bbc--2020-09-10--Switzerland's Hirschi wins his first Tour stage

Last updated on .From the section Cycling Switzerland ’ s Marc Hirschi produced a superb solo break to record his first professional win on stage 12 of the Tour de France .
The Sunweb rider had led for more than 80km of Sunday 's ninth stage before finishing third .
Slovenia 's Primoz Roglic retained his overall lead on a quiet day in the general classification race .
He finished safely in the main bunch two minutes and 30 seconds behind Hirschi , alongside the defending champion Egan Bernal , to maintain his 21-second advantage over the Colombian .
Hirschi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Grand Tour , also finished on the podium on stage two , when he was second .
But his acceleration away from Movistar 's Marc Soler , on the final climb of the day up the Suc au May , paved the way for his maiden win at the Tour .
`` It 's unbelievable .
Two times , I 've been really close .
I never thought I could win today , '' Hirschi said .
`` I went full gas in the last few hundred metres .
I ca n't describe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ words .
I had in my mind the picture of the last two times when I lost .
To get my first professional victory at the Tour de France could not be any better .
`` In the Pyrenees , I got the confidence for trying to win today , otherwise I would have never attacked solo in that climb .
`` What I did last week gave me this extra power . ''
Meanwhile , Sam Bennett retained the green jersey and has a 66-point lead over seven-time winner Peter Sagan as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Friday 's 13th stage sees the riders face seven categorised climbs on the 191.5km route from Chatel-Guyon to Puy Mary .

Last updated on .From the section Cycling
Marc Hirschi joined Sunweb in 2019
Switzerland’s Marc Hirschi produced a superb solo break to record his first professional win on stage 12 of the Tour de France.
Hirschi, 22, went clear with 28km remaining of the 218km ride from Chauvigny to Sarran.
The Sunweb rider had led for more than 80km of Sunday's ninth stage before finishing third.
Slovenia's Primoz Roglic retained his overall lead on a quiet day in the general classification race.
He finished safely in the main bunch two minutes and 30 seconds behind Hirschi, alongside the defending champion Egan Bernal, to maintain his 21-second advantage over the Colombian.
Hirschi, who is participating in his first Grand Tour, also finished on the podium on stage two, when he was second.
But his acceleration away from Movistar's Marc Soler, on the final climb of the day up the Suc au May, paved the way for his maiden win at the Tour.
"It's unbelievable. Two times, I've been really close. I never thought I could win today," Hirschi said.
"I went full gas in the last few hundred metres. I can't describe my feelings. I'm lost for words. I had in my mind the picture of the last two times when I lost. To get my first professional victory at the Tour de France could not be any better.
"In the Pyrenees, I got the confidence for trying to win today, otherwise I would have never attacked solo in that climb.
"What I did last week gave me this extra power."
Meanwhile, Sam Bennett retained the green jersey and has a 66-point lead over seven-time winner Peter Sagan as the race heads back into the mountains.
Friday's 13th stage sees the riders face seven categorised climbs on the 191.5km route from Chatel-Guyon to Puy Mary.
Stage 12 result
1. Marc Hirschi (Swi/Sunweb) 5hrs 08mins 49secs
2. Pierre Rolland (Fra/B&B Hotels-Vital Concept) +47secs
3. Soren Kragh Andersen (Den/Sunweb) +52secs
4. Quentin Pacher (Fra/B&B Hotels-Vital Concept) Same time
5. Jesus Herrada (Spa/Cofidis)
6. Maximilian Schachmann (Ger/Bora-Hansgrohe)
7. Hugo Houle (Can/Astana)
8. Sebastien Reichenbach (Swi/Groupama-FDJ)
9.Kenny Elissonde (Fra/Trek-Segafredo) +56secs
10. Nicolas Roche (Ire/Sunweb) Same time
General classification after stage 12
1. Primoz Roglic (Slo/Jumbo-Visma) 51hrs 26mins 43secs
2. Egan Bernal (Col/Ineos Grenadiers) +21secs
3. Guillaume Martin (Fra/Cofidis) +28secs
4. Romain Bardet (Fra/AG2R-La Mondiale) +30secs
5. Nairo Quintana (Col/Arkea-Samsic) +32secs
6. Rigoberto Uran (Col/EF Pro Cycling) Same time
7. Tadej Pogacar (Slo/UAE-Team Emirates) +44secs
8. Adam Yates (GB/Mitchelton-Scott) +1mins 02secs
9. Miguel Angel Lopez (Col/Astana) +1mins 15secs
10. Mikel Landa (Spa/Bahrain McLaren) +1mins 42secs


bbc--2020-09-10--Lens 1-0 PSG: Ligue 1 champions suffer opening defeat

Last updated on .From the section European Football A depleted Paris St-Germain side began their Ligue 1 campaign with a @ @ @ @ @ Lens .
Lens took full advantage on their return to the top flight as Ignatius @ @ @ @ @ 's error to net the winning goal .
The match was played in front of @ @ @ @ @ Stade Bollaert-Delelis .
PSG have won seven of the past eight top-flight titles including last @ @ @ @ @ ended early because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Thomas Tuchel 's side finished 12 points @ @ @ @ @ the table .
Brazil forward Neymar , compatriot Marquinhos and Argentina internationals Angel di Maria @ @ @ @ @ missing for the visitors .
It proved costly as third-choice goalkeeper Bulka presented the ball @ @ @ @ @ home the only goal of the game in the second half .
PSG host Marseille @ @ @ @ @ ( 20:00 BST ) and must wait to see if any of the missing players @ @ @ @ @ .

Last updated on .From the section European Football
PSG lost only three league games last season
A depleted Paris St-Germain side began their Ligue 1 campaign with a surprise loss against newly promoted Lens.
The match was in doubt after Champions League finalists PSG had seven players, including star striker Kylian Mbappe, test positive for coronavirus.
Lens took full advantage on their return to the top flight as Ignatius Ganago punished goalkeeper Marcin Bulka's error to net the winning goal.
The match was played in front of 5,000 fans at Lens' Stade Bollaert-Delelis.
PSG have won seven of the past eight top-flight titles including last season when the campaign was ended early because of the coronavirus pandemic. Thomas Tuchel's side finished 12 points clear at the top of the table.
Brazil forward Neymar, compatriot Marquinhos and Argentina internationals Angel di Maria and Mauro Icardi were all missing for the visitors.
It proved costly as third-choice goalkeeper Bulka presented the ball straight to Ganago to fire home the only goal of the game in the second half.
PSG host Marseille in the league on Sunday (20:00 BST) and must wait to see if any of the missing players will be available for selection.


bbc--2020-09-11--Oregon wildfires: Half a million people flee dozens of infernos

More than half a million people in the US state of Oregon are fleeing deadly wildfires that are raging across the Pacific Northwest , authorities say .
Fanned by unusually hot , dry winds , dozens of fires are sweeping the state , and at least one is being treated as suspected arson .
Governor Kate Brown said the exact number of fatalities was not yet known , though at least four were confirmed .
More than 100 wildfires are currently scorching 12 western US states .
The worst affected are Oregon , California and Washington , where entire towns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acres have been razed , according to the National Interagency Fire Center - an area larger than Connecticut and slightly smaller than Wales .
What is the latest in Oregon ?
On Thursday evening , the Oregon Office of Emergency Management confirmed the latest evacuation figures , which amount to more than 10 % of the state 's 4.2 million population .
Rich Tyler , a spokesman for the Oregon State Fire Marshal 's office , told the New York Times : `` When you have a fire that burns through homes and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that are still spewing out natural gas , and those are burning . ''
Governor Kate Brown , a Democrat , told reporters : `` We have never seen this amount of uncontained fire across the state ...
This will not be a one-time event .
Unfortunately , it is the bellwether of the future .
We 're feeling the acute impacts of climate change . ''
Among the evacuees are more than 1,300 mostly female inmates from a prison in Wilsonville which officials say is under threat from two fires that could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Oregon include a 12-year-old boy and his grandmother , who died in a wildfire near Lyons , 70 miles ( 110km ) south of Portland .
Wyatt Tofte , his dog , and his grandmother Peggy Mosso died in the family car trying to escape the blaze .
The child 's mother was severely burnt .
Lonnie Bertalotto , Ms Mosso 's son and Wyatt 's uncle , confirmed the deaths in a Facebook post .
`` Do n't take anything in life for granted and make the best of everyday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most destructive blazes , the Almeda Fire , which started in Ashland near the California border , is being treated as suspicious .
It has been linked to at least two deaths and destroyed hundreds of homes in the towns of Phoenix and Talent .
But rumours that fires in the Douglas County area were started by members of the left-wing `` anti-fascist '' or right-wing Proud Boys groups have been discounted by police .
The wildfires have also prompted mass evacuations in the suburbs of Portland , Oregon 's largest city .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pollution in the city on Thursday was ranked highest in the world , above Jakarta , Indonesia ; Delhi , India ; and Lahore , Pakistan .
Officials have set up 19 temporary shelters across the state for people fleeing the fires .
Local news station KOIN have published a list of the centres .
Evacuation shelters have been asked to adopt `` policies to prevent the spread of Covid-19 '' , adding that authorities should try to set up dormitories of fewer than 50 people .
`` Large congregate shelters should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ release said .
People should also consider `` sheltering in place '' due to the pandemic .
The release added that anyone who spends time in a shelter should self-isolate once they leave as they may have been exposed to the virus .
What is the situation elsewhere ?
In Washington state , a one-year-old boy died and his parents were in a critical condition after smoke and flames overwhelmed them as they tried to escape the state 's largest wildfire , in the northern county of Okanogan .
A fire also destroyed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Malden .
Police had run through the streets shouting at residents to flee as the flames closed in .
In California , authorities in Butte County north of Sacramento have found 10 bodies in the last two days , and there are fears the toll will rise as 16 people remain unaccounted for .
There , some 64,000 people were under evacuation orders while 14,000 firefighters battled 29 major fires .
An evacuation order has been issued for the community of Paradise which was largely destroyed in the 2018 Camp fire .
Six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state 's history have occurred this year .
Saying goodbye to our first home Sam Elm and her partner , Micah , lived in Phoenix , Oregon .
Sam shared her experience fleeing from the wildfire - and saying goodbye to their home - with BBC OS .
A fire started in a nearby town and began encroaching .
`` It took our home , '' she says .
`` It was an intense experience . ''
`` We were listening to the scanners ... We were hearing it get closer and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we got a call saying : 'You need to leave right now . '
It was raining ash on - everything . ''
As they were about to leave , Sam says her wife called her upstairs to a wall in their home decorated with the signatures of friends , and members of their community - which Sam says was a `` point of pride '' for them .
`` She slams her hand on the wall - because we 've never signed our own wall , because it was our house we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , she slammed my hand on the wall , she traced my hand , she kissed me and said : 'Do n't forget this was our first home .
And we left . ''
Sam adds that she and her wife were the lucky ones .
`` Not everybody got to say goodbye to their homes - we did .
Our pets are with us .
We know people whose pets got stuck in their houses ... we know people that are missing . ''
Sam and Micah are currently staying with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ room through insurance .
But she does n't know what six months down the line looks like now that they 've lost their home .
She says she has no clue `` how to traverse any of this '' .
Have you been affected by the US wildfires ?
Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay @ bbc.co.uk .
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist .
You can also get in touch in the following ways : • Please read our terms & conditions and @ @

Nine of the world's 10 warmest years on record have occurred since 2005, and the UN warned this week that the five years from 2016 until this year will very likely be the hottest such period yet recorded. Both Oregon and California have warmed by more than 1C since 1900.


bbc--2020-09-11--Moria migrants: European countries agree to take minors after fire

Families have been sleeping in fields and on roads after fleeing the blaze on Wednesday , as authorities struggle to find them accommodation .
Near the ruins of Moria local residents blocked roads to stop charities from delivering aid and said they were against the construction of new tents .
How to deal with the mass arrivals of migrants , mainly to Italy and Greece , has divided the EU for years .
Italy and Greece have accused wealthier northern countries of failing to do more , while a number of central and eastern nations are openly resistant to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ migrants .
Mr Seehofer said France and Germany would each accept between 100 and 150 of the children .
The Netherlands has already pledged to accept 50 and Finland will take 11 .
Talks are ongoing with other states to take part , Mr Seehofer said .
The fire at Moria was `` a sharp reminder to all of us for what we need to change in Europe '' , the interior minister said .
But a group of charities and NGOs have written to the German government saying more has to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not just those minors .
All 400 children have now been flown to the Greek mainland .
EU home affairs commissioner Ylva Johansson said on Wednesday that the EU had agreed to finance the transfer of the minors to the mainland and their accommodation .
`` The safety and shelter of all people in Moria is a priority , '' she tweeted On Thursday , Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said the migrant crisis was Europe 's problem , and concrete action was needed by the EU to tackle it .
`` Europe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a policy of acts of solidarity , '' he was quoted as saying by AFP news agency at a summit of Mediterranean leaders in Corsica .
German Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke to Mr Mitsotakis on the phone and said she had agreed Germany would take some of the migrant children .
Touring the burnt-out Moria site on Thursday , Mr Schinas said it was `` inconceivable '' that the EU did not yet have a unified migration policy .
He said the Commission 's proposals for a new pact on migration and asylum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ September , would `` put an end to this unacceptable situation '' .
What is being done for the migrants ?
Greece is sending three ships to Lesbos to provide accommodation for some 2,000 migrants .
The Blue Star Chios ferry , which has capacity to house 1,000 people , has now docked at the Lesbos port of Sigri .
Two naval vessels are also on their way .
About 35 people who fled the fires on Tuesday and Wednesday night had tested positive for Covid-19 .
Eight of them are believed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fires broke out .

But there is strong resistance from locals for a new camp to house them. "We don't want another camp, and we will oppose any construction work. We've faced this situation for five years, it's time for others to bear this burden," local leader Vangelis Violatzis was quoted as saying.


bbc--2020-09-11--Amazon: Brazilian official killed by arrow near indigenous tribe

A top Brazilian expert on isolated Amazon tribes has been killed by an arrow that struck him in the chest as he approached an indigenous site .
He was in the area to monitor a tribe as part of his work for the government 's indigenous agency , Funai .
An NGO founded by Mr Franciscato described him as an `` excellent , serious and dedicated professional '' .
The Kaninde Ethno-Environmental Defence Association , which he helped create in the 1980s , said the indigenous group had no ability to distinguish between a friend or a foe from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and his party came under fire as they approached an indigenous group .
Mr Franciscato , who was accompanied by police , attempted to take shelter behind a vehicle , but was struck in the chest by an arrow , witnesses said .
A policeman who witnessed the incident said Mr Franciscato managed to remove the arrow , which hit him above the heart .
`` He cried out , pulled the arrow from his chest , ran 50m ( 164ft ) and collapsed , lifeless , '' the officer said in an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A photojournalist in the region , Gabriel Uchida , told AFP news agency that Mr Franciscato had been trying to observe a tribe known as the `` Cautario River isolated group '' .
Mr Uchida , who also witnessed the incident , said the tribe was usually `` a peaceful group '' , but `` this time , there were just five armed men - a war party '' .
What 's been happening in the region ?
Survival International , an indigenous rights group , said Mr Franciscato was called to area @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in recent months .
Ranchers and loggers have destroyed much of the nearby forest in recent years and have threatened to destroy more of the region .
The group said in a release that his death was `` almost certainly a response to the immense pressure '' the forest and its peoples are under Indigenous groups in the Amazon and elsewhere in the world have been known to react violently to outsiders on their lands .
Indigenous leaders say incidents with illegal miners , farmers and loggers on their ancestral lands have become @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bolsonaro took office in 2019 , promising to develop the Amazon region .
Conservationists blame Mr Bolsonaro and his government for defunding agencies including Funai and the environmental enforcement agency Ibama and turning a blind eye to farmers and loggers clearing land in the Amazon , hastening deforestation .
Mr Bolsonaro has long questioned the need for large indigenous reservations in the rainforest , and has defended opening up protected areas for farming and mining .
`` Rieli dedicated his life to the indigenous cause .
He had more than three decades of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the protection of these peoples , '' Funai official Ricardo Lopes Dias said .
More on indigenous groups in the Amazon :

Ranchers and loggers have destroyed much of the nearby forest in recent years and have threatened to destroy more of the region. The group said in a release that his death was "almost certainly a response to the immense pressure" the forest and its peoples are under.


bbc--2020-09-10--Investigation into US professor sparks debate over Chinese word

A US university investigation into one of its professors has ignited a debate over the use of a seemingly innocuous Chinese word .
Professor Greg Patton at the University of Southern California ( USC ) was telling students in a communications lecture last month about filler , or pause words , such as 'err ' , 'umm ' or 'you know ' in English .
Footage of his lecture , which has now gone viral , shows Prof Patton saying : `` In China , the common pause word is 'that , that , that ' .
So in China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , na-ge . ''
Enunciated , na-ge sounds like the N-word , which led several of the professor 's students to complain to the university .
Responding to the complaint , the dean of the university , Geoffrey Garrett , told students that Prof Patton would no longer be teaching the course .
`` It is simply unacceptable for the faculty to use words in class that can marginalize , hurt and harm the psychological safety of our students , '' he said .
The university says that Prof Patton `` volunteered to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the investigation into complaints made against him .
News of the spat reached China , where many posted on social media saying they thought his punishment discriminated against speakers of the Chinese language .
In Chinese the word `` na-ge '' ( 那个 ) is a common filler phrase that people use when they 're hesitating or trying to find the right word .
It literally translates to the word `` that '' .
But there have been many documented incidents of the word being used innocuously and leading to misunderstandings , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a fight broke out on the subway in the city of Southern Guangzhou , after a black man heard a Chinese man saying na-ge and mistook it for the N-word .
Footage went viral online showing the black man slapping the Chinese commuter and shouting `` you dare try that again '' and `` never say that again '' More recently , in April this year , Taiwanese news website UDN reported that two men nearly came to blows on the island outside a restaurant over the same misunderstanding .
Even Chinese basketball @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the word brought him `` some trouble '' while playing in the US for the National Basketball Association ( NBA ) .
CC Chen , a student at the USC , defended Prof Patton , arguing that it was `` clearly an academic lecture on communication '' and the professor was `` describing a universal mistake commonly made in communication '' .
`` For him to be censored simply because a Chinese word sounds like an English pejorative term is a mistake and is not appropriate , especially given the educational setting , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dismisses the fact that Chinese is a real language and has its own pronunciations that have no relation to English . ''
• BBC says sorry over racial slur in news report More than 11,000 people have now signed a Change.org petition calling for Prof Patton to be re-instated .
And in China there are discussions taking place over whether the university acted too abruptly .
On the popular Sina Weibo microblog , more than 1,000 posts have used the hashtag # USProfessorSuspendedForUsingNaGe , with many viewing the move as a suppression of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incident a `` contemporary version of the literary inquisition '' - referring to the persecution of intellectuals during China 's imperial era .
What began as an accusation against the professor of using discriminatory language has morphed , in China , into accusations of discrimination against the Chinese language .
`` Is it now forbidden to speak Chinese in the United States ? ''
asked one Sina Weibo user .
In recent months , many in China have expressed solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement in the US .
China itself has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sentiment from America , stoked by the highest official in the nation , President Donald Trump , who has called coronavirus the `` China virus '' , `` Wuhan virus '' , and even `` Kung Flu '' .
His language has been regularly cited by Chinese media as an example of xenophobic attitudes towards the Chinese people .
Some Chinese posters on Sina Weibo argued that USC , in suspending Prof Patton , had chosen `` political correctness '' over genuine change .
Others raised a note of optimism that the story @ @ @ @ @ @ @ marginalise them .
Many were of the view that shared discrimination in recent months meant that Asian and black communities should work to understand each other rather than fight against one another .
`` There should be respect for differences , '' wrote one Weibo user .
Back in the US , USC staff and students reacted to the decision to suspend Prof Patton .
`` There 's no language superior to the other , '' Chengyan Wu , Co-President of USC Chinese Student and Scholar Association , told the university 's student @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of one minority group should not be at the expense of violating the other , '' he said .
`` We have the right to use our own language . ''
BBC Monitoring reports and analyses news from TV , radio , web and print media around the world .
You can follow BBC Monitoring on Twitter and Facebook .

"For him to be censored simply because a Chinese word sounds like an English pejorative term is a mistake and is not appropriate, especially given the educational setting," she said. "It also dismisses the fact that Chinese is a real language and has its own pronunciations that have no relation to English."


bbc--2020-09-11--India and China to 'quickly disengage' from border standoff

India and China have agreed to `` quickly disengage '' from a standoff that has seen gunfire at a disputed border and accusations of kidnapping .
Their foreign ministers met on Thursday and said they would ease tensions .
Soldiers from both countries have periodically skirmished along the poorly demarcated border , called the Line of Actual Control .
Both sides have accused each other of straying into their territory , and the clashes have sometimes turned deadly .
In a joint statement , the neighbours said the `` current situation is not in the interest of either side '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the border troops of both sides should continue their dialogue , quickly disengage , maintain proper distance and ease tensions , '' said the statement , released by Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi .
They added that they would expedite new measures that would `` maintain and enhance peace and tranquillity '' , but did not explain further what these would entail .
The two countries already have an agreement which bans the use of firearms along the border .
• China and India face off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relations took deteriorated further in recent days , after China on Tuesday accused Indian troops of illegally crossing the border and firing `` provocative '' warning shots at patrolling soldiers .
India rejected the allegation , accusing Chinese border forces of firing in the air and saying it was they who had `` been blatantly violating agreements '' .
India 's military had a day earlier also alerted Chinese officials to reports that five Indian civilians had been kidnapped by Chinese troops from an area near the disputed border .
China later confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ civilians had been found and arrangements were being made to hand them over to Indian authorities .
In June , 20 Indian soldiers were killed in a violent skirmish with Chinese forces .
Local media outlets said then that the soldiers had been `` beaten to death '' .
The Line of Actual Control stretches for 3,440km ( 2,100 miles ) .
The presence of rivers , lakes and snowcaps mean the line can shift .
Soldiers on either side - representing two of the world 's largest armies - come face to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accused China of sending thousands of troops into Ladakh 's Galwan valley and says China occupies 38,000sq km ( 14,700sq miles ) of its territory .
India and China have previously attempted to ease tensions along the border .
But several rounds of talks in the last three decades have failed to resolve the disputes .
The two countries have fought only one war , in 1962 , when India suffered a humiliating defeat .
The announcement is significant given the sharp exchange of words witnessed between the two countries in recent days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a limited armed conflict had increased in recent days since Delhi and Beijing accused each other of firing at the border and breaching a treaty that banned use of firearms .
So , the announcement has come as a surprise and it shows that backchannels talks have been successful - for now .
But both countries have appeared to reach consensus in the past and such statements do n't guarantee lasting peace at the border .
Nevertheless , the latest development brings a huge sigh of relief for both countries which are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ battling an alarming increase in Covid-19 cases and a sharp contraction in the economy .
For China , even temporary peace at the border means one less battle to fight in the international arena .

Soldiers on either side - representing two of the world's largest armies - come face to face at many points. India has accused China of sending thousands of troops into Ladakh's Galwan valley and says China occupies 38,000sq km (14,700sq miles) of its territory.


bbc--2020-09-11--Rio Tinto chief Jean-Sébastien Jacques to quit over Aboriginal cave destruction

Other senior executives , including the heads of the miner 's iron ore and corporate relations divisions , will also leave the company at the end of the year .
Rio Tinto also held its own inquiry earlier this year , after which the company cut bonuses for directors and began attempts at repairing relations with Aboriginal communities .
`` What happened at Juukan was wrong and we are determined to ensure that the destruction of a heritage site of such exceptional archaeological and cultural significance never occurs again at a Rio Tinto operation , '' said chairman Simon Thompson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 28,000-year-old animal bone tool and a 4,000-year-old belt made of plaited human hair .
DNA testing had directly linked it to the Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura ( PKKP ) people - the traditional owners of the land .
`` There are less than a handful of known Aboriginal sites in Australia that are as old as this one ... Its importance can not be underestimated , '' he said .
Last week it was revealed that in the days running up to the caves ' destruction in May , Rio Tinto @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seek injunctions to stop them .
Although the company said it had permission for the work under Aboriginal heritage laws , critics said it suggested the miner was aware of the site 's cultural importance .
Last month , Rio Tinto said it had cut Mr Jacques ' bonus by £2.7m .
It also said Chris Salisbury , chief executive of iron ore , and Simone Niven , group executive of corporate relations , would lose more than half a million pounds each .
`` It was slow because when it knew the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reversed its position and it did n't , '' he said .
`` And it is misguided because when it cut bonuses recently it effectively put a price on something which is basically priceless and I think that that was tin-eared really .
I 'm not surprised that we 've moved onto this stage where the chief executive felt that he had to go . ''
This decision to let the CEO go could be seen as a vindication after months of ongoing pressure from traditional landowners , other Aboriginal groups and shareholders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of one of Australia 's most important archaeological sites .
The scandal also highlights the great imbalance of power between Australia 's influential mining industry and traditional landowners ; and what the government 's responsibility should be to ensure the protection of historical and ancestral sites .

"And it is misguided because when it cut bonuses recently it effectively put a price on something which is basically priceless and I think that that was tin-eared really. I'm not surprised that we've moved onto this stage where the chief executive felt that he had to go."


bbc--2020-09-11--Russian hackers 'target US election' again

Hackers with ties to Russia , China and Iran are attempting to snoop on people and groups involved with the US 2020 presidential election , Microsoft says .
The Russian hackers who breached the 2016 Democratic campaign are again involved , said the US tech firm .
Microsoft said it was `` clear that foreign activity groups have stepped up their efforts '' targeting the election .
Both President Donald Trump and Democrat Joe Biden 's campaigns are in the cyber-raiders ' sights .
Russian hackers from the Strontium group have targeted more than 200 organisations , many of which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both Republicans and Democrats , Microsoft said in a statement .
The same attackers also targeted British political parties , said Microsoft , without specifying which ones .
Strontium is also known as Fancy Bear , a cyber-attack unit allegedly affiliated with Russia 's GRU military intelligence service .
Russia and China have denied the reports .
On Friday Dmitry Peskov , a spokesman for President Vladimir Putin , said the Kremlin had never tried to interfere in other countries ' elections .
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said Microsoft `` should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nothing '' .
What else did Microsoft say ?
`` Similar to what we observed in 2016 , Strontium is launching campaigns to harvest people 's log-in credentials or compromise their accounts , presumably to aid in intelligence gathering or disruption operations , '' said Tom Burt , a Microsoft vice-president in charge of customer security and trust .
• Hacking the US mid-terms ?
It 's child 's play Most of the cyber-attacks had not been successful , according to Microsoft .
`` What we 've seen is consistent with previous attack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign staffers but also those they consult on key issues , '' Mr Burt said .
`` These activities highlight the need for people and organisations involved in the political process to take advantage of free and low-cost security tools to protect themselves . ''
Microsoft also reported that Chinese groups had launched attacks on the personal email accounts of people affiliated with the Biden campaign , as well as `` at least one prominent individual formerly associated with the Trump Administration '' .
`` Prominent individuals '' in the international affairs community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also said to have been targeted by a Chinese hacking group known as Zirconium .
An Iranian group known as Phosphorus had unsuccessfully sought to access accounts of White House officials and Mr Trump 's campaign staff between May and June of this year , Microsoft added .
The firm was unable to determine the aims of the Russian , Chinese and Iranian hackers .
In June Google also said it had detected cyber-hack attempts by China and Iran .
Trump campaign deputy press secretary Thea McDonald said : `` We are a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surprising to see malicious activity directed at the campaign or our staff . ''
A Biden campaign official said : `` We have known from the beginning of our campaign that we would be subject to such attacks and we are prepared for them . ''
The report comes a day after a whistleblower at the US Department of Homeland Security alleged he was put under pressure to downplay the threat of Russian interference in the US as it `` made the president look bad '' .
In 2016 , Russia 's attempts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and labelled a hoax by some of the president 's supporters .
Microsoft 's findings highlight the fact that election interference is a bipartisan issue , with both Republicans and Democrats at risk .
Going into the 2020 vote , it is not just intelligence agencies , but also the private sector that is concerned and taking action to prevent threats to the democratic process .
But they can only do so much without government action .
Tom Burt made a point in his post to encourage Congress to pass additional state funding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went further , encouraging countries to ensure peace and security in cyberspace through global initiatives , including one underway at the United Nations .
How did the Trump administration respond ?
The Department of Homeland Security 's top cyber-official , Christopher Krebs , said Microsoft 's warning confirmed what the US intelligence community had already stated .
`` It is important to highlight that none [ of the targets ] are involved in maintaining or operating voting infrastructure and there was no identified impact on election systems , '' Mr Krebs said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ charged a Russian national with plotting to interfere in the US political process .
The treasure department also imposed sanctions against a Moscow-linked Ukrainian lawmaker , Andrii Derkach , who is accused of similar meddling .
Mr Derkach allegedly released edited audio that was intended to smear Democrat Joe Biden .
The recordings have been touted by President Donald Trump .
The Ukrainian met the US president 's personal lawyer , Rudy Giuliani , last December .
What has US intelligence said ?
The US intelligence community said in August that China , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meddle in the forthcoming presidential election .
The assessment found that Russia was seeking to `` denigrate '' Mr Biden .
It also found that China and Iran wanted Mr Trump to lose the vote .
Iran , US intelligence warned , could try to `` undermine '' US democratic institutions and the president through online content .
US intelligence agencies concluded in 2016 that Russia was behind an effort to undermine Hillary Clinton 's presidential run , with a state-authorised campaign of cyber attacks and fake news stories planted on social media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about Trump Russia story Special Counsel Robert Mueller 's investigation found Russian hackers gained access to Democratic National Committee systems as well as Clinton campaign chair John Podesta 's personal email .
They leaked tens of thousands of emails from the campaign .
Facebook later testified that Russian-backed content sent out around the election reached up to 126 million Americans on the platform .
Mr Mueller did not determine that the Trump campaign had colluded with the alleged Russian election meddling .

A Biden campaign official said: "We have known from the beginning of our campaign that we would be subject to such attacks and we are prepared for them."


bbc--2020-09-10--Covid exacerbating inequality - BBC poll

The coronavirus pandemic has hit poorer countries harder than the rest of the world , sowing inequality globally , a BBC poll has shown .
The survey of nearly 30,000 people shows how different countries have been affected by the pandemic , six months after it was confirmed on 11 March .
The financial toll was a major issue , after lockdowns damaged economies worldwide .
Poorer countries and younger people say they are facing the greatest hardship .
A drop in income was reported by 69 % of respondents in poorer countries , in comparison to 45 % in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Outcomes also differed along race and gender lines , with women worse off than men , and black people reporting higher levels of Covid-19 infection than white people in the US .
• A visual guide to the economic impact of the pandemic • How are other economies dealing with the downturn ?
• How the financial shockwave is affecting jobs and money The research was conducted for the BBC World Service in 27 countries by GlobeScan in June 2020 , the height of the pandemic in many places .
In total , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Covid-19 and the impact it has had on their lives .
`` One of the central narratives of this pandemic has been that 'we are all in this together ' , '' Chris Coulter , the chief executive of GlobeScan , told the BBC .
`` Our poll finds that the opposite is true .
Across different countries and within most countries , results show that those who are most systemically disadvantaged have been hit the hardest . ''
The pandemic has had a more severe impact on people in poorer countries and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found .
There was a notable divide between countries among the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development ( OECD ) and non-member countries .
The OECD is an international group of 37 countries that are among the world 's most prosperous economies .
The poll shows that 69 % of people in non-OECD countries had their income affected due to the pandemic , compared to 45 % of those living in OECD countries .
Overall , the research found that people in Latin America , Asia and Africa were more likely to say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on them than those living in Europe and North America .
People in Kenya ( 91 % ) , Thailand ( 81 % ) , Nigeria ( 80 % ) , South Africa ( 77 % ) , Indonesia ( 76 % ) , and Vietnam ( 74 % ) were most likely to have been affected financially .
People on low incomes in those countries were most likely to say they now had even less money .
But counter-intuitively , people with high incomes in Australia , Canada , Japan , Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have been impacted financially by the pandemic than those earning the least .
The pandemic has opened up a gulf between young and old , according to the poll .
Younger generations say they have experienced a tougher time than older generations .
This might be because there have been fewer opportunities to work , socialise and seek education during the pandemic .
Some 55 % of respondents from Gen Z ( people born between the mid-1990s and early 2010s ) and 56 % of Millennials ( people born between the early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has greatly affected their lives .
In contrast , only 49 % of those from Gen X ( people born from 1965 to 1980 ) and 39 % of Baby Boomers ( people born from 1946 to 1964 ) said they felt the same .
• 'It 's unfair to blame young people for virus rise' Gen Z respondents suffered the worst financial hit , with 63 % saying they saw a change to their incomes .
Conversely , only 42 % of Baby Boomers said their incomes were affected .
Older generations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ physical or financial harm .
Some 56 % of Baby Boomers and older reported no physical or financial impacts , compared to 39 % on average globally .
Other key findings from the poll include : • Nearly six in 10 people ( 57 % ) say they have been affected financially by the pandemic • Women say they are facing a greater financial impact than men .
The greatest disparities were reported in Germany ( 32 % of women versus 24 % of men ) , Italy ( 50 % versus 43 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 45 % versus 38 % ) .
• In the US , 14 % of black Americans say they or a family member have been infected with Covid-19 , compared with 7 % of white Americans • Parents felt greater impacts from the pandemic , with 57 % telling pollsters they have been greatly affected , versus 41 % of people without children • GLOBAL TRENDS : Where are cases rising and falling ?
• SYMPTOMS : What are the symptoms of the coronavirus ?
• FACE MASKS : Should I wear one @ @ @ @ @

Overall, the research found that people in Latin America, Asia and Africa were more likely to say the virus had had a considerable impact on them than those living in Europe and North America.


bbc--2020-09-11--Toronto Film Festival: Spike Lee concert documentary opens scaled-back event

A Spike Lee film about Talking Heads front man David Byrne has opened the 2020 Toronto Film Festival , scaled back this year due to coronavirus concerns .
American Utopia , a record of Byrne 's 2019 concert show , played at two drive-ins and an open-air cinema on Thursday .
The film was also shown indoors to limited , socially distanced audiences .
Only film fans based in the city are allowed to attend physical screenings at this year 's event , which will see many of its offerings screened online .
This year 's London Film Festival , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , will use a similar `` hybrid '' model .
While a typical Toronto Film Festival might boast up to 300 titles , the 2020 edition has just 50 feature films .
There will be no red carpet premieres , with celebrity guests appearing virtually to introduce and discuss their wares .
`` We still wanted to do a festival , '' said Cameron Bailey , Toronto 's artistic director and co-head .
`` It 's important for our audience and I think we just all need some inspiration that art can provide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which shares its name with Byrne 's 2018 album and 2019 Broadway show .
Variety called it `` playful and entrancing '' , while the Hollywood Reporter said it was `` simply spectacular '' .
`` American Utopia is n't just a concert doc , but also a life-affirming , euphoria-producing , soul-energising sing-along protest film , '' wrote IndieWire 's reviewer .
Screen Daily , meanwhile , said it was `` a fitting companion '' to Stop Making Sense , Jonathan Demme 's widely praised film of Talking Heads in concert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ screen at the New York and London Film Festivals next month ahead of its HBO premiere on 17 October .
Despite being pared down this year , Toronto will still play its customary role as a launch pad for films on the path to potential awards success .
These include Ammonite , a drama about 19th Century fossil hunter Mary Anning starring Kate Winslet and Saoirse Ronan .
Last year its director , Francis Lee , defended his decision to suggest Anning might have been involved in a lesbian relationship .
In an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Winslet said the film was Lee 's `` interpretation '' and was `` not supposed to be a biopic '' .
In the same piece , the British actress expressed regret about her previous collaborations with film-makers Woody Allen and Roman Polanski .
The Oscar-winning star made Carnage with the latter in 2011 and played the lead role in Allen 's film Wonder Wheel in 2017 .
Allen has been publically accused of sexually abusing daughter Dylan in 1992 , claims that have never been proven and he has repeatedly denied .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the statutory rape of a 13-year-old girl since the 1970s and has since faced other accusations of sexual assault .
His lawyers have `` firmly denied '' the accusations .
`` It 's unbelievable to me now how those men were held in such high regard , so widely in the film industry and for as long as they were , '' Winslet is quoted as saying .
`` And I have to take responsibility for the fact that I worked with them both .
I ca n't turn back the clock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Toronto on Friday and will close the London Film Festival on 17 October .
Spike Lee has been due to chair the competition jury at this year 's Cannes Film Festival prior to its cancellation .
The director expressed his own regrets about supporting Allen in June , saying he was wrong to have previously called him a `` friend '' .
Follow us on Facebook , or on Twitter @ BBCNewsEnts .
If you have a story suggestion email entertainment.news @ bbc.co.uk .

"It's unbelievable to me now how those men were held in such high regard, so widely in the film industry and for as long as they were," Winslet is quoted as saying.


bbc--2020-09-11--Brexit: Trade talks hang in balance as UK rejects EU ultimatum

Talks over a trade deal with the EU are hanging in the balance amid a stand-off over the UK 's plans to override part of the Brexit withdrawal agreement .
The EU has warned the UK it could face legal action if it does not ditch controversial elements of the Internal Market Bill by the end of the month .
Concerned Conservative MPs have launched a bid to amend the new law .
Ministers say they will not give way , but the BBC understands Boris Johnson will host a meeting with MPs later .
Meanwhile , trade talks are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ significant '' differences .
Boris Johnson 's proposed Internal Market Bill , which will be formally debated by MPs in the House of Commons for the first time on Monday , addresses the Northern Ireland Protocol - an element of the Brexit withdrawal agreement designed to prevent a hard border returning to the island of Ireland .
The new law would give UK ministers powers to modify or `` disapply '' rules relating to the movement of goods that will come into force from 1 January , if the UK and EU are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • How many trade deals has the UK done ?
The publication of the bill prompted emergency talks on Thursday , in which the EU said the planned changes must be scrapped or risk jeopardising the UK-EU trade talks .
But the government defied the EU 's demand , insisting it would proceed as planned with the legislation it says is necessary to protect the integrity of the UK and the peace process in Northern Ireland .
Time and trust are running out When it comes to Brexit , all negotiations are inter-linked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to implement their divorce deal , negotiations on fishing rights and Brussels ' deliberation on UK financial service .
What happens in one area very much affects progress in the others .
You can not separate them entirely .
Which is why this week , as the war of words and wills between Brussels and Downing Street raged over the government 's threat to throw a grenade at key parts of the divorce deal , everyone 's thoughts turned immediately to the trade talks between the two sides .
Could they survive ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Despite bitter arguments over legislation and a huge list of outstanding issues still to be ironed out in bilateral trade talks ; despite time and trust running out on both sides ; neither the EU nor the UK seem to want to be the first ones to walk out the door .
After the latest round of trade talks concluded in London on Thursday , the UK said it remained committed to reaching a deal but the process was `` challenging '' .
Boris Johnson has previously said he would walk away from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the EU is not reached by 15 October .
'Not if , but how' Business Minister Nadhim Zahawi defended the legislation as necessary in case existing `` ambiguities '' in the Withdrawal Agreement are not settled through the formal dispute resolution process .
`` It 's not about if we implement the Withdrawal Agreement and the Northern Irish protocol , it 's how we implement it , '' he told BBC Radio 4 's Today .
`` If we do n't reach an agreement in time by the end of the year ... @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the communities in Northern Ireland .
`` No government , no minister , can allow any community within our country , within the UK , to be damaged . ''
But the prime minister 's approach continues to cause unease within the Conservative Party , with former leaders Theresa May , Lord Howard and Sir John Major among those urging him to think again .
Former chancellor Lord Lamont said the government was in a `` terrible mess '' and warned that the Internal Market Bill would not get through the House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And even strong supporters of the government 's overall Brexit strategy and the Internal Market Bill have expressed concerns about how events could play out .
Sir Bernard Jenkin - a member of the strongly pro-Brexit European Research Group ( ERG ) - told LBC Radio that Mr Johnson `` should be more mindful of the reputational damage of playing such hardball '' .
Leading Brexiteer and former ERG chairman Steve Baker told BBC Radio 4 's Today programme that the UK was `` in a bad place '' after a `` series @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said a solution was `` tantalisingly within our grasp '' if a free trade agreement could be concluded but the UK should be prepared to `` repudiate '' the whole Withdrawal Agreement as the EU had acted in `` bad faith '' .
Meanwhile , senior Conservative backbencher Sir Bob Neill , who chairs the Commons Justice Committee , is tabling an amendment to try to force a separate parliamentary vote on the three contentious clauses of the bill .
Sir Bob , whose backers include ex-cabinet minister Damian Green , told Times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' .
`` So I hope it 's at least an indication as a government that really , you need to think very hard and carefully about going down this route , '' he said .
`` For heaven 's sake , try and find some other way . ''
Gordon Brown has become the latest former prime minister to warn of the damage the move could do to the UK 's international reputation , telling Today it was a `` huge act of self harm '' .
The ex-Labour leader added : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I was prime minister , the Conservatives would have accused me of breaching the rule of law and would have thrown everything at us . ''

But he said there was still a "very good chance" of the UK and EU striking a deal by mid-October similar to that previously agreed between the EU and Canada - which got rid of most, but not all, tariffs on goods.


bbc--2020-09-11--UK signs first major post-Brexit deal with Japan

The UK has struck its first major post-Brexit trade pact after signing a deal with Japan that aims to boost trade between the countries by about £15bn .
International Trade Secretary Liz Truss said it was an `` historic moment '' .
She said it would bring `` new wins '' for British businesses in manufacturing , food and drink , and tech industries .
Critics said while the deal may be of symbolic importance it would boost UK GDP by only 0.07 % , a fraction of the trade that could be lost with the EU .
Friday 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parliament , which the country 's Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi forecast would be passed by January .
• How many trade deals has the UK done ?
Ms Truss said the UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement means 99 % of exports to Japan will be tariff-free .
`` The agreement we have negotiated - in record time and in challenging circumstances - goes far beyond the existing EU deal , as it secures new wins for British businesses in our great manufacturing , food and drink , and tech industries , '' she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Wales to our shoemakers in the North of England , this deal will help build back better as we create new opportunities for people throughout the whole of the UK and help level up our country . ''
She added that , strategically , the deal was an important step towards joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership and placing Britain at the centre of a network of free trade agreements .
Major Japanese investors in the UK such as Nissan and Hitachi would benefit from reduced tariffs on parts coming from Japan and streamlined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ department statement said .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said Brexit gives Britain the freedom to strike trade deals with other countries around the world .
Business leaders welcomed the agreement , but stressed that securing a deal with the EU remained the most important goal .
The director general of the British Chambers of Commerce , Adam Marshall , called the announcement a milestone , but added : `` Whilst this agreement is undoubtedly cause for celebration , securing a Free Trade Agreement with the EU remains critical to the future of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ urge ministers to redouble their efforts to reach a comprehensive partnership with our largest trading partner at a crucial time in the negotiations . ''
The CBI also hailed the agreement , with director general Carolyn Fairbairn saying this `` breakthrough moment '' can be the first of many .
`` It 's a huge opportunity to secure new Japanese investment across a wider range of sectors and UK regions , '' she said .
You can almost hear the sighs of relief echoing around Westminster and within the business community .
After @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Brexit era has been struck , which ensures that 99 % of British goods can enter Japan without tariffs , or extra charges .
But ultimately , this deal largely mirrors the agreement which already exists between the EU and Japan .
And with trade with Japan accounting for just 2 % of the UK 's total , the expected boost to GDP of 0.07 % over the long term is a tiny fraction of what might be lost from leaving the EU .
And there is good reason for Japan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in record time .
It stands to get the lions share , 80 % , of the total estimated £15bn boost to trade for both countries .
Even then , the talks have n't been as speedy or straightforward as initially hoped - which may not bode well for negotiations elsewhere .
About 99 % of exports between the two nations will be tariff-free under the deal , with a particular focus on the food and drink , finance and tech sectors .
Manufacturing parts coming from Japan will benefit from reduced tariffs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and salmon travelling in the opposite direction .
Japan 's Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said : `` It was a very tough negotiation , but we reached the agreement in principle in about three months , at an unusually fast pace .
`` While maintaining the high levels of access to the British market under the Japan-EU EPA , we improved our access to the British market on train cars and some auto parts . ''

But ultimately, this deal largely mirrors the agreement which already exists between the EU and Japan. And with trade with Japan accounting for just 2% of the UK's total, the expected boost to GDP of 0.07% over the long term is a tiny fraction of what might be lost from leaving the EU.


bbc--2020-09-11--Explosions rock Jordanian military base

Explosions rock Jordanian military base

A military source said high temperatures caused a `` chemical reaction in one of the mortar shell fillings '' at @ @ @ @ @ Jordanian city of Zarqa on Friday .
The blast happened at an isolated uninhabited area @ @ @ @ @ mainly contained decommissioned bombs .
There are currently no reports of any casualties .

A military source said high temperatures caused a "chemical reaction in one of the mortar shell fillings" at an army facility in the Jordanian city of Zarqa on Friday.
The blast happened at an isolated uninhabited area of the military depot which mainly contained decommissioned bombs. There are currently no reports of any casualties.


bbc--2020-09-11--Melania Trump has a transactional marriage, says former aide

Stephanie Winston Wolkoff , Melania Trump 's former friend and assistant , talks to BBC Newsnight about her relationship with @ @ @ @ @ to Kirsty Wark , Stephanie Winston Wolkoff , who has written a memoir about her @ @ @ @ @ Melania Trump , discusses the reported tensions between Mrs Trump and her step-daughter Ivanka Trump @ @ @ @ @ the `` princess that wanted to be queen '' .
You can watch Newsnight on @ @ @ @ @ weekdays .
Catch up on iPlayer , subscribe to the programme on YouTube and follow @ @ @ @

Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, Melania Trump's former friend and assistant, talks to BBC Newsnight about her relationship with the First Lady.
Speaking to Kirsty Wark, Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, who has written a memoir about her 15-year friendship with First Lady Melania Trump, discusses the reported tensions between Mrs Trump and her step-daughter Ivanka Trump, whom she describes as the "princess that wanted to be queen".
You can watch Newsnight on BBC Two at 22:30 on weekdays. Catch up on iPlayer, subscribe to the programme on YouTube and follow it on Twitter.


bbc--2020-09-11--Oregon wildfires force thousands to flee

The US state of Oregon is battling huge wildfires that have forced more than half a million people to leave their homes .
Governor Kate Brown said the amount of land incinerated by fires in just the last 72 hours was twice the state 's annual average , and that at least five towns had been `` substantially destroyed . ''
`` We have never seen this amount of uncontained fire across our state . ''
Families like Sandra , Daniela and Ester Reyes returned to find their homes in Bear Creek , Phoenix , had been razed by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remains of a farm on the Butte Falls Highway in Eagle Point , Oregon .
Nearby burnt out cars can be seen on the road .
The remains of a basketball court still remain , while the picture below shows the intensity of the heat as a man holds a piece of melted metal .
For those made homeless by the fires temporary shelters have been set up across the state .
More than 100 wildfires are currently burning across 12 western US states including California and Washington as well as Oregon .

Governor Kate Brown said the amount of land incinerated by fires in just the last 72 hours was twice the state's annual average, and that at least five towns had been "substantially destroyed."


bbc--2020-09-11--Coronavirus: Inside the Indian company betting big on vaccines

As the Covid-19 pandemic spreads and case numbers soar in India , a vaccine is keenly awaited .
Serum , @ @ @ @ @ made billions of doses of vaccines in the past , is hoping to roll out @ @ @ @ @ CEO Adar Poonawalla told the BBC .
This video was filmed before the clinical trials @ @ @ @ @ AstraZeneca and Oxford University were put on hold .
Serum is a partner in mass @ @ @

As the Covid-19 pandemic spreads and case numbers soar in India, a vaccine is keenly awaited.
Serum, an Indian-based company that has made billions of doses of vaccines in the past, is hoping to roll out a vaccine soon, its CEO Adar Poonawalla told the BBC.
This video was filmed before the clinical trials for a vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University were put on hold. Serum is a partner in mass producing it.
Video by Sharad Badhe, Sanjay Ganguly and Aakriti Thapar


bbc--2020-09-11--Moria camp: Afghan family helpless after fleeing Lesbos fire

He advised families nearby to stay alert but when he returned to his tent , there was panic .
`` It was terrifying , '' he says .
`` My little daughter was crying and asking 'Daddy , are we going to die ? '
'' `` My daughters were asking me : 'Dad we are cold .
Why we are here and what will happen to us ? '
But I have no answer to any of those questions and it is very difficult . ''
The camp was only supposed to house 3,000 migrants but it has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ include people from 70 countries , but most are from Afghanistan .
Mr Hosseini says his time at Moria has been the `` most terrible experience of his life '' .
He witnessed a pregnant woman dying of stab wounds in the camp , as well as robbery and theft .
`` We had just got our new tent and it is now burnt out , '' he says .
`` If we had n't escaped , it would have taken all of us with it . ''
`` I love my country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ republic and the government but they did n't support me when my life was in danger , '' he says .
He has lost his father , two brothers and a nephew to the decades of violence in Afghanistan .
It was time to go , the artist says .
Mr Hosseini is proud of his `` intelligent girl '' but also worried about her .
She was in the middle of primary school when they left Afghanistan .
`` She keeps saying : 'Daddy I do n't like you because you took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not happy . '
It 's so difficult for a father to let his child down , '' he says , close to tears .
`` I ca n't tell you how much it hurts . ''
`` People have n't got anything with them .
At night it 's very cold , and they have n't got anything to cover themselves with , '' he says .

"She keeps saying: 'Daddy I don't like you because you took my school from me, I am not happy.' It's so difficult for a father to let his child down," he says, close to tears. "I can't tell you how much it hurts."


bbc--2020-09-11--Covid hotspots, six months after pandemic declared

Coronavirus is continuing its spread across the world , with nearly 30 million confirmed cases in 188 countries and a death toll fast approaching one million .
Six months after the World Health Organization ( WHO ) declared it a pandemic , the virus is surging in many countries and some that had apparent success in suppressing initial outbreaks are also seeing infections rise again .
However , the number of confirmed cases during the spring peak is likely to be an underestimate of the true level of infection , as widespread testing was not available in many countries earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ map , table and animated bar chart in this page use a different source for figures for France from that used by Johns Hopkins University , which results in a slightly lower overall total .
US figures do not include Puerto Rico , Guam or the US Virgin Islands .
Where are cases and deaths rising ?
Asia is the continent currently seeing the highest number of daily confirmed cases .
India now has the second largest number of confirmed cases in the world , behind the US , and is seeing about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The surge comes as the government continues to lift restrictions to try to boost the economy , but is also a reflection of increased testing - as daily tests have risen to more than a million .
Given the size of its population , India has a low death rate from Covid-19 .
But nearly 1,000 deaths have been recorded every day from across the country since 2 September .
In Latin America , Brazil has the highest number of deaths , with about 130,000 so far .
It has also recorded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ third highest in the world .
Newly confirmed cases in the region are also rising in Argentina , which now has more than half a million in total .
In the Middle East , Iran has been badly affected by the virus and documents leaked to the BBC Persian service suggest the death toll there is more than double the official total of about 23,000 .
Neighbouring Iraq has also seen a spike in cases .
Cases are also continuing to rise in Indonesia and the country has recorded nearly 9,000 deaths - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Africa has recorded more than a million confirmed cases , although the true extent of the pandemic in the continent is not known .
Testing rates are reported to be low , which could distort official estimates , but South Africa and Egypt have seen the largest recorded outbreaks there so far .
Several European countries are recording a rising number of daily cases amid fears of a resurgence of the virus .
Hans Kluge , the director general of the WHO 's Europe office , has likened Covid-19 to a `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warned that rising cases among young people could spread the disease to more vulnerable older people .
A number of European countries have re-imposed local lockdowns in their worst-affected regions , and there have been renewed appeals for people to wear face coverings and follow social distancing rules .
The pattern of rising infections following the end of lockdown restrictions is not limited to Europe .
Other countries that have seen a resurgence of the virus include Peru , Israel , South Korea and Australia .
In the table below , countries can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and total cases .
In the coloured bars on the right-hand side , countries in which cases have risen to more than 5,000 per day are those with black bars on the relevant date .
Cases in the US have slowed after second surge The US has recorded more than six million cases of coronavirus , almost a quarter of the world 's total .
It saw an increase in the number of daily cases in July , but the numbers have fallen since then .
With nearly 200,000 deaths , the US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A projection from the University of Washington suggests there could be more than 400,000 deaths by the end of the year , though it says this could be reduced to 290,000 if 95 % of Americans wear masks in public .
The outbreak has had a devastating impact on the US economy , with GDP falling by a record rate of 33 % in the three months from April to June .
The virus , which causes the respiratory infection Covid-19 , was first detected in the city of Wuhan , China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread quickly across the globe in the first months of 2020 and declared a global pandemic by the WHO on 11 March .
A pandemic is when an infectious disease is passing easily from person to person in many parts of the world at the same time .
Europe and North America saw their first major outbreaks in April but as they began to ease , Latin America and Asia started seeing cases spike .
Governments across the world have been forced to limit public movement and close businesses and venues in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus .
This has had a devastating impact on the global economy .
The International Monetary Fund has said the world is in the midst of the worst recession since the Great Depression and warned that it could take two years for economic output to return to pre-pandemic levels .
The United Nations has said that up to 265 million people could face starvation by the end of the year because of the impact of Covid-19 .
• LOOK-UP TOOL : How many cases in your area ?
• TESTING : What tests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will I be kept safe at work ?
• SYMPTOMS : What are they and how to guard against them ?
• HOLIDAYS : Where can I go away in the UK ?
The data used on this page comes from a variety of sources .
It includes figures collated by Johns Hopkins University , data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control , national governments and health agencies , as well as UN data on populations .
When comparing figures from different countries it is important to bear in mind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases and deaths in the same way .
This makes like for like comparisons between countries difficult .
Other factors to consider include : different population sizes , the size of a country 's elderly population or whether a particular country has a large amount of its people living in densely-populated areas .
In addition , countries may be in different stages of the pandemic .

Please update your browser to see full interactive
Show more
This information is regularly updated but may not reflect the latest totals for each country.
** The past data for new cases is a three day rolling average. Due to revisions in the number of cases, an average cannot be calculated for this date.
Source: Johns Hopkins University and national public health agencies


bbc--2020-09-11--Williams beaten by Azarenka in US Open semi-final

Serena Williams ' latest bid for a 24th Grand Slam singles title ended as Victoria Azarenka rolled back the years to reach the US Open final .
The American called on the trainer for an Achilles problem early in the third set and struggled physically from then .
Two-time Australian Open champion Azarenka had been appearing in her first Grand Slam semi-final since 2013 after troubled times on and off the court .
But she has been in fantastic form in recent weeks , having now won 11 matches in a row after victory in the Western & Southern Open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ None Alerts : Get tennis news sent to your phone Azarenka finally gets better of Williams as old rivalry rekindled Williams and Azarenka were once regular opponents on the biggest stages - but this was their first encounter in the latter stages of a Grand Slam since a Wimbledon quarter-final in 2015 .
The two good friends have had maternity leaves since then and Azarenka 's career was also stalled by a lengthy custody battle over her son .
Williams had dominated their head-to-heads , winning 18 of their 22 encounters until now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 2013 US Open finals .
And until now she had won all 10 of their Grand Slam matches .
But that record was from a different time - in this match the stakes had changed , and so had the players .
Williams has for some time been carrying the pressure of the personal desire and the public expectation of a matching Margaret Court 's titles , while Azarenka is playing with a new freedom that has come only recently since she admitted she was finally enjoying her sport having `` taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It had looked like Williams was in control of the match , racing through the first set in ruthless fashion in 35 minutes , but a missed backhand to put her 2-0 up in the second set marked the beginning of a change in tide .
When Azarenka launched a blistering backhand winner cross-court to break for 3-2 and then followed that up with a hold to love , the match became an encounter of the highest quality .
Williams ' screams got louder but her intensity dropped and a forehand into the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the first of which she converted .
The American , who had played three back-to-back three-setters coming into this , then needed treatment on her foot while trailing 1-0 40-40 in the third set .
While Williams had a vast amount of strapping applied , Azarenka sat with her eyes closed meditating in her chair .
She kept calm to break immediately on the restart and eventually sealed victory with an ace - via a desperate Hawk-Eye challenge from Williams .
`` I needed to find energy to climb out of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' said Azarenka , who has said she contemplated retirement at times in recent years .
`` Hopefully it inspires women to go after their dreams , they can do anything . ''
Williams has made no secret of her burning desire to equal Court 's record but opportunities are running out for the American , who turns 39 later this month .
With six of the world 's top 10 players absent from Flushing Meadows because of the coronavirus pandemic , plus an early exit for top seed Karolina Pliskova , this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She has not won a major since the 2017 Australian Open , when she was eight weeks pregnant , and since returning to the tour after having her daughter she has lost four Grand Slam finals - Wimbledon and the US Open in 2018 and 2019 .
The fact she is still making it this deep into majors - and performing so well at times - should still offer her encouragement .
She does not have to wait long for her next opportunity for a Grand Slam title , after confirming she will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rescheduled French Open in two weeks ' time .
Serena Williams started magnificently , and throughout the match moved well and defended robustly .
But from the onset of the second set , Victoria Azarenka barely missed , and there was nothing even Williams could do once she hit the front .
The Belarusian has contemplated retirement on more than one occasion , as a custody dispute over her son dominated her life .
But now - seven years on from her last Grand Slam final - she has the chance to win @ @ @ @ @ @ @ empty stands , this and Naomi Osaka 's win over Jennifer Brady were two of the best semi-finals you could possibly expect to see .

Two-time Grand Slam champion Victoria Azarenka will be appearing in her first major final for seven years
2020 US Open Venue: Flushing Meadows, New York Dates: 31 Aug-13 Sept Coverage: Selected live radio and text commentaries on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra, BBC Sounds, the BBC Sport website and app.
Serena Williams' latest bid for a 24th Grand Slam singles title ended as Victoria Azarenka rolled back the years to reach the US Open final.
Williams, seeking to equal the all-time record for majors, raced away with the first set but lost 1-6 6-3 6-3 to the inspired former world number one.
The American called on the trainer for an Achilles problem early in the third set and struggled physically from then.
Belarusian Azarenka faces Japan's 2018 champion Naomi Osaka in the final.
Two-time Australian Open champion Azarenka had been appearing in her first Grand Slam semi-final since 2013 after troubled times on and off the court.
But she has been in fantastic form in recent weeks, having now won 11 matches in a row after victory in the Western & Southern Open just before the US Open.
Azarenka finally gets better of Williams as old rivalry rekindled
Williams and Azarenka were once regular opponents on the biggest stages - but this was their first encounter in the latter stages of a Grand Slam since a Wimbledon quarter-final in 2015.
The two good friends have had maternity leaves since then and Azarenka's career was also stalled by a lengthy custody battle over her son.
Williams had dominated their head-to-heads, winning 18 of their 22 encounters until now, including back-to-back wins in the 2012 and 2013 US Open finals. And until now she had won all 10 of their Grand Slam matches.
But that record was from a different time - in this match the stakes had changed, and so had the players.
Williams has for some time been carrying the pressure of the personal desire and the public expectation of a matching Margaret Court's titles, while Azarenka is playing with a new freedom that has come only recently since she admitted she was finally enjoying her sport having "taken the fear of failing away".
It had looked like Williams was in control of the match, racing through the first set in ruthless fashion in 35 minutes, but a missed backhand to put her 2-0 up in the second set marked the beginning of a change in tide.
When Azarenka launched a blistering backhand winner cross-court to break for 3-2 and then followed that up with a hold to love, the match became an encounter of the highest quality.
Williams' screams got louder but her intensity dropped and a forehand into the net gave the Belarusian two set points, the first of which she converted.
The American, who had played three back-to-back three-setters coming into this, then needed treatment on her foot while trailing 1-0 40-40 in the third set.
While Williams had a vast amount of strapping applied, Azarenka sat with her eyes closed meditating in her chair.
She kept calm to break immediately on the restart and eventually sealed victory with an ace - via a desperate Hawk-Eye challenge from Williams.
"I needed to find energy to climb out of the hole and it wasn't easy," said Azarenka, who has said she contemplated retirement at times in recent years. "Hopefully it inspires women to go after their dreams, they can do anything."
Serena Williams had a lot of tape added to what was already a heavily strapped foot
Williams' wait for record continues
Williams has made no secret of her burning desire to equal Court's record but opportunities are running out for the American, who turns 39 later this month.
With six of the world's top 10 players absent from Flushing Meadows because of the coronavirus pandemic, plus an early exit for top seed Karolina Pliskova, this was a golden opportunity for Williams.
She has not won a major since the 2017 Australian Open, when she was eight weeks pregnant, and since returning to the tour after having her daughter she has lost four Grand Slam finals - Wimbledon and the US Open in 2018 and 2019.
The fact she is still making it this deep into majors - and performing so well at times - should still offer her encouragement.
She does not have to wait long for her next opportunity for a Grand Slam title, after confirming she will will "definitely" play at the rescheduled French Open in two weeks' time.
Analysis
BBC tennis correspondent Russell Fuller
Serena Williams started magnificently, and throughout the match moved well and defended robustly. But from the onset of the second set, Victoria Azarenka barely missed, and there was nothing even Williams could do once she hit the front.
The Belarusian has contemplated retirement on more than one occasion, as a custody dispute over her son dominated her life. But now - seven years on from her last Grand Slam final - she has the chance to win a third major title.
Despite the empty stands, this and Naomi Osaka's win over Jennifer Brady were two of the best semi-finals you could possibly expect to see.


bbc--2020-09-11--Mercedes' Bottas tops first practice in Tuscany

Last updated on .From the section Formula 1 Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas was fastest from Red Bull 's Max Verstappen in first practice at the Tuscan Grand Prix .
Ferrari 's Charles Leclerc was third , 0.307secs off the pace , with Lewis Hamilton fourth , 0.530secs from Bottas .
Surprise Italian GP winner Pierre Gasly was fifth in the Alpha Tauri .
Hamilton 's lack of pace was a surprise - he is renowned for his ability to get up to speed quickly on new tracks and uncertain conditions - but he had a messy lap , running wide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again and equalled his time on a second lap when the tyres were no longer in optimum conditions , which suggests he has plenty more pace in hand .
The drivers , many of them experiencing Mugello for the first time , were savouring a track renowned for its intense challenge - a rollercoaster ride of medium- and high-speed sweepers cascading around changing elevations in the Tuscany countryside .
The track 's two most famous corners - Arrabbiata One and Two - were already being taken at more than 170mph with only the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this early part of the weekend .
It seems as if they are certain to be taken flat-out in qualifying , and the preceding corners of Casanova and Savelli , a high-speed right-left chicane , may also be flat by then .
The only incident in the session , held in glorious weather and temperatures of 28C , was a spin for Williams ' Nicholas Latifi at Turn Three , known as Poggio Secco .
And for the first time in this coronavirus-affected season , spectators were allowed into the grandstands .
Mugello @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The track is owned by Ferrari , and the race is named as well for the team 's landmark of reaching 1,000 F1 world championship grands prix .
The Ferraris are painted in a darker shade of red , mirroring the colour used by Ferrari 's first F1 car in 1950 .
McLaren were trialling a new nose design with Carlos Sainz , who was 15th fastest .
The design echoes that on the Mercedes , and will make its competitive debut within two or three races if the data showed it @ @ @ @

Last updated on .From the section Formula 1
Second practice is live on the 5 Live Sports Extra and the BBC Sport website
Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas was fastest from Red Bull's Max Verstappen in first practice at the Tuscan Grand Prix.
The Finn was 0.048 seconds quicker than Verstappen around the spectacular and rapid Mugello circuit, which is hosting a grand prix for the first time.
Ferrari's Charles Leclerc was third, 0.307secs off the pace, with Lewis Hamilton fourth, 0.530secs from Bottas.
Surprise Italian GP winner Pierre Gasly was fifth in the Alpha Tauri.
Hamilton's lack of pace was a surprise - he is renowned for his ability to get up to speed quickly on new tracks and uncertain conditions - but he had a messy lap, running wide at the first corner.
He tried again and equalled his time on a second lap when the tyres were no longer in optimum conditions, which suggests he has plenty more pace in hand.
The drivers, many of them experiencing Mugello for the first time, were savouring a track renowned for its intense challenge - a rollercoaster ride of medium- and high-speed sweepers cascading around changing elevations in the Tuscany countryside.
Ferrari are running a special livery for their 1,000th race
The track's two most famous corners - Arrabbiata One and Two - were already being taken at more than 170mph with only the tiniest lift of the throttle even in this early part of the weekend.
It seems as if they are certain to be taken flat-out in qualifying, and the preceding corners of Casanova and Savelli, a high-speed right-left chicane, may also be flat by then.
The only incident in the session, held in glorious weather and temperatures of 28C, was a spin for Williams' Nicholas Latifi at Turn Three, known as Poggio Secco.
And for the first time in this coronavirus-affected season, spectators were allowed into the grandstands. Mugello has sold 2,800 tickets for each day.
The track is owned by Ferrari, and the race is named as well for the team's landmark of reaching 1,000 F1 world championship grands prix.
The Ferraris are painted in a darker shade of red, mirroring the colour used by Ferrari's first F1 car in 1950.
McLaren were trialling a new nose design with Carlos Sainz, who was 15th fastest.
The design echoes that on the Mercedes, and will make its competitive debut within two or three races if the data showed it was an improvement.


bbc--2020-09-11--Players confused as fans boo 'moment of unity' at NFL opener in Kansas

Last updated on .From the section American Football Houston Texans ' defensive end JJ Watt was left confused by boos from fans during a pre-game 'moment of unity ' as protests against racism took place on the opening night of the NFL season .
Chiefs ' Alex Okafor took a knee during the national anthem while Houston 's players stayed in the changing room .
Months of protests have taken place across the United States following the death of George Floyd after he was arrested by police in Minneapolis in May .
Fewer than a quarter of the stadium 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrictions in the first NFL fixture since the outbreak of the virus but the audible boos were described as `` unfortunate '' by Watt .
`` I do n't fully understand that , '' he said .
`` There was no flag involved .
There was nothing involved other than two teams coming together to show unity . ''
Kansas City mayor Quinton Lucas tweeted : `` We 're a good city of good people .
I heard boos too .
But we also have hundreds of thousands more around here who respect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' The NFL has softened its stance on players protesting against inequality after drawing scrutiny for its opposition to Colin Kaepernick 's decision to take a knee while representing the San Francisco 49ers in 2016 .
This season end zones across the league will bear the words `` End Racism '' and `` It Takes All of Us '' , while players will be allowed to wear helmet stickers featuring the names of victims of racism .
The Chiefs - Super Bowl winners in February - are one of six teams who are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ start of the new season and star man Mahomes delivered for those present on opening night .
He threw three touchdowns and notched 211 passing yards from 24 completions as his side comfortably started the defence of their title .
Texans ' running back David Johnson opened the scoring but Mahomes threw touchdown passes to Travis Kelce and Sammy Watkins before half-time .
Rookie running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire added another touchdown before Mahomes found receiver Tyreek Hill to secure the win in the fourth quarter .

Last updated on .From the section American Football
Houston Texans' defensive end JJ Watt was left confused by boos from fans during a pre-game 'moment of unity' as protests against racism took place on the opening night of the NFL season.
Pockets of the crowd at the Kansas City Chiefs' stadium booed as players linked arms shortly before the game started.
Chiefs' Alex Okafor took a knee during the national anthem while Houston's players stayed in the changing room.
When play began, quarter-back Patrick Mahomes inspired Kansas to a 34-20 win.
Months of protests have taken place across the United States following the death of George Floyd after he was arrested by police in Minneapolis in May.
Fewer than a quarter of the stadium's seats were in use because of Covid-19 restrictions in the first NFL fixture since the outbreak of the virus but the audible boos were described as "unfortunate" by Watt.
"I don't fully understand that," he said. "There was no flag involved. There was nothing involved other than two teams coming together to show unity."
Kansas City mayor Quinton Lucas tweeted: "We're a good city of good people. I heard boos too. But we also have hundreds of thousands more around here who respect the message the players are sharing."
Alex Okafor took a knee during the national anthem and when the season started Patrick Mahomes (right) was once again key for the Chiefs
The NFL has softened its stance on players protesting against inequality after drawing scrutiny for its opposition to Colin Kaepernick's decision to take a knee while representing the San Francisco 49ers in 2016.
This season end zones across the league will bear the words "End Racism" and "It Takes All of Us", while players will be allowed to wear helmet stickers featuring the names of victims of racism.
The Chiefs - Super Bowl winners in February - are one of six teams who are allowing fans into their stadium at the start of the new season and star man Mahomes delivered for those present on opening night.
He threw three touchdowns and notched 211 passing yards from 24 completions as his side comfortably started the defence of their title.
Texans' running back David Johnson opened the scoring but Mahomes threw touchdown passes to Travis Kelce and Sammy Watkins before half-time.
Rookie running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire added another touchdown before Mahomes found receiver Tyreek Hill to secure the win in the fourth quarter.


bbc--2020-09-11--Liverpool: Why Premier League title defence will be far from straightforward

It took Liverpool 30 long , painful years to win a 19th top-flight league title .
They now face a tough eight-month examination to see if they can defend it .
BBC Sport did a whole piece on this very subject in August 2018 , digging in to all the reasons why a side had not , until then , retained the top-flight trophy since 2009 .
Manchester City would subsequently do just that in the following season , but the points contained in the article remain valid .
Defending champions have been regularly outspent in recent seasons , while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experienced other sides stepping up to the challenge of facing the champions while they themselves lose an edge , and have struggled to successfully juggle European and domestic challenges .
Liverpool have done a pretty decent job of satisfying the demands of both the Champions League and Premier League of late , but have no recent experience of being the hunted in the latter .
It is also worth noting that then defending champions City outspent challengers Liverpool to a huge degree last summer .
And Jurgen Klopp 's side have been quiet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is often said that you should strengthen from a position of power and Liverpool have never been as strong during the Premier League era as they are now .
The Reds could yet splash out on further talent , with this transfer window open until 5 October .
But so far , their only bit of business is bringing in Kostas Tsimikas for £11.7m to provide cover and competition for Andy Robertson at left-back .
Having won the title by a whopping 18 points , Liverpool are fully entitled to place faith @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only reserve goalkeeper Adrian and midfielders Jordan Henderson and James Milner are over 30 .
Their main rivals , though , are spending big to try to bridge the gap .
Manchester City , champions for the two seasons before Liverpool 's win and runners-up to the Reds in 2019-20 , have spent £60m already to address areas of weakness , bringing in centre-back Nathan Ake and winger Ferran Torres , as a replacement for the departed Leroy Sane .
Chelsea , fourth last season , are n't hanging around either .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Werner for a combined fee in the region of £80m before last season was even finished , have since signed England left-back Ben Chilwell , centre-backs Malang Sarr and Thiago Silva , and went even bigger with the £71m capture of highly-rated German striker Kai Havertz .
Their overall outlay is expected to surpass £200m .
Manchester United have signed midfielder Donny van de Beek for £35m , and continue to chase England winger and the `` best young player in the world '' Jadon Sancho .
A full and vociferous Anfield is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Liverpool .
When asked recently about the boost a full home stadium gives his team , Klopp replied that `` the influence and impact is much bigger than I 'd thought '' , while Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola said last year `` it makes opponents feel small '' .
Under Klopp , Liverpool have taken full advantage of their ground - they are unbeaten there in 59 Premier League matches , dropping just 20 of a possible 177 points during that run .
However , post-lockdown there were signs that an empty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Reds and possibly not as daunting for opponents .
Chelsea went toe to toe with them , Aston Villa were beaten but pushed the newly crowned champions hard , while Burnley snatched a point during the season 's delayed run-in .
Liverpool 's post-lockdown form in general was a noticeable drop-off on their untouchable efforts before the season 's suspension .
There are a number of possible reasons for this , not least of all a potential easing off the accelerator from a side that had just been crowned champions , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , even more so if they continue to affect the side in 2020-21 .
Yes , we 're going to discuss 'expected goals ' ( xG ) , which has developed into something of a red rag to fans , some of whom question the importance placed on it as a metric for analysing the game .
It certainly has its limitations , but equally it is also useful as a means of questioning the veracity of a result .
It 's important to note at this juncture that Liverpool 's Premier League @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Klopp 's side were far and away the best side in the division .
What xG shows , though , is that they potentially exceeded expectation , while some of the opponents - Manchester City in particular - underperformed on the metric .
Such an anomaly is not unusual .
Great sides are just so because of the elite finishing and defending that enables them to outperform their underlying statistics .
It could also be that Liverpool have things going on within their team that are beyond the capabilities of the xG @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does suggest that the gap between the Reds and their nearest rivals may not be as big as last season 's point totals would have us believe .
• None Comedians try to make sense of 2020 • None Go behind the scenes with West Ham Women

Jordan Henderson is the first Liverpool captain in three decades to lift the English top-flight trophy
It took Liverpool 30 long, painful years to win a 19th top-flight league title. They now face a tough eight-month examination to see if they can defend it.
There are a number of reasons why the Reds' attempt to win back-to-back Premier League crowns is fraught with difficulty.
BBC Sport picks through them...
One successful defence in a decade
Defending the Premier League title is hard.
BBC Sport did a whole piece on this very subject in August 2018, digging in to all the reasons why a side had not, until then, retained the top-flight trophy since 2009.
Manchester City would subsequently do just that in the following season, but the points contained in the article remain valid.
Defending champions have been regularly outspent in recent seasons, while investing poorly themselves. They have also experienced other sides stepping up to the challenge of facing the champions while they themselves lose an edge, and have struggled to successfully juggle European and domestic challenges.
Liverpool have done a pretty decent job of satisfying the demands of both the Champions League and Premier League of late, but have no recent experience of being the hunted in the latter.
It is also worth noting that then defending champions City outspent challengers Liverpool to a huge degree last summer. And Jurgen Klopp's side have been quiet again so far this off season...
Rivals strengthening while Reds stand still?
It is often said that you should strengthen from a position of power and Liverpool have never been as strong during the Premier League era as they are now.
The Reds could yet splash out on further talent, with this transfer window open until 5 October. But so far, their only bit of business is bringing in Kostas Tsimikas for £11.7m to provide cover and competition for Andy Robertson at left-back.
Having won the title by a whopping 18 points, Liverpool are fully entitled to place faith in their existing squad, of which only reserve goalkeeper Adrian and midfielders Jordan Henderson and James Milner are over 30. Their main rivals, though, are spending big to try to bridge the gap.
Manchester City, champions for the two seasons before Liverpool's win and runners-up to the Reds in 2019-20, have spent £60m already to address areas of weakness, bringing in centre-back Nathan Ake and winger Ferran Torres, as a replacement for the departed Leroy Sane.
Chelsea, fourth last season, aren't hanging around either.
They recruited winger Hakim Ziyech and forward Timo Werner for a combined fee in the region of £80m before last season was even finished, have since signed England left-back Ben Chilwell external-link , centre-backs Malang Sarr external-link and Thiago Silva external-link , and went even bigger with the £71m capture of highly-rated German striker Kai Havertz. Their overall outlay is expected to surpass £200m.
Manchester United have signed midfielder Donny van de Beek for £35m, and continue to chase England winger and the "best young player in the world" Jadon Sancho.
Klopp defends Liverpool's lack of transfer activity
Atmosphere-less Anfield
A full and vociferous Anfield is heralded as a particularly big advantage to Liverpool.
When asked recently about the boost a full home stadium gives his team, Klopp replied that "the influence and impact is much bigger external-link than I'd thought", while Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola said last year "it makes opponents feel small". external-link
Under Klopp, Liverpool have taken full advantage of their ground - they are unbeaten there in 59 Premier League matches, dropping just 20 of a possible 177 points during that run.
However, post-lockdown there were signs that an empty Anfield is less of a spur to the Reds and possibly not as daunting for opponents.
Chelsea went toe to toe with them, Aston Villa were beaten but pushed the newly crowned champions hard, while Burnley snatched a point during the season's delayed run-in.
Liverpool's post-lockdown form in general was a noticeable drop-off on their untouchable efforts before the season's suspension.
Liverpool picked up 1.89 points per game after lockdown, compared with 2.83 before
There are a number of possible reasons for this, not least of all a potential easing off the accelerator from a side that had just been crowned champions, but none of these will wash with Klopp, even more so if they continue to affect the side in 2020-21.
xG anomaly
Yes, we're going to discuss 'expected goals' (xG), which has developed into something of a red rag to fans, some of whom question the importance placed on it as a metric for analysing the game.
It certainly has its limitations, but equally it is also useful as a means of questioning the veracity of a result.
It's important to note at this juncture that Liverpool's Premier League title win last season was fully deserved. Klopp's side were far and away the best side in the division.
What xG shows, though, is that they potentially exceeded expectation, while some of the opponents - Manchester City in particular - underperformed on the metric.
Such an anomaly is not unusual. Great sides are just so because of the elite finishing and defending that enables them to outperform their underlying statistics. It could also be that Liverpool have things going on within their team that are beyond the capabilities of the xG model to capture.
However, xG does suggest that the gap between the Reds and their nearest rivals may not be as big as last season's point totals would have us believe.