showed that he would never give up.
He had serious disputes with O'Neal, with Lakers management, even with Phil Jackson, the Zen-practising coaching virtuoso who also drew the very best from Jordan in their time together at the Chicago Bulls.
Kobe Bryant's number 8 and 24 Los Angeles Lakers jerseys were retired on 18 December 18, 2017
He also won two league scoring titles as well as the five championship rings. He missed but he made far more. Reconciliation and a second era of dominance followed the initial estrangement with the Lakers.
All of it, good and bad, like Jordan, sprang from the traits that his great friend and on-court rival Vince Carter says defined him: "His drive. His mentality. His will to win."
Those were the bonds and the ties. It was in navigating the second act that Bryant was starting to cut himself free.
Jordan has not yet learned to replace that first infatuation. For him it's more about admitting to himself that he won't, of living with a beautiful past that will probably always overshadow his present and future.
"I would give up everything now to go back and play the game of basketball," he admitted, as he turned 50.
Jordan is rich beyond the comprehension of the earlier generation of NBA legends but is still struggling to find anything that satisfies him as much as the first act.
He will always be the most important person in the room, but he now does so as someone who must deal with failure, and fading eyesight, and a body that no longer allows him the daily miracles it used to.
Bryant was moving towards a better place. As his own father Joe had been to his development, instilling the lifelong love of their shared sport, taking him with him to Italy for seven years as a child when his own playing career moved on from the NBA, so Bryant was with his four daughters and the wider generation beyond.
His dedication to Gianna was total, coaching her middle-school basketball team, watching Lakers and college games with her courtside. From that came a wider commitment to women's basketball, advising the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks, holding coaching camps for younger players.
There was generosity at home and a munificence elsewhere. The first time he met a young LeBron, at an All-Star weekend, he gave him his boots. As LeBron overtook his scoring record a few days ago, he wrote "Mamba for life, 8, 24 KB" on his current shoes, an inadvertent valediction to his hero's shirt numbers and driving force.
Much of what Bryant did in his 41 years seemed preordained, from the moment he jumped straight from Lower Merion High in suburban Philadelphia to the NBA draft and on to Los Angeles via a famous trade with the Charlotte Hornets.
He fulfilled all that crazy potential, came past the wild predictions and hopes that made been made when he was still a skinny teenager in Jordan's shoes. He was also starting to do something else entirely.
"Dear Basketball," he wrote, in the poem that became an Oscar-winning short film. "We both know, no matter what I do next/ I'll always be that kid/ With the rolled-up socks/ Garbage can in the corner/ Five seconds on the clock/ Ball in my hands."
He will be. But Kobe Bryant was escaping too, navigating the second act, becoming something that all around hoped would last.


bbc--2020-01-27--Gianna Bryant: Young basketball talent killed alongside father

As the daughter of Kobe Bryant - a five-time NBA champion - Gianna Bryant had big shoes to fill .
Like her father , the 13-year-old was a prodigiously talented basketball player .
With his help as her personal coach , Gianna hoped to become a professional .
Bryant was confident Gianna would do so , often speaking of his wish for her to continue his legacy , albeit in the women 's game .
Tragically , neither would live to see that aspiration come to fruition .
Bryant and Gianna were reported to be heading to a basketball game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city of Calabasas , west of Los Angeles .
There were no survivors .
The pair was expected to take part in a basketball tournament for young players at the Mamba Sports Academy in Thousand Oaks , US media report .
Attending basketball games together was typical of their relationship , which was said to be close .
The second of Bryant 's four daughters , Gianna dreamed of following in her father 's footsteps .
In an interview , Bryant had said his daughter was determined to play for the University @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The team shared an image of the two on its Twitter page .
Bryant said that , following his retirement from basketball in 2016 , he switched off from the sport .
His daughter , however , rekindled his passion for the game .
`` It was n't me sitting there , you know as an athlete or a player or something like that , and you know it 's like about me , and I do n't like that .
It was her - she was having such a good time , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a recent interview .
In retirement , Bryant spent most of his time with his family - his wife , Vanessa , and four daughters - Gianna , Natalia , Bianka and Capri .
But Gianna was said to have shared a particularly special bond with her father .
Bryant 's affection for his daughter , also known as Gigi , is obvious from his social media profiles .
One video posted to his Instagram shows him playing `` one-on-one with my baby Gigi '' .
The former LA Lakers star , 41 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school team since his retirement .
A clip which appears to show Bryant imparting advice about basketball went viral a few weeks ago .
Pictures show Bryant coaching Gianna 's basketball team on Saturday at the Mamba Sports Academy - a day before the crash .
`` He had a clipboard , he was drawing up plays and talking to [ the players ] , '' a person who was there told the New York Post .
NBA commissioner Adam Silver said Bryant took `` special delight in passing down his love of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clearly had faith in his daughter 's ability .
Last year , he told LA Times columnist Arash Markazi that his family name was in good hands with Gianna .
Pointing to Gianna , Bryant described his daughter as `` something else '' .
Speaking to talk show host Jimmy Kimmel in 2018 , Bryant said fans would often urge him to have a son to continue his legacy .
`` The best thing that happens is when we go out and fans would come up to me and she 'll be standing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be like , 'You 've got ta have a boy , you and V got ta have a boy .
You got ta have somebody to carry on your tradition , the legacy .
`` She 's like , ' I got this ' , '' Bryant said .
`` I 'm like , 'that 's right ' .
Yes , you do , you got this . ''
Not only did Bryant support his daughter , he championed the development of women 's basketball more broadly .
He tried to draw attention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( WNBA ) league which , since its founding in 1996 , has steadily increased in popularity .
`` The WNBA is a beautiful game to watch , '' Bryant told the LA Times last year .
At present , 12 teams compete in the league , which runs from May to September .
But like in many other professional sports , women are paid significantly less than their male counterparts .
The average pay for male NBA players this season is around $ 7.5m ( £5.7m ) , according to data from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ average pay for female WNBA players is around $ 116,000 , reports say .
The WNBA has attempted to address the pay disparity , recently agreeing major pay rises with the union that represents players .

"The best thing that happens is when we go out and fans would come up to me and she'll be standing next to me, and they'll be like, 'You've gotta have a boy, you and V gotta have a boy. You gotta have somebody to carry on your tradition, the legacy.


bbc--2020-01-27--Could John Bolton be an impeachment game-changer?

Democrats have intensified their calls for former US National Security Adviser John Bolton to testify in President Donald Trump 's impeachment trial .
The pressure has grown following the report of a potentially explosive claim Bolton is said to make in a new book .
The New York Times cited a leaked Bolton manuscript as saying that Trump told him he wanted to freeze aid to Ukraine until Kyiv helped with investigations against the Democrats , including former Vice-President Joe Biden .
The US president rejected the report , which could undercut his denials that he had corrupt motives in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ phone call last July to investigate Biden , who is Trump 's potential White House rival .
Bolton , a Republican , is an unlikely hero for Democrats .
Still , they believe he will act as a star witness , one who will provide irrefutable evidence of wrongdoing by Trump and help bolster the case for his removal from office .
Democrats once invested similar hopes in another Washington figure , Robert Mueller , the former special counsel .
• How Trump 's lawyers set out their case • Trump impeachment trial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Who 's who in the Trump-Ukraine story ?
But Mueller looked miserable while testifying in May about his Russian investigation , and did not change many people 's minds about the president .
Bolton could be different - or so Democrats hope .
He was `` personally involved '' in the president 's dealings with the Ukrainian officials , according to Bolton 's lawyer .
The former national security adviser was `` at the nerve centre for all important decisions '' , says Matthew Spence , a former deputy assistant secretary of defence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he would be able to provide the most detailed account to date of the president 's alleged political pressure on President Zelensky and the decision to freeze nearly $ 400m ( £306m ) in security aid .
Other witnesses have alleged that Trump administration officials used the aid as a bargaining chip to prod the Ukrainians into investigating the Bidens .
But they have not linked Trump explicitly to the withholding of aid in exchange for an investigation , or shown that Trump personally directed the operations .
Democrats believe the former national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Bolton was present during the crime , '' says Evelyn Farkas , who served as top Russia official during the Obama administration and is now running as a Democrat for a congressional seat in New York .
`` And he knew that it was a crime at the time . ''
According to reports , Bolton opposed the withholding of security aid to Ukraine , and tried unsuccessfully to convince the president to release the military aid during an Oval Office meeting .
`` This is in America 's interest , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president , according to the New York Times , as he argued the aid should be provided to Ukraine .
The aid was eventually released - a day after Bolton acrimoniously left the White House .
Trump has repeatedly said that he did nothing wrong and that the impeachment proceedings are a `` scam '' .
White House lawyers have already turned down requests from Democratic lawmakers for Bolton and other witnesses to testify .
Trump 's lawyers say their testimony would violate the president 's right to confidentiality .
• Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aid to Ukraine would be frozen until investigations into the Bidens were opened • Acting White House chief of staff , Mick Mulvaney , was present for a phone call between the president and his lawyer Rudy Giuliani as they talked about the ambassador • Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said claims by Giuliani about the ambassador were false • Attorney General Bill Barr was notified of Bolton 's concerns about the July call - something the Justice Department has denied Bolton has said publicly he would testify if he gets a legal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the White House lawyers who want him to lay low .
Senators will vote on the matter of witnesses in the coming days .
Whenever I saw him , whether in meetings overseas or in the West Wing , he always had a notebook .
A long-time commentator on Fox News , he jotted down his thoughts on paper while he was working in the White House .
Presumably the notes came in handy for his reported multi-million dollar book deal with Simon & Schuster .
`` Bolton will be a powerful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shapiro , who served for years as a career diplomat in the US state department .
`` He 's an assiduous note taker and was always keen to write things down .
He 's going to have the extra credibility that comes from that . ''
But some observers of the White House wonder if Bolton knows as much as he appears to , or if his willingness to testify is just a ploy to sell his book , The Room Where It Happened : A White House Memoir , which is out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ towards North Korea , Afghanistan and Iran , and the president did not always agree with him .
At times Bolton was sidelined .
Democrats also question whether the testimony from Bolton , regardless of its firepower , will make a difference .
Bolton is likely to be a more compelling speaker than Mueller , who suffered visibly during his presentation .
• What happened so far in Trump impeachment trial • 'No crime , no impeachment ' - is that true ?
In contrast , Bolton loves the spotlight : he used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feet when he stood at a podium in the West Wing .
`` He 's going to be better television than Mueller , '' says Shapiro .
But Shapiro and others wonder whether Bolton will have much of an impact .
`` It 's abundantly clear that the president is guilty as charged , and it 's hard to improve on a slam dunk , '' he says .
`` It 's also abundantly clear that the Republican senators do n't care . ''
They would never convict this guy of anything , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has largely followed Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell 's script .
But while it appears to be heading towards an acquittal of the president , Democrats will hope the Bolton book serves up a plot twist .

But some observers of the White House wonder if Bolton knows as much as he appears to, or if his willingness to testify is just a ploy to sell his book, The Room Where It Happened: A White House Memoir, which is out next month.


bbc--2020-01-28--Visit Nepal's yeti: How mythical creature divided Himalayan nation

A row over a mythical creature has pitted experts against officials - and , for once , it is not about whether or not the aforementioned creature actually exists .
Instead , it is how the creature looks .
`` This is not right .
The government ca n't just do as it wants , '' passer-by Reshma Shrestha says , shaking her head in front of the 7ft ( 2.1m ) tall statue at the centre of a row .
`` If you did not tell me , I would not have known that it was a yeti .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 100 statues emblazoned with the words `` Visit Nepal '' was supposed to be the start of a year-long celebration of what the small Himalayan nation had to offer to the outside world .
They will soon be popping up across the country - at popular tourist attractions , trade centres , airports and some of the base camps in the Himalayas - as well as travelling further afield to act as mascots in cities around the world .
But the launch of the tourism drive , which aims to bring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been somewhat overshadowed by the row over the statues ' appearance .
`` In folk tales , the yeti has been described as a big monkey-like creature , '' Ram Kumar Pandey tells the BBC .
`` However , the recent logo depicts it as a sumo wrestler .
This does not at all match with the mythical character that has been described in many folk tales . ''
And Pandey should know : the author of several books on the subject , his objections are supported by other Nepalese cultural historians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the yeti any more ?
In fairness , most Nepalis are experts when it comes to the yeti , a mythical beast which lives in the Himalayas and features in many of the country 's folk tales .
And they are unimpressed .
`` What I know about the yeti is that it is a monkey-like creature , which walks around in snow , '' Reshma continues , analysing the figure in front of Kesar Mahal in the capital Kathmandu , unconvinced by what has been created .
`` It looks like a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he tells BBC Nepali .
However , the Yeti Art Committee - a subdivision of the Visit Nepal Year secretariat - is standing by its yetis , which do n't come cheap at a cost of 500,000 rupees ( $ 4,414 ; £3,380 ) apiece .
The group 's co-coordinator , Prem Prabhat Gurung , says because the yeti is a mythical character , there should be creative freedom .
`` Our aim is to produce the yeti as an emblem of peace , reconciliation and humility rather than a fear-creating feature , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ People around the world should not only know Nepal as the land of Everest or Lord Buddha or Gurkha .
The yeti can represent our uniqueness as well . ''
Ang Tsherin Sherpa - the man responsible for the controversial design - is equally defiant .
`` I did not make yeti 's sketch by reading any book , '' he explains .
`` On the basis of stories that I heard in my childhood , and having Lord Buddha at the back of my mind , I made the design . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ one more practical reason behind his choice : Sherpa says he did not make it furry as depicted in yeti-related literature in order `` to make it easier to paint '' .
So ... .
what exactly is a yeti ?
The yeti - otherwise known as the Abominable Snowman - is a mythical beast said to stalk the Himalayas .
It has appeared in tales told on both sides of the mountains , in India , Bhutan , Tibet and Nepal , but features most strongly in the legends of the Sherpa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ average altitude of 12,000ft in eastern Nepal .
The creature is said to live up high in the eternal snows and be bigger than a human , with long hair covering its entire body .
It walks upright on two bare feet .
Importantly , it is not friendly .
Stories include ones where the yeti blocks all the doors to a village 's homes while the men are away , another one where the humans try to trick yetis into destroying each other but only succeed in enraging the creatures into vowing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ female yetis : one in particular caught a man , with whom she had two children .
When he escaped with the son , she killed and ate her own daughter .
`` Perhaps folktales of yeti were used as a warning or , likely , for morality , so that kids would n't wander far away and they would be always close and safe within their community , '' Shiva Dhakal explained to BBC Earth in 2015 .
Of course , modern day depictions of the yeti are often a little nicer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saw a little girl make friends with the ( very fluffy ) yeti she found living on her roof .

"Our aim is to produce the yeti as an emblem of peace, reconciliation and humility rather than a fear-creating feature," he tells the BBC. "People around the world should not only know Nepal as the land of Everest or Lord Buddha or Gurkha. The yeti can represent our uniqueness as well."


bbc--2020-01-27--Trump impeachment trial: What happened so far

Lawyers representing President Donald Trump have begun their defence of the US leader in his impeachment trial .
It comes after Democrats wrapped up their presentation in the case for his removal on Friday .
Democratic congressmen who serve as prosecutors in the trial have laid out meticulous evidence over three days that they said proved Mr Trump had abused his power and obstructed Congress .
They alleged that he pressured Ukraine to dig up political dirt on Joe Biden , a domestic rival , and that he sought to hide the evidence from Congress , another impeachable offence .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden and his son Hunter were involved in a corrupt business scheme in Ukraine .
As they opened their defence on Saturday , the president 's lawyers said he had done `` absolutely nothing wrong '' .
Here 's a look back at what happened this week , and what we can expect to see in the coming days , with the help of the BBC 's Anthony Zurcher .
Proceedings began on Tuesday with a tussle between Democrats and Republicans over the rules of the trial .
Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opening arguments by both sides , before extending it to three after protests from Democrats .
Mr McConnell has delayed until next week debate over motions from Democrats to allow new witnesses to be called and fresh evidence submitted .
Democratic congressman Adam Schiff , the head of seven impeachment managers who serve as prosecutors , opened oral arguments to a packed Senate chamber on Wednesday .
Mr Schiff said the president 's actions were exactly what the Founding Fathers feared when they came up with impeachment - `` a remedy as powerful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ combat '' , Mr Schiff said .
The impeachment managers walked the senators through testimony gathered during depositions and committee hearings last year that they say points to a scheme by Mr Trump and his advisers to lean on Ukraine to investigate the Bidens .
The managers interspersed their oral arguments with audio and video tape , using the president 's own words - including a now-infamous call with the president of Ukraine - in their effort to portray him as guilty .
They directly addressed the claims against the Bidens - a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ foot ahead of the president 's defence .
Representative Hakeem Jefferies , an impeachment manager , eschewed the founding fathers , choosing instead to quote the late Brooklyn rapper Notorious BIG .
`` And if you do n't know , now you know , '' he said - a famous line from the song .
He stood next to a picture of the rapper mounted on an easel - a first for the Senate chamber .
• Trump impeachment trial : All you need to know • Who 's who in the Trump-Ukraine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tackled the obstruction of Congress charge .
The managers argued that Mr Trump 's refusal to allow certain members of his administration to answer questions from the House of Representatives was akin to hiding information from a grand jury investigation .
Anthony 's take on the prosecution : The Democrats were determined to squeeze every drop out of the opportunity they were afforded .
Republican senators , who had to sit through the marathon sessions - Schiff , alone , would speak for hours at a time - criticised the presentation as repetitive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ For three days the Democratic case against the president , broadcast during the daytime on US network television and gavel-to-gavel on cable news networks , was ubiquitous .
It was unavoidable .
It may not be nearly enough to convince the requisite number of Republican senators , but the uninterrupted fusillade was as much geared toward public opinion as it was towards the people in the Capitol .
The defence case so far During opening arguments on Saturday , Mr Trump 's team took barely two hours to argue that the president had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Mr Trump had acted in the national interests in his phone call with the Ukrainian president , with Deputy White House Counsel Mike Purpura pinpointing a line from the transcript in which Mr Trump asked Volodymyr Zelensky to `` do us a favour '' , rather than `` me '' .
Mr Purpura also insisted there was no quid pro quo , saying Mr Zelensky `` says he felt no pressure '' .
The defence accused the Democrats of trying to remove Mr Trump from the ballot this year , and said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decide for themselves .
Resuming arguments on Monday , attorney Kenneth Starr warned senators that impeachment could become `` normalised '' and used as a weapon against future administrations .
Mr Starr came to prominence in 1998 , when he led an investigation into Democratic President Bill Clinton that laid the foundation for his impeachment .
`` Like war , impeachment is hell , '' Mr Starr said on Monday .
`` It 's filled with acrimony and divides the country like nothing else .
Those of us who lived through the Clinton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personal way . ''
• 'No crime , no impeachment ' - is that true ?
Following Mr Starr , Trump defence lawyer Jane Raskin addressed Rudy Giuliani - Mr Trump 's personal attorney and a central character in the impeachment case .
`` Mr Giuliani was not on a political errand , '' she said , referring to his investigations in Ukraine .
`` Rudy Giuliani is the House managers ' colourful distraction , '' Ms Raskin said - a way for the Democratic impeachment managers , who act as prosecutors , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case .
The defence will continue its arguments on Tuesday .
When this is over , they will again tussle over whether to introduce new witnesses .

"Like war, impeachment is hell," Mr Starr said on Monday. "It's filled with acrimony and divides the country like nothing else. Those of us who lived through the Clinton impeachment understand that in a deep and personal way."


bbc--2020-01-27--Trump peace plan: High stakes and low chances

Hopes for peace between Israel and the Palestinians exist in a world that is stuck between the darkest hours of the night and a bright and false dawn .
Mostly it 's night .
Beware whenever you hear references to a renewal of a `` peace process '' .
It has hard to bring dead initiatives back to life .
Perhaps President Donald Trump , unpredictably as ever , will spring a big diplomatic surprise .
But if recent leaks are correct , the US president seems to be preparing to announce a deal that suits his supporters and Israel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Trump may believe , truly and without doubt , that he is offering the `` deal of the century '' .
It might be for Mr Netanyahu .
Israel may be given the green light to annex large parts of the occupied West Bank based on the areas in which it has settled Jews .
The Palestinians will be told that it is in their best interests to accept reality , concentrate on economic sweeteners instead of defeated national aspirations and realise fast that they would be making a grave mistake to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are already boycotting the Trump Administration because of its overtly pro-Israeli agenda , and they are planning a `` day of rage '' .
President Trump 's deal may look more like a surrender document than anything else , a chance for Israel to seal its victory over the Palestinians once and for all , seven decades after its own independence and more than a century since Zionist settlement in Palestine began .
Most Israelis would say that Zionism and the creation of their state was the legitimate return of a persecuted people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Most Palestinians would say that Zionism is responsible for the catastrophic colonisation and theft of their land .
• Can the Jewish settlement issue be resolved ?
• Are there alternatives to a two-state solution ?
Whichever way you look at it , the conflict that resulted is in its second century and has always smouldered and often blazed .
Through all the years of mediation in peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians , the top US priorities have always been Israel 's wishes , constraints and most of all its security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ peace required a Palestinian state alongside Israel , even if they were not prepared to allow it equal sovereignty .
Israel argues the Palestinians turned down a series of good offers .
The Palestinian negotiators say they made huge concessions , not least accepting Israel 's existence in around 78 per cent of their historic homeland .
A negotiated peace did seem possible once , almost 30 years ago .
A series of secret talks in Norway became the Oslo peace process , forever symbolised by a ceremony on the White House lawn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Bill Clinton .
Yitzhak Rabin , Israel 's greatest war leader , and Yasser Arafat , the human embodiment of Palestinian hopes for freedom , signed documents promising to negotiate the future , not fight for it .
The two bitter enemies even shook hands .
Rabin , Arafat , and Israel 's foreign minister , Shimon Peres , were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize .
Oslo was an historic moment .
The Palestinians recognised the State of Israel .
The Israelis accepted that the Palestine Liberation Organisation represented the Palestinian people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ edifice .
Benjamin Netanyahu called it a mortal threat to Israel .
Some Palestinians , like the academic Edward Said , condemned it is a surrender .
The Palestinian militants of Hamas , the Islamic Resistance Movement , sent suicide bombers to kill Jews and wreck the chances of a deal .
The atmosphere in Israel turned ugly .
Yitzhak Rabin was demonised by some of his fellow Israelis as no better than a Nazi , and portrayed at demonstrations as an officer of the SS .
Months of incitement culminated in his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ November 1995 .
Rabin 's killer wanted to wreck the peace process , and he believed the best way to do that was to eliminate the Israeli best equipped to make it a reality .
He was right .
Even if Rabin had lived Oslo might still have failed , defeated by small details as well as huge issues like the future of Jerusalem , by leaders on both sides who preferred conflict to compromise and by the violent reality of a continued Israeli occupation and Palestinian opposition to it .
Oslo took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and leaders tried to save it .
But it was a false dawn , followed by cynicism , distrust , betrayal and violence .
Israel accelerated its project to settle hundreds of thousands of Jews on land it captured in the 1967 Middle East war on the West Bank , including East Jerusalem , the territory the Palestinians still want for a state .
Israel insists what is doing is legal .
Most of the rest of the world believes that the Israelis are breaking international law , which forbids the settlement of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ land it occupies .
The timing of the announcement may have as much to do with the political and legal needs of Messrs Trump and Netanyahu as it has with the chances of a diplomatic breakthrough .
Both men face elections , and prosecution .
Mr Trump is being impeached , on trial in the US Senate for high crimes and misdemeanours .
Mr Netanyahu faces criminal charges of corruption , bribery and breach of trust .
The Israeli parliament is due to discuss granting him immunity while he is in Washington .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The collapse of the Camp David peace summit in 2000 was followed by a violent Palestinian uprising .
The stakes are high , and the chances of success are low .

Essentially the Palestinians have been told to take it or leave it. They are being given a surrender document, told to accept that Israel has won, and with its American friends will shape the future. If Palestinians refuse, the message continues, Israel will still get what it wants and they will be even worse off.


bbc--2020-01-27--Arsenal edge past Bournemouth into FA Cup fifth round

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta felt his young side showed `` courage '' to overcame struggling Bournemouth at Vitality Stadium and set up an FA Cup fifth-round trip to Portsmouth .
Mikel Arteta 's side were good value for their victory , the platform for progress into the next round built on first-half goals from Bukayo Saka and Eddie Nketiah .
Bournemouth substitute Sam Surridge pulled a goal back deep into eight minutes of stoppage to give the scoreline a look of respectability and give Arsenal some late anxious moments , but in reality the Gunners were by far the superior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I knew it was going to be a tough game and we played a really young squad , '' said Arteta .
`` I wanted to see the reaction and I was very pleased because I saw a lot of things I really liked .
`` In the first half we were really , really good .
They executed everything we planned in a really good way and showed he courage to make big decisions .
`` We played with that accountability , making decisions and I really liked it .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ courage to make those big decisions and not to play safe .
`` That is the difference . ''
Eighteen-year-old Saka lashed a finish past Bournemouth keeper Mark Travers after only five minutes following good work from the outstanding Joe Willock and Gabriel Martinelli , the goalscorer then turning provider to set up Nketiah for a simple finish in the 26th minute .
Arteta gave particular praise to Nketiah , whose season-long loan move to Leeds was cut short at the start of this month over concerns the 20-year-old was not getting enough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ terrific , '' said Arteta .
`` He was on the wing then three seconds later he was in the middle and scoring a goal .
This shows me he will score goals and the way he worked without the ball was excellent . ''
The only blot on Arsenal 's night was a second-half ankle injury that saw defender Shkodran Mustafi taken off on a stretcher .
It is easy to see the similarities between Arteta and Pep Guardiola , his managerial mentor at Manchester City - and not just in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same micro-management , seemingly wanting to orchestrate every move from his technical area , offering a constant stream of advice and animated gestures to his new charges .
He also clearly wants the intense , pressing style that he helped to shape as City won two Premier League titles , completing the domestic treble including the FA Cup and Carabao Cup last season , in his time at Etihad Stadium .
There is also evidence of the patient but ultimately clinical passing football at which City excel .
There were 22 passes in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opener involving all 10 outfield players .
It will not be built in a matter of months ; this is a very early work in progress .
But while this is also a managerial career in its infancy , there is at least a hint of an identity about this Arsenal team that his predecessor Unai Emery failed to establish .
Arteta has a maturing group of young players that hints at a bright future , talents such as Martinelli , Saka , Willock and Matteo Guendouzi .
The manager clearly has his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FA Cup and this was a well-merited victory .
This is not a vintage Arsenal team or squad but there is a sense of some direction in the opening phases of Arteta 's reign .
Bournemouth 's late flurry , which brought Surridge 's injury-time goal and some half-chances , can not disguise the truth that this was a largely lacklustre performance from a team struggling for inspiration and confidence .
Manager Eddie Howe made six changes from the team that recorded a much-needed Premier League win over Brighton in their last match @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in his side to perform with much greater quality than this mediocre display .
Arsenal , despite the late scare , never seriously threatened to let their lead slip in a controlled performance built around the excellence of Willock and Guendouzi plus the threat of Nketiah and Saka .
The Cherries were barely seen as an attacking force until the final minutes of the first half , with the performance of £19m striker Dominic Solanke symbolising their struggles .
Nothing went right for 22-year-old , who looks light years away from the promising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brazil at Wembley in November 2017 .
The FA Cup is very much second on manager Eddie Howe 's list of priorities but he will know that , for the most part , this showed Bournemouth to be missing any spark , only springing to life when it was too late and when Arsenal had taken their foot off the gas .
It was too little too late .
With their FA Cup interest at an end , Howe must turn his attention to moving Bournemouth out of the relegation places .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Aston Villa this weekend .
Howe will need to rediscover the inspiration that made his side look so impressive early this season and the Cherries must now dig deep as they face a real fight to avoid relegation .
`` We 're very disappointed , '' said Howe .
`` We gave it a good go in the end .
It was just a poor start - a tough first half-hour and we struggled to deal with their movement .
We were n't ourselves .
But for the last 60 minutes we scrapped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` There were tactical problems for us .
We changed system a couple of times .
But we were n't ourselves out of possession .
We were second in the battles .
Against quality teams that is what you have to master .
`` We talked quite openly at half-time .
We were n't happy with what we delivered first half .
We passed the ball better and competed better .
There were moments there for us but that opening half-hour was the difficult part of the match .
`` We learn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teams you can take things from the game , even if you lose . ''
• Arsenal have lost just one of their 12 games against Bournemouth in all competitions ( W9 D2 ) , winning four of the past five ( D1 ) since a 2-1 defeat in the Premier League in January 2018 .
• Bournemouth have won just one of their past 19 games against top-flight opposition in the FA Cup ( D4 L14 ) , a 2-0 victory against Manchester United in January 1984 as a third-tier side .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ past 10 away games in the FA Cup ( L1 ) , with the only exception being a 4-2 defeat at Nottingham Forest in the third round of the 2017-18 competition .
• Bournemouth have lost 11 of their past 15 games across all competitions ( W3 D1 ) .
• Arsenal have gone eight games without defeat away from home in all competitions ( W2 D6 L0 ) , their longest unbeaten run on the road since September-December 2018 ( a run of nine ) .
• Bukayo Saka has both scored @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arsenal this season ( v Eintracht Frankfurt , Standard Liege and today against Bournemouth ) ; no other player has done so more than once for the Gunners in 2019-20 .
• Saka has been directly involved in 10 goals in all competitions for Arsenal this season ( three goals and seven assists ) - only Gabriel Martinelli ( 13 ) and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang ( 17 ) have been involved in more for the Gunners in 2019-20 .
• There were 22 passes in the build up to Saka 's opener for Arsenal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Eddie Nketiah has scored four goals from just nine shots on target for Arsenal in all competitions .
Bournemouth host fellow Premier League strugglers Aston Villa on Saturday 1 February ( 15:00 GMT ) .
Arsenal are next in action when they travel to Burnley in the Premier League on Sunday 2 February ( 14:00 GMT ) .

Last updated on .From the section FA Cup
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta felt his young side showed "courage" to overcame struggling Bournemouth at Vitality Stadium and set up an FA Cup fifth-round trip to Portsmouth.
Mikel Arteta's side were good value for their victory, the platform for progress into the next round built on first-half goals from Bukayo Saka and Eddie Nketiah.
Bournemouth substitute Sam Surridge pulled a goal back deep into eight minutes of stoppage to give the scoreline a look of respectability and give Arsenal some late anxious moments, but in reality the Gunners were by far the superior team.
"I'm very pleased. I knew it was going to be a tough game and we played a really young squad," said Arteta. "I wanted to see the reaction and I was very pleased because I saw a lot of things I really liked.
"In the first half we were really, really good. They executed everything we planned in a really good way and showed he courage to make big decisions.
"We played with that accountability, making decisions and I really liked it. They were terrific with their work-rate, showed courage to make those big decisions and not to play safe.
"That is the difference."
Eighteen-year-old Saka lashed a finish past Bournemouth keeper Mark Travers after only five minutes following good work from the outstanding Joe Willock and Gabriel Martinelli, the goalscorer then turning provider to set up Nketiah for a simple finish in the 26th minute.
Arteta gave particular praise to Nketiah, whose season-long loan move to Leeds was cut short at the start of this month over concerns the 20-year-old was not getting enough first-team action.
"Eddie Nketiah was terrific," said Arteta. "He was on the wing then three seconds later he was in the middle and scoring a goal. This shows me he will score goals and the way he worked without the ball was excellent."
The only blot on Arsenal's night was a second-half ankle injury that saw defender Shkodran Mustafi taken off on a stretcher.
Arteta's plan takes shape
It is easy to see the similarities between Arteta and Pep Guardiola, his managerial mentor at Manchester City - and not just in the Euro-chic wardrobe.
Arteta indulges in the same micro-management, seemingly wanting to orchestrate every move from his technical area, offering a constant stream of advice and animated gestures to his new charges.
He also clearly wants the intense, pressing style that he helped to shape as City won two Premier League titles, completing the domestic treble including the FA Cup and Carabao Cup last season, in his time at Etihad Stadium.
There is also evidence of the patient but ultimately clinical passing football at which City excel. There were 22 passes in the build up to Bukayo Saka's opener involving all 10 outfield players.
It will not be built in a matter of months; this is a very early work in progress.
But while this is also a managerial career in its infancy, there is at least a hint of an identity about this Arsenal team that his predecessor Unai Emery failed to establish.
Arteta has a maturing group of young players that hints at a bright future, talents such as Martinelli, Saka, Willock and Matteo Guendouzi.
The manager clearly has his sights set on running deep into the FA Cup and this was a well-merited victory.
This is not a vintage Arsenal team or squad but there is a sense of some direction in the opening phases of Arteta's reign.
Howe struggles to find a spark
Bournemouth's late flurry, which brought Surridge's injury-time goal and some half-chances, cannot disguise the truth that this was a largely lacklustre performance from a team struggling for inspiration and confidence.
Manager Eddie Howe made six changes from the team that recorded a much-needed Premier League win over Brighton in their last match - but there was still enough experience in his side to perform with much greater quality than this mediocre display.
Arsenal, despite the late scare, never seriously threatened to let their lead slip in a controlled performance built around the excellence of Willock and Guendouzi plus the threat of Nketiah and Saka.
The Cherries were barely seen as an attacking force until the final minutes of the first half, with the performance of £19m striker Dominic Solanke symbolising their struggles.
Nothing went right for 22-year-old, who looks light years away from the promising youngster who won an England cap against Brazil at Wembley in November 2017.
The FA Cup is very much second on manager Eddie Howe's list of priorities but he will know that, for the most part, this showed Bournemouth to be missing any spark, only springing to life when it was too late and when Arsenal had taken their foot off the gas.
It was too little too late.
With their FA Cup interest at an end, Howe must turn his attention to moving Bournemouth out of the relegation places. They face a huge game at home to Aston Villa this weekend.
Howe will need to rediscover the inspiration that made his side look so impressive early this season and the Cherries must now dig deep as they face a real fight to avoid relegation.
"We're very disappointed," said Howe. "We gave it a good go in the end. It was just a poor start - a tough first half-hour and we struggled to deal with their movement. We weren't ourselves. But for the last 60 minutes we scrapped and almost got something in the end.
"There were tactical problems for us. We changed system a couple of times. But we weren't ourselves out of possession. We were second in the battles. Against quality teams that is what you have to master.
"We talked quite openly at half-time. We weren't happy with what we delivered first half. We passed the ball better and competed better. There were moments there for us but that opening half-hour was the difficult part of the match.
"We learn lessons from tonight. Against the big teams you can take things from the game, even if you lose."
Man of the match - Joe Willock (Arsenal)
Joe Willock impressed with a driving performance for Arsenal
Bournemouth's barren run - the stats
Arsenal have lost just one of their 12 games against Bournemouth in all competitions (W9 D2), winning four of the past five (D1) since a 2-1 defeat in the Premier League in January 2018.
Bournemouth have won just one of their past 19 games against top-flight opposition in the FA Cup (D4 L14), a 2-0 victory against Manchester United in January 1984 as a third-tier side.
Arsenal have won nine of their past 10 away games in the FA Cup (L1), with the only exception being a 4-2 defeat at Nottingham Forest in the third round of the 2017-18 competition.
Bournemouth have lost 11 of their past 15 games across all competitions (W3 D1).
Arsenal have gone eight games without defeat away from home in all competitions (W2 D6 L0), their longest unbeaten run on the road since September-December 2018 (a run of nine).
Bukayo Saka has both scored and assisted in three separate games for Arsenal this season (v Eintracht Frankfurt, Standard Liege and today against Bournemouth); no other player has done so more than once for the Gunners in 2019-20.
Saka has been directly involved in 10 goals in all competitions for Arsenal this season (three goals and seven assists) - only Gabriel Martinelli (13) and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (17) have been involved in more for the Gunners in 2019-20.
There were 22 passes in the build up to Saka's opener for Arsenal involving all 10 outfield players.
Eddie Nketiah has scored four goals from just nine shots on target for Arsenal in all competitions.
What's next?
Bournemouth host fellow Premier League strugglers Aston Villa on Saturday 1 February (15:00 GMT). Arsenal are next in action when they travel to Burnley in the Premier League on Sunday 2 February (14:00 GMT).


bbc--2020-01-27--Sky is the limit for England - Root reflects on series win

`` The sky is the limit '' for England after their 3-1 series win over South Africa , says captain Joe Root .
Root 's young side completed a 191-run victory in the final Test in Johannesburg on Monday .
England failed to win a Test series in 2019 , losing to West Indies and New Zealand and drawing against Australia , and were 1-0 down in South Africa after losing the first Test in Centurion .
`` I could n't be more proud of the group , '' Root told BBC Sport .
`` We 've been through a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back from Centurion in the manner we have and to finish it off in style is pleasing . ''
Ten England players were affected by illness before or during the first Test , while all-time leading wicket-taker James Anderson and opener Rory Burns did not play again because of rib and ankle injuries respectively .
But they won by 189 runs in Cape Town and an innings and 53 runs in Port Elizabeth before sealing only their second overseas series victory since 2016 at The Wanderers .
Several young players have impressed during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , made his maiden Test century and ended as England 's leading run-scorer with 324 , sharing three successive fifty opening stands with 21-year-old Zak Crawley .
Ollie Pope , 22 , also scored his first Test hundred and averaged 89 in the series Pace bowler Jofra Archer , 24 , took six wickets in his only Test before being sidelined by an elbow injury , while off-spinner Dom Bess , 22 , claimed his maiden five-wicket haul in his fourth Test .
`` We 've made it very clear how we want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have bought into that , '' Root said .
`` We know it wo n't happen overnight , and wo n't necessarily be straightforward all the time , but as long as it keeps going on an upward curve , as long as we take out chances when we get them , and are always looking to push each other forward and improve , then the sky is the limit for this group . ''
Coach Chris Silverwood added : `` To end up where we are from where we came from - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see the guys pull together and the blueprint come alive , to see a broad spectrum of people doing well , to see them pull together is very pleasing .
`` Joe has led the team very well .
The senior players have backed him up very well and the younger players have been full of energy and performed . ''
I feel like an England player again - Wood Fast bowler Mark Wood , who had not played a Test since February 2019 , returned to take 12 wickets at less than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , winning the man-of-the-match award for figures of 5-46 and 4-54 at The Wanderers .
Wood , 30 , had not played a match in any format since suffering a side strain during the World Cup final in July 2019 , after which he had knee surgery .
He said he `` felt like an England player again '' during the fourth Test , when he also scored 35 not out and 18 batting at number 10 .
He finished the series with a batting average of 54 .
`` I have had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I did n't know if I would play cricket and did n't know if I wanted it again to be honest , '' Wood said .
`` To have days like this means a hell of a lot and I feel incredibly proud . ''
Root said : `` When he has got the opportunity he has grabbed it with both hands , played with a smile on his face and given us some real energy on the field , no matter what he 's done .
`` He 's a great member @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He wo n't shut up about his batting . ''

England's previous overseas series win was in Sri Lanka in 2018
"The sky is the limit" for England after their 3-1 series win over South Africa, says captain Joe Root.
Root's young side completed a 191-run victory in the final Test in Johannesburg on Monday.
England failed to win a Test series in 2019, losing to West Indies and New Zealand and drawing against Australia, and were 1-0 down in South Africa after losing the first Test in Centurion.
"I couldn't be more proud of the group," Root told BBC Sport.
"We've been through a lot on this tour. To come back from Centurion in the manner we have and to finish it off in style is pleasing."
Ten England players were affected by illness before or during the first Test, while all-time leading wicket-taker James Anderson and opener Rory Burns did not play again because of rib and ankle injuries respectively.
But they won by 189 runs in Cape Town and an innings and 53 runs in Port Elizabeth before sealing only their second overseas series victory since 2016 at The Wanderers.
Several young players have impressed during the series.
Dom Sibley, 24, made his maiden Test century and ended as England's leading run-scorer with 324, sharing three successive fifty opening stands with 21-year-old Zak Crawley. Ollie Pope, 22, also scored his first Test hundred and averaged 89 in the series
Pace bowler Jofra Archer, 24, took six wickets in his only Test before being sidelined by an elbow injury, while off-spinner Dom Bess, 22, claimed his maiden five-wicket haul in his fourth Test.
"We've made it very clear how we want to play moving forward and the guys have bought into that," Root said.
"We know it won't happen overnight, and won't necessarily be straightforward all the time, but as long as it keeps going on an upward curve, as long as we take out chances when we get them, and are always looking to push each other forward and improve, then the sky is the limit for this group."
Coach Chris Silverwood added: "To end up where we are from where we came from - before that first Test match - to see the guys pull together and the blueprint come alive, to see a broad spectrum of people doing well, to see them pull together is very pleasing.
"Joe has led the team very well. The senior players have backed him up very well and the younger players have been full of energy and performed."
Wood claimed match figures of 9-100 in the fourth Test
I feel like an England player again - Wood
Fast bowler Mark Wood, who had not played a Test since February 2019, returned to take 12 wickets at less than 14 apiece in the final two Tests, winning the man-of-the-match award for figures of 5-46 and 4-54 at The Wanderers.
Wood, 30, had not played a match in any format since suffering a side strain during the World Cup final in July 2019, after which he had knee surgery.
He said he "felt like an England player again" during the fourth Test, when he also scored 35 not out and 18 batting at number 10. He finished the series with a batting average of 54.
"I have had some horrible days and dark days when I didn't know if I would play cricket and didn't know if I wanted it again to be honest," Wood said.
"To have days like this means a hell of a lot and I feel incredibly proud."
Root said: "When he has got the opportunity he has grabbed it with both hands, played with a smile on his face and given us some real energy on the field, no matter what he's done.
"He's a great member of the team, very well liked. He won't shut up about his batting."


bbc--2020-01-27--Lakers match called off after Bryant's death

Basketball chiefs have called off the Los Angeles Lakers ' match on Tuesday after the death of their legendary former player Kobe Bryant .
The 41-year-old died in a helicopter crash in California on Sunday along with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven other people .
The Lakers had been due to host local rivals the LA Clippers .
The fixture will now take place at a later date `` out of respect for the Lakers organisation '' , the NBA said .
Bryant , who retired in 2016 after a 20-year career with the Lakers , was a five-time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ All-Star 18 times .
The Lakers , in their first statement since the tragedy , said : `` The Los Angeles Lakers would like to thank all of you for the tremendous outpouring of support and condolences .
`` This is a very difficult time for all of us .
We continue to support the Bryant family and will share more information as it is available . ''
• Petition calls for Bryant to be added to NBA logo • A genius , who had his controversies , was solving life after sport @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cause

Last updated on .From the section Basketball
Basketball chiefs have called off the Los Angeles Lakers' match on Tuesday after the death of their legendary former player Kobe Bryant.
The 41-year-old died in a helicopter crash in California on Sunday along with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven other people.
The Lakers had been due to host local rivals the LA Clippers.
The fixture will now take place at a later date "out of respect for the Lakers organisation", the NBA said.
Bryant, who retired in 2016 after a 20-year career with the Lakers, was a five-time NBA champion and was named an NBA All-Star 18 times.
The Lakers, in their first statement since the tragedy, said: "The Los Angeles Lakers would like to thank all of you for the tremendous outpouring of support and condolences.
"This is a very difficult time for all of us. We continue to support the Bryant family and will share more information as it is available."


bbc--2020-01-27--Rooney could face old club Man Utd - full FA Cup fifth-round draw

Wayne Rooney could face his former side Manchester United in the fifth round of the FA Cup if Derby can get past Northampton in their fourth-round replay .
Chelsea will host Shrewsbury or Liverpool , while Arsenal travel to League One Portsmouth after the Gunners beat Bournemouth in Monday 's game .
All eight ties will be played across three midweek nights from 3-5 March .
Rooney , who is United and England 's all-time record goalscorer , joined Championship club Derby County as a player-coach in January from MLS side DC United .
Now 34 , he played 559 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He won five Premier League titles and each of the Champions League , Europa League and FA Cup once after joining from Everton for £27m in 2004 .
Since leaving Old Trafford he has faced his former employers twice , losing both games during the 2017-18 season , while in a second spell at Everton .
Elsewhere in the draw , League One Oxford United face a trip to Championship leaders West Brom if they can follow up their shock draw at Newcastle United with victory in the replay , while Reading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Leicester will host Coventry or Birmingham in an all-Midlands affair and Southampton or Tottenham will play Norwich .
Why are fifth-round ties being played in midweek ?
In a change to the usual format , all eight ties will be played across three midweek nights from 3-5 March , with no replays .
If any of the ties are level after 90 minutes there will be 30 minutes of extra time and , if necessary , penalties to determine a winner on the night .
It is the second season running that fifth-round @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an attempt to alleviate fixture congestion .
In addition , the Premier League is having a mid-season break in February , with each team getting a weekend off .
• Premier League winter break : All you need to know Four Premier League matches will take place on the opening weekend of the inaugural winter break , with six more the following weekend .
All 10 matches have different kick-off times , meaning none of the games will be played at the same time .
The schedule was agreed in June 2018 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ League and EFL .

Last updated on .From the section FA Cup
Wayne Rooney spent 13 years at Manchester United before rejoining his boyhood club Everton in 2017
Wayne Rooney will face his former side Manchester United in the fifth round of the FA Cup after Derby beat Northampton in their fourth-round replay.
Holders Manchester City will travel to Sheffield Wednesday.
Chelsea will host Liverpool after they overcame Shrewsbury in a replay, while Arsenal travel to League One Portsmouth.
All eight ties will be played across three midweek nights from 3-5 March.
Rooney, who is United and England's all-time record goalscorer, joined Championship club Derby County as a player-coach in January from MLS side DC United.
Now 34, he played 559 times for United, scoring 253 goals.
He won five Premier League titles and each of the Champions League, Europa League and FA Cup once after joining from Everton for £27m in 2004.
Since leaving Old Trafford he has faced his former employers twice, losing both games during the 2017-18 season, while in a second spell at Everton.
Tottenham are at home to Norwich after beating Southampton in the final replay of the season.
Why are fifth-round ties being played in midweek?
In a change to the usual format, all eight ties will be played across three midweek nights from 3-5 March, with no replays.
If any of the ties are level after 90 minutes there will be 30 minutes of extra time and, if necessary, penalties to determine a winner on the night.
It is the second season running that fifth-round replays have been removed from the competition in an attempt to alleviate fixture congestion.
In addition, the Premier League is having a mid-season break in February, with each team getting a weekend off.
Four Premier League matches will take place on the opening weekend of the inaugural winter break, with six more the following weekend.
All 10 matches have different kick-off times, meaning none of the games will be played at the same time.
The schedule was agreed in June 2018 between the Football Association, the Premier League and EFL.
FA Cup fifth-round draw
Sheffield Wednesday v Manchester City
Reading v Sheffield United
Chelsea v Liverpool
West Bromwich Albion v Newcastle United
Leicester City v Birmingham City
Derby County v Manchester United
Tottenham Hotspur v Norwich City
Portsmouth v Arsenal


bbc--2020-01-27--Another 'Rumble in the Jungle'? Possible Joshua fight in Kinshasa discussed

Promoter Eddie Hearn says meetings have been held which could see Anthony Joshua fight in the stadium that hosted the famous 'Rumble in the Jungle ' in Kinshasa , Democratic Republic of Congo .
Muhammad Ali stunned the world by knocking out George Foreman to win the world heavyweight title there in 1974 .
`` It 's probably the most famous venue , or fight , of all time , '' Hearn said .
`` The DRC is looking to regenerate the stadium .
That 's special , that 's legacy .
That 's career defining . ''
Speaking on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Hearn added : `` There have been meetings held about that .
It 's pie in the sky at the moment but the approach is there and its something we 'll have to look at .
`` He [ Joshua ] wants to create a legacy in the sport .
When you look at the resumé , he 's boxed everywhere you can in the UK , at Madison Square Garden , Saudi Arabia .
`` To put Africa , China and the Far East on the resumé , that 's when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He has no interest in that but he wants to create history . ''
• 5 Live Boxing with Costello & Bunce : AJ to fight `` Rumble in the Jungle 2 '' ?
Joshua , 30 , reclaimed his heavyweight world titles with a unanimous points victory over Andy Ruiz Jr in a tense rematch in Saudi Arabia in December .
Following bouts against Ruiz in New York and the Middle East , Hearn said Joshua 's next fight will `` likely '' be in the UK - with Bulgaria 's Kubrat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want the fight in the UK at the end of May or early June , '' said Hearn , who named Arsenal 's Emirates Stadium , Tottenham Hotspur Stadium , the Olympic Stadium , the Millennium Stadium and Twickenham as potential venues .
`` It 's time to come home .
If you asked him where he wants his next fight to be he 'd say London , so that 's what we 're going to try and deliver .
`` Obviously Pulev must be in agreement with that and hopefully we can @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Last updated on .From the section Boxing
Muhammad Ali famously knocked out George Foreman in the eighth to claim the world title in 1974
Promoter Eddie Hearn says meetings have been held which could see Anthony Joshua fight in the stadium that hosted the famous 'Rumble in the Jungle' in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.
Muhammad Ali stunned the world by knocking out George Foreman to win the world heavyweight title there in 1974.
"It's probably the most famous venue, or fight, of all time," Hearn said.
"The DRC is looking to regenerate the stadium. That's special, that's legacy. That's career defining."
Speaking on 5 Live Boxing with Costello and Bunce, Hearn added: "There have been meetings held about that. It's pie in the sky at the moment but the approach is there and its something we'll have to look at.
"He [Joshua] wants to create a legacy in the sport. When you look at the resumé, he's boxed everywhere you can in the UK, at Madison Square Garden, Saudi Arabia.
"To put Africa, China and the Far East on the resumé, that's when you get to global star status. He has no interest in that but he wants to create history."
Joshua, 30, reclaimed his heavyweight world titles with a unanimous points victory over Andy Ruiz Jr in a tense rematch in Saudi Arabia in December.
Following bouts against Ruiz in New York and the Middle East, Hearn said Joshua's next fight will "likely" be in the UK - with Bulgaria's Kubrat Pulev the likely opponent.
"We want the fight in the UK at the end of May or early June," said Hearn, who named Arsenal's Emirates Stadium, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the Olympic Stadium, the Millennium Stadium and Twickenham as potential venues.
"It's time to come home. If you asked him where he wants his next fight to be he'd say London, so that's what we're going to try and deliver.
"Obviously Pulev must be in agreement with that and hopefully we can get it over the line."