bbc--2020-09-20--Real begin title defence with Barcelona in turmoil - La Liga preview

Champions Real Madrid kick off their new campaign on Sunday with a trip to Real Sociedad and , with Barcelona in disarray , Zinedine Zidane 's men are odds-on favourites to retain the title .
This has been an extremely calm and quiet off-season for Real , with the reigning champions happy to sit back and let Barcelona hog the headlines for all the wrong reasons .
The only addition to Zidane 's squad has been the return of gifted attacking midfielder Martin Odegaard from loan at Real Sociedad .
The 21-year-old Norwegian delivered a series of dazzling performances during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he will now aim to gradually replace Luka Modric and further revitalise a midfield which has already been boosted by the emergence of Fede Valverde .
Other than that , Real 's only moves in the market have been through the out door .
Around £100m has been raised through the exits of players like James Rodriguez ( Everton ) , Achraf Hakimi ( Inter Milan ) , Oscar Rodriguez ( Sevilla ) and , at long last , Gareth Bale .
The club are expected to save those proceeds for a major @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and in the meantime Zidane will continue to rely on his blend of trusted veterans like Karim Benzema , Sergio Ramos and Toni Kroos , along with gifted youngsters Odegaard , Valverde , Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo .
If stability has been the word of the summer for Real , the opposite is true at their eternal rivals Barcelona - embodied in the fact that beleaguered president Josep Maria Bartomeu faces a formal vote of no confidence after more than 20,000 fans signed a motion against him .
Bartomeu was the chief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his failed attempt to leave , and it 's clear that many fans feel the same way about the president 's running of the club over the past few years .
Barca 's embarrassing 8-2 Champions League loss to Bayern Munich made their failings startlingly obvious , and that has been followed by a change in manager with the arrival of Ronald Koeman - who is remembered fondly by Barca fans after scoring the winner in the 1992 European Cup final against Sampdoria at Wembley .
Attempts to revitalise the squad are moving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his old club Sevilla , Arturo Vidal is expected to join Inter Milan and Luis Suarez will probably also leave , but the Catalans ' bleak financial situation under Bartomeu means there are few funds for fresh faces .
Lyon forward Memphis Depay and Manchester City defender Eric Garcia are Barca 's targets , but even they may prove to be outside the club 's price range .
Messi , of course , is staying for now .
But the acrimony of his aborted departure , and his obvious disgust with Bartomeu , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ linger long into the new season .
So Koeman is surrounded by a lot of questions , and very few answers .
Albeit in a less dramatic manner , there are also question marks over Atletico Madrid following their disappointing Champions League exit against RB Leipzig .
That was seen as a wasted opportunity and strengthened the impression that Diego Simeone - who has spent the past fortnight at home after contracting Covid-19 - needs to introduce a more expansive style of play .
Criticism that Simeone is too negative and does not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ circulating for years , but they have sharply intensified following last summer 's arrival of gifted youngster Joao Felix .
The Portuguese star generally looked uncomfortable in Simeone 's rigid system during his first season at the Wanda Metropolitano , and if Simeone fails to find a way of allowing greater attacking fluency then patience in his methods will soon start to run out .
On the whole it has been a quiet transfer window , with the majority of moves coming for low-cost veterans or promising prospects from the Segunda Division .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is unlikely we will see much cash splashed in the last fortnight of the window , although Atletico , Sevilla and Granada are all in the market for a striker , with Watford 's Luis Suarez , who spent last season on loan at Real Zaragoza , in their sights .
There has , at least , been plenty of activity at Villarreal , who look set for a serious top-four challenge after the recruitment of Unai Emery as coach , midfield duo Dani Parejo and Francis Coquelin ( both from near-neighbours @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kubo on loan from Real Madrid .
A warmly welcomed move has been David Silva 's return to Spain .
The former Manchester City man has joined an open and attack-minded Real Sociedad side who should be perfectly suited to his style , and he is in line to make his debut this weekend against Real Madrid after recovering from coronavirus .
Sevilla 's double midfield swoop for Oscar and Rakitic has sparked hopes they could narrow the gap on , or even overtake , the top three , while cross-town rivals Real @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Villarreal and Malaga coach Manuel Pellegrini to reignite a talented but previously underperforming squad .
The waters are choppy at Valencia , where the sale of key players Parejo , Rodrigo and Ferran Torres has led to fresh protests against unpopular owner Peter Lim .
New boss Javi Gracia has already voiced his frustrations at the club 's failure to replace those outgoing stars , but Lim is expecting his coach to place his faith in a talented batch of youngsters which includes gifted South Korean teenager Lee Kang-in and 17-year-old Englishman Yunus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last weekend 's dramatic opening-night 4-2 derby win over Levante .
That victory showed there is still plenty of talent within Los Che 's ranks , but there is also an enormous amount of uncertainty .
If anyone can rival Barcelona for unpredictable drama over the coming weeks , it will be Valencia .

Zinedine Zidane is in his second spell as Real Madrid manager, while Ronald Koeman took over at Barcelona during the summer
Champions Real Madrid kick off their new campaign on Sunday with a trip to Real Sociedad and, with Barcelona in disarray, Zinedine Zidane's men are odds-on favourites to retain the title.
But the big two are not the only compelling storylines to follow, so let's take a quick tour of the new La Liga season.
Stability and sales at Real Madrid
Is this the season Martin Odegaard makes the breakthrough in the Real Madrid first team?
This has been an extremely calm and quiet off-season for Real, with the reigning champions happy to sit back and let Barcelona hog the headlines for all the wrong reasons.
The only addition to Zidane's squad has been the return of gifted attacking midfielder Martin Odegaard from loan at Real Sociedad.
The 21-year-old Norwegian delivered a series of dazzling performances during his time with the Basques, and he will now aim to gradually replace Luka Modric and further revitalise a midfield which has already been boosted by the emergence of Fede Valverde.
Other than that, Real's only moves in the market have been through the out door. Around £100m has been raised through the exits of players like James Rodriguez (Everton), Achraf Hakimi (Inter Milan), Oscar Rodriguez (Sevilla) and, at long last, Gareth Bale.
The club are expected to save those proceeds for a major push to sign Kylian Mbappe next summer, and in the meantime Zidane will continue to rely on his blend of trusted veterans like Karim Benzema, Sergio Ramos and Toni Kroos, along with gifted youngsters Odegaard, Valverde, Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo.
Turmoil in Barcelona
After his appointment as Barcelona boss, Koeman reportedly told Messi "your privileges in the squad are over, you have to do everything for the team", helping Messi decide he wanted to leave
If stability has been the word of the summer for Real, the opposite is true at their eternal rivals Barcelona - embodied in the fact that beleaguered president Josep Maria Bartomeu faces a formal vote of no confidence after more than 20,000 fans signed a motion against him.
Bartomeu was the chief target of Lionel Messi's fury after his failed attempt to leave, and it's clear that many fans feel the same way about the president's running of the club over the past few years.
Barca's embarrassing 8-2 Champions League loss to Bayern Munich made their failings startlingly obvious, and that has been followed by a change in manager with the arrival of Ronald Koeman - who is remembered fondly by Barca fans after scoring the winner in the 1992 European Cup final against Sampdoria at Wembley.
Attempts to revitalise the squad are moving slowly. Ivan Rakitic has returned to his old club Sevilla, Arturo Vidal is expected to join Inter Milan and Luis Suarez will probably also leave, but the Catalans' bleak financial situation under Bartomeu means there are few funds for fresh faces.
Lyon forward Memphis Depay and Manchester City defender Eric Garcia are Barca's targets, but even they may prove to be outside the club's price range.
Messi, of course, is staying for now. But the acrimony of his aborted departure, and his obvious disgust with Bartomeu, has left a sour taste which will linger long into the new season.
So Koeman is surrounded by a lot of questions, and very few answers.
Simeone under the microscope
Diego Simeone led Atletico Madrid to the La Liga title in 2013-14
Albeit in a less dramatic manner, there are also question marks over Atletico Madrid following their disappointing Champions League exit against RB Leipzig.
That was seen as a wasted opportunity and strengthened the impression that Diego Simeone - who has spent the past fortnight at home after contracting Covid-19 - needs to introduce a more expansive style of play.
Criticism that Simeone is too negative and does not give his players enough freedom have been circulating for years, but they have sharply intensified following last summer's arrival of gifted youngster Joao Felix.
The Portuguese star generally looked uncomfortable in Simeone's rigid system during his first season at the Wanda Metropolitano, and if Simeone fails to find a way of allowing greater attacking fluency then patience in his methods will soon start to run out.
Villarreal win the transfer market
On the whole it has been a quiet transfer window, with the majority of moves coming for low-cost veterans or promising prospects from the Segunda Division.
The uncertainty engendered by the pandemic means it is unlikely we will see much cash splashed in the last fortnight of the window, although Atletico, Sevilla and Granada are all in the market for a striker, with Watford's Luis Suarez, who spent last season on loan at Real Zaragoza, in their sights.
There has, at least, been plenty of activity at Villarreal, who look set for a serious top-four challenge after the recruitment of Unai Emery as coach, midfield duo Dani Parejo and Francis Coquelin (both from near-neighbours Valencia) and Japanese rising star Take Kubo on loan from Real Madrid.
A warmly welcomed move has been David Silva's return to Spain. The former Manchester City man has joined an open and attack-minded Real Sociedad side who should be perfectly suited to his style, and he is in line to make his debut this weekend against Real Madrid after recovering from coronavirus.
Sevilla's double midfield swoop for Oscar and Rakitic has sparked hopes they could narrow the gap on, or even overtake, the top three, while cross-town rivals Real Betis are expecting the appointment of former Villarreal and Malaga coach Manuel Pellegrini to reignite a talented but previously underperforming squad.
Uncertainty at Valencia
The waters are choppy at Valencia, where the sale of key players Parejo, Rodrigo and Ferran Torres has led to fresh protests against unpopular owner Peter Lim.
New boss Javi Gracia has already voiced his frustrations at the club's failure to replace those outgoing stars, but Lim is expecting his coach to place his faith in a talented batch of youngsters which includes gifted South Korean teenager Lee Kang-in and 17-year-old Englishman Yunus Musah, who dazzled on debut in last weekend's dramatic opening-night 4-2 derby win over Levante.
That victory showed there is still plenty of talent within Los Che's ranks, but there is also an enormous amount of uncertainty. If anyone can rival Barcelona for unpredictable drama over the coming weeks, it will be Valencia.


bbc--2020-09-19--A bleak start for Man Utd - and tough early questions for Woodward

There must be times when Ed Woodward wonders how his job has turned out the way it has .
As Manchester United 's executive vice-chairman sat in the Old Trafford directors ' box watching Crystal Palace celebrate a second successive Old Trafford win and the best top-flight start to a season in their entire history , it will not have been lost on him that one of the chief architects of the Eagles ' 3-1 victory - double goalscorer Wilfried Zaha - is a player he sold .
Around Woodward , the vast cathedral Manchester United call home remains closed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stadium megastore stands empty , its tills silent .
He could not have imagined when he took the role in 2013 , with the club champions of England , that days like this would exist .
Even before United kicked off their season against Palace , Woodward was in a tricky position .
Since the summer of 2019 he has presided over a net spend of £160m , which United believe to be more than any other major club in the world over the same period .
Yet he was still the target @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the figures , and the obvious financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic that costs United £5m in lost revenue every time they play a home game .
He knew that Liverpool had just committed £65m to Thiago Alcantara and Diogo Jota .
He was aware Tottenham were ready to confirm Gareth Bale 's return .
Woodward really needed United to start their season with a win .
Not only did they fail , they were awful .
From his seat in the Sky television studio , former United skipper Patrice Evra was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There 's so much negativity about the transfer window and the club have done nothing about it .
I 'm exhausted and it 's only the first day of the season . ''
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 's team selection was odd .
Pairing Timothy Fosu-Mensah and Daniel James on the right when Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Mason Greenwood started on the bench weakened United .
As it turned out , Fosu-Mensah was one of United 's better performers .
Throughout the side , United were poor - Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford ineffective @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fernandes shadows of what they can be in midfield , Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof out-thought and outmanoeuvred at the back .
In fairness , as Solskjaer pointed out , even with a delayed start to their season United had only five days ' preparation time .
`` Roy [ Hodgson ] said they had four friendlies and this was their third competitive game , '' said the United boss .
`` It is a big difference to our one friendly against Aston Villa last week .
You can see we are short @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need sharpness and time to get back to our best .
We are going to get better but we are playing catch-up . ''
In this , of all seasons , time to catch anything up is limited .
United go to Luton in the EFL Cup on Tuesday .
If they win , they will not have a spare midweek until just before Christmas - and that is dependent on cup commitments .
The issue is more fundamental .
United simply do not have enough good players .
Addressing the problem is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at United and they can reel off impressive figures for money invested in the team - £900m gross during Woodward 's watch - significant recent investment in the academy to attract youngsters of the calibre of 17-year-old Frenchman Hannibal Mejbri , who was outstanding during a 6-0 win at Salford in the EFL Trophy on 9 September .
United argue they have a strategy , which is delivering results .
They also point out their self-sustaining business model demands prudence in these uncertain times .
These are solid points .
But what tends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dismiss them or simply refuse to listen is what their current ownership model costs United .
The respected Swiss Ramble blogger said in a recent post that over the past five years , the club had paid £89m to the Glazer family in share dividends in addition to £120m in interest on its debt .
What better use , these supporters ask , could United have made of the money ?
In the meantime , while Solskjaer and his staff wait for new arrivals , frustration grows .
The move for Jadon Sancho @ @ @ @ @ @ @ started Borussia Dortmund 's 3-0 win against Borussia Monchengladbach on Saturday , he might be forgiven for staying where he is even if United did meet the £100m asking price .
United have held talks about Porto 's Brazilian defender Alex Telles but , again , there is no agreement over a fee and sources have suggested a deal is nowhere near as close as has been reported .
Each name brings more criticism when a signing does not follow .
It seems unfair , and it probably is , but that is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when results do not go their way .
For now , Solskjaer can only put on a brave face and try to get more out of the players he already has .
`` We need to look from within , '' the Norwegian said , when asked if he needed new signings .
`` We can play so much better than today .
If you look at the players we have on the pitch and on the bench and not here , we know we can perform better .
`` We are always @ @ @ @ @ @ @ available at the right price but we can all look ourselves in the mirror . ''

Manchester United chief executive Ed Woodward watched from the stands on Saturday
There must be times when Ed Woodward wonders how his job has turned out the way it has.
About 19:20 BST on Saturday might well have been one of them.
As Manchester United's executive vice-chairman sat in the Old Trafford directors' box watching Crystal Palace celebrate a second successive Old Trafford win and the best top-flight start to a season in their entire history, it will not have been lost on him that one of the chief architects of the Eagles' 3-1 victory - double goalscorer Wilfried Zaha - is a player he sold.
Around Woodward, the vast cathedral Manchester United call home remains closed to the public, while the lucrative stadium megastore stands empty, its tills silent.
He could not have imagined when he took the role in 2013, with the club champions of England, that days like this would exist.
Even before United kicked off their season against Palace, Woodward was in a tricky position.
Since the summer of 2019 he has presided over a net spend of £160m, which United believe to be more than any other major club in the world over the same period.
Yet he was still the target of an increasingly agitated supporter base dismissive of the figures, and the obvious financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic that costs United £5m in lost revenue every time they play a home game. He knew that Liverpool had just committed £65m to Thiago Alcantara and Diogo Jota. He was aware Tottenham were ready to confirm Gareth Bale's return.
Woodward really needed United to start their season with a win. Not only did they fail, they were awful.
From his seat in the Sky television studio, former United skipper Patrice Evra was seething: "I'm burning inside. There's so much negativity about the transfer window and the club have done nothing about it. I'm exhausted and it's only the first day of the season."
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's team selection was odd. Pairing Timothy Fosu-Mensah and Daniel James on the right when Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Mason Greenwood started on the bench weakened United. As it turned out, Fosu-Mensah was one of United's better performers.
Throughout the side, United were poor - Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford ineffective in attack, Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes shadows of what they can be in midfield, Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof out-thought and outmanoeuvred at the back.
In fairness, as Solskjaer pointed out, even with a delayed start to their season United had only five days' preparation time.
Manchester United lost their opening home game of a Premier League campaign for just the third time - they lost to Everton in 1992-93 and Swansea in 2014-15
"Roy [Hodgson] said they had four friendlies and this was their third competitive game," said the United boss. "It is a big difference to our one friendly against Aston Villa last week. You can see we are short.
"We need games, we need sharpness and time to get back to our best. We are going to get better but we are playing catch-up."
In this, of all seasons, time to catch anything up is limited.
United go to Luton in the EFL Cup on Tuesday. If they win, they will not have a spare midweek until just before Christmas - and that is dependent on cup commitments.
The issue is more fundamental. United simply do not have enough good players.
Addressing the problem is the hard part.
Speak to people at United and they can reel off impressive figures for money invested in the team - £900m gross during Woodward's watch - significant recent investment in the academy to attract youngsters of the calibre of 17-year-old Frenchman Hannibal Mejbri, who was outstanding during a 6-0 win at Salford in the EFL Trophy on 9 September.
United argue they have a strategy, which is delivering results. They also point out their self-sustaining business model demands prudence in these uncertain times.
These are solid points. But what tends to come back from those who either dismiss them or simply refuse to listen is what their current ownership model costs United.
The respected Swiss Ramble blogger said in a recent post that over the past five years, the club had paid £89m to the Glazer family in share dividends in addition to £120m in interest on its debt. What better use, these supporters ask, could United have made of the money?
In the meantime, while Solskjaer and his staff wait for new arrivals, frustration grows.
The move for Jadon Sancho is stuck, although given the 20-year-old started Borussia Dortmund's 3-0 win against Borussia Monchengladbach on Saturday, he might be forgiven for staying where he is even if United did meet the £100m asking price.
United have held talks about Porto's Brazilian defender Alex Telles but, again, there is no agreement over a fee and sources have suggested a deal is nowhere near as close as has been reported.
Each name brings more criticism when a signing does not follow. It seems unfair, and it probably is, but that is the landscape all top clubs operate in when results do not go their way.
Summer signing Donny van de Beek, centre, scored after coming on as a second-half substitute
For now, Solskjaer can only put on a brave face and try to get more out of the players he already has.
"We need to look from within," the Norwegian said, when asked if he needed new signings.
"We can play so much better than today. If you look at the players we have on the pitch and on the bench and not here, we know we can perform better.
"We are always looking to improve if there is something available at the right price but we can all look ourselves in the mirror."


bbc--2020-09-21--Ginsburg Supreme Court: Trump to name nominee by week's end

President Trump has said he will name a replacement to Ruth Bader Ginsburg by week 's end and urged the Republican-controlled Senate to confirm his Supreme Court choice before 3 November .
The plan has launched a high-stakes battle with far-reaching political consequences ahead of the election .
Mr Trump would replace Ginsburg , a liberal stalwart who died on Friday aged 87 , with a conservative .
Approval would cement a right-leaning majority on the court for decades .
The appointment of judges to the Supreme Court is a political decision in which the president chooses who is put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirm - or reject - that choice .
• Why is the US top court so important ?
The ideological balance of the nine-member court is crucial to its rulings on the most important issues in US law .
What happens next ?
On Monday , the president signalled he would nominate a replacement on `` Friday or Saturday '' , after memorial services for Ginsburg .
`` The bottom line is we won the election , we have an obligation to do what 's right and act as quickly as possible , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Once the president names a nominee , the Senate votes on whether to confirm them .
The Judiciary Committee will review the pick first , and then vote to send the nominee to the floor for a full vote .
• Meet the Supremes - the judges on the top US court Republicans hold a slim 53-47 majority in the upper chamber .
Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell has vowed to hold a confirmation vote before the election in November .
The declaration has sparked furore from Democrats , who have accused Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Following the death of conservative justice Anthony Scalia in 2016 , Mr McConnell refused to hold a vote to confirm a nominee put forward by then-President Barack Obama , a Democrat .
Mr Obama had nominated Merrick Garland in February of that year - months before the election - but Mr McConnell argued that Supreme Court justices should not be approved in an election year .
In 2017 , Mr McConnell also changed Senate rules to allow for a simple majority ( 51 votes ) to confirm nominees .
However , this time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same party , the Senate leader says because the Senate and White House are both Republican-held , unlike 2016 , the nomination should proceed .
How long does it take to confirm a Supreme Court judge ?
Typically , it 's a months long process to go from selection to confirmation - but there are no rules regarding this time frame .
Since 1975 , it has taken about 70 days on average .
This time , the election is just weeks away .
The last time lawmakers completed a confirmation this speedily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1993 .
She was approved in 42 days .
To figure out how things might go this year , there are some key senators to watch : two Republicans , Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski , have backed a delay in the vote .
Maine 's Ms Collins said she had `` no objection '' to the process of reviewing a candidate beginning now , but that she did not believe the Senate should vote on the candidate prior to November 's election .
Ms Collins is facing a tough re-election bid this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she `` did not support taking up a nomination eight months before the 2016 election '' and believed the `` same standard must apply '' now .
However , on Monday , Lindsey Graham , the powerful Republican chairman of the Senate Judiciary committee said he would be `` leading the charge to make sure that President Trump 's nominee has a hearing , [ and ] goes to the floor of the United States Senate for a vote . ''
Even if Republicans lose their Senate majority on 3 November , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3 January , which would give them time to confirm Mr Trump 's pick .
If the nominee is not confirmed by 20 January , Inauguration Day , they would have to be re-nominated by the president ( whoever that ends up being ) .
The highest court in the US is often the final word on highly contentious laws , disputes between states and the federal government , and final appeals to stay executions .
In recent years , the court has expanded gay marriage to all 50 states , allowed for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put in place , and delayed a US plan to cut carbon emissions while appeals went forward .
The court also handles reproductive rights issues like abortion - a highly contentious election issue , especially for one of Mr Trump 's key Republican constituencies .
Opponents of abortion have called for overturning abortion protections , and appointing judges who sympathise with this view is one of Mr Trump 's pitches for re-election .
Judge Amy Coney Barrett , a lower court justice seen as a top contender for the Supreme Court nomination , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rights before .
Clara Spera , Ginsburg 's grand-daughter , disclosed that the late justice 's dying wish was not to be replaced until after the election .
`` She was concerned about this country and about the court that she served so diligently for over 27 years , '' Ms Spera told BBC World Service .
`` I think that she would be heartened to know that there are many , many people who believe that we need to return to order and norms , and agree and want to fulfil that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said .
Ginsburg will lie in state at the US Capitol on Friday .
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi , the most powerful Democrat in Washington , suggested she may try to influence what happens next with the confirmation .
Mrs Pelosi told the New York Times she had `` arrows in [ her ] quiver , in the House quiver '' but would not offer more details .
On Sunday , Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden said Mr Trump had `` made clear this is about power , pure and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Constitution allows Americans the chance to be heard - and their voice should be heard ... they should make it clear , they will not stand for this abuse of power , '' he said .
`` I appeal to those Senate Republicans - please follow your conscience , let the people speak , cool the flames that have been engulfing our country . ''
But Republican Senator Ted Cruz , speaking to ABC News on Sunday , contended that a new justice ought to be confirmed before the election - a reversal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He argued that the American people elected Mr Trump largely to support conservatives on the court .
`` The president was elected to do this and the Senate was elected to confirm this nomination . ''
During a vigil for Ginsburg that night , Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren drew cheers from the crowd for criticising Republicans over the nomination .
`` Mitch McConnell and his henchmen believe that they can ram through a Supreme Court justice only 45 days from Election Day , '' she said .
`` What Mitch McConnell does not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ begun . ''
Who are seen as top contenders ?
• Barbara Lagoa : A Cuban American of the Atlanta-based 11th Circuit Court of Appeals , she was the first Hispanic judge on the Florida Supreme Court .
She is a former federal prosecutor • Amy Coney Barrett : Member of the Chicago-based 7th Circuit Court of Appeals , she is a favourite of religious conservatives and known for her anti-abortion views .
She was a legal scholar at Notre Dame Law School in Indiana • Kate Comerford Todd : Deputy White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inside the White House .
Served as former senior VP and Chief Counsel , US Chamber Litigation Center

"I think that she would be heartened to know that there are many, many people who believe that we need to return to order and norms, and agree and want to fulfil that most fervent wish of hers," she said.


bbc--2020-09-20--The women vying for RBG's Supreme Court seat

US President Donald Trump has said he will announce this week his candidate to fill the vacancy at the Supreme Court created by the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg , a liberal icon .
President Trump said his choice would be `` a woman - a very talented , very brilliant woman '' .
Two conservative candidates are seen as the main contenders for the lifelong job - but reports suggest some other names are also being considered .
The president has already appointed two justices for the court - Neil Gorsuch in 2017 and Brett Kavanaugh in 2018 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before the presidential election , Mr Trump is facing fierce opposition from Democrats , who insist any nomination should be made only after the poll .
The 48-year-old is described as a devout Catholic who , according to a 2013 Notre Dame Magazine article , said that `` life begins at conception '' .
This makes her a favourite among religious conservatives keen to overturn the landmark 1973 decision that legalised abortion nationwide .
She has also voted in favour of President Trump 's hardline immigration policies and expressed views in favour of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump to the Chicago-based 7th Circuit Court of Appeals , she was confirmed by Senate in a 55-43 vote in October 2017 after a tough process .
She was one of the names the president considered to replace late Justice Anthony Kennedy in 2017 .
After graduating from Notre Dame University Law School , she clerked for late Justice Antonin Scalia , who died in 2016 .
She served as a legal scholar at Notre Dame for around 15 years .
Born in New Orleans , she is married to a former assistant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Indiana and together they have seven children .
A Cuban-American born in Miami , she was the first Hispanic judge on the Florida Supreme Court .
If nominated and then confirmed by the Senate , she would become the second Hispanic judge to serve at the highest court , after Justice Sonia Sotomayor , who was nominated by former President Barack Obama .
The 53-year-old was nominated in September 2019 by President Trump to serve on the Atlanta-based 11th Circuit Court of Appeals , one of the regional appeals courts that are one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was confirmed by the Senate in a 80-15 vote .
This month , she joined the majority in a ruling that upheld a law that requires people with past felony convictions to pay outstanding court fees .
Ms Lagoa graduated from Columbia Law School , like Ginsburg , and later served as a federal prosecutor .
She then spent more than a decade as a judge on an appeals court in Florida .
In 2000 , she worked as a pro bono lawyer for the family of Elián González .
The boy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coast after his mother drowned while trying to escape Cuba for the US , became the centre of a custody battle between his Cuban father and American relatives .
She is married to a lawyer , and they have three daughters .
Other names also being considered • Kate Comerford Todd : Currently deputy White House counsel , has a lot of support inside the White House .
She clerked for Justice Clarence Thomas , and served as former senior vice president and chief counsel at the US Chamber Litigation Center .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The 51-year-old served on the Michigan Supreme Court before being nominated by President Trump to the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati , Ohio .
She was confirmed in November 2017 in a 60-38 vote .
She graduated from Northwestern University .
She was also on the president 's list for the Kennedy seat , and also clerked for Justice Scalia

The president has already appointed two justices for the court - Neil Gorsuch in 2017 and Brett Kavanaugh in 2018. But with six weeks to go before the presidential election, Mr Trump is facing fierce opposition from Democrats, who insist any nomination should be made only after the poll.


bbc--2020-09-21--New York among three 'anarchist' cities named by White House to lose funds

The Trump administration has named three cities that could lose federal funding after the White House accused them of tolerating crime .
New York City , Portland and Seattle are on the list of `` anarchist cities '' that Trump officials say have failed to stem crime linked to a summer of protests .
It follows a memo from Mr Trump earlier this month , threatening the move .
The mayors of the cities have promised to sue , calling Mr Trump 's move a political stunt .
A statement from the justice department on Monday laid out recent crime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police responded .
`` We can not allow federal tax dollars to be wasted when the safety of the citizenry hangs in the balance , '' Attorney General William Barr said in the statement .
He also called on Portland , Seattle and New York City to `` reverse course and become serious about performing the basic function of government and start protecting their own citizens '' .
The department statement noted that these cities were highlighted as they meet key criteria , such as forbidding `` the police force from intervening to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or destruction '' , as well as seeking to disempower or defund police .
Refusing to accept federal law enforcement assistance is also a factor .
All three cities have seen major protests since the death of unarmed black man George Floyd in May .
It remains unclear what federal funding may be cut from the cities .
CNBC reports that some of the funds targeted by Mr Trump 's memo comprise a large portion of New York City 's annual budget , which has already been stretched thin by the pandemic .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Portland , Seattle , New York and Washington DC - which was on a shortlist of `` anarchist cities '' but was not included in Monday 's decision - accused Mr Trump of `` playing cheap political games with congressionally directed funds '' .
The mayors called the decision `` thoroughly political and unconstitutional '' and accused the Trump White House of `` shirking responsibility and placing blame elsewhere to cover its failure '' .
Violent crimes have generally declined in US cities since the 1990s , but have risen steeply in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Philadelphia , Chicago and New York .
• Are US cities seeing a surge in violent crime ?
What is happening in those cities ?
The move comes amid a summer of unrest sparked by protests against the police killing of black Americans .
Some of the protests have led to major police reforms around the country .
In New York City , the rate of shootings and murders has skyrocketed as youth programmes and other social organisations have been placed on hold due to the pandemic .
Cases of looting and vandalism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for racial justice have sometimes turned violent .
Reacting to the justice department announcement on Monday , New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio called the decision `` another one of President Trump 's games '' , adding : `` It 's insulting to the people of New York City and his [ Mr Trump 's ] effort to withhold our funding is unconstitutional . ''
Seattle permitted the establishment of a so-called `` autonomous zone '' where protesters forbade police from entering an area near the city centre for nearly a month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ July after several shootings .
Nightly protests have continued since .
Portland , Oregon , has often been invoked by Mr Trump as a `` Democrat-run '' city that has supposedly allowed violence .
Protests have continued nightly there for over 100 consecutive days , sometimes devolving to violence and vandalism as protesters fight with police .

In New York City, the rate of shootings and murders has skyrocketed as youth programmes and other social organisations have been placed on hold due to the pandemic. Cases of looting and vandalism have also made national news as protests for racial justice have sometimes turned violent.


bbc--2020-09-21--Ellen DeGeneres: Humbled host returns to TV with apology and admission

Ellen DeGeneres has opened the new series of her talk show with an apology and an admission that `` things happened here that never should have happened '' .
On Monday , The Ellen DeGeneres Show returned to US screens for the first time since allegations emerged about a toxic work environment on set .
`` I take this very seriously and I want to say I 'm so sorry to the people it affected , '' the host said .
She said an investigation had led to `` the necessary changes '' being made .
Three top show producers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
DeGeneres opened with a typically deadpan comedic tone , saying to the camera : `` If you 're watching because you love me , thank you .
If you 're watching because you do n't love me , welcome . ''
Through gritted teeth , she said she had had a `` great summer - super terrific '' .
But she soon turned serious as she addressed the misconduct and sexual harassment allegations that emerged earlier this year .
`` I learned that things happened that should never have happened , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ever let someone down , if I 've ever hurt their feelings , I am sorry for that . ''
She added that as a person in a position of power and privilege , the show and what happened within it was her responsibility .
`` We have made the necessary changes and today we 're starting a new chapter , '' she told viewers .
That included announcing that studio DJ Twitch had been promoted to co-executive producer .
She joked that becoming known as the `` be kind lady '' , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was `` a tricky position to be in '' .
`` If you want to give yourself a new nickname or title , do n't go with the 'be kind ' lady .
Do n't do it . ''
But she said that contrary to reports in `` the press and social media ... the truth is that I am the person that you see on your TV '' .
She continued : `` I am also a lot of other things .
Sometimes I am sad , I get mad , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I get impatient and I am working on all of that .
I am a work in progress . ''
She said she wanted `` every single one '' of the 270 staff working on her show to `` be happy and proud to work here '' .
DeGeneres already apologised in an email to staff back in July , saying she was `` committed to ensuring this does not happen again '' , and made a further apology in a video meeting with her team in August .
A spokesperson for Warner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' with executive producers Ed Glavin and Kevin Leman , and co-executive producer Jonathan Norman , in August .
In a story published earlier this year , several former employees told Buzzfeed News they had experienced racism while working on the show and some said they had been fired for taking bereavement days .
The show has won over 60 Emmy Awards since it first aired in 2003 .

But she said that contrary to reports in "the press and social media... the truth is that I am the person that you see on your TV". She continued: "I am also a lot of other things. Sometimes I am sad, I get mad, I get anxious, I get frustrated, I get impatient and I am working on all of that. I am a work in progress."


bbc--2020-09-21--NYPD officer charged with spying for China

A New York City Police Department officer has been charged with acting as an illegal agent for China .
Tibet-born Baimadajie Angwang is accused of reporting on the activities of Chinese citizens in the New York area and assessing potential sources of intelligence in the Tibetan community .
The naturalised US citizen , who worked for the police department 's community affairs unit , was arrested on Monday .
If convicted , he faces a maximum sentence of 55 years in prison .
According to prosecutors , Angwang is also employed by the US Army Reserve , working as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of being in contact with two officials at the Chinese consulate .
Aside from reporting on Tibetans in the city , he allegedly provided the consulate with access to senior NYPD officials through invitations to official events .
• The Chinese spy who hunted on LinkedIn Angwang told his Chinese official handler that he wanted to be promoted within the NYPD so that he could assist China and bring the country `` glory '' , court documents said .
Angwang is also accused of committing wire fraud , making false statements and obstructing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he received `` multiple substantial wire transfers from the PRC [ People 's Republic of China ] '' .
According to the documents , his father is a retired member of China 's army and a member of the Communist Party of China .
His mother is also a member of the party and a former government official .
`` As alleged in this federal complaint , Baimadajie Angwang violated every oath he took in this country .
One to the United States , another to the US Army , and a third @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Commissioner Dermot F Shea said in a statement .
Tibet , a remote and mainly Buddhist territory , is governed as an autonomous region of China .
Beijing says the region has developed considerably under its rule .
But rights groups say China continues to violate human rights , accusing Beijing of political and religious oppression - something Beijing denies .

"As alleged in this federal complaint, Baimadajie Angwang violated every oath he took in this country. One to the United States, another to the US Army, and a third to this Police Department," NYPD Commissioner Dermot F Shea said in a statement.


bbc--2020-09-21--Israeli settlers' Chelsea boss backer

Israeli settlers' Chelsea boss backer

An investigation by BBC News Arabic has found that Russian oligarch , Roman Abramovich , controls companies that have donated @ @ @ @ @ settler organisation .
Elad operates in occupied East Jerusalem .
By allowing settlement activity in @ @ @ @ @ to be in breach of international law .
Israel disputes this view .
Analysis of @ @ @ @ @ Chelsea football club 's owner , Abramovich , is the biggest single donor to the @ @ @ @ @ - known the FinCEN Files - were leaked to BuzzFeed News , then shared with @ @ @ @ @ Journalists ( ICIJ ) and the BBC .
Elad also runs the City of David @ @ @ @ @ visited by a million tourists each year in Jerusalem .
There are arguments that Israel @ @ @ @ @ allowing exploratory archaeological digs to be carried out in occupied land .

An investigation by BBC News Arabic has found that Russian oligarch, Roman Abramovich, controls companies that have donated $100m to an Israeli settler organisation.
Elad operates in occupied East Jerusalem. By allowing settlement activity in the area Israel is considered to be in breach of international law. Israel disputes this view.
Analysis of bank documents has revealed that Chelsea football club's owner, Abramovich, is the biggest single donor to the organisation. The bank documents - known the FinCEN Files - were leaked to BuzzFeed News, then shared with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) and the BBC.
Elad also runs the City of David and other archaeological sites, visited by a million tourists each year in Jerusalem.
There are arguments that Israel is breaking international law by allowing exploratory archaeological digs to be carried out in occupied land.
Produced by Rosie Garthwaite, Uri Blau and Simon Cox
Edited by Carole Bertinet and Bettina Waked
Graphic Designer - Jasmine Bonshor
Assistant Producer - Owen Pinnell


bbc--2020-09-21--First US Space Force deployment to land not so far, far away - Qatar

With one small step for man and one giant leap for mankind , US Space Force troops have now boldly gone where many American soldiers have gone before .
Earlier this month , 20 US troops were sworn in as Space Force recruits at the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar , becoming the newest US military branch 's first foreign deployed troops .
It comes amid a Space Force recruiting drive and criticism that it is a vanity project for President Donald Trump .
`` This group is making history , '' US Air Force Col Todd Benson , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Forces Central Command , told the squadron of airmen as they formally switched military branches in a 1 September ceremony .
`` They are the first members of the United States Space Force to be deployed in support of combat operations , '' he added , according to a Space Force press release .
• US Space Force logo looks like one from Star Trek US troops are of course not new to the Middle East , but it was actually where the first `` space war '' was ever fought , historians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Desert Storm operation that US troops first used satellite based GPS while pushing Iraqi troops out of Kuwait .
The new military service , overseen by the US Air Force , has said they do not not intend to immediately put troops into orbit .
Rather , its mission is to protect US assets such as the hundreds of satellites used for communication and surveillance .
US Air Force Secretary Barbara Barrett said the Space Force would comprise about 16,000 air force and civilian personnel .
The Trump administration allocated $ 40m ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its first year .
Space Force has been occasionally mocked since President Trump created it as the first US military branch since the Air Force was added in 1947 .
Netflix has a comedy series of the same name , and jokes have been made about everything from the choice of not-very-intergalactic appearing woodland camouflage uniforms to their use of an insignia that bears a resemblance to the Star Trek logo .
The force has defended its use of camouflage uniforms , saying it was `` utilising current Army/Air Force uniforms '' and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one '' in doing so .

US troops are of course not new to the Middle East, but it was actually where the first "space war" was ever fought, historians say. It was in the 1991 Desert Storm operation that US troops first used satellite based GPS while pushing Iraqi troops out of Kuwait.


bbc--2020-09-22--Covid: Pubs and restaurants in England to have 10pm closing times

All pubs , bars , restaurants and other hospitality venues in England must have a 22:00 closing time from Thursday , to help curb the spread of coronavirus .
The sector will also be restricted by law to table service only .
The measures will be set out by the prime minister in Parliament before an address to the nation to be broadcast live at 20:00 BST on Tuesday .
It comes as the UK 's Covid-19 alert level moved to 4 , meaning transmission is `` high or rising exponentially '' .
Boris Johnson is also expected to stress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distancing guidelines , wear face coverings and wash their hands regularly .
And , according to newspaper reports , he will urge people to work from home where it does not negatively impact businesses .
• How does the Covid-19 alert level system work ?
• How many cases are there in your area ?
The government 's chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance has warned there could be 50,000 new coronavirus cases a day by mid-October without further action - which , he said , could lead to more than 200 deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a further 4,368 daily cases and 11 deaths were reported in the UK .
There were 3,899 cases reported on Sunday .
Further restrictions will also be announced in Scotland on Tuesday , while restrictions on households mixing indoors will be extended to all of Northern Ireland .
Also from 18:00 on Tuesday , four more counties in south Wales will face new measures , including a 23:00 curfew for pubs and bars .
The UK cabinet will meet on Tuesday morning and Boris Johnson will also chair a Cobra emergency meeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaders of Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland .
Speaking about the new closing times , a No 10 spokesperson said : `` No-one underestimates the challenges the new measures will pose to many individuals and businesses .
`` We know this wo n't be easy , but we must take further action to control the resurgence in cases of the virus and protect the NHS . ''
Tighter restrictions on pub and restaurant opening times are already in place in parts of north-east and north-west England , and Wales .
What difference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asking what difference closing at 22:00 makes .
Coupled with the table service law , it will be little more than a marginal gain .
But what ministers hope is that the move , along with the rule of six that came into force last week , will act as a warning to the public that efforts to curb the virus need to be redoubled .
What remains to be seen is whether any other restrictions will accompany this move .
Behind the scenes both ministers and their advisers have argued over what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how much the public will be willing to tolerate .
It seems inevitable that the virus will continue to spread - that 's what respiratory viruses do during winter , especially one for which there is limited immunity and no vaccine .
But how quickly and widely is something no one knows .
The risk of trying to suppress the virus is the government will soon find itself having to make another decision about further steps .
How far are ministers prepared to go ?
Every restriction that is taken has a negative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the virus means lives will undoubtedly be lost the more it spreads .
Balancing those two harms will define the next six months .
Kate Nicholls , chief executive of trade body UKHospitality , said the new rules should be `` applied with flexibility '' and called for more support for the sector .
`` A hard close time is bad for business and bad for controlling the virus - we need to allow time for people to disperse over a longer period , '' she said .
`` Table service has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sector since reopening , but it is not necessary across all businesses , such as coffee shops . ''
Michael Kill , chief executive of the Night-Time Industries Association , said the announcement was `` yet another devastating blow '' and warned it would result in a `` surge of unregulated events and house parties '' .
Christopher Snowdon , head of lifestyle economics at free-market think tank the Institute of Economic Affairs , said the move `` seems to have emerged from a random policy generator '' and called on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was based .
`` While mandatory table service has been part of the successful Swedish approach and may have merit , the new closing time will be devastating to a hospitality sector that was already suffering after the first lockdown , '' he said .
If Boris Johnson had decreed a year ago that he was going to call last orders on the pub at 22:00 , the ravens might have left the Tower .
But given the terrible warnings from the government 's top scientists on Monday , the kind of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - and the extent of restrictions that many people are already living with in some of our towns and cities - you might wonder if what the prime minister has ended up deciding is less stringent than it might have been .
As we have talked about many times , Downing Street is all too aware of the economic havoc the restrictions around the pandemic have caused .
Logically , therefore , it has always only wanted to take action when it has felt absolutely urgent .
It is also the case that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , more is understood about the virus itself .
That means the government ought to be able to take a more sophisticated approach to managing the spread , rather than blunt , blunderbuss nationwide measures .
At least for now , the prime minister has concluded there is a narrow , but real chance to put the brakes on the outbreak before taking more draconian steps .
New measures will also come into force in Lancashire , Merseyside , parts of the Midlands and West Yorkshire from Tuesday .
Other areas of England @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local lockdown , with restrictions including a ban on mixing with other households .
The prime minister 's announcement on closing times comes after a series of meetings over the weekend , including with the government 's chief medical adviser Prof Chris Whitty , Chancellor Rishi Sunk and Health Secretary Matt Hancock .

But given the terrible warnings from the government's top scientists on Monday, the kind of strict measures that ministers had been discussing - and the extent of restrictions that many people are already living with in some of our towns and cities - you might wonder if what the prime minister has ended up deciding is less stringent than it might have been.


bbc--2020-09-21--Woman arrested at US-Canada border for poison mailed to White House

A woman has been arrested on suspicion of sending a package containing ricin poison to US President Donald Trump , according to US immigration officials .
The unnamed woman was found at a border crossing in Buffalo , New York , as she tried to enter the US from Canada , and was reportedly carrying a gun .
The letter containing the deadly poison is believed to have come from Canada , according to investigators there .
The letter was discovered last week before it could reach the White House .
Ricin , a poison found naturally in castor beans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attacks against the White House in recent years .
The Trump administration is yet to comment on the reports .
The Federal Bureau of Investigation ( FBI ) and the Secret Service are investigating the package , which was discovered at a processing facility for mail sent to the White House .
`` At this time , there is no known threat to public safety , '' the FBI told CNN on Saturday .
The suspect may have also sent ricin to five addresses in Texas , including a jail and a sheriff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The presence of ricin was confirmed after several tests by the FBI , authorities said .
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police ( RCMP ) said on Saturday it was working with the FBI to investigate the `` suspicious letter sent to the White House '' .
A spokesman for the Mission , Texas , police department told the Associated Press on Monday an envelope was in the care of local officials and no one had been hurt .
Another Texas Sheriff , Eddie Guerra in Hidalgo County , also confirmed envelopes with ricin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported no injuries .
The RCMP division in Quebec is leading a search of a residence in the Montreal suburb of St-Hubert , which authorities said on Monday is linked to the suspect .
Their chemicals and explosives team is on site , along with local police and fire units .
The suspect is due to appear in court on Tuesday in Buffalo .
Ricin is a lethal substance that , if swallowed , inhaled or injected , can cause nausea , vomiting , internal bleeding and ultimately organ failure .
No known @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person is exposed to ricin , death can take place within 36 to 72 hours , depending on the dose received , according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) .
The CDC said the poison - which has been used in terror plots - can be manufactured into a weapon in the form of a powder , mist or pellet .
The White House and other federal buildings have been the target of ricin packages in the past .
In 2014 , a Mississippi man was sentenced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ letters dusted with ricin to former President Barack Obama and other officials .
Four years later , in 2018 , a former Navy veteran was charged with sending toxic letters to the Pentagon and White House .

No known antidote exists for ricin. If a person is exposed to ricin, death can take place within 36 to 72 hours, depending on the dose received, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).


bbc--2020-09-21--FinCEN Files: Roman Abramovich had secret stakes in rival players

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich held secret investments in footballers not owned by his club , an investigation has discovered .
The players included the Peruvian winger Andre Carrillo , who turned out against Chelsea in Champions League matches in 2014 .
He held rights in the players through a company based in the British Virgin Islands .
Mr Abramovich 's spokeswoman stressed no rules or regulations were broken .
But former Football Association chairman Lord Triesman has questioned whether it was `` proper '' for the owner of a football club to have an interest in players in other teams @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about FinCEN documents leak • Your guide to eight years of finance leaks A leak of documents - banks ' `` suspicious activity reports '' - that have been called the FinCEN Files and seen by BBC Panorama has revealed that Mr Abramovich is behind an offshore company called Leiston Holdings .
Leiston was taking stakes in footballers overseas through third-party ownership ( TPO ) .
This is where investors buy a share of a footballer 's future transfer value from cash-strapped clubs .
The practice was banned in the English Premier League @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Chelsea faced Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League group stage in 2014 .
And Carrillo lined up for Sporting in both matches .
So in Lisbon in September and Stamford Bridge in December , Mr Abramovich had an interest in 12 players on the pitch .
Lord Triesman told Panorama : `` I do n't think it can possibly be proper for the owner of a football club to own players in other football clubs .
That is precisely why third-party ownership is banned . ''
`` It casts suspicion and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ documents I 've seen I would 've wanted , as chairman of the FA , to investigate them . ''
It comes as Mr Abramovich appears to be making heavy investments in Chelsea again this year .
What links Roman Abramovich to the offshore company ?
In December 2016 , a suspicious activity report ( SAR ) was filed by a bank about Mr Abramovich .
It identified more than $ 1bn of `` suspicious payments involving offshore shell companies '' - firms functioning only to manage the money put in them .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ companies were `` owned by Roman Abramovich… one of Russia 's most powerful oligarchs with close ties to Moscow & Vladimir Putin '' .
The money seemed to be going around in circles between the companies .
Among the transactions were a series of nine payments from a Cypriot company .
This money was split between four other companies before $ 156m ended up in Leiston Holdings .
Leiston became the subject of public attention in 2018 , when it was revealed by German website Der Spiegel as part of the Football Leaks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TPO .
Panorama discovered both the company in Cyprus and Leiston Holdings are Roman Abramovich companies .
As well as being funded with $ 156m of his money , Chelsea had first option of signing some of Leiston 's players .
Was there a conflict of interest ?
In 2011 , Leiston Holdings secured 50 % of Andre Carrillo 's `` economic rights '' when it loaned Sporting €1m ( about £850,000 ) to help them purchase the player from Alianza Lima .
The financial deal contained a number of clauses , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that if a transfer offer of more than €6m was made for Carrillo and Sporting Lisbon did not accept it , they would have to pay Leiston 45 % of the value of the offer .
And Sporting agreed to pay Leiston a `` risk fee '' of more than €127,000 for each season Carrillo played for the club .
The Portuguese club 's accounts showed it owed Leiston €2.6m in 2014-15 .
Leiston also owned stakes in two other Sporting players - Gael Etock , who played for the club between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who was in the squad between 2012 and 2016 .
Former England and Liverpool striker John Barnes told Panorama that while third-party ownership could not really influence what happens on the pitch , it was important players had an identity and loyalty to the club they played for and their supporters .
`` From a moral point of view , and from an integrity of the sport point of view - when you sign for a club , your integrity and your loyalty should be to that club 100 % . ''
Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fact that transactions may have been confidential , does not mean that they were unlawful or otherwise in breach of then applicable rules or regulations . ''
She said they `` relate to the period before Fifa changed their rules '' .
The spokeswoman added that suspicious activity reports do not mean laws or rules have been broken , saying : `` The fact that we are not aware of this issue , confirms that there has been no wrongdoing as no action was taken . ''
• One of Russia 's richest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worth in 2019 at $ 12.9bn • Reportedly sold dolls before making his fortune in oil and gas after the collapse of the former Soviet Union • One-time business partner of the late tycoon Boris Berezovky , an associate of ex-Russian President Boris Yeltsin • Believed to be close to Russian President Vladimir Putin • Became owner of the companies that control Chelsea in 2003 • Reportedly withdrew application to extend his UK investor visa - which allowed him to reside in Britain - in 2018 The FinCen Files is a leak of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ major banks have allowed dirty money to be moved around the world .
They also show how the UK is often the weak link in the financial system and how London is awash with Russian cash .
The files were obtained by BuzzFeed News which shared them with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists ( ICIJ ) and 400 journalists around the world .
Panorama has led research for the BBC .
FinCEN Files : full coverage ; follow reaction on Twitter using # FinCENFiles ; in the BBC News app , follow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Panorama on the BBC iPlayer ( UK viewers only ) .

It said that if a transfer offer of more than €6m was made for Carrillo and Sporting Lisbon did not accept it, they would have to pay Leiston 45% of the value of the offer.


bbc--2020-09-21--Mozambique: Why did these men shoot a naked woman dead?

A growing insurgency has been ravaging large areas of northern Mozambique .
Both the Islamist insurgents , who have pledged @ @ @ @ @ group , and the Mozambican army have been accused of atrocities .
In one of @ @ @ @ @ region a group of armed men can be seen murdering a naked woman - but @ @ @ @ @ happen and who are they ?
The BBC 's Andrew Harding has been speaking to @ @ @ @ @ Human Rights Watch , and also to open source investigators like @ il_kanguru ( who @ @ @ @ @ private ) , to try to establish what exactly happened .
The Mozambique army says @ @ @ @ @ with any barbaric act that substantiates the violation of human rights '' .
The government @ @ @ @ @ video , but also suggested the footage has been doctored .
The insurgents are known @ @ @ @ @ wearing their uniforms in the past .

A growing insurgency has been ravaging large areas of northern Mozambique.
Both the Islamist insurgents, who have pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group, and the Mozambican army have been accused of atrocities. In one of the latest videos from the region a group of armed men can be seen murdering a naked woman - but, where exactly did it happen and who are they?
The BBC's Andrew Harding has been speaking to researchers from Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, and also to open source investigators like @il_kanguru (who prefers to keep his identity private), to try to establish what exactly happened.
The Mozambique army says it does not agree "with any barbaric act that substantiates the violation of human rights". The government has promised to investigate the video, but also suggested the footage has been doctored. The insurgents are known to have impersonated soldiers by wearing their uniforms in the past.


bbc--2020-09-21--Airbus looks to the future with hydrogen planes

Aerospace giant Airbus has unveiled plans for what it hailed as the first commercial zero-emission aircraft .
It said its hydrogen-fuelled passenger planes could be in service by 2035 .
Airbus chief executive Guillaume Faury said the three ZEROe concept designs marked `` a historic moment '' for commercial aviation sector '' .
The use of hydrogen had `` the potential to significantly reduce aviation 's climate impact '' , he added .
However , analysts point out that it is not the first time that hydrogen has been touted as the saviour of modern air travel .
The history @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the days of airships in the early 20th Century , but the Hindenburg disaster in 1937 brought that era to an end .
More recently , from 2000 to 2002 , Airbus was involved in the EU-funded Cryoplane project , which studied the feasibility of a liquid hydrogen-fuelled aircraft .
After that , the idea fell out of favour again - until now .
Unveiling its latest blueprints , Airbus said its turbofan design could carry up to 200 passengers more than 2,000 miles , while a turboprop concept would have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A third , `` blended-wing body '' aircraft was the most eye-catching of the three designs .
All three planes would be powered by gas-turbine engines modified to burn liquid hydrogen , and through hydrogen fuel cells to create electrical power .
However , Airbus admitted that for the idea to work , airports would have to invest large sums of money in refuelling infrastructure .
`` The transition to hydrogen , as the primary power source for these concept planes , will require decisive action from the entire aviation ecosystem , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the support from government and industrial partners , we can rise up to this challenge to scale up renewable energy and hydrogen for the sustainable future of the aviation industry . ''
The new Airbus designs are the fruit of a joint research project that Airbus launched with EasyJet last year to consider hybrid and electric aircraft .
The airline 's chief executive , Johan Lundgren , said : `` EasyJet remains absolutely committed to more sustainable flying and we know that technology is where the answer lies for the industry . ''

"Together with the support from government and industrial partners, we can rise up to this challenge to scale up renewable energy and hydrogen for the sustainable future of the aviation industry."


bbc--2020-09-21--Trudeau Throne speech: Why this is a big moment for Canadian PM

As Canada 's parliament returns and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau seeks to put an ethics scandal behind him , his government will this week unveil its plans for the country 's pandemic response and recovery .
The last time Mr Trudeau 's government held a Throne Speech - where a government outlines its policies and programmes as a parliamentary session begins - was less than a year ago .
That was before the global coronavirus pandemic upended the economy and the lives of many Canadians .
The prime minister also found himself bogged down over the summer by a charity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finance minister his job .
In August , he made a controversial decision to prorogue - or suspend - parliament and return on 23 September with a new Throne Speech to address the realities of the pandemic .
As parliamentarians head back to Ottawa , Mr Trudeau 's government faces chatter of a possible election and a new opposition leader who will be seeking to make his mark .
The Liberal government is expected to announce plans to tackle both the immediate crisis - a new surge in Covid-19 cases as the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a roadmap for a longer term recovery .
Mr Trudeau has said he sees this moment as an opportunity to `` build back better '' because a `` window of opportunity wo n't be open for long '' .
He has also said that , beyond the future challenges , dealing with a pandemic is `` job one '' .
What might all that look like ?
Mr Trudeau said that recovery means a greener , healthier and more competitive Canada .
More specifically , Reuters reports that the immediate to-do list will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expanded employment insurance programme , and funds for long-term care homes , which were particularly hard-hit early in the pandemic .
The prime minister has been getting spending wish lists from provincial premiers , whose demands include increased federal funding for healthcare .
Others are also seeking continued help amid the pandemic .
A group of 1,200 restaurants , fearing mass closures , are asking for wage subsidies to be extended into 2021 , for long-term rent relief , and for politicians to find ways to encourage Canadians to visit restaurants .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speculation about Canadians heading to the polls this autumn .
The speech will prompt a confidence vote in the House of Commons - a key test of whether a sitting government has the `` confidence '' of the majority .
A government must maintain the confidence of the House of Commons in order to continue to govern .
Mr Trudeau 's Liberals were re-elected last year with a minority , and it will need the support of at least one other federal political party to avoid the possibility of triggering a snap election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consulted with opposition party leaders over the speech .
The Conservatives - who recently elected a new leader , Erin O'Toole - say they will be pushing for increased Covid-19 testing across Canada and for support for small business .
The NDP - seen as the party most likely to support the Liberals - is seeking more funding for long-term care homes , the creation of a pharmacare programme , and universal childcare .
The party will also pressure the government not to sunset the Canada Emergency Response Benefit ( cerb ) , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support programme for workers affected by the coronavirus lockdown .
Cerb is due to be replaced 27 September with an expanded employment benefits programme .
While NDP leader Jagmeet Singh said he is `` absolutely prepared to fight an election '' he added that `` it is not my goal '' to do so .
If the Liberals survive the confidence vote , they will still face questions over the WE Charity scandal .
Opposition parties will be turning the heat back up on the controversy after the suspension of parliament ended House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A simple guide to the new crisis engulfing Trudeau Mr Trudeau is facing his third ethics probe over a now-scrapped programme for students hard hit by the economic slump .
The contract to administer the multimillion dollar programmes was given to the WE Charity , which had ties to Mr Trudeau and his family .
Neither Conservative party leader Mr O'Toole or Bloc Quebecois leader Yves-Francois Blanchet will attend the speech .
Both announced on Friday they had tested positive for Covid-19 , and while they are said to be feeling well , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protocol , the speech will be read by Governor General Julie Payette in the Senate chamber .
Traditionally the speech includes plenty of pomp and ceremony and is attended by senators , members of parliament , Supreme Court justices and various dignitaries .
This time numbers will be restricted , according to senate officials , and most parliamentarians are being asked to view the speech off-site .
Those whose presence is required - including Mr Trudeau , Governor General Payette , and the speakers of the Senate and House of Commons - will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to maintain social distancing .
Canada is in a dire economic situation due to the pandemic , and is facing a potentially lengthy recession .
Over 143,600 Canadians have been infected since January .
There have been over 9,200 deaths .
Earlier this year , Canada projected its largest budget deficit since World War Two - C $ 343bn , with more than C $ 212bn in direct Covid-19 support .
The price tag for pandemic aid will only rise in the foreseeable future , with a surge in cases and with Canadians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Economists and political analysts are expecting Mr Trudeau 's agenda to include major new promises with some big price tags - and some are ringing warning bells about the ballooning national debt and deficit .
Fitch Ratings - an international credit rating agency - and Canada 's largest banks have recently issued warnings about the budgetary red ink .
Polls indicate an appetite among Canadians for a post-Covid recovery agenda that addresses economic and social inequities that have been highlighted by the pandemic .
But they also suggest the top priority for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and getting Canadians back to work .

Mr Trudeau is facing his third ethics probe over a now scrapped programme for students hard hit by the economic slump. The contract to administer the multimillion-dollar programme was given to the WE Charity, which had ties to Mr Trudeau and his family.


bbc--2020-09-21--GE: Industrial giant will stop building coal-fired power plants

In a dramatic reversal , one of the world 's biggest makers of coal-fired power plants is to exit the market and focus on greener alternatives .
US industrial giant General Electric said it would shut or sell sites as it prioritised its renewable energy and power generation businesses .
It comes ahead of a US Presidential election in which the candidates hold starkly different views on coal .
NGO the Natural Resources Defense Council said the move was `` about time '' .
GE has said in the past it would focus less on fossil fuels , reflecting the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US power grids .
But just five years ago , it struck its biggest ever deal - paying almost £10bn for a business that produced coal-fuelled turbines .
In a statement , the firm suggested the decision had been motivated by economics .
Russell Stokes , GE 's senior vice president , said : `` With the continued transformation of GE , we are focused on power generation businesses that have attractive economics and a growth trajectory .
`` As we pursue this exit from the new build coal power market , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ helping them to keep their existing plants running in a cost-effective and efficient way with best-in-class technology and service expertise . ''
• Could the coronavirus crisis finally finish off coal ?
US President Donald Trump has championed `` beautiful , clean coal '' at a time when other developed countries are turning away from polluting fossil fuels .
In a bid to revive the struggling US industry , Mr Trump has rolled back Obama-era standards on coal emissions .
But it has not stopped the decline as cheaper alternatives such as natural @ @ @ @ @ @ @ share .
GE said it would continue to service existing coal power plants , but warned jobs could be lost as a result of its decision .
The firm is already cutting up to 13,000 job cuts at GE Aviation , which makes jet engines , due to the pandemic .
In a tweet , the Natural Resources Defense Council said : `` Communities and organizers have been calling on GE to get out of coal for years .
This is an important and long overdue step in the right direction to protect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ''

In a tweet, the Natural Resources Defense Council said: "Communities and organizers have been calling on GE to get out of coal for years. This is an important and long overdue step in the right direction to protect communities' health and the environment."


bbc--2020-09-21--Cameroon soldiers jailed for killing women and children

Four Cameroonian soldiers have been sentenced to 10 years for their roles in shooting dead two women and two children in 2015 .
The killings were captured on a video that circulated in 2018 , which showed the victims being hooded and shot .
An investigation by BBC Africa Eye showed that the incident happened in a village in the far north of Cameroon .
It also identified three of the soldiers who pulled the trigger .
In the video , the soldiers are seen accusing the women of involvement with Boko Haram , the militant Islamist group whose insurgency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ border .
The victims , who included a baby tied to one of the women 's backs , were then marched down a dusty road , blindfolded and shot 22 times .
Out of the seven who were put on trial by a military court in the capital , Yaoundé , two were acquitted .
As well as the four soldiers receiving 10-year sentences for carrying out the killings or being complicit in them , a fifth soldier was sentenced to two years for filming and sharing the footage of the incident .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ first came to light in 2018 but the government was quick with its denials .
Initially , the government spokesperson said the film was shot in Mali and the uniforms shown in the footage were not ones used by soldiers in that area of Cameroon .
But as the evidence mounted it became more difficult to deny .
It is rare for soldiers to be convicted for the killing of civilians in Cameroon but it has happened before .
Three are currently in jail over the deaths of 13 civilians in the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is fighting a separatist insurgency .
The 10-year sentences may appear lenient but they are in line with similar incidents , a lawyer told me .
The length of a sentence is decided by a judge , the circumstances under which the crime was committed and his interpretation of the law .

As well as the four soldiers receiving 10-year sentences for carrying out the killings or being complicit in them, a fifth soldier was sentenced to two years for filming and sharing the footage of the incident.


bbc--2020-09-21--UK sports bodies warn of Covid 'lost generation'

Last updated on .From the section Sport The leaders of more than 100 sports bodies have written to Prime Minister Boris Johnson to ask for emergency funding , warning of `` a lost generation of activity '' because of coronavirus .
In a letter seen by BBC Sport , the group urges the government to provide a `` sports recovery fund '' so the sector can `` survive and stabilise '' .
Plans for spectators to be allowed to return to stadiums and venues was placed under review earlier this month after a rise in coronavirus cases , with pilot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of sports have urged the government to allow them to continue with their plans to open turnstiles from 1 October , with a decision due this week .
However , it is understood they are set to be told that fans will not allowed back from next month and that pilot events will be paused .
The letter written by the organisations , which include the Football Association , Premier League , Rugby Football Union , England and Wales Cricket Board and Lawn Tennis Association , adds : `` We require a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ physical sector to aid its recovery .
`` This package must combine investment , tax incentives , and regulatory reform .
`` Covid-19 has undermined our commercial revenue streams with both stadiums and leisure facilities closed or greatly reduced in capacity .
`` The impact of this will potentially lead to a lost generation of sport and activity .
`` We are particularly concerned about the impact on those whose participation has been limited during the pandemic .
Physical activity levels , especially in the most vulnerable groups , are significantly below where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arts industry was given a £1.57bn support package by the government in July .
Although Sport England has handed out £200m for emergency cases , many in the sector believe more is needed .
A series of sports bodies have announced job losses in recent weeks and warned they face major mounting losses if turnstiles are not opened soon .
The government is to ask sports bodies to assess the financial impact of several more months without paying spectators , and is understood to be preparing to work with organisations on what support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In the letter , the prime minister is told that sport and physical activity contributes more than £16bn and 600,000 jobs to the UK economy .
`` Our sector will be at the forefront of your plans to improve the health and wellbeing of all communities…to solving societal issues…including reducing health inequalities , tackling obesity , cutting crime , easing loneliness , and enhancing social cohesion , '' the group adds .
`` But to do so effectively , we require your government 's backing . ''
Lisa Wainwight , chief executive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said : `` The strength of this coalition from the sports , recreation and activity sector can not be ignored in its public call to the prime minister .
`` The pandemic has put an incredible strain on our sector , which was forced to close for a prolonged period .
`` It is imperative that our sector gets the support it requires from the government to get back to business , in order to ease the pressures on the NHS and play a central role in our nation 's recovery . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of public pools remain closed and all those that are open have reduced capacity .
Some 36 % of clubs remain without access to pools .
Industry bodies Community Leisure UK and UK Active estimate leisure centres , swimming pools and community services face a shortfall of more than £800m this year .
Former sports minister Tracey Crouch added : `` This is n't just about the number of people on a pitch , field , court or in a pool or gym .
`` This is about the whole ecosystem that supports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if we 're not careful , historic clubs and the jobs that support them will be lost , potentially for good .
If government is going to shut sport down then it needs to provide a package of support to stop its decimation . ''
• None Has cancel culture gone too far ?

Last updated on .From the section Sport
Plans for spectators to be allowed to return to stadiums and venues was placed under review earlier this month after a rise in Covid-19 cases
The leaders of more than 100 sports bodies have written to Prime Minister Boris Johnson to ask for emergency funding, warning of "a lost generation of activity" because of coronavirus.
The coalition of organisations says they are "united in our concern that at a time when our role should be central to the nation's recovery, the future of the sector is perilous".
In a letter seen by BBC Sport, the group urges the government to provide a "sports recovery fund" so the sector can "survive and stabilise".
The government announced on Tuesday that plans for spectators to be allowed to return to stadiums and venues from 1 October will not go ahead.
The letter written by the organisations, which include the Football Association, Premier League, Rugby Football Union, England and Wales Cricket Board and Lawn Tennis Association, adds: "We require a comprehensive support package for the sport and physical sector to aid its recovery.
"This package must combine investment, tax incentives, and regulatory reform.
"Covid-19 has undermined our commercial revenue streams with both stadiums and leisure facilities closed or greatly reduced in capacity.
"The impact of this will potentially lead to a lost generation of sport and activity.
"We are particularly concerned about the impact on those whose participation has been limited during the pandemic. Physical activity levels, especially in the most vulnerable groups, are significantly below where they were tracking pre-Covid-19."
The arts industry was given a £1.57bn support package by the government in July.
Although Sport England has handed out £200m for emergency cases, many in the sector believe more is needed.
A series of sports bodies have announced job losses in recent weeks and warned they face major mounting losses if turnstiles are not opened soon.
The government is to ask sports bodies to assess the financial impact of several more months without paying spectators, and is understood to be preparing to work with organisations on what support might be needed to help them survive.
In the letter, the prime minister is told that sport and physical activity contributes more than £16bn and 600,000 jobs to the UK economy.
"Our sector will be at the forefront of your plans to improve the health and wellbeing of all communities…to solving societal issues…including reducing health inequalities, tackling obesity, cutting crime, easing loneliness, and enhancing social cohesion," the group adds.
"But to do so effectively, we require your government's backing."
Lisa Wainwight, chief executive of the Sport and Recreation Alliance, said: "The strength of this coalition from the sports, recreation and activity sector cannot be ignored in its public call to the prime minister.
"The pandemic has put an incredible strain on our sector, which was forced to close for a prolonged period.
"It is imperative that our sector gets the support it requires from the government to get back to business, in order to ease the pressures on the NHS and play a central role in our nation's recovery."
Swim England has reported that 22% of public pools remain closed and all those that are open have reduced capacity. Some 36% of clubs remain without access to pools.
Industry bodies Community Leisure UK and UK Active estimate leisure centres, swimming pools and community services face a shortfall of more than £800m this year.
Former sports minister Tracey Crouch added: "This isn't just about the number of people on a pitch, field, court or in a pool or gym.
"This is about the whole ecosystem that supports sport, fitness and leisure and, if we're not careful, historic clubs and the jobs that support them will be lost, potentially for good. If government is going to shut sport down then it needs to provide a package of support to stop its decimation."


bbc--2020-09-21--Guess How Much I Love You author McBratney dies

Sam McBratney , author of the children 's classic book Guess How Much I Love You , has died at the age of 77 .
The author , who was born in Belfast , died on 18 September , his publisher Walker Books announced on Monday .
The tale of two nutbrown hares , who try to express their affection for each other , became a children 's classic .
The book is best remembered for ending with the now well-known phrase `` I love you to the moon and back '' .
The illustrated children 's book , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ translated into 57 languages and sold more than 50 million copies worldwide .
A sequel to Guess How Much I Love You - titled Will You Be My Friend ?
- is due to be published later this month .
McBratney , who graduated from Trinity College , Dublin , was a teacher before becoming a full-time author .
He was the author of more than 50 books , but was best known for his tale about the two affectionate nutbrown hares .
Karen Lotz , managing director of Walker Books Group , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ human being '' .
• Why is a children 's book about rabbits being read at weddings ?
`` You could recognise his voice in a moment , he was an exceptionally talented wordsmith and always knew exactly what children would enjoy hearing the most , '' Ms Lotz said .
`` His legacy of kindness and humour will burn bright and carry on through his stories , '' she added .

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bbc--2020-09-21--Theresa May 'cannot support' government's Brexit bill

Former Prime Minister Theresa May has said she `` can not support '' the government 's plan to override parts of its Brexit agreement with the EU .
She told MPs the move , which breaks international law , would damage `` trust in the United Kingdom '' .
The Internal Market Bill will be voted on in the Commons on Tuesday , having passed its first hurdle last week .
Ministers say it contains vital safeguards to protect Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK .
The bill is designed to enable goods and services to flow freely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Northern Ireland when the UK leaves the EU 's single market and customs union on 1 January .
But it gives the government the power to change aspects of the EU withdrawal agreement , a legally binding deal governing the terms of the UK 's exit from the EU earlier this year .
• PM in compromise with Tory critics over Brexit bill • What is the row over 'internal markets ' all about ?
Ministers say this is a failsafe mechanism in case the EU interprets the agreement , in particular the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` extreme and unreasonable '' way .
The section - know as the protocol - is designed to avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland , As well as Mrs May , the other four living former prime ministers - Sir John Major , Tony Blair , Gordon Brown and David Cameron - have spoken out against the bill .
Labour is opposing it and some Conservative MPs have raised concerns over its legal implications .
Amid all this , Prime Minister Boris Johnson last week agreed to amend the bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote before he could use the powers involved in breaking international law .
But Mrs May , whose own withdrawal agreement with the EU was repeatedly rejected by the Commons when she was prime minister , told MPs : `` Frankly , my view is to the outside world it makes no difference as to whether a decision to break international law is taken by a minister or by this Parliament - it is still a decision to break international law .
`` This can only weaken the UK in the eyes of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , if the Internal Market Bill were passed , `` our reputation as a country that sticks by its word will have been tarnished '' .
The Conservative MP for Maidenhead added that governments around the world had `` trust in the United Kingdom '' , asking : `` Where will that trust be in future if they see a United Kingdom willing to break its word and break international law ? ''
Mrs May also said there would be `` untold damage to the United Kingdom 's reputation '' .
Northern Ireland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hoped to reach a trade agreement with the EU .
He added : `` Through this bill , we are acting to uphold those priorities and deliver commitments we made in our election manifesto that we will provide unfettered access between Northern Ireland and Great Britain , and maintain and strengthen the integrity and smooth operation of our internal market . ''
Mr Walker also said there were `` harmful legal defaults in some interpretations '' of the Northern Ireland Protocol .
`` The consequences of this for Northern Ireland in that scenario @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told MPs .
`` We can not and will not run that risk . ''
For Labour , shadow Cabinet Office minister Paul Blomfield said giving MPs the power to decide whether to use measures in the bill the Commons did not `` resolve the issue '' , which was `` the breach of international law '' .
SNP Westminster deputy leader Kirsten Oswald called the legislation `` a grubby power-grab which we can not and will not support '' and that sections of it hung `` like a badge of dishonour around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' .

But Mrs May, whose own withdrawal agreement with the EU was repeatedly rejected by the Commons when she was prime minister, told MPs: "Frankly, my view is to the outside world it makes no difference as to whether a decision to break international law is taken by a minister or by this Parliament - it is still a decision to break international law.


bbc--2020-09-21--Michael Lonsdale, who played James Bond villain in Moonraker, dies aged 89

Anglo-French actor Michael Lonsdale , who played the villain opposite Roger Moore 's James Bond in the 1979 film Moonraker , has died at the age of 89 .
In the film , he played Hugo Drax , an industrialist planning to poison all humans on Earth then repopulate the planet from his space station .
It was one of more than 200 roles he played in both English and French over a career that spanned six decades .
His other film credits included The Day of the Jackal , Ronin and Munich .
Bond producers Michael G Wilson and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talented actor and a very dear friend '' .
The official Twitter account for the late Sir Roger Moore described his character as `` a smooth-tongued and cultured adversary to 007 '' .
In an interview with Mi6 HQ in 2012 , Lonsdale was asked whether he had been concerned that playing a Bond villain might have a negative impact on his career .
`` On the contrary ! ''
he replied .
`` Because , I made so many films that were not really very popular or did n't make much money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , so I thought I might like to be in a rich film . ''
In the same interview , he said : `` My teacher , when I was at school for the theatre , told me that 'One day you will have to play someone very nasty . '
`` But really , he is such a terrible character , a sort of Nazi .
I mean , Drax is like Hitler .
He wanted to destroy everybody and rain down a new order of very athletic , young people ... @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had a varied career on film , TV , radio and stage .
Before becoming a Bond villain , he played the Deputy Commissioner Claude Lebel in 1973 political thriller The Day of the Jackal .
He later appeared as Jean-Pierre in 1998 US action film Ronin , alongside Robert De Niro , and as Papa in Steven Spielberg 's 2005 historical thriller Munich .
Writer and film-maker Jesse Hawken was among those paying tribute , writing on Twitter : `` RIP to one of my favs , the great Michael Lonsdale , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Follow us on Facebook , or on Twitter @ BBCNewsEnts .
If you have a story suggestion email entertainment.news @ bbc.co.uk .


bbc--2020-09-21--Nepalese Ang Rita Sherpa: Everest record-breaker dies aged 72

A prominent Nepalese mountaineer , who became the first person in the world to climb Mount Everest 10 times without bottled oxygen , has died aged 72 .
Ang Rita Sherpa , popularly known as the Snow Leopard , first reached the summit of the world 's tallest mountain in 1983 .
His family said he died in the capital Kathmandu on Monday .
He had brain and liver ailments .
His death was described as a major loss to Nepal and its climbing community .
In 2017 , the Guinness World Records recognised Ang Rita as the only person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Everest 10 times without bottled oxygen , between 1983 and 1996 .
The record still stands .
He also achieved the first winter climb of the 8,848m ( 29,028ft ) mountain without supplementary oxygen in 1987 .
His skill at climbing earned him the nickname Snow Leopard .
Ang Rita also worked on conservation projects to protect the Himalayan environment and biodiversity .
• Why Mount Everest 's summit gets so crowded Fellow climbers paid tribute to him following news of his death on Monday .
`` He was as active as snow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unique , '' Ang Teshring Sherpa , Nepal 's veteran mountaineer and former president of Nepal Mountaineering Association told the BBC .
`` That was why the mountaineering fraternity decided to accord him with this title [ of Snow Leopard ] as an honour . ''
Mountaineers said Ang Rita was an inspiration for climbers and Nepal 's climbing training courses have also drawn from his experiences and skills .
`` Our mountain tourism owes him big time , '' Santa Bir Lama , the current president of NMA , told the BBC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contribution to mountaineering would `` always be remembered '' .
His body has been moved to a monastery in Kathmandu and he will be cremated later this week , reports say .
Descended from Tibetan heritage , the Sherpa community are an ethnic group , indigenous to the Himalayan region .
But for many outside Nepal , the word `` Sherpa '' has become synonymous with those working as mountain guides .
Thousands of people have climbed to the peak of Mount Everest , but doing so without oxygen remains rare .

Descended from Tibetan heritage, the Sherpa community are an ethnic group, indigenous to the Himalayan region. But for many outside Nepal, the word "Sherpa" has become synonymous with those working as mountain guides.