skynewsus--2020-01-20--Sentenced to death for a murder he didn't commit - the true story behind gripping drama

Just Mercy : Sentenced to death for a murder he did n't commit - the true story behind gripping drama Just Mercy : Sentenced to death for a murder he did n't commit - the true story behind gripping drama Walter McMillian was sentenced to death after being wrongly convicted of murder in Alabama .
Pic : EJI In August 1988 , a black man named Walter McMillian , known as Johnny D , was sentenced to death for the murder of a white teenage girl in Monroeville , Alabama .
His trial lasted less than two days .
Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when Ronda Morrison was killed .
But it did n't matter .
He was found guilty - based on the false testimony of a criminal , and despite accounts from several black witnesses who could vouch for his whereabouts at the time of the murder - and sentenced to death by electrocution .
He returned to death row , having already served his time on bail there after his arrest a year earlier ; guilty until proven innocent .
The story is now being played out on the big screen in Just Mercy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michael B Jordan as Bryan Stevenson , the man who founded America 's Equal Justice Initiative ( EJI ) , and who fought for the truth to come out .
Raw and powerful , the film tells their stories : Stevenson a young black lawyer fresh out of Harvard , setting out to help death-row inmates and challenge the racial prejudice he too experiences ; McMillian a condemned man who has lost hope in the system he knows is weighted against him .
Stevenson 's fight for justice for McMillian provides the heart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but the film lays bare the horrifying fact that this tragic story is no one-off .
McMillian 's case is just one example of the systemic racial bias that ran rife through America 's justice system .
More than 30 years later , Stevenson is still fighting .
At a screening of the film set up in London by the UK 's Urban Lawyers charity , which works to improve diversity in the legal profession , he is speaking alongside Foxx and Jordan .
`` I do n't think we 've seen any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and guilt that gets assigned to black and brown people in America , '' he says .
`` If you have n't been to the States , you should know when you come to the States ; you can be a lawyer here in the UK , you can be a doctor , you can be an educator , but in the States , you 're going to be in situations where you 're going to have to navigate a presumption of dangerousness and guilt . ''
Stevenson gives an example from his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my suit and tie on and went into this courtroom , the first time I 've ever been in this courtroom .
I sat down at the defence counsel 's table and when the judge walked out and he saw me sitting there , he got angry .
He said , 'Hey , hey , hey , hey , you get back out there in the hallway .
I do n't want any defendants in my courtroom without their lawyer . '
`` I had to apologise .
I said , ' I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did n't introduce myself .
My name is Bryan Stevenson , I am the lawyer . '
And the judge started laughing and the prosecutor started laughing , and I made myself laugh because I did n't want to disadvantage my client - a young white kid I was representing .
`` Afterwards I was thinking , what is it when this judge saw a middle-aged black man in a suit and tie sitting at the defence counsel table [ that ] it did n't even occur to him , that 's the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presumption of dangerousness and guilt .
It is this narrative of racial inferiority , this ideology of white supremacy .
`` When you have to keep navigating all of that stuff , [ when ] you have to keep worrying about calming down other people because they are afraid of your blackness , it gets exhausting .
That 's the thing that has n't changed .
`` I think there 's still a lot of work to do .
We need an era of truth and justice in America .
I think you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Stevenson set up the EJI , a non-profit organisation based in Montgomery , Alabama , to provide legal representation to people who have been illegally convicted , unfairly sentenced or abused in state jails and prisons , and works to challenge the death penalty .
As well as racial injustice , Just Mercy highlights the monstrosity of capital punishment , innocent or not ; a scene involving one of McMillian 's fellow death row inmates , Herb Richardson , is one of the film 's many heart-breaking moments .
His is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nine people executed in the US , one person on death row has been exonerated , Stevenson says .
Twenty-nine states - more than half - still have the death penalty .
According to the Death Penalty Information Center , 167 people who might have been killed have been exonerated since 1973 .
`` We 've represented children prosecuted as adults , '' says Stevenson .
`` That 's another issue we 're dealing with that 's not in this film , but we 've got 13 states in America with no minimum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adult .
`` So I represent nine and 10-year-old kids who are looking at 50 and 60-year prison sentences in adult prisons .
I represent 13 and 14-year-old children who 've been sentenced to life imprisonment without parole .
I 've represented 14-year-olds sentenced to death by execution . ''
Stevenson says he was initially reluctant to see his story translated to the big screen , worried it might receive the Hollywood treatment to make it more entertaining .
But after meeting Jordan , Foxx and director Destin Daniel Cretton , he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see Jamie playing my client , you see the humanity and the dignity of people I 've been representing in jails and prisons for decades , '' he says .
`` When you see Michael perform , they 're real words . ''
Foxx , who won an Oscar for his portrayal of Ray Charles in Ray in 2005 , says for him , Just Mercy was personal ; he tells the story of how his own father was jailed .
`` My father , who was an educator for 25 years , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 25 worth of illegal substance , '' he says .
`` They put him in jail for seven years .
You know , this is a man who educated people in the city .
`` And so there he is in jail next to some of the kids that he actually mentored ...
I do n't like visiting jail .
I wrote a letter to my father , I said I 'm not gon na come see you , I do n't wan na see you like that because I see you as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Foxx 's father has lived with his famous Oscar-winning son .
`` I could tap into this story , not necessarily easily , but it 's close to home , '' Foxx says .
`` I do n't want to oversell it , but we 're trying to knock down that perception of what you see when you see a black man . ''
He goes on to tell what he calls his `` pheeew '' joke .
It goes like this : Jamie Foxx gets into a lift in a hotel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of his face .
A group of women , white , evidently scared , minimise themselves as far into one corner as they can go , until… '' Oh ! ''
he hears one of the women exclaim , the relief palpable .
`` It 's Jamie Foxx . ''
The actor mockingly wipes his brow .
`` Pheeew . ''
`` It 's a joke , '' he says , cutting through the laughter from the audience .
`` But at the same time , [ the women ] were really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ movie is so important . ''
Jordan , who rose to fame in films such as Creed and Black Panther , says he has been `` forever changed '' by being a part of Just Mercy .
`` I think we all have a certain perspective of what the criminal justice system is and the judicial system , based on the media , the news , what people tell you , but to actually see it through Bryan 's eyes - what could happen to you from a traffic stop all the way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the things that had to happen to get from point A to there - was truly incredible .
`` Once you see it , you ca n't unsee it .
So it 's forever changed me in a way that I 'm motivated and more driven to be a part of the solution , to be part of the change .
I 'm motivated to help try to tell more stories like this . ''
Issues such as racial injustice can seem insurmountable , Jordan acknowledges .
`` Sometimes this issue feels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what can I personally do to affect change ?
`` It 's paralysing , so people do nothing and they just watch and they tolerate what 's been going on .
I do n't think that 's the right perspective to have .
I want people to walk away [ from seeing Just Mercy ] feeling like they could be a part of change . ''
While injustice still exists , what has changed since McMillian 's case , says Stevenson , is that more people are aware of it , and working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawyers helping the EJI or filmmakers highlighting real-life stories .
`` I do n't think this kind of film would 've been made 20 years ago , '' he says .
`` I do n't think you could have got a major studio to put the kind of resources behind it that we 've seen here . ''
After the film opened in the US earlier in January , Stevenson says he was `` blown away '' to receive hundreds of emails `` from people whose loved ones are in jails and prisons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have some hope about what might happen to my loved one . '
'' He continues : `` We heard from a hundred lawyers who are actually going to come to Alabama , who have said [ they ] want to get involved in working on these cases .
We have so many people who are literally dying for legal assistance on our death row , we have hundreds of people who ca n't find lawyers .
And so that 's been really inspiring and encouraging , and if this film helps to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a really beautiful thing . ''
However , Stevenson says , `` we are still in this struggle '' .
`` We still have to recognise that if you have a system that treats you better if you 're rich and guilty than if you 're poor and innocent , that is not a system that can be defended . ''
Just Mercy is out in UK cinemas now

In August 1988, a black man named Walter McMillian, known as Johnny D, was sentenced to death for the murder of a white teenage girl in Monroeville, Alabama.
His trial lasted less than two days.
Mr McMillian was with his family miles away when Ronda Morrison was killed. But it didn't matter.
He was found guilty - based on the false testimony of a criminal, and despite accounts from several black witnesses who could vouch for his whereabouts at the time of the murder - and sentenced to death by electrocution.
Image: Jamie Foxx stars as death row inmate Walter McMillian in Just Mercy. Pic: Warner Bros Entertainment Inc
He returned to death row, having already served his time on bail there after his arrest a year earlier; guilty until proven innocent.
The story is now being played out on the big screen in Just Mercy, starring Jamie Foxx as McMillian and Michael B Jordan as Bryan Stevenson, the man who founded America's Equal Justice Initiative (EJI), and who fought for the truth to come out.
Raw and powerful, the film tells their stories: Stevenson a young black lawyer fresh out of Harvard, setting out to help death-row inmates and challenge the racial prejudice he too experiences; McMillian a condemned man who has lost hope in the system he knows is weighted against him.
Stevenson's fight for justice for McMillian provides the heart of the narrative to Just Mercy, but the film lays bare the horrifying fact that this tragic story is no one-off. McMillian's case is just one example of the systemic racial bias that ran rife through America's justice system.
More than 30 years later, Stevenson is still fighting.
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At a screening of the film set up in London by the UK's Urban Lawyers charity, which works to improve diversity in the legal profession, he is speaking alongside Foxx and Jordan.
Image: McMillian and EJI founder Bryan Stevenson, and below, played by Michael B Jordan and Jamie Foxx. Pic: EJI/ Warner Bros
"I don't think we've seen any change really on this presumption of dangerousness and guilt that gets assigned to black and brown people in America," he says.
"If you haven't been to the States, you should know when you come to the States; you can be a lawyer here in the UK, you can be a doctor, you can be an educator, but in the States, you're going to be in situations where you're going to have to navigate a presumption of dangerousness and guilt."
Stevenson gives an example from his time in court. "I had my suit and tie on and went into this courtroom, the first time I've ever been in this courtroom. I sat down at the defence counsel's table and when the judge walked out and he saw me sitting there, he got angry. He said, 'Hey, hey, hey, hey, you get back out there in the hallway. I don't want any defendants in my courtroom without their lawyer.'
"I had to apologise. I said, 'I'm sorry, your honour, I didn't introduce myself. My name is Bryan Stevenson, I am the lawyer.' And the judge started laughing and the prosecutor started laughing, and I made myself laugh because I didn't want to disadvantage my client - a young white kid I was representing.
"Afterwards I was thinking, what is it when this judge saw a middle-aged black man in a suit and tie sitting at the defence counsel table [that] it didn't even occur to him, that's the lawyer. What it is is this presumption of dangerousness and guilt. It is this narrative of racial inferiority, this ideology of white supremacy.
"When you have to keep navigating all of that stuff, [when] you have to keep worrying about calming down other people because they are afraid of your blackness, it gets exhausting. That's the thing that hasn't changed.
"I think there's still a lot of work to do. We need an era of truth and justice in America. I think you need it in the UK, too."
Image: Stevenson spoke about the film in the House of Lords ahead of its UK release
Image: Death row inmate Herbert Richardson (Rob Morgan) is in some of the most heartbreaking scenes in the film. Pic: Warner Bros Entertainment Inc
Stevenson set up the EJI, a non-profit organisation based in Montgomery, Alabama, to provide legal representation to people who have been illegally convicted, unfairly sentenced or abused in state jails and prisons, and works to challenge the death penalty.
As well as racial injustice, Just Mercy highlights the monstrosity of capital punishment, innocent or not; a scene involving one of McMillian's fellow death row inmates, Herb Richardson, is one of the film's many heart-breaking moments.
His is also a true story.
For every nine people executed in the US, one person on death row has been exonerated, Stevenson says. Twenty-nine states - more than half - still have the death penalty. According to the Death Penalty Information Center, 167 people who might have been killed have been exonerated since 1973.
"We've represented children prosecuted as adults," says Stevenson. "That's another issue we're dealing with that's not in this film, but we've got 13 states in America with no minimum age for trying a child as an adult.
"So I represent nine and 10-year-old kids who are looking at 50 and 60-year prison sentences in adult prisons. I represent 13 and 14-year-old children who've been sentenced to life imprisonment without parole. I've represented 14-year-olds sentenced to death by execution."
YouTube YouTube , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable YouTube cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to YouTube cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow YouTube cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
Stevenson says he was initially reluctant to see his story translated to the big screen, worried it might receive the Hollywood treatment to make it more entertaining. But after meeting Jordan, Foxx and director Destin Daniel Cretton, he was satisfied they cared.
"When you see Jamie playing my client, you see the humanity and the dignity of people I've been representing in jails and prisons for decades," he says. "When you see Michael perform, they're real words."
Foxx, who won an Oscar for his portrayal of Ray Charles in Ray in 2005, says for him, Just Mercy was personal; he tells the story of how his own father was jailed.
"My father, who was an educator for 25 years, they put him in jail for $25 worth of illegal substance," he says. "They put him in jail for seven years. You know, this is a man who educated people in the city.
"And so there he is in jail next to some of the kids that he actually mentored... I don't like visiting jail. I wrote a letter to my father, I said I'm not gonna come see you, I don't wanna see you like that because I see you as a king."
Since his release, Foxx's father has lived with his famous Oscar-winning son.
"I could tap into this story, not necessarily easily, but it's close to home," Foxx says. "I don't want to oversell it, but we're trying to knock down that perception of what you see when you see a black man."
Image: Brie Larson stars alongside Jordan as EJI co-founder Eva Ansley. Pic: Warner Bros Entertainment Inc
Image: Jordan says he wants people to see Just Mercy 'and feel like they could be a part of change'. Pic: Warner Bros Entertainment Inc
He goes on to tell what he calls his "pheeew" joke.
It goes like this: Jamie Foxx gets into a lift in a hotel in Chicago, hoodie on, covering part of his face. A group of women, white, evidently scared, minimise themselves as far into one corner as they can go, until…
"Oh!" he hears one of the women exclaim, the relief palpable. "It's Jamie Foxx." The actor mockingly wipes his brow. "Pheeew."
"It's a joke," he says, cutting through the laughter from the audience. "But at the same time, [the women] were really frightened. And that's why this movie is so important."
Jordan, who rose to fame in films such as Creed and Black Panther, says he has been "forever changed" by being a part of Just Mercy.
"I think we all have a certain perspective of what the criminal justice system is and the judicial system, based on the media, the news, what people tell you, but to actually see it through Bryan's eyes - what could happen to you from a traffic stop all the way to death row to the electric chair, the things that had to happen to get from point A to there - was truly incredible.
"Once you see it, you can't unsee it. So it's forever changed me in a way that I'm motivated and more driven to be a part of the solution, to be part of the change. I'm motivated to help try to tell more stories like this."
Issues such as racial injustice can seem insurmountable, Jordan acknowledges.
"Sometimes this issue feels so big that individuals feel like, what can I personally do to affect change?
"It's paralysing, so people do nothing and they just watch and they tolerate what's been going on. I don't think that's the right perspective to have. I want people to walk away [from seeing Just Mercy] feeling like they could be a part of change."
While injustice still exists, what has changed since McMillian's case, says Stevenson, is that more people are aware of it, and working to fight it, whether that be lawyers helping the EJI or filmmakers highlighting real-life stories.
"I don't think this kind of film would've been made 20 years ago," he says. "I don't think you could have got a major studio to put the kind of resources behind it that we've seen here."
After the film opened in the US earlier in January, Stevenson says he was "blown away" to receive hundreds of emails "from people whose loved ones are in jails and prisons who are now saying, 'I have some hope about what might happen to my loved one.'"
Image: Rafe Spall plays district attorney Tommy Chapman, the man who wants to keep McMillian locked up. Pic: Warner Bros Entertainment Inc
He continues: "We heard from a hundred lawyers who are actually going to come to Alabama, who have said [they] want to get involved in working on these cases. We have so many people who are literally dying for legal assistance on our death row, we have hundreds of people who can't find lawyers. And so that's been really inspiring and encouraging, and if this film helps to create that kind of activity it'll be a really beautiful thing."
However, Stevenson says, "we are still in this struggle".
"We still have to recognise that if you have a system that treats you better if you're rich and guilty than if you're poor and innocent, that is not a system that can be defended."
Just Mercy is available to watch on Sky Cinema and NOW TV as part of their programme of shows and films celebrating black talent, culture and history throughout Black History Month


skynewsus--2020-01-23--Frozen iguanas fall from trees as temperatures drop in Florida

Frozen iguanas fall from trees as temperatures drop in Florida Frozen iguanas fall from trees as temperatures drop in Florida The National Weather Service in Miami issued a 'falling iguanas ' alert on Tuesday Frozen iguanas have been falling from trees in Florida after plunging temperatures caused them to stiffen-up and lose their grip on branches .
The cold-blooded lizards slow down or become immobile when temperatures drop to 4C ( 40F ) .
The National Weather Service ( NWS ) in Miami posted a warning about the falling creatures on Tuesday .
NWS wrote on Twitter : `` This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but do n't be surprised if you see iguanas falling from trees tonight as lows drop into the 30s and 40s .
Brrrr ! ''
The service added in a graphic with the post : `` They may fall from trees , but they are not dead . ''
The Bone Lee hot sauce company shared a video of one its employees picking up a frozen iguana on Wednesday .
The employee says in the video : `` Hey , you OK ?
You do n't look very good .
The man them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Elina Shirazi , a multimedia producer at Fox News , posted an image of two frozen iguanas that had fallen from a tree .
She wrote : `` Yesterday , there was news no one believed ... iguanas falling out of the sky due to cold temperatures .
`` Here is a video sent by my friends at Redline Iguana Removal . ''
Frank Guzman , a bureau chief for the news channel WSVN-TV in Florida , shared a video of a frozen iguana gradually becoming animated again before walking off .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ see everywhere will eventually wake up and scurry off .
Here 's one outside our Broward Buerau doing just that . ''
Another Twitter user , named VC , posted images of different frozen iguanas lying in the road .
He wrote : `` Iguanas dropping like flies at Arch Creek Park in North Miami .
Currently 47 degrees . ''

Frozen iguanas have been falling from trees in Florida after plunging temperatures caused them to stiffen-up and lose their grip on branches.
The cold-blooded lizards slow down or become immobile when temperatures drop to 4C (40F).
The National Weather Service (NWS) in Miami posted a warning about the falling creatures on Tuesday.
NWS wrote on Twitter: "This isn't something we usually forecast, but don't be surprised if you see iguanas falling from trees tonight as lows drop into the 30s and 40s. Brrrr!"
The service added in a graphic with the post: "They may fall from trees, but they are not dead."
Image: This frozen iguana was pictured lying on a pavement in Florida
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The Bone Lee hot sauce company shared a video of one its employees picking up a frozen iguana on Wednesday.
The employee says in the video: "Hey, you OK? You don't look very good.
"Oh yeah he's still alive."
The man them moves the lizard to a warmer spot.
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Elina Shirazi, a multimedia producer at Fox News, posted an image of two frozen iguanas that had fallen from a tree.
She wrote: "Yesterday, there was news no one believed... iguanas falling out of the sky due to cold temperatures.
"Here is a video sent by my friends at Redline Iguana Removal."
Twitter Twitter , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Twitter cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Twitter cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Twitter cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
Frank Guzman, a bureau chief for the news channel WSVN-TV in Florida, shared a video of a frozen iguana gradually becoming animated again before walking off.
He wrote: "Those iguanas you see everywhere will eventually wake up and scurry off. Here's one outside our Broward Buerau doing just that."
Another Twitter user, named VC, posted images of different frozen iguanas lying in the road.
He wrote: "Iguanas dropping like flies at Arch Creek Park in North Miami. Currently 47 degrees."


skynewsus--2020-01-23--Senators given fidget spinners during Trump impeachment trial

Trump impeachment trial : Restless senators seen with fidget spinners during hearing Trump impeachment trial : Restless senators seen with fidget spinners during hearing Each side in Donald Trump 's impeachment trial has up to three days to present its case It was billed as the `` trial of the century '' before Donald Trump 's impeachment proceedings began in the Senate this week .
But it appears some of the senators who will decide the US president 's fate have needed help to remain focused during the hearings .
Republican senator Richard Burr was spotted handing out fidget spinners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chamber before Thursday 's proceedings got under way , according to NBC News .
The small toys have been increasingly popular in recent years and are often promoted as a way to reduce anxiety and help users focus .
`` I saw somebody grab up a few of them , so they must have some real anxiety going along with this , '' said Republican senator Mike Braun .
The presence of the toys could be seen as a sign of some Republicans ' disdain for the Democratic presentation of their case against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a violation of Senate rules which state that senators must sit silently and listen to arguments during an impeachment trial .
Mr Burr was seen playing with a blue fidget spinner while listening to arguments by Democratic congressman Jerrold Nadler , NBC News reported .
Republican senators Tom Cotton and Pat Toomey were also spotted with fidget spinners on their desks , although neither were seen playing with the toys .
Other senators kept busy in different ways .
Republican Rand Paul appeared to be either drawing or tracing a sketch of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Blackburn was seen reading a book and underlining a passage in it , NBC News said .
However , it would not be the first time during the first days of the trial that senators appeared to break those rules .
During Wednesday 's proceedings , some senators milled around during arguments by Democrat Adam Schiff .
Mr Paul was also reportedly spotted with a hidden crossword puzzle in his papers .
There also appeared to be a Sudoku game on the page .
Others , however , paid close attention and took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump 's impeachment trial has up to three days to present its case .
After prosecutors finish their case - which is likely to be on Friday - the president 's lawyers will have as much as 24 hours to present their arguments .
The Senate is expected to take only Sunday off , pushing the impeachment trial into next week .

It was billed as the "trial of the century" before Donald Trump's impeachment proceedings began in the Senate this week.
But it appears some of the senators who will decide the US president's fate have needed help to remain focused during the hearings.
Republican senator Richard Burr was spotted handing out fidget spinners to several of his colleagues in the chamber before Thursday's proceedings got under way, according to NBC News.
The small toys have been increasingly popular in recent years and are often promoted as a way to reduce anxiety and help users focus.
Image: Each side in Donald Trump's impeachment trial has up to three days to present its case
"I saw somebody grab up a few of them, so they must have some real anxiety going along with this," said Republican senator Mike Braun.
The presence of the toys could be seen as a sign of some Republicans' disdain for the Democratic presentation of their case against Mr Trump.
Image: Fidget spinners are often promoted as a way to reduce anxiety. File pic
They may also be a violation of Senate rules which state that senators must sit silently and listen to arguments during an impeachment trial.
Mr Burr was seen playing with a blue fidget spinner while listening to arguments by Democratic congressman Jerrold Nadler, NBC News reported.
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Republican senators Tom Cotton and Pat Toomey were also spotted with fidget spinners on their desks, although neither were seen playing with the toys.
Image: The spinners were handed out to senators
Other senators kept busy in different ways.
Republican Rand Paul appeared to be either drawing or tracing a sketch of the US Capitol building, while senator Marsha Blackburn was seen reading a book and underlining a passage in it, NBC News said.
Image: Richard Burr reportedly handed out the fidget spinners to senators
However, it would not be the first time during the first days of the trial that senators appeared to break those rules.
During Wednesday's proceedings, some senators milled around during arguments by Democrat Adam Schiff.
Mr Paul was also reportedly spotted with a hidden crossword puzzle in his papers. There also appeared to be a Sudoku game on the page.
Others, however, paid close attention and took careful notes.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:08 This is how impeachment works
Each side in Mr Trump's impeachment trial has up to three days to present its case.
After prosecutors finish their case - which is likely to be on Friday - the president's lawyers will have as much as 24 hours to present their arguments.
The Senate is expected to take only Sunday off, pushing the impeachment trial into next week.


skynewsus--2020-01-23--Sopranos actress tells court of day Weinstein raped her in her own home

An actress has told a court she felt like she had a seizure as Harvey Weinstein raped her after barging into her apartment and pinning her to the bed .
Annabella Sciorra , best known for playing Gloria Trillo in The Sopranos , went face to face with Weinstein at his trial in New York .
The alleged attack happened in the early 1990s and Sciorra told the court : `` I was punching him .
I was kicking him .
I was just trying to get him off of me . ''
She said the film producer overpowered her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over her head .
`` I did n't have very much fight left inside me , '' she testified .
`` My body shut down .
It was just so disgusting that my body started to shake in a way that was very unusual .
`` I did n't even know what was happening .
It was like a seizure or something . ''
Sciorra , 59 , is the first of Weinstein 's accusers to testify at the trial .
She only went public with the allegations in 2017 after keeping it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 20 years .
She told the court that when she confronted Weinstein about a month after the alleged rape , he replied : `` That 's what all the nice Catholic girls say , '' before leaning in and warning : `` This remains between you and I . ''
Weinstein denies all the charges and says all sexual contact with his accusers was consensual .
Prosecutor Meghan Hast also told the jury on Thursday that Weinstein tormented Sciorra for several years after the alleged attack in late 1993 or early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an incident at the Cannes film festival in 1997 when he allegedly showed up at her hotel door in his underwear with some baby oil .
Sciorra did not contact police because she feared reappraisals from the Hollywood mogul , the court was told .
Weinstein 's lawyer , Damon Cheronis , said in his opening statement that he would robustly challenge the actress 's version of events .
He told the jury that Sciorra had once told a friend the encounter was consensual - that she 'd done `` a crazy thing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` She did n't describe it as rape because it was n't , '' Mr Cheronis said .
Since 2017 , more than 80 women , including several famous actresses , have accused Weinstein of sexual misconduct dating back decades - although his New York trial involves only two allegations .
Sciorra 's claim is too old to be charged as a separate crime .
However , prosecutors hope it will sway the jury considering the two charges - that he forcibly performed oral sex on a production assistant in his apartment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actress in a Manhattan hotel in 2013 .
Once the New York trial is over , Weinstein faces additional rape and sexual assault charges in Los Angeles which were filed earlier this month .
If convicted , he could face life in jail .

An actress has told a court she felt like she had a seizure as Harvey Weinstein raped her after barging into her apartment and pinning her to the bed.
Annabella Sciorra, best known for playing Gloria Trillo in The Sopranos, went face to face with Weinstein at his trial in New York.
The alleged attack happened in the early 1990s and Sciorra told the court: "I was punching him. I was kicking him. I was just trying to get him off of me."
She said the film producer overpowered her, grabbed her hands and held them over her head.
"I didn't have very much fight left inside me," she testified.
"My body shut down. It was just so disgusting that my body started to shake in a way that was very unusual.
"I didn't even know what was happening. It was like a seizure or something."
Image: Harvey Weinstein, who denies the charges, was helped into the New York court
Sciorra, 59, is the first of Weinstein's accusers to testify at the trial.
She only went public with the allegations in 2017 after keeping it between herself and a few others for more than 20 years.
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She told the court that when she confronted Weinstein about a month after the alleged rape, he replied: "That's what all the nice Catholic girls say," before leaning in and warning: "This remains between you and I."
Weinstein denies all the charges and says all sexual contact with his accusers was consensual.
Prosecutor Meghan Hast also told the jury on Thursday that Weinstein tormented Sciorra for several years after the alleged attack in late 1993 or early 1994.
She said it culminated in an incident at the Cannes film festival in 1997 when he allegedly showed up at her hotel door in his underwear with some baby oil.
Sciorra did not contact police because she feared reprisals from the Hollywood mogul, the court was told.
Weinstein's lawyer, Damon Cheronis, said in his opening statement that he would robustly challenge the actress's version of events.
He told the jury that Sciorra had once told a friend the encounter was consensual - that she'd done "a crazy thing and had sex with Harvey Weinstein".
"She didn't describe it as rape because it wasn't," Mr Cheronis said.
Since 2017, more than 80 women, including several famous actresses, have accused Weinstein of sexual misconduct dating back decades - although his New York trial involves only two allegations.
Sciorra's claim is too old to be charged as a separate crime.
However, prosecutors hope it will sway the jury considering the two charges - that he forcibly performed oral sex on a production assistant in his apartment in 2006, and raped an aspiring actress in a Manhattan hotel in 2013.
Once the New York trial is over, Weinstein faces additional rape and sexual assault charges in Los Angeles which were filed earlier this month.
If convicted, he could face life in jail.


skynewsus--2020-01-23--Reporters camp out to get inside courtroom for Weinstein trial

It 's 6.30am and the temperature outside the New York Criminal Court is -2C .
Around 60 reporters are in a line , trying to make sure they get a seat inside the courtroom on the 15th floor , where Harvey Weinstein is on trial for rape and sexual assault .
Some have been here since 4am .
The doors of the court building open at 8am .
We shuffle our way forward , waiting for security to scan our bags and equipment .
Then it 's a dash for the elevators and a race to make sure you 're @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lift stops at an earlier floor .
Another queue forms outside courtroom 99 .
You try to count where you are in the line but ca n't quite see the start of the queue to be absolutely sure .
Eventually you get to the door and a piece of paper is handed to you by a court officer .
Mine says number 58 .
There are spaces for 70 .
But you ca n't relax once inside .
Someone sitting behind me made the mistake of sending a text message on her phone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Phones are banned .
In British courts , tweeting is now accepted practice during trials and inquests ; but not in New York .
She was ordered to stand up and step outside .
She tried offering mitigation but summary justice was delivered .
She was banned from the court .
Her long wait to get in had been a waste of time .
Later , as the trial is under way , I can hear a phone vibrating somewhere .
A police officer hears it too , but it stops before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coming from .
Someone has had a lucky escape .
Harvey Weinstein shuffles into court breathing heavily and supported by two of his defence team .
He 's not using the new walking frame which an aide has brought for him .
He takes his place at the front of the court and waits for the judge and jury to enter .
The witness giving evidence is Annabella Sciorra .
She walks slowly , purposefully , maybe even confidently to the witness stand .
Early in her evidence she is asked to identify @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so , pointing at him .
Occasionally her words are drowned out by the sound of sirens from the streets below .
Being New York , this happens a lot .
But she answers the questions from the assistant District Attorney and even smiles and laughs occasionally .
But the tears come too as she tells her story of how Harvey Weinstein raped her .
It 's a graphic account .
As I leave the courtroom , two women who also accuse the movie producer of sexual assault are sitting outside in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ become available inside .
But they do n't want to see and hear the spectacle of a dramatic court case like the rest of us do .
They simply want to support their friend Annabella .

It's 6.30am and the temperature outside the New York Criminal Court is -2C.
Around 60 reporters are in a line, trying to make sure they get a seat inside the courtroom on the 15th floor, where Harvey Weinstein is on trial for rape and sexual assault.
Some have been here since 4am. The doors of the court building open at 8am.
Image: Harvey Weinstein is on trial facing charges of sexual misconduct
We shuffle our way forward, waiting for security to scan our bags and equipment. Then it's a dash for the elevators and a race to make sure you're not overtaken by anyone else if your lift stops at an earlier floor.
Another queue forms outside courtroom 99. You try to count where you are in the line but can't quite see the start of the queue to be absolutely sure.
Eventually you get to the door and a piece of paper is handed to you by a court officer. Mine says number 58. There are spaces for 70.
But you can't relax once inside. Someone sitting behind me made the mistake of sending a text message on her phone to a friend. She was spotted. Phones are banned. In British courts, tweeting is now accepted practice during trials and inquests; but not in New York.
She was ordered to stand up and step outside. She tried offering mitigation but summary justice was delivered. She was banned from the court. Her long wait to get in had been a waste of time.
Later, as the trial is under way, I can hear a phone vibrating somewhere. A police officer hears it too, but it stops before he can work out where it's coming from. Someone has had a lucky escape.
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Harvey Weinstein shuffles into court breathing heavily and supported by two of his defence team.
He's not using the new walking frame which an aide has brought for him. He takes his place at the front of the court and waits for the judge and jury to enter.
The witness giving evidence is Annabella Sciorra. She walks slowly, purposefully, maybe even confidently to the witness stand. Early in her evidence she is asked to identify the defendant and stands up to do so, pointing at him.
Image: Actress Annabella Sciorra arrives in Manhattan Criminal Court
Occasionally her words are drowned out by the sound of sirens from the streets below. Being New York, this happens a lot. But she answers the questions from the assistant District Attorney and even smiles and laughs occasionally.
But the tears come too as she tells her story of how Harvey Weinstein raped her. It's a graphic account.
As I leave the courtroom, two women who also accuse the movie producer of sexual assault are sitting outside in the corridor, waiting for spare seats to become available inside.
But they don't want to see and hear the spectacle of a dramatic court case like the rest of us do. They simply want to support their friend Annabella.


skynewsus--2020-01-23--US denies extradition request for Harry Dunn suspect

Anne Sacoolas claimed diplomatic immunity and left for the US The US has turned down an extradition request for the woman charged over the death of Harry Dunn , a family spokesman says .
Radd Seiger said their constituency MP Andrea Leadsom informed them of the news that the extradition request for Anne Sacoolas had been denied .
A Home Office spokesperson said : `` We are disappointed in this decision which appears to be a denial of justice .
We are urgently considering our options . ''
Ms Leadsom is due to meet the US ambassador Woody Johnson in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Mr Seiger said the family were taking time to process the news and would be reacting fully on Friday morning .
He told Sky News that Ms Leadsom called him up to deliver the news on Thursday night .
He said : `` She told me an email had dropped in to the government this evening from secretary Pompeo declining the extradition request .
`` It was not a surprise and there was no reason given '' .
Mr Seiger continued : `` This changes absolutely nothing , we completely factored in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knew it was coming all along .
Secretary Pompeo made his position clear right from the start that she was never going back . ''
Mr Dunn 's family have said they are `` not surprised '' and had `` expected this all along '' , according to Sky News correspondent Lisa Dowd .
The teenager died in a head-on crash with a car on 27 August last year near to RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire .
The driver of the car , Ms Sacoolas , claimed diplomatic immunity and returned to the US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ died .
Boris Johnson has previously described the chances of the US handing over Anne Sacoolas as `` very low '' .
Mr Dunn 's family have said they would react fully to the news on Friday morning , but said `` the fight goes on '' for justice for their son .
It comes after the commander of a US military base , Colonel Bridget McNamara of RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire , said all staff must take a `` driver safety course '' and pass a written exam based on UK driving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ revealed that diplomatic cars were driven on the wrong side of the road in two separate incidents near the base .
Footage has emerged of one of the incidents , showing a blue BMW involved in a near-miss .
The base , which is used as a communications station for the US Air Force , has come under scrutiny since Mr Dunn 's death .
In reaction to the statement from Col McNamara , Mr Dunn 's family said it was the first time they had heard from the colonel for five months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had a `` blatant disregard for the safety of the community '' and said their statement was `` the opposite of the truth '' .

Harry Dunn's mother has told Sky News they were "prepared" for the US to turn down an extradition request for the woman charged over the 19-year-old's death.
Charlotte Charles said the denial by the US State Department to extradite Anna Sacoolas was a "blow" but one that she and Mr Dunn's father Tim Dunn expected.
"We've just got to carry on fighting and we will get there in the end," she told Sky News correspondent Lisa Dowd.
"We'd prepared ourselves for this. We've just got to carry on fighting and we will get there in the end.
"It doesn't matter when, whether it's this administration or the next. The extradition request is always going to be over Anna Sacoolas's head, and we're never going to give up."
Mr Dunn died in a head-on crash with a car on 27 August last year near to RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire.
The driver of the car, Mrs Sacoolas, claimed diplomatic immunity and returned to the US, where she has been since Harry died. Her husband is thought to be a US intelligence officer.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said: "I called the US Ambassador earlier to express the Government's disappointment about this decision. We feel this amounts to a denial of justice, and we believe Anne Sacoolas should return to the UK.
Image: Mrs Sacoolas was charged with causing Harry's death by dangerous driving by the CPS
"We are now urgently considering our options. I also explained that the UK would have acted differently if this had been a UK diplomat serving in the US."
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A State Department spokesperson said: "At the time the accident occurred, and for the duration of her stay in the UK, the US citizen driver in this case had immunity from criminal jurisdiction.
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"If the United States were to grant the UK's extradition request, it would render the invocation of diplomatic immunity a practical nullity and would set an extraordinarily troubling precedent.
"The United States has a history of close law enforcement cooperation with the United Kingdom, and we value that relationship.
"The United States government again expresses its sincere condolences and sympathy to the Dunn family for the loss of their son."
Mrs Sacoolas, 42, was charged with causing his death by dangerous driving, by the Crown Prosecution Service in December.
Lawyers acting on behalf of the Dunn family have said it is the first time in the 100-year history of the extradition treaty that such a request had been turned down by the US.
However, Boris Johnson has previously described the chances of America handing over Mrs Sacoolas as "very low".
Spokesman for the Dunns, Radd Seiger, said the family's constituency MP Andrea Leadsom had called him on Thursday evening to inform him of Mr Pompeo's decision.
Image: Boris Johnson said the chances of the US handing over Mrs Sacoolas were 'very low'
He told Sky News: "She told me an email had dropped in to the government this evening from Secretary Pompeo declining the extradition request.
"It was not a surprise and there was no reason given."
Mr Seiger continued: "This changes absolutely nothing, we completely factored in this development into our planning - we knew it was coming all along. Secretary Pompeo made his position clear right from the start that she was never going back."
Ms Leadsom is due to meet the US ambassador Woody Johnson in London on Friday to discuss the case.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:35 'Diplomatic cars' seen on wrong side of road
The decision comes after the commander of a US military base, Colonel Bridget McNamara of RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire, said all staff must take a "driver safety course" and pass a written exam based on UK driving laws.
At the weekend, police revealed that diplomatic cars were driven on the wrong side of the road in two separate incidents near the base.
Footage has emerged of one of the incidents, showing a blue BMW involved in a near-miss.
The base, which is used as a communications station for the US Air Force, has come under scrutiny since Mr Dunn's death.
In reaction to the statement from Col McNamara, Mr Dunn's family said it was the first time they had heard from the colonel for five months.
Mr Seiger said the base had a "blatant disregard for the safety of the community" and said their statement was "the opposite of the truth".


skynewsus--2020-01-23--US drugs company boss jailed for bribing doctors to prescribe fentanyl

Kapoor is the highest-ranking exec to be sentenced in a case linked to the opioid crisis The founder of a multi-billion dollar US drugs company has been jailed over a bribery and fraud scandal that is said to have been instrumental in the country 's opioid crisis .
John Kapoor , who is the former chairman of Insys Therapeutics , was convicted last year of bribing doctors to prescribe the company 's highly addictive fentanyl spray to patients .
He had personally approved the bribes and had overseen financial incentives to sales reps to make sure the highest doses were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court documents .
Prosecutors also say the company defrauded insurers into paying for the drug , which costs as much as $ 19,000 ( £14,500 ) a month .
The 73-year-old , who was ordered to pay a $ 250,000 ( £190,500 ) fine along with his sentence , is now the highest-ranking pharmaceutical boss to be sentenced in a case attributed to the opioid crisis .
The crisis has resulted in the deaths of around 400,000 people between 1999 and 2017 .
During the 10-week trial last May , extreme tactics for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case in which a sales representative gave a lap dance to a doctor the company was trying to persuade .
Bribes were also paid as fees that were said to be for bogus public speaking events touted as educational opportunities for other doctors .
Kapoor 's lawyers had argued that other executives were responsible and that he had been wrongly portrayed .
But prosecutors said the Indian-born executive had run the company `` without a moral compass , without any concern that his strategies would harm people '' .
Kapoor later addressed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He said : `` I am heartbroken by the words of the patients .
I sincerely apologise to them . ''
His sentence is expected to be the heaviest in comparison to others who have been convicted for their roles in the same scheme .
On Wednesday , the company 's former chief executive Michael Babich , 43 , was sentenced to two and a half years in prison .
Insys , which reached a $ 250m ( £171m ) settlement with the US Justice Department after the trial , has since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its assets total $ 175m ( £133m ) only .

The founder of a multi-billion dollar US drugs company has been jailed over a bribery and fraud scandal that is said to have been instrumental in the country's opioid crisis.
John Kapoor, who is the former chairman of Insys Therapeutics, was convicted last year of bribing doctors to prescribe the company's highly addictive fentanyl spray to patients.
He had personally approved the bribes and had overseen financial incentives to sales reps to make sure the highest doses were prescribed, according to prosecutors in recent court documents.
Prosecutors also say the company defrauded insurers into paying for the drug, which costs as much as $19,000 (£14,500) a month.
The 73-year-old, who was ordered to pay a $250,000 (£190,500) fine along with his sentence, is now the highest-ranking pharmaceutical boss to be sentenced in a case attributed to the opioid crisis.
The crisis has resulted in the deaths of around 400,000 people between 1999 and 2017.
During the 10-week trial last May, extreme tactics for the bribes were revealed, including one case in which a sales representative gave a lap dance to a doctor the company was trying to persuade.
Bribes were also paid as fees that were said to be for bogus public speaking events touted as educational opportunities for other doctors.
Kapoor's lawyers had argued that other executives were responsible and that he had been wrongly portrayed.
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But prosecutors said the Indian-born executive had run the company "without a moral compass, without any concern that his strategies would harm people".
Kapoor later addressed the victims in the courtroom with an apology.
He said: "I am heartbroken by the words of the patients. I sincerely apologise to them."
His sentence is expected to be the heaviest in comparison to others who have been convicted for their roles in the same scheme.
On Wednesday, the company's former chief executive Michael Babich, 43, was sentenced to two and a half years in prison.
Insys, which reached a $250m (£171m) settlement with the US Justice Department after the trial, has since filed for bankruptcy protection.
It maintains its assets total $175m (£133m) only.


skynewsus--2020-01-24--US crew killed in air tanker crash while battling fires named

( L-R ) Captain Ian H. McBeth , First Officer Paul Clyde Hudson and Flight Engineer Rick A. DeMorgan Jr. , died battling bushfires in Australia Three US firefighters who died when their air tanker plane crashed in a `` fireball '' while battling bushfires in southeastern Australia have been named .
Captain Ian McBeth , 45 ; first officer Paul Clyde Hudson , 43 , and flight engineer Rick A DeMorgan Jr , 44 , were killed in New South Wales , their employer said .
The cause of the crash is not known .
The crew - who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military - were killed when the C-130 Hercules they were in went down near Peak View , in Australia 's alpine region , close to a bushfire burning out of control in the Wadbilliga National Park .
`` We honour the amazing crews who do incredible things in dangerous circumstances supported by world-class operations , '' aircraft owner Coulson Aviation said in a statement .
The firm grounded its other large air tankers immediately after the crash on Thursday but said they would be returning to work `` in the very near future @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Services Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said it was too early to speculate on the cause of the crash .
`` We simply do n't know the circumstances pertaining to the accident at this stage , '' he said .
`` Appropriate , formal investigations and inquiries are underway . ''
He said field reports showed there had been a `` pretty significant fireball associated with the plane crash '' .
The air tanker dropped fire retardant shortly before the fatal accident , Australian Transport Safety Bureau ( ATSB ) said on Friday .
ATSB @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was too early to speculate on what caused the aircraft to come down .
Air tankers typically carry 15,000 litres of water or fire retardant to release over blazes in areas that ground crews find hard to reach .
The aircraft went into a valley to drop the retardant and did not come out .
The Rural Fire Service said it lost contact with the aircraft , which took off from Richmond RAAF base at 1pm , and disappeared from the flight radar just after 2pm , and the flight tracker stopped .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fires began , which have ravaged more than 10.4 million hectares ( 25.7 million acres ) .
At least 2,600 homes have been destroyed and an estimated one billion animals have also perished .

Three US firefighters who died when their air tanker plane crashed in a "fireball" while battling bushfires in southeastern Australia have been named.
Captain Ian McBeth, 45; first officer Paul Clyde Hudson, 43, and flight engineer Rick A DeMorgan Jr, 44, were killed in New South Wales, their employer said.
The cause of the crash is not known.
Image: Coulson Aviation grounded its other large air tankers immediately after the crash. File pic
The crew - who had all previously worked for the US military - were killed when the C-130 Hercules they were in went down near Peak View, in Australia's alpine region, close to a bushfire burning out of control in the Wadbilliga National Park.
"We honour the amazing crews who do incredible things in dangerous circumstances supported by world-class operations," aircraft owner Coulson Aviation said in a statement.
The firm grounded its other large air tankers immediately after the crash on Thursday but said they would be returning to work "in the very near future".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:38 Heavy rains bring relief to Australia
New South Wales Rural Fire Services Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said it was too early to speculate on the cause of the crash.
"We simply don't know the circumstances pertaining to the accident at this stage," he said. "Appropriate, formal investigations and inquiries are underway."
He said field reports showed there had been a "pretty significant fireball associated with the plane crash".
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Image: A 3D visualisation of the fires in Australia. Pic: Anthony Hearsey
The air tanker dropped fire retardant shortly before the fatal accident, Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) said on Friday.
ATSB chief commissioner Greg Hood also said it was too early to speculate on what caused the aircraft to come down.
Air tankers typically carry 15,000 litres of water or fire retardant to release over blazes in areas that ground crews find hard to reach.
The aircraft went into a valley to drop the retardant and did not come out.
The Rural Fire Service said it lost contact with the aircraft, which took off from Richmond RAAF base at 1pm, and disappeared from the flight radar just after 2pm, and the flight tracker stopped.
Thirty two people have been killed since the fires began, which have ravaged more than 10.4 million hectares (25.7 million acres).
At least 2,600 homes have been destroyed and an estimated one billion animals have also perished.


skynewsus--2020-01-24--Images triggered me to 'starve': Taylor Swift opens up about eating disorder

Swift has spoken candidly about punishing and rewarding herself with food Taylor Swift has revealed she previously struggled with an eating disorder , and would sometimes `` starve '' herself if she thought she looked too fat .
The Shake It Off singer says comments about her body , including one particularly cutting headline that described her as looking `` pregnant '' , led her to stop eating .
She told Variety magazine she 's still uncomfortable talking about it - but that it 's handled well by the director of her new Netflix documentary , which premiered at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americana promises a `` raw and emotionally revealing '' look at Swift 's rise to pop stardom , which she has described as taking `` the masking tape off my mouth , like , forever '' .
In a particularly candid part of the film , Swift describes how her `` unhealthy '' relationship with food led her to view feedback on her figure as either a `` punishment '' or `` reward '' .
She explains : `` If I was given a pat on the head , I registered that as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ punishment , I registered that as bad .
`` I remember how , when I was 18 , that was the first time I was on the cover of a magazine .
`` And the headline was like 'Pregnant at 18 ? '
And it was because I had worn something that made my lower stomach look not flat .
So I just registered that as a punishment . ''
She says she saw praise over fitting into tiny sample sizes during photoshoots as a positive , so did her best to accommodate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pictures of herself every day was bad for her , she said there were times in the past when certain images would `` just trigger me to just starve a little bit - just stop eating '' .
Swifts dramatic weight loss between 2014 and 2018 is illustrated with photos in the film , comparing her 1989 album shots with pictures from her Reputation tour .
She says that at the time she was cutting out food to stay skinny .
`` I thought that I was supposed to feel like I was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a show , or in the middle of it , '' she added .
`` Now I realise , no , if you eat food , have energy , get stronger , you can do all these shows and not feel ( drained ) . ''
: : Listen to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Swift says now , at 30 , she 's finally come to terms with her weight , accepting that she 's `` a size 6 instead of a size @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than a UK 2 , which measures 25 inches around the waist ) .
She credited British actress Jameela Jamil , who now lives in the US , with leading the charge against the impossible beauty standards she feels women in the industry are held to .
Swift also said she had been inspired by author and Ted Talk star Brene Brown , whose books had helped her deal with issues of shame .
Director Lana Wilson , says `` unhealthy-skinny '' had become normalised in the media at the time Swift was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criticism of women 's bodies across the board .
She hailed Swift as `` brave '' for speaking openly about her struggles .

Taylor Swift has revealed she previously struggled with an eating disorder, and would sometimes "starve" herself if she thought she looked too fat.
The Shake It Off singer says comments about her body, including one particularly cutting headline that described her as looking "pregnant", led her to stop eating.
Image: The singer says she's been inspired to speak out by stars including Jameela Jamil
She told Variety magazine she's still uncomfortable talking about it - but that it's handled well by the director of her new Netflix documentary, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival this week.
Miss Americana promises a "raw and emotionally revealing" look at Swift's rise to pop stardom, which she has described as taking "the masking tape off my mouth, like, forever".
In a particularly candid part of the film, Swift describes how her "unhealthy" relationship with food led her to view feedback on her figure as either a "punishment" or "reward".
She explains: "If I was given a pat on the head, I registered that as good. If I was given a punishment, I registered that as bad.
"I remember how, when I was 18, that was the first time I was on the cover of a magazine.
"And the headline was like 'Pregnant at 18?' And it was because I had worn something that made my lower stomach look not flat. So I just registered that as a punishment."
She says she saw praise over fitting into tiny sample sizes during photoshoots as a positive, so did her best to accommodate her body accordingly.
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:59 Swift: 'Groping trial was horrible'
Admitting that seeing pictures of herself every day was bad for her, she said there were times in the past when certain images would "just trigger me to just starve a little bit - just stop eating".
Swifts dramatic weight loss between 2014 and 2018 is illustrated with photos in the film, comparing her 1989 album shots with pictures from her Reputation tour.
She says that at the time she was cutting out food to stay skinny.
"I thought that I was supposed to feel like I was going to pass out at the end of a show, or in the middle of it," she added.
"Now I realise, no, if you eat food, have energy, get stronger, you can do all these shows and not feel (drained)."
:: Listen to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Swift says now, at 30, she's finally come to terms with her weight, accepting that she's "a size 6 instead of a size double-zero" (a UK 10 rather than a UK 2, which measures 25 inches around the waist).
She credited British actress Jameela Jamil, who now lives in the US, with leading the charge against the impossible beauty standards she feels women in the industry are held to.
Swift also said she had been inspired by author and Ted Talk star Brene Brown, whose books had helped her deal with issues of shame.
Director Lana Wilson, says "unhealthy-skinny" had become normalised in the media at the time Swift was climbing up the charts, leading to criticism of women's bodies across the board.
She hailed Swift as "brave" for speaking openly about her struggles.
Miss Americana premieres on Netflix on Friday 31 January.


skynewsus--2020-01-24--Serena Williams in shock Australian Open third round exit

Williams was visibly emotional as she left the court Serena Williams has suffered her earliest exit from the Australian Open in 14 years , falling to a shock defeat to China 's Wang Qiang in the third round .
The American 's bid for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam singles title ended with a 6-4 6-7 ( 2-7 ) 7-5 defeat to Wang .
When they met at the US Open last summer , Wang won just one game and only 15 points , but it was a different story in Melbourne as the 27th seed claimed the win of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' dreams in tatters .
Williams won her first tournament in three years in Auckland earlier this month and arrived in Melbourne with a determined intensity that seemed to indicate she was ready to put four recent grand slam final losses behind her .
Williams was highly critical of her own performance , saying : `` I was optimistic I would be able to win .
I thought , 'OK now finish this off ' .
I honestly did n't think I was going to lose that match .
`` I just made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ professional athlete today .
`` If we were just honest with ourselves , it 's all on my shoulders .
I lost that match .
It 's not about the tournament , it 's just like I ca n't play like that .
I literally ca n't do that again .
That 's unprofessional .
It 's not cool . ''
The 38-year-old 's emotions were clearly visible during the match at the Rod Laver Arena , showing just how much she wanted to win .
A shot striking the top of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American roaring and clenching her fist , the customary apology nowhere to be seen .
Williams has declared that her attempt to equal Margaret Court 's record for winning major titles will go on .
The athlete returned to the tour in 2018 after the birth of her daughter Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr on 1 September 2017 .
She has reached four Grand Slam finals since but failed to win any , with her recent US Open defeat to Canadian Bianca Andreescu playing out in front of a partisan crowd in New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she had done , Wang replied simply : `` Yes . ''
`` I think my team always believed I can do , '' she added .
`` After last time I did really hard work on court and off the court .
`` During the second set I was a bit confused .
I had to be calm .
My mind always told me I had to focus on every point and trust myself . ''

Serena Williams has suffered her earliest exit from the Australian Open in 14 years, falling to a shock defeat to China's Wang Qiang in the third round.
The American's bid for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam singles title ended with a 6-4 6-7 (2-7) 7-5 defeat to Wang.
Image: Williams' emotions were obvious during the match
When they met at the US Open last summer, Wang won just one game and only 15 points, but it was a different story in Melbourne as the 27th seed claimed the win of her life as well as leaving Williams' dreams in tatters.
Williams won her first tournament in three years in Auckland earlier this month and arrived in Melbourne with a determined intensity that seemed to indicate she was ready to put four recent grand slam final losses behind her.
Williams was highly critical of her own performance, saying: "I was optimistic I would be able to win. I thought, 'OK now finish this off'. I honestly didn't think I was going to lose that match.
"I just made far too many errors to be a professional athlete today.
"If we were just honest with ourselves, it's all on my shoulders. I lost that match. It's not about the tournament, it's just like I can't play like that. I literally can't do that again. That's unprofessional. It's not cool."
The 38-year-old's emotions were clearly visible during the match at the Rod Laver Arena, showing just how much she wanted to win.
Image: Williams spoke to the media after her match
A shot striking the top of the net and dropping over resulted in the American roaring and clenching her fist, the customary apology nowhere to be seen.
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Williams has declared that her attempt to equal Margaret Court's record for winning major titles will go on.
Image: Wang Qiang was not expected to beat the US player
The athlete returned to the tour in 2018 after the birth of her daughter Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr on 1 September 2017.
She has reached four Grand Slam finals since but failed to win any, with her recent US Open defeat to Canadian Bianca Andreescu playing out in front of a partisan crowd in New York.
Asked if she could believe what she had done, Wang replied simply: "Yes."
"I think my team always believed I can do," she added. "After last time I did really hard work on court and off the court.
"During the second set I was a bit confused. I had to be calm. My mind always told me I had to focus on every point and trust myself."


skynewsus--2020-01-23--Harry Dunn family will 'never give up' after extradition request denied

Harry Dunn : Family will 'never give up ' after extradition request denied Harry Dunn : Family will 'never give up ' after extradition request denied Harry Dunn 's mother has told Sky News they were `` prepared '' for the US to turn down an extradition request for the woman charged over the 19-year-old 's death .
Charlotte Charles said the denial by the US State Department to extradite Anna Sacoolas was a `` blow '' but one that she and Mr Dunn 's father Tim Dunn expected .
`` We 've just got to carry on fighting and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' she told Sky News correspondent Lisa Dowd .
`` We 'd prepared ourselves for this .
We 've just got to carry on fighting and we will get there in the end .
`` It does n't matter when , whether it 's this administration or the next .
The extradition request is always going to be over Anna Sacoolas 's head , and we 're never going to give up . ''
Mr Dunn died in a head-on crash with a car on 27 August last year near to RAF @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the car , Mrs Sacoolas , claimed diplomatic immunity and returned to the US , where she has been since Harry died .
Her husband is thought to be a US intelligence officer .
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said : `` I called the US Ambassador earlier to express the Government 's disappointment about this decision .
We feel this amounts to a denial of justice , and we believe Anne Sacoolas should return to the UK .
`` We are now urgently considering our options .
I also explained that the UK @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been a UK diplomat serving in the US . ''
A State Department spokesperson said : `` At the time the accident occurred , and for the duration of her stay in the UK , the US citizen driver in this case had immunity from criminal jurisdiction .
`` If the United States were to grant the UK 's extradition request , it would render the invocation of diplomatic immunity a practical nullity and would set an extraordinarily troubling precedent .
`` The United States has a history of close law enforcement cooperation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ value that relationship .
`` The United States government again expresses its sincere condolences and sympathy to the Dunn family for the loss of their son . ''
Mrs Sacoolas , 42 , was charged with causing his death by dangerous driving , by the Crown Prosecution Service in December .
Lawyers acting on behalf of the Dunn family have said it is the first time in the 100-year history of the extradition treaty that such a request had been turned down by the US .
However , Boris Johnson has previously described @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sacoolas as `` very low '' .
Spokesman for the Dunns , Radd Seiger , said the family 's constituency MP Andrea Leadsom had called him on Thursday evening to inform him of Mr Pompeo 's decision .
He told Sky News : `` She told me an email had dropped in to the government this evening from Secretary Pompeo declining the extradition request .
`` It was not a surprise and there was no reason given . ''
Mr Seiger continued : `` This changes absolutely nothing , we completely factored in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knew it was coming all along .
Secretary Pompeo made his position clear right from the start that she was never going back . ''
Ms Leadsom is due to meet the US ambassador Woody Johnson in London on Friday to discuss the case .
The decision comes after the commander of a US military base , Colonel Bridget McNamara of RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire , said all staff must take a `` driver safety course '' and pass a written exam based on UK driving laws .
At the weekend , police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the wrong side of the road in two separate incidents near the base .
Footage has emerged of one of the incidents , showing a blue BMW involved in a near-miss .
The base , which is used as a communications station for the US Air Force , has come under scrutiny since Mr Dunn 's death .
In reaction to the statement from Col McNamara , Mr Dunn 's family said it was the first time they had heard from the colonel for five months .
Mr Seiger said the base had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the community '' and said their statement was `` the opposite of the truth '' .


skynewsus--2020-01-24--34 US troops suffered traumatic brain injury after Iran strike

A view of the Ain al-Asad military airbase after the strike The Pentagon has said 34 US troops suffered traumatic brain injury in Iran 's missile strike on an Iraqi air base earlier this month .
Though half have now returned to work , US President Donald Trump initially claimed that no Americans were harmed .
He later characterised the injuries as `` not very serious '' .
Eight of the injured arrived in the US on Friday from Germany , where they and nine others had been flown days after the missile strike on Iraq 's Ain al-Asad base @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at bases housing US troops in Iraq in retaliation for the US killing of Maj Gen Qassem Soleimani , who was targeted in an airstrike near Baghdad airport the week prior .
The nine US service members still in Germany are receiving treatment and evaluation at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center - the largest US military hospital outside the continental US .
Chief Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman said the eight in the US will be treated at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Maryland or at their home bases .
The exact nature @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their service and unit affiliations , has not been disclosed .
The military said symptoms of concussion or traumatic brain injury were not immediately reported after the strike .
It also added that some cases of injuries became known days later .
Many were in bunkers before nearly a dozen Iranian ballistic missiles exploded .
After the Pentagon reported on 17 January that 11 service members had been evacuated from Iraq with concussion-like symptoms , Mr Trump said : `` I heard they had headaches and a couple of other things ... and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serious . ''
He said he believed the injuries were not as severe as those suffered by troops who were hit by roadside bombs in Iraq .
Traumatic brain injury , or TBI , has become a growing concern for the military in recent years .
The Defence Department has said more than 375,000 incidents of TBI occurred in the military between 2000 and 2018. : : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Some members of Congress pressed the Pentagon for more details about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attack .
More than 5,000 US troops and 400 British soldiers remain in Iraq , along with other foreign forces , in a coalition that has trained and backed Iraqi forces against the threat of IS militants .

The Pentagon has said 34 US troops suffered traumatic brain injury in Iran's missile strike on an Iraqi air base earlier this month.
Though half have now returned to work, US President Donald Trump initially claimed that no Americans were harmed.
He later characterised the injuries as "not very serious".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:40 Iran fires missiles at US airbases in Iraq
Eight of the injured arrived in the US on Friday from Germany, where they and nine others had been flown days after the missile strike on Iraq's Ain al-Asad base on 8 January.
Iran fired missiles at bases housing US troops in Iraq in retaliation for the US killing of Maj Gen Qassem Soleimani, who was targeted in an airstrike near Baghdad airport the week prior.
The nine US service members still in Germany are receiving treatment and evaluation at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center - the largest US military hospital outside the continental US.
Chief Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman said the eight in the US will be treated at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Maryland or at their home bases.
The exact nature of their injuries, as well as their service and unit affiliations, has not been disclosed.
The military said symptoms of concussion or traumatic brain injury were not immediately reported after the strike.
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It also added that some cases of injuries became known days later.
Many were in bunkers before nearly a dozen Iranian ballistic missiles exploded.
After the Pentagon reported on 17 January that 11 service members had been evacuated from Iraq with concussion-like symptoms, Mr Trump said: "I heard they had headaches and a couple of other things... and I can report it is not very serious."
Image: Donald Trump initially claimed that no Americans were harmed after the missile strike
He said he believed the injuries were not as severe as those suffered by troops who were hit by roadside bombs in Iraq.
Traumatic brain injury, or TBI, has become a growing concern for the military in recent years.
The Defence Department has said more than 375,000 incidents of TBI occurred in the military between 2000 and 2018.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Some members of Congress pressed the Pentagon for more details about the TBI cases resulting from the Iranian attack.
More than 5,000 US troops and 400 British soldiers remain in Iraq, along with other foreign forces, in a coalition that has trained and backed Iraqi forces against the threat of IS militants.


skynewsus--2020-01-24--Trump becomes first US president to attend anti-abortion rally

Trump becomes first US president to attend Washington 's March For Life Trump becomes first US president to attend Washington 's March For Life Donald Trump says it is a `` profound honour '' to be the first president to speak at an annual anti-abortion event in Washington .
In his speech at the March for Life rally , the US president said `` unborn children have never had a stronger defender in the White House '' .
He slammed the Democrats for what he called the most `` radical and extreme positions '' on abortion from any political party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sadly the far left is actively working to erase our God-given rights , shut own faith-based charities , ban religious believers from the public square and silence Americans who believe in the sanctity of life , '' Mr Trump said .
`` They are coming after me because I am fighting for you , and ... together we are the voice for the voiceless . ''
Mr Trump used the speech to praise his own `` historic '' anti-abortion action since taking office , including appointing judges who oppose abortion , cutting taxpayer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policies .
He called on Congress to pass legislation that would `` prohibit late-term abortion of children who can feel pain in their mother 's womb '' .
In the speech , Mr Trump also thanked the `` tens of thousands '' of people who attended the event , particularly the `` strong women , amazing faith leaders and brave students who carry on the work of pioneers before us '' .
`` Every life brings love into this world , '' he said , prompting loud cheers from the crowd .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Every person is worth protecting . ''
In a 1999 interview , Mr Trump said he was `` pro-choice in every respect '' .
During his 2016 campaign for the Republican nomination , Mr Trump said his views had changed and that he was now opposed to abortion in most cases .
When asked hypothetically what would happen if abortion were outlawed , Mr Trump said there would have to `` be some form of punishment '' for women who have them .
This prompted a backlash that managed to unite abortion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organisers of the March for Life .
Asked to clarify Mr Trump 's position , the Republican Party initially said the issue should rest with state governments .
Mr Trump later said doctors , not women , should be punished for illegal abortions .
Since then , Mr Trump has become a darling of the anti-abortion movement .
Now , as he heads into the 2020 election , he continues to reach out to the white evangelical voters who have been among his most loyal backers .
Past presidents who opposed abortion , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , steered clear of personally attending March to Life to avoid being too closely associated with the contentious issue .
Chair of the American Conservative Union and a close ally of the White House , Matt Schlapp said Mr Trump 's appearance at the event was significant .
`` I 've had people be moved to tears over the fact that he 's going , '' Mr Schlapp said .

Donald Trump says it is a "profound honour" to be the first president to speak at an annual anti-abortion event in Washington.
In his speech at the March for Life rally, the US president said "unborn children have never had a stronger defender in the White House".
He slammed the Democrats for what he called the most "radical and extreme positions" on abortion from any political party "in possibly centuries".
Image: The president spoke to thousands of anti-abortion activists
"Sadly the far left is actively working to erase our God-given rights, shut own faith-based charities, ban religious believers from the public square and silence Americans who believe in the sanctity of life," Mr Trump said.
"They are coming after me because I am fighting for you, and... together we are the voice for the voiceless."
Mr Trump used the speech to praise his own "historic" anti-abortion action since taking office, including appointing judges who oppose abortion, cutting taxpayer funding for abortion services and vetoing pro-abortion policies.
He called on Congress to pass legislation that would "prohibit late-term abortion of children who can feel pain in their mother's womb".
In the speech, Mr Trump also thanked the "tens of thousands" of people who attended the event, particularly the "strong women, amazing faith leaders and brave students who carry on the work of pioneers before us".
"Every life brings love into this world," he said, prompting loud cheers from the crowd.
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Image: In 1999 Mr Trump said he was 'pro-choice in every respect'
"Every child brings joy to a family. Every person is worth protecting."
In a 1999 interview, Mr Trump said he was "pro-choice in every respect".
During his 2016 campaign for the Republican nomination, Mr Trump said his views had changed and that he was now opposed to abortion in most cases.
When asked hypothetically what would happen if abortion were outlawed, Mr Trump said there would have to "be some form of punishment" for women who have them.
This prompted a backlash that managed to unite abortion rights activists and opponents, even including organisers of the March for Life.
Asked to clarify Mr Trump's position, the Republican Party initially said the issue should rest with state governments.
Image: Thousands turned out for the event
Mr Trump later said doctors, not women, should be punished for illegal abortions.
Since then, Mr Trump has become a darling of the anti-abortion movement.
Now, as he heads into the 2020 election, he continues to reach out to the white evangelical voters who have been among his most loyal backers.
Past presidents who opposed abortion, including Ronald Reagan and George W Bush, steered clear of personally attending March to Life to avoid being too closely associated with the contentious issue.
Chair of the American Conservative Union and a close ally of the White House, Matt Schlapp said Mr Trump's appearance at the event was significant.
"I've had people be moved to tears over the fact that he's going," Mr Schlapp said.
"It's a big deal."


skynewsus--2020-01-24--Black teen told to cut dreadlocks or face graduation ban

'It does not make sense ' : School tells teen to cut dreads A black teenager has said he has been suspended from high school and told he ca n't attend his graduation ceremony unless he cuts his dreadlocks .
DeAndre Arnold , a senior at Barbers Hill High School in Mont Belvieu , near Houston , Texas , said he has worn dreadlocks for years and always followed the school 's dress code by tying them up .
The 18-year-old told NBC affiliate KPRC his father is from Trinidad and many men in his family wear their hair in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been in compliance with school district rules until recently , when he faced in-school suspension after he refused to cut it .
`` I really like that part of Trinidadian culture , '' he told the station .
`` So , I mean I really embrace that . ''
His mother , Sandy Arnold , said after the Christmas holiday , three months before graduation , the Barbers Hill Independent School District changed its dress code on hair .
Now the rules stipulate that for male students `` hair must be clean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ below the eyebrows , the ear lobes or the top of a T-shirt collar - including when let down .
`` They say that even though my hair is up and I follow all of the regulations , that if it was down , it would be out of dress code , '' DeAndre Arnold told KPRC .
`` Not that I 'm out of dress code , but if I was to take it down , I would be out of dress code , which does n't make any sense .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Sandy Arnold said that , as a result of the rule change , her son is not allowed in school and ca n't attend graduation until he complies with the dress code .
When asked if she would cut his hair , she responded , `` Absolutely not . ''
`` This is his belief , '' she said .
`` This is a part of who he is .
This is his culture .
This is what we believe . ''
In a statement on Twitter , the Barbers Hill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allow dreadlocks .
It added : `` However we DO have a community supported hair length policy & have had for decades .
`` BH is a state leader with high expectations in ALL areas ! ''

A black teenager has said he has been suspended from high school and told he can't attend his graduation ceremony unless he cuts his dreadlocks.
DeAndre Arnold, a senior at Barbers Hill High School in Mont Belvieu, near Houston, Texas, said he has worn dreadlocks for years and always followed the school's dress code by tying them up.
The 18-year-old told NBC affiliate KPRC his father is from Trinidad and many men in his family wear their hair in this style.
Image: DeAndre says his hair is tied up at school
He said his hair had been in compliance with school district rules until recently, when he faced in-school suspension after he refused to cut it.
"I really like that part of Trinidadian culture," he told the station. "So, I mean I really embrace that."
His mother, Sandy Arnold, said after the Christmas holiday, three months before graduation, the Barbers Hill Independent School District changed its dress code on hair.
Now the rules stipulate that for male students "hair must be clean and well groomed" and not extend below the eyebrows, the ear lobes or the top of a T-shirt collar - including when let down.
"They say that even though my hair is up and I follow all of the regulations, that if it was down, it would be out of dress code," DeAndre Arnold told KPRC.
"Not that I'm out of dress code, but if I was to take it down, I would be out of dress code, which doesn't make any sense. I don't take it down at school."
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Sandy Arnold said that, as a result of the rule change, her son is not allowed in school and can't attend graduation until he complies with the dress code. When asked if she would cut his hair, she responded, "Absolutely not."
"This is his belief," she said. "This is a part of who he is. This is his culture. This is what we believe."
In a statement on Twitter, the Barbers Hill Independent School District said that it does allow dreadlocks.
It added: "However we DO have a community supported hair length policy & have had for decades.
"BH is a state leader with high expectations in ALL areas!"


skynewsus--2020-01-24--Coco Gauff, 15, knocks out Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka

American teenager Coco Gauff has produced a performance for the ages to knock out defending Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka .
The 15-year-old has already made headlines around the world but none of her achievements so far could compare to this as she took apart one of the best players in the world at the Rod Laver Arena .
Gauff has now reached the fourth round at two grand slams as she comfortably defeated the player who lifted the trophy here 12 months ago .
The teenager kept her head impressively while Osaka lost hers , tumbling out of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ errors .
Gauff was stunned by her achievement , saying : `` Two years ago I lost first round in juniors , and now I 'm here .
This is crazy .
`` I was just telling myself one point at a time and keep fighting because you never know what happens on this court .
`` I 'm on Rod Laver Arena , I ca n't believe this . ''
Gauff said she had been too shy to speak to Laver when she passed him in the corridor but hoped to set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to respond on Twitter , saying : `` Hello CocoGauff - congratulations on your incredible victory tonight .
I would love to meet you too . ''
`` I love her , but I do n't like this feeling of losing to her , '' said 22-year-old Osaka , who had easily beaten Gauff at the US Open last summer .
`` I think just losing to her , that hurts more than the defending champion thing .
I think it 's because I have an age problem .
I do n't like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me .
I took this very personally . ''
In the next round , the teenager will face another young American , 21-year-old 14th seed Sofia Kenin , who battled past Zhang Shuai 7-5 7-6 ( 7 ) .
Gauff shocked tennis fans when she beat Venus Williams in the first round of Wimbledon last year .
She beat her again in the first round in Melbourne on Monday .
Gauff 's victory on Friday came several hours after title favourite Serena Williams had been stunned by a player who won just 15 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the US Open .
China 's Wang Qiang had vowed to improve after that match and she certainly kept her promise , going toe to toe with Williams and not losing her cool when the 23-time grand-slam champion fought back .
The 38-year-old 's defeat meant the wait to equal Margaret Court 's record went on , but Williams added : `` I definitely do believe [ I can do it ] or I would n't be on tour . ''

American teenager Coco Gauff has produced a performance for the ages to knock out defending Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka.
The 15-year-old has already made headlines around the world but none of her achievements so far could compare to this as she took apart one of the best players in the world at the Rod Laver Arena.
Image: Naomi Osaka didn't like losing to someone younger than her
Gauff has now reached the fourth round at two grand slams as she comfortably defeated the player who lifted the trophy here 12 months ago.
The teenager kept her head impressively while Osaka lost hers, tumbling out of the tournament 6-3 6-4 in a flurry of errors.
Gauff was stunned by her achievement, saying: "Two years ago I lost first round in juniors, and now I'm here. This is crazy.
"I was just telling myself one point at a time and keep fighting because you never know what happens on this court.
"I'm on Rod Laver Arena, I can't believe this."
Gauff said she had been too shy to speak to Laver when she passed him in the corridor but hoped to set up a meeting.
Laver was quick to respond on Twitter, saying: "Hello CocoGauff - congratulations on your incredible victory tonight. I would love to meet you too."
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"I love her, but I don't like this feeling of losing to her," said 22-year-old Osaka, who had easily beaten Gauff at the US Open last summer.
"I think just losing to her, that hurts more than the defending champion thing. I think it's because I have an age problem. I don't like losing to people that are younger than me. I took this very personally."
In the next round, the teenager will face another young American, 21-year-old 14th seed Sofia Kenin, who battled past Zhang Shuai 7-5 7-6 (7).
Gauff shocked tennis fans when she beat Venus Williams in the first round of Wimbledon last year. She beat her again in the first round in Melbourne on Monday.
Gauff's victory on Friday came several hours after title favourite Serena Williams had been stunned by a player who won just 15 points against her in their last meeting at the US Open.
Image: Serena Williams's emotions were obvious when she lost
China's Wang Qiang had vowed to improve after that match and she certainly kept her promise, going toe to toe with Williams and not losing her cool when the 23-time grand-slam champion fought back.
The 38-year-old's defeat meant the wait to equal Margaret Court's record went on, but Williams added: "I definitely do believe [I can do it] or I wouldn't be on tour."